Abstract: A raised pet bed assembly consisting generally of a main frame having an upper loop and a lower loop connected at a riser sleeve which may include a spring or hinge to allow the upper loop to gently bounce. A soft fabric sling lays into the top loop of the frame and is connected to the frame using loops or other connectors. Loops within the sling could be slid into the frame members of the top loop. A padded insert can be placed into the sling portion for use on cooler days or for additional comfort. These parts can easily be removed for cleaning and would be washable in a commercial clothes washer. A canopy can be placed on wire supports above the fabric sling, and a cover can provide an enclosure within the frame.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a recirculating aquaculture system for aquatic life. The system includes a culture tank, a sensor configured to measure a current dissolved oxygen level in the culture tank, a variable speed pump configured to circulate water through the culture tank, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the variable speed pump. The controller is configured to retrieve a dissolved oxygen threshold level and a maximum gas to liquid ratio in the culture tank, retrieve the current dissolved oxygen level, compare the current dissolved oxygen level with the dissolved oxygen threshold level, and automatically increase one of a current water flow rate and a current oxygen flow through the system when the current dissolved oxygen level is less than the dissolved oxygen threshold level.

Abstract: A plant growing apparatus including a chamber for growing plants. The chamber includes a base for receiving the plants, a lid movably mounted in relation to the base having an outer face and an opposite inner face, and a collapsible screen having an inner surface and being mounted between the base and the lid for closing the chamber. The collapsible screen is operable between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. The collapsible screen is configured to collapse upon approaching the lid towards the base and to extend, upon distancing the lid away from the base. The plant growing apparatus also includes a horticultural lamp mounted on the inner face of the lid.

Abstract: Thermoformed double tray system for cultivation of plants including a top tray which is stacked with a bottom tray. The top tray has cells for receiving a substrate. The bottom tray provides rigidity to the double tray system. The bottom tray has a baseplate which is provided with support elements to support the top tray. The baseplate has an outer edge which defines the outer contour of the bottom tray. A groove shaped deepening in the baseplate is extending in parallel with the outer edge. The deepening increases a bending stiffness of the bottom tray and provides rigidity to the double tray system. The deepening is provided with a reinforcing ribs which cross the deepening.

Abstract: A tree support system and method for temporarily supporting a tree that is easy to install and remove, and does not impart damage to the tree. A plurality of one-piece molded support blocks which are designed to be strapped to the trunk of a tree encircling the trunk. Each support block is specifically configured to avoid causing damage to the tree by including a padded tree-engaging surface to protect the tree from damage, and a pair of strap-receiving loops which are disposed on the block so as to be spaced from the tree trunk such that securing straps are maintained in spaced relation from the tree trunk. The support blocks further include an angled cavity having a generally rectangular cross-section sized for receiving a wooden support post or leg, such as a 2×4, thereby ensuring proper angled positioning of the support posts.

Abstract: An aquaponics and greenhouse system, includes a solar greenhouse insulated on north, east and west sides and with glazing on a south side at an angle to maximize winter sunlight, and housing a fish tank, grow beds, and a hard filter. The grow beds and hard filter include geyser pumps in the fish tank powered by air pumps that pump water from the fish tank to the grow bed or hard filter and aerate fish tank water. The hard filter includes algae layer with an air stone powered by an air pump underneath to aerate the algae. Grow beds on the north side have a barrier layer over media, and with a mushroom bulk substrate layer disposed thereover. The air intake of the air pump of the hard filter or the air stone extract CO2 from the mushroom bulk substrate and pump the extracted CO2 to the algae layer.

Abstract: An absorbent member of animal excreta disposal sheet includes a first absorbent core containing at least hydrophilic fibers and a second absorbent core composed of a plurality of highly absorbent polymer particles. The plurality of highly absorbent polymer particles includes a large-diameter particle group having a plurality of large-diameter highly absorbent polymer particles, and a small-diameter particle group having a plurality of small-diameter highly absorbent polymer particles. The mass proportions of the large-diameter particle group and the small-diameter particle group are each 15-60 mass %, and the total mass proportion of the large-diameter particle group and the small-diameter particle group is at least 50 mass %.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to plants and selective cutting of undesirable plant material. The apparatus includes a base, a brush and an elevation device for maintaining the base at desirable height. The base has a first longitudinal axis and a plurality of grooves, the grooves being oriented approximately perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The brush has a second longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles and/or blades extending outwardly from the second longitudinal axis. The brush is attached to the apparatus such that the second longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the brush is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The brush is spaced from the base such that the plurality of bristles engage the plurality of grooves. The base is adjustable enabling the operator to move the base closer or further from the rotating brush/blades.

Abstract: A gravity flow feeder is disclosed having a vertically arranged, canister, funnel, chute, and trough arrangement wherein feed contained within each canister is allowed to flow down, aided by gravity, to settle within a feed trough. Use of a timing mechanism and a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder allows for the articulation of a closeable access to open or close the trough in order to protect the feed contained from the elements and scavenging animals and condition the timing of animal arrival at the feeder. Any number of feed containing canisters may be implemented in order to provide for mixing of various types of feed within the trough for maintenance of a balanced diet for desired animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for artificial illumination of a plant, wherein the illumination of the plant is controlled based on the amount of light being reflected from the plant. The invention also relates to a corresponding illumination system, use of the illumination system and a computer program product.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for stimulating a desired response, such as ovulation and egg laying, fertility, hunger, growth, mood and sexual maturity in birds or aves, by controlling the pulsing of two or more different wavelength bands, duty cycle, and frequency of photon bursts within a photon signal to a bird, where the photon modulation and duty cycle is based upon the specific needs of the bird.

Abstract: A continuous cultivation system for growing an organic ginseng using multilevel cultivation tables. The system includes a facility including: a rainproof plastic roof, a first sun-shading screen placed on the rainproof plastic roof and allows transmission of an adequate amount of sunlight for cultivation of ginseng, and a second sun-shading screen installed at front, back, and left, and right sides of the facility and that allows air to smoothly pass therethrough; a plurality of multilevel cultivation tables that includes three or more levels of cultivation tables respectively; a water supply device for uniformly supplying water to the cultivation tables; a ventilation window and an air blowing fan installed on a ceiling of the facility to ventilate an upper portion of the facility; and auxiliary light sources installed under all of the cultivation tables except for lowermost cultivation tables.

Abstract: A feeder for dispensing feed to livestock includes a trough and a hopper mounted above the trough. The hopper includes a sidewall, a bottom, a central feed discharge hole through the bottom, and a plurality of gravity flow feed openings arranged around the central feed discharge hole. A deflector is mounted in the hopper above and vertically spaced from the hopper bottom to cover the central feed discharge hole to restrict gravity flow of feed from the hopper through the central feed discharge hole. A sweep member is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis for sweeping feed under the deflector to the central feed discharge hole for discharge into the trough. A closure system is associated with the gravity flow feed openings to automatically close the gravity flow feed openings once animals start moving the sweep member to sweep feed to the central feed discharge hole.

Abstract: A pet litter box mat having a first planar layer which overlaps and covers a second planar layer. The layers are connected together by hinges. A plurality of openings are formed through the first layer and these openings increase in area from a side of the first mat which abuts the second mat to the other side of the first mat.

Abstract: A water supply for an animal feeder includes a valve member on a nipple controlled by the animal connected to a water supply duct for supplying water to the valve member. A regulator is provided for controlling a flow rate and the nipple controls the flow rate by defining a housing through which the water passes with a resilient cylindrical body mounted in the housing. The resilient body defines a convoluted or serpentine water flow path therethrough or thereon for flow of water along the flow path through the housing with the flow path defining a rate of flow of the water. The housing has an adjustment member for adjusting application of pressure to the resilient body to change an amount of compression of the resilient body so as to distort the water flow path and change the rate of flow. The serpentine path is also of increased length to restrict the flow.

Abstract: A feeding dish for an animal to assist in controlling the rate of consumption of a food item may have a series of protrusions in the form of undulating rings or walls. These rings limit animal access to the food based on the configurations and arrangement of the protrusions. The feeding dishes encourage an animal to exert a more calculated effort to retrieve and eat the food item thereby alleviating potential deadly conditions, such as gastric dilatation-volvulus or aspiration, from afflicting the animal.

Abstract: A tree sap collecting device having at least one hollow main conduit extending between a first end adapted to be inserted into a tree and a second end. The main conduit has an external surface and at least one protuberance extending outwardly from the external surface. The at least one protuberance occupies a circumferential extent on the external surface that is less than a circumference of the external surface. The at least one protuberance engages a collection tube upon said collection tube being mounted to the external surface.

Abstract: A collar-mounted GPS and stimulation unit includes a body. Quick-mount retention clips extend from the superior and inferior lateral edges, bend in a 90 degree angle towards the center, and extend for a short distance before terminating. The preferred embodiment collar mounted GPS unit is preferably slightly wider than a standard nylon dog collar. The collar is made of a flexible material, such as nylon, leather and most other common collar materials, and can operatively be pinched to fit in between the quick-mount clips, then released to expand into normal shape within the space between the retention clips and the ends of the collar-mounted GPS and stimulation unit. A special stimulation unit is used in combination to protect the animal from harm.

Abstract: A growing system (e.g., greenhouse) is equipped with a mixing box that features a pair of PLC-controlled cooling coils and a heating coil in series. PLC regulated inputs include air and CO2-containing exhaust. The cooling coils in series facilitate condensation to maintain relative humidity in an acceptable range. At least two stages of cooling are necessary to achieve sufficient condensation and temperature reduction. Condensate is collected for reuse. The heating coil heats cooled CO2-enriched air to an acceptable temperature for plant health. The output is a temperate low relative humidity CO2-enriched stream optimal for plant health.

Abstract: An improved floral display box to house flowers. The floral display box includes a vase for arranging a plurality of flowers having an open top, a closed bottom, and one or more side walls. The vase is adapted to house the flowers and accompanying water and nutrients. Further, a lid is removably disposed over the open top of the vase. The lid has a plurality of openings disposed therethrough to hold the flower in place within the vase, the plurality of holes having a diameter of about 0.1 and 1 cm and being disposed at an angle of about 20 degrees to about 45 degrees with respect to a centerline from a centrally place opening in the lid to the bottom surface of the vase to a centerline through outermost holes in the lid to the bottom surface of the vase.