Abstract: This invention relates to a basket (1) for cultivating an orchid plant (2) having aerial roots (3) and slots (4) for passing the plant's roots and/or leaves (2a). The basket is constituted by separate basket parts (5, 6), arranged to be interconnected at an interconnection interface (7), thus enabling to insert the plant's roots etc. in the basket parts' separated state, and to hold the plant's roots etc. in their joined state. The first basket part (5) comprises a bottom part (10) and three sides parts (11, 12, 13). The second basket part (6) comprises one side part (14) and is arranged to be connected to the first basket part in order to form the fourth basket side in the basket parts' interconnected state. The bottom part (10) and the two side parts (11, 13) extending towards the interconnection interface (7) comprise slots (4) which are open towards the interconnection interface (7).

Abstract: The improved saddle structure of the invention comprises first and second opposed side panels, a plurality of resilient transverse arched rib members connecting the first and second opposed side panels, and a spine member extending longitudinally between the first and second side panels. The spine member is connected to each rib member at a central crown portion of the rib member. The spine member can comprise one or more elongate members or a plurality of connecting members joining the rib members at their crown portions, and the spine member is of sufficient flexibility to flex with the flexure of the spine of an animal on which the saddle structure is fitted. A saddle seat is secured to the spine member and/or rib members. The saddle structure of the invention provides a saddle structure for use on the back of an animal whereby localised load pressure points are reduced while allowing flexure of the animal's spine, and whereby load is distributed more evenly along the length of the saddle structure.

Abstract: A seedling transplanting system is provided that utilizes a seedling feeder that is configured to fit between a tray of seedlings contained within a series of chain pots and a hydroponic trough. The feeder includes a ramp and a chute that direct the seedlings from the tray into the trough. A pair of guide surfaces, which form ramp sidewalls, help the seedlings to self-right as they are drawn into the hydroponic trough. A restraining jig aids in establishing and maintaining the relative positions of the seedling tray, feeder and trough during the transplanting process. A pulling tool simplifies the transplanting process by providing means for pulling a pair of media strips along with the captured chain pots into the hydroponic trough.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide automated data collection of feed behavior and intake for animals in confinement where the animal ingests feed from a feed station that includes a first and second feed container each of which holds a feed that is freely accessible to the animal, and a respective first and second weight sensor each of which senses a change in weight of the respective feed in the container. A processor is configured to transmit instructions to cause it to receive from the weight sensors, a plurality signals indicative of a change in weight in the first and second feed containers. The processor records a reduction in weight sensed by the first or the second sensor as consumption of the respective feed, and records a change in weight sensed by the first or the second sensor as feeding activity at the respective feed container.

Abstract: An adjustable animal garment, the garment comprising a tubular body defining a front opening, a rear opening, a chest portion and a back portion. The garment further comprises a plurality of discrete elasticized areas formed along a length of at least the chest portion or the back portion and configured to render said at least chest portion or back portion stretchable substantially transversely to the length of the chest portion or the back portion between an extended position and a rest position; and a fastening system connectable to the chest portion or the back portion, said fastening system being adjustably closing an opening along the length of the chest portion or the back portion.

Abstract: A system for cultivating a crop includes a guide and a plurality of gutters. Each gutter is provided to contain a plurality of crop units and the guide is provided to guide the gutters in a first direction and to gradually increase the distance between adjacent gutters in said direction so that the number of crop units per square metre in the area substantially decreases. The area comprises first and second zones, and each gutter in the first zone contains crop units with a first intermediate distance and each gutter in the second zone contains crop units with a second intermediate distance. The first intermediate distance is considerably smaller than the second intermediate distance and the distance between gutters in the first zone at the position of a transition from the first zone to the second zone is considerably greater than the distance between gutters in the second zone.

Abstract: An animal litter box apparatus includes a main body having a base and vertical sides. A main body front side has a dual-walled construction including an exterior wall, a spaced-apart interior wall, and an upper edge adjoining upper ends of the interior and exterior walls to define an interior storage space. A compound opening is defined by respective cut-out portions of the interior wall, exterior wall, and the upper edge. A magnetic coupling element within the interior storage space cooperates with a corresponding magnet on a litter-sifting basket of a litter scoop to selectively retain the litter scoop basket therein. A recessed portion of the exterior surface of the exterior wall accommodates a proximal end portion of the litter scoop handle. An inverted U-shaped cover member disposed about the front side is slidable from an open position to a closed position to discreetly house the entire litter scoop.

Abstract: An automated nutrient injection system is provided. The automated nutrient injection system comprises a nutrient mixing and delivery system coupled to a controller. The nutrient mixing and delivery system is configured to mix a predefined formula comprised of at least one nutrient and water. The controller is configured to receive, store, and execute user-defined settings of the nutrient mixing and delivery system. The controller comprises a remote display, wherein the remote display is viewable on a device physically remote from the nutrient mixing and delivery system.

Abstract: A netting material having a length dimension and a width dimension much smaller than the length dimension is formed by threads knitted or woven together. The netting material has a main portion comprising knitted or woven apertures, a reinforced edge portion at or adjacent each longitudinal edge of the netting material comprising a longitudinal row of knitted or woven fastening features, and a reinforced intermediate portion between the reinforced edge portions. The reinforced intermediate portion has a first longitudinal row of knitted or woven fastening features and a corresponding second longitudinal row of knitted or woven fastening features. In use, the netting material is folded so that the first longitudinal row of fastening features and the second longitudinal row of fastening features are brought together to form a double-layered row of fastening features.

Abstract: A latchably closable horticultural capsule is configured to contain a growing medium, and to be temporarily closed around a branch section of a parent plant during an air-layering propagation process. The capsule includes a first shell portion and a second shell portion pivotally joined together by a central hinge. The first shell portion includes a main shell body having a cup-like shape configured to partially surround the branch section, the main shell body having opposed end walls with notches formed therein. The first shell portion also includes two seal-receiving cups externally attached to the end walls of the main shell body. The seal-receiving cups have hollow notches formed in respective edge portions thereof, and are also configured to partially surround the branch section. The notches of the seal-receiving cups are substantially linearly aligned with one another, and also with the notches of the main shell body.

Abstract: A leash including a housing, a reel assembly rotatably coupled to the housing, and a tether coupled to the reel assembly. The reel assembly includes a tether wheel coupled to the tether, and rotatable relative to the housing in a first rotational direction to effectuate extension of the tether, and rotatable in a second rotational direction to effectuate retraction of the tether. A hard stop gear is coupled to the tether wheel, and a soft stop gear is rotatably coupled to the hard stop gear. A dampening spring is coupled to the soft stop gear and the hard stop gear to impart a biasing force on the soft stop gear as it rotates relative to the hard stop gear. A soft stop lever is operatively coupled to the soft stop gear and is configured to selectively restrict rotation of the soft stop gear relative to the housing.

Abstract: An animal feeding system includes a receptacle comprising a microcontroller, one or more applications running on at least one processor of a mobile device, and an access point, wherein the microcontroller, the one or more applications, and the access point are communicatively coupled through a wireless communications network. The receptacle holds pet food consumables. A chute receives dispensed consumables as they pass through an opening in the receptacle. A sensor monitors a level of the consumables in the receptacle, wherein the sensor is communicatively coupled with the microcontroller and transmits information of the monitored level to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller uses the information to determine whether the level of the consumables is below a threshold level. The microcontroller initiates communication with a remote vendor through the wireless communications network when the level falls below the threshold level.

Abstract: A system for displaying aquatic animals in a retail environment includes a base having a plurality of shelves, and a plurality of removable containment elements disposed on the shelves, each of the containment elements including a bottom, a top, and side walls extending between the top and the bottom to enclose a volume of water. At least one of the side walls defines a flat side viewing panel for viewing an aquatic animal inside of the containment element. Each of the containment elements is a rectangular-shaped that is sized to contain a salable number of aquatic animals.

Abstract: An ice fishing tip-up is described that is adapted to rest on a sheet of ice surrounding a fishing opening in the sheet of ice. The ice fishing device has at least three legs, a moveable spool post, a fishing line spool attached at or near the water end of the moveable spool post, and a signaling device comprising a switch operably connected to the fishing line spool. Each leg is attached at one end to a top cap. The moveable spool post has a first and a second position. The first position of the movable spool post the fishing line spool is positioned in the interior defined by the legs and at the second position of the movable spool post the fishing line spool extends past the legs. Pulling on the fishing line spool activates the switch to trigger the signaling device.

Abstract: An animal trap, according to one embodiment, includes: a first portion having upper and a lower ends; a second portion in sliding relationship with the first portion, the first and second portions being relatively positionable between cocked and deployed positions; a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second portions towards the deployed position; a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions in the cocked position; and an end unit removably coupled to the lower end of the first portion. The end unit includes: a base; at least two unique members extending from a bottom end of the base; and a bottom portion coupled to a distal end of each of the unique members. A first end of each of the unique members is coupled to the base, while each of the distal ends are at a second end of each of the unique members.

Abstract: An animal trap, according to one embodiment, includes: a first portion having upper and a lower ends; a second portion in sliding relationship with the first portion, the first and second portions being relatively positionable between cocked and deployed positions; a biasing mechanism for biasing the first and second portions towards the deployed position; a trigger mechanism for selectively locking the first and second portions in the cocked position; and an end unit removably coupled to the lower end of the first portion. The end unit includes: a base; at least two unique members extending from a bottom end of the base; and a bottom portion coupled to a distal end of each of the unique members. A first end of each of the unique members is coupled to the base, while each of the distal ends are at a second end of each of the unique members.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the pet feeder bowl. The bowl has three layers. Non-skid rubber is permanently attached to the bowl and raised till the top to give additional strength and Hermosa looks, so that the rubber cannot tear off or get damaged in different weather condition. The bowl can directly be put into the dishwasher, as all the materials, i.e. plastic, steel bowls and rubber are permanently attached to each other.

Abstract: Movable stake and method of using it for supporting and managing the cultivation of plant species, such as a vineyard or the like, in which at least one part of the branches are buried in the soil during the cold season. The movable stake includes a deformable element on which are fastened the branches to be buried and has a first free end and a second end anchored to the ground; the first free end is suitable to be engaged either with the soil or with a horizontal wire that supports the branches of the plant being cultivated.

Abstract: Methods, devices, apparatuses and systems for monitoring the presence or absence of a contaminant and/or a contaminant sampling element, or portion thereof, in an animal rack.

Abstract: A microgravity agriculture device includes a root cylinder providing a growing medium for the plant and intended for root growth. The root cylinder will extend into a water tank, and the root cylinder will include apertures and wicking elements to draw water from the water tank into the root cylinder for availability to the plant roots. The geometries of the water tank, root cylinder, apertures and wicking elements are designed in a manner to ensure water surface tension will cause water in the tank to fill and stay in the proper areas to ensure water flow to the plant, no obstruction of vents during tank filling, and no egress of the water through the vents.