Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for reducing ammonia levels in animal bedding or litter, comprising 0.015-40% citric acid and one or more of a clay-based particulate, diatomaceous earth or an organic material. The composition can also comprise an anti-microbial agent. A method of treating animal bedding or litter to reduce ammonia is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for cultivating plants is described. The system may include a tower structure having a vertical series of vessels for holding a netted pot or other container. The system may have a pressurized irrigation system that is in fluid communication with each vessel. The system may further include lamps to provide an adequate light source. The system may also include sensors, monitors and controls to establish and maintain environmental conditions suitable for proper plant growth. The system may further be implemented as a scalable system in which multiple tower structures may be installed into a scaffold system. Sets of towers may be slidably affixed to a scaffold such that the towers may be slid along a track thereby creating easy access to the plants, vessels, lights and the irrigation system. The system may be expanded to include multiple scaffolds affixed to a skeletal frame or compartment interior.

Abstract: Pet litter box cleaning system including a base structure, sieve member, and, optionally, trash receptacle is provided. The base structure includes a bottom wall and side wall(s) extending upward from the bottom wall except in one portion to leave an open side for receiving the sieve member therethrough. In a first embodiment, the sieve member includes a back wall for extending across the open side, a sifter and handle. In a second embodiment, a door serves to close the open side and the sieve member does not include a back wall. The trash receptacle may extend from an upraised wall of the base structure. In use, the sieve member is inserted in the base structure to clean litter of waste by lifting the sieve member by the handle whereby clean litter passes through the sifter and waste collects on the sifter which then is disposed of into a trash receptacle.

Abstract: There is provided a planter for growing plants. The planter comprises a framework supporting a plurality of shelves (16, 16a, 16b), wherein the framework comprises two upright frame members (2, 4) at a left side of the framework, two upright frame members (6, 8) at a right side of the framework opposite the left side, a first cross member (11) connected to and spanning between the two upright frame members (2, 4) at the left side of the framework, a second cross member (12) connected to and spanning between the two upright frame members (6, 8) at the right side of the framework, and a shelf support member (14) connected to and spanning between the first and second cross members (11, 12). A first end of the shelf support member (14) rests in a cradle of the first cross member (11), and is repeatedly removable and attachable therefrom.

Abstract: A self-watering planter features wicking devices whose outer tubes feature a skeletal upper structure having a plurality of columns periodically interconnected by rings spanning circumferentially around the wicking material to delimit windows of large area for optimum water seepage to the soil. A flange at the bottom of the tube's skeletal upper portion cooperates with snap features at the top of a lower portion that hangs in the water reservoir to provide snap-fit installation of the wicking devices on a divider wall of a permanently enclosed planter. A soil drainage filtration device features filtration fabric held in a sandwiched state around a drainage opening in the divider wall by one or more mounting plates. In one embodiment, the fabric forms a sack that hangs into the reservoir to suspend a volume of soil therein, whereby the suspended soil serves as wicking agent in the absence of excess rainwater needing drainage.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system, including: a first end that screws into a light bulb socket; an internal light source; an electric insect control mechanism disposed around and proximate to the internal light source; and a visible light source disposed at an opposite end with respect to the first end. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chemical-physical method of producing mushrooms enriched with biologically active substances including steps of isolation and pre-seeding development of the mycelium of a desired fungal species, maturation of the substrate, mycelium sowing and incubation with development of fungal primordia under conditions controlled and assisted by machines and processors designed to adjust temperature, humidity and radiation, development of carpophores, their collection and treatment with pulsed light in order to stimulate the production of vitamin D2. Physical treatment includes exposing the environment to electromagnetic fields (EMF) during all the previous steps the collection, and chemical treatment includes adding the substrate with egg powder.

Abstract: A pet protection system includes a leg portion having a first end having a first cross-section having a flexible opening to insert a pet foot therethrough; an angled portion coupled to the first end and having a second cross-section greater than the first cross-section; and a second end coupled to the angled portion, wherein the second end has a third cross-section greater than the second cross-section; and a body portion coupled to the leg portion, the body portion forming a loop that fits securely on a body of the pet.

Abstract: A leash-with-variable-anchor may have two opposing fastener structures, one for removable attachment to a collar or to a harness; and another for fastening back onto a portion of leash-with-variable-anchor, forming a closed looped structure, an anchor. The anchor may function as a handle. The anchor may also be quickly, easily, and safely attached to various articles, such as, but not limited to, posts; and without a need of detaching from the collar or from the harness. In some embodiments, the loop structure of the anchor may be variable (i.e., adjustable) in size. In some embodiments, at least portions of loop structure of the anchor may elastic.

Abstract: A retractable leash device for animal control is disclosed, having a multitude of settable maximum leash line extensions providing leash line retraction at each set extension length. The device includes a leash line connectable to an animal, a housing having an axle and an outlet aperture, a reel having a hub and mounted on the axle, a reel biasing spring to retract the leash line, a maximum extension brake having an arresting member and a brake control. The leash line is wound on the reel and exits the housing through the aperture. The arresting member crosses the leash line thereinbetween the hub and the aperture. Upon engagement of the brake therewith the reel and extension of the leash line, an eventual interaction of the arresting member therewith the leash line prevents further extension of the leash line. The brake control engages and disengages the brake with respect to the reel.

Abstract: A toy for improving an intelligence of dogs has a hollow prism body of trapezoidal cross section on a base plate. Lateral surface panels that rise up obliquely from the base panel are formed apertures beneath which it is possible to place a reachable dog treat. The prism body is delimited on either side by vertical flank panels, which project beyond the lateral-surface panels of the prism body at a constant projection height and which are formed with a guide channel along the lateral surface panels. A plurality of adjacent rollers project into the guide channels and they are movable along the channel. The rollers cover one of the lateral-surface panels and at least one aperture formed therein. The dog can shift the rollers from one lateral surface panel across an apex to the opposite later surface panel so as to expose the apertures and reach for the treat.

Abstract: An enrichment system and method for animals in captivity is disclosed. Generally speaking, the system includes an automated dispenser and a plurality of tokens to be placed about an animal enclosure. The dispenser includes a suitable housing, a reservoir for containing animal-suitable rewards, a token receptacle, a reward output connected to the reservoir, and a mechanism for releasing animal-suitable rewards from the reservoir into the reward output when tokens are deposited into the receptacle. The mechanism for releasing animal suitable rewards is activated by the deposit of a token in the token receptacle.

Abstract: An agricultural stake to support plant includes a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) elongated member comprising a top end and a bottom end, and an exterior coating impregnated with an aggregate covering an exterior surface of the elongated member. The exterior coating is configured to provide purchase to a line attached to the elongated member. A cap may be secured over the top end of the elongated member and is configured to withstand a force used to drive the elongated member into a ground surface.

Abstract: A beehive pest trap includes a first surface, second surface, and side beams. The side beams are coupled to and support the second surface. The side beams are coupled to and positioned on the first surface. The second surface is coupled to and positioned on the side beams. The first surface, second surface, and side beams form a gate entrance. The second surface is positioned parallel to the first surface. The second surface is wider than the first surface. The gate entrance is positioned proximate to an insect trap. The second surface is L-shaped. The trap also includes a screen and a trap drawer. The first surface comprises a lateral side. The lateral side and the side beam form a cavity. The trap door is slidably positioned in the cavity. The insect trap includes the trap drawer. The second surface includes a pest door slidably coupled thereto.

Abstract: A powdered lubricant composition that minimizes fugitive dust and a method of treating seeds with dry lubricant that minimizes fugitive dust. Addition of oil powder to dry lubricants is found to minimize fugitive dust created during the application of the dry lubricant. Mica coated titanium dioxide is an ideal dry lubricant for combining with oil powder.

Abstract: A moving decoy that better captures the natural movements of a goose or similar game bird in critical aspects, most notably, the characteristic, highly flexible goose neck and the wagging of the tail is provided. The invention provides an improved set of neck vertebrae for use in this application and may operate as integrated into the rest of the decoy or as a modular neck modular neck may be attached to a variety of different decoys. Actuation of the neck may be provided by self-contained electrical motor and power unit in the latter case. In an alternative embodiment remote access of the neck may be provided by cables run between the decoy and a remote location.

Abstract: A plant surface structure includes an array of plastic base elements, each base element having a deck carried by a series of pillar elements. The deck is provided with at least a number of the pillar elements having an open top end in the deck. A membrane is placed over the deck and is provided with slits or cut-outs or water permeable elements, such that they open into at least some of the open top ends of the pillar elements. A growing medium is provided on the membrane and a growing medium is provided in the pillar elements, the growing medium in the pillar elements preferably being in fluid contact with the growing medium on the membrane.

Abstract: A computer implemented system for a vertical farming system comprising at least a first crop growth module and operating in an environmentally-controlled growing chamber, the control system comprising sensors for measuring environmental growing conditions in the environmentally-controlled growing chamber over time to generate environmental condition data, a device configured for measuring a crop characteristic of a crop grown in the crop growth module of the environmentally-controlled growing chamber to generate crop growth data and a processing device comprising software modules for receiving the environmental condition data and the crop growth data; applying an algorithm to the environmental condition data and the crop growth data to generate an improved environmental growing condition and generating instructions for adjustment of the environmental growing conditions in or around the growth module in the environmentally-controlled growing chamber to the improved environmental growing condition.

Abstract: A rainwater distribution system for storing and distributing rainwater includes a first container configured to store rainwater and having a bottom wall and a side wall; a planting container being elevated off of the bottom wall and within the first container, and having a planting container bottom wall and a side wall; a planting container support configured to elevate the planting container off of the bottom wall and within the first container; a cascade aperture having a cascade filter, the cascade aperture positioned on the side wall of the planting container, and allows the rainwater that enters the planting container to exit the planting container into the first container; and an outlet aperture positioned on the side wall of the first container and configured to allow the rainwater to exit the first container at a controlled rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatus for sorting undesired marine species during trawling, provides a pliable grid when the trawl net is pulled from the water and wound tightly on the net reel, and when the trawl is deployed in the water, the apparatus is fixed into place inside the trawl and holding its shape with consistent grid spacing. Marine species sorting apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes grid, back straps, and lead ring. Grid includes a plurality of bars surrounded by grid frame. Grid frame is attached to lead ring at an angle using terminal couplers. Lead ring supports grid and secures marine species sorting apparatus in trawl webbing referred to as the extension.