Abstract: A plant cultivation system 100 includes a plurality of plant cultivation units 20, and a management apparatus 30 that manages each plant cultivation unit 20. Each plant cultivation unit 20 includes a greenhouse 1 that serves as a space for plant cultivation, an environment control unit 12 that controls an environment in the greenhouse 1, a storage unit 9 that stores setting values that are control targets for the environment control unit 12 for every number of elapsed days since the cultivation initiating day, and an environment setting instructing unit 10 that sets the setting values stored in the storage unit 9 in the environment control unit 12 in accordance with the number of elapsed days since a cultivation initiating day.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plant transplanting device that achieves rapid and stable transplantation with a simple structure and at low cost, prevents damage to the plants, and can be automated easily. A plant transplanting device 100 that transplants a seedbed B from a plant holder 110 to a growing pallet 120 includes a holder holding mechanism 130 for holding the plant holder 110, a pallet holding mechanism 140 for holding the growing pallet 120 above a holder holding position in which the holder holding mechanism 130 holds the plant holder 110, and a push-up mechanism 150 for pushing the seedbed B held in the holder seedbed-holding hole 111 upward so as to insert the seedbed B into the pallet seedbed-holding hole 121.

Abstract: A live animal trap with improvements to ease of use, reliability and cost is disclosed. A simple repeatable one-hand set action lifts a front entry door. A hold-close assembly trips to secure the front door without sliding motions. A low friction latch and trip links thereto provide consistent set action resistant to shaking and undesired trip. A rear door is fitted next to a bait location to allow near vertical access for bait placement and unattended, unobstructed release. A changeable torque arm provides adjustable trip force. A trip tray is spaced above a floor to require a small set-up motion to access the bait and further ensure trip.

Abstract: A pet feeding training device includes a housing, a food delivery mechanism and a food delivery control mechanism. The food delivery control mechanism comprises a token dropping opening, a swinging plate which is able to return to an initial position disposed under the token dropping opening, a food blocking plate provided in the food channel for blocking the food from moving from the food storage compartment to the food outlet, and a driving mechanism, which can lower the food blocking plate and unblock the food channel in response to swinging of the swinging plate. The food in the food channel can be unblocked and delivered from the food outlet only after tokens are thrown into the token dropping opening. A pet intuitively retrieves food on its own initiative after repeated training.

Abstract: A propulsion system for an aircraft is provided having an aft engine configured to be mounted to the aircraft at an aft end of the aircraft. The aft engine includes a fan rotatable about a central axis of the aft engine having a plurality of fan blades attached to a fan shaft. The aft engine also includes a nacelle encircling the plurality of fan blades and a structural support system for mounting the aft engine to the aircraft. The structural support system extends from the fuselage of the aircraft, through the fan shaft, and to the nacelle when the aft engine is mounted to the aircraft. The aft engine may increase a net thrust of the aircraft when mounted to the aircraft.

Abstract: The hydroponic device contains support members, at least a frame member placed on the support members; a cover member placed on the support members covering the frame member. The frame member contains a base element and a number of extension elements. The base element is for the installation of an absorbing piece where seeds are placed. Each extension element has at least a through slot where a positioning pin of the base element or a previous extension element is slidably embedded. The base element and the extension elements are as such collapsible and expandable along a lateral direction on the support members so as to provide room of growth for the seeds.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for a vertical planter. Systems and methods according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a planter system configured for growing plants in horizontal rows wherein each row is arranged vertically with respect to each other row. The planter system may comprise a planter container, a container support, and a vertical support. The vertical support may be coupled to a structure. The container support may be coupled to the vertical support and configured to support the weight and form of the planter container.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can deliver a package to a delivery destination. Packages delivered by a UAV may be lowered towards the ground while the UAV continues to fly rather than the UAV landing on the ground and releasing the package. Packages may sway during lowering as a result of wind or movement of the UAV. A package sway may be monitored and mitigated by rapidly paying out a tether, when using a winch mechanism, to dissipate the energy of the sway as downward energy. Further, the UAV may navigate in the direction of the sway or reduce the altitude of the UAV to dissipate the energy of the sway. Open-loop and/or closed loop drop techniques may be utilized to lower a package from the UAV, and the package may be released in the air or on the ground.

Abstract: The flap deploying device for a flap disposed at a leading edge or a trailing edge of a main wing of the aircraft, the deploying device including: a drive source; a moving mechanism with a moving body advancing and retracting by power of the drive source; a carriage mechanism that carries advancing and retracting motion of the moving body to the flap so as to deploy the flap between a retracted position and a deployed position; and a rail that guides the carriage mechanism. Since the moving mechanism is arranged lateral to the rail in the wingspan direction of the main wing, the dimension of the wing in a thickness direction can be reduced at least by a dimension corresponding to the moving mechanism. Therefore, the wing can be made thinner, or the projecting height of a flap track fairing can be reduced.

Abstract: A combination ice fishing rod useful as a vertical tip-up over an ice fishing hole, a hybrid angled tip-up mode resting on the ice next to the hole, and as a jigging rod. The rod includes a rod tube with an outer end removably holding a conventional rod tip, an enclosed reel housing, and a hollow grip handle aligned with the the rod tube. Three or more folding legs are secured flat against the rod tube, and can be extended radially perpendicular to the rod body to span an ice fishing hole and support the rod vertically over the hole, or at an angle relative to the hole using two legs as a bipod. The grip handle contains an axial signal post selectively latched to the spool in the reel housing, the post released when a fish strikes the line. The rod can be immediately engaged as a reel-operated jigging rod from either the vertical or hybrid tip-up modes.

Abstract: A bird capture net which allows the use of quickly adjusting the height for capture and release is described, which includes height adjustable poles attached to bird netting.

Abstract: A launch canister for ejection from a submerged launch platform, the launch canister being adapted for ejection in a direction substantially along a first axis of the launch canister and comprising: an enclosure for carrying a UAV; a nose cap releasably located in a launch opening at a forward end of the launch canister; a launch mechanism for driving a UAV carried in the enclosure out of the launch canister through the launch opening in a direction substantially along said first axis; and a water surface sensor for detecting when the nose cap of the canister broaches the surface of the water; wherein the launch canister is configured to, on the water surface sensor detecting that the nose cap of the canister has broached the surface of the water, immediately release the nose cap and initiate the launch mechanism to drive a UAV carried in the enclosure out of the launch canister through the launch opening.

Abstract: A filing device that allows an animal to have its nails trimmed without human interaction or interference. The filing device includes a casing, a rod, a wall, housing, cap, motor, motor cover and power source. The rod is concentrically nested within the casing and covered in a grit material. The casing has a cutout on its bottom or top surface that allows the rod to be exposed. The rod is powered by a motor and when the power is turned on it causes the rod to rotate. An animal may mount itself on the casing of the filing device. When the motor is turned on it vibrates the device which causes the quick within the animal's vein to retract. As the animal sits on the casing its nails are exposed to the rotating rod which causes the nails to be filed.

Abstract: An advancement system for an in ovo injection apparatus is provided. Such an advancement system is configured to advance an egg carrier carrying a plurality of avian eggs to an injection assembly. The advancement system includes a guide assembly configured to receive the egg carrier and provide support thereto during advancement of the egg carrier. A manual advancement device slidingly engages the guide assembly such that the manual advancement device is movable along the guide assembly. The manual advancement device is capable of interacting with a trailing end of the egg carrier to advance the egg carrier to an injection position. At least one stop is positioned to interact with the manual advancement device during advancement of the egg carrier so as to prevent progression of the manual advancement device beneath the injection assembly, thereby locating the egg carrier at the injection position. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A hydroponic cultivation apparatus with detachable cultivation tray is provided in that each cultivation tray is magnetically mounted to an expansion socket of a main aqueduct so that a replaceable cultivation room may be independently provided. Each cultivation tray is equipped with a light source plate at the bottom. The light source plate is provided with power via a wireless receiver connected with a wireless transmitter at the socket. Multiple drain slots are aligning along a direction perpendicular to a horizontal level on each cultivation tray with some of them plugged with insulation pieces so that each cultivation tray may have the water level controlled independently.

Abstract: A pet grooming tool formed with an elongated handle extending generally along a longitudinal axis thereof. A blade assembly pivotably connected to the guiding portions and formed with a blade and connecting arms extending outwardly on both sides of the blade. A pivotal arrangement provides pivotal motion of the blade assembly relative the handle. Upon pivotal motion of the connecting arms within the pivotal arrangement, while the connecting arms movably engage the guiding portions, the generated forces acting against ends of the arms act to return the connecting arms and the blade to their initial position along a longitudinal axis of the device.

Abstract: An aquarium includes a first chamber arranged to contain a first volume of liquid, a dry chamber that is adjacent the first chamber and defines a second volume, and a removable element at least partially disposed within the dry chamber. The removable element is selectively removable from the dry chamber. The aquarium also includes a filter at least partially disposed within the removable element, and a pump including an intake and an outlet. The intake is arranged to draw a flow of liquid from the first volume of liquid during pump operation. The aquarium also includes a tube having a first end connected to the outlet and a second end movable between a first position in which the flow of liquid passes through the filter and is then discharged into the first volume and a second position in which the flow of liquid flows directly into the first volume.

Abstract: A nuclear plant manipulator system, including a manipulator with an image acquisition device and a remotely-controlled drive, wherein the image acquisition device is configured to capture image data, a remote-operating device is configured to remotely control the manipulator, an object counter is configured to be incremented or decremented, and an analysis device is configured to receive the image data captured by the image acquisition device and evaluate the received image data. The analysis device is configured to automatically identify respective known objects that are found along a path while the manipulator moves along the path. When a respective known object along the path is passed by the manipulator, the object counter is incremented or decremented depending on the direction of the manipulator along the path. A current value of the object counter is provided to the remote-operating device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a dairy harvesting facility including valves and valve assemblies that prevent contaminants from reaching a central milk collection system.

Abstract: A decoy actuating apparatus includes a decoy line actuating mechanism having a mechanism housing and a mechanism housing interior in the mechanism housing. A catch pin track is in the mechanism housing and communicates with the mechanism housing interior. The catch pin track has a line engaging track portion and a line disengaging track portion. A catch pin plate is disposed for rotation in the mechanism housing interior of the mechanism housing. A plate drive motor drivingly engages the catch pin plate for rotation. A catch pin slot is in the catch pin plate. An actuating line space is between the catch pin plate and the mechanism housing. A catch pin is disposed for sliding displacement in the catch pin slot of the catch pin plate and interfaces with the catch pin track. The catch pin is deployed in a line catching position and protrudes into the actuating line space when engaging the line engaging track portion.