Abstract: A hydroponic plant container with a reservoir of “highly oxygenated” nutrient solution that is the result of continuous direct air injection into the bottom of the reservoir, at a specific range of trajectories, along with continuous Coriolis effect mixing. The highly oxygenated nutrient solution is used to provide a deep water culture for the lower section of the plant roots, to saturate the middle section of the plant roots with fine droplets of the highly oxygenated nutrient solution, and to saturate the growing media and the upper section of the plants roots with a continuous drip of the highly oxygenated nutrient solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a versatile flower container includes a base, a top cover, a carrying container placing on the top of top cover and a sensing device placing in the base, the carrying container has a concave space can be used to accommodate the sponge, floral and water, the sensing device includes an electronic control panel, two humidity detection rod, a number of lamps and speakers, the two humidity detection rods are through the top cover and inserting into the sponge in the concave space, thereby they can detect the humidity values of the sponge, the lamps and the speaker can be activated to produce light and sound and then generate warning effect when the humidity values are not enough in the carrying container.

Abstract: A tree balling system automates the current tree balling method and greatly reduces strenuous physical labor. A novel wire basket having projections with hooks is provided for securing the earth ball of a plant for transplantation. Wrapping and tensioning a tensile member around these hooks encloses the projections around the earth ball. A balling station is also disclosed which has a stand for supporting and rotating the wire basket and plant. The balling station includes a tensile member guide and a tensioning component. The balling station is preferably located on a transportable vehicle and is equipped with unloading features for discharging the wrapped earth ball. A powered tensioning device tightens the wire basket around the earth ball. A hook forming device is also disclosed wherein the hook forming device can modify conventional wire baskets.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved shock absorbing, light-weight, thermally insulative orthotic pad designed for use in a pad and boot assembly for hoofed livestock. The pad is comprised of a mixture of flexible spheroids and elastomeric materials. In a preferred embodiment, elastomeric material generally is more concentrated at the top portion of the pad, and spheroids dispersed in a matrix of elastomeric material concentrated at the bottom section of the pad. The spheroids have a lower density than the elastomeric materials and possess better thermally insulative properties, and in a particularly preferred embodiment, at least some of the spheroids are comprised of closed-cell polypropylene foam. A method of making the light weight pad is also disclosed.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile milking implement having a frame with, a sub-frame which is adjustable in height and which has at least one teat cup holder and a teat cup movable relative thereto. The teat cup holder is tiltable, via a tilting mechanism coupled to the teat cup holder and the frame between a substantially vertical position and a second partially inverted position. The milking implement protects the teat cups against contamination and is capable of storing them in a compact manner.

Abstract: A pet potty includes a base plate and a grid. The base plate has a base and a wall along the perimeter of the base, the base and wall impermeable to fluid and forming a cavity capable of retaining fluid. The grid is sized to fit within the cavity of the base plate and has a complex of beams that can support a pet atop the grid. The beams have a top side and a bottom side, and substantially all of the beams are convex in shape on their top side.

Abstract: A pet crate broadly includes a crate housing. The crate housing includes first and second connector sections and a support wall extending between and interconnecting the sections. The connector sections and wall extend between opposite housing ends of the crate housing to cooperatively present an enclosed pet space. The crate housing presents a crate opening at a corresponding housing end. The crate opening permits pet ingress and egress relative to the enclosed pet space.

Abstract: A hummingbird feeder attachable to a brim of a hat is intended to allow for the observation of hummingbirds from a close perspective is herein disclosed. The feeder apparatus comprises a tube having a consumable fluid, a feeding nozzle, and a perch. The feeder further comprises an extended arm providing a spring clamp which attaches to the hat brim. The feeder is positioned in front of the wearer's face, thereby allowing for close observation of the hummingbird while it feeds. Additionally, the brim clip is designed in the shape of a mouth piece allowing a user to anchor the feeder in his/her mouth.

Abstract: The removable multipurpose adapter can be used to facilitate the refilling process of large wildlife feeders. A bag of feed is dropped onto an elongate blade positioned in the adapter accomplishing two tasks almost simultaneously. First the elongate blade instantly opens the bag and the feed promptly falls from the bag if properly manipulated, without spillage. The adapter may be formed from a truncated funnel defining an inlet and an outlet. An elongate slot may be formed in the adapter to allow placement of the adapter on wildlife feeders that are raised and lowered with a wire rope which is not detached during the refilling process. The elongate blade may be offset from the center of the adapter to avoid tearing pieces of the bag which can jam the distribution assembly if allowed to fall into the feeder. The removable multipurpose adapter may be formed from a single piece or it may be formed from multiple parts.

Abstract: This Self-Watering Planter comprises a wick, reservoir, wick-housing running between the soil/soil substitute and the reservoir, and a tight fitting cap to maintain a vacuum seal within the reservoir. The water or liquid mixture is maintained at a constant level across the wick by the vacuum that is created. This prevents water from flowing upwards into the soil when the soil is already wet. Liquid is only draw from the wick by osmosis when the soil is dry. Even as the water level in the reservoir drops, the water level across the wick continues to remain level until the reservoir is nearly empty, allowing the soil constant access to water until the reservoir needs refilling. Several embodiments are included. All contains these features, but some contain addition features as well as different proportions. The uses of the different embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A tool-less track fastener for anchoring an aircraft seat to a track having spaced-apart access openings and a retaining slot interconnecting the access openings is provided. The track fastener includes a main body for attaching to a leg of an aircraft seat and a track stud positioned at least partially within the main body and having at least one groove circumferentially and an enlarged foot for engaging the retaining slot of the track. At least one locking pin is positioned within the main body to adjustably engage a selected groove of the track stud. A locking bracket is carried about the main body and moveable between a first position wherein the track stud is in an unlocked position and a second position wherein the track stud is locked in the retaining slot by engagement of the at least one locking pin and the selected groove of the track stud.

Abstract: A projectile may include a body having an external surface, a stagnation port on the external surface, and a cavity. A spoiler may be translatable in the cavity between a retracted position, wherein the spoiler is substantially completely disposed in the cavity, and an extended position, wherein the spoiler projects from the external surface of the body. A pair of ports may be formed in the walls of the cavity. The pair of ports may be selectively fluidly communicable with the stagnation port. The spoiler may be translatable by pressurizing one of the pair of ports with compressed air and venting the other of the pair of ports. In the extended position, the spoiler may disturb an airstream around the projectile to induce a guidance maneuver for the projectile.

Abstract: A method and associated composition for growing plants is disclosed. The method includes the steps of mixing a gel precursor that is characterized by the ability to absorb water, form a viscous gel, provide water and nutrition to a plant, and remain capable of being reconstituted with a fresh supply of water, with a gel-forming nutrient composition in an amount sufficient to create a viscous gel, and adding a plant item selected from the group consisting of seeds and seedlings to the gel. An associated gel composition is disclosed that includes a gel precursor that is characterized by the ability to absorb water, form a viscous gel, provide water and nutrition to a plant, and remain capable of being reconstituted with a fresh supply of water, a plant nutrient composition, and a plant item selected from the group consisting of seeds and seedlings.

Abstract: A hair grooming tool including a housing defining a cavity and including a grooming end, a vibratory motor assembly positioned within the cavity and configured to vibrate the housing, and a pet-engaging member coupled to the housing at the grooming end. Vibration of the housing enables constant motion of the hair tool and movement of the pet-engaging member as the pet-engaging member is pulled through hair to remove loose hair without cutting the hair.

Abstract: A saddle pad assembly provides padding under a saddle while facilitating customization to inhibit undesirable pressure points from developing. The assembly includes a cover having a closed end and a perimeter wall extending from the closed end. An edge of the perimeter wall defines an open end opposite the closed end. A plurality of holes extends through the perimeter wall of the cover. The holes are arranged into a pair of opposed rows extending between the closed end and the open end. A pad is insertable into the cover through the open end. The pad has a row of apertures alignable with the rows of holes. A line may be laced through the rows and the apertures to couple the pad to the cover.

Abstract: A brake mechanism for a rope pulley of a leash. A rope is unwound from a pulley against the force of a spring and wound onto the pulley due to the force. The brake mechanism includes a brake button movable from an idle position, in which the pulley is freely rotatable, into a functional position, in which the brake button blocks unwinding of the rope. The brake button has an actuatable upper part protruding from the leash housing and a lower part cooperating with the pulley. The lower part is pivotable in the winding direction such that unwinding of the rope from the pulley is prevented, but can be wound onto the pulley in the functional position. The lower part engages brush bristles in the functional position to pivot the lower part due to pulley rotational movement in the winding direction.

Abstract: A storage device that effectively organizes and protects dropper-rig, fly-fishing assemblies and the leaders that connect them. The device has an openable cap that creates a watertight interior through which a guide extends from the closed end of the device toward the cap. In operation, a user opens the cap of the device and slides an extension along the guide outward from the center of the outer case. With the extension fully exposed, a user attaches previously created dropper-rig assemblies. To attach an assembly, a user takes one of the two flies comprising a dropper-rig assembly and hooks it anywhere on a flexible sleeve that surrounds the extension. He then wraps the leader line, (the line that connects the two flies) around the sleeve until the second fly is in a position to be hooked to the sleeve. A user then returns the extension to within the outer case and seals the device by locking down the cap.

Abstract: A tether device allows a pet to roam freely within a pre-defined area of space while restricting the pet from moving beyond the perimeter of a pre-defined area. The location of the perimeter is programmed into the tether device by providing distance and angular coordinates of the distal end of the tether from the tether device. The location of the pet, once attached to the tether device is likewise determined by the combination of coordinates. When the microcontroller senses the pet is nearing the perimeter of the pre-defined area, a lock mechanism is activated which prevents further movement in a direction that will exceed the perimeter, and only allows movement of the pet away from the perimeter. The lock mechanism may have a cushioning mechanism to prevent a hard stop. The tether device can also generate alarm tones to alert the user and/or train the pet.

Abstract: Described is an animal containment/repellant system for, among other things, containing an animal within a containment area and simultaneously repelling the animal from a restricted area. More specifically, the animal containment/repellant system includes multiple signal transmitting antennas that simultaneously define multiple cooperating containment areas, restricted areas, or combination of containment and restricted areas.

Abstract: Method and device for growing a plant. In particular, a device intended for accommodating the quick-growing stem of tomato, cucumber and sweet pepper plants. It is proposed to wind up the stem from the bottom in such a manner that the plant continuously extends in the cultivation space at the same height. Winding up of the stem in a simple manner is possible, as a result of which the latter extends about the winding point in a coiled manner. The end of the stem is arranged in a substrate carrier, such as a gutter, which also rotates. According to another variant, the stem is pressed into substrate material during winding up, resulting in the plant forming roots, so that the part of the stem which is already developed can be cut off.