Abstract: A lick deterrent device to deter animals from biting or chewing. The deterrent device has a flexible substrate physically conformable in three directions with conductive traces thereon. The lick deterrent device is configured for electrical connection to a removable power source. The traces are configured so that they may be contacted by an animal's tongue or saliva, so that upon contact, an electrical circuit is completed thereby delivering a mild electric shock to the animal. The lick deterrent device may be stretchable in at least one direction.

Abstract: A control system for an aquarium lighting system in which motor drivers alter over time the relative inclination of a light source with respect to an ornamental feature (18) within the aquarium. The effect is that light intensity (92, 94) falling incident on an ornamental feature more accurately simulates natural light impinging on a natural environment from day and seasonal movements of the sun. In addition to the relative change in inclination, power settings for the light source can be adjusted to further mimic the effects experienced with daily variations of climate and/or weather. The system effectively changes the angle of incidence of light and outwardly facing areas of ornamental features or areas beneath overhangs receive programmable levels of illumination that would otherwise not be possible with an overhead, single fixed-position light source.

Abstract: An animal litter, process for preparing the animal litter and a method for removal of animal waste using the animal litter are provided. The animal litter generally includes corn cob, a lubricant, and a cohesiveness agent. The animal litter is in the form of discrete plural particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted.

Abstract: A growing medium for a plant production apparatus utilized in greenhouse crop production is provided. The growing medium comprises a fibrous, non-woven matrix media material wherein the media material is constructed from a plastic material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to prolonging shelf life of cut flowers, especially during transport, as well as enhancing physical appearance and sensory characteristics of cut flowers, by treatment systems and devices that modify the atmosphere over a longer period of time in containers in which the cut flowers are transported or stored.

Abstract: A totally enclosed remote feeder for periodically dispensing feed is shown. A rechargeable battery powers a compressor which fills a pressure tank to a predetermined pressure. A timer operates a compressor to fill a pressure tank. When a predetermined pressure level is reached, firing a solenoid valve to cause a blast of air from the pressure tank to flow out through upwardly angled discharged pipe. Feed from an internal hopper flows downward in the discharge pipe in a predetermined amount prior to being discharged by the blast of air.

Abstract: A system includes a milking box and a robotic arm. The milking box comprises a stall portion that houses a dairy livestock with four teats. The robotic arm performs the following operation for a plurality of teats of the dairy livestock: retrieves a cup; attaches the cup to a teat; and detaches the cup from the teat. The cup is maintained within the stall portion of the milking box from the time that the cup is attached to a first teat of the dairy livestock through the time that the cup is attached to a last teat of the dairy livestock. The cup is retracted into an equipment area of the milking box after it is detached from the last teat of the dairy livestock.

Abstract: The invention provides a lighting system (100, 200, 300) for controlling the growth of plants, the system comprising; an array of solid state/semiconductor light sources (101, 201, 301) adapted to emit light of a predetermined wavelength or wavelength range; and a cooling arrangement(102, 202, 302) comprising a pipe (103, 203, 303) having at least one inlet opening for receiving a gaseous cooling medium and a plurality of outlet openings (105, 205, 305) for releasing said gaseous cooling medium from said cooling arrangement, the cooling arrangement being in mechanical and thermal contact with said light sources. The invention also provides a method for controlling the growth of a plant in a greenhouse of growth chamber. The invention allows promoting the photosynthesis of a plant by modifying the conditions (light intensity, temperature, CO2 concentration) locally around the plant.

Abstract: A protection device segregates burrowing animals from plants. The protection device comprises a thread knitted into a boundary layer that is sealed with a staple. A user can insert a plant in a root ball earth into the protection device and insert the protection device into a hole in earth. The thread is flexible and does not release iron into the earth. The boundary layer prevents a burrowing animal from entering into the root ball earth and consuming roots of the plant. In some embodiments, the thread is a tubular non-woven stainless steel thread which is knitted in order to prevent existence of a seam. The thread allows the roots of the plant to grow out of the protection device allowing the plant to continue to grow, notwithstanding the boundary layer created by the thread.

Abstract: A system for evaluating the phytotoxicity and/or injury of plants is described. Plants are planted in row sections and a cart is used to pass a radiometric sensor over the row sections. The cart has a radiometric sensor assembly positioned above the row section. Each sensor assembly generates a data signal and a computer receives and stores the data signals. The field cart is positioned above the row sections and measures the existence of plants in the row section and the quantity of vegetation in the row section. Related methods area also described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a modular device for raising seedling that comprises at least two individual containers to receive a culture medium and a seedling, and at least a coupling member. Each of the individual containers is provided with at least a pair of the coupling bumps arranged on two opposing positions respectively on both lateral edges of the individual container, and is protruded at a predetermined height from a backside of the individual container. Each of the coupling members is provided with a mating groove which is arranged in extending around its longitudinal shape so as to form a serial connection of the individual containers by means of mating the coupling bump with the mating groove within the same coupling member between two adjacent individual containers.

Abstract: One embodiment of an animal behavioral control apparatus includes a cartridge and a head. The cartridge contains pressurized gas. The head is coupled to the cartridge and includes a body and an actuator. The body has a first passage that can communicate with the pressurized gas. The body also has a bore. The actuator extends through the bore and has a second passage. When the animal behavioral control apparatus is in a first state, the first passage and the second passage are not in communication with each other. And, upon actuation of the actuator, the animal behavioral control apparatus is brought to a second state in which the first passage and second passage are in communication with each other.

Abstract: A nutrient dispensing apparatus for birds having a hanger and two interchangeable dispensers supported by the hanger. Each dispenser includes a bottle for holding liquid or solid nutrients, and at least one basin into which the liquid or solid nutrients, water and bird feed, for example, are made available to the birds. The user can change the configuration of the dispensers as desired to provide just liquid nutrients, just solid nutrients or both. The flow rates for dispensing of the nutrients are different for each nutrient alternative.

Abstract: A rotating induction growth light system and method are disclosed. The rotating induction growth light includes a mounting bracket assembly and a light source assembly rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket assembly. The light source assembly has a first side subassembly and a second side sub assembly opposite the first side subassembly. The light source assembly is configured to rotate between a first position wherein the first side subassembly is facing away from the mounting bracket assembly and at least a second position wherein the second subassembly is facing away from the mounting bracket assembly. A method of providing light to a plant is disclosed, including: directing a vegetative side subassembly of a light source assembly toward a plant; and rotating the light source assembly until a flowering side subassembly is directed toward the plant, the flowering side subassembly positioned on the light source assembly opposite the vegetative side subassembly.

Abstract: An automated system for sampling seeds generally includes an automated sampling station having a seed feeder and a seed sampler. The seed feeder is configured to deliver seeds to the seed sampler, and the seed sampler is configured to remove material from the seeds without substantially adversely affecting the germination viability of the sampled seeds. The system also includes a sample handling station configured to receive the material removed from the seeds, and a seed handling station configured to receive the sampled seeds after the material is removed from the seeds such that the relationship between the material removed from the seeds and the respective seeds can be determined.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-supporting elevated feeding tray apparatus including a tray, a tray riser and a base, where the tray is watertight and the tray, tray riser, and base are integrally formed from the same material. Fill level indicia or marks allow a precise amount of food to be placed in the tray. Also disclosed is a blank for forming the elevated feeding tray apparatus including the panels that form the tray as well as a tray riser and a base. Also disclosed is a method of forming an elevated feeding tray apparatus including the steps of preparing a blank, bending the blank, forming an indentation in at least one bend, and making the seams between the side walls of the tray and at least one tray bottom panel watertight.

Abstract: An improved method to produce artificial light for plant cultivation, an illumination device with a semiconductor light emission solution and device suited for plant cultivation in a greenhouse environment are described. The best mode is considered to be a lighting device with binary alloy quantum dots (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) made by colloidal methods to produce a size distribution of quantum dots that produces an emission spectrum similar to the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) spectrum. The methods and arrangements allow more precise spectral tuning of the emission spectrum for lights used in plant (310, 311) cultivation. Therefore unexpected improvements in the photomorphogenetic control of plant growth, and further improvements in plant production are realized.

Abstract: The invention involves an apparatus and system for a self-watering planter. The system includes a liquid container and a growth medium container secured together with snap type fasteners. A plurality of evenly distributed growth medium wells extends downwardly from the growth medium container into the liquid container for utilizing capillary action to transfer liquid into the growth medium. Root apertures are provided for the roots to extend into the liquid container. A snap together hanger, which includes snap-lock type fasteners, is provided for hanging the assembly from an overhead structure, and a filling window is provided to fill the liquid container.

Abstract: A method for applying a water soluble soil stabilizer to soil wherein the soil stabilizer is added to a solid carrier.

Abstract: An animal litter, process for preparing the animal litter and a method for removal of animal waste using the animal litter are provided. The animal litter generally includes at least about 10 weight % finely ground pine wood powder. Further the animal litter includes a lubricant and a cohesiveness agent. The animal litter is in the form of discrete plural particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted.