Abstract: Vertical farming/gardening systems and methods of using. The systems include a track defining a path in which a change in elevation occurs, buckets pivotally secured to the track to travel along the path, and a moving mechanism for moving the buckets along the path. A first bucket has a cavity containing either a growing medium capable of supporting plants growing within the cavity or a solar collector for dehydrating plants within the cavity. One or more service stations located along the path of the track perform actions on the growing medium or the plants within the cavity of the first bucket as the first bucket travels along the path. One or more sensors analyze the growing medium or plants within the cavity of the first bucket. A master control unit controls the system including travel of the buckets along the path of the track.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder includes a liquid container with a liquid opening at a lower end. A feeding basin is positioned below the liquid container for containing nectar accessed by birds. A sealing mechanism includes a valve responsive to a nectar level in the feeding basin for opening and closing the liquid opening.

Abstract: An open-top gutter for cultivation of plants. In an example, the open-top gutter comprises at least one water space formed by a double edge and being closed at the top, or almost closed. The water space is open at the bottom of the gutter. In an example, the open-top gutter includes at least one separate water space formed by a partially double bottom and connected to the bottom of the gutter via a bottom gap. In an example, the open-top gutter includes a space limited by two side walls and a bottom wall and divided into trough-like compartments by at least one dividing wall. The dividing wall includes at least one water space formed by a double wall, open at the bottom of the gutter.

Abstract: A clumpable animal litter comprises composite particles of filler materials, such as limestone and sand, and sodium bentonite. The filler materials have a lower bulk density as compared to a granular mixture of the same percentage of filler and sodium bentonite clay and contain up to eighty-five percent less clay.

Abstract: The pet toy of the invention comprises a spherical shaped body with eight distinct quadrants formed on the exterior surface thereof. Each section is three sided, similar to an equilateral triangle except each corner of the triangular-shaped is curved or rounded. A central opening is formed through the pet toy. Preferably, the pet toy is hollow and the pet toy has a substantially uniform sidewall thickness, thereby creating an open core. Measured parameters of the pet toy are provided to minimize the potential of the toy becoming caught in an animal's throat yet the pet toy is still configured to maximize play potential. The measured parameters include, in various combinations of a weight of the pet toy, a diameter of the pet toy, depths of grooves in the pet toy, widths of the grooves and shapes of the grooves.

Abstract: A cat litter box includes a shell assembly, a rotary drum, and a driving assembly. The shell assembly includes a top shell, a middle shell, and a bottom shell arranged in sequence in a vertical direction. An excrement collection compartment is arranged inside the bottom shell. The excrement collection compartment is arranged opposite to the middle shell. The top shell is detachably connected to the middle shell. The middle shell is detachably connected to the bottom shell. A mounting cavity is formed between the top shell and the middle shell. The rotary drum is rotatably arranged in the mounting cavity. The driving assembly is detachably connected to the middle shell, and includes a driving unit. The driving unit is drivingly connected to the rotary drum.

Abstract: A pneumatic pollination device and a method for hybrid rice seed production with a large row ratio are provided. The pneumatic pollination device includes a pneumatic pollination component, a controller, a lifting adjustment component and a four-wheel power chassis. The pneumatic pollination component is mounted at the front part of the four-wheel power chassis through the lifting adjusting component, and the controller is mounted at the upper part of the four-wheel power chassis. The airflow of each pollination pipe respectively acts on the spike part of the male parent row of corresponding hybrid rice, so that the male pollen is separated from stamens and floats to the female compartment. The airflow velocities of the pollination pipes of respective male parent rows are different to ensure that the pollen is conveyed to the main female parent action region.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system for automatically sensing and spraying plants and/or plant precursors as they are planted or otherwise distributed on and/or within the ground is disclosed.

Abstract: An automated litter device having: a base; and a chamber configured for retaining a litter and rotatably supported by the support base, wherein the chamber includes: an entry opening so that an animal can enter and exit the chamber; and a waste opening generally opposing the entry opening configured so that an animal waste passes through the waste opening into the base upon rotation of the chamber; wherein the automated litter device includes one or more of: i) one or more sensors located adjacent to the entry opening which are adapted to sense the presence of the animal within the chamber, the presence of the waste in the base, a level of litter in the chamber, a position of the chamber relative to the base, or any combination thereof; ii) a filtering system configured for reducing, eliminating, and/or preventing, malodors building in the base; and/or iii) a litter dispenser in communication with the chamber to transfer some of the litter to the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention features a method and apparatus for enriching the environment of an animal. The apparatus presents a stimulus to an animal, and the animal may input the correct response to the stimulus into an interface. Upon a correct response the apparatus delivers a treat, indication, or combination thereof to the animal. The apparatus may increase the complexity of the stimulus with each correct response. The apparatus may also be connected to social media to track and compare the results of the animal's actions with other animals.

Abstract: A breeding robot including a base and a support being movably connected to the base. The support is of a hollow cylindrical structure, a telescopic arm movably passes through the support, a first motor is mounted to an end of the telescopic arm away from the support, a transmission shaft of the first motor is connected to a rotating bracket, a saw blade is mounted to the bottom side of the rotating bracket, and the saw blade is used for cutting maize tassel. The end of the rotating bracket is mounted with a CCD detector, and the CCD detector is used for detecting the position of the maize tassel. A blower is further mounted to the base, an air outlet of the blower is connected to a first end of an air duct, and a second end of the air duct is connected to the air blowing portion.

Abstract: Devices and system are provided that can not only stop a pet from pulling its owner, but to train a pet over time to not pull while being walked on a leash. In an exemplary implementation, a removable strap can be wrapped around the highest point of either front leg of a pet, and running a leash through the guide on the outside of the strap, so that an existing leash can be run from the collar, under the inside of the leg and up to the owner's hand.

Abstract: A plant pot assembly including a pot portion. At least one sidewall extends upward from a sidewall bottom section to an upper rim and a dividing that, with the bottom section, upper rim, and sidewalls defines a soil cavity and basin cavity. The dividing structure defines a drain aperture connecting the soil cavity and the basin cavity. A basin portion includes a basin floor, a basin front, a basin back, at least one basin sidewall, and an elevated portion. The at least one sidewall defines an opening in the basin cavity whereby the basin portion may be inserted into the basin cavity. In a first basin position, the fluid may flow from the soil cavity, through the drain aperture, and into the basin cavity. In a second basin position, the fluid may not flow from the soil cavity into the basin cavity.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of making a training aid for detecting a biohazard, and related devices and methods of using the device, including a canine training aid. The devices are made by positioning a polymer layer in proximity and physically separated from a biological material, so that volatile organic compounds contact and bind or infuse the polymer layer. The device is made render-safe by inactivating the infused polymer layer, such as by heating to a temperature sufficient to inactivate biological agents on or in the analyte-infused polymer layer. The device can be stored in a substantially air-tight configuration for subsequent use in training, such as canine and/or or artificial detectors.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a packaging for a powdered explosive-detection training aid which may include first and second opposing flexible sheets heat sealed together along less than a periphery thereof and defining a storage compartment therebetween, wherein an unsealed portion of the periphery defines an opening to the storage compartment, wherein at least a portion of the first opposing flexible sheet is a semipermeable material permeable to a vapor emitted from the powdered explosive-detection training aid, with the second opposing flexible sheet being impermeable to the powdered explosive-detection training aid vapor; and a sealing member, wherein the sealing member is secured to the first opposing flexible sheet and, in a closing position, covers the semipermeable portion of the first opposing flexible sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reservoir cover for use with hydroponic, aeroponic, aquaponic or similar systems used to cultivate plant articles without soil medium. The reservoir cover containing and re-directing water, nutrients, and other liquids, intentionally or un-intentionally leaked by the system, back into a reservoir or water source the reservoir cover is positioned upon. Within hydroponic, aeroponic, aquaponic or similar systems the plant article is held within a plant growing unit positioned above the reservoir cover. As water is dispersed from within said systems gravity directs movement of water, nutrients, and other liquids to the reservoir cover of the present invention. As water, nutrients and other liquids are leaked or lost from the plant growing unit the reservoir cover is positioned such that water, nutrients and other liquids are not dispersed to an undesirable location, but rather are re-directed back in the original water source or reservoir.

Abstract: Apparatus for rearing livestock comprising a livestock enclosure, a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of output devices, and methods of operating the same. Methods of determining measurements of animal welfare by processing vocalisations by chicks, especially by detecting the spectral entropy of animal vocalisations. The relationship between chick distress calling in early life and outcome.

Abstract: A portable livestock corral is configured to be operably attached to a vehicle for advancement in a forward direction. The portable livestock corral broadly includes a chassis and opposed sets of corral panels. The chassis includes an elongated corral frame extending longitudinally along the forward direction. The opposed sets of corral panels are positioned to extend longitudinally along respective sides of the corral frame in a stored condition, with the corral frame configured to removably support the opposed sets of corral panels when the corral is advanced in the forward direction by the vehicle. The chassis further includes a shiftable rack supported by the corral frame and configured to removably engage and support at least one of the opposed sets of corral panels in the stored condition.

Abstract: A dental station for improving domestic animal dental care and oral hygiene, dental station having a body including a supporting structure which includes a plurality of receiving holding formations to receive and support one or more of a plurality of preselected sized and shaped chewable food elements in a protruding manner.

Abstract: Autonomously administering a pharmaceutical agent to an animal. A tag assembly is affixed to an animal. The tag assembly may be an ear tag, although other configurations can be used. The tag assembly has a reservoir that houses a pharmaceutical agent. An actuator and an application mechanism are provided. A control signal is generated responsive to an input, which may be from a sensor associated with the tag assembly or may be from an external circuit located apart from the tag assembly. Receipt of the control signal causes the actuator to apply a force to the reservoir, which in turn induces a flow of the pharmaceutical agent, via the application mechanism, to a body of the animal. The pharmaceutical agent may be topically or intravenously applied. The pharmaceutical may be an insecticide or some other agent. Multiple reservoirs can be provided to dispense the same or different pharmaceutical agents.