Abstract: In various embodiments, an apparatus for growing plants is provided. The apparatus may include an irrigation apparatus, an illumination apparatus, a climate control device, an accommodating space for accommodating one or more seed mats, a controller which is configured to control the irrigation apparatus, the illumination apparatus and the climate control apparatus by means of a program controller, at least one air humidity sensor for determining an air humidity in the accommodating space, and at least one temperature sensor for determining an air temperature in the accommodating space.

Abstract: A plant treatment system configured to provide improved growth for hydroponically grown plants. The plant treatment system includes an air treatment apparatus that is configured to provide temperature controlled and sterilized air to the root ball of a plant. The air treatment apparatus includes an air pump operable to draw air in from the surroundings and move through the air treatment apparatus. The air treatment apparatus includes an air ionizer and a dehumidifier wherein the air from the air pump passes through both. A temperature control unit provides the ability to control the temperature of the air as the air exits the air treatment apparatus. The air treatment apparatus further includes an oxygen concentrator that is operable to provide an air flow exiting from the air treatment apparatus that has a higher oxygen concentration. A dosing unit to deliver liquid nutrients is further included.

Abstract: A freeze-resistant watering device has a nipple or ball valve, a heat pipe, a sleeve in tight thermal contact with the nipple, a water-tight connection to a liquid containing container or supply pipe, and an outer shield enclosing an insulating space or insulation material. This device thermally couples a watering nipple or ball valve to a container or supply pipe via a thermal conduction path including bends so that the nipple or ball valve maintains at a temperature that is near the temperature of the liquid in the container or supply pipe. Further, the use of one or more freeze-resistant watering devices with a thermally insulated container in a watering unit with an insulated container or supply pipe provides drinking water to animals, and in particular, birds in sub-freezing and in hot weather.

Abstract: The modular hydroponic growing system comprises a collection of one or more independent growing units. Each of the independent growing units provides a controlled enclosed environment for growing plants. Each of the independent growing units monitors and controls the temperature and moisture levels in the controlled enclosed environment. Each of the independent growing units monitors and controls the level of nutrients provided to the growing plants. Each of the independent growing units is identical. Each of the independent growing units comprises a container, a lid, and a management system. The management system and the lid attach to the container. The lid provides access into the controlled enclosed environment. The lid encloses the controlled enclosed environment. The management system monitors and controls the temperature and moisture levels in the controlled enclosed environment. The management system monitors and controls the level of nutrients provided to the growing plants.

Abstract: A pet entertainment device comprises a plurality of textured plates that are imbued with a flavored coating which may be selectively fastened on to a bottom of a pet food bowl. The plates are impregnated with a slow dispensing flavor that is attractive to pets. The slow dispensing flavor can be replenished as needed. The textured plates are of various sizes and shapes. The device is designed in a manner that allows for the plates to be removed and discarded by a person but not easily removed by an animal. Alternatively, the plates can be built directly on to the bottom of a pet food bowl. In one embodiment, the plates are edible. Another embodiment of the device is to facilitate dosing a recalcitrant pet by imbuing the textured plate with a combination of flavoring and beneficial substances. The device facilitates a method of easy replenishment of a flavored region of the pet entertainment device to ensure that the device maintains optimal flavoring.

Abstract: An animal cleaning device for grooming an animal. The animal cleaning device may include a top portion that includes a plurality of actuators and a bottom portion affixed to the top portion. The bottom portion may include a suction vent, a blow vent, a heated airflow vent, a rotating brush, and a formulation dispenser.

Abstract: A reduced-weight poultry cage is used in conjunction with a reduced-weight trailer to transport live poultry for maximizing the poundage of poultry being transported while reducing the number of trips and fuel expenses. The poultry cage includes a combination of aluminum and plastic elements that reduce cage weight, provide for nesting of cages in stacks as well as easy replacement of failed parts. Furthermore, a drop-deck aluminum trailer with a reduced floor and guide rail alignment stops allows for a durable yet lightweight trailer that can haul a plurality of stacks of these poultry cages, thereby maximizing cubic feet availability while being compliant with various road and bridge laws.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an onion growing method, and more particularly, to an onion growing method that includes the steps of: (a) allowing onions to be dormant; (b) breaking the dormancy of the onions; (c) planting the onions of which dormancy is broken in a field; (d) growing the planted onions to produce a plurality of stems and bulbs divided from the respective onions; and (e) harvesting the plurality of stems and bulbs. According to the present disclosure, the onion growing method does not have any limitation in growth time unlike a conventional onion growing method, reduces a period of growth, and drastically increasing onion yield to raise a farmer's profits. Also, the onion growing method stably supplies onion stems and leaves, thereby providing various profits through onions.

Abstract: A valve device that transitions between the pressure and vacuum phases for the purpose of milking animals. The improvement provides a pulsation output with a vacuum supply duration less than that of atmospheric air pressure supply duration.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the indoor and outdoor cultivation of larger fruiting plants. Improved lighting techniques, plant layouts, and space utilization are provided to improve the quality and yields of harvested products from large fruiting plants on a per plant and unit area basis. The uniformity of artificial light is improved from the top to the bottom of tall plants and vines, and overcome the lack of light penetration through the canopy of the plant by changing the orientation of lights from a horizontal to vertical alignment along the side of the plant verses over the top of the canopy, as well as increasing the number of light sources to reduce shading. Plants are trained to grow in specific directions and orientations in a grid system to enable an optimal and uniform light distribution and to improve space utilization in a given growing area.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method for drying pets include a blower that directs a flow of air through one or two tubes to one or two mitts. The one or two mitts receive the flow of air from the blower and direct the flow of air through perforations to dry the pet. The air may flow through tapered channels within the mitts.

Abstract: A device is described comprising at least one processor, a storage component, a power source, a switch, a primary electrode, and a secondary electrode, the at least one processor for directing the power source to charge the storage component, for controlling a switch to provide an electrical pathway from the storage component to a resistive load at the earliest when the voltage reaches a first value, and for controlling the switch to disable the electrical pathway from the storage component to the resistive load. The device includes the at least one processor for directing the power source to recharge the storage component, for determining a time of recharge, wherein the time of recharge is the time required to restore the voltage to the first value, for comparing the time of recharge with time values, and for using information of the comparing to adjust the first value.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing feed for animals, includes a first container for storing at least one liquid; a second container for storing at least one dehydrated feed; a mixing chamber; a first dosing system configured to dose and transfer a first predetermined amount of the at least one liquid to the mixing chamber; a second dosing system configured to dose and transfer a second predetermined amount of the at least one dehydrated feed to the mixing chamber; a mixer, arranged at least temporarily in the mixing chamber, for stirring and mixing the at least one liquid with the at least one dehydrated feed during a mixing phase, so as to form a feed ration in paste form; and a dispenser, arranged to dispense the feed ration in paste form from the mixing chamber into a container, for dispensing during a dispensing phase.

Abstract: A device and method that support and animate a plant disposed in an inner plant pot having an inner plant pot interior volume in such a way that the inner plant pot moves relative to an outer plant pot having an outer plant pot interior volume, and a gimbal mechanism disposed within the outer plant pot interior volume, controlling and instantiating, vertical longitudinal movement and rotational movement of the inner plant pot relative to the outer plant pot, programmable to provide physical response in the form of animation of the gimbal mechanism and the inner plant pot in response to receipt of predetermined data by the electronic processor control module from a plurality of sensors in communication with the electronic processor control module providing data collected by the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A container for holding food or water for an animal includes: a unitary vessel having a generally oval plan and a trough in the upper surface to contain material for consumption by an animal, and further including: a flat rim on the lower surface to allow the vessel to rest stably on a horizontal surface; generally vertical outer sides that slope outwardly from the upper surface to the lower surface at a selected angle from the vertical; and, a cantilevered handle extending from the upper surface in a direction along the major axis of the oval and having sufficient dimensions and sufficient strength to support the weight of the vessel and its contents; and wherein, the inner surface of the trough slopes inwardly from the upper rim of the trough to the bottom of the trough at a selected angle from the vertical. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pet stroller includes a frame body. The frame body includes two rear wheel struts, two front wheel struts pivotally coupled with the two rear wheel struts respectively, a U-shaped handle frame coupled on the two rear wheel struts respectively, and a supporting frame assembly operatively connected with the two front and rear wheel struts. The supporting frame assembly includes an folding frame operatively cooperated with the U-shaped handle frame and the rear wheel struts, an upper supporting frame coupled on the folding frame, a plurality of canopy bars pivotally coupled with the folding frame, and a platform frame pivotally coupled with the folding frame, wherein a carriage body is supported by the frame body to provide a resting cavity for accommodating the animals and a canopy body is adapted to cover and enclose the resting cavity of the carriage body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hollowed ball with an erratic movement for pets formed by a single piece, preferably made from an elastic material that allows the erratic movement during a rotation or rebound displacement due to its interior design. The form and dimensions and dimensions of the ball allows the storage of food in its interior, introducing and dosing such food through openings or hollows placed in the external part of the ball. The ball is structurally formed in its interior by at least two cylindrical sections with continuing radially arched thickness with a sequential projection of horizontally cylindrical truncated steps.

Abstract: A pet chew has an elongated tube having a wall extending between two ends. The tube has a length between the ends. The wall forms an interior cavity that extends along the length of the tube. The wall is made of extruded material of animal meat, animal skin and plant material such as starch and grain. The interior cavity is hollow. In one embodiment, each end of the tube is tied into a knot, with the tube forming a central shank extending between the knots. In another embodiment, a wrap is located around the exterior of the tube. The wrap has a different appearance than the tube. In still another embodiment, plural tubes are provided, which tubes are braided about each other.

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: The present invention relates to trawl doors used in trawl fishing, including shallow water trawl fishing applications, deep water trawl fishing applications, bottom trawl fishing applications as well as at pelagic trawl fishing applications. The invention also relates to seismic surveillance line spreading and spreading of other items towed in water. The present application provides a novel trawl door design with improved stability and efficiency. The inventors are able to demonstrate smaller angles of attack using the trawl door of the present invention, which is as little as 7.5 degrees.