Abstract: A system for processing usable crop intermixed with debris and having a frame with a conveying system thereon. The conveying system has a first debris separating assembly with a first subframe having a plurality of cooperating rollers that are configured to cause separation of debris from the usable crop. A second debris separating assembly, different than the first debris separating assembly, has a second subframe with a plurality of cooperating rollers thereon that are configured to cause separation of debris from the usable crop. The frame and first and second debris separating assemblies are configured as overall like modules so that the first and second debris separating assemblies can be separately operatively connected, one in place of the other, on the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing agricultural product having a main frame, a support for the main frame configured so that the main frame can be advanced in an operating direction over an area in which agricultural product is grown, and an operating system on the main frame configured to advance unearthed agricultural product intermixed with debris in a conveying direction in a conveying path between an input location and a first point of use. A first processing assembly a) advances unearthed agricultural product intermixed with debris in the conveying direction towards the first point of use; and b) allows intermixed debris to separate from the agricultural product as it is advanced in the conveying direction. A plurality of processing assemblies downstream of the first processing assembly separate intermixed debris in the form of vines from the agricultural product in different manners as the agricultural product is advanced in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A system for processing usable crop intermixed with debris and having a frame with a conveying system thereon. The conveying system has a first debris separating assembly with a first subframe having a plurality of cooperating rollers that are configured to cause separation of debris from the usable crop, A second debris separating assembly, different than the first debris separating assembly, has a second subframe with a plurality of cooperating rollers thereon that are configured to cause separation of debris from the usable crop. The frame and first and second debris separating assemblies are configured as overall like modules so that the first and second debris separating assemblies can be separately operatively connected, one in place of the other, on the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating usable crop from intermixed debris, the apparatus having: a movable support; a conveying system on the movable support to convey usable crop in a processing path from an upstream input location to a downstream output location; at least a first separating system on the movable support to cause separation of debris intermixed with usable crop in a first manner as usable crop is conveyed; a vacuum system on the movable support downstream of the first separating system to generate a low pressure volume which causes additional debris intermixed with the usable crop to be drawn away from the usable crop; and a collection container on the movable support configured to accumulate debris drawn away from the conveying usable crop. The movable support, conveying system, at least first separating system, vacuum system, and collection container define a unit that can be moved to relocate the apparatus.

Abstract: A potato seed planting apparatus has: a frame configured to be advanced over a subjacent field into which potato seed is planted; at least one container on the frame for a supply of potato seed; and a plurality of laterally spaced planting units on the frame. Each of the planting units is configured to cause potato seed from the at least one container to be discharged to the subjacent field at controlled time intervals as the potato seed planting apparatus is advanced in a travel path. First and second of the planting units are configured so that the discharge time intervals for potato seeds from the first planting unit are different than the discharge time intervals for potato seeds from the second planting unit with the potato seed planting apparatus advanced at a first speed in the travel path.

Abstract: A potato seed planting apparatus has: a frame configured to be advanced over a subjacent field into which potato seed is planted; at least one container on the frame for a supply of potato seed; and a plurality of laterally spaced planting units on the frame. Each of the planting units is configured to cause potato seed from the at least one container to be discharged to the subjacent field at controlled time intervals as the potato seed planting apparatus is advanced in a travel path. First and second of the planting units are configured so that the discharge time intervals for potato seeds from the first planting unit are different than the discharge time intervals for potato seeds from the second planting unit with the potato seed planting apparatus advanced at a first speed in the travel path.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating usable crop from intermixed debris, the apparatus having: a movable support; a conveying system on the movable support to convey usable crop in a processing path from an upstream input location to a downstream output location; at least a first separating system on the movable support to cause separation of debris intermixed with usable crop in a first manner as usable crop is conveyed; a vacuum system on the movable support downstream of the first separating system to generate a low pressure volume which causes additional debris intermixed with the usable crop to be drawn away from the usable crop; and a collection container on the movable support configured to accumulate debris drawn away from the conveying usable crop. The movable support, conveying system, at least first separating system, vacuum system, and collection container define a unit that can be moved to relocate the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating usable crop from intermixed debris. The apparatus has: a) a conveying system configured to convey usable crop in a processing path from an upstream input location to a downstream output location; and b) a first separating system configured to cause separation of debris intermixed with usable crop as usable crop is conveyed in the processing path. A vacuum system downstream of the preliminary separating system is configured to: a) generate a low pressure volume which causes additional debris intermixed with usable crop to be drawn away from usable crop by vacuum; and b) cause drawn debris to be directed towards a collection location spaced from the output location while allowing usable crop to advance toward the output location.

Abstract: An agricultural article sizer with a frame assembly and a plurality of elongate rollers on the frame assembly with substantially parallel lengthwise axes and through which agricultural articles are advanced and separated by size. First and second of the rollers have first and second axes and first and second peripheral surfaces. A third roller has a third peripheral surface and a third axis between the first and second axes along a conveying direction. The third roller is movable selectively relative to the first roller to change a spacing between the third axis and a plane containing the first and second axes to thereby change a dimension of a gap between the first and third peripheral surfaces to thereby allow passage through the gap of different selected ranges of agricultural article size.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating usable crop from intermixed debris. The apparatus has: a) a conveying system configured to convey usable crop in a processing path from an upstream input location to a downstream output location; and b) a first separating system configured to cause separation of debris intermixed with usable crop as usable crop is conveyed in the processing path. A vacuum system downstream of the preliminary separating system is configured to: a) generate a low pressure volume which causes additional debris intermixed with usable crop to be drawn away from usable crop by vacuum; and b) cause drawn debris to be directed towards a collection location spaced from the output location while allowing usable crop to advance toward the output location.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing agricultural product having a main frame, a support for the main frame configured so that the main frame can be advanced in an operating direction over an area in which agricultural product is grown, and an operating system on the main frame configured to advance unearthed agricultural product intermixed with debris in a conveying direction in a conveying path between an input location and a first point of use. A first processing assembly a) advances unearthed agricultural product intermixed with debris in the conveying direction towards the first point of use; and b) allows intermixed debris to separate from the agricultural product as it is advanced in the conveying direction. A plurality of processing assemblies downstream of the first processing assembly separate intermixed debris in the form of vines from the agricultural product in different manners as the agricultural product is advanced in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A stowable shelter assembly configured to be securely anchored to a support at two or more anchor or attachment points to provide a greater level of security and stability includes a first member having a bottom end, a top end, and sides extending between the top end and the bottom end. The bottom end is attachable to a support. A second member has a back end coupled with the top end of the first member, a front end, and sides extending between the back and front ends. The second member includes an anchoring member extending past the front end and is movable between a stowed position where the first and second members are co-planar such that the front end of the second member is positioned a distance above the bottom end of the first member, and a deployed position where the first and second members are angled and the anchoring member is positioned partially below the front end of the first member and spaced a distance from the bottom end to define a shelter space.

Abstract: An agricultural article sizer with a frame assembly and a plurality of elongate rollers on the frame assembly with substantially parallel lengthwise axes and through which agricultural articles are advanced and separated by size. First and second of the rollers have first and second axes and first and second peripheral surfaces. A third roller has a third peripheral surface and a third axis between the first and second axes along a conveying direction. The third roller is movable selectively relative to the first roller to change a spacing between the third axis and a plane containing the first and second axes to thereby change a dimension of a gap between the first and third peripheral surfaces to thereby allow passage through the gap of different selected ranges of agricultural article size.

Abstract: A pick assembly for delivering a seed product from a supply thereof to a delivery location and having a pick wheel and at least a first pick arm assembly on the pick wheel with a first cantilever-mounted pick. The pick: a) penetrates a seed product from a supply and releases the seed product to a delivery location as an incident of the pick wheel turning. The first pick has a body with an exposed surface that tapers over at least a portion of the length of the body. At least one discrete raised holding element is on the exposed surface of the body and has an axial width bounded by axially spaced edges. The one holding element at least one of: a) extends through less than fully around a lengthwise axis of the first pick body; and b) has gaps at both axially spaced edges, each extending along the lengthwise axis a distance greater than the axial width.

Abstract: A pick assembly for delivering a seed product from a supply thereof to a delivery location and having a pick wheel and at least a first pick arm assembly on the pick wheel with a first cantilever-mounted pick. The pick: a) penetrates a seed product from a supply and releases the seed product to a delivery location as an incident of the pick wheel turning. The first pick has a body with an exposed surface that tapers over at least a portion of the length of the body. At least one discrete raised holding element is on the exposed surface of the body and has an axial width bounded by axially spaced edges. The one holding element at least one of: a) extends through less than fully around a lengthwise axis of the first pick body; and b) has gaps at both axially spaced edges, each extending along the lengthwise axis a distance greater than the axial width.

Abstract: The field of the present invention is a novel neuroprotective peptide, pentinin, having neuroprotective properties. More particularly, the field of the present invention relates to the ability of pentinin (SEQ ID NO: 1) to affect endogenous undifferentiated stem cells to positively modulate neural damage and the use of such peptide for the treatment of disorders of the neural system. The present invention also relates to the manufacture of medicaments, methods of formulation and uses thereof. An intranasal delivery system for administration of pentinin is also described.

Abstract: A stent-graft which is particularly useful for applications in biliary ducts. An expandable stent is provided with a covering of a material which is substantially impervious to body fluids and tissue ingrowth and has an increased resistance to bacterial attachment due to its lack of porosity and reduced surface texture. A preferred covering is porous PTFE film rendered substantially non-porous by a coating of a polymeric material such as FEP. The resulting stent has a thin wall for minimum pre-deployment diameter and for minimum interference with fluid flow through the device after implantation. It has good flexibility, allowing its use in curved ducts.