Abstract: A shovel including a substantially spade-shaped blade. The substantially spade-shaped blade may include an inverted tip and rounded edges. A socket may be attached to the blade. A shaft may be secured at a first end to the blade through the socket.

Abstract: A gardening tool is described comprising a base having a substantially flat plate with a face surface and a back surface; and one or more tines connected to and extending substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane of the face surface of the flat plate. In some embodiments, the base of the tool is formed into a crescent shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ground treatment apparatus for loosening ground, in particular in the case of ground with grass growth, specifically ground of sport or leisure facilities, comprising a support device and a holding device held thereon having a plurality of injection elements, a fluid providing device which is in fluidic connection with the injection elements, as well as a lifting device by way of which the injection elements are insertible into the ground and are extractable therefrom.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting the depth of a trench opened by a row unit of an agricultural planter. The row unit includes a trench depth adjustment assembly configured to modify the furrow depth. A first depth adjustment sub-assembly is configured to select one of a plurality of pre-selected furrow depths. A second adjustment sub-assembly is configured to modify at least one of a plurality of the pre-selected furrow depths.

Abstract: A control system for an agricultural work system having at least one mobile work machine, which is developed to carry out a predefined work task in an autonomous manner, including an arrangement for the work machine for orientation purposes and/or for a collision avoidance. It is provided that the arrangement includes a multitude of markers which are able to be placed/are placed on objects in an operating range, and at least one device, which is able to be mounted/is mounted on the work machine and designed to detect the markers and to output an item of information to the work machine as a function of a detected marker.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-speed transplanting mechanism having a laterally openable/closable duckbill, the mechanism comprising: a duckbill soil penetration angle adjusting arm (5) disposed on a duckbill transplanting portion (9), the duckbill soil penetration angle adjusting arm (5) has a rear arm (52) and a front arm (54) with one end each thereof connected by means of a reverse-threaded adjusting screw rod (8), and other ends thereof hingedly connected to an adjusting arm support shaft (102) and the duckbill transplanting portion (9) respectively. A length of the reverse-threaded adjusting screw rod (8) enables the duckbill to tilt in a direction opposite to a driving direction of a transplanting machine, and a vertical central straight line of the duckbill makes an angle with the ground capable of being adjusted between 65°-85°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fertilization precision control method for water and fertilizer integrated equipment and a control system thereof. The method comprises the following steps: step S1, establishing a fertilization precision control model of the water and fertilizer integrated equipment; and step S2, solving an optimal solution of the fertilization precision control model by adopting estimation of distribution algorithms.

Abstract: An electric work vehicle includes: a battery accommodating portion that is provided in the vehicle body and accommodates a battery; a first connector provided on the battery accommodating portion; a second connector provided on the battery; and an operating tool for moving the battery and the second connector, and switching from a pre-attachment orientation in which the second connector opposes the first connector to an attachment orientation in which the second connector is joined to the first connector.

Abstract: A windrower with a header has a conveying medium with first and second portions connected with a pivot joint and moveable across a plural rollers configured to receive crop material from the header and direct the crop material to a side of the windrower to form a windrow on the ground to the side of the windrower. In an operational position and with the frame selected to one of the predetermined angular adjustments, the conveying medium discharges the harvested crop material at an angle of trajectory determined by the selected angular position of the second portion. The windrower harvests crop with the header, receives the mowed crop on the conveyor system, adjusts a rate at which the mowed crop is discharged from the conveyor system, and adjusts an angle of trajectory at which the mowed crop is discharged from the conveyor system.

Abstract: A guide assembly for a lateral draper belt of a header of an agricultural harvester is provided. The guide assembly includes a first elongated guide for connecting to the header and a second elongated guide for connecting to the header. The first elongated guide has a slot defined by three inner surfaces for receiving a first complementary shaped draper belt portion of the later draper belt. The second elongated guide has a slot defined by seven inner surfaces for receiving a second complementary shaped draper belt portion of the lateral draper belt.

Abstract: A standing ride on mower includes a frame, a right drive wheel, a left drive wheel, a prime mover, a cutting deck assembly, a right side integrated transaxle operating under influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the right drive wheel, the right side integrated transaxle including a right side housing, a right hydraulic pump within the housing, and a right hydraulic motor within the housing, a left side integrated transaxle operating under the influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the left drive wheel, the left side integrated transaxle including a left side housing, a left hydraulic pump within the housing, and a left hydraulic motor within the housing, and an operator platform to support a standing operator of the mower. The operator platform extends beneath the left housing and beneath the right housing.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes: a frame coupled to the chassis; a cutter bar assembly connected to the frame; a plurality of linkage arms connected to the cutter bar assembly; and a plurality of sacrificial connectors each connected to a respective one of the linkage arms and the frame, each of the plurality of sacrificial connectors including at least one sacrificial region configured to deform or shatter upon an overload force acting on the respectively connected linkage arm.

Abstract: A method for avoiding collisions when actuating wing assemblies of an agricultural implement may include accessing vision-related data associated with an obstacle collision zone for the agricultural implement and determining whether a wing movement operation can be executed without collision between the agricultural implement and an obstacle based at least in part on the vision-related data. The wing movement operation is associated with moving a wing assembly of the agricultural implement across at least a portion of the obstacle collision zone between a work position of the wing assembly and a transport position of the wing assembly. Additionally, when it is determined that the wing movement operation can be executed without collision, the method may include actively controlling an operation of at least one component configured to facilitate initiation of the wing movement operation.

Abstract: An agricultural round baler includes a frame, and a tail gate arrangement carried by the frame and arranged in an arcuate arrangement around a bale chamber. The baler is characterized in that the tail gate arrangement include an upper tail gate arrangement and a lower tail gate arrangement. The upper tail gate arrangement has a first pivot axis located at an upper, forward portion thereof. The lower tail gate arrangement has a second pivot axis located at an approximate center of the bale chamber when viewed in cross section.

Abstract: A round baler for forming a bale of residual product includes a baling chamber, a plurality of press rolls mounted within the baling chamber, and at least one driving bar associated with at least one of the plurality of press rolls. The driving bar extends at least partially along the length of at least one of the plurality of press rolls. The round baler further includes at least one cylindrical portion defined partially along the length of the at least one of the plurality of press rolls. The at least one cylindrical portion is arranged to compensate for a radial extension of the at least one driving bar to define a uniform surface.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of enhancing the growth of crops using gaseous media with deprived Oxygen content. A plant growth apparatus is disclosed including a source of Nitrogen gas (N2); a source of Carbon Dioxide gas (CO2 gas); a compressor connected to the source of Nitrogen gas and to the source of CO2 gas; and one or more gas emitters connected to the compressor and adapted to be disposed near plants in a greenhouse or other enclosure. During use, the gas emitters emit a predetermined amount of Nitrogen gas and a predetermined amount of CO2 gas, in a mixture, to the plants, whereby a diffusion gradient is created in each plant moving Oxygen gas (O2) out of the plant and enhancing photosynthesis in the plant.

Abstract: In an embodiment, computer processes are programmed to determine planting plans based on planting characteristics data received for an agricultural field and a plurality of management zone delineation options defined for the agricultural field. Each of the planting plans specifies different planting recommendations for the agricultural field. A first graphical representation of the planting plans, and an interactive object is generated and displayed on a computing device. The interactive object is configured to receive input specifying a relative importance ratio between the planting plans for determining a new planting plan for the agricultural field. A particular relative importance ratio is received via the interactive object, and is used to determine the new planting plan, which specifies new planting recommendations for the agricultural field. Information about the new planting plan is displayed on the computer device.

Abstract: Described is a self-propelled tower (1) for irrigation systems, connectable to a span irrigation system (C), comprising: a supporting frame (2); movement means connected to the frame (2); a pipe (5), supported by the frame (2), comprising an end portion (6) which can be connected to the span irrigation system (C); a sleeve (8) comprising a first end portion (9), connected to the pipe (5), and a second end portion (10), configured for a reversible and fluid-sealed connection with a supply pipe (T). The sleeve (8) and the pipe (5) are configured to establish a flow communication between the supply pipe (T) and the span irrigation system (C).

Abstract: A drip irrigation device for a flower pot is provided with a main member including a central aperture, porous top and bottom layers around the central aperture, an intermediate layer around the central aperture and sandwiched between the top and bottom layers, and a slit extending from the central aperture to an edge of the main member and cutting through the intermediate layer and the top and bottom layers; and a base including at least one curved member, a central hole, a plurality of first compartments in an outer portion of each curved member, a plurality of holes through a bottom of each first compartment, a second compartment in an inner portion of each curved member, a drip hole through a bottom of each second compartment, and a plurality of spaced legs extending downward from a bottom of the base.

Abstract: Provided are methods for increasing the efficiency of creating doubled haploid plants by increasing the number of chances of forming a double haploid seed through treatment of a monocot plant with a plant growth regulator. In certain embodiments, maize plants are produced that comprise multiple co-dominant ears. Also provided are plants comprising the potential to generate increased numbers of doubled haploid offspring.

Abstract: Provided are methods for increasing the yield of a monocot plant through treatment of the plant with a plant growth regulator. In certain embodiments, maize plants produce multiple ears and an increased number of kernels. In certain embodiments, reduced height of the plant allows for more efficient self-pollination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plants comprising a modified amount, activity or function of AGL11-like protein, wherein the plant is a member of plant family Cucurbitaceae or of species Solanum lycopersicum; characterized in that the plant is not a Solanum lycopersicum plant having a deletion from nucleotide 1042 to nucleotide 637 upstream of the ATG start codon of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of corn hybrid SVSK4048 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, and tissue cultures of corn hybrid SVSK4048 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

Abstract: A novel herbicide-resistant switchgrass cultivar, designated PanIR, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of switchgrass cultivar PanIR, to the plants of switchgrass cultivar PanIR, and to methods for producing a switchgrass plant produced by crossing the cultivar PanIR with itself or another switchgrass variety. The invention relates to plant parts derived from switchgrass cultivar PanIR and to methods for producing other switchgrass cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from switchgrass cultivar PanIR. The invention further relates to hybrid switchgrass seeds and plants produced by crossing the switchgrass cultivar PanIR with another switchgrass cultivar. It also further relates to other derivatives of the cultivar PanIR, methods of producing imazapic resistant switchgrass seeds and plants, and to producing commodity plant products.

Abstract: The present invention concerns Capsicum annuum plants producing pepper fruits, exhibiting new physicochemical characteristics of the pepper fruit in relation with chlorophyll A & B, lutein as well as violaxanthin. The pepper fruits of the plants according to the present invention also exhibit a characteristic extreme dark green color at immature stage which color is linked to the content in pigment of the said fruit. The present invention also relates to QTL alleles directing the expression of the pigment content of those pepper fruits as well as molecular markers associated with these QTL alleles.

Abstract: A combination foldable cart with a telescoping handle that includes four spinner wheels so that the base of the cart can move laterally in any direction without turning the cart. The invention also includes a pet carrier bag attachable and removable from the cart. The pet carrier bag can be supplied in many different shapes, styles and colors to suit both the tastes of the pet owner and to suit the size and type of pet. In general, there is an opening on the top or side of the bag so that at least the pet's head can protrude. The bag can be attached to the cart by a panel on the back of the carrier or any method including a strap around the handle, clips or any other attachment method.

Abstract: The purpose of the Pet Walker Safety Enclosure (PWSE) is to keep your pet in a safe enclosure while walking or stationary. The PWSE is a self-adjustable enclosure that will accommodate several pets or just one depending on your need. The PWSE can easily be adjusted in length, width and height with the click of several buttons. PWSE is made of several materials including plastic, metal, vinyl and rubber.

Abstract: A catch drawer litter box for the recovery of litter and prevention of unwanted dispersal outside of a litter box. The catch drawer litter box generally includes a base and a cover. The base generally comprises a recovery region, a litter region, and a base divider separating these two regions. The litter region generally comprises a litter container configured for the receipt of litter comprising litter particles. Recovery region generally comprises a grate with openings large enough to allow passage of litter particles and a recovery drawer configured for removable deposition within the recovery region via an opening in the base. The recovery drawer is configured to receive at least a portion of the particles of litter that may pass through the openings in the grate.

Abstract: The present invention is a litter box that comprises intelligent components using image recognition and feature points to discern different animals that are authorized or excluded from use. Along with authorizing use of the litter, the litter box automatically closes and opens for access. The invention will also remove and or subvert odors that emanate from the soiled litter. Along with odor suppression, the litter box shall convert into a smaller size in order to relieve the owner of cumbersome dimensions. The litter box also has a user interface on board but can also be used remotely through the internet, cell phones, tablets, and other smart devices. In preferred embodiments, the system shall provide an easy manual or automatic method of cleanup once authorization and detection has been enacted. Another preferred embodiment of the system shall provide frequency and weight of waste for particular animals using the intelligent components to discern the particular animals.

Abstract: A cage for housing laboratory animals, said cage comprising a tray and a cover which can be removed and switched between a first closing position, in which it is positioned on said tray thus stopping the access to the internal space delimited by said tray, and a second opening position, in which said internal space may be accessed.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a system capable of efficiently and accurately monitoring each individual animal in a group-housed cage with high temporal resolution. Multiple food containers are used in a feeding unit to allow multiple animals to feed freely and simultaneously. Each food container is incorporated with an electronic weight measuring component to continuously monitor the change in food weight in each food container. An electronic RFID tag detector/reader is incorporated at the food accessing opening of each container to identify the animal accessing the food container.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various aspects of animal feeders and animal feeding systems. In one aspect, the animal feeding system includes: (1) a container for receiving feed therein, (2) a sensor, (3) a controller, (4) a communications module coupled with the controller and configured for both short-range and long-range communication with at least one user interface and the at least one sensor, (5) a dispenser for dispensing feed, and (6) a gate connected with a motor, the gate for controlling the flow of food from the container to the dispenser, the gate controlled by a motor, wherein the controller is configured to automatically regulate feeding times according to the location of the animal feeding system and the corresponding sunrise and sunset times of the location.

Abstract: A cattle curtain utilizing a wicking action to displace concentrated insecticide to be wiped on animals as they pass through an animal pathway. The cattle curtain includes a reservoir body for holding the concentrated insecticide. A series of ropes is secured within the reservoir body, and the series of ropes is secured through fittings, whereby a metal pin is inserted through each rope. A valve disposed on top of the reservoir body to control flow of the concentrated insecticide into the series of ropes.

Abstract: A pet canopy includes a head canopy, having a head frame supporting side shields extending therefrom to protect a pet's head from rain; a body canopy, having a body frame supporting body shields extending therefrom and to protect the pet's body from rain; one or more legs extending from the body frame and having wheels there attached and to rest on a ground surface; and a harness extending from the body frame and to secure to the pet's body.

Abstract: A base of an animal training includes a dispenser that comprises a storage compartment configured to store rewards and to dispense rewards, a base signaling module configured to generate a reward signal, and a base wireless module configured to receive a dispense signal. A first target is detached from the base at a first target location at a first fixed distance from the base. The first target comprises a first target signaling module, a first sensor, and a first target wireless module. A second target is disposed at a second location, wherein the second location is a fixed distance from the base and comprises a second target signaling module, a second sensor, and a second target wireless module. The base further comprises a system configuration module, the system configuration module configured to access and modify configuration information of the dispenser, the first target, and the second target.

Abstract: A pet toy comprises a light source and at least one teaser. A “teaser” in one form includes a flexible piece of material attached to a base at one end with the opposite end being free for manipulation by a pet or the pet owner. The light source, such as a laser light, is incorporated in a handle or wand, and the laser light is emitted from a distal end of the wand. One or more teasers are attached near or at the distal end of the wand. One or more teasers in the form of plush elements may be attached to the wand by a selected length of a connector such as string or nylon line. A method is disclosed for entertaining an animal by use of the pet toy.

Abstract: An absorbent article for animals includes: a support body part which is detachably worn around the waist including the back and belly of the animal; and an absorbent main body part which is disposed along the back, crotch and belly of the animal and is detachably engaged with and fixed to the support body part. When viewed in a planar view in an unfolded state, the absorbent main body part is provided with: an engagement part which is disposed on at least one of end parts which are located at both longitudinal ends; an absorbent body; a tail opening part; and elastic members which impart a longitudinal contractive force to the absorbent main body part. The elastic members are disposed on both widthwise outer sides of the absorbent body and have a longer longitudinal length than the longitudinal length of the absorbent body.

Abstract: A system for securing a safety device to a leash (SSSDL) that functions in combination with an animal leash that is used to restrain or control an animal which is typically a dog. The SSSDL has a securing member in the form of a bracket or an enclosure that is connected by attachment means to a surface of a leash. Removable attachment means including at least one strap, at least one cable, a hook and loop fastener, a double-sided tape or at least two gripping members, or permanent attachment means including at least one screw, at least one bolt and nut or an adhesive, can be utilized. The safety device preferably consists of a stun gun or an air horn, although other types of safety devices can be used with equal efficacy. For the bracket, the safety device is secured by means including at least one strip, at least one cable, a double-sided tape, or at least one clamp. For the enclosure, the safety device is inserted into and maintained within the enclosure.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for evaluating the quality of pen rider activities in an environment such as a feedlot. The quality of the activities relate to individual rides conducted by pen riders in a feedlot in which the rides are numerically scored. The score is a function of a plurality of measured factors that specifically correspond to the physical actions of a pen rider while occupying a pen. The measured factors may be incorporated within an algorithm for determining the numerical score. The measured factors may include the number of seconds paused within a pen, a ride length within the pen, a ride speed within the pen, the number of rotations of the rider within the pen, and combinations thereof. The quality of activities is also evaluated by visual records showing routes taken as recorded by GPS locations. User interfaces are automatically generated to show ride scores and routes taken by riders on a graphical display.

Abstract: A method of identifying individual zebrafish (Danio rerio), containing the steps of: observing a striped pattern for each of an anal fin and a caudal fin of each individual of two or more zebrafish in side view; determining characteristics of each individual from the observed striped pattern; and identifying each individual on the basis of the characteristics obtained.

Abstract: A poultry feeder operable in a winch-up condition where the feeder is positioned off of a floor of the poultry house and in a winch-down condition in which the feeder is position resting on the floor of the poultry house. The poultry feeder defines a first path and a second path for feed to enter the pan, the first path comprising a flood path through the aligned windows in lower drop tube portion and in the feed level skirt, and the second path comprising a path through the aligned spaces between the feed pan and the lower skirt of the feed level skirt and lower tube portion of the drop tube.

Abstract: A Bee Hydration Station system and methods are disclosed. The bee hydration station has a flower basin or landing pod for bees to land and to collect water for bees to gather. The flower basin member has at least a first hole and a second hole; a stem member coupled to a bottom portion of the flower basin member; an inflow tube coupled to the first hole of the flower basin member; and an overflow tube coupled to the second hole of the flower basin member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to emersed shellfish storage. A container support has a surface to support containers. Each container has respective cells to accommodate live shellfish, such as lobster, in a vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to the surface. Water from a reservoir is pumped, intermittently in some embodiments, to one or more of the containers above the shellfish, and a collector collects and provides to the reservoir the water that is pumped by the pump system and flows over the shellfish. In an embodiment, the cells are provided by a divider that divides an interior space of each container, and the divider carries a perforated top insert at or below a top edge of each container, to distribute fluids to the cells.

Abstract: A denitrifying device and an aquatic organism breeding system are provided which are capable of efficiently denitrifying breeding water for an aquatic organism under an aerobic condition. A denitrifying device 20 according to an embodiment is a denitrifying device 20 for breeding water used for breeding an aquatic organism, including: a filtering tank 21 into which the breeding water stored in a breeding water tank 2 is supplied by a pump 3; a filtering medium 22 housed in the filtering tank 21, and on which denitrifying bacteria that reduce nitrate nitrogen in the breeding water are fixed; and an intermittent water discharging unit 23 that intermittently performs an oxygen taking operation of discharging the breeding water stored in the filtering tank 21 into the breeding water tank 2 to expose the filtering medium 22.

Abstract: A cross-flow type flow-making water pump is provided, including a motor, two impeller and impeller housings. The cross-flow type flow-making water pump further includes clamping assemblies. The clamping assemblies are used for connecting the motor with the impellers. The clamping assemblies include clamping heads and clamping seats. The clamping heads are arranged at the ends, which are connected with motor rotating shaft, of the impellers. The clamping heads include at least two clamping sheets symmetrically arranged along axial directions of the impellers. The clamping seats are respectively arranged on the motor rotating shaft in a sleeving manner. Connection between the motor rotating shaft and the impellers is realized through clamping of the clamping sheets and the clamping seats.

Abstract: A non-human transgenic animal that contains in its genome a nucleic acid encoding human ARCAP operably linked to a liver-specific promoter. The transgenic animal expresses the human ARCAP protein and develops tumors of the liver, spleen, abdomen, or lymph. Also provided is a cell line derived from the non-human transgenic animal expressing the human ARCAP gene. Further provided is a method for producing a transgenic mouse by micro-injecting into a fertilized mouse oocyte a vector that contains a human ARCAP cDNA operably linked to a liver-specific promoter and transferring the micro-injected mouse oocyte into a foster mouse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a non-human animal, such as an avian, comprising a targeted germline genetic modification wherein a nuclease, which may be CRISPR, ZFN or TALEN, is delivered to spermatozoa prior to oocyte fertilization.

Abstract: The present invention provides for inhibition or blockade of immunomodulatory cell receptors to facilitate improved or complete reconstitution of a human immune system in laboratory animals, improve animal health, and improve animal longevity. Thus, the invention relates generally to compositions and methods of generating and using transgenic non-human animals that are engrafted with a human hematopoietic system involving anti-CCR5 agents. In various embodiments, the human hematopoietic system engrafted transgenic non-human animals of the invention are useful as systems for the in vivo evaluation of the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic and immune cells, immune responses, vaccines and vaccination regimens, and human pathogens and production and collection of immune mediators, including human antibodies.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for releasing beneficial mites and the use of such a system. Mite species that can be used beneficially for human purposes may for example be employed in the control of pests, such as in the field of agriculture, including agricultural production systems for plant products, agricultural production systems for animal products, and animal husbandry, or in the field of storage of food products. The system of the invention may fmd use in any of these fields.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for the use of unmanned aircraft systems to detect, locate, and identify objects in, on, or near the water that may provide useful information to people in a different location, such as on a nearby vessel for purposes of ultimately locating fish. The vessel can then take action based on data collected by the unmanned aircraft system, such as move to a new location to catch fish as detected by the unmanned aircraft system.