An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a neonicotinoid-based compound having a high degree of insecticidal activity, a surfactant, and an organic solvent, which is capable of demonstrating stable effects and in which the types and amounts of surfactant and organic solvent are adjusted so as to prevent chemical damage in numerous types of trees. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for preventing damage to trees by harmful insects of numerous types of trees by injecting this composition into a tree trunk and allowing the chemical to circulate within the tree body.

A seed sampling system is provided having an automated seed loading assembly including a seed bin and being operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds within the seed bin. The system also includes an automated seed sampling assembly operable to remove tissue samples from the singulated seeds, and an automated seed transport assembly operable to transfer the singulated seeds from the seed loading assembly to the seed sampling assembly. The seed transport assembly includes multiple retention members. Each of the retention members is movable relative to the seed loading assembly and to the seed sampling assembly. The seed transport assembly is operable to position one of the multiple retention members adjacent to the seed loading assembly for engaging one of the singulated seeds, while positioning another of the retention members adjacent to the seed sampling assembly for presenting another of the singulated seeds to the seed sampling assembly.

There is provided a greenhouse system. An exemplary greenhouse system comprises at least one plant culture. At least part of a glazing of the greenhouse system comprises at least one functional layer that is adapted to the plant culture.

The invention refers to a greenhouse screen comprising strips of film material that are interconnected by a yarn system by means of hosiery, knitting, warp-knitting or weaving process to form a continuous product. At least some of the strips comprise a film material in the form of a multilayer polyester film having a thickness less than 60 μm and comprising at least two layers, wherein at least one layer is white and at least one layer is black, the at least one white layer comprises polyester and a white pigment in an amount between 5 and 50 weight-% based on the total weight of the white layer, and the at least one black layer comprises polyester and a black opacifying agent.

The invention provides a nontoxic photoluminescent adjuvant delivered to targeted crops, plants and seeds to assist spray operations in low light or dark light operations. These crops and plants include: not for human consumption crops, turf grass, ornamental flowers, seeds, shrubs and bushes. Spray operations are delivered to the foliar, crown and soil parts and seeds of a crop or plant.

An apparatus is disclosed which may be used to grow plants in a chamber. In one embodiment, the chamber includes an artificial light source, a plurality of plant supports, a supporting structure configured to rotate the plant supports between two positions, the first position being closer to the artificial light source than the second, and a divider separating the chamber into a light region containing the artificial light source and one of the plant supports in the first position and a dark region containing the other plant support in the second position, wherein the divider is moveable between a first divider position in which the divider prevents movement of the plant supports and a second divider position in which the divider does not prevent movement of the plant supports. Methods of growing plants in a chamber on a moveable member are also disclosed.

A plant container assembly, method, and kit include a plant container with a sidewall having first and second sidewall portions, an open top, and an open bottom. A hinge member is on the sidewall between the open top and the open bottom and pivotally connects the first and second sidewall portions for movement between an open position of the plant container, and a closed position of the plant container forming an interior space capable of containing plant growing medium. A closure portion extends along the sidewall between the open top and the open bottom. A plant support cooperatively engages the closure portion and selectively holds the plant container in the closed position. A planar member is configured to be selectively placed within the plant container and supported on a ledge member on each of the first and second sidewall portions to selectively form a bottom closure for the plant container.

A method and apparatus for processing seed or seed samples includes an autonomous sorter which sorts seed by pre-programmed criteria. Optional features can include a counter to autonomously ensure the correct number of seeds to a seed package, a cleaning device, a sheller, and a label applicator. A conveyance path, controlled automatically, can move the seed to appropriate and desired stations during the processing while maintaining the sample segregating from other samples. Validation of the sample can be pre-required and information about the sample can be derived and stored for further use.

A plant cultivation apparatus including: a guide rail disposed above a cultivation bed and extending along the length direction of the cultivation bed; a movable unit configured to move along the guide rail; an arm unit having a first end that is coupled to the movable unit, and a second end that is telescopically extendable from the movable unit toward the cultivation bed; and a UV radiation unit coupled to the second end of the arm unit and configured to irradiate the cultivation bed with a set amount of UV light.

The present invention relates to substituted cellulose acetates and methods of use thereof. One embodiment of the present invention provides a coating having a substituted cellulose acetate having a polar substituent that has an oxygen atom covalently bonded to a nonmetal selected from the group of sulfur, phosphorus, and boron; wherein the nonmetal is present in at least about 0.01% by weight of the substituted cellulose acetate.

An automated seed sampler system includes an imaging device for obtaining images of seeds, an orienting device for orienting the seeds based on the images, and a sampling station for removing tissue from the oriented seeds. In some aspects, the system also includes a transport subsystem for supporting the oriented seeds and conveying the oriented seeds to the sampling station. A method for removing tissue from seeds includes imaging the seeds, orienting the seeds based on image information obtained from the seeds, and removing tissue from the oriented seeds. In some aspects, the method also includes transporting the oriented seeds in a transport subsystem to a sampling station for removing the tissue from the oriented seeds, and/or collecting the tissue removed from the oriented seeds so that a one-to-one correspondence exists between the tissue and the sampled seeds, and/or analyzing the tissue for characteristics indicative of genetic and/or chemical traits.

Embodiments are described for a closed-loop, vertical garden system for growing plants and filtering air and water comprising: a support structure; a composite, grow media configured to physically support the growth of plants and distribute water to the roots of the plants through capillary action through the area of the grow media; a water source coupled to the grow media through a pump and plumbing system, wherein the plumbing system is configured to draw water from the water source through the grow media and back to the water source in substantially closed loop aquatic system; and an air flow subsystem configured to draw outside air through the plants and transmit filtered air back out of the support structure.

A composition comprising peat moss and one or more alkoxylates selected from the group consisting of alcohol alkoxylates and alkylphenol alkoxylates and, optionally, one or more polysaccharides, for example guars and/or guar derivatives. A synergistic effect of a combination of the alkoxylates and the polysaccharides was discovered. A method of preparing the peat moss composition and a method of using it are also disclosed.

The invention provides a non-toxic photoluminescent adjuvant delivered to targeted crops, plants and seeds to assist spray operations in low light or dark light operations. These crops and plants include: not for human consumption crops, turf grass, ornamental flowers, seeds, shrubs and bushes. Spray operations are delivered to the foliar, crown and soil parts and seeds of a crop or plant.

A thrust reverser system is provided with an axial centerline. This thrust reverser system includes a first translating element, a second translating element and an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism is attached to the first translating element and the second translating element. The actuator mechanism is configured to translate the first translating element along the axial centerline at a first rate. The actuator mechanism is configured to translate the second translating element along the axial centerline at a second rate, which may he different than the first rate.

A seal device that may be for a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) assembly of a turbofan engine is positioned between first and second surfaces configured to move between close and distant positions. The seal device includes a first electrode engaged to the first surface and a second electrode spaced between the first and second surfaces and spaced from the first electrode. A resilient first element of the device is disposed between and engages to the first and second electrodes, and is configured to move between contracted and expanded states when the electrodes are energized. A resilient second element of the device opposes the second surface and is engaged to the second electrode. The second element is configured to move between a compressed mode when the first and second surfaces are in the close position and an extended mode when the first and second surfaces are in the distant position.

A cleaning device for atomizing and spraying liquid in two-phase flow comprising a nozzle provided with multiple liquid bypass pipelines each having liquid guiding outlets inclined at a predetermined angle and an exhaust mesh plate having vertical gas guiding outlets, which makes the high speed liquid flow and high speed gas flow sprayed out therefrom collide against each other sufficiently to form ultra-micro atomized particles with uniform and adjustable size. The ultra-micro atomized particles are sprayed out downwardly to the wafer surface under the acceleration and vertical orientation effects of an atomized particle guiding outlet to perform a reciprocating cleaning for the wafer. Other components such as an ultrasonic or megasonic generation unit, a gas shielding unit, a self-cleaning unit or a rotating unit can also be provided to perform the multifunction of the nozzle.

A pneumatic system of an agricultural implement includes a radial fan coupled with a plenum. The plenum contains outlets which distribute the airflow into a plurality of product distribution lines for application to a field. An airflow deflector plate has a back face fixed on a sidewall of a region interconnecting the fan outlet and plenum inlet to modify the airflow pattern and obtain an airflow that is at a uniform pressure and flow rate for each product distribution line. The deflector plate is tapered with a narrow edge pointed upstream and includes front face having at least one generally rectangular groove with a bottom surface extending generally parallel to the deflector back face.

An air cap for a spray gun, in particular a paint spray gun, having at least one central opening, which is delimited by a mouth, and two horns, each having at least one inner and one outer horn air duct and one inner and one outer horn air opening. The spacing between the front end of the central opening and an axis which perpendicularly intersects the central axis of the central opening and runs through the centre of an inner horn air opening is between 0.6 mm and 2.6 mm. The spray pattern generated by the air cap has a longer core region and a steeper transition of the layer thickness between the external region and the core region, compared to conventional air caps leading to improvement in coating quality. A nozzle assembly and a spray gun, in particular a paint spray gun, can have an air cap having the above properties.

The present invention relates to a casing for a mobile electronic device, the casing including a dispenser, which includes a spraying unit and a reservoir, wherein the dispenser can be moved from a secure position to at least one dispensing position.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system associated with a thrust reverser of an aircraft, comprising: a set of cascades incorporating a track, the track including a first track end and a second track end, a blocker door, and a link including a first link end coupled to the track and a second link end coupled to the blocker door, where the cascades are configured to translate between a stowed position and a deployed position to cause the first link end to traverse the track.

The current invention provides for a fog generator. More specifically, it provides for a housing comprising a fog generating liquid and a valve that, in a closed position, prevents the fog generating liquid from flowing out of the housing, in which the said valve is kept in a closed position by means of a fuse wire (6).

This application claims a system for the distribution of waste water. The invention allows water to drain from a source into the invention, where the water is distributed and diffused through a collection of outlets. Thus a large amount of water can be distributed over a large area so that the environment can more easily absorb the water and the flow of water does not cause erosion. The preferred embodiment of the invention optionally may include one or more filters to remove substances from the water before distribution.

'Long, Tall’ Marcia Ball comes to The Freight in support of her latest album. Marcia Ball has been on the road, playing good-time music, for as long as she can remember. "When the hippie culture started emerging, I dropped out of college and got a chance to play piano in a rock and roll band," Ball said from her home in Austin, Texas.…

A hand tool with a handle with an inner cavity, a tool bit holder removably secured within the inner cavity and having a first end adapted for receiving a first reversible tool bit and a second end adapted for receiving a second reversible tool bit, wherein a first reversible tool bit may be removably secured within an inner cavity positioned within the first end of the tool bit holder using a circular spring clip extending around an outer surface of the first end of the tool bit holder, wherein a second reversible tool bit may be removably secured within an inner cavity positioned within the second end of the tool bit holder, wherein the first reversible tool bit has a first punch down blade and a second punch down blade, and wherein the outer diameter of the first end of the tool bit holder is 0.532 inches or less.

The present invention generally relates to a multipurpose tool for angling. In particular, the invention relates to a threading device for threading or affixing, respectively, a fishing hook to a fishing line. Furthermore, the Invention relates to a method of manufacturing the threading device for threading or affixing, respectively, a fishing hook to a fishing line, the use of the device as well as a threading set. The present invention further relates to a multipurpose tool for stunning and eviscerating fish. In particular, the invention is concerned with a multipurpose tool of the type of a pocket knife, which is suitable for stunning and eviscerating fish and whose posterior end is formed as a stunning tool.

A multifunctional hand-operable beverage service tool includes a casing having a cavity defined therein, the casing having a proximal end region and a distal end region. A plurality of tools are pivotally coupled to said casing, the tools each being independently pivotable relative to the casing along an arcuate path defined between retracted and deployed positions; wherein one of said plurality of tools comprises a wine key lever. A first opening is positioned through the distal end region of the casing, the first opening being constructed and arranged to engage and remove a bottle cap. A second opening comprising a finger hole is positioned through the proximal end region of the casing.

A cutting device includes a first part and a second part which is pivotably connected to the first part. A first fixing portion is located in the top side of the first part. The second part has a second fixing portion defined in the underside side thereof and facing the top side of the first part. The second fixing portion is located corresponding to the first fixing portion. A reception slot is defined axially in the second part and communicates with the second fixing portion and the underside of the second part. A blade is inserted into the reception slot. A hole is defined through the first part for receiving a hydraulic hose. A pressing member is pivotably located in a recess in one side of the first part and is able to press the hydraulic hose passing through the hole and the recess.

A retractable bottle opener with a wearable wrist band coupled to a wrist-arm area of a user, a first end positioned proximal to the wrist area of the user, and a second end positioned on a forearm of the user, and a bottle opener coupled to the wearable wrist band. The opener has a first end, a second end, an opener length separating the first and second ends of the bottle opener, a working surface shaped to engage with a bottle, and a handle portion. Further, the retractable bottle has a storage position along an opener translation path with both the working surface and the handle portion disposed at least one of along the forearm of the user and proximal to the wrist area of the user and an operational position along the opener translation path with both the working surface and the handle portion disposed in a user's hand.

A cutlery kit configured from a laminar sheet which manifests its previous use through the detachment of its parts. The kit is comprised of two or more daily, known utensils selected from a spoon, a fork and a knife, which are jointly located in a single plane and are separated by thin, continuous dotted or cut lines. The utensils fit into each other in a complementary form, counter-form way and remain joined together by the presence of continuities in the surface where these continuities interrupt the dotted lines. Each of these cutlery utensils is detached from the others through breaking, done by the user, of these continuities on the surface.

A multipurpose string line tool having an inner tube slideable within an outer tube provided with an attached bottom end cap and a removable upper end cap whereby a storage space for small construction implements can be stored within the inner tube. A line string is wrapped around the outer tube. The outer tube with the line string wrapped there-around is designed so that it can easily spin around the inner tube thereby providing a free release of the line string. The free end of the line string can be locked within an annular space between the outer tube and a cylindrical stopper by the upper end cap at the upper end of the multipurpose tool. A small opening can be provided in the upper end cap and a pencil sharpener fixed to an inner surface of said upper end cap in alignment with the small opening.

A tool for the removal of connectors from pipes is disclosed that, in one embodiment, enables the removal of connectors from large pipes and in another embodiment from a size range of pipes. Movable and stationary gripping and pushing elements are affixed to handles to enable a pipe to be firmly gripped between a movable gripping jaw and a stationary gripping jaw and the connector prevented from movement by the movable pusher jaw and the stationary pusher jaw. The handles can compress around a pivot point or slide on a bar. In another embodiment the movable and stationary gripping and pushing elements are removable from the body of the tool.

A pocket knife including a first body portion including a first engaging member, and a second body portion including a second engaging member arranged to engage the first body portion with the second body portion. The first body portion and the second body portion are separated from each other when not engaged. A tool element is arranged to be housed in the first body portion when in a closed state and displaced outward when in an opened state. A first locking member is arranged to be actuated by the tool element, and cooperates with a second locking member provided on the second body portion, and wherein when the first engaging member is engaged with the second engaging member, and when the first locking member and the second locking member are prevented from moving, the first body portion and the second body portion are prevented from being separated.

The present invention relates to embodiments of a folding knife having a seat belt cutter on the blade tang. In one embodiment, a folding knife comprises a handle and a knife blade. The knife blade comprises a tang pivotably connected to the handle, and the blade is operable to pivot relative to the handle about a pivot axis extending through the tang between a closed position and an open position. The tang comprises an enlarged tang portion that extends outwardly from the handle when the blade is in the closed position, and the enlarged tang portion comprises a cutting portion.

The invention concerns barrier films comprising: (i) a substrate comprising at least first and second coatings on the substrate; (ii) the first coating comprising an inorganic oxide, metal oxide or metallic coating; and (iii) the second coating capable of adhering to the substrates, wherein the second coating is polymeric; wherein the degradation of oxygen transmission rate is reduced when compared to a barrier film without the second coating when the barrier film is subjected to Gelbo-type flexing as described in ASTM F392.

Described herein are putty compositions having a first reactive component comprising a first acrylate oligomer and a second reactive component comprising a second acrylate oligomer that comprising a urethane acrylate oligomer, as well as an initiator component wherein the first acrylate oligomer and the second acrylate oligomer are present in a weight ratio that ranges from about 4:1 to about 1:2 and wherein the putty composition is self-leveling.

A polyurethane adhesive is formulated using a modified polyurethane copolymer, a curing agent and an antistatic agent, and the modified polyurethane copolymer is grafted a polysiloxane compound to a polyurethane polymer and made by esterifying a polyol, a hydroxyl-containing polysiloxane compound, a multi-functional isocyanate compound and a fatty acid ester; since the polyurethane adhesive is not yellowish and easy to dry as well as has excellent fabricability, air bleeding performance and transparency, when attached to surfaces of an optical or electronic device, the protective film leaves no residue and protects the surface of the device keeping no flaws.

A coated substrate is provided that can include a substrate defining a surface, and an abradable coating on the surface of the substrate. The abradable coating can comprise La2-xAxMo2-y-y' WyBy'O9-δ forming a crystalline structure, where A comprises Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Sc, Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Th, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Cu, Bi, Cd, Zn, Ag, Au, Pt, Ir, Rh, Ru, Pd, or combinations thereof; 0

A lightweight construction element (1) comprises at least one lightweight panel (2) and a layer of insulating material (4) associated with the lightweight panel (2), wherein the at least one lightweight panel (2) comprises boards (6), which, on at least one of the main surfaces (8) thereof, have a group of grooves (9) running parallel and which boards (6) are arranged in at least one layer (5) and are connected to one another via adhesive bonds. The layer of insulating material (4) comprises wood chips (19), which are removed from starting boards during the manufacture of boards (6) for the lightweight panels (2). These lightweight construction elements have good load and thermal insulation properties. The material used originates from one source and achieves a large overall volume after processing.

A biodegradable ground contact sleeve for a seismic data acquisition node includes a ground contact sleeve having a substantially tubular shaped body insertable into the surface of the earth and having an internal opening at one longitudinal end for receiving a seismic data acquisition node and making acoustic coupling thereto. The ground contact sleeve is formed of biodegradable material.

A base for a magnetic recording medium includes, a substrate made of an Al alloy, and a film made of a NiP-based alloy and provided on the substrate. The Al alloy of the substrate includes Mg in a range of 0.2 mass % to 6 mass %, Si in a range of 3 mass % to 17 mass %, Zn in a range of 0.05 mass % to 2 mass %, and Sr in a range of 0.001 mass % to 1 mass %. An average grain diameter of Si grains in an alloy structure of the substrate is 2 μm or less. The film has a thickness of 10 μm or greater. The substrate has an outer diameter of 53 mm or greater, a thickness of 0.9 mm or less, and a Young's modulus of 79 GPa or higher.

Game systems and methods of use thereof. Such a game system includes a pair of game boards each having a platform that defines an inclined surface, a pair of stakes each configured to protrude from one of the surfaces of the game boards, and at least two sets of game pieces, each game piece having two weighted tossable objects tethered to one another by a connecting member, each set of game pieces being readily identifiable from the other. A game may be played by tossing the game pieces towards the surfaces of the platforms and calculating a score based on the interaction between the game pieces and the stakes of the game boards and their surfaces, wherein the game ends when a predetermined total score is reached.

Card shuffler apparatuses include a card repositioner used to randomly reposition a plurality of cards on-edge over an aperture extending through a card support surface to allow cards to sequentially pass through the aperture in a random order. The apparatuses may be capable of continuously and sequentially forming playing card hands for use in a game. Shuffler apparatuses may be used to obtain a measurement relating to a thickness of the deck of cards. Methods involve the use of card shuffler apparatuses to form one or more playing card hands in a playing card game. Additional methods involve counting playing cards present within a stack of playing cards using a shuffler apparatus. In further methods, a number of shuffler apparatuses and a lesser number of shuffler activation devices are provided in a gaming establishment so as to preclude simultaneous use of all the shuffler apparatuses in the establishment.

A game assembly includes a plurality of cards. Each of the cards has a first side and a second side. The first side has indicia being printed thereon. The indicia comprise an image of biblical characters. A box is provided and the cards are stored within the box. The box has a top side and the top side is open to access an interior of the box. The box has an outer surface and the outer surface has indicia printed thereon. The indicia corresponding to the box comprise words. A lid is removably positioned on the top side such that the lid closes the box.

Card handling devices may include a card shuffling apparatus and a card output portion having a card buffer area positioned at an interface of the card shuffling apparatus and the card output portion. The card output portion may be configured to move relative to the card shuffling apparatus and alter the orientation of the card buffer area. Card handling devices having a substantially flat card output area may include an interface portion having an at least substantially flat draw surface. The substantially flat card output area may permit playing cards to be drawn from an outlet of the substantially flat card output area in a plurality of at least substantially horizontal directions. Methods of shuffling playing cards may include altering an orientation of a card buffer area and inserting cards into the card buffer area at both a top and a bottom of a group of cards within the card buffer area.

A novelty apparel includes multiple attached conformable, selectable and viewable occupational role playing indicia. A baseball cap includes a dome shaped crown of compound curves and a forward facing sun visor brim portion, a display region in a central front face portion of the dome shaped crown, where the display region displays a first permanent occupational status identifier and a mounting region for a secondary occupational status identifier selectable from a number of different indicia carried on a display surface conformable to said dome shaped crown. The selected indicium is displayed centered above the brim. The display surface conforms to the curved exterior of the dome shaped crown, wherein the baseball cap does not deviate substantially from the look of a typical baseball cap with a single permanent indicium.

A game assembly includes a cube that may be manipulated thereby facilitating the cube to be selectively launched at a goal during game play. The cube has a plurality of intersecting sides. The cube may travel in an unpredictable direction when the cube is struck during game play thereby enhancing difficulty of the game play. The cube comprises an inner core and an outer surface. The inner core is comprised of a resiliently compressible material such that the cube may bounce. The outer surface is comprised of a deformable material.

Cornhole games have been a mainstay during tailgating events at football games across the United States. However, the traditional cornhole game offers little challenge as the board has but one target opening and scoring is limited. Further, the traditional cornhole game has no real connection to the game of football; it does not present a representation of the field of play and does not apply the rules of football. The purpose of this invention is to create a method of play for a bean bag tossing game that is based on the game of football and incorporates the rules and strategies of the game of football. In an effort to create such a football-based bean bag tossing game, the game should incorporate the concepts of kickoffs, including onside kickoffs, punts, including fake punts, driving down the field by gaining yardage, the ability to kick a field goal or score a touchdown when in scoring position, the loss of yardage through application of penalties, the loss of possession through the application of turnovers, the possibility of scoring a touchdown after an opponent's turnover, the ability to attempt a last-chance Hail Mary touchdown, and the option to try for a 2-point conversion after a touchdown is scored. The game should also provide the player with an opportunity to use strategy when deciding what plays to make. With this football-based bean bag toss game, all of the main elements of the game of football listed above are incorporated and the game plays out similarly to a real game of football.