There is discussed a method of picking and placing bulbs, in which bulbs are supplied on a supply surface of a bulbs supply system; the bulbs being identified and picked from the supply surface with a pick-and-place head; wherein picked bulbs are transferred from the pick-and-place head, shoot-first and roots-last to a transfer-receptacle comprising at least one bulb-receptor, wherein the bulb-receptor temporarily clutches said bulb.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for multi-entity management of an ID node in a wireless node network. The ID node associates with a first entity user access device, which operates as a master node and communicates directly with a server over a first communication path. The first device separately communicates with the ID node over a second communication path, but the ID node is unable to directly communicate with the server. The ID node provides the first device with access to data collected by the ID node if an initial privilege authorizes it. After associating with a shipping entity master node, the ID node provides the shipping entity master node with the data collected based on a transferred privilege from the server. And then after associating with a second entity user access device, the ID node provides access to this second device if authorized by a destination privilege from the server.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for multi-entity management of an ID node in a wireless node network. The ID node associates with a first entity user access device, which operates as a master node and communicates directly with a server over a first communication path. The first device separately communicates with the ID node over a second communication path, but the ID node is unable to directly communicate with the server. The ID node provides the first device with access to data collected by the ID node if an initial privilege authorizes it. After associating with a shipping entity master node, the ID node provides the shipping entity master node with the data collected based on a transferred privilege from the server. And then after associating with a second entity user access device, the ID node provides access to this second device if authorized by a destination privilege from the server.

Provided is a packaging container including a plurality of sidewall panels. The plurality of sidewall panels may include at least a first sidewall panel and a second sidewall panel connected to the first sidewall panel along a predefined corner fold line. The packaging container may further include a push-in feature located on the predefined corner fold line. The push-in feature may be movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. A tear-away piece may be located on at least one sidewall panel of the plurality of sidewall panels. The packaging container may include a top wall defined by a plurality of top panels. In an example, the packaging container includes a bottom wall defined by a plurality of bottom panels. In an example, the packaging container includes an insert. The packaging container may house a potted plant.

Methods and systems are described for preparing a node-enabled shipment of an item to be shipped using a wireless node network having at least a node and a server. A user access device, such as a laptop computer, smartphone, or tablet, may capture an identification of the node to be related to the item. The user access device enters shipping information related to the item and linked with an identification of the node. The shipping information is stored on the node, and then the node is combined with the item to be shipped. A system may include a node and a server, where the node is specially-adapted via programming to emit the identification of the node to the user access device, receive shipping information from the device, store the shipping information on the node, and then upload the shipping information to the server.

Methods and systems are described for monitoring a piece of equipment using a node network having multiple nodes and a server. A second node is associated with the equipment, can monitor equipment operations, and communicate directly with a first node but is unable to directly communicate with the server. The first node can directly communicate with the server and separately communicate with the second node. The first node associates with the second node when the first node detects a signal broadcast from the second node. The second node detects an actionable event related to the operation of the equipment, and transmits a message reporting the actionable event to the first node. The first node notifies the server about the actionable event. Thereafter, the server initiates a responsive action based upon the notification.

Provided is a weighing and packaging system including: a weighing unit which weighs and sequentially discharges articles; a discharge chute through which the articles discharged from the weighing unit pass; a foreign matter detecting unit which detects the foreign matter contained in the article passing through the discharge chute; a memory unit which stores quality information pertaining to the quality of the article based on a detection result of the foreign matter detecting unit; and a control unit which controls the memory unit, in which in a case where the foreign matter is detected by the foreign matter detecting unit with respect to the N.sup.th (N is an integer of 2 or more) article discharged from the weighing unit, the control unit controls the memory unit to forcibly store the quality information of the (N−1).sup.th article discharged from the weighing unit as a poor quality.

A growing container system for free-rooted plants adapted to grow plants to be grown aeroponically. The growing container includes a spherical upper portion and a conical lower portion. The growing container allows for the growing of individual free-rooted plants and is coupled to a fluid supply system which provides water to misters within the growing container, and which removes excess water from the bottom of the lower portion of the growing container. The growing container may be made of two halves which are coupled vertically.

A system for the transport and growing of free-rooted plants adapted to be grown aeroponically. The system and method includes propagating the free-rooted plants and then transferring them to a transport container. The transport container includes a light and hydrated nutrient balls adapted to keep the plant alive during transport. The plant may, after transport, be transferred to a growing container. The growing container may include a spherical upper portion and a conical lower portion. The growing container allows for the growing of individual free-rooted plants and is coupled to a fluid supply system which provides water to misters within the growing container, and which removes excess water from the bottom of the lower portion of the growing container.

A sterilization unit for sterilizing a product can include a body having an internal volume for receiving the product to be sterilized, and comprising at least one opening through which product can be introduced and/or withdrawn from the internal volume; a gas inlet in fluid communication with the internal volume for introducing one or more of an inert gas and a sterilizing gas into the internal volume during sterilization; a screen disposed in the gas inlet through which the one or more of the inert gas and the sterilizing gas must pass before entering into the internal volume; and a pressure release valve. The body can be capable of being pressurized to a pressure of 10 atm or more.