Abstract: The invention provides a veterinarian collar in the form of a truncated cone that address the drawbacks of conventional cone-shaped collars. Alternatives are described for forming the collar from a single piece of plastics sheet.

Abstract: A pet door fluid/powder applicator device disposed upon the bottom of the flap of a typical pet door. The pet door fluid/powder applicator device includes at least one roller volubly disposed on an underside of a chamber. At least one interior cavity is disposed within the chamber. The cavity is configured to store fluid/powder in contact with a first portion of the roller. The fluid/powder is applied to the hide of an animal as the animal is caused to contact and rotate the at least one roller of the rollers. Thus, whenever the animal moves through the pet door, a dosage of the fluid/powder containing a desired active ingredient is applied to the animal.

Abstract: An implement for automatically milking a dairy animal, such as a cow, comprises a milking parlor, a sensor for observing a teat, and a milking robot for automatically attaching a teat cup to the teat. The milking robot comprises a robot control that is connected to the sensor. The sensor comprises a radiation source for emitting light, a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the dairy animal, a lens, and sensor control unit. The sensor comprises a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers. The sensor control unit is designed to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate the distance from the sensor to a plurality of points on the part to be observed of the dairy animal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection pick for dosing systemic and nutritional products into trees and Palmaceae. The invention is characterized in that, once installed in the trunk, it can repeatedly dose any type of systemic or nutritional product in an environmentally friendly manner. The invention comprises an easy-to-install plastic cannula formed by four interconnected parts and the design thereof allows the selected nutritional product or systemic insecticide to be easily applied, preventing continued wounds that could damage the trunk or stem of the plant. The invention comprises the following elements: pick, cover, latch and key.

Abstract: Cat litter is formed from ground corncob granules, a clumping agent such as guar gum, and an odor control agent such as soyaethyl morpholinium ethosulfate. A water solution of the odor control agent is sprayed onto corncob granules. Thereafter, the clumping agent is slowly mixed in (without forming clumps), and excess water is evaporated off. The odor control agent is applied in a substantially uniform and adherent manner, without materially comprising absorbency or causing significant premature clumping.

Abstract: A water circulation pump pre-filter unit (PFU). The PFU is submerged and provides structure to camouflage the system to give a natural and aesthetic look. The PFU comprises at least two cleaning systems: (1) biological cleaning mechanism; and (2) an internal self-cleaning mechanism. Specifically, the PFU comprises several filtering surfaces that form a repository for pond debris on which fish and other aquatic creatures feed, i.e., the biological cleaning mechanism. These filtering surfaces of the PFU also provide a protective barrier that prevents large debris from entering the circulation pump. The internal self-cleaning mechanism is a spray wash water source mechanism used to clean the PFU without removing the PFU or fish from the pond or entering the water. Together these features improve the quality of the water in the pond and extend the life of a pump.

Abstract: A hummingbird feeder having one or more soft petal feeding ports, each port having a three-dimensional simulated flower made of a soft, flexible plastic or rubber-type material having a durometer reading not to exceed 50A based on ASTM standard D2240 is provided. The petals are pliable so as to be easily manipulated by a hummingbird coming into contact with them, and provide a texture and resistance comparable to that of natural flower petals.

Abstract: A milking implement comprising a frame with, disposed thereon, at least one teat cup holder with a teat cup movable relative thereto, and a replacing element connected with the teat cup, wherein the frame further includes an intermediate arm connected with the frame and with the teat cup holder and having a first joint and a second joint about which the teat cup holder and the intermediate arm, respectively, are tiltable with the aid of the replacing element, and a spring coupled with the teat cup holder and the frame and, if desired, with the intermediate arm.

Abstract: A collapsible, mountable pet crate. A collapsible crate mountable to a wall such that the crate may be assembled for pet usage while mounted to the wall and collapsed into a compact package while mounted to the wall and not being used. A mounting bracket affixed to the wall receives a mounting rod (or mounting pins) integral with, or connected to, the crate to facilitate operation of the crate. The mounting bracket includes a first position for receipt of the mounting rod corresponding to the assembled or opened crate and a second position for receipt of the mounting rod corresponding to the collapsed or stowed crate. In another version, a pair of latches rotatably joined to a back wall for (i) joining the wall to the bottom tray in a collapsed configuration and (ii) securing the foldable cage to the back wall in an assembled configuration.

Abstract: A bouquet making apparatus comprises a plurality of bouquet forms movably supported at spaced locations along a conveying device. Each bouquet form includes upper and lower stem supports that hold bouquet elements, such as flowers, at an angle with respect to vertical. As each bouquet maker travels along the conveying device, workers spaced along the conveying device sequentially insert sets of flowers into upper and lower stem supports until each bouquet maker hold a final bouquet set. Each of the final bouquet sets are removed from the bouquet form and secured with a fastener, thereby forming a plurality of twisted stem-type bouquets having a substantially identical design appearance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for producing and harvesting algae. The orientation of the production substrates is critical for maximizing production as a function of water area utilized. By employing an array of algae production substrates in a vertical configuration relative to the water surface, the yield of algae production per area of open water is increased substantially relative to prior art algae production systems.

Abstract: A lead system for domesticated animals has a lock capable of securing the collar and the handle ends to prevent theft of the animal. The lead system has a leash having a handle at one end and a collar at the opposing end. The lead system may have a first lock at the collar end and a second lock at the handle end which are separately activated for fastening the handle to the leash at one end of the leash and the collar to the leash at the other end for securing an animal to an immovable object. Alternatively, the lead system may have a lock capable of simultaneously securing the collar and handle ends. The lead system may also allow for adjustment of the circumference of the collar and the handle through the use of levers, with the lock(s) capable of also securing the levers.

Abstract: A milking liner for an automated milking machine includes a barrel that moves between an uncollapsed position and a collapsed condition when it is subjected to a vacuum milking condition. The barrel defines at least three parallel channels open to the inner surface of the barrel. The configuration of the sidewall of the barrel and the channels cause the barrel to uniformly collapse when the barrel is subjected to a vacuum milking condition. In one configuration, ribs protrude from the barrel sidewall and define channels with the same wall thickness as the sidewall segments disposed between the ribs.

Abstract: A method of attaching and/or removing a teat cup from an animal with a liner inflatable and deflatable by a pulsator which alternately introduces air and vacuum to a pulsation chamber surrounding the liner. The method comprising the steps of: setting the pulsator to constantly introduce vacuum to the pulsation chamber to open and maintain the liner in an open position for an attachment time period; attaching the teat cup to the animal during the attachment time period; setting the pulsator to alternate between introducing air and vacuum to the pulsation chamber during a milking time period to milk the animal; and removing the teat cup from the animal.

Abstract: A bird feeder has a body member, a base, and at least one feed port member. The body member is used for storing bird food having a top end, a bottom end and a sidewall with the sidewall of the body member defining at least one feeding aperture. A base is attached to the bottom end of the body member to prevent bird food from exiting the body member. The at least one feed port member is interfittingly engaged within at least one feeding aperture. The port member includes a frame member and a mesh insert attached to the frame member. The feed port member is releasably secured within the feeding aperture of the body member. In operation, the feed port member can be easily removed from the body member for easy cleaning or adapting to a particular bird feeder construction.

Abstract: An animal undercoat removal system comprises a conditioning/removal apparatus, a hot and cold water source, shampoo & conditioning agent reservoirs, connecting hosing or piping and housing and mounting hardware for a groomers bathing area. The apparatus further comprises a dual function high flow, low pressure nozzle/low flow, high pressure nozzle, a venturi in the flow stream with a suction port for drawing shampoo/conditioner from reservoirs to assist in loosening of the undercoat.

Abstract: A pet feeding apparatus includes a container and a base assembly, wherein the base assembly includes a sensor assembly operatively coupled to a portion keypad circuit board and operation keypad circuit board. The base assembly displays an indication of the amount of food carried by the container, and the base assembly provides an indication of the feeding time.

Abstract: A teat cup inflation comprises a mouthpiece having a vent for the limited admission of ambient air into the inflation barrel above the lower tip of the teat. One or more airflow passages are formed by the configuration of the barrel and extend along the length of the barrel to vent air from mouthpiece to the short milk tube. The one or more airflow passage can be formed between the sides of barrels that are multisided in cross-section.

Abstract: An enhanced-stability, A-frame-shaped plant support for the support of plants such as tomato vines, or other fruits and vegetables growing in soil which, while supporting plants laden with heavy fruits or vegetables, is stable and greenhouse tent wind-sail resistant, in part because of a readily usable starting width gauge indicator on detent latch members operable to controlling the ultimate width between pivotable opposing halves of the plant support during installation to a desired depth in the soil. After use, when removed from the soil, the A-frame-shaped plant support collapses, pivoting about preferably hog-ring type interconnection rings between the opposing halves of the plant support for facilitating easy removal from the ground and folding flat for easy storage.

Abstract: A crop protection system can include a housing that houses at least one roller mechanism to carry a roll of material, a vault configured to receive the housing, and a lift mechanism configured to vertically position the housing with respect to the vault. In such a system the housing may include three roller mechanisms where each roller mechanism is configured to carry a roll of material and also include a wire roller mechanism configured to carry a roll of wire. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.