Abstract: A tubular casing that is capable of receiving a product therein in an outstretched state, said casing comprising: a pleated accordion shaped envelope section; a front-end section on the opposite end from the pleated accordion shaped envelope section, the front-end section being tucked back at a central portion thereof across the longitudinal direction of the casing, the front-end section being stretched and crimped lengthwise with respect to the length of the casing; a middle section that is adjacent to and between the front-end section and the accordion shaped section, wherein the middle section is crimped lengthwise with respect to the length of the casing; wherein the middle section and the front end section are tied off, and the casing has a fluid moisture content of 18 to 35 wt.-% based on the total weight of the casing.

Abstract: A slam latch assembly for a trailer having an interior surface defined by a front, a first sidewall, a back, and a second sidewall and the trailer further having a partition with a first end hinged to the trailer first sidewall and a distal end comprising a housing having an interior cavity and an aperture for accessing the cavity wherein the housing is attached to the second sidewall such that the housing is contained in the second sidewall and the aperture is generally flush with the trailer interior surface; and a latching mechanism attached to and contained in the interior cavity of the housing and accessible through the housing aperture wherein the latching mechanism is adapted to selectively secure and release the distal end of the partition.

Abstract: In a method and a system wherein an animal (10) at birth is provided with at least one electronic tag (20), comprising communicating means and an identification code, the code represents a specific location in a network-connected database (60,) being updated wirelessly (50) from the tag (20) to at least one receiver (40) connected to the position determining means and a time determining means and in connection with said network, registering time—and positioning information related to the animal (10). Additional information about the animal is provided to the database (60). The registered information is utilized for authorizing at least one of slaughtering and distributing actions for the purpose of at least one of meat production, meat product manufacturing and breeding.

Abstract: An improved poultry bedding litter composition includes byproduct or waste material from citrus juice extraction. The citrus peel byproduct or waste litter containing compositions improve poultry characteristics and enhance feed conversion when compared with traditional poultry bedding litters. They also reduce ammonia formation and are very beneficial in addressing litter beetle problems.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system including a floral sleeve having a decorative pattern thereon. The sleeve may have a lower portion sized to cover a pot and an upper portion which can surround a plant disposed in the pot and which can be detached after the protective function of the upper portion is complete or which can be used to support the sleeve from a support device prior to use. The decorative pattern preferably has an arcuate upper boundary in the flattened condition which when opened, gives the sleeve the appearance of having an upper edge which is parallel to the upper rim of the pot disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: Methods of pooling or localizing the allantoic fluid present in avian shell eggs, so that the fluid may be sampled, assessed or injected, are described. The methods involve tilting the avian shell egg so that the major axis of the egg is from about 10 to 180 degrees from the vertically upright position, so that the allantois pools under the uppermost portion of the egg shell. The allantoic fluid may then be sampled, or a substance injected into the allantois, by a vertical needle or probe traveling in a downward direction.

Abstract: The shackle assembly (10) has a lock gear (22) non-rotatably mounted to the shackle (11). Lock collar (45) has inwardly projecting lock collar teeth (51) that engage with the lock gear teeth (28A-28D). When the lock collar is moved toward the lock gear against the bias of spring (58), the lock gear teeth (28) move into the interior cavity (50) of the lock collar. This protects the teeth of both the lock gear and the lock collar at all times.

Abstract: An animal water bowl assembly is maintained clean by allowing a bowl to dry out after a use period, before refilling. Uses include: birdbath and pet and farm animal watering. Two bowls can be coordinated so that one is in use with water while one is drying out. A two-faced assembly with oppositely facing bowls can automatically coordinate the steps for the two bowls. The process of filling a bowl, allowing it to be used, emptying it, filling another, allowing it to be used while the first dries out, can be automated with an actuator and a controller. An animal water bowl assembly has at least two bowls, with means for coordinating the filling and use and drying steps. As an example, a two faced bowl is rotatable around an axis. An electronic controller opens a valve to provide power to a hydraulic actuator, which flips the two faced bowl to empty the first and present the second for filling. Filling with water occurs automatically, also using water from the hydraulic source.

Abstract: An animal feeder, including a sturdy, molded plastic base, and a horizontally extending deck for receiving two or more water and food bowls, and legs or sidewalls secured to the deck for retaining same in an elevated position. Recesses are defined in the deck to receive the bowls. Wells are formed in the interior of the base, and communicate with the recesses. In the preferred embodiment, the wells store limited quantities of dry food, or treats, below each recess so that the food may be accessed by removing the bowl. In an alternative embodiment, the wells are formed with ledges or lips that engage the covers of food containers for “wet” food. Access to the wells, or to the interior of the base of a two component dog feeder, may be gained by removing the cover.

Abstract: A pet nail cover has a sack portion that is shaped and dimensioned so as to cover at least the main toe and nail of the animal and extends into a groove between the toe's small flesh pad and a large flesh pad on the bottom of the animal's foot, thereby leaving the large flesh pad exposed, allowing for the animal's traction, mobility and comfort. The pet nail cover eliminates scratches on wooden floor surfaces made by a pet's nails, scratching or scarring on the eyes and ears of the animal, and allows the animal to run with traction and mobility on indoor floor surfaces without slipping. It is attached to the animal with a fastener portion secured around the ankle portion of the animal's leg. It may also have ventilation holes in the nail cover surface for comfort.

Abstract: A method of gutting a cephalopod, such as squid, the cephalopod having an outer mantle containing internal organs, and the method comprising retaining the outer mantle at a fixed distance from a central axis while rotating the mantle about the said axis whereby the internal organs are subjected to a centrifugal force sufficient to eject the organs outwardly through an open end of the mantle.

Abstract: The present invention is a process or method for cutting and boning a carcass of a fowl to create a meat cut which includes the scapula bone and its associated muscles (meat). The method involves separating the scapula bone and its associated muscles from the carcass of the fowl. The meat cut may be produced with the cutaneous tissues attached to the associated muscles. The resulting meat cut contains a larger percentage of meat and is easier to produce. Alternatively, the cutaneous tissues can be removed from the associated muscles to produce a skinless meat cut. In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the muscle (meat) associated with the scapula bone can been trimmed to create a meat cut having less meat. In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, multiple meat cuts are placed in a side-by-side orientation and bonded together using a meat bonding agent to create a linked rack of meat cuts or a standing meat roast.

Abstract: The flush toilet is suitable for use by dogs of various physical sizes. The toilet has two high side wall portions to collect the urine ejected by a male dog. A restraint frame is provided for retaining the dog on a leash in the toilet. The position of the restraint frame is adjustable to accommodate a dog of any size such that the excrement will drop in or close to the drain opening of the toilet. A grid pattern is formed on the inner surface of the high side wall to facilitate the male dog from urinating, and a baffle wall is provided at the front edge of the high side walls to avoid the urine from a male dog from splashing outside of the toilet.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sectional cage, typically a birdcage designed as a combination of several modules, each module facilitating the reduction of the accommodating space and transportation cost. The cage of the present invention features an easy assembling and a stable and firm structure, and adapts different specifications and provides more choices for economical variation of its shape, assembly and disassembly.

Abstract: My invention provides a spinner unit for attachment to the intermittently rotating vertical control unit shaft of an animal feeder, the feeder having a feed storage unit that discharges feed through a discharge tube into a spinner unit housing interior, where the feed is enclosed prior to discharge from specially configured discharge openings. The extensive covering configuration provided by the housing top, bottom and in some embodiments, sides, allows little or no feed to be thieved by small animals such as birds, prevents feed loss from wind, and prevents feed from being thrown up and off the spinner unit when the spinner unit is spinning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for partially cutting hock joints, and letting feet remain attached to the rest of carcass by skin and one or more tendons, exposing the hock joint by folding feet, and hanging the carcasses in the evisceration shackles by hock joints, the method unambiguously ensures that if a carcass is condemned by an Inspector, the feet belonging to that carcass are condemned as well. Furthermore, this invention solves the even more tractable problem of capturing folded feet, separating feet from the carcass while leaving the carcass still hanging in the shackles, transferring feet into an infeed paw cutter wheel, and cutting knuckle portion to produce chicken paws ready for further processing.

Abstract: A litter box having a first litter box half with a first recess. The first litter box half triangularly shaped. The litter box having a second litter box half with a second recess. The second litter box half engages with the first litter box half to form an enclosure. The first recess aligning with the second recess when the first litter box half and second litter box half are engaged to form an entrance to the enclosure through which an animal can enter the enclosure. The second litter box half triangularly shaped, and with the first litter box half to fit into corners. The litter box having a screen which fits into either the first litter box half or the second litter box half. The screen having handles so the screen can be lifted from either the first litter box half or the second litter box half.

Abstract: A plurality of elongated support members are curved in an arcuate configuration. In this manner an interior concave face and an exterior convex face are formed. Each support member resides in a plane with a first end and a second end and with a central extent there between. A plurality of bristles is provided. The first ends of the support members are coupled together and the second ends of the support members are coupled together.

Abstract: In a shellfish processing method, meat is separated from shells by injecting liquid into inside of the shells of the shellfish, thereby opening the shell. After one of the shells is opened, associated parts of the shellfish are suckingly removed independently or collectively in part or in total. An opening portion is formed in a part of a shell of the shellfish and associated parts of the shellfish are suckingly removed through the opening portion independently or collectively in part or in total. After the associated parts are suckingly removed, the meat is separated from the other shell by injecting liquid in the shellfish. The opening portion is formed in a part of the shell by removing a part of the shell by a cutting operation or by perforating a part of the shell or by breaking a part of the shell by pressurization. Fragments and powder of the shell produced when the opening portion is formed in the shell is removed by suction or liquid washing.

Abstract: An integrated pet storage crate and grooming table. The integrated table includes a structure having a pet storage area covered by an openable gate, an equipment storage area for storing equipment, a horizontal surface resting on a top portion of the pet storage area and the equipment storage area, and a grooming surface rotatably connected to the horizontal surface. The grooming surface, which may be optionally covered with a material, covers the equipment storage area in a vertical orientation and is rotated upwardly to a horizontal orientation against the horizontal surface to provide an area for grooming a pet. The structure also includes a plurality of wheels mounted on a bottom surface of the structure allowing mobility of the structure. In addition, a telescopic ramp is mounted under the bottom surface of the structure to facilitate movement of the structure.