Abstract: A device, system, and method are provided for growing, transporting, displaying, and storing produce. The grow ring device may allow produce to grow in a hydroponic growth apparatus. It may then secure the produce in a bowl. The bowl may have an attachable base that can supply water to the produce.

Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A multiple purpose ice fishing bucket lid device provides a seat, storage, and additional functionality in a lid for covering a bucket. The device includes a housing for coupling to a bucket such that the housing covers the bucket. The housing defines an interior space. A pail is couplable to the housing wherein the pail extends into the interior space for holding bait. The pail is alternatively couplable to the housing in an inverted position wherein the pail extends upwardly relative to a top wall of the housing defining an elongated compartment with the interior space and an interior of the bucket for holding an elongated implement such as an ice fishing rod.

Abstract: A heatable pet garment comprised of a garment covering the body of an animal with an opening for the head of said animal and at least two openings for the legs of said animal; a heat device within said garment to produce heat to warm said garment; a rechargeable electrical source to power said heat device; a mechanism to recharge said electrical source; and a control unit to turn said electrical source on and off.

Abstract: A rodent trap includes a base, a trigger mechanism and a spring activated snap cover. During operation, a rodent touching the trigger mechanism releases the spring activated snap cover which quickly snaps over the trigger mechanism either enclosing and trapping the rodent or snapping onto the rodent and retaining the rodent by snapping onto the rodent and retaining the rodent between the base and the edges of the snap cover. The snap cover includes rounded edges which fit into flange portions on the base and which aid in retaining the rodent in the rodent trap.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the disposal of animal waste, and is particularly concerned with providing a solution that is economical, hygienic, and environmentally sound. This invention may be used domestically in two main varying ways: in a configuration whereby the invention connects into any access point of a domestic sanitary sewer system, or via an in-line configuration whereby the invention is incorporated into any standard waste downpipe. This invention may be used commercially in a public setting whereby the invention is incorporated into a ‘vending’ machine, allowing limited access for use by varying limited access means and methods.

Abstract: A plant container or planter fabricated from a breathable, flexible, geo-textile, material such as recycled polyester needle-punched felt, which is self-supporting without an internal support structure. The geo-textile material is porous to both air and water, which allows air-born nutrients to pass to the roots and inhibit the ability of mold species to grow and harm the plant. The geo-textile material is configurable to various container designs that permit the non-conventional plant placement including the mounting of the plant containers on vertical surfaces, flat surfaces, and by suspension from ceilings and walls. The inclusion of a flexible, durable, impermeable, water-retaining recycled rubber, vinyl, or plastic bottom and/or backing liner in the construction of the plant containers/hangers allow the planters to be placed on indoor and outdoor surfaces such as wood, stucco, wallboard, carpet, and various other surfaces which might otherwise be damaged by moisture.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivating unit that can perform a watering operation in a simple manner and can supply water uniformly to plants in locations where a floor surface is sloped, such as the rooftop of a building, without requiring separate water supply piping work. A plant cultivating unit (1) comprises a water storage tray (2) in which water can be stored and in which receivers (3) for housing the roots of plants can be arranged in an interior thereof, a water storage space (8) in the water storage tray (2) and the receivers (3) being communicated via water feeders (7), and the water stored in the water storage space (8) being able to be supplied to the plants via the water feeders (7).

Abstract: This invention discloses a bee nest for protecting bees from the environment. The bee nest has desiccating and insulating properties, as well as properties that repulse and deter varrora destructor mites. The bee nest comprises a housing having a first open end and a second open end. The first open end is covered by a first end plate which has ventilation means for the housing. A second end plate encloses the second end. Within the housing, there are a plurality of elongate conduits or tubes. Surrounding the plurality of elongate conduits is filler medium, such as crushed volcanic rock filler. Optionally essential oils to deter mites are distributed on the rock filler.

Abstract: An animal restraint system including a body harness and a removable control strap assembly. The control strap assembly may include no-pull or no jump/run modules. The body harness includes three adjustable straps that fit over the animal's back, in front of the chest, and underneath and behind the front legs, and two leg straps that encircle the animal's front legs. The no-pull module includes a strap for connecting a leash to the front leg straps. Pulling force is transferred to the animal's front legs, thereby reducing its ability to pull. The no-jump/run module includes hind leg straps that encircle the animal's hind legs and are connected to the corresponding front leg straps by connecting straps. A rear back strap extends across the back of the animal. The design works by limiting the range of motion of the front legs relative to the hind legs to inhibit jumping and running.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes a retractable leash for restraining an animal attached to the retractable leash. The retractable leash includes a housing and a spool in the housing. The retractable leash also includes a leash, where the leash is wound around the spool and at least a portion of the leash can extend from the housing. The retractable leash further includes a cam, where the cam is configured to be forced outward against the housing when the spool rotates at a high rate.

Abstract: Self-watering plant container includes a container used to hold a living plant and soil and a container to hold a pool of water or nutrient solution underneath the plant/soil container where the water may be absorbed by the living plant through a permeable bottom in the plant/soil container. Self-watering plant container includes an airspace layer located between the bottom of the plant/soil container and the top of the water or nutrient solution pool in order to prevent excessive moisture or water from being absorbed into the plant/soil container, thereby preventing root rot. Self-watering plant container achieves this partly by special funnel shaped root-pruning aeration apertures in the bottom of its plant/soil container that allow very small roots and root hairs to grow through the bottom of plant/soil container and into the water reservoir below, while forcing larger roots back into the plant/soil container, and also allowing for aeration of the plant/soil container.

Abstract: Method and devices for treating equine laminitis by cryotherapy, comprising a boot to be fitted over the horse's hoof, having a wedge shaped sole that is angled by 20° toward the front; The purpose is accomplished by the boot in conjunction with three opportunely shaped removable soles, and a cryotherapy reservoir of flexible material, that is inserted into the boot and connected to an external device for refrigeration by circulation of a fluid.

Abstract: An animal trap has a base, an upper jaw pivotally coupled with the base so that it is movable between a closed position and an open position, and a set arm that is pivotally coupled with the upper jaw and moveable between a collapsed position and an open position. In its open position, the set arm provides a lever whereby application of a force to the set arm moves the upper jaw toward its open position. A method for trapping an animal includes moving a trap between a first position, where the upper jaw is closed, and the set arm is collapsed, and a second position, where the upper jaw is closed and the set arm is open. The method further includes the step of moving the trap between a second position and a third position in which the upper jaw is open, and the set arm is open.

Abstract: A biodegradable plant pot is formed from a paperboard-based blank wrapped about an axis and having a first longitudinal edge portion overlapping and adhered to an opposite second longitudinal edge portion of the blank so as to form an overlap seam. The blank is oriented with the machine direction of the paperboard running substantially parallel to the axis and the cross-machine direction running substantially circumferentially about the side wall, such that the machine direction of the paperboard runs lengthwise along the overlap seam. Cuts are formed in the side wall adjacent to and at circumferentially opposite sides of one end of the overlap seam, the cuts being confined to a localized region adjacent the one end of the overlap seam.

Abstract: A bee feeder assembly is provided, including a receptacle, a cover member and a ladder arrangement. The ladder arrangement includes at least one ladder member comprising a porous member depending downwardly from the cover member. Methods of assembly and use are described.

Abstract: A pet restraint harness system for use in a vehicle may be installed in a rear or front passenger seat. The restraint system includes a harness fastened about the pet and a restraint framework fastened about the seat and, in some configurations, to manufacturer latch points provided in the vehicle. The restraint framework includes a vertical strap positioned against the seatback and one or more lateral straps attached to the vertical strap to resist lateral movement, vertical movement, or both. One end of the vertical strap and the lateral straps may attach to the manufacturer latch locations. Alternatively, ends of the vertical and lateral straps may attach to each other about the seat. At least two restraining straps are attached to the vertical strap, the lateral straps, or among the combination of both. The restraining straps are configured to attach to an animal's collar, to a harness, or both.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to saddles and saddle trees, especially English saddle trees, particularly for horses. In particular, we describe a method of manufacture for a tree which is simplified by the use of leather, webbing and plastic in flat sheet material. This fabrication can be simply stitched and riveted together and a Y-bar and headplate are then bolted and or riveted to the finished leather plastic fabrication. This method of making a tree is fast, efficient, cost effective, safe, reliable, provides more consistent symmetrical performance, and above all is very light, providing a weight saving of 60% compared with conventional methods. The tree fabrication requires no additional finishing or tidying, unlike other forms of manufacture. As soon as the parts are assembled they are ready to go to the next stage of making the finished seat for the saddle.

Abstract: A support plate has upper and lower surfaces, rear and front edges and opposed side edges. A front wall is upturned at the front edge. Opposed side walls are upturned at the side edges. A rear wall is upturned at the rear edge. The support plate has arcuate cut out sections. The cut out sections extend from an end of the front wall to an adjacent side wall. A tube assembly includes a hollow vertical tube. The vertical tube has a lower end and an upper end. The tube assembly also includes a horizontal tube with an interior end permanently attached to the upper end of the vertical tube. The horizontal tube also has a free exterior end. The horizontal tube is positioned to overlie the support plate. The exterior end is positioned closer to the front edge than to the rear edge.

Abstract: A nest for solitary bees may be fashioned from a rectangular solid of either a solid matrix or a number of nest elements. Each side of the nest contains a multiplicity of apertures, where each aperture provides a nesting cavity for the bees. Each aperture has an open end and a closed end. If fashioned from individual nest elements, the orientation of the apertures may be adjusted as desired, such that each element may be stacked upon an adjacent element in one of four orientations, so that the cavities of one element may be at 0°, 90°, 180° or 270° relative to an adjacent element. If desired, the aperture density of each side may be adjusted as desired. The configuration of the nesting cavities of the present invention reduces congestion at nest entrances and provides shelter to the bees from predators and the environment.