Abstract: Methods for transporting livestock and livestock feed in shipping containers and for separating the shipping containers into a livestock storage areas and feed storage areas for the measured distribution of feed throughout shipment.

Abstract: The Retractable Hook Set consist of a trigger attached to a string or ribbon that retracts back into the hook set shell or pole holder for tangle free storage. The string or ribbon is adjustable by the use of a spring loaded spool and button which allows it to adapt to most pole lengths. This also allows the tension of the pole to be set, which changes the power at which the hook is set. The hook sets molded shell is designed to have a clamp attached. The clamp allows the hook to be attached to the pole or most pole holders. The trigger holds and releases the tension of the pole which hooks the fish. The hook set is adaptable to all fishing.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatuses for a reversible pet spiral staircase. Embodiments of the invention comprise: a bottom tread storage platform member; a plurality of tread platform members, elevated above the bottom storage platform member; a center leg support member, and a plurality of outer leg support members, which support the tread platform members; and a helical skirt board railing member that supports the tread platform members and traverses the perimeter of the apparatus. Embodiments of the invention are capable of being configured in either the left-hand spiral configuration, or the right-hand spiral configuration. Embodiments of the invention allow the apparatus to be self-supporting; reversible; space-saving; compactable for storage; safe for pet elevation; easily assembled; reconfigurable; and environmentally safe.

Abstract: A fishing rod having improved strength and durability to weight characteristics is provided using a thermoplastic toughened epoxy resin. The method of manufacturing this fishing rod includes the use of an insulating layer around rod blanks during a high temperature cure stage.

Abstract: The coverable fish net apparatus provides for easily netting a fish and selectively covering a first frame with a large net and a second frame with small net. A strap is disposed on a second end of the first frame and a clip is disposed on an outer end thereof. The second frame is slideably positioned on the handle via a lock mechanism including positions partially over and completely over the first frame toy trap a fish within. A strap is disposed on the second end and a clip is disposed on an outer end thereof. A hook is pivotally disposed on an apex of the second frame. Effectively netting, and revival prior to release, of varying sizes of fish is thereby best accomplished, with less chance of fish escape.

Abstract: A method for controlling the milking by a milking machine includes, during an initial phase of the milking, increasing a milking vacuum and/or a maximum pulsation vacuum for the milking gradually from a first selected vacuum level (1L) towards a second selected vacuum level (2L) to thereby improve teat stimulation and decreasing the risk of a second milk letdown. When a second milk letdown (2ML) is detected, the maximum pulsation vacuum is preferably immediately lowered to a third selected vacuum level (3L), and is kept at that third selected vacuum level until a certain milk flow has been established, whereupon the pulsation vacuum level is then again increased gradually until the second selected vacuum level is reached.

Abstract: Water distribution systems and methods for continuously supplying drinking water to one or more shipping containers holding livestock throughout the duration of a shipment.

Abstract: A mobile platform arrangement includes a first (mobile) platform and a second (support) platform. Both are flat-bottomed members, wherein the support platform is preferably, but not exclusively, provided with sidewalls and wherein a diameter of the support platform exceeds an outer diameter of the mobile platform at least twice. The mobile platform is advantageously positioned onto and/or within the support platform. The top surface of the support platform is provided with a friction reducing surface structure. The mobile platform is therefore adjusted to perform gliding motion along and/or over the friction reducing surface, wherein acceleration necessary for performing gliding motion is imposed to the mobile platform by an external force, provided by movement of an experimental animal within the mobile platform. The mobile platform arrangement in addition may include a mechanism for securing a conscious wake and able to move experimental animal, including a head adapter and corresponding mount.

Abstract: A restraint system for an animal comprising a collar assembly and a retractable leash assembly. The collar assembly comprises a strap member adapted to be secured around a portion of the animal and a pouch member secured to the strap member. The pouch member defines a pouch chamber and an open end. The retractable leash assembly comprises a retraction assembly secured to the strap member within the pouch chamber, a cord member operatively connected to the retraction assembly, and a handle member operatively connected to the cord member. The retractable leash assembly is operable in a retracted configuration in which the handle member is substantially within the pouch chamber. The retractable leash assembly is operable in an extended configuration in which the handle member is outside of the pouch chamber.

Abstract: A method for controlling the milking by a milking machine includes, during an initial phase of the milking, increasing a milking vacuum and/or a maximum pulsation vacuum for the milking gradually from a first selected vacuum level (1L) towards a second selected vacuum level (2L) to thereby improve teat stimulation and decreasing the risk of a second milk letdown. When a second milk letdown (2ML) is detected, the maximum pulsation vacuum is preferably immediately lowered to a third selected vacuum level (3L), and is kept at that third selected vacuum level until a certain milk flow has been established, whereupon the pulsation vacuum level is then again increased gradually until the second selected vacuum level is reached.

Abstract: A milking cup for milking animals, the milking cup having a liner arranged inside a housing to define a pulsation chamber therebetween. The pulsation chamber is divided into multiple compartments so that vacuum pulsation applied to the pulsation chamber compartments causes controlled collapse of the liner on an animal teat inserted therein.

Abstract: A card-like device for storing and retrieving multiple sizes of leader materials in a shirt pocket size configuration in which all the housed leader material sizes are clearly and always visible and which permits quick and easy finding of the stored leader material ends, and firm retention and easy grasping of same.

Abstract: A tether device includes a tether assembly disposed between two entities maintaining connection between the entities. A resilient element is integrated with the tether assembly. A geometry of the tether assembly and the resilient element create first and second resilient element and tether force-displacement responses when the resilient element and tether assembly are together subjected to at least first and second axial displacement forces. The second axial displacement force is greater than the first axial displacement force. The first force-displacement response, when subjected to the first axial displacement force, is greater than the second force-displacement response when subjected to the second axial displacement force. The geometry can include a tether configured in a serpentine formation in a relaxed position. The serpentine formation straightens taut when the tether is fully extended by the second axial displacement force. The geometry can also include multiple O-rings.

Abstract: A fake bait having an adjustment device includes a main body, an engaging member and a resistant board. The main body has an accommodation trough at a head portion thereof and an inclined board in the accommodation trough. The engaging member has a toothed section which is biased by a resilient element. The resistant board has a toothed portion to engage with the toothed section of the engaging member. The engaging member and the resistant board are received in the accommodation trough and located on the inclined board. When the resistant board is pulled, the resistant board biased by the resilient element of the engaging member is adjusted forward or backward through the teethed portion of the resistant board to engage with the teethed section of the engaging member, providing a positioning effect.

Abstract: A lure skirt which comprises a two piece central unit of a first component of a first collar and a raised male hub where the raised male hub has an orifice at its center and a second component of a second collar and a raised female hub where the raised female hub has an orifice at its center and is sized to accept the male hub. Multiple individual strands or multiple block strands are secured to either the first collar or the second collar or both the first and second collars by an adhesive. The male hub is affixed inside said female hub and multiple strands radiate out from the central unit.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus for processing a very large number of fish eggs for gene injection and so on with a superior performance. An egg case has an egg-arranging plate and a cover plate. The fish eggs are dropped into concave portions of the egg-arranging plate, when the cover plate opens the concave portions. The cover plates closes the concave portions after fish eggs are accommodated in the concave portions. The egg case is fixed on a table of an egg-arranging apparatus. water is supplied on the egg-arranging plate in the egg plate. A scanning nozzle sprays water on upper surface of the egg-arranging plate. After closing the concave portions with the cover plate, the egg case is inclined for dropping fish eggs remaining on the cover plate.

Abstract: A protective bird apron includes a main body area with a length and a width and a pair of opposing lateral sections attached to the main body area at corresponding opposing edges thereof, each lateral section having a length less than the length of the main body area and a width dimensioned to extend beneath respective wings of the bird. At least one securing strap is coupled to an upper portion of the main body area and to an upper portion of at least one of the lateral sections, the main body area, the at least one of the lateral sections, and the at least one securing strap defining at least one shoulder securing area. A shoulder protector is coupled to the main body area of the back covering, disposed to protect shoulders of the bird while leaving the wings of the bird substantially unrestricted in wing-flapping movement, and has a width substantially the same or greater than an overall width of the back covering. Visible warning indicia are provided on the back covering and/or the shoulder protector.

Abstract: A bedbug trap having at least a first plane panel of fibrous material and a second panel of fibrous material, the first panel having a zone covered in an adhesive for fastening to the second panel, the second panel including a strip of adhesive on at least one face, which adhesive strip is of a width that is less than the width of the first panel, and the first panel including a zone that is covered in an adhesive that is located at a distance from and facing the adhesive strip, wherein the second panel is plane, and the first and second panels are made of respective first and second portions of a single initial plane panel of fibrous material that is previously coated in adhesive and then folded in half so that the first portion and the second portion face each other, the adhesive strip extending over the second portion of the initial panel, being prolonged over the first portion of the initial panel, the fastening zone between the first and second portions of the initial panel being implemented by adhesive

Abstract: The present invention provides a pet brush including a handle, a hub, a ring, and a bristle member. The bristle member is detachably connected to the handle. The hub is provided at a connecting portion of the bristle member and the handle so that the ring may be rotated. The ring may be shifted between a first position and a second position. The bristle member is secured to the handle when the ring is moved to the first position, and the bristle member is free to be inserted into and drawn out of the handle when the ring is moved to the second position.

Abstract: A flower belt comprises a belt member and a plurality of belt attachments. The belt member comprises a durable, flexible elongated body with an adjustable securing means designed to securely affix around a tree trunk. The belt member further comprises a hook attachment means which enables the securing and removably receiving the plurality of belt attachments. The hook attachment comprises hooks outwardly disposed for suspending the belt attachments.