Abstract: A showering device for a bird includes a perch and a movable actuator disposed adjacent the perch. The showering device has sealable liquid dispenser disposed above the perch and at least one linkage mechanism connects the moveable actuator to the sealable liquid dispenser. The showering device includes a device for unsealing the liquid dispenser via the linkage mechanism allowing water to flow from the liquid dispenser due to a movement of the actuator toward the perch.

Abstract: An apparatus for a self-cleaning litter box having a control system for a mechanical self-cleaning mechanism. The litter box has a turret carrying a rake. The box includes an animal sensor that detects the presence of an animal in the box. A specified time after the animal leaves the box, the turret sweeps the rake through the litter, picks up the collected waste, and carries it to a waste bin, where the waste is dumped. The litter box is controlled by a processor executing a software program that monitors the instruments and sensors and controls the turret and rake motors. The software, in various embodiments, controls the rake motor and turret motor to execute a scoop sequence, a startup sequence, and a go home sequence.

Abstract: A bird feeder hanger assembly having a pivot member adapted to be pivotably attached to the main body of a bird feeder; the pivot member having engaging means comprising a slot or the like; a hanger member also having engaging means configured to co-operate with the first member engaging means such that when connecting the assembly to the main body of a bird feeder the hanger member can first be pushed into the slot of the pivot member and then pulled along an axis of the slot so that the engaging means of the hanger member and the engaging means of the pivot member mutually engage.

Abstract: A cage is provided for holding and transporting livestock. The cage includes a door with a horizontal top rod that slides along a top member of a side grate when opening and closing the door. The cage also includes four lifting lugs to assist in the moving of the cages. Also provided is a method of loading livestock into such a cage.

Abstract: An in ovo jet injection apparatus and related methods for treating live eggs. The jet injection apparatus includes one or more jet injection delivery devices configured to deliver one or more treatment substances to predetermined areas of eggs using a high pressure stream of the treatment substance(s). Multiple treatment substances can be delivered so that they are spatially and/or temporally separate. The devices and methods of the invention enable the effective use of a plurality of treatment substances, including those that are effective when used alone but can be noxious if mixed. The methods and apparatus for the jet injection of substances into embryonic chicks reduce the risk of mechanical injury to the developing birds that would be caused by injection needles. The methods and apparatus of the invention can also reduce the introduction of an infection into the chicks.

Abstract: A small reusable lure retriever device formed as one piece metal casting and comprising features to enable the device to slide down onto the fishing line 6 using the gravity force, pull the tied string 7 into the water, rotate and grip the lure 8 mounting fixture while providing robust solution to rescue the caught fishing lures, tackles and bait rigs or different type and size.

Abstract: A fishing lure is generally provided that incorporates a hook stabilizing device that substantially holds the hook in place and hinder the hook from rotating while the lure is being fished. The hook stabilizing device is configured to accept the connection a fishing line to a hook, such as a crimp connection to an eyelet of a hook. Free rotation of the hook may be allowed after a fish is hooked when the connection of the line to the hook is removed from the hook stabilizing device while fighting the hooked fish.

Abstract: An animal habitat and display system provided in a frame supporting at least one drawer with first and second air filled environmental compartments separated by a common divider wall capable of conducting heat directly between the compartment environments with each environment having a corresponding selectively operable heat transfer element and temperature sensor that are in communication with an environmental control unit such that, upon receipt of temperature signals from the sensors, the control unit may transmit a command signal to one or both of the heat transfer elements to selectively regulate the temperatures within the compartment environments.

Abstract: A bug killing device includes a body that defines a combustion chamber with a candle disposed in the combustion chamber. The burning candle produces heated gases that include carbon dioxide. A first bait receptacle is disposed above the combustion chamber with bait being disposed in the first bait receptacle such that the heat from the burning candle warms the bait receptacle to evaporate bait into an electrified grid.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of filling a nectar bird feeder. The bird feeder includes a base with a nectar reservoir and an extension member that downwardly depends from the bottom surface thereof. A hanger is connected to the base and extends upwardly therefrom. A cover, which is releasably attached to the base, has a central aperture to receive the hanger therethrough. The cover is removed from the base and placed on a support surface. The base is then placed on the cover with the extension member being positioned through the aperture so it can be movably positioned so it is level for filling of the reservoir of the base with nectar. After filling, the base is removed from the cover and the cover is reattached to the base.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent cushion for use in pet carriers, crates, cages or other containers. The cushion features a liquid permeable outer layer and a super-absorbent inner layer, to keep the animal dry, even if it urinates. The cushion includes a rigid element which is cushioned and insulating. This rigid element, in the interior region of the cushion, keeps the cushion from bunching up, and provides a comfortable place for the animal to sit. The cushion also has a flexible peripheral region, which allows the cushion to be used in a variety of carriers with similar, but not identical, dimensions, and provides a comfortable nest-like effect.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a gaming decoy device for use, for example, with hunting wild turkey. The device includes a slide which is moveably mounted to a keeper. When the slide moves relative to the keeper, tail feathers are moved back and forth from a prone position to an upright position. The feathers may be moved to and from any position between the prone and upright positions.

Abstract: With reference to a preferred embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4, the present invention provides a mousetrap comprising a first part (5) and a second part (10) that together define an enclosure wherein the first part (5) and the second part (10) are operably connected to a first biasing means (60). Within the enclosure is retained a lever (45) having a first end (47), a bridge (49), a pivot means (40), a releasable catch means (57) and a second biasing means (55). The second biasing means (55) biases the lever (45) into a resting position. By virtue of the second biasing means (55), the mousetrap is able to be set when held in any orientation, and is also stabilised (i.e, accidental activation of the mousetrap is avoided, or at least minimised, when the mousetrap is turned in any orientation, for example, on its side or upside down).

Abstract: A teat cup carrier is designed to be able to co-operate with a feed platform, which teat cup carrier is freely movable relative to the feed platform. The teat cup carrier carries, besides teat cups, further milking elements for milking an animal, the further milking elements including at least a milk storage vessel for storing milk, a milking vacuum source and a pulsation vacuum source. The milk storage vessel is provided with a milk outlet. The freely movable teat cup carrier is in particular a self-propelled (autonomous) mobile teat-cup-carrying robot and comprises a control unit for controlling the functioning of the mobile teat-cup-carrying robot.

Abstract: The present invention provides a head restraint that can be used in conjunction with conventional cattle chutes that are equipped with head gates. This head restraint has a lower neck restraint, an upper neck restraint which is mounted to the lower neck restraint, a nose restraint which is mounted to the lower neck restraint, and a means for affixing the head restraint to the cattle chute. The upper neck restraint is adapted to swivel into a position forming an inverted U-shape over the top of the lower neck restraint, and the nose restraint is adapted to swivel by horizontal motion into a position forming a closed U-shape with the lower neck restraint.

Abstract: A flexible electric bandage protector for use on a bandage or an animal. The protector comprising a flexible thin battery and a conductive layer disposed on one side of the battery. The conductive layer is in the form of two sets of conductive traces, the conductive traces not being conductively connected to each until touched by the mouth of the animal and wherein the battery has sufficient voltage to cause discomfort to the animal.

Abstract: A pet carrier for transporting an animal includes a floor panel having a substantially rigid bottom, a pair of side panels each having a lower edge and an upper portion, the lower edges of each side panel attached to opposite ends of the floor panel, and an arcuate top panel having a pair of oppositely located lateral edges, a pair of oppositely located ends, and an inner surface, the ends being fixedly attached to the floor panel and the lateral edges being releasably attached to the side panels. At least two arches are detachably engaged to the top panel inner surface and spaced above the floor panel, the arches being formed from a resiliently planar material and bent to conform with the arcuate top panel. An inflexible bar is positioned along an apex of the top panel inner surface for providing longitudinal stability to the carrier.

Abstract: An audio fishing lure system for attracting fish using preselected audio content includes a fishing pole, a fishing line, a lure or hook, an audio source, an aural encoder, and an underwater transducer. Sound reproduced by the audio source, such as a radio, cassette player, or digital playback device, is electrically communicated to the encoder, which correspondingly generates sound waves that modulate the fishing line. The fishing line is optimized to serve as a transmission line. The audio information propagates along the fishing line, into the water, and to the transducer, where the mechanical waves are transformed to sound waves and transmitted into the water, thereby delivering sound to the region about the bait and attracting fish responsive to such content. Preferably, the audio source is provided with a selectable format of audio recordings of bait species having demonstrated or empirical attractiveness to target fish species.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for transporting laboratory animals comprises a container (12), a cover piece (14), and a closure piece (16). The container (12) has an open top. The cover piece (14) is connectable with the container (12) for closing the open top of the container (12). The cover piece (14) has a passage (188) through which the at least one laboratory animal passes during insertion into and extraction from a cavity (28). The closure piece (16) includes a portion (234) that is rotatable relative to the cover piece (14) between a first position in which the portion (234) of the closure piece (16) closes the passage (188) in the cover piece (14) and a second position in which the passage (188) in the cover piece (14) is open to permit the insertion and extraction of the at least one laboratory animal through the passage (188).

Abstract: A controller for monitoring and controlling an operating pulsator in a milking system is shown. The controller comprises a first sensor operatively connected to a designated pulsator for receiving a pulsating vacuum therefrom. The controller produces a first signal representing the pulsating vacuum level. A processor is operatively connected to the first sensor for receiving the first signal. The processor includes a comparator for comparing the first signal to a stored reference signal representing a predetermined vacuum range of pulsating vacuum levels programmed as acceptable for milking systems pulsators. The processor generates at least one control signal when the designated pulsator pulsating vacuum level is at a vacuum level outside of the predetermined vacuum range. A control circuit signals that the designated pulsator pulsating vacuum level is outside the range of pulsating vacuum levels programmed as acceptable for the milking system pulsators.