Abstract: A pet litter box (10) includes a housing (12) having a base portion (14), a grid portion (16), and a top portion (18). The base portion has a floor (20) and a raised, peripheral ledge (22) with a vertical wall (28) and a horizontal wall (30). The pet litter box has a removable tray (40). The horizontal wall includes air vents (56). Each air vent has an upwardly extending hood (58) having a rear wall (60), two oppositely disposed end walls (62) which define an outwardly facing air outlet opening (64). Each side air outlet opening is in fluid communication with a bottom air inlet opening (66) extending through the ledge horizontal wall. The air inlet opening is in fluid communication with ambient air external of the litter box. The grid portion 16 has a generally flat floor (72) with a grid of holes (74) there through.

Abstract: A control device includes: a detecting section which detects replacement of an absorbing sheet that is a sheet used for a pet toilet; a counting section which counts the replacement of the absorbing sheet; and a notification processing section which causes a user to be notified of information on the absorbing sheet kept in stock, depending on the number of times of the replacement.

Abstract: Provided is a bedding and a bedding product that in addition to having good hygroscopicity and cushioning characteristics are suited to the hole-digging behavior of animal pets and that can be manufactured at low cost without the need to carry out molding into special shapes. It comprises a plurality of fragments 11 of deciduous hardwood pulp sheeting; both faces of fragments 11 have convexities and concavities produced by indentation and cracking; sectional faces of fragments 11 are covered by pulp fibers that protrude from the fragment interior; density of bedding 1 is 0.03 g/cm3 to 0.06 g/cm3; and the constitution is such that fragments 11 within bedding 1 display a particular size distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a litter for use in animal husbandry, the use of the litter, and a method for producing a litter.

Abstract: A pet barrier is disclosed. When the pet barrier is deployed the second flat panel slides under the cushion of a piece of furniture and is slid toward the back of the furniture until it fits snuggly against the cushion and projects the first panel of the pet barrier upward blocking access to the furniture.

Abstract: An animal tethering assembly for a pet includes a rod, which has a first end that is pointed. A handle is coupled to a second end of the rod and. A bar is coupled to and extends bidirectionally from the rod to define a lower segment of the rod. The bar is configured to position a foot of a user to apply a force to the rod to drive the lower segment of the rod into a substrate. A first terminus of a lead is coupled to the rod proximate to the bar, positioning a second terminus of the lead to couple to a collar that is coupled to an animal. A pair of hooks is coupled singly to the rod proximate to the first terminus of the lead and the second end of the rod. The hooks are positioned to loopedly position the lead to stow the lead.

Abstract: A rotary milking platform 1 has a deck 2, a circular upper beam 4 connected to and supporting the deck, a circular lower beam 6 and a series of carriages 5 connected end to end to form a ring between the beams. The platform is formed such that the upper beam 4 is arranged to rest and rotate on the ring of carriages 5 to rotate the deck 2. Each carriage has at least one carriage roller 10, and each roller 10 arranged to rotate on the lower beam 4. Each roller 10 also has a retention flange 11 at only one side. The flanges 11 of some of the rollers 10 are at or adjacent an inner side of the ring, and the flanges 11 of others of the rollers are at or adjacent an outer side of the ring. The rollers 10 of the ring are arranged such that at least one roller is oriented with its flange 11 on an opposite side to another of the flanged rollers immediately adjacent to it. The flanges prevent the carriages from moving off the lower beam 4 when the platform 1 is in use.

Abstract: A container for holding food or water for an animal includes: a unitary vessel having a generally oval plan and a trough in the upper surface to contain material for consumption by an animal, and further including: a flat rim on the lower surface to allow the vessel to rest stably on a horizontal surface; generally vertical outer sides that slope outwardly from the upper surface to the lower surface at a selected angle from the vertical; and, a cantilevered handle extending from the upper surface in a direction along the major axis of the oval and having sufficient dimensions and sufficient strength to support the weight of the vessel and its contents; and wherein, the inner surface of the trough slopes inwardly from the upper rim of the trough to the bottom of the trough at a selected angle from the vertical.

Abstract: Discloses is a feeder device for attracting game comprising a cuboid-shaped box comprising four vertical walls joined at the edges of a base member. Further, the feeder device includes a vertical partition wall within the cuboid-shaped box separating a feed bin unit and a reservoir unit. Further, the feeder device includes a first upper hatch for the feed bin unit and a second upper hatch for the reservoir unit. Further, the feeder device includes a motor housing comprising a motor to power an auger installed within the feed bin unit. Further, the feeder device includes a feeder attached to an outer wall of the feed bin unit, wherein the feeder receives the feed pellets from the feed bin unit through the auger. Further, the feeder device includes a trough attached to an outer wall of the reservoir unit, wherein the trough receives water from the reservoir unit.

Abstract: A system for providing fluid for an animal includes: a generally oval trough to contain fluid, wherein the vertical inner sides of the trough slope inwardly from the upper rim of the trough to the bottom of the trough at an angle that varies around the circumference of the oval, there is an opening in the bottom of the trough in fluid communication with a dip tube that extends into a partially flexible fluid reservoir, and a means of attachment on the underside of the trough by which the fluid reservoir is sealably attached so that when pressure is applied to the reservoir, fluid will flow upward through the dip tube and fill the trough, and when the pressure is released, any remaining fluid will return to the reservoir. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An individual-identifying device identifies, from among a plurality of pets, an unidentified pet which has entered an animal toilet 1, with use of evaluation values which are weighted on the basis of (i) a body weight of the unidentified pet and (ii) information indicating the respective strengths of a plurality of signals respectively received from a plurality of ID information transmission devices respectively worn by the plurality of pets.

Abstract: A pet brush system that includes a brush with a set of vibrating bristles at an application end of the brush. A handle extends from the set of vibrating bristles with a power connection at a distal end of the handle. A battery is included within the handle for power. The system further includes a power cord adapted to connect to the power connection to supply power to the brush.

Abstract: A toy safety system may allow a toy to safely shut down or dissuade a user from playing with it in the event that the toy is damaged. This may prevent the user from being hurt, as well as protecting other articles. A toy safety system may also include communications hardware, that may allow the toy to communicate with a device to notify a person that the toy is damaged.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus for attaching to an animal, the apparatus comprising: a controller; and a motion sensor interfaced with the controller and configured to provide motion data to the controller, wherein the controller is arranged to implement a current behaviour modeller configured to: receive motion data from the motion sensor; and select a current behaviour from a current behaviour set comprising a plurality of predefined behaviours, such that the selected current behaviour is a prediction of an actual animal behaviour.

Abstract: A furniture protecting scratching post device. The device includes a base having a pair of sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom wherein the sidewalls are oriented perpendicularly to each other. A top portion is disposed on the upper ends of the sidewalls such that the top portion and the pair of sidewalls define an interior channel. The interior channel is sized to receive the front and side portions of a chair or couch, such that the top portion of the device rests on a front portion of the armrest. A carpeting material is disposed on the base, sidewalls, and top portion. The carpeting material is embedded with catnip to encourage cats to scratch the device rather than the furniture which it is secured to. In this way, the furniture protecting scratching device is adapted to protect an object such as a chair or couch from a cat's scratches.

Abstract: The invention is a novel pet toy wherein an upright wheel toy that has two halves which snap together after a pet owner has placed a ball or balls in a half and snaps the two together leaving a center track for the balls to rotates within as the wheel toy is propelled along a surface. The surface sections have a gripping material to provide traction on smooth surfaces.

Abstract: A lightweight dog harness wrap for providing a secure, comfortable leash connection to a small to medium size dog. The harness wrap is comprised of a durable and reversible fabric material shaped to wrap around the torso and neck areas of the dog and is preferably secured and adjusted with Velcro. A nylon webbing strap handle is provided on the harness wrap and arranged longitudinally along the dog's back for lifting up the dog. Of particular importance is the location of the leash connection point at the rear of the harness wrap and located in the middle of the dog's torso and at the center of mass. By locating the leash connection in the middle of the dog's body, the leash pulling forces are distributed and dissipated at the dog's torso in order to eliminate harmful forces at the neck, choking and potential trachea damage, as well as damage to the hips from torquing at the neck. The dog is more balanced during walking.

Abstract: A multi-configurable pet product and accessories are disclosed. The pet product can include a leash with a handle, clasp and leash connectors. A storage unit can be removably attached to the leash via storage unit connectors. The storage unit can have zippered pouches that are collapsible and expandable for storage of other items. In addition, the pet product can include a user mount that is wearable by the user via user mount connectors. Accordingly, the pet product can include multiple configurations for usage with a pet or without a pet.

Abstract: Monitoring system, device and method for detecting chemicals in an insect environment, such as a beehive or colony. The method can include monitoring the insect environment for the presence or absence of at least one chemical or environmental factor using at least one sensor located within the insect environment, the at least one sensor operative to generate data in response to the presence or absence of at least one chemical or factor in the environment and communicate the data to an associated data processing device, monitoring a population of insects in the insect environment to detect a change in the population or health of insects that make up the population, and generating a correlation between a detected change in the population or health of insects in the insect environment with an increase or decrease of the at least one chemical outside the insect environment.

Abstract: A non-human animal model, method, spring, and kit for testing agents for treating wound scarring. The non-human test animal has a wound in a skin surface thereof, the wound having a perimeter edge; and a garter spring attached to the skin surface of the test animal in a position outside of the perimeter edge of the wound. The garter spring optionally has one or more bands for constricting the force exerted by the coil of the garter spring.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric CTLA-4, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric CTLA-4, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric OX40, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) SIRP?, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified non-human animals that express a human or chimeric (e.g., humanized) CD3e (T-cell surface glycoprotein CD3 epsilon chain), and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Methods for rearing arthropods, particularly pollinating insects, comprising providing said arthropods with a Wickerhamiella yeast, preferably Wickerhamiella bombiphila yeast, also known as Candida bombiphila, or substances produced thereby, particularly comprised within a food composition, are provided herein. Advantageously, said yeast, particularly food compositions comprising said yeast, when provided to an arthropod, particularly a pollinating insect, improves the fitness, health, behaviour and activity of the arthropod.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for genetic analysis of gene variants as well as a system for implementing such analysis.

Abstract: A thermochromic fishing lure is disclosed which adapts its color to the seasonal coloration of the bait it resembles through the use of thermochromic paints applied in layers of decreasing transition temperatures from the lure body outward.

Abstract: A flexible plastic fishing lure has an integral retainer that is configured proximal to a front end of the fishing lure and has at least one retainer barb. The integral retainer is a harder and tougher material than the plastic used in the body of the fishing lure and is configured to seat over the jig-head barb to prevent the flexible plastic fishing lure from sliding down along the jig-head. The integral retainer has at least one retainer barb that more effectively holds the flexible plastic to the integral retainer. The integral retainer may have extension tabs that extend out radially and in some cases extend out from the flexible plastic body. The integral retainer may also have an aperture that extend along the length of the integral retainer and may be used to inject the flexible plastic into a mold.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a fishing rod which optimally locates the line guides of the rod for improved distance casting. The method includes the steps of: (i) inducing a vibratory force transversely of the elongate axis to identify node locations associated with one or more rod harmonics along the length of the rod; and (ii) placing guides at each node location for receiving fishing line. The node positions minimize the relative motion of the line guides relative to the fishing line when casting to minimize line drag while maximizing rod damping.

Abstract: A fishing rod has a rod body and an attachment portion, and includes: an attachment attached to the outer peripheral face of the rod body with the attachment portion; a first layer formed by winding a first sheet around both the attachment portion and the rod body; and a second layer formed by winding a second sheet made of fiber-reinforced resin on the outer side of the first sheet, wherein the tensile elongation measured in accordance with JIS K 7161-1 of the first sheet is greater than that measured in accordance with JIS K 7161-1 of the second sheet.

Abstract: A dual-bearing reel is disclosed. The dual-bearing reel is configured to release a fishing line forward and includes a reel body, a clutch operating member, a clutch plate, and a fixing member. The clutch operating member is supported on the reel body movably in the up-down direction. The clutch plate is rotatably supported by the reel body and includes an extending portion extending in the axial direction and fixed to the clutch operating member to be integrally movable therewith, and a through hole in the extending portion. The fixing member fixes the clutch operating member to the extending portion via the through hole of the clutch plate. The through hole has a clearance with respect to the fixing member in the axial direction.

Abstract: An ice fishing apparatus for allowing the use of the natural wind to operate, the ice fishing apparatus comprised mainly of a base, a spring action bar, a flat cross bar, a spring-loaded signal flag, an air foil, a rod holder and a trigger mechanism.

Abstract: A fish retrieval assembly for retrieving a fish during ice fishing includes a rod that is extendable downwardly into an ice fishing hole. A pivot unit is provided and the rod is rotatably coupled to the pivot unit. The pivot unit engages the ice to retain the rod in the ice fishing hole and the pivot unit biases the rod upwardly. A foraminous plate is coupled to the rod. The rod lifts the foraminous plate against a lower surface of the ice to keep the ice fishing hole unobstructed. The rod lifts the foraminous plate upwardly in the ice fishing hole thereby lifting a fish upwardly in the ice fishing hole for retrieval.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting and maintaining a fish attraction device, including fishing flies, lures or bait. The apparatus includes a shell that surrounds the attraction device. The shell may be formed of multiple parts, each part creating a portion the shell.

Abstract: A localized product injection system includes a composite boom tube having a carrier fluid passage within a tube body, and at least one injection product passage within the tube body isolated from the carrier fluid passage. A plurality of port stations are provided at locations along the tube body. Each of the port stations includes a carrier fluid outlet port and at least one injection product outlet port. A localized injection interface is coupled at a port station. The injection interface includes a carrier fluid input coupled with the carrier fluid outlet port, and at least one injection product input coupled with the at least one injection product outlet port. The injection interface includes at least one throttling element in communication with the at least one injection product input, a mixing chamber, and an injection port configured for localized coupling and injection to a product dispenser.

Abstract: A device for repelling pests includes a strap securable to a person and a module. The module has a hollow housing containing a printed circuit board, a switch, and a transducer. A battery drawer and a repellant drawer are removably insertable into the hollow housing. A repellant element impregnated with a evaporating repellant is affixable to the repellant drawer. The transducer causes high frequency waves and movement of the repellant element with the body causes the repellant to disperse.

Abstract: A buoyant hunting decoy comprising a decoy portion, a wall, a first keel, and a second keel. The wall defines a portion of a hull and the first keel extends downwardly from the wall. The second keel also extends downwardly from the wall and is spaced apart from the first keel.

Abstract: A solution for disinfecting the outer soles of footwear is described. The solution comprises a microbial inhibitor, a malodor counteractant, a fragrance, and a solvent. The solution can comprise an odor neutralizer, a chelating agent, a preservative, a surfactant, a fragrance, a tackifier, a biocide; and a solvent.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a herbicidal mixture concentrate having a stable formulation of 5 to 30 weight percent (wt. %) of an active water soluble herbicide; 1 to 20 wt. % of an alkyl polyglucoside; 5 to 40 wt. % of a phosphate ester hydrotrope or salt thereof; optionally up to 25 wt. % of an organic solvent; and water to bring the wt. % of the herbicidal mixture concentrate to 100 wt. %, where all wt. % are based on a total weight of the herbicidal mixture concentrate and wherein the herbicidal mixture concentrate is present in a continuous clear single phase at a temperature from 0° C. to 54° C.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium materials may be immobilized onto a metal oxide nanoparticle to provide a fixed-quat nanoparticle material. A particular example uses a silicon alkoxide as a silicon source material to provide a fixed-quat SiNP/NG material composition through either acidic or basic hydrolysis of the silicon alkoxide material. Particular materials may be characterized spectroscopically to ensure that the desirable materials are properly bound. Specific applications of fixed-quat SiNP/NC material compositions in accordance with the embodiments include, but are not limited to agricultural biocide applications and tobacco smoke selective filtration applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to quaternary ammonium disinfecting cleaning compositions comprising a quaternary ammonium compound, an alkyl a polyglycoside with a CMC greater than 1000 ppm and a chelant. Beneficially, the compositions provide residual sanitizing efficacy without diminished performance and without scale formation when diluted with hard water. The compositions are suitable for inactivating and/or reducing infectious agents, particularly Norovirus, Adenovirus, and Polyomavirus.

Abstract: A molluscicidal dosage form is provided and includes one or more microcapsule shells containing a fill, the shell including a water insoluble material which is digestible by a mollusc and the fill including an aldehyde selected from the group consisting of aldehydes of formula R—CHO wherein R is a saturated C3-C12 alkyl or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to agricultural mixtures containing mandestrobin, ethaboxam, metalaxyl, metconazole and gibberellic acid 4/7 and methods of use thereof. The present invention further relates to seed treatment compositions containing mandestrobin, ethaboxam, metalaxyl, metconazole, gibberellic acid 4/7 and one or more excipients selected from the group consisting of an aluminum silicate hydroxide, a polyvinyl alcohol, sorbitol, glycerol, lignosulfonates and sodium or calcium salts thereof, a lignin, alkali, reaction product with formaldehyde and sodium bisulfite, an acetylenic diol based wetting and foam control agent, a wax emulsion in water, xanthan gum, 1, 2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, titanium dioxide, copper phthalocyanine, sodium salt of naphthalene sulfonate condensate, a potassium salt of polyoxyethylene tristyrylphenol phosphate, a silicone emulsion, triethanolamine, sodium tetraborate decahydrate, a mixture of 1.

Abstract: Described herein is a granular composition including a pesticide including dinotefuran, 1 to 15 wt % of a nonionic amphiphilic polyalkoxylate, and 1 to 10 wt % of an anionic dispersant. Also described herein is a method for a preparation of the composition including a step of contacting the pesticide, the dispersant, and the polyalkoxylate; and a method for controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired attack by insects or mites and/or for regulating a growth of plants, where the composition is allowed to act on particular pests, their habitat or plants to be protected from the particular pest, a soil and/or on undesired plants and/or useful plants and/or their habitat.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds of Formula (I?) and (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, polymorphs, co-crystals, tautomers, stereoisomers, isotopically labeled derivatives, prodrugs, and compositions thereof. Also provided are methods and kits involving the inventive compounds or compositions for killing a microorganism (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, or multicellular parasites), the prevention and/or treatment of infectious diseases (e.g., infections by microorganisms, bacterial infection, cystic fibrosis infection, foreign body infection, urinary tract infection (UTI), or infections leading to biofilms), controlling and/or eradicating biofilms (e.g., bacterial biofilms), preventing biofilm formation, sterilizing a surface, and/or eradicating persister cells (e.g., in a subject in need thereof or in a subject involving a biofilm).

Abstract: A fungicidal composition containing a fungicidally effective amount of the compound of Formula I: 5-fluoro-4-imino-3-methyl-1-tosyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one, and at least one fungicide to provide synergistic control of selected fungi wherein the at least one fungicide is a fungicidal sterol biosynthesis-inhibitor.

Abstract: Formaldehyde-free preservative blends of 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (“BIT”) and certain dithiocarbamates inhibit microbial degradation of products that include ingredients which are naturally susceptible to, or have been previously exposed to, microbial contamination. This combination is effective in materials such as mineral slurries, pulp and paper slurries, wallboard joint compounds, mastics and asphalt emulsions. Also, methods for inhibiting the growth of microbes during storage of these materials without the use of formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel sulfonamide derivatives, to processes and intermediates for preparing them, to plant growth regulator compositions comprising them and to methods of using them for controlling the growth of plants, improving plant tolerance to abiotic stress (including environmental and chemical stresses), inhibiting seed germination and/or safening a plant against phytotoxic effects of chemicals.