Abstract: A battery box suitable for various applications to support, for example, outdoor lighting requirements. The battery box may utilize one or a plurality of compressive seals to prevent water ingress and makes use of a stacked configuration of components to facilitate assembly and construction.

Abstract: A vacuum device for an aquarium is disclosed. The device comprising a tube having a pump contained therein. The pump utilizes a ring-shaped rotor with interior vanes for impelling water through the device.

Abstract: A sprayer for forming and spraying a dispersion of a dispersible substance from a cartridge and a liquid dispersion medium from a source. The sprayer has a first passageway comprising a pump, wherein the first passageway is configured for supplying at least the liquid dispersion medium from the source in response to operation of the pump; a receptacle for removably receiving the cartridge; and a second passageway in fluid communication with both the receptacle and the first passageway for supplying the dispersible substance from the cartridge to the first passageway and, thereby, forming the dispersion in response to operation of the pump. A discharge apparatus is in fluid communication with the first passageway for dispensing the dispersion from the sprayer.

Abstract: A sprayer system has a tank for containing water, a cartridge for containing a dispersible substance, and a sprayer for being in fluid communication with the tank and the cartridge. The sprayer includes a housing with a receptacle for removably receiving the cartridge. A pump is mounted to the housing and in fluid communication with a first passageway carried by the housing. The pump draws the water from the tank into the first passageway while the sprayer is in fluid communication with the tank. A second passageway is carried by the housing and in fluid communication with both the receptacle and the first passageway for supplying the dispersible substance from the cartridge to the first passageway and, thereby, forming the dispersion in response to operation of the pump while the receptacle is in receipt of the cartridge and the sprayer is in fluid communication with the tank.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are wedge-shaped filter cartridges having a maximized upstream surface area. The filter cartridges are modular and may be stacked in a filter cartridge system.

Abstract: A wild bird feeder configured with perches and seed openings that are positioned to encourage certain sizes and species of birds and/or discourage certain sizes and species of birds. A wild bird feeder including a watering station and a feeding station. A wild bird feeder with a seed holder and a plurality of feeding stations vertically spaced apart on the seed holder. A diffuser mounted within the seed holder to define a seed collection point corresponding to at least one of the feeding stations.

Abstract: An apparatus is for removably receiving a container of nutrient material for dispensing the nutrient material to birds. The apparatus has a frame and a body. The body has a receptacle for removably receiving a rim of the container. The body is mounted to the frame for pivoting relative to the frame between a first configuration in which the receptacle is downwardly oriented, and a second configuration in the receptacle is upwardly oriented.

Abstract: An aquarium filter element having a removable insert. The removable insert may include a chemical agent or biological agent for treating aquarium water.

Abstract: Energy chip formulations may deliver health and/or energy benefits to birds that consume such energy chips. These energy chip embodiments may include vegetable-based fat, as opposed to animal fat, and these formulations may be healthier for birds while still providing birds with much needed energy. Embodiments also may include one or more vitamins and minerals in the energy chip formulation. Different energy chip formulations may be provided for bird consumption to address birds' dietary and/or energy needs at different times or seasons during a given year. There also may be different embodiments of energy chips that may be provided for use within the same time or season of the year (i.e., several formulations for use in spring months).

Abstract: Disclosed are fish food dispensers for aquariums, which are automatic and may be utilized to feed fish in the absence of the aquarist. The dispensers typically utilize a replaceable fish food container.

Abstract: Disclosed are heating devices for regulating the temperature of water in an aquarium tank. The devices utilize high frequency inductive heating in order to heat water in the aquarium tank.

Abstract: Disclosed are vertical sock filters for aquarium filter assemblies. The sock filters typically include an annular collar coupled to filter material. The filter material typically is a composite material that includes upper material and lower material, where the upper material typically is more porous than the lower material. The assembly and the annular collar may include respective first and second coacting components that mate or interlock with each other.