Abstract: Devices and test kits are provided for glucose detection and quantification in urine. The devices and kits comprise a chromogenic indicator mixture comprising a first indicator capable of color development to indicate the presence of a low-to-medium concentration of glucose, a second indicator capable of color development to indicate the presence of a higher concentration of glucose, wherein the first indicator prevents color development of the second indicator unless the higher concentration of glucose is present in the urine, and a non-chromogenic scavenger that interferes with color development of the first indicator when glucose levels are below a threshold concentration, and a carrier impregnated with the chromogenic indicator mixture.

Abstract: A composition comprising partially hydrolyzed proteins for use as a hypoallergenic pet food, and a process for producing it.

Abstract: Methods for customizing pet food for an individual pet are described. The method includes the steps of obtaining user input through an electronic user interface, processing the input with stored data on a main computer which is coupled to the user interface, and generating control signals to control the operation of food manufacturing and packaging apparatus according to the user input. The user input is used to form an individual pet profile, which is used to generate a customized pet food formula. The customized pet food formula is then used in the control of the manufacture and packaging of the customized pet food.

Abstract: An animal litter container includes a bottom and a wall extending from the bottom. The wall includes a first portion and a second portion. An opening extends through the first portion and the first portion is shorter than the second portion. The first portion includes a ledge and the second portion includes a lip. The lip defines at least a portion of the opening and the ledge is wider than the lip. The bottom is textured to provide footing for the animal. A pair of slots extend through the ledge and a door extends across the opening and is attached to the wall utilizing the slots.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing the palatability of dry and semi-dry pet food compositions, particularly extruded cat food compositions, are described. In one embodiment, the palatability enhancer is a dry cat food coating including tetrasodium pyrophosphate at about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the finished pet food product. The palatability enhancer is applied after the extrusion process to the extruded particles or pieces of pet food.

Abstract: A litter composition including paper, sawdust, and zeolite molecular sieve is described. The composition is formed into pellets or discs having a size, soil-like consistency, and texture which is believed to be attractive to dogs. In addition, the litter has a high degree of absorption and odor control. The litter composition may further include sphagnum moss to provide additional absorbency.

Abstract: A process for making a dry, stable intermediate pet food including meat includes the steps of combining a plurality of ingredients specified by a basal pet food formula, wherein the plurality of ingredients includes a slurry of meat, mixing the plurality of ingredients to form a basal mixture, extruding the basal mixture, cutting the extruded basal mixture into flakes, and drying the flakes to a moisture content of less than about 10% by weight. In one embodiment, to make a finished pet food composition, the flakes are shipped for final processing to a processing facility having finishing equipment including grinding, extruding and coating equipment.

Abstract: An adjustable variable flow restriction element and an extruder containing the same are provided for mechanically controlling the bulk density of an extruded material. The adjustable flow restriction element is located in an extruder proximate to the die of the extruder in position to partially block the downstream flow of material through the extruder. The adjustable flow restriction element is structured to be capable of assuming one of a plurality of uniquely flow restrictive positions, where the degree of restriction of flow controls the bulk density of an extruded material. A method of mechanically controlling the bulk density of an extruded material by restricting the flow of the material through an extruder is also provided.

Abstract: Nutritionally balanced dog food compositions containing a dietary source of pyrophosphate, for reducing the incidence and extent of hip joint subluxation in dogs, and method of use. One embodiment of the dog food composition includes about 2.0% by weight sodium acid pyrophosphate. In use and in one embodiment of the method a puppy is fed the dog food composition as substantially the sole diet from weaning at about 6-8 weeks of age to about 2 years of age, to improve hip joint stability and reduce the incidence and severity of canine hip dysplasia.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing the palatability of dry and semi-dry pet food compositions, particularly extruded cat food compositions, are described. In one embodiment, the palatability enhancer is a dry cat food coating including tetrasodium pyrophosphate at about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight of the finished pet food product. The palatability enhancer is applied after the extrusion process to the extruded particles or pieces of pet food.

Abstract: A pet or animal food dispenser and dispenser adapter for securing pet food containers having a circular discharge openings to pet food dispsenser trays having rectangular food container mounting portions.

Abstract: A product rationalization system and method for automatically and objectively determining products sold by an account that are candidates for deletion from the account's inventory includes a memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor has means for associating account data and the product attribute data, where the account data includes an account sort measure for each product of a plurality of account products. Each product identifier of the product attribute data identifies its respective product with a product group consisting of a cluster of products that are considered substitutes for each other. Upon sorting the associated data for the products by product identifier and by account sort measure, a product of each group of products that are considered substitutes is determined to be a candidate for deletion from the account's inventory.

Abstract: An adjustable variable flow restriction element and an extruder containing the same are provided for mechanically controlling the bulk density of an extruded material. The adjustable flow restriction element is located in an extruder proximate to the die of the extruder in position to partially block the downstream flow of material through the extruder. The adjustable flow restriction element is structured to be capable of assuming one of a plurality of uniquely flow restrictive positions, where the degree of restriction of flow controls the bulk density of an extruded material. A method of mechanically controlling the bulk density of an extruded material by restricting the flow of the material through an extruder is also provided.

Abstract: A litter composition and a method for manufacturing a litter composition including a clumpable litter product coated with PTFE in order to reduce dustiness of the litter product. In one embodiment, the litter product contains a sodium bentonite clay substrate in combination with the PTFE additive. In another embodiment, the litter product contains a mixture of calcium bentonite clay and a guar gum additive in order to provide a clumpable litter product. According to one method, a water dispersion of a PTFE resin is sprayed onto the mixture clay product while the product is falling through the air to form fibers which attract and trap dust particles emitted from the clay mixture without causing premature clumping of the mixture.

Abstract: A system and method of using the system are provided for collecting and analyzing urine from an animal. A cage with a fluid pervious floor is provided for holding an animal. Urine from the animal flows through the cage floor into a hydrostatic column. An analyzing device is engaged with or positioned proximate to the column in position to analyze the urine entering the column. The column is structured to discharge a volume of liquid equivalent to the volume of urine that enters the column. The discharged liquid is received in a container which is located on a scale that weighs the received liquid. Data from the analyzing device and the scale is automatically stored by a data processing system. A rinse container with a liquid rinse is provided to rinse the column. Preferably the data processing system automatically controls valves to automatically rinse the column after each animal urination or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzymatically modified dietary fiber material particularly a soy fiber material of improved sensory properties including smoothness and mouthfeel characteristics. The modified fiber is formed by forming an aqueous slurry of a soy dietary fiber material and modifying or hydrolyzing the material with a process modifying dietary soy fiber and the resulting enzyme mixture which comprises a mixture of a cellulase and a carbohydrase. The degree of hydrolysis is sufficient to improve the sensory properties of the soy fiber material without substantially reducing the dietary fiber content thereof.

Abstract: A flexible container or bulk bag for bulk materials such as animal feed, granular products and powdered products includes a generally tubular body defining a bottom end and a top end. A bottom seal closes the bottom of the body. Stitching or other mechanical elements seal and close the top end of the body after the container is filled with product. The body defines a single point lift at the top end of the body for transport of the filled container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of a fiber containing ready to eat cereal product of improved texture and appearance. The process involves the addition of a fiber source to a moistened and cooked grain mixture during the pelletization of the mixture. The pellets of the fiber containing mixture are then formed into a suitable shape for the ready to eat cereal product, such as a flake. The addition of the fiber source during pelletization of the mixture avoids any textural and appearance problems that might result if the fiber is added during the cooking or tempering step.

Abstract: A self-service sales system for large containers such as pet food bags and the like includes a fixture having a plurality of container or bag shelves. A price channel positioned at each of the shelves contains product identification and marketing information. In addition, a plurality of Universal Product Code (UPC) symbol pads are fixed to the price channels. The symbol pads are attached by an adhesive coated foam strip. The pad contains a plurality of removable sheets, each of which are imprinted with a product description and UPC code. The purchaser may remove a sheet corresponding to each product to be purchased. The sheets are taken to the checkout counter where the UPC code is read. After payment for the product, the retailer retrieves the product for the customer.

Abstract: A pet or animal food package and dispenser includes a food container having a bottom portion which defines a discharge opening. A removable closure or seal is secured to the container for retaining a pet food product therein. A dispensing tray includes a forward portion defining a feeding area and a rear portion defining a container mounting area. The portions are joined by a sloping ramp. A cooperating track and groove arrangement on the container and tray removably mount the container to the dispensing tray.