Abstract: A feeder for a cage, designed to reduce the scattering of food and to provide a cleaner and healthier caged environment, wherein the cage has a wall and an interior space for housing an animal such as a bird, including a cage door. The feeder comprises a feeder mechanism which includes a feeder receptacle attached to an extension structure, wherein the extension structure extends between the receptacle and the wall of said cage. The extension structure is manually engageable and adjustable for positioning the feeder receptacle at a selected location in the interior space of the cage and at a selected location at a cage door for access to the feeder receptacle.

Abstract: An edible animal chew toy which provides a dental benefit when chewed. The chewing action of the animal causes ribs and/or protrusions on the chew toy, in close proximity to the area being chewed, to floss the sides of the animal's teeth and gums.

Abstract: A process of injection molding a natural resin into a mold cavity including lifter bars as part of the ejection system for extracting the molded animal chew of the mold cavity. The lifter bars are provided with a contacting area having a relatively high surface area ratio relative to surface area of the molded part that remains in contact with the mold after injection and mold opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible/foldable structure suitable for a variety of applications, such as an animal shelter, pet carrier transportation device, or a collapsible consumer storage container in general, such as a cooler or ice chest. The structure comprises a top roof and a bottom platform defining a top and bottom of said structure and a vertically disposed lower side section on said bottom platform. Front and rear walls are included. The structure also includes a pair of sidewalls each pivotally attached to the roof to facilitate inward collapse of the sidewalls when the sidewalls are pivoted toward the bottom platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable/collapsible structure that folds and collapses between an open and closed condition. The structure includes a top and bottom section, and a plurality of collapsible wall sections extending between said top and bottom sections. The wall sections and the top and bottom sections define an enclosure and also contain a longitudinal member extending between said top and bottom section. The longitudinal member contains a pivot connection at a location between the top and bottom section. The pivot section allows movement of the top and bottom section relative to one another, so that the foldable/collapsible structure can be configured between an open or closed condition.

Abstract: A pet toy having projecting portions and a method of making such is provided. The toy may be molded in a collapsed or dissembled position for packaging, shipping and storage and expanded or assembled for access by an animal. One embodiment of the invention comprises complimentary joint regions in which one or more legs may move relative to a base portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing textual, audio and/or video information regarding a pet to a user comprising supplying an electronic database which database has stored textual, audio and/or video information data files representative of animal/pet behavior, animal/pet identification, animal/pet selection, animal/pet characteristics, animal/pet training, and animal/pet care, and combinations thereof, selecting one of the stored textual, audio and/or video information data files and outputting the information regarding an animal/pet to said user either in either a textual, audio or video form.

Abstract: A feeder for a cage, designed to reduce the scattering of food and to provide a cleaner and healthier caged environment, wherein the cage has a wall and an interior space for housing an animal such as a bird, including a cage door. The feeder comprises a feeder mechanism which includes a feeder receptacle attached to an extension structure, wherein the extension structure extends between the receptacle and the wall of said cage. The extension structure is manually engageable and adjustable for positioning the feeder receptacle at a selected location in the interior space of the cage and at a selected location at a cage door for access to the feeder receptacle.

Abstract: A vitamin and/or mineral and/or herbal enriched molded animal chew toy. The vitamins, minerals and/or herbal additives are incorporated into the molded chew toy under conditions that minimize thermal degradation of such additives. Suitable resins include starch, casein, denatured and partially hydrolized casein, thermoplastic polymers and mixtures thereof. In related embodiment, animal chews comprising primarily denatured and partially hydrolized collagen are disclosed, as well as such denatured and partially hydrolized collagen in mixture with vegetable matter, rawhide, animal meal, peanut bits/flour, casein, starch and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A collapsible carrier for an animal comprising a base panel, the base panel having a first end and a second end and containing a floor surface wherein the floor surface includes upwardly extending sidewalls, first and second members end members hingedly attached to the upwardly extending sidewalls at the first and second ends of the base panel. Each of the end members have guideways wherein the base panel and the end members are configured to define an access opening to the base panel floor surface. A slidable door for closing the access opening is provided, wherein the slidable door comprises a leading and a trailing edge, the leading and trailing edge extending between the end members, including a portion that extends into the guideway of the end members.

Abstract: A blend of starch and a thermoplastic aliphatic-aromatic copolyester resin, at a specific gravity of greater than 1.0. In method form, the invention comprises supplying an aromatic-aliphatic based polyester, supplying starch and mixing the aromatic-aliphatic based polyester with the starch and introducing the mixture to a melt processing apparatus wherein the aromatic-aliphatic based polyester and starch are mixed and molded or extruded into a desired shape.

Abstract: A vitamin and/or mineral and/or herbal enriched molded animal chew toy. The vitamins, minerals and/or herbal additives are incorporated into the molded chew toy under conditions that minimize thermal degradation of such additives. Suitable resins include starch, casein, denatured and partially hydrolyzed casein, thermoplastic polymers and mixtures thereof. In related embodiment, animal chews comprising primarily denatured and partially hydrolyzed collagen are disclosed, as well as such denatured and partially hydrolyzed collagen in mixture with vegetable matter, rawhide, animal meal, peanut bits/flour, casein, starch and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An aquarium filter system comprising a pump, a manually positionable valve assembly, and one or a plurality of interchangeable filter cartridges. The filter cartridges are interchangeable and replaceable without the need to suspend water flow. The filter cartridges may be readily repositioned relative to their location from the pump. In method form, a method of changing filter cartridges in an aquarium filter is disclosed. The method comprises supplying a pump and pumping water to provide a continuous flow of water from the aquarium to one or a plurality of removable filter cartridges. This is followed by isolating any one or plurality of the filter cartridges from the flow of water and replacing any one or plurality of filter cartridges with one or a plurality of unused filter cartridges. This is all accomplished under conditions such that the continuous flow of water is uninterrupted.

Abstract: A completely digestible highly nutritious dog chew formulated primarily of beaded corn starch or a mixture of beaded corn starch and potato starch, and calcium carbonate, the texture of hardness or which is easily modified to suit a particular dog by the dog owner. By irradiating the chew in a microwave oven, the chew is caused to expand and is thereby rendered more easily chewable.