Abstract: A bird feeder generally in the form of hopper feeder that is coupled with a water reservoir. The hopper feeder generally includes a seed reservoir that receives and holds bird seed, which is dispensed to the birds by way of feeding stations. The hopper further provides a liquid reservoir for dispensing drinking water to visiting birds.

Abstract: A remote notification electronic rodent trapping system and method is provided having a plurality of electronic rodent trapping devices configured to wirelessly communicate trap information to each other and to a PC or wireless device. According to one embodiment, each trap is equipped with an RF transceiver and the rodent trapping devices form a mesh network with one another in which the trapping devices act as repeaters so that if one trap loses connectivity with the PC, information from that trap can be transmitted to the PC via another trap. According to an alternative embodiment, the traps individually report directly to the base station or to the base station via one or more repeaters, the repeaters enabling the range of the direct individual reporting configuration to be greatly increased.

Abstract: A birdseed dispenser and birdfeeder incorporating the same are provided. The dispenser has a base assembly mounted to a first opening formed in the sidewall of the birdseed reservoir, including a front plate having a second opening formed therein, a flange extending around the second opening and projecting away from the front plate, and an end wall supported by the flange such that the flange and end wall together define a chamber. The dispenser also includes an apertured piece received in the chamber having a first seed aperture of a first configuration and a second seed aperture of a different configuration. The apertured piece is moveable between a first orientation, which places the first seed aperture in a seed accessible state permitting birds access to the seed, and a second orientation to place the second seed aperture in the seed accessible state.

Abstract: A cage type animal trap having an enclosure with an animal access opening into a vacant interior sized to receive an animal to be trapped. The access opening is closed by a door that is movable from a closed to an opened position by an actuating mechanism having a flexible actuating member with one end secured to the door and the other end releasably held by a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is configured to move the door to the opened position by tensioning the actuating member and, in response to a trigger mechanism, to release the second end of the actuating member and allow the door to move from the opened position to the closed position thereby trapping the animal in the animal enclosure. A door lock in abutment with the outer surface of the door prevents the door from being opened by a trapped animal. A part of the actuating mechanism is in engagement with the door lock when the door is closed such that the door lock is automatically disengaged when the actuating member is tensioned.

Abstract: A bird feeder is provided having a seed reservoir with a side wall that has at least one seed access opening and an adjustable feed port assembly. The feed port assembly includes a base mounted to the side wall in a fixed relationship thereto and having a central opening in communication with the seed in the reservoir. Fitted to the base is a rotatable insert having a perch coupled thereto in fixed relationship so that the perch and insert rotate as a unit. The insert is rotatable between two positions, an upright position in which the perch is below the base central opening enabling birds to feed while standing on the perch, and an upside down position in which the perch is above the base central opening, requiring birds to hang upside down from the perch to feed.

Abstract: A motion activated water repellant sprinkler device for repelling animals that can be remotely controlled is provided. When the device is in on mode, the user can remotely adjust the sensitivity setting of the motion detector, set a time period for which the sprinkler will continually spray, and turn off the device so that the user can approach the device without being sprayed. The ability to set a particular time period for continuous sprinkler activity allows the motion activated water repellant sprinkler device to be used not only as an animal deterring device but also as a watering device for grass and other plants.

Abstract: A motion activated water repellant sprinkler device for repelling animals that can be remotely controlled is provided. When the device is in on mode, the user can remotely adjust the sensitivity setting of the motion detector, set a time period for which the sprinkler will continually spray, and turn off the device so that the user can approach the device without being sprayed. The ability to set a particular time period for continuous sprinkler activity allows the motion activated water repellant sprinkler device to be used not only as an animal deterring device but also as a watering device for grass and other plants. Remote control by IR signals and RF signals is disclosed.

Abstract: A raised garden bed is provided including wood plank sides that are secured at their joints with corner brackets forming corners. The brackets have two panels joined along one edge with a U-shaped channel at the base of each panel to receive a wood plank. Louvers extend into the channels to hold the planks with a press fit and allow the bed to be assembled and used without screws.

Abstract: An oriole jelly birdfeeder is provided that includes a jelly holding container, a base having a feeding platform and a connecting element for connecting the base to the container, and a mixing mechanism. The mixing mechanism includes a mixer element and a mixer handle which are coupled to one another and rotatable together. The mixer element includes a paddle positioned within the connecting element to enable the user to mix and distribute the jelly, which is held within the container, onto the feeding platform as needed by rotating the mixer handle.

Abstract: A platform bird feeder is provided including a base platform with a seed tray, a baffle and a center pole having a bottom end connected the tray, the baffle being tiltably and adjustably mounted to the pole above the base. Preferably, the seed tray has a seed protecting grate to hinder squirrels from accessing the seed in the tray. The height of the baffle above the seed tray may be adjusted up and down to allow the user to increase and decrease the seed access space, respectively, between the baffle and the tray. When the baffle is at a desired height, it is secured in place by an adjustable securing mechanism that, while holding the baffle at the desired height, allows the baffle to tilt or wobble when sufficient weight is placed on one side of the baffle.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder has a liquid container with a lower bottom opening which can be screw-threaded into a central collar of a feeding basin. An insert is received within the central collar and is configured to be vertically movable between a first position in which fluid is allowed to flow from the liquid container to the basin, and a second position in which fluid flow from the container to the basin is prevented.

Abstract: An ant bait stake is provided having two components including an outer housing and an inner bait pack or reservoir that is separate from the outer housing. The outer housing has a main component and a minor component. The main component includes a bait pack compartment for receiving the bait pack, and a ground engaging stake. The minor component includes a door coupled along one edge to the bait pack compartment by a living hinge. The door and bait pack compartment include complementary structures that securely seal the bait pack compartment once the bait pack has been placed in the compartment and the door closed. A neck portion with an access channel to the bait pack therein has a break-away tab that extends outwardly of the housing, the tab being removable by the consumer without any tools or other devices when the ant bait stake is ready for use.

Abstract: A radial-shaped wireless fence system is provided that contains one or more dogs in a user-defined area without the need for a physical fence or underground wire. The system includes a base unit and at least one collar, and is easy to set up and use. Each of the base unit and the one collar include a component for reducing clock speed variation between the base and collar units, preferably to +/?5 ppm, to effectively eliminate communication errors between the base and collar units.

Abstract: A custom-shaped wireless fence system is provided that contains one or more dogs in a user-defined containment area without the need for a physical fence or underground wire. The system, which is easy to set up and use, includes at least three base units and at least one collar and, preferably, a remote controller. Each of the base units and the at least one collar includes a component for reducing clock speed variation between the base and collar units, preferably to +/?5 ppm, to effectively eliminate communication errors between the base and collar units.

Abstract: A liquid hummingbird feeder is provided with a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, and a valve mechanism adapted to close the bottom opening to enable the liquid container to be filled through the sealable top opening.

Abstract: A custom-shaped wireless fence system is provided that contains one or more dogs in a user-defined containment area without the need for a physical fence or underground wire. The system, which is easy to set up and use, includes at least three base units and at least one collar and, preferably, a remote controller. Each of the base units and the at least one collar includes a TCXO for reducing clock speed variation between the base and collar units, preferably to +/?5 ppm, to effectively eliminate communication errors between the base and collar units.

Abstract: A radial-shaped wireless fence system is provided that contains one or more dogs in a user-defined area without the need for a physical fence or underground wire. The system includes a base unit and at least one collar, and is easy to set up and use. Each of the base unit and the one collar include a temperature compensated crystal oscillator for reducing clock speed variation between the base and collar units, preferably to +/?5 ppm, to effectively eliminate communication errors between the base and collar units.

Abstract: A custom-shaped wireless fence system is provided that contains one or more dogs in a user-defined containment area without the need for a physical fence or underground wire. The system, which is easy to set up and use, includes at least three base units and at least one collar and, preferably, a remote controller. A virtual fence is defined around the containment area, as well as around optional exclusion zones within the containment area, during system set up through communication between the base units and a trackable device as the user walks around the desired border. Visualization software enables the user to verify that the location of the fence is as desired and that the system is operating properly using a computing device having a display screen. In use, the system employs improved filtering of consecutive distance measurement values taken between the base units and the collar to discount errant measurement values in terms of their contribution to the current calculation of the dog's location.

Abstract: An oriole jelly birdfeeder is provided that includes a jelly holding container, a base having a feeding platform and a connecting element for connecting the base to the container, and a mixing mechanism. The mixing mechanism includes a mixer element and a mixer handle which are coupled to one another and rotatable together. The mixer element includes a paddle positioned within the connecting element to enable the user to mix and distribute the jelly, which is held within the container, onto the feeding platform as needed by rotating the mixer handle.

Abstract: A cage type animal trap having an enclosure with an animal access opening into a vacant interior sized to receive an animal to be trapped. The access opening is closed by a door that is movable from a closed to an opened position by an actuating mechanism releasably held by a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is configured to move between hold and release positions, the hold position moving the door to the opened position and the release position releasing the actuating member to allow the door to close and trap the animal in the animal enclosure.