Abstract: A trough is disclosed for supplying piglets with mineral supplements in the suckling period. The trough is designed to awaken the piglets' curiosity and thus make them root in the bottom of the trough, where the mineral supplements are dispensed in form of a dry powder mixture, and thus reduce spillage as compared to placing the mineral supplements on the floor of the pen. During the pre-weaning of the piglets the trough can be converted to serve as a normal trough for solid feed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an animal identification, feeding and entry control system based on a radio frequency identification (RFID) system including an animal collar-mounted RFID tag, and RFID circuitry including a single antenna housed within a bezel placed forward of and surrounding the entry aperture to optimize signal reception. The bezel shape allows only one animal to enter at a time. To conserve power, the circuitry is only activated when an animal pushes against a door within the device, triggering a switch mechanism. A circuit-controlled latch prevents animals from opening the door unless a code match is detected between the programmed code in the tag and a stored code in the circuit controlling the system. Multiple codes may be stored for identifying multiple animals wearing collars tagged with unique identifying codes. The system's applications include but are not limited to controlling animal entry to feeding enclosures, human housing and animal housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for promoting the growth of shoots from a log, the methods each including the step of applying a fertilizer solution, that includes less than about 0.01% (w/v) nitrogen, to a member of the group consisting of an Alder log, a Beech log and a Birch log, in an amount sufficient to promote the growth of shoots from the log.

Abstract: The muzzle release apparatus allows an operator to remotely and wirelessly disengage a restraint system from the snout of an animal. The system is activated using a small hand-held transmitter. A receiver on the collar detects the signal from the transmitter and electronically engages a solenoid mounted on a restraint under the animal's jaw. The solenoid retracts a locking mechanism that secures two metal pins to the restraint. Each pin is attached to a strap that goes around the animal's snout and is permanently mounted to the opposite side of the restraint. When the pins are released from the restraint, the straps slide off the snout allowing the restraint to fall freely away from the jaw area. The plate is attached to a collar around the animal's neck. The plate will stay attached to the collar at all times, even if deactivated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting spent water-based drilling mud into fertile indigenous top soil at a well site or location. The fertile indigenous top soil is produced by the steps of: admixing, at a well site, effective amounts of spent water-based drilling mud, mature compost, organic fertilizer, and top soil from the well site to provide a mixture containing spent water-based drilling mud, from about 30 to about 150 volume percent mature compost, from about 5 to 20 volume percent organic fertilizer, and from about 5 to 20 volume percent top soil from the well site wherein each of the volume percents is based on the volume of the spent water-based drilling mud present in the mixture; stirring the mixture for a period of time effective to form a substantially homogenous mixture; and drying the substantially homogenous mixture so as to provide fertile indigenous top soil possessing similar microbial and enzyme characteristics as the top soil at the well site.

Abstract: A rotary nail filing apparatus for animals is described that includes a shroud or housing, an opening in the shroud that is suitable sized and shaped to allow an end portion of an animal's nail to be put through the opening, and a suitably shaped and oriented rotary grinder that is contained within the shroud grinding at least a portion of an animal's nail when put through the opening, where at least a portion of the nail particles that are grinded away by the rotary grinder are contained in a portion of the shroud. In some embodiments, the rotary grinder position/orientation and/or its surface are adjustable and/or replaceable.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for growing plants includes an enclosed vessel having a growth medium containing a plant seed or seedling in the upper part thereof and a free space below into which plant roots can enter, a mechanism to feed water and nutrients to the vessel to saturate the growth medium, a mechanism to remove excess water and nutrients after reaching saturation, and a mechanism to regulate the amounts, intervals and rates of water and nutrients being fed for optimum plant growth.

Abstract: A reinforced unitized mat to facilitate growing plants includes at least two material layers defining fluid-conveying passageways forming distribution headers and a flow restrictor, an inlet for delivery of a fluid into the distribution headers, and an outlet for dispensing fluid into a root zone area covered by at least one layer of the material layers. The material layers are sized and shaped to cover an area immediately around at least one plant. The flow restrictor, for metering the fluid, is in fluid connection with the distribution header and extend outwardly to a multi-dimensional array of outlets. There may also be an additional reinforcing layer attached to the material layers. The reinforcing layer for the unitized mat can be a polymeric material layer, a fibrous material layer, a foam layer, a metal layer, or a composite layer. The fibrous layer, foam layer, metal layer, or composite layer may also form a portion of, or replace, one or more of the material layers.

Abstract: An animal toy features the ability to connect two or more separate toys of varying shape, size, color, and/or texture, together to create larger and more complex toy systems. The animal toy allows an almost endless variety of toy systems to capture the interest as well as challenge and develop the animal's problem solving skills. The animal toys are either solid or include internal chambers for holding and ultimately dispensing food. When two or more toys with the internal chambers are combined the food may flow from the chamber of one toy into another toy several times before exiting the toy system. The increased problem of extracting the food challenges and develops the animal's skills. Morever, by combining solid and food dispensing toys in random combinations further increases the problem solving skills required to completely extract the food from the toy system.

Abstract: A clip includes a body (10) and an opening (14) within the body and in which, in use, a part of a plant can engage. A slot (19), which is of doglegged configuration, extends between the opening (14) and an edge (17) of the body (10). The body (10) can be coupled to a means for providing support to the plant or part of the plant by a second opening (13) for which a slot (18) extends from an opposite edge (17) of the body (10).

Abstract: A device for amusing a cat or other pet is provided that has a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, a motor disposed in the housing, a belt attached to the housing via an upper shaft and a lower shaft, a string having a first end attached to the belt and a second end extending freely from the belt, and means for activating the motor. In operation the motor rotates the belt causing the string to repeatedly fling outwardly from being hidden within the frame and amuse the cat. Methods for amusing a pet are also disclosed that comprise the steps of automating a string, whereby a free end of the string appears and disappears from view. These methods are preferably accomplished by attaching one end of the string to a rotating belt within a housing.

Abstract: A waste extraction system (10) for an aquaculture tank (12) includes a first conduit (18) having a first end (20) and a distant second end, with a second conduit (22) disposed within the conduit (18). The second conduit (22) has a first end (24) which is co-terminus with the end (20) of the first conduit (18). A plate (26) extends transversely across the ends (20, 24) and laterally of the first conduit (18). An axial hole (28) is formed in the plate (26) to provide fluid communication with the second conduit (22), but the plate (26) otherwise closes off or seals the end (20) of the first conduit (18). Legs (30) are formed on an underside of the plate (26) to space the plate (26) from a bottom wall (16) of the tank (12). Apertures (34) are formed in the conduit (18) near its first end (20) to allow water to flow into a flow chamber (36) created between an inner surface of the conduit (18) and an outer surface of the conduit (22).

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for treating the beaks of poultry to prevent further growth by non-contact heating while protecting the birds' tongues. The birds' tongues are protected by providing pressure on underside of the lower beak of the bird, proximate the base of the lower beak.

Abstract: The invention provides a plant base comprising a base section with a seat for a plant pot, in which a tail section extends in a horizontal direction from the rear of the base section. A groove/protuberance combination is provided at the front of the base section and the rear of the tail section that is able to be accommodated in the groove of another corresponding plant base. The groove and the protuberance each has a support surface that is lower or higher than the support surface of the groove, such that when the protuberance of the plant base has been taken up in the groove of the other plant base, one of the two plant bases is lifted from the substrate at the location of the engaging protuberance and groove. Thus, the invention provides a plant base that continuously retains the same orientation during transport over a conveyor belt, with successive plant bases kept a sufficient distance apart.

Abstract: A structure for feeding and watering animals, such as cows, goats or lamas which is provided with feeding troughs and comprises an imaginary vertical axis around which the feeding troughs are disposed at a fixed distance therefrom. The individual feeding troughs are overlapping whereby every other one is at a height above the two adjacent feeding troughs. The animals are able to position themselves side by side around the structure and to feed at the feeding troughs so that they are almost touching each other. The feeding troughs are substantially identical to each other and partitions are provided between adjacent feeding troughs so that the animals will not impede adjacent animals eating at an adjacent feeding trough or be able to eat fodder from an adjacent feeding trough. The number of feeding troughs in the disclosed structure is fourteen.

Abstract: A tree root ball wrapping apparatus (100) includes a circular platform (109, 113) for supporting a separable, open-frame, root-containment structure (103, 105, 107) having an inverted conical shape. A group of pivot joints (201, 203, 205, 207) are located at an upper section of the root-containment structure for separating the root-containment structure into half sections. In practice, the group of pivot joints can be opened during tree transplantation for providing removal of a root ball from the wrapping apparatus by opening the sections at the group of pivot joints for easily facilitating removal of the wrapping apparatus (100) from within a transplantation hole.

Abstract: A bird feeder provides a feed container extending downwardly, a limited support surface positioned around the feed container at a lower end thereof and having one or more feeding ports, the limited support surface being adapted for supporting a feeding animal in proximity to the one or more feeding ports, a biasing mechanism adapted for supporting the limited support surface at a lower end of the feed container and for allowing a limited amount of vertical movement of the limited support surface, and one or more portal shields affixed to the biasing mechanism and adapted to open and close the feeding ports, wherein the biasing mechanism is further adapted to open and close the feeding ports with the portal shields in response to the limited amount of vertical movement upwardly and downwardly, respectively, of the limited support surface.

Abstract: A planter includes a wire basket having horizontal parallel top rings, bottom rings, and connected vertical wires. Four folding legs each include a top loop rotatably attached to the bottom rings. The legs when in their extended down position each include a short inwardly angled section that nests into the bottom rings for stability. The legs also include an outwardly angled section forming a mid-height detent recess, and a foot. A retainer ring slides downwardly into engagement with all four of the detent recesses to secure the legs in their use positions, which is particularly stable due to the nested relationship with the recesses in the bottom rings. A drip pan, shallow secondary basket and alternative leg-latches are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mobility assistance vest can be easily donned by placing the vest inside up under the dog, then pulling the right and left side sections together over the top line fastening the Velcro strips, and then pulling the chest section by the front shoulder straps through the front legs and securing the shoulder straps to the side sections on either side of the neck. The semi-detachable handle straps at the front legs are then crossed to the opposing side and attached with a snap to D-rings on the shoulder handles for the human handler to provide counter weight or upward support as they both descend the stairs side by side. Alternatively, the detachable handle straps at the front legs can be attached with the snap connector to the D-rings on the rear section of the vest to provide support for assisting the canine while ascending stairs, walking and standing up.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting spent water-based drilling mud into fertile indigenous top soil at a well site or location. The fertile indigenous top soil is produced by the steps of: admixing, at a well site, effective amounts of spent water-based drilling mud, mature compost, organic fertilizer, and top soil from the well site to provide a mixture containing spent water-based drilling mud, from about 30 to about 150 volume percent mature compost, from about 5 to 20 volume percent organic fertilizer, and from about 5 to 20 volume percent top soil from the well site wherein each of the volume percents is based on the volume of the spent water-based drilling mud present in the mixture; stirring the mixture for a period of time effective to form a substantially homogenous mixture; and drying the substantially homogenous mixture so as to provide fertile indigenous top soil possessing similar microbial and enzyme characteristics as the top soil at the well site.