Abstract: A manually operated dog treat dispensing machine capable of dispensing dog treats one at a time. The dispenser consist of a rectangular housing with a hinged housing door and hinged capital that serves as a food supply reservoir which is gravity fed into a spring loaded spindle chamber mounted on an axel and hand crank. Treats exit the dispenser through a chute output consisting of a hinged chute lid, two side walls and a base block. A retaining plate mounted in the end of the chute lid and adjacent to the spindle chamber acts as a stop preventing dispensing of more than one dog treat at a time. The dispenser can also function using a magazine that is inserted inside the rectangular housing area once the rear interior wall is changed out to accommodate the depth of the magazine. Magazine stop tabs at the base of the magazines along with the retaining plate mounted on the chute lid prevent the dispenser from dispensing more than one dog treat at a time.

Abstract: A planting assembly (10) including a flexible trough member (12) which may selectively form a plurality of members which may be then selectively interconnected in any desired manner.

Abstract: A louvered ramp, that serves as a cat's paw-cleaning entry and exit ramp, ascending to, and descending from, a cat litter box.

Abstract: The invention concerns a movement restricting apparatus designed to prevent an animal from reaching with its mouth or some of its limbs, a zone of its body to be protected. The apparatus comprises features for fixing the apparatus to the animal and for restricting movement being attached or linked to each other. A dorsal slide on the feature for restricting movement is designed to be placed perpendicular to the animal's saggital symmetry, against the top of a part of its spine, and is in the form of a profiled section with open or closed cross-section.

Abstract: The suspended bird-feed catcher of the present invention includes a pan suitable for receiving and holding bird feed that falls out of a bird feeder and prevents the bird feed from falling to the ground. The pan is suspended from the same apparatus from which the bird feeder is suspended so the pan can be easily removed without disrupting the bird feeder.

Abstract: A water dispensing device, an associated kit and a method of using same are disclosed for use in hydrating a pet such as a dog or cat. The water dispensing device includes a base unit slidably attached to a storage vessel. The base unit includes the interconnected constituents of a housing; a frame wall; and a door. The storage vessel includes the interconnected constituents of a flip top; a hollow body; and a hollow outlet port. The kit includes the unattached elements of the device. The method of using same includes the steps of adjoining, affixing, closing, grabbing, joining, letting, obtaining, opening, plugging, pouring, pushing, and releasing.

Abstract: Growth of a plant can be properly controlled, when a flower pot made of a transparent plastic and detachable light shades to the flower pot for controlling light are employed, as growth and increase of roots of the plant being observed through the transparent flower pot.

Abstract: An assembly includes a plurality of elongated and rectilinear support posts having opposed end portions. The assembly further includes a plurality of U-shaped fastening members removably positional through a primary support member. The primary support member is provided with first and second pairs of arcuate indentations formed along the front face of the primary support member. A bracket including attachable first and second sections is medially situated between the support posts. The first section has opposed end portions conjoined to the front face of the primary support member, and the second section has opposed end portions conjoined to the first section end portions wherein the second section protrudes forwardly of the first section. The first and second pair of indentations are juxtaposed side-by-side and are laterally opposed from the end portions of the first and second sections such that the support posts can abut the bracket during operating conditions.

Abstract: A swine feeder for use in feeding individually housed gestating swine. The feeder includes a hollow tube containing feed. The tube controls the amount of feed by having its lower, angled end contained within a feeding tube that is moveable by the individual sow to discharge the feed only when the sow applies a force to the feeding tube. The feeder may be connected to a supply of feed, and typically, the feeder is attached to the individual crate of each sow such that a limited amount of feed is dispersed into the sow's feeding area, usually a trough.

Abstract: A method for the propagation of and aeroponic growing of plants comprises transplanting a living plant into a vessel of polymer foam having at least one cavity distal to the plant; applying water to the foam sufficient to saturate the foam, whereby roots of the plant extend into and grow within the cavity.

Abstract: Methods for making trellis support structures for use in supporting vine borne crops are disclosed. The support structure includes a metallic support member that is bent into a modified U-shape and attached to a metallic cross arm using a process that produces consistent results. The combination of the U-shaped member and cross arm is then attached to a vertical support post at two different locations: one attachment at the center of the U-shaped member, and the other attachment at the center of the cross arm in an axial alignment with the support post. The structure is extremely strong, capable of supporting considerable weight, not likely to shift, and less prone to failure from fatigue. The support structure is produced by first bending the central section of a metallic support member into a U-shape, placing the bent member on a specially designed adjustable jig, and attaching a cross arm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high voltage pulse generator used for deterring animals where the high voltage pulses are delivered to the animal through an electrical conductor that lays directly on the ground and is not insulated from the underlying ground system. The invention's high voltage pulse generator has a predetermined output impedance that is significantly lower than the impedance of an animal that may contact either the device's output or a conductor laying on the ground that is connected to the devices output. The invention's high voltage pulse generator also has a predetermined output impedance that is lower than the impedance of the conductor in contact with the underlying ground system. This significantly low output impedance allows the device to deliver maximum output energy to the conductor in contact with the underlying ground system while maintaining high voltage and adequate energy levels to deliver an effective shock for deterring animals.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a hanger adapted for retaining and hanging objects, the hanger including a ring, at least two upper flexible members having first and second ends, wherein each member is received through an aperture of the ring, the flexible members defining an upper portion of the hanger. A lower hanger portion, the lower hanger portion including of at least two lower flexible members having first and second ends, wherein each of the two members are fixedly attached to each other at a mid point, the first and second ends including an adjustment device configured to receive the second ends of the upper flexible members; and a flexible retaining ring, the flexible retaining ring configured to receive the first and second ends of the lower flexible members, wherein the retaining ring is configured to retain the ends of the lower flexible members at a distance from one another and to securely retain an object such as a potted plant in the lower assembly.

Abstract: A bird feeder support for supporting a solid bell-shaped bird feeder includes a base having an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral edge. Each of a pair of legs has a first and a second end. The first ends are each attached to the base such that each of the legs extends upwardly from the base. Each of the legs is arced such that the second ends abut each other and an inner perimeter edge of the legs is defined. A coupler is adapted for removably securing a bird feeder to the pair of legs such that the bird feeder is suspended between the legs.

Abstract: A tree support stake having a base and a trunk. The base includes a plurality of tines extending horizontally and radially from a center of the base. Each of the tines includes a vertical portion extending downwardly at a periphery of the base. One end of the trunk is connected to the base and the other end extends upwardly to a predetermined height. The trunk comprises a plurality of upward vertical extensions joined together and extending upwardly at various elevations along the predetermined height, and a plurality of horizontal bars protruding perpendicularly from terminuses of the upward vertical extensions.

Abstract: In space, wastes from humans, animals, and crops can be fully recycled by rearing maggots which will be nourishing feedstuff for feeding animals. These animals and their eggs combined with crop plants will be varied food for humans in space. Water and nutrition left in the residues remaining after rearing the maggots can be recycled and used to fertilize crop plants. Rearing maggots, animals, and crop plants provides a self-sufficient food regenerative system that enables humans to live and work in space on long term missions independent of food from earth.

Abstract: An improved bedding for livestock of this invention provides a bed strip for livestock having at least two elastomeric belts bonded together, one on top of the other, to form at least one bed with at least two chambers, front and rear, expandable under fluid pressure, that, once properly filled with a working volume of fluid, will each attain a convex pillow-like shape. The fluid volume in the chambers is such that when an animal steps on the rear chamber of the bed the top belt makes contact with the bottom belt to provide a stable base for the animal's foot, yet, when the animal drops to its knees on the front chamber of the bed, during the process of lying down or rising to standing, the knees are supported by a fluid cushion between the top and bottom belts.

Abstract: The pet toy consists of an inner elastomer ball having an inner ball wall, a squeaker mounted in the inner ball wall, an outer elastomer ball having an outer ball wall, an air hole mounted in the outer ball wall, the inner ball being within the outer ball. The outer ball protects the squeaker from dislodgement from the wall of the inner ball and protects the inner ball wall when the pet attacks the toy. The inner ball can be pushed through air hole so that the inner ball can be placed into the outer ball.

Abstract: A scalable fish rearing raceway system is provided, incorporating a fish containment structure having two semi-circular end sections, and two or more parallel fish raceways, surrounding a central zone for housing water treatment systems and a secondary fish crop. Heavy particulates are eliminated from the main fish rearing channels by use of conical areas located at either end of the parallel elongated raceways. Continuous removal of dead or dying fish from the raceway is accomplished by means of a floating mortality catcher consisting of a screened ramp at the surface of the cones which continuously collect moribund and dead fish. Grading bars separate and move fish underwater to an adjacent raceway through a common fish transfer channel. This larger scalable fish production system substantially reduces the direct labor and capital costs associated with the production of fish as compared with conventional circular fish rearing tanks.

Abstract: A method of attaching an end seal (20) to a manufactured seed (22). The method includes the step of positioning a first manufactured seed on a surface (42). The first manufactured seed includes a seed coat (24) having an opening (12) and an embryo (30) disposed within the opening, the opening having a location relative to the surface. The method further includes prestressing an area (38) of a sheet (50) and positioning the sheet on the first manufactured seed to substantially center the area over the opening, such that the embryo is located below the area. The method also includes the step of attaching the sheet to the first manufactured seed to seal the opening.