Abstract: An improved manual portion control feeder includes a food delivery mechanism that is in communication with a food reservoir and which, when actuated, dispenses a predetermined amount of food from the reservoir into another vessel. Advantageously, the feeding apparatus further includes a feedback mechanism which, responsive to an actuation of the food delivery mechanism, provides at least one of an acoustic indication and a tactile indication that is representative of the dispensing of a predetermined quantity of food by the food delivery mechanism. The acoustic and/or tactile indication enables the feeding apparatus to remain disposed on, for example, a floor and alerts the user that a predetermined amount of food has been dispensed from the reservoir since the acoustic and/or tactile indications are detectable with relative ease. This enables an animal to be provided a predetermined amount of food with minimal attention being required of the user.

Abstract: A pet toy device and method therefore to mentally and physically exercise and entertain pets that live indoors that may include a fabric material with at least one pocket, at least one non-pocketed area and a tether with an attaching mechanism or member that temporarily attaches to a pet's favorite object. The method of using the device includes attaching a pet's favorite object to the tether using the toy holding mechanism such as a double sided single hook and loop or Velcro strap, then hiding the tethered pet object in at least one of the pockets. Once provided to the pet, the pet digs through the device to uncover the pet's favorite object. Moreover, the design provides for a pet's physical exercise, mental stimulation and entertainment while not allowing the attached favorite object to be lost under furniture or to be thrown across the room by the pet.

Abstract: A double-headed five-sided fishing net uses a pair of net heads to enclose a fish from two opposing sides and uses a lateral net to enclose a fish from three additional sides. The lateral net is connected in between the pair of net heads on three sides so that the front side is an opening that can be used to capture fish. A tong assembly allows a user to press the pair of net heads against each other, which puts the fishing net into a closed position. In addition, the tong assembly continuously applies a force by a torsion spring to separate the pair of net heads from each other, which puts the fishing net into an open position. In order to counter the continuous force from the torsion spring, the fishing net has a locking mechanism to hold the tong assembly in the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for the mechanized displacement of movable wires arranged on opposite sides of a row of plants, in particular grapevines, includes a frame suitable to be removably mounted on a farm vehicle, the frame being provided with a mover configured to move the movable wires. The apparatus is characterized in that the mover includes a pair of opposite gripping elements, each of which being suitable to slidingly receive one of the movable wires, the gripping elements being movable in a sequential and synchronized manner along at least two orthogonal axes so as to displace the movable wires from a first height to a second height.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments of the present invention relate to devices, methods, and kits for use in horticultural containers. In accordance with some embodiments, a horticultural device comprising a base and a supporting plate may advantageously reduce the amount of soil required for potting. Aspects and embodiments of the present invention may facilitate potting and may reduce plant maintenance.

Abstract: A plant watering and support device including an elongated tubular body having an open upper end, a lower end and a central portion of predetermined width located between the ends is disclosed. The open upper end and central tubular portion define a hollow cavity for receiving water added through said open upper end. In addition, the central tubular portion further defines a plurality of perforations in fluid communication with the hollow cavity and which extend through the tubular portion to allow water added to the device to exit the device through the perforations to water a plant. The device also includes at least one hollow extension section. A wide preferably heavy base is also provided for supporting the tubular body in an upright position and lowering the device's center of gravity to prevent the device from easily tipping over.

Abstract: A stiff elongated tethering device into which a flexible, retractable leash can be housed for the walking, running or tethering of a dog. The elongated tethering device includes a housing for the leash and terminates on end with a loop and on the other end with an aperture for the extension therethrough of the flexible retractable leash. The loop attaches to a belt accessory that can be wrapped around a user's waist, a bicycle seat post, a wheelchair arm, a tree, a stake or any other substantially cylindrical device. The invention allows for a fixed area in which the dog can move and prevents the animal from hazardously moving in front of walkers, runners, and the wheels of wheelchairs and bicycles while at the same time allowing the user to remain hands-free if desired.

Abstract: A support hook for moving meat, more specifically for pieces or cubes of bacon/belly during the processing and/or curing thereof includes a framework and a plurality of tips. The plurality of tips are integral with the respective framework via respective heads arranged on both sides and the holes of the framework such that each tip can be inserted and interchanged even at a later time, if any tip should be broken or chipped. This type of hook is generally called comb or bacon comb.

Abstract: A cleaning system for milking cups containing a dispensing device into which at least two different cleaning fluids can be introduced inside the milking cup in such a way as to enable an efficient intermediate disinfection between individual milking processes.

Abstract: Livestock feeders are provided. A livestock feeder can include a one-piece or multi-piece design. A livestock feeder can include a pan, a hood, and a base. The livestock feeder is suitable for providing feedstuffs such as nutritional supplements to a livestock animal on a free-choice basis. The livestock feeder can be durable, portable, non-corrosive and is designed to minimize spillage of feedstuffs and resist tipping over. The livestock feeder can be constructed from a molded polyethylene material.

Abstract: A dog leash (10) comprising an elastic section (11) having an elliptical section elastic material (12) and an outer braiding (13) whereby the braiding is woven so that it may extend in a limited amount in the direction of the arrow (14) and be limited in that extension by reason of the limitation imposed by the weave on the braiding.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an animal toy includes a body member and a squeaker member. The body member defines a cavity and includes a sidewall. The sidewall defines an opening in fluid communication with the cavity. The sidewall has a channel. The squeaker member defines a lumen and is configured to produce a sound in response to air passing through the lumen. The squeaker member has an extension portion. The squeaker member is coupled to the body member such that the extension member is disposed within the channel of the sidewall and at least a portion of the squeaker member is disposed within the cavity defined by the body member.

Abstract: When a primate is t restrained by a movable partition wall, friction with vertical bars of a lattice of the partition wall causing damages on roots of limbs of the primate is alleviated to reduce or solve such damages. In a primate restraint device comprising a containing body having both side surfaces, a top surface and a bottom surface, a rear surface door capable of opening and shutting the rear surface side of the containing body, and a partition wall formed movably frontward and rearward in the containing body and capable of being fixed at a desired position in the containing body, some sites among vertical bar members of the partition wall, with which roots of limbs of the primate are brought into contact while the limbs are forced to protrude frontward and restrained, are covered with protective cylinders which are rotatable with respect to the vertical bar members.

Abstract: A system (20) for measuring relative front (12, 13) and hind leg (16, 17) positions of a standing ungulate, the system including a sensing area within which an ungulate to be measured stands and which comprises a plurality of discrete linear sensor regions (30) spaced a known distance apart within the sensing area, each sensing region having a sensor operatively associated therewith, which sensor is responsive to the presence of the lower part of a leg within a sensing region and; a processor for receiving data from each sensor, identifying those sensor regions within which a lower part of a leg is present and based upon the distance between the identified sensor regions, determining the relative front and hind leg positions.

Abstract: A fishing tackle box includes interchangeable inserts for holding sections of a fishing rod. Each interchangeable insert is releasably held within an associated retaining channel of a body of the tackle box by snap-fit engagement. Each interchangeable insert includes a plurality of apertures and cylindrical channels to hold differently-sized cross-sections of fishing rod segments through snap-fit engagement. Multiple, differently sized interchangeable inserts are held in a spaced orientation by the tackle box body, thus accommodating the longitudinal tapering of the segments of the fishing rod. Through the use of interchangeable inserts, the same fishing tackle box may be releasably secured to a variety of differently sized fishing rods by selecting appropriately sized interchangeable inserts dimensioned to match the particular fishing rod to be releasably held by the tackle box.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for removing selected ellepots from a plurality of germination ellepot trays and remapping the selected ellepots to a planting ellepot tray is provided. The method can include placing one of a plurality of germination ellepot trays onto an ellepot ejection dock of an ellepot workstation. Each germination ellepot tray comprises an array of ellepot receptacles having an ellepot disposed in each receptacle, wherein each ellepot is populated with a plant germinating therein. The method can additionally include, acquiring tray information identifying the respective germination ellepot tray, and automatically dislodging one or more selected populated ellepots from the respective germination ellepot tray utilizing the acquired germination ellepot tray information. Subsequently, each dislodged populated ellepot is sequentially transferred from the respective germination ellepot tray to one of a plurality of receptacles of a planting ellepot tray.

Abstract: An interactive cat entertainment device wherein light elements are incorporated into a carpet in a pattern. The light elements are controlled through a microprocessor or electronic circuitry that activates the lights sequentially to provide the appearance of a moving object to a cat or similar animal.

Abstract: Meat processing equipment is disclosed that includes a first element having a first face; a second element having a second face. The first and second faces extend parallel to one another and define a common plane between the first and second faces. The first and second elements are relatively movable with respect to one another. Yieldable arresting features are included for yieldably arresting the first and second elements in at least one predetermined position of relative movement, the yieldable arresting features include cooperating first and second permanent magnets, associated with at least one of the first and second elements.

Abstract: An edger is provided that includes a cylindrically shaped attachment member that includes at least one tooth for interlocking relationship with another attachment member. The interlocking relationship prevents relative motion between the attached edgers. The edger further comprises a plurality of arcuate members that help support the wall against the restrained pavers and which provide stiffness to the wall.

Abstract: A fishing lure. The lure has a tail segment which is coupled to a forebody segment. The tail segment can quickly attach and detach from the forebody segment. A flexible reinforcing membrane with an open cell structure runs along the backbone axis of the tail segment. The tail segment is made of a soft body material such as a lure plastisol. The flexible reinforcing membrane acts as a bridge securing the plastisol to a terminal at the forward portion of the tail segment which interoperates as either the male or female section of the couple with the forebody male or female segment section.