Abstract: A rodent enclosure dimensioned in length, width and height so as to allow a rodent to run freely along the length of the enclosure, but not turn around without standing on its hind legs. The enclosure has a floor with bars extending transversely to allow access for a force sensor's probe from below. A force measurement device for use with the rodent enclosure to measure the tactile response of a rodent comprising a measurement probe connected to a device body. The probe has a tip which can be engaged with a rodent's paw through the floor of the enclosure. The device body has a fixed body part and a rotatable body part arranged to allow relative rotation between them. A rotation sensor detects the relative rotation and outputs a measurement parameter having values that are calibrated against force values associated with forces applied to the probe's tip.

Abstract: The invention is a collapsible, sound-deadening shelter that can provide pets a place of refuge from noise. The shelter has a top panel formed from a sound-deadening material; at least two flaps coupled to the top panel; at least two side panels formed from a sound-deadening material, wherein each of the side panels is coupled to one of the two flaps; a rear panel formed from a sound-deadening material, wherein the rear panel is coupled by an additional flap to one of the top panel or the two side panels; and wherein the rear panel is removably coupled to the remaining of the top panel and the two side panels to which the rear panel is not already coupled by the additional flap. The shelter may be used as a stand-alone shelter, but it may also be placed over a pet container in order to make the container quieter.

Abstract: A wildlife exclusion system for railway tracks is provided which includes an exclusion arrangement positioned to span across the railway tracks at a location along a length of the railway tracks. The exclusion arrangement extends generally perpendicular to the railway tracks and has a series of conductive elements spaced apart from each other to form an exclusion are configured to provide an electric shock to wild animals when particular conductive elements within the exclusion area are bridged thereby. Methods of installing a wildlife exclusion system and methods of discouraging wild animals from traveling along railway tracks are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention features a portable plant watering system. The system comprises a liquid bottle, an attaching means, a liquid bottle connector, a plurality of flexible water tubing, a plurality of T-connectors, a plurality of water outlet ports to water multiple plants. Each water outlet port is integrated with adjustment means to adjust water flow rate individually accordingly. The plant watering system can be set-up on porch or patio effortlessly thus provide a quick and cost effective solution for in-door garden water needs.

Abstract: A system and method is described for a controlled electrified fish barrier that induces a potential field in a body of water with an electric field generator, a control system, and an object detection system, so that when the anode and cathode of the electric field generator are inserted in a body of water, and the object detection system detects an object, the object detection system electrically signals the control system; and in response the control system electrically adjusts the electric field generator.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and method for milking a dairy animal, comprising at least two sensors for measuring milking parameters. Usually, an alarm is generated if a specific number of parameters each are outside a given range. According to the invention, now an alarm is also generated if said specific number of exceedings is not achieved, but if another, and usually greater, number of parameters each are within a larger, more flexible, range. As a result thereof, the actual alarm parameters with ‘hard’ limits can be selected, in order that false-positive messages are prevented to a considerable extent. In the grey area of almost exceeding, an alarm can still be generated if sufficient parameters are in dubious areas.

Abstract: A grow light support system for use with a raised border system includes components for forming a tension cord network that is suspended over the raised bed border system and includes a grow light unit that is suspended on the tension cord network. The grow light unit is configured such that the grow light can be positioned and locked in place at a predetermined location of the tension cord network and is configured such that the distance between the grow light and the tension cord network can be varied, thereby changing the height at which the grow light is positioned relative to the ground.

Abstract: A new device for the collection, storage, and selected delivery of livestock feed is provided. Such a device includes an internal system to simultaneously prevent caking or otherwise solidifying of such feed material as well as maneuver the same to a trough for dispensing on demand. Additionally, the device includes an auger component with a housing cap to selectively alter the rate of dispensing as well as provide a shut off mechanism if needed. Such a device thus may be driven to a feed source location and filled to any selected level, closed, and transported to any desired location to permit delivery thereof the stored feed. With the enclosed structure, as well, long-term storage may be achieved, thus effectively preventing rodent or other pest invasion, as well as providing a suitable moisture barrier for proper and effective storage. A system of feeding livestock with this device is also encompassed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing irrigation to plants are provided. The system generally includes a fluid distribution structure having a barrier layer and a hydrophilic layer. The fluid distribution structure can additionally include a plurality of channels. Each channel can be associated with a non-woven material or other volume providing element overlayed by a filter layer. A fluid supply tube may be provided at a first end of the fluid distribution structure, and a drainage tube may be disposed along a second end of the fluid distribution structure. Where the fluid distribution structure includes channels, a supply tube and a drainage tube, the channels generally extend between the supply tube and the drainage tube. Fluid collected by the drainage tube can be recirculated to the supply tube, or can be collected or disposed of.

Abstract: A device allowing a quadruped animal that is disabled in the hindquarters thereof to move about, while automatically moving the hind legs of the animal. The device includes: a chassis, on which two side wheels are mounted; a rear harness for receiving and supporting the hindquarters of the animal, which harness can be supported by the chassis; and a crankshaft-type driveshaft having two crankpins to which are attached cradles for moving the hind legs of the animal where the driveshaft is shaped so as to move each of the two hind legs of the animal synchronously in phase opposition. A transmission device is configured to control the rotation of the driveshaft from at least one wheel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy for motivating or training a pet, comprising a first outer shell section (2) and a second outer shell section (2?), said first and second shell sections (2,2?) being arranged to create a space between themselves, and further comprising an entry opening (21, 21?), preferably comprising a raised section (29, 29?) that extends into said space, and said toy also comprising at least one exit opening (22-24?), each of said entry and exit openings (22-24?) being arranged to connect said space to a surrounding of said toy (1), characterized in said toy (1) being arranged to provide at least two different paths through said space from said entry opening (21, 21?) to said exit opening (22-24?), said at least two paths being provided by means of at least one ridge (32), preferably fixed to said shell section (2, 2?), said ridge defining a limited transversal opening, wherein said ridge (32) and opening respectively are arranged to provide a maze like path for transversal movement o

Abstract: A solar greenhouse which may be modular, free-standing or erected against an adjacent structure such as the wall of a building, having s a frame including structural members such as extruded aluminum channels which support a glazing system of transparent or translucent panels. The transparent or translucent panels preferably are opaque to the transmission of infra red light rejected from the solar collector louvers and the interior of the solar greenhouse. Positioned within the solar greenhouse enclosure below the glazed roof or top are a plurality of rotatable solar collector louvers which may be individually positioned or preferably are rotated in unison by a drive system which may be manually controlled or controlled by a software program in a computer or microchip. The louvers are effectively flat plate solar collectors. Water is circulated through the tubular axle of the louvers and is heated by solar radiation when the louvers are in their solar collection positions.

Abstract: A growing chamber for irrigating, draining, lighting, heating or cooling plants that executes a schedule for at least one of the watering, lighting or heating or cooling to ensure that the chamber does not overload an electrical connection for at least one of 120 Volts or 240 Volts.

Abstract: A bird feeder with a movable lid includes a knob which is grippable by the user of the bird feeder to slide the lid along a suspending cable. The knob includes a U-shaped spring with gripping surfaces that grip the cable. This U-shaped spring is firmly trapped between the knob and the upper surfaces of the lid. This assembly permits easy sliding of the lid against the frictional engagement provided by spring bias so that the lid is held down against the filler opening of the feed reservoir that, but can be slid along the cable against the frictional bias of the spring for easy filling.

Abstract: A tray for presenting food to a pet or animal. The tray includes a top side, an underside and a peripheral side extending between the top side and the underside. The topside is moreover partly formed as a number of up-turned grooves and interconnected grooves. When a pet is retrieving food from the tray, the animal will not only he self-engaged and fed during retrieval of the food, but the tray will also ensure that the natural needs of the animal are meet with respect to the use of brain, olfactory sense and feeding. The animal will hereby be more relaxed and behave in a balanced manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a positioning device (10) that encourages animals to stand in a desired position to enable efficient and effective treatment of a part of their body. The positioning device (10) of the invention may optionally comprise one or more spraying nozzles (56) adapted for spraying the teats of the animal with a treatment chemical either pre- or post-milking.

Abstract: A rotary feed dispensing apparatus includes a reservoir configured to hold feed. The apparatus includes a rotary dispenser having an inlet operatively coupled to the reservoir and a rotary dispenser outlet, the rotary dispenser defining a rotary dispenser interior area configured to selectively receive the feed from the reservoir through the rotary housing inlet. An impellor assembly is rotatably mounted in the rotary dispenser, the impellor assembly having an impellor body portion and at least one impellor end portion pivotally coupled to the impellor body portion. The impellor end portion is movable between an extended configuration and a folded configuration. A motor is operatively coupled to the impellor assembly and configured to rotate the impellor assembly when energized. The impellor end portion is configured to eject the feed from the rotary dispenser through the outlet when the motor is energized and the impellor end portion is at the extended configuration.

Abstract: An improved automated animal feeder or feeding apparatus comprises a substantially water-resistant housing having at least one closable port. A feed distributor is located in the housing and configured to distribute feed to the exterior of the housing through the port. An opening in an upper end of the housing is configured to admit feed to the housing and to the feed distributor through gravity. A drive arrangement is disposed in the housing and coupled to the feed distributor and to the closeable port to selectively actuate the feed distributor and selectively open and close the closeable port.

Abstract: Provided are a killing apparatus for use in a fish tank. The killing apparatus includes a first conductive mesh, a second conductive mesh, and a spacer which is disposed between the first conductive mesh and the second conductive mesh and insulates the first conductive mesh and the second conductive mesh. Accordingly, in the fish tank, algal blooms are prevented and reduced, fish disease is prevented, and the growth of water plants is expedited.

Abstract: A harness for restraining an animal, particularly a dog, includes: a body loop to encircle a rear abdominal area of the animal, wherein the body loop comprises a connector to a leash to be held by a person; and at least one rear-leg loop to encircle a top area of a rear leg of the animal; wherein the body loop comprises a lasso mechanism to create a lasso effect upon an outburst of said animal.