Abstract: The present invention is a two dog leash that includes a handle with an aperture, a casing and a retractable device disposed in the casing, a first nylon line portion that is released and retracted by the retractable device and a clasp that is attached to the distal end of the first line portion. The leash also includes a triangular-shaped retractable mechanism and is adjacently disposed below the clasp, a second nylon line portion with the proximal end being integral to the retractable mechanism and a third nylon line portion with the proximal end being integral to the retractable mechanism.

Abstract: A disposable pet garment adapted to trap loose hair and dander from the animal, whereafter the garment is readily disposable and replaceable. The garment comprises a body section providing coverage over a the pet's torso section, a plurality of sleeve projections that extend from the body section and along a majority of each leg, along with a removable line of attachment along the body section adapted to provide securement along the animal's back. The garment itself comprises a lightweight, disposable material that is provided in a form-fitting or loosely-fitted style that is easily deployed onto the pet and easily removed, wherein pet hair and dander is trapped within the garment and discarded after removal. A preferred embodiment utilizes a lightweight polypropylene material for construction, wherein a single formed sheet forms the body section and is sewn to the leg projections.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus involve locating an algae production facility in close proximity to a livestock production facility whereby the outputs of one or both facilities promotes productivity levels in the facility. In an illustrative example, the algae production facility includes a bioreactor in fluid communication with the atmosphere inside, for example, a poultry facility. In some examples, the atmosphere inside the poultry facility may be around a substantially controlled temperature suitable for poultry. The atmosphere may further contain substantial Nitrogen-content suitable to promote algae growth. Various embodiments may symbiotically consume waste products from each facility to promote production of, for example, protein for food and algae, which may be used for animal feed, for example, and/or processed into fuel. In some examples, the algae production facility may be conveniently packaged into a module. In some examples, the module may be stored and shipped in a conventional shipping container.

Abstract: An LED-based aquarium lighting system having upgradeable control system and a method thereof are provided. The system includes an LED source having a plurality of LED lights, a marine habitat for housing a marine habitat life, a control system which comprises a motherboard, a control panel, and a control module. The control module is replaceable with a new control module to provide upgrades of operational modes and features of the aquarium lighting system. Accordingly, to perform an upgrade of the control system, a user replaces the control module with a new control module by removing the control module from the motherboard and plugging the new control module in the motherboard, thereby readily making upgrades of operational modes and features of the aquarium lighting system without requiring the entire aquarium lighting system be replaced.

Abstract: Vegetative systems are described. In one embodiment, a vegetative system has substantially distinct or separate zones or layers in which each zone or layer performs primarily one of the functions of water retention, a growth medium for vegetation, and weed suppression. An upper may comprise coarse aggregate and serve the primary function of weed suppression; a middle layer may comprise a mixture of coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and fine organic material and serve primarily as a growth medium for vegetation; and a lower layer may comprise high-density hygroscopic material and serve the primary function of water retention.

Abstract: A drinking valve for automatic water feeding systems for animals includes a valve stem that is responsive to licking at the outlet of the valve by an animal, to open and close a valve seat and thereby control flow of drinking water to the outlet of the valve. The valve seat is constructed with low-cost reliable arrangement including stationary but compressible elastomeric seal configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling maturation of aquatically hatched insects. The apparatus comprises a drainable container for housing an egg laying medium for the insects; a filter operatively connected to the container for containing debris in the egg laying medium; and a selectively sealable catch basin located below the container for receiving the egg laying medium from the container when the container is drained. One or more outlets are provided on the catch basin for operatively releasing gas from the catch basin. The apparatus and method enhances the attractiveness of the artificial breeding pool to the gravid insects and helps control the local insect population.

Abstract: A milking unit comprising a milk-collecting component and at least two milk tubes which are connected to the milk-collecting component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pet retractor, more particularly to an emergency self-locking pet retractor, comprising a collar, a leash, a leash spool, a shell body and a grip handle, in which it also comprises an emergency self-locking device. The emergency self-locking device includes a switch sliding block disposed on an external surface of the shell body and inserted into the shell body, a self-locking sliding block and a return spring thereof disposed in the shell body and attached to the switch sliding block, a self-locking baffle and a return torsion spring thereof disposed on an external surface of the leash spool and whose one end is hinged on the leash spool, and a self-locking baffle block disposed at the corresponding part on the external surface of the leash spool. When the pet suddenly breaks out or rises up, the emergency self-locking device can automatically lock the spool to prevent the leash from being pulled out, so that the pet cannot run around, attack people or damage properties.

Abstract: A support beam for a pet furniture includes a plurality of back plates, first hooks, second hooks and third hooks. Upper end and lower end of the back plate are formed with an insertion slot and a protrusion respectively. One side of the back plate is formed with a plurality of engaging troughs for allowing the first hooks and the third hooks to be disposed therein. The third hook is engaged with the first hook. By this structure, a shelf plate, a cat house and a cat ladder can be mounted onto the back plate by means of the engagement between the second hook and the third hook. Then, the back plate is fixed to a wall. In this way, the support beam for a pet furniture is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mushroom production process comprising the steps of preparing a mushroom growing shed with at least one bed of mushroom compost; supplying heat to the mushroom growing shed; harvesting the mushrooms; and removing the spent mushroom compost from the mushroom growing shed; wherein the process further comprises the steps of combusting the spent mushroom compost in an energy conversion system; harnessing the heat generated by combusting the spent mushroom compost; and using the harnessed heat to control temperature of the mushroom growing shed. In this way, the energy costs for the mushroom production are greatly reduced.

Abstract: This system for cultivating marine species employs a marine-based array of floating closed-containment tanks composed of panels made of waterproof fiberglass laminate materials and internal buoyant foam-based materials. The panels, connected by flanged struts, form the walls and bottom of the tanks, which are substantially cylindrical in overall shape. The tops of the tanks are open to the atmosphere but are protected from predators via a thick mesh top net. The system also employs a filtration system which utilizes centrifugal water flow and hydraulics to remove sludge and solid matter which is then filtered and transformed into a component for use in garden fertilizers. It also uses an electronic computerized system for monitoring and controlling the marine species rearing environment.

Abstract: A dog harness includes a harness body that has a first end for placement proximate the shoulders of the dog and an opposing second end for placement proximate the hindquarters of the dog. The first end has a pair of first flaps and the second end having a pair of second flaps. The harness includes a first looped strap securely attached to one of the second flaps, with the first strap including a first part of a side release buckle. A second strap is securely attached to the other of the second flaps, with the second strap including a second part of the side release buckle that interlockingly engages the first part. The harness includes a front strap in the form of a loop that is securely attached at a first end to one of the first flaps and has a loop portion that is coupled to a first coupling member that is securely attached to the other of the first flaps. A free second end of the front strap is coupled to a second coupling member through which a portion of the front strap proximate the first end passes.

Abstract: A pet bed adapted for use atop a floor mounted air register includes a bed structure and a base structure. The bed structure is an open-topped housing with a pet accessible entrance along a front side to facilitate a pet entering and lying within the bed structure. The base structure is a durable support extending downwardly from a floor surface of the bed structure. The pet bed is placed over the floor-mounted air register in order to allow a portion of air expelled from the air register to enter the open interior area of the bed structure through a plurality of ventilating apertures in the floor to provide temperature regulation to a pet within the bed while allowing the remaining flow of air to exit the pet bed through additional apertures along a front surface of the base structure in order to provide temperature regulation to the surrounding space.

Abstract: A retractable leash having a tension strap connected to a safety line that can be releasably fastened to a tethered article. The retractable leash allows freedom of use of the tethered article without the retractable leash impinging any spring force on the tethered article. A retractable leash that employ a series of metal rings, a plastic spacer and a flat sided ball that can rotate in any direction to guide and to prevent tangling of the tension strap and preclude friction from the plastic collar edges. A retractable leash that uses means of a furrow in the spring cup for locking the inner loop of the tension strap from rotating. A retractable leash having an arbor with a flat side for mounting a spring retaining clip thereto and a central bore that keeps debris out of the spring cup in sandy conditions.

Abstract: Pet Waiter Systems is an innovative and useful device for easily and efficiently feeding domesticated pets, such as cats and dogs. The systems may include a pet nourishment station assembly, a container holding member, a tray elevator assembly, and a motor assembly. In use, a nourishment tray may integrally include a stainless steel food bowl and water bowl. The nourishment tray may be easily adjusted vertically via a handy control panel for making it easier on a user to dispense a ration of pet-food and drinking-water into the bowls contained within the nourishment tray which may serve to reduce injury caused from excessive bending.

Abstract: An integral animal feeder and bumper assembly for dispensing animal foodstuff from a vehicle includes an impact member to fend off blows to the vehicle, a hopper to store therein a quantity of substantially granular foodstuff such as, for example, feed corn, and a dispenser to selectively discharge from the hopper foodstuff contained in the hopper. The hopper is substantially contained with the extents of the impact member and/or the aesthetic coverings thereof. In this manner, assembly is adapted to function as a road feeder with little or no interference with other features of the vehicle configuration such as, for example, utilization of the tailgate and/or towing hitch, legal display of the license plate associated with the vehicle, access to the rear area of the vehicle and the like.

Abstract: A pet fountain that presents circulating water that is continuously filtered and pumped through the fountain. The fountain includes a basin that has a sidewall extending upwardly from a bottom wall (or floor) and a cover. A pump assembly is housed between the basin and cover, and circulates water through the pet fountain by pumping the water from the basin to an upper drinking bowl of the cover. The water spills out of the upper drinking back to the basin. An opening is provided between the cover and the basin which allows a pet to drink directly from the basin in addition to the upper drinking bowl of the cover.

Abstract: An animal training device and system which uses a voltage to frequency conversion technology (VFC) providing the capability to adjust in gradual incremental levels upward and downward for consistent and individual electronic control of separate output to an animal undergoing training to learn new behaviors which are desired by its owner/handler/trainer. The device is contained in a housing which is worn around the neck of an animal by means of a collar strap or attached to a harness that properly fits onto an animal. The primary use is with dogs, but all kinds of domestic animals may be trained using this device. This VFC technology is offered in a variety of electronic platforms.

Abstract: A process to accelerate growth and regenerate lawns whereby the lawn (2) is at least partially surrounded on the top by a space (4) that is open downward and surrounded on all sides and whereby CO2 is fed into the space (4) and the space (4) covered by the lawn (2) is outfitted with a lighting system (14) and is subjected to light and a device for executing this process are disclosed.