Abstract: An easy to clean pet litter box is provided, in which pet litter with accumulated dry solid animal waste matter is held in a tray with a perforated bottom. Immediately below, and in sliding contact with the perforated tray bottom, is a flat sheet also provided with identically sized and distributed perforations. The perforations are sized to be larger than typical pet litter granules but small enough to prevent throughflow of animal waste lumps, and are conically chamfered to funnel flow therethrough as well as to scrape off any dried waste encrustations located between the sliding elements. By moving the perforated elements to selectively block off all throughflow (closed mode) to complete congruence of apertures permitting maximum throughflow (open mode) the user sepregates waste matter from reusable pet litter within the litter box. Waste matter is then discarded and the tray put into its closed mode and the litter box turned over to resume operation.

Abstract: A poultry brooder (10) having a ceramic radiant element (12) with protrusions (14) and protrusion connectors (16) forming spiral channels (18) to lengthen the path of flowing gases from closed center (34) to the edge of the radiant and to impede the gaseous flow by turbulence. An insulator (26) reduces heat loss through the rear surface (42) of the ceramic radiant and an adjustable temperature sensing element support bracket (32) allows selection of a variety of temperature sensing positions.

Abstract: An aquarium for maintaining fish or the like characterized by an upper transparent container means that has its side wall, bottom and a valve body integrally formed together to prevent leaks. The transparent container sits on a base. An air pump, air conduit, and air flow control valve are disposed out of sight interiorly of the base. The valve body contains the check valve and serves as an air inlet for bubbling air upwardly through the water at a controlled rate provided by the air flow control valve. The check valve prevents leaking back into the air inlet passageway in the event the power is interrupted and prevents leaking a substantial quantity in the event that the hose, or air conduit, is inadvertently disconnected. Also disclosed is a kit embodiment which is sold on the retail market in which all the elements are provided.

Abstract: An ear tag assembly comprising an identification member and an attachment member wherein the identification member comprises an identification portion located in front of an animal ear, a flexible strap portion extending through a slit in the animal ear and a slot in the attachment member, a head portion on the end of the strap portion for retaining engagement with the attachment member, a connecting portion between the identification portion and the strap portion for holding a signal sending device, and an insecticide tag holding device on said identification portion.

Abstract: An inflation for a teat cup is made in the form of a silicone tube adapted to fit into, and seal the ends of, a teat cup. Pulsating pressure is applied to the outside of the inflation within the teat cup, and a low pressure line is attached to the downstream end of the inflation. An integral annular bead is spaced slightly less than a teat's length below the upstream end of the inflation. Axial ribs are spaced around the circumference of the tube upstream of the annular bead. The bead and ribs are resistive of collapse and therefore provide a gentle massaging action on the teat when the pulsating pressure is applied. In one important embodiment, the head of the inflation is provided with a pliant skirt and an annular cushion that fit against the teat and udder to minimize irritation and maximize retention of the inflation.

Abstract: An auxiliary stirrup assembly is provided to permit small children to ride on a standard saddle which otherwise is too large for them. The stirrup assembly includes a strap which is attached to the pommel of the saddle and extends along each side of the seat to circle behind the cantle of the saddle, leaving the seat free of any encumbrances. Auxiliary stirrups are attached by means of adjustable length stirrup straps to each side of the seat-encircling strap to complete the stirrup assembly. The child rides using the stirrups of the auxiliary stirrup assembly which hang down alongside the fenders of the standard full-sized saddle on which the auxiliary stirrup assembly is mounted.

Abstract: A milking apparatus utilizing a pumping vessel which provides both vacuum and pulsating pressure to the outer and inner chambers respectively of two chambered breast or teat cups. Milk is taken off via the vacuum connections to the pumping vessel. A method of milking using the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A rheotactic shrimp harvester wherein an inclined ramp having a slot extends between adjacent water tanks and water is caused to flow down the ramp from one tank to another. The shrimp reacting to the current of water flowing down the ramp move upstream on the ramp; the smaller shrimp pass through the slot in the ramp and return to the original tank while the larger shrimp go over the slot and into the next tank.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a nipple particularly adapted for feeding liquid to fowl and/or small animals, the nipple including a housing having an insert defining a passage through which liquid is adapted to pass from an upstream portion to a downstream portion thereof, a valve in the passage defined by at least one peripheral valve seat and a metallic spherical ball normally resting upon the peripheral valve seat, a stem defined by a head and a pin, the pin having a cylindrical outer surface housed within the downstream passage portion, the downstream passage portion including a frusto-conical outlet surface defined in part by an axial outermost major diameter and an axially innermost minor diameter, the insert further including an annular seat upon which the head normally rests, a flow-control surface between the annular seat and the minor diameter of the frusto-conical outlet surface, the flow-control surface defining with the pin cylindrical outer surface a generally annular flow-control channel throu

Abstract: The efficiency of poultry production is increased by treating poultry eggs in ovo with physiologic dosages of substances that serve to augment the endogenous thyroid output of the embryos. The disclosed data show improved hatchability rates and a favorable impact on feed conversion rates and mature bird weight.

Abstract: An animal feeding apparatus includes fodder supply means for supplying amounts of dry feed or fodder to one or more animal feeding places. The fodder supply means may be driven by a hydraulic motor, such as a double-acting hydraulic cylinder to which water or another aqueous liquid is supplied under superatmospheric pressure as driving medium. The aqueous liquid discharged from the hydraulic motor is distributed to the various feeding places, whereby the hydraulic motor is used as a metering device.The fodder supply means may comprise a number of supply ducts each having a lower outlet end located above and closely spaced from an opposite fodder supporting wall, and a reciprocatable fodder pushing means arranged therebetween. The fodder pushing means has leading edge portions defining a concave shape and a through-going relief passage extending between the bottom of the concave shape and the trailing edge portions of the pushing means.

Abstract: The milking inflation is formed from an elastomeric material and includes a suction sleeve which is located inside the shell of a teat cup assembly and a milking tube portion which is located below the lower end of the shell. An air vent is formed as an integral part of the milking tube portion at a location near the lower end of the shell. The air vent includes an annular recess in the wall of the milking tube portion which defines an isolated area and includes a bottom having an annular web section of reduced thickness surrounding the isolated area and also an opening extending through the isolated area for admitting a metered amount of air into the milking tube portion. The thinner, more flexible web section absorbs distortions caused by flexing of the milking tube portion during the milking operation, so that the air vent opening substantially retains its original shape and size during use.

Abstract: An adjustable muzzle for training, restraining and treating animals, particularly canines; which muzzle can be easily, quickly, securely and adjustably applied to, and removed from, the head and nose of the animal.

Abstract: In a feed trough for poultry battery cages, particularly chick breeding cages, comprising a trough channel with a feed conveyor running therein and with a grid disposed thereabove, provision is made for each grid to consist of grid bars extending parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the trough channel and joined to one another only in their end regions.The end regions of the grid are bent over towards the channel opening. The cross connections provided for the grid bars are end plates which can be laid against partitions laterally bounding a cage. The grid is in the form of a part which can be inserted into the trough channel.

Abstract: A device for providing a stimulus visually discernible by an animal such as a horse, providing a driving assembly; a target borne in an elevated attitude having a predetermined head portion and an opposite tail portion; a track portion defining a path of travel along which the target is adapted to travel; a portion adapted to be moved by the driving assembly and connected to the target to move the target along the path of travel; and means for orienting the head portion of the target in the direction of movement thereof.

Abstract: In a fodder or feed supply system, a hopper is provided from which duct means downwardly extends to troughs or channels out of which poultry eat. On the end of the duct means is provided dispenser mouthpieces each of which rest on a shoe which controls the depth of the fodder in the channel. Each shoe includes an inclined surface on which the fodder falls between spaced wings that contain the fodder and dispense the same through openings in the wings. The mouthpieces are each slidably mounted on a duct and forced downwardly by a counterweight.

Abstract: A platform and safety harness for supporting and restraining a pet within a vehicle comprises a resilient base member, preferably of tubular steel, with vertical arms connected to opposite sides of the platform adjacent the rear thereof and horizontal arms spaced below and parallel to the platform, for installing the carrier on a vehicle seat with the platform supporting the pet above the vehicle seat at about the window level in the vehicle. The base member can be secured in place by a conventional vehicle seat belt. The carrier also includes a flexible, non-choking pet harness, an anchor affixed to the upper surface of the platform and a flexible lead releasably interconnecting the harness and anchor for safely restraining a pet on the platform. The platform can also include a removable water cup with lid, and a carpeted or otherwise cushioned top surface, which preferably slopes downwardly and rearwardly, to facilitate the pet bracing itself during travel of the carrier in the vehicle.

Abstract: A grooming table, via one or more suction or vacuum orifices located upon or aside the grooming table work surface, is self-cleaning. Shorn animal fur or hair, resulting from the grooming operation, is drawn from the work surface into a refuse container. A vacuum or suction source is provided to the orifice or orifices via one or more vacuum containing and directing structures, all of which may be located beneath the grooming table work surface.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is disclosed for the mass rearing of fruit flies. The apparatus includes a cage for housing fruit flies; a tube extending inside the cage which has a solid bottom section for holding water to maintain a humidity inside the tube of at least 80% and a perforated section with a plurality of openings of a size and spacing which stimulate fly oviposition and maximize egg production; and means closing the ends of the tube. After oviposition, eggs are readily collected by flushing the tube with water.

Abstract: An apparatus to monitor temperature of the milk taken from a cow. The apparatus comprises a housing that is mounted to a short tube of a milking claw. It has a tilt switch that causes the device to be operational when in an upright position, and non-operational when the short milk tube is depending downwardly in a non-use condition. The heat transfer coefficients of the apparatus are arranged so as to minimize potential errors in temperature measurement due to wide variation in ambient temperature in a milk parlor.