Abstract: A pet litter box, including a device for locking the box after it has been used and re-closed, is formed from a single foldable blank. When the box is closed or re-closed it has inter-laying first and second halves, each having bottom and sidewall portions. The halves are connected to one another by a joining portion, and joining sidewalls. Each of the sidewalls of the first half carries a tab. The sidewall portions of the second half each define a diagonal crease, and the pair of joining side-wall portions each define a diagonal crease and a pair of vertical creases. When the box is fully open its first, second and joining portions define an open tray. After the system has been used the box can be re-closed and locked. During re-closing the joining sidewall portions and the two sidewalls of the second half all fold inwardly at their creases, thereby forming a pair of slots between the pairs of creases on each side.

Abstract: The invention provides a laying nest for domestic fowl with automatic egg collection. The nest includes a housing consisting of a substantially horizontal, at least in part substantially cylindrical drum-like structure provided with a window-like opening extending at least along a portion of its length, a rotatable rake-like member provided with a tine portion comprised of a plurality of tines and located inside the housing in substantially parallel, but eccentric relationship with the axis thereof, the tine portion, when rotating, sweeping out a layer of the housing interior corresponding in depth to the length of the tines, and a counter-rake attached to the housing and having a tine portion comprised of a plurality of inwards-pointing tines, the counter-rake tine portion penetrating the path of sweep of the rotating tine portion. A method for collecting eggs in an automatic laying nest is also described.

Abstract: Aquatic plants and their entangled roots can be removed from a lake or other body of water by pulling a lake rake out onto the lake, then pulling the lake rake, with a load of plants and their roots, back in to a central collection site on shore. Multi-purpose teeth of this rake are shaped and positioned to glide across the surface of a lake on the outbound trip, to dig below rooted plants on the inbound trip, and to pass over small crevices or uneven joints on a ramp, truck or trailer at the collection site. Embodiments of the invention may be constructed in a variety of sizes from standard size materials that are commercially available, such as aluminum, steel or plastics.