Abstract: This invention provides a safety spur which provides the rider a warning of a potentially dangerous foot position while riding a horse. The spur has a tilt sensor, a radio transmitter, and a radio receiver. Optionally, a 3 axis gyroscope may be used in place of a tilt sensor.

Abstract: A device for protecting the skin of an animal from damage, abrasion and/or moisture is provided. A first version includes an elastic element attached to a pair of protective sheets. The elastic element in combination with the protective sheets encircles an animal limb proximate to a hock, wherein the protective sheets are positioned over the hock. One or more protective sheets may be partially curved to form a cup shape for at least partially enclosing the hock. A moisture absorbent material may be attached to and disposed between the skin of the animal limb and both the elastic sheet and the protective sheets. The absorbent material may be a wicking material, such as a moisture wicking fleece. The protective sheet may optionally be asymmetric as positioned about a sagittal plane central to the hock.

Abstract: In order to artificially produce a honeycomb that is equivalent to honeycomb that honeybees produce in a natural environment, an artificial honeycomb is provided of which at least one pair of facing walls among the six walls configuring each honeycomb cell is formed in an inclined manner such that the gap between the two expands from the floor end of the walls towards the opening, and the floor plates and the walls are formed from a polylactic acid resin.

Abstract: A recirculating pet fountain that includes a basin, pump and discharge where water pumped out the discharge is either received by an overflow tube and/or conveyed by a bridge toward water in the basin including into the tube. The bridge can include a channel and be configured so at least some discharged water clings to its underside via surface tension as water flows toward the basin. The tube has a mouth which can receive water from the bridge that can be free falling water that overflows from the tube into the basin. The tube can include one or more discharge ports that can include flow directors that help direct flow of water received in the tube that overflows out the ports. The tube can be length extensible and can include a flow adjuster that can increase effective tube length and can block one or more ports.

Abstract: The fish culturing system includes a culture tank for raising fish, a multi-stage filter system to clean the water in the culture tank, and an air manifold supplying air to the whole system. A water return manifold substantially surrounds the upper portion of the culture tank and a waste output manifold substantially surrounds the lower portion of the culture tank. Water flowing through the water return manifold exits through a plurality of openings into the culture tank and an air diffuser assembly aerates and induces opposing flows in the water in the culture tank. Waste material in the culture tank is drawn through the waste output manifold and directed through the multi-stage filter system to remove solid waste and reduce toxic levels of ammonia. At least one clean-out port communicates with the water return manifold and the waste output manifold for respective cleaning. An adjustable overflow pipe regulates water levels.

Abstract: A highly absorbent PVA/starch towel cools an animal through the process of evaporative cooling. The towel is textured with indentations. A ridge extends along the crest of the towel. Water is applied to and absorbed by the towel. The towel is held to the animal with elastic straps, which allow the towel to be flapped periodically while fastened to the animal. Periodic flapping brings more absorbed liquid to the towel surface to facilitate continued evaporative cooling.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to pet ramp/step devices and associated methods, including a frame supporting at least one platform member. The at least one platform member includes a riser and a runner which are movable between a ramp mode configuration and a step mode configuration. The frame further includes a telescoping handle which is extendable relative to the frame based on a height of the supporting structure against which the telescoping handle is positioned. The frame includes a frame hinge for folding the frame into a folded position and a frame locking mechanism for locking the frame in the folded position. The riser fixedly supports the runner against a pair of riser supports of the frame when positioned in the step mode. The runner is further supported by the pair of riser supports when positioned in the ramp mode.

Abstract: The shrimp culturing system includes a culturing tank and a clarifier tank. A plurality of shrimp cubes are suspended in the culture tank by set pairs of support bars. Each shrimp cube includes a plurality of stacked frames set at predetermined intervals. Each frame supports a mesh therein providing living space for the shrimp, and each stack is interconnected by ropes, which connect to the support bars to be suspended thereby. The shrimp cubes provide maximal space for culturing shrimp. The waste water from the culture tank cycles into the clarifier tank, which nurtures a biofloc to consume the waste and assimilate nitrogen, thereby producing their own waste that can be consumed by the shrimp. Excess solid waste drains via a solids removal manifold, and clarified water is airlifted back into the culture tank. A post-larval tank can be stacked onto the clarifier tank to introduce new batches of shrimp.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for growing plants hydroponically. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of containers each having a supply and a drain positioned above the supply. Methods of growing plants hydroponically in individual containers are also provided.

Abstract: Materials and Methods for lysing a strain of Paenibacillus larvae that is not P. larvae 2605, including methods for providing to an environment of a bee hive infected with the strain of P. larvae a lysing phage that also lyses with P. larvae 2605.

Abstract: A thermal treatment of bee colonies to ensure death of bee parasites in an interior of a hive frame superstructure through transformation of short wave electromagnetic radiation to long wave thermal radiation, where an efficient temperature increase above the value of 40° C. is done by the help of a secondary thermal energy and/or a primary thermal energy when sunrays or a generated radiation permeate through a thermosolar lid on an active surface of a photo-absorbent component and/or go through a transparent screen into the interior of the hive frame superstructure and land on an active photo-absorbent layer of a thermo solar frame. Also described is construction of a device for pursuance of a thermal treatment of bee colonies. Other implementations are also described.

Abstract: A pet chew toy comprises a layer of animal product about a core.

Abstract: A tray for positioning in an exit path of a bee hive comprises a base, a bee entrance end, and a bee exit end. Spaced apart side walls extend upwardly from the base. The sidewalls extend generally lengthwise between the bee entrance end and bee exit end. A plurality of posts extend upwardly from the base and are positioned between the bee entrance end and the bee exit end. The posts are generally circular in cross-section. The posts act as obstacles around which the bees must walk to reach the bee exit end from the bee entrance end.

Abstract: A grooming device includes hair collectors and a scraper. The scraper uncovers the hair collectors when the device is pressed down for use, and scrapes the hair collectors to eject hair collected when the device is released. Ejection of collected hair can also be controlled manually. A collection chamber may be provided, and multiple combs may be mounted on a rotatable dowel that recede within the rotatable barrel, or with sliding plates around and offset from the dowel as the dowel is rotated. A door or window on a surface of the collection chamber can be opened to empty the chamber of collected hair.

Abstract: A horse halter has a combination of straps and ropes configured to provide comfort for the horse and control to the trainer. Halter includes a poll strap extending over the poll of the horse, a pair of cheek straps extending along the cheeks of the horse, a nose rope having knots extending over the bridge of the horses nose, a chin rope extending below the horse's chin, a throat rope and a snap member coupled together extending below the horse's throat, and a lower jaw rope extending forwardly from the throat rope having a slide ring fixed attached at a front end for slidably receiving the chin rope.

Abstract: An animal feeder constructed of an open top feed bin with a bumper secured to the top edge of the bin. The bumper has a wide rounded or beveled top edge to discourage animals from chewing on it. A horizontal slot in the side of the bumper is provided to admit an open work panel to be inserted through the slot and into the open top of the bin. Once within the bin, the panel rest on the feed contained within the bin. Openings provided with the panel allow an animal to access the feed. The openings can be custom sized. The panel can be removed from the bin via the slot so that the bin can be refilled with feed. An optional cover can be attached to the top of the bumper to protect the feed from the weather or to prevent access to the feed by animals.

Abstract: A slightly puffed, low density, moisture-adsorbing and odor-absorbing additive that can readily remove undesirable odors from a confined space is produced from re-purposed spent carbon materials obtained from other processes. The product is particularly suitable as an addition to animal litters and the like with possible uses in human applications. An aspect of the method includes a step of extruding a spent carbon mixture, optionally containing diatomaceous earth to obtain the additive. Also disclosed are de-germinated corn flour, of grits, that aid process flow and can serve as a substrate for the spent carbon materials.

Abstract: Feeding dishes and methods of feeding a subject are provided. One aspect of the invention provides a feeding dish including: a freezable dish adapted to receive food and a base adapted to receive the freezable dish. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for feeding a subject. The method includes: providing a feeding dish including a freezable dish adapted to receive food and a base adapted to receive the freezable dish, cooling the freezable dish, placing the food in the freezable dish, and placing the freezable dish in the base.

Abstract: In one example, a saddle for an animal contains a tree assembly. The tree assembly includes a center support intended to run substantially parallel to an animal's spine when the saddle is in use, a first hinge associated with a first end of the center support that defines a first axis, the first axis being perpendicular to a first portion of the center support, and a first transverse support associated with the first hinge configured to rotate around the first axis.

Abstract: A pet proximity opened food dish device opens a pet food dish for a specific pet. The device includes a bowl having an interior space configured for holding pet food. A lid is positionable between an open position providing access to the interior space and a closed position wherein the lid inhibits access to the interior space. An actuator is coupled to the bowl and the lid. The actuator selectively positions the lid in the closed position and the open position. A remote transmitter is coupled to a pet and a sensor is coupled to the bowl. The sensor detects when the remote transmitter is within a threshold distance from the bowl. The actuator is communicatively coupled to the sensor wherein the actuator positions the lid in the open position when the remote transmitter is within the threshold distance from the bowl.