Abstract: An animal self-care device including a base, at least one base rubbing surface disposed on the base for contact by an animal, and at least one arm having first and second ends. The second end of the arm is pivotally attached to the base to pivot among a stored position and a deployed position. At least one arm rubbing surface is disposed on the arm for contact by an animal.

Abstract: A planter includes a concave container and a separate rim, both formed from a thermoplastic material. The container has a brim extending radially outward from an upper portion of the container. A vertical wall extends upward from the brim and has exterior flanges and grooves formed on its outer surface. The rim has a top wall with outer and inner side walls extending downward from its edges. Interior flanges and grooves formed on the inner surface of the outer rim wall are configured to engage the exterior flanges and grooves on the outer surface of the container vertical wall such that the rim can be secured onto the upper end of the container. The upper surface of the brim of the container comprises a stop inward of the vertical wall such that when the rim is advanced onto the upper end of the container, a lower portion of the inner rim wall confronts the stop to inhibit further advancement.

Abstract: A miniature size bird feeder that includes a feed holder; a cap or cover over the feed holder; means for releasably attaching the cap or cover to the feed holder and an attachment means for supporting the feed holder.

Abstract: An animal carrier comprising: a housing connected with a base to form a cavity wherein an animal can be contained in said cavity. The base is adapted to float on water and to be moved over water. The base has a top and bottom. The top has a top area and the bottom has a bottom area. In an option, the top area is greater than or equal to the bottom area. The carrier can be used to transport pets over water, such as in emergencies.

Abstract: A gripping device (10, 10?) for a milking unit (12, 12?) provided with a manifold (14, 62), a pulse tube (16, 64), shells and teat-cups to be connected to the udders of the animal, the gripping device applied to a terminal portion of the pulse tube (16, 64) connected to the manifold (14, 62), said device comprising means for a firm, safe and ergonomic grip and means for a quick replacement and maintenance of the unit or components thereof.

Abstract: A device catering for the dietary needs of animals. Feed is stored in a hopper and distributed at intervals to the animal's feeding receptacle via an internal dispensing mechanism using a flexible rotor sealing against the walls of a housing to both meter the feed and seal against contamination. The quantities and delivery times may be set by the user. An optional weighting system can be provided to increase accuracy of delivered feed amounts. Optionally, the device may include a water delivery system. Water is provided by a plumbed domestic connection and is available to the animal at all times, except during the automatic change cycle. A pump is utilized to change the water several times a day, in an attempt to remove any contaminants that may affect the water quality that is required to be dispensed.

Abstract: A gas release device that includes a reservoir of pressurised gas and a passageway from said reservoir to an outlet. There is an elastic gas permeable membrane in the passageway that allows gas release only via the membrane. A gas impermeable member is provided in the passageway that includes an interface positioned to contact said gas permeable membrane. Displacement of the gas permeable membrane is responsive to the pressure of the gas in the reservoir such that there is a greater interfacial contact between the gas impermeable member and the gas permeable membrane at a higher gas pressure than at lower pressure to thereby vary the exposed cross sectional area of the permeable membrane available to the flow in an inverse relationship to pressure.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.

Abstract: A multi-action fishing lure includes a buoyant head section, a tail section, a joint, and a lip. The head section includes a front surface and an opposing rear surface. The tail section includes a lip that protrudes from a forward region of the tail section. The front surface includes a recessed region, and also includes a line connection device extending from the recessed region. A joint flexibly couples the head section to the tail section. The fishing lure can be retrieved to generate multiple different actions.

Abstract: An attachment and method for a fence system to prevent a pet from escaping a fenced comprising at least one first support member adapted to be attached substantially horizontally to at least a portion of the fence system, a plurality of second support members adapted to be attached substantially vertically to the at least one first support member, and a plurality of inserts adapted to be received within the plurality of second support members. Each of the plurality of inserts is capable of extending out of a lower portion of the each of the plurality of second support members upon digging the fenced area by the pet animal such that the extended plurality of inserts block the dug area to prevent the pet animal from escaping the fenced area.

Abstract: A head cover for a jig fishing lure or combination jig and rotating member fishing lure is disclosed which can prevent a fish from directly contacting the hard, weighted jig head of the fishing lure. The head cover can be permanently attached to the fishing lure or it can be a separate removable member. The head cover can combine a soft, elastomeric membrane along with one or more fish-attracting elements. The head cover can also include a flat surface to orient the jig fishing lure at a different angle when resting on the bottom underwater surface.

Abstract: A motorized cat toy having a suspended teaser toy at the end of a detachable stretchable string connected to a flexible swing arm biased against a waveguide within a housing having a programmable electronic control, a gearbox with meshing gears including one spur gear on the rotor of the motor to provide control of the teaser toy movement to include a twitch and other erratic movements pleasing to a cat.

Abstract: A bed bug monitor includes a base and a central housing. The central housing is insulated and encloses a supply of solid carbon dioxide. During use an aperture in the housing releases a plume of carbon dioxide vapor which attracts bed bugs onto the base.

Abstract: A remote controlled fishing line bobber includes an elongate bobber shell floatable in a body of water and defining an interior compartment. An elongate connecting rod extends generally axially through the bobber shell from a leading end to a trailing end of the shell portion. The connecting rod includes a pair of attachment components disposed proximate respective ends of the rod and exteriorly of the shell for attaching the rod to respective segments of fishing line. A battery powered propulsion device is mounted to the lower shell portion. A receiving unit mounted on the compartment senses wireless propulsion signals transmitted by a remote control unit and a controller directs the propulsion device to drive the bobber through the water in accordance with the transmitted signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrocution and disposal of pests includes a reusable power source and a low cost disposable container. The reusable power source includes batteries and a circuit to provide a high voltage and low current signal through external leads to the disposable container, to electrocute small pests without presenting a risk to humans or pets. The disposable container is constructed from low cost material, for example, cardboard, and may be packaged for sale in a flat foldable state, and easily configured into a container with a floor including conducting surfaces connected to the external leads. In one embodiment, the conducting surfaces are formed of a conducting material formed or glued on the floor of the disposable container and the conducting material further forms internal leads reaching to a male connector surface configured to cooperate with a female connector of the external leads.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for providing water to livestock during transport in a trailer that is being towed behind a vehicle. In the disclosed embodiments, each stall of the trailer is equipped with one or more transferable animal transport watering assemblies that allows each animal to have their own on-demand access to water. Each watering assembly is releasably mounted with a quick release bracket and quick-connect pressurized water supply, facilitating easy transfer of the watering assembly to an external mount point on the trailer so that the animals have continued access to the water supply when the trailer is parked.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a greenhouse comprising outside walls provided with translucent surfaces (2) such that light may be received into the greenhouse (3) from at least two geographical directions, a roof structure (7) and a roof (6) provided with an insulating material portion. The invention is characterized in that the outside walls, in connection with the translucent surfaces (2), are provided with a light reflecting yard structure which resides below the translucent surfaces (2), above a ground surface (50), and extending away from the outside wall. The greenhouse (3) may further comprise vertically positioned light reflecting surface elements (40) and light reflecting shade elements (44) movable in a direction parallel with the transparent surfaces (2).

Abstract: An animal excrement disposal sheet that can reduce an area of excrement diffusing on a surface of the sheet. The animal excretion disposal sheet includes a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent layer disposed between the top sheet and the back surface sheet that includes a water absorbent resin and a hydrophilic fiber, in which the absorbent layer further includes a hydrophobizing agent having a higher affinity to the hydrophilic fiber than to the water absorbent resin.

Abstract: For the milking of animals, in particular cows, in a milking installation comprising a plurality of milking places, a method and a device are proposed wherein the milk yields extracted during a milking session at some milking places or the characteristics corresponding to the milk yields are determined and evaluated and in particular compared with prognoses as to milk yield or characteristics. These measures allow on the one hand that sufficiently accurate data are provided for herd management while on the other hand the investment cost for a milking installation are reduced.

Abstract: Termite foods mixed together in a matrix suitable to be used as baits and attractants for termites are provided. They comprise cellulose, naphthalenic compounds, water and potentially other termite-preferred nutrients. Methods of monitoring the presence of termites using such matrices and methods of controlling termites using such matrices to deliver termite toxins are also provided.