Abstract: A combination liquid container and pet drinking bowl in which the bowl is formed of a plastic sheet secured to the container. The sheet may be flexed into two distinct positions. In a first stored position, the sheet is form-retaining and lies against a portion of the container. In a second operative position, the sheet provides a form-retaining bowl extending longitudinally from the container and may be filled with liquid from said container.

Abstract: An ergonomic horse/animal feeder adapted for receiving a lower portion and jaw of two or more horse heads in a natural headset. The feeder is angular in shape and includes a horizontal bottom, a backside, an ergonomic feed front side, a first side and an opposite second side. A curved lip is disposed around a top of the angular sides. The backside is angled upwardly and outwardly from the horizontal bottom in a range of 60 to less than 90 degrees from the horizontal. A lower portion of the feed front side of the feeder is angled upwardly in a range of 60 to less than 90 degrees from the horizontal. An upper portion of the feed front side is angled upwardly and outwardly in a range of 30 to 60 degrees from the horizontal. This upward and outward angle of the feed front side allows the lower portion of the horse's head and jaw to be received inside the feeder for feeding in the natural headset.

Abstract: A self-cleaning pet litter box has a conveyor to incrementally transport clumped litter material and solid pet waste to a waste receptacle. The conveyor has one end configured to extend into a pet litter container of the self-cleaning litter box and an opposite exit end. The conveyor is configured for reciprocating movement to lift the clumped litter material and solid pet waste from below, transport it some distance along the conveyor, place the material down again, return to its original position, and repeat the motion again to incrementally move the material along the conveyor toward the exit end for subsequent disposal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the risk that a thrown toy will injure an animal. The apparatus consists of a toy which when thrown bounces erratically, which compressively elastically deforms, which includes a soft fabric outer surface that compresses to absorb blows, and which can withstand being bitten or chewed by a dog.

Abstract: A trolling apparatus and method of use are provided. According to one aspect, a trolling apparatus includes a frame including an upper line guide positioned toward a rear portion of the frame and operable to engage a fishing line during a release state and a lower line guide coupled to the rear portion of the frame and operable to engage the fishing line during a retained state. The apparatus further includes a line retainer operable to be coupled to a holder aft of the lower line guide and a release mechanism operable to engage a portion of the line retainer to provide the retained state and the released state.

Abstract: A unitized receiver-housing bearing planar collar for a pet wherein the bottom end of the receiver housing is integrally formed with the collar, the bottom perimetrical edge of the receiver housing being oriented substantially parallel to the plane of the collar. The collar is overmolded, free of independent connectors or fasteners, on the receiver housing adjacent the bottom end of the receiver housing such that when the collar is affixed to the neck of a pet, for example, there is established and maintained a pre-selected orientation of the receiver housing relative to the pet.

Abstract: An Adjustable Trolling Device, or dodger, consisting of a flat primary body and configured to be removably attached at one or more points along its edge to a primary fishing line, and at other points on its edge, at least some of which may be substantially opposite to the point where it is affixed to the primary fishing line, to trailing fishing bait, or lures. The device has an attached mounting surface, rotatable through 360°, or a specified range, projecting one or more guiding fins, substantially perpendicular to the rotatable mounting surface. The mounting surface, by its nature, may be rotated to place the guiding fins at alternate desired angles from the leading fishing line, so that movement of the dodger through the water may produce a variety of rotation or roll characteristics of the dodger and, correspondingly, the trailing bait or lures.

Abstract: A breakable odor control additive provides release of fragrance or odor masking scent when present in a litter formulation that is used by a cat or other animal within a litter box. The odor control additive comprises a plurality of fragrant-scented balls. Each of the balls has a central, compressible, porous, open-celled substrate, which is saturated with a fragrant scent. This central, fragrance-saturated substrate is coated with a barrier coating, which prevents evaporation of the fragrance and protects the substrate against deterioration by urine and other contaminants deposited on the litter. When cat or animal enters the litter box, a load is applied to the fragrant-scented balls. The barrier coating breaks, exposing the fragrant coated substrate. Fragrance evaporating from the substrate provides odor control and a pleasant scent.

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 automated cat litter box comprising self-scooping mechanisms on a scooping carriage assembly at one end of a litter pan. The scooping carriage contains therein a waste drawer having a removable tray covered in lining. The tray travels with the carriage to the opposing end of the litter so that a grate can flip backwards to shovel collected waste into the waste drawer.

Abstract: Described is an animal waste product notification device for detecting the occurrence of an animal excreting animal waste product at a defined location, containing the waste product such that the animal cannot track the waste product from the defined location, and notifying a local or remote individual of the occurrence. The animal waste product notification device includes a grate, a bin, and a notification device. The grate includes a detector that is responsive to fluidic animal waste product such that when the waste product passes through apertures defined by the grate, the detector generates a detection signal. When the detector generates the detection signal, the notification device notifies a user of the animal waste product notification device. The bin defines a receptacle that receives the waste product after it passes through the grate.

Abstract: A decoy fin has a unitary body divided into at least three generally planar sections. These sections combine to form a generally helical surface which, when submerged in fluid moving relative thereto, will generate cyclical oscillatory movement. In one manifestation, the decoy fin is coupled through one tether line to an avian decoy such as a duck or goose decoy, and is coupled through a second tether line to an anchor. Consequently, when the combination anchor, decoy fin, decoy and tether lines are immersed in moving water, such as a stream or river, the decoy fin is operative to move the decoy therewith through an oscillatory pattern. The decoy fin is adaptable to application to a number of different types and sizes of avian decoys, and may also be readily adapted for use with fishing lures or for other decoys.

Abstract: An animal caging system has a plurality of stackable support trays with integral water supply conduits to supply water sequentially to each cage and eliminate any channels of stagnant water. Each support tray includes a vertical support member that engages the vertical support members of adjacent support trays in a stacked relationship, and a number of cage docking stations arranged around the vertical support member. The vertical support member includes a water supply conduit that extends to each cage docking station of the support tray and has openings in fluid communication with corresponding openings in the water supply conduits of adjacent support trays. In this manner, the water supply conduits of the stacked vertical support members combine to supply water in a single flow path to the cage docking stations on each support tray.

Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes an elongated pan member. The feeder assembly includes first and second fill ports for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. Each fill port provides feed to a separate portion of the base portion of the elongated pan member. The fill ports are defined through an outer grill member having an elongated rim member which is operatively associated with the pan member. First and second drop tube members are associated with the first and second fill ports to direct feed flowing through the fill ports through first and second lower feed gates and onto the pan member. The drop tube members may have brood gates provided therethrough for providing a raised level of feed in the pan member.

Abstract: For the determination of the occupancy of a milking stall by an animal, in particular a cow, in a rotary milking parlor with a plurality of milking stalls which are disposed on a rotatable milking platform, a process is proposed in which the identification of the animal only takes place after it has entered the milking stall in which it is supposed to be milked.

Abstract: A feeder assembly includes a pan and an outer grill which is operatively associated with the pan. The outer grill defines a plurality of apertures therethrough through which birds can eat the feed presented on the pan. First and second inner grills can be rotated to partially mask the apertures through the outer grill in order to effectively change the width of the apertures. The inner grills are connected to one another by interlocking fingers such that rotation of one of the inner grills causes rotation of the other inner grill in the opposite direction. The inner grills are rotated by a dial member which is secured to the outer grill and which, upon rotation thereof between predetermined positions, causes rotation of the one inner grill, which in turn causes rotation of the other inner grill in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes a pan member, which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The feeder assembly also includes at least one fill port for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. The at least one fill port is defined through an outer grill member which is operatively associated with the pan member. Like the pan member, the outer grill member has a rim member which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The outer grill member defines a plurality of apertures therethrough through which birds can eat the feed presented on the base portion of the pan member.

Abstract: A novel pet drying garment includes a top section, a middle section, and a bottom section formed of an absorbent material, and having at least one fastener for securing the bottom section over the lateral edges of the top section. In a particular embodiment, the garment is made of a form fitting cotton towel material, and includes an extended neck section with a collar portion and a pocket for holding a removable anti-odor device. In a more particular embodiment, the garment includes multiple layers or absorbent material, some of which are removable and disposable.

Abstract: A teat cup carrier is designed to be able to co-operate with a feed platform, which teat cup carrier is freely movable relative to the feed platform. The teat cup carrier carries, besides teat cups, further milking elements for milking an animal, the further milking elements including at least a milk storage vessel for storing milk, a milking vacuum source and a pulsation vacuum source. The milk storage vessel is provided with a milk outlet. The freely movable teat cup carrier is in particular a self-propelled (autonomous) mobile teat-cup-carrying robot and comprises a control unit for controlling the functioning of the mobile teat-cup-carrying robot.

Abstract: An animal collar assembly including a wireless receiver, at least one strap and a connection assembly. The at least one strap includes a first end and a second end, and is connected to the wireless receiver. The connection assembly includes an adjustable constraint and a quick release device. The adjustable constraint is adjustably connected between the first end and the second end of the at least one strap. The quick release device is attached proximate to the second end. The quick release device being releasably connectable to the adjustable constraint.