Abstract: The invention provides an article for grooming an animal and comprising a grooming article of plastics material, the plastics material containing, over at least a portion thereof, at least one insecticide capable of blooming from the article onto the animal when the article is used. The article may be a brush or comb. If desired, only a portion thereof may contain insecticide.

Abstract: A device for controlling the movement of an animal is provided which includes a cone-shaped covering (10) for the animal's head. The covering (10) is made from a collapsible, light-impermeable, durable material. A closed end (11) is constructed to prevent suffocation of the animal when the covering is placed on the animal's head for a relatively short period of time. A rigid member (14) is provided at an open end (12) of the covering (10) to support the end (12) in an open state allowing the animal's head to enter the covering interior and to provide a collar about the shoulders of the animal whereby pressure may be exerted upon the animal to direct the movement of the animal while confined in the covering. A handle or hand hold area (15) is provided so that the user may securely grasp the rigid member (14) to manipulate the device.

Abstract: An improved animal enclosure including a pair of adjacent transparent panels supported in a frame and which are separately and independently removable for cleaning without requiring removal of the other panel or of the animal. An air filter assembly draws fresh air into the enclosure and filters the air prior to exhausting the air. An improved perch holder compensates for irregularities in tree branches used for animal perches. The bottom tray of the enclosure is removable and replaced with an identical tray which has been treated with grass seed and sunlight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing prosthodontic work comprises a face bow formed from a plate which supports impression styli which, when removed from the patient's head, is incorporated as the upper arm of the dental articulator. At least one, but preferably two, impression receptacles containing impressionable material are detachably secured to a lower face bow in registration with the stylus on the upper face bow to form the impression. Each receptacle is removed from the lower face bow after age hardening of the impression, and is secured to an articulator base at a position which maintains registration between the stylus and the impression formed in the receptacle. The impression formed thus forms a condylar guide hinge for mounting the upper arm of the articulator, preferably the upper face bow to the base, for simulating the condylar movement of a particular patient with respect to dental impressions to be used in forming dental prostheses to be worn by the patient.

Abstract: An animal litter container has a receptacle containing a lower layer of moisture-absorbent material covered by a liquid-permeable upper layer of particulate material which is relatively moisture-impervious. The lower layer may be segregated from the upper layer by a liquid-permeable barrier effective to reduce the emanation of odors from the lower layer.

Abstract: A stirrup stay for adjusting the horizontal angle of a horse saddle stirrup is constructed from a strip of sheet material that is adapted to be received in the space between the inner and outer portions of a stirrup strap and resting in the loop at the bottom of the strap. The strip of sheet material is hand-deformable by twisting to selectively impart the desired degree of twist to the stirrup strap. The strip may be formed from sheet metal having a cushioning coating protecting a majority of the edges. In one embodiment, a sheet metal strip is bent by 180 degrees near its center to bring opposite longitudinal ends together, and the opposite halves of the strip are covered by a sheath of leather, rubber, or other yieldable material. A central portion of the strip near the bend may remain uncovered and is protected, in use, by placement of the stirrup with its pivot pin resting in the bend.

Abstract: The invention comprises a generally rectangular plate and a mounting system so that the plate can be mounted adjacent to and parallel to one wall of a fish containing enclosure, such as an aquarium. An elongated nozzle and water conduit are attached to one edge of the plate. In use, the nozzle directs a curtain of water transversely across the plate within the volume defined by the plate and enclosure wall. Fish are generally attracted to this faster moving water and preferentially move into the volume between the plate and enclosure wall. In an aquarium, this places them in a close up position where they can be easily watched by an observer.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a nipple particularly adapted for feeding liquid to fowl and/or small animals, the nipple including a housing in which is press-fit a relatively thick walled machined metallic 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 a pair of peripheral valve seats and a metallic spherical ball normally resting upon the peripheral valve seats, the first peripheral valve seat is upstream from the second peripheral valve seat and has a diameter less than the diameter of the spherical ball but greater than the diameter of the second peripheral valve seat, a stem defined by a head and a pin, the stem having a concave surface within which is fully seated the spherical ball, and a surface of the insert upstream from the first peripheral valve seat being operative for both centering the metallic ball relative to both the first and second peripheral valve seats and for preventing the est

Abstract: The specification describes a paper-currency vault for use in a vehicle such as a taxi cab for storing paper-currency in excess of a predetermined amount during the normal shift of the taxi cab driver so as to discourage robbery attempts on taxi cab drivers, the vault being formed with a housing adapted to be rigidly secured to a support surface in the vehicle, the housing having a chamber adapted to slidably receive a paper-currency receptacle and a slot opening into the chamber and the receptacle when the receptacle is in a closed position, and a key operated lock for selectively locking the receptacle in its closed position.

Abstract: A device for squirrel-proofing bird feeders includes a flexible covering sheet mounted above or to the upper end of the bird feeder. The sheet is dimensioned and located with respect to the feeder so that when a squirrel attempts to walk on the sheet, the sheet will flex and bend downwardly under the influence of the squirrel's weight. The squirrel will slide off the sheet and with no means or opportunity to grab onto any portion of the sheet or the feeder which it covers.

Abstract: A constant feed supplying device having a desired number of flow paths for supplying a feed to a desired number of cages. A discharge port is operatively connected to a feed hopper for transferring the feed introduced into the flow path towards a discharge port and continuously dropping the feed through the discharge port. The discharge port includes a rotary disk mounted for rotation in a sliding contact with the bottom of the flow path. The rotary disk includes a number of through holes provided at suitable intervals so that the through holes may be sequentially brought into position over the discharge port during rotation of the disk. Each flow path is provided with a rotary shaft positioned horizontally within the flow path and projecting out of the flow path so as to be operable by a suitable rotary mechanism.

Abstract: An aerator nozzle and system for aerating a body of liquid which includes a combined air and liquid discharge nozzle unit respectively supplied from an air compressor and a liquid pump wherein the nozzle unit includes a liquid discharge nozzle with an air dispersing nozzle therewithin to insure maximum air absorption into the body of liquid to be aerated.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a chamberpot which is used for disposal of excrement from domestic pets such as cats, dogs and the like that are daily kept in the inside of rooms or of a house, which chamberpot being provided with a filling member wherein particular materials are contained that can cover an offensive odor of pets' excrement or mix aromatic compounds with the odor to overwhelm the same, or that can emit such a smell as incites pets to excrete into the chamberpot. The invention further involves a scoop to enable pet-keepers to dispose of their pets' excrement from the chamberpot without getting their hands dirty by directly touching the excrement.

Abstract: A device for the amusement of pets (and in particular cats) includes a flat horizontal base and a post secured to the base adjacent its periphery which extends upwardly therefrom so that an upper end of the post is positioned over and above a central portion of the base. A coiled spring is secured to the upper end of the post and extends upwardly therefrom so that a free outer end of the coiled spring is positioned over and above the central portion of the base. A pet toy aromatized with catnip is attached to the bottom end of a cord, the top end of which is selectively secured to the free outer end of the coiled spring by a suitable fastener. The pet toy is thus resiliently suspended over the base. In addition, the pet toy, post and base all have durable coverings penetrable by pet claws.

Abstract: The present invention is an illuminatable pet leash device. It includes an elongated tube which is non-opaque and which is of sufficient length, strength and flexibility to be used as a pet leash, and a handle and a pet collar attachment mechanism, one each being connected to opposite ends of the tube. In addition, a set of battery operated illumination circuitry of the flashlight type is included, which is located within the handle. There is an on-off switch connected to the set of circuitry, and a light bulb connected to the set of circuitry and connectively positioned with respect to the handle so as to be capable of shining away from the handle and into the tube. Lastly, the device includes at least one bundle of optical fibers contained within the tube, positioned in the light path of the bulb so as to be capable of fiber optic illumination within the tube.

Abstract: An animal pen comprises a plurality of frame members interconnected to provide an animal receiving structure having a front end and a rear end, a door adjacent the rear end for entry of the animal head first into the pen, an advancing means mounted on the main frame for movement forwardly of the frame to engage the rear of the animal to urge the animal forwardly in the structure, a first hydraulic ram to actuate the advancing means mounted between the advancing means and the main frame, and a yoke comprising a pair of closure members mounted in the frame for movement forwardly and inwardly of the frame to close around a front of the animal, and a linkage between the closure members, a second hydraulic ram between the linkage and the main frame to actuate the closure members.

Abstract: A poultry-harvester 10 (FIG. 1) for use in a poultry house comprises two contra-rotating rotors 12, 13 arranged side by side with the flexible fingers 20 of each rotor abutting and/or intermeshing with the fingers 20 of the other rotor. In operation, as the harvester is driven towards the birds to be harvested, the two rotors are rotated in opposite directions to one another so that the fingers 20 co-operate to carry birds between the two rotors and deposit them on the conveyor belt 45.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus is provided for dispensing dry granular feed directly into a hog's mouth. The apparatus comprises a supply conduit, an elongated feed tube, an auger positioned within said feed tube, and an electric motor or pawl and ratchet mechanism for rotating the auger. A lever is positioned near the outlet of the feed tube, the dimensions and spacing of the lever and feed tube outlet being such as to permit engulfment by the hog's mouth. When the roof of the hog's mouth depresses the lever, the auger is activated to deliver feed.

Abstract: Apparatus for sustained dispensation of a chemical agent exteriorally of an animal, the chemical agent being such as a pesticide, insect repellent, or other pharmacological agent and being contained in a closed vial, including apparatus for retaining the vial on the exterior of an animal's body and an element forming a part of the vial for sustained minute release of the chemical agent.

Abstract: A device is used to repair a damaged entrance to a birdhouse and to provide a new entrance into a birdhouse. The device includes a body having first and second oppositely facing spaced-apart surfaces with first surface being sufficiently large to cover the damage entrance to the birdhouse. An aperture extending through the body between the first and second surfaces. The body is attachable proximate the damaged entrance such that the first surface covers the damaged entrance and the aperture defines a new entrance into the birdhouse.