Abstract: A litter and litter making method producing cat litter from a carbohydrate starch-containing cereal grain, e.g., corn, based admixture extruded from a single screw or twin screw extruder forming pellets having a clumping agent formed during extrusion composed at least in part of carbohydrate polymer binder. Each pellet is extruded under conditions that cause formation of carbohydrate polymer binder clumping agent at least some of which is water soluble. One preferred method of extruding cat litter causes starch dextrinization to occur such that at least some of the carbohydrate polymer binder clumping agent in each pellet is formed of dextrin. Each pellet can be coated such as with a smectite that preferably is bentonite. During use, pellet extrusion formed clumping agent in a pellet wetted with urine dissolves and flows in between and along adjacent pellets causing them to clump together without the presence of any clumping agent additive.

Abstract: A pet dish assembly, including a base, a vertical support member extending upwardly from the base, at least one ladle slidingly secured to a top surface of the vertical support member, the ladle comprising an arcuate handle at a first end and a bowl at a second end.

Abstract: A disposable diaper to be fit around the waist of the pet, having: a rear-side waist area; a stomach-side waist area; a crotch area; end sections in the diaper longitudinal direction; end sections in a diaper longitude-intersecting direction; a tail insertion opening; an absorbent core; an area not having the absorbent core arranged therein; an attachment section in the stomach-side waist area; an attachment area that receives the attachment section; and an expandable/contractible elastic member for a leakage-prevention sheet arranged, in an extended state, in the leakage-prevention sheet. The expandable/contractible elastic member is arranged in a prescribed area in the diaper longitudinal direction, between the absorbent core and the end section in the diaper longitude-intersecting direction. A standing-up section in which the end section in the diaper longitudinal direction stands up is formed as a result of the contraction of the expandable/contractible elastic member for the leakage-prevention sheet.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a milk conduit, a milk conduit device, a milk-receiving member and a milking member, wherein a milk conduit includes a first end portion for connection to a milk-receiving member, the first end portion including an inner sleeve section made of a first material and an outer sleeve section joined to the inner sleeve section and made of a second material, which is more rigid than the first material, and the outer sleeve section includes an outer peripheral surface and at least one projection extending outwardly from the outer peripheral surface, the projection having a peripheral extension of less than 180°, and engaged by a coupling member on the milk-receiving member.

Abstract: A modular planting system which includes: an outer planter box having at least one side and being completely open at a top and open at a bottom of the outer planter box; an inner planter box having at least one side and a porous bottom and being completely open at a top of the inner planter box, the inner planter box being sized to fit within the outer planter box such that when the inner planter box is inserted within the outer planter box, a top edge of the at least one side of the inner planter box is at least at a same height as a top edge of the at least one side of the outer planter box; wherein the outer planter box and inner planter box comprise a first module of the modular planting system.

Abstract: A fixing device for endotracheal intubation of rodents is provided. The fixing device includes: a bed configured to place a rodent thereon; a support member attached to an upper end portion of the bed in a transversely movable manner and supporting a gas supply pipe through which an anesthetic gas is supplied to the nose of the rodent; and a fastening member configured to fix the support member to the upper end portion of the bed after an end portion of the gas supply pipe is aligned with the nose of the rodent.

Abstract: A method of improving wear tolerance of desirable plants and reducing weed pressure involves periodically applying mechanical abrasion to the desirable plants and the undesirable plants, wherein the level of mechanical abrasion is selected to be damaging to the undesirable plants and substantially within the wear tolerance of the desirable plants. The desirable plants may include turfgrasses and/or forage grasses. The mechanical abrasion may be applied by a rotating cylindrical brush with bristles engaging a base having a plurality of grooves. In one example, the period of applying mechanical abrasion is about once per week.

Abstract: A retractable pet leash assembly includes a housing, a spool, a leash and a braking assembly. The spool is disposed inside the housing and biased by a spring and includes braking notches. The leash is wound about the spool. The braking assembly includes a pawl, a pawl spring and an operating member. The pawl selectively engages the braking notches, the pawl spring biases the pawl towards engagement with the spool. The operating member moves the pawl between first and second positions to move the pawl into and out of the path of the braking notches. The operating member has a pawl non-engaged position in which the pawl is in the first position, a first pawl engaged position in which the pawl is in the second position, and a second pawl engaged position in which the operating member is retained while the pawl is in the second position.

Abstract: The invention discloses a stagger stacked flowerpot, which is characterized in that: the stagger stacked flowerpot is comprised of a flowerpot body, in which a soil baffle is provided to divide the flowerpot body into a plant and compost space and a water storage space; the soil baffle is provided with a water groove, which effectively separates the irrigated water from the soil. The invention has the advantages as simple structure, preferable rigidity, security, stability, reliability, convenient plantation, low construction and maintenance cost, fast irrigation and easy control thereof, and water-soil separation, and is suitable for building masonry walls, commercial spaces, residences and so on.

Abstract: A pet grooming assembly is provided having a table top, a support frame, a blower motor, and a light source. The table top is used to support a pet being groomed thereon, whereby the pet is maintained by a grooming arm and grooming loop extending above the table top. The blower motor is supported under the table top and connects to a conduit and a manifold. The manifold is disposed along the lower surface of the table top and directs air through a plurality of outlets extending through the table top. The outlets direct air upwards and towards the pet standing on the table top for drying purposes. Additionally, the light sources are integrated within the table top and are disposed below a transparent upper surface thereof. In one configuration, strips of LEDs are provided and used to project light upwards from the table top for inspection of the pet.

Abstract: A pet toy incorporates distinct materials having differing elastomeric features and others. The pet toy has an inner member and an outer shell that covers selected portions of the inner member such that an exposed exterior surface of the toy includes both portions of the inner member and outer shell. The inner member is more elastic or compressible as compared to the outer shell that is stiffer or more resilient. Yet, the outer shell still maintains an elastomeric response to contact. A noise making device may be mounted within an interior chamber of the outer shell. The inner member has a central opening to receive the chamber housing that interlocks the inner member and outer shell. Exposed portions of the inner member may be flush with the outer surface of the outer shell or may protrude beyond the exterior surface.

Abstract: A pet mat having a bottom for contacting a support surface, the bottom having a bottom peripheral edge and a top having a top peripheral edge. The bottom peripheral edge and top peripheral edge are joined to define the shape of the pet mat and to enclose a fill material therein, the top facing away from the bottom for receiving a pet utilizing the pet mat. The top includes a backing layer joined to the top peripheral edge and a plurality of fabric layers, each being at least partially joined to the top peripheral edge, a first of the fabric layers having an edge unattached to the top peripheral edge creating a flap sized to enable a domestic cat to be received between the first fabric layer and backing layer and at least one of the fabric layers being a scratcher surface.

Abstract: This manual and localized weeding apparatus (1) comprises a heat generator (4) which is attached to a rod (2). The heat generator (4) comprises a fan and a heating resistor projecting a hot air jet (J1) into an inner volume (V5) of a bell (5) provided with a free edge (551) for supporting the apparatus (1) on the ground. According to the invention, the bell (5) is provided with at least one hole for discharging an air jet (J2) from the inner volume (V5) of the bell (5). The hole is separated from the free edge (551) by a distance of more than 2 cm.

Abstract: An interactive device for animals is provided, including a main body, a circuit module, a video/audio transceiver, a driving module, a first pusher, and a first communicating member, wherein the circuit module, the video/audio transceiver, and the driving module are disposed on the main body, and the video/audio transceiver and the driving module are electrically connected to the circuit module. The main body has a recess and an opening. The first pusher is movably disposed in the recess and connected to the driving module. The first communicating member communicates the recess with the opening. When the driving module drives the first pusher to protrude from an inner wall of the recess, the first pusher pushes an object in the recess into the first communicating member, and the object leaves the main body through the opening.

Abstract: An animal warming enclosure which is suitable for enclosing large animals, such as newborn calves, and protecting them during inclimate weather. The enclosure can be mounted on a vehicle, such as a truck, and the animal will be transported while other chores are completed. The animal will remain warm and can be returned to an appropriate location, such as a barn, when the chores are completed. The enclosure is fluidically connected to the exhaust system of the vehicle so that warm exhaust is used to provide heat for the enclosure.

Abstract: An incubation tray is disclosed, including an enclosure with a plurality of egg placements for carrying eggs for incubation within an egg incubator. The incubation tray includes a tester unit including plurality of inspection modules in the enclosure associated with the plurality of egg placements. The inspection modules, each includes radiation emitter(s) and sensor(s), and are configured and operable for respectively inspecting the plurality of eggs located in the egg placements, by irradiating the eggs with radiation from a lateral side of the eggs and measuring a radiation response coming in response to the irradiation from a lateral side of the eggs, giving rise to measured data indicative of conditions of the eggs. The measured data may be processed to determine dynamic and static parameters of the radiation response from which a physiological development stage, and growth of the embryos within the eggs can be estimated.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for an aquaponics, and greenhouse system, includes a solar greenhouse with north, east and west sides insulted and with glazing on a south side angled to maximize winter sunlight, and housing a fish tank with grow beds, and a hard filter filtering water from the fish tank coupled thereto, and including a stilling well inside of a solids collection chamber receiving water from a hard filter geyser pump, and with filter media sections of varying coarseness for providing mechanical filtration therearound, including coarser and finer media section from a bottom to a top of the solids collection chamber, a with air stones on top, and with aquatic plants including algae, and/or Duckweed, providing biological filtration growing on a water surface thereabove. A sponge filter receives overflow water from the aquatic plants and with an output thereof provided to the fish tank.

Abstract: A seed label including a label layer removably attached to a clear film layer by an adhesive layer, and at least one seed disposed between the label layer and clear film layer. The label layer may be made of a biodegradable material. The adhesive layer may be a dry release-clean release adhesive layer. The label layer may include water-based ink printing thereon. The adhesive layer may be a water-based adhesive. The seed label may be removably affixed to a package. The seed label may be disposable in a container for germinating the seeds. A method of manufacturing a seed label, includes providing a label layer, automatically placing at least one seed on one side of the label layer, and automatically attaching the label layer to a clear film layer by an adhesive layer, with the seed disposed between the label layer and clear film layer.

Abstract: An electrically powered infrared based thermal weed control system. A housing has a downwardly facing chamber. At least one electrically powered infrared heating element is mounted within the chamber. A source of electrical power is electrically coupled to the electrically powered infrared heating element. A control assembly varies the electrical power to the electrically powered infrared heating elements and the heat generated for controlling undesired vegetation there adjacent using targeted infrared radiation emitted by the electrically powered infrared heating element.

Abstract: A teatcup liner includes a head defining a mouthpiece, a barrel with an upper barrel joined to a lower barrel, an outlet portion that extends downward from the lower barrel co-operates with the shell of the teat cup. In a relaxed state, the barrel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape, with the lower barrel having a flexibility for closing during the liner collapse phase of the milking operation greater than a flexibility of the upper barrel such that corner portions of the lower barrel are weaker than the corner portions of the upper barrel thereby assuring the lower barrel collapses first to create an upward wave movement of the lower barrel towards the upper barrel that securely collapses the upper barrel onto the teat to provide an enhanced teat massage and relieve congestion in the teat tissue.