Abstract: An improved intake cup apparatus for use in an automated feeding system of the type utilizing feed supply conduits and feed conveyors providing troughs to present feed to caged poultry and the like. The improved intake cup properly meters and directs feed from the supply conduits to the feed conveyors and assures the conveyors will not become over-filled. The physical structure of the improved intake cup apparatus comprises a cup body having openings formed therein to receive feed from a supply conduit and allow a helical auger-like element of the feed conveyor to pass through the cup body and collect feed therefrom. Collection of feed by the auger-like element as it proceeds through the cup is restricted however, by an open-sleeve member partially surrounding the auger within the cup body and a restrictor plate partially covering the remaining auger access. Certain void areas are also created adjacent the auger and thereby assure overfilling will not occur.

Abstract: The odorless animal litter box of the instant invention includes a box-like container capable of locking in place an absorbent pad structure, which includes a protective screening and a moisture impermeable liner. The protective screening is flexible and formed of strands bonded at their interstices, is substantially inert to urine and capable of withstanding the clawing action of an animal such as a cat. The sheet layer of moisture impermeable material has length and width dimensions at least equal to that of the screen. A sorbtive-desiccant pad is positioned between the screen and the moisture impermeable material and the screen is sealed to moisture impermeable material along at least a substantial portion of their peripheral edges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing aerated water to a tank used for the rearing of aquatic animals. Positioning of the intake posts and exit drains to establish one or more volutes of water which substantially fill the tank provides a self-cleaning tank with reduced areas of inhabitability. The method and apparatus permits tanks to be lengthened without a need to add turbulence to the water. An improved method and apparatus for efficiently maintaining cleanliness and oxygen levels of the water is disclosed as well as a system for energy efficiently maintaining the temperature of the water in the tank.

Abstract: A protective device for limiting access to the inside of a small animal house, such as a birdhouse, including a generally tubular, open-ended body defining a passage therethrough and having attachment members at the inner end thereof adapted to pass through an entrance hole in the wall of the house. The body may have openings in the wall for providing air and light. A locking member is threadably engaged with the outer surface of the body, and is adapted to retain the wall of the house between the locking member and body on one side and the retaining members on the other side, with the free end of the body spaced away from the entrance hole to inhibit access therethrough of animals and birds larger than those for which the house was designed.

Abstract: A collapsible, disposable receptacle for the deposition, containment and disposal of the excrement of house pets is provided, having a frame comprising a tray with a bottom, sides and ends and side panels hingedly attached to the sides of the tray. The frame is enveloped in a flexible sheet adapted to form a collapsible tent supported by free ends of the side panels when extended and spanning therebetween, presenting an opening adjacent to one end of the tray, such that when the side panels are extended an enclosed space is created with an opening for entry and exit of the pet and when the side panels are collapsed the side panels and the flexible sheet form a closure for the tray for storage of unsoiled litter or disposal of soiled litter.

Abstract: Apparatus for mechanical separation of cat solid waste, randomly buried in cat litter, and cat urine saturated litter clump waste from surrounding clean cat litter and mechanically removing the waste to storage, the apparatus including: a support including a waste collection region; a circular housing that is rotatably mounted about its axis on the support over the waste collection region, the housing having an opening in its periphery for passage of a cat when in a first rotational position and for passage of the solid waste and litter clump waste when in a second, downwardly directed, rotational position over the waste storage region; a solid partition extending inwardly from the periphery at a location adjacent to the opening so as to trap litter on the side opposite of the solid partition from the opening when the opening is in the second rotational position; a screen that retains the solid waste and litter clump waste, the screen extending inwardly from the periphery at a location spaced from the solid p

Abstract: A bird perch assembly formed of a bendable tightly wound wire perch formed in the shape of a generally hollow cylinder and further provided with a keeper device such that its potential for lateral elongation is prevented or diminished. Such perch assembly is adapted for replaceable mounting in a wild bird feeder opening such that the perch downwardly bends when a large, that is, a heavy, bird attempts to rest thereon and remains generally straight to support a small, that is, a light, bird resting thereon.

Abstract: Cat litter is packaged and sold in a rectangular carton made of cardboard and having two opposing end flaps and two opposing side flaps. When opened, the flaps form upright side walls and enable the carton to be used as a litter tray. A reusable pastic collar is adapted to slip over the flaps to hold the flaps open and to rigidify the carton during use.

Abstract: Described is an oyster cultch made from coal-ash wastes substantially as effective as the natural oyster-shell cultch.

Abstract: A pet enclosure is provided and consists of a frame, a bottom platform supported on the frame, side, front and rear transparent walls supported by the frame defining a receptacle for a pet and allowing the pet to view therefrom and anyone to view the pet therein, a perforated transparent cover on the frame for containment and venting, a transparent door disposed in the transparent front wall and a latch mechanism for holding the transparent door in a closed position.

Abstract: A water supply apparatus for animals and small pets is provided which allows limited access for selective delivery of discrete amounts of water from a reservoir within the water supply apparatus to an outside trough region wherefrom the animals may drink. The arrangement for transferring the water from the reservoir to the trough may include a paddle wheel having a plurality of fins. The paddle wheel is rotatably mounted about a spindle that is supported across a rectangular slot which connects the trough with the reservoir. Upon pushing the paddle wheel, the pet or animal draws water from the reservoir to the outer trough from which it may drink. The reservoir may extend to a tank located at an elevation substantially above that of the paddle wheel, and the unit may have a flat back for mounting against a wall, and may have a support hook or bracket for securing the water supply in place.

Abstract: An improved mounting bracket for a poultry watering cup comprises a substantially flat body section extending in opposite lateral directions and vertical directions from a holding slot for the watering cup. The body section has opposite upper edges inclined laterally outwardly and vertically upward from the central position of the holding slot, and has a pair of upper hooks each positioned at an upper end of a respective one of the upper edges. The positions of the upper hooks are in an upstream direction from the direction that fluid would flow, thereby preventing the fluid from accumulatng on and corroding the fence to which the hooks are attached.

Abstract: A collar which has the comfort and fit of typical adjustable collars and yet is tightenable under tension and releasable when tension is released so as to provide obedience and control typical of choke collars. The collar includes first and second straps and first and second side mounted side brackets. The first strap is attached at each end thereof to one end of each side bracket and is adapted to extend across the forward portion of the animal's throat. The second strap is attached at a first end to the first side bracket and extends about the rear of the throat of the animal, through the second bracket, across the first strap, again through the first bracket to terminate at a second end thereof in an attachment to the second bracket. A rearwardly directed force on the outermost rear portion of the second strap initiates a sliding of the second strap relative to the first and second brackets and the first strap so as to reduce the diameter of the throat receiving opening defined by the collar structure.

Abstract: An animal feeder includes a tank supported over a feed pan by a plurality of straps projecting radially inwardly from the sidewall of the feed pan. The tank has a funnel portion which directs the feed into a hollow tubular valve which is adjustable to regulate the feed flow to the pan. The tubular valve has cross beams mounted on a hub which is supported on a bearing to allow rotation and thereby agitation of the feed within the valve. A shaft with a threaded lower end corresponds with a threaded aperture in the hub and is supported on a bearing. The shaft is rotatable with respect to the hub to raise and lower the tubular valve with respect to the pan, and thereby regulate the feed flow. A sleeve which surrounds the shaft is affixed to the hub and is engagable to the shaft with a set screw so that the shaft may be engaged to rotate with the sleeve and the tubular valve, thereby allowing agitation of the feed by rotation of the valve without causing any adjustment to the feed flow rate.

Abstract: An enclosure for poultry is described which has a feeding floor with openings to allow the feeding of the poultry housed therein. The enclosure is provided with a partition which is used to change the effective size of the openings through which the birds gain entry to the feed trough. Smaller openings, suitable for small birds and large openings, suitable for larger birds, are thus provided. When not in use, the partition is pivoted to a vertical position, away from the cage floor so that it does not interfere with the movement of the birds.

Abstract: A bird perch formed of a bendable, tightly wound wire formed in a generally hollow cylinder. A first end of the perch is adapted for replaceable mounting in a bird feeder opening, and the body of the perch adapted to downwardly bend when a large, that is, heavy, bird attempts to rest thereon and remain generally straight to support small, that is, light, birds resting thereon. The individual wire windings are closely spaced or touching to prevent the birds' feet from being caught in the spaces therebetween.

Abstract: A storage and dispensing apparatus for dry or liquid pet food of the type including a serving tray and a generally cylindrical storage container detachably secured to the tray so as to extend axially thereabove. The tray is provided with a generally circular opening for receiving the bottom of the storage container, and a flange projects radially into the opening. The flange is interrupted over a predetermined circumferential arc. The bottom of the storage container has a skirt portion that flairs downwardly and outwardly and has an outside diameter which is larger than the inside diameter of the interrupted flange. On the flaired skirt, a pair of diametrically opposed lugs project radially outwardly and each lug has a circumferential dimension which is smaller than the circumferential extent of the interruption in the tray flange. Immediately above the flaired skirt there is provided a downwardly facing annular seat.

Abstract: A combination of a litter device for use with cats which has a sorbent pad laminate for the collection of animal urine consisting of a bottom sheet layer of moisture impermeable material in contact with the base and walls of the litter device, an intermediate sorbent layer of material having a high absorbency capacity for urine, a top claw resistant screen and securing device. The securing device removably affixes the sorbent pad laminate to the litter device, thereby preventing the relative movement between the sorbent pad and the litter device which can be caused by the clawing action of an animal.

Abstract: Automatic milking apparatus for hydraulic milking, in which there is no air bleed at or upstream of the clawpiece during milking of a cow. Each teat cup has a liner within the rigid teat cup shell which has a passage through which air may be admitted to the liner body from an air admission tube, at will after milking and before removal of the teat cups from the cow. The air admission tube runs from the linear body passage, between the liner and shell, through the pulse tube and into the clawpiece, where air admission is manually controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus having a plurality of rack members provided within a plurality of longitudinally spaced frames, a plurality of cages suspended from the rack members, and a plurality of dung and food conveyor belts. The frame comprise stands spaced along the longitudinal direction of the apparatus, a post mounted on each of the stands at a central portion with respect to the lateral direction of the apparatus, and cantilevered brackets secured to each post so as to project in laterally opposite directions. The rack members are secured to the cantilevered brackets so as to form a plurality of racks.