Abstract: The invention relates to a device for examining the infestation of honey bee colonies with Varroa mites. The device contains a container with a bottom, side walls and a cover. Within the container there is a means which causes the Varroa mites to drop off the bees, but does not harm the bees, and a means for fixing the dropped Varroa mites to the bottom of the container. The invention furthermore relates to a method of examining the degree of infestation of honey bee colonies with Varroa mites using the device according to the invention, and to a method for examining the sensitivity of the Varroa mites of a bee colony to various acaricid-containing active compounds using the device according to the invention.

Abstract: A fish egg incubator including a housing containing a reciprocating mechanism, at least one connector assembly associated with the reciprocating mechanism, at least one perforated containing assembly for holding the fish eggs located at least partially below a water surface and which is associated with the connector assembly where in the reciprocating mechanism periodically moves the least one perforated containing assembly in the water in order to move the eggs in the at least one perforated containing assembly.

Abstract: The dog walking and watering device enables the user to provide his or her dog with water while away from their usual drinking receptacle. Fluid is stored in a fluid source or reservoir and then delivered to a drinking receptacle. A dispensing actuator controls the valves and positions the drinking receptacle of the device. The dispensing actuator adjusts between a transport position and a use position. In the transport position, the drinking receptacle is adjusted inward toward the body of the device and the dispensing valve closes to limit fluid delivered to the drinking receptacle. In the use position, the drinking receptacle is adjusted outward away from the body and the dispensing valve is open are arranged such that fluid flows to the drinking receptacle from the fluid source or reservoir.

Abstract: A beehive according to this disclosure includes a plurality of modular sections that are configured to be positioned adjacent to one another in a manner that enables simplified, even automated, extraction of honey. Such a beehive may include, or even consist essentially of, a plurality of interchangeable rings, or plates, that are configured to be stacked relative to one another in an assembled relationship, and to be secured together in the assembled relationship. In some embodiments, a beehive may consist of a plurality of rings and a mechanism for securing the rings in an assembled relationship (e.g., tie rods, etc.).

Abstract: The invention relates to a wall element (6) for an animal cage (1), particularly for a dog cage, particularly for housing an animal in the luggage compartment of a passenger-carrying motor vehicle. According to the invention, the wall element (6) comprises at least one elastically compressible cavity in order to increase the level of safety of said animal cage (1) in the event of a crash.

Abstract: A climate control system (20) for an animal house (10) is configured by determining a minimum ventilation curve for required minimum ventilation. A plurality of ventilation stages is created based on the minimum ventilation curve and the plurality of ventilation fans (23) in the climate control system, each stage providing a percentage of the required minimum ventilation. Creating the stages includes prioritizing the ventilation fans to create a selection hierarchy and determining a minimum stage ventilation and a maximum stage ventilation for each stage. Ventilation fans are selected following the hierarchy that provides the desired percentage of the minimum required ventilation. An increment between a maximum stage ventilation and a minimum stage ventilation for the next higher stage is defined, wherein the minimum capacity level is a function of the minimum capacity of the group of fans added to the next higher stage and the maximum capacity for the next higher stage is determined based on the increment.

Abstract: A pet waste container that attaches to the animal and does not require direct contact with waste for removal and disposal. The container includes a disposable waste bag, a tail drawstring, a hind leg cord, and an elastic support cord. The disposable waste bag collects waste material from the animal. The tail drawstring is looped and slidably attached about a main opening of the disposable waste bag and attaches around the animal's tail and lower back portion. The hind leg cord is positioned parallel and offset to the tail drawstring and is attached to the disposable waste bag. The hind leg cord secures about either hind leg of the animal. The elastic support cord ensures the disposable waste bag remains adequately positioned next to the animal's rear end throughout various movements. The elastic support cord is attached to the disposable waste bag and is connected to the hind leg cord.

Abstract: A modular animal pen system comprises front and rear panels and opposed side panels extending between the front and rear panels to form a primary enclosure. The front panel has adjacent doorway apertures formed therein to receive respective selectively closable gates, and a mullion is disposed between the doorway apertures. The mullion has a first slot, and a second slot in the rear panel is in registration with the first slot. The animal pen system further comprises a removable divider panel whose longitudinal ends are sized to fit removably within the respective slots so that the divider panel can divide the primary enclosure into two secondary enclosures. The side and divider panels may be formed by interchangeable profile panels, and the front and rear panels may be formed by interchangeable face panels connectable end-to-end to form a junction slot therebetween sized to receive the longitudinal ends of the profile panels.

Abstract: A bee swarm box and associated method of use is disclosed. The bee swarm box includes a first and second body portions. The first and second body portions are convertible between a closed configuration and a nested configuration. In the closed configuration, the first and second body portions are brought together forming an internal cavity configured to receive bees and a first plurality of framelike elements. In the nested configuration, the first aligning portion of the first body portion projects so as to nest with the first aligning portion of the second body portion, aiding the first and second body portions in forming the nested configuration. The nested configuration saves space when transporting the bee swarm box between locations.

Abstract: A plant growing system configured to facilitate the growing of plants in an indoor environment. The plant growing system includes a reservoir fluidly coupled to a plurality of plant buckets by a pipe network. The pipe network has additionally operably coupled thereto a water temperature controller, an ozonator and a controller wherein the controller is configured to transfer water from the reservoir into the plurality of plant buckets. Each of the plant buckets has a float valve operably coupled to the pipe network which function to maintain the water level inside of the plant buckets. A plant support member is configured to be superposed the plant buckets and is operable to have a plant disposed therein. A metering pump and nutrient container are further provided so as to introduced contents disposed within the nutrient container into the reservoir. The pipe network includes a plurality of air vent lines.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydroculture pot that can store an optimum amount of water at which a water level is appropriate for a depth of roots. A soil culture pot, having a supply and drainage hole that enables supplying and draining of water in a bottom portion, is used and a partitioning wall, vertically partitioning an interior of the pot main body in a watertight manner to store an optimum amount of water at which a water level is appropriate for a depth of roots of a spider plant, is disposed at an inner circumferential surface of a pot main body. An interior of the pot main body is filled with hydroculture soil and the optimum amount of water is stored in the pot main body so that the water level appropriate for the depth of roots of spider plant planted in the pot main body is a maximum level.

Abstract: Vehicle-mountable animal feed spreader device for spreading feed for livestock, game animals, or other animals. The device is configured to mount to a vehicle. The device is also configured so that it can be activated while driving to spread feed. The animal feed spreader includes a hopper that funnels animal feed towards a spinning plate that is driven by a motor to spin. Animal feed falling through the hopper strikes the spinning plate as it spins, which spreads the animal feed away from the spinning plate as the vehicle moves or is stationary. A protective cage surrounds the spinning plate and may also operate as a pedestal or other base. The motor and spinning plate are attached to a removable floor of the hopper.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a destruction resistant pet toy includes a first member having a first material, the first material being a destruction resistant nylon; a second member having a second material, the second material being softer than the first material; wherein the destruction resistant nylon comprises a Shore D hardness. The first member may be a substantially tubular structure having an inner space and the second member is disposed at least partially within the inner space of the first member.

Abstract: A stretchable animal foot covering comprising an elongated body with a foot-receiving chamber on opposite ends of the elongated body that is formed from stretchable material that is at least partially closed at the ends to form the foot-receiving chambers.

Abstract: A system for treating water for subsequent consumption by animals. Illustratively, the system includes a wastewater treatment facility configured to treat wastewater effluent from an egg washer for subsequent consumption by egg producing birds. Further illustratively, stormwater run off collected from the facility is treated for subsequent consumption by the birds.

Abstract: An animal tethering assembly includes an anchor that may be inserted into ground. A leash unit is removably coupled to the anchor. The leash unit includes a leash that may be attached to an animal thereby restricting movement of the animal. The leash is selectively urged outwardly from the leash unit. Moreover, the leash is selectively retracted into the leash unit.

Abstract: A moveable vehicle such as a truck, railway carriage, or the like is structured and dimensioned to enable the transportation of products including live aquatic species such as fish in a refrigerated condition. The vehicle includes insulating and heat exchange layers which when utilized to transport live aquatic species may maintain them in a dormant state by temperature controls within the refrigeration system. A water spraying assembly provides a humidity and oxygen level for disposing of waste and also enables the spraying of fog to provide effective humidity between spraying cycles. Any existing animal waste is treated in the water and a recirculation or closed loop system is provided. A product storage area facilitates loading and unloading and a separate storage room may be provided to house the systems equipment or optionally may be attached to the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus that couples an animal leash and animal collar to form a harness assembly. The apparatus is placed on the back of an animal and contains two separate channels configured to hold and maintain a flat leash in a loop encircling the animal's torso. The elongate and narrow shape of the channels prevents the contained leash from turning or becoming tangled in the around the animal. The apparatus is detachable into two separate components to allow the loop to be removable from the animal. The apparatus also contains a snap bolt connecter for attaching the collar.

Abstract: A hydroponic electroculture system is disclosed for use in a hydroponic growing environment. In at least one embodiment, an at least one electroculture unit is positioned in fluid communication with the hydroponic growing environment and provides a conductive core comprising an absorbing layer sandwiched between a pair of opposing first and second conductive layers; each of the first and second conductive layers being in electrical communication with an at least one electrical wire. With the absorbing layer saturated with the fluid of the hydroponic growing environment, an electrical current is selectively delivered to each of the first and second conductive layers which, in turn, forms a reaction within the absorbing layer that causes an off-gassing of oxygen and hydrogen in the form of bubbles to be delivered, along with the electrical current in the fluid, to the roots of an at least one plant in the hydroponic growing environment.

Abstract: A plant pot with separable halves including a first container half having an upright first interior shell and an upright first exterior shell. A plurality of first aeration openings is disposed within the first interior shell. A second container half has an upright second interior shell, an upright second exterior shell, and a base unit having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a cavity disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. A plurality of second aeration openings is disposed within the second interior shell. A plurality of dowell pins is disposed on each of a pair of second side portions of the second container half, and a plurality of slots is disposed on each of a pair of first side portions of the first container half. One of the plurality of dowell pins is selectively engageable within one of the plurality of slots.