Abstract: A support stand for supporting the leg and hoof of a horse includes a base member adapted for seating on a horizontal support surface, and a hoof receptacle including bottom, rear end, and side walls that cooperate to define an open topped hoof-receiving chamber that is open at its forward end. A vertical adjustment device serves to adjust the vertical position of the hoof receptacle relative to the base. The hoof receptacle is connected with the vertical adjustment device for pivotal displacement about a horizontal pivot axis parallel with the receptacle rear wall, and an angle adjustment device serves to adjust the angular orientation of the hoof receptacle relative to the vertical adjustment rod. Accordingly, the horse leg is held in a flexed, pre-set position by adjustment of the leg and hoof support.

Abstract: A plug insert matingly fits into the open lower end of a feed tube in a gilt or sow stall. The plug includes an inlet for receiving feed from the tube and an outlet for discharging feed onto the floor of the stall. The inlet and outlet are offset from one another. An axle extends through the plug, with spokes on the lower outer end of the axle, an anti-bridge bar on the upper end of the axle, and one or more fins on the central portion of the axle. Discharge of the seed is controlled by the gilt or sow as she rotates the spokes on the forward end of the plug, thereby rotating the fins or spiral flighting to carry feed from the inlet to the outlet. This self-feeding system eliminates or minimizes feed waste while providing an appropriate feeding program for the gilt or sow.

Abstract: A self-cleaning litter box. The self-cleaning litter box includes a rake drive housing that is securable to and removable from a litter tray. The rake drive housing contains the rake drive control system. The rake drive control system automatically cleans the litter tray after each use and/or on a periodic basis by combing the litter with a sweeping rake. The sweeping rake is paired with a spade that loosens waste products that is stuck to the litter tray. At the disposal end of the self-cleaning litter box, a disposal rake cooperatively rotates with the sweeping rake to transfer waste products into a waste receptacle.

Abstract: A green wall planting support apparatus includes at least one plant support structure and a plurality of baskets. The plant support structure includes a vertical main plate that has a plurality of basket hanging portions. A water supply unit includes at least one main pipe connected to a water source, and a branch unit that is coupled to the main pipe and that has a plurality of watering conduits. Each basket has a basket body with a receiving space. The basket body has a basket hanger portion that is detachably connected to one of the basket hanging portions. The watering conduits convey water into the receiving spaces of the baskets, respectively.

Abstract: A livestock trailer arrangement is provided. The arrangement includes an enclosure defining a first sidewall and a spaced-apart second sidewall and a side opening defined on the first sidewall for allowing ingress of a livestock. A first divider has a first position in which the divider extends at an angle from the first sidewall to the second sidewall and a second position in which the divider is pivoted about the second sidewall to define a passageway for ingress of a livestock through the side opening. An accessory assembly is pivotable about a rearward portion of the first sidewall such that the accessory assembly may be pivoted outwardly of the enclosure. A second divider has a position in which the divider is pivoted about the first sidewall to define a passageway for egress of a livestock through a rearward portion of the enclosure.

Abstract: A portable petting device for petting or scratching of pets, such as dogs or cats. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A seed-covering agent, which covers a seed surface and contains an iron powder and a binder, is specified such that, in the above-described iron powder, the mass ratio of an iron powder having a particle size of 63 ?m or less to a total mass of the iron powder is 0% or more and 75% or less, the mass ratio of an iron powder having a particle size of more than 63 ?m and 150 ?m or less to the total mass of the iron powder is 25% or more and 100% or less, and the mass ratio of an iron powder having a particle size of more than 150 ?m to a total mass of the iron powder is 0% or more and 50% or less, and the average particle size of the above-described binder is 1 to 150 ?m.

Abstract: An oriole jelly birdfeeder is provided that includes a jelly holding container, a base having a feeding platform and a connecting element for connecting the base to the container, and a mixing mechanism. The mixing mechanism includes a mixer element and a mixer handle which are coupled to one another and rotatable together. The mixer element includes a paddle positioned within the connecting element to enable the user to mix and distribute the jelly, which is held within the container, onto the feeding platform as needed by rotating the mixer handle.

Abstract: An arrangement (12; 16) for feeding animals on a farm comprises an on-farm analyzer device (13; 17) provided for measuring, e.g. at least on a daily basis, the amount of a constituent of solid feed to be fed to said animals, and a feeding device (14; 18) provided for feeding said animals, wherein the feeding depends on the result of said measurement, and the amount of the constituent of solid feed is measured immediately prior to the feeding of said animals. By the arrangement, a proper solid feed mix with a balanced composition can be given to the animals.

Abstract: A pet cleaning device that rests on a support surface, replaceably attaches around, and communicates with, a pet door, and isolates and cleans a pet after the pet has passed through the pet door. The pet cleaning device includes a tunneled enclosure, and a pair of side cleaning pads. The tunneled enclosure rests on the support surface, replaceably attaches around, and communicates with, the pet door, and isolates the pet. The pair of side cleaning pads are operatively connected to, and within, the tunneled enclosure, and clean the pet after the pet has passed through the pet door and has advanced to between the pair of side cleaning pads.

Abstract: A retractable leash apparatus includes opposed first and second open ends and defines an interior area. A retraction assembly is operatively coupled to the handle member and defines an inner space and an aperture, the retraction assembly having a spool rotatably positioned in the inner space. A leash member having a first end is connected to the spool, the spool being selectively movable between a retracted configuration in which the leash is substantially inside the inner space and an extended configuration in which the leash member is substantially outside the inner space. The handle member includes a partition positioned in the handle member interior area so as to divide the handle member interior area into a first interior portion and a second interior portion, the first interior portion being selectively accessible through the first open end and the second interior portion being selectively accessible through the second open end.

Abstract: A pet grooming tool is provided with a fur ejector portion that is at least partially movable relative to the teeth of the pet grooming tool and can be manually moved into engagement with fur that is wedged or lodged between the teeth. The engagement of the fur ejector portion with the fur forces the fur from the gaps between the teeth. Preferably, the fur ejector portion can be manually moved by the same hand a person uses to support and hold the grooming tool.

Abstract: Device for conveyor belt livestock loading with pre-loader having conveyor belt, main conveyor, comprising a lift section, top section, and also having an auto-loader section.

Abstract: A planter for holding a plant includes a container having an open upper end. The container has side walls extending downward from the upper end and tapering inward to a lower end. A base at the lower end of the container has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the upper end. A circumferential ring surrounds the lower end of the container. The circumferential ring has an upper edge that extends outward from the container by a distance such that removal of the container and ring from a mold as a single unit would be inhibited. Accordingly, the container and the circumferential ring are molded from a thermoplastic material as separate components. The circumferential ring fits around the lower end of the container and is held in place by a mechanical interlock between the container and the ring.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a spill- and leak-proof container for floriculture items including cut flowers, stems, other horticultural items, and the like. More specifically, the invention includes a receptacle having funnel-like primary closure. The funnel-like primary closure includes a wider opening generally adjacent to and contiguous with the mouth of the receptacle. The narrower opening of the funnel-like primary closure is positioned in the interior of the receptacle. A secondary closure atop the wider opening of the primary closure ensures no liquid can spill.

Abstract: A tethering stake includes a rod having a point at one end thereof and a driving cap at an opposite end. A collar is fixed to the rod adjacent to and spaced from the driving cap, thus providing a neck to receive a tether line or chain. A cap cover is slidingly received upon the rod and is adapted to be selectively engaged with the collar. The cap cover includes a central circular aperture with a radial slot extending therefrom. The centrally positioned aperture and slot allow the cover to assume a position substantially parallel to the rod during shipment and storage, while allowing it to take a position substantially orthogonal to the rod when the rod is driven into the ground.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to device and method for promoting plant growth. The device is a plant spacing member that has a body and a first end and a second end. The first end and second end have openings for receiving at least one plant limb therein to create a space between the limbs of the plant. An increased flow of air and light then flow through the created space to the interior of the plant to stimulate the growth of the plant. In addition, the increase flow of air and light dries the plant to reduce the accumulation of mold and mildew.

Abstract: A pet grooming tool is provided with a fur ejector portion that is at least partially movable relative to the teeth of the pet grooming tool and can be manually moved into engagement with fur that is wedged or lodged between the teeth. The engagement of the fur ejector portion with the fur forces the fur from the gaps between the teeth. Preferably, the fur ejector portion can be manually moved by the same hand a person uses to support and hold the grooming tool.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for detecting motion of an object, such as the paw of rat. A tag comprising an inductive element and a capacitive element may be attached to the object and the motion detected by monitoring the affect of the tag on a time-varying magnetic field.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention a device for braiding horse hair while minimizing damage to the horse hair is provided. The device includes at least one semi-rigid, resilient material being intertwined with the horse hair into a braid and to form and retain the braid into a decorative shape. In an embodiment, the at least one semi-rigid, resilient material intertwined with the horse hair to form and retain a decorative shape.