Abstract: Disclosed is a pet grooming device that allows a pet to groom itself by passing through an annular tunnel having a plurality of grooming elements disposed therewithin. The tube-shaped device comprises an elongated tunnel having a first and second opening with wire grooming bristles attached within its interior. The pet is able to walk through the opening and as the animal passes through the device wire bristles brush the pet's hair in the natural direction, from head to tail. The distance the animal must pass through while traversing the device ensures that the animal's fur is sufficiently engaged by the bristles to promote a thorough grooming with each pass through the device, while a pathway free of grooming elements is provided for the pet to walk through the tunnel with ease and less trepidation. A barrier crossing and stand alone embodiment are disclosed, along with a method of construction.

Abstract: A chute for immobilizing an animal (e.g. cow) wherein the chute during a hoof-trimming operation or the like. The chute is comprised of an inner wall and an outer wall and a front and rear gate. The inner wall has a rectangular opening near the front thereof with a backing plate having a hole secured over the backside of the opening in the inner wall. A removable pad is comprised of a rectangular frame which fits in the opening in the inner wall. The frame has a flexible cover (e.g. anti-microbial material) secured over its front. An inflatable bladder (e.g. pneumatic inner tube) is inserted through the hole in the backing plate and is positioned within the frame and behind the cover. The bladder is then inflated whereby the bladder expands to produce a pillow-like support for the cow's shoulder while the cow is in the chute.

Abstract: A poultry feeder with beak growth control device is provided. In one embodiment, the feeder includes a feeder pan, a feeder tower, and a beak grooming ring. The grooming ring is removably inserted in the feeder and has an annular shape complementary configured to engage a corresponding shape of the feeder pan. Preferably, the grooming ring has a self-supporting structure that retains its complementary shape to the feeder pan independently of the pan when removed therefrom. The grooming ring is insertable and removable from feeder as a separable unit from the feeder and operable to abrade the beak while the birds feed, thereby controlling its growth and length.

Abstract: A fish hook with at least four barbs specially configured to neutralize the strike of the sheepshead fish, and increase the strike/catch ratio, is described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure is for an adjustable leash that can quickly and easily be converted to a restraining harness that helps to inhibit the unwanted movement of the dog or other animal walking on the leash. In some embodiments, the leash is adjustable without the use of any tools and can be adapted to fit quadrupeds of a variety of sizes.

Abstract: A self contained support kit includes a utility envelope configured to be removably secured to an animal garment, such as a sweater or shirt, for the deployment of a diaper coupler to grip and hold a diaper in its intended animal protective position; the animal garment and the diaper being separate articles of clothing worn by an animal; one for substantially covering the fore section of the animal and one for substantially covering the hind section of the animal.

Abstract: Described herein is a refrigeration system for bedbug eradication. The refrigeration system comprises a generator, a condensing unit, and a portable evaporating and blowing unit connected with the condensing unit for transporting into a bedbug-infested room of a building. Temperature sensors are used for monitoring an ambient temperature in the bedbug-infested room to ensure that the temperature drops to a predetermined temperature to kill the bedbugs and their eggs. Moisture in the bedbug-infested room is removed with a dehumidifier prior to cooling down the bedbug-infested room with the evaporating and blowing unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bed bug detection device (10) comprising a refuge (16) which elicits a taxis response from bed bugs and a non-trapping indicator surface (18), on which the bed bugs may leave indicators of their presence, such as faecal matter or cast skins. The refuge is positioned in close proximity to said non-trapping indicator surface such that the bed bugs can leave an indicator of their presence as they travel across the indicator surface on their way to or from the refuge. Preferably the non-trapping indicator surface takes the form of a skirt which surrounds a refuge made of corrugated paper. The invention also provides a passive method of detecting the presence of bed bugs without their capture by detecting the presence of indicators rather than the bed bugs per se.

Abstract: A game bird decoy provides for more natural kinematics by providing a smoothly articulating neck, an automatic orientation of the neck with respect to body tipping and improved dual-mode wing activation in which the wings may lift or lift and extend as a function of body angle.

Abstract: A red palm weevil control system for retaining and exterminating red palm weevils in palm trees is disclosed. The control system may include one or more light detection systems, one or more light emitting devices positioned such that light emitted from the light emitting device can be detected by the light detection system, and one or more red palm weevil food materials that is configured to block light emitted from the light emitting device from being sensed by the light detection system. In use, once a red palm weevil has eaten the food, the light detection system senses the light emitted from the light emitting device, signifying the presence of red palm weevils. The red palm weevil food material may also include a magnetic material and an antimicrobial material.

Abstract: The device for retaining fishing line on a fishing rod includes first and second jaw members. Each of the jaw members has a clamping portion and a handle portion. The first and second jaw members are connected for pivotal movement between a first position, wherein the clamping portions are proximate each other, and a second position, wherein the clamping portions are remote from each other. A spring is provided for biasing the jaw members toward the first position. First and second resilient members, each having an interior planar surface and an arcuate exterior surface, are fixed to different ones of the jaw members such that when the jaw members are in the first position, the interior surfaces of the first and second resilient members face each other and can retain the fishing rod and fishing line therebetween.

Abstract: A live bait container having at least one air chamber to provide buoyancy. It floats upright when stationary, and it floats on its back side when trolling. There is a strategically placed opening through the back or side wall of the air chamber to selectively allow air or water to enter and be trapped within the chamber. During fishing, air will remain trapped inside of the air chamber; however, when the user wants to store the container below the surface, air can be allowed to escape through the opening in the chamber by simply pushing the container below the water surface with its back side up. Air will escape the chamber to allow the container to submerge. To regain buoyancy, the user removes the container from the water and places it in a generally upright position, and the water will run out as air enters through the air chamber opening.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a housing system for conducting high throughput animal experiments. The housing system includes a home cage, at least one rotatable turnstile enclosed by housing to form two or more isolation chambers, a means for animal identification, and one or more action stations functionally coupled to one or more isolation chambers. The turnstile includes a plurality of one or more separation members rotatable about a vertical axis, each isolation chamber bounded by one or more separation members. The action stations contain one or more devices facilitating completion of at least one animal-directed or experimenter-initiated action. In a preferred embodiment, the home cage is sufficiently sized to house a plurality of small animals, such as mice. Tunnel passageways may be connected to the home cage, including one or more tunnel passageways containing a rotatable turnstile.

Abstract: A multiple sound-emitting pet toy comprised of at least two compressible, sound-emitting chambers that return to their original shape once the compressed toy is released from a squeeze. Each sound-emitting chamber is equipped with a squeaker, with each squeaker generally emitting a differently-pitched sound. The compressible, sound-emitting chambers can be of the same shape and arranged in tandem to create a substantially symmetrical toy. The positions of the sound-emitting chambers are maintained by a fabric covering that directly surrounds them. Fastening elements can be positioned at the end of each chamber, to further cooperate with one another upon alignment and affixation of the at least two or more compressible chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a fish hook from the mouth of a fish and related methods of use. The apparatus comprises a rod slidably mounted within a housing for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. A spring biases the rod toward the extended position. In use, the rod is pushed into the housing and is locked in the retracted position. The fishing line attached to the fish hook is folded over to form a loop and the loop is threaded through an arcuate channel in a proximal tip of the rod. The apparatus is slid along the fishing line until the proximal tip engages the fish hook. A trigger handle on the apparatus is actuated to release the rod from the housing. The spring forcibly moves the rod into the extended position to remove the fish hook from the mouth of the fish.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of an irrigation system may include a carriage that may move along a predetermined path in a reciprocal manner. The carriage may support one or more exit ports that may be fed nutrient supply by a pressurized delivery arrangement. One or more plant stands may be configured and arranged to straddle the carriage as it moves along the predetermined path. The one or more plant stands may form a chamber into which plant roots may extend, and into which the one or more exit ports may discharge their nutrient supply. The one or more plant stands may include side panels and a cap to reduce infiltration of light and contaminants and to enhance the plant root/nutrient supply interface and absorption rates. The carriage and/or the plant stand(s) may include friction reducing elements that facilitate transverse movement. The carriage and/or the plant stand(s) may be supported by framework.

Abstract: A garment to reduce an animal's anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof. The garment may include a central portion and first, second, and third flaps. The first and second flaps extend from opposite sides of the central portion and the third flap extends from a central, inner surface area of the central portion. The inner surface is configured to be proximate to the animal's body. The flaps are configured to extend around the animal's mid-body such that the central portion and flaps form a shape conforming to the outside of the animal's mid-body. The third flap may be between the central portion, the second flap, or a combination thereof and the animal's body. The garment may apply pressure to the animal adequate to reduce anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof in the animal.

Abstract: A three-dimensional planting construction comprises a three-dimensional framework (46), some water (5) and soil (4) for plants (22) to grow and some turnover shutters (16) for adjusting lighting in which water (5), soil (4) and the turnover shutters (16) are provided on the three-dimensional framework (46). The three-dimensional framework (46) made from concrete and wood is built around the building (10), other buildings or ground. Wind power generator sets (39) supply power to the planting construction. An overhead trolley (43) is installed on the three-dimensional framework (46) for working. The plants (22) are irrigated with a pump (37) from a well or waste water purified roughly.

Abstract: A case having a hinged top side spaced apart from a bottom side, a front side spaced apart from a back side, a left side spaced apart from a right side, a plurality of equally spaced apart vertical dividers disposed between the front side and the back side, a plurality of equally spaced apart horizontal dividers disposed between the left side and the right side, a plurality of equally sized compartments formed within the case by the vertical dividers and the horizontal dividers, and a plurality of identical spools, each spool rotatably housed within each compartment, respectively, such that various fishing tackle items are wound around each spool for organized, unentangled storage and retrieval.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for stimulating eating by an animal is disclosed. The system may include a primary unit and a secondary unit. The primary unit may be configured to be at least partially supported by a rear portion of the animal's spine. The secondary unit may be coupled with the primary unit and configured to be coupled with a top dorsal portion of the animal's tail. The primary unit may include a first power supply, a processor powered by the first power supply, a second power supply, and a speaker powered by the second power supply and controlled by the processor. The secondary unit may include a vibration generation device powered by the second power supply and controlled by the processor, and a pressure generation device powered by the second power supply and controlled by the processor.