Abstract: Described is a fluidic consumable dispensing device for reliably and consistently dispensing uniform animal consumables. More specifically, the device dispenses animal consumables having the viscosity of a fluid such that the consumables are not broken or malformed and do not become oriented within the device such that they clog the flow of consumables from the device.

Abstract: A teatcup liner comprises an upper mouthpiece, an intermediate barrel and a lower connecting tube. The upper mouthpiece further comprises a mouthpiece transition, a mouthpiece lip, and a groove on an outer surface of the upper mouthpiece to provide flexibility in the upper mouthpiece. The intermediate barrel extends along an axial direction for receiving a teat inserted axially thereinto through said mouthpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for restraining, feeding, and watering an animal is provided. The apparatus comprises a bowl assembly, a rod, a ring element, and a ground securing element. The bowl assembly comprises a base component connected to a feeder component comprising a bowl for containing food and water. The animal may be chained or leashed to the ring element which freely pivots around the rod between the bowl assembly and the ground stabilizing element when the rod is secured within the ground. The ground stabilizing element help the apparatus resist lateral forces that occur when the animal pulls on the leash, thereby keeping the rod upright.

Abstract: A control system and a method for milking members in a milking parlor having plural milking stalls. The control system includes a local control unit in each milking stall automatically preparing the milking member for a milking operation by setting a vacuum valve in an open position when the milking member is moved from a storage position, and a control unit setting the milking stalls in the milking parlor in a pre-cleaning mode when a milking operation is still in progress in at least one other of the milking stalls. In this case, the local control units prepare the milking members for a cleaning operation instead of a milking operation by maintaining the vacuum valve in a closed position when the milking member is moved from a storage position, until the cleaning operation of the milking member is started.

Abstract: A nutrient dispensing apparatus for birds having a hanger and two interchangeable dispensers supported by the hanger. Each dispenser includes a bottle for holding liquid or solid nutrients, and at least one basin into which the liquid or solid nutrients, water and bird feed, for example, are made available to the birds. The user can change the configuration of the dispensers as desired to provide just liquid nutrients, just solid nutrients or both. The flow rates for dispensing of the nutrients are different for each nutrient alternative.

Abstract: A multiple use modular apparatus for animals having a tower and a base is disclosed that is light weight, easily assembled and reconfigured, and ballast is added inside the tower and base to stabilize the apparatus. The tower is inserted into the base in a very snug interference fit, and the tower has tiers of rows of recesses around its periphery facing in different directions. Shelf pieces of different sizes and shapes and having protrusions extending from one edge are utilized. The protrusions of the shelf pieces are inserted into the recesses in the side of the tower in a snug interference fit to firmly hold the shelf pieces to the sides of the tower. The shelf pieces may be fastened to the tower in a wide variety of configurations to create steps, walkways and platforms. Pieces of carpet or other material may be fastened to the sides of the tower and to the tops of the shelves, walkways and platforms. The modular apparatus may be used by an animal for exercise, play and resting.

Abstract: An edible pet chew for pets primarily dogs has a chewy sheet of meat based material. The “meat based” chewy sheet imitates the chewy property and chewing function of known rawhide sheet and thus substitute the “meat based” chewy sheet for the known rawhide sheet to form a pet chew. In order to achieve the “chewy” property, a necessary additive is used to form the “meat based” material. The “meat based” chewy sheet is then formed to pet chews with various shapes and structures as known rawhide sheet is. A second aspect of present invention is that, wrapping another member of “edible chewable material”, preferably chicken jerky into the “meat based” chewy sheet to further enhance attraction or nutrition to dogs. A third aspect of present invention is that, instead of chewy sheet, a three-dimensional-shape chewy mass is introduced wrapping or containing another member of “edible chewable material” preferably chicken jerky in the chewy mass member.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of milking and feeding a dairy animal, wherein feed is dispensed in portions during the milking. At a predetermined moment the portion size is reduced, in order to increase the chance that the animal has actually eaten the last allocated portion at the moment when the milking has been ended, so that it will not hesitate to leave the milking parlor. This will result in a reduction of the time during which the milking parlor is unnecessarily occupied, and in an enhanced efficiency.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.

Abstract: A treat dispenser for an animal having, in one embodiment, a container supported by a cage, the container having an opening for the dispensing of treats provided therein, and the cage preventing direct access to the opening by an animal. The cage and the container having a consistent outer periphery to enable rolling of the treat dispenser.

Abstract: An improved material and process for decontaminating an organic chemical spill and animal waste is made by: partially composting plant material; adding spent mushroom compost; mixing some of the partially composted plant material with the dry plant material; inoculating the mixture with a small amount a petroleum hydrocarbon; adding iron sulfate, ammonium nitrate, or a mixture of iron sulfate and ammonium nitrate; adding water; and adding a clump preventing material. A nutrient may also be added to this mixture. The final product is mixed with the spilled organic chemical and allowed to incubate for a suitable time at ambient temperature. A similar material may be used as a pet litter.

Abstract: A sheet mulch assembly includes a sheet mulch; an irrigation conduit attached to and carried by the sheet mulch; and at least one carrier substrate coupled with the conduit. Each carrier substrate carries at least one seed.

Abstract: A poultry support and protection device includes a body portion shaped to cover a crop of poultry. The body portion has opposing top and bottom edges (defining a width) separated by opposing side edges (defining a length). First and second securing straps are attached respectively to the first and second side edges. Each of the first and second securing straps extend longitudinally along an entirety of the body portion length and have a strap length greater than the body portion length such that each securing strap extends beyond at least one of the top and bottom edges. The first and second securing straps are operable to be releasably secured at a back of the poultry to attach the device to the poultry such that the body portion substantially covers the crop and to provide a non-constricting and adjustably secure fit.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a group of growth-induced seeds for commercial use or sale, the method including monitoring a physiological indication and/or morphometric indication for a seed, automatically determining if the monitored seed has a specific characteristic, separating the monitored seed having the specific characteristic into a group of seeds for commercial use or sale so that each and every seed in the group has been monitored and determined to have the specific characteristic.

Abstract: A small animal structure includes several modular units slideably interconnected to form a maze and at least one end cap secured to at least one modular unit. The modular units have a common bottom edge defining an open bottom of the small animal structure. A combination of a small-animal structure and a small-animal cage includes modular units slideably interconnected to form a maze. The modular units have a common bottom edge defining an open bottom of the small-animal structure. The small-animal structure is mounted on a floor of the small animal cage.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved structure for a cat scratch board, which is structured to include an abrasive surface and at least one fastening structure, and claw filing wire material is horizontally arranged to cover the abrasive surface and an appropriate surface of a plate. A plurality of fastening units fasten the claw filing wire material to the plate to form the abrasive surface. The fastening structure is installed to the other surface from the abrasive surface of the plate, and the fastening structure is structured from a locking member and a connecting member. The locking member functions in coordination with the connecting member for clamping. A clamping space is formed between the fastening structure and the plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support for holding floating plant species cultures, said support being configured to be held by at least two independent supporting elements (10). The support comprises a planar lattice structure (1) having at least one housing (2-3) configured to house at least one seed, plant, part of a plant and/or combinations thereof, and at least two anchoring elements (5-6) for the anchoring to the independent supporting elements (10) configured to compensate the moments and forces generated by the portion of the plant projecting from the water level with respect to the point of intersection of said portion with the plane defined by the structure (1), until a growth stage in which the plant survives and reproduces on its own upon proliferation of the roots and/or rhizomes thereof, and to transmit said moments and forces to the independent supporting elements (10).

Abstract: Closing device assembly for systems for milking animals, provided with at least one primary passage and at least two secondary passages, wherein the primary and secondary passages are provided with first and second connecting edges, respectively, with respective openings each having an axis, further provided with at least one closing device for at least one unused, non-selected secondary passage, which closing device is provided with a closing edge, wherein of each set of connecting edges and closing edges to be connected to each other in each case at least one is provided with a seal, wherein the closing device assembly further comprises a first drive unit for mutual displacement of the first connecting edge and the second connecting edge of a selected secondary passage from an uncoupled position in which the axes of their openings are not in line with each other to a position in which the axes of their openings are in line, a coupling line, with each other, and a second drive unit for bringing said connecti

Abstract: An annular live floral holder in combination with an elongated candlestick is provided. The candlestick in includes a base, an elongated support, a tubular candle holder and a flat-circular or dish-shaped member in coaxial alignment with the candle holder. The annular live floral holder is removably seated on the flat-circular of dish-shaped member. The floral holder has a central opening that permits a candle to pass through it. A circular water-retaining trough is formed on the floral holder. At least on water retaining foam member is arranged within the water retaining trough. Live cut floral members having stalks embedded in and supported by the at least one foam member. A foam member retaining apparatus is included for securing the at least one foam member within the water-retaining trough. Preferably, the floral holder also includes a wax dripping containment portion formed on the outside of the inner wall of the trough.

Abstract: A device (15) for the application of pesticides to animals as they feed and that accommodates wildlife of all sizes, poses no threat of harm to the animals, and maximizes the per capita application of pesticide. Whole kernel corn (or other feed) placed in a feed bin (30) is dispensed into a trough/receptacle (20) through an opening at the bottom of the bin. The trough/receptacle (20) is surrounded by pesticide applicators (40) such that as an animal feeds, some part of its head, neck and/or ears will contact one or more of the applicators. The applicators (40) are flexible and rotatable, so that animals attracted to the apparatus to feed are subjected to the application of a pesticide upon their head, neck, ears, and/or, where applicable, antlers or horns, the flexible and rotatable applicators (40) maximizing pesticide application with minimal stress to both the animal and device.