Abstract: An elevated feeding tray apparatus includes a tray riser and a tray. The tray riser includes an elevated base and a plurality of legs attached to the elevated base; the elevated base defining a one of a top outer edge and a top inner edge, a portion of the one of the top outer edge and the top inner edge of the tray riser at the rear end of the tray riser higher than the one of the top outer edge and the top inner edge of the tray riser at the front end of the tray riser; each of the plurality of legs including an attachment portion proximate to the tray and a foot portion distal from the attachment portion. The tray includes a tray separately removable from the tray riser, the tray including a bowl, the bowl defining a feeding cavity.

Abstract: Devices are provided for guiding the growth of scaffold branches, and in particular, devices for training scaffold branches to form wide crotch angles with main trunk of a tree.

Abstract: An aquatic cultivation system includes a bowl and a siphon equipment. The bowl contains a liquid. The siphon equipment includes a liquid intake tube, and a liquid exit tube. At least one of the liquid tube and the liquid exit tube includes an air vent. The siphon equipment includes a water level control element corresponding to the air vent. The water level control element includes a connection portion and a brake portion located on the connection portion. The brake portion is movable on a reciprocal movement locus when subject to change of liquid water level elevation to close or release the air vent, thereby drives the siphon equipment to draw intermittently the liquid in the bowl. As a result, filths in the bowl can be removed and an intermittent turbulent current can be generated to prevent the filths from depositing at the bottom of the bowl.

Abstract: An animal enclosure and method of collapsing the enclosure is disclosed. The enclosure is fabricated from a plurality of panels. One or more first panels have elongate rods whose end portions are formed into a hook. An edge rod of an adjacent second panel is disposed within the hooked end portion of the first panel. By offsetting the hooked end portion of the first panel from the plane within which the first panel resides, the first and second panels to be stacked upon each other by pivoting the second panel onto the first panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a door assembly for an animal enclosure. The assembly includes a door frame having a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires that define an opening for an animal to pass therethrough. The assembly also includes a door configured to move between an open position and a close position relative to the door frame. A latch is pivotably coupled to the door and includes a mechanism that is removably coupled to the door frame. The assembly further includes a first vertical wire and a second vertical wire of the door. A first guide wire and a second guide wire are coupled to the door frame. The first vertical wire is coupled to and moves along the first guide wire between the open and close positions, and the second vertical wire is coupled to and moves along the second guide wire between the open and close positions.

Abstract: A pet waste collection apparatus having an absorbent pad having opposing outermost layers, comprising a permeable layer and an opposing substantially leak proof layer; the absorbent pad comprising at least one innermost layer of waste absorbing material sandwiched and completely enclosed between the opposing outermost layers and completely filling a volume therebetween extending to the outer peripheral border, which has an interior passageway, a draw tape therein, and a plurality of outside cut off corners having adjacent interior passageway openings; the draw tape having a length greater than that of the outer peripheral border; the draw tape routed through the adjacent interior passageway openings exposing the draw tape at the outside cut off corners; the waste collection apparatus forming a bag, when the draw tape is pulled taut.

Abstract: A system for controlling escape of pets during emergency, such as a fire, smoke, gas or odor emission, includes a passageway from the inside of the enclosure to the outside thereof. The passageway is normally closed by a door and an apparatus is provided for enabling opening of such door during emergency. A pre-recorded message urges the pet or pets to the open passageway only when the alarm device annunciating such emergency is intermittently disabled. A control apparatus is also provided for enabling passage of the pet or pets through the passageway and annunciates location of the pet or pets with respect to interior or exterior of the enclosure. A method is disclosed for remote operation of the controlled pet door to enhance safety of the pet owner attempting to enter residential dwelling.

Abstract: A subsurface irrigation mat includes at least one perforated tube, a web made of a first capillary textile, and a casing made of a second capillary textile. The casing surrounds substantially an entire circumference of the perforated tube along at least a portion of a length of the tube. At least one attachment secures the casing to the web so that the casing extends across the web. Water leaving through the holes in the perforated tube can saturate the casing, seep into the web from the casing, and then be carried across the web by capillary action. The result is a substantially uniform discharge of water from the web into a root zone of plants growing in a layer of a growing medium located above the web.

Abstract: A reduced-weight poultry cage is used in conjunction with a reduced-weight trailer to transport live poultry for maximizing the poundage of poultry being transported while reducing the number of trips and fuel expenses. The poultry cage includes a combination of aluminum and plastic elements that reduce cage weight, provide for nesting of cages in stacks as well as easy replacement of failed parts. Furthermore, a drop-deck aluminum trailer with a reduced floor and guide rail alignment stops allows for a durable yet lightweight trailer that can haul a plurality of stacks of these poultry cages, thereby maximizing cubic feet availability while being compliant with various road and bridge laws.

Abstract: An animal litter, process for preparing the animal litter and a method for removal of animal waste using the animal litter are provided. The animal litter generally includes corn cob, a lubricant, and a cohesiveness agent. The animal litter is in the form of discrete plural particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted.

Abstract: A game feeder having a recessed game feed spinner plate, which discharges game feed through a relatively narrow opening. The spinner plate is rotated by an electric motor, which is housed in a protective enclosure within the game feeder, along with the battery and timer, and protected from animals. The narrow discharge opening minimizes feed loss by animals accessing the spinner plate. The game feeder may sit on the ground, or may be mounted on a support such as a pole or tree with mounting hooks and a bracket, and when mounted is especially resistant to feed loss or feeder damage by bears, feral hogs and the like.

Abstract: An animal exercise system in the form of a game includes an apparatus comprising an animal transport device; a game board; a plurality of edible game pieces in the form of a treat. In operation, the animal transport device engages and travels along the game board to selectively contact the game pieces. One or more of the game pieces may be fed to the animal as a reward.

Abstract: A durable pet having a flat polyurethane foam core, a first polyurethane layer bonded to the top surface of the core, and a second polyurethane layer bonded to the sides of the core, and a method for making such a bed. The first polyurethane layer has a thickness of about 0.05 to 0.25 inches and a hardness of about 20 to 70 durometers. The second polyurethane layer has a thickness of about 0.05 to 0.3 inches and a hardness of about 50 to 100 durometers. The pet bed may have a third polyurethane layer bonded to the bottom of the core, the third layer having a thickness of about 0.05 to 0.25 inches and a hardness of about 20 to 100 durometers. The first, second and third layers typically completely encase the core.

Abstract: An oral chew for toothed animals including at least one outer stabilizing structure and at least one inner stabilizing structure said inner stabilizing structure substantially supporting one or more mesh segments exposed through one or more openings through said outer stabilizing structure to chewing and/or grasping by an animal. The mesh supported within the interstice between the outer stabilizing structure and the inner stabilizing structure and rubbing against an animal's teeth and/or gums during chewing or grasping with oral surfaces.

Abstract: A bird deterrent assembly for preventing a bird from defecating on a vehicle mirror includes a pair of clamps that may grip a mirror. A sensing unit is coupled between the clamps to detect when a bird has landed thereupon when the clamps are coupled to the mirror. The sensing unit disturbs the bird thereby preventing the bird from defecating on the mirror.

Abstract: A secondary restraint for restraining an animal in the event of the failure of a primary restraint. The secondary restraint preferably includes a length of nylon fabric having a ring on one end and a releasable hook on the other. The ring is sized so that the hook will fit through the ring. In use, the length of fabric is wrapped around the neck of the animal to be restrained, and the hook is passed through the ring. The hook is then attached to a ring on the primary restraint. If the primary restraint, such as a collar or harness, slips from the animal, the leash attached to the ring on the primary restraint will pull freely, tightening the secondary restraint and preventing the escape of the animal being restrained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cultivating sugar cane comprising removing buds together with meristematic tissue from the stalk of a 6 to 18 months old sugar cane plant, treating the buds with at least one fungicide and/or at least one insecticide and/or at least one nematicide and/or at least one growth regulator and/or at least one rooting enabler and/or growth-promoting bacteria, planting these buds in a growth medium, growing seedlings from the buds at a temperature of at least 15° C., and 10 to 120 days after planting the buds, planting the seedlings grown from the buds to the field if the growth medium is not a field, or, in case the growth medium is a field, exposing the seedlings obtained from the buds to ambient conditions.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing water and/or food to a pet that is confined in an automobile. A backboard is attached to the rear of a vehicle's seat using suspension elements. At least one storage container is mounted to the backboard. A tray is positioned under the storage containers. The tray holds a bowl for each storage container. The tray is also attached to the backboard. The bowls receive the dispensed water and/or food dispensed from the storage containers. The bowls are specially formed to minimize spillage in an automobile. Each bowl is annular in shape. As such, each bowl has a central opening. When water or food fills a bowl, any overflow or spillage flows into the central opening. Under the bowls, the spillage is captured by receptacles in the underlying tray.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, an improved nipple water valve includes a nipple housing, a deflector, an annular seal, a nipple stem, a resilient element, and an orifice housing portion, assembled such that the deflector deflects water exiting the valve toward an internal surface of the nipple housing, thereby reducing spray. The deflector is also arranged to restrain movement of the nipple stem in a direction toward the deflector and to permit movement of the nipple stem away from the deflector to aid operation of the nipple water valve.

Abstract: An aquarium includes a curved aquarium housing that supports water, the water including a water surface that separates water from air within the housing. The aquarium also includes a lighting system coupled to the aquarium housing, the lighting system including an arm and a light element disposed at an end of the arm and outside of the aquarium housing that directs light into the aquarium housing at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the water surface.