Abstract: A hay bale holder is provided having a shelter that selectively positions a chain link enclosure to hold a large hay bale. Openings in the fencing allow animals to remove portions of hay from a comfortable height without removing too much at once. The apparatus applies a spring tension to the chain link fencing allowing the fence to automatically reduce in diameter as the hay bale is consumed.

Abstract: Hitherto, when viewing from above, it has been impossible to view aquarium fish clearly due to disturbances on the water surface. Provided is an improvement method, including a manufacturing method, that makes it possible to view aquarium fish clearly from above. Adopting a structure in which overflowing water flows into an upper gutter makes it possible to view aquarium fish clearly from above for long periods of time.

Abstract: A hands-free method for handling animal waste entails securing a support structure to an animal, preferably a dog. The support structure includes a first latching mechanism which is used to secure a disposable waste receptacle. The disposable waste receptacle is handled via a manipulating tool and corresponding second latching mechanism, with the manipulating tool being operated by means of a user interface. The manipulating tool is used to couple the disposable waste receptacle to the first latching mechanism. After the disposable waste receptacle accumulates excrement, the manipulating tool is used to decouple the disposable waste receptacle from the support structure and discard the disposable waste receptacle in a separate trash receptacle.

Abstract: A cat litter mat and use of the cat litter mat for capturing and disposing of cat litter. The cat litter mat is composed of silicone rubber having a substantially planar central portion and a perimeter, at least a portion of the perimeter having an upturned edge. The cat litter mat is provided with a cat litter box receiving region devoid of the upturned edge, the planar central portion having a plurality of nubs for capturing litter in planar central region of the cat litter mat.

Abstract: A pet toy makes a sound when bitten or squeezed by an animal. The toy contains a resilient shell that substantially surrounds the sound-producing material. The toy also contains a core constructed of an elastic material located beneath the sound-producing material. The sound-producing material is a plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate, which deforms when external pressure is applied to it, creating sound and vibration. In an embodiment of the invention, air permeates the sound-producing material, the core is hollow, and acoustic ports are located at each end of the toy, all to enhance its sound generating characteristics. In another embodiment, a strand is attached to or passes through the core of the pet toy. In another embodiment, an elastic outer sleeve is attached to the sound-producing material at various locations between their surfaces, to reposition the sound-producing material to its original orientation after an external pressure of force is released.

Abstract: A culture support substrate comprising: a first part, making up the backbone of the substrate and representing more than 70% of the total volume of the substrate, composed of particles P>100 ?m with particle size greater than 100 ?m, the particles as a whole consisting of hard particles PH>100 and/or of resilient particles PR>100, wherein the resilient particles make up a proportion by volume PV of between 0% and 100% by volume of this first part; a second part of corpuscular components P<100 with a particle size of less than 100 ?m, and making up from 0 to 450 g/l of the substrate; a third part, making up from 0 to 200 g/l of the substrate, composed of fine fibers between 3 mm and 100 mm in length and between 5 ?m and 35 ?m in diameter; and a fourth part, making up from 0 to 200 g/l of the substrate.

Abstract: An illumination device with a semiconductor light emission solution has a wavelength up conversion feature and is suited for plant cultivation in a greenhouse environment. The best mode is considered to be a light device with at least one blue LED (101) with wavelength up conversion binary alloy quantum dots (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) made by colloidal methods that are arranged to produce an emission spectrum similar to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) spectrum with the blue LEDs. The methods and arrangements allow more precise spectral tuning of the emission spectrum for lights used in plant cultivation. Therefore unexpected improvements in the photomorphogenetic control of plant growth, and further improvements in plant (310, 311) production are realized. The device is especially advantageous for greenhouses that already have legacy LED systems. These LED systems can often just be upgraded by adding the quantum dot array to arrive at the lighting solution.

Abstract: A treat dispenser is provided for an animal to dispense treats by moving the dispenser. The dispenser includes a central spherical body, and a plurality of peripherally spaced spheres or balls connected to the body by respective branches. Each of the balls has a treat dispensing opening. The body has an opening for charging or loading treats. The device is substantially hollow. As an animal plays with the device, treats are dispensed through the openings. The openings are located at different positions on each of the balls so that treats are likely to be dispensed when the device is placed at various orientations.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide apparatuses and methods for providing different perch positions for feeding birds. In one implementation, a bird feeder includes a reservoir having a wall defining an interior. The wall has a wall opening to provide access to the interior. A port is mounted on the wall relative to the wall opening. The port includes a protruding portion extending from a surface. The protruding portion defines an opening providing access to the wall opening. A perch has a projecting portion extending from a surface covering the opening defined by the protruding portion. The surface has one or more holes providing access to the opening. The perch is connected to the port such that the projecting portion is moveable to a plurality of positions relative to an axis line extending through a center of the opening defined by the protruding portion.

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 ground malt sprouts, a lubricant, and a cohesiveness agent. The animal litter is in the form of discrete plural particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an aquarium and its method of use are disclosed. In some embodiments the aquarium includes a first container including a waste collection area, an outlet, and a conduit fluidly connecting the waste collection area and the outlet. Depending upon the particular embodiment, the aquarium may also include features such as a second container adapted and configured to mate with the first container and receive the outlet such that fluid flows from the waste collection area through the outlet and into the second container when fluid is added above a preselected fluid level. In other related embodiments, the conduit may be formed by first and second portions of the conduit formed in the first container and a separate component.

Abstract: An improvement to a roadside sprayer fixates spray nozzles on a registration plate. The registration plate may include integral tabs depending on the application. Inclination of the tabs is adjustable to place streams and droplets in a desired swath coverage. With the nozzles rigidly mounted onto the plate, the entire plate is nutated. The use of the registration plate in a spray unit creates a uniform nutation among the nozzles, thereby reducing variability in droplet placement, and providing a more predictable spray from the nozzles. In other embodiments, the spray unit is utilized in a spray system adaptable to service vehicles, and may be utilized in conjunction with a vegetation engagement device, such as a cutter to engage multiple zones of a roadway right-of-way. Additionally, an improved spray unit includes an electromagnetic field and an attractor to generate plate motion.

Abstract: A chew for a domestic animal comprises one or more sheets of a chewable bovine rawhide formed into a shape suitable for chewing by a domestic animal, wherein the one or more sheets has a mass loss of at least 45% as measured by the Degradability Standard Test Protocol. The bovine rawhide is made with a process that includes treatment with an enzyme. A process of making a pet chew from a split bovine hide comprises treating the split bovine hide with an enzyme solution.

Abstract: A pet pocket bed/pad comprising of a hollow flexible shell, top wall, bottom wall, surrounding walls which interconnect the top and bottom wall, fill material is disposed inside, to create a pet bed/pad. Additional compartment is added underneath comprising of three side walls, bottom wall, interconnecting the bottom wall of the upper pet bed, to create a pocket compartment, which is equal or greater, with an opening on one end or side, to allow a solid planar flat surface to be inserted inside, working in combination with the bed/pad, secured with closure to keep the flat surface inside the pocket, which prevents bunching up. Padded inserts comprising of a top and bottom wall, surrounding walls interconnected, will create a pillow of similar size and perimeter, to be inserted inside the interior underneath pocket of the bed/pad, to customize the plushness for additional comfort.

Abstract: A portable cat carrier has a sliding floor that momentarily and mildly destabilizes a cat's footing to facilitate transferring the cat in and out of the carrier. The floor is the bottom portion of a movable insert that has a receptacle for receiving the cat. The insert has relatively low side panels to provide the cat with a calming, unrestricted side view. After the cat is lowered into the receptacle, the insert is slid horizontally into an outer housing for containing the cat. When the insert is fully inserted within the housing, a front panel of the insert closes the housing's access opening to prevent the cat from escaping. A back panel of the insert has an elevated impassable rear barrier that prevents the cat from jumping into a trapped area between the insert and the outer housing.

Abstract: A feed level sensor for a poultry feeding system is positioned within the drop tube of a control feeder of the feeding system. The sensor comprise a first light emitter/light detector pair to detect when the level of feed in the drop tube falls below a predetermined “empty” level and a second light emitter/light detector pair to detect when feed in the drop tube is at a predetermined “full” level in the drop tube. The sensor emits a “start” signal to activate a drive to deliver feed to the feeders along a feed line when it is detected that feed in the control feeder drop tube falls below the “empty” level and emits a “stop” signal to deactivate the drive when it detects that feed within the drop tube is at the “full” level.

Abstract: An improved drain hole cover for use in all types of planting containers is described. A preferred embodiment of the drain hole cover comprises a single generally discoid layer of lofted synthetic nonwoven material with a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to one side. Generally, the adhesive can be applied to a periphery of the one side of the drain hole cover in a pattern so as to leave a central portion uncoated by the adhesive. The drain hole cover can be disposed, adhesive side down, on an inner surface of a planting container concentric to a drainage hole of the planting container. In use, the drain hole cover allows water to drain out of the container and prevents the egress of soil through the drainage hole.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for transporting animals onboard a vehicle, particularly in the passenger cabin of the vehicle, wherein there is a separate arrangement in the form of an animal carrier for placing the caged animals in the passenger cabin. The animal carrier includes a plurality of features, including but not limited to a ventilation system, a monitoring system, camera surveillance, sound-proofing, filtration etc.

Abstract: A decorative adjustable fabric plant pot sleeve for covering various sized plant pots is provided in which a non-elastic fabric covering is integrated with an elastic lattice structure so as to provide an adjustable plant pot sleeve without sacrificing the quality of the fabric covering that is to be used.

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 at least about 10 weight % finely ground pine wood powder. Further the animal litter includes a lubricant and a cohesiveness agent. The animal litter is in the form of discrete plural particles which tend to agglomerate when wetted.