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 sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. 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: The pet bed and step system has multiple components that may be used separately or in combination to provide a raised pet bed having steps or stairs leading to the pet bed. The pet bed and step system includes a foldable base that may be used by itself as a pet bed, or with the rear portion folded up to form a two-step assembly. A step assembly may be mounted on the base and releasably secured thereto by releasable fasteners, such as a zipper, hook-and-loop, or snap fasteners. The step assembly includes at least one intermediate step and a top step, the top step being configured as a luxury pet bed, having a U-shaped bolster around a portion of its periphery and a cushioned pad removably attached to its top surface.

Abstract: Devices and system are provided that can not only stop a pet from pulling its owner, but to train a pet over time to not pull while being walked on a leash. In an exemplary implementation, a cuff can be wrapped around the highest point of either front leg of a pet, using, for example a hook and loop fastener and running a leash through the sleeve or guide on the outside of the cuff, so that an existing leash can be run from the collar, under the inside of the leg and up to the owner's hand.

Abstract: A toilet for household pets comprises a housing having a horizontal platform, a film-moving mechanism having two axes installed in said housing on opposite transverse sides of the platform, and a winding drive that moves a clean film onto the platform from a roll installed on the first axis, and moves the film with the excrement along the platform to a roll installed on the second axis, and film-securing devices which are installed in the housing on opposite longitudinal side of the platform and designed to be capable of clamping and unclamping opposite edges of the film, respectively, for securing the film disposed in a stationary position on the platform and for the unhindered passage of the film moved along the platform.

Abstract: The present abstract refers to an utility model patent application for a dosing dispenser (1), belonging to the field of equipments for dosing and timing the dispensing of animal feed, comprising: a cabinet (2) with compartment (3) that houses the hopper (6) whose outlet (7) opens to a compartment (4) with a vertical outlet pipe (10) and that houses a batch dosing dispenser (20) comprising: a dosing chamber (21); movable carriage (24) whose top wall (25) and bottom wall (26) slide on walls (8) and (9) and between these is mounted the dosing chamber (21) whose upper inlet (22) and lower outlet (23) remain against the walls (8) and (9) and the wall (25) constitutes the closing drawer (28) of the lower outlet (7); the dosing device (20) also comprises a drive mechanism (30) that moves the carriage (24) between the position in which the inlet (22) aligns with the lower outlet (7) of the hopper (6) and the outlet (23) is closed against the bottom wall (9) and position in which the outlet (23) aligns with the outle

Abstract: A dog leash attachment system for selectively and releasably attaching a dog leash to a dog collar or harness, wherein the dog leash and the dog collar or dog harness each comprises a portion of a fastener device further comprising at least one magnetic attachment component and at least one mechanical attachment component. One portion of the fastener device is attached in fixed relation to the dog leash at a position proximal to the distal end of the dog leash. Another magnet is disclosed for use in maintaining a portion of the fastener device proximally to the collar or harness when the leash is not in use.

Abstract: Collar devices including interlinking collar components that have a hollow portion and a securing portion connected by a flexible portion have increased strength and security. The number of collar components included in a collar device may be adjusted in order to properly fit a collar to a particular animal. Such collar devices generally include a plurality of interlinking collar components, as well as first and second loop attachment components, which couple to respective ends of interlinked collar components. A loop with a fastening element is then inserted into openings of the first and second loop attachment components.

Abstract: An in-ground plant container with a watering-well that is open at both ends and is functional and decorative. The above-ground portion in this present embodiment has a round bowl-shaped water well and broadly rounded lip for ease of gripping and placing in an appropriately sized hole. The bowl of the watering-well keeps the plant container above ground. The bottom, below ground portion, has vertical fins for lateral stability in the soil. This embodiment also has external helical threads at its base for ease of placement in loosened soil. The above ground portion of the plant container watering-well can be wider than the base and replaces the organic soil watering-well. This in-ground plant container with watering-well is for conserving water, and the containment of localized water contaminated by pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

Abstract: An edible pet chew includes a member of Artificial Bully Stick formed from a composition material with at least 20% plant ingredient imitating existing traditional bully stick products, serving as an alternative to traditional bully stick. The imitation includes the structure, and/or appearance, and/or size, and/or color, and/or texture, and/or flavor, and/or durability, and/or palatability of traditional bully stick. Preferably it is an extruded stick processed by an extruder.

Abstract: A smart pet toy capable of automatically rolling to leak food, including a chamber, where the chamber is in a ball shape or a cylindrical shape and is internally provided with a mechanism; the mechanism is internally provided with a driving apparatus, and the driving apparatus is connected to the chamber by using a drive rod, so that the mechanism can drive the chamber to roll; the chamber is internally provided with an annular storage area, and the wall of the chamber is provided with food leakage windows in communication with the storage area, so that pet food in the storage area leaks out through the food leakage windows. The toy can be flexibly controlled manually or by a remote controller to roll and leak food as required.

Abstract: Object release enclosures are disclosed. Methods of making and using object release enclosures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pet toy is provided having a plurality of graspable protuberances, each formed as an elongated substantially flat surface portion shaped as a rectangle or as a loop. Each protuberance is affixed at a first end to the ball element. Each protuberance adapted further forms an elongated substantially flat surface portion that is gripped in an animal's mouth such that when the spherical portion is gripped in an animal's mouth.

Abstract: There is provided by the present invention planting containers and associated trays for the production, distribution and display of plants where the planting containers have a channel in the base for engaging with a production or display tray for positioning plant pots in a desired orientation. In one embodiment, the plant container is a flower pot which comprises an upper part; a middle part connected at one end to the upper part; and a bottom part connected to an opposite end of the middle part; the bottom part having a channel extending from one side of the bottom part to the other side of the bottom part; said channel having an apex perpendicular to an axis of the pot, first and second sides, and a plurality of slots at the apex for engaging with a rail system on the tray having teeth.

Abstract: A method and an environment simulating system are disclosed which includes a database comprising a library of climate recipes characterizing growing environments for different plants and trees; a micro-controller electrically coupled to receive specific climate recipes when orders for different plants and trees are received from customers; an environment actuating system, electrically coupled to the micro-controller, operable to receive the specific climate recipes from the database; a sub-controller electrically coupled to receive the specific climate recipes from the micro-controller to drive the environment actuating system to generate specific growing environments in a growing enclosure in accordance with the specific orders; an array of web-based sensors, coupled to the growing enclosure and the micro-controller, operable to sense growing conditions of the specific growing environments and to feedback the growing conditions to the micro-controller; and a network server adapted to couple the Database, the

Abstract: A clumpable animal litter comprises composite particles of filler materials, such as limestone and sand, and sodium bentonite. The filler materials have a lower bulk density as compared to a granular mixture of the same percentage of filler and sodium bentonite clay and contain up to eighty-five percent less clay.

Abstract: A device for cultivating plants is provided, comprising a watering device, an illuminating device, one or more seed mats, and a control unit configured to control the watering device and the illuminating device by means of a program controller, wherein the program controller comprises watering data and illuminating data which is individually matched to the one or more seed mats.

Abstract: An animal relocation system and method comprising a perimeter net system a trapping net system, and a flushing device, wherein the flushing device channels the animal through the perimeter net system and into the trapping net.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an apparatus for growing plants is provided. The apparatus may include an irrigation apparatus, an illumination apparatus, a climate control device, an accommodating space for accommodating one or more seed mats, a controller which is configured to control the irrigation apparatus, the illumination apparatus and the climate control apparatus by means of a program controller, at least one air humidity sensor for determining an air humidity in the accommodating space, and at least one temperature sensor for determining an air temperature in the accommodating space.

Abstract: A plant treatment system configured to provide improved growth for hydroponically grown plants. The plant treatment system includes an air treatment apparatus that is configured to provide temperature controlled and sterilized air to the root ball of a plant. The air treatment apparatus includes an air pump operable to draw air in from the surroundings and move through the air treatment apparatus. The air treatment apparatus includes an air ionizer and a dehumidifier wherein the air from the air pump passes through both. A temperature control unit provides the ability to control the temperature of the air as the air exits the air treatment apparatus. The air treatment apparatus further includes an oxygen concentrator that is operable to provide an air flow exiting from the air treatment apparatus that has a higher oxygen concentration. A dosing unit to deliver liquid nutrients is further included.

Abstract: A freeze-resistant watering device has a nipple or ball valve, a heat pipe, a sleeve in tight thermal contact with the nipple, a water-tight connection to a liquid containing container or supply pipe, and an outer shield enclosing an insulating space or insulation material. This device thermally couples a watering nipple or ball valve to a container or supply pipe via a thermal conduction path including bends so that the nipple or ball valve maintains at a temperature that is near the temperature of the liquid in the container or supply pipe. Further, the use of one or more freeze-resistant watering devices with a thermally insulated container in a watering unit with an insulated container or supply pipe provides drinking water to animals, and in particular, birds in sub-freezing and in hot weather.