Abstract: The present animal cooling mat apparatus includes a mat shell, at least one coolant sheet, at least one cushioning pad, and at least one foam pad. The coolant sheet is removably located within the mat shell, with the cushioning pad removably located within the mat shell above the at least one coolant sheet and the insulating pad is located within the mat shell below the at least one coolant sheet. The coolant sheet provides a heat sink to rapidly cool an animal, while the cushioning pad facilitates heat transfer and the insulating pad reduces the amount of ambient heat transferred from the environment. Multiple apparatuses may be combined to accommodate larger animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for modifying existing sowing equipment comprising a plant propagation materials (K) reservoir, a separation device for singulating plant propagation materials (K), and an outlet for directing the singulated plant propagation materials (K) to the soil, comprising an application assembly (30) configured to be attachable to the outlet or the singulation device, for selectively applying an aliquot of a dressing composition to the separated plant propagation materials (K) wherein the application device (30) further comprises: i. a power supply connector, ii. a reservoir (18) for the fluidized dressing composition, all attachable to the sowing equipment; ill. a sensor array comprising at least one sensor (32, 33) for measuring the trajectory of the plant propagation materials while falling, iv. a controller (35) for calculating the trajectory from the data received from the sensor array; and for coordinating and applying the dressing composition; and v.

Abstract: Pellet insertion apparatus and methods. In accordance with an example, a method of inserting a pellet in a tree includes extending a taper (108) and an actuator rod (118) into the tree. The actuator rod (118) positioned within a through-bore (110) and extending from a taper distal end (112). The method includes securing the taper (108) in the extended position. The method includes retracting the actuator rod (118). The method includes loading a plug into the through-bore (110) of the taper (108). The method includes moving the actuator rod (118) to a plug insertion position.

Abstract: A first implementation provides a clamp (10; 110; 210; 310) for connecting a plurality of wire mesh panels together, the clamp comprising a base (14; 114; 214; 314), a cap (12; 112; 212; 312) releasably attachable to the base, and a plurality of arms (18, 118, 218, 318) provided between the base and the cap to define a plurality of channels (500) within the clamp; wherein each said channel is configured to accommodate a portion of a loop of a respective one of said plurality of panels to connect the panels together.

Abstract: An artificial and/or simulated environment is used to raise a domestic or commercially raised animal to promote a positive health feedback and to minimize stress on the animal. The simulated environment is used to create the façade of a free range or cage free environment, while also minimizing the exposure to inclement weather, potential predators, and other unknown or stress-inducing situations. The results include animals that have higher resistance to diseases and have a lower stress. The artificial environment can be created by projecting or otherwise showing images and/or videos depicting simulation of environments, climate, and/or other unknown situations to normalize the animals to the same.

Abstract: The present invention includes a modular aeroponic garden system for growing plants. Through circulating an atomized fluid, nutrients and air through a conduit circuit the modular aeroponic garden system provides a closed-loop aeroponic system for growing plants. The closed-loop configuration allows the user to better control the internal environmental conditions of the modular aeroponic garden system, therein facilitating improved plant growth. Modular sections of conduit and modular joints allow the user to customize the aeroponic garden system to unique spaces and grow a variable quantity of plants. In doing so, the closed-loop system reduces time spent on maintenance, cleaning and monitoring of the plants grown within the modular aeroponic garden system and the system itself while better conserving resources such as water, electricity, and nutrients than comparable open-loop systems. In addition, novel open systems are provided, wherein fog generation devices are placed within the garden system.

Abstract: A removable and safe covering adapted to be placed over the entire length of an existing ladder thereby covering the rungs and the spaces therebetween and providing a surface for animals to be able to traverse upwards and downwards along the length of the ladder without falling between the rungs and becoming injured.

Abstract: A fishing lure comprising a hollow lure body which is equipped with a forwardly slanting lip on one end, in which the hollow lure body contains in a center-of-gravity movable tube comprising a longitudinally straight tube body and a weight in the form of a stick which is capable of moving in the tube in the longitudinal direction, in which the tube is installed in the lure body in the position lower than the middle height of the hollow space of the lure body, and the weight has a vertical section symmetrical in its width direction and is in the form of polygon, semicircle or other.

Abstract: A method of mitigating the risk of a horse fleeing and becoming lost, comprising: fastening a horse-stopping apparatus to a horse, wherein the horse stopping apparatus for slowing and stopping the horse after a rider has been involuntarily separated, comprises: a leading segment configured to be detachably fastened to the horse's head piece; a trample segment fastened to the leading segment; and, a trailing segment detachably fastened to the trample segment and also configured to be connected to the rider; whereby if the rider is involuntarily separated from the horse, the trailing segment will extend the trample segment and the forward motion of the horse will carry the trample segment under the hooves of the horse; whereby the hooves of the horse will trample the trample segment thereby pulling the horse's head downwardly and thereby slowing and stopping the horse.

Abstract: A trolling head includes first and second body portions. Each body portion includes a first end and a second end with a body portion thru-hole therebetween. Each body portion includes a mating surface extending from the first end to the second end. Each body portion includes a groove disposed within the mating surface, which extends from the first end to the second end. The mating surfaces of the first and second body portions are configured to attach together such that the grooves of the first and second body portions align to form a tunnel. The tunnel extends from the first ends to the second ends of the first and second body portions and is sized to receive a fishing line therethrough. The body portion thru-holes of the first and second body portions also align to form a trolling head thru-hole sized to receive a fish eye mimic therein.

Abstract: A pet litter device includes: a base configured to be placed on a support surface, the base defining a recessed portion that comprises a recess surface defining an opening, and a drum rotatably connected to the base and partly received in the recessed portion. The drum has an outer lateral surface. The recess surface and a portion of the outer lateral surface that faces the recess surface define a gap and form a passage in communication with the opening. The recess surface is to guide litter particles entering the passage to pass through the opening to fall on the support surface.

Abstract: A wall-mounted scratching structure assembly for cats includes a mounting frame affixed to a vertical surface, the mounting frame including a wall-facing surface mounted against the vertical surface, a post-facing surface facing away from the vertical surface, and an attachment mechanism affixing the mounting frame to the vertical surface. The attachment mechanism may further allow a plurality of assemblies to be connected so as to create a stable, continuous climbing path for a cat.

Abstract: A duck decoy includes a support and a decoy body carried on the support. The support includes a base section, a decoy support section and a stanchion connecting the base section to the decoy support section. A related method for carrying a plurality of duck decoys together in a single hand includes the steps of displacing each decoy body on each support from a home position to a carry position, stacking the base sections together while orienting the decoy bodies in different directions with chests together and holding the stacked base sections in one hand.

Abstract: An aquarium includes a container defining a perimeter and an aquarium space that contains a fluid. A filter holder is coupled to the container and defines a filter space and a pump housing is coupled to the filter holder. A bypass outlet and a filter outlet each defined by one of the filter holder and the pump housing. A pump is disposed within the pump housing and is operable to draw a portion of the fluid from the aquarium space to produce a fluid flow. A spout is coupled to the filter holder and includes a spout outlet. The spout is movable between a first position in which the filter outlet is open and the fluid flow passes from the pump to the spout outlet and the bypass outlet is blocked such that the fluid flow does not pass through the bypass outlet, and a second position in which the filter outlet is blocked and the bypass outlet is open such that the fluid flow passes through the bypass outlet.

Abstract: A duck decoy includes a support and a decoy body carried on the support. The support includes a base section, a decoy support section and a stanchion connecting the base section to the decoy support section. A related method for carrying a plurality of duck decoys together in a single hand includes the steps of displacing each decoy body on each support from a home position to a carry position, stacking the base sections together while orienting the decoy bodies in different directions with chests together and holding the stacked base sections in one hand.

Abstract: A medical device configured to prevent bug infestation is disclosed. The medical device may be a dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis machine) for conducting dialysis treatments. The medical device (e.g., dialysis machine) including an ultrasonic generator and emitter arranged and configured to emit an ultrasonic high frequency sound to prevent bug infestation.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a feeder may be comprised of a body, a lid, and a cover. A food sheet may be engaged with an exterior portion of the body and a cover may be positioned over the food sheet, such that the food sheet is positioned between the body and the cover. A lid may be engaged with a terminal end of the body to secure the relative position of the cover with respect to the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to pre-conditioning an animal(s) to (the risk of) heat stress. The invention provides a control device for controlling a lighting device to illuminate at least one animal in a space, wherein the control device is configured to: obtain prediction data indicative of a value of an environmental condition in said space during a future time period; determine said value of the environmental condition based on the prediction data; determine a prediction of heat stress of the at least one animal in said space during the future time period if said value of the environmental condition falls within a predefined limit for heat stress; control, upon determining said prediction of heat stress, a lighting device to illuminate the at least one animal in said space with a lighting characteristic at least partly before said future time period.

Abstract: An aquarium system includes a tank, a motion sensor, and a light source. The motion sensor is adapted to sense motion within a predetermined distance from the tank. The light source has a controllable intensity projecting light into the tank. The intensity varies responsive to motion sensed by the motion sensor. When the motion sensor senses movement, the light is on at 100% intensity. After some period of no-motion, such as about 60 seconds, the lighting slowly dims to around 20% of full brightness. When it senses movement again, the lighting slowly ramps up to 100% intensity.

Abstract: A fishing lure assembly that includes a crank bait lure, a treble hook coupled to the rear loop of the crank bait lure, a spinner blade, a spinnerbait jig, and a fixture wire that couples the crank bait lure, the spinner blade, and the spinnerbait jig to define the fishing lure assembly, spaces the crank bait lure, the spinner blade, and the spinnerbait jig apart from one another, and provides a common connection point for securing the crank bait lure, the spinner blade, and the spinnerbait jig to a fishing line.