Abstract: A fluid level detector is provided, which has a transmitter, a receiver, and a sensing zone adjacent the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter and receiver are arranged such that when an electric field forms between the transmitter and receiver, a fringe electric field extends from the transmitter into the sensing zone. The transmitter and receiver are both on a same side of the sensing zone, and a fluid located at the sensing zone changes a measured capacitance at the transmitter and receiver system.

Abstract: A fluid level detector is provided, which has a transmitter, a receiver, and a sensing zone adjacent the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter and receiver are arranged such that when an electric field forms between the transmitter and receiver, a fringe electric field extends from the transmitter into the sensing zone. The transmitter and receiver are both on a same side of the sensing zone, and a fluid located at the sensing zone changes a measured capacitance at the transmitter and receiver system.

Abstract: A fluid level detector is provided, which has a transmitter, a receiver, and a sensing zone adjacent the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter and receiver are arranged such that when an electric field forms between the transmitter and receiver, a fringe electric field extends from the transmitter into the sensing zone. The transmitter and receiver are both on a same side of the sensing zone, and a fluid located at the sensing zone changes a measured capacitance at the transmitter and receiver system.

Abstract: A noise making animal toy having a sealed vessel having a resilient wall that can be deformed when an animal applies pressure to the toy, e.g., by chewing or pouncing on the toy is disclosed. The deformation of the wall of the vessel by application of force produces a noise, which can best be described as a crunching and/or crackling sound, which entertains the animal. The toy includes an outer durable fabric shell enclosing the vessel. The vessel may be made from a plastic beverage bottle.

Abstract: A doghouse includes a plurality of side panels connecting a front panel and a rear panel. A roof includes two roof panels each including runners that slidably connect to upper ledges in the front and rear panels. The side panels can be connected to the front and rear panels using hooks on the side panels that are slidably engaged to receiving members in slots in the front and rear panels. Alternatively, the side panels can slidably connect to the front and rear panels using a tee or dovetail joint. The prefabricated doghouse can be disassembled and reassembled multiple times over the lifetime of the doghouse without experiencing significant wear and tear. The doghouse can be assembled and disassembled efficiently by following a series of easy-to-follow steps. A user can disassemble the doghouse, store the doghouse, and easily assemble the doghouse with a minimal amount of time and effort.

Abstract: A doghouse includes a plurality of side panels connecting a front panel and a rear panel. A roof includes two roof panels each including runners that slidably connect to upper ledges in the front and rear panels. The side panels can be connected to the front and rear panels using hooks on the side panels that are slidably engaged to receiving members in slots in the front and rear panels. Alternatively, the side panels can slidably connect to the front and rear panels using a tee or dovetail joint. The prefabricated doghouse can be disassembled and reassembled multiple times over the lifetime of the doghouse without experiencing significant wear and tear. The doghouse can be assembled and disassembled efficiently by following a series of easy-to-follow steps. A user can disassemble the doghouse, store the doghouse, and easily assemble the doghouse with a minimal amount of time and effort.

Abstract: An animal toy comprises a spherical housing including two annular tracks defining upper and lower polar regions and a ball retained in at least one of the circular tracks so that when an animal plays with the toy, the ball tends to move in the track. The housing includes a removable cap so that a material such as cat nip can be placed within the housing and holes in the housing so that the material can fall from the housing when the toy is played with by an animal.

Abstract: An animal ball toy having an outer ball with a hollow chamber and at least one aperture defined therethrough. Disposed inside of the hollow chamber is an object, such as an inner ball. The object is made from a compressible material and/or the outer ball is made from a resilient material. During manufacture the object is compressed and/or the aperture in the outer ball is enlarged so as to pass the object through the aperture and into the hollow chamber of the outer ball. After being passed through the aperture, the object and/or the aperture are released to return to their original size and shape thereby prohibiting the object from exiting through the aperture.

Abstract: A strain reducing dog harness which comprises a single strap including a movable member disposed relative to the strap to define a single body loop of variable size. The strap is sized and arranged such that when mounted on the dog, the single body loop includes left and right strap portions which extend forwardly from the dog's shoulders, downwardly over the dog's chest, rearwardly under the respective left and right foreleg pits, and upwardly behind the dog's forelegs and over the dog's back. When the dog strains against a leash attached to the harness, a distributed pressure is applied to the chest, foreleg pits and back, to encourage the dog to relax to decrease the pressure. In another embodiment a single strap includes a first movable member and a second movable member which define a body loop and a neck loop.

Abstract: A litter and refuse retrieval device for sanitarily and single-handedly cleaning up after a pet. The device includes an outer frame having a handle at one end and outer nipples at the other end for pivotally mounting two scoops. Each scoop includes extended disk portions with holes therethrough that overlap with the disk portions of the other scoop placing the holes in alignment for insertion of the outer nipples of the outer frame. An inner control frame is carried by the outer frame and includes linkage arms having outwardly extending cylindrical portions having nipples extending therefrom for pivotally mounting the two scoops adjacent to the outer nipples. In operation, the inner control frame is squeezed by the user toward a stop potion of the outer frame, causing the scoops to pivot in opposite directions. Also provided is a spring biasing mechanism for closing the scoops after the user has released the inner control frame.