Abstract: Systems and methods provide for an automated system for determining whether claims related to an insured item should proceed to an arbitrating body. A virtual assistant (also referred to herein as an “arbitration assessment assistant”) installed in a computing device (e.g., computer, laptop, tablet computer, mobile phone, etc.) may be responsible for managing and assisting an insurance representative (e.g., an insurance adjuster, subrogation representative, etc.) in determining liability and fault relating to a claim, conducting a subrogation process, and ultimately determining whether the claim should be submitted for arbitration. In one or more aspects discussed, herein the process may be fully automated.

Abstract: After three or four abrasive rock tumbling steps with successively finer and finer adhesive, the rocks are tumbled with pieces of an elastomer, for example plastic foam. The plastic foam may be polyurethane foam. The result is a higher polish than could be achieved by prior abrasive and finishing approaches. A polishing compound may be embedded in the polyurethane foam. Advantages of doing this include that the user gets multiple polishings out of the material base, there is less breakage of the rocks during tumbling process, and the tumbling mix will not “sludge up” if the user were to let the barrel sit after tumbling.

Abstract: After three or four abrasive rock tumbling steps with successively finer and finer adhesive, the rocks are tumbled with pieces of an elastomer, for example plastic foam. The plastic foam may be pulyurethane foam. The result is a higher polish than could be achieved by prior abrasive and finishing approaches.

Abstract: An improved trimmer is structured to be held in the palm of a user's hand. The trimmer has a grinding drum that is advantageously structured to be situated in a palmar region of the user's hand that can be said to extend from the palm and to be generally bounded by the fingertips. When the trimmer is held in the palmar region, the thumb and certain fingers can support the trimmer, and other fingers that are not necessarily employed in supporting the trimmer are usable to operate a control switch of the trimmer. The control switch controls operation of a drive motor that is connected with a grinding drum which provides abrasive surfaces that are engageable with the animal nail or claw.

Abstract: A transport device structured to carry an animal includes a first component having a handle and a second component having a base and at least a first wall. The first component is structured to be located on the second component to form an enclosed region situated generally between the first and second components. The transport device also includes a cushion apparatus situated adjacent at least one of the base and the at least a first wall and a liquid resistance apparatus located on the second component and that is structured to resist penetration of a liquid from an interior region of the transport device to an exterior region of the transport device.

Abstract: An improved flea comb apparatus can be used to remove fleas from animals such as cats, dogs, and the like and advantageously includes a retractable flea comb and lights that are automatically illuminated when the flea comb is in a deployed condition. The lights attract fleas and aid in their removal by providing an intensity of light at the undercoat region of an animal that has not previously been conveniently provided. The lights also assist the user in identifying fleas during combing of the animal.

Abstract: An improved flexible or semi-rigid vehicle partition apparatus can be used to isolate an animal from certain regions of a vehicle. A plurality of embodiments are disclosed. The improved partition apparatuses can be installed directly behind the front seat or seats of a vehicle and/or, depending upon the configuration of the vehicle, can be installed behind the rear seat or seats of the vehicle. The partition apparatuses are generally lightweight, flexible, manufactured from inexpensive components, and are relatively easy to be installed into a vehicle interior and to removed therefrom.

Abstract: A pet carrier includes a bottom panel having a pair of end edges and a pair of side edges that are longer than the end edges, a pair of side panels attached to the side edges of the bottom panel, a pair of end panels attached to the end edges of the bottom panel, and a top panel. The bottom panel, the side panels, the end panels, and the top panel enclose an interior area for carrying a pet when the pet carrier is in a closed configuration. One of the side panels is an openable side panel structured to fold downward and form a flush surface with the bottom panel when the pet carrier is in an open configuration.

Abstract: A transport device structured to carry an animal includes a first component having a handle and a second component having a base and at least a first wall. The first component is structured to be located on the second component to form an enclosed region situated generally between the first and second components. The transport device also includes a cushion apparatus situated adjacent at least one of the base and the at least a first wall and a liquid resistance apparatus located on the second component and that is structured to resist penetration of a liquid from an interior region of the transport device to an exterior region of the transport device.

Abstract: A transport device structured to carry an animal includes a first component having a handle and a second component having a base and at least a first wall. The first component is structured to be located on the second component to form an enclosed region situated generally between the first and second components. The transport device also includes a cushion apparatus situated adjacent at least one of the base and the at least a first wall and a liquid resistance apparatus located on the second component and that is structured to resist penetration of a liquid from an interior region of the transport device to an exterior region of the transport device.

Abstract: A transport device structured to carry an animal includes a first component having a handle and a second component having a base and at least a first wall. The first component is structured to be located on the second component to form an enclosed region situated generally between the first and second components. The transport device also includes a cushion apparatus situated adjacent at least one of the base and the at least a first wall and a liquid resistance apparatus located on the second component and that is structured to resist penetration of a liquid from an interior region of the transport device to an exterior region of the transport device.

Abstract: An animal feeder includes a pair of food containers and a base comprising a pair of base members upon which the pair of food containers are situated. The base members are structured to be movable between a deployed position and a collapsed position. In the deployed position, the food containers are situated adjacent one another in a first plane. In the collapsed position, the food containers at least partially overlie one another in a second plane that is transverse to the first plane. The animal feeder also includes a pair of leg elements upon which the base members are situated. The leg elements are structured to be movable between an extended position, in which the leg elements support the base members in the deployed position, and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the base members are in the collapsed position.