Abstract: A bird feeder 13 that includes a hopper 23, 25 for providing a supply of food or fluid for a bird, a receptacle 15 for waste food or fluid, and a hopper support 35. The hopper includes a storage compartment 27, 29 for a supply of food or fluid for a bird, and a tray 31, 33 into which food or fluid from the storage compartment can flow. The hopper support 35 is configured to support the hopper 23, 25 in such a position that food or fluid can flow from the storage compartment 27, 29 to the tray 31, 33, and so that waste food or fluid can pass into the receptacle 15. The hopper 23, 25 is removable from the feeder 13 for cleaning or for replenishing the supply of fluid or food in the storage compartment 27, 29.

Abstract: A kit for converting an animal bed having a core and a cover into a raised animal bed includes a support surface insertable into the animal bed so as to lie between the core and a part of the cover that forms the underside of the bed in use. The kit also includes a plurality of legs and fixings for coupling the legs to the support surface through part of the cover.

Abstract: An arrangement of at least two adjacently arranged layer structures is provided for a magnetoresistive magnetic field sensor. Each layer structure has at least one antiferromagnetic layer, and a first ferromagnetic layer with a first magnetic moment. Exchange coupling is present between the antiferromagnetic layer and the first ferromagnetic layer. A second ferromagnetic layer with a second magnetic moment is included, wherein the second ferromagnetic layer is antiparallel coupled to the first ferromagnetic layer via a non-magnetic coupling layer arranged between the first and second ferromagnetic layers. The magnetisation of the corresponding first and corresponding second ferromagnetic layers of the adjacently arranged layer structures differs from one another, and in particular is of substantially mutually opposed orientation.

Abstract: Scratching apparatus 1 comprising a plurality of scratchable sacrificial elements 7 that can be assembled together to form a tower 5, and a base 3 having a first surface on which the tower 5 can be mounted so that the tower 5 is generally upstanding from the base 3 when the apparatus 1 is in use.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices having a circuit substrate with a control unit, a switching mechanism associated with a dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrode, and a memory unit are described. Switching instructions may be received, stored, and retrieved by the control unit and used to control the DEP electrode via the switching mechanism. Systems comprising the described microfluidic devices and methods of controlling the described microfluidic devices are included herein.

Abstract: The invention provides an animal house comprising an impermeable hollow-moulded structure 210 having at least one convex surface 219. The structure comprises a first flat surface 214 extending in a first direction and a second flat surface 213 extending in a second direction. The convex surface 219 connects the first flat surface 214 to the second flat surface 213. The structure 210 further comprises a rib 230 defining a sharp edge. The rib 320 is configured to be releasably attached proximate to or on the convex surface 219 such that the rib 230 diverts a liquid flowing over the convex surface 219 away from the structure 210. The invention also provides an impermeable hollow-moulded panel 810 with protruding ridges 800, 801 to prevent water ingress.

Abstract: Processes for the production of a meat analogue include: a) preparing a meat batter comprising protein by mixing water, raw material of meat and/or meat by-product, and optionally further ingredients, in a mixer, b) conveying the meat batter obtained in step a) by means of a first positive displacement pump to a single heating unit comprising a single scraped surface heat exchanger, c) heating the meat batter in the single heating unit to a temperature above the melting temperature of the protein to produce a heat-treated product, d) transferring the heat-treated product of step c) to a cooling unit by means of a second positive displacement pump, e) cooling the heat-treated product by moving through the cooling unit, so that the heat-treated product reaches a temperature below water boiling temperature at ambient pressure when exiting the cooling unit, and f) dividing the cooled heat-treated product into pieces.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a bird feeder 13 comprising: a hopper 23, 25 for providing a supply of food or fluid for a bird, said hopper comprising a storage compartment 27, 29 for a supply of food or fluid for a bird, and a tray 31, 33 into which food or fluid from said storage compartment can flow; a receptacle 15 for waste food or fluid, and a hopper support 35 configured to support the hopper 23, 25 in such a position that food or fluid can flow from said storage compartment 29, 29 to the tray 31, 33, and so that waste food or fluid can pass into said receptacle 15; wherein the hopper 23, 25 is removable from the feeder 13 for cleaning or for replenishing the supply of fluid or food in said storage compartment 27, 29.

Abstract: A pet food comprising protein, curdlan and an adsorptive agent is provided; as is a process of preparing the pet food.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a food product, particularly a pet food product, comprising zein protein and particularly also comprising animal protein, said process comprising the steps of: (i) providing a composition comprising zein protein; (ii) treating the composition from step (i) to denature said zein protein to provide a composition comprising denatured zein protein; and (iii) mixing said composition comprising denatured zein protein with other ingredients of said food product, particularly animal protein.

Abstract: A door assembly (13) for an animal enclosure, the door assembly comprising: a frame (23) for mounting over an aperture (21) in a wall of the enclosure; a door (19) moveably mounted in the frame (23), the door (19) being moveable between a position where the aperture in the wall is open for the passage of an animal and a position where the aperture in the wall is closed thereby to prevent the passage of an animal; and a motor (37) for driving the door (19) between the closed and open positions.

Abstract: A kit for converting an animal bed having a core and a cover into a raised animal bed includes a support surface insertable into the animal bed so as to lie between the core and a part of the cover that forms the underside of the bed in use. The kit also includes a plurality of legs and fixings for coupling the legs to the support surface through part of the cover.

Abstract: A ring clip for connecting two wire mesh panels. The clip has a first arm and a second arm. The arms connected at respective first ends by a hinge. A second end of the first arm defines a recess which is adapted to receive a second end of the second arm when the clip is in a closed condition. The first arm includes a first tab, and the second arm includes a second tab, such that, in the closed condition the first and second tabs are substantially opposed. The first and second tabs are substantially misaligned laterally.

Abstract: A photothermal interferometry apparatus and method for detecting a molecule in a sample, in particular for detecting a trace gas species, comprising: a Fabry-Perot interferometer with a first mirror, a second mirror and a first cavity for containing the sample extending between the first and the second mirror, a probe laser for passing a probe laser beam through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, an excitation laser for passing an excitation laser beam through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer for exciting the molecule in the sample, and a photodetector unit for detecting the transmitted probe laser beam passed through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.

Abstract: A fence post for an animal enclosure including a first member, a second member, a collar, and a fastener. The first member and second member are substantially the same length. The second member has a cross-bore at a proximal end thereof, the collar defines an aperture, and the first member is fixedly attachable to the collar. The second member is configured to be partially received within the collar for alignment of the cross-bore and the aperture, and the second member is fixable relative to the collar by means of the fastener arranged to at least partially passthrough said cross-bore and said aperture.

Abstract: A latch for an animal house includes a first arm, a second arm, and a body. The first arm and the second arm are connected to each other at one end by the body, and the first arm and the second arm are each flexibly supported at the body. Each arm is independently able to flex with respect to the body. The latch has a flat spring which is adapted to restore the latch to a rest condition in which the arms are aligned with each other.