Abstract: A redox flow battery may include: a positive half-cell comprising a catholyte; a negative half-cell comprising an anolyte; and an ion permeable membrane, wherein the ion permeable membrane separates the catholyte and the anolyte, and wherein the catholyte, the anolyte, or both comprise a low-transition temperature material comprising: a redox-active phase; and an ionically conducting organic salt.

Abstract: A feeder includes a base portion defining an internal storage chamber and having at least one opening, a tubular insert configured to be positioned within the opening and attachable to the base portion, the insert including a sealing system and defining a through passage, the sealing system configured to seal the internal storage chamber, a lid configured to attach to the insert so to prevent passage through the through passage, and a bowl configured to be disposed within the insert.

Abstract: A feeder includes a base portion defining an internal storage chamber and having at least one opening, a tubular insert configured to be positioned within the opening and attachable to the base portion, the insert including a sealing system and defining a through passage, the sealing system configured to seal the internal storage chamber, a lid configured to attach to the insert so to prevent passage through the through passage, and a bowl configured to be disposed within the insert.

Abstract: A nutrient dispensing device for animals includes an access basin and a support portion attached to the access basin. The dispensing device includes a ramp spanning between the access basin and the support portion. A storage tank is disposed on the support portion, and a first end of the ramp is located partially beneath an open end of the storage tank. The ramp also includes at least one shield attached along a portion of the ramp, and the shield resists contents stored in the storage tank from entering a region of the support portion.

Abstract: Pet waterers and feeders are provided that have a spill-resistant rim. In particular, in one embodiment, a device for dispensing at least one of food and liquid to an animal is provided. The device includes a bowl and a coupler positioned over a first opening of the bowl. The coupler is configured to receive a bottle. Additionally, the device includes a spill-resistant rim positioned over a second opening of the bowl. The spill-resistant rim extends inwardly into the second opening to prevent spilling of the bowl's contents.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device includes a container removably mounted to a tray such that an orifice in the base of the container is below a fill line of the tray. A flat-shaped cap that includes an opening is removably attached to the orifice. A cap adjustment member forces the cap into a concave shape when the container is removably mounted to the tray. If the cap is in the flat shape, surface tension of the liquid in the container prevents the container from dispensing liquid. However, forcing the cap into the concave shape disrupts the surface tension of the liquid and allows the container to dispense the liquid if the liquid is not already above a fill line. These features allow the orifice to be wide enough for cleaning while the cap is narrow enough for operation without the cap causing surface tension that hinders operation.

Abstract: A nutrient dispensing device for animals includes an access basin and a support portion attached to the access basin. The dispensing device includes a ramp spanning between the access basin and the support portion. A storage tank is disposed on the support portion, and a first end of the ramp is located partially beneath an open end of the storage tank. The ramp also includes at least one shield attached along a portion of the ramp, and the shield resists contents stored in the storage tank from entering a region of the support portion.

Abstract: A preform to be used to create a plastic bottle has a substantially cylindrical body and a rounded cap at a top portion of the body. The preform also has a neck extending from the body, the neck has threading around at least a portion of an outer surface of the neck. A lip separates the neck from the body, and the lip has a larger diameter than the neck.

Abstract: Pet waterers and feeders are provided that have a spill-resistant rim. In particular, in one embodiment, a device for dispensing at least one of food and liquid to an animal is provided. The device includes a bowl and a coupler positioned over a first opening of the bowl. The coupler is configured to receive a bottle. Additionally, the device includes a spill-resistant rim positioned over a second opening of the bowl. The spill-resistant rim extends inwardly into the second opening to prevent spilling of the bowl's contents.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device includes a container removably mounted to a tray such that an orifice in the base of the container is below a fill line of the tray. A flat-shaped cap that includes an opening is removably attached to the orifice. A cap adjustment member forces the cap into a concave shape when the container is removably mounted to the tray. If the cap is in the flat shape, surface tension of the liquid in the container prevents the container from dispensing liquid. However, forcing the cap into the concave shape disrupts the surface tension of the liquid and allows the container to dispense the liquid if the liquid is not already above a fill line. These features allow the orifice to be wide enough for cleaning while the cap is narrow enough for operation without the cap causing surface tension that hinders operation.

Abstract: A product stocking device is disclosed that retains a plurality of display packages, so that the plurality of display packages are readily aligned for simplified mounting onto a display hanger. The stocking device has a first section and a second section, the second section threads through apertures in the plurality of display packages and is then coupled to a coupling portion.

Abstract: A product stocking device is disclosed that retains a plurality of display packages, so that the plurality of display packages are readily aligned for simplified mounting onto a display hanger. The stocking device has a first section and a second section, the second section threads through apertures in the plurality of display packages and is then coupled to a coupling portion.

Abstract: A pet feeding device including a removable storage container for storing pet food and having a safety restriction device. The container has an opening to allow pet food to empty into a support containing a bowl. As food empties, it travels through the safety restriction device or ring, which is mounted on the container opening. The safety restriction device has a bar extending from its inner boundary to prevent a small pet from inserting its head into the main storage area.

Abstract: A multi-level cat playhouse and associated methods of assembly, disassembly and storage thereof. The playhouse includes an open-topped lower body portion having plural walls which define an interior space and a partially open-bottomed upper body portion, also having plural walls which, while also defining an interior space, are configured to fit within the lower interior space for storage purposes when the upper body portion is inverted and placed onto the lower body portion. When in use, a first portion of the lower interior space is covered by a removable separator mounted to generally horizontal ledges included as part of the walls of the lower body portion. By placing the upper body portion onto the lower body portion, a remaining portion of the lower interior space is covered by the bottom wall of the upper body while the removable separator provides a floor for the upper interior space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately and reliably positioning an actuator arm (12) is disclosed. The actuator arm (12) is driven by a conventional DC motor (38). The conductors which supply current to the motor (38) serve as primary windings (60) of a current transformer (58). The signal induced on secondary windings (62) of the transformer (58) responds to fluctuations in average current flowing in the motor (38). These fluctuations are amplified (64) and filtered (66) so that an AC burst (68) is produced in response to each commutation of the motor (38). The AC burst (68) triggers a one-shot timing circuit (72), which generates a pulse that remains active until the AC burst (68) has decayed. The pulse disappears prior to a subsequent commutation of the motor (38). Thus, one pulse is generated for each commutation of motor (38). A counter (76) is clocked by these pulses. The counter (76) increments when the motor (38) moves in one direction and decrements when the motor (38) moves in the opposing direction.

Abstract: A powered actuator (1) for driving mechanisms that open and close convertible tops, sunroofs, windows and the like in motor vehicles; in which actuator (1) has a manual override feature allowing actuator (1) to be easily operated by hand should the electrical power system of the motor vehicle fail, yet the manual override feature does not require calibration or periodic adjustment.Actuator (1) includes actuator housing (2) having an attached motor having first gear (28) driven by the motor armature, output shaft (18) having driven gear (12) mounted thereon, insert cushion (10) being engaged with driven gear (12), and removable plate (6) being installed upon plate end (42) of output shaft (18). Actuator (1) is manually operated by removing removable plate (6) thereby disengaging driven gear (12) from output shaft (18) and then manually imparting rotation to plate end (42) of output shaft (18).