Abstract: A system for pet excrement removal, separating the excrements from the clean litter by lodging them in a separate compartment from the litter box. To do so, it is only necessary to rotate a cylinder. The system has a removable litter tray where the animal can do its physiological needs. The fact that it is removable allows for an easy sanitation, because it can be removed from the system, with or without litter, which simplifies its washing, increasing the hygiene of the litter box. The removable litter tray, previously mentioned, has a support base for entry and exit of the animal, which allows removal of the litter attached to the animal's paws, when exiting the litter box, in order to keep the surrounding environment clean.

Abstract: The bedding groomer comprises a frame attachable to an ag vehicle such as a skid loader or tractor for movement down the alley of a free stall barn. Pivotally supported on the frame is an elongate shroud that can be moved from a raised travel position to a lowered, laterally extending working position by a hydraulic cylinder. Rotatably mounted within the shroud is an elongated arbor driven by a hydraulic motor. Along the length of the arbor is a plurality of radially projecting tines. As the ag vehicle travels down the alley, the tines dig into the animal bedding material, churning it, to break up hard packed and compressed areas and to aerate deep within the bedding to aid in aerobic composting any organic material, such as manure, that is present in the bedding.

Abstract: A litter and litter making method producing cat litter from a carbohydrate starch-containing cereal grain, e.g., corn, based admixture extruded from a single screw or twin screw extruder forming pellets having a clumping agent formed during extrusion composed at least in part of carbohydrate polymer binder. Each pellet is extruded under conditions that cause formation of carbohydrate polymer binder clumping agent at least some of which is water soluble. One preferred method of extruding cat litter causes starch dextrinization to occur such that at least some of the carbohydrate polymer binder clumping agent in each pellet is formed of dextrin. Each pellet can be coated such as with a smectite that preferably is bentonite. During use, pellet extrusion formed clumping agent in a pellet wetted with urine dissolves and flows in between and along adjacent pellets causing them to clump together without the presence of any clumping agent additive.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a secure and comfortable animal enclosure providing convenient automated access and payment with validated User identification and validated animal identification linked to the animal's vaccinations and health records and configured for use in or near business, commercial, entertainment, workplace and other venues.

Abstract: A pet activity module having a substantially square or rectangular base for contacting a support surface when in use, substantially parallel back and front walls extending orthogonally from said base and substantially parallel side walls extending orthogonally from the base, the substantially parallel front and back walls being orthogonally joined to the substantially parallel side walls, the base, front, back and side walls together creating an internal volume sized to receive a domestic cat, a plush fabric applied to the base, a fabric creating scratcher surfaces, at least one scratcher surface being within the interior volume and at least one scratcher surface being on an exterior surface of at least one of the back, front or side walls of the module.

Abstract: A pet dish assembly, including a base, a vertical support member extending upwardly from the base, at least one ladle slidingly secured to a top surface of the vertical support member, the ladle comprising an arcuate handle at a first end and a bowl at a second end.

Abstract: A cold water dispensing device for dispensing cold water to animals includes a first housing that has a first top, which is open. An orifice is substantially centrally positioned through a first bottom of the first housing. A reservoir, which has an open neck complementary to the orifice, is positionable in the first housing. A second housing is couplable to the first bottom of the first housing. The second housing extends transversely past a front of the first housing. The second housing has a second top that is open. A bowl, which is complementary to the second housing, is insertable through the second top to rest on a second bottom of the second housing. The reservoir containing ice is invertably positioned with the open neck through the orifice. Melt from the reservoir collects in the bowl to provide cold water to pets or other animals.

Abstract: An appliance for grooming furred animals including a tubular body part forming a handle and an airflow duct connectable to a vacuum cleaner, the distal end of the body part being flared out to form a head part communicating with the airflow duct; a comb assembly being pivotally supported from the forward edge of the opening of the head part with a comb orientated more or less normal to the longitudinal axis of the body part or tilted towards a user of the appliance to make an angle with the longitudinal axis of the body part in the range 90 to 60 degrees; the comb assembly being pivotally displaceable by various means inwardly from its the deployed position into a retracted position within the head part where the comb is exposed to and swept by airflow generated by the vacuum cleaner, thereby removing accumulated hair.

Abstract: An animal training system includes a portable remote transceiver for a user for transmitting a remote animal control signal to a remote animal transceiver on an animal for effecting a control stimulus to the animal. A separate animal control transceiver positioned at the animal may be in signal communication with the remote animal transceiver placed at the animal to effect a control stimulus to the animal in response to a control signal from the remote animal transceiver.

Abstract: Herd control methods and systems are described that can achieve great benefits over conventional methods when applied to animal and range management. The methods allow much greater animal density than is possible by other means of intensive grazing. A herd can be turned out in a large pasture or unfenced rangeland without dispersal. The herd constantly moves to find new forage and water without the negative consequences of uncontrolled grazing, and fencing can be reduced or eliminated. The methods use devices attached to some or all of a plurality of animals to replicate a herdsman rather than a fence. These herding devices are equipped with components for measuring the distance to neighboring devices. A stimulation component actuated by the processor applies a stimulus, such as a sound or an electric shock, if the animal is too far from the herd.

Abstract: An animal alignment support system includes a rod rotatably mounted on an animal enclosure and a rotation mechanism coupled with the rod to rotate the rod about a radial axis of the rod between a raised position and a lowered position. The system includes two horn cradles coupled with the rod and spaced apart from one another along the rod. At least a portion of each of the horn cradles extends downward and forward from the rod. In the raised position, the horn cradles are raised above a height of horns of an animal, thereby allowing the animal to pass below and move in front of the horn cradles. In the lowered position, at least a portion of each of the horn cradles is positioned below and behind the horns of the animal positioned within the animal enclosure, preventing the animal from backing up or lowering or turning its head.

Abstract: An example collar includes a strap, a removable buckle slidable along the strap, and at least one removable leash attachment. The leash attachment includes a strap-receiving portion with a thickness approximately equal to a thickness of the strap such that the strap is receivable in the strap-receiving portion in a biased fit and the leash attachment is fixable at a location along the strap. Another example collar and a method of assembling a collar are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a herd of animals possibly requiring medical treatment, such as cows in a feedlot. The animals are herded individually into a chute, where identification data is collected from a tag, and core temperature data is collected using a special non-contacting core temperature sensor. The animal is tagged with a color coded tag representing a range of temperatures into which that animal's temperature falls. The animal is then delivered to a pen corresponding to that range of temperatures, where appropriate medicinal treatment is automatically dosed and applied to the animal.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the physiological condition, and/or suitability of animal feed, of ruminant animals, comprising: a. sensing the occurrence of at least a first predetermined type of activity of the animal; b. determining a length of a time period of a first type during which in step a. a sensed first predetermined type of activity has taken place; c. transmitting information about the length of a time period of the first type determined in step b. wherein preferably the transmission starts on a moment in time which depends on the moment in time on which the time period of the first type has ended; d. repeating steps a.-c. for next sensed occurrences of activities of the first predetermined type.

Abstract: A bird feeder is provided having a seed reservoir with a side wall that has at least one seed access opening and a squirrel resistant feed port assembly having a seed access restricter. The seed access restricter has a body with an inner opening in communication with the reservoir side wall opening and an outer seed access opening that is spaced away from the inner opening and the reservoir side wall opening while being in communication therewith. The outer seed access opening of the restricter is small enough and the length of the body is long enough that the squirrel resistant feed port assembly allows birds to access seed in the reservoir while blocking entry of the larger facial and head structure of a squirrel, thus preventing squirrels from gaining seed access.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing eggs based upon a characteristic such as gender are provided. Material is extracted from each of a plurality of live eggs, the extracted material is assayed to identify eggs having the characteristic, and then eggs identified as having the characteristic are processed accordingly.

Abstract: An animal feeder has a hopper body adjustably mounted on a mounting base for directing feed material in a selected direction. The mounting base includes a pair of ground support elements pivotally mounted on a lateral support plate with a pair of pivot bolts, and further including a locking bolt that enables the lateral support plate to be pivotally adjusted with respect to the pair of ground support elements. The hopper body is rotatably mounted on the lateral support plate via a center bolt. A feed dispensing mechanism discharges the feed material through a feed discharge aperture, in a direction that is adjusted via the positioning of the adjustment base.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for modulating bovine birth rate by following a breeding scheme based on the presence of the trio haplotype, which is strongly linked to the propensity to give birth to multiple calves in one event.

Abstract: This invention discloses a stem cell modified animal model useful as a research tool for investigating aging-related degeneration processes and treatments. The animal model is preferably a rodent subcutaneously transplanted with a mesenchymal stem cell capable of generating a functional bone or marrow element. Also provided are a method for extending the lifespan and improving the quality of life of a subject by subcutaneously transplanting a plurality of mesenchymal stem cells to the subject, wherein the mesenchymal stem cells are capable of generating a functional bone or marrow element. Compositions and source of stem cells suitable for use with the methods of this invention, including stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED), are also disclosed. Further disclosed is a method for identifying progenitor bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and a method for treating SLE-like autoimmune diseases by infusion of mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic red ornamental fish, as well as methods of making such fish by in vitro fertilization techniques. Also disclosed are methods of establishing a population of such transgenic fish and methods of providing them to the ornamental fish industry for the purpose of marketing.

Abstract: A system for use with a container having a container lid. The system comprises a jacket further comprising insulated jacket sidewall surfaces shaped to surround one or more side surfaces of the container when the container is enclosed within the jacket, one or more attachment components affixed to an external surface of the one or more jacket sidewall surfaces, and a jacket lid for receiving therewithin the container lid, the jacket lid for affixing to the one more jacket sidewall surfaces to thereby close the container.

Abstract: An insect trap that is attached or molded onto a garbage receptacle and that relies on the garbage inside the garbage receptacle to attract or lure insects into a trap compartment designed to effectively entrap said insects permanently. Once the trap compartment is ready to be discarded, a release mechanism driven by an actuator is used to press the trap compartment against a release plate until the trap compartment is released or dislodged into the garbage receptacle. Thus, the user of the insect trap does not have to physically touch the trap compartment that is full of trapped insects. Instead, through the use of the actuator, the trap compartment is released directly into the garbage compartment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trap for collecting arthropods, for example ticks. The device comprises an attractant placed over an adhesive surface with the adhesive facing down or at an angle to prevent debris from inadvertently collecting. The arthropods, attracted to the device by the attractant then adhere to the adhesive surface on their dorsal side. The invention also relates to a method of using the device to collect insects by placing one or more of the devices in a desired collection area and collecting insects over a period of time without the need for constant monitoring of the devices.

Abstract: A stackable creature control member, a stacked assembly of creature control members and mounting assemblies for mounting in an operating position the stackable creature control member and/or the stacked assembly of creature control members. The stackable creature control member has a creature control substance applied over a planar or a non-planar surface. i.e., a surface having a plurality of points each of which has a different z-axis coordinate. The stackable feature of the creature control members allows the creature control members to be stacked for packing, shipping and/or use. The stackable assembly allows an individual to readily separate one creature control member from a directly adjacent creature control member without any liner or other separating member being present between adjacent creature control members.

Abstract: A trap for capturing a plurality of animals is provided. The trap can comprise an enclosure having an opening through which the at least one animal can pass to enter the enclosure. A gate, movable between an open position and a closed position, is positioned therein the at least one opening and can be selectively moved from the open position to the closed position when desired. Methods are also provided for capturing at least one animal by providing a trap with a gate, positioning the gate in an open position, monitoring the trap until at least one animal has entered the trap, and remotely triggering the gate to move from the open position to a closed position.

Abstract: Provided is a method for reducing apoptosis in nucleated cells. The method entails holding nucleated cells in a container and adding a gas containing xenon to the container so that the pressure inside the container reaches between 0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient pressure; holding the container at between 0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient pressure for a period of time during which the temperature in the container is between 22° C. and 37° C.; lowering the temperature in the container to between 0.1° C. and 10° C. while maintaining the pressure of 0.5 to 4.0 Atm above ambient pressure and holding the container for a period of time; and reducing the pressure in the container to ambient pressure and increasing the temperature to 22° C.-37° C. By performing these steps, the cells undergo less apoptosis than a reference.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (a) tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate (THPS); (b) water; and (c) methanol; wherein the weight percentages of (a), (b) and (c) are within the area on a ternary phase diagram for (a), (b) and (c) bounded by four points: (A) 5% THPS/58% water/37% methanol; (B) 5% THPS/36% water/59% methanol; (C) 65% THPS/27% water/8% methanol; and (D) 65% THPS/29% water/6% methanol.

Abstract: Herbicide delivery systems comprising a potassium salt of a herbicidal carboxylic acid coated onto a solid carrier.

Abstract: The water dispersible granule according to the present disclosure includes aggregates, wherein each of the aggregates includes: one type of an agrochemical active ingredient powder and a carrier composed only of a low hygroscopic water-soluble powder, wherein the agrochemical active ingredient is tert-butyl {6-{[(Z)-(1-methyl-1H-5-tetrazolyl)phenylmethylene]aminooxymethyl}-2-pyridyl}carbamate.

Abstract: An agricultural spray composition, comprising a vinyl ester-based polymer dispersion; a plasticizer; and an active ingredient.

Abstract: A disinfestation sheet includes a carrier layer with a first and second surface with active pesticidal particles formed therein. The active pesticidal particles contain pesticidal ingredients selected from pyrethroid family or the like. The carrier layer has channels formed therein. The channels form one or more paths between one or more pesticidal particles and at least one of the first and the second surfaces to allow diffusion of the active pesticidal ingredient from the pesticidal particles to at least one of the first and the second surfaces of the carrier layer. The disinfestation sheet may further comprise antioxidant compounds. The disinfestation sheet may also have a base layer attached to the second surface of the carrier layer, an adhesive grip layer attached to the base layer and a support layer attached to the grip layer, where in the support layer is detachable. The carrier layer may also comprise ridges extending outwardly from the second surface.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the use of diphenyliodonium salts for lowering sulfide concentrations and for preventing growth of microbes in a water injection system, a hydrocarbon extraction system, or a hydrocarbon production system. Treating oilfield injection and produced fluids containing high levels of microbes with diphenyliodonium salts can significantly decrease the amount of hydrogen sulfide produced, which can be used to measure sulfidogenesis. The treatment can also decrease the number of microbes in the injection and produced fluids. Thus, these diphenyliodonium salts can be effectively used as inhibitors of hydrogen sulfide generation and as biocides in oilfield fluids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of improving plant growth by applying an effective amount of (S)-abscisic acid and glycine betaine to the plant. The present invention is further directed to methods of improving stress tolerance in a plant by applying an effective amount of (S)-abscisic acid and glycine betaine to the plant.

Abstract: A composition comprising herbicidal mixtures of mesotrione impregnated into or coated on the surface of a granular substrate material such as a fertilizer granule and/or a solid inert carrier material is provided for use to control weeds in turfgrasses without causing damage to the grass and methods for the use thereof.

Abstract: Herbicidal compositions comprising (a) imazapic or salt thereof, (b) aminopyralid or salt thereof, and optionally (c) metsulfuron or an ester thereof are described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, including all stereoisomers, N-oxides, and salts thereof, wherein G is phenyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl or pyrazinyl substituted with Q meta or para to the —C(R2a)R2b— radical, and optionally substituted with up to 3 substituents selected from R3; and A, Z, R1, R2a, R2b, R3 and Q are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling plant disease caused by a fungal plant pathogen comprising applying an effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to substituted dihydro-hydantoin derivatives of the formula (I) wherein X, A, R1, R2, R3, Ra and Rb are as defined in the specification. Furthermore, the present invention relates to processes and intermediates for making compounds of formula (I), to herbicidal compositions comprising these compounds and to methods of using these compounds to control or inhibit plant growth.

Abstract: The present specification discloses honeybee repellents exhibiting repellent properties similar to 2-heptanone, compositions comprising such repellents, uses to repel a honeybee from a mammal, location, plant, structure treated of such repellents, and methods of treating a mammal, location, plant, structure by applying such repellents.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions comprising Root-Knot Nematode (RKN)-active Methylobacterium sp., methods for controlling RKN infections of plants, and methods of making the compositions.

Abstract: The present application in particular is related to a method of estimating a humidity level in a steam cooking chamber (4) of a steam cooking appliance (1). The method comprises successively measuring static or quasi-static pressure values (P1, . . . , Pn) prevailing within the steam cooking chamber (4); successively calculating from the pressure values (P1, . . . , Pn); and setting and using the humidity index value (EH1, EHn) as an actual measure for the humidity level.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically removing dough pieces from overhead dough proffer, weighing the dough pieces and reinserting them back in to the process stream. The weight information is analyzed to determine whether it represents the weight of pieces or the empty scale weight, and may be used to provide a signal proportional to the weight of a dough portion, or group of dough potions in order to automatically adjust the rate at which dough is fed to the dividing mechanism, thereby increasing or decreasing the dough piece weights to maintain the desired amount of dough per piece.

Abstract: A vertical household noodle maker includes a base, a stirring container connected to the base, a stirring rod longitudinally arranged in the stirring container, an extrusion cylinder horizontally arranged at one side below the stirring container, a spiral rod arranged in the extrusion cylinder, an extrusion die and a control unit. The stirring rod includes a rod body and a stirring blade. The motor rotates the stirring rod and the spiral rod, and a feeding inlet in communication with the extrusion cylinder is provided at a bottom of the stirring container. An inner wall of the stirring container is provided with a cutting rod, and a projection of the cutting rod at least partially overlaps with a projection of the stirring blade in the horizontal direction when the stirring blade is driven by the motor to rotate to a position of the cutting rod.

Abstract: A baked good interior removal device facilitates removal of a soft interior of a baked good from an outer crust. The device includes a handle and an axle extending from the handle. A motor positioned within the handle selectively rotates the axle relative to the handle. A head is coupled to the axle. The head includes a cylindrical wall and a plurality of scoops extending outwardly from the cylindrical wall for engaging and removing an interior of a baked good from an exterior of the baked good as the head is rotated.

Abstract: Potassium bicarbonate is coated with an anionic or amphoteric surfactant, which is preferably a metal soap, such as calcium stearate, to inhibit caking on storage, and premature loss of carbon dioxide when mixed with acidulant, e.g. in a baking powder or self-raising flour blend. Loss of carbon dioxide in the blend may be further inhibited by coating the acidulant with surfactant. Combination of surfactant coating with an inorganic anti-caking agent such as silicon dioxide gives synergistic protection against caking of the potassium bicarbonate. Preferably the bicarbonate has D50 of between 35 and 200? and is free from particles greater than 400?.

Abstract: A portioning-twisting machine for producing cured sausages includes a product portioning element (3) and a twisting element (4) wherein portions are stuffed into a continuous casing and they are twisted. The portioning element (3) and the twisting element (4) are arranged so that the product moves between them linearly, i.e., without changing direction from when it is introduced into the machine to be portioned to its output forming stuffed units, after being twisted in the casing. The twisting element (4) is actuated in its rotation by a second motor (19), which operates independently from the first motor (10), which actuates the rotation of the portioning element (3). The transmission means (20) that link the second motor (19) to the twisting element (4) are accommodated and protected in a frame (21) provided externally on the side of the housing (2) and includes at least one belt (22).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing meat from crustacean legs includes a conveyor, and a plurality of leg meat extraction rollers. The conveyor has a crustacean body region flanked by laterally opposed crustacean leg regions. Each crustacean leg region includes a plurality of leg slots extending laterally outwardly of the crustacean body region. The leg meat extraction rollers are positioned laterally outwardly of the leg slots and oriented to receive crustacean legs moved laterally outwardly from the leg slots.

Abstract: A device has an inner wall with a plurality of flow openings and defining a smoking chamber. A solid outer wall surrounds the inner wall to define a flow gap between the inner wall and outer wall. A top cover extends to enclose the smoking chamber and the flow gap from the top. Openings may be provided for air flow into and out of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for curing and more specifically for cold smoking meat or seafood with a blend of filtered smoke from an organic smoking material such as softwoods such as pine or tropical palms such as coconut wood or such as mixed wood sawdust from a sawmill, that are not traditionally used for smoking seafood or meat due to the harsh flavor imparted by their smoke, and unfiltered smoke from a second organic smoking material such as hardwood smoke, or other pleasant flavor-imparting smoke. The blending of filtered smoke from a first organic smoking material such as coniferous softwood, tropical palm wood or mixed sawdust from a sawmill with unfiltered pleasant flavor-imparting smoke from the second organic smoking material reduces the cost of the smoking and curing process and allows versatility in application in terms of preservative properties and flavor imparted to the cured meat or seafood.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a melon juice concentrate, such as watermelon juice concentrate, includes a finisher with brushes for separating melon flesh from melon rind including leaving at least 1/16 inch flesh on the rind and screens for separating juice from flesh. The apparatus also includes a steamer to reduce bacteria count on whole melon, a chopper for chopping melons into pieces less than about 16 inches square, an extractor for extracting juice from the flesh, and an evaporator for concentrating melon juice to form melon juice concentrate. The steamer includes a cylinder frame, steam jets directing steam through apertures in the cylinder frame at whole melon therein, and a motivator to move the whole melon along the cylinder frame. The apparatus can also process cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and other melon.

Abstract: A method of preserving freshness of a harvested crop includes irradiating the harvested crop with blue light and misting the harvested crop with water mist while irradiating the harvested crop with the blue light.