Abstract: A method of supplying liners (4) for use within teat cups (3) to milking parlours (1) is described. The method involves collecting used liners (4) from a milking parlour (1), delivering those liners (4) to a testing station, performing a test on each of those liners (4), notifying the operator of the milking parlour (1) of a problem with the milking parlour (1) if the test indicates there is such a problem and delivering new liners to the milking parlour (1).

Abstract: A base carrying a left-side panel and a right-side panel. A top panel is disposed on and extends between said side panels, wherein said base, said side panels and top panel define a pet receiving area. A blower unit disposed at a rear side of said pet receiving area drawing air in a direction from a front side to said rear side of the housing across the pet receiving area. An airflow control covering disposed on at least one of said left-side panel and said right-side panel providing a reduced airflow entering said pet receiving area through the side panel relative to a front side of the housing, wherein a negative air pressure is established within the housing while providing a primary airflow direction from said front side to said rear side of the housing to container pet hair, dander and debris within said housing.

Abstract: A fan assembly for use in a sidewall of an animal house. The fan assembly includes an impeller, a motive force configured to rotate the impeller about a fan assembly axis, and a butterfly shutter. A shutter operation mechanism moves the butterfly doors of the shutter between the closed position and the open position in synchrony with an operating speed of the impeller. The shutter operating mechanism includes pushrods connected to the butterfly doors, and a linkage between the impeller and the second pushrods. The linkage includes at least one weight configured to rotate with the impeller about the fan assembly axis, wherein rotation of the at least one weight causes the linkage to exert a force on the pushrods to push the butterfly doors toward the open position when the impeller is rotating.

Abstract: A cage for containing a small animal includes various features adapted to provide a means of cleaning the cage that is fast, easy, and clean, without disassembling, tipping, tilting, or lifting the cage. A panel defining a portion of a cage floor or wall element, or a combination thereof, can be transitioned by a user from a closed state to an open state to reveal an opening, allowing soiled materials to be neatly swept through the opening and directly into a receptacle placed below a portion of the cage containing the opening. A control element coupled to the panel may be provided to allow the user to transition the panel between the closed and open states with minimal manipulation of the cage itself.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier for the transport of small animals is provided. The carrier includes a platform member coupleable to a top tube of a bicycle frame and a brace member coupleable to handlebars of the bicycle. The platform member includes a base member, a plurality of side members, and a coupling member. The side members extend from one or more longitudinal edges of the base member so as to define a pod. The coupling member extends from the base member and couples the platform member to a seat post of the bicycle. The brace member includes at least one spring and a bumper member. The at least one spring may extend perpendicularly from the handlebars. The bumper member may be coupled to a distal end of the at least one spring. The brace member may assist in the positioning of the animal during transport, including for example, over uneven terrain.

Abstract: A divider panel assembly for being assembled within an interior of an animal enclosure includes a body defined by a plurality of interconnecting horizontal and vertical wires, the body including a height and width defined by a top horizontal wire, a bottom horizontal wire, a first vertical wire and a second vertical wire. A hook end is formed by at least one of the plurality of horizontal or vertical wires of the body, the hook end configured to engage with the animal enclosure. A clip is rotatably coupled to the first vertical wire or the second vertical wire, where the clip includes a first defined opening for receiving the first or second vertical wire and a second opening configured for receiving a wire of the animal enclosure.

Abstract: The pet resting structure comprises a base and a pad, wherein the pad is selectively receivable within a recess of the base. The base is constructed of a single continuous member of foam material that provides structural integrity and of a cover that may encapsulate the foam material, protecting it from various forms of damage. The pad may comprise a cushioning material providing a deformable pet resting surface and an encapsulating cover. Further, both covers may include a waterproof inner lining to protect the foam material from water damage and non-slip pad to prevent unwanted movement during use. The pet resting structure also includes at least one fastener such that the pad and base are selectively securable. Additionally, a method of constructing the base includes injecting a liquid foam material within a single part mold, such that upon its solidification, a solid foam material may then be removed.

Abstract: An animal door assembly and method of operation thereof. The animal door assembly includes an animal door that is connected to, or integrally formed as part of, at least a portion of a door of a user's home, garage, shed, and/or outbuilding. The animal door is selectively movable between a first and second position allowing an animal to enter and exit the user's home, garage, shed, and/or outbuilding. A collar having a collar attachment portion may be selectively attached and detached to and from at least a portion of a leash attachment portion of one or more leashes.

Abstract: A milking arrangement includes plural milking places, each milking place having a primary end and an opposite secondary end, an entrance at the primary end, a front side and a rear side, which both extend in parallel with the longitudinal axis, a plurality of sequence gates arranged between the front side and the rear side, each of the sequence gates being pivotable between a closed position and an open position, each sequence gate being only pivotable from its closed position to its open position in a pivotation direction in which the front end is pivoted into a milking place towards the front side of the milking arrangement, main extension planes of the sequence gates being aligned when the sequence gates are in their closed position, with a lower edge of each sequence gate defining a bulge that extends downwards.

Abstract: An animal rear leg position control device includes a body having a lower side; a first lateral side; a second lateral side; a front end; a rear side, where a longitudinal direction is defined by a line extending from the front end to the rear side; a first transition area defines a first rear corner of said body; and a second transition area defines a second rear corner of said body, where the front end is configured to be turned towards a front part of a milking stable when the body is in an operative position, and the rear side is configured to be turned towards a rear part of a milking stable when said body is in the operative position in the milking stable. The first rear corner and the second rear corner are positioned at different longitudinal positions in the longitudinal direction of the body.

Abstract: Fodder mixing wagon with a mixing container and at least one mixing member arranged rotatable therein for fodder components and a sensor system arranged to co-rotate on the mixing member for examining at least one of the fodder components and/or a fodder mixture formed therefrom. A data transmission system with a transmitter a receiver which are associated with one another in a co-rotating and not co-rotating arrangement for wireless data transmission to and/or from the sensor system; and/or an electrical generator for supplying power to the sensor system. The transmitter and receiver are arranged such that the wireless data transmission is within the mixing container; and the generator is arranged on the stator side to co-rotate with the mixing member and on the rotor side is coupled not to co-rotate. Data transmission is provided with a low transmission power. Inductive data and power transmission may be used.

Abstract: An automatic pet feeder with cooler has a compartmentalized serving tray and a thermoelectric cooling peltier device with a condensation collector. The tray rotates inside an insulated enclosure with an opening just sufficient to expose food from one of the compartments on the tray for household pets. The wet pet food in remaining enclosed compartments is kept at a cold temperature, similar to a refrigerator, thereby preventing bacterial spoilage of pet food over a longer time periods. Since the thermoelectric cooling peltier device surface cools down below ambient temperature, condensation forms on it and drips down into the condensation collector where it is channeled to away where it can evaporate. Using an included user interface, a human user of the device can enter the times when the serving tray should rotate such as to expose one of the various enclosed food compartments on the serving tray for a household pet.

Abstract: An animal feed dispenser, in particular for horses, comprising a downwardly open, substantially vertically oriented tube with at least one filling opening for animal feed that is arranged in the upper portion of the tube. At least two elastic cables which project through in the interior transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube are arranged above one another, wherein a clearance remains above each cable and in each case allows only the reception of an individual portion unit of the animal feed, and wherein each cable is connected to an end of an associated pulling element which is guided outwardly substantially normal to the respective elastic cable via an opening in the tube wall, wherein a biting element is fastened to the end of the pulling element that is situated outside the tube.

Abstract: A container is disclosed for maintaining, shipping and dispensing granular material such as but not limited to pet food. The container includes an aperture in the bottom which is sealed with a pull tab until the material is ready for dispensing. An automated dispenser of such granular materials is also disclosed such that an insert in a drawer located below an aperture in the dispenser controls the amount of material that is dispensed from the container that sits atop the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a two-layer pet waterer. The two-layer pet waterer comprises a water tank and a first drinking plate arranged above the water tank, and a fountain opening is connected with the bottom of the first drinking plate. The fountain opening is connected with a water pipe, and the water pipe is connected with a low-water-level pump. A second drinking plate is arranged below the first drinking plate. The low-water-level pump pumps water into the first drinking plate, and after the water is full of the first drinking plate, it leaks into the second drinking plate. A pet can choose the first drinking plate or the second drinking plate by itself to drink the water.

Abstract: A two-layer pet waterer includes a water tank, a pump arranged in the water tank, a first drinking plate supported on a second drinking plate, and the second drinking plate detachably residing on the top of the water tank. A first hollow pipe has an upper end, which forms a fountain opening on the first drinking plate, and a lower end, which extends downwards through the second drinking plate to connect a pump outlet of the pump. Water in the water tank is pumped upwards from the pump outlet into the first hollow pipe and then flows out from the fountain opening to the first drinking plate and then overflows into the second drinking plate when the first drinking plate is full.

Abstract: A tag (10) is configured to be attached to an object (12). The tag includes a sensor (24) configured to generate data indicative of movement of the tag in three dimensions. A control circuit (14) of the tag is configured to determine an amount of change in orientation of the tag over a predetermined period of time based on the data indicative of movement of the tag in three dimensions generated by the sensor; and to determine that the amount of change in orientation indicates that the tag is in one of an attached state relative to the object or is in a detached state relative to the object. A signal may be transmitted to a host computing device (28) if it is determined that the tag has become detached from the object.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of acquiring individual information, and more particularly, to a system and method of effectively acquiring bioactivity and location information from each individual of livestock grazing in vast grasslands and efficiently utilizing the acquired information for livestock management by constructing a sensor-communication network.

Abstract: Animal umbrellas adapted to protect animals, more specifically household pets, from precipitation and sun radiation. The animal umbrellas include a shade held at a distance from an animal's body by a plurality of ribs and stretchers, and is attached and extends from at least one collar or harness placed on the animal. A leash can be incorporated and releasably attached thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a freestanding and portable climbing apparatus for pet training and exercise. A climbing apparatus includes a platform having a top surface that defines a walking surface for a pet. The climbing apparatus includes a first post, a second post, a third post, and a fourth post having top ends coupled to a respective corner of the platform that raise the platform from a ground surface such that a top surface of the platform is an elevated surface. A first ramp is coupled to the first end of the platform supporting the platform at the first end, and a second ramp is coupled to the second end of the platform opposite that of the first end supporting the platform at the second end. One of a first platform foot, a second platform foot, a first ramp foot, and a second ramp foot are formed of polyethylene.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for positioning an animal. One apparatus includes an animal stand. The animal stand includes: a base having multiple legs; a vertical extension coupled to the legs; and an adjustable arm coupled to the vertical extension. The legs are configured to support the vertical extension. The adjustable arm has a first diameter. The adjustable arm has a first end and a second end. The first end is slidable coupled to the vertical extension. The second end includes a holder. The holder is sized to hold an object with a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: An animal restraint is either a leash or a collar. The animal restraint includes a lighting module and a circuit board, the circuit board enclosed in the lighting module. The animal restraint further includes a first light source connected to the circuit board, such that the first light source does not have a fixed position in relation to the circuit board, the first light source enclosed in the lighting module. The animal restraint further includes a fiber optic connected to and receiving light from the first light source, the fiber optic at least partially in the lighting module. The animal restraint further includes a first flat strap, the fiber optic surrounded by the first flat strap.

Abstract: Provided are a wearable instrument and other things capable of setting suitable tightness. A wearable device includes the following: a collar; a belt having one end connected to the collar, and extending to the animal's back via a dog's armpit when the wearable device is attached to the dog; and a joint where the belt length is adjusted. The belt has a wearable-device index indicated for the length adjustment with the joint, the wearable-device index corresponding to a measuring-instrument index indicated on an index belt included in a measuring instrument.

Abstract: Food supply may be tracked, authenticated, and evaluated by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In certain implementations, computer systems at various animal producers in the food supply chain (e.g., ranch and feedlot) may record and generate data regarding an animal (e.g., breed, age, location, hydration regimen, health history, etc.) and report this to a server system, which may process the data in an authenticated manner. Entities further down the chain (e.g., retailers) may access the server system to retrieve information about meat products and use this in sales efforts. Consumers may also retrieve information about meat products so that they may make informed buying decisions. Additionally, feedback may be provided to animal producers regarding the meat, which may encourage them to continue producing quality animals. Data may also be monetized, and a portion reinvested back to the food producer to assist in labor costs associated with system compliance.

Abstract: A device having a grid floor for accommodating young chicks in poultry rearing. A feed trough having openings in a side wall and for the passage of feed is provided.

Abstract: A device for accommodating chicks in poultry rearing, having a grid floor.

Abstract: An American cockroach processing equipment for household food waste includes: a sorting apparatus, configured to perform solid-liquid separation of kitchen waste; a feeding and breeding apparatus, configured to receive solid waste separated by the sorting apparatus, and use the solid waste for cockroach breeding; and a waste liquid treatment apparatus, configured to receive waste liquid separated by the sorting apparatus, and preferably configured to use the waste liquid for detergent production. The equipment can first perform solid-liquid separation of kitchen waste, and then use the separated solid waste to breed the cockroaches that are used to produce high-grade protein feeds and pharmaceutical raw materials, therefore better economic benefits are achieved and the waste is effectively reused.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Pde6b-deficient animal model of retinal degeneration produced by engineered endonucleases, and a method for producing the same. In the animal model of retinal degeneration according to the present invention, only a specific target gene can be removed using engineered endonucleases, so that mutagenesis can be stably achieved. In addition, it is possible to produce a congenital animal model through genetic manipulation at the embryonic stage rather than through acquired factors, which allows for production of an animal model that uniformly exhibits symptoms of the disease in question without being influenced by other factors.

Abstract: A medium for culturing Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni in vitro, method for preparing the medium and method for culture in vitro are provided, which belongs to technical field of in vitro culture of intestinal protozoa. The formulation of the culture medium includes: 100 ml of Ringer's solution, 0.5 g of yeast extract, 1.0 g of proteose peptone, 3-6 ml of fetal bovine serum, 6-10 ml of horse serum, 300-500 ?l of Bacillus licheniformis suspension, 200-300 mg of aseptic starch. Culture steps include: inoculating collected Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni into a prepared medium, filling with nitrogen and sealing, culturing at 15° C. for 48-72 hours, then transferring to another fresh medium, cycling back and forth, proliferating the Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni continuously. Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni are capable of achieving cell division and proliferation in the culture medium, and lays foundation for the physiological and experimental ecology research of the Balantidium ctenopharyngodoni.

Abstract: In an open topped, stackable, molded plastic container (1), which is generally rectangular with a bottom (2) and first and second pairs of parallel upright walls (3, 4, 5, 6) joined to the bottom and at corners via corner structures (10). Each corner structure comprises a hollow tubular post (13) with a lower protruding stacking pin portion (13p) such that—in a stack—the pin portion of an upper container is received through a hole (14) in a top wall (12) of the corner structure of a lower container onto which said upper container is stacked. Multiple vertical stacking ribs (15a-g) are arranged circumferentially spaced about the hollow tubular post (13). The container is used in combination with a spawn structure in which the mother insects will spawn their eggs. The spawn structure comprises a foldable member and a rigid member.

Abstract: A fishing device includes a net disposed in a body of water containing fishes. A plurality of posts, wherein each post further includes a stem, a bottom cross disposed at a lower portion of the stem; a cross bar disposed at a top end of the stem; and a cord. The stem is an upright elongated protrusion extending from under a bottom to above a surface of the body of water. The cord is slidably secured to the cross bar. A first end of the cord is secured to a weight. A second end of the cord is secured to the net. The fishing device includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism grabs a portion of the cord to hold the weight in a first position adjacent to the cross bar. A bait system is disposed at or adjacent to a center of the net.

Abstract: A pot for catching crabs or fish has a lockable door adapted for unloading crabs or fish from the pot and a locking mechanism operable for locking and unlocking the door. The crab or fish pot has a frame structure defining a shape of the pot; a number of mesh panels attached to the frame structure; and at least one entrance for crabs or fish to enter the pot.

Abstract: An extendable pot for catching fish, the extendable pot comprising: a frame structure comprising a main frame structure and an extendable frame structure, wherein the extendable frame structure comprising a number of floating elements extending the extendable frame structure out from the main frame structure when the pot is immersed in water.

Abstract: A fishing rod has a rod blank which is configured to be attached a fishing reel on a lower side. The rod blank includes a main portion and a rear grip portion which is continuous to a rod end side of the main portion. The rear grip portion includes a corner portion which is located radially outward and higher relative to an outer perimeter of the main portion, the corner portion being farther from a center of the main portion in a radial direction than a lowermost point of the rear grip portion in a transverse sectional view.

Abstract: A fishing rod includes a rod blank which is configured to be attached to a fishing reel on a lower side. The rod blank includes a main portion and a rear grip portion which is continuous to a rod end side of the main portion. An end surface of the rod blank on the rod end side is inclined such that the lower side extends farther in a direction of the rod end side than the upper side.

Abstract: An apparatus use to hold, secure, or store hooks with hackle so that the hackle is not damaged by being compressed against an adjacent surface, said apparatus comprising a riser and a surface, wherein the riser is magnetic and attracts the hook so that the hook can extend out from the riser and the riser can be further attached to the surface such that the riser extends out from the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a fishing rod to a rod holder comprises a rod butt holder attached to a fishing rod and selectively and releasably attached to rod holder support arm. The rod holder support arm includes a retaining portion configured to be selectively and releasably attached to the rod butt holder. A latch assembly is coupled to the rod butt holder to releasably secure the rod butt holder to the rod holder support arm.

Abstract: A flying insect station for attracting and killing insects on the exterior and interior of a structure is disclosed. The flying insect station includes features for attracting and killing files within a shortened window of time, preferably within one hour. The station includes in one aspect a surface being substantially dark in color and substantially reflective in nature to provide a facade of an opening. Suppression means such as a pesticide is included on one or more of the surfaces of the station for killing flying insects staging on the surface(s). An attractant may be used to provide a plume of attractant around surfaces of the housing to attract and lure flying insects to stage about a reflective surface.

Abstract: A method for precisely applying chemicals targeted by digital maps developed from remotely sensed data, including: obtaining EOS data through a growing season of a crop growing in a field; processing the EOS data to reflectance values; removing error-inducing effects of atmospheric alteration from the processed EOS data; calculating from the processed EOS data a crop performance index that indicates one or more poor performing areas of the field; generating one or more maps of the crop performance index to allow a user to determine whether each of the one or more poor performing areas of the field are due to biological pests instead of topographic or soil constraints in discrete locations of the field; guiding the user to the one or more poor performing areas of the field using the one or more maps to allow the user to scout the one or more poor performing areas of the field to confirm and identify the biological pests; and providing guidance for a chemical application at the one or more poor performing areas

Abstract: An animal trap is provided that includes a plurality of posts and a net structure. The net structure is attached to the posts. The net structure has a width that extends between an upper lateral edge and a lower lateral edge, a first length that extends between a first lengthwise end and a second lengthwise end at the upper lateral edge, and a second length that extends between the first and second lengthwise ends at the lower lateral edge. The net structure includes a net and an upper cord. The upper cord is attached to the net. The net structure is configurable in a set configuration having an interior trap region. In the set configuration, the net structure has a first circumference at the upper lateral edge and a second circumference at the lower lateral edge. The first circumference is greater than the second circumference.

Abstract: An animal deterrent assembly includes a housing that is positionable adjacent an area intended to be free of animals. A balloon is coupled to the housing and the balloon is inflatable present a visual deterrent for an animal. A blower is positioned within the housing to inflate the balloon. A plurality of speakers is each coupled to the housing to present an audible deterrent for the animal. A motion sensor is coupled to the housing and each of the blower and the speakers is turned on when the motion sensor senses motion of the animal. A transceiver is coupled to the housing to communicate an alert to thereby alerting a user that the animal has approached the area.

Abstract: An improved ultra-fast cooling system is disclosed for cryopreservation of biomaterials. The ultra-fast cooling system is designed to uniformly vitrify or partially vitrify biomaterials, including but not limited to, human biomaterials, proteins, peptides, cells, stem cells, antibodies, neurons, human tissue, organs, cornea, skin, retina, eggs, sperm, embryos, body fluids, blood, serum, lymph fluid, animal tissue, plant biomaterials, plant tissue, germ plasma, pollen, plant sap, and bioengineered tissue, without cryoprotectants or with a low concentration of cryoprotectants. Cooling rates are sufficient to uniformly cryopreserve biomaterials, and can be used in diagnostic cytology and biological cryofixation applications. Other materials also can be cooled uniformly, such as inorganic materials for processing.

Abstract: A modular sample store including a storage area; a service area; a transfer area; a motorized robot with a lifting device and at least one platform; and a controller. The sample store service area includes one integrally formed cubic vat module and the sample store storage area includes at least one integrally formed cubic vat module. Each one of the aforementioned vat modules includes an essentially horizontal vat floor and four joining vat walls that are connected to the vat floor and that are leaving an open vat space. The modular sample store also includes upper side walls and a cover plate to close the sample store. Each vat floor and vat wall includes an outside liner and an inside liner, which outside and inside liners in each case are separated by a clearance.

Abstract: Novel oil-based suspension concentrates consisting of at least one room temperature-solid compound of the formula (I), at least one suspended ammonium salt of the formula (1), at least one mineral oil, vegetable oil, fatty acid triglyceride or fatty acid alkyl ester, at least one nonionic surfactant and/or at least one anionic surfactant, optionally an uptake promoter, and optionally one or more additives from the groups of the spreaders, the foam inhibitors, the antioxidants, the dyes and/or the thickeners. a process for producing these suspension concentrates and the use thereof for application of the active ingredients present.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to cellulose nanocrystal-based emulsions that can serve as a spray adjuvant for improved agrochemical application efficiency. More particularly, the cellulose nanocrystal-based emulsions are nanocellulose-stabilized Pickering emulsions having a semi-liquid formulation of colloidal cellulose nanocrystals and biopolymers that can substitute currently used surfactants and drift reducing agents in agrochemicals. The cellulose nanocrystal-based emulsions are suitable with both water soluble and oil soluble active ingredient chemistries, and the shear characteristics of the emulsions make them suitable for oil in water-based spray applications. Droplet size distribution can be tuned by changing the ingredient concentrations, thus helping control particle drift. Moreover, a stable cross-linked network formation facilitates the entrapment and encapsulation of volatile agrochemical chemistries, thus preventing their volatilization and reducing vapor drift.

Abstract: Various embodiments include particles comprising an antimicrobial surface and a layer comprising antimony-tin oxide and manganese oxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insect repellent composition comprising a compound having one or more fatty acid with between 9 and 21 carbon atoms, a non-aqueous solvent and less than 1% by weight of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for inhibiting the growth of microbes on live plants using compositions comprising a carboxylic acid of Formula (I) or salt thereof: wherein R is H, Ph, Ar, or a C1-C60 alkyl. The present invention also relates to live plant products contacted with compositions comprising a carboxylic acid of Formula (I) or salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antimicrobial composition and more particularly to an antimicrobial composition at the pH of skin. The present invention provides an antimicrobial composition comprising: a. 0.5 to 20% by weight of a solvent comprising an alkyl glycol ether, b. 0.1 to 20% by weight of a carboxylic acid selected from an aromatic carboxylic acid having pKa greater than 4 or an aliphatic carboxylic acid having pKa greater than 4.5 or mixtures thereof c. 1 to 80% by weight of an anionic surfactant.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods for controlling and/or treating citrus greening in citrus plants, such as orange trees, grapefruit trees, lime trees, lemon trees and the like. The compositions include fertilizers and liquid formulations.