Abstract: A device to deter an animal from resting on furniture having a seating area comprises one or more sections of a rigid half-tubular form to be placed on the seating area, backrest, arm, and/or side of the furniture wherein the sections have a combined length to span approximately a width of the seating area, backrest, arm, or side. The half-tubular form can have the shape of an inverted half-cylindrical shape, a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, or a non-uniform relief shape wherein flat edges of the form are placed on the seating area, backrest, arm, or side of the furniture.

Abstract: A belt drive that has a transmission element that transmits a drive force to a drive element, which then sets a belt roller into rotational motion. The transmission element is a shaft and the drive element is an angular gear which has an input that is connected to the transmission element and an output that transmits the rotational motion from the gear to the belt roller. The belt drive is particularly suited for use in a belt system that is used in multi-tier poultry facilities. This belt system according to the invention includes a common drive motor that provides the drive force and a plurality of belt drives, one belt drive for each tier. One or more drive shafts transmit the drive force from the drive motor to each of the belt drives.

Abstract: A hydroponic cultivation system includes a plurality of hydroponic cultivation units vertically stacked one over another. Each unit is configured to provide a cultivation bed for the plants, and every two neighboring hydroponic cultivation units are hydrologically coupled to one another such that the culture solution flows top-to-bottom through each hydroponic cultivation unit on each level. The system further includes a plurality of support members, which are disposed between, and can provide mechanical support for, two hydroponic cultivation units on every two neighboring levels. The plurality of support members include at least one pipe, and each pipe is configured to arrange at least one of a hydrological connection or an electrical coupling between the two hydroponic cultivation units on the every two neighboring levels therein. The hydroponic cultivation system can achieve a vertical recycling of the culture solution.

Abstract: A hydroponic cultivation system includes a plurality of hydroponic cultivation units vertically stacked one over another. Each hydroponic cultivation unit is configured to provide a cultivation bed for the plants. Every two neighboring units are hydrologically coupled to one another such that the culture solution flows top-to-bottom through each hydroponic cultivation units on each level. A plurality of support members, such as pipes, are disposed between, and provide mechanical support for, two hydroponic cultivation units on every two neighboring levels. A light source is disposed over a bottom side of one hydroponic cultivation unit on an upper level and can emit a plant-compatible light to support growth of the plants being cultivated on another hydroponic cultivation unit on a level immediately below the upper level. The hydroponic cultivation system can achieve a vertical recycling of the culture solution.

Abstract: A water dispenser includes a slide table arranged in a lower portion thereof. The slide table includes a cup portion in which a piercing rod of a water supply line is provided, a container supporting portion configured to support from below a shoulder portion of a raw water container which is a transparent and deformable container, and a holder portion configured to guide downwardly s side peripheral portion of the raw water container. Since the surface color of the piercing rod is different from the surface color of the cup portion and the container supporting portion, it is possible to visually confirm how much the raw water container is pierced by the piercing rod.

Abstract: An animal cage box has a grommet for passing a watering conduit through a box side wall. The grommet is removably attachable at an opening through the side wall, using a non-round configuration by which the grommet is aligned for insertion into a non-round opening, and turned to hold the grommet in place. A flange on the grommet body rests against one face of the side wall. The non-round configuration includes one or more tabs that can be cut from the flange and are displaced axially by a distance equal to the side wall thickness. A hinge flap that can be grasped in the fingers helps to hold, align, insert or remove and twist the grommet relative to the side wall. The disclosed arrangement further minimized the cost of using inexpensive disposable cage boxes because relatively expensive grommets, for example of stainless steel, can be cleaned and reused.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the delivery of water to a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages, for housing animals for an animal study, the method including providing a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages for an animal study at a laboratory facility site, and disposing a bag forming apparatus at a clean side of a laboratory washroom at the laboratory facility site, wherein the bag forming apparatus is capable of providing sealed bags of water for use in the cage level barrier-type cages. The method can further include providing bag material to the laboratory facility site.

Abstract: A keeping cage for laboratory animals, specifically rodents, is characterized in that it provides for a large floor surface on several levels, the transit of animals from one level to the higher or lower level being ensured by the presence of appropriate openings in the partitioning floors. The keeping cage allows for the provision of a space available to animals, which is sufficiently large in terms of floor surface and in terms of height between the floors to ensure a good level of wellbeing for the animals, which do not therefore suffer from behavioral disturbances. Cage for keeping laboratory animals, specifically adapted to keep laboratory animals, particularly rodents, including a base body to which an openable lid is connected, characterized in that the lid features a port for accessing the inside without removing the lid.

Abstract: A disposable rodent cage used in both static and/or ventilated cage and rack systems, wherein the disposable cage includes a cage bottom. The cage may further be provided with a grommet disposed on the cage bottom and a bonnet constructed and arrange to fit over the cage bottom. The bonnet may further include a feeding and watering assembly. The cage may further include a filter cover that may be placed over an opening in the bonnet to cover the feeding and watering assembly. The bonnet may also include one or more elevated ribs disposed thereon to create an air seal when it is inserted into a canopy of a rack.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the delivery of water to a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages, for housing animals for an animal study, the method including: providing a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages for an animal study at a laboratory facility site, and disposing a bag forming apparatus at a clean side of a laboratory washroom at the laboratory facility site, wherein the bag forming apparatus is capable of providing sealed bags of water for use in the cage level barrier-type cages. The method can further include providing bag material to the laboratory facility site.

Abstract: An animal cage box has a grommet for passing a watering conduit through a box side wall. The grommet is removably attachable at an opening through the side wall, using a non-round configuration by which the grommet is aligned for insertion into a non-round opening, and turned to hold the grommet in place. A flange on the grommet body rests against one face of the side wall. The non-round configuration includes one or more tabs that can be cut from the flange and are displaced axially by a distance equal to the side wall thickness. A hinge flap that can be grasped in the fingers helps to hold, align, insert or remove and twist the grommet relative to the side wall. The disclosed arrangement further minimized the cost of using inexpensive disposable cage boxes because relatively expensive grommets, for example of stainless steel, can be cleaned and reused.

Abstract: A reptile grow-out pen assembly (20) for containing a reptile, in particular a crocodile, includes an elongate container having at least one side having an opening (42) for entry of food into the container and at leat one closable and openable aperture (40f) associated with the container for entry and exit of the reptile, the container having at least a floor portion (40d) and side wall portion wherein in use of the reptile grow-out pen, at least a portion of the floor and at least a portion of the side wall are adapted to be submerged in water. Also disclosed is a reptile grow-out arrangement used for growing-out of reptiles including a plurality of enclosures (10a, 10b, 10c) each having at least one water body and a sloped reptile basking region located within the reptile enclosure and wherein the enclosures are connected so as to allow the flow of water from one enclosure to another; wherein the proportions of the enclosure are predetermined to minimise infighting amongst the reptiles therein.

Abstract: Featured are various devices, apparatuses and systems for use in connection with animal studies or experimentation as well as methods related thereto. Such devices, apparatuses and systems include a scalable animal enclosure that is easily customized for a given application; a scalable and easily customizable sound attenuation chamber that can be used with such an animal enclosure; an olfactory discrimination system which can quickly delivery an odor to an animal while minimizing the potential for ambient contamination and a leak-free water delivery apparatus that provides a mechanism for the experimenter to determine water consumption without handling the device.

Abstract: An animal caging system has a plurality of stackable support trays with integral water supply conduits to supply water sequentially to each cage and eliminate any channels of stagnant water. Each support tray includes a vertical support member that engages the vertical support members of adjacent support trays in a stacked relationship, and a number of cage docking stations arranged around the vertical support member. The vertical support member includes a water supply conduit that extends to each cage docking station of the support tray and has openings in fluid communication with corresponding openings in the water supply conduits of adjacent support trays. In this manner, the water supply conduits of the stacked vertical support members combine to supply water in a single flow path to the cage docking stations on each support tray.

Abstract: A fluid delivery adapter for use with a wire bar lid is provided. Embodiments can comprise a support base having an aperture defined therein, the aperture being shaped and dimensioned to accept a fluid delivery valve. The support base can be adapted to be disposed on top of the wire bar lid to facilitate providing fluid from a fluid bag supported by the wire bar lid. The fluid delivery adapter can further comprise one or more displaceable side portions extending away from the support base, the side portions providing lateral support for the fluid bag.

Abstract: Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.

Abstract: An animal water supply system includes disposable containers such as plastic bags that can be supplied in bulk in sterile form and filled under a change hood or other sanitary environment using a filling machine located in the sanitary environment. The containers preferably comprise plastic bags configured to be suspended from a hanger of a bag filling machine. The machine's hanger is preferably configured to support a plastic bag during both bag filling and the subsequent insertion of a watering valve into the bag. The bag is further configured to permit its placement in or on a conventional cage while protecting the tearable material of the bag from the animal. If desired, a liner can be provided to further protect and support the bag or other container on a wire bar lid.

Abstract: A temporary dog-confining device is provided for public use. Structurally, the device includes an enclosure formed from front, rear, and opposed side walls. For use, the rear and side walls are covered with screens to provide shade in the enclosure. Further, the enclosure includes a roof covered with a canopy for shading the enclosure. Also, the front wall defines an opening that is selectively closed by a door. In order to secure a dog within the enclosure, the device includes an assembly for locking the door in a closed configuration. Specifically, the locking assembly is operable by a user after a required payment. Moreover, the device includes a separately-accessible compartment mounted within the enclosure to house a fluid container for providing water to a dog in the enclosure. Importantly, that compartment is secured by a fastener that is operated independently of the locking assembly.

Abstract: A multipurpose rat cage is provided for housing a plurality of different species of rodents therein. The rat cage includes a cage bottom having a plurality of integral side walls, a floor and an open top end. The floor has a length and a width such that the area of the floor is between 80 square inches and a 140 square inches.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the delivery of water to a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages, for housing animals for an animal study, the method including; providing a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages for an animal study at a laboratory facility site, and disposing a bag forming apparatus at a clean side of a laboratory washroom at the laboratory facility site, wherein the bag forming apparatus is capable of providing sealed bags of water for use in the cage level barrier-type cages. The method can further include providing bag material to the laboratory facility site.

Abstract: A kennel system having a floor assembly including at least one floor unit having a floor pan and a grate. The floor pan has a drain, an integral water receptacle and a trough for guiding fluid to the drain. The grate is positioned over the floor pan. The grate has a plurality of grate opening for the flow of fluid through the grate to the floor pan.

Abstract: A feed trough is provided for use in cultivation containers for growing frogs and other amphibians. The feed trough is comprised of a sloped floor. In some embodiments the floor slopes downward to an opening from which, during operation, airflows. The opening is covered by a perforated cover that retains the feed particles collected from the sloped floor and provides sufficient opening for airflow that propels the feed particles from the perforated cover into the airspace of the cultivation container. During operation, airflow passes through the opening with sufficient force to suspend in the air feed particles that have rolled along the sloped floor, or fallen, onto the perforated cover covering the opening. The movement of the feed particles in the air stimulates feeding by the frogs or other amphibians. Feed that is not consumed falls onto the sloped floor, rolls onto the screen or wire mesh covering the opening, and is resuspended by the airflow.

Abstract: A method of forming a valve assembly for delivering a fluid from a fluid bag to an animal caging system for housing an animal can include forming, in an injection molding machine, an upper member having a piercing member and a connecting member. The upper member has a fluid channel defined therethrough; and forms, in an injection molding machine, a base having a flange member and a base fluid channel defined therethrough. The base is designed to be matingly coupled to the upper member. The method can further include forming, in an injection molding machine, a stem member designed and dimensioned to be disposed in part within the base fluid channel. The stem member has an actuation portion extending through a spring element. The stem member has a top portion having a lower surface.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the delivery of water to a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages, for housing animals for an animal study, the method including; providing a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages for an animal study at a laboratory facility site, and disposing a bag forming apparatus at a clean side of a laboratory washroom at the laboratory facility site, wherein the bag forming apparatus is capable of providing sealed bags of water for use in the cage level barrier-type cages. The method can further include providing bag material to the laboratory facility site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal cage for containing animals having a wire bar lid configured to fit on top. The wire bar lid has a perimeter portion with a first support portion and a second portion. The first support portion has a first top side and a first bottom side. The second inner portion has a second top side and a second bottom side. A plurality of longitudinal wire bars are also provided where the longitudinal wire bars are connected directly to the second bottom side of the second inner portion of the perimeter portion in a single welding procedure.

Abstract: A housing system for aquatic animals has a shelf-like rack holding tiers of individual tanks or aquariums (aquaria), each removably suspended from structural members that engage flanges of the tanks. The tanks are tilted inwardly of the rack and have covers with fittings on the higher or outer side, that intercept flow between a supply and a drain to inlet water when the tank is in the rack and to recycle the water at any tank position that is unoccupied. The inside bottom of each tank is contoured, for example with a longitudinal trough, so sediment collects at a low spot on the lower or inner side, where a drain inlet is placed to provide a drainage outlet that opens at a velocity increasing restriction at which sediment is entrained. The drain has a spring biased valve that opens the drain only when the tank is fully inserted in the rack.

Abstract: An aquatic housing system that has a frame that defines two or more housing levels. Each housing level has a plurality of tanks for housing aquatic animals. Each tank has a front mounted plumbing assembly that allows both water overflow and drainage to be conveyed away from the tank. A valve located in the drainage connection allows the tanks to be flushed or converted from a deep water animal to a shallow water animal without removing the tank from the frame.

Abstract: A water and/or liquid foodstuff dispenser for small pets which comprises a container having, at a bottom thereof, a dispensing device which is constituted by a tubular element arranged at an obtuse angle with respect to a longitudinal extension of the container, with a flanged tang which is hermetically connected to the container, and is provided with a free end which is perimetrically folded inwards and internally provided with a flow control element which is pushed closed by a spring, a stem of the control element protruding outside the free end.

Abstract: A cage system for laboratory animal care has a plastic cage with a molded perforated-bottom, a snap-on plenum cage top, a cage top feeder lid and a snap on waste tray. The floor of the cage is shaped with rounded perforations and domed protrusions to deflect both liquid and solid waste down to the attached waste tray. A filtered air supply is introduced into the lid of the cage and passes through orifices in the bottom of the lid, flowing laminarly through the body of the cage and out perforations in the floor over the waste tray. A water supply system for the cage is provided. No bedding is required in the cage. The system is air tight and air in any one cage is isolated from air in all other cages in the system which can be mounted on a rack. A drain for liquids is provided in the waste tray. In an alternate embodiment, the cage has an imperforate floor. A plurality of cages are supported in a rack. Several configurations to support the cage within the rack are provided.

Abstract: A cage system for laboratory animal care has a plastic cage with a molded perforated-bottom, a snap-on plenum cage top, a cage top feeder lid and a snap on waste tray. The floor of the cage is shaped with rounded perforations and domed protrusions to deflect both liquid and solid waste down to the attached waste tray. A filtered air supply is introduced into the lid of the cage and passes through orifices in the bottom of the lid, flowing laminarly through the body of the cage and out perforations in the floor over the waste tray. A water supply system for the cage is provided. No bedding is required in the cage. The system is air tight and air in any one cage is isolated from air in all other cages in the system which can be mounted on a rack.

Abstract: An animal watering system and method which includes a number of drinkers which can be remotely adjusted, upwardly and downwardly, to correspond with the height of the animals to be watered, as the animals grow, the drinkers having a carriage which slides within a support frame anchored to the animals' cage. The method and system of the invention allows force to be applied to the carriage in both the upward direction and the downward direction for remote height adjustment, and a coupling system permits the simultaneous remote height adjustment of some or all of the drinkers in the animal watering system.

Abstract: An animal rearing apparatus includes an animal rearing cage and a framework to which a plurality of side plates together forming the periphery of the animal rearing cage are detachably attached. At the bottom of the animal rearing cage, there are provided a bottom plate detachably attached thereto and defining a plurality of openings vertically extending therethrough and an excreta collecting portion for receiving and collecting animal excreta dropped through the openings of the bottom plate. The animal rearing cage has a ceiling thereof sectioned by a top plate or the excreta collecting portion belonging to an animal rearing cage on the upper stage. The framework or an attachment member thereof includes, at portions thereof corresponding in level to the ceiling of the animal rearing cage, engaging portions for detachably engaging and suspending engaged portions provided at upper portions of the respective side plates.