Abstract: A coupling mechanism can be used to selectively secure two sections of telescopically engaged pipe in a fixed position relative to each other and provide a fluid (e.g., gas and/or liquid) seal between the coupling mechanism and the two pipes, regardless of whether the pipes are secured in the fixed position or are freely moveable relative to each other. The coupling mechanism can be used as part of a faucet assembly, which can include an adjustable faucet assembly including the telescopically engaged pipe.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for pasturing livestock on an industrial scale, including for instance poultry.

Abstract: A gravity-fed, animal feeding apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is equipped with a funnel, a food chute, and at least one feeding pan. The food chute of the apparatus preferably includes a transport tube configured to extend through a conventional chain-link fence gap via a diamond-shaped fitting, and terminate at the feeding pan disposed on the floor within the fenced pen area. The apparatus is configured to direct dry pet food fed into the funnel disposed on the exterior of the fenced pen area to the feeding pan on the interior of the fence. Gravity causes the food in the funnel to fall into the food chute, passing through the fence, and outputting the food to the feeding pan. The feeding pan is equipped with drainage holes to ensure that the dry food does not get wet, and that water does not collect in the feeding pan.

Abstract: A pet feeding training device includes a housing, a food delivery mechanism and a food delivery control mechanism. The food delivery control mechanism comprises a token dropping opening, a swinging plate which is able to return to an initial position disposed under the token dropping opening, a food blocking plate provided in the food channel for blocking the food from moving from the food storage compartment to the food outlet, and a driving mechanism, which can lower the food blocking plate and unblock the food channel in response to swinging of the swinging plate. The food in the food channel can be unblocked and delivered from the food outlet only after tokens are thrown into the token dropping opening. A pet intuitively retrieves food on its own initiative after repeated training.

Abstract: An animal exercise system in the form of a game includes an apparatus comprising an animal transport device; a game board; a plurality of edible game pieces in the form of a treat. In operation, the animal transport device engages and travels along the game board to selectively contact the game pieces. One or more of the game pieces may be fed to the animal as a reward.

Abstract: A hay bale holder having an enclosure that retains a hay bale within chain link fencing is disclosed. The hay bale holder includes a spring mechanism that causes the chain link fencing to tightly retain the hale bale. Hay can then pass through openings in fencing to allow animals to remove portions of hay from a comfortable height without excessive waste.

Abstract: Disclosed is a game feeder that may be operated by weak or weakened operators for low costs. In one embodiment, the disclosed game feeder comprises: a base with stabilizing legs; a yoke with uprights and a back support extending upwardly from the base; a lifting arm pivotally positioned above the yoke so that said arm extends forward and rearward; an operating jack extending upwardly from the base and connected to the rear end of the lifting arm for pivoting the lifting arm on the yoke; and a barrel with a distributor which are positioned at the front end of the lifting arm. Practically, an operator of the game feeder may suitably lower the barrel, provide feed to a receptacle of the barrel, raise the barrel, and activate the distributor to spread the feed to the ground area near the game feeder.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing viscous animal food includes a container and a dispensing sheet. The container includes a cavity formed by a sidewall, a concave bottom, and an open top. The sheet includes a perforated transverse wall or web with a downwardly curving profile that conforms to the concave bottom and a flange extending downwardly from the perimeter of the web. Rails are disposed along the sidewall to, along with conforming recesses in the perimeter of the sheet, guide movement of the sheet in the cavity. The flange interacts with the sidewall to resist pivotal movement of the sheet. A channel is provided about the perimeter of the concave bottom to receive the flange and enable receipt of the web on the concave bottom. Food disposed on the concave bottom is extruded through the sheet by downward forces applied by an animal during eating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for positioning an individually metered out food portion on an animal cage arranged ranged in a row of animal cages for fur animals by means of a motorized feed cart comprising wheels and a feed container, comprising the steps of: —moving said feed cart along a row of animal cages, —providing an output from an encoder corresponding to the angular turning of one of said wheels to a control unit, —determining that the feed cart has reached a given position corresponding to a given cage from said output and a database of information related to positions of animal cages and desired size of food portions to each animal cage, and —controlling the feed cart to metering out the desired food portions at a suitable food delivering place at the given animal cage according to the information in said database.

Abstract: A bale holder for use with a bale feeder having an open upper end. The bale holder includes an upstanding framework, having an open upper end, which is secured to the upper end of the bale feeder. The bale holder includes a selectively pivotal door which extends over a portion of the upper end of the framework. The door is movable between a bale supporting position to a second position. A stand-by bale may be supported on the door and the upper end of the framework when the door is in its bale supporting position. When the door moves from its bale supporting position to its second position, the stand-by bale drops downwardly into the bale feeder.

Abstract: A knock-down game feeder that can be shipped in a relatively small container and assembled at or near the site of intended use. Integrated corner support members provide improved rigidity to the storage container and a means to elevate the mechanism above the substrate with tubular legs. The legs can be removed and disassembled with no tools for ease of relocation in the field.

Abstract: A game feeder configured for remote monitoring, the game feeder comprising a feeder body comprising a container for holding feed, a motor configured to disperse the feed, and a motor relay configured to actuate the motor; a computer, the computer comprising a wireless driver configured to communicatively couple the computer to a wireless communication network; and a sensor array having a plurality of sensors adapted to provide data on a plurality of local conditions at the game feeder, the sensor array being communicatively coupled to the computer; wherein the computer is configured to receive the data on the plurality of local conditions from the sensor array and send the data on the plurality of local conditions to the wireless communication network.

Abstract: A feed carrier receptacle for use in a rotary feed dispensing mechanism, which includes a box, a feed loading opening, and separation partitions. The feed loading opening is formed in the box. The separation partitions are arranged inside the box and every adjacent separation partitions and an inside surface of the box form a feed compartment, which communicates the feed loading opening and is provided with a feed discharge opening and a brush adjacent to the feed discharge opening When put into rotation, the feed loaded in the receptacle is generally rotated in unison therewith to move toward the feed discharge openings and is subject to a frictional force as contacting the brush so that the feed, when passing through the brush, is caused to rotate by itself and thus may fly over a long distance. This increases the distribution range of feed.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing viscous pet food includes a rigid, downwardly curved, perforated dispensing sheet and a container having a cylindrical inner sidewall and a bottom surface that conforms to the dispensing sheet. The dispensing sheet preferably features a plurality of recesses and the container a plurality of corresponding rails that allow the sheet to stably descend within the container as downward pressure is applied to the sheet and the viscous food is dispensed and consumed.

Abstract: A directional feeder for fish and game comprising a housing having a gate below an opening in a feed hopper and above a substantially horizontally aligned auger. The gate has a feed opening through which the feed pellets are passed from the feed hopper to the auger. The auger directs the feed pellets to a chute, where the feed pellets are gravity feed to a paddle wheel for dispersion. The paddle wheel has a plurality of radially projecting blades in close proximity to an inside wall of the housing to scoop the entering feed pellets and accelerate the pellets along the inside wall of the housing until an exit port is reached. When the accelerated feed pellets reach the exit port of the direction feeder, the feed pellets' inertia carries them out the exit port for dispersion.

Abstract: A food dispenser for dispensing dry food, the food dispenser comprising: a food receiving module for receiving the food; a metering module for metering a quantity of the food to dispense, the metering module including an impeller having at least one arm defining a vane, the impeller being rotatably mounted in the metering module, the metering module also including a power drive unit operatively coupled to the impeller for selectively rotating the impeller; a discharge module operatively coupled to the output port for receiving the food from the output port and dispensing the food; an impeller rotation detector operatively coupled to the impeller for detecting a rotation of the impeller when the power drive unit is used to rotate the impeller. The metering module is configured and sized to discharge a predetermined quantity of the food when the impeller rotates over a predetermined rotation angle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing nutritional and other products to animals are provided. Generally, the invention provides a dispensing system comprising an activity monitoring device, and a dispensing device comprising a processor programmed to receive a communication generated by the activity monitoring device. The processor controls the dispensing device to dispense a nutritional or other product in response to the communication from the activity monitoring device. The activity monitoring device can be attached to an animal and communicate with the dispensing device information regarding the nutritional requirements of the animal.

Abstract: A livestock feeder is provided having a receptacle, a grate, a platform and an elevator mechanism. The receptacle has a chamber and an open mouth portion communicating with the chamber. The grate encompasses the open mouth portion. The platform is provided in the chamber for supporting livestock feed. The elevator mechanism is provided between the receptacle and the platform to urge the platform within the receptacle toward the grate to press the livestock feed against the grate.

Abstract: A hay feeder allows a horse to eat from the feeder at a controlled speed in order to help prevent choke as well as overeating. The feeder uses a receptacle that has one or more guide posts extending between a closed bottom and an open top. A plate has first openings that each receive a respective post in order to allow the plate to slide up and down within the receptacle, the plate also having a series of second openings. Hay is placed into the receptacle and the plate is positioned on top of the hay. The horse eats the hay through the series of second openings and the plate gravitationally falls with the depleting stock of hay guided downwardly along the posts.

Abstract: An apparatus which comprises a plurality of containers for animal feed which includes silage, hay, fodder, or a liquid including water or any mixture thereof. The plurality of containers are for different feeds and a plurality of troughs are provided to which feeds from the containers are selectively transferred by robot arms which are computer-controlled based on the identification by an identification sensor of the animal that will next feed at the trough involved. The robot arm may include a gripping element or a bucket or shovel which include closing members. The containers may be disposed above the troughs and a chute may be provided which receives feed from the robot arm which flows through the chute to the trough. The robot arm automatically detaches a portion of the feed from feed stored in one or more of the containers and displaces same either via the chute or directly into the trough.

Abstract: An animal feeder may be provided comprising a housing having a central axis and configured to receive feed. A feeding plate having an opening configured to allow a portion of an animal's head to penetrate the feeding plate may be configured to fit within the housing and traverse and rotate about the central axis. In addition, a locking ring may be configured to contain the feeding plate within the housing.

Abstract: A livestock feeder is provided having a receptacle, a grate, a platform and an elevator mechanism. The receptacle has a chamber and an open mouth portion communicating with the chamber. The grate encompasses the open mouth portion. The platform is provided in the chamber for supporting livestock feed. The elevator mechanism is provided between the receptacle and the platform to urge the platform within the receptacle toward the grate to press the livestock feed against the grate.

Abstract: A new method for collecting and dispensing cut crops. The feed crop is cut as in the prior art. A vacuum is used to lift the dried feed crop off the ground and blow it into a mobile storage container. The feed is allowed to compress under its own weight within the storage container. Three or more harvesting cycles can be used to completely fill the storage container. Multiple containers can be used to harvest large feed crops. The containers are then parked in a convenient location awaiting winter. When winter arrives, the feed containers are towed to the feeding area. Doors in the lower portion of the containers are opened to allow access to the feed.

Abstract: A bird feeder comprising a hopper suspended above ground by a hanger for holding granular bird seed, and a collapsible feed trough through which the seed flows. The trough consists of a series of pivotally interconnected ramps that unfold during deployment into a zigzag configuration. An uppermost ramp is fixedly secured to the hopper, and successive lower ramps are pivoted to each other in an angular “zigzag” arrangement. Each ramp is inclined relative to the horizontal approximately thirty degrees. Each ramp has a discharge hole at its lower end that is large enough for seed to fall through to a lower ramp. In response to vibration, seeds exit the hopper and travel through the trough. When the feeder is to be stored or shipped, the trough is collapsed by folding the ramps into a nested, retracted position.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a plurality of adjustable control levers which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to set the vertical height adjustment of the feed gates. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.

Abstract: A new type of feed crop harvesting system. The feed crop is cut as in the prior art. A vacuum is used to lift the relatively moist feed crop off the ground and blow it into a mobile storage container. The feed is allowed to compress under its own weight within the storage container. Three or more harvesting cycles can be used to completely fill the storage container. Multiple containers can be used to harvest large feed crops. The containers are then parked in a convenient location awaiting winter. When winter arrives, the feed containers are towed to the feeding area. Doors in the lower portion of the containers are opened to allow access to the feed.