EP0296243A1 - Method to effect conveyance of medium into conduit and arrangement for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Abstract

In installations for supplying animals with drinking water, for example during the breeding of poultry, the water is conveyed in pipes to drinkers suspended under the pipes and supplied with water by a tap. In an arrangement described in the present invention, each drinker (10), supplemented by a tap (9) and by connecting devices (21) is coupled to a connecting element (4). The connecting elements (4) which can be placed in spaced locations from each other determined as desired, communicates with each other by means of arranged pipe (5) and form with pipes the pipes (3). Bars (8) extend over the entire length of the pipes (3) and are engaged with the connecting elements (4). Such a drinking water supply system is supported by supports (31), such as cables at a distance from a foundation, such as a roof structure. The supports (31) are engaged with the bars (8) and support by means of these the weight of the drinkers (10), of the taps (9), of the connection devices (21), of the connection elements (4) and the water contained in said installations, as well as the weight of the pipes (5) and the water contained in said pipes. The pipes (5), which come into contact with this arrangement only via their end portions (15), are subjected only to the load created by their own weight and created in part by the water contained in the pipes.

Description

METHOD TO EFFECT CONVEYANCE OF MEDIUM INTO CONDUIT AND ARRANGEMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD

Technical field:

The present invention relates to an arrangement in conduits for conveying medium through a conduit, as conveying liquids or water in an installation for supplying water to drinking nipples, drinking cups or similar drinking outlets for the medium for animal feeding, for example for poultry feeding and/or egg production, whereby the arrangement comprises connecting ele¬ ments for connection of conduits.

Background: Conduits are used for an immense number of varying domains for conveying different medium or as a casing for other types of conduits. In installat¬ ions for animal feeding, as in installations for poultry feeding and egg production, the drinking water to the animals is supplied through conduits to which are arranged drinking nipples or drinking cups. The conduits have proportionately large length and valves with containers are connected to openings into the conduits and at relatively short distance from one another. As the conduits have relatively large length, carry lot of valves and other devices and the fact that water is relatively heavy the conduits can sag and get a curvature downwards. This can further involve that the connected valves leak. Further, it is important to see that the outlets of the conduits for the liquid or water are all at the same level. Consequently such conduits have been made of metal or stiff plastics and to improve the bending strength it has also been proposed to produce the conduits as square cross-section extruded aluminium pipes or such pipes of plastic material, whereby one also obtains a smooth connection surface or a straight wall of the conduit for the connection of the drinking valve. Because it is diffi¬ cult to attain a tight connection to a bent wall as the case is in conduits or conduits with circular cross-section. To reduce the heavy expenses for such conduits it has also been proposed to utilize tubes of plastics which however have small or no bending strength. One has solved the problem with the lack of bending strength by joining the tube to a metal flange with a saddle portion of semicircular cross-section resting on the tube and extend¬ ing along the entire length of the tube. Notwithstanding the fact that one uses a material to the conduit in form of a relatively inexpensive tube the costs for the conduit will be equal -or even more than for a common conduit depending on the fact that the consumption of material for the flange is approximately the same as the consumption of material for a conduit and in addition there is the expenses for the tube and connecting devices which result in that the expenses for the conduit is not reduced totally. Further the tightening problem between the conduit and connected valves remains. Nevertheless, the risk remains also for a sagging of the tube both at the joints between the tubes and between the joints because of the weight of the water within the tubes which in addition also must support valves, containers filled with water and other equipments, as filters, etc. and this risk of sagging thus exists despite of the fact that the tube of plastics is stiffened by means of the joined metal flange. In installations arranged for animal feeding in cages or a battery system of cages the prob¬ lem with, deflection of the conduits are less as the conduits are able to be supported by partition walls and similar. In installations for modern poul¬ try feeding the feeding is done in large compartments or the like and in a house or a large space lacking in such natural supporting devices for the conduits. For a rational design, assemblage, construction and handling of such, an installation it is necessary to use some kind of stiffening device for the conduits which in this case have considerable length and this irre¬ spective of which material the conduits are made of.

Thus, there is a need of an arrangement in conduits for for example convey¬ ing drinking water to animals in animal stocks, as to poultry in poultry feeding, and where the conduits are loaded with no other weight than by their own weight and the weight of the liquid conveyed within the conduits. Further, there is a need to be able to produce a tight joint between a conduit and outlet devices connected to the conduit, as drinking nipples and drinking cups. Another need is to be able to clean the conduits and connected devices in an effective way and by a simple method so that clean¬ ing operations often can be repeated. A need of importance is the possibil¬ ity to construct an arrangement which is able to be adapted to the demands according to the present situation and in an easy way can be enlarged or reduced and also in which worn out parts, if any can be replaced in a simple and rapid way. There is also a need to reduce the costs for such arrangements.

Technical problems:

In previous arrangements,- as mentioned, the conduits are exposed to heavy load by weight, show tightening problems, etc. Further, in these previous arrangements an effective cleaning cannot be done except by a dismounting of the arrangement. The adaptability is limited and in the extent it can be realized it will be costly.

The solution:

An arrangement in accordance with the present invention fulfils, however, the requirements made, while at the same time the disadvantages of known arrangements are eliminated. Thus, an absolutely tight connection can be produced between conduits and connecting outlets, as valves and drinking containers, and there neither exist any risks that such tightening prob¬ lems are going to arise because of load on the conduits which load in the arrangement according to the invention principally are brought up by an element which is separated from the conduit itself and where the conduit is loaded it is done a distribution of the load along said element. Those parts of the conduits which can be subjected to an additional load are by means of the shaping of the arrangement already shaped stiff and designed with such a strength that the loads occuring can be absorbed without further notice and without any risk for for example changes of the shape of these parts of the conduits and in form of for example saggings or deflections. Further, the arrangement can be effectively cleaned in an easy and rapid way and with simple means, whereby a cleaning can be attained not only of the conduit but also of connected conduits, ducts, valves and other devices communicating with the interior of a conduit or are supplied with the medium conveyed by the conduits. The arrangement can form an optimum installation or conduit system as regards the size or in size a smaller one which in an easy and rapid way can be further reduced or enlarged when necessary. The costs for an arrangement of this kind can be considerably reduced especially calculated after som time of use and particularly concerning relative extensive installations as the arrange¬ ment owing to its design has strength, call for a minimum of maintenance, remove the risks for unnecessary stops in operation which are considerably improved by the simple executed and by that often effected and effective cleaning, etc. An arrangement in accordance with the invention is charact¬ erized in that the connecting elements for connection of conduits show a duct included in the conduit and connecting devices for at least one bar or similar which bar is intended to extend along the whole or substantially the whole length of the conduit.

Another characteristic of the arrangement in accordance with the invention is that the connecting elements show an opening into the said duct or an opening to a connected duct for communication with an adaptor, drinking nipple, drinking cup or similar outlet for the medium conveyed within the conduits.

By this means additional devices and their load on the conduits will thus be adopted by the connecting element but transmitted by the connecting element to the bar joined to the connecting element. Further, the arrange¬ ment is supported by supports which, can be joined to the arrangement right in front of the connecting element.

Thus, the arrangement in accordance with, the invention is showing a further characteristic, that is that the bar or similar shows holes or similar fastening devices for supports, whereby the arrangement, the conduit or a conduit system can be supported by the bar or similar besides to be arranged in an intended position. One can also consider that the arrangement or the conduit or their load is supported by the supports which are totally separ¬ ated from the conduits but arranged in communication with the conduit but only by means of the fastening of the bar or similar to the connecting elements.

The invention also relates to a method to effect an arrangement in conduits for conveying medium through a conduit, as conveying liquids or water through conduits in an installation for supplying water for animal feeding, for example to drinking nipples, drinking cups or similar outlets for the water for poultry feeding and/or for.egg production. The conduits comprises pipes or tubes. This method is characterized in that the conduit is effected by assemblage of pipes or tube pieces to connecting elements which shall be placed along the conduit at predestinated or for the need^' for the install¬ ation intended places, after which the connecting elements are connected with one another by means of pipe or tube pieces which in suitable lengths, for example effected by cross-cutting of pipes or tubes or pieces of pipes or tubes, are connected to adjacent connecting elements with their end parts and further in that one or more bars are connected to connecting devices shown by the connecting elements, whereby the bar or bars are connected to supports by means of which the arrangement or the conduit is brought to be suspended, whereby the arrangement or the conduit is supported via the connecting elements by the supports arranged to the bar or bars.

Another characteristic of the method in accordance with the invention is that the conduits and the connecting elements or ducts and in applicable cases also the devices connected to the connecting elements are flushed by a fluid from a source, for example a source of water supply, whereby the said conduits, the connecting elements or ducts and connected devices to the connecting elements, if any, first are brought to turn to an upside down position compared with an operational position. The turning is done round the axis or extension of the conduit and is effected by the supports.

In this case will inter alia any within the conduits and in the area for the connections to the connecting elements existing or settled solids and the like to sink towards the bottom surface within the conduits, i.e. towards the upper surface within the conduits when the conduits have taken the upside down position. On that point a removal of the solids and the like can be done by a flushing within the conduits.

Brief description of the drawings:

Further characteristics of and advantages with the arrangement and method in accordance with the invention will in the following description of the invention be apparent by an emodiment, whereby a simultaneous reference will be made to the accompanying schematic drawings, of wich Fig. 1 shows ^■ schematically a partial view of an arrangement included in an installation, Fig. 2 shows from above a partial view of an arrangement according to a second embodiment, Fig. 3 shows from one side a sectional view of one embodiment of a connecting element included in the arrangement according to the invention, Fig. 4 shows from a second side a part of the connecting element shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of one embodiment of an outlet or a valve which can be joined to the connecting element shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 6 shows from a second side the connecting element shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 7 shows an end view of a bar according to one embodiment and which bar is included in the arrangement according to the invention and intended to be anchored to connecting elements, Fig. 8 shows an end view of a bar according to a second embodiment, Fig. 9 shows a pin included in a second embodiment of an adaptor, Fig. 11 shows from a second side the adaptor shown in Fig. 10, Fig. 12 shows from one side a sectional view of a second embodiment of a connecting element included in the arrangement according to the invention, Fig. 13 shows from a second side the connecting element shown in Fig. 12, Fig. 14 shows in a sectional view a part of the arrangement according to the invention and a connecting element and an adaptor with valve and drinking cup are joined, Fig. 15 shows in a perspect¬ ive view a part of a bar equipped with devices and arranged to supports and Fig. 16 shows a second embodiment of a device meant for an arrangement to a bar.

Best mode for carrying out the invention: With reference designation 1 in Figs. 1 and 2 is shown embodiments of installations for animal feeding according to the invention and for convey¬ ing and supplying of water to animals, whereby the embodiments are going to refer to installations for poultry feeding and egg production. For con¬ veyance of drinking water the installation comprises conduits 3 which from a source of water supply convey water to outlets for the water and accord¬ ing to the embodiments to outlets for the water in shape of drinking cups 10. As is evident from Fig. 1 the installation 1 is arranged into a build¬ ing and the poultry are fed in compartments, on large floors^" or similar, whereby an arrangement 11 according to the invention is arranged suspended from a foundation or supporting element, as a roof construction 36 or similar, whereby the conduits 3 complete with fittings, as the drinking cups 10, are suspended in the arrangement 11 by means of supports 31. From Fig. 2 it is evident that the conduits 3 can be shaped in pieces 4, 5 in shape"of connecting elements 4 for pipes 5 or tubes.

With further reference to Figs. 3 - 13, whereby Figs. 3, 6, 12 and 13 show embodiments of a connecting element 4, it is shown that the connecting element 4 has a first duct 6 and a second duct 7 in communication with said first duct. The second duct can form a first part of a valve 9 or a drinking apparatus whose second part or main part according to one embodi¬ ment is shown in Fig. 5 in a detached position.

The first duct 6 can show shoulders 30 against which end parts 15 or end edges of connected pipes 5 can strike, whereby the conduit 3 is formed of pipes 5 and the first duct 6 within the connecting elements 4 and which conduit 3 by this has a smooth and level interior without shoulders and traps for collection of materials, deposits or the like which i.a. can establish colonies of bacteria. To prevent that materials and other solids in the water or which materials can come with the water are brought into the second duct 7 and to the valve 9 and which in turn can influence the functioning of the valve 9, a filter, a collecting device or stop 13 for such materials or the like can be arranged around that opening 12 leading to the second duct 7. The collecting device 13 can be formed as an annular flange arranged within the first duct 6 and around the opening 12, see Fig. 3, or be formed as flanges within the first duct 6 and extending on opposite sides of the opening 12, see Fig. 6.

The end portions 16 of the connecting element 4 are within the first duct 6 arranged for a tight joint with connected pipes 5 and can be provided with a holder 32 for the pipes 5. Said holder jointly with the connecting element can form a recess or similar for arranging of a sealing 33, as an 0-ring.

The exterior of the connecting element 4 is provided with connecting devices 14 for a bar 8 or similar. According to the embodiment for the connecting element 4, the connecting devices are arranged in the direction of the first duct 6 and diametrically towards the second duct 7. The connecting devices 14 are shaped to be able to engage a portion 38 of the bar 8 for fixing of the bar 8 to the connecting element 4 or connecting elements and the con- necting devices 14 can be formed as holder flanges or the like arranged in pairs or as an alternative as a more extended holder element for grasping a portion of the bar 8, see the connecting devices 14 in Fig. 3 which when including the broken line will show a connecting device 54 as the said alternative designed connecting device. The connecting device 14, 54 is also shown in Figs. 6, 12, 13 and 14.

The bar 8 or similar can thus show a fixing portion 38 which by being pushed into the connecting devices 14, 54 anchoring the connecting elements 4 to the bar 8. A fin or the like projects from said fixing portion. The free edge of the fin or the like can be shaped tapered or to an edge point 39 extending along the fin. Through the fin of the bar 8 there can be arranged a number of holes 18 or similar to fasten or anchor supports 31, see Fig. 7.

The second duct 7 of the connecting element 4 can be shaped with a captiv- ator 23 for the valve 9 or a part 19 of the valve in shape of a valve clos¬ ing device 19, as a ball 19 in a ball valve. Further, the walls 17 of the second duct 7 are shaped with a fastening element 22 for the possibility to connect or fasten the valve 9 or the adaptor to the connecting element 4.

Outlets for the water conveyed within the conduits 3 are formed according to the embodiments as a drinking water supply apparatus 9 which can be provided with a drinking water container 10. For connection of the valve 9 or the adaptor with the connecting element 4, the adaptor 20 shows fastening devices 21 for joining the fastening element 22 shown with the connecting element 4. According to one of the embodiments, see Figs. 3 and 5, the fastening devices 21 and the fastening elements 22 are shaped as a clutch- coupling, whereby a simple fastening or joining of the valve 9 can be done. Besides a valve closing device 19, the valve 9 shows an actuating device 26 as a valve tappet in shape of a valve cone which can influence the valve bod to lift from its seat. The cone 26 itself can be influenced to lift from its seat 27 by means of a shaft 24 operating as a striker and in shape of a pin or column. One end of the shaft shows a striking surface or a head 37 to strike against the cone 26 and the other end supports or is provided with a drinking cup 10. A compression spring 25 is arranged co-axially round the shaft 24 within a bore in the housing 20 of the valve 9. The valve 9 oper¬ ates as usual and assume a closed condition when the cup 10 has an adequate quantity of water supplied from the conduit 3 and through the valve. On reduction of the quantity of water, the cup 10 is raised with its shaft 24 due to the reduction of weight of water and the elasticity of the spring 25 and the shaft lifts the cone 26 from its seat, whereby the cone lifts the valve body 19 and opens the valve. Due to this a flow of water can occur through the valve 9 and to the cup 10. As soon as there is an adequate supply of water within the cup, the weight of that water causes the cup to descend against the resilient load provided by the spring 25 and the valve body 19 is also descended and the valve 9 closes the further supply of water

With the reference designations 28 and 29 are shown sealings, for example in shape of 0-rings which can be arranged to tighten between the drinking water supply apparatus 9 and the connecting element.4 and in this case into the second duct 7 of the connecting element, see Figs. 3, 5 and 14.

The connecting element 4 can be made of metal, as aluminium but preferably the connecting element is made of plastic material, as well as the drinking water supply apparatus 9 or the adaptor and the drinking cup 10. However, the valve body 19 and the valve cone 26 are made of stainless steel, as well as the shaft 24 and the spring 25. The holder 32 is also made of a plastic material but could as well be made of rubber, as well as existing sealings 28, 29 and 33. The bar 8 can be made of metal, as an extruded aluminium profile but can also be made of plastic material. The pipes 5 or the tubes are formed of plastic material ancl from financial reason a simple PVC-tube can be used and as regards to ensure that the quality of the installation is kept a stiff PVC-pipe can be used. The valve 9 or the adaptor according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 is shaped substantially as known adaptors and thus some complicated depending on the fact that the shaft 24 is shaped in two pieces. The head 37 is shaped as a specific part which then is connected to the shaft. For this reason the shaft 24 and the adaptor had to be shaped with an unnecessary length as the partly shaped shaft with the compression spring 25 and the cup already arranged to the shaft must be joined with the housing of the adaptor before that, the head 37 is arranged to the shaft 24, whereby said housing must be able to be brought towards the cup 10 so far that the free end of the partly shaped shaft reaches outside the housing. The head 37 is arranged to the shaft in this situation. This fact can also has a certain influence on the design of the connecting element 4.

In accordance with the invention the shaft 24 is produced by upsetting of a blank, whereby the head 37 is shaped simultaneously, i.e. the entire shaft is shaped in one piece. Further, the shaft 24 is arranged to the drinking cup 10 by knocking the shaft into a fastening 2 for the cup. As shown in Fig. 9, the end part .of the shaft 24 is shaped with attachment portions 35 for the engagement of the shaft with the fastening 2 of the cup 10. Said fastening shows a bore for the end part of the shaft. Owing to this, the adaptor can be produced as merely a casing for the shaft and with a shoulder for spring and a seat for the valve body. Then, the shaft 24 with spring 25 is brought into the adaptor and the end part of the .shaft is knocked into the cup 10 and the cup is thus arranged to the adaptor. In order to attain a valve 9, it is only necessary to bring a valve body 19 to the interior of the adaptor and the whole valve with cup and fastening device is complete for joining with a connecting element 4.

In Figs. 10, 11 and 14 is shown such a simplified adaptor 20. According to the embodiment, the adaptor is provided with a simple fastening device 21 involving that the adaptor, including valve 9 and cup 10, is easy to con¬ nect and lock to the connecting element 4. Thus, foldable tongues 53 or similar have been shaped, whereby the tongues show simple fastening devices 21 for engagement with fastening elements 22 of the connecting element 4. hen the adaptor is connected to the connecting element 4, the tongues 53 are folded towards the connecting element and are kept or locked to the connecting element by means of a simple locking ring 55. To ensure that the locking ring 55 is kept in the intended locking position, the tongues can be provided with holding devices 56 in form of a projection or similar and the locking ring 55 with a cavity 57 or similar, see the figures mentioned, whereby said projection engages said cavity when the locking ring is brought to the locking position by displacement co-axially round the adaptor 20. The interior of the adaptor can be provided with a special seat 58 for the valve body 19, whereby a ring of plastics or steel is forced into the hous¬ ing of the adaptor to form the seat. The connecting element 4 according to this embodiment is also shaped more simple, see Figs. 12 - 14. Thus, the connecting element can be shaped in one piece and in this case be made of plastics. According to one embodiment, see Fig. 14, an insert 44 is arranged into the opening 12 for the inlet of the^" medium to the valve 9 and cup 10. The insert reaches into the middle of the first duct 6 and has an inlet 46 for the medium. The other end of the insert can form a captivator 23 for the valve or valve body 19. By this insert 44 the risk is eliminated of entrance of solids in the liquid to the valve. Further, it is achieved a simple method of cleaning besides the usual flushing of the conduits 3 because materials, solids and other objects accompanying the medium will be collected into a collecting space 45 formed by the second duct 7 and the insert 44. The collected trash can in a simple way be removed as the valve 9 is easily disconnectable. Thus, one removes the entire valve with the collec- ted trash for emptying and removal by disengagement or displacement of the locking ring 55. The valve 9 is then mounted again in the simple way maybe after a cleaning.

As it is further shown in Fig. 8, the free end of the bar 8 or fin can be shaped as an engagement device 51 in form of a fluke. This shaping means that the arrangement or the conduits 3 can be supported in a simpler way as a bracket can be arranged to catch or squeeze the engagement device or behind it, whereby the supports 31 are arranged to such engagement devices. The engagement device can be displaced along the bar 8 and be fixed wher- ever it is convenient. The previously suggested holes 18 can in this case be abolished.

In installations 1 of this kind a relatively high temperature is kept which certainly promotes growth of bacteria. Owing to the shaping of the conduits 3 in accordance with the invention traps are avoided where collections of materials can occur and colonies of bacteria arise. The bar 8 is thus used for fasten the conduit system, the conduits and the devices belonging to them to a foundation but can also be used for supporting or joining other devices besides the connecting elements 4, the pipes 5 and the drinking water supply apparatuses 9, including the drinking water containers 10 and that medium containing within and is conveyed through the conduits. Such other devices can be devices 40, 49 to prevent landing of poultry on the conduits 3, floats, filters or other equipments which can be connected directly with the bar 8 or to joint devices or lengthening bars 47 which in turn can support equipments 48 and also be anchoring devices for for example the supports 31, see Fig. 15.

The device 40 shown to prevent landing of poultry is formed as a roll or a top which by means of attachment devices 41 is arranged to the bar 8. The roll or top shows a turning body 42 which is pivoted in the attachment devices 41 by means of pivots 43 or an axle. In Fig. 16 is shown a variant of the device and in form of an angular-shaped wing 49 whose lower part is a little heavier and the wing takes the shown position at rest.

With an arrangement in accordance with the invention it is attained a flex¬ ibility in the conduit system and in the installation owing to that fact that it can be supplemented, reduced or enlarged as required. This is made possible owing to the erection of the conduits using connecting elements 4 to which pieces of pipes 5 are connected, i.e. that the conduits can be made with any length and the distances between the outlets for the water can be chosen by placing connecting elements 4 at distances desired.

The essential part of the arrangement in accordance with the invention is that the weight of connecting elements 4, pipes 5, drinking water supply apparatuses 9, including drinking water containers 10, within the conduits, the drinking water supply apparatuses and the drinking water containers contained water and additional to the conduit system connected devices, as floats, is distributed by the bars 8 and is supported by the bars and the supports which together with the foundation 36 are going to absorb the strains and the load in the arrangement. The pipes 5 need only to support their own weight and the weight of the water contained within the pipes, whereby it should be observed that each pipe 5 is relatively short and has supports at each end by means of its attachment to adjacent connecting elements 4. Owing to this shaping the problems in known arrangements and installations are eliminated at the same time as the demands made can be fulfilled. Without exceeding the scope of the concept of the invention, modifications of the method and the arrangement according to the invention should be possible. The method and the arrangement according to the invention are thus not restricted to what has been described and shown in the embodiments but soley by the claims hereinafter.

Claims

Claims:

1. An arrangement in conduits for conveying medium through a conduit, as conveying water (2) through conduits (3) in an installation (1) for supply¬ ing water to drinking nipples (9), drinking cups (10) or similar drinking outlets for the medium for animal feeding, for example for poultry feeding and for egg production, whereby the arrangement comprises connecting elem¬ ents (4) for connection of conduits (3), characterized in that the connect¬ ing elements (4) show a duct (6) whose end portions (16) are shaped for connection of end parts (15) of pipes (5) or tubes (5) which together with connecting elements (4) are included in the conduit (3) or in a conduit system and that the connecting elements show connecting devices (14) for at least one bar (8) or similar which bar is intended to extend along the whole or substantially the whole length of the conduit (3).

2. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the bar (8) or similar shows holes (18) or similar fastening devices for supports (11), whereby the arrangement, conduit or conduit system can be arranged in an intended position by suspending in the supports and be supported by the bar or similar.

3. An arrangement in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting elements (4) show an opening (12) into the duct (6) or an opening (6) to a connected duct (7) for communication with a drinking nipple (9), drinking cup (10) or similar outlet.

4. An arrangement in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that fact that around or in connection with the said opening (12) or opening (12) for the said connected duct (7) is arranged a stop (13) for stuff or solids in liquids (2) and in shape of for example an overflow, a flange, annular flange, two flanges arranged on opposite sides of the opening, flanges extending across the duct, etc.

5. An arrangement in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the said opening (12) or opening (12) to the said connected duct (7) is shaped with a captivator (23) for a valve (9), a part of a valve (9), a valve closing device (19), a ball (19) in a ball valve (9), a cone or similar.

6. An arrangement in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that walls (17) of the said connected duct (7) are shaped with a fastening element (22) for connection of a drinking nipple (9), drinking cup (10) or similar outlet device for outlet of the medium (2) which is conveyed within the conduit (3) or for supplying the medium (2) to the drinking nipple (9) and/ or for supplying the drinking cup (10).

7. An arrangement in accordance with any preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting elements (4) are shaped as a T-shaped pipe and that the connecting devices (14) for bars (8) or the like are arranged on the exterior of the connecting elements and on that part forming walls for the said duct (6).

8. A method to effect an arrangement in conduits according to claims 1 and 2 for conveying medium through a conduit, as conveying water (2) through conduits (3) in an installation (1) for supplying water for animal feeding, for example to drinking nipples (9), drinking cups (10) or similar outlets for the water for poultry feeding and/or for egg production, whereby the conduit (3) comprises pipes (5) or tubes (5), characterized in that the conduit (3) is effected by assemblage of pipe or tube pieces (5) to connect¬ ing elements (4) which^' shall be placed along the conduit (3) at predestin- ated or for the need for the installation (1) intended places, after which the connecting elements (4) are connected with one another by means of pipe or tube pieces (5) which in suitable lengths, for example effected by means of cross-cutting of pipes or tubes or pieces of pipes or tubes, are connec¬ ted to adjacent connecting elements (4) with their end parts (15) and further in that one or more bars (8) are connected to connecting devices (14) shown by the connecting elements (4), whereby the bar (8) or bars (8) are connected to supports (31) by means of which the arrangement or conduit (3) is brought to be suspended, whereby the arrangement or conduit (3) is supported via the connecting elements (4) by the supports (31) arranged to the bar (8) or bars (8).

9. A method in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the connect¬ ing elements (4) are equiped with drinking nipples (9), drinking cups (10) or other outlets for the medium (2), whereby weight and load of drinking nipples, drinking cups or equivalent and of the medium, as well as weight and load of the connecting elements on and into the arrangement is suppor¬ ted via the connecting elements (4) by the supports (31) attached to the bar (8) or bars (8).

10. A method in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the arrange¬ ment or the conduits (3) are flushed by a fluid or the medium (2) from a source, for example a water-source, the arrangement or the conduits mean the pipes (5) or the tubes (5), the duct (6) into the connecting elements (4) or the connecting elements (4) and in applicable cases also connected ducts (7) connected to the connecting elements (4) and/or connected drink¬ ing nipples (9), drinking cups (10) or other outlets for the medium (2), whereby the said conduits (3) and connected devices to the connecting elements (4) if any first are brought to turn to a more or less upside down position or preferably turn mainly 180 round the axis or extension of the conduit (3), whereby the turning can be effected with the supports (31).