EP2242356A1

EP2242356A1 - Automatic water dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP2242356A1
Application number: EP08868012A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tord Söderholm
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-03
Filing date: 2008-12-30
Publication date: 2010-10-27
Also published as: SE532964C2; WO2009084997A1; SE0800013L

Abstract

The present invention concerns an automatic water dispenser that automatically supplies water via a valve (6) to a container (1). Additional liquid can with the reverse valve (10) be chosen from receptacles (4, 5) that via a dosing feeder (7) conveys the liquid via a water conduit to the container (1). The number av times the container is filled is registered by a counter (9). The water distributor (11) in its downward position locks the container (1) in the cradle (2) and the water distributor (11) in its upright (inward) position with a full container locks the cradle in the stand (3) whereby the valve (6) is secured in its closed position. This allows for the removal of the container (1) for cleaning.

Description

AUTOMATIC WATER DISPENSER

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns an automatic water dispenser that supplies water and other liquids automatically to containers/receptacles (buckets, pails, etc) according to required needs and that the number of fillings (refills) are registered and that the container can be removed easily for cleaning.

Background

It is important for horses to maintain normal fluid levels in order for them to keep healthy and to perform at optimum levels. Water can be supplied via automatic water cups where refilling is accomplished by use of a floater or pressure (release) valve where the horse itself dispenses the amount desired via a small rubber clad lever. It has been shown that this does not provide the horse with a sufficient amount of water and it can not be determined just how much the horse drinks. Because of mis many have now reverted to giving horses water via a bucket that is manually filled when needed. A horse that is being trained can transpire considerable amounts of water especially during a hard workout. It is often difficult to get a horse to drink satisfactorily so that liquid levels are quickly returned to normal because horses do not have the same sensations of thirst as human beings. An efficient method of getting horses to drink satisfactorily is to manually give them a physiological sodium chloride solution in the amount needed according to exertion levels, hi this manner liquid levels are restored much faster and salt levels are also restored which can not be achieved only by a salt lick.

Description of the Invention

The present invention concerns an automatic water dispenser that supplies water and other liquids automatically to containers (buckets, pails, etc) where every refill is registered in a counter. The automatic water dispenser is comprised of know parts such as a container (bucket, pail, etc) valves, dosing feeder and counter as well as hardware for the cradle and stand.

In reference to the enclosed figures the automatic water dispenser and its functions will be described in more detail below. Figure 1 shows the automatic water dispenser's comprising parts. Figure 2a shows the automatic water dispenser with a rilled container. Figure 2b shows the automatic water dispenser during its tilling.

Figure 3 shows the automatic water dispenser with the water distributor in its upright position which allows for the removal of the container.

The present invention is comprised of a container 1 for holding water and other liquids which is placed in a cradle 2 that is articulately suspended in a stand 3. A point of suspension is chosen that allows the material weight of the cradle and a low water level to shift the center of gravity allowing the cradle to tip outwards. At the full water level the center of gravity is shifted so that the cradle tips to an upright (inward) position. When the cradle 2 tips outward the valve 6 is triggered via an arm from the cradle 2 so that water is supplied to the container 1. When the cradle 2 tips back into its upright (inward) position the valve 6 is closed by the same arm. The dosing feeder 7 is triggered in the same manner by the arm whereby liquid is conveyed out into the water conduit and further on to the container 1. When the cradle tips back to its upright (inward) position, the dosing feeder 7 is filled with the chosen liquid from the receptacles 4, 5. The choice of receptacle is accomplished manually by way of the reverse valve 10. Each tip of the cradle triggers the counter 9 by the arm from the cradle so that each refill of water and liquid is registered and automatically provides for the measure of consumed water and liquid. Water is led into the container 1 via a water distributor 11 that in its downward position locks the container in the cradle. When the water distributor is tipped up with the cradle in its upright (inward) position, the cradle is locked in the stand 3 whereby the valve 6 is secured in its closed position. In this position the container can be safely lifted from its cradle for cleaning.

Advantageous of the Invention

Use of the present invention provides water and any other desired liquids automatically to horses in the best manner in a container that can be easily removed for cleaning. Another advantage of the present invention is that the amount of water and other liquids is registered automatically which provides the possibility of reviewing how much a horse consumes and if the pattern of consumption changes, which may be a sign that something is not right with the horse, which allows for appropriate measures to be taken.

Claims

1. Automatic water dispenser comprised of a container (1) which is placed in a cradle (2) so as to be removable, which is articulately suspended in a stand (3) and one or more receptacles (4, 5) with liquid, where altered water levels in the container shifts the center of gravity so that the cradle with the container tips characterized by the tipping of the cradle and container triggering a valve (6) by an arm for filling water in the container, a dosing feeder (7) for dosage and supply of liquid from said receptacles (4, 5) to the water and a counter (9) for registering the number of refills.

2. Automatic water dispenser according to claim 1 characterized by that the cradle's point of suspension in the stand is chosen so that the material weight of the cradle and a low water level in the container causes the cradle to tip outward and that a full container causes the cradle to return back into an upright (inward) position.

3. Automatic water dispenser according to claims 1 and 2 characterized by that when the cradle (2) tips outward a valve (6) is opened via an arm and water is filled into the container (1) and that the valve (6) is closed when the cradle is returned to its upright (inward) position.

4. Automatic water dispenser according to claims 1 and 2 characterized by that via the chosen position of the reverse valve (10) it is possible to chose from which receptacle (4, 5) liquid is to be filled into the dosing feeder (7).

5. Automatic water dispenser according to claims 1 and 2 characterized by that each time the cradle tips outward the counter (9) is triggered by the arm so that each filling (refilling) of water and liquid from receptacles 4 and 5 are registered.

6. Automatic water dispenser according to claim 4 characterized by that when the cradle tips outward the dosing feeder (7) is triggered via the arm so that liquid from the receptacles (4, 5) is conveyed to the container via the water conduit and that the new chosen liquid from receptacles (4, 5) is filled into the dosing feeder (7) when the cradle is returned back to its upright (inward) position.

7. Automatic water dispenser according to claims 1 and 2 characterized by that the water distributor (11) for the container in its downward position locks the container in the cradle and that the water distributor (11) in its upright (inward) position with the cradle in its upright (inward) position, locks the cradle in the stand allowing for the removal of the container for cleaning and at the same time securing the valve (6) in its closed position.