GB2222929A

GB2222929A - Animal drinking container

Info

Publication number: GB2222929A
Application number: GB8921152A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Corbett
Original assignee: DELUX DESIGNS Ltd
Current assignee: DELUX DESIGNS Ltd
Priority date: 1988-09-22
Filing date: 1989-09-19
Publication date: 1990-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-19
Also published as: ZA897142B; GB8921152D0; IE882867L; GB2222929B

Abstract

An animal drinking container (1) comprises a main compartment (5) and a secondary compartment communicating through an opening. A receptacle portion (20) for drinking water is formed in the lower portion of the main compartment (5). A ball controlled valve in the secondary compartment maintains the level of water in the receptacle portion (20) above the opening. Access openings (21) in front and rear walls (10) and (11) of the container (1) provide access for an animal's head to the receptacle portion (20) for drinking. Doors (30) connected to the front and rear walls (10) and (11) by hinges (32) close the openings (21). A weight (31) mounted on a support arm (34) extending from each door (30), urges the door (30) closed, but is of weight sufficiently low to permit the door (30) to pivot inwardly under pressure from an animal's head. <IMAGE>

Description

ANIMAL DRINKING CONTAINER The present invention relates to an animal drinking container, and in particular though not limited to a drinking container for cattle.

A problem with known animal drinking containers is that it is virtually impossible to prevent them being fouled by animal faeces and urine. This causes contamination of the drinking water in the container and leads to the spread of diseases and infections from animal to animal.

This is a particularly serious problem in intensive rearing environments, such as, for example, intensive rearing of cattle in slatted houses and the like. Known containers, in general, comprise either a relatively long trough which is fed with a supply of water, or alternatively an open drinking type bowl which is mounted on a wall or other suitable upright. However, in general, such troughs and bowls must be mounted at a relatively low level, and thus can easily be fouled by animals passing by or standing near them. In general, open drinking bowls tend to be used in pens for cattle in slatted houses, thus facilitating the spread of disease and infection in such environments.

There is therefore a need for an animal drinking container which overcomes the problems of known drinking containers.

The present invention is directed towards providing such an animal drinking container.

According to the invention, there is provided a housing defining an enclosed main interior compartment, a lower portion of the main compartment forming a receptacle for a drinking liquid, the housing having at least one substantially vertical wall, an access opening being provided in the vertical wall to provide access for an animal's face to the receptacle portion for drinking the liquid, a closure member for closing the access opening, the closure member depending downwardly from a substantially horizontal axis and being openable inwardly from a closed position closing the access opening into the main compartment about the horizontal axis under pressure of an animal's face, and means for delivering a drinking liquid into the receptacle portion and means for controlling the level of liquid in the receptacle portion.

Preferably, the access opening is defined by a pair of opposite side edges, the side edges converging downwardly. Advantageously, the side edges converge downwardly from a top edge, and a bottom edge spaced apart from the top edge joins the side edges.

Advantageously, the bottom edge is of concave arcuate shape. Preferably, the top edge is joined to the side edges by radiused portions.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure member is of shape substantially similar to the shape of the access opening, the area of closure member being slightly greater than the area of the access opening.

Preferably, means to urge the closure member towards the closed position is provided. Advantageously, the means to urge the closure member is provided by a weight member mounted on the closure member. Preferably, the weight member is positioned so that the vertical plane through which the weight of the weight member acts when the closure member is in the closed position is spaced apart from the horizontal axis of the closure member.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure member is secured to the housing by a hinge having a pivot axis, the pivot axis of the hinge defining the horizontal axis, the hinge being secured to the closure member adjacent a top edge thereof and being secured to the housing adjacent a top edge of the access opening.

In another embodiment of the invention, the housing defines a secondary compartment communicating with the main compartment, the means for delivering liquid into the receptacle portion and the means for controlling the level of the liquid in the receptacle portion being provided in the secondary compartment.

Advantageously, the means for delivering the liquid is provided by a valve and the control means is provided by a float operatively connected by the valve to shut off the valve on the liquid level reaching a certain predetermined level. Preferably, the main compartment and the secondary compartment communicate through an opening below the predetermined level at which the liquid is maintained by the float.

Additionally, the invention provides a partition for an animal house, the partition comprising the animal drinking container according to the invention mounted thereon. Preferably, the animal drinking container is mounted on the partition with one access opening being provided on one side of the partition and the other access opening being provided on the other side of the partition.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an animal drinking container according to the invention mounted on a railing, Fig. 2 is a cut-away perspective view of the container of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a further cut-away perspective view of the container of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the container of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a detail of the container of Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of portion of the container of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an animal drinking container according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, which in this case is particularly suitable for cattle. The container 1 is formed by a housing 2 of metal plate material welded together which comprises a main housing 3 and a secondary housing 4 which respectively define a main compartment 5 and a secondary compartment 6. The main housing 3 comprises a base 8 and a top wall 9 joined by front and rear upstanding, substantially vertical walls 10 and 11 respectively, and first and second end walls 12 and 13 respectively. The base 8 extends outwardly of the end wall 13 to form a base 14 of the secondary housing 4. Front and rear walls 15 and an end wall 16 extend upwardly from the base 14 to support a top wall 17 and form the secondary housing 4.

The top wall 17 is engaged between the front and rear walls 15 and a cross member 47 of steel welded to the end wall 13 and is releasably secured to the end wall 16 by a screw 27. The end wall 13 between the main housing 3 and secondary housing 4 extends downwardly to form a partition 18 between the compartments 5 and 6. An opening 19 in the end wall 13 permits the compartments 5 and 6 to communicate.

The lower portion of the main compartment 5 forms a receptacle portion 20 for a drinking liquid, such as drinking water for cattle.

Access openings 21 are provided in the front and rear walls 10 and 11 to accommodate an animal's face for drinking water from the receptacle portion 20. As can be seen, the openings 21 are staggered sidewardly relative to each other, thus enabling two cattle to drink simultaneously, one from the access opening 21 in the front wall 10 and one from the access opening 21 in the rear wall 11. Each access opening 21 is formed by a top edge 22 and side edges 23 which converge downwardly from the top edge 22. A bottom edge 24 joins the ends 28 of side edges 23. The bottom edge 24 is of arcuate shape and is concave when viewed from above. Radiused portions 25 join the top edge 22 and the side edges 23.

In this particular embodiment of the invention, each access opening 21 is particularly suitable for accommodating the face of a cow. The widest portion of the access opening 21 adjacent the top, namely the dimension a is approximately 320 mm, see Fig. 6. The width of the access opening 21 at the ends 28 of the side edges 23, namely the dimension b is approximately 127 mm. The height of the access opening 21 from the lowest point 29 of the bottom edge 24 to the top edge 22, namely the dimension c is 355 mm. The offset of the bottom edge 24 from the ends 28 of the side edges 23 to the lowest point 29 of the bottom edge 24, namely the dimension d is 50 mm. The edges of each opening 21 are radiused by a steel bar 26 of 9.5 mm diameter welded around the inner periphery of each opening 21 to avoid injury to animals.

A closure member, namely a door 30 closes each access opening 21. The doors 30 are connected to the front and rear walls 10 and 11 by hinges 32, each of which define a horizontal pivot axis about which each door 30 is pivotal. The hinges 32 in this case are piano type hinges and each hinge 32 is secured to the door 30 along the top of the door 30 by pop rivets 33 and to the respective front and rear walls 10 and 11 adjacent the top edge 22 of the access opening 21 also by pop rivets 33. Each door 30 is pivotal inwardly about the hinge axis into the main compartment 5 under pressure of an animal's face against the door 30 to open the access opening 21. Each door 30 is urged into a closed position closing the access opening 21 by a weight member 31 which is pivotally mounted on a support arm 34 by a bolt 39 extending through the weight member 31 and the support arm 34.A receiver 45 of box section steel is welded to the rear of each door 30 to receive a respective support arm 34. Each support arm 34 is bent at 46 to form an angle of 300 with the door 30 and supports its weight member 31 spaced apart from the door 30 so that the vertical plane through which the weight of the weight member acts is spaced apart from the plane of the door to the rear thereof when the door 30 is in the closed position. The weight of the weight member is such that the pressure of an animal's head on the door permits the door to open inwardly and on removal of the head urges the door into the closed position to close the access opening. In Fig. 4 of the drawings, the door 30 on the rear wall 11 is illustrated in the closed position, while the door 30 of the front wall 10 is illustrated in the open position.The outer peripheral shape of each door 30 is substantially similar to the peripheral shape of the access openings 21. However, the area of the doors 30 is slightly greater than the area of the openings 21, so that when urged into the closed position, the doors 30 abut the front and rear walls 10 and 11 adjacent the peripheral edge of the openings 21.

Means for delivering water into the container 1 and means for controlling the level of the water in the container is provided by a float controlled valve 35, which is mounted on the end wall 16 of the secondary housing 4. A water inlet pipe 36 extends from the valve 35 through the end wall 16 to the valve 23. A ball float 37 and connecting arm 38 operate the valve 35 to control the level of water in the receptacle portion 20 of the main compartment 5 at a predetermined level. In general, it is envisaged that the ball float 37 will be set to maintain the level of water in the receptacle portion 20 and the secondary compartment 6 so that the opening 19 in the second end wall 13 is below the predetermined level of the water in the container 1.

A strengthening plate 40 of metal plate material extends between the front and rear walls 10 and 11 to strengthen the main compartment 5 and to prevent it collapsing in the event of an animal banging into it, see Fig. 2. The plate 40 also serves to separate two animals when one is drinking through the access opening 21 in the front wall 10 and the other is drinking through the access opening in the rear wall 11. An outlet 41 closed by a plug 42 is provided in the base 8 for flushing out the container 1.

The container 1 may be mounted in any suitable location, for example, it may be mounted on a wall, upstanding post or the like. However, a particularly advantageous mounting of the container 1 is illustrated in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1 the container 1 is mounted in a partition railing 50 of the type commonly used in slatted floor intensive cattle rearing units. The railing 50 comprises a plurality of horizontal rails 51 supported on uprights 52, two of which are illustrated. Portion of one of the rails 51 is removed at 53 and ends 54 of the rail 51 are welded to the end walls 12 and 13 of the main housing 3 of the container 1, thereby securing the container 1 in position on the partition railing 50. In this position, animals on each side of the railing 50 can drink from the container 1. A pipe 56 extending along one of the rails 51 delivers water to the inlet pipe 36.

In this particular embodiment of the invention, the following are the dimensions of the main compartment: height 475 mm width 225 mm length 675 mm.

The height of the secondary compartment is 177 mm, while its length is 225 mm and the width of the end wall 16 is 50 mm.

In use, with the container 1 appropriately mounted and a water supply or a supply of other drinking liquid connected to the inlet pipe 36 the container 1 is ready for use. An animal, for example a cow, desiring a drink presses its face against the door 30, thereby causing the door to open inwardly into the main compartment 5.

The cow can then enter its face through the access opening 21 and drinks water from the receptacle portion 20 of the main compartment 5. On the cow removing its face from the main compartment 5 through the access opening 21, the action of the weight member 31 urges the door 30 into the closed position to close the access opening 21. Where it is desired to drain the main and secondary compartments 5 and 6, the plug 42 is removed from the outlet 41. Where it is desired to replace or repair the valve 35 or ball float 37, the top wall 17 is removed by unscrewing the screw 27.

The advantages of the invention are many. The main advantage of the invention is that the water in the main compartment and indeed the secondary compartment is not fouled by animals. This is mainly achieved by virtue of the fact that the access openings 21 are provided in vertical walls 10 and 11 of the housing, and furthermore, by virtue of the fact that the access openings 21 are closed by doors 30. Furthermore, the fact that each door 30 is mounted to the front or rear walls 10 or 11 by a hinge 32 and urged into the -closed position by the weight member 31 thus keeps the doors closed when not in use. This further acts to avoid fouling of the water in the container 1. Another important advantage of the invention is that easy access is provided to the water through the access openings.

This advantage is achieved by virtue of the shape of the openings. As can be seen, -the openings are widest at the top where the animals face and head is widest.

Furthermore, by virtue of the fact that the main compartment 5 and secondary compartment 6 are separated from each other by the second end wall 13 avoids any danger of the ball float 37 being activated inadvertently by an animals face.

Needless to say, other shapes and construction of housing could be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. It will also, of course, be appreciated that while the housing has been described as comprising two portions, namely a main housing and a secondary housing, this is not necessary, a single housing could be provided. In which case, a partition between the main and secondary compartments may or may not be provided as desired. Needless to say, in the case of the main housing and secondary housing just described, if desired, the partition portion 18 may be dispensed with.

It will also of course be appreciated that while two openings 21 have been provided to the main compartment, a single opening is all that is required. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that more than two openings may be provided if desired. Needless to say, the access opening may be provided in any suitable location as desired. Furthermore, while a particular shape of access opening has been described, other suitable shapes could be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. However, it is envisaged that, in general, the access openings will be provided with side edges converging downwardly towards each other. Needless to say, in certain cases, the side edges may converge to an apex, and similarly side and top edges could meet each other to form an apex rather than the radiused portions.Further, the bottom edge of the access opening may be substantially horizontal.

While specific dimensions have been given for the access opening, access openings of other dimensions could be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, it is envisaged in certain cases where the drinking container is to be provided for calves or other smaller animals, smaller access openings may be provided. Typical dimensions of an access opening for sheep are as follows. The widest portion at the top of the access opening, namely the dimension a is approximately 230 mm, see Fig. 6. The width of the access opening at the ends 28 of the side edges 23, namely, the dimension b is approximately 76 mm. The height of the access opening 21 from the lowest point 29 of the bottom edge 24 to the top edge 22, namely, the dimension c is approximately 305 mm. The offset of the bottom edge 24, namely the dimension d is approximately 30 mm.

Needless to say, while specific dimensions have been given for the drinking container, it will readily be appreciated that drinking containers of other dimensions, sizes and shapes could be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.

Further, it will of course be appreciated that doors of other shapes and construction may be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. It will of course be appreciated that it is not necessary for the door to be substantially similar in shape to the shape of the opening, the door could be of rectangular shape, square shape or any other suitable shape.

While in the embodiment of the invention just described, the housing has been described as being of metal plate, it could be of any other suitable material, for example, sheet metal, stainless steel, plastics material or indeed any other suitable material.

Other means for urging the doors into the closed position may be provided besides weight members. For example, in certain cases, it is envisaged that spring means may be used, for example, a leaf spring may be provided bearing on the rear of the door or a compression or tension spring appropriately positioned may also be used. Needless to say, other suitable urging means may be used. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that each door may be connected to its adjacent wall by a resilient hinge which would resiliently urge the door into the closed position.

Furthermore, it is envisaged that other suitable control means besides a ball float could be used without departing from the scope of the invention, as could other shapes and constructions of ball float and valve be used.

Claims

1. An animal drinking container comprising a housing defining an enclosed main interior compartment, a lower portion of the main compartment forming a receptacle for a drinking liquid, the housing having at least one substantially vertical wall, an access opening being provided in the vertical wall to provide access for an animals face to the receptacle portion for drinking the liquid, a closure member for closing the access opening, the closure member depending downwardly from a substantially horizontal axis and being openable inwardly from a closed position closing the access opening into the main compartment about the horizontal axis under pressure of an animal's face, and means for delivering a drinking liquid into the receptacle portion and means for controlling the level of liquid in the receptacle portion.

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1 in which the access opening is defined by a pair of opposite side edges, the side edges converging downwardly.

3. A container as claimed in Claim 2 in which the side edges converge downwardly from a top edge, and a bottom edge spaced apart from the top edge joins the side edges.

4. A container as claimed in Claim 3 in which the bottom edge is of concave arcuate shape.

5. A container as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 in which the top edge is joined to the side edges by radiused portions.

6. A container as claimed in any preceding claim in which the closure member is of shape substantially similar to the shape of the access opening, the area of closure member being slightly greater than the area of the access opening.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim in which means to urge the closure member towards the closed position is provided.

8. A container as claimed in Claim 7 in which the means to urge the closure member is provided by a weight member mounted on the closure member.

9. A container as claimed in Claim 8 in which the weight member is positioned so that the vertical plane through which the weight of the weight member acts when the closure member is in the closed position is spaced apart from the horizontal axis of the closure member.

10. A container as claimed in any preceding claim in which the closure member is secured to the housing by a hinge having a pivot axis, the pivot axis of the hinge defining the horizontal axis, the hinge being secured to the closure member adjacent a top edge thereof and being secured to the housing adjacent a top edge of the access opening.

11. A container as claimed in any preceding claim in which the housing defines a secondary compartment communicating with the main compartment, the means for delivering liquid into the receptacle portion and the means for controlling the level of the liquid in the receptacle portion being provided in the secondary compartment.

12. A container as claimed in Claim 11 in which the means for delivering the liquid is provided by a valve and the control means is provided by a float operatively connected by the valve to shut off the valve on the liquid level reaching a certain predetermined level.

13. A container as claimed in Claim 12 in which the float is provided by a floatation member connected by a pivot arm to the valve.

14. A container as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 in which the main compartment and the secondary compartment communicate through an opening below the predetermined level at which the liquid is maintained by the float.

15. A container as claimed in any preceding claim in which the container comprises a base, spaced apart substantially vertical front and rear walls extending upwardly from the base joined by spaced apart first and second end walls and closed by a top wall.

16. A container as claimed in Claim 15 when dependent on Claim 11 in which the secondary compartment is formed by portion of the housing extending outwardly of the second end wall.

17. A container as claimed in Claim 16 in which the opening communicating the main and secondary compartments is formed in the second end wall.

18. A container as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 17 in which an access opening is provided in the front and rear walls.

19. A container as claimed in Claim 18 in which the access openings in the front and rear walls are staggered relative to each other.

20. A container as claimed in Claim 19 in which a strengthening plate extends from the front wall to the rear wall to strengthen the container.

21. A container as claimed in Claim 20 in which the strenthening plate is provided intermediate the access openings.

22. A container as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 21 in which the base extends outwardly beyond the second end wall to form a base of the secondary compartment, front, rear and end walls extending upwardly from the base joined by a top wall defining the secondary compartment.

23. An animal drinking container substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

24. A partition for an animal house, the partition comprising the animal drinking container of any of Claims 1 to 23 mounted thereon.

25. A partition as claimed in Claim 24 in which the animal drinking container is mounted on the partition with one access opening being provided on one side of the partition and the other access opening being provided on the other side of the partition.

26. A partition substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.