GB2241633A

GB2241633A - Drinker for animals

Info

Publication number: GB2241633A
Application number: GB9104580A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leo Charles Callaghan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-03-09
Filing date: 1991-03-05
Publication date: 1991-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-05
Also published as: DE4107501B4; GB9104580D0; DE4107501A1; GB2241633B; FR2686774A1; GB9005345D0

Abstract

A drinker for animals comprises a liquid container 2 provided with a lid 8 having at least one outlet 14 therefrom, and a bowl portion 16, the inverted container being removably mounted on the bowl portion whereby liquid can flow from the container through the at least one outlet in the lid and into the bowl portion, the container, in its inverted condition on the bowl portion, being movable relative to the lid between a first sealed position in which the lid sealingly closes the container and prevents flow of liquid therefrom, and a second open position in which liquid can flow from the container through the at least one outlet in the lid and into the bowl portion until the liquid in the bowl portion rises to a level just above that of the at least one outlet from the lid. <IMAGE>

Description

1 _l - c=- :3 3

DRINKER FOR ANIMALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to drinkers for animals and more particularly to drinkers for automatically dispensing liquid, usually drinking water, f or consumption by domestic animals such as cats and dogs.

It is known to provide drinkers comprising a reservoir supplying water to a separate drinking bowl whereby water is automatically fed to the bowl from the reservoir as the animal drinks from the bowl, as disclosed in for example US patent specification no. 4573434.

However, known drinkers suffer from a number of disadvantages not the least of which are that it is awkward to locate a reservoir containing water into its inverted position on the bowl and dificult to remove a partly-full reservoir from the bowl without spilling water, while the supply of water to the bowl from the reservoir cannot be stopped other than by removing the reservoir from the bowl (a. messy procedure - see above) or by the user drinking sufficient from the bowl to completely empty the reservoir.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a drinker for animals which is of simple construction, which enables the reservoir to be attached to and removed from the bowl without spilling liquid and which enables the supply of liquid from the reservoir to the bowl to be stopped and started in a controlled manner.

According to the present invention there is provided a 2 drinker for animals comprising a liquid container, a lid for said container provided with at least one outlet therefrom, and a bowl portion, the inverted container being removably mountable on the bowl portion whereby said outlet from the lid feeds into the bowl container, in its inverted condition on the at least one portion, the bowl portion, being movable relative to the lid between a first, sealed position in which the lid sealingly closes the container and prevents flow of liquid therefrom, and a second open position in which liquid can flow from the container through the at least one outlet in the lid and-into the bowl portion until the liquid in the bowl- portion rises to a level just above that-of the at least one outlet from the lid.

Such an arrangement enables a full or partly-full container to be located on or removed from the bowl portion without spilling any liquid, it merely being necessary to ensure that the container and lid are i:n their f irst positions relative to one another in which the container is sealingly closed by the lid.

Further, f low of liquid f rom the inverted container to the bowl portion can be selectively stopped at any time by relative movement of the lid and the container f rom their second positions to their first positions.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the eternal surf ace of the lid has a non-circular prof ile, the bowl portion defining therein a correspondingly shaped noncircular recess adaDted to receive therein, in a nonrotatable manner, said lid, movement of the container between 1 i 3 its f irst and second positions being achieved by relative rotation between the container and the lid.

The non-circular profile of the lid may be defined by a plurality of circumf erentially- spaced, substantial.ly radially-projecting ribs formed externally on the lid.

Alternatively only one such rib may be provided.

The drinker may comprise a container, a lid f or said container provided with 4 radially outwardly projecting spout defining said at least one outlet and communicating into the interior of the lid, and a bowl portion including an upstanding sidewall defining a central trough to the bowl portion, a recess being formed in said sidewall to locate therein said spout whereby liquid from the container can flow through the spout into said trough, the lid being releasably connected to the bowl portion.

in all cases the container may include an annular, externally threaded neck region, the lid being provided with a corresponding internal thread thereon, relative rotation between the container and the lid raising the container from its first position, in which the end of the neck region seals against the lid, to its second position in which the end of the neck region is axially displaced from the lid whereby liquid can flow from the container through the at least one outlet in the lid.

In an alternative arrangement, the container includes an annular neck region provided with at least one outlet therethrough so located that, with the container in its first position, corresponding outlets in the lid and in the neck 4- region of the container are misaligned, rotation of the container relative to the lid from its first position to its second position bringing corresponding outlets in the neck region of the container and in the lid into alignment whereby liquid can flow from the container into the bowl portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a first drinker according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line II-II of Fig. 1, and Figs. 3 to 6 are exploded isometric views of further drinkers according to the invention.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a f irst animal drinker which comprises a liquid reservoir or container 2, preferably of a transparent plastics material, having a reduced diameter neck region 4 on which is f ormed an external thread 6 which may be continuous or discontinuous (as shown).

A lid for the container 2 is indicated at 8 and is provided with an internal thread 10 corresponding with the thread 6 whereby the lid 8 can be screwed onto the container 2 to close and seal the container.

The external surf ace of the lid 8 is provided with a series of circumferentially- spaced, substantially radiallyprojecting ribs 12 between adjacent pairs of which are formed a series of apertures 14 communicating into the interior of the lid 8 for reasons which will become apparent.

With the lid 8 screwed fully onto the container 2, the 4 i apertures 14 are sealed from the interior of the container 2 as a result of the sealing co-operation between the end of the neck region 4 of the container 2 and the interior of the lid 8.

The animal drinker further comprises bowl portion indicated generally at 16 in one end region of which is defined a recess 18 the peripheral shape of which confo--- with that of the external surfac( of the lid 8 and whereby said lid 8 can be received in said recess 18 to be rotatably fixed relative thereto.

A trough 20 is formed in the other end region of the bowl portion 16, a transverse partition 22 separating the recess 18 from the trough 20. An annular channel 24 surrounds the base 26 of the recess 16, said channel 24 feeding into the trough 20 through a pair of outlets 28 formed in the partition 22.

The plane of the base of the annular channel 24 is angled downwardly towards the outlets 28, while the base of the trough 20 is below the level of the channel 22 and the outlets 28 as best seen in Fig. 2.

The described drinker operates as follows. The container 2 is f illed with water and the lid 8 is screwed onto the container 2 to seal it. The f ull container 2 is inverted and the lid 8 is located in the recess 18 of the bowl portion 16, the co ntainer 2 still being sealed.

The container 2 is rotated relative to the lid 8, the co-operation between the lid 8 and the recess 18 of the bowl portion 16 preventing relative rotation between the lid 8 and c the bowl portion 16, while the co-operation between the threads 6, 10 results in upward movement of the container 2 relative to the lid 8 an bowl portion 16. Thus the open end of the neck region 4 of the container is raised above the level of the apertures 14 in the lid and water flows from the container 2 through said apertures 14.

The water f lows into the channel 24 and thence through the outlet 28 into the trough 20, and continues to flow into the trough 20 until the water in the trough 20 and therefore in the recess 18, rises to a level just above that of the apertures 14. At this point flow ceases and the drinker is ready for use.

As the user drinks f rom the trough 20, the level of water in the bowl portion 16 f alls below the level of the apertures 14. Further flow of water from the container through the apertures 14 therefore occurs, and the level of water in the trough is maintained.

Thus, during use, water removed from the trough 20 by the user is automatically replenished whereby a continuous supply of water is available until the container 2 is empty.

If it is desired to stop the supply of water to the trough 20 before the container 2 is empty, it is merely necessary to rotate the container 2 in the lid 8 until the lid 8 seals the container 2. The container.2 and attaced lid 8 can then be removed from the bowl portion 16, returned to its upright position and retained or replenished for f urther use. Water in the bowl portion 16 can either be disposed of or poured back into the container 2 for future use. Conveniently the bowl portion 16 is provided with a lip or spout to facilitate emptying thereof.

It will thus be appreciated that the described drinker,,which may be used by poultry, rodents, amphibians, caged birds, cattle, horses and the like as well as cats and dogs, enables installation and removal of the container 2 bnto and f rom the bowl portion 16 without a ny spilling of the liquid content of:the container, and also enables the supply of liquid to the bowl portion 16 f rom the container 2 to be stopped and started as and when desired merely by relative rotation between the container 2 and the lid 8.

The bowl portion 16 may be provided with any one of a variety of means enabling its releasable attachment in any one of a number of convenient operative positions, such as to the inside of a vehicle, to a kitchen wall, or to the cage of an animal or bird as in pet shops or zoos.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown a modified drinker in which the neck region 4 of the container 2 is provided with a plurality of apertures 30 therein corresponding with those in the lid 8.

The arrangement is such that the lid 8 has a first, sealing position on the container 2 in which the apertures 30 in the neck region 4 of the container 2 are misaligned with the apertures 14 in the lid 8 and the lid 8 sealingly closes the container 2.

On relative rotation between the lid 8 and the container 2, the lid 8 adopts a second, open Position on the container 2 ir which the apertures 30 in the neck region 4 of the 9 container 2 are aligned with the apertures 14 in the lid 8 and water can flow through the apertures 14 and 20 f rom the container.

Clearly in such an arrangement there is no necessity for axial movement of the container 2 relative to the lid 8, and the lid 8 may be a snap or push f it onto the container 2 rather than being threadedly attached.

Fig. 4 shows a simplified version of the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 in which the plurality of ribs 12 are replaced by a single rib 32 adapted to be received in a single corresponding notch 34 in the partition 22. Two apertures 14are provided in the sidewalls of the lid 8 to feed. directly one through each of the outlets 28, there being no need for the annular channel 24 in the recess 18.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the lid 8 is provided with a generally radially outwardly and downwardly projecting spout 36 which communicates into the interior of the lid 8 in the manner of the apertures14, while the partition 22 of the bowl portion 16 is provided with a corresponding opening 38 to receive therein the spout 36 whereby the lid 8 is located in a non-rotatable manner in the recess 18 of the bowl portion 6, and, in use, the spout feeds liquid directly into the trough 20.

The base of the trough 20 and the base 26 of the recess 18 may be separated by a vehicle step 30 the height of which is such that, on removal of the container 2 and lid 8 f rom the bowl portion 16, liquid in the trough 20 cannot flow into the recess 18.

P ' 1 i 1 Fig. 6 illustrates an adaptation of the embodiment of Fig. 5 in which the one end region of the bowl portion 16 defining the recess IS is eliminated and the lid 8 is removably located on the remaining other end region of the bowl portion 16, for example by means of a pair of apertured horizontal flanges 40 formed on the lid 8 one to each sideof the spout 36 and seating on a pair of upstanding pins 42 formed on the bowl, portion 16 one to each side of the opening 38. Again the co- operation between the spout 36 and the opening 38 prevents relative rotation between the lid 8 and the bowl portion 16.

The precise construction of the drinker-may differ from those constructions illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular the one and the other end regions of the bowl portion 16 containing the recess 18 and trough 20 may or may not be integral with one another, while the trough may be for example annular and completely surround the recess 18.

The drinker may be provided in various sizes depending upon the user, a small version perhaps being available. for rodents, small reptiles, caged birds and the like, an intermediate version for cats, dogs, poultry and the like, and a large version for cattle, horses and the like.

Conveniently, particularly for small and medium sizes, the container, lid and bowl portions are moulded from a plastics material, while the bowl portion may be provided with an additional compartment for food.

In all cases there is provided a readily portable 1 1 1 1 drinker the container of which can be installed and removed without sp lllng liqu d therefrom and the flow of l1quid from which, with the container in its inverted position on the bowl portion, can be stopped and started as required. The drinker keeps liquid contained therein fresh and has numerous applications such as in houses, cars, caravans, trains and the like.

11

Claims

CLAIMS.

1 A drinker for animals comprising. a liquid container, a lid for said containe3 provided with at least one outlet therefrom, and a bowl portion, the inverted containq3- being removably mountable on the bowl portion whereby said at least one outlet f rom. the lid feeds into the bowl portion, the container, in its inve rted condition on the bowl portion,]:?eing movable relative to the lid between a f irst sealed position in which the lid sealingly closes the container and prevents flow of liquid therefrom, and a second open position in which liquid can f low f rom the container through the at least one outlet in the lid and into the bowl portion until the level of liquid in the bowl portion rises to a level just above that of the at least one outlet from the lid.

2. A drinker as claimed in claim 1 in which the lid has an external surface the profile of which is non-circular,. the bowl portion defining therein a correspondingly shaped non-circular recess adapted to receive. therein, in a nonrotatable manner, said lid, movement of the container between its first and second positions being achieved by relative. rotation between the container and Ithe lid.

3. A drinker as claimed in claim 2 in which a plurality ially-spaced, substantially radially- c--F circumLerent-_ proje-cting ribs are formed externally on said lid to define i 2 said non-circular profile.

4. A drinker as claimed in claim 3, the lid defining therein a plurality of outlets one between each adjacent pair of ribs.

5. A drinker as claimed in claim 2 in which a single rib projects substantially radially outwardly from the lid, a pair of outlets being f ormed in the lid one to each side of said rib.

6. A drinker as claimed in claim 2, in which the noncircular profile of the lid is defined by a spout projecting substantially radially outwardly of the -lid and feeding into the bowl portion.

7. A drinker as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a container, a lid for said container, a spout projecting substantially radially outwardly from the lid to define said at least one outlet, and a bowl. portion i'cluding an upstanding sidewall defining a central trough to the bowl portion, said sidewall defining therein a recess to locate therein said spout whereby liquid from the container can flow through the spout into said trough, and means for releasably 1 1.3 connecting the lid to the bowl portion.

8. A d2inker as claimed in claim 1. in which the container includes an annular externally threaded neck region, a corresponding internal thread being formed on the lid, relative rotation between.the container and the lid raising the container from its first position, in which the end of the neck region seals against the lid, to its second position in which the end of the neck region is axially displaced from the lid whereby liquid can flow from the container through the at least one outlet in the lid.

9. A drinker as claimed in claim 1 in which the container includes an annular neck region defining therein at least one outlet therethrougih so located that, with the container in its first position, corresponding outlets In the lid and in the neck region of the container are misaligned, rotation of the container relative to the lid from its first position to its second position bringing corresponding outlets in the neck region of the container and in the lid into alignment whereby liquid can flow from the container into the bowl portion.

Published 1991 at The Patent Office. Concept House. Cardiff Road. Newport. Gwent NP9 I RH. Further copies mav be obtained frorn Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point. C%mdelinfach. Cross Keys. Newport. NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques)td. St Marv Cray. Rent.