GB2609535A - A liquid dispenser and method of use - Google Patents
A liquid dispenser and method of use Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2609535A GB2609535A GB2207140.1A GB202207140A GB2609535A GB 2609535 A GB2609535 A GB 2609535A GB 202207140 A GB202207140 A GB 202207140A GB 2609535 A GB2609535 A GB 2609535A
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- liquid
- fluid chamber
- liquid dispenser
- animal
- dispenser
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- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 9
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- 101000851134 Echis carinatus sochureki Disintegrin EC6 subunit beta Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 208000030852 Parasitic disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010038584 Repetitive strain injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K13/00—Devices for grooming or caring of animals, e.g. curry-combs; Fetlock rings; Tail-holders; Devices for preventing crib-biting; Washing devices; Protection against weather conditions or insects
- A01K13/003—Devices for applying insecticides or medication
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
- A01K1/06—Devices for fastening animals, e.g. halters, toggles, neck-bars or chain fastenings
- A01K1/0613—Devices for immobilisation or restraint of animals, e.g. chutes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
- A61D3/00—Appliances for supporting or fettering animals for operative purposes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
- A61D7/00—Devices or methods for introducing solid, liquid, or gaseous remedies or other materials into or onto the bodies of animals
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
- B05B1/14—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
- B05B1/20—Arrangements of several outlets along elongated bodies, e.g. perforated pipes or troughs, e.g. spray booms; Outlet elements therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
- B05B1/22—Spouts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
- B05B1/36—Outlets for discharging by overflow
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
- B05B15/60—Arrangements for mounting, supporting or holding spraying apparatus
- B05B15/65—Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
- B05B15/60—Arrangements for mounting, supporting or holding spraying apparatus
- B05B15/65—Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits
- B05B15/658—Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits the spraying apparatus or its outlet axis being perpendicular to the flow conduit
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K7/00—Watering equipment for stock or game
- A01K7/02—Automatic devices ; Medication dispensers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2250/00—Specially adapted for animals
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
A liquid dispenser 6 that utilises water tension to halt flow of liquid when a liquid source is no longer delivered yet, provides a steady flow of liquid when liquid is delivered is described. In one embodiment the liquid dispenser comprises a first fluid chamber 20 fluidly connected to a liquid source; and a second fluid chamber 21 fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber. The second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber. The second fluid chamber has an outlet 7, the outlet oriented to dispense liquid from the liquid dispenser when liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispenser, liquid being dispensed from the outlet in a downward vertical direction relative to the liquid dispenser position. Also described is an animal handling device (1 figure 2) for delivery of liquids to an animal and methods of use of the liquid dispenser.
Description
A LIQUID DISPENSER AND METHOD OF USE
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application derives priority from New Zealand patent application number 777184 filed on 14 June 2021 with WIPO DAS number EC6B incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
Described herein is a liquid dispenser and method of use. More specifically, a liquid dispenser is described that utilises water tension to halt flow of liquid when a liquid source is no longer delivered yet, provides a steady flow of liquid when liquid is delivered. Methods of use of the liquid dispenser are provided along with a specific example of use of the liquid dispenser in an animal handling device for delivery of liquids to an animal.
BACKGROUND ART
Liquid dispensers are widely used in industry to deliver liquids. Liquids dispensed may be varied including medications, foods, chemical solutions, biological solutions and so on. Liquid dispensers may be handheld or remote and are generally characterised in either case by dispensing liquid from an opening or openings in or on the liquid dispenser, liquid being delivered from a holding chamber or remote liquid source.
Handheld dispensers offer the advantage of portability. They also offer the flexibility to dispense liquids in a variety of places and scenarios. Remote dispensers are generally fixed or move according to a fixed path e.g. on a rail. Remote dispensers are generally not portable and only dispense liquids in a particular place, that place dependent on the dispenser location and hence, the surface or item to which the liquid is dispensed is generally a moving or conveyed surface or item.
Hereafter, the description provided uses the context of an animal handler and delivery of liquid animal medicament to an animal however, this should not be seen as limiting since the same liquid dispensers may be used for dispensing many other types of liquid and for use in many other applications.
Animal handlers typically comprises a chute with sides and ends that an animal passes through. Along the chute are located animal restraint members that act to releasably hold an animal in place while the animal is in the chute. Many examples of animal handlers and restraint members exist in the art. As the animal passes through the animal handler and/or while restrained in the animal handler, various actions may be undertaken such as animal health checks, minor surgery, animal ID checks, animal weight and body mass checks, administration of medicament and so on. Ideally, the actions undertaken on the animal avoid the animal handler operator getting close to the animal while the animal is in the handler to minimise any danger to the operator and to minimise animal stress. Remote automation of various animal treatments that occur relative to an animal in an animal handler may therefore may an advantage as this distances people from the animal.
A common method of dispensing medicament to an animal may be via a so-called pour-on or spot-on treatment. In this case, the medicament is in a liquid or semi-liquid form and it is dispensed onto the back of an animal to be treated. The liquid passes through to the animal bloodstream via the skin i.e. it is a transdermal liquid or transdermal active. Liquid pour-on medicament is common for dispensing anthelmintic containing solutions widely used for treatment of parasitic infections. Other medicaments may also be applied transdermally such as vitamin and mineral supplements and reference to anthelmintic dispensing should not be seen as limiting.
Typically, pour-on liquids are dispensed from a hand held dispensing 'gun', the gun comprising a liquid source, a trigger that the operator pulls to actuate delivery of a dose of liquid medicament from the gun outlet. This method of dispensing a pour-on liquid is not ideal since it requires the operator to reach through rails in an animal handler device to move the gun near the animal and to dispense the liquid from the gun to the animal's back. This action of bringing the operator close to the restrained animal may also cause stress to the animal. Animals in the device, even when restrained, may still be able to move to some extent. If an animal moves when the operator has their arm close to the animal, the operators arm may be injured by being caught between the animal and an animal device rail. A further issue is that the operator must move their arm to draw a line on the animal's back of dispensed liquid. In practice, the line often becomes a spot or unevenly distributed liquid volume/concentration to the animal's back leading to uneven dosing or localised irritation of the animal from side effects of a high localised dose. A yet further drawback of a gun dispenser is that repeated trigger actuation may be a cause of operator occupational overuse syndrome (005) injury.
A gun, such as that described above, does have the advantage however that liquid may be dispensed in dosed amounts repetitively. The gun also comprises valves and closure systems to prevent dripping or loss of liquid beyond that dosed. Remote systems using hoses or taps may be harder to actuate, require expensive parts and materials needing regular servicing and yet, despite all of this, may still be prone to leaking or dripping.
Ideally, liquid dispensing would be remotely automated, not drip when liquid does not flow, minimise operator contact with a restrained animal, be an even dose to a prescribed area of animal skin and, eliminate risk of 00S injury, or at least provide the public with a choice.
Further aspects and advantages of the liquid dispenser and method of use will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.
SUMMARY
Described herein is a liquid dispenser that utilises water tension to halt flow of liquid when a liquid source is no longer delivered yet, provides a steady flow of liquid when liquid is delivered. Methods of use of the liquid dispenser are provided along with a specific example of use of the dispenser in an animal handling device for delivery of liquids to an animal.
In a first aspect, there is provided a liquid dispenser configured to dispense a liquid therefrom, comprising: a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to a liquid source; and a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber; wherein: the second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber; and the second fluid chamber has an outlet, the outlet oriented to dispense liquid from the liquid dispenser when liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispenser, liquid being dispensed from the outlet in a downward vertical direction relative to a position of the liquid dispenser.
In a second aspect, there is provided an animal handler comprising: an enclosure configured to releasably retain an animal therein; and a liquid dispenser mounted on the animal handler above a retained animal position; the liquid dispenser configured to dispense liquid to an animal retained in the animal handler from a liquid source, the liquid dispenser comprising: a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to the liquid source; and a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber wherein, the second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber; and wherein the second fluid chamber has an outlet, the outlet oriented to dispense liquid from the liquid dispenser when liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispenser, liquid being dispensed from the outlet in a downward vertical direction onto an animal retained in the animal handler.
In a third aspect, there is provided a method of dispensing a liquid, the method comprising the steps of: providing a liquid dispenser substantially as described above; dispensing liquid from the liquid dispenser.
In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of treating a non-human animal, the method comprising the steps of: providing an animal handler with a liquid dispenser substantially as described above; allowing a non-human animal to enter and be retained in the animal handler; dispensing liquid from the liquid dispenser to the non-human animal in the animal handler.
Advantages of the above liquid dispenser and methods of use may include but not be limited to: Absence of use of taps, valves or other flow shutting mechanisms about the liquid outlet; Absence of dripping of liquid from the dispenser, a point of particular importance where medication or potentially harmful liquids may be dispensed from the liquid dispenser; The ability to integrate the liquid dispenser into an animal handler and allow for remote operation, thereby increasing the versatility of an animal handler and minimising the labour required to dispense liquids to an animal; The ability to control spread of the liquid along a discrete span of distance and preventing uneven or localised variations in liquid volume/concentration on a surface or animal to which the liquid is dispensed to.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further aspects of the liquid dispenser and method of use will become apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a schematic plan view of one embodiment of the liquid dispenser as used in an animal handler; Figure 2 illustrates a schematic side view of the above embodiment of liquid dispenser as used in an animal handler; Figure 3 illustrates a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the liquid dispenser as used in an animal handler, the liquid dispenser split into two sections (upper view) and four sections (lower view); Figure 4 illustrates a detail perspective view from below of a further embodiment of liquid dispenser; Figure 5 illustrates a detail from view of the above further embodiment of Figure 4; Figure 6 illustrates a detail cross-section side view of the further embodiment of Figure 4; Figure 7 illustrates a detail perspective view from below of a yet further embodiment of liquid dispenser; Figure 8 illustrates a detail from view of the above further embodiment of Figure 7; and Figure 9 illustrates a detail cross-section side view of the second embodiment of Figure 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As noted above, described herein is a liquid dispenser that utilises water tension to halt flow of liquid when a liquid source is no longer delivered yet, provides a steady flow of liquid when liquid is delivered. Methods of use of the liquid dispenser are provided along with a specific example of use of the dispenser in an animal handling device for delivery of liquids to an animal.
For the purposes of this specification, the term 'about' or 'approximately' and grammatical variations thereof mean a quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5,4, 3, 2, or 1% to a reference quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.
The term 'substantially' or grammatical variations thereof refers to at least about 50%, for example 75%, 85%, 95% or 98%.
The term 'comprise' and grammatical variations thereof shall have an inclusive meaning -i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements.
A liquid dispenser In a first aspect, there is provided a liquid dispenser configured to dispense a liquid therefrom, comprising: a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to a liquid source; and a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber; wherein: the second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber; and the second fluid chamber has an outlet, the outlet oriented to dispense liquid from the liquid dispenser when liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispenser, liquid being dispensed from the outlet in a downward vertical direction relative to a position of the liquid dispenser.
No taps or valves As may be appreciated, the above described liquid dispenser does not require, and is absent, of the use of taps or valves. In the inventor's experience, the design avoids these flow restricting members yet avoids dripping occurring. This may be a significant advantage over art dispensers since it removes the need for more capital cost and avoids maintenance costs of such devices. The design also eliminates any moving parts and, as a result, reduces cost of manufacture and cost of maintenance as well. Careful design means that dripping of liquid from the liquid dispenser once a flow is stopped is minimised or even avoided altogether.
Size/volume/shape The second fluid chamber may be smaller than the first fluid chamber.
A volume of the first fluid chamber may be greater than a volume of the second fluid chamber.
The first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber may be cylindrical and a cross-sectional diameter of the first fluid chamber may be greater than a cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid chamber.
A cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid chamber may be greater than a cross-sectional diameter of the outlet.
A volume of the first fluid chamber may be 1.5 to 3 times as large, or approximately twice as large, as a volume of the second fluid chamber.
A cross-sectional diameter of the first fluid chamber may be 2 to 4 times larger than a cross-sectional diameter of the outlet.
A cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid chamber is 1.1 to 2 times larger than a cross-sectional diameter of the outlet.
In one embodiment, the first fluid chamber may have a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 4mm, the cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid chamber may be approximately 2mm and the cross-sectional diameter of the outlet may be approximately 1.5mm.
The liquid dispenser in cross-section may have an inverted L-shape with a lower part of the inverted L-shape and a upper part of the inverted L-shape; and wherein the lower part of the inverted L-shape comprising the first fluid chamber and, the upper part of the inverted L-shape comprising the second fluid chamber and, the outlet being at an end of the inverted L-shape of the liquid dispenser.
Liquid source The liquid dispenser may be fluidly connected to a liquid source and the liquid source, when actuated, may be configured to direct liquid to the first fluid chamber, to the second fluid chamber and, out of the outlet of the liquid dispenser. Flow may be in series from the first to the second fluid chamber and out of the outlet The liquid source may be moved to the first fluid chamber via a pump.
Liquid type The liquid that may be dispensed from the liquid dispenser may have varying rheology.
In one embodiment, the liquid is a Newtonian liquid. In other embodiments, the liquid may have shear thinning or shear thickening properties. The nature of the dual chamber design and outlet position and size and an absence of valves or taps means that the liquid dispenser is very versatile and can be used for varying liquid rheology without issues of clogging and wear out of parts. All that may be important is that the liquid dispensed has a degree of surface tension akin to water so that, when liquid flow stops, any liquid left in the chambers is either held in place by surface tension about the outlet and/or any residual flow is limited only to what remains in the second fluid chamber.
In terms of viscosity, the liquid dispenser may be used to dispense liquids of highly variable viscosity, for example viscosities of SOO to 6000cPs. In one embodiment, the liquid viscosity may approach that of water but variation in viscosity can easily be managed by the liquid dispenser based on the nature of the design and no or minimal dripping occur, yet taps, valves and so on are absent from the construction of the liquid dispenser described herein.
The term 'liquid' or grammatical variations as used herein refers to solutions that flow. The solutions may flow at ambient temperature or pressure. Alternatively, the liquid dispenser may be used in non-ambient conditions e.g. at vacuum or elevated pressure and/or at reduced or elevated temperatures. As may be appreciated, some compounds behave as a liquid and flow at non-ambient pressure and temperature however, still may be dispensed at these conditions via the liquid dispenser. The term 'liquid' as used in the context of this specification also encompasses solutions containing solids therein such as suspensions, emulsions, particulate solutions, or microparticulate solutions. These types of solution with solids entrained therein still flow and may behave like a liquid albeit they contain a liquid and solid mixture. It is envisaged that it may be an advantage to dispense liquid/solid mixtures via the liquid dispenser described herein. Art dispensers often struggle to dispense solutions with solids therein since the solids may clog or block taps, valves, tight bends in fluid connections and so on. Fouling or tubes from solids entrained in liquids is a further drawback of existing art dispensers. The described liquid dispenser does away with the need for taps and valves that may become clogged. The fluid connections are also relatively large compared to the size of entrained solid particles in such solutions and hence, fouling of the chambers or outlet may be unlikely.
Head pressure A liquid head pressure of liquid in the second fluid chamber may be lower than a liquid head pressure of liquid in the first fluid chamber.
The second fluid chamber may be positioned 1-5mm, or 1.5 to 2.5mm, or approximately 2mm, above the first fluid chamber.
Liquid held in second fluid chamber Surface tension of liquid in the second fluid chamber may retain liquid in the second fluid chamber when liquid does not flow from the liquid dispenser.
Any dripping from the liquid dispenser (if any) may be limited to the volume of liquid in the second fluid chamber.
Outlet The outlet may be configured so that liquid dispensed from the outlet is dispensed at a velocity where liquid dispensed does not splash off a substrate to which the liquid is dispensed. Outlet size and form such as the configurations described above may provide the desired velocity.
Multiple first or second fluid chambers The liquid dispenser may comprise one first fluid chamber and multiple second fluid chambers and outlets.
The liquid dispenser may comprise an elongated first fluid chamber with multiple second fluid chambers and outlets extending from the first fluid dispenser. In one embodiment, the elongated first fluid chamber may be cylindrical in shape. The first fluid chamber may be fluidly linked to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, 10 second fluid chambers. The second fluid chambers may be spaced along a first fluid chamber longitudinal length. The second fluid chambers may be evenly spaced apart along the first fluid chamber longitudinal length In an alternative embodiment, the liquid dispenser may comprise a frame with multiple first and second fluid chambers and outlets attached to the frame.
In a yet further alternative, the liquid dispenser may comprise multiple first fluid chambers linked to a single second fluid chamber (e.g. an elongated tube) and at least one outlet from the single second fluid chamber.
Substrate The liquid dispenser may be mounted above a substrate to which liquid is to be applied.
The substrate may be an animal but may also be other substrates like the ground (e.g. as an irrigator or fertiliser dispenser), foods, a conveyer belt etc. Reference to an animal should not be seen as limiting. Level
In order to minimise or avoid dripping of liquid from the liquid dispenser outlet(s), the liquid dispenser may be relatively level relative to the substrate or ground beneath the liquid dispenser. In one embodiment, the outlet may be a hole of a defined diameter and the hole is generally aligned with a horizontal plane. The alignment noted may be +/-0 to 10%, or 0-5%, or approximately 5% in gradient relative to a horizontal plane based on testing completed by the inventors. As a result, some degree of variation from a purely horizontal plane may occur and operation of the liquid dispenser may occur as designed for including no or minimal dripping from the liquid dispenser when liquid is not being dispensed. This degree of tolerance may be useful where the liquid dispenser is used in environments where the ground on which the liquid dispenser is mounted is not even.
An animal handler In a second aspect, there is provided an animal handler comprising: an enclosure configured to releasably retain an animal therein; and a liquid dispenser mounted on the animal handler above a retained animal position; the liquid dispenser configured to dispense liquid to an animal retained in the animal handler from a liquid source, the liquid dispenser comprising: a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to the liquid source; and a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber wherein, the second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber; and wherein the second fluid chamber has an outlet, the outlet oriented to dispense liquid from the liquid dispenser when liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispenser, liquid being dispensed from the outlet in a downward vertical direction onto an animal retained in the animal handler.
The liquid source may be metered to the liquid dispenser.
Surface tension of liquid in the second fluid chamber may retain any remaining liquid in the second fluid chamber when liquid flow is not actuated or flowing from the liquid dispenser.
The position of the liquid dispenser relative to the animal handler may vary depending on the animal position within the animal handler. The position of liquid dispensing may also be adjusted by altering the outlet(s) from which liquid is dispensed. For example, in one embodiment where smaller or shorter animals are to be treated, it may be useful to disconnect a last second chamber and outlet unit in a liquid dispenser with multiple outlets (unit four for example in a row of four second chamber and outlet units). Conversely, for animals that are not in a head bail and that may be positioned further back in the animal handler, it may be useful to be able to disconnect the first second chamber and outlet unit (unit one in a row of four second chambers and outlets).
Method of dispensing liquid In a third aspect, there is provided a method of dispensing a liquid, the method comprising: providing a liquid dispenser substantially as described above; dispensing liquid from the liquid dispenser.
Method of treating a non-human animal In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of treating a non-human animal, the method comprising: providing an animal handler with a liquid dispenser substantially as described above; allowing a non-human animal to enter and be retained in the animal handler; dispensing liquid from the liquid dispenser to the non-human animal in the animal handler.
Advantages of the above liquid dispenser and methods of use may include but not be limited to: Absence of use of taps, valves or other flow shutting mechanisms about the liquid outlet and associated problems with blockages, extra capital expenses and so on; Absence of dripping of liquid from the dispenser, a point of particular importance where medication or potentially harmful liquids may be dispensed from the liquid dispenser; The ability to integrate the liquid dispenser into an animal handler and allow for remote operation thereby increasing the versatility of an animal handler and minimising the labour required to dispense liquids to an animal; The ability to control spread of the liquid along a discrete span of distance and preventing uneven or localised variations in liquid volume/concentration on a surface or animal to which the liquid is dispensed to.
The embodiments described above may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features.
Further, where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the embodiments relate, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
The above described liquid dispenser and methods of use are now described by reference to specific examples.
EXAMPLE 1
In this example a first embodiment is shown of the liquid dispenser as used in an animal handler. Figure 1 illustrates a schematic plan view of the liquid dispenser as used in an animal handler and Figure 2 illustrates a schematic side view of the of liquid dispenser as used in an animal handler.
The animal handler 1 comprises an animal 2 located in the animal handler 1. The animal handler 1 is defined by side walls 3 and ends 4 along with some form of animal 2 restraining means, in this case shown as a headbail 5. Other restraining means may be used such as end 4 gates (not shown) or a moving side wall (not shown) that presses against the animal 2 side.
A liquid disperser 6 is shown in Figure land Figure 2 as an elongated rail with multiple outlets 7 that dispense liquid 8 from the liquid dispenser 6 during liquid 8 dispensing. The liquid dispenser 6 may be suspended above the animal handler 1 via a frame (not shown) extending from the animal handler 1 or by other means. The liquid dispenser 6 is however located above the animal 2 when the animal 2 is in a restrained position within the animal handler 1 in this embodiment and the liquid dispenser 6 itself does not move, instead relying on the animal 2 moving to the correct position below the liquid dispenser 6. As may be appreciated, the liquid dispenser 6 could be designed to move, for example in a reciprocal manner back and forth along a rail on which the liquid dispenser 6 may be mounted.
Inlet liquid 9 may be supplied to one end of the liquid dispenser 6 shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 as from one end of the liquid dispenser 6. Inlet liquid 9 during supply may pass through the liquid dispenser 6 and out the outlets 7 falling to the animal 2 back. Outlet 7 location and spread along the liquid dispenser 6 length may determine the position of liquid landing on the animal's 2 back and hence concentration and distribution of liquid on the animal 2. A pump or other supply option (not shown) to drive inlet liquid 9 flow to the liquid dispenser 6 may actuate liquid 8 flow. The pump or other supply option may be located distant to the animal 2 and animal handler 1.
As shown, the outlets 7 are permanently open and the liquid dispenser 6 does not have any taps or other closures. When inlet liquid 9 flow stops, flow of liquid 8 from the outlets 7 halts or at least is minimised by the liquid dispenser 6 design. In particular, it is understood by the inventors that flow halts due to the design shape and dual chamber configuration plus due to water surface tension effects and hydrostatic head pressure between the two fluid chambers. These design aspects are described further below.
EXAMPLE 2
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic side view of two alternative embodiments of the liquid dispenser 6 as used in an animal handler 1, the liquid dispenser 1 split into two sections (upper view) and four sections (lower view). In Figures land 2, only a single section of rail is used for the liquid dispenser 6, the rail having a single first fluid chamber (described further below), and multiple second fluid chambers and outlets (again described further below).
As shown in Figure 3, the rail that defines the liquid dispenser 6 length may be broken into smaller parts e.g. one first fluid chamber and two second fluid chambers and two outlets 7 or four first fluid chambers and four second fluid chambers and four outlets 7.
Figures 1-3 show an embodiment where the second fluid chamber is linked to a single outlet and this second fluid chamber and outlet unit is then linked to one first fluid chamber or multiple second fluid chamber and outlet units to a single first fluid chamber. As may be appreciated, the second fluid chamber may have multiple outlets and/or be linked to multiple first fluid chambers.
EXAMPLE 3
Figures 4,5 and 6 illustrate a detail views of one embodiment of the liquid dispenser 6 shown in Example 1. As shown, the liquid dispenser 6 has a first fluid chamber 20 fluidly connected to an inlet liquid source (not shown). The liquid dispenser 6 also has a second fluid chamber 21 fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber 20. The second fluid chamber 21 is positioned above the first fluid chamber 20 in use. The second fluid chamber 21 has an outlet 7, the outlet 7 is oriented to dispense liquid (not shown) from the liquid dispenser 6 when liquid is dispensed, liquid being dispensed from the outlet 7 in a downward vertical direction relative to the liquid dispenser 6 position. As shown, the first fluid chamber 20 is an elongated tube, the tube interior defining the first fluid chamber 20 volume. Multiple second fluid chamber 21 and outlet 7 units are attached to the one first fluid chamber 20.
The second fluid chambers 21 and smaller than the first fluid chambers 20. When filled, the fluid level at the outlet 7 is higher than the fluid level in the first fluid chamber 20. In this embodiment, there is a relatively tortuous path between the chambers 20,21 separating the smaller second fluid chamber 21 from the first fluid chamber 20 creating a more difficult path for air to enter the chambers 20, 21 and cause dripping.
The diameter of the first fluid chamber 20 is approximately two times larger than the volume of the second fluid chamber 21. The diameter of the first fluid chamber 20 is 2 to 4 times larger than the diameter of the outlet 7. The diameter of the second fluid chamber 21 may be 1.1 to 2 times larger than the diameter of the outlet 7 As shown in Figures 4-6, the first fluid chamber 20 has a diameter of approximately 4mm, the diameter of the second fluid chamber 21 is approximately 2mm and the diameter of the outlet 7 is approximately 1.5mm The liquid dispenser 6 best seen on Figure 6 in cross-section has an inverted L-shape, the lower part 22 of the L-shape comprising the first fluid chamber 20 and the upper part 23 of the L-shape comprising the second fluid chamber 21 and the outlet 7 being at the end 24 of the inverted L-shape.
EXAMPLE 4
Figures 7,8 and 9 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the liquid dispenser 6. In this embodiment, the liquid dispenser 6 is similar to that described above in Example 3 with the liquid dispenser 6 also having a first fluid chamber 30 and a second fluid chamber 31. In this embodiment, the overall shape of the liquid dispenser 6 in cross-section is still an inverted L-shape however the shape, best seen in Figure 9 is more rounded in nature with a smooth fluid path between the chambers 30, 31. The distance in height between the chambers 30, 31 may be slightly greater than that of the embodiment shown in Example 3. As illustrated by this Example, the form of the liquid dispensers 6 may vary within the main design parameters noted above.
Aspects of liquid dispenser and methods of use have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims herein.
Claims (18)
- WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A liquid dispenser configured to dispense a liquid therefrom, comprising: a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to a liquid source; and a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber; wherein: the second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber; and the second fluid chamber has an outlet, the outlet oriented to dispense liquid from the liquid dispenser when liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispenser, liquid being dispensed from the outlet in a downward vertical direction relative to a position of the liquid dispenser.
- 2. The liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid dispenser is absent of taps and valves.
- 3. The liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second fluid chamber is smaller than the first fluid chamber.
- 4. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein a volume of the first fluid chamber is greater than a volume of the second fluid chamber.
- 5. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber are cylindrical and a cross-sectional diameter of the first fluid chamber is greater than a cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid chamber.
- 6. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein a cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid chamber is greater than a cross-sectional diameter of the outlet.
- 7. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein a volume of the first fluid chamber is 1.5 to 3 times as large as a volume of the second fluid chamber.
- 8. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein a cross-sectional diameter of the first fluid chamber is 2 to 4 times larger than a cross-sectional diameter of the outlet.
- 9. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein a cross-sectional diameter of the second fluid chamber is 1.1 to 2 times larger than a cross-sectional diameter of the outlet.
- 10. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein the liquid dispenser in cross-section has an inverted L-shape with a lower part of the inverted L-shape and a upper part of the inverted L-shape; and wherein the lower part of the inverted L-shape comprising the first fluid chamber and, the upper part of the inverted L-shape comprising the second fluid chamber and, the outlet being at an end of the inverted L-shape of the liquid dispenser.
- 11. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein the liquid dispenser is fluidly connected to a liquid source and the liquid source, when actuated, is configured to direct liquid to the first fluid chamber, to the second fluid chamber and, out of the outlet of the liquid dispenser.
- 12. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein a liquid head pressure of liquid in the second fluid chamber is lower than a liquid head pressure of liquid in the first fluid chamber.
- 13. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein surface tension of liquid in the second fluid chamber retains liquid in the second fluid chamber when liquid does not flow from the liquid dispenser.
- 14. The liquid dispenser as claimed claim 1 wherein the liquid dispenser comprises one first fluid chamber and multiple second fluid chambers and outlets.
- 15. An animal handler comprising: an enclosure configured to releasably retain an animal therein; and a liquid dispenser mounted on the animal handler above a retained animal position; the liquid dispenser configured to dispense liquid to an animal retained in the animal handler from a liquid source, the liquid dispenser comprising: a first fluid chamber fluidly connected to the liquid source; and a second fluid chamber fluidly connected to the first fluid chamber, wherein the second fluid chamber is positioned above the first fluid chamber; and wherein the second fluid chamber has an outlet, the outlet oriented to dispense liquid from the liquid dispenser when liquid is dispensed from the liquid dispenser, liquid being dispensed from the outlet in a downward vertical direction onto an animal retained in the animal handler.
- 16. The animal handler as claimed in claim 15 wherein the liquid source is metered to the liquid dispenser.
- 17. A method of dispensing a liquid, the method comprising: providing a liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 1; dispensing liquid from the liquid dispenser.
- 18. A method of treating a non-human animal, the method comprising: providing an animal handler as claimed in 15; allowing an animal to enter and be retained in the animal handler; dispensing liquid from the liquid dispenser to the animal in the animal handler.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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NZ77718421 | 2021-06-14 |
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GB202207140D0 GB202207140D0 (en) | 2022-06-29 |
GB2609535A true GB2609535A (en) | 2023-02-08 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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GB2207140.1A Pending GB2609535A (en) | 2021-06-14 | 2022-05-16 | A liquid dispenser and method of use |
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GB (1) | GB2609535A (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3806031A (en) * | 1973-07-05 | 1974-04-23 | D Olson | Snap-on emitter |
US5249744A (en) * | 1992-08-03 | 1993-10-05 | Douglas Ruthenberg | Apparatus for creating waterfall for swimming pools |
US5694972A (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 1997-12-09 | Tom King Harmony Products, Inc. | Saddle tee for irrigation lines |
US20040040518A1 (en) * | 2000-10-31 | 2004-03-04 | Lowe Lionel Barry | Pour-on application method and devices |
CN213377279U (en) * | 2020-09-16 | 2021-06-08 | 秦皇岛首创思泰意达环保科技有限公司 | Spraying pipeline of dust suppressant |
-
2022
- 2022-05-16 GB GB2207140.1A patent/GB2609535A/en active Pending
- 2022-05-16 AU AU2022203268A patent/AU2022203268A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3806031A (en) * | 1973-07-05 | 1974-04-23 | D Olson | Snap-on emitter |
US5249744A (en) * | 1992-08-03 | 1993-10-05 | Douglas Ruthenberg | Apparatus for creating waterfall for swimming pools |
US5694972A (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 1997-12-09 | Tom King Harmony Products, Inc. | Saddle tee for irrigation lines |
US20040040518A1 (en) * | 2000-10-31 | 2004-03-04 | Lowe Lionel Barry | Pour-on application method and devices |
CN213377279U (en) * | 2020-09-16 | 2021-06-08 | 秦皇岛首创思泰意达环保科技有限公司 | Spraying pipeline of dust suppressant |
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AU2022203268A1 (en) | 2023-01-05 |
GB202207140D0 (en) | 2022-06-29 |
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