US2233766A - Apparatus for cleaning and ventilating barns and stables for cattle - Google Patents

Description

March 4, 1941. .1. w. BOGERT APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND VENTILATING BARNS AND STABLES FOR CATTLE Filed Feb. 19A 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTGRNEYS March 4, 1941. J. w. BOGERT APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND VENTILATING BARNS AND STABLES FOR CATTLE Filed Feb. 19, 1938 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS March 4, 1 w BQGERT 2,233,766 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND VENTILATING BARNS AND STABLES FOR CATTLE Filed Feb. 19, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND VENTILAT- ING BARNS AND STABLES FOR CATTLE 21 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning and Ventilating barns and stables for cattle and the like, and has for an object to provide means for automatically cleaning the manure 5 and urine gutter atv the rear of the stalls by progressive action of a fluid cleaning medium.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for directing the cleaning medium to different portions of the gutter at various velocities l so that the matter deposited in the gutter will be removed from certain portions of the gutter in advance of other portions of the gutter.

Another object isy to provide means for controlling the iiow of the fluid cleaning medium so that the matter in portions of the gutter will first be successively softened and semiliqueed and then the treated materialin the gutter gradually removed without overflowing the gutter and finally flushing the gutter throughout itsv entire length.

Another object is to provide meansV for ventilating the barn or stable by Way of the gutters through the cleaning medium means, alternating with its cleaning function, so that each por- 2.5V tion of the gutter at the rear of each stall will be separately and individually ventilated.

Another object isto provide means for controlling the ow of exhaust air so that the amount of air exhausted is graduated according to the elevation of each portion. of the gutter, there being greatest induced draft in the lowest portion of the gutter.

Another object is to provide certain improvements in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts. whereby the above named and other objects may effectively be attained.

A practical embodiment of. my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. l` represents a detail horizontal section of aportion of a cattle barn or stable having my improved apparatus installed therein between oppositely disposed rows of stalls.

Fig. 2 represents a vertical section taken in the plane of the line II-II of Fig. l looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 represents a detail plan .View partly in section and on a larger scale of the fluid cleaning medium supply tank and adjacent mechanism.

Fig. 4 represents a detail vertical section of one of the ducts taken in the plane of the line IV-IV of Fig. l looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 represents a detail vertical section taken in the plane of the line V-V of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 represents a vertical section taken in the plane of the line VI-VI of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Fig. 'l represents a vertical section taken in the plane of the line VII-VII of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows.

The cattle barn or stable comprises side walls I 2, feed alleys 3--4 adjacent the walls respectively, two series of stall-partitions 5 5 forming oppositely disposed rows of stalls 1-8, and a walk 9 interposed between the rows of stalls for the passage of the cattle to the stalls. A longitudinally arranged manger i0 is disposed between the stalls I and the alley 3 to eigtend along th-e head end of the stalls, while a similar manger I I is located between the alley 4 and the row of stalls 8. A gutter I2 is interposed between the walk 9 and the row of stalls 1 for the reception of matter discharged by the cattle in the stalls, while a :similar gutter I3 is located between the ends of the row of stalls 8 and the walk 9. The floors or bottoms of the gutters I2-I3 are inclined downwardly to the left (Fig. l) so that the liquefied or semi-liquefied matter will pass by gravity from the ends Ill-I5 of the gutters to a common reservoir or tank (not shown) where it may be stored for future use. The bottoms of the gutters I2-I3 are also inclined transversely toward each other as shown in Fig. 2.

In order to bring the matter deposited in the gutters to a liquefied or semi-liqueed state so that it will readily move through the gutters to the outlets I4-I 5, I propose to apply to the matter at various points throughout the length of the gutters I2--I3 predetermined amounts of water at different velocities. To prevent the uicl or simi-fluid mass from overflowing the gutters, the matter nearest the outlets III-I5 is first treated to liquefy it and then flushed out of the gutters while the remainder of the matter in the gutters is being treated simultaneously to .soften and liquefy it so that it will flow by gravity through the gutters to the outlets III-I5. To accomplish this result I provide a series of longitudinal conduits IS-I'I and I8 for feeding the gutter I2 while similar conduits I9-20 and 2l feed the gutter I3. The substantially horizontal portions of these conduits are concealed Ibeneath the walk 9 and inclined downwardly towards their closed ends. The conduit I6 is provided with lateral branches 22-23 and 24 directed forwardly away from the conduit in position to enter the gutter at an angle tothe path of travel and adjacent the bottom thereof. For instance, one end of the lateral branch 2li is joined at one portion of the top of the conduit I6, while one end of the lateral branch 22 is connected at one portion of the bottom ofA the conduit I 6, and one end of the lateral branch 23 is coupled at an intermediate and central portion of the conduit I6. The other or discharge end of each of the lateral branches 22- 23-24 pierce the side wall of the gutter adjacent the bottom. By this arrangement, the lateral branches are also given a slight downward inclination in a lateral direction toward the bottom of the gutter, thereby serving to empty the conduits and branches of all fluid medium when the ilow from the reservo-ir ceases. 'I'he conduit I1 is also provided with lateral forwardly inclined branches 25-26 and 21 connected with the gutter I2 in the same manner as that above described with respect to the conduit I6 and its branches 22, 23, and 24.

The conduit I8 also has lateral forwardly inclined branches 28, 29, and 30 connected with the gutter I2 and disposed in the same manner as that described with respect to the conduits I6 and I1 and their lateral branches 22-21 inclusive. The conduits I 9-20 and 2| also have sets of lateral forwardly inclined branches connectedy with the side wall of the gutter I3, each of which set of branches is disposed and arranged similar to that described with respect to the branches 22-30 inclusive of the conduits |6--I1 and I8 respectively. The diameter of each of the branches is smaller than the diameter of its conduit, so that the combined areas -in cross section of the several branches will be slightly less than the cross sectional area of their respective conduits, thereby providing a uniform distribution of the fluid medium with positive pressure over a predetermined length of gutter or within the length of gutter adjacent the set of branches of each conduit.

'I'he open ends of the conduits |6-2I inclusive are turned upwardly into communication with a rectangular chamber 3| having partitions 32, 33, 34, and 35 (Fig. '7), of which the partition 32 separates the conduits I6 and I9 from the conduit I1, while partition 34 separates the conduit I1 from the conduit I8. The partition 33 separates the conduits I6 and I9 from the conduit 20, while the conduits 20-2I are separated by the partition 35. The partitions 32-33 extend upwardly into the chamber 3| and in close proximity to a passage 36 opening into the bottom of the vreservoir 31. This passage 36 is closed by a cap valve 38 pivoted at 39 to hinge on the bottom of the reservoir, which valve is lifted to open the passage 36 by means of a crank 4!) and a flexible connection 4| passing over guide pulleys 42--43 fixed on the walls of the reservoir. The valve 33 is closed on the passage by gravity or any well known or approved means. The reservoir 31 has partitions 44-45 extending upwardly therein from front to rear and on opposite sides of the valve 38, thereby forming three separate supply lbasins therein denoted by 46, 41, and`48.

A water supp-ly pipe 49 furnishes water to the reservoir 31 and is controlled by a float operated valve 59 in the well known and approved manner. The valve 50 is adjusted so thatthe level of the water in the reservoir 31 will be well above the partitions 441-45 when the valve is closed and thesupply cut off. When the valve 38 is opened the greater volume of water will pass from the reservoir and basin 46 through the passage 36 into the chamber 3| leaving the basins 41-48 full of water to the top of the partitions 44-45, the functionv of which will be hereinafter explained. As the water passes into the chamber 3| and rst through the conduits I6-I 9 and their lateral branches, certain of it will then pass through ports 5 |-52 in the partition 32 and ports 53-54 in the partition 33 which in turn will f-eed the conduits |1-2Il and their respective lateral branches. Simultaneously the conduits I 8-2I with their lateral branches will be supplied with water from the chamber 3| by means of bypasses 55--56, respectively. From the foregoing it will be seen that upon opening the cap valve 38 the volume of water in the reservoir passing through the passage 3 6 into the chamber 3| will tend to force the wat-er through the conduits I 6 I9 and their lateral branches with great velocity, thereby entering the gutters with maximum presvsure which will move the matter therein toward the outlets I4, I 5. The water leaking through the ports 5|-54 inclusive will pass through the conduits I1, 20 and their branches to the gutters and serve to soften the matter therein 'before the water in the chamber 3| overflows the partitions 32-33. After the watery has passed over the partitions 32-33 it will travel through ythe conduits and branches and ush the gutters. This result is accomplished by reason of the fact that the ports and the by-passes are constructed with substantially the same` cross-sectional area as that of the lateral branches. Thus if the time period consumed and the amount of water passing through the conduits |6-I 9 is considered, the volume of water entering the chamber 3| will overflow the partitions 32-33 and gradually serve portions of the gutters controlled by the conduits |1-20 to; a working or flushing pressure. Likewise, the Water leaking' through the -bypasses 55-56 from the chamber 3| to the conduits |8-2I will serve toy primarily soften the matter in the gutters before the water flows over the partitions 34-35 for the final flushing of the gutters. It is to be pointed out that the water in the reservoir and basin 46 is sufficient to completely fill the chamber 3| and overflow all partitions. A

After the water has been discharged from vthe basin 46 through the several conduits, branches and gutters I find it advantageous to further flush the gutters separately throughout their entire length to the'discharge end.. This result is accomplished by means of a conduit 51 connecting the basin 41 with the gutter I2 and providing a cap valve 58 hinged at 59,0n the bottom of the basin and adapted to close the opening to the conduit. This valve 58 is manipulated by means of a lever 6D pivoted in a bracket 6I fixed on the wall of the reservoir 31 and having one end connected to the valve by a link 62 while the other is provided with a pull cord or chain 63. When desired the valve 58 may be opened by manipulating the pull cord lever and link so that the water in the basin 41 will pass downwardly through the conduit 51 and out through the outlet 64 at the end'of the gutter I2. A similar means is provided for flushingthe gutter I3 by means of a conduit 65 connecting the basin48 with the end of the gutter I3, which conduit is closed by a cap valve 66 hinged at 61 on the bottom of the basin 48 and opened by the manipulation of a pull cord or chain 61, lever 68 pivoted in a bracket 69 fixed on the wall of the lreservoir 31 and link 10 connecting the valve and lever. e

The conduits51--65 are also in communication with the conduits I1-2Il by means of by- Iii) passes 'II- SI2V respectively, so that while water is nowing into the conduits I`I-2Il, it will also serve the end of the gutters connected with the conduits Eil- 65. These by-passes 'II-I2 are provided with :check valves 13-14 respectively to prevent any loss of water from the conduits 51-65 while the valves 58-66 are open for end flushing of the gutters. The area of the opening 36 covered byv valve 38 is limited to an area slightly greater than the combined areas of the branches of the conduits, and so gives a similar time element in washing the last portions of the gutters to that induced by the escape of the water from the ports and by-passes in the nrst part of the ushing through the conduits Il-I9. Thus by more rapid opening of the valve 38, the water will pass from. the reservoir and iill the chamber in a shorter period, at the same time furnish a greater washing pressure, if desired.

The varied resistance. of the water used for iinal oleaningof the gutters lies mostly in the different lengths of the conduits and the position of their branches with respect thereto and to the gutters. The volume of water from the reservoir enters the chamber 3| and rises therein above the partitions {i2- 33 so as to overflow from one to the other of the conduits. Thus the greater water pressure is rst given to the conduits Iii-I3 by reason of the heights of the partitions 32-33, over which the water must flow before passing into the conduits I'I-ZQ. When the water fills the conduits I'I--ZG it will rise above the partitions 341-35, which are of lesser height than the partitions 32-33 and iiow thereo-ver in a volume into the conduits Ill-2|. The valves 38, 58, and 68 are each closed upon their. respective openings by gravity or other suitable means and opened by manipulating pull lcords or chains as desired.

The gutters |2|3 are also provided with inclined drains |5-1 respectively concealed beneath the walk 9 for removing urine or other liquid -deposited in the gutters. Each of the drains opens into the bottom of the gutter I2 at the end of each stall I and is connected to a longitudinal pipe 11, while each of the drains 16 opens into the bottom of the gutter I3 at the end of each stall and connects with a similar longitudinal pipe 1!8, the ends of which pipes I1-'I3 are joined to a central pipe 13 by lateral pipes Sli-8|. The central pipe 'I9 is brought upwardly into open communication with the charnber 3|, so that when the gutters are being cleaned these pipes and their drains are also being flushed. The pipes 'I1-'I8 are inclined downwardly toward the discharge ends of the gutters, while the discharge ends of the pipes are tapered and curved outwardly at 822-83 (Fig. l) to drain by gravity into the outlets lli-lli.

When the conduits I6 to 2| inclusive and their respective branches are not feeding water to the gutters |2'-|3 they are caused to function as a Ventilating means. This means comprises a flue 84 extending upwardly from the cover 85 of the chamber 3| and provided with a baille i255 depending therefrom. Check valves ill-t8 are hinged to the bottom of the baille B in position to coact with the upper ends of the partitions 32433. The ioaiiles allow the water to flow over the partitions but do not permit the air to return through the passages. In order to increase the action of the Ventilating means, a motor driven Ventilating ian 84* (Fig. 7) is installed in the flue 84, the electric energy of the fan motor being controlled by a switch 84M operated by the exible connection 4| of the valve 33 in any well known and approved manner, so that when the valve 38 isopened to release the water in the basin ri, the electric energy will be cut oif from the fan motor. When the valve 38 is closed the switch will be moved to restore the electric energy to the fan motor.

The action of the chamber 3| and conduits when using the apparatus as a Ventilating means is reversed, since the main draft or suction is created in the flue Sli and baiile 86 between the partitions 32-33, the space therebetween being automatically closed by the hinged check valves lll-83. The air is drawn from the conduits I1, 2li, I, 2|, and their respective branches by the ports l-li inclusive and by-passes 55, 53. 'Thus the conduits it and ii) are open to a maximum amount of suction created in the iiue Bil, and the conduits i8, 2|, being of least length exact a minimum suction, while conduits I'I, 2i) draw an intermediate amount of suction.

Thus it will be seen that this apparatus may be alternately used as a Ventilating means as well as a cleaning means, and is exceedingly eflicient in the most frigid weather due to the fact that the coldest air is removed from the gutters and the greater part of it from the lowest portions of the gutters, thereby maintaining a barn or stable with more uniform heat. Furthermore the contaminated air of the gutters is kept to the rear by its direction of new towards the gutter and drawn away from the animals, to

ie exhausted outside the barn or stable.

It will be understood that various ychanges may be resorted to in the form, construction, arrangement, and material of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to be limited to the particular embodiments herein shown and described except as they may be included in the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, and a plurality of conduits having longitudinal portions concealed beneath said walk and other portions bent upwardly, said longitudinal portions having outlets opening into one side wall of the gutter, said upwardly bent portions of the conduits emanating from a single source above and at one end of the walk. said outlets terminating at different positions throughout the length of the gutter for conveying a fluid medium thereto for cleaning the same.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, and a plurality of conduits having longitudinal portions concealed beneath said walk and other portions bent upwardly, each of said concealed portions having a plurality of outlets opening into one side wall of the gutter and said upwardly bent ends of the conduits emanating from a single source above and at one end of the walk, said outlet terminating at different positions throughout the length of the gutter for conveying a iiuid medium thereto for cleaning the same.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, and a plurality of conduits having longitudinal portions concealed beneath said walk and other portions bent upwardly, each of said concealed portions having a plurality of outlets of relatively small diameter opening into one side wall of the gutter and spaced apart, said upwardly bent portions emanating from a single source above and at one end of the walk, said outlets terminating -at different positions throughout the length of the gutter for conveying a fluid medium thereto for cleaning the same.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, a fluid medium reservoir disposed above and at one end of the walk, and a plurality of conduits having longitudinal portions concealed beneath said walk and other portions bent upwardly, said concealed portions having outlets opening into one side wall of the gutter, said upwardly bent portions being connected with said reservoir, said outlets terminating at different` positions throughout the length of the gutter for conveying the fiuid medium thereto for softening and liquifying the matter therein and finally flushing the gutter to clean the same.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, a uid medium reservoir disposed above and at one end of the walk, a plurality of conduits having longitudinal portions concealed beneath said walk and other portions bent upwardly, said concealed portions having outlets opening into one side of the gutter, and a longitudinal duct concealed beneath the walk below the longitudinalportions and level of the gutter and connected thereto to drain the liquid therefrom, said upwardly bent portions and duct being connected with the reservoir for receiving the fluid medium for cleaning the same.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, a uid medium reservoir, conduits concealed beneath said walk and connecting said reservoir and gutter, said conduits being adapted to convey fluid medium to the gutter at different positions throughout its length for softening and liquefying the matter therein, and manually operable means in the reservoir for controlling the volume and velocity of flow of the fluid medium to the gutter for nally flushing and cleaning the same.

'7. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, a fluid medium reservoir, conduits concealed beneath said walk and connecting said reservoir and gutter, said conduits being adapted to convey the fluid medium to the gutter at different positions throughout its length in progressive sequence for softening an-d liquefying the matter therein, and means in the reservoir for controlling the volume and velocity of flow of the iiuid medium to the gutter for nally flushing and cleaning the same.

8. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, a plurality of conduits having longitudinal portions concealed beneath said walk and other portions bent upwardly, said concealed portions having outlets opening into one side of the gutter, said upwardly bent portions emanating from a single source above and at one end of the Walk, said outlets terminating at different positions throughout the length of the gutter, and a iue adjacent the upwardly bent portions for exhausting the air from the conduits and gutter. n

9. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a fluid medium reser- Voir, a chamber for receiving the fluid medium, a flue extending upwardly from the chamber and longitudinally inclined conduits connecting said chamber and gutter adapted to convey the fluid medium to the gutter at diierent positions throughout its length for cleaning 'the same, said chamber, conduits and ue being adapted to exhaust the air from the gutter throughout its length when the flow of fluid medium ceases.

10. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter, a uid medium reservoir, a chamber divided into sections for receiving a uid medium, ports communicating with said sections for forming a leakage therebetween, and longitudinally inclined conduits connecting the sections and gutter adapted to convey the fluid medium to the gutter at different positions throughout its length for cleaning the same.

11. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a fluid medium reservoir, a chamber divided into sections for receiving a fluid medium, said chamber having a flue open to atmosphere, ports communicating with said sections for forming a leakage-therebetween, and longitudinally inclined conduits connecting the sections and gutter 'adapted to convey the fluid medium to the gutter at different positions throughout its length for cleaning the same, said chamber, conduits and ue being adapted vto exhaust the air from the gutter throughout its length when the ow of the uid medium ceases.

12. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter, a fluid medium reservoir, a chamber divided into sections of unequal areas for receiving the fluid medium, ports communicating with said sections for forming a leakage therebetween, and longitudinally inclined conduits connecting the sections and gutter adapted to convey the fluid medium to the gutter at diierent positions throughout its length for cleaning the same.

13. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a fluid medium reservoir, a chamber divided into sections of unequal areas for receiving the uid medium, said chamber having a flue open to atmosphere, ports communicating with said sections for vforming a leakage therebetween, and longitudinally inclined conduits connecting the sections and gutter adapted to convey the uid medium to the gutter at different positions throughout its length for cleaning the same, said chamber being adapted to exhaust the air from the gutter through said conduits, chamber and ilue.

.14. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length and provided with a longitudinally inclined bottom for directing the fluid matter deposited therein away from the stalls, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, a uid medium reservoir disposed above and at one end of the walk, and a plurality of conduits having longitudinally inclined portions concealed beneath said walk and other portions bent upwardly, said upwardly bent portions being connected with said reservoir and the end of each concealed portion terminating at a different position throughoutl the lengthof the gutter, each oi said last named ends being .provided with a plurality of branches, each of said branches opening into one side wall of the gutter and spaced apart for conveying the fluid medium to the gutter for softening and liquefying the matter therein.

15. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length and provided with a longitudinally inclined bottom for directing the matter deposited therein away from the stalls, a fluid medium reservoir, and longitudinally inclined conduits each having a plurality of branches at one end, a flue in communication with the conduits and open to atmosphere, said branches opening into the gutter at different positions throughout its length, the other end of each of said conduits being connected to the reservoir for conveying the fluid medium to the gutter through the branches for cleaning the same, said branches and longitudinal conduits also being adapted to exhaust the air through the flue at different positions throughout the length of the gutter when the ow of the fluid medium ceases.

16. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length and provided with a longitudinally inclined bottom for directing the fluid matter deposited therein away from the stalls, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, a fluid medium reservoir disposed above and at one end of the walk, said reservoir being divided into sections, each section having a separately operable valve for discharging the fluid medium therein, one of said valves being adapted to control the discharge of a larger volume of fluid medium than the other valve, a longitudinally inclined duct concealed beneath said walk and below the level of the gutter, said duct having spurs opening into the gutter for draining the same and having one end connected to at least one section of the reservoir for flushing the same, a plurality of longitudinally inclined conduits concealed beneath the walk, each of said conduits having one end connected with said reservoir and the other end of each conduit terminating at a different position throughout the length of Ithe gutter, each of said last named ends being provided with a plurality of branches inclined downwardly and forwardly and each of said branches opening into one side wall of the gutter in spaced relation for conveying the fluid mediuml to the gutter for softening and liquefying the matter therein and iinally flushing the gutter to clean the same and a conduit leading from a section of the reservoir and controlled by a second valve, this conduit discharging into an end of the gutter.

17. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length and provided with a longitudinally inclined bottom for directing the matter deposited therein away from the stalls, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, a iiuid medium reservoir divided into sections each having a separately operable valve therefor, a longitudinally inclined duct concealed beneath said walk and provided with spurs opening into the bottom of the gutter for draining the same, said duct also being connected to at least one section of the reservoir, and longitudinally inclined conduits concealed beneath the walk and each having a plurality of branches at one end, a flue in communication with the conduits and open to atmosphere said branches opening into one side wall of the gutter at different positions throughout its length, each branch `of the plurality being arranged at a different horizontal level and terminating adjacent the bottom of the gutter, the other end of each of said conduits being connected to the reservoir for conveying the fluid medium to the gutter for softening and liquefying the mattei' therein and finally flushing the gutter to clean the same, said longitudinal duct and conduits also being adapted to exhaust the air through the flue at different positions throughout the length-r of the gutter when the flow of the fluid medium ceases.

18. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, a fluid medium reservoir, a chamber for receiving the uid medium, longitudinally inclined conduits concealed beneath said walk and connected with said chamber, and a plurality of laterally and forwardly inclined branches in each of said conduits in open communication with one side wall of the gutter to convey the fluid medium thereto, the outlets of said branches in each conduit being disposed at different positions with respect to each other throughout predetermined length of gutter for softening and liquefying the matter therein and cleaning the same.

19. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, a fluid medium reservoir, a chamber for receiving the uid medium, longitudinally inclined conduits concealed beneath said walk and connected with said chamber, and a plurality of laterally and forwardly inclined branches in each of said conduits in open communication with one side wall of the gutter, each of said branches being of smaller diameter than the diameter of its conduit, the outlets of the branches in each conduit being disposed at different positions with respect to each other throughout predetermined length of gutter for distributing the fluid medium therein to soften and liquefy the matter in the gutter and wash portions of the gutter in progressive sequence.

20. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a cattle walk adjoining said gutter, a fluid medium reservoir, a chamber for receiving the fluid medium, longitudinally inclined conduits concealed beneath said walk and connected with said chamber, and

la plurality of laterally and forwardly inclined branches in each of said -conduits in open communication with one side wall of the gutter, each of said branches being of smaller diameter than the ldiameter of its conduit, whereby the combined cross sectional area of the branches in each conduit is slightly less than the cross sectional area of their conduit, the outlets of the branches in each conduit being disposed at different positions with respect to each other throughout predetermined length of gutter for distributing the fluid medium therein to soften and liquefy the matter in the gutter and wash portions of the gutter in progressive sequence.

2l. In apparatus of the character described, a series of cattle stalls having a common gutter open throughout its length, a fluid medium reservoir, a chamber divided into sections of unequal areas, ports communicating with said sections forforming a. leakage therebetween, and longitudinally inclined conduits connecting the sections and gutter, said sections and ports being adapted to automatically control the pre-flow, the sequence of oW and the pressure of the uid medium inthe conduits and gutter', whereby the fluid medium will automatically pre-'puddle and flush the gutter throughout its` lengthrby the continuous sequence ofV operation iof fthe several conduits. JOHN W. `BOGrERT.

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