Water supplying system for small-animal cages
First Claim
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1. A water supplying system for small animal cages, comprising a main pipe connectable to a water supply source;
- branch pipes branching from the main pipe;
headers connectable to the downstream ends of respective branch pipes; and
local pipes having a first end connectable to the headers and a second end openable in respective cages, whereby drinking water can be fed through said local pipes and headers from the water supply source to each of the cages, wherein the main pipe and the branch pipes are made of transparent, flexible tubing and are detachable from other parts of the system to be disassembled for cleaning and sterilization, wherein the main pipe is divided into a plurality of consecutive portions or spans, which are successively connected by transverse pipes of junction couplers wherein each junction coupler has an upright pipe connectable to an air vent means and a further pipe connectable to a respective branch pipe, and wherein further air vent means are provided in said spans of the main pipe at positions thereof between adjacent junction couplers, said main pipe having high portions and adjacent low portions, said further air vent means being located substantially at the high portions.
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Abstract
In a water supplying system for small animal cages, a main pipe connected to a water supply source, and branch pipes connected to the main pipe are made of a transparent, flexible material such as silicone resin. These main pipe and branch pipes are detachable to be disassembled for cleaning and sterilization whereby multiplication of bacteria in these pipes can be prevented.
53 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A water supplying system for small animal cages, comprising a main pipe connectable to a water supply source;
- branch pipes branching from the main pipe;
headers connectable to the downstream ends of respective branch pipes; and
local pipes having a first end connectable to the headers and a second end openable in respective cages, whereby drinking water can be fed through said local pipes and headers from the water supply source to each of the cages, wherein the main pipe and the branch pipes are made of transparent, flexible tubing and are detachable from other parts of the system to be disassembled for cleaning and sterilization, wherein the main pipe is divided into a plurality of consecutive portions or spans, which are successively connected by transverse pipes of junction couplers wherein each junction coupler has an upright pipe connectable to an air vent means and a further pipe connectable to a respective branch pipe, and wherein further air vent means are provided in said spans of the main pipe at positions thereof between adjacent junction couplers, said main pipe having high portions and adjacent low portions, said further air vent means being located substantially at the high portions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- branch pipes branching from the main pipe;
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7. A water supplying system for small animal cages, comprising:
- a main pipe connectable to a water supply source;
branch pipes branching from the main pipe;
headers connectable to the downstream ends of respective branch pipes;
local pipes having a first end connectable to the headers and a second end openable in respective cages, said main pipes and the branch pipes being made of transparent, flexible tubing and being detachable from other parts of the system to be disassembled for cleaning and sterilization, said main pipe being divided into a plurality of consecutive portions or spans;
coupling pipes each interposed between, and connecting adjacent spans of said main pipe, each of said coupling pipes having a further pipe connected to a respective branch pipe; and
air vent means provided in said spans of the main pipe at positions thereof between adjacent coupling pipes, said main pipe having high portions and adjacent low portions, said air vent means being located substantially at the high portions. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15)
- a main pipe connectable to a water supply source;
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12. A water supplying system for small animal cages, comprising:
- a main pipe connectable to a water supply source;
branch pipes branching from the main pipe;
headers connectable to lower ends of respective branch pipes;
local pipes having a first end connectable to the headers and a second end openable in respective cages, said main pipe and the branch pipes being made of transparent, flexible tubing and being detachable from other parts of the system to be disassembled for cleaning and sterilization, said main pipe being divided into plurality of consecutive portions or spans;
coupling means each interposed between adjacent spans of said main pipe and having a pair of transverse pipes and a further pipe, each end of said spans of the main pipe being fitted frictionally and detachably on the adjoining end of one of said transverse pipes, each of said branch pipes being fitted at an upstream end frictionally and detachably on one of said further pipe and at a downstream end being fitted frictionally and detachably on one of said headers; and
air vent means provided on said main pipe wherein the spans of the main pipe can be bowed downward so that the air vent means is located at the highest portions of said spans. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- a main pipe connectable to a water supply source;
Specification