Livestock waterer and method
First Claim
1. An animal waterer, comprising:
- (a) a bowl having an open top and a bottom drain;
(b) first valve means operatively associated with said drain for selectively blocking and unblocking said drain;
(c) water supply means cooperating with said bowl and operatively associated with said first valve means for supplying water to said bowl when said first valve means blocks said drain so that said bowl thereby fills with water, and for preventing water from flowing to said bowl when said first valve means does not block said drain;
(d) second valve means interposed between said first valve means and said water supply means and operably associated with said first valve means; and
(e) non-contact sensing means operatively associated with said bowl, said water supply means and said first and second valve means for causing said first valve means to block said drain when the presence of an animal is sensed so that said bowl is thereby filled with water for the animal to drink, and for causing said first valve means to unblock said drain and said second valve means to block said water supply means to prevent water from flowing to said bowl when no animal is sensed so that said bowl is drained of water;
said second valve means being operably associated with said sensing means for causing water to flow to said first valve means when the presence of an animal is sensed, and for permitting water to drain from said first valve means and from said bowl when no animal is sensed.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An animal waterer comprises a bowl having an open top and a bottom drain, and a valve is operatively associated with the drain for selectively blocking and unblocking the drain. A water supply line cooperates with the valve and is operably associated with the bowl for supplying water to the bowl when the valve blocks the drain so that the bowl thereby fills with water and for causing water to drain from the bowl when the valve does not block the drain. A sensing system is operatively associated with the bowl and with the drain for causing the valve to block the drain when the presence of an animal is sensed so that the bowl is thereby filled with water for the animal to drink and for causing the valve to unblock the drain when no animal is sensed so that the bowl is drained of water.
47 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An animal waterer, comprising:
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(a) a bowl having an open top and a bottom drain; (b) first valve means operatively associated with said drain for selectively blocking and unblocking said drain; (c) water supply means cooperating with said bowl and operatively associated with said first valve means for supplying water to said bowl when said first valve means blocks said drain so that said bowl thereby fills with water, and for preventing water from flowing to said bowl when said first valve means does not block said drain; (d) second valve means interposed between said first valve means and said water supply means and operably associated with said first valve means; and (e) non-contact sensing means operatively associated with said bowl, said water supply means and said first and second valve means for causing said first valve means to block said drain when the presence of an animal is sensed so that said bowl is thereby filled with water for the animal to drink, and for causing said first valve means to unblock said drain and said second valve means to block said water supply means to prevent water from flowing to said bowl when no animal is sensed so that said bowl is drained of water;
said second valve means being operably associated with said sensing means for causing water to flow to said first valve means when the presence of an animal is sensed, and for permitting water to drain from said first valve means and from said bowl when no animal is sensed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A livestock waterer, comprising:
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(a) a bowl including an open top and a bottom drain; (b) check valve means in flow communication with said drain for blocking and unblocking said drain; (c) means operably associated with said check valve means for causing selective operation of said check valve means; (d) a water supply line communicating with said bowl for supplying water thereto; (e) water supply means; (f) second valve means operably associated with said water supply means, said water supply line and said causing means for selectively supplying water to said water supply line and said causing means so that said check valve means blocks said drain while water flows into said bowl through said water supply line and for preventing water from flowing to said causing means and said water supply line so that said check valve means unblocks said drain and thereby permits water to flow therefrom; and
,(g) non-contact radiant energy sensing means operably associated with said bowl and with said second valve means for causing said second valve means to supply water to said water supply line and said causing means when the presence of an animal is sensed and for causing said second valve means to prevent water from being supplied to said water supply line and causing means when no animal is sensed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification