Self-filling and self-draining watering device

• US 8,104,431 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2009
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth Klenotiz
• Original Assignee: Kenneth Klenotiz
• Inventors: Klenotiz, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): VALENTI, ANDREA M
• Application Number:
  US12/354,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20100175625A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 119/74, 119/72, 119/75, 119/51.5, 119/77, 119/78, 119/73, 119/475, 239/63, 239/67, 239/71, 239/16, 239/24, 239/28
• US Class Current: 119/72
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 7/04 actuated by float
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 7/06 actuated by the animal for poultry A01K39/0213

Abstract

The invention relates generally to a self-filling and self-draining watering device. The invention discloses an apparatus comprising a first compartment containing a bowl accepting fluid from an inlet opening, the fluid being continuously drained from the bowl, a second compartment, proximate the bowl, housing a reservoir proximate the bowl which temporarily retains continuously drained fluid, a pump actuated by a float switch to discharge fluid from reservoir, and a sensor detecting a movement, triggering a flow of fluid into the bowl. Additionally, the invention discloses a method comprising providing an apparatus having a first compartment and a reservoir, connecting the inlet supply line to an inlet line which transports fluid into the bowl, continuously draining the fluid into the reservoir, discharging fluid from the reservoir with a pump, providing a sensor to activate a solenoid valve to allow fluid into the bowl, and enclosing the bowl and reservoir in an outer shell.

Claims

1. A pet-watering apparatus comprising:

a first compartment having a bowl accepting a fluid from an inlet opening, wherein said fluid is continuously drained from said bowl through at least one drain opening of the bowl;

a second compartment proximate said first compartment housing a reservoir in communication with the at least one drain opening, the reservoir temporarily retaining said continuously drained fluid;

a pump to facilitate movement of said retained fluid through a drain line connected to an outlet line, the outlet line configured to discharge the fluid away from the reservoir to a final discharge point located external to the apparatus;

a float switch set to actuate said pump; and

a sensor detecting a presence, wherein said presence detected by said sensor triggers a flow of said fluid to enter said bowl.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bowl and said reservoir are encompassed by an outer shell.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bowl forms a recessed area and contains the at least one drain opening, said recessed area containing the inlet opening to allow said fluid to flow through said inlet line from an inlet supply line.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a sealed module holding a plurality of electronic connections is located within an outer shell enclosing the first compartment and the second compartment, said sealed module in communication with a power device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said drain line is connected to a plumbing system.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor triggers a transistor switch to actuate a solenoid valve to allow a flow of said fluid to enter said bowl.

7. A pet-watering apparatus comprising:

an outer shell encompassing a bowl and a reservoir proximate said bowl, said bowl having a recessed area to accommodate a fluid flowing into said bowl through an inlet opening from an inlet line connected to an at least one solenoid valve to control a flow of said fluid into said bowl, said fluid being continuously drained into said reservoir through at least one drain opening positioned somewhere on a surface of said bowl, wherein said fluid is dispersed through an outlet positioned somewhere on a surface of said reservoir;

an inlet supply line configured to connect to a fluid supply to introduce said fluid into said bowl through said inlet line;

a pump in operable communication with said reservoir to facilitate discharge of said fluid;

a sensor mounted on said outer shell that triggers a transistor switch to activate said at least one solenoid valve to allow the flow of said fluid from said fluid supply;

a switch in communication with said pump to discharge said fluid through a drain line connected to said pump;

an outlet line connected to said drain line to carry said fluid from said reservoir to a final discharge point external to the outer shell;

a safety bin located proximate said bowl, wherein an at least one safety opening allows said fluid to flow into said safety bin, said safety bin housing a safety device switch; and

a sealed module located within the outer shell, containing a plurality of electric wires and at least one power cord, said sealed module receiving power from a power source.

8. The drain line of claim 7, wherein said final discharge point is connected to a main plumbing system.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said reservoir is concealed with a removably attached lid cover.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said bowl has a perforated cover.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said inlet supply line has an inline check valve to prevent backflow.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said outlet line has an in line check valve to prevent backflow.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said pump is located remote from said reservoir.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said pump is directly connected to said drain openings.

15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said sensor is located remotely.

16. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said flow of fluid is approximately 0.5-2 liters per minute.

17. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said power source includes AC, DC, or solar energy.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said power source ranges from 12 vdc to 120 vac.

19. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said sensor is an infrared reflective sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said sensor is an infrared beam detector.

21. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.

22. A method of an animal providing water for itself comprising:

providing an apparatus having a first compartment and a reservoir, said first compartment houses a bowl, an at least solenoid valve, a sealed electronics module, and an inlet line, said reservoir in communication with a pump and operable with a switch, wherein said switch actuates said pump to discharge said fluid out of said reservoir;

attaching an inlet supply line to a fluid supply;

connecting said inlet supply line to an inlet line which transports said fluid through an inlet opening to enter said bowl;

draining said fluid continuously through an at least one drain opening located on a surface of said bowl into said reservoir;

discharging said fluid from said reservoir to a final discharge point located external to the apparatus, wherein said pump facilitates discharge of said fluid through a drain line;

providing a sensor to activate at least one solenoid valve to allow a flow of said fluid into said bowl;

activating an inlet supply when an animal triggers said sensor;

providing a connection to a powering device; and

enclosing said bowl and said reservoir in an outer shell.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said safety bin is located proximate said bowl, further wherein said safety bin has an at least one safety opening and houses a safety float switch.

23. The method of 22, wherein said drain line is connected to an outlet line which leads to the final discharge point.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said final discharge point is at least one of a main plumbing system, sump pit, kitchen sink, and any area outdoors.