Animal husbandry – Watering or liquid feed device – Drop-delivering
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-17
2001-01-09
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Watering or liquid feed device
Drop-delivering
C119S051500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170435
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is generally directed to a novel poultry drinker which position thereof can be adjusted relative to a poultry feeder positioned thereunder. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an adjustment mechanism which is used to adjust the position of the drinker relative to the feeder.
Prior art drinkers can cause excess amounts of dispensed water to be spill or leak away from the drinkers. As a result, the drinkers are required to be maintained in a separate position in the poultry house, away from the feeders also normally located therein. Because of the distances between the drinkers and feeders, the poultry tend to wander around the poultry house, thereby not maximizing the time spent drinking or feeding.
The present invention provides a novel poultry drinker and feeder that substantially eliminates problems found in the prior art and presents several advantages over the prior art which will become apparent upon a reading of the specification when examined in combination with a study of the drawings.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A general object of the present invention is to provide a novel drinker that is combined with a feeder.
Yet another general object of the present invention is to provide a novel poultry drinker which position thereof can be adjusted relative to a poultry feeder positioned thereunder.
Another general object of the present invention is to provide a novel poultry drinker that forces a bird's beak open during activation and delivers the water directly into the bird's open beak.
Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, one aspect of the present invention provides a novel adjustment mechanism for varying the height of a poultry drinker above a poultry feeder. The adjustment mechanism includes a first portion to which the feeder is attached, a second portion to which said drinker is attached, and structure, such as a pin, for fixing the position of the second portion relative to the first portion. The first portion includes a slot therein along which the second portion slides. The second portion includes a channel which extends through the slot and the fixing structure contacts the first portion and the channel to prevent movement of the second portion relative to the first portion.
The drinker used in the present invention increases water consumption by the poultry by delivering water directly into the bird's open beak which is forced open by the drinker during activation of the drinker. This allows the drinker to be combined with a feeder that supplies feed to the poultry to maximize feeding and drinking by the poultry.
The poultry drinker includes a cap and insert seated therein, a valve which is formed of a pin, and a novel attachment member that is fixedly attached to the pin. The cap is attached to a water supply source, such as a pipe which is suitably supplied with water, which supplies water to the drinker. The pin can be moved to block the flow of water from the supply pipe to the attachment member and can be moved to allow water to pass from the supply pipe to the attachment member.
The attachment member includes a body member that has a passageway, which is preferably provided through the body member, for allowing the water to pass from the supply pipe to an outlet on the body member. When a bird bites on the body member, the body member and the pin are moved relative to the cap and insert to unseat the pin from engagement with the cap and insert so as to allow water to flow from the supply pipe, into the body member passageway, out the body member outlet and into the bird's opened beak.
A first embodiment of the attachment member is formed of a funnel which includes a body member having an outer wall and an inner wall spaced from the outer wall, and wherein the water flows through the body member between the inner and outer walls. The body member includes a plurality of spaced apart ribs between the inner and outer walls for supporting the inner wall within the outer wall. The inner wall is further provided with a passageway therethrough. A plurality of spaced apart slots and a plurality of tangs are provided on the inner wall, with at least one tang being provided along the interior of the inner wall between adjacent slots. When the pin is inserted into the inner wall passageway, the inner wall flexes to allow the pin to be press fit therein and the tangs grip the pin.
A second embodiment of the attachment member is formed from a cone and includes a single-walled body member. In this second embodiment, the pin of the drinker has a flattened end which is seated in a passageway in the body member. The water flows through the body member between the flattened pin end and the interior of the body member passageway.
The attachment member may be mounted over a drip pan or troughs which catch any excess water dispensed from the attachment member. Alternatively, the drip pan or troughs can be eliminated.
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Miller Lavone L.
Momont Timothy William
CTB Inc.
Nelson Judith A.
Poon Peter M.
Trexler Bushnell Giangiorgi & Blackstone Ltd.
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