U.S. patent application number 15/048799 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-16 for portable nipple based poultry waterer.
The applicant listed for this patent is ChickenWaterer.com, LLC. Invention is credited to H. Mark Delman.
Application Number | 20160165857 15/048799 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49291298 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160165857 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Delman; H. Mark |
June 16, 2016 |
PORTABLE NIPPLE BASED POULTRY WATERER
Abstract
A portable poultry waterer is provided having a manifold with a
connector placed on the back surface to attach the manifold to a
water storage vessel. The connector extends outward in a
substantially perpendicular fashion to the manifold. Holes are
placed into the manifold to accept a plurality of longitudinally
spaced poultry nipples. One or more holes are placed into the
manifold to accept a clean out plug(s).
Inventors: |
Delman; H. Mark; (Palo Alto,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ChickenWaterer.com, LLC |
Palo Alto |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49291298 |
Appl. No.: |
15/048799 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13797389 |
Mar 12, 2013 |
9265231 |
|
|
15048799 |
|
|
|
|
61622147 |
Apr 10, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
119/72.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 7/06 20130101; A01K
39/0213 20130101; B23P 17/00 20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115 |
International
Class: |
A01K 39/02 20060101
A01K039/02 |
Claims
1. A portable nipple based poultry waterer, comprising: a manifold;
a connector disposed on a back surface of the manifold and
extending out in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
back surface of the manifold; a first clean-out plug hole disposed
on the manifold; a first nipple hole disposed on a lower surface of
the manifold, wherein the first nipple hole is configured to
receive a first poultry nipple; and a second nipple hole disposed
on the lower surface of the manifold, wherein the second nipple
hole is configured to receive a second poultry nipple, wherein the
first nipple hole and the second nipple hole are disposed on the
lower surface of the manifold such that the first nipple hole and
the second nipple hole are spaced apart by a nipple feeder
distance.
2. The portable nipple based poultry waterer of claim 1, wherein
the connector further comprises: a through-hole configured to allow
fluids to pass therethrough; a threaded portion with a diameter and
thread configured to connect to a nut; and an unthreaded portion
which is disposed between the threaded portion and the manifold and
is thicker than the threaded portion with a larger exterior
diameter.
3. The portable nipple based poultry waterer of claim 1, wherein
the nipple feeder distance is at least 3.5 inches (8.9 cm).
4. The portable nipple based poultry waterer of claim 1, further
comprising a pad with a diameter of 7/9 inches (1.9 cm) and a
thickness of 1/6 inches (0.4 cm), wherein the thickness is
inclusive of the thickness of the manifold, and wherein the pad is
placed in the first nipple hole.
5. The portable nipple based poultry waterer of claim 1, further
comprising: a second clean-out plug hole disposed on the manifold,
wherein the first clean-out plug hole is disposed on a left surface
of the manifold, and wherein the second clean-out plug hole is
disposed on a right surface of the manifold, and wherein the first
clean-out plug hole is configured to receive a first clean-out plug
and the second clean-out plug hole is configured to receive a
second clean-out plug.
6. The portable nipple based poultry waterer of claim 1, wherein
the first clean-out plug hole is disposed on a top surface of the
manifold, and wherein the first clean-out plug hole is configured
to receive one from a group consisting of a clean-out plug and ball
valve.
7. The portable nipple based poultry waterer of claim 1, wherein
the manifold is substantially circular with an internal diameter
greater than or equal to the outer diameter of a portable water
container.
8. The portable nipple based poultry waterer of claim 7, wherein
the manifold is flexible allowing for the internal diameter of the
manifold to increase to fit around the diameter of the portable
water container while also providing a grasping to the outside of
the portable water container.
9. The portable nipple based poultry waterer of claim 1, wherein
the manifold dimensions extend out in a horizontal direction
perpendicular to an outer surface of a portable water container,
wherein the manifold dimensions extend out in a horizontal
direction parallel to the outer surface of the portable water
container, wherein the manifold dimensions are such that roosting
is prevented.
10. A method to manufacture a portable nipple based poultry
waterer, the method comprising: providing a manifold; disposing a
connector on a back surface of the manifold such that the connector
extends out in a direction substantially perpendicular to the back
surface of the manifold; disposing a first clean-out plug hole on
the manifold; disposing a first nipple hole on a lower surface of
the manifold, wherein the first nipple hole is configured to
receive a first poultry nipple; and disposing a second nipple hole
on the lower surface of the manifold, wherein the second nipple
hole is configured to receive a second poultry nipple, wherein the
first nipple hole and the second nipple hole are disposed on the
lower surface of the manifold such that the first nipple hole and
the second nipple hole are spaced apart by a nipple feeder
distance.
11. The method to manufacture the portable nipple based poultry
waterer of claim 10, the method further comprising: providing a
through-hole on the connector configured to allow fluids to pass
therethrough; providing a threaded portion on the connector with a
diameter and thread configured to connect to a 5/8-11 nut;
providing an unthreaded portion on the connector which is disposed
between the threaded portion and the manifold and is thicker than
the threaded portion with a larger exterior diameter; and spacing
the first nipple hole and the second nipple hole apart such that
the nipple feeder distance is at least 3.5 inches (8.9 cm).
providing a pad that is 7/9 inches (1.9 cm) in diameter and 1/6
inches (0.4 cm) in total thickness inclusive of the thickness of
the manifold.
12. The method to manufacture the portable nipple based poultry
waterer of claim 10, the method further comprising: disposing a
second clean-out plug hole disposed on the manifold, wherein the
first clean-out plug hole is disposed on a left surface of the
manifold, and wherein the second clean-out plug hole is disposed on
a right surface of the manifold, and wherein the first clean-out
plug hole is configured to receive a first clean-out plug and the
second clean-out plug hole is configured to receive a second
clean-out plug.
13. The method to manufacture the portable nipple based poultry
waterer of claim 10, the method further comprising: wherein the
first clean-out plug hole is disposed on a top surface of the
manifold, and wherein the first clean-out plug hole is configured
to receive one from a group consisting of a clean-out plug and ball
valve.
14. The method to manufacture the portable nipple based poultry
waterer of claim 10, the method further comprising: shaping the
manifold such that the manifold is substantially rectangular
extending in a horizontal direction parallel to the outside surface
of a portable water container.
15. The method to manufacture the portable nipple based poultry
waterer of claim 10, the method further comprising: shaping the
manifold such that the manifold is substantially circular with an
internal diameter greater than or equal to the outer diameter of a
portable water container.
16. The method to manufacture the portable nipple based poultry
waterer of claim 15, the method further comprising: wherein the
manifold is flexible allowing for the internal diameter of the
manifold to increase to fit around the diameter of the portable
water container while also providing a grasping to the outside of
the portable water container.
17. The method to manufacture the portable nipple based poultry
waterer of claim 10, the method further comprising: wherein the
manifold dimensions extend out in a horizontal direction
perpendicular to an outer surface of a portable water container,
wherein the manifold dimensions extend out in a horizontal
direction parallel to the outer surface of the portable water
container, and wherein the manifold dimensions are such that
roosting is prevented.
18. A method for watering poultry using a portable nipple based
poultry waterer, the method comprising: disposing, on a manifold, a
connector on a back surface such that the connector extends out in
a direction substantially perpendicular to the back surface of the
manifold, a first clean-out hole configured to receive a first
clean-out plug hole, and a first nipple hole on a lower surface of
the manifold, wherein the first nipple hole is configured to
receive a first poultry nipple; disposing, on the manifold, a
second nipple hole disposed on the lower surface of the manifold,
wherein the second nipple hole is configured to receive a second
poultry nipple, wherein the first nipple hole and the second nipple
hole are disposed on the lower surface of the manifold such that
the first nipple hole and the second nipple hole are spaced apart
by a nipple feeder distance; connecting the manifold to a portable
water container; and running water from the portable water
container through the connector and to the first nipple hole.
19. A method for watering poultry using the portable nipple based
poultry waterer of claim 18, the method further comprising: placing
the portable water container such that the lower surface of the
manifold is at least 4 inches (10 cm) above the ground.
20. A method for watering poultry using a portable nipple based
poultry waterer of claim 18, the method further comprising: running
a cleaning agent through the first clean-out hole into the
manifold, wherein the manifold is a clear material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a contivation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/797,389 filed on Mar. 12, 2013. Accordingly, the
present application claims benefit of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/797,389 under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120. U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/797,389 is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/622,147, filed on Apr. 10, 2012, and entitled:
"PORTABLE NIPPLE BASED POULTRY WATERER," Accordingly, this
application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/622,147 under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e). U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/622,147 and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/797,389 are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to
poultry watering systems, particularly to those that are portable
and dispense water to poultry through poultry nipple valves.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Water is an essential element that is required by all
organisms in order to perform the metabolic processes required to
grow, reproduce, and respond to their environments. Not
surprisingly, the provision of safe drinking water is a concern to
those involved in animal husbandry and pet keeping. The need for
fresh water is particularly important in the raising of poultry:
Poultry need water to soften and digest their food since their diet
consists of feed and seeds that are normally quite dry. Poultry
need water to properly regulate their body temperature because
birds use a highly water-intensive process known as evaporative
cooling in order transfer heat from their bodies to the air.
Finally, poultry need water to lay eggs because eggs are 75% water
by weight.
[0006] There is a large body of prior art in the field of animal
watering systems. One category of watering system dispenses the
water into a pan or trough. In such systems, the water is directly
exposed to the open air and animals drink by scooping up the water
in their mouths and/or beaks. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 778,624;
1,933,723; 1,983,613; 3,063,217; 3,675,627; 4,794,881; 5,218,926;
6,079,361; and 7,735,455 B2 represent such open-pan or open-trough
systems intended for poultry. Similar systems are used for cats and
dogs as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,718,911 B2; 5,105,768; and
6,067,935 as well as for horses as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,934. U.S.
Pat. No. 3,921,587 represents an open pan systems that has been
configured with a series of paddles. These paddles are intended to
remove particulates that might fall into the open trough as a
result of exposure to the environment.
[0007] A second category of watering systems distributes water to
animals (particularly livestock such as chickens, turkeys and pigs)
via a series of connected pipes that are fitted with special valves
generally referred to as poultry nipples. In such systems, the
water is not exposed to the open air because it is transported to
the animals via closed pipes and then dispensed via the poultry
nipples attached to those pipes. Specifically, the animal drinks by
pecking at a stem located at the base of the poultry nipple. This
pecking action opens a valve inside the nipple that then dispenses
a quantity of water directly into the animal's mouth. U.S. Pat. No.
1,912,530 was one of the first of these closed systems and there is
a large body of prior art for such systems including, for example,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,775,227; 3,263,652; 3,610,206; 3,664,305;
3,724,425; 4,491,088; and 5,099,798.
[0008] Generally, nipple based watering systems are connected to a
fixed water tank or municipal water line. A water pressure
regulator unit is often added to the design in order to reduce the
incoming water pressure to a level that is commensurate with the
proper functioning of the poultry nipples.
[0009] Nipple based systems also incorporate components that allow
them to be cleaned of particulates and/or bacteria that might enter
the watering system from the water source. For example, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,669,422 uses inlet and exit valves to pressure flush the
watering system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,754 uses a pump, motor, tank,
and pipe fittings to drive disinfectant through the system. U.S.
Pat. No. 5,136,983 uses a water-regulator bypass valve,
self-sealing caps, and exit valve to enable high-pressure
flushing.
[0010] Open and closed watering systems (particularly those that
incorporate stretches of pipework, conduit or water channels) are
frequently equipped with mechanisms to prevent poultry from
perching upon, or above, the watering system. For example, these
watering systems include a wide range of components designed to
prevent this perching, or roosting such as: wire barriers,
electrified wire, gabled tops on which birds have difficulty
perching and various other mechanical barriers and de-stabilizing
mechanisms that discourage roosting. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,122,131;
3,285,227; 4,669,422; 5,097,798; 5,025,754; 5,184,570; 5,230,302;
5,239,944; and 6,933,446 represent such anti-roosting features.
SUMMARY
[0011] In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a
portable nipple based poultry waterer that provides a highly
portable and sanitary way to dispense water to various species of
poultry such as chickens. According to one or more embodiments of
the present invention, the portable nipple based poultry waterer
includes a manifold, a connector that is substantially
perpendicular to the manifold that attaches the portable nipple
based poultry waterer to a water storage tank, a plurality of ports
set into pads on the bottom of the manifold that are spaced apart
by a nipple feeder distance and are configured to receive poultry
nipples, and a clean-out hole into which a clean out plug is
fitted. To prevent poultry from roosting on the manifold, the
manifold extends outward in a horizontal direction parallel to the
outer surface of the portable water container.
[0012] In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method
of using the portable nipple based poultry waterer. The method
includes first attaching the portable nipple based poultry waterer
to a water storage tank of the user's choosing into which an
appropriate sized hole is drilled, filling the water storage tank
with water from a source that can be either near or distant from
where the poultry are lodged, and placing the portable nipple based
poultry waterer in a place where poultry will have access to it.
Water from the tank is forced by atmospheric pressure into the
manifold through the connector and dispensed via the poultry
nipples.
[0013] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following description and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded frontal-perspective view of a portable
nipple based poultry waterer according to one or more embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded bottom-perspective view of a portable
nipple based poultry waterer according to one or more embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a rear-perspective view of a portable nipple based
poultry waterer according to one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a bottom-view of a portable nipple based poultry
waterer according to one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 5 is perspective view of an un-mounted portable nipple
based poultry waterer and a representative water vessel into which
an appropriate sized hole is drilled according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is perspective view of a portable nipple based
poultry waterer mounted to a representative water vessel according
to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a portable nipple based poultry
waterer with increased nipple feeder distance according to one or
more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a substantially circular
portable nipple based poultry waterer according to one or more
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a substantially circular
portable nipple based poultry waterer that is mounted to a water
vessel according to one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a variety
of portable nipple based poultry waterer manifold shapes according
to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details
are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of
the invention. However, it will be apparent to one with ordinary
skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these
specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not
been described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention.
[0025] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate
generally to poultry waterers, particularly to those that are
portable and dispense water via poultry nipples. One or more
embodiments of the present invention may provide a highly sanitary,
portable and economical means to provide clean water to
poultry.
[0026] FIGS. 1-9 show various views of a portable nipple-based
poultry waterer (also known as the portable poultry waterer)
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The
particular examples shown in FIGS. 1-6 show a manifold fitted with
two poultry nipples. As will be explained in greater detail later,
the maximum number of chickens that can be accommodated by a
nipple-based poultry waterer is a function both of the number of
poultry nipples and the capacity of the water vessels, also known
as portable water containers or water storage vessels, that feeds
them. The minimum number of poultry nipples that a nipple-based
poultry watering system must have is one poultry nipple. However,
there may be instances when a nipple might clog, or malfunction in
some other way, so as to render that nipple inoperable. In such a
circumstance, it would be advantageous to have a second poultry
nipple that would function as a backup to the first poultry
nipple.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, and according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention, the poultry waterer includes
a manifold 100 that is a hollow chamber that is designed to receive
fluid from a water storage vessel 500, and to distribute that fluid
to a plurality of poultry nipples 104 located on the bottom of the
manifold. In one embodiment, the manifold is substantially
rectangular in shape. The transference of fluid from the water
storage vessel into the manifold is made possible by through-hole
302 located in connector 101. During operational use, the poultry
watering system is attached to the water storage vessel, or
portable water container, 500 by three fittings (gasket 110, washer
111 and nut 112) that work in concert with connector 101 to
effectively clamp the portable nipple based poultry waterer to the
wall of the water storage vessel. In one or more embodiments of the
present invention, other fittings may be used, for example, a
single fitting (not shown) may be used that effectively clamps in a
similar manner as the gasket 110, washer 111, and nut 112. The
manifold of the portable poultry waterer includes clean-out ports
102 that allow users to access the interior of the poultry waterer
in order to clean it. During operational use, these clean-out ports
are closed using clean-out plugs 103 that create a watertight seal.
In one or more embodiments, two such clean-out ports and clean-out
plugs are disposed on the manifold. Specifically, the clean-out
ports are located on the left and right sides of the manifold. It
should be understood, that alternative embodiments of the invention
might incorporate as few as one clean-out port and clean-out plug
or more than two of the same. Additionally, one or more embodiments
of the present invention may provide the position of theses
clean-out ports and clean-out plugs in other locations along the
body of the manifold other than the locations shown in FIGS. 1, 2,
3, 5, 6, and 8.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, and according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention, the manifold 100 is
substantially rectangular in shape and hollow so that it can hold a
quantity of fluid. Ports, or nipple holes, 200 are longitudinally
spaced along the bottom of the manifold 100 to accommodate the
insertion of poultry nipples 104. Commonly, the upper section 105
of such poultry nipples 104 are threaded so that they can be
screwed into various conduits. In one or more embodiments of the
present invention, the bottom of the manifold 100 incorporates a
plurality of raised pads 201 that surround the ports 200 to
accommodate the insertion of poultry nipples 104. The raised pads
201 are circular in shape and have a dimension that is wider than
that of the poultry nipples 104. The pads 201 serve to thicken the
manifold 100 in the area adjacent to where the nipple 104 is
inserted in order to facilitate a watertight seal between the
threaded section 105 of the poultry nipple 104 and the side of the
ports 200. During the course of normal use, a user might decide to
replace a poultry nipple 104 and, in the course of so doing,
accidentally damage the port 200. In such an instance, it would be
possible to place a gasket (not shown), or O-ring, over the
threaded section 105 of the poultry nipple prior to inserting the
nipple in the manifold in order to create a better seal. In such a
circumstance, the flat structure of pads 201 provides a good
surface for the gasket or O-ring to mate between the manifold 100
and the shoulder section 106 of the poultry nipple 104.
[0029] As shown in at least FIGS. 1-6, ports 200 provide an opening
for the insertion of poultry nipples 104. Specifically, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 4, the ports 200 are separated by a nipple feeder
distance 400. When drinking from the portable nipple based poultry
waterer, birds need physical space adjacent to the poultry nipples
in which to position their bodies. FIG. 1-6 show a portable poultry
waterer in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention where 2 poultry nipples 104 are added to the manifold 100
and the nipple feeder distance 400 is 3.5 inches (8.9 cm). In such
a system, two birds may drink simultaneously from the portable
poultry waterer by positioning their bodies in a way as to share
some of the physical space between the nipples 104, while
individually occupying a larger physical space on the side of
nipple that is unshared. In such a situation, the nipple feeder
distance 400 can be relatively short.
[0030] Further, according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, when a third, or more, poultry nipple is added to the
manifold, birds drinking from the central nipple(s) may not have
unshared space. By unshared space, it is meant that the bird
drinking at the central nipple(s) has birds on either side that are
simultaneously drinking. In such circumstances, it is possible to
increase the nipple feeder distance 400 in order to provide
additional physical space for those birds drinking at the central
nipple(s). FIG. 7 shows an example of an embodiment where the
nipple feeder distance 400 is increased to 6 inches (15.2 cm). Such
a distance would provide comfortable physical space for poultry
such as chickens.
[0031] FIGS. 1-4, and 6-8 show the use of poultry nipples in the
portable nipple based poultry waterer. Particularly, in FIGS. 1 and
2, for example, the portable nipple based poultry waterer is shown
fitted with poultry nipples 104 that screw into the manifold 100.
However, according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, it should be understood that the portable nipple based
poultry waterer can also accept other styles of poultry nipples
including, but not limited to, a style of nipple that is commonly
referred to as a "push-in" style poultry nipple (not shown). Such
push-in style nipples have an upper section (not shown) that is
substantially smooth and devoid of threads. With such push-in style
nipples, attachment to a water conduit is effected by way of a cup
shaped gasket. This gasket is placed into a port in the conduit
with a portion of the gasket sitting on the outside of the manifold
and a portion of the gasket fitting into the port hole itself. The
poultry nipple is then attached by pushing the smooth upper section
of the poultry nipple through the gasket and into the manifold. The
sides of the nipple press against the gasket creating a watertight
seal between the nipple and the manifold. In the case of one or
more embodiments of the portable nipple based poultry waterer, the
port holes 200 are constructed so that they can accept such push-in
style nipples and their accompanying gaskets 201.
[0032] According to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, the manifold 100 as described above can be constructed
from a variety of materials both rigid and semi-rigid. For example
the manifold can be made of metal or various types of plastic
including, but not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS,
PVC, polycarbonate, nylon etc. Additionally, manifold 100 can be
made of a material that can be either clear or substantially
opaque. For example, according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention, the manifold is made from a clear plastic
material, and therefore, the user is provided with the advantage of
being able to see inside the manifold when filling and cleaning the
portable nipple based poultry waterer. A clear plastic material
facilitates filling because the user can see when air has been
evacuated from inside the manifold and it is filled with water.
Likewise, cleaning is facilitated because the user can see the
impact of a brush or similar cleaning tool in removing debris or
biofilm that may have built up on the inside walls of the manifold
100.
[0033] According to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, on the back of manifold 100, is a connector 101 that is
substantially perpendicular to the back surface of the manifold.
The connector 101 is comprised of a section 300, also known as an
unthreaded portion, that is closest to the manifold, and a
narrower, threaded section 301, also known as a threaded portion.
The relative position and size of the section 300 and the threaded
section 301 allow the portable poultry waterer to be mounted to a
water vessel 500. This is accomplished by passing the narrower
threaded section 301 into a hole 501 in the water vessel 500 that
is of a substantially similar in size to threaded section 301. The
wider section 300, having a larger diameter than the both threaded
section 301 and the hole in the water vessel 500, would not be able
to pass through the hole 501. Thus, section 300 would necessarily
be positioned outside the water vessel 500 while section 301 would
be inside the water vessel 500. A user would then place gasket 110,
washer 111 and nut 112 onto the threaded section 301 of the
connector 101 that is now positioned inside the water vessel 500.
When the user tightens nut 112, the wider section 300 of connector
101 is pulled towards the outer wall of the water vessel 500 and
connects the poultry watering system to the water vessel 500 due to
the clamping forces created by the nut 112 and washer 111. Gasket
110 acts as a mechanical seal to prevent leakage of fluid between
the mating surface of the washer 111 and the interior wall of the
water vessel 500. FIG. 5 shows a representative water vessel 500
into which a hole 501 is drilled and the portable poultry waterer
prior to its attachment to that water vessel. FIG. 6 shows a
representative water vessel and the portable poultry waterer after
it has been attached as described above.
[0034] According to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, threaded section 301 has the diameter and thread
specification so as to accept a standard 5/8 inch, 11 thread per
inch, nut. It should be understood that alternate embodiments of
the connector mechanism include those that are configured to
accommodate other standard U.S., metric and other international
standard nut sizes, thread pitches and through hole diameters.
Likewise the length of the threaded section can be such as to
attach the portable poultry waterer to water vessels whose walls
are of varying thicknesses.
[0035] FIG. 6 also shows that when mounted as described above,
manifold 100 is held in close proximity to the outer wall of the
water vessel 500, and the ends of the manifold 100 are such that
they do not extend materially beyond the perimeter of the water
vessel 500. To roost, a bird perches on an object with
approximately 1/2 of its body on either side of the perch. The
position of manifold 100 relative to the water storage vessel 500
denies the bird approximately 1/2 of the space it needs to
effectively perch. Specifically, the denied space is on the side of
the manifold 100 that is closest to the water storage vessel 500.
Thus, the position of the manifold 100 relative to that of the wall
of the water storage vessel 500 deters roosting.
[0036] On occasion, users may wish to have access to the interior
of the manifold 100 in order to clean it. This situation may arise
if a user knocks debris into the water when filling the portable
poultry waterer, or because bacterial film has developed inside the
manifold over the course of normal use. In such circumstances, it
is possible to access the interior of the manifold to remove these
contaminants. Clean-out ports 102 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 8
provides this access. The clean-out ports 102 allow the user to
flush the manifold 100 with water from a hose or faucet to drive
debris and bacteria from the interior of the manifold 100.
Alternatively, a user could use a bottlebrush, or similar cleaning
instrument, to mechanically dislodge debris and bacteria from the
interior of the manifold 100 and or to rinse the interior with a
sanitizing solution.
[0037] During normal operation of the portable nipple based poultry
waterer, the clean-out ports 102 are sealed with clean-out plugs
103. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention,
the clean-out plugs 103 are made of plastic and have a tapered
barrel. To seal port 102, a user inserts a plug 103 into the open
port 102 and pushes it into manifold 100. As the plug 103 is
inserted to an increasing depth within the manifold 101, the
tightness of the fit between the plug 103 and the sides of the port
102 are correspondingly increased till a watertight seal is
achieved. It should be understood that alternate embodiments of
plug 103 could be made of a variety of materials including, but not
limited to, plastic, cork, rubber etc.
[0038] Once the portable nipple based poultry waterer is attached
to the water storage vessel 500, a user may fill the water storage
vessel with fluid. During normal filling operation, the user
partially fills the tank with fluid. The user then tips the
portable nipple based poultry waterer and tank forward to allow air
trapped inside manifold 100 to bubble out of the manifold 100
through tank 500. The user then returns the portable nipple based
poultry waterer and tank to a position substantially parallel with
the ground and continues filling the tank. Under the force of
atmospheric pressure, the fluid is drawn into the manifold 100 via
through-hole 302 located in connector 101. The fluid is then
distributed to the poultry nipples 104 by manifold 100. Thirsty
birds drink by pecking at a stem 107 located at the base of the
poultry nipples 104. This pecking causes the stem 107 of the nipple
104 to rise, opening the valve within the poultry nipple 104. Water
is then dispensed into the bird's beak. When the bird disengages
its beak from the nipple 104, the stem 107 falls, closing off the
flow of water. As birds draw water from the manifold 100 of the
portable poultry waterer, it is automatically replenished from the
water storage vessel 500 that continuously re-supplies the manifold
100 with water as a result of the atmospheric pressure. When the
water storage vessel 500 is empty, the user refills the tank 500 to
provide a fresh supply of water to the poultry.
[0039] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a clean
out port, similar to port 102, may be located on the top of
manifold 100. Such a clean out port would have a dual function. As
mentioned previously, such a port would allow a point of access to
clean the interior of the manifold 100. Additionally, such a port
would also be useful when filling the portable nipple based poultry
waterer. As described earlier, during normal filling operation, the
user tips the portable nipple based poultry waterer forward to
allow air trapped inside manifold 100 to bubble out of the manifold
100 through tank 500. A clean out port located on the top of the
manifold 100 would speed the filling process and eliminate the need
to tip the tank 500 forward in order to drive out any air trapped
inside the manifold 100. The user would remove the plug covering
this clean out port and then begin filling the tank 500. The water
would enter manifold 100 under the force of atmospheric pressure,
and any air inside the manifold 100 would be exhausted through the
port located on the top of the manifold 100 by the force of the
entering water. When the air had been driven out of the manifold
100, the user would replace the plug covering the port on the top
of the manifold 100 to seal it.
[0040] Alternatively, the port-hole may be opened and closed by way
of a ball valve rather than a plug. Ball valves are mechanisms that
permit, or restrict, the flow liquids and gasses and are widely
used in gas, plumbing and irrigation systems. A small ball valve
such as those commonly used in drip irrigation systems can be
fitted into the port hole on the top of the manifold 100 using a
cup-shaped gasket such as the ones described above. The user would
open the valve to allow air to be evacuated from the manifold 100
when filling the portable nipple based poultry waterer. When the
air had been driven from the manifold 100 by the force of entering
water, the user would close the valve and then continue
filling.
[0041] According to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, to allow the birds to drink, the portable nipple based
poultry waterer could be situated at a height above the ground that
places the stem 107 of the poultry nipples at approximately the
bird's eye-level. The exact height to position the stem above the
ground depends on the type of poultry, the breed and its age. For
example, the height for a 1-day old chicken is approximately 4
inches above the ground. For a fully mature chicken, the height is
approximately 19 inches above the ground. Users have many options
for positioning the portable poultry waterer at the right height
for their particular poultry birds. For example, the poultry
waterer can be placed on a flat, elevated surface such as a
brick(s), a milk crate(s), a cinder block(s), a trees stump, a
small table or other convenient object. Alternatively, the portable
poultry waterer might be hung from a rope, chain, or hook if the
water vessel chosen by the user has a suitable handle, hook or
other mounting fixture.
[0042] FIGS. 6 and 9 show one or more embodiments of the present
invention where the portable poultry waterer is attached to
cylindrically shaped water storage vessels. Commercially available
water coolers designed for use by humans conforms to this general
shape, and are manufactured with a hole 501 into which a spigot is
placed. On many such human water coolers, the spigot can be
removed, leaving a hole that can be of appropriate diameter for
attachment of the portable poultry waterer. These water coolers
often include a handle in their design that makes them easy to
transport and hang. In consequence, human water coolers are
particularly well suited as water vessels for the poultry waterer.
However, it should be understood that the portable poultry waterer
is designed so that it can be attached to a wide range of water
storage vessels into which an appropriate sized hole is drilled.
These vessels can be of many different shapes, sizes and water
capacities to suit the watering requirements of the flock and the
user's aesthetic preferences.
[0043] As a general rule of thumb, a poultry nipple is required for
every 8 chickens. FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the portable
poultry waterer with a longer manifold 700 and three poultry
nipples 104. In this embodiment, the nipple feeder distance 400 is
increased to 6 inches (15.2 cm) to provide room for three birds to
drink simultaneously from the poultry watering system.
Specifically, the nipple feeder distance 400 is increased to
provide room for the bird drinking from the central nipple 104.
While FIG. 7 shows a portable nipple based poultry waterer with
three poultry nipples 104, it should be understood that a portable
poultry waterer with additional nipples might be created by
increasing the length of the manifold and adding additional ports
200 and pads 201 longitudinally to the bottom of the manifold. It
should also be understood that the nipple feeder distance might
also be increased in order to make an aesthetically pleasing
arrangement of nipples along the bottom of the manifold.
[0044] As show in FIGS. 8 and 9, and according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention, a manifold 800 is made
flexible/semi-rigid plastic and is substantially circular in shape
with an internal diameter that is greater or equal to the outer
diameter of the portable water container 500. It should be
understood that the manifold 800 can be constructed so as to
generally mirror the perimeter shape of a variety of water storage
vessels including, but not limited to, those that are square,
rectangular, triangular, pentagonal etc. Likewise, it should be
understood that the overall capacity of the aforementioned water
storage container is variable. Users can choose water storage
vessels of various capacities and a portable poultry waterer with
varying numbers of poultry nipples to match the daily water
requirements of their flocks. A general guideline for users is to
select a portable nipple based poultry waterer that uses 1 nipple
and delivers 1/2 gallon of water for every 8 birds in the flock.
Such a portable poultry waterer would supply said flock with a
1-day supply of water. In other words, the user would only need to
fill the portable poultry waterer one time each day to provide a
sufficient quantity of water to maintain a flock of 8 birds. A
portable poultry waterer pairing two nipples with a two gallons
water supply would accommodate a flock of 16 chickens with a 2-day
supply of water etc. etc.
[0045] It should be further understood that alternative embodiments
of the portable nipple based poultry waterer include those with
manifolds of various profile shapes. Attention is directed to FIG.
10 that shows three example manifold shapes showing profiles that
are square 1000, rectangular 1001, and circular 1002. However, it
should be understood that many other shapes are suitable for the
manifold.
[0046] To use at least one or more embodiments of the portable
nipple based poultry waterer, a user should select a water storage
vessel or portable water container. The user has many options with
regard to the form factor, cost, fluid capacity, and construction
materials for this water storage vessel or portable water
container. Water coolers created for human use represent an
excellent choice because they are insulated, often include a handle
in the design, and generally already have a hole drilled into them
to accept a spigot. To remove this spigot does not require the use
of tools. The user simply turns the spigot (generally in a counter
clockwise direction) until it unscrews from the body of the cooler.
Once the spigot is removed, the body of the cooler has an opening
into which the user can insert one or more embodiments of the
portable nipple based poultry waterer. The user would do so by
inserting the threaded end into the hole in the wall of the water
cooler until the larger end of the connector mechanism comes into
contact with the outer wall of the cooler. The user would then
place their other hand inside the cooler and place a gasket, washer
and nut in that order onto the threaded end of the connector and
tighten the nut until the portable nipple based poultry waterer
clamps tightly to the body of the water cooler. No tools are
required to effectively make this attachment since a "finger tight"
rotation of the nut is all that is required to create a watertight
seal.
[0047] Such coolers come in a variety of capacities such as
2-gallon, 3-gallon, 5-gallon, 10-gallon etc. A user can choose a
cooler size to match the daily water requirements of the flock, or
choose a water capacity that would provide several days worth of
water for the flock. Such a choice would allow the user to re-fill
the water storage container less frequently than once per day.
[0048] The range of potential water storage vessels for one or more
embodiments of the portable nipple based poultry waterer are almost
limitless; for example, other potential water storage vessel
include containers such as: plastic pitchers for dispensing
beverages, refrigerator water bottles, re-sealable plastic
containers used by consumers for food storage, hard-sided water
storage containers designed for camping and outdoor recreation,
round and square plastic pails used in the food-service industry to
store and transport food items, and cube-shaped collapsible plastic
liquid containers used by consumers and commercial customers for a
wide range of applications to name just a few. All of the above
containers are typically made of food grade plastic, come equipped
with a removal lid that is large enough for a user to insert their
hand into the body of the container for the purpose of mounting the
portable nipple based poultry waterer, and have either dedicated
handles or hand-holds that make them easy for the user to transport
the portable poultry waterer from a water source to the place where
the chickens are lodging and back again.
[0049] To install one or more embodiments of the portable nipple
based poultry waterer into the above mentioned water storage
containers would require the user to drill a hole in the side of
the container. In the case of one or more embodiments of the
present invention, a standard 5/8 inch drill bit would be used to
create this hole. Both the drill and the drill bit are commonly
available hardware items.
[0050] Users are not required to have specialized training or skill
in order to use these tools to create a hole. The user would insert
the drill bit into the drill and place the chosen water storage
container on a flat surface. The user would then start the drill
and press it against the side of the water storage container in a
location 2.25 inches or more above the bottom of the storage
vessel. This 2.25 inch distance provides clearance between the flat
surface onto which the water storage container may be placed and
the bottom of the poultry nipples that are situated beneath the
manifold of the portable poultry waterer. As will be described
later, with the use of certain containers, a user may need to drill
a second smaller hole into the top of the water storage vessel to
prevent a vacuum from forming inside the water storage container
that would slow down the flow of water to the portable nipple based
poultry waterer. Once the water storage container has been prepared
for use by drilling, one or more embodiments of the portable nipple
based poultry waterer could be attached to the water storage
container in the same manner as described above.
[0051] After the user has completed the installation, the user has
many options for filling the water storage container on which the
portable nipple based poultry waterer is mounted. One option is to
fill the water storage container at an interior water faucet, which
is located at a distance from the place where the chickens are
lodging, and then carry the portable poultry waterer to that place
of lodging using the handles or hand holds on the water storage
container. Alternatively, a user can fill the water storage
container at an exterior water faucet, a well, a pond, or a stream
and then transport the portable nipple based poultry waterer to the
chicken's place of lodging in much the same fashion. A user may
also decide to place the portable nipple based poultry waterer at
the place where the poultry are lodging and then fill the water
storage container from a hose that is connected to the municipal
water supply or a private well with pump.
[0052] To fill the container, the user would pour water into the
cavity of the water storage vessel or portable water container
until the water level rises above the top of the threaded section
of the connector mechanism. The user would then tip the container
forward (towards the portable nipple based poultry waterer) so that
the portable poultry waterer is temporarily placed closer to the
ground then the backside of the container. This tilt in the water
storage container would allow any air trapped inside the manifold
of the portable nipple based poultry waterer to bubble out of the
manifold through the connector hole. The user is able to observe
the bubbles rising through the water inside the water container and
ascertain when the manifold is substantially free of air because
the bubbling would slow or cease. In the case where manifold 100 is
made of a transparent material, the user would also be able to
visually observe the flow of water into the manifold and the exit
of air from the manifold by looking at manifold 100 during filling.
Once the air is driven from the manifold, the user would remove the
tilt placed on the container and continue filling the water storage
container till full.
[0053] After filling, the user would place the lid on the water
storage container. If the water storage container is such where the
lid creates a hermetic, or airtight seal, a vacuum would form
inside the water storage container as water is consumed by animals
drinking from the watering system. This would slow down the flow of
water from the portable nipple based poultry waterer. To prevent
this vacuum from forming, the water storage container needs a vent
to allow air to enter and break the vacuum. The method to create
the vent depends on the water storage container selected by the
user. Many brands of water coolers for human use have a vent cap
built into the lid. To vent this type of container, the user lifts
the cap until it snaps into place. This allows air to enter a small
hole located in the cap. Once open, the user does not need touch
the cap ever again. However, users would have the option to close
the vent if they desired to do so by pushing the vent cap down
until it snaps into the closed position. Other brands of water
coolers may come equipped with a folding spout built into the lid.
To create a vent with this type of water cooler, the user would
simply lift the spout. In the upright position, the spout is in the
open position and this would allow air to flow into the container
through the spout mechanism. For any other type of hermetically
sealed container, the user would need to create a vent by drilling
a hole in the cap of the container. The hole can be of any size as
long as it breaks the hermetic seal and allows air to enter the
water storage container. To create this hole, a user can employ any
drill bit they have on hand. Once a hole of this type is placed
into the lid, the water container will automatically be vented
whenever the user replaces the lid on the water storage
container.
[0054] Once filled and vented, the user can place at least one or
more of the embodiments of the portable nipple based poultry
waterer in a location where the poultry are lodging. This could be
inside a coop, in an enclosed pen, in a paddock area, or an open
field where the birds are free ranging. The user would then set one
or more embodiments of the portable nipple based poultry waterer at
a height off the ground that is approximately eye-level with the
birds that are to drink the water. This height depends on the
specie of bird and its age. For example, the nipple will be placed
relatively close to the ground for baby chickens, higher off the
ground for mid-sized game birds such as quail, and higher still for
full grown chickens or turkeys.
[0055] A user has many options for properly positioning the
portable nipple based poultry waterer. A user can set the portable
nipple based poultry waterer onto an elevated flat surface created
with one or a combination of any of the following materials: a tree
stump, bricks, cinder blocks, milk crates, a low table, paving
stones, wooden pallets, a wooden or plastic garden box etc. etc. If
the water storage container includes a handle, the user might also
choose to hang the portable nipple based poultry waterer using a
rope or chain suspended from a beam within the coop, a tree branch,
a fence post, or a garden hook (also sometimes called a shepherds
hook). Because of the many placement options, users of the portable
nipple based poultry waterer can increase the height of the
portable poultry waterer above the ground as the birds in the flock
age and grow. Likewise, users have the option to adjust the height
of the watering system if they change the types of birds they
choose to keep. For example, a user might first use the watering
system for a flock of mid-sized game birds like quail, and at a
later date, decide to change their poultry flock to a large breed
of chicken such as the Jersey Giant and raise the height of the
portable poultry waterer to match the increased height of those
large-sized fowl.
[0056] Once in position, birds have the opportunity to drink
whenever they desire water. One or more embodiments of the portable
nipple based poultry waterer automatically provides water to birds
whenever they demand it. To take a drink, a bird would position
itself adjacent to one of the poultry nipples and peck at the metal
stem located at the base of the nipple. Poultry are naturally
inquisitive and will peck at various objects in search of food.
Poultry nipples are generally made of bright orange or yellow
plastic so they catch the bird's attention. A bird will peck at the
nipple and cause the stem in the nipple to rise. This opens the
valve and water flows down the stem and into the bird's beak. When
the bird disengages its beak from the poultry nipple, the stem
falls, closing off the flow of water.
[0057] After pecking at the nipples several times, the birds
quickly learn that they can drink whenever thirsty by pecking at
the nipples. Users of poultry nipples have also discovered that it
is possible to teach poultry how to use these nipples. To do this,
a user taps at the stem of the poultry nipple in the presence of
the poultry. The sound of the stem clicking against the wall of the
nipple, and the sight of water droplets, attract the birds to the
poultry nipples. The user then retracts their finger from the
nipple and gives the birds an opportunity to investigate the
poultry nipple in greater detail. The bird's natural
inquisitiveness is stimulated and the birds begin pecking at the
poultry nipples.
[0058] As birds drink from the nipples, water is forced from the
water storage container into the manifold by the force of
atmospheric pressure. When the water storage tank is empty, the
user can refill it by carrying the portable poultry waterer to a
source of water and filling it there, or by leaving the portable
poultry waterer in place and filling it with a hose as described
above.
[0059] Poultry instinctively perch in places above ground level
because it offers shelter from potential predators. They may perch
in such places to rest during the day and are particularly apt to
perch after the sun goes down in order to sleep. To perch or roost,
a bird uses its talons to grasp a tree branch or similarly shaped
object, placing the perch beneath its body and with approximately
one-half of its body on either side of the perch in order to
maintain its balance. Owners of poultry often include specific
roosting places in their coop designs to give birds places where
they can perch. However, birds will perch on other objects if given
the opportunity. As has been mentioned, a water pipe or conduit
would provide such a place. From the perspective of the user, a
water conduit is an unacceptable perching place. Birds might damage
the conduit because of their weight. Additionally, birds perching
on the conduit might defecate and soil any poultry nipples that are
underneath their roosting place.
[0060] To prevent poultry from roosting on one or more embodiments
of the portable nipple based poultry waterer, the manifold is
designed so that birds will not be able to maintain their balance
on the manifold. This is achieved by placing the manifold close to
the body of the water storage container. If a bird attempts to
perch on the manifold of the portable poultry waterer, the bird's
body would encounter the wall of the water storage vessel. The bird
would not be able to situate itself in a way that would establish a
state of equilibrium (gravitational balance). As a result, the bird
would be forced to abandon its effort to perch on the manifold. In
practice, birds such as poultry, have an intuitive understanding of
the space required for them to perch and may not even test whether
its possible for them to use the manifold as a perch based on their
observation of the manifold.
[0061] During the course of normal use, it may become necessary to
clean the portable nipple based poultry waterer because sediments
or minerals in the water collect in the manifold, or because
bacteria builds up in the manifold over time. All water, including
municipal tap water, contains some free-floating bacteria. These
bacteria can attach themselves to the walls of a poultry waterer.
Once attached, they form an anchor point for other strains of
bacteria that could not adhere to the wall of the watering system
on their own. Over time, more types of bacteria attach themselves
to the wall and create a layer of slime or biofilm. This biofilm
can then harbor a variety of bacteria, fungi and viruses that are
both harmful to chickens and people including E. coli and
Campylobacter Jejuni that cause food poisoning and diarrhea. One or
more embodiments of he portable nipple based poultry waterer is
designed to allow users to periodically clean the interior of these
sediments and bacteria
[0062] One option to clean sediment from one or more embodiments of
the portable nipple based poultry waterer is to leave it attached
to the water storage container and fill the water storage container
partially full with clean water. The user would then rock the water
container backward and forward several times to drive water into
and out of the manifold in order to dislodge any sediment. The user
would then empty out the tank of the water and sediment and refill
it with fresh water for the poultry.
[0063] A similar operation can be performed with the objective of
sanitizing the manifold of bacteria. In this case, the one or more
embodiments of the poultry watering system are flushed as described
above. However, the tank is filled with a sanitizing agent. Users
can purchase various brands of sanitizers to eliminate bacteria,
fungi and other microorganisms. A 10% solution of household bleach
and 90% water is a cheap and readily available sanitizer that can
also be used for this purpose. To sanitize the one or more
embodiments of the portable nipple based poultry waterer, the user
would pour the sanitizing liquid into the water storage container
and then tip the container towards the portable poultry waterer so
that the sanitizing fluid enters the manifold and drives out any
air trapped inside the manifold. The user would then wait 10
minutes, at which point the sanitizing agent will have killed much
of the bacteria and microorganisms trapped inside the manifold. The
user would empty out the sanitizing solution and refill the
container with clean water. The user would then drive any remaining
sanitizing liquid from the manifold by filling the water storage
container with clean water and rocking it forward and backward to
drive water into and out of the manifold. By repeating this process
several times, the sanitizing liquid can be substantially removed
from the manifold. The portable poultry waterer would then be ready
for use.
[0064] However, there may be cases when the above procedure is not
sufficient to drive sediment out of the manifold or to eliminate
the layer of biofilm if it has gotten particularly thick. In such a
case, the user can open one, or more, of the clean out plugs
located on the manifold according to one or more embodiments of the
present invention and flush the system with a jet of water from a
water faucet or hose. The user also has the option to use a
bottlebrush, or similar cleaning instrument, along with some
dishwashing detergent to gently scrub the interior of the manifold
through one or more of the clean out holes as well as the through
hole in the connector unit. After this mechanical cleaning of the
interior surfaces, the user would wash away any detergent, replace
the clean out plug(s) and sanitize the portable poultry waterer
with a sanitizing agent as described above.
[0065] If the user prefers to do so, one or more embodiments of the
portable nipple based poultry waterer can be removed from the water
storage unit prior to cleaning or sanitizing. To do this, the user
would unscrew the nut holding the portable nipple based poultry
waterer to the water storage container, remove the gasket and
washer and then withdraw the watering system from the hole in water
storage container. Once removed, the user has the option to flush
the unit with tap water from a faucet or hose, to clean the unit
with a bottlebrush, and then to soak the portable nipple based
poultry watering system and attachment fittings in a bucket or bowl
containing sanitizing solution. Once clean and sanitized, the user
would wash any sanitizing solution away and re-mount the portable
poultry waterer on the water storage container.
[0066] While not described here, it should be understood that the
exterior of the portable nipple based poultry system may be cleaned
of any dirt that may have landed on the exterior of the unit with a
sponge, paper towel or other cleaning tool and a combination of
water, detergent and sanitizing solution using procedures similar
to those described above.
[0067] As discussed above, one or more embodiments of the portable
nipple based poultry waterer is designed to prevent poultry from
roosting upon the manifold. This protects the portable poultry
waterer from damage due to the weight of the bird and also soiling
of the exterior of the manifold by a bird sitting on top of the
manifold. This anti-roosting feature will be operational regardless
of the portable water storage container selected by the user.
[0068] The portable nipple based poultry waterer supplies water to
poultry in a manner that is substantially closed to the open
environment. Specifically, the water is drawn from a covered water
storage container and then dispensed directly into the bird's
mouths through poultry nipples. As a result, the bird's water
supply is shielded from various contaminants in the environment.
Chickens natural behavior is to scratch the ground when they search
for food. In the process, they kick dirt, debris, and their own
droppings into the air and these contaminants can land in the
poultry's water supply if the water supply is exposed to the open
air.
[0069] The portable nipple based poultry waterer can provide birds
with fresh water that is substantially free of contaminants and
off-tastes. Research has shown that birds offered clean,
taste-free, water tend to drink more. This is important because
water is critical to poultry health. As mentioned earlier, water is
an important nutrient for poultry because it helps them regulate
their body temperature and thus prevent heat stroke. It also helps
poultry soften and digest their dry food that is substantially dry
and in need of hydration. Many poultry owners are particularly
interested in raising poultry for the eggs they produce. Eggs are
75% water by weight, so egg production is also dependent on birds
getting adequate supplies of water.
[0070] In addition, the portable nipple based poultry waterer may
also slow, or prevent, the spread of disease among the flock. This
is due to the fact that the water supply is also shielded from
fecal contamination that is an agent for spreading diseases. By
reducing the potential for contamination by dirt, debris, feces and
microbes, the portable nipple based poultry waterer can improve
poultry health, productivity and comfort.
[0071] Cleaner water is also a direct benefit to users of the
portable nipple based poultry waterer. Water that has become soiled
with dirt and feces requires immediate cleaning. The portable
nipple based poultry waterer may reduce the probability of such
contamination occurring. Rather than requiring daily cleaning, as
is often the case when the water is exposed to the open air, the
portable poultry waterer may only require cleaning once per month
or less frequently. Furthermore, the user is likely to find
cleaning the portable nipple based poultry waterer more pleasant
because the cleaning tasks are more likely to be weighted towards
light cleaning and sanitization than to heavy cleaning and the
removal of dirt, debris and feces.
[0072] Importantly, the components incorporated into the portable
nipple based poultry waterer that allows user to clean the system
are both simple and inexpensive. For example, one or more
embodiments of the portable nipple based poultry waterer use only
clean out holes and inexpensive clean out plugs to allow access to
the interior of the unit to facilitate cleaning. As a result, the
cost of the portable nipple based poultry waterer, and the
complexity of maintenance of those components, is quite minimal.
This is particularly advantageous to owners of small flocks, who
might consider more complex cleaning systems as uneconomical.
Furthermore, no specific maintenance tasks are required to maintain
the clean out plugs as might be required with more complex systems.
In the event a user damages or loses a clean out plug, a
replacement can be purchased very inexpensively and installed
easily.
[0073] The mobility of the portable nipple based poultry waterer
represents an important advantage to users in a variety of
ownership situations. In urban environments, owners may keep
poultry in a coop located on a rooftop where there is no immediate
access to water. In such a situation, a user can fill the portable
nipple based poultry waterer at their residential faucet and then
transport the portable poultry waterer to a coop on the roof. In
rural areas, the source of water may be distant from the place
where the poultry are lodging. In this case, the portable poultry
waterer may be filled from the municipal water line connected to
the user's residence or from a well adjacent to that residence and
then transported to the poultry coop or pen. Some users allow their
birds to roam freely in open areas called paddocks. The paddocks
are separated by wire fences, stone walls, and/or other barriers.
Owners typically move the poultry flock from one paddock to another
over time, allowing the flock to forage for plants and bugs in one
area and then transferring them to a new paddock when the poultry
have depleted the resources in that area. In such a situation, the
portable poultry waterer can be moved along with the flock from one
paddock to another. A similar situation exists for users who place
their flocks in temporary pens generally referred to as chicken
tractors. The chicken tractor is an enclosure on wheels. Poultry
are placed into the enclosure during the day and allowed to forage.
Typically, the chicken tractor is moved from location to location
on the user's property for much the same reasons that poultry are
moved from paddock to paddock. In such a situation, the portable
poultry waterer would be moved along with the tractor so as to
ensure a supply of water for the birds.
[0074] The mobility of the portable nipple based poultry waterer is
also advantageous for users living in colder climates. The portable
poultry waterer can be placed outdoors during warm months and then
moved into a heated coop during the winter. If the user's coop is
not heated and the temperature falls to below freezing, the water
in any poultry watering system is likely to freeze. If the system
is not mobile, removing the ice may be difficult or impossible.
However, the portable nipple based poultry waterer can be taken
into a heated environment in order to thaw any ice that might
develop inside the manifold or the water storage container. In
environments where day-time temperatures are routinely below
freezing, a user can use two portable poultry waterers to ensure a
continuous supply of water for the flock. In this case, the user
would place one portable poultry waterer outside for use by the
poultry and keep the second portable poultry waterer in a heated
environment where it would not freeze. If the water in the first
portable poultry waterer freezes, the user could replace the frozen
waterer with the one that was in the heated environment. By
rotating the two portable poultry waterers between outdoor and
indoor environments, the user could ensure a continuous supply of
liquid water for the poultry throughout the winter.
[0075] As has been described earlier, one or more embodiments of
the portable nipple based poultry waterer allows users to choose
from a very wide range of water storage containers. This is
advantageous because it allows users to choose a water reservoir
that meets their specific needs including: dimensional size, water
capacity, durability, aesthetics and price. Users can purchase a
water storage container, or can re-purpose a container that they
already own, making the portable nipple based poultry waterer a
very inexpensive and flexible option for such users. Users can also
attach the portable nipple based poultry waterer to different water
storage containers over time, allowing them to adapt the system to
their changing needs.
[0076] Finally, the portable nipple based poultry waterer deters
birds from roosting without incorporating dedicated anti-roosting
components and systems into the design. Rather, the portable nipple
based poultry waterer uses its own proximity to the water storage
tank as the mechanism to prevent this roosting. As such, the design
of the portable nipple based poultry waterer is simple and does not
require incorporation of mechanical or electric elements that would
add cost, complexity and maintenance tasks for the user. Such a
system might be particularly attractive to owners of small flocks
who would view dedicated anti-roosting components and systems as
uneconomical or overly complex for their needs.
[0077] While the invention has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments
can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention
as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should
be limited only by the attached claims.
* * * * *