Water Dispenser For Small Animals

Abstract

A funnel securely mounted within a casing has a metal ball displaceably fitted in its bottom opening. A tube swingably supported by a rubber disk has its funnel-shaped upper end positioned opposite to the ball partly projecting out of the bottom opening of the funnel. When the tube is swung about the disk by the application of a force at its lower end, the funnel-shaped upper end of the tube lifts the ball by leverage, so that water stored in the funnel flows down into the tube. In another embodiment of the invention, the spacing between the ball and the funnel-shaped upper end of the tube is made adjustable to regulate the rate of water flow into the latter.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for dispensing controlled amounts of drinking water to comparatively small animals, and in particular to such a water dispenser designed principally for mice, rats and similar animals being bred in a confined space for experimental purposes.

A water dispenser of this kind must, above all, be of watertight or leakage-free construction because an excessively wetted cage or other enclosures can lead to the death of some experimental animals confined therein. Such animals are particularly susceptible to the moisture of wood chips or the like generally used to cover the bottom of the cage, and it is important to note that the wood chips can be thoroughly moistened in a day or two by the water leaking drop by drop from the dispenser. However, O-rings or like means heretofore employed to seal against leakage have made the prior water dispensers unnecessarily complex and expensive.

Further, most of these prior devices make use of springs for controlled water dispensation. These spring-type water dispensers have a serious drawback in that leakage can easily occur if their springs are made highly yielding to render the devices responsive to slight pressures exerted by the animals. The leakage thus caused can be prevented only by making the devices less responsive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved water dispenser of the class referred to which is of simple and inexpensive construction but in which the possibility of water leakage is minimized.

Another object of the invention is to provide a water dispenser of the above described class in which leverage is utilized to make the device highly responsive to forces exerted by water-seeking animals, without sacrificing its watertightness.

A further object of the invention is to provide a water dispenser of the above described class capable of dispensing water is a well-regulated manner when actuated.

According to the present invention, briefly summarized, there is provided a water dispenser comprising a casing, a funnel securely mounted within the casing for the storage of water to be dispensed, valve means provided at the bottom of the funnel, the valve means being normally closed, a tube depending from within the casing and having a lower end projecting downwardly out of the casing, the tube having an upper end positioned adjacent to the valve means, and a member of resilient material on the bottom of the casing swingably supporting the tube at a point closer to the upper end thereof, the relation of the valve means and the upper end of the tube being such that when the tube is swung relative to the member by a force applied to the lower end thereof, the upper end acts on the valve means to cause the same to open thereby permitting the water within the funnel to flow down into and out of the tube through the valve means.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of this invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, throughout which like parts are designated by like reference numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation, partly in vertical section, showing an example of a water dispenser according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation, with parts shown by phantom outlines, showing a modification of the water dispenser of FIG. 1 in which two metal balls are used to keep the bottom opening of a funnel normally closed;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a rubber disk mounted on the bottom of the dispenser of FIG. 1 and a pipe extending centrally therethrough;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view explanatory of the relationship between the rubber disk, the pipe, and a ball keeping the bottom opening of the funnel normally closed in the dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing another example of a water dispenser according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, partly in vertical section, showing the pipe together with the disk and the ball as used in the dispenser of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is partial vertical sectional view showing the flattened lower end of the pipe of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With particular reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the water dispenser illustrated therein by way of a first perferred embodiment of the invention comprises essentially a container section 1, a cap section 2, and a bottom section 3. All these sections may be conveniently molded of acrylic resin or other synthetic resins or plastics. The container section 1 has a tapered interior with conical inner surface 4 to receive a conical funnel 5 of rubber or like material. This funnel 5 has a bottom opening 6 which is normally closed by a valve member or metal ball 7 having a slightly greater diameter than the opening 6. The water within the funnel 5 is thus prevented from flowing out of its bottom opening. It should be noted that when the ball 7 is fully lowered to its normal stationary position under its own weight, nearly all of its lower half projects out of the bottom opening.

Around the lower rim of the cap section 2, there is formed an annular groove 8 to divide the same into an inner portion 9 and an outer portion 10. The inner surface of the outer portion 10 is screw threaded at 10a to mesh with external screw threads formed on the container section 1. The lower rim 11 of the inner portion 9 presses the upper rim 12 of the funnel 5 against the inner surface of the container section 1, thereby preventing the overflow of water out of the funnel and also securely retaining the same in position within the container section 1.

The bottom section 3 has a cylindrical upper portion 14, into which is screwed the lower end portion 13 of the container section 1, and a cylindrical lower portion 16 of smaller diameter extending downward from the center of the cylindrical upper portion 14. Extending with appropriate clearance through the hollow interior of the cylindrical lower portion 16 is a tube 15 which is retained in position by a disk 19 of rubber or similarly resilient material held between the lower surface 17 of the container section 1 and a ledge surface 18 of the bottom section 3. It should be noted that the tube 15 is frictionally secured to the disk 19 and extends watertightly through the center of the disk 19, as shown in FIG. 3 in particular.

As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 4, the tube 15 has a funnel-shaped upper end 20, which is placed to coaxially confront the ball 7 projecting out of the bottom opening 6 of the funnel 5. It is important that the tube 15 be so positioned by the disk 19 as to provide a suitable spacing between its funnel-shaped upper end 20 and the ball 7. This positioning of the tube 15 will be easier if, as in FIG. 4, it is provided with projections 21 which are to come into contact with the disk 19 when the tube is properly supported thereby. The tube 15 is further formed with one or more perforations 22 of capillary dimensions above the position of the disk 19, and with an air vent 23 therebelow. The lower end of this tube 15 projects out of the lower end 25 of the cylindrical lower portion 16 of the bottom section 3, as seen in FIG. 1.

For use, the water dispenser of the above described construction may be suitably mounted within a cage or the like in such a manner that the lower end 24 of its tube 15 is positioned within easy reach of the animals confined therein. The funnel 5 is filled with water W. No leakage takes place through its bottom opening 6 because this opening is now completely closed by the valve member or ball 7. Since the smell of water is conveyed to the projecting lower end 25 of the tube 15 through its perforation or perforations 22, as hereinafter explained in more detail, a thirsty animal will instinctively nudge the tube end 24 with its nose upon sensing this smell of water.

The force thus exerted to the lower end of the tube 15 causes its funnel-shaped upper end 20 to turn about a line lying in the plane of the disk 19 and thus to lift the ball 7 by leverage. Through the gap formed as a resultant between the ball and the lower edge of the funnel 5, the water flows down into the funnel-shaped upper end 20 of the tube 15 as well as into a chamber 26 defined below the funnel 5 by the lower end portion 13 of the container section 1 and the disk 19. Owing to the provision of the air vent 23, the water that has flowed into the funnel-shaped upper end of the tube smoothly streams out of the tube lower end 24, to be drunk directly by the animal.

The water which has flowed into the chamber 26, on the other hand, gradually permeates into the tube 15 through its perforation or perforations 22 and trickles down the tube to convey the smell of water to its lower end even after the funnel opening 6 has been closed, although the animals will soon acquire the habit of pushing the projecting tube end 24 whenever they feel thirst. When no force is applied to this lower end of the tube, its funnel-shaped upper end 20 is kept centered by the resilient disk 19, so that the ball 7 closes the funnel opening 6 to stop dispensation of water. In order to make sure that no leakage takes place through this funnel opening when the same is closed, there may be provided another ball 7a of greater diameter upon the ball 7, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows another preferred embodiment of the invention in which are incorporated some modifications of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with a view to providing still further well-regulated water dispensation. The water dispenser illustrated in FIG. 5 also comprises a container section 1, a cap section 2, and a bottom section 3. The container section 1 is formed with a hole 27 extending axially through its bottom 28 and has a conical recess 29 at its bottom to provide a chamber 26 above a disk 19. A funnel 5 of rubber or like material is snugly mounted inside the container section 1, and a metal ball 7 is received in its bottom opening 6 in the same manner as in the example illustrated in FIG. 1.

The bottom section 3 has a separatedly formed hollow cylindrical member 30 screwed axially therein at 3a from its lower surface, instead of the integrally formed cylindrical lower portion 16 of FIG. 1. The upper end of the hollow cylindrical member 30, thus screwed into the bottom section 3, contacts the lower surface of the disk 19 tightly supporting a tube 15 in its central hole. This tube 15 is substantially the same as that in the preceding example of FIG. 4 except for the provision of a metal ball 31 fixedly accommodated in its flattened lower end 32, the ball 31 having a diameter suitably smaller than the bore of the tube 15 and being confined in the lower end 32 by any suitable means. This ball is adapted for regulation of the rate of water flow out of the tube end 32. Other details of construction of this embodiment of the invention are similar to those already set forth in connection with FIGS. 1 through 4.

In order to regulate the flow rate of water out of the tube end 32 of the water dispenser constructed and assembled as in FIG. 5, the hollow cylindrical member 30 is manually turned relative to the bottom section 3. The longitudinal displacement thus imparted to the member 30 causes the disk 19 to correspondingly move the tube 15, thereby varying the gap between its funnel-shaped upper end 20 and the ball 7. This gap may be suitably adjusted while at the same time the actual water flow rate is being visually confirmed by actuating the projecting end of the tube 15.

The water dispenser thus adjusted is mounted within a cage or other enclosure. When an animal confined in the cage, scenting water as above stated, pushes the projecting lower end of the tube 15, a controlled amount of water flows down through the tube and, further regulated by the ball 31, streams out of its lower end, to be easily drunk by the animal. In this manner, no more water will be consumed than that actually drunk by the animal or animals within the cage, so that this water dispenser may be used to the particular advantage of the experimentalist who must be informed of the exact amounts of water drunk by his animals.

Claims

I claim:

1. A water dispenser comprising a casing, water storage means within said casing, normally closed valve means provided at the bottom of said storage means, a water dispensing tube depending from within said casing and having an upper end operatively associated with said valve means and a lower end projecting downwardly out of said casing, means for swingably supporting said tube, the relation of said valve means and said upper end of the tube being such that when said tube is swung by a force applied to said lower end thereof, said upper end opens said valve means, thereby permitting the water within said storage means to flow down into and through said tube, means forming a chamber below said valve means and around said tube, into which chamber the water flows and is stored therein when said valve means is opened, and means forming at least one radial perforation through the wall of said tube for permitting conveyance of the smell of the water from within said chamber through said tube to said lower end of the tube, which smell can be sensed by small animals.

2. The water dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a hollow cylindrical portion extending downwardly from the bottom of said casing, said tube extending through the interior of said cylindrical portion with clearance and with said lower end projecting downward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion.

3. The water dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising an air vent formed in said tube to facilitate the flow of water therethrough.

4. The water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said casing includes a container section, a cap section, and a bottom section, all of said sections being threadedly secured to each other.

5. The water dispenser according to claim 2, wherein said hollow cylindrical portion is integral with said casing.

6. A water dispenser comprising a casing, storage means securely mounted within said casing for the storage of water to be dispensed, normally closed valve means provided at the bottom of said storage means, a tube depending from within said casing and having a lower end projecting downwardly out of said casing, said tube having an upper end positioned adjacent to said valve means, and a member of resilient material supported within and by said casing and swingably supporting said tube at the point closer to said upper end thereof, the relation of said valve means and said upper end of the tube being such that when said tube is swung relative to said member by a force applied to said lower end thereof, said upper end acts on said valve means to cause the same to open, thereby permitting the water within said storage means to flow down into and out of said tube through said valve means, further comprising a chamber formed on the bottom of said casing, into which water flows when said valve means is opened, and at least one radial perforation through the wall of said tube for permitting the conveyance of the water from said chamber into said tube and thus conveying the smell of the water to said lower end of the tube.

7. A water dispenser comprising a casing, a funnel having a bottom opening and being mounted within said casing for the storage of water to be dispensed, a ball displaceably fitted in said bottom opening of the funnel to keep said opening normally closed, said ball partly projecting downwardly out of said bottom opening of the funnel, a tube depending from within said casing, said tube having a funnel-shaped upper end normally positioned coaxially below said ball and spaced apart therefrom, and a lower end projecting downwardly out of said casing, and a member of resilient material supported within and by said casing and swingably supporting said tube at a point closer to said upper end thereof, the spacing between said upper end and said ball being such that when said tube is swung relative to said member by a force applied to said lower end thereof, said upper end contacts and causes said ball to move upward, thereby permitting the water within said funnel to flow down into and out of said tube through said upper end thereof, further comprising another ball of greater diameter than that of said first-named ball, displaceably resting upon the latter within said funnel to prevent leakage of water through said bottom opening thereof.

8. The water dispenser according to claim 7, further comprising a chamber formed on the bottom of said casing, into which water flows when said bottom opening of the funnel is opened, and at least one radial perforation through the wall of said tube for permitting the conveyance of the water from said chamber into said tube and thus conveying the smell of the water to said lower end of the tube.

9. The water dispenser according to claim 7, further comprising a further ball supported within said tube adjacent said lower end thereof for regulating the rate of water outflowing therefrom.

10. A water dispenser comprising a casing, storage means securely mounted within said casing for the storage of water to be dispensed, normally closed valve means provided at the bottom of said storage means, a tube depending from within said casing and having a lower end projecting downwardly out of said casing, said tube having an upper end positioned adjacent to said valve means, and a member of resilient material supported within and by said casing and swingably supporting said tube at a point closer to said upper end thereof, the relation of said valve means and said upper end of the tube being such that when said tube is swung relative to said member by a force applied to said lower end thereof, said upper end acts on said valve means to cause the same to open, thereby permitting the water within said storage means to flow down into and out of said tube through said valve means, further comprising a hollow cylindrical portion extending downwardly from the bottom of said casing, said tube extending through the interior of said cylindrical portion with clearance and with said lower end projecting downward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion, wherein said hollow cylindrical portion is screwed in said casing so as to be adjustable in vertical position, and the upper end of the cylindrical portion is in engagement with the lower surface of said member of resilient material, whereby adjustment of said member and therefore of said tube may be made by turning said cylindrical portion relative to said casing.

11. A water dispenser comprising a casing having a tapped hole extending vertically through its bottom, a hollow cylindrical member screwed into said hole and having a portion projecting downwardly therefrom, a funnel mounted within said casing for the storage of water to be dispensed, a ball displaceably fitted in a bottom opening of said funnel to keep said opening normally closed, said ball partly projecting downwardly out of said bottom opening, a tube extending through the interior of said cylindrical member with clearance, said tube having a funnel-shaped upper end normally positioned coaxially below said ball and spaced apart therefrom, and a lower end projecting downwardly out of said cylindrical member, and a member of resilient material supported within and by said casing and swingably supporting said tube at a point closer to said upper end thereof, said member being vertically movable by said cylindrical member to adjust the spacing between said upper end of the tube and said ball, said spacing being such that when said tube is swung from said member by a force applied to said lower end thereof, said upper end contacts and causes said ball to move upward, thereby permitting the water within said funnel to flow down into said tube through said upper end thereof.