Animal watering apparatus

An animal water trough having a cover structure which fits within the trough and preferably adapted to float on the surface of trough water to substantially cover the whole water surface area. Receptacles or channels are provided in the cover. Apertures, which communicate with the water trough, are provided in the channel walls to convey water from the trough into the receptacle or channel. Preferably, a substance dispenser is located in the cover, which feeds substances into the trough water.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to animal watering apparatus. In a preferred form the invention includes a device to dispense health and food supplements to farm animals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of troughs to water farm animals is common place. Troughs normally have a system for automatically replenishing water consumed by animals such as a valve connected to a ball-cock mechanism.

The exposed nature of conventional troughs means the water within the trough may become contaminated by outside matter such as sprays and fertiliser. The exposed nature of the trough also promotes algae growth which can foul the water or make the trough undesirable for animals to drink from. Foreign bodies such as branches, plant matter, rubbish, bird droppings and so forth, may also be introduced to the trough and increase the risk of bacteria, such as Salmonella or Botulism, being passed to the animals drinking from the trough. As a consequence, the troughs must be cleaned and foreign matter removed, which can at times be time consuming and labourious.

Attempts have been made to provide a trough that protects the water from foreign debris. An example of an attempt can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,003,340. This patent discloses a stock watering trough that is kept covered at all times when not in use by a pair of floating lid sections hingedly attached on opposite sides of a centre support within the trough. The lid sections have a crowned configuration that results in the marginal edges of the lid sections being immersed below the level of the water upon which they float. While this invention overcomes a number of the problems associated with trough contamination, the lids cannot be retrofitted with ease to existing troughs. The farmer must either perform considerable alterations on existing troughs, or buy a new unit, which may be very expensive.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,727 discloses an animal waterer having an insulated container for holding water, a supply conduit for supplying water under pressure to the container and a valve connected to the supply conduit for maintaining the water in the container substantially at a predetermined level. An insulated lid is sealingly attached to the top of the container and has a pair of openings in it each large enough to permit an animal to extend its mouth through for the purpose of drinking water from the container. A flexible length member extends between and is rotatably attached to two closure members at each end of the length and is used to close off the openings in the container. A biasing structure, preferably a cable extending over a pulley and having a weight attached to one end, where the other end is attached to an intermediate part of a link member, holds the closure members against the bottom of the openings the container to keep them closed at all times except when an animal is pushing them down to drink from the container. The apparatus of this invention is complex and difficult to install.

Farm animals require regular watering, and often need to receive medical or nutritional supplements, such as minerals and zinc. Therefore, the provision of a supplement dispensing device within a trough may be advantageous.

It is convenient to dispense treatment substances, such as medicaments or nutrients via the animals drinking water in such a trough. It may also be desirable to release the substance into the water over time, rather than simply mixing the substance into the water, as correct concentrations may need to be maintained over time. It is also inconvenient to have to continually go to troughs and top up the substance volume.

Some attempts have been made to provide a means of slowly dispensing a substance in a trough New Zealand Patent No. 260398 provides a bag or a sock into which a substance can be introduced, wherein the bag is placed in a trough for slow release of the substance. However, the problems associated with debris, algae, and other foreign contamination of the water still persist.

The ball-cock mechanisms used in the troughs to maintain the water level are often damaged by farm animals drinking from the trough. This may lead to the water valve remaining on and causing water wastage, or remaining off and causing the trough to dry up.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a trough and trough components which go at least some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or to at least provide the industry with a useful choice.

Accordingly in a first aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist in an animal watering apparatus comprising:a trough capable in use of storing a volume of water,a cover structure which substantially covers the whole of the water surface area,at least one open receptacle provided in the top of said cover of sufficient volume to accommodate the muzzle of at least one animal, andmeans in said cover which in use convey water from said trough into said receptacle.

In a second aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist in a cover for an animal drinking trough comprising:a structure which in use fits within said trough and which is adapted to float on the surface of said water to substantially cover the whole of the water surface area,at least one receptacle provided in the top of said cover of sufficient volume to accommodate the muzzle of at least one animal, andmeans in said cover, which in use, conveys water from said trough into said receptacle.

In a third aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist in a method of protecting the water in an animal drinking trough by covering the top of said trough and allowing animals access to only a small exposed area of water using the trough cover defined above comprising the steps of:trimming the periphery of said cover to a size which allows it to fit within said trough, andplacing the cover so trimmed onto the surface of the water in said trough.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a cover structure for water troughs, tanks, pans or other waterers to provide uncontaminated drinking water for animals and also envisages a complete watering apparatus including the cover structure in combination with the trough. In the preferred embodiment the cover fits within the trough and floats on the water within the trough. The water is accessed by the animals from a channel built into the cover which exposes a water surface area which is a small fraction of the exposed water surface in the open trough. A dispenser may be located in the cover, to dispense nutrients, medicaments or water treatments to the trough water.

Although the cover preferably floats on top of the water within the trough the cover may be provided so as to fit onto the periphery of the trough. Alternatively, the cover may be mechanically supported or attached within the trough.

Referring toFIG. 1, a cover1floats on top of a body of water2, that has a water level as indicated by the line3, contained in the trough4. The cover1is moulded from a polyethylene material as a single unit. The cover1floats on top of the water due to the buoyancy of the cover. This buoyancy is provided by both the material in which the cover is made of, and the shape of the cover, which increases the volume of water displaced, namely, the volume5between the cover1and water2.

The cover1, as shown inFIG. 2, is preferably circular in shape, so as to fit within conventional circular troughs. While one aspect of the invention involves retrofitting covers to existing troughs insitu, the manufacture of a trough with matching cover is also envisaged. Although in the preferred form the trough4is circular in horizontal cross-section other shapes may be used, or in the case of retrofitting an existing trough other shapes must be accommodated. For example, trough shape may be country specific or animal specific. Therefore, the cover1may be provided in an alternative shape, such as square, rectangular or octagonal to be able to be fitted into respectively shaped troughs4. In the preferred form, the cover1has a perimeter slightly less than the trough4to allow it to float freely within the trough walls.

It should be appreciated that drinking animals may deplete the trough faster than it can be filled and it is desirable that the cover should stay in a fixed relationship with the water level. Some known troughs have tapered sides and with a floating cover when the water level within the trough falls the cover may become lodged on the sides of the trough and possibly terminating the flow of water from the trough into the channel6. To prevent this occurrence, the cover may be provided with an adjustable skirt, such as flexible brushes, to allow the cover's effective inside perimeter to be reduced as the cover falls with the falling water level.

The cover1is formed with a water dispensing channel6. This takes the form of a U-shaped annular indentation in the surface of the cover at about mid diameter. Apertures7are provided in the channel walls to allow water to flow from the trough into the dispensing channel6, thereby allowing access to the water2by an animal. The channel6is of sufficient width to accommodate the muzzle of an animal. Alternative means for allowing animals to access trough water could be used. For example a number of receptacles could be distributed around the cover each with apertures to allow the admission of water from the trough and each dimensioned to allow access by at least one animal.

The water level under the cover1needs to be adjusted so that the outer flange13is not be below water level3. Although the flange13and cover1must sit deep enough in the water2to allow water to flow into the channel6.

In some forms of the watering apparatus of the present invention, the cover1may have attached to it a substance dispenser8, so as to introduce medicaments or nutrients to the animals drinking the trough water, or chemicals to treat the water. The dispenser8is a substantially rigid structure that houses the substance. The dispenser is shaped, dimensioned and located in the cover, preferably within the recess area14, such that when the cover1is placed in the trough4, the lower section of the dispensing apparatus8is submerged in the water2and the substance is dispersed into the water at a regulated rate.

Alternatively, the substance dispenser may be located on or proximate to the annular channel6so that substances are only dispensed into the water being held within the channel6. This would conserve water treatment substances and nutrients, as only the water within the channel would be treated and not all of the water within the trough.

The dispensing of the substance may be by any type of mechanism, for example, small apertures (not shown) within the structure of the dispenser8allowing the substance to slowly dissolve and flow from the apertures to disperse in the water2.

The cover1and substance dispenser8are preferably made from polyethylene and formed by vacuum moulding, although it is possible to use other forms of moulding such as, rotational or injection moulding. Furthermore, it is possible to form the cover1and substance dispenser8from fibreglass, plastic, or other mouldable materials.

Alternatively, the cover may be formed by being pressed out of appropriate materials, such as polycarbonate, steel or aluminium.

The substance dispenser8may be formed as an integral part of the cover1during the moulding process. Alternatively, the dispenser8may be separately formed then attached to the cover1, after the cover has been formed.

With reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the recess area14is moulded within the cover during moulding, and is preferably circular in shape, but other appropriate shapes may be used. When the cover1is put into use within a trough, the farmer may cut out the circular area14and place within the remaining hole a preformed dispensing container8, as shown in FIG.3. The dispenser8will have a complementary shape, preferably circular to that of the recess14, thereby allowing the dispenser8to be placed into the recess14and then attached to the cover1by way of an air tight connection, such as gaskets15.

The dispenser8is provided with a detachable lid16that can be removed and substances placed within the dispenser8. The lid16is preferably a thread type lid, where the dispenser is provided with complementary threads thereby when the lid is threaded into the dispenser the vacuum beneath the cover1is maintained

In other forms of the watering apparatus the dispenser8may be moulded into the cover, this is preferably by way of injection moulding. Again, a separate and detachable lid is provided that fits within the dispenser8to maintain the vacuum beneath the cover1.

In further forms of the watering apparatus the cover1may be provided with channel inserts17, as shown in FIG.4. These inserts17are located within the annular channel6and have the purpose of allowing the farmer to easily remove and clean the inserts, thereby not requiring the whole cover2to be removed from the trough4so that the channel6may be cleaned.

In use, and shown inFIG. 4, the insert17is placed within the channel6and has within it apertures18that are aligned with the channel apertures7, so that water may flow into the channel6lined with the insert17. The insert17is preferably held within the channel6by protrusions19that have been formed in the cover1at the upper regions of the channel6on both channel walls. Therefore, a farmer can push the insert18into the channel6and the protrusions19retain the insert18within the channel6. An insert17can be removed by a farmer by gripping the lips20and pulling the insert17from the channel6.

In other forms, an insert21may only extend to a vertical location on the channel6only to a height just below that of the apertures7, and protrusions22are located at this position, as illustrated inFIG. 5, to retain the insert21within the channel. In this form the insert21is not provided with apertures, as the insert21is located below the channel apertures7and water can readily flow into the insert21.

Although it is envisaged that protrusions and lips, as described above, are used to retain the insert within the channel6, other means may be used to perform this function.

Preferably the cover1has provided a channel6that additionally has divisions23, as illustrated inFIG. 2, that provide a partial division of the channel6. These divisions23do not rise above the water level within the channel6and have the purpose of stopping water from moving around the channel6to prevent the cover from becoming unstable and capsizing. The divisions23allow for a limited amount of water2to move from each division in the channel. In this form, the insert17is provided in sections to fit into each of the channel sections between the divisions23.

Most troughs are fed with water by a ball-cock activated valve, as shown in FIG.1. The cover1is shaped so as not to interfere with the movement of the ball10, by providing a significant clearance between the ball10and the cover1. Furthermore the cover1protects the ball10and associated lever arm from possible damage by the animals drinking from the trough4. In some cases where a trough is retrofitted with a cover of the present invention the ball-cock mechanism may not sit in an appropriate position within the trough to give sufficient clearance between the cover and the ball. In such a case the lever arm of the ball can be extended to allow the ball to be positioned in an area where there is sufficient clearance between the cover and the ball.

The cover1is preferably provided with a diameter that closely matches the maximum diameter of known troughs. Furthermore, the cover is preferably provided with outer perimeter sections11, of which three are shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. If the cover diameter exceeds that of the trough4, any number of sections11may be cut from the cover so as to enable the cover1to be placed with in the trough4with sufficient clearance to allow the cover to float and move freely within the trough.

To install, a required number of sections11must be trimmed from the cover, after which the cover can be placed within the trough4so that it floats on the water within the trough.

Once the cover1is floating within the trough4, if the cover1is provided with a substance dispenser8, nutrients, medicaments, water treatment chemicals or additives to improve the palatability of the water within the trough may be placed into the dispenser8by removing the lid16, as shown inFIG. 3, and placing a predetermined amount of the substance within the dispenser8. The dispensing channel6having apertures7provide a receptacle in which animals may drink the water from. The apertures7also have the function of preventing the remaining volume of the water2within the trough4from being contaminated by external bodies introduced by the animals drinking from the trough.

The watering apparatus of the present invention provides many advantages. The cover, as it floats within a trough and covers the water, prevents outside elements from contaminating the water, for example, sprays, fertiliser or other animal excrement or other small animals. The cover also prevents sunlight and UV rays getting into the bulk of the water thus discouraging algae growth and decreasing the evaporation of water due to sunlight.

The provision of an area such as the dispensing channel allows a firmer to easily remove any debris fallen into the channel by simply scooping the debris out. Furthermore, the channels in collecting debris also prevent any debris from entering the trough and contaminating the water under the cover. It is also easy to install and is adaptable to existing trough sizes. The cover may also be readily removed and cleaned, or if the cover is provided with inserts, each insert may be removed and individually cleaned with ease.

In the preferred form, the cover provides a covering for existing and new troughs that allows for the dispensing of substances such as, medicaments, nutrients and water treatments, into the water and prevents contamination of the water thereby improving the quality of the water in which the animals drink.

The watering apparatus furthermore protects water supply equipment within troughs as it prevents or deters animals from getting into the troughs thereby preventing damage to the ball-cock mechanisms and contamination of the water within the trough.

The provision of the dispenser with the cover allows a farmer to dispense an animal treatment substance, or water treatment substance or additive, into the water within the trough at a regulated rate, without having to individually dispense the substance to the farm animals, thereby saving time.