Hydration system for animals

A water hydration system for providing clean, fresh drinking water for animals and emptying the old water from which the animals had been drinking on a predetermined sequence and schedule.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the drinking water systems for animals and more particularly to a system for selectively providing clean fresh water to an animal's drinking bowl for the animal to drink and selectively causing the discharge of old water and any accumulated debris therein from the drinking bowl either through manual control or automatically in accordance with a predetermined schedule.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There have heretofore been may devices proposed for automatically providing water and/or solid food into a bowl or dish for consumption by animals such as pet dogs, cats or the like. Many of such devices provided the water and/or solid food on a timed bases. However, often debris from the animals would accumulate in the water contained in the water or feed bowl and such debris also often would adhere to the surface of the feed bowl. Attempts suggested by the prior art devices for periodically removing the water and debris and replenishing the water with clean fresh water have not proven to be completely satisfactory. It has been found that debris floating on top of the water or dispersed throughout the water as well as resting on the bottom of the feed bowl and/or adhering to the walls of the feed bowl were not always completely removed during periodic automatic cleaning and replenishing cycles. Some of the prior art automatic water replenishing devices relied upon the normal movement of the water during the discharge of the water from the bowl. However, such normal movement, for example by the natural vortex by the Coriolis effect of the earth's rotation was not strong enough to cause a more complete removal of all debris in the water. That is, the comparatively weak Coriolis vortex did not provide a sufficiently strong vortex to remove all the debris and, additionally, such Coriolis vortex only lasted as long as the water was draining. No provisions had been provided for introducing water into the feed dish simultaneously with the water being drained out and inducing a forced vortex, much stronger than the weak Coriolis vortex, and continuing the simultaneous draining of the vortex swirling water for any desired time interval while the fresh water was being fed into the feed dish and the cycle repeated as often as desired.

Accordingly, there has long been a need for a drinking bowl arrangement for animals in which fresh water may be selectively automatically provided to the animal's drinking bowl and in which the old water therein and any accumulated debris is simultaneously discharged.

It is another object of the present invention to provide periodic introduction of fresh, clean water into an animal's water bowl simultaneously with the discharge of the waste water therein from which the animal had been drinking.

It is another object of the present invention to provide periodic introduction of fresh, clean water into an animal's water bowl simultaneously with the discharge of the waste water therein from which the animal had been drinking on a cyclical, periodic timed interval.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide periodic introduction of fresh, clean water into an animal's water bowl simultaneously with the discharge of the waste water therein from which the animal had been drinking which cycle may be automatically or manually controlled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide periodic introduction of fresh, clean water into an animal's water bowl simultaneously with the discharge of the waste water therein from which the animal had been drinking and in which the water in the water bowl is rotated by a forced vortex.

It is another object of the present invention to provide periodic introduction of fresh, clean water into an animal's water bowl simultaneously with the discharge of the waste water therein from which the animal had been drinking and which may be placed in remote locations and sized to accommodate the drinking habits of farm or other animals which may be larger than conventional household pets such as dogs or cats.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide periodic introduction of fresh, clean water into an animal's water bowl simultaneously with the discharge of the waste water therein from which the animal had been drinking and which is readily adaptable for use in zoos or the like for both animals and birds.

It is another object of the present invention to provide periodic introduction of fresh, clean water into an animal's water bowl simultaneously with the discharge of the waste water therein from which the animal had been drinking and in which the component parts may be quickly and easily separated for more intensive cleaning of the parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved, in a preferred embodiment thereof, by providing a nested, double bowl arrangement. The nested, double bowl arrangement has a bowl shaped inner bowl and a bowl shaped outer bowl. The inner bowl is positioned inside the outer bowl. Each of the inner bowl and the outer bowl have outside surfaces and inside surfaces and the inside surfaces of the outer bowl and inner bowl are in opposed relationship to each other and spaced a preselected distance apart. The preselected distance between the inside surface of the outer bowl and the inside surface of the inner bowl define a waste discharge volume. The outside surface of the inner bowl defines the hydration volume from which the animal may drink the fresh water that is selectively provided therein. Both the inner bowl and the outer bowl have an upper rim edge and a lower rim edge. The lower rim edge of the outer bowl and the lower rim edge of the inner bowl each define a bottom opening extending through the wall of the respective bowl. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the upper rim edges and the lower rim edges of the inner bowl and the outer bowl are generally circular in shape and concentrically mounted about a central axis. Other geometric shapes may be utilized as desired for particular applications. The area defined by the upper rim edges of the inner bowl and the outer bowl are greater than the area defined by the lower rim edges of the inner bowl and the outer bowl.

The lower rim edge of the inner bowl and the lower rim edge of the outer bowl are in close proximity to each other and sealed from each other to prevent leakage of the waste discharge water from the waste discharge volume. A top edge member is provided between the upper rim edge of the inner bowl and the upper rim edge of the outer bowl for coupling the upper edges together. The top edge member may be a separately fabricated structure suitably coupled to each of the upper rim edge of the outer bowl and the upper rim edge of the inner bowl and, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, removably coupled to at least one of the upper rim edges of the inner bowl and the outer bowl to allow for separation of the inner bowl from the outer bowl for periodic cleaning and maintenance of the inside surfaces of the inner bowl and the outer bowl. In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention the top edge member is unitarily fabricated with the inner bowl. The upper rim edge of the inner bowl has an upstanding arcuate portion therearound.

The top edge member has a generally planar annular portion which is connected to the inner bowl below the top of the upstanding arcuate portion of the upper rim edge of the inner bowl and the annular portion has water flow passages therethrough which provide communication with the waste discharge volume so that waste water and accumulated debris that may flow onto the annular portion can flow into the waste discharge volume. The top edge member has an outer raised upstanding arcuate portion and the top of the outer raised upstanding arcuate portion is, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, above the annular portion of the top edge member and above the top of the upstanding arcuate portion of the upper rim edge of the inner bowl.

The inner bowl is provided with a plurality of water drain flow passages in spaced relationship around the periphery of the inner bowl and adjacent the upper rim edge and below the connection of the top edge member to the inner bowl. The water flow passages provide communication between the hydration volume and the waste discharge volume so that water and any accumulated debris in the hydration volume can flow therefrom and into the waste discharge volume.

A plurality of fins may be mounted on the inner surface of the outer bowl to aid in defining fluid channels down the waste discharge volume and may also bear against the inside surface of the inner bowl to aid in maintaining the separation between the inner surface of the outer bowl and inner surface of the inner bowl. The fins are preferably located in regions adjacent the lower rim edge of the outer bowl and extend therefrom towards the upper rim edge of the outer bowl. Additionally, the outer bowl may be provided with a plurality of channels extending from regions adjacent the upper rim edge of the outer bowl towards the plurality of fins. Both the plurality of fins and the plurality of channels are each in a preselected spaced relationship around the inside surface of the outer bowl. The upper rim edge of the outer bowl may be provided with walls defining an outwardly extending flange or shoulder for engagement with the top edge member.

A water flow manifold is positioned in the bottom openings of the lower rim edges of the inner bowl and the outer bowl and has a first portion outside the outer surface of the outer bowl, a second portion in the waste discharge volume and between the lower rim edge of the outer bowl and the lower rim edge of the inner bowl and a third portion in the water hydration volume of the inner bowl. The water flow manifold has an inlet water aperture extending therethrough from the first portion through the second portion and through the third portion. The first portion may be connected by an appropriate water inlet conduit to a conventional fresh water supply such as municipal water supplies which generally have a water pressure on the order of 40 psi to 80 psi. Alternatively, if desired or required, an inlet water pump may be provided in the water inlet conduit between a fresh water supply, for example such as a lake, river or the like, and the lower portion of the water flow manifold. In all embodiments, the water so supplied flows through the water flow manifold and into the water hydration volume to fill the water hydration volume to provide the fresh water for the animal to drink

The second portion of the water flow manifold is provided with an annular flange having an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface of the flange of the water flow manifold has a plurality of fin-like members extending therefrom to define waste water discharge flow paths therebetween. The inside surface of the lower rim edge of the outer bowl engages the fin-like members to complete the waste water discharge flow paths.

A discharge water cup is mounted on the first portion of water flow manifold and has first walls abutting the outer surface of the lower rim edge of the outer bowl to clamp the lower rim edge of the outer bowl between the fin-like members of the water flow manifold and the first walls of the discharge water cup. A seal is provided adjacent the first walls of the discharge water cup and also bears against the outer surface of the lower rim edge of the outer bowl to provide a seal therebetween. The discharge water cup has second walls defining an annular waste water accumulator volume for receiving waste water and debris flowing from the water discharge flow paths. A discharge port is connected to the annular waste water accumulator to which a water discharge conduit may be connected to direct the waste water and accumulated debris therein to a suitable drain.

The lower rim edge of the inner bowl is provided with a downwardly extending lip portion on the outside surface thereof and the lip portion extends downwardly to engage the upper surface of the annular flange on the water flow manifold. A seal may be provided between the lip portion and the water flow manifold to provide a water tight seal therebetween. The seal may, for example, be an“O” ring seal. The water flow manifold has a generally planar disc shaped section in the third portion and the disc shaped section is positioned in the lip of the inner bowl. The disc shaped section has a peripheral wall engaging the lip portion and has first walls defining a plurality of tab receiving notches therein in spaced relationship therearound. The lip portion of the inner bowl has a plurality of tabs thereon which are removably positioned in the tab receiving notches and such engagement prevents relative rotational movement between the inner bowl and the water flow manifold. Slots may be provided in the peripheral wall adjacent the tab receiving notches for receiving the tabs therein to removably hold the tabs in position on the water flow manifold. The tabs may be positioned in the slots by a small degree of relative rotation between the inner bowl and the water flow manifold. The disc shaped section of the water flow manifold is also provided with walls defining a plurality of leg accepting apertures therein spaced inwardly from the peripheral wall and arranged in a spaced apart relationship and the disc shaped section has an interior face in the water hydration volume.

A vortex cap is positioned on the water flow manifold and has an outer peripheral wall surface, a dome shaped top portion and an annular peripheral wall portion having a lower surface abutting the interior face of the water flow manifold. The vortex cap has a plurality of legs extending downwardly from regions adjacent the peripheral wall and the legs are insertable into the leg receiving apertures in the disc shaped section of the water flow manifold. The legs are inserted into the leg receiving apertures so that the abutment between the lower surface of the peripheral wall portion of the vortex cap and the interior face of the water flow manifold is maintained.

The volume between the interior face of the disc like portion of the water flow manifold and the dome shaped top portion of the vortex cap is a plenum chamber for receiving water from the water inlet water aperture passage. The vortex cap overlies the inlet water aperture in the third portion of the water flow manifold so that water entering the inlet water aperture fills the plenum chamber and impinges on the inner face of the vortex cap. The annular peripheral wall portion of the vortex cap is provided with walls defining a plurality of vortex slots having a first end in water receiving relationship to the plenum chamber and the vortex slots define water passageways for the water to exit the slots into the water hydration volume in regions adjacent the peripheral wall of the vortex cap. The vortex slots are oriented at a preselected forced vortex inducing angle in the water hydration volume. The preselected forced vortex inducing angle of the vortex slots is selected, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, to be close to tangential to the peripheral wall of the vortex cap so that water flowing through the vortex slots both fills the water hydration volume and induces a forced vortex rotational movement of the water in the water hydration volume about the central axis. The preselected forced vortex inducing angle of the vortex slots is dependent upon several factors in the design of the hydration system of the present invention such as the water pressure, the geometry of the inner bowl, the size of the slots and the like.

In the preferred embodiments of the present invention the vortex cap is also provided with a plurality of spaced apart water jet apertures in the dome shaped top portion for directing water from the vortex cap upwardly into the water hydration volume in regions adjacent the central axis to insure that there is water in the center of the forced vortex.

The discharge water cup is provided with walls defining an annular center opening for mounting on the first portion of the water flow manifold that is external the outer surface of the outer bowl. In preferred embodiments of the present invention the mounting between the discharge water cup and the first portion of the water flow manifold is a threaded engagement therebetween and tightening the discharge water cup clamps the lower rim edge of the outer bowl onto the ribs on the lower surface of the flange on the second portion of the water flow manifold. A seal, such as an “O” ring seal, may be provided on the external surface of the first portion of the water flow manifold for sealing relationship with the discharge water cup to prevent any inlet water leaking therefrom.

To aid in preventing relative rotation between the outer bowl and the water flow manifold there may provided extensions on one or more of the fin-like members on the lower surface of the annular flange on the second portion of the water flow manifold. Matching rib extension accepting slots are provided on the lower rim edge of the outer bowl so that the extensions fit therein to resist relative rotational movement between the water flow manifold and the outer bowl.

A base may be attached to the outside surface of the outer bowl for supporting the arrangement on the ground in any desired location where there is an available fresh water supply for connection to the fresh water inlet conduit and a drain for connection to the discharge water conduit. In some applications of the present invention, such as at remote field locations for providing fresh drinking water to, for example, farm animals, the waste water and accumulated debris therein may be allowed to flow on the ground in locations near the location of the hydration system.

The operation of the hydration system of the present invention is achieved in the preferred embodiments by providing a valve in the water inlet conduit which has an open position for allowing water to flow therethrough and a closed position for preventing water from flowing therethrough. The valve in the water inlet conduit may be manually controlled or automatically controlled by, for example, the valve being an electrically operated, normally closed solenoid valve and a timer circuit connected thereto which provides electrical energy to the solenoid valve to cause it to open for a predetermined time period on a preselected schedule. For the condition of the fresh water flowing into the water flow manifold the water exiting the slots in the vortex cap causes a forced vortex rotation of the water in the water hydration volume. The forced vortex is very much greater and stronger than the natural vortex arising from draining a fluid container caused by the Coriolis effect of the earth's rotation on the draining body of water. The forced vortex exerts a scrubbing action on the inside surface of the inner bowl to dislodge any debris that may be adhering thereto and such debris as well as the debris that may be floating in the water in the water hydration volume and debris that may be at or resting on the inside surface of the lower rim edge of the inner bowl to swirl with the water and make, essentially a slurry mixture therewith. As the water hydration volume is filled with the fresh water, the vortex spinning water approaches the upper rim edge of the inner bowl and flows out of the water drain flow passages and into the waste discharge volume and thus flows through the discharge water conduit to regions external thereof. For water flowing over the top of the arcuate portion of the upper rim edge of the inner bowl and onto the annular portion of the top edge member, such water and any debris therein flows through the water flow apertures therein and into the waste discharge volume.

The solenoid valve in the inlet water conduit may be left on as long as desired until the water in the water hydration volume is clean and then the valve may be closed. The cycle is repeated as often as necessary for the particular animals drinking therefrom.

In some applications it may be desired to provide a solenoid valve or a manually operated valve in the discharge water conduit. Such valve in the discharge water conduit is operated at least partially synchronously with the valve in the inlet water conduit such that the valve in the discharge water conduit is open during the time that the valve in the inlet water conduit is open to ensure that the waste water flows out of the hydration system. If desired, the valve in the discharge water conduit may be closed or left open during other portions of the operating cycle. In those embodiments of the present invention where there are provided pumps in either or both the inlet and outlet water conduits, the pumps are appropriately operated by the timer system for the condition of water to be flowing therethrough.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vortex cap having one or more water discharge tubes positioned adjacent the outside surface of the inner bowl and extending from the vortex cap to regions upwardly towards the upper rim edge of the inner bowl and may extend partially towards the upper rim edge of the inner bowl or all the way to the upper rim edge depending upon the particular configuration of the hydration system. The water discharge tubes have a first end at the vortex cap positioned to receive water from the plenum, chamber of the vortex cap. The water discharge tubes have a plurality of water jet apertures therein in spaced apart relationship along the axial length thereof for discharging water therefrom into the water hydration volume at a preselected vortex inducing angle to induce the forced vortex of water contained therein.

In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, other configurations of water discharge tubes may be positioned in the water hydration volume and receive water from the plenum chamber of the vortex cap and discharge the water through one or more water jet discharge apertures which are oriented in a forced vortex inducing angle to induce the forced vortex of water contained in the water hydration volume.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing, there is illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 28a first preferred embodiment of the present invention generally designated10.FIG. 1is an exploded view of the water hydration system for animals, generally designated12, and which has a nested bowl arrangement comprised of an inner bowl14and an outer bowl16. The inner bowl14fits into the outer bowl16. The water hydration system for animals12is also provided with a water flow manifold18and a vortex cap20which, when the embodiment10is assembled, fits on top of the water flow manifold. Seals140and137which are positioned on the water flow manifold18are provided to prevent leakage of water from the various flow paths and volumes of the embodiment10. The space for the various connections for providing clean fresh water into the inner bowl14and draining the waste water are indicated in the volume28in base26where connections of the inlet water conduit403and discharge water conduit410are appropriately connected to the water hydration system12. A discharge water cup260is provided in the volume28for connection to the discharge conduit410and to the water flow manifold18.

A top edge member30is provided at the upper rim edge32of the inner bowl14. In the embodiment10the top edge member30is unitarily formed with the inner bowl14and removably mounted on the upper rim edge34of outer bowl16. In other embodiments of the present invention, the top edge member30may be separately fabricated and attached to the upper rim edge30of inner bowl14and the upper rim edge34of the outer bowl16preferably removably coupled to at least one of the inner bowl14and outer bowl16. In other preferred embodiments of the present invention the top edge member30may be unitarily fabricated with the outer bowl16at the upper rim edge34thereof and then removably mounted on the upper rim edge32of inner bowl14.

FIGS. 2 through 6illustrate the details of the inner bowl14useful in the embodiment10of the present invention. The inner bowl14has an outside surface36defining a water hydration volume38which is periodically filled with clean fresh water for an animal to drink and periodically emptied of water and accumulated debris in the water as the clean fresh water is replenished in the water hydration volume38. The upper rim edge32of the inner bowl14has an upstanding arcuate portion40. A plurality of water drain flow passages42are provided in regions adjacent the upstanding arcuate portion40and space d toward the lower rim edge44of the inner bowl member14and are in a spaced relationship around the inner bowl member. The lower rim edge44is provided with a lip portion46and a plurality of tabs48are in the lip portion46. In the embodiment10the upper rim edge32and lower rim edge44are circular and concentric about a central axis49and the upper rim edge32defines a first area that is greater than the area defined by the bottom opening45of the lower rim edge44. The inner bowl14has an inner surface50which, when the inner bowl14is nested in the outer bowl16is in a spaced and opposed relationship to an inner surface52of the outer bowl16to define a waste discharge volume54therebetween. The inner bowl14is a thin walled bowl shaped structure as shown most clearly inFIG. 4.

As noted above, the top edge member30is fabricated unitarily with the inner bowl14. As shown in the partial sectional view ofFIG. 5, the top edge member30has an outer raised upstanding portion60and the top62of the outer raised upstanding portion60is above the top64of the annular portion40of the inner bowl14. The top edge member30also has an annular portion66extending around the inner bowl14and the annular portion66that is below the top64of the upstanding arcuate portion40of the inner bowl14and below the top62of the outer raised upstanding arcuate portion60and is substantially planar in a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis49. The annular portion66has a plurality of water flow passages70extending therethrough. The outer raised upstanding arcuate portion60of the top edge member30defines an outer bowl upper rim edge accepting cavity72.

FIGS. 7 through 14illustrate the outer bowl16useful in the preferred embodiment10of the present invention. The outer bowl16is a thin walled structure and has an inner surface72and an outer surface74. The inside surface72of the outer bowl16defines a waste discharge volume76when mounted adjacent the inside surface50of the inner bowl14. The outer bowl16has the upper rim edge34and the upper rim edge34is shown in detail inFIG. 9. As shown thereon, the upper rim edge34of outer bowl16is circular in configuration and has an outwardly directed ledge80having an upper surface82and an upwardly directed projection84having a top edge86. The upper rim edge34of the inner bowl16is adapted to fit into the upper rim edge accepting cavity72of top edge member30as illustrated inFIG. 14which, when so assembled, defines the waste discharge volume76. The inside surface61of the outer raised upstanding arcuate portion60of the top edge member30rests on the top edge85of the upwardly directed projection84and the base surface63of the outer raised upstanding arcuate portion60rests on the upper surface82of the outwardly directed ledge80of the upper rim edge34of the outer bowl16.

As shown onFIG. 14, water from the hydration volume38may travel in the direction of the arrow90through the plurality of drain flow passages42and into the waste discharge preferably76. Also, any water spilling over the top64of the upstanding arcuate portion40of the upper rim edge32of the inner bowl14as indicated by the arrow92flows onto the annular portion66of the top edge member40and drains therefrom through the plurality of water flow passages70and into the waste discharge volume76as shown by the arrow94.

The upper rim edge34and the lower rim edge102of the outer bowl16are circular in the embodiment10and concentric about the central axis49. The upper rim edge34defines an area that is greater than the area defined by the lower rim edge102. When the inner bowl14is mounted on the outer bowl16, both the upper rim edges30and34, respectively, and lower rim edges44and102, respectively are substantially concentric about the central axis49.

A plurality of upstanding fin members100are mounted on the inside surface72of the outer bowl16. As shown in greater detail onFIG. 11, the plurality of fins100are preferably located in regions adjacent the lower rim edge102of the outer bowl16and extend upwardly towards the upper rim edge34to define a plurality of fluid channels104therebetween through which water may flow in the waste discharge volume72to the lower rim edge102and through the bottom opening103to regions external the outer bowl16. The fins100may also bear against the inside wall50of the inner bowl14to help support the weight of the inner bowl14when filled with water in the water hydration volume38. The outer bowl16may also be provided with a plurality of channels108on the inside surface72extending from regions adjacent the upper rim edge34towards the plurality of fins100. The channels108also define water flow paths for aiding in directing water to flow from regions adjacent the top upper rim edge34to the channels104between the fins100.

As shown most clearly onFIG. 10, the walls105defining the lower rim edge102to provide the bottom opening103are also provided with walls107defining the notches110therein. While two such notches110are shown onFIG. 10, in some applications of the present invention there may be provided more than two such notches. A plurality of screw accepting bosses112are on the outside surface74of the outer bowl16. The screw accepting bosses112have walls114defining the screw accepting aperture116.

In some applications of the present invention it may be desirable or even required by local law, that debris in the water floating through the waste discharge volume76not be allowed to pass into the drain such as a sewer line or the like. in such applications, there may be provided a screen member120removably positioned in the waste discharge volume76against both the inside surface36of the outer bowl14and the inside surface36of the outer bowl16to catch any such prohibited debris. The screen120in such embodiments of the present invention may be periodically manually cleaned by removing the inner bowl14from the outer bowl16and manually cleaning accumulated debris from the screen120.

The water flow manifold18connects the inner bowl14and outer bowl16and directs the flow of water into the hydration volume38of the inner bowl14and out of the waste discharge volume76of the outer bowl16. The water flow manifold18has a first portion120that is positioned external the outside surface74of the outer bowl16. The first portion120has a water flow aperture121that extends through the inlet water boss122along the central axis49. The inlet water boss122has external threads124and, in the first portion, internal threads126adapted to threadingly receive a coupling nipple123or the like which may be connected to an inlet water conduit connected to a fresh water supply such as a municipal water supply, or the like. for conducting water into the water flow aperture121in the direction indicated by the arrow128. The water flow manifold18has a second portion indicated at130that is in the waste discharge volume76of the outer bowl16and a third portion indicated at132that is in the water hydration volume38of the inner bowl14. The water flow manifold18has walls133defining a first seal accepting groove134for receiving a seal therein such as the “O” ring137but other seal arrangements may be utilized as desired for particular applications. The water flow manifold18also has walls135defining a second seal accepting groove138for receiving a seal such as “O” ring142but other seal arrangements may be utilized as desired for particular applications. The water flow manifold18has a substantially planar annular shoulder144having an upper annular surface146which forms the lower surface of the second seal accepting groove138and a lower planar annular surface148.

As shown onFIG. 16the lip46of rests on the upper annular surface146of the substantially planar annular shoulder144and abuts the “O” ring140. The plurality of tabs48of the lip portion46of the inner bowl14are inserted in the tab accepting apertures150. In order to prevent relative motion between the inner bowl14and the water flow manifold120during use, there are provided projections154overlying the upper annular surface146of substantially planar annular shoulder144and the projections144define tapered slots156. The water flow manifold18may be rotated relative to the inner bowl14to force the tabs48into the slots156for locking frictional retention therein. Similarly, the water flow manifold18may be rotated in the opposite direction to release the tabs48from the slots154to allow removal of the inner bowl14from the water flow manifold18.

The third portion132of the water flow manifold18has a disc like portion179having a substantially planar interior face160in the water hydration volume38and the interior face160is provided with a plurality of leg accepting apertures162in a spaced relationship.

FIGS. 18,19,20and21illustrate various details of the water flow manifold18and the mounting thereof on various other components of the embodiment10. The lower planar annular surface148of the substantially planar annular shoulder144has a plurality of fin-like members170thereon. In the preferred embodiment10of the present invention, some of the fin-like members170as shown at170aare full fins extending from the peripheral edge144ato the hub180of the water flow passage121and some of the fin-like members170are partial fins as shown at170bextending from the peripheral edge144aof the substantially planar annular shoulder144only part of the distance to the hub180. The spaces between the fins170define waste water discharge flow passages182for directing waste water from the waste discharge volume76towards the hub180.

As shown onFIG. 21, a pair of diametrically opposed fin-like members170a′ may have the outer peripheral edges190thereof extending towards the peripheral edge144aof the substantially planar annular shoulder144in order to be positioned in the notches110of the lower rim edge102of the outer bowl16.

Referring now toFIGS. 22,23,24and25there is illustrated thereon the vortex cap20which directs the flow of water from water flow manifold18into the water hydration volume38. The vortex cap20has a dome shaped top portion200and a peripheral wall202and an annular inner surface204extending around the peripheral wall202. The vortex cap20also has a plurality of legs206extending downwardly from the annular inner surface204and the legs206are insertable into the leg accepting receiving162of the water flow manifold18so that the annular inner surface204is abutting the interior face179of the water flow manifold18. The legs206are retained in the leg accepting apertures162by a frictional fit therebetween so that the vortex cap20may be removed form the water flow manifold18as may be desired for cleaning, maintenance or replacement. The vortex cap20also has an interior dome shaped inner face210that is in spaced relationship to the interior face169of the water flow manifold18and defines a plenum chamber212therebetween. Water flowing into the water flow aperture121of the water flow manifold18in the direction of the arrow123fills the plenum chamber212at the pressure of the water. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the frictional fit of the legs206in the leg receiving apertures162is such that the frictional forces retaining the vortex cap on the water flow manifold18are greater than the force exerted by the water pressure on the inner face210.

The annular inner surface204has walls216defining a plurality of vortex slots220providing water flow communication between the plenum chamber212and the water hydration volume38for the condition of the vortex cap20mounted on the water flow manifold18. The water flowing from the vortex slots in the direction of the arrows228(FIG. 23) are at an angle that induces a forced vortex in the water contained in the water hydration volume38. Such angle may be selected to be close to tangent to the peripheral wall202or such other angle so that there is a forced vortex induced in water contained in the water hydration volume38. As the water in the water hydration volume38undergoes the forced vortex action induced by the water flowing from the slots220it is often desirable to insure that the center of the vortex also have a supply of water. Jet apertures230extend from the plenum chamber212through the dome shaped top portion200to introduce water in a direction aligned with the central axis49or at such angle thereto as may be selected for particular applications to provide the water in regions of the central axis49during the forced vortex action.

FIGS. 26 and 27illustrate a discharge water cup250useful in the practice of the present invention. The discharge water cup250has an internal boss252with internal threads254that threadingly engage the external threads124of the inlet water boss122of the water flow manifold18. The discharge water cup also has first walls256defining a seal groove258for accepting a seal, such as “O” ring260. For the condition of the discharge water cup250installed on the water flow manifold18, tightening the connection therebetween forces the upper edge262of the seal groove258as well as the “O” ring260outer surface74of the outer bowl216in regions adjacent the lower rim edge102to provide a seal therebetween. The discharge water cup250also has second walls264defining an annular waste water accumulator volume270for receiving the waste water and any entrained debris therein from the waste discharge volume76. A discharge water boss272has a flow aperture274for directing the flow of waste water in the direction of the arrow278from the annular waste water accumulator volume274through the boss272and through a connector276. A suitable waste water discharge conduit may be connected to the connector276for discharging the waste water and accumulated debris therein to a selected disposal site such as a water drain, a sewer connection or the like. In those applications of the present invention where there is a convenient waste water drain, such as an acceptable sewer drain or the like, the bottom surface277of the annular waste water accumulator volume274is at an angle “A” to the horizontal indicated by line279to allow the waste water to flow in the direction of the arrow278by gravity.

FIG. 28illustrates the base26useful in the practice of the various embodiments10of the present invention for supporting the hydration system on a chosen surface. The base26has a generally annular connecting portion500with interior walls502that bear against the outside surface74of outer bowl18and a generally annular supporting surface504. The interior walls502have screw apertures506through which screws508pass for screw connections to the screw accepting apertures116of the screw accepting bosses112.

FIG. 29illustrates another preferred vortex cap20′ in an embodiment340of the present invention. The vortex cap20′ is generally similar to the vortex cap20described above and has a dome shaped top portion350and a disc like base portion352. The disc like base portion352of the vortex cap20′ overflies the interior face179of the water flow manifold18and has an aperture354aligned with the flow passage121so that water flowing in the water flow passage121enters the plenum chamber356defined by the dome shaped top portion350and the disc like base portion352as indicated by the arrow368. The disc like base portion352also has legs206which are frictionally retained in the leg accepting apertures162of the water flow manifold18. The vortex cap20′ has side walls360. A pair of apertures362and364are in the side wall360to allow water in the plenum chamber356to flow therethrough as indicated by the arrows366. Tube connectors368and370are coupled to the side wall360and are aligned with the apertures362and364to allow water to flow therethrough. Vortex tubes380and382are connected to the tube connectors368and370and receive the water flowing therethrough. The vortex tubes380and382are substantially similar and in this embodiment extend upwardly along the inside surface36of inner bowl14to regions adjacent the upper rim thereof. The vortex tubes have a plurality of space apart discharge ports384extending up to the end of the vortex tubes380and382from which water jets388flow. Water jets388flow in the same direction from each of the vortex tubes380and382in a vortex inducing direction as indicated by the water jets388. The vortex inducing direction of the water jets388may be substantially tangential to the inside surface36of the inner bowl14, or such other angle that will induce the forced vortex of the water contained in the water hydration volume38. The number of vortex tubes may less than the two shown onFIG. 29or may be greater than two. The vortex tubes may be oriented at any desired angle with respect to the inside surface36of the inner bowl18to produce the induced vortex of the water in the water hydration volume38.

FIG. 30is a block diagram showing the flow paths of the fresh water to the hydration system and the waste waster discharge from the hydration system. An inlet water conduit400is connected to a fresh waster supply402. The fresh water supply402may be, for example, a municipal water supply, a lake, a river or the like. For the applications where the fresh water supply402is a municipal water supply, such water supply generally has a pressure on the order of 40 PSI to 80 PSI. Water in this pressure range is satisfactory for operation of the hydration system. If the water supply402is not pressurized, a pump406may be placed in the inlet water conduit400to bring the pressure of the water up to a desired operating pressure.

The conduit400directs fresh water from the fresh water supply402to a valve404as indicate by the arrow403. The valve404may be a manually operated valve or a normally closed solenoid valve to the normally closed solenoid valve. For the valve404in the open position thereof water flows through the valve to the coupling nipple123at the water flow manifold18. For the valve404in the closed position, no water flows to the nipple123.

The waste water discharged from the annular waste water accumulator volume274at the connector276thereof flows into a discharge water conduit410in the direction of the discharge arrow409. If gravity flow of the waste discharge water is satisfactory, the waste water may flow directly from the connector276to a suitable drain412such as a sewer connection. In those applications of the present invention where gravity flow of the waste water is not sufficient to provide substantially complete evacuation of the waste water in the waste discharge volume76, a discharge pump414may be placed in the discharge conduit410to pump the waste water in the direction of the discharge arrow409to the drain412. Additionally, in some applications it may be desirable to place a discharge valve416in the discharge conduit410. The valve416may be a manually operated valve or a solenoid valve. The valve426is preferably in the open position thereof for the condition of the inlet valve404in the open position thereof.

For those embodiments of the present invention where electrically operated pumps406and414and the valves404and416are electrically operated solenoid valves, a suitable timer control circuit420is utilized to selectively open and close the valves404and416and turn the pumps406and414on and off in accordance with a preselected schedule of operation. The timer control circuit420is connected to an appropriate source of electrical energy as indicated at421such as normal 120 volt AC current as provided by the power grid in the United States. In those applications of the present invention where the hydration system is located in remote areas where there is no convenient source of the 120 volt AC power, a battery (not shown) may be utilized as the source of electrical energy.

The operation of the hydration system is primarily controlled by the position of the valve404. Upon the initial fill up of the water hydration volume38, or after the hydration system is disassembled for maintenance and/or cleaning, the valve404is in the open position and clean fresh water from the water supply402flows into the coupling nipple123at the water flow manifold18, through the inlet water aperture121, through the slots220of the vortex cap20and into the water hydration volume38of the inner bowl14. The pump406, if utilized, is turned on when the valve404is in the open position. After a first predetermined time period, the water hydration volume38is full and the valve404is closed, and pump406, if utilized, is turned off. The animal may then drink the water from the water hydration volume38.

When the animal drinks the water very often debris from the animals mouth or other debris may fall into the water in the water hydration volume38. After a second predetermined time period, when the animal has had full opportunity to drink the water and it has been determined that clean fresh water is appropriate for the animal, the inlet valve404is placed in the open position and the pump406, if utilized, is turned on. Simultaneously, if the discharge pump414and discharge valve416are utilized, the discharge pump414is turned on and the discharge valve416is placed in the open position.

The water flowing from the slots220in the vortex cap20induces the water in the water hydration volume38to rotate about the central axis49in a forced vortex. The forced vortex has sufficient strength to dislodge any debris that may have adhered to the inside surface36of the inner bowl14. The continual flow of clean fresh water into the water hydration volume38eventually fills the water hydration volume to an overflow condition and the water and entrained debris flows out of the water drain flow passages42of the inner bowl14and into the waste discharge volume76. If some of the water from the vortex action spills over the top64of annular portion40of inner bowl14, such water flows through the water flow passages70in the annular portion66of the top edge member30and into the discharge water volume76. The water from the discharge water volume76flows into the discharge conduit410and to the drain412. At the conclusion of the second predetermined time period the valve404is closed and inlet pump406is turned off. The pump414may also be turned odd and if desired the valve416placed into the closed position. The duration of the second predetermined time period is selected based on the size and number of the animals that may be drinking from the hydration volume, the size of the water hydration volume38and discharge water volume76and the environmental conditions in the regions containing the hydration system. The environmental conditions may be such the sand, dirt, leaves or the like fall or are blown by the wind into the water in the water hydration volume. This cycle is then repeated as often as necessary or desired so that there is the desired clean, fresh water for the animal or animals drinking the water in the water hydration volume.

From the above it can be seen that the present invention enables the provision of clean, fresh water for an animal or animals to drink in a bowl shaped container of a hydration system and the clean fresh water is periodically replaced in the bowl as the old water from which the animals had been drinking and which may contain entrained debris is removed from the bowl. During the replenishment of the clean, fresh water into the bowl the water in the bowl is made to undergo a forced vortex action that dislodges any debris adhering to the sides of the bowl and the water with the debris in a slurry like mixture is discharged into an appropriate drain. The replenishment of the clean fresh water and the discharge of the water from which the animal had been drinking may be made on an automatic, repetitive cycle or may be manually controlled as desired for particular applications. The hydration system may be utilized in households for providing the clean fresh water to house pets or may be provided for larger animals such as farm animals or animals in a zoo as desired for particular applications. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention the various components are removably connected to each other so that the hydration system may be easily and conveniently disassembled for routine cleaning and maintenance.