Abstract:
Drinkers for animals are usually configured as having a single elongate pipe string ( 24 ) in which a plurality of drinking valves are screwed in. The drinking valves ( 20 ) can operated by the animals themselves to cover their water needs. When no water is being removed by the animals at the drinking valves ( 20 ) the water in the pipe string ( 24 ) stands still. This has a negative impact on water quality, particularly in warmer climates, leading to a sharp increase of germs in the water, for example. This can result in diseases among the animals. The invention proposes the circulation of the water in the animal drinker. To this end, the animal drinker has two parallel pipe strings ( 23, 24 ) which form a water circuit ensuring a constant movement of water, namely that water flows continuously through the pipe strings ( 23, 24 ) even when no water has been removed at the drinking valves ( 20 ) over an extended period of time.

Description:
STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. DE 10 2008 056 832.5 having a filing date of 11 Nov. 2008 and German Patent Application No. DE 10 2008 061 994.9 having a filing date of 12 Dec. 2008, both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The invention relates to an animal drinker, preferably a line drinker, having at least one water supply line and a plurality of drinking valves which are assigned to the water supply line. 
         [0004]    2. Prior Art 
         [0005]    Drinkers of the type addressed here are employed to provide animals, in particular domestic animals, with the water they require. Such drinkers are usually configured so that the animals themselves can access the water to cover their needs. 
         [0006]    So-called line drinkers are employed primarily in large-scale small animal husbandry, in particular for poultry. Hitherto well-known line drinkers are equipped with a plurality of drinking valves assigned to a elongate pipe string, thus making it possible to provide the drinking valves with water. The drinking valves can be actuated by the animals themselves. 
         [0007]    If none or only a few of the drinking valves are actuated by the animals, the water in the pipe string stands still. Particularly at night, when the animals consume no water over an extended period of time, this can result in an disproportional increase in the germs normally present in the water. In addition, the water remaining in the pipe string for longer periods of time heats up significantly, especially in warmer geographical regions. These relatively high temperatures result in a rapid increase of germ growth in the water. In addition, however, the water remaining idle in the pipe string for an extended period of time can also cause solid particles to settle out in the water and end up in the drinking valves, which are sensitive to impurities, thus rendering them inoperable. Finally, an extended period of standing water containing chemical additives promotes the unmixing of the solution. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Proceeding from the above, the object of the invention is to provide an animal drinker that ensures a reliable and unproblematic supply of water to the animals and in particular which meets the necessary hygienic requirements. 
         [0009]    An animal drinker that achieves this object has at least one water supply line and a plurality of drinking valves which are assigned to the water supply line, characterized in that the water supply line is configured as a water circulation line. Accordingly, the water supply element is configured as a water circulation line. This results in a water circuit. The water is circulated permanently or at least periodically, meaning that it is always in motion, even when no drinking valve has been used for an extended period of time. The water, which can be pure mains water, but also water provided with such additives as medicaments, nutrients, or the like, flows continually past the drinking valves. As a result, the water, particularly when it contains any additives, cannot unmix. Any solid particulates contained in the water cannot settle out during periods when the water stands still. 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water circulation line is composed of a plurality of pipe strings. Preferably the water circulation line has two pipe strings which are connected at their ends to conduct water. The preferably elongate, straight pipe strings, by virtue of being connected at their ends, makes a water circuit possible. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, the invention provides that all drinking valves are assigned to one of the pipe strings, preferably a bottom pipe string of the pipe strings arranged one above the other. This lower pipe string can be accessed by the animals from below or from the side, as is common with line drinkers, in that the drinking valves project partially from the underside of the pipe string. When the water has flowed through the lower pipe string in the one direction past the drinking valves, it is fed back through the upper pipe string to the beginning of the lower pipe string. But it is also conceivable to assign drinking valves to both pipe strings. The two pipe strings employed to form the water circulation line are then expediently spaced apart at a sufficient distance to one another. Thus, a greater number of drinking valves can be accommodated in a specific surface area than is the case in known line drinkers. 
         [0012]    A further animal drinker intended as a solution to the aforementioned object, which can also be a preferred further development of the previously described animal drinker, has at least one water supply line and a plurality of drinking valves which are assigned to the water supply line, characterized in that the water supply line is assigned at least one treatment device for the water. Accordingly, the water supply system is assigned at least one treatment device for the feed of water used in the drinking valves. This makes a processing of the water possible. This is particularly applicable when the continuously circulating water repeatedly flows past the drinking valves, making it possible for it to be subjected to repeated processing. 
         [0013]    The processing apparatus may involve one which eliminates such contaminants as bacteria, germs, fungi and the like from the water. This prevents a microbial contamination of the drinking water to be fed to the animals, or at least reduces it to a level that stays below the maximum permissible values. The water is disinfected and/or sterilized. The preferred water treatment method is UV irradiation. The treatment device expediently comprises at least one ultraviolet lamp (UV lamp), by means of which the water to be treated for the animals is subjected to ultraviolet irradiation. In particular, this treatment allows one to carry out a sterilization of the water for the animals (drinker water). 
         [0014]    As an alternative or supplementary feature, a treatment device is also conceivable which is configured as a water temperature control system. This makes it possible to cool or heat the water as required. In warm geographical regions the water is preferably cooled, thus reducing the reproductive rate of microbial organisms in the water, in particular germs. In cooler geographical regions it may be necessary to heat the water to avoid dispensing water that is too cold for the animals, which can result in sickness, particularly among younger animals. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, it is conceivable that the drinkers for animals be provided with a metering device, for example a medicament dispenser. This makes it possible to provide the drinker water with the appropriate dosages of medicaments or also with other supplements, such as nutrients. Particularly when the water circulates in the pipe strings, the metering device allows one to add an accurately dosed supplement of medicaments and other additives. 
         [0016]    A preferred further refinement of all drinkers for animals proposed for solving the object stated at the outset provides for assigning a pump to the water circulation line or the pipe strings for the purpose of circulating the water supplied to the animals in the water circulation line or in the pipe strings. The at least one pipe thus serves as a circulating pump which maintains the flow of drinking water in the pipe strings even when no water is being dispensed to the animals at the drinking valves. 
         [0017]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention the at least one pump is employed to provide the drinking valves with water, namely drinker water or drinking water, from a reservoir. The reservoir represents a water buffer which ensures that the at least one pump is continually supplied with sufficient water so that it can maintain the constant circulation of water in the pipe strings. 
         [0018]    Provision is also made for assigning the pump and/or reservoir to adjacent ends of the two pipe strings. The at least one pump and preferably the reservoir as well thus result in a connection of the ends of both pipe strings arranged one above the other and located at the same end of the animal drinker. Thus, the water flowing back from one pipe string can be held in the reservoir and pumped from the latter by the pump back into the other pipe string. The adjacent ends of the pipe strings at the other end of the animal drinker then only need to be connected to each other by an overflow channel from which the water from one pipe string is conducted into the other pipe string. The two pipe strings, the overflow channel and the reservoir with the pump thus constitute a circuit of the water circulation line. 
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reservoir is assigned at least one inlet for water, preferably fresh water from a water supply, such as a well. Water is fed back to the reservoir via the inlet, thus keeping the reservoir filled on a continual basis. 
         [0020]    The inlet is preferably assigned a valve which constantly feeds the reservoir with as much water as necessary in that the valve can open up the inflow of water to the reservoir as required. If no water is being taken from the drinkers by the animals, the inflow of fresh water to the reservoir can be stopped by the valve. It is preferably provided that the valve can be actuated as a function of the water level in the reservoir. 
         [0021]    All animal drinkers employed as the solution of the object of the invention can be equipped in particular with a pressure regulator, which is disposed upstream of the inlet to the reservoir and limits and reduces the pressure with which the reservoir can be fed with fresh water from the water supply in such a manner that keeps the water from spraying out of the drinking valves when they are opened by the animals. In addition, the pressure regulator is preferably employed to maintain an essentially constant level of water in the reservoir. 
         [0022]    A further animal drinker for solving the object stated at the outset, which can also involve preferred refinements in the previously described animal drinkers, has at least one pipe string and a plurality of drinking valves assigned to at least one pipe string, characterized in that the pipe string has an upright web. In the case of this animal drinker, the pipe string is provided with an upright web. This upright web not only reinforces the pipe string but can also be employed for suspending the line drinker in the stall. The web also prevents the animals, especially poultry, from perching on the pipe strings and disturbing other animals as they drink. 
         [0023]    The web is preferably connected to the pipe string as a single piece, preferably being integrally molded to the latter. This one-piece configuration of the web and pipe string makes it easy to keep the animal drinker clean. Above all, this configuration avoids the formation of any seams or interfaces in which dirt might lodge. 
         [0024]    In the case of animal drinkers having two parallel pipe strings, the pipe strings are configured to be joined together. Preferably the two somewhat spaced-apart pipe strings are connected to one another by a web, with the web and the pipe strings arranged on its opposing longitudinal edges being configured as a single piece. The pipe strings are thus linked together seamlessly so that even hygienic problems arising from stuck grime are avoided. 
         [0025]    For all animal drinkers proposed above as the solution to the object stated at the outset, provision is made for forming the pipe strings from a plurality of pipe string sections which can be detachably connected to one another. The pipe string sections have both parallel sections of the pipe string and the web sections. By connecting the appropriate number of identical pipe string sections it is possible to achieve the desired length of parallel pipe strings. 
         [0026]    In order to join the pipe string sections as needed, provision is also made for their watertight connection at their adjacent ends. Cheeks or half shells can be employed to connect the pipe string sections in a manner that prevents any relative movement between the sections. The pipe string sections are connected by simply bolting the half shells or cheeks together. This connection is easily detachable. Seals assigned to the half shells or cheeks can be employed to make a watertight connection between the adjacent ends of the pipe string sections. The seals are preloaded when the half shells or cheeks are bolted together. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    A preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the following on the basis of the drawing, which shows: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective full view of an animal drinker, 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a technical unit of the animal drinker in a view II pursuant to  FIG. 1 , 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a vertical central longitudinal section through the technical unit of  FIG. 2 , 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a cross section IV-IV through the technical unit, 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a longitudinal section V-V through the technical unit, 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a longitudinal section VI-VI through the technical unit, 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a cross section through a water line of the animal drinker, 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a view of a connector for two water line sections, 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a vertical cut through a connector without the line sections, and 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is a central longitudinal section through a pipe string connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0038]    An animal drinker configured as a line drinker is shown completely in  FIG. 1  and only in part in the other Figures. The line drinker enables animals, in particular small animals, to access the drinker themselves to cover their water needs. Such a line drinker is usually used by large-scale poultry farms. The line drinkers are suspended in the coop on wires not shown in the Figures, specifically at a distance from the floor of the coop corresponding to the size of the animals in order that they can comfortably reach the drinking valves  20  of the line drinker. The drinking valves  20 , which are well-known in themselves, have a valve pin whose exposed lower end can be lifted and/or tilted by the animals with their beaks, thus opening the drinking valve  20  to supply water to the animals. After the valve pin  21  is released the drinking valve  20  automatically closes. 
         [0039]    The line drinker has a elongate, rectilinear water circulation line  22 . The water circulation line  22  is suspended in the coop to run horizontally. The water circulation line  22  is configured according to the invention such that it allows for a closed water circuit in the line drinker. To this end, the water circulation line  22  has two parallel pipe strings  23 ,  24 , which extend in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the water circulation line  22 , specifically in a horizontal orientation. Both pipe strings  23  and  24  are provided with an identical cross section which in the shown exemplary embodiment has a square configuration with rounded edges. However, it is possible for the pipe strings  23  and  24  to be configured with different cross sections. In the shown animal drinker, the pipe strings  23 ,  24  are positioned at a distance to one another. In this case only the lower pipe string  24  is assigned all of the drinking valves  20 . The drinking valves  20  are spaced uniformly along the entire length of the pipe string  24 . The drinking valves  20  are screwed into the bottom side of the pipe string  24  such that an exposed lower end of the valve pin  21  projects downwards beyond the lower wall of the pipe string  24  in order that the valve pins  21  of the drinking valves  20  are freely accessible to the animals. If the pipe strings  23  and  24  are situated next to one another, drinking valves  20  can be assigned to both pipe strings  23  and  24 . 
         [0040]    The pipe strings  23  and  24 , disposed one above the another and at a distance to one another, are connected by an narrow upright web  25  running in the longitudinal direction of the parallel pipe strings  23  and  24  ( FIG. 7 ). Another upright web  26  is disposed above the top pipe string  23 . This web  26  also runs in the longitudinal direction of the pipe string  23 . The central plane of both webs  25  and  26  coincides with a common vertical central plane  27  of the water circulation line  22 . Also coinciding with this central plane  27  are the center points of the pipe strings  23  and  24  ( FIG. 7 ). An exposed top longitudinal edge of the top web  26  is assigned a triangular-shaped edge profile  28  having a peaked edge  29  running in the longitudinal direction of the water circulation line  22 . This peaked edge  29  of the edge profile  28  keeps fowl from perching on the top of the water circulation line  22  of the line drinker. The edge profile  28  is also used to attach hangers  30  to the lower ends of wires (not shown) for suspending the line drinker in the coop. 
         [0041]    The pipe strings  23 ,  24 , the webs  25 ,  26  and the edge profile  28  are connected to one another as a single piece, thus keeping the water circulation line  22  free of seams in which impurities, in particular bird droppings, might lodge ( FIG. 5 ). This also makes it easy to clean the entire water circulation line  22 . 
         [0042]    The water circulation line  22  is composed of identical line sections  31  preferably of the same length. A plurality of line sections  31  lying axially one behind the other form the entire water circulation line  22  of the line drinker. Depending on the length of the line drinker, the number of identical, in particular equally long line sections  31  arranged one behind the other varies.  FIG. 1  shows only two line sections  31 . But the invention is not limited to this number. The line drinker can be composed of any number of line sections  31 . In general, it has more than two line sections  31 . But in the case of relatively short line drinkers, it is also conceivable that they consist of only a single line section  31 . The line sections  31  are combined by linking their facing ends at a connector  32 . Provided for this purpose at each connector  32  are two detachable cheeks  33 . The cheeks  33  are of identical configuration and are set against the water circulation line  22  from opposite sides thereof as a mirror image in terms of their relative positioning, specifically overlapping the adjacent end regions of the line sections  31  to be connected. The two cheeks  33  enclose adjacent end regions of the pipe string sections  34  and  35  used to form the pipe strings  23  and  24  of successive line sections  31 . In order to achieve a watertight connection of the pipe string sections  34  and  35  of adjacent line sections  31 , the assembled cheeks  33  form a sleeve  36  around the respective pipe string  23  and  24 . The sleeves  36  for each pipe string  23  and  24  are provided with two spaced-apart seals  37 . The adjacent end regions of the pipe string section  34  as well as of the pipe string section  35  to be connected to each other are thereby sealed by a respective seal  37  to prevent the escape of water at the connector  32  ( FIG. 9 ). A plurality of bolts  38  ( FIG. 8 ), which pass through the corresponding bore holes in the web sections  39  and  40  of the line sections  41  forming the webs  25  and  26 , are tightened to press together the opposing cheeks  33  against the end regions of the web sections  39  and  40  until the bearing surfaces  41  of the cheeks  33  lie against the walls of the web sections  39  and  40 . As a result, the seals  37  are pressed circumferentially from the outside against the end regions of the pipe string sections  34  and  35  and elastically preloaded to generate an effective sealing action. 
         [0043]    The pipe strings  23  and  24  are connected at opposite ends of the animal drinker so that the water in the pipe strings  23 ,  24  can circulate. Located at the back end (i.e. the right-hand end as shown in the drawing of  FIG. 1 ) of the water circulation line  22  is a pipe string connector  42 , which can also serve as an venting valve and for flushing the water circulation line  22 . At the opposite front end (the left-hand end in  FIG. 1 ), the pipe strings  23  and  24  of the water circulation line  22  are connected by a technical unit  43  to conduct water. In the shown exemplary embodiment a pressure regulator  44  is arranged upstream of the technical unit  43  in terms of the direction of water flow. Of known design, the pressure regulator  44  reduces the pressure employed to provide the water from the water supply to a lower pressure level for operating the drinking valves. The tap water flows under lower pressure from the pressure regulator  44  through a inlet connection and into the technical unit  43 . 
         [0044]    The technical unit  43  has a watertight housing  45  in which the components essential for operating the animal drinker are located. The watertight housing  45  is formed from two half shells  46  and  47 , which are bolted together and made tight with seals. Formed in the half shell  47  is a small inner housing  48  which extends across the entire width of the housing  45  and which is open at the outer side of the half shell  47 . This open side of the inner housing  48  is sealed by a cover  49  to be liquid-tight, with the cover being flush with the outer wall of the half shell  47 . The electric connections and the control system  50  of the animal drinker are accommodated in the inner housing  48  ( FIG. 4 ). The inner housing  48  adjoins a vertical end wall  51  of the housing directed toward the water circulation line  22  but ends at a distance from the opposite end wall  52  of the housing  45  directed toward the pressure regulator  44 . The inlet connection  61  is located in the housing end wall  52 . A horizontal divider  54  is located inside the housing  45  between an end wall  53  of the inner housing  48 , which is spaced apart from the housing end wall  52 , and the housing end wall  52  itself. The divider  54  and the inner housing  48  provides a watertight partitioning of the housing  45  interior into a lower reservoir  55  and an upper overflow channel  56  ( FIG. 3 ). The reservoir  55  is substantially greater in volume than the overflow channel  56 . In the shown exemplary embodiment the reservoir  55  is several times larger than the overflow channel  56 , with the inner housing  48  and the divider  54  thus being arranged above the lower half of the housing  45 . 
         [0045]    Located in the reservoir  55  in the housing  45  is a pump  57 , which operates on the principle of a submergible pump, for example. On its pressure side, the pump  57  is provided with a vertical tube  58 , which runs in watertight fashion through the divider  54  into the overflow channel  56 . The pump  57  conveys water through this tube  58  from the reservoir  55  into the overflow channel  56  ( FIG. 3 ). Also located in the reservoir  55  is a float switch  59 , which in the shown exemplary embodiment is arranged above the pump  57 . The float switch  59  has a float  60 , which can pivot about a horizontal axis of rotation and which turns off the pump  57  whenever the water level in the reservoir  55  drops below a certain minimum level in order to keep the pump  57  from running dry. 
         [0046]    The shown animal drinker has a treatment device for the water circulating in the animal drinker. In particular, this treatment device involves a UV lamp  62  which emits ultraviolet light. The UV lamp  62  is disposed in the reservoir  55  in the housing  45  ( FIG. 3 ). The UV lamp  62  is screwed tightly and in watertight fashion into a socket  63  in the housing end wall  51  such that it can be inserted as a whole into the housing  45  from the outside. As a result, a treatment chamber  64  of the UV lamp  62  is located completely within the reservoir  55 . 
         [0047]    The animal drinker can have one or more further treatment devices for the circulating water. This can be a metering device for the additive dosing of supplements (preferably liquid supplements) into the water. This device can be a medicament dosage device, for example. Furthermore, a device for cooling and/or heating the water can be provided. Preferably, these additional treatment devices can also be disposed in the region of the technical unit  43  in order to cool and/or heat the water in the reservoir  55  and, if appropriate, for the additive dosage of medicaments, for example, to the water in the region of the reservoir  55  or also in the overflow channel  56 . 
         [0048]    Arranged in the end wall  51  of the housing  45  is a outlet connection  65  connected to the overflow channel  56 . Water flows from the overflow channel  56  through the outlet connection  65  into the upper pipe string  23  of the water circulation line  22 . Furthermore, the end wall  51  of the housing  45  is assigned an inlet connection  66  which leads into the reservoir  55 . Water flows through the inlet connection  66  to return from the lower pipe string  24  of the water circulation line  22  back into the reservoir  55 . 
         [0049]    The pipe string connector  42  at the rear end of the water circulation line  22  opposite the technical unit  43  has an inlet connection  67 , which is connected in a watertight manner to the end of the upper pipe string  23 , and, below the latter, an outlet connection  68  connected in a watertight manner to the lower pipe string  24 . The connection of the rear ends of the pipe strings  23  and  24  to the inlet connection  67  and the outlet connection  68  of the pipe string connector  42  is also detachable due to the cheeks  33  located on the connectors  32  of the line sections  31 . Water coming from the pipe string  23  is diverted in the pipe string connector  42  and directed to the pipe string  24 , in which the water flows back to the reservoir  55  in the housing  45  of the technical unit  43 . The pipe string connector  42  has two brackets  69  on opposite sides of the inlet connection  67  with which the pipe string connector  42  can be bolted on the webs  25  and  26  of the water circulation line  22 . 
         [0050]    The pipe string connector  42  shown here is also employed to vent the water circulation line  22  and to flush the same whenever the animal drinker is to be cleaned. For this purpose an overflow channel  70 , open at the top, in the pipe string connector  42  is extended upwards by means of a venting pipe  71  ( FIG. 1 ). The normally open upper end of the venting pipe  71  can be closed by a closure  72  or a valve for flushing the animal drinker. At the lower end of the overflow channel  70  the pipe string connector  42  has a flushing connection  73  located opposite the outlet connection  68 . The flushing connection  73  can be closed to be watertight during the operation of the animal drinker. 
         [0051]    The operating principle of the animal drinker described above is explained in the following: 
         [0052]    During operation of the animal drinker the flushing connection  73  of the pipe string connector  42  is closed and the venting pipe  71  is open. 
         [0053]    During operation of the animal drinker, the pump  57  in the housing  45  of the technical unit  43  is in operation. The pump  45  can be operated continually as well as only periodically. During operation of the pump  57 , the water in the animal drinker is circulated on a permanent basis. The pump  57  pumps water out of the reservoir  55  into the overflow channel  56  in the housing  45 . From the overflow channel  56  the water is conducted into the pipe string  23 . The water flowing through the pipe string  23  is diverted at the rear end of the water circulation line  22  by the pipe string connecter  42  into the lower pipe string  24 , where the water flows past the drinking valves  20  to return to the reservoir  55  in the housing  45  of the technical unit  43 . As long as the pump  57  is in operation, the water in the water circulation line  22  is constantly in motion even when no water is being removed by the animals at the drinking valves  20 . Thus, when the pump  57  is in operation, the water continually flows through the animal drinker according to the invention in a closed circuit. In case there is not enough water in the reservoir  55 , thus posing the risk of the pump  57  running dry, the pump  57  is turned off by the float switch  59  until there is again enough water in the reservoir  55 . 
         [0054]    The amount of circulated water decreases with time by the amount of water removed by the animals at the drinking valves  20 . This causes the water level in the reservoir  55  to drop. Water is then fed by the pressure regulator  44  to the reservoir  55  until the reservoir  55  is again filled with a sufficient supply of water. The pressure regulator  44  thus ensures that the water level in the reservoir  55  is kept within a range which prevents the pump  57  from running dry. 
         [0055]    As water circulates, a constant exchange of water takes place in the reservoir  55 . The water in the reservoir  55  is irradiated with ultraviolet light by the UV lamp  62  of the treatment device. This process removes contaminants from the water, such as germs, bacteria and/or fungi. The water in the reservoir  55  is thus subjected to microbial treatment. Not only can the water can be purified by UV irradiation, but also a sterilization, disinfection and/or oxidation of the water can be conducted in the reservoir  55 . Due to the circulation of water through the animal drinker, all of the water contained in the animal drinker is irradiated continuously. Continual treatment of the water can also be achieved by other means, such as cooling and heating the water or by the additive dosage of supplements to the water, in particular medicaments, nutrients or the like. 
         [0056]    In order to flush the animal drinker, a water hose is connected to the flushing connection  73  of the pipe string connector  42  in order to drain off flushing water. The venting pipe  71  of the pipe string connector  42  is closed. Water is supplied by the pressure regulator  44  at undiminished line pressure to the reservoir  55  of the technical unit  43  at the beginning of the animal drinker. As the animal drinker is flushed, the water used for flushing then fills both pipe strings  23  and  24  under full line pressure while bypassing the pump  57 . The flushing water thus flushes both pipe strings  23  and  24  at the same time and in common. During flushing operations, therefore, the water does not circulate through the pipe strings  23  and  24 . The flushing water of both pipe strings  23  and  24  flows together in the pipe string connector  42  so that the flushing water from both pipe strings  23  and  24  can be directed out of the animal drinker via the flushing connection  73  of the pipe string connector  42 . 
       LIST OF DESIGNATIONS 
       [0000]    
       
           20  drinking valve 
           21  valve pin 
           22  water circulation line 
           23  pipe string 
           24  pipe string 
           25  web 
           26  web 
           27  center plane 
           28  edge profile 
           29  peaked edge 
           30  hanger 
           31  line section 
           32  connector 
           33  cheek 
           34  pipe string section 
           35  pipe string section 
           36  sleeve 
           37  seal 
           38  bolt 
           39  web section 
           40  web section 
           41  bearing surface 
           42  pipe string connector 
           43  technical unit 
           44  pressure regulator 
           45  housing 
           46  half shell 
           47  half shell 
           48  inner housing 
           49  cover 
           50  control unit 
           51  housing end wall 
           52  housing end wall 
           53  inner housing end wall 
           54  divider 
           55  reservoir 
           56  overflow channel 
           57  pump 
           58  tube 
           59  float switch 
           60  float 
           61  inlet connection 
           62  ultraviolet lamp 
           63  socket 
           64  treatment chamber 
           65  outlet connection 
           66  inlet connection 
           67  inlet connection 
           68  outlet connection 
           69  bracket 
           70  overflow channel 
           71  venting pipe 
           72  closure 
           73  flushing connection 
           74  external thread