Abstract:
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a watering system configured to provide water to livestock. The system may include a water basin, a reservoir, a biasing mechanism and a cap. The water basin defines a trough configured to retain water. A water path having an inlet and outlet is formed through a portion of the water basin. The reservoir is mounted to the water basin. The biasing mechanism is configured to selectively open and close the inlet. The cap is removably secured to the reservoir and configured to selectively engage the biasing mechanism to open and close the inlet. The cap remains connected to the reservoir and the biasing mechanism when the inlet is open.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application relates to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/151,044, entitled “System and Method for Automatically Deactivating a Poultry Watering Device,” filed Feb. 9, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and method for providing water to livestock, such as poultry, and more particularly, to a system and method for automatically deactivating a watering device so that it may be re-filled with water. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Gravity-feed watering devices have been used for a number of years in order to provide water for livestock, such as chickens, to drink. In general, the watering device includes a basin having a low wall that defines a drinking trough. A metal or plastic water reservoir is mounted above the basin. Typically, the reservoir has a fluid capacity of one to five gallons. 
         [0004]    In use, the reservoir is positioned on the basin such that an open end is downwardly-oriented, akin to a bucket that is turned upside down. In order to fill the watering device, the reservoir is detached from the basin. The reservoir is then inverted so that its open end is exposed. Water may then be filled into the reservoir, which then retains the water. After the reservoir is filled, the basin is reattached to the reservoir, and the device is tipped over, such that the basin is upwardly-oriented and the reservoir is downwardly-oriented. In this orientation, the outer circumferential wall of the basin overhangs the reservoir, as the diameter of the basin exceeds that of the reservoir. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conventional watering device  10 . The device  10  includes a basin  12  having base  14  integrally formed with an outer wall  16  defining a water-retaining volume therebetween. The device  10  also includes a reservoir  18  having a base  20  integrally formed with circumferential walls  22 . An open end of the reservoir leads to a cavity  24  configured to receive and retain water  26 . 
         [0006]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  10  is in an operational configuration such that the reservoir  18  is attached to the basin  12 . As noted above, the outer wall  16  of the basin  10  overhangs an outer circumference of the reservoir  18 . 
         [0007]    The edges of the walls  22  of the reservoir  18  attach to the basin  12  at a level that is lower than the upper edges of the outer wall  16  of the basin  12 . Accordingly, a drinking trough  28  is defined between the outer wall  16  and the edges of the walls  22 . 
         [0008]    A channel or notch may be formed proximate the edge of walls  22  of the reservoir  18 . The channel allows water to flow by force of gravity from the reservoir  18  into the trough  28 . As water flows out of the reservoir  18 , it is replaced by air that bubbles past the edge and collects in an air pocket  29  above the water  26  contained within the reservoir  18 . 
         [0009]    As the water level in the trough  28  rises, however, the edge of the reservoir  18  becomes submerged, and backward flow of air into the reservoir  18  stops. At this point, water continues to flow, thereby expanding the volume of the air pocket  29  trapped inside the reservoir  18 . However, because air is no longer flowing into the volume of the air pocket  29 , air pressure therein decreases. Water continues to flow from the reservoir  18  into the trough  28  until the weight of the water  26  inside the reservoir plus the pressure of the trapped air  29  is balanced by ambient air pressure outside the reservoir  18 . 
         [0010]    As noted above, in order for the reservoir  18  to be filled, the reservoir  18  must be inverted such that the base  20  rests on a surface. Attempting to reattach the basin  12  to the reservoir  18  while the reservoir  18  is in this position usually results in water being spilled when the device  10  is reoriented into its operational position. 
         [0011]    To alleviate this drawback, some devices include a reservoir having an opening in the base that is covered by a fluid-tight cap. In order to keep the water from exiting the reservoir and overflowing the drinking trough during the filling process, however, the water path leading from the reservoir to the trough must be closed. Some devices include a small cap that is configured to be manually rotated. The cap rotatably engages the nozzle leading from the reservoir to the trough. With such a device, a user needs to unscrew the small cap from its storage spot, then manipulate it such that the user&#39;s fingers are in the drinking water, and screw the cap onto the bottom nozzle, thereby closing off the water path. After filling, the cap is removed and replaced on the reservoir. As can be appreciated, this type of device provides an awkward and time-consuming filling process. 
         [0012]    Other devices include spring-loaded valves on the inner walls of a double-walled reservoir. The valves move forward to close the water path when an outer shroud of the reservoir is removed. With these devices, extra material and weight is required to provide the double-walled reservoir. The inner wall serves as a container with an open top to hold the water while the outer, removable shroud is in the form of a bucket turned upside down and covers the inner container, thereby forming an air seal. As such, the double-walled construction adds cost and material to the manufacturing process. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a watering system configured to provide water to livestock. The system may include a water basin, a reservoir, a biasing mechanism, and a cap. 
         [0014]    The water basin defines a trough configured to retain water. A water path having an inlet and outlet is formed through a portion of the water basin. The outlet leads to the trough. 
         [0015]    The reservoir is mounted to the water basin. The reservoir may be removably secured to the water basin. Alternatively, the reservoir may be integrally formed with, and permanently fixed to, the basin. 
         [0016]    The biasing mechanism is configured to selectively open and close the inlet. 
         [0017]    The cap is removably secured to the reservoir and is configured to selectively engage the biasing mechanism to open and close the inlet. The cap remains connected to the reservoir and the biasing mechanism when the inlet is open. The cap is configured to be removed in order to fill the reservoir. 
         [0018]    The reservoir may include an inwardly-canted top wall integrally connected to upstanding walls supported by the water basin. The cap is removably secured within an opening formed in the top wall. 
         [0019]    In certain embodiments, the biasing mechanism may include a rod having first and second ends. The first end abuts into a portion of the cap, and the second end includes a plug that is configured to sealingly seat into the inlet. 
         [0020]    The biasing mechanism may also include a biasing spring around at least a portion of the rod. The biasing spring is configured to be compressively sandwiched between the cap and a portion of the reservoir. 
         [0021]    The rod may be flexible. Further, the rod may be contained within a tube. 
         [0022]    In certain embodiments, the biasing mechanism includes a lever having first and second ends. The first end is proximate the cap and the second end connects to a proximal end of a rod. A stop cock proximate the inlet is connected to a distal end of the rod. 
         [0023]    In certain embodiments, the cap includes a cone and the biasing mechanism includes a rod movably secured within a cage support. A first end of the rod abuts the cone and a second end of the rod contacts a pivotal cover over the inlet. 
         [0024]    In certain embodiments, the biasing mechanism includes a rotatable rod comprising a tab at a first end and a rotatable plug at a second end. The rotatable plug is positioned within the water path. The cap includes a slot configured to receive and retain the tab. Rotation of the cap causes a responsive rotation in the rotatable plug when the tab is retained within the slot. 
         [0025]    The rotatable plug may include a side wall having an opening that is configured to be rotated into alignment with the outlet. Optionally, the rotatable plug may include a disk having an opening that is configured to be rotated into alignment with the outlet. 
         [0026]    Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method of re-filling a watering system configured to provide water to livestock. The method includes disconnecting a cap positioned on a reservoir from a biasing mechanism that closes a water path within a water basin, opening the water path through the disconnecting, wherein the opening comprises removing the biasing mechanism from a plugging relationship within the water path when the cap is disconnected from the biasing mechanism, and opening a water intake of the reservoir through the disconnecting. 
         [0027]    The disconnecting may include rotating the cap with respect to the reservoir. Optionally, the disconnecting may include lifting the cap away from the reservoir. 
         [0028]    The opening the water path through the disconnecting may include biasing a plug connected to a rod into a water inlet of the water path. 
         [0029]    Optionally, the disconnecting may include removing a stop cock from an inlet of the water path through pivotal movement of a lever connected to a rod having the stop cock at a distal end. 
         [0030]    The disconnecting may include disconnecting a cone from a first end of a rod, wherein the disconnecting a cone causes a second end of the rod to move a cover over an inlet of the water path. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conventional watering device. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a watering system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a watering system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a watering system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a watering system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a selective water gate, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a watering system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a watering system  30 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system  30  includes a basin  32  and a reservoir  34 , both of which may be circular in axial cross section. As shown, the reservoir  34  is a simple, single-wall construction that mounts above the upper edges of the walls of the basin  32 . That is, the lowest edges of the reservoir  34  may be above the upper edges of the basin  32 . 
         [0040]    The basin  32  includes a base  36  integrally formed with upstanding circumferential walls  38 . A central island  40  extends upwardly from the base  36  about a central axis of the basin  32 . An annular drinking trough  42  surrounds the island  40 . That is, the drinking trough  42  is defined between the walls  38  and the outer lateral surfaces of the island  40 . 
         [0041]    A water path  44  is formed through the island  40 . The water path  44  includes an inlet  46  on top of the island  40 . The inlet  46  connects to an outlet  48  on the side of the island  40 . Thus, water may pass from the inlet  46  to the outlet  48 , where it flows into the trough  42 . 
         [0042]    The reservoir  34  includes an inwardly-dented base or top wall  50  that integrally connects to circumferential walls  52 . The base  50  cants downwardly toward a center thereof. The downward canting facilitates water draining into an opening formed through a center of the base  50 . 
         [0043]    The reservoir  34  is mounted on top of the island  40 . Distal edges  54  of the walls  52  secure over the island  40  with a sealing gasket  56  therebetween. 
         [0044]    The base  50  of the reservoir  34  includes a central chamber  58  extending from lower surfaces of the base  50  into the water-retaining cavity  60 . The chamber  58  is defined by vertical walls  62  extending downwardly from the base  50 . The vertical walls  62  integrally connect to a horizontal wall  64  having a passage formed therethrough. The vertical and horizontal walls  62  and  64  may include openings that allow water to pass therethrough. Optionally, the walls  62  and  64  may be beams, straps, or the like. 
         [0045]    An opening  66  is formed through a center of the base  50  and leads into the central chamber  58 . Exposed edges of the base  50  that define the opening  66  may be threaded. 
         [0046]    A rod  68  connects to, or abuts into, a post  70  within the central chamber  58 . The rod  68  passes through the opening formed through the horizontal wall  64  and extends through the inlet  46  of the water path  44  formed in the island  40 . The rod  68  may be formed of metal or stiff plastic. 
         [0047]    A plug  72  is positioned at a distal end of the rod  68 . The plug  72  has a diameter that is greater than that of the inlet  46 . Accordingly, the plug  72  cannot pass upwardly through the inlet  46 . 
         [0048]    A coil spring  74  surrounds the portion of the rod  68  within the central chamber  58 . The spring  74  is compressively sandwiched between the horizontal wall  64  and a lower surface of the post  70 . As such, the spring  74  exerts a force into the post  70  in the direction of arrow A, and a force into the horizontal wall  64  in the direction of arrow B. 
         [0049]    A cap  76  having an air-tight seal  78  threadably secures to the base  50  over the opening  66 . The post  70  may be part of the cap  76  (i.e., a central post extending downwardly from the cap  76 , with the seal  78  surrounding an outer circumference of the post  70 ). The cap  76  may include a column, post (such as the post  70 ), shaft or the like that is threaded. Accordingly, the cap  76  threadably engages the exposed edges of the base  50 . Optionally, the cap  76  may simply plug the opening  66  by way of the seal  78 , which sealingly engages portions of the base  50  that define the opening  66 . 
         [0050]    In the operational configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the cap  76  is secured to the base  50 . In this position, the cap  76  forces the post  70  downward in the direction of arrow B. The seal  78  sealingly engages the exposed edges of the base, thereby forming a fluid tight seal. Accordingly, air is prevented from passing into the reservoir  34 . 
         [0051]    As the post  70  is forced downward in the direction of arrow B, the attached rod  68  also is forced in the same direction such that the plug  72  is unseated from the inlet  46  of the water path  44 . Accordingly, water within the reservoir  34  may pass into the water path  44 , and into the trough  42 . 
         [0052]    In order to fill the reservoir  34 , instead of removing the reservoir  34  from the basin  32 , the cap  76  is simply removed. As the cap  76  is removed from the base  50 , the spring  74  forces the post  70  upward in the direction of arrow A. Accordingly, the rod  68  moves in response until the plug  72  seats against the inlet  46 . Because the diameter of the plug  72  exceeds the diameter of the inlet  46 , the plug  72  is prevented from ejecting through the inlet  46 . The plug  72  may be formed of a fluid-tight material such as rubber. Therefore, when the plug  72  seats against the inlet  46 , water is prevented from passing from the reservoir  34  into the water path  44 . Thus, the trough  42  does not overflow during the filling process. 
         [0053]    When the cap  76  is removed from the base  50  of the reservoir  34 , water may be poured into the reservoir  34  through the opening  66 . As noted, the water is prevented from passing into the water path  44  by the plug  72 . Once the reservoir  34  is filled, the cap  76  is manipulated back into the opening  66 . As the cap  76  is re-positioned back on the base  50 , the cap  72  forces the post  70  downward in the direction of arrow B. Consequently, the rod  68  moves in response, and the plug  72  unseats from the inlet  46 , thereby allowing water to pass from the reservoir  34  into the trough  42 . 
         [0054]    As shown and described, the rod  68  and cap  76  are part of a biasing mechanism that selectively opens and closes the inlet  46  based on whether the cap  76  is secured to, or removed from, the reservoir  34 . That is, the biasing mechanism opens the inlet  46  when the cap  76  is secured to the opening  66  formed through the base  50  of the reservoir, and closes the inlet  46  when the cap  76  is removed from the reservoir  34 . 
         [0055]    The seal  78  ensures that air does not pass into the reservoir  34 . Therefore, the system  30  operates to fill the trough  42  through a gravity-feed process, as intended. 
         [0056]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a watering system  80 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The watering system  80  is similar to the system  30 , except that the biasing mechanism includes a lever  82  pivotally secured to an underside of the base  50  through a beam  84 . A proximal end  86  of the lever  82  is positioned underneath the post  70 , while a distal end  88  of the lever  82  is connected to the rod  68 . A stop cock  90  is secured to a distal end of the rod  68 . When the cap  76  is secured to the reservoir  34 , the post  70  biases into the end  86  of the lever  82 , thereby forcing the opposite end  88  of the lever  82  up. In response, the rod  68  is forced up, thereby ensuring that the stop cock  90  is removed from the inlet  46 . 
         [0057]    When the cap  76  is removed, however, the post  70  no longer abuts into the lever  82 . The weight of the rod  68  forces the end  88  of the lever  82  down, and the stop cock  90  moves into the inlet  46  and forms a water-tight seal. After filling, the cap  70  is re-secured, thereby biasing the lever  82  back into the position shown in  FIG. 3 , such that the stop cock  90  disengages from the inlet  46 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a watering system  100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The watering system  100  is similar to the systems  30  and  80 , except that the biasing mechanism includes an angled rod  102  movably secured to a pivoting sealing cover  104  above the inlet  46 . The rod  102  is supported by a cage support  106  having upstanding beams  108  secured over the island  40 . The beams  108  integrally connect to a ring  109 . The rod  102  passes through the opening of the ring  109 . A distal end of the rod  102  rests in a notch  110  formed in the right angle cover  104 . 
         [0059]    The cap  76  includes a downwardly-oriented cone  112  underneath the post  70 . A proximal end  113  of the rod  102  abuts a base of the cone  112 . 
         [0060]    When the cap  76  is secured to the reservoir  34 , the cone  112  forces the proximal end  113  of rod  102  away from a central axis of the reservoir  34 . A distal end  114  of the rod  102  therefore moves away from the central axis in an opposite direction as the proximal end  113 . The distal end  114  moves into an upstanding beam of the cover  104 , thereby pivoting the cover  104  up. As such, the cover  104  moves off the inlet  46 . 
         [0061]    When the cap  76  is removed, the proximal end  113  of the rod  102  no longer contacts the cone  112 . Then, the upstanding beam of the cover  104  exerts a force into the distal end  114  of the rod  104  forcing it to move back toward alignment with the central axis of the reservoir  34 . In response, the cover  104  pivots down and sealingly covers the inlet  46 . The distal end  114  of the rod  102  may be pivotally secured to the cover  104 . 
         [0062]    After filling, the cap  76  is secured to the reservoir  34 , and the cone forces the rod  102  into the position shown in  FIG. 4 , in which the cover  104  moves away from the inlet  46 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a watering system  120 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system  120  is similar to those described above, except that the cap  76  is secured to a rotatable rod  122 . The rod  122  may include a tab  124  that is received and retained within a reciprocal slot or notch formed in the post  70  of the cap  76 . When connected, rotation of the cap  76  causes the rod  122  to rotate. 
         [0064]    A distal end of the rod  122  is connected to a rotatable plug  126  within the water path  128 . The plug  126  includes an open top and a sealing side wall  129  that sealingly engages walls of the island  40  that define a portion of the water path  128 . An opening  130  is formed through the side wall  129 . In the operational position, the cap  76  is rotated so that the opening  130  is aligned with the water path  128 . Thus, water may pass from the reservoir  34  into the water path  128 , through the open top of the plug  126 , then through the opening  130 , and out into the trough  42 . Before filling, the cap  76  is rotated so that the side wall  129  closes the opening to the trough  42 . 
         [0065]    In order to re-fill the reservoir, the cap  76  is rotated so that the opening to the trough  42  is blocked, as noted. The cap  76  is removed by simply lifting it upward so that it detaches from the tab  124  of the rod  122 . Then, the reservoir  34  may be re-filled. 
         [0066]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a selective water gate  140 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gate  140  includes a flat disk  142  securely fastened to a rod  144 . A hole  146  is formed through the disk  142  and is configured to rotatably align with the water inlet  46  of the island  40  (or any other portion where the water path  44  may be formed). The cap  76  (not shown) may be selectively rotated to position the hole  146  over the inlet  46 , in order to allow water to pass into the inlet  46 , and to rotate the hole  146  away from the inlet  46  so that disk material blocks water from passing into the inlet  46 . A sealing O-ring  148  may be compressively sandwiched between the disk  142  and the island  40  around the inlet  46 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a watering system  150 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system  150  is similar to the embodiments described above except that, instead of using a stiff rod, a flexible wire or rod  152  is positioned within a hollow tube  154 . This configuration may be used in place of any of the rod configurations described and shown with respect to  FIGS. 2-6 . 
         [0068]    Embodiments of the present invention may be used in conjunction with the heating system and method shown and described in U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed Jan. 28, 2010, entitled “System and Method for Heating a Poultry Watering Device,” assigned to Allied Precision Industries Inc. (Attorney Docket No. 20494US02), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0069]    Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a watering system and method that is configured to allow for quick and easy re-filling. As described, the water reservoir does not need to be removed and inverted in order to re-fill the reservoir. 
         [0070]    Further, embodiments of the present invention provide a cost-effective design that does not include a double-walled reservoir construction. 
         [0071]    While various spatial terms, such as upper, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, and the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like. 
         [0072]    While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.