Patent Description:
Animal actuated watering valves are well known. One such valve is disclosed in <CIT> ("the Avidity Science patent"). The valve disclosed in the Avidity Science patent includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet connected by an elongated longitudinal bore, a diaphragm located within the bore, a valve seat positioned within the bore and between the diaphragm and the outlet, and a valve stem having a relatively wide valve stem head and a relatively narrow elongated lever extending downstream from the valve head into the bore. The valve head is held in position by the valve seat in the form of an elastomeric O-ring acting on its downstream surface and the diaphragm on its upstream surface. The lever is selectively deflectable by an animal to pivot the valve head relative to the valve seat from a seated position to an unseated position to permit water flow through the diaphragm, through the longitudinal bore, and out the outlet.

The valve disclosed in the Avidity Science patent works very well but exhibits some disadvantages.

For example, the valve seat of the Avidity Science patent limits the deflection of the lever. In addition, the diaphragm, valve seat, and valve stem head are susceptible to debris becoming lodged there between, which would result in the valve stem head not fully seating with the valve seat. That is, a piece of debris may deposit itself between the valve seat and the valve stem head, which would maintain an opening between the valve stem head and the valve seat and, therefore, allow water to flow through the diaphragm and valve seat.

The valve disclosed in the Avidity Science patent includes an inline filter disposed at an upstream end of the housing. The inline filter is described as possibly being a screen mesh, fiber, or sintered metal. Such filters are usually <NUM> thick with a single layer of openings for the water to flow through. As such, the lodging of a few pieces or even one piece of debris within the openings can noticeably restrict the flow of water through the filter and, hence, through the valve.

In addition, while the Avidity Science patent recognizes the desirability of providing a shield to prevent the animal from stuffing bedding material into the valve while also being resistant to tearing by the animal, the disclosed shield is still susceptible to having bedding cling to the shield and inhibit water flow.

The need therefore exists for an animal watering valve with improved filtration that is effective yet that is less prone to restriction that could restrict water flow through the valve.

Further, the need has arisen for an animal watering valve having a diaphragm and stem design that is resistant to debris build up so as to ensure that the stem head does not remain in an unseated position. That is, there is a need for a diaphragm having two or more sealing surfaces to provide sealing redundancy to ensure that debris build up between the diaphragm and the stem head does not prevent the sealing surface from properly seating and fully shutting off water flow.

Additionally, the need has arisen for an animal watering valve that more assuredly prevents debris from entering the downstream end of the valve and keeping the valve in the actuated position.

In an example which does not form part of the claimed the invention, an animal watering valve includes a housing having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a bore formed therein and extending from the upstream end to the downstream end. A valve element and a valve actuator are located in the bore. The watering valve also includes a plug disposed within the bore between the upstream end of the housing and the valve element. The plug includes a lattice structure extending lengthwise of the plug. An upstream end of the plug may be flush with the upstream end of the housing.

The lattice structure may include pores sized between <NUM> and <NUM> microns. More typically, the lattice structure may include pores sized to <NUM> microns.

The length of the plug may be <NUM>-<NUM>. More typically, the length of the plug may be <NUM>.

In accordance with another example which does not form part of the claimed invention, an animal watering valve includes a housing having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a bore formed therein and extending from the upstream end to the downstream end. A valve element and a valve actuator are located in the bore. The valve element includes an elastomeric diaphragm configured to separate the bore into an upstream portion and a downstream portion, and the valve actuator comprises a relatively rigid stem having a stem head and a stem body extending downstream from the stem head. The stem head is disposed within a stem seat of the diaphragm and is surrounded by the diaphragm. Specifically an animal watering valve according to the other example which does not form part of the claimed invention comprises:
a housing having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a bore formed therein and extending from the upstream end to the downstream end.

Preferred embodiments of this example are in particular set out in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The diaphragm may include an outer collar and an inner collar. The inner collar has a sealing surface configured to seal off the upstream portion of the bore from the downstream portion of the bore so that actuation of the stem opens the seal and allows a liquid to flow from the upstream portion of the bore to the downstream portion of the bore.

The sealing surface may have two or more ridges and at least one groove formed between the ridges. Each ridge is able to individually seal off the upstream portion of the bore from the downstream portion of the bore.

The diaphragm may include a plurality of apertures circumferentially spaced around the diaphragm and extending therethrough. Each of the plurality of apertures are located between the outer collar and the inner collar.

In accordance with yet another example which does not form part of the claimed invention, a method of forming an animal watering valve includes <NUM>) molding a stem to include a stem head and a stem body extending from the stem head and <NUM>) molding an elastomeric diaphragm to include an outer collar, an inner collar, and a stem seat to surround the stem head. The stem seat preferably surrounds an outer circumferential periphery and an inner axial end of the stem head.

In the method, molding the diaphragm preferably comprises molding the inner collar to have a sealing surface with at least first and second annular ridges and at least one annular groove located between the first and second ridges. Preferably molding the diaphragm comprises forming a plurality of apertures that are circumferentially spaced around the diaphragm.

In accordance with the invention, an animal watering valve includes a housing having an outlet, an inlet, and a bore formed therein and extending from the outlet to the inlet. A valve element and/or a valve actuator are located in the bore. The valve actuator includes a stem disposed within the housing and extending through the outlet of the housing and a shield coupled to a downstream end of the stem. The shield hat has an outer cap of reduced diameter and an inner disk of increased diameter. The disk extends radially from the stem at a location adjacent an upstream side of the outlet. The stem hat is an unitary element forming the cap and the disk.

Specifically an animal watering valve according to the invention comprises:.

Preferably, a diameter of the disk is greater than a diameter of the outlet and/or the diameter of the disk is sized so that an outer edge of the disk remains transversely outside the outlet upon maximum deflection of the stem.

Preferably, the stem can be radially deflected up to <NUM>. Further, the disk is preferably axially spaced <NUM> to <NUM> [<NUM> to <NUM> inches] from the outlet. Still further, the stem comprises a polymer material, and the stem hat comprises a stainless-steel material.

A diameter of the disk is greater than a diameter of the outlet. Further, the diameter of the disk is sized so that an outer edge of the shield remains transversely outside the outlet during deflection of the stem. The stem may be deflected on the order of more than <NUM>° and up to <NUM>° or more.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after review of the specification, claims and drawings. The detailed description and examples enhance the understanding of the invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which:.

A wide variety of animal watering valves could be constructed in accordance with the invention as defined by the claims. The valve could be relatively small and designed for watering mice, or could be larger and designed for watering rats, guinea pigs, etc. They could be still larger and designed to water farm animals such as hogs. Hence, while exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described that are relatively small and ideally suited for watering small animals such as lab mice, it should be understood that the invention is in no way limited to any of the described embodiments. In particular, any dimensions discussed in this application are exemplary and not necessarily critical.

Referring first to <FIG>, perspective, side, and cross-sectional views of an animal watering valve <NUM> are shown. The animal watering valve <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> having a downstream end <NUM> associated with an outlet <NUM> and an upstream end <NUM> associated with an inlet <NUM>. A bore <NUM> extends longitudinally through the valve ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the valve <NUM>. A valve element <NUM> and an actuator <NUM> are provided in the bore <NUM> between the upstream and downstream ends <NUM> and <NUM>. A plug <NUM> is provided in the bore <NUM> upstream of the valve element <NUM>. A shield <NUM> is provided near the downstream end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

As shown in the cross-sectional side elevation view of the watering valve <NUM> of <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may be include a valve body <NUM>, a valve cap <NUM> coupled to an upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>, and a valve guard <NUM> coupled to a downstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>. In varying embodiments of the invention, the valve body <NUM>, valve cap <NUM>, and valve guard <NUM> may be coupled together by way of a threaded-fit manner, a snap-fit manner, etc. The valve body <NUM> and the valve cap <NUM> may be sealed by way of an O-ring <NUM> disposed between an outer surface <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> and an inner surface <NUM> of the valve cap <NUM>. Similarly, the valve body <NUM> and the valve guard <NUM> may be sealed by way of an O-ring <NUM> disposed between the outer surface <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> and an inner surface <NUM> of the valve guard <NUM>.

<FIG> further illustrates that the downstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> extends into and is overlapped and surrounded by the valve guard <NUM>. It is within this overlap, that the O-ring <NUM> may be disposed between the outer surface <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the valve guard <NUM>, as described above. Similarly, the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> is shown to extend into and be overlapped and surrounded by the valve cap <NUM>. It is within this overlap that the O-ring <NUM> may be disposed between the outer surface <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> and the inner surface <NUM> of the valve cap <NUM>, as described above. Additionally, <FIG> illustrates that the outer surface <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>, the inner surface <NUM> of the valve guard <NUM>, and the inner surface <NUM> of the valve cap <NUM> may be individually contoured to receive their respective O-rings <NUM>, <NUM> and ensure an effective seal.

The bore <NUM> extends longitudinally of the housing <NUM> and extends from the inlet <NUM> to the outlet <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the bore <NUM> may vary in diameter along the length of the bore <NUM>. While the representative embodiment of the invention illustrates the diameter of the bore <NUM> changing due to step changes along the length of the bore <NUM>, it is also contemplated that the bore <NUM> may be tapered along all or a portion of the length of the bore <NUM>. In yet other embodiments of the invention, it is contemplated that the bore <NUM> may maintain a consistent diameter throughout the length of the valve body <NUM>.

In other embodiments of the invention, the housing <NUM> may include a valve guard <NUM> directly coupled to the valve cap <NUM> with the valve body <NUM> disposed within. In yet other embodiments of the invention, the housing <NUM> may include any number of separate sections coupled together.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the outlet <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may be recessed into the downstream end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The valve guard <NUM> may include a flared wiping surface <NUM> extending from the outlet <NUM> to the downstream end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. A valve actuator <NUM> in the form of a valve stem <NUM>, which will be described in further detail below, is disposed within the bore <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and extends in a downstream direction and through the outlet <NUM>. In the representative embodiment of the invention, a downstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM> ends prior to the downstream end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In other words, the downstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM> is spaced inward from the downstream end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In other embodiments of the invention, the downstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM> may extend beyond the downstream end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> or be flush with the downstream end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the valve element <NUM> includes a diaphragm <NUM> disposed between the inner surface <NUM> of the valve cap <NUM> and the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>. Still referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the stem <NUM> extends through the bore <NUM> from an upstream end <NUM> disposed within the diaphragm <NUM> to the previously discussed downstream end <NUM>. In some embodiments of the invention, the size of the stem <NUM> may taper from larger at the upstream end <NUM> to smaller at the downstream end <NUM>. The stem <NUM> may taper at a <NUM>° angle. It is contemplated that the diameter of the downstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM> may have a diameter ranging from <NUM> to <NUM> [<NUM> to <NUM> inches] and more typically of about <NUM> [<NUM> inches].

Referring next to <FIG>, the stem <NUM> and diaphragm <NUM> are shown in greater detail. The stem <NUM> is relatively rigid. It could be formed from a metal such as stainless steel. In the present embodiment of the invention, it is formed from a polymer material that is resistant to temperature changes and chemical reactions associated with chlorine, acid, autoclaving, and the like. Examples of suitable polymers include R-<NUM> RADEL® Polyphenylsulfone, R-<NUM> RADEL® Polyphenylsulfone, and HU1004 ULTEM™ Polyetherimide.

The diaphragm <NUM> may be comprised of an elastomeric material such as a medical-grade silicone or any other suitable material for withstanding chemical reactions associated with purified water, chlorine, acid, and autoclaving. The outer surface <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> extends from an upstream end <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM>, which, as shown in <FIG>, is in contact with the inner surface <NUM> of the valve cap <NUM>, to a downstream end <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM>, which is in contact with the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>. A central portion <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> includes an upstream face <NUM> spaced inward and recessed from the upstream end <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> and a downstream face <NUM> spaced inward and recessed from the downstream end <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM>. That is a thickness of the central portion <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> is less than a thickness of the outer surface <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM>. For example, the outer surface <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM> [<NUM> to <NUM> inches] thick, while the central portion <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM> [<NUM> to <NUM> inches] thick.

The central portion <NUM> further includes a plurality of apertures <NUM> extending therethrough and circumferentially spaced around the central portion <NUM>. While the representative embodiment of the invention illustrates eight (<NUM>) apertures formed through the central portion <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> and spaced apart at <NUM>° intervals, other embodiments of the invention may include more or less than eight (<NUM>) apertures spaced at other than <NUM>° intervals. In yet other embodiments of the invention, the apertures <NUM> may be spaced at varying intervals. In one embodiment of the invention, the apertures <NUM> may be tapered from upstream to downstream at an angle of <NUM>°. In other words, each aperture <NUM> may have a larger diameter at the upstream face <NUM> of the central portion <NUM> and a smaller diameter at the downstream face <NUM> of the central portion <NUM>.

The diaphragm <NUM> additionally includes an outer collar <NUM> and an inner collar <NUM>, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The outer collar <NUM> is aligned with the outer surface <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> and extends from a downstream end <NUM> aligned with the downstream end <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> to an upstream end <NUM> aligned with the upstream end <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM>. As further shown in <FIG>, the outer collar <NUM> extends from its upstream end <NUM> in contact with the inner surface <NUM> of the valve cap <NUM>, to its downstream end <NUM> disposed at a location beyond the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>. In turn, the downstream end <NUM> of the outer collar <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> is disposed between the inner surface <NUM> of the valve cap <NUM> and the outer surface <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> along an overlap <NUM> with the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>.

The inner collar <NUM> is inwardly spaced from and is concentrically aligned with the outer collar <NUM>. For example, the outer collar <NUM> may have an outer diameter of <NUM> to <NUM> [<NUM> to <NUM> inches] and an inner diameter of <NUM> to <NUM> [<NUM> to <NUM> inches], while the inner collar <NUM> may have an outer diameter of <NUM> to <NUM> [<NUM> to <NUM> inches] and an inner diameter of <NUM> [<NUM> inches]. The inner collar <NUM> includes a downstream end <NUM> that is axially spaced apart from the downstream face <NUM> of the central portion <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the downstream end <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM> is located further upstream than the downstream end <NUM> of the outer collar <NUM>.

In other embodiments of the invention, the downstream end <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM> may be axially aligned with the downstream end <NUM> of the outer collar <NUM>. In yet other embodiments of the invention, the downstream end <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM> may be located further downstream than the downstream end <NUM> of the outer collar <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts the downstream end <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM> being in contact with a surface formed from a step on the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>. The downstream end <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM> includes a sealing surface <NUM> in order to seal off an upstream portion <NUM> of the bore <NUM> from a downstream portion <NUM> of the bore <NUM>. <FIG> shows an enlarged view of the sealing surface <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM>. The sealing surface <NUM> includes two axially-extending annular ridges <NUM> spaced apart from one another by way of an annular groove <NUM>. In the representative embodiment of the invention, a width of the groove <NUM> is the same as a width of the ridge <NUM>. The widths of the groove <NUM> and ridge <NUM> may each be <NUM> [<NUM> inches]. Further, the depth of the groove <NUM> may be <NUM> [<NUM> inches]. In addition, while the representative embodiment of the invention illustrates the use of two ridges <NUM> and one interposed groove <NUM>, it is contemplated that other embodiments of the invention may use any number of ridges <NUM> and their attendant interposed grooves <NUM>.

Ridges <NUM> create a multi-point sealing surface <NUM>. That is, each ridge <NUM> of the sealing surface <NUM> creates an independent seal with the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>. As such, each ridge <NUM> is able to independently contact the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> to seal the downstream portion <NUM> of the bore <NUM> from the upstream portion <NUM> of the bore <NUM>. The multi-point sealing surface <NUM> provides sealing redundancy that allows a proper seal to occur even if a piece of debris becomes lodged in the inner collar <NUM> between the diaphragm <NUM> and the valve body <NUM>. That is, if a piece of debris becomes lodged between one ridge <NUM> a sealing surface formed by the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> or within the groove <NUM> does not prevent the other ridge <NUM> from contacting the sealing surface of the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> and sealing off the downstream portion <NUM> of the bore <NUM> from the upstream portion <NUM> of the bore <NUM>.

The diaphragm <NUM> also includes a stem seat <NUM> for receiving the upstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the stem <NUM> includes a stem head <NUM> at the upstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM> and disposed within the stem seat <NUM>. The stem <NUM> also includes a stem body <NUM> extending from the stem head <NUM> to the downstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM>. The stem head <NUM> has a larger diameter than the stem body <NUM> and is disposed within the stem seat <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM>. As further discussed above, the stem body <NUM> tapers from a larger diameter upstream to a smaller diameter downstream. In one embodiment of the invention, the length of the stem <NUM> may be <NUM>,<NUM> [<NUM> inches]. It is also contemplated that the downstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM> may include a rounded edge having a radius of <NUM> [<NUM> inches].

<FIG> and <FIG> further depict a cross-sectional view of the stem head <NUM> being disposed within the stem seat <NUM>. The stem head <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM> having a first diameter and a stepped portion <NUM> downstream of the base portion <NUM> and having a second diameter. The diameter of the base portion <NUM> is larger than the diameter of the stepped portion <NUM>. Moving downstream, the stepped portion <NUM> of the stem head <NUM> is then stepped down to the stem body <NUM> having a diameter less than the diameter of the stepped portion <NUM> of the stem head <NUM>. In one embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the base portion <NUM> may range from <NUM> to <NUM> [<NUM> to <NUM> inches] and the diameter of the stepped portion <NUM> may be <NUM> [<NUM> inches].

In alternative embodiments of the invention, the stem head <NUM> may be tapered from the diameter of the base portion <NUM> to the diameter of the stepped portion <NUM>. In yet other embodiments of the invention, the stem head <NUM> may include a base portion <NUM> without a stepped portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the diaphragm <NUM> surrounds the stem head <NUM> to secure the stem head <NUM> within the stem seat <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM>. The diaphragm <NUM> includes an annular extension portion <NUM> extending radially inward from the inner collar <NUM> at a location <NUM> adjacent the downstream end <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM>. The extension portion <NUM> imitates the offset of the diameter of the base portion <NUM> of the stem head <NUM> and the diameter of the stepped portion <NUM> of the stem head <NUM>. That is, the extension portion <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> extends radially inward from the inner collar <NUM> at a distance equal to half the difference between the diameters of the base portion <NUM> and stepped portion <NUM>. As such, the diaphragm <NUM> remains in contact with an outer surface <NUM> of the stem head <NUM> and secures the stem head <NUM> within the stem seat <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM>.

The stem <NUM> and diaphragm <NUM> may be formed in a co-molding process resulting in formation of the stem <NUM> first and then formation of the diaphragm <NUM> around the stem head <NUM>. In the first molding step, the stem <NUM> is molded as described above with respect to the stem head <NUM> and stem body <NUM>. The previously discussed base portion <NUM> and stepped portion <NUM> of the stem head <NUM> includes the benefit of minimizing flashing attached to the molded stem <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the stem head <NUM> includes indentations <NUM> circumferentially spaced around the outer surface <NUM> of the stem head <NUM>. The benefit of these indentations <NUM> will be further discussed below. While the representative embodiment of the invention depicts the use of eight (<NUM>) indentations <NUM> circumferentially spaced around the outer surface <NUM> of the stem head <NUM>, it is contemplated that varying embodiments of the invention may include any number of indentations <NUM>.

In the second molding step, the diaphragm <NUM> is molded to surround the stem head <NUM>. The resultant diaphragm <NUM> includes the outer collar <NUM>, inner collar <NUM>, extension portion <NUM>, central portion <NUM>, and apertures <NUM> previously discussed. During the molding of the diaphragm <NUM>, the material of the diaphragm <NUM> is able to pass through the indentations <NUM> of the stem head <NUM> so that the material may flow to both sides of the stem head <NUM> and properly surround the stem head <NUM> to secure it within the stem seat <NUM>. As a result of this co-molding process, the diaphragm <NUM> is able to surround the stem head <NUM> while still being formed of a single piece with no seams. As shown in <FIG>, the central portion <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> may also include additional apertures <NUM> centrally disposed therein. These apertures <NUM> are configured to improved manufacturability of the diaphragm <NUM> and assist with releasing the diaphragm <NUM> from the mold after formation.

In use, pivotal movement of the stem <NUM> in any direction results in movement of the diaphragm <NUM> away from the sealing surface formed by the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>. In particular, actuation of the stem <NUM> results in the displacement of the sealing surface <NUM> of the inner collar <NUM> from the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> and allows water to flow from the upstream portion <NUM> of the bore <NUM> to the downstream portion <NUM> of the bore <NUM> and to the animal. <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> further illustrate the apertures <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> being disposed at locations between the outer and inner collars <NUM>, <NUM>. As the liquid travels from the upstream end <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM> to the downstream end <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM>, the liquid is directed through the apertures <NUM>. As such, when the stem <NUM> is pivoted in any direction, a portion of the inner collar <NUM> is displaced from the upstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> and the water flows from the upstream portion <NUM> of the bore <NUM>, through the apertures <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM>, and to the downstream portion <NUM> of the bore <NUM>.

By using a diaphragm <NUM> that surrounds the stem head <NUM>, the diaphragm <NUM> completes the seal between the valve cap <NUM> and the valve body <NUM>. As a result, an O-ring is not required to surround the stem <NUM> at the stem head <NUM>. By omitting the O-ring found in other animal watering valves, the stem <NUM> has a wider fulcrum about which to pivot with greater control and consistency of flow and actuating forces. For instance, the valve <NUM> of the present invention results in actuation from ± <NUM> grams of force, as opposed to ± <NUM>-<NUM> grams of force associated with comparable animal watering valves including an O-ring at the stem head. Further, resulting flows of the present invention have a range of ± <NUM>, as opposed to ± <NUM>-<NUM> associated with animal watering valves including an O-ring at the stem head. As such, the improved diaphragm <NUM> and stem <NUM> design of the present invention results in more consistent flow and reduced flow variability.

Referring again to <FIG>, an upstream end <NUM> of the valve cap <NUM> associated with the upstream end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> takes the form of a shank configured to mate with a docking mechanism (not shown) of an animal watering system or with another water source such as a tank, bag, etc. A water permeable plug <NUM> is disposed in the bore <NUM> upstream of the diaphragm <NUM> forming the valve element in order to inhibit debris from entering the valve element. In the present embodiment, the plug <NUM> is sintered metal plug disposed within the upstream end <NUM> of the valve cap <NUM> to prevent debris from entering the bore <NUM> at the inlet <NUM> when the valve <NUM> is disconnected from the docking mechanism or other water source. The sintered metal plug <NUM> may comprise a stainless-steel member that is press-fit or otherwise retained within the bore <NUM> at the upstream end <NUM> of the valve cap <NUM>. Alternatively, the plug <NUM> may comprise polymer materials resistant to temperature changes, thermal expansion of surrounding materials, and chemical reactions associated with chlorine, acid, autoclaving, and the like. Example polymers include R-<NUM> RADEL® Polyphenylsulfone, R-<NUM> RADEL® Polyphenylsulfone, and HU1004 ULTEMT™ Polyetherimide. <FIG> depicts an end view of the plug <NUM> disposed within downstream end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> from the inlet <NUM> of the watering valve <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the bore <NUM> may include a plug section <NUM> disposed at the upstream end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. A diameter of the plug section <NUM> may be larger than a diameter of an immediately adjacent section <NUM>. As a result, a radial step <NUM> is formed at a downstream end <NUM> of the plug section <NUM>, as the diameter of the plug section <NUM> changes to the diameter of the adjacent section <NUM>. In one embodiment of the invention, the plug <NUM> is press-fit so that a downstream end <NUM> of the plug <NUM> is at or adjacent the step <NUM> at the downstream end <NUM> of the plug section <NUM>. That is, the step <NUM> acts as a natural stop that prevents the plug <NUM> from being pressed any further into the bore <NUM>. In other embodiments of the invention, the downstream end <NUM> of the plug <NUM> may be spaced apart from the step <NUM>.

The plug <NUM> may have a length of <NUM>-<NUM>, as opposed to a thickness of <NUM> associated with commonly used meshes and filters. More particularly, embodiments of the invention may include a plug <NUM> that is <NUM> long. A plug <NUM> having a length of less than <NUM> or greater than <NUM> is also contemplated in the present invention.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of the plug <NUM> and depicts a lattice structure <NUM> of the sintered plug <NUM>. The lattice structure <NUM> is configured to have pores between <NUM> and <NUM> microns in size to trap debris ranging in size from <NUM> to <NUM> microns. More particularly, the representative embodiment of the invention includes a plug <NUM> having a lattice structure <NUM> with pores sized to about <NUM> microns to keep out <NUM>-micron sized debris.

By extending the lattice structure <NUM> of the plug <NUM> along the length of <NUM>-<NUM>, the plug <NUM> provides multi-path staged filtration that stabilizes the pressure and flow of liquid to a consistent flow at the downstream end <NUM> of the plug <NUM>. In addition, the length of the plug <NUM> provides a lattice structure <NUM> with multiple levels of pores. That is, if debris were to block one of the pores, flow through the plug <NUM> will be virtually unaffected, as there are hundreds if not thousands of pores in the lattice structure <NUM> for the water to flow through along the length of the lattice structure <NUM>.

The plug <NUM> is able to generate steam pressure during autoclaving of the valve <NUM>. Such pressure can remove most or all of trapped debris from the plug <NUM>. For example, by extending the lattice structure <NUM> along the length of the plug <NUM>, as opposed to a mesh of <NUM> thick, pressure is able to build within the plug during autoclaving and eject debris trapped within the lattice structure <NUM> of the plug <NUM>.

In the representative embodiment of the invention, an upstream end <NUM> of the plug <NUM> is aligned flush with the upstream end <NUM> of the valve cap <NUM>. In varying embodiments of the invention, the upstream end <NUM> of the plug <NUM> may be extend beyond, be flush with, or inset from the upstream end <NUM> of the valve cap <NUM>. As stated above, the plug <NUM> may comprise stainless steel or polymers, such as, but not limited to R-<NUM> RADEL® Polyphenylsulfone, R-<NUM> RADEL® Polyphenylsulfone, and HU1004 UL-TEM™ Polyetherimide. In turn, the plug <NUM> may be formed to include the above described lattice structure <NUM> by a variety of processes in varying embodiments of the invention. For example, the plug <NUM> may be formed through a sintering process or through a 3D printing process.

Referring now to <FIG>, an enlarged section of the downstream end <NUM> of the watering valve <NUM> is illustrated to better depict the outlet <NUM>, the stem <NUM>, and a shield. The shield of this embodiment comprises a stem hat <NUM> mounted on the downstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM>. The stem hat <NUM> may be formed from stainless steel or a similar material. For example, the stem hat <NUM> may comprise <NUM> stainless steel. The stem hat <NUM> includes a cap <NUM> disposed at a downstream end <NUM> of the stem hat <NUM> and a disk <NUM> disposed at an upstream end of the stem hat <NUM>. The cap <NUM> is a hollow cylindrical element having a closed outer end and an open inner end. The stem cap <NUM> is configured to overly and to be coupled to the downstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM>. For example, the downstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM> may be inserted into the stem cap <NUM> from the open inner end of the stem cap <NUM> and press-fit into the cap <NUM> of the stem hat <NUM>.

The stem hat <NUM> also includes a disk <NUM> disposed at an upstream end <NUM> of the stem hat <NUM>. The stem hat <NUM> is configured to extend radially from the stem <NUM> at a location <NUM> adjacent an upstream side <NUM> of the outlet <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. For example, a downstream surface <NUM> of the disk <NUM> may be axially-spaced between <NUM> and <NUM> [<NUM> and <NUM> inches] upstream from the outlet <NUM>. As a result of the axially spacing described above, the stem <NUM> of this embodiment is able to deflect or pivot upwards of <NUM>° and to up to <NUM>° or more in any direction without coming in contact with an upstream edge <NUM> of the wiping surface or the downstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>.

The disk <NUM> has a diameter greater than that of the outlet <NUM>. Further, the disk <NUM> is sized so that an outer edge <NUM> of the disk <NUM> remains transversely outside of the outlet <NUM> during deflection of the stem <NUM>. That is, when the stem <NUM> is fully deflected, the disk <NUM> is still positioned to cover the outlet <NUM>. As a result, the stem hat <NUM> protects the valve <NUM> from debris entering the outlet <NUM>.

As the disk <NUM> is disposed upstream from the outlet <NUM>, the liquid may navigate the disk <NUM> before exiting the outlet <NUM>. For example, the liquid dispensed by the valve <NUM> is required to travel along an upstream surface <NUM> of the disk <NUM>, along the outer edge <NUM> of the disk <NUM>, and along the downstream surface <NUM> of the disk <NUM> to travel to the outlet <NUM>. The fluid then exits the outlet <NUM>. Here, the fluid is free to travel along the stem hat <NUM> or along the flared wiping surface <NUM> at the downstream end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Beneficially, the fluid is then able to dislodge any debris located along the flared wiping surface <NUM> of the valve guard <NUM> with a flushing effect. The wiping surface <NUM> also wipes the outer surface of the disk <NUM> free of debris during valve actuation and resultant radial disk movement.

Additionally, the disk <NUM> of the stem hat <NUM> acts to prevent axially movement of the stem <NUM> and the diaphragm <NUM> due to an animal pushing on the downstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM>. If an animal were to push on the downstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM>, the upstream surface <NUM> of the disk <NUM> would come in contact with the downstream end <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> before the stem <NUM> and diaphragm <NUM> could substantially move upstream along the longitudinal axis. As such, the stem hat <NUM> also prevents any threat of an animal or handling damage affecting the diaphragm seal with the valve body <NUM> by pushing on the downstream end <NUM> of the stem <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An animal watering valve (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having an outlet (<NUM>), an inlet (<NUM>), and a bore (<NUM>) formed therein and extending from the outlet (<NUM>) to the inlet (<NUM>);
a valve element (<NUM>) located in the bore (<NUM>);
a stem (<NUM>) disposed within the housing (<NUM>) in a cooperating relationship with the valve element (<NUM>) and extending through the outlet (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>);
a stem hat (<NUM>) coupled to a downstream end (<NUM>) of the stem (<NUM>), wherein the stem hat (<NUM>) has a cap (<NUM>) and a disk (<NUM>) extending radially from the stem (<NUM>) at a location adjacent an upstream side (<NUM>) of the outlet (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the stem hat (<NUM>) is an unitary element forming the cap (<NUM>) and the disk (<NUM>).