Patent ID: 6941893

Claim:
A fluid delivery valve assembly for delivering a fluid from a fluid bag to an animal caging system for housing an animal, the valve assembly comprising: a hollow member defining a fluid channel, the member having a proximal end for delivery of water to a cage and a distal end adapted to cooperate with a fluid bag to deliver water from the bag through the fluid channel to the caging system; a stem member disposed in part within said fluid channel, said stem member having a top surface at a distal end thereof and a proximal end at or about the proximal end of the hollow member; a spring element disposed within said fluid channel; wherein a portion of said spring element interacts with said stem member to apply a biasing force to said stem member; and a sealing member disposed in said fluid channel in abutment with the top surface of said stem member, for preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid channel, said sealing member being designed and dimensioned to facilitate the flow of fluid in the fluid channel in response to displacement of the proximal end of the stem member by an animal.