Patent ID: 7481181

Claim:
A device for feeding a liquid to an animal having a mouth, wherein the device comprises a nipple member, a reservoir for the liquid, a passage having an extension between the reservoir and the nipple member, feeding means arranged to allow a supply of liquid through the passage to the nipple member, and control means arranged to control the activation of the feeding means wherein said control means is arranged to detect the presence of a part of the animal in a predetermined position and to initiate activation of the feeding means when said part of the animal is detected in said predetermined position, wherein said control means comprises an element having a surface which is arranged to get in contact with said part of the animal when said part is in said predetermined position and when the nipple member has been introduced a predetermined distance into the mouth of the animal and wherein said surface is arranged in the vicinity of an inner end portion of the nipple member and said surface in a substantially circumferentially surrounding relationship around said inner end portion, and wherein said element is a movable element which is pivotally arranged to be displaced by said part of the animal from an inactive position to an active position.