Abstract: A device for use in increasing milk flow from a feeder bottle. The device includes a shaft adapted for entry into a correspondingly shaped hole in the feeder bottle. The device further includes a retention element for retaining the device in the hole and a channel, formed in a wall of the shaft. The shaft is movable such that it can, in a first position, seal the hole closed and, in another position (illustrated), permit airflow into the feeder bottle via the channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for verifying the state, especially the state of health, of mammals, especially agricultural working animals, which suckle from a teat. Run-out sensors for determining values, such as resistivity measurements, temperature values of the animal and/or the foodstuff, pH determination, gas measurements from the pharynx and stomach, are allocated to the teat.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in an animal feeding teat and an animal feeding teat in combination with the above valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a piston shaft with a piston head, a valve head attached to the piston shaft at the end of the shaft opposite the piston head, and a biasing structure co-operable with the piston head, so that in use in an animal feeding teat the valve head is seated to cover a first aperture in the teat and pressure on the piston head against the biasing structure will unseat the valve head and open the aperture.

Abstract: A method of providing domestic animals with liquid food which passes from a storage tank, in particular a mixing tank of an automatic drinker via a suction line to a suckling point, the quantity of liquid food removed is to be determined ahead of the suckling point.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for the oral administration of a flowable material to an animal. The apparatus may be useable in artificial feeding or administration of medication to an animal, and in general includes a container to hold a predetermined amount of the liquid or flowable material to be administered. The container has a discharge opening through which the liquid is selectively discharged to a feeding tube selectively coupled to the discharge opening. The tube is in fluid tight relationship to receive liquid or flowable material discharged from the container, and has a predetermined length and a distal discharge end through which the material is transmitted. A nipple which can be associated with the tube is selectively positioned at a predetermined location relative to the distal end of the tube. The nipple is configured to limit the extent to which the tube can be inserted into the mouth of the animal and to facilitate proper administration of the material to the animal.

Abstract: A method of providing domestic animals with liquid food which passes from a storage tank, in particular a mixing tank of an automatic drinker via a suction line to a suckling point, the quantity of liquid food removed is to be determined ahead of the suckling point.

Abstract: A new feeding unit for small pets for simulating a surrogate mother for feeding purposes. The inventive device includes a housing having a foam front wall. The foam front wall includes a plurality of rows of a plurality of equally spaced angularly disposed channels therethrough. The channels have outer ends disposed below interior ends thereof. A cover is dimensioned for covering the foam front wall of the housing. The cover has openings therethrough in alignment with the outer ends of the channels of the foam front wall. A plurality of feeding bottles are removably positioned within the channels in the foam front wall of the housing. The feeding bottles each have a nippled end portion extending outwardly of the outer ends of the channels.

Abstract: A teat for feeding liquids to animals has a fastening member enabling the teat to be fastened to a source of liquid such as pipe or drum in use to project outwardly from the source. The teat is resilient having an outer end which is closed apart from a slit in it which slit is itself normally adapted to be closed to provide a liquid seal. The closed outer end is preferably concave, coned, cusped or otherwise reentrant. Integral reinforcing members such as webs are located internally on either side of the slit so that if the end of the teat is squashed or compressed by sucking forces exerted by the animal with components along the direction of slit, the reinforcing member causes the slit to be stretched open, thereby allowing liquid to flow out of it in use. The pulling or stretching action allows an acceptable flow rate from a comparatively small slit which is less prone to tear than a large slit.

Abstract: A nipple/cover integral with a vented control member and/or check valve, as can be used in combination with a container for controlled movement of fluid, such as provided during liquid feeding of infant mammals.

Abstract: The present invention provides an animal waterer having an animal alignment guide attached to the water supply line near the juncture of the terminal conduit and the nipple valve. The guide includes an interior portion attached to the water supply line and a pair of guide wings extending out on opposite lateral sides of the nipple valve about the same distance as the trigger of the nipple valve. The vertical position of the nipple valve is adjustable so that the nipple valve can be easily and quickly positioned at the most efficient drinking height for the size of animal being watered. One embodiment of the waterer includes a waterer fed by a flexible feed line, and supported by a chain to freely swing at an elevation of about two inches above the backs of the animals. A second swinging embodiment includes a suspension bracket which extends up from the vertical axis of the supply line for connection with a chain so that the waterer will hang straight.

Abstract: A teat includes a hollow body made of a resilient material. The body has an inlet end and an outlet end. The outlet end includes at least one slit through the wall of the body. The slit(s) do not extend into that area of the wall of the body which forms the extremity of the outlet end. Engaged with the inlet end is a valve when, in use of the teat, the teat is full of liquid the valve prevents liquid from flowing back through the inlet end upon a squeezing action being applied to the teat.

Abstract: A teat for feeding liquids to animals adapted to be fastened to a source of liquid such as a pipe or drum in use to project outwardly from the source. The teat has a resilient outer end which is closed apart from a slit in it which slit is itself normally adapted to be closed by the resilience to provide a sufficient liquid seal. The closed outer end is preferably concave, coned, cusped or otherwise re-entrant. A reinforcing member such as webs are located, preferably internally on either side of the slit so that if the end of the teat is squashed or compressed by sucking forces exerted by the animal, with components along the direction of slit, the reinforcing member causes the slit to be pulled open, thereby allowing liquid to flow out of it in use. The pulling action allows an acceptable flow rate from a comparatively small slit which is less prone to leak than a large slit.

Abstract: This is an automatic livestock feeder and the method of operation. The feeder includes a stationary mixing system in which formula is mixed in batches, a movable traveler having a nipple for sucking on by animals housed within individual stalls with a flexible formula hose connecting the mixing system to the delivery system. A pump is used to pump formula from the mixing system to the delivery system through the formula hose and a return line is provided to return formula from the pump back to the mixing system. A selector valve controlled by a vacuum switch in communication with a nipple on the delivery system is used to determine in which direction the formula is pumped. The feeder is operated by mixing a plurality of batches of formula which are then pumped to individual animals until all the animals along a predetermined path of the delivery system have been fed. A programmable controller is provided to operate the feeder and record the amount of formula consumed by each animal.

Abstract: A nipple for feeding liquids to domesticated mammals.

Abstract: A simulated animal nursing device is provided, which consists of a stuffed animal in a form and size to duplicate the actual mother, that will lie on its side upon a floor. The stuffed animal has an opening in a rear side, leading into an internal cavity with a plurality of apertures extending between the internal cavity and a bottom surface. A plurality of nursing feeders are positioned in inverted positions within the internal cavity. Suckling portions of the feeders will extend through the apertures, so that newborn offsprings will have a nursing environment.

Abstract: The equipment includes a set of feed distribution stations each furnished with a mixer supplied with milk powder, water, milk from a tank and various additives from a set of measuring pumps whose number of rotations is controlled by computer system depending on the feed mix to be composed. The measuring pumps are primed by the additive supply tanks. There are as many tanks as additives to dispense. The set of measuring pumps at each feeding station withdraws the selectively programmed quantity from each tank depending on the mix to be constituted. Each animal that is present at a station and that is identified, is credited with a volume of feed that is around 500 grams, whose composition depends on the animal's previous intake, on the weight newly recorded, and on other criteria. The station mixes the feed on demand while the animal is ingesting it. There always remains a certain volume of feed in the mixer after the departure of the animal.

Abstract: A livestock feeder which includes a feed trough and a feed storage bin above the trough in which an agitator operated by the feeding animal enables efficient movement of feed into the trough with an adjustable meter gate controlling the rate of feed flow. The feeder can be used as a dry feeder or a wet feeder with a wet nipple at each feeding station. The structure of the feeder provides more even distribution of feed, efficient feed discharge and a feeder in which it is easy to maintain sanitary conditions by being able to completely close the meter gate and by moving dividers above the feed trough into an out-of-the-way position.

Abstract: A new and improved pet and animal feeder which provides small pets and animals with nursing means within a surrounding soft material. The present invention provides a container with a plurality of nippled, hollow protuberances simulating the teats depending from a mother. The container is positioned in a cavity within a stuffed cushion having an external shape similar to the adult version of the mammal for which the invention is being used. The nippled protuberances protrude from the cushion, through apertures in the cushion, and are available for suckling by the newborns.

Abstract: A mechanical electronically controlled nursing apparatus for neonatal piglets which is capable of nursing up to sixteen piglets simultaneously. The apparatus operates semi-automatically and includes a refrigerated storage tank with a magnetic stirrer for storing a twenty-four hour supply of liquid feed formula, a pair of heating tanks for heating the formula to body temperature before nursing, and two nipple bars which accommodate four nipples each and are disposed along each side of the apparatus. The nipple bars are supported by nipple bar supports which are pivotally mounted within the apparatus to permit the nipples to be extended through holes provided in the housing of the apparatus for nursing and retracted into the housing to prevent damage to the nipples resulting form piglet play behavior. The apparatus further reproduces the digitized grunting sounds of a nursing sow during each nursing period.

Abstract: A calf feeder bottle for dispensing dry feed has an angled neck portion which is in alignment with a handle on the front of the bottle and a bracket on the rear of the bottle so that a nipple secured to the mouth of the bottle when the bottle is in an inverted dispensing position will be angled properly for dispensing feed to a calf. The nipple has a tubular spout with a flap valve therein with the mating surfaces of the flap valve aligned with the handle to facilitate opening of the flap valve when the tubular portion of the nipple is squeezed by a calf.

Abstract: A double flow rate meter (1) and an apparatus for automatically feeding animals with liquid food which utilizes the flow meter (1) for establishing the amount of food consumed is disclosed. The flow rate meter (1) comprises at least two circular flow passages (2, 20), each containing a ball (11, 12) constrained to be propelled through the relevant channel by fluid proportionally to the flow velocity of the fluid. The balls (11, 12) pass respective sensors (15, 16) in the flow passages. Each flow passage (11, 12) has its own inlet conduit (3, 5) and respective outlet conduit (21, 22), the outlet conduits merging into a single, common outlet conduit (4) leading to a nipple (37) or the like food dispensing means. The flow rate meter enables controlled feeding of an animal with liquid food while medicine or another compound can be administered simultaneously and proportionally to the supplied food.

Abstract: A liquid nutrient feeding system is provided including a first large volume receptacle for containing a bulk supply of liquid nutrient and a small volume liquid nutrient tank disposed below the receptacle. First conduit structure is provided for gravity feeding liquid nutrient from the receptacle to the small volume tank and nipple structure is disposed below the level of the small volme tank and communicated therewith by second conduit structure for gravity feed of liquid nutrient from the small volume tank to the nipple structure. Liquid nutrient level sensing structure is operatively associated with the small volume tank for admitting liquid nutrient thereinto from the receptacle only to a predetermined level in the small volume tank, whereby to provide a substantially constant head pressure of liquid nutrient in the second conduit structure to the nipple structure.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding animals with liquid feed that can be withdrawn from a supply unit, such as an automatic soaking unit, and can be supplied to a suction unit via a conduit. A feed pump is placed in the conduit, with the conveying capacity of the feed pump being regulatable as a function of vacuum in the conduit.

Abstract: A nutrient dispenser for supplying nutrient liquid to young animals includes a container (1) in which the liquid (2) is kept cool. Feeding the liquid is done via a solenoid valve (3) which is activated by the animal with the aid of an activating means (11, 12). The feed pipe (4) leading from the solenoid valve to the animal box has a heating element (7) which continuously keep the pipe warm and gives the fed-out nutrient liquid a temperature suitable for the animal. To avoid long storage of ready-mixed nutrient liquid, the container (1) may be formed with a store (31) intended for dry substance (30). The dry substance is fed to the container with the aid of a conveyor (32) driven by the amount of water (via 33, 34) predetermined for filling the container.

Abstract: A calf feeder device adapted to float in a pail or the like of cow's milk, liquid feed, milk supplement or milk replacer. The calf feeder floats partially submerged in the milk with the nipple projecting generally upwardly and continuously filled with milk. Accordingly, a calf confronting such pail of feed may select between sucking the nipple or drinking the milk alongside the nipple and above the partially submerged floating calf feeder. Through the use of the floating calf feeder, a calf may be fed liquid feed supplement a short time after birth and after ingesting sufficient colostrum which is contained in its mother's milk through the natural process of sucking its mother's nipple or teat.

Abstract: An automatic self-cleansing system for dispensing nutrient liquids to suckling animals is described. The system includes a liquid delivery system which can be selectively activated to dispense a number of liquids including a nutrient liquid composed for example of powdered milk and food additives mixed with water, a liquid detergent for cleansing and a rinsing liquid (most conveniently water) for rinsing of residual nutrient liquid or liquid detergent. Solenoid valves actuated by a preprogramed controller release the liquid appropriate to each nursing, cleansing and rinsing phase of operation to a conduit which conveys the liquid to a remotely located nursing device, which might be located in a pen confining the animals. The nursing device has a number of artificial nipples, and a liquid distribution system which includes a multiplicity of reservoirs corresponding in number to the artificial nipples.

Abstract: A device for supplying farm animals with a liquid feed from an automatic feeding device comprises a flexible feed discharge line connected to the feed device and terminating in an animal operated discharge member or sucker. The sucker is supported by a member which is moved back and forth on a conveyor in the form of an overhead trolley. The liquid feed connecting line which connects the feeder is flexible and it is moved over a support which is advantageously on a level substantially equal to that of the feeder so that the connecting line is supported as the end thereof carrying the sucker is moved by the overlying conveyor. Because the sucker may be displaced into a plurality of different feeding stations in a controlled manner, feed can be supplied in a controlled manner and accurately metered in accordance with the feed to be given out at each station.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus is provided for dispensing dry granular feed directly into a hog's mouth. The apparatus comprises a supply conduit, an elongated feed tube, an auger positioned within said feed tube, and an electric motor or pawl and ratchet mechanism for rotating the auger. A lever is positioned near the outlet of the feed tube, the dimensions and spacing of the lever and feed tube outlet being such as to permit engulfment by the hog's mouth. When the roof of the hog's mouth depresses the lever, the auger is activated to deliver feed.

Abstract: An incubator particularly useful for calves and the like comprising a wheel supported generally box-like structure with a door to permit placement of the calf into, and removal of the calf from, the incubator, a heat source in the top wall, an opening in the front wall for feeding and a pail support assembly proximate the opening.

Abstract: The device comprises a syphon which connects a reservoir to a collecting recipient. The reservoir is supplied with liquid through a valve. A tube extends the reservoir upwardly and carries a detector which checks the level situated just above the syphon. A second detector is placed at the outlet of the syphon. The two detectors are electrically connected to the control of the valve so as to close the valve when the liquid reaches the detector checking the level and to preclude the opening of the valve so long as the detector receives liquid issuing from the syphon. The amount of liquid poured upon each opening of the valve is thus always strictly the same.Application to the preparation of mixtures having a precise and adjustable concentration, such as a mixture of powdered milk and water.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus for nursing animals such as calves and the like which includes a frame having longitudinally extending frame members mounted on A-shaped end supports with transversely extending rods arranged in spaced-apart parallel relationship to define stall areas in side-by-side relationship on opposite sides of the frame, a nursing bottle retainer being provided on the frame members adjacent the front of each stall area on both sides of the frame for removeably supporting a nursing bottle in a downwardly inclined position for access by an animal in the stall area together with a longitudinally extending removeable bar supported on the ends of the rods on each side of the frame for retaining the nursing animal in its respective stall area.

Abstract: A watering device for small pigs and the like comprising a water container of separate compartments having an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion is tapered inwardly and downwardly from the upper portion. A slot indentation is imposed in the lower portion and is adapted to receive an elongated supporting member. Water outlets or nipples are imposed at the bottom of each lower portion and extend downwardly and outwardly therefrom and are in communication with the water container for providing a water outlet means on opposite sides of a supporting member imposed within the slot indentation.

Abstract: A shipping cage for animals having secured to an interior wall a receptacle containing a disposable bag of sterile water. A demand feeding valve having a piercing point is inserted into the bag through the wall of the receptacle and has intermediate integral retaining flanges on the valve which secure it to said wall.

Abstract: An animal watering device of a type having an enclosed housing with a plurality of nipple valves extending from the sides of the housing for allowing animals such as hogs to drink directly therefrom. A base plate having radially outwardly extending flanges thereon is disposed on the housing surrounding each of the nipple valves for the purpose of forcing the animal watering therefrom to align itself in the same general direction that the valve extends from the housing thereby preventing substantial water loss, undesirable water spillage and allowing more animals to efficiently use the waterer than has heretofore been achievable.

Abstract: A mouthpiece of elastic material for a drinkwater valve for cattle has an elastic wall which encloses a water discharge chamber and is provided with one or more water ducts. A valve member extends from the drinkwater valve into the water discharge chamber and is actuated in response to pressure exerted by the cattle on the mouthpiece to admit water into the discharge chamber. Continued pressure on the mouthpiece by the cattle forces the water from the discharge chamber through the water ducts into the mouth of the cattle.

Abstract: A universal disposable water bag for supplying bacteria-free water and/or premedicated water to laboratory animals comprises a generally rectangular plastic bag having a plastic demand feeding valve located on a wide face near one end of the bag so that when it is positioned in a holder the valve may feed vertically, horizontally or at an inclination. The demand feeding valve also has means for piercing the bag just prior to positioning it for use. The holder is constructed to shield the bag from the claws of the animals and has hooks to secure it to the cage.

Abstract: A calf feeder bottle for dispensing dry feed has an angled neck portion which is in alignment with a handle on the front of the bottle and a bracket on the rear of the bottle so that a nipple secured to the mouth of the bottle when the bottle is in an inverted dispensing position will be angled properly for dispensing feed to a calf. The nipple has a tubular spout with a flap valve therein with the mating surfaces of the flap valve aligned with the handle to facilitate opening of the flap valve when the tubular portion of the nipple is squeezed by a calf.