Abstract: A means for adjusting the heights of animal waterers in a multi-cage livestock confinement system includes an elongated water pipe rotatably mounted along an elongated partition which closes one side of a plurality of longitudinally positioned livestock cages. The water pipe is connected to a source of water under pressure and a watering valve in each cage is attached to the water pipe so that the elevations of the watering valves are adjusted in response to rotation of the water pipe about its longitudinal axis. A lever may be extended from the water pipe at the same attitude as the watering valves for rotating the watering pipe and indicating the elevation of the watering valves.

Abstract: A liquid isolator to prevent cross-contamination in the supply of liquid to and between animal racks. The isolator comprises cylindrical concentric tubes arranged to form a liquid storage chamber, a standpipe in the chamber, and a liquid entry tube within the standpipe. Near their upper ends, a liquid transfer port is provided between the standpipe chamber and the liquid storage chamber. An air lock is formed between the liquid transfer port and the level of any liquid in the storage chamber. The air lock isolates liquid in the standpipe chamber from the liquid in the storage chamber. Check valves are also provided in a liquid inlet at the top of the isolator and a liquid outlet at the bottom of the isolator, thus to prevent back flow through the isolator.

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: Adjustable apparatus is disclosed for holding a hog watering pipe with a depending nipple valve thereon. The apparatus includes a pair of elongated angle irons with a frictional lock on one end thereof for engagement with the pipe. A pipe holding bracket is slidably mounted on the angle irons such that the co-operation between the lock and the bracket allows selective positioning of the nipple valve.

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: The device adapts the rate of flow of an automatic drinking bowl as a function of the pressure prevailing in the installation to which it is connected, and is constituted by a cylindrical part threaded at its two ends and provided with two oblique internal channels having different diameters, each being located in a radial plane of the part and opening to the outside of said latter on the other hand at one of its ends and on the other hand in its median, non-threaded zone; the part is inserted between an upstream portion and a downstream portion of the supply pipe of the drinking bowl at a union, by being screwed in a threaded hole made in the male element of the union and from the bottom of which issues the downstream portion so that the communication between the two portions is established through one of said channels. The invention finds advantageous application in equipment used in stock raising.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing fluid according to a time schedule is disclosed. Fluid automatically flows to individual dispensing units at predetermined times from a fluid supply and is available only for a predetermined interval of time after which an automatic control causes the fluid to drain from the individual dispensing units. Fluid deprivation continues until the beginning of a new cycle when the fluid is once again automatically made available at the individual dispensing units.

Abstract: A receptacle, either integral with or attachable to an animal cage, for retaining a disposable bag of sterile water, having a demand feeding valve with a piercing point at the end opposite the feeding portion upon which the bag may be impaled. The apparatus is adapted for either feeding animals in laboratories or during shipping.

Abstract: A miniature valve for very small animals such as tiny weanling mice consisting briefly of a housing having an interior passage. A lever arm extends through the passage and slightly beyond the end of the housing so that the animal can move the lever by biting it with its teeth or deflecting it with its tongue. Deflection of the valve arm causes a valve head member to pivot and partially lift off a valve seat. The valve seat is of resilient material and formed at an angle to the underside of the valve head so that a "line-point" type contact is made between the valve head member and the valve seat. A biasing member, such as a spring, returns the lever arm to a centered position when the animal lets go of the lever thereby automatically preventing further water flow.

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: An inverted ceramic container dispenses nutritional liquids through a short glass tube to hovering hummingbirds. The tube extends into the interior of the dispenser through a resilient stopper which engages a refill aperture in the dispenser. Various insulative properties of the ceramic dispenser protect the liquids from heat and light damage and loss. The rough unglazed inside surface of the dispenser neck establishes a tenacious seal with the resilient stopper. The unglazed exterior surface of the neck prevents dew and rain moisture from flowing down the outside surface of the dispenser to the tip of the glass tube. This surface moisture is objectionable because it wets the tip of the glass tube causing the nutritional liquid to drip out. The plastic nature of moist unfired clay readily permits the formation support loop integral with the ceramic body.

Abstract: An automatic device for a rational management of animals, in particular of small animals, which essentially consists of a combination of an automatic feeder, a specially shaped watering valve and an automatic dung remover with the adequate cages.

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.