Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a nectar container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the nectar container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The float valve includes a float having a frame with a buoyant member mounted thereon, the buoyant member being made of a closed-cell foam.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are livestock watering apparatuses comprising: a receptacle to be positioned in a water source, the receptacle having an open bottom region to be positioned within the water source and an opening in a side thereof positioned above and out of the water source, and the receptacle being at least partially insulated; and a lid for selectively accessing the water source, the lid being hingedly connected the receptacle and accessible through the opening in the side of the receptacle.

Abstract: A poultry drinker system includes a liquid container, which is filled with water; a drinking trough, which is fluidly connected to the liquid container; a float valve assembly, which is configured to regulate the flow of the liquid from the liquid container into the drinking trough; such that the float valve maintains the water level in the drinking trough as poultry drink the water.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning game, vegetables, fruit, fish or crustacea in a container has a pipe with a first and second portion, and a connector connected to the pipe. The second portion extends generally transverse to the first portion. The second portion has a plurality of apertures formed through the wall thereof. The apertures direct the flow of water in a cyclonic path in the container. The connector is adapted to connect with a water hose or water conduit so as to introduce water into and through the pipe. The first portion of the pipe extends generally vertically and the second portion of the pipe extends generally horizontally.

Abstract: Water delivery apparatuses and associated methods that minimize the amount of time and preparation and/or maintenance work required for a user to supply water to one or more animals are disclosed. In an aspect, water delivery apparatuses and associated methods of use are disclosed that are configured to maintain a substantially consistent water quantity within at least one water reservoir that provides drinkable water to one or more animals. The substantially consistent water quantity may be maintained by configuring at least one float mechanism that comprises at least one sealing element to at least partially block at least one orifice associated with at least one water supply inlet connected to a continuous water supply once the water within the reservoir reaches a certain level, thereby slowing and/or stopping the incoming water flow.

Abstract: A valve fitting for filling a sanitary cistern includes a connection element, a shutoff valve including an actuation element, and a float-actuated filling valve. The connection element, shutoff valve and filling valve are interconnected to form a water passage into the cistern. A float is connected to the filling valve. The actuation element of the shutoff valve is rotatable about a rotational axis when the float is in the operating position thereof, the shutoff valve being operationally usable in the valve fitting in at least two different positions, the connection element configured to be mounted at an opening in the left-hand cistern side wall in one of the positions, and at an opening in the right-hand cistern side wall in another of the positions, and the actuation element being accessible from the front of the valve fitting in the at least two positions of the shutoff valve.

Abstract: A shut-off valve includes a float and a negative G control component. The float is configured to occlude a tank outlet at a first fluid level and 1 G and unocclude the tank outlet at a second fluid level and 1 G. The negative G control component is operatively connected to the float to limit fluid, e.g. liquid or gas, communication between a tank outlet and an ejector pump during negative G events. An ecology fuel return system includes a tank, an ejector pump, a float, and a negative G control component, as described above. The tank has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with components of an engine. The ejector pump is in fluid communication with the tank outlet and is configured to pump fuel from the tank to a fuel pump inlet of an engine.

Abstract: A shut-off valve includes a float and a negative G control component. The float is configured to occlude a tank outlet at a first fluid level and 1 G and unocclude the tank outlet at a second fluid level and 1 G. The negative G control component is operatively connected to the float to limit fluid, e.g. liquid or gas, communication between a tank outlet and an ejector pump during negative G events. An ecology fuel return system includes a tank, an ejector pump, a float, and a negative G control component, as described above. The tank has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with components of an engine. The ejector pump is in fluid communication with the tank outlet and is configured to pump fuel from the tank to a fuel pump inlet of an engine.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.

Abstract: An animal drinker includes a base tray that is defined by an exterior drinking trough connected to an interior fluid reservoir by a passageway. The trough and the interior fluid reservoir are maintained at a consistent fluid level. An upper reservoir stores fluid above the interior reservoir and is in fluid communication therewith by an outlet positioned at the bottom. A buoyant float pan is positioned in the interior fluid reservoir of the base tray. A float stop is positioned between the float pan and the outlet of the upper reservoir to stop the flow of fluid from the upper reservoir to the interior fluid reservoir at a predetermined level.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.

Abstract: Animal-activated feeding systems and methods. The systems include a self-sealing valve assembly that, responsive to activation of a feed-flow activation member by an animal, selectively delivers a flow of the liquid feed to a vessel for consumption by the animal. The valve body further includes a valve member, which is configured to selectively obstruct the feed flow path, and a feed-flow activation member coupled to the valve member. The feed-flow activation member and valve member are selectively positionable between at least a sealed position and a range of activated positions. The valve assembly may include a buoyant activation restriction member adapted to restrict at least further or subsequent activation of the valve assembly responsive to the level of liquid feed in the vessel. The valve assembly may be configured to dispense the feed in a confined stream and/or in a generally horizontal or lateral direction into the vessel.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.

Abstract: A supply line for the water supply to poultry house drinkers is triangular in shape with the drinkers secured to a bottom surface around a drinking nipple by a quick-attach rotational movement. The triangular line has a top fin which provides additional bending strength and may have an internal fin to limit movement of the drinking nipple valve.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve assembly for use in below freezing conditions which includes a valve housing with a connection to a supply of fluid, and a primary chamber, and a secondary chamber, and a flexible diaphragm, and an equalisation port, and a safety port the valve assembly characterised in that has a safety port associated with the secondary chamber wherein the safety port is configured to have a lower flow-rate than that through the equalisation port.

Abstract: A recirculating livestock watering system provides drinking water at a temperature above the freezing point during the winter and below the ambient air temperature during the summer. The reservoir, having a bottom surface, a continuous side surface, and an upper rim surface, is disposed such that the bottom surface and a portion of the side surface lie underground. A water source is disposed underground at a depth below the frost line. A heating circuit includes a coil, a pump, an input valve, and a output valve. The coil has an inlet and an outlet and is placed below the frost line. The pump inlet is connected to the coil outlet and the pump outlet is connected to the coil inlet, forming a continuous enclosed path. The output valve releases water from the heating circuit into the reservoir upon demand and is disposed along the continuous enclosed path downstream from the coil outlet and upstream from the pump inlet.

Abstract: An automatic watering device for use with a stationary water reservoir includes an elongated hollow housing fixedly positioned relative to the reservoir, an elongated pipe having a first end extending into the housing and an opposite second end connected to a source of water, and a water control valve disposed within the housing and connected to the first end of the pipe. The water control valve is adjustably positionable within the housing to correspondingly set a desired water level within the reservoir. The automatic watering device of the present invention is particularly useful for maintaining a supply of water in an animal watering trough since the water control valve is protected from abuse at all times by the protective housing.

Abstract: A pet watering device including a watering container having a reservoir cavity, a removable watering container lid having an opening therethrough, a water supply hose having a first and second end, and a valve for regulating the water level in the watering container. The valve mechanism includes a ball cock mechanism and a float which maintains the water level in the reservoir at a predetermined distance from the lid opening. Pets gain access to the water contained within the watering container through the lid opening. The water supply hose is connectable to a common water source such as a garden hose or faucet.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the level of a fluid in a reservoir. A reservoir has a trough within which is a valve means comprising a hollow cylindrical body having inlet and outlet apertures in fluid communication with a fluid source. A valve shuttle assembly slidingly connected to the valve comprises an "O" ring seal which defines a sealing region. The sealing region can occlude the fluid inlet aperture or permit fluid to pass to the outlet aperture. The valve shuttle is interconnected to a float which rises and lowers depending on the fluid level in the reservoir.

Abstract: Nipples are directly connected to a plurality of locations on the outer periphery of the bottom of a water tank. Each one of the nipples directly flows out and feeds the water in the water tank every time each one of the nipples is opened when the valve stem is pushed thereinto.

Abstract: A valve assembly of non-metallic construction which requires no tools for disassembly and servicing. A plunger provided with longitudinal channels is activated by a double arm yoke which is acted upon by the float arm. Dual ports provide paired inlet streams directed away from the lever and float.

Abstract: A water trough for emergent chicks and maturing chickens includes a float operated actuator for a drinking nozzle which can be manually activated to provide water in a drinking trough for emergent chicks, and which can be manually disabled on maturing of the chickens to force the maturing chickens to drink from the drinking nozzle.

Abstract: A valve assembly for placement within a water receptacle such as a trough without alteration of the receptacle. A weighted body of the valve assembly retains the assembly against displacement. A float is tethered to a valve actuating arm in a yieldable manner to avoid damage upon accidental float contact by cattle. The weighted body has a removable closure to permit the adding of heavy material immediately prior to valve use. A tubular base of the valve assembly is adapted at one end to receive a hose fitting.

Abstract: An automatic water supply system used for raising domestic animals such as cattle, horses, poultry and so on and especially for pigs. Instead of a water flow control device such as a valve, float or the like provided in a self supply water trough, a flow control container is used which is communicated through a water supply pipe to a common water storage tank, placed at an elevated position inaccessible to a pig or the other animals and includes a float, a valve and a siphon which may ensure the automatic and positive supply of water into the trough as the water level in the trough is lowered by an animal drinking therefrom. Therefore the unnecessary supply of water caused by the undesired engagement of the mouth of an animal with the water flow control device in the trough mischieviously, and/or the stopping up of the drain with remaining food particles may be completely eliminated.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for supplying liquids to potted plants through feeder conduits fluidly connecting with the lower ends of the plants and leading from a main distribution conduit to which the liquid is admitted from a water main or other pressurized source.

Abstract: A poultry drinker that may be suspended or supported on the floor. A base member includes an annular drinking trough, a water reservoir providing ballast for the drinker, and a float chamber concentric with the trough and reservoir. A float having a float rod extending upwardly therefrom is mounted in the float chamber, and a valve connected to a source of water is mounted above the float chamber. Water flows from the valve into the reservoir and then spills over into the float chamber until the level of water in the float chamber is sufficient so that the float rod closes the valve. Communication is provided between the float chamber and the trough so that the water level in the float chamber is directly proportional to the water level in the trough.

Abstract: A water supply and control device for animals in which a predetermined amount of water in a water reservoir must be removed before the reservoir is refilled.The device consists of a water reservoir having a water supply pipe extending into the reservoir with a valve positioned within the pipe and controlling the flow of water through the supply pipe. An upper float assembly has a movable float within the reservoir and is mechanically linked to the valve to open and close it. A lower float assembly has a lower float connected to an arm which is pivotally connected to a fixed location in the reservoir. There is a brace member having one end connected to the arm and the opposite end engaging in restraining relationship the upper float assembly. The brace remains in the restraining relationship with the upper float assembly until the water within the reservoir falls to a predetermined level, with the lower float following the lowering water level until the predetermined level is reached.

Abstract: The invention improvements are embodied in animal feeding apparatus including a storage tank for liquid and means for a supply of dry feed in overlying vertically spaced relation to a feed tray. The apparatus features improved controls triggered by the animals which feed from the tray. The storage tank for the liquid has a discharge opening in its bottom rimmed by dependent tube structure the lower extremity of which is continuously immersed in the liquid feed provided in the tray. A hollow valve structure is mounted in the tank to normally close and seal its discharge opening. Means in connection with the dependent tube structure trigger an automatic opening of said valve when the mixture in the tray drops to a predetermined level which is above the dependent extremity of the tube structure.

Abstract: An actuator-float for animal operation and automatically lifting and thereby closing the valve of a waterer cup, or the like, when filled to a predetermined level, and particularly adapted to animal waterer systems wherein water pressure is relied upon for maintaining the normally closed condition of said valves.