Non-contact water drinking system for non-human primates and use method of non-contact water drinking system

Abstract

The invention discloses a non-contact drinking water system for non-human primates and a using method thereof.The non-contact drinking water system comprises a cage, a main line water supply unit and a branch line water supply unit, the main line water supply unit comprises a constant-pressure water source and a drinking water main pipeline, and the drinking water main pipeline is communicated with the interiors of the constant-pressure water source and the branch line water supply unit; one end of the branch water supply unit is communicated with the drinking water main pipeline, and the other end of the branch water supply unit is communicated with the interior of the cage; a water inlet hole is formed in one side of the cage, and the water inlet hole is communicated with the interior of the branch water supply unit. The non-human primate breeding device can well adapt to the breeding scale, capital and breeding technology of the non-human primates, is simple in structure, low in cost, energy-saving and environment-friendly, and can avoid breeding water supply pollution so as to be beneficial to the physical health of the non-human primates.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of non-human primate breeding, and in particular to a contactless drinking water system for non-human primates and a method for using the system. Background Art

[0002] In the process of life science research, non-human primates have become an indispensable and important role in the field of biomedical research due to their high similarity with humans in genetics, physiology and behavior. In particular, they have demonstrated irreplaceable value in the development of new biomacromolecule drugs and the construction of disease models. Non-human primates can not only provide scientists with an experimental environment close to the occurrence and development of human diseases, but also greatly accelerate the process of drug efficacy evaluation and safety testing, opening up a new path for the treatment of human intractable diseases.

[0003] However, with the increasing use of non-human primates in scientific research, health and safety issues in their breeding and management have become increasingly prominent. It is particularly noteworthy that these experimental animals are very likely to spread diseases through sharing food and water sources in a group environment. As one of the basic needs of animals in their daily lives, the hygiene of food is directly related to the health level of the animal group. If the drinking water system is not designed properly or managed properly, it can easily become a hotbed for the spread of diseases, affecting the reliability of experimental results and even hindering the progress of the entire scientific research project.

[0004] In the prior art, there are many types of animal drinking fountains, such as the duckbill drinking fountain with publication number CN221104441U, the nipple drinking fountain with publication number CN220987180U, and the bowl drinking fountain with publication number CN117502298A, etc. However, these drinking fountains are designed for livestock or poultry and cannot be adapted to non-human primate breeding scenarios. There are relatively few drinking water devices or systems designed specifically for non-human primates. Among them, patents with application numbers CN201520362766.4 and CN202320433668.X disclose water supply systems for monkey cages. However, there is a significant problem in the design of these devices or systems: animals inevitably need to directly contact the water source when taking water, which greatly increases the risk of cross infection. When experimental animals live in groups, the spread of diseases caused by water pollution will have an immeasurable impact on the experiment. Reducing the risk of water pollution has become an urgent problem to be solved in the breeding of non-human primates.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a contactless drinking water system for non-human primates that is adaptable to the scale, funding and breeding technology of non-human primate farming, has a simple structure, low cost, is easy to manufacture and produce, and can also avoid pollution of aquaculture water supply to benefit the physical health of non-human primates. Summary of the invention

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a non-human primate contactless drinking water system, comprising a cage, a main line water supply unit and a branch line water supply unit, wherein:

[0007] The main line water supply unit comprises a constant pressure water source and a drinking water main pipeline, and the drinking water main pipeline communicates with the constant pressure water source and the interior of the branch line water supply unit;

[0008] One end of the branch water supply unit is connected to the main drinking water pipeline, and the other end of the branch water supply unit is connected to the inside of the cage;

[0009] A water inlet is provided on one side of the cage, and the water inlet is communicated with the interior of the branch water supply unit.

[0010] Specifically, the branch water supply unit includes a first branch pipeline and a second branch pipeline, one end of the first branch pipeline and the second branch pipeline are connected through a three-way valve, the other end of the three-way valve is connected to the drinking water main pipeline, the other end of the first branch pipeline and the second branch pipeline are connected and extend to the cage wall, and are connected to the end of the water inlet located outside the cage.

[0011] Specifically, the second branch pipeline is provided with an animal switch, and the animal switch passes through the cage and extends to the inside of the cage.

[0012] Specifically, the switch for animals is a paddle switch or a lever switch.

[0013] Specifically, a meter is provided on the first branch pipeline, and the meter is used to monitor the flow rate of drinking water.

[0014] Specifically, a waterproof pipe or a waterproof coating is arranged in the hole wall of the water inlet hole.

[0015] Specifically, a closing piece is slidably mounted on one side of the water inlet hole communicating with the branch water supply unit, and the closing piece is used to control the opening and closing of the connection between the water inlet hole and the branch water supply unit.

[0016] Specifically, there is an angle between the axis of the water inlet hole and the horizontal line, the angle of the angle is 20-40 degrees, and the end of the water inlet hole located inside the cage is higher than the end of the water inlet hole located outside the cage.

[0017] Specifically, there are multiple branch water supply units, each of which corresponds to a cage to be supplied with water, and all branch water supply units are connected in parallel to the main water supply unit, connecting the main water supply unit with the inside of the corresponding cage.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for using the non-human primate contactless drinking water system based on the above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0019] When drinking water: the breeder turns on the constant pressure water source, adjusts the three-way valve, connects the main drinking water pipe, the first branch pipe and the second branch pipe, and opens the sealing piece; the non-human primate swings the switch for animals in the cage, and the drinking water enters the cage through the water inlet hole, presenting a slanting upward stable pressure water column. The non-human primate drinks water through the water column, realizing contactless drinking;

[0020] When draining: the breeder turns off the constant pressure water source, adjusts the three-way valve, connects the drinking water main pipeline and the first branch pipeline, and closes the sealing piece; the accumulated liquid in the pipeline begins to be drained, and after the accumulated liquid is drained, follow the steps for drinking water to resume drinking water.

[0021] The technical solution provided by the present invention includes at least the following beneficial effects:

[0022] 1. The non-human primate contactless drinking water system provided by the present invention makes good use of the physiological characteristics of non-human primates, such as flexible upper limbs, "finger" structure and strong learning ability. Through the setting of the animal switch and the water inlet hole, the non-human primate can discharge water when it slightly exerts force to turn the switch, and the water can be closed by automatically rebounding when the force stops, avoiding accidental touching of the switch and not causing problems such as waste of water resources.

[0023] 2. The non-contact drinking water system for non-human primates provided by the present invention has a water column that shoots out obliquely upward, and non-human primates can drink water simply by adjusting their posture and direction without direct contact with the water source, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the water source and avoiding the occurrence of cross contamination.

[0024] 3. The contactless drinking water system for non-human primates provided by the present invention, combined with the monitoring of the meter, can adjust the water output by adjusting the water pressure, thereby saving water resources while ensuring the drinking water supply for animals.

[0025] 4. The contactless drinking water system for non-human primates provided by the present invention has a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, good durability, and a simple and quick method of use. By setting a branch water supply unit, batch discharge can be completed without entering the cage, reducing the impact on the animals and avoiding the risk of animal attacks. When there are drugs in the drinking water or fluid accumulation occurs due to long-term non-use, the accumulated fluid can be fully drained and the pipeline can be cleaned, which is beneficial to the maintenance and cleaning of the drinking water system and also improves the durability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the contactless drinking water system for non-human primates of the present invention from the perspective of an external cage;

[0027] Figure 2 It is a schematic front view of the contactless drinking water system for non-human primates of the present invention from the perspective of the inside of a cage.

[0028] Description of reference numerals:

[0029] 1. Cage; 2. Constant pressure water source; 3. Drinking water main pipeline; 4. Water inlet hole; 5. First branch pipeline; 6. Second branch pipeline; 7. Three-way valve; 8. Animal switch; 9. Meter; 10. Closing piece. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The technical scheme of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without making creative work belong to the scope of protection of the present invention. The materials, instruments and reagents used in the following examples, unless otherwise specified, can be obtained from commercial sources. The technical means used in the embodiments, unless otherwise specified, are conventional means well known to those skilled in the art.

[0031] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc. illustrated in the drawings in this specification are only used to match the contents disclosed in the specification so that people familiar with this technology can understand and read them. They are not used to limit the limiting conditions for the implementation of the present invention, so they have no substantive technical significance. Any modification of the structure, change in the proportional relationship or adjustment of the size should still fall within the scope of the technical contents disclosed in the present invention without affecting the effects and purposes that can be achieved by the present invention. At the same time, the terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "middle" and "one" quoted in this specification are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the implementation of the present invention. Changes or adjustments in their relative relationships should also be regarded as the scope of the implementation of the present invention without substantially changing the technical contents.

[0032] Embodiment 1

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1-2 , which shows a non-human primate contactless drinking water system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, including a cage 1, a main line water supply unit and a branch line water supply unit, wherein:

[0034] The main water supply unit includes a constant pressure water source 2 and a main drinking water pipeline 3, the main drinking water pipeline 3 connects the constant pressure water source 2 with the inside of the branch water supply unit; one end of the branch water supply unit is connected with the main drinking water pipeline 3, and the other end of the branch water supply unit is connected with the inside of the cage 1; a water inlet 4 is provided on one side of the cage 1, and a closing piece 10 is slidably installed on the side where the water inlet 4 is connected with the branch water supply unit, and the closing piece 10 is used to control the opening and closing of the connection between the water inlet 4 and the branch water supply unit. The water inlet 4 is connected with the inside of the branch water supply unit, and there is an angle between the axis of the water inlet 4 and the horizontal line, and the angle of the angle is 20-40 degrees. The end of the water inlet 4 located inside the cage 1 is higher than the end of the water inlet 4 located outside the cage 1. The setting of the water inlet 4 makes the direction of water supply not horizontal, but the water column is shot obliquely upward, and the non-human primate can drink water by simply adjusting the posture and direction, and does not directly contact the water source, which ensures the cleanliness of the water source and avoids the occurrence of cross contamination. In practice, the landing point of the water column can be found according to the conditions of cages 1 of different specifications, and drainage holes or sewers can be opened at the corresponding positions to discharge the water directly into the sewer system, thereby reducing water accumulation in the cages and ensuring the comfort of the animals.

[0035] The branch water supply unit includes a first branch pipeline 5 and a second branch pipeline 6, one end of the first branch pipeline 5 and the second branch pipeline 6 are connected through a three-way valve 7, the other end of the three-way valve 7 is connected to the drinking water main pipeline 3, the other end of the first branch pipeline 5 and the second branch pipeline 6 are connected and extend to the wall of the cage 1, and are connected to one end of the water inlet hole 4 located outside the cage 1.

[0036] The second branch pipe 6 is provided with an animal switch 8, which passes through the cage 1 and extends to the inside of the cage 1. The animal switch 8 is a paddle switch or a lever switch. The lever switch extending into the cage 1 has a built-in rebound device. Water comes out when it is toggled. After the lever is released, the switch rebounds and closes the passage. The lever switch is easy to operate, and non-human primates can quickly learn how to use the switch. When drinking water, they can toggle the switch with their fingers, receive the water column with their mouths, or wet their palms with the water column and then lick them to complete the drinking. After drinking, release the switch to reset it and the water column stops. During the whole process, the only part that the primates directly contact is the flowing water column, which can effectively avoid the pollution of the water source during the drinking process.

[0037] The first branch pipeline 5 is provided with a meter 9 for monitoring the flow of drinking water. When it is necessary to measure the drinking water volume of the animals per unit time, the breeder or the experimenter can record or reset the meter 9, and obtain the drinking water consumption of the animals in the cage 1 by reading the difference at the next measurement time point.

[0038] A waterproof pipe or a waterproof coating is arranged in the hole wall of the water inlet hole 4. The waterproof pipe or the waterproof coating is beneficial to prevent the drinking water from leaking into the wall and causing waste, and can also avoid the contamination of the wall to the drinking water.

[0039] In practice, multiple branch water supply units are provided, each of which corresponds to a cage 1 to be supplied with water, and all branch water supply units are connected in parallel to the main water supply unit, connecting the main water supply unit with the corresponding cage 1. The corresponding number of branch water supply units can be matched according to the number of cages 1 to be supplied with water, so as to complete the water supply of multiple cages 1 at the same time.

[0040] On the second aspect, this embodiment shows the specific operation mode of drinking water and water supply:

[0041] When drinking water: the breeder turns on the constant pressure water source 2, adjusts the three-way valve 7, connects the main drinking water pipe 3, the first branch pipe 5 and the second branch pipe 6, and opens the sealing piece 10; the non-human primate swings and extends to the animal switch 8 in the cage 1, and the drinking water enters the cage 1 through the water inlet 4, presenting a slanting upward stable pressure water column, and the non-human primate drinks water through the water column, realizing contactless drinking;

[0042] When draining water: the breeder closes the constant pressure water source 2, adjusts the three-way valve 7, connects the drinking water main pipeline 3 and the first branch pipeline 5, and closes the sealing piece 10; the accumulated liquid in the pipeline begins to be drained, and after the accumulated liquid is drained, the drinking water is resumed according to the steps for drinking water.

[0043] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A non-contact drinking water system for non-human primates, characterized in that: It includes cages, main water supply units and branch water supply units, including: The main line water supply unit comprises a constant pressure water source and a drinking water main pipeline, and the drinking water main pipeline communicates with the constant pressure water source and the interior of the branch line water supply unit; One end of the branch water supply unit is connected to the main drinking water pipeline, and the other end of the branch water supply unit is connected to the inside of the cage; A water inlet hole is opened on one side of the cage, and the water inlet hole is communicated with the interior of the branch water supply unit.

2. The non-human primate contactless drinking water system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The branch water supply unit includes a first branch pipeline and a second branch pipeline, one end of the first branch pipeline and the second branch pipeline are connected through a three-way valve, the other end of the three-way valve is connected to the drinking water main pipeline, the other end of the first branch pipeline and the second branch pipeline are connected and extend to the cage wall, and are connected to the end of the water inlet located outside the cage.

3. The non-human primate contactless drinking water system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second branch pipeline is provided with an animal switch, and the animal switch passes through the cage and extends to the inside of the cage.

4. The non-human primate contactless drinking water system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The switch for animals is a paddle switch or a lever switch.

5. The non-human primate contactless drinking water system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first branch pipeline is provided with a meter, and the meter is used to monitor the flow rate of drinking water.

6. The non-human primate contactless drinking water system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A waterproof pipe or a waterproof coating is arranged in the hole wall of the water inlet hole.

7. The non-human primate contactless drinking water system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A closing piece is slidably mounted on one side of the water inlet hole communicating with the branch water supply unit, and the closing piece is used to control the opening and closing of the connection between the water inlet hole and the branch water supply unit.

8. The non-human primate contactless drinking water system according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is an angle between the axis of the water inlet and the horizontal line, and the angle of the angle is 20-40 degrees. The end of the water inlet located inside the cage is higher than the end of the water inlet located outside the cage.

9. The non-human primate contactless drinking water system according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple branch water supply units, each of which corresponds to a cage to be supplied with water, and all the branch water supply units are connected in parallel to the main water supply unit, connecting the main water supply unit and the corresponding cage.

10. A method for using the non-human primate contactless drinking water system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: When drinking water: the breeder turns on the constant pressure water source, adjusts the three-way valve, connects the main drinking water pipe, the first branch pipe and the second branch pipe, and opens the sealing piece; the non-human primate swings the switch for animals in the cage, and the drinking water enters the cage through the water inlet hole, presenting a slanting upward stable pressure water column. The non-human primate drinks water through the water column, realizing contactless drinking; When draining: the breeder turns off the constant pressure water source, adjusts the three-way valve, connects the drinking water main pipeline and the first branch pipeline, and closes the sealing piece; the accumulated liquid in the pipeline begins to be drained, and after the accumulated liquid is drained, follow the steps for drinking water to resume drinking water.

Images