Device for providing drinking water for pigs

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing drinking water to pigs.Background and Prior Art

[0002] In the pig farming industry devices are known that provide feed and drinking water to pigs.

[0003] This enables the control of the amount and quality of the feed and water, which results in improved health and development of the farmed pigs.

[0004] There are devices that provide feed, known as pig feeders, devices that provide drinking water, known as pig drinkers, and devices that provide both feed and water, known as pig feeder / drinkers.

[0005] A known design of pig drinker provides a trough comprising a horizontal water supply tube that receives drinking water into one end and delivers drinking water through one or more nipples spaced along the length of the tube. Such a pig drinker may be provided with a trough to catch any water that a pig does not directly drink from a nipple, providing a supply of fresh drinking water in the trough. The trough is typically mounted close to the ground in order to replicate the natural drinking instinct of drinking from a puddle or pond. However, they are often positioned spaced somewhat above the ground, particularly where the surrounding floor contains straw or other debris, in order to prevent contamination of the water.

[0006] US 2018 / 249676 A1, GB 2092876 A, US 4892061 A, CN 207340946 U, US 4246870 A and DE 30 25365 A1 disclose known drinking devices for animals.

[0007] However, it has been found that pigs may sometimes get their trotters trapped behind the horizontal water supply tube.

[0008] Improvements in this area would be desirable.Brief Description of the Invention

[0009] In a first aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for providing drinking water to pigs, the apparatus comprising: an elongate trough comprising a base, a rear wall, a forward lip, and a top lip extending forwardly from the rear wall; a horizontal water supply tube having a first end and a second end, the first end providing an inlet adapted to receive a supply of drinking water, and a plurality of nipples spaced apart along the length of the water supply tube and protruding therefrom, the water supply tube being mounted within the trough by being located below and adjacent to the top lip; whereby in use drinking water enters the water supply tube and leaves via the plurality of nipples and is catchable by falling onto the base of the elongate trough.

[0010] Thus, clean drinking water can be provided to pigs in an efficient manner, and the material needed to manufacture the trough is minimised by locating the top lip adjacent to the water supply tube. Additionally, as the water supply tube is adjacent to the top lip, there is no possibility that a pig can get their trotters trapped behind it.

[0011] Preferably at least one additional nipple is provided at the first and / or second end, wherein the at least one additional nipple extends beyond the trough, such that water leaving the at least one nipple is not catchable by falling onto the trough. Thus, the trough may provide drinking water for a plurality of pigs according to the number of nipples, but also, by including additional nipple(s) a capability to provide drinking water to a greater number of pigs may be achieved before an additional trough is required to be installed.

[0012] Such nipples may be activatable by nudging by the snout of a pig and such additional nipples, may be activatable by biting action from a pig.

[0013] The apparatus is a pig drinker and does not dispense feed.

[0014] By "adjacent the top lip" means in close contact therewith, e.g. less than 25mm, preferably less than 10mm, more preferably less than 5mm.

[0015] The horizontal water supply tube is preferably connected to the top lip, preferably removable, e.g. by a nut-and-bolt attachment, so that the horizontal supply tube can be removed for maintenance whilst the trough remains attached to a wall of a building.

[0016] The trough is typically made of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminium. Alternatively it may be made from plastics.

[0017] In a typical arrangement the base is horizontal along its length and the rear wall is vertical. However, deviations from horizontal and vertical are possible. The base may be flat, curved or v-shaped in cross-section, as desired.

[0018] The trough may have any appropriate length, but typically will be in the range of from 30 to 300cm.

[0019] The nipples are designed so that they only permit the flow of drinking water out of them when they are nudged by the snout of a pig. Typically there will be from 3 to 15 such nipples generally evenly spaced along the trough.

[0020] Preferably the top lip is at an angle to the horizontal, and covers a portion of the base, leaving a portion of the base uncovered. The top lip may alternatively be horizontal.

[0021] Preferably the trough comprises first and second end plates, so that any water falling onto the base is contained within the trough. This is achieved by the end plates creating a basin within the trough. The contained water remains fresh for some time and therefore ensures no water is wasted. Alternatively the base may be angled upwards at the two ends of the trough, so that any water falling onto the base is contained within the trough.

[0022] Optionally the apparatus comprises a height adjustment means, to permit the trough to be raised and / or lowered. For example this can be by attachment to a support bracket attached to the wall with a suitable fastening means attached to the rear of the trough.

[0023] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a building suitable for housing pigs comprising at least one apparatus as described herein. Preferably the apparatus is positioned such that the base is from 50 to 200mm from the ground.

[0024] The invention will now be illustrated, by way of example, and with reference to the following figures, in which: Figure 1 is a side sectional view through a known pig drinker. Figure 2 is a side sectional view through a pig drinker apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention. Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of one side of the apparatus shown in figure 1 showing a wall mounting means.

[0025] Turning to the figures, figure 1 shows a side sectional view through a known form of apparatus 1 for providing drinking water to pigs comprising an elongate trough 2 and a horizontal water supply tube 4. The trough 2 comprises a horizontal base 6, a vertical rear wall 8. The gap between the water supply tube 4 and the rear wall 8 is 33mm, which is large enough to permit a pig to place their trotters behind the tube and sometimes get them trapped there.

[0026] Figures 2 and 3 show an apparatus 10, according to the first aspect of the invention, for providing drinking water to pigs comprising an elongate trough 12 and a horizontal water supply tube 14.

[0027] The trough 12 comprises a base 16 that is horizontal along its length and flat in cross-section, a vertical rear wall 18, a forward lip 20, and a top lip 22 extending forwardly and angled upwards from the vertical rear wall 18. The ends of the trough 12 are provided by first end plate 32 and second end plate 34.

[0028] The trough 12 is attachable to a vertical supporting wall of a building (not shown) by placing the vertical rear wall 18 against the wall. The trough 12 may be attached to the wall in a variety of ways, and may be attached to an adjustable height bracket (not shown) if changes in the height of the base 16 from the floor are desired. The end plates include holes 13 to enable the attachment of a bracket 36 discussed below. The base 16 is raised 100mm above the floor of a building (not shown) for housing pigs.

[0029] The horizontal water supply tube 14 comprises a first end 15 and a second end 17, the first end 15 providing an inlet 24 adapted to receive a supply of drinking water, and a plurality of nipples 26 spaced apart along the length of the water supply tube 14 and protruding therefrom. Feeding into the inlet 24 is a water inlet tube 30 that may be hard plumbed with steel pipe or flexible pipe is height adjustment is desired (see below).

[0030] The water supply tube 14 is mounted within the trough 12 by being located adjacent to the top lip 22, and separated therefrom only by a mounting plate 28 which is 3mm thick. In this way, there is no possibility that a pig can get their trotters trapped behind it. The water supply tube 14 is bolted to the trough 12 through the top lip 22, allowing the easy removal of the water supply tube 14 e.g. for maintenance while leaving the trough 12 in place.

[0031] Attached to the first end plate 32 is a bracket 36 attached thereto by being bolted through holes 13. The bracket 36 comprises a pipe clamp 38 for holding the water inlet tube 30 in place. If it is desired to raise or lower the trough 12 then the entire trough 12 can be raised or lowered, provided there is a flexible connection to water inlet tube 30.

[0032] In use, drinking water is provided to water inlet tube 30 into inlet 24 and to water supply tube 14. When a pig desires drinking water, it nudges the nipples 26 causing water to be dispensed for drinking. Any water that is not drank immediately falls onto horizontal base 16 and remains there, being contained by end plates 32, 34. The top lip 22 acts to prevent undesirable material from falling into the trough 12, e.g. any material attached to a supporting wall of a building.

[0033] Additionally, as the water supply tube 14 is located adjacent to the top lip 22, the design is efficient in terms of material used in construction.

[0034] Figure 4 shows a second apparatus 50, according to the invention, for providing drinking water to pigs comprising an elongate trough 52 and a horizontal water supply tube 54.

[0035] The trough 52 comprises a horizontal base 56, a vertical rear wall 58, a forward lip 60, and a top lip 62 extending forwardly and angled upwards from the vertical rear wall 58. The ends of the trough 52 are provided by first end plate 72 and second end plate 74. The trough 52 is attachable to a vertical supporting wall of a building (not shown) by placing the vertical rear wall 58 against the wall.

[0036] The trough 52 is attachable to a vertical supporting wall of a building (not shown) by placing the vertical rear wall 58 against the wall. The trough 52 may be attached to the wall in a variety of ways, and may be attached to an adjustable height bracket (not shown) if changes in the height of the base 56 from the floor are desired. The end plates include holes 53 to enable the attachment of a bracket 76 discussed below. The base 56 is raised 100mm above the floor of a building (not shown) for housing pigs.

[0037] The horizontal water supply tube 54 comprises a first end 55 and a second end 57, the first end 55 providing an inlet 74 adapted to receive a supply of drinking water, and a plurality of nipples 66 spaced apart along the length of the water supply tube 54 and protruding therefrom. Feeding into the inlet 74 is a water inlet tube 70 that may be hard plumbed with steel pipe or flexible pipe is height adjustment is desired (see below).

[0038] The water supply tube 54 is mounted within the trough 52 by being located adjacent to the top lip 62, and separated therefrom only by a mounting plate 78 which is 3mm thick. In this way, there is no possibility that a pig can get their trotters trapped behind it. The water supply tube 54 is bolted to the trough 52 through the top lip 62, allowing the easy removal of the water supply tube 54 e.g. for maintenance while leaving the trough 52 in place.

[0039] Attached to the first end plate 72 is a bracket 76 attached thereto by being bolted through holes 53. The bracket 76 comprises a pipe clamp 78 for holding the water inlet tube 70 in place. If it is desired to raise or lower the trough 52 then the entire trough 52 can be raised or lowered, provided there is a flexible connection to water inlet tube 70.

[0040] Also provided is a first additional nipple 80, activatable by biting, at the first end 55 and a second additional nipple 82, also activatable by biting, at the second end 57. The additional nipples 80, 82 extend beyond the trough 52, such that water leaving the additional nipples 80, 82 is not catchable by falling onto the trough 52. The additional nipples 80, 82 can be removed or added as desired, in order to expand the drinking capacity of the trough 52.

[0041] In use, drinking water is provided to water inlet tube 70 into inlet 74 and to water supply tube 74. When a pig desires drinking water, it nudges the nipples 66 or bites the additional nipples 80, 82 causing water to be dispensed for drinking. Any water that is not drank from nipples 66 immediately falls onto horizontal base 56 and remains there, being contained by end plates 72, 74. The top lip 62 acts to prevent undesirable material from falling into the trough 72, e.g. any material attached to a supporting wall of a building.

[0042] Additionally, as the water supply tube 74 is located adjacent to the top lip 62, the design is efficient in terms of material used in construction.

[0043] Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of one side of the apparatus 10 shown in figure 1 which also has a mounting bracket 90 that has an angled base 92 so that it can be bolted to the top lip 22 and part of the rear wall 18 so that it is parallel to the rear wall 18. The mounting bracket also comprises an antiluce fastener 94.

[0044] In use, the apparatus is mounted on a support bracket (not shown) attached to the wall of a building, that comprises a plurality of horizontal openings, at different heights from the floor of the building. Antiluce fastener 94 is inserted into one such horizontal opening, holding the trough 12 in place on the wall. When it is desired to change the height of the trough from the floor the antiluce fastener 94 is rotated to become horizontal and removed from the support bracket. It can then be placed in a different horizontal opening at the desired height of the trough.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10, 50) for providing drinking water to pigs, the apparatus comprising: an elongate trough (12, 52) comprising a base (16, 56), a rear wall (18, 58), a forward lip (20, 60), and a top lip (22, 62) extending forwardly from the rear wall (18, 58); a horizontal water supply tube (14, 54) having a first end (15, 55) and a second end (17, 57), the first end (15, 55) providing an inlet (24, 74) adapted to receive a supply of drinking water, and a plurality of nipples (26, 66) spaced apart along the length of the water supply tube (14, 54) and protruding therefrom, the water supply tube (14, 54) being mounted within the trough (12, 52) by being located below and adjacent to the top lip (22, 62); whereby in use drinking water enters the water supply tube (14, 54) and leaves via the plurality of nipples (26, 66) and is catchable by falling onto the base (16, 56) of the elongate trough (12, 52).

2. An apparatus (10, 50) according to claim 1, wherein at least one additional nipple (80, 82) is provided at the first (15, 55) and / or second end (17, 57), wherein the at least one additional nipple (80, 82) extends beyond the trough (12, 52), such that water leaving the at least one additional nipple (80, 82) is not catchable by falling onto the trough (12, 52).

3. An apparatus (10, 50) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base (16, 56) is horizontal along its length and the rear wall (18, 58) is vertical.

4. An apparatus (10, 50) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trough (12, 52) has a length in the range of from 30 to 300cm.

5. An apparatus (10, 50) according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises from 3 to 15 nipples (26, 66) evenly spaced along the trough (12, 52).

6. An apparatus (10, 50) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top lip (22, 62) is at an angle to the horizontal, and covers a portion of the base (16, 56), leaving a portion of the base (16, 56) uncovered.

7. An apparatus (10, 50) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trough (12, 52) comprises first (32, 72) and second end plates (34, 74), so that any water falling onto the base (16, 56) is contained within the trough (12, 52).

8. An apparatus (10, 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base (16, 56) is angled upwards at the two ends of the trough (32, 34, 72, 74), so that any water falling onto the base (16, 56) is contained within the trough (12, 52).

9. An apparatus (10, 50) according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a height adjustment means, to permit the trough (12, 52) to be raised and / or lowered.

10. A building suitable for housing pigs comprising at least one apparatus (10, 50) according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. A building according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus (10, 50) is positioned such that the base (16, 56) is from 50 to 200mm from the ground.