Animal waterer
The drinking trough design with a retractable hatch and float system addresses the difficulty of accessing water by reducing contact surface and force needed, ensuring easy drinking and preventing ice formation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023004532
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-05
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-05-05
AI Technical Summary
Traditional animal watering troughs with large muzzles require excessive force to access water due to increased size of the through opening and retractable closure means, making it difficult for animals to drink.
A drinking trough design featuring a retractable hatch and float system with spacer means, allowing the retractable hatch to be positioned above the water level, reducing contact surface with water, and utilizing displacement mounting to facilitate easy access and prevent freezing.
Facilitates easy access to water for animals with large muzzles by reducing the force required to open the closure means and prevents freezing, ensuring all animals can drink comfortably while minimizing ice formation.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Animal drinking trough
[0001] The invention relates to a drinking trough for animals.
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing equipment for raising animals, particularly cattle.
[0003] This invention relates, more particularly, to the field of manufacturing equipment for watering such animals, in particular the field of manufacturing watering troughs.
[0004] Document FR3121327 discloses an animal waterer which comprises a tray which has, on the one hand, an internal volume which is configured to contain water and, on the other hand, an upper part provided with an opening. Such a waterer also comprises a cover, which surmounts the tray, which closes the opening of this tray, and which comprises, on the one hand, a frame, which is positioned above the tray, and which has a through opening which is configured to allow access to the internal volume of the tray and, on the other hand, retractable closing means, which are configured to close the through opening of the frame, and which are movable between a closed position and an open position of the through opening of the frame. Such retractable sealing means take the form of a ball which is configured to float on the water contained in the tank as well as to close the through opening under the effect of the thrust of the water.Animals that come to drink from such a trough exert pressure with their muzzles on the ball which sinks into the water, which allows the animal to have access to the water contained in the trough and to drink.
[0005] In this regard, it will be observed that, due to the selection of animals in recent years, the size of the muzzle of these animals (more particularly beef cattle) has increased significantly so that the size of the through opening of the frame of traditional drinking troughs is no longer adapted to the morphology of these animals which can therefore no longer access water and drink.
[0006] One solution consists of increasing the size of the through opening of the chassis, which then also requires increasing the size of the ball of the retractable closure means. Such an increase in the size of this ball has the effect of increasing the force required to push this ball back inside the tank in order to be able to access the water. Faced with such an increase, the animals experience real difficulty in pushing the ball back inside the tank and, thus, in drinking.
[0007] The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the watering troughs of the state of the art.
[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a drinking trough which has, at the same time, a large through opening allowing all animals (in particular animals with a large muzzle) to access the water to drink and retractable closing means making it easier for these animals to access the water.
[0009] For this purpose, the invention relates to a watering trough for animals, in particular for cattle, comprising, on the one hand, a tank, which has an internal volume configured to contain water as well as an upper part provided with an opening, on the other hand, a cover, which surmounts the tank, which closes the opening of the tank, and which comprises, on the one hand, a chassis, which is positioned above the tank, and which has a through opening which is configured to allow access to the internal volume of the tank and, on the other hand, retractable closing means, which are configured to close the through opening of the chassis, and which are movable between a closed position and an open position of the through opening of the chassis.This drinking trough is characterized by the fact that the retractable closing means comprise, on the one hand, a retractable hatch which is configured to close the through opening of the chassis, this in the position of closing the through opening of the chassis and, on the other hand, a float, which is positioned inside the internal volume of the tank, and which is configured to be at least partly immersed in the water contained in the internal volume of the tank as well as to push the retractable hatch back into the position of closing the through opening of the chassis, this under the effect of the thrust of the water and, on the other hand, spacer means which are configured to connect the retractable hatch and the float as well as to space this retractable hatch and this float.
[0010] Another characteristic concerns the fact that the drinking trough is configured so that, in the closed position of the through opening of the chassis, the retractable hatch is positioned at a determined distance above the water level, this in order to provide, between the retractable hatch and the water level, an insulating volume of air.
[0011] Yet another characteristic concerns the fact that the retractable hatch has a lower face, on the one hand, which is oriented towards the internal volume of the tank, at least in the closed position of the through opening of the chassis, on the other hand, from which the spacer means extend, and, on the other hand, which has a surface which is, depending on the case, greater than the surface of the float which is in contact with the water and / or parallel to the surface of the water, at least in the closed position of the through opening (12) of the chassis (11).
[0012] Yet another characteristic relates to the fact that the float is configured so as to allow the passage of the retractable closure means, on the one hand, from the open position of the through opening of the chassis to the closed position of the through opening of the chassis, this under the effect of the thrust of the water and, on the other part, from the closed position of the through opening of the chassis to the open position of the through opening of the chassis, this under the effect of pressure exerted on the retractable closing means by an animal, more particularly by a muzzle that this animal has.
[0013] An additional feature relates to the fact that the cover comprises displacement mounting means which are configured to mount the retractable closure means in displacement relative to the frame, this between the closed position and the open position of the through opening of the frame.
[0014] According to another characteristic, the cover comprises positioning means which are configured to position the frame and the retractable hatch at a distance of between 1 mm and 10 mm.
[0015] Thus, the animal watering trough according to the invention comprises retractable closure means which comprise a retractable hatch, a float and spacer means. Such retractable closure means advantageously make it possible to limit the surface of these retractable closure means in contact with the water to the surface of at least part of the float. This advantageously makes it possible to reduce the force to be exerted by the animals to push these retractable closure means back inside the tank and thus to facilitate access to the water for these animals and, therefore, their watering. These characteristics then also make it possible to increase the size of the through opening which advantageously allows all animals (including those with a large muzzle) to access the water to drink.
[0016] In addition, the waterer is configured so that, in the closed position of the through opening of the frame, the retractable hatch is positioned at a determined distance above the water level, this in order to provide, between the retractable hatch and the water level, a volume of insulating air which advantageously makes it possible to delay the appearance of frost inside the trough of the waterer. In addition, these characteristics make it possible to prevent the retractable hatch (which has the largest surface area of the various elements constituting the retractable closure means) from being in contact with the surface of the water which, again, makes it possible to reduce the surface area of the retractable closure means in contact with the water and which again and advantageously makes it possible to reduce the force to be exerted by the animals to push these retractable closure means inside the trough.
[0017] An additional feature concerns the fact that the through opening and / or the retractable hatch has the shape of an ellipse, an oblong shape, an oval shape, a square shape with rounded corners or a rectangular shape with rounded corners. Such a feature advantageously makes it possible to provide a drinking trough in which the size of the through opening is significantly greater than the size the through opening (especially round) of state-of-the-art drinking troughs, which allows all animals (including those with large muzzles) to easily and comfortably access the water contained in the trough.
[0018] According to an additional feature, the cover comprises means for mounting the retractable closure means in a moving manner relative to the frame. Such moving mounting means advantageously and in particular when the through opening and / or the hatch has the shape of an ellipse, an oblong shape, an oval shape, a square shape with rounded corners or a rectangular shape with rounded corners, allow the retractable closure means to move only between the open and closed positions of the through opening and thus avoid inappropriate positioning of the retractable hatch relative to the through opening which, in the absence of such moving mounting means, could cause the retractable closure means to become skewed and / or to pass through the through opening and to escape from the drinking trough.
[0019] The cover of the drinking trough comprises positioning means which are configured to position the frame and the retractable hatch at a distance of between 1 mm and 10 mm. These characteristics advantageously allow the flow of water between the frame and the retractable hatch towards the inside of the tank and thus prevent stagnation of this water between this frame and this retractable hatch which, in negative temperatures, freezes and then prevents the movement of the retractable closure means and, thus, access to the water.
[0020] Other aims and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows relating to embodiments which are given only as indicative and non-limiting examples.
[0021] Understanding of this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings in which:
[0022] [Fig-1] is a schematic and perspective view of a drinking trough according to the present invention.
[0023] [Fig.2] is a schematic and sectional view along a vertical median plane of the illustrated drinking trough [Fig.l], this in the position of closure of the through opening by the retractable closing means.
[0024] [Fig.3] is a view similar to [Fig.2] and shows the drinking trough in the position of opening the through opening by the retractable closing means.
[0025] [Fig.4] is a schematic, partial, hybrid and sectional view along a plane parallel to the vertical median plane and represents the drinking trough which is in accordance with the invention and in which the retractable closing means adopt a position of opening and closing of the through opening.
[0026] With particular reference to the above-mentioned figures, the present invention relates to the field of manufacturing equipment for raising animals, particularly cattle. This invention relates, more particularly, to the field of manufacturing equipment for watering such animals, in particular the field of manufacturing watering troughs.
[0027] The invention then relates to a drinking trough 1 for animals, in particular for cattle.
[0028] Such a drinking trough 1 comprises a tray 2 which has a bottom 3 as well as side walls 4 which extend from this bottom 3.
[0029] Such a tray 2 also has an upper part 5 which is provided with an opening 6, in particular delimited by the side walls 4.
[0030] Such a container 2 also has an internal volume 7, on the one hand, which is delimited by the bottom 3, the side walls 4 and the opening 6 and, on the other hand, which is configured to contain water.
[0031] Additionally, such a tank 2 may also comprise water supply means 8. Such water supply means 8 may be configured to manage the water level N (more particularly the maximum water level) inside the tank 2.
[0032] Said drinking trough 1 also comprises a cover 9, which surmounts the tank 2 (more particularly which is positioned above the tank 2), and which closes the opening 6 of this tank 2. This cover 9 is movable (or even removable) relative to the tank 2 and can be connected to the tank 2 by means of articulation means 10 which allow a movement of this cover 9 between an open position (not shown) and a position of closing the opening 6 of the tank 2 (figures 1 to 4). This cover 9 can be fixed on the tank 2, this by means of reversible fixing means.
[0033] This cover 9 comprises a frame 11, which is positioned above the tank 2 (more particularly above the side walls 4 which this tank 2 comprises), and which has a through opening 12 which is configured to allow access to the internal volume 7 of the tank 2 and, therefore, to the water contained in the internal volume 7 of this tank 2.
[0034] This cover 9 also comprises retractable closing means 13, which are configured to close the through opening 12 of the chassis 11, and which are movable between a closed position (figures 1, 2 and 4) and an open position (figures 3 and 4) of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11.
[0035] According to the invention, these retractable closing means 13 comprise a retractable hatch 14 which is configured, on the one hand, to close the through opening 12 of the chassis 11, this in the closed position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11 (figures 1, 2 and 4), on the other hand, so that the through opening 12 of the chassis 11 is open, this in the open position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11 (figures 3 and 4).
[0036] These retractable closure means 13 comprise a float 15, which is positioned inside the internal volume 7 of the tank 2, and which is configured to be at least partly immersed in the water contained in the internal volume 7 of the tank 2 as well as to push the retractable hatch 14 into the closed position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11, this under the effect of the thrust of the water, more particularly under the effect of Archimedes' thrust.
[0037] These retractable closure means 13 also comprise spacer means 16 which are configured to connect the retractable hatch 14 and the float 15 as well as to space this retractable hatch 14 and this float 15.
[0038] According to another characteristic, the drinking trough 1 is configured so that, in the closed position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11, the retractable hatch 14 (more particularly a lower face 140 that this retractable hatch 14 comprises) is positioned at a determined distance above the water level N (more particularly above the maximum water level), this in order to provide, between the retractable hatch 14 and the water level N, a volume of insulating air.
[0039] In this regard, it will be observed that it is, more particularly, at least a part of the retractable closure means 13 (in particular the float 15, or even the retractable hatch 14 and / or the spacer means 16), which the drinking trough 1 comprises, and which is configured so that, in the closed position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11, the retractable hatch 14 (more particularly the lower face 140 of this retractable hatch 14) is positioned at a determined distance above the water level N.
[0040] Additionally, the water supply means 8 (which can be configured to manage the water level N in the tank 2) can also be configured so that, in the closed position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11, the retractable hatch 14 (more particularly the lower face 140 of this retractable hatch 14) is positioned at a determined distance above the water level N.
[0041] In this regard, it will be observed that the determined distance is between 10mm and 40mm, preferably of the order of 30mm.
[0042] As mentioned above, the retractable hatch 14 has a lower face 140, on the one hand, which is oriented towards the internal volume 7 of the tank 2 and / or towards the bottom 3 of this tank 2, this at least in the closed position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11 and, on the other hand, from which the spacer means 16 extend.
[0043] This retractable hatch 14 also has an upper face 141, which is oriented in the direction of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11, and which is configured to cooperate with (more particularly to come to bear against) a lower edge 111 of a border 110, which the chassis 11 comprises, and which borders the through opening 12 of this chassis 11, this in the closed position of this through opening 12.
[0044] According to another characteristic, the section of the retractable hatch 14 has the shape of a lens, which means that at least one of the faces (lower 140 and / or upper 141) of this retractable hatch 14 is curved.
[0045] As can be seen in the attached figures, the upper face 141 of the retractable hatch 14 is curved and has a convex surface. Such a characteristic advantageously makes it possible to avoid stagnation of water on this retractable hatch 14 as well as a flow of water towards the internal volume 7 of the tank 2.
[0046] As regards the lower face 140 of the retractable hatch 14, the latter 140 has a surface which is parallel to the surface of the water, this at least in the closed position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11.
[0047] Alternatively or (and preferably) additionally, the lower face 140 of the retractable hatch 14 has a surface which is greater than the surface of the float 15 which is in contact with the water.
[0048] Given the fact that this lower face 140 of the retractable hatch 14 is positioned at a determined distance above the water level N (therefore is not in contact with the water), this characteristic makes it possible to limit the surface area of the retractable closure means 13 in contact with the water to the surface of at least a part of the float 15. This advantageously makes it possible to reduce the surface area of the retractable closure means 13 in contact with the water and, therefore, the force to be exerted by the animals to push these retractable closure means 13 back inside the tank 2 and, thus, to facilitate access to the water for these animals and, therefore, their watering.
[0049] According to an alternative or (and preferably) additional characteristic, the float 15 (more particularly the submerged part of this float 15) is configured so as to allow the passage of the retractable closure means 13, on the one hand, from the open position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11 to the closed position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11, this under the effect of the thrust of the water (more particularly of Archimedes' thrust) and, on the other hand, from the closed position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11 to the open position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11, this under the effect of pressure exerted on the retractable closure means 13 by an animal, more particularly by a muzzle that this animal has.
[0050] Another characteristic concerns the fact that the through opening 12 and / or the retractable hatch 14 has the shape of an ellipse, an oblong shape, an oval shape, a square shape with rounded corners or a rectangular shape with rounded corners.
[0051] An additional feature concerns the fact that the cover 9 comprises displacement mounting means 17 which are configured to mount the retractable closure means 13 (more particularly the retractable hatch 14 which these retractable closure means 13 comprise) in displacement relative to the chassis 11 (more particularly on the chassis 11), this between the closed position and the open position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11.
[0052] According to a first embodiment not shown, the moving mounting means 17 comprise guide means which are configured to guide the retractable closing means 13, this between the closed position and the open position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11.
[0053] Such guide means may be configured to guide the retractable closure means 13 in translation, more particularly in rectilinear or curvilinear translation.
[0054] According to a second embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the displacement mounting means 17 comprise means for rotating the retractable closure means 13 relative to the chassis 11, this around an axis of rotation X.
[0055] Such rotational mounting means may comprise at least one articulation and / or at least one hinge.
[0056] As regards the float 15, this adopts the form of a block.
[0057] This float 15 has, on the one hand, a proximal end 150 which is oriented in direction of the moving mounting means 17 and, on the other hand, a distal end 151 which is oriented in a direction opposite to these moving mounting means 17.
[0058] Additionally, the distal end 151 comprises a face 152 which has a convex shape whose curvature is oriented in a direction opposite to the displacement mounting means 17. These characteristics advantageously allow free displacement of the float 15 relative to the bottom 3 of the tank 2, more particularly without this bottom 3 hindering the displacement of this float 15.
[0059] Alternatively or (and preferably) additionally, the distal end 151 of the float 15 is positioned at a distance d from one of the side walls 4 of the tank 2 which is between 60mm and 100mm, preferably of the order of 80mm. In this regard, it will be observed that, in the event of frost, the ice first forms at the level of the side wall 4 of the tank 2 and progresses towards the float 15. The positioning of the distal end 151 of the float 15 at such a distance from the side wall 4 of the tank 2 advantageously makes it possible to substantially delay the appearance of ice at the level of the float 15 and thus makes it possible to substantially delay the blocking of the retractable closure means 13 by the ice.
[0060] Alternatively or (and preferably) additionally, the spacer means 16 are set back at least relative to the distal end 151 of the float 15, or even relative to the proximal end 150 of the float 15. These characteristics advantageously make it possible to increase the length of the insulating air gap, on the one hand, between the retractable hatch 14 and the float 15 and, on the other hand, between at least one of the side walls 3 of the tank 2 and the spacer means 16, which advantageously makes it possible to further delay the appearance of frost inside the tank 2 of the drinking trough 1.
[0061] Another characteristic concerns the fact that the float 15 has an increasing thickness from the proximal end 150 and towards the distal end 151.
[0062] As regards the spacer means 16, these adopt the form of a blade which extends along a plane which is perpendicular to a plane along which the retractable hatch 14 extends, more particularly along which the lower face 140 which this retractable hatch 14 comprises extends.
[0063] Alternatively or (and preferably) additionally, these spacer means 16 have a width which is less than the width of the retractable hatch 14 as well as the width of the float 15. Here again, this characteristic advantageously makes it possible to increase the length of the insulating air gap, with the results mentioned above.
[0064] Additionally, the float 15 has a width which is less than the width of the retractable hatch 14. These characteristics make it possible, here again, to substantially delay the appearance of ice at the float 15 and thus make it possible to substantially delay the blocking of the retractable closure means 13 by the ice.
[0065] In this regard, it will be observed that said width is considered in a direction parallel to a plane along which the retractable hatch 14 extends.
[0066] Yet another characteristic concerns the fact that the float 15 and / or the spacer means 16 (more particularly the blade of the spacer means 16) have an elongated shape and extend in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation X of the displacement mounting means 17.
[0067] Alternatively or (and preferably) additionally, at least a part of the float 15 (more particularly at least a part of the block that this float 15 comprises) and / or the spacer means 16 (more particularly the blade of the spacer means 16) extend over at least a part (or even, and preferably, over the entirety) of the length of the retractable hatch 14, this in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation X of the moving mounting means 17. These characteristics make it possible, in particular, to increase the submerged volume of the float 15 and, thus, the thrust of the water exerted on this float 15.
[0068] Another characteristic concerns the fact that at least the float 15 has at least one housing 153, at least one recess or at least one notch inside which at least a part of the water supply means 8 (more particularly a float 80 which these water supply means 8 comprise) is housed, this in the open position of the through opening 12 of the chassis 11. These characteristics advantageously make it possible to prevent the water supply means 8 from hindering the rotation of the retractable closure means 13 between the closed position and the open position of the through opening 12 and, thus, make it possible to increase the amplitude of this rotation which makes it possible to facilitate access to the water contained in the drinking trough 1.
[0069] Yet another characteristic concerns the fact that the cover 9 further comprises positioning means 18 which are configured to position the chassis 11 (more particularly the lower edge 111 of the border 110 of the chassis 11) and the retractable hatch 14 (more particularly the upper face 141 and / or an edge that this retractable hatch 14 has, more particularly that the upper face 141 of this retractable hatch 14 has) at a distance of between 1 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 5 mm, this in the position of closing the through opening 12 by the retractable closing means 13.
[0070] Such positioning means 18 may adopt the form of at least one protuberance or at least one lug which, depending on the case, the chassis 11 (more particularly the lower edge 111 of the border 110 of the chassis 11) and / or the retractable hatch 14 (more particularly the upper face 141 and / or the border of this retractable hatch 14) comprises.
[0071] Such positioning means 18 may extend radially relative to the through opening 12 and / or relative to the retractable hatch 14.
[0072] Yet another characteristic concerns the fact that the tray 2 and / or the cover 9 (more particularly the frame 11 and / or the retractable closing means 13) is made at least partly of a thermal insulating material.
[0073] Alternatively or (and preferably) additionally, at least a portion of the retractable closure means 13 (more particularly the retractable hatch 14, the float 15 and the spacer means 16) comprises, on the one hand, an envelope 130 (more particularly made of a polymer and / or synthetic material, in particular polyethylene) and, on the other hand, an internal volume 131, which is delimited by said envelope 130, and which may, depending on the case, be empty or be filled, at least in part, with a thermal insulating material, more particularly with a foam and / or with a polymer and / or synthetic material, for example polyurethane foam.
[0074] These retractable closure means 13 (which comprise the retractable hatch 14, the float 15 and the spacer means 16) can be made up of a single part, in particular produced by molding, more particularly by rotational molding.
Claims
1.
2. Claims Drinking trough (1) for animals, in particular for cattle, comprising, on the one hand, a tank (2), which has an internal volume (7) configured to contain water and an upper part (5) provided with an opening (6), on the other hand, a frame (11), which is positioned above the tank (2), and which has a through opening (12) which is configured to allow access to the internal volume (7) of the tank (2) and, on the other hand, retractable closing means (13), which are configured to close the through opening (12) of the frame (11), which are movable between a closed position and an open position of the through opening (12) of the frame (11), and which comprise, on the one hand, a retractable hatch (14) which is configured to close the through opening (12) of the frame (11), this in the closed position of the opening through (12) of the chassis (11), on the other hand, a float (15),which is positioned inside the internal volume (7) of the tank (2), and which is configured to be at least partly immersed in the water contained in the internal volume (7) of the tank (2) as well as to push the retractable hatch (14) into the closing position of the through opening (12) of the chassis (11), this under the effect of the thrust of the water and, on the other hand, spacer means (16) which are configured to connect the retractable hatch (14) and the float (15) as well as to space this retractable hatch (14) and this float (15), this drinking trough (1) also comprises displacement mounting means (17) which are configured to mount the retractable closure means (13) in displacement relative to the chassis (11), this between the closing position and the opening position of the through opening (12) of the chassis (11), characterized by the fact that the drinking trough (1) also comprises a cover (9), which surmounts the tray (2),which closes the opening (6) of the tank (2), which comprises the chassis (11), the retractable closure means (13) and the displacement mounting means (17) which comprise means for rotating the retractable closure means (13) relative to the chassis (11), this around an axis of rotation (X)., Drinking trough (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured so that, in the closed position of the opening through (12) of the chassis (11), the retractable hatch (14) is positioned at a determined distance above the water level (N), this in order to provide, between the retractable hatch (14) and the water level (N), a volume of insulating air.
3. Drinking trough (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retractable hatch (14) has a lower face (140), on the one hand, which is oriented towards the internal volume (7) of the tank (2) at least in the closed position of the through opening (12) of the chassis (11), on the other hand, from which the spacer means (16) extend, and, on the other hand, which has a surface which is parallel to the surface of the water, at least in the closed position of the through opening (12) of the chassis (11).
4. Drinking trough (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the retractable hatch (14) has a lower face (140), on the one hand, which is oriented towards the internal volume (7) of the tank (2) at least in the closed position of the through opening (12) of the chassis (11), on the other hand, from which the spacer means (16) extend, and, on the other hand, which has a surface which is greater than the surface of the float (15) which is in contact with the water.
5. Drinking trough (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the float (15) is configured so as to allow the passage of the retractable closure means (13), on the one hand, from the open position of the through opening (12) of the chassis (11) to the closed position of the through opening (12) of the chassis (11), this under the effect of the thrust of the water and, on the other hand, from the closed position of the through opening (12) of the chassis (11) to the open position of the through opening (12) of the chassis (11), this under the effect of pressure exerted on the retractable closure means (13) by an animal, more particularly by a muzzle that this animal has.
6. Drinking trough (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the float (15) has, on the one hand, a proximal end (150) which is oriented in the direction of the moving mounting means (17), on the other hand, a distal end (151), which is oriented in an opposite direction to the moving mounting means (17), and which is positioned at a distance (d) from one of the side walls (4) of the tank (2) which is between 60mm and 100mm, preferably of the order of 80mm.
7. Drinking trough (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the float (15) has, on the one hand, a proximal end (150) which is oriented in the direction of the displacement mounting means (17), on the other hand, a distal end (151) which is oriented in a direction opposite to the displacement mounting means (17) while the spacer means (16) are set back at least relative to the distal end (151) of the float (15), or even relative to the proximal end (150) of the float (15).
8. Drinking trough (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer means (16) have a width which is less than the width of the retractable hatch (14) as well as the width of the float (15).
9. Drinking trough (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the retractable closing means (13) comprises, on the one hand, an envelope (130) and, on the other hand, an internal volume (131), which is delimited by said envelope (130), and which may, depending on the case, be empty or be filled, at least in part, with a thermal insulating material.