IES20070743A2

IES20070743A2 - A trough for animal feed or water

Info

Publication number: IES20070743A2
Application number: IE20070743A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Patrick Joseph Moran; Sean Gerard Dunleavy; Cathal Gerard Fitzpatrick; John Francis Concannon; Declan Patrick Reidy; Colm Vincent Concannon
Original assignee: John Francis Concannon
Priority date: 2007-10-11
Filing date: 2007-10-11
Publication date: 2009-04-01
Also published as: GB2453651A; GB0818338D0; IE20080824A1

Abstract

An animal drinking trough (1) comprises a container (2) which defines a hollow interior region (4) for water, and an open mouth (5) to the hollow interior region (4). A lid (6) is releasably secured to the container (2) for closing the open mouth (5). Snout accommodating openings (8) formed in the lid (6) accommodate the snout of an animal into the hollow interior region (4) for drinking water therefrom. Flotable balls (80) are urgeable downwardly into the container for accommodating the snout of an animal into the hollow interior (4). A plurality of spigots (10) extending upwardly from a transverse web (18) around the periphery of the container (2) releasably engage corresponding recesses (11) in the lid (6) with a snap-fit action for releasable retaining the lid (6) secured to the container (2). The spigots (10) each include an annular snap-fit ring (35) which engages a corresponding undercut (52) in the corresponding recess (111) which is undercut relative to an inward annular projecting portion (50) which projects into each recess (11) so that the spigots (10) and recesses (11) engage each other with the snap-fit action. <Figure 1>

Description

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"A trough for animal feed or water" The present invention relates to a trough for animal feed or water, and in particular, though not limited to an animal drinking trough.

According to the invention there is provided a trough for animal feed or water, the trough comprising a container defining a hollow interior region for water or animal feed, an open mouth to the hollow interior region, a lid closing the open mouth, at least one snout accommodating opening being located in the lid for accommodating a snout of an animal into the hollow interior region for drinking or eating therefrom, and at least one snap-fit securing means for releasably securing the lid to the container, each snap-fit securing means comprising a pair of interengageable complementary formations, one of the said formations being located on the container, and the other being located on the lid.

In one embodiment of the invention one formation of each pair of the interengageable complementary formations comprises a spigot extending from the one of the container and the lid, and a snap-fit projection extending transversely outwardly from the spigot and extending at least partly around the spigot, and the other formation of each pair of interengageable complementary formations is formed by a recess in the other of the container and the lid, the recess substantially defining the spigot and the snap-fit projection thereof so that the spigot is engageable with the recess with a snap-fit action. Preferably, the portion of each recess defining the ¢0 70 743 snap-fit projection is formed by an undercut within the recess.

In another embodiment of the invention the snap-fit projection extends completely around each spigot, and ideally is formed by an annular ring extending around the spigot.

Preferably, the snap-fit projection of each spigot is formed with a first lead-in for facilitating entry of the spigot into the corresponding recess, and advantageously, the snap-fit projection of each spigot is formed with a second lead-in opposite the first lead-in for facilitating removal of the spigot from the corresponding recess.

In a further embodiment of the invention each recess defines an open mouth for accommodating the corresponding spigot into the recess, and preferably, each recess tapers inwardly from the open mouth to form a first lead-in for accommodating the corresponding spigot into the recess.

Preferably, an annular projection extends radially inwardly into and circumferentially within each recess for engaging and retaining the snap-fit projection of the corresponding spigot for releasably retaining the spigot captive in the recess.

In another embodiment of the invention a portion of each recess tapers from the undercut therein to the inwardly directed; annular, projection to form a second lead-in for accommodating withdrawal of the spigot from the recess.

IE0 70 743 Ideally, each recess is formed in a resilient material, and ideally, is formed in an insert of resilient material adapted for inserting into the one of the container and the lid.

In another embodiment of the invention the resilient material within which each recess is formed is housed in a metal housing for locating in the one of the container and the lid.

In a further embodiment of the invention each spigot is located in the container, and each recess is located in the lid.

Preferably, at least two spaced apart snap-fit securing means are provided, and advantageously, four spaced apart snap-fit securing means are provided, and ideally, six spaced apart snap-fit securing means are provided. Preferably, the respective snap-fit securing means are spaced apart at intervals around and adjacent the periphery of the open mouth of the container.

In another embodiment of the invention the container is a double skinned container, and preferably, comprises a base, a pair of spaced apart side walls extending upwardly from the base, and a pair of spaced apart end walls extending upwardly from the base joining the side walls.

In another embodiment of the invention the base, side and end walls define the ΙΕΟ 70 7 43 hollow interior region, and preferably, the side and end walls define the open mouth to the hollow interior region.

In another embodiment of the invention the base, side and end walls are of double skin construction and are formed by an inner skin which defines the hollow interior region, and a spaced apart outer skin. Ideally, the inner skin and the outer are joined adjacent the open mouth to form a void therebetween, which ideally is filled with a heat insulating material, which preferably, is expanded polyurethene. io Ideally, the inner and outer skins are joined by a transversely extending web which extends around the periphery of the open mouth, and ideally, one of each pair of interengageable complementary formations is located in the transversely extending web.

Ina further embodiment of the invention the container is adapted for receiving a water supply pipe, and ideally, the container is provided with a mounting means for mounting a float operated valve.

In another embodiment of the invention the lid is of double skin construction formed by an inner skin and an outer skin, the respective inner and outer skins defining a void therebetween, which preferably, is filled with a heat insulating material, which preferably, is expanded polyurethene. , ? . , ΙΕΟ 70 7 43 The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an animal drinking trough according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the animal drinking trough of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the animal drinking trough of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another portion of the animal drinking trough of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of the animal drinking trough of Fig. 1 on the line V-V of Fig. 2, Fig. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of the animal 20 drinking trough of Fig. 1 on the line VI-VI of Fig. 2, Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the portion of Fig. 4 of the animal drinking trough of Fig. 1, ΙΕο 7ο 7 Fig. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of the portion of Fig. 4 of the animal drinking trough of Fig. 1 on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a portion of the animal drinking trough of 5 Fig. 1, Fig. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of the portion of Fig. 9 of the animal drinking trough of Fig. 1 on the line X-X of Fig. 9, Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of another portion of the animal drinking trough of Fig. 1, Fig. 12 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of the portion of Fig. 11 of the animal drinking trough of Fig. 1 on the line XII-XII of Fig. 11, Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the portions of Figs. 9 and 11 assembled of the animal drinking trough of Fig. 1, and Fig. 14 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of the assembled 20 portions of Fig. 13 of the animal drinking trough of Fig. 1 on the line XIV-XIV of Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an animal drinking trough according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The animal drinking trough 1 comprises a container 2 which defines a hollow interior region 4 for water, and an open mouth 5 to the hollow interior region 4. A lid 6 closes the open mouth 5 of the container 2, and is provided with a pair of spaced apart snout accommodating openings 8 for accommodating the snout of an animal, typically a cow or a calf, through the lid 6 into the hollow interior region 4 for drinking water therefrom. Eight snap-fit securing means, namely, snap-fit connectors 9 releasably secure the lid 6 to the container 2 with a snap-fit action. Each snap-fit connector 9 comprises a pair of interengageable complementary formations, one of which formations comprises a spigot 10 extending from the container 2, while the other formation comprises a recess 11 formed in the lid 6. The spigots 10 which are arranged around the periphery of the open mouth 5 engage the recesses 11 which are located in the lid 6 with a snap-fit action as will be described in detail below.

The container 2 comprises a base 12, a pair of spaced apart sidewalls 14 extending upwardly from the base 12, and a pair of spaced apart end walls 15 also extending upwardly from the base and joining the side walls 14. The base 12, the side walls 14 and end walls 15 are of double skin construction formed by an inner skin 16 and an outer skin 17 which are joined by a transversely extending web 18 which extends around the open mouth 5. The inner skin 16 defines the hollow interior region 4. A void 20 defined between the inner and outer skins 16 and 17 within the base 12 and the side and end walls 14 and 15 is filled with a heat insulating material, which in this embodiment of the invention is expanded polyurethene in order to prevent water in the hollow interior region freezing when the temperature falls below freezing point.

In this embodiment of the invention the container 2 is of plastics material formed by rotational moulding with the inner and outer skins 16 and 17 and the transverse web 18 integrally formed in one piece during the rotational moulding process. The polyurethene filling in the void 20 is pumped into the void 20 through a port (not shown) formed in a portion of the outer skin 17 which forms the base 12, which is subsequently sealed. As the polyurethene is being pumped into the void 20 it expands to form a heat insulating foam.

The lid 6 is also of double skin construction, and is formed by an inner skin 23 and an outer skin 24 which are joined by an outer peripheral web 25 extending around the periphery of the lid 6. Inner peripheral webs 27 extend between the inner and outer skins 23 and 24 around the snout accommodating openings 8 and define with the inner and outer skins 23 and 24 and the outer peripheral web 25 a void 28 within the lid 6 which is filled with a heat insulating material, namely, expanded polyurethene. In this embodiment of the invention the inner and outer skins 23 and 24, as well as the outer peripheral web 25 and the inner peripheral webs 27 are integrally formed in one piece of plastics material by rotational moulding. The polyurethene filing in the void 28 of the lid 6 is pumped into the void 28 through a suitable port (not shown) formed in a portion of the outer skin 24, which is subsequently sealed. As the polyurethene is being pumped into the void 28 it expands to form a heat insulating foam. · ίΕ070?4 Each spigot 10 is of a nylon material and is secured to the transverse web 18 of the container 2 by a screw (not shown) extending through a bore 31 which extends axially through the spigot 10. The bores 31 in the spigots 10 are counter-bored at 32 for accommodating a head (not shown) of the corresponding screw (also not shown).

A snap-fit projection formed by a transversely outwardly extending snap-fit ring 35 which extends circumferentially around each spigot 10 is provided for engaging the corresponding recess 11 with a snap-fit action. The snap-fit ring 35 of each spigot 10 at its leading end 36 is provided with a first tapered lead-in 37 for accommodating the spigot into the corresponding recess 11, and the ring 35 of each spigot 10 at its io opposite trailing end 38 is provided with a second lead-in 39 for facilitating removal of the spigot 10 from the corresponding recess 11.

Each recess 11 is formed in a resilient material 40, which in this embodiment of the invention is a rubber type material, which is housed in a sheet metal housing 41 to form an insert 42 for locating within the lid 6. The inserts 42 are located in cylindrical insert receiving recesses 43 formed in the inner skin 23 of the lid 6 adjacent the outer peripheral web 25 during rotational moulding of the lid 6. The housing 41 of each insert 42 comprises a base wall 45, and a cylindrical side wall 47 which define a hollow interior region 48 within which the resilient material 40 is cast. The recess 11 of each insert 42 is formed during casting of the resilient material in the housing to substantially define the spigot 10 and the snap-fit ring 35 extending around the spigot 10. An inwardly extending projection, namely, an annular projection 50 extends radially inwardly into and circumferentially around each recess 11 for ίΕΟ 70 7 43 releasably engaging and retaining the snap-fit ring 35 of the corresponding spigot 10 in the recess 11. An undercut 52 which extends radially into each recess 11 and circumferentially around the recess 11 accommodates the snap-fit ring 35 of the corresponding spigot 10. Each recess 11 defines an open mouth 53 for accommodating the corresponding spigot 10 into the recess 11, and a portion of each recess 11 between the open mouth 53 and the annular projection 50 is tapered inwardly to form a first lead-in 51 to the recess 11 for accommodating the corresponding spigot 10 into the recess 11. A second lead-in 54 is formed by a tapering portion of each recess 11 which tapers from the undercut 52 to the annular projection 50 for facilitating removal of the corresponding spigot 10 from the recess 11. In this embodiment of the invention the rubber material 40 of each insert 42 is such, and the dimensions of each spigot 10, the snap-fit ring 35 and the recess 11 as well as the annular projection 50 are such to provide a holding force of approximately 20kg for retaining the lid 6 secured to the container 2. A bore 49 extending through the base wall 45 of each insert 42 and through a portion of the resilient material 40 adjacent the base wall 45 accommodates a pop rivet (not shown) for securing the insert 42 in the corresponding insert receiving recess 43.

The pop rivet of each insert 42 engages and is secured in a bore (not shown) extending through a portion of the inner skin 23 of the lid 6 which forms a base (not shown) of the corresponding insert accommodating recess 43.

Blade accommodating recesses 55 are formed in the transverse web 18 of the container 2 for receiving a blade of a suitable tool, such as a tool 65 illustrated in Fig. ΙΕΟ 70 7 43 1, a flat screwdriver or other such implement between the lid 6 and the container 2 for urging the spigots 10 out of the recesses 11 against the 20kg holding force for releasing the lid 6 from the container 2. In Fig. 1 a blade 66 of the tool 65 is illustrated inserted into one of the blade accommodating recesses 55, and by levering the tool 65 downwardly in the direction of the arrow A, the blade 66 of the tool 65 urges the lid 6 upwardly from the container 2, which in turn disengages the adjacent spigots 10 from the corresponding recesses 11.

In this embodiment of the invention the container 1 is adapted for receiving a mains io water supply, and a downwardly extending duct 56 is formed in one of the side walls 14, and extends downwardly through the side wall 14 and the base 12 for accommodating a mains supply pipe 71 to a float operating valve 70 secured in the hollow interior region 4. An outlet port 58 is formed in one of the end walls 15 adjacent the base 16 for facilitating draining of the hollow interior region 4 during cleaning thereof. A web 59 of plastics material extending around the outlet port 58 between the inner and outer skins 16 and 17 forming the corresponding end wall 15 is integrally formed with the container 2 during rotational moulding of the container 2 A bung 75 is provided for releasably closing the outlet port 58.

Two downwardly extending partition flanges 60 extend downwardly from the inner skin 23 of the lid 6 for preventing the snout of an animal drinking through the adjacent snout accommodating opening 8 interfering with the float when the float is in a fully raised state with the hollow interior region 4 filled with water. The partition ΙΕΟ 70 7 43 flanges 60 are of plastics material and are integrally formed with the lid 6 during rotational moulding thereof.

In this embodiment of the invention a pair of floatation balls 80 are provided in the 5 hollow interior region 4 of the container 2 to float on the water in the container 2 for closing the snout accommodating openings 8 in the lid 6 in order to prevent cold air entering the hollow interior region 4 through the snout accommodating openings 8, which would otherwise lead to freezing of water in the trough 1 during cold weather. The floatation balls 80 are air filled of hollow plastics material formed by rotational moulding, and are of diameter greater than the diameter of the snout accommodating openings 8. The partition flanges 60 cooperate with a housing 84 formed in one of the side walls 14 which accommodates the duct 56 therethrough for ensuring that the floatation balls 80 remain in the respective ends of the trough 1 corresponding to the respective snout accommodating openings 8. Additionally, the inner skin 23 of the lid 6 is dished at 81 around the snout accommodating openings 8 towards the snout accommodating openings 8 for guiding the floatation balls 80 into the snout accommodating openings 8. Additionally, a valving seat 82 is formed in the inner skin 23 of the lid 6 which extends around each snout accommodating opening 8 for sealing against the corresponding floatation ball 80. The floatation balls 80 are urgeable downwardly into the trough 1 by the snout of an animal for enabling the animal to enter its snout through the corresponding snout accommodating opening 8 to drink from the container 2.

In use, the container 2 is normally placed on the ground, and a mains water supply pipe 71 is fed from beneath the ground up through the duct 56 in the side wall 14 and connected to the float operated valve 70. In this way the mains water supply pipe 71 is retained within the insulated container 2, thereby preventing freezing of water in the mains water supply pipe. With the floatation balls 80 located in the respective ends of the container 2, the lid 6 is then secured to the container 2 by engaging the spigots 10 in the corresponding recesses 11 and urging the lid 6 downwardly onto the container 2 until the snap-fit rings 35 of the spigots 10 engage the undercuts 52 of the corresponding recesses 11. With the lid 6 secured to the container 2, the trough 1 is ready for use. Water is supplied to the trough 1 through the mains water supply pipe 71 and through the float operated valve 70. As the water level rises in the hollow interior region 4 of the container 2, the floatation balls 8 rise with the rising water level to close and seal the snout accommodating openings 8. When the water level has reached a cut-off level in the hollow interior region 4 of the container 2, the float operated valve 70 isolates the water supply from the trough 1.

Thereafter an animal wishing to drink from the container 2 inserts its snout through one of the snout accommodating openings 8, thereby urging the floatation ball 80 downwardly into the hollow interior region 4, and sidewardly of the snout accommodating opening 8, thereby providing access through the snout accommodating opening 8 to the water in the hollow interior region 4. The animal thus drinks water from the hollow interior region 4, and when the animal is finished drinking it removes its snout through the snout accommodating opening 8, thereby permitting the corresponding floatation ball 80 to re-engage the valve seat 82 extending around the snout accommodating opening 8, thereby sealing the snout accommodating opening 8. As the water level fails in the hollow interior region 4, the float operated valve 70 automatically operates to recharge the hollow interior region with water.

When it is desired to clean the hollow interior region 8 of the container 2, the lid 6 is removed from the container 2 by initially inserting the blade 66 of the tool 65 into one io of the blade accommodating recesses 55 and levering the tool 65 in the direction of the arrow A for disengaging the adjacent spigots 10 from the corresponding recesses 11. This operation is carried out in each of the blade accommodating recesses 55 until all the spigots 10 have been disengaged from the corresponding recesses 11. The lid 6 is then removed from the container 2, and the bung 75 in the outlet port 58 is removed for draining the hollow interior region 4. The hollow interior region 4 is then cleaned. On completion of cleaning of the container 2, the bung 75 is engaged in the outlet port 58, and the lid 6 is again secured to the container 2 by the spigots 10 engaging the recesses 11 with a snap-fit action.

While the voids 20 and 28 in the container 2 and the lid 6 have been described as being filled with a heat insulating material, this is not necessary. In certain cases, air filled voids 20 and 28 would give sufficient heat insulating to prevent water in the container 2 freezing.

While the trough has been described as an animal drinking trough, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the trough is also suitable for use as an animal feeding trough.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, which may be varied in construction and detail.

F.F. GORMAN & CO.

□) Ll 1E0 70 7 43 1/8 ΙΌ CM 2/8 ΙΕθ 70 7 43 Fig. 2 3/8 icy /y / 45 Fig. 3 CD CD in CO in in 4/8 «070743 Fig. 4 43 CD [£0 70 7 43 VIII /8 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 ΙΕθ 70 7 4$ 6/8 Fig. 9 XII 9 Fig. 11 ¢0 70 743 7/8 Fig. 12 8/8 in σ> co co XIV I— CM t— in Q r- o o rt io rt rt in Fig. 13 Fig. 14 The following Claims were filed on 10th October 2008

Claims

1. An animal trough comprising a container defining a hollow interior region for water or animal feed and defining an open mouth to the hollow interior region, a lid closing the open mouth, at least one snout accommodating opening being located in 5 the lid for accommodating a snout of an animal into the hollow interior region for drinking or eating therefrom, and at least one snap-fit securing means for releasably securing the lid to the container, each snap-fit securing means comprising a pair of releasable interengageable complementary formations, one of the said formations being located on the container, and the other being located on the lid. io

2. An animal trough as claimed in Claim 1 in which one formation of each pair of the releasable interengageable complementary formations comprises a spigot extending from the one of the container and the lid, and a snap-fit projection extending transversely outwardly from the spigot and extending at least partly 15 around the spigot, the other formation of each pair of interengageable complementary formations being formed by a recess in the other of the container and the lid, the recess substantially defining the spigot and the snap-fit projection thereof so that the spigot is engageable with the recess with a snap-fit action. 20

3. An animal trough as claimed in Claim 2 in which the portion of each recess defining the snap-fit projection is formed by an undercut within the recess.

4. An animal trough as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 in which the snap-fit projection of each spigot is formed with a first lead-in for facilitating entry of the spigot into the 25 corresponding recess, and a second lead-in axially opposite the first lead-in for *0 70 7 facilitating removal of the spigot from the corresponding recess.

5. An animal trough substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.