| 摘要 |
A water supply manifold can be manufactured easily and inexpensively while simultaneously providing an improved connection of manifold components to one another. The water supply manifold, or at least each section thereof, includes (1) a header tube that is configured to extend longitudinally along a support surface such as a shelf and (2) fittings that are mounted on the header tube in a spaced-apart relationship relative to one another. In a preferred embodiment in which the water supply manifold is intended for use in an animal water supply system, two opposed fittings may be provided on opposite sides of the header tube at each water supply location so as to permit two rows of cages to be mounted back-to-back on each shelf of a cage and rack system. In this case, a single supply tube may extend completely through the header tube at each water supply location and receive a respective fitting at each of two outlet ends thereof. The header tube is recessed to form an at least substantially planer surface portion or "flat" adjacent each aperture so as to permit the axial end of each fitting to be pressed against the flat in order to provide an improved seal and to prevent the formation of dead spaces in which water would otherwise accumulate. The header tube for the water supply manifold can be formed from tube stock in an automated hole-piercing process using a hole-piercing machine that automatically forms the flats while piercing a hole completely through the tube stock.
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