| 摘要 |
A flood prevention system for a ventilated cage includes a self-sealing drain valve that opens automatically to prevent the cage from flooding if a water supply valve or water bottle leaks. A preferred drain valve is mounted in the floor of the cage and includes a perforated drain cup, a perforated seal cup, and a drain seal, all held together by a connector such as a rivet. The perforated drain cup extends above the bottom surface of the cage a small amount, and the perforated seal cup extends downwardly from the drain cup to present a valve seat. The drain seal preferably comprises a diaphragm of a resiliently flexible material which normally abuts the valve seat. However, if the water supply valve or water bottle leaks sufficiently for water to accumulate in the perforated drain cup, the weight of the accumulated liquid forces the drain seal away from the valve seat to permit the water to drain away from the cage. The drain seal thereafter returns to its original position to preserve atmospheric integrity within the cage. A protective structure, such as a partition or tray, may also be provided in the cage to provide a dry area serving as a safe habitat for animals housed within the cage if bedding in the remainder of the cage becomes saturated.
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