APPARATUS FOR NURSING SUCKLING ANIMALS

摘要

INVENTION: APPARATUS FOR NURSING SUCKLING ANIMALS INVENTORS: HUGH THOMSON and MICHEL GENDRON An automatic self-cleansing system for dispensing nutrient liquids to suckling animals is described. The system includes a liquid delivery system which can be selectively activated to dispense a number of liquids including a nutrient liquid composed for example of powdered milk and food additives mixed with water, a liquid detergent for cleansing and a rinsing liquid (most conveniently water) for rinsing of residual nutrient liquid or liquid detergent. Solenoid valves actuated by a preprogramed controller release the liquid appropriate to each nursing, cleansing and rinsing phase of operation to a conduit which conveys the liquid to a remotely located nursing device, which might be located in a pen confining the animals. The nursing device has a number of artificial nipples, and a liquid distribution system which includes a multiplicity of reservoirs corresponding in number to the artificial nipples. The internal volume of each reservoir can be selectively varied to ensure that a preselected amount of nutrient liquid is delivered to each nursing animal. A drainage conduit and associated drainage control valve serve to drain the liquid distribution system of the nursing device at appropriately timed intervals during feeding, cleansing and rinsing operations. A mechanical barrier is moved at appropriate times by the preprogramed controller to obstruct access to the artificial nipples, as for example when liquid detergent is delivered to the nursing device for cleansing of its distribution system.