A pet bowl system and apparatus equipped with an immobilized base, bowls, and automated lid is described. The system employs a series of mounts to ensure that the base remains in a fixed position. The system is configured for use indoors or outdoors by conventional domesticated animals. A proximity-triggered automatic lid is present atop the base which is configured to prevent the introduction of contaminants to the contents of the bowls, as well as to prevent use of the system by unwanted animals and pests. An RFID reader is preferably disposed within the base which is configured to communicate with an RFID tag placed on the collar of the pet. The lid opens upon approach of the pet, and is closed upon departure of the pet from the system.

A water dispenser actuating device for activating flow of water from a dispenser to a bowl includes an actuator that is configured to be selectively coupled to a water dispenser so that the actuator is operationally coupled to a flow valve of the water dispenser. The actuator is configured to be selectively actuated by at least one of a user and an animal, via application of a downward force to the actuator, to actuate the flow valve so that water flows to a bowl of the water dispenser.

A water dispenser actuating device for activating flow of water from a dispenser to a bowl includes an actuator that is configured to be selectively coupled to a water dispenser so that the actuator is operationally coupled to a flow valve of the water dispenser. The actuator is configured to be selectively actuated by at least one of a user and an animal, via application of a downward force to the actuator, to actuate the flow valve so that water flows to a bowl of the water dispenser.

A pet drinking bowl component includes a steel pipe, a copper head inlayed at one end of the steel pipe, a seal ring arranged in the copper head, and a steel ball moving in the steel pipe and blocked by the seal ring. The end of the steel pipe is provided with a groove-inlaying part. A ring-inlaying part is arranged at an end of the copper head. The groove-inlaying part and the ring-inlaying part are spliced through glue. A seal ring mounting part is arranged on the copper head. And inner diameter of the seal ring mounting part is reduced along a water outlet direction. An outer wall of the seal ring is adhered to the mounting part. The seal ring mounting part is close to half a height of the steel ball.

A pet drinking bowl component includes a steel pipe, a copper head inlayed at one end of the steel pipe, a seal ring arranged in the copper head, and a steel ball moving in the steel pipe and blocked by the seal ring. The end of the steel pipe is provided with a groove-inlaying part. A ring-inlaying part is arranged at an end of the copper head. The groove-inlaying part and the ring-inlaying part are spliced through glue. A seal ring mounting part is arranged on the copper head. And inner diameter of the seal ring mounting part is reduced along a water outlet direction. An outer wall of the seal ring is adhered to the mounting part. The seal ring mounting part is close to half a height of the steel ball.

A liquid dispensing device (100), in particular for watering animals, in particular laboratory animals, such as small rodents or the like, said device (100) comprising a main body (101) which defines a longitudinal cavity (1011) for the passage of watering liquids, said longitudinal cavity (1011) being in communication with the outside through a delivery (1002) and a discharge (1001) for introducing said liquids in said longitudinal cavity (1011) and discharging said liquids from said longitudinal cavity (1011) respectively, a valve body (105) and an annular shape elastic sealing element (120) arranged inside said longitudinal cavity (1011), said valve body (105) comprising a stem with a first portion (106) which extends through said annular sealing element (120) and a flange-shaped head (107), wherein said flange-shaped head (107) is kept pressed against said annular sealing element (120) by means of an elastic thrust element (130), and wherein said stem can switch between a first closing position, in which the flow of said liquid downstream of said annular sealing element (120) is prevented by said annular sealing element (120), and a second opening position, in which the flow of said liquids downstream of said annular sealing element (120) is possible.

A freeze-resistant watering device has a nipple or ball valve, a heat pipe, a sleeve in tight thermal contact with the nipple, a water-tight connection to a liquid containing container or supply pipe, and an outer shield enclosing an insulating space or insulation material. This device thermally couples a watering nipple or ball valve to a container or supply pipe via a thermal conduction path including bends so the nipple or ball valve maintains a temperature near that of the liquid in the container or supply pipe, and also provides a means for thawing the watering device with heat from the liquid in the container or supply pipe. The use of one or more freeze-resistant watering devices with a thermally insulated container in a watering unit with an insulated container or supply pipe provides drinking water to animals, and in particular, birds in sub-freezing and in hot weather.

A freeze-resistant watering device has a nipple or ball valve, a heat pipe, a sleeve in tight thermal contact with the nipple, a water-tight connection to a liquid containing container or supply pipe, and an outer shield enclosing an insulating space or insulation material. This device thermally couples a watering nipple or ball valve to a container or supply pipe via a thermal conduction path including bends so the nipple or ball valve maintains a temperature near that of the liquid in the container or supply pipe, and also provides a means for thawing the watering device with heat from the liquid in the container or supply pipe. The use of one or more freeze-resistant watering devices with a thermally insulated container in a watering unit with an insulated container or supply pipe provides drinking water to animals, and in particular, birds in sub-freezing and in hot weather.

An apparatus for raising livestock includes one or more confinement pens together with alleyways for transfer of the animals from one location to another. The apparatus includes one or more cameras for obtaining images of all animals in the containment area. A processor is provided for analyzing the images, the processor being arranged to allocate an arbitrary identification to each animal and to track all animals continually to maintain the allocation. From this tracking various data related to individual animals or the animals as a group can be obtained to assess their characteristics and to provide an indication to the worker of the animal to be extracted. The processor can be arranged to detect by image analysis of the image a quantity of feed and/or water in a feeder and to obtain images of the farrowing pen including the sow confinement area and at least one piglet confinement area.

An apparatus for raising livestock includes one or more confinement pens together with alleyways for transfer of the animals from one location to another. The apparatus includes one or more cameras for obtaining images of all animals in the containment area. A processor is provided for analyzing the images, the processor being arranged to allocate an arbitrary identification to each animal and to track all animals continually to maintain the allocation. From this tracking various data related to individual animals or the animals as a group can be obtained to assess their characteristics and to provide an indication to the worker of the animal to be extracted. The processor can be arranged to detect by image analysis of the image a quantity of feed and/or water in a feeder and to obtain images of the farrowing pen including the sow confinement area and at least one piglet confinement area.