Animal Watering System

Abstract

A system for providing fluid for an animal includes: a generally oval trough to contain fluid, wherein the vertical inner sides of the trough slope inwardly from the upper rim of the trough to the bottom of the trough at an angle that varies around the circumference of the oval, there is an opening in the bottom of the trough in fluid communication with a dip tube that extends into a partially flexible fluid reservoir, and a means of attachment on the underside of the trough by which the fluid reservoir is sealably attached so that when pressure is applied to the reservoir, fluid will flow upward through the dip tube and fill the trough, and when the pressure is released, any remaining fluid will return to the reservoir.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for providing fluid for an animal comprising:
 a vessel having a generally oval plan forming a trough to contain fluid for consumption by an animal, wherein the vertical inner sides of the trough slope inwardly from the upper rim of the trough to the bottom of the trough at an angle that varies around the circumference of the oval, and further comprising:
 an opening in the bottom of the trough in fluid communication with a dip tube that extends into a partially flexible fluid reservoir; 
 an attachment means on the underside of the trough by which the fluid reservoir is sealably attached so that when pressure is applied to the reservoir, fluid will flow upward through the dip tube and fill the trough, and when the pressure is released, any remaining fluid will return to the reservoir. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said trough has an oval plan with an aspect ratio from about 125% to about 200% 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said inner surface slopes inwardly at an angle from the vertical that varies around the circumference of said oval, with a steeper slope on the sides of said oval and a shallower slope on the ends of said oval. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said inward slope on the side of said oval is about 10° to about 30° from the vertical, and said inward slope on the end of said oval is about 20° to about 50° from the vertical. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said inner surface of said trough has a generally rounded bottom in order to eliminate internal corners. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said trough comprises an injection molded thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said trough is formed of an elastomer and has sufficient flexibility to be everted so that it clasps the shoulders of the reservoir for storage. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said dip tube comprises a valve to prevent fluid outflow when said trough is not in use. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said attachment means comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of: threaded connectors, O-rings, and gaskets. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said fluid reservoir holds a selected volume of water and said system further comprises a premeasured packet of soluble additives that are dissolved by a user in said volume of water prior to consumption by said animal. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said soluble additives comprise at least one supplement selected from the group consisting of: carbohydrates, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, chondroitin and its derivatives, glucosamine and its derivatives, and flavorings.