WO2004032611A1

WO2004032611A1 - Liquid storage tank and water feeder for rearing animal using it

Info

Publication number: WO2004032611A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000495
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ki Joo Kim
Original assignee: Ki Joo Kim
Priority date: 2002-10-10
Filing date: 2003-03-14
Publication date: 2004-04-22
Also published as: AU2003210044A1; KR200299311Y1

Abstract

Disclosed is a liquid storage tank wherein, after a cap provided to an upper end of the tank is opened and liquid is poured into the tank, by closing the cap, liquid accommodated in the tank is automatically discharged downward. Also, a water feeder for livestock is disclosed. The water feeder comprises a water feeder body. The water feeder body has a support section in which the liquid storage tank is inserted to be supported thereby, and a water feeding section which is defined with a space for allowing livestock to drink water, etc. The water feeder body is structured so that liquid discharged from the liquid storage tank gathers in the water feeding section to a predetermined level.

Description

LIQUID STORAGE TANK AND WATER FEEDER FOR REARING ANIMAL

USING IT

Technical Field

The present invention relates, in general, to a liquid storage tank and a water feeder using the same for feeding livestock. More particularly, the present invention relates to a liquid storage tank wherein, after a cap provided to an upper end of the tank is opened and liquid is poured into the tank, by closing the cap, liquid accommodated in the tank is automatically discharged downward. Further, the present invention relates to a water feeder for livestock, which has a water feeding section defined with a space for allowing livestock to drink water, etc. and in which liquid is discharged from the liquid storage tank so that a water level in the water feeding section is constantly maintained.

Background Art

Generally, in a liquid storage tank placed on a body section in a household humidifier, etc., if liquid accommodated in the body section runs out, the liquid storage tank should be removed from the body section to replenish liquid into the liquid storage tank. In this type of liquid storage tank, liquid is discharged through a valve installed at a lower end of the liquid storage tank, and a level of discharged water is constantly maintained by atmospheric pressure. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a liquid storage tank employed in the conventional humidifier.

Referring to Fig. 1 , a liquid storage tank 100 is defined at a lower end thereof with an inlet opening 102. The inlet opening 102 can be closed and opened through threading and unthreading rotation of a cap 1 10. The cap 1 10 is defined at a center portion thereof with an outlet opening 1 12 which is delimited by a plurality of ribs 1 14 and vertically extends. A guide hole 116 is defined at a center portion of the outlet opening 1 12, and a push rod 120 is inserted through the guide hole 116. A flat contact head 122 is formed at a lower end of the push rod 120, and a compressed coil spring 126 is fitted around the push rod 120 between the contact head 122 and a lower end of the guide hole 1 16. By these facts, in a state where an external force is not applied to the contact head 122, a closing member 124 is biased downward by the returning force of the coil spring 126, by which the outlet opening 1 12 is closed. If the liquid storage tank 100 is inserted into a humidifier body on which liquid discharged from the liquid storage tank gathers, the coil spring 126 is compressed due to the weight of the liquid storage tank 100 and the outlet opening 1 12 is opened, by which the liquid accommodated in the liquid storage tank 100 is discharged.

In the case that liquid accommodated in the liquid storage tank 100 constructed as mentioned above is completely discharged, the liquid storage tank 100 is removed from the humidifier body. Then, with the liquid storage tank

100 overturned, the cap 1 10 is opened through unthreading rotation thereof and liquid is replenished in the liquid storage tank 100. Thereafter, the cap 1 10 is closed through threading rotation thereof, and the liquid storage tank 100 is overturned again and inserted into the humidifier body. However, in the conventional liquid storage tank, in order to replenish liquid in the liquid storage tank 100, it is necessary to remove the liquid storage tank from the humidifier body, overturn twice the liquid storage tank and insert the liquid storage tank into the humidifier body. Consequently, extended periods are required. Also, due to these complicated replenishing operations, limitations necessarily exist in increasing storage capacity of the liquid storage tank. Further, in the case that the liquid storage tank is inserted into the humidifier body with the cap 1 10 not fully closed, liquid is likely to overflow out of the humidifier body.

Hereafter, the conventional water feeder for supplying water to livestock will be described. In a pen for raising livestock, a water feeder is installed to supply water to the livestock. A structure of the water feeder varies depending upon a kind, a frame and a water drinking nature of the livestock.

The conventional water feeders for livestock are largely divided into two different types. In one type, water is directly supplied to the livestock from a nozzle, and in the other type, water is supplied in a feeding container so that a water level in the feeding container is constantly maintained by a valve connected to a float which is lifted and lowered by buoyant force. A water feeder which employs the liquid storage tank as illustrated in Fig. 1 has not been disclosed in the art so far.

The former type water feeder is structured in a manner such that, as the livestock depresses, using its mouth, a nipple of a nozzle installed on an end of a feeder pipe, a valve is opened and thus water is discharged.

However, the former type water feeder is not suitable for young livestock which is not aware of the fact that water is discharged by depressing the nipple.

For example, in the case of a pig, it is impossible for the pig to drink water until at least twelve or thirteen days are lapsed after birth.

The latter type water feeder is structured in a manner such that valve opening and closing is adjusted by the float raised and lowered by buoyant force to constantly maintain a water level in the feeding container.

Nevertheless, the latter type water feeder suffers from defects in that, since installation costs are increased and a wide space is required, the water feeder is not suitable for livestock having a small frame. Also, because water is continuously supplied to the feeding container to maintain a constant water level, it is difficult to prescribe a precise amount of medicine to the livestock by mixing it in the water supplied in the feeding container.

Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid storage tank wherein, with the liquid storage tank not separated from a body part, by pouring liquid through an upper end of the liquid storage tank and closing the upper end of the liquid storage tank, a valve installed at a lower end of the liquid storage tank is automatically opened to discharge liquid.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a water feeder for livestock, which has a water feeding section for gathering water or medicine or powdered milk-mixed water discharged from the liquid storage tank, and is structured to allow a water level in the water feeding section to be constantly maintained even when the livestock drinks water.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid storage tank wherein an inlet opening and an outlet opening are respectively defined on upper and lower ends of the liquid storage tank to be opposed to each other; the inlet opening is opened and closed depending upon a rotating direction of an opening and closing cap to an inner surface of which an upper closing member is fastened; a push rod extends through center portions of the inlet and outlet openings so that it can be moved in a vertical direction; a lower closing member is fastened around a lower end of the push rod and elastically biased upward to close the outlet opening while an external force is not applied to the push rod; and, when the inlet opening is closed, an upper end of the push rod is pressed downward by the opening and closing cap and thereby the lower closing member is lowered to open the outlet opening. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water feeder for livestock comprising: a conventional liquid storage tank or a liquid storage tank of the present invention; and a water feeder body wherein a concaved water feeding section is defined on an upper surface of the water feeder body to allow livestock to drink water supplied in the water feeding section, a support section is formed adjacent to the water feeding section such that a lower surface of a lower cap element coupled to the liquid storage tank around an outlet opening is separated by a predetermined interval from a bottom surface of the support section with the liquid storage tank vertically inserted into the support section, and a water passage is defined between the water feeding section and the support section.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a liquid storage tank employed in the conventional humidifier;

Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively a cross-sectional view and an exploded perspective view illustrating a liquid storage tank in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a first water feeder body according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a second water feeder body according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a third water feeder body according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a water feeder, illustrating a state wherein the conventional liquid storage tank is coupled to the third water feeder body;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a water feeder, illustrating a state wherein the liquid storage tank according to the present invention is coupled to the third water feeder body; and

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an entire structure of the water feeder shown in Fig. 8. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

A liquid storage tank 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is different from the conventional liquid storage tank 100 in terms of a position where liquid is replenished into the liquid storage tank and a valve opening structure. Hereafter, the liquid storage tank 200 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.

Differently from the conventional liquid storage tank 100 in which both of inlet and outlet openings 102 and 1 12 are defined at the lower end of the liquid storage tank 100, in the liquid storage tank 200 according to the present invention, an inlet opening 202 and an outlet opening 204 are respectively defined on upper and lower ends of the liquid storage tank 200 to be opposed to each other.

The inlet opening 202 is opened and closed through rotation of an opening and closing cap 220 which is equipped with an upper closing member. With the opening and closing cap 220 opened, water is replenished into the water storage tank 200 through the inlet opening 202. A push rod 250 extends through center portions of the inlet and outlet openings 202 and 204 so that it can be moved in a vertical direction. The push rod 250 is elastically biased upward while an external force is not applied thereto. A lower closing member is fastened around a lower end of the push rod 250.

In a state where an external force is not applied to the push rod 250, the outlet opening 204 is airtightly closed by the lower closing member. On the contrary, if an external force is vertically applied to an upper end of the push rod 250, as the lower closing member is lowered, the outlet opening 204 is opened. At this time, the external force is the force applied to the upper end of the push rod 250 by the opening and closing cap 220 when the inlet opening 202 is closed. Concretely speaking, a pressing head 232 is secured to a center portion of the opening and closing cap 220 to be positioned over the upper end of the push rod 250. Thus, when the opening and closing cap 220 is coupled to the liquid storage tank 200 to close the inlet opening 202, the upper end of the push rod 250 is pressed downward by a lower surface of the pressing head 232 to open the outlet opening 204.

The upper closing member comprises an upper disk 226 made of a soft material capable of airtightly closing the inlet opening 202. A first auxiliary disk 228 made of a hard material is received in a groove defined on a lower surface of the upper disk 226, to decrease a degree to which the upper disk 226 is deformed in its shape. The upper disk 226 and the first auxiliary disk 228 are fastened to the opening and closing cap 220.

Concretely speaking, a bolt 230 is inserted through center portions of the first auxiliary disk 228 and the upper disk 226 and then locked by a nut 234 on an upper end of the opening and closing cap 220. At this time, a lower end of the bolt 230 serves as the pressing head 232.

The lower closing member comprises a lower disk 252 made of a soft material capable of airtightly closing the outlet opening 204. A second auxiliary disk 254 made of a hard material is fitted around the push rod 250 between a lower surface of the lower disk 252 and a first stopper 256 which is fixed around the lower end of the push rod 250, whereby airtight closing of the outlet opening 204 is facilitated due to an increase in force for bringing two surfaces into close contact.

In order to ensure that the push rod 250 is vertically moved through the center portions of the inlet and outlet openings 202 and 204, both the upper and lower ends of the push rod 250 are supported in the liquid storage tank 200. Concretely speaking, an upper cap element 210 to be placed in the opening and closing cap 220 is threadedly coupled in an airtight manner to the liquid storage tank 200 around the inlet opening 202. An upper holder 216 is connected to a lower end of the upper cap element 210 via a plurality of first ribs 214 at a center portion of the upper cap element 210, to project downward. A lower cap element 240 is threadedly coupled in an airtight manner to the liquid storage tank 200 around the outlet opening 204, with a packing interposed between the lower cap element 240 and the liquid storage tank 200. A lower holder 244 is connected to an upper end of the lower cap element 240 via a plurality of second ribs 242 at a center portion of the lower cap element 240, to project upward. The upper and lower ends of the push rod 250 are respectively inserted through the upper and lower holders 216 and 244 which are formed in these ways, so that the push rod 250 can be moved in the vertical direction. In order to ensure that the outlet opening 204 is closed by the lower disk

252 serving as the lower closing member while an external force is not applied to the push rod 250, elastic force of a coil spring 260 is utilized. Concretely speaking, the coil spring 260 in a compressed state is fitted around the push rod 250 between an upper end of the lower holder 244 and a second stopper 258 which is fixed around the push rod 250 above the lower holder 244. Therefore, spaces defined between the second ribs 242 connecting the lower holder 244 to the lower cap element 240, which cooperatively form the outlet opening 204, are closed by the lower disk 252 serving as the lower closing member, under the influence of returning force of the coil spring 260. A circumferential outer surface of the upper cap element 210 is locked to a circumferential inner surface of the opening and closing cap 220. Concretely speaking, a plurality of engagement grooves 212 are defined on the circumferential outer surface of the upper cap element 210, and a plurality of engagement projections 222 are correspondingly formed on the circumferential inner surface of the opening and closing cap 220. Accordingly, the engagement projections 222 are respectively engaged into the engagement grooves 212 when the opening and closing cap 220 is rotated in one direction, by which the opening and closing cap 220 is locked to the upper cap element 210. At this time, it is sufficient to rotate the opening and closing cap 220 through a predetermined angle. Hence, opening and closing operations of the liquid storage tank 200 through rotation of the opening and closing cap 220 can be implemented in a quick and reliable manner.

Sight openings 224 are defined through an upper wall of the opening and closing cap 220, so that a locking position and a locked state between the upper cap element 210 and the opening and closing cap 220 can be precisely checked from the outside.

Protrusions 208 are formed on an outer surface of a side wall of the liquid storage tank 200 to extend in the vertical direction. The protrusions 208 are respectively engaged into grooves which are defined on an inner surface of a support section of a water feeder body in which the liquid storage tank 200 is inserted and supported, to prevent the entire liquid storage tank 200 from being simultaneously rotated when the opening and closing cap 220 is rotated.

While not shown in the drawings, a measuring scale is indicated on the side wall of the liquid storage tank 200, so that, in the case of mixing water with medicine or powdered milk and supplying the mixture to the livestock, a mixing ratio can be appropriately adjusted.

Also, while not shown in the drawings, in order to prevent the opening and closing cap 220 from being lost, the opening and closing cap 220 may be connected to an upper surface of the liquid storage tank 200 by means of a connection ring. Moreover, a handle may be formed on the upper surface of the liquid storage tank 200 to render user convenience upon cleaning or disinfecting the liquid storage tank 200.

Although the liquid storage tank 200 is illustrated to have substantially a circular cylinder-shaped configuration, a person skilled in the art will readily recognize that the present invention is not limited to that particular configuration of the liquid storage tank 200 and instead, the liquid storage tank 200 may have a variety of configurations without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Meanwhile, a water feeder for livestock, using the liquid storage tank according to the present invention, is composed of a combination of the liquid storage tank 200 and the water feeder body in which the liquid storage tank 200 is inserted. Of course, the present invention does not rule out a water feeder for livestock in which the conventional liquid storage tank 100 other than the above- described liquid storage tank 200 is applied to the water feeder body. Depending upon a configuration of a water feeding section in which water discharged from the liquid storage tank gathers, embodiments of the water feeder body which constitutes a part of the water feeder for livestock according to the present invention are divided into a first water feeder body 300, a second water feeder body 400 and a third water feeder body 500 illustrated in Figs. 4 through 6, respectively.

In the first water feeder body 300, only one water feeding section is formed at one spot, and, in the second water feeder body 400, a water feeding section is formed around the entire liquid storage tank to extend through 360°. In the third water feeder body 500, water feeding sections are formed to be spaced apart one from another. A configuration of the water feeding section varies depending upon a frame and a water drinking nature of the livestock, etc. At this time, the respective embodiments are given only for illustrative purposes and must not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Above all, common features of the first through third water feeder bodies 300, 400 and 500 will be described.

First, at least one passage is defined between the support section and the water feeding section, so that water discharged from the liquid storage tank inserted into the support section can gather in the water feeding section.

Second, while a configuration of the support section may vary depending upon a configuration of the liquid storage tank, basically, in a state wherein the liquid storage tank is vertically inserted into the support section, a lower surface of the liquid storage tank must be separated from a bottom surface of the support section by a predetermined interval. By this interval, an amount of water discharged from the liquid storage tank is determined. In this connection, due to the fact that the atmospheric pressure acts on the water gathering on the water feeding section of the water feeder body, an amount of water, which corresponds to that reduced as the livestock drinks water, is discharged from the liquid storage tank, by which a water level in the water feeding section is constantly maintained.

There are two different ways for separating the liquid storage tank from the bottom surface of the support section by the predetermined interval. In the first way, a shoulder is formed on an inner surface of and adjacent to a lower end of the support section so that an edge portion of the lower end of the liquid storage tank is seated on the shoulder. In the second way, as in the case of the liquid storage tank 200 shown in Fig. 2, the liquid storage tank 200 is formed in a manner such that an upper part has a greater diameter than a lower part and thereby a shoulder 206 is formed on the outer surface and at a middle portion of the liquid storage tank 200. The shoulder 206 is seated on an upper end of the support section of the water feeder body.

Hereafter, inherent features of the respective embodiments for the water feeder body constituting the water feeder according to the present invention will be described.

In the first water feeder body 300 shown in Fig. 4, side walls 306 are formed at both sides, respectively, of the water feeding section 302.

Most livestock keep a sharp lookout for surroundings while eating food, by their self-protection instinct. The side walls 306 function to block sideward filed of view of the livestock and thereby mitigate wariness of the livestock while livestock drinks water, by which the livestock can drink water in a more comfortable situation.

The first water feeder body 300 is suitable for raising one livestock, and more particularly, for raising a pet dog in the home.

In the second water feeder body 400 shown in Fig. 5, the water feeding section 402 is projectedly formed from around the entire support section 404, so that several livestock can approach around the liquid storage tank inserted into the support section 404 to drink water. The second water feeder body 400 structured in this way is specifically suitable for raising, in one pen, many livestock having a small frame, such as chicks.

In the third water feeder body 500 shown in Fig. 6, the water feeding sections 502 are formed to be spaced apart one from another by a predetermined distance. At this time, water passages are defined between the respective water feeding sections 502 and the support section 504, so that water discharged from the liquid storage tank can gather in the water feeding sections 502. The number and an arrangement of the water feeding sections 502 are determined depending upon a nature and the number of the livestock, or an installation position of the livestock pen.

In the case of raising a plurality of livestock in the same pen, ranks of the livestock are determined in order of power. In this regard, due to the fact that the plurality of water feeding sections 502 are formed to be spaced apart one from another, even the livestock which are relatively inferior to others in a group may have the increased opportunity to drink water. Therefore, it is possible to foster the uniform growth of the livestock.

Also, as in the case of the side walls 306 of the first water feeder body 300, side walls 506 can be formed at sides of the water feeding sections 502 to vertically extend. If the water feeding sections 502 adjoin one to another, an intermediate partition wall 508 can be formed between two adjoining water feeding sections 502 to vertically extend. The intermediate partition wall 508 functions to restrain a space in which the livestock trying to drink water can move and thereby mitigate the struggle among the livestock.

At a predetermined height above the water feeding sections 502, a cover member 510 can be fastened to the third water feeder body 500. The cover member 510 functions to prevent foreign substances from falling into the water feeding sections 502 and the livestock from evacuating into the water feeding sections 502.

In the case that the plurality of water feeding sections 502 are formed to be spaced apart one from another, at least one cover member 510 can be provided so that each water feeding section 502 is covered by each cover member 510 or the entire water feeding sections 502 are covered by a single cover member 510.

Referring to Fig. 6, one single cover member 510 is coupled at its lower surface to upper end surfaces of the side walls 506 and the intermediate partition wall 508 by a plurality of bolts 512 to cover the two water feeding sections 502.

The cover member 510 positioned above the water feeding sections 502 may be formed to be convexed upward so that spaces in which the livestock can insert their heads and mouths are enlarged.

The third water feeder body 500 can further include fastening sections so that the third water feeder body 500 can be fastened at a predetermined position in the livestock pen. The fastening section shown in Fig. 6 may be adapted for a situation where a pallet is installed on the bottom of the livestock pen.

Concretely speaking, in each fastening section, an insertion groove 514 is vertically defined at each side of the third water feeder body 500. A coil spring 522 and a pressing pipe 520 are sequentially inserted into the insertion groove 514 so that the pressing pipe 520 is seated on an upper end of the coil spring 522. At this time, a spot where the insertion groove 514 is defined can be properly changed depending upon of a position of the water feeding section 502 and a structure of the livestock pen. A fastening rod 516 is inserted through the coil spring 522 and the pressing pipe 520. A push button 518 is coupled to an upper end of the fastening rod 516, and a lower end of the fastening rod 516 is bent to serve as a hook to be engaged with a portion of the livestock pen at the predetermined position. Accordingly, if the push button 518 is pressed by hand, as the pressing pipe 520 is lowered, the coil spring 522 is compressed. In a state wherein the hook of the fastening rod 516 is engaged with the portion of the livestock pen at the predetermined position, by releasing the hand from the push button 518, the third water feeder body 500 can be firmly fastened to the livestock pen by virtue of the returning force of the coil spring 522. On the contrary, in order to unfasten the third water feeder body 500 from the livestock pen, the push button 518 is pressed by hand to cause the hook to be disengaged from the portion of the livestock pen. In these ways, it is possible to conveniently fasten and unfasten the third water feeder body 500 to and from the predetermined position of the livestock pen. The fastening section can be variously changed in its structure depending upon a place where the water feeder is used. For example, the fastening section may comprise bolts and nuts which are locked with each other. Further, in the case that the water feeder is used in the home, a lower end of the water feeder body may be formed in the shape of a plate having a wide area. Fig. 7 illustrates a state wherein the conventional liquid storage tank 100 is inserted into the third water feeder body 500. Operations of the water feeder will be sequentially described with reference to Figs. 1 and 3.

In order to set the water feeder to an operable condition, first, the third water feeder body 500 is fastened to the predetermined position of the livestock pen. The liquid storage tank 100 is removed from the third water feeder body

500. Next, the liquid storage tank 100 is overturned so that the cap 1 10 directs upward. After the cap 1 10 is unthreaded and thereby opened, water or water mixed with medicine, etc. is replenished into the liquid storage tank 100. Thereupon, the cap 1 10 is threaded and closed. Then, the liquid storage tank 100 is overturned again so that the cap 1 10 directs downward. Finally, the conventional liquid storage tank 100 is inserted into the third water feeder body 500.

If the installation is completed in this way, as the contact head 122 is pressed by the bottom surface of the support section 504 of the third water feeder body 500, the closing member 124 is moved upward, and water accommodated in the liquid storage tank 100 starts to be discharged into the water feeding sections 502. If a level of water is raised up to the lower end surface of the conventional liquid storage tank 100, further discharge of water is interrupted by the action of atmospheric pressure. As the livestock drink water gathered in the water feeding sections 502, the water level is gradually decreased. At the same time with this, since an amount of water, which corresponds to that reduced as the livestock drink water, is discharged through the outlet opening 1 12 of the liquid storage tank 100, a water level in the water feeding sections 502 can be constantly maintained. Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a state wherein the liquid storage tank 200 according to the present invention is inserted into the third water feeder body 500. Operations of this water feeder will be sequentially described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

In order to set the water feeder to an operable condition, first, the third water feeder body 500 is fastened to the predetermined position of the livestock pen. After the opening and closing cap 220 is unthreaded and thereby opened, water or water mixed with medicine, etc. is replenished into the liquid storage tank 200. Finally, the opening and closing cap 220 is threaded and closed.

If the installation is completed in this way, as the push rod 250 is pressed downward by the pressing head 232 which is secured to the center portion of the opening and closing cap 220, the lower disk 252 fixed to the lower end of the push rod 250 is lowered, and water accommodated in the liquid storage tank 200 starts to be discharged into the water feeding sections 502. If a level of water is raised up to the lower end surface of the liquid storage tank 200, further discharge of water is interrupted by the action of atmospheric pressure. As the livestock drink water gathered in the water feeding sections 502, the water level is gradually decreased. At the same time with this, since an amount of water, which corresponds to that reduced as the livestock drink water, is discharged through the outlet opening 204 of the liquid storage tank 200, a water level in the water feeding sections 502 can be constantly maintained.

Consequently, by using the water feeder shown in Figs. 8 and 9, it is not necessary to remove and insert the liquid storage tank 200 from and into the third water feeder body 500, and overturn the liquid storage tank 200. Thus, it is possible to quickly replenish water in the water storage tank 200 and increase the size of the liquid storage tank 200 to thereby enlarge water storage capacity of the water feeder. As a result, the water feeder shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is more advantageous when compared to that shown in Fig. 7.

Industrial Applicability

As apparent from the above description, the liquid storage tank according to the present invention provides advantages in that, since it is not necessary to remove the liquid storage tank from a body part or overturn the liquid storage tank, administration of the liquid storage tank can be easily implemented. The liquid storage tank can be widely employed for a livestock water feeder, a household humidifier, and so on. Further, the water feeder for livestock according to the present invention, using the liquid storage tank, provides advantages in that it is possible to supply water mixed with medicine or powdered milk, to the livestock while constantly maintaining a predetermined mixing ratio. Further, because a water level in a water feeding section is constantly maintained even when the livestock drinks water, water does not overflow out of the body part, whereby it is possible to cleanly maintain a livestock pen.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A liquid storage tank wherein an inlet opening and an outlet opening are respectively defined on upper and lower ends of the liquid storage tank to be opposed to each other; the inlet opening is opened and closed depending upon a rotating direction of an opening and closing cap to an inner surface of which an upper closing member is fastened; a push rod extends through center portions of the inlet and outlet openings so that it can be moved in a vertical direction; a lower closing member is fastened around a lower end of the push rod and elastically biased upward to close the outlet opening while an external force is not applied to the push rod; and, when the inlet opening is closed, an upper end of the push rod is pressed downward by the opening and closing cap and thereby the lower closing member is lowered to open the outlet opening.

2. The liquid storage tank as set forth in claim 1, wherein a pressing head is secured to a center portion of the opening and closing cap, so that, when the inlet opening is closed, the upper end of the push rod is pressed downward by the pressing head.

3. The liquid storage tank as set forth in claim 1 , wherein an upper cap element is threadedly coupled to the liquid storage tank around the inlet opening; an upper holder is connected to a lower end of the upper cap element via a plurality of first ribs at a center portion of the upper cap element; a lower cap element is threadedly coupled to the liquid storage tank around the outlet opening; a lower holder is connected to an upper end of the lower cap element via a plurality of second ribs at a center portion of the lower cap element; and the upper and lower ends of the push rod are respectively inserted through the upper and lower holders so that the push rod can be moved in the vertical direction.

4. The liquid storage tank as set forth in claim 3, wherein a compressed coil spring is fitted around the push rod between an upper end of the lower holder and a stopper fixed around the push rod above the lower holder, so that spaces defined between the second ribs connecting the lower holder to the lower cap element are closed by the lower closing member while an external force is not applied to the compressed coil spring.

5. The liquid storage tank as set forth in claim 3, wherein a plurality of engagement grooves are defined on a circumferential outer surface of the upper cap element, and a plurality of engagement projections are correspondingly formed on a circumferential inner surface of the opening and closing cap, so that the engagement projections can be respectively engaged into and disengaged from the engagement grooves when the opening and closing cap is rotated in one and the other directions.

6. A water feeder for livestock comprising: a liquid storage tank wherein an inlet opening is defined at a lower end of the liquid storage tank to be opened and closed depending upon a rotating direction of a cap which is defined at a center portion thereof with an outlet opening, a push rod is centrally positioned in the outlet opening to be moved in a vertical direction, a closing member is fastened to an upper end of the push rod, and a compressed coil spring is fitted around the push rod to bias downward the closing member, so that the outlet opening is closed by the closing member while an external force is not applied to the compressed coil spring and opened as the closing member is moved upward when a lower end of the push rod is pressed upward; and a water feeder body wherein a concaved water feeding section is defined on an upper surface of the water feeder body to allow livestock to drink water supplied in the water feeding section, a support section is formed adjacent to the water feeding section such that a lower surface of the cap is separated by a predetermined interval from a bottom surface of the support section with the liquid storage tank vertically inserted into the support section, and a water passage is defined between the water feeding section and the support section.

7. A water feeder for livestock comprising: a liquid storage tank wherein an inlet opening and an outlet opening are respectively defined on upper and lower ends of the liquid storage tank to be opposed to each other, the inlet opening is opened and closed depending upon a rotating direction of an opening and closing cap to an inner surface of which an upper closing member is fastened; a push rod extends through center portions of the inlet and outlet openings so that it can be moved in a vertical direction, a lower closing member is fastened around a lower end of the push rod and elastically biased upward to close the outlet opening while an external force is not applied to the push rod, and, when the inlet opening is closed, an upper end of the push rod is pressed downward by the opening and closing cap and thereby the lower closing member is lowered to open the outlet opening; and a water feeder body wherein a concaved water feeding section is defined on an upper surface of the water feeder body to allow livestock to drink water supplied in the water feeding section, a support section is formed adjacent to the water feeding section such that a lower surface of a lower cap element coupled to the liquid storage tank around the outlet opening is separated by a predetermined interval from a bottom surface of the support section with the liquid storage tank vertically inserted into the support section, and a water passage is defined between the water feeding section and the support section.

8. The water feeder as set forth in claims 6 or 7, wherein a measuring scale is indicated on a side wall of the liquid storage tank.

9. The water feeder as set forth in claims 6 or 7, wherein a shoulder is formed on an outer surface and at a middle portion of the liquid storage tank to allow the liquid storage tank to be seated on an upper end of the support section of the water feeder body.

10. The water feeder as set forth in claims 6 or 7, wherein the water feeder body is formed at both sides thereof with side walls, respectively, which vertically extend.

1 1. The water feeder as set forth in claims 6 or 7, wherein the water feeding section is projectedly formed from around the entire support section.

12. The water feeder as set forth in claims 6 or 7, wherein a plurality of water feeding sections are formed on the water feeder body so that they are spaced apart one from another by a predetermined distance, and water passages are defined between the respective water feeding sections and the support section.

13. The water feeder as set forth in claim 12, wherein an intermediate partition wall is formed between two adjoining water feeding sections to vertically extend.

14. The water feeder as set forth in claims 6 or 7, further comprising: a cover member fastened to the water feeder body to cover an upper end of the water feeding section at a predetermined height.

15. The water feeder as set forth in claims 6 or 7, further comprising: fastening sections arranged at both sides of the water feeder body to allow the water feeder body to be fastened at a predetermined position in a livestock pen.

16. The water feeder as set forth in claim 15, wherein, in each fastening section, a coil spring and a pressing pipe are sequentially inserted into an insertion groove which is vertically defined at each side of the water feeder body, a fastening rod is inserted through the coil spring and the pressing pipe, a push button is coupled to an upper end of the fastening rod, and a lower end of the fastening rod is bent to serve as a hook, so that, when the push button is pressed, properly rotated and released, the hook is engaged with a predetermined portion of the livestock pen to thereby fasten the water feeder body to the livestock pen.