Animal estrus detector

Claim 2

In a device for marking animals when in heat or estrus wherein a dispenser unit for liquid marking material is releasably suspended and secured by a harness to an animal so that during actual or simuLated coition between that animal and another animal the dispensing unit contacts the other animal and dispenses liquid marking material contained in the dispenser unit, the combination therewith of: a reservoir means for a liquid marking material supply with which to replenish the supply of material in said dispenser unit, said reservoir means being mounted on said harness and connected to said dispenser so as to extend upwardly from said dispenser unit when in place on the animal, and delivery means including a flow passage establishing communication between the reservoir and dispenser unit and metering means in the flow passage for controlling the flow of liquid from the reservoir into the dispenser unit.

Claim 3

In a device for marking animals as described in claim 1 in which said flow passage is defined by a flexible tube extending between an outlet in said reservoir and said dispenser unit.

Claim 4

In a device for marking animals as described in claim 1, the reservoir comprising a flexible pouch secured between inner and outer layers of protective material, said layers of protective material forming a portion of said harness.

Claim 5

In a device for marking animals as described in claim 1, the reservoir including a filler opening with removable filler cap in the uppermost part of the reservoir when said device for marking animals is secured in position on said male animal.

Claim 6

In a device for marking animals as described in claim 1 including a window area in the side of said reservoir to allow a visual check of the fluid level in the reservoir.

Claim 7

In an animal estrus or heat indicator wherein a dispenser unit for a liquid marking material is releasably secured by securing means to an animal such that during simulated or actual coition between the animal and other animal the dispenser unit includes a pressureoperated, liquid-dispensing valve member which will be caused to contact the other animal and release the liquid marking material held by the dispenser unit, the combination therewith of: at least one reservoir for holding the liquid marking material comprising a flexible pouch secured between an inner and an outer layer of protective material, said layers incorporated into said securing means and curving with the securing means upwardly around the exterior of the animal when secured in place thereon, said reservoir containing an adequate volume of reserve marking material, and delivery means for establishing a liquid communication and flow passageway between the reservoir and dispenser unit for conducting a supply of said marking material to the dispenser unit to replace the marking material released from said dispenser unit.

Claim 8

In an animal estrus or heat indicator wherein a dispenser unit for a liquid marking material is releasably secured by securing means to an animal such that during simulated or actual coition between the animal and other animal the dispenser unit includes a pressureoperated, liquid-dispensing valve member which will be caused to contact the other animal and release the liquid marking material held by the dispenser unit, the combination therewith of: at least one reservoir for holding the liquid marking material comprising a flexible pouch secured between an inner and an outer layer of protective material, said layers incorporated into said securing means and curving with the securing means upwardly around the exterior of the animal when secured in place thereon, said reservoir containing an adequate volume of reserve marking material, and delivery means for establishing a liquid communication and flow passageway between the reservoir and dispenser unit for conducting a supply of said marking material to the dispenser unit to replace the marking material released from said dispenser unit.

Claim 9

In an animal heat indicator according to claim 6, said delivery means including metering means in the form of an orifice for regulating the supply of marking material to the dispenser unit.

Claim 10

A marking device for animals comprising in combination: a collar adapted to be releasably secured around the neck of a male animal; a dispenser unit affixed to said collar so that during coition between that animal and a female animal the dispensing unit contacts the female animal and dispenses liquid contained in the dispenser unit, said dispenser unit including a casing including a chamber therein, a piston movable in said casing between an open position and a normally closed position, said piston being biased toward the closed position and being movable from the closed position to the open position under pressure on the head of the piston and causing an opening between the piston and said casing through which liquid contained in the chamber is released, and seal means between the casing and the piston to form a positive seal against release of the liquid when the piston is in the closed position; a reservoir on said collar for holding additional liquid with which to replenish the supply of material in said dispenser unit; and a controlled flow passage between the reservoir and dispenser unit including a small oRifice by which to deliver a metered flow of liquid from the reservoir to said dispenser unit.

Claim 11

A marking device for animals comprising in combination: a collar adapted to be releasably secured around the neck of a male animal; a dispenser unit affixed to said collar so that during coition between that animal and a female animal the dispensing unit contacts the female animal and dispenses liquid contained in the dispenser unit, said dispenser unit including a casing including a chamber therein, a piston movable in said casing between an open position and a normally closed position, said piston being biased toward the closed position and being movable from the closed position to the open position under pressure on the head of the piston and causing an opening between the piston and said casing through which liquid contained in the chamber is released, and seal means between the casing and the piston to form a positive seal against release of the liquid when the piston is in the closed position; a reservoir on said collar for holding additional liquid with which to replenish the supply of material in said dispenser unit; and a controlled flow passage between the reservoir and dispenser unit including a small oRifice by which to deliver a metered flow of liquid from the reservoir to said dispenser unit.