Combination cage and watering device permitting automatic removal of bedding therefrom

A combination cage and watering apparatus which supplies water from an outside watering system having a valve to an animal confined in an isolation cage containing animal bedding, said cage defined by a top, a bottom, an interior and an exterior surface, two opposing sides, two opposing ends, each opposing end having a top and a bottom portion, and an aperture, said apparatus comprising:

• an internal cup having a front end and a back end which passes through said aperture, said internal cup being located in one of said two opposing ends near said bottom portion of said one opposing end, said internal cup including a slot located at said back end and a rim located at said front end, said rim being secured on said exterior surface of said cage;
• access port means secured to said rim of said internal cup for receiving said outside watering system, said access port means including a flexible disk having a slit and a cutaway portion, said slit forming a reclosable entrance for permitting said valve of said outside watering system to be introduced therethrough to provide a supply of water to said animal while preventing the entrance of airborne contaminants thereby maintaining the isolation barrier of said cage;
• and,
• bedding removal means including an outlet formed on said exterior surface of said cage by said cutaway portion of said flexible disk,
• wherein when said animal bedding is stuffed through said access port means by said animal, said animal bedding automatically passes through said bedding removal means thereby preventing said valve of said outside watering system from becoming clogged with said animal bedding.

A watering apparatus for an animal confined in a cage containing animal bedding, said apparatus comprising:

• a cup having a front and a back;
• access port means in said cup for receiving an outside watering system;
• a slot located at said back of said cup;
• and,
• bedding removal means located at said front of said cup for the automatic removal of bedding,
• wherein when said animal bedding is stuffed through said slot by said animal, said animal bedding automatically passes through said bedding removal means thereby preventing said outside watering system from becoming clogged with said animal bedding.

A watering apparatus for an animal confined in a cage containing animal bedding, said apparatus comprising:

• a cup having a front and a back, said cup including a slot located at said back for allowing said animal to receive water from said outside watering system;
• access port means in said cup for receiving an outside watering system, said access port means including a flexible disk having a slit and a cutaway portion, said slit forming a reclosable entrance for permitting said outside watering system to be introduced therethrough to provide a supply of water to said animal;
• and,
• bedding removal means located at said front of said cup,
• wherein when said animal bedding is stuffed through said slot by said animal, said animal bedding automatically passes through said bedding removal means thereby preventing said outside watering system from becoming clogged with said animal bedding.

A combination cage and watering apparatus which allows the supply of water from an outside watering system to an animal confined in an isolation cage containing animal bedding while preventing the entrance of airborne contaminants and which passes through an aperture in a cage defined by a top, a bottom, an interior and an exterior surface, two opposing ends, each opposing end having a top and a bottom portion, and two opposing sides, said apparatus comprising:

• an internal cup having a front end and a back end which passes through said aperture, said cup located at one of said two opposing ends of said cage near said bottom portion of said one opposing end, said internal cup including a slot located at said back end and a rim located at said front end, said rim being secured on said exterior surface of said cage;
• access port means in said internal cup for receiving said outside watering system to supply water to said animal, said access port means including a flexible disk having a slit and a cutaway portion secured to said rim of said internal cup;
• and,
• bedding removal means,
• wherein said slit of said flexible disk forms a reclosable entrance for permitting said outside watering valve to be introduced therethrough to provide a supply of water to said animal while preventing the entrance of airborne contaminants thereby maintaining the isolation barrier of said cage.