Importance

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Abstract

A cage and rack system includes at least one cage, a shelf, and a water docking system that holds the cage in the position on the shelf in which a cage-mounted animal watering valve is coupled to a water manifold so as to assure the supply of water to the watering valve without leakage. The water docking system includes a latch mechanism and a coupling. The latch mechanism includes a latch catch which is movable 1) from an unlatched position in which it is disengaged from the cage and permits removal of the cage from the rack 2) to a latched position holding the cage in its docked position. The coupling may comprise either a friction-fit quick-connect or a locking quick-connect coupling and includes a male fitting and a female fitting. The male fitting is designed to prevent leakage by sequentially engaging two internal seals of the female fitting so as to first seal against the female fitting and then open an internal valve element of the female fitting.

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First Claim