Fluid delivery system

1. A fluid delivery valve assembly for delivering a fluid from a fluid bag to an animal caging system for housing an animal, the valve assembly comprising:

a hollow member defining a fluid channel, the member having a proximal end for delivery of water to a cage and a distal end adapted to cooperate with a fluid bag to deliver water from the bag through the fluid channel to the caging system;

a stem member disposed in part within said fluid channel, said stem member having a top surface at a distal end thereof and a proximal end at or about the proximal end of the hollow member;

a spring element disposed within said fluid channel;

wherein a portion of said spring element interacts with said stem member to apply a biasing force to said stem member; and

a sealing member disposed in said fluid channel in abutment with the top surface of said stem member, for preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid channel, said sealing member being designed and dimensioned to facilitate the flow of fluid in the fluid channel in response to displacement of the proximal end of the stem member by an animal.

2. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 1 , said hollow member comprising:

an upper member having a piercing member and a connecting member, said upper member having a fluid channel defined therethrough; and

a base having a flange member and a base fluid channel defined therethrough, wherein said base is designed to be matingly coupled to said upper member.

3. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

a portion of said spring element abuts a portion of said stem member to apply the biasing force.

4. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

said sealing member defines a flow aperture, said sealing member being designed and dimensioned to facilitate the flow of fluid through the flow aperture in response to displacement of the stem member.

5. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein said sealing member proximal surface has a lower ridge extending therefrom, said lower ridge being designed and dimensioned to facilitate the concentration of said biasing force from said spring member to prevent fluid from flowing through the fluid channel.

6. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said stem member is designed and dimensioned to selectively facilitate the flow of the fluid when said stem member is pushed by the animal.

7. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein said stem member is designed and dimensioned to selectively facilitate the flow of the fluid when said stem member is pushed by the animal.

8. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 1 , said hollow member comprising a flange member, wherein said flange member is substantially perpendicular to said hollow member.

9. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a piercing edge and a beveled tip formed on said distal end of said hollow member, said piercing edge being substantially angular which allows said hollow member to puncture and enter the fluid bag, which allows the fluid to flow through said fluid channel.

10. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein a portion of said fluid channel is tapered to prevent said spring member from passing completely therethrough which facilitates compression of said spring member within said fluid channel.

11. The fluid deliver valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said hollow member comprises a distal member having a first gripping portion and a base having a second gripping portion, wherein said first and second gripping portions are designed and dimensioned to facilitate said coupling of said distal member and said base via a friction fit.

12. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said hollow member is formed of an autoclaveable material.

13. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said hollow member is formed of a metallic material.

14. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 8 , wherein said flange member is substantially circular.

15. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 1 , said hollow member further having an abutment wall, wherein said abutment wall is designed and dimensioned to restrict the movement of said stem member such that the flow of the fluid is not more than a predetermined amount.

16. The fluid delivery valve assembly of claim 1 , said hollow member further having an extension portion, said extension portion having a length, said length being designed and dimensioned to protect said stem member from inadvertent bumping by the animal.

17. A fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid from a fluid bag to an animal caging system for housing an animal, the system comprising:

a fluid bag; and

a fluid deliver valve assembly comprising:

a hollow member defining a fluid channel, the member having a proximal end for delivery of water to a cage and a distal end adapted to cooperate with a fluid bag to deliver water from the bag through the fluid channel to the caging system;

a stem member disposed in part within said fluid channel, said stem member having a top surface at a distal end thereof and a proximal end at or about the proximal end of the hollow member;

a spring element disposed within said fluid channel;

wherein a portion of said spring element interacts with said stem member to apply a biasing force to said stem member; and

a sealing member disposed in said fluid channel in abutment with the top surface of said stem member, for preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid channel, said sealing member being designed and dimensioned to facilitate the flow of fluid in the fluid channel in response to displacement of the nroximal end of the stem member by an animal.

18. The fluid delivery system of claim 17 , said hollow member comprising:

an upper member having a piercing member and a connecting member, said upper member having a fluid channel defined therethrough; and

a base having a flange member and a base fluid channel defined therethrough, wherein said base is designed to be matingly coupled to said upper member.

19. The fluid delivery system of claim 17 , wherein:

a portion of said spring element abuts a portion of said stem member to apply the biasing force.

20. The fluid deliveiy system of claim 17 , wherein said sealing member defines a flow aperture, said sealing member being designed and dimensioned to facilitate the flow of fluid through the flow aperture in response to displacement of the stem member.

21. The fluid delivery system of claim 17 , wherein said fluid bag comprises a water bag constructed from flexible polymeric material.

22. A fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid from a fluid bag to an animal caging system for housing an animal, said fluid delivery system comprising:

a fluid delivery valve assembly, comprising;

a body having a piercing member and a connecting member, said body having a fluid channel defined therethrough, a flange member and a fluid channel defined therethrough;

a spring element disposed within said fluid channel;

a stem member disposed in part within said fluid channel, said stem member having an actuation portion extending through said spring element, said stem member having a top portion having a lower surface;

wherein a portion of said spring element abuts said lower surface to apply a biasing force to said stem member; and

a sealing member disposed in said fluid channel, said sealing member having a flow aperture and a sealing member bottom surface, said sealing member being designed and dimensioned to facilitate sealing of said flow aperture when said sealing member bottom surface abuts a top surface of said stem member;

wherein said fluid delivery valve assembly is adapted to be coupled to the fluid bag to facilitate the providing of the fluid to the caging system; and wherein a portion of said spring element abuts said lower surface to apply a biasing force to said stem member.