Abstract: A portable cart for use in a washing chamber for organizing and supporting articles to be washed. The cart is comprised of a generally rectangular, open frame structure comprised of a plurality of elongated structural members. A plurality of the structural members have apertures formed therein. Two planar panels are attached to the frame. The panels are spaced apart and have a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. A plurality of elongated rods are attached to and extend between the panels and are attached to the apertures. The rods define article support areas within the frame structure. One or more support elements are mounted through the apertures in the structural members or the panels. The support elements are dimensioned to support articles. Coasters at one end of the frame member allow rolling movement of the frame member.

Abstract: A portable cart for use in a washing chamber for organizing and supporting articles to be washed. The cart is comprised of a generally rectangular, open frame structure comprised of a plurality of elongated structural members. A plurality of the structural members have apertures formed therein. Two planar panels are attached to the frame. The panels are spaced apart and have a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. A plurality of elongated rods are attached to and extend between the panels and are attached to the apertures. The rods define article support areas within the frame structure. One or more support elements are mounted through the apertures in the structural members or the panels. The support elements are dimensioned to support articles. Coasters at one end of the frame member allow rolling movement of the frame member.

Abstract: A system (18) for handling animal cages (10) includes a low noise tipping funnel (16) into which waste bedding from the cage is emptied for transporting to a dumpster (20). The tipping funnel includes a receiving funnel (110) which receives the waste bedding. An air duct is positioned adjacent three sides of an upper opening (114) to the receiving funnel. A suction fan (76) draws airborne particles of the waste bedding into the air duct through a housing (134) over the top of the air duct. The housing creates an air path which minimizes transfer of noise generated in the suction process. The waste bedding is transferred from the receiving funnel into a vacuum line by a rotating valve (202) having a plurality of vanes (211). As the valve rotates, two or more of the vanes separate the receiving funnel from the vacuum line, minimizing transfer of noise from the vacuum line out through the upper opening of the receiving funnel.