Abstract: A lighting system for a poultry house is disclosed which includes a plurality of lights movable in the vertical direction, projecting light to different areas of the poultry house at prearranged times and projecting light of different intensity in the poultry house at prearranged times through the raising and lowering of the height of the lights. The lighting system provides adjustable parameters in the areas of the poultry house being lighted and the intensity of these areas across the interior of the poultry house. The system provides the poultry with migration options to areas of lower or higher light intensity, thereby improving management practices of the poultry.

Abstract: An animal enclosure includes a kennel body including a rotational molded wall formed from a plastic material. The kennel body defines an interior space shaped to accommodate one or more animals, and defines a door opening shaped to allow the animal to enter and exit the kennel body. A hoop-shaped door frame is disposed on the kennel body proximate the door opening. A door is disposed on the door frame, and the door is pivotally moveable relative to the door frame between an open position and a closed position. A latch is disposed on the door. A drain recess is defined in the rear wall of the kennel body, and a removable drain plug may be positioned in the drain recess. A moat is defined in the kennel body floor to collect water off the floor of the kennel body.

Abstract: A poultry management system having at least one animal holding area with a holding area floor for a poultry animal occupying the animal holding area and a conveyor comprising a conveyor belt having an upper track and a lower track disposed below the upper track. The lower track is disposed adjacent to the animal holding area and is adapted to receive one or more eggs deposited by the poultry animal occupying the animal holding area and transfer the one or more eggs for further processing.

Abstract: A system and method for an integrated structural welding system includes a user interface and controller configured to coordinate both welding and gouging operations.

Abstract: A detangling lead assembly comprising an elongated flexible lead having a first lead end and a second lead end, a body subassembly comprising a pulley, the lead retained in a lead path from a distal end of the body assembly, around the pulley and extending from the distal end of the body subassembly whereby the first lead end and the second lead end extend generally in a distal direction from the handle subassembly and the lead is generally movable back and forth around the pulley. In some embodiments, the lead assembly further comprises a handle subassembly rotatably coupled to a proximal end of the body subassembly. In some embodiments, the housing further comprises exit points for the lead ends defining a moment arm for a moment to force the body subassembly to rotate and uncross a crossing of the lead ends.

Abstract: An automatic animal watering system has a manifold for transporting drinking water, a controlled volume dispenser in the manifold for receiving a volume of drinking water, an inlet valve, and an outlet valve. A plurality of drinking valve assemblies is provided in fluid communication with the manifold between the inlet and outlet valves. A fluid sensor, capable of responding to changes in one or both of the water volume and pressure, is provided in the manifold between the inlet and outlet valves. The volume of drinking water available to the drinking valve assemblies can be regulated as a function of time to limit maximum potential leakage. The system also includes a controller receiving signals from the fluid sensor and generating a response to changes in the monitored water volume or pressure, thereby limiting potential water leakage in the system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to dispensers of bedding materials for laboratory animal cages. According to one embodiment of a dispensing unit, materials are drawn into a storage chute by a vacuum and dispensing is accomplished in a dispenser comprising a plurality of dispensing chutes having dispensing openings through which material is dispensed into cages. While in a first position, a material directing gate allows the materials to be dispensed through one of the dispensing chutes into a first number of cages, and through another one of the dispensing chutes into a second number of cages while in a second position. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum from the vacuum blower is utilized to remove dust from the dispensing area where material is dispensed into cages. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for aligning, indexing and drying laboratory animal cages which have already been cleaned in a cleaning station.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for the disassembly, handling and reassembly of animal containment cages for use in a lab animal room, comprising automated means for handling and moving the cages (2, 3), at least one disassembly station (60) where said cages are placed during their disassembly, and a control unit that governs said automated means (2, 3) as a function of the parameters identified by suitable detection sensors (62, 63, 64) located at said disassembly station. The present invention also concerns the method implemented by said system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses relating to animal specimen collection and animal specimen collection stations. In an embodiment, multiple chambers each contain a single animal, and wells on a removable floor on each of the chambers may collect animal specimens. The wells may be dimensioned with a depth and width such that the animals may not disturb, contact, or contaminate specimens contained within a well.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cleaning animal cages, wherein a robot empties each cage from dirty bedding, puts the cage in a batch washing machine, and after a wash cycle, the washing machine is emptied and the cages are filled with clean bedding, manually or with the aid of a robot.

Abstract: The inventive animal breeding plant comprises an animal stall area (1a-1f), means (11) for sharply flushing a cleaning fluid in said area in order to wash it and a channel which is used for recovering a mixture formed by said cleaning fluid and wastes flushed thereby and is arranged in front of said flushing means with respect to said area. The flushing means comprise at least one bucket (11) which is movably mounted between filling and flushing positions and whose shape is selected such that, when the filling level thereof with the cleaning fluid attains a predetermined threshold, the gravity center of the thus filled bucket (11) is shifted to such a point that the bucket (11) is tilted from said filling position to the flushing position in such a way that the fluid is sharply flushed in the area (1a-1f).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cleaning animal cages, wherein a robot empties each cage from dirty bedding, puts the cage in a batch washing machine, and after a wash cycle, the washing machine is emptied and the cages are filled with clean bedding, manually or with the aid of a robot.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a manure conveyor device. The method includes driving a first return roller about which a manure conveyor belt circulates at a first rotational speed, and driving a second return roller about which the manure conveyor belt circulates at a second rotational speed. During a first interval the first rotational speed exceeds the second rotational speed, and during a second interval the second rotational speed exceeds the first rotational speed.

Abstract: The cage comprises a metal support framework and plastic panels that define trays for containing live-poultry. Horizontal floor panels of the trays are domed and slitted to prevent pooling of water. Vertical fence panels are formed as open lattice boxes, combining good containment with good ventilation. Openable doors for the trays have a double-detent camming action, whereby the doors snap to open or snap to closed, whichever is closer. The cage is lifted on/off a truck with a fork lift.

Abstract: A kennel system having a floor assembly including at least one floor unit having a floor pan and a grate. The floor pan has a drain, an integral water receptacle and a trough for guiding fluid to the drain. The grate is positioned over the floor pan. The grate has a plurality of grate opening for the flow of fluid through the grate to the floor pan.

Abstract: The automated cage cleaning system is comprised of a pair of robotic arms, a soil side robot and a clean side robot. The soil side robot is utilized for removing the dirty cage bottoms from a cart, rack, pallet, or fixture, emptying soiled bedding from the cage bottoms, and placing the cage bottoms on a conveyer leading to the tunnel washing equipment. The clean side robot is used to grip the clean cage bottoms, and place the cage bottoms on a cart, rack, pallet, or fixture. Additionally, the present invention comprises an optical arranger robot with vision processing for detecting, and moving skewed cage bottoms to a re-grip station. From the re-grip station, the clean side robot places the cage bottoms on a rack, pallet, fixture, or any other device suitable for holding a plurality of cage bottoms.

Abstract: A housing has a front wall and a door, a rear wall, a pair of side walls each with a window, a bottom wall with a bottom recess with a lower hinged door, a top wall with a top aperture with an upper hinged door with a plurality of ventilation apertures, a water bottle, and a food receptacle. The housing receives animal litter on the bottom wall. Wheels are coupled to the bottom wall. A removable transportation rod is snap coupled with pivoting capabilities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cage arrangement for poultry having cage batteries arranged above a manure pit, each battery displaying two cages facing each other, the cages being placed one atop another in tiers, in which arrangement a manure scraper is arranged in each tier underneath each cage; between two cages facing each other an open space is present; under the open space, a passage is present in the cover plate of the manure pit for the manure conveyed into the open space by the manure scrapers; and the manure scrapers are driven in an back-and-forth manner.

Abstract: A kennel floor system for use in a building including a lower floor unit and an upper floor unit supported on walls that extend between the lower and upper floor units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cage arrangement for poultry having cage batteries arranged above a manure pit, each battery displaying two cages facing each other, the cages being placed one atop another in tiers, in which arrangement

Abstract: A modular, double-height animal boarding system which can be installed inside a building having limited headroom while permitting persons up to six feet in height to enter lower runs without stooping. The boarding system has a lower section divided into plural lower runs, each lower run having a rear wall and a door that opens outwardly away from the rear wall. At least one upper section is supported above the lower section and is divided into plural upper runs. The upper runs have doors that open onto a catwalk. The upper sections are provided with a plumbing system so that each upper run has a drain through which waste can be washed, the waste from each run then draining into a single drainpipe, and, thereafter, draining into a floor gutter connected to any suitable waste collection system. The upper runs have floors which are sealed against leakage of liquid material to the lower runs by a floor seal provided around the perimeter of the floors.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a conical tray formed with a central opening, a connecting member extending through the central opening and connected to the conical tray, and a cleaning unit mounted rotatably on the connecting member. The cleaning unit includes a plurality of tubular members, each of which is disposed above the conical tray, each of which is formed with an ejection open end, and each of which confines an ejection channel. The ejection open end opens in an ejection direction so as to permit rotation of the cleaning unit via a counteracting force resulting from ejection of water from the ejection open ends of the tubular members when water is supplied into the ejection channels of the tubular members.

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.

Abstract: A small animal rearing apparatus (1) has a frame (2) of a rectangular shape, a rearing unit having a plurality of rearing sections (4) formed in vertical arrangement and provided respectively with floor boards (15) sloping down toward the front. Spray nozzles (18) are disposed respectively above the high rear ends of the floor boards (15) to spray washing water from the high rear ends of the floor boards (15) toward the low front ends of the same along the upper surfaces of the same, respectively. The high rear end of the floor board (15) of each rearing division (4) underlying the spray nozzle (18) does not have any raised part. The spray nozzle (18) can be disposed with its axis extended substantially in parallel to the upper surface of the floor board (15). A downward rear rim (15a) is formed by bending downward a rear edge portion of each floor board (15).

Abstract: A flood prevention system for a ventilated cage includes a self-sealing drain valve that opens automatically to prevent the cage from flooding if a water supply valve or water bottle leaks. A preferred drain valve is mounted in the floor of the cage and includes a perforated drain cup, a perforated seal cup, and a drain seal, all held together by a connector such as a rivet. The perforated drain cup extends above the bottom surface of the cage a small amount, and the perforated seal cup extends downwardly from the drain cup to present a valve seat. The drain seal preferably comprises a diaphragm of a resiliently flexible material which normally abuts the valve seat. However, if the water supply valve or water bottle leaks sufficiently for water to accumulate in the perforated drain cup, the weight of the accumulated liquid forces the drain seal away from the valve seat to permit the water to drain away from the cage.

Abstract: An aquatic housing system that has a frame that defines two or more housing levels. Each housing level has a plurality of tanks for housing aquatic animals. Each tank has a front mounted plumbing assembly that allows both water overflow and drainage to be conveyed away from the tank. A valve located in the drainage connection allows the tanks to be flushed or converted from a deep water animal to a shallow water animal without removing the tank from the frame.

Abstract: A modular animal boarding system has a lower section divided into plural lower runs, each lower run sharing a joint rear wall with a second lower run and doors that open outwardly away from the joint rear wall. Plural upper sections are supported above the lower section. The upper sections have doors that open inwardly generally toward the lower joint rear wall onto a catwalk. The upper sections are provided with a plumbing system so that each upper run has a drain through which waste can be washed, the waste from each run then draining into a single drainpipe, and, thereafter, draining into a floor gutter connected to any suitable waste collection system.

Abstract: The invention is an improved cage assembly for tending poultry. The cage assembly includes at least two horizontal cage rows formed by adjacent cage housings, a majority of the cage housings being formed by double cages, a dung receiver extending under each of the cage rows, fan flaps provided for drying collected dung, the fan flaps being distributed at longitudinal intervals along a dung receiver and above the dung receiver and mounted on transverse axes, pivot drives associated with the fan flaps to pivot the fan flaps, the pivot drives having push rods and pull rods extending in the lengthwise direction along the dung receiver through the cage assembly at a distance from the transverse axes of fan flaps and engaging the transverse axis, and with the fan flaps having force-transmitting part and a fan part.

Abstract: Atmospheric growing conditions in high-rise animal rearing facilities are proved by spraying liquid alum periodically over the manure collection area. Improved high rise animal rearing facilities provided with a liquid alum treatment delivery system for misting or spraying the liquid alum over the manure collection area to strip ammonia gas from the air and to apply a chemical coating on a surface of the accumulated manure which reduces or prevents ammonia volatilization. The liquid chemical treatment comprises an aqueous alum solution containing 1 to about 50% by weight alum, applied at a rate of about 50-250 g of Al.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3. 14H.sub.2 O per kg of manure as it accumulates. The improved rearing facilities and methods control the atmospheric conditions in the animal rearing area at less than or equal to about 25 ppm ammonia throughout the growing cycle.

Abstract: A washer apparatus (10) includes a washing chamber (W) with a plurality of spray nozzles (N) and a pump (P1) for circulating the washing fluid (F) through the spray nozzles (N) for cleaning the contents of the washing chamber (W). A pH sensor (20) contacts the washing fluid (F) and a digital pH controller (30) connected to the pH sensor (20) generates digital pH values of the fluid (F). An acid neutralizing system (80) and an alkaline neutralizing system (90) are provided for selectively injecting acid neutralizer and alkaline neutralizer into the reservoir (S, T), respectively. An electronic controller (12) controls the operation of the washer (10) and the acid and alkaline neutralizer injection systems (80, 90) in response to the pH of the washing fluid (F) as determined by the digital pH controller (30).

Abstract: A small security cage for housing a pet reptile, such as a snake, lizard, or amphibian, and observation of the reptile. The cage includes a floor wall, side walls, a rear wall, a transparent front wall for viewing and a removable lower tray for cleaning the cage. An openable top door includes a wire mesh for ventilation and access to the reptiles contained therein. A heating element, light, and thermostat can be included to maintain the environment suitable for a desired species.

Abstract: A washer (10) having prewashing, washing, rinsing, and drying stations (12-18) and a first conveyor (20) which transports animal cages (26) through the washer in an open side down orientation. A bedding dispenser (30) has a bedding dispensing station (32) and a second conveyor (40, 48) for transporting the animal cage (26) through the bedding dispensing station (32) in an open side up orientation. A righting device (60, 90, 100) is interposed between the first conveyor (20) and the second conveyor (40, 48). The righting device includes a counter-rotating flip wheel (64, 80, 106) which receives the animal cages from the first conveyor (20), engages a peripheral flange (28) of the cage with a rung (74, 84, 112) of the flip wheel, and pivots the animal cages from the open side down orientation to the open side up orientation on the second conveyor (40, 48).

Abstract: This invention relates to a closed type of sanitary bird house comprises a body part including a frame provided with slide grooves formed, and transparent viewing side walls, a base support located under the body part to hold the body part, a door member provided as a cover of the body part, an inclined bottom plate, and a discharging system, wherein the discharging system operates to remove the garbage, bad smell and the impure air in the bird house and the closed transparent viewing walls prevent the foul air in the bird house from streaming into users' room, so that the inside and outside environment of the sanitary bird house may be maintained clean and the users may enjoy the observation of the pet birds through the transparent viewing walls.

Abstract: An animal rearing apparatus includes an animal rearing cage and a framework to which a plurality of side plates together forming the periphery of the animal rearing cage are detachably attached. At the bottom of the animal rearing cage, there are provided a bottom plate detachably attached thereto and defining a plurality of openings vertically extending therethrough and an excreta collecting portion for receiving and collecting animal excreta dropped through the openings of the bottom plate. The animal rearing cage has a ceiling thereof sectioned by a top plate or the excreta collecting portion belonging to an animal rearing cage on the upper stage. The framework or an attachment member thereof includes, at portions thereof corresponding in level to the ceiling of the animal rearing cage, engaging portions for detachably engaging and suspending engaged portions provided at upper portions of the respective side plates.

Abstract: A conveyor belt having raised hemispheres serves as the floor for caged production of poultry. The belt is preferably molded plastic and moves continuously at a speed undetectable by the birds, allowing complete removal of manure before manure build-up becomes appreciable. The conveyor belt's direction of movement may also be reversed at variable speeds, automatically conveying the birds to catch crews.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cage battery (1) for poultry breeding in which the birds are removed by making the actual grid base (8) of the individual cages or cage sections removable, i.e. it may be rolled up, pulled out or folded up, while beneath the grid base (8) there is a conveyor belt (5, 6, 7) capable of removing the birds from the barn.