CA2838295A1 - Improvements to animal cage compartment divider - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to the securing of divider panels, as used in the division of pet enclosures, to create one or more smaller compartments to meet the needs of animal clinics where animals of varying sizes are being temporarily housed. This invention also addresses the problems, inefficiencies and animal safety concerns associated with divider panels in animal cages, where such panels are secured with separate fastening devices, as found in prior art. With this invention, the divider panel is inserted into the cage through an entrance slot in the front of the cage and engages the rear edge of the divider with the rear wall of the cage, while the front edge of the divider is orientated by the confine:, of the entrance slot. The entrance slot does not extend down to the floor of the cage, which leaves a step that interacts with a notch in the lower front corner of the divider, thereby preventing an animal from moving the divider laterally and away from the rear wall of the cage and out of engagement with the slots without the use of fasteners or other elements.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO ANIMAL CAGE COMPARTMENT DIVIDER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Animal cages currently on the market are commonly of a rectangular box shape, which frequently employ one or more divider panels to divide the animal cage into two or more compartments. It is common that such divider panels are retained in place by means of one or more fastening or retaining devices, to ensure than an animal cannot dislodge the divider panel.
As has been found with prior art, where removable divider panels are employed in the construction of such multi door animal cages and which are secured in place by means of separate devices, whether or not they are integral to the divider panels, such separate devices contribute to the labour required when inserting or removing a divider. Under some conditions such as vibration from the movement of an animal contained therein, such fasteners can become disconnected, which could then allow the divider to become dislodged and the animals from each compartment could then comingle.
With some cages, securing or removing divider panels which are retained in position by means of one or more fastening devices, one must open a door or gate to perform this task.

DESCRIPTION:
This invention relates to an animal cage as generally used in the veterinary profession and which is usually of a rectangular box shape with an open side being accessible by selectively opening one or more gates which are hinged to the vertical side panels and/or one or more intermediate support members of the animal cage.
This invention addresses the problems, inefficiencies and animal safety concerns associated with dividers which are secured with separate fastening devices as is found with prior art.
The invention described herein relates to a divider panel intended for use in an animal cage as generally described above, where said divider panel is provided with one or more features incorporated into one or more surfaces, or into one or more corners, or is incorporated into one or more edges of said divider panel or adjacent components thereto, and where said feature or features engage with one or more mating features attached to, adjacent to, or as integral features of one or more components of said cage. The engagement of said mating features with each other, form a reliable method by which to secure said divider panel in place to prevent excessive fore and aft movement while at the same

2 , time facilitating easy installation or removal of said divider panel.
For ease of removal (extrication) of said divider panel or panels, the divider panel or panels and mating features must be designed to provide clearance of edges and other features as the divider panel is manipulated to allow its easy removal from the cage while still providing a divider panel which cannot be dislodged through vibration.
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the divider panel is maintained in a vertical orientation by means of laterally interacting features between which said divider panel is situated, while said divider panel is retained in a fore and aft position within said cage by means one or more features of the divider panel, which interact with one or more mating features that are integral to, or are attached to, or are adjacent to one or more components of said cage where said interaction prevents said divider panel from moving fore and aft such distances so as to become dislodged from the intended position of said divider panel and/or dislodged from the confines of said features.
Notwithstanding, said divider panel can be quickly and easily removed by manually raising at least one corner or edge of said divider panel to disengage the interacting features. In this said one embodiment of this invention, at least one corner of said

3 divider panel must be moved generally vertically before it can be moved in a general horizontal direction to remove said divider from said animal cage.
It is anticipated that various embodiments which would affect the same restriction, would be similarly effective and efficient, and would be safe for the animals contained therein, where the capturing or restraining of a divider device through the interaction of features or profiles of the surfaces, edges or corners of the interacting components, devices or panels of the structure of the animal cage, without the use of separate fastening devices, would be suitable and desirable.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view which depicts another preferred embodiment of said animal cage A, where said animal cage is of a box like construction, which includes a bottom panel 1, a top panel 2, a left hand side panel 3, a right hand side panel 4, a left hand gate 5 mounted on hinges 5'and 5" where said gate 5 has a series of rectangular ventilation holes 6, a right hand gate 7 mounted on hinges 7' and 7" where said gate 7 has a series of rectangular ventilation holes 8, a slotted mullion 13, where vertical slot 13a is centrally located within said mullion, and said mullion is centrally located between free vertical edge 6' of left hand gate 5 and free vertical edge of right hand gate 7, where left hand latch 9 is mounted to interact with free vertical edge 6'

4 of gate 5 and right hand latch 10 is mounted to interact with free vertical edge 8' of gate 7 to to allow the ingress and egress of one or more animals.
Latch 9 is slidably mounted to the left hand upright 13b of mullion 13 to secure gate 5 in a closed position and latch 10 is likewise slidably mounted to the right hand upright 13c of mullion 13 to secure gate 7 in a closed position. The containment space within said cage is temporarily divided into two separate compartments, L and R, by means of divider panel 11 which is inserted through slot 13a in mullion 13.
Fig. la is an enlargement of Detail A from Fig. 1 where divider panel 11 is shown fully inserted through slot 13a in mullion 13 and is maintained in a vertical orientation by means of the interaction of surface 13' of left hand upright 13b of mullion 13 and surface 13" of right hand upright 13c of mullion 13 which form the vertical sides of slot 13a in mullion 13.
Fig. 2 shows a frontal view of cage A and includes a cutting plane line B-B from which a sectional view B-B on Fig. 3 is generated.
Fig. 3 shows divider panel 11 in a sectional view, Section B-B from Fig. 2, where divider panel 11 is in its fully inserted position. With divider panel 11 fully inserted, lower edge 15 of divider 11 panel rests upon the upper surface l' of bottom panel 1 and is retained in a vertical position by means of the two opposing side surfaces 13' and 13" of left hand vertical member 13b and right hand vertical member 13c respectively, which form the sides of slot 13a in mullion 13, while said divider panel is maintained normal to the rear panel by means of mating U bracket 22 which is connected to rear panel 20, and edge 12" of divider panel 11. Divider panel 11 is prevented from being accidentally displaced by means of notch 16 whose vertical component 16' limits the horizontal movement of divider panel 11 by interacting with face 14" of lower span 14 of mullion 13, which thereby restricts the fore and aft movement of divider panel 11.
Fig. 3a is an enlargement of Detail C from Fig. 3 where divider panel 11 is shown fully inserted through slot 13a in mullion 13 where it interacts with U bracket 22 which is connected to surface 20' of rear panel 20.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view from Section B-B of Fig. 2 which shows the relationship of divider panel 11 with U bracket 22 which is fastened to the inner surface 20' of rear panel 20, the relationship of edge 15 with upper surface 1' of bottom panel 1, the relationship with surface 13" of mullion 13 and the relationship of notch 16 in divider panel 11 with lower span 14 of mullion 13. Lower edge 15 of divider panel 11 rests upon the upper surface l' of bottom panel 1 and is retained in a vertical position by means of opposing side surfaces 13' (not shown in this view) of left hand vertical member 13b and 13" of right hand vertical member 13c respectively, which form the sides of slot 13a in mullion 13, while said divider panel is maintained normal to the rear panel by means of mating U bracket 22 which is connected to rear panel 20 which interacts with edge 12' of divider panel 11.
Divider panel 11 is prevented from being accidentally displaced by means of notch 16 whose vertical component 16" limits the horizontal movement of divider panel 11 by interacting with face 14" of lower span 14 of mullion 13 to restrict the movement of divider panel 11.
Fig. 4a is an enlargement of detail D from Fig. 4, which shows in more detail the relationships described in the description of Fig. 4.
Notwithstanding the interaction of vertical component 16' of notch 16 with face 14" of lower span 14 of mullion 13, which prevents the unintended excess horizontal movement of divider panel 11, said divider panel can be quickly and easily removed by a person putting the fingers of their left hand through one rectangular hole of the series of rectangular ventilation holes 6 in gate 5 and simultaneously putting the fingers of their right t hand through one of the rectangular holes of the series of rectangular ventilation holes 8 in gate 7 and by applying opposing pressure to grip and lift the front edge 12 in the direction of arrow 21 just enough for vertical component 16' of notch 16 and adjacent lower corner 26 at the juncture of lower edge 15 and vertical component 16' of divider panel 11 to clear corner 23 and surface 14' of lower span 14 of mullion 13 between surfaces 13' and 13" of vertical left hand member 13a and vertical right hand member 13b respectively of mullion 13 whilst pulling divider panel 11 outwards in the direction of arrow 27 to extract divider panel 11 from the cage A.
Fig. 5 shows a frontal view of cage A and includes a cutting plane line E-E from which a sectional view E-E is shown in Fig. 6, and which shows divider panel 11 with edge 12 raised in preparation to the extraction of divider panel 11 from cage A.
From Fig. 6 and Fig. 6a it is noted that in this embodiment of the invention, component 22" of U bracket 22 should be of sufficient thickness so that when front edge 12 of divider panel 11 is raised in the direction of arrow 21, simultaneous contact can occur between rear edge 12' of divider panel 11 and edge 22' of surface 22a of component 22" of U bracket 22 and between upper rear corner 26' of divider panel 11 and surface 20' of rear panel 20, to create sufficient clearance between lower , corner 26 of divider panel 11 and edge 23 of lower span 14 of mullion 13 to allow easy removal of divider panel 11. A radius 26a on corner 26 would aid in the removal of said divider panel should a person not raise front edge 12 of divider panel 11 enough to affect full clearance between corner 26 and edge 23.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view, Section E-E from Fig. 5, which shows divider panel 11, where front edge 12 has been elevated in the direction of arrow 21 to orient lower edge 15 of divider panel 11 at an angle relative to surface 2' of bottom panel 2 and to position rear edge 12' of divider panel 11 to be simultaneously in contact with upper edge 22' of component 22" of U bracket 22, and upper rear corner 26' of divider panel 11 with inner surface 20' of rear panel 20 to thereby cause lower front corner 26 to be positioned at an elevation above that of edge 23 of surface 14' of lower span 14 of mullion 13, thereby allowing easy extraction of divider panel 12 from slot 13a in mullion 13.
Notches 17, 18 and 19 having respective vertical components 17', 18' and 19', allow the same interaction to be achieved as with notch 16 and adjacent vertical component 16' thereby allowing the divider panel to be inserted and extracted without regard to orientation of said divider panel.

Recesses 25 and 25' provide a means to grip divider panel 11 to allow for easy handling regardless of the orientation of divider panel 11 during insertion or extraction and for handling for storage.
Fig. 6a is an enlargement of detail F from Fig. 6 and shows, in more detail, the relationship of the lower front corner 26 of divider panel 11 with edge 23 and surface 14' of lower span 14 of mullion 13.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of Section E-E from Fig. 5, which shows divider panel 11, where front edge 12' of divider panel 11 has been elevated in the direction of arrow 21 to orient lower edge 15 of divider panel 12 at an angle relative to surface 2' of bottom panel 2 and to position rear edge 12' of divider panel 11 to be simultaneously in contact with upper edge 22' of component 22"
of U bracket 22, and upper rear corner 26' of divider panel 11 with inner surface 20' of rear panel 20 to thereby cause lower front corner 26 to be positioned at an elevation above that of edge 23 of surface 14' of lower span 14 of mullion 13, thereby allowing easy extraction of divider panel 12 from slot 13a in mullion 13. It is noted that the diagonal distance between the outer surfaces of corners 26 and 26' must be less than the distance between edge 23 and the point of contact between inner surface 20' and corner 26'.

i Fig. 7a is an enlargement of detail G from Fig. 7 and shows, in more detail, the relationship of the lower front corner 26 of divider panel 11 with edge 23 and surface 14' of lower span 14 of mullion 13.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of animal cage A, which depicts divider panel 11 in a position which can be considered partially extracted from (or partially inserted into) slot 13a in million 13.
Fig. 8a is an enlargement of detail H from Fig. 8 and shows, in more detail, the relationship of divider panel 11 with mullion 13 and left hand and right hand gates 6 and 8 respectively while divider panel 11 is being inserted or extracted.
Fig. 9 depicts a frontal view of animal cage A, and includes a cutting plane line I-I from which sectional view I-I on Fig. 10 is generated.
Fig. 10 is a sectional view through cutting plane I-I
from Fig. 9, whereby it depicts the relationship of divider panel 11, in a position which can be considered partially extracted from (or partially inserted into) cage A, between rear edge 12' and rear panel 20, and at the same time, the relationship of divider panel with mullion 13. Fig. 10 also depicts U bracket 22 which is i fastened to surface 20' of rear panel 20, and the relationship between surface 2' of bottom panel 2 and corner 26" of divider panel 11.
Fig. 10a is an enlargement of detail J from Fig. 10 which shows, in more detail, the relationship of divider panel 11 with edge 23 at the juncture of surfaces 14' and 14" of lower span 14 of mullion 13 and edge 15 of divider panel 11 with surface 2' of bottom panel 2.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of Section I-I from Fig. 9, which depicts divider panel 11, in a position which can be considered partially extracted from (or partially inserted into) cage A and the relationship of divider panel 11 with edge 23 at the juncture of surfaces 14' and 14" of lower span 14 of mullion 13 and edge 15 of divider panel 11 with surface 2' of bottom panel 2, where front edge 12 of divider panel 11 has been elevated in the direction of arrow 21 to orient lower edge 15 of divider panel 11 at an angle relative to surface l' of bottom panel 1 and to position rear edge 12' of divider panel 11 to be in contact with upper edge 22' of surface 22a of component 22" of U bracket 22, and simultaneously, upper rear corner 26' of divider panel 12 to contact inner surface 20' of rear panel 20 to thereby cause lower front corner 26 to be positioned at an elevation above that of edge 23 of surface 14' of lower span 14 of mullion 13, thereby allowing I

easy extraction of divider panel 11 from slot 13a in mullion 13.
It is noted that the diagonal distance between the outer surfaces of corners 26 and 26' must be less than the distance between edge 23 and the point of contact on inner surface between inner surface of rear panel 20' and corner 26' of divider panel 11.
Fig. ha is an enlargement of detail K from Fig. 11 which shows, in more detail, the relationship of divider panel 11 with edge 23 at the juncture of surfaces 14' and 14" of lower span 14 of mullion 13 and edge 15 of divider panel 11 with surface 1' of bottom panel 1.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of this invention as illustrated in animal cage B, which depicts divider panel 35 in a fully inserted position, and which illustrates the relationship of divider panel 35 with surfaces 33' and 33" of vertical members 33b and 33c which comprise the vertical sides of slot 33a in mullion 33, as well as the relationship of edge 36 with surfaces 33b and 33c of mullion 33.
The containment space within cage B can be temporarily divided into two separate compartments, Li and R1, by means of divider panel 35 which is inserted through slot 33a in mullion 33.

, Fig. 13 depicts a frontal view of animal cage B, and includes a cutting plane line M-M from which sectional view M-M on Fig. 14 is generated.
Fig. 14 is a sectional view of animal cage B through cutting plane M-M on Fig. 13, whereby it depicts divider panel 35 in a fully inserted and engaged position, and where it illustrates a geometry along the generally vertical rear edge 35' of divider panel 35, and where said geometry includes two protruding tabs 45 and 45' which are received by recesses 44 and 44' respectively, said recesses being in surface 43' in rear panel 43, and where surface 36' of rear edge 35', along the span between tabs 45 and 45', is more or less parallel to surface 43' of rear panel 43.
Rear surface 41' of divider panel 35 between upper tab 45 and corner 41 of divider panel 35, is cut at an oblique angle relative to said surface 36', thereby providing clearance for edge 41' of divider panel 35 to allow said divider panel to pivot about a point created by contacting features and surfaces of the geometry of divider 35 and rear panel 43 to allow divider panel 35 to pivot as edge 36 is raised in the direction of arrow 46 which will thereby allow clearance between corner 39' of notch 39 in divider panel 35 and edge 23' at the juncture of surfaces 34' and 34" of lower span 34 of mullion 33, as edge 36 of divider panel 35 is pivoted as it is raised in the direction of arrow 46 as illustrated in Fig. 16.
Edge 40' provides the same function as edge 41' when divider 35 is reoriented with edge 36a at the top and with edge 36b at the bottom.
Figure 14a is an enlargement of detail M from Fig. 14 which shows, in more detail, the relationship between notch 39 at the juncture of edges 36 and 36a of divider panel 35, and edge 23' at the juncture of surfaces 34' and 34" of lower span 34 of mullion 33. The relationship between edge 36a of divider panel 35 and surface 2' of bottom panel 2 is also illustrated. Finger notch 37 is provided for the purpose of raising edge 36 of divider panel 35 as part of the procedure for removing divider panel 35 from cage B. Likewise finger notch 38 is provided for use when divider panel 35 is reoriented with edge 36a at the top and edge 36b at the bottom.
Fig. 15 depicts a perspective view of animal cage B in which divider 35 is illustrated with edge 36 raised in the direction of arrow 46 in preparation for removal from said cage.
Lower finger notch 37 and upper finger notch 38 can be seen in edge 36 of divider panel 35, which are for the purposes of easy removal of divider panel from cage B.
Figure 15a is an enlargement of detail N from Fig. 15 which shows in more detail, the lower corner 39a as it protrudes after edge 36 has been raised in the direction of arrow 46.
, i Fig. 16 depicts a frontal view of animal cage B, with edge 36 of divider panel 35 raised in the direction of arrow 46 and which illustrates divider panel 35 as prepared for removal from cage B. Fig. 16 includes a cutting plane line 0-0 from which sectional view 0-0 on Fig. 17 was generated.
In Fig. 17 and Fig. 17a, it is illustrated that divider panel 35 is positioned with edge 36 raised in the direction of arrow 46, thereby rear edge 41' of divider panel 35 has become more or less parallel to surface 43' of rear panel 43 above recess 44, and which orientation resulted from the pivot point created by the interaction of the geometry of the generally vertical rear edge 35' of divider panel 35 and the features of surface 43' of rear panel 43, which have allowed rear edge 35' of divider panel 35 to pivot at the point of contact between the features of the rear panel surface 43' where generally vertical rear edge 35' has come into contact with a feature of surface 43' of back panel 43.
It should be noted, that the physical dimensions of divider panel 35 and the physical dimensions of the cage components must be such, so as to provide clearance between corner 39' of notch 39 in divider panel 35 and edge 23' at the juncture of surfaces 34' and 34" respectively of lower spam 34 of mullion 33 , i when edge 36 of divider panel 35 is raised in the direction of arrow 46 as illustrated in Fig. 17.
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of animal cage B, which depicts divider panel 35 in a position which can be considered partially removed from (or partially inserted into) slot 33a in million 33.
Fig. 18a is an enlargement of detail Q from Fig. 18 and shows, in more detail, the relationship of divider panel 35 with mullion 33 and left hand gate 31 while divider panel 35 is being inserted or extracted.
Fig. 19 depicts a frontal view of animal cage B, with edge 36 of divider panel 35 raised in the direction of arrow 46 and said divider panel partially extracted in the direction of arrow 47 as illustrated in Fig. 17, which illustrates divider panel 35 as it is being removed from cage B. Fig. 19 includes a cutting plane line R-R from which sectional view R-R on Fig. 20 was generated.
Fig. 20 is a sectional view R-R from cutting plane R-R as shown on Fig. 19, and which illustrates divider panel 35 after edge 36 has been raised in the direction of arrow 46, and depicting divider panel 35 partially extracted in the direction of arrow 47.

, Fig. 20a is an enlargement of detail S which shows, in more detail, the relationship between the lower edge 36a of divider panel 35 and edge 23' at the juncture of surfaces 34' and 34" of lower span 34 of mullion 33. The relationship between edge 36a of divider panel 35 and surface 2' of bottom panel 2 is also illustrated.
Fig. 21 is a perspective view of Section R-R from Fig.
19, which depicts divider panel 35, in a position which can be considered partially extracted from (or partially inserted into) cage B, and the relationship of divider panel 35 with edge 23' at the juncture of surfaces 34' and 34" of lower span 34 of mullion 33 and lower edge 36a of divider panel 35 with surface 27' of bottom panel 27, where front edge 36 of divider panel 35 has been elevated in the direction of arrow 46 to orient lower edge 36a of divider panel 35 at an angle relative to surface 27' of bottom panel 27 and to position lower edge 36a of divider panel 35 to be in contact with edge 23' of surface 22a of component 22" of U
bracket 22, and simultaneously, upper rear corner 26' of divider panel 12 to contact inner surface 20' of rear panel 20 to thereby cause lower front corner 26 to be positioned at an elevation above that of edge 23 of surface 14' of lower span 14 of mullion 13, thereby allowing easy extraction of divider panel 11 from slot 13a in mullion 13. It is noted that the diagonal distance between the outer surfaces of corners 26 and 26' must be less than the distance between edge 23 and the point of contact on inner surface between inner surface of rear panel 20' and corner 26' of divider panel 11.
Fig. 21a is an enlargement of detail T from Fig. 21 which shows, in more detail, the relationship of divider panel 35 with edge 23' at the juncture of surfaces 34' and 34" of lower span 34 of mullion 33 and the relationship of lower edge 36a of divider panel 35 with surface 27' of bottom panel 27.

Claims (32)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1) An animal cage, comprising: an enclosure further comprising a plurality of joined panels defining a containment space:
wherein said containment space is divisible into a plurality of compartments by means of one or more divider panels;
wherein one or more said divider panels are equipped with one or more features that interact with one or more features of one or more said joined panels of said enclosure;
wherein said interaction of one or more said features of one or more said divider panels with one or more said features of one or more said joined panels of said enclosure functions to confine each said divider panel substantially to a corresponding intended position;
wherein a said corresponding intended position is determined by means of cooperation of one or more said features of a said divider panel with one or more said features of one or more said joined panels of said enclosure;
and wherein a said divider panel is engaged and confined substantially to a said corresponding intended position by means of said interaction between one or more said features of said divider panel and one or more said features of one or more said joined panels of said enclosure without the aid or cooperation of one or more separable features or elements.

2) An animal cage according to claim 1:
wherein said enclosure is equipped with one or more slots into which one or more said divider panels are selectively inserted;
wherein one or more said joined panels are truncated to create one or more mullions;
wherein one or more combinations of said joined panels define one or more openings;
wherein one or more said openings allow access to said containment space of said enclosure;
wherein one or more said joined panels of said enclosure are joined by means of one or more hinges to form one or more gates;
and wherein one or more said gates are arranged to selectively close off one or more said openings.

3) An animal cage according to claim 1:
wherein said enclosure is equipped with one or more slots into which one or more said divider panels are inserted;
wherein one or more said divider panels are selectively inserted into one or more said slots of said enclosure without the aid of: one or more attachments to one or more said divider panels, one or more attachments to said enclosure, one or more separate devices, one or more tools, or without moving one or more elements except one or more said divider panels while being inserted;
and wherein one or more said divider panels are selectively removed from one or more said slots of said enclosure without the aid of: one or more attachments to one or more said divider panels, one or more attachments to said enclosure, one or more separate devices, one or more tools, or without moving one or more elements except one or more said divider panels while being removed.

4) An animal cage according to claim 3:
wherein one or more said joined panels are truncated to create one or more mullions;

wherein one or more combinations of said joined panels define one or more openings to allow access to the interior of said enclosure;
and wherein one or more said slots are oriented substantially vertically.

5) An animal cage according to claim 1:
wherein said enclosure is equipped with one or more slots;
wherein one or more said divider panels are selectively inserted into one or more said slots;
and wherein one or more said features of one or more said divider panels cooperate with one or more said features of said enclosure to confine one or more said divider panels substantially to a said corresponding intended position.

6) An animal cage according to claim 2:
wherein a said divider panel is selectively inserted into a said slot in a said joined panel of said enclosure;
and wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel interact with one or more said features of a said joined panel of said enclosure into which a said divider panel is selectively inserted;
wherein said interaction of one or more said features of a said divider panel with one or more said features of a said joined panel of said enclosure functions to confine a said divider panel substantially to a corresponding intended position;
and wherein said intended position is determined by means of cooperation of one or more said features of a said divider panel with one or more said features of said enclosure.

7) An animal cage according to claim 2, further comprising:
a plurality of joined panels defining an enclosure with a containment space therein, wherein at least one said joined panel is truncated, thereby creating a mullion;
a substantially vertical slot passing through said mullion, with a lower end of said slot terminating a distance above an upper surface of a bottom panel thereby creating a step between said lower end of said slot and said upper surface of said bottom panel;

a generally flat divider panel sized to fit into said slot, with said divider panel having a notch at the juncture of a front edge of said divider panel and a lower edge of said divider panel;
wherein a geometry of said notch in said divider panel generally corresponds to a geometry of said step;
and wherein said geometries of said notch and said step are arranged to engage with each other, thereby retaining said divider panel in a restricted fore and aft position when a said divider panel is inserted into said slot.

8) An animal cage according to claim 7, further comprising:
a rear panel situated a distance from a said mullion with an inner surface of each facing the other;
and wherein one or more features of a rear edge of said divider panel and one or more features of an inner surface of a rear panel engage to maintain said divider panel in a substantially vertical orientation while maintaining said rear edge of said divider panel in a more or less fixed lateral position when said divider panel is inserted into said slot.

9) An animal cage according to claims 1 and 3:
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel interact with one or more features of an inner surface of a rear panel of said enclosure;
wherein one or more said joined panels of said enclosure are truncated to create one or more mullions;
wherein an inner surface of a said mullion is situated facing, and at a distance from, said inner surface of said rear panel;
wherein one or more combinations of said joined panels of said enclosure define one or more openings;
wherein one or more said openings allow access to said containment space of said enclosure;
wherein one or more of one or more said joined panels of said enclosure are each joined by means of one or more hinges to an adjacent said joined panel to form one or more gates;
wherein one or more said gates are arranged to selectively close off one or more said openings;
wherein one or more said mullions are equipped with one or more said slots into which one or more said divider panels are selectively inserted;

wherein one or more of one or more said slots are situated in a substantially vertical orientation;
wherein a said slot maintains a corresponding said divider panel in a like orientation;
wherein said inner surface of a said rear panel is equipped with one or more said features that engage with one or more said features of a said divider panel to confine the rear edge of a said divider panel to a more or less fixed lateral position;
wherein one or more combinations of one or more said features of said divider panel and one or more said features of said enclosure cooperate to retain said divider panel substantially to an intended fore and aft position;
wherein one or more of one or more said features of said divider panel include a notch in the corner of said divider panel at the juncture of a front edge of said divider panel and the lower edge of said divider panel;
wherein one or more of one or more said features of said enclosure include a step between a lower end of a said substantially vertical slot and an upper surface of a bottom panel of said enclosure;
wherein said lower end of said substantially vertical slot is situated a distance above said upper surface of a said bottom panel of said enclosure thereby creating said step between said upper surface of said bottom panel and said lower end of a said substantially vertical slot;
wherein a geometry of said notch generally corresponds to a geometry of said step;
wherein said geometries engage with each other to confine a said divider panel to a said intended position when a said divider panel is inserted into said slot of said enclosure;
wherein said intended fore and aft position of said divider panel, said more or less fixed lateral position of said divider panel and said substantially vertical orientation of said slot further determine a said intended position of said divider panel;
and wherein said interaction of one or more said features of a said divider panel with one or more said features of said enclosure functions to confine a said divider panel substantially to a said intended position to prevent a quadruped from moving a said divider panel sufficiently to disengage said features of a said divider panel from one or more said features of said enclosure.

10) An animal cage according to claim 1, further comprising:

one or more panels of said plurality of joined panels, comprising: one or more substantially vertical slots into which one or more said divider panels are inserted;
wherein the lower end of at least one said substantially vertical slot is situated a distance above an upper surface of a bottom said joined panel, thereby creating a step between said upper surface of said bottom joined panel and said lower end of a said substantially vertical slot;
wherein one or more of one or more said features of one or more said divider panels include a notch at the juncture of the front edge and the lower edge of a said divider panel;
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel are arranged to interact with one or more said features of said enclosure when a said divider panel is inserted into a said slot in a said joined panel of said enclosure;
wherein one or more said features of said enclosure include a rear panel equipped with features configured to mate with one or more complementary features of one or more said features of a said divider panel;
wherein said notch at said juncture of said front edge and said lower edge of a said inserted divider panel interacts with said step, thereby retaining a said inserted divider panel substantially to the confines of an intended position by means of a mating interaction between said notch and said step;
an intended position by means of a mating interaction between said notch and said step;
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel are arranged to provide for interaction to selectively disengage one or more said features of a said divider panel from the effects of one or more said features of said enclosure;
and wherein said selective disengagement is accomplished by means of lifting a front edge of a said divider panel to disengage said mating interaction between said notch and said step to thereby provide for easy removal of said divider panel from a said slot in a said joined panel of said enclosure.

11) An animal cage according to claim 10, further comprising:
one or more attachments, fasteners, loose elements, or one or more combinations thereof interacting with one or more said features of said divider panel, one or more features of said enclosure, or both, to engage one or more said features of said divider panel with one or more said features of said enclosure to provide for easy insertion of one or more said divider panels into one or more said slots in one or more said joined panels of said enclosure.

12) An animal cage, comprising: a plurality of joined panels forming an enclosure defining a containment space therein;
wherein said containment space is divisible into a plurality of compartments by means of one or more divider panels;
wherein a said divider panel is equipped with one or more features that mate with one or more features of said enclosure;
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel cooperate with one or more said features of said enclosure to confine a said divider panel to an engaged position;
wherein said engaged position is determined by means of said cooperation of one or more said features of a said divider panel with one or more said features of said enclosure;
and wherein a said divider panel is confined to a said engaged position without the aid of:
a) one or more fastening devices;
b) one or more separate components;

c) one or more attachments to one or more said divider panels;
d) one or more attachments to one or more said joined panels;
e) without the aid of any, all or some combinations of a), b), c) and d).

13) An animal cage as claimed in claim 12:
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel cooperate with one or more said features of said enclosure to confine a said divider panel substantially to said engaged position except when an edge of said divider panel is raised sufficiently to disengage any, all or some of one or more said cooperating features.

14) An animal cage according to claims 10 and 12:
wherein one or more said joined panels are truncated to create one or more mullions;
wherein one or more said joined panels are equipped with one or more slots;
wherein one or more said divider panels are selectively inserted into one or more said slots;

wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel cooperate with one or more said features of said enclosure to restrict a said divider panel to an intended position;
wherein said intended position is determined by interaction of one or more said features of said divider panel with one or more said features of said enclosure;
and wherein one or more said divider panels can be removed from, or inserted into, said enclosure without the aid of one or more attachments, devices, loose components or tools, without the removal or insertion of one or more components other than the one or more said divider panels being inserted or being removed, and without opening one or more gates.

15) An animal cage as claimed in claim 14:
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel include one or more features that aid in the manual removal and in the manual insertion of a said divider panel from outside of said enclosure.

16) An animal cage according to claim 14:

wherein said divider panel is selectively inserted into said slot;
wherein one or more said features of said divider panel cooperate with one or more features of said slot;
and wherein said one or more features of said divider panel are arranged to selectively disengage said one or more features of said divider panel from the effects of said one or more features of said enclosure to provide easy removal of said divider panel from said slot in said enclosure without opening one or more said gates.

17) An animal cage according to claim 16:
wherein one or more said divider panels are selectively inserted into one or more said slots;
wherein said one or more features of one or more said divider panels interact with one or more features of one or more said slots in one or more said joined panels into which one or more said divider panels are inserted;
wherein said one or more features of one or more said divider panels cooperate with one or more features of one or more components of said enclosure to confine each of one or more said divider panels substantially to a corresponding intended position;
and wherein two or more features of said cooperating one or more features of a said divider panel and one or more features of said one or more components of said enclosure, in combination, comprise one or more male features and one or more female features.

18) An animal cage according to claim 17:
wherein two or more cooperating features of one or more features of a rear panel and of a said divider panel, in combination, comprise one or more male features and one or more female features.
wherein said one or more features of a said divider panel engage with said one or more features of said rear panel;
and wherein said one or more features of a said divider panel engage with one or more said features of a said slot.

19) An animal cage according to claims 17 and 18:
wherein said enclosure is equipped with one or more said slots into which one or more said divider panels are inserted;

wherein one or more said divider panels are inserted into one or more said slots of said enclosure without the aid of said one or more attachments to one or more said dividers, without the aid of said one or more attachments to said enclosure, without the aid of said one or more separate devices, or without moving one or more components except said one or more said divider panels being inserted;
wherein one or more said divider panels are removed from one or more said slots of said enclosure without the aid of said one or more attachments to one or more said dividers, without the aid of said one or more attachments to said enclosure, without the aid of said one or more separate devices, or without moving one or more components except said one or more said divider panels being removed;
and wherein the combined interactions of said one or more features of one or more said divider panels with one or more said features of said enclosure, function to prevent a quadruped from moving any said divider panel sufficiently to disengage said divider panel from the effects of any said cooperating features.

20) An animal cage according to claim 16:

wherein said one or more features of a said divider panel are arranged to selectively engage one or more corresponding features of a said slot in said enclosure to confine said divider panel substantially to a said intended position;
wherein one or more of one or more said features of a said divider panel are arranged to selectively disengage said one or more features of a said divider panel from the effects of one or more said features of said enclosure by manually raising at least one corner of said divider panel to allow removal of a said divider panel from a said slot in said enclosure;
wherein said one or more features of a said divider panel are arranged to interact with one or more said features of said enclosure to retain a said divider panel substantially in a said intended position;
wherein a said divider panel interacts with one or more said features of said enclosure to engage one or more said features of a said divider panel with one or more features of a said slot in a said joined panel of said enclosure;
and wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel selectively engage with one or more said features of a said slot.

21) The animal cage according to claims 19 and 20:
wherein said enclosure is divisible into two or more compartments by means of one or more divider panels;
wherein one or more said joined panels of said enclosure are equipped with one or more slots through which one or more said divider panels can be inserted;
wherein one or more said divider panels are equipped with one or more features that interact with one or more features of said enclosure;
and wherein one or more said divider panels are retained in a substantially predetermined position by means of said features of said one or more divider panels that interact with said one or more features of said one or more joined panels of said enclosure.

22) An animal cage according to claim 17:
wherein when said one or more divider panels are inserted into said one or more slots in one or more said joined panels of said enclosure, any, all or some of said one or more: features, attachments, fastener devices, loose elements, or of any, all or some combinations thereof interact to engage said one or more features of said divider panels with said one or more features of said enclosure to confine said divider panel to a substantially intended position;
and wherein any, all or some of said one or more: features, attachments, fastening devices, adjacent components, or of any, all or some combinations thereof, interact to disengage said one or more features of said divider panel from the effects of interaction with any number of said one or more features of said enclosure to provide for easy removal of said divider panel from one or more said slots in one or more joined panels of said enclosure.

23) An animal cage according to claim 19:
wherein said enclosure is divisible into two or more compartments by means of one or more divider panels;
wherein one or more said joined panels of said enclosure are equipped with one or more slots through which one or more said divider panels can be inserted;
wherein one or more said divider panels are equipped with one or more features that interact with one or more features of said enclosure;

wherein one or more said divider panels are retained in a substantially predetermined position by means of said features of said one or more divider panels that interact with said one or more features of said one or more joined panels of said enclosure;
and whereby the complexity of said features that retain said divider panels in said substantially predetermined position is sufficient to prevent a quadruped from disengaging any, all or some combined said features.

24) An animal cage according to claim 16:
wherein one or more said divider panels are equipped with one or more features that interact with one or more features of said enclosure;
wherein one or more said divider panels are retained in a substantially predetermined position by means of said features of said one or more divider panels interacting with said one or more features of said one or more joined panels of said enclosure;
and whereby the complexity of said features that retain said divider panels in said substantially predetermined position is sufficient to prevent a quadruped from moving one or more said divider panels a distance sufficient to disengage said one or more interacting features of said one or more divider panels from said one or more interacting features of said one or more joined panels of said enclosure.

25) An animal cage, comprising: a plurality of panels forming an enclosure defining a containment space therein;
wherein said containment space is divisible into a plurality of compartments by means of one or more divider panels;
wherein one or more said divider panels are equipped with one or more features that interact with one or more features of said enclosure;
wherein one or more panels of said plurality of panels are truncated to form one or more mullions;
wherein one or more substantially vertical slots pass through one or more said mullions;
wherein one or more combinations of said panels are arranged to define one or more openings;
wherein one or more said openings allow access to said containment space of said enclosure;

wherein one or more panels of said plurality of panels are each connected to an adjacent panel by means of one or more hinges to form one or more gates;
wherein one or more said gates are arranged to selectively close off one or more said openings;
wherein a said substantially vertical slot in said mullion is bounded by a surface of a left hand upright, a surface of a right hand upright, an upper surface of a lower span and a lower surface of an upper span;
wherein the lower end of a said slot terminates at a distance above an upper surface of a bottom panel of said enclosure thereby forming a step between said upper surface of said bottom panel and said upper surface of said lower span;
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel include a notch at the juncture of the front edge of said divider panel and the lower edge of said divider panel;
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel include one or more tabs along the generally vertical rear edge of said divider panel;
wherein said notch in said divider panel cooperates with said step in said enclosure to confine said divider panel substantially to an intended fore and aft position, while one or more said tabs mate with one or more said recesses in a surface of a rear panel to maintain said divider panel in a substantially vertical orientation with said generally vertical rear edge of said divider panel in a more or less fixed lateral position when said divider panel is inserted into said slot of said enclosure;
wherein one or more of one or more said features of said divider panel are disposed along the front edge of said divider panel, thereby providing for manual interaction of said divider panel with said enclosure when inserting said divider panel into said enclosure or when removing said divider panel from said enclosure without opening one or more said gates;
wherein a said intended fore and aft position, said substantially vertical orientation and said more or less fixed lateral position are determined by means of cooperation of one or more said features of said divider panel with one or more said features of said enclosure;
and wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel and one or more said features of said enclosure cooperate to confine a said divider panel substantially to an intended position.

26) An animal cage, comprising: a plurality of panels forming an enclosure defining a containment space therein, wherein one or more said joined panels are truncated to form one or more mullions;
wherein one or more combinations of one or more said joined panels define one or more openings;
wherein one or more said joined panels are joined to an adjacent said joined panel by means of one or more hinges to form one or more gates;
wherein one or more said gates are arranged to selectively close off one or more said openings;
wherein said enclosure is divided into a plurality of compartments by means of one or more divider panels;
wherein one or more said joined panels are equipped with one or more slots;
wherein a said slot is bounded by a left hand substantially vertical surface, a right hand substantially vertical surface, a lower span and an upper span;
wherein an upper surface of said lower span defines a lower limit of a said slot;

wherein said lower limit of a said slot is situated a distance above an upper surface of a bottom said joined panel thereby creating a step;
wherein a said divider panel is equipped with a notch located at the juncture of a lower edge and a front edge of said divider panel;
wherein the geometry of said notch is generally complementary to that of said step;
wherein said slot maintains said divider panel substantially in a vertical orientation;
wherein said divider panel includes one or more tabs along the generally vertical rear edge of said divider panel;
wherein one or more said tabs mate with one or more recesses in a surface of a rear panel when said divider panel is inserted into said enclosure;
wherein said notch engages with said step to confine said divider panel substantially to a intended position;
wherein said intended position is determined by means of cooperation of said one or more features of a said divider panel with said one or more features of said enclosure to prevent excessive fore and aft movement and excessive lateral movement of said divider panel;
and wherein said step and one or more said recesses in said enclosure cooperate to engage said one or more features of a said divider panel to confine said divider panel substantially to a said intended position.

27) An animal cage, comprising: a plurality of panels forming an enclosure defining a containment space therein;
wherein said containment space is divisible into a plurality of compartments by means of one or more divider panels;
wherein one or more said divider panels are equipped with one or more features that interact with one or more features of said enclosure;
wherein one or more panels of said plurality of panels are truncated to form one or more mullions;
wherein one or more substantially vertical slots pass through one or more said mullions;
wherein a said substantially vertical slot in said mullion is bounded by a surface of a left hand upright, a surface of a right hand upright, an upper surface of a lower span and a lower surface of an upper span;
wherein the lower end of a said slot terminates at a distance above an upper surface of a bottom panel of said enclosure thereby forming a step between said upper surface of said bottom panel and said upper surface of said lower span;
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel include a notch at the juncture of the front edge of said divider panel and the lower edge of said divider panel;
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel include one or more tabs along the generally vertical rear edge of said divider panel;
wherein said divider panel is inserted into said slot where said notch in said divider panel cooperates with said step in said enclosure to confine said divider panel substantially to an intended fore and aft position, while said slot maintains said divider panel in a substantially vertical orientation, and while one or more said tabs mate with one or more said recesses in a surface of a rear panel to maintain said divider panel in a more or less fixed lateral position;
wherein one or more of one or more said features of said divider panel are disposed along the front edge of said divider panel, thereby providing for manual interaction of said divider panel with said enclosure when inserting said divider panel into said enclosure or when removing said divider panel from said enclosure without opening one or more said gates;
wherein said intended fore and aft position, said substantially vertical orientation and said more or less fixed lateral position are determined by means of cooperation of one or more said features of said divider panel with one or more said features of said enclosure;
and wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel and one or more said features of said enclosure cooperate to confine a .said divider panel substantially to an intended position.

28) An animal cage, comprising: a plurality of joined panels, wherein said plurality of joined panels form an enclosure;
wherein one or more said joined panels are truncated to form one or more mullions;
wherein one or more combinations of one or more said joined panels define one or more openings;

wherein one or more said joined panels are joined to an adjacent said joined panel by means of one or more hinges to form one or more gates;
wherein one or more said gates are arranged to selectively close off one or more said openings;
wherein said enclosure is divided into a plurality of compartments by means of one or more divider panels;
wherein one or more said joined panels are equipped with one or more slots;
wherein a said slot is bounded by a left hand substantially vertical surface, a right hand substantially vertical surface, a lower span and an upper span;
wherein an upper surface of said lower span defines a lower limit of a said slot;
wherein said lower limit of a said slot is situated a distance above an upper surface of a bottom said joined panel thereby creating a step;
wherein a said divider panel is equipped with a notch located at the juncture of a lower edge and a front edge of said divider panel;

wherein the geometry of said notch is generally complementary to that of said step;
wherein said slot maintains said divider panel substantially in a vertical orientation;
wherein one or more features of a rear said joined panel of said enclosure are configured to engage one or more features of a rear edge of a said divider panel when said divider panel is inserted into said enclosure;
wherein said notch in said divider panel engages said step to confine said divider panel substantially to a intended position;
wherein said intended position is determined by means of cooperation of said one or more features of said divider panel with said one or more features of said enclosure to prevent excessive fore and aft movement and excessive lateral movement of said divider panel;
and wherein said step and one or more features of said enclosure cooperate to engage said one or more features of a said divider panel to confine said divider panel substantially to a said intended position.

29) An animal cage, comprising: a plurality of panels forming an enclosure defining a containment space therein;
wherein said containment space is divisible into a plurality of compartments by means of one or more divider panels;
wherein one or more said divider panels are equipped with one or more features that interact with one or more features of said enclosure;
wherein one or more panels of said plurality of panels are truncated to form one or more mullions;
wherein one or more substantially vertical slots pass through one or more said mullions;
wherein one or more combinations of said panels are arranged to define one or more openings;
wherein one or more said openings allow access to said containment space of said enclosure;
wherein one or more panels of said plurality of panels are each connected to an adjacent panel by means of one or more hinges to form one or more gates;
wherein one or more said gates are arranged to selectively close off one or more said openings;

wherein a said substantially vertical slot in said mullion is bounded by a surface of a left hand upright, a surface of a right hand upright, an upper surface of a lower span and a lower surface of an upper span;
wherein the lower end of a said slot terminates at a distance above an upper surface of a bottom panel of said enclosure thereby forming a step between said upper surface of said bottom panel and said upper surface of said lower span;
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel include a notch at the juncture of the front edge of said divider panel and the lower edge of said divider panel;
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel include one or more tabs along the generally vertical rear edge of said divider panel;
wherein said notch in said divider panel cooperates with said step in said enclosure to confine said divider panel substantially to an intended fore and aft position, while one or more said tabs mate with one or more said recesses in a surface of a rear panel to maintain said divider panel in a substantially vertical orientation with said generally vertical rear edge of said divider panel in a more or less fixed lateral position when said divider panel is inserted into said slot of said enclosure;
wherein one or more of one or more said features of said divider panel are disposed along the front edge of said divider panel, thereby providing for manual interaction of said divider panel with said enclosure when inserting said divider panel into said enclosure or when removing said divider panel from said enclosure without opening one or more said gates;
wherein said intended fore and aft position, said substantially vertical orientation and said more or less fixed lateral position are determined by means of cooperation of one or more said features of said divider panel with one or more said features of said enclosure;
and wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel and one or more said features of said enclosure cooperate to confine a said divider panel substantially to engage said one or more features of a said divider panel to confine said divider panel substantially to a said intended position.

30) An animal cage, comprising: a plurality of joined panels, wherein said plurality of joined panels form an enclosure;

wherein one or more said joined panels are truncated to form one or more mullions;
wherein one or more combinations of one or more said joined panels define one or more openings;
wherein one or more said joined panels are joined to an adjacent said joined panel by means of one or more hinges to form one or more gates;
wherein one or more said gates are arranged to selectively close off one or more said openings;
wherein said enclosure is divided into a plurality of compartments by means of one or more divider panels;
wherein one or more said joined panels are equipped with one or more slots;
wherein a said slot is bounded by a left hand substantially vertical surface, a right hand substantially vertical surface, a lower span and an upper span;
wherein an upper surface of said lower span defines a lower limit of a said slot;
wherein said lower limit of a said slot is situated a distance above an upper surface of a bottom said joined panel thereby creating a step;

wherein a said divider panel is equipped with a notch located at the juncture of a lower edge and a front edge of said divider, panel;
wherein the geometry of said notch is generally complementary to that of said step;
wherein said slot maintains said divider panel substantially in a vertical orientation;
wherein one or more features of a rear said joined panel of said enclosure are configured to engage one or more features of a rear edge of a said divider panel when said divider panel is inserted into said enclosure;
wherein said notch in said divider panel engages said step to confine said divider panel substantially to a intended position;
wherein said intended position is determined by means of cooperation of said one or more features of said divider panel with said one or more features of said enclosure to prevent excessive fore and aft movement and excessive lateral movement of said divider panel;
and wherein said step and one or more features of said enclosure cooperate to engage said one or more features of a said divider panel to confine said divider panel substantially to a said intended position.

31) An animal cage comprising: a plurality of panels forming an enclosure and defining a containment space, wherein said containment space is divisible into a plurality of compartments by means of one or more divider panels; wherein said divider panels are equipped with one or more features interacting with one or more features of said enclosure; wherein one or more panels of said plurality of panels are truncated to form one or more mullions with one or more substantially vertical slots passing through one or more said mullions; wherein one or more combinations of said panels are arranged to define one or more openings, with one or more said openings allowing access to said containment space of said enclosure; wherein one or more said access openings are equipped with one or more gates; wherein said one or more gates and are arranged to selectively close off one or more said openings;
wherein a said substantially vertical slot in said mullion is bounded by a surface of a left hand upright, a surface of a right hand upright, an upper surface of a lower span and a lower surface of an upper span;

wherein the lower end of a said slot terminates at a distance above an upper surface of a bottom panel of said enclosure thereby forming a step between said upper surface of said bottom panel and said upper surface of said lower span;
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel include a notch at the juncture of the front edge of said divider panel and the lower edge of said divider panel;
wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel include one or more tabs along the generally vertical rear edge of said divider panel;
wherein said notch in said divider panel cooperates with said step in said enclosure to confine said divider panel substantially to an intended fore and aft position, while one or more said tabs mate with one or more said recesses in a surface of a rear panel to maintain said divider panel in a substantially vertical orientation with said generally vertical rear edge of said divider panel in a more or less fixed lateral position when said divider panel is inserted into said slot of said enclosure;
wherein one or more of one or more said features of said divider panel are disposed along the front edge of said divider panel, thereby providing for manual interaction of said divider panel with said enclosure when inserting said divider panel into said enclosure or when removing said divider panel from said enclosure without opening one or more said gates;
wherein said intended fore and aft position, said substantially vertical orientation and said more or less fixed lateral position are determined by means of cooperation of one or more said features of said divider panel with one or more said features of said enclosure;
and wherein one or more said features of a said divider panel and one or more said features of said enclosure cooperate to confine a said divider panel substantially to an intended position.

32) An animal cage, comprising: a plurality of panels forming an enclosure and defining a containment space, and further comprising: a bottom panel; a substantially vertical first panel situated at the front of said enclosure with said first panel being truncated to form a mullion; a substantially vertical slot passing through said mullion with a lower end of said slot terminating a distance above an upper surface of said bottom panel thereby creating a step between said upper surface of said bottom panel and the upper surface of the lower span of a said mullion; a substantially vertical rear panel situated a distance from said mullion toward the rear of said enclosure; a divider panel sized to fit into said slot with said divider panel comprising a notch with a vertical component;
and wherein the distance from said vertical component of said notch to a substantially vertical rear edge of a said divider panel is not greater than the distance between an interacting face of said lower span of said mullion and the inner surface of said rear panel, thereby restricting the fore and aft movement of said divider panel and preventing a quadruped from dislodging said divider panel.