DK178368B1

DK178368B1 - Broiler transport container

Info

Publication number: DK178368B1
Application number: DKPA201470062A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Uffe Thrane
Original assignee: Linco Food Systems As
Priority date: 2014-02-05
Filing date: 2014-02-05
Publication date: 2016-01-18
Also published as: DK201470062A1

Abstract

A broiler transport container has a floor and side walls defining an inner volume to accommodate at least ten live broilers during transportation to a slaughterhouse. At least two ventilation columns extend into the inner volume, and that the ventilation columns have at least one ventilation opening located on the ventilation column inside the inner volume at a distance of at least 0.17 m from the side walls.

Description

The present invention relates to a broiler transport container having a floor and side walls defining an inner volume to accommodate at least ten live broilers during transportation to a slaughterhouse.

Broiler transport containers of this type are known for example from GB 2 129 672 A and EP 0 867 113 A2 and have found very wide use in the transportation of poultry from farms to slaughterhouses.

Broilers are slaughter-ready chickens or hens or turkeys grown to be ready for being slaughtered for meat to consumers, and they have a fully developed feathering and a considerable weight of at least 1.6 kg per broiler.

An overview of current practices is given by the European Food Safety Authority in the scientific report Overview on current practices of poultry slaughtering and poultry meat inspection", by Dr Ulrich Lohren, Supporting Publications 2012: EN-298. In the report the transport containers are called crates, and they are to be distinguished from liners, which are cages fixed on the truck, and container systems, which are transport units having several floors in a fixed frame, as described in for example EP 0 384 530 A1. According to the report 30% of current (year 2012) broiler transport takes place in the broiler transport containers relevant to the present invention, and 70% takes place in container systems.

As described in GB 2 129 672 A, broiler transport containers with solid floors have been required under European regulations, the purpose primarily being to prevent bird droppings from containers located high in a stack of containers from falling onto birds in containers below.

These regulations have, however, been abrogated since it proved virtually impossible to achieve sufficient ventilation of broiler transport containers with solid floors. Although the problem of bird droppings is very relevant, insufficient ventilation not only leads to an increased number of birds dying during the transport, but also to reduced meat quality due to increased stress level in the live birds. The numbers of birds, which are dead on arrival (DOA) at the slaughterhouse, and the frequency of the so-called PSE meat (pale, soft, exudative meat), which is a sign of stress, are widely used parameters in the evaluation of transportation efficiency.

Openings in the broiler transport container floors on the other hand involves the risk of birds becoming stuck, in particular during longer transports, where for example a toe projecting into an opening may swell and lock the toe to the floor.

Even with broiler transport containers filled with openings both in the floor and in the sides, it has proven difficult to ascertain sufficient ventilation, especially during warm weather conditions, even if the transportation is carried out during night time or early morning hours. If a trailer or truck is not driving, such as when the truck transporting the broiler transport containers comes to a hold, for example in case of traffic jams, natural ventilation becomes less as the speed wind caused by driving disappears. In order to provide more reliable ventilation, trailers or trucks have been provided with mechanical ventilation by placing ventilators at the end of the vehicle and ventilate into an aisle or by placing ventilators in the side of the vehicle and ventilate across the vehicle. Despite these efforts, the percentage of meat downgraded due to stress-related imperfections, such as PSE, is still considerable, and the welfare of the broilers during transportation is a concern.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a broiler transport container, which allows broilers to be transported with less stress, both during transportation and also at standstill, thus improving both the broiler welfare and the resulting quality of the meat.

With a view to this the broiler transport container according to the present invention is characterized in that at least two ventilation columns extend into the inner volume, and that the ventilation columns have at least one ventilation opening located on the ventilation column inside the inner volume at a distance of at least 0.17 m from the side walls. The provision of at least one ventilation opening inside the inner volume of the broiler transport container at a distance from the side walls provides ventilation to the broilers standing inside the inner volume behind at least one outer line of other broilers. In the prior art containers with many ventilation openings in the side walls and in the bottom, the ventilation to broilers inside the container is believed to be insufficient or not sufficiently effective under all transport conditions, and this is now believed to be caused by the fully developed feathering of the broilers.

The outermost line or row of broilers may during transportation block or hinder ventilation from outside into the broiler transport container through the side walls, and the ventilation rate passing up through the floor may also be insufficient because the feathering of the broilers presents a barrier for ventilation in the vertical direction inside the inner volume of the broiler transport container. The broiler transport container according to the present invention has at least two ventilation columns extending into the inner volume, the individual ventilation column has an outer diameter in the range from 7 cm to 30 cm, and these ventilation columns improve the ventilation conditions for broilers located inside the container surrounded by other broilers considerably.

At least one ventilation opening is located in the inner volume with a distance of at least 0.17 cm between the opening and any of the side walls. The distance of at least 0.17 m ensures that a ventilation opening is inside the inner volume for delivering ventilation to broilers behind broilers placed along the side walls. If transporting turkey broilers it may be expedient to increase the distance of the at least one ventilation opening from the side walls. Further ventilation openings inside the inner volume of the broiler transport container may be provided at larger distances from the side walls, in particular when the broiler transport container is sized to transport many broilers.

The at least two ventilation columns extending into the inner volume and the at least one ventilation opening distanced from the side walls allows each broiler transport container to be ventilated from inside the container and out, which is in contrast to prior art broiler transport containers where ventilation is from the outside in through side walls and bottom. The ventilation from within the inner volume provides broilers standing inside the inner volume behind other broilers at the side walls with better ventilation, and the birds are better able to get rid of the heat developed during being in the transport container. The broilers thus have better conditions and minimize or avoid the extreme stress situations caused by overheating.

In an embodiment the broiler transport container has four side walls forming two pairs of opposed side walls, and the at least two ventilation columns extend from the floor and upwards into the inner volume, and the at least two ventilation columns are located in at least one row in between one pair of opposed side walls with a spacing of approximately D/(N+1), where D is the distance between said one pair of opposed side walls, and N is the number of ventilation columns in said at least one row. In this manner, the ventilation columns and hence the ventilation air is supplied in a reasonably even manner to the inner areas of the inner volume in the broiler transport container to the benefit of the welfare of the broilers.

The ventilation columns further provide a division of the floor area, which may prevent a tendency of broilers in the container to all move towards one location, where some of them may be squeezed, and the distance between the side walls and the columns ensures that broilers are still allowed to move in the area in between the ventilation column and the side walls. The ventilation columns thus also in this respect improve the welfare of the broilers, in particular when the broiler transport container is large and three, four or five ventilation columns are provided per container.

It is an advantage if the at least one column is shaped in a manner suitability for contact with the broilers, since the risk of injuries, such as bruises and broken wings caused from bumping into a column during filling of the container, should preferably be minimized. If the ventilation column has an outer diameter in the range from 7 cm to 30 cm, such as in the range from 10 cm to 24 cm, preferably in the range from 12 cm to 21 cm the risk of the broiler being hurt will be low. If the diameter is well below 7 cm a wing may be subjected to too high a local load when the broiler arrives in the container with high speed. If the diameter is well above 30 cm too much floor area is consumed by the column. It is presently considered particularly advantageous that the columns are both rounded, possibly even having a circular in cross-section, and has a diameter within the intervals given above. In general, a larger surface area of the individual ventilation columns reduces the risks of injuries, but the shape of the columns and particularly the absence of sharp edges is also of importance. A large surface area (e.g. by a large diameter) of the individual column also provides better possibility to distribute the ventilation openings on the column over a larger portion of the inner volume and thus ensure a more even distribution of ventilation air to broilers present in the inner areas of the inner volume.

The size and shape of the individual ventilation openings may vary greatly, depending for example on the size and shape and the locations of the ventilation columns, but in a preferred embodiment the opening areas of the ventilation openings in the ventilation columns have a total area in the range of 0.5% to 10% of the area of the floor of the broiler transport container. These opening areas are for supply of ventilation air into the inner volume, and there may in addition be other ventilation openings for transporting air out of the inner volume. The opening areas need a certain size for providing a good distribution of air to all broilers held in the inner volume of the broiler transport container, and the total opening area also influences the velocity of the air flowing through the ventilation openings for a given ventilation rate. If the total area is larger than said 10% the air velocity may become too low for the air to penetrate a sufficient distance from the opening into the inner volume. On the other hand, if the total area is less than said 0.5% the velocity of the air becomes so high that broilers standing close to the ventilation opening may be stressed by the inflow of air.

When the ventilation openings in the ventilation columns have a total area in the range of 1.5% to 7% of the area of the floor, then it is possible to provide all broilers with a sufficient amount of ventilation air to keep them at a level of comfort that allows broilers to sleep without any heavy breathing for relief of heat, and at the same time the ventilation air velocities are within comfort levels.

When the ventilation openings in the ventilation columns have a total area in the range of 2% to 4% of the area of the floor, the majority of broilers have excellent conditions and some of the broilers located at the largest distances from ventilation openings may have less optimum conditions, but yet conditions that are not expected to cause concern with respect to welfare and occurrence of PSE in the meat.

With respect to the area of the ventilation openings in the ventilation columns it is noted that the openings are located within the inner volume of the broiler transport container, and the ventilation opening area is as such not comparable with ventilation opening areas for openings in the side wall or in the bottom of the container.

It is also noted that it is possible to apply either an overpressure to ventilate air into the inner volume via the ventilation openings, or an underpressure in the ventilation columns to draw air out of the inner volume via the ventilation openings, but in any case the inner volume is ventilated from within the inner volume, and not only ventilated via air pressed in from outside the side walls or bottom of the broiler transport container. It is possible to have an overpressure in one ventilation column of a broiler transport container and an underpressure in another so that air flows from the one to the other via the inner volume, but it may be expedient to have the same type of pressure in all columns and to provide ventilation openings in the side walls or floor of the container, so that air flows between the columns and these openings.

In order to further facilitate an even distribution of the ventilation air, some embodiments may, in addition to ventilation columns located at a distance from the side walls, have at least one side wall joined with at least a section of a ventilation column wall having ventilation openings. This is particularly advantageous in broiler transport containers having side walls with no or only a limited number of ventilation openings in them. Such ventilation column sections or localized ventilation openings in the side walls are suitable to control the flow of ventilation air out of the inner volumes of the broiler transport containers, and this may provide several advantages, such as controlled receipt of spent ventilation air, and partial recirculation thereof in order to obtain a sufficiently warm ventilation air mix when the ambient climate is cold. Another advantage is that the complete control of both inflow and outflow of ventilation air in channels defined by the ventilation columns and by the ventilation channels defined by the side walls allow the ventilation system to be largely independent of pressure variations along the length of the trailer or truck caused by driving the truck or trailer on the road and caused by variations in the driving speed due to road and traffic conditions.

When two broiler transport containers are arranged side by side with their side walls close against each other, such sections of ventilation columns in the side walls of the two containers may together form one joint ventilation column used in the ventilation of the containers.

In an embodiment at least one ventilation column extends from one side wall and into the inner volume in direction of another side wall in the broiler transport container. This can be useful if the trailer is provided with ventilation devices in a side wall of the trailer so that the ventilation devices deliver ventilation air to the horizontally arranged ventilation columns in the broiler transport containers. With respect to providing ventilation to the inner volume in the container for obtaining ventilating inside out, it is perfectly possible to arrange the ventilation columns in the horizontal direction or mainly in the horizontal direction, like they may be also arranged in the vertical direction or mainly in the vertical direction. The individual ventilation column may be provided with a series of ventilation openings along its length so as to provide a plurality of separate ventilation openings across the width of the inner volume of the container or with at least one elongate opening providing a uniform air flow along a section of the ventilation column length. The ventilation column may be arranged in connection with the floor of the broiler transport container, the floor possibly forming one wall of section of the ventilation column. The ventilation column can also preferably be arranged at a distance above the floor, preferably at a height corresponding to the level of the necks of the broilers, or even at a larger height for allowing broilers to pass underneath the column, possibly by ducking their heads.

A further embodiment has both at least on mainly vertically extending ventilation column extending into the inner volume, and at least one mainly horizontally extending ventilation column extending into the inner volume.

In an embodiment, at least one ventilation column has a hollow distribution channel, preferably a hollow center, extending along the length of the column. The ventilation column may be internally divided into several distribu tion channels, such as providing the inside of the column with a center partition or with crossing partitioning walls dividing the volume inside the column in for example four distribution channels, said center partition or mutually crossing partitioning walls extending along the length of the column. However, it is preferred that the ventilation column has a hollow center without internal subdivisions. The hollow distribution channel may have a substantially constant cross-sectional size and shape over its length, which will lead to a very energy efficient air flow, but sections of reduced size or tapering channels may on the other hand contribute to control the air flow. It is even possible to make the ventilation column, or an additional ventilation air distribution channel, from a soft material, so that it collapses when not in use and is inflated by the ventilation air flow when in use. The soft material may be of for example a plastic or of a wowen material or of a cloth material.

In an embodiment the ventilation columns extends from the floor and upwards to have a height to join with corresponding ventilation columns in a further broiler transport container stacked on top of the broiler transport container. In his manner the ventilation columns in the individual broiler transport container join to form common ventilation columns, and this provides a very simple design for forced ventilation, because forced ventilation only needs to be coupled to the individual common ventilation column to provide ventilation, instead of being coupled to each of the ventilation columns to provide ventilation in the individual broiler transport container.

In an embodiment at least two broiler transport containers in stacked configuration constitute a transport unit, where ventilation columns extending from the floor and upwards in the individual broiler transport container join with corresponding ventilation columns in the other broiler transport containers in the transport unit to form common ventilation columns. This allows a ventilation air flow to travel through several broiler transport containers arranged on top of each other, potentially allowing one ventilation unit to provide the air flow needed for ventilation of all the inner volumes in the transport unit via a common ventilation column or several common ventilation columns extending to all containers in the stack. There may also be one individual ven- tilation air supply channel for each common ventilation column in the transport unit. As the broiler transport container has at least two ventilation columns, there is at least two common ventilation columns providing ventilation to every inner volume in broiler transport containers, and by using at least two ventilation units, or two independent ventilation air supply channels the reliability of the ventilation air supply is increased.

The broiler transport containers according to the invention can as an example be arranged in stacked configuration as a transport unit with from 3 to 14 broiler transport containers in a single stack, or in a stack of from 6 to 12 broiler transport containers, or in a stack from 3 to 5 broiler transport containers, without the use of a separate frame to hold the individual container. The stack of broiler transport containers in the transport unit can be arranged on a support or on pallet support, or the lowest broiler transport container can be designed with integrated support allowing lifting of the entire transport unit, or a support can be part of the surface on which the transport unit is placed.

In another embodiment ventilation columns in at least two transport units stacked upon one another form one or more common ventilation columns. In case the individual transport unit has lower height than the height available on the trailer, it may be possible to stack two or more transport units on top of one another, and in this case it is an advantage when the ventilation columns form common ventilation columns, because it becomes easier to arrange for and connect ventilation to the ventilation columns.

The ventilation air flow to the ventilation columns may be provided by natural ventilation or by forced ventilation or by a combination of both. It is preferred that each unit stack is provided with forced ventilation to the ventilation columns when transported on a transport vehicle carrying loaded transport units. Such forced ventilation may be either in the form of air being supplied to or ventilated out of the ventilation columns. If the air is ventilated into the columns, i.e. a ventilation unit supplies air at overpressure to the ventilation columns, it is possible to condition the air being injected into broiler transport containers, for example by controlling the temperature and/or the humidity of the ventilation air. In cold climate part of the ventilation air may be recirculated ventilation air. In this manner the heat from the broilers is utilized and the energy consumption for air conditioning is minimized.

Ventilation equipment, such as fans or compressors, may be provided on the individual unit stack, such as by locating a ventilation device on top of the stack, or at the bottom of a stack, or such as by integrating a ventilation device in a pallet support. In such embodiments the ventilation device can follow the broiler transport unit stack and provide for ventilation thereof also when the transport vehicle or transport trailer is not present.

Preferably, the ventilation equipment forms part of the transport vehicle, where the ventilation equipment can be provided at the ceiling and/or at the floor of the transport vehicle and be used for ventilation of an entire unit stack via the common ventilation columns, which provides for an optimal exploitation of the room available on the vehicle and hence, in combination with the improved ventilation, allows more broilers to be transported on the vehicle without increasing the stress levels.

In an embodiment, which is inter alia for ventilation columns extending upwards from the floor, the ventilation columns may have elongate ventilation openings, having each a longer axis, oriented with the longer axis in the length direction of the ventilation column.

With respect to the size and dimensions of the broiler transport container it may be an advantage for reasons of efficient handling that the containers are as large as possible in order to reduce the work associated with the handling of containers during filling on the farm and emptying at the slaughterhouse. With the broiler transport containers according to the present invention, the ventilation columns provide ventilation from inside the inner volume and out, and by providing the container with as many ventilation columns as needed to maintain high broiler welfare during transportation, the broiler transport container can be made in large sizes. It is presently preferred that the length of the broiler transport container is in the range of 2.10 m to 2.80 m, preferably about 2.4 m, and that the width of the broiler transport container is in the range of 0.70 m to 2.6 m, preferably in the range of 0.70 to 0.90 m, and suitably about 0.80 m. A width of 2.4 m corresponds to the width of the platform found on the trucks typically used for the transportation of broilers today and with such broiler transport containers it will thus not be necessary to load two or more transport units next to each other, but instead the platform of the trailer can be filled with a single row of broiler transport container stacks. Transportation using other means may require other sizes, an example being transportation by rail where wagons have an available platform width of up to 2.8 m.

The design of the side walls and floor of the broiler transport container may also be used to influence how the ventilation air flows in the inner volume. One or more of the side walls, and also the floor may be completely closed, apart from local areas where an area of the side wall is made as part of a ventilation column in order to ventilate air out of the inner volume, or the side walls can be plate shaped and provided with ventilation openings, such as a single row of ventilation openings located in the upper half of the side wall. Provision of ventilation openings at the upper end of the side walls and/or ventilation columns may allow control of the air flow in the upper half of the container, where the broilers have their heads.

Broiler transport containers according to the invention may be made from any material, which is sufficiently strong and stable to allow the container to be filled with broilers and which is able to withstand thorough cleaning. It is presently preferred that the broiler transport container is made of plastic material, and preferably made by injection moulding. Suitable plastic materials include high density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene, but it is also possible to make the containers from steel, stainless steel, aluminium, metals or composites, such as carbon fibre composites, and/or to provide them with reinforcing inlays of a different material than the rest of the container.

In the following examples of embodiments of the invention will described in further detail with reference to the schematic drawings, in which

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a broiler transport container in a perspective view seen from above,

Fig. 2 illustrates the broiler transport container in Fig. 1 seen a perspective view seen from below,

Fig. 3 corresponds to Fig. 2 but seen from a slightly different angle, Fig. 4 illustrates five crates of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2 arranged in a stack on top of pallet,

Fig. 5 shows a cross-section along the line V-V in Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 shows a cross-section along the line VI-VI in Fig. 4,

Fig. 7 shows the pallet in Fig. 4 in a perspective view from above,

Fig. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a broiler transport container in a perspective view seen from above,

Fig. 9 illustrates the broiler transport container in Fig. 8 seen a perspective view seen from below,

Fig. 10 illustrates still another embodiment of a broiler transport container in a perspective view seen from above,

Fig. 11 illustrates the broiler transport container in Fig. 10 seen a perspective view from below,

Fig. 12 illustrates yet another embodiment of a broiler transport container in a perspective, partially cut-away view seen from above and arranged closely against other broiler transport container of the same type in a two-by-two configuration,

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of a ventilation column as in Fig.

12,

Fig. 14 illustrates yet another embodiment of a broiler transport containers in a perspective, partially cut-away view seen from above, where three such broiler transport container are arranged on top of each other, where the stack is arranged on top of two pallets arranged closely against each other, and where a cover is arranged on top of the uppermost broiler transport container to form a transport unit,

Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of the detail marked XV in Fig. 14, Fig. 16 illustrates three transport units build as illustrated in Fig. 14 but each including ten broiler transport containers arranged on a truck trailer with a height adjustable roof with a ventilation arrangement,

Fig. 17 illustrates ventilation on a truck loaded with transport units each including four and five broiler transport containers of the type shown in

Figs. 8 and 9,

Fig. 18 illustrates yet another embodiment of a broiler transport container having side doors,

Fig. 19 illustrates a still further embodiment of a broiler transport container in a perspective view seen from above,

Fig. 20 illustrates the broiler transport container in Fig. 19 seen a perspective view seen from below,

Fig. 21 illustrates a group of broiler transport container as in Figs. 19 and 20 seen a perspective view seen from above,

Fig. 22 illustrates a still further embodiment of a broiler transport container in a perspective view seen from above, and

Fig. 23 illustrates three different cross-sectional shapes of floor of broiler transport containers.

An embodiment of a broiler transport container 1 according to the invention is illustrated in Figs. 1-3. It comprises a rectangular floor 11, two transverse side walls 12 and two longitudinal side walls 13, which together delimits an inner volume sized to accommodate at least five live broilers (not shown). Three ventilation columns 14 extend from the floor 11 up through the inner volume at a distance di from the transverse side walls 12 and a distance di_ from the longitudinal side walls 13. These distances dj, di_ are adapted for providing space for at least one broiler in between each of the column sections 14 and the respective side walls 12,13. The ventilation columns are arranged in a row along the centre length axis L of the container and evenly spaced. The ventilation columns in the individual broiler transport container may also be named a ventilation columns section 14, because the ventilation columns in the individual broiler transport container add up to a common ventilation column when the containers are stacked on top of each other.

Each ventilation column section 14 is adapted to serve as a ventilation column by being provided with elongate ventilation openings 15 extending over almost the entire height of the column section. The openings here have a total opening area corresponding to approximately 40% of the total surface area of the column section, corresponding to approximately 9% of the area of the floor of the broiler transport container, but if a smaller opening area is wanted, the openings may be shorter and/or narrower.

The ventilation column sections 14 have a hollow 16 at the centre and are cylindrical with a constant diameter dc, except for a small angled section 17 being provided at the joint with the floor 11. This angled section not only strengthens the structure, but also allows a column section of another container to project into the hollow as will described later.

In this embodiment the height hc of the column sections 14 corresponds to the height of the side walls 12, 13, but they may be made slightly higher in order to be able to engage with a column section of another container.

At the upper end of each ventilation column section 14 a cross 18 is spanning the opening of the hollow 16. This cross will contribute to the stability of the column section, but just as importantly, it will act as a broiler barrier preventing broilers from entering the hollow of the column section during loading of the broiler transport container.

Both longitudinal walls are provided with recesses 19 corresponding in size and shape to half a column section 14 and are also provided with ventilation openings 20, but there is no angled section and no cross. To ensure the stability of the broiler transport container 1, even when fully loaded with broilers a beam 21 spanning across each recess 19 is provided in continuation of the plane of the longitudinal side wall 13. This beam is also suitable for use as a grip when handling the container either by hand or automatically.

The ventilation column sections 14 are adapted for serving as ventilation columns and the openings 15 as ventilation openings allowing ventilation air to be led via the hollow 16 in the column section and through the ventilation openings into the inner volume of the broiler transport container. In this way it is possible to provide fresh air even to birds sitting at a distance from the side walls 12, 13, which have traditionally been provided with ventilation openings. The air supply may also be used for heating or cooling of the inner volume of the container.

Air ventilated through the ventilation openings 15 in the ventilation column section 14 may exit via the openings 20 in the recesses 19 in the side walls and it will be understood that air may also be flowing in the opposite direction from the openings 20 in the side walls to the ventilation column sections if an underpressure is provided in the ventilation column. It is also possible to provide different pressures on the different ventilation columns so as to induce a flow of air from one column to another, thereby allowing ventilation even if there are no openings in the side walls.

The broiler transport container in Figs. 1-3 has a length of 240 cm, a width along the transverse side walls 12 of 80 cm and a height of 22.5 cm and the diameter of the ventilation column sections 14 is 20 cm. In accordance with current European regulations this allows the container to accommodate up to 50 chicken broilers with a weight of 3 kg. Other sizes are of course possible.

The rounded out surfaces and relatively large diameter of the column sections 14 and recesses 19 helps protect the broilers during transport and when they are loaded into the container. If a broiler hits the side of a column section or recess there are no sharp edges, which might cause bruising, and the hollow may provide a certain shock-absorbing elasticity to the column sections and recesses.

Fig. 4 shows five broiler transport containers 1 as the one shown in Figs. 1-3 stacked on top of each other on a pallet 2 to form a broiler transport unit 3, which will usually further include a lid or cover (not shown).

An operator 4, who has just filled the fourth broiler transport container from the bottom with broilers (not shown), has put a fifth empty container on top and is ready for loading broilers into it.

As it is also seen in Figs. 1 -3 the upper edges of the side walls 12,13 have an angled section 22 projecting slightly inwards towards the inner volume of the container and a flange 23 projecting outwards away from the inner volume. These are adapted for engagement with an angled edge section 24 of the floor 11 when containers 1,1’ are stacked on top of each other as shown in Fig. 4, thus allowing the upper container T to rest on the lower con- tainer 1 without any part of them projecting over the planes of outer sides of the side walls 12,13 and substantially without limiting the opening of the inner volume as shown in Fig. 5, which is a cross-sectional view of the detail marked V-V in Fig. 4.

A cross-section through the transport unit 3 along the line VI-VI in Fig. 4 is shown in Fig. 6. As may be seen, the column sections 14 of the five broiler transport containers 1,1’ are positioned in continuation of each other when the containers are stacked, so that they form a continuous cylindrical hollow ventilation column 16 through the transportation unit. By applying an air pressure on the ventilation column 16 it is possible at the same time to ventilate all of the broiler transport containers 1, 1’ in the transport unit.

Likewise, the recesses 19 in the side walls are located above each other, as is also seen in Fig. 4, so that semi-circular continuous hollow columns are formed at the longitudinal side walls 13, which may contribute to a ventilation of the entire transport unit. If the transport unit is arranged close and aligned with another transport unit built from broiler transport containers of the same type, the recess columns 19 in these two transport units will be aligned and form one common ventilation column with a circular cross-section resembling that of the ventilation column 16 formed by the ventilation column sections 14. A similar effect may be achieved by arranging the transport unit with the longitudinal side wall 13 close to a wall or the like, thereby closing the recesses 19 and creating a semi-circular ventilation column.

In this embodiment, the ventilation column 16 formed by the column sections 14 continues into the pallet 2, which is provided with a series of openings 27 on the same positions as the column sections in the broiler transport containers as also shown in Fig. 7, but this need not be the case. The columns formed by the recesses 19 do not continue into the pallet, but may do so in other embodiments. Horizontal openings 28 in the pallet 2 are adapted for engagement with the arms of a fork-lift (not shown) used for handling the transport unit 3. These horizontal openings may be in communication with either of the columns 16, 19, though it is not the case in the embodiment shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7.

Another embodiment of a broiler transport container 101 is shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Reference numbers corresponding to those used in Figs. 1-7 will be used but with 100 added and when nothing else is stated features having such corresponding reference numbers have the same function.

This broiler transport container 101 too has three ventilation column sections 114 arranged to project from the floor 111 and forming a ventilation column 116, but the container is of simpler design and the ventilation openings 115 are provided only at the upper edges of the column sections. Though these ventilation openings have a smaller total opening area than the ones shown in Figs. 1-3 the ventilation efficiency may be same in many cases since the body and feathering of the broilers (not shown) in the container will often block lower parts or ventilation openings or hinder the distribution of air along the floor, whereas the openings in Figs. 8 and 9 will be at level with the heads of the broilers.

The shape, size and position of the openings may vary greatly without having a considerable negative impact on the ventilation properties, so other issues such as if the container becomes more or less easy to clean should also be considered when deciding on a particular design. It is also possible to provide for a regulation of the openings, for example by allowing some ventilation openings or part of ventilation openings to be covered when a smaller area is desired, for example if wanting different opening areas in different inner volumes within a transport unit. This applies to all embodiments of the invention and to all types of ventilation openings.

The container in Figs. 8 and 9 has no recesses in the side walls. Instead it is provided with a series of openings 120 in the upper section of the longitudinal side walls 113. A flange 126 projecting away from the inner volume of the container serves as a distance keeper so that there will always be a ventilation passage 136' along the outer side of the longitudinal side walls. This allows a ventilation airflow in a horizontal direction, but to also allow vertical ventilation the flanges are provided with openings 136.

The projecting flanges 126 may also be used as grips when handling the containers, and allows the container to be inserted in a frame system and used in a prior art transportation unit if desired.

Still another embodiment of a broiler transport container 201 is shown in Figs. 10 and 11 and here too reference numbers corresponding to those used in Figs. 1-7 will be used but with 200 added and when nothing else is stated features having such corresponding reference numbers have the same function. It is, however, noted that the illustrations in Figs. 10 and 11 are highly schematic and that ventilation openings 220 are shown only on one ventilation column section 214 and one recess 219 even though all three column sections 214 are intended to serve as ventilation columns and all four recesses 219 as ventilation recesses.

This embodiment differs from that in Figs. 1-7 in that instead of the cross 18 the ventilation column sections 214 are provided with a dome 218 (shown only on the middle column). In addition to preventing broilers from coming into the ventilation columns 216, this dome 218 projects over the upper level of the side walls 212, 213, meaning that when containers of this type are stacked, the dome will be inserted in the hollow of the ventilation column above, thereby contributing to fixating the two containers in relation to each other and thus to the stability of the entire stack.

An even more schematic illustration of a yet another embodiment of a broiler transport 301 container is shown in Fig 12 and here too reference numbers corresponding to those used in Figs. 1-7 will be used but with 300 added and when nothing else is stated features having such corresponding reference numbers have the same function. This embodiment differs from that in Figs. 1-7 in that the four recesses have been replaced by two semi-circular columns 319, so that the outer sides of the longitudinal side walls 313 are uninterrupted, and four corner columns 329 each with a quarter-circular cross-section. When such containers are arranged closely side-by-side as illustrated in Fig. 12 these columns 319,329 come to be located adjacent each other and together form a circular column, which may be ventilated with one common ventilation device. In this embodiment, where the outer sides of the container are uninterrupted, these circular side columns 319,329 are divided in independent semi-circular and quarter-circular sub-columns, but if wanting common columns with a uniform air pressure is also possible to provide openings in the side walls, either as in Figs. 1-3 or in the form of smaller openings resembling the ventilation openings.

The embodiment in Fig. 12 further differs in that there are only two ventilation column sections 314 each of which are embodied substantially as shown in Fig. 13. As may be seen, the ventilation openings 315 in these ventilation column sections are elongated but shorter than those in the embodiment in Figs. 1-3 and distributed in an even pattern over the ventilation column sections, thus providing a combination of the advantages described with reference to the previous embodiments. Another difference lies in the design of the upper section 337 of these column sections 314, which has a reduced diameter in relation to the rest of the column. This allows the upper section 337 to be inserted in the hollow at the bottom of a corresponding column section of another container as described with reference to the dome in Fig. 10, and when dimensioned appropriately the column sections may even snap-lock to each other

Two still further embodiments of broiler transport containers 401,401' are shown in Fig. 14, where a container 401 with reinforcements is arranged on top of two pallets 402 and where two containers 401' of a relatively light construction are arranged on top thereof and covered with a cover 405 to form a transport unit 403. Flere too reference numbers corresponding to those used in Figs. 1-7 will be used but with 400 added and when nothing else is stated features having such corresponding reference numbers have the same function

Both of these embodiments of the container are provided with ventilation column sections 414 resembling that in Fig. 13 and with ventilation openings 420 along the upper edges of the side walls 412,413. These features have the same functions as described above with reference to other embodiments and will therefore not be described in detail here.

The use of two pallets 402 arranged adjacent to each other allows the use of smaller pallets and thus potentially the use of standard pallets and/or the same pallets both for smaller and larger versions of the broiler transport container. In this embodiment, the openings 428 in the pallets adapted for engagement with the arms of a fork-lift (not shown) are downwards open, which reduces the risk of them catching dirt and makes them easier to clean than the pallet in Fig. 7. Though not shown, these pallets too may be ventilation openings corresponding to those 27 shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The lowermost broiler transport container 401 differs from those previously described in having reinforcement sections 430, 431 at the corners and at the middle of the longitudinal side walls 413. In this embodiment the reinforcing sections, which may be massive or with a hollow as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 15, are made with rounded surfaces facing the inner volume of the container in order to facilitate cleaning and prevent damages to the broilers as described with reference to the columns above, but other shapes may be employed. The reinforcing sections may also serve as a support for the container 401' arranged on top of the reinforced container 401.

Though the reinforcement is here shown only on the lowermost container 401 in the transport unit 403, it should be understood that such containers may be used higher in the stack, particularly if the stack includes more than three containers and/or if they are heavily loaded. Experiments have shown that the second lowest container in a stack will often be the one subject to the highest loads since it carries the weight of all of the loaded containers above and does not have the surface support provided by the pallet(s) but only rests on the lowermost container.

As described above, the column sections 414 form a vertical ventilation column when arranged on top of each other and the cover 405 is here provided with an opening 439 in continuation of the ventilation column. This opening may be used for injecting and/or extracting air into/from the column and may be provided with valves, bellows or like devices (not shown) for interconnection with a ventilation device. It is to be understood that similar openings are provided above the other column sections 414.

The back end of a truck or trailer 6 loaded with transport units of the type shown in Fig. 14 but with ten containers in each stack is shown in Fig.

16. For the sake of simplicity the reference number used in Fig. 14 will be used here too even though the number of containers in the stacks is different and the reinforcement sections 430 have been left out.

Each transport unit 403 has a width corresponding to the width of the floor 61 of the truck or trailer so that it is only necessary to load one row of transport units, but it will be understood that it would also be possible to use broiler transport containers of a smaller size and then arrange them in two or more rows extending in the length direction of the floor.

The roof 62 of the truck or trailer is provided with a ventilation arrangement including four ventilators 63 each creating an overpressure on a ventilation pipe 64 extending along the length of the truck or trailer 6. Each ventilation pipe 64 branches off into a series of outlets 65 each provided directly above one of the ventilation columns 416 in the transport units 403. When the roof is lowered, as is already common standard on broiler transportation trucks and trailers in order to allow fixation of the transport units, the outlets comes into engagement with the openings 439 in the covers, thus allowing air to flow from the ventilation pipes 64 into the ventilation columns 416 and from there into the inner volumes of the broiler transport containers as indicated by the arrows. In this way each transport unit or each stack of units is provided with forced ventilation. A section of the transport unit 403 sitting on the outermost end of the truck or trailer has been cut away to expose the ventilation columns 416 inside and the flow of air.

The ends of the ventilation pipes 64 have here been provided with collars 66 allowing a tight fit against the covers 405.

Air may escape from the broiler transport containers via the ventilation openings 420 in the side walls 412, 413 and it is also possible that the ventilation columns 416 formed by the ventilation column sections 414 continues through the pallets 402 so that air may escape via pallet openings 428, 438. Flere ventilation openings are shown in all four sides of the containers, but it may be expedient to have them only in the longitudinal side walls. The truck or trailer floor may also be provided with ventilation openings (not shown).

Fig. 17 shows another method for ventilating transport units when arranged on a truck or trailer 106. Here the transport units 103, 103' are built from the type of broiler transport containers 101 shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and two layers of such transport units are arranged on top of each other on the floor 161. The transport units 103 in the lowermost layer each include five broiler transport containers, while the transport units 103' in the uppermost layer include four containers each. On the transport units in the second and third row from the driver's cabin the transverse side walls of the broiler transport containers have been removed to expose the inner volumes and ventilation columns 116. Openings in the covers and pallets allow the formation of common ventilation columns extending all the way from the roof 162 to the floor 161.

In this embodiment the roof 162 includes an inner volume 167 in which an overpressure or an underpressure can be created using a ventilation device 163 arranged over the driver's cabin. When an overpressure is created in the inner volume 167, air is forced into the ventilation columns as indicated by the arrows and from there into the inner volumes of the broiler transport containers 101 and out through the ventilation openings (not visible) in the side walls 113 into a ventilation passages 119' between the transportation units. When openings 168 in the floor 161 of the trailer are left open, a constant flow of air through the transportation units is obtained, which will be aided by the underpressure usually occurring on the underside of a truck when this is in motion. This provides for a very efficient supply of fresh air to all broilers in all transport units and potentially also cooling depending on the temperature of the air. Air may be taken directly from the ambient or be conditioned with regards to temperature and/or humidity in the ventilation device.

If the weather is very cold, there may be a need for heating the transport units. This may be achieved by closing at least some of the openings 168 in the floor 161 using dampers 169, and potentially also the inlet from the ventilation device 163 using damper 170, and recirculating the air as indicated by the arrows on the third row of transport units. In this way the body heat of the broilers is used for gradually heating the air but care should of course be taken that a certain amount of fresh air is admixed to ensure sufficient oxygen levels. Recirculation will require an additional of ventilation device, which may for example be in the form of local fans 166 arranged on top of each ventilation column 116.

Regulation of the ventilation may be controlled in response to measurement of for example temperature and humidity in ventilation air coming out of the ventilation openings and sensors for measuring these parameters may be provided for example in the ventilation passages 136 or at the pallets 102.

It is also possible to add additives such as anaesthetics to the air in order to keep the broilers calm during transport. In one embodiment, this is achievedby including tanks with for example CO2 on the truck or trailer and leading controlled amounts of this gas into the transport units via the ventilation columns, but it is also possible to branch off and filter exhaust gasses from the truck engine and ventilate these gasses into the transport units via the ventilation system, and thus avoid transporting and spending of separate CO2. Stunning of the birds while still on the truck is also possible, but will require a very speedy unloading of the transport units in order to have the broilers slaughtered in time.

After the stunning the broilers transport units have to be emptied rather quickly to prevent the hearts of the broilers to stop before they are slaughtered. To facilitate the emptying the broiler transport containers 401" may be provided with gates or doors 432 as shown in Fig. 18. The number of gates or doors may vary.

All of the embodiments described above rely on the use of broiler transport containers with ventilation columns extending from the floor, but it is also within the scope of the invention to use horizontal ventilation columns.

One example of a broiler transport container system with horizontal ventilation columns is shown in Figs. 19-21. Each broiler transport container 501 here includes two types of column sections 514a, 514b extending into the inner volume and each having a series of ventilation openings 515. One column section 514a is provided as a curved part of the floor 511, while the other 514b spans from one longitudinal outer side wall 513 to the other. Here venti lation openings are provided over the entire length of the column sections, but it would also be possible to have openings only at a centre section of one or both column sections and/or to have openings with a more elongated shape.

When such broiler transport containers are arranged in on top of each other in stacks and such stacks are arranged next to each other as shown in Fig. 21, the column sections 514a, 514b of neighbouring containers for common ventilation columns 516 extending horizontally through all units. If applying an overpressure on every other ventilation column 516 in a vertical direction, air will enter through the ventilation openings 515 in one column of each container and exit via openings in the other column. In this way even containers with no ventilation openings in the floor or side walls can be ventilated, but it is of course also possible to provide such openings in these containers.

A further embodiment of a broiler transport container 601 combining features from the embodiments in Figs. 1-3 and Fig. 19-20 is shown in Fig.

22. As may be seen this container includes a column section 614 extending from one outer end side wall 612 to the other and having ventilation openings 615. Flere too the size, shape and distribution may be different, but if containers are arranged end-to-end, the column sections will form a common ventilation column 616 extending through them. Recesses 619 with openings 620 as described with reference to Figs. 1-6 are adapted for contributing the ventilation and will form vertical ventilation columns when containers are stacked on top of an next to each other. Accordingly, this embodiment of a broiler transport container enables the combination of horizontal and vertical ventilation columns.

In the above all broiler transport containers have been shown and described as having a plane floor as shown in cross-section at the top of Fig.

23, but other shapes are also possible including having triangular or rounded thickenings as shown in the middle of Fig. 23 or using a trapezoidal sheet as shown at the bottom of Fig. 23. Common to all of these embodiments is that they are composed of planar, plate shaped sections so that the outer surfaces are easy to clean. Similar considerations apply to the outer side walls.

Details of the above described embodiments may be combined into further embodiments within the scope of the patent claims.

Claims

1. Slaughter chicken transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ", 501, 601) with a floor (11, 11 ', 111, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611) and side walls (12, 12 ', 13, 13', 112, 113, 212, 213, 312, 313, 412, 413, 512, 513, 612, 613) defining an interior volume sized to accommodate at least ten live broilers during transport to a slaughterhouse, characterized in that at least two ventilation columns (14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514a, 514b, 614) extend into the inner volume that the individual ventilation column has an outside diameter (d.c. ) in the range of 7 cm to 30 cm and the ventilation columns have at least one ventilation opening (15, 115, 215, 315, 415, 515, 615) located on the ventilation column within the internal volume at a distance (dT, dL ) at least 0.17 m from the side walls.

A broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ") according to claim 1, characterized in that the broiler transport container has four side walls (12, 12 ', 13, 13', 112, 113, 212, 213, 312, 313, 412, 413) forming two pairs of opposite side walls that the at least two ventilation columns (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) extend from the floor (11, 11 ', 111, 211 , 311, 411) and upwardly into the internal volume, and that the at least two ventilation columns are located in at least one row between a pair of opposite side walls with a distance of about D / (N + 1), where D is the distance between said one pair of opposite side walls, and N is the number of ventilation columns in said at least one row.

Broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ", 501, 601) according to one or more of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the individual ventilation column (14, 114, 214) , 314, 414, 514a, 514b, 614) have an outside diameter in the range of 10 cm to 24 cm, preferably in the range of 12 cm to 21 cm.

The broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ", 501, 601) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the opening areas of the ventilation openings in the ventilation columns (14, 114 , 214, 314, 414, 514a, 514b, 614) have total area in the range of 0.5% to 10% of the area of the floor (11, 11 ', 111, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611) of the broiler transport container, preferably in the range of 1.5% to 7% of the area of the floor, and suitably in the range of 2% to 4% of the area of the floor.

Broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ", 501, 601) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in addition to ventilation columns (14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514a, 514b, 614) spaced from the side walls (12, 12 ', 13, 13', 112, 113, 212, 213, 312, 313, 412, 413, 512, 513, 612 , 613), is at least one sidewall associated with at least one section of a vent column wall with vent openings.

Broiler transport container (501, 601) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one ventilation column (514a, 514b, 614) extends from a side wall (513, 612) and into the internal volume in the direction against another side wall of the broiler transport container.

Broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ", 501, 601) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the ventilation column (14, 114, 214, 314 , 414, 514a, 514b, 614) has a hollow distribution channel (16, 116, 216, 316, 416, 515, 616), preferably a hollow center extending along the length of the column.

Broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ") according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that ventilation columns (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) which extending from the floor (11, 11 ', 111, 211, 311, 411) upwards have a height (hc) such that they can meet with corresponding ventilation columns in an additional broiler transport container stacked on top of the broiler transport container.

A broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ") according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least two broiler transport containers in a stacked configuration constitute a transport unit and that ventilation columns (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) extending from the floor (11, 11 ', 111, 211, 311, 411) and upwards in the individual broiler transport container are arranged to meet with corresponding ventilation columns in the other broiler transport containers in the transport unit to form common ventilation columns.

A broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ", 501) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that ventilation columns (14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514a, 514b) in two transport units stacked on top of one another are arranged to form common ventilation columns.

A broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ", 501, 601) according to one or more of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that each unit stack is arranged to be provided with forced ventilation to the ventilation columns (14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514a, 514b, 614) when transported on a means of transport carrying loaded transport units.

A broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ") according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the ventilation columns (14, 214, 314, 414) have elongated ventilation openings (15). , 215, 315, 415), each having a longest axis and facing the longest axis in the longitudinal direction of the ventilation column.

The broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ", 501, 601) according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the length of the slaughter chicken transport container is in the range of 2.10 m to 2.80 m, preferably about 2.4 m, and the width of the broiler transport container is in the range of 0.70 m to 2.6 m, preferably in the range of 0.70 to 0.90 m, and suitably about 0.80 m.

A broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 401, 401', 401 ", 601) according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the side walls (12, 12 ', 13, 13', 112 , 113, 212, 213, 412, 413, 612, 613) are plate-shaped and provided with ventilation openings (20, 120, 220, 420, 620).

A broiler transport container (1, 1 ', 101, 201, 301, 401, 401', 401 ", 501, 601) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the broiler transport container is made of plastic material.