FR3062024A1 - CAGE FOR IMPROVED PALMIPEDES - Google Patents

Abstract

Grid formed of metal rods and intended to form a lower bottom grid of a cage for animals, on which are intended to rest or walk them, the grid defining a flat surface, in particular square or rectangular, and being of the type comprising: - a first series of at least two parallel longitudinal spars, and - a second series of at least two transverse spars, perpendicular to the first series, and fixed on the latter; said grid comprising a complementary element comprising at least one longitudinal rod, the complementary element being able to be disposed on the grid removably, so that said at least one longitudinal rod is respectively disposed between two longitudinal longitudinal members adjacent to the grid.

Description

Holder (s): limited.

SARL SARRES Liability company

O Extension request (s):

(© Agent (s): IPSIDE.

EN 3,062,024 - A1 © IMPROVED PALMIPED CAGE.

©) Grid formed of metal rods and intended to form a lower bottom grid of an animal cage, on which are intended to rest or walk the latter, the grid defining a flat surface, in particular square or rectangular, and being of the type comprising:

a first series of at least two parallel longitudinal beams, and

- A second series of at least two transverse beams, perpendicular to the first series, and fixed on the latter;

said grid comprising a complementary element comprising at least one longitudinal rod, the complementary element being able to be disposed on the grid in a removable manner, so that said at least one longitudinal rod are respectively disposed between two longitudinal longitudinal members adjacent to the grid.

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The present invention relates to a cage comprising a bottom grid on which the animals can walk. In particular, the invention relates to a cage for palmipeds, such as geese or ducks, intended for the rearing of the latter in order to allow force-feeding operations, within the framework of the production of foie gras.

Traditionally, palmipeds were previously subjected to force-feeding operations, manually and individually, by the operator.

Then, semi-automatic feeding devices were developed, in which the ducks are each arranged in an individual cage, the operator moving from cage to cage, with a cannula connected to a food source and introduced into the duckbill, time to force-feed.

It is understood that the palmipeds have little space in their individual cages.

A European standard requires the provision of cages such that each duck has more space, and in particular can spread its wings.

In known manner, the cages meeting the European standard, are of sufficient size to accommodate several ducks and thus the latter have sufficient space to move and spread their wings.

However, known cages, even meeting European standards in terms of space, have drawbacks.

The cages are made up of panels in the form of grids, namely a lower bottom grid, called a cage bottom grid, on which the ducks can walk, two lateral grids, a rear grid. There is also provided a front barrier in front of which the operator presents himself and over which he accesses the ducks' beaks for force-feeding operations.

The cage bottom grids before the standard consisted of longitudinal metal rods, connected by transverse rods by welding. The rods were made of galvanized steel and had, in the first known embodiments of cages, a diameter of 5 mm, with a spacing between two neighboring grids of 18 mm.

After the standard, most of the time we made the cages with stainless steel rods. For reasons of economy, on most of the feeding cage models, the diameter of the stainless steel cage bottom rods has been reduced to 4 mm, and the spacing between two adjacent parallel rods has been widened to 20 mm

Thus, the cage bottom grid on which the ducks rest has reduced bearing surfaces for the duck's legs.

This is detrimental for two reasons.

The first reason is due to the fact that the enlarged space (by European standard) given to ducks, the latter have more possibility of moving, and the ducks are more agitated in the cage compared to individual cages. Thus, this agitation makes the movement of the ducks on the bottom grid even more troublesome.

The second reason is the direct consequences of the reduced support surface, which leads to injuries such as sores on the pads, and bleeding. This is a source of infections. In addition, a duck thus injured tends to lie down, that is to say to rest by its body and not its legs on the bottom grid. The other unharmed ducks walk on the injured duck, which is detrimental .....

It should be noted that the invention can also be adapted to any type of farming using a bottom grid on which the animals walk. The specific example of a palmiped cage is only detailed here as an example.

It is theoretically possible to remedy the aforementioned situation by equipping the cages with bottom grids, having spacings of rods and / or adapted rod diameters. However, for existing cages, this requires dismantling the bottom grid, and installing a new grid, but this operation would prove to be very expensive.

The invention aims to remedy this situation and thus proposes a device making it possible to have, in existing cages for palmipeds, a bottom grid which is adapted to the needs of the ducks, to constitute an adequate and optimal support surface, without modifying the existing bottom grids, and therefore at lower cost, both in terms of material and installation.

To this end, according to the invention, the grid formed of metal rods and intended to form a bottom bottom grid of a cage for example for palmipeds, on which are intended to rest or walk the animals, the grid defining a flat surface , in particular square or rectangular, and being of the type comprising:

a first series of at least two parallel longitudinal beams, and

- A second series of at least two transverse beams, perpendicular to the first series, and fixed on the latter;

and characterized in that it comprises a complementary element comprising at least one longitudinal rod, the complementary element being able to be disposed on the grid in a removable manner, so that said longitudinal rod is disposed between two longitudinal longitudinal members adjacent to the grid .

Thus, the spacing between a spar of the grid, adjacent to a longitudinal rod of the complementary element, is reduced, which very significantly increases the bearing surface for the legs of ducks, reducing, or even completely avoiding, the risk of injury and / or discomfort for ducks.

According to one embodiment, the complementary element comprises a single longitudinal rod.

According to one embodiment, the complementary element comprises at least two longitudinal rods associated with at least one transverse rod, the complementary element being able to be disposed on the grid in a removable manner, so that its own longitudinal rods are respectively arranged between two longitudinal longitudinal members adjacent to the grid

According to one embodiment, the transverse rod of the complementary element is arranged at one of the distal ends of the longitudinal rods. Thus, the complementary element forms a kind of very elongated U.

Advantageously, the longitudinal rods of the complementary element are substantially elastically deformable in their longitudinal direction.

This keeps, without specific fixing means, the longitudinal rods of the complementary element are supported on three transverse beams of the grid.

More precisely :

- The transverse rod of the complementary element is able to bear against a first transverse beam of the grid;

- The substantially middle part of the complementary element bears against a second transverse spar of the grid;

- The longitudinal rod of the complementary element bears on the opposite side or edge of the third transverse beam of the grid.

The longitudinal rods of the complementary element are of the same length, namely of a length greater than the distance separating a first from a third transverse spar of the grid, and in addition of a length less than the distance separating a first a fourth transverse beam of the grid.

Advantageously, the distal end of at least one of the longitudinal rods of the complementary element is provided with a means of cooperation with a transverse spar of the grid.

Said means of cooperation is formed by a hook in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal rod.

Preferably, each distal end of the longitudinal rods (opposite the transverse rod) is provided with a hook.

Advantageously, each longitudinal rod is provided with at least one recess, in the form of a U, C or V in the plane of the complementary element.

The grid has more than three longitudinal beams, and more than three transverse beams.

The longitudinal members of the grid have a diameter of about 4 mm and the longitudinal rods of the complementary element have a diameter of around 4 to 5 mm.

The longitudinal and transverse beams of the grid, and the longitudinal and transverse rods of the complementary element, are made of stainless steel.

The invention further relates to a method of releasably placing an additional element on a grid formed of metal rods and intended to form a bottom grid in a cage for palmipeds, on which are intended to rest. or walk these, the grid defining a flat surface, in particular square or rectangular, and being of the type comprising:

a first series of at least three parallel longitudinal beams, and

- A second series of at least three transverse beams, perpendicular to the first series, and fixed on the latter;

characterized in that an additional element is provided comprising at least two longitudinal rods associated with at least one transverse rod, the complementary element being capable of being disposed on the grid in a removable manner, so that its own longitudinal rods are respectively arranged between two longitudinal longitudinal members adjacent to the grid.

According to a preferred form of implementation of the method:

- the transverse rod of the complementary element is arranged at one of the distal ends of the longitudinal rods.

- the longitudinal rods of the complementary element are formed from a material which is substantially elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction.

Thus, by slight deformation in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal rods of the complementary element, it is possible to keep the latter in abutment on the three transverse elements of the grid. More specifically, the ends of the complementary element bear against one side or one edge of two respective transverse beams of the grid, while the middle part of the longitudinal rod of the complementary element bears on the other side of the edge of the third beam transverse grid (located between the first two).

Finally, the invention relates to a complementary element forming a spacer, for a grid formed of metal rods and intended to form a bottom grid in a cage for palmipeds, on which are intended to rest or walk the latter, the grid defining a flat surface. , in particular square or rectangular, and being of the type comprising:

a first series of at least three parallel longitudinal beams, and

- A second series of at least three transverse beams, perpendicular to the first series, and fixed on the latter;

characterized in that said complementary element comprises at least two longitudinal rods associated with at least one transverse rod, the complementary element being able to be disposed on the grid in a removable manner, so that its own longitudinal rods are respectively disposed between two longitudinal members longitudinal neighbors of the grid.

The present invention is now described with the aid of examples which are only illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the invention, from the following figures:

Figure 1 shows in perspective a set of six cages according to the invention, contiguous two by two, forming part of a booster installation;

Figure 2 shows in perspective one of the cages of Figure 1, isolated;

Figure 3 shows from above the bottom grid on which are arranged several complementary elements of Figure 4;

FIG. 4A shows in perspective from the side an additional element comprising a single longitudinal rod intended to be associated with the grid of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4B shows a side perspective view of a complementary element comprising two longitudinal rods, parallel and connected to each other at one end, called the proximal end, by a transverse rod 29 intended to be associated with the grid of FIG. 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the first step of the establishment of an additional element on the grid;

FIGS. 6A to 6E show, in section along a transverse plane of the grid (parallel to the longitudinal beams), the different stages of placing an additional element on the grid;

The terms "horizontal", "upper", "lower" refer to the position of the element which they qualify in a normal position of use. The same is true of the terms "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "transverse", "distal" and "proximal".

With reference to FIG. 1, an example of a part of a booster installation has been shown, in this case comprising six cages grouped and juxtaposed in two rows of three adjacent neighboring cages, referenced from 1 to 6.

The cages are arranged on a support structure comprising, in the example shown, four tubular legs 7 to 10, resting on the ground. Two vertical panels 11 and 12, parallel to each other, are fixed respectively to each pair of legs 7 and 8, and 9 and 10.

The two vertical planes defined by the panels 11 and 12 correspond to the two front faces of the installation, in front of which the operator presents himself, for the force-feeding operations of the ducks (not shown) and present in the cages.

The cages are each in the general shape of a truncated parallelepiped, the front face of which is inclined forward.

The cages are formed of mesh panels, each consisting of a grid-shaped assembly, made from tubular metal rods, vertical and / or horizontal and / or inclined. The rods are made of metal, preferably stainless steel.

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Figure 2 shows one of the cages (referenced 1) of the installation of Figure 1, shown isolated for reasons of understanding the drawing. It is understood that each cage of the installation of FIG. 1 is similar to the cage 1 shown in FIG. 2.

Thus, the cage 1 comprises a rear grid 13, two lateral grids 14 and 15 respectively, a horizontal upper grid 16, on which is articulated a front grid 17, and finally a bottom grid 18 on which the ducks rest or walk.

A front profile 19, with a U-shaped section, is fixed to the front face, in the lower part, and forming a drinking trough. The articulated front grille 17 is shown in the open position in FIG. 2. In the closed or folded position, the front edge 17A of the articulated grille 17 rests on the upper edge 19A of the profile 19.

The invention relates to the bottom grid 18, and described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

With reference to FIG. 3, a bottom view 18 shows the bottom grid 18 of the cage of FIG. 2.

This grid includes:

a first series of parallel longitudinal beams, of diameter 3 to 4 mm, and spaced 20 mm apart, and bearing the common reference 20; for reasons of convenience, only part of the side members has been shown.

- a second series of parallel transverse beams, respectively front 21 and rear 22, and 23 to 25 for the π

intermediate beams; the transverse beams are assembled by welding on the longitudinal beams 20.

According to the invention, this bottom grid 18 is intended to be associated with complementary elements, an exemplary embodiment of which (referenced 26) is shown in perspective in FIG. 4 on a larger scale than that of FIG. 3, for convenience.

The complementary element 26, in the example shown in FIG. 4A, comprises a single longitudinal rod 28. The complementary element 26 is made of stainless steel.

The longitudinal rod 28 of the complementary element 26 has different successive parts, starting from the transverse rod 28 (and towards the distal end),

- a proximal end 36 bent, slightly inclined downward to facilitate the positioning of the complementary element 26, extended by a rectilinear part whose length can be adapted as a function of the dimension of the side members;

- A part 31A in V (or in U) open upwards, inclined downwards, to receive a transverse spar of the grid (Figure 3);

- A first part deformed in W, forming a first baffle 32A, in the plane of the element, allowing the centering of the complementary element;

- a straight section 33A;

- A second part deformed in W, forming a second baffle 34A, in the plane of the element, allowing the centering of the complementary element;

- a distal end 35A in the form of a hook bent downwards.

In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B, the complementary element 26 comprises two longitudinal rods 27 and 28, parallel and connected to one end, said to be proximal, by a transverse rod 29. The complementary element 26 is made of stainless steel .

Each longitudinal rod 27, 28 of the complementary element 26 comprises different successive parts, starting from the transverse rod 29 (and towards the distal end), the references A and B bearing on the beam respectively 27, 28:

- a proximal end 30A (30B) bent, slightly inclined downwards to facilitate the positioning of the complementary element 26 (described below);

- A part 31A (31 B) in V (or in U) open upward, inclined downward, to accommodate a transverse spar of the grid (Figure 3);

- A first part deformed in W, forming a first baffle 32A (32B), in the plane of the element, allowing the centering of the complementary element;

- a straight section 33A (33B);

- a second part deformed in W, forming a second baffle 34A (34B), in the plane of the element, allowing the centering of the complementary element;

- a distal end 35A (35B) in the shape of a hook bent downwards.

Each complementary element 26 is fixed on the bottom grid 18, in a removable manner, according to the positioning method of the invention, described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6A to 6E, to lead to the grid of FIG. 3 provided with a plurality of complementary elements.

A description is given below, with reference to FIGS. 5A to 51, then to FIGS. 6A to 6E, the positioning of the complementary element 26 and its fixing in a removable manner, on the bottom grid 18.

FIGS. 5A to 5I each show, in perspective from above, only part of a grid, horizontal, and in this case six longitudinal beams and four transverse beams, including in particular the transverse beams 23, 24 and 25.

In each FIG. 5A to 5I, an additional element 26 is held by the user in successive positions for placing the latter on the grid.

Figure 5A: the element 26 is grasped by one of the hooks 35A or 35B and the latter is passed (substantially vertical) between two longitudinal beams, downwards.

Figure 5B: the element 26 is lowered down, until the two hooks pass just under the grid.

Figure 5C: one of the hooks is then passed to the other side of one of the longitudinal beams and the element is pulled upwards by one of the hooks so that the element is astride a longitudinal beam.

Figure 5D: the element 26 is pulled upwards until the proximal end portion 29, 30A and 30B (Figure 4) in the shape of a U abuts inside the U on the longitudinal beam.

Figure 5E: the element 26 is tilted in a vertical plane to place it almost against the top of the grid.

FIGS. 5F: the element 26 is pulled through the proximal end 29 and the latter is positioned so that the hooks 35A and 35B are located just beyond and close to the transverse beam 23.

Figure 5G: the hooks are pressed down (towards the grid) to pass the ends of the bent fingers of the hooks under the grid.

Figure 5H: the element 26 is pulled through the proximal part 29 in a U shape, on the one hand to engage the hooks with the transverse beam 23, and on the other hand to place the parts 31 A, 31B in V (Figure 4 ) of the element 26 in abutment against the transverse beam 25.

Figure 5I: this leads to the final position where element 6 is placed ad hoc on the grid (see also Figure 3).

This method makes it possible to install the complementary elements 26 from above the grid, the part of the cages under the grid being almost inaccessible.

Reference is made below to FIGS. 6A to 6F.

Due to the sectional view, in FIGS. 6A to 6F, only one of the longitudinal rods of the complementary element 27 is visible, the other being located behind said rod.

According to the first step, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6A, firstly, the user grasps the complementary element 26 by the proximal end (transverse rod 29) and places it under the grid (on the side of the rods the grid).

Then, the user passes the parallel branches 27 and 28 on either side of two neighboring longitudinal beams (“on horseback”), the hooks 35A and 35B being above and the proximal end below the grid (Figures 5 and 6A).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6B to 6E.

Then, the element is subjected to a counterclockwise rotation movement (arrow R), at the same time as a translation (arrow T1); see Figure 6B. The element 26 then bears, in its middle part, against the top of the transverse beam 24.

In doing so the hooks 35A and 35B pass over the transverse beam 23 (Figure 6C). The element is then subjected to a translation in a vertical plane (orthogonal to the plane of the grid); see arrow F1.

A downward vertical force is then exerted on the element 26 (arrow F2) in the direction of the grid (FIG. 6D), until:

- The respective distal end of the members 27 and 28 bears on the underside of the transverse beam 23;

- the top of the distal bent part 30A (30B) bears on the underside of the transverse spar 25.

This action is made possible due to the elastic deformation of the element 26, in its longitudinal direction. Its proximal part forming an angle (FIG. 6D) of 5 ° to 15 ° relative to the plane of the grid 18.

Then, with reference to FIG. 6E, a translational force is exerted on the element parallel to the plane of the grid (arrow T2).

This means that:

- The hooks 35A and 35 take hold with the transverse beam 23;

- the parts 31A (31 B) in V (open downwards) then receive and bear against the lower part of the transverse beam 26.

This leads to the arrangement of FIG. 3, in top view, where the grid comprises several elements 26.

The baffles 32A, 32B, 34A and 34B (Figures 3 and 4) form protrusions in the plane of the grid and each abut by their tip end portion on the corresponding longitudinal beams 20. This makes it possible to center the element 26 transversely and block the latter on the grid, to avoid any untimely movement, by the palmipeds and in particular during the grid cleaning operations.

With reference to FIG. 6F, which is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 6A to 6E, the first step of the disengagement of the complementary element 26 from the grid is described.

The element 26 is subjected to a horizontal force T3 (in the plane of the element) and to a vertical force F3.

This disengages the hooks of the transverse beam 23 from the grid.

The user can thus set up several complementary elements on the grid 18 (FIG. 3), one after the other in a transverse direction. Each complementary element is supported (by each of these longitudinal rods) on the transverse rods of the grid 18.

This creates an increased bearing surface for the duck legs, over the entire width (in the transverse direction) of the grid, and over a part of the length (or depth) in the longitudinal direction.

It is preferred to install the complementary elements on the three transverse rods of the grid which are located just beyond the front transverse 21 B, located closest to the operator. Indeed, ducks tend to be placed on the strip of the grid where the complementary elements are arranged, since this strip has increased comfort comfort. Thus, when the operator is facing the cage to carry out the force-feeding operation, the latter is made easier since the ducks are arranged in a defined area and fairly close to the operator.

Alternatively, each element 26 is covered with a layer of flexible material, such as an elastomer or rubber.

Claims (10)

1. Grid (18) formed of metal rods and intended to form a bottom bottom grid of a cage (1) for animals, on which are intended to rest or walk the latter, the grid defining a flat surface, in particular square or rectangular, and being of the type comprising: a first series (20) of at least two parallel longitudinal beams, and - A second series (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) of at least two transverse beams, perpendicular to the first series, and fixed on the latter; characterized in that it comprises a complementary element (26) comprising at least one longitudinal rod (27, 28), the complementary element (26) being able to be disposed on the grid (18) in a removable manner, so that said at least one longitudinal rod (27, 28) are respectively arranged between two longitudinal beams (20) adjacent to the grid. 2. Grid according to claim 1, characterized in that the complementary element (26) comprises at least two longitudinal rods (27, 28) associated with at least one transverse rod (29) and in that the transverse rod (29) of the 'complementary element (26) is disposed at one of the distal ends of the longitudinal rods (27, 28), the complementary element forming a kind of very elongated U. 3 Grid according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one longitudinal rod (27, 28) of the complementary element (26) is substantially elastically deformable in its longitudinal direction. 4. Grid according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transverse rod (29) of the complementary element is capable of bearing against a first transverse spar (23) of the grid, and in that the part substantially median of the complementary element bears against a second transverse spar (24) of the grid (18). 5. Grid according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that the longitudinal rod of the complementary element (26) bears on the opposite side or edge of the third transverse beam (25) of the grid (18). 6. Grid according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the longitudinal rods (27, 28) of the complementary element (26) are of the same length, namely a length greater than the distance separating a first d 'a third transverse beam (25) of the grid, and less than the distance separating a first from a fourth (21) transverse beam of the grid. 7. Grid according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the distal end of at least one of the longitudinal rods (27, 28) of the complementary element (26) is provided with a means of cooperation with a transverse beam of the grid, formed of a hook (35A, 35B) in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal rod. 8. Grid according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one longitudinal rod (27, 28) is provided with at least one notch, U-shaped, C or V in the plane of the complementary element. 9. A method of releasably placing an additional element on a grid (18) formed of metal rods and intended to form a bottom grid in a cage (1) for animals, on which are intended to rest or walk the latter, the grid defining a flat surface, in particular square or rectangular, and being of the type comprising: a first series of at least three parallel longitudinal beams (20), and - A second series of at least three transverse beams (23, 24, 25), perpendicular to the first series, and fixed on the latter; characterized in that a complementary element (26) according to one of the preceding claims is provided. 10. Complementary element (26) forming a spacer, for a grid (18) formed of metal rods and intended to form a bottom grid in a cage (1) for animals, on which are intended to rest or walk the latter, the grid defining a flat surface, in particular square or rectangular, and being of the type comprising: a first series of at least three parallel longitudinal beams (20), and - A second series of at least three transverse beams (23, 24, 25), perpendicular to the first series, and fixed on the latter; characterized in that said complementary element (26) comprises a single longitudinal rod (28) or at least two longitudinal rods (27, 28) associated with at least one transverse rod (29), the complementary element being able to be placed on the grid removably, so that its own longitudinal rods are respectively disposed between two longitudinal longitudinal members adjacent to the grid. 1/6