GB2178005A

GB2178005A - Livestock shipping container

Info

Publication number: GB2178005A
Application number: GB08617224A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David George Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-07-20
Filing date: 1986-07-15
Publication date: 1987-02-04
Also published as: GB8617224D0; NZ216898A; GB2178005B; GB8518386D0

Abstract

A livestock shipping container of rigid box-shaped structure comprises a roof 2, a floor 3, sidewalls 4a-4d and at least one doorway 5, there being provided a number of partitions 18 which are adjustable in position and re-locatable, as desired. The partitions are engageable with holes 17 in a pair of rails 16 extending along opposite sidewalls 4b, 4d so as to define animal compartments. Windows 14 and drainage,venting and air extraction means may be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to livestock shipping containers This invention relates two livestock shipping containers, in particular such containers for use with horses, cattle or sheep.

Containers for accommodating for example, horses, during transportation are known and are constructed in rigid box-shaped form with an open side and a removable barrierto retain the animals each in one of a set offixed compartments, the animals being backed into their individual compartment during loading and facing outwardlyfrom the open side secured bythe barrier. The animals are often transported by sea in such conditions for long distances and for long periods of time, being fed, watered and attended to during the journey. Rough weather conditions during sea journeys by boat can be distressing forthe animals which can be injured by uncontrolled movement in their compartments.If an animal is injured it may be necessary or advisable to take it out of its compartment by removing the barrier and, after treatment, to return it. Because of the fixed nature of the size of the compartments which of necessity have to be compact to keep down transport costs and to give some bodysupportforthe animalsto prevent excessive movement as aforesaid, it is possible only to backthe animals into their compartment and this is often impossibleto achieve when an animal is upset by injury of post-injury treatment. It can happen that failure to re-accommodate an animal during transportation by sea necessitates the humane killing of the animal sincethere is no othersatisfactoryalterna- tive.

Long journeys also generate unhygienicconditions in containers at present in use due to the accumulation of droppings and fluids which can lie in position for long periods are are difficult satisfactorilyto deal with during, for example, ship-board conditions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved shipping container which obviates or reducesthe problems met hitherto.

There are occasions when a container is transported to its destination carrying livestock but there is no return load available. It is afurtherobject ofthe invention to provide a set of sepa rate parts detachable from a basic box-shaped container body which are installableto convert it into a container in accordance with the invention, the set of parts being capable of securement together for return, leaving the basic containerutilisableforotherpurposes,ora number of sets of such parts being securable together for combined return.

According to the present invention there is provided a livestock shipping container comprising a rigid box-shaped structure having roof, floor, sidewalls and at least one doorway, securing means in the form of a pairofrigid rails extending in spaced-apart relationship along each opposite sidewall, each of said rails incorporating a plurality of locating means in theform of a plurality of holes spaced-apartalong the length of the rail and at least one adjustable parti tion,the partition or each partition being provided at its opposed ends with projecting means detachably engageable with selected holes in the said rails, whereby the partition is or the partitions are locatable transversely of the structure in any of a series of positions to define compartments of the desired dimensions.The holes in the rails may be of a shape in conjunction with that of the projecting means such that partitions are located in position secure from inadvertent removal.

The container may take many different forms for accommodating different numbers of animals. It may incorporate four doorways in one of its sidewalls with at least five adjustable partitions. Alternatively, where two orthree doorways are provided there may be at least four adjustable partitions used and where only one doorway is incorporated at least two adjustable partitions are provided.

Each doorway can be provided with a doorcomprising separately hinged lower part or separately hinged upperand lower parts,the lower part being attached thereto part of the said securing means forming a continuation of the remainderofthesecur- ing means attached to the adjacent sidewalls.

There may be provided a window or windows, a vent or vents, an extraction fan, and/or one or more detachable feed boxes.

In an alternative construction two tiers are provided by incorporating a second floor intermediate the first floor and the roof, securing means and adjustable partitions being provided for each tier.

Advantageously the floor or each floor may be provided with an aperture or apertures for drainage and the aperture or apertures may be connected to a drainage pipe or pipes.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, partly exploded, a livestock shipping container in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a detachable feed box; Figure 3 illustrates partition locating means; and Figure 4 illustrates a stacked assembly of container parts secured together.

The container 1 (see Figure 1) isfabricatedfrom strong steel members 1 a, corrugated plates 1 b, angles 1cand panels 1 d, the container being of are quate strength to house and transport eg. five or six full-size horses. The container has a roof 2, floor3, sidewalls 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d and four doorways 5 provided in sidewall 4d. The sidewalls 4b and 4d are each formed of a pair of detachable frames 6,7,8 and 9, each frame having four lungs 10 extending from the bottom and four lugs 11 extending from the top. The top lugs 11 each are somewhat shorterthan the lugs 10, and each is provided with a hole for a locating pin 12. Corresponding holes are provided in the top members 1 a.Figure 1 shows a pair of frames detached and a pair ofadjacentframes assembled, the top lugs 11 being engaged in a channel 13, secured to top member 1 a, bottom lugs lugs 10 being then allowed to drop into slots 1 0a before pins 12 are engaged with holes in rail 13 and lugs 11 and top member 1a.

Doors 6 are fitted to each doorway 5. Windows or openings 14areprovided aboveand between each doorway,windowsoropenings 14also being provided in frames 6 and 7 which do not have doors.

An extraction fan (not illustrated) can be disposed in the upper portion of sidewall 4a. As shown in Figure 2 a detachable feed box 15 is provided and this can be attached by means of a pair of projections 15a to rails 16 now to be described in conjunction with adjustable partitions 18.

The rigid rails 16 are securely attached in parallel pairsto extend one pairalong theframes constituting each ofthe opposite sidewalls 4b and 4d. Each rail 16 has a plurality of equally-spaced-apart holes 17 which serve as locating means forthe adjustable partitions 18 orforthe projections 15a on afeeding box 15. Each of the five partitions 18, of which, for convenience, only three are illustrated, has at each of its opposed ends a pair of blocks 19, one at the top and one between top and bottom, which are detachably engageable with support members 20 (see Figure 3), the arrowX showing how projecting means 19 moves into engagement with member 20 to rest on platform 21, a pin 22 being engageable with holes 23 and 24to secure the parts together.Support members 20 can be detachably located into any of holes 17 (see arrow Y), the projection 25 preventing the support member from falling out of holes 17whilethe partitions 18are being located and secured. The holes 17 are of generally circular shape or can be of any other shape to suit the form of the projection 25.

Itwill beappreciatedthatthearrangementofholes and projecting means enables any number of partitions to be located in a wide variety of positions in the container. Battens 26 may be fitted to the floor 3 as desired and panels 27 can be fitted to the sidewalls as can be flush-fitting panels 28 on each side of each partition 12.

The floor 3 can be provided with a number of drainage apertures which are connected to drainage pipes (not illustrated) when the container is installed eg. on shipboard, to effect internal plumbing and safe disposal of liquid and solid matter, if desired, overboard.

The operation, use and advantages of the livestock shipping container 1 just described will now be outlined.

When the container 1 is loaded up, the animals can be led in either forwards or backwards through any one ofthe open doorways Sand when the animal is installed a partition 18 is positioned so as to confine the animal with appropriate space for the conditions prevailing at the time. The partition 18 is secured in position by means of blocks 19, support members 20, pins 22, the projections 25 being located in holes 17. A full complementofanimals is loadedthroughthe doorways 5, partitions being used successively during loading to confine each animal to a compartment of appropriate dimensions. When loading is complete the doors can be closed and the feeding boxes utilised to supply the animals' requirements. Drainage is adequately catered for by the apertures and any installed plumbing.

Should there be a need to clean out the container, adjustthe positions of individual animals orto remove any animal, forexampleforveterinary atten tion,the adjustable partitions 18 can be removed or their positions altered according to requirements.

It will be appreciated that when a partition is repositioned so asto increase the normal size of compartment, it becomes possible to lead an animal through a doorway head first instead of backwards, an operation which is much easier to perform especially with a disturbed animal, for example, one having required veterinary treatment. When the animal is within the enlarged compartment it ca n be tu rned and su bse- quently, if desired, the compartment can be returned to its original dimensions.

Figure 4 illustrates an assembled pack 29 of parts for assembly into containers to convert a basic boxshaped body into a container in accordance with the invention. Three detachable steel bands 30 secure the parts together and the pack includes feeding boxes 31, two front frames 32, two back frames 33 and three partitions 34. Packs ofthis kind can be dispatched to be utilised on site with a basic body or, alternatively the packs may be made upto return re-useable parts and enablethe basic body to be used for other purposes so avoiding in many instances its return with consequent economy.

Claims

1. A livestock shipping container comprising a rigid box-shaped structure having roof, floor, sidewalls and at leastone doorway, securing meansinthe form of a pair of rigid rails extending in spaced-apart relationship along each opposite sidewall, each ofthe said rails incorporating a plurality of locating means intheform of a plurality of holes spaced apart along the length ofthe rail and at least one adjustable parti tion,the partition or each of the partitions being provided at its opposed ends with projecting means detachably engageable with selected holes in the said rails whereby the partition is or the partitions are locatable transversely of the structure in any of a series of positions to define compartments ofthe desired dimensions.

2. A livestock shipping container according to Claim 1 wherein the holes in the rails are of a shape in conjunction with that of the projecting means such that partitions are located in position secure from inadvertent removal.

3. A livestock shipping container according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the projecting means each are associated with a support member engageable with a partition.

4. A livestock shipping container according to Claim 3 wherein the support member is provided with a platform upon which the partition is supported.

5. A livestock shipping container according to Claim 4wherein a pin is provided engageablewith holes in the support member and a partition to secure them together.

6. A livestock shipping container according to any of Claims 1 to 5 incorporating four doorways in one of its sidewalls and incorporating at leastfive adjustable partitions.

7. A livestock shipping container according to any of Claims 1 to 5 incorporating two doorways in one of its sidewalls and incorporating at leastfouradjust- able partitions.

8. A livestock shipping container according to any of Claims 1 to 5 incorporating one doorway in one of its sidewalls and incorporating at least two adjustable partitions.

9. A livestock shipping container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the doorway or each doorway is provided with a door comprising a separately hinged lower part, the lower part having attached thereto part ofthe said securing means forming a continuation of the remainder of the securing means attached to the adjacentsidewall.

10. A livestock shipping container according to any of the preceding claims wherein there is provided a window orwindows.

11. A livestock shipping container according to any of the preceding claims wherein there is provided a vent or vents.

12. A livestock shipping container according to any ofthe preceding claims wherein there is provided an extraction fan.

13. A livestock shipping container according to any of the preceding claims wherein there is provided at least one detachable feed box.

14. A livestock shipping container according to any ofthe preceding claims wherein there is provided two tiers, a second floor being provided intermediate thefirstfloorand the roof, securing means and ad justable partitions being provided for each tier.

15. A livestock shipping container according to any of the preceding claims wherein there is provided in the floor or in each floor, a drainage aperture or apertures.

16. A livestock shipping containeraccordingto Claim 15 wherein there is provided a drainage pipe or pipes connected to the said aperture or apertures.

17. A livestock shipping container constructed and arranged substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to3.