GB2397482A

GB2397482A - Modular Animal Cage

Info

Publication number: GB2397482A
Application number: GB0301686A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian David Bedford; John Humble; James Cooke; Philip Shaw
Original assignee: POLARIS INSTR Ltd
Current assignee: POLARIS INSTR Ltd
Priority date: 2003-01-24
Filing date: 2003-01-24
Publication date: 2004-07-28
Also published as: GB0301686D0

Abstract

A modular cage for small animals. The cage may be formed from a number of panels 62,64,66,68,70 which are attached to a frame 20. Preferably, at least one of the panels are transparent or translucent. The cage may have one or more apertures for access to the cage, which may be covered by doors 74,76 or by gloves. Preferably, the cage also comprises an opaque chamber 72 which has apertures for recieving plant containers and can hold a watering medium. Advantageously, the cage may have a number of mesh-covered vents (82,84 fig.4) located at different heights on the cage. The cage may also comprise an electrical fan (80, fig. 4). Also claimed is a kit of parts for constructing a cage.

Description

1 2397482 Cane

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a cage for small animals, and in particular to a cage for the study of interactions between small animals and plants.

The invention will hereinafter be described in relation to a cage for the study of arthropods, in particular insects. However, the skilled reader will appreciate that the cage of the present invention is suitable for the housing and study of a wide range of small animals, including arthropods such as insects, crustaceans, arachnids (for example, spiders, mites, ticks and scorpions), myriapods (for example, centipedes and millipedes), small birds (typically birds up to the size of a sparrow) and small mammals (typically up to the size of a mouse).

Description of the Prior Art

Entomologists and other scientists have a need to study the interactions between plants and insects, for example, in order to develop new insecticides or grow more resistant plants.

Known insect cages are constructed in a single piece, by permanently fitting a plurality of panels together, or by moulding. An example of a known insect cage is shown in Fig. 1, which illustrates a cage 10 formed from a series of acrylic panels (of which panels 12, 14, 16 are shown) glued together. The opening 18 of the front panel is covered by mesh secured by elastic around the lip.

However, problems exist with such known cages in that, damage to a single wall renders the entire cage unusable and in that it is difficult to dismantle the single piece cage, thus making it unwieldy and difficult to clean or sterilise.

The wall panels of known insect cages are generally formed from transparent or translucent materials in order to allow in sufficient light for any plants to photosynthesize. Typically, known insect cages additionally comprise a tray to hold watering material for plants. However, such a tray is not separated from the remainder of the cage. This leads to high humidity in the cage, which encourages the growth of fungi, algae and other pathogens that can be lethal to the arthropods and plants under study.

It would be desirable, therefore, to form a cage for the study of arthropods that can be formed such that it can be easily assembled from a kit, and allow individual parts of the cage to be packed flat for transportation and, when the cage is assembled, allow the parts to be removed and replaced quickly and with ease in the case of damage, or a need for cleaning to maintain clarity of the panels, or sterilization so that entomological and plant pathogens may be eradicated.

It would further be desirable to form a cage for the study of arthropods in which the watering means are separated from the arthropods.

It would further be desirable to form a cage for the study of arthropods that may easily be connected to other similar cages to form a larger cage.

These and other objectives are achieved by the present invention as defined in the claims.

Summary of Invention

The invention provides in a first aspect a modular cage for small animals.

The invention provides in a second aspect a kit for constructing the modular cage according to the first aspect of the invention.

The invention provides in a third aspect a cage for small animals formed by joining a plurality of modular cages according to the first aspect of the invention.

Detailed Descrintion of Preferred Embodiments The cage according to the invention has a modular construction, in that it is assembled from a plurality of constituent parts, each of which may independently be removed and/or replaced. Typically, the cage is formed from a plurality of removable panels.

The shape of the insect cage is not critical to the invention. However, the cage may typically be generally rectangular in shape.

Suitably, the panels may be formed on a frame. However, the skilled reader will appreciate that alternative modular constructions are possible. For example, the cage may be formed without a frame by engaging projections or the like in one of the panels in complementary slots in an adjacent panel.

The shape and dimensions of the frame may vary depending on the type of small animals and plants desired to be studied. A frame of approximately 500mm x 500mm x 500mm dimensions is particularly convenient.

The frame may be either of welded construction or formed from tubes with push-fit corner pieces, or formed by rods or tubes that are connected by corner pieces, with clips, bolts or other fasteners. The latter option facilitates flat packing of the cage for shipment. On the frame are panels. At least one of the panels may be transparent or translucent to allow light to pass into the cage. Typically, those on the top and sides are generally transparent.

The panels may be fixed to the frame by any suitable means known in the art, provided that such means allow the panels to easily be removed and either cleaned, sterilised or replaced. Typically, the panels may be fixed to the frame by means of magnetic strips fixed to the frame and panel and/or screws and/or clip-together glazing bars. In all cases the panels may easily be removed and either cleaned, sterilised or replaced. The panels are typically made from acrylic sheets but other transparent or translucent materials such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or glass could be used.

The cage is typically provided with one or more vents; suitably, the vents are covered with mesh. The vent allows airflow into or out of the cage but the mesh prevents escape of the small animals. The porosity of the mesh may be varied depending on the type of small animals intended to be studied. For example, the mesh would be of 50 1lm porosity nylon to prevent the escape of whitefly. The mesh is held in place by a surrounding piece that clamps the mesh to the side panel. The surrounding piece may be removed and replaced should it be necessary to change the mesh. To encourage complete circulation of the air in the cage, the vents may be located at different heights on the cage. For example, one side panel may be fitted so that the vent is above the centreline whilst the opposite panel is fitted with the vent below the centreline.

The cage may preferably be provided with means for allowing air to circulate through the cage. Typically, such means may take the form of an electrical fan fitted to the rear panel. The fan is covered with mesh to prevent escape of insects in addition to the normal finger guards. This airflow minimises the potential for fungal pathogens to become established and reduces condensation in the cage.

The cage is typically provided with one or more apertures to allow the user to reach into the cage. The apertures are normally covered by transparent doors, suitably held in place by magnetic strips. Alternative arrangements are doors that are hinged or slot into place by means of channels fitted to the front panel. In preferred embodiments, a light may be positioned on the transparent back panel, in order to attract insects away from the front while doors are opened.

In an alternative embodiment, the doors may be replaced by elastic gloves fixed to the opening of the one or more apertures. This allows users to reach in but be protected from the contents of the cage.

The top panel is normally a plain panel. Lights may be fitted to the top of the cage so that more controlled and/or better lighting may be applied to the insects and plants rather than relying upon the ambient lighting.

The cage according to the invention is suitably provided with a chamber for holding a watering medium. Typically, such a chamber takes the form of a tray at the bottom of the frame of the cage. The chamber holds a watering medium for the plants. The medium may be plain water or contain nutrients or other chemicals for the plants to take up.

Preferably, the chamber is formed from opaque material, so that the medium is kept dark so as to inhibit the growth of algae or other undesired organisms. The tray may suitably be manufactured from an inert material such as fibreglass, polypropylene or stainless steel to avoid interactions with any chemicals in the watering medium. The front of the tray has an opening so that medium may be added as necessary. The opening may be fitted with a closure to further exclude light.

The tray may preferably be fitted with a sensor for detecting the level of medium in the tray. This allows the water level to be topped up manually or automatically. This system reduces the amount of labour involved in maintaining an insect colony as cages often go 2 or 3 days before water is needed. It also means that water is applied more uniformly, thus giving more consistent scientific results. The sensor typically measures the conductivity of air/medium at a low height in the tray or uses a sensor based on total internal reflection to sense the medium in the tray. Other methods such as floats could also be used. The basic sensor uses a light and/or audible device to attract the attention of the user to a low medium level. The sensor may also operate a solenoid valve, pump or other device to replenish the medium automatically.

The base panel of the cage is suitably made from an opaque material such as PVC so that light does not pass to the tray underneath. One or more holes, typically 92mm, may be cut in the panel so that plant pots may sit in the panel and protrude beneath to the watering medium. The holes and pots are chosen so that there is a good fit between them and neither light nor insects can pass from the cage to the watering tray beneath.

Multiple cages may be joined together by removal of one of the side, front, back or top panels from each cage and the addition of a connecting piece that fixes the cages together. This connecting piece may be open so that insects may pass freely from one cage to another, or it may be fitted with doors and/or meshes so that the connection may be made closed or open, so that insects of one size are excluded while insects of a smaller size may pass through.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front and side view of a prior art insect cage; Fig. 2 illustrates the general arrangement of the tubing framework of an insect cage according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a front and side view of an insect cage according to the invention; and Fig. 4 is a rear and side view of an insect cage according to the invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates the general arrangement of the tubing framework of an insect cage according to the invention. The frame 20 is constructed from 25mm square tubing pieces 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 connected by corner pieces 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 (hidden), 58, 60. The vertical tubes 38, 40, 42, 44 are plain. The horizontal tubes 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 are all provided with flanges (illustrated by reference numerals 23, 25, 31, 33 on tubes 22, 24, 30, 32 respectively) to support the horizontal panels.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate an insect cage according to the invention, showing clear acrylic panels 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 formed on the frame 20. The cage further comprises an opaque tray 72 suitable for holding a watering medium. Above the tray is an opaque sheet (not shown) into which holes have been cut to suit plant pots. This arrangement separates the watering from the insects, thus avoiding high humidity in the insect area that tends to encourage lethal fungal pathogens and other problems.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the front panel 64 is fitted with doors 74, 76 to allow access to the inside of the cage. The doors 74, 76, side panels 66, 68 and top panel 62 are secured with magnetic strips and/or screws and/or removable glazing bars. Thus individual panels may be removed and replaced quickly and with ease in the case of damage, or a need for cleaning to maintain clarity of the panels, or sterilization so that entomological and plant pathogens may be eradicated.

The tray 72 is fitted with a fluid level sensor 78. The detector may attract the attention of the user by means of a light or an audible device (not shown). Furthermore, the cage may be provided with means (not shown) to actuate a pump or a solenoid operated valve to replenish the water.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the back panel 70 is fitted with an electrical fan 80. The side panels 66, 68 are fitted with mesh covered openings 82, 84 to admit air and exclude insects. Side panel 66 is fitted so that the vent 82 is above the centreline whilst the opposite panel 68 is fitted with the vent 84 below the centreline. This greatly improves circulation of the air in the cage.

While the present invention has been described hereinabove with reference to preferred embodiments, the skilled reader will understand that numerous modifications may be considered without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the claims below.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A modular cage for small animals.
2. A cage according to claim 1, formed from a plurality of removable panels.
3. A cage according to claim 2, wherein the panels are attached to a frame.
4. A cage according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein at least one of the panels is transparent or translucent.
5. A cage according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further provided with one or more apertures for allowing access to the cage.
6. A cage according to claim 5, wherein the one or more apertures for allowing access are covered by one or more doors.
7. A cage according to claim 5, wherein the one or more apertures for allowing access are covered by one or more glove means.
8. A cage according to any preceding claim, further comprising a chamber for holding a watering medium.
9. A cage according to claim 8, wherein the chamber is formed from opaque material.
10. A cage according to claim 8 or claim 9, further provided with a sensor for detecting the level of watering medium in the chamber.
11. A cage according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the chamber is provided with one or more apertures for receiving plant pots.
12. A cage according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the chamber is further provided with an aperture for the introduction of watering medium.
13. A cage according to any preceding claim, further provided with one or more vents.
14. A cage according to claim 13, wherein the one or more vents are covered with mesh.
15. A cage according to claim 13 or claim 14, provided with a plurality of vents located at different heights on the cage.
16. A cage according to any preceding claim, further provided with means for allowing air to circulate through the cage.
17. A cage according to claim 16, wherein the means comprise an electrical fan.
18. A kit for constructing the cage as defined in any preceding claim.
19. A kit according to claim 18 comprising a plurality of panels.
20. A kit according to claim 18 or claim 19 further comprising a frame.
21. A kit according to claim 20 wherein the frame comprises tubes and connecting corner pieces.
22. A cage for small animals formed by joining a plurality of modular cages as defined in any of claims 1 to 17 or from a plurality of kits according to any of claims 18 to 21.
23. A cage according to claim 22, wherein adjacent modular cages are linked by a door, whereby the cages may be joined or separated without disconnection.
24. A cage according to claim 22, provided with mesh between adjacent modular cages.
25. A kit for constructing a modular cage for small animals, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Polaris/GBP87077/cage/GAD/specification/23.05.03

25. A modular cage for small animals, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. A kit for constructing a modular cage for small animals, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows It CLAIMS: 1. A modular cage for small animals, the cage including a chamber for holding a watering medium.

2. A cage according to claim 1, formed from a plurality of removable panels.

3. A cage according to claim 2, wherein the panels are attached to a frame.

4. A cage according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein at least one of the panels is transparent or translucent.

5. A cage according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further provided with one or more apertures for allowing access to the cage.

6. A cage according to claim 5, wherein the one or more apertures for allowing access are covered by one or more doors.

7. A cage according to claim 5, wherein the one or more apertures for allowing access are covered by one or more glove means.

8. A cage according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is formed from opaque material.

9. A cage according to claim 1 or claim 8, further provided with a sensor for detecting the level of watering medium in the chamber.

10. A cage according to any one of claims 1, 8 and 9, wherein the chamber is provided with one or more apertures for receiving plant pots.

11. A cage according to any one of claims 1, 8, 9 and 10, wherein the chamber is further provided with an aperture for the introduction of watering medium.

12. A cage according to any preceding claim, further provided with one or more vents.

Polaris/GBP87077/cage/GAD/specification/23.05.03 tZ

13. A cage according to claim 12, wherein the one or more vents are covered with mesh.

14. A cage according to claim 12 or claim 13, provided with a plurality of vents located

K

at different heights on the cage.

15. A cage according to any preceding claim, further provided with means for allowing air to circulate through the cage.

16. A cage according to claim 15 wherein the means comprise an electrical fan.

17. A kit for constructing the cage as defined in any preceding claim.

18. A kit according to claim 17 comprising a plurality of panels.

19. A kit according to claim 17 or claim 18 further comprising a frame.

20. A kit according to claim 19 wherein the frame comprises tubes and connecting corner pieces.

21. A cage for small animals formed by joining a plurality of modular cages as defined in any of claims 1 to 16 or from a plurality of kits according to any of claims 17 to 20.

22. A cage according to claim 21, wherein adjacent modular cages are linked by a door, whereby the cages may be joined or separated without disconnection.

23. A cage according to claim 21, provided with mesh between adjacent modular cages.

24. A modular cage for small animals, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Polaris/GBP87077/cage/GAD/specification/23.05.03