IE20010005A1 - A floor covering for an animal house - Google Patents
A floor covering for an animal houseInfo
- Publication number
- IE20010005A1 IE20010005A1 IE20010005A IE20010005A IE20010005A1 IE 20010005 A1 IE20010005 A1 IE 20010005A1 IE 20010005 A IE20010005 A IE 20010005A IE 20010005 A IE20010005 A IE 20010005A IE 20010005 A1 IE20010005 A1 IE 20010005A1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- mat
- floor covering
- floor
- slat
- fixing means
- Prior art date
Links
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000459 Nitrile rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 abstract description 5
- 239000003517 fume Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 101100491335 Caenorhabditis elegans mat-2 gene Proteins 0.000 description 14
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010079 rubber tapping Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241000587161 Gomphocarpus Species 0.000 description 1
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001174 ascending effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003608 fece Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010871 livestock manure Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004460 silage Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007779 soft material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000002700 urine Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
- A01K1/015—Floor coverings, e.g. bedding-down sheets ; Stable floors
- A01K1/0151—Grids; Gratings; Slatted floors
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
Abstract
Floor covering (1) for an animal house comprises an elastomeric mat (2) which can be fixed to a floor or floor slat by screws (8). Rigid strips (6) are located at the base (7) of mat (2) for securing the screws (8) which are coverable by the mat when it is fixed to the slat. Flap valve (3) forms an openable barrier along one longitudinal edge of the mat (2) to seal a gap between adjacent slats of a slatted floor to reduce the emission of gases and fumes emanating from a tank beneath the floor. The flap valve (3) allows waste material to pass through the slatted floor to the tank. <Figure 1>
Description
OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 28 AND RULE 23
JNL No Ηψΐ ΠΡ ^H-|onboo2.
The present invention relates to floor covering for an animal house and more particularly to improvements in and relating to mats for concrete floors of slatted houses and for standing areas in animal houses around feed and water stations
The mixture of manure, urine and silage effluent that flows into the slurry tank produces hazardous gases which continually disperse up through the gaps in the concrete slats and circulate around the slatted house. These gases are detrimental to the welfare of the animals that are housed under these conditions and to the farm workers who take care of the animals on a daily basis.
In order to improve the design of concrete slatted floors while maintaining the proven features of such floors, a floor covering which provides a more beneficial animal floor surface was proposed by the inventor of the present invention in Irish Short-Term Patent
Application No. S990443 and International Patent Application No. PCT/IE99/00098. The floor covering disclosed in these applications comprises elongated strips of elastomeric material engageable in separate housings fitted to each separate slat.
However, a number of problems subsist in the technical solutions in Irish Short-Term 25 Patent Application No. S990443 and International Patent Application No.
PCT/IE99/00098. The elongated strips of elastomeric material are not fully secured to the housings and as such can move relative to the housings.
The present invention seeks to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the prior art and 30 the problems associated primarily with slatted floors and also concrete floors.
Accordingly, there is provided a floor covering comprising an elongated elastomeric mat adapted to be fitted to a floor or floor slat, the mat having an openable barrier of an elongate material extending from at least one longitudinal edge of the mat for sealing a gap
£0 1 08 05 between adjacent slats of a slatted floor, each slat having an elongate elastomeric mat fixed to its upper surface by a fixing means, each mat having an integral rigid portion forming an interface between the mat and the slat for receiving the fixing means, the fixing means being covered by the mat when the mat is fixed to the slat, whereby in use the barrier flexes under the weight of waste material accumulating on its upper surface to allow the waste material to pass through the gap and then the barrier returns to a normally closed position to seal the gap.
A floor covering of this type reduces harmful gas and odour emissions which are continuously circulating around a house holding animals which are housed in holdings of this type and/or farm workers who spend a considerable amount of time in the slatted house taking care of the housed animals or mixing and emptying the slurry tank at various times of the year. Additionally, the unitary nature of the mat reduces the complexity of assembly of the floor covering thereby reducing the installation time for farmers. A onepiece mat also removes the possibility of relative movement between a housing member and a housed strip preventing injury to the housed animals as a result of them loosing their footing.
Preferably, the mat is formed using a multi-extrusion process. Using this technique, components of the mat can be formed separately inside the mould and then co-extruded together in a final step of the overall process.
Optionally, the components are formed from different materials or from the same materials having different densities. This allows the manufacturer to alter the physical properties of the product depending on customer requirements.
Ideally, the width of the entire extrusion may be varied by varying the speed of extraction of the relative materials forming the component parts of the floor covering.
In a preferred embodiment, the mats are extruded having a main body including a central cavity. This allows the manufacturer to reduce the overall material required for the product whilst increasing the shock absorbent properties of the mat with the inclusion of the central cavity.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the mats are extruded having a plurality of longitudinally extending central cavities.
In one embodiment, the main body is provided by nitrile rubber.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, a hard-wearing durable material is used to provide the outer surface of the main body of the mat. This provides a further layer of protection for the product against the substantial impact forces imparted by the housed animals.
Preferably, the rigid portion is provided by a number of longitudinal rigid strips which are co-extruded with the mat in a final step of the overall manufacturing process.
Ideally, the rigid strips are co-extruded onto the base of the mat and are uniformly distributed about the base to evenly dissipate the load applied about each connection between the mat and the slat. This prevents an uneven distribution of load about any individual connection preventing excessive wear and tear about that particular connection.
Preferably, the rigid strips act as washers for the fixing means increasing the strength of the connection between the mat and the slat. The elastomeric mat is subjected to considerable stress and strain due to the uneven weight distribution of animals moving about on the mats. Providing rigid strips along the entire length of the mats prevents the elastomeric mat from easily tearing away from the fixing means and slat.
£010081
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the location of the rigid strips on the base of the mat is indicated on the top surface of the mat. This provides a foolproof mechanism for correctly fixing the mats to the slats.
Ideally, the barrier is provided by a flap extending from one longitudinal edge of the mat. It will of course be appreciated that the flap could extend from either longitudinal edge or both longitudinal edges of the mat.
Preferably, a groove extends longitudinally intermediate the flap and the mat providing greater flexibility for the flap.
In one embodiment, the flap extends under the bottom surface of the adjacent slat forming a seal.
Ideally, the fixing means is provided by self-tapping screws, masonry nails or any other fixing means which may be applied through the elastomeric mat, the rigid strips and into the concrete slat.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the rigid strips are vertically aligned with a number of central cavities allowing the fixing means to pass through the outer skin into the central cavities.
In one embodiment, a number of longitudinal grooves are provided on the base of the mat. These grooves increase the flexibility and shock absorbent capabilities of the mat. The grooves provide that a solid piece of material will not extend from the top to the bottom of the mat. This reduces the overall impact forces transmitted to the housed animals when compared with a completely solid mat.
ΙΕΟ 1 00 0 5
Installation of the mats requires a user to fix the mats to the slats with their flap valves extending in the same direction. Only one flap valve is required on each mat when this technique of installation is used.
Alternatively, the mats may be fitted in either direction when a flap valve extends from both longitudinal edges of the mat.
Ideally, the mats are formed using different materials. The mats may be formed from a rigid material or a soft material depending on their particular function.
Ideally, the mats are manufactured from any extrudable rubber or synthetic material.
The cavities of the mats may be completely enclosed or open cavities.
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, two embodiments of a slatted house floor covering in accordance with the invention in which: Figure 1 is section view through a first embodiment of a floor covering; and
Figure 2 is a section view of a second embodiment of floor covering.
Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is shown a floor covering indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The floor covering 1 is provided by a mat 2 having a flap valve 3. A groove 4 is provided between the flap valve 3 and the mat 2. The mat 2 has a number of central cavities 5 extending longitudinally through the mat 2. Three rigid strips 6 are located about the base 7 of the mat 2. Three self-tapping screws 8 are screwed through the mat 2, the central cavities 5 and the rigid strips 6 providing a secure connection between the mat 2 and the slat (not shown).
As shown in Figure 1, the edges of the mat are inclined at an angle cc from the bottom surface of the mat. This creates a better seal with the floor and ensures that the edges of the mat grip the floor and are not inclined to turn upwards.
Referring to the drawings and now to Figure 2, the features of the second embodiment which correspond with and are identical to features of the first embodiment are referenced by identical numerals. The floor covering indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 also includes a number of longitudinally extending grooves 11 located on the base 7. The grooves 11 prevent direct contact between the mat 2 and the concrete slat reducing forces transmitted to the housed animals. Two extra central cavities 5 are also included in the mat 2.
In use, an operator locates each mat 2 about the top surface of a slat and pushes the flap valve 3 into the gap between the supporting slat and the adjacent slat. The flap valve 3 rests against the bottom surface of the adjacent slat or against the sidewall of the adjacent slat sealing the gap therebetween. Ideally, for slatted floors each mat 2 should be mounted with the flap valve 3 facing in the same direction. The operator can now fix the mat 2 to the slat by driving screws or nails 8 into the mat 2 and through the central cavities 5, rigid strips 6 and finally into the concrete slats. The self-tapping screws 8 are forced into the mat 2 until the screw heads are located within the rigid strips 6. This reduces the risk of an animal hurting itself on an exposed screw or nail head. The flap valve 3 flexes under the weight of waste material to allow the waste material to pass through the gap and then returns to a normally closed position to seal the gap. This reduces gas and odour emissions from a slurry tank below the ground ascending through the gaps between adjacent slats and into a house above the slatted floor.
It will of course be understood that the slurry tank is not always located directly beneath the floor and a slatted floor above solid ground may employ a drainage system redirecting the slurry to a remote slurry tank.
£ 0 1 0 0 0 5
The mats may also be joined in contiguous fashion where edges of each adjoining mat contact one another. The flap valves 3 may be inserted under each neighbouring mat or may be removed if desired. This arrangement is particularly beneficial where animals stand adjacent to feed and water stations. It may also be used to provide a comfort zone for animals standing on bare concrete floor or bare concrete slats.
It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details as herein described, which are given by way of example only, and that various alterations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (15)
1. A floor covering for an animal house having an elongated elastomeric mat adapted to be fitted to a floor or a floor slat, the mat having an openable barrier of an elongate material extending from at least one longitudinal edge of the mat for sealing a gap between adjacent slats of a slatted floor, each slat having an elongate elastomeric mat fixed to its upper surface by a fixing means, each mat having an integral rigid portion forming an interface between the mat and the slat for receiving the fixing means, the fixing means being covered by the mat when the mat is fixed to the slat, whereby in use the barrier flexes under the weight of waste material accumulating on its upper surface to allow the waste material to pass through the gap and then the barrier returns to a normally closed position to seal the gap.
2. A floor covering as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mat is formed using a multiextrusion process.
3. A floor covering as claimed in claim 2 wherein the width of the entire extrusion is variable by varying the speed of extraction of the relative materials forming the component parts of the floor covering.
4. A floor covering as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mats are extruded having a covering main body and a fixing means.
5. A floor covering as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mats are extruded having a plurality of longitudinally extending central cavities.
6. A floor covering as claimed in claims 4 or 5 wherein the main body is provided by nitrile rubber. ΙΕΟ 1 00 0 5 5
7. A floor covering as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rigid portion is provided by a number of longitudinal rigid strips which are co-extruded with the mat.
8. A floor covering as claimed in claim 7 wherein the rigid strips act as washers for the fixing means.
9. A floor covering as claimed in claims 7 or 8 wherein the rigid strips are coextruded onto the base of the mat and are uniformly distributed about the base to evenly dissipate the load applied about each connection between the mat and the slat. 15
10. A floor covering as claimed in claims 7 to 9 wherein the rigid strips are vertically aligned with a number of central cavities.
11. A floor covering as claimed in claims 7 to 10 wherein the location of the rigid strips on the base of the mat is indicated on the top surface of the mat.
12. A floor covering as claimed in claim 1 wherein the barrier is provided by a flap extending from one longitudinal edge of the mat.
13. A floor covering as claimed in claim 12 wherein the flap extends under the bottom 25 surface of the adjacent slat forming a seal.
14. A floor covering as claimed in claim 12 wherein the flap extends down and across the gap abutting against the sidewall of the adjacent slat forming a seal. 30 15. A floor covering as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a groove extends longitudinally intermediate the flap and the mat. £0 1 00 0 5 5 16. A floor covering as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fixing means is provided by screws, masonry nails or any other fixing means which may be applied through the elastomeric mat, the rigid strips and into the concrete slat. 17. A floor covering as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a number of 10 longitudinal grooves are provided on the base of the mat. 18. A floor covering as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mats are formed using materials of variable rigidity.
15. 19. A floor covering as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mats are manufactured from any extrudable rubber or synthetic material.
Priority Applications (10)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE20010005A IE20010005A1 (en) | 2001-01-04 | 2001-01-04 | A floor covering for an animal house |
| ES02724155T ES2260427T3 (en) | 2001-01-04 | 2002-01-04 | SOIL COATING FOR STABLES. |
| PCT/EP2002/000274 WO2002065831A2 (en) | 2001-01-04 | 2002-01-04 | Floor covering for an animal house |
| AT02724155T ATE324034T1 (en) | 2001-01-04 | 2002-01-04 | FLOOR COVERING FOR ANIMAL HOUSING |
| US10/250,738 US7107935B2 (en) | 2001-01-04 | 2002-01-04 | Floor covering for an animal house |
| DE60210948T DE60210948T2 (en) | 2001-01-04 | 2002-01-04 | FLOORING FOR ANIMAL CONSTRUCTION |
| DK02724155T DK1385372T3 (en) | 2001-01-04 | 2002-01-04 | Floor coverings in stables |
| EP06075253A EP1656828A3 (en) | 2001-01-04 | 2002-01-04 | Floor covering for an animal house |
| EP02724155A EP1385372B1 (en) | 2001-01-04 | 2002-01-04 | Floor covering for an animal house |
| US11/523,223 US7353776B2 (en) | 2001-01-04 | 2006-09-18 | Floor covering for an animal house |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE20010005A IE20010005A1 (en) | 2001-01-04 | 2001-01-04 | A floor covering for an animal house |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| IE20010005A1 true IE20010005A1 (en) | 2002-07-24 |
Family
ID=27637845
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE20010005A IE20010005A1 (en) | 2001-01-04 | 2001-01-04 | A floor covering for an animal house |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| IE (1) | IE20010005A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2007071438A1 (en) * | 2005-12-23 | 2007-06-28 | Dsm Ip Assets B.V. | Use of thermoplastic elastomers in floor covering for animal housing |
| EP2388386A1 (en) * | 2005-03-29 | 2011-11-23 | Patrick Roy Mooney | Apparatus for use with a slatted floor |
-
2001
- 2001-01-04 IE IE20010005A patent/IE20010005A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2388386A1 (en) * | 2005-03-29 | 2011-11-23 | Patrick Roy Mooney | Apparatus for use with a slatted floor |
| WO2007071438A1 (en) * | 2005-12-23 | 2007-06-28 | Dsm Ip Assets B.V. | Use of thermoplastic elastomers in floor covering for animal housing |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MM9A | Patent lapsed through non-payment of renewal fee |