JP2002017191A - Container, apparatus and method for rearing small-sized animal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container, an apparatus and a method for cleanly and efficiently rearing a small-sized animal such as a mouse, a rat, a dog, a cat, etc. SOLUTION: This container for rearing a small-sized animal is equipped with a lifting and lowering means 15 for lifting and lowering either of a ceiling 13 or a floorboard 14 of a rearing chamber 12 and a guiding means composed of a plurality of piston means 15 which are attached to either of the ceiling 13 side or the floorboard 14 side and drive a small-sized animal 16 to be reared in a fixed position (e.g. outlet, etc.), and is stored in a rearing external box 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a mouse, a rat,
The present invention relates to a small animal breeding container, a small animal breeding apparatus, and a breeding method for raising small mammals such as dogs and cats cleanly and efficiently.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the living space of a mouse is limited, and all functions necessary for rearing are integrated in one room.
One example is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, a conventional breeding container 01 is provided with a litter 02 such as sawdust on the bottom surface of a box without a transparent ceiling and a net 03 on the litter 02 so that dust and the like are not scattered. 04 is bred. A wire mesh 05 is provided on the ceiling,
Food for feeding 06 and water supply means for water supply 07 as required
Is provided.

[0003] In such a breeding container, living, feeding, and crossing are performed in this room, so that it is difficult to reliably perform the function. In the treatment of the excrement of the mouse, the mouse 04 is taken out of the breeding container and washed by the human.

[0004] Therefore, as shown in FIG.
An apparatus has been proposed in which a large number of containers 010 having the bottom of a container 01 for breeding 4 are arranged, a belt conveyor 011 is provided on the bottom side, and excrement 012 is dropped and collected automatically. However, when cleaning the breeding container,
You end up removing the mouse and it's not completely automated.

[0005] In addition, some medical experiments using mice are highly toxic, and there is a possibility that infection may occur if humans come into direct contact with each other. In such mouse experiments, automation is essential. To supplement, the use of a robot has also been proposed, but the control mechanism of the robot is complicated, and there is a problem that it requires a huge amount of equipment, and it is difficult to apply it to various medical experiments. Have difficulty.

In addition, a complicated control mechanism is required for supplementing with a robot, and even if the mouse can be supplemented, if the mouse escapes, supplemental control must be performed again from the beginning. It was difficult.

In recent years, experiments on small mammals such as mice and rats have become indispensable in order to investigate the effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity on the human body in outer space. In the field, automation of breeding of small mammals is desired in order for one worker to perform various kinds of work at the same time.

In particular, in an experimental facility in a space station where long-term continuous experiments can be performed, it is desired that a fully automated breeding apparatus be used for experiments related to mouse reproduction, development, and passage.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a small animal breeding container, a small animal breeding apparatus, and a breeding method for breeding small mammals such as mice, rats, dogs, and cats in a clean and efficient manner. And

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a small animal breeding container according to the present invention, comprising: lifting means for raising or lowering one of a ceiling and a floor of a breeding room; Alternatively, a guide means provided on one of the floor surfaces and comprising a plurality of piston means for driving the small animal to a predetermined location is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the height of the room is reduced to 1/3 of the living space by the elevating means.
It is characterized in that it is regulated to about 1/5.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the lifting means is operated by a link mechanism.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the elevating means and the piston means are operated by a shape memory alloy.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a small animal is guided to a pressing surface of the piston means via a sheet.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that, in claim 1, the breeding room comprises an inner room and an outer room.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the floor of the inner room has a net shape.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in claim 1, the side wall of the inner room is transparent or lattice-shaped.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, breeding support means is provided in the breeding room.

According to a tenth aspect, in the first aspect, the side wall and the floor surface of the outer room are transparent.

[0020] The invention of [Claim 11] is characterized in that, in Claim 10, an image processing means for confirming a small animal inside from the floor of the outer room is provided, and the position of the small animal is confirmed by image processing. In addition, the small animal is guided by a guiding means including a plurality of piston means to guide the small animal to a predetermined location.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect, the steps from the image recognition processing to inducing a small animal are automatically performed, and only a specific small animal is induced.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a small animal breeding apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, at least two or more storage spaces for storing the breeding vessel, and Means for moving while holding the small animal breeding room in a state where the height of the living room is regulated by the means, and moving the living room from one storage space to another storage space. Features.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, an outer room is installed in the plurality of storage spaces, and a living space, a food space, and a mating space are distinguished.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the small animal breeding apparatus according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect is used to breed small animals while distinguishing between a living space, a feeding space, and a mating space. .

The invention of claim 16 is characterized in that, in claim 15, small animals are bred in outer space.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[First Embodiment] A small animal breeding container (hereinafter referred to as a "breeding container") 11 according to the present embodiment 11
Are raising and lowering means 15 for raising and lowering either the ceiling 13 or the floor plate 14 of the breeding room 12, and the small animals (hereinafter referred to as "bred animals") provided on either the ceiling 13 side or the floor plate 14 side for raising. And a guide means comprising a plurality of piston means 17 for driving the piston 16 to a predetermined place (for example, an outlet or the like). In the present embodiment, the guide means is housed in a breeding outer box 20.

In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a case in which the ceiling 13 side is fixed, the floor plate 14 can be moved up and down by the elevating means 15, and guidance means including a plurality of piston means 17 is provided on the ceiling 13 side. I do.

Here, the small animals 16 bred in the present invention include, for example, small mammals such as mice, rats, dogs, cats, etc., for example, various small animals bred for animal experiments. However, there is no particular limitation.

In the present invention, the position of the ceiling in the breeding room 12 usually has a predetermined height at which the breeding animal 16 can be bred without stress.
The height of the breeding room 12 can be regulated to a predetermined height by raising and lowering the ceiling 13 or the floor plate 14 as necessary, as shown in FIG.

The height at which the breeding room 12 is regulated is not particularly limited, but may be a height at which a load such as a feeling of oppression is not applied to the breeding animal 16. Is the height (H) of the living space shown in FIG.
May be restricted to about 1/3 to 1/5 of the above. It should be noted that this height regulation may be appropriately set according to the type of the animal 16 to be bred, the individual difference, and the like.

In the present invention, the elevating means 15 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a means that does not give stress to the breeding animal by vibration or sound. In the present embodiment,
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an X-shaped link mechanism is employed as the lifting / lowering means. As a means for driving the link mechanism, a shape memory alloy (SMA) which contracts due to its resistance heat when an electric current flows. : Shape-Memory Alloy) line 2
1, the floor plate 14 is normally positioned at a lower position when no current is applied (shape memory alloy wire is stretched). In addition, by restricting using a restricting means such as a compression spring or another shape memory alloy wire, the floor plate 14 is forcibly maintained in the lower position.

The details of the link mechanism will be described below with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the first and second 2
One ends of the links 23 and 24 are rotatably supported on the side walls 13a of the ceiling 13 respectively. The centers of the first and second links 23 and 24 are rotatably connected to each other. One end of the second link 24 is rotatably supported by a slider 25, and the slider 25 is
Are supported reciprocally in a horizontal direction by a long hole 13b provided in the side wall 13a.

On the other hand, at the other end of the first and second links 23 and 24, one ends of third and fourth links 26 and 27 are rotatably supported. 27
The other end is pivotally supported by the frame 14a of the bottom plate 14 in a rotatable manner. Also, the third and fourth links 26, 2
The centers of 7 are rotatably connected to each other. And
The other end of the fourth link 24 is rotatably supported by a slider (not shown), and the slider 25 is supported by a long hole 14b provided in the side wall 14a so as to be able to reciprocate in the horizontal direction.

When the first and second links 23 and 24 rotate and open, one end of the second link 24 moves together with the slider 25 to the left in the figure, and the other ends of the first and second links 23 and 24. Open, and the third and fourth links connected thereto also rotate similarly, so that the fourth link 27 moves with the slider 25 on the ceiling side, so that the bottom plate 14 As a result, the bottom plate 14 moves upward in the direction perpendicular to the ceiling.

In order to rotate the first and second links 23 and 24, they are driven using one shape memory alloy wire 21. That is, one shape memory alloy wire 21 is fixed to the fixed pulley 27 at one end side of the second link 24, and the central portion of the first and second links, one end side of the first link, and the back side of the ceiling. Are wound around rotary pulleys 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d provided on the front side of the ceiling and fixed pulleys 27b provided on the front side of the ceiling, respectively. In FIG. 4, the shape memory alloy wire 21 is in an extended state, and the floor plate 1 is moved to an upper position when an electric current is applied.
In the case of a weightless state, a support means (for example, a compression spring or another shape memory alloy wire or the like) for lowering the floor plate 14 is provided.
Should be provided. In the present embodiment, the number of the shape memory alloy wires 21 is one. However, the number of the shape memory alloy wires 21 may be increased as necessary, or the shape memory alloy wires 21 may be twisted together to improve the output.

When it is desired to increase the moving height, X
Instead of having a two-stage link mechanism as in the present embodiment,
Steps or more may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, similar link mechanisms are provided on the near side and the far side in FIG. 4, but only the near side link mechanism may be provided.

In this embodiment, the X-shaped link is provided in two steps on the front side and the back side. However, in the present invention, the lifting means is not limited at all. You may make it go up and down.

Next, the piston means 17 will be described with reference to FIG. The piston means 17 of the present invention comprises a ceiling 13
A shaft portion 17a hanging vertically from the side, and the shaft portion 17a
A cylinder portion 17b movable in the vertical axis direction with respect to
A piston portion 17c provided on the other end side of the cylinder portion 17b
And a compression spring 17d provided around the shaft 17a.
And the flange (magnet) on the side of the ceiling 13 and the cylinder portion 1
And a shape memory alloy wire 21 provided between the flange (soft iron plate) on the 7b side.

Normally, the shape memory alloy wire 21 is contracted by applying an electric current, and the cylinder 17b is regulated toward the ceiling 13 against the urging force of the compression spring 17d.
Thereby, the piston 17c is located on the ceiling side 13. In this embodiment, the flanges are connected by the shape memory alloy wire 21. However, the flange on the ceiling 13 side and the piston portion 17c, and the flange on the ceiling 13 side and the sheet 22 may be individually provided. . Further, by making the flange portion on the ceiling 13 side a magnet,
When the soft iron flange is attracted by the magnet in the raised state, the state can be maintained and power consumption can be saved. Here, the material of the sheet 22 is not particularly limited, but a sheet made of rubber or a flexible synthetic resin can be used. Further, an antibacterial sheet in which an antibacterial agent is mixed into a sheet material can be used.

In the present embodiment, the piston means 1
7 is provided with a sheet 22 on the pressing surface of the piston portion 17c. The small animal 16 is guided through the sheet 22 to prevent the pressing surface from directly contacting the breeding animal 16. Try not to give stress.
In addition, by making the piston portion 17c a soft member, stimulation at the time of guidance is reduced, and the seat 22 does not necessarily need to be provided.

In the present embodiment, the breeding animals are bred in the breeding room 12, and the floor plate 14 has a net-like shape in order to treat the excrement and the like.

In the case of a mesh floor, a litter such as sawdust is provided on the floor plate of the breeding outer box 20 to absorb excrement. In addition, when the floorboard of the breeding room 12 is not formed in a mesh shape, a litter may be provided on the floorboard.

Although the breeding room does not require any particular enclosure, it may be provided with, for example, a side wall 12a as shown in FIG. The side wall 12a may be plate-shaped, but may be grid-shaped. In the case of a plate shape, it is more preferable to make the plate transparent so that it can be monitored from the outside. When a side wall or the like is provided, the height of the side wall 12a needs to be lower than the regulated height when contracted so as not to contact the ceiling side.

[Second Embodiment] The configuration of the small animal breeding apparatus of the present invention will be described below. This small animal breeding apparatus can move a breeding room as it is, and can breed bred animals in a room provided with a plurality of functions. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the small animal breeding apparatus. As shown in FIG. 6, the small animal breeding apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a device base 3 provided on a gantry 30.
1, four storage spaces (four locations in the present embodiment) 31A to 31D provided in the device base 31, and provided in the center of the base 31 and provided in the space. And a rotating means 32 for rotating and holding the breeding container 11 in a state in which the height of the breeding container 11 is controlled while being lifted by the arm 33. A holding means 34 for hanging and holding is provided.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of storage spaces are provided with the transparent breeding box 20 described with reference to FIG.
The room is properly used depending on the use, such as a food space (31B), a mating space (31C), and a child care space (31D).

As an example of the entire apparatus, when the size of the base 31 is 600 × 600 × 600 [mm], about 0.3
The weight was 85 kg. The breeding room 1
In the case of the vertical movement of No. 1, it was completed in about 15 seconds, and in the case of the rotational movement from the room A to the room B (90 degrees), it was completed in about 150 seconds. During this time, no stress was applied to the mouse, and the mouse simply stuck to the net of the mesh floor plate 14.

In this test, the ascending and descending were repeated many times without providing the side wall 12a as shown in FIG. 1, but the mouse was never pinched by the elevating means 15. It is more preferable to provide the side wall 12a because the safety is improved.

In this embodiment, as a method of moving a room for each function, a rotating means is provided at the center,
Although a room for storing a predetermined breeding container is provided at each rotation position, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a plurality of rooms are arranged in a linear or rectangular shape, and a rail is provided along this. By moving the moving means while holding the breeding container on the rail, it can be moved to any room.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a mouse will be described as an example of the breeding animal 16. 8 to 11 are schematic outlines of an embodiment in which a mouse is actually guided to a specific location (exit). FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a mouse guidance operation by manual operation. As shown in FIG. 8, the breeding container 11 is monitored by an unillustrated imaging unit that monitors the breeding container 11 from outside, and the piston unit 17 is operated in a state where the breeding container 11 is projected on the screen 42 of the display 41, and the mouse is moved to the exit 11 a which is a guidance point 16 is derived. Here, the position information of the mouse 16 can be obtained by providing a photographing means such as a CCD on the lower surface side of the breeding container 16 and dividing the position information into a plurality.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show specific guidance methods.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows a breeding container 11, which is a living space for a mouse, provided with a CCD camera 60 for observing the internal state and the above-mentioned guiding means 61 for guiding the mouse. 62 is sent to the image processing means 63, where it is subjected to arithmetic processing. After being processed by the image processing means 63, the control signal 64 and the mouse position information (for example, 25 bits) 65
Are stored in a storage means (microcomputer or the like) 66. Based on the information stored by the storage means (microcomputer or the like) 66, a mouse at a specific position can be guided to a target location.

At this time, it is possible to make the living space in the breeding room flat by raising and lowering the floor side or the ceiling side as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the position of the mouse 16 from the bottom side can be detected. It will be easier. In addition, even when a plurality of animals are bred, the recognition of each individual can be performed by image processing, and the separation operation is facilitated.

Further, in order to move the breeding room to another breeding room, the room-to-room moving device drive circuit 68 controls
A device 69 for moving between rooms as shown in FIG. 6 is controlled to move.

FIG. 10 shows a specific guidance method. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, when the mouse 16 is photographed from the bottom side of the breeding container 11 by the CCD camera, as shown in FIG.
An image 44 is obtained. The data is processed into a binarized image 45, and further processed to obtain position data 46 (I)
. When the exit 11a to be guided is determined, the piston means 17 as the guiding means is instructed on the panel of the switch panel group 43 (divided into 25 according to the position information),
Induce mice (II-IV). This is repeated until the mouse 16 exits the outlet 11a (V).

Further, by storing the artificially performed guidance information in the storage means for learning, the mouse 16 at the specific position can be automatically guided to the specific exit 11a.

Next, an example of guidance by automatic operation is shown in FIG.
This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. (I) First, the mouse 16 in the breeding container 11 is captured in nine sections. (II) A command to guide the mouse 16 to the outlet 11a side is issued using the piston means. (III) After guiding to the exit side, issue a guidance command to narrow the position information to four places. (IV) If you stay at this place for about 5 seconds,
Issue a guidance command to narrow the location. (V) If the mouse information is lost, the mouse has exited the exit. (VI) If the mouse moves to another location, start again from capture. As a result, it is possible to spontaneously exit from the exit without being artificially grasped by the mouse. In addition, it is also possible to move to another breeding container by installing the outlet of another breeding container on the exit side.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a system for moving a breeding container will be described. Using the moving means shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, only the breeding container can be moved from a specific location. As shown in FIG. 12, the appearance of the apparatus is photographed by a CCD camera, and the space A currently housed is taken.
Can be moved to the storage space B. As a result, the mouse can be moved to the next storage space B while being kept in the breeding room, and the mouse can be moved smoothly without changing human hands. Then, the inside of the dirty storage space A after the movement can be cleaned by the cleaning means. Then, other functions can be bred in the storage space B, and the breeding functions can be divided.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to breed mice for a long time in the space station. Further, various functions necessary for rearing can be distributed to a plurality of rooms, and the mouse can be moved between the rooms as needed. This movement can be performed without giving any stress to the mouse, and can be completely automated.

The movement of the mouse can be performed not only by the operator of the space station or the spacecraft, but also by the operator of the ground support side. Is improved.

Although the embodiment has been described using a mouse, the present invention is not limited to a mouse.

Further, since the mouse can be moved without touching the mouse, the stress due to the external stimulus is not obtained, and the measurement accuracy for measuring the effect of microgravity in the universe is improved.

In many research institutions and hospitals, small mammals such as mice are bred for research. By using the breeding container and the device of the present invention, breeding is possible without contact with small mammals. It becomes possible, such as breeding cancer and infectivity and breeding extremely difficult mice,
It can also be applied when it is necessary to maintain a high level of isolation or quietness, improving safety and breedability.

Although the present invention does not mention support equipment necessary for raising small animals in space or on the ground, known support equipment (for example, washing means for cleaning, feeding of food for feeding, etc.) Needless to say, means, isolation means for isolation, air purification means, ventilation means, etc.) can be provided as needed.

[0064]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1 of the present invention, lifting means for raising or lowering either the ceiling or the floor of the breeding room, and any one of the ceiling or the floor Since it is provided with guide means provided on one side and comprising a plurality of piston means for driving the small animal to a predetermined location, it is possible to guide the small animal in a restricted space, so that the small animal is easily guided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the height of the room is set to one of the living spaces by the elevating means.
Since it is regulated to about ３ to ５, guidance can be performed in a more restricted space, so that guidance of small animals is further ensured.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, since the lifting / lowering means is operated by a link mechanism, the lifting / lowering can be performed smoothly.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, since the lifting and lowering means and the piston means are operated by a shape memory alloy, there is no rotation noise as in a motor or the like. The lifting means can be driven in this state.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, since the small animal is guided to the pressing surface of the piston means via the sheet, the stimulus when the small animal is guided is reduced.

According to the invention of claim 6, in claim 1, the breeding room is composed of an inner room and an outer room, so that only the inner room can be moved, and the outer room can be easily cleaned. Become.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, since the floor surface of the inner room has a net shape, excrement is transferred to the outer room, and the number of times of washing of the inner room can be reduced. it can.

According to the invention of claim 8, in claim 1, since the side wall of the inner room is transparent or lattice-shaped, it is safe for small animals when ascending and descending and at the same time, it is safe to use small animals from outside. Visual recognition is assured.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the breeding support means is provided in the breeding room in the first aspect, various breeding environments are improved.

According to the tenth aspect, the first aspect is provided.
In this case, since the side walls and the floor of the outer room are transparent, the small animal can be easily recognized from the outside or the floor.

According to the invention set forth in claim 11, claim 1 is provided.
0, an image processing means for confirming the small animal inside from the floor of the outer room is provided, and the small animal is guided by the guiding means including a plurality of piston means while confirming the position of the small animal by the image processing. Since the small animal is guided to a predetermined location by being guided, it is ensured that the small animal is guided to an arbitrary guidance location.

According to the invention of claim 12, claim 1 is
In step 1, since the steps from the image recognition processing to guiding a small animal are automatically performed and only a specific small animal is guided, complete automation can be achieved. Guidance can be operated directly or indirectly by remote control.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a small animal breeding apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, at least two or more storage spaces for storing the breeding vessel, and Means for moving while holding the small animal breeding room with the height of the living room regulated by the means, and moving the living room from one storage space to another storage space, A plurality of breeding spaces can be provided, and a breeding function can be divided to maintain a good breeding environment.

According to the invention of [claim 14], claim 1
In 3, the outer rooms are set up in the plurality of storage spaces to distinguish between a living space, a feeding space and a mating space. Achievement is assured.

According to the invention for a small animal breeding method of claim 15, by using the small animal breeding apparatus of claim 13 or 14, the small animal breeding device can be distinguished into a living space, a feeding space, and a mating space. Animals can be bred, ensuring that experimental goals are achieved.

According to the invention of [claim 16], claim 1
In 5, the small animals are bred in outer space, so the effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity on the human body in outer space can be investigated, and bothers in the spacecraft and space station are troublesome. Can be bred without the need.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a breeding container according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a breeding container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the breeding container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a link mechanism of the breeding container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a piston means of the breeding container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a breeding apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a breeding apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an operation of the breeding apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a guide diagram by an automatic operation according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a state diagram of an automatic operation screen according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a state diagram of an automatic operation screen according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a breeding container according to the prior art.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of automation of a breeding apparatus according to the prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Small animal breeding container (breeding container) 12 Breeding room 13 Ceiling 14 Floor plate 15 Elevating means 16 Breeding small animal (breeding animal) 17 Piston means 20 Breeding outer box 21 Shape memory alloy wire 22 sheet

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Masaru Uemura 1-1-1 Wadazakicho, Hyogo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Pref. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Kobe Shipyard (72) Inventor Takayuki Miwa 333-Nakamachi, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo 13 (72) Inventor Naotaka Hayashi 1-6-5 Chuo, Ota-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Hitoshi Goshima 1-2-22-21, Nukii-Kitamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo F-term (reference) 2B101 AA11 AA13 AA20 FA04 FB03 FB03 FB04

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An elevating means for elevating one of a ceiling and a floor of a breeding room, and a plurality of piston means provided on one of the ceiling and the floor for driving a small animal to a predetermined place. A small animal breeding container characterized by comprising: 2. The room according to claim 1, wherein the height of the room is set to 1/3 to 1 of the living space by the elevating means.
A small animal breeding container characterized by being regulated to about / 5. 3. The small animal breeding container according to claim 1, wherein said lifting means is operated by a link mechanism. 4. The small animal breeding container according to claim 1, wherein the lifting means and the piston means are operated by a shape memory alloy. 5. The small animal breeding container according to claim 1, wherein a small animal is guided to a pressing surface of the piston means via a sheet. 6. The small animal breeding container according to claim 1, wherein the breeding room comprises an inner room and an outer room. 7. The small animal breeding container according to claim 1, wherein the floor of the inner room has a net shape. 8. The small animal breeding container according to claim 1, wherein the side wall of the inner room is transparent or lattice-shaped. 9. The small animal breeding container according to claim 1, wherein breeding support means is provided in the breeding room. 10. The small animal breeding container according to claim 1, wherein a side wall and a floor surface of the outer room are transparent. 11. The image processing device according to claim 10, further comprising image processing means for confirming a small animal inside the floor from the floor of the outer room. A small animal breeding container characterized in that the small animal is guided by a guiding means to guide the small animal to a predetermined location. 12. The small animal breeding container according to claim 11, wherein the process from the image recognition processing to inducing a small animal is automatically performed, and only a specific small animal is induced. 13. A small animal breeding container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, at least two storage spaces for storing said breeding container, and a state in which the height of a living room is regulated by said elevating means. A small animal breeding apparatus comprising: moving means for holding and moving a small animal breeding room while moving a living room from one storage space to another storage space. 14. The small animal breeding device according to claim 13, wherein an outer room is provided in the plurality of storage spaces, and a living space, a feeding space, and a mating space are distinguished. 15. A small animal breeding method using the small animal breeding device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the small animal is bred while being distinguished into a living space, a feeding space, and a mating space. 16. The small animal breeding method according to claim 15, wherein the small animal is bred in outer space.