NL9302073A - Accommodation for small animals - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for accommodating small animals, for example small rodents, comprises a box as well as a cover for covering the box, which cover is provided with supply means for supplying food and drink to an animal in the device. There is also a separate platform which can be placed into the box below the supply means, by means of which platform the box can be divided into two areas, of which the area defined by the platform forms a collecting area for the animal's excreta, and the remaining area forms a living area for the animal.

Description

Small animal housing

The invention relates to a device for housing small animals, for example small rodents, comprising a tray and a lid for covering the tray, which lid is provided with feed means for feeding food and drinks to an appliance located in the device. standing animal.

Such tray-shaped devices are used in large numbers in, inter alia, laboratories. The care of the animals takes a lot of time and money, especially since every establishment has to be cleaned from time to time in order to maintain an acceptable living environment for the animals.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device of the above-mentioned type which makes it possible to maintain a longer interval between cleaning operations, while maintaining the required hygiene. This object is achieved in that a separate plateau is provided which can be placed in the tray under the feed means, by means of which tray the tray can be divided into two areas, the area of which is defined by the tray forms a collection area for the excrement of the animal, and the other area forms a habitat for the animal.

Small animals, especially small rodents, appear to have the habit of satisfying their needs while consuming food. By now placing a plateau at the place where they can take in food and / or water, it is achieved that the excrement is collected on that plateau. As a result, the feces do not enter the normal habitat of the animal, which environment is usually formed by a layer of material such as sawdust. Since it will not get dirty quickly, this layer of material can remain in use for a long time. In addition, the removal of the excrement can be done quickly, since only the plateau has to be removed and cleaned for this purpose.

The plateau has an upright edge, such that this upright edge forms a separation between the reception area and the residential area. Such an edge forms a good boundary of the two areas, so that the excrement cannot quickly enter the living environment.

According to a preferred embodiment, the plateau has four upright edges to form a receptacle. In this embodiment, the distribution of faeces and urine is virtually excluded.

A grid is also provided that can be supported at some distance above the tray. All feces fall through the grid onto the platform, such that the surface of the area on which the animal is to eat or drink can remain relatively clean. An advantage of this is also that the animal will not quickly deposit its excrement elsewhere, for example in its living environment.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the figures.

Figure 1 shows a side view of the device according to the invention, partly in section.

Figure 2 shows a top view, partly in section.

The device according to the invention shown in figure 1 comprises a tray 1, which is covered by means of a grid-shaped lid 2. This grid-shaped lid 2 consists of a number of longitudinal bars 3, which are attached to each other by means of cross bars 4. All around the lid 2 is bounded by a circumferential rod 5 · These rods 3, 4 and 5 are fastened together by spot welding, for example.

As can be seen in figure 1, a recess 6 is arranged in the bars 3, in which food and also a bottle with drinking water for the animals to be housed in the device is accommodated.

Under the location where the recess 6 is located, a plateau 7 is now provided, which carries an upright partition 8 at its end facing the rest of the box. On the other three sides, the platform has upright walls 9. which, however, are lower than the dividing wall 8.

In the receptacle thus formed by platform 7. walls 8 and 9, a grid 10 is arranged, which is located some distance above the platform 7. To this end, the grid 10 has downwardly bent edges 11 on either side, which bear on the platform 7 at the bottom.

When the animal now eats the food contained in the recess 6, it also discards its excrement, which thereby falls on the platform 7 via the grid 10. The consequence of this is that the grid bottom 10 on which the animal is located itself remains clean. A further consequence is that the living space 12 of the animal, on the bottom of which there is usually sawdust or the like, remains clean for a long time. The relatively high dividing wall 8 ensures that the excrement does not quickly enter the living environment 12.

Claims (5)

1. Device for housing small animals, for example small rodents, comprising a tray and a lid for covering the tray, which lid is provided with feeding means for feeding food and drinks to an animal present in the device that a separate platform is provided which can be placed in the tray under the feed means, by means of which tray the tray can be divided into two areas, the area of which is defined by the platform forms a collection area for the excrement of the animal, and the other area is a residence area for the animal forms. 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plateau has an upright edge, such that the upright edge forms a separation between the receiving area and the accommodation area. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the platform has four upright edges to form a receptacle. 4. Device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the separating upright edge is higher than the other edges of the receptacle. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a grid is provided which can be supported at some distance above the plateau.