WO2007121755A1

WO2007121755A1 - Device and holder for use in artificial insemination of livestock

Info

Publication number: WO2007121755A1
Application number: PCT/DK2007/000197
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ove Rønne; Ib Amstrup Nielsen
Original assignee: Scandinavian Invest Aps
Priority date: 2006-04-26
Filing date: 2007-04-26
Publication date: 2007-11-01
Also published as: DK200600591A; DK176436B1

Abstract

A device (1) is described with supporting means (2) and a retainer (3) for a semen receptacle (4) used in artificial insemination of an animal, preferably a sow (4). The retainer (3) is mounted on a supporting device (2) which is adapted to rest on or to be attached to the animal. The retainer (3) is positioned on a rod-shaped part (8) of the supporting device stretching backwards to a position over and behind the genital opening (9) of the animal. The retainer (3) includes a first retainer device (10) for a first type of semen receptacle (33) and at least one further retainer device (13) for a second type of semen receptacle (14). Hereby it becomes possible that the retainer (3) may be applied together with various types of semen receptacles (14,33) and the user can make his work more efficient as it is only necessary to use one type of device (1) when insemination of several animals (5) has to be made and when there is need for the application of various types of semen receptacles (14, 33).

Description

Device and holder for use in artificial insemination of livestock

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for use in artificial insemination of an animal, especially a sow and includes a retainer for the semen receptacle which is attached to a supporting device adapted to rest on or be attached to the animal and which retainer has a rod-shaped part of the supporting device stretching backwards to a position over and behind the genital opening of the animal. Furthermore, this invention relates to use of such a device.

Background of the Invention For many years, insemination was carried out by holding the semen receptacle by hand. This was time-consuming and laborious, and moreover it was a problem to make the animal stand still so that the insemination process could be done efficiently. Especially in larger animal husbandries in which several animals were to be inseminated it was desirable to reduce the time consumption.

Consequently, a device as described above has been developed. As an example of such a device is known from e.g. DK 171072 which describes such a device rendering it possible to inseminate several animals simultaneously without the assistance from a person to hold the semen receptacle during the insemination.

Despite the fact that this type of device has worked satisfactorily then the user has been forced to for many years to use various devices if semen receptacles from various produces and/or of different types were to be used.

Thus in larger animal husbandries it would be common to use various types of semen receptacles, e.g. semen receptacles of one type containing semen from external suppliers for special breeding and semen receptacles of another type containing semen from own production.

Moreover, in the prior art devices it is not possible to place a new semen receptacle in the retainer and prepare the device for a subsequent insemination when the insemination of an animal had been effected and when the device had been removed from the animal.

For many years there has been a desire for a method of making the work within animal husbandry more efficient and consequently also the work with the insemination of animals in the ever-increasing animal husbandries.

Object of the Invention

It is the object of the present invention to show an improved device and retainer of the type mentioned in the introduction that enables making the insemination work more efficient and which simultaneously is flexible to use in connection with various types of semen receptacles. Furthermore, it is desirable that the device and the retainer are simple to manufacture. Furthermore, it is also desirable to provide a retainer which can be used together with existing devices.

Description of the Invention According to the present invention this is achieved by means of a device as mentioned in the introduction which is peculiar in that the retainer includes a first retainer device for a first type of semen receptacle and at least one further retainer device for a second type of semen receptacle.

According to the invention, the invention is peculiar in that it includes a first retaining device for a first semen receptacle and at least a further retainer device for a second type of semen receptacle.

In this way it is possible to use the retainer together with various types of semen receptacles. A single insemination device may thus be used for various producers' semen receptacles, irrespectively whether it involves bags, tubes or bottles. The user may thus work more efficiently as it is only necessary with one type of device when several animals are to be inseminated and when there is a need for application of various types of semen/semen receptacles.

According to a further embodiment, the device according to the invention is peculiar in that the retainer devices are formed on or constitute an integrated part of the base part of the retainer and that the base part is provided with first mounting means interacting with further mounting means which are connected to or constitute an integrated part of the supporting device for demountable of the retainer on the supporting device. By this embodiment, a user will be able to disengage the retainer from the supporting device so that various retainers can be used together with a supporting device Thus the semen receptacle can be placed in a retainer, which is ready to be mounted in the supporting means when an insemination has been performed and a subsequent insemination has to take place. Various retainers can thus be used together with a supporting device and these retainers can be rendered operationally by inserting semen receptacles of a preferred type.

According to a further embodiment, the device according to the invention is peculiar in that the mounting means include a strap provided with an aperture with which it can be attached to the rod-shaped part of the supporting device in a position over and behind the genital opening of the animal. The strap can be resilient or inelastic. The semen receptacle will thus be loosely supported in relation to the supporting device so that the semen receptacle may move freely during the insemination even though it is fixed in the retainer. The strap may be adjusted in the longitudinal direction, thus ensuring a correct height of the semen receptacle in a position over the genital opening of the animal. Semen may hereby run into the animal by means of gravity only, if this is desired. Alternatively the retainer may be supplied with guiding means to establish a compulsory introduction of the semen independent of the force of gravity.

According to a further embodiment, the device according to the invention is peculiar in that the first retainer device includes clamping means arranged to clamp a semen receptacle which is preferably constituted by a bag or a tube, hi particular this is suited for many types of semen receptacles coming from external suppliers, however, where bags or tubes may have different sizes and shapes. A clamping of a bag or a tube at the rear end of an outlet branch can, however, be arranged in an unproblematic manner, independently of the size and shape.

According to a further embodiment, the device according to the invention is peculiar in that a further retainer device includes an elongated duct for supporting a semen receptacle which preferably is provided as a bag, a tube or a bottle, and which duct is delimited by an end plate which is provided with an opening for an outlet branch on the semen receptacle. The retainer may be positioned with the end plate oriented downwardly so that the semen receptacle rests against the end plate by force of gravity and is supported inside the duct. It is preferred that the duct is open and that the opening in the end plate communicates with the opening of the duct as it hereby becomes easy to place the semen receptacle with the insertion catheter in the retainer.

According to a further embodiment, the device according to the invention is peculiar in that the elongated duct is arranged with the base part of the retainer as a bottom and having resiliently yielding side walls projecting therefrom, hi this way there is achieved a better adaptation to different sizes of semen receptacles. Furthermore, a clamping effect on the semen receptacle is obtained, contributing to secure attachment and possibly also contributing to the emptying of soft flexible receptacles which are under the influence of clamping force from the resilient side walls.

According to a further embodiment, the device according to the invention is peculiar in that a further retainer device includes hook-shaped projections on the base part of the retainer and that these hook-shaped projections are preferably made at a position over an elongated duct for the support of a semen receptacle which is preferably provided as a bag or a tube with openings that interact with the hook-shaped projections and which duct is delimited by an end plate which is provided with an opening for a outlet branch on the semen receptacle. Hereby the retainer may be used for bags and tubes which are often provided with openings for suspension in a hook on the supporting device in prior art devices. In this way, however, a more secure application is achieved as a support also has been provided in the duct. Even though cracks may occur and partial tear at the openings on the bag or the tube, there will thus not be any risk that the semen receptacle will fall out of the retainer.

According to a further embodiment, the device according to the invention is peculiar in that the clamping means are constituted by a separate clamp which is formed of two resiliently interconnected plates, that the base part of the retainer includes two slotted ducts for receiving one of the plates of the clamp. This is a particular simple design for the establishment of the clamping action as the two plates are interconnected by means of a spring arranged between the plates. Simultaneously, it makes it easy to manufacture the retainer by inserting the clamp in the slotted ducts. As an alternative, one of the plates of the clamping device may be constituted by the base part. This would, however, necessitate more complicated and expensive moulds for the manufacturing of the retainer which is made by moulding plastic.

According to a further embodiment, the device according to the invention is peculiar in that the base part of the retainer between the two slotted ducts includes a resilient yielding part having a projecting dowel, and that the plate of the clamp includes an opening which may interact with the dowel which in a resilient manner is pressed into the opening, and that the projecting dowel is preferably formed in a recess of the base part of the retainer, and that the strap may be received in the recess and has an opening for positioning above the dowel.

Hereby is obtained automatic securing of the clamp against longitudinal displacement in relation to the slotted ducts. Furthermore, the connection between the clamp and the base part may simultanously be used for mounting of the strap. This simplifies manufacturing of the retainer. Thus the mounting can be performed in a very simple manner as the strap may be placed in the recess, after which the clamp may be displaced into the slotted ducts until the dowel snaps into engagement with the opening in the plate of the clamp.

Description of the Drawing

The invention will then be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, where:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the device according to the invention in a situation of application in artificial insemination of a sow. fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention; fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a base element of the retainer illustrated in Figure

3, and Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the base element shown in Figure 4 as seen from the other side.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In Figure 1 , a device 1 is shown with supporting means 2 and a retainer 3 for a semen receptacle 4 used in artificial insemination of a sow 5.

The supporting means 2 are constructed by means of an oblong flat sheet of stainless steel which has a base part 6 which rests on the back of the sow and which unites two straps 7, which are arranged to rest on either side of the sow. The supporting means 2 has a bar-shaped part 8, which in relation to the sow stretches upwards and backwards in a position over and behind the genital opening 9 of the sow. The base part 6 includes a handle 24.

The retainer 3 includes a first retainer device 10 with clamping means 11 which are arranged to clamp a first type of semen receptacle 4 in the form of the kind of tube 33 shown. The retainer 3 includes a further retainer device 12 in the form of an elongated canal 13 for the support of another type of semen receptacle 4 in the form of a bottle 14 (cf. Figs. 2 and 3). The duct 3 is limited by an end plate 15, which is provided with an opening 16 (cf. Fig. 2 and 4) for a discharge branch 17 (cf. Fig. 4) on the bottle 14. The retainer 3 is mounted on the rod-shaped part 8 by means of a strap 18 which by the uppermost part farthest from the retainer 3 is provided with an opening 19 by which it can be attached onto the rod-shaped part 8 of the supporting means, thus the retainer is arranged in the position shown over and behind the genital opening 9 of the animal.

In Fig. 2 a device 1 ' is shown which includes a supporting means 20 which has a base part 21 and a shackle part 22 and a rod-shaped part 23 onto which a retainer is mounted. The retainer 3 is mounted on the rod-shaped part 23 in a manner identical to the one described in Fig. 1 rendering it possible for the retainer and the semen receptacle/bottle 14 to be located in a position over and behind the genital opening of the animal.

The base part 21 is provided with a handle 24 and a house 25 which contains a guide for the activation of pressure pads 26 of the shackle part 22 via actuation rods 27. The rod-shaped part 23 is supported by the outer end of the retainer 3.

The retainer 3 is shown from the side in which the duct 13 is constituted and the clamping means which are shown on the opposite side of the retainer are thus not visible in this drawing. The duct 13 is constituted by two side walls 28 between which there is an opening 29. The duct 13 is limited by an end plate 15 which is provided with openings 16 for a discharge branch 17 on the semen receptacle/bottle 14. Thus the bottle 14 rests against the end plate 15 and is supported by the side walls 28. The side walls 28 are provided with resilient flexibility for the adjustment to bottles 14 having various sizes in the central part 30 of the duct having a substantially circular shape.

The retainer is provided with hooks 31 onto which a bag-shaped semen receptacle 4 (not shown) may be suspended with the lower part of the bag arranged in the duct 13 which has two protruding side parts 32 on each side of the circular central part 30 thus the duct has a width for the attachment of bags having different sizes.

For the purpose of illustration, Fig. 3 shows a perspective drawing of a retainer 3 in which a bottle 14 in arranged in the duct 13 and a tube 33 in the clamping means 11. The clamping means 1 are constituted by a separate clamp 34 which is made of two resiliently connected plates 35 and 36. The retainer 3 is made of a base part 37 which is integrally constructed with the duct as it is casted integrally in one piece. The base part 37 includes two slotted ducts 38 for the integration of the side edges of one of the plates 35 of the clamp.

The base part 37 of the retainer between the two slotted ducts 28 are provided with two slots 39 thus it includes a resiliently yielding part 40 having a projecting dowel. The plate 35 of the clamp includes an opening 42 which may co-operate with the dowel 41 which in a resilient way is pressed into the openings 42. The base part includes a groove 43 and the projecting dowel 41 is constituted in the groove. The base part includes a groove 43 and the projecting dowel 41 is constituted in the groove. The strap 18 is engaged in the groove 43 and has an opening (not shown) in a position above the dowel 41. In assembling, the strap 18 will thus be secured in the groove when the clamp 34 is displaced in the slotted ducts 38 and the dowel 41 will be engaged with the openings 42 in the plate 35 of the clamp.

Figs. 4 and 5 show more detailed perspective drawings of the base part 37 of the retainer.

Claims

1. A device (1,1') for use in artificial insemination of animals, especially a sow (5) and comprising a retainer (3) for a semen receptacle (4) which is mounted on a supporting device (2,20), which is arranged to rest on or be attached to the animal and which has a rod-shaped part (8,23) of the supporting device which stretches backwards to a position over and behind the genital opening of the animal (9) characterised in that the retainer (2) includes a first retainer device (10) for a first type of semen receptacle (33) and at least one further retainer device (12) for a second type of semen receptacle (14).

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the retainer devices are formed on or constitute an integrated part of the base part (37) of the retainer (3) and that the base part is provided with first mounting means interacting with further mounting means which are connected to or constitute an integrated part of the supporting device (2,20) for demountable mounting of the retainer (3) on the supporting device (2,20).

3. A device according to claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the mounting means (41) include a strap (18) provided with an aperture (19) with which it may be attached to the rod-shaped part (8) of the supporting device in a position over and behind the genital opening of the animal.

4. A device according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the first retainer device (10) includes clamping means (11) which are arranged to clamp a semen receptacle which preferably is constituted by a bag or a tube (33).

5. A device according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that a further retainer device (12) includes an elongated duct (13) for the supporting of a semen receptacle which preferably is provided as a bag, a tube or a bottle (14) and which duct is delimited by an end plate (15) which is provided with an opening (16) for an outlet branch (17) on the semen receptacle (14).

6. A device according to claim 5 characterised in that the elongated duct (13) is arranged with the base part (37) of the retainer as a bottom and having resiliently yielding side walls (28) projecting up therefrom.

7. A device according to any of claims 2-6, characterised in that a further retainer device (12) includes hook-shaped projections (31) on the base part (37) of the retainer, and that these hook-shaped projections preferably are made at a position over an elongated duct (13) for the support of a semen receptacle which preferably is provided as a bag or a tube (33) with openings that interact with the hook-shaped projections (31) and which duct (13) is delimited by an end plate (15) which is provided with an opening (16) for a outlet branch (17) on the semen receptacle (14).

8. A device according to any of the preceding claims 4-7 characterised in that the clamping means are constituted by a separate clamp (34) which are formed of two resiliently interconnected plates (35,36), that the base part (37) of the retainer includes two slotted ducts (38) for receiving one of the plates (35) of the clamp.

9. A device according to claim 8 characterised in that the base part (37) of the retainer between the two slotted ducts (38) including a resiliently yielding part (40) having a projecting dowel (41) and that the plate (35) of the clamp includes an opening (42) which may interact with the dowel which in a resilient manner is pressed into the opening, and that the projecting dowel is preferably formed in a recess (43) of the base part (37) of the retainer, and that the strap (18) may be received in the recess (43) and has an opening for positioning above the dowel (41).

10. A retainer for use in the device (1,1') according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that it includes a first retainer device (10) for a first type of semen receptacle (33) and at least one further retainer device (12) for a second type of semen receptacle (14).