U.S. patent application number 14/983887 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-21 for systems for dispensing bedding materials into cages for laboratory animals.
This patent application is currently assigned to Audubon Machinery Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Audubon Machinery Corporation. Invention is credited to Philippe Roe.
Application Number | 20160106059 14/983887 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42781356 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160106059 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roe; Philippe |
April 21, 2016 |
Systems For Dispensing Bedding Materials Into Cages For Laboratory
Animals
Abstract
The present invention is directed to dispensers of bedding
materials for laboratory animal cages. According to one embodiment
of a dispensing unit, materials are drawn into a storage chute by a
vacuum and dispensing is accomplished in a dispenser comprising a
plurality of dispensing chutes having dispensing openings through
which material is dispensed into cages. While in a first position,
a material directing gate allows the materials to be dispensed
through one of the dispensing chutes into a first number of cages,
and through another one of the dispensing chutes into a second
number of cages while in a second position. According to another
embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum from the vacuum
blower is utilized to remove dust from the dispensing area where
material is dispensed into cages. Another aspect of the present
invention is directed to a system for aligning, indexing and drying
laboratory animal cages which have already been cleaned in a
cleaning station. Another aspect of the present invention relates
to a programmable controller which advantageously facilitates the
programming of automated control of the dispensing system.
Inventors: |
Roe; Philippe; (Lenoir,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Audubon Machinery Corporation |
North Tonawanda |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Audubon Machinery
Corporation
North Tonawanda
NY
|
Family ID: |
42781356 |
Appl. No.: |
14/983887 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14243020 |
Apr 2, 2014 |
|
|
|
14983887 |
|
|
|
|
12798153 |
Mar 29, 2010 |
8936176 |
|
|
14243020 |
|
|
|
|
61211234 |
Mar 27, 2009 |
|
|
|
61259342 |
Nov 9, 2009 |
|
|
|
61259410 |
Nov 9, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/394 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 29/00 20130101;
A01K 1/031 20130101; A01K 1/0152 20130101; A01K 1/0107 20130101;
A01K 1/0155 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01K 1/015 20060101
A01K001/015; A01K 1/01 20060101 A01K001/01; A01K 1/03 20060101
A01K001/03; A01K 29/00 20060101 A01K029/00 |
Claims
1. A system for dispensing material into cages for laboratory
animals, said system comprising: a storage chute comprising an
inlet for air and material and an air outlet; a source of a vacuum
in fluidic communication with said storage chute whereby a vacuum
created by said vacuum source draws air and material through said
inlet, said vacuum source comprising an outlet which exhausts
pressurized air, and at least one nozzle in communication with said
vacuum source outlet, wherein said nozzle is positioned to direct
said pressurized air onto the cages.
2. A system for dispensing material into cages according to claim 1
further comprising a supplemental heat exchanger wherein said
pressurized air is heated in said supplemental heat exchanger.
3. A system for dispensing material into cages for laboratory
animals, said system comprising: a storage chute comprising an
inlet for air and material and an air outlet; at least one nozzle
disposed on a movable support and in communication with a source of
pressurized air, wherein said at least one nozzle is moved relative
to cages during drying.
4. A system for dispensing material into cages according to claim 3
further comprising a supplemental heat exchanger wherein said
pressurized air is heated in said supplemental heat exchanger.
5. A system for dispensing material into cages according to claim 3
wherein said at least one nozzle comprises a plurality of openings
for directing said pressurized air.
6. A system for dispensing material into cages according to claim 3
wherein said at least one nozzle moves relative to the cages from
an upper position to a lower position.
7. A system for dispensing material into cages for laboratory
animals, said system comprising: a storage chute comprising an
inlet for air and material and an air outlet; a rotary clamp,
wherein said rotary clamp rotates the cages from a first position
to an inclined second position, wherein said second position is at
a predetermined inclined angle to the horizontal; at least one
nozzle disposed on a movable support and in communication with a
source of pressurized air, wherein said at least one nozzle is
moved relative to the cages during drying when the cages are
positioned at said predetermined angle.
8. A system for dispensing material into cages according to claim 7
where said predetermined angle is approximately 90 degrees.
9. A system for dispensing material into cages according to claim 7
where said predetermined angle is approximately 70 degrees.
10. A system for dispensing material into cages according to claim
7 further comprising a supplemental heat exchanger wherein said
pressurized air is heated in said supplemental heat exchanger.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/243,020, filed on Apr. 2, 2014, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/798,153, filed
on Mar. 29, 2010. This application claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional patent applications 61/211,234 filed on Mar. 27, 2009,
61/259,342 filed on Nov. 9, 2009 and 61/259,410 filed on Nov. 9,
2009.
[0002] The present invention is directed to dispensing systems for
relatively small, light solid materials and, is particularly suited
for dispensing bedding materials, including environmental
enrichment materials, into cages for laboratory animals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Laboratory animals are often maintained in cages, e.g. large
plastic bins. Such cages need to be cleaned and maintained on a
regular basis. It is common to provide a bedding material on the
bottom of such cages. Known bedding materials include corncob
bedding, wood chip and wood shaving bedding materials, and paper
bedding materials comprising paper sheets, paper pulp or recycled
paper.
[0004] In order to accommodate a high volume of cages and to
expedite the bedding of cages following cleaning, automated
equipment has been used. Recently, some laboratories have been
using environmental enrichment materials in animal cages. For
example, small coiled paper rolls have been found to be desirable
in some laboratory animal cages. The animals can "play" with the
paper coils, by unrolling and/or tearing the paper, and can build
nests within their cages with such materials. Such environmental
enrichment materials are not suitable for dispensing with known
dispensing equipment due to the materials inherent higher angle of
repose and bridging coefficient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The various aspects of the present invention are directed to
dispensers and are described herein with respect to the dispensing
of bedding materials for laboratory animal cages. As used herein,
the term "bedding material" refers to any material used in
laboratory animal cages, including but not limited to, corncob
bedding, wood chip and wood shaving bedding materials, paper
bedding materials comprising paper sheets, paper pulp or recycled
paper, and environmental enrichment materials. The disclosed
dispensers can be used for bedding or other materials. The
embodiments of the present invention have been shown to
successfully dispense environmental enrichment materials.
[0006] Materials dispensed into cages used for laboratory animals,
e.g. large plastic bins, can be drawn from a material supply source
utilizing a vacuum, for example a vacuum blower which creates a
negative pressure in a vacuum receiver. Materials are then
permitted to fall from the vacuum receiver into a storage chute
from which they are dispensed, in a controlled manner, into the
cages.
[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
dispensing unit is provided with a sealable dispensing area which
facilitates the bedding material(s) and air to be drawn into a
storage chute with a vacuum. After the materials have been drawn
into the storage chute, the vacuum is stopped and dispensing is
accomplished with a rotatable impeller. As the material is
initially entering the storage chute under the influence of the
vacuum, the material acts substantially as a fluid. However, when
the material settles into the storage chute, the material acts more
as a cohesive solid subject to the disadvantages inherent in its
high angle of repose and bridging/arching. In order to address the
high angle of repose and bridging/arching tendency of the
environmental enrichment materials, a wiper is positioned to
cooperate with a rotatable impeller to refluidize the materials,
i.e. eliminate any adverse effects of bridging/arching, prior to
the materials passage to a material directing gate.
[0008] As used herein, the term "angle of repose" is used to
indicate the maximum slope, measured in degrees from the
horizontal, at which loose solid material will remain in place
without sliding. As used herein, the term "bridging/arching" is
used to indicate the non-flowing condition, a zero "Flow Function"
(cohesive strength/pressure relationship), arising from the
material's cohesive strength and as a function of applied
consolidation pressure. Cohesive strength as measured by ASTM D
6128-97.
[0009] For example, where typical corncob bedding material has an
angle of repose of about 7.7 degrees to 10.8 degrees, the present
invention is useful with environmental enrichment materials having
an angle of repose of greater than 16 degrees. When the
environmental enrichment materials are induced into motion, they
will exhibit some properties of a fluidized flow. Nonetheless, as
they are essentially solids, they are treated differently at
different stages during the dispensing.
[0010] Preferred embodiments illustrated below are also useful with
different sized cages. These embodiments comprise a movable
material directing gate which is selectively movable between at
least three positions. In one position, the dispensing portion is
closed and the material directing gate preferably provides an
airtight seal at the bottom of the dispenser housing. In a second
position, the material directing gate allows the materials to be
dispensed through chutes designed to dispense into a first number
of cages, while in a third position, the material directing gate
allows the materials to be dispensed through chutes designed to
dispense into a single cage or a different number of cages than the
first number of cages.
[0011] The dispensing systems of the present invention overcome
difficulties of accurately metering and dispensing environmental
enrichment materials which have much higher angles of repose and
bridging coefficients than typical bedding materials.
[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the vacuum from the vacuum blower is utilized to remove dust from
the dispensing area where material is dispensed into cages.
[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a
system for aligning, indexing and drying of laboratory animal cages
which have already been cleaned in a cleaning station. A drying
device utilizes a plurality of nozzles mounted on a stationary
support as the cages enter the dispenser on one embodiment or on a
movable support which dries cages when the cages are at least
partially inverted in another embodiment.
[0014] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a
programmable controller which advantageously facilitates the
programming of automated control of the dispensing system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of
the present invention illustrating four animal cages in
phantom.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.
1 with a front door in an open position.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a partial, front perspective view of FIG. 1 with
the front door in the open position illustrating internal
components.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a partial, front perspective view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1 with portions removed.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a partial, front perspective view of FIG. 1 with
portions removed.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the
present invention during a loading phase.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the embodiment of FIG. 6
illustrating a first dispense mode.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the embodiment of FIG. 6
illustrating a second dispense mode.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a partial, left perspective view of the dispenser
of FIG. 6 illustrating the direction of material flow in the second
dispense mode.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a partial, right perspective view of the right
side of an embodiment comprising two dispensing openings on the
right side.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a partial, left perspective view of an
alternative embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 12A is a partial, right perspective view of components
shown in FIG. 11.
[0027] FIG. 12B is a partial, left perspective view of components
shown in FIG. 11.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a partial, perspective view of one embodiment of
a dust collection system of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a partial side view of the dust collection system
of FIG. 13.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a portion of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention which is a sectional view of a dispensing
chute.
[0031] FIG. 16 is a bottom view showing the dispensing openings and
dust collection vents.
[0032] FIG. 17 is a partial exploded, top perspective view of the
embodiment of FIG. 16.
[0033] FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of another embodiment
illustrating dust collection vents between two sets of dispensing
chutes.
[0034] FIG. 19 is partial perspective view of one embodiment of an
alignment and indexing device of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 19A is a partial perspective view of another embodiment
of an alignment and indexing device of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of a
dryer of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of a dryer of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 22A is a partial perspective view showing cage
detection and cage movement through the dispenser
[0039] FIG. 22B is a partial is another perspective showing further
cage detection and cage movement through the dispenser
[0040] FIG. 22C is a partial perspective showing cage detection
with different size cages and cage movement through the
dispenser
[0041] FIG. 22D is a partial perspective showing cage movement
further through the dispenser
[0042] FIG. 22E is a partial perspective showing cage movement
further through the dispenser in relation to the chutes formed by
the gabled diverters
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate various views of one embodiment of a
bench top dispensing system of the present invention. This
dispensing system is a free standing system that can be set up on a
surface such, as on portable cart, or used in conjunction with a
conveyor type bedding dispenser. FIG. 1 illustrates the dispensing
unit with four cages shown in phantom. The front door of the
dispensing unit is closed and has a touch screen control panel 5.
FIG. 2 illustrates the dispensing unit with the front door and a
side door in an open position and the cages shown in phantom. FIG.
3 is a partial view of the dispensing unit with a front housing
wall 17 removed, thereby showing the components which move the
materials. FIGS. 4 and 5 are partial perspective views with
portions removed. FIG. 4 illustrates a first set of gable
diverters. FIG. 5 shows a second set of gable diverters. In this
embodiment, the second set of gable diverters are positioned behind
the first set of gable diverters.
[0044] FIGS. 6-8 are diagrammatic, cross-sectional side views of
one preferred dispensing system of the present invention. As shown
diagrammatically by the arrows in FIG. 6, a fluidized flow of air
and materials MA to be dispensed, e.g. environmental enhancement
materials, is drawn into the top of a storage chute 15 by a vacuum
pressure applied to an outlet conduit 12. While the arrows are wide
and continuous, the material is in the form of small solids. A
perforated filter screen 14 prevents the bedding, e.g.
environmental enrichment, materials M from exiting through outlet
conduit 12 but allows airstream A to be drawn out by the vacuum
source 13 (shown in FIG. 2). During this initial loading stage, the
bottom of the dispenser is sealed, preferably in an airtight
manner, to avoid leakage of air into the interior of the storage
chute 15 which would tend to decrease the efficiency of the
transport of the air and materials AM into the storage chute 15.
During this initial loading phase, material M will tend to fall
downwardly in the storage chute 15, however, due to its relatively
low density and the force of the vacuum, some of the materials M
may remain in the upper region of the storage chute 15. After a
desired quantity of material has been drawn into the storage chute
15, the application of the vacuum to outlet conduit 12 is
preferably stopped thereby allowing all remaining materials M to
fall in storage chute 15.
[0045] According to this illustrated embodiment of the present
invention, and with reference to FIGS. 3-9, a wiper 20, a rotatable
impeller 30, a right lower rail 40, a left lower rail 42, a movable
material directing gate 50, a right dispensing chute 60 and a left
dispensing chute 70 are positioned in the dispenser near the lower
portion of the storage chute 15.
[0046] In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, material directing
gate 50 is in a central or closed position which prevents material
from flowing downwardly into either dispensing chute 60, 70.
Material directing gate 50 also advantageously provides a
substantially airtight seal with the bottom portions of the lower
rails 40, 42. When the material directing gate 50 is in this
position as illustrated in FIG. 6, the lower portion of the
illustrated dispensing unit is preferably airtight to facilitate
the initial loading of material into storage chute 15. When it is
desired to dispense materials into cages positioned below either of
dispensing chute 60 or dispensing chute 70, material directing gate
50 is selectively moved to a first dispensing position shown in
FIG. 7 or a second dispensing position shown in FIG. 8.
[0047] With reference to FIG. 9, left dispensing chute 70 comprises
three spaced gable diverters 72 and two, half gable diverters 74
which collectively define four dispensing openings 75 through which
material may pass. (From the present drawings, it will be
understood the housing wall on the left side of the dispenser is
not shown in FIG. 9). The dispensing chute 70 is therefore designed
to simultaneously dispense material into four cages positioned
below dispensing chute 70 through dispensing openings 75. From the
present description and drawings, it will be appreciated that by
using a different number of gables/half gables, it is possible to
provide a different number of openings through which materials may
be dispensed. This is particularly useful in facilities which use
cages of different sizes. For example, a facility may use large
cages which are dimensioned such that four cages simultaneously
pass below the illustrated dispensing unit. The laboratory facility
may also utilize smaller cages having smaller dimensions which
permit five cages to pass simultaneously below the dispensing unit.
In this instance, material can be dispensed through dispensing
chute 60 which has five dispensing openings 65 defined by the
spaces between four gables 62 and the ends of the dispensing unit.
Thus, in dispensing chute 60, four full gables 62 (only three of
which are shown in FIG. 9) and the two end walls define five
dispensing openings 65 which allow the simultaneous and even
dispensing of material into five smaller cages positioned below
dispensing chute 60. Different numbers of gable diverters will
accommodate different numbers of cages in the same manner
Dispensing chute 60 is preferably provided with a different number
of dispensing openings than dispensing chute 70. For example, gable
diverters are positioned in a dispensing chute to define at a
minimum, one dispensing opening, up to about six dispensing
openings.
[0048] With reference to FIG. 10, which is an alternate embodiment,
right dispensing chute 160 comprises one spaced gable diverter 162
and two, half gable diverters 164 which collectively define two
openings 165 thorough which material may pass. (From the present
drawings, it will be understood the housing wall on the right side
of the dispenser is not shown in FIG. 10.) The dispensing chute 160
is therefore designed to simultaneously dispense material into two
cages positioned below dispensing chute 160 through dispensing
openings 165. The left dispensing chute 170 comprises four spaced
gable diverters 172 which collectively define three dispensing
openings 175 through which material may pass. The dispensing chute
170 is designed to simultaneously dispense material into three
cages positioned below dispensing chute 70 through dispensing
openings 175.
[0049] The dispensing of material is initiated by the controlled
rotation of impeller 30. With reference to FIGS. 6-8, impeller 30
is rotated in a clockwise direction causing material to pass
between impeller 30 and the bottom of wiper 20. As discussed below
with reference to a second embodiment, impeller 30 is preferably
driven by a ratchet (see FIG. 11) in order to precisely control the
dispensing of materials. The spacing between wiper 20 and the tips
of vanes 32 of impeller 30, when the vane 32 is in its closest
position to the wiper 20, is preferably approximately equal to the
smallest dimension of the material. In the case of environmental
enrichment products in the form of paper rolls having a length of
about 3/8 of an inch and a diameter of about 1/8 of an inch, the
clearance between impeller vane tips 32 and the lower surface of
wiper 20 is preferably about 1/8 of an inch.
[0050] This distance can be greater or less as desired, but is
preferably small enough to prevent the free flow of material
through the gap between the impeller and wiper 20. Following the
initial rotation of the impeller 30 one step, i.e. a predetermined
number of degrees controlled by the ratchet assembly design, the
material will preferably remain positioned between the bottom of a
channel 34 of impeller 30 and the right housing wall 17 (also
referred to the rear housing wall) of the dispenser housing until
impeller 30 is rotated further. As the impeller 30 is rotated
further, the material will fall down into the gap defined between
right lower rail 40 and left lower rail 42.
[0051] Prior to rotation of impeller 30, the inherent properties of
the materials may cause the materials to clump together near the
portion of the storage chute 15 above impeller 30. As impeller 30
moves material through the gap defined between impeller 30 and
wiper 20, the impeller 30 preferably acts as a fluidizer taking the
material from a compact state where is has a higher density to a
relatively lower density state where individual pieces of the
material are free to move under their own weight and will not be
subject to bridging by other pieces of the material. The rate at
which material will pass through the gap between impeller 30 and
wiper 20 can be adjusted by changing the depth of the channels 34
in the impeller 30 and/or by adjusting the rotational speed of
impeller 30.
[0052] The wiper 20, rails 40, 42 and material directing gate 50
can be formed of inexpensive materials such as high density
polyethylene, Delran.RTM. or stainless steel. It is not necessary
that the seal between material directing gate 50 and the lower
surfaces of the rails 40, 42 be perfectly airtight. Some minimal
amount of air leakage will not impede the vacuum induced drawing of
materials into the top of the dispenser chute 15 if the resulting
air velocity at the intake conduit 10 is sufficient to produce lift
of the environmental enrichment/bedding materials.
[0053] According to another embodiment, a sealing gate 80 is
provided at the bottom of the dispenser, below the dispensing
openings to provide an airtight seal to facilitate the initial
loading of material.
[0054] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an embodiment wherein two wipers 20
are provided, wherein one wiper is positioned above and to the
right of impeller 30 and the other wiper is positioned above and to
the left of impeller 30. The second wiper stops the material from
falling behind the impeller.
[0055] FIG. 11 illustrates a slightly different embodiment of the
present invention wherein the outlet conduit 12 is located on a
side of the storage chute opposite the intake conduit 10. As shown
in FIG. 11, the interior of this storage chute is provided with a
plurality of pegs 11 which are provided to break up clumps of
material as the material falls down in the storage chute 15 and
which thereby decrease the likelihood of undesirable bridging of
the material. FIGS. 11 and 12A and 12B also illustrate the use of
ratchet controls for the impeller 130 and a lever coupling for the
material directing gate 150. Pneumatic (or electromechanical)
actuator 180 which is preferably computer controlled is connected
via a ratchet, not shown, within the lever coupling 182 to the axle
132 of impeller 130. Another lever coupling 192 is connected to
material directing gate 150 in order to move material directing
gate 150 to the desired position at the desired time. Controls for
the lever coupling 182 of impeller 130 are illustrated in FIG. 22E.
Upon activation of a trigger, the programmable controller sends a
signal to the actuator. The actuator can be a step motor, an air
cylinder or a linear actuator. Controls for the lever coupling of
the material directing gate 150 are illustrated in FIG. 22E.
[0056] The movement of material directing gate 150 is preferably
linked to one or more sensors which detect the number of cages in
the dispensing area below the dispensing chutes as illustrated in
FIGS. 22B and 22C. For example, a sensor can readily determine the
height of the cages in the dispense area and this height
measurement can be used as an indication of the number of cages in
the area since typically taller cages will have larger lengths and
widths. In this manner, the control input which controls whether
material directing gate 150 is moved to the right or the left to
allow dispensing through different dispensing chutes can be
automated.
[0057] At least one sensor is also provided for the storage chute
15 to sense the amount of material in the storage chute 15. As
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a high sensor 21 and a low sensor 22
are provided on the storage chute 15 to identify the material
amounts in the storage chute 15.
[0058] According to another embodiment of the present invention
(not illustrated), instead of a single impeller, a pair of opposing
impellers are utilized. The impellers can be positioned so that
their vanes either overlap or do not overlap. This embodiment would
also include wipers to keep material from falling back between wall
and impeller.
[0059] Dispensing occurs upon activation of a trigger which
includes activation of a foot pedal by a user or use of the touch
panel controller 5.
[0060] According to one illustrated embodiment of the dust
collection system of the present invention shown in FIG. 13, a dust
collection plenum 190 comprises dust intake vents 280 positioned
proximate the dispensing openings 175 at the bottom of the
dispensing chute 210. The dust collecting plenum 190 is in
communication with the vacuum blower 96. The dust collection plenum
190 also has one or more dust intake vents 280 positioned in or
proximate the dispensing area. The dust collection plenum 190
utilizes the vacuum created by the vacuum blower 96 to draw dust
(which tends to become airborne during the dispensing of material)
into the dust collection plenum 190 and away from the dispensing
area. Dust is drawn away from the dispensing area via a dust
collection conduit 191, passes through a direction valve 193,
through a filter cabinet conduit 195 and into a filter cabinet 95
which preferably comprises removable filters.
[0061] The control and timing of the dust collection can be
regulated as desired by controls as illustrated in FIG. 22. For
example, the vacuum can be continuously supplied to the dust
collection plenum 190 until the vacuum air is required for the
movement of materials into the storage chute 196. In this instance,
the vacuum in the filter cabinet conduit 195, which is used for
collecting dust in the dust conduit 191, is redirected by the
directional valve 193 to draw air through the storage chute outlet
conduit 197. Thus, materials are drawn into the top of a storage
chute 196 when the material directing gate is in the closed
position. Alternatively, the vacuum can be supplied to the dust
collection plenum only during and/or immediately after the
dispensing of materials from the dispensing chute into the cages,
or at other times as desired.
[0062] According to an alternative embodiment of the present
invention, instead of, or in addition to, a dust collection plenum,
one or more dust collection vents are positioned in the dispensing
area. For example, the dust collection vents can be positioned
between the dispensing openings which dispense materials into the
cages. The dust collection vents are preferably connected to the
same ducts which lead to the filters and then the vacuum
blower.
[0063] While the filter cabinet 95 and vacuum blower 96 shown in
FIG. 13 are illustrated as being positioned close to the bottom of
the dispensing chute, the filtering system and vacuum blower are
preferably positioned so as not to interfere with the flow of cages
under the dispensing chute 210. In one preferred embodiment of the
present invention, cages are moved under the dispensing chute to
receive materials and then continue out the opposite side.
According to other embodiments, the cages can be advanced under the
dispensing chute where they receive materials, and then backed out
the same direction in which they entered. FIG. 14 is a partial
cross sectional view of the integrated dust collector system shown
in FIG. 13. This embodiment of the present invention advantageously
provides an integrated dust collector system for an animal cage
refilling apparatus which includes a vacuum system for transferring
bedding from a main hopper or storage bin to a storage chute. The
storage chute includes a plurality of dispensing openings 275 that
dispense fill material into a plurality of cages simultaneously. A
number of dust intake vents 280 are positioned between the
dispensing openings 275. When the vacuum is not needed to draw
clean fill into the vacuum receiver, the vacuum is diverted to draw
dust away from the dispensing (fill) area. The dusty air is
preferably passed through a filtering system, e.g. pocket filters,
which are easily cleanable and are built-in as part of the same
system. Alternatively, or in addition to the vents positioned near
the dispensing chutes, vents or a dust collection plenum can be
positioned elsewhere either within, proximate to or outside of the
material dispensing area.
[0064] FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention which is a sectional view of a dispensing
chute 210 comprising a rotatable impeller 250 and which dispenses
materials through dispensing openings 275 which are separated by
hollow gables/half gables 272/274. In this embodiment, the duct
work for dust intake vents 280 to the vacuum blower is attached to
the front bottom portion of the dispenser near gables 272 which are
hollow. The duct work is not shown in this figure.
[0065] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate an alternative embodiment wherein
FIG. 16 is a bottom view showing the dispensing openings 275,
dispensing openings 265, and dust intake vents 280. Gable diverters
262 define dispensing openings 265 and gable diverters 272 and half
gable diverters 274 define dispensing openings 275.
[0066] FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of the dust collection
manifold 290 with the left wall of the dispensing chute 210 removed
showing the dust intake vents 280 and the dust collection conduit
291.
[0067] FIG. 18 is a partial, bottom perspective view of a dispenser
unit of an alternative embodiment of the dust collection unit of
the present invention which positions the dust intake vents 780
between the dispensing openings 765, 775.
[0068] According to another embodiment, the dust collection system
may include an additional gate which acts a dust shield. With
reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, when sensors indicate that the cages
are in the dispensing area beneath the dispensing openings, the
gate 285 is activated to come down and seal the internal area of
the dispensing unit. The gate 285 is in a closed position when
material is being dispensed into the cages and dust collection is
occurring. Once the cages are filled and dust collection has been
performed, the gate 285 returns to an open position and allows the
cages to exit the device.
[0069] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a
programmable controller which advantageously facilitates the
programming of automated control of the dispensing system. The
controller can advantageously be programmed to control the
dispensing of different materials, the dispensing output
quantities, and/or the dispensing openings used for different
numbers and/or sizes of cages. The controller also controls
dispensing of different materials from different supply
sources.
[0070] The programmable controller and the touch panel Human
Machine Interface record which different materials have been
dispensed, the number and/or sizes of cages to which material has
been dispensed, and provide internal alarms, user identification,
and other data within the system, all of which is preferably
time/date stamped. The controller is preferably connectable to the
internet to allow diagnostics and other remote monitoring, for
example, the monitoring of the extent of usage, by authorized
entities at remote locations. For example, authorized entities can
also monitor the frequency with which filters are changed, the
quantities of cages filled with specific materials, the volumetric
totals dispensed, and/or the number of times the unit has dispensed
any materials and/or certain materials.
[0071] The programmable controller and the touch panel Human
Machine Interface is programmed to alert an operator regarding the
need to check the filter. Programming is also provided which
controls filling of the storage chute, including an auto-fill
feature for the storage chute when the material levels fall below a
predetermined, sensor-detected level. The auto-fill feature can be
overridden by a user.
[0072] The set up, operation and maintenance of the dispensing unit
through the controller is user specific and provided with security
access.
[0073] Additionally, the accumulative data is stored in a memory
device at preset intervals and is accessible via the internet or
removable memory drive such as a memory stick thumb drive.
[0074] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a
system for aligning, indexing and drying laboratory animal cages
which have already been cleaned in a cleaning station. These cages
are properly aligned and dried prior to the dispensing of bedding
and/or other materials used with laboratory animals into the
cages.
[0075] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an
alignment and indexing device is provided having a plurality of
powered rollers which advance the cages. As the cages are advanced,
the cages are aligned in two different directions. A vertically
movable stop gate is positioned in front of the advancing cages to
stop the cages thereby aligning the cages front to back. Pneumatic
cylinders on the right and/or left of the cages are actuated to
align the cages laterally, i.e. side-to-side. The pneumatic
cylinders can be actuated simultaneously or subsequent to the
positioning of the stop gate.
[0076] According to a preferred embodiment, after the cages are
properly aligned, the stop gate is retracted and the cages are
advanced to a rotary clamp. The rotary clamp, also referred to
herein as an "inverter", grips the cages, flips the cages over, and
puts the cages on a belt which advances the cages to a filling
station right-side-up. It is usually necessary to invert the cages
prior to dispensing since cages usually exit an automated cage
cleaner in an upside-down position to facilitate drainage.
[0077] According to another embodiment, alignment and indexing is
achieved laterally by guides placed on either side of a plurality
of powered rollers which advance the cages into the inverter. As
the cages are advanced into the back of the inverter which thereby
stops the forward motion of the cages, the cages are aligned front
to back.
[0078] A preferred embodiment of the present invention also dries
the laboratory animal cages, during indexing and alignment and/or
subsequent to indexing and alignment. Exhaust air from a vacuum
blower, which is usually somewhat heated by the compressor in the
vacuum blower, is preferably used to remove any water remaining in
and/or on the cages from the cleaning station. This device directs
the air that is exhausted from the vacuum blower onto the cages.
This aspect of the invention efficiently puts the heated air from
the vacuum blower, which would otherwise go to waste, to good
use.
[0079] According to another embodiment, a heater is provided to
provide supplemental heating to the exhaust air from the vacuum
blower or to drying air provided by another source. The hot, high
pressure air is directed at the cages when they are upside down
prior to being grabbed by the rotary clamp. Alternatively and/or
additionally, the hot air is directed at the cages when the cages
are inclined as they are in the rotary clamp, e.g. when they are
half way through the flip of the cages from an upside down to a
right side up. The drying device preferably comprises a vertically
movable linear actuator that movably supports a nozzle head having
a plurality of openings for directing heated, high pressure air at
the cages, starting from an upper side of each cage and moving
downwardly to a lower side of each cage.
[0080] According to another embodiment (not shown), the air is
exhausted from the back of the blower onto the cages as the cages
are being advanced by the plurality of rollers towards the
inverter.
[0081] With reference to FIG. 19, three cages 310, 311, 312 are
shown positioned on power rollers 320 which are caused to rotate to
advance each of the cages 310-312 in the direction indicated by
arrow F to a vertically movable stop gate 30. Suitable controls are
provided to either raise or lower the gate 330 as needed in order
to position the stop gate 330 in front of cages 310-312 thereby
stopping the forward advancement of cages. This aligns cages 310,
311 and 312 in the forward direction. Pneumatic cylinders 340 are
then actuated inwardly as indicated by arrows L in order to provide
lateral alignment, i.e. side-to-side alignment, of the cages. After
proper alignment, stop gate 330 is moved out of the path of the
cages and power rollers 320 advance the cages into a rotary clamp
(not shown in FIG. 19).
[0082] Alternatively, in an embodiment without the stop gate, the
cages are aligned front to back by the advancement of the cages
into a back bar of the rotary clamp by the power rollers, which
thereby stops the forward motion of the cages and aligns the cages
front to back.
[0083] With reference to FIG. 19A, according to another embodiment,
three cages 510, 511, 512 are shown positioned on power rollers 520
which are caused to rotate to advance each of the cages 510-512 in
the direction indicated by arrow F to a back bar 553 of the rotary
clamp 550, thereby stopping the forward advancement of cages. This
aligns cages 510, 511 and 512 in the forward direction. Guides 545
are provided to induce cages 510-512 inwardly as indicated by
arrows L in order to provide lateral alignment, i.e. side-to-side
alignment, of the cages. Guides 545 are preferably plastic guides.
Once cages 510-512 advance to the back bar 553, a clamping bar 555
of rotary clamp 550, which is actuated by a linear actuator 556
engages the bottoms of cages 510-512 prior to inverting the cages
to right-side-up.
[0084] FIG. 20 illustrates a dryer of one embodiment of the present
invention. As mentioned above, after the cages have been indexed
and aligned, they are advanced into a rotary clamp which rotates
the cages from the inverted position shown in FIG. 19 to an upright
position. FIG. 20 illustrates the cages after having been rotated
only 90 degrees by the rotary clamp which is not shown in this
Figure. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not
intended to be limiting. It will be appreciated that the three
cages illustrated may be touching each other after alignment and
during rotation in the rotary clamp.
[0085] As indicated in FIG. 20, in this embodiment exhaust air from
a vacuum blower is fed through a heat exchanger 370 to optionally
further heat the exhaust air. The heated air is then directed onto
the cages using a nozzle 350 which is moved vertically relative to
the cages and blows air into and onto the cages. In FIG. 20, the
open portion of the cages faces the movable nozzle 350. Thus, the
cages are inverted approximately 90 degrees, or less e.g. about 70
degrees. Linear actuator 360 moves a glide block 362 on the
illustrated glide rail 364 in order to move nozzle 350 across the
cages. Nozzle 350 preferably moves from an upper position to a
lower position, at least once and, optionally, several times in
order to provide effective drying of the interior of the cages.
Suitable hoses and/or connectors 352 are provided to allow nozzle
350 to move relative to the heat exchanger 370.
[0086] FIG. 21 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present
invention which does not include a heat exchanger. In this
embodiment, exhaust air from a blower 480 is connected to nozzle
450 with a flexible hose 452. In this embodiment, there is no
supplemental heating supplied to the air by a heat exchanger as in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 20. Linear actuator 460 moves a glide
block 462 on the illustrated glide rail 464 in order to move nozzle
450 across the cages.
[0087] While it is presently deemed preferable to blow drying air
across the cages while they are partially inverted, e.g., at angles
of about 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 70 degrees or 90 degrees, it is
also within the scope of the present invention to use the exhaust
drying air to dry the cages when they are totally inverted as shown
in FIG. 19 or after they have been rotated to a right-side-up
configuration.
[0088] With reference to FIGS. 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D and 22E, four
cages 614,615,616 and 617 are shown positioned in front of
detection sensor 680, which signals to the controls the presence of
cages 614,615,616 and 617 which in turn powers on the power rollers
620 which are caused to rotate to advance each of the cages
614,615,616 and 617 in the direction indicated by arrow F to the
back bar 653 of the rotary clamp 650, thereby stopping the forward
advancement of cages. This aligns cages 614,615,616 and 617 in the
forward direction.
[0089] With reference to FIG. 22B when cages 614,615,616 and 617
have reached back bar 653 of the rotary clamp 650, cage in position
sensor 681 signals to the controls the presence of cages in the
rotary clamp 650. With reference to FIG. 22E, the controls activate
the actuator (not shown) attached to coupling 691 to set the
directional gate 660 in the position to guide the materials into
appropriate chutes 617 that match the number and size of cages that
will be dispensed into. The controls also set the pre determined
number of pulses for the impeller actuator to dispense the correct
amount of materials into the cages.
[0090] With reference to FIG. 22C, when cages of a different size,
in this case large cages 610, 611 and 612, have reached back bar
653 of the rotary clamp 650, both cage in position sensor 681 and
large cage sensor 682 signals to the controls the presence of cages
in the rotary clamp 650 and that the cages are of large size. With
reference to FIG. 22E, the controls activate the actuator (not
shown) attached to coupling 691 to set the directional gate 660 in
the position to guide the materials into appropriate chutes
opposite 617 that match the number and size of cages that will be
dispensed into. The controls also set the pre determined number of
pulses for the impeller actuator to dispense the correct amount of
materials into the cages according to the size cages.
[0091] With reference to FIG. 22D, cages 614,615,616 and 617 are
first clamped by clamp bar 655 via actuator 656 and the cages are
rotated 180 to their up-righted position onto power rollers 625.
The actuator is then de-energized releasing the cages and then the
power rollers 625 are energized to advance the cages in front of
the trigger sensor 683 and under the dispensing chutes.
[0092] With reference to FIG. 22E, when cages have moved in front
of the trigger sensor 683 and under the dispensing chutes the power
rollers 625 are de-energized and the impeller actuator 690 is
activated for the number of pulses for the impeller actuator to
dispense the correct amount of materials into the cages according
to the size cages. After the cages have been dispensed into, the
dust shield (not shown) is raised and power rollers 625 are
energized, ejecting the cages out of the dispenser.
* * * * *