Cage for laboratory animals and related lid

Abstract

The invention relates to a cage (10) for housing experimental animals, wherein the cage comprises a bottom container (11) and a lid (12), wherein the lid is positioned over the bottom container (11) and is separable and interchangeable between a first closed position that prevents entry into an internal space (14) bounded by the bottom container (11) and a second open position that allows access to the internal space (14).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of housing laboratory animals. Specifically, the present invention relates to a cage for housing laboratory animals. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cage of the above-described type equipped with an improved opening and access system and / or an improved closing system for effectively and reliably isolating the interior of the cage. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to a system for handling and seating the lid of the cage of the above-described type and / or for rapidly closing and opening the cage, in particular, a system for restraining and releasing the lid and / or an improved gasket for isolating the interior of the cage. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, cages of various sizes and shapes are used depending on the numerous animals housed and the conditions under which the animals are provided; typically, they are used to house laboratory animals, such as small rodents. For example, "ventilated" cages—that is, cages in which forced-flow air circulates through a main circuit—are commonly used.

[0003] However, setting aside features provided depending on demand and / or environment, a cage of known form, or at least the most commonly used cage, comprises a basin or tray for holding excrement and a lid (also hereinafter referred to as a top plate); additionally, as a third component, a food container is installed in the basin in a position accessible to the animal, so that the food does not come into contact with the excrement. Finally, a water container may be provided on the lid inside or outside the cage.

[0004] The lid or top plate is positioned over the bottom container (preferably secured to the bottom container using appropriate closing means such as clips or handles), and a gasket is installed between the two components so that the bottom container-lid system is securely sealed to be properly isolated from the external environment, particularly from the animal housing managed by the breeder, thereby preventing contamination between the animal housing facing the inside of the cage and the inside of the cage facing the animal housing or the external environment.

[0005] In fact, in many cases, housing is intended for "clean" animals, specifically those referred to as "SPF" (Specific Pathogen-Free) animals, keeping in mind that for "clean" animals, the volume and interior of the cage are considered to be kept "clean," whereas everything outside the cage, including the outer surface of the cage itself, is considered potentially "dirty" and contaminated.

[0006] In contrast, the opposite concept applies, particularly in cases where there are potentially contaminated animals from a microbiological perspective, where everything inside the cage is "dirty" and therefore has the potential to contaminate the outside, including the operations manager.

[0007] In either case, the primary requirement for both sides is to maintain the concept of aseptic conditions by avoiding the exchange and / or mixing of what is confined inside the cage and what is outside (especially microbiological contamination).

[0008] Therefore, it is evident that all operations involving opening the cage, and in particular removing the lid, must be performed in a manner that avoids the aforementioned mixing and the resulting contamination of the cage, surrounding accessories, and the animal, as well as contamination of the external environment, particularly the operator. Such operations are not limited to, for example, replacing the cage (to clean and dry the excrement and move the animal to a new floor container filled with new feed and sometimes fresh water), relocating animals according to sex, or before reaching reproductive maturity, in which case the lid must be removed; furthermore, in the case of "processing procedures," such as specific experiments, animal weighing, injections and / or fluid collection, diagnosis, medical examination, surgery, etc., according to most general practices, the aforementioned operations are performed in a controlled atmosphere in a place that is safe from change or microbiological changes.

[0009] Such a microbiologically safe area can be more simply defined as, for example, when changing cages, and substantially comprises a work surface in which a flow of barrier gas, particularly barrier air, passes perpendicularly to the work surface and another flow passes substantially parallel to the work surface, wherein two or three sides of the work surface are closed by fixed partitions and access is possible from the remaining side fitted with vertical sliding glass, and furthermore, the aforementioned contamination of animals, cages, each accessory, and / or workers is avoided and the desired protective effect is obtained by correcting one or more barrier flows supplied through end slits formed along the outer ends of the work surface. In practice, the air curtain prevents external materials from contaminating internal materials and also blocks internal materials and contaminated materials from escaping the laminar flow system and reaching the workers and the external environment.

[0010] However, a cage in the form of a public notice complicates the tasks summarized above and may reduce their effectiveness and / or reliability.

[0011] In practice, the aforementioned operation basically involves the procedure of removing the lid installed on the bottom container and placing it on the work surface (typically positioned next to or behind the bottom container, with care to ensure the inner surface does not come into contact with the work surface or other equipment), and finally, the sequence of grasping it by hand (with care to avoid contact with the inner surface), returning it from the position on the work surface to its original place on the bottom container, and then closing the cage again.

[0012] However, handling the lid entails a series of disadvantages due to the limited space on the work surface.

[0013] For example, when changing cages, a “dirty” cage containing animals and excrement and a new, sterilized “clean” cage must be placed together on the work surface, so there is a high risk of accidental contact between the “dirty” parts and the “sterilized” parts, and in particular, the dirty lid may come into contact with the clean components.

[0014] Likewise, when separating by sex, at least three cages are placed on the work surface: namely, the original "dirty" cage containing secretions, and at least two "clean" cages, one on each side, are placed, each housing animals of the different sex. Here, it is certain that the risk of contact between the dirty parts and the clean parts, particularly between the dirty lid and the clean components, will increase as the number of components placed on the work surface increases.

[0015] Considering the above, problems and / or defects associated with handling or management of cages according to the prior art, in particular problems and / or defects of the lids of cages according to the prior art, can be classified as follows.

[0016] 1) Contamination of parts inside the cage and, consequently, of the animal coming into contact with parts or other objects outside the cage;

[0017] 2) Risk of contamination to workers;

[0018] 3) Risk of hindering the integration of lamellar streams and sterile conditions inside the workplace;

[0019] 4) Ergonomic risks associated with repetitive movement;

[0020] 5) Risk of human casualties due to the lack of clear guidance guidelines for workers.

[0021] Regarding the risk of item 1) above, this is at least in part due to the fact that, for example, in each of the three handling steps described above, the worker's hand may accidentally come into contact with the parts inside the lid. Furthermore, when the lid is placed on the work surface, the internal parts may come into contact with the external parts of the cage itself, the work surface within the layer, the container, or potential contaminated parts such as test tubes or bottles. Finally, it is noted that there are difficulties in performing such operations due to the obligation to wear gloves that reduce friction and sensation in the worker's hand, or at least the opportunity to do so, as well as the front safety glass that restricts the free movement of the arm and the minimum space required to ensure safety.

[0022] In addition, regarding the risk of item 2), the risk of acceptance generally involves the contamination of animals by pathogens carried by workers or pathogens already present in the housing room, and the same potential problem as described above may cause contamination of workers and the surrounding environment from animals with microbial agents acting as hosts.

[0023] In addition, regarding the risks of item 3), it should be noted that, as described above, in addition to the floor container to be replaced, there may be a series of equipment necessary for the work, such as disinfectant and / or feed containers, water containers, test tubes, microbial classification containers, etc., so the limited area of ​​the work surface is often filled.

[0024] These objects must be carefully placed within the sterile area, as they may become self-contaminated or contaminate the outside if left outside for even a short time during handling; furthermore, these objects must not be located in the periphery of the lamellar flow area, as this can block air absorption and neutralize the protective function normally provided by the sterile flow curtain.

[0025] Therefore, there is a high risk of human error, and this can impair the necessary sterilization power.

[0026] 4) Regarding the risks associated with this item, a single worker replaces hundreds of cages at the receiving facility, and the receiving technician primarily performs repetitive movements involving the wrists, fingers, elbows, and shoulders, namely, opening the lid, placing it on the work surface usually next to the floor container, and then closing it again. Note that the wrist and hand first rotate approximately 180 degrees in one direction and then rotate back in the opposite direction. Consequently, due to these movements, the worker may develop conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

[0027] Finally, regarding the risks of item 5), there is no sure way to access IVCs (individual ventilated cages) regardless of the cage system and product brand used to date; each facility performs standard operations to minimize the aforementioned risks, but there is no optimized process recommended by the supplier, because there is no simplified streamlined system and a system that can repeat such operations more safely.

[0028] In an attempt to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and consequently reduce the risks mentioned in items 1) through 5), a support device called a "top holder" has recently been proposed to support the lid (top plate) when separating the cage lid from the bottom container. This support is located specifically on the work surface of the replacement table and places the lid on one of several supports when separating the lid from the bottom container. Thus, the support supports the task of a worker who knows where to place the lid, at least in part; furthermore, it limits the risk of the (dirty) inner surface of the lid coming into contact with a clean component and / or prevents it from coming into contact with the worker's hands.

[0029] However, while this support is noteworthy for the reasons mentioned above, the top holder has various flaws and does not provide an acceptable or perfect solution to the problems described above.

[0030] In fact, commercially available top holders must be placed on a limited work surface at an already fixed position, so they occupy part of the work surface and become an obstacle to cage handling.

[0031] Furthermore, since it is positioned on both sides of the external rear of the cage, a larger working space for the operator is required during opening and closing compared to actual use without it.

[0032] Furthermore, as described above, in a known individual breathable cage, the lid is installed over the bottom container, and since the gasket is positioned between the lid and the bottom container or bottom plate, the desired and / or required sealing effect is ensured, and the system can form a barrier between the air inside the cage in which the animal is housed and the external environment in which the animal house worker performs work. Here, the sealing effect by the gasket of the known type of system will not be an issue because two or more handles are placed at the end of the bottom container, where the gasket undergoes elastic deformation under pressure when switched to a closed position.

[0033] Furthermore, these handles are also used to secure the top plate to the cage when the top plate is lifted upward, and in any case, prevent the lid from being inadvertently detached while the inside of the bottom container and / or the lid itself is subsequently contaminated.

[0034] However, the operation of manipulating the handle to access the cage and successfully perform closure entails several disadvantages and / or defects, summarized as follows.

[0035] - As an issue related to the ergonomic aspects of the worker, since the worker must repeat handle switching operations hundreds of times every day, there is a high risk of problems similar to the aforementioned carpal bone disorders developing;

[0036] - Visibility is one of the most important features of animal housing cages, but the aforementioned handle obstructs visibility inside the cage during operations repeated multiple times daily, for example, to check the animal's health daily, although this is not limited to specific cases;

[0037] - The handle is "sticky" and has the potential to become a breeding ground for dust and contamination that are difficult to clean; furthermore, it is fragile and must be replaced frequently upon wear and tear as it is not part of the base body or upper structure.

[0038] - There is a concern that the noise emitted when opening and closing the handle may cause stress to animals.

[0039] Finally, the gasket is often exposed and has a counterproductive effect, as this hinders both determining the position of the lid on the top of the bottom container (e.g., due to unexpected movement or deformation) and adjusting the position of the lid in the open position due to, for instance, excessive pressure applied to the gasket and excessive resistance when separating the lid. The problem to be solved

[0040] Therefore, the main objective of the present invention is to overcome or at least minimize the problems raised in the prior art as summarized above.

[0041] In particular, the first objective of the present invention is to provide a solution that facilitates the handling of the lid of a laboratory animal cage without the risk of contamination. Specifically, one objective of the present invention is to provide a method that allows the position of the lid to be adjusted through a quick, safe, and simple operation. More specifically, the objective of the present invention is to provide a method that enables the position adjustment of the lid as described above, while ensuring that the operation of removing it when desired and / or necessary is not complex.

[0042] Again, another objective of the present invention is to provide a closing and opening system that allows a lid to be attached to or detached from a bottom container in a manner that is simple and immediate to operate and does not impose overly strict instructions on the operator, while eliminating the need to use a system and / or handle as described above.

[0043] Finally, another objective of the present invention is to provide a gasket in a shape and position that does not hinder the process of attaching and detaching the lid to the bottom container, but rather improves the attachment and detachment operations inside the cage. means of solving the problem

[0044] Considering the defects associated with the prior art and the purpose of the present invention, according to a first embodiment, the present invention relates to a cage (10) for housing an experimental animal, wherein the cage comprises a bottom tube (11) and a detachable lid (12) configured to be positioned on the bottom tube (11) in a first closed position that prevents access to an internal space (14) bounded by the bottom tube (11), and also positioned to be adjusted to a second open position in which access to the internal space (14) is not obstructed.

[0045] Here, the bottom tube (11) comprises a bottom wall (13) having at least one substantially flat portion and a plurality of side walls (16) extending from the bottom wall (13) and connected to each other to define an internal space (14);

[0046] The lid (12) comprises a side joint edge (18) defined by a main body (17) and a plurality of corresponding side walls connected to it, wherein each of these side walls extends from the main body (17) to form the side joint edge (18) in the shape of a skirt or apron;

[0047] With the lid (12) in the first closed position, the side joint corner (18) is positioned adjacent to the side wall (16);

[0048] The above cage (10) further includes a connecting tuck (referred to as ‘tuck’) (110) extending from one of the side walls (16) of the bottom tube (11) to the outside of the bottom tube (11) or from the side connecting edge (18) to the inside of the side connecting edge (18);

[0049] The above cage (10) further includes a joining sheet ('sheet') (140) defined by the side joining corner (18) or bottom tube (11), and the sheet (140) is automatically joined by the jaw brush (110) by placing the lid (12) on the bottom tube (11) in a first closed position;

[0050] The cage (10) further includes a first end ridge (125) extending from the bottom tube (11) outward along the entire periphery extension of the bottom tube (11) or from the side joint edge (18) across the entire periphery extension of the side joint edge (18) and inwardly to the side joint edge (18), thereby connecting the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side wall of the side joint edge (18), respectively; and

[0051] The above tuck sole (110) extends from the first end ridge (125) and has a peripheral extension smaller than the peripheral extension of the first end ridge (125); and the above tuck sole (110) also has an extension extending outward from the bottom tube (11) or inward from the side joint edge (18), and this extension is larger than the extension of the first end ridge (125).

[0052] In one embodiment, the direction in which the jaws (110) extend to the outer side of the bottom tube (11) or to the inner side of the side joint edge (18), respectively, lies on a plane substantially parallel to at least one substantially flat portion of the bottom wall (13).

[0053] In one embodiment, the bottom tube (11) and the lid (12) are substantially rectangular planar in shape and thus each includes four side walls (16) that are paired opposite each other, and the jaw (110) extends from one of the two shorter side walls (16) among the four side walls (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side joint corner (18).

[0054] In one embodiment, the sheet (140) extends from the inner side of the side joint corner (18) adjacent to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) with the lid in the first closed position, across a portion of the thickness of the side joint corner (18), or from the outer side of the bottom container (11) across a portion of the thickness of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), so that, as a result, the sheet (140) is blinded on the outer side of the side joint corner (18) facing the inner side or on the inner side of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), respectively.

[0055] In one embodiment, the sheet (140) is extended from the inner side of the side joint corner (18) adjacent to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) with the lid (12) in the first closed position, across the entire thickness of the corner (18), or from the outer side of the bottom container (11) across the entire thickness of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), so that, as a result, the sheet (140) is opened through the outer side of the side joint corner (18) facing the inner side or through the inner side of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), respectively.

[0056] In one embodiment, the bottom tube (11) includes a second end ridge (126) extending parallel to the first end ridge (125) along the entire periphery of the bottom tube (11) toward the outside of the bottom tube (11) or from the side joint edge (18) toward the inside of the side joint edge (18) across the entire periphery extension of the side joint edge (18), thereby connecting the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side wall of the side joint edge (18), wherein the second end ridge (126) together with the first end ridge (125) defines a receiving sheet (130) having a substantially U-shaped transverse section; It also includes an opening (130A) facing the outside of the bottom tube (11) or the inside of the side joint corner (18), wherein a sealing gasket (131) is received in the receiving sheet (130) and configured to securely isolate the internal space (14) through the lid (12) of the first closed position.

[0057] In one embodiment, the sealing gasket (131) includes a portion (132) extending through an opening (130A) of the receiving sheet (130), and when the lid (12) is in a first closed position, the portion (132) of the gasket (131) is elastically deformed with respect to the side joining edge (18) of the lid (12) or the bottom container (11).

[0058] In one embodiment, to detach the tuck sole (110) from the coupling sheet (140), it is pressed toward the internal space (14), and this pressing operation is performed on the side wall (16), from which the tuck sole (110) extends or the coupling sheet (140) is included in the side wall.

[0059] The present invention also discloses an experimental animal containment cage (10), the cage comprising a bottom container (11) and a detachable lid (12) configured to be seated on the bottom container (11) in a first closed position that prevents access to an internal space (14) bounded by the bottom container (11), and to be adjusted to a second open position in which access to the internal space (14) is not obstructed.

[0060] Here, the bottom tube (11) comprises a bottom wall (13) having at least one substantially flat portion and a plurality of side walls (16) extending from the bottom wall (13) and connected to each other to define an internal space (14);

[0061] The lid (12) comprises a side joint edge (18) defined by a main body (17) and a plurality of corresponding side walls connected to it, wherein each of these side walls extends from the main body (17) to form the side joint edge (18) in the shape of a skirt or apron;

[0062] With the lid (12) in the first closed position, the side joint corner (18) is positioned adjacent to the side wall (16);

[0063] The cage (10) further includes a jaw joint (110) extending from one of the side walls (16) of the bottom tube (11) to the outside of the bottom tube (11) or from the side joint corner (18) to the inside of the side joint corner (18); and

[0064] The above cage (10) further includes a sheet (140) defined by the side joining corner (18) or bottom container (11), and the sheet (140) is automatically joined by the jaw brush (110) by placing the lid (12) on the bottom container (11) in a first closed position.

[0065] In one embodiment, the direction in which the jaws (110) extend to the outside of the bottom tube (11) or to the inside of the side joint edge (18), respectively, lies on a plane parallel to at least one substantially flat portion of the bottom wall (13).

[0066] The extension of the tuck (110) formed along the periphery of the bottom tube (11) or the side joint corner (18) is smaller than the periphery extension of the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side joint corner (18), and the tuck (110) extends from this periphery extension.

[0067] In one embodiment, the bottom tube (11) and the lid (12) are substantially rectangular planar in shape and each includes four side walls (16) that are paired opposite each other, and the jaw (110) extends from one of the two shorter side walls (16) among the four side walls (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side joint corner (18).

[0068] In one embodiment, the cage (10) further includes a first end ridge (125) extending from the bottom tube (11) outward along the entire periphery extension of the bottom tube (11) or from the side joint edge (18) across the entire periphery extension of the side joint edge (18) and inwardly to connect the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side wall of the side joint edge (18), respectively, and the tuck sole (110) extends from the first end ridge (125).

[0069] In one embodiment, the sheet (140) extends from the inner side of the side joint corner (18) adjacent to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) with the lid in the first closed position, across a portion of the thickness of the side joint corner (18), or from the outer side of the bottom container (11) across a portion of the thickness of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), so that, as a result, the sheet (140) is blinded on the outer side of the side joint corner (18) facing the inner side or on the inner side of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), respectively.

[0070] In one embodiment, the sheet (140) is extended from the inner side of the side joint corner (18) adjacent to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) with the lid (12) in the first closed position, over the entire thickness of the corner (18), or from the outer side of the bottom container (11) over the entire thickness of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), so that, as a result, the sheet (140) is opened through the outer side of the side joint corner (18) facing the inner side or through the inner side of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), respectively.

[0071] In one embodiment, the bottom tube (11) connects the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side wall (18) of the side joint edge (18) by including a second end ridge (126) that extends parallel to the first end ridge (125) along the entire periphery of the bottom tube (11) to the outside of the bottom tube (11), or from the side joint edge (18) across the entire periphery extension of the side joint edge (18) and to the inside of the side joint edge (18), wherein the second end ridge (126) together with the first end ridge (125) defines a receiving sheet (130) having a substantially U-shaped transverse section; It also includes an opening (130A) facing the outside of the bottom tube (11) or the inside of the side joint corner (18), wherein a sealing gasket (131) is received in the receiving sheet (130) and configured to securely isolate the internal space (14) through the lid (12) of the first closed position.

[0072] In one embodiment, the sealing gasket (131) includes a portion (132) extending through an opening (130A) of the receiving sheet (130), and when the lid (12) is in a first closed position, the portion (132) of the gasket (131) is elastically deformed with respect to the side joining edge (18) of the lid (12) or the bottom container (11).

[0073] In one embodiment, to detach the tuck sole (110) from the coupling sheet (140), it is pressed toward the internal space (14), and this pressing operation is performed on the side wall (16), from which the tuck sole (110) extends or the coupling sheet (140) is included in the side wall.

[0074] In addition, the present invention relates to a cage (10) for housing experimental animals, wherein the cage comprises a bottom container (11) and a detachable lid (12) configured to be seated on the bottom container (11) in a first closed position that prevents access to an internal space (14) bounded by the bottom container (11), and to be positioned in a second open position that prevents access to the internal space (14) from being obstructed.

[0075] Here, the bottom tube (11) comprises a bottom wall (13) having at least one substantially flat portion and a plurality of side walls (16) extending from the bottom wall (13) and connected to each other to define an internal space (14);

[0076] The lid (12) comprises a side joint edge (18) defined by a main body (17) and a plurality of corresponding side walls connected to it, wherein each of these side walls extends from the main body (17) to form the side joint edge (18) in the shape of a skirt or apron;

[0077] When the lid (12) is in the first closed position, the side joint corner (18) is positioned adjacent to the side wall (16);

[0078] The cage (10) further includes a jaw joint (110) extending from one of the side walls (16) of the bottom tube (11) to the outside of the bottom tube (11) or from the side joint corner (18) to the inside of the side joint corner (18);

[0079] The above cage (10) further includes a sheet (140) defined by the side joining corner (18) or bottom container (11), and the sheet (140) is automatically joined by the jaw brush (110) by placing the lid (12) on the bottom container (11) in a first closed position;

[0080] The above end receiving sheet (130) has substantially a U-shaped transverse section, and the opening (130A) is defined by the bottom tube (11) or the end corner (18); and a sealing gasket (131) is received in the above receiving sheet (130) and configured to securely isolate the internal space (14) through the lid (12) of the first closed position.

[0081] In one embodiment, the sealing gasket (131) includes a portion extending through the opening (130A) of the receiving sheet (130), and when the lid (12) is in a first closed position, the portion (132) of the gasket (131) is elastically deformed with respect to the side joining edge (18) of the lid (12) or the bottom container (11).

[0082] In one embodiment, the receiving sheet (130) is defined by a first end ridge (125) and a second end ridge (126) that extend parallel to each other from the bottom tube (11) toward the outside of the bottom tube (11) along the entire peripheral extension of the bottom tube (11) or from the side joint edge (18) toward the inside of the side joint edge (18), thereby connecting the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side wall of the side joint edge (18) and defining the receiving sheet (130).

[0083] In one embodiment, the extension direction of the tuck sole (110) lies on a plane substantially parallel to at least a substantially flat portion of the bottom wall (13).

[0084] In one embodiment, the extension of the ledge (110) formed along the periphery of the bottom tube (11) or the side joint edge (18) is smaller than the periphery extension of the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side joint edge (18), and the ledge (110) extends from this side wall.

[0085] In one embodiment, the bottom tube (11) and the lid (12) are each substantially rectangular planar in shape and thus each includes four side walls that form pairs facing each other, and the jaw (110) extends from one of the two shorter side walls (16) among the four side walls (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side joint corner (18).

[0086] In one embodiment, the jawsole (110) extends from the first terminal ridge (125).

[0087] In one embodiment, the connecting sheet (140) is extended from the inner side of the side connecting corner (18) adjacent to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) with the lid (12) in the first closed position, over a portion of the thickness of the side wall of the side connecting corner (18) including the sheet (140), or from the outer side of the bottom container (11) over a portion of the thickness of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) including the sheet (140), so that as a result, the sheet (140) is blinded on the outer side of the side connecting corner (18) facing the inner side, on the inner side of the side wall (16) facing the outer side, or on the inner side of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) including the sheet (140).

[0088] In one embodiment, the sheet (140) is extended from the inner side of the side joint corner (18) adjacent to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) with the lid (12) in the first closed position, across the entire thickness of the side wall of the corner (18) containing the sheet (140), or from the outer side of the bottom container (11) across the entire thickness of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), so that, consequently, the sheet (140) is opened through the outer side of the side joint corner (18) facing the inner side or through the inner side of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), respectively.

[0089] In one embodiment, to detach the tuck sole (110) from the coupling sheet (140), it is pressed toward the internal space (14), and this pressing operation is performed on the side wall (16), from which the tuck sole (110) extends or the coupling sheet (140) is included in the side wall.

[0090] The present invention also discloses an experimental animal containment cage (10), the cage comprising a bottom container (11) and a detachable lid (12) configured to be seated on the bottom container (11) in a first closed position that prevents access to an internal space (14) bounded by the bottom container (11), and to be adjusted to a second open position in which access to the internal space (14) is not obstructed.

[0091] Here, the bottom tube (11) comprises a bottom wall (13) having at least one substantially flat portion and a plurality of side walls (16) extending from the bottom wall (13) and connected to each other to define an internal space (14);

[0092] The lid (12) comprises a side joint edge (18) defined by a main body (17) and a plurality of corresponding side walls connected to it, wherein each of these side walls extends from the main body (17) to form the side joint edge (18) in the shape of a skirt or apron;

[0093] When the lid (12) is in the first closed position, the side joint corner (18) is positioned adjacent to the side wall (16);

[0094] The cage (10) further includes a jaw joint (110) extending from one of the side walls (16) of the bottom tube (11) to the outside of the bottom tube (11) or from the side joint corner (18) to the inside of the side joint corner (18);

[0095] The above cage (10) further includes a joining sheet (140) defined by the side joining corner (18) or the bottom tube (11); and the sheet (140) is automatically joined by the jaw brush (110) by placing the lid (12) on the bottom tube (11) in a first closed position;

[0096] The lid (12) includes a restraining means (20), wherein the restraining means (20) is coupled to a part of the bottom container (11) in the second open position, whereas when the lid (12) is in the first closed position, the restraining means (20) does not come into contact with any part of the bottom container (11); and

[0097] The second position of the lid (12) for the bottom container (11) is limited by mutual coupling between the restraining means (20) and the part of the bottom container (11).

[0098] In one embodiment, the restraining means (20) is formed in a shape such that, with the lid (12) in a second open position, at least a portion of the lid (12) is positioned adjacent to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) and the lid (12) is substantially parallel to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11).

[0099] In one embodiment, the restraining means (20) is formed in a shape such that the lid (12) is lifted relative to the surface when the lid (12) is in a second open position and the bottom container (11) is placed on the surface.

[0100] In one embodiment, the restraining means (20) includes at least one hook (21) having a shape that is firmly restrained to the lid (12) and limits the receiving and coupling sheet (22), wherein, when the lid (12) is in a second open position, at least a portion of the bottom container (11) connected by the restraining means (20) is at least partially received in the receiving and coupling sheet (22) limited by the at least one hook (21).

[0101] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the bottom tube (11) that is partially accommodated in the receiving and connecting sheet (22) limited by the at least one hook (21) includes a portion of the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11).

[0102] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the bottom tube (11) that is partially accommodated in the receiving and connecting sheet (22) defined by the at least one hook (21) includes the end portion of the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11) that is close to the upper corner of the side wall (16).

[0103] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the bottom tube (11) that is at least partially received in the receiving and connecting sheet (22) defined by the at least one hook (21) includes a portion of the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11) that extends from the side wall (16) to the outside of the bottom tube (11).

[0104] In one embodiment, the at least one hook (21) extends from the inner side of the main body (17) of the lid (12) to the inner side of the bottom container (11) while the lid (12) is in a second open position.

[0105] In one embodiment, the at least one hook (21) extends from the side joint edge (18) of the lid (12).

[0106] In one embodiment, the restraining means (20) includes at least one second hook according to one of the embodiments summarized above.

[0107] In one embodiment, the extension of the ledge (110) formed along the periphery of the bottom tube (11) or the side joint edge (18) is smaller than the periphery extension of the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side joint edge (18), and the ledge (110) extends from this periphery extension.

[0108] In one embodiment, the bottom tube (11) and the lid (12) are substantially rectangular planar in shape and thus each includes four side walls (16) that are paired opposite each other, and the jaw (110) extends from one of the two shorter side walls (16) among the four side walls (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side joint corner (18)...

[0109] In one embodiment, the cage (10) further includes a first end ridge (125) extending from the bottom tube (11) outward along the entire periphery extension of the bottom tube (11) or from the side joint edge (18) across the entire periphery extension of the side joint edge (18) and inwardly to connect the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side wall of the side joint edge (18), respectively, and the tuck (110) extends from the first end ridge (125).

[0110] In one embodiment, the connecting sheet (140) extends from the inner side of the side connecting edge (18) adjacent to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) with the lid (12) in the first closed position, across a portion of the thickness of the side connecting edge (18), or from the outer side of the bottom container (11) across a portion of the thickness of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), so that, as a result, the sheet (140) is blinded on the outer side of the side connecting edge (18) facing the inner side or on the inner side of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), respectively.

[0111] In one embodiment, the sheet (140) is extended from the inner side of the side joint corner (18) adjacent to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) with the lid (12) in the first closed position, across the entire thickness of the side joint corner (18), or from the outer side of the bottom container (11) across the entire thickness of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), so that, consequently, the sheet (140) is opened through the outer side of the side joint corner (18) facing the inner side or through the inner side of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) containing the sheet (140), respectively.

[0112] In one embodiment, the bottom tube (11) connects the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11) or the side wall of the side joint edge (18) by including a second end ridge (126) that extends parallel to the first end ridge (125) along the entire periphery of the bottom tube (11) to the outside of the bottom tube (11) or from the side joint edge (18) to the entire periphery extension of the side joint edge (18) and to the inside of the side joint edge (18), wherein the second end ridge (126) together with the first end ridge (125) defines a receiving sheet (130) having a substantially U-shaped transverse section; It includes an opening (130A) facing the outside of the bottom tube (11) or the inside of the side joint corner (18), and also includes a sealing gasket (131) that is received in the receiving sheet (130) and is configured to securely isolate the internal space (14) through the lid (12) of the first closed position.

[0113] In one embodiment, the sealing gasket (131) includes a portion (132) extending through an opening (130A) of the receiving sheet (130), and when the lid (12) is in a first closed position, the portion (132) of the gasket (131) is elastically deformed with respect to the side joining edge (18) of the lid (12) or the bottom container (11).

[0114] In one embodiment, to detach the tuck sole (110) from the coupling sheet (140), it is pressed toward the internal space (14), and this pressing operation is performed on the side wall (16), from which the tuck sole (110) extends or the coupling sheet (140) is included in the side wall. Effects of the invention

[0115] Possible other embodiments of the present invention are limited in the claims.

[0116] The present invention becomes more apparent from the following detailed description regarding possible embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and features of the invention and / or corresponding or equivalent components are defined by the same reference numerals. In any case, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and illustrated in the drawings; on the contrary, it is clear and obvious to those skilled in the art that variations and / or modifications of the embodiments described below and illustrated in the drawings are included within the scope of the present invention. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0117] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cage according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lid of a cage according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bottom tube of a cage according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a feed dispenser for a cage according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lid of a cage according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cage according to one embodiment of the present invention when the lid is in an open position. FIG. 7 is a side view of a cage according to one embodiment of the present invention when the lid is in an open position; FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views of a lid of a cage according to one embodiment of the present invention, and a perspective view of a cage according to one embodiment of the present invention when the lid is in an open position; FIGS. 10 and FIGS. 11 are perspective views illustrating details of a bottom container and a lid of a cage according to one embodiment of the present invention; and FIGS. 12 to 15 are cross-sectional views of another solution performed in a cage according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0118] The present invention is particularly applicable to the field of accommodation of experimental animals, and therefore, the application of this invention to the field of animal accommodation is described in detail as follows.

[0119] It should be noted that the applicability of the present invention is not particularly limited to what is described below. Rather, the present invention relates to, in any case, particularly to a first container body and a container body in which access to the interior of the body is prevented. closing It is conveniently applied in cases where it is essential to optimally open a container comprising a lid that is switchable between a position and a second open position where access to the interior of this main body is allowed or accessible.

[0120] A cage according to one embodiment of the present invention is defined by the symbol (10) in FIGS. 1 to 3; as illustrated, the cage (10) includes a bottom container (11) for holding the excrement of the animal being housed (other accessories, such as the feed dispenser (30) in FIG. 4, may be provided together), wherein the bottom container (11) substantially limits the space available for use by the animal. Also as illustrated, the cage (10) is configured to be placed over the bottom container (11) in a first closed position of FIG. 1 (preventing the animal from going out or accessing the inside of the bottom container (11)) and also includes a lid (12) configured to be detached from the bottom container (11) when a worker needs to access the inside of the bottom container (11) and / or when, as described above, it needs to perform tasks such as replacing the waste container and similar tasks (and may be secured to the bottom container by means not shown in the drawing). As illustrated in detail, the bottom container (11) is box-shaped (and, as a non-limiting example shown in the drawing, a rectangle, etc.) and includes a substantially flat bottom surface (13) and four side walls (16) that are paired opposite each other, connected to each other, and also connected to the bottom surface (13). For brevity, all of the side walls (16) formed by a single side wall (16) or four side walls formed by four side walls that are paired opposite each other are indicated below by the same reference numeral. As seen in FIG. 2, the lid (12) comprises a main body covering portion (17), from which a wall or side connecting edge (18) extends substantially laterally. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the lid (12) comprises a mesh, a groove for receiving and housing a container for liquid drinking, and an air intake portion (19) for introducing forced ventilation air into and from the cage (10). Like the mesh and the groove described above, the air intake portion (19) is not indispensable to the purpose of the invention in any case, and therefore a detailed description thereof is omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0121] Regarding the feed dispenser (30) of FIG. 4, it is not described in detail as it follows a known method, but, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is intended to be installed in a cage (10) and is shaped to hold or supply feed necessary for animals, particularly in a shape that prevents the feed from coming into contact with excrement. The feed dispenser (30) is also not indispensable for the purpose of the present invention.

[0122] As described above, the cage according to the present invention includes features for optimizing the handling of the lid (12); these features are described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. Here, the components and / or characteristic parts of the cage (10) according to the present invention described above with reference to the drawings are defined by the same reference numerals.

[0123] Reference numeral (20) of FIG. 5 defines a restraining means configured to allow the lid (12) to be easily seated from the closed position of FIG. 1 to various open positions, wherein, in particular, the cage (10) Access to the interior (14) is possible. This restraining means (20) basically comprises a pair of substantially identical hooks (21) and thus, for the sake of brevity, only a description of one hook (21) is provided.

[0124] As described above, the hook (21) extends from the inner surface of the cover portion (17) (facing the interior of the bottom container (11) when the lid is in the closed position in FIG. 1) and includes a first extension that is substantially perpendicular to the cover portion (17) and a terminal extension whose extension direction lies on a plane substantially parallel to the cover portion (17). Accordingly, the hook (21) defines the coupling and receiving sheet (22), and its function is described in more detail below with reference to other drawings. Also, it is important to note that since both hooks are positioned at a predetermined distance from the side coupling edge (18) of the lid (12) within the space defined by this edge, when the lid (12) is in the closed position in FIG. 1, neither hook (21) is coupled to or comes into contact with any part of the bottom container (11). Therefore, the hook (21) prevents the lid (12) from being separated and removed from the closed position of FIG. 1 by, for example, a lifting motion, and, for example, there is no need to separate the lid (12) from the bottom container (11) by placing it on the work surface of the detachable and replaceable table. At the same time, the hook (21) enables the position adjustment of the lid (12) in the following manner.

[0125] When the end of the lid (12) is lifted and placed on the bottom container (11) opposite to the end containing the air intake (19) and thus facing the direction in which the hook (21) faces, the hook (21), particularly its end, is joined (by contact) with the inner surface of the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11). At this time, while the end of the hook (21) is in contact with the inner surface of the side wall (16), the hook (21) is gradually joined to each end of the side wall (16) at the upper corner of the side wall (16) when the lid (12) is rotated (clockwise in FIG. 6), and as described above, each end of the side wall (16) near the upper corner of the side wall (16) is received within the receiving and joining sheet (22) of each hook (21) at the final open position of FIG. 6. The lid (12) is stabilized in the open position of FIG. 6 by the mutual connection of the hook (21) and the side wall (16), whereby access to the inside of the bottom container (11) is possible without the risk of the lid (12) suddenly switching (returning) to the closed position of FIG. 1 or detaching from the bottom container (11), for example, without the risk of falling back onto the work surface of the replacement table. As is evident, the operation of adjusting the position of the lid (12) from the open position of FIG. 6 to the closed position of FIG. 1 is performed in the reverse order of the above-described procedure of switching from the closed position to the open position, and therefore a detailed description thereof is omitted for brevity.

[0126] Furthermore, it is important to note that the system described herein secures the advantage regarding the actual position of the lid (12) in the open position of FIG. 6, along with the advantage regarding making the switching of the lid easier. First, note that only some of the corners (18) of the lid (12) come into contact with the outer surface of the bottom container (11). Also, the lid (12) is substantially parallel to the side wall (16) and thus, in the open position of FIG. 6, the hook (21) and the side wall (16) engage with each other so as not to prevent the lid (12) from being separated from the bottom container (11), for example, from being placed on the work surface of the replacement table; conversely, the hook (21) is released from the side wall (16) so that the lid can simply be lifted. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, with the bottom container (11) seated on the work surface (P), the lid (12) is lifted over the work surface (P) so that no part of the lid (12) comes into contact with the work surface (P).

[0127] Another embodiment of the cage (10) according to the present invention is described as follows with reference to FIGS. 8 and FIGS. 9; wherein, components and / or characteristic parts of FIGS. 8 and FIGS. 9, which have already been described above with reference to other drawings, are defined by the same reference numerals.

[0128] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the illustrated embodiment, the shape of the hook (21) substantially corresponds to the hook (21) according to the embodiment described above; the hook (21) actually defines, each in its entirety, a receiving and coupling sheet (22) similar to that defined by, for example, the hook of FIG. 5. However, in this embodiment, the position of the hook (21) differs from the hook according to the embodiment described above. In fact, the hook (21) extends from the side coupling edge (18) rather than from the inner surface of the cover portion (17) of the lid (12), and each hook defines an extension substantially parallel to the extension direction of the edge (18). Thus, the hook (21) is provided further outward. In the bottom tube (11), the two opposing side walls (16) each include a portion extending from the wall to the outside of the bottom tube, and this portion defines the coupling slot (40). When the lid (12) is in the open position of FIG. 9, each hook (21) is coupled to the associated slot (40), where part of the slot (40) is received by the receiving and coupling sheet (22) of the hook (21).

[0129] The method of switching the lid (12) from the closed position to the open position and vice versa corresponds to the above description as the remaining part of the arrangement of the lid (12) relative to the bottom container (11) in the open position of FIG. 9, so for brevity, a detailed description thereof is omitted. The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 provides the advantage that, due to the "external" position of the hook (21), the risk of the hook (21) interfering with components or accessories inside the bottom container (11) during the switching of the lid (12) can be avoided, whereas the arrangement of the hook (21) according to the embodiment of FIG. 5 to 7 necessitates appropriately configuring the shape and / or position of the accessory, such as the feed dispenser (30). Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment, when the lid (12) is in the closed position, no part of the bottom container (11) engages with or even comes into contact with the hook (21).

[0130] Another solution that can be performed according to the present invention in a cage housing experimental animals is described below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. Here, components and / or characteristic parts in FIGS. 10 and 11, which have already been described above with reference to other drawings, are defined by the same reference numerals.

[0131] As described, the bottom tube (11) includes two end ridges (125) and (126) at the top corner, one extending parallel to the other along the entire periphery (outer circumference) of the bottom tube (11) to connect the side walls of the bottom tube (11). Furthermore, the tuck sole (110) extends outward from the bottom tube (11) from the lower ridge (125) (the ridge furthest from the top corner of the bottom tube (11); in particular, this tuck sole (110) has a peripheral extension smaller than the peripheral extension of the ridge (125) formed along the side wall (16), while having an outward extension larger than that of the ridge (125).

[0132] In particular, the tuck sole has a peripheral (outer) extension smaller than the peripheral extension of a single side wall, and from this extension, the tuck sole extends outward. Again as illustrated above, a side joining edge (18) located at a position corresponding to the edge of the tuck sole (110) (with the lid (12) seated on the bottom container (11) in the closed position) has a joining sheet (140) configured to be joined to the lid (12) in the closed position described above by the tuck sole (110). Thus, this joining sheet (140) has a peripheral extension substantially equal to or slightly larger than that of the tuck sole (110), and also the width of the sheet (in the transverse direction, i.e., the vertical direction, relative to the width of the peripheral extension) is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the thickness of the tuck sole (110).

[0133] Accordingly, from the description of the structure of the above-described jaw brush (110) and the associated connecting sheet (140), it can be understood that when the lid (12) is placed on the bottom container (11) until it reaches the final closed position of the lid (12), the sheet (140) is actually automatically connected by the jaw brush (110) in any case without the need for the operator to directly manipulate these components. Thus, mutual restraint between the lid (12) and the bottom container (11) is achieved through the connection of the sheet (140) by the jaw brush (110), preventing separation, for example, or if the lid (12) moves unexpectedly, the restrained state between the bottom container (11) and the lid (12) no longer requires manipulation using separate restraining means, such as a handle, a clip, etc.

[0134] Likewise, to release the lid (12) from the bottom container (11), a simple and immediate operation is required, for example, by applying pressure toward the interior (14) of the bottom container (11) on the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) equipped with the jaw brush (110) until the jaw brush (110) is released (disengaged) from the seat (140). Thus, this operation is much less intrusive than is required when a worker uses separate restraining means such as a handle or clip.

[0135] Furthermore, since there is no such handle or similar restraining means as described above, visibility of the interior of the bottom container (11) from the outside is increased, while the problem of stress to animals caused by noise from such handle or similar restraining means can also be avoided.

[0136] As is evident, although the description herein has been made for a bottom tube (11) having only one side wall (16) including a combined tuck (110), other embodiments (not shown) are also within the scope of the invention, for example, the tuck (110) may be present on more than one (i.e., two or more) side walls (16) and / or include two or more tucks on one or more side walls (16).

[0137] Finally, embodiments in which one or more jaws (110) extend inward from the side joint edge (18) instead of extending outward from the bottom tube (11) are also within the scope of the present invention, wherein one or more sheets (140) related thereto are provided on the bottom tube (11), particularly on one or more side walls (16) of the bottom tube (11).

[0138] Finally, in one or more of the bonding sheets (140), they may all be in a blind and open state, and thus have a thickness smaller than the thickness of each corner (18) or side wall (16), or a thickness equal to the thickness of each corner (18) or side wall of the bottom tube (11).

[0139] Furthermore, as illustrated in the drawings and described above, in an embodiment of the present invention, the tuck sole (110) is defined in the thickness direction (vertical direction) by two opposing end faces that are parallel to each other and each is parallel to the flat portion of the bottom wall (13) of the bottom tube (11), but the direction of one of the two opposing end faces of the tuck sole (110) may be appropriately changed and selected as needed and / or depending on the circumstances in the present invention. For example, one or both of the upper and lower end faces may be inclined with respect to the flat portion of the bottom wall (13) to give the tuck sole (110) a substantially triangular or trapezoidal cross-section. Furthermore, within the scope of the present invention, the tuck sole (110) may extend from the upper ridge (126) rather than the lower ridge (125).

[0140] Another embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. Here, components and / or characteristic parts of FIGS. 12 to 15, which have already been described above with reference to other drawings, are defined by the same reference numerals.

[0141] As illustrated in FIG. 12 (and also FIG. 10), two first end ridges (125) and second end ridges (126) define an end receiving sheet (130) (extending over the entire periphery or outer circumference of the bottom container (11)), and a sealing gasket (131) received therein is appropriately selected so that the inside of the bottom container (11) / cover (12) system can be securely isolated from the outside by a lid (12) placed over the bottom container (11) in a closed position and, conversely, the outside can be isolated from the system.

[0142] For this purpose, the gasket (131) actually comprises a main body that is received in the sheet (130) and an extended contrast portion that extends from the main body through an opening (130A), thereby allowing the sheet (130) (near the three sides) to communicate with the outside and thus the extended contrast portion (132) extends outside the sheet (130).

[0143] Accordingly, as described in the configuration of FIG. 14, the lid (12) is seated on the bottom container (11) until it reaches a closed position (where mutual coupling between the jaws (110) and the corresponding coupling sheet (140) is possible), thereby creating a contrast between the extended contrast portion (132) of the gasket (131) and the side coupling edge (18) of the lid. Thus, it is presumed that when the extended contrast portion (132) undergoes elastic deformation, the interior of the bottom container (11) / lid (12) system can be reliably isolated from the outside through the elastic contrast between the extended contrast portion (132) and the side coupling edge (18).

[0144] Furthermore, the elastic deformation of the extended contrast part (132) increases the restraining force between the lid (12) and the bottom container (11), thereby eliminating the need for additional restraining means, and possibly the jaws (10) and the associated connecting sheet (140) as described above with reference to FIGS. 10 and FIGS. 11.

[0145] However, there is no reason to necessarily avoid the other restraining means described above, and another embodiment using them when deemed useful and / or appropriate is illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0146] In FIG. 13, the symbol (500) defines a flat latch connected to a bottom container (11), the flat plate having a small thickness that allows the flat plate to rotate relative to the bottom container (11) according to a curve (501) and rotation in two opposing directions indicated by the double arrow in FIG. 13. Here, the flat plate further includes a protruding hook (502) that engages with a slot (503) in the side joining edge (18) of the lid (12) when the lid (12) is in the closed position.

[0147] The lid (12) is seated on the bottom container (11) until it reaches the closed position of FIG. 13, and the plate rotates counterclockwise and then clockwise, thereby the protruding hook (502) is secured or coupled to the slot (503), and thus the lid (12) and the bottom container (11) are mutually restrained.

[0148] Finally, in an alternative embodiment of FIG. 15, the sheet (130) may be limited by a lid (12) instead of being provided in the bottom tube (11), where the extension (132) of the gasket (131) is elastically deformed with respect to the side edge (18') limited by the bottom tube (11).

[0149] Therefore, through the above detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, it has been confirmed that the present invention can achieve desired results and also overcome or at least limit the drawbacks associated with the prior art.

[0150] In particular, the present invention enables a method of switching the lid (12) that is completely impossible in the case of a cage according to the prior art. More specifically, through this innovative switching method, the cage can be opened by switching the lid (12) without the need to separate the lid (12) from the bottom container (11), and the lid (12) can, of course, be separated from the bottom container (11) in substantially the same way as separating the lid from the bottom container in a cage according to the prior art if necessary, and in particular, the lid (12) can be in both an open position and a closed position. In other words, it is not necessary to switch the lid (12) to an open position before separating the lid (12) from the cage in a closed position, and likewise, it is not necessary to switch the lid (12) from an open position to a closed position before separating the lid (12) from the bottom container (11) in an open position.

[0151] Furthermore, the present invention provides a closing and opening system that allows the lid to be secured to and released from the bottom container through a simple and immediate operation method that does not require particularly strict instructions to the operator, and also eliminates the need to use a system such as a handle as described above.

[0152] Finally, the present invention provides a gasket mounted in a shape and position that improves both the aforementioned restraint and the isolation inside the cage, while ensuring that the restraint of the lid to the bottom container and its release from therefrom are not hindered.

[0153] Although the present invention has become clear from the foregoing description of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and drawings; on the contrary, it is clear and obvious to the art that various variations and / or modifications of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described above also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0154] For example, the number of hooks (21) and jaws (110) and their positions can be appropriately selected as needed and / or depending on the situation. Likewise, the orientation of the hooks is appropriately selected so that the hooks (21) can engage with any of the side walls (16) of the bottom container (11) when the lid is in the open position.

[0155] Magnetic restraining means, such as magnets fixed to the lid and bottom container, are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0156] Furthermore, since the position of the lid is adjustable, it is believed that the solution according to the present invention can be applied to any type of lid, for example, even to non-ventilated cages.

[0157] Finally, the various solutions described above can be performed independently and in combination with one another, for example, the lid (12) according to the present invention may be a gasket (131) or one or more Hook (21) and / or the combined sheet (140) may be included in a combined form if possible, and thus can be used in combination with one or more jaw brushes (110).

[0158] Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is limited by the appended claims.

Claims

Claim 1 A cage (10) for housing experimental animals, wherein the cage comprises: a bottom tube (11) and a detachable lid (12) configured to be seated on the bottom tube (11) in a first closed position that prevents access to an internal space (14) bounded by the bottom tube (11) and to be adjusted to a second open position in which access to the internal space (14) is not obstructed, wherein the bottom tube (11) comprises a bottom wall (13) having at least one substantially flat portion and a plurality of side walls (16) extending from the bottom wall (13) and connected to each other to define the internal space (14); the lid (12) comprises a main body (17) and a side connecting edge (18) defined by a corresponding plurality of interconnected side walls, each of which extends from the main body (17) to form the side connecting edge (18) in the shape of a skirt or apron; and when the lid (12) is in the first closed position, the side connecting edge (18) is the The cage (10) is positioned adjacent to the side wall (16); the cage (10) further comprises a coupling tuck (referred to as ‘tuck’) (110) extending outward from one of the side walls (16) of the bottom container (11); the cage (10) further comprises a coupling sheet (referred to as ‘sheet’) (140) defined by the side coupling edge (18), and the sheet (140) is automatically coupled by the tuck (110) by placing the lid (12) on the bottom container (11) in a first closed position; the coupling is achieved by inserting the tuck (110) into the sheet (140), and the cage (10) extends outward from the bottom container (11) along the entire periphery extension of the bottom container (11) and connects to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) Includes more ridge (125);The above-mentioned jaws (110) have a peripheral extension smaller than the peripheral extension of the first end ridge (125), and the jaws (110) further have an extension facing the outside of the bottom tube (11), which is larger than the extension of the first end ridge (125); meanwhile, the jaws (110) extend from the first end ridge (125); and the jaws (110) and the first end ridge (125) are located on the same plane, characterized by a cage. Claim 2 A cage according to claim 1, characterized in that the direction in which the jaws (110) extend toward the outside of the bottom tube (11) lies on a plane substantially parallel to at least one substantially flat portion of the bottom wall (13). Claim 3 A cage according to claim 1, wherein the bottom tube (11) and the lid (12) are substantially rectangular planar in shape and thus each includes four side walls (16) that are paired opposite each other, and the jaws (110) extend from one of the two shorter side walls among the four side walls of the bottom tube (11). Claim 4 A cage according to claim 1, wherein the sheet (140) extends from the inner side of the side joint corner (18) adjacent to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) with the lid in the first closed position, over a portion of the thickness of the side joint corner (18), so that as a result the sheet (140) becomes blind on the outer side of the side joint corner (18) facing the inner side. Claim 5 A cage according to claim 1, wherein the sheet (140) extends from the inner side of the side joint corner (18) adjacent to the side wall (16) of the bottom container (11) in a first closed position over the entire thickness of the side joint corner (18), so that the sheet (140) is consequently open through the outer side of the side joint corner (18) facing the inner side. Claim 6 A cage according to claim 1, wherein the bottom tube (11) includes a second end ridge (126) extending parallel to the first end ridge (125) to the outside of the bottom tube (11) along the entire periphery of the bottom tube (11) to connect the side wall (16) of the bottom tube (11), wherein the second end ridge (126) together with the first end ridge (125) defines a receiving sheet (130) having a substantially U-shaped transverse section; and includes an opening (130A) facing the outside of the bottom tube (11); and further wherein a sealing gasket (131) is received in the receiving sheet (130) and configured to securely isolate the internal space (14) through a lid (12) in a first closed position. Claim 7 A cage according to claim 6, wherein the sealing gasket (131) includes a portion (132) extending through the opening (130A) of the receiving sheet (130), and wherein, when the lid (12) is in a first closed position, the portion (132) of the gasket (131) is elastically deformed with respect to the side joining edge (18) of the lid (12). Claim 8 A cage according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein to detach the tuck sole (110) from the coupling sheet (140), it is pressed toward the internal space (14), and such pressing operation is performed on the side wall (16), and the tuck sole (110) extends from the side wall. Claim 9 A cage characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 7, the jawsole (110) is formed integrally with the first end ridge (125). Claim 10 A cage characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 7, one or both of the upper and lower end faces of the tuck (110) are inclined with respect to the flat portion of the bottom wall (13) of the bottom tube (11) in order to give the tuck (110) a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section.

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