METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FLUID DROPS INTO AN OPEN AND STATIONARY TRAY.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for distributing fluid droplets onto an open tray containing poultry, the tray being stationary. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: (a) a movable arm moves over the tray in a translational direction in a first direction, said arm supporting a first set of dispensing nozzles and a second set of dispensing nozzles, said nozzles of each set being arranged to cover the entire dimension of the tray in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; (b) initially, droplets of at least one first fluid are dispensed by spraying using the first set of dispensing nozzles; (c) and then at least one second fluid, different from said first fluid to be sprayed, is dispensed by expelling individual droplets by means of the second set of dispensing nozzles.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for uniformly distributing drops of different fluids onto birds placed in an open, stationary tray. It also refers to a device for dispensing drops of different fluids onto a fixed tray to implement this method. STATE OF THE ART To meet the ever-increasing demand for food, animals in intensive farming systems have become increasingly important. The good health of these animals, particularly to ensure adequate production, requires prevention and in particular vaccination to immunize these animals against various diseases during the first days of their lives. For example, in poultry farming, vaccines are typically administered to chicks at one day old or between one (1) and five (5) days of age. To treat a large number of chicks simultaneously, it is common practice to expose them in trays or baskets, which are moved on conveyors, to a fine mist of water containing the vaccine to be administered. These droplets are obtained by spraying. Direct contact of the chicks with the mist ensures vaccination via the ocular-nasal route. These plates, loaded with chicks, are also passed via conveyors under nozzles that dispense drops of gel containing a vaccine. These drops adhere to the chicks by contact, for example, by being colored in a way that is attractive to them. This type of coloring also allows for confirmation that the product was taken correctly through a simple visual inspection of the inside of the animal's mouth. The drops of gel that have fallen on the body of each chick are thus pecked by other chicks placed nearby so that each chick receives a sufficient amount of vaccine. Fixed supports allow each one to support a set of nozzles to deliver drops of a specific fluid into a dedicated treatment area; these supports are arranged to protrude from the conveyors that transport the trays loaded with chicks. Thus, when chicks are destined to receive different treatments, the trays that transport these chicks are directed by means of conveyors over different treatment areas separated from each other. Thus, it is observed that the facilities that allow the mass vaccination of live animals, equipped with transport systems of this type, are bulky and, consequently, require prolonged accommodation spaces. Facilities of this type for the mass vaccination of live animals are therefore not suitable for all types of operations, particularly for small-scale livestock farms. Therefore, there is an urgent need for equipment for the mass treatment of live animals, whose original design allows overcoming the disadvantages of the previous technique described above. OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a method and apparatus for mass treatment of live animals, simple in its design and mode of operation, reliable, fast and requiring little space for its implementation. Another objective of the present invention is a method of this type and an apparatus of this type for the mass treatment of live animals, ensuring homogeneous treatment of each live animal contained in an open tray or basket. Another objective of the present invention is a method of this type that minimizes losses of treatment fluids while ensuring a uniform and homogeneous distribution of these fluids in an open tray. Another objective of the present invention is a method and apparatus of this type that allows for the management of open trays of different sizes. The present invention also seeks the use of the method and this apparatus to administer in bulk two fluids selected from preventive or therapeutic substances such as vaccines, nutrients, or even combinations of these elements. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION To this end, the invention relates to a method for supplying fluid drops onto an open tray containing birds, this tray being fixed. According to the invention, a) A movable arm moves over this tray, translating in a first direction, this The IVIA / I arm carries a first set of dispensing nozzles and a second set of dispensing nozzles; the nozzles in each set are arranged to cover the entire dimension of the tray in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. b) the drops of at least one fluid are first dispensed by spraying through the first set of dispensing nozzles, c) then at least a second fluid, different from said at least one fluid to be sprayed, is dispensed by the expulsion of individual drops by means of the second set of dispensing nozzles. The term "bird" herein refers to any species of bird, such as birds of the class Aves, that is, vertebrate animals that are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic (warm-blooded), and capable of laying eggs. In the context of the present invention, "bird" refers more particularly to birds that have economic and / or agricultural value, such as poultry (e.g., chickens, turkeys, quail, partridges, and pigeons), migratory birds (e.g., ducks and geese), and ornamental birds (e.g., swans, parrots, and psittacines). Such an injection device finds application in the field of vaccinating chicks in the few days following their birth, that is, between one (1) and five (5) days of age, preferably at the age of one (1) day, or 24 hours after hatching. This method thus allows the administration of at least two different fluids to the chicks contained in an open tray or basket in a very short time, while ensuring homogeneous treatment of each chick. The original design of this method requires minimal space for implementation and is therefore particularly well-suited to small-scale operations. It is advantageously reliable and cost-effective. Since this mobile arm is advantageously height-adjustable, the method can be implemented with any type of open tray. The width is adjusted by removing, blocking with a plug, or not using certain nozzles and / or dispensing tips located around the perimeter of the mobile arm. Advantageously, such a method is particularly well-suited to the administration of a spray (a first fluid) and a gcl (a second fluid). According to a particular embodiment of this method for delivering fluid drops onto an open tray, the movable arm travels at a constant or substantially constant speed when it is above the tray. Because of the ensured continuity of the arm's movement, it is IVIA / I, that is, by the most regular movement possible of the latter over the open container to be treated, a uniform and homogeneous distribution of the drops of dispensed fluid is ensured for a given flow rate of fluid in each set of dispensing nozzles. Alternatively, the movable arm, driven by a drive unit including an electric motor, and each fluid to be dispensed being drawn from its container by a syringe with an electrically driven piston, has its acceleration or deceleration controlled synchronously with the fluid flow rate for each fluid to be dispensed. This ensures uniform distribution of the fluid onto the open tray. Advantageously, this acceleration or deceleration is progressive. Such an embodiment ensures uniform distribution of fluid droplets onto the open tray while minimizing the space required for implementation, as the acceleration or deceleration of the movable arm can be performed directly above the open tray. According to another particular embodiment of this method for supplying fluid drops onto an open tray, steps b) and c) are performed in a single pass of the movable arm above the tray, with the nozzle assemblies arranged on the arm to create a time lag between steps b) and c). Preferably, this time lag, or delay time, between steps b) and c) is determined to ensure effective treatment of the birds by each fluid, and in particular by at least one second fluid. This ensures that each bird is either directly exposed to the second fluid or consumes a sufficient quantity of it to ensure homogeneous mass treatment of the birds.In other words, the time interval between dispensing steps b) and c) is calculated to avoid droplet mist, which occurs when dispensing the first fluid through the first set of dispensing nozzles. This is achieved by reducing the adhesion or wetting of the droplets of the second fluid dispensed by the second set of dispensing nozzles, particularly when the latter fluid is a gel. Alternatively, step b) is achieved when the arm moves from a first edge to a second edge of the tray, this second edge being opposite the first edge, along an approach path extending along the first direction. Step c) is achieved when the arm moves from the second edge to the first edge along a return path along the first direction. According to another embodiment of this method for delivering fluid droplets to an open tray, before step a), the moving arm is progressively accelerated until it reaches a constant or substantially constant speed Vdepi, and after passing over the plate, it is progressively decelerated to prevent fluid loss. By providing a progressive acceleration or deceleration, i.e., without jerking, of the moving arm, fluid losses outside the treatment phases are minimized or eliminated, losses that can represent a significant cost to the user. For illustrative purposes, when steps b) and c) are performed in two separate passes over the open tray containing the birds, before step a), the moving arm is progressively accelerated until it reaches a constant or substantially constant speed vdepi, for example, at the beginning of its passage over the tray.After the distribution of at least one fluid droplet onto the tray, during an approach movement of the mobile arm above the tray (step b), the arm is progressively accelerated until it stops in a designated area, extending beyond the open tray's receiving area, which extends only to the tray's dimensions. For a second pass of the mobile arm over the same tray to ensure the dispensing of at least one other fluid (step c), the arm is again progressively accelerated in its support zone so that it reaches the tray at a constant or substantially constant speed. The mobile arm then progressively decelerates as it reaches the opposite preparation area after the tray has been fully treated with the two different fluids. According to another embodiment of this method for dispensing fluid drops onto an open tray, the first fluid is a sprayable liquid and the second fluid is a gel, such as a soft gel, or a fluid having a viscosity between 0.05 kg / (ms) and 0.2 kg / (ms) (50 and 200 cps) at 20 °C. Preferably, the viscosity of this fluid is between 0.05 kg / (ms) and 0.18 kg / (ms) (50 and 180 cps) at 20 °C, and better still between 0.054 kg / (ms) and 0.177 kg / (ms) (54 and 177 cps) at 20 °C. Even more preferably, the viscosity is between 0.1 kg / (ms) and 0.12 kg / (ms) (100 and 120 cps) at 20 °C. For illustrative purposes only, the first fluid is an aqueous composition containing a vaccine. This gel may include a dye to visually verify the uniform distribution of the drops in the open tray. The supply circuit for each assembly can advantageously include an electric or pneumatic pump to supply the nozzles with the corresponding fluid. According to another embodiment of this method for distributing fluid droplets onto an open tray, and in each of steps b) and c), a plurality of droplets of uniform or substantially uniform size are formed. To this end, it is possible to check the fluid feed pressure at each nozzle of each assembly for a given nozzle type. IVIA / I Preferably, in step b) a mist of droplets is formed, at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, of which are between 0.145 mm (145 microns) and 0.23 mm (230 microns). Advantageously, in step c) a plurality of droplets is formed, at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, of which are between 0.9 mm (900 microns) and 1.5 mm (1500 microns). According to another embodiment of this method for delivering fluid droplets onto an open tray, the flow rate at the nozzles and the speed of movement of the movable arm are adjusted to ensure a uniform or substantially uniform distribution of the droplets on the tray. Preferably, the flow rate at each nozzle delivering the first fluid is between 6 ml / s and 40 ml / s, preferably between 8 ml / s and 20 ml / s, and the flow rate at each nozzle delivering the second fluid is between 15 ml / s and 50 ml / s, preferably between 15 ml / s and 25 ml / s. The pressure applied to deliver the first fluid is between 3 and 130 bar, and the pressure applied to deliver the second fluid is between 0.2 and 1 bar. According to another embodiment of this method for administering fluid drops into an open tray, incorporating said fluid one or more active ingredients for vaccinating avian species such as birds, or fluids other than vaccines such as nutrient compositions. According to another embodiment of this method for distributing fluid droplets onto an open tray, at least two distinct first fluids are dispensed by spraying and / or at least two distinct second fluids by ejecting individual droplets. For illustrative purposes only, each set of dispensing nozzles may include two nozzle ramps for dispensing two different products in a single pass. Therefore, the present method also covers the distribution of two or more distinct fluids to be sprayed or atomized and / or two or more fluids to be ejected as individual droplets. These latter fluids are preferably ejected by nozzles. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for dispensing fluid drops for the implementation of the method described above. According to the invention, this apparatus comprises: - a work area intended to receive and support a tray, the tray being received in a fixed manner, - a single arm, movable to move above this work area in a first direction, this arm carries a set of spray dispensing nozzles and a set of tips, the nozzles and tips being arranged so that the entire dimension of the tray in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction is covered by this set of spray dispensing nozzles and this set of tips, and - This device is configured to ensure a time lag between the distribution of at least a first fluid by means of said set of spray metering nozzles and at least a second fluid by means of said set of tips. Although advantageously compact, this device allows the delivery, in a very short time interval or almost simultaneously, of two different fluids such as an atomizer and a gel, for the mass treatment of birds placed in a tray or basket. A time lag of this type between the dosing of the two fluids allows for the prevention of the dilution of gel droplets by the mist of droplets from the first fluid. Spray nozzles can have flat or conical tips. Flat tips are preferable to form a curtain of droplets. Each of these tips is configured to expel a single droplet of fluid through its orifice at a given fluid pressure. According to a particular embodiment of this apparatus, it comprises means for controlling the speed of movement of the movable arm. According to another embodiment of this apparatus for dispensing fluid droplets, the first set of spray nozzles and the second set of tips are separated from each other on the movable arm in the first direction. Advantageously, this distance is calculated to ensure effective treatment of the birds by the second fluid. For example, the separation between these two sets is between 4 and 10 cm, preferably between 4 and 7 cm, and more preferably 5 cm. According to another embodiment of this apparatus, this work area includes support zones for the movable arm extending on both sides of a tray receiving area, which is preferably adjustable to accommodate different trays. Preferably, with the nozzle assembly and the tip assembly separated from each other on the movable arm by a distance d in the first direction, each preparation area has a dimension along the first direction at least equal to or substantially equal to the distance d separating these assemblies on this arm. According to another embodiment of this device, it includes several sensors to automatically trigger the dispensing of drops. Alternatively, this triggering can be performed manually by the operator. For example, one or more cameras and computer software for processing the images received from these cameras may IVIA / I allows for the detection of the correct positioning of the basket before triggering the activation of the moving arm. Activation can also be a combination of positioning sensors and manual operation by the operator. According to another embodiment of this apparatus, this nozzle assembly comprises at least two nozzle subassemblies, each for dispensing a different fluid by spraying, and / or this tip assembly comprises at least two tip subassemblies, each for ejecting droplets of a different fluid. Each of these subassemblies is connected to its own fluid supply circuit or to a separate one. Such a device finds particular application in the veterinary field, especially in the mass vaccination of chicks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages, objectives and particularities of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of explanation and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 [Figure 1] is a front view of an apparatus for the mass treatment of chicks according to a particular embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 [Figure 2] is a perspective view of the apparatus in Figure 1; Figure 3 [Figure 3] is another perspective view of the apparatus in Figure 1; Figure 4 [Figure 4] is a perspective view and a top view of the apparatus in Figure 1, a basket containing chicks that is placed in your work area and awaits treatment; Figure 5 [Figure 5] is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus in Figure 1, a basket containing chicks placed in its working area and awaiting treatment; DESCRIPTION OF A REALIZATION The drawings and description that follow contain essentially elements of a certain nature. Therefore, they can not only serve to allow a better understanding of the present invention, but IVIA / I will also contribute to its definition if necessary. First, it is observed that the figures are not to scale. Figures 1 to 5 schematically illustrate an apparatus for the mass treatment of chicks according to a particular embodiment of the present invention. This apparatus comprises a frame 10 provided with legs 11 which include, at their free end, rollers 12 to ensure the movement of the latter. The apparatus may include from 2 to 4 rollers 12. Each of these rollers 12 may include a locking element (not shown) to fix the apparatus in position. This frame 10 includes, at its top, an enclosed space delimited by walls 13 that are at least partially transparent to allow viewing of the interior. One of these walls 13 includes a vertically movable flap 14 to allow access to this enclosed space, particularly for the insertion and removal of a basket 15 loaded with chicks, and also for cleaning and maintenance of the apparatus. In addition to this physical barrier consisting of the movable flap 14, and if it is desired that the apparatus be able to remain open, this apparatus may include one or more protective elements (not shown) to detect the presence of an intruding object in the treatment area, such as an operator's hand or arm. These protective elements are capable of sending detection signals to a central processing unit, which can stop an ongoing treatment or even prevent the treatment from being activated.For example, these protective elements are infrared detectors. Of course, it is still possible that frame 10 may not have a movable cover 14 of this type or even protective elements of this type. The interior of this enclosed space comprises a work area intended to receive and support an open basket 15, with this basket 15 then in a fixed position. A movable arm 16 mounted on a longitudinal rail 17, which defines a first direction, can move translationally along this rail 17 above the work area. The longitudinal rail 17 is integral with the upper end, or cover, of the frame 10. This movable arm 16 carries a set of nozzles 18 and a set of dispensing tips 19, these nozzles and tips being arranged on the movable arm 16 in such a way that the entire dimension of the basket 15, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction defined by the longitudinal rail 17, is fully covered by the set of nozzles 18 and by the set of dispensing tips 19. These nozzles and tips can be moved individually along the movable arm 16 to 9 to allow adjustment of the coverage of different baskets. Of course, this device can include position sensors (not shown) to determine the exact positioning of the basket in the work area. It is then possible to automate fluid distribution sequences by automatically recognizing the type of basket 15 placed in the distribution device. The nozzle assembly 18 comprises spray dispensing nozzles while the other assembly includes dosing tips 19, each of these tips comprising an orifice, each tip being configured to expel an individual drop of fluid through its orifice for a given fluid pressure. While remaining advantageously compact, this device allows the delivery, in a short time interval or almost simultaneously, of two different fluids such as an atomizer and a gel for the mass treatment of birds placed in an open basket 15. This device thus comprises two tanks 20 that are placed on a support 21 at the height of the user, these tanks 20 being advantageously transparent to verify the level of fluid available in each of them. Each fluid supply circuit that connects a tank 20 to its corresponding set of nozzles and dispensing tips comprises a pumping unit (not shown), the pumping unit of the two supply circuits being able to have different pumping powers depending on the fluid to be pumped in each of these supply circuits. The feed flow rates of the nozzles and tips are checked, as well as the speed of movement of the mobile arm 16, to ensure a uniform and homogeneous distribution of the dispensed fluids on the open basket 15. The nozzle assembly 18 and the dispensing tip assembly 19 are also arranged on the movable arm 16 to ensure a time lag between the distribution of the first fluid (evaporable fluid) and the second fluid (gel). The extended movable arm 16 comprises two lateral edges that define a front and a rear face, considered in the direction of the translational movement of this arm in the first direction, the nozzle assembly 18 is mounted on the front face of this movable arm 16 while the dispensing tip assembly 19 is mounted on the rear face of this movable arm 16, thus being separated from the nozzle assembly 18 in the first direction. This ensures that the distribution by spraying, or even by fragmentation, of the droplets of the first fluid by the first set of nozzles 18, always precedes the distribution of the droplets 10 of the second fluid by the set of dispensing tips 19. Therefore, there is no risk that the mist of droplets formed by the spraying of the first fluid could prevent the droplets of the second fluid from adhering to the feathers of the chicks, which could lead to a non-homogeneous treatment of the latter. Preferably, the working area of ​​the apparatus includes preparation areas for the mobile arm 16 that extend on both sides along the first direction of the basket receiving area to allow progressive acceleration and deceleration of the mobile arm before and after the passage of the mobile arm over the basket 15. Advantageously, the aim is not only to maintain a constant speed of movement of the movable arm 16 above the basket 15, but also to avoid jerks in the movement of the arm that would likely cause fluid losses. For this purpose, the device includes means to check the speed of movement of the movable arm 16. According to one embodiment of the present apparatus, the minimum distance d spatially separating the nozzle assembly 18 from the dispensing tip assembly 19, in the first direction, is between 5 and 9 cm. The movement speed of the arm is between 35 and 80 cm / second, preferably 55 cm / second.

Claims

1. A method for supplying fluid drops onto an open tray (15) containing birds, this tray (15) being fixed, characterized in that: a) a movable arm (16) is displaced on this tray (15) in a translational direction, this arm carrying a first set of dispensing nozzles (18) and a second set of dispensing nozzles (19), said nozzles of each set being arranged to cover the entire dimension of the tray (15) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, b) firstly, drops of at least one first fluid are dispensed by spraying by means of the first set of dispensing nozzles (18), said at least one first fluid being a non-therapeutic fluid such as a nutrient composition, c) then at least one second fluid, different from said at least one fluid to be sprayed, is dispensed by the expulsion of individual drops by means of the second set of dispensing nozzles (19),At least one second fluid is a non-therapeutic fluid such as a nutrient composition.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that steps b) and c) are performed in a single pass of the movable arm (16) above said tray (15), these nozzle assemblies are arranged on said arm to generate a time lag between steps b) and c).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the time lag between steps b) and c) is determined to ensure the effective treatment of the birds by said at least a second fluid.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that step b) is performed when said arm moves from a first edge to a second edge of this tray (15), this second edge being opposite the first edge, in an approach path extending along the first direction, and step c) is achieved when said arm moves from the second edge to the first edge on a return path along the first direction.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that before step a) said movable arm is progressively accelerated until it reaches a constant or substantially constant movement speed Vdepi and after the passage of said arm over said tray, said movable arm is progressively decelerated to avoid fluid loss.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first fluid is a sprayable liquid and said second fluid is a gel such as a soft gel, or a fluid having a viscosity between 0.05 kg / (ms) and 0.2 kg / (ms) (50 and 200 cps) at 20 °C.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each of steps b) and c) a plurality of drops are formed that have a uniform or substantially uniform size.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that in step b) a mist of droplets is formed, at least 80% of these droplets have a size between 0.145 mm (145 microns) and 0.23 mm (230 microns).

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that in step c) a plurality of drops are formed, at least 80% of these drops have a size between 0.9 mm (900 microns) and 1.5 mm (1500 microns).

10. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow rate of said nozzles and the speed of movement of the movable arm (16) are checked to ensure a uniform or substantially uniform distribution of said drops on the tray (15).

11. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two different first fluids are dispensed by spraying and / or at least two different second fluids are dispensed by expelling individual drops.

12. Apparatus for distributing fluid drops for the implementation of the method according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises: - a working area intended to receive and support a tray (15), this tray (15) being received in a fixed manner, - a single arm (16), translationally movable to move above this working area in a first direction, this arm (16) carrying a set of spray dispensing nozzles (18) and a set of tips (19), the dispensing nozzles and the tips being arranged so that the entire dimension of the tray (15) in a second direction perpendicular to the first dimension is covered by this set of spray dispensing nozzles (18) and this set of tips (19),and because - this apparatus is configured to ensure a time lag between the distribution of at least a first fluid by means of said assembly of spray dispensing nozzles (18) and at least a second fluid by means of said assembly of tips (19)., 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that it includes means for checking the speed of movement of said movable arm (16).

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the dispensing nozzle assembly (18) and the tip assembly (19) are separated from each other on said movable arm (16) in the first direction.

15. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that this working area includes staggered areas of the movable arm (16) extending on both sides of a tray receiving area (15), which is preferably adjustable to accommodate different trays (15).

16. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dispensing nozzle assembly (18) comprises at least two nozzle subassemblies each for spraying a different fluid and / or said tip assembly (19) comprises at least two tip subassemblies each for expelling a different fluid.

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