Cage for the adoption of laboratory animals

Abstract

A cage for fostering experimental animals, said cage comprising a main box-like body consisting of a bottom wall, an upper wall and a plurality of side walls, said bottom wall, upper wall and side walls being connected and joined together to delimit a first inner space usable for said experimental animals, wherein a first side wall of said main box-like body comprises a first opening adapted to allow an operator to access said inner space from the outside, and wherein said first side wall comprises a gate switchable between a first position and a second position, wherein said cage comprises a secondary box-like body consisting of its own bottom wall, its own upper wall and a plurality of its own side walls, said own bottom wall, upper wall and side walls of said secondary box-like body being connected and joined together to delimit a second inner space, wherein a first own side wall of said secondary box-like body comprises a second opening, said secondary box-like body being adapted to be externally applied to said first side wall of said main box-like body, wherein said second opening is located at said first opening.

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to the field of housing laboratory animals. In particular, this invention relates to a cage for housing laboratory animals, especially primates (e.g., apes, monkeys, etc.). Specifically, this invention relates to a cage of the aforementioned type comprising a porch improved according to an innovative solution to allow access to the interior space of the cage via the porch. More specifically, this invention relates to a housing cage of the aforementioned type comprising a body defining an interior space available for use with the laboratory animals, wherein the body includes a gate that is switchable to alternately open and close an opening in the body through which an operator can access the interior space to approach the animals within the cage, and wherein the gate, in providing access to the interior space, constitutes part of the porch. Background Technology

[0002] The use of cages that include so-called “porches” is now widely used for the adoption of laboratory animals, particularly laboratory primates (e.g., monkeys, etc.). The porch is imposed from the outside onto the main body of the cage, and the internal space defined by the main body and the internal space defined by the porch are interconnected to increase the space available to the animals.

[0003] Therefore, the porch is an added decoration (compared to a cage without a porch) because the porch can be used by animals as a seat and / or an elevated observation point and / or play space, thus significantly promoting animal welfare.

[0004] In fact, known types of porches include a generally box-shaped body comprising closed side walls and at least one open wall, the closed walls and the open walls being joined and connected to each other.

[0005] Then, the porch is attached from the outside to the side wall (usually the front wall) of the body of the cage, such that the side wall of the porch opening coincides with the opening (equipped with a gate) defined by the side (front) wall of the body.

[0006] In addition, it is worth noting that animal adoption requires regular care of the animals themselves, and the animals must be at least partially confined in cages when performing procedures such as injections, medications and / or feeding.

[0007] For this purpose, a known type of cage with a porch includes a movable partition arranged inside the body parallel to the side wall including the gated opening, wherein the animal is at least partially restrained.

[0008] First, the gate is closed, which also closes the opening that allows entry into the porch from inside the main structure.

[0009] Then, the movable partition is gradually moved closer to the side (front) wall of the main body (the side (front) wall is provided with an opening with a gate) to similarly gradually reduce the space available to the animal, wherein once the desired (at least partial) constraint on the animal is achieved, the operator can carry out planned and / or necessary operations.

[0010] However, although it is considerable from many perspectives (e.g., simple construction, and / or simple application to and removal from the body of the cage), the known types of porches have several disadvantages and / or deficiencies, which the applicant intends to overcome or at least reduce by the invention described in this application.

[0011] The first drawback relates to the fact that once a known type of porch is installed (i.e., fixed to the body of the cage in the manner described above), it always poses an obstacle to people who need to approach the animal for routine operations such as monitoring and administering medication.

[0012] In practice, as mentioned above, the operation is usually carried out by moving the animal to the front of the cage with the help of the partition (also known as a limiter), noting that the passage to the porch is closed by a dedicated gate.

[0013] Therefore, it is clear that the porch, positioned in this way between the operator and the animal, obstructs the operator's access to the animal, requiring the operator to always completely remove the porch to reach it. Thus, given the need to approach the animal at a given frequency, it can also be seen that the repeated assembly and disassembly of the porch is a negative factor from a time-wasting perspective.

[0014] Another drawback found in cages with known types of porches is that the gates of the openings on the front wall of the cage are often of the translationally switchable type, wherein closing the gates results in the risk that the animal may be trapped between the gate and one of the two opposing edges of the opening and may be injured; in other words, there is a risk of “guillotine” resulting from switching the gates from the open position to the closed position. Description of the present invention

[0015] The main objective of this invention is to overcome or at least reduce or minimize the aforementioned disadvantages found in cages with porches according to the prior art.

[0016] In particular, a first objective of the present invention is to provide a cage with a porch for housing laboratory animals, which is designed such that the porch does not obstruct and / or hinder an operator who needs to access the animals, and therefore does not need to be removed to allow the operator to access the animals.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a porch that is adapted to be separately fixed to and removed from the body of the cage by a simple and quick operation that does not require the use of tools, thereby further reducing the risk of harming the animal.

[0018] In particular, one of the objectives of this invention is to provide a cage for housing laboratory animals that includes an innovative gate that, when switched from an open to a closed position, does not pose any risk of trapping or potentially injuring the animals.

[0019] The cage according to the invention stems from the general consideration that the drawbacks found in cages with known types of porches can be effectively overcome or at least reduced by a cage that achieves the intended purpose, wherein the cage's gate, once switched to the open position, forms an integral part of the porch and helps to limit the interior space defined by the porch.

[0020] Furthermore, based on a further consideration of the invention, it is the fact that the disadvantages encountered in a cage with a known type of porch can be effectively overcome or at least reduced by a porch that achieves the intended purpose, the porch comprising a sidewall that can be switched to a position in which, when the gate is in the open position, the sidewall closes the opening of the body served by the gate, thereby replacing the gate.

[0021] To overcome or at least reduce the disadvantages found in cages with porches according to the prior art, and based on the above considerations, according to a first embodiment, the present invention relates to a cage for housing laboratory animals, the cage comprising a main box-shaped body including a bottom wall, a top wall, and a plurality of side walls connected and joined together to define a first internal space available for the laboratory animals, wherein the first side wall of the main box-shaped body includes a first opening adapted to allow an operator to enter the internal space from the outside, and wherein the first side wall includes a gate switchable between a first position and a second position, in which the gate substantially closes the first opening, and in a second position, the gate at least partially leaves the first opening, wherein the cage includes a secondary box-shaped body consisting of its own bottom wall, its own... The sub-box-shaped body comprises a main body wall and multiple self-side walls. The bottom wall, top wall, and side walls of the sub-box-shaped body are connected and joined together to define a second internal space. The first self-side wall of the sub-box-shaped body includes a second opening. The sub-box-shaped body is adapted to be applied from the outside to the first side wall of the main box-shaped body. The second opening is located at the first opening to allow the experimental animal to enter the second internal space from the first internal space when the gate is in the second position, and vice versa, to enter the first internal space from the second internal space. The gate includes a rotatably switchable door. The second side wall of the sub-box-shaped body, which is joined to the first side wall of the sub-box-shaped body, includes a third opening. Switching the door from the first position to the second position causes the third opening to close.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the gate includes two doors, each door being rotatably switchable, wherein a third sidewall of the sub-box-shaped body, which is engaged with the first sidewall and opposite the second sidewall of the sub-box-shaped body, includes a fourth opening, and wherein switching the doors from the first position to the second position results in the closure of the third opening and the fourth opening, respectively.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the sidewall of the secondary box-shaped body, which is opposite to the first sidewall of the main box-shaped body, is switchable and positionable to close the second opening of the first wall of the secondary box-shaped body and the first opening of the first sidewall of the main box-shaped body.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the sidewall of the secondary box-shaped body, which is opposite to the first sidewall of the main box-shaped body, can be switched by translation along a guide parallel to the bottom wall of the secondary box-shaped body.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the upper wall of the sub-box-shaped body can be switched between a first closed position and a second open position. In the first closed position, the upper wall of the sub-box-shaped body prevents the operator from entering the second internal space, and in the second open position, the upper wall of the sub-box-shaped body allows the operator to enter the second internal space.

[0026] According to an embodiment, the upper wall of the secondary box-shaped body can be rotated around a rotation axis, which is parallel to the intersection line between the planes containing the bottom wall of the secondary box-shaped body and the first side wall of the main box-shaped body.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the upper wall of the sub-box-shaped body can be shifted and moved in a plane parallel to the bottom wall.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the cage includes an intermediate wall located inside the main body and substantially parallel to the first sidewall, wherein the intermediate wall is translatable along a direction substantially perpendicular to the first sidewall of the main box-shaped body.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the intermediate wall can be switched between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the intermediate wall is close to the first side wall of the main box-shaped body. In the second position, the intermediate wall is adjacent to the side wall of the main box-shaped body opposite to the first side wall of the main box-shaped body. The translational switching of the intermediate wall from the second position to the first position results in a reduction in the space available to the experimental animal.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the sidewalls of the main box-shaped body are opposite each other, parallel to each other, and have corresponding dimensions.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the bottom wall and the top wall of the main box-shaped body are parallel and have corresponding dimensions.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the sidewalls of the sub-box-shaped body are opposite each other, parallel to each other, and have corresponding dimensions.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the bottom wall and the top wall of the sub-box-shaped body are parallel and have corresponding dimensions.

[0034] According to an embodiment, at least the first wall of the main box-like body includes a mesh portion or a portion including a tubular element made of plastic or metal material.

[0035] According to an embodiment, at least the sidewall of the secondary box-shaped body includes a mesh portion or a portion including a tubular element made of plastic or metal material, the sidewall being opposite to the first sidewall of the main box-shaped body and being switchable and positionable to close the second opening of the first wall of the secondary body and the first opening of the first sidewall of the main box-shaped body.

[0036] Other possible embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims. Brief description of the attached diagram

[0037] The invention will be further explained below by a detailed description of embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings, wherein corresponding or equivalent features and / or components of the invention are indicated by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and depicted in the drawings; rather, all those variations and / or modifications of the embodiments described below and depicted in the drawings will fall within the scope of the invention, as will be apparent and intuitive to those skilled in the art.

[0038] In the attached diagram:

[0039] Figure 1 A perspective view of a porch for a cage according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the rear wall is in the rear stop position;

[0040] Figure 2 A perspective view of a porch for a cage according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the rear wall is in the middle position;

[0041] Figure 3 A perspective view of a porch for a cage according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the rear wall is in the front stop position;

[0042] Figure 4 A front perspective view of a cage with a porch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0043] Figure 5 A rear perspective view of a cage with a porch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0044] Figure 6 A front perspective view of a cage with a porch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0045] Figure 7 A rear perspective view of a cage with a porch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0046] Figure 8 A front perspective view of a cage with a porch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0047] Figure 9 A rear perspective view of a cage with a porch according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed description of the invention

[0048] This invention is particularly applicable to the field of laboratory animal adoption, which is why it is described below with special reference to its application in the field of animal adoption.

[0049] However, it is worth noting that the possible applications of this invention are not limited to those described below. Rather, the invention can be readily applied to all situations requiring optimized access to animals in cages with porches. For example, the invention has equally advantageous applications in the adoption and / or transportation of pets.

[0050] In the accompanying drawings, the cage described herein according to an embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10; as described, the cage 10 includes a generally box-shaped (parallelx-shaped) main box body 11, which is composed of a bottom wall 12, an upper wall 13, and side walls 14, 15, 16, 17, which are connected and joined together to define a first internal space Si1 available for use by the experimental animal, wherein the first (front) side wall 14 of the main box body 11 includes a first opening 18 adapted to allow an operator to enter the first internal space from the outside (and to allow the animal in the cage to enter the porch, as described below), and wherein the first side wall 14 includes a gate 19 switchable between a first position, in which the gate 19 substantially closes the first opening 18, and in the second position, the gate is at least partially closed from the first opening 18. Cage 10 also includes a porch comprising a sub-box-shaped (parallelx-shaped) body 30. This sub-box-shaped body includes its own bottom wall 31, its own top wall 32, and a plurality of its own side walls 33, 34, 35, and 36. The bottom wall 31, top wall 32, and side walls 33, 34, 35, and 36 of the sub-box-shaped body 30 are connected and joined together to define a second internal space Si2. The first (front) side wall 35 of the sub-box-shaped body 30 includes a second opening 37, the size of which is... This essentially corresponds to the size of the first self-sidewall 35; as shown, the secondary box-shaped body 30 is adapted to be applied from the outside to the first sidewall 14 of the main box-shaped body 11, wherein the second opening 37 is located at the first opening 18 to allow the experimental animal to enter the second internal space Si2 from the first internal space Si1 when the gate 19 is in the second position (in which the gate 19 is away from the first opening 18 of the wall 14), and vice versa, from the second internal space Si2 to the first internal space Si1.

[0051] As further shown, gate 19 includes two doors or leaves 191 and 192 (or, according to an alternative embodiment, a single door or leaf 191), both doors or leaves being rotatably switchable, wherein the two self-sidewalls 34 and 36 are respectively "open" opposite and parallel to each other, or at least each self-sidewall 34 and 36 includes a respective fourth opening 39 and a third opening 38. Clearly, according to the embodiment where gate 19 includes a single door or leaf, only one of the third self-sidewall 34 and the second self-sidewall 36 is "open" or at least includes an opening.

[0052] The (planar) dimensions of the third self-sidewall 34 and the second self-sidewall 36 substantially correspond to the dimensions of doors 191 and 192, respectively. It is evident that the rotational switching of doors 191 and 192 from the first position to the second position (as indicated by the arrow, and thus to the outside of the main box-shaped body 11, and thus away from the first opening 18) causes doors 191 and 192 to be positioned at the second self-sidewall 36 and the third self-sidewall 34 of the porch 30, respectively, and thus closes the third opening 38 and the fourth opening 39 of the second self-sidewall 36 and the third self-sidewall 34, respectively.

[0053] Once switched to the open position, doors 191 and 192 each form an integral part of the porch 30, helping to limit the second interior space Si2 defined by the porch 30.

[0054] Another feature of the porch 30 according to the invention is that, as Figures 1 to 3 As depicted, the rear sidewall 33 of the porch 30 is translatably switchable (as indicated by the double arrows) and, in particular, can be positioned near the first sidewall 14 of the main box 11 to close the second opening 37 defined by the first sidewall 35 of the porch 30 and the first opening 18 of the first sidewall 14 of the main box 11.

[0055] The movable rear sidewall 33 (along a guide 311 formed in the bottom wall 31 of the porch 30, which is not described in detail for the sake of brevity) allows for easy and efficient containment of the animal in the main box 11 and allows access to the animal through the porch 30 without the need to remove or dismantle the porch 30 from the main box 11, as described below.

[0056] Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 Another feature of the cage according to the invention is described.

[0057] As described, within the box-shaped body 11 there is an intermediate wall or partition 40 (also referred to as a limiter for reasons that will become apparent from the description below), said partition 40 being arranged parallel to the first sidewall 14 and the rear sidewall 16 of the main box-shaped body 11, and perpendicular to the opposing sidewalls 15 and 17, respectively. As indicated by the double arrows, the partition 40 can be translatably switched between a first position and a second position along a direction substantially perpendicular to the first sidewall 14. In the first position, the partition 40 is close to the first sidewall 14 of the main box-shaped body 11, and in the second position, the partition 40 is adjacent to the rear sidewall 16 of the main box-shaped body 11 (which is opposite to the first sidewall 14 of the main box-shaped body 11). Figure 5 The position in the middle is the midpoint between the two extreme stopping positions mentioned above.

[0058] Therefore, it can be inferred that the positioning of the partition or limiter 40 close to the first sidewall 14 reduces the space available to the animal and thus causes the animal itself to be at least partially restricted.

[0059] The operator approaches the animal from outside the cage 10, for example, to administer medication or perform similar procedures, as can be summarized below.

[0060] First, the rear side wall 33 of the porch 30 itself... Figure 1 The end stop position in the middle is repositioned to Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 and Figure 6 The end stop position of the enclosure 30 is such that its rear sidewall 33 closes the second opening 37 of the porch 30 and the first opening 18 of the main box 11, thereby preventing animals from entering the porch 30 from the main box 11. The next step involves translating and switching the partition 40 toward the first sidewall 14 of the main box 11 until the partition 40 is near the first sidewall 14, and in particular until the desired level of restraint on the animal is achieved between the partition 40 and the first sidewall 14.

[0061] At this point, the operator can approach the animal through the space Si2 defined by the porch 30 (specifically through the second opening 37) and therefore does not need to remove the porch 30 from the main box 11.

[0062] Further features of the porch according to the invention are depicted in the accompanying drawings, and relate to the fact that, as Figure 1 As shown and Figure 1 As indicated by the double arrows, the upper wall 32 of the porch or sub-box 30 can be in a first closed position and a second open position (in... Figure 1The upper wall 32 rotates between the two positions (represented by the shadow line) to prevent the operator from entering the second internal space Si2 in the first closed position and to allow the operator to enter the second internal space Si2 in the second open position. Switching the upper wall 32 to the open position further facilitates the operator's access to the animal (e.g., when the animal is at least partially confined between the partition 40 and the first side wall 14 in the manner described above).

[0063] According to the embodiment shown, the upper wall 32 can be rotated around the rotation axis R1, which is parallel to the line of intersection between the planes where the bottom wall 31 of the secondary box-shaped body 30 and the first side (front) wall 14 of the main box-shaped body 11 are located.

[0064] On the other hand, according to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the upper wall 32 can be rotated around a rotation axis R2, which is parallel to the line of intersection between the planes containing the upper wall 32 of the porch or sub-box 30 and the rear side wall 33 of the porch or sub-box 30, respectively. According to another alternative embodiment (not shown), the upper wall 32 can be translated in a plane parallel to the bottom wall 31 of the porch or sub-box 30.

[0065] This invention allows for the widest possible choice of materials and construction for the components of the main box-shaped body 11 and the secondary box-shaped body 30. For example, at least the rear sidewall 33 of the secondary box-shaped body 30 may include at least one mesh portion or a portion comprising a tubular element made of plastic or metal. Similarly, each or at least some of the sidewalls and bottom walls of the main box-shaped body 11 and the secondary box-shaped body or porch 30 may include at least one mesh portion or a portion comprising a tubular element made of plastic or metal.

[0066] Therefore, the above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings has demonstrated that the invention enables the attainment of desired results and overcomes or at least limits the disadvantages affecting the prior art.

[0067] In particular, the present invention provides a cage with a porch for housing laboratory animals, the cage being designed such that the porch does not obstruct and / or hinder an operator who needs to access the animals, and therefore the porch does not need to be removed to allow the operator to access the animals.

[0068] Furthermore, the porch according to the invention is adapted to be fixed to and removed from the cage body by simple and quick operation without the need for tools, thereby further reducing the risk of harming animals.

[0069] Finally, this invention provides a cage for housing laboratory animals that includes an innovative gate that, when switched from an open to a closed position, poses no risk of trapping or causing any potential harm to the animals.

[0070] Although the invention has been described above in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, the invention is obviously not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings; on the contrary, all variations and / or changes to the described and depicted embodiments will be apparent and intuitive to those skilled in the art.

[0071] Therefore, the scope of protection of this invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A cage (10) for housing laboratory animals, the cage comprising a main box-shaped body (11) consisting of a bottom wall (12), a top wall (13), and a plurality of side walls (14, 15, 16, 17), the bottom wall (12), the top wall (13), and the plurality of side walls (14, 15, 16, 17) being connected and joined together to define a first internal space (Si1) usable for the laboratory animals, wherein the first side wall (14) of the main box-shaped body (11) includes a first opening (18) adapted to allow an operator to enter the first internal space from the outside, and wherein, The first sidewall (14) includes a gate (19) switchable between a first position and a second position, in which the gate substantially closes the first opening (18) and in the second position, the gate at least partially leaves the first opening (18), wherein the cage (10) includes a sub-box-shaped body (30) composed of its own bottom wall (31), its own upper wall (32), and a plurality of its own sidewalls (33, 34, 35, 36), wherein the bottom wall (31), the upper wall (32), and the plurality of its own sidewalls (33, 34, 35, 36) of the sub-box-shaped body (30) are connected and joined together to define a second internal space (Si2), wherein the first sidewall of the sub-box-shaped body (30) (35) includes a second opening (37), the sub-box (30) being adapted to be applied from the outside to the first sidewall (14) of the main box (11), wherein the second opening (37) is located at the first opening (18) to allow the experimental animal to enter the second internal space from the first internal space when the gate (19) is in the second position, and vice versa, from the second internal space to the first internal space; characterized in that the gate (19) includes a rotatable door (191), the second self-sidewall (36) of the sub-box (30) engaging with the first self-sidewall (35) of the sub-box (30) includes a third opening (38), and the switching of the door (191) from the first position to the second position causes the third opening (38) to close.

2. The cage (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gate (19) includes two doors (191, 192), each door being rotatably switchable, engaging with the first self-sidewall (35) of the sub-box body (30) and the third self-sidewall (34) of the sub-box body (30) opposite to the second self-sidewall (36) including a fourth opening (39), and the switching of the two doors (191, 192) from the first position to the second position respectively causes the closure of the third opening (38) and the fourth opening (39).

3. The cage (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The rear sidewall (33) of the sub-box (30), which is opposite to the first self-sidewall (35) of the sub-box (30), is switchable and positionable to close the second opening (37) of the first self-sidewall (35) of the sub-box (30) and the first opening (18) of the first sidewall (14) of the main box (11).

4. The cage (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The rear sidewall (33) of the sub-box (30), which is opposite to the first self-sidewall (35) of the sub-box (30), can be translated and switched along a parallel guide (311) defined by the bottom wall (31) of the sub-box (30).

5. The cage (10) according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 4, characterized in that, The upper wall (32) of the sub-box (30) can switch between a first closed position and a second open position. In the first closed position, the upper wall (32) of the sub-box (30) prevents the operator from entering the second internal space (Si2). In the second open position, the upper wall (32) of the sub-box (30) allows the operator to enter the second internal space (Si2).

6. The cage (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper wall (32) of the sub-box (30) can rotate around the rotation axis (R1), which is parallel to the intersection line between the planes where the bottom wall (31) of the sub-box (30) and the first side wall (14) of the main box (11) are located.

7. The cage (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper wall (32) of the sub-box (30) can be translated and switched on a plane parallel to the bottom wall (31) of the sub-box (30).

8. The cage (10) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7, characterized in that, The cage includes an intermediate wall (40) located inside the main box-shaped body (11) and substantially parallel to the first side wall (14), and the intermediate wall (40) is translatable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side wall (14) of the main box-shaped body (11).

9. The cage (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The intermediate wall (40) can switch between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the intermediate wall (40) is close to the first side wall (14) of the main box-shaped body (11). In the second position, the intermediate wall is adjacent to the rear side wall (16) of the main box-shaped body (11) opposite to the first side wall (14). The translational switching of the intermediate wall (40) from the second position to the first position results in a reduction in the space available to the experimental animal.

10. The cage (10) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9, characterized in that, The plurality of sidewalls (14, 15, 16, 17) of the main box-shaped body (11) are opposite to each other and parallel, and have corresponding dimensions.

11. The cage (10) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9, characterized in that, The bottom wall (12) and the top wall (13) of the main box-shaped body (11) are parallel and have corresponding dimensions.

12. The cage (10) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9, characterized in that, The plurality of self-sidewalls (33, 34, 35, 36) of the sub-box-shaped body (30) are opposite to each other and parallel, and have corresponding dimensions.

13. The cage (10) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9, characterized in that, The bottom wall (31) and the top wall (32) of the sub-box-shaped body (30) are parallel and have corresponding dimensions.

14. The cage (10) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9, characterized in that, At least the first sidewall (14) of the main box-shaped body (11) includes a mesh portion or a portion including tubular elements and made of plastic or metal material.

15. The cage (10) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9, characterized in that, At least the rear sidewall (33) of the sub-box (30) includes a mesh portion or a portion including a tubular element and made of plastic or metal material. The rear sidewall (33) of the sub-box (30) is opposite to the first sidewall (35) of the sub-box (30) and is switchable and positioned to close the second opening (37) of the first sidewall (35) of the sub-box (30) and the first opening (18) of the first sidewall (14) of the main box (11).

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