Duck nesting container

Abstract

The invention relates to a duck nesting container (10, 34) comprising a substantially tubular, light- and air-permeable shell (12, 36) enclosing a nesting hollow, with a preferably front-end access opening (20) and preferably a tongue-shaped projection (26) extending from a bottom edge (22) of the access opening (20) as an entry or landing ramp. To ensure the container is durable, hygienic, and quick and inexpensive to manufacture, the shell is made of a light- and air-permeable plastic material (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a duck nesting container comprising a substantially tubular, light- and air-permeable shell enclosing a nest hollow, with a preferably front-side access opening and preferably a tongue-shaped projection extending from a bottom-side edge of the access opening as an entry or landing ramp.

[0002] Common duck nesting boxes, also known as duck nesting baskets or duck breeding baskets, are enclosed by a permeable, air- and light-permeable shell, which is essentially tubular or bulbous and has an entrance opening at the front. A tongue-shaped projection extends from the lower edge of the entrance opening, serving as an entry aid or landing ramp to facilitate access to the nesting box. Such duck nesting boxes offer mallards, wild ducks, common pochards, and moorhens a protected breeding site and also serve as shelter from predators.

[0003] The cover is made from a natural material such as willow, straw, or reeds and is handcrafted. Therefore, if used outdoors, especially near the banks of a body of water like a pond, there is a risk of the material rotting, thus reducing its lifespan. Handcrafting is time-consuming and expensive.

[0004] To ensure a long lifespan and hygiene with the known design, the maintenance effort is high.

[0005] Furthermore, in the known designs, the access opening is formed in the form of a cylindrical section open at the top, so that birds of prey in particular can fly into the nesting room unhindered.

[0006] US Patent 3,017,858 A relates to a bird guard consisting of a substantially tubular housing section with entrance openings at opposite longitudinal ends and a retaining device within the housing section adjacent to one end, the other end being substantially free of obstructions. The tubular housing section is made of plywood.

[0007] US 3,960,111 A relates to a device for providing a nesting aid for waterfowl or the like, comprising: a nesting device forming an open, upward-facing container for receiving and supporting the nest of a waterfowl or the like; a drainage device connected to the container that allows precipitation to drain from the nesting device by gravity.

[0008] Based on this, the invention aims to further develop a duck nesting box of the aforementioned type in such a way that it is durable and hygienic, and can be manufactured quickly and cost-effectively. Furthermore, it is intended to improve protection against nest predators, especially birds of prey.

[0009] According to the invention, the casing is provided to be a preferably open-pored, light- and air-permeable plastic casing.

[0010] The open-pored, light- and air-permeable plastic shell offers high stability and durability while maintaining sufficient light and air permeability. The plastic shell is easy to clean, resulting in low maintenance and improved hygiene.

[0011] A particularly preferred plastic casing is a light- and air-permeable, open-pored plastic molded part or a plastic mesh that can be manufactured quickly, easily, and cost-effectively. The plastic molded part can have a light- and air-permeable, open-pored, bark-like surface structure on the inside and / or outside.

[0012] It is particularly preferred that the plastic molded part or the plastic mesh is formed in one piece. Preferably, the plastic molded part can be manufactured as an injection-molded part or as a 3D-printed part using an additive manufacturing process.

[0013] Alternatively, the plastic molded part or the plastic mesh can also be made up of several parts, comprising a base and a removable lid. This makes the inside of the container easily accessible and easier to clean.

[0014] Preferably, the plastic molded part or the plastic mesh is made from a recycled plastic or a bioplastic.

[0015] According to an independent inventive concept, it is provided that a projecting protective shield extends from an upper edge of the access opening, thereby protecting the access opening from predators, in particular birds of prey.

[0016] The protective shield is preferably designed to cover the boarding aid or landing ramp, thus protecting both the landing ramp and the access opening from predators and environmental influences such as wind, rain, snow, and / or solar radiation. A cylindrical section shape has proven particularly effective.

[0017] In this design, the base and lid parts can each be identical molded parts in the form of a half-shell, which together form the nesting container.

[0018] Further details, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings.

[0019] They show: Fig. 1. A perspective view of the duck nesting container, Fig. 2 a sectional view of the duck nesting container according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a top view of the duck nesting container according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 a two-part version of the duck nesting container.

[0020] The Fig. Figures 1 to 4 show a duck nesting container 10 in the form of a duck nesting basket, comprising a substantially tubular, centrally bulging shell 12 that defines a nesting chamber 14 in the form of a nest depression. At a first end 16, the shell 12 is closed, and at a second end 18, the shell 12 has an access opening 20, which is bounded by a circumferential rim 22. From a lower, bottom-side section 24 of the rim 22 of the access opening 20, a tongue-shaped projection 26 extends longitudinally along the shell 12, forming an entry or landing ramp.

[0021] A protective shield 30 extends from an upper edge 28 of the entrance opening 16 and is preferably an integral part of the shell 12. The protective shield 30 protects the entrance opening 20 from nest predators, as access from above is prevented by approaching birds of prey. The protective shield 30 has an area larger than the area of ​​the entry or landing ramp 26, so that the latter is covered by the protective shield 30. The protective shield 30 is in the form of a cylindrical section.

[0022] According to the invention, the casing 12 is made of plastic and, in particular, is an open-pored, air- and light-permeable plastic casing. To achieve air and light permeability, openings 32, preferably in the form of holes, slots, and / or channels, are formed in the plastic casing.

[0023] The plastic cover 12 can be designed as a light- and air-permeable, open-pored plastic molded part or as an open-pored, air- and light-permeable plastic mesh. This improves durability and longevity. The nesting container 10 can also be cleaned more easily.

[0024] Fig. Figures 1 to 4 show the plastic shell as a one-piece molded plastic part, manufactured as an injection-molded plastic part. Alternatively, the molded plastic part can also be a plastic part printed using an additive manufacturing process. To create the open-pore structure, the shell has openings 32 distributed essentially evenly across its surface.

[0025] Fig.Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a duck nesting container 34, wherein a plastic cover 36 is formed in multiple parts, comprising a removable lid part 38 and a bottom part 40, which are preferably detachably connected to each other by means of screw or snap connections.

[0026] The duck nesting container 10, 36 can have a length in the range of 60 cm to 120 cm, preferably a length of 90 cm. The diameter of the nesting hollow 14 can be in the range of 15 cm to 35 cm, preferably in the range of 20 cm to 30 cm. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 3 017 858 A

[0006] US 3 960 111 A

[0007]

Claims

[1] Duck nesting container (10, 34) comprising a substantially tubular, light- and air-permeable shell (12, 36) enclosing a nesting hollow, with a preferably front-end access opening (20) and preferably a tongue-shaped projection (26) extending from a bottom-side edge (22) of the access opening (20) as an entry or landing ramp, characterized by that the cover is a light- and air-permeable plastic cover (12). [2] Nesting container according to claim 1, characterized by , that the plastic shell (12) is a light- and air-permeable open-pore plastic molded part. [3] Nesting container according to claim 1, characterized by , that the plastic casing (12) is a plastic mesh. [4] Nesting container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the plastic casing (12, 34) is formed in one piece or in multiple parts, comprising a removable lid part (38) and a base part (40). [5] Nesting container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the plastic casing (12) is made from recycled plastic. [6] Nesting container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plastic molded part is a plastic injection molded part or a plastic part printed using additive manufacturing processes. [7] Nesting container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a tongue-shaped projection (26) extends from a bottom edge (22) of the access opening (20) as an entry or landing ramp. [8] Nesting container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a projecting protective shield (30) extends from an upper edge (28) of the access opening (20). [9] Nesting container according to claim 1, characterized by, that the protective screen (30) has an area larger than the area of ​​the entry or landing ramp (26), so that the latter is covered by the protective screen. [10] Nesting container according to claim 1, characterized by , that the protective shield (30) is designed in the form of a cylindrical section.

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