Duck nesting container

Abstract

Duck nesting container (10, 36), comprising a substantially tubular, light- and air-permeable shell (12, 36) enclosing a nest hollow, with a preferably front-side 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 in that a projecting protective screen (30) extends from an upper edge (28) of the access opening (20).

Description

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

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

[0003] The cover is made of a natural material, such as willow, straw, or reed, and is handmade. Therefore, if used outdoors, especially near the shore of a body of water, such as a pond, there is a risk of the material rotting, thus limiting its durability. Handcrafting is time-consuming and expensive.

[0004] In order to ensure a long service life and hygiene with the well-known design, the maintenance effort is high.

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

[0006] Based on this, the invention aims to further develop a duck nesting container of the type mentioned above in such a way that its safety against nest predators, especially birds of prey, is improved. Furthermore, the containers should be durable and hygienic, and can be manufactured quickly and cost-effectively.

[0007] According to the invention, a protruding protective screen extends from the upper edge of the access opening. This protects the entrance opening from flying predators as well as from environmental influences such as wind, rain, snow, and sun.

[0008] Particularly preferably, a tongue-shaped projection extends from a bottom edge of the access opening as an entry or landing ramp, wherein the protective screen has an area which is larger than an area of ​​the entry or landing ramp, so that the latter is covered by the protective screen.

[0009] The protective shield can be designed in the form of a cylindrical section, with a cutting plane forming an acute angle to the bottom longitudinal edge.

[0010] To ensure that the container is long-lasting and hygienic and can also be produced quickly and cost-effectively, the cover is preferably an open-pored, light- and air-permeable plastic cover.

[0011] The open-pored, light- and air-permeable plastic cover offers high stability and durability while allowing sufficient light and air permeability. The plastic cover is easy to clean, reducing maintenance and improving hygiene.

[0012] Particularly preferably, the plastic shell is a light- and air-permeable, open-pore 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-pore, bark-like surface structure on the inside and / or outside.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the plastic molded part or the plastic mesh is formed as a single piece. The plastic molded part can preferably be manufactured as a plastic injection-molded part or as a 3D-printed part using an additive process.

[0014] Alternatively, the molded plastic part or the plastic mesh can be constructed in several parts, comprising a base part and a removable lid part. This allows for easy access to the interior of the container and makes it easier to clean.

[0015] Preferably, the plastic molded part or the plastic mesh is made of a recycled plastic or a bioplastic.

[0016] According to an independent inventive concept, it is provided that a projecting protective screen extends from an upper edge of the access opening, whereby the access opening is protected from predators, in particular birds of prey.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the protective shield is designed in such a way that it covers the boarding aid or landing ramp, so that both the landing ramp and the access opening are protected from predators and environmental influences such as wind, rain, snow, and / or solar radiation. The shape of a cylindrical section has proven particularly effective.

[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. 1 to 4 show a duck nesting container 10 in the form of a duck nesting basket, comprising a substantially tubular, centrally bulbous shell 12 that defines a nesting space 14 in the form of a nest hollow. At a first end 16, the shell 12 is closed, and at a second end 18, the shell 12 has an access opening 20 defined by a peripheral edge 22. Extending from a lower, bottom-side portion 24 of the edge 22 of the access opening 20 in the longitudinal direction of the shell 12 is a tongue-shaped projection 26 that forms an entry or landing ramp.

[0021] A protective screen 30 extends from an upper edge 28 of the access opening 20, which is preferably an integral part of the shell 12. The protective screen 30 protects the access opening 20 from nest predators, as access from above is secured by approaching birds of prey. The protective screen 30 has a surface area that is larger than the surface area of ​​the boarding or landing ramp 26, so that the latter is covered by the protective screen 30. The protective screen 30 is designed in the shape of a cylindrical section.

[0022] According to the invention, the casing 12 is made of plastic and, in particular, is an open-pore, 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-pore plastic molding or as an open-pore, 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 plastic molded part, manufactured as a plastic injection molded part. Alternatively, the plastic molded part can also be a plastic part printed using an additive process. To create the open porosity, the shell has openings 32 distributed substantially evenly over the surface.

[0025] Fig.4 shows an embodiment of a duck nesting container 34, wherein a plastic cover 36 is formed in several parts, comprising a removable lid part 38 and a base part 40, which can preferably be releasably connected to one another 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 trough 14 can be in the range of 15 cm to 35 cm, preferably in the range of 20 cm to 30 cm.

Claims

[1] Duck nesting container (10, 36), comprising a substantially tubular, light- and air-permeable cover (12, 36) enclosing a nesting hollow with a preferably front-side 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, characterized by that a projecting protective screen (30) extends from an upper edge (28) of the access opening (20). [2] Nesting container according to claim 1, 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 and that the protective screen (30) has an area which is larger than an area of ​​the boarding or landing ramp (26), so that the latter is covered by the protective screen. [3] Nesting container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the protective shield (30) is designed in the form of a cylinder section. [4] Nesting container according to claim 1, characterized by that the cover is a light and air permeable plastic cover (12). [5] Nesting container according to claim 4, characterized by that the plastic cover (12) is a light and air permeable, open-pore plastic molded part. [6] Nesting container according to claim 4, characterized by that the plastic sheath (12) is a plastic braid. [7] Nesting container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plastic cover (12, 34) is formed in one part or in several parts, comprising a base part (38) and a removable cover part (40). [8] Nesting container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plastic cover (12) is made of recycled plastic. [9] Nesting container according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the plastic molded part is a plastic injection molded part or a plastic part printed using an additive process.

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