Longitudinal member for a floor covering suitable for the floor of an enclosure for rearing animals, in particular cattle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a longitudinal member for a floor covering suitable for the floor of an enclosure for rearing animals, in particular cattle. The longitudinal member (1) comprises a primary profile (5) made of an elastic material, which comprises: • a central strip (53) forming a rib intended to be accommodated in a complementary groove (R) formed in the floor, comprising an upper face (531) defining a longitudinal groove (51); • two lateral strips (54) extending the central strip (53) and extending on either side of the longitudinal opening (511), comprising an upper face (541) intended to form a bearing face for the animals and a lower face (542) intended to rest on the floor along the groove (R).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Longeron for floor covering, suitable for the floor of an enclosure for breeding animals, in particular cattle

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the technical field of floor coverings, suitable for the floor of an enclosure for breeding animals, in particular cattle, in particular for the collection of droppings.

[0005] It relates in particular to a spar for floor covering, suitable for the floor of an enclosure for breeding animals, in particular cattle.

[0006] The invention also relates to a system for collecting excrement flowing on the ground and an enclosure equipped with such a collection system.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] Animal comfort is a determining factor in the performance of a farm, which influences in particular the health, feed intake, fertility and longevity of the animals.

[0009] In a stable, this comfort notably involves rapid and efficient evacuation of droppings generated by the animals.

[0010] This management of excrement should in fact make it possible to reduce gas emissions and the proliferation of bacteria in the breeding enclosure, and consequently to improve environmental conditions and health performance.

[0011] These droppings are also likely to make the floor slippery, with the resulting risk of falls and injury.

[0012] More generally, excessively damp flooring can cause health problems in animals' feet, including lameness, which is a major health problem in livestock farming. Among the infections that cause lameness, digital dermatitis, also known as "Mortellaro's disease," is the most problematic.

[0013] There is therefore a need for technical solutions that allow a reduction in the humidity of the support surfaces on the floor of breeding enclosures while ensuring effective evacuation of liquids (in particular urine), advantageously without requiring major structural work, so as to improve the grip conditions and the sanitary conditions of the animals.

[0014] There is also an interest in simple solutions that allow a certain separation of urine and feces, so as to limit the production of ammonia in breeding enclosures. In order to overcome these disadvantages of the state of the art, there are collection systems comprising means for conveying the droppings within guide profiles, so as to generate a circulation of the droppings along these guide profiles and towards collection means.

[0015] Such collection systems allow automatic and continuous evacuation of liquids (especially urine), which provides a certain reduction in ammonia production.

[0016] But, in practice, it would be interesting to further improve the efficiency of such collection systems, in order to optimize the separation of urine / feces and limit the production of ammonia.

[0017] Furthermore, it is useful to be able to further simplify the installation of such collection systems in a breeding enclosure, whether new or existing (improvement or renovation), without requiring the implementation of major structural works.

[0018] Presentation of the invention

[0019] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a floor covering spar, suitable for the floor of an enclosure for raising animals, in particular cattle.

[0020] The spar comprises a primary profile, made of elastic material possibly including a textile reinforcement, which comprises a central strip and two lateral strips.

[0021] The central strip, forming a rib intended to be housed in a complementary groove made in the ground, has two opposite faces:

[0022] - a concave upper face, defining a longitudinal groove comprising a longitudinal opening intended to open upwards, and

[0023] - a lower, convex face, forming said rib.

[0024] The two lateral strips, extending from said central strip and extending on either side of said longitudinal opening, have two opposite faces:

[0025] - an upper face, intended to form a support face for the animals, and

[0026] - a lower face, intended to rest on the ground, along said groove.

[0027] Such a primary profile makes it possible to absorb the mechanical stresses exerted in particular by the animals' hooves, which prevents deformations and breakages on other parts of the collection system.

[0028] The other parts of the collection system, particularly those made of plastic, are protected by the interface formed by the primary profile.

[0029] Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the product in accordance with the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are as follows:

[0030] - the primary profile has a thickness ranging from 3 to 30 mm; - the side strips have an increasing thickness from the central strip, for example from 3 to 7 mm up to 20 to 30 mm, for example with a slope ranging from 2 to 5%;

[0031] - the side bands have a width ranging from 5 to 100 cm;

[0032] - the upper face of the side strips has grooves opening out at the level of said longitudinal opening and / or an anti-slip relief;

[0033] - the central strip comprises two side walls connected by a bottom wall, defining said longitudinal groove.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, said spar also comprises a secondary profile, made of plastic material, attached to the longitudinal groove of said central strip; which secondary profile fits said longitudinal groove and defines a longitudinal groove comprising a longitudinal opening opening on the side of the longitudinal opening of said longitudinal groove of the primary profile.

[0035] - the secondary profile, generally U-shaped, comprises two side partitions and a bottom partition; preferably, the secondary profile comprises a discontinuous intermediate structure, extending between the side partitions and at a distance from the bottom partition, to define a lower chamber and an upper chamber intended to receive conveying means comprising a drive member which is associated with operating means;

[0036] - the longitudinal groove of the primary profile diverges from the bottom wall towards the longitudinal opening;

[0037] - the two side walls of the central strip of said main profile have facing surfaces which are provided with stop means adapted to interlocking by elastic deformation of the secondary profile.

[0038] The present invention also relates to a system for collecting excrement flowing onto the floor of an enclosure for raising animals, for example cattle.

[0039] This collection system is characterized in that it includes:

[0040] (i) a floor covering which comprises:

[0041] - at least one spar according to the invention,

[0042] - at least one pair of lateral blades, intended to be attached on either side of said spar and each having a downward slope towards said at least one longitudinal opening of the primary profile,

[0043] (ii) conveying means for conveying the droppings within said longitudinal groove of said at least one primary profile, so as to generate a circulation of said droppings along said at least one longitudinal groove of said at least one primary profile and towards collection means, which conveying means comprise a drive member which is associated with operating means. Preferably, each lateral blade has a slope of 1 to 5%, preferably of 2 to

[0044] 4%.

[0045] Preferably, each side blade has a width ranging from 500 to 2000 mm.

[0046] Still preferably, said drive member comprises two parts superimposed in said at least one longitudinal groove:

[0047] - an upper part, capable of conveying solid excrement in a first conveying direction, while allowing the flow of liquid excrement, and

[0048] - a lower part, capable of conveying the liquid excrement flowing from said upper part, in a second conveying direction which is the opposite of said first direction.

[0049] The invention also relates to an enclosure for breeding animals, for example cattle, which enclosure comprises:

[0050] - a traffic corridor, having a longitudinal axis and equipped with a collection system according to the invention,

[0051] - collection means for collecting excrement circulating along said at least one longitudinal groove.

[0052] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0053] Detailed description of the invention

[0054] In addition, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description given with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where:

[0055] [Fig. 1] is a general view, in section, of a traffic corridor equipped with a collection system according to the invention;

[0056] [Fig. 2] is a general, partial and perspective view of a traffic corridor equipped with a collection system according to the invention which is also partially illustrated;

[0057] [Fig. 3] is a partial and enlarged view of the traffic corridor according to Figure 1, illustrating in more detail one of the side members constituting the collection system according to the invention;

[0058] [Fig. 4] is a general, partial and perspective view of a spar constituting the collection system according to the invention;

[0059] [Fig. 5] is a sectional view illustrating the main steps for assembling the spar according to the invention.

[0060] It should be noted that, in these figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0061] The present invention thus relates to a spar 1 for floor covering 2, adapted to the floor S of an enclosure E for breeding animals, in particular cattle. According to the invention and as developed subsequently, the floor covering 2 advantageously forms part of a collection system 3 which is adapted to the collection of excrement flowing within the enclosure E.

[0062] As developed below, such a collection system 3 has the advantage of collecting the excrement (in particular the liquids) flowing onto the ground S and evacuating it, so as to provide a relatively dry upper support surface (or at least one not presenting excessive humidity) for the animals' feet, and therefore healthier and safer.

[0063] Such a collection system 3 is further advantageously capable of recovering liquid excrement flowing on the ground and separating it from solid matter (for example feces, straw, etc.), continuously and by gravity.

[0064] Pregnant

[0065] The enclosure E according to the invention, as shown schematically and partially in Figure 1, is suitable for breeding animals, for example cattle.

[0066] By "animals" we mean in particular cattle (in particular dairy cows or beef cattle), pigs, or any other livestock (sheep, poultry, rabbits, horses, etc.).

[0067] Such an enclosure E consists of a building delimited by a frame (not shown), adapted to the desired breeding (for example a stable in the case of cattle).

[0068] Such an enclosure E comprises a circulation corridor C which has a longitudinal axis C' (see figures 1 and 2). The longitudinal axis C' advantageously forms a longitudinal central line of the circulation corridor C.

[0069] This traffic corridor C is still advantageously bordered by two lateral borders C1.

[0070] Such a circulation corridor C is used by the animals moving between the different functional spaces of the breeding enclosure E, for example the cubicles L (on the right in figure 1), the feeding platforms Z possibly located in front of the feeding stalls (on the left in figure 1), the milking parlors, etc.

[0071] Generally speaking, the S floor advantageously consists of a screed which is advantageously made of bitumen or concrete.

[0072] The floor S comprises at least one groove R which is advantageously made on the surface S1 of the floor S (possibly by a grooving operation), advantageously parallel to the longitudinal axis C'.

[0073] As illustrated in more detail in Figure 3, this groove R advantageously has a U-shaped section (the ground S is partially shown).

[0074] This groove R advantageously includes:

[0075] - two side walls R1, opposite and advantageously vertical, and - a bottom wall R2, advantageously horizontal.

[0076] For example, the width of the groove R (corresponding again to the distance separating its side walls R1) is 30 to 150 mm. And the height of the groove R (corresponding to the height of the side walls R1) is 30 to 80 mm.

[0077] As developed subsequently, the enclosure E according to the invention advantageously comprises:

[0078] - the traffic corridor C, having the longitudinal axis C' and is equipped with a collection system 10 described below, and

[0079] - collection means T (figure 4), for collecting excrement circulating along the aforementioned collection system 10.

[0080] Longeron

[0081] The spar 1 according to the invention comprises:

[0082] - a primary profile 5, made of elastic material, having a longitudinal groove 51 and intended to be inserted into a groove R of the floor S, and preferably

[0083] - a secondary profile 6, made of plastic material, inserted into the longitudinal groove 51 of the primary profile 5 and defining a longitudinal groove 61.

[0084] This spar 1, forming a gutter, is intended to receive the liquids flowing onto the floor covering 2.

[0085] The longitudinal groove 51 of the primary profile 5 forms, possibly in combination with the longitudinal groove 61 of the secondary profile 6, the longitudinal groove of the spar 1.

[0086] The longitudinal groove 51 of the primary profile 5, and where appropriate the longitudinal groove 61 of the secondary profile 6, advantageously comprises two emerging ends, located at the level of the collection means T and the emerging ends of the groove R of the ground S.

[0087] Preferably, the cross-section of the secondary profile 6 corresponds, apart from the clearance, to the longitudinal groove 51 of the primary profile 5.

[0088] In practice, the spar 1 advantageously comprises several primary profiles 5, in series, which are distributed end-to-end along the length of the groove R of the floor S.

[0089] The spar 1 also advantageously comprises several secondary profiles 6, in series, which are distributed end-to-end along the length of the primary profiles 5.

[0090] Where appropriate, the secondary profiles 6 are advantageously offset (in a staggered pattern for example) relative to the primary profiles 5, to obtain optimal sealing and optimal guidance of the liquids.

[0091] Conveying means 7 are advantageously provided for conveying the excrement within the longitudinal groove 51 of the primary profile 5 (or even where appropriate within the secondary profile 6), so as to generate a circulation of the excrement along said at least one longitudinal groove 51 and in the direction of collection means T.

[0092] Primary profile The primary profile 5 is made of elastic material, that is to say advantageously made of a material capable of undergoing elastic deformation under the weight of an animal.

[0093] Such a material capable of undergoing elastic deformation is advantageously chosen from:

[0094] - elastomeric materials, namely for example natural rubber, “synthetic natural” rubber (or synthetic polyisoprene), polybutadiene or styrene-butadiene, or

[0095] - plastic materials or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), for example PVB (Polyvinyl butyral), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) / SBR (styrene-butadiene), PP (polypropylene) / EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer), TPU (polyurethane TPE).

[0096] This primary profile 5 advantageously comprises a textile reinforcement (not shown), for example in the form of a reinforcing underlayer.

[0097] This reinforcing underlay advantageously extends over the entire width of the primary profile 5.

[0098] Generally, the primary profile 5 has a thickness ranging from 3 to 30 mm.

[0099] Still generally, this primary profile 5 advantageously comprises a central strip 53 and two lateral strips 54. This primary profile 5 thus has a general T shape.

[0100] The central strip 53 forms a rib intended to be housed in the complementary groove R made in the ground S.

[0101] For this, this central strip 53 has two opposite faces:

[0102] - an upper face 531, concave, defining the longitudinal groove 51 comprising a longitudinal opening 511 intended to open upwards, and

[0103] - a lower face 532, convex, forming the rib.

[0104] In particular, the central strip 53 advantageously comprises:

[0105] - two side walls 534, advantageously intended to fit the side walls R1 of the groove R, connected by

[0106] - a bottom wall 535, advantageously intended to fit the bottom wall R2 of the groove R.

[0107] The side walls 534 and the bottom wall 535 define the longitudinal groove 51.

[0108] For example, the width of the longitudinal groove 51 (corresponding again to the distance separating its side walls 534) is 35 to 45 mm. And the height of the longitudinal groove 51 (corresponding to the height of the side walls 534) is 65 to 75 mm.

[0109] The side walls 534 advantageously extend:

[0110] - perpendicular to the back wall 534, or

[0111] - divergently from the bottom wall 534, towards the longitudinal opening 511. In other words, the longitudinal groove 51 of the primary profile 5 is advantageously divergent from the bottom wall 535 towards the longitudinal opening 511.

[0112] The side walls 534 and the bottom wall 535 respectively comprise interior surfaces 534a, 535a defining the upper face 531 and the longitudinal groove 51.

[0113] The inner surfaces 534a of the side walls 534 advantageously extend:

[0114] - perpendicular to the back wall 534, or

[0115] - divergently from the bottom wall 534, towards the longitudinal opening 511.

[0116] Still according to the invention, the inner surfaces 534a of the two side walls 534 of the central strip 53 are advantageously provided with stop means 534b adapted to fitting by elastic deformation of the secondary profile 6.

[0117] These stop means 534b consist for example of:

[0118] - longitudinal ribs, or

[0119] - shoulders oriented towards the bottom wall 535.

[0120] The two lateral strips 54, extending the central strip 53, extend on either side of the longitudinal opening 511 of the longitudinal groove 51.

[0121] These two side strips 54 are each connected to one of the side walls 534 of the central strip 53.

[0122] These side bands 54 each have two opposite faces:

[0123] - an upper face 541, intended to form a support face for the animals, and

[0124] - a lower face 542, intended to rest on the ground S, and in particular on the surface of the ground S1, along the groove R.

[0125] Each side band 54 still has two opposite borders:

[0126] - an inner border 545, connected to the central strip 53, and

[0127] - an outer border 546, free, at a distance from the central strip 53.

[0128] Preferably, the side strips 54 have an increasing thickness from the central strip 53. In other words, the upper face 541 and the lower face 542 are divergent from each other from the central strip 53.

[0129] For example, the thickness of each side band 54 is:

[0130] - 3 to 7 mm, on the side of the central strip 53 and at the level of the inner border 545,

[0131] - 20 to 30 mm, at a distance from the central strip 53 and at the level of the outer edge 546.

[0132] More preferably, the upper face 541 defines a slope ranging from 2 to 5%, relative to the surface of the ground S1 and relative to the horizontal. This characteristic ensures a flow of the liquids present on the upper face 541 of the lateral strips 54 in the direction of the longitudinal opening 511 of the longitudinal groove 51.

[0133] More preferably, the side strips 54 have a width (dimension of the lower face 542, between the inner edge 545 and the outer edge 546) ranging from 5 to 100 cm. More preferably, the upper face 541 of the side strips 54 has grooves 541a opening at the longitudinal opening 511 and / or an anti-slip relief.

[0134] In other words, the grooves 541a advantageously extend over the width of the upper face 541 of the side strips 54 (from the outer edge 546 to the inner edge 545).

[0135] Secondary profile

[0136] The secondary profile 6, attached to the longitudinal groove 51 of the central strip 53 of the primary profile 5, fits this longitudinal groove 51.

[0137] This secondary profile 6 itself defines a longitudinal groove 61 comprising a longitudinal opening 611 opening on the side of the longitudinal opening 511 of the longitudinal groove 51 of the primary profile 5.

[0138] Generally speaking, the secondary profile 6 is useful for participating in the guidance of liquids and, where appropriate, for the installation of the conveying means 7. This secondary profile 6, advantageously forming a guide profile, is also advantageously useful for limiting friction and optimizing the guidance of excrement.

[0139] In this case, the secondary profile 6, in the general shape of a U, advantageously comprises:

[0140] - two lateral partitions 64, intended to fit the interior surfaces 534a of the lateral walls 534, and

[0141] - a bottom partition 65, intended to fit the interior surface 535a of the bottom wall 535.

[0142] The side partitions 64 advantageously extend:

[0143] - perpendicular to the bottom partition 65, or

[0144] - divergently from the bottom partition 65, towards the longitudinal opening 611.

[0145] Preferably, the bottom partition 65 conforms to the inner surface 535a of the bottom wall 535. And the side partitions 64 extend divergently from the bottom partition 65, towards the longitudinal opening 611, at a greater angle relative to the inner surfaces 534a of the side walls 534.

[0146] These dimensional characteristics allow positioning of the secondary profile 6 in the primary profile 5 by an assembly of the interlocking type by elastic deformation, in the presence of an elastic deformation force of the lateral partitions 64 of the secondary profile 6 according to a rotational movement towards each other (figure 5).

[0147] The secondary profile 6 advantageously comprises a discontinuous intermediate structure 66, extending between the side partitions 64 and at a distance from the bottom partition 65.

[0148] This intermediate structure 66 thus defines two chambers:

[0149] - a lower chamber 6a, between the bottom partition 65 and the intermediate structure 66, and - an upper chamber 6b, between the intermediate structure 66 and the longitudinal opening

[0150] 611.

[0151] These chambers 6a, 6b are advantageously intended to receive the conveying means 7, as developed subsequently.

[0152] Collection system

[0153] The present invention also relates to the collection system 10, illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, for collecting the droppings flowing onto the floor of the enclosure E for animal breeding.

[0154] The collection system 10 includes:

[0155] (i) a floor covering 2 which comprises:

[0156] - at least one spar 1 according to the invention,

[0157] - at least one pair of side blades 11 (only one of the side blades 11 is illustrated in Figure 2), and

[0158] (ii) conveying means 7 for conveying the excrement within said longitudinal groove 51 of said primary profile 5 (still forming the longitudinal groove of said at least one spar 1), so as to generate a circulation of said excrement along said at least one longitudinal groove 51 and in the direction of collection means T.

[0159] The side blades 11 are intended to be attached on either side of the spar 1.

[0160] Each lateral blade 11 has a downward slope towards said at least one longitudinal opening 511 of the primary profile 5.

[0161] To ensure the flow of the excrement towards the longitudinal groove 51 of the primary profile 5, the lateral blades 11 form a pair of “inclined” lateral blades 11 in which the two lateral blades 11 of a pair are separated by a aforementioned spar 1.

[0162] The side blades 11 thus extend on either side of at least one spar 1. In other words, at least one spar 1 is interposed between the two side blades 11.

[0163] Each side blade 11 also has a downward slope towards at least one associated spar 1.

[0164] The slope is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis C' so that the lateral blades 11 define a concave dihedral face whose intersection line would be parallel to the longitudinal axis C'.

[0165] In other words, each lateral blade 11 has two ends, defining its width R and parallel to the longitudinal axis C', namely:

[0166] - a lower end 11a, located near at least one spar 1, and

[0167] - an upper end 11 b, located at a distance from said at least one spar 1.

[0168] The lower end 11a of a lateral blade 11 is advantageously adjacent to an outer edge 546 of a lateral strip 54. The upper end 11b of a lateral blade 11 is advantageously adjacent to a lateral edge C1 of the corridor C.

[0169] The lateral blade 11 is thus sloping downward from the upper end 11b to the lower end 11a.

[0170] Preferably, each side blade 11 has a slope of 1 to 5%, preferably 2 to 4%.

[0171] More preferably, each side blade 11 has a width ranging from 500 to 2000 mm.

[0172] More preferably, the side blades 11 each have an upper support face 11e made of a material capable of undergoing elastic deformation.

[0173] Such an upper support face 11e is then advantageously made from a material chosen from:

[0174] - elastomeric materials, namely for example natural rubber, “synthetic natural” rubber (or synthetic polyisoprene), polybutadiene or styrene-butadiene, or

[0175] - plastic materials or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), for example PVB (Polyvinyl butyral), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) / SBR (styrene-butadiene), PP (polypropylene) / EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer), TPU (polyurethane TPE).

[0176] The upper support face 11e is advantageously flat, possibly provided with a non-slip relief.

[0177] The non-slip relief consists, for example, of a single-piece relief chosen from the reliefs used in floor coverings traditionally implemented in livestock buildings, for example, diamond-shaped protruding elements with bosses.

[0178] According to an illustrated embodiment, the lateral blades 11 are advantageously each manufactured by a spar 115 with a triangular section, which are attached to the surface of the ground S1 (advantageously horizontal).

[0179] Each spar 115 advantageously comprises two opposite surfaces:

[0180] - an upper surface 1151, corresponding to the upper support face 11 e, and

[0181] - a lower surface 1152, intended to rest on the ground S.

[0182] These opposite surfaces 1151, 1152 are convergent from the upper end 11b towards the lower end 11a.

[0183] The upper surface 1151 is advantageously intended to come in the extension of the upper face 541 of a lateral strip 54.

[0184] Each spar 115 may be composed of several superimposed layers, namely for example a base 115a which comprises an inclined upper face on which is attached an overlying layer 115b made of the material capable of undergoing elastic deformation. The base 115a then advantageously defines the slope of the upper support face 11e.

[0185] Again, the base 115a has two opposing surfaces, one upper and one lower, converging.

[0186] The base 115a is advantageously made from a material chosen from:

[0187] - a concrete material, advantageously cast or prefabricated, or

[0188] - a plastic material, preferably molded or injected.

[0189] The base 115a is advantageously made up of a succession of identical parts, arranged in series and adjoining longitudinally.

[0190] The overlying layer 115b advantageously has a constant thickness, for example ranging from 8 to 30 mm.

[0191] This overlying layer 115b is advantageously continuous (for example in the form of a continuous sheet or a continuous mat), and attached to the base 115a. The overlying layer 115b can also be discontinuous, formed by a juxtaposition of plates.

[0192] This overlying layer 115b optionally includes a reinforcing underlayer or is devoid of a reinforcing underlayer.

[0193] The connection between the base 115a and the overlying layer 115b is advantageously achieved by mechanical assembly parts, passing through the spar 115 to the ground S.

[0194] Furthermore, the conveying means 7 comprise a drive member 71 which is associated with maneuvering means 72.

[0195] In this case, the drive member 71 advantageously comprises two parts superimposed in said at least one longitudinal groove 51:

[0196] - an upper part 71a, advantageously in the upper chamber 6b of the secondary profile 6, capable of conveying the solid excrement in a first conveying direction, while allowing the flow of the liquid excrement, and

[0197] - a lower part 71 b, advantageously in the lower chamber 6a, capable of conveying the liquid excrement flowing from the upper part 71a, in a second conveying direction which is the opposite of said first direction.

[0198] Such an embodiment aims to promote evacuation, on the one hand, of solid excrement at a first end of the longitudinal groove 51 of the primary profile 5 and, on the other hand, of liquid excrement at a second end of the longitudinal groove 51 of the primary profile 5.

[0199] For this, the drive member 71 advantageously comprises a belt (or strap or band) arranged to define two superimposed strands in the longitudinal groove 51 of the primary profile 5:

[0200] - an upper strand, running in a first direction, forming the upper part 71a of the drive member 71, and - a lower strand, running in a second direction, forming the lower part 71b of the drive member 7.

[0201] The strands 71a, 71b of this drive member 7 are advantageously each oriented horizontally. These two strands 71a, 71b thus advantageously extend in two parallel and superimposed planes.

[0202] Each strand 71a, 71b has a width advantageously ranging from 40 to 100 mm.

[0203] Such a width is interesting in terms of strength and assembly (for example by stapling).

[0204] Preferably, the drive member 71 is made in one piece, from an elastomeric material, namely for example natural rubber, “synthetic natural” rubber (or synthetic polyisoprene), polybutadiene or styrene-butadiene.

[0205] The operating means 72 are located at the level of the emerging ends of the groove R in the ground S.

[0206] These maneuvering means 72 consist for example of two pulleys with horizontal axes, at least one of which is motorized.

[0207] The collection means T include in particular a pit or a recovery channel (shown very schematically in figure 4).

[0208] These collection means T are installed at at least one of the two open ends of the groove R of the floor S.

[0209] Preferably, the collection system 10 may also include means for scraping the surface of the floor covering 2.

[0210] These scraping means consist, for example, of a plane whose lower edge rests on the surface of the floor covering 2.

[0211] This planer is intended to be maneuvered in translation along the length of the floor covering 2 to push back the solid materials (feces, straw, etc.) present on the upper surface of the floor covering 2, to the collection means T.

[0212] These scraping means can be chosen from conventional means per se and known to those skilled in the art.

[0213] Installation and implementation

[0214] The installation of the collection system 10 according to the invention advantageously begins with the installation of the floor covering 2.

[0215] This installation begins, for example, with the installation of said at least one spar 1, then the side blades 11.

[0216] In particular, as shown in Figure 5, the installation of the spar 1 comprises the following successive steps:

[0217] - the positioning of a primary profile 5 in a groove R of the floor S (figure 5. A), - the introduction of a secondary profile 6 through the longitudinal opening 511 of the longitudinal groove 51 of the primary profile 5 (figure 5. B to figure 5.D).

[0218] In Figure 5, the positioning of the secondary profile 6 in the primary profile 5 is obtained here by an assembly of the interlocking type by elastic deformation, in the presence of an elastic deformation force of the lateral partitions 64 of the secondary profile 6 according to a rotational movement towards each other.

[0219] Where appropriate, these different profiles 5, 6 are attached and fixed to the ground S, for example through the lateral strips 54 of the primary profile 5.

[0220] In operation, the upper surface of the floor covering 2 is likely to receive various organic materials, in particular excrement (urine, feces).

[0221] The lateral blades 11 and the lateral strips 54 then allow the excrement to flow to the longitudinal opening 511 of the longitudinal groove 51, thus avoiding the accumulation of these liquids on the upper surface of the floor covering 2 which thus remains relatively dry.

[0222] Solid materials, in particular feces and straw, tend to remain on the upper surface of the floor covering 2, so as to avoid or at least limit their mixing with liquid materials to limit the production of ammonia within the breeding enclosure and also so as to prevent solid materials from becoming stuck with the conveying means 7 to maintain an optimal action on the circulation of the excrement within the longitudinal groove 51.

[0223] When cleaning this floor covering 2, the cleaning liquid will also flow into said at least one longitudinal groove, preventing the upper surface of the floor covering 2 from remaining excessively wet.

[0224] This phenomenon therefore allows animals to walk on a relatively healthy surface, with a reduced risk of falling and without their feet getting wet.

[0225] Advantageously, the liquids are concentrated in one or two longitudinal grooves 51 which has the advantage of concentrating the liquids but also of simplifying installation and maintenance.

[0226] More generally, all of the excrement flowing into said at least one longitudinal groove 51 is then efficiently evacuated towards the collection means T (in particular the pit or the recovery channel) by the implementation of the conveying means 7.

[0227] Where appropriate, the drive members 72 are set in motion within said at least one longitudinal groove 51 (continuously or discontinuously), so as to generate the path (continuous or discontinuous) of the excrement towards the dedicated collection means T.

[0228] The side members 1 have the advantage of effectively channeling these excrements and reducing the friction forces exerted on the conveying means 7. The conveying means 7 thus allow circulation and active evacuation of the excrement contained in said at least one longitudinal groove 51, to avoid their stagnation and to limit the development of ammonia and microorganisms in the breeding enclosure.

[0229] Again in general, the collection system 10 according to the invention allows rapid and continuous evacuation of the excrement relative to the upper surface of the floor covering 2 and relative to the breeding enclosure, which allows effective maintenance of the latter in a dry state (or at least without excess humidity), thus limiting the hygiene problems encountered with conventional floor coverings.

[0230] The collection system 10 according to the invention also allows a certain separation of the liquids which flow into said at least one longitudinal groove 51, compared to the feces and straw which remain mainly on the upper surface of the floor covering 2, so as to avoid their mixing and to limit the production of ammonia within the breeding enclosure.

[0231] Generally speaking, the primary profile 5 protects the secondary profile 6 from forces coming from pressure on the ground.

[0232] This combination is also useful for facilitating the change of the secondary profile 6 and the conveying means 7.

[0233] As the primary profile 5 is subject to high stress, this structure allows mechanical fixing in the screed using nails.

[0234] Being highly subjected to abrasion by mechanical scraping systems, this primary profile 5 becomes a wear part which can be replaced without damaging the rest of the floor covering 2.

[0235] Of course, various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A flooring spar, suitable for the floor of an enclosure for breeding animals, in particular cattle, which spar (1) comprises a primary profile (5), made of elastic material, which comprises a central strip (53) and two lateral strips (54), which central strip (53), forming a rib intended to be housed in a complementary groove (R) made in the floor, has two opposite faces: - an upper face (531), concave, defining a longitudinal groove (51) comprising a longitudinal opening (511) intended to open upwards, and - a lower face (532), convex, forming said rib, and which two lateral bands (54), extending said central band (53) and extending on either side of said longitudinal opening (511), comprise two opposite faces: - an upper face (541), intended to form a support face for the animals, and - a lower face (542), intended to rest on the ground, along said groove (R).

2. Longeron for floor covering, according to claim 1, characterized in that said primary profile (5) has a thickness ranging from 3 to 30 mm.

3. Floor covering spar according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the lateral strips (54) have an increasing thickness from the central strip (53).

4. Floor covering spar according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the side strips (54) have a width ranging from 5 to 100 cm.

5. A floor covering beam according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said beam (1) further comprises a secondary profile (6), made of plastic material, inserted into the longitudinal groove (51) of said central strip (53) of the primary profile (5), which secondary profile (6) fits into said longitudinal groove (51) of the primary profile (5) and defines a longitudinal groove (61) comprising a longitudinal opening (611) opening on the side of the longitudinal opening (511) of said longitudinal groove (51) of the primary profile (5).

6. Longeron for floor covering, according to claim 5, characterized in that the secondary profile (6), in the general shape of a U, comprises two lateral partitions (64) and a bottom partition (65).

7. Longeron for floor covering, according to claim 6, characterized in that the secondary profile (6) comprises a discontinuous intermediate structure (66), extending between the lateral partitions (64) and at a distance from the bottom partition (65), to define a lower chamber (6a) and an upper chamber (6b) intended to receive conveying means (7) comprising a drive member (71) which is associated with maneuvering means (72).

8. System for collecting excrement flowing onto the floor of an enclosure (E) for breeding animals, for example cattle, which system is characterized in that it comprises: (i) a floor covering (2) which comprises: - at least one spar (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, - at least one pair of lateral blades (11), intended to be attached on either side of said spar (1) and each having a downward slope towards said at least one longitudinal opening (511) of the primary profile (5), (ii) conveying means (7) for conveying the excrement within said longitudinal groove (51) of said at least one primary profile (5), so as to generate a circulation of said excrement along said at least one longitudinal groove (51) of said at least one primary profile (5) and in the direction of collection means (T), which conveying means (7) comprise a drive member (71) which is associated with maneuvering means (72).

9. Collection system, according to claim 8, characterized in that each side blade (11) has a slope of 1 to 5%.

10. Collection system according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that each side blade (11) has a width ranging from 500 to 2000 mm.

11. Collection system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said drive member (71) comprises two parts superimposed in said at least one longitudinal groove (51): - an upper part (71a), capable of conveying the solid excrement in a first conveying direction, while allowing the liquid excrement to flow, and - a lower part (71 b), capable of conveying the liquid excrement flowing from said upper part (71 a), in a second conveying direction which is the opposite of said first direction.

12. Enclosure (E) for breeding animals, for example cattle, which enclosure (E) comprises: - a traffic corridor (C), having a longitudinal axis (C') and is equipped with a collection system (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, - collection means (T) for collecting the excrement circulating along said at least one longitudinal groove (51) of said primary profile (5).

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