An apparatus and method for housing and transporting an animal

Abstract

An apparatus and method for housing and transporting an animal under flight tilt conditions. The apparatus includes a plurality of panels configured to form an enclosure body, including: a panel having a hatch, a cover attached to the panel having the hatch and configured to cover the hatch; an inlay assembly configured to be removably installed in the enclosure and supply at least one of a non-fluid item and a fluid under gravity, vacuum, pressure, or capillary action conditions and prevent spillage of the non-fluid item or the fluid during handling or transport of the apparatus, including accelerating or decelerating movement, or physical orientation at a flight tilt angle of the apparatus that is between about 0° and about ± 35° with respect to a gravity vector.

Description

AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HOUSING AND TRANSPORTING AN ANIMALCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 549,770, filed February 5, 2024, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to methods, systems, and devices for housing and transporting an animal; and, more particularly, a method, a system, and a device for housing and transporting an animal.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] State of the art technologies for enclosure and transport of animals typically include cages having various shapes and sizes that are made of various types of materials. The inventors have discovered, however, that there exists an unfulfilled need for safely housing and rearing animals, while providing a modular structure that facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance, while allowing for easy access to the animal.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] The disclosure provides a novel solution for safely housing and transporting animals, including a modular structure that facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance, while allowing for easy access to the animal. According to an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for housing and transporting the animal under flight tilt conditions. The apparatus of the embodiment comprises a plurality of panels configured to form an enclosure, including a panel having a hatch; a cover attached to the panel having the hatch and configured to cover the hatch; and an inlay assembly configured to be removably installed in the enclosure and supply at least one of a nonfluid item and a fluid under gravity and vacuum conditions and prevent spillage of the non-fluiditem or the fluid during handling or transport of the apparatus, including accelerating or decelerating movement, or physical orientation at a flight tilt angle of the apparatus that is between about 0° and about ± 35° with respect to a gravity vector. The watering system prevents spills at angles less than about 35 degrees. For larger angles or rapid changes in velocity, a cotton wick mechanism can limit flow rates to prevent the rapid loss of reservoir volume.

[0005] The inlay assembly can comprise a fluid (or feed) delivery system configured to hold the non-fluid item and the fluid.

[0006] The inlay assembly can comprise a tray configured to hold at least one of the non-fluid item and the fluid.

[0007] The inlay assembly can comprise a frame that is configured to support at least one panel in the plurality of panels.

[0008] The fluid (or feed) delivery system can comprise a reservoir that is configured to receive and hold the fluid, and a fluid wick that is configured to connect to the reservoir and the tray and supply the fluid from the reservoir to the tray. The fluid wick can comprise a conduit.

[0009] The at least one panel can comprise a floor panel that is configured to attach to another panel in the plurality of panels by means of a fastener to secure the inlay assembly in the enclosure.

[0010] The at least one panel in the plurality of panels can include at least three panels, including the floor panel and a pair of opposing panels, with each of the pair of opposing panels positioned at an angle with respect to a surface plane of the floor panel.

[0011] The inlay assembly can comprise a frame configured to attach to a floor panel and to movably support the fluid delivery system, the tray, the non-fluid item, and the fluid, such that the fluid delivery system, the tray, the non-fluid item, and the fluid are all simultaneously installed in, or removed from, the enclosure by handling only the frame.

[0012] The angle of at least one of the pair of opposing panels can be between about 60° and about 120° with respect to the surface plane.

[0013] The inlay assembly can comprise a divider configured to partition the enclosure into at least two chambers, each chamber being configured to hold an animal.

[0014] The cover can include a guide that is configured to align with and hold the divider in the enclosure.

[0015] The at least one of the plurality of panels can include at least one connector that is configured to attach the apparatus to at least one other apparatus in a plane perpendicular to the gravitational vector.

[0016] The at least one of the plurality of panels can include at least one stack support that is configured to align and hold another apparatus atop of the apparatus, along the gravitational vector.

[0017] The other apparatus can include at least one engagement element that is configured to engage the at least one stack support and align the other apparatus atop of the apparatus.

[0018] The at least one of the plurality of panels can include air ventilation openings.

[0019] According to another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for housing and transporting an animal under flight tilt conditions in an enclosure having a plurality of panels, including a panel with a hatch and a cover attached to the panel with the hatch, wherein the apparatus comprises an inlay assembly configured to be removably installed in the enclosure and supply at least one of a non-fluid item and a fluid under gravity and vacuum conditions and prevent spillage of the non-fluid item or the fluid during handling or transport of the apparatus, including accelerating or decelerating movement, or physical orientation at a flight tilt angle of the apparatus. In the apparatus, the inlay assembly comprises a tray to hold the non-fluid item or the fluid, a fluid (or feed) delivery system having a reservoir to receive and hold the fluid and a fluid wick to supply the fluid from the reservoir to the tray, and a frame configured to attach the inlay assembly to the enclosure. The frame is further configured to remove from, or to install in, the enclosure the inlay assembly by a user handling only the frame. The inlay assembly can comprise a divider configured to partition the enclosure into at least two chambers, each chamber being configured to hold an animal, and the cover can include a guide that is configured to align with and hold the divider in the enclosure.

[0020] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided for making an apparatus for housing and transporting an animal under flight tilt conditions. The method comprises providing an enclosure having a plurality of panels, including a panel with a hatch and a cover attached to the panel with the hatch; inserting an inlay assembly in the enclosure; andfastening the inlay assembly to the enclosure. Tn the method, the inlay assembly comprises a tray to hold the non-fluid item or the fluid, a fluid (or feed) delivery system having a reservoir to receive and hold the fluid and a fluid wick to supply the fluid from the reservoir to the tray, and a frame configured to attach the inlay assembly to the enclosure and to remove, from the enclosure, the inlay assembly by a user handling only the frame. The inlay assembly is configured to hold and supply at least one of a non-fluid item and a fluid under gravity and / or vacuum conditions and prevent spillage of the non-fluid item or the fluid during handling or transport of the apparatus, including accelerating or decelerating movement, or physical orientation at a flight tilt angle of the apparatus.

[0021] The method can comprise attaching the apparatus to at least one other apparatus to house a plurality of animals.

[0022] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the disclosure may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the detailed description and drawings. Moreover, it is to be understood that the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following detailed description and drawings provide non-limiting examples that are intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the disclosure as claimed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure and the various ways in which it may be practiced.

[0024] FIGS. 1A-1C show various views of a non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus constructed according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0025] FIGS. 2A-2C show various views of an embodiment of a tray and a fluid conduit and tray that can be included in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a process for assembling the apparatus.

[0027] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a system for automatically performing the process of FIG. 3.

[0028] The present disclosure is further described in the detailed description that follows.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0029] The disclosure and its various features and advantageous details are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment can be employed with other embodiments as those skilled in the art would recognize, even if not explicitly stated. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the disclosure. The examples are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

[0030] To date, there exists a need for safely housing and rearing animals, while providing a modular structure that facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance. The solution needs to allow for easy access to the animal, while also providing a reservoir that can be easily installed in, and removed from, a housing, including a fluid delivery mechanism.

[0031] The solution provides for safely housing rearing, transporting animals, including embodiments of an apparatus having a modular structure that facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance, while allowing for easy access to the animal. The apparatus can be configured to house and transport animals under flight tilt conditions.

[0032] In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a plurality of panels configured to form an enclosure, including a panel having a hatch; a cover attached to the panel having the hatch and configured to cover the hatch; and an inlay assembly configured to be removably installed in the enclosure and supply at least one of a non-fluid item and a fluid under gravity and vacuumconditions and prevent spillage of the non-fluid item or the fluid during handling or transport of the apparatus, including accelerating or decelerating movement, or physical orientation at a flight tilt angle of the apparatus that is between about 0° and about ± 35° with respect to a gravity vector without leak from the water basin and will greatly limit or entirely prevent the flow at any other angle or orientation.

[0033] In at least one embodiment, the inlay assembly comprises a fluid (or feed) delivery system configured to hold the non-fluid item and the fluid; a tray configured to hold at least one of the non-fluid item and the fluid; and, a frame configured to support the inlay assembly in the enclosure.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the fluid (or feed) delivery system has a reservoir that is configured to receive and hold the fluid, and a fluid wick that is configured to connect to the reservoir and the tray and supply the fluid from the reservoir to the tray. The fluid wick can include a conduit.

[0035] The panels that form the enclosure can include a panel that is configured to attach to a floor by means of a fastener to secure the inlay assembly in the enclosure. The panels are configured to form the enclosure, including two pairs of opposing panels, with each of the pair of opposing panels positioned at an angle with respect to a surface plane of the floor. In various embodiments, the angle can be, for example, about 90°, less than 90°, or more than 90°.

[0036] The inlay assembly can comprise a frame configured to attach to the floor and to movably support the fluid delivery system, the tray, the non-fluid item, and the fluid, such that the fluid delivery system, the tray, the non-fluid item, and the fluid are all simultaneously installed in, or removed from, the enclosure by handling only the frame or a pair of arms of the fluid delivery system.

[0037] The angle of at least one of the pair of opposing panels can be between about 60° and about 120° with respect to the surface plane of the floor.

[0038] The inlay assembly can include a divider configured to partition the enclosure into at least two chambers, each chamber being configured to hold an animal.

[0039] In various embodiments, the cover includes a guide that is configured to align with, position, and hold the divider in the enclosure.

[0040] At least one of the plurality of panels that form the enclosure can include at least one connector configured to attach the apparatus to at least one other apparatus similar or same apparatus, such as, for example, in a plane perpendicular to the gravitational vector.

[0041] At least one of the plurality of panels the form the enclosure can include at least one stack support configured to align, position, and hold another like apparatus atop of the apparatus, along the gravitational vector. The other apparatus can include at least one engagement element that is configured to engage the stack support, align, and position the other apparatus atop the apparatus.

[0042] At least one of the plurality of panels that form the enclosure can include air ventilation openings.

[0043] The solution also includes a method for making the apparatus for housing and transporting an animal under flight tilt conditions. The method comprises providing an enclosure having a plurality of panels, including a panel with a hatch and a cover attached to the panel with the hatch; inserting an inlay assembly in the enclosure; and fastening the inlay assembly to the enclosure. In the method, the inlay assembly comprises a tray to hold the non-fluid item or the fluid, a fluid (or feed) delivery system having a reservoir to receive and hold the fluid and a fluid wick to supply the fluid from the reservoir to the tray, and a frame configured to attach the inlay assembly to the enclosure and to remove, from the enclosure, the inlay assembly by a user handling only the frame. The inlay assembly is configured to hold and supply at least one of a non-fluid item and a fluid under gravity and / or vacuum conditions and prevent spillage of the non-fluid item or the fluid during handling or transport of the apparatus, including accelerating or decelerating movement, or physical orientation at a flight tilt angle of the apparatus. The method can comprise attaching the apparatus to at least one other apparatus to house a plurality of animals.

[0044] FIGS. 1A-1C show various views of a non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus 1 for housing and rearing an animal, according to the principles of the disclosure. FIG. 1A shows the apparatus 1 in an assembled configuration, with a cover 22 open; FIG. IB shows the apparatus 1 provided as a kit that can be assembled; and, FIG. 1C shows a perspective rendering of the apparatus 1.

[0045] The apparatus 1 is configured to house and transport the animal under various conditions, including flight tilt conditions in which a flight tilt angle of the apparatus 1 is, forexample, between about 0° and about ± 35° with respect to a gravity vector. The apparatus 1 includes the enclosure and the inlay assembly. The inlay assembly can include a frame assembly, a nourishment assembly, and a sensor assembly. In various embodiments, the inlay assembly can be configured to friction fit inside the enclosure.

[0046] The enclosure includes a plurality of panels 20, which are configured to form the enclosure for containing and rearing an animal. In an embodiment, the enclosure includes five panels 20, including four panels 20 that form side walls of the enclosure and one panel 20 having a hatch (or opening) that, together with the cover 22, forms the top of the enclosure. In this embodiment, at least two of the side panels 20 include a lip (not shown) that is configured to contact and support a floor 25, wherein each lip (not shown) includes an attachment mechanism (not shown) that can engage and be secured to a corresponding fastener 52 to secure the inlay assembly in the enclosure, or, in another embodiment, to secure an article (for example, an egg carton, shown in FIG. IB) to the floor of the inlay assembly and / or the enclosure. In certain embodiments, the article (for example, egg carton in FIG. IB) can be used to hold an animal. The fastener 52 can include, for example, a nut, bolt, pin, rod, centerpin rod, screw, grommet, clip (c- clip), clamp, or the like, which can engage and secure to the corresponding attachment mechanism.

[0047] In the embodiment seen in FIGS. 1A-1C, the enclosure includes six panels 20, including four panels 20 that form the side walls of the enclosure, the top panel 20 with hatch (or opening) and cover 22, and a bottom panel (not shown) upon which the floor 25 can rest and be secured to. The top panel 20 with hatch and cover 22 can be configured to be removable from the side wall panels 20.

[0048] In various embodiments, at least one of the panels 20, such as, for example, a top panel 20, includes a hatch (or opening) and a cover 22. In the various embodiments, the plurality of panels 20 that form the enclosure can be formed as a single, unitary structure by, for example, an injection molding process, or assembled from one or more parts to form the enclosure. In an embodiment, the five panels 20 that form the walls and bottom of the enclosure can be formed as a first, single structure and the top panel 20 with cover 22 formed as a second, single structure. In an embodiment, all five panels 20, top panel 20, and cover 22 can be formed as a single structure. The cover 22 can include a reservoir cover 39. The reservoir cover 39 can include a screen member configured to keep debris from falling into the reservoir while contemporaneously slowing orpreventing fluid in the reservoir 36 from spilling out such as, for example, when the entire structure is inverted or jolted by an external force.

[0049] The cover 22 can be attached to one or more of the panels 20 by at least one hinge mechanism, including, for example, a living hinge, a ball bearing hinge, a spring-loaded hinge, a butt hinge, a strap hinge, a concealed hinge, a gate hinge, a bi-fold hinge, a continuous hinge, a flag hinge, a knife hinge, an offset hinge, an overlay hinge, a piano hinge, a stop hinge, a take- apart hinge, a T-hinge, or other hinge device capable of connecting the cover 22 to at least one panel 20 and allowing the cover 22 to pivot with respect to the at least one panel 20.

[0050] The cover 22 can include a latch 26, which can be configured to secure the cover 22 to at least one panel 20 in a closed position, so as to contain the animal in the enclosure. The at least one panel 20 can include a latch securement mechanism, which is configured to engage the cover 22 or latch 26 to secure the cover 22 in the closed position.

[0051] Any one or more of the panels 20 or cover 22 can include air ventilation openings to allow for air to travel into the enclosure and gases such as, for example, respiratory gases (for example, carbon dioxide and nitrogen) to travel out of the enclosure.

[0052] At least one of the panels 20 can include a connector 21, a connector guide 23, and / or a stack support 27. The connector 21 can be configured to engage a corresponding connector (not shown) on another apparatus (not shown) and secure such other apparatus to the apparatus 1 . The panel 20 can include a plurality of connectors 21 positioned around the perimeter of the apparatus 1 (for example, as seen in FIG. 1) and configured to engage corresponding connectors (not shown) on other apparatuses (not shown) and secure the apparatus 1 to one or more of the other apparatuses (not shown).

[0053] The connector guide 23 can be configured to align and engage a corresponding connector guide (not shown) on another apparatus to support the apparatus 1 with respect to the other apparatus (not shown) such that, for example, the connected apparatuses (including the apparatus 1) can be transported or moved in unison, as a single structure. As seen in FIG. 1A, the panel 20 can include a plurality of connector guides 23, each of which can engage and support a corresponding connector guide (not shown) on another apparatus (not shown).

[0054] Each stack support 27 can be configured to align and engaging a corresponding support (not shown) on another apparatus (not shown), such that the other apparatus can be stacked atop of the apparatus 1 and aligned vertically along an axis that is, for example, parallel to a vertical gravitational vector. Each stack support 27, when engaged to the corresponding support (not shown) of the other apparatus (not shown) can secure such other apparatus to the apparatus 1 to allow for transport or movement of the apparatus 1 and such other apparatus in unison, for example, as if the apparatuses were a single structure.

[0055] The apparatus 1 can include a plurality of supports (not shown), for example, on the bottom of the apparatus 1, each of which can be configured to be seated in, engage, and secure to a corresponding stack support 27 provided on another apparatus (not shown), upon which the apparatus 1 is positioned. The other apparatus can have the same structure as the apparatus 1, seen in FIGS. 1A-1C.

[0056] The cover 22 can include a guide 24 on the inner enclosure-facing side to engage a divider 35 when the cover 22 is in the closed position. The guide 24 can be configured to mate with the divider 35, for example, by means of a tongue-and-groove construction, and secure the fluid delivery system 30 (for example, via the divider 35) to the cover 22. The fluid delivery system 30 is configured to supply fluids such as water and / or liquids containing nourishment for the animal. The panel 20 comprising the hatch can also include a guide (not shown) on its inner enclosure-facing side that aligns with the guide 24 and also engages the divider 35. The guide (not shown) on the panel 20 can be aligned and substantially contiguous with the guide 24 of the cover 22, so that, when the cover 22 is in the closed position, the guides 24 provide engagement of substantially an entire length of the divider 35, thereby securing the divider 35 to both the panel 20 and cover 22 when the cover 22 is in the closed position.

[0057] In various embodiments, at least one of the panels 20 and / or the floor 25 includes a guide (not shown) similar to, or the same as, the guide 24, to secure the divider 35 to the at least one panel 20 and / or the floor 25. In an embodiment, the guide 24 on the floor 25 can be attached (for example, friction fitted, bonded, or glued lengthwise or longitudinally) to an edge of the divider 35 to secure the floor 25 to the divider 35 and allow the floor 25 and divider 35 to be transported together, or removed from, or installed into, the enclosure in unison as if the components were a single structure.

[0058] In an embodiment, a pair of opposing panels 20 each include a guide 24 located in the middle of the panel, along its longitudinal axis, and positioned to have a guide axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the panel, so as to position, guide, and support the divider 35 in the middle of each of the opposing panels 20, thereby sandwiching and securing the divider 35 between the opposing panels 20 when the inlay assembly is fully installed, thereby dividing the enclosure into two compartments, as seen in FIG. 1. The guide (not shown) on the floor 25 can be located midway along a longitudinal axis, and across the width, of the floor 25 so as to position and secure the divider 35 in the middle of the floor 25 to form two equal sized compartments. The longitudinal axis of the floor 25 can be parallel to the longitudinal axis of each of the opposing pair of panels 20 provided with the guide 24.

[0059] The nourishment assembly includes the fluid delivery system 30, which has one or more fluid conduits 31, one or more arms 32, one or more connecting joints 34, a reservoir 36, and a tray 40.

[0060] In the embodiment seen in FIGS. 1A-1C, the fluid delivery system 30 has a pair of fluid conduits 30 consisting of one fluid conduit 31 on each side of the divider 35, which is configured as a wall panel that separates the enclosure into two compartments; and, a pair of arms 32, each attached to an associated connecting joint 34. The reservoir 36 is attached to each of the connecting joints 34 and the divider 35.

[0061] In various embodiments, any number of fluid conduits 31 can be provided on either side of the divider 35, such as, for example, one, two, three, or more fluid conduits 31 on either side of the divider 35. Each of the compartments formed by the divider 35 can be a mirror image of the other, including an equal number of parts in each compartment, and formed to house and rear an animal. The divider 35 can be formed to prevent any fluid (liquid and / or gas) or solid from traveling from one compartment to the other via the divider 35.

[0062] An end of each fluid conduit 31 can be connected to the reservoir 36 and configured to supply a fluid from the reservoir 36 to the tray 40 via gravity, vacuum, pressure, or capillary action. In various embodiments, the tray 40 includes a plurality of receptacles 42 for supplying a fluid (liquid and / or gas) and / or solid, such as, for example, for nourishing the animal, including, but not limited to water, food, and medicine.

[0063] In an embodiment, the reservoir 36 can be fixedly (or removably) attached directly to the arms 32. In certain embodiments, the reservoir 36 can be fixedly (or removably) attached to the connecting joints 34, which in turn can be attached to the arms 32, for example, as seen in FIG. 1.

[0064] The tray 40 can be fixedly (or removably) attached to the floor 25 or the divider 35. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C, the tray 40 includes two receptacles 42 on each side of the divider 35. In other embodiments, the tray 40 can include fewer, or more, than two receptacles 42 on either side of the divider 35. The receptacles 42 can include, for example, an open container as seen in FIGS. 1 A-1C, or a closed vessel (not shown) with an outlet, such as, for example, a feeding- bottle, a bottle with nipple, or a nursing bottle.

[0065] Each arm 32 can be configured to contact an inner portion of the top panel 20 (and / or cover 22) such that, for example, when a force is applied to the top panel 20 (and / or cover 22), the top panel 20 (and / or cover 22) moves toward the bottom of the of the enclosure and the applied force is transferred through the arm 32 to the divider 35 (for example, via the connecting j oint 34 and reservoir 36). In an alternative embodiment, each arm 32 is configured to receive a force directly (for example, from a user hand) and transfer the force (for example, via the connecting joint 34 and reservoir 36) to the rest of the inlay assembly to move the inlay assembly toward the bottom of the of the enclosure.

[0066] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the inlay assembly can be installed in the enclosure by aligning and positioning each of the opposing edges of the divider 35 in each guide 24 of the opposing wall panels 20, and then, using the arms 32, forcing the divider 35 along the width of, and between, the pair of opposing panels 20 until the floor 25 is seated at the bottom of the enclosure, at which point the floor 25 and, thereby, the inlay assembly, can be secured to the enclosure via the fasteners 52.

[0067] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C, each arm 32 can be configured to pivot about the associated connecting joint 34, for example, from a position in which it is parallel (for example, as seen in FIGS. 1A and IB) to a position that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each of the pair of opposing panels 20. Other pivot angles are contemplated herein, between 0° (parallel to longitudinal axis of panels 20) and 90° (perpendicular to longitudinal axis of panels 20).

[0068] An advantage of allowing each arm 32 to be pivoted via its associated connecting joint 34 includes making it easier for a user, for example, to grasp each arm 32, pivot the arms 32 so that they are substantially perpendicular to the floor 24, and lift the inlay assembly from the enclosure, such as for cleaning or maintenance. For installing the inlay assembly, the reverse process can be carried out. For instance, each arm 32 can be grasped by the user’s hand and used to position and align the divider 35 in the guides 24 (located in the pair of opposing panels 20) and lower the inlay assembly into the enclosure until the floor 25 is properly seated in the enclosure, so that it can be fastened to the enclosure via the fasteners 52. Then, the arms 32 can be moved to be substantially parallel with the floor 25.

[0069] The frame assembly includes the frame 50 and a plurality of the fasteners 52. The frame 52 can include a chassis 54 and a plurality of wall beams 56. In various embodiments, the chassis 54 can be attached to the floor 25 such that the floor 25 and frame 50 can be moved or transported in unison, or it can be configured to be separable from the floor 25 so as to sit on, or to have the floor 25 sit on the chassis 54 when installed in the enclosure. In the latter two cases, the nourishment assembly (including the fluid delivery system 30, divider 35, and tray 40) can be installed in unison with the attached floor 25; after which, the frame assembly 50 can be installed and the arms 32 turned downward, such that their respective longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to the floor 25.

[0070] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 A-1C, the plurality of wall beams 56 include a pair of beams 56, each located on an opposite side of the chassis 54. Each wall beam 56 can have a length that is substantially equal to the height of the enclosure (for example, a width of the associated wall panel 20), as seen in FIGS. 1A and IB. In certain embodiments, each wall beam 56 can be integrally formed with, or removably attached to, the chassis 54.

[0071] The nourishment assembly can be configured to be removable (or installable) together with the frame assembly and / or the sensor assembly simultaneously.

[0072] In an embodiment, the inlay assembly includes only the nourishment assembly.

[0073] In an embodiment, the inlay assembly can include a holding article, such as, for example, the egg carton seen in FIG. IB, to hold the animal.

[0074] In another embodiment, the inlay assembly includes the nourishment assembly and frame assembly.

[0075] In another embodiment, the inlay assembly includes the nourishment assembly, frame assembly, and the sensor assembly.

[0076] The sensor assembly can include one or more sensors (not shown) for measuring and monitoring the environment and / or animal in the apparatus 1, including each compartment in the apparatus. In various embodiments, the sensors can include devices for measuring and monitoring temperature, pressure, humidity, gas (for example, oxygen levels), sound, time, or other variables relevant to rearing an animal.

[0077] FIGS. 2A-2C show three respective views of an embodiment of the tray 40. FIG. 2A shows a view of a fluid tube 43 connected to the tray 40 that can be included in the apparatus 1, seen in FIG. 1 A. FIGS. 2B and 2C show cross-section-cut views of the tray 40.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 2A, the tube 43 can be connected to the tray via a tube receiver 40- 3, which can include threading. The tray 40 can include an air vent 40-1 and a primary fluid egress 40-2, as seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C. The tube 43 can be configured as a main delivery source of fluid to the receptacle 42. The fluid conduit 31 (shown in FIG. 1 A), which can be fluidly coupled to the reservoir 36 directly at one end and the tray 40 at another end via a conduit connector 41 (shown in FIG. 2A), can be an auxiliary delivery source of fluid, delivering fluid from the reservoir 36 (shown in FIG. 1A). The tube 43 can include annotations such as amount of fluid, including, for example, milliliters (mL) or ounces (oz.) of fluid. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C, the tray 40 includes a pair of receptacles 42, one for fluid and another for solids. The fluid receptacle can include a plurality of openings, as seen in FIGS. 2A-2C.

[0079] FIG. 3 shows a process 100 for assembling an apparatus (for example, shown in FIG. 1), according to the principles of the disclosure. Initially, an enclosure body is provided, including a plurality of panels 20 that form, for example, four sidewalls (Step 105). The enclosure body can include a bottom, or at least two of the sidewalls can include a lip that is configured to contact and secure to the floor 25, for example, via fasteners 52. In an embodiment, the enclosure body can include a top panel 20 having an opening and a cover 22.

[0080] If the enclosure body has a removable top panel 20, then the top panel 20 can be removed, otherwise the cover 22 can be opened to provide access to the space formed by the enclosure body (Step 110).

[0081] An inlay assembly having a nourishment assembly is provided (Step 115). In various embodiments, the inlay assembly can include the frame assembly. In certain embodiments, the inlay assembly can also include a sensor assembly (not shown).

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C and 3 contemporaneously, a determination can be made whether the arms 32 are in a pivoted position (Step 120). In an embodiment, the pivoted position is where the arm 32 is pivoted (with respect to the joint 34) such that a longitudinal axis of the arm 32 forms an angle of about 0° with a plane of the divider 35. Other arm pivot angles are contemplated herein, including angles less than 0° (for example, between -10° and 0°) or greater than 0° (for example, between +5° and +60°), with respect to the plane of the divider 35. For angles less than 0°, the minimum angle can be determined based on the radius or width of the reservoir 36, such that the minimum angle can be the angle at which a pair of arms 32 are fully pivoted so that their ends touch to form a triangle, with the reservoir being the base of the triangle.

[0083] If it is determined that the arms are not in the pivoted position (NO at Step 120), then each arm 32 can be moved to its pivoted position (Step 125), otherwise the process can proceed to aligning the divider 35 with guides 24 in the side panels 20 of the enclosure body (YES at Step 120, then Step 130). With the arms 32 in the pivoted position, the divider 35 (in the inlay assembly) can be aligned with each of the guides 24 in the opposing side panels 20 (Step 130) and driven such that the edges of the divider 35 travel in the guides 24 (Step 135, then Step 140) until the inlay assembly is seated on the bottom of the enclosure body. Upon determining that the inlay assembly is seated on the bottom of the enclosure body (YES at Step 140), the top panel 20 or cover 22 is closed (Step 145).

[0084] The process can include the further steps of placing the animal in the enclosure body and providing nourishment such as fluid and solids in the nourishment assembly (after Step 145).

[0085] In various embodiments of the apparatus 1 , the tray 40 provides an open water basin (some animals do not drink from nipples, etc.) and the fluid delivery system 30, including reservoir 36 (for automated refdling), provides a fluid delivery system that overcomes spilling during the transport and flight process and remains highly reliable. The fluid delivery system 30 preventsspills at angles less than about 35 degrees. For larger angles or rapid changes in velocity, a cotton wick mechanism can limit flow rates to prevent the rapid loss of reservoir volume.

[0086] The apparatus 1 is compliant with standards, procedures, and practices of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The apparatus 1 can have dimensions that are configured to the particular animal(s) to be transported, including a minimal size for isolated small animal transport.

[0087] The apparatus 1 is configured so that a fluid such as water can be provided to the animal(s) rapidly and simply via the reservoir cover 39 without opening the cover 22 of the apparatus and with one step.

[0088] The apparatus is modular making cleaning far simpler and effective than state-of-the art carriers or other structures. The entire inlay assembly (or insert) can be removed. All components of the inlay assembly (including fluid delivery system, shelter (shown as “housing” in FIG. 1C) can be removed. The fluid delivery system can be magnetic (polarity is universal) and can be removed and reattached rapidly to the base. The tubing can likewise be removed from the barb fitting and reattached. The animal shelter (housing, shown in FIG. 1C) can be fixed to the floor and can be rapidly replaced.

[0089] The apparatus 1 can include a ventilated floor that drains spilled liquid without causing the animal to become trapped (for example, claw, foot, etc).

[0090] The apparatus 1 is configured to provide various animal contact modalities - olfaction + direct (Y / N) + visual(Y / N).

[0091] In at last one embodiment the fluid system includes a lab disposable 50 mL conical tube 43. In other embodiments the tube 43 can have a volume less than 50 mL or greater than 50 mL. The tube 43 can have other configurations, other than a conical tube structure (shown in FIG. IB).

[0092] The apparatus 1 can include a shelter such as, for example, an egg carton (shown in FIG. IB) or housing (shown in FIG. 1C). The apparatus 1 is configured to receive additional attachments.

[0093] The fluid delivery system 30 and tray 40, as well as other components of the apparatus, can be made of a material compliant with the requirements, for example, for Food Safe productsunder U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules, including Title 21, C.F.R. Sections 175.300 and 177.2420.

[0094] FIG. 4 shows a non-limiting embodiment of a system for automating the process of installing (or removing) an inlay assembly in (or from) the enclosure body. The system includes a controller 210 and a robot 220. The system can include a network 230, a communicating device 240, and a plurality of communication links. The controller 210 includes a processor (not shown) and a memory (not shown), and the robot 220 includes one or more robotic arms for carrying out the process 100. The system is configured to perform each of the steps in the process 100 (shown in FIG. 3), including, but not limited to, providing the enclosure body (105), removing the top panel 20 or opening the cover 22 (Step 1 10), providing the inlay assembly (Step 115), pivoting the arms 32 (Step 125), aligning the divider 35 with the guides 24 (Step 130), driving the inlay assembly into the enclosure body (Step 135), and replacing the top panel 20 or closing the cover 22 (Step 145).

[0095] The robot 220 can include a plurality of sensors (not shown), including, but not limited to, position sensors for the arms 32, cover 22, and inlay assembly. The controller 210 is configured to receive the sensor signals and, based on the signal data, perform the determination Steps 120 and 145 (shown in FIG. 3).

[0096] The memory contains a non-transitory computer readable medium having computerexecutable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller 210 to perform any (or all) of the steps in the process 100, including operating the one or more robotic arms to carry out the steps of the process.

[0097] The processor can be configured to transmit and receive signals containing instructions and data via a transceiver (not shown). The processor can transmit signal to, and receive signals from, the communicating device 240 via one or more communication links and / or the network 230, so as to allow for remote control and maintenance of the controller 210 and robot 220.

[0098] The terms “a,” “an,” and “the,” as used in this disclosure, means “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0099] The terms “communicating device,” as used in this disclosure, means any computing device, hardware, or computing resource that can transmit or receive data packets, instructionsignals or data signals over a communication link. The communicating device or communication device can be portable or stationary.

[0100] The term “communication link,” as used in this disclosure, means a wired or wireless medium that conveys data or information between at least two points. The wired or wireless medium can include, for example, a metallic conductor link, a radio frequency (RF) communication link, an Infrared (IR) communication link, or an optical communication link. The RF communication link can include, for example, WiFi, WiMAX, IEEE 802.11, DECT, 0G, 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, or 6G cellular standards, satellite, or Bluetooth. A communication link can include, for example, an RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, or any other suitable interface.

[0101] The terms “computer” or “processor,” as used in this disclosure, means any machine, device, circuit, component, or module, or any system of machines, devices, circuits, components, or modules that are capable of manipulating data according to one or more instructions. The terms “computer,” “computing device” or “processor” can include, for example, without limitation, a processor, a microprocessor (pC), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), a data processing unit (DPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a general purpose computer, a super computer, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a workstation computer, a server, a server farm, a computer cloud, or an array or system of processors, pCs, CPUs, GPUs, ASICs, general purpose computers, super computers, personal computers, laptop computers, palmtop computers, notebook computers, desktop computers, workstation computers, or servers.

[0102] The term “computer-readable medium,” as used in this disclosure, means any non- transitory storage medium that participates in providing data (for example, instructions) that can be read by a computer. Such a medium can take many forms, including non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media can include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media can include dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The computer-readable medium can include a “cloud,” which can include a distribution of files across multiple (e g., thousands of) memory caches on multiple (e.g., thousands of) computers.

[0103] Various forms of computer readable media can be involved in carrying sequences of instructions to a computer. For example, sequences of instruction (i) can be delivered from a RAM to a processor, (ii) can be carried over a wireless transmission medium, or (iii) can be formatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, including, for example, WiFi, WiMAX, IEEE 802.11, DECT, 0G, 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G cellular standards, or Bluetooth.

[0104] The terms “including,” “comprising” and variations thereof, as used in this disclosure, mean “including, but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0105] The term “network,” as used in this disclosure means, but is not limited to, for example, at least one of a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a campus area network (CAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a global area network (GAN), a broadband area network (BAN), a cellular network, a storage-area network (SAN), a system-area network, a passive optical local area network (POLAN), an enterprise private network (EPN), a virtual private network (VPN), the Internet, or the like, or any combination of the foregoing, any of which can be configured to communicate data via a wireless and / or a wired communication medium. These networks can run a variety of protocols, including, but not limited to, for example, Ethernet, IP, IPX, TCP, UDP, SPX, IP, IRC, HTTP, FTP, Telnet, SMTP, DNS, ARP, ICMP.

[0106] The terms “transmission,” “transmit,” “send,” or “receive,” as used in this disclosure, mean the conveyance of data, data packets, computer instructions, or any other digital or analog information via electricity, acoustic waves, light waves or other electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated with communications in the radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) spectra. Transmission media for such transmissions can include air, coaxial cables, copper wire, or fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor.

[0107] Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

[0108] Although process steps, method steps, or algorithms may be described in a sequential or a parallel order, such processes, methods and algorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in a sequential order does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order; some steps may be performed simultaneously. Similarly, if a sequence or order of steps is described in a parallel (or simultaneous) order, such steps can be performed in a sequential order. The steps of the processes, methods or algorithms described in this specification may be performed in any order practical.

[0109] When a single device or article is described, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the more than one device or article. The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features.

[0110] The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes can be made to the subject matter described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention encompassed by the present disclosure, which is defined by the set of recitations in the following claims and by structures and functions or steps which are equivalent to these recitations.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus (1) for housing and transporting an animal under tilt conditions, including flight tilt, and tilt during loading, unloading, and flight conditions, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of panels (20) configured to form an enclosure, including a panel having a hatch; a cover (22) attached to the panel (20) having the hatch and configured to cover the hatch; and an inlay assembly (30, 40, 50) configured to be removably installed in the enclosure and supply at least one of a non-fluid item and a fluid under gravity and vacuum conditions and prevent spillage of the non-fluid item or the fluid during handling or transport of the apparatus, including accelerating or decelerating movement, or physical orientation at a tilt angle of the apparatus that is between about 0° and about ± 35° with respect to a gravity vector.

2. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the inlay assembly (30, 40, 50) comprises a fluid delivery system (30) that is configured to hold the non-fluid item and the fluid.

3. The apparatus in claim 2, wherein the inlay assembly comprises a tray (40) configured to hold at least one of the non-fluid item and the fluid, and wherein the fluid delivery system (30) comprises: a reservoir (36) that is configured to receive and hold the fluid; and a conduit that is configured to connect to the tray, wherein the tray includes a fluid wick that is configured to supply the fluid from a tube.

4. The apparatus in claim 3, wherein the fluid wick is configured to limit flow rates to prevent rapid loss of reservoir volume.

5. The apparatus in claim 3, wherein the fluid wick includes a cotton wick.

6. The apparatus in claim 3, wherein the tray comprises a conduit connector configured to receive the fluid from the reservoir.

7. The apparatus in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inlay assembly comprises a frame (50) that is configured to support at least one panel in the plurality of panels (20).

8. The apparatus in claim 7, wherein the at least one panel comprises a floor panel that is configured to attach to another panel in the plurality of panels (20) by means of a fastener (52) to secure the inlay assembly in the enclosure.

9. The apparatus in claim 8, wherein the at least one panel in the plurality of panels (20) includes at least three panels, including the floor panel and a pair of opposing panels, with each of the pair of opposing panels positioned at an angle with respect to a surface plane of the floor panel.

10. The apparatus in claim 3, wherein the inlay assembly comprises a frame (50) configured to attach to a floor panel and to movably support the fluid delivery system (30), the tray (40), the non-fluid item, and the fluid, such that the fluid delivery system (30), the tray (40), the non-fluid item, and the fluid are all simultaneously installed in, or removed from, the enclosure by handling only the frame (50).

11. The apparatus in claim 9, wherein the angle of at least one of the pair of opposing panels is between about 60° and about 120° with respect to the surface plane.

12. The apparatus in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the inlay assembly comprises a divider (35) configured to partition the enclosure into at least two chambers, each chamber being configured to hold an animal.

13. The apparatus in claim 12, wherein the cover (22) includes a guide that is configured to align with and hold the divider (35) in the enclosure.

14. The apparatus in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one of the plurality of panels (20) includes at least one connector (21) that is configured to attach the apparatus to at least one other apparatus in a plane perpendicular to the gravitational vector.

15. The apparatus in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least one of the plurality of panels (20) includes at least one stack support (50) that is configured to align and hold an other apparatus atop of the apparatus, along the gravitational vector.

16. The apparatus in claim 15, wherein the other apparatus includes at least one engagement element that is configured to engage the at least one stack support (50) and align the other apparatus atop of the apparatus.

17. The apparatus in any of claims 1 to 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of panels (20) includes air ventilation openings.

18. An apparatus (1) for housing and transporting an animal under tilt conditions in an enclosure having a plurality of panels (20), including a panel with a hatch and a cover (22) attached to the panel (20) with the hatch, the apparatus comprising: an inlay assembly (30, 40, 50) configured to be removably installed in the enclosure and supply at least one of a non-fluid item and a fluid under gravity and vacuum conditions and prevent spillage of the non-fluid item or the fluid during handling or transport of the apparatus, including accelerating or decelerating movement, or physical orientation at a tilt angle of the apparatus, wherein the inlay assembly comprises: a tray (40) to hold the non-fluid item or the fluid; a fluid delivery system (30) having a reservoir (36) to receive and hold the fluid and a conduit to supply the fluid from the reservoir (36) to the tray (40); and a frame (50) configured to attach the inlay assembly to the enclosure, wherein the frame (50) is further configured to remove from, or to install in, the enclosure the inlay assembly by a user handling only the frame (50).

19. The apparatus in claim 18, wherein the inlay assembly comprises a divider (35) configured to partition the enclosure into at least two chambers, each chamber being configured to hold an animal.

20. The apparatus in claim 19, wherein the cover (22) includes a guide that is configured to align with and hold the divider (35) in the enclosure.

21. A method of making an apparatus (1) for housing and transporting an animal under tilt conditions, the method comprising: providing an enclosure having a plurality of panels (20), including a panel with a hatch and a cover (22) attached to the panel with the hatch; inserting an inlay assembly (30, 40, 50) in the enclosure; and fastening the inlay assembly to the enclosure, wherein the inlay assembly comprises: a tray (40) to hold the non-fluid item or the fluid; a fluid delivery system (30) having a reservoir (36) to receive and hold the fluid and a fluid conduit to supply the fluid from the reservoir (36) to the tray (40); and a frame (50) configured to attach the inlay assembly to the enclosure and to remove, from the enclosure, the inlay assembly by a user handling only the frame (50), wherein the inlay assembly is configured to hold and supply at least one of a non-fluid item and a fluid under gravity and / or vacuum conditions and prevent spillage of the non-fluid item or the fluid during handling or transport of the apparatus, including accelerating or decelerating movement, or physical orientation at a tilt angle of the apparatus.

22. The method in claim 21, the method further comprising attaching the apparatus to at least one other apparatus to house a plurality of animals.

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