Comfort device, for the thermal comfort of animals in a farm enclosure
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GRP ELASTOTECK
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-08
Smart Images
Figure EP2024074230_06032025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Description
[0002] Comfort equipment, for the thermal comfort of animals in a breeding enclosure
[0003] Technical field of the invention
[0004] The present invention relates to the technical field of comfort equipment, for the thermal comfort of animals in a breeding enclosure.
[0005] State of the art
[0006] Animal comfort is a determining factor in the performance of a farm.
[0007] This comfort influences in particular the health, the way of feeding, food intake, fertility and longevity of animals.
[0008] To this end, cattle commonly rest individually in stables, still commonly called "free stalls", in which they are free to stand up and lie down.
[0009] When performing these movements, animals are likely to injure themselves. This is particularly the case when the bedding consists of straw covering concrete, which does not protect the animal from the risk of slipping.
[0010] To limit this type of incident and the resulting injuries, it is known to equip the floor of these stalls with mattresses adapted to improve the sleeping comfort of the animals.
[0011] These comfort mattresses conventionally comprise at least one elastic band which is capable of undergoing elastic deformation, underlying an upper surface on which an animal rests.
[0012] Comfort also includes a “thermal” component.
[0013] Indeed, in cases of intense heat or cold, animals are likely to suffer a harmful phenomenon called "heat stress".
[0014] Such thermal stress results in particular in defensive behavioral manifestations, a drop in zootechnical performance, a deterioration in reproductive parameters and an increase in pathologies.
[0015] In this context, there is a need for a system aimed at promoting the thermal comfort of animals present in the breeding enclosure, particularly when they are resting in their cubicles.
[0016] Presentation of the invention In order to overcome the aforementioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention proposes comfort equipment, for the thermal comfort of animals in a breeding enclosure and intended to be installed under a comfort mattress for animals.
[0017] The comfort equipment comprises at least one elastic band which is delimited by two longitudinal edges, extending parallel to a longitudinal axis, and by two transverse edges, which at least one elastic band comprises:
[0018] - two longitudinal sheets:
[0019] -- an upper longitudinal sheet, intended to receive said comfort mattress, and
[0020] -- a lower longitudinal sheet, intended to rest on a receiving surface,
[0021] - at least one sealed chamber, intended to contain a first heat transfer fluid and delimited by said longitudinal sheets, and
[0022] - at least one sealed conduit, intended to contain a second heat transfer fluid, of which at least a first rectilinear section passes through said at least one sealed chamber between said opposite longitudinal sheets, parallel to said longitudinal axis, so that said at least a first section is intended to be immersed in said first heat transfer fluid, which at least one sealed conduit comprises at least two openings, located at the level of said two transverse edges, to generate a circulation of said second heat transfer fluid within said at least one sealed conduit, between said openings.
[0023] Generally speaking, the comfort equipment according to the invention is ideally placed under a water comfort mattress, to allow the latter to be cooled or warmed.
[0024] The second heat transfer fluid circulates in said at least one sealed conduit provided for this purpose. Said at least one sealed chamber is filled with the first heat transfer fluid which, preferably, is inert, does not circulate and is not changed during the lifetime of the product.
[0025] The second heat transfer fluid cools or heats the first heat transfer fluid surrounding it.
[0026] The comfort equipment exchanges its thermal energy with the overlying comfort mattress.
[0027] The comfort equipment is advantageously self-contained. A failure of the comfort equipment does not result in a failure of the comfort mattress, which can continue to be used.
[0028] Maintenance and installation are made easy.
[0029] The comfort equipment is conveniently connected to standard plumbing. The comfort equipment can be conveniently installed in an existing stable, already equipped with a comfort mattress. Indeed, since the comfort equipment is self-contained, it can be installed retrospectively.
[0030] In addition, this technical solution allows for the separation of the thermal comfort function and the mechanical comfort function.
[0031] The risk of rupture of said at least one sealed conduit is further reduced, in particular due to the advantageously continuous sealed chamber (unlike previous solutions in which said at least one sealed conduit is pinched locally along its length).
[0032] 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:
[0033] - said comfort equipment comprises several sealed conduits, for example two or three, which extend parallel, or at least approximately parallel, to each other;
[0034] - the sealed conduits are juxtaposed and independent of each other; alternatively, the sealed conduits are formed in at least one longitudinal strip and are connected by intermediate strips;
[0035] - said longitudinal sheets each comprise a reinforcing underlayer;
[0036] - said at least one sealed conduit has a resistance ranging from 0.5 to 25 bars, preferably from 6 to 8 bars;
[0037] - said at least one sealed conduit has an external diameter ranging from 20 to 150 mm, preferably from 60 to 90 mm, and a tubular wall having a thickness ranging from 0.2 to 3 mm, preferably from 0.5 to 1 mm;
[0038] - each longitudinal sheet has a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 4 mm, preferably the upper longitudinal sheet has a thickness ranging from 1 to 1.5 mm, and the lower longitudinal sheet has a thickness ranging from 2.5 to 3 mm;
[0039] - said comfort equipment has a width dimension, measured between the longitudinal edges, ranging from 500 to 1,000 mm, and a length dimension, measured between the transverse edges, ranging from 2 m to 250 m;
[0040] - the said comfort equipment comes in an endless roll, which can be cut to length as required.
[0041] The present invention also relates to a system for the comfort of animals in a breeding enclosure, which comfort system comprises:
[0042] - at least one comfort equipment, according to the invention, - at least one comfort mattress, preferably a water mattress, intended to be attached to said at least one comfort equipment,
[0043] - circulation means, for generating a circulation of said second heat transfer fluid within said at least one sealed conduit, between its openings, and possibly
[0044] - regulating means, for regulating the temperature of said second heat transfer fluid.
[0045] Preferably, the width dimension of said at least one comfort mattress is greater than the width dimension of said at least one comfort equipment.
[0046] The present invention also relates to a breeding enclosure equipped with a comfort system according to the invention.
[0047] The present invention also relates to the method for manufacturing comfort equipment according to the invention, which manufacturing method comprises:
[0048] (i) a step of superimposing sub-layers of elastomeric material comprising two facing surfaces, between which are added:
[0049] - intermediate means capable of locally preventing the joining of said surfaces opposite said sub-layers to form said at least one sealed chamber, and
[0050] - said at least one sealed conduit of which at least a first section is attached between said intermediate means, then
[0051] (ii) a step of securing the contact surfaces of said superimposed sub-layers, outside the space occupied by the intermediate means, so that the intermediate means form said at least one sealed chamber surrounding a first section of said at least one sealed conduit.
[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 and perspective view of a comfort system according to the invention comprising comfort equipment according to the invention which is covered by a comfort mattress;
[0056] [Fig. 2] is a perspective view of the comfort system according to Fig. 1, with a cross-section illustrating the comfort equipment which underlies the comfort mattress; [Fig. 3] is a partial and enlarged view of Fig. 2, from the side of a transverse border of the comfort system;
[0057] [Fig. 4] is a schematic view of the parts suitable for the manufacture of the comfort equipment according to the invention.
[0058] It should be noted that, in these figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.
[0059] The comfort equipment 1, according to the invention, is designed to provide thermal comfort to the animals in a breeding enclosure E.
[0060] For this purpose and as subsequently developed, this comfort 1 equipment is intended to be installed under a comfort 2 mattress for animals.
[0061] Breeding enclosure
[0062] The comfort equipment 1 according to the invention is intended to equip a breeding enclosure E in which sleeping stalls are provided (figure 1).
[0063] The breeding enclosure E advantageously consists of a stable for breeding cattle, in particular dairy cattle or beef cattle.
[0064] Sleeping stalls consist, for example, of L-shaped cubicles, arranged in at least one row.
[0065] L cubicles represent a compromise between comfortable bedding for the cattle, respect for the standing / lying down movement, comfortable standing and minimal soiling in the cubicle.
[0066] Each L-shaped box, classic in itself, is delimited by:
[0067] - two lateral separations L1, for example tubular structures,
[0068] - a rear threshold of cubicle L2, extending along an access corridor,
[0069] - a front limit L3, advantageously comprising a high bar at the withers, a lower stop (or advance limiter) and a knee pad, forming the bottom of the cubicle L, and
[0070] - an L4 floor, for example a concrete slab.
[0071] Comfort equipment
[0072] According to the invention, the comfort equipment 1 comprises at least one elastic band 1 (designated by the same reference 1 for the sake of simplicity).
[0073] Said at least one elastic band 1, preferably rectangular in shape, is delimited by:
[0074] - two longitudinal edges 1 a, extending parallel to a longitudinal axis T, and
[0075] - two transverse edges 1 b, extending perpendicularly to this same longitudinal axis T. In practice, the longitudinal edges 1 a are intended to extend parallel to the rear threshold L2 and to the front limit L3 of the line of cubicles L. The transverse edges 1 b are intended to be located at the level of the lateral separations L1 of the two cubicles L at the end of the line.
[0076] Generally speaking, said comfort equipment 1 advantageously includes the following dimensions:
[0077] - a width dimension, measured between the longitudinal edges 1 a, ranging from 500 to 1,000 mm, and
[0078] - a length dimension, measured between the transverse edges 1 b, ranging from 2 m to 250 m.
[0079] Said at least one elastic band 1 comprises two longitudinal sheets 11, 12:
[0080] - an upper longitudinal sheet 11, intended to receive the comfort mattress 2, and -- a lower longitudinal sheet 12, intended to rest on a receiving surface, in this case the floor L4.
[0081] These two longitudinal sheets 11, 12 are advantageously hermetically assembled along the two longitudinal edges 1a.
[0082] Each longitudinal sheet 11, 12 is made from at least one material capable of undergoing elastic deformation, also called “elastic material”, chosen from:
[0083] - elastomeric materials, namely for example natural rubber, “synthetic natural” rubber (or synthetic polyisoprene), polybutadiene or styrene-butadiene, or
[0084] - 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).
[0085] Each longitudinal sheet 11, 12 is advantageously made in one piece, either single-material (in a single material), or multi-material (with at least two superimposed sub-layers made in different materials).
[0086] Each longitudinal sheet 11, 12 may also contain at least one reinforcing sub-layer (not shown), chosen for example from textile fibers, metal fibers or any other product providing stability and / or resistance to elongation.
[0087] These reinforcing underlays consist, for example, of a textile reinforcement, advantageously made from a material chosen from nylon, cotton, polyester, polyamide or any other reinforcing textile.
[0088] Furthermore, each longitudinal sheet 11, 12 advantageously has a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 4 mm. Preferably, the upper longitudinal sheet 11 has a lower thickness compared to the lower longitudinal sheet 12.
[0089] Preferably, the upper longitudinal sheet 11 has a thickness ranging from 1 to 1.5 mm; and the lower longitudinal sheet 12 has a thickness ranging from 2.5 to 3 mm.
[0090] Said at least one elastic band 1 also comprises:
[0091] - at least one sealed chamber 13, intended to contain a first heat transfer fluid and delimited by said longitudinal sheets 11, 12, and
[0092] - at least one sealed conduit 14, intended to contain a second heat transfer fluid, of which at least a first section 141, rectilinear, passes through said at least one sealed chamber 13 between said opposite longitudinal sheets 11, 12, parallel to the longitudinal axis T, so that said at least a first section 141 is intended to be immersed in said first heat transfer fluid.
[0093] The thermal regulation of the upper longitudinal sheet 11 is carried out by the first heat transfer fluid filling said at least one sealed chamber 13, itself regulated by the second heat transfer fluid circulating in said at least one sealed conduit 14 (and in particular its first section 141) which is immersed in this first heat transfer fluid.
[0094] Said at least one elastic band 1 advantageously comprises a single sealed chamber 13, extending over its entire length (between the two transverse edges 1b).
[0095] Said at least one sealed chamber 13 has, seen from above, a rectangular outline which corresponds, at least approximately, to the longitudinal edges 1 a and to the transverse edges 1 b.
[0096] The first heat transfer fluid, intended to fill said at least one sealed chamber 13, is advantageously chosen from water, a gas (air in particular), a gel.
[0097] Said at least one sealed chamber 13 is advantageously associated with an opening (not shown) for access, in particular for filling and / or emptying, for example an opening equipped with a valve.
[0098] The valve is connected tightly to the through hole, for example via a metal crimp (also called a "wall-pass valve").
[0099] The first heat transfer fluid filling said at least one sealed chamber 13 is fixed / static, i.e. without any circulation phenomenon between two orifices (unlike the second heat transfer fluid filling said at least one sealed conduit 14).
[0100] When said at least one sealed chamber 13 is filled, the upper longitudinal sheet 11 advantageously has a cross-section (along a plane parallel to the transverse edges 1b) which has a generally convex curved shape. Preferably, when said at least one sealed chamber 13 is filled, the final thickness of said at least one elastic band 1 (here at the level of its deflection) is advantageously between 10 mm and 150 mm, preferably between 10 and 100 mm.
[0101] Furthermore, said at least one sealed conduit 14 advantageously consists of a tubular member made of an elastic deformable material, for example rubber or other.
[0102] This elastic deformable material can be chosen to order, independently of the material forming said at least one elastic band 1.
[0103] Generally, the first section 141 is advantageously free relative to the facing faces of the two longitudinal sheets 11, 12.
[0104] Generally, said at least one sealed conduit 14 comprises at least two openings 145, to generate a circulation of the second heat transfer fluid within said at least one sealed conduit 14, between these openings 145.
[0105] The second heat transfer fluid is advantageously chosen from liquids, for example water or a water / glycol mixture.
[0106] In particular, said at least one sealed conduit 14 is terminated by two openings 145 which are each provided at the level of one of the transverse edges 1b of the elastic band 1.
[0107] These through holes 145 allow a fluid connection with additional means described below.
[0108] Where appropriate, the sealed conduits 14 are advantageously fluidically independent of one another. In this case, piercing one of the sealed conduits 14 does not cause the emptying of all of the sealed conduits 14.
[0109] Each of the sealed conduits 14 therefore has two openings 145 specific to it, for the circulation of the second heat transfer fluid.
[0110] The through holes 145 are advantageously obtained by cutting the elastic band 1 to length, along a cutting line oriented perpendicular to the transverse edges 1b.
[0111] The transverse edges 1b of said at least one elastic band 1 are advantageously made airtight by pinching.
[0112] The sealed conduits 14 are advantageously held using wall passes.
[0113] The comfort equipment 1 advantageously comprises several sealed conduits 14, for example two or three, which extend parallel, or at least approximately parallel, to each other.
[0114] Generally, the sealed conduits 14 are juxtaposed and independent of each other. Alternatively, shown schematically in Figure 3 (in broken lines), the sealed conduits 14 are formed in at least one longitudinal strip 146 and are connected by intermediate strips 147.
[0115] In other words, two sealed conduits 14 are connected by an intermediate strip 147.
[0116] Still generally, said at least one sealed conduit 14 advantageously has a resistance ranging from 0.5 to 25 bars, preferably from 6 to 8 bars.
[0117] More preferably, said at least one sealed conduit 14 comprises:
[0118] - an external diameter ranging from 20 to 150 mm, preferably from 60 to 90 mm, and
[0119] - a tubular wall having a thickness ranging from 0.2 to 3 mm, preferably from 0.5 to 1 mm.
[0120] Still generally, said comfort equipment 1 comes in an endless roll, which can be cut to length as needed.
[0121] This roll-based embodiment has the advantage of allowing simple and rapid installation of the comfort equipment 1 in the breeding enclosure E, by unrolling it along a line of cubicles L and then cutting it to the desired length of this line.
[0122] Comfort system
[0123] The present invention also relates to a comfort system, for the comfort of animals in a breeding enclosure E.
[0124] This comfort system includes:
[0125] - at least one comfort equipment 1, according to the invention,
[0126] - at least one comfort mattress 2, preferably a water mattress, intended to be attached to said at least one comfort equipment item 1,
[0127] - circulation means 5, for generating a circulation of said second heat transfer fluid within said at least one sealed conduit 14, between its opening orifices 145, and possibly
[0128] - regulation means 6, for regulating the temperature of said second heat transfer fluid.
[0129] Said at least one comfort mattress 2 is advantageously continuous.
[0130] Said at least one comfort 2 mattress covers:
[0131] - comfort equipment 1, and
[0132] - the floor L4 of the aligned cubicles L, advantageously on either side of said comfort equipment 1.
[0133] The comfort mattress 2 advantageously has a generally rectangular shape which is delimited by two pairs of edges, namely: - two longitudinal edges 22, namely a rear longitudinal edge 22 intended to extend along the rear threshold L2 of the equipped cubicles L, and a front longitudinal edge 23 intended to extend along the front limit L3 of the line of cubicles L, and
[0134] - two transverse edges 24, intended to be located at the level of the lateral separations L1 of the two boxes L at the end of the line.
[0135] The comfort 2 mattress still has two opposite sides:
[0136] - an upper face 25, capable of undergoing elastic deformation and forming the reception zones 21 on which the animals are intended to rest, and
[0137] - a lower face 26, intended to rest on the floor L4 of the cubicles L and on the comfort equipment 1.
[0138] This comfort mattress 2 advantageously comprises several reception areas 21 which are juxtaposed along the length of said comfort mattress 2 (figure 1). Alternatively, not shown, each cubicle L can contain its own comfort mattress 2 which then defines a single reception area 21.
[0139] Each of the reception areas 21 of the comfort mattress 2 is intended to accommodate an animal here.
[0140] Each reception area 21 thus corresponds to the floor area L4 of a cubicle L, and is delimited laterally by two aforementioned lateral separations L1.
[0141] Each of the reception areas 21 then has a generally rectangular shape which is delimited by different borders (figure 1):
[0142] - two transverse edges 211, each located directly above a lateral separation L1 of the box L,
[0143] - a rear edge 212, adjoining the rear threshold L2 of the cubicle L (forming part of the rear longitudinal edge 22 of the comfort mattress 2), and
[0144] - a front edge 213, adjoining the front limit L3 of the cubicle L (forming part of the front longitudinal edge 23 of the comfort mattress 2).
[0145] Said at least one comfort mattress 2 preferably consists of a water mattress.
[0146] Said at least one comfort mattress 2 then comprises at least one sealed cavity 27, at the level of a reception zone 21, which is delimited by two longitudinal sheets:
[0147] - an upper longitudinal sheet 271, intended to form the upper face 25 of the comfort mattress 2, and
[0148] - a lower longitudinal sheet 272, intended to form a lower face 26 of the comfort mattress 2.
[0149] Said at least one sealed cavity 27 is intended to be filled with a third heat transfer fluid. The third heat transfer fluid is advantageously chosen from water, a gas (air in particular), a gel.
[0150] Preferably, the width dimension of said at least one comfort mattress 2 is greater than the width dimension of said at least one comfort equipment 1.
[0151] For example, the width dimension of said at least one comfort 2 mattress is 1,200 to 2,200 mm.
[0152] The lower face 26 of the comfort mattress 2 is then intended to cover:
[0153] - comfort equipment 1, and
[0154] - the reception surface L4, on either side of the comfort equipment 1.
[0155] Comfort mattress 2 is then intended to overlap comfort equipment 1.
[0156] In this context, said at least one comfort equipment 1 is advantageously located in the middle of the width of the aligned cubicles L, equidistant from the rear threshold L2 and the front limit L3.
[0157] In other words, said at least one comfort equipment 1 is located in the middle of the width of said at least one comfort mattress 2 (their longitudinal axes T and 2' advantageously extend coaxially).
[0158] Said at least one comfort equipment 1 is thus advantageously housed between the front legs and the rear legs of the animal. Such an arrangement aims in particular to avoid a relief at the level of the legs of the animal, likely to harm its balance.
[0159] Furthermore and generally, the comfort system 1 includes the circulation means 5 for generating the circulation of the second heat transfer fluid, also called “circulation means” (figure 1).
[0160] These circulation means 5 ensure a distribution and parallel circulation of the second heat transfer fluid, along the sealed conduits 14.
[0161] These means of circulation 5 include for this:
[0162] - upstream fluid connection means, for a fluid supply, which are connected in parallel to the opening orifice 145 of said at least one sealed conduit 14 located at the level of a first transverse edge 1 b of the elastic band 1, and
[0163] - downstream fluid connection means, for collecting the fluid at the outlet, which are connected in parallel to the opening orifice 145 of said at least one sealed conduit 14 located at the level of a second transverse edge 1 b of the elastic band 1.
[0164] Preferably, the upstream / downstream fluid connection means each comprise a clarinet-type device, in order to ensure parallel circulation of the heat transfer fluid within each of the sealed conduits 14.
[0165] The connection of a clarinet with the adjoining through-holes 145 is advantageously carried out by means of conventional mechanical sealing means. These upstream / downstream fluid connection means can be fluidically connected, for the recirculation or recycling of this heat transfer fluid.
[0166] The circulation means 5 also include a pump, to cause the second heat transfer fluid to flow.
[0167] The upstream fluid connection means are advantageously equipped with pressure regulating means and / or flow regulating means.
[0168] Thus, the pressure within the sealed conduits 14 is advantageously set to a value ranging from 0.5 to 25 bars, preferably from 6 to 8 bars.
[0169] The upstream fluid connection means are also advantageously equipped with means for regulating the flow rate within each of the sealed conduits 14.
[0170] The regulation means 6, for regulating the temperature of the heat transfer fluid, equip the circulation means 5, advantageously at the level of the upstream fluid connection means.
[0171] These regulation means 6 are chosen from means capable of heating and / or cooling the second heat transfer fluid.
[0172] For example, these regulation means 6 consist of a reversible heat pump with temperature measurement.
[0173] The regulating means 6 advantageously comprise:
[0174] - means for measuring the temperature of this second heat transfer fluid, for example a temperature probe, and
[0175] - possibly means to display the measured temperature.
[0176] These regulation means 6 are optional, in particular in the case where the second heat transfer fluid initially has the desired temperature (for example a source of fresh water for cooling the comfort mattress 2).
[0177] The comfort system 1 also advantageously includes control means 8 for controlling the operation of the regulation means 6 and the circulation means 5.
[0178] These control means 8 are chosen for example from:
[0179] - manual control means,
[0180] - programmer-type control means (for operation according to predefined cycles), and
[0181] - automatic control means, advantageously in particular a computer program executed by a computer.
[0182] These control means 18 are then advantageously also connected with means for measuring the temperature within the breeding enclosure E.
[0183] Operation First, said at least one comfort equipment 1 is placed on the floor L4, then covered by said at least one comfort mattress 2.
[0184] In particular, said at least one comfort equipment 1 is adjusted to the width of the cubicles L, at a suitable distance from the rear threshold L2 and the front limit L3.
[0185] The comfort mattress 2 is also adjusted longitudinally so that each reception area 21 is positioned within a cubicle L.
[0186] Said at least one sealed chamber 13 of the comfort equipment 1, and where appropriate said at least one sealed cavity 27 of said at least one comfort mattress 2, are then filled with the heat transfer fluids.
[0187] More generally, the pressure in the first heat transfer fluid can be adjusted in real time according to atmospheric pressure.
[0188] The first heat transfer fluid thus envelops (advantageously over 360°) the sealed conduits 14, and in particular its first sections 141.
[0189] This feature provides a maximum heat exchange surface between, on the one hand, the first heat transfer fluid contained in the sealed chamber 13 and, on the other hand, the second heat transfer fluid contained in the sealed conduits 14.
[0190] Furthermore, the filling with third heat transfer fluid, in said at least one sealed cavity 27, is advantageously adjusted to a filling lower than the nominal value so that its lower face 26 matches the comfort equipment 1.
[0191] In order to prevent potential thermal stress, the control means 8 can automatically control the regulation means 6 and the circulation means 5, advantageously taking into account the ambient temperature within the breeding enclosure E acquired by the measuring means.
[0192] In the presence of unfavorable surrounding thermal conditions, the control means 8 then generate:
[0193] - a circulation of the second heat transfer fluid in said at least one sealed conduit 14 of the comfort equipment 1 by means of the circulation means 5, and
[0194] - regulation of the temperature of the second heat transfer fluid by means of the regulation means 6, so as to adjust the temperature of the first heat transfer fluid contained in said at least one sealed chamber 13 of the comfort equipment 1.
[0195] At the same time, this first heat transfer fluid adjusts the temperature of the comfort mattress 2, if necessary via its third heat transfer fluid.
[0196] Where appropriate, the circulation of the second heat transfer fluid in the sealed conduits 14 takes place here in parallel: the flow of second heat transfer fluid divides in order to pass through these sealed conduits 14 simultaneously. This circulation of the second heat transfer fluid advantageously takes place in the same direction within the juxtaposed sealed conduits 14: the fluid thus travels from the opening orifices 145 located at a first transverse edge 1b to the opening orifices 145 located at a second transverse edge 1b.
[0197] In this case, a heat exchange is generated at the level of the first sections 141 of the sealed conduits 14 passing through a sealed chamber 13 between, on the one hand, the first heat transfer fluid contained in this sealed chamber 13 and, on the other hand, the second heat transfer fluid contained in the sealed conduits 14.
[0198] In cooling mode, the second heat transfer fluid can be naturally cold (for example a water source at a temperature between 1°C and 15°C) or it can be cooled by the regulation means 6. The comfort system 1 according to the invention thus makes it possible to directly reduce the temperature of the animal within its cubicle L.
[0199] Thus, in the operating configuration, the comfort system according to the invention makes it possible to cool the upper face 25 of the comfort mattress 2 which refreshes the animals' coat and limits the increase in its body temperature.
[0200] Conversely, in heating mode, the second heat transfer fluid is heated. The comfort system according to the invention makes it possible to provide heat directly to the animal in its cubicle L.
[0201] When the risk of thermal stress has been eliminated, the control means 8 automatically control the stopping of the circulation means 7 and the regulation means 6.
[0202] Making the elastic band
[0203] The elastic band 1 according to the invention can be manufactured by assembling a set of superimposed sub-layers, to form a single-piece type assembly.
[0204] The joining technology can be chosen, for example, from vulcanization, gluing, welding.
[0205] For example, the manufacturing process includes:
[0206] (i) a step of superimposing sub-layers 15 made of elastomer material comprising two facing surfaces 151, between which are added:
[0207] - intermediate means 16 capable of locally preventing the joining of said surfaces 151 opposite said sub-layers 15 to form said at least one sealed chamber 13, and
[0208] - said at least one sealed conduit 14 of which at least a first section 141 is attached between said intermediate means 16, then
[0209] (ii) a step of securing the surfaces 151 in contact with said superimposed sub-layers 15, outside the space occupied by the intermediate means 16, so that the intermediate means 16 form said at least one sealed chamber 13 surrounding a first section 141 of said at least one sealed conduit 14.
[0210] The intermediate means 16 advantageously consist of any means avoiding the joining between the surfaces 151 facing the sub-layers 15 to be assembled.
[0211] In the case of vulcanization, the intermediate means 16 consist, for example, of strips or tubes which are advantageously made from a material chosen from:
[0212] - a fire-resistant film containing a retardant, for example polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene,
[0213] - a layer of silicone,
[0214] - a layer of a vulcanized elastomeric material, for example a pipe made for example from styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), natural rubber (NR), or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer.
[0215] These intermediate means 16 are in particular arranged between two elastomer sub-layers 15 to be assembled with each other.
[0216] In this case, as illustrated in Figure 4, the superposition step comprises a superposition of two pairs of sub-layers 15 made of elastomer material. Two sub-layers of intermediate means 16 are added between two of said sub-layers 15 made of elastomer material to form at least one sealed chamber 13.
[0217] At least one sealed conduit 14 is also provided so that at least a first section 141 is arranged between the intermediate means 16.
[0218] Said at least one sealed conduit 14 consists for example of pipes made of rubber material. Said at least one sealed conduit 14 is distributed according to the desired positioning in the elastic band 1.
[0219] Of course, various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
Claims
1. Comfort equipment, for the thermal comfort of animals in a breeding enclosure (E) and intended to be installed under a comfort mattress (2) for animals, which comfort equipment (1) comprises at least one elastic band (1) which is delimited by two longitudinal edges (1a), extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (1'), and by two transverse edges (1b), which at least one elastic band (1) comprises: - two longitudinal sheets (1 1 , 12): -- an upper longitudinal sheet (11), intended to receive said comfort mattress (2), and -- a lower longitudinal sheet (12), intended to rest on a receiving surface (L4), - at least one sealed chamber (13), intended to contain a first heat transfer fluid and delimited by said longitudinal sheets (11, 12), and - at least one sealed conduit (14), intended to contain a second heat transfer fluid, of which at least a first section (141), rectilinear, passes through said at least one sealed chamber (13) between said opposite longitudinal sheets (11, 12), parallel to said longitudinal axis (1'), so that said at least one first section (141) is intended to be immersed in said first heat transfer fluid, which at least one sealed conduit (14) comprises at least two through orifices (145), located at the level of said two transverse edges (1b), to generate a circulation of said second heat transfer fluid within said at least one sealed conduit (14), between said through orifices (145).
2. Comfort equipment, according to claim 1, characterized in that said comfort equipment (1) comprises several sealed conduits (14), for example two or three, which extend parallel, or at least approximately parallel, to each other.
3. Comfort equipment, according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealed conduits (14) are: - juxtaposed and independent of each other, or - formed in at least one longitudinal strip (146) and are connected by intermediate strips (147).
4. Comfort equipment, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said longitudinal sheets (11, 12) each comprise a reinforcing underlayer.
5. Comfort equipment, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least one sealed conduit (14) has a resistance ranging from 0.5 to 25 bars, preferably from 6 to 8 bars.
6. Comfort equipment, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least one sealed conduit (14) comprises: - an external diameter ranging from 20 to 150 mm, preferably from 60 to 90 mm, and - a tubular wall having a thickness ranging from 0.2 to 3 mm, preferably from 0.5 to 1 mm.
7. Comfort equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each longitudinal sheet (11, 12) has a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 4 mm.
8. Comfort equipment, according to claim 7, characterized in that the upper longitudinal sheet (11) has a thickness ranging from 1 to 1.5 mm, and the lower longitudinal sheet (12) has a thickness ranging from 2.5 to 3 mm.
9. Comfort equipment, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said comfort equipment (1) comprises: - a width dimension, measured between the longitudinal edges (1 a), ranging from 500 to 1,000 mm, and - a length dimension, measured between the transverse edges, ranging from 2 m to 250 m.
10. Comfort equipment, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said comfort equipment (1) is presented in an endless roll, which can be cut to length as required.
11. System for the comfort of animals in a breeding enclosure (E), which comfort system comprises: - at least one comfort equipment (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 10, - at least one comfort mattress (2), preferably a water mattress, intended to be attached to said at least one comfort equipment item (1), - circulation means (5), for generating a circulation of said second heat transfer fluid within said at least one sealed conduit (14), between its opening orifices (145), and possibly - regulating means (6), for regulating the temperature of said second heat transfer fluid.
12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the width dimension of said at least one comfort mattress (2) is greater than the width dimension of said at least one comfort equipment (1).
13. Breeding enclosure (E) equipped with a comfort system according to any one of claims 11 or 12.