Device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from laboratory animal cage

Abstract

Disclosed in the present invention is a device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from a laboratory animal cage, the device comprising a box, a support frame, a connecting rod and a foot control switch, wherein a base is arranged on the box, the support frame is vertically arranged on the base, one end of the connecting rod is hinged to the support frame, an electric motor is mounted at the other end of the connecting rod, an output shaft of the electric motor is connected to a cleaning head, four rolling wheels are arranged at the bottom of the box, an angle between the connecting rod and the support frame is adjustable, and the height of the connecting rod on the support frame is adjustable; and the foot control switch is connected to the electric motor by means of an electric wire, and the foot control switch is configured to control the starting and stopping of the electric motor. The present invention enables workers of different heights to efficiently treat dirty bedding adhered to the bottom of a cage, avoids damage to the cage caused by removal using a shovel, reduces the risk of cross contamination between facilities or animals, and maintains efficient and safe operation of animal facilities, such that scientific research can be carried out smoothly.

Description

A device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from experimental animal cages Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for efficiently removing dirty bedding materials of experimental animal cages. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the mainstream breeding equipment for mice and rats in the industry is the IVC breeding system. This system consists of an IVC main unit, cage racks, and cage boxes. The air within the barrier environment is highly purified after being efficiently filtered by the main unit and transmitted to each individual cage through the IVC cage rack's air supply duct. After the air circulates within the cage, the exhaust gas in the cage is discharged through the cage box and cage rack exhaust ducts. This creates a one-way air flow throughout the IVC system, maintaining clean air within the cage, thereby ensuring that the microbial control level of rodent laboratory animals (mice and rats) meets national standards. Among them, the main material currently used for mouse and rat cages is polyphenylene sulfone resin, an amorphous thermoplastic with high transparency, high hydrolytic stability, and excellent rigidity and toughness. The products can withstand repeated steam sterilization and have a lifespan of at least 12 years at 145°C steam. They can maintain physical, mechanical, and electrical properties over a wide range, and have unique flame retardancy, low smoke generation, and chemical resistance. During processing, they also have a high melt viscosity, making it easy to produce products with uniform properties.

[0003] In the daily operation and management of the facility, depending on the number and level of animals raised in the cages, the bottom cages of the cages generally need to be replaced every 1-2 weeks. The purpose is to keep the bedding in the box dry and the air fresh, and the various animal living environment parameters are stable and in line with national standards, thereby ensuring animal welfare. Conventional cage changes only require a simple flip of the bottom cage, and the dirty bedding can be easily removed without the help of external objects. However, in daily cage changing work, due to animal breeding, special experimental needs, etc., there will be dirty bedding at the bottom of the replaced cage that is difficult to pour out. Hard objects are needed, such as a stainless steel shovel to remove the dirty bedding stuck to the bottom cage, or soak it in water for a long time and then use external objects to remove it. On the one hand, this will reduce work efficiency. On the other hand, the stainless steel shovel may cause irreversible scratches on the inside of the cage, shortening the service life of the cage. In addition, if it is not handled cleanly, it may cause cross-contamination between facilities or animals. Technical issues

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from experimental animal cages, which enables facility staff to efficiently handle dirty bedding stuck to the bottom cage, avoids damage to the cage when removing it with a shovel, reduces the risk of cross-contamination between facilities or animals, ensures that the microbial control level of experimental animals meets national standards, maintains the efficient and safe operation of animal facilities, and ensures the smooth progress of scientific research. Technical Solutions

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from experimental animal cages, the special features of which are:

[0006] It includes a box body, a support frame, a connecting rod and a foot-controlled switch. The box body is provided with a base, the support frame is vertically arranged on the base, one end of the connecting rod is hinged to the support frame, and the other end of the connecting rod is equipped with a motor. The output shaft of the motor is connected to the cleaning head. Four rollers are provided at the bottom of the box body. The angle between the connecting rod and the support frame is adjustable, and the height of the connecting rod on the support frame is adjustable.

[0007] The foot-controlled switch is connected to the motor through an electric wire, and is used to control the start and stop of the motor.

[0008] In some embodiments, the box has a storage space for storing the foot switch.

[0009] In some embodiments, the connecting rod is a hollow structure for passing electric wires therethrough.

[0010] In some embodiments, the side wall of the connecting rod is provided with an auxiliary hollow tube, which is an L-shaped structure, one end of which is fixed on the side wall of the connecting rod, and the other end is provided with a spray head. There is a storage space in the box body with a water tank and a pump, and the pump is connected to the spray head through a high-pressure hose.

[0011] In some embodiments, the pump may be a plunger pump or a submersible pump, and a high-pressure hose passes through the connecting rod and the auxiliary hollow tube.

[0012] In some embodiments, the support frame includes a pillar and a U-shaped frame. The bottom of the pillar is fixed on the base, and the top is connected to the bottom of the U-shaped frame. The two wings of the U-shaped frame are symmetrically provided with multiple through holes in the vertical direction, and the connecting rod is also provided with a through hole. The through holes of the two are connected through a pin shaft. When the height of the connecting rod needs to be adjusted, it is only necessary to pass the pin shaft through the through holes of the appropriate height on the two wings of the U-shaped frame.

[0013] In some embodiments, an electric cylinder is provided on the base, one end of the electric cylinder is hinged to the upper surface of the base, and the other end is hinged to the side wall of the connecting rod. The extension and retraction of the electric cylinder drives the connecting rod to perform pitching motion.

[0014] In some embodiments, the foot switch is connected to the electric cylinder via an electric wire, and the foot switch is used to control the extension and retraction of the electric cylinder.

[0015] In some embodiments, an adjusting rod is provided on the base, the lower end of the adjusting rod is hinged to the upper surface of the base, a plurality of through holes are provided on the adjusting rod along the axial direction, and a through hole is provided on the side wall of the connecting rod. After the through holes of the two overlap, they are connected by inserting a pin shaft. When the angle of the connecting rod needs to be adjusted, it is only necessary to adjust the angle of the connecting rod and then pass the pin shaft through the through hole at the appropriate position of the adjusting rod.

[0016] In some embodiments, the box body is provided with a handle, and the handle is arranged on a side away from the cleaning head; the cleaning head is provided with a nylon cleaning wire. Beneficial effects

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from experimental animal cages of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0018] 1. The present invention provides a device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from experimental animal cages, which enables staff to efficiently handle dirty bedding stuck to the bottom of the cage, avoids damage to the cage when removing it with a shovel, reduces the risk of cross-contamination between facilities or animals, ensures that the microbial control level of experimental animals meets national standards, maintains the efficient and safe operation of animal facilities, and promotes the smooth development of scientific research.

[0019] 2. In the device provided by the present invention, the connecting rod is height-adjustable, so that the cleaning head can adapt to workers of different heights;

[0020] 3. In the device provided by the present invention, the connecting rod can be adjusted in pitch, and the dirty bedding in the bottom cage can be cleaned from different angles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0022] FIG1 is a structural diagram of an embodiment of a device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from experimental animal cages provided by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is a right side view of Figure 1;

[0024] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part A in Figure 1;

[0025] FIG4 is a structural diagram of another embodiment of the device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from experimental animal cages provided by the present invention.

[0026] The reference numerals in the figures are as follows:

[0027] 1. Box body, 2. Support frame, 3. Connecting rod, 4. Foot switch, 5. Base, 6. Motor, 7. Cleaning head, 8. Roller, 9. Wires, 10. Storage space, 11. Auxiliary hollow tube, 12. Spray head, 13. Water tank, 14. High-pressure hose, 15. Pin, 16. Electric cylinder, 17. Adjustment rod, 18. Handle, 21. Support, 22. U-shaped frame. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] To further illustrate the technical means and effects employed by the present invention to achieve its intended objectives, the following detailed description of the specific implementation methods, structures, features, and effects of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. In the following description, different references to "one embodiment" or "embodiment" do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, specific features, structures, or characteristics of one or more embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be clarified that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence; the terms "vertical", "transverse", "longitudinal", "front", "back", "left", "right", "up", "down", "horizontal", etc. indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention, and do not mean that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific direction or position, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0030] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; and direct or indirect connections through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] The present embodiment provides a device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from experimental animal cages, see Figures 1 and 2, comprising a housing 1, a support frame 2, a connecting rod 3 and a foot-operated switch 4. A base 5 is fixedly mounted on the housing 1, the support frame 2 is vertically fixed on the base 5, one end of the connecting rod 3 is hinged to the support frame 2, and a motor 6 is mounted on the other end of the connecting rod 3. The output shaft of the motor 6 is connected to the cleaning head 7, and the motor 6 drives the cleaning head 7 to rotate. Four rollers 8 are mounted on the bottom of the housing 1, respectively located at the four corners of the bottom of the housing 1. The angle between the connecting rod 3 and the support frame 2 is adjustable, and the height of the connecting rod 3 on the support frame 2 is adjustable; the foot-operated switch 4 is connected to the motor 6 via an electric wire 9, and the foot-operated switch 4 is used to control the start and stop of the motor 6. The motor 6 can be a handheld electric drill.

[0033] When using this embodiment, the operator moves the device to a suitable position through the roller 8, adjusts the height and pitch angle of the connecting rod 3 respectively, and rotates the cleaning head by stepping on the foot switch 4. The operator holds the cage and uses the rotation of the cleaning head to clean the dirty bedding stuck in the bottom cage. By moving the position of the cage, the dirty bedding at the bottom of the entire cage is finally cleaned.

[0034] Specifically, referring to Figures 1, 2, and 4, the support frame 2 includes a support column 21 and a U-shaped frame 22. The bottom of the support column 21 is fixed to the base 5, and the top is connected to the bottom of the U-shaped frame 22. The two wings of the U-shaped frame 22 are symmetrically provided with multiple through holes along the vertical direction. The connecting rod 3 also has a through hole. The through holes of the two are connected by a pin 15. When the height of the connecting rod 3 needs to be adjusted, it is only necessary to pass the pin 15 through the through holes at the appropriate height on the two wings of the U-shaped frame 22. The height of the connecting rod 3 is adjustable, which makes it convenient for operators of different heights to use the device.

[0035] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a storage space 10 is provided in the box body 1. When the device is not used, the foot switch 4 can be placed in the storage space 10 for storage, thus saving space.

[0036] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting rod 3 is a hollow round rod or a hollow rectangular rod, and the wires of the device can pass through the hollow structure.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side wall of the connecting rod 3 is provided with an auxiliary hollow tube 11, which is an L-shaped structure, one end of which is fixed to the side wall of the connecting rod 3, and the other end of which is provided with a spray head 12. There is a storage space 10 in the box body 1, which is provided with a water tank 13 and a pump. The pump is located in the water tank 13 and is connected to the spray head 12 through a high-pressure hose 14. The pump pressurizes the water and sprays it out from the spray head 12.

[0038] The spray head 12 is oriented toward the cleaning head 7, and the spray head 12 sprays. The particles generated by the spray are extremely small and have a surface tension of basically zero. When sprayed into the air, they can quickly absorb dust particles in the air, forming an effective dust control, and preventing the cleaning head 7 from rotating to clean the dirty bedding stuck in the bottom cage and polluting the environment.

[0039] Preferably, the pump is a plunger pump or a submersible pump, and the high-pressure hose 14 passes through the connecting rod 3 and the auxiliary hollow tube 11 .

[0040] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a handle 18 is provided on the box body 1, and the handle 18 is arranged on a side away from the cleaning head 7; the cleaning head 7 is provided with a nylon cleaning wire to avoid scratching the cage bottom.

[0041] Specifically, the angle between the connecting rod 3 and the support frame 2 can be adjusted in the following two ways:

[0042] The first is manual control, as shown in Figure 1 . The base 5 is provided with an adjustment rod 17, the lower end of which is hinged to the upper surface of the base 5 via a pin connection. The adjustment rod 17 is provided with multiple through-holes along the axial direction, and the sidewall of the connecting rod 3 is provided with through-holes. The through-holes on the connecting rod 3 are aligned with the corresponding through-holes on the adjustment rod, and then the connection is established by inserting the pin 15. To adjust the angle of the connecting rod 3, simply adjust the angle of the connecting rod 3 and then pass the pin through the through-holes on the connecting rod 3 and the through-holes at the appropriate position on the adjustment rod 17.

[0043] The second automatic control method involves an electric cylinder 16 mounted on the base 5. One end of the electric cylinder 16 is hinged to the upper surface of the base 5 via a pin connection, and the other end is hinged to the side wall of the connecting rod 3 via a pin connection. The extension and retraction of the electric cylinder 16 drives the connecting rod 3 in pitch motion. A foot switch 4 is connected to the electric cylinder 16 via an electrical wire 9 and controls the extension and retraction of the electric cylinder 16.

[0044] It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that, under the premise of no conflict, the above-mentioned advantageous technical features can be freely combined and superimposed.

[0045] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not constitute any form of limitation to the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from experimental animal cages, characterized in that: The cleaning device comprises a box (1), a support frame (2), a connecting rod (3) and a foot-controlled switch (4); the box (1) is provided with a base (5); the support frame (2) is vertically arranged on the base (5); one end of the connecting rod (3) is hinged to the support frame (2); a motor (6) is installed at the other end of the connecting rod (3); the output shaft of the motor (6) is connected to a cleaning head (7); four rollers (8) are provided at the bottom of the box (1); the angle between the connecting rod (3) and the support frame (2) is adjustable; and the height of the connecting rod (3) on the support frame (2) is adjustable; The foot-controlled switch (4) is connected to the motor (6) via an electric wire (9), and the foot-controlled switch (4) is used to control the start and stop of the motor (6).

2. The device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from experimental animal cages according to claim 1, characterized in that: The box body (1) has a storage space (10) inside for storing the foot-controlled switch (4).

3. The device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from experimental animal cages according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connecting rod (3) is a hollow structure, and is used for passing the electric wire (9) therein.

4. The device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from experimental animal cages according to claim 3, characterized in that: The side wall of the connecting rod (3) is provided with an auxiliary hollow tube (11), which is an L-shaped structure, one end of which is fixed to the side wall of the connecting rod (3), and the other end of which is provided with a spray head (12). The box body (1) has a storage space (10) provided with a water tank (13) and a pump, and the pump is connected to the spray head (12) via a high-pressure hose (14).

5. The device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from cages of experimental animals according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pump is a plunger pump or a submersible pump, and the high-pressure hose (14) passes through the connecting rod (3) and the auxiliary hollow tube (11).

6. The device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from cages of experimental animals according to claim 5, characterized in that: The support frame (2) comprises a support column (21) and a U-shaped frame (22). The bottom of the support column (21) is fixed on the base (5), and the top is connected to the bottom of the U-shaped frame (22). The two wings of the U-shaped frame (22) are symmetrically provided with a plurality of through holes along the vertical direction. The connecting rod (3) is also provided with a through hole. The through holes of the two are connected by passing through a pin shaft (15). When it is necessary to adjust the height of the connecting rod (3), it is only necessary to make the pin shaft (15) pass through the through holes of appropriate height on the two wings of the U-shaped frame (22).

7. The device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from cages of experimental animals according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: An electric cylinder (16) is provided on the base (5), one end of the electric cylinder (16) is hinged to the upper surface of the base (5), and the other end is hinged to the side wall of the connecting rod (3), and the extension and retraction of the electric cylinder (16) drives the connecting rod (3) to perform pitching motion.

8. The device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from cages of experimental animals according to claim 7, characterized in that: The foot-controlled switch (4) is connected to the electric cylinder (16) via an electric wire (9), and the foot-controlled switch (4) is used to control the extension and retraction of the electric cylinder (16).

9. The device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from cages of experimental animals according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The base (5) is provided with an adjusting rod (17), the lower end of the adjusting rod (17) is hinged to the upper surface of the base (5), the adjusting rod (17) is provided with a plurality of through holes along the axial direction, and the side wall of the connecting rod (3) is provided with a through hole, and the two through holes overlap and are connected by inserting a pin shaft (15).

10. The device for efficiently removing dirty bedding from cages of experimental animals according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The box body (1) is provided with a handle (18), and the handle (18) is arranged on a side away from the cleaning head (7); the cleaning head (7) is provided with a nylon cleaning thread.

Images