Animal retention system and method for replacing an endless belt in an animal retention system

Abstract

Animal retention system comprising at least one endless belt (11 ), a sub floor (12a-b) for a respective endless belt and a supporting structure (16a). The at least one belt is rotatable in a longitudinal direction (LD) around at least one roller (13a-b), wherein an animal retention area is formed on / defined by a respective upper surface of the endless belt. The sub floor is arranged to carry a weight of animal(s) standing on the upper surface of the corresponding endless belt. The supporting structure is configured to support the sub floor. At least one, or preferably each, of the sub floors is supported by the supporting structure solely near or at the opposite lateral ends of the least one sub floor. The invention also concerns a method for replacing an endless belt in an animal retention system.

Description

[0001] ANIMAL RETENTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REPLACING AN ENDLESS BELT IN AN ANIMAL RETENTION SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to the field of animal retention systems, typically comprising one or more animal / livestock pens / sheds for restricting the freedom of movement of animals. More specifically, the invention relates to an animal retention system comprising one or more rotatable endless belts on which animals are kept

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Animals need to be kept on a suitable surface that is continuously cleaned. Bedding material can be continuously strewn over the reclining areas. Some animals require such material to be strewn continuously to give them opportunity for normal behaviour as regards their instinct to root or scratch, for instance. The tending measures for feeding, strewing bedding, cleaning, etc. are traditionally extremely laborious. As animal production becomes increasingly rationalised, ways have been sought to fully or partially automate this tending.

[0006] Applicants’ earlier patents SE508770C2 and SE525995C2 disclose animal boxes including an endless belt / conveyor that defines a support surface for the animals, and wherein cleaning of the floor is automated by means of rotation of the endless belt This enables animal droppings to be continuously or intermittently removed and bedding can be fed forwards. As disclosed in SE525995C2, the endless belt runs between two parallel (supporting) beams, and immediately under the conveyor there is a fixed supporting floor, and drive devices are arranged at both lateral sides of the endless belt.

[0007] One problem with prior art animal boxes such as disclosed in SE525995C2 is that a space is needed between adjacent animal boxes to allow maintenance of the drive devices and the endless belts (removing worn-out endless belts and threading the new belt onto the driver rollers and supporting floor).

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] An object of the invention is to provide an improved animal retention system which is more space efficient and / or which allows simplified maintenance.

[0010] These and other objects are achieved by the present invention by means of an animal retention system according to the independent claim. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an animal retention system comprising at least one endless belt, a sub floor for a respective endless belt and a supporting structure. The supporting structure is configured to support the sub floor(s). The at least one endless belt is rotatable in a longitudinal direction around at least one roller, wherein an animal retention area is formed on / defined by a respective upper surface of the endless belt. The sub floor is arranged to carry a weight of animal(s) standing on the upper surface of the corresponding endless belt. At least one, or preferably each, of the sub floors may be supported by the supporting structure or supporting beams solely near or at the opposite lateral ends of the at least one sub floor.

[0011] The sub floor may be described as having a lateral width being greater than the lateral width of the endless belt Thus, at least one, or preferably each, of the sub floors may be supported by the supporting structure or supporting beams solely at lateral positions outside the lateral extension of the lateral width of the endless belt.

[0012] In embodiments, the supporting structure comprises a plurality of supporting beams. In such embodiments, the supporting beams are advantageously arranged such that a supporting beam extends in parallel with the longitudinal direction at both lateral sides of each endless belt. The supporting beams are configured to support the sub floor(s). The supporting beams may be described as spaced apart a greater distance than the lateral width of the endless belt

[0013] In other embodiments, the supporting structure may comprise longitudinal supporting structure portions. The supporting structure, or at least the longitudinal supporting structure portions thereof, may be formed for example by moulding / casting and / or by bricks. The supporting structure may be formed on a floor (or the ground) on which the animal retention system is placed. The longitudinal supporting structure portions may be described as elongated, i.e. substantially longer (as seen in the longitudinal direction) than wide (as seen in the lateral direction), and may thus correspond in function and shape to the above-described supporting beams. The longitudinal supporting structure portions are advantageously arranged such that a longitudinal supporting structure portion extends in parallel with the longitudinal direction at both lateral sides of each endless belt. The longitudinal supporting structure portions are configured to support the sub floor(s). The longitudinal supporting structure portions may be described as spaced apart a greater distance than the lateral width of the endless belt

[0014] The supporting structure or beams may also be configured to support one or more of the at least one roller. Alternatively, the at least one roller may be supported by the sub floor. In other words, an animal retention system, which may also be referred to as an animal / livestock keeping system or installation, for restricting the freedom of movement of animals kept therein is provided. The system comprises at least one endless belt (which may also be referred to as a conveyor belt), a sub floor (which may also be referred to as a supporting floor) for each endless belt and a supporting structure which may comprise a plurality of (at least two) supporting beams (or a plurality of longitudinal supporting structure portions). One or more, or each, endless belt is rotatable in a longitudinal direction around at least one roller (such as two rollers). A roller in this context may also be referred to as a drum, i.e. a substantially cylindrical member. One or more of the rollers may act as a drive roller in the sense that it is rotatably driven by a driving arrangement such as to drive rotational movement of the endless belt Alternatively, the drive roller may co-act with a driving arrangement to drive rotational movement of the endless belt. The endless belt may be intermittently or continuously rotatable by the driving arrangement, which may comprise a drive cylinder (pneumatic, hydraulic cylinder or the like) and / or an electric motor. The animal retention area may be formed on the upper surface of the endless belt in the sense that it is defined (longitudinally and laterally limited) by wall or fencing elements restricting the movement of the animals. The sub floor is arranged immediately under the animal retention area (i.e. at least partly within or through the loop formed by the endless belt) to carry a weight of animal(s) standing on the upper surface of the endless belt. The endless belt may thus be described as being rotatable also around the sub floor. At both lateral sides of each endless belt, a supporting beam (or a longitudinal supporting structure portion) maybe arranged (in parallel with the longitudinal direction). At least one, or each, sub floor may be supported by the supporting structure or supporting beams solely at or near opposite lateral ends of the sub floor. Thus, at least one of the sub floors is self-supporting in the sense that there are no other transverse beams or the like between the supporting beams (or longitudinal supporting structure portions) which support sub floor. The endless belt may be described as extending solely around the roller(s) and the sub floor (i.e. not around the supporting structure). The at least one of the sub floors may be releasably connected to the supporting beams (or longitudinal supporting structure portions) or may be supported by being placed on top of, or on supporting portion(s) of, the support beams (or longitudinal supporting structure portions), such as to allow convenient removal of the sub floor(s).

[0015] It is understood that lateral direction refers to a sideways direction in relation to the endless belt, i.e. a direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The invention is based on the insight that by forming the sub floors as separate elements being removable from the supporting structure / beams, rather than being fixedly attached thereto / forming part thereof as in the prior art, convenient replacement of the endless belt is possible, even when several animal retention areas formed by respective endless belts are arranged immediately adjacent to each other.

[0016] The endless belt may be replaced by first de-tensioning the (old) endless belt, whereafter the sub floor is removed, for example by withdrawing the sub floor laterally out from the endless belt. Thereafter, a replacement / new endless belt can be placed in position and the sub floor can be laterally slid into the endless belt and placed into position supported by the supporting beams (or longitudinal supporting structure portions). De-tensioning the endless belt can for example be achieved by disconnecting one or more of the rollers from where they are supported. In embodiments comprising adjacent animal retention areas, the sub floor, prior to being withdrawn, first needs to be lifted sufficiently high such that the sub floor is above the upper surface of the adjacent endless belts. This means that the endless belt can be replaced without requiring any lateral space between the supporting beams (or longitudinal supporting structure portions) of the adjacent endless belts. Sub floors being separate from the supporting structure / beams further results in a modular system which makes installation / assembling and disassembling more convenient

[0017] In embodiments, the at least one roller may be supported by the supporting beams, the sub floor (or standing / vertical beams / pillars described below). The at least one roller is advantageously releasably connected to the supporting beams, the sub floor (or the standing beams / pillars described below) such as to allow convenient removal of the at least roller when replacing the corresponding endless belt (as described above).

[0018] In embodiments, at least one of the sub floors is formed by at least two longitudinally adjacent sub floor sections, said at least two sub floor sections being self-supporting by means of being supported solely by the supporting structure or beams at or near the opposite lateral ends of the sub floor sections. This is advantageous since a sub floor formed by sub floor sections is easier to lift / remove from the supporting structure or beams, for example when replacing the endless belt Furthermore, the sub floor sections make installation / assembling and disassembling more convenient One or both of the sub floor sections at the longitudinal end(s) of the sub floor may be arranged to support a roller, i.e. at least one roller is rotationally connected / supported by a sub floor section. This allows the endless belt to be de-tensioned by lifting / displacing a sub floor section supporting a roller. In embodiments, the system comprises at least two endless belts, wherein at least one pair of the endless belts are arranged adjacent each other. A common supporting beam (or longitudinal supporting structure portion) of said plurality of supporting beams (or longitudinal supporting structure portions) may be arranged between said pair of endless belts. The sub floors of the at least one pair of endless belts may be supported at / near one of the respective lateral ends by said common supporting beam (or longitudinal supporting structure portion). A common supporting beam (or longitudinal supporting structure portion) for two adjacent endless belts is advantageous not only since material costs are reduced but also since an even more space efficient system is achieved (only one supporting beam or longitudinal supporting structure portion separates the two adjacent endless belts laterally).

[0019] In embodiments, the animal retention system further comprises supporting feet for elevating the supporting beams above a ground surface on which the animal retention system is arranged, the supporting feet being connected to, or forming part of, the supporting beams. Elevating the supporting beams above the ground surface is advantageous since it allows the ground to be conveniently cleaned. Elevating the supporting beams above the ground surface is also advantageous since the supporting beams can be made from a non-water resilient material such as wood. The supporting feet may be formed as part of standing beams, which may be substantially vertically arranged, which standing beams also extend (vertically) above the supporting beams and the upper surface of the endless belt(s), and to which standing beams wall elements or fence elements are connected / connectable such as to form animal retention box(es). The supporting feet or standing beams may be provided with height adjustment means, such as height-adjustable feet portions. This is advantageous since it allows the supporting beams to be adjusted into level even if the system is installed on an uneven, non-plane, or nonlevel ground surface. It is understood that standing beams in this context refers to elongated elements standing up, preferably substantially vertically, which may also be referred to as pillars or columns.

[0020] In embodiments, the system further comprises at least one side wall element extending in parallel with the longitudinal direction and at a lateral side of an endless belt. In embodiments, at least one, or each, supporting beam (or longitudinal supporting structure portion) is provided with at least one substantially vertically oriented side wall element arranged at least partly vertically above and in parallel with said supporting beam (or longitudinal supporting structure portion) such as to form at least part of side wall for an adjacent animal retention area. One or more, or each, supporting beam may be provided with two or more longitudinally adjacent wall elements which are advantageously of the same size to form a modular system. The wall elements may be supported / attached to the above-described standing beams / pillars. At least one side wall element may be provided with a food trough portion to improve space-efficiency and reduce costs.

[0021] In embodiments, at least one side wall element forms a common side wall for two animal retention areas of adjacent endless belts. In embodiments, at least one of the above-described common supporting beams is provided with the above-described at least one side wall element such as to form a common side wall for animal retention areas of adjacent endless belts. A space- and cost-efficient system is thereby achieved. One or more of the side wall elements forming the common side wall is advantageously provided with the above-described food trough portion.

[0022] In embodiments, at least one, or each, side wall element is provided with at least one sealing part extending along its longitudinal extension at a bottom portion of said side wall element such as to seal against the upper surface of an endless belt In other words, the side wall element is provided with one or more sealing parts at a bottom end thereof which extend in parallel with the longitudinal direction which sealing parts are in abutment with the upper surface of the endless belt such as to seal against said upper surface. The at least one pair of the endless belts may be provided with at least one side wall element which may be provided with at two sealing parts arranged in parallel at a lateral distance from each other such as to seal against upper surfaces of two adjacent endless belts (adjacent to the common supporting beam or longitudinal supporting structure portion, if present). Such embodiments comprising sealing part(s) are advantageous since they prevent manure and straw from leaving the endless belt laterally.

[0023] In embodiments, one or more of the supporting beams (or longitudinal supporting structure portions) is provided with at least one bridging member arranged at least partly vertically above and in parallel with the supporting beam (or longitudinal supporting structure portion) such as to form a bridging area connecting an animal retention area adjacent the supporting beam (or longitudinal supporting structure portion) with an adjacent floor area. One or more common supporting beam (or longitudinal supporting structure portion) of the at least one pair of the endless belts may be provided with said bridging member such as to form a bridging area connecting animal retention areas of the pair of endless belts adjacent the common supporting beam (or longitudinal supporting structure portion), thereby forming one larger animal retention area. Thus, the bridging member is used to connect an animal retention area with an adjacent floor area (for example a concrete area adjacent the animal retention system), or if the bridging member is provided onto a common supporting beam (or longitudinal supporting structure portion), for connecting two animal retention areas. In a corresponding manner as described above with reference to the wall elements, two or more bridging members may be arranged longitudinally adjacent each other and may be of modular configuration.

[0024] In embodiments, one or more bridging member is provided with at least one sealing part extending along its longitudinal extension at a bottom portion of said side wall element such as to seal against at least one upper surface of at least one endless belt adjacent the supporting beam (or longitudinal supporting structure portion). The one or more bridging member may be provided with at two sealing parts arranged in parallel at a (lateral) distance from each other such as to seal against upper surfaces of two adjacent endless belts (adjacent to the common supporting beam / longitudinal supporting structure portion).

[0025] In embodiments the at least one sub floor is provided with ridge portions along both lateral edges to extend in parallel with said longitudinal direction, said ridge portions protruding vertically upwards towards an inner surface of the endless belt. The ridge portions may have a substantially triangular cross sections, thus forming "wedges”. The above-described at least one sealing part of the wall element(s) or bridging member(s) is / are arranged laterally interior to the ridge portion of an adjacent sub floor such as to press the endless belt towards the sub floor while a lateral edge / side of the endless belt is deflected upwards. This is advantageous since the upwardly deflected or bent lateral edge / side of the endless belt prevents liquid from leaving the animal retention area laterally.

[0026] In embodiments, the system comprises at least one driving arrangement connected to one or more of the at least one roller for driving rotation of the endless belt, wherein the driving arrangement is arranged at a front side of the animal retention area as seen in the longitudinal direction. By placing the driving arrangement at a front side rather than at a lateral side (as in the prior art), less space is needed between two adjacent endless belts / animal retention areas. Furthermore, maintenance of the driving arrangement is greatly simplified. In embodiments where the animal retention area is limited or defined by wall elements or fence elements, the driving arrangement is arranged outside the wall / fence elements at a front side of the animal retention area. The driving arrangement may comprise a drive member and motion transmission member, wherein the drive member is arranged to execute a reciprocating motion, and the motion transmission member in the motion of the drive member is arranged to impart the (drive) roller a rotary motion in such as to impart the endless belt a rotation in the longitudinal direction. The drive member may be a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor. In embodiments, at least one sub floor is provided with heating and / or cooling means. The heating and / or cooling means may be provided at (respective) portions of the at least one sub floor, i.e. not necessarily at the whole sub floor. Heating and / or cooling means may be advantageous since this allows the environment (temperature) for the animals may be optimized. Heating means may also be advantageous since it may reduce (or even eliminate) the need for heating in the animal retention facility (barn for example) where the animal retention system is placed, i.e. the heating means not only provides a surface temperature on the endless belt adapted to the animals, but also provides heating for the animal retention facility as a whole. In embodiments where at least one of the sub floors is formed by at least two longitudinally adjacent sub floor sections, at least one, at least two, or each, sub floor section may be provided with heating and / or cooling means. In embodiments where at least one of the sub floors is formed by at least two longitudinally adjacent sub floor sections, at least two sub floor sections may be provided with said heating and / or cooling means with connecting means configured to interconnect heating and / or cooling means of adjacent sub floor sections.

[0027] The heating and / or cooling means may comprise conduits for conducting a fluid to heat or cool the at least one sub floor. Heated and / or cooled fluid may for example be provided to such conduits from a heating and / or cooling apparatus such as solar panel (s), geothermal energy system(s) or air-to-air heatpump(s). In embodiments, heated and cooled fluid may be provided from one and the same heating and / or cooling apparatus, e.g. surplus heat from a cooling apparatus may be used to provide heated fluid to an embodiment requiring heating and cooling, i.e. having at least one conduit for heated fluid and at least one conduit for cooled fluid. Alternatively, the heating and / or cooling means may be electrically powered.

[0028] The heating and / or cooling means may be disposed at an upper portion (at or beneath the upper surface) of the at least one sub floor or sub floor section such as to facilitate heat transfer to the endless belt Alternatively, or additionally, the at least one sub floor or sub floor section may be provided with heating means at a bottom portion thereof such as to heat the portion of the endless belt currently beneath the sub floor for drying thereof. This may be advantageous in humid climates where the endless belt needs drying.

[0029] In embodiments, the at least one sub floor may be provided with at least two zones comprising at least one heating zone and / or at least one cooling zone and / or at least one passive zone (without heating or cooling). The zones may each be formed by one or more sub floor sections or by one or more portions of sub floor section(s). Zones are advantageous since it allows the system to be adapted to animals of different sizes having different temperature requirements. For example, a sow with piglets being in the same animal retention area typically have different requirements for optimal health - the sow may require cooling whereas the piglets may require heating. This can be achieved with one or more heating zones and one or more cooling zones, which may be formed by respective sub floor sections.

[0030] According to second aspect of the invention, there is provided an animal retention system comprising at least one endless belt, a sub floor for a respective endless belt and a supporting structure. The supporting structure is configured to support the sub floor(s). The at least one endless belt is rotatable in a longitudinal direction around at least one roller, wherein an animal retention area is formed on / defined by a respective upper surface of the endless belt The sub floor is arranged to carry a weight of animal(s) standing on the upper surface of the corresponding endless belt At least one, or preferably each, of the sub floors may be supported by the supporting structure or supporting beams. All features and advantages of embodiments described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention may be applied in corresponding embodiments of the second aspect of the invention.

[0031] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for replacing an endless belt in an animal retention system according to any of the preceding claims. The method comprises:

[0032] De-tensioning the endless belt;

[0033] Withdrawing the sub floor from the endless belt, for example in a substantially lateral / sideways direction

[0034] Removing the endless belt (from its position / from the animal retention system); Providing a replacement endless belt (which may be a new endless belt);

[0035] Sliding the sub floor into the new endless belt, and Placing the sub floor (with the thereto fitted endless belt) into a position supported by the supporting structure / beams.

[0036] The providing step advantageously comprises placing the replacement endless belt it into its desired / final lateral position (between the supporting beams or longitudinal supporting structure portions as seen in the lateral direction). In such embodiments, the sliding and placing steps may be carried out simultaneously.

[0037] De-tensioning the endless belt can for example be achieved by disconnecting one or more of the rollers from where they are supported, or if a roller is supported by / fitted to a sub floor section, lifting the longitudinal end of the sub floor section not supporting the roller upwards and above the longitudinally adjacent sub floor section such that the sub floor section and the roller are displaced longitudinally, whereby the endless belt is de-tensioned.

[0038] In embodiments comprising adjacent animal retention areas / endless belts, the method may further comprise, prior to said withdrawing, lifting the sub floor sufficiently high such that the sub floor (and the endless belt) is above the upper surface of the adjacent endless belts (to allow lateral displacement / withdrawal of the sub floor). In such embodiments, said placing comprises lowering the sub floor into a position supported by the supporting beams (or longitudinal supporting structure portions).

[0039] In embodiments, where one or more rollers is / are not supported by the sub floor, the roller(s) also need to be withdrawn from and slid into the endless belt (and optionally lifted / lowered) in a corresponding manner as the sub floor.

[0040] In embodiments where the sub floor and one or more rollers are arranged longitudinally adjacent each other, or connected to each other, the sub floor and the roller(s) can be withdrawn from, and slid into, the endless belt simultaneously. Alternatively, one or more rollers can be slid / fitted into the endless belt after the sub floor has been slid / fitted into the sub floor.

[0041] In embodiments, the method comprises, after said placing, tensioning the replacement endless belt. In embodiments where one or more rollers are connected to / supported by the sub floor, the tensioning may be considered part of the sliding or placing step.

[0042] The features of the embodiments described above are combinable in any practically realizable way to form embodiments having combinations of these features.

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Above discussed and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail using the appended drawings, wherein: fig. la shows a side view schematic illustration of a prior art animal retention system; fig. lb shows a top view schematic illustration of the animal retention system in fig. la; fig. 2a shows a side view schematic illustration of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention; fig. 2b shows a top view schematic illustration of the animal retention system in fig. 2a; fig. 3 a shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention; fig. 3b shows a (non-exploded) perspective view of the embodiment in fig. 3 a; fig. 4 shows a partial side view illustration of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention; fig. 5 shows a cross section view (taken in a lateral / vertical plane) of parts of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention; fig. 6 shows a cross section view (taken in a lateral / vertical plane) of parts of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention; fig. 7 shows a cross section view (taken in a lateral / vertical plane) of parts of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention; fig. 8 shows a side view schematic illustration of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention; fig. 9a shows a sub floor section of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention, the sub floor section being provided with heating and / or cooling conduits, and fig. 9b shows a sub floor section of another embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention, the sub floor section being provided with electrical heating means.

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Fig. la shows a side view schematic illustration of a prior art animal retention system. Fig. lb shows a top view schematic illustration of the animal retention system in fig. la. The system comprises an endless belt 1 and a sub floor 2 which is arranged in / through the endless belt to carry a weight of animal (s) standing on the upper surface of the endless belt. The sub floor comprises two longitudinal beams 2a-b and transverse beams 2d-g fixedly attached to beams 2a- b, the beams supporting an upper surface 2h beneath the endless belt The sub floor is thus formed as one unit. As can be seen in fig. la, rollers 3a-b are rotatably connected to, and supported by, the longitudinal beams 2a-b of the sub floor. At least one of the rollers is driven by a driving arrangement (not shown here) to rotate the endless belt. The sub floor (and consequently the rollers and the endless belt) are supported by vertical pillars / legs 4a-d. The endless belt 1 is rotatable around the rollers 3a, 3b, wherein an animal retention area is formed on the upper surface la of the endless belt 1. The animal retention area is limited by wall elements 5a-d.

[0047] Fig. 2a shows a side view schematic illustration of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention. Fig. 2b shows a top view schematic illustration of the animal retention system in fig. 2a. The animal retention system comprises at least one endless belt 11, a sub floor 12a-b for the endless belt and supporting beams 16a-b. The endless belt is rotatable in a longitudinal direction LD around rollers 13a and 13b. An animal retention area is formed on the upper surface 11a of the endless belt 11. The sub floor 12a-b is arranged to carry a weight of animal(s) standing on the upper surface 11a of the endless belt. The supporting beams 16a-b are arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction at either lateral side of the endless belt 11. The rollers 13a-b are rotatably connected to, and supported by, the vertical pillars 14a-d. The vertical pillars 14a-d also support the supporting beams 16a-b and act as supporting feet for elevating the supporting beams above the ground surface on which the animal retention system is arranged.

[0048] The animal retention area is limited by wall elements in a corresponding manner as in fig. la-b (see wall element 15a in fig. 2a but note that the wall elements are omitted in fig. 2b for clarity). The supporting beams are configured to support the sub floor by means of the sub floor sections 12a and 12b resting with their respective lateral ends on the supporting beams 16a-b. Thus, the sub floor sections are supported solely by the supporting beams and may thus be described as self-supporting and are thus removable. This stands in sharp contrast with the prior art system in fig. la-b where the sub floor is fixed and forms an integral part of the structure which means that replacing the endless belt requires the (new) belt to be fitted onto the sub floor and the rollers from a lateral side, thus requiring lateral space between two adjacently placed systems as shown in fig. la-b.

[0049] Fig. 3a shows an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention. Fig. 3b shows a (non-exploded) perspective view of the embodiment in fig. 3a. The animal retention system comprises three parallel and adjacent endless belts forming three animal boxes 20a-c. Figurer references is provided only for animal box 20c, but it is understood that animal boxes 20a and 20b are provided with corresponding parts. A sub floor 22a-d is provided for endless belt 21 and supporting beams (only one supporting beam 26 can be seen in the figure). The endless belt 21 is rotatable in a longitudinal direction LD around rollers 23a and 23b. An animal retention area is formed on the upper surface 21a of the endless belt 21. The sub floor 22a-d is arranged to carry a weight of animal(s) standing on the upper surface 21a of the endless belt. The supporting beams are arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction at either lateral side of the endless belt 21. Vertical pillars 24a-f support the supporting beams 16a-b and act as supporting feet for elevating the supporting beams above the ground surface on which the animal retention system is arranged. The supporting beam to the left of the endless belt 21 (not seen in fig. 3a-b) forms a common supporting beam for boxes 20b, 20c and not only supports sub floor sections 22a-d of box 20c, but also corresponding sub floor sections of the adjacent box 20b. The rollers 23a-b are rotatably connected to, and supported by, the vertical pillars 24a, d and 24c, f.

[0050] The animal retention area formed on the upper surface 21a of belt 21 is limited by wall elements 25a’, 25a”, 25b’, 25b”, 25c and 25d. As can be seen in the figures, the side wall elements are each formed by two longitudinally adjacent wall element portions 25a’, 25a” and 25b’, 25b”. The wall elements are supported / attached to the above-described vertically arranged pillars 24a-f. The side wall elements are provided with food trough portions (28 for example). The side wall 25b’, 25b” forms a common side wall for boxes 20b and 20c and is arranged above and in a parallel with the common supporting beam.

[0051] The system also comprises driving arrangements arranged at a front side of the animal retention areas as seen in the longitudinal direction LD (outside the wall elements). In animal box 20c, driving arrangement 27 is arranged at a lateral sides of the endless belt 21 and is connected to roller 23a to rotate the roller 23a and thus belt 21 in the longitudinal direction LD. The driving arrangement comprises a pneumatic cylinder arranged to execute a reciprocating motion, and a motion transmission member is arranged to impart the roller 23a a rotary motion. The detailed explanation of the driving arrangement in fig. 4 also applies also to the driving arrangement in fig. 3a-b.

[0052] Fig. 4 shows a partial side view illustration of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention, where a more detailed view of a driving arrangement 37 is provided. The driving arrangement comprised a pneumatic cylinder 38 which is attached at its upper end to a vertical pillar 34 and at its other end to arm 39 fitted on axle journal 39a to the drive roller 33.

[0053] The driving arrangement operates in a similar manner as in applicant’s earlier patent SE525995C2, with the main difference being thatthe cylinder is arranged upwardly (not horizontally as in SE525995C2) which means that it can be fitted ata front of the animal retention area, as shown in fig. 3a-b. The driving arrangement operates as follows: when the pneumatic cylinder is withdrawn / decompressed, the upper end of arm 39 will be pulled to the right / upwards in the figure such that the arm initially will be rotated clockwise around the axle journal 39a. During this initial rotation, the rod 39a, which in the figure abuts against the endless belt 31, will be released from the abutment against the belt. The initial rotation is stopped shortly afterwards by the fact that the arm 39 has been rotated to abutment against the carrier member 39b. When the pneumatic cylinder continues to pull the upper end of the arm 39 to the right / upwards, the connection of the arm with the drive roller 33 via the axle journal 39a and the carrier member 39b means that the drive roller is rotated clockwise. The friction between the drive roller 33 and the belt 31 is, in that connection, not sufficient in order to transmit motion to the belt 33, which consequently is at rest during this phase.

[0054] When supply of compressed air is provided to cylinder 38, it pushes the upper end of the arm 39 downwards / to the left in the figure. Initially the arm 39 will rotate around the axle journal 39a counterclockwise and leaves abutment against the carrier member 39b. Shortly afterwards, the rod 39c has been rotated to abutment against the belt 33 and continued rotation around the axle journal 39a is prevented. Continued displacement of the upper end of the arm 39 downwards / to the left means that the arm 39 rotates the drive roller 33 counterclockwise via the axle journal 39a and the abutment of the rod 39c against the belt 1. The rod 39c will be pressed by large force against the belt 31 so that the belt is pressed between the rod 39c and the drum 33. When the drive roller 33 rotates in this phase, therefore also the belt will rotate in the conveying direction (the longitudinal direction LD). Thus, the endless belt will rotate intermittently. The rotary motion is relatively limited, normally less than 30 degrees.

[0055] Fig. 4 shows the driving arrangement with the pneumatic cylinder in its fully retracted position, i.e. after the above-described rotation has taken place.

[0056] Fig. 5 shows a cross section view (taken in a lateral / vertical plane) of parts of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention. The system is similar to that in fig. 3a-b in that it comprises a common supporting beam 46 which supports sub floors 42a, 42b of adjacent endless belts 41a, 41b and a common side wall element 45 with trough portion. Fig. 5 provides further detail in that the side wall element 45 is provided with sealing part 45 a, 45b extending along its longitudinal extension at bottom portions of the side wall element such as to seal against the upper surfaces of endless belts 41a, 41b. Furthermore, the sub floors 42 a, 42b are provided with ridge portions 42a’ 42b’ along both lateral edges to extend in parallel with said longitudinal direction, said ridge portions protruding vertically upwards towards an inner surface of the respective endless belt 41a, 41b. The ridge portions have substantially triangular cross sections, thus forming "wedges”. The sealing parts 45a, 45b of the wall element are arranged laterally interior to the ridge portions such that lateral edges / sides 41a’, 41b’ of the endless belts are deflected upwards.

[0057] Fig. 6 shows a cross section view (taken in a lateral / vertical plane) of parts of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention. This embodiment corresponds to the embodiment in fig. 5 except that the wall element 45 is replaced by a bridging member 55 arranged above in parallel with the supporting beam (and optionally connected / attached thereto) such as to form a bridging area connecting animal retention areas of the adjacent endless belts such as to form one larger animal retention area. Sealing elements 55a, 55b of the bridging member co-act with ridge portions in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 5.

[0058] Fig. 7 shows a cross section view (taken in a lateral / vertical plane) of parts of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention. This embodiment corresponds to the embodiment in fig. 6 except that the bridging member 65 connects the animal retention area of endless belt 61 with an adjacent surface 610. Sealing element 65a of the bridging member coacts with a ridge portion of the sub floor 62 in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 5.

[0059] It is noted that only portions of the sub floor(s) and endless belts are shown in fig. 5-7. It is understood that the sub floor (s) is / are supported at their opposite ends by supporting beams in a corresponding manner as in fig. 3a-b.

[0060] Fig. 8 shows a side view schematic illustration of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment in fig. 2a-b in that it comprises at least one endless belt 71, sub floor sections 72a-b for the endless belt, and rollers rotatably connected to, and supported by, vertical pillars 74a-b. Unlike the embodiment in fig. 2a-b, this embodiment comprises elongated longitudinal supporting structure portions (76a for example) formed as casted / bricked structures directly on the ground (rather than supporting beams 16a-b as in fig. 2a). The longitudinal supporting structure portions may be part of a common casted / bricked supporting structure, or may be individual casted / bricked elements.

[0061] The elongated longitudinal supporting structure portions (76a for example) are arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction at both lateral sides of the endless belt 71. The elongated longitudinal supporting structure portions support the sub floor sections by means of the sub floor sections 12a and 12b resting with their respective lateral ends on the elongated longitudinal supporting structure portions. In a corresponding manner as in fig. 2a-b, the sub floor sections are supported solely by the elongated longitudinal supporting structure portions. A top view of the embodiment in fig. 8 would be practically identical to fig. 2b (with the longitudinal supporting structure portions being elongated with a corresponding width as the supporting beams in fig. 2b). The embodiment in fig. 8 furthermore comprises a scraper 711 of flexible material configured to scrape off material (such as animal dung) from the surface of the endless belt 71 as it rotates in direction LD. The scraper (and the endless belt) may be of the type described in applicants previous patent application WO2018052358 (which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). The embodiments in fig. 1-7 may advantageously also comprise such a scraper.

[0062] In a variation of the embodiment in fig. 3a-b, the supporting beams (26 for example) may be replaced with a supporting structure comprising longitudinal supporting structure portions as shown in fig. 8.

[0063] Fig. 9a shows a sub floor section 82 of an embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention, the sub floor section being provided with a plurality of parallel heating and / or cooling conduits (83 for example). Each conduit 83 is formed with flanges (83’ for example) at both lateral ends to allow conduits of adjacent sub floor sections to be fluidically interconnected. The sub floor sections are advantageously casted for example from a plastic material with the conduits formed during casting. Alternatively, the sub floor sections may be formed as a sandwich construction with the conduits being formed between an upper and a lower sub floor portion. Alternatively, the conduits may be formed by hoses and / or pipes (if the sub floor sections are made from for example wood). A source of cooled or heated fluid (which may be part of the system) may be connected to the conduits for cooling or heating of the floor sections.

[0064] Fig. 9b shows a sub floor section 92 of another embodiment of the animal retention system according to the invention, the sub floor section being provided with electrical heating means in the form of a heating cable 93 close to the upper surface of the sub floor section (which may also be referred to a heating mat as used for conventional floor heating). The heating cables are provided with electrical connections 93’, 93” at both lateral ends to heating cables of adjacent sub floor sections to be electrically interconnected.

[0065] The sub floor sections shown in fig. 9a-b (or features thereof) may be used / applied in any of the embodiments shown in fig. 1-8.

[0066] The sub floor sections and the supporting beams in the embodiments described above can be constructed from any suitable material such as wood, metal or plastic materials. Endless belts suitable for the animal retention are known from applicant’s previous patents, and suitable materials include HDPE. It is understood that the term "vertical” used above is to be interpreted as upwards, such as substantially perpendicular, in relation to the ground surface on which the animal retention system is placed.

[0067] The description above and the appended drawings are to be considered as non-limiting examples of the invention. The person skilled in the art realizes that several changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, if the sub floor is formed from sub floor sections, the number of sections can be varied. Furthermore, different types of driving arrangements can be used, such as electric motors.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An animal retention system comprising:At least one endless belt (11; 21; 31; 41a-b) being rotatable in a longitudinal direction (LD) around at least one roller (13a-b; 23a-b; 33), wherein an animal retention area is formed on an upper surface (21a) of the endless belt;A sub floor (12a-b; 22a-b; 42a-b) for each endless belt arranged to carry a weight of an animal standing on said upper surface of the endless belt;A supporting structure (16a-b; 26; 46) configured to support the sub floor, wherein at least one of the sub floors is supported by the supporting structure solely at opposite lateral ends of the at least one sub floor.

2. Animal retention system according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure comprises a plurality of supporting beams (16a-b; 26; 46) arranged such that a supporting beam extends in parallel with the longitudinal direction at both lateral sides of each endless belt (11; 21; 31; 41a-b), said supporting beams being configured to support the sub floor (12a-b; 22a-b; 42a-b), wherein at least one of the sub floors is supported by the supporting beams solely at opposite lateral ends of the at least one sub floor.

3. Animal retention system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one of the sub floors (12a-b; 22a-b; 42a-b) is formed by at least two longitudinally adjacent sub floor sections, said at least two sub floor sections being supported solely at the opposite lateral ends of the sub floor sections.

4. Animal retention system according to claim 2 or claim 3 as dependent on claim 2, wherein the system comprises at least two endless belts (41a-b), wherein at least one pair of the endless belts are arranged adjacent each other with a common supporting beam (46) of said plurality of supporting beams therebetween, wherein the sub floors (42a-b) of the at least one pair of endless belts are supported by said common supporting beam.

5. Animal retention system according to claim 2 or any of claims 3-4 as dependent on claim 2, further comprising supporting feet (14a-d; 24a-f) for elevating the supporting beams (16a-b; 26) above a ground surface on which the animal retention system is arranged, the supporting feet being connected to, or forming part of, the supporting beams.

6. Animal retention system according to claim 2 or any of claims 3-5 as dependent on claim 2, wherein at least one supporting beam (16a-b; 26; 46) is provided with at least one side wall element (15a; 25a’-a”; 45) arranged at least partly above and in parallel with said supporting beam such as to form at least part of side wall for an adjacent animal retention area.

7. Animal retention system according to claim 6 as dependent on claim 4, wherein said common supporting beam (46) is provided with said at least one side wall element (45) such as to form a common side wall for animal retention areas of adjacent endless belts (41a-b).

8. Animal retention system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one side wall element (25a’-a”) is provided with a food trough portion (28).

9. Animal retention system according to any of claims 6-8, wherein at least one side wall element (45) is provided with at least one sealing part (45a-b) extending along its longitudinal extension at a bottom portion of said side wall element such as to seal against the upper surface of an endless belt (41a-b).

10. Animal retention system according to claim 2 or any of claims 3-9 as dependent on claim 2, wherein one or more of the supporting beams is provided with at least one bridging member (55) arranged at least partly above and in parallel with the supporting beam such as to form a bridging area connecting an animal retention area adjacent the supporting beam with an adjacent floor area.

11. Animal retention system according to claim 9 as dependent on claim 4, wherein one or more common supporting beam of the at least one pair of the endless belts is provided with said bridging member (55) such as to form a bridging area connecting animal retention areas of the pair of endless belts adjacent the common supporting beam.

12. Animal retention system according to claim 11, wherein one or more bridging member (55) is provided with at least one sealing part (55a-b) extending along its longitudinal extension at a bottom portion of said side bridging member such as to seal against at least one upper surface of at least one endless belt adjacent the supporting beam.

13. Animal retention system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one sub floor (42a-b) is provided with ridge portions (42a’-b’) along both lateral edges to extend in parallel with said longitudinal direction, said ridge portions protruding upwards towards an inner surface of the endless belt (41a-b).

14. Animal retention system according to claim 13 as dependent on claim 9 or 12, wherein said at least one sealing part (45a-b) is arranged laterally interior to the ridge portion of an adjacent sub floor.

15. Animal retention system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a driving arrangement (27; 37) connected to one or more of the at least one roller (23a;33) for driving rotation of the endless belt (21; 31), wherein said driving arrangement is arranged at a front side of the animal retention area as seen in the longitudinal direction (LD).

16. Animal retention system according to claim 15, wherein said driving arrangement (37) comprises a drive member (38) and motion transmission member (39), wherein the drive member is arranged to execute a reciprocating motion, and the motion transmission member in the motion of the drive member is arranged to impart the roller (33) a rotary motion in such as to impart the endless belt (31) an intermittent rotation in the longitudinal direction.

17. Animal retention system according to claim 1 or claim 3 as dependent on claim 1, wherein the supporting structure comprises a plurality of elongated longitudinal supporting structure portions (76a) arranged such that a longitudinal supporting structure portion extends in parallel with the longitudinal direction at both lateral sides of each endless belt (71), said longitudinal supporting structure portions (76a) being configured to support the sub floor, wherein at least one of the sub floors is supported by the supporting beams solely at opposite lateral ends of the at least one sub floor.

18. Animal retention system according to claim 17, wherein said supporting structure is formed at least partly by casting and / or by bricks.

19. Animal retention system according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the system comprises at least two endless belts, wherein at least one pair of the endless belts are arranged adjacent each other with a common supporting structure portion of said plurality ofsupporting structure portions therebetween, wherein the sub floors of the at least one pair of endless belts are supported by said common supporting structure portion.

20. Animal retention system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the at least one sub floor (82; 92) is provided with heating and / or cooling means (83; 93).

21. Animal retention system according to claim 20 as dependent on claim 3, wherein one or more of said sub floor sections are provided with said heating and / or cooling means (83; 93) with connecting means (83’; 93’) configured to interconnect heating and / or cooling means of adjacent sub floor sections (82; 92).

22. Animal retention system accordingto claim 20 or 21, where said one or more sub floor is provided with at least two zones comprising at least one heating zone provided with heating means and / or at least one cooling zone provided with cooling means.

23. Animal retention system accordingto any of claims 20-22, wherein said heating and / or cooling means comprises conduits (83) for conducting a fluid to heat or cool the at least one sub floor.

24. Animal retention system accordingto any of claims 20-22, wherein said heating and / or cooling means (93) is electrically powered.

25. Method for replacing an endless belt in an animal retention system according to any of the preceding claims, said method comprising:De-tensioning the endless belt;Withdrawing the sub floor and the at least one roller from the endless belt ;Removing the endless belt;Providing a replacement endless belt;Sliding the sub floor and the at least one roller into the replacement endless belt, and Placing the sub floor into a position supported by the supporting structure.

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