Cellulose fibre element, cellulose fibre element and system for cutting same
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2025/056018
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-06
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-05
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-02
AI Technical Summary
Conventional animal bedding materials like straw are uncomfortable, dusty, require frequent changing due to compaction, can be eaten by animals, and pose health risks, with alternatives like wood chips or peat having trade-offs in advantages and disadvantages.
A cellulose fiber element in the form of a helical strip with specific dimensions and shape, providing improved absorption, resistance to compaction, reduced dust, and enhanced animal comfort, which can be easily stored and produced at low cost, and is non-edible.
The cellulose fiber element offers optimal absorption, reduced dust, increased comfort, and ease of use, while being reusable and less prone to compaction, addressing the drawbacks of traditional bedding materials.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025056018_02102025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Description
[0002] Title of the invention:
[0003] ELEMENT MADE OF CELLULOSE FIBERS AND ZELLULOSEFASERELEMENT UND SYSTEM ZUM SCHNEIDEN DESSELBEN
[0004] [1] The invention relates to the technical field of elements composed mainly of cellulose fibers, more particularly to cellulose fiber elements used as animal bedding.
[0005] [2] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a device for producing such a cellulose fiber element, as well as a preferential use of said cellulose fiber element.
[0006] [3] The use of cellulose fiber elements as animal bedding is known, in particular glass wool, wood or even straw.
[0007] [4] Generally, and due to its practical use and ease of supply, straw is used as bedding for animals weighing more than 200 kilograms, such as equines or cattle.
[0008] [5] However, straw, used as bedding, can be uncomfortable for animals due to its dry and rough appearance, which can cause irritation to the animals' skin and therefore affect their well-being.
[0009] [6] In addition, conventional litter for large animals has a relatively low absorption rate, requiring regular changing.
[0010] [7] In addition, the weight of the animals will gradually compact the straw bedding, which requires regular changing of the latter, a heavy and tedious operation in terms of both human and financial costs.
[0011] [8] Similarly, conventional litter produces a significant amount of dust, which can again harm the animals' living conditions.
[0012] [9] Finally, straw is also an edible food for animals and therefore can be eaten by them, which can lead to health risks, such as colic or even obstructions of the animals' digestive systems and reduces the quantity of material usable as bedding.
[0013]
[0010] To address these issues, it is known to replace straw with wood chips, peat, flax or hemp fibers.
[0014]
[0011] However, the advantages and disadvantages of each of these alternatives require the user to make a trade-off between the associated advantages.
[0015]
[0012] The invention therefore falls within this context and seeks to meet all of the aforementioned needs while resolving all of the aforementioned drawbacks.
[0016]
[0013] Thus, the invention seeks to propose a cellulose fiber element having good absorption capacity, producing little or no dust and / or mold, not appetizing for animals, the storage and production of which are easy and inexpensive, all while providing improved comfort for the animals.
[0017]
[0014] Furthermore, the invention tends to propose a cellulose fiber element that can be recycled more easily.
[0018] Presentation of the invention
[0015] The subject of the invention is an element composed mainly of cellulose fibers, inexpensive, comfortable for animals and able to be reusable.
[0019]
[0016] To this end, an element composed of cellulose fibers in the form of a substantially helical strip has been developed according to the invention, said strip comprising a width ranging from 2 to 15 millimeters, a length between 10 and 100 centimeters and a thickness ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 millimeters.
[0020]
[0017] It is then understood, according to the invention, that the specific dimensions and the helical shape of the strip of cellulose fibers make it possible to create a particular volume having the property of good absorption, good resistance to compaction, while producing little or no dust.
[0021]
[0018] Similarly, it is understood that the length of the cellulose fiber element is the length of the helical shape and not the end-to-end stretched length of the cellulose fiber element according to the invention.
[0022]
[0019] In the same way, the fact that the strip of the invention comprises a larger volume than the simple cellulose fiber from the cellulose fiber body makes it possible to limit the quantity of material in order to obtain a litter having the desired properties.
[0023]
[0020] Furthermore, the fact that the cellulose fiber strip is in a helical shape allows for increased comfort for the animals. Indeed, the curvatures of the cellulose fiber strip make it possible to reduce the areas of snagging that may be present on other materials used as bedding.
[0024]
[0021] Thus, in the invention, the cellulose fiber element is used as an aggregate of a multitude of elements capable of forming a litter.
[0025]
[0022] Preferably, the cellulose fibers of the cellulose fiber element are fibers from all types of wood.
[0026]
[0023] Indeed, it is not excluded that the species of wood from which the cellulose fiber elements according to the invention will be derived come from different species chosen according to their intrinsic property of the species, such as for example the odor or the absorbent properties.
[0027]
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the elements according to the invention are composed mainly of cellulose fibers, more preferably exclusively of cellulose fibers.
[0028]
[0025] In a particular embodiment, the cellulose fiber elements comprise a width ranging from 2 to 9 millimeters, a length between 10 and 100 centimeters and a thickness ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 millimeters.
[0029]
[0026] In a particular embodiment, the cellulose fiber elements comprise a width ranging from 4 to 7 millimeters, a length between 20 and 100 centimeters and a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 0.7 millimeters.
[0030]
[0027] It is then understood that the different dimensions of the cellulose fiber element can be adjusted relative to each other without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0028] More preferably, the cellulose fiber elements comprise a width of
[0031] 8 millimeters, a length of 10 centimeters and a thickness of 0.65 millimeters in order to obtain the best compromise of all the criteria presented above.
[0032]
[0029] In a particular embodiment, the element composed of cellulose fibers comprises a volume of said dispersed element, 10 to 20 times greater than the volume of a cellulose fiber from a body of cellulose fibers.
[0033]
[0030] The terms "a volume of said dispersed element" mean the volume occupied by the element composed of cellulose fibers according to the invention, when the latter is dispersed, that is to say used as litter for example.
[0034]
[0031] Thus, such a volume allows optimal absorption while providing increased comfort for the animals.
[0035]
[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the dispersed volume of cellulose fiber strip element is 10 times greater than the volume of cellulose fiber from the cellulose fiber body.
[0036]
[0033] Preferably, the distance between two substantially similar points of the pitch of the pattern of the substantially helical strip is between 20 and 150 millimeters.
[0037]
[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the distance between two substantially similar points of the pitch of the pattern of the substantially helical strip is between 50 and 150 millimeters.
[0038]
[0035] More preferably, the pitch distance of the pattern is 140 millimeters in order to obtain spacings preventing the strip of cellulose fibers from rolling up on itself.
[0039]
[0036] Indeed, the formation of the helical element is uncontrolled during cutting, which causes irregular shapes in the patterns of the helical strip.
[0040]
[0037] In a particular embodiment, the cellulose fiber element comprises a humidity level of between 5 and 20%.
[0041]
[0038] Preferably, the cellulose fiber element comprises a humidity level of between 10 and 12%.
[0042]
[0039] More preferably, the humidity level of the strip of the cellulose fiber element is 11% in order to have the most optimal absorption rate.
[0043]
[0040] The invention also relates to a cutting system comprising at least two cutting devices, each fixed to a plate, the cutting devices each comprising at least two knives, a first comb-shaped knife and a second solid-shaped knife.
[0044]
[0041] It is understood that the first knife is arranged to cut a part of the body into cellulose fibers forming a notch that the second knife will come to cut this notch, so that the first and second knives form said elements composed of cellulose fibers.
[0045]
[0042] Preferably, the cutting devices comprise cutting teeth, comprising a beveled portion forming an angle of between 20° and 45° relative to a longitudinal vertical reference plane of the cutting tooth.
[0043] More preferably, the angle formed by the beveled portion of the cutting tooth is 33°.
[0046]
[0044] By the expression "an angle of between 20° and 45° relative to a longitudinal vertical reference plane of the cutting tooth" is meant that an imaginary plane passes through the body of the object vertically and along its length, when the object is in its normal operating position. This plane is perpendicular to the horizontal reference plane and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the object. It can be defined as the XZ plane in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. In other words, a plane passing vertically through the middle of the object in the direction of the object's length, dividing it into left and right parts or any other plane parallel to it.
[0047]
[0045] In a particular embodiment, the beveled portions of the cutting teeth of each of the cutting devices are oriented opposite each other.
[0048]
[0046] It is then understood that each pair of first and second knives are arranged to form cellulose fiber elements on both the forward and return movement of the vertical guidance system.
[0049]
[0047] Preferably, the cutting system comprises a system for adjusting the height of the cutting devices.
[0050]
[0048] In a preferred embodiment, each cutting device comprises a first knife, each first knife having, on its upper face, at least one clearance angle of between 1° and 6° relative to a horizontal reference plane, said clearance angle being oriented so as to move away from the cutting surface of the first knife towards the rear of said first knife.
[0051]
[0049] In the context of the present invention, the expression "top face" designates the surface or side of an element or component which is oriented upwards when said element or component is in its normal or intended operating position. More precisely, the top face corresponds to the vertically highest surface of said element or component, opposite its lower face, when the entire system is in its standard operating orientation. This top face may be flat, curved, or have reliefs, as long as its general position remains above the other faces of the element or component in question. The determination of the top face is independent of the possible presence of other elements or components located above it in the overall assembly of the system.
[0052]
[0050] Similarly, the expression "at least one clearance angle of between 1° and 6° relative to a horizontal reference plane" is intended to mean that the "horizontal reference plane" refers to an imaginary plane passing horizontally through the body of the object when the object is in its normal operating position. This plane is generally parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the direction of gravity. It can be defined as the XY plane in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. In other words, a plane passing horizontally through the middle of the cube, dividing the object into upper and lower parts, or any other plane parallel to it.
[0053]
[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the clearance angle of each first knife is between 2° and 4°, more preferably 3°.
[0054]
[0052] The invention also relates to a device for producing the element composed of cellulose fibers in the form of a substantially helical strip, according to the invention, said production device comprises at least one motor driving a hydraulic system, at least one system for vertical guidance of at least one body of cellulose fibers intended to be cut, slidably mounted on a horizontal guidance system in which the cutting system is arranged and at least one pusher system, mounted on the vertical guidance system, in which the hydraulic system is connected to the vertical guidance system, the hydraulic system is intended to carry out a horizontal movement arranged so as to move the vertical guidance system on the horizontal guidance system, and in which the cutting system is arranged so as to be stationary.
[0055]
[0053] Thus, it is understood that the cellulose fiber body intended to be cut in order to form the cellulose fiber elements according to the invention is placed in the vertical guide system and is pushed by the pusher system in order to be able to be cut by the cutting system arranged in the horizontal guide system.
[0056]
[0054] It is also understood that a back-and-forth movement of the hydraulic system makes it possible to obtain a complete movement of the vertical guidance system on the horizontal guidance system in order to cut a determined thickness of the cellulose fiber body.
[0057]
[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the vertical guidance system comprises a device for receiving at least one body made of cellulose fibers on which the at least one pusher system is arranged.
[0058]
[0056] More preferably, the guidance system is in the form of a substantially parallel wall and the receiving device is in the form of a cone comprising a throttle chute connected to the vertical guidance system.
[0059]
[0057] The invention also relates to a use of said element composed of cellulose fibers as animal bedding material.
[0060]
[0058] Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention are now described with the aid of examples which are purely illustrative and in no way limitative of the scope of the invention, and from the appended drawings, drawings in which the various figures represent:
[0061]
[0059] [Fig. 1] is a perspective representation of the element composed of cellulose fibers according to the invention.
[0062]
[0060] [Fig. 2] is a schematic representation seen from the front of the device for producing said cellulose fiber element.
[0063]
[0061] [Fig. 3] is a schematic representation of the cutting system seen from above.
[0064]
[0062] [Fig. 4] is a schematic perspective representation of the cutting device.
[0063] [Fig. 5] is a schematic side representation of a cutting tooth.
[0065]
[0064] For reasons of simplicity and clarity of illustration, the elements represented in the figures have not necessarily been produced to scale. Thus, the dimensions and relative proportions of certain elements may be exaggerated or even attenuated.
[0066]
[0065] In the following description, elements that are identical, by structure or by function, appearing in different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.
[0067]
[0066] It should be noted that in these figures the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.
[0068]
[0067] Of course, various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
[0069]
[0068] With reference to [Fig. 1] to [Fig. 5], the invention relates to an element 1 composed of cellulose fibers in the form of a helical strip 11 for use as bedding for animals, such as horses.
[0070]
[0069] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the element 1 according to the invention comprises a substantially helical shape having a repeatable pattern, called a pitch, which can vary between the different patterns.
[0071]
[0070] Thus, the distance d between two similar points of the pitch of the strip pattern is between
[0072] 20 and 150 millimeters.
[0073]
[0071] The element 1 according to the invention is intended to form a litter for animals, comprising a multitude of elements 1 made of cellulose fibers of the invention in order to obtain a litter that is non-dusty, comfortable, inexpensive and has good absorption capacity.
[0074]
[0072] The element 1 made of cellulose fibers in the form of a helical strip 11 has a width of 9 millimeters, a length of 100 centimeters and a thickness of 0.65 millimeters.
[0075]
[0073] In the same way, the element 1 made of cellulose fibers comprises a volume greater than 15, the volume of the cellulose fiber coming from a body 9 made of cellulose fibers, from which the element 1 comes.
[0076]
[0074] In addition, and in order to allow optimal absorption, the element 1 made of cellulose fibers comprises a humidity level of 11%.
[0077]
[0075] The invention also relates to a device 2 for producing the element 1 made of cellulose fibers as illustrated in [Fig. 2], comprising a motor 3 driving a hydraulic system 4, a vertical guidance system 5 for at least one body 6 made of cellulose fibers intended to be cut, slidably mounted on a horizontal guidance system 7 in which a cutting system 8 is arranged.
[0078]
[0076] In addition, the production device comprises a pusher system 9, mounted on the vertical guide system 5, in order to push the cellulose fiber bodies towards the vertical guide system 5 and then towards the cutting system 8.
[0079]
[0077] In addition, the hydraulic system 4 is connected to the vertical guidance system 5, the hydraulic system 4 is intended to carry out a horizontal movement arranged so as to move the vertical guidance system 5 on the horizontal guidance system 7, and in which the cutting system 8 is arranged so as to be immobile
[0078] As illustrated in [Fig. 3 to 5], the cutting system 8 comprises at least two cutting devices 81, each fixed to a plate 82, the cutting devices 81 each comprise at least two knives, a first knife 84 in the form of a comb and a second knife 85 in a solid form.
[0080]
[0079] The cutting devices 81 comprise cutting teeth 83, formed by a beveled portion, said beveled portion forms an angle of 33° relative to a longitudinal vertical reference plane XZ of the cutting tooth 83.
[0081]
[0080] The beveled portions of the cutting teeth 83 of each of the cutting devices 81 are oriented opposite each other in order to be able to cut strips 11 of cellulose fibers of the body 6 into cellulose fibers for each horizontal movement of the cutting system 8.
[0082]
[0081] More precisely, each cutting device 81 comprises a first knife 84, each first knife 84 having, on its upper face, at least one clearance angle 86 of between 1° and 6° relative to a horizontal reference plane XY of the first knife 84, said clearance angle 86 being oriented so as to move away from the cutting surface of the first knife 84 towards the rear of said first knife 84.
[0083]
[0082] The cutting system 2 also comprises a system for adjusting the height of the cutting devices 81 so that the operator can choose the thickness of the element 1 made of cellulose fibers.
[0084]
[0083] In any event, the invention cannot be limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, and extends in particular to all equivalent means and to any technically effective combination of these means.
Claims
Claims
1. Element (1) composed of cellulose fibers in the form of a substantially helical strip (11), said strip (11) comprising a width ranging from 2 to 15 millimeters, a length between 10 and 100 centimeters and a thickness ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 millimeters.
2. Element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a volume of said dispersed element (1) greater than 10 to 20 times the volume of a cellulose fiber from a body (6) of cellulose fibers.
3. Element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (d) between two substantially similar points of the pitch of the pattern of the substantially helical strip (11) is between 20 and 150 millimeters.
4. Element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a humidity level of between 5 and 20%.
5. Cutting system (8) of the element (l) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cutting system (8) comprises at least two cutting devices (81), each fixed to a plate (82), the cutting devices (81) each comprise at least two knives, a first knife (84) in the form of a comb and a second knife (85) in the form of a solid.
6. Cutting system (8) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cutting devices (81) comprise cutting teeth (83), comprising a beveled part forming an angle (85) of between 20° and 45° relative to a longitudinal vertical reference plane (XZ) of the cutting tooth (83).
7. Cutting system (8) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the beveled parts of the cutting teeth (83) of each of the cutting devices (61) are oriented opposite each other.
8. Cutting system (8) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the cutting system (8) comprises a system (10) for adjusting the height of the cutting devices.
9. Cutting system (8) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that each cutting device (81) comprises a first knife (84), each first knife (84) having, on its upper face, at least one clearance angle (86) between 1° and 6° relative to a horizontal reference plane (XY) of the first knife (84), said clearance angle (86) being oriented so as to move away from the cutting surface of the first knife (84) towards the rear of said first knife (84).
10. Production device (2) of the element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises: At least one motor (3) driving a hydraulic system (4); At least one vertical guide system (5) for at least one body (6) made of cellulose fibers intended to be cut, slidably mounted on a horizontal guide system (7) in which the cutting system (8) according to one of claims 5 to 8 is arranged; and At least one pusher system (9), mounted on the vertical guide system (5); wherein the hydraulic system (4) is connected to the vertical guide system (5), the hydraulic system (4) is intended to perform a horizontal movement arranged so as to move the vertical guide system (5) on the horizontal guide system (7), and wherein the cutting system (8) is arranged so as to be stationary.
11. Use of the cellulosic fiber element (1) as animal bedding material