Covering intended to cover the floor of an enclosure for rearing animals, advantageously a slatted floor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a covering (1) intended to cover the floor (S) of an enclosure (E) for rearing animals, for example cattle, the floor (S) advantageously consisting of a slatted floor (S). The upper surface (1a) comprises a plurality of straight, parallel grooves (2) which are intended to receive the liquids that flow over the upper surface (1a), and which delimit support strips (3). The covering (1) comprises slots (4), opening through the upper surface (1a) and the lower surface (1b), suitable for the passage of liquids flowing on the upper surface (1a). The slots (4) extend transversely with respect to grooves (2), each of the slots (4) being arranged so as to extend over: - at least part of the width of at least one of the support strips (3), and - at least part of the width of at least one of the adjacent grooves (2).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Covering intended to cover the floor of an enclosure for breeding animals, advantageously a slatted floor

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the technical field of coverings intended to cover the floor of an enclosure for breeding animals, for example cattle, said floor advantageously consisting of a slatted floor.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Animal comfort is a determining factor in the performance of a farm, which influences in particular the health, feed intake, fertility and longevity of the animals.

[0007] In a stable, this comfort notably involves rapid and efficient evacuation of droppings generated by the animals.

[0008] This management of excrement should in fact make it possible to reduce gas emissions and the proliferation of bacteria in the breeding enclosure, and consequently to improve environmental conditions and health performance.

[0009] More generally, excessively damp flooring is likely to cause health problems in animals' feet, particularly lameness, which is a major health problem in livestock farming.

[0010] One solution is to equip the animal circulation areas (waiting areas, exercise corridors, etc.) with a slatted floor (generally made of prefabricated concrete slabs).

[0011] However, droppings can make this type of floor slippery, with the resulting risk of falls and injury. Slatted floors can also be too rough, risking excessive wear on hooves, leading to mobility problems.

[0012] There is therefore a need for technical solutions that allow a reduction in soil humidity in livestock enclosures, particularly slatted floors, advantageously without requiring major structural work, while improving adhesion conditions and animal health conditions.

[0013] Presentation of the invention

[0014] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a covering intended to cover the floor of an enclosure for raising animals, for example cattle, said floor advantageously consisting of a slatted floor, which covering comprises: - an upper surface, on which the animals are intended to rest,

[0015] - a lower surface, intended to rest on the floor of said enclosure, which upper surface comprises several grooves, rectilinear and parallel, which are intended to receive the liquids flowing on said upper surface and which delimit support strips, which covering comprises slots, opening through said upper surface and said lower surface, adapted to the passage of the liquids flowing on said upper surface.

[0016] And, according to the invention, the slots extend transversely relative to said grooves, each of said slots being arranged so as to extend over:

[0017] - at least part of the width of at least one of the support strips, and

[0018] - at least part of the width of at least one of said adjoining grooves.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the slots are rectilinear, preferably with a rectangular or oblong outline.

[0020] Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of this preferred embodiment according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following:

[0021] - said slots extend perpendicular to said grooves;

[0022] - said coating is in the form of a plate comprising a rectangular contour defining two lateral edges and two longitudinal edges, which grooves extend parallel to said lateral edges and said slots extend parallel to said longitudinal edges;

[0023] - said covering is in the form of a covering strip, advantageously shaped into a roll, from which said covering plate is cut, preferably said covering strip defining two end edges and two side edges, which grooves extend parallel to said end edges and said slots extend parallel to said side edges;

[0024] - the slots have a width ranging from 20 to 40 mm and a length ranging from 150 to 250 mm;

[0025] - the slots are regularly distributed on said coating, forming parallel discontinuous lines; preferably, the distance between the slots of two parallel discontinuous lines is 70 to 180 mm.

[0026] Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the product according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following: - at least one of said slots is arranged so as to extend over the width of one of said support strips, at least part of the width of the two adjoining grooves (preferably over the entire width of the two adjoining grooves), or even part of the width of the two adjoining support strips;

[0027] - the support strips are structured to promote the flow of liquids towards the adjoining grooves, for example said support strips are transversely curved, with a downward slope towards the adjoining grooves, and / or said support strips comprise furrows opening into said grooves;

[0028] - the support strips have a width ranging from 100 to 200 mm and the grooves have a width ranging from 20 to 30 mm;

[0029] - said coating comprises a reinforcing layer provided between the upper surface and the lower surface.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a breeding enclosure, comprising a floor consisting of a slatted floor comprising openings, said slatted floor being covered by a coating according to the invention, which coating is arranged so that each slot is in communication with at least one opening of the slatted floor.

[0031] Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the enclosure according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following:

[0032] - the section of the slots is smaller than the section of the openings in the grating floor;

[0033] - said grating floor is formed of juxtaposed concrete grating plates and said covering consists of juxtaposed covering plates, preferably one covering plate covering at least two grating plates;

[0034] - said grating floor comprises beams, for example with a width ranging from 90 to 150 mm and openings with a width of 25 to 45 mm and a length of 2,000 to 5,000 mm.

[0035] The present invention also relates to the laying method, for laying the covering according to the invention in a breeding enclosure comprising a floor consisting of a slatted floor, which method comprises the following steps:

[0036] - possibly a step of cutting a covering plate lengthwise from a covering strip according to the invention,

[0037] - a step of laying the covering plate on the grating floor, which covering is arranged so that each slot communicates with at least one opening in the grating floor.

[0038] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0039] Detailed description of the invention

[0040] In addition, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description given with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where:

[0041] [Fig. 1] is a general perspective view of a breeding enclosure, a circulation area of ​​which includes a slatted floor which is partially covered by a coating according to the invention;

[0042] [Fig. 2] is a partial perspective view of the breeding enclosure according to Figure 1, illustrating the covering according to the invention in the form of a covering strip shaped into a roll and intended to be cut to length to form covering plates;

[0043] [Fig. 3] is a partial perspective view of the breeding enclosure according to Figure 1, showing covering plates suitably arranged to cover the slatted floor;

[0044] [Fig. 4] is a top view of the coating according to the invention, illustrating in particular its upper surface;

[0045] [Fig. 5] is a schematic view of the grating floor covered by the covering according to the invention, according to a section plane passing through a line of slots in the floor covering and a line of openings in the grating floor (in fluid communication).

[0046] It should be noted that, in these figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0047] As illustrated schematically, the present invention relates, in general, to a covering 1 intended to cover the floor S of an enclosure E for raising animals.

[0048] By "animals" we mean in particular cattle (in particular dairy cows or beef cattle), pigs, or any other livestock (sheep, poultry, rabbits, horses, etc.).

[0049] The covering 1 according to the invention is in particular capable of collecting the liquids flowing on this covering 1 and of evacuating them towards the ground S, so as to offer a relatively dry support surface (or at least not presenting excessive humidity) for the feet of the animals, and therefore healthier.

[0050] This coating 1 also provides significantly improved comfort for the animals. By "liquids" we mean in particular the liquid excrement produced by livestock animals, in particular their urine.

[0051] Enclosure and slatted floor

[0052] Enclosure E, shown schematically and very partially in Figure 1, advantageously consists of a building delimited by a frame, adapted to the desired breeding (for example a stable in the case of cattle).

[0053] At least part of the floor S of this enclosure E consists of a slatted floor S (designated by the same reference for the sake of simplicity).

[0054] By "grated floor" we mean in particular a floor with S1 openings, through, the dimensions of which represent a compromise between the flow of liquids and the stability of the animals.

[0055] Such a slatted floor S then forms an openwork floor, covering a pit (not shown).

[0056] Such a slatted floor S is advantageously used in animal circulation areas, for example waiting areas, exercise corridors, circulation corridors, etc.

[0057] In particular, as shown in Figure 1, the slatted floor S is advantageously installed at the level of the circulation corridors which are used by the animals moving between the different functional spaces of the breeding enclosure (for example cubicles, milking rooms, etc.).

[0058] As illustrated in Figure 5, the grating floor S advantageously comprises:

[0059] - an upper surface S5, usually suitable for supporting animals, and

[0060] - a lower surface S6, opposite, oriented towards the pit.

[0061] The openings S1 are through, opening through the upper surface S5 and the lower surface S6.

[0062] Generally, the openings S1 are rectilinear, preferably with a rectangular or oblong outline. Each opening S1 advantageously has a longitudinal axis ST.

[0063] Each opening S1 is thus advantageously delimited by:

[0064] - two large sides S11, defining its width dimension and advantageously its longitudinal axis ST, and

[0065] - two short sides S12, defining its length dimension.

[0066] The two long sides S11 advantageously extend parallel to each other.

[0067] S1 openings advantageously have the following dimensions:

[0068] - a width of 25 to 45 mm and

[0069] - a length of 2,000 to 5,000 mm. Preferably, the openings S1 are regularly distributed on the grating floor S, forming parallel discontinuous lines (figure 3 in particular).

[0070] In other words, the longitudinal axes S1' of the openings S1 are parallel.

[0071] Generally, the distance between two openings S1, at the level of two parallel broken lines, is advantageously 70 to 250 mm, preferably 70 to 180 mm.

[0072] In this case, the openings S1 (and in particular the large sides S11) are advantageously formed by first beams S71, arranged at a distance from each other.

[0073] Furthermore, the distance between two S1 openings, juxtaposed and aligned, is advantageously 125 to 175 mm.

[0074] In this case, the openings S1, juxtaposed and aligned, are advantageously separated by second longitudinal beams S72 (at the level of their short sides S12).

[0075] In practice, the S grating floor is advantageously made up of several S7 grating plates, made for example from concrete.

[0076] These S7 grating plates advantageously have a square or rectangular outline, for example:

[0077] - a width of 500 to 1,200 mm, and

[0078] - a length of 2,000 to 5,000 mm.

[0079] These S7 grating plates of the S grating floor are advantageously juxtaposed, in the width and / or length direction.

[0080] In Figure 3, the grating floor S advantageously constitutes the floor of a traffic corridor which is delimited by two longitudinal edges S8, defining its width.

[0081] Coating

[0082] Furthermore, in general, the coating 1 according to the invention comprises:

[0083] - an upper surface 1a (figure 4 in particular), on which the animals are intended to rest,

[0084] - a lower surface 1b, intended to rest on the ground S of enclosure E.

[0085] The upper surface 1a has several grooves 2 which are intended to receive the liquids flowing on the upper surface 1a.

[0086] The grooves 2 are rectilinear and parallel, and preferably equidistant. Each groove 2 advantageously has a longitudinal axis 2'.

[0087] Each groove 2 advantageously comprises a generally U-shaped section, delimited by:

[0088] - two sides 21, facing each other, for example vertical, defining the width of said groove

[0089] 2, and - a bottom 22, for example horizontal, defining the depth of this groove 2.

[0090] A groove 2 advantageously has a width ranging from 20 to 30 mm.

[0091] The grooves 2 delimit support strips 3. The width of a support strip 3 is thus defined by the two adjoining grooves 2, and in particular by the dimension separating their adjoining sides 21.

[0092] The support strips 3 advantageously have a width ranging from 100 to 200 mm.

[0093] Preferably, the support strips 3 are structured to promote the flow of liquids towards the adjoining grooves 2.

[0094] For this, various technical characteristics are possible, for example:

[0095] - the support strips 3 are curved transversely, with a downward slope towards the adjoining grooves 2, and / or

[0096] - the support strips 3 have transverse grooves 31, opening into the adjoining grooves 2.

[0097] According to the invention, the covering 1 also comprises through slots 4, which open through the upper surface 1a of the covering 1 and the lower surface 1b of the covering 1.

[0098] These slots 4 are adapted to the passage of liquids flowing on the aforementioned upper surface 1a.

[0099] Such slots 4 are for example obtained by water jet cutting or by punching.

[0100] According to the invention, the slots 4 extend transversely relative to the grooves 2.

[0101] Each of the slots 4 is then arranged so as to extend over:

[0102] - at least part of the width of at least one of the support strips 3, and

[0103] - at least part of the width of at least one of the adjoining grooves 2.

[0104] In this case, at least one of the slots 4 is arranged so as to extend over:

[0105] - the width of a first support strip 3, and

[0106] - at least part of the width of the two adjoining grooves 2 of said first support strip 3, preferably over the entire width of the two adjoining grooves 2.

[0107] This slot 4 can also extend over part of the width of the two adjoining (or juxtaposed) support strips 3 of said first support strip 3.

[0108] This slot 4 extends for example over approximately 10 to 30% of the width of the adjoining support strip 3.

[0109] Generally, the slots 4 are rectilinear, preferably with a rectangular or oblong outline. Each slot 4 advantageously has a longitudinal axis 4'.

[0110] According to an illustrated embodiment, the slots 4 advantageously extend perpendicular to the grooves 2. In other words, the longitudinal axis 4' of the slots 4 is advantageously perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2' of the grooves 2.

[0111] Preferably, the slots 4 are regularly distributed on the coating 1, forming parallel discontinuous lines.

[0112] More preferably, the slots 4 are provided on the covering 1 so that:

[0113] - a first support strip 3 is cut by a plurality of slots 4, over its entire width, and

[0114] - the adjoining support strips 3 are not cut, or only partially, by said slots 4.

[0115] In other words, the coating 1 comprises an alternation of support strips 3 with:

[0116] - a first discontinuous support strip 3, cut across its entire width by a plurality of successive slots 4, and

[0117] - a second support strip 3 continuous, or only partially cut by the same slots 4.

[0118] Generally, the distance between two slots 4, on the same support strip 3, is advantageously 70 to 250 mm, for example 70 to 180 mm.

[0119] Furthermore, each slot 4 is advantageously delimited by:

[0120] - two large sides 41, defining its width dimension and advantageously its longitudinal axis 4', and

[0121] - two short sides 42, defining its length dimension.

[0122] The two large sides 41 advantageously extend parallel to each other. These two large sides 41 advantageously define the orientation of the slot 4 and its longitudinal axis 4'.

[0123] Preferably, the slots 4 have the following dimensions:

[0124] - a width ranging from 20 to 40 mm, and

[0125] - a length ranging from 150 to 250 mm.

[0126] Generally speaking, coating 1 can come in various forms, for example:

[0127] - a 1g covering plate (figure 3), suitable for covering the grating floor S, or

[0128] - a 1h coating strip (figure 2), suitable for its transport and its cutting in length to obtain the 1g coating plates.

[0129] Preferably, a 1g coating plate has a rectangular outline comprising:

[0130] - two side edges 1 g1 (short sides), whose distance dimension defines its length, and

[0131] - two longitudinal edges 1g2 (long sides), the distance dimension of which defines its width. In this form, preferably, the grooves 2 extend parallel to the lateral edges 1g1. The grooves 2 thus open at the longitudinal edges 1g2.

[0132] Preferably, the slots 4 extend parallel to the longitudinal edges 1g2.

[0133] Furthermore, preferably, the 1 h coating strip has a general rectangular outline, defining:

[0134] - two terminal edges 1 h1 (short sides), whose distance dimension defines its length, and

[0135] - two edges of side 1h2 (long sides), the distance dimension of which defines its width.

[0136] In this form, preferably, the grooves 2 extend parallel to the end edges 1 h1, opening at the side edges 1 h2. And the slots 4 extend parallel to the side edges 1 h2.

[0137] Preferably, the 1 h coating strip is formed into a roll, useful in particular for its transport.

[0138] It can be unrolled over part of its length for the purpose of cutting to length a 1g covering plate mentioned above.

[0139] The cutting lines are then advantageously made parallel to the terminal edges 1 h1 (and perpendicular to the side edges 1h2) to form the lateral edges 1 g1 (short sides) of a covering plate 1g.

[0140] The distance between these cutting lines defines the length of the resulting 1g coating plate.

[0141] The side edges 1h2 of the covering strip 1h are then intended to form the longitudinal edges 1g2 of the covering plate 1g.

[0142] Furthermore, in general, the support strips 3 are advantageously adapted to undergo elastic deformation in depression, of at least 1 mm, and preferably between 1 and 5 mm, when the foot of the animal or a person presses.

[0143] By "sinking" is meant in particular a reduction in the thickness between the support strip 3 and the lower surface 1 b of the covering 1 , by bringing the respective surfaces closer together.

[0144] For this, the coating 1 is advantageously made from at least one material capable of undergoing elastic deformation chosen from:

[0145] - elastomeric materials, namely for example natural rubber, “synthetic natural” rubber (or synthetic polyisoprene), polybutadiene or styrene-butadiene, or

[0146] - plastic materials or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), for example PVB (Polyvinyl butyral), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) / SBR (styrene-butadiene), PP (polypropylene) / EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer), TPU (polyurethane TPE).

[0147] This coating 1 can be carried out:

[0148] - single-material, or

[0149] - multi-materials.

[0150] Preferably, the coating 1 also comprises a reinforcing layer provided between the upper surface 1a and the lower surface 1b.

[0151] The reinforcing layer is chosen from any product providing stability and / or resistance to elongation, for example textile or metal fibers.

[0152] This reinforcing layer consists, for example, of a textile reinforcement, advantageously made from a material chosen from nylon, cotton, polyester, polyamide or any other reinforcing textile.

[0153] Implementation

[0154] The enclosure E thus comprises a floor S consisting of a slatted floor S which is intended to be covered by the covering 1 according to the invention.

[0155] In particular, the upper surface S5 of this grating floor S is covered by the covering 1.

[0156] Preferably, an operator implements a step of cutting a 1g coating plate lengthwise within a 1h coating strip.

[0157] And, in general, the covering 1 (and in particular the covering plates 1g) is arranged so that each slot 4 is in (fluidic) communication with at least one opening S1 of the grating floor S.

[0158] For this, preferably, the coating 1 is arranged so that the longitudinal axis 4' of the slots 4 is advantageously parallel to the longitudinal axis ST of the openings ST

[0159] Likewise, the longitudinal axis 2' of the grooves 2 is advantageously perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ST of the openings ST

[0160] The covering 1 is in particular chosen so that the section of the slots 4 (in width and / or in length) is smaller than the section of the openings S1 of the grating floor S.

[0161] Such a feature makes it possible to reduce the passage through the openings S1 of the slatted floor S, which generates less gas emission and is less traumatic for the hooves (increase in surface area, corresponding to less pressure per cm 2 ).

[0162] More preferably, the length of the slots 4 is less than the length of the openings S1 of the grating floor S. This dimensional characteristic is useful for placing the slot 4 in communication with at least one opening S1 of the grating floor S, regardless of the length cut of the covering plates 1g.

[0163] Preferably, the covering 1 consists of juxtaposed covering plates 1. A covering plate 1g preferably covers at least two concrete grating plates S7 of the grating floor S, advantageously in the width direction of this grating floor S, to improve stability.

[0164] More particularly, a covering plate 1g is advantageously oriented so that its lateral edges 1g1 match the longitudinal edges S8 of the grating floor S. The longitudinal edges 1g2 of the covering plate 1g then advantageously extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal edges S8 of the grating floor S.

[0165] Of course, various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Covering (1) intended to cover the floor (S) of an enclosure (E) for breeding animals, for example cattle, said floor (S) advantageously consisting of a slatted floor (S), which covering (1) comprises: - an upper surface (1a), on which the animals are intended to rest, - a lower surface (1b), intended to bear on the floor (S) of said enclosure (E), which upper surface (1a) comprises several grooves (2), rectilinear and parallel, which are intended to receive the liquids flowing on said upper surface (1a) and which delimit support strips (3), which covering (1) comprises slots (4), opening through said upper surface (1a) and said lower surface (1b), adapted to the passage of the liquids flowing on said upper surface (1a), characterized in that said slots (4) extend transversely with respect to said grooves (2), each of said slots (4) being arranged so as to extend over: - at least part of the width of at least one of the support strips (3), and - at least part of the width of at least one of said adjoining grooves (2).

2. Covering (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said slots (4) is arranged so as to extend over: - the width of one of said support strips (3), and - at least part of the width of the two adjoining grooves (2), preferably over the entire width of the two adjoining grooves (2), or even - part of the width of the two adjoining support strips (3). [Claim s] Covering (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said slots (4) are rectilinear, preferably with a rectangular or oblong outline.

4. Covering (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said slots (4) extend perpendicular to said grooves (2). [Claim s] Coating (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said coating (1) is in a form chosen from: - a covering plate (1g) having a rectangular contour defining two lateral edges (1g1) and two longitudinal edges (1g2), which grooves (2) extend parallel to said lateral edges (1g1) and in that said slots (4) extend parallel to said longitudinal edges (1g2), - a covering strip (1 h), advantageously shaped into a roll, from which said covering plate (1 g) is cut, preferably said covering strip (1 h) defining two end edges (1 h1) and two side edges (1 h2), which grooves (2) extend parallel to said end edges (1 h1) and in that said slots (4) extend parallel to said side edges (1 h2).

6. Covering (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the slots (4) have a width ranging from 20 to 40 mm and a length ranging from 150 to 250 mm.

7. Covering (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the slots (4) are regularly distributed on said covering (1), forming parallel discontinuous lines, and in that, preferably, the distance between the slots (4) of two parallel discontinuous lines is 70 to 180 mm.

8. Breeding enclosure (E), comprising a floor (S) consisting of a slatted floor (S) comprising openings (S1), said slatted floor (S) being covered by a covering (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which covering (1) is arranged so that each slot (4) is in communication with at least one opening (S1) of the slatted floor (S).

9. Breeding enclosure (E) according to claim 8, characterized in that the section of the slots (4) is smaller than the section of the openings (S1) of the slatted floor (S).

10. Breeding enclosure (E) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that said slatted floor (S) is formed of juxtaposed concrete slatted plates (S7), and in that said covering (1) consists of juxtaposed covering plates (1g), preferably one covering plate (1g) covering at least two slatted plates (S7).

11. Laying method, for laying the covering (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in a breeding enclosure (E) comprising a floor (S) consisting of a slatted floor (S), which method comprises the following steps: - optionally a step of cutting lengthwise a covering plate (1g) in a covering strip (1h) according to claim 5, - a step of laying the covering plate (1g) on ​​the grating floor (S), which covering (1) is arranged so that each slot (4) communicates with at least one opening (S1) of the grating floor (S).

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