Comfort device intended for the thermal comfort of animals in a farm enclosure and to be installed underneath a comfort mattress for animals

Abstract

The present invention relates to a comfort device intended for the thermal comfort of animals in a farm enclosure (E) and to be installed underneath a comfort mattress (20) for animals. The comfort device (10) comprises: - at least one support plate (11) having multiple longitudinal grooves (115), and - at least one leaktight pipe (12) intended to contain a first heat-transfer fluid and to be fitted in the longitudinal grooves (111), which at least one leaktight pipe (12) has at least two through-openings (121) for generating a flow of the first heat-transfer fluid inside the at least one leaktight pipe (12), between the through-openings (121).

Description

[0001] Comfort equipment for the thermal comfort of animals in a livestock enclosure, designed to be placed under an animal comfort mattress.

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the technical field of comfort equipment, for the thermal comfort of animals in a livestock enclosure and intended to be installed under a comfort mattress for animals.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Animal comfort is a determining factor in the productivity of a livestock farm.

[0006] This comfort notably influences the health, eating habits, food intake, fertility and longevity of animals.

[0007] For this purpose, it is common practice in barns for cattle to rest individually in cubicles, also commonly called "free stalls", in which they are free to stand up and lie down.

[0008] When animals perform these movements, they are likely to injure themselves. This is particularly true when the bedding consists of straw covering concrete, which does not protect the animal from the risk of slipping.

[0009] To limit this type of incident and the resulting injuries, it is known to equip the floor of these cubicles with mattresses adapted to improve the sleeping comfort of the animals.

[0010] These comfort mattresses typically include at least one elastic band capable of undergoing elastic deformation, underlying a top surface on which an animal rests.

[0011] Furthermore, comfort also includes a "thermal" component.

[0012] Indeed, in the event of intense heat or extreme cold, animals are likely to suffer from a harmful phenomenon known as "heat stress".

[0013] Such heat stress is reflected in particular by behavioral manifestations of defense, a drop in zootechnical performance, a deterioration of reproductive parameters and an increase in pathologies.

[0014] In this context, there is a need for a system aimed at promoting the thermal comfort of animals present in the livestock enclosure, particularly when they are resting in their cubicles.

[0015] Presentation of the invention

[0016] In order to remedy the aforementioned drawback of the prior art, the present invention proposes a comfort device, for the thermal comfort of animals in a livestock enclosure and intended to be installed under a comfort mattress for animals.

[0017] The comfort equipment according to the invention includes:

[0018] - at least one support plate comprising: -- two longitudinal edges, extending parallel to a longitudinal axis, and two transverse edges,

[0019] -- a top face and a bottom face, defining its thickness, and

[0020] -- several longitudinal grooves, opening through said upper face and extending over part of the thickness of said support plate, and

[0021] - at least one sealed conduit, intended to contain a first heat transfer fluid and to be brought into said grooves of said at least one support plate, which at least one sealed conduit has at least two opening orifices, to generate a circulation of said first heat transfer fluid within said at least one sealed conduit, between said opening orifices.

[0022] Generally, and according to current best practices, a pump is typically used to circulate a heat transfer fluid through flexible pipes. The pressure generated by the pump can cause gas to diffuse through the pipes, which are permeable to gases, thus creating microbubbles within them. These microbubbles cause the flexible pipes to swell, which can affect the efficiency of heat transfer and the durability of the pipes. To maintain system efficiency, a vent is often necessary to release these gases, particularly in closed-loop heat pump systems.

[0023] However, the invention presents significant improvements in terms of heat transfer efficiency and management of any gases under the mattresses.

[0024] One of the key advantages of this invention is the efficient evacuation of gases thanks to the innovative design of the comfort equipment.

[0025] Furthermore, in the event of micro-leaks in the sealed duct, the design of the comfort equipment allows for easy replacement of the ducts and prevents degradation due to moisture thanks to a longitudinal groove for water drainage.

[0026] More generally, the invention proposes thermal comfort equipment for animals in a livestock enclosure, intended to be installed under an animal comfort mattress, with the following advantages:

[0027] - heat transfer efficiency: thanks to the airtight ducts under the mattress;

[0028] - gas evacuation: the system allows for efficient evacuation of gases under the mattresses, thus improving the efficiency of the system;

[0029] - ease of replacement: in case of micro-leaks, the sealed ducts can be easily replaced;

[0030] - crush resistance: the airtight ducts, in combination with the support plate, resist crushing by animals, thus ensuring increased durability; - improved comfort: the airtight ducts pass advantageously under the chest of the animals and become flat when crushed, minimizing pressure points and increasing animal comfort.

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

[0032] - said longitudinal grooves are straight, extending parallel to said longitudinal axis;

[0033] - said comfort equipment includes 2 to 8 longitudinal grooves;

[0034] - said at least one sealed conduit, brought into said longitudinal grooves, extends in projection above the upper face of said at least one support plate, for example over at least 1 / 5 to 1 / 4 of its diameter;

[0035] - said at least one support plate is made of an elastomeric material, for example EVA, recycled or not, for example with a density of 100 to 400 kg / m3;

[0036] - the external diameter of said at least one sealed conduit is 50 to 60 mm and in that the grooves have a width of 50 to 60 mm;

[0037] - the gorges have a curved bottom wall, for example in the shape of a circle, which is extended by two parallel side walls defining its width;

[0038] - said comfort equipment includes at least two comfort plates, intended to be attached on either side of said support plate;

[0039] - said comfort equipment includes an interface, intended to be placed under a rear comfort plate, in order to apply a downward slope from said support plate.

[0040] The present invention further relates to a system for the comfort of animals in a livestock enclosure, which comfort system comprises:

[0041] - at least one comfort feature, according to the invention,

[0042] - at least one comfort mattress, preferably a water mattress, intended to be placed on top of said at least one comfort equipment,

[0043] - means of circulation, to generate circulation of said first heat transfer fluid within said at least one sealed duct, between its opening orifices, and possibly

[0044] - means of regulation, to regulate the temperature of said first heat transfer fluid.

[0045] The present invention also relates to the breeding enclosure equipped with a comfort system according to the invention.

[0046] Of course, the different features, variants and embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various ways as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0047] Detailed description of the invention. Furthermore, various other features of the invention become apparent from the attached description made with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where:

[0048] [Fig. 1] is a schematic, perspective view of a breeding enclosure equipped with a first embodiment for a comfort system according to the invention;

[0049] [Fig. 2] is a partial and enlarged view of figure 1, showing the support plate receiving the sealed conduits;

[0050] [Fig. 3] is a schematic, side view of the rearing enclosure according to figure 1;

[0051] [Fig. 4] is a partial and enlarged view of figure 3, showing the support plate receiving the sealed conduits;

[0052] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of the support plate intended to receive the sealed conduits;

[0053] [Fig. 6] is a side view of the support plate;

[0054] [Fig. 7] is a schematic, perspective view of a breeding enclosure equipped with a second embodiment for a comfort system according to the invention, in which the rear comfort plate defines a slope;

[0055] [Fig. 8] is a schematic, side view of the rearing enclosure according to figure 7.

[0056] It should be noted that, in these figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0057] The present invention thus relates to a comfort equipment 10, for the thermal comfort of animals in a livestock enclosure E and intended to be installed under a comfort mattress 20 for animals.

[0058] As further developed, particularly in relation to Figure 2, which comfort equipment 10 according to the invention comprises in particular:

[0059] - at least one support plate 11, and

[0060] - at least one sealed conduit 12, intended to contain a first heat transfer fluid and to be brought into grooves of said at least one support plate 11.

[0061] More generally, the comfort system advantageously includes:

[0062] - at least one comfort feature 10, according to the invention,

[0063] - at least one comfort mattress 20, preferably a water mattress, intended to be placed on top of said at least one comfort equipment 10,

[0064] - circulation means 30, to generate circulation of said first heat transfer fluid within said at least one sealed conduit 12, between its open orifices 121, and possibly

[0065] - means of regulation 40, to regulate the temperature of said first heat transfer fluid.

[0066] Breeding enclosure The comfort equipment 10 according to the invention is intended to equip a breeding enclosure E in which sleeping stalls are provided.

[0067] The livestock enclosure E advantageously consists of a stable for raising cattle, in particular dairy cattle or beef cattle.

[0068] The sleeping stalls consist, for example, of L-shaped cubicles, arranged on at least one line.

[0069] The cubicles represent a compromise between comfortable sleeping for the bovine, respect for the standing / lying movement, a comfortable standing position and a minimum of soiling in the cubicle.

[0070] Each cubicle, classic in itself, is delimited by:

[0071] - two lateral separations (not shown), for example tubular structures,

[0072] - a rear threshold of cubicle L2, extending along an access corridor C,

[0073] - a limit before L3, advantageously including a high bar at the withers, a lower stop (or forward movement limiter) and a knee brace, forming the bottom of stall L, and

[0074] - a floor L4, for example a concrete slab.

[0075] support plate

[0076] The comfort equipment 10 includes at least one support plate 11, illustrated in isolation in figures 5 and 6.

[0077] This support plate 11, advantageously parallelepiped in shape, includes in particular:

[0078] - two longitudinal borders 111, extending parallel to a longitudinal axis A, and two transverse borders 112 (advantageously perpendicular to said longitudinal borders 111), and

[0079] - an upper face 113 and a lower face 114, defining its thickness E.

[0080] For example :

[0081] - the width dimension H1 (between two longitudinal borders 111) is 400 to 1200 mm,

[0082] - the length dimension (between two transverse edges 112) is 1,000 to 2,000 mm, and

[0083] - The thickness dimension H3 is 50 to 80 mm.

[0084] The upper face 113 is advantageously intended to serve as a support surface, for example for the comfort mattress 20.

[0085] The lower face 114 is advantageously intended to serve as a bearing surface on the ground L4.

[0086] This support plate 11 advantageously has several longitudinal grooves 115, opening through the upper face 113 and extending over part of the thickness E of this support plate 11.

[0087] In general, the comfort equipment 10, and in this case the said support plate 11, comprises 2 to 8 longitudinal grooves 115. Preferably, the longitudinal grooves 115 are straight, extending parallel to the aforementioned longitudinal axis A.

[0088] These longitudinal grooves 115 are distributed over the width of the support plate 11, between the two longitudinal edges 111.

[0089] Preferably, the longitudinal grooves 115 have a bottom wall 1151 which is extended by two side walls 1152 defining its width.

[0090] Preferably, these longitudinal grooves 115 have a constant cross-section over their entire length.

[0091] Preferably, the longitudinal grooves 115 have a curved bottom wall 1151, for example in the shape of an arc of a circle, which is extended by two parallel lateral walls 1152.

[0092] The bottom wall 1151 forms, for example, a semicircle, with a radius R ranging from 25 to 30 mm.

[0093] The bottom wall 1151 is located on the side of the lower face 114, while remaining at a distance from the latter.

[0094] Moreover, in general, the longitudinal grooves 115 open at the level of the transverse borders 112.

[0095] A longitudinal groove advantageously comprises two sides:

[0096] - a depth dimension, corresponding to the distance extending between the bottom wall 1151 and the top face 113, and

[0097] - a width dimension H5, corresponding to the distance separating the two side walls 1152.

[0098] For example, the depth dimension is 40 to 50 mm. And, for example, the width dimension is 50 to 60 mm.

[0099] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, said at least one support plate 11 is made of an elastomeric material, for example EVA (for "ethylene-vinyl acetate").

[0100] This elastomeric material is advantageously recycled or not.

[0101] The density of the support plate 11 is, for example, from 100 to 400 kg / m3.

[0102] Airtight conduit

[0103] The comfort equipment 10 also includes at least one sealed conduit 12, intended to contain a first heat transfer fluid and to be brought into the longitudinal grooves 115 of said at least one support plate 11.

[0104] Said at least one sealed conduit 12 has at least two open orifices 121, to generate a circulation of the first heat transfer fluid within said at least one sealed conduit 12, between said open orifices 121. As shown in figures 4 or 6, said at least one sealed conduit 12, brought into said longitudinal grooves 115, advantageously extends in projection above the upper face 113 of said at least one support plate 11.

[0105] Preferably, said at least one sealed conduit 12, brought into said longitudinal grooves 115, advantageously extends in projection above the upper face 113 of said at least one support plate 11, over at least 1 / 5 to 1 / 4 of its diameter.

[0106] In other words, the sealed conduit 12 has a longitudinal portion 125 which extends in convex relief relative to the upper face 113.

[0107] Furthermore, the external diameter of said at least one sealed duct 12 is, for example, 50 to 60 mm. The projection dimension of a sealed duct 12, relative to a top face 113, is, for example, 10 mm to 15 mm.

[0108] Furthermore, said at least one watertight conduit 12 is advantageously made of a deformable elastic material, for example rubber or similar, with a textile reinforcement. Alternatively, said at least one watertight conduit 12 may be made of a rigid material, for example PVC or PE.

[0109] In general terms, the first heat transfer fluid is advantageously chosen from among liquids, for example water or a water / glycol mixture.

[0110] Where applicable, the sealed conduits 12 are advantageously fluid-independent of each other. In this case, piercing one of the sealed conduits 12 does not cause the entire set of sealed conduits 12 to drain.

[0111] Each of the sealed conduits 12 therefore has two opening orifices 121 which are specific to it, for the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid.

[0112] The through openings 121 are advantageously obtained by cutting to length, along a cutting line.

[0113] Comfort plate

[0114] In general and preferably, the comfort equipment 10 also includes at least two comfort plates 15, 16, intended to be added on either side of the support plate 11, in a direction rear threshold of cubicle L2 / front limit L3.

[0115] Preferably, the two comfort plates 15, 16 are solid and made of elastomer material.

[0116] The two comfort plates 15, 16 advantageously comprise agglomerated rubber granules.

[0117] Rubber granules are advantageously obtained from a recycling operation (for example, from tires).

[0118] The rubber granules are advantageously bonded together by vulcanization and / or polymerization, advantageously using polyurethane resin, latex, or any other polymer binder. In particular, the support plate 11 is positioned at a distance from the rear threshold of the compartment L2 and the front limit L3.

[0119] And comfort plates 15 and 16 include:

[0120] - a first comfort plate 15, rear, extending between the rear threshold of the L2 compartment and the support plate 11, and

[0121] - a second comfort plate 16, front, extending between the front limit L3 and the support plate 11.

[0122] As described in relation to Figure 2, each comfort plate 15, 16, advantageously parallelepiped in shape, preferably comprises:

[0123] - two longitudinal borders 151, 161, extending parallel to a longitudinal axis A, and two transverse borders 152, 162 (advantageously perpendicular to said longitudinal borders 151, 161), and

[0124] - an upper face 153, 163 and a lower face 154, 164, defining its thickness E.

[0125] In particular, the two longitudinal edges 111 of the support plate 11 are intended to come adjacent, respectively, to one of the longitudinal edges 151 of the first comfort plate 15 and to one of the longitudinal edges 161 of the second comfort plate 16.

[0126] For example :

[0127] - the width dimension (between two longitudinal borders 151, 161) is 400 to 1200 mm, and / or

[0128] - the dimension in length (between two transverse borders 152, 162) is 1,000 to 2,000 mm.

[0129] According to a first embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 4, the two comfort plates 15, 16 have the same thickness as the support plate 11, or with a maximum thickness difference of 5 mm.

[0130] In this case, the upper face 113 of the support plate 11 and the upper face 153, 163 of the comfort plates 15, 16 are advantageously coplanar.

[0131] According to a second embodiment illustrated in figures 7 and 8, the comfort equipment 10 includes an interface 17, intended to be attached under the first rear comfort plate 15.

[0132] This interface 17 is designed to apply a downward slope to this first comfort plate 15, from the support plate 11, for example at an angle ranging from 1 to 3°.

[0133] For this, the thickness of the first comfort plate 15 is advantageously less than the thickness of the second comfort plate 16, so that the upper face 153 of the first comfort plate 15 (at the level of its longitudinal edge 151 "adjacent" to the support plate 11) is in the plane of the upper face 113 of the support plate 11.

[0134] And this interface 17 advantageously includes:

[0135] - two longitudinal borders 171, extending parallel to a longitudinal axis A, and two transverse borders 172 (advantageously perpendicular to said longitudinal borders 171), and

[0136] - a top face 173 and a bottom face 174, defining its thickness E.

[0137] A first longitudinal border 171 is intended to come adjacent to a first longitudinal border 111 of the support plate 11. And a second longitudinal border 171 is intended to come along the rear threshold of the cubicle L2.

[0138] And this interface 17 is structured so that the upper face 173 and the lower face 174 converge from a first longitudinal border 171 to a second longitudinal border 171, at an angle ranging for example from 1 to 3°.

[0139] For example, the thickness varies from 20 to 30 mm down to 1 to 5 mm (for example from 25 mm down to 2 mm).

[0140] For example, this interface 17 is made of a plastic material (e.g. PVC or PE).

[0141] Comfort mattress

[0142] The said at least one comfort mattress 20 is advantageously continuous.

[0143] Said at least one comfort mattress 20 covers:

[0144] - Comfort equipment 10, and

[0145] - the floor L4 of the aligned L cubicles, advantageously on either side of said comfort equipment 10.

[0146] The Comfort 20 mattress advantageously has a general rectangular shape which is delimited by two pairs of edges, namely:

[0147] - two longitudinal edges 22, 23, namely a rear longitudinal edge 22 intended to extend along the rear threshold L2 of the equipped stalls L, and a front longitudinal edge 23 intended to extend along the front limit L3 of the line of stalls L, and

[0148] - two transverse edges 24, intended to be located at the level of the lateral separations of the two L cubicles at the end of the line.

[0149] The longitudinal edges 22, 23 are intended to be secured in the ground L4, for example by means of fixing profiles.

[0150] The Comfort 20 mattress still has two opposite sides:

[0151] - an upper surface 25, capable of undergoing elastic deformation and forming reception areas 21 on which the animals are intended to rest, and

[0152] - a lower face 26, intended to rest on the floor L4 of the cubicles L and on the comfort equipment 10. This comfort mattress 20 advantageously comprises several reception zones 21 which are juxtaposed along the length of said comfort mattress 20. Alternatively, not shown, each cubicle L can contain its own comfort mattress 20 which then defines a unique reception zone 21.

[0153] Each of the 21 reception zones of the comfort mattress 20 is intended to accommodate an animal here.

[0154] Each reception area 21 thus corresponds to the floor area L4 of a cubicle L, and is delimited laterally by two aforementioned lateral partitions.

[0155] The said at least one comfort mattress 20 preferably consists of a water mattress.

[0156] Said at least one comfort mattress 20 then comprises at least one sealed cavity 27, at the level of a reception area 21, which is delimited by two longitudinal sheets:

[0157] - a longitudinal upper sheet 271, intended to form the upper face 25 of the comfort mattress 20, and

[0158] - a lower longitudinal sheet 272, intended to form a lower face 26 of the comfort mattress 20.

[0159] Said at least one sealed cavity 27 is intended to be filled with a second heat transfer fluid.

[0160] The second heat transfer fluid is advantageously chosen from among water, a gas (air in particular), a gel.

[0161] Preferably, the width dimension of said at least one comfort mattress 20 is greater than the width dimension of said at least one comfort equipment 10.

[0162] For example, the width dimension of said at least one comfort mattress 20 is 1200 to 2200 mm.

[0163] The underside 26 of the comfort mattress 20 is then intended to cover:

[0164] - Comfort equipment 10, and

[0165] - the reception area L4, on either side of the comfort equipment 10.

[0166] The comfort mattress 20 is then intended to overlap the comfort equipment 10.

[0167] In this context, the support plate 11 / sealed conduit 12 pair is advantageously located in the middle of the width of the aligned cells L, equidistant from the rear threshold L2 and the front limit L3.

[0168] In other words, the support plate 11 / sealed conduit 12 pair is located in the middle of the width of said at least one comfort mattress 20.

[0169] The support plate 11 / sealed conduit 12 assembly is thus advantageously positioned between the animal's front and hind legs. This arrangement is specifically designed to avoid any protrusion at the animal's leg level that could impair its balance.

[0170] Circulation means Furthermore and in general, the comfort system includes circulation means 30 to generate the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid, also called "circulation means 30" (figure 1).

[0171] These circulation means 30 ensure a distribution and parallel circulation of the first heat transfer fluid, along the sealed conduits 12.

[0172] These means of transport 30 include for this purpose:

[0173] - upstream fluid connection means, for a fluid supply, which are connected in parallel to a first opening 121 of said at least one sealed conduit 12, and

[0174] - downstream fluid connection means, for collecting the fluid at the outlet, which are connected in parallel to a second opening 121 of said at least one sealed conduit 12.

[0175] Preferably, the upstream / downstream fluid connection means each include here in particular a clarinet-type device 31, in order to ensure the parallel circulation of the heat transfer fluid within each of the sealed conduits 12.

[0176] The connection of a clarinet 31 with the adjoining open ports 121 is advantageously achieved by means of conventional mechanical sealing means.

[0177] These upstream / downstream fluid connection means can be fluidically connected for the recirculation or recycling of this heat transfer fluid.

[0178] The circulation means 30 also include a pump 32, to cause the flow of the first heat transfer fluid.

[0179] The upstream fluid connection means are advantageously equipped with pressure regulating means and / or flow regulating means.

[0180] Thus, the pressure within the sealed conduits 12 is advantageously set at a value ranging from 0.5 to 25 bars, preferably from 0.8 to 1.5 bars.

[0181] The upstream fluid connection means are also advantageously equipped with means to regulate the flow within each of the sealed conduits 12.

[0182] Means of regulation

[0183] The control means 40, for regulating the temperature of the heat transfer fluid, are fitted to the circulation means 30, advantageously at the level of the upstream fluid connection means.

[0184] These 40 regulation means are chosen from means suitable for heating and / or cooling the first heat transfer fluid.

[0185] For example, these means of regulation 40 consist of a reversible heat pump with temperature measurement.

[0186] The control means 40 advantageously include: - means for measuring the temperature of this first heat transfer fluid, for example a temperature probe, and

[0187] - possibly means to display the measured temperature.

[0188] These regulation means 40 are optional, particularly in the case where the first heat transfer fluid initially presents the desired temperature (for example a source of fresh water for cooling the comfort mattress 20).

[0189] Ordering methods

[0190] The comfort system also advantageously includes control means 50 to control the operation of the regulation means 40 and the circulation means 30.

[0191] These control methods 50 are chosen, for example, from:

[0192] - 50 manual control methods,

[0193] - control means 50 of the programmer type (for operation according to predefined cycles), and

[0194] - means of automatic control, advantageously in particular a computer program executed by a computer.

[0195] These control means 50 are then advantageously also connected with means for measuring the temperature within the breeding enclosure E.

[0196] Functioning

[0197] First, said at least one comfort equipment 10 is placed on the floor L4, then covered by said at least one comfort mattress 20.

[0198] In particular, said at least one comfort equipment 10 is adjusted to the width of the stalls L, at a suitable distance from the rear threshold L2 and the front limit L3.

[0199] During this installation, said at least one support plate 11 is placed on the floor L4 and then said at least one sealed conduit 12 is housed in the longitudinal grooves 115.

[0200] In general, the comfort equipment 10 may include several support plates 11 which are juxtaposed at the level of their transverse edges 112.

[0201] The support plates 11 are then adjusted transversely, so as to align their longitudinal grooves 115.

[0202] In this context, the sealed conduits 12 are advantageously continuous over the length of the support plates 11.

[0203] The comfort mattress 20 is also adjusted longitudinally so that each reception area 21 is positioned within a cubicle L.

[0204] Where applicable, said at least one sealed cavity 27, said at least one comfort mattress 20 is then filled with the heat transfer fluid.

[0205] Furthermore, the second filling of the heat transfer fluid, in said at least one sealed cavity 27, is advantageously adjusted to a filling lower than the nominal value so that its lower face 26 fits the comfort equipment 10. In order to prevent potential thermal stress, the control means 50 can automatically control the regulation means 40 and the circulation means 30, advantageously taking into account the ambient temperature within the breeding enclosure E acquired by the measuring means.

[0206] In the presence of unfavorable ambient thermal conditions, the control means 50 then generate:

[0207] - circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in said at least one sealed duct 12 of the comfort equipment 10 by means of the circulation means 30, and

[0208] - regulation of the temperature of the first heat transfer fluid by means of the regulation means 40.

[0209] Simultaneously, this first heat transfer fluid adjusts the temperature of the comfort mattress 20.

[0210] Where applicable, the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the sealed conduits 12 takes place here in parallel: the flow of the first heat transfer fluid is divided in order to pass simultaneously through these sealed conduits 12.

[0211] This circulation of the heat transfer fluid advantageously takes place in the same direction within the sealed conduits 12 juxtaposed: the fluid thus travels from the first opening orifices 121 to the second opening orifices 121.

[0212] In this case, a heat exchange is generated at the level of the sealed ducts 12 between, on the one hand, the first heat transfer fluid contained in these sealed ducts 12 and, on the other hand, the comfort mattress 20.

[0213] In cooling mode, the first heat transfer fluid can be naturally cold (for example, a water source at a temperature between 1°C and 15°C) or it can be cooled by the control means 40. The comfort system 1 according to the invention thus makes it possible to directly reduce the temperature of the animal within its cubicle L.

[0214] Thus, in operating configuration, the comfort system according to the invention makes it possible to cool the upper face 25 of the comfort mattress 20 which cools the animals' fur and limits the increase in their body temperature.

[0215] Conversely, in heating mode, the first heat transfer fluid is heated. The comfort system according to the invention allows heat to be delivered directly to the animal within its stall L.

[0216] When the risk of thermal stress is eliminated, the control means 50 automatically control the shutdown of the circulation means 30 and the regulation means 40.

[0217] Generally, the at least one support plate 11 and the at least one sealed conduit 12 are made of an elastically deformable material. This characteristic causes the at least one sealed conduit 12 to deform under compression, thus accelerating its aging. Furthermore, in the event of a defect in a sealed conduit 12 (for example, a leak), it is sufficient to replace it.

[0218] Of course, various other modifications can be made to the invention within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Comfort equipment, for the thermal comfort of animals in a livestock enclosure (E) and intended to be installed under a comfort mattress (20) for animals, which comfort equipment (10) comprises: - at least one support plate (11) comprising: -- two longitudinal borders (111), extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (A), and two transverse borders (112), -- an upper face (113) and a lower face (114), defining its thickness (E), and -- several longitudinal grooves (115), opening through said upper face (113) and extending over a portion of the thickness (E) of said support plate (11), and - at least one sealed conduit (12), intended to contain a first heat transfer fluid and to be brought into said longitudinal grooves (111) of said at least one support plate (11), which at least one sealed conduit (12) has at least two open orifices (121), to generate a circulation of said first heat transfer fluid within said at least one sealed conduit (12), between said open orifices (121).

2. Comfort equipment, according to claim 1, characterized in that said longitudinal grooves (115) are straight, extending parallel to said longitudinal axis (A).

3. Comfort equipment, according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said comfort equipment (10) comprises 2 to 8 longitudinal grooves (115).

4. Comfort equipment, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said at least one sealed conduit (12), brought into said longitudinal grooves (115), extends in projection above the upper face (113) of said at least one support plate (11), for example over at least 1 / 5 to 1 / 4 of its diameter.

5. Comfort equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least one support plate (11) is made of an elastomeric material, for example EVA, recycled or not, for example with a density of 100 to 400 kg / m³ 3 .

6. Comfort equipment, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the outside diameter of said at least one sealed conduit (12) is 50 to 60 mm and in that the longitudinal grooves (115) have a width of 50 to 60 mm.

7. Comfort equipment, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the longitudinal grooves (115) have a curved bottom wall (1151), for example in the shape of an arc of a circle, which is extended by two parallel side walls (1152) defining its width.

8. Comfort equipment, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said comfort equipment (10) comprises at least two comfort plates (15,16), intended to be attached on either side of said support plate (11).

9. Comfort equipment, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said comfort equipment (10) comprises an interface (17), intended to be attached under a rear comfort plate (15), in order to apply a downward slope to it from said support plate (11).

10. System for the comfort of animals in a livestock enclosure (E), which comfort system comprises: - at least one comfort feature (10), according to any one of claims 1 to 9, - at least one comfort mattress (20), preferably a water mattress, intended to be placed on top of said at least one comfort equipment (10), - circulation means (30), to generate circulation of said first heat transfer fluid within said at least one sealed conduit (12), between its opening orifices (121), and possibly - means of regulation (40), to regulate the temperature of said first heat transfer fluid.

11. Breeding enclosure (E) equipped with a comfort system according to claim (10).

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