Apparatus and method for washing cages, in particular of small sizes, for animals

Abstract

Apparatus (10) and method for washing cages (11) for animals, in particular cages (11) of small sizes, comprising both a washing chamber (19) provided with first washing means (21) and also at least one support trolley (26, 27) capable of supporting a plurality of cages (11) and having sizes such that it can be completely introduced into the washing chamber (19). In particular, the washing chamber (19) has sizes such that it can completely accommodate two support trolleys (26, 27). Second washing means (37) are provided to wash the cages (11) that are positioned on both the support trolleys (26, 27).

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WASHING CAGES, IN PARTICULAR OF SMALL SIZES, FOR ANIMALS

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention concerns an apparatus and a method for washing cages, in particular of small sizes, that is, with a capacity of the order of a few cubic decimeters, for containing animals. In the present description and in the attached claims, the term “wash” or its derivatives, such as “washing” or suchlike, refers to any step or set of steps which allow to carry out a complete cleaning, for example using a fluid, such as water and / or any other liquid, even a detergent, even including any steps of soaking, pre-washing, sanitization, disinfection, disinfestation, sterilization, drying and / or suchlike, one or more cages of any type whatsoever, in particular of small sizes, for example, and without any limitation whatsoever, for small animals used in animal houses and / or scientific research laboratories.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] There are a number of known apparatuses or machines for simultaneously washing, automatically or semi-automatically, a plurality of cages, in particular ones of small sizes, in which small animals used as laboratory test subjects in the field of scientific research are normally housed. These cages are normally disposed in an animal house or in a special area of a research laboratory, and each of them usually comprises at least a base, or bottom, which acts as a litter box for the animals, a grid, or net, resting on the base, and an upper cover.

[0006] It is also known that when these cages are part of animal houses, their management is regulated by specific regulations, such as Directive 2010 / 63 / EU, which also require the fairly frequent washing of the cages themselves, or at least of their base, which is usually done every one or two weeks.

[0007] Therefore, some manufacturers have marketed apparatuses for simultaneously washing several dozen animal cages, either automatically or semi-automatically.

[0008] The same Applicant is producing and marketing an apparatus comprising a fixed structure shaped so as to have a washing chamber shaped substantially as a parallelepiped with a capacity of 8 m3and which, during use, becomes watertight, inside which a mobile support trolley can be removably inserted, provided with wheels and having several horizontal shelves in which the cages, or parts thereof, to be washed can be positioned. Washing devices are positioned inside the washing chamber and close to the two opposing lateral walls of the fixed structure, which are configured to spray, through delivery nozzles, water and / or another liquid under pressure against the cages, or parts thereof, to be washed.

[0009] However, the known apparatus as above has a capacity limit, and therefore an hourly production capacity limit, because the power and range of the lateral jets that spray the washing liquid have limited values.

[0010] WO2023 / 242704A1 discloses a washing and / or depyrogenation machine.

[0011] Other limitations and disadvantages of conventional solutions and technologies will be clear to a person of skill in the art after reading the remaining part of the present description, with reference to the drawings and the description of the embodiments.

[0012] There is therefore the need to perfect an apparatus for washing cages, in particular of small sizes, for animals, which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0013] To do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of ensuring that, in a washing chamber of larger sizes than known chambers, in which it is therefore possible to introduce a greater number of animal cages, the washing devices are positioned so as to reach all the cages, in order to guarantee that each of the cages undergoes an optimal and complete washing.

[0014] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and perfect a method for washing cages for animals that can increase production capacity, with the aim of doubling that of similar known apparatuses while guaranteeing a high efficiency and effectiveness of the washing of all the cages treated simultaneously.

[0015] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and perfect a method for washing cages for animals that can be used for different types of cages and that guarantee an optimal washing thereof, regardless of their position in the washing chamber.

[0016] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and perfect a method for washing cages for animals that are economical and simple to manage and control, even by not particularly qualified personnel.

[0017] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0018] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0020] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, an apparatus for washing cages, in particular of small sizes, for animals, according to the present invention, comprises both a washing chamber provided with first washing means and also at least one support trolley capable of supporting a plurality of the cages and having sizes such that it can be completely introduced into the washing chamber.

[0021] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the washing chamber has sizes such that it can completely accommodate at least two support trolleys having substantially the same sizes; in addition, it is provided that at least a first support trolley is provided with second washing means configured to wash, together with, or as an alternative to, the first washing means, the cages which are positioned, during use, on all of the at least two support trolleys.

[0022] Doing so achieves at least the advantage of at least doubling the capacity of the washing chamber and, furthermore, by equipping at least one of the support trolleys with additional washing means, in addition to the usual ones normally disposed near the lateral walls of the washing chamber, of optimally washing at least double the number of cages compared to traditional apparatuses with a single washing cycle, thus at least also doubling the production capacity of the apparatus itself.

[0023] The first washing means are disposed in proximity to two vertical lateral walls of the washing chamber and the second washing means comprise at least one or more impellers, all positioned on a same side of the first support trolley, opposite the one which, during use, faces one of the lateral walls.

[0024] The first washing means comprise first tubular elements, or lances, disposed horizontally, and the second washing means comprise second tubular elements connected to each other so as to form a fluidic system and in turn comprising a vertical tubular element from which at least two horizontal tubular elements branch off, at the free ends of which an equal number of impellers are mounted rotatable.

[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each of the impellers is provided with nozzles on both sides, to direct, during use, a washing fluid both toward the first support trolley on which they are mounted, and also toward a second support trolley of the at least two support trolleys.

[0026] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the impellers are four and the diameter of each of them is such as to cover half of the first support trolley, both in length and in height, whereby the four impellers are able to cover substantially all the space of the first support trolley and, during use, also of the second support trolley.

[0027] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the nozzles of each of the impellers are positioned so that, during use, the jet of washing fluid at exit therefrom also causes the same impeller to rotate in a certain direction of rotation.

[0028] In accordance with another example aspect of the present invention, the washing chamber can have a length of up to 2,300 mm, a width of up to 1,410 mm and a height of up to 2,150 mm, consequently it can have a capacity of up to 8 m3.

[0029] Moreover, in some embodiments each of the at least two support trolleys comprises a frame shaped substantially as a parallelepiped, with a length which is a few centimeters less than the length of the washing chamber, a height, including wheels mounted on the lower part, which is a few centimeters less than the height of the latter and a width which is at least 470 mm less than half the width of the washing chamber.

[0030] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the washing chamber comprises a floor on which sliding guides for the wheels are made.

[0031] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each support trolley comprises a frame substantially consisting of uprights and crosspieces, the frame being made using section metal elements made of stainless steel.

[0032] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each of the at least two support trolleys comprises a plurality of horizontal shelves.

[0033] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the shelves are equidistant from each other.

[0034] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, in correspondence with the lateral flanks of each of the at least two support trolleys and / or in the central zone thereof, for one or more of the shelves, one or more bars can be positioned horizontally, at least the central ones in a removable manner, the bars being advantageously resting on recesses of horizontal supports with a comb-like shape, with the teeth facing upward, which have the function of preventing the cages from falling from the at least two support trolleys, both during transport to and from the washing chamber and also during the cages’ washing cycle.

[0035] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for washing cages, in particular of small sizes, for animals, comprises a manufacturing step in which an apparatus is made having both a washing chamber provided with first washing means which are disposed in proximity to two vertical lateral walls of the washing chamber, and also at least one support trolley capable of supporting a plurality of the cages and having sizes such that it can be completely introduced into the washing chamber; in addition, during the manufacturing step the washing chamber is sized so that it can completely accommodate at least two support trolleys having substantially the same sizes, and second washing means are made in at least a first support trolley of the at least two support trolleys which are configured to wash, together with, or as alternative to, the first washing means, the cages which are positioned, during use, on all of the at least two support trolleys.

[0036] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method also comprises: a loading step in which the cages, or at least some parts thereof, to be washed are placed in the at least two support trolleys; a step of introducing the at least two support trolleys into the washing chamber, positioning them so that the second washing means are interposed between the first support trolley and a second support trolley of the at least two support trolleys; a closing step in which the washing chamber is hermetically closed; and a washing step in which a complete washing cycle of the cages, or parts thereof, positioned in the at least two support trolleys, is carried out.

[0037] Another aspect described here concerns a support trolley for an apparatus for washing cages, particularly of small sizes, for animals, the support trolley being able to support a plurality of cages. The support trolley is provided with its own washing means configured to wash, together with, or as alternative to, first washing means of a washing chamber of the apparatus, the cages that are positioned, during use, on the support trolley and on an additional support trolley which is able to be accommodated in the washing chamber together with the support trolley.

[0038] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0040] - fig. 1 is a schematic front view of an apparatus for washing cages for animals according to the present invention;

[0041] - fig. 2 is a partial, schematic rear view of the apparatus of fig. 1 ;

[0042] - fig. 3 is a partial view along line III-III of fig. 1;

[0043] - fig. 4 is a left lateral perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of fig. 1 ;

[0044] - fig. 5 is a left lateral view of the detail of fig. 4;

[0045] - fig. 6 is a right lateral perspective view of the detail of fig. 4, which also shows some cages for animals.

[0046] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example thereof, since the scope of protection is defined solely by the claims.

[0047] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings.

[0048] DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0049] With reference to fig. 1, an apparatus 10 according to the present invention is configured to simultaneously wash a plurality of cages 11 , in particular of small sizes, which are suitable to each contain at least one animal, for example those typically intended for scientific research, such as rats, mice, hamsters, rabbits, or others. Each cage 1 1 can have any shape whatsoever, for example cylindrical, parallelepiped, cheese wedge-shaped, or irregular, and is not part of the present invention. Normally, the most common cages 11 comprise at least a base, or bottom, which acts as a litter box for the animals, a grid, or net, resting on the base, and an upper cover. The attached drawings show, by way of example, cages 1 1 shaped substantially as a wedge of cheese.

[0050] In accordance with one example embodiment, the apparatus 10 comprises a fixed structure 12 shaped substantially as a parallelepiped and comprising two vertical lateral walls 13, 14, a rear wall 15 (fig. 3), also vertical, a floor 16 (fig. 1) and a ceiling 17, which together define a washing chamber 19 able to be hermetically closed by a door 20 (fig. 3).

[0051] By way of a non-limiting example, the washing chamber 19 has a length LI of up to 2,300 mm, a width W1 (fig. 3) of up to 1,410 mm and a height Hl of up to 2,150 mm, consequently it has a capacity of up to 8 m3.

[0052] First washing means 21, substantially of a known type, are present in the washing chamber 19, close to the two lateral walls 13, 14 (figs. 1, 2 and 3), which in this specific case comprise a plurality of first tubular elements, or lances, 22 and 23, respectively, for example four for each lateral wall 13, 14, which are disposed horizontally, substantially equidistant and each provided with a plurality of nozzles 24 capable of spraying a washing fluid, which can be water, or another liquid, or a gas, directing it with a certain pressure toward the cages 11 in order to wash them, as will be described in detail below. The first tubular elements 22, 23 are connected to a delivery device 25, of a known type and only schematized in the drawings, which in addition to feeding them with the necessary washing fluid, is also able to make them oscillate in both directions of rotation, by a certain amplitude, around the respective longitudinal axes.

[0053] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the washing chamber 19 is configured to accommodate two support trolleys 26, 27, substantially the same as each other, with the exception of some characteristics which will be described below and which are present only in the first support trolley 26, which is the one shown in detail in figs. 4, 5 and 6 and which is located on the left side of the washing chamber 19 in figs. 1 and 3 and on the right side of the washing chamber 19 in fig. 2.

[0054] Each support trolley 26, 27 comprises a frame 29 substantially consisting of uprights and crosspieces and made, for example, using section metal elements, preferably made of stainless steel.

[0055] Furthermore, each support trolley 26, 27 comprises a plurality of horizontal shelves 30 substantially equidistant from each other, which are four in the example given here, supported by the frame 29 and on each of which one or more cages 11 can be positioned. The shelves 30 define as many levels in height of the corresponding support trolley 26, 27. In its lower part, each support trolley 26, 27 is provided with four wheels 31 by means of which it can easily slide on the floor 16, guided by guides 32 (figs. 1 and 2) which are preferably parallel to the lateral walls 13, 14 and made on the floor 16 of the washing chamber 19.

[0056] Overall, the frame 29 of each support trolley 26, 27 is shaped substantially as a parallelepiped, with a length L2 (fig. 3) which is a few centimeters less than the length LI of the washing chamber 19, a height H2 (fig. 1) which, including the wheels 31, is a few centimeters less than the height Hl of the latter, and a width W2 which is at least 470 mm less than half the width W1 of the washing chamber 19.

[0057] In this way, by using all the shelves 30, a large number of standard size cages 11, up to about 80, can be placed in each support trolley 26, 27.

[0058] Some embodiments provide that each shelf 30 can be slightly inclined outward, or be provided with elements 33 (fig. 4) protruding upward in order to keep the cages 11 resting on them slightly inclined, so that at the end of each washing cycle the washing fluid does not remain on the lower surfaces of the cages 11 , but flows by gravity toward the floor 16 of the washing chamber 19, where it is collected in a known manner.

[0059] A plurality of bars 35 can be positioned horizontally between the shelves 30, both in correspondence with the lateral flanks of the support trolleys 26, 27 and also in the central zone thereof, at least the central bars 25 being positioned in a removable manner, the bars 25 being advantageously resting on recesses of horizontal supports 36 with a comb-like shape, with the teeth facing upward and having the function of preventing the cages 11 from falling from the support trolleys 26, 27, both during transport to and from the washing chamber 19, and also during the washing cycle.

[0060] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the first support trolley 26 (figs, from 1 to 6), in addition to the components common to the second support trolley 27, comprises second washing means 37 which are configured to wash, together with, or as alternative to, the first washing means 21 , the cages 11 which are positioned, during use, on both the support trolleys 26, 27. In the embodiment shown here, the second washing means 37 comprise a plurality of second tubular elements 39 connected to each other so as to form a fluidic system and in turn comprising a vertical tubular element 40 (figs. 4 and 5) from which four horizontal tubular elements 41 branch off, supported by the frame 29 and all disposed on a same side of the support trolley 26, opposite the one which, during use, faces the lateral wall 13. At the free ends of the four horizontal tubular elements 41 an equal number of impellers 42 are mounted rotatable, lying on a same vertical plane and provided with nozzles 43 on both sides in order to direct, during use, the washing fluid both toward the first support trolley 26 and also toward the second support trolley 26.

[0061] The diameter of each impeller 42 is such as to cover half of the first support trolley 26, both in length and in height, whereby the four impellers 42 are able to cover substantially all the space of the first support trolley 26 and, during use, also of the second support trolley 27.

[0062] The nozzles 43 of each impeller 42 are positioned so that, during use, the jet of washing fluid at exit therefrom also causes the same impeller 42 to rotate in a certain direction of rotation.

[0063] In this way, the cages 11 placed on both support trolleys 26, 27 can be selectively reached by the washing fluid coming from both the first washing means 21 and also the second washing means 37.

[0064] The distance of the impellers 42 from the frame 29 (figs. 1, 2 and 3) of the first support trolley 26 is such that when, during use, the two support trolleys 26, 27 are positioned parallel to each other in the washing chamber 19, thanks to their wheels 31 being held in position by the guides 32, the vertical plane on which the same impellers 42 lie is substantially equidistant from the two support trolleys 26, 27.

[0065] The second washing means 37 also comprise another horizontal tubular element 45 disposed below the lowest of the shelves 30 of the first support trolley 26, and also an inclined tubular element 46 (fig. 6) having a free end 47 provided with a fluidic connector 49 of a known type, capable of rapidly connecting or being connected, during use, to a corresponding fluidic connector 50 (fig. 1) which is part of the delivery device 25 and is disposed inside the washing chamber 19, in a fixed position, which in the embodiment shown here is close to the lateral wall 13 and to the floor 16 (figs. 1, 2 and 3). Embodiments not shown in the drawings, but easily understood by a person of skill in the art, can provide that the fluidic connector 49 of the first support trolley 26 and the corresponding fluidic connector 50 are placed, for example, in proximity to the floor 16, the ceiling 17, or the rear wall 15.

[0066] The delivery device 25 can be provided with a valve of a known type and not shown in the drawings, able to be selectively commanded in order to direct the washing fluid toward the first washing means 21 and / or toward the second washing means 37.

[0067] The operation of the apparatus 10 described heretofore, which corresponds to a method for washing cages 11 for animals according to the present invention, comprises: a step of manufacturing the washing chamber 19, the delivery device 25 and the two support trolleys 26, 27, in particular equipping the first trolley 26 with the second washing means 37; a loading step, in which the cages 11, or only some parts thereof, for example the bases, to be washed are placed in the different shelves 30 of the two support trolleys 26, 27, resting their sides on the bars 35 which are suitably positioned on the respective supports 36; a step of introducing the two support trolleys 26, 27 into the washing chamber 19, positioning them so that the impellers 42 are interposed between the two support trolleys 26, 27; a closing step, in which the washing chamber 19 is hermetically closed using the door 20; and a washing step, in which a complete washing cycle of the cages 11, or their parts positioned in the support trolleys 26, 27, is carried out, which can be of any type whatsoever in compliance with current regulations.

[0068] Indicatively, each washing cycle can comprise one or more of the following washing sub steps: soaking, or pre-washing; actual washing, for example for 120 seconds with the fluid, for example water, at 55 °C; rinsing; sanitizing, disinfecting, disinfestation and / or sterilizing treatment at 82 °C for 20 seconds; possible drying.

[0069] During the washing cycle, depending on the power of the delivery device 25, the washing fluid can be delivered simultaneously by both the first washing means 21 and also the second washing means 37, or, with lower powers, sequentially first by means of the first washing means 21 and then by means of the second washing means 37, or vice versa.

[0070] Therefore, advantageously, with the sizes of the washing chamber 19 and of the support trolleys 26, 27 indicated above, by using all eight shelves 30, up to about 160 cages 1 1 can be placed in each support trolley 26, 27, and they can be washed optimally during each washing cycle, thus doubling the hourly productivity compared to known apparatuses that use a single trolley of the same sizes.

[0071] Other embodiments not shown in the drawings, but easily understood by a person of skill in the art, can provide to increase the sizes of the washing chamber 19 so that it can accommodate a number of support trolleys 26, 27 greater than two, placed side by side to each other, of which the two lateral ones can be the same as the second support trolley 27, that is, without any fluidic supply, while each of the central ones, one or more, could be similar to the first support trolley 26, but provided with impellers 42 on both opposing sides. In this case, however, the fluidic connector 49 of the first support trolley 26 and the corresponding fluidic connector 50 that forms part of the delivery device 25 should be positioned, for example, in proximity to the floor 16, the ceiling 17, or the rear wall 15.

[0072] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts and / or steps may be made to the apparatus 10 and to the method as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0073] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of apparatuses and methods for washing cages for animals, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0074] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus (10) for washing cages (11), in particular of small sizes, for animals, comprising both a washing chamber (19) provided with first washing means (21) disposed in proximity to two vertical lateral walls (13, 14) of said washing chamber (19), and also at least one support trolley (26, 27) capable of supporting a plurality of said cages (11) and having sizes such that it can be completely introduced into said washing chamber (19), characterized in that said washing chamber (19) has sizes such that it can completely accommodate at least two support trolleys (26, 27) having substantially the same sizes and in that at least a first support trolley (26) of said at least two support trolleys (26, 27) is provided with second washing means (37) configured to wash, together with, or as an alternative to, said first washing means (21), said cages (11) which are positioned, during use, on all of said at least two support trolleys (26, 27), wherein said second washing means (37) comprise at least one or more impellers (42) all positioned on a same side of said first support trolley (26), opposite the one which, during use, faces one of said lateral walls (13, 14), and wherein said first washing means (21) comprise first tubular elements, or lances, (22, 23) disposed horizontally, and said second washing means (37) comprise second tubular elements (39) connected to each other so as to form a fluidic system and in turn comprising a vertical tubular element (40) from which at least two horizontal tubular elements (41) branch off, at the free ends of which an equal number of said impellers (42) are mounted rotatable.

2. Apparatus (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that each of said impellers (42) is provided with nozzles (43) on both sides, to direct, during use, a washing fluid both toward said first support trolley (26) on which they are mounted, and also toward a second support trolley (27) of said at least two support trolleys (26, 27).

3. Apparatus (10) as in claim 2, characterized in that said impellers (42) are four and the diameter of each of them is such as to cover half of said first support trolley (26), both in length and in height, whereby said four impellers (42) are able to cover substantially all the space of said first support trolley (26) and, during use, also of said second support trolley (27).

4. Apparatus (10) as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said nozzles (43) of each of said impellers (42) are positioned so that, during use, the jet of the washingfluid at exit therefrom also causes the same impeller (42) to rotate in a certain direction of rotation.

5. Apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said washing chamber (19) has a length (LI) of up to 2,300 mm, a width (Wl) of up to 1 ,400 mm and a height (Hl) of up to 2,150 mm, consequently having a capacity of up to 8 m3.

6. Apparatus (10) as in claim 5, characterized in that each of said at least two support trolleys (26, 27) comprises a frame (29) shaped substantially as a parallelepiped, with a length (L2) which is a few centimeters less than the length (LI) of said washing chamber (19), a height (H2), including wheels (31) mounted on the lower part, which is a few centimeters less than the height (Hl) of the latter and a width (W2) which is at least 470 mm less than half the width (Wl) of said washing chamber (19).

7. Apparatus (10) as in claim 6, characterized in that said washing chamber (19) comprises a floor (16) on which sliding guides (32) for said wheels (31) are made.

8. Apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that each support trolley (26, 27) comprises a frame (29) substantially consisting of uprights and crosspieces and made using section metal elements made of stainless steel.

9. Apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that each of said at least two support trolleys (26, 27) comprises a plurality of horizontal shelves (30).

10. Apparatus (10) as in claim 9, characterized in that said shelves (30) are equidistant from each other.

11. Apparatus (10) as in claim 9 or 10, characterized in that in correspondence with the lateral flanks of each of said at least two support trolleys (26, 27) and / or in the central zone thereof, for one or more of said shelves (30), one or more bars (35) can be positioned horizontally, at least the central ones in a removable manner, the bars (35) being advantageously resting on recesses of horizontal supports (36) with a comb-like shape, with the teeth facing upward, which have the function of preventing said cages (11) from falling from said at least two support trolleys (26, 27), both during transport to and from said washing chamber (19) and also during the washing cycle of said cages (11).

12. Method for washing cages (11), in particular of small sizes, for animals,comprising a manufacturing step in which an apparatus is made having both a washing chamber (19) provided with first washing means (21) which are disposed in proximity to two vertical lateral walls (13, 14) of said washing chamber (19), and also at least one support trolley (26, 27) capable of supporting a plurality of said cages (11) and having sizes such that it can be completely introduced into said washing chamber (19), characterized in that during said manufacturing step said washing chamber (19) is sized so that it can completely accommodate at least two support trolleys (26, 27) having substantially the same sizes, and second washing means (37) are made in at least a first support trolley (26) of said at least two support trolleys (26, 27) which are configured to wash, together with, or as alternative to, said first washing means (21), said cages (11) which are positioned, during use, on all of said at least two support trolleys (26, 27), wherein said second washing means (37) comprise at least one or more impellers (42) all positioned on a same side of said first support trolley (26), opposite the one which, during use, faces one of said lateral walls (13, 14), and wherein said first washing means (21) comprise first tubular elements, or lances, (22, 23) disposed horizontally, and said second washing means (37) comprise second tubular elements (39) connected to each other so as to form a fluidic system and in turn comprising a vertical tubular element (40) from which at least two horizontal tubular elements (41) branch off, at the free ends of which an equal number of said impellers (42) are mounted rotatable.

13. Method as in claim 12, characterized in that it also comprises a loading step, in which said cages (11), or at least some parts thereof, to be washed are placed in said at least two support trolleys (26, 27); a step of introducing said at least two support trolleys (26, 27) into said washing chamber (19), positioning them so that said second washing means (37) are interposed between said first support trolley (26) and a second support trolley (27) of said at least two support trolleys (26, 27); a closing step in which said washing chamber (19) is hermetically closed; and a washing step in which a complete washing cycle of said cages (11), or their parts positioned in said at least two support trolleys (26, 27), is carried out.

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