Nestable Animal Containment Cage Bases and Covers for Component Disengagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal containment cage bases and covers are typically disposed of or recycled after use, with components often requiring separate handling and sorting before disposal or recycling, which is labor-intensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The development of nestable animal containment cage bases and covers that allow for integrated nesting of components, enabling disengagement during the nesting process, thereby facilitating compact storage and recycling without prior separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cage components are permanently attached to cage bases for secure containment, then reliability of animal containment is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of nesting increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cage system is divided into separate components: cage bases, cage covers, and removable cage components (water bottles, food hoppers, waste collectors). Each component can be independently handled, attached when needed, and removed for nesting, resolving the contradiction between secure containment and nesting ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage components transition from a static permanently-attached state to a dynamic removable/reattachable state. Components can be attached to provide secure containment during use, then removed to enable easy nesting and storage, making the system adaptable to different operational states.
2Reliability
If cage components are permanently attached to ensure secure containment, then animal containment reliability is improved, but time and labor required for disassembly and nesting increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cage into modular components that attach and detach easily, the system eliminates time-consuming manual disassembly of permanently attached parts. Components like waste collectors and water bottles can be quickly removed and nested separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The nesting process is designed to be self-service, where the modular components naturally nest into each other without requiring complex tools or procedures. The cage bases, covers, and components are shaped to automatically align and stack efficiently.
3Productivity
If cage components are designed for easy removal and nesting, then productivity of cage processing is improved, but reliability of animal containment may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation into modular components with standardized attachment mechanisms ensures both easy removal for nesting and secure attachment during use. The standardized interfaces maintain reliability while enabling high-speed assembly and disassembly for processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanisms use adjustable parameters such as snap-fit tension, screw torque, or clip engagement force that can be optimized to provide sufficient holding strength during animal containment while allowing easy release when nesting is required.
4Volume of moving object
If cage bases and covers are nested with components attached, then storage space efficiency is improved, but contamination risk increases due to mixed materials
Solution Approach 1:
By separating components that may contain contaminants (waste collectors, water bottles) from the clean cage bases and covers, the system enables selective nesting. Clean components can be nested together while contaminated components are handled separately for proper disposal or cleaning, reducing cross-contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
Components prone to contamination are extracted from the nesting process entirely. Waste collectors and fluid-containing components are removed and disposed of separately, while only the clean structural components (bases, covers, mounting brackets) are nested for storage and reuse.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are animal containment cage bases and covers that can be nested to disengage and/or collapse one or more cage components or one or more cage component mount members from a cage base or cage cover. Also provided herein are methods of removing cage components or cage component mount members from cage bases and cage covers by nesting. Also provided herein, is a detachable animal containment cage component grommet and methods of use thereof.