Pet Cage Access Ramp Closure for Integrated Animal Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet cages for rodents like rabbits and guinea pigs face challenges with non-compatible and separately purchased ramps, leading to management difficulties and increased costs, as well as space requirements for retailers due to the need for multiple accessories.
Innovation Solution
A modular, integrated ladder-like closing element that functions as both a window cover and a single or double ramp for animal transfer, compatible with the cage's structure and easily attachable, reducing the need for separate purchases and simplifying storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate ramps are purchased and used for animal transfer, then animal transfer function is achieved, but device complexity and product cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ramp function and window closing function into a single integrated element. The ladder-like element serves dual purposes: it can be positioned to provide a ramp for animal transfer and simultaneously acts as a closing element for the window opening, eliminating the need for separate ramps and reducing the number of accessories.
Solution Approach 2:
The ladder-like closing element is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a window cover when positioned vertically, and as a transfer ramp when positioned at an angle. This multi-functional design allows one element to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate accessories.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate ramps are purchased for each cage type, then compatibility is improved, but loss of substance and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ladder-like element is designed with universal applicability to work with different cage types and window opening shapes. The element can be adapted to various configurations while maintaining its dual function as both a window cover and transfer ramp, eliminating the need to purchase different ramps for different cage types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple accessories are stocked for retailers, then customer needs are met, but warehouse management complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the ramp and window closing functions into a single element, retailers only need to stock one type of accessory rather than multiple separate items. This integration simplifies warehouse management and reduces the variety of SKUs that need to be maintained.
4Ease of operation
If temporary ramp components are used, then animal transfer is enabled, but reliability and ease of operation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated ladder-like element provides a stable and reliable ramp structure because it is designed as a single cohesive component rather than temporary or separate parts. The element's design ensures proper positioning and stability when serving as a transfer ramp.
Data Source
AI summary
A cage designed to contain an animal is formed by the reciprocal conjunction of a series of grilled walls in a substantially parallelepiped arrangement applied to a basin type base. The cage includes a window opening on a grilled wall. The cage also include a ladder-like closing element having a substantially quadrilateral conformation and having dimensions corresponding to those of the window opening in which it is insertable to be closed. The ladder-like closing element is removable from the window opening to assume a configuration of a ramp positionable between an edge by the opening of the cage and an inner surface thereof and/or an outer surface adjacent thereto.