Stackable Small-Animal Cages With Ventilation And Tamper-Proof Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal transportation containers lack sufficient ventilation for air flow and odor control, and secure locking mechanisms that prevent accidental opening during transit.
Innovation Solution
Design of stackable cages with interlocking features and a tamper-proof latch that ensures adequate air flow and secure closure, accommodating both small and large sizes for various animals, including a perch for birds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional transportation containers are used, then they can hold animals, but they lack sufficient ventilation for air flow and odor control
Solution Approach 1:
The cage walls and lid are constructed with numerous perforations creating a porous structure that enables continuous air flow through the container. This porous design allows fresh air to enter and stale air to exit, solving both ventilation and odor control requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system is segmented into multiple perforations distributed across all surfaces of the cage rather than a single opening. This segmentation ensures uniform air distribution and effective odor control throughout the entire container volume.
2Ease of operation
If conventional latches are used, then they can be easily opened by users, but they can be accidentally opened or tampered with during transit
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism incorporates a preliminary security feature where the latch tongue engages with a recessed receptacle that includes a breakaway tab. This preliminary anti-action prevents accidental opening by requiring deliberate force to break the tab, while still allowing authorized users to open the latch by breaking the tab with a tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch receptacle is positioned recessed in the cage structure rather than on the surface, creating local quality differences in accessibility. The recessed position with breakaway tab provides enhanced security at the critical latch point while maintaining overall ease of operation for authorized users.
3Ease of manufacture
If single-size cages are used, then they are simple to manufacture, but they cannot accommodate different types of animals efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The cage design establishes universal dimensions and features that can accommodate multiple types of small animals. The standardized cage size, combined with adjustable internal components like perches and bedding depth, allows the same cage design to serve multiple animal species and sizes efficiently.
4Productivity
If cages are stacked for transportation, then space efficiency improves, but ventilation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is designed in three dimensions with perforations on all surfaces including top, bottom, and sides. This dimensional approach ensures air flow paths exist in multiple directions, maintaining ventilation effectiveness even when cages are stacked vertically during transportation.
Data Source
AI summary
An animal shipping cage is provi6ded that can be a single size or in two or more different sizes. The cages are stackable, one on top of the other which has a number of benefits when shipping small animals. A cage of a single size is configured to have one cage stacked on top of another. Cages of two different sizes are configured to be stacked on top of each other in the same stack. Having a combination of cages, a small cage and a large cage, which can be stacked on top of each other in a secure fashion provides significant benefits when shipping a large number of different types of small animals. In one embodiment, a secure lock is provided that ensures the lid to the cage can only be opened by an intentional action of high force and confirmation obtained that it was not opened during shipment.