Cage cover with filter, shield and nozzle receptacle

• US 10,314,287 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2017
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovive, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Innovive, Inc.
• Inventors: Conger, Dee L., Perazzo, Thomas M., D'Artenay, Matthew D., McGuffie, Francesca
• Primary Examiner(s): Xavier, Valentina
• Application Number:
  US15/842,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20180242551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/031 Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0356 Feeding or drinking devices associated with cages for poultry A01K31/005, A01K31/17, A01K39/00; for birds A01K31/06

Abstract

Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.

Claims

1. A method for reducing levels of gases and/or particulates in a rodent containment cage, comprising:

providing a rodent containment cage comprising;

a base and a cover, wherein the base comprises a front wall, rear wall and a bottom,

an air intake and an air exhaust, wherein the air exhaust is in the cover, and

a food tray in the interior of the cage; and

providing air at a low air-flow rate to the air intake, wherein the air intake, air exhaust and food tray are configured to direct air-flow in the interior of the cage from the air intake, under the food tray, along the bottom of the cage and up to the air exhaust;

whereby the air-flow removes gaseous waste from bedding material located at the bottom of a cage and about 98% of the gases and/or particulates are removed from the interior of the cage in a period of less than about 4 minutes.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the air-flow rate is about 60 ACH or less.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the air-flow rate is about 40 ACH or less.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the period is less than about 2 minutes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the period is less than about 1.5 minutes.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the air intake is positioned in the rear wall of a cage base.