Containment systems and components for animal husbandry

• US 20060124072A1
• Filed: 12/13/2005
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovive, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Innovive, LLC
• Inventors: d'Artenay, Matthew D., Perazzo, Thomas M., Conger, Dee L., Cannell, Asa
• Granted Patent: US 7,527,020 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/417
• 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. An animal containment cage comprising a wall or walls and a bottom, wherein:

the cage is constructed from a polymer, and

the thickness of each wall is about 0.01 inches to about 0.08 inches.

2. The animal containment cage of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the bottom is about 0.01 inches to about 0.08 inches.

3. The animal containment cage of claim 2, wherein the thickness is about 0.02 inches to about 0.06 inches.

4. The animal containment cage of claim 3, wherein the thickness is about 0.02 inches to about 0.03 inches.

5. The animal containment cage of claim 1, wherein the cage is semi-rigid.

6. The animal containment cage of claim 1, wherein the cage weighs 150 grams or less.

7. The animal containment cage of any one or claims 1, wherein one or more of the wall or walls, bottom and cover comprise an indent or boss.

8. The animal containment cage of claim 7, wherein a wall comprises an indent extending from the junction of the bottom and the wall.

9. The animal containment cage of claim 7, wherein one or more or all edges and junctions of the indent or boss and one or more wall junctions and corners are rounded junctions and rounded corners.

10. The animal containment cage of claim 9, wherein the rounded junctions and rounded corners are defined by a radius of about 0.25 inches or greater.

11. The animal containment cage of claim 10, wherein the radius is about 0.30 inches or greater.

12. The animal containment cage of claim 1, wherein one or more junctions between the bottom and two walls comprise two or more corners.

13. The animal containment cage of claim 12, wherein the one or more junctions comprise three corners.

14. The animal containment cage of claim 1, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polyethylene teraphthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, high-impact polystyrene, polyethylenefluoroethylene, acrylnitrile butadiene styrene copolymers.

15. The animal containment cage of claim 1, wherein at least one set of opposing walls taper inwards towards the cage bottom.

16. The animal containment cage of claim 15, wherein all walls taper inwards towards the bottom.

17. The animal containment cage of claim 1, wherein the cage is in sealing connection with a cover constructed from a polymer having a thickness of about 0.01 inches to about 0.08 inches.

18. The animal containment cage of claim 17, wherein the thickness of the cover is about 0.02 inches to about 0.06 inches.

19. The animal containment cage of claim 18, wherein the thickness of the cover is about 0.02 inches to about 0.03 inches.

20. The animal containment cage of claim 17, wherein the cover is semi-rigid.

21. The animal containment cage of claim 17, wherein the cover weighs 100 grams or less.

22. The animal containment cage of claim 17, which is ventilated.

23. The animal containment cage of claim 22, wherein the cage is ventilated by positive air pressure.

24. The animal containment cage of claim 22, wherein the cage is ventilated by negative air pressure.

25. The animal containment cage of claim 22, wherein the cage is ventilated by positive air pressure and negative air pressure.

26. The animal containment cage of claim 25, wherein the air pressure is 0.3 inches of water or greater.

27. The animal containment cage of claim 22, wherein the cage is ventilated through the cover.

28. The animal containment cage of claim 1, wherein the cage is a single-use cage.