Method of changing the cages of laboratory animals, and racks for use therewith
First Claim
1. The method of changing the cage of a laboratory animal, said cage including a bottom, a grill and a lid, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first rack having a plurality of stations for holding a corresponding plurality of bottoms, grills and lids, said stations holding at least one bottom, grill and lid;
removing a bottom, grill and lid from said first rack;
assembling a clean cage from the bottom, grill and lid removed from said first rack;
providing a dirty cage;
disassembling said dirty cage into its bottom, grill and lid components;
providing a second rack having a plurality of stations for holding a corresponding plurality of bottoms, grills and lids, said second rack having space for at least one bottom, grill and lid;
placing said dirty grill and lid on said second rack;
washing said dirty grill and lid while mounted on said second rack;
removing soiled bedding from said dirty bottom, washing said bottom; and
placing said washed bottom on said second rack;
thereby to change the cage of said laboratory animal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The method of changing the cage, including a bottom (31), grill (32) and lid (38), of a laboratory animal, includes the steps of: (a) providing a first rack (20) holding at least one clean bottom, grill and lid; (b) removing a clean bottom, grill and lid from said first rack; (c) assembling a clean cage from such bottom, grill and lid; (d) transferring a laboratory animal from a dirty cage to such assembled clean cage; (e) disassembling the dirty cage into its bottom, grill and lid components; (f) providing a second rack (20) having space for holding the dirty cage bottom, grill and lid components; (g) placing said dirty grill and lid on the second rack; (h) washing the dirty grill and lid while mounted on said second rack; (i) removing soiled bedding from the dirty bottom; (j) washing the bottom; (k) placing cleaned bedding in the washed bottom; and (l) placing said washed bottom with cleaned bedding on said second rack; thereby to change the cage of said laboratory animal.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. The method of changing the cage of a laboratory animal, said cage including a bottom, a grill and a lid, comprising the steps of:
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providing a first rack having a plurality of stations for holding a corresponding plurality of bottoms, grills and lids, said stations holding at least one bottom, grill and lid;
removing a bottom, grill and lid from said first rack;
assembling a clean cage from the bottom, grill and lid removed from said first rack;
providing a dirty cage;
disassembling said dirty cage into its bottom, grill and lid components;
providing a second rack having a plurality of stations for holding a corresponding plurality of bottoms, grills and lids, said second rack having space for at least one bottom, grill and lid;
placing said dirty grill and lid on said second rack;
washing said dirty grill and lid while mounted on said second rack;
removing soiled bedding from said dirty bottom, washing said bottom; and
placing said washed bottom on said second rack;
thereby to change the cage of said laboratory animal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
adding clean bedding to said washed bottom prior to its placement on said second rack.
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3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of placing said washed bottom on said second rack comprises the steps of:
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placing said washed bottom on a pallet; and
transferring said pallet to said second rack.
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4. The method as set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the additional step of:
sterilizing said second rack with said washed bottom, grill and lid thereon.
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5. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein each lid is slidably on said second rack.
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6. The method as set forth in claim 1, comprising the further step of:
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providing a third rack having a plurality of stations for holding a corresponding plurality of bottoms, grills and lids; and
coupling said second rack to said third rack before said dirty grill and lid are washed.
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7. The method as set forth in claim 6, comprising the further step of:
uncoupling said second and third racks after said dirty grill and lid have been washed.
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8. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said dirty cage contains a laboratory animal, and wherein said method comprises the further step of:
transferring said laboratory animal from said dirty cage to said clean cage.
Specification