Containment systems and components for animal husbandry: rack module assembly method

• US 8,082,885 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2007
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovive, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Innovive, Inc.
• Inventors: Conger, Dee L., Perazzo, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michener, Joshua
• Application Number:
  US11/695,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20080078332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,730 Days
• Field of Search: 119416-421, 119455-458
• US Class Current: 119/419
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/031 Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals

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 process for assembling a modular rack unit for containing rodent cages, which comprises:

providing an airflow unit, which airflow unit comprises a controller and an air pressure sensor or airflow sensor and which sensor is configured to send an air pressure signal or airflow signal directly to the controller;

a connector joined to the airflow unit; and

two or more rack unit modules, wherein each rack unit module comprises;

a first vertical side wall;

a second vertical side wall;

a front wall, wherein a first portion of a plurality of shelves are attached to the front wall;

a rear wall, wherein a second portion of a plurality of shelves are optionally attached to the rear wall;

wherein the front wall and rear wall extend vertically between the first and second vertical side wall; and

an air supply port and an air exhaust port at each of the shelves; and

joining the two or more rack unit modules, wherein the rack modules are detachable and are effectively joined to the connector.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the connector is connected without a tool.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the airflow unit further comprises a blower.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the airflow unit further comprises a conduit, a filter, a heater, air cooler, humidifier, de-humidifier, a deodorizer or combination thereof.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the modules further comprise two or more sensors.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein the sensor is in connection with a tube, a conduit, an air metering nozzle, a cage or combination thereof.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein each of the shelves is configured to engage one or more rodent cages.

8. The process of claim 7, wherein the airflow unit circulates filtered air into each cage.