GB2205474A - Poultry conveying - Google Patents

Abstract

Poultry containers in the form of modules are located on a lorry or trailer. Modules may be separated by transverse passages 20 and longitudinal passages 13. Air defectors 21, 22 are provided at opposite ends of passages 20 so that when the vehicle moves an airflow into and through passages 20 is caused by these deflectors. Circulation is also improved in passages 13. <IMAGE>

Description

POULTRY CONVEYING This invention relates to conveying poultry.

Poultry, in particular chickens and turkeys, are raised at farms and then need to be conveyed, perhaps for up to one hundred miles or more, to factories where they are killed and prepared.

There are various existing systems by which poultry can be conveyed. Many systems involve a plurality of containers to be stacked on a lorry or trailer while others involve containers permanently attached to a lorry or trailer. Removable containers are removed from the lorry or trailer at least for the purpose of loading and in many cases for the purpose of unloading as well. They often comprise stacks of compartments to be loaded and/or unloaded either from the top or from the side. These stacks of compartments may be provided in groups called modules, comprising for instance a unit of four stacks of three compartments. There will be spaces between these stacks within the module as well as means for lifting the module on and off a lorry or trailer.

When loaded on a lorry or trailer, or when provided thereon in permanent arrangements, it is normal to provide spaces not only between the stacks of containers in a module but also between the modules so that airflow can take place both at longitudinally and transversely of the lorry or trailer between the modules or between the units within the modules.

At the present time however there is no convenient way of controlling the airflow. The flow which may be suitable at one time of year may well be unsuitable at other times of year. Bearing in mind that the distances travelled may be quite large, it can readily be understood that in summer it is necessary to keep the birds cool and in winter to keep them warm in order to minimize damage and hardship for them.

With the present invention we propose to provide an arrangement of ventillating poultry containers on a lorry or trailer using deflectors to increase or decrease the airflow through gaps between the containers.' The deflectors may be removably attached to the containers or permanently attached thereto and are preferably adjustable in position. Alternatively they may be attached to the lorry or trailer itself and adjustable position.

According to the present invention therefore there is provided a poultry container to be located on a lorry or trailer and having at least one deflector adjustably and/or removably attached thereto.

The invention also provides for a lorry or trailer to carry poultry containers with deflectors adjustably or removably attached thereto for controlling the flow of air between the containers.

In this invention airflow can be increased by ensuring that the gaps between containers are open and arranging the deflectors so that air is deflected therethrough from one side or end of the lorry to the other. To decrease the amount of ventilation the gaps can be closed, or nearly closed, using the same deflectors.

The deflectors can be spring loaded and attached to the modules so as to be set in a position depending on the weather conditions. The deflectors may for instance be pivotably attached, and tightenable in certain preset positions by the operator or alternatively movable between a variety of positions in which they are securely held by some other means.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example certain possible embodiments of the present invention and in these drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a plurality of modules to contain poultry mounted on a trailer; Fig. 2 is a plan view of a row of modules indicating one possible airflow; Fig. 3 is a plan view illustrating another possible airflow; Fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating minimum airflow; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a part of the module showing one way of adjustably positioning a deflector.

Figure 1 shows a trailer 15 carrying a plurality of modules each including a number of compartments for containing poultry. There are in fact eleven modules shown nearly all of two compartment width and length. The length of the module matches the width of the trailer. The modules are separated from each other by passages 20. In the rear part of the trailer modules of three compartment height are placed upon modules of four compartment height.

In order completely to use the fore-part of the trailer there is one module of five compartments height but only a single compartment width, and then a two compartment height module placed upon a three compartment height module.

Looking at the upper rear most module which is indicated at 10, this therefore has four stacks of three compartments each in an integral construction. A channel 11 at the top is provided by which it can be lifted on and off the trailer with the special adaptation of a forklift truck. The compartments on each side have up and over doors such as 12 to allow access, for one or both of loading and unloading. The two compartments of each module which are on each side of the trailer abut each other, but there is a gap 13 between them and the pair on the opposite side to allow some ventilation. Although it forms no part of this invention compartments of the modules may be accessible through the top. Ventilation holes are provided in the walls and doors.

Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a row of four modules, separated, as can be seen in Figure 1 by transverse passages 20 as well as the modules having the longitudinal passages 13. In this arrangement deflectors 21, 22 are provided at opposite ends of the transverse passages 20, so that with the vehicle presumed to be moving to the left as shown in the Figure, an airflow into and through the passages 20 will be caused by these deflectors.

This will also improve circulation in the passages 13, thus assisting in keeping cool birds in the inner part of a module. This arrangement might be therefore suitable for work in good weather.

In Figure 3 an alternative arrangement is illustrated wherein there are deflectors 30 at both outside trailing edges of each module, leading to some flow through the modules and in particular through the passages 13 by creating low pressure to the right of the deflectors.

In Figure 4 an arrangement of either of Figures 2 or 3 is shown adjusted so that the deflectors close the passages 20, such as may be required in cold weather or when travelling at night.

There are many ways in which it is envisaged that the deflectors could be arranged to be adjustable. They can for instance be freely pivotable at the corners of the modules, or whatever other form of container is provided or on the lorry or trailer as such, and have a locking arrangement to hold them in particular positions. The locking arrangement could for instance be a stay extending from the deflectors, alternatively there could be an arrangement by which the deflectors are tightened so as to adopt and maintain a particular orientation. Another possibility which is illustrated in Figure 5 at a, b and c involves pivoting the deflector, as shown at 50, on a corner of a module by means of hinge pins 52 on arms 51 and engageable in sockets 52 with recessed upper surfaces to receive the arms 51 and prevent rotation thereof.

Adjustment is made by lifting the deflector, turning it round, and dropping the arm 51 with the hinge pin 52 into another recess in the socket 52.

The invention provides an arrangement for readily controlling and setting the ventilation of a stack of poultry carrying modules so that optimum ventilation conditions can readily be provided according to circumstances. Many designs incorporating this principle are contemplated, involving adjustable and/or replaceable deflectors to control the airflow through channels between and within modules.

Claims (13)

1. A poultry container to be located on a lorry or trailer and having at least one air deflector adjustably and/or removably attached thereto.

2. A container according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of modules connected together to provide a container, the modules being adapted to receive poultry in each, and at least one air passage between the modules in the container.

3. A lorry or trailer to carry poultry containers with deflectors adjustably and/or removably attached thereto for controlling the flow of air between the containers.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the deflectors are arranged to cause air to pass through passages between adjacent containers.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the deflectors are arranged to cause air to enter one end of the passages and exit the other end.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the deflectors are arranged so as to encourage air to leave each end of the passage between adjacent containers and to consequently enter such passage through the containers tor instance through passages between modules therein.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the deflectors are spring loaded.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the deflectors are pivotally attached and securable in preset positions.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the deflectors are tightenable in preset positions.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the deflectors are retainable in preset positions with stays.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the deflectors are movable between a plurality of positions and have projections engageable in selected slots to hold them in set positions.

12. A poultry container constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

13. A lorry or trailer to carry poultry containers and constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.