GB2304351A

GB2304351A - Waste disposal unit

Info

Publication number: GB2304351A
Application number: GB9617271A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Cliff Willan
Original assignee: University of Leicester
Current assignee: University of Leicester
Priority date: 1995-08-16
Filing date: 1996-08-16
Publication date: 1997-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-16
Also published as: GB9516787D0; GB9617271D0; GB2304351B

Abstract

An animal cage waste disposal unit comprises a cabinet (12) having air extraction means (14), operator access means (16) and flushing means (18) for flushing the waste into a drainage system (20), wherein the flushing means includes waste chopping means (28).

Description

WASTE DISPOSAL This invention relates to the provision of animal facilities, in particular to the disposal of dirty cage bedding.

Traditional practice in the abovementioned field has been to simply empty dirty cage bedding material into a disposable plastic bin bag. Recently, however, a number of manufacturers have produced so-called "Cage Cleaning Stations", the primary motivation being the recent introduction of guidelines designed to protect operators from airborne allergens emanating from the bedding.

The major design feature in such Cleaning Stations is the provision of an air filter hood or cabinet located over an opening housing a bin bag. The major problem associated with such a system is that the operator is still at risk from airborne allergens when removing full bin bags. Additional considerations are that the procedure is labour intensive and that over a period of time the cost of replacing bin bags becomes substantial.

The present invention addresses the aforementioned issues.

According to the invention there is provided an animal cage waste disposal unit comprising a cabinet having air extraction means, operator access means and flushing means for flushing the waste into a drainage system, wherein the flushing means includes waste chopping means. The waste chopping means may comprise a plurality of motorised blades.

The access means may comprise an opening in one side of the cabinet extending from, or substantially near to, the top of the cabinet to a position substantially at the waist level of an operator of average height.

The waste may be flushed into a municipal drainage system.

The air extraction means may comprise a plurality of vents having air filtration means, and said filtration means may comprise a roughing filter in combination with a Hepa filter.

The air extraction means may comprise a plurality of vents situated at or substantially near to the top of the cabinet and a plurality of vents situated at or substantially near to the waist level of an operator of average height.

The drainage system may have a U-bend, and said U-bend may comprise a viewing window.

The unit may be substantially as depicted in Figures 1-3.

An animal cage waste disposal unit in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partially cut away front view of a cage waste disposal unit; Figure 2 is a cross sectional plan view of a cage waste disposal unit; and Figure 3 is a partially cut away side view of a cage waste disposal unit.

Figures 1-3 show an embodiment of an animal cage waste disposal unit 10 comprising a cabinet 12 having air extraction means 14, operator access means 16 and flushing means 18 for flushing the waste into a drainage system 20, wherein the flushing means 18 includes waste chopping means 28. In the preferred embodiment depicted in the Figures, the waste chopping means 28 comprises a plurality of revolving motorised blades. The blades 28 facilitate the movement of waste through the drainage system and chop up the waste material thereby reducing the probability of drainage system blockage.

The operator access means 16 merely comprises, in this instance, an opening in one side of the cabinet extending from the top, or substantially near to the top, of the cabinet 12 to a position substantially at the waist level of an operator of average height. Other features, such as moveable covering hood, may be provided as desired. The waste is ultimately flushed into a municipal drainage system.

The flushing means 18 comprises a basin 24 provided with a running water supply 26 which may need to be boosted where mains pressure is inadequate. It should be noted that in the UK the disposal of animal waste into the municipal drainage system is permitted, with the exception of dog excreta (because of the risk of Toxacara Canis).

The air extraction means 14 comprises a plurality of vents having air filtration means. The air filtration means comprises roughing filters 32 in combination with Hepa filters 34, and rows of vents 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d are provided near to the top of the cabinet on the front and back faces, and at around waist level on the sides of the cabinet. The purpose ofthe air extraction means 14 is to protect operators from airborne allergens emanating from waste bedding. Air flow in is indicated by arrows A/I, air flow out by arrows A/O. It should be noted that any air extraction system commonly employed in prior art Cage Cleaning Stations may also be employed in the present invention for this purpose.

In operation, an operator 38 transports an animal cage 40 to the unit 10 and, with the cage 40 inside the cabinet 12, empties waste bedding into the basin 24. The operator 38 is protected from airborne allergens at source by the air extraction means 14 as described above, and, because the waste bedding is subsequently flushed into a drainage system 20, is not exposed to said allergens at a later stage. In prior art Cage Cleaning Stations, operators are at risk from airborne allergens when removing full bin bags. Furthermore, such an operation is rather labour intensive and, over a period of time, results in substantial bin bag replacement costs.

The drainage system 20 includes a U-bend 42 which acts as an anti-return trap. The U-bend 42 is equipped with a viewing window 44 for inspection purposes.

The cabinet 12 has a control panel 46 which permits adjustment of, inter alia, air extraction rates. A Hepa filter 48 and a filter efficiency monitor 50 are fitted to the top of the cabinet.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1. An animal cage waste disposal unit comprising a cabinet having air extraction means, operator access means and flushing means for flushing the waste into a drainage system, wherein the flushing means includes waste chopping means.

2. A unit according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the chopping means comprises a plurality of motorised blades.

3. A unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the access means comprise an opening in one side of the cabinet extending from the top, or substantially near to the top, of the cabinet to a position substantially at the waist level of an operator of average height.

4. A unit according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the waste is flushed into a municipal system.

5. A unit according to any of the previous claims in which the air extraction means comprises a plurality of vents having air filtration means.

6. A unit according to claim 5, in which the air filtration means comprises a roughing filter in combination with a Hepa filter.

7. A unit according to claim 5 or claim 6, in which the air extraction means comprises a plurality of vents situated at or substantially near to the top of the cabinet and a plurality of vents situated at or substantially near to the waist level of an operator of average height.

8. A unit according to any of the previous claims having a U-bend in the drainage system.

9. A unit according to claim 8, in which the U-bend comprises a viewing window.

10. A unit according to any of the previous claims substantially as depicted in Figures 1-3.