Systems For Dispensing Bedding Materials Into Cages For Laboratory Animals

Abstract

The present invention is directed to dispensers of bedding materials for laboratory animal cages. According to one embodiment of a dispensing unit, materials are drawn into a storage chute by a vacuum and dispensing is accomplished in a dispenser comprising a plurality of dispensing chutes having dispensing openings through which material is dispensed into cages. While in a first position, a material directing gate allows the materials to be dispensed through one of the dispensing chutes into a first number of cages, and through another one of the dispensing chutes into a second number of cages while in a second position. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum from the vacuum blower is utilized to remove dust from the dispensing area where material is dispensed into cages. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for aligning, indexing and drying laboratory animal cages which have already been cleaned in a cleaning station. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a programmable controller which advantageously facilitates the programming of automated control of the dispensing system.

1 . A system for dispensing material into cages for laboratory animals, said system comprising:
 a storage chute comprising an inlet for air and material and an air outlet;   a source of a vacuum in fluidic communication with said storage chute whereby a vacuum created by said vacuum source draws air and material through said inlet, said vacuum source comprising an outlet which exhausts pressurized air, and   at least one nozzle in communication with said vacuum source outlet, wherein said nozzle is positioned to direct said pressurized air onto the cages.   
     
     
         2 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 1  further comprising a supplemental heat exchanger wherein said pressurized air is heated in said supplemental heat exchanger. 
     
     
         3 . A system for dispensing material into cages for laboratory animals, said system comprising:
 a storage chute comprising an inlet for air and material and an air outlet;   at least one nozzle disposed on a movable support and in communication with a source of pressurized air, wherein said at least one nozzle is moved relative to cages during drying.   
     
     
         4 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 3  further comprising a supplemental heat exchanger wherein said pressurized air is heated in said supplemental heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 3  wherein said at least one nozzle comprises a plurality of openings for directing said pressurized air. 
     
     
         6 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 3  wherein said at least one nozzle moves relative to the cages from an upper position to a lower position. 
     
     
         7 . A system for dispensing material into cages for laboratory animals, said system comprising:
 a storage chute comprising an inlet for air and material and an air outlet;   a rotary clamp, wherein said rotary clamp rotates the cages from a first position to an inclined second position, wherein said second position is at a predetermined inclined angle to the horizontal;   at least one nozzle disposed on a movable support and in communication with a source of pressurized air, wherein said at least one nozzle is moved relative to the cages during drying when the cages are positioned at said predetermined angle.   
     
     
         8 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 7  where said predetermined angle is approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 7  where said predetermined angle is approximately 70 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 7  further comprising a supplemental heat exchanger wherein said pressurized air is heated in said supplemental heat exchanger.