System and method for removing dead animals

Abstract

A method for transporting dead animals to a disposal site using a conveyor having at least one carrier that operates by placing the dead animals in the carrier, transporting the carrier towards a disposal site by the conveyor, and emptying the carrier at the disposal site.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for transporting dead animals located within an animal raising facility comprising the steps of: 
 a. placing a dead animal in a carrier that is part of a conveyor;    b. transporting the carrier with the dead animal towards a disposal site by the conveyor; and    c. emptying the at least one carrier at the disposal site.    
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the conveyor is an endless loop conveyor the majority of which is located within the animal raising facility.  
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 ,wherein the conveyor comprises a plurality of carriers.  
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the conveyor further comprises a raceway comprising a chain or belt from which the carriers are suspended.  
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising the step of operating the conveyor continuously upon activation.  
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the conveyor is suspended from the ceiling of the animal raising facility.  
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of emptying the carrier of the dead animal at the disposal site.  
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the disposal site is a disposal bin.  
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the dead animal is poultry.  
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the carriers are selected from the group consisting of buckets and hangers.  
     
     
         11 . A system for removing dead animals from an animal raising facility, comprising: 
 a. a closed loop conveyor at least partially within the animal raising facility; and    b. at least one dead animal carrier attached at defined positions along the conveyor,    wherein the system is used for transporting at least one dead animals within the animal raising facility to a disposal site and the at least one dead animal is placed into one of the at least one carriers.    
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the dead animals are commercially raised poultry.  
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the dead animal in the carrier is dumped over the disposal site.  
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the disposal site is a disposal bin.  
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the carriers are circulated around the closed loop.  
     
     
         16 . The system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one carrier is tipped over the disposal bin, whereby tipping the at least one carrier empties the contents of the at least one carrier into the disposal site.  
     
     
         17 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the carriers are selected from the group consisting of buckets and hangers.  
     
     
         18 . A system for removing dead animals from an animal raising facility, comprising: 
 a. a continuous closed loop conveyor;    b. a plurality of spaced apart carriers secured to the conveyor; and    c. a means for circulating the carriers,    wherein the system is used for transporting dead animals from within the animal raising facility to a disposal site, the carriers are circulated around the conveyor, the dead animal can be placed into one of the at least one carriers, and the carriers are sequentially emptied of dead animals over the disposal site.    
     
     
         19 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the conveyor has a shape corresponding to the shape of the structure.  
     
     
         20 . The system as Claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the disposal site is a disposal bin.  
     
     
         21 . The system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the carriers are selected from the group consisting of buckets and hangers.  
     
     
         22 . A conveyor for removing dead animals from an animal raising facility, comprising: 
 a. a frame having a horizontal operating platform with a channel;    b. a continuous conveyor chain or belt located in the channel; and    c. a plurality of spaced carriers depending from and secured to the conveyor chain or belt,    wherein the conveyor is used to transport dead animals from within the animal raising facility to a disposal site and the carriers are able to hold at least one dead animal.    
     
     
         23 . The conveyor as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the carriers are selected from the group consisting of buckets and hangers.  
     
     
         24 . A dead animal removal system comprising in combination: 
 a. an animal raising facility in which at least dead animals are located; and    b. a dead animal conveyance system comprising a conveyor that forms a closed loop at least partially within the animal raising facility and at least one carrier attached at defined positions along the conveyor;    wherein the system is used for transporting dead animals within the animal raising facility to a disposal site and dead animals are placed into one of the at least one carriers for transport to the disposal site.    
     
     
         25 . The dead animal removal system as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the conveyance system comprises: 
 a. a frame having a horizontal operating platform with a channel;    b. a continuous conveyor chain or belt located in the channel; and    c. a plurality of spaced carriers depending from and secured to the conveyor chain or belt.    
     
     
         26 . The dead animal conveyance system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the conveyor has a shape corresponding to the shape of the structure.  
     
     
         27 . The system as Claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the disposal site is a disposal bin.  
     
     
         28 . The system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the carriers are selected from the group consisting of buckets and hangers.  
     
     
         29 . The system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the conveyor further comprises a raceway comprising a chain or belt from which the carriers are suspended.  
     
     
         30 . The system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the conveyor is suspended from the ceiling of the animal raising facility.