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 selectively in communication with said air outlet for drawing material into said storage chute; and   a dispenser comprising at least one selectively rotatable impeller and at least one wiper, said at least one selectively rotatable impeller positioned proximate to and spaced from said at least one wiper   the space between said wiper and around said impeller defining a material flow path through which substantially all material passes during dispensing into cages such that material passes around said impeller.   
     
     
         2 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one selectively rotatable impeller is positioned beneath said at least one wiper. 
     
     
         3 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one selectively rotatable impeller is selectively rotated in stepwise fashion. 
     
     
         4 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 1  wherein said dispenser comprises a first lower rail and a second lower rail, wherein said first lower rail is positioned opposite said second lower rail, and wherein said first lower rail and said second lower rail are positioned proximate said at least one selectively rotatable impeller. 
     
     
         5 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one selectively rotatable impeller comprises a plurality of vane tips and a plurality of channels, wherein said vane tips are spaced a predetermined distance from a closest surface of said at least one wiper. 
     
     
         6 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 5  wherein said predetermined distance between said vane tips and said closest surface of said at least one wiper is approximately equal to a smallest dimension of material to be dispensed. 
     
     
         7 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 5  wherein said predetermined distance is preferably about ⅛ of an inch to about ½ of an inch. 
     
     
         8 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 5  wherein said predetermined distance is small enough to prevent the free flow of material between said at least one selectively rotatable impeller and said at least one wiper. 
     
     
         9 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one selectively rotatable impeller comprises an axle, said axle is connected to a ratchet, wherein said ratchet rotates said at least one selectively rotatable impeller. 
     
     
         10 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 9  wherein said dispenser further comprises an actuator, wherein said actuator is connected to said ratchet of said at least one selectively rotatable impeller. 
     
     
         11 . 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 dispenser comprising at least one dispensing chute for dispensing material into cages in a dispensing area;   a source of a vacuum selectively in communication with said air outlet of said storage chute for drawing material into said storage chute; and   at least one dust collection vent disposed proximate said dispensing area, said dust collection vent selectively in communication with said vacuum source.   
     
     
         12 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 11  wherein said source of vacuum is a vacuum blower. 
     
     
         13 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 11  wherein said at least one dust collection vent is integrated with said dispenser. 
     
     
         14 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 11  wherein said at least one dust collection vent is positioned proximate said at least one dispensing chute. 
     
     
         15 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 11  wherein said at least one dust collection vent is in communication with said vacuum source. 
     
     
         16 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 11  further comprising a filtering cabinet, wherein said filtering cabinet is in communication with said dispensing area. 
     
     
         17 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 11  wherein said at least one dust collection vent is selectively actuated during dispensing of material. 
     
     
         18 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 11  wherein said at least one dust collection vent is disposed proximate at least one dispensing opening. 
     
     
         19 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 11  comprising a plurality of dust collection vents. 
     
     
         20 . A system for dispensing material into cages according to  claim 19  comprising a plurality of dispensing openings. 
     
     
         21 . 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 plurality of power rollers, a rotary clamp comprising a downstream stop, and a controller operatively linked to said rollers and said rotary clamp, wherein said controller activates said power rollers to advance a cage to said stop of said rotary clamp, causes said rotary clamp to engage a cage and to rotate a cage from a first substantially upside-down position to a second substantially right-side-up position.