Animal husbandry – Confining or housing – For experimental purposes
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-07
2001-05-08
Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3643)
Animal husbandry
Confining or housing
For experimental purposes
C119S454000, C119S475000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227146
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a rodent cage which may be used as a static unit or in connection with a ventilated cage and rack system for housing a variety of rodent types and in particular to a filter top for such a cage.
Ventilated cage and rack systems are well known in the art. One such ventilated cage and rack system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,545, assigned to Lab Products, Inc., in which an open rack system including a plurality of shelves, each formed as an air plenum is provided. A ventilation system is connected to the rack system for ventilating each cage in the rack. It is known to house rats for study in such a ventilated cage and rack system.
Filter tops for animal cages within ventilated cage and rack systems are also well-known in the art. One such filter top is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,228, assigned to Lab Products, Inc. in which a bonnet with a perforated top wall is provided. A sheet of filter paper is sandwiched between the retainer and the lower surface of the perforated top wall of the bonnet. A retainer is detachably mounted inside the bonnet body in flush abutment with the filter material placed against the lower surface of the top wall of the bonnet the retainer comprises a narrow border portion and flat cross arms which intersect at an integral central portion.
Accordingly it is desired to provide a filter cage top for a cage which protects the filter and cage top while being easy to clean.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is for a bonnet for covering a cage bottom, the bonnet including a top for covering the top rim of the cage bottom The top has a skirt descending from the perimeter. A filter is disposed on the top for filtering air entering the cage bottom. A filter retainer rests on the filter top and is disposed above the filter. A shield, substantially co-extensive with a bottom surface of the top is affixed to the bottom surface of the top.
In a preferred embodiment, the shield is perforated and is affixed to the top at a spaced distance from the top.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved filter top for animal cage.
Another object of the invention is to provide a filter top which includes integral protection for the filter and filter top.
A further object of the invention is to provide a cage with increased useable space by removing the wire bar lid.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a filter top which may be easily cleaned, and in which a filter may be changed without needing to open the cage.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction here and after set forth, the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3002492 (1961-10-01), Naturale
patent: 3212474 (1965-10-01), Higgins
patent: 3244147 (1966-04-01), Kogeichi et al.
patent: 3334614 (1967-08-01), Gass et al.
patent: 3537428 (1970-11-01), Montgomery
patent: 3585968 (1971-06-01), Stone
patent: 3822673 (1974-07-01), Benny
patent: 3896768 (1975-07-01), Galloway
patent: 3978819 (1976-09-01), Lovitt
patent: 4206720 (1980-06-01), Ruggeri et al.
patent: 4480587 (1984-11-01), Sedlacek
patent: 4640228 (1987-02-01), Sedlacek et al.
patent: 4690100 (1987-09-01), Thomas
patent: 4840142 (1989-06-01), Ishikawa et al.
patent: 4907536 (1990-03-01), Chrisler
patent: 5000120 (1991-03-01), Coiro, Sr. et al.
patent: 5044316 (1991-09-01), Thomas
patent: 5524573 (1996-06-01), Hart
patent: 5749321 (1998-05-01), Ikuse et al.
patent: 5794567 (1998-08-01), Itzhak
patent: 5924384 (1999-07-01), Deitrich et al.
patent: 5954013 (1999-09-01), Gabriel et al.
patent: 2 332 612 (1999-06-01), None
patent: 635382 (1962-03-01), None
Campbell Neil E.
Gabriel George S.
Irwin Lynn
Murray Dale
Park Chin Soo
Carone Michael J.
Lab Products Inc.
Nguyen Son T.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
LandOfFree
Filter top for rodent cage does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Filter top for rodent cage, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Filter top for rodent cage will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2517798