초록 ▼

An animal euthanasia device includes a chamber with an opening through which a partitioned cage may be wheeled. A pivotally attached door seals the opening using fixed edge seals and an inflatable door threshold seal. A latch secures the door, once closed. After a sensor verifies door closure, an el

An animal euthanasia device includes a chamber with an opening through which a partitioned cage may be wheeled. A pivotally attached door seals the opening using fixed edge seals and an inflatable door threshold seal. A latch secures the door, once closed. After a sensor verifies door closure, an electro-magnetic lock prevents inadvertent door opening during the process, which may be automated using a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC coordinates actuation of a fan and damper within an air exhaust opening, a fan and a damper within an exhaust gas opening, and a damper within a fresh air inlet opening, and also triggers a solenoid valve that controls flow of euthanizing gas into the chamber. A keyed selector switch controls power to the device to initiate the automated process, which is monitored using oxygen sensors, and CO2 flow and pressure sensors, and is reported on a human machine interface.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A device for euthanizing animals, said device comprising: a chamber, said chamber comprising one or more walls forming a cavity, and an opening into said cavity, said chamber comprising a threshold at a bottom portion of said opening, said opening configured to permit wheeled travel of a cage ove

1. A device for euthanizing animals, said device comprising: a chamber, said chamber comprising one or more walls forming a cavity, and an opening into said cavity, said chamber comprising a threshold at a bottom portion of said opening, said opening configured to permit wheeled travel of a cage over said threshold and into said chamber;a seal, said seal being secured to said chamber about said opening, except at said threshold;a door, said door configured to be releasably received over said opening in said chamber, against said seal, said door comprising an inflatable seal configured to inflate, to thereby seal said door with respect to said threshold, said chamber thereby configured to be generally sealed against leakage;a door latch;a supply valve, said supply valve configured to control flow of a euthanizing gas into said chamber;a fan and damper secured in an air exhaust opening in said chamber;a fan and a damper secured within an exhaust gas opening in said chamber; anda damper secured within a fresh air inlet opening in said chamber. 2. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 further comprising a cage, said cage configured to receive one or more animals to be euthanized, said cage comprising one or more wheels and configured to be wheeled over said threshold and through said opening to be received within said chamber. 3. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 2 further comprising a keyed selector switch configured to receive a key to control power available to said device from a source of power. 4. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 3 further comprising an electro-magnetic lock configured to lock said door. 5. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 4 further comprising a sensor configured to signal when said door is open or closed. 6. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 5 further comprising a whisker switch configured to detect when said cage is positioned completely within said cavity of said chamber. 7. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 6 further comprising a cage stop, said cage stop configured to limit the wheeled travel of said cage, when said cage is completely within said cavity of said chamber. 8. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 6 further comprising one or more oxygen sensors configured to measure the oxygen level in said chamber. 9. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 8 further comprising a gas flow sensor configured to measure a flow rate of the euthanizing gas through said supply valve. 10. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 9 further comprising a euthanizing gas pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in said supply valve. 11. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 10 wherein said supply valve comprises a solenoid valve; and wherein said damper in said air exhaust opening, said damper in said exhaust gas opening, and said damper in said air inlet opening are each actuated by a respective solenoid. 12. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 11 further comprising a programmable logic controller configured to automate the operation of said device upon receipt of said key in said keyed selector switch. 13. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 12 further comprising a human machine interface (HMI), said HMI comprising a touch-screen, and said HMI configured to do one or more of the following: to program one or more set points for the automated operation of said device; to display a flow rate and line pressure of the euthanizing gas; and to display an oxygen level in said chamber from said O2 sensors. 14. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 13 further comprising an emergency release handle accessible from within said cavity of said chamber, and being configured to unlock said door and to cease the automated operation of said device. 15. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 14 wherein said one or more oxygen sensors comprises: a first oxygen sensor positioned at an upper portion of said one or more walls of said chamber, and a second oxygen sensor positioned at a lower portion of said one or more walls of said chamber. 16. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 15 further comprising a second door, said second door configured to be releasably received over a second opening in said chamber, against a second seal, said second door comprising an inflatable seal configured to inflate, to thereby seal said second door with respect to a second threshold, said chamber thereby configured to permit said cage to be wheeled through said first opening, over said first threshold, and into said chamber to euthanize animals therein, and to be wheeled through said second opening, over said second threshold, out from said chamber, for removal of said cage therefrom. 17. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 further comprising a gas manifold configured to receive the euthanizing gas from said supply valve and to distribute the euthanizing gas within said chamber. 18. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 further comprising an air circulation fan. 19. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 further comprising a translucent observation window fixedly secured and sealed in a second opening in said one or more walls of said chamber. 20. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 further comprising a door brush configured to sweep said threshold when said door is closed. 21. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 20 further comprising an indicator light configured to light when said cage is completely within said cavity of said chamber. 22. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 wherein said seal comprises one or more of a push-on edge seal configured to be received upon an edge of the periphery of said opening in said chamber; and a gasket secured to an outer side of said opening in said chamber. 23. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 wherein said air exhaust opening and said fresh air inlet opening are positioned at an upper portion of said one or more walls of said chamber; and wherein said exhaust gas opening is positioned at a lower portion of said one or more walls of said chamber. 24. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 further comprising a filter releasably secured in one or more of said air inlet opening; said air exhaust opening; and said exhaust gas opening. 25. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 further comprising a first rail guide and a second rail guide, said first and second rail guides configured to guide said cage into said chamber during its travel therein. 26. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 further comprising means for lifting said device, said means for lifting being positioned in a top portion of said chamber. 27. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 wherein said door being configured to be releasably received in said opening comprises said door being pivotally attached to said one or more walls of said device. 28. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 further comprising a fan in said fresh air inlet opening. 29. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 wherein said cage is partitioned to thereby individually enclose a plurality of animals therein. 30. The device for euthanizing animals according to claim 1 further comprising a heater configured to maintain a desirable temperature of the euthanizing gas. 31. A method of euthanizing one or more animals comprising the following steps: placing one or more animals in a wheelable cage;wheeling the cage across a threshold of a door opening and into a chamber of a euthanizing device;closing and latching a door for sealing of a first and second side and a top of the door against a seal;inflating a bottom seal for sealing of the door against said threshold;turning on a power supply;closing a fresh air intake damper and a CO2 exhaust damper;opening a fresh air exhaust damper;introducing a flow of CO2 into the chamber;using one or more oxygen sensors for monitoring the concentration of CO2 in the chamber and ceasing the flow of CO2 upon reaching a concentration needed therein for producing unconsciousness in the one or more animals;closing the fresh air exhaust damper and using a fan to circulate the CO2 within the chamber for a first period of time;opening the fresh air exhaust damper and introducing a flow of CO2 into the chamber until reaching a concentration therein sufficient for euthanizing of the one or more animals;closing the fresh air exhaust damper; using a pressure sensor for monitoring pressure in the chamber and for supplying a flow of CO2 as necessary to maintain atmospheric pressure in the chamber;waiting for a second period of time; opening the fresh air intake damper and the CO2 exhaust damper and turning on the CO2 exhaust fan;using the one or more oxygen sensors for determining when the chamber contains sufficient oxygen for occupancy by an operator;unlatching and opening of the door; and removing the cage from the chamber by wheeling the cage across said threshold. 32. The method of euthanizing one or more animals according to claim 31, further comprising: positioning a series of said oxygen sensors in said chamber at incrementally higher positions therein, and using one of said incrementally positioned oxygen sensors for determining a percentage by volume of CO2 gas in said chamber needed for said concentration to produce unconsciousness in a particular species of the one or more animals; and mixing the air and CO2 in said chamber using a fan. 33. The method of euthanizing one or more animals according to claim 32, further comprising partitioning said wheelable cage into respective cage portions corresponding to the one or more animals to be euthanized. 34. The method of euthanizing one or more animals according to claim 31, further comprising positioning said fresh air exhaust damper in an uppermost portion of said chamber, and positioning an oxygen sensor proximate to said fresh air exhaust damper, for determining when the CO2 gas introduced into said chamber displaces substantially all of the air therein, for euthanizing of the one or more animals during the second time period. 35. The method of euthanizing one or more animals according to claim 31, further comprising introducing said flow of CO2 into the chamber at a rate sufficient for displacing 20% of an atmosphere of air in the cavity of the chamber per minute.