WO2016071646A1 - Floor covering for a rearing enclosure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention concerns a floor covering, intended to equip an enclosure for rearing animals, said floor covering (1) being made from a material capable of withstanding elastic deformation and comprising two opposing surfaces: - an upper surface (2), suitable in particular for the movement of the animals and capable of withstanding elastic deformation, and - a lower surface (3), intended to rest on a receiving surface (S). This floor covering (1) comprises, between said upper surface (2) and lower surface (3), and within said elastic material, a plurality of sealed cavities (6) each intended to contain at least one fluid (F) for contributing to the elastic deformation of said upper surface (2). The floor covering (1) forms a unitary assembly, and comprises said sealed cavities (6) within the constituent material of same.

Description

 Floor covering for a breeding enclosure

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION REFERS

The present invention relates to a floor covering, intended to equip an enclosure for the breeding of animals, for example cattle.

BACKGROUND

 The comfort and safety of the animals are determining factors in the performance of a farm.

 This comfort and safety influence in particular the health, the way of feeding, the food intake, the fertility and the longevity of the animals.

 Commonly, indoors, the animals have corridors to move between the different technical areas of the breeding enclosure, for example the passages to the outside, the cubicles and if necessary the parlor.

 However, some floor coverings do not allow optimal adhesion of animals, with a significant risk of falling by slipping. This is particularly the case when the flooring consists of straw covering concrete.

 To limit this type of incident, it is known to equip the floor of these corridors with a coating made of elastomeric material so that its upper surface is able to undergo elastic deformation giving it increased adhesion.

 Such flooring undoubtedly improves comfort and safety for animals.

 However, it is advantageous to have floor coverings that include further improved elastic deformation to optimize the aforementioned advantages of comfort and safety.

 In this regard, the document US-2005/086886 describes an elastic floor covering, comprising a layer of bladders reported between a pair of damping layers.

 But such a floor covering, because it consists of several parts, is in practice complex to manufacture and to pose.

It is therefore advantageous to have floor coverings that include an improved elastic deformation to optimize the aforementioned advantages of comfort and safety, while maintaining a simplicity of manufacture and installation. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

 In this context, the Applicant has developed a new flooring structure for a breeding enclosure, for example for dairy cattle or for beef cattle.

 The corresponding floor covering is made of a material capable of undergoing elastic deformation and has two opposite surfaces:

 an upper surface, particularly adapted to the movement of animals and capable of undergoing elastic deformation, and

 - A lower surface, intended to rest on a receiving surface.

and according to the invention, this floor covering comprises, between said upper and lower surfaces, and within said elastic material, a plurality of sealed cavities each intended to contain at least one fluid to participate in the elastic deformation of said upper surface ,

which floor covering forms an assembly of the one-piece type, and comprises said sealed cavities within its constituent material.

 Such flooring has improved elastic deformation compared to a floor covering without such sealed cavities, to optimize the comfort and safety of the animals.

 Such a floor covering, monobloc, in addition to the interest of being simple to manufacture and ask. It can also be in the form of a tape that can be stored in the form of a roll before installation.

 According to other advantageous characteristics, which can be taken in combination or independently:

 the sealed cavities contain at least one fluid chosen from gases (by air), liquids (for example water, a water-glycol mixture), gels, or their mixtures;

 - the sealed cavities are distributed over at least one plane extending parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of said floor covering; and in the case of the presence of these sealed cavities on at least two superimposed planes, the latter are advantageously distributed regularly, and staggered;

 the sealed cavities have a rectilinear elongate shape and extend parallel or at least approximately parallel to one another;

 the floor covering comprises at least one group of staggered sealed cavities which overlap partially vertically, so as to extend together under a continuous portion of the upper surface of said floor covering;

- The floor covering comprises at least one reinforcing layer which is formed above and / or below said sealed cavities; the sealed cavities are fluidly independent of one another, or fluidically connected to one another;

 the sealed cavities have a width of between 30 and 100 mm and are separated by a distance of between 20 and 80 mm;

 at least some of the sealed cavities are connected with at least one duct which opens at the level of the upper surface of said floor covering;

 - The upper surface of the flooring has a non-slip relief;

- The floor covering comprises means for accessing at least one of the sealed cavities, in particular for filling and / or emptying.

 The invention further relates to a flooring system, comprising:

(i) a floor covering as defined above, and

 (ii) complementary means chosen from:

 an electrically conductive network electrically connected, on the one hand, to the sealed cavities and, on the other hand, to at least one earth electrode, and / or

 means for generating a path for said at least one fluid in the sealed cavities, and / or

 - Fluid supply means connected to said sealed cavities.

 The invention also relates to a breeding enclosure comprising at least one circulation corridor covered by a floor covering according to the invention, or even equipped with a floor covering system according to the invention.

 The invention also relates to a method for producing a floor covering according to the invention, comprising:

 a step of superposition of layers of elastic material, between which interposed means are provided capable of locally preventing the joining of the surfaces facing said layers to form the sealed cavities, and then

 a step of joining the surfaces in contact with said superposed layers, in which the intermediate means form the sealed cavities.

 The bonding step is preferably chosen from a vulcanization, bonding or welding step.

 In the case of a vulcanization step, the intermediate means are preferably chosen from a fireproof film, a silicone layer, or a vulcanized elastomeric part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be further illustrated, without being limited in any way, by the following description of various particular embodiments in relation to the appended figures in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic view, along a transverse vertical sectional plane, of a floor covering according to the invention which comprises sealed cavities distributed in two superimposed planes;

 - Figure 2 is a schematic view of the floor covering of Figure 1, the sealed cavities contain a fluid;

 - Figure 3 is also a schematic view of the floor covering according to Figures 1 and 2, according to a horizontal sectional plane passing through the sealed cavities located in an upper plane, illustrating a fluid supply in the case of independent sealed cavities;

 - Figure 4 is an alternative embodiment for a floor covering according to Figure 3, illustrating a fluid supply in the case of connected sealed cavities;

 - Figure 5 is a schematic view of the various layers to be assembled to form the flooring according to Figures 1 and 2.

 The floor covering 1 according to the invention, shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, is particularly suitable for constituting the floor surface of an enclosure for rearing animals, and in particular corridors of this enclosure.

 By "animals" is meant, in particular, cattle (in particular dairy cows or beef cattle), pigs, or any other farmed animal (sheep, poultry, rabbit, horse, etc.).

 Such a breeding enclosure (not shown) consists of any building defined by a frame, suitable for the desired breeding (eg a barn in the case of cattle).

 In particular, the floor covering 1 is attached so as to cover a reception surface S of this housing, which advantageously consists of a screed (or slab) made:

 - of concrete, possibly reinforced with wire mesh, or

 - bitumen.

 The floor covering 1 consists of a flat structure, advantageously having an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis 1 '(Figure 3).

 This floor covering 1 which is delimited by:

 an upper surface 2 forming a bearing surface which is adapted in particular to the movement of animals,

 a lower surface 3 intended to rest on the receiving surface S, two lateral edges 4 (FIGS. 1 to 3), and

two end edges 5 (only one of these end edges is illustrated in FIG. 3). The opposed upper and lower surfaces 2 define the thickness of the floor covering 1. The lateral edges 4 and the end edges 5 define, respectively, the width and the length of this floor covering 1.

 The upper surface 2 of this flooring 1 is intended to undergo an elastic deformation which is adapted in particular to ensure a comfortable movement of animals and to ensure optimum safety against the risk of slipping.

 For this, this floor covering 1 preferably comprises a deformation capacity in optimal depression, that of at least 1 mm, and preferably between 4 and 10 mm, during the support of the foot of the animal or d 'a person.

 By "depression" is meant in particular a reduction in the thickness between the upper 2 and lower surfaces 3 of the floor covering 1, by bringing the respective surfaces 2, 3 closer together.

 In particular to obtain these advantages, the floor covering 1 is made of at least one material capable of undergoing elastic deformation, also called "elastic material", chosen from:

 elastomer materials, namely for example natural rubber, "synthetic natural" rubber (or synthetic poly-isoprene), polybutadiene or styrene-butadiene, or

 plastic materials or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), namely for example PVB (butyral polyvinyl), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) / SBR (styrene-butadiene), PP (polypropylene) / EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer) ), TPU (Polyurethane TPE).

 This floor covering 1 can be made - mono-material (in a single elastic material), or - multi-material (with at least two superposed layers made of different elastic materials).

 This floor covering 1 forms a one-piece assembly. It is thus advantageously constituted of a single piece or a single block.

 The floor covering 1 also comprises, in its thickness and within its constituent material (between the upper 2 and lower 3 surfaces), a plurality of sealed cavities 6 each intended to contain at least one fluid F to participate in the elastic deformation of its upper surface 2.

 The sealed cavities 6 are able to contain at least one fluid F chosen from:

liquids, for example water or a water-glycol mixture,

 - gases, air or nitrogen for example,

 a gel, a semi-solid mixture, or

a mixture of at least two of these fluids F. Each sealed cavity 6 is delimited by two facing surfaces, an upper surface 61 and a lower surface 62, which meet at two lateral edges 63 (FIG. 2) and two end edges 64 (only one of these end borders are visible in Figure 3).

 The sealed cavities 6, in particular their upper surfaces 61 and lower

62, are thus also formed by said at least one sealed material.

 Each sealed cavity 6 here has, empty, a vertical section which is flattened shape: the distance between the side edges 63 (width) is greater than the distance between its surfaces 61, 62 facing (height).

 When a sealed cavity 6 is filled with fluid F (FIG. 2), its vertical section is for example oval or elliptical, with:

 upper surfaces 61 and lower 62 which are concave curves and

- a major axis (passing through its lateral edges 63) which extends parallel to the surfaces 2, 3 of the floor covering 1 (Figure 2).

 Alternatively, the sealed cavities 6 filled may still have a circular section, depending in particular on the fluid pressure.

 Each sealed cavity 6 additionally has an elongated tubular and rectilinear shape, thus defining a longitudinal axis 6 '(FIG. 3).

 The sealed cavities 6 thus extend over the entire length of the floor covering 1.

 These sealed cavities 6 (in particular their longitudinal axes 6 'respectively) extend in addition to, or at least approximately parallel to, each other relative to the lateral edges 4 of the floor covering 1 and relative to each other. to the longitudinal axis 1 '(Figure 3).

 The end edges 64 of the sealed cavities 6 are located at the level of the end edges 5 of the floor covering 1.

 These sealed cavities 6 (in particular their longitudinal axes 6 'respectively) also extend parallel, or at least approximately parallel, with respect to the surfaces 2, 3 of the floor covering 1.

 In the thickness and material of this floor covering 1, the sealed cavities 6 are distributed over at least one plane P extending parallel to its surfaces 2, 3.

 In the present case, the sealed cavities 6 are evenly distributed over two superimposed parallel P-planes, the upper one being 1 (on the side of the upper surface 2) and the other lower P2 (on the lower surface side 3) ( Figures 1 and 2).

 In each plane P, the sealed cavities 6 are thus regularly distributed between the two lateral edges 4 of the floor covering 1 (FIGS. 1 to 3).

The sealed cavities 6 of the superposed parallel planes 1, 2 parallel to each other are arranged in staggered rows. In other words, the sealed cavities 6 of the upper plane 1 are offset laterally with respect to the sealed cavities 6 of the lower plane P2.

 For optimum efficiency on a continuous portion of the upper surface 2 of the floor covering 1 (advantageously over the whole of this upper surface 2), the cavities 6 of the two superposed planes P overlap partially vertically.

 "Continuous part" means a solid zone of the upper surface 2 of the floor covering 1.

 In other words, a vertical projection of a sealed cavity 6 of the upper plane 1, on the lower plane P2, then extends in the lateral space (between the two lateral edges 63) of at least one cavity 6 of said lower plane P2.

 A side edge 63 of a sealed cavity 6 of the upper plane PJ_ thus extends in the lateral space defined between the two lateral edges 63 of a sealed cavity 6 of the lower plane P2.

 For this, the sealed cavities 6 advantageously have a width L (between their two side edges 63) of between 30 and 100 mm, preferably between 50 and 70 mm.

 The sealed cavities 6 located in a plane P are further spaced from each other by a distance D of between 20 and 80 mm, preferably between 30 and 50 mm (Figure 1).

 These sealed cavities 6, filled with fluid, for example each have a height (along their small vertical axis) of between 4 and 6 mm.

 This floor covering 1 also comprises means 7 for access to at least one of the sealed cavities 6, in particular for its filling and / or for its emptying by means of suitable supply means 8 (FIGS. 3 and 4). ).

 The supply means 8 are adapted as a function of the fluid F filling the sealed cavities 6.

 These supply means 8 comprise in particular a source of fluid (not shown), for example:

 - a water source,

 - a source of compressed air.

 The access means 7 consist, for example, of at least one duct 7 formed in the material of the floor covering 1.

 This duct 7 has two ends 71, 72 (FIGS. 3 and 4):

 - an inner end 71, connected to one of the sealed cavities 6, and - an outer end 72, opening on the surface of the floor covering 1.

The access means 7 are implanted as a function of any fluid connections between the sealed cavities 6. In this respect, according to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the sealed cavities 6 are fluidly independent of one another.

 In this case, the drilling of one of the sealed cavities 6 would not cause the emptying of all the sealed cavities 6 of the floor covering 1.

 Each of the sealed cavities 6 then has a conduit 7 which is specific for its filling and emptying.

 The feed means 8 advantageously comprise a device of the clarinet type 81, for connecting a source of fluid with each of the ducts 7 equipping the floor covering 1.

 Alternatively, the end edges 64 of the sealed cavities 6 are directly open; they are advantageously obtained by cutting the length of a floor covering strip 1 according to cutting lines intended to form the end edges 5 of the floor covering 1.

 The supply means 8 are then properly connected at these free end edges 64.

 Still alternatively, according to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the sealed cavities 6 are fluidly connected to each other, within the floor covering 1, for example by means of transverse sealed cavities 9 formed in the thickness of flooring 1 (Figure 4).

 In this case, it suffices that one of the sealed cavities 6 comprises access means 7 (a conduit for example) connected to the supply means 8.

 In general, the supply means 8 advantageously still comprise means 83 for generating a path for the fluid F in the sealed cavities 6 (FIG. 3).

 These tracking means 83 consist for example of a pump.

 The upper surface 2 of the floor covering 1 advantageously comprises a non-slip relief 21.

 Non-slip relief 21 consists for example of a relief selected from the reliefs used in floor coverings conventionally used in livestock buildings, for example one-piece protruding elements in the form of lozenges provided with bosses.

 According to yet another interesting feature, at least some sealed cavities 6 are connected with a conduit 10 allowing a fluid flow F from this sealed cavity 6, this up to the upper surface 2 of the floor covering 1 (only one of these ducts 10 is shown in Figure 2 for the sake of simplification).

Such a duct 10 thus comprises two open ends: a lower end 101 opening into one of the sealed cavities 6 of the floor covering 1, and

 - An upper end 102, opening at the upper surface 2 of the floor covering 1.

 In this case, it may thus be advantageous to feed the corresponding sealed cavity 6 with a treatment liquid (containing bacteria of interest and / or a disinfecting agent), so that it flows at this surface. upper 2, in particular under the effect of the pressure exerted by the aforementioned means of travel 83.

 The treatment liquid is then pushed through the conduits 10 so as to flow at its upper end 102. The fluid can then expand at the upper surface 2 of the floor covering 1.

 The supply means 8 may be equipped with valves, so as to open or close the supply of the sealed cavities 6 selected.

 Furthermore, the floor covering 1 also comprises at least one reinforcing layer 11 which is formed above and / or below the sealed cavities 6.

 In this case, the floor covering 1 comprises three reinforcing layers 11 between which are formed the sealed cavities 6.

 In the hope, the floor covering 1 comprises: a middle layer 1 1 located between the two levels of sealed cavities 6, an upper layer 1 1 located between the upper level of sealed cavities 6 and the upper surface 2 and a lower layer 1 1 located between the lower level of sealed cavities 6 and the lower surface 3.

 Each reinforcing layer 11 is chosen from textile fibers, metal fibers or any other product providing stability and / or resistance to elongation.

 This reinforcing layer 1 1 consists for example of a textile reinforcing reinforcement, advantageously made of a material chosen from nylon, cotton, polyester, polyamide or any other reinforcing textile.

 The floor covering 1 can also be adapted to direct parasitic voltages and currents coming from the ground or from the subsoil towards earth connections T situated outside the rearing enclosure (FIG. 2).

 For this, as shown in FIG. 2, the floor covering 1 advantageously comprises an array of electrical conductors 12 intended to be electrically connected between, on the one hand, the sealed cavities 6 and, on the other hand, said taps. T. earth

Such a floor covering 1, before its installation, is advantageously stored in the form of plates, and more preferably in the form of a roll (x) having a length of several meters, in particular greater than 3 m long. This last embodiment roll (x) has the advantage of allowing a simple and fast installation of the flooring in the breeding enclosure by unwinding.

 These plates or rollers advantageously have a straight or rectilinear peripheral edge, or an assembly structure (puzzle type) facilitating their interlocking engagement with a complementary assembly structure.

 In practice, the floor covering 1 is installed at a reception surface S to be equipped.

 In this case, the breeding enclosure comprises a set of spaces, including the cubicles, at which the animals are intended to circulate and park, also referred to as traffic corridors.

 A circulation corridor C, illustrated very schematically in FIG. 3, advantageously comprises a longitudinal axis C

 In this context, the floor covering 1 is preferably installed so that the longitudinal axis 6 'of its sealed cavities 6 is arranged parallel to, or at least approximately parallel to, the longitudinal axis of the corridor Ç_.

 This orientation is particularly useful with regard to the fluid filling, the direction of movement of the animal, the scraping direction of the upper surface 2 by a plane.

 The sealed cavities 6, empty, are relatively flat (Figure 1).

 They are then filled with the aforementioned filling fluid F, so as to take the general shape of elliptical section whose major axis extends in its plane

Corresponding P (Figure 2).

 The fluid pressure in each of the sealed cavities 6 is advantageously adapted, particularly with respect to the type of scrapers and the type of animals.

 Preferably, the final thickness of the floor covering 1, once its sealed cavities 6 are filled, is approximately double compared to the initial thickness of the floor covering 1, before filling.

 For example, the initial thickness of the floor covering 1 is of the order of 10 mm; and its final thickness is of the order of 20 mm.

 The animals can then walk on the floor covering 1 whose upper surface 2 has very attractive characteristics of elasticity, bringing a significant gain of comfort and safety compared to the usual floor coverings.

 In particular, it offers superior absorption of the impacts of the animal on the ground, with:

 - during his movements, a protection of his joints,

during periods of trampling in a static position, a limitation of the tension of the muscles, and - during a possible fall, an increased absorption of the impact and a reduction of the risk of bruising.

 The sealed cavities 6 thus inflated allow the feet of the animals to sink into the mass of the flooring 1, which surrounds these feet and improves stability. The slip becomes almost impossible.

 According to alternative embodiments not shown, the sealed cavities 6 could have another orientation within the flooring 1.

 For example, the sealed cavities 6 can extend:

 perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 1 'of the floor covering 1, or

 parallel to the longitudinal axis 1 'in a first plane P and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1' in a second plane P.

 The sealed cavities 6, in the same plane P, can also be connected fluidly to form a kind of grid, with sealed cavities 6 parallel to the longitudinal axis 1 'and sealed cavities 6 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1' which intersect at a set of fluidic connection points (similar to Figure 4).

 Such floor covering 1 can be manufactured by assembling a set of superimposed layers, to form a unitary type assembly.

 The assembly technology can be chosen for example from - vulcanization, - gluing, - welding.

 According to a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the method for manufacturing the floor covering 1 comprises:

 (i) a superposition step of layers of elastomeric material having two opposite surfaces 151, between which are reported:

 interposing means 16 capable of locally preventing the joining of the surfaces 151 facing said layers 15 to form the sealed cavities 6, and

possibly reinforcement layers 1 1, then

 (ii) a step of securing the surfaces 151 in contact with said superimposed layers (that is to say outside the bulk of the intermediate means 16), so that the intermediate means 16 form the sealed cavities 6.

 The intermediate means 16 thus consist of any means avoiding the bonding between the surfaces 151 facing the layers 15 to be assembled.

 In the case of vulcanization, the intermediate means 16 consist for example of strips or tubes which are advantageously made of a material chosen from:

 a fire retardant film containing a retarder, for example polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene,

a layer of silicone, a layer of a vulcanized elastomeric material, for example a pipe made for example of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), of natural rubber (NR), or of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer.

 These spacer means 16 are in particular arranged between two elastomer layers 15 to be assembled with each other.

 In general, these intermediate means 16 are distributed according to the desired arrangement of the sealed cavities 6.

Claims

- CLAIMS - 1. Floor covering, intended to equip an enclosure for the rearing of animals, which floor covering (1) is made of an elastic material capable of undergoing elastic deformation and comprises two opposite surfaces:  - an upper surface (2) adapted in particular to the movement of animals and able to undergo elastic deformation, and  a lower surface (3) intended to rest on a receiving surface (S), characterized in that said floor covering (1) comprises, between said upper (2) and lower (3) surfaces, and within said elastic material, a plurality of sealed cavities (6) each intended to contain at least one fluid (F) to participate in the elastic deformation of said upper surface (2),  which floor covering (1) forms an assembly of the one-piece type, and has said sealed cavities (6) within its constituent material.  2. Flooring according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealed cavities (6) contain at least one fluid (F) selected from gases, liquids, gels, or mixtures thereof.  3. Flooring according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the sealed cavities (6) are distributed over at least one plane (P) extending parallel to the surfaces (2, 3) of said coating ground (1).  4. Floor covering, according to claim 3, characterized in that the sealed cavities (6) are evenly distributed, in staggered rows, on at least two superposed parallel planes (P).  Floor covering according to any of 1 to 4, characterized in that the sealed cavities (6) have a straight elongate shape and extend parallel or at least approximately parallel to one another.  6. Floor covering according to claims 4 and 5 in combination, characterized in that it comprises watertight cavities (6) staggered which overlap partially vertically, so as to extend together under a continuous portion of the surface upper (2) of said floor covering (1).  Floor covering according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sealed cavities (6) are:  - independently fluidically relative to each other, or  - fluidly connected to each other.  8. Flooring according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sealed cavities (6) have a width of between 30 and 100 mm, and are separated by a distance of between 20 and 80 mm . 9. Floor covering according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the sealed cavities (6) is connected with the at least one duct (10) which opens at the upper surface (2) of said floor covering (1).  10. Flooring according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, before its installation, said floor covering (1) is stored in the form of a roll (x).  1 1. Floor covering system, comprising:  (i) a floor covering (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and (ii) fluid supply means (8) connected to said sealed cavities (6).  12. Breeding enclosure comprising at least one circulation corridor (Ç_) covered by a floor covering (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a floor covering system according to claim 1 1.  13. Process for the manufacture of a floor covering (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises:  a step of superposition of layers (15) of elastic material, between which there are reported intermediate means (16) able locally to prevent the joining of the surfaces (151) facing said layers (15) to form the sealed cavities (6) then  - A step of securing the surfaces (151) in contact with said layers (15) superimposed, wherein the intermediate means (16) form the sealed cavities (6).