JPS632569B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an anesthesia system for animals to be slaughtered, preferably pigs, in which the animal is suspended in a cage (gondola) and exposed to gas, preferably CO2. This includes an elevator in which the anesthetized animal is conveyed through a pit-hole type chamber containing ₂ and released near the elevator entrance.

A system of this type is known, for example, from the description in Danish Patent Application No. 126549. The carbon dioxide consumption in this system is approximately 140g per pig. A corresponding system is disclosed in Swedish Patent No. 163523.

An object of the present invention is to reduce carbon dioxide consumption per animal.

The anesthesia system according to the invention is characterized in that the gas in the pit-type chamber is kept at a low temperature relative to the ambient temperature. As a result, the animal releases heat towards the carbon dioxide gas, reducing leakage of carbon dioxide gas as the hot carbon dioxide gas outweighs the cold carbon dioxide gas.

According to the invention, the degree of cooling is preferably such that no condensation occurs within the pit-type chamber. This is because condensed water can increase _CO2 consumption.

Further, it is preferable that the bag is provided in a pit-type room. The bag reduces the effective volume of the pit-type chamber and thus the carbon dioxide consumption, and it also forms the inner surface of the elevator passage.

Finally, according to the invention, a circumferential passage section is provided at the upper end of the gas-filled pit-type chamber. This passage section is provided with a plurality of holes for blowing out gas. In this way an air surface is created, which helps reduce carbon dioxide consumption.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawing depicts an anesthesia system according to the invention.

Illustrated. An anesthetic system for animals to be slaughtered, preferably pigs, comprises transporting the suspended animal in a cage 1, preferably discontinuously, through a pit-type chamber 10, i.e. the lower part of the system. However, it includes a double chain endless chain elevator. Said chamber 10 is preferably filled with carbon dioxide gas. Through hole 11 the pig is driven towards the entrance gate. Only one animal at a time can slip into the system through this. On the other side of the gate there is a basket 1, which has the form of sloped sides 3 connected to each other. If an animal climbs from the gate onto the bridge that forms the bottom of cage 1, and then the gate is closed and locked, an electric current will flow and the bridge will jump up. It moves erectly and assumes a tilted state.
Next, the animal on the bridge is slid down,
Its side comes into contact with the sloped side. Next, the car 1 is lowered into the chamber 10 filled with carbon dioxide gas.

According to the invention, the temperature within the chamber 10 is reduced compared to the surroundings. In this way, heat dissipation from the pig prevents carbon dioxide from rising and escaping into the surroundings, thus preventing or at least reducing carbon dioxide losses. _CO2
In order to further reduce consumption, according to the invention it is preferred to provide an inflatable bag 2 in the chamber. This bag is preferably placed in the center of the chamber. In this way, the amount of carbon dioxide gas stirred up when the pig passes through this abutment section is reduced. The bag also assists in forming passage walls within chamber 10. Furthermore, a number of flaps 4, 5, preferably spring-loaded, may be arranged at the inlet and outlet of the chamber, by which the carbon dioxide gas is retained in the chamber. Finally, the said chamber and the upper container part 1
A surrounding passageway portion 6 may be arranged at the connection between 4 and 4. The passage portion includes holes 6a for sucking in or blowing out gas.
In this way, an air surface is created above the chamber 10.

The temperature in the pit-style room should not be so low that condensation occurs. This is because carbon dioxide gas is consumed by such condensation, that is, carbonated water is produced.

Chamber 10 is surrounded by cooling means 8, preferably thermostatically controlled. The cooling means may be, for example, a cooling coil containing salt water or a cooling coil in which the refrigerant evaporates.

The consumption of carbon dioxide in the system of the present invention is approximately 120 g per pig, or approximately 20%.
reduced.

Said bag may be slightly lower than shown in the figures.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings illustrate the anesthesia system of the present invention. 1...basket (gondola), 2...bag, 3...slanted side, 4, 5...flap, 6...passage,
6a... Hole, 8... Cooling means, 10... Pit type carbon dioxide chamber, 11... Hole, 14... Upper container portion.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The gas in the pit-type chamber 10 is preferably kept at a low temperature relative to the ambient temperature by suspending the animal in a cage (gondola) 1. is a pit-type chamber 1 containing CO ₂
an elevator for transporting the anesthetized animal through the elevator and releasing the anesthetized animal adjacent to the elevator entrance;
Anesthesia system for animals to be slaughtered, preferably pigs. 2. An anesthesia system according to item 1, characterized in that the relative cooling compared to the ambient temperature is such that no condensation occurs in the pit-type chamber 10. 3. An anesthesia system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pit-type chamber 10 is surrounded by thermostatically controlled cooling means 8. 4. The anesthesia system according to items 1 to 3, characterized by a bag 2 within a pit-type chamber 10. 5. The anesthesia system according to items 1 to 4, characterized by a passage peripheral portion 6 located at the upper end of the gas-filled pit-type chamber 10 and provided with a plurality of holes 6a for blowing out gas.