Importance

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Abstract

The rack comprises a plurality of hollow, sheet metal shelves supported in spaced, horizontal planes by four tubular corner posts. Two rows of animal cages of generally box-like configuration are removably suspended beneath each shelf, with the upper, open end of each cage disposed in near sealing engagement with the underside of the shelf from which it is suspended. Each shelf is divided into three compartments which extend between opposite ends of the rack. The middle compartment of each shelf overlies adjacent portions of the cages in each of the two rows suspended therebeneath, and has in its bottom a plurality of spaced openings so that each cage is in communication at its upper end with the middle compartment. The two outer compartments of each shelf overlie, respectively, the remaining portions of the cages in the two rows thereof, and also have in their lower sides spaced openings which communicate with the interiors of the cages positioned therebeneath. Filtered air from a supply plenum on top of the rack is blown by a recirculating fan downwardly through the posts at one end of the rack, through tubular fittings into the outer compartments of the shelves, and through the openings in the bottoms of these compartments into the cages therebeneath. The center compartment of each shelf is connected through the posts at the opposite end of the rack to the inlet of the fan, so that air fed to the cages is exhausted through the bottoms of the center compartments, and is passed by the fan through filters on top of the rack and back to the supply plenum for recirculation through the cages.

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First Claim