Broiler container with a base and side walls, which is designed and set up for receiving and holding at least five living broilers, in particular as part of a unit, and an arrangement of a transport trailer

Abstract

The invention relates to broiler containers having a floor and side walls defining an inner volume which is designed and configured to receive and accommodate at least five live broilers, wherein the broiler container is designed and configured to be stackable with broiler containers of the same construction and has at least one ventilation opening and at least one air outflow opening, which broiler container is characterised in that the broiler container comprises at least one segment of a ventilation or air outflow column which extends through the inner volume and has at least one ventilation or air outflow opening at a distance from the side walls, wherein each segment of the ventilation or air outflow column is designed and configured for connection to corresponding segments of broiler containers of the same construction and also for connection to an active ventilation system. The invention relates also to a unit comprising at least two containers, to an arrangement comprising a unit and a ventilation system, to a transport trailer, to a poultry slaughterhouse, and to a method for ventilating the broilers.

Claims

1. A broiler container system comprising: a broiler container stack that comprises: a first broiler container having a floor and side walls defining an inner volume that is configured to receive and accommodate a live broiler, wherein the first broiler container is configured to be stackable with a second broiler container, wherein the first broiler container comprises a first segment of a first ventilation or air outflow column that extends through the inner volume and that is disposed at a distance from at least one of the side walls, wherein the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column is configured to align with a second segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the second broiler container and also for connection to an active ventilation system, and wherein an uppermost end of the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the first broiler container is configured to support a weight of the second segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the second broiler container; a pallet having an upper portion that comprises a first orifice that aligns with the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column so as to channel gas through the upper portion of the pallet and through the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column, and wherein the pallet and the broiler container stack are configured to couple together and move as a single unit, separate from at least one of a truck and a trailer; and a covering that is configured to extend over a top end of the broiler container stack, and wherein the covering is configured to at least one of channel gas (i) to and (ii) from the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the first broiler container.

2. The broiler container system according to claim 1, wherein the pallet comprises a wall at a perimeter of the pallet, with the wall comprising an opening that is in fluid communication with the first orifice.

3. The broiler container system according to claim 1, characterised in that the first broiler container comprises multiple segments for multiple ventilation or air outflow columns, in that the first broiler container has four side walls which form two pairs of opposing side walls, in that the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the first broiler container extends from the floor upwards through the inner volume, in that the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the first broiler container is formed integrally with the floor, and in that the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the first broiler container is situated in at least one row between one pair of opposing side walls at a distance of approximately D/(N+1), where D is a distance between the one pair of opposing side walls of the first broiler container and N is a number of segments of the ventilation or air outflow columns in the at least one row in the first broiler container.

4. The broiler container system according to claim 1, wherein the covering comprises a duct that aligns with the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the first broiler container, and wherein the duct is configured to be in fluid communication with the active ventilation system.

5. The broiler container system according to claim 1, wherein the first orifice is configured to be directly aligned with the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column when the broiler container stack is seated on the pallet.

6. The broiler container system according to claim 1, characterised in that the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column comprises at its uppermost end a broiler barrier, with the broiler barrier extending across an end opening of the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column to prevent the live broiler from entering the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column.

7. The broiler container system according to claim 1, characterised in that a length of the first broiler container is in one of the following ranges: a) from 0.50 m to 0.70 m, b) from 0.70 m to 0.90 m, and c) from 1.10 m to 1.30 m, and a width of the broiler container is in one of the following ranges: a) from 0.50 m to 0.70 m, b) from 0.70 m to 0.90 m, and c) from 1.10 m to 1.30 m.

8. The broiler container system according to claim 1, characterised in that all the side walls and the floor are in sheet form and closed, apart from locations for at least one of (i) the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column and (ii) at least one ventilation or air outflow opening defined in the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column.

9. The broiler container system according to claim 1, characterised in that the first broiler container is made of a plastics material, comprising an injection moulded monolithic structure.

10. The broiler container system according to claim 1, characterised in that there are provided at least two ventilation or air outflow columns which extend from the floor upwards through the inner volume.

11. The broiler container system according to claim 1, characterised in that the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column has elongate ventilation or air outflow openings, each having a longitudinal axis which is oriented with the longitudinal axis in a longitudinal direction of the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column.

12. The broiler container system according to claim 1, characterised in that a length of the first broiler container is in a range of from 2.10 m to 2.80 m, and in that the width of the first broiler container is in a range of from 0.70 m to 2.6 m.

13. The broiler container system of claim 1, wherein the broiler container stack further comprises the second broiler container, wherein the second broiler container being stacked on top of the first broiler container such that the second segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the second broiler container is located above the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column.

14. The broiler container system according to claim 13, wherein the first broiler container comprises a first segment of a second ventilation or air outflow column, and wherein the second broiler container comprises a second segment of a the second ventilation or air outflow column, wherein the first segment of the second ventilation or air outflow column, and the second segment of the second ventilation or air outflow column are aligned to form a portion of the second ventilation or air outflow column, and wherein the pallet comprises a second orifice that aligns with the second ventilation or air outflow column.

15. The broiler container system according to claim 13, characterised in that the broiler container stack has at least three floors which define inner volumes, with the first ventilation or air outflow column extending through the broiler container stack and into the pallet.

16. The broiler container system according to claim 13, wherein the covering comprises: a first conduit that is aligned with the first ventilation or air outflow column; and a second conduit that is aligned with the second ventilation or air outflow.

17. The broiler container system according to claim 16, characterised in that the pallet comprises adapters in a form of ventilation or air outflow column sections which are designed and configured for connecting the first segment and the second segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of first ventilation or air outflow column.

18. The broiler container system according to claim 1 further comprising the active ventilation system, wherein the active ventilation system is configured to actively ventilate the first broiler container.

19. A broiler container system comprising: a broiler container stack that comprises: a first broiler container having a floor and side walls defining an inner volume which is configured to receive and accommodate a live broiler, wherein the first broiler container is configured to be stackable with a second broiler container, wherein the first broiler container comprises a first segment of a first ventilation or air outflow column that extends through the inner volume and that is disposed at a distance from at least one of the side walls, wherein the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the first broiler container is configured to connect to a second segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the second broiler container and also for connection to an active ventilation system, wherein an uppermost end of the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the first broiler container is configured to support a weight of the second segment of first ventilation or air outflow column of the second broiler container; a pallet having a different design than the first broiler container and that is sized and shaped to receive the broiler container stack, wherein an upper portion of the pallet comprises a first orifice that is configured to align with the first segment of the ventilation or air outflow column of the first broiler container so as to channel gas through the upper surface of the pallet and through the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the first broiler container, and wherein the pallet and the container stack assemble together to move as a single unit, separate from at least one of a truck and a trailer; and a covering having a different design than the first broiler container and that is sized and shaped to extend over a top end of the container stack, and wherein the cover comprises a duct that directly aligns with the first segment of the ventilation or air outflow column and that is configured to at least one of channel gas (i) to and (ii) from the first segment of the first ventilation or air outflow column of the first broiler container.

20. The broiler container system of claim 19, wherein a wall at a perimeter of the pallet defines an opening that is in fluid communication with the first orifice.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Examples of embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the schematic drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a broiler transport container in a perspective view seen from above,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a broiler transport unit composed of broiler transport containers as can be seen in FIG. 1 in cross-section along the line XX-XX in FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a broiler transport container in a perspective view seen from above,

(5) FIG. 4 shows the broiler transport container in FIG. 3 in a perspective view seen from beneath,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 4 but seen from a slightly different angle,

(7) FIG. 6 shows five containers of the type shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 which are arranged in a stack on a pallet,

(8) FIG. 7 shows a cross-section along line V-V in FIG. 6,

(9) FIG. 8A shows a cross-section along line VI-VI in FIG. 6,

(10) FIG. 8B shows the detail marked VB from the side, indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8A,

(11) FIG. 9 shows the pallet in FIG. 6 in a perspective view from above,

(12) FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a broiler transport container in a perspective view seen from above,

(13) FIG. 11 shows the broiler transport container in FIG. 10 in a perspective view seen from beneath,

(14) FIG. 12 shows yet another embodiment of a broiler transport container in a perspective view seen from above,

(15) FIG. 13 shows the broiler transport container in FIG. 12 in a perspective view seen from beneath,

(16) FIG. 14 shows yet another embodiment of a broiler transport container in a partially cutaway perspective view seen from above and arranged close to another broiler transport container of the same type in a pair-wise configuration,

(17) FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a ventilation column as in FIG. 14,

(18) FIG. 16 shows yet another embodiment of a broiler transport container in a partially cutaway perspective view seen from above, wherein three such broiler transport containers are arranged one on top of another, wherein the stack is arranged on two pallets arranged close together, and wherein a covering is provided on the uppermost broiler transport container to form a transport unit,

(19) FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the detail marked XV in FIG. 16,

(20) FIG. 18 shows three transport units which are constructed as illustrated in FIG. 16, wherein each unit comprises ten broiler transport containers which are arranged on a truck trailer having a vertically adjustable roof with a ventilation arrangement,

(21) FIG. 19 shows the ventilation on a truck loaded with transport units containing four and five broiler transport containers of the type shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,

(22) FIG. 20 shows yet another embodiment of a broiler transport container having side doors,

(23) FIG. 21 shows yet a further embodiment of a broiler transport container in a perspective view seen from above,

(24) FIG. 22 shows a broiler transport container in FIG. 21 in a perspective view seen from beneath,

(25) FIG. 23 shows a group of broiler transport containers as in FIGS. 21 and 22 in a perspective view seen from above,

(26) FIG. 24 shows yet a further embodiment of a broiler transport container in a perspective view seen from above,

(27) FIGS. 25A-D show four different cross-sectional forms of floors of broiler transport containers,

(28) FIG. 26 shows transport units composed of broiler transport containers as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 arranged on a truck trailer,

(29) FIG. 27 shows an embodiment of a transport unit according to the present invention in a perspective view seen from beneath,

(30) FIG. 28 shows four transport units of the embodiment of FIG. 27 arranged with two transport units in a stack and two such stacks placed side by side,

(31) FIG. 29 shows a perspective view as in FIG. 27 of another embodiment of the transport unit,

(32) FIG. 30 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the transport unit from above,

(33) FIG. 31 shows another perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the transport unit from above,

(34) FIG. 32 shows a truck loaded with transport units according to the embodiment of FIG. 30,

(35) FIG. 33 shows a truck with the trailer loaded with transport units each containing four or five broiler containers, seen from the side,

(36) FIG. 34 shows two trucks with poultry transport trailers and two parked trailers at a slaughterhouse, in a schematic view seen from above,

(37) FIG. 35 shows an apparatus for controlled atmosphere stunning,

(38) FIG. 36 shows a schematic representation of a rearing enterprise,

(39) FIG. 37 shows a schematic representation of two units which, for the rearing of broilers, are connected to a ventilation system and a supply for feed,

(40) FIG. 38A shows a single container which is designed and configured for rearing and transport of broilers,

(41) FIG. 38B shows a column comprising two containers in accordance with a representative embodiment,

(42) FIG. 38C shows a container designed and configured for accommodating poultry during rearing of chicks until they are slaughter-ready broilers and for transporting the broilers, and

(43) FIG. 39 shows a schematic representation of an agricultural installation from the breeding station to the loading station onto the transport trailers for transport to the poultry slaughterhouse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(44) An embodiment of a broiler transport container 1 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It comprises a substantially square floor 11 and four side walls 12, 13, which together delimit an inner volume of a size to receive at least five live broilers (not shown). A ventilation column (as a ventilation opening or air outflow opening) in the container can also be referred to as a ventilation column section 14 or segment, because it becomes a section of a common ventilation column which extends through a plurality of broiler transport containers when they are stacked to form a unit or loaded onto a transport trailer. The ventilation column section 14 extends in the middle of the floor from the floor 11 into the inner volume, and a recess 19 (as an air outflow opening or ventilation opening) is provided in one of the side walls. Each ventilation column section 14 and each recess 19 is provided with elongate ventilation openings 15 which extend over almost the entire height of the column.

(45) In connection with the ventilation or air outflow column, “segment” describes a section of a column which can serve as a ventilation or air outflow column. It is both a longitudinal-axis section of a column and a cross-sectional section of a column. Joining a plurality of segments, or a plurality of column sections, of adjacent containers in all cases results in a common column. Each ventilation column can also be an air outflow column, depending on whether an overpressure or a low pressure is generated by the ventilation system. Therefore, any mention in the following of a ventilation column can correspondingly also mean the air outflow column, and vice versa. Mention is also made generally in the following only of the column. Each segment or each ventilation column section 14 can form or constitute a separate column. Each segment acquires particular importance, however, in a unit described hereinbelow comprising at least two containers, namely when a plurality of segments form a common column.

(46) The ventilation column section 14 is arranged at a distance d.sub.T from one side wall 12 and at a distance d.sub.L from the other side walls 13. These distances d.sub.T, d.sub.L are such that there is space for at least one broiler between each of the columns 14 and the respective side walls 12, 13, and they are therefore at least 0.17 m. This distance not only prevents broilers from becoming trapped, but it also provides ventilation for a region of the inner volume.

(47) In this embodiment, the ventilation column section 14 has a height h.sub.C corresponding to the height of the side walls 12, 13, and is cylindrical with a cavity in the middle and a constant diameter d.sub.C, apart from a small angled portion 17 which is provided at the joining face with the floor 11. As mentioned, each column 14 can have a height h.sub.C which corresponds approximately to the height of the side walls 12, 13 (including the thickness of the floor), so that the columns 14 are so designed that they serve as support columns for supporting the floor 11 of a further broiler transport container 1 stacked on top of the broiler transport container 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6-8.

(48) One side wall 13 is provided with a semicircular recess 19 having a diameter d.sub.R which is slightly greater than that of the column section 14, and the recess is also provided with ventilation openings 20. In order to ensure the stability of the broiler transport container 1 even when it is fully loaded with broilers, a carrier 21 bridges the recess 19 as a continuation of the plane of the side wall 13. This carrier is also suitable for use as a handle when the container is handled either manually or automatically.

(49) The column section 14 is so designed that it serves as a ventilation column, and the openings 15 are designed as ventilation openings which allow ventilation air to be guided via the cavity 16 into the column and through the ventilation openings into the inner volume of the broiler transport container. In this manner it is possible to supply fresh air even to birds that are situated at a distance from the side walls 12, 13, which were usually provided with ventilation openings. The air supply can also be used to heat or cool the inner volume of the container.

(50) Ventilation air supplied through the ventilation openings 15 in the column section 14 can emerge via the openings 20 in the recess 19 in the side wall, and it will be appreciated that air can also be supplied in the opposite direction from the openings 20 in the side wall to the ventilation column section when a low pressure is applied to the columns.

(51) The rounded surfaces and the relatively large diameter of the columns 14 and recesses 19 contribute to protecting the broilers during transport and during loading into the container. If a broiler hits the side of a column or recess, there are no sharp edges which could cause bruising, and the cavity can impart a certain impact-absorbing resilience to the columns and recesses.

(52) When broiler transport containers of this type are arranged one on top of another in a broiler transport unit as shown in FIG. 2, the column sections 14 form a common ventilation column 16 which extends vertically through all the units, and the recesses 19 form a common ventilation column which extends along one of the outer side walls.

(53) The bevelled section 17 not only reinforces the structure but also allows the upper edge of the column section 14 of a lower broiler transport container to project slightly into the corresponding column section 14 of an upper broiler transport container in order thus to achieve a relatively tight connection between the ventilation column sections. It is noted, however, that direct contact between the upper ends of the respective ventilation column sections and the outer undersides of the floors of containers arranged above them is not necessary in order to achieve good ventilation of the inner volumes. On the contrary, a gap between the column sections and the floor can contribute to the distribution of ventilation air, because the gap can form an annular ventilation opening.

(54) The broiler transport container in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a length and a width of 120 cm, a height of 22.5 cm and a diameter of the ventilation columns 14 of 20 cm. The distance d.sub.T to the side walls without recesses is 50 cm and the distance d.sub.L to the side wall opposite the side wall having the recess 19 is 30 cm.

(55) Another embodiment of a broiler transport container according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 3-5. This container corresponds to that in FIGS. 1 and 2, except that it is larger and has a different configuration of the ventilation columns, and the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2 have therefore been used.

(56) The container in FIGS. 3-5 comprises a rectangular floor 11, two transverse side walls 12 and two longitudinal side walls 13. Three column sections 14 extend upwards through the inner volume at a distance d.sub.T from the transverse side walls 12 and a distance & from the longitudinal side walls 13, the column sections being arranged in a row along the middle longitudinal axis L of the container and being evenly spaced. The ventilation columns in the individual broiler transport container can also be referred to as ventilation column sections 14, because the ventilation columns in the individual broiler transport container are joined together to form a common ventilation column when the containers are stacked one on top of another. The presence of more than one ventilation column section produces better ventilation in the inner volume and allows different pressures to be provided at the different column sections 14 in order to induce an air flow from one column to the other, so that ventilation is possible even if the openings in the side walls are blocked or no such openings at all are present.

(57) The ventilation column sections 14 are designed as in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the ventilation openings 15 here have a total opening area which corresponds to approximately 40% of the total area of the column, corresponding to approximately 9% of the surface area of the floor of the broiler transport container, but the openings can also be shorter and/or narrower if a smaller opening area is desired. The lowermost region of the column can have an annular cross-section without openings, like the column in the embodiment of FIG. 10.

(58) The ventilation column sections 14 have a cavity 16 in the centre and are cylindrical with a constant diameter d.sub.C, except for a small bevelled portion 17 provided at the point of connection with the floor 11. This bevelled portion not only reinforces the structure but also allows a column section of another container to project into the cavity, as will be described below.

(59) In this embodiment, the height h.sub.C of the ventilation sections 14 corresponds to the height of the side walls 12, 13, but they can also be made slightly higher so that they can be brought into engagement with a column section of another container.

(60) At the upper end of each column 14 a cross 18 bridges the opening of the cavity 16. This cross contributes to the stability of the column but, which is equally as important, it also functions as a broiler barrier, which prevents broilers from entering the cavity of the column during loading of the broiler transport container.

(61) Each of the longitudinal walls is provided with two recesses 19 forming column sections 36, and in this embodiment they correspond in size and shape to half a column 14, and the carriers 21 are centred with respect to the height of the longitudinal side wall 13, so that they are even more suitable for use as a handle.

(62) It is also possible to provide different pressures at the different ventilation columns in order to induce a flow of air from one column to the other, so that ventilation is possible even if there are no openings in the side walls.

(63) The two longitudinal walls are provided with recesses 19 which correspond in size and shape to half a column 14, and they are also provided with ventilation openings 20, but there is no bevelled portion and no cross. In order to ensure the stability of the broiler transport container 1 even when it is fully loaded with broilers, a carrier 21 bridging each recess 19 is provided as a continuation of the plane of the longitudinal side wall 13. This carrier is also suitable for use as a handle in the case of manual or automatic handling of the container.

(64) The broiler transport container in FIGS. 3-5 has a length of 240 cm, a width along the transverse side walls 12 of 80 cm and a height of 22.5 cm, and the diameter of the ventilation columns 14 is 20 cm. According to current European regulations, the containers may thus receive up to 50 broilers having a weight of 3 kg. Other sizes are of course also possible.

(65) FIG. 6 shows five broiler transport containers 1, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, stacked one on top of another on a pallet 2 to form a broiler transport unit 3 which conventionally further includes a covering in the form of a net or a lid (not shown) on the upper container.

(66) An operator 4, who has just filled the fourth broiler transport container from the bottom with broilers (not shown), has placed a fifth empty container on top and is ready to load it with broilers.

(67) As can likewise be seen in FIGS. 3-5, the upper edges of the side walls 12, 13 have a bevelled portion 22, which projects inwards slightly towards the inner volume of the container, and a flange 23, which projects outwards away from the inner volume. These are designed to engage with a bevelled edge portion 24 of the floor 11 when containers 1, 1′ are stacked one on top of another as shown in FIG. 6, so that the upper container 1′ is able to rest on the lower container 1 without a portion thereof protruding outwards beyond the planes of the outsides of the side walls 12, 13 and substantially without limiting the opening of the inner volume as shown in FIG. 7, which is a cross-sectional view of the detail marked V-V in FIG. 6.

(68) FIG. 8 shows a cross-section through the transport unit 3 along line VI-VI in FIG. 6. As can be seen, the column sections 14 of the five broiler transport containers 1, 1′ are positioned as a continuation of one another when the containers are stacked, so that they form a common ventilation column 16 in the form of a continuous hollow-cylindrical channel through the transport unit. By applying an air pressure to the channels 16, all the broiler transport containers 1, 1′ in the transport unit can be ventilated at the same time.

(69) The recesses 19 in the side walls are likewise situated one above another, as is also shown in FIG. 6, so that semicircular continuous hollow columns 36 are formed at the longitudinal side walls 13, which can contribute to the ventilation of the transport unit as a whole. When the transport unit is arranged close to another transport unit composed of broiler transport containers of the same type and is in alignment therewith, the recess columns 36 in those transport units are aligned and form a common ventilation column having a circular cross-section, which is similar to that of the channel 16 formed by the ventilation columns. A similar effect can be achieved by arranging the transport unit with the longitudinal side wall 13 close to a wall or the like in order thus to close the recesses 19 and produce a semicircular ventilation channel.

(70) In this embodiment, the channel 16 formed by the columns 14 continues into the pallet 2, which is provided with a row of openings 27 in the same positions as the columns in the broiler transport containers, as is likewise shown in FIG. 9, but this does not need to be the case. The channels formed by the recesses 19 do not continue into the pallet, but can do so in other embodiments. Horizontal openings 28 in the pallet 2 are designed for engagement with the arms of a forklift truck (not shown) used for handling the transport unit 3. These horizontal openings can be in communication with one of the channels 16, 36, but that is not the case in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9. These openings can be used for correctly positioning the lowermost broiler transport container 1 of a stack by aligning the columns 14 therein with the openings 27 and also for positioning the (transport) unit 3 on a truck, a trailer or another vehicle.

(71) The provision of pallets and/or coverings and the engagement between containers described with reference to FIG. 7 also applies to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

(72) Another embodiment of a broiler transport container 101 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Reference numerals corresponding to those in FIGS. 1-9 are used, but with the addition of 100, and features having such corresponding reference numerals then have the same function unless indicated otherwise.

(73) This broiler transport container 101 also has three ventilation column sections 114 which are so arranged that they project from the floor 111 and form a ventilation column 116, but the container is of a simpler construction, and the ventilation openings 115 are provided only at the upper edges of the column sections. These ventilation openings have a smaller total opening area than those shown in FIGS. 1-9 and are situated at head height of the broilers. The ventilation efficiency is in many cases the same, however, because the bodies and plumage of the broilers (not shown) in the container frequently block lower portions or ventilation openings or hinder the distribution of air along the floor, while the openings in FIGS. 8 and 9 are situated at head height of the broilers.

(74) The shape, size and position of the openings can vary greatly without having a substantial negative effect on the ventilation properties, and other questions, such as, for example, whether the container is better or worse to clean, should therefore likewise be considered when making a decision about a particular construction. It is also possible to provide regulation of the openings, for example by allowing some ventilation openings or a portion of ventilation openings to be covered if a smaller area is desired, for example if different opening areas are desired in different inner volumes in a transport unit. This applies to all the embodiments of the invention and to all types of ventilation openings.

(75) The container in FIGS. 10 and 11 does not have recesses in the side walls. Instead, it is provided with a series of openings 120 in the upper portion of the longitudinal side walls 113. A flange 126 projecting away from the inner volume of the container serves as a spacer, so that there is always a ventilation passage along the outside of the longitudinal side walls. This permits a ventilation air flow in a horizontal direction, but also a vertical ventilation flow, because the flanges are provided with openings 119.

(76) The projecting flanges 126 can also be used as handles when handling the containers and allow the container to be inserted into a frame system and used in a transport unit of the prior art if desired.

(77) FIGS. 12 and 13 show yet a further embodiment of a broiler transport container 201, and reference numerals corresponding to those in FIGS. 1-9 are used here too, but with the addition of 200, and features having such corresponding reference numerals then have the same function unless indicated otherwise. It is noted, however, that the illustrations in FIGS. 12 and 13 are highly schematic and that ventilation openings 215, 220 are provided only at one ventilation column section 214 and one recess 219, although all three column sections 214 and all four recesses 219 have similar ventilation openings 215, 220.

(78) This embodiment differs from that in FIGS. 1-9 in that the ventilation column sections 214 are provided with a dome 218 (shown only on the middle column) instead of the cross 18. The dome 218 not only prevents broilers from entering the ventilation columns 216 but it also protrudes beyond the upper side of the side walls 212, 213, which means that, when containers of this type are stacked, the dome is inserted into the cavity of the ventilation column above, which contributes to the fixing of the two containers in relation to one another and thus to the stability of the stack as a whole.

(79) An even more highly schematic representation of a further embodiment of a broiler transport container 301 is shown in FIG. 14, and reference numerals corresponding to those in FIGS. 1-9 are used here too, but with the addition of 300, and features having such corresponding reference numerals then have the same function unless indicated otherwise. This embodiment differs from those of FIGS. 1 to 9 in that the four recesses have been replaced by two semicircular columns 336, so that the outsides of the longitudinal side walls 313 are uninterrupted, and four corner columns 329 have each been replaced by a quadrant-shaped cross-section. When such containers are arranged tightly side by side as illustrated in FIG. 14, the columns 319, 329 are placed side by side and together form a circular column which can be ventilated by a common ventilation device. In this embodiment, when the outsides of the container are uninterrupted, the circular side columns 319, 329 are divided into independent semicircular and quadrant-shaped sub-columns, but if common columns with a uniform air pressure are desired, openings can also be provided in the side walls, either as in FIGS. 1-9 or in the form of smaller openings similar to the ventilation openings illustrated.

(80) The embodiment in FIG. 14 further differs in that there are only two ventilation column sections 314, which are each designed substantially as shown in FIG. 15. As can be seen, the ventilation openings 315 in these ventilation column sections are elongate but shorter than those in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9 and distributed in an even pattern over the ventilation column sections, so that a combination of the advantages described with reference to the preceding embodiments is achieved. Another difference is in the construction of the upper portion 337 of these column sections 314, which has a reduced diameter compared with the remainder of the column. The upper portion 337 can thus be inserted into the cavity at the floor of a corresponding column section of another container, as described with reference to the dome in FIG. 12, and they can even interlock with one another if the column sections are suitably dimensioned.

(81) A further two embodiments of broiler transport containers 401, 401′ are shown in FIG. 16, where a container 401 with reinforcements is arranged on two pallets 402 and where two containers 401′ of a relatively lightweight construction are arranged thereon and covered with a lid 405 in order to form a transport unit 403. Here too, reference numerals corresponding to those of FIGS. 1-9 are used, with the addition of 400, and features having such reference numerals then have the same function unless indicated otherwise.

(82) Both these embodiments of the container are provided with ventilation column sections 414 similar to those in FIG. 15 and with ventilation openings 420 along the upper edges of the side walls 412, 413. These features have the same functions as described above with reference to other embodiments and will therefore not be described in greater detail here.

(83) The use of two pallets 402 arranged side by side allows smaller pallets to be used and thus potentially permits the use of standard pallets and/or the same pallets for smaller and larger versions of the broiler transport container. In this embodiment, the openings 428 in the pallets for engagement with the arms of a forklift truck (not shown) are open at the bottom, which reduces the risk of their trapping dirt and makes them easier to clean than the pallet in FIG. 9. Although not shown, these pallets can also have ventilation openings 27 corresponding to those shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

(84) The lowermost broiler transport container 401 differs from those described previously in that it has reinforcing sections 430, 431 at the corners and in the middle of the longitudinal side walls 413. In this embodiment, the reinforcing sections, which can be solid or hollow as indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 17, are provided with rounded surfaces facing the inner volume of the container in order to facilitate cleaning and prevent injury to the broilers as described above with reference to the columns, but other shapes can also be used. The reinforcing sections can also serve as a support for the container 401′ arranged on top of the reinforced container 401.

(85) Although the reinforcement is shown here only on the lowermost container 401 in the transport unit 403, it will be appreciated that such containers can be used higher in the stack, in particular if the stack contains more than three containers and/or if they are heavily loaded. Tests have shown that the second lowest container in a stack is frequently the one that is exposed to the greatest stresses because it carries the weight of all the loaded containers above it and does not have the surface support offered by the pallet(s) but rests only on the lowermost container.

(86) As mentioned above, FIG. 8 shows a cross-section through the transport unit 3 along line VI-VI in FIG. 6. As can be seen, the columns 14 of the five broiler transport containers 1, 1′ are positioned as a continuation of one another when the containers 1, 1′ are stacked, so that they form a continuous hollow-cylindrical column 16 through the unit. These columns 16 allow the load of the broiler transport container 1, 1′ at the top of the stack to be transmitted via the columns 14 in the transport containers 1, 1′ beneath it to the pallet 2 in the middle of the transport unit 1, 1′, so that the loads on the side walls and the distances between supports that are bridged by the floors 11 are reduced. This in turn has the result that the floors 11 and outer side walls 12, 13 can be made relatively thin and without reinforcing ribs, as a result of which the material consumption and weight of the container 1 are reduced and at the same time cleaning is facilitated.

(87) When broiler transport containers 1 as shown in FIGS. 3-8 are arranged in a stack as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the bevelled portion 17 allows the upper edge of the column 14 of a lower broiler transport container 1 to project slightly into the corresponding column 14 of an upper broiler transport container 1, as is shown in detail in FIG. 8B. Each column 14 has an upper and a lower end, it being provided with an upper corresponding region at the upper end and with a lower corresponding region at the lower end. In other words, the upper end of the column 14 of a first container 1 is so designed that it can be stacked to form a positive and/or non-positive locking engagement with the lower end of a column 14 of a second container 1, and vice versa. The broiler transport containers 1 are here shown in the empty state, but when they are full, the floor 11 is deflected slightly so that the two columns 14 come into contact with one another and thus form a load-bearing column as described above. Many other embodiments permitting engagement between the columns 14 are possible, one of which will be described below. In the detailed construction, care should be taken to ensure that the broiler transport containers 1 can easily be placed one on top of another, separated and cleaned.

(88) The recesses 19 in the side walls are situated one above another in the same manner as the columns 14, as can also be seen in FIG. 6, so that semicircular continuous hollow columns are formed at the longitudinal side walls 13. These columns 19 themselves have a load-bearing capacity and also contribute to the stability of portions of the side walls between the columns 14 in order thus to increase further the strength and stability of the (transport) unit.

(89) These advantages can in principle also be achieved with solid columns 14, but hollow columns 14 have an excellent load-bearing capacity with very little material consumption and therefore not only offer strength and stability for the broiler transport container 1 and the (transport) unit, but also allow the weight of the empty (transport) unit (the tare weight) to be kept low. A comparison with broiler transport units 1 of the prior art is shown in Tables 1 and 2 below.

(90) Systems ID1 and ID2, marketed by the applicant Linco Food Systems, and ID3, marketed by Anglia Outflow Ltd., Diss, Norfolk, in England, of the prior art represent a type of transport unit in which loose crates or drawers are held in a frame, while systems ID4-ID7, marketed by Meyn Food Processing Technology B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands, represent a different type without such drawers. The use of loose drawers allows the system to be taken apart, which is advantageous with regard to cleaning of the transport unit, and further permits de-stacking before the broilers are stunned, but the weight of such systems is relatively high. As is apparent from Table 2, the ratio between the basic unit weight, that is to say the total weight of the empty transport unit, and the total available area of the floors in the unit for such systems is from 60 to 100 kg/m.sup.2, while that ratio for the systems without loose drawers is approximately 30 kg/m.sup.2. Because broiler transport units are typically loaded to the maximum permitted weight for the truck or trailer, a high tare weight of the transport unit leaves less capacity for transporting the broilers.

(91) In a (transport) unit 3 as shown in FIGS. 3-8, the ratio between the basic unit weight and the total available area for the broilers is very low, as illustrated in Examples 1 and 2 (ID8 and ID9), in which the ratio is 16-17 kg/m.sup.2.

(92) Although some embodiments of the invention may have a slightly higher ratio between the basic unit weight and the total available area, the present invention offers a considerable advantage over the prior art.

(93) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Container footprint Area Overall size  Column area  Brand ID L (m) W (m) A (m.sup.2) L × W × H (m) A.sub.C (m.sup.2) 1 Linco Maxiload 1.2 1.27 1.52 2.5 × 1.29 × 1.19 2 Linco Maxiload 1.2 1.27 1.52 2.5 × 1.29 × 1.46 3 Anglia Autoflow 1.16 0.76 0.88 2.44 × 1.17 × 1.3 4 Meyn EVO 2.4 1.2 2.88 2.40 × 1.2 × 1.23 5 Meyn EVO 2.4 1.2 2.88 2.40 × 1.2 × 1.48 6 Meyn Laco 2.4 1.2 2.88 2.40 × 1.2 × 1.23 7 Meyn Laco 2.4 1.2 2.88 2.40 × 1.2 × 1.48 8 Example 1 0.8 2.4 1.76 2.40 × 0.8 × 1.16 5 × π × 0.10.sup.2 9 Example 2 0.8 2.4 1.76 2.40 × 0.8 × 1.41 5 × π × 0.10.sup.2

(94) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Basic Basic unit unit Total weight/total Total Live Frame weight available available weight weight weight (empty) Number area area loaded total Brand ID kg kg of tiers m.sup.2 kg/m.sup.2 kg kg 1 Linco 224 400 4 6.08 65.8 Maxiload 2 Linco 270 490 5 7.60 64.5 1340 850 Maxiload 3 Anglia 350 4 3.52 99.3 950 600 Autoflow 4 Meyn 340 4 11.52 29.5 1000 660 EVO 5 Meyn 395 5 14.4 27.4 1220 825 EVO 6 Meyn 360 4 11.52 31.3 1015 655 Laco 7 Meyn 415 5 14.4 28.9 1234 819 Laco 8 Example 1 40 120 4 7.05 17.0 600 480 9 Example 2 40 140 5 8.81 15.9 740 600

(95) Arranging the (transport) units 3 close to one another so that they support one another from the sides further contributes to the stability of the broiler transport containers 1 during transport. In order to facilitate such an arrangement close together, the side walls have an upper end and a lower end and are provided with upper corresponding regions at the upper end and with lower corresponding regions at the lower end. In particular, the upper edges of the side walls 12, 13 of the broiler transport container in FIGS. 3-8 have a bevelled portion 22 which projects inwards slightly towards the inner volume of the container, and a flange 23 which projects outwards away from the inner volume. The flange is designed for engagement with a bevelled edge portion 24 of the floor 11 when containers 1, 1′ are stacked one on top of another as shown in FIG. 6, so that the upper container 1′ is able to rest on the lower container 1 without a portion thereof protruding beyond the planes of outer sides of the side walls 12, 13 and substantially without limiting the opening of the inner volume as shown in FIG. 7, which is a cross-sectional view of the detail marked V-V in FIG. 6.

(96) The pallet 2, as shown in FIG. 9, used at the bottom of the transport unit in FIGS. 6 and 8 is to provide stable support for the stack of broiler transport containers 1 and is provided with horizontal openings 28 which are designed for engagement with the arms of a forklift truck (not shown) which is used for handling the (transport) unit 3. In this embodiment, the pallet 2 is provided with a row of openings 27 in the same positions as the columns 14 in the broiler transport containers 1, likewise as shown in FIG. 9, but this need not be the case.

(97) Another embodiment of a broiler transport container 101 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Reference numerals corresponding to those in FIGS. 3-9 are used, but with the addition of 100, and features having such reference numerals then have the same function unless indicated otherwise.

(98) This broiler transport container 101 has three support columns 114 which are so arranged that they project from the floor 111, but the container 101 is of a simpler construction, and the openings 115 are provided only at the upper edges of the columns 114. The shape, size and position of the openings can vary greatly without having a substantial negative effect on the strength and/or stiffness of the columns 114. With the construction in FIGS. 10 and 11, the risk of broilers becoming stuck is very low.

(99) As described above, the columns 414 form a vertical column when they are arranged one on top of another, and the lid 405 is here provided with an opening 439 as a continuation of the column. This opening can be used to position the lid, and it will be appreciated that similar openings are provided above the other columns 414.

(100) The rear end of a truck or trailer 6 loaded with transport units 103, 103′ composed of the type of broiler transport units 101 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be seen in FIG. 26. Two tiers of such transport units are arranged one on top of another on the floor 61. The transport units 103 in the lower tier each comprise five broiler transport containers, while the transport units 103′ in the upper tier each comprise four containers. The longitudinal side walls 113, which face the rear side of the trailer, are not shown in order to reveal the inner volumes of the broiler transport containers. Here too, the columns 114 form vertical common columns 116.

(101) Each transport unit 103, 103′ has a width which corresponds to the width of the floor 61 of the truck trailer, so that only one row of transport units needs to be loaded, but it will be appreciated that it is also possible to use broiler transport containers of a smaller size, which are then arranged in two or more rows extending in the longitudinal direction of the floor.

(102) The roof 62 of the truck trailer is provided with engagement means 63 which are each in engagement with one of the columns 116 during transport. In order to achieve this engagement, the roof can be raised and lowered by hydraulic actuators, as is known from current broiler transport trucks and trailers, in order that the transport units can be fixed in position.

(103) After arriving at the slaughterhouse, the broilers are usually stunned, and this frequently happens while they are still in the broiler transport container. After the stunning, the broiler transport units must be emptied very quickly in order to prevent the hearts of the broilers from stopping beating before they are slaughtered. In order to facilitate emptying, the broiler transport container 401″ can be provided with flaps or doors 432 as shown in FIG. 20. The number of flaps or doors can vary.

(104) All the embodiments described above are based on the use of large broiler transport containers with three or more columns, but it is also within the scope of the invention to use containers with fewer columns.

(105) An example of a broiler transport container system with only one column 14 and one recess 19 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. When such broiler transport containers are arranged one on top of another in stacks as shown in FIG. 2, the column 14 forms a common column 16 which extends vertically through all the units, likewise as shown and described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 8B.

(106) All the broiler transport containers have been represented and described above with a planar floor as shown in cross-section of FIG. 25A, but other forms with triangular (as shown in FIG. 25B) or rounded thickened portions as shown in FIG. 25C or using a trapezoidal metal sheet as shown in FIG. 25D are also possible. A common feature of all these embodiments is that they are composed of planar, sheet-like sections, so that the outer faces are easy to clean. Similar considerations apply to the outer side walls.

(107) As described above, the column sections 414 form a vertical ventilation column when they are arranged one on top of another, and the lid 405 is here provided with an opening 439 as a continuation of the ventilation column. This opening can be used to guide air into or out of the column. The opening can be provided or brought into contact with valves, bellows or similar devices (not shown) for connection to a ventilation device or a ventilation system on the transport trailer. It will be appreciated that similar openings are provided above the other column sections 414.

(108) The rear end of a truck or trailer 6 which is loaded with transport units of the type shown in FIG. 16 but with ten containers in each stack is shown in FIG. 18. For the sake of simplicity, the reference numerals used in FIG. 16 are likewise used here, although the number of containers in the stacks is different and the reinforcing sections 430 have been omitted.

(109) Each transport unit 403 has a width which corresponds to the width of the floor 61 of the truck or trailer, so that only one row of transport units needs to be loaded, but it will be appreciated that broiler transport containers of a smaller size can also be used and arranged in two or more rows extending in the length direction of the floor.

(110) The roof 62 of the truck or trailer is provided with a ventilation arrangement having four ventilators 63, each of which generates an overpressure at a ventilation pipe 64 which extends over the length of the truck or trailer 6. Each ventilation pipe 64 branches off into a row of outlets 65, each of which is provided directly above one of the ventilation columns 416 in the transport units 403. When the roof is lowered, the outlets come into engagement with the openings 439 in the lids, so that air is able to flow from the ventilation pipes 64 into the ventilation columns 416 and from there into the inner volumes of the broiler transport containers, as indicated by the arrows. In this manner, each transport unit or each stack of units is supplied with forced ventilation. Part of the transport unit 403 situated at the outermost end of the truck or trailer has been cut away in order to allow the ventilation columns 416 therein and the air flow to be seen.

(111) The ends of the ventilation pipes 64 were here provided with flanges 66 in order to permit a tight fit on the lids 405.

(112) Air is able to flow out of the broiler transport containers via the ventilation openings 420 in the side walls 412, 413, and it is also possible that the ventilation columns 416 formed by the ventilation column sections 414 continue through the pallets 402 so that air is able to escape via pallet openings 428, 438. Ventilation openings are here shown in all four sides of the containers, but it may be expedient to have them only in the longitudinal side walls. The truck or trailer floor can likewise be provided with ventilation openings (not shown).

(113) FIG. 19 shows a further method for ventilating transport units when they are arranged on a truck or trailer 106. The transport units 103, 103′ are here composed of the type of broiler transport containers 101 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and two tiers of such transport units are arranged one on top of another on the floor 161. The transport units 103 in the lowermost tier each contain five broiler transport containers, while the transport units 103′ in the uppermost tier each contain four containers. On the transport units in the second and third row from the driver's cabin, the transverse side walls of the broiler transport containers have been removed in order to show the inner volumes and ventilation columns 116. Openings in the lids and pallets allow common ventilation columns which extend from the roof 162 right to the floor 161 to be formed.

(114) In this embodiment, the roof 162 has an inner volume 167 in which an overpressure or a low pressure can be generated by means of a ventilation device 163 arranged above the driver's cabin. When an overpressure is generated in the inner volume 167, air is preferably forced into the ventilation columns, as indicated by the arrows, and from there into the inner volumes of the broiler transport containers 101 and out of the ventilation openings (not visible) in the side walls 113 into a ventilation passage 136 between the transport units. When openings 168 in the floor 161 of the trailer are left open, a constant circulation through the transport units can be obtained. This circulation can be assisted by the low pressure which usually occurs on the underside of a moving truck. Ambient air can be supplied directly to the inner volumes, or the air can be conditioned in the ventilation system with regard to temperature and/or humidity and/or chemical composition.

(115) An overpressure in the inner volume 167 in the roof 162 can also be achieved or assisted by leaving open a damper or a controllable flap 170 in the front side of the roof so that air is forced into the inner volume as the truck travels forwards.

(116) In very cold weather, the transport units may have to be heated. This can be achieved by closing at least some of the openings 168 in the floor 161 by dampers 169 and potentially also closing the inlet from the ventilation device 163 by a damper 170 and recirculating the air as indicated by the arrows in the third row of transport units. In this manner, the body heat of the broilers is used to gradually heat the air, but a certain amount of fresh air is typically added in order to ensure a sufficient oxygen content and regulate the carbon dioxide content. Recirculation requires an additional ventilation device which can be, for example, in the form of local fans 166 arranged at the top of each ventilation column 116. Such local fans can also be used on their own to induce air flow into the ventilation columns.

(117) Regulation of the ventilation can also take place in response to the measurement, for example, of temperature and humidity in ventilation air coming out of the ventilation openings, and sensors for measuring those parameters can be provided, for example, in the ventilation passages 136 or on the pallets 102.

(118) It is also possible to mix additives such as anaesthetics with the air in order to keep the broilers calm during transport. In one embodiment, this is achieved by, for example, loading CO.sub.2 tanks onto the truck or trailer and passing this gas into the transport units via the ventilation columns, but it is also possible to collect exhaust gases from the truck engine, to clean the exhaust gases sufficiently by passing them through filters and adsorption devices which remove volatile organic compounds NOx, SOx, and possibly through an active charcoal filter, and then to add the purified gases to the air supplied to the transport units via the ventilation system. It is also possible to stun the birds while they are still on the truck, but this requires very rapid unloading of the transport units so that the broilers are slaughtered in due time.

(119) After the broilers have been stunned, the transport units must be emptied very quickly in order to prevent the hearts of the broilers from stopping beating before they are slaughtered. In order to facilitate emptying of the broiler transport containers 401″, they can be provided with flaps or doors 432 as shown in FIG. 20. The number of flaps or doors can vary.

(120) All the embodiments described above are based on the use of broiler transport containers having ventilation columns which extend from the floor, but it is also within the scope of the invention to use horizontal ventilation columns.

(121) An example of a broiler transport container system having horizontal ventilation columns is shown in FIGS. 21-23. Each broiler transport container 501 here comprises two types of column sections 514a, 514b which extend into the inner volume and each have a row of ventilation openings 515. One column section 514a is provided as a curved portion of the floor 511, while the other 514b extends from one outer longitudinal side wall 513 to the other. Ventilation openings are here provided over the entire length of the column sections, but it would also be possible to have openings only in a middle portion of one or both column sections and/or openings having a more elongate shape.

(122) When such broiler transport containers are stacked one on top of another and such stacks are arranged side by side as shown in FIG. 23, the column sections 514a, 514b of adjacent containers for common ventilation columns 516 extend horizontally through all the units. If an overpressure is applied to every second ventilation column 516 in the vertical direction, air enters through the ventilation openings 515 in one column of each container and emerges via openings in the other column. In this manner, even containers without ventilation openings in the floor or the side walls can be ventilated, but it is of course also possible to provide such openings in those containers.

(123) FIG. 24 shows a further embodiment of a broiler transport container 601 in which features from the embodiments in FIGS. 1-9 and FIGS. 21-22 are combined. As can be seen, this container includes a column section 614 which extends from one outer end side wall 612 to the other and has ventilation openings 615. Here too, the size, shape and distribution can be different, but when containers are arranged end to end, the column sections form a common ventilation column 616 which extends through them. Recesses 619 with openings 620 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-9 contribute to the ventilation and form vertical ventilation columns when containers are stacked one on top of another and side by side. Accordingly, this embodiment of a broiler transport container allows horizontal and vertical ventilation columns to be combined.

(124) All the broiler transport containers have been represented and described above with a planar floor 11 as shown in cross-section in the upper part of FIG. 25, but other forms with triangular or rounded thickened portions as shown in the middle of FIG. 25 or using a trapezoidal metal sheet as shown in the lower part of FIG. 25 are also possible. A common feature of all these embodiments is that they are composed of planar, sheet-like sections, so that the outer surfaces are easy to clean. Similar considerations apply to the outer side walls.

(125) Ventilation devices such as fans or compressors can be provided on an individual stack of broiler transport containers, such as, for example, by placing a ventilation device on top of the stack at an end opening of a common ventilation column which is composed of the ventilation columns in the individual broiler transport containers located one above another in the stack, or at the bottom of such a stack, or by integrating a ventilation device into a pallet support. In such embodiments, the ventilation devices can follow the broiler transport unit stack and can ventilate it even when the transport vehicle or the transport trailer is not present.

(126) In an embodiment according to FIG. 27, a broiler transport unit 3 has outer side walls 12, 13 and seven floors in full length, each divided into two floors 11 by a vertical inner side wall 34 in the middle between side walls 12 and 13. Fourteen inner volumes are situated above the floors, one inner volume above each floor. Each inner volume can receive at least five live broilers during transport to a slaughterhouse. A ventilation column 14 extends vertically through the inner volumes and through the floors in the middle of each floor. In the first embodiment, the broiler transport unit has two such ventilation columns 14. Each ventilation column 14 is provided with ventilation openings 15 which open into the respective inner volume, so that all the inner volumes can be ventilated at the same time by applying an air pressure to channels 16 in the ventilation columns 14. In this manner, fresh air can be supplied to broilers situated at a distance from the side walls 12, 13.

(127) Ventilation openings 15 are elongate and extend over almost the entire height of the column. The openings in the first embodiment have a total opening area per inner volume which corresponds to approximately 40% of the total area of the column in the volume, corresponding to approximately 9% of the area of the floor of the broiler transport unit, but the openings can be shorter and/or narrower if a smaller opening area is desired. The ventilation columns 14 are cylindrical with a constant diameter.

(128) One side wall 13 is provided with a recess, which corresponds in size and shape to half a ventilation column 14, and with a portion of a ventilation column wall which is provided with ventilation openings 20, in order to form a semicircular continuous hollow ventilation column 36 which is joined to the side wall 13. Air blown in via ventilation openings 15 in the columns 14 is able to leave the inner volumes via openings 20. Ventilation air can also flow in the opposite direction from ventilation columns 36 via openings 20 to ventilation columns 16 if a low pressure is generated in the ventilation channel 16. It is also possible to provide different pressures in different ventilation columns 16 in order to induce a flow of air from one ventilation channel to the other so as thus to permit ventilation even when the side walls do not have openings but the inner side wall has openings.

(129) When transport units 3 of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 28 are arranged close together, the two semicircular ventilation columns 36 are aligned and form a common ventilation channel having a circular cross-section similar to that of the channel 16 formed by the ventilation column 14. Two transport units are placed in a stacked configuration, and the ventilation columns 16 are strung together to form a common ventilation column. The same applies to the ventilation columns 36.

(130) The rounded surfaces and the relatively large diameter of ventilation columns 14 and ventilation columns 36 contribute towards protecting the broilers during transport and during loading into the transport unit. If a broiler hits the side of a column or recess, there are no sharp edges which could otherwise cause bruising.

(131) In the following description of further embodiments, the same reference numerals as in the description of the first embodiment have been used for details having the same function, for the sake of simplicity.

(132) The embodiments in FIGS. 27 and 28 have closed side walls and an open inner wall formed of vertical rods. It is also possible to design the outer walls 12, 13 with openings or to form the walls with rods, as in the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 29. The second embodiment has only a single ventilation column 16 which extends centrally across the floors 11.

(133) In the third embodiment of FIG. 30, the broiler transport unit 3 has five parallel floors 11 which extend over the entire width of the broiler transport unit. In this embodiment, the broiler transport unit has three ventilation columns 14 with ventilation openings 15 in the inner volumes above each floor. The three ventilation openings extend through the broiler transport unit 13 over the entire height thereof and have open lower ends. Each ventilation column ends at an annular collar which has a slightly larger diameter than the column 14 and is mounted in the floor of the broiler transport unit, so that it is able to receive the slightly upwardly projecting upper end of the column 14 when two broiler transport units are placed in a stacked configuration.

(134) In a fourth embodiment of FIG. 31, the broiler transport unit has a ventilation column which extends in the horizontal direction through each inner volume from one side wall 12 to the opposite side wall 12.

(135) FIG. 32 illustrates broiler transport units which are loaded onto a transport vehicle such as a trailer or a truck 6, where one broiler transport unit having five floors is situated in a bottom row and another broiler transport unit having four floors is situated in a top row which is stacked on the units in the bottom row. The illustrated broiler transport units have a floor structure 2 with holes 28 for a forklift truck used to lift the unit or a stack of two units.

(136) Each broiler transport unit 3 has a width which corresponds to the width of the floor 61 of the truck or trailer, so that only one row of broiler transport units needs to be loaded, but it is also possible to use broiler transport units having a smaller width and then arrange them in two or more rows extending in the length direction of the floor.

(137) In FIG. 19, the roof section 162 of the truck or trailer is provided with a ventilation system, in which a ventilation apparatus 163 is situated on top of each ventilation column 14 in the broiler transport units. In one embodiment, the ventilation system of the truck or trailer can comprise a plurality of sections which are individually adjustable in relation to a broiler transport unit or a group of broiler transport units, so that the ventilation can be produced and activated for one transport unit or one group of transport units while additional transport units are being loaded onto the truck or trailer.

(138) The individual ventilation apparatus can also be a separate apparatus which is provided on the ventilation column on the broiler transport unit independently of the truck or trailer and is able to ventilate inner volumes connected to the ventilation column while the broiler transport unit is awaiting transport or further handling. Such a separate ventilation apparatus, or a set of such separate ventilation apparatuses, can be supplied with power from a battery or a rechargeable battery or a power supply device, such as, for example, from a solar cell device. Alternatively, the ventilation apparatus can be connected to a power supply, such as, for example, via a plug to a stationary power socket which is provided in the holding region of the broiler transport unit, such as, for example, on the farm after broilers have been loaded or at the slaughterhouse after they have been unloaded from the transport vehicle.

(139) Alternatively, the ventilation system can be arranged as illustrated in FIG. 18, where a ventilation pipe 64 extends along the length of the truck or trailer 6 and has an outlet 65 branched off from the ventilation pipe 64 to each ventilation column 416 situated beneath the ventilation pipe. A ventilation apparatus 63 guides ventilation air to the ventilation pipe 64. The broiler transport units 403 illustrated in FIG. 18 each have four ventilation columns 416 and ten floors. The side walls 412, 413 have a row of ventilation openings 420 which are situated in the upper portion of each inner volume.

(140) The roof section 62 can be raised in order to create space for loading and unloading broiler transport units. After loading, the roof section can be lowered into its position on the broiler transport units again, and the mechanical forced ventilation can be activated. Ventilation air flows from the ventilation pipes 64 into the ventilation columns 416 and from there into each inner volume of the broiler transport units, as indicated by the arrows. In this manner, each transport unit or each stack of units is supplied with forced ventilation. A portion of the transport unit 403 situated at the outermost end of the truck or trailer has been cut away in order to give a better view of the ventilation columns 416 therein and the air flows. Air can flow out of the broiler transport units via the ventilation openings 420 in the side walls.

(141) In FIG. 19, the transport units in the second and third row from the driver's cabin are not illustrated with transverse side walls, in order to give a better view of the inner volumes and ventilation columns 116. In this embodiment, the roof section 162 has an inner volume 167 in which an overpressure or a low pressure can be generated by means of a ventilation apparatus 163 arranged above the driver's cabin. When an overpressure is generated in the inner volume 167 (FIG. 19), air is forced into the ventilation columns 116, as indicated by the arrows, and from there into the inner volumes of the broiler transport units 101 and out through the ventilation openings (not visible) in the side walls 113 into ventilation passages 136 between the broiler transport units. If openings 168 in the floor 161 of the trailer 106 are left open, a constant stream of fresh ventilation air can form through the transport units, possibly assisted by the low pressure which generally occurs at the underside of a moving truck. Air can be taken directly from the surroundings or can be conditioned in the ventilation system with regard to temperature and/or humidity or by recirculation.

(142) When broiler transport units of the embodiment in FIG. 31 having horizontal ventilation columns are arranged side by side, the column sections 14 of adjacent units form common ventilation columns 16 which extend horizontally through the units. There can also be at least two, such as, for example, from two to six, horizontal ventilation columns for each inner volume. The higher numbers of ventilation columns are most relevant when the broiler transport unit has a width corresponding to the width of the load space 161 and the ventilation columns are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the load space and extend between the opposing side walls 13 of the unit. If an overpressure is applied to every second ventilation column 16, air enters through the ventilation openings 15 in a column and emerges via openings in the intermediate column. In this manner, even broiler transport units without ventilation openings of type 20 in the floor or in the side walls can be ventilated, but it is of course also possible to provide such openings in these containers.

(143) In a further embodiment, a broiler transport unit has one ventilation column 14 that extends from one side wall 12 to the other in the horizontal direction, and one ventilation column that extends in the vertical direction.

(144) All the broiler transport units used in the transport units described above have been shown and described as having flat floors without openings. Details of specific embodiments can be combined within the scope of the patent claims to give further embodiments. The broiler transport units can be produced with a triangular basic shape having three side walls or having more than four side walls in a polygonal basic shape.

(145) The individual ventilation column can extend wholly through the floors, or the ventilation column can be produced from sections, the individual section being joined to a movable portion of the floor. Each floor 11 can be movable in relation to the frame 33 or side walls 12, 13. The use of movable floors or movable floor sections can facilitate the loading of broilers into the broiler transport unit.

(146) The floors, side walls, upper wall and doors 35 can be in sheet form without ventilation openings, except at the ventilation columns. This gives a high degree of calm and shelter for the broilers and also shields the broilers from intense light such as sunlight.

(147) The number and position of the ventilation columns in relation to the side walls and the other ventilation columns can vary, and the size, shape, position and number of the ventilation openings in the side walls can also vary, including the possibility that ventilation openings are provided only in the ventilation columns. It is also noted that the different broiler transport units do not need to be identical and that the ventilation columns do not need to extend continuously through the transport unit. For example, the lowermost floor of a transport unit can be without a ventilation column section, it being possible for the inner volume above this floor to be ventilated via a hollow ventilation section in the floor above the opening into the lowermost inner volume.

(148) The rear end of a broiler transport trailer 6 which transports broilers to the slaughterhouse is illustrated in FIG. 18 with transport units 403 each having a width corresponding to the width of the floor 61 of the trailer. In connection with the present invention, the expression transport trailer is to be understood in a broad sense. The transport trailer can be a trailer which is driven by a truck drive unit and which can be parked in a state in which it is disconnected from the truck drive unit. The transport trailer can be part of an articulated truck, such as, for example, the articulated trailer, which can travel connected to the truck and behind the truck or behind a trailer driven by the truck drive unit. The transport trailer can have dual wheels, a plurality of chassis or simply an axle at both ends. The transport trailer can have a standard size or a large size (XL), in particular a large length. The transport trailer can also have a smaller size, such as, for example, a lorry. The expression transport trailer also includes railway wagons.

(149) The roof 62 of the trailer is provided with a ventilation system which comprises four ventilation devices 63 in the form of a ventilator driven by an electric motor which is supplied with power either by the drive unit of the trailer, a rechargeable battery on the trailer or via a power connection which is connected to a power supply on the farm, at the slaughterhouse or at another stationary supply point. The ventilation device supplies (mechanical) forced ventilation to a ventilation pipe 64 which extends over the length of the trailer 6. The ventilation pipe 64 supplies a row of branched outlets 65 with ventilation air. The individual outlet 65 is in each case situated in a position which corresponds to an end opening of a ventilation column 416 in the transport units 403. When the roof 62 is lowered onto the broiler transport units, the outlets come into alignment with openings 439 at the upper ends of the ventilation columns or are integrated therewith or come into engagement therewith, so that ventilation air is able to flow between the ventilation pipes 64 and the ventilation columns 416 and via the columns and ventilation openings therein through inner volumes of the broiler transport containers, as indicated by the arrows. In this manner, each broiler transport unit or each stack of transport units is supplied with forced ventilation air. A portion of the transport unit 403 situated at the outermost end of the truck or trailer has been cut away in order to give a view of the ventilation columns 416 in the interior and of the air flow.

(150) In this embodiment, the ends of the ventilation pipes 64 have been provided with flanges 66 which permit a tight fit on the coverings 5.

(151) The ventilation devices can be controlled individually in order to achieve ventilation conditions which are adapted to the local conditions in the ventilation column or ventilation columns which are supplied with ventilation by the ventilation device. A group of ventilation devices can be controlled together, such as, for example, if a special ventilation air composition is to be supplied to all the inner volumes or if one side of the trailer is more exposed to sunlight than the other side. Ventilation devices can also be controlled so that less ventilation air is supplied when the natural ventilation is high, for example when travelling at high speed, and more ventilation air is supplied when less or no ventilation air is created by the travelling speed.

(152) Air can flow out of the broiler transport units via the ventilation openings 420 in the side walls 412, 413, and it is also possible that the ventilation columns 416 are continued through the pallets 402 so that air is able to escape via pallet openings 428, 438. Ventilation openings 420 are here to be seen in all four sides of the broiler transport units, but it may be expedient to have them only in the longitudinal side walls. The trailer floor 61 can likewise be provided with ventilation openings (not shown).

(153) In FIG. 18, a single row of broiler transport containers fills the floor of the trailer, but it is also possible to use broiler transport units of a smaller width and arrange them in two, three, four or more rows extending in the length direction of the floor.

(154) The ventilation system of any of the described embodiments and of other embodiments of the invention can be used to ensure adequate ventilation of the broiler transport units 103 during loading of the truck. Loading of a typical broiler transport truck 106 as shown in FIG. 33 in its full length usually takes about one hour, and it can therefore be expedient to divide the ventilation into sections as indicated by the broken lines. When section A is fully loaded, the ventilation of that section is started while loading is continued in section B, then section B is connected to the ventilation etc., until finally the ventilation in section C is started. This can be achieved simply by providing air regulating mechanisms such as dampers or valves in ventilation pipes which extend over the length of the truck, as shown in FIG. 18, or in an inner roof volume as in FIG. 19. The number of rows in each ventilation section A-D can vary according to the size of the broiler transport units and the size of the trailer, and by providing sufficient regulating mechanisms it is even possible to adjust the size of the individual sections, for example according to the ambient temperature and the speed with which broiler transport containers are loaded.

(155) The ventilation can be regulated in response to the measurement, for example, of air temperature, air humidity and/or CO.sub.2 content either in the air in the inner volumes of the broiler transport units or in the ventilation air flowing out of the broiler transport units. Sensors which measure one or more of the mentioned air values can be arranged in the broiler transport units, possibly in the pallets thereof, or in the truck used for this purpose.

(156) A recording system can be used for controlling the ventilation and/or for recording different conditions of the ventilation system, of the broiler transport units and/or of the broilers. The outlet air temperature and air humidity and/or the CO.sub.2 content at the outlets, for example, can be used as indicators of the condition of the broilers, while information about the ambient air temperature and air humidity can be used to assess a future need for adjustment. Other parameters such as ventilation air temperature and air humidity as well as the transport duration etc. can be used to calculate expected values for other parameters and to compare actual and expected values for adjusting the ventilation.

(157) FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a broiler transport unit 3 having outer side walls 12, 13 and five floors 11 which define five inner volumes each of which can receive at least five live broilers during transport to a slaughterhouse. Three ventilation columns 14 on each floor together form three continuous hollow-cylindrical ventilation channels 16 which are composed of the ventilation columns 14 of the five broiler transport units 1, 1′ situated in the prolongation of one another. Each column section 14 is provided with ventilation openings 15 which open into the respective inner volumes, so that all the broiler transport units 1, 1′ in the transport unit can be ventilated at the same time by applying an air pressure at the ventilation columns 16. In this manner, it is possible to supply fresh air even to birds that are at a distance from the side walls 12, 13. The air supply can also be used for heating or cooling the inner volume of the container.

(158) A ventilation column in a broiler transport container or in a unit can be referred to as a ventilation column section 14 because it becomes a section of a common ventilation column which extends through a plurality of broiler transport containers when they are stacked to form a unit, and possibly becomes part of a ventilation column which is common to two or more broiler transport units when they are loaded onto a transport trailer.

(159) The broiler transport unit shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 is composed of a series of broiler transport containers 1 stacked one on top of another, and such a container is shown in FIGS. 3-5. The floor 11 is rectangular with two transverse side walls 12 and two longitudinal side walls 13, which together delimit the inner volume. The three columns 14 extend from the floor 11 upwards through the inner volume at a distance d.sub.T from the transverse side walls 12 and at a distance d.sub.L from the longitudinal side walls 13. These distances d.sub.T, d.sub.L are such that there is space for at least one broiler between each of the columns 14 and the respective side walls 12, 13. The ventilation columns are arranged in a row along the middle longitudinal axis L of the container and are evenly spaced.

(160) Each column 14 is so designed that it serves as a ventilation column by being provided with elongate ventilation openings 15 which extend over almost the whole height of the column. The openings here have a total opening region which corresponds to approximately 40% of the total area of the column, corresponding to approximately 9% of the area of the floor of the broiler transport unit, but the openings can also be smaller and/or narrower if a smaller opening region is desired.

(161) The columns 14 are cylindrical with a constant diameter d.sub.C, except for a small bevelled portion 17 provided at the point of connection to the floor 11. The bevelled portion not only reinforces the structure but also allows a column of another container to project slightly into the cavity, as is shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the height h.sub.C of the columns 14 corresponds to the height of the side walls 12, 13, but they can also be slightly higher so that they are able to come into engagement with a column of another container.

(162) The two longitudinal side walls 13 of the broiler transport unit in FIGS. 6 and 8 are provided with recesses 19 which correspond in size and shape to half a ventilation column 14, and they are also provided with ventilation openings 20, but there is no bevelled portion and no cross. In order to ensure the stability of the broiler transport unit even when it is fully loaded with broilers, a carrier 21 bridging each recess 19 is provided as a continuation of the plane of the longitudinal side wall 13. The carrier can also be used as a handle when the container and/or the transport unit is handled either manually or automatically.

(163) In the broiler transport unit 3, the recesses 19 in the side walls are situated one above another, as is also apparent from FIGS. 6 and 8, so that they form a semicircular, continuous, hollow ventilation column 36 which is joined to the longitudinal side walls 13 and has ventilation openings 20. Air guided via the ventilation openings 15 into the ventilation columns 14 can flow out via openings 20 in the recesses 19 in the side walls. Ventilation air can also flow in the opposite direction from the openings 20 in the side walls to the ventilation columns, for example if a low pressure is generated in the ventilation channel 16. It is also possible to provide different pressures in different ventilation columns 16 in order to induce an air flow from one ventilation column to another, so that ventilation is possible even if there are no specific ventilation openings in the side walls. This can be effected by providing the individual ventilation column with a ventilation device which can be controlled independently of other ventilation devices for other ventilation columns in the ventilation system.

(164) When a transport unit 3 of the type shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 is arranged close to and in alignment with another transport unit of the same type, the recess channels 19 in those two transport units are then in alignment with one another and form a common ventilation channel having a circular cross-section corresponding to that of the channel 16 formed by the ventilation columns 14. A similar effect can be achieved by arranging the transport unit with the longitudinal side wall 13 close to a wall or the like, in order thus to close the recesses 19 and generate a semicircular ventilation column. The ventilation column 36 so formed functions in the same manner as the ventilation passage 136 described with reference to FIG. 19.

(165) The broiler transport unit in FIGS. 3-6 and 8 has a length of 240 cm and a width along the transverse side walls 12 of 80 cm and a diameter of the ventilation columns 14 of 20 cm, and the individual broiler transport units have a height of 22.5 cm. Such a broiler transport unit spans the whole width of a European standard truck trailer when it is arranged as in FIG. 18.

(166) The pallet 2 used in FIGS. 6 and 8, which is shown on its own in FIG. 9, is provided with a row of openings 27 in the same positions as the columns in the broiler transport units, as is also shown in FIG. 8, so that the ventilation columns 16 continue through the pallet. Although this is not the case in this embodiment, the ventilation columns formed by the recesses 19 can likewise continue into the pallet. Horizontal openings 28 in the pallet 2 are designed for engagement with the arms of a forklift truck (not shown) which is used for handling the transport unit 3. These horizontal openings can contribute to the ventilation by being brought into communication with one of the ventilation openings 16, 19, although this is not the case in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9.

(167) Another embodiment of a broiler transport container is shown in FIG. 1. This container corresponds to those in FIGS. 3-6 and 8, except that it is smaller and has a different configuration of the ventilation columns, and the same reference numerals will therefore be used.

(168) The broiler transport container in FIG. 1 has a length and a width of 120 cm, a height of 22.5 cm and a diameter of the ventilation columns 14 of 20 cm. Two rows of broiler transport units composed of such containers fill the width of a trailer when they are arranged side by side. The distance d.sub.T to the side walls 12 without recesses is approximately 50 cm, and the distance & to the side walls opposite the side wall with the recess 19 is approximately 30 cm in the embodiment illustrated.

(169) Another embodiment of a broiler transport container 101 is shown in FIG. 10. Reference numerals corresponding to those in FIGS. 1, 3-6, 8, 9, 18, 19, 33 are used, but with the addition of 100, and features with such corresponding reference numerals have the same function unless indicated otherwise.

(170) This broiler transport container 101 also has three ventilation column sections 114 which are so arranged that they project from the floor 111 and form a ventilation column 116. The container is of simpler construction, and the ventilation openings 115 are provided only at the upper edges of the ventilation sections. The ventilation openings have a smaller total opening region than those shown in FIGS. 3-6 and 8 and are situated at head height of the broilers.

(171) The container in FIG. 10 does not have recesses in the side walls. Instead, it is provided with a row of openings 120 in the upper portion of the longitudinal side walls 113. A flange 126 projecting away from the inner volume of the container serves as a spacer, so that there is always a ventilation passage 136 along the outside of the longitudinal side walls. In addition to the vertical flow described with reference to FIG. 19, where the trailer is loaded with broiler transport units composed of containers of this type, this permits a flow of ventilation air in a horizontal direction along the outsides of the side walls.

(172) The projecting flanges 126 can also be used as handles when handling the containers and allow the container to be inserted into a frame system and used in a transport unit of the prior art if required.

(173) The trailer in FIG. 33 is likewise shown loaded with broiler transport units composed of broiler transport containers of this type.

(174) All the embodiments described above are based on the use of broiler transport units having ventilation column sections 14, 114 which extend from the floor, which means that the ventilation columns 16, 116 of the broiler transport units also extend in a substantially vertical direction, but it is also within the scope of the invention to use horizontal ventilation columns.

(175) An example of a broiler transport container system having a horizontal ventilation column is shown in FIG. 24. As can be seen, this container comprises a column section 614 which extends from one outer end side wall 612 to the other and has ventilation openings 15. When such containers are arranged end to end, the column sections form a common ventilation column 616 which extends through them, and the ventilation system on the trailer must then be arranged along the side of the trailer or be provided with connecting pipes or lines which extend along the side. Here too, recesses 619 with openings 620 as described with reference to FIGS. 3-6 and 8 are so designed that they contribute to the ventilation and form vertical ventilation columns 636 when containers are stacked one on top of another and side by side. Accordingly, this embodiment of a broiler transport container allows horizontal and vertical ventilation columns to be combined. Alternatively, the recesses can be omitted and replaced by simple openings in the side walls or by an additional horizontal ventilation column.

(176) As described above, a recording system can be used for controlling the ventilation and/or for recording different conditions of the ventilation system, of the units and/or of the poultry. The recording system can comprise a local memory unit, which follows the individual poultry transport unit, for documenting the conditions of the welfare of the animals. Such a local memory unit can be situated, for example, in the pallet or in a covering or in the lid of the poultry transport unit and can be connected to a central unit for the ventilation system on the trailer during transport. Alternatively, the recording system can be supplied with the detected values, which are stored in a memory, or print-outs of detected values are another means of storing the information. It is also possible that the detected values are transmitted online to a central unit which is situated on the farm or at the slaughterhouse or at the retail supplier who sells the poultry to customers. In this manner, for example, end consumers can have access for checking the transport conditions for the poultry.

(177) The poultry transport units 3 comprise a plurality of floors in a stack-like configuration. The plurality of floors can be contained in a common structure, such as, for example, conventional container transport systems, wherein the outer side walls are common to all the floors in the transport unit, and the floors can be removed at least partially with respect to the side walls in order to provide access for poultry.

(178) The ventilation columns 16 in the poultry transport units 3 end in ventilation column end openings 39. This applies to both horizontal and vertical ventilation columns. The ventilation system has a ventilation opening which is situated at the individual ventilation column end opening 39. In an alternative embodiment of the ventilation system, the ventilation system has a ventilation device which is situated at the individual ventilation column end opening 39. In such an arrangement, the ventilation for each ventilation column can be controlled individually if the ventilation system is equipped with a regulating system or control system for the individual ventilation device.

(179) On arrival at a slaughterhouse, the poultry transport units must be unloaded from the trailer. One possible method of doing this is shown in FIG. 34, where two trucks with poultry transport trailers 6 are parked in an unloading region next to a receiving system 7.

(180) One trailer 6 is parked as a direct continuation of a conveyor 71 in the poultry receiving system, so that the poultry transport units 3 on the floor or on the trailer can be transferred directly to the conveyor by being pushed or pulled in the longitudinal direction of the trailer. This can be effected by semi-automatic or automatic actuators, which are so designed that they engage poultry transport units and which can be integrated into the trailer or into the receiving system.

(181) The other trailer 6 is parked parallel to the conveyor, so that the transport units can be pushed or pulled sideways from the trailer and onto the conveyor. This sideways unloading allows the system to be unloaded quickly because all the poultry transport units can be dealt with at the same time and an external unit (not shown) for pushing the poultry transport units from the trailer can be arranged at the side of the trailer opposite the conveyor, but it is of course also possible to use semi-automatic or automatic actuators which are integrated into the trailer or into the receiving system.

(182) The conveyor 71 of the receiving system 7 here also serves as a delivery system for delivering poultry transport units to a CAS (controlled atmosphere stunning) apparatus 72 by transferring poultry transport units received from the trailers directly to the CAS apparatus. One or more poultry transport units can enter the CAS apparatus at the same time and, although not shown here, it is also possible to incorporate a de-stacker for dividing poultry transport units 3 composed of poultry transport units 1 into individual poultry transport units 1 before they enter the CAS apparatus.

(183) FIG. 35 illustrates a poultry transport unit 3 situated in a chamber of the CAS apparatus. The apparatus has a ventilation device 200 with an arrangement of four outlet openings 201 which are so arranged that they are connected to the ventilation column end opening 39 of the poultry transport unit when a movable support 202 in the chamber has moved the poultry transport unit upwards into an end position. Controlled atmosphere gas, such as air having a specific carbon dioxide content, is passed through a supply line 203 into a distributor 204 which distributes the controlled atmosphere gas to each outlet opening 201. From the outlet opening 201, the gas is passed into the ventilation columns and out via ventilation gas outlet openings situated in the inner volumes of the poultry transport unit 3. The number of outlet openings 201 in the distributor is matched to the number of ventilation column end openings 39 in the poultry transport unit and, if the ventilation columns are horizontal, the distributor is situated at the side of the chamber so that it coincides with the positions of ventilation column end openings 39.

(184) In one embodiment (not shown), the CAS apparatus has a chamber which is of a size to receive a single poultry transport unit 1 having a single ventilation column end opening, and in this embodiment the supply line is situated without a distributor in direct flow connection with a single outlet opening 201. This embodiment is very compact and provides effective stunning. In another embodiment, the CAS apparatus has a chamber which is of a size to receive a single poultry transport unit 1 having two ventilation column end openings, and in this embodiment the supply line is situated in direct flow connection with two outlet openings 201 by the formation of a single branch line in the end region of the supply line without an actual distributor. In another embodiment, the CAS apparatus has a chamber which is of a size to receive a single poultry transport unit 1 having three ventilation column end openings, and in this embodiment the supply line is in direct flow connection with three outlet openings 201 by the formation of two branch lines in the end region of the supply line.

(185) Poultry transports sometimes arrive at the slaughterhouse at the same time, when there is no available capacity in the stunning apparatus, and the trailers are then parked in a poultry lairage region 8, as is shown in the bottom part of FIG. 34. Each trailer 6′ is coupled via a cable and/or a line connection 82 to a supply unit 81, each supply unit having one or more supply sockets for operating the ventilation system on the trailer, so that the ventilation columns extending into the inner volumes of the poultry transport units continue to be ventilated as described above. In this manner, the poultry transport units can be kept on the trailer during lairage.

(186) The supply units typically supply power to an on-board ventilation system on the trailer, but they can additionally or alternatively supply cooled or dehumidified air or other fluids. Preferably, the on-board recording system, where present, continues to detect and document relevant parameters during the lairage period, and the delivery unit can also include sensors for detecting such parameters and may be in communication with the on-board recording system.

(187) When the stunning and slaughtering sections are ready to receive the poultry transport units, the connection 82 is separated from the supply sockets of the supply unit and the trailer is brought into the unloading region 7 and unloaded as described above. In this embodiment, only two supply units are shown, but it is of course also possible to provide further supply units. It is likewise noted that the lairage region is usually an outside region, but a covering can be provided in order to protect the supply units from the weather.

(188) As has been described in detail, the invention is directed in particular to the transport of the slaughter-ready broilers. However, a further preferred field of use of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 36 to 39. The above-described containers and units of two or more containers are suitable in particular also for rearing, starting with day-old chicks to slaughter-ready broilers, which can then be transported to the slaughterhouse by the transport trailer described above.

(189) The container 701 (as illustrated in FIG. 38C) is designed and configured for permanently accommodating the poultry during rearing of the chicks until they are slaughter-ready broilers and for transporting the broilers. The container 701 comprises a floor 711 and four side walls 712, 713. At least one of the side walls 735 is in the form of a pivotable flap, swing door, sliding element or the like in order to facilitate access to the inner volume. A column section 714 or a column 716 in the form of a ventilation or air outflow column is preferably provided in the middle. The column section 714 or column 716 can optionally additionally be in the form of a support column in order to improve the stacking of a plurality of such containers 701 to form a unit. The number and the position of the column sections 714 or columns 716 can vary. Openings 720 are provided in at least one side wall 713 in order to ensure ventilation circulation. The container 701 additionally comprises a supply for supplying feed. In the example shown, a container 750 for water and a container 751 for feed are provided. The containers 750, 751 are preferably arranged in corner regions of the container 701 and can be filled from outside. The containers 750, 751 can also be in the form of separate components or and in combination with the column section 714 or the column 716 (see e.g., FIG. 38C).

(190) A plurality of such containers 701 can be stacked to form a unit 703 (see FIG. 37). In this representation, two units 703 are each placed on a pallet 702 and connected on the one hand to a central ventilation system 763 and on the other hand to a central feed supply 764 and form the arrangement 700, which can be placed as desired and extended as desired. A separate supply 765 for water and a separate supply 766 for feed are preferably provided. In FIG. 36, an agricultural enterprise 800 is shown by way of example. An arrangement 700 is arranged in a sheltered region, for example a barn or the like. With reference to FIG. 39, the agricultural enterprise 800 is only part of an agricultural plant 900 which comprises, in addition to the agricultural enterprise 800 as a nesting house, a breeding station 810 before it and a rearing house 820 after it. The plant 900 can optionally also include a shed 830 for male and female breeding animals. Starting from the breeding station 810, the day-old chicks can remain in their containers permanently until they are transported, and in particular also during transport as slaughter-ready broilers, because on the one hand they are optimally ventilated and on the other hand they are supplied with sufficient feed. However, the containers 701 serve in particular for rearing the broilers for the first 20 days of the life cycle of a broiler, before the broilers are set down on the floor of the shed until they are ready for slaughter. The container 701 and plant 900 ensure that the broilers are kept in a particularly space-saving and environmentally friendly manner, accompanied by an improved rearing situation for the individual broilers. By accommodating the broilers at least for the first 20 days, more rapid growth of the broilers is also achieved.

(191) Details of the individual embodiments can be combined into further embodiments within the scope of the patent claims.