Live crustacean storage system
View Patent ↗A live crustacean storage system that is configured to maintain an environment that provides a significant increase in morbidity rate for crabs and other species while disposed in the storage bin of the present invention. The present invention includes a plurality of storage bins wherein the storage bins have an interior volume configured to have crabs disposed therein. The storage bins include an air and water hose assembly wherein the air and water hose assembly provides introduction of air and water into the storage bin proximate the bottom. A shelving assembly is included and is configured to receive and store the storage bins. A plurality of water pumps provide water to funnel members wherein the funnel members are operably coupled to the storage bins located a level below the funnel members. Each storage bin has superposed thereon a cage perimeter member and a removable cage member.
1 . A live animal storage system configured to maintain an optimal environment for live animals disposed therein wherein the live animal storage system comprises:
a shelving assembly, said shelving assembly having a multitude of vertical support members and horizontal support members wherein said vertical support members and said horizontal support members are operably coupled to create cubical spaces, said shelving assembly having a plurality of horizontal levels stacked vertically, said shelving assembly further having funnel members, said funnel members being horizontally oriented having an interior volume configured to receive water therein, said funnel members being located above each of said plurality of horizontal levels;
a plurality of storage bins, said plurality of storage bins having four walls and a bottom integrally formed to create an interior volume, said plurality of storage bins having an upper perimeter edge defining an opening located at a top end of the plurality of storage bins;
an air and water hose assembly, said air and water hose assembly being disposed in each of said plurality of storage bins, said air and water hose assembly having water hose assembly, said water hose assembly configured to distribute water into the interior volume of the plurality of storage bins, said air and water hose assembly having an air hose assembly, said air hose assembly being configured to distribute air into said interior volume of the plurality of storage bins;
said air hose assembly comprising a first longitudinal hose member and a second longitudinal hose member, said first longitudinal hose member and said second longitudinal hose member being adjacent opposing walls of said plurality of storage bins;
said water hose assembly comprising a first longitudinal water pipe and a second longitudinal water pipe, said first longitudinal water pipe and said second longitudinal water pipe being parallel with said first longitudinal hose member and said second longitudinal hose member, said first longitudinal water pipe and said second longitudinal water pipe further being in between said first longitudinal hose member and said second longitudinal hose member; and
at least one water pump, said at least one water pump being operably coupled to said funnel members, said at least one water pump configured to provide water into the funnel members wherein the funnel members are operably coupled to each of said plurality of storage bins.
2 . The live animal storage system configured to maintain an optimal environment for live animals disposed therein as recited in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of storage bins include a cage perimeter member, said cage perimeter member being superposed on the upper perimeter edge of said plurality of storage bins extending upward therefrom, said cage perimeter member having an angular orientation inwards towards said interior volume of said plurality of storage bins.
3 . The live animal storage system configured to maintain an optimal environment for live animals disposed therein as recited in claim 2 , and further including an upper cage member, said upper cage member being superposed on said cage perimeter member of each of said plurality of storage bins, said upper cage member operable to cover the opening of each of said plurality of storage bins.
4 . The live animal storage system configured to maintain an optimal environment for live animals disposed therein as recited in claim 1 , wherein said first longitudinal water pipe and said second longitudinal water pipe further include a plurality of apertures configured to have water egress therefrom.
5 . The live animal storage system configured to maintain an optimal environment for live animals disposed therein as recited in claim 4 , wherein said air hose assembly further includes a vertical air tube member, said vertical air tube member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said vertical air tube member being proximate said top of said plurality of storage bins, said second end of said vertical air tube member being proximate said bottom of said plurality of storage bins.
6 . The live animal storage system configured to maintain an optimal environment for live animals disposed therein as recited in claim 5 , and further including an upper air adapter, said upper air adapter being coupled to said vertical air tube member at the first end thereof.
7 . The live animal storage system configured to maintain an optimal environment for live animals disposed therein as recited in claim 6 , and further including a lower air adapter, said lower air adapter being coupled to said vertical air tube member proximate said second end thereof.
8 . The live animal storage system configured to maintain an optimal environment for live animals disposed therein as recited in claim 7 , wherein said plurality of storage bins further include a drain assembly, said drain assembly being coupled to said plurality of storage bins proximate the bottom thereof, said drain assembly further having a stopper member releasably coupled thereto.