An Improved Rabbit Export Crate, and mode of Packing same.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 28th May, 1900-Accepted, 21st July, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Rabbit Export Crate, and mode of Packing same.
We, WILLIAM BURRELL, of No. 193, Abbotsford Street, North Melbourne, in
the Colony of Victoria, Stone Mason, and JAMES WILLIAM STORY, of No. 201,
William Street, Melbourne, in the said Colony, Merchant, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The main object of this invention is to provide a crate for containing rabbits
during refrigeration and transport which will contain a greater number of rabbits
than ordinary known crates of the same cubical measurement, the result being
attained by the mode or manner of packing as hereinafter more especially set
forth.
Heretofore rabbits have usually been packed in two parallel rows with the
belly parts adjacent or facing each other, and each row having the backs all
one way, viz.: outwards.
Now in our improved crate the rabbits are packed in two parallel rows, but
those in each row are placed alternately one back outwards, and one belly out-
wards, for the reason that the carcases are bigger or broader at the back than
the belly part and are approximately wedge shaped. Consequently when they
are packed or placed as indicated, they fit closely together after the manner
of wedges practically dovetailing into each other and so occupy considerably
less space than when packed all one way. With this mode of packing air spaces
or passages must be provided for on either side of the crate as well as between
the rows, in order that the cold air may have ready access to the belly parts.
Our improved rabbit export crate in which the above mentioned mode of
packing is carried out, consists of a comparatively long, narrow rectangular
framework having two longitudinal, (or a number of transverse) bars, rods, wires
or the like along the top, and from which the rabbits are suspended by galvanized
iron hooks engaging in the slit in the belly, said rabbit being arranged or
placed in the manner aforesaid.
In between the two rows are one or more battens, rods or the like for the
purpose of keeping the rows apart and maintaining a clear air passage, through
openings in the end pieces of the crate; and in order to preserve air space at
the outside of each row when a number of crates are stacked together, in the
refrigerating chamber or elsewhere the end pieces are cut away at their edges,
and the rows pressed inwards by movable bars held in clips or loops on said
end pieces.
The hind legs fit under the longitudinal bars which extend along the top of
the crate as above mentioned.
In order to facilitate the packing of the rabbits, the upper part of the crate
may be hinged so that either or both sides can be swung outwardly a short
distanen and a cilp may be provided to hold same together.

page_text: When transverse bars rods or wires are employed, there should be one to each
pair of rabbits, and in that case the portion of the suspending hook that fits
over said bars is of course bent at right angles to that part which engages in
the slit in the belly, and it is also preferable to place two battens longitudinally
along the top to keep the feet from projecting.
The bottom of the framework consists of battens against which the heads of
the rabbits rest; whilst in order to strengthen the crate and support the longi-
tudinal rods along the top, two or more transverse stays or distance pieces may
be arranged, from side to side of the crate.
Dated this Twenty-eighth day of July One thousand eight hundred and
ninety-nine
BURRELL,
WILLIAM
JAMES W. STORY.
G. F. Redfern & Co.,
South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Rabbit Export Crate, and mode of Packing same.
We, WILLIAM BURRELL, of No. 193, Abbotsford Street, North Melbourne, in
the Colony of Victoria, Stone Mason, and JAMES WILLIAM STORY, of No. 201,
William Street, Melbourne, in the said Colony, Merchant, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The main object of this invention is to provide a crate for containing rabbits
or hares during refrigeration and transport which will contain a greater number
of rabbits or hares than ordinary known crates of the same cubical measurement,
the result being attained by the mode or manner of packing the rabbits or hares
as hereinafter more especially set forth.
Heretofore rabbits or hares have usually been packed in two parallel rows
with the belly parts adjacent or facing each other, and each row having the
backs all one way, viz.: outwards.
rows,
Now according to this invention the rabbits or hares are packed in two parallel
but those in each row are placed alternately one back outwards, and one
belly outwards, for the reason that the carcases are bigger or broader at the
back than the belly part and are approximately wedge shaped. Consequently
when they are packed or placed as indicated, they fit closely together after the
manner of wedges practically dovetailing into each other and so occupy con-
siderably less space than when packed all one way. With this mode of packing
air spaces or passages must be provided for on either side of the crate as well
as between the rows, in order that the cold air may have ready access to the
belly parts.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Figure is a side elevation with parts broken
Figure 2 an end elevation,
Figure 3 a plan, and
away.
Figure 4 a transverse section of our improved crate partially packed.
Figure 5 is an end view of a modification, and

page_text: Figure 6 a plan of another modification.
Our improved rabbit export crate in which the above mentioned mode of
packing may be carried out, consists of a comparatively long, narrow rectangular
framework A having two longitudinal, (or a number of transverse) bars, rods,
wires or the like B, B along the top, and from which the rabbits are suspended
by galvanized or tinned iron hooks C engaging. in the slit in the belly, said
rabbits being arranged or placed in the manner aforesaid, viz. alternately one
back outwards, and one belly outwards, as shewn.
In between the two rows are battens, bars or the like D for the purpose of
keeping the rows apart and maintaining a clear air passage, through openings in
the end pieces E of the crate; and in order to preserve air space at the outside
of each row when a number of crates are stacked together, in the refrigerating
chamber or elsewhere, the end pieces E are cut away at their outer edges as
at e and the rows pressed inwards by bars F and kept in position by the top
and bottom side battens a a¹ of the framework A.
The hind legs fit under the longitudinal bars B B which extend along the
top of the crate as shewn.
In order to facilitate the packing of the rabbits the upper part of the crate
may be hinged as shewn at Figure 5 so that either or both sides can be swung
outwardly a short distance, and a clip or clips G may be provided to hold same
together.
When transverse bars rods or wires are employed, as shewn at Figure 6 there
should be one to each pair of rabbits; and in that case the portion of the sus-
pending hook C which fits over said bars is of course bent at right angles to
that part which engages in the slit in the belly, and it is also preferable to
place two battens or the like H longitudinally along the top to keep the feet
from projecting.
The bottom of the framework A consists of battens against which the backs of
the heads or the necks of the rabbits rest; whilst in order to strengthen the
crate and support the longitudinal rods along the top, a transverse stay or distance
piece J is arranged, from side to side of the crate.
When packing the herein described crate, it is preferably laid on its side, the
bars F and top side battens a removed, and a temporary bed-piece or base for
the row slid in through the openings in the ends E to keep the rabbits from
sagging inwardly during packing. When one row is packed in the manner
hereinbefore described the bar F and top side batten a¹ is nailed or otherwise
fitted on, and the crate turned over and the operation repeated on the other
side when the bed-piece or. base is slid out again through the openings in the
ends, and the packed crate is ready for the refrigerating chamber.
not
With the hinged construction illustrated at Figure 5 it is of course
necessary to lay the crate on its side or remove the bars F and top side battens a
as the rabbits may be readily packed when the upper part of the crate is swung
outwardly on its hinges as shewn..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. An improved rabbit export crate having longitudinal or transverse bars B B
(or the like) supporting hooks C engaging in the slits in the bellies, air spacing
battens D, end pieces E cut away at their outer edges as at e, and bars F all
arranged substantially as and for the purposes specified and as illustrated in
the drawings.
2. The mode or method of packing rabbits for refrigeration and export con-
sisting in arranging them in two parallel rows those in each row being placed
alternately one back outwards and one belly outwards, and maintaining an air
passage on both sides of each row, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

page_text: 3. In packing rabbits for refrigeration and export the method of suspending
same in rows by hooks engaging in the slits of the bellies substantially, as herein
specified.
Dated this Twenty-fourth day of April One thousand nine hundred.
WILLIAM BURRELL:
JAMES W. STORY.
G. F. Redfern & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agents for the. Applicants.