Patent Description:
Traditionally, livestock is held in an animal room on a slatted floor with slot-shaped grid openings which open into a manure cellar situated underneath. Characteristic of such floors is the fact that the width of the grid opening remains the same in a downward direction or increases along the depth. Faeces and urine drop through the grid openings and end up in the manure cellar which serves to store the mixture of urine and faeces, the so-called manure or slurry. This manure contains all the manure components, such as phosphates, fibres and nitrogen. The reaction of urine with faeces produces ammonia that enters the animal shed via the grid openings and finally evaporates to the environment where it has a harmful effect.

In view of regulations and environmental protection, it is desirable to fertilize with individual fertilizer components. Separating slurry into separate manure components is difficult and expensive.

It is known that an animal-shed floor with perforations allows urine to pass through to a space situated underneath. Air containing ammonia and situated above the urine is sucked out and passed through an air scrubber. The aim is to evaporate and remove all the ammonia from the urine in this way. The faeces remain behind on top of the floor. The floor with perforations has the drawback that the holes become relatively easily blocked by the faeces and other dirt. Faeces spread across the floor or other dirt usually easily block the perforations in a traditional concrete animal floor. Enlarging these perforations is not advantageous, due to an increased risk of injury to the animals resulting from sprains or fractures of a leg due to missteps in such a perforation.

Patent publication <CIT> discloses a slatted floor with a walking surface and at least one slot-shaped grid opening which opens into a manure cellar, and in which a slot element is provided in the grid opening in order to reduce the size of the opening of the slot. The slot element consists of a profile that fits into the grid opening and one or more holes through which urine can pass. However, slatted floors do not have standardised slot sizes, so that a slot element has to be made to measure for every slot individually. In addition, the number of grid openings to be provided with such a slot element is very large due to the dimensions of an animal-shed floor, as a result of which this is very labour-intensive work. In addition, the profiles adversely affect the safety of the slatted floor to walk on as the grip of the walking surface decreases.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an animal-shed floor which at least mitigates some of the drawbacks known from the prior art.

<CIT> discloses a floor element for a stable. The floor element can be a floor mat, which can be placed on a floor of a stable. The floor can be any stable floor, for example a stable floor to be renovated or a new stable floor. The stable feed can be provided with openings to a manure cellar located under the stable floor. The floor element can be used for any suitable type of animal, for example for cattle or pigs.

It is an object of the invention to provide an animal-shed floor comprising an assembly of:.

Slatted floors with an elastic floor top layer are known, for example from European patent publication <CIT>. A drawback of such composite animal-shed floors is that both urine and faeces drop through the slot-shaped openings, or slot openings, and the grid openings into the manure cellar situated underneath. The invention aims to overcome this drawback by means of the slot element.

Under the animal-shed floor, a manure reservoir is provided for storing manure, urine and/or a mixture thereof, referred to as slurry, such as a manure cellar. The through-holes of the slot element open into the reservoir when the animal-shed floor is in use. The slot element has a plurality of through-holes which form perforations, so that a perforated floor is achieved. The perforations or through-holes have dimensions which ensure that urine can flow through the slot element and into the reservoir situated underneath, when the animal shed is in use, that is to say when animals are being kept in the animal shed. Because the through-hole is relatively narrow compared to the grid opening and the slot opening, there is only a narrow fluid connection from the animal space to the reservoir or manure cellar situated underneath. The through-holes in the slot element open towards the manure reservoir. The urine flows from the animal-shed floor directly into the manure reservoir via the holes. Vapours such as ammonia largely remain in the reservoir. In addition, the openings in the slot element have dimensions such that faeces cannot easily drop into the reservoir. The main portion of the faeces remains on the animal-shed floor and may be removed separately from the urine. The faeces may be removed by means of a manure-removing device, for example a manure robot or a manure slide.

In addition, the through-holes, which form the perforations, may form a flow regulator to regulate an air flow from the animal shed to the reservoir, so that any ammonia formed on the floor of the animal shed is sucked into the reservoir, thus lowering the ammonia concentration in the animal shed and reducing the smell in the animal shed.

The floor top layer is provided on the slatted floor, so that an upper surface of the floor top layer forms the walking surface on which the animals, such as cows, walk in the animal shed. The slatted floor preferably comprises a concrete slatted floor of, for example, reinforced concrete. Concrete is the most popular material for slatted animal-shed floors, but other suitable materials may also be used. The upper surface of the floor top layer, i.e. the walking surface, and the top surface of the slot element together form the walking surface of the animal-shed floor. Preferably, the floor top layer is made of a resilient material, in particular an elastomer, such as a rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. The advantage of a resilient material is that the floor top layer can be compressed by the weight of the animals walking on the floor top layer and can subsequently released again. The floor top layer may also be made of other materials, as long as the floor top layer is elastic, or in other words, is deformable. The elastic top layer may have a thickness of between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The cross section of the slot element can be omega-shaped (Ω). According to the invention, the slot element may be attached to the slatted floor at the location of the grid openings, and thereafter the elastic floor top layer may be laid on the slatted floor and the flange. The flange is then situated in between the slatted floor and the elastic floor top layer.

According to one embodiment, the top surface of the slot element is level with the walking surface of the elastic floor top layer. Alternatively, the top surface of the slot element is offset to the walking surface, so that the top surface and the walking surface are not level, with the top surface being lower or higher than the walking surface. An underside of the slot element faces the manure reservoir.

Optionally, the U profile has side legs that are downwardly directed from the top surface at opposite ends of the top surface, and the side legs of the U profile extend as far as into the grid opening and engage with a peripheral wall of the grid opening. In this embodiment, the side legs of the U profile are longer than a thickness of the elastic floor top layer, so that the side legs can engage with a peripheral edge or peripheral wall of the grid opening in the slatted floor.

According to a further embodiment, the U profile has side legs which are downwardly directed from the top surface at opposite ends of the top surface, and the side legs of the U profile extend as far as into the grid opening, and each side leg comprises at least one laterally projecting support element for fixing the slot element to the slatted floor. The support element may be panel-shaped. Preferably, the slatted floor comprises a gap at right angles to the grid opening with the support element being insertable in the gap.

In a further embodiment, the slot-shaped opening or slot opening of the elastic floor top layer is relatively greater in width and/or length than the grid opening, so that a part of the first floor surface is uncovered and forms a supporting surface for the slot element in the slot-shaped openings. If the slot opening of the elastic floor top layer is greater in width and/or length than the grid opening, a part of the first surface of the slatted floor is visible in top view as it is uncovered. This part may serve as a supporting surface for the support element.

In one embodiment, the slot element is relatively rigid with respect to the elastic floor top layer. The slot element and the elastic floor top layer thus form alternating rigid and elastic zones, respectively. As a result thereof, a comfortable walking surface for the animals is produced. The differences in flexibility of the more rigid and the elastic zones increases the grip for animals that walk on the animal shed floor, and reduces the danger of slipping. In addition, it is preferred if the walking surface and the top surface of the slot element have a different roughness, so that additional grip for animal legs is created.

An increased roughness of a floor may be produced by adding a texture to the walking surface in order thus to increase the surface roughness on a micro scale or meso scale. Alternatively, or in combination, the walking surface may be provided with indentations and/or protuberances. Preferably, the walking surface is provided with indentations that extend in a transverse direction with respect to the slot opening and end in the slot opening. In one embodiment, the top surface of the slot element is provided with grooves that extend on either side in a transverse direction from the hole and end in the hole. These indentations and/or grooves provide (further) increased roughness, as is the case with a shoe sole profile, and ensure an improved discharge of urine to the manure reservoir.

Preferably, the top surface of the slot element slopes towards the through-holes. In this embodiment, the top surface of the slot element comprises a depression, with the through-holes being situated in the depression. Preferably, the depression comprises a side wall which runs obliquely upwards and surrounds the one or more through-holes, wherein the obliquely upwardly running side wall of the depression forms an inclined part which connects a part of the top surface situated at a lower level and formed by the depression to a part of the top surface situated at a higher level.

Preferably, the elastic floor top layer comprises a plurality of elastic floor elements, such as tiles made of an elastic material, wherein at least one slot-shaped opening is provided in such an elastic floor element. By constructing the elastic floor top layer from a plurality of elastic floor elements, such as tiles, it is possible to replace worn or defective parts without having to replace the entire floor top layer. In addition, it is easier to adapt the floor top layer to the shape of the animal shed and the service face for the animals. The elastic floor elements are also easier to store and to transport from a production site to a site where they are to be used than an integral elastic floor top layer.

Preferably, the slot element fixes the elastic floor top layer laterally with respect to the slatted floor. The fixation is in the lateral direction, that is to say in the plane of the slatted floor. The elastic floor top layer is then prevented from moving in the horizontal direction. When the slot element is attached to the slatted floor and/or engages with the slatted floor, the slot element forms a fixing point for the elastic floor top layer, in particular for the individual elastic floor elements as described above.

In one embodiment, the slot element is releasably inserted into the slot opening. The attachment of the slot element to and/or its engagement with the slatted floor may be coupled with the releasability of the slot element. For example, if releasable mechanical fastening means, such as bolts, are used or if the engagement force of the slot element on the slatted floor can be overcome by a removal means, such as a hook or another tool. The releasability may be advantageous for renovation or repair of the animal-shed floor, or replacement of a defect slot element.

In one embodiment, the dimensions of the slot element correspond to those of the slot-shaped opening of the elastic floor top layer, so that the slot element is form-fitted in the slot-shaped opening. The form fit ensures that any possible gaps between the top layer and the slot element are prevented or are at least kept as small as possible, so that the discharge of urine takes place via the holes in the slot element. Such gaps may also cause faeces to accumulate and/or stick to the animal-shed floor.

In a further embodiment, the plurality of holes are arranged in a pattern across the top surface of the slot element. Because the slot element falls over the grid opening, the through-holes are aligned with the grid openings. The pattern may be arbitrary, linear, circular, square, a grid pattern or any other kind of pattern.

It is preferable if the number of through-holes in the floor is between <NUM> and <NUM> through-holes per square metre, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> through-holes per square metre, in particular approximately <NUM> to <NUM> through-holes per square metre. The number of through-holes may also be calculated as the square millimetres of passage area for urine and air per square metre of floor surface. The number of through-holes has to be, for example, <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> square millimetres per square metre of floor, preferably between <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM> square millimetres per square metre of floor, more preferably approximately <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> square millimetres per square metre of floor. The number of through-holes, either as an absolute figure per square metre of floor or corresponding to the passage area per square metre of floor, would be sufficient to maintain the pressure difference between the animal shed above the floor and the reservoir under the floor.

Preferably, the opening of the through-hole has a diameter or a smallest size of between <NUM> and <NUM> millimetres (mm). It is advantageous if the hole is round and has a diameter of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>. It has been determined experimentally that a hole or opening of such dimensions, on the one hand, makes it possible for urine to pass through quickly and, on the other hand, is sufficiently small to prevent faeces from passing through.

The invention furthermore relates to an animal shed comprising an animal-shed floor as described above. The animal shed furthermore comprises a reservoir situated under the animal-shed floor, with the through-holes and the grid openings allowing the flow of liquid from the walking surface to the reservoir.

In addition, the invention relates to an animal-shed system, comprising:.

The animal-shed floor allows urine and air to flow from the animal shed to the reservoir via the through-holes in the slot element and the grid openings of the slatted floor. The air extraction device, in particular a ventilator, reduces the air pressure in the reservoir, so that air is sucked in form the animal room or animal shed above the animal-shed floor. This results in an additional reduction of emissions to the environment. In addition, the airflow above the animal-shed floor accelerates the flow of urine through the holes.

In particular, the animal-shed system comprises an air scrubber that is connected to the air extraction device in order to capture the ammonia that is present in the extracted air. The air scrubber or gas scrubber may contain an acid solution, such as sulphuric acid, nitrous acid or citric acid.

The air over the liquid layer, which will usually mainly consist of urine, has a high ammonia content. By forcing the air from the reservoir through an air scrubber, which is known per se, the ammonia is bound in the acid solution of the gas scrubber. It has been found experimentally that a particularly advantageous effect is obtained if the air extraction device produces a pressure under the floor that is subatmospheric compared to the pressure above the floor, wherein the pressure difference is between <NUM> mbar and <NUM> mbar. The air extraction device thus produces a subatmospheric pressure under the floor, having a pressure that is lower than the atmospheric pressure. The pressure under the floor is preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mbar lower than the atmospheric pressure prevailing above the floor. The animal-shed system may furthermore comprise a manure removal vehicle for the removal of manure or faeces from the animal-shed floor. Due to the fact that the urine flows through the animal-shed floor via the through-holes of the floor top layer and the slot openings of the slatted floor, the faeces remain largely on the walking surface of the animal-shed floor. The manure removal vehicle can remove the faeces in order to keep the animal-shed floor clean and to prevent the faeces from blocking the through-holes of the floor top layer. The manure removal vehicle may be a movable manure removal vehicle, such as a manure robot, or a manure slide.

<FIG> diagrammatically shows an animal-shed system <NUM>, comprising a floor <NUM> for an animal room or animal shed <NUM>. The floor <NUM> comprises an assembly <NUM> of a slatted floor <NUM> and an elastic floor top layer <NUM>. The floor top layer <NUM> has a first surface, the walking surface <NUM>, an opposite second surface <NUM> and a plurality of slot-shaped openings or slot openings <NUM> which end in a reservoir <NUM> situated underneath, for example a manure cellar. The slot openings <NUM> are provided with slot elements <NUM>. The walking surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> are spaced apart, so that the floor top layer <NUM> has a thickness D, see <FIG>. The floor top layer <NUM> covers the slatted floor <NUM>, that is to say is situated on top of the slatted floor <NUM>. The slatted floor <NUM> has a first floor surface <NUM> and a second floor surface <NUM>, and a plurality of slot-shaped grid openings <NUM> opening out on the reservoir <NUM> situated underneath. The second surface <NUM> faces the first floor surface <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiments, the second surface <NUM> and the first floor surface <NUM> adjoin each other. The slot element <NUM> has a top surface <NUM> with a through-hole <NUM>. The top surface <NUM> is level with the first surface <NUM>. Together, the top surface <NUM> and the first surface or the walking surface <NUM> form the walking surface of the animal-shed floor <NUM>. Urine <NUM> will flow through the through-hole <NUM> to the reservoir <NUM> under the floor <NUM> via the slot opening <NUM> and the grid openings <NUM>. The through-hole <NUM> is formed in such a way that faeces <NUM> cannot pass through and will remain behind on the walking surface <NUM> or top surface <NUM>. The slot openings <NUM> in the elastic floor top layer <NUM> are aligned with respect to the grid openings <NUM>, so that each slot opening <NUM> coincides with a grid opening <NUM>, as can also be seen in <FIG>. The slot openings <NUM> and the grid openings are identical in shape, although their dimensions may deviate, and congruent in a number of embodiments, in which the dimensions and shape are identical.

The system <NUM> furthermore comprises an air extraction device <NUM>, in particular a ventilator <NUM>', under the assembly <NUM> for extracting air. The system <NUM> furthermore comprises an air scrubber <NUM> that is connected to the air extraction device <NUM> in order to capture ammonia present in the extracted air. The ventilator <NUM>' provides a subatmospheric pressure of approximately <NUM> mbar, which is the difference between the prevailing air pressure in the animal room <NUM> and the lower pressure in the manure cellar <NUM> situated under the animal-shed floor <NUM>. Because the holes <NUM> are relatively small and the free space under the shed floor <NUM> is relatively large, the subatmospheric pressure will be relatively constant in this free space, considering the entire space. In other words, the pressure gradient in the direction of the ventilator <NUM>' is small. The air scrubber <NUM> is designed as a packed-bed wash column <NUM>. A pump <NUM> underneath the wash column <NUM> pumps acid-absorbing liquid in the form of diluted sulphuric acid or diluted nitrous acid to a sprayer <NUM> above the wash column <NUM>. The -rich air which is extracted by the ventilator <NUM>' is passed through the wash column <NUM> in countercurrent and flows upwards in countercurrent with the absorbing liquid. The absorbing liquid absorbs, inter alia, the ammonia and renders it soluble as ammonium. The air is passed to the outside environment in purified form via an exhaust <NUM>. The packed bed in the wash column <NUM> may be made up of different kinds of fillers and serves to enlarge the contact surface of the absorbing liquid with the air to be purified. The air scrubber <NUM> may also be of a crosscurrent design, with the air flow being passed through the packed bed in the horizontal direction. The air scrubber <NUM> may also be designed to comprise a fabric over which the absorption liquid runs and through which the air to be scrubbed is passed in crosscurrent.

As time goes by, the amount of ammonia dissolved in the absorption agent causes an increase in the pH value, so that the absorption agent has to be replaced. The resulting saturated and still slightly acidic absorption liquid is a nitrogen-containing fertilizer, also referred to as washing water. In an embodiment that is not shown, the air scrubber comprises an acid-dosing system in order to be able to keep the pH value of the absorption liquid constant. In addition to ammonia, it is also possible to pass water vapour from the manure cellar <NUM> through the air scrubber <NUM> and to be discharged. This results in a thickening of the liquid in the manure cellar <NUM>. This liquid is rich in salts; in particular potassium salts, and is therefore a good potassium fertilizer.

An autonomous, self-propelled manure robot <NUM> moves across the floor <NUM> between the animals <NUM>, that is to say on the walking surface. This robot <NUM> removes solid faeces <NUM> which largely remain behind on the surface of the floor <NUM>, and subsequently dumps the faeces in a separate space (not shown). In an embodiment (not shown), the faeces <NUM> are removed by means of a pulled manure slide. The collected faeces <NUM> can be processed further by, for example, drying or pressing, in the course of which manure fibres are removed from the faeces <NUM>. Contact between faeces <NUM> and urine <NUM> causes an enzymatic conversion reaction of urea in the urine <NUM> to ammonia. By regularly cleaning the animal-shed floor <NUM>, for example every hour, the faeces <NUM> do not have the chance, or in any case a reduced chance, of reacting with the urine <NUM>. By using a manure robot <NUM> for this purpose, the faeces <NUM> are removed from the floor <NUM> in situ. The faeces <NUM> are not spread across the floor, which could otherwise quickly result in blocking of the holes <NUM>. Because the faeces <NUM> are not completely mixed with the urine <NUM>, nearly all the phosphate remains in the faeces and the percentage of solids is relatively high. Ultimately, the excretory products (faeces <NUM> and urine <NUM>) of a farm animal are separated into three parts in a relatively simple way in the animal room <NUM>: phosphate-rich solid faeces with a high organic content, a potassium-rich liquid and a nitrogen-rich liquid. These parts may be used for specific fertilizing processes and have a value which is higher than that of the slurry which usually results when faeces <NUM> and urine <NUM> are poured into a manure cellar together. In order to ensure that the urine <NUM> and faeces <NUM> are separated and, in addition, that the ventilator <NUM>' generates a subatmospheric pressure in the reservoir <NUM>, a plurality of through-holes <NUM> are required in the floor <NUM>.

The floor top layer <NUM> of the animal-shed system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> comprises at least one floor top-layer element <NUM>. The floor top layer <NUM> may thus consist of one single floor top-layer element <NUM> (i.e. made as a single piece, if desired rolled out like a rug in the animal shed <NUM>), or a plurality of floor top-layer elements or floor elements <NUM> which form the floor top layer <NUM>. The latter situation is the preferred embodiment of the floor top layer <NUM>. The floor top-layer element <NUM> and also the floor top layer <NUM> have one or more slot openings <NUM> which are aligned with the grid openings <NUM> of the slatted floor <NUM> and thus open into the reservoir <NUM> under the floor <NUM>, as is illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The floor top layer <NUM>, and therefore the floor top-layer element <NUM>, has a walking surface <NUM> and a second surface <NUM>. The walking surface <NUM> and the top surface <NUM> of the slot elements <NUM> together form the walking surface of the floor top layer <NUM>, and of the floor <NUM> in general, that is to say the animals <NUM> in the animal shed walk on the walking surface <NUM> when the floor top layer <NUM> or floor <NUM> is in use. The second surface <NUM> faces the slatted floor <NUM>. The slot openings <NUM> extend from the walking surface <NUM> to the second surface <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an animal-shed floor <NUM> which is an assembly <NUM> of a slatted floor <NUM> and a floor top layer <NUM>. The slatted floor comprises a first floor surface <NUM> and a second floor surface <NUM>. Grid openings <NUM> extend through the slatted floor from the first floor surface <NUM> to the second floor surface <NUM>. The slatted floor <NUM> is covered by the floor top layer <NUM>. The floor top layer <NUM> has a first surface, the walking surface <NUM>, and a second surface <NUM>, between which a slot-shaped opening or slot opening <NUM> extends. The slot opening <NUM> is aligned with the grid opening <NUM>. A slot element <NUM> is provided in the slot opening <NUM>. The slot element <NUM> is form-fitted with at least the floor top layer <NUM>, so that any space or slit between the slot element <NUM> and the floor top layer <NUM> is relatively small and accumulation of faeces is prevented, or at least reduced.

In <FIG>, the slot element <NUM> is formed in such a way that the cross section resembles an omega (Ω). The top surface <NUM> has two opposite ends. On each of the ends of the top surface <NUM>, a leg <NUM> extends into the slot opening <NUM>, in the direction of the grid opening <NUM>. A flange <NUM> extends from each leg <NUM>, the flanges <NUM> being directed away from one another. The flange <NUM> is situated between the slatted floor <NUM> and the elastic floor top layer <NUM>. The flange <NUM> may be attached to the first floor surface <NUM> by means of a mechanical fastening means, such as a bolt, or a bonding agent, such as glue or sealant.

<FIG> shows various other embodiments of a slot element <NUM>. In a non claimed embodiment, <FIG> shows the slatted floor <NUM> and the elastic floor top layer <NUM>. The slot element <NUM> is provided in the slot opening <NUM>. The slot opening <NUM> is wider than the grid opening <NUM>. As a result thereof, the first floor surface <NUM> adjacent to the grid opening <NUM> forms a supporting surface <NUM> for the side legs <NUM> of the slot element <NUM>. The slot opening <NUM> may also be larger than the grid opening <NUM> in a length direction, so that the supporting surface <NUM> is provided around the grid opening <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the slot element <NUM> in which the side legs <NUM> are extended and extend from the top surface <NUM> as far as into the grid opening <NUM>. Each side leg <NUM> is provided with a laterally projecting support element <NUM> for fixing the slot element <NUM> to the slatted floor <NUM>. Here, the support element <NUM> is depicted as being panel-shaped. The slatted floor <NUM> comprises a support groove <NUM> which is arranged transversely to the grid opening <NUM>. The support groove <NUM> is formed in such a way that the support element <NUM> fits into it. Preferably, the form of the support groove is identical to the form of the support element, so that a form fit is achieved. In this embodiment, the slot element <NUM> is form-fitted with both the slot opening <NUM> and the grid opening <NUM>, so that accumulation of faeces between the slot element <NUM> and the floor top layer <NUM> is minimized.

<FIG> shows a top view of an animal-shed floor <NUM> according to the invention. The top view shows the walking surface <NUM> of the floor top layer <NUM> and the top surface <NUM> of the slot elements <NUM>. The floor top layer <NUM> consists of two floor top-layer elements or floor elements <NUM>, <NUM>' and a variant of the slot element <NUM>, <NUM>' is provided in each of the floor elements <NUM>.

In the top surface <NUM> of the first slot element <NUM>, grooves <NUM> are provided, each of which ends in a hole <NUM>. Grooves <NUM> extend from the through-holes <NUM> to a peripheral edge <NUM> of the slot element <NUM>. The grooves <NUM> may be level with indentations <NUM> which are provided in the walking surface <NUM> of the floor top layer <NUM>, or may at least be partly level. The indentations <NUM> extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the slot openings <NUM>, but may also be parallel thereto. At least on one side, the indentations <NUM> open into the slot opening <NUM>. The depth of the indentations <NUM> is equal to or smaller than the depth of the grooves <NUM> in the top surface <NUM> of the slot element <NUM>, so that a flow of fluid does not accumulate on the peripheral edge <NUM> of the slot element.

The second slot element <NUM>' is provided in the slot opening <NUM>' of the second floor top-layer element <NUM>'. The top surface <NUM>' of the second slot element <NUM>' runs off on all sides to the through-holes <NUM>' at an angle, so that the through-holes <NUM>' are in a depression. The oblique sides of the top surface <NUM>' provide an improved flow of fluid over the top surface <NUM>' to the through-holes <NUM>'.

<FIG> and <FIG> furthermore illustrate a slit <NUM> between the peripheral edge <NUM> of the slot element <NUM> and a peripheral edge <NUM> of the slot opening <NUM>. This slit <NUM> is relatively small due to the form fit of the slot element <NUM> in the slot opening, which prevents, or at least reduces, the accumulation of faeces and other dirt between the slot element <NUM> and the elastic floor top layer <NUM>.

Although the invention was explained above with reference to the drawings, it should be noted that the invention is by no means limited to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings. The invention also covers all the embodiments which differ from the embodiment illustrated in the drawings within the scope defined by claims.

Claim 1:
Animal-shed floor (<NUM>) comprising an assembly (<NUM>) of:
- a slatted floor (<NUM>) with a first floor surface (<NUM>) and an opposite second floor surface (<NUM>), wherein the second floor surface faces a manure reservoir (<NUM>) situated underneath, and with a plurality of slot-shaped grid openings (<NUM>) which open towards the manure reservoir situated underneath; and
- an elastic floor top layer (<NUM>) with a first surface (<NUM>) and an opposite second surface (<NUM>) arranged at a distance, wherein the first surface is a walking surface for animals (<NUM>) and the second surface faces the first floor surface,
wherein the elastic floor top layer furthermore comprises a plurality of slot-shaped openings (<NUM>) which extend from the walking surface to the second surface, and open towards the slot-shaped grid openings, wherein a slot element (<NUM>) is provided in the slot-shaped openings of the elastic floor top layer, wherein a top surface (<NUM>) of the slot element is provided with one or more through-holes (<NUM>) which are relatively small compared to the grid openings and the slot-shaped openings of the elastic floor top layer, so that urine (<NUM>) flows through the through-holes to the manure reservoir and faeces (<NUM>) remain behind on the first surface when the animal-shed floor is in use,
characterised in that
the slot element comprises a U profile with side legs (<NUM>) which are downwardly directed from the top surface at opposite ends of the top surface, wherein a flange (<NUM>) is provided on each of the side legs and the flanges face away from each other, in such a manner that each flange is situated between the elastic floor top layer and the slatted floor.