DRI Rubber gains US patent for livestock rubber mat system

Waalwijk, The Netherlands – Dutch rubber products company DRI Rubber has been granted a US patent for the invention of a fastener system for securing agricultural rubber mats for livestock. 

The “game-changer” rubber fastener, developed using DRI’s fibre reinforcement technology (FRC), is unbreakable, durable and animal-friendly, the company said in a 21 Jan statement.

Conventional methods of securing livestock rubber mats against sudden movement include directly bonding mats to panels or using metal components such as screws, bolts, or brackets to secure the mats to the concrete panels. 

“The fasteners for slat mats currently out there have always been difficult for farmers. Most of the existing fastening methods are failing or causing problems,” said Robert de Ruijter, CEO of DRI Rubber.

According to de Ruijter, existing fasteners are unable to resist the forces caused by the heavy animals, and break apart, causing injuries due to metal and plastic materials. 

In addition, broken off fasteners usually fall into the manure storage and recovery systems, causing blockage.

The all-rubber fastener, said de Ruijter, is “safer, stronger and more comfortable for the animals” while making it easier to install and replace mats.