Apparatus for cleaning a teat of a dairy animal
First Claim
1. An apparatus for cleaning a teat of an animal, such as a dairy cow, comprising:
- a) a first housing having a longitudinal axis and an interior wall defining a teat cleaning compartment;
b) a first set of bristles engaged with said interior wall and extending radially inward therefrom; and
c) a device coupled to and adapted to impart rotary motion to said first set of bristles about said longitudinal axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for automatically cleaning a teat of an animal, such as a dairy cow. The apparatus generally includes a first housing having a longitudinal axis and an interior wall defining a teat cleaning compartment, a motor (or other powering device)operatively coupled to the first housing for imparting rotary motion thereto about its longitudinal axis, and a first set of bristles engaged with the interior wall and extending radially inward therefrom, wherein the rotary motion imparted to the first housing is translated to the first set of bristles. The apparatus further includes a second housing concentrically positioned around the first housing that includes a cleaning fluid inlet nozzle positioned in fluid communication with a cleaning fluid conduit, and a cleaning fluid discharge nozzle. A source of cleaning fluid is operatively connected to the cleaning fluid inlet nozzle, and a pressure source is operatively connected to the cleaning fluid discharge nozzle in order to draw the fluid out of the apparatus.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus for cleaning a teat of an animal, such as a dairy cow, comprising:
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a) a first housing having a longitudinal axis and an interior wall defining a teat cleaning compartment;
b) a first set of bristles engaged with said interior wall and extending radially inward therefrom; and
c) a device coupled to and adapted to impart rotary motion to said first set of bristles about said longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for cleaning a teat of an animal, such as a dairy cow, comprising the steps of:
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a) placing said teat into a chamber formed in a teat cleaning device;
b) applying a pressure source to said device in order to create a negative pressure differential causing said device to be securely held in relation to said teat;
c) causing a cleaning fluid to flow into said chamber;
d) actuating a brush to rotate within said chamber and around said teat;
e) causing said cleaning fluid to drain from said chamber;
f) stopping said flow of cleaning fluid into said chamber;
g) removing said pressure source from said chamber; and
h) removing said teat from said chamber.
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13. A method for cleaning a teat of an animal, such as a dairy cow, comprising the steps of:
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a) placing said teat into a chamber formed in a teat cleaning device;
b) causing a cleaning fluid to flow into said chamber;
c) actuating a brush to rotate within said chamber and around said teat;
d) causing said cleaning fluid to drain from said chamber;
e) stopping said flow of cleaning fluid into said chamber; and
f) removing said teat from said chamber.
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Specification