Patent ID: 7798104
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: A01K,A61D

Abstract:
1. A footbath system for livestock, having a footbath pan for livestock to walk through, said pan containing footbath liquid therein, wherein said pan comprises upstream and downstream end walls and a pair of sidewalls extending axially therebetween, said end walls and said sidewalls having a height sufficient to contain footbath liquid around the livestock's hooves, the livestock initially stepping into said pan over said upstream end wall and then walking axially while between said sidewalls and then exiting said pan by stepping over said downstream end wall, each of said end walls having a respective length extending laterally between said sidewalls, each of said sidewalls having a respective length extending axially between said end walls, said pan being axially elongated along a longitudinal axis, said sidewalls extending axially longitudinally between said end walls, a tank provided separate from said pan, said tank receiving water from a water source for containment in said tank to provide said footbath liquid, said tank having an outlet conduit supplying said footbath liquid to said pan, said tank is a combined water containing and chemical mixing tank separate from said pan, said tank receiving water from said water source and receiving one or more chemicals from a chemical source for mixing in said tank to provide a pre-mixed footbath liquid, said tank supplying said pre-mixed footbath liquid to said pan, said tank is disposed in serial fluid communication between said water source and said outlet conduit such that water flows from upstream to downstream from said water source into said tank and then from said tank to said outlet conduit, said tank isolates said outlet conduit from said water source such that liquid pressure in said outlet conduit supplying said pre-mixed footbath liquid to said pan is isolated from water pressure from said water source supplying water to said pan, said tank preventing chemicals from entering said water source, said tank providing said pre-mixed footbath liquid to said pan at a rate independent of said water source, via an inlet to said pan at said upstream end wall, wherein said inlet has one or more flow ports, said flow ports comprising one or more laterally elongated slots laterally spaced from each other, the one or more flow ports discharging liquid at sufficiently high volume and sufficiently low velocity flow to provide non-turbulence, to flush manure without turbulent agitation and eddy current flow otherwise causing splatter and release of bacteria and odor upon break-up of the manure.