Patent ID: 9149020
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. A method of self regulating a footbath for animals, comprising: providing a container configured to hold fluid and a partial vacuum, when fluid and partial vacuum are in the container the fluid provides a source of fluid for addition to the footbath and the partial vacuum regulates the release of fluid from the container into the footbath, when fluid is in the container an upper surface of the fluid in the container defines a fluid line; providing an air return passageway having first and second ends, the first end connecting to the container above the fluid line, the air return passageway is configured to extend to at least one of partially in the footbath or at least an upper surface of the footbath such that the second end is configured to be in contact with the upper surface of fluid when the fluid is at a predetermined height in the footbath, when the upper surface of the fluid in the footbath is below the predetermined height ambient air, from outside the container, enters the container by entering the second end of the air return passageway, travelling through the air return passageway, and entering the container from the first end of the air return passageway, at least a portion of the air return passageway being configured to hold a volume of fluid therein, the air return passageway being configured such that fluid cannot flow from the container through the air return passageway and to the hoofbath, wherein the container and air return passageway are configured such that when fluid and the partial vacuum are present in the container the air return passageway in combination with the container combine to regulate a level of fluid within the footbath automatically without using any pump or mechanical device to drive the fluid, when the fluid level in the footbath is lower than the second end of the air return passageway then air is drawn through the air return passageway and into the container which results in fluid being dispensed from the container to the footbath.