Patent ID: 8402920
Filing Date: 2013-03-26
Classification: A01J

Abstract:
1. A system for cleaning teats of milk-producing animals, wherein the animals are housed in a parlor area and the teats are cleaned or disinfected before a milking operation is started, the system comprising: a disinfectant solution source provided at the parlor area; a hand-held applicator having a housing volume within which one or more scrubbing elements are positioned for engaging a teat of the milk-producing animal having been inserted in the volume for cleaning; a delivery station, comprising at least a pump and a conduit in fluid communication with the hand-held applicator and the disinfectant solution source, for delivering the disinfectant solution to the housing volume of the hand-held applicator with a predetermined concentration of chlorine dioxide; a motor operatively connected to the scrubbing elements to actuate the scrubbing elements; a controller, in electrical communication with the hand-held applicator, the motor and the delivery station, that is configured to initiate the actuation of the scrubbing elements and delivery of the disinfectant solution to the hand-held applicator as the scrubbing elements are actuated; and, wherein the hand-held applicator is remotely operable relative to the disinfectant solution source, and the disinfectant solution is delivered to the hand-held applicator and applied to the teats in a non-foaming aqueous form having a viscosity and/or vapor pressure that is substantially equal to that of water.