Abstract:
This abstract is provided to allow determination of the subject matter of the disclosure but not for interpretation or meaning of any claim. The specification and drawing figures described and show an animal foot treatment system that includes one or more mats. The mats include pressure-sensing plates. On application of foot pressure to the pressure sensing plates, and/or on removal of foot pressure from the pressure sensing plates, the pressure sensing plates send one or more signals to a processor. The processor causes an array of dispensers to discharge ingredients for treatment of animal foot problems on the foot that as either been applied to the mats or lifted from the mats. A tank is provided for holding the ingredients. A pump conveys the ingredients from the tank to the array of dispensers. A mat-flushing device also is included for removal of debris from the animal foot treatment system.

Description:
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
       [0001]    The animal foot treatment system disclosed and claimed in this document pertains generally to the field of discharging ingredients on the feet of animals for treatment of diseases, infections and injuries to a foot of an animal, as well preventative ingredients for promoting resistance to diseases and lacerations, for hardening hooves, and other desirable treatments. More particularly, the new and useful animal foot treatment system disclosed and claimed in this document provides an animal foot treatment system useful in treating the feet of cattle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Control and management of insects and other pests on domesticated animals has proven challenging, costly, often elusive, and frequently ineffective. Dealing with pests of the kind described in the U.S. Patent Application filed by the inventor named in this document, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/903,318 filed on Jul. 30, 2004, is an important objective for dairy herdsmen. The pests dramatically impact the economics of animal production and milk production, a commercial industry constituting a significant contribution to the gross national product of the United States. The diary cattle industry, for example, is estimated to produce $12 billion annually. Failure to deal with pests causes a number of problems, including irritating cows so severely that milk production suffers; disease pathogens are transmitted; intestinal diseases among humans associated with cow herds are possible; and a variety of regulatory rules and regulations may be violated by failure to treat such pests. Exemplary solutions for solving problem arising from pests among dairy herds have been provided by the inventor named in this document as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,660 issued May 15, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,6651,589 issued Nov. 525,2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/844,316 filed Apr. 26, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,489 issued Aug. 24, 2004; and application Ser. No. 10/903,318 filed Jul. 30. 2004 (collectively, “Prior Applications and Patents”). 
         [0003]    In addition to the problems solved by the Prior Applications and Patents, a wide range of diseases, infections and injuries to their feet may affect animals and mammals, including cattle that are part of diary herds. In addition to treating diseases, infections and injuries to the feet of cattle, for example, it is useful to apply various ingredients for preventative treatment to achieve resistance to diseases and lacerations, to harden hooves, and to achieve similar and related objectives. 
         [0004]    Livestock in a diary heard, for example, are subject to forming a variety of warts, sole ulcers, foot rot, heel cracks and variations of lesions and infections on their feet, all of which may individually or collectively cause livestock to suffer lameness, clubbed hooves, loss of body weight, decreased production, and decrease fertility (collectively, “animal foot problems”). 
         [0005]    None of the currently available suggestions for treating problems associated with animals feet has proven effective. The most common way to apply topical solutions to hooves of animals is a form of footbath, or tub, through which the animal moves. Concentrations in footbaths of ingredients combined to chemically treat animal foot problems are often rendered ineffective because of the debris deposited in the ingredients in the form of animal waste by livestock passing through the footbath. Accordingly, until now, maintaining precise concentrations of the ingredients has proven impossible. 
         [0006]    A need exists in the industry for a new, useful animal foot treatment system that is capable of applying precise amounts of ingredients at precise times for precise lengths of time on animal feet to treat the wide varieties of animal foot problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The animal foot treatment system described and claimed in this document includes one or more mats. Each mat contains pressure-sensing plates. The pressure sensing plates are capable of generating signals that are conveyed to a processor operatively connected to the pressure-sensing plates. The processor also is operatively connected to an array of dispensers mounted on the mats. Some signals are generated on application of an animal&#39;s foot to a mat; other signals are generated on removal of an animal foot from a mat. In combination, the pressure-sensing plates generate signals that are directed to the processor. The processor, in turn, causes the array of dispensers to both dispense and not dispense ingredients on an animal&#39;foot or feet. As a foot is placed on a mat, or removed from a mat, and a signal consequently is generated, the processor causes the array of dispensers to discharge ingredients on the foot of the animal that has applied pressure on the mat, or has removed a foot and thus released the pressure-sensing plates. The processor is programmable to withhold a discharge for a desired period of time, and to discharge after a desired period of time for a desired period of time. 
         [0008]    The dispensers are constructed to deliver a focused stream of ingredients to each foot in response to the signals. In addition, the array of dispenses discharges ingredients in focused streams of ingredients in precise amounts during precise time periods selected by an operator of the animal foot treatment system. A tank is provided to hold ingredients to be discharged through the dispensers. The tank is in fluid communication with the array of dispensers. In addition, a pump is provided for conveying ingredients from the tank through the array of dispensers. A mat-flushing device also is included to remove debris from the foot treatment system during operation. 
         [0009]    It will become apparent to one skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter as a whole, including the structure of the apparatus, and the cooperation of the elements of the apparatus, combine to result in a number of unexpected advantages and utilities. The structure and co-operation of structure of the animal foot treatment system will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, drawing figures, and appended claims. 
         [0010]    The foregoing has outlined broadly the more important features of the invention to better understand the detailed description that follows, and to better understand the contributions to the art. The animal foot treatment system is not limited in application, however, to the details of construction, and to the arrangements of the components, provided in the following description or drawing figures, but is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Accordingly, the phraseology and terminology employed in this disclosure are for purpose of description and therefore should not be regarded as limiting. As those skilled in the art will appreciated, the conception on which this disclosure is based readily may be used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems. The claims, therefore, include equivalent constructions. 
         [0011]    Further, the abstract associated with this disclosure is intended neither to define the animal foot treatment system, which is measured by the claims, nor intended to limit the scope of the claims. The novel features of the animal foot treatment system are best understood from the accompanying drawing, considered in connection with the accompanying description of the drawing, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  of the drawing is a perspective view of a portion of the foot treatment system in an operative environment with a cow moving across the pads and array of sprayer of the system; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  is an expanded view of  1 B in  FIG. 1A  showing a dispenser in operation; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a pad as disclosed and claimed in this document; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-section view of the mat along the line  1 - 1  in  FIG. 2A  showing one embodiment of the pressure sensing plates; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  is a cross-section of one embodiment of the pressure sensing plates after contact is made between the plates by application of foot pressure to the mat; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2D  is a cross-section view of the mat showing another embodiment of the pressure-sensing plates; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2E  is a cross-section view of the mat showing another embodiment of the pressure-sensing plates as shown in  FIG. 2D  after contact is made between the plates by application of foot pressure to the mat. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of selected components of the animal foot treatment system; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  also is a side view of the mats and the platform of the animal foot treatment system. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    In the drawing figures and in the description, to the extend that the numerical designations in the drawing figures include lower case letters such as “a,b” such designations include multiple references, and the letter “n” in lower case such as “a-n” is intended to express a number of repetitions of the element designated by that numerical reference and subscripts. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Definitions 
       [0022]    The term “foot” as used in this document means not only the terminal part of a vertebrate animal&#39;s leg, but also the hoof (the curved covering of horn that protects the front of the terminal part), the pad, the pastern, the dewclaw, the hock, the portion of the leg below the knee or hock on an animal such as a domestic bovine. 
         [0023]    The term “debris” as used in this document means at least animal waste. 
         [0024]    The term “ingredients” as used in this document means any combination of active and inert chemicals and fluids, including water, discharged from the array of dispensers for treating animal foot problems including, without limitations, diseases, infections, abrasions, and injuries to a foot of an animal, as well preventative ingredients including for example, those useful for creating resistance to diseases and lacerations, for hardening hooves, and similar desirable treatments. Thus, for example, the ingredients may include buffered sulfuric acid, copper sulfate, soap surfactants, marking colored dies to confirm application of treatment on a foot, and water, among others that are used to treat animal foot problems. 
         [0025]    The term “processor” as used in this document includes but is not limited to a microprocessor (such as an integrated circuit containing a central processing unit of a computer on one or more chips, such that only the memory and input-output functionalities need be added), but also includes any device that may be programmed or used to conduct a sequence of operations leading to discharge of ingredients from dispensers. The term “processor,” therefore may include a controller, digital signal processor, and other equivalent devices. 
         [0026]    The term “signal” as used in this document includes but is not limited to a detectable physical quantity, pulse or impulse, such as a voltage, current, or magnetic field strength, as well as mechanical means for activation. 
         [0027]    The term “active” as used in this document includes but is not limited to discharging one or more focused streams of ingredients during one or more desired time intervals, and includes the suspension or delay in discharging ingredients during one or more other desired time intervals. 
         [0028]    The term “focused” as used in the term “focused stream of ingredients” means a stream of ingredients discharged from the array of dispensers other than in a wide fan pattern. 
         [0029]    The term “animal” as used in this document includes cattle, and thus both cows and steers, as well as other animals and mammals. 
       DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , an animal foot treatment system is provided that in its broadest context includes at least one mat. Each mat includes pressure-sensing plates capable of generating and sending signals to activate dispensers that discharge treatment ingredients on a foot when a foot either has applied pressure on the mat, or has been lifted from the mat. The dispensers and pressure sensing plates are operatively connected together to cause the dispensers to discharge the ingredients. The dispensers and pressure sending plates also are operatively connected to a processor. The processor has the capability of processing signals from the pressure sensing plates in the mat to cause the dispensers to discharge a stream of ingredients in precise amounts during precise time periods. A tank for holding the ingredients also is provides, as well as a pump for delivering the ingredients through the system. A mat-flushing device also is included. 
         [0031]    More specifically, as shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 1-4 , an animal foot treatment system  10  is provided. Animal foot treatment system  10  includes one or more mats  12   a,b . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-2E  and  4 , the one or more mats  12   a,b  are compressively resilient mats  12   a,b . In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2E , the compressibly resilient material is PVC, but the material is not a limitation of the animal foot treatment system  10 . In the embodiments shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 1-2E , the mats  12   a,b  include a plurality of pressure sensing plates  14   a - n  as best shown in  FIGS. 1-2E  and  4 . In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2E , the one or more mats  12   a,b  surroundingly contains the plurality of pressure sensing plates  14   a - n . Each of the plurality of pressure sensing plates  14   a - n  is adapted to generate and send to a processor  16  one or more signals as shown in  FIG. 3 . The one or more signals are generated and sent by application of a foot  18  of an animal  20  to a mat  12   a,b . In addition, one or more signals are generated and sent to processor  16  on removal of a foot  18  from the one or more mats  12   a - b . At least one reason for providing one or more mats  12   a,b  instead of a single mat  12  as shown in  FIG. 4 , is to allow an operator of animal foot treatment system  10  to remove a possible damaged mat  12   a  while continuing to operate animal foot treatment system  10  using the other mat  12   b.    
         [0032]    As shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 3 , animal foot treatment system  10  also includes processor  16 . The processor  16  also is designated “P” and is operatively connected to the plurality of pressure sensing plates  14   a - n  in the one or more mats  12   a,b . As also shown by cross-reference between FIGS.  1  and  3 - 4 , the animal foot treatment system  10  also includes an array of dispensers  22   a - c.  The array of dispensers  22   a - c  is operatively connected to the plurality of pressure sensing plates  14   a - n . The array of dispensers  22   a - c  also is operatively connected to the processor  16 . In the embodiments shown by cross-reference between FIGS.  1  and  3 - 4 , the array of dispensers  22   a - c  is mounted laterally across the one or more mats  12   a,b,  and the one or more mats  12   a,b  are mounted on a platform  24  best shown in  FIG. 3 . Thus, in the embodiment shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the one or more mats  12   a,b  are mounted on the top surface  26  of platform  24 . As also shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the one or more mats  12   a,b  is formed with opposing sides  28   a,b  and opposing ends  30   a,b.  The array of dispensers  22   a - c  are mounted on the upper surface  32  of the one or more mats  12   a,b  laterally between the opposing sides  28   a,b.  The array of dispensers  22   a - c  is adapted to deliver to a foot  18  a focused stream of ingredients  32   a  as shown perhaps best in  FIG. 1B . Further, the processor  16  is adapted to receive and process one or more signals from the one or more mats  12   a,b  and to thereby cause the array of dispensers  22   a,c  to discharge the focused stream of ingredients  32   a - n  in precise amounts during precise time periods. 
         [0033]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the animal foot treatment system  10  also includes a tank  34  shown diagrammatically by the symbol “T” for holding ingredients  36  to be discharged on the foot  18  of an animal  20  from the array of dispensers  22   a - c.  The tank  34  is adapted to contain ingredients  36  in fluid communication with the array of dispensers  22   a - c.  In addition, a pump  38  is provided for conveying the ingredients  36  from the tank  34  to the array of dispensers  22   a - c.  The pump  38  also may mix the ingredients  36  in desired ratios for application through the animal foot treatment system  10  onto the foot  18  of an animal  20 . 
         [0034]    As further shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 2A-2D , the pressure-sensing plates  14   a - n  are surroundingly contained within the one or more mats  12   a,b.  In the embodiment illustrated by cross-reference between  FIGS. 2B-2C , opposing pressure-sensing plates  14   a - n  include a plurality of electrically conductive members  40   a - n  that are separated by a portion of the material generally designated  42  used to construct the one or more mats  12   a,b.  In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2B and 2C , the plurality of electrically conductive members  40   a - n  are shown to be a series of conical contacts  44   a - n  and a series of receptor contracts  46   a - n  formed with a plurality of conical indentations  48   a - n  into which the conical contacts  44   a - n  fit upon application of pressure by a foot  18  of an animal  20 . The plurality of electrically conductive members  40   a - n  shown as a series of conical contacts  44   a - n  and a series of receptor contacts  46   a - n  formed with a plurality of conical indentations  48   a - n  into which the conical contacts  44   a - n  fit upon application of pressure by a foot  18  of an animal  20  are positioned within a chamber  50   a - n  formed in the portion of material  42  between opposing pressure-sensing plates  14   a - n.  Chamber  50   a - n  permits electrical contact and conductivity when the plurality of electrically conductive members  40   a - n  is placed in contact by pressure applied to a mat  12   a,b  by the foot  18  to an animal. As perhaps best shown in  FIG. 2C , on application of pressure by a foot  18  to a mats  22   a,b,  the foot exerts pressure on the plurality of pressure sensing plates  14   a - n,  causing electrically conductive members between the plates to make contact, which in turn generates and sends one or more signals to the processor  16 . The processor  16  is programmed to process a signal either an application of foot pressure to the one or more mats  12   a,b  or on removal of foot pressure from the one or more mat  12   a,b,  or both. 
         [0035]    In the embodiment illustrated by cross-reference between  FIGS. 2C-2D , a plurality of cavities  52   a - n  is formed during manufacture of mats  12   a,b.  Plurality of cavities  52   a - n  may be tubular, as shown by cross-section in  FIGS. 2C and 2D , and may be formed to extend along the longitudinal axis of the one or more pressure-sensing plates  14   a - n.  During manufacture, plurality of cavities  52   a - n  is formed with a partial vacuum. After manufacture of mats  12   a,b,  a seal (not shown) is broken, collapsing the partial vacuum, and plurality of cavities  52   a - n  is substantially filled with a gas. In one non-exclusive example the gas is nitrogen. Nitrogen is, of course, relatively inert, is a constituent of all living tissue, and therefore harmless to an animal  20  if the gas should escape confinement from plurality of cavities  52   a - n.  As shown in FIG,  2 E, when a foot  18  of animal  20  steps on a mat  12   a,b,  one of the pressure-sensing plates  14   b,  for example, depresses in the compressibly resilient material. The pressure applied by a foot  18  squeezes the gas-filled cavity, allowing lower side  54   a - n  of pressure-sensing plate  14   b,  for example, to make contact with upper side  56   a - n  of pressure-sensing plate  14   n,  thus generating a signal that is sent along lead lines  58  to processor  16 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . When the foot  18  of animal  20  is removed from the mat  12   a,  pressure-sensing plate  14   b  returns to its original configuration. 
         [0036]    The signals generated by pressure-sensing plates  14   a - n,  and are sent to processor  16 . Processor  16  in turn, activates the array of dispensers  22   a - c  shown perhaps best in  FIG. 3 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the array of dispensers  22   a - c  will be activated by the signals to discharge ingredients  36  on the foot  18  that has activated the array of dispensers  22   a - c  upon application of approximately twenty-five pounds per square inch by the foot  18 . 
         [0037]    As perhaps best shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 3-4 , the array of dispensers  22   a - c  includes a housing  60   a - c.  The housing  60   a - c  is formed with a plurality of openings  62   a - n.  The plurality of openings  62   a - n  is provided to position a plurality of valves (not shown). The plurality of valves is adapted to demountably connect a plurality of emitters  54   a - n.  The plurality of valves and the plurality of emitters  54   a - n  are in fluid communication with a set of interconnected tubes  66   a - n  underlying the platform  24  and the mats  12   a,b.  The tubes  66   a - n  are adapted to deliver the ingredients  36  from the tank  34  via the pump  38  to the array of dispensers  22   a - c  for discharge of the ingredients  36  on the foot  18  of an animal  20 . 
         [0038]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-4 , the processor  16  is programmable to receive the one or more signals following application of a foot  18  on the one or more mats  12   a,b  by beginning a first desired time period during which the array of dispensers  22   a,c  refrains from discharging at least one focused stream of ingredients  32   a - n  on the foot  18 . The processor  16  also is adapted and programmed to process the one or more signals following application of a foot  18  on a mat  12   a,b  by beginning a second desired time period during which the array of dispensers  22   a - c  discharges at least one focused stream of ingredients  32   a - n  on the foot  18 . Furthermore, the processor  16  is capable of processing the one or more signals following removal of a foot  18  from a mat  12   a,b  by beginning a third desired time period during which the array of dispensers  22   a - c  refrains from discharging at least one focused stream of ingredients  32   a - n  on the foot  18 . In addition, the processor  16  is capable of processing the one or more signals following removal of a foot  18  from a mat  12   a,b  by beginning a fourth desired time period during which the array of dispensers  22   a - c  discharges a focused stream of ingredients  32   a - n  on the foot  18 . The delays in discharge of ingredients  36  permit a user to apply specific ingredients to solve a specific problem. 
         [0039]    The ability to program the processor  16  also allows an operator of the animal foot spraying system  10  to apply concentrated amounts of ingredients  36  for shorter times but more effectively, while achieving cost effective applications of ingredients  36  for treatment of animal foot problems. For example, on application of foot pressure on the one or more mats  12   a,b,  a 0.30 second delay may occur, followed by a 0.50-0.70 first spray burst of a focused stream of ingredients  32   a - n  on the foot  18  of animal  20 . Thereafter, as a foot  18  is removed from the one or more mats  12   a,b,  there may be a 0.15-0.30 second delay as the foot  18  comes is lifted from a mat  12   a,b , followed by a discharge of a focused stream of ingredients  32   a - n  in precise amounts during the time period for about 0.15-0.30 second. 
         [0040]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in addition to the array of dispensers  22   a - c  extending across the platform  24  of the animal foot spraying system  10 , one or more spraying turrets  68   a - n,  is mounted on the proximal outer surface  70   a - c  of one or more of the array of dispensers  22   a - c.  The one or more spraying turrets  70   a - c  is in fluid communication with the tubes  66   a - n  for discharging ingredients  36  on the foot  18  of an animal  20  and is operatively connected to the processor  16 , the tank  34 , and the pump  38 . 
         [0041]    As also best shown in  FIG. 3 , one or more legs  72   a,b  is provided. The one or more legs  72   a,b  are formed with a plurality of sets of variously positioned orifices  74   a - n.  The one or more sets of variously positioned orifices  74   a - n  permit an operator of the animal foot treatment system  10  to insert bolts  75   a - n  or similarly connectors through holes  78   a - n  in the side flanges  80   a,b  of the platform  24  and into one or more of the variously positioned orifices  64   a - n  to adjust the height of the platform  24  relative to variations in the level of the surfaces on which the platform  24  is installed. 
         [0042]    As also shown perhaps best in  FIG. 3 , the one or more housings  50   a - c  in the array of dispensers  22   a - c  is formed with a notch  82   a - c.  The notch  82   a - c  is provided to allow a mat-flushing device  84 , shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 3 , to periodically emit water through notches  82   a - c  for flushing the animal foot spraying system  10  of debris. The mat-flushing device  84  is shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 3  to include one or more pipes  86   a - n  connected to a source of water  88  and a timer  90  to repeatedly release a flow of water from the mat-flushing device  84  as and when an operator of the animal foot treatment system  10  desires. 
         [0043]    As shown, the animal foot treatment system  10  includes no structural component adapted to enclose the mat or the platform to form a tub or bath for holding one or more ingredients. 
         [0044]    Claim elements and steps in this document have been numbered solely as an aid in understanding the description. The numbering is not intended to, and should not be considered as intending to, indicated the ordering of elements and steps in the claims. In addition, the animal foot treatment system shown in drawing  FIGS. 1A through 4  shows at least one embodiment that is not intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrative of the disclosed embodiments. Means-plus-function clauses in the claims are intended to cover the structures described as performing the recited function that include not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and screw may not be structural equivalents, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.