Abstract:
The present invention provides treatment apparatus, a fluid application device and methods of removing and applying fluid and relates particularly but not exclusively to an apparatus and method suitable for applying fluid to an elongate object such as a bovine teat or the like and to removing excess fluid. The device includes a holder ( 28 ) having a first end ( 58 ) and a second end ( 62 ) and an interior edge ( 54 ) defining a first opening, the first end having a second opening ( 56 ); a lower portion ( 70 ); and a cassette ( 30 ) for insertion into the second opening ( 56 ) and including a wiping device ( 32 ) having a wiping material ( 82, 84, 86 ) extending radially inwardly and extending at least partially across the first opening.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the invention 
     The present invention relates to a treatment apparatus, a fluid application device and methods of removing and applying fluid and relates particularly but not exclusively to an apparatus and method suitable for applying fluid to an elongate object such as a bovine teat or the like and for removing excess fluid therefrom. Such an apparatus may be employed for the application of a disinfecting or teat-treating liquid to the teat of a cow and is commonly referred to as a dip-cup and is referred to herein as such and wherein said fluid is often referred to as “solution.” 
     (2) Description of Related Art 
     An example of a dip-cup is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,387,086 to Hakes which discloses both a method and a device for applying germicide solutions to a cattle teat and includes a chamber defined by a body having an open first end and a closed second end which receives the germicidal solution. The body interior further includes a support, referred to as a “circumvolving inner ring,” for supporting a wiping device that is configured to fit within the interior of the body and rest on the inner ring. The wiping device is held in place by a clip, which is relatively difficult to manipulate. 
     As an alternative to providing a special dip-cup body, some makers of dip-cups have offered retrofit kits designed to hold wiping devices over the top of an otherwise standard dip-cup. One such dip-cup retrofit kit is marketed by RJB Company, Inc. under the name “Power Dipper+.” Another dip-cup retrofit kit is marketed by Ambic Equipment Ltd. under the name “DipMizer.” To remove and replace a wiping device, as must be done frequently, existing dip-cup retrofit kits require assembly and disassembly that is relatively time-consuming and difficult, and can lead to wear or damage of components. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention aims at overcoming a number of drawbacks in prior art dip-cups. A preferred arrangement is such as to form an addition or adaptation of the top portion of dip-cup chamber to support a novel removable cassette in which the wiping device is mounted, the removable cassette being arranged to slide into and out of an engagement portion within an adaptor or a modified dip-cup top portion, thereby providing easy removal for cleaning purposes or replacement. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising a holder having a first end and a second end and an interior edge defining a first opening, a first end having a second opening; a lower portion; and a cassette for insertion into said second opening and including a wiping device having a wiping material extending radially inwardly and for extending at least partially across said first opening. 
     Advantageously, said holder further includes a guide channel extending within said interior edge between said first and second ends and said cassette includes an edge for engagement therein. The holder may include a curved portion at said second end thereof for receiving a curved portion of said cassette. Preferably, the apparatus includes a retaining mechanism for retaining said cassette within said holder. When provided, said retaining mechanism may comprise an interference fit between at least a portion of said guide channel and at least a portion of said cassette or a dimple and indent for engagement with each-other when said cassette is in a desired position. In an arrangement, said cassette is spaced from said channel for at least a portion thereof. In some arrangements the lower portion may comprise a resilient material for fitting over a top portion of a dip-cup chamber but in other arrangements it may comprise a generally rigid material or may be integrated with a top portion of the dip-cup itself. In a preferred arrangement, said cassette comprises two portions and said wiping device is mounted therebetween. An inner edge may further include a channel extending around said inner edge for receiving said wiping device. The apparatus may also include a locking mechanism for locking said two portions together. The second portion of said cassette includes wall portions for defining a space into which a portion of said wiping device may be located. In one arrangement the wiping device comprises a generally D shaped arrangement having a generally straight portion and a generally arcuate or curved portion and a material retaining portion which forms an outer edge thereof. Whilst the wiping material may comprise any one of a number of suitable materials it is preferably selected from the group comprising bristle elements, material fingers and sponge material. Advantageously, the wiping device is configured such as to define a hole therein for receiving a teat or the like which may otherwise be defined as means defining an aperture formed by said wiping material. The aperture may be a proper closed aperture of a generally circular shape or may include an extension portion in the form of an elongate slot extending from said aperture and formed by edges of the wiping material. In one arrangement the apparatus further includes an immersion chamber for receiving a solution S and comprising a body having at least an open first end. Still further, the apparatus may include an immersion chamber for receiving a solution S and comprising a body having at least an open first end and further including a reservoir for receiving a supply of solution S and a conduit for supplying said solution from said reservoir to said chamber. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of treating a teat of an animal with an apparatus as described in part or in whole above comprising the steps of:
         (i) Introducing a teat into the chamber by passing it through aperture;   (ii) causing an amount of solution (S) to be passed into said treatment chamber such as to at least partially contact said teat; and   (iii) removing said apparatus from said teat thereby to cause said wiping device to wipe excess solution (S) from said teat.       

     According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a cassette for an apparatus as described above and comprising two portions and said wiping device is mounted therebetween. The cassette may include an inner edge and may further include a channel extending around said inner edge for receiving said wiping device. If desired, the cassette may also include a locking mechanism of any suitable form for locking said two portions together, although a “click-lock” or an adhesive may also prove particularly suitable. Preferably, said second portion of said cassette includes wall portions for defining a space into which a portion of said wiping device may be located. 
    
    
     
       The present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings, in which; 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a representation of a prior art device to which the present invention may be applied; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a dip-cup incorporating the present invention by means of a modification of the prior art dip-cup or as an adaptor for fitting on such a prior-art arrangement; 
         FIG. 3  is a general view of an adaptor for fitting to a standard dip-cup view taken in the direction of arrow P in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows A-A in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 2   
         FIGS. 6 to 8  are general views of various forms of wiping device for fitting into the cassette shown in the above-mentioned drawings; 
         FIG. 9  is a detailed plan view of a portion of the cassette and brush arrangement shown in  FIGS. 2 to 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a cassette of  FIGS. 2 to 4  and  9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a cassette portion of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a portion of the cassette of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of a further portion of the cassette of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a further cross-sectional view of the assembled cassette of  FIG. 10  shown without the wiping portion; 
         FIG. 15  is a view of the underside of the cassette portion shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a part assembly showing how the wiping member XX is positioned relative thereto; and 
         FIG. 17  illustrates the present invention applied to a dip-cup arrangement having a remote source of solution. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  which illustrates a typical dip-cup  10  well known in the art, it will be appreciated that such devices generally include an immersion chamber  12  defined by a body  14  having an open first end  16  and a closed second end  18  which receives the germicidal solution, best seen in later drawings. The dip-cup  10  further includes a reservoir  20  for containing the germicidal solution S and a conduit  22  best seen in  FIG. 5  for conveying said solution to said chamber  12  such as to fill at least a bottom portion thereof  24  ( FIG. 5 ) and allow said fluid to be used for treatment purposes. In the example shown, the reservoir comprises a flexible material which allows for manual squeezing thereof such as to displace and pump a portion of the solution through conduit  22  and into the chamber  12 . However, it will be appreciated that other forms of reservoir are available including remote chambers having a pumping system associated therewith which may be used as an alternative method of storing and transporting solution S to said chamber  12 . Such an alternative is shown, by way of example only, in  FIG. 17 . The reader will appreciate that alternative forms of dip-cup exist having a supply of solution directed to other portions of the chamber  12  including the bottom and side portions thereof and that the present invention may be directed equally well to such alternative arrangements. 
       FIG. 2  is a general view of the present invention shown either as an addition to an already existing dip-cup or a modification thereof which incorporates the features of the present invention. From  FIG. 2  it will be appreciated that a top portion or adaptor  26  is added to the dip-cup  10  shown in  FIG. 1  and it is this portion either alone or in combination with the remaining portion of the dip-cup  10  that forms the core of the present invention. In more detail, the adaptor  26  comprises a holder portion  28 , a removable cassette  30  and a wiping device  32  positioned within the cassette  30 . The remaining portions of the dip-cup comprise the elements known in the art such as an immersion chamber  12  defined by a body  14  having an open first end  16  ( FIG. 5 ) and a closed second end  18  which receives a germicidal solution S. The dip-cup  10  further includes a reservoir  22  for containing the germicidal solution S and a conduit  22  for conveying said solution to said chamber  12  such as to fill at least a bottom portion thereof  24  and allow said fluid to be used for treatment purposes. In the example shown, the reservoir comprises a flexible material which allows for manual squeezing thereof such as to displace and pump a portion of the solution S through conduit  22  and into the chamber  12 . However, it will be appreciated that other forms of reservoir are available including remote chambers having a pumping system associated therewith which may be used as an alternative method of storing and transporting solution S to said chamber  12 . The reader will appreciate that the portion of the dip-cup to which the present invention relates most particularly is the chamber portion  12  and will further appreciate that the present invention may be applied to any number of dip-cup arrangements regardless of the mechanism for delivering solution to the actual chamber  12  itself. The reader will further appreciate that the alternative forms of dip-cup include those having a supply of solution directed to other portions of the chamber  12  including the bottom and side portions thereof and that the present invention may be directed equally well to such alternative arrangements. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it will be seen that the cassette  30  which is partially covered by the adaptor  26  includes a finger grip portion  34  at, for example, a first end  36  thereof and the wiping device  32  at, for example, a second end  38  thereof, both of which are shown in more detail in later drawings. Whilst not shown in detail in  FIG. 3  or  4 , it can be seen that the cassette  30  is generally narrower across its width W than the adaptor  26  and projects into said adaptor in a manner which allows it to be retained therein during use but removable therefrom when desired, such as for cleaning or replacement purposes. The wiping device is described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 8  but it will be appreciated from  FIG. 3  that the arrangement thereof is to provide a central aperture  40  through which, in use, the bovine teat may pass. An optional additional slot portion  42  which effectively extends the aperture  40  may also be provided and extending along an axis A such as to increase the effective open area of the aperture and provide a lead in or guidance portion to help in the introduction of a teat into the chamber  12 . The provision of slot  42  also aids and simplifies the production process as the wiping device  32  may be made as a straight length and then simply bent to shape such that the ends thereof approach but do not need to touch each other, thus forming optional slot  42 . The slot may be eliminated if a closer wiping of the teat is desired. Another, optional, feature of the design includes a straight edge portion  44  (best seen in  FIG. 10 ) of the cassette  30  towards the first end  36  thereof which may be used to advantage in the present invention such as to provide a drawer and runner type arrangement for allowing the cassette  30  to be inserted and removed from the adaptor  26 . A still further optional feature comprises a curved portion  46  at the second end  38  for location within a correspondingly shaped curved groove portion  48  in the adaptor itself. Both these arrangements and the usefulness thereof will be described in more detail later herein. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the combined dip-cup/adaptor arrangement  50  and is provided herein to illustrate the interrelation of the adaptor  26  with the remaining portions of the dip-cup. The arrangement of the dip-cup chamber  12  and reservoir  20  and the supply conduit arrangement  22  have been described above and are not, therefore, repeated here other than to highlight that the cup itself may equally be provided on the end of an extended lance or handle and may be connected to a remote source of solution by means of an elongate supply conduit (not shown) and an optional pump arrangement (not shown). Of particular interest in  FIG. 4  is the relationship between the cassette  30  and the adaptor  26  in which it is held and the arrangement which allows the adaptor  26  to be removably attached to the top of a conventional dip cup as an option to being integrated therewith, both of which will now be discussed in more detail. Referring firstly to the relationship between the cassette  30  and the adaptor  26 , it will be appreciated that the adaption itself  26  includes a generally D shaped guide channel  52  provided along and within an interior edge  54  thereof which extends from an opening  56  at a first end  58  through which the cassette  30  is inserted and towards and around an inner portion  60  at a second end thereof  62 . The size and position of the channel  52  may be such as to provide the cassette  30  with a loose or a relatively tight fit therein but both arrangements should be such as to allow removal of the cassette from the opening  56  as and when required. When the arrangement is such as to provide a loose fit it may be desirable to provide a retaining mechanism  64  to retain the cassette  30  within the adaptor  26 . Whilst the reader will appreciate that such a retaining mechanism  64  may take any one of a number of forms, it has been found that a simple dimple  66  and indent  68  arrangement (not shown) can be employed to good effect as it allows the cassette  30  to slide easily into the opening  56  and along the guide channel  52  before the dimple  66  and indent  68  engage with each other and prevent inadvertent movement of the cassette  30  itself. If a tighter or more secure fit is required the relative size and shape of the guide channel  52  relative to the cassette  30  may be selected such that, for at least a portion of the length of the guide channel  46 , an interference fit exists between the guide channel  46  and the cassette  30  such as to cause both a resistance to insertion of the cassette  30  and a resistance to the removal thereof whilst not preventing insertion or removal. In one preferred arrangement the interference fit or retaining mechanism  64  is provided along a relatively short portion of the straight edge portion  44  such as to allow the majority of the cassette  30  to be inserted before the retention mechanism  64  is engaged. Indeed, should easy insertion and removal of the cassette  30  be a desire or requirement, the dimensions and positions of the curved portion  46  of the cassette  30  and the corresponding curved groove portion  48  of the adaptor  26  itself may be chosen to allow a loose fit therebetween created by a gap G best seen in  FIG. 4 . Indeed the gap G may be such as to allow the curved portion  46  of the cassette  30  to effectively float in free space within the guide channel  52  thereby to allow for the easy removal of the cassette  30  and/or the easy removal of dirt and other objects from the area surrounding the curved  46  portion that may otherwise jam or damage the assembly or otherwise interfere with the effective operation thereof. The guide channel  52  or all of the adaptor  26  itself may be made of a resilient flexible thermo-plastic rubber (TPR) material or any suitable chemically resistant and possibly inert material such as to provide the required degree of gripping of the cassette  30  within the adaptor  26  which then forms the retaining mechanism  64  as an alternative to that described above. Indeed, the use of such flexible materials on other portions of the adaptor  26  such as at a lower portion  70  would allow the adaptor  26  itself to be easily fitted onto and removed from the top  72  of a standard dip-cup arrangement, such as to provide a true adaptor for retro-fitting to existing dip-cups. More ridged materials may be employed as and when desired, particularly if the adaptor  26  is intended to be more resiliently mounted on a dip-cup or intended not to be easily removed therefrom once applied thereto. In such an arrangement the adaptor  26  effectively forms a completely separate portion rather than an integral portion of the dip-cup. As an alternative, the adaptor  26  may actually be formed integrally with a portion of the dip-cup itself such as the top portion  72  which is often a separate removable or non-removable portion added to the dip-cup as a retaining portion for retaining the chamber  12  within the dip-cup and providing a splash guard or barrier to prevent surplus liquid being inadvertently dislodged from the chamber during rough handling. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 to 8  in turn which illustrate different forms of wiping device  32 , it will be appreciated that they comprise a generally D shaped arrangement having a generally straight portion  74  and a generally arcuate portion  76  which may have varying degrees of arc and need not be a continuous curve; indeed, in some arrangements portion  76  may be formed into a flat ended portion and may comprise a series of linked straight portions connecting with the generally straight portions  74 . The wiping device  32  is provided with a material retaining portion  76  which effectively forms an outer edge thereof  78  for engagement with the cassette  30 . Preferably, the material retention portion comprises a deformable material having a generally U shaped cross-sectional profile such as to allow for the insertion of wiping material  80  therein and retention thereby by deformation of the deformable material such as to grip the wiping material  80 . Other arrangements will, however, present themselves to those skilled in the art. A range of wiping materials may be used including bristle elements  82  arranged in a plurality of layers, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a plurality of fingers or elongate members  84 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , or a simple sponge, foam or soft material arrangement  86 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Such materials  82 ,  84 ,  86  may be made from medical grade and bio-resistant materials if so desired. When a sponge or foam material is used this may be open or closed cellular depending on the requirements of the wiping surface. The material retaining portion  76  may be formed into the generally D shaped form either before or after the wiping material  80  is inserted therein. 
       FIGS. 9 to 16  illustrate the integration of the wiping device  32  into the generally D shaped cassette  30  and from which it will be appreciated that the cassette  30  may comprise two separable portions  30   a  and  30   b  as best seen in  FIG. 10  The first portion  30   a  includes a channel (best seen in  FIG. 12 ) which extends around an inner edge  90  thereof for receiving said wiping device  32  and a top edge  92  and bottom edge  94  which act to cover at least a portion of the wiping device and prevent it from being removed from the cassette  30 . An optional “click-lock” arrangement is provided at  92  for engagement and locking with a corresponding portion  94  on the second portion  30   b . The two portions  30   a ,  30   b  are joined to each other by offering up portion  30   b  to portion  30   a  and causing the click-lock  92  to engage. Other securing methods such as pinning or heat welding or an adhesive may be used as an alternative. 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate in more detail how the wiping device  30  is mounted within the cassette  30  and from which it will be appreciated that optional extension portions  96  may be provided on the wiping device and arranged to be insertable between corresponding wall portions  98  and  100  provided on the second portion  30   b.    
       FIG. 17  illustrates the present invention in combination with a lance type applicator  102  having a trigger valve arrangement  104  for allowing or preventing solution S to be supplied via a flexible supply tube  106  from a remote source thereof  108 . The adaptor  26  may be applied to the cup portion  14  in the manner described above and, therefore, not discussed in more detail here. 
     Operation of the above arrangements is achieved by first charging the reservoir  20  or  108  with solution S and causing a quantity of said solution S to be supplied to the bottom portion  24  of the chamber itself. In the arrangements shown herein the solution is supplied directly to the immersion chamber itself  12  at a point below and spaced from the wiping device such as to cause solution to fill the chamber. A teat shown schematically as the dotted lines  110  in  FIG. 5  may then be inserted into the chamber  14  by passing it through the aperture  40  within the wiping device  32 . Once the teat is suitably inserted it is immersed in a bath of solution at the bottom  24  of the chamber  14  such as to sanitise or otherwise treat said teat. Once treated, the teat  110  may be removed from the chamber  14  by lowering the dip-cup away therefrom and allowing the wiping device to remove any surplus solution as the teat is removed, as known in the art. It will be appreciated that the chamber as shown in  FIG. 5  is shaped to the general contour of a teat in that it tapers towards the bottom end thereof and the solution is supplied to the upper end at opening  16  such that it cascades or flows downwardly in the direction of the arrows between the chamber and the teat itself. The application of solution is undertaken after the teat has been placed in the chamber and the application process takes advantage of the reduced volume in the chamber after the insertion of the teat to keep the amount of solution required for treatment to a minimum. Such is not the case in some prior art arrangements which have much larger chambers and rely on immersion of the teat in a relatively larger volume of pre-supplied solution, much of which will remain in the larger chamber after the teat is removed and may contribute to cross-contamination. It will also be appreciated that the present invention may equally well be applied to each of the prior art arrangements but is particularly effective when combined with the arrangement of  FIG. 5 . 
     It will be appreciated that the cassette  30  as shown and described above may be inserted and removed from aperture  56  as and when required. Insertion simply requires the cassette  30  to be introduced into the aperture  56  and pushed inwardly such as to allow the wiping device  32  to pass over the open first end  16  such as to present aperture  40  within the central region thereof. Removal is simply the reverse of insertion and for this purpose the user may simply use the finger grip portion  34 , as described above. The reader will appreciate that the use of a cassette arrangement will allow an operator to swop cassettes much more easily than is possible with the prior art devices and will allow said operator to replace the wiping device between animals or regularly without unduly delaying the treatment process. Still further, the cassette arrangement would allow for the use of different types or forms of wiping material as and when required in the treatment process and will also allow for easier sanitising of the wiping device between uses.