FR2695538A3 - Device for washing and drying large animals simultaneously. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device which serves to wash, disinfect and dry, all simultaneously, the skin and the fur of large animals such as: horses, cattle, etc. According to the invention it comprises a hydraulic circuit with a plug (17) for connection to the hydraulic network, a purge valve (18), a mixer (19) for adding additives to the water, a possible pump (21) and a manually operated water delivery gun (22).

Description

The present invention relates to a device having the function of washing

  and simultaneously drying large animals that require such treatment, for example: horses in stables and rides; animals in zoos (public, equestrian circuses, etc); that is to say, besides horses, zebras, giraffes, elephants, etc. In addition the device can be used to wash, disinfect and dry the floors and walls of the premises where animals live and also civil and / or industrial premises. At the present state of the art, there are no suitable mechanical devices used to wash and dry large animals simultaneously; however, there are devices for washing and vacuuming simultaneously

  water used to clean carpets and / or floors.

  These known devices are not designed to wash and dry large animals since they are

  lacking specific features for this purpose.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical device which makes it possible, as a main objective, to simultaneously wash and dry large animals and whose secondary objective is washing, disinfection and drying. floors and walls of

  premises which shelter said animals.

  According to the present invention, this object is achieved by means of a device comprising: a hydraulic circuit comprising means for connection to a hydraulic source; a mixer of additive products, a pump possibly to maintain constant the flow and the pressure, a gun for the delivery of the liquid; an air circuit divided into two parts: a) a suction part comprising tips and / or interchangeable brushes on a suction line, a can for the collection of dirty liquid and all other impurities sucked; a turbine that generates the vacuum; b) a drying part comprising a frustoconical shaped nozzle which delivers hot air; a possible electric air heater; a turbine that generates

and push hot air back to the mouthpiece.

  The suction line and the drying line can be inserted into a sleeve by means of which, by joining the gun discharging the liquid, the following is simultaneously performed: the discharge of the water in a quantity and at a pressure sufficient to wash ; the simultaneous suction of the liquid; drying with a hot air jet; other means and accessories that complement the features necessary to achieve the objective

wish.

  The good result of the work consists in: passing on the skin of the animal using a device that sprays a liquid, absorbs it immediately, dries the skin and the hair, leaving, in its path, a band clean dry; to repeat this cleaning and drying operation of constant quality; not to wet the environment and the soil;

to run the set quickly.

  These results are obtained through the use of

  device object of the present invention.

  The features of the invention and its advantages

  will be better understood by reading the description that will

  follow, with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples and wherein: Figure 1 shows schematically a possible arrangement of the main organs that make up the device object of the present invention; Figure 2 shows the circuit diagram of the hydraulic installation; Figures 3 and 4 show two configurations of the circuit diagram of the air system (suction and discharge of hot air); Figures 5 and 6 show possible embodiments of additive mixers for the hydraulic installation; FIG. 7 represents a possible solution for rapid assembly and disassembly of end pieces, brushes, etc., to be inserted on the suction pipe; Figures 8, 9, 10 show different types of application of the plug for quick assembly and disassembly; and FIG. 11 shows a possible embodiment of how to keep the tubes and

  sleeves using a commercial hoist.

  In the different figures, the same alphabetical and numerical references designate the same parts or

elements.

  Referring to Figure 1, the numeral 1 denotes a known type of turbine powered by an electric motor that sucks air through the nozzle 2 and rejects, after centrifugation and heating, by the tip 3 The benchmark 4 denotes a can with a lid 5 with interposition of a filter 6 The suction nozzle 2 of the turbine 1 is connected by a tube 7 on the side of the container 4, while the nozzle 3 is connected by means of the tube 8 to the frustoconical tip 9 which comes out, like a hot air, hot air This air is hot since it was

centrifuged in the turbine 1.

  In none of the known apparatus (apparatus for washing floors, for washing carpets, etc.) is used hot air leaving the turbine; with all

  these devices hot air is dispersed in the atmosphere.

  The only device that uses, like a whirlwind, hot air from the turbine, is the grooming table for dogs and cats subject of the patent application NOM 091 A 000147 filed on 03 10 1991 and the PCT: IT 92 / 00120 of 01/10/92 with France mentioned In the lid 5 of the can 4 is connected the suction pipe 11, on the opposite end of which is placed a sleeve 10. By rotating the turbine 1, it sucks l air through the sleeve 10; this air enters the can 4 by the filter 6, out of the can by the pipe 7, enters the turbine 1, is centrifuged and expelled through the tube 8 and

the tip 9.

  The turbine 1, the can 4 and all that may be useful contained in a suitable structure, are arranged in an enclosure 12 provided with appropriate openings, closed by doors, to facilitate the introduction and extraction of said components ( in particular of the can 4 for the cleaning and maintenance operations The air circuit is more clearly represented in the diagrams of FIGS 3 and 4 on which are also represented: on the two pipes 7, 8, deflectors 13 , 14 (or three-way valves) whose function is to exclude a part of the circuit For example, in Figure 4, the baffle 13 is placed so that the turbine sucks directly into the atmosphere (so have been excluded: the sleeve 10 and the can 4), this in order to increase the flow and the pressure of the air at the exit of the whirlwind 9; a rapid assembly and disassembly socket having two functions: 1) to interchange rapidly different types of sleeves, brushes and other accessories on the suction; 2) rotate the various accessories 10 used on the tube 1 (sleeves, brushes, etc.); an optional air heater comprising an envelope in which electrical resistances are incorporated, which is traversed by the air coming from the

turbine 1.

  This can be useful if the air temperature

  from the turbine 1 is not hot enough.

  The device of the present invention also comprises a hydraulic circuit whose components are shown in the diagram of Figure 2, namely: a connector 17 for connection to a water distribution network; a purge valve 18 (or a three-way valve) for evacuating the pressure and the liquid after the end of the work; a mixer for mixing additives with water, consisting of a mixer 19 of known type on which can be mounted alternately the containers 20 containing the product to be mixed with water; an optional pump 21 This is only necessary if the flow rate and / or the pressure of the liquid discharged must be guaranteed;

pistol 22 with manual control.

  The water discharge gun 22 and the air suction sleeve are interconnected and dimensioned so as to allow the following operations: by applying the sleeve to the skin of the animal to be washed and by moving it on the animal in the direction indicated by the arrow F1 in FIG. 1, the liquid thrown by the pistol 22 cleans the skin and the fur by removing the dirt, all of which is immediately sucked through the

  sleeve 10 to pour into the can 4.

  The band, after the passage of the sleeve, is clean and sufficiently dry By operating thus on all the animal,

  it becomes perfectly clean.

  With this apparatus, it is possible to wash animals even in a closed room and even in winter, since the projected water is immediately sucked, which is why no negative reaction is exerted on the animal and the soil. nor the staff who use it

are wet.

  Known devices for washing floors and carpets are also equipped with a nozzle type 22, a sleeve 10 and a turbine They are different from the device, object of the invention, in that the known devices: have a gun 22, a sleeve 10 and a similar turbine, a tank containing the water to be used (with possible addition of an additive) contained in the enclosure, the autonomy therefore depending on the volume of the tank; a pump 21, does not have: the direct connection to the hydraulic network 17 which ensures an unlimited autonomy, the purge valve 18, the mixer which allows to quickly change the type of product 20 to be mixed with water, the setting to rapid rotary assembly and disassembly 15 which not only allows to quickly and easily replace the used accessory, but also to easily access the contact with any part of the animal; all the part 8, 9, 16 concerning the air

  hot; three-way valves 13.

  The mixer 19 may be of any known type; FIG. 5 schematically represents a mixer operating on the venturi principle, while FIG. 6 schematically represents a metering valve with

electromagnetic control -

  FIG. 7 shows a possible embodiment of a quick-setting socket 15 in which: the handle of the sleeve 10 is engaged inside one of the ends of the body 15 at a groove 25 with a semicircular section made in the handle, three balls 23 hold it to the body 15 since the said balls are housed in radial holes in the body 15; a sleeve 24 being able to slide axially outside the body 15 retains the balls 23 inside the groove 25 by preventing the sleeve from disengaging while allowing 360-degree rotation within the body 15; the sleeve 24 is held in position (as shown in FIG. 7) by the spring 26 and by the elastic ring 27 inserted into a groove on the body 15 By axially displacing the sleeve 24 until the groove 27 coincides with the 23, it is possible to extract and replace the sleeve 10 by another accessory A ring 29 eliminates any air passage The end 32 of the body 15 is screwed (or otherwise connected) to the tube This end 32 may also have other shapes if the quick-setting socket is to be fixed on flat or curved walls (FIGS. 8, 9, 10). If the groove 25 made on the handle of the sleeve is limited by As regards the angle that it forms, the rotational capacity of the sleeve on the body 15 will also be limited If the groove 25 is missing and in its place are only spherical impressions, the sleeve will be interchangeable but can not be rotated. at

not turn.

  Given the size of the animals for which the use of the present invention is intended, it is necessary, for the convenience of use, that the accessories (sleeves, brushes, etc.) are suspended in height by means of a hoist known This application can be realized in different ways; an example is the solution shown in Figure 11 which consists of a bracket 30 which supports the hoist 31 The bracket 30 can be applied to the enclosure 12 rigidly or rotatively. Another solution may be to not provide the gallows 30, but to suspend the hoist directly to the ceiling or on a sliding carriage on a monorail

applied to the ceiling.

  Obviously, the invention is not limited to details made, illustrated and / or described herein, but also includes all variants and equivalent forms made on the basis of the present inventive concept; thus, for example, it is possible to use two turbines, one for sucking and the other for producing and blowing hot air; it is also possible to use a known type of quick-assembly and disassembly plug to replace and rotate the sleeves, brushes, etc.

Claims (15)

  1 Device for washing and drying simultaneously large animals such as horses, cattle and other livestock and zoological gardens, whose function is to wash, disinfect and dry the skin and fur of animals under conditions of maximum hygiene for the operators and in order to maintain the good health and good shape of said animals, characterized by: a hydraulic circuit comprising: a plug 17 for connection to the hydraulic network; a purge valve 18, a mixer 19 for the addition of additives to water; an optional pump 21 and a manually operated water discharge gun 22; an air circuit comprising: a) in the suction part: a series of accessories (suction nozzle, brushes and all other objects useful for the animal to be treated) interchangeable on the suction tube; a quick-mount and disassembly socket for said accessories; a can (4), nmii a filter (6), to collect dirty water and other impurities; an optional three-way valve; a turbine powered by a motor; b) in the part at the outlet of said turbine: a tip 9 of frustoconical shape; a possible air heater; a possible three-way valve; piping and various accessories such as gallows, hoists and all other objects useful for facilitate the use of the device.   2 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said purge valve 18 performs the function of depressurizing the hydraulic installation and to evacuate the liquid.   3 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said mixer 19 may be of known type and, optionally, of the type allowing to connect   alternatively the containers containing the additive.   4 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said pump 21, of known type, performs the function of maintaining constant flow and pressure of the water, in the case where this pump is of the constant flow and pressure type, or to allow the adjustment of the flow rate and / or the pressure if this pump is of the flow type and / or at varying pressures.   5 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said water discharge gun 22, of known type, is manually controlled (and its opening and closing) and that its nozzle is interchangeable. 6 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a turbine 1 actuated by a motor of known type, generates an air flow of sufficient power to allow, in suction, to also suck the liquids.   Device according to claims 1 and 6,   characterized in that said turbine 1 is used a) in suction: to suck, from the skin and the fur of the animal to be treated, the water discharged by said gun; the dirt removed by the water; dead hair and any other material that may have to be removed; to collect in said can 4 all that has just been sucked from the skin and fur of the animal; b) in discharge: to discharge, through said frustoconical tip 9, the hot air from the centrifugation using this tip in the manner of a whirlwind to complete the drying of the fur of   the animal and its most delicate parts.   Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said series of accessories to be used for treating the animal is composed of: a series of suction tips of different sizes and shapes; a series of brushes of different sizes, types and shapes provided with a suction mouthpiece, the tips and brushes being of known type as regards their structure, their dimensions and their use, but being made with handles designed for be inserted into a quick-mount and disassembly socket.   9 Device according to claims 1 and 8,   characterized in that said quick-mount and dismountable plug, which can be made in a known form, is designed to allow the tips and brushes to be quickly changed by allowing them, after insertion, a freedom of movement. 360 degree rotation.   Device according to claims 1 and 8,   characterized in that said quick-mounting and dismounting plug, which can be produced in known forms, is designed to enable rapid interchange of the tips and brushes by allowing them, after insertion, to limited freedom of rotation.   11 Device according to claims 1 and 8,   characterized in that said quick-mounting and dismounting plug, which can be produced in known forms, is designed to enable rapid interchange of the tips and   the brushes without allowing their rotation.   Device according to claims 1, 8, 9, 10,   11, characterized in that the shape, type and size of the rear part of the body of said quick-fitting and disassembling plug depends on the object to which it is to be attached, without excluding internal or external threads, a frustoconical hole on the frustoconical outer part, a flat or semi-circular collar and the like. 13 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said can 4 with a filter 6 is of known type also used on known devices for the carpet washing.   Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said three-way valves or flow deflectors 13, 14 are of known type and perform the function of diverting part of the air circuit in suction and / or discharge. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said frustoconical tip 9 is of known type used on the turrets to concentrate the flow of   the hot air which, in this case, comes from said turbine.   16 Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said air heater is composed of known "sleeves" in line in which are incorporated electrical resistances which have the function of increasing the temperature of the air passing through said sleeves.   Device according to one of the claims   preceding, characterized in that said turbine 1, said can 4, the electrical controls and all that may be considered useful are housed in a suitable enclosure 12, possibly provided with wheels to facilitate its movement, and doors for   allow cleaning and maintenance.   Device according to one of the claims   previous, characterized in that the tubes leaving the enclosure (suction tube, hot air discharge tube and water tube), provided at their ends with sleeves, tips and pistols, are kept suspended on commercial hoists 31 fixed on 13 2695538   brackets 30 applied in known forms to said enclosure.   19 Device according to each of the claims   preceding, characterized in that said turbine 1 can be replaced by two turbines, one of which is used to   suction and the other blowing hot air.   Device according to one of the claims   characterized in that by connecting the hydraulic circuit to a hot / cold water mixer, it is   possible to pour lukewarm water on the animal, that is,   say water at the desired temperature.