GB2581986A

GB2581986A - Animal footbath apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2581986A
Application number: GB1902996.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marsh Anthony
Original assignee: Hoofcount Ltd
Current assignee: Hoofcount Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-06
Filing date: 2019-03-06
Publication date: 2020-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-06
Also published as: GB2581986B; GB201902996D0

Abstract

A footbath 100 for treating the hooves of animals and method of cleaning said footbath. The footbath comprises a spray device, preferably in the form of a spray bar 12, for dispensing a fluid into the footbath. The spray device is configured to move between a first pre-determined position and a second pre-determined position to induce a wave-type pattern in the fluid for moving waste material out of the footbath. Preferably fluid is dispensed intermittently.

Description

Animal Footbath Apparatus

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a footbath for animals such as livestock and to a method of cleaning the footbath.

Background to the Invention

For many years it has been necessary and widely accepted that cattle and sheep used commercially for meat and milk production are prone to infections and issues with feet. Therefore, it is common practice to 'footbath' the animal to reduce the risk of infection and to improve foot health. This has been achieved for many years by concrete, plastic or metal footbaths which are adapted to hold a solution of water and disinfectant. As the animal walks through the footbath its hooves are immersed in the disinfectant solution and waste material, e.g. faeces, is washed from the animal's legs. The waste material collects in the footbath and after a pre-determined number of animals have walked through the footbath or after a pre-determined period of time has elapsed, the footbath is subjected to a cleaning operation. The cleaning operation generally involves discharging the soiled solution through a footbath outlet and subsequently spraying the footbath with water to dislodge any residual waste material that may have collected and is stuck to the base of the footbath. The cleaning operation may be carried out manually or it may be part of an automated process. Once the footbath has been cleaned, water and disinfectant is re-introduced into the footbath ready for the next group of animals.

To dislodge the waste material, automated footbaths are conventionally fitted with a spray bar or nozzles through which water is pumped under pressure. The spray bar and nozzles are held in a fixed position. As a consequence, water exiting the spray bar or nozzles is generally directed towards the same area of the footbath meaning it is not always possible to dislodge and remove all of the waste material from the footbath. An improved footbath which results in a more effective cleaning operation is therefore desired.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a footbath for animals, wherein the footbath comprises a spray device for dispensing a fluid into the footbath and an outlet through which waste material can be discharged, wherein the spray device is configured to move between a first pre-determined position and a second pre-determined position to induce a wave-type pattern in the fluid for moving waste material towards the outlet.

The spray device may comprise an elongate tube with a plurality of spaced apart openings through which fluid can be dispensed. For example, the spray device may be a spray bar. In another embodiment the spray device may comprise a manifold and a plurality of nozzles may be mounted thereto and arranged to overlie the openings. The nozzles may be mounted to the manifold at different angles. In other embodiments the spray device may comprise a plurality of nozzles pivotally mounted to a support structure, e.g. a nozzle support frame.

The spray bar and the manifold may be mounted between the side walls of footbath. These spray devices may therefore be configured to axially rotate between the first and second positions. In contrast, the nozzles which are held in nozzle support frames are configured to rotate between the first and second positions about their pivots.

The spray device may be configured to vertically oscillate. By vertically oscillating the spray device, fluid exiting the spray device is caused to target different areas of the footbath which leads to a more effective cleaning operation.

The spray device may be configured to rotate through 90 degrees. In particular, the spray device may be configured to rotate between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal. In some embodiments the spray device may be configured to rotate between 25 and 75 degrees with respect to the horizontal.

The footbath may comprise means for moving of the spray device from the first position to the second position. The spray device may be moved between the first position and the second position by changes in air pressure, water pressure or by a motor configured to periodically change direction. For example, the means for moving the spray device may comprise a pneumatic air cylinder.

The spray device may be configured to dispense fluid intermittently. Intermittently dispensing fluid into the footbath also has the effect of inducing a wave-type pattern in fluid in the footbath which enables residual waste material to be dislodged and moved towards the outlet more effectively.

The spray device may be configured to dispense fluid in the form of a jet.

The footbath may comprise a base, a rear wall, a front wall and side walls arranged between the rear wall and the front wall. The footbath may be generally rectangular in shape. The base may be sloped to facilitate the removal of soiled treatment fluid and waste material from the footbath during a cleaning operation. The footbath may be formed from a metal or metal alloy. In particular, the footbath may be formed from stainless steel although in other embodiments the footbath may be formed from concrete or plastic. The base may be provided with a non-slip mat which helps animals to move quickly and safely through the footbath. The non-slip mat may be made from rubber.

The base, walls or mat may be provided with one or more sensors for sensing a condition of the treatment fluid in the footbath, e.g., temperature and/or the concentration of liquid disinfectant. One or more sensors may be configured to determine the weight or another condition of the animal as it walks through the footbath. A sensor may be located above the footbath for counting the number of animals that walk through the footbath In particular a photoelectric sensor such as a photocell eye may be used to count the number of animals passing through the footbath The footbath may comprise guides which may be upstanding from or attached to the side walls of the footbath. The guides may be permanently fixed to the footbath or detachably connectable to the footbath. The guides may be formed from a metal or metal alloy such as stainless steel.

In some embodiments the spray device may be arranged along the rear wall of the footbath. In other embodiments the spray device may be arranged along one or both side walls.

The front wall may be configured to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration when soiled treatment fluid and waste material are to be discharged from the footbath. The front wall may be pivotally connected to the side walls of the footbath. A pneumatic air cylinder may be used to move the front wall between its closed configuration to its open configuration and vice-versa. The opening and closing of the front wall may be automated. In an alternative embodiment, an outlet may be formed in the front wall of the footbath. For example, the outlet may be in the form of an aperture formed in the front wall which, when opened, allows soiled treatment fluid and/or waste material to be discharged from the footbath.

The footbath may be connected to a source of water and/or to a container for storing disinfectant chemicals. The disinfectant chemicals may be solid or in liquid form. If the disinfectant chemicals are in solid form it is preferred to mix the solid disinfectant chemicals with water in a separate mixing container. In some embodiments the footbath may be connected to a source of water and to two or more containers for storing disinfectant chemicals.

The footbath may comprise a pump for pumping water from the water source to the footbath through a conduit adapted for carrying water under pressure. The footbath may also comprise at least one further pump for pumping liquid disinfectant to the footbath from the mixing container or from the container adapted to hold liquid disinfectant. In particular, liquid disinfectant may be pumped into the conduit that is 1 5 adapted for carrying water to the footbath under pressure. The pump for pumping the liquid disinfectant from the container or the mixing container may be a peristaltic pump.

The pumping of water and/or liquid disinfectant to the footbath may be part of an automated process The footbath may comprise a control unit configured to implement a cleaning protocol for cleaning the footbath. The cleaning protocol may comprise a discharge phase in which soiled treatment fluid in the footbath is discharged from the container and a cleaning phase for discharging residual waste material from the footbath. The cleaning protocol may include an additional replenishment phase in which the water and/or liquid disinfectant are re-introduced into the footbath.

The footbath is particularly suitable for treating the hooves of livestock. These include animals which are used commercially for milk production such as cows, goats and sheep and animals that are reared for meat such as cattle and horses.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cleaning a footbath according to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of: i. discharging soiled treatment fluid from the footbath; ii. supplying a spray device with a fluid for cleaning the footbath, and moving the spray device between a first pre-determined position and a second pre-determined position for inducing a wave-type pattern in the fluid for moving waste material out of the footbath.

The method according to the second aspect of the invention makes use of the footbath according to the first aspect of the invention and may therefore, as appropriate, incorporate any or all features discussed above in relation to the footbath of the first aspect of the invention.

The method may comprise the step of axially rotating the spray device between the first and second positions, e.g., when the spray devices comprises a spray bar or a manifold. When the spray device comprises a plurality of nozzles pivotally mounted in support frames, then the method may comprise the step of rotating the nozzles about their pivots The method may comprise the step of dispensing fluid from the spray device intermittently.

The method may comprise the step of supplying water and/or disinfectant chemicals to the footbath. The pumping of water and/or disinfectant chemicals into the footbath may be part of an automated process.

It will be appreciated that the operation of the spray device can be controlled automatically, e.g. to control the frequency of the oscillations and the extent of any rotation of the spray device so as to control the angle at which fluid is dispensed from the spray device.

The method of cleaning the footbath may be controlled automatically. Detailed Description of the Invention In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a footbath Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a footbath comprising a fixed spray bar

as known from the prior art.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a footbath comprising a moveable spray bar in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the spray and a device for moving the spray bar.

Figure 5 shows a schematic of a system for pumping fluid into the footbath Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a footbath 100 according to the present invention. The footbath 100 comprises a base 1, a rear wall 2, a front wall 3 and side walls 4, 5 arranged between the front wall 3 and the rear wall 2. The footbath 100 is formed from stainless steel and is generally rectangular in shape. The length of the footbath 100 in this embodiment is 3.6 metres. Detachable stainless steel sheets (not shown) can be detachably fixed to the side walls 4, 5 to help guide the animals along the footbath 100. The base 1 of the footbath is provided with a rubber mat (not shown) which helps the animals move quickly and safely through the footbath 100.

The footbath 100 is adapted to hold a volume of treatment fluid for treating the hooves of animals that walk through the footbath 100. The treatment fluid comprises water and at least one liquid disinfectant The footbath is connected to a source of water and at least one container for storing a liquid disinfectant for treating the hooves of animals as they walk through the footbath 100. In this embodiment the footbath is connected to a first container 6 for storing a first liquid disinfectant and a second container 7 for storing a second liquid disinfectant.

The first container 6 is connected to a first conduit 8 which leads into a channel 9 configured to carry the first liquid disinfectant to the footbath 100. The first conduit 8 has a valve for controlling the flow of the first liquid disinfectant out of the first container 6. Similarly, the second container 7 is connected to a second conduit 10 which leads to the channel 9 configured to deliver the second liquid disinfectant to the footbath. The second conduit 10 also has a valve for controlling the flow of the second liquid disinfectant out of the second container 7. In this embodiment the first and second conduits 8, 10 lead into the same channel 9 although it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the first and second liquid disinfectants can be carried to the footbath through separate channels. Water is carried to the footbath through a third conduit 11 which is connected and extends between the source of water and the footbath 100. Water and the disinfectants enter the footbath through an inlet formed in one of the sidewalls, typically towards the rear of the footbath 100.

In this embodiment a first pump P1 is provided for pumping water from the water source into the footbath 100 and/or into a spray bar 12 and a second pump P2 is provided for pumping the first and/or second liquid disinfectants from their respective containers 6, 7 into the footbath 100.

The spray bar 12 extends laterally along the inner rear wall 1 of the footbath 100 The spray bar 12 itself is in the form of an elongate hollow tube 13. The elongate hollow tube 13 has openings 14 spaced along its length which are generally oriented to target different areas of the base. The openings 14 are configured so that water is dispensed in the form of a high pressure jet 15. In accordance with the present invention the spray bar 12 is configured to oscillate in use so that the angle at which water is dispensed during a cleaning operation is varied. In particular, the spray bar 12 is pivotally mounted between the side walls 4, 5 and is connected to an actuator 16 for inducing rotational movement of the spray bar 12. The actuator 16 in this embodiment is a pneumatic air cylinder. The pneumatic air cylinder comprises a chamber, a piston disc or cylinder housed within the chamber and a moveable rod 17. The rod 17 is connected to the piston disc or cylinder and to a connection detail 18 depending from the spray bar 12. The connection detail 18 is located at one of the ends of the elongate hollow tube. As compressed air enters and exits the chamber, the piston disc or cylinder and the rod 18 are caused to move back and forth which in turn results in partial rotation of the spray bar 12 about its axis. This is best shown in Figure 4.

The front wall 3 is pivotally connected to the side walls of the footbath meaning that the full width of the front wall 3 is moveable from a closed configuration to an open configuration. When actuated, e.g. by a pneumatic air cylinder (not shown), the front wall 3 is moved into a raised position so that soiled treatment fluid and waste material can be discharged from the footbath 100. Movement of the front wall 3 can be by manual operation or as part of an automated process.

Data sensing means 19 are attached to the base or to one of the side walls in order to sense one or more conditions of the treatment fluid, e.g. temperature. Data sensing means 20 may also be attached to the rear wall, the front wall or to one of the side walls for counting the number of animals that pass through the footbath. However, in this embodiment, a photoelectric sensor (not shown) located above the footbath 100 is used to count the number of animals passing through the footbath 100.

The footbath 100 also comprises a control unit (not shown) that is configured to receive the data generated by the data sensing means 19, 20 and to output that data to a remote management system (not shown) where that data can be stored and/or processed.

When a pre-determined number of animals have walked through the footbath or when a pre-determined period of time has elapsed (as determined by the remote management system), the remote management system is configured to generate a visual or audible alert to indicate to the operative that animals should be prevented from entering the footbath 100. The remote management system is configured to then output a signal to the control unit to implement a cleaning protocol. The cleaning protocol includes a discharge phase in which soiled treatment fluid is discharged from the footbath 100, a cleaning phase in which residual waste material is discharged from the footbath 100 ii and a replenishment phase in which the footbath is re-filled with treatment fluid (water and disinfectant).

In operation, animals such as cattle enter the footbath 100 by stepping over the rear wall 2. They walk along the base 1 and exit the footbath by stepping over the front wall 3. However, in other embodiments the animals can enter the footbath by stepping over the front wall 3 and exit the footbath by stepping over the rear wall 2. As the animals walk along the base 1 their hooves are immersed in the treatment fluid and any waste material such as faeces and detritus is washed from in and around their hooves.

Soiled treatment fluid and waste material that has collected in the footbath 100 needs to be removed to ensure an effective disinfectant treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to discharge and clean the footbath 100 periodically. For example, the footbath 100 may be subjected to a cleaning operation after a pre-determined number of animals have walked through the footbath 100 or after a pre-determined period of time has elapsed.

To discharge soiled treatment fluid and waste material from the footbath 100 in a discharge phase, the control unit outputs a signal to a second actuator (not shown). The second actuator is a pneumatic air cylinder which moves the front wall 3 into a raised position to create an opening through which the soiled treatment fluid and waste material can be discharged. The next step is to dislodge and remove any residual waste material from the base 1 using the spray bar 12, i.e. as part of a cleaning phase. With the front wall 3 still in its open configuration the control unit outputs a signal to the first pump P1. Water is then pumped from the water source into the spray bar 12 at a predetermined pressure which ensures that water exiting the spray bar 12 is in the form of a jet 15 that is capable of dislodging the waste material from the base I. To ensure a more effective cleaning operation the spray bar 12 is caused to oscillate. As water is being pumped into the spray bar 12, the control unit outputs a signal to the pneumatic air cylinder 16. Once activated, the pneumatic air cylinder 16 causes the spray bar 12 to rotate from a first pre-determined position to a second pre-determined position. As air is forced out of the first pneumatic air cylinder the spray bar 12 returns from the second-pre-determined position to the first pre-determined position and the cycle is repeated. In this embodiment, the spray bar 12 is caused to rotate between 0 and 90 degrees. Rotation of the spray bar 12 between the first and second positions creates a wave-type pattern in the fluid in the footbath 100 which helps to dislodge residual waste material from the base. Moreover, rotation of the spray bar 12 means that a greater proportion of the base 1 is sprayed by the water jets 15 which again contributes to dislodging greater quantities of residual waste material from the footbath 100. After a pre-determined period of time has elapsed or once the operative is satisfied that the footbath 100 is sufficiently clean, the control unit outputs a signal to deactivate the first pump P1 so that water is no longer pumped into the footbath 100. Subsequently, the control unit outputs a further signal to deactivate the second actuator, This causes the front wall 3 to return to its closed configuration so that the footbath 100 is again capable of holding treatment fluid To refill the footbath 100 with treatment fluid, the control unit outputs a signal to activate the first pump P1 so that water is pumped from the water source into the footbath 100 via the third conduit 11. At the same time, or shortly thereafter the control unit outputs a signal to activate the second pump P2 and to open the valve associated with the first container 6 so that the first liquid disinfectant is pumped through the channel 9 into the footbath together with the water. Water and the liquid disinfectant are pumped into the footbath to a pre-determined level which ensures that the animal's hooves are immersed in the treatment fluid as they walk through the footbath. Once the desired treatment fluid level has been obtained, the control unit outputs signals to deactivate the first pump PI, the second pump P2 and to close the valve associated with the first container 6. The control unit then outputs a signal to the remote management system which confirms that the cleaning protocol is complete. The remote management station then generates a visual or audible alert to indicate to the operative that the next group of animals can walk through the footbath 100 to be treated.

In another embodiment of the invention a plurality of nozzles are spaced along the rear wall of the footbath in place of the spray bar. Each nozzle is pivotally mounted to a support frame to enable vertical movement of the nozzle in use Each support structure is fixed to the rear wall using suitable fastening means. A nozzle connection detail depends from the base or a lower region of the nozzle. The nozzle connection detail is attached to the rod of the pneumatic air cylinder so that the nozzle is caused to rotate in response to air entering and exiting the pneumatic air cylinder, i.e. during the cleaning phase. In this embodiment each nozzle is associated with its own pipe and each pipe is connected to the source of water. In operation, once the discharge phase is complete, the control unit outputs a signal to the first pump so that water is pumped through the respective pipes and into the nozzles under pressure. The control unit then outputs a further signal to activate the pneumatic air cylinder. This causes the nozzles to rotate about their pivots between a first pre-determined position and a second predetermined position, having the effect that the angle at which jets of water exit the nozzles is varied throughout the cleaning phase. As with the oscillating spray bar, oscillation of the nozzles creates a regular pattern of waves in the fluid in the footbath which helps to dislodge and chase residual waste material out of the footbath.

In another embodiment of the invention the nozzles are connected to and spaced along a manifold. This manifold is pivotally mounted to the side walls of the footbath.

The manifold has an inlet for receiving water from the water source once it has entered the footbath via the footbath inlet. The manifold comprises a manifold connection detail adapted for connection to the rod of a pneumatic air cylinder. In operation, the control unit outputs a signal to the first pump so that water is pumped under pressure into the manifold. A further signal is then outputted from control unit to activate the pneumatic air cylinder. This causes the manifold to axially rotate between a first pre-determined position and a second pre-determined position, which results in a regular wave-type pattern being generated in the fluid in the footbath.

In each of the above described embodiments the spray device (spray bar, nozzles, manifold/nozzle arrangement) are configured to dispense water in the form of jets intermittently. In operation, the control unit outputs activation and deactivation signals to the first pump at pre-determined intervals so that water is pumped into the spray device on an intermittent basis only. It has been found that pumping water on an intermittent basis also generates a wave-type pattern in the fluid in the footbath which helps to dislodge and discharge residual waste material from the footbath. However, since water is only pumped on an intermittent basis, the volume of water required to clean the footbath is reduced relative to footbaths in which water is pumped constantly from the spray device. This in turn reduces operational and maintenance costs.

In another embodiment, and as best shown in Figure 5, water enters a water container 30 which is configured to receive a constant supply of water under pressure (4 bar). The water container 30 comprises a first solenoid valve 31 and a second solenoid valve 32. The first solenoid valve 31 is connected to a first channel 33 which extends between the first solenoid valve 31 and the footbath 100. In particular, the first channel 33 extends between the water container 30 and the spray bar 12. The second solenoid valve 32 is connected to a second channel 34 which extends between the second solenoid valve 32 and the footbath 100. Two containers 35,36 for storing liquid disinfectant are attached to an outer surface of the water container 30, preferably to a side wall. The containers 35, 36 for storing liquid disinfectant are connected to the second channel 34 through respective conduits 37, 38 which are adapted to carry liquid disinfectant to the second channel 34. Peristaltic pumps are provided for pumping the liquid disinfectant to the second channel 34. In operation, the control unit outputs a signal to activate the second actuator in order to move the front wall 3 into its raised position. This allows soiled treatment fluid to be discharged from the footbath 100. To initiate the cleaning phase, the control unit outputs a signal to open the first solenoid valve 31 which allows water to flow into the footbath 100 under pressure through the first channel 33 and spray bar 12. After a pre-determined period of time has elapsed, and as part of the replenishment phase or 'fill cycle', the control unit outputs a signal to open the second solenoid valve 32 so that water is being pumped into the footbath 100 through the first and second channels 33, 34. The control unit then outputs a signal to move the front wall 3 back to its closed configuration so that the footbath 100 can be re-filled with water and disinfectant. The control unit then outputs a further signal to close the first solenoid valve 31 which prevents water from being pumped into the footbath through the spray bar 12 As water continues to enter the footbath 100 via the second channel 34, the control unit outputs a signal to actuate one of the peristaltic pumps so that liquid disinfectant is pumped into the second channel 34 where it is carried to the footbath 100 with the water under pressure.

The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible.

Claims

I. A footbath for treating the hooves of animals, wherein the footbath comprises a spray device for dispensing a fluid into the footbath, the spray device being configured to move between a first pre-determined position and a second pre-determined position to induce a wave-type pattern in the fluid for moving waste material out of the footbath 2 A footbath according to any preceding claim, wherein the spray device comprises an elongate tube with a plurality of spaced apart openings through which fluid can be dispensed.
3. A footbath according to claim 2, wherein the spray device is a spray bar.
4 A footbath according to claim 2, wherein the spray device comprises a manifold and a plurality of nozzles mounted thereto and arranged to overlie the openings.
S. A footbath according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the spray device is configured to axially rotate between the first position and the second position.
6. A footbath according to claim 1, wherein the spray device comprises a plurality of nozzles.
7. A footbath according to claim 6, wherein the nozzles are pivotally mounted to a support structure.
8. A footbath according to claim 7, wherein the nozzles are configured to move vertically.
9 A footbath according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the spray device is operable to move between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal
10. A footbath according to any preceding claim, wherein the footbath comprises means for moving the spray device from the first position to the second position.
11. A footbath according to claim 10, wherein the means for moving the spray device comprises a pneumatic air cylinder.
12. A footbath according to any preceding claim, wherein the spray device is configured to dispense fluid intermittently.
13. A footbath according to any preceding claim, wherein the spray device is configured to dispense fluid in the form of a jet.
14. A footbath according to any preceding claim comprising a base, a rear wall, a front wall and side walls arranged between the rear wall and the front wall.
15. A footbath according to claim 14, wherein the spray device is arranged along the rear wall of the footbath.
16. A footbath according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the front wall is configured to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration.
17. A footbath according to any preceding claim, wherein the footbath is connected to a source of water and/or to a container for storing disinfectant chemicals.
18. A footbath according to any preceding claim comprising a control unit configured to implement a cleaning protocol.
19. A footbath according to claim 18, wherein the control unit is configured to control movement of the spray device between the first and second positions.
20. A method of cleaning a footbath according to any preceding claim comprising the steps of: -discharging soiled treatment fluid from the footbath; -supplying a spray device with a fluid for cleaning the footbath, and moving the spray device between a first pre-determined position and a second pre-determined position for inducing a wave-type pattern in the fluid for moving waste material towards out of the footbath.
21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the method comprises the step of axially rotating the spray device between the first and second positions.
22. A method according to claim 20, wherein the method comprises the step of moving the spray device vertically.
23. A method according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the method comprises the step of dispensing fluid from the spray device intermittently.
24. A method according to any of claims 20 to 23, wherein operation of the spray device is controlled automatically.
25. A method according to claim 20, wherein the method of cleaning the footbath is controlled automatically.