US20060107904A1

US20060107904A1 - Bovine germicide application device

Info

Publication number: US20060107904A1
Application number: US11/328,818
Authority: US
Inventors: Dennis Hakes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-04
Filing date: 2006-01-09
Publication date: 2006-05-25
Also published as: US20060102095A1; GB2422546A; GB2422546B; US7387086B2; WO2005046316A3; US7165510B2; NZ546864A; US20050095274A1; GB0609340D0; CA2543743A1; CA2543743C; WO2005046316A2

Abstract

A method and device for applying germicide solutions to a cattle teat or other item in a way that reduces the amount of waste that typically accompanies this process. The present invention is a device that provides that a cow's teat may be sterilized by lifting the invention into a desired position upon the teat of a cow, inserting the teat through the wiping device into a teat into an application chamber which is covered by a wiping device having a plurality of flexible fibers.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims the priority date from and is a continuation-in-part of a previously filed and currently co-pending utility application entitled BOVINE GERMICIDE APPLICATION DEVICE filed by Dennis Lee Hakes on Aug. 6, 2004 with application Ser. No. 10/913,265, which claims priority from a previously filed provisional application entitled TEAT DIPPER filed by Dennis Lee Hakes on Nov. 4, 2003 with application Ser. No. 60/517,299. This application also claims priority from a provisional patent application entitled Bovine Germicide Application Device, filed by the same inventor on Dec. 12, 2005. The contents of both of these applications are herein incorporated by reference.

DESCRIPTION

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to veterinary and animal care equipment and more particularly to devices that are utilized to support and maintain proper care of udders and teats in lactating animals.
2. Background Information
For the health and safety of milk producing animals as well as those persons and animals that consume the milk products derived from these animals, the udders and teats of milk producing animals must be kept clean and healthy. This is particularly true in the bovine dairying industry where complications such as mastitis, swollen or cracked teats, and dirty and unclean teats can cause bacterial contamination of entire vats of milk. This contamination can render hundreds or even thousands of gallons of milk useless and can have severe economic effect on the dairyman who depends upon the sale of acceptable uncontaminated milk as a source of income. The economic impacts of contaminated or unacceptable milk can be devastating.
In order to prevent mastitis and other complications, and to maintain a healthy milk supply, the care, cleaning and hygiene of the teats and udders of the animals being milked is of particular importance. In order to prevent the onset of mastitis, a variety of procedures are utilized to stimulate, clean and disinfect the teats of the animal. Most mastitis infections are related to conditions that expose the teat end to bacteria and to situations that make it easier for these bacteria to penetrate the teat canal. These bacteria then travel into the mammary gland where the infection causes an inflammatory response that can cause destruction of milk secreting cells as well as contaminating any of the milk that comes from these infected cows.
While various precautions have been taken to prevent the cow from developing mastitis, such as pre-washing, stripping and sanitizing of the milking equipment, the most effective ways of preventing the onset of mastitis involves the use of a so called teat-dip to apply a germicide to the teat both prior to and after milking. The application of teat dip prior to milking typically requires that a teat be dipped into a cup having a germicidal solution. The teat is then coated and after about 30 seconds the germicide is dried off of the teat with a paper or cloth towel. This germicide destroys those microorganisms that contaminate the teat skin between milkings. After milking has been completed, the teats are again dipped into these cups and coated with a germicide. This germicide prevents the growth and proliferation of organisms that can cause mastitis.
The application of teat dip to the teat is of utmost importance. It is crucial that the entire teat be completely covered and that a residue is left on the teat so that the anti-microbial action is still present when the cow lies down in a free stall or any other place where sanitary conditions are less than ideal. Barrier teat dips generally contain germicides, skin conditioners and protective film so that the teat end is sealed from mastitis-causing bacteria. These barrier teat dips do inhibit bacterial multiplication on the teat skin under the film.
One of the known methods and devices for applying teat dip is to utilize a dip cup or a sprayer to coat the teat. The teat is typically dipped into the cup or sprayed so as to apply the germicide. This presents several problems. First, obtaining the proper coverage over the teat is not always accomplished, as the location of the germicide upon the teat is dependent upon the skill of the person applying the solution to the teat. Thus, locations or areas of the teat may not be covered and may be left exposed. These uncovered areas provide locations wherein bacteria can congregate and proliferate. When this occurs, the effectiveness of the teat dip as a whole has been compromised.
Both the dip and the spray method that exist in the prior art cause substantial amounts of waste to take place. This waste occurs, as excess material does not adhere to the teat, falls off of the teat and on to the floor where it is subsequently washed away. This germicide is a highly corrosive material that can then cause various economic and environmental damage to the areas in which it contacts. This problem is exacerbated by the spreading of the wasted solution, which is then washed into ponds of manure pits, and then spread upon the ground. These germicides are hazardous to clean water and the raising of crops on the earth.
The economic impact of this waste is also great. The dairy industry has become extremely economically conservative because of low prices received for their product. Therefore, the ability to reduce waste is of great value. A gallon of post dip for example, varies in price from between $5 and $15 dollars per gallon. A typical 1,000 head-milking herd may require an average of about 350 gallons per month. Thus, the cost of utilizing this dip may be between about $1,750 and $5,250 per month. The ability to reduce this cost would greatly benefit a user and could provide, in some instances, the difference between a farm surviving or failing.
Accordingly, what it needed is a way to apply germicidal solutions to animal teats, which results in less runoff, less waste and increased economic savings to the user. What is also needed is a way to reduce the amount of germicidal solution that is consumed by a dairy operation without compromising the benefits of dipping or treating teats with a germicidal solution. What is also needed is a device that would assist a user in performing this teat dipping procedure in a way that would reduce the amount of wasted solution while providing adequate coverage over the teat itself. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and device for providing improved efficacy in the application of a germicidal teat dip to animals and which significantly reduces the quantity of material that is consumed and wasted in such a process. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for dipping cattle teats that produces less waste, and obtains better coverage of the teat than those methods that exist in the prior art. It is a further object of the invention to provide a device that allows a user to apply a germicidal solution to a teat that ensures proper and adequate coverage over this teat and that captures excess material so as to prevent the waste of this excess material.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for applying germicide solutions to a cattle teat or other item in a way that reduces the amount of waste that typically accompanies this process. The present device further includes a method for sanitizing a teat of an animal for milking.
The key feature of the present invention is a multi-layered wiping device that contains pluralities of soft pliable fibers that are arranged and interconnected in groups and layers and that circumvolve an opening in a sanitizing chamber wherein a teat is placed. This dense yet flexible arrangement of these fibers allows for the fibers to be supported even when wet. In the preferred embodiment, these fibers are wetted by a germicide delivery system and act to paint and coat germicide over the teat when the teat is placed within the sanitizing chamber.
This wiping device is positioned at the open end of a sanitizer application chamber which is connected to a germicide application delivery system. In the previous co-pending application this germicide application delivery system was a reservoir with squeezable sides which allowed the germicide or sanitizing solution which was stored in this reservoir to be pushed up into the sanitizer application chamber, through a delivery tube. In the preferred embodiment of this invention the movement of sanitizing material into the sanitizer application chamber occurred in such a way so as to cause the wiping portions of the device to be moistened and wetted with the sanitizer application solution. As the teat is then withdrawn through this wetted wiping device, the layers of pluralities of fibers individually move and bend so as to allow that a significantly greater surface area of the teat is contacted. This contact causes the wiping device to paint the germicide application to be placed all over the teat. This device ensures that all of the desired portions of the teat are completely covered with an appropriate quantity of teat dip and that any excess teat dip is recollected in the sanitizer application chamber, or dip cup.
In this next inventive embodiment of the invention, a wiping device also covers a sanitizing chamber. However in this embodiment of the invention the method and apparatus for the delivery of sanitizing liquid to the sanitizing chamber is different. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sanitizer application chamber is defined by a cup that has an open first end which is configured to hold a wiping device comprised of pluralities of layers of soft fibers. This cup tapers from the open first end, toward a more closed second end. In this second end, a second opening exists. This second opening is configured for connection with a conduit which connects the second end of the sanitizing chamber with a delivery gun.
This delivery gun comprised of a body having a first end and extending along a length to a second end. A handle with a trigger is positioned between the first and second ends of the body. The first end of the body is connected to the conduit and extends toward the second end of the device. The first end of the body contains a measuring chamber, which is adapted to hold a designated portion of a sanitizing liquid therein. This measuring chamber is operatively connected to a plunger, which assists to control the flow of sanitizer into the measuring chamber. Preferably, this measuring chamber is adjustable so as to variously coordinate the amount of material that is allowed to flow through the device. The position of the plunger within the measuring chamber is controlled through a trigger, which is preferably located within the handle. This trigger is configured to operate in such a way so as to control the flow of compressed air into the measuring chamber which then forces the sanitizing liquid that is located within the measuring chamber to be forced and blown onto the teat which is positioned within the sanitizing chamber. Sanitizing fluid and compressed air are operatively connected to this gun through the second end of the body of the gun.
The generally upward blast of sanitizing liquid material, up from the lower end of the sanitizing chamber, is prevented from exiting the sanitizing chamber by the wiping device and by the teat which has been pushed through the wiping device. In some embodiments of the invention the generally circular shaped hole which is shown in the attached drawings of the preferred embodiment of the invention are not present, and the wiping device with its layers of pluralities of soft flexible fibers covers the entire first open end of the sanitizing chamber. This upward action of the sanitizing material against the wiping device serves to wet or moisten this wiping device which can then be utilized to paint the sterilizing material over the teat which is placed within the device.
This device provides a substantial benefit because it specifically measures the amount of material that is used on each teat that is treated and coated and by so doing, reduces the amount of excess material that is dispensed and typically wasted. Furthermore, the configuration of the wiping device ensures complete appropriate coverage over all of the surfaces of the teat, and further ensures that germicidal solution is not wasted. In addition, by spraying the material with pressurized air, less material is used than when utilizing a dip cup embodiment. Furthermore, materials with higher viscosities can be used in the present invention because the pressurized delivery system allows these thicker materials to be delivered. This thicker material clings better to the teat described in the present invention.
The present invention provides significant cost savings to a user. For example, the applicator of the present invention would reduce the amount of post dip from about 350 gallons per month to about 90 gallons per month. This would result in a cost savings of between $1,300 and $3,900 per month depending upon the type of dip that is used. The present invention also increases the coverage of the teat as compared to other devices.
The purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the wiping device used in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective assembly view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the germicide dispensing device portion of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the germicide application chamber portion of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
The present invention is a method and device for applying germicidal solutions such as those commonly referred to as “teat dip” to the teats of animals that are to be milked. While this is primarily related to cattle, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to be utilized in a variety of other embodiments as well.
The present invention is a device and method of using this device to apply even coats of material to the body of an animal.
FIGS. 1-7 show various views of the present invention of various embodiments. While two preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be variously configured and embodied according to the necessities of the user of the present invention. Referring first to FIG. 1, a perspective assembled view of the device of the preferred first embodiment of the present invention is shown. This device is a germicidal application device 10 made up of a cleansing agent application chamber 12 defined by a body 16 with an open first end 14 and extending to a closed second end 18. A circumvolving inner ring 20 (shown in FIG. 3) is positioned within the cleansing agent application chamber 12 and is configured to allow passage of an animal teat, typically a bovine teat, into the chamber 12 defined within the body 16. A wiping device 28 is positioned near the open first end 14 of the cleaning device and is configured to allow passage of a teat through the apertures 46, 46′ and into the chamber 12.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the application chamber 12 is attached to a reservoir 34. The second end of the chamber 18 has a portion configured for connection with a reservoir bottle 34. This reservoir bottle is, in the preferred embodiment, made of a compressible material whereby when the bottle is squeezed material is forced from the reservoir up through a transport conduit 22 (shown in FIG. 3) and into the chamber 12. For ease of use, a handle 30 is connected to the body 16 of the application chamber attachment.
In use, the device is utilized by providing a pre-selected quantity of a desired type of teat dip into the application chamber 12. The entire assembly 10 is then placed beneath a cow's udder and raised so that the teat enters the application chamber 12 through the apertures 46, 46′ defined within the wiping device 28 and the teat is dipped into the germicidal solution so as to coat the entire teat. Once the teat has been appropriately coated, the assembly 10 is then lowered so as to remove the teat from its position within the unit. As the device 10 is lowered, the flexible fibers or soft bristles 44 of the wiping device 28 contacts the teat and wipes the germicidal solution so that an adequate and appropriate coverage of the teat is obtained and that any undesired excess material is removed from the teat and recollected within the chamber 12.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a detailed view of the wiping device 28 of the preferred embodiment of the device portion of the present invention is shown. The wiping device 28 of the preferred embodiment is preferably a generally circular brush having a plurality of soft flexible bristles or fibers 44, which are connected to a split outer ring 42, in various layers 48. In one embodiment of the invention these soft flexible fibers 44 define an aperture 46, which is configured to have a diameter that is slightly smaller than the average diameter of a cattle teat. While this particular embodiment is shown in this configuration, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but that in other embodiments the size of such an aperture may be significantly varied or even non-existent depending upon the exact desire of the user.
The wiping device 28 is configured to be positioned and held upon a generally circumvolving ring 20 (shown in FIG. 3) by a clip. The split outer ring 42 allows for increased flexibility of the bristles 44 and provides greater wiping capacity to these bristles 44. While the generally circular brush with the split ring and the layers of bristles is shown in the preferred embodiment, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied according to the needs and necessities of the user, therefore the description of the preferred embodiment is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied according to the necessities of the user. Specifically, some embodiment configurations of the wiping device 28 include configurations where twenty percent of the fibers 44 on the brush extend all of the way into the center of the brush.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded view of the present invention is shown. FIG. 3 shows that the transport conduit 22, which brings solution from the reservoir container 34, is positioned to terminate within a circumvolving ring 20 wherein the wiping device 28 is connected. Thus, the transport conduit 22, which has a first end positioned within the reservoir bottle 34 and a second end 26, terminates at or near the circumvolving ring 20. This configuration allows the wiping device to be wetted with the new solution as it is transported from the reservoir container 34 and is moved into the cleaning chamber 12. While this configuration is shown in the preferred embodiment, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to include all of the designated features of the present invention.
The wiping device 28, which in the preferred embodiment is a generally circular brush having soft flexible fibers 44 which define a round aperture, that is positioned above the circumvolving ring and assists to wipe a teat as it enters and exits the cleansing attachment 12. In the preferred embodiment, a second wiping device 28′ is positioned beneath the circumvolving ring 20 thus providing two wiping devices. In the preferred embodiment, various layers 48 of the brush provide this wiping assistance.
The reservoir container 34 is made up of a compressible material so that it can be manually squeezed so as to force liquid to travel up the transport conduit through the open first end of the conduit and wet the wiping devices 28, 28′. Thus, as a germicidal liquid is removed from the cleansing chamber 12, it is replaced by liquid from the reservoir container that is pushed into the cleansing chamber 12 through the transport conduit 22. In one preferred embodiment, the cleansing chamber 12 together with the wiping device is an attachment that is configured to attach to the top 36 of the reservoir container. However, it is to be understood that the invention may also be variously embodied to include various features, and that it may be alternatively embodied to attach to other types of devices as well, including embodiments wherein the transport conduit provides delivery of germicidal solution from a storage tank positioned in a distant location.
In use, the present invention is utilized by the following process. First, a desired amount of germicidal liquid is placed within the cleansing chamber 12. In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by squeezing the reservoir container 34 until the desired amount of liquid has been pushed through the conduit 22 and into the chamber 12. Once this has been accomplished, the device 10 is raised so that the teat passes through the wiping device 28, and into the cleansing attachment 12. This device 10 is continually raised until the teat has been sufficiently coated with germicidal solution so as to provide the positioning of liquid in the desired positions. Once this desired level has been arrived at, the device 10 is removed from its position upon the teat. As the device is lowered, the wiping device 28 contacts the teat and wipes the excess material from the teat and recollects this solution within the chamber 12. In the event that additional material needs to be added to the cleaning chamber, this can be added by simply compressing the bottle and forcing the liquid into the cleaning chamber.
The method and device of the present invention significantly reduces the amount of material that is wasted by dripping or otherwise falling off of the teat and provides significant cost savings to a user. This device, while simple, provides substantial monetary and environmental savings. For example, a 1,000-cow dairy farm milking their cows three times a day uses approximately 400 gallons of germicide a month. At a cost of six dollars per gallon this results in a cost of about $2,400 per month. This new device enables such a location to eliminate seventy-five percent of the usage or 300 gallons per month for a total savings of $1,800 per month. In addition to these monetary savings, the present device also reduces the amount of germicide that is spread out on the ground or washed in dairy waste. The reservoir bottles 34 themselves can be filled in conventional manners from dispensing mechanisms that are well known in the art.
In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the application chamber 12 is configured to connect with a different type of germicide dispensing device. Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, several views of a second preferred embodiment of the invention are shown. Referring first to FIG. 5., the second preferred embodiment of the invention includes a gun type of germicide dispensing device 60. This type of device includes a body 60 having a first end 62 and which extends along a length to a second end 64. A handle 66 is positioned between the first end and the second end. The handle 66 preferably contains a trigger 68 which is configured to be squeezed or otherwise activated. When so activated, the trigger causes a valve to briefly open so as to cause a blast of air or other pressurized gas to blow the germicide that is stored within a measuring chamber 80 into the application chamber 12 through a conduit 84. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the sources of the pressurized air or gas and the application chemical or germicide are connected to the measuring device through a series of lines 76, 78. Depending upon the particular needs of the user these lines may be connected to smaller portable containers which may be worn or otherwise connected to the wearer or these items may be located at a distant location. While this present configuration is shown, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied according to the needs and necessities of a particular user.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a detailed view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is presented. FIG. 6 shows that the germicide-dispensing device 60 is connected to the application chamber 12 through a conduit 80. As is shown in this FIG. 6, for ease of use, the configuration of this conduit is preferably altered or bent so as to cause the second end of the application chamber 18 to be generally below the horizontal plane in which the first end 62 and second end 64 of the germicide dispensing device lie when the device is oriented and held in a generally horizontal position. The measuring chamber 68 which is shown herein contains a plunger 82 which acts to push material out of and draw material into the measuring chamber when acted upon the pressurized gas which is utilized and pushed through the device. The quantity of material which is utilized in the present invention can be varied by adjusting the distance that the plunger 82 extends or retracts within the chamber.
FIG. 7 shows a top perspective view of the present invention. When activated, the germicide dispensing device shoots a pre-selected quantity of material out of the measuring chamber 68, through the conduit 84 and into the application chamber 12. This spray coats the teat and also wets the flexible fibers 44 of the wiping device 28. As the application chamber 12 is lowered so as to remove the teat from being within the chamber 12, the fibers 44 of the wiping device wipe and coat the teat. This ensures proper coating of the teat and prevents unnecessary excess germicide from being left on the teat. The excess germicide that is wiped from the teat wets the fibers and any excess goes to the bottom or second end 18 of the chamber 12.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is used by placing a pre-washed and tied teat within the application chamber by lifting the device so as to cause the teat to descend down through the fibers of the wiping device and for the end of the teat to contact the germicide application solution which is located at the bottom of the chamber. Once in place, the trigger 68 which is located within the handle 66 is depressed so as to cause the germicide to be pushed out of the measuring chamber, through the conduit and into the application chamber. Preferably the device shoots approximately 0.5 cc of germicide under a pressure of 150 psi into the device. The use of the pressurized air allows for the use of materials that have a significantly greater viscosity than other items or devices that are found in the prior art. This enables the operator to use devices and mixtures that are more concentrated and which have a better coating and clinging capacity than other items that are found in the prior art. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the source of chemical and the source of air are centrally located within the dairy and access to the cows is obtained by the present invention being suspended upon swing arms or other similarly configured connections which will allow for the dispensers of the present invention to be swung and moved in a variety of different directions. While this preferred embodiment is shown, it is to be distinctly understood that a variety of other embodiments including embodiments wherein the source of the pressurized gas and the germicide that is to be applied are contained in portable containers that can be carried or worn by a user of the device.
While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A germicidal application device for dairy cattle comprising:

an application chamber defined by a body, said application chamber having an open first end configured to receive items to be treated therein, and a second end;

at least one wiping device connected to said application chamber near said open first end; said wiping device having pluralities of flexible fibers arranged in layers, said wiping device configured to wipe at a portion of a teat while said teat is moved into and out of said cleaning chamber.

2. The germicidal application device of claim 1 wherein said application device is operatively connected to a germicide dispensing device.

3. The germicidal application device of claim 1 wherein said second end of said application chamber is operatively connected to a germicide dispensing device.

4. The germicidal application device of claim 3 wherein said germicide dispensing device includes a reservoir container.

5. The germicidal application device of claim 3 wherein said germicide dispensing device utilizes pressurized air to spray germicide into said application chamber.

6. The germicidal application device of claim 5 wherein said germicidal dispensing device includes a body having a handle portion.

7. The germicidal application device of claim 6 wherein said handle includes a trigger, said trigger configured to release germicide into said application chamber when squeezed.

8. The germicidal application device of claim 6 wherein said body is connected to a source of a pressurized gas.

9. The germicidal application device of claim 6 wherein said body defines a measuring chamber therein.

10. The germicidal application device of claim 6 wherein said application chamber is connected to said body in such a way whereby said second end of said application chamber is positioned beneath the generally horizontal plane in which said body lies.

11. The germicidal application device of claim 1 wherein said application chamber further comprises a generally circumvolving inner ring.

12. The germicidal application device of claim 1 further comprising a second wiping device positioned below said circumvolving inner ring.

13. The germicidal application device of claim 1 further comprising a wiping device positioned above said circumvolving inner ring.

14. The germicidal application device of claim 1 wherein said wiping device is a generally circular brush having a generally circular aperture defined therein.

15. A germicidal application device for applying designated quantities of a germicide to a teat comprising:

a body, said body having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to an application chamber, said application chamber defined by a body having an open first end with a wiping device connected thereto, said wiping device having pluralities of flexible fibers arranged in layers, said body containing a handle located between said first end and said second end.

16. The germicidal application device of claim 15 wherein said handle contains a trigger said trigger configured to deliver germicide to said application chamber when said trigger is squeezed.

17. The germicidal application device of claim 15 wherein said application chamber is connected to said body in such an orientation whereby the second end of said application chamber is positioned beneath the first end of said body when said body is held in a generally horizontal position.

18. The germicidal application device of claim 15 wherein said application chamber is operatively connected to a source of germicide and a source of a pressurized gas whereby germicide is sprayed into by said pressurized gas.

19. The germicidal application device of claim 18 wherein the spraying of such material into said application chamber is controlled by a trigger located within said handle.

20. A method for applying germicidal solutions to a cow's teat comprising the steps of:

lifting a germicide application device over a teat, so as to insert said teat within said germicide application chamber, said germicide application device having a germicide application chamber and a wiping device, said wiping device having pluralities of flexible fibers arranged in layers over said teat;

spraying a preselected quantity of a germicidal solution upon said teat utilizing pressurized air, and

wiping said teat by lowering said germicide application device whereby said flexible fibers of said wiping device contact said teat and spread said germicidal solution over said teat.