Automated foot bath apparatus and method

Abstract

An automated cleaning system, where dairy cows pass through a foot bath region. The foot bath is periodically changed by implementing an agitation phase where high velocity water jets agitate the waste material in the foot bath and causes these to be discharged, followed by a drain phase where the liquid flows out an outlet. Then, a flushing phase removes the further debris, with the foot bath then being refilled with water and chemical disinfecting liquid for a subsequent cycle where another group of cows would pass through the foot bath region.

1. An automated foot bath system for animals consisting of cows or other animals, said system comprising:
 a) a foot bath structure having a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls and a floor, said foot bath structure defining a liquid containing region comprising a front containing area and a rear containing area, said foot hath structure being arranged to permit the animals to walk over the floor and through a foot bath liquid in the liquid containing region, 
 b) a water inlet section arranged to supply water to said liquid containing region water, and to supply at least a portion of said water so as to be directed into said front water containing area and as high velocity jet flow to be able to cause a flow pattern in said liquid containing region of eddy current flow or turbulent flow, or a combination of eddy current flow and turbulent flow, with said high velocity jet flow being capable of moving waste material in said liquid containing region, 
 c) a discharge section which is at the rear containing region and which has a closed configuration to contain liquid in said liquid containing region and an open configuration to discharge liquid from said liquid containing area, 
 d) a chemical supply section to provide a quantity of a chemical component as an ingredient of a foot bath liquid for the liquid containing region, 
 e) a control section arranged to
 i) cause said water inlet section to operate in a time frame to supply water to said liquid containing region to cause said high velocity jet flow to move waste material in said liquid containing region and to provide water as a constituent for foot bath water in said liquid, 
 ii) to cause said discharge section to selectively move between the closed and open configuration to contain liquid or permit an outflow of liquid in the liquid containing region, and 
 iii) to cause said chemical supply section to provide said quantity of said chemical component for said foot bath liquid. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said control section is arranged to operate in a cycle of operation through at least an agitation phase where said water inlet section supplies water as said high velocity jet flow to move waste material in said liquid containing region, and for at least part of the time that the high velocity jet flow is taking place, the discharge section is caused to be in its open configuration to enable liquid in the liquid containing region with waste material carried therein to be discharged from the liquid containing region. 
     
     
       3. The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein there is in said cycle a draining phase where the flow of high velocity liquid jet flow is at least reduced or stopped by the control section, and said draining phase takes place where said outlet section is in its open configuration to enable remaining liquid in the liquid containing region to be discharged from the liquid containing region. 
     
     
       4. The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said control section operates so that said draining phase is followed by a flushing phase where the discharge section is in its open configuration, and the water inlet section is discharging water as said high velocity jet flow to cause further removal of waste material in the liquid containing region. 
     
     
       5. The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said cycle is arranged so that with foot bath liquid being already contained in said liquid containing region, and with said contained foot bath liquid being in condition to be removed from said liquid containing region, said agitation phase is initiated by said control section by causing the foot bath structure to discharge the water as said high velocity jet flow, and also to cause said discharge section to be in its open configuration, so that waste material in said liquid containing region is agitated to move waste material in the liquid containing region in a circulating pattern and break down at least some of said waste material into smaller particle size, with there being a net downstream flow from said inlet section to said discharge section. 
     
     
       6. The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the cycle further comprises a draining phase when the outlet section is in the open configuration and a fill and chemical injection phase in which subsequent to the agitation phase, and draining phase, said water inlet section discharges water into said liquid containing region and the quantity of the chemical component is injected as a chemical liquid into the water that is provided for the liquid containing region. 
     
     
       7. The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the water inlet section discharges at least a portion of the water into the liquid containing region to be mixed with the water in the liquid containing region in the flow pattern of the water. 
     
     
       8. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said water inlet section is provided with at least first and second water inlet openings spaced laterally from one another to direct water as said high velocity jet flow into said liquid containing region. 
     
     
       9. The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said foot bath structure is arranged with the liquid containing region having a front to rear longitudinal center axis and a transverse axis, and said liquid containing region has a length dimension along said longitudinal axis greater than a width along said transverse axis, said two inlet openings of the water inlet section being positioned at the front wall of the foot bath structure, facing generally in a rearward direction toward the rear wall, and being spaced laterally from one another on opposite sides of said longitudinal center axis, so that the two inlet openings cause water streams to travel on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis and have a return flow path in an eddy current flow in a forward direction at a location closer to the longitudinal center axis. 
     
     
       10. The system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said water inlet section has a third opening inlet which is positioned between said first and second liquid inlets and nearer to said longitudinal center axis, said third inlet opening directs a third flow of water in a generally longitudinally aligned direction. 
     
     
       11. The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said third inlet opening has a generally laterally aligned slot-like configuration arranged to discharge water in a laterally expanding pattern toward flow streams generated by said first and second high velocity jet flows from said first and second inlet openings. 
     
     
       12. The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein there are at least two additional inlet openings of said water inlet section which discharge water in a high velocity jet flow mode into the liquid containing region. 
     
     
       13. The system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said first and second inlet openings are located in, or adjacent to, said front wall of the foot bath structure, and said front wall has a transverse width dimension, said first and second inlet openings each being spaced from the longitudinal center axis, at least a quarter of a distance between the longitudinal center axis of said liquid containing region and an adjacent outer end portion of said front wall. 
     
     
       14. The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said first and second inlet openings are spaced from said longitudinal center axis at least approximately half the distance from the longitudinal center axis to the adjacent outer edge of the front wall. 
     
     
       15. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said high velocity jet flow has a velocity of at least two feet per second. 
     
     
       16. The system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said velocity is at least as great about four feet per second. 
     
     
       17. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said control system comprises a clock component having operative connections to at least three components or combination of components that in turn provide timing for activation of the water inlet section, the discharge section and the chemical supply section to cause said water inlet section, said discharge section and said chemical supply section to operate in proper timed sequence. 
     
     
       18. The system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said component or components control operation of said water inlet section to cause said water inlet section operate to discharge water in said high velocity flow mode during an agitating phase, and to cause said discharge section to be in its open configuration during the agitation phase, to cause the water inlet section to reduce or stop water flow in the high velocity jet flow mode during at least part of a draining phase where the discharge section is in its open configuration, and to return to operating in the high velocity flow mode for a flushing phase with the discharge section being in its open configuration. 
     
     
       19. The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said control section comprises a micro-computer to control operation of said water inlet section to cause said water inlet section operate to discharge water in said high velocity flow mode during an agitating phase, and to cause said discharge section to be in its open configuration during the agitation phase, to cause the water inlet section to reduce or stop water flow in a high velocity jet flow mode during at least part of a draining phase where the discharge section is in its open configuration, and to return to operating in the high velocity flow mode for a flushing phase with the discharge section being in its open configuration. 
     
     
       20. An automated foot bath system for animals consisting of cows or other animals, said system comprising:
 a) a foot bath structure having a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls and a floor, said foot bath structure defining a liquid containing region comprising a front containing area and a rear containing area, said foot bath structure being arranged to permit the animals to walk over the floor and through a foot bath liquid in the liquid containing region,   b) a water inlet section arranged to supply water to said liquid containing region and to supply at least a portion of said water so as to be directed into said front containing area, said water directed into said front containing area being capable of moving waste material in said liquid containing region,   c) a discharge section at the rear containing area, said discharge section having a closed configuration to contain liquid in said liquid containing region and an open configuration to discharge liquid from said liquid containing region,   d) a chemical supply section to provide a quantity of a chemical component as an ingredient of a foot bath liquid for the liquid containing region,   e) a control section arranged to:
 i) cause said water inlet section to operate in a time frame to supply water to said liquid containing region to move waste material in said liquid containing region and to provide water as a constituent for foot bath water in said liquid, 
 ii) cause said discharge section to selectively move between the closed and open configurations to contain liquid in or permit an outflow of liquid from the liquid containing region, and 
 iii) cause said chemical supply section to provide said quantity of said chemical component for said foot bath liquid, 
   wherein said control section is arranged to operate in a cycle of operation through at least an agitation phase where said water inlet section supplies water to move waste material in said liquid containing region, and for at least part of the time that the water inlet section supplies water, the discharge section is caused to be in its open configuration to enable liquid in the liquid containing region with waste material carried therein to be discharged from the liquid containing region.   
     
     
       21. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein there is in said cycle a draining phase where the flow of liquid is at least reduced or stopped by the control section, and said draining phase takes place where said outlet section is in its open configuration to enable remaining liquid in the liquid containing region to be discharged from the liquid containing region. 
     
     
       22. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein said control section operates so that said draining phase is followed by a flushing phase where the discharge section is in its open configuration, and the water inlet section is discharging water to cause further removal of waste material in the liquid containing region. 
     
     
       23. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein said cycle is arranged so that with foot bath liquid being already contained in said liquid containing region, and with said contained foot bath liquid being in condition to be removed from said liquid containing region, said agitation phase is initiated by said control section by causing the foot bath structure to discharge the water and also to cause said discharge section to be in its open configuration, so that waste material in said liquid containing region is agitated to move waste material in the liquid containing region in a circulating pattern and break down at least some of said waste material into smaller particle size, with there being a net downstream flow from said inlet section to said discharge section. 
     
     
       24. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the cycle further comprises a draining phase when the outlet section is in the open configuration and a fill and chemical inject on phase in which subsequent to the agitation phase, and draining phase, said water inlet section discharges water into said liquid containing region and the quantity of the chemical component is injected as a chemical liquid into the water that is provided for the liquid containing region. 
     
     
       25. The system as recited in claim 24, wherein the water inlet section discharges at least a portion of the water into the liquid containing region to be mixed with the water in the liquid containing region in the flow pattern of the water. 
     
     
       26. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein said water inlet section is provided with at least first and second water inlet openings spaced laterally from one another to direct water into said liquid containing region. 
     
     
       27. An automated foot bath system for animals consisting of cows or other animals, said system comprising:
 a) a foot bath structure having a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls and a floor, said foot bath structure defining a liquid containing region comprising a front containing area and a rear containing area, said foot bath structure being arranged to permit the animals to walk over the floor and through a foot bath liquid in the liquid containing region,   b) a water inlet section arranged to supply water to said liquid containing region and to supply at least a portion of said water so as to be directed into said front containing area, said water directed into said front containing area being capable of moving waste material in said liquid containing region,   c) a discharge section at the rear containing area, said discharge section having a closed configuration to contain liquid in said liquid containing region and an open configuration to discharge liquid from said liquid containing region,   d) a chemical supply section to provide a quantity of a chemical component as an ingredient of a foot bath liquid for the liquid containing region,   e) a control section arranged to:
 i) cause said water inlet section to operate in a time frame to supply water to said liquid containing region to move waste material in said liquid containing region and to provide water as a constituent for foot bath water in said liquid, 
 ii) cause said discharge section to selectively move between the closed and open configurations to contain liquid in or permit an outflow of liquid from the liquid containing region, and 
 iii) cause said chemical supply section to provide said quantity of said chemical component for said foot bath liquid, 
   wherein said water inlet section is provided with at least first and second water inlet openings spaced laterally from one another to direct water into said liquid containing region,   wherein said foot bath structure is arranged with the liquid containing region having a front to rear longitudinal center axis and a transverse axis, and said liquid containing region has a length dimension along said longitudinal axis greater than a width along said transverse axis, said two inlet openings of the water inlet section being positioned at the front wall of the foot bath structure, facing generally in a rearward direction toward the rear wall, and being spaced laterally from one another on opposite sides of said longitudinal center axis, so that the two inlet openings cause water streams to travel on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis and have a return flow path in a forward direction at a location closer to the longitudinal center axis.   
     
     
       28. The system as recited in claim 27, wherein said water inlet section has a third opening inlet which is positioned between said first and second liquid inlets and nearer to said longitudinal center axis, said third inlet opening directs a third flow of water in a generally longitudinally aligned direction. 
     
     
       29. The system as recited in claim 28, wherein said third inlet opening has a generally laterally aligned slot-like configuration arranged to discharge water in a laterally expanding pattern toward flow streams generated by said first and second flows from said first and second inlet openings. 
     
     
       30. The system as recited in claim 27, wherein there are at least two additional inlet openings of said water inlet section which discharge water into the liquid containing region. 
     
     
       31. The system as recited in claim 27, wherein said first and second inlet openings are located in, or adjacent to, said front wall of the foot bath structure, and said front wall has a transverse width dimension, said first and second inlet openings each being spaced from the longitudinal center axis at least a quarter of a distance between the longitudinal center axis of said liquid containing region and an adjacent outer end portion of said front wall. 
     
     
       32. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein said first and second inlet openings are spaced from said longitudinal center axis at least approximately half the distance from the longitudinal center axis to the adjacent outer edge of the front wall. 
     
     
       33. The system as recited in claim 27, wherein said water directed into said front containing area has a velocity of at least two feet per second. 
     
     
       34. The system as recited in claim 27, wherein said water directed into said front containing area has a velocity of at least four feet per second. 
     
     
       35. An automated foot bath system for animals consisting of cows or other animals, said system comprising:
 a) a foot bath structure having a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls and a floor, said foot bath structure defining a liquid containing region comprising a front containing area and a rear containing area, said foot bath structure being arranged to permit the animals to walk over the floor and through a foot bath liquid in the liquid containing region,   b) a water inlet section arranged to supply water to said liquid containing region and to supply at least a portion of said water so as to be directed into said front containing area, said water directed into said front containing area being capable of moving waste material in said liquid containing region,   c) a discharge section at the rear containing area, said discharge section having a closed configuration to contain liquid in said liquid containing region and an open configuration to discharge liquid from said liquid containing region,   d) a chemical supply section to provide a quantity of a chemical component as an ingredient of a foot bath liquid for the liquid containing region,   e) a control section arranged to:
 i) cause said water inlet section to operate in a time frame to supply water to said liquid containing region to move waste material in said liquid containing region and to provide water as a constituent for foot bath water in said liquid, 
 ii) cause said discharge section to selectively move between the closed and open configurations to contain liquid in or permit an outflow of liquid from the liquid containing region, and 
 iii) cause said chemical supply section to provide said quantity of said chemical component for said foot bath liquid, 
   wherein said control system comprises a clock component having operative connections to at least three components or combination of components that in turn provide timing for activation of the water inlet section, the discharge section and the chemical supply section to cause said water inlet section, said discharge section and said chemical supply section to operate in proper timed sequence.   
     
     
       36. The system as recited in claim 35, wherein said component or components control operation of said water inlet section to cause said water inlet section to discharge water directed into said front containing area at a velocity of at least two feet per second during an agitating phase, and to cause said discharge section to be in its open configuration during the agitation phase, to cause the water inlet section to reduce or stop water flow during at least part of a draining phase where the discharge section is in its open configuration, and to return to discharging water directed into said front containing area at a velocity of at least two feet per second for a flushing phase with the discharge section being in its open configuration. 
     
     
       37. An automated foot bath system for animals consisting of cows or other animals, said system comprising:
 a) a foot bath structure having a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls and a floor, said foot bath structure defining a liquid containing region comprising a front containing area and a rear containing area, said foot bath structure being arranged to permit the animals to walk over the floor and through a foot bath liquid in the liquid containing region,   b) a water inlet section arranged to supply water to said liquid containing region and to supply at least a portion of said water so as to be directed into said front containing area, said water directed into said front containing area being capable of moving waste material in said liquid containing region,   c) a discharge section at the rear containing area, said discharge section having a closed configuration to contain liquid in said liquid containing region and an open configuration to discharge liquid from said liquid containing region,   d) a chemical supply section to provide a quantity of a chemical component as an ingredient of a foot bath liquid for the liquid containing region,   e) a control section arranged to:
 i) cause said water inlet section to operate in a time frame to supply water to said liquid containing region to move waste material in said liquid containing region and to provide water as a constituent for foot bath water in said liquid, 
 ii) cause said discharge section to selectively move between the closed and open configurations to contain liquid in or permit an outflow of liquid from the liquid containing region, and 
 iii) cause said chemical supply section to provide said quantity of said chemical component for said foot bath liquid, 
   wherein said control section comprises a micro-computer to control operation of said water inlet section to cause said water inlet section to discharge water into said front containing area at a velocity of at least two feet per second during an agitating phase, and to cause said discharge section to be in its open configuration during the agitation phase, to cause the water inlet section to reduce or stop water flow during at least part of a draining phase where the discharge section is in its open configuration, and to return to discharging water directed into said front containing area at a velocity of at least two feet per second for a flushing phase with the discharge section being in its open configuration.