Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a sealed gear housing for a hand-held applicator for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. In an embodiment, a first portion of the housing has a plurality of gear holes and a peripherally extending flange surrounding the gear holes. A second portion has a motor mount and having a peripherally extending groove in which the flange of the first portion fits, the first and second portions each have at least one delivery port configured to be coupled to an at least one disinfectant delivery line.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a threaded gear assembly and a hand-held applicator for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. In an embodiment, a threaded gear is provided which comprises a disk-shaped member having a perimeter and a plurality of radiating teeth circumferentially arranged and integrated with the perimeter of the disk-shaped member, the plurality of radiating teeth being configured to impart torque. The threaded gear includes a bore hole in a center of the disk-shaped member, the bore hole including internal threading along a surface within the bore hole.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a sealed gear housing for a hand-held applicator for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. In an embodiment, a first portion of the housing has a plurality of gear holes and a peripherally extending flange surrounding the gear holes. A second portion has a motor mount and having a peripherally extending groove in which the flange of the first portion fits, the first and second portions each have at least one delivery port configured to be coupled to an at least one disinfectant delivery line.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a threaded gear assembly and a hand-held applicator for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. In an embodiment, a threaded gear is provided which comprises a disk-shaped member having a perimeter and a plurality of radiating teeth circumferentially arranged and integrated with the perimeter of the disk-shaped member, the plurality of radiating teeth being configured to impart torque. The threaded gear includes a bore hole in a center of the disk-shaped member, the bore hole including internal threading along a surface within the bore hole.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a system for cleaning teats of multiple milk-producing animals, wherein the animals are housed in a parlor area and the teats are cleaned or disinfected before a milking operation is started. The system comprises a disinfectant solution source provided at the parlor area; and, a hand-held applicator having a housing volume within which one or more scrubbing elements are positioned for engaging a teat of the milk-producing animal having been inserted in the volume for cleaning. The scrubbing elements include a brush that has an array of bristles including a first set of bristles having a first radial length and a second set of bristles that have a second radial length that is longer than the first radial length.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a threaded gear assembly and a hand-held applicator for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. In an embodiment, a threaded gear is provided which comprises a disk-shaped member having a perimeter and a plurality of radiating teeth circumferentially arranged and integrated with the perimeter of the disk-shaped member, the plurality of radiating teeth being configured to impart torque. The threaded gear includes a bore hole in a center of the disk-shaped member, the bore hole including internal threading along a surface within the bore hole.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed to a hand-held applicator (126) for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. The hand-held applicator comprises: a first housing having housing section (209) including a first end through which a disinfectant delivery line (140) extends or an electrical line (198) extends; and second housing (205) coupled to the housing section and having a sealed gear chamber (216) for supporting gears (186A, 186B and 186C) and bearings. The second housing comprises a first portion (213) and a second portion (215) configured to be removably affixed in abutting contact to the first portion. The second housing has an external delivery port (579) centered between a pair of side-by-side gears. The applicator comprises a switch (232) positioned on the underside of the housing section. The second portion may include a motor mount (680) for coupling a motor (238) in the housing section.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed to a hand-held applicator (126) for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. The hand-held applicator comprises: a first housing having housing section (209) including a first end through which a disinfectant delivery line (140) extends or an electrical line (198) extends; and second housing (205) coupled to the housing section and having a sealed gear chamber (216) for supporting gears (186A, 186B and 186C) and bearings. The second housing comprises a first portion (213) and a second portion (215) configured to be removably affixed in abutting contact to the first portion. The second housing has an external delivery port (579) centered between a pair of side-by-side gears. The applicator comprises a switch (232) positioned on the underside of the housing section. The second portion may include a motor mount (680) for coupling a motor (238) in the housing section.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a mobile system for cleaning teats of milk-producing animals, wherein the animals are temporarily housed in a building and the teats are cleaned or disinfected before a milking operation is started. The system includes a mobile cart configured for movement along a floor of the building and a container on the cart containing a disinfectant solution. A remotely operable hand-held applicator is provided in fluid communication with the container for cleaning teats of a milk producing animal. The system further includes a pump, a control circuit, and a motor, for operating the system to disinfect and clean the teats of the milk-producing animal. In an embodiment, the container, power source, control circuit and pump are disposed on the cart with the hand-held applicator operatively connected to the control circuit, motor and container.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed to a hand-held applicator (126) for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. The hand-held applicator comprises: a first housing having housing section (209) including a first end through which a disinfectant delivery line (140) extends or an electrical line (198) extends; and second housing (205) coupled to the housing section and having a sealed gear chamber (216) for supporting gears (186A, 186B and 186C) and bearings. The second housing comprises a first portion (213) and a second portion (215) configured to be removably affixed in abutting contact to the first portion. The second housing has an external delivery port (579) centered between a pair of side-by-side gears. The applicator comprises a switch (232) positioned on the underside of the housing section. The second portion may include a motor mount (680) for coupling a motor (238) in the housing section.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein pertain to a system and method for removing disinfectant solution from teats or one or more. The system includes a fluid or air flow generator having at least one fluid flow outlet positioned relative to one or more cows to supply fluid flow across teats of the one or more cows after a disinfectant solution has been applied to the teats. In addition there is relative lateral movement between the teats and the at least one fluid flow outlet to remove disinfectant solution from the teats or dry the teats.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a teat cleaning and disinfectant before a milking operation is started that comprises one or more controllers that are configured to monitor various operating parameters of the system. In an embodiment, the current supplied to a motor that drives scrubbing elements in an applicator in order to identify or determine when a teat of a cow is inserted and then removed from the applicator during a wash mode and dry mode. The controller is programmed to count each teat that is properly prepped for milking in order to determine the number of cows that have been properly prepped for milking. If certain thresholds, such as predetermined number of teats on a cow, have not been met a cow is not counted as having been properly prepped.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein pertain to a system and method for removing disinfectant solution from teats or one or more. The system includes a fluid or air flow generator having at least one fluid flow outlet positioned relative to one or more cows to supply fluid flow across teats of the one or more cows after a disinfectant solution has been applied to the teats. In addition there is relative lateral movement between the teats and the at least one fluid flow outlet to remove disinfectant solution from the teats or dry the teats.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a threaded gear assembly and a hand-held applicator for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. In an embodiment, a threaded gear is provided which comprises a disk-shaped member having a perimeter and a plurality of radiating teeth circumferentially arranged and integrated with the perimeter of the disk-shaped member, the plurality of radiating teeth being configured to impart torque. The threaded gear includes a bore hole in a center of the disk-shaped member, the bore hole including internal threading along a surface within the bore hole.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed to a portable system for cleaning teats of a milk producing animal comprising a container holding a disinfectant solution and a hand-held applicator including at least two scrubbing elements wherein the hand-held applicator is in fluid communication with the container. The container is preferably, but not necessarily, supported on an operator. In addition, a power source, a controller and a pump are supported on the operator. The container, power source, controller and pump may be operatively connected to one or more straps on the operator. A motor is in signal communication with the power source and controller to actuate the scrubbing elements as the disinfectant solution is supplied to the hand-held applicator and scrubbing elements to clean the teats of the milk-producing animal.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed to a hand-held applicator (126) for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. The hand-held applicator comprises: a first housing having housing section (209) including a first end through which a disinfectant delivery line (140) extends or an electrical line (198) extends; and second housing (205) coupled to the housing section and having a sealed gear chamber (216) for supporting gears (186A, 186B and 186C) and bearings. The second housing comprises a first portion (213) and a second portion (215) configured to be removably affixed in abutting contact to the first portion. The second housing has an external delivery port (579) centered between a pair of side-by-side gears. The applicator comprises a switch (232) positioned on the underside of the housing section. The second portion may include a motor mount (680) for coupling a motor (238) in the housing section.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a teat cleaning and disinfectant before a milking operation is started that comprises one or more controllers that are configured to monitor various operating parameters of the system. In an embodiment, the current supplied to a motor that drives scrubbing elements in an applicator in order to identify or determine when a teat of a cow is inserted and then removed from the applicator during a wash mode and dry mode. The controller is programmed to count each teat that is properly prepped for milking in order to determine the number of cows that have been properly prepped for milking. If certain thresholds, such as predetermined number of teats on a cow, have not been met a cow is not counted as having been properly prepped.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a teat cleaning and disinfectant before a milking operation is started that comprises one or more controllers that are configured to monitor various operating parameters of the system. In an embodiment, the current supplied to a motor that drives scrubbing elements in an applicator in order to identify or determine when a teat of a cow is inserted and then removed from the applicator during a wash mode and dry mode. The controller is programmed to count each teat that is properly prepped for milking in order to determine the number of cows that have been properly prepped for milking. If certain thresholds, such as predetermined number of teats on a cow, have not been met a cow is not counted as having been properly prepped.

Abstract: An apparatus for brushing cattle comprises a motor mounted to a fixed support structure, and the motor remains stationary during operation of the apparatus. A pivotal motor output shaft assembly is operatively connected to the motor, and disposed vertically and downwardly relative the motor; and, a brush is attached to the shaft assembly distal to the motor, wherein the motor drives the output shaft causing the brush to rotate. The motor may have a longitudinal disposed and a gear assembly is connected to the motor and the output shaft assembly. The shaft assembly is pivotal at a location along the shaft location between the brush and the motor and/or gear assembly.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a teat cleaning and disinfectant before a milking operation is started that comprises one or more controllers that are configured to monitor various operating parameters of the system. In an embodiment, the current supplied to a motor that drives scrubbing elements in an applicator in order to identify or determine when a teat of a cow is inserted and then removed from the applicator during a wash mode and dry mode. The controller is programmed to count each teat that is properly prepped for milking in order to determine the number of cows that have been properly prepped for milking. If certain thresholds, such as predetermined number of teats on a cow, have not been met a cow is not counted as having been properly prepped.