Abstract: A teat preparation apparatus to effectively clean and prepare bovine teat before milking and then sanitize the teat after milking. The apparatus is connected to a control unit and includes a holder attached to a teat receiving body with high-pressure air, pre-dip, and post-dip ports. Located inside the teat receiving body is a spray cylinder that forms two or three stacked, isolated raceways that communicate with the three ports in the teat receiving body so that air, pre-dip solution, and post-dip solution can be selectively sprayed individually or together over a teat at different stages of operation. The holder may be a handpiece operated manually or a support arm integrated with a robotic system with a track parallel to a row of bovines to be milked. When used in a robotic system, two or more teat receiving bodies may be adjusted, enabling the spacing and orientation of each teat receiving body to be adjusted. Additionally, a deflection cap with an optional diffuser enhances functionality.

Abstract: A teat preparation handpiece designed to fit around a teat on a bovine to sequentially clean the teat using high-pressure air and a pre-dip solution, then dry the teat using high-pressure air before milking. After milking, the handpiece is then used to atomize and apply a post-dip solution to the teat. The handpiece includes a teat receiving body with an exchangeable modified spray cylinder placed inside the teat receiving body's center bore. When the modified spray cylinder is placed inside the center bore, upper and lower raceways are formed between the walls of the teat receiving body and the modified spray cylinder that delivers high-pressure air, pre-dip solution and post-dip solution two sets of nozzles formed inside the modified spray cylinder. The modified spray cylinders may have different diameter center bores and configured to be exchangeable in the teat receiving body.

Abstract: A teat preparation handpiece designed to fit around a teat on a bovine to sequentially clean the teat using high-pressure air and a pre-dip solution, then dry the teat using high-pressure air before milking. After milking, the handpiece is then used to atomize and apply a post-dip solution to the teat. The handpiece includes a teat receiving body with an exchangeable modified spray cylinder placed inside the teat receiving body's center bore. When the modified spray cylinder is placed inside the center bore, upper and lower raceways are formed between the walls of the teat receiving body and the modified spray cylinder that delivers high-pressure air, pre-dip solution and post-dip solution two sets of nozzles formed inside the modified spray cylinder. The modified spray cylinders may have different diameter center bores and configured to be exchangeable in the teat receiving body.

Abstract: A teat preparation system that includes a lightweight, compact hand piece designed to fit around the teat on a bovine to sequentially clean, dry and apply a post-dip solution to the teat. The system includes a control unit with a software program that controls the amount and delivery timing of pressure air, pre-dip solution and post-dip solution to the hand piece. The software program operates in one of two modes. The hand piece includes switches that control the operation of the control unit that control solenoids connected to a high pressure air source, a pre dip solution source and a post-dip solution source. Located inside the hand piece is a spray cylinder with a plurality of nozzles, The shape of the spray cylinder and the orientation of the nozzles create a venturi and produces a suction that draws and stretches the teat into the spray cylinder. The hand piece and the control unit may also be configured to strip the teat after applying the pre-dip solution.