US 11,849,698 B2
Teat cleaning device, system, and methods of using the same
Tim Graff, Wausau, WI (US)
Assigned to Ecolab USA Inc., St.Paul (MN)
Filed by Ecolab USA Inc., St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed on Jun. 18, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/904,965.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/863,036, filed on Jun. 18, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0396955 A1, Dec. 24, 2020
Int. Cl. A01J 7/04 (2006.01)
CPC A01J 7/04 (2013.01) 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A teat cleaning device comprising:
a handle having a proximal grip portion and a distal end;
a first rotatable brush, the first rotatable brush attached to the distal end of the handle;
a second rotatable brush, the second rotatable brush attached to the distal end of the handle;
a splash guard housing the first rotatable brush and the second rotatable brush and defining a teat receiving opening, between the first rotatable brush and the second rotatable brush, configured to receive a teat of an animal;
a first spinning drive cable, the first spinning drive cable connected to the first rotatable brush;
a second spinning drive cable, the second spinning drive cable connected to the second rotatable brush;
a motor including a first drive cable output and a second drive cable output, the first drive cable output coupled to the first spinning drive cable, the first spinning drive cable and the first drive cable output configured to spin the first rotatable brush in a clockwise direction, the second drive cable output coupled to the second spinning drive cable, the second spinning drive cable and the second drive cable output configured to spin the second rotatable brush in a counterclockwise direction, wherein the motor is positioned outside of the handle, and wherein the first drive cable output is coupled to the first spinning drive cable outside of the handle and the second drive cable output is coupled to the second spinning drive cable outside of the handle;
a mechanical pinch trigger that, when actuated, mechanically starts and stops a flow of fluid to the handle; and
a flow sensor configured to detect the flow of fluid to the handle to thereby cause the motor to start the first drive cable output configured to spin the first rotatable brush in the clockwise direction and to start the second drive cable output configured to spin the second rotatable brush in the counterclockwise direction.