ELECTRICAL TEAT DIPPING

Abstract

The design is an apparatus for protecting dairy cows against mastitis by enabling rapid closure of the ends of the teats, which remain open for at least two hours after milking, to prevent them from being exposed to bacteria.

Claims

1. An electrical apparatus for dipping teat into antiseptic characterized by; The negative electrode (1), mounted on the upper handle to determine the muscle margin to which the electrical signal will be sent and to complete the circuit by receiving the signal from the negative end Immersion chamber (2) containing antiseptic stagnant liquid in which the teat with the target muscles of the milked animal is placed, Overflow channel (3) transferring antiseptic liquid in Antiseptic liquid compartment (9) to the immersion chamber (2) by elevating its level through mechanical stress, Outer body (4) providing protection against external impacts while ensuring that the positive electrode works together with the negative electrode (1), immersion chamber (2), and overflow channel (3), A battery compartment (5), which houses the batteries that provide the energy required by the electronic card in a fixed and stable manner (6), Electronic card (6), which produces electronic signals and control the process, with 6 different patterns with adjustable current between 0.001 and 1 A, voltage between 1.5 and 50V and frequency between 1-100 Hz, A card slot (7) attached to the body (4) where the electronic card (6) is housed, Antiseptic liquid compartment (9) made of soft plastic that allows the transfer of antiseptic liquid it contains into the immersion chamber (2) through the overflow channel (3) via manual pressure.

2. Antiseptic liquid compartment (9) mentioned in claim 1 is characterized by; its antiseptic liquid cover (8) that prevents the discharge of the liquid herein.

Description

LIST OF FIGURES

[0015] FIG. 1. Assembled Perspective View

NUMBERS IN THE FIGURES AND CORRESPONDING PARTS

[0016] 1. Negative Electrode [0017] 2. Immersion Chamber [0018] 3. Overflow Channel [0019] 4. Outer Body [0020] 5. Battery Compartment [0021] 6. Electronic Card [0022] 7. Card Slot [0023] 8. Antiseptic Liquid Cover [0024] 9. Antiseptic Liquid Compartment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Mastitis is the most common disease in dairy cattle. However, the disease's form of formation, various predisposing causes, and multifactorial nature, along with the problems experienced in its diagnosis and treatment) make it impossible for eradication. This is a worldwide accepted fact and the target in combating mastitis is to keep subclinical mastitis at 25-30% and clinical mastitis at 1.5%. Therefore, prevention and control methods come to the fore as the only way to reduce the damage associated with mastitis.

[0026] Prevention and control measures against mastitis can generally be grouped under 2 headings: [0027] Prevent the occurrence of new infections [0028] Eliminate existing infection.
Prevention of new infections includes two main factors. [0029] 1. The first is to prevent the udder from being exposed to mastitis factors. This encompasses bedding, litter management, environmental and milking hygiene practices. [0030] 2. It aims for the prevention of penetration of the agent along the teat canal and into the udder lobe.

[0031] Dipping the teat in antiseptic liquid after milking (spray applications have been used recently) is the most widely used method in protection against mastitis in dairy cattle breeding. Correct antiseptic selection and proper application reduce the rate of new udder infections by 50-90%. Available antiseptics include 0.1-1.0% iodine solutions, chlorhexidine, ammonium querternal compounds, sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide. For effective protection, teats should be immersed in antiseptic solution (teat dipping) within 1-2 seconds after the milking equipment is removed, and kept in the solution for 30 seconds. Chlorinated antiseptic solutions quickly destroy many microorganisms. However, the solution should be used within a few hours of preparation due to its relatively short half-life. Teat dipping solutions are recommended to contain substances with skin protective and softening properties such as lanolin and glycerol at a level of 10-14%.

[0032] Teat dipping stands as one of the most effective methods in this regard. The aim is to keep the teat canal, which remains open after milking, safe through the application of antiseptics with the aim to prevent microorganisms from entering the udder until it is closed. However, the teat canal remains open for about 2 hours after milking. Therefore, it is important to rapidly close the teat canal immediately after immersion to increase the effectiveness of teat dipping.

[0033] Design is comprised of the following parts and sections: negative electrode (1), immersion chamber (2), overflow channel (3), outer body (4), battery compartment (5), electronic card (6), card slot (7), antiseptic liquid cover (8), and antiseptic fluid compartment (9). The general description of the parts is as follows: A negative electrode (1), mounted on the upper handle to determine the muscle margin to which the electrical signal will be sent and to complete the circuit by receiving the signal from the negative end. The lower end of immersion chamber (2), which contains antiseptic stagnant liquid in which the teat forming the target muscles of the milked animal is placed, holds a positive electrode and allows current into the conductive antiseptic liquid. Antiseptic liquid compartment (9) allows the antiseptic liquid, the level of which is elevated via mechanical pressure, into the immersion chamber (2) through the overflow channel (3), which ensures the transfer of the antiseptic liquid into the immersion chamber (2). Outer body (4) enables collaboration between the negative electrode (1), immersion chamber (2) and overflow channel (3) and positive electrode as well as providing protection against external impacts. The batteries providing the energy required by the electronic card (6) are housed in the battery compartment (5) in a fixed and stable manner. Electronic card (6), which produces electronic signals and control the process, has 6 different patterns with adjustable current between 0.001 and 1 A, voltage between 1.5 and 50V and frequency between 1-100 Hz, with a size of 31?41?7 mm, and is located in the card slot (7) attached to the outer body (4). Antiseptic liquid compartment (9) is a unit made of soft plastic and contains an antiseptic liquid cover (8) that allows the transfer of antiseptic liquid it contains into the immersion chamber (2) through the overflow channel (3) and prevents the uncontrolled discharge of the liquid.

[0034] The current study firstly presented the apparatus related to the design to apply the antiseptic solution to the teat. What separates the design from others is that it provides a signal generator via an electronic card (6), with adjustable amplitude, current and frequency, and determines the frequency of the current signals applied with the PIC control software, as well as the signal from the anode electrode, with specified output amplitude, frequency and current to be transferred into liquid, whereby the negative electrode (1) is tapped on the teat thanks to its ergonomic structure. Thus, the udder with which the liquid comes into contact is contracted by the electrical signals, thereby closing the teat canal. Electrical power becomes effective at 1.5 V voltage and 1 mA level and up to 0.5 W of power can be produced comfortably. Higher power applications result in a disturbance on the animal. Electrical conduction is provided by electrodes and antiseptics are used as intermediate conductors.

[0035] Let's use an example to show how the design works. The liquid in Antiseptic Liquid Compartment (9) is squeezed manually to increase pressure, thereby flowing into the immersion chamber (2) through the overflow channel (3). The electrical signals generated by the electronic card (6) are sent into the antiseptic liquid in the immersion chamber (2) by the anode electrode. Electrical signals pass onto the teat dipped in the liquid and onto the negative (cathode) electrode (1) tapped on the teat, thereby returning and completing the circuit. In the meantime, a contraction occurs on the muscles which cause the teat canal to close. Thus, since the teat canal returns to its pre-milking position, microorganisms that cause infection cannot enter the udder or lead to infection.