Animal foot treatment system

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

0001The animal foot treatment system disclosed and claimed in this document pertains generally to the field of discharging ingredients on the feet of animals for treatment of diseases, infections and injuries to a foot of an animal, as well preventative ingredients for promoting resistance to diseases and lacerations, for hardening hooves, and other desirable treatments. More particularly, the new and useful animal foot treatment system disclosed and claimed in this document provides an animal foot treatment system useful in treating the feet of cattle.

BACKGROUND

0002Control and management of insects and other pests on domesticated animals has proven challenging, costly, often elusive, and frequently ineffective. Dealing with pests of the kind described in the U.S. Patent Application filed by the inventor named in this document, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/903,318 filed on Jul. 30, 2004, is an important objective for dairy herdsmen. The pests dramatically impact the economics of animal production and milk production, a commercial industry constituting a significant contribution to the gross national product of the United States. The diary cattle industry, for example, is estimated to produce $12 billion annually. Failure to deal with pests causes a number of problems, including irritating cows so severely that milk production suffers; disease pathogens are transmitted; intestinal diseases among humans associated with cow herds are possible; and a variety of regulatory rules and regulations may be violated by failure to treat such pests. Exemplary solutions for solving problem arising from pests among dairy herds have been provided by the inventor named in this document as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,660 issued May 15, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,6651,589 issued Nov. 525,2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/844,316 filed Apr. 26, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,489 issued Aug. 24, 2004; and application Ser. No. 10/903,318 filed Jul. 30. 2004 (collectively, “Prior Applications and Patents”).

0003In addition to the problems solved by the Prior Applications and Patents, a wide range of diseases, infections and injuries to their feet may affect animals and mammals, including cattle that are part of diary herds. In addition to treating diseases, infections and injuries to the feet of cattle, for example, it is useful to apply various ingredients for preventative treatment to achieve resistance to diseases and lacerations, to harden hooves, and to achieve similar and related objectives.

0004Livestock in a diary heard, for example, are subject to forming a variety of warts, sole ulcers, foot rot, heel cracks and variations of lesions and infections on their feet, all of which may individually or collectively cause livestock to suffer lameness, clubbed hooves, loss of body weight, decreased production, and decrease fertility (collectively, “animal foot problems”).

0005None of the currently available suggestions for treating problems associated with animals feet has proven effective. The most common way to apply topical solutions to hooves of animals is a form of footbath, or tub, through which the animal moves. Concentrations in footbaths of ingredients combined to chemically treat animal foot problems are often rendered ineffective because of the debris deposited in the ingredients in the form of animal waste by livestock passing through the footbath. Accordingly, until now, maintaining precise concentrations of the ingredients has proven impossible.

0006A need exists in the industry for a new, useful animal foot treatment system that is capable of applying precise amounts of ingredients at precise times for precise lengths of time on animal feet to treat the wide varieties of animal foot problems.

SUMMARY

0007The animal foot treatment system described and claimed in this document includes one or more mats. Each mat contains pressure-sensing plates. The pressure sensing plates are capable of generating signals that are conveyed to a processor operatively connected to the pressure-sensing plates. The processor also is operatively connected to an array of dispensers mounted on the mats. Some signals are generated on application of an animal's foot to a mat; other signals are generated on removal of an animal foot from a mat. In combination, the pressure-sensing plates generate signals that are directed to the processor. The processor, in turn, causes the array of dispensers to both dispense and not dispense ingredients on an animal'foot or feet. As a foot is placed on a mat, or removed from a mat, and a signal consequently is generated, the processor causes the array of dispensers to discharge ingredients on the foot of the animal that has applied pressure on the mat, or has removed a foot and thus released the pressure-sensing plates. The processor is programmable to withhold a discharge for a desired period of time, and to discharge after a desired period of time for a desired period of time.

0008The dispensers are constructed to deliver a focused stream of ingredients to each foot in response to the signals. In addition, the array of dispenses discharges ingredients in focused streams of ingredients in precise amounts during precise time periods selected by an operator of the animal foot treatment system. A tank is provided to hold ingredients to be discharged through the dispensers. The tank is in fluid communication with the array of dispensers. In addition, a pump is provided for conveying ingredients from the tank through the array of dispensers. A mat-flushing device also is included to remove debris from the foot treatment system during operation.

0009It will become apparent to one skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter as a whole, including the structure of the apparatus, and the cooperation of the elements of the apparatus, combine to result in a number of unexpected advantages and utilities. The structure and co-operation of structure of the animal foot treatment system will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, drawing figures, and appended claims.

0010The foregoing has outlined broadly the more important features of the invention to better understand the detailed description that follows, and to better understand the contributions to the art. The animal foot treatment system is not limited in application, however, to the details of construction, and to the arrangements of the components, provided in the following description or drawing figures, but is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Accordingly, the phraseology and terminology employed in this disclosure are for purpose of description and therefore should not be regarded as limiting. As those skilled in the art will appreciated, the conception on which this disclosure is based readily may be used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems. The claims, therefore, include equivalent constructions.

0011Further, the abstract associated with this disclosure is intended neither to define the animal foot treatment system, which is measured by the claims, nor intended to limit the scope of the claims. The novel features of the animal foot treatment system are best understood from the accompanying drawing, considered in connection with the accompanying description of the drawing, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1A</figref> of the drawing is a perspective view of a portion of the foot treatment system in an operative environment with a cow moving across the pads and array of sprayer of the system;

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1B</figref> is an expanded view of <b>1</b>B in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1A</figref> showing a dispenser in operation;

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref> is a perspective view of a pad as disclosed and claimed in this document;

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref> is a cross-section view of the mat along the line <b>1</b>-<b>1</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref> showing one embodiment of the pressure sensing plates;

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2C</figref> is a cross-section of one embodiment of the pressure sensing plates after contact is made between the plates by application of foot pressure to the mat;

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2D</figref> is a cross-section view of the mat showing another embodiment of the pressure-sensing plates;

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2E</figref> is a cross-section view of the mat showing another embodiment of the pressure-sensing plates as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2D</figref> after contact is made between the plates by application of foot pressure to the mat.

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an exploded perspective view of selected components of the animal foot treatment system; and

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> also is a side view of the mats and the platform of the animal foot treatment system.

0021In the drawing figures and in the description, to the extend that the numerical designations in the drawing figures include lower case letters such as “a,b” such designations include multiple references, and the letter “n” in lower case such as “a-n” is intended to express a number of repetitions of the element designated by that numerical reference and subscripts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

0022The term “foot” as used in this document means not only the terminal part of a vertebrate animal's leg, but also the hoof (the curved covering of horn that protects the front of the terminal part), the pad, the pastern, the dewclaw, the hock, the portion of the leg below the knee or hock on an animal such as a domestic bovine.

0023The term “debris” as used in this document means at least animal waste.

0024The term “ingredients” as used in this document means any combination of active and inert chemicals and fluids, including water, discharged from the array of dispensers for treating animal foot problems including, without limitations, diseases, infections, abrasions, and injuries to a foot of an animal, as well preventative ingredients including for example, those useful for creating resistance to diseases and lacerations, for hardening hooves, and similar desirable treatments. Thus, for example, the ingredients may include buffered sulfuric acid, copper sulfate, soap surfactants, marking colored dies to confirm application of treatment on a foot, and water, among others that are used to treat animal foot problems.

0025The term “processor” as used in this document includes but is not limited to a microprocessor (such as an integrated circuit containing a central processing unit of a computer on one or more chips, such that only the memory and input-output functionalities need be added), but also includes any device that may be programmed or used to conduct a sequence of operations leading to discharge of ingredients from dispensers. The term “processor,” therefore may include a controller, digital signal processor, and other equivalent devices.

0026The term “signal” as used in this document includes but is not limited to a detectable physical quantity, pulse or impulse, such as a voltage, current, or magnetic field strength, as well as mechanical means for activation.

0027The term “active” as used in this document includes but is not limited to discharging one or more focused streams of ingredients during one or more desired time intervals, and includes the suspension or delay in discharging ingredients during one or more other desired time intervals.

0028The term “focused” as used in the term “focused stream of ingredients” means a stream of ingredients discharged from the array of dispensers other than in a wide fan pattern.

0029The term “animal” as used in this document includes cattle, and thus both cows and steers, as well as other animals and mammals.

DESCRIPTION

0030As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-4</figref>, an animal foot treatment system is provided that in its broadest context includes at least one mat. Each mat includes pressure-sensing plates capable of generating and sending signals to activate dispensers that discharge treatment ingredients on a foot when a foot either has applied pressure on the mat, or has been lifted from the mat. The dispensers and pressure sensing plates are operatively connected together to cause the dispensers to discharge the ingredients. The dispensers and pressure sending plates also are operatively connected to a processor. The processor has the capability of processing signals from the pressure sensing plates in the mat to cause the dispensers to discharge a stream of ingredients in precise amounts during precise time periods. A tank for holding the ingredients also is provides, as well as a pump for delivering the ingredients through the system. A mat-flushing device also is included.

0031More specifically, as shown by cross-reference between <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-4</figref>, an animal foot treatment system <b>10</b> is provided. Animal foot treatment system <b>10</b> includes one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b</i>. In the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-2E</figref> and <b>4</b>, the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>are compressively resilient mats <b>12</b><i>a,b</i>. In the embodiments illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2A-2E</figref>, the compressibly resilient material is PVC, but the material is not a limitation of the animal foot treatment system <b>10</b>. In the embodiments shown by cross-reference between <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-2E</figref>, the mats <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>include a plurality of pressure sensing plates <b>14</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>as best shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-2E</figref> and <b>4</b>. In the embodiments illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-2E</figref>, the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>surroundingly contains the plurality of pressure sensing plates <b>14</b><i>a</i>-<i>n</i>. Each of the plurality of pressure sensing plates <b>14</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>is adapted to generate and send to a processor <b>16</b> one or more signals as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. The one or more signals are generated and sent by application of a foot <b>18</b> of an animal <b>20</b> to a mat <b>12</b><i>a,b</i>. In addition, one or more signals are generated and sent to processor <b>16</b> on removal of a foot <b>18</b> from the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a</i>-<i>b</i>. At least one reason for providing one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>instead of a single mat <b>12</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, is to allow an operator of animal foot treatment system <b>10</b> to remove a possible damaged mat <b>12</b><i>a </i>while continuing to operate animal foot treatment system <b>10</b> using the other mat <b>12</b><i>b. </i>

0032As shown diagrammatically in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, animal foot treatment system <b>10</b> also includes processor <b>16</b>. The processor <b>16</b> also is designated “P” and is operatively connected to the plurality of pressure sensing plates <b>14</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>in the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b</i>. As also shown by cross-reference between FIGS. <b>1</b> and <b>3</b>-<b>4</b>, the animal foot treatment system <b>10</b> also includes an array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c. </i>The array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>is operatively connected to the plurality of pressure sensing plates <b>14</b><i>a</i>-<i>n</i>. The array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>also is operatively connected to the processor <b>16</b>. In the embodiments shown by cross-reference between FIGS. <b>1</b> and <b>3</b>-<b>4</b>, the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>is mounted laterally across the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b, </i>and the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>are mounted on a platform <b>24</b> best shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. Thus, in the embodiment shown by cross-reference between <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>, the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>are mounted on the top surface <b>26</b> of platform <b>24</b>. As also shown by cross-reference between <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 4</figref>, the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>is formed with opposing sides <b>28</b><i>a,b </i>and opposing ends <b>30</b><i>a,b. </i>The array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>are mounted on the upper surface <b>32</b> of the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>laterally between the opposing sides <b>28</b><i>a,b. </i>The array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>is adapted to deliver to a foot <b>18</b> a focused stream of ingredients <b>32</b><i>a </i>as shown perhaps best in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1B</figref>. Further, the processor <b>16</b> is adapted to receive and process one or more signals from the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>and to thereby cause the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a,c </i>to discharge the focused stream of ingredients <b>32</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>in precise amounts during precise time periods.

0033In the embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the animal foot treatment system <b>10</b> also includes a tank <b>34</b> shown diagrammatically by the symbol “T” for holding ingredients <b>36</b> to be discharged on the foot <b>18</b> of an animal <b>20</b> from the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c. </i>The tank <b>34</b> is adapted to contain ingredients <b>36</b> in fluid communication with the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c. </i>In addition, a pump <b>38</b> is provided for conveying the ingredients <b>36</b> from the tank <b>34</b> to the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c. </i>The pump <b>38</b> also may mix the ingredients <b>36</b> in desired ratios for application through the animal foot treatment system <b>10</b> onto the foot <b>18</b> of an animal <b>20</b>.

0034As further shown by cross-reference between <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2A-2D</figref>, the pressure-sensing plates <b>14</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>are surroundingly contained within the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b. </i>In the embodiment illustrated by cross-reference between <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2B-2C</figref>, opposing pressure-sensing plates <b>14</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>include a plurality of electrically conductive members <b>40</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>that are separated by a portion of the material generally designated <b>42</b> used to construct the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b. </i>In the embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2B and 2C</figref>, the plurality of electrically conductive members <b>40</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>are shown to be a series of conical contacts <b>44</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>and a series of receptor contracts <b>46</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>formed with a plurality of conical indentations <b>48</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>into which the conical contacts <b>44</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>fit upon application of pressure by a foot <b>18</b> of an animal <b>20</b>. The plurality of electrically conductive members <b>40</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>shown as a series of conical contacts <b>44</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>and a series of receptor contacts <b>46</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>formed with a plurality of conical indentations <b>48</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>into which the conical contacts <b>44</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>fit upon application of pressure by a foot <b>18</b> of an animal <b>20</b> are positioned within a chamber <b>50</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>formed in the portion of material <b>42</b> between opposing pressure-sensing plates <b>14</b><i>a</i>-<i>n. </i>Chamber <b>50</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>permits electrical contact and conductivity when the plurality of electrically conductive members <b>40</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>is placed in contact by pressure applied to a mat <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>by the foot <b>18</b> to an animal. As perhaps best shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2C</figref>, on application of pressure by a foot <b>18</b> to a mats <b>22</b><i>a,b, </i>the foot exerts pressure on the plurality of pressure sensing plates <b>14</b><i>a</i>-<i>n, </i>causing electrically conductive members between the plates to make contact, which in turn generates and sends one or more signals to the processor <b>16</b>. The processor <b>16</b> is programmed to process a signal either an application of foot pressure to the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>or on removal of foot pressure from the one or more mat <b>12</b><i>a,b, </i>or both.

0035In the embodiment illustrated by cross-reference between <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2C-2D</figref>, a plurality of cavities <b>52</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>is formed during manufacture of mats <b>12</b><i>a,b. </i>Plurality of cavities <b>52</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>may be tubular, as shown by cross-section in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2C and 2D</figref>, and may be formed to extend along the longitudinal axis of the one or more pressure-sensing plates <b>14</b><i>a</i>-<i>n. </i>During manufacture, plurality of cavities <b>52</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>is formed with a partial vacuum. After manufacture of mats <b>12</b><i>a,b, </i>a seal (not shown) is broken, collapsing the partial vacuum, and plurality of cavities <b>52</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>is substantially filled with a gas. In one non-exclusive example the gas is nitrogen. Nitrogen is, of course, relatively inert, is a constituent of all living tissue, and therefore harmless to an animal <b>20</b> if the gas should escape confinement from plurality of cavities <b>52</b><i>a</i>-<i>n. </i>As shown in FIG, <b>2</b>E, when a foot <b>18</b> of animal <b>20</b> steps on a mat <b>12</b><i>a,b, </i>one of the pressure-sensing plates <b>14</b><i>b, </i>for example, depresses in the compressibly resilient material. The pressure applied by a foot <b>18</b> squeezes the gas-filled cavity, allowing lower side <b>54</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>of pressure-sensing plate <b>14</b><i>b, </i>for example, to make contact with upper side <b>56</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>of pressure-sensing plate <b>14</b><i>n, </i>thus generating a signal that is sent along lead lines <b>58</b> to processor <b>16</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>. When the foot <b>18</b> of animal <b>20</b> is removed from the mat <b>12</b><i>a, </i>pressure-sensing plate <b>14</b><i>b </i>returns to its original configuration.

0036The signals generated by pressure-sensing plates <b>14</b><i>a</i>-<i>n, </i>and are sent to processor <b>16</b>. Processor <b>16</b> in turn, activates the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>shown perhaps best in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. In the embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>will be activated by the signals to discharge ingredients <b>36</b> on the foot <b>18</b> that has activated the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>upon application of approximately twenty-five pounds per square inch by the foot <b>18</b>.

0037As perhaps best shown by cross-reference between <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-4</figref>, the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>includes a housing <b>60</b><i>a</i>-<i>c. </i>The housing <b>60</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>is formed with a plurality of openings <b>62</b><i>a</i>-<i>n. </i>The plurality of openings <b>62</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>is provided to position a plurality of valves (not shown). The plurality of valves is adapted to demountably connect a plurality of emitters <b>54</b><i>a</i>-<i>n. </i>The plurality of valves and the plurality of emitters <b>54</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>are in fluid communication with a set of interconnected tubes <b>66</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>underlying the platform <b>24</b> and the mats <b>12</b><i>a,b. </i>The tubes <b>66</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>are adapted to deliver the ingredients <b>36</b> from the tank <b>34</b> via the pump <b>38</b> to the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>for discharge of the ingredients <b>36</b> on the foot <b>18</b> of an animal <b>20</b>.

0038In the embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1A-4</figref>, the processor <b>16</b> is programmable to receive the one or more signals following application of a foot <b>18</b> on the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>by beginning a first desired time period during which the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a,c </i>refrains from discharging at least one focused stream of ingredients <b>32</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>on the foot <b>18</b>. The processor <b>16</b> also is adapted and programmed to process the one or more signals following application of a foot <b>18</b> on a mat <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>by beginning a second desired time period during which the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>discharges at least one focused stream of ingredients <b>32</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>on the foot <b>18</b>. Furthermore, the processor <b>16</b> is capable of processing the one or more signals following removal of a foot <b>18</b> from a mat <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>by beginning a third desired time period during which the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>refrains from discharging at least one focused stream of ingredients <b>32</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>on the foot <b>18</b>. In addition, the processor <b>16</b> is capable of processing the one or more signals following removal of a foot <b>18</b> from a mat <b>12</b><i>a,b </i>by beginning a fourth desired time period during which the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>discharges a focused stream of ingredients <b>32</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>on the foot <b>18</b>. The delays in discharge of ingredients <b>36</b> permit a user to apply specific ingredients to solve a specific problem.

0039The ability to program the processor <b>16</b> also allows an operator of the animal foot spraying system <b>10</b> to apply concentrated amounts of ingredients <b>36</b> for shorter times but more effectively, while achieving cost effective applications of ingredients <b>36</b> for treatment of animal foot problems. For example, on application of foot pressure on the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b, </i>a 0.30 second delay may occur, followed by a 0.50-0.70 first spray burst of a focused stream of ingredients <b>32</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>on the foot <b>18</b> of animal <b>20</b>. Thereafter, as a foot <b>18</b> is removed from the one or more mats <b>12</b><i>a,b, </i>there may be a 0.15-0.30 second delay as the foot <b>18</b> comes is lifted from a mat <b>12</b><i>a,b</i>, followed by a discharge of a focused stream of ingredients <b>32</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>in precise amounts during the time period for about 0.15-0.30 second.

0040In the embodiment illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, in addition to the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>extending across the platform <b>24</b> of the animal foot spraying system <b>10</b>, one or more spraying turrets <b>68</b><i>a</i>-<i>n, </i>is mounted on the proximal outer surface <b>70</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>of one or more of the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c. </i>The one or more spraying turrets <b>70</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>is in fluid communication with the tubes <b>66</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>for discharging ingredients <b>36</b> on the foot <b>18</b> of an animal <b>20</b> and is operatively connected to the processor <b>16</b>, the tank <b>34</b>, and the pump <b>38</b>.

0041As also best shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, one or more legs <b>72</b><i>a,b </i>is provided. The one or more legs <b>72</b><i>a,b </i>are formed with a plurality of sets of variously positioned orifices <b>74</b><i>a</i>-<i>n. </i>The one or more sets of variously positioned orifices <b>74</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>permit an operator of the animal foot treatment system <b>10</b> to insert bolts <b>75</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>or similarly connectors through holes <b>78</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>in the side flanges <b>80</b><i>a,b </i>of the platform <b>24</b> and into one or more of the variously positioned orifices <b>64</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>to adjust the height of the platform <b>24</b> relative to variations in the level of the surfaces on which the platform <b>24</b> is installed.

0042As also shown perhaps best in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the one or more housings <b>50</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>in the array of dispensers <b>22</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>is formed with a notch <b>82</b><i>a</i>-<i>c. </i>The notch <b>82</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>is provided to allow a mat-flushing device <b>84</b>, shown diagrammatically in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, to periodically emit water through notches <b>82</b><i>a</i>-<i>c </i>for flushing the animal foot spraying system <b>10</b> of debris. The mat-flushing device <b>84</b> is shown diagrammatically in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> to include one or more pipes <b>86</b><i>a</i>-<i>n </i>connected to a source of water <b>88</b> and a timer <b>90</b> to repeatedly release a flow of water from the mat-flushing device <b>84</b> as and when an operator of the animal foot treatment system <b>10</b> desires.

0043As shown, the animal foot treatment system <b>10</b> includes no structural component adapted to enclose the mat or the platform to form a tub or bath for holding one or more ingredients.

0044Claim elements and steps in this document have been numbered solely as an aid in understanding the description. The numbering is not intended to, and should not be considered as intending to, indicated the ordering of elements and steps in the claims. In addition, the animal foot treatment system shown in drawing <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1A through 4</figref> shows at least one embodiment that is not intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrative of the disclosed embodiments. Means-plus-function clauses in the claims are intended to cover the structures described as performing the recited function that include not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and screw may not be structural equivalents, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.