Elastic Teat Patch with Adhesive Laminate for Mastitis Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for protecting teat openings of livestock from bovine mastitis, such as dipping agents and teat-sealing agents, fail to provide reliable and long-lasting adhesion, leading to gaps and increased risk of bacterial infection.
Innovation Solution
A teat opening protection patch with a laminate structure comprising an elastic sheet and an adhesive layer, featuring a double-stretched tensile stress of 0.1 to 5 N, which is designed to adhere closely to teat openings without peeling, and can be used for both milking and dry periods, with optional slits and specific shapes for improved fit and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a film of rubber material is formed on the teats by dipping in a teat-sealing agent, then the teat openings are physically blocked to prevent bacterial infection, but the film cannot fully reliably adhere to the teats and tends to be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure consisting of an elastic sheet layer and an adhesive layer. The elastic sheet provides flexibility and conformability to the teat surface, while the adhesive layer ensures reliable adhesion. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties to achieve both physical blocking and durable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention specifies that the elastic sheet should have a tensile modulus of elasticity of not more than 1 MPa, which is a critical parameter change from conventional rubber films. This low modulus allows the material to be sufficiently soft and compliant to conform to the teat surface and maintain reliable adhesion without peeling or detaching during the dry period.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible film is wrapped round the teats, then the teat openings are covered, but the film cannot be maintained to stay closely adhered to the teat opening and gaps are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs an elastic sheet that functions as a flexible shell conforming to the teat opening. The sheet is designed to be stretched and adhered directly over the teat opening, creating a tight seal that prevents gaps from forming. The flexibility of the thin film allows it to adapt to the teat's shape while maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the adhesive function from the bulk material properties and concentrates it in a dedicated adhesive layer. This separation allows the main body of the patch to remain simple and flexible while the adhesive layer provides the necessary bonding capability to maintain close adhesion and prevent gap formation at the teat opening.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the teat protection material is designed to adhere for extended periods, then bacterial infection is prevented, but the material must maintain adhesion through varying teat shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic sheet is designed to be dynamic and adaptable rather than rigid. It can stretch and deform to accommodate variations in teat shape and size while maintaining adhesion throughout the dry period. This dynamic property allows the same patch design to work across different livestock with varying teat morphologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch is segmented into functionally distinct layers: an elastic sheet layer for conformability and an adhesive layer for attachment. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally - the elastic sheet adapts to shape variations while the adhesive layer maintains prolonged adhesion, together achieving both versatility and duration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The patch effectively prevents bacterial infection by maintaining a tight seal for extended periods, reducing the risk of bovine mastitis and facilitating easy application and removal, while being suitable for various teat shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a laminate of an elastic sheet and an adhesive layer laminated on one surface of the elastic sheet, the laminate having a double-stretched tensile stress in a range of 0.1 to 5 N
Data Source
Figure 1~3(b)
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A teat opening protection patch is stuck to portions inclusive of the teat openings of livestock, and includes a laminate 1 of an elastic sheet 2 and an adhesive layer 3 laminated on one surface of the elastic sheet 2, the laminate 1 having a double-stretched tensile stress in a range of 0.1 to 5 N.