Teat cup cleaning unit comprising a distribution unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a teat cup cleaning unit comprising a distribution unit which has an inlet and at least two outlets for a cleaning liquid. The distribution unit has a calming chamber and a distribution chamber. The calming chamber is connected to the distribution chamber via an opening. The inlet opens into the calming chamber. A cleaning liquid leaves the distribution chamber through the passages leading to the outlets.

Claims

1. A teat cup cleaning distribution unit for cleaning a plurality of teat cups, the teat cup cleaning distribution unit comprising: a housing defining: a calming chamber having a calming chamber inlet, a calming chamber outlet, and an oblique wall that at least partially defines a calming chamber cross section that is at least partially tapered along a longitudinal axis from a larger cross section at the calming chamber inlet toward a smaller cross section at the calming chamber outlet, and the calming chamber inlet and the calming chamber outlet are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and a distribution chamber in communication with the calming chamber outlet and with a plurality of distribution chamber passages, and each distribution chamber passage is substantially identical in length and is in fluid communication with a respective distribution chamber outlet, and the calming chamber outlet is substantially perpendicular to each distribution chamber passage.

2. The teat cup cleaning distribution unit of claim 1, wherein flow paths from the calming chamber inlet to each of the passages are substantially identical in length.

3. The teat cup cleaning distribution unit of claim 1, wherein flow paths from the calming chamber outlet to each of the distribution chamber passages are substantially identical in length.

4. The teat cup cleaning distribution unit of claim 1, wherein the calming chamber is disposed below the distribution chamber when in use.

5. The teat cup cleaning distribution unit of claim 1, wherein the calming chamber defines a flow path from the calming chamber inlet to the calming chamber outlet, and the calming chamber inlet is oriented transversely to the flow path.

6. The teat cup cleaning distribution unit of claim 1, wherein the calming chamber inlet is oriented substantially perpendicular to the calming chamber outlet.

7. The teat cup cleaning distribution unit of claim 1, wherein the oblique wall at least partially defines a flow path through the calming chamber.

8. The teat cup cleaning distribution unit of claim 1, wherein a flow path extends between the calming chamber inlet and the calming chamber outlet, and the calming chamber inlet is oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow path and the calming chamber outlet.

9. The teat cup cleaning distribution unit of claim 1, and further comprising: a valve disposed in the calming chamber inlet.

10. The teat cup cleaning distribution unit of claim 1, wherein the calming chamber cross section includes a constant cross section adjacent to the calming chamber inlet that merges with a tapered cross section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a left part of a teat cup cleaning unit in a perspective view,

(3) FIG. 2 shows the left part of the teat cup cleaning unit in a front view,

(4) FIG. 3 shows the right part of a teat cup cleaning unit in a perspective view,

(5) FIG. 4 shows the front view of the part according to FIG. 3, and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a sealing element in a side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIGS. 1 and 3 show a left part 1 and right part 2 of a teat cup cleaning unit in a perspective view. The parts 1 and 2 can be connected to each other on the end side, thus producing a teat cup cleaning unit. A seal, as illustrated in FIG. 5, can be inserted between the parts, permitting an air-tight connection of the parts 1 and 2. The parts form a common housing which is formed substantially symmetrically. The housing consists of a plastic.

(8) It is apparent from the illustration according to FIG. 1 that a connecting piece 3 is provided. The connecting piece 3 opens into an inlet 4.

(9) FIGS. 1 and 3 show that the teat cup cleaning unit 4 has outlets 5. The outlets 5 are formed by openings which, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, have internal threads. The internal threads serve for connection to flow conducting means and optionally holders which may be used to secure teat cups to the teat cup cleaning unit.

(10) The teat cup cleaning unit has a calming chamber 6. The inlet 4 opens into the calming chamber 6. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the calming chamber 6 is tapered.

(11) It is apparent from the illustration according to FIGS. 2 and 4 that the calming chamber 6 has a wall 10 which is designed such that the flowing liquid flows from the inlet towards the obliquely running wall 10. The chamber has a region which is adjacent to the inlet 4 and has a constant cross section which merges into a tapering cross section. This is adjoined by yet another, but no longer so severe, reduction in the flow cross section. It is not compulsory for a cross-sectional change in the free flow cross section to be discontinuous. Refinements are also possible in which the flow cross section decreases continuously.

(12) The teat cup cleaning unit has a distribution chamber 7. The calming chamber 6 and the distribution chamber 7 are connected to each other via an opening 8. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the dividing plane passes through the opening 8. The opening 8 is formed in a region of the calming chamber 6 opposite the inlet 4. As is apparent from the illustration in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the opening 8 is located in a region of the chamber 6 in which said chamber has a relatively small free flow cross section.

(13) The outlets 5 are connected to the distribution chamber 7 via passages 9.

(14) A cleaning liquid flows through the inlet 4 into the calming chamber 6. The cleaning liquid flows from the calming chamber 6 via the opening 8 into the distribution chamber 7. The cleaning liquid leaves the teat cup cleaning unit via the passages 9 and the outlets 5. The lengths of each flow path of a cleaning liquid from the opening 8 to the particular outlet 5 are substantially identical. This permits a uniform distribution of a cleaning liquid. The calming chamber 6 has the task of calming the cleaning liquid flowing into the chamber in order to permit a uniform distribution of the cleaning liquid to the outlets 5.

(15) The inlet 4 or the connecting piece 3 can be provided with a valve by means of which the flow cross section of the inlet can be changed. A pivotable disk 11 can be provided in the region of the inlet 4. Said disk forms a non return valve which prevents air from being sucked into the rinsing line if there is a vacuum there but a teat cup cluster is not connected to the teat cup cleaning unit. The inlet or the connecting piece of the inlet may have a contour which accommodates the valve. The valve may be designed as a separate component. Connecting means, by means of which the parts 1 and 2 can be connected to each other, are not illustrated. Centering means may also be provided on the parts so as to simplify installation of the parts.

(16) FIG. 5 illustrates a seal 12 which is arranged between the parts 1 and 2 of the distribution unit. The parts 1 and 2 are connected to each other by connecting means such that an air-tight connection is achieved with the assistance of the seal 12. The seal 12 has beads 13 which can be introduced into corresponding grooves of the parts 1, 2.

(17) The seal 12 has a disk 11 which can be deflected. The disk 11 is connected in an articulated manner to the seal 12 such that the latter can be deflected into the plane of the drawing or out of the latter.

(18) The refinement according to the invention of the teat cup cleaning unit permits a cleaning liquid to be evenly distributed to the outlets. This improves the cleaning of the teat cups. A saving of cleaning liquids can occur.