A TEATCUP

Abstract

A teatcup for the teat of an animal includes a casing having an upper end and a lower end, a cartridge inserted in the casing, and a pulsation chamber. An upper annular seal element extends between the cartridge and the casing to seal the pulsation chamber from the environment. The cartridge includes an elongated support member including an upper end section, a lower end section, and an intermediate support structure between the upper and lower end sections. A barrel defining an inner space for the teat is mounted in the elongated support member and stretched between the upper and the lower end sections. The intermediate support structure is permeable to gas. The pulsation chamber is delimited by the barrel, the casing and the upper annular seal element positioned at the upper end of the casing.

Claims

1. A teatcup configured to be attached to the teat of an animal to be milked, the teatcup comprising: a casing having an upper end and a lower end; a cartridge configured to be inserted into the casing to an inserted position to form the teatcup, the cartridge comprising an elongated support member comprising an upper end section, a lower end section, and an intermediate support structure extending between and connecting the upper end section and the lower end section, the intermediate support structure being permeable to gas over an entire axial length of the intermediate support structure from the upper end section to the lower end section and the circumference of the intermediate support structure, and a barrel defining an inner space configured to receive the teat and mounted in the elongated support member and stretched between the upper end section and the lower end section; a pulsation chamber; and an upper annular seal extending between the cartridge and the casing when the cartridge is in the inserted position in order to seal the pulsation chamber from the environment, the upper annular seal being positioned at the upper end of the casing when the cartridge is in the inserted position, wherein the pulsation chamber is delimited by the barrel, the casing, and the upper annular seal element.

2. The teatcup according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate support structure comprises or consists of a net.

3. The teatcup according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate support structure comprises or consists of a perforated sheet.

4. The teatcup according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate support structure comprises a plurality of rod-like elements extending between and connecting the upper end section and the lower end section.

5. The teatcup according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate support structure is permeable to gas over an entire axial length from the upper end section to the lower end section.

6. The teatcup according to claim 1, wherein the axial length of the intermediate support structure corresponds to at least 70% of the axial length of the elongated support member.

7. The teatcup according to claim 1, wherein the upper end section comprises a solid ring.

8. The teatcup according to claim 1, wherein the lower end section comprises a solid ring.

9. The teatcup according to claim 1, wherein the upper annular seal element forms a part of the cartridge.

10. The teatcup according to claim 1, wherein the upper annular seal element forms a part of the casing.

11. The teatcup according to claim 1, wherein a lower part of the barrel is configured to seal against an upper part of a milk conduit.

12. The teatcup according to claim 1, further comprising a pulsation port extending through the casing and permitting communication between the pulsation chamber and a pulse conduit.

13. The teatcup according to claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece attached to the cartridge at the upper end section of the elongated support member to protrude from the casing when the cartridge is in the inserted position.

14. A teatcup configured to be attached to the teat of an animal to be milked, the teatcup comprising: a casing having an upper end and a lower end; a cartridge configured to be inserted into the casing to an inserted position to form the teatcup, the cartridge comprising an elongated support member comprising an upper end section, a lower end section, and an intermediate support structure extending between and connecting the upper end section and the lower end section, and a barrel defining an inner space configured to receive the teat and mounted in the elongated support member and stretched between the upper end section and the lower end section; a pulsation chamber; and an upper annular seal extending between the cartridge and the casing when the cartridge is in the inserted position in order to seal the pulsation chamber from the environment, the upper annular seal being positioned at the upper end of the casing when the cartridge is in the inserted position, the upper annular seal being disposed between the upper end section of the elongated support member and an inner cylindrical surface of the upper end of the casing, wherein the pulsation chamber is delimited by the barrel, the casing, and the upper annular seal element.

15. The teatcup according to claim 14, wherein the intermediate support structure is permeable to gas over an entire axial length of the intermediate support structure from the upper end section to the lower end section.

16. The teatcup according to claim 15, wherein the intermediate support structure is permeable to gas over the circumference of the intermediate support structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention is now to be explained more closely through a description of various embodiments and with reference to the drawings attached hereto.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a teatcup according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view through the teatcup in FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an elongated support member of the teatcup in FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an elongated support member according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an elongated support member according to a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0034] FIGS. 1 and 2 disclose a teatcup 1 according to a first embodiment, which is configured to be attached to the teat of an animal to be milked. The teatcup 1 comprises a casing 2 having an upper end 2a and a lower end 2b, and a cartridge 3. The cartridge 3 is configured to be inserted to and secured in an inserted position in the casing 1 to form the teatcup 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the cartridge 3 is inserted in the casing 2 and secured in the inserted position.

[0035] The teatcup 1 also comprises an upper annular seal element 4 extending between the cartridge 3 and the casing 2 when the cartridge 3 is in the inserted position. The upper annular seal element 4 may comprise or consist of a rubber ring.

[0036] The cartridge 3 comprises an elongated support member 5 comprising an upper end section 5a, a lower end section 5b and an intermediate support structure 5c extending between and connecting the upper end section 5a and the lower end section 5b. The upper end section 5a may comprise or consist of a solid ring, for instance made of a metallic of plastic material. The lower end section 5b may comprise or consist of a solid ring, for instance made of a metallic of plastic material.

[0037] The cartridge 3 also comprises a barrel 6 defining an inner space 7 for receiving the teat. The barrel 6 is mounted in the elongated support member 5 and stretched between the upper end section 5a and the lower end section 5b.

[0038] The barrel 6 comprises an upper part 6a and a lower part 6b. In the embodiments disclosed, the upper part 6a protrudes above the upper section 5a of the elongated support member 5, and the lower part 6b protrudes below the lower section 5b of the elongated support member 5.

[0039] Furthermore, the teatcup 1 comprises a mouthpiece 8. The mouthpiece 8 may be comprised by the cartridge 3 and may be attached to the upper part 6a of the barrel 6, in particular above or at the upper end section 5a of the elongated support member 5. The mouthpiece 8 may protrude from the casing 2 when the cartridge 3 is in the inserted position, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0040] The mouthpiece 8 may comprise an aperture 9 extending through the mouthpiece 8 for permitting the teat to be introduced into the inner space 7. The aperture 9 may be formed by a lip 10 of the mouthpiece 8.

[0041] The cartridge 3 comprises a number, for instance, three primary engagement members 11 provided circumferentially after each other on an outer surface of the elongated support member 5, see FIG. 2 showing one of the primary engagement members 11. Each of the primary engagement members 11 is configured to interact with a respective secondary engagement member 12, which are provided circumferentially on an inner surface of the casing 2. By means of the primary engagement members 11 and the secondary engagement members 12, the cartridge 3 may be secured in the inserted position in the casing 2 as is illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0042] In the embodiments disclosed, the primary engagement members 11 are attached to an outer side of the intermediate support structure 5c. The primary engagement members 11 may, however, have another location, for instance be attached to the lower end section 5b.

[0043] The teacup 1 is connected to a milk conduit 13. The milk conduit 13 may be attached to the lower end 2b of the casing 2 as can be seen in FIG. 2. An upper part 13a of the milk conduit 13 may be arranged inside the casing 2 at the lower end 2b of the casing 2, wherein the lower part 6b of the barrel 6 may adjoin the upper part 13a of the milk conduit 13 to form a tight path for the milk from the inner space 7 to the milk conduit 13.

[0044] Furthermore, the lower portion 6b of the barrel 6 is configured to seal against the upper part 13a of the milk conduit 13 when the cartridge 3 is secured in the inserted position in the casing 2.

[0045] A pulsation chamber 14 is formed between and delimited by the barrel 6, the casing 2 and the annular seal element 4. The pulsation chamber 14 may thus be tightly sealed from the environment when the cartridge 3 is secured in the inserted position in the casing 2.

[0046] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the upper annular seal element 4 is positioned at the upper end 2a of the casing 2 when the cartridge 3 is in the inserted position. In one embodiment, the upper annular seal element 4 may form a part of the cartridge 3, i.e. the upper annular seal element 4 is attached to the cartridge 3. In another embodiment, the upper annular seal element 4 may form a part of the casing 2, i.e. the upper annular seal element 4 is attached to the casing 2.

[0047] The teatcup 1 comprises a pulsation port 15 extending through the casing 2 and permitting communication between the pulsation chamber 14 and a pulse conduit 16. In the embodiments disclosed, the pulsation port 15 comprises a pulse nipple 17 extending from the casing 2. The pulse conduit 16 is attached to the pulse nipple 17.

[0048] The teatcup 1 thus creates a free, straight path permitting a free, undisturbed gas flow between the pulse conduit 16 and the pulsation chamber 14 via the pulsation port 15. No obstructing elements are present along the path.

[0049] The intermediate support structure 5c is permeable to gas permitting the pulsating pressure to propagate freely through the intermediate support structure. The intermediate support structure 5c may be permeable to gas over its entire axial length from the upper end section 5a to the lower end section 5b.

[0050] The intermediate support structure 5c may have an axial length corresponding to at least 70% of the axial length of the elongated support member 5, preferably at least 80% of the axial length of the elongated support member 5, and more preferably at least 90% of the axial length of the elongated support member 5. Thus, the upper end section 5a may have an axial length that is at most 15% of the axial length of the intermediate support structure 5c, preferably at most 10% of the axial length of the intermediate support structure 5c, and more preferably at most 5% of the axial length of the intermediate support structure 5c. Furthermore, the lower end section 5b may have an axial length that is at most 15% of the axial length of the intermediate support structure 5c, preferably at most 10% of the axial length of the intermediate support structure 5c, and more preferably at most 5% of the axial length of the intermediate support structure 5c.

[0051] According to the first embodiment, the intermediate support structure 5c comprises or consists of a net 20 that may extend between and connect the upper end section 5a and the lower end section 5b, see also FIG. 3. The net 20 may be made of a metal or a plastic material having a sufficient strength.

[0052] FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment, which differs from the first embodiment only in that the intermediate support structure 5c comprises or consists of a perforated sheet 21 that may extend between and connect the upper end section 5a and the lower end section 5b. The perforated sheet 21 may have a perforation, which may comprise a large number of holes 22 or apertures. FIG. 4 illustrates a large number of relatively small holes 22, but the perforation 21 may also comprise a relatively few large holes or apertures. The perforated sheet 21 may be made of a metal or a plastic material having a sufficient strength.

[0053] FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment, which differs from the first embodiment only in that the intermediate support structure 5c comprises or consists of a plurality of rod-like elements 23 extending between and connecting the upper end section 5a and the lower end section 5b. The rod like elements 23 may be made of a metal or a plastic material having a sufficient strength. The number of rod like elements 23 may be 3, 4, 5, 6 or even more.

[0054] According to a further embodiment, the rod-like elements 23 may be provided adjacent to the net 20 and possibly adjoin and be attached to the net 20 to further strengthen the elongated support member 5 as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The rod-like elements 23 may be provided inside or outside the net 20.

[0055] According to a still further embodiment, the rod-like elements 23 may be provided adjacent to the perforated sheet 21 and possibly adjoin and be attached to the perforated sheet 21 to further strengthen the elongated support member 5. The rod-like elements 23 may be provided inside or outside the perforated sheet 21.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.