CLEANING UNIT FOR CLEANING AT LEAST ONE HEAD SECTION OF A TEAT CUP

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning unit for cleaning at least one head section of a teat cup. Said cleaning unit comprises a chamber that has a substantially circular cross-section, is delimited by a wall and has an opening delimited by a sealing element. The chamber has at least one inlet. The cleaning unit is characterized in that at least one section of the sealing element or at least one section of the wall adjoining the opening and a section of the sealing element is or are flexible around the circumference of the chamber.

Claims

1. A cleaning unit for cleaning at least one head section of a milking cup, the cleaning unit comprising; a wall at least partially defining an opening and at least partially defining a chamber with a substantially circular cross section; and a sealing element at least partially defining the opening in the wall section; wherein the chamber has at least one inlet for a cleaning liquid, and wherein a section of the wall and a section of the sealing element are elastic in a circumferential direction of the chamber.

2. The cleaning unit of claim 1, and further comprising: a plurality of spacers disposed in a bottom of the chamber.

3. The cleaning unit of claim 1, and further comprising: an element projecting from the bottom of the chamber and disposed at least partially in the chamber, wherein the element has a channel extending in a longitudinal direction inside the element and in fluid communication with the inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet axially spaced apart from the first outlet and in fluid communication with the channel, and the chamber can receive at least a portion of the teat rubber head section and the element is configured to project at least partially into the teat rubber head section, and wherein the first outlet of the element is disposed below a bottom portion of the teat rubber head section and configured to eject the cleaning liquid toward an exterior surface of the teat rubber head section, and the second outlet of the element is positioned above the bottom portion of the teat rubber head section and configured to eject the cleaning liquid toward an inner surface of the teat rubber head section.

4. The cleaning unit of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the wall section is corrugated and extends at least partially around a circumference of the chamber to at least partially define a cleaning fluid flow channel in an exterior surface cleaning space.

5. The cleaning unit of claim 1, and further comprising: a plurality of spacers disposed in a bottom of a chamber; and wherein the spacers are substantially planar.

6. The cleaning unit of claim 1, wherein the wall section comprises: a plurality of ribs, and each rib extends at least partially in an axial direction of the chamber.

7. The cleaning unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wall section comprises: a rib disposed in a side of the wall section facing the chamber.

8. The cleaning unit of claim 1, and further comprising: a spacer disposed in a bottom of the chamber; and and a wall section rib aligned with the spacer in an axial plane.

9. The cleaning unit of claim 1, wherein the wall has a first region adjacent to the opening and the first region has a wall thickness that is thinner than a wall thickness of a second region that is spaced apart from the opening.

10. The cleaning unit of claim 9, wherein a ratio of the axial dimensions of the first region and the second region is about one.

11. The cleaning unit of claim 9, and further comprising; at least one wall reinforcement extending at least partially in a circumferential direction in a transition region between the first region and the second region.

12. The cleaning unit of claim 9, wherein the first region is formed from a different material than a material of the second region.

13. The cleaning unit of claim 12, wherein the first region and the second region are produced by the two-component injection-molding process.

14. The cleaning unit of claim 9, wherein the first region has a Shore hardness between about 50 and about 70.

15. The cleaning unit of claim 9, wherein the first region has a Shore hardness of about 60.

16. The cleaning unit of claim 1, wherein the sealing element is substantially symmetrical.

17. The cleaning unit of claim 3, wherein the sealing element comprises a collar bearing against a bottom of the chamber and having a pocket in communication with the chamber and the first outlet is in fluid communication with the pocket.

18. The cleaning unit of claim 1, wherein the sealing element defines at least one groove extending in a longitudinal direction of the sealing element.

19. The cleaning unit of claim 1, wherein the sealing element has a free end section that is substantially conical in shape and unattached to the wall.

20. The cleaning unit of claim 19, wherein the sealing element defines a longitudinal groove and the free end section comprises a longitudinal end channel in fluid communication with the longitudinal groove.

21. The cleaning unit of claim 1, wherein the wall section is corrugated and the corrugations are substantially evenly spaced.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] In the drawing:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a cleaning unit in a perspective view,

[0045] FIG. 2 shows the cleaning unit according to FIG. 1 in section in conjunction with a carrier unit,

[0046] FIG. 3 shows an element in a front view,

[0047] FIG. 4 shows, on an enlarged scale and in section, an end region of the element according to FIG. 3,

[0048] FIG. 5 shows the cleaning unit according to FIG. 1 in a sectional view with a teat rubber,

[0049] FIG. 6 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the arrangement of a plurality of cleaning units at the milking stall,

[0050] FIG. 7 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the arrangement of a plurality of milking units at the milking stall, and

[0051] FIG. 8 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the arrangement of a plurality of cleaning units at the milking stall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] FIG. 1 shows schematically in a perspective view an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning unit 1 according to the invention for cleaning at least one head section of a milking cup.

[0053] The cleaning unit 1 has a substantially circular chamber 4 which is delimited by a wall 6. The chamber has an opening 2 which is delimited by a sealing element 3.

[0054] The cleaning unit 1 is produced in one piece from rubber or an elastic material.

[0055] The cleaning unit 1 has a wall section 9 which, as can be seen from the representation according to FIG. 1, is substantially corrugated in cross section. As viewed in the circumferential direction of the chamber, the wall section 9 extends over the entire circumference.

[0056] The sealing element 3 is formed in one piece with the wall section 9 and has a radial extension of about 2.5 mm. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, the sealing element 3 is directed obliquely upward.

[0057] The wall 6 of the chamber has two regions 10, 11 which have a different wall thickness. The region 10 adjacent to the sealing element 3 has a smaller wall thickness than the further region 11 of the wall 6. The axial extension of the regions 10, 11 is preferably identical. It can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 that, as viewed in the circumferential direction, a reinforcement 12 which is of bead-like design is provided between the regions 10, 11.

[0058] Opposite the opening 2 is provided a bottom 7. Spacers 8 are formed on the bottom 7. The spacers 8 are substantially web-shaped. The spacers 8 preferably extend radially inward from the inner side of the wall 6.

[0059] Ribs 13 which extend at least partially in the axial direction of the chamber 4 are formed on the inner side of the wall 6.

[0060] A rotationally symmetrical element 14 is arranged substantially concentrically to the longitudinal axis of the chamber 4. The element 14 projects from the chamber 4 of the cleaning unit 1.

[0061] The element 14 is represented in FIG. 3. It has a connection region 15 which, in the exemplary embodiment represented, takes the form of a thread. The connection region 15 projects from the cleaning unit 1 and serves for connection with a carrier unit 16. The carrier unit 16 has a corresponding internal thread for receiving the thread of the connection region 15. Above the connection region 15 is provided a collar 17 which comes to bear against the bottom 7 in the mounted state. The collar 17 has a bevel 18 which interacts with a correspondingly formed bevel 19 in an opening in the bottom 7. The bevel 18 and the corresponding opposing bevel 19 in the bottom 7 ensure that the cleaning unit 1 is centered on the carrier unit 16.

[0062] A channel 20 is provided inside the element 14. The channel 20 extends partially in the longitudinal direction of the element 14. The channel 20 has a first outlet 21 and a second outlet 22. The first and the second outlets are at a distance from one another as viewed in the axial direction. In the exemplary embodiment represented, the first outlet 21 is formed by four outlet openings which lead into corresponding pockets 23 of the collar 17.

[0063] The channel 20 of the element 14 is connected to a feedline 24 which is formed in the carrier unit 16. If a cleaning liquid flows through the feedline 24 into the channel 20 of the element 14, the liquid leaves the element through the first outlet 21 and the second outlet 22 and passes both into the inside and the outside of the teat rubber which is situated in the milking cup. Further details are explained further below.

[0064] A milking cup comprises a milking cup sleeve and a teat rubber arranged therein. The term teat rubber should be interpreted essentially in a functional sense. Consequently, there is no restriction to a teat rubber made of the material rubber. The teat rubber can also be produced from silicone or other materials. A head region of the teat rubber engages around the milking cup sleeve, with the result that this head region is situated outside the milking cup sleeve.

[0065] Where mention is made below of the cleaning of the milking cup, this is also intended to include the cleaning of the teat rubber.

[0066] The flow of the cleaning liquid out of the element 14 is schematically represented in FIG. 5.

[0067] The element 14 has a shank 25. Grooves 26 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the shank. The free end region 27 of the element 14 is substantially conical. The free end section 27 of the shank 25 has channels 28. The channels 28 extend in the longitudinal direction of the shank 26 and communicate with the grooves 26.

[0068] To carry out a cleaning operation on a head section 5 of a teat rubber, the head section 5 of the teat rubber is positioned in the cleaning unit 1, as can be seen from FIG. 5. The fact that the element 14 projects from the chamber 4 of the cleaning unit 1 and has a substantially conical end section 27 means that the milking cup is positioned when the head section 5 is inserted into the chamber. During the cleaning operation, the element 14 supports the position of the milking cup.

[0069] When inserting the head section 5 of the milking cup, the wall region of the cleaning unit is stretched in the circumferential direction, which is also the case for the sealing element 3, thereby facilitating the insertion of the head section 5. The sealing element 3 comes to bear against a collar 29 of the teat rubber. The end face 30 of the head section 5 of the teat rubber rests on the spacers 8. An annular gap between which the cleaning agent can pass is present between the inner side of the wall 6 and the outer face of the head section 5.

[0070] To clean the head section 5, a cleaning agent, in particular water, is passed via the feedline 24 into the channel 20. The cleaning agent leaves the channel 20 through the first outlet 21 and the second outlet 22. The cleaning agent leaving the first outlet 21 fills the chamber 4 with the cleaning agent. The cleaning agent level rises in the chamber 4 until the latter is preferably virtually completely filled. A portion of the cleaning agent fed through the channel 20 leaves the channel 20 through the outlet 22 and passes directly into the teat rubber 31.

[0071] The cleaning agent situated in the chamber 4 is sucked into the teat rubber 31 as a result of the vacuum which prevails in the teat rubber during the cleaning process. The flow paths are schematically represented by arrows.

[0072] In order to achieve a quick removal of the cleaning agent from the teat rubber 31, the grooves 26 and the channels 28 are provided. A portion of the cleaning agent flows around the substantially conical end section 27 of the element 14, while a portion of the liquid flows along the grooves 26 through the channel 24 into the shank region of the teat rubber 31.

[0073] The fact that the cleaning agent is introduced into the chamber and sucked out of it ensures that the outer side of the head section 5 of the teat rubber is cleaned.

[0074] FIGS. 6 to 8 show different arrangements of cleaning units 1 at the milking parlor.

[0075] FIGS. 6 to 8 show four cleaning units which are each arranged on a carrier unit 16. The four cleaning units serve for cleaning milking clusters which are intended for the milking of cows.

[0076] FIG. 6 shows an arrangement in which the carrier unit 16 is connected in an articulated manner via an arm 31 to a carrier arm 32. By pivoting the carrier unit 16, the carrier unit 16 can be brought into the working position, in which the milking cups, which are not shown, are introduced into the cleaning units.

[0077] The carrier arm 32 is fastened to a side wall of a milking parlor, which is not shown further.

[0078] A holder 34 is provided for holding a milking claw.

[0079] FIG. 7 shows a more compact design of the arrangement of cleaning units which are arranged on a carrier unit 16. The carrier unit 16 is connected via an arm 31 to a carrier arm 32 which is connected to a wall of a milking parlor. The carrier arm and the holding arm are connected to one another in an articulated manner. This also applies to the holding arm and the carrier unit 16. By means of a corresponding movement it is possible for the carrier arm, the holding arm and the carrier unit to be brought into a substantially horizontal position.

[0080] FIG. 8 shows an arrangement of four cleaning units which are secured to a carrier unit 16. The carrier unit 16 is arranged in a drawer 33 which is arranged in the region of the milking parlor.

[0081] The cleaning unit can also be arranged directly on a cleaning line. The number of cleaning units is dependent on the number of milking clusters to be cleaned. In the case of a milking parlor for goats, two cleaning units can be provided, for example.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0082] 1 Cleaning element

[0083] 2 Opening

[0084] 3 Sealing element

[0085] 4 Chamber

[0086] 5 Head section

[0087] 6 Wall

[0088] 7 Bottom

[0089] 8 Spacer

[0090] 9 Wall section

[0091] 10/11 Region

[0092] 12 Reinforcement

[0093] 13 Rib

[0094] 14 Element

[0095] 15 Connection region

[0096] 16 Carrier unit

[0097] 17 Collar

[0098] 18/19 Bevel

[0099] 20 Channel

[0100] 21 First outlet

[0101] 22 Second outlet

[0102] 23 Pocket

[0103] 24 Feedline

[0104] 25 Shank

[0105] 26 Groove

[0106] 27 End section

[0107] 28 Channel

[0108] 29 Collar

[0109] 30 End face

[0110] 31 Arm

[0111] 32 Carrier arm

[0112] 33 Drawer