A TEATCUP

Abstract

A teatcup includes a sleeve, a teacup liner provided in the sleeve, and a milk receptacle including a milk space. An inlet channel extends between an inner space of the teatcup liner and the milk space for conveying milk from a teat into the milk space. An outlet channel extends from the milk space and is connectable to a milk conduit for conveying the milk in a milk flow from the milk space. A gas supply channel conveys a gas into the milk space for promoting the milk flow. The gas supply channel has an inlet communicating with a gas source, and an outlet into the milk space. The milk space is partly delimited by a side wall. The gas supply channel extends within the side wall and along a surface of the side wall.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A teatcup comprising: a sleeve (2); a teatcup liner (3) provided in the sleeve (2) and having an inner space (5) defined therein; a milk receptacle (7) housing a milk space (8) partly delimited by a side wall (21) having a recess (40) opening directly into the milk space (8); an inlet channel (9), extending between the inner space (5) of the teatcup liner (3) and the milk space (8) to convey milk from a teat of an animal to be milked into the milk space (8); an outlet channel (10), extending from the milk space (8) and configured to be connected to a milk conduit (11) to convey the milk in a milk flow from the milk space (8), the milk space (8) being disposed between the inlet channel (9) and the outlet channel (10); and a gas supply channel (12) configured to convey a gas through the recess (40) in the side wall (21) into the milk space (8) to promote the milk flow, the gas supply channel (12) having an inlet (13) communicating with a gas source, and an outlet (14) into the milk space (8), the gas supply channel (12) extending within the side wall (21) of the milk space (8) and along a surface of the side wall (21).

18. The teatcup according to claim 17, wherein the gas supply channel (12) has a constant flow area along its length from the inlet (13) to the outlet (14).

19. The teatcup according to claim 17, wherein the gas supply channel (12) has an inner diameter of between 2 and 4 mm.

20. The teatcup according to claim 17, wherein the inlet (13) of the gas supply channel (12) is configured to be connected to a gas conduit (15) extending from the gas source.

21. The teatcup according to claim 20, wherein the milk receptacle (7) comprises a connection portion (35) comprising a milk connection (36) to enable connection of the outlet channel (10) to the milk conduit (11), a gas connection (37) to enable connection of the inlet (13) to the gas conduit (15), and a pulse connection (38) to enable connection of the pulse inlet (18) to the pulse conduit (19).

22. The teatcup according to claim 21, wherein the milk connection (36) comprises a milk nipple, the gas connection (37) comprises a gas nipple, and the pulse connection (38) comprises a pulse nipple, and wherein the milk nipple, the gas nipple, and the pulse nipple extend in parallel with each other.

23. The teatcup according to claim 17, wherein the milk space (8) comprises an upper part space (8a), from which the inlet channel (9) extends, and a lower part space (8b), from which the outlet channel (10) extends, the outlet (14) being located in the upper part space (8a).

24. The teatcup according to claim 17, wherein the recess (40) is defined by a recess surface (41), the outlet (14) of the gas supply channel (12) is located in the recess (40), and the gas supply channel extends to the recess (40) in a direction (d) passing through the recess surface (41), through the recess (40) and again through the recess surface (41).

25. The teatcup according to claim 17, wherein the milk receptacle (7) comprises a pulsation space (16), which communicates with a pulsation chamber (17) between the sleeve (2) and the teatcup liner (3), and a pulse inlet (18) configured to be connected to a pulse conduit (19) for the transport of a pulsation medium to the pulsation chamber (17) via the pulsation space (16).

26. The teatcup according to claim 25, wherein the pulsation space (16) and the milk space (8) are arranged beside each other and separated from each other by the side wall (21) forming a partition between the milk space (8) and the pulsation space (16).

27. The teatcup according to claim 26, wherein the pulsation space (16) has a circular cylindrical shape with a transverse axis (y) extending through the side wall (21).

28. The teatcup according to claim 27, wherein the pulsation space (16) has a pulsation space opening (22) through which the transverse axis (y) extends and which is closed by a circular pulsation space cover (23).

29. The teatcup according to claim 28, wherein the circular pulsation space cover (23) comprises a sensor configured to sense or supervise the pulsation medium in the pulsation space (16).

30. The teatcup according to claim 25, wherein the milk receptacle (7) comprises a connection portion (35) comprising a milk connection (36) to enable connection of the outlet channel (10) to the milk conduit (11), a gas connection (37) to enable connection of the inlet (13) to the gas conduit (15), and a pulse connection (38) to enable connection of the pulse inlet (18) to the pulse conduit (19).

31. The teatcup according to claim 30, wherein the milk connection (36) comprises a milk nipple, the gas connection (37) comprises a gas nipple, and the pulse connection (38) comprises a pulse nipple, and wherein the milk nipple, the gas nipple, and the pulse nipple extend in parallel with each other.

32. The teatcup according to claim 17, wherein the milk space (8) has a circular cylindrical shape with a transverse axis (y) extending through the side wall (21).

33. The teatcup according to claim 32, wherein the milk space (8) has a milk space opening (24) through which the transverse axis (y) extends and which is closed by a circular milk space cover (25).

34. The teatcup according to claim 33, wherein the circular milk space cover (25) comprises a sensor configured to sense or supervise the milk in the milk space (8).

35. A teatcup comprising: a sleeve (2); a teatcup liner (3) provided in the sleeve (2) and having an inner space (5) defined therein; a milk receptacle (7) housing a milk space (8) partly delimited by a side wall (21), the milk receptacle (7) receiving an end portion of the teatcup liner (3) and an end portion of the sleeve (2) therein; an inlet channel (9) extending between an end of the teatcup liner (3) and the milk space (8) to convey milk from a teat of an animal to be milked into the milk space (8); an outlet channel (10), extending from the milk space (8) and configured to be connected to a milk conduit (11) to convey the milk in a milk flow from the milk space (8), the milk space (8) being disposed between the inlet channel (9) and the outlet channel (10); and a gas supply channel (12) configured to convey a gas into the milk space (8) to promote the milk flow, the gas supply channel (12) having an inlet (13) communicating with a gas source, and an outlet (14) into the milk space (8), the gas supply channel (12) extending within and through the side wall (21) of the milk space (8).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0039] The present invention is now to be explained more closely through a description of an embodiment with modifications thereof, and with reference to the drawings attached hereto.

[0040] FIG. 1 discloses a side view of a teatcup according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] FIG. 2 discloses a longitudinal section of the teatcup along the line II-II in FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 3 discloses another side view of the teatcup in FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 4 discloses a longitudinal section along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

[0044] FIG. 5 discloses an enlarged view of a part of the teatcup in FIG. 4.

[0045] FIG. 6 discloses an exploded perspective view of the teatcup in FIG. 1.

[0046] FIG. 7 discloses a diagram indicating the milking vacuum level and the pulsating vacuum level.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0047] FIGS. 1 to 6 shows a teatcup 1 comprising a sleeve 2 and a teacup liner 3 provided in the sleeve 2 and adapted to receive a teat (not disclosed) of an animal to be milked. The teatcup 1 also comprises a lip 4 forming an opening through which the teat is introduced into an inner space 5 of the teatcup liner 3.

[0048] The lip 4 may be an integrated part of the teatcup liner 3, or an integrated part of a lip member as disclosed in FIG. 2.

[0049] The teatcup 1 has a first end 1a, which forms an upper end when attached to the teat, and a second end 1b. The lip 4 is located at the first end 1a.

[0050] The teatcup 1 defines a longitudinal axis x extending through the first end 1a and the second end 1b.

[0051] The teatcup 1 also comprises a milk receptacle 7, which comprises or defines a milk space 8.

[0052] An inlet channel 9 extends between the inner space 5 of the teatcup liner 3 and the milk space 8 for conveying milk from the teat of the animal to be milked into the milk space 8.

[0053] An outlet channel 10 extends from the milk space 8. The outlet channel 10 is configured to be connected to a milk conduit 11, see FIG. 4, for conveying the milk in a milk flow from the milk space 8. The outlet channel 10 extends to the second end 1b.

[0054] A gas supply channel 12, see in particular FIG. 5, is provided for conveying a gas into the milk space 8 for promoting the milk flow. The gas supply channel 12 has an inlet 13, which communicates with a gas source, and an outlet 14 into the milk space 8. The inlet 13 of the gas supply channel 12 is configured to be connected to a gas conduit 15 extending from the gas source.

[0055] The gas source may be the surrounding atmosphere, i.e. the gas is air. Alternatively, the gas source may be formed by a container containing any suitable gas such as air, nitrogen, etc.

[0056] The gas conduit 15 may have a length permitting supply of gas, such as air, from a position remote from the teatcup 1 and from the position at which the milking takes place.

[0057] The milk receptacle 7 also comprises or defines a pulsation space 16, see in particular FIG. 5. The pulsation space 16 communicates with a pulsation chamber 17, which is provided between the sleeve 2 and the teatcup liner 3. A pulse inlet 18 extends from the pulsation space 16 and is configured to be connected to a pulse conduit 19 for the transport of a pulsation medium to the pulsation chamber 17 via the pulsation space 16.

[0058] In the embodiment disclosed, the sleeve 2, the teatcup liner 3 and the lip member form an integrated unit or a cartridge, see WO2013/0952291. The teatcup 1 also comprises an outer shell 20 outside the cartridge and the sleeve 2. The outer shell 20 may be attached to the milk receptacle 7, for instance by means of a press fit. The outer shell 20 may be made of metal, for instance steel, and provides a protection for the cartridge. The cartridge may be a replaceable unit which may be introduced into the outer shell 20 and the milk receptacle 7 to the position disclosed in FIG. 2.

[0059] The milk space 8 is partly delimited by a side wall 21. The side wall 21 may extend in parallel, or substantially in parallel, with the longitudinal axis x.

[0060] The pulsation space 16 and the milk space 8 are arranged beside each other and separated from each other by the side wall 21. The side wall 21 thus forms a partition between the milk space 8 and the pulsation space 16.

[0061] The pulsation space 16 has a circular cylindrical shape. A transverse axis y extends through pulsation space 16 and through the side wall 21. The transverse axis y forms a central axis of the circular cylindrical pulsation space 16.

[0062] The milk space 8 has a circular cylindrical shape. A transverse axis y extends through the milk space 8 and through the side wall 21. The transverse axis y forms a central axis of the circular cylindrical milk space 8.

[0063] In the embodiment disclosed, the transverse axis y of the milk space 8 and the transverse axis y of the pulsation space 16 coincide with each other. Moreover, the transverse axis y, common for the milk space 8 and the pulsation space 16, may be perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis x.

[0064] The pulsation space 16 has a pulsation space opening 22, which is circular. The transverse axis y extends through the pulsation space opening 22. In the embodiment disclosed, the pulsation space opening 22 is closed, or closable, by a circular pulsation space cover 23.

[0065] The circular pulsation space cover 23 may be removable. In the closed state, see FIG. 5, the circular pulsation space cover 23 abuts, or tightly abuts, the pulsation space opening 22 to seal the pulsation space 16 from the surrounding atmosphere.

[0066] The circular pulsation space cover 23 may be attached to the pulsation space opening 22 by means of a snap fit. A gasket (not disclosed) may be provided between the circular pulsation space cover 23 and the pulsation space opening 22.

[0067] The milk space 8 has a milk space opening 24, which is circular. The transverse axis y extends through the milk space opening 24. In the embodiment disclosed, and the milk space 8 is closed, or closable, by a circular milk space cover 25.

[0068] The circular milk space cover 25 may be removable. In the closed state, see FIG. 5, the circular milk space cover 25 abuts, or tightly abuts, the milk space opening 24 to seal the milk space 8 from the surrounding atmosphere.

[0069] The circular milk space cover 25 may be attached to the milk space opening 24 by means of a snap fit. A gasket (not disclosed) may be provided between the circular milk space cover 25 and the pulsation space opening 24.

[0070] The circular pulsation space cover 23 comprises means 31 for sensing or supervising the pulsation medium in the pulsation space 16. The sensing means 31 may comprise a pressure sensor for sensing, preferably momentarily, the pressure of the pulsation medium. The pressure sensor is configured to communicate with control unit 32 having a processor for calculating the pressure of the pulsation medium over the time.

[0071] Such a circular pulsation space cover 23 comprising the sensing means 31 may be used when sensing is to be performed. If no sensing is to be performed, a circular pulsation space cover 23 without sensing means may be used. Thanks to the removability, it is easy to alternate between a circular pulsation space cover 23 without sensing means and a circular pulsation space cover 23 with sensing means 31.

[0072] The circular milk space cover 25 comprises means 33 for sensing or supervising the milk in the milk space 8. The sensing means 33 may comprise a conductivity sensor for sensing, preferably momentarily, the conductivity of the milk. The sensing means, such as the conductivity sensor, is configured to communicate with the control unit 32 having a processor for processing a signal from the sensing means, such as the sensed conductivity.

[0073] Such a circular milk space cover 25 comprising the sensing means 33 may be used when sensing is to be performed. If no sensing is to be performed, a circular milk space cover 25 without sensing means may be used. Thanks to the removability, it is easy to alternate between a circular milk space cover 25 without sensing means and a circular milk space cover 25 with sensing means 33.

[0074] The milk receptacle 7 comprises a connection portion 35 comprising a milk connection 36 for enabling connection of the outlet channel 10 to the milk conduit 11, a gas connection 37 for enabling connection of the inlet 13 to the gas conduit 15, and a pulse connection 38 for enabling connection of the pulse inlet 18 to the pulse conduit 19. In the embodiment disclosed, the milk connection 36 comprises a milk nipple, the gas connection 37 comprises a gas nipple and the pulse connection 38 comprises a pulse nipple. The milk nipple, the gas nipple and the pulse nipple extend in parallel with each other.

[0075] Moreover, in the embodiment disclosed, the milk nipple, the gas nipple and the pulse nipple extend in parallel, or substantially in parallel, with the longitudinal axis x. It should be noted however, that the extension of the milk nipple, the gas nipple and the pulse nipple may form an angle to the longitudinal axis x, at least when seen in the view of FIG. 2. The milk nipple, the gas nipple and the pulse nipple may thus be turned around the transverse axis y. This may be advantageous, especially when milking animals having low udders, i.e. teats reaching a position close to the ground.

[0076] The milk conduit 11, the gas conduit 15 and the pulse conduit 19 are included in a common hose 39, see FIGS. 1 and 4. The three conduits 11, 15 and 19 extend in parallel with each other.

[0077] The gas supply channel 12 extends within the side wall 21. The gas supply channel 12 may extend straightly and along a surface of the side wall 21, for instance in parallel with a surface of the side wall 21. The surface of the side wall 21 may be the surface facing the milk space 8 and/or the surface facing the pulse space 16.

[0078] Moreover, the gas supply channel 12 may, as in the embodiment disclosed, extend in parallel, or substantially in parallel, with the longitudinal axis x.

[0079] The gas supply channel 12 has a constant flow area along its length from the inlet 13 to the outlet 14. Also the gas conduit 15 may have a constant flow area along its length. The flow area of the gas conduit 15 may be equal to the flow area of the gas supply channel 12.

[0080] The gas supply channel 12 has an inner diameter of between 2 and 4 mm, preferably between 2.6 and 3.6 mm, or more preferably between 2.8 and 3.4 mm, for instance 3.2 mm or approximately 3.2 mm. The inner diameter of the gas conduit 15 may be equal to the inner diameter of the gas supply channel 12.

[0081] The milk space 8 comprises an upper part space 8a above the transverse axis y and a lower part space 8b below the transverse axis y. The inlet channel 9 extends from the upper part space 8a. The outlet channel 10 extends from the lower part space 8b.

[0082] The outlet 14 of the gas supply channel 12 is located in the upper part space 8a, relatively close to the inlet channel 9 where the milk enters the milk space 8.

[0083] The side wall 21 comprises a recess 40 defined by a recess surface 41, see in particular FIG. 5. The recess 40 forms a part of the milk space 8.

[0084] The outlet 14 of the gas supply channel 12 is located in the recess 40. The gas supply channel 12 extends to the recess 40 in a direction 42 passing through the recess surface 41, through the recess 40 and again through the recess surface 41.

[0085] In the embodiment disclosed, the direction 42 of the gas supply channel 12 is parallel, or substantially parallel, with the longitudinal axis x.

[0086] The recess surface 41 is at least partly concave, or concavely domed, at least at a region opposite to the outlet 14, or in other words where the direction 42 again passes through the recess surface 42, as can be seen in FIG. 5. The concave recess surface 42 further promotes a careful redirection of the gas entering the milk space 8.

[0087] FIG. 7 discloses a diagram indicating the milking vacuum level 51 and the pulsating vacuum level 52 of a teatcup 1 as described in the present application. As can be seen the variation of the milking vacuum level 51 is moderate.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed and discussed above, but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.