DK173139B1 - Combination cock - Google Patents

Description

in DK 173139 B1

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a combi tap for use in pipe milking systems in connection with connection of v milking kits to a milk line and at the same time to a vacuum line as set out in the preamble of claim 1. Such combi tap is known from WO-A1-95 / 32614.

However, this known combi cock has the very considerable disadvantage that a high precision is required on the part of the milker when the opener part is applied to the valve housing defect, as a funnel-shaped groove in the valve housing part must be hit. When decoupling, a locking lever on the opener part must also be activated with the fingers, ie. a combined clamp-pull movement. All this complicates the workflow of the milker, who wants to quickly and easily put on and remove a combi-10 cock.

Another major disadvantage of this well-known rooster is a poor level of hygiene. Milk caps or drops, which inevitably drip from the opener part at the disconnection, drip down along the feeler groove for the opener part. And these milk remnants, which are quickly infected by microorganisms or even flies, spiders and the like, are easily brought into the milk tube with elevated germ numbers at the next introduction of the opener part. It should be noted, inter alia, that said patent specification provides a special seal which allegedly prevents suction of contaminated air into the milk conduit. But this particular package with all its nooks and crannies is a pretty excellent medium for microorganisms and impossible to clean.

20

Furthermore, this known combi cock is very complicated in that it consists of many individual parts.

This also has an impact on the ease with which one can replace gaskets and other parts, for example, which are subject to excessive wear. It is very difficult in this known combi rooster. so as not to say impossible for the dairyman himself to replace eg. gaskets.

25

Finally, this known cock has only a limited capacity, for example it cannot be used for simultaneous milking of e.g. two cows in compliance with ISO standards.

GB-A1-955,760 discloses a combi valve comprising a valve body portion and an opener portion and only a valve element in the form of a sliding damper, which, when displaced reciprocally, opens and closes for access to both the milk and vacuum lines. A pulsator is mounted on the opener part. The opener part can be completely removed and the valve body part is then left with the throttle cover covering the two openings. When applying the opener part, an upright flange on the slider must frame precisely into a corresponding cut at the leading edge of the opener, and partly treasure the opener part correctly into a groove which is limited upwards on both sides. Opening and closing is thus done with a single displacement movement, but also here a very high precision is required to connect the opener part and valve body part correctly. This known combi tap is intended for milk and vacuum lines placed in the same horizontal plane.

US-A-4,261,291 discloses a combi tap of a completely different type intended for connection to a milk line and a vacuum line where the milk line lies within the vacuum line. By means of a specially designed valve housing, it is achieved that the opening for the vacuum line in the connection area lies vertically above the opening for the milk line. Only one valve element. namely a slide-5 damper, covers the two openings, which are additionally normally covered by a lid. When coupling of a milking kit is desired, the lid is tilted away, the slider is manually displaced thereby exposing the openings and a non-welded connecting element to the milking set is inserted into the openings. This well-known combi tap is very cumbersome to operate and is complicated to adapt to the wiring systems used today.

10 DE-A1-27 05 323 and DE-A1-26 37117 indicate combi cock with a valve body part and an opener part but only one valve element in the form of a sliding valve which normally covers both the milk conduit and the vacuum line opening. In DE-A1-27 05 323, an opener portion is inserted into grooves bounded upwardly by a longitudinal flange and the opener portion has correspondingly inverted L-shaped flanges (a spring-notch type engagement) to be placed precisely in the groove. In addition, a coupling element on the opener part must be engaged with a corresponding coupling element on the slider. Only then can the opener part be displaced in the groove, thereby providing access to the two wires. on the opener section. When these coupling elements are engaged, the opener portion is used to displace the slider. In both of these known combi males, much precision is required in the operation.

Danish Patent No. 98596 discloses a combi cock with a valve housing part and an opener part and only a valve element in the form of a packing means which can be displaced during covering and covering openings 25 for the milk and vacuum lines. The displacement is effected by a plate-shaped portion which is inserted and displaced into a groove in the valve housing portion, which groove at the sides is delimited upwards (feather-not connection). When the desired displacement is achieved, some creams are applied to (or removed) the plate-shaped portion and connected to the milking set. Again a very complicated and precise operation.

30 DE-A1-40 03 367 and DE-C1-42 40 521 disclose milk cocks which also apply a principle of displacement of a sliding damper. The groove for this is funnel-shaped, respectively. of the feather-note type, viz. upward bounded in both cases. Danish Patent No. 96324 discloses a milk cock in which an opener part is displaced and then rotated in a dovetail note. Swedish patent no. 170 120 discloses a tap for connection to a single wire, e.g. a milk line. A piston-shaped valve member usually covers the opening by virtue of a spring action. A tubular opener portion is inserted into a groove that is bounded upwardly and additionally provided with notches which allow the opener portion to be inserted only in the correct position. When decoupling, a locking device must also be deactivated.

3 DK 173139 B1

Furthermore, there are combi males of the brand Fullwood® from the company Fullwood and Uni-Combihane® from the company SAC.

The first valve element of the Fullwood® combi tap is not a slider but a steel ball, which is suspended in a holder which can rotate about an axis in the longitudinal direction of the milk line, and this holder with ball is rotated away from the opening when opening with an opening mechanism in the form of a bent milk tube part with surrounding plate Inserted by displacement in a groove in the form of two parallel, opposite grooves in the valve body portion (the plate slides into the grooves and pushes to the ball). Thus, the track is bounded upwards with the disadvantages in respect of the operation mentioned above. The Fullwood® combination cock also consists of an incredible number of individual parts, of which no less than four moving parts. The level of hygiene in this well-known combi cock is also not satisfactory, nor can it be used for simultaneous milking of more than one cow in compliance with ISO standards.

15 The valve body portion of the known uniCombihane® combi tap has a spring-loaded slider which covers the openings for vacuum and milk line ends. This guide means is displaced by means of an opener part which is inserted into an upwardly defined dovetail groove and locked by rotation. The disadvantages of this well-known combi cock are once again the great precision needed before all the dovetail groove hits correctly. In addition, 20 may lock the opener part "too soon." Finally, this well-known combination cock also cannot meet the ISO standards when simultaneously milking two cows.

In summary, the known combi males have an ergonomically inappropriate operation, often composed of both shear and twist / turn movements. They are also disproportionately difficult to operate, with a particular track having to be hit very precisely. Furthermore, they are complicated with many individual parts, and replacement of spare parts is difficult, as is assembly and service in general. Hygiene is also poor due to inappropriate design. Finally, their capacity is limited to the requirements of ISO standards. In particular, none of the known combi males can meet the requirements of the ISO standards when simultaneously applying more than 30 one, more specifically two. milking kits, ie for the simultaneous milking of more than one cow or other dairy animal / animal.

These disadvantages are eliminated with the combi male of the invention, and even surprisingly simple, functional and efficient.

35

With regard to the terminology used here, and especially with regard to the terminology of the claims, the following applies: 4 DK 173139 B1

By "opening" is meant a bulb which allows fluid or air to pass. The opening cross-section need not be circular

The term "duct * is generally understood to mean only a cavity, regardless of the cross-section and any length or axial dimension. In this reversal, there is not necessarily implied a possibility of passage of liquid or air. which in a so-called second position moves another valve element In that this duct does not allow for the passage of liquid or air, said duct can merely be a recess or annulus around the associated opening, it is important that it can accommodate it a second valve element or part thereof so that a desired communication between another channel and the opening can be established, however, said second channel is of the type which allows for passage through.

The term "communicating" about the relationship between two openings or two passages or an opening and a passageway means that liquid or air can pass from one to the other, so there is only a very small overlap between the respective openings / This situation is sometimes also referred to as a Ί at least partially exposed * opening / channel, but in most cases a total overlap of the two openings is desired, so that the smallest opening is completely exposed.

20

By the term "sliding damper" is meant simply a slider, ie. a body which is intended to perform a shear, sliding or translational movement. Preferably a positively controlled or forced movement, i.e. in a special track.

Thus, the guide damper need not be plate-shaped as shown in the drawing. It can also be e.g. cylindrical or of more complicated or compound shape.

By the term "another valve element * is meant a body of any shape and hollow or solid which is generally arranged to cover and cover an opening under the influence of an (external) opening mechanism.

The drawing shows another valve element in the form of a (solid) ball which can be pushed up into a side channel by introducing an opening mechanism, from which it will fall down, back to the opening covering position, under the influence of gravity and vacuum when the opening mechanism is again removed.

But this second valve element may just as well be an ellipsoid. a hemisphere, a cone stub or cone, a cube or other multieder - or having compound form.

And the second channel does not have to be upside down to have an upside down component. so that gravity is utilized to return or trigger the relapse of the element. Oer could also be talking about e.g. an element which is spring-loaded in the direction of the covering position, but can be inserted into a channel, perhaps in the form of a recess, which engages a notch in the opening, by means of a opening mechanism, from which the spring force causes its recoil as the opening mechanism is re-energized.

This emphasizes that the former channel need not be a channel in the traditional sense, but can also simply be a recess or cavity.

Although the through-going, separate passages in the opener section are defined as "milk pipes," respectively.

15 "Vacuum tubes," by this is meant only through passages in the opener for milk and vacuum. It need not be solid tubes, but may, for example, be flexible connections in the form of hoses.

A "groove" (leading to the slider) is defined as a longitudinal course and at least partially bounded by a bottom surface. A possible longitudinal direction is shown in the drawing. When the phrase "at least partially bounded by a bottom surface" is used, this is partly meant. that this bottom surface need not be a flat surface - it can e.g. have holes and / or projections and / or relief or other pattern - and partly that it does not have to be extended in the entire lengthwise direction until the sliding damper The bottom surface is just some form of "downward" demarcation, which prevents the passage of an opener part which is led along the track.

When it is stated that the groove extends longitudinally, it is meant that a substantial portion of the bottom surface of this groove extends predominantly in the longitudinal direction shown. Thus, the bottom surface defines a boundary of the groove in a first transverse direction to said longitudinal direction.

A front end is generally defined as facing right in the drawing, and correspondingly a rear end facing left. This only serves to explain the combi male of the invention. In reality, the right end doesn't have to be "up front" and vice versa. Similarly, up / down and forward / backward apply. which is immediately used with reference to the drawing, but may in fact be reversed.

35

In the design provided, the groove is "open", there is no funnel, groove, groove, hole or the like which one must be careful to hit.

6 DK 173139 B1 When it is stated that the groove at the front end immediately before the sliding damper has a collecting ring, "collecting ring" is meant only a recess in relation to the main plane of the bottom surface or the displacement plane or sliding plane of the groove. The purpose of said collecting duct is to collect wasted milk and move it away from the shear plane or sliding plane of the opener portion.

5 The gutter need not be open to the public, although it is advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a conventional tube milking egg with separate taps for milk and vacuum; FIG. 2 is a very simplified and schematic diagram of a tube milking egg similar to FIG. 1, but with the combi cock of the invention and while simultaneously milking two cows; 3 is a cross-sectional view of a vent housing portion of the combi male according to the invention; FIG. 4A is a side elevational portion of the combi tap; FIG. 4B the same as in FIG. 4A but seen from below, FIG. 4C the same as in FIG. 4A and 4B, but from the rear, FIG. 5A shows the opening and valve housing part mounted on a milk and vacuum line, in a first position just before connecting the two parts, partly in cross section; FIG. 5B same as in FIG. 5A, but in an intermediate position after coupling and some mutual displacement of the two parts; 5C the same as in FIG. 5B and 5C, but in a final position at the end of the mutual displacement of the opener and valve housing portion; 6 is a rear view of the valve housing portion corresponding to an insertion end of the opener portion; FIG. Fig. 7A is a top view of the valve housing portion in a first position where an opening for the milk line is blocked by a slider; 7B same as in FIG. 7A, but with open connection to the milk line, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the combi male according to the invention with the parts separated and with the milk and vacuum line indicated; and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a variant of the combi male according to the invention with electrical supply plugs, 30 in which the opener part and the valve housing part are connected, but in a first position immediately before activation of two valve elements.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional tube milking egg, in which a milk duct 11 and a vacuum conduit 15 are passed around in a stable, arranged almost parallel to one another, in the embodiment shown with the milk conduit 11 at the top.

The milk seal 11 is a closed system and comprises an end unit, here in the form of a glass containers placed at a lower level than the rest or most of the milk dispensing 11.1 the glass container 8 a certain quantity of milk is collected. When a certain level is reached in the glass container, a milk pump 9 is activated, which transfers the milk collected in the glass container to a cooling tank 10.

S A main vacuum line 4 with vacuum meter 5 and vacuum regulator 3 starts from a vacuum unit 1, e.g. a vacuum pump which has mounted silencer 2. The main vacuum conduit 4 is connected to the saturation conduit system via a tension valve 6 and a liquid trap 7. Thus, there is acutely a certain vacuum in the milk conduit 11. Furthermore, the vacuum conduit 15 is connected to the main vacuum conduit 4.

10

A washing system with a washing line 12, an automatic washing machine 13 and a washing tub 14 may also be provided. One is used for the regular cleaning of the milk line and other equipment on the milk line.

15 In FIG. 1 also shows a milking set 17 ten placed on the udder of a cow. The milking kit is equipped with heart rate monitor and various necessary and / or desirable regulator systems. The milking kit 17 is connected to the vacuum line 11 via a separate vacuum tap. The connection to the milk conduit 11 takes place via a separate milk cock 16. Both said separate taps may be arranged at appropriate intervals around the conduit system.

20

The milking begins when the milk kit 17 with a vacuum pulse or electricity generator is applied to a cow's udder, when a the necessary power supply is established and when a connection has been established from the milking set to the vacuum line 15 and the milk line 11. The milked milk we are then sucked up into the milk line 11, where there is a vacuum, and it is then passed through the milk line 11 to the glass container. 8, aided by said vacuum, and partly by a slight fall on the milk conduit 11 towards the glass container 8. After staying in the glass container 8, the milk is transferred to the cooling tank 10.

FIG. 2 shows, very schematically and only with the overall wiring, a pipe milking system 30 as in FIG. 1, but with one combi tap 20 according to the invention, which establishes connection to both the milk line 11 and the vacuum line 15. The combi tap 20 is connected to two milking kits 17, which are attached to each cow. The two cows are milked at the same time.

FIG. 3 shows, in central cross-section In a longitudinal direction AB, a vent housing part 21 of the combi male according to the invention. You can see, unshaded, the inside of the rear side wall 22. A tier 35 front side wall 23 is not seen in this picture, but among other things. in FIG. 7. The ventithus portion 21 has at its one end, referred to as the front end, a downwardly open, rounded surface 24 of shape almost like a half-cylinder connecting the two side walls 22, 23. On the outside of this almost half-cylindrical face 24, at a lower end thereof, there are two abutments 25 8 DK 173139 B1 with each a screw hole. These abutments 25 are intended to receive two screws 27 which are inserted in a direction from top to bottom for clamping with a bracket 26, which is described in greater detail in connection with FIG. 5A. The approaches have only a limited extent in a transverse direction, so that gaps are defined, i. holes 58 (see Fig. 7).

5

The valve body portion 21 is clamped with the bracket 26 about a portion of the milk conduit 11. The milk conduit is in the form of tubes with a wall. surrounding an inner cavity and an upwardly opening opening 18 (Fig. 5B) is drilled into the wall. This aperture 18 communicates with an aperture 28 of circular cross-section at the top of the surface 24, which aperture 28 is continuous in the direction 10 upside down CD. A cylindrical projection 29 protrudes downwardly from the inside of the surface 24. The lower end surface of the projection 29 is rounded in accordance with the shape of the outer wall of the milk conduit 11. A seal 30 is intended to be placed around this projection 29 to ensure a dense contact with the milk conduit (package 30 is shown at equ. 8).

A ring groove 31 in an upper end surface 39 of the semi-cylindrical surface 24 surrounds the circular opening 28. This ring groove 31 is intended to receive a gasket ring 32 (see also Fig. 7).

A slider 33, which is closest to plate-shaped, is arranged on the surface 39 so that it can be longitudinally displaced from a first position where it covers the opening 28 which connects to the inner cavity of the milk conduit 11 to an end position shown in FIG. FIG. 3.1 this end position bears a front stop 34 on the slider 33 against an upwardly projecting 35 at the front end of the valve body portion. And in this end position, free access is via the opening 28 down to the inner cavity of the milk conduit 11. Stop stop 34 is in the form of a downwardly bent end portion, see also FIG. 7. The guide or displacement of the slider 33 on the surface 39 is described in greater detail during the discussion of FIG. 9. During the displacement of the slider 33 forward and tab over the opening 28, the seal ring 32 seals against a downwardly facing surface of the slider 33.

At its rear end, the slider 33 has a first coupling element 98 in the form of a bead 36, which is almost in the form of an inverted U. However, this bead 36 is bent slightly forward, towards the front stop 30, thereby producing a transverse slot. or a gap 38, the purpose of which will be described later. The bead is provided with flap 37 at two end portions in the transverse direction.

The valve body portion 21 has at its other end, referred to as the rear end, a center piece 87 connecting 35 the two side walls 22, 23. Centrally located on this center piece 67 and at an upper end portion thereof is a rearwardly extending stop shoulder 50, the function of which will be will be described later. Also centrally on the center piece 87, but at a lower end portion thereof, there is an opening 40 of circular cross-section. This opening 40 is almost like a pipe piece and extends a piece into the center piece 87, more specifically in the longitudinal direction of the valve body. the portion 21. A piece within the center piece 87 is branched from the tubular opening 40 two other tubes perpendicular thereto, namely, an upward passage 41 and a downward passage 42, both of which open to the outside. Thus, the tubes or channels 40, 41, 42 form a tee inside the center piece 87. The downward passage 42 is smaller in diameter than the upward passage 41. Another valve member 97 in the form of a ball 44 is larger in diameter than the downward passage. 42 is inserted in the direction from top to bottom through the upward passage 41 and abuts against a gasket ring 45 arranged in a corresponding recess in the middle piece 87 at the transition from the opening 40 G1 to the downward passage 42. This gasket ring 45 constitutes a seat 10 for the ball 44. and this rear portion of the valve body portion 21 thus comprises a ball valve Q portion. The diameter of the aperture 40 is smaller than the diameter of the sphere 44, while the diameter of the upward channel 41 is greater than or equal to the diameter of the sphere 44. When the sphere 44 is inserted, the opening t3 is closed to the free of the upward channel 41 by a plate 46. a sealing ring 51 being placed in a ring groove in the center piece 87 surrounding this opening for free. so that 15 is sealed tightly to the ball 44. The plate 46 is screwed with a screw 48, with a threaded screw thread 49 being present in the upper, rear portion of the center piece 87.

The downward passage 42 forms a tubular extension downwardly of the center piece 87 which has a tubular extension 43. Through the downward passage 42, connection GI of the vacuum conduit 15 is established, as will be described in detail in the discussion of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 4A shows a side view; FIG. 4B is a bottom view and FIG. 4C is a rear view of a particular embodiment of an opener portion 60 of the combi male according to the invention. This opener portion 60 is intended to cooperate with the friend housing member 21, as will be described in more detail below.

The opener 60 or opener has a milk tube 61 and a vacuum tube 62. A rear end of the milk tube 61 is intended for connection to the milk portion of the milk kit 17, while a rear end 30 of the vacuum tube 62 is intended for connection to the vacuum portion of the milk kit 17. Both of the lo-mentioned connections are established by means of hose pieces as indicated in FIG. 1 and 2.

A front end 64 of the milk tube 61 is passed along, along and down a front end of a first leg 71 belonging to an angled plate 65, which first leg 71 of FIG. 4A nearly 35 is horizontal. The angled bend plate 65 further comprises a second leg 72 which in FIG. 4A extends almost vertically and thus forms a right angle with the leg 71. At the front end of the plate 71 is made a hole or a through opening 67 corresponding to an opening 68 in milk tube 61. The milk tube 61 is attached , eg. welded. to this leg 71 in such a way that the two apertures 67.68 communicate with each other, more directly, facing each other.

In the leg 72, a hole or through opening 67 is also made through which an opening mechanism 100 in the form of a front end of the vacuum tube 62 is guided. The vacuum tube 62 may also be secured, e.g. welded to this plate 72. The front end of the vacuum tube 62 is cut off, in the upward and backward direction, and covered with an almost elliptical plate 70 welded to this end of the tube 62 along most of its periphery. , more specifically, about three-quarters of the periphery. An opening 69 is formed at the front end 10 of the vacuum tube 62, more specifically below the plate 70, which covers the obliquely cut front end of the tube 62. The opening 69 faces downward.

The leg 71 has at its front end another coupling element 99 in the form of an upwardly bent bead 66, the function of which will be further described below.

15

The details shown in FIG. 4C will be explained in greater detail during the discussion of FIG. 8th

FIG. 5A-C illustrate, in a cartoon-like manner, the interconnection and co-operation of valve housing portion 21 and opener portion 60 of a compression sleeve of the invention.

20 In FIG. 5A, it is to be understood that the valve body portion 21 is clamped about the milk conduit 11, in whose wall an aperture 18 is directly drilled below and corresponding to the aperture 28 in the front portion of the valve body portion. (The milk tube 11 and the aperture 18 herein are not shown in Figure 5A but indicated in Figure 5B). A hanger 26 surrounds the milk tube complementary semi-cylindrical 0 surface 24 25 of the valve body portion. The bracket 26 has shoulder 73 with screw holes and corresponding braces 25 on the valve body portion. Screws 27 are passed through both sets of screw holes in the up and down direction.

The bracket 26 and valve body portion 21 are clamped tightly around the milk line 11 by means of the screws 27 and corresponding nuts 74. For reasons of clarity, FIG. 5 the lower gasket 30 around the opening 28 is omitted.

30

The valve body portion 21 is connected to the vacuum line 15 as follows. An end of a piece of rubber hose 76 is inserted on the tube wall 43 associated with the downstream duct 421 of the rear end of the valve body portion 21. A second end of the rubber hose piece 76 is applied to an almost hanger-shaped member 77, more specifically to a substantially upwardly extending pipe piece 79 thereof. The hanger-shaped member 77 is fastened around the vacuum line 15 by means of a conventional clamping belt 82 with adjusting screw 83, and so that an opening 19 therein directly faces or communicates with a through-opening 80 in the pipe piece 79. On the hanger-shaped element 77 The rubber hose piece 76 must be of a suitable length and diameter (the baffle protrudes tightly around both the opening thawing the free of the channel 42 and the opening of the upwardly extending pipe piece 79 of the hanger 77).

In FIG. 5A, the opener portion 60 is "flattened" on top of the valve housing portion 21 at its rear end and 5 in such a way that one leg 71 of the opener portion 60 abuts against a sloping upper surface 54 of a groove 75 in this rear end of the valve body portion 21. The abner portion 60 is further displaced so far that the scaffold 66 on the leg 71 of the plate 65 abuts an upwardly sloping guide or sliding surface 57 formed at the upper surface 39. The detailed design of the groove 75 is described in more detail below.

10

FIG. 5A shows a first position where in the valve body part 21 the slider 33 covers the opening 28 down to the interior of the milk tube 11 and the ball 44 blocks access to the vacuum tube 15 (via the downward channel 42, the rubber hose piece 76 and the hanger 77 with the opening 80). However, the opener part 60 is on its way to open the valve elements in the form of the ball 44 and the throttle valve 33, as seen in the following description: The milk part: Upon continued forward movement of the opener part 60 in relation to the valve body part 21, a locking device 89 - comprising the bead 66 on the one leg 71 of the plate 65 and the bead 36 on the guild damper 33 - automatically, due to the special design of the groove 75, is activated, the bead 66 sliding through the slot 38 and engaging the corresponding bead 36, whereby the slider 33 and the plate 65 are interconnected, and with continued influence of the opening part 60 in the forward direction, the slider 33 is now displaced via an intermediate position shown in FIG. 5B to another position shown in FIG. 5C, where the opening 28 of the valve body portion 21 is directly below the opening 68 of the milk tube 61 associated with the opening portion 60. A connection has now been established to the milk conduit 11.

Vacuum portion: Upon continued forward movement of opener portion 60 relative to valve body portion 21, the end covered by plate 70 of vacuum portion 62 of opener portion 60 penetrates opening 40 of valve housing portion 21 where it pushes ball 44 upwardly into upward passage 41. free from its seat at the downward channel 42, via an intermediate position shown in FIG. 5B to another position shown in FIG. 5C, where the downward opening 691 vacuum tube 62 is directly over the downward channel 42 which, as previously described, establishes a connection to the vacuum line 15.

The kugi is lifted maximum upwardly in the upward passage 41. The leg 72 of the plate 65 of the opener 60 now bears against the stop shoulder 50 on the valve housing portion 21. A sealing ring 88 seals 35 around the opening 40, where the inclined end of the vacuum tube 62 is inserted.

12 DK 173139 B1

FIG. 6 shows a rear end portion of the valve body portion 21 and, together with FIG. 7.1 details the design of the groove 75 for the plate 65 of the opener portion 60. The groove 75 is unlimited upward 0 and is defined by sliding surfaces 53,54,56 and 57.

5 In FIG. 6, it is seen that the side walls 22, 23 in the valve body portion each have an inwardly directed guide projection 52 with an upper sliding surface 53. These sliding surfaces 53 are almost parallel to an upper edge of the side walls 22, 23 and with the shear plane of the sliding 33. An upper edge of the upwardly sloping sliding surface 57 is seen to align with the sliding surfaces 53. Referring also to FIG. 6 shows a lower edge 93 of the upwardly sloping sliding surface 57. A bottom surface 55 of the groove 75 is intended to be at least partially covered by the plate 46 (not shown in Fig. 6). When the plate 46 is attached to the bottom portion 55, its upper edge aligns with the edge 93.

One side wall 23 of the valve body portion 21 is provided with an additional wall element 90 defining a cavity having a rearward opening 91 and a forward opening 92. This cavity 15 is intended to accommodate a female-type electrical connector (see also FIG. 8 and 9). the plug being roof overhang through the opening 91 and the lead to the mains lead out through the opening 92.

In FIG. 6 in combination with FIG. 7, and, moreover, of FIG. 8, it appears that ten each side wall 22, 23 each hear a sliding surface 53, 54 and 56, while the sliding surface 57 is common to the two spoon-20 walls. At both side walls, the sliding surface 53. which, after all, is "parallel," exits at an edge 94 of a next sliding surface 54, which slopes slightly downwards and passes into a third sliding surface 56. which continues to slope downwards at the same angle and at the edge 93 transitions into it. (common) upwardly sloping slide surface 57.

A width of the groove 75 (dimension in transverse direction) can be defined as the distance between the outer edges of the two side walls 22.23 and sliding surfaces 53,54,56,57, respectively. From FIG. 7. narrowing the width of the track 75 at the junction between the sliding surfaces 54 and 56. The purpose of this is described in more detail below during the operation of the combi cock.

The two sliding surfaces 56 define, in the area near the common sliding surface 57, a surface 59 which slopes downwards in the direction from the surface 57 towards the rear of the valve body part 21, and this surface terminates in a downward opening 58, which is centrally arranged screw cap 25 for screw 27. The purpose of this is described in more detail below.

FIG. 7A shows the valve body portion 21 seen from above in a first position, where the slider 33 covers the opening 28 down to the milk conduit 11, and FIG. 7B is the same but in a different position where the slider 33 is displaced away from the opening 28. Here the annular groove 31 of the packing ring 32 is seen.

13 DK 173139 B1

FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing all the individual parts included in the combi male according to the invention, including those included in its assembly. The combination valve shown comprises four plastic molded parts, namely the valve body portion 21, the plate 46, the bracket 26 and the bracket member 77; three metal parts, namely the slider 33, the ball 44 and the opener portion 60; 6 packages, namely with the 5 numbers 32, 30,30,88,45,51; a piece of rubber hose 76, a clamping strap with screw 82.83; two fastening screws with nuts 27, 74. Optionally two electrical plugs 105, 110 with wires and two associated fastening screws with nuts 104,107.

The milk conduit 11 is indicated as two tubes at the sides of the valve body portion 21. Vacuum · conduit 15 is indicated analogously below, at the sides of the hanger-shaped member 77 of the opening portion 60. For reasons of clarity, conduits 11. 15 are not shown contiguously.

Both in connection with the hanger 26 and the hanger-shaped element 77 are seen here the seals 30, 15 which are to seal around the holes 18,19 in the respective walls of milk, respectively. vacuum line.

With regard to the electrical connection, a special female connector 110 is seen at the valve body portion 21 connected to an electrical line 111. The female connector 110 corresponds to a male connector 105 with two pins. Between the 20 grooves In the female connector 110 for the two legs of the male connector 105, a groove 112 is designed which makes the female connector flexible, so that it can give during adaptation, e.g. a slightly different distance between the male's 105 pins. The female connector is intended for insertion through the rear-facing open end 91 of the cavity bounded by the additional wall element 90. The associated conduit 111 is extended through the smaller, four-facing opening 92.

25

A particular embodiment of the opener 60 is seen in this figure and in FIG. 4C, namely with a lateral extension 101 of the vertical legs 72 of the angled plate 65. In this extension 101 there is an elongated hole 102 through which the legs of the male plug 105 are intended to be inserted. On both sides of the hole 102 there is a screw hole 103. In this direction, screws 104 are passed in the direction towards the rear end 30, which are then passed through groove 106 in the male connector 105. Finally, the male connector 105 is tightened to the extension 101 of the plate 72, with nuts 107, possibly with washers 108. Tighten around screws 104.

In FIG. 9, a perspective side view of a combi cock according to the invention is seen in a first position, in which the opening member 60 is engaged with the slider 33, but has not yet moved it away from the opening 28 down to the milk line 11. The ball 44 blocking the access thaw vacuum line 15 is also not lifted yet, and the electrical connection is not connected.

14 DK 173139 B1

The power line 111 at the valve body portion 19 runs the central power supply, while an electrical line 116 associated with the male connector 105 at the opener portion 60 supplies power to e.g. a taper and a pulsator, both used for milking.

FIG. 9 shows how the slider 33 is slidably mounted in the longitudinal direction of the male. The Gfi damper 33 is almost rectangular or square and has at its rear or trailing edge the inverted U-shaped bead 36 and at its front end or front edge the downwardly bent stop shoulder 34. At each of the other two edge faces which are opposite to each other in the transverse direction , the sliding damper 33 has a downwardly bent fold-over 85 formed corresponding to a guide-type projection 86 10 at each side edge of the upper surface 39 of the valve body portion. The two protrusions 86 fit into the two folds 85 as a spring in groove and thus enable the sliding of the slider 33 in the forward as well as backward direction.

The mounting in a pipe milking plant of the preferred embodiment of the combi described above is as follows, in that the necessary holes 18, 19 in milk, respectively. the vacuum line 11.15 is assumed to be present:

The lower gasket ring 451 valve body portion 21 is passed through the upwardly extending channel 41 and placed in place at the entrance to the downwardly extending channel 42. The ball 44 is guided along the same path 20 and lands on its seat defined by the gasket ring 45. The upper gasket ring 51 is placed in a grooves around the orifice tB the clearance of the upward channel 41. The plate 46 is screwed in by means of the screw 48, down into the screw hole 491 at the rear of the valve body portion 21. The ball 44 cannot project through the opening 40 of the vacuum tube 62 associated with the opener def 60, and upwardly the plate 46 locks.

25

The slider 33 is now placed on the valve body portion 21, the front end of the folded edge 85 engaging with the rear end of the projection 66 on the upper surface 39 of the valve body portion 21 and displaced forwardly (Fig. 9). This first part of the displacement is slightly obstructed by the front stop stop 34 of the damper, but when the stop stop 34 of the damper can slip "down into place" 30 over a contact surface 95 (this occurs in a position approximately similar to the first position; Fig. 5C). yes, then the rest of the damper's forward displacement happens quite easily and unobstructed.Of course, it is only in the mounting situation that there is little pressure fit.Once the damper is seated properly, it can be moved quite easily and freely between its movement limits (see further below). when the damper 33 is in the second position, the gasket ring 32 is placed in its ring groove 31 about the opening 28.

15 DK 173139 B1

The valve body portion 21 with inserted valve elements, i. The ball 44 and the slider 33 are now ready for mounting on the milk conduit 11. The gasket 30 is disposed about the downwardly extending cylindrical projection 29 surrounding the opening 28 and this projection is inserted into the opening 18 of the milk conduit 11. The opening 18 can be defined as being located in '4th quadrant "of a 5-thought coordinate system with zero at the intersection of the principal axes of the conduit, see Fig. 5. Now, the bracket 26 is placed on the other side of the milk conduit 11 and clamped with the valve body portion 21 by means of the screw nut connection 27. 74. A conduit 111 from the central power supply is inserted through the aperture 92 and is electrically connected outside the aperture 91 to the female connector 110, which is subsequently inserted into the cavity surrounded by the additional wall element 90.

The shackle member 77 is provided at the downwardly facing stud 78 with a gasket 30 and the plug 78 is inserted into the hole 19 in the vacuum line 15. The shackle member 77 is clamped to the vacuum line 15 by the clamping belt 82 with associated adjusting screw 83. A 15 piece rubber hose 76 is placed close-up at its lower end, the upwardly extending pipe piece 79 of the hanger-shaped element 77 and at its upper end the pipe wall 43 surrounding the downward passage 42 in the valve body part. A connection has now been established between the valve body portion 21 and both the vacuum and milk conduit 15, respectively. 11th

20 In the opener portion 60, the gasket ring 88 surrounding the vacuum tube 62 is inserted from its front end and is placed against a front side surface of the vertical leg 72 of the plate 65. The male plug 105 is mounted on the extension 101 of the vertical leg 72 by means of a screw. nut 104/107 (and is electrically connected to, for example, pulsator and taper).

The described combi valve functions as follows. In a starting position, the slider 33 covers the opening 28 and the ball 44 closes downwardly by virtue of its weight and vacuum the downward channel 42. The Abner portion 60 is now "whacked" on its track 75. to impose very limited requirements on the precision required to strike right down the track 75. In view of FIG. 5, 7 and 8, one will realize the following: First, the track 75 is not at all restricted upward; there are e.g. No funnel or similar to which the opener part must be inserted properly. The opener part can be inserted from any height above the valve body part.

35 On the other hand, there is little requirement for precision in the transverse direction: one must strike right, as the width of the track as defined by the outer edges of the respective sets of sliding surfaces 53, 53 and 54, 54 corresponds approximately to a width of the horizontal leg 71 for The plate 65 of the opener part 60. However, some control of the application of the opener part is nonetheless, since the side walls 22,23 have upwardly projecting upper edges at this rear end of the valve body part. Although erect, these protruding upper edges nevertheless have some sort of funnel function, with the thickness of the sidewalls decreasing upwards (see marking line 96 in Fig. 3, below which the inner surface of the wall 22 extends vertically and over which the same inner surface extends outwardly).

5

With respect to 13, at which angle the opener portion 60 is inserted into the groove 75, there are large variation possibilities that all guide the final target, namely, to connect the plate 65 of the opener portion with the slider 33 on the valve housing portion. Eg. For example, the opener portion may be inserted parallel to the sliding surfaces 53 and during abutment thereof. But it can also be introduced at an angle of e.g. 45 * with 10 sliding surfaces 53 and under abutment with these. Or by analogy, but at an angle of 90 *. In principle, even at an angle greater than 90 *. although this hardly has any practical relevance.

But not only that: The opener part can also be inserted at any of the aforementioned angles, but under abutment against any of the sliding surfaces 54 or 56. When talking about abutment with the sliding surfaces in an angled insertion position, it is actually the area around bead 66 on opener 15 plate 65. which is in abutment 1 the start of the insertion operation.

However, no matter at what angle one strikes the groove at the start of the insertion operation, the opener portion is subsequently lowered and then displaced in the direction, thereby initially obtaining a downwardly facing face of an anterior region of the opener portion, in particular the area of the bead 66 20 abutment on the downwardly sliding surfaces 54, 56, and due to the upwardly sliding 57 the opener plate 65 is forced to lock in engagement with the inverted U-shaped fist 36 of the slider 33. This position is described in the text as the first position. The bead 36 of the slider has at its ends a small flap 37 for the purpose of stabilizing the opener portion 66 against lateral torsions in the locked condition. Depending on where 25 in the longitudinal direction, the opening portion is lowered in the groove, an Initial displacement of its front portion along the sliding surfaces 53 may be considered before the abovementioned abutment towards the sliding surfaces 54, etc., see fig. 5A

Upon continued displacement of the opener portion in the forward direction, its plate 65 is locked at an angular ratio with respect to the valve body portion, namely in a position where its two outer edges face downwardly on each sliding surface 53 at the rear end and at the front end abutment. each, In the same plane as the upper surface 53 of the sliding surfaces 53, is located about the opening 28. And in this continued displacement, the slider 33, sliding about the projections 86 on the valve body part, is brought, see e.g. FIG. 5B.

On the vacuum side, the vacuum tube 62 of the opener portion, more specifically the end with the plate 70, penetrates into the opening 40 and begins to lift the ball 44 upwardly in the upward passage, see also FIG. 5B.

35 17 DK 173139 B1 In the so-called second position as shown in fig. 5C is now the opening 1 of the milk conduit 18 just below the opening 26 of the valve body portion, and on the vacuum side the ball 44 is now lofted into its upper position and the opening 69 of the vacuum tube 62 is just above the openings 42 etc. down to the opening 19 of the vacuum conduit 15 In this position, the electrical connection has also been made, as compared with FIG. 9. Milking can be started. In this second position, an inner face of the vertical leg 72 of the opener portion abuts against the stop shoulder 50 on the rear end face of the valve body member, and the gasket ring 88 has sealing abutment against the same inner face and the rear end face of the vent housing 62.

10 After milking is completed, the opener portion is removed from engagement with the valve body portion, as described above, in reverse only: By dragging 1 direction backward in the opener portion and due to the locking device 89 between the g slider and the opener portion, the slider returns, sliding around the projections 86. When the front stop 34 of the slider reaches the abutment surface 95, the flap movement of the slider stops and the locking device 89 is released.

I.e. bead 66 slides out of the reverse U-shaped bead 36 on the slider. The Abner section 60 can now be taken off its track 75 in as many different ways as described above - and they are all equally good.

In an advantageous embodiment of the combi cock, due to special features of the groove 75, 20 which will be described in more detail below, it is achieved that no matter which withdrawal path is chosen for the opener portion, we possibly spilled milk drops or jars at a location where they No harm done.

It is well known that spilled milk drops are an excellent nutrient medium for microorganisms, insects and the like. In other words, such spilled milk drops form a breeding ground for e.g. bacteria, thereby causing the risk of bacterial germs and the like being transferred to the milk system, e.g. at the next insertion of the opener section.

However, if you consider fig. 5B and assumes that the opener part is now on its way back, there is admittedly a vacuum in the milk tube 61, but still a saturated milk will hang in the last curved part of this tube and drip down on the valve body part 21 the upper side. But on this upper side, that is immediately behind the opening 28, the downward sloping surface 59 is found to end with the hole 58, and here in the vast majority of cases the spilled milk will land and simply run away.

Thus, we will not be led up to the opening 28 when the opener portion is next passed over this area.

18 DK 173139 B1

However, should the milk tube 61 not finish dripping when the opening 68 therein reaches the rear end of the groove 75, then nothing will happen. For, as shown by Tig. 6, the bottom surface 55 of the groove is, after all, recessed relative to the sliding surfaces of the plate 65 belonging to the opener part. Admittedly, plate 46 is not shown in FIG. 6, but it only reaches the dividing plane 93, 5 so there is still a recess. And milk spilled on top of plate 46 is not brought up to the opening 28, for the plate portion 65 of the opener portion slides on top of the surfaces 53,54,56, all of which are raised relative to the center portion.

If, however, and now it is very unlikely, a little milk is spilled on top of any of the sliding surfaces 53, 54, then this spilled milk will also not be brought up to the opening 28 at the next introduction of the opener part - due to the constriction at the surface 56.

In time, certain parts of the comb faucet inevitably wear out, especially some of the gaskets. One sees, e.g. of FIG. 8, that it is extremely easy to replace the gasket 31 around the opening 28: 15 simply push the plate forward manually, remove the old gasket and insert the new 1. The same applies to gaskets 45 and 51: The upper gasket 51 is readily available by simply loosening one screw 48 and removing plate 46. The lower gasket 45 can also be easily reached by the same path or through the opening 40.

20 In connection with washing the milk system, the opening 28 and the underside of the mucus damper 33 will be automatically cleaned by flushing the milk line 11. The Ventøhus part is of a very simple and easy to clean form, all critical surfaces that can come in contact with milk are immediately available for water jet, cloth or brush.

25 As shown in FIG. 2, the combination male according to the invention can in fact also be used for simultaneously milking two cows. In terms of pressure drop, performance and flow for vacuum and milk, it can fully live up to the standards in the field today.

Claims (12)

19 DK 173139 B1 1. Combi tap (20) for use in pipe milking plant 1 connection with connection of milking set (17) to a milk line (11) and at the same time ten! a vacuum line (15). which milk conduit (11) has an opening (18) and which vacuum conduit (15) has an opening (19), which combi tap (20) comprises a valve housing portion (21) with an opening (28) which can be brought communicating with the opening (18), and an opening (40). connected to a channel (41) and another channel (42), which other channel (42) can be communicated with the opening (19), and with a longitudinal (AB) track (75) which a first transverse direction (CO) is at least partially bounded by a bottom surface and a first valve element in the form of a slide, provided with a first coupling element (98), is provided at a front end of this groove (75). damper (33) which can be displaced from a first position where it covers the opening (28) to a second position where the opening (28) is at least partially exposed, and with a second valve element (97) which in a first position, a passage between the opening (40) and the second channel (42) closes and can be moved to a second position, namely into the channel (41), so that the passage between the opening (40) and the second channel (42) is at least partially opened; which combi cock (20) further comprises an opener portion (60) with through-going separate passages for milk and vacuum in the form of a milk tube (61) and a vacuum tube (62) with rear openings for connection with the milk set (17) 20 and the front openings (68,69) connected to a second coupling element (99), respectively, intended to be inserted through the groove (75) and arranged to cooperate with the coupling element (98) of the throttle valve (33) and to cause a sliding of the sliding damper (33) so that the front opening (68) in the milk tube (61), via the opening (28) in the valve body portion (21), can be communicated with the opening (18) in the milk line (11X, respectively, with an opening mechanism (100), which is arranged to be inserted through the opening (40) of the valve body part (21) and inserting the second valve element (97) into the channel (41) so that the front opening (69) in the vacuum tube (62), via the channel (42) ) in the valve body portion (21) may be caused to communicate with the opening (19) in a vacuum the seal (15), characterized in that the groove (75) is formed as a sliding surface (53,54,56) with both a downwardly and an upwardly inclined surface, the bottom surface (55) of the groove (75) immediately at the front end before the slider (33) has a collecting ring (117). and that the opening mechanism (100) is an obliquely cut forward end of the vacuum tube (62), obliquely inclined in an upward and backward direction, and with a cover along the oblique surface, the aperture (69) being downward and disposed under this cover. 35 Combi cock according to claim 1, characterized in that the collecting gutter (117) comprises a downwardly sloping surface (59 or 57). 20 DK 173139 B1 Combi cock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the collecting gutter (117) comprises two downwardly sloping surfaces (57 and 59) and an opening or hole (58) for the outside. Combi cock according to claims 1-3, characterized in that a bottom surface (55) of the groove (75) is recessed relative to a sliding surface (53 or 54 or 56). Combi cock according to claims 1-3, characterized in that a bottom surface of the groove (75) with mounted plate (46) is recessed relative to a sliding surface (53 or 54 or 56). Combi cock according to claims 1-3, characterized in that the groove (75) in the valve body part (21) comprises a downwardly sloping slide surface (54 or 56) and a longitudinal upwardly inclined slide surface (57). Combi cock according to claim 6, characterized in that the first coupling element (98) of the slider (33) comprises an inverted U-shaped bead (36) defining a slit (38) and the second coupling element (99). ) on the opener portion (60) comprises a bead (66). Combi cock according to claim 6, characterized in that the groove (75) comprises two downwardly sloping sliding surfaces (54 and 56), a width of the groove (75) narrowing at the transition between the sliding surfaces (54, 56). Combi cock according to claims 1-3, characterized in that the channel (41) has an opening in the groove (75). which mouth is intended to be covered by a plate (46). Combination cock according to claims 1-3, characterized in that the groove (75) is bounded laterally by protruding upper edges of sidewalls (22, 23), wherein an inner surface of these protruding upper edges in an upper region slopes slightly inwards in a direction from above. and down. Combination cock according to claims 1-3, characterized in that a side wall (23) of the valve body part (21) has an additional wall element (90). defining a cavity having a rearward opening (91) and a forward opening (92). Combi cock according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises an electric plug (110) with a groove (112) between the grooves for two legs of an electric plug (105) and intended for placement in the cavity.