MXPA00013011A - Milking device provided with cleansing means - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for pneumatically milking a cow, comprising a number of milk extractors, each comprising a teat cup as well as a milk line connected to the lower end of the teat cup, which leads from the teat cup to a collection chamber for the milk from the teat cups, each milk extractor being provided with a supply for a cleansing medium, such as a disinfectant, to the teat cup, in particular to the teat present in the teat cup, the supply comprising a line which at the location of an outlet debouches into the milk extractor, in particular the milk line, and each milk extractor being provided with means for closing off the milk extractor near or downstream of the outlet, preferably at that level, when discharging the cleansing medium through the outlet. The closing means are preferably arranged near the transition of the teat cup to the milk line.

Description

ORDEÑA DEVICE PROVIDED BY MEDIUM LI MPIATORS The invention relates to a milking device provided with cleaning means, in particular for cleaning / disinfecting the nipple to which the milking device is connected. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning the teat of an udder after milking. German Patent Application 26 22 794 is known from such a device and method. This document shows a milking device for pneumatically milking a cow and cleaning or subsequently disinfecting the teat of the cow's udder, with a system of 4 milk extractors, each comprising a nipple cup which is provided at one end. with an open liner and with the other end connected to a milk line for a common milk collection chamber for the milk of the cow in question, each cup having a connection to a source of low pressure change, and an outlet opening flow of a line for the supply of cleaning liquid that is arranged in the wall of a nipple cup. When using this known device the method used is first to place the nipple cups around the nipples of the cow, after which the cow is milked with the help of the low pressure of change. After finishing the milking of the cow, while the cow's nipples are still in the nipple cups, a certain amount of cleaning liquid is sprayed into the nipple cup with the help of a pump. Said liquid will disinfect the nipple and space in the nipple cup, but it will subsequently be deposited together with the milk residue in the nipple cup on the inner wall of the nipple cup. The fluid will then have the opportunity, even before the nipple cups are removed from the nipples, to return beyond the inner wall or from the nipple backwards and thus partially end up in the milk line. As a result, not only milk residues from a cow will remain in the nipple cup and milk line, but also transfer contamination from one cow to the other. In addition, when the next cow is milked, the residues of the cleaning fluid that have ended up in the milk line will end up in the central milk store to which it is connected and therefore in the milk to be delivered. An object of the invention is to provide a device and method with which this is avoided. From one aspect of the invention for that purpose a device for pneumatically milking a cow is provided, comprising a number of milk extractors, each comprising a nipple cup as well as a milk line connected to the lower end of the milk. the nipple cup, which leads from the nipple cup to a milk collection chamber of the nipple cups, each milk extractor being provided with a supply of a cleaning medium, such as a disinfectant, for the milk cup. nipple, in particular for the nipple present in the nipple cup, the supply comprising a line which in the placement of an outlet leads to the milk extractor, in particular the milk line, and each milk extractor being provided with means to close the milk pump near or downstream of the outlet, preferably at that level, when the cleaning medium is discharged through the outlet. Thus, when the cleaning medium is discharged, and the aforementioned problem therefore exists, it is envisaged that during the discharge of the cleaning medium said medium may end up in the milk line and thus in the collection chamber of the cleaning medium. The supply line for the cleaning medium may have its outlet in the nipple cup, but preferably in the milk line, preferably as close as possible to the lower end of the nipple cup. the closure means are arranged near the transition from the nipple cup to the milk line, so that the portion of the milk line in which the cleaning medium could possibly end up is as short as possible. The trajectory that the cleaning medium has to take in order to get inside the nipple cup can also be as short as possible. Preferably, the closing means closes the supply line when it is in the deactivated position, so that milk is prevented from entering it. Preferably, the closure means closes the outlet of the supply line when it is in the deactivated position, so that there are no blind spots present in which the milk can end. Preferably, the closing means comprise a closing body, which can oscillate between a milking position in which the outlet closes and a cleaning position in which the milk extractor closes. Thus, one passage (for cleaning medium) and the other passage (to the milk collection chamber) are alternately closed / opened with a single body. Preferably, the closure body has planes for guiding the cleaning means in the breast pump in the direction of the nipple cup, the preferred delivery line that opens with a component in the direction toward the nipple. In this way, the closing body performs an additional function. These planes can also cooperate in the orientation of the cleaning medium that falls back to the supply line, where it can not do any damage. In order to promote that the breast pump opens after the cleaning of and possibly the disconnection of the nipple, additional means of preference are provided for tilting the closure body in the cleaning position towards the milking position. Preferably, the closure body comprises a flexible band elastically of material fixed at one end, which can be moved from the milking position to the cleaning position by bending. Preferably, the flexible tape is elastically attached to the milk extractor, in particular to the milk line, near or downstream of the outlet, such as in a coupling piece between the nipple cup and the rest of the line milk. Preferably, a seat is placed in the milk extractor to seal the closure body support in the cleaning position, the seat preferably having a curved course according to the fold line of the closure body. The closure body can then - freely or urged, see below - move to or from the cleaning position, but provides an optimum seal in the cleaning position. Preferably, the seat is formed in the wall of the milk extractor, particularly in the milk line, so that the number of parts can be kept limited and in addition the slits and holes in which milk could be left behind are avoided . A simple and reliable long-term working method of the closure body is one in which the belt is made of metal, particularly being a leaf spring. The device according to the invention is preferably provided with operative means for the closing means, as well as control means for controlling the operative means depending on the discharge of the cleaning means. According to a further development of the device according to the invention, the operative means comprise an operative member, which can move between an active position which puts the closing means in the cleaning or closing position and a rest position. In this way it is promoted that the closure means can close the milk line in a certain way, for as long as desired. Preferably, the operating member, when in the active position, is accommodated to urge the closing means to the closed position, preferably against a return force. The closing means are thus kept in the closed position in a positive manner, for as long as desired. After that, the return force can be used to automatically clear the passage in the milk line. Preferably, the operating member is in press contact with the closure means, which makes the constructive arrangements possible. Such an arrangement may be, for example, one in which the operating means comprise a pushing member and the closing means comprise a closure body which at least in the rest position is inclined towards the operating member. The simplicity of construction is further promoted when the operative member and the outlet of the supply line are placed on the same side of the breast pump. In this development, the control means are advantageously adapted to activate means for pressurizing the supply line simultaneously with or shortly thereafter by activating the operating means for the closing means. The operation of the supply line and the discharge of the cleaning medium will take place more reliably when the control means are adapted to activate the means for pressurizing the supply line shortly thereafter by activating the operating means for the closing means. The closing means can also be adapted for activation by a pressure rise in the supply line. In the development with operative means discussed above, it is preferred, however, that the operative means comprise an operation line, for example pneumatic, which is separated from the supply line, so that for the supply line and the closing means the optimal operating means can always be designed. In an alternative, further development of the device according to the invention, the operative means comprise an operative line, for example pneumatic, which coincides with the supply line and for operation of both can be made use of the same source of Pressure. The closure means may be designed, for example, for activation as a result of an increase in pressure in the supply line. Thus, when the cleaning medium is discharged, and therefore the above-mentioned problem is present, in a directly controlled manner by the increase in pressure - in connection with said discharge - it is prevented that during the discharge of the cleaning medium. said medium ends in the milk line and with it in the milk collection chamber. The invention also relates to an assembly of a number of devices according to the invention and to a central milk store connected to the milk collection chamber. From another aspect, the invention provides a method for cleaning and / or disinfecting the teats of the udder of a cow, after the cow has been milked with the aid of a device for pneumatically milking a cow, said device comprising a chamber of milk collection and a system of milk extractors, each comprising a nipple cup and a milk line extending between the nipple cup in question and the milk collection chamber, where immediately after the milking is finished, but before the nipple cup is renewed from the nipple a certain amount of cleaning fluid is introduced into the nipple cup, via a supply line and an outlet thereof in the breast pump, and simultaneously or shortly thereafter the milk extractor, in particular the milk line, closes near or downstream of the outlet of the supply line. Preferably, the milk extractor is then closed at the exit level. Preferably, the cleaning liquid is supplied with a pressurized carrier gas, such as air, for a certain period of time, which is of such duration, that the gas flow first blows the cleaning liquid towards the nipple cup and subsequently blowing the content of the nipple cup to the outside, so that the nipple cup is free from the nipple, leaving the breast pump closed downstream of the outlet until at least the nipple cup is released. During the burst of pressure, which causes a back pressure sling in the direction of the nipple cup and with this a return transport of the cleaning medium, its entry into the breast pump, in particular the milk line, is prevented closing it, and knowing for as long as the pressure is on the nipple cup. After switching off, there is no danger of return flow of the cleaning medium. Preferably, the end of the certain period of time that the gas flow is maintained is more or less the same as the moment, when the nipple cup is half inclined one turn after the nipple cup has been completely released from the nipple cup. nipple, preferably about five seconds. Preferably, the amount of cleaning liquid or disinfectant is from 5 to 7 cc. Preferably, the closing of the breast pump takes place with the aid of a closure body, which is driven to a cleaning position which closes the milk extractor by means of the gas flow or by a separate operating means. Preferably, the closing member closes the outlet when there is no gas flow.

From another aspect, the application has the objective of providing a method, as a result of which the nipples of a cow's udder are cleaned well and removed as much milk residue left behind and the cleaning liquid introduced as possible from the nipple cup so it can not end up in the milk. For this purpose the application provides a method for cleaning and / or disinfecting the teats of the udder of a cow, after the cow has been milked with the aid of a device for pneumatically milking a cow, such a device comprises a system of cups. for nipple which are each connected to a milk line, a cleaning liquid being introduced to the nipple cup via a line and an internal flow opening, said method comprises the introduction of a certain amount of cleaning liquid immediately after the milking is finished, but before the nipple cups have been removed from the nipples with the aid of means via an outlet flow opening, said outlet flow opening corresponds to the inflow opening for the nipple. The liquid in the nipple cup, the medium consisting of a gas flow, such as an air flow, which is blown or sprayed to the nipple cup under pressure via the outlet flow opening for a certain period of time, the period of time being such that the air flow first blows the cleaning liquid towards the nipple cup and pressurizes the space there and preferably subsequently blows the contents of the cup for nipple to extepor, which promotes the release of the nipple cup. According to this method, the cleansing liquid will spread over the space between the nipple and the nipple cup and will keep the space under a certain pressure until the nipple cup is released, as a result of which the nipple cup can be easily detached from the nipple. It seems that the air flow blows the milk residues that are left behind in the nipple cup after milking together with the excess cleaning liquid to the outside. Preferably, the cleaning liquid is sprayed in a manner pointed in the direction of the axis of symmetry of the nipple cup. In this way it is achieved that first the nipple is cleaned of the milk residues and subsequently these milk residues are blown with the cleaning liquid to the outside via the inner wall of the nipple cup. In a further development thereof the application provides a device with which it is achieved, in the optimum sense, that the cleaning fluid ends at the end of the cow's nipple. For this purpose the application provides a device for pneumatically milking a cow, comprising a system of nipple cups which are each provided with an open liner at one end and with its other end connected to a milk line, each cup comprising a connection to a source with changing low pressure, and in which a cleaning means, such as a disinfecting liquid, can be introduced to the nipple cup via a flow inlet opening which is the flow outlet opening of a line for the supply of the cleaning fluid, the flow outlet opening for the cleaning means being provided with a tube-shaped member, of which the center line is more or less parallel to the axis of symmetry of the nipple cup and from which the outflow opening is directed towards the end of a cow nipple present in the nipple cup during use. Removal of a cow's nipple is sprayed with the liquid, as a result of which milk residues remaining at the lower end of the udder are removed by blowing and subsequently with the air flow upwards along the outside from the udder and the wall of the nipple cup to the open upper side of the nipple cup and subsequently to the outside outside the space of the nipple cup after it has been released from the nipple. In this way, the entire interior of the nipple cup and cow nipple are cleaned well and disinfected and all milk residues are efficiently removed from the nipple cup at the end of a milking course. Milk residues that have ended up inside the nipple cup when the nipple is cleaned by spraying, and milk residues left there when milking can be removed from the nipple cup, so there is no danger of contamination for the next cow that is going to be milked, if the milked cow had an infection. Preferably, the device according to the invention is constructed such that a supply line for the supply of the cleaning liquid is arranged in the wall of each milk line near the transition to the nipple cup and the part with tube shape of the tube-shaped member together with the wall of the milk line runs parallel to the axis of symmetry of the nipple cup. From the European Patent of the applicant EP 0 543 463 per se is known a device for pneumatically milking a cow, said device is provided with means for cleaning the interior of the nipple cup subsequent to milking, comprising a system of nipple cups which are each provided with an open liner at one end and with their other ends connected to a milk line, each cup comprising a connection to a source with low changing pressure, and at which a flow outlet opening of a line for the supply of cleaning liquid is arranged in the wall of each line for milk near the transition to the nipple cup. The flow of fluid here, however, is directed to the wall of the nipple cup. Preferably, the member is a tube that is connected to the flow outlet opening of the supply line and which is flat mainly by pressure and is bounded by the interior of the milk line and in which a valve is disposed. closing in the flow outlet opening of the supply line. This embodiment is easy and simple to apply first, in the manner known as indicated in the European Patent of the applicant EP 0 543 463, to provide a supply line with a shut-off valve on the wall of the milk line said supply line is already provided with a pipe arranged in line with the supply line said pipe is contiguous to the flow outlet opening and subsequently with the help of a mandrel pressing the flat pipe against the wall of the milk line . Because the tubing will spring back a little, the tubing will take exactly the desired position, the gas flow outlet, and the cleaning fluid being directed exactly to the end of the cow's nipple when the nipple is in the nipple cup . Preferably, a shut-off valve is arranged in the flow outlet opening of the supply line, so that milk can not enter the supply line through the cleaning fluid and in addition no cleaning liquid can flow out of the supply line. the supply line if it is not under a certain pressure. According to a preferred embodiment, the first shut-off valve is arranged in a connecting piece, which is accommodated in a first branch of the milk line. In this way the supply line for the cleaning liquid is separated from the milk line and the supply line can be easily connected and disconnected from the milk line, for example, for maintenance or repair.

Preferably, the branch with the connecting piece is part of a coupling piece, which may be coupled between the nipple cup and the milk line. In this way, a separate part is provided which can be placed under the nipple cup in the milk line and to which the supply line for the cleaning liquid can be connected. In this way the milk line is modular, and the coupling piece can be easily replaced, for example, when the shut-off valve does not work properly. It is also possible to arrange such provision in already existing devices for mechanical cow milking. The invention also relates to a coupling part as described above. The invention will be elucidated below on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments, while reference is made to the drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a device according to the invention arranged under a cow; Figures 2A and 2B show cross sections of the upper end of a milk line of a first exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, in the milking position and the cleaning position respectively; Figures 3A and 3B show a partial cross section of the nipple cup and the upper end of a milk line of a second exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, in the milking position and the cleaning position respectively; Figure 4A shows a cross section of a nipple cup of an additional alternating device according to the invention; Figure 4B shows an enlarged cross-section of the collection piece for the connection of the line for the cleaning fluid of Figure 4A; and Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the nipple cup of Figures 4A and 4B during the introduction of cleaning and air liquid. Figure 1 shows a cow 1 from which only the rear legs are shown with an udder 2, with four nipples 3, in which a device 4 according to the invention is arranged around the nipples 3 of the udder 4 of the cow 1 The device 4 for pneumatically milking a cow here comprises four milk extractors, each comprising a nipple cup 5 and a milk line 6, the milk lines 6 supplying the milk to a milk collection chamber 7, from where the milk is transported to a central warehouse via the common discharge line 25. Each nipple cup 5 is connected via line 8 to a source of low exchange pressure, with the aid of which the milk is transported. Near the transition from the nipple cup 5 to the milk line 6 the milk line 6 is provided with a supply line 9, said supply lines 9 are connected to the manifold 10 for the cleaning fluid, such as iodine , which is supplied via line 1 1. The air is supplied via line 12 under pressure to the manifold 10 in order to blow the liquid under the influence of air to the nipple cup. In Figure 2A a coupling piece 14 is clamped at the lower end of the nipple cup 5, said coupling piece forming the upper end of the milk line 6, of which the remaining part in the form of a hose is clamped to the lower end of the coupling part 14. The coupling part 14 defines a vertical passage 24 having a rectangular cross section and on two opposite internal surfaces is provided with a curved step 22, which forms a valve seat. Against the left inner surface of the passage 24 (as seen in the drawing) in the coupling piece 14, a leaf spring 21 is placed, which at the location of the portion 21 b is fixedly fixed to said inner surface, in a way comparable to restriction, but for the rest it can be bent freely in the direction to the right, until it is on top of the seat 22. See also the discussion of the leaf spring 121 of Figures 3A, 3B. On the side of the leaf spring 21 facing away from the passage 24 the coupling part 14 is formed with two blocks 30 and 31, in which a supply line 9 for the cleaning fluid as shown in the block 30 is connected. iodine, said supply line can lead to a manifold for the cleaning fluid such as the multiple 1 0 mentioned above in Figure 1. Alternatively, as suggested in Figures 3A, 3B, to each supply line 9 connected to a source of pressurized air a separate line can be connected to dose the cleaning fluid. In the block 30 a perforated hole 40 is formed, which ends in an opening 1 7, which is covered by the leaf spring 21. In the perforated hole 40 a valve 1 9 of a direction with valve 19a is placed. In case the supply line 9 is pressurized, by means of a pressure source and control means not shown here, the valve 19a will move from the seat to the outlet 17 and as a result makes a passage of Pressurized air with last cleaning liquid. In block 31, which is formed as a unit with block 30, a perforated hole 41 is also provided, which is provided with a rope 38 for screw. A bearing provided with an external cord 37 for screw is screwed into the rope 38 for screw, which is closed towards the mouth 17 by a plate 42 with a hole 43 and on the other side is provided with a connecting nipple 33 for a conductor 34 of pressurized air. Inside the bearing 32 is a piston pin 35, around which a compression spring 36 is placed, which on one side abuts against the plate 42 and on the other side abuts against a piston forming a unit with the pin 35. of piston, said piston is not shown further. When the control means, which are not shown anymore, activate a source of pressurized air which is not shown further and the line 34 is pressurized, the piston, which is not shown, will move to the right in the bearing 32 and as As a result, the piston pin 35 will move through the hole 43 in the plate 42 to the outside, and will make contact with the leaf spring 21. During milking the milk flows in the direction "A from the nipple cup through the passage 24 and further down in the milk line 6. When the milking is finished and the nipple cups 5 are still around the nipple. the cow, the control means pressurize the line 34 first so that the pusher piston or push pin 35 presses the leaf spring 21 into the passage 24, until the leaf spring 21 with the longitudinal edges abuts the seat 22 and with the upper edge 21 abutting the opposite surface 24a of the passage 24. The length of the leaf spring here is adjusted to the dimensions of the passage 24 and to the course of the seat 22. In the situation shown in Figure 2B the passage 24 is closed from under the leaf spring 21 and subsequently (a fraction of a second thereafter) the supply line 19 is operated by the control means not shown further, so that the cleaning fluid of the line 9 and vía the valve 19 of a direction can be emitted in the direction B, to the nipple in the cup 5 for nipple. The liquid on the one hand is guided here along the rounded surface 17a and on the other hand by the leaf spring 21. As a result of closing the passage 24 towards the rest of line 6 for milk the cleaning fluid will end, if it recedes, at the opening 1 7, but will not be able to move in the direction C, so that the milk previously collected can not be achieved. Maintaining constant pressure on line 34 in the situation shown in Figure 2B the pusher 35 will remain in position and the leaf spring 21, clamped between the pusher 35 and the seat 22, is kept in the closed position bent in a stable manner. When cleaning is complete, the cessation of pressure on line 34 will result in compression spring 36 being activated and nine piston not shown with pusher 35 to the left again, said movement being followed by spring sheet 21, in order to finish again in the position shown in Figure 2A, in which the passage 24 is free again. Of course the pressure on line 9 has then stopped as well. In Figures 3A, B the same parts have the same reference numbers, increased by 100. Figure 3A shows the supepor end of a breast pump, in which a teat cup 1 05 is connected to the rest of line 106 for milk via a coupling piece 1 13 which is a part of the line for milk and in which an important part of this embodiment of the invention - is accommodated. The coupling part 1 13 has a passage 124 for milk and a branch 1 1 5 for the supply line 109. The branch 1 15 opens to the level of the exit 1 17 in the passage 124 for milk. The opening 1 17 is shown in a situation in Figure 3A in which the milking takes place and the milk flows in the direction A, covered by a valve 121 in ribbon form, comparable to the leaf spring 21 and therefore which consists of a metal leaf spring, which for example is 4 cm long by 1 cm fixed to the inner wall of the passageway 1 24, so that it is formed as if it were a fastening. The remaining 3 cm of the leaf spring can be bent towards the passageway 124 under the influence of a pressure load (air), until the leaf spring 121 comes up with sealing wood with the step 122 formed in the wall of the passageway 124, said step forms the valve seat. The curve of the seat is again similar to the curve of the leaf spring 121 as a result of the uniformly distributed load. The passage 124 has a square cross section in order to facilitate the movement of the leaf spring 124. The supply of cleaning liquid takes place here in an alternating manner. A line 1 18 opens into the seat line 9, in which a valve 1 19 is also accommodated and through said line the desired amount of cleaning liquid for the nipple in question (preferably 5-7 cc) is metered in. on line 109. Air is supplied via a line 120 connected to the central pressure source - controlled by the central control means not shown - at the desired time under the desired pressure, as a result of which the liquid it is transported and the leaf spring 121 is opened by pressure and bent to abut the seat 122, as shown in Figure 3B. The cleaning fluid is guided together by the leaf spring 121 also and moves upward in the direction B towards the nipple (not shown). A return movement of the cleaning liquid downwards in the direction C to the rest of the milk line is avoided by the leaf spring 121 abutting the seat 122. The cleaning fluid can possibly return in that case to the branch 1 1 5, which is not a problem. Preferably, the increased pressure is maintained for a few seconds, for example 5 seconds, after the cleaning fluid has been emitted. In this way, the cups can be driven from the nipples, but any risk of the cleaning medium flowing back to the milk line is also avoided, because as a result of the pressure of the leaf spring 21, 121 maintains closed the milk line 6, 106, until the nipple cups have fallen from the nipples and a burst of pressure can not occur that causes the return. Figure 4A shows a nipple cup 205 to which a coupling piece 213 according to the invention has been connected. Line 208 is the line to the low pressure source of change. The coupling piece 213 consists of a tube-shaped part 214 with two ends to which the milk line 206 is connected to both, upper side and lower side, exactly below the nipple cup 205 and has a branch 215 for a supply line 209 for a cleaning medium. A valve 216 is accommodated on the branch 215 on the one hand, which is capable of discharging the cleaning liquid at the desired time and for the desired time and on the other hand preventing the milk from entering the liquid supply line 209. cleaning. In the valve 216 a tube 217 is arranged, which extends to the milk line 206 and with the help of a mandrel (not shown here) is pressed to the desired shape. As a result, the round tube is bent and pressed flat against the wall of the milk line. The jet of cleaning liquid that is delivered through the supply line 209 will be sprayed out of the tube 217 and directed parallel to the center line of the teat cup 205 to the nipple (not shown). A line 21 8 opens into line 209, in which a valve 219 is also accommodated and through said line, dosed in the desired amount, the cleaning liquid is introduced to line 209. Via line 220 air is supplied at the desired time under the desired pressure, as a result of which the amount of liquid introduced into the line will be sprayed into the nipple cup 205 via the valve 216. Figure 4B shows a coupling piece 214 of Figure 4A very enlarged. In the branch 215 of the coupling piece 214 a valve 216 is disposed in its branch, in which a connecting end 221 for the supply hose 209 for the air and the cleaning liquid is arranged. The valve 21 6 is designated here as a valve 222, which with the help of a spring 223 is pressed into the seat 224. When the cleaning liquid is supplied under pressure via the supply line 214 or 215, the valve 222 is pressed to the outside against the action of the compression spring 223 by the pressure of the air with the cleaning fluid, after which the "cleaning" liquid is sprayed upwards into the nipple cup on the nipple via the flattened tube. 7. In Figure 5 the method is shown in four stages, Figure 5 showing the nipple 203 with the nipple cup 205, while the cleaning liquid together with the air flow 225 is blown into the interior of the cup. 205 for nipple via the outlet of the flattened tube 217, directed to the nipple end 226. The air flow 225 is directed to the milk waste 227 which is at the lower end of the cow's nipple. The moment is shown or wherein the inner liner 228 of the nipple cup 205 is pressed outwardly by the flow of air entering and blowing the milk residue with the cleaning liquid 229 and is blown upward and subsequently, as shown in FIG. Figure 5C, to the upper side of the nipple cup and possibly thereafter to the outside as shown in Figure 5D. The release of the nipple cup 205 from the nipple 302 as a result is particularly promoted and the nipple cup 205 will be able to fall later. The nipple of the cow as well as the inside of the nipple cup will then be completely cleansed of milk residues and disinfected also with the help of the disinfectant liquid.

Claims (37)

1. CLAIMS 1. A device for pneumatically milking a cow, comprising a number of breast pumps, each comprising a nipple cup as well as a milk line connected to the lower end of the nipple cup, which runs from the nipple cup to a milk collection chamber from the nipple cups, where for each milk extractor the device is provided with a supply of a cleaning medium, such as a disinfectant, for the nipple cup, in particular for the nipple present in the nipple cup, each supply comprising a line which in the location of an outlet leads to the milk extractor in question, in particular the milk line, and each milk extractor being provided with means to close the extractor milk near or downstream of the outlet, preferably at that level, when the cleaning medium is discharged through the outlet.
2. 2. The device according to claim 1, the closure means being arranged near the transition from the nipple cup to the milk line.
3. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, the closure means closing the supply line when it is in the deactivated position.
4. 4. The device according to claim 3, the closing means close the outlet of the supply line when it is in the deactivated position.
5. 5. The device according to claim 4, the closure means comprising a closure body, which can oscillate between a milking position in which the outlet closes and a cleaning position in which the milk extractor closes.
6. 6. The device according to claim 5, the closure body having planes for guiding the cleaning means in the milk extractor in the direction of the nipple cup, the supply line that leads preferably with a component in the direction towards the nipple.
7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, further provided with means for tilting the closure body in the cleaning position towards the milking position.
8. The device according to claim 7, the closure body comprising a strip of elastically flexible material fixed at one end, which can be moved from the milking position to the cleaning position by bending.
9. 9. The device according to claim 8, the elastically flexible tape being attached to the milk extractor, downstream of the outlet.
10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, a seat that is placed in the milk extractor for sealing support of the closure body in the cleaning position. eleven .
11. The device according to claim 10, the seat having a curved course according to the fold line of the closure body. :
12. 12. The device according to claim 10 or 11, the seat that is formed in the wall of the milk extractor, particularly in the milk line.
13. The device according to any of claims 8-12, the tape being made of metal, particularly that it is a leaf spring.
14. The device according to any of the preceding claims, further provided with operative means for the closing means, as well as controlling means for controlling the operative means depending on the discharge of the cleaning means.
15. 15. The device according to claim 14, the operating means comprising an operative member, movable between an active position that places the closing means in the closed position and a rest position.
16. 16. The device according to claim 15, the operative member when in the active position being arranged to urge the closing means to the closed position, preferably against a return force.
17. 17. The device according to claim 16, the operating member that is in pressured contact with the closing means.
18. 18. The device according to claim 17, the operative member comprising a pusher member and the closure means comprising a closure body which, at least in the rest position, is urged toward the operative member.
19. The device according to any of claims 15-18, the operative member and the outlet of the supply line being placed on the same side of the breast pump
20. 20. The device according to any of the claims 14-19, the control means being adapted to activate means for pressurizing the supply line simultaneously with or shortly after activating the operating means for the closure means
21. 21. The device according to claim 20, the control means They are adapted to activate the means for pressurizing the supply line shortly after activating the operating means for the closing means
22. 22. The device according to claim 21, the operating means comprising an operational line, for example pneumatic, the which is separated from the supply line
23. 23. The device according to claim 14, the closure means being adapted for activation by means of a pressure rise in the supply line.
24. 24. The device according to claim 14 or 15, the operative means comprising an operative line, for example pneumatic, which coincides with the supply line.
25. 25. The device according to any of the preceding claims, the closure means being accommodated in a coupling piece that is accommodated in the milk extractor, preferably near the transition between the nipple cup and the milk line.
26. 26. A coupling piece adapted for a device according to claim 25.
27. 27. A method for cleaning and / or disinfecting the teats of a cow udder, after the cow has been milked with the aid of a milking device. pneumatically a cow, said device comprises a milk collection chamber and a system of milk extractors, each comprising a nipple cup and a milk line extending between the nipple cup in question and the milk receiving chamber, immediately after the milking is finished, but before the nipple cup is removed from the nipple, where a certain amount of cleansing liquid is introduced into the nipple cup, via a supply line and a nipple exit the milk pump, and simultaneously or shortly after the milk pump, in particular the milk line, closes near or downstream of the outlet of the line of supply.
28. 28. The method according to claim 27, the cleaning liquid with a pressurized carrier gas, such as air, which is supplied for a certain period of time, which is of such duration, that the gas flow first blows the liquid of cleaning to the nipple cup and subsequently blows the contents of the nipple cup to the outside, so that the nipple cup is released from the nipple, the breast pump remaining at least closed downstream of the outlet until the nipple is released.
29. 29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, the end of the certain period of time in which gas is kept flowing which is more or less the same as the moment, in which the nipple cup is inclined half a turn after The nipple cup has been completely released from the nipple.
30. 30. The method according to claim 29, the period of time that the gas flow is maintained flowing corresponding to approximately 5 seconds.
31. 31 The method according to any of claims 27-30, the certain amount of cleaning fluid or disinfectant corresponding to 5 to 7 ce.
32. 32. The method according to any of claims 27-31, the closure of the milk extractor that takes place with the help of a closing body, which is driven to a closing position that closes the milk extractor before or simultaneously with the discharge of the cleaning medium.
33. 33. The method according to claim 40, the closure by means of the closure body that takes place by mechanical contact of the operating means with it, preferably a stop or pressure contact.
34. 34. The method according to claim 33, the operating means being pushed to the rest position.
35. 35. The method according to claim 32, the closing by means of the closing body that takes place under the influence of the pressure of the gas flow.
36. 36. The method according to any of claims 32-35, the outlet closing in the rest position of the closure body.
37. 37. The method according to any of claims 32-36, the gas flow with cleaning liquid which is guided by the closure body in a direction toward the nipple.