NZ625412B2 - A cartridge, and a teatcup - Google Patents
A cartridge, and a teatcup Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ625412B2 NZ625412B2 NZ625412A NZ62541212A NZ625412B2 NZ 625412 B2 NZ625412 B2 NZ 625412B2 NZ 625412 A NZ625412 A NZ 625412A NZ 62541212 A NZ62541212 A NZ 62541212A NZ 625412 B2 NZ625412 B2 NZ 625412B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- sleeve
- end portion
- cartridge
- teatcup
- milk
- Prior art date
Links
- 210000004080 Milk Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 75
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 75
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 75
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 56
- 210000000088 Lip Anatomy 0.000 claims description 27
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 210000002445 Nipples Anatomy 0.000 description 12
- 230000001808 coupling Effects 0.000 description 12
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 12
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 3
- 210000001503 Joints Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 229920002725 Thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004945 silicone rubber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000000078 Claw Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 240000008528 Hevea brasiliensis Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004073 vulcanization Methods 0.000 description 1
Abstract
The invention refers to a teatcup and a cartridge to be comprised by the teatcup to be attached to a teat of an animal to be milked. The cartridge (1 ) comprises a sleeve (6) having an upper end (6a) and a lower end (6b), and a teatcup liner (7) mounted in the sleeve and having an inner space (8) for receiving said teat. A pulsation chamber (9) provided between an inner side of the sleeve and an outer side of the teatcup liner. The teatcup liner comprises an upper end portion (7a) located at the upper end of the sleeve, a barrel portion (7c) and a lower end portion (7b) extending beyond the lower end of the sleeve. The lower end portion forms an end nozzle (10) beyond the lower end of the sleeve. The end nozzle has a tapering external shape configured to be received in a milk conduit (4) for transporting the milk from the cartridge to the milk conduit. r receiving said teat. A pulsation chamber (9) provided between an inner side of the sleeve and an outer side of the teatcup liner. The teatcup liner comprises an upper end portion (7a) located at the upper end of the sleeve, a barrel portion (7c) and a lower end portion (7b) extending beyond the lower end of the sleeve. The lower end portion forms an end nozzle (10) beyond the lower end of the sleeve. The end nozzle has a tapering external shape configured to be received in a milk conduit (4) for transporting the milk from the cartridge to the milk conduit.
Description
A cartridge, and a teatcup
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention refers lly to teatcups to be attached to
the teats of an animal to be milked. More specifically, the present
invention refers to a cartridge configured to form part of a teatcup.
Furthermore, the present invention refers to a teatcup sing a
caflndge.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
Teatcups used today typically consist of two separate main parts, a
shell and a teatcup liner d in the shell. The teatcup liner is an
article of consumption that is subjected to wear, and thus has to be
replaced on a regular basis. The replacement of the teatcup liner is a
time-consuming and difficult work, requiring dismounting of the
teatcup liner from the shell and mounting of a new teatcup liner in
the shell. The p liner may form one single part either er
with the short milk conduit or separate from the short milk conduit.
US—4,459,939 discloses a teatcup comprising a discardable cartridge
and an outer shell. The cartridge comprises a sleeve, or inner shell,
having an upper end and a lower end, a teatcup liner mounted in the
sleeve. The cartridge thus forms a two—piece teatcup liner having an
inner space for receiving said teat, and a pulsation chamber ed
between an inner side of the sleeve and an outer side of the teatcup
liner. The teatcup liner has an upper end n located at the upper
end of the sleeve, a barrel portion and a lower end portion at the
lower end of the . The teatcup liner is made of a material
having a relatively high elasticity. The teatcup liner is releasably
connected to a cylindrical nipple extending away from the lower end
portion beyond the lower end of the sleeve.
EP-511 723 discloses a teatcup comprising a cartridge. The cartridge
comprises a sleeve having an upper end and a lower end, a p
liner mounted in the sleeve and having an inner space for receiving
said teat, and a pulsation chamber provided between an inner side of
the sleeve and an outer side of the teatcup liner. The teatcup liner
has an upper end portion located at the upper end of the sleeve, a
barrel portion and a lower end portion extending beyond the lower
1O end of the sleeve. The barrel n and the lower end n are
both made of a material having a relatively high elasticity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a teatcup, in which
components subjected to significant wear may be easily and securely
replaced. In particular, an object of the invention is to facilitate
dismounting and replacement of the teatcup liner and thus to
minimise the time needed for the replacement t negatively
influencing the hygienic properties of the teatcup.
This object is achieved by a cartridge configured to form part of a
teatcup to be attached to a teat of an animal to be milked, the
cartridge comprising a sleeve having an upper end and a lower end,
a teatcup liner mounted in the sleeve and having an inner space for
receiving said teat, a pulsation chamber provided between an inner
side of the sleeve and an outer side of the teatcup liner, wherein the
teatcup liner comprises an upper end portion located at the upper
end of the sleeve, a barrel portion and a lower end portion extending
beyond the lower end of the sleeve, wherein the lower end n
forms an end nozzle beyond the lower end of the sleeve, wherein the
end nozzle has a ng external shape configured to be received
in a milk conduit for transporting the milk from the cartridge to the
milk conduit, wherein the barrel portion is the main part of the
teatcup liner, wherein the barrel n is made of a first material
having a relatively high elasticity, and the lower end portion is made
of a second material having a relatively low elasticity in comparison
with the relatively high elasticity of the first material of the barrel
portion, and wherein the lower end portion comprises a lower
engagement member which s the sleeve in such a manner
that the barrel portion of the teatcup liner is maintained in a
stretched state in the sleeve.
Such a cartridge may be easily replaced and mounted to a milk
1O conduit by introducing the tapering end nozzle into the milk conduit.
Such an end nozzle may be properly received in the milk conduit.
Solely by pressing the tapering end nozzle into the end opening of
the milk conduit a secure and tight connection will be achieved.
Consequently, the milk will flow in a reliable manner from the teatcup
liner into the milk conduit during milking.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the end nozzle has a
tapering internal shape. Thanks to such an internal shape, a smooth
and even milk flow from the teatcup liner into the milk conduit during
milking may be ensured.
Advantageously, the first material is ent from the second
material, or in other words may have a different composition than the
second material. By making the lower end n and thus the end
nozzle in a less elastic material, Le. a more rigid material, than the
barrel portion, the end nozzle may be y and ly received in
the milk conduit.
Alternatively, the barrel portion, the lower end portion and the upper
end portion are made of the same al, for instance in one single
piece, preferably through ion moulding.
According to a further ment of the invention, the barrel portion
is ed to the lower end n by a permanent joint.
Advantageously, the permanent joint may be formed by melting of at
least one of the first al and the second material at the
permanent joint. Such a melting, or g, s a reliable and
permanent joint between the barrel portion and the lower end
portion.
1O According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lower end
portion comprises a lower engagement member which engages the
sleeve in such a manner that the barrel n of the teatcup liner is
maintained in a stretched state in the sleeve. In the stretched state,
the teatcup liner is prolonged in comparison with a rest state in which
it is not mounted in the shell and thus not subjected to any external
forces.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lower
engagement member comprises, or is formed by, a lower annular
flange extending outwardly and abutting an end surface of the lower
end of the sleeve. Preferably, the lower annular flange has a
diameter that is greater the inner diameter of the lower end of the
sleeve.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the upper end
portion comprises an upper engagement member which enables
engagement of the upper end of the sleeve. Advantageously, the
upper engagement member comprises an upper annular flange
extending outwardly beyond an inner diameter of an end surface of
the upper end of the sleeve. Preferably, the upper annular flange
has a diameter that is greater the inner diameter of the upper end of
the sleeve. Moreover, the diameter of the upper annular flange may
be greater than the diameter of the lower annular flange.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the upper end
portion is made of a third material having a relatively low elasticity
in comparison with the relatively high elasticity of the first material
1O of the barrel n. Advantageously, the second material and the
third material may be the same material and have thus the same
composition.
According to a further ment of the invention, the sleeve
comprises a sealing ring extending around an outer surface of the
sleeve, and a hole through the sleeve, which hole is configured to
permit a pulsating vacuum to be applied in the pulsation chamber
and which hole is provided between the sealing ring and the lower
end of the sleeve.
According to a r embodiment of the invention, the cartridge
comprises a lip member provided at the upper end portion of the
teatcup liner and forming a lip defining an opening for the teat.
Advantageously, the lip member may be detachably attached to the
p liner, or possibly to the sleeve, by a snap tion. Such
a snap connection permits easy nting and replacement of
the lip member.
The object is also achieved by the teatcup initially defined, further
comprising said milk conduit, wherein the milk conduit ses a
first end portion, a conduit portion and a second end portion, and a
milk l extending through the first end portion, the t
portion and the second end portion, and wherein the end nozzle is
introduced and held in the milk channel of the first end portion.
According to a r embodiment of the invention, the milk
channel of the upper end portion has an internal ng shape
from the first end towards the milk channel of the conduit portion.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the teatcup
ses a connector connecting the cartridge to the milk conduit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be explained more closely by means
of a description of various embodiments and with nce to the
drawings attached hereto.
Fig 1 discloses a longitudinal section of a teatcup comprising
1O or connected to a milk conduit.
Fig 2 discloses an exploded longitudinal section of a cartridge
of the teatcup in Fig 1.
Fig 3 discloses a section of the milk conduit in Fig 1.
Fig 4 discloses a section of a connector of the teatcup in Fig
1.
Fig 5 discloses a section of a pulse conduit of the teatcup in
Fig 1.
ED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS MENTS OF THE
INVENTION
Fig 1 discloses a p to be attached to a teat of an animal to be
milked. The teatcup comprises a cartridge 1 and a connector 2. The
teatcup may also comprise a lip member 3. In addition, the teatcup
milk conduit 4, such as a short
may comprise or be connected to a
milk conduit. Moreover, the teatcup may comprise or be connected
to a pulse conduit 5.
A longitudinal centre axis x extends through and along the teatcup,
3O i.e. the cartridge 1, the connector 2 and the lip member 3. The
longitudinal centre axis x also extends through and along the milk
t 4 when it is in a rest state as disclosed in Fig. 1.
The cartridge 1, see also Fig 2, comprises a sleeve 6 having an
liner 7 mounted in
upper end 6a and a lower end 6b, and a p
the sleeve 6. In Figs 1 and 2, the cartridge is shown in a d
state, i.e. the teatcup liner 7 is d in the sleeve 6. The
teatcup liner 7 has or forms an inner space 8 for receiving the teat.
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A pulsation chamber 9 is provided or formed between an inner side
of the sleeve 6 and an outer side of the teatcup liner 7.
The teatcup liner 7 comprises an upper end portion 7a located at
the upper end 6a of the sleeve 6, a barrel portion 7c and a lower
end portion 7b located at the lower end of the sleeve 6. The barrel
portion 70 is an intermediate tubular portion provided between and
adjoining the upper end portion 7a and the lower end portion 7b.
The barrel portion 70 is the main part of the teatcup liner 7 and is in
contact with the teat of the animal during milking.
The lower end portion 7b extends from a position within the sleeve
6 away from and beyond the lower end 6b of the sleeve 6. The
lower end portion 7b forms an end nozzle 10. The end nozzle 10 is
the part of the lower end portion 7b that extends beyond the lower
end 6b of the sleeve 6. The end nozzle 10 forms an outlet from the
inner space 8.
The end nozzle 10 has a tapering al shape configured to be
received in the milk conduit 4 for transporting the milk from the
inner space 8 to the milk conduit 4. The end nozzle 10 also has a
tapering internal shape forming a tapering outlet for the milk from
the inner space 8 of the teatcup liner 7.
The barrel portion 7c of the teatcup liner 7 is made of a first
material having a relatively high elasticity. The lower end portion 7b
of the teatcup liner 7 is made of a second material, which is
ent from the first material and has a ent composition. The
second material has a relatively low city in comparison with
the relatively high elasticity of the first material of the barrel portion
The first material may consist of or comprise rubber, black rubber,
silicone rubber, elastic polymers, such as Thermoplastic
Elastomers, TPE, or any other suitable c material.
The second material may consist of or comprise a le polymer
with low elasticity, such as polyeten, polypropene, etc.
The upper end portion 7a is made in a third material having a
relatively low elasticity in comparison with the relatively high
elasticity of the first material of the barrel portion 7c. The third
al may be a material having similar or the same composition
and/or properties as the second al of the lower end portion
The barrel portion 7c is attached to the lower end portion 7b by a
lower permanent joint 11. Such a permanentjoint 11 may be formed
1O by a melt joint, a weld joint or a al bonding between the first
material and the second material.
The barrel portion 7c is also attached to the upper end portion 7a
by an upper permanent joint 12. Such a permanent joint 12 may be
formed by a melt joint, a weld joint or a chemical bonding between
the first material and the third material.
The lower and/or upper permanent joints 11, 12 my be formed by
melting of at least one of the first material and the second material
at the permanent joint. The lower and/or upper permanent joints 11,
12 may also be obtained through vulcanisation.
Alternatively, the barrel portion 70 and the lower end portion 7b
and/or the upper end portion 7a are made of the same material, for
instance in one single piece, preferably h injection moulding.
The sleeve 6 is made of a fourth material having a relatively low
city. The fourth material may be a material having similar or
the same composition and/or properties as the same material as the
second material.
The lower end n 7b of the teatcup liner 7 comprises a lower
engagement member 14, which s the sleeve 6 in such a
manner that the barrel portion 7c of the teatcup liner 7 is
maintained in a stretched state in the sleeve 6. The lower
engagement member 14 comprises, or is formed as, an annular
flange extending outwardly at least beyond an inner diameter of an
end e of the lower end 6b of the sleeve 6. The annular flange
of the lower end portion 7b may extend radially or substantially
radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal centre axis x. The
annular flange of the lower end portion 7b extends beyond and
abuts the end surface of the lower end 6b of the sleeve 6.
The upper end portion 7a of the teatcup liner 7 comprises an upper
engagement member 15, which engages the sleeve 6 at the upper
end 6a of the sleeve 6. The upper engagement member 15
comprises, or is formed as, an upper annular flange extending
outwardly at least beyond an inner diameter of an end e of
1O the upper end 6a of the sleeve 6. The annular flange of the upper
engagement member 15 may extend radially or substantially
radially outwardly with respect to the udinal centre axis x. In
the embodiment disclose, the annular flange of the upper
engagement member 15 of the upper end portion 7a abuts an
outwardly bent part of the first material of the barrel portion 70,
which in turn abuts the end surface of the upper end 6a of the
sleeve 6.
The sleeve 6 comprises a sealing ring 17 extending around an outer
e of the sleeve 6. The sealing ring 17 is configured to engage
a surface, ally an end surface, of the connector 2, as will be
described below.
Moreover, the sleeve 6 comprises a hole 18 h the sleeve 6,
or through the wall of the sleeve 6. The hole 18 permits a pulsating
vacuum to be applied in the ion chamber 9. The hole 18 is
provided between the sealing ring 17 and the lower end 6b of the
sleeve 6.
3O The lip member 3 is in the embodiment disclosed attached to the
upper end portion 7a of the teatcup liner 7, as can be seen in Figs
and 2. The lip member 3 is preferably detachably attached to the
cartridge 1 by a snap connection 19. In Fig 2 the lip member 3 is
shown in a detached state with respect to the teatcup liner 7 and
the cartridge 1. Alternatively, the lip member 3 may be detachably
attached to the sleeve 6.
The lip member 3 comprises or forms a lip 20, which surrounds and
defines an opening 21 for the teat to the inner space 8. The lip 20 is
also made of a relatively elastic material, possibly a material having
similar or the same composition and/or properties as the first
material of the barrel n 70.
It is to be noted that the lip member or the lip 20 as an ative
may form an integrated part of the teatcup liner 7, preferably by
being permanently joined to the upper end portion 7a, or being
manufactured in one single piece with the upper end portion 7a or
with the teatcup liner 7.
The connector 2, see also Fig 4, comprises a casing 24, which has
a bottom wall 25 and a surrounding wall 26 having an inner surface.
The casing 24 defines a connection space 27. The bottom wall 25 is
plane or substantially plane.
The connector 2, or the casing 24, comprises an inlet opening 28
for the cartridge 1 to the connection space 27, and an outlet
opening 29 for the milk conduit 4. The outlet opening 29 extends
through the bottom wall 25 and is configured to receive and hold the
milk conduit 4. In the embodiment disclosed, the udinal centre
axis x s concentrically through the casing 24 and through the
inlet opening 28 and the outlet opening 29, wherein the bottom wall
25 extends perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicularly to the
longitudinal centre axis x.
The connector 2 is connected to the cartridge 1 by means of locking
means. The locking means is provided on the inner surface of the
surrounding wall 26. Corresponding locking means is provided on
the outer side of the sleeve 6. The corresponding g means is
provided between the sealing ring 17 and the lower end 6b of the
sleeve 6. The locking means may se on or more outer
bayonet coupling parts 31 on the inner surface of the casing 24.
The corresponding g means may comprise one or more inner
bayonet coupling parts 32 on the outer surface of the sleeve 6 of
the cartridge 1. The outer bayonet coupling parts 31 and the inner
bayonet coupling parts 32 form a bayonet coupling permitting
secure g of the cartridge 1 in the connector 2.
rmore, the connector 2 comprises an outer shell 34 extending
beyond the inlet opening 28 of the casing 24. The outer shell 34 is
tubular and attached to an end portion 24a of the casing 24. The
is to protect the dge 1. The outer purpose of the outer shell 34
shell 34 may be made of a relatively rigid material, for instance as
plastics or metal, such as stainless steel.
The casing 24 also ses an aperture 35 extending through the
casing 24 into the connection space 27. Furthermore, the connector
2 or the casing 24 comprises a holding member 36 configured to
hold the pulse conduit 5 in a flow communication with the aperture
and the ing chamber 9 via the hole 18 for communicating a
pulsating vacuum to the connection space 27 and to the pulsating
chamber 9. The holding member defines a holding space, which is
partly d by a side wall 37 and a bottom wall 38. An g
39 extends through the bottom wall 38.
The milk conduit 4, or short milk conduit, see also Fig 3, is tubular
and comprises a first end portion 4a defining a first end, a second
end portion 4b defining a second end, and a conduit portion 4c
between the first end n 4a and the second end portion 4b. The
milk conduit 4 s a milk channel 40 extending through the first
end portion 4a, the conduit portion 40 and the second end portion
4b.
The first end of the milk conduit 4 may be defined or formed by a
plane, or substantially plane, end surface from which the milk
channel 40 s.
The first end portion 4a of the milk conduit 4 has an external
tapering shape from the first end to the conduit portion 4c. The milk
conduit 4 thus has a greater outer diameter at the first end
compared to the outer diameter at the conduit portion 4c.
The first end portion 4a is configured to be received in the outlet
opening 29 extending through the bottom wall 25 of the connector 2
of the teatcup. The first end portion 4a comprises a first
circumferential groove 41 configured to engage the bottom wall 25,
2012/051459
see Fig 1. The first circumferential groove 41 is positioned at a
distance from the first end and at a ce from the conduit
portion 40.
The milk channel 40 of the first end portion 4a has an internal
tapering shape from the first end towards the milk channel 40 of the
conduit portion 4c.
The second end n 4b comprises a second circumferential
groove 42, which is configured to be received in any suitable milk—
receiving member or milk—collecting member, such as a claw, not
disclosed. The second circumferential groove 42 is oned at a
distance from the second end and at a distance from the conduit
portion 4c. Also the second end portion 4b has an external tapering
shape from the second end to the conduit portion 4c.
The milk conduit 4 is made of a hose material having a relatively
high city in the order of the elasticity of the first material of the
barrel portion. For instance, the milk conduit 4 may be
manufactured of natural rubber, black rubber, silicone rubber or
Thermoplastic Elastomers, TPE. The conduit portion 4c ses
an bending area 43 having a locally decreased outer diameter, and
thus a locally increased elasticity to e a predetermined area
for bending of the milk t 4.
Also the pulse conduit 5, see also Fig 5, may be made of a hose
material having a relatively high elasticity, possibly the same hose
material as the material of the milk conduit 4. The pulse conduit 5
has a attachment end portion 5a to be engaged by the holding
3O member 36. The pulse conduit 5 defines or encloses a pulse
channel 51 extending along the pulse conduit 5 through the
attachment end portion 5a. The ment end portion 5a defines
an opening 52 of the pulse channel 51. When the pulse t 5 is
engaged by the g member 36, the opening 52 is positioned
opposite to the opening 35 through the casing 24.
The attachment end portion 5a is configured to be received in an
opening extending through the bottom wall 38 of the holding
member 36. The attachment end portion 51 has a bottom surface 53
configured to abut the bottom wall 38, see Fig 1, when the pulse
conduit 5 is mounted in the connector 2.
The assembling of the teatcup is now to be described. One
assembling step is to produce the cartridge 1, wherein the p
liner 7 is mounted in the sleeve 6. This mounting may be made in
advance in connection with the manufacturing of the p. The
teatcup liner 7 is then pulled through the sleeve 6, wherein the
lower end portion 7b is introduced at the upper end 6a of the sleeve
and pushed and pulled downwardly so that the lower end portion 7b
passes the lower end 6b until the lower engagement member 14
of the lower
snaps outwardly to abutment against the end surface
end 6 of the sleeve 6. Thanks to the upper engagement member 15,
the upper end portion 7a will not pass h the upper end 6a of
the sleeve 6, but the engagement members 14 and 15 secure that
the teatcup liner 7 and its barrel portion 7c is retained in a stretched
state in the sleeve 6. In the stretched state, the teatcup liner 7 is
ged in comparison with a rest state, in which the teatcup liner
7 is not subjected to any external forces, i.e. before the p
liner 7 is d in the shell 6.
Thereafter the lip member 3 may be attached to the cartridge 1,
wherein the lip member 3 is pressed onto the upper end 6a of the
sleeve 6 so that the snap connection 19 locks the lip member 3 in a
detachable manner on the cartridge 1.
The cartridge 1 is a eable component, together with or
t the lip member 3, depending on the wear of the lip 21. The
cartridge 1 and the lip member 3 are the components of the teatcup
that are subjected to significant wear.
A further assembling step is the assembling of the connector 1. The
outer shell 34 may be mounted to the casing 24 in advance or after
mounting of the milk conduit 5 and the pulse conduit 5. The milk
conduit 4 is mounted to the connector 2 by the introduction of the
second end portion 4b through the inlet opening 28 and then
through the outlet opening 29. The milk conduit 4 is then pulled
WO 95288
through the connector 2 until the lower wall 25 of the casing 24
snaps into the first circumferential groove 41. The tapering shape
the first end portion 4a facilitates the pulling of the milk conduit 4
into the snapping-in engagement.
In a similar manner, the pulse conduit 5 is mounted to the tor
2 by being pulled through the holding member 36 until the bottom
surface 53 comes to abutment against the bottom wall 38, wherein
the opening 52 of the pulse l 51 is opposite to the opening
35 h the casing 24.
The teatcup is then present as two main components, namely the
cartridge 1 together with the lip member 3, and the connector 2
together with the milk conduit 4 and the pulse conduit 5. The milk
conduit 4 and the pulse conduit 5 may be mounted to their
respective components of the remaining milking equipment in any
suitable manner. The milk conduit 4 may for instance be mounted
by engagement of the second circumferential groove 42.
Finally, these two main components are connected to each other.
The dge 1, with or without the lip member 3, is then introduced
into the connection space 27 of the connector 2 until the end nozzle
penetrates the milk channel 40 at the first end portion 41, and
abuts tightly the wall of the milk channel 40. Thanks to the shape of
the end nozzle 19 and to the vely low city of the end
nozzle 10 in combination with the vely high elasticity of the
milk conduit 4 a tight connection is achieved.
in this position of the cartridge 1 vis-a—vis the connector 2, the end
surface of the casing 24 will abut the sealing ring 17 so that the
space formed between the sleeve 6 and the casing 24 is tightly
sealed, thereby permitting proper communication of the pulsating
vacuum. it is to be noted that the sealing ring 17 alternatively may
be provided on the connector 2, especiaily on the casing 24.
When the cartridge 1 has reach this position vis—a-vis the milk
conduit, the cartridge is locked in the connector 2, by means of the
bayonet coupling, i.e. the coupling of the outer bayonet ng
part 31 and the inner t coupling part 32. This coupling may
be achieved through a turning of the cartridge 1 in relation to the
connector 2. It is to be noted that the coupling and locking of the
cartridge 1 to the connector 2 may also be achieved by other
locking means, e.g. a thread connection.
The present invention is not d to the embodiments disclosed
but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following
1O claims.
The terms “upper” and “lower” used in the description and
and the
claims refer to the orientation disclosed in the figures
approximate orientation when the teatcup is attached to the teat of
an animal.
List of reference signs
cartridge
connector
lip member
milk conduit
first end portion
second end portion
conduit portion
pulse conduit
attachment end portion
sleeve
upper end
lower end
teatcup liner
upper end portion
lower end portion
barrel n
pace
pulsation chamber
end nozzle
lower permanent joint
upper permanent joint
lower engagement member
upper engagement member
sealing ring
hole
snap connection
opening
casing
bottom wall
surrounding wall
connection space
inlet opening
outlet g
outer bayonet coupling part
inner bayonet coupling part
outer shell
WO 95288
aperture
36 holding member
37 side wall
38 bottom wall
4O milk channel
41 first circumferential groove
42 second circumferential groove
43 bending area
51 pulse channel
1O 52 opening
53 attachment circumferential groove
Claims (16)
1. A cartridge configured to form part of a p to be attached to a teat of an animal to be milked, the cartridge sing a sleeve having an upper end and a lower end, a teatcup liner mounted in the sleeve and having an inner space for receiving said teat, a pulsation chamber ed between an inner side of the sleeve and an outer side of the teatcup liner, 10 wherein the teatcup liner comprises an upper end portion located at the upper end of the sleeve, a barrel portion and a lower end portion extending beyond the lower end of the sleeve, 15 wherein the lower end portion forms an end nozzle beyond the lower end of the sleeve, wherein the end nozzle has a tapering external shape configured to be received in a milk conduit for transporting the milk from the cartridge to the milk conduit, wherein the barrel portion is the main part of the 20 teatcup liner, wherein the barrel portion is made of a first material having a relatively high elasticity, and the lower end portion is made of a second material having a vely low elasticity in comparison with the relatively high elasticity of the first material of the barrel portion, and 25 wherein the lower end portion ses a lower engagement member which engages the sleeve in such a manner that the barrel portion of the teatcup liner is maintained in a stretched state in the sleeve. 30
2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the end nozzle has a tapering al shape.
3. A cartridge ing to claim 1 or 2, wherein the barrel portion is attached to the lower end portion by a permanent joint.
4. A cartridge according to claim 3, n the permanent joint is formed by melting of at least one of the first material and the second material at the permanent joint.
5. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, n the lower engagement member comprises an annular flange extending dly and ng an end surface of the lower end of the sleeve. 10
6. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper end portion comprises an upper engagement member which engages the sleeve at the upper end of the sleeve.
7. A cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the upper 15 engagement member comprises an upper annular flange extending outwardly beyond an inner er of an end surface of the upper end of the sleeve.
8. A dge according to any one of the preceding claims, the 20 upper end portion is made in a third material having a relatively low elasticity in comparison with the relatively high elasticity of the first material of the barrel portion.
9. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, 25 wherein the sleeve further comprises a sealing ring extending around an outer surface of the sleeve, a hole through the sleeve, which hole is configured to permit a pulsating vacuum to be applied in the pulsation chamber and which 30 is provided n the sealing ring and the lower end of the sleeve.
10. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding , wherein the cartridge comprises a lip member provided at the upper end portion of the teatcup liner and forming a lip defining an opening 35 for the teat.
11. A cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the lip member is detachably attached to the p liner by a snap connection. 5
12. A teatcup comprising a cartridge according to any one of the ing claims and a milk conduit, wherein the milk conduit comprises a first end portion, a conduit portion and a second end portion, and a milk channel extending through the first end portion, the conduit portion and the second end n, and wherein an end 10 nozzle is introduced and held in the milk channel of the first end portion.
13. A teatcup according to claim 12, wherein the milk channel of the first end portion has an internal tapering shape from the first end 15 towards the milk channel of the conduit n.
14. A teatcup according to any one of claims 12 and 13, wherein the teatcup ses a connector connecting the cartridge to the milk conduit.
15. A cartridge substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
16. A teatcup ntially as herein described with reference to, 25 and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201161578990P | 2011-12-22 | 2011-12-22 | |
SE1151252-2 | 2011-12-22 | ||
US61/578,990 | 2011-12-22 | ||
SE1151252 | 2011-12-22 | ||
PCT/SE2012/051459 WO2013095288A1 (en) | 2011-12-22 | 2012-12-20 | A cartridge, and a teatcup |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ625412A NZ625412A (en) | 2016-04-29 |
NZ625412B2 true NZ625412B2 (en) | 2016-08-02 |
Family
ID=
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