WO2003086054A1

WO2003086054A1 - A device for cleaning at least one teatcup

Info

Publication number: WO2003086054A1
Application number: PCT/SE2003/000562
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raza Mehinovic
Original assignee: Delaval Holding Ab
Priority date: 2002-04-11
Filing date: 2003-04-07
Publication date: 2003-10-23
Also published as: AU2003222546A1; SE521510C2; SE0201098D0; SE0201098L

Abstract

The invention refers to a device for cleaning at least one teatcup. The device is connected to a liquid conduit (11) having an outlet opening directed downwards and permitting the supply of a cleaning liquid. The device (12) includes a connecting member (22, 23) for releasable attachment of the device to the liquid conduit. An inlet mates with said outlet opening and conveys an inlet flow of the cleaning liquid in a downward direction from the liquid conduit into the device. An inner space conveys the cleaning liquid from the inlet through the device. An outlet (33, 34) discharges the cleaning liquid from the inner space into the teatcup. The device includes at least one outlet channel, which forms a downstream portion of the inner space and conveys an outlet flow of the cleaning liquid in a substantially upward direction to the outlet.

Description

A device for cleaning at least one teatcup

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

The present invention refers to a device for cleaning at least a first teatcup, the device being designed to be connected to a liquid conduit having at least one outlet opening directed downwards and permitting the supply of a cleaning liquid, the device including a connecting member arranged for releasable attachment of the device to the liquid conduit, an inlet arranged to mate with the outlet opening in the liquid conduit when attached to the liquid conduit and arranged to convey an inlet flow of the cleaning liquid in a downward direction from the liquid conduit into the device, a housing enclosing an inner space for conveying the cleaning liquid from the inlet through the device, and at least a first outlet arranged to discharge the cleaning liquid from the inner space into the teatcup to be cleaned.

It is known to provide such cleaning devices for cleaning a milking plant. A milking plant normally includes a milking member having four teatcups, for instance, to be applied to the teats of an animal to be milked. From the milking member, a long milk conduit extends. The long milk conduit is connected to a vacuum pump for the transport of milk from the teats received in the teatcups to a milk tank via the milking member and the long milk conduit.

The teatcups, the milking member and the long milk conduit have to be cleaned regularly, for instance between each milking operation. Such cleaning can be performed by means of the cleaning device initially defined. The teatcups are then attached to said outlet so that the cleaning liquid can be injected into the interior of the teatcups, and from there transported to the milking member and through the long milk conduit. The device is connected to said liquid conduit permitting the supply of the cleaning liquid. The liquid conduit is preferably connected to a source of cleaning liquid at one end and closed at the other end. By means of the vacuum pump of the milking plant, the cleaning liquid is then sucked from the cleaning liquid source into the liquid conduit, through the cleaning device initially defined and into the teatcup attached thereto. From the teatcup the vacuum pump sucks the cleaning liquid through the milking member and the long milk conduit.

Normally, the device is attached to the liquid conduit to mate with a hole provided on the upper side of the liquid conduit. In this case, the device may include a nipple extending down into said hole to suck cleaning liquid flowing through the liquid conduit. It is important that the length of the nipple is adapted to the diameter of the liquid conduit. Consequently, such prior art devices can normally only be used together with liquid conduits of one specific diameter.

Another problem is that cleaning liquid after a cleaning operation remains in the inner space from where it could be sucked into the teatcup and the milking member and be mixed with the milk during the following milking operation.

It is known to provide a large number of such cleaning devices along one liquid conduit. In such an arrangement, it is then desirable to be able to adjust each cleaning device in such a way that the flow of cleaning liquid to each teatcup is substantially equal in order to obtain an identical cleaning effect for each teatcup. Moreover, if one cleaning device is not connected to a teatcup, the vacuum pump may suck air into that cleaning device via the liquid conduit and the adjacent cleaning devices onto which the teatcups are attached. This problem has been solved in the prior art by different manual valve mechanisms to be operated before the cleaning operation is started.

WOOO/76301 discloses a cleaning device of the type initially defined. The known device can be attached to the liquid conduit in two possible positions. In the first position a short nipple extends through a hole provided through the upper side of the liquid conduit. In this first position the outlets of the cleaning device are turned upwardly so that the teatcups can be attached to the cleaning device in an upside-down orientation. In a second position the nipple is introduced into a hole provided in the lower side of the liquid conduit. In this position, the outlets are turned downwardly so that the teatcups are attached to the cleaning device in the normal working orientation.

US-A-2, 794, 420 discloses a cleaning plant having cleaning devices which are connected to the liquid conduit supplying cleaning liquid in a permanent manner. Each cleaning device includes a plate-liked adapter for receiving four teatcups in an upside-down orientation. The plate-liked adapter is connected to the liquid conduit by means of a nipple, which is permanently joined to the liquid conduit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved device of the type initially defined. More specifically, it is aimed at a device, which overcomes the problems mentioned above. This object is obtained by the device initially defined, which is characterised in that it includes at least a first outlet channel, which forms a downstream portion of the inner space and is arranged to convey an outlet flow of the cleaning liquid in a substantially upward direction to the first outlet.

Such a cleaning device thus permit the transport of the flow of liquid in a downward inlet direction, a substantially horizontal inner direction and an upward outlet direction in such a way that the cleaning liquid may be injected into a teatcup located in an upside-down orientation. Any cleaning liquid remaining in the teatcup can thus flow back into the cleaning device after the cleaning operation is terminated. In the cleaning device, said remaining cleaning liquid may be collected in the inner space at the intermediate, substantially lowest part of the device from where it can be drained off. Since the inlet of the device mate with the downwards directed opening in the liquid conduit a continuous flow of cleaning liquid from the liquid conduit is ensured independent of if the liquid conduit is filled with cleaning liquid or not. With such a connection between the device and the liquid conduit, no inlet nipple or the like extending into the liquid conduit through the opening is necessary. The one and same cleaning device according to this invention may therefore be connected to liquid conduits of different diameters.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the device also includes a second outlet arranged to discharge the cleaning liquid from the inner space into a second teatcup to be cleaned simultaneously with the first teatcup. Such an embodiment with two outlets may be designed to an elegant, symmetric shape whereby the advantages mentioned above are still obtained. In this case, the device may also include a second outlet channel forming a second downstream portion of the inner space and arranged to convey a second outlet flow of the cleaning liquid in a substantially upward direction to the second outlet.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device includes a flow-influencing member arranged in the inner space substantially immediately downstream the inlet for influencing the flow of cleaning fluid. Such a flow- influencing member may fulfil various purposes, such as guiding or directing the flow of cleaning liquid and/or regulating the size of the mass flow of cleaning liquid. Advantageously, the flow-influencing member may be arranged to distribute the inlet flow of cleaning liquid to the first outlet and the second outlet.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device includes at least a first inner channel forming a portion of the inner space and extending substantially outwardly from the flow-influencing member to the first outlet channel. Furthermore, the device may also include a second inner channel forming a portion of the inner space and extending substantially outwardly from the flow- influencing member to the second outlet channel. In a preferred embodiment, the first inner channel may extend outwardly in a direction substantially opposite to the outwardly extending direction of the second inner channel. In such a way, the two outlets may be located at a respective side of the liquid conduit.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the flow-influencing member is arranged to permit adjustment of the flow area in order to permit adjustment of the mass flow of the cleaning liquid to said outlet. By means of such an adjustment, the flow of cleaning liquid to each teatcup in an arrangement, including a large number of cleaning device connected to a liquid conduit, may adjusted to be substantially equal.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device includes a drainage opening extending through the housing from the inner space to the surroundings. Advantageously, the drainage opening is located beneath the flow-influencing member, and in particular extends through the housing at the substantially lowest location of the device. Since the first inner channel, and also the second inner channel, extends outwardly from the flow-influencing member, the drainage opening will thus be located outside the flow(s) of cleaning liquid. Furthermore, the device may include a one-way drainage valve arranged to permit a flow of liquid through the device from the inner space through the drainage passage to the surrounding but prevent any flow from the surrounding through drainage opening to the inner space. Since such a drainage valve may be located outside the flow(s), it will not be disturbed by the flow but only be activated by the pressure difference between the inner space and the surroundings.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device includes a one-way valve arranged to permit a flow of liquid through the device from the inlet to said outlet but prevent any flow from said outlet to the inlet. By means of such a valve, the vacuum pump of a milking plant can be prevented in an automatic and convenient manner from sucking air into the device via the liquid conduit and an adjacent cleaning device, which is connected to the liquid conduit and onto which a teatcup is attached. Advantageously, the device may include a first such one-way valve arranged to permit a flow of liquid through the device from the inlet to the first outlet but prevent any flow from the first outlet to the inlet, and a second such one-way valve arranged to permit a flow of liquid through the device from the inlet to the second outlet but prevent any flow from the second outlet to the inlet. The first one-way valve may include a valve body provided in the first inner channel, and the second one-way valve may include a valve body provided in the second inner channel.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting member includes at least one flexible element and is arranged to extend around the liquid conduit for tightening the device against the liquid conduit. By such a flexible element, the outer surface of the device, which is arranged around the inlet, can be tightened against the outer surface of the liquid conduit, which is arranged around the outlet. The connecting member may include two flexible elements, which each is joined the housing at one end and joined to each other at the other end, for instance by means of a screw connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by means of an embodiment thereof and with reference to the drawings attached hereto.

Fig 1 discloses schematically a view of a milking plant having a cleaning arrangement and a number of cleaning devices according to the invention. Fig 2 discloses a perspective view of a cleaning device according to the invention. Fig 3 discloses a side view of the cleaning device in

Fig 2. Fig 4 discloses a sectional view of a central part of the device in Fig 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Fig 1 discloses schematically a milking plant, which includes a milking member 1 having four teatcups 2 to be applied to the teats of an animal to be milked. A long milk conduit 3 extends from the milking member 1 to a milk tank 4 and a vacuum pump 5. The vacuum pump 5 produces a low pressure in the long milk conduit 3, the milking member 1 and the teatcups 2 for the transport of milk from the teats received in the teatcups 2 to the milk tank 4.

Fig 1 also discloses a cleaning arrangement for the cleaning or washing of the interior of the teatcups 2, the milking member 1, the long milk conduit 3 and the milk tank 4 between milking operations. The cleaning arrangement includes a tank 10 containing a cleaning liquid, a liquid conduit 11 and a plurality of cleaning devices 12. In the embodiment disclosed, each cleaning device 12 includes two receiving members 13, 14 arranged to receive a respective teatcup 2 to be cleaned. In the milking plant disclosed, each milking member 1 is thus associated with two cleaning devices 12.

During a cleaning operation the teatcups 2 are attached to the cleaning devices 12 and the vacuum pump 5 is started. By means of the low pressure produced by the vacuum pump 5, cleaning liquid is sucked from the tank 10 via the liquid conduit 11 and the cleaning devices 12 through the teatcups 2, the milking member 1 and the long milk conduit 3 for the cleaning of these components.

A cleaning device 12 is disclosed more closely in Figs 2, 3 and 4. The cleaning device 12 has a housing 16 enclosing an inner space 17. In the embodiment disclosed, the housing 16 is formed by three main parts: a central part 18, a first laterally extending part 19 and a second laterally extending part 20. The parts 18, 19 and 20 are moulded in a plastic material. The two laterally extending parts 19 and 20 are attached to the central part 18 by a respective thread connection 21. Each part 19, 20 extends in a first direction substantially laterally outwardly and is bent upwardly to extend in a second upward direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the laterally outward direction. Although the basic shape with a downwardly and laterally directed inlet cleaning liquid flow, which is then guided upwardly to the outlet, is essential for the present invention, it is to be noted that the cleaning device can be manufactured in many different ways deviating from the examples given above.

The cleaning device is connected to the liquid conduit 11 in a releasable manner by means of a connecting member including two flexible and bendable elements 22. The flexible elements 22 are attached to the housing 16 at their lower end portions in the proximity of a respective one of the thread connections 21 between the central part 18 and the laterally extending parts 19, 20. The flexible elements 22 are arranged to extend around the liquid conduit 11 for tightening the cleaning device 12 against the liquid conduit 11 by means of the tightening screw connections 23, schematically disclosed, which extend through the upper end portions of the flexible elements 22. The cleaning device may thus be attached in a very convenient manner to the liquid conduit 11 by simply being pushed onto the conduit 11. The flexible elements 22 are first bent outwardly whereafter they snap back to the position disclosed in Figs 2 and 3. The position is then secured by means of the tightening screws 23.

The liquid conduit 11 is provided with a plurality of downwardly directed outlet openings 24, one for each cleaning device 12. Throughout this application a downward direction, see the arrow a in Figs 2 and 3, is meant the downward direction of the gravity force, whereas an upward direction is opposite to the gravity force. The components are disclosed and described in their normal position of use, which means that when a downward direction is related to any of the components, the component is to be considered as it is in its normal position of use. Each cleaning device 12 includes an inlet 25 formed by a short pipe nipple and leading to the inner space 17 of the housing 20. The inlet 25 is arranged on the upper side of the central part 18 of the housing 16 and arranged to mate with the outlet opening 24 in the liquid conduit 11 when the cleaning device 12 is attached to the liquid conduit 11 by means of the flexible elements 22 and the screw connection 23. As is indicated in Fig 3, the short pipe nipple extends a short distance into the outlet opening 24. A gasket 26 or the like may be arranged around the short pipe nipple forming the inlet 25. The inlet 25 is thus arranged to convey an inlet flow of the cleaning liquid in a downward direction a from the liquid conduit 11 into the inner space 17 of the cleaning device

12. Thanks to the flexible elements 22 and the gasket 26 it is possible to obtain a tight connection of the inlet 25 to the outlet opening 24 of liquid conduits 11 of different diameters.

Each cleaning device 12 includes a flow-influencing member 27 arranged in the inner space 17 substantially immediately downstream the inlet 25 for influencing the flow of cleaning fluid. The flow-influencing member 27 is arranged to distribute the inlet flow of cleaning liquid to a first inner channel 28 and a second inner channel 29. The first inner channel 28 forms a portion of the inner space 17 and extends substantially laterally outwardly from the flow- influencing member 27 to a first outlet channel 31. The second inner channel 28 forms a portion of the inner space

17 and extends substantially laterally outwardly from the flow-influencing member 27 to a second outlet channel 32. The first inner channel 28 thus extends laterally outwardly in a direction substantially opposite to the laterally outwardly extending direction of the second inner channel 29.

The first outlet channel 31 forms a downstream portion of the inner space 17 and ends at a first outlet 33. The second outlet channel 32 forms a downstream portion of the inner space 17 and ends at a second outlet 34. Each outlet channel 31, 32 is arranged to convey an outlet flow of the cleaning liquid from the respective inner channel 28, 29 in a substantially upward direction out through the respective outlet 33, 34.

Each cleaning device 12 also includes a first receiving member 13 and a second receiving member 14, as mentioned above. Each receiving member is arranged to receive a respective teatcup 2 to be cleaned. The first receiving member 13 is provided at the upper end of the first laterally extending part 19 and forms the first outlet 33. The second receiving member 14 is provided at the upper end of the second laterally extending part 20 and forms the second outlet 34. Each receiving member may include a respective rod 37, 38 arranged to be introduced into the teatcup to be cleaned. In the embodiment disclosed the each outlet 33, 34 includes a number of openings extending through the lower part of the respective rod 37, 38. It is to be noted that the openings of the outlets 33, 34 are arranged to spread the upwardly directed outlet flow when leaving the receiving member 13. The receiving members 13, 14 are arranged to receive the respective teatcup 2 in an upside-down orientation.

During a cleaning operation, the cleaning liquid is thus conveyed from the liquid conduit 11 through the inlet 25 into the cleaning device 12. In the flow-influencing member 27 the liquid flow is distributed and guided to the respective inner channel 28, 29. The inner channels 28, 29 convey the flow of cleaning liquid to the respective outlet channel 31, 32 and out through the respective outlet 33, 34. From the outlets 33, 34, the cleaning liquid is discharged and injected into the respective teatcup 2 provided onto the respective rod 37, 38. From the teatcups 2, the cleaning liquid is the transported further to the milking member 1 and the long milk conduit 3 as described above.

The flow-influencing member 27 is also arranged to permit adjustment of the flow area in order to permit adjustment of the mass flow of the cleaning liquid to the said first and second outlets 33, 34. The flow-influencing member 27 includes a hollow screw 40, which includes an inner cavity with an upwardly directed opening towards the inlet 24. The hollow screw 40 also includes radially directed openings 41 and a tool-engaging shape, for instance in the form of a socket head 40', in the lower surface. The screw is inserted in a hole 42, the upper end of which forms the inlet 25 and the lower end of which is open to the surroundings. The hole 42 is defined by a cylindrical wall 43, which forms a part of the flow-influencing member 27 and has an internal thread so that the screw 40 may be screwed into and out of the hole

42. The cylindrical wall 43 has two laterally outwardly directed apertures 44, which form the inlet aperture to a respective one of the first and second inner channels 28, 29. The screw 40 may thus be adjusted to any axial position along a longitudinal axis x of the hole 42. Consequently, the screw 40 may be positioned in such a way that two of the radially directed openings 41 coincide substantially completely with the laterally directed apertures 44 through the wall 43. In this position, a maximum flow of cleaning liquid is permitted through the cleaning device 12. By screwing the screw 40 inwardly, i.e. upwardly in Fig 3, two of the radially directed openings 41 will only partly coincide with the laterally extending apertures 44 in such way that the flow area, and thus the mass flow through the cleaning device 12, is reduced. The radially directed openings 41 may preferably be designed in such a way that a substantially continuos adjustment of the flow area is possible. For instance the openings 41 may have a triangular shape, wherein every second opening 41 is turned upwardly and the other openings 41 are turned downwardly.

Furthermore, the cleaning device 12 includes a drainage opening extending through the housing from the inner space 16 to the surroundings. The drainage opening is formed by the hole 42 defined by the wall 43 and two small passages 45 in the form of bores extending through the wall 43 into the hole 42 from a respective one of the first and second inner channels 28, 29. The passages 45 are provided at the lowest location of the respective inner channel 28, 29. The drainage opening 42, 45 is thus located beneath the flow- influencing member 27, and more exactly beneath the laterally outwardly directed apertures 44. A one-way drainage valve 46 is arranged to permit a flow of liquid from the inner space 16 through the passages 45 and the hole 42 to the surroundings, but prevent any flow from the surroundings in the opposite direction through hole 42 and the passages 45 into the inner space 17. In the embodiment disclosed, the drainage valve 46 is designed as a cap 47 with a hook-like member 48 extending upwardly from the cap 47. In a closed position the cap 47 covers the hole 42 from beneath by an abutment against a valve seat surface 49, see

Fig 4. In an open position the cap 47 is suspended in an annular shoulder 50 provided at the lower portion of the hole 42 by means of the hook-like member 48 so that the cap 47 is positioned at a distance from the valve seat surface 49. When the vacuum pump 5 subjects the inner space 17 to said low pressure the cap 47 will be forced against the valve seat surface 49 and close the drainage valve 46. When no vacuum is applied, the cap 47 will open the drainage valve 46 so that possible excess liquid can flow out of the inner space 17 of the cleaning device 12. The drainage valve 46 is removable from the hole 42 since the hook-like member 48 is elastically deformable. When the drainage valve 46 is removed, the screw 40 is accessible from beneath for adjustment of the flow-influencing member 27.

The cleaning device 12 also includes first and second oneway valves. The first and second one-way valves 51, 52 are arranged to permit a respective flow of cleaning liquid through the inner space 17 from the inlet 25 to the respective first and second outlets 33, 34. However, the first and second one-way valves 51, 52 are arranged to prevent any flow from the outlets 33, 34 in the opposite direction to the inlet 25, and especially any air flow from the outlets 33, 34 to the inlet 25. Each one-way valve includes a ball-shaped valve body 51 and 52, respectively, in a respective one of the first and second inner channels 28, 29. Each ball-shaped valve body 51, 52 abuts sealingly a valve seat formed by the outer end of a respective one of the laterally outwardly directed apertures 44 in the closed position. In the open position, each ball-shaped body 51, 52 is displaced outwardly from the valve seat towards a respective stop member 53, 54 arranged in the respective inner channel 28, 29.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A device for cleaning at least a first teatcup, the device being designed to be connected to a liquid conduit (11) having at least one outlet opening (24) directed downwards and permitting the supply of a cleaning liquid, the device (12) including a connecting member (22,23) arranged for releasable attachment of the device to the liquid conduit (11), an inlet (25) arranged to mate with the outlet opening (24) in the liquid conduit (11) when attached to the liquid conduit and arranged to convey an inlet flow of the cleaning liquid in a downward direction from the liquid conduit into the device, a housing (16,18-20) enclosing an inner space (17) for conveying the cleaning liquid from the inlet (25) through the device, and at least a first outlet (33) arranged to discharge the cleaning liquid from the inner space (17) into the teatcup (2) to be cleaned, characterised in that the device (12) includes at least a first outlet channel (31) , which forms a downstream portion of the inner space (17) and is arranged to convey an outlet flow of the cleaning liquid in a substantially upward direction to the first outlet (33) .

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the device (12) also includes a second outlet (34) arranged to discharge the cleaning liquid from the inner space (17) into a second teatcup (2) to be cleaned simultaneously with the first teatcup (2) .

3. A device according to claim 2, characterised in that the device (12) also includes a second outlet channel (32) forming a second downstream portion of the inner space and arranged to convey a second outlet flow of the cleaning liquid in a substantially upward direction to the second outlet (34) .

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the device (12) includes a flow- influencing member (27) arranged in the inner space (17) substantially immediately downstream the inlet (25) for influencing the flow of cleaning fluid.

5. A device according to claims 2 and 4, characterised in that the flow-influencing member (27) is arranged to distribute the inlet flow of cleaning liquid to the first outlet (33) and the second outlet (34).

6. A device according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterised in that the device (12) includes at least a first inner channel (28) forming a portion of the inner space (17) and extending substantially outwardly from the flow-influencing member (27) to the first outlet channel (31) .

7. A device according to claim 6, characterised in that the device (12) also includes a second inner channel (29) forming a portion of the inner space (17) and extending substantially outwardly from the flow-influencing member

(27) to the second outlet channel (32) .

8. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that the first inner channel (28) extends outwardly in a direction substantially opposite to the outwardly extending direction of the second inner channel (29) .

9. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that the flow-influencing member (27) is arranged to permit adjustment of the flow area in order to permit adjustment of the mass flow of the cleaning liquid to said outlet (33,34).

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device (12) includes a drainage opening (42,45) extending through the housing (16) from the inner space (17) to the surroundings.

11. A device according to claims 4 and 10, characterised in that the drainage opening (42,45) is located beneath the flow-influencing member (27) .

12. A device according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterised in that the device (12) includes a one-way drainage valve (46) arranged to permit a flow of liquid through the device from the inner space (17) through the drainage passage (42,45) to the surrounding but prevent any flow from the surrounding through drainage opening to the inner space (17) .

13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device (12) includes a one-way valve (51,52) arranged to permit a flow of liquid through the device from the inlet (25) to said outlet (33,34) but prevent any flow from said outlet to the inlet.

14. A device according to claims 2 and 13, characterised in that the device (12) includes a first one-way valve (51) arranged to permit a flow of liquid through the device from the inlet (25) to the first outlet (33) but prevent any flow from the first outlet to the inlet, and a second one-way valve (52) arranged to permit a flow of liquid through the device from the inlet (25) to the second outlet (34) but prevent any flow from the second outlet to the inlet.

15. A device according to claims 7 and 14, characterised in that the first one-way valve includes a valve body (51) provided in the first inner channel (28), and that the second one-way valve includes a valve body (52) provided in the second inner channel (29) .

16. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting member includes at least one flexible element (22) and is arranged to extend around the liquid conduit (11) for tightening the device (12) against the liquid conduit.