Animal husbandry – Milkers
Patent
1996-11-15
2000-01-18
Price, Thomas
Animal husbandry
Milkers
A01J 700
Patent
active
060149450
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connection device for connection of a milking unit to a milk line in a pipeline milking plant.
BACKGROUND
A problem with such a connection device is that all surfaces that are wet by milk, must in order to fulfil set up hygienic requirements be able to be cleansed during washing of the pipeline milking plant, which is performed such that washing solution is rinsed through the whole plant.
One known connection device is described in SE-C-174 540 and comprises a valve housing mounted on a milk line and a connection member connected to a milking unit. During connection of the connection member to the valve housing a knob of a connection member must be accurately fitted into a recess of a substantially semi-spherical body, which must thereafter be turned by hand power to a position where an opening of the connection member is right before an opening of the valve housing, such that communication between the milk line and the milking unit is created.
The described connection device has a disadvantage therein that the connection member must be turned together with the said semi-spherical body, being an undesired complication of the connection operation.
In DE-A-2 637 117 is certainly described a connection device free of turning movement, but also this one suffers from a serious drawback, since two nipples of the connection member must be accurately fitted into two corresponding holes in the valve housing before connection can be performed. The milker must furthermore perform two movements in order to connect the connection member to the valve housing; first a movement towards the valve housing, thereafter a vertical movement.
Another known connection device is described in SE-C-170 120 and comprises a valve housing on a line and a connection member. When the connection member is to be connected to the valve housing, the connection member must first be fitted into a circular-cylindrical drilling in the valve housing. After that guiding means of the connection member have to be carefully fitted into corresponding guiding means of the valve housing.
In DE-A-4 003 367 there is a further connection device free of turning movement described. This one is equipped with a catching member, which however, as shown in the figures, is intended to be mounted vertically on a milk line, which member unnecessary lifts for the milker. Furthermore, the described connection member cannot be connected to the valve housing in one movement, since it first has to be brought in one direction up to the valve housing and thereafter in a completely different direction in the valve housing.
The firm R. J. Fullwood & Bland Ltd. manufactures and markets a connection device comprising a valve housing named "Dari-line Station" and a connection member having the designation "Dari-line Glide". The connection member can certainly be connected to the valve housing in one single movement, but the valve housing is shaped such that during connection of the connection member, as well as during removal of the same, a large amount of surrounding air is allowed to be sucked into the milk line, which is not desired.
When a milking unit is moved from one cow to another, a small amount of milk nearly always stays in the milk tube that connects the milking unit to the connection member. During connection of the connection member to the milk line, which is connected to a vacuum source, the small amount of milk is slung towards the valve housing. The valve housing marketed by Fullwood is designed such that the small amount of milk hits surfaces of the valve housing that cannot be cleansed automatically during washing of the milking plant but have to be cleansed manually after each milking for avoiding growth of bacteria thereon.
One object of the invention is to achieve a connection device of the kind in question, by means of which the connection device can be easily connected to the valve housing, preferably by movement of the connection member in substantially one single direction.
Another object o
REFERENCES:
patent: D380525 (1997-07-01), Gustafsson et al.
patent: 3820506 (1974-06-01), Conde
patent: 4214552 (1980-07-01), Olander
patent: 5445357 (1995-08-01), Torgerson et al.
Alfa Laval Agri AB
Price Thomas
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