Animal husbandry – Milkers
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-06
2001-08-21
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Milkers
C119S014080, C119S014140, C119S014180
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276297
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of disinfecting parts of a milking machine, and parts of a cleaning device that clean the udder and the teats of an animal to be milked which come into contact with the udder and the teats of an animal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Such a method as broadly described above is known.
In such a method a cleaning or disinfecting fluid or a fluid for both purposes is usually applied. Such a method has the disadvantages of being rather time-consuming and failure to eliminate all the undesired micro-organisms.
The invention aims at providing a method and a device which does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks or at least they are minimized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention the above object of the invention is achieved by means of a method in which the above-mentioned parts are disinfected with the aid of a light source. According to an inventive feature, the light source transmits ultraviolet rays. According to another invention feature, the rays have a wavelength ranging between 100 and 280 nanometers.
Light having such a wavelength, also called UVC-light, appears to be particularly effective for eliminating undesired bacteria, such as the common E-coli bacterium. In this manner a so-called cross-infection between the animals, caused by the fact that the various parts of the milking machine or the cleaning device or both come into contact with the teats or udders or both of various animals, is prevented.
From the Russian patent 1159521, it is known per se to apply a UV-lamp in a milk tank for the purpose of killing the bacteria present therein.
According to an inventive feature, for disinfecting various parts of the milking machine or the cleaning device, or both, the light source and the parts to be disinfected are moved relative to each other. In this manner most if not all of the milking machine or the cleaning device or both, can be disinfected by means of one light source. According to an inventive feature, for the purpose of automating this relative movement, the parts to be disinfected are moved relative to each other by means of one or more operating members, such as a robot arm.
In accordance with an inventive feature, before an animal comes into contact with certain parts of the milking machine or the cleaning device or with both, the relevant parts are disinfected by means of the light source.
For obtaining a still better disinfection of the relevant parts, said parts are cleaned by means of cleaning fluid before being disinfected or after having been disinfected by means of the light source or both before and after.
The invention further relates to an apparatus for milking or cleaning or doing both whereby it contacts the udder or the teats or both of animals, comprising a milking machine or a cleaning device for cleaning the udder or the teats or both of an animal being provided with at least one teat cup and at least one disinfecting device provided with at least one light source transmitting ultraviolet rays and in which disinfecting device one or more of the above-described methods can be applied. According to an inventive feature, the ultraviolet rays have a wavelength ranging 100 and 280 nanometers.
In accordance with an inventive feature, the disinfecting device is fitted to the milking machine. According to another inventive feature, the disinfecting device is disposed on a robot arm which can be controlled automatically. In again another embodiment of the invention the light source is disposed on a flexible, controllable arm, such as an endoscope.
According to another inventive feature, the light source may also be disposed in the teat cup. In yet another embodiment of the invention the light source is disposed in the pulsation space. In a simple embodiment of the invention, according to an inventive feature, at least part of the liner is composed of a transparent material through which UV-rays may pass. For the purpose of avoiding in particular cross infection, the light source is arranged or disposed in the teat cup in such a manner that at least the upper part of the liner that comes into contact with the teat and usually the udder also is exposed to rays from the ultraviolet light source.
In accordance with an inventive feature, the disinfecting device comprises a tubular light source or a light source fitted to an end of a rod or pin-shaped element. The tubular light source or the rod or pin-shaped element can be inserted in a simple manner into the teat cup or be passed through the milk line. In another embodiment of the invention, the light source is transmitted via an optical cable, such as a glass fiber cable.
The invention also relates to a teat cup and a cleaning device provided with a disinfecting device as described above which is suitable for being applied in a method or a device as described above.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 36391 (1999-11-01), Berg et al.
patent: 4034713 (1977-07-01), Umbraugh
patent: 5474023 (1995-12-01), Khondabandehloo et al.
patent: 6055930 (2000-05-01), Stein et al.
patent: 6118118 (2000-09-01), van der Lely et al.
patent: 6167839 (2001-01-01), Isaksson et al.
Otten Martijn
van den Berg Karel
Albright Penrose Lucas
Jordan Charles T.
Maasland N.V.
Shaw Elizabeth
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