Animal husbandry – Milkers – Teat compressor or cup
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-23
2001-10-30
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Milkers
Teat compressor or cup
C119S014490
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308656
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to teat cup assemblies for vacuum operated milking machines, and more particularly to a cartridge assembly enabling quick and easy replacement of a liner used in a teat cup assembly.
Conventional automatic milking machines utilize teat cup assemblies for milking cows. A typical teat cup assembly includes a hollow, rigid outer shell or cup adapted to be attached to a pulsating vacuum line, and an elongated, flexible, resilient, tubular inflation or liner which fits inside the shell and is coupled with a constant vacuum source. Typically, the inflation or liner includes an upper mouth, a barrel defining a teat-receiving region, and a milk tube section which extends downwardly out of the shell or cup and is attached to a milk claw for collecting milk. The upper mouth as well as the milk tube section are both sealingly engaged with the upper and lower ends of the shell, respectively, to form an annular vacuum chamber surrounding the barrel between the shell and the inflation. As previously noted, since the shell is attached to a pulsating vacuum line, the pressure in this annular chamber is alternated between subatmospheric pressure and atmospheric pressure. The constant vacuum applied to the lower milking tube section of the inflation draws milk from the cow's teat while at the same time the alternating pressure in the annular chamber periodically causes inward collapse of the barrel wall of the inflation or liner resulting in a massaging action on the teat. Also, the periodic collapse of the barrel intermittently relieves the teat from exposure to the constant vacuum applied to the interior of the inflation, and thus advantageously avoids complications such as inflammation of the teat as well as a tendency to induce mastitis.
Inflations or liners are typically composed of an elastomeric material due to the resilient nature of such material, i.e. its capability of recovering to its original size and shape after repeated deformation. Inflations or liners are most often made from a natural or synthetic rubber composition, e.g. silicone rubbers have been proposed and used in certain circumstances. Each of these materials have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. For example, natural or synthetic rubber compositions are more resistant to tearing or ripping, but are subject to attack by oils, butterfats, teat treatment preparations and other chemicals used in the milking process. On the other hand, silicone rubbers are substantially less vulnerable to attack by such chemicals, and thus, have relatively long useful life. However, silicone rubber tends to tear and puncture more easily than rubber.
If an inflation is ripped or torn, it must be replaced. Also, even if not ripped or torn, the inflation will eventually need to be replaced as it will deteriorate over time through continued use. In addition, under some circumstances, it would be an advantage to have the ability to replace an inflation made of a rubber composition with one made of silicone, or vice versa. Thus, it would be an advantage in the art to provide a teat cup assembly which enables the quick and easy replacement of the inflation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A modular teat cup assembly for use with a milking machine for milking cows. The modular teat cup assembly comprises a shell including a hollow tubular body having an outer wall and an upper end with a radially inwardly extending upper rim defining an inlet and a lower end having an axially extending lower rim defining an outlet. A cartridge assembly is slidably received within the tubular body of the shell and is seated against the upper rim. The cartridge assembly includes a spool shaped liner and a framework for supporting the liner. The liner has a hollow tubular barrel with an upper flange at its upper end and a lower flange at its lower end. The barrel defines a teat-receiving region axially aligned with the inlet and having an outer wall spaced inwardly from the outer wall of the shell to define a vacuum chamber. The barrel of the liner is deformable between a relaxed profile and a collapsed massage profile around the teat of a cow. A cap removably mounted on the lower rim of the shell holds the cartridge assembly within the shell. The above modular teat cup assembly permits the cartridge assembly to be easily removed from the shell so that the framework supporting the liner can also be removed and the liner replaced with a new and/or different liner.
In a preferred form, the framework comprises a pair of opposing sleeve members movable between an open position to permit removal of the liner and a closed position for supporting the liner therebetween. Each sleeve member includes an upper collar portion for supporting the upper flange of the liner, a lower collar portion for supporting the lower flange of the liner, and axially extending rigid beam members interconnecting the upper and lower collar portions.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a liner for use in a teat cup assembly for milking cows. The liner includes a hollow tubular barrel having an upper end and a lower end, an upper flange extending radially outwardly from the upper end of the barrel, and a lower flange extending radially outwardly from the lower end of the barrel. Preferably, the barrel, upper flange and lower flange are integrally formed as one piece from an elastomeric material. Also, an upper seal between the upper flange and the upper rim of the tubular body of the shell is preferably formed by an annular bead projecting upwardly in an axial direction from the upper flange of the liner and a corresponding bead-receiving groove formed in an annular surface of the upper rim. A lower seal between the lower flange of the liner and the cap is preferably formed by an annular bead projecting downwardly in an axial direction from the lower flange of the liner and a corresponding bead-receiving groove formed in an annular surface of the cap. The upper and lower annular beads and their corresponding grooves also function to properly align the liner within the shell, and provide means for stabilizing the liner, especially during its contraction.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a cartridge assembly for use with a teat cup assembly for milking cows. The cartridge assembly includes a spool-shaped liner having a hollow tubular barrel with an upper flange at its upper end and a lower flange at its lower end, and a framework for supporting the liner. Preferably, the framework comprises a pair of opposing sleeve members having semi-circular shaped upper collar portions for supporting the upper flange of the liner, a semi-circular shaped lower collar portion for supporting the lower flange of the liner, and axially extending rigid means interconnecting the upper and lower collar portions. The sleeve members are moveable between an open position to prevent removal of the liner and a closed position for supporting the liner therebetween in the shell of the modular teat cup assembly. The cartridge is preferably loaded within the shell from the lower end or bottom of the shell.
The present invention thus provides a modular teat cup assembly wherein the liner may be easily and quickly removed from the shell for replacement with a new liner.
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Larson Reed A.
Milbrath Constance J.
Andrus Sceales Starke & Sawall LLP
Jordan Charles T.
Shaw Elizabeth
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