Title of Invention

MILK LINER FOR MILK LINER ASSEMBLY OF ANIMAL MILING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MINIMISING EXCESSIVE RADIAL INWARD CONTRACTION DURING MILKING OF ANIMAL

Abstract A milk liner assembly (1) comprises a milk liner (5) sealably located in an outer shell (3) and defining with the outer shell (3) a pulsating vacuum chamber (23). The milk liner (5) comprises a sleeve (8) and a teat engaging flange (25) which together define a teat receiving cavity (11). A teat accommodating opening (26) through the teat engaging flange (25) accommodates a teat into the teat receiving cavity (11). A strengthening ring (28) integrally formed with the sleeve (8) is located on the sleeve (8) and extends around the sleeve (8) adjacent the teat engaging flange (25) for minimising excessive radial inward contraction of the sleeve (8), and in turn excessive radial inward contraction of the teat engaging flange (25) onto the teat so that even if the teat engaging flange (25) were to engage the cricoid fold, milk flow through the cricoid fold would not be inhibited by the gripping pressure exerted by the teat engaging flange (25) on the cricoid fold. The strengthening ring (28) extends axially from the sleeve (8), and terminates in a distal abutment surface (30) for abutting the udder of the animal for in turn spacing the teat engaging flange (25) from the udder and from the cricoid fold.
Full Text "MILK LINER FOR MILK LINER ASSEMBLY OF ANIMAL MILKING SYSTEM AND
METHOD FOR MINIMISING EXCESSIVE RADIAL INWARD CONTRACTION DURING
MILKING OF ANIMALS"
The present invention relates to a milk liner for a milk liner assembly of an animal
milking system, and in particular, though not limited to a milking system for milking
cows. The invention also relates to a milk liner assembly, as well as to a milking cluster
for use in a milking system, and the invention relates to a method for minimising
excessive radial inward contraction, during milking of an animal, of a teat engaging
flange of a milk liner onto a teat of an animal passing therethrough.
Milk liner assemblies for use in milking systems for milking cows are provided in groups
of four which are commonly referred to as a milking cluster. Each milk liner assembly of
the cluster is provided for engaging one of the teats extending downwardly from a cow's
udder. The milk liner assembly comprises an outer shell, typically of stainless steel,
within which is located a milk liner of a resilient flexible synthetic rubber material. The
milk liner forms a teat receiving cavity for receiving a teat from the cow's udder. One
end of the milk liner terminates in a teat engaging flange which defines a teat
accommodating opening for accommodating the teat of the cow's udder into the teat
receiving cavity. The other end of the milk liner terminates in an outlet port to which a
milking vacuum is applied for drawing milk from the teat receiving cavity, which has
been expressed from the cow's teat. The milk liner forms with the outer shell an
annular vacuum chamber which extends around the milk liner, and to which a pulsating
vacuum is applied. The pulsating vacuum applied to the annular vacuum chamber co-
operates with the vacuum applied to the teat receiving cavity for pulsing the milk liner
into tight radial engagement with the teat in the teat receiving cavity for massaging the
teat during milking.
One problem with such milk liner assemblies is that during periods of no vacuum in the
annular vacuum chamber around the milk liner between vacuum pulses during each
pulsating vacuum cycle, when the milk liner is tightly urged into engagement with the
teat, the milking vacuum applied to the teat receiving cavity tends to draw the teat into
the teat receiving cavity, thus causing the milk liner to creep along the
teat towards the cow's udder. This causes serious problems during milking,
particularly when the milk liner assembly has crept along the teat to the extent that
the teat engaging flange at the end of the milk liner commences to engage the
cricoid fold at the root of the teat where it extends from the udder. On engagement
of the cricoid fold the teat engaging flange contracts around the cricoid fold, thus
closing off the supply of milk from the udder to the teat. This, thus, may prevent
further milking of the cow from the teat, and in general, prevents a cow being
completely milked.
In order to prevent creeping of the milk liner, and in turn the milk liner assembly
along a teat, it is known to increase the weight of the milking cluster. Since milking
clusters depend downwardly from the cow's udder, the increase in weight urges the
milk liner assemblies, and in turn the milk liners downwardly against the action of the
milking vacuum, thereby to some extent preventing creep of the milk liner upwardly
along the teat. However, increasing the weight of a milking cluster is undesirable,
siiice firstly, there is no guarantee that the extra increase in weight wilt be sufficient
for preventing creep of the milk liner along the teat, and secondly, the extra weight of
the milking cluster militates against efficient milking, particularly where a large
number of cows are to be milked, since the extra weight reduces the speed at which
the milking clusters can be attached to and detached from the teats of the cows. An
alternative method for preventing creep along the teat is to empirically match the
diameter of the teat accommodating opening defined by the teat engaging flange of
the milk liner to the teat size of the herd. This, in general, is impractical.
There is therefore a need for a milk liner which overcomes the problem of creep of a
milk liner along a teat to which the milk liner is attached.
The present invention is directed towards providing such a milk liner, and the
invention is also directed towards providing a milk liner assembly and a milk liner
cluster, for an animal milking system, as well as a method for minimising excessive
radial inward contraction, during milking of an animal, of a teat engaging flange of a
milk liner onto a teat of an animal passing therethrough.
According to the invention there is provided a milk liner for a milk liner assembly of
an animal milking system, the milk liner comprising a resilient flexible elongated
sleeve forming a teat receiving cavity for receiving a teat of an animal's udder and
defining a longitudinally extending central axis, a teat engaging flange extending
circumferentially around and radially inwardly from the sleeve, and forming with the
sleeve the teat receiving cavity, the teat engaging flange defining a teat
accommodating opening therethrough for accommodating a teat into the teat
receiving cavity, and a strengthening ring for minimising excessive radial contraction
of the teat engaging flange onto a teat extending through the teat accommodating
opening thereof, the strengthening ring extending circumferentially around the sleeve
adjacent the teat engaging flange and being located relative to the teat engaging
flange so as not to prevent axial deflection of the teat engaging flange, the
strengthening ring extending axially from the sleeve and the teat engaging flange
and terminating in an abutment surface axially spaced apart from the teat engaging
flange for abutting the udder of the animal to space the teat engaging flange from the
udder.
In one embodiment of the invention the strengthening ring strengthens the sleeve
adjacent the teat engaging flange. Ideally, the strengthening ring is located relative
to the sleeve, so that the teat engaging flange extends radially from the
strengthening means and the sleeve.
Advantageously, the abutment surface of the strengthening ring is axially spaced
apart from the teat engaging flange so that the teat engaging flange engages the
teat spaced apart from the cricoid fold on the axial end of the cricoid fold opposite to
the end thereof adjacent the udder.
In one embodiment of the invention the axial distance between the abutment surface
of the strengthening ring and the teat engaging flange is at least 2mm. Preferably,
the axial distance between the abutment surface of the strengthening ring and the
teat engaging flange is in the range of 2mm to 20mm. Advantageously, the axial
distance between the abutment surface of the strengthening ring and the teat
engaging flange is approximately 4mm.
In one embodiment of the invention the radial thickness of the strengthening ring is
in the range of 2mm to 20mm. Preferably, the radial thickness of the strengthening
ring is in the range of 4mm to 10mm. Advantageously, the radial thickness of the
strengthening ring is approximately 6mm.
In another embodiment of the invention the sleeve extends from the teat engaging
flange and terminates in an outlet port to which a milking vacuum is applied for
drawing milk from the teat. Preferably, the sleeve tapers towards the outlet port.
In one embodiment of the invention the strengthening ring is integrally formed with
the sleeve.
In another embodiment of the invention the teat engaging flange is integrally formed
with the sleeve.
In a further embodiment of the invention the milk liner is integrally moulded in one
piece. Preferably, the milk liner is integrally moulded of a synthetic custom rubber
compound.
In one embodiment of the invention the milk liner is adapted for fitting a teat of a
cow.
The invention also provides a milk liner assembly comprising a milk liner according
to the invention, and an outer shell within which the milk liner is sealably located, and
defining with the outer shell an annular chamber to which a pulsating vacuum is
applied.
Further the invention provides a milking cluster comprising a plurality of milk liner
assemblies according to the invention.
In one embodiment of the invention the milking cluster compnses four milk liner
assemblies.
The invention also provides a method for minimising excessive radial inward
contraction, during milking of an animal, of a teat engaging flange of a milk liner onto
a teat of the animal passing through a teat accommodating opening defined by the
teat engaging flange, the method comprising providing a resilient flexible elongated
sleeve forming a feat receiving cavity for receiving a teat of an animal's udder and
defining a longitudinally extending central axis, providing the teat engaging flange
extending circumferentially around and radially inw/ardly from the sleeve to form with
the sleeve the teat receiving cavity, providing the teat engaging flange with the teat
accommodating opening therethrough for accommodating a teat into the teat
receiving cavity, and providing a strengthening ring for minimising the excessive
radial inward contraction of the teat engaging flange, the strengthening ring being
provided extending circumferentially around the sleeve adjacent the teat engaging
flange and being located relative to the teat engaging flange so as not to prevent
axial deflection of the teat engaging flange, the strengthening ring being provided to
extend axially from the sleeve and the teat engaging flange and to terminate in an
abutment surface axlaliy spaced apart from the teat engaging flange for abutting the
udder of the animal to space the teat engaging flange from the udder.
In one embodiment of the Invention the strengthening ring is located for
strengthening the sleeve adjacent the teat engaging flange.
The advantages of the Invention are many. By virtue of the fact that the milk liner
comprises a strengthening means for minimising excessive radial contraction of the
teat engaging flange onto a teat extending through the teat accommodating opening
thereof, there is no danger of the teat engaging flange gripping the teat with an
excessive gripping pressure, and thus, even should the teat engaging flange engage
the cricoid fold between the teat and the udder, since radial Inward contraction of the
teat engaging flange is minimised, and in many cases will be eliminated, there is no
danger of the teat engaging flange gripping the cricoid fold with a gripping pressure
which would prevent or inhibit milk flow from the udder to the teat. Indeed, in
general, the strengthening means prevents any radial inward contraction of the teat
engaging flange onto the teat or the cricoid fold as the case may be. A further
advantage of the invention is that by virtue of the fact that the strengthening means
is located so as not to inhibit axial deflection of the teat engaging flange, the
possibility of the milk liner assembly creeping upwardly along the teat to the udder
during milking is minimised.
By providing the strengthening means extending axially from the sleeve and
terminating in an abutment surface for abutting the udder, a further advantage of the
invention is provided in that even should the milk liner assembly creep upwardly
along the teat, when the abutment surface of the strengthening means abuts the
udder of the animal, the strengthening means spaces the teat engaging flange a
sufficient distance from the udder in order to prevent engagement of the teat
engaging flange with the cricoid fold.
The provision of the strengthening means on the sleeve, as opposed to locating the
strengthening means on the teat engaging flange has the further advantage that the
strengthening means provides all the strength necessary for minimising excessive
inward radial contraction of the teat engaging flange onto the teat, while at the same
time permitting axial deflection of the teat engaging flange.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a
preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of a milk liner
assembly according to the invention,
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a milk liner also according to the invention of
the milk liner assembly of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the mi[k liner of
Fig. 2,
Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of tlie milk
liner of Fig. 2, and
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a milking cluster also according to tlie
invention comprising four of the milk liner assemblies of Fig. 1.
Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a milk liner assembly according to the
invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 of a milking cluster 2 also
according to the invention for a vacuum operated milking system (also not shown).
In this embodiment of the invention the milk liner assembly 1 and the milking cluster
¦ 2 are suitable for milking cows. As will be described below with reference to Fig. 5,
each milking cluster 2 comprises four milk liner assemblies 1, one for attaching to
each teat of a cow's udder. Such vacuum operated milking systems will be well
known to those skilled in the art, and further description of such systems should not
be required.
The milk liner assembly 1 comprises an outer shell 3 typically of stainless steel
material, and a milk liner also according to the invention, indicated generally by the
reference numeral 5, located within the outer shell 3. The outer shell 3 is of circular
transverse cross-section, and terminates at one end in a hemispherical end cap 6,
and at its other end in an open mouth 7. The milk liner 5 is of a resilient flexible
synthetic custom rubber compound and is integrally formed by injection moulding in
one piece.
The milk liner 5 comprises an elongated sleeve 8 of circular transverse cross-
section, which extends between an upstream end 9 and a downstream end 10, and
extends into the outer shell 3 from the open mouth 7. The sleeve 8 defines a
longitudinally extending central axis 12, and forms a teat receiving cavity 11 for
receiving one of the teats of a cow's udder, and tapers towards the downstream end
10. An outlet tube 15 extends from the sleeve 8 through an opening 16 in the end
cap 6 of the outer shell 3. The outlet tube 15 is of circular transverse cross-section,
and terminates in an outlet port 17 to which a milking vacuum is applied for drawing
milk from the teat receiving cavity 11 expressed from the teat. A circumferential
recess 18 extending circumferentially around the outlet tube 15 sealably engages
the end cap 6 adjacent the opening 16.
A lip 20 extending circumferentially around the sleeve 8 adjacent the upstream end 9
extends from the sleeve 8 in a general axial downstream direction, and defines with
the sleeve 8 an annular groove 21 for sealably engaging the outer shell 3 adjacent
the open mouth 7. The milk liner 5 sealably engaged to the outer shell 3 in the
annular groove 21 and sealably engaged to the end cap 6 of the outer shell 3
defines with the outer shell 3 an annular vacuum chamber 23, to which a pulsating
vacuum is applied through a pulsating vacuum port 24 formed in the end cap 6.
A teat engaging flange 25 extends circumferentially around and radially inwardly
from the sleeve 8 adjacent the upstream end 9 thereof, and forms the teat receiving
cavity 11 with the sleeve 8. The teat engaging flange 25 defines a teat
accommodating opening 26 for accommodating a teat into the teat receiving cavity
11. The thickness of the teat engaging flange 25, which effectively determines its
flexibility and resilience is such as to permit axial deflection of the teat engaging
flange 25 relative to the sleeve 8 during milking as the vacuum applied to the
pulsating vacuum port 24 is pulsed.
A strengthening means, in this embodiment of the invention a strengthening ring 28
extends circumferentially around and in a general axial direction from the sleeve 8
adjacent the upstream end 9 thereof for strengthening the sleeve 8 adjacent the teat
engaging flange 25. The strengthening ring 28 is dimensioned for minimising radial
inward contraction of the sleeve 8 adjacent the teat engaging flange 25, and thereby
in turn minimising radial inward contraction of the teat engaging flange 25 onto the
teat adjacent the teat accommodating opening 26, for preventing excessive gripping
action being applied to the teat by the teat engaging flange 25. The strengthening
ring 28 terminates in a distal axial end 29, which is radlused to form a convex
abutment surface 30 for abutting the udder of the cow in the event of the milk liner
assembly 1 creeping along the teat towards the udder. The axial distance d, see
Figs. 3 and 4, between the abutment surface 30 and the teat engaging flange 25 is
approximately 4mm for spacing the teat engaging flange 25 from the cricoid fold
adjacent the root of the teat, when the abutment surface 30 is in abutting
engagement with the udder. Additionally, the strengthening ring 28 is of radial width
wof approximately 6mm adjacent its root 32 where it extends from the sleeve 8
adjacent the teat engaging flange 25. The strengthening ring 28 sufficiently
strengthens the sleeve 8 for minimising radial inward contraction of the sleeve 8, and
in this embodiment of the invention the provision of the strengthening ring 28 of axial
length 4mm and radial width 6mm is sufficient for preventing radial inward
contraction of the sleeve 8, and in turn the teat engaging flange 25, thereby avoiding
excessive gripping pressure being applied to the teat by the teat engaging flange 25
adjacent the teat accommodating opening 26.
However, in this embodiment of the invention, since the strengthening ring 28 is
provided on the sleeve 8 adjacent the teat engaging flange 25, while the
strengthening ring 28 strengthens the sleeve 8 for preventing radial inward
contraction of the teat engaging flange 25 onto the teat, the strengthening ring 28
does not inhibit axial deflection of the teat engaging flange 25 relative to the sleeve
8. Thus, the teat engaging flange 25 is free to deflect in a general axial direction
inwardly and outwardly relative to the teat receiving cavity 11 during each pulsating
vacuum cycle, thereby minimising the possibility of creep of the milk liner 5, and in
turn the milk liner assembly 1 along the teat.
In this embodiment of the invention the milk liner 5 including the sleeve 8, the outlet
tube 15, the lip 20, the teat engaging flange 25 and the strengthening ring 28 are
integrally injection moulded in one piece, and as described above are injection
moulded of a synthetic custom rubber compound.
Referring now in particular to Fig. 5, the milking cluster 2 comprises four milk liner -
assemblies 1, which are coupled to a central unit 35 which is commonly referred to
as a claw. The centra! unit 35 comprises a main manifold 36 to which the milking
vacuum is applied from the milking system through a main inlet vacuum port 37.
Four main vacuum tubes 38 couple the outlet ports 17 of the respective milk liner
assemblies 1 to main vacuum outlet ports 39 from the main manifold 36 for applying
the milking vacuum from the main manifold 36 to the respective milk liner assemblies
1. The central unit 35 also comprises a secondary manifold 40 to which the
pulsating vacuum from the milking system is applied through a secondary vacuum
inlet port 42. Four secondary vacuum tubes 43 couple the pulsating vacuum ports
24 of the respective milk liner assemblies 1 to secondary vacuum outlet ports 45 for
applying the pulsating vacuum from the secondary manifold 40 to the respective milk
liner assemblies 1. A valve 46 operable by a hand operated knob 47 Is provided for
selectively isolating the main manifold 36 from the main inlet vacuum port 37 for
facilitating removal of the milk liner assemblies 1 from the teats of a cow, and when
the milk liner assemblies 1 are detached from the teats of a cow..
In use, with the milk liner 5 of the milk liner assembly 1 located within the outer shell
3, and sealably engaging the outer shell 3 in the annular groove 21 and sealably
engaging the end cap 6 in the circumferential recess 18 to form the annular vacuum
chamber 23, each milk liner assembly 1 is ready for use. Four of the milk liner
assemblies 1 are coupled to the central unit 35 of each milking cluster 2 by the main
and secondary vacuum tubes 38 and 43, and the milking clusters 2 are coupled to
the milking system (not shown) by the main and secondary vacuum inlet ports 37
and 42. The milking system (not shown) is then ready for use.
The milk liner assemblies 1 of the milking clusters 2 are urged onto the teats of the
respective cows to be milked, with each teat extending into the corresponding teat
receiving cavity 11 of the corresponding milk liner assembly 1 through the teat
accommodating opening 26. The milk liner assemblies 1 are then urged upwardly
along the respective teats of the cows until the teats are adequately located within
the respective teat receiving cavities 11. As all four milk liner assemblies 1 of each
milking cluster 2 are engaged on the four teats of the cow, the hand knob 47 of that
milking cluster 2 is operated for applying the milking vacuum to the milk liner
assemblies 1 for commencing milking. The pulsating vacuum is already being
applied to the vacuum chamber 23, and so milking progresses. If desired, the
milking vacuum may be applied to the milk liner assemblies 1 as the milk liner
assemblies 1 are being attached to the teats of the cow for assisting in urging the
milk liner assemblies 1 onto the teats.
During periods of the pulsating vacuum cycle when no vacuum is applied to the
vacuum chamber 23 between vacuum pulses, the action of the vacuum in the teat
receiving cavity 11 urges the sleeve 8 of the milk liner 5 into tight engagement with
the teat for massaging thereof. During periods of the pulsating vacuum cycle when
vacuum is applied to the vacuum chamber 23, the sleeve 8 of the milk liner 5 is
urged radially outwardly relative to the teat, thereby permitting milk to flow from the
udder into the teat, which is then drawn from the teat by the milking vacuum applied
to the teat receiving cavity 11..
The strengthening ring 28 of each milk liner 5 strengthens the sleeve 8 of the milk
liner 5 adjacent the teat engaging flange 25 sufficiently to prevent radial inward
contraction of the sleeve 8 adjacent the teat engaging flange 25, The fact that the
sleeve 8 is sufficiently strengthened by the strengthening ring 28 to prevent radial
inward contraction, in turn prevents radial inward contraction of the teat engaging
flange 25. Accordingly, there is no danger of the teat engaging flange 25 contracting
excessively onto the teat extending through the teat accommodating opening 26,
and even if some minor contraction of the teat engaging flange 25 does take place
onto the teat of the animal, any such contraction will be minimal. Accordingly, even
if the milk liner assembly 1 creeps up along the teat to the udder to the extent that
the teat engaging flange 25 engages the cricoid fold, by virtue of the fact that radial
inward contraction of the teat engaging flange 25 is prevented or at least minimised,
there is no danger of the teat engaging flange 25 contracting onto the cricoid fold to
the extent that milk flow from the udder to the teat is inhibited.
The fact that the strengthening ring 28 extends axially from the sleeve 8 and also
from the teat engaging flange 25 and terminates in the abutment surface 30 results
in the strengthening ring 28 acting as a spacing means for spacing the teat engaging
flange 25 from the udder in the event of the milk liner assembly 1 creeping up the
teat to the extent that the abutment surface 30 of the strengthening ring 28 engages
the udder. The axial length of the strengthening ring 28 and thus, the axial distance
d between the teat engaging flange 25 and the abutment surface 30 of the
strengthening ring 28 is such as to space the teat engaging flange a sufficient
distance from the udder when the abutment surface 30 is abutting the udder, such
that the teat engaging flange engages the teat at a location spaced apart from the
cricoid fold, on the end of the cricoid fold opposite to the end of the cricoid fold
adjacent the udder. In other words, the teat engaging flange 25 is spaced apart from
the udder for engaging the teat on the downstream side of the cricoid fold and
spaced apart therefrom.
However, even if the axial spacing between the abutment surface 30 and the teat
engaging flange 25 is insufficient in the case of some animals for preventing the teat
engaging flange 25 engaging the cricoid fold, since the strengthening ring 28
strengthens the sleeve 8, and in turn the teat engaging flange 25 for preventing
radial inward contraction of the teat engaging flange 25, there is no danger of the
teat engaging flange 25 contracting onto the cricoid fold to the extent which would
prevent milk flow from the udder to the teat through the cricoid fold. Additionally, by
virtue of the fact that the strengthening ring 28 is provided on the sleeve adjacent the
teat engaging flange 25, the strengthening ring 28 has no effect on the axial flexibility
of the teat engaging flange 25, and thus, the teat engaging flange is free to deflect in
an axial direction during milking and during each pulsating vacuum cycle which
further minimises the possibility of the milk liner assembly 1 creeping upwardly along
the teat.
Since there is little danger of the milk liner assembly creeping up the teat to the
extent that the teat engaging flange 25 would engage the cricoid fold, and even if the
teat engaging flange 25 were to engage the cricoid fold, there is no danger of the
teat engaging flange 25 contracting onto the cricoid fold to the extent that milk flow
through the cricoid fold would be inhibited, the milic liner assembly, and in turn the
cluster comprising four of the milk liner assemblies 1 can be provided to be of
relatively light weight. It has been found that the weight of a typical milking cluster
according to the invention using milk liner assemblies according to the invention can
be reduced by 1.2kg over prior art milking clusters. A typical prior art milking cluster
weighs in the order of 3.2kg. The milking cluster according to the invention
comprising four milk liner assemblies also according to the invention can be provided
to'iiave a total weight of not more than 2kg, and.there is virtually no danger of the
milking clusters according to the invention of total weight of 2kg creeping along the
teats of a cow. The fact that the milking cluster according to the invention can be
provided of significantly less weight than milking clusters known heretofore has a
particular advantage, in that it leads to a significant increase in milking efficiency,
due t the fact that lighter weight milking clusters can more readily and easily be
attached to and detached from a cow. This, thus, significantly speeds up the rate at
which milking clusters can be attached to and detached from cows during milking.
Additionally, in a relatively large herd size, which typically could be of the order of
two hundred cows, where the cows are to be milked twice per day, the reduction in
weight having to be handled by an operative in attaching the milking clusters
according to the invention to the cows and removing the milking clusters therefrom is
in the order of 480kg per day.
While the strengthening means for minimising radial inward contraction of the teat
engaging flange has been described as being a strengthening ring, any other
suitable strengthening means may be provided, and while it is desirable that the
strengthening means should also act as a spacing means for spacing the teat
engaging flange from the cricoid fold, this is not essential, and indeed, in certain
cases, it is envisaged that a separate spacing means may be provided which would
act as an abutment member for abutting the udder of the animal and for in turn
spacing the teat engaging flange from the udder, and In turn the cricoid fold.
While the strengthening means has been described as being provided on the sleeve
adjacent the teat engaging flange, it is also envisaged that the strengthening means
instead of being provided on the sleeve may be provided on tiie teat engaging
flange. However, wiien provided on the teat engaging flange, in general, it is
believed that it would be preferable to provide the strengthening means at a radially
outward location on the teat engaging flange for minimising any restriction which the
strengthening means may impose on the axial flexibility of the teat engaging flange
in order to permit axial deflection of the teat engaging flange in use. Where the
strengthening means is located on the teat engaging flange, in general, it is
envisaged that it would be provided by a strengthening ring or a strengthening
portion of annular construction extending around the teat engaging flange, which
would preferably extend around the teat engaging flange adjacent the sleeve.
It is also envisaged that the strengthening means may be provided at other suitable
locations on the sleeve, for example, the strengthening means may be located on
the sleeve at a location to coincide directly with the teat engaging flange.
While the milk liner has been described for use in milking cows, it will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art that the milk liner may be adapted for use in the
milking of any type of animal, for example, sheep, goats, reindeer and the like.
Needless to say, when adapted for milking other animals, the size and shape of the
milk linei" will be appropriately modified. Furthermore, where the milk liner is adapted
for milking of other animals, the milking cluster will similarly be appropriately
modified, and will comprise the appropriate number of milk liner assemblies.
While the milk liner has been described as comprising a sleeve of circular transverse
cross-section, the sleeve may be of any other desired transverse cross-section, for
example, square, rectangular, triangular, fiexagonal, octagonal or Indeed, any other
desired cross-section. Needless to say, other aspects of the shape and dimensions
of the milk liner may be varied.
It is envisaged that the milk liner according to the invention may be manufactured
from other suitable materials besides a synthetic custom rubber compound. For
example, the milk liner according to the invention may be manufactured from a
thermoplastic elastomer, silicon rubber, or any other elastomeric type material.
Additionally, while the milk liner according to the invention has been described as
being integrally injection moulded in one piece, while this is desirable, the milk liner
according to the Invention need not necessarily be integrally formed in one piece,
and additionally, the milk liner according to the invention may be formed by any other
suitable manufacturing process besides injection moulding.

We Claim:
1. A milk liner for a milk liner assembly of an animal milking system, the
milk liner comprising a resilient flexible elongated sleeve forming a teat
receiving cavity for receiving a teat of an animal's udder and defining a
longitudinally extending central axis, a teat engaging flange extending
circumferentially around and radially inwardly from the sleeve, and
forming with the sleeve the teat receiving cavity, the teat engaging
flange defining a teat accommodating opening therethrough for
accommodating a teat into the teat receiving cavity, and a
strengthening ring for minimising excessive radial contraction of the
teat engaging flange onto a teat extending through the teat
accommodating opening thereof, the strengthening ring extending
circumferentially around the sleeve adjacent the teat engaging flange
and being located relative to the teat engaging flange so as not to
prevent axial deflection of the teat engaging flange, the strengthening
ring extending axially from the sleeve and the teat engaging flange
and terminating in an abutment surface axially spaced apart from the
teat engaging flange for abutting the udder of the animal to space the
teat engaging flange from the udder.
2. A milk liner as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the strengthening ring
strengthens the sleeve adjacent the teat engaging flange.
3. A milk liner as claimed in any one of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the
strengthening ring is located relative to the sleeve, so that the teat
engaging flange extends radially from the strengthening ring and the
sleeve.
4. A milk liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

abutment surface of the strengthening ring is spaced apart an axial
distance from the teat engaging flange so that the teat engaging
flange engages the teat spaced apart from the cricoid fold on the axial
end of the cricoid fold opposite to the end thereof adjacent the udder.
5. A milk liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
axial distance between the abutment surface of the strengthening ring
and the teat engaging flange is at least 2mm.
6. A milk liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
axial distance between the abutment surface of the strengthening ring
and the teat engaging flange is in the range of 2mm to 20mm.
7. A milk liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
axial distance between the abutment surface of the strengthening ring
and the teat engaging flange is 4mm.
8. A milk liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
radial thickness of the strengthening ring is in the range of 2mm to
20mm.
9. A milk liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
radial thickness of the strengthening ring is in the range of 4mm to
10mm.
10. A milk liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
radial thickness of the strengthening ring is 6mm.
11. A milk liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
sleeve extends from the teat engaging flange and terminates in an

outlet port to which a milking vacuum is applied for drawing milk from
the teat.
12. A milk liner as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the sleeve tapers towards
the outlet port.
13. A milk liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
strengthening ring, the sleeve and the teat engaging flange are
integrally formed from the same material.
14. A milk liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
milk liner is integrally moulded in one piece.
15. A milk liner as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the milk liner is integrally
moulded of a synthetic custom rubber compound.
16. A milk liner as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
milk liner is adapted for fitting to a teat of a cow.
17. A milk liner assembly comprising a milk liner as claimed in any one of
the preceding claims, and an outer shell within which the milk liner is
sealably located, and defining with the outer shell an annular chamber
to which a pulsating vacuum is applied.
18. A milking cluster comprising a plurality of milk liner assemblies as
claimed in Claim 17.
19. A milking cluster as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the milking cluster
comprises four milk liner assemblies.

20. A method for minimising excessive radial inward contraction, during
milking of an animal, of a teat engaging flange of a milk liner onto a
teat of the animal passing through a teat accommodating opening
defined by the teat engaging flange, the method comprising providing
a resilient flexible elongated sleeve forming a teat receiving cavity for
receiving a teat of an animal's udder and defining a longitudinally
extending central axis, providing the teat engaging flange extending
circumferentially around and radially inwardly from the sleeve to form
with the sleeve the teat receiving cavity, providing the teat engaging
flange with the teat accommodating opening therethrough for
accommodating a teat into the teat receiving cavity, and providing a
strengthening ring for minimising the excessive radial inward
contraction of the teat engaging flange, the strengthening ring being
provided extending circumferentially around the sleeve adjacent the
teat engaging flange and being located relative to the teat engaging
flange so as not to prevent axial deflection of the teat engaging flange,
the strengthening ring being provided to extend axially from the sleeve
and the teat engaging flange and to terminate in an abutment surface
axially spaced apart from the teat engaging flange for abutting the
udder of the animal to space the teat engaging flange from the udder.
21. A method as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the strengthening ring is
located for strengthening the sleeve adjacent the teat engaging flange.
22. A method as claimed in any one of Claim 20 or 21, wherein the
strengthening ring is located relative to the sleeve, so that the teat
engaging flange extends radially from the strengthening ring and the
sleeve.
23. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 22, wherein the

abutment surface of the strengthening ring is axially spaced apart from
the teat engaging flange so that the teat engaging flange engages the
teat spaced apart from the cricoid fold on the axial end of the cricoid
fold opposite to the end thereof adjacent the udder.
24. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 23, wherein the axial
distance between the abutment surface of the strengthening ring and
the teat engaging flange is at least 2mm.
25. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 24, wherein the axial
distance between the abutment surface of the strengthening ring and
the teat engaging flange is in the range of 2mm to 20mm.
26. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 25, wherein the axial
distance between the abutment surface of the strengthening ring and
the teat engaging flange is 4mm.
27. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 26, wherein the radial
thickness of the strengthening ring is in the range of 2mm to 20mm.
28. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 27, wherein the radial
thickness of the strengthening ring is in the range of 4mm to 10mm.
29. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 28, wherein the radial
thickness of the strengthening ring is 6mm.
30. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 29, wherein the
strengthening ring, the sleeve and the teat engaging flange are
integrally formed from the same material.

31. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 30, wherein the milk
liner is integrally moulded in one piece.
32. A method as claimed in Claim 31, wherein the milk liner is integrally
moulded of a synthetic custom rubber compound.
33. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 32, wherein the milk
liner is adapted for fitting to a teat of a cow.

A milk liner assembly (1) comprises a milk liner (5) sealably located in an
outer shell (3) and defining with the outer shell (3) a pulsating vacuum chamber (23).
The milk liner (5) comprises a sleeve (8) and a teat engaging flange (25) which together
define a teat receiving cavity (11). A teat accommodating opening (26) through the teat
engaging flange (25) accommodates a teat into the teat receiving cavity (11). A
strengthening ring (28) integrally formed with the sleeve (8) is located on the sleeve (8)
and extends around the sleeve (8) adjacent the teat engaging flange (25) for minimising
excessive radial inward contraction of the sleeve (8), and in turn excessive radial inward
contraction of the teat engaging flange (25) onto the teat so that even if the teat
engaging flange (25) were to engage the cricoid fold, milk flow through the cricoid fold
would not be inhibited by the gripping pressure exerted by the teat engaging flange (25)
on the cricoid fold. The strengthening ring (28) extends axially from the sleeve (8), and
terminates in a distal abutment surface (30) for abutting the udder of the animal for in
turn spacing the teat engaging flange (25) from the udder and from the cricoid fold.

Documents:

02287-kolnp-2005-abstract.pdf

02287-kolnp-2005-claims.pdf

02287-kolnp-2005-description complete.pdf

02287-kolnp-2005-drawings.pdf

02287-kolnp-2005-form 1.pdf

02287-kolnp-2005-form 3.pdf

02287-kolnp-2005-form 5.pdf

02287-kolnp-2005-international publication.pdf

2287-KOLNP-2005-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

2287-KOLNP-2005-FORM-27.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-abstract.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-assignment.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-claims.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-correspondence.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-description (complete).pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-drawings.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-examination report.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-form 1.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-form 18.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-form 3.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-form 5.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-gpa.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

2287-kolnp-2005-granted-specification.pdf

abstract-02287-kolnp-2005.jpg


Patent Number 238602
Indian Patent Application Number 2287/KOLNP/2005
PG Journal Number 07/2010
Publication Date 12-Feb-2010
Grant Date 11-Feb-2010
Date of Filing 16-Nov-2005
Name of Patentee DEWVALE LIMITED
Applicant Address 104 ROCK STREET, TRALEE, COUNTY KERRY
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 HARTY, EDMOND, PATRICK, SENIOR CAUSEWAY, COUNTY KERRY
2 HARTY, EDMOND PATRICK, JUNIOR CAUSEWAY, COUNTY KERRY
PCT International Classification Number A01J 5/08
PCT International Application Number PCT/IE2004/000073
PCT International Filing date 2004-05-17
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 S2003/0371 2003-05-16 Ireland