Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
DAIRY MILKING DEVICES AND METHODS
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
1. TECHNICAL FIELD
The disclosure relates to one or more of the following items individually and
in
combination: vacuum dairy milking machinery, both manually-connected and
robotically-connected; methods for extracting milk from dairy animals, milk
claws,
milk claw tops, pulsation caps (air dividers or air forks) used in conjunction
with milk
claws, the arrangement of pulsation nipples and liner nipples, milking liners,
short
milk tubes, short air tubes, milking liner and shell combinations, and method
of
delivering pulsation air to a milking liner and shell combination.
2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Dairy milking machines are well known in the art. One common form of these
machines includes a claw 2 (see FIG. 1) that typically has four liner nipples
4 that
each receives an end of a short milk tube 6 which is, in turn, connected to
(or integral
with) a teat cup assembly 8 that is attached to a teat to extract milk. Each
teat cup
assembly includes a rigid (hard plastic or metal) shell with a resilient
milking liner
(also known as a milking inflation) disposed at least partially within the
shell. The
combination of claw 2 attached to four teat cup assemblies is known as a
cluster. An
alternating or pulsating vacuum is applied to each teat cup assembly 8 through
a
short air tube 10 to cause the liner inside the shell to collapse and expand
and
thereby massage and suck milk from the teats. The milk flows from the liners,
into
the short milk tube 6, to the liner nipples 4 of the claw 2, and from there
through a
.. milk hose 12 to a collection tank.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
Claw 2 depicted in FIG. 1 has a typical arrangement wherein four liner nipples
4 project outwardly (away from the center of claw 2) and upwardly (toward the
udder
when claw 2 is in use) from four quadrants of claw 2 such that they are
generally
directed toward the location of the teats. These liner nipples 4 are spaced
and
angled to provide a predetermined alignment to the four teats on the cow's
udder.
The angle of alignment is commonly 20 to 50 degrees to the horizontal axis of
claw
2. Another variation of the claw structure is a nippleless claw where the
milking liner
or short milk tube plugs directly into the claw top. The angle of the
liner/short milk
tube coming out of the top of the claw may be about 70 to 80 degrees to the
horizontal axis of the claw.
A pulsation cap or air divider 20 (also known as an air fork 20) is commonly
mounted, incorporated into, or placed on (or used in conjunction with) claw 2.
Air
forks 20 are where the pulsating vacuum flow delivered through pulsation tube
22
(commonly referred to as twin tube 22) is divided to individual flows for each
teat cup
assembly 8. The pulsation nipples 24 of air fork 20 are commonly disposed in a
plane parallel to the horizontal axis of claw 2 as shown in FIGS. 1-3 or the
pulsation
nipples 24 of air fork 20 are tilted up to about twenty degrees from
horizontal (as
shown in FIG. 4).
FIG. 1 shows how short air tubes 10 bow outwardly and can interfere with the
legs 26 of the cow while in the milking position. Some cows become annoyed
with
this contact and will try to "shake" the unit off or the cow will continually
move to try
to prevent short milk tubes 10 hose from touching her leg 26. Both of these
scenarios are undesirable and can result in equipment falling off which
requires a
milker to reattach the unit or the unit may not get reattached resulting in
the cow not
being fully milked out. FIG. 1 also shows the potential for the cow to lift up
the leg 26
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
on the left and push the cluster off. Notice the split in the hoof where a
short air tube
or short milk tube 6 could become caught. There is also the potential of the
leg
26 getting caught between the short air tube and short milk tube. Either of
these
scenarios would likely result in continued kicking. This could cause cuts in
the tubes
5 or hoses or breaking the cluster.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The configurations of this disclosure are designed to improve the milking
cluster in several different ways: improved alignment of the cluster during
milking,
10 making the cluster easier to handle (attaching to cow, placing in wash
position, etc.),
reducing the likelihood of the cluster interfering with the cow during
milking, and
reducing the likelihood of the cluster being stepped on or caught in the cows
hoof or
leg.
The disclosure provides configurations wherein the "bowing" outwardly of the
short air tubes is eliminated when the cluster is in the milking position. In
one
configuration the bowing is reduced or eliminating by aligning the pulsation
nipples
with the liner nipples such that the centerlines of each are spaced apart but
generally
parallel. One exemplary configuration is provided wherein the pulsation
nipples and
air fork are integrated with the claw. Another configuration is provided
wherein the
air fork is separate from the claw but positions it pulsation nipples at the
ends of
arms such that the pulsation nipples are aligned with the liner nipples when
the air
fork is disposed on top of a claw. Eliminating the bowing of the short air
tubes gives
the cluster a more uniform alignment under the cow and decreases the
likelihood of
the short air tube interfering with the cow's legs while milking. It also
provides for a
sleeker easier to handle cluster assembly which is advantageous to milkers
during
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
attaching and handling. The design decreases the "footprint" of the cluster
which
helps with a number of other things, namely: getting caught in the cow's
hoof/leg
when detaching, less likely to bother the cow therefore less likely to get
kicked off ¨
both of these could lead to less cuts in the short air tube.
Proper cluster alignment is desirable. Clusters should hang as evenly under
the udder as the shape of the udder allows. By eliminating the outwardly
bowing
short air tubes, the disclosed configurations provide a more compact design
thus
making it easier to hang the cluster properly and adjust it after it has been
hung. The
disclosed configurations reduce the likelihood that the short air tube will
come into
contact with the cow's leg is known to push the unit out of its natural
hanging
position.
The disclosure also provides an integrated short milk tube and short air tube.
By eliminating the detached short air tube, the unit becomes easier to handle
and
prevents the gap from forming between the two tubes. The integrated
configuration
has uniform ends that engage the nipples of the air fork and claw side-by-
side. This
is an advantage as speed in the parlor desirable. On many dairy operations,
the
milkers grab the two liners on the left side with one hand and the two liners
on the
right side with the other hand. They simultaneously attach the front two teats
with a
liner from each hand and then the back teats the same way. The traditional
short air
tube makes it difficult to handle all four liners in this fashion as the air
tubes pull the
liners in a direction different from the short milk tube. When grabbing the
traditional
short air tube the liner and short air tube are bending on multiple axes at
different
planes to get to the milking position. The disclosed configurations provide
tubes that
direct force to the milking liner in a consistent manner which helps the
milker attach
pairs of liners at the same time.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
The disclosure provides different configurations of the integrated short milk
tube and short air tube wherein the shell of the teat cup assembly does not
need to
accommodate the short air tube because the pulsation air is delivered to the
shell
chamber through the bead of the milking liner.
The disclosure provides integrated short milk and short air tubes on a milking
liner where the outlet of the short milk tube is offset axially from the inlet
or outer end
of the short air tube with the bead seals being offset as to not interfere
with each
other.
The disclosure provides a visual location feature that helps align the liner
with
the shell.
The disclosure provides features the limit rotation between the milking liner
and the shell.
The disclosure provides a milking liner comprising: a barrel adapted to
receive
the teat of the animal to be milked; a short milk tube connected to the
barrel; and a
short air tube connected to the short milk tube. A bead may be adapted to
engage a
shell to mount the liner in the shell, the bead disposed between the barrel
and the
short milk tube. The short air tube may have an outlet that is disposed on the
barrel
side of the bead such that the outlet is adapted to be within the shell when
the
milking liner is mounted in the shell. The short air tube may have an outlet
that is
disposed on the short milk tube side of the bead such that the outlet is
adapted to be
external to the shell when the milking liner is mounted in the shell.
The disclosure provides a teat cup assembly comprising: a milking liner
having a short milk tube and an integrated short air tube; a shell disposed
around a
portion of the milking liner; and the short air tube having an outlet disposed
inside the
shell. The short air tube may have an inlet disposed at a position common to
an
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
outlet of the short milk tube. The milking liner defines a bead against which
the shell
engages, the short air tube outlet being defined by a portion of the bead. The
milking liner may include a plurality of short air tubes. The short air tube
may be
connected to the short milk tube with a plurality of spaced webs.
The disclosure provides a milking liner comprising: a barrel adapted to
receive
the teat of the animal to be milked; a transition bead disposed between the
barrel
and the short milk tube; a short milk tube connected to the barrel; and a
short air
tube connected to the short milk tube; the short air tube having a plurality
of outlets
disposed on the barrel side of the transition bead. The transition bead
defines a seat
adapted to receive a shell, the seat having a non-circular cross section. The
short
air tube may extend beyond the short milk tube. The short milk tube defines a
sealing bead that is offset from a sealing bead defined by the short air tube.
A
mouthpiece may be connected to the barrel, the mouthpiece having a mouthpiece
flange having one of a location tab and a location notch. A plurality of axial
ribs may
extend from an inner surface of the mouthpiece flange. The axial ribs may be
disposed asymmetrically about the mouthpiece flange.
The disclosure provides a teat cup assembly comprising: a milking liner
having a short milk tube and an integrated short air tube; a shell disposed
around a
portion of the milking liner; and the short air tube having a plurality of
outlets
disposed inside the shell.
In accordance with an aspect of an embodiment, there is provided a claw top
for milking equipment, the claw top comprising: a claw top body; four liner
nipples
extending from the claw top body; each liner nipple extending in a liner
nipple
extension direction; four pulsation nipples extending from the claw top body;
one
pulsation nipple being associated with each liner nipple to define a nipple
pair; each
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
pulsation nipple extending in a pulsation nipple extension direction; the
liner nipple
extension direction being substantially the same as the pulsation nipple
extension
direction, the claw top body including a removable air fork; the pulsation
nipples
being carried by the removable air fork; wherein the removable air fork
includes a
main body and a pair of arms; the pulsation nipples extending from the arms;
the
arms extending outwardly and downwardly from the main body to position the
pulsation nipples next to the liner nipples.
In accordance with another aspect of an embodiment, there is provided a claw
top for milking equipment; the claw top comprising: a claw top body; four
liner nipples
extending from the claw top body; each liner nipple extending in a liner
nipple
extension direction; four pulsation nipples extending from the claw top body;
one
pulsation nipple being associated with each liner nipple to define a nipple
pair; each
pulsation nipple extending in a pulsation nipple extension direction; the
liner nipple
extension direction being substantially the same as the pulsation nipple
extension
direction; wherein the liner nipples and the pulsation nipples end at the same
location from the claw top body.
In accordance with yet another aspect of an embodiment, there is provided a
claw top for milking equipment; the claw top comprising: a claw top body that
includes a removable air fork; four liner nipples extending from the claw top
body;
each liner nipple extending in a liner nipple extension direction; four
pulsation nipples
extending from the claw top body; one pulsation nipple being associated with
each
liner nipple to define a nipple pair; each pulsation nipple extending in a
pulsation
nipple extension direction; each pulsation nipple being spaced from the liner
nipple
of the nipple pair; the liner nipple extension direction being substantially
parallel to
the pulsation nipple extension direction; the pulsation nipples being carried
by the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
removable air fork; wherein the removable air fork includes a main body and a
pair of
arms; the pulsation nipples extending from the arms; the arms extending
outwardly
and downwardly from the main body to position the pulsation nipples next to
the liner
nipples.
In accordance with yet another aspect of an embodiment, there is provided a
claw top for milking equipment; the claw top comprising: a claw top body that
includes a removable air fork; four liner nipples extending from the claw top
body;
each liner nipple extending in a liner nipple extension direction; four
pulsation nipples
extending from the claw top body; one pulsation nipple being associated with
each
liner nipple to define a nipple pair; each pulsation nipple extending in a
pulsation
nipple extension direction; each pulsation nipple being spaced from the liner
nipple
of the nipple pair; the liner nipple extension direction being substantially
parallel to
the pulsation nipple extension direction; the pulsation nipples being carried
by the
removable air fork; and wherein the liner nipples and the pulsation nipples
end at the
same location from the claw top body.
In accordance with yet another aspect of an embodiment, there is provided a
claw top for milking equipment; the claw top comprising: a claw top body; the
claw
top body including a removable air fork; four liner nipples extending from the
claw top
body; each liner nipple extending in a liner nipple extension direction; four
pulsation
nipples extending from the claw top body; one pulsation nipple being
associated with
each liner nipple to define a nipple pair; each pulsation nipple extending in
a
pulsation nipple extension direction; the four pulsation nipples being carried
by the
removable air fork; and the liner nipple extension direction being
substantially the
same as the pulsation nipple extension direction; wherein the extension
direction of
the liner nipple is within ten degrees as the extension direction of the
pulsation
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
nipple, and the extension direction of the liner nipple is parallel to the
extension
direction of the pulsation nipple.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view of a prior art milking cluster attached to the udder of a cow
showing how the short air tubes bow away from the short milk tubes.
FIG. 2 is a top view of a prior art claw and air fork.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a prior art claw and air fork.
FIG. 4 is a side view of another prior art claw and air fork.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top of a claw with its pulsation nipples
aligned with its liner nipples.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the claw of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a right side view of the claw of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an air fork its pulsation nipples disposed on
arms that align the pulsation nipples with liner nipples on a claw.
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of FIG. 9 showing the air fork used with a claw.
FIG. 11 is a front view of the claw of FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is a right side view of the claw of FIG. 9.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one configuration of a milking liner with an
integrated short milk tube and short air tube.
FIG. 14 is a side view of the milking liner of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the milking liner of FIG. 13.
FIG. 16 is a section view taken along line A-A of FIG. 15 with a schematic
shell added to show the relationship between the liner and the shell.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another configuration of a milking liner with
an
integrated short milk tube and short air tube.
FIG. 18 is a side view of the milking liner of FIG. 17.
FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the milking liner of FIG. 17.
FIG. 20 is a section view taken along line A-A of FIG. 19 with a schematic
shell added to show the relationship between the liner and the shell.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another configuration of a milking liner with
an
integrated short milk tube and short air tube.
FIG. 22 is a side view of the milking liner of FIG. 21.
FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the milking liner of FIG. 21.
FIG. 24 is a section view taken along line A-A of FIG. 21 with a schematic
shell added to show the relationship between the liner and the shell.
FIG. 25 is an end view of an alternative configuration of the integrated short
milk and air tubes.
FIG. 26 is a section view taken through the tube ends of FIG. 25 showing the
offset sealing beads.
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the milking liner showing an alternative
configuration for creating multiple outlets for the short air tube above the
liner bead
within the shell.
FIG. 28 is a section view taken through the short air tube of FIG. 27.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the non-circular transition bead of the
milking
liner.
FIG. 30 is a section view through the neck of the transition bead that seats
the
shell showing the non-circular cross sectional shape of the transition bead.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of an exemplary milking liner
configuration that uses a location tab.
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of the milking liner
configuration of FIG. 31 with its location tab received in a location notch of
a shell.
FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the top of the shell of FIG. 32 showing the
location notch and some exemplary axial slots.
FIG. 34 is a top view of the shell of FIG. 33.
FIG. 35 is a view looking up at the mouthpiece flange showing the location tab
and the alignment ribs that are received in the axial slots.
FIG. 36 is an exploded view of a claw top configuration with a removable air
fork.
FIG. 37 is a top plan view of FIG. 36.
FIG. 38 is a side view of FIG. 36.
FIG. 39 is a front view of FIG. 36.
FIG. 40 is a section view of the claw top taken through two nipple pairs.
FIG. 41 is a section view of the claw top taken through two nipple pairs.
FIG. 42 is a section view of a single nipple pair of the claw top.
Similar numbers refer to similar structures throughout the specification.
Features of the different configurations described herein may be combined with
features from other configurations to form configurations different than the
examples
shown in the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
An exemplary configuration of a claw top with an integrated air fork is
indicated generally by the numeral 102 in FIGS. 5-8. Claw top 102 may be
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
fabricated from a variety of materials such as metals and plastics. Claw top
102 may
be removably connected to or integrally formed with any of a variety of claw
bodies.
Claw top 102 includes a plurality of liner nipples 104 and a corresponding
number of
pulsation nipples 106. Each pair of nipples 104 and 106 that are next to each
other
and configured to work with a single milking liner and shell combination is a
nipple
pair. Claw top 102 of FIG. 5 has four nipple pairs. Each liner nipple 104 is
configured to be connected with the lower end of a short milk tube and each
pulsation nipple 106 is configured to be connected with the lower end of a
short air
tube. Each nipple 104 and 106 extends away from the upper wall 108 of claw top
102 at an extension direction. The extension direction of each nipple of a
nipple pair
is substantially the same. In this context, both nipples 104 and 106 extend
from wall
108 at similar (within 10 degrees of each other as measured to each standard
XYZ
axis) angles and they may be parallel in one particular configuration. The
extension
direction may be defined by the direction of the imaginary centerline 110
(FIG. 8) of
each nipple or may be defined by the overall direction 112 of the outer
sidewall (FIG.
7) of the nipple. The outer wall of each nipple may be smooth or ribbed to add
gripping surfaces to the nipples. Arranging nipple 104 and 106 in the same
extension direction minimizes bowing between the short air tube and the short
milk
tube.
In the exemplary configuration, nipples 104 and 106 are spaced apart so that
the sidewalls of the tubes may be received between the nipples. In another
configuration, nipples 104 and 106 touch each other for use with integrated
tubes.
Claw top 102 also includes a pair of main pulsation delivery nipples 114 that
receive the pulsation tube 22 that delivers the alternating vacuum. The body
of claw
top 102 defines passages 116 (shown schematically) that provide fluid
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
communication between nipples 106 and 114. These passages 116 may be defined
by the body of claw top 102 or provided by separate tubing.
An exemplary configuration of an air fork for a claw 2 is indicated generally
by
the numeral 152 in FIGS. 9-12. Air fork 152 may be fabricated from a variety
of
materials such as metals and plastics. Air fork 152 is configured to be used
in
conjunction with a claw 2 and may be removably connected any of a variety of
claws
2 for which air fork 152 is configured. Air fork 152 includes arms 154 that
support
pulsation nipples 106. The exemplary configuration uses a pair of spaced arms
154
that define gaps to receive liner nipples 4. In the exemplary configuration,
arms 152
extend down from the main body 158 of air fork 152 and may extend outwardly
and
down so that they wrap around a portion of the top of claw 2 to position
pulsation
nipples 106 next to liner nipples 4 as shown in FIG. 10. Air fork 152 includes
a
pulsation nipple 106 for each liner nipple 4 of the claw 2 with which air fork
152 is to
be used. When air fork 152 is properly positioned over claw 2, pulsation
nipples 106
are disposed next to liner nipples 4 to define nipple pairs. Each liner nipple
4 is
configured to be connected with the lower end of a short milk tube and each
pulsation nipple 106 is configured to be connected with the lower end of a
short air
tube. Each nipple 106 extends away from arm 154 of air fork 152 at an
extension
direction. When air fork 152 is positioned on claw 2, the extension direction
of each
nipple pair is substantially the same. In this context, both nipples 4 and 106
extend
at similar (within 10 degrees of each other as measured to each standard XYZ
axis)
angles and they may be parallel in one particular configuration. The extension
direction may be defined by the direction of the imaginary centerline 110
(FIG. 10) of
each nipple or may be defined by the overall direction 112 of the outer
sidewall (FIG.
10) of the nipple. The outer wall of each nipple may be smooth or ribbed to
add
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
gripping surfaces to the nipples. Arranging nipple 104 and 106 in the same
extension direction minimizes bowing between the short air tube and the short
milk
tube.
In the exemplary configuration, nipples 4 and 106 are spaced apart so that the
sidewalls of the tubes may be received between the nipples. In another
configuration, nipples 4 and 106 touch each other for use with integrated
tubes.
Air fork 152 also includes a pair of main pulsation delivery nipples 114 that
receive the pulsation tube 22 that delivers the alternating vacuum. The body
158
and arms 154 of air fork 152 defines passages 116 (shown schematically) that
provide fluid communication between nipples 106 and 114. These passages 116
may be defined by the body 158 of air fork 152 or provided by separate tubing.
The disclosure also provides integrated dual short milk tube and short air
tube
configurations which are each generally indicated by the numeral 200 in FIGS.
13-
29. The disclosure also provides a milking liner 202 that incorporates dual
tube 200
.. as well as a liner and shell assembly 204 having dual tube 200. A variety
of milking
liner configurations may be used with these short air tube configurations. The
configurations of FIGS. 13-29 are used in a method for delivering pulsation
air to the
shell 206 and a method for connecting a milking liner and claw.
In FIGS. 13-16, the short air tube 210 is connected along one side of the
short
milk tube 212 by a web 214 that extends substantially the entire length of
short air
tube 210. In other configurations, short air tube may be integrated into the
body that
defines short milk tube 212 in a manner similar to the configuration of FIGS.
21-24 or
the passage of short air tube 210 may be formed in the sidewall of short milk
tube
212. Multiple short air tubes 210 may be used. In the configuration of FIGS.
17-20,
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
the connection between tubes 210 and 212 is with spaced webs 214 to provide
more
flexibility. In both configurations, milking liner 202 may be integrally
molded.
The lower ends of tubes 210 and 212 terminate at a common position in
FIGS. 21-24 so they may be slipped onto nipples 204 and 206 at the same time.
In
FIGS. 25-29, short air tube 210 is longer than short milk tube 212 (to be used
with
nipples disposed at different heights as shown in FIG. 39). Offsetting the
tube ends
in the manner shown in FIG. 26 provides space to offset the sealing beads 214
the
project inwardly from the inner surface of tubes 210 and 212 to engage the
outer
surfaces of nipples 104 and 106. In the configuration of FIG. 26, sealing bead
214 of
short air tube 210 is disposed beyond the end of short milk tube 212 such that
any
compression of the material of short milk tube 212 will not interfere with
sealing bead
214 on short air tube 210. An effective tube/nipple seal requires radial
contact
pressure in order to prohibit leakage between two bodies. This contact
pressure
must exist consistently in a "sealing plane" defined as a plane perpendicular
to the
tube axis. Non-uniform pressure distribution may create a path of lower
resistance
and therefore compromise a seal's overall effectiveness. In the configuration
shown
in FIG. 26, there are two tubes and two nipples disposed substantially
parallel. If the
radial contact pressure seal of each of the two lumens is created on or near
the
same perpendicular "sealing plane", there is a tendency for non-uniform
contact
pressure to be introduced to the system due to the seal forces opposing one
another
through their shared wall. The configuration of FIG. 26 avoids this sealing
conflict by
offsetting the "sealing planes" from one another along their shared axes. This
allows
the sealing contact pressure to be optimized individually at the two different
perpendicular planes by avoiding opposing seal forces in a single plane. This
offset
seal arrangement also allows an offset parallel nipple arrangement. This
nipple
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
arrangement has advantages during attachment and removal of the dual-lumen
tubes from the nipples. Because the high-pressure planes are offset from one
another along the tube axis, the operator can accomplish some local rotation
of each
lumen individually relative to its nipple. This rotation relieves static
friction between
tube and nipple. This aids in axial movement of the tube since the operator
must
overcome only the dynamic sliding friction between the tube and nipple.
Internal to
each lumen, annular beads or bulges 214 are used to concentrate the available
hoop
tension force in order to increase contact pressure for improved sealing.
The offset ends combined with the offset height of nipples 104 and 106 allows
combined tubes 210 and 212 to be slipped onto the nipples at the same time.
The
common extension direction of nipples 204 and 206 allow tubes 210 and 212 to
be
joined together close to the lower ends and minimizes bowing between tubes 210
and 212.
In the configurations of FIGS. 13-20, the upper end of short air tube 210
terminates below the transition bead 220 of liner 202 so that the air nipple
222 of
shell 206 may be slipped into short air tube 210 when liner 202 is connected
to shell.
This is shown schematically in FIGS. 16 and 20.
In the configuration of FIGS. 21-29, short air tube 210 runs into or through
transition bead 220 and bead 220 defines a continuation of the passage defined
by
short air tube 210 with one or more outlets 224 disposed at an exterior
portion of
liner 202 that is disposed within shell 206 on the barrel side of the
transition bead
220. Multiple short air tubes 210 may be used with multiple passageways
through
bead 220. In the configuration of FIGS. 27 and 28, the pulsation channel
branches
into a plurality of outlet channels 226 disposed transverse to the main
pulsation
channel of short air tube 210. These outlet channels 226 extend to different
sides of
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
liner 202 so the pulsation vacuum is applied to different sections of the
pulsation
chamber (between the shell and the liner). This configuration allows the
pulsation
channel of short air tube 210 to be molded with a molding pin disposed along
the
longitudinal length of short air tube 210 to contact a transverse pin (or
multiple pins)
extending transverse to short air tube 210 to form outlet channels 226.
In the dual-lumen milking liner, the pulsation air path must reach the shell
cavity. In the exemplary configurations of the liner 202, the pulsation air
path exits
directly into the shell cavity. The configuration of this exit path has
implications for
manufacturability of the liner. In the exemplary configuration, two co-axial
pulsation
air outlet channels 226 are perpendicular to the tube axis. During molding of
the
product, a common core pin can form both outlet channels 226. During the
molding
process, both pulsation exit and vent core pin side actions can occur from the
same
actuation in the molding tool. In one embodiment, the horizontal core pin axis
substantially intersects the main pulsation path axis. This allows the short
exit path
core pin to support the long main pulsation path core pin. The end of the long
core
pin can have a "bird-mouth" shape (shown in FIG. 27) that saddles against the
short
core pin. This provides additional stability to the tooling, prolonging tool
life.
The integrated tube configurations of FIGS. 13-29 allow the milker to quickly
assemble the milking liner and shell combinations and connect the liners to
the claw.
The methods include the steps of connecting the short air tube and short milk
tube to
the claw nipples in one motion. The connection of the shell to the liner also
forms
the connection between the shell and the short air tube because the upper end
of the
short air tube is positioned in a fixed or predictable position with respect
to the liner.
The predictable position between shell 206 and liner 202 is achieved by
providing
bead 220 with a non-circular cross section as shown in FIGS. 29-30 wherein the
seat
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
that receives shell 206 is tear-drop or egg-shaped. The lower end of shell 206
matches the shape of this seat so that it can only be properly seated in a
single
orientation. The dual-lumen liner takes a natural "teardrop" or "egg" shape in
cross
section due to the diameter difference of the two lumens. In one embodiment, a
consistent teardrop shape is shared by the bulb of the liner and throughout
the tube
of the liner, providing functional advantages during assembly and use.
Throughout
the tube, this shape allows for a uniform wall thickness and additional
stiffness at the
bulb. This shape also aids in anti-rotation of the liner relative to the shell
during liner
insertion and also in use.
Another feature to properly align the shell 206 with the liner 202 is the use
of a
location tab 230 and location notch 232. Tab 230 is a visual indicator that
can be
readily viewed by the user to properly align liner 202 and shell 206. In the
configuration depicted in the drawings, tab 230 is disposed on the flange 234
of the
mouthpiece 236 of liner 202 and notch 232 is defined by shell 206. In other
configurations, notch 232 is defined by liner 202 and location tab is defined
by shell
206. This indicator 230 serves as a visual and tactile tool to confirm proper
assembly. In particular it demonstrates that no relative rotation has been
introduced
to the assembly of the shell and liner.
Another feature that helps the alignment of liner 202 with shell 206 is the
use
of a plurality of axial ribs 240 and axial slots 242. In the configuration
depicted in
FIGS. 33-35, axial ribs 240 extend inwardly from the inner surface of
mouthpiece
flange 234 and axial slots 242 are defined by the outer surface of the top of
shell
206. In other configurations, axial slots 242 are defined by liner 202 and
axial ribs
240 extend outwardly from shell 206. To limit the connection between liner 202
and
shell 206, ribs 240 and slots 242 are unevenly disposed. For example, in the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
exemplary configuration there are four slot and rib combinations on one side
and
only three slot and rib combinations on the other side. As also shown in the
drawings, the slot 242 aligned with notch 232 is longer than the other slots
242.
In many liner and shell assemblies, it is possible in normal use for the liner
to
be rotated relative to the shell. This may introduce twist to the liner barrel
and can
reduce milking performance. In the exemplary configurations, ribs 240 are
disposed
radially around the inside of the outer liner mouthpiece flange 234. The
plurality of
matching female axial slots 242 are disposed radially around the outside top
of the
shell. The engagement of these features during assembly of liner to shell
helps to
eliminate liner/shell rotation in normal use. In one embodiment the ribs and
slots are
asymmetrically arranged around the mouthpiece 234 so that the liner 202 can
only
be properly installed into the shell 206 in one rotational position. This
invention
properly orients the mouthpiece in relation to the shell 206 and locks it in
rotational
position for optimum milking performance.
This spline geometry located on the outside of the upper shell allows for a
face seal
at the underside of the mouthpiece. This seal makes use of the liner barrel
tension
to generate high contact pressure in a stable protected location.
These liner configurations provide a method of delivering pulsation air to a
shell without the step of separately connecting the upper end of the short air
tube to
a nipple on the shell. The connection of the liner with the shell
automatically forms
the fluid communication between the short air tube and the shell pulsation
chamber.
The additional step of connecting a separate short air tube to an air tube
nipple
disposed on the outside of shell 206 is not required. The elimination of this
step
increases the efficiency of assembling the teat cup assemblies.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
An exemplary configuration of a claw 300 having a claw top 302 with a
removable air fork 304 is shown in FIGS. 36-42. Claw 30 is comprised of three
primary components; claw top 302, air fork 304, and a bowl 305. Sealing
gaskets
are used at all part interfaces and a single bolt thru the center secures the
three
components together.
The shape and arrangement of the components accomplishes pulsation air
distribution. This arrangement provides a simple assembly process while
allowing
common manufacturing processes for each subcomponent due to their simple
shape. Air fork 304 may be fabricated from a variety of materials such as
metals and
plastics. Air fork 304 is configured to removably nest within the recess 306
defined
through the center of the top wall 308 of claw top 302.
Air fork 304 includes pulsation nipples 106. Air fork 304 includes a pulsation
nipple 106 for each liner nipple 104 of claw top 302. The exemplary
configuration
has two pulsation nipples projecting forwardly and two pulsation nipples
projecting
rearwardly at locations and at angles so they are substantially parallel to
liner nipples
104 on claw top 302. When air fork 304 is nested within claw top 302, each
pulsation nipple 106 is disposed next to a liner nipple 104 to define nipple
pairs.
Each liner nipple 104 is configured to be connected with the lower end (or
outlet) of a
short milk tube and each pulsation nipple 106 is configured to be connected
with the
lower end (or inlet) of a short air tube. Each nipple 106 extends away from
the body
of air fork 304 at an extension direction. When air fork 304 is positioned on
claw top
302, the extension direction of each nipple in a nipple pair is substantially
the same.
In this context, both nipples 104 and 106 extend at similar (within 10 degrees
of each
other as measured to each standard XYZ axis) angles and they may be parallel
in
one particular configuration. The extension direction may be defined by the
direction
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
of the imaginary centerline 110 of each nipple or may be defined by the
overall
direction of the outer sidewall of the nipple (as described above). The outer
wall of
each nipple may be smooth or ribbed to add gripping surfaces to the nipples.
Arranging nipple 104 and 106 in the same extension direction minimizes bowing
between the short air tube and the short milk tube when claw 300 is used with
separate short milk and air tubes.
In the exemplary configuration, nipples 104 and 106 are spaced apart so that
the sidewalls of the tubes may be received between the nipples. In another
configuration, nipples 104 and 106 touch each other for use with different
tubes.
Air fork 304 also includes a pair of main pulsation delivery nipples 114 that
receive the pulsation tube 22 that delivers the alternating vacuum. Air fork
152
defines passages 116 that provide fluid communication between nipples 106 and
114.
Claw 300 can be configured during manufacturing for parallel or herringbone
barn milking. These nipples and supports on the ends of the claw top can be
arranged during manufacturing to accommodate either parallel or herringbone
configurations by changing their attachment locations. The resulting assembled
product will therefore be configured for either parallel or herringbone barn
milking,
while using common sub-components for cost reduction.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,
clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied
therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used
for
descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the
description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention
is not
limited to the exact details shown or described. Throughout the description
and
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
claims of this specification the words "comprise" and "include" as well as
variations of
those words, such as "comprises," "includes," "comprising," and "including"
are not
intended to exclude additives, components, integers, or steps.
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
