US3726253A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Milking device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-06-24
•
Granted: 1973-04-10
•
Expires: 1991-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A milking apparatus in which the teat cups have washing and raining holes that can be uncovered by unfolding a portion of their flexible inflations. The claw and teat cup assembly can be disconnected from its milking circuits and connected to a washing manifold in a vacuum line, inverted and immersed in wash solution. Valves in the vacuum lines are manipulated so that the solution is drawn through the entire apparatus of a dual vacuum pipe and milking claw system. Washing and complete draining of the interior of the apparatus, including the space between the shell and the inflation of the teat cup, together with all pipes and lines in the system is accomplished without further disassembly. The washing and/or rinsing of the claw and teat cup assembly between cows without disconnecting any of the vacuum lines can also be effected without disassembly so that essentially, only the teat cups are contacted by solution. By unfolding the inflations from their shells, exits are exposed at the lowest part of the entire system to insure total drainage.
Inventors
- 👤 L Duncan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:48
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J7/00; A01J7/02; A01J7/025; A01J5/00; A01J5/04; A01J5/041; A01J5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A pipeline milking system comprising a claw and teat cup assembly with a milk receiving receptacle, said receptacle having a milk exit adjacent the bottom thereof and a hinged float valve overlying said exit for exposing and closing said exit responsive to the amount of milk in said receptacle, a pipeline with a first partial vacuum connected to said exit for drawing milk from said receptacle to a collection tank, each of said teat cups comprising a shell and an inflation housed within said shell, said inflation including a milk conduit at one end extending through the bottom of said shell to communicate with the upper portion of said receptacle, a second partial vacuum pipeline connected to a pulsator and to the upper portion of said receptacle, said inflation having a mouth portion comprising a flexible web member with a teat receiving opening and foldable flange surrounding the perimeter of said web member, said flange means being foldable to cover the upper rim of said shell during milking and unfoldable to expose an opening between the sidewall of said inflation and said shell, said opening being located between the unfolded flange of the inflation and the upper rim Of said shell, whereby said assembly can be inverted and immersed in a solution to allow washing and complete draining of the milking unit, including the interior of said shell, through said opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
A pipeline milking system comprising a claw and teat cup assembly with a milk receiving receptacle, said receptacle having a milk exit adjacent the bottom thereof and a hinged float valve overlying said exit for exposing and closing said exit responsive to the amount of milk in said receptacle, a pipeline with a first partial vacuum connected to said exit for drawing milk from said receptacle to a collection tank, each of said teat cups comprising a shell and an inflation housed within said shell, said inflation including a milk conduit at one end extending through the bottom of said shell to communicate with the upper portion of said receptacle, a second partial vacuum pipeline connected to a pulsator and to the upper portion of said receptacle, said inflation having a mouth portion comprising a flexible web member with a teat receiving opening and foldable flange surrounding the perimeter of said web member, said flange means being foldable to cover the upper rim of said shell during milking and unfoldable to expose an opening between the sidewall of said inflation and said shell, said opening being located between the unfolded flange of the inflation and the upper rim Of said shell, whereby said assembly can be inverted and immersed in a solution to allow washing and complete draining of the milking unit, including the interior of said shell, through said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said opening includes a plurality of grooves in the sidewalls of said inflation and said grooves are exposed when said flange is unfolded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said opening is located substantially completely around said inflation and the upper rim of said shell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein a plunger valve is positioned in said receptacle to raise said float valve and expose said exit during washing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 wherein a valve opening means is provided in a wall of said receiver, said opening means being closed by a tapered valve during milking, said plug being slideable to expose said opening means and the interior of said receptacle to ambient pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said plug has an enlarged end which extends in said receptacle over the exit to the second vacuum to block same when said opening means is exposed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
A washable pipeline milking system comprising a claw and teat cup assembly which includes a plurality of teat cups connected to a receptacle, said teat cups and receptacle being connected to a pulsator and collection tank respectively through the pipelines of said system to establish a partial vacuum in said assembly, each teat cup in said assembly including a shell and a flexible inflation housed within said shell, the upper part of said inflation being resilient and having a mouth and a foldable flange surrounding said mouth, said flange being foldable over the upper edge of said shell during milking and unfoldable during non-use to expose an opening between the sidewall of said inflation and said shell, said opening being located between the unfolded flange of the inflation and the upper rim of said shell whereby said assembly can be inverted, washed and completely drained through said opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
148 words
A washable pipeline milking system comprising a claw and teat cup assembly which includes a plurality of teat cups connected to a receptacle, said teat cups and receptacle being connected to a pulsator and collection tank respectively through the pipelines of said system to establish a partial vacuum in said assembly, each teat cup in said assembly including a shell and a flexible inflation housed within said shell, the upper part of said inflation being resilient and having a mouth and a foldable flange surrounding said mouth, said flange being foldable over the upper edge of said shell during milking and unfoldable during non-use to expose an opening between the sidewall of said inflation and said shell, said opening being located between the unfolded flange of the inflation and the upper rim of said shell whereby said assembly can be inverted, washed and completely drained through said opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said system includes a washing manifold and said assembly together with the pulsator are connectable to said manifold for washing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
126 words
A washable teat cup comprising a shell and a flexible inflation housed within said shell, the upper part of said inflation being resilient and having a mouth and a foldable flange surrounding said mouth, said flange being foldable over the upper edge of said shell during milking and said flange being unfoldable during non-use to expose an opening between the sidewall of said inflation and said shell, said opening being located between the unfolded flange of the inflation and the upper rim of said shell, said teat cup being invertable to position said opening at the lowermost location of said shell and permit the circulation of washing solution through the interior of said teat cup and the complete draining of said teat cup through said opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
A washable teat cup comprising a shell and a flexible inflation housed within said shell, the upper part of said inflation being resilient and having a mouth and a foldable flange surrounding said mouth, said flange being foldable over the upper edge of said shell during milking and said flange being unfoldable during non-use to expose an opening between the sidewall of said inflation and said shell, said opening being located between the unfolded flange of the inflation and the upper rim of said shell, said teat cup being invertable to position said opening at the lowermost location of said shell and permit the circulation of washing solution through the interior of said teat cup and the complete draining of said teat cup through said opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the upper part of said inflation is in a stretched condition when folded over the upper edge of said shell, and in a relaxed unstretched condition when said flange is unfolded for washing and non-use.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |