Method and apparatus for teat cup cleaning
US6561126B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01J7/025
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention refers to teat cup cleaning in an automated milking system comprising a plurality of teat cups, each connected to a first end of a respective milk line (5), and the second end of each milk line being individually and automatically connectable to a first (7) or a second container (9), respectively, wherein, during milking of the teats of a milking animal, the plurality of teat cups are attached to the teats of the animal, the second ends of the milk lines are connected to said first container and vacuum is supplied to said first container in order to draw milk through the milk lines into said first container. The cleaning comprises supplying (41, 43) a cleaning fluid to at least a first (3) of said plurality of teat cups; connecting the second end of the milk line (5) connected to the first teat cup (3) to said second container (9); and supplying vacuum to said second container in order to suck cleaning fluid through the milk lines into said second container (9), while keeping said first container (7) at substantially atmospheric pressure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.