ES2590302T3

ES2590302T3 - Milking cup liner

Info

Publication number: ES2590302T3
Application number: ES07018600.2T
Authority: ES
Inventors: Lennart Petersson
Original assignee: IBA Inc
Current assignee: IBA Inc
Priority date: 2006-09-22
Filing date: 2007-09-21
Publication date: 2016-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-21
Also published as: DK1902613T3; PL1902613T3

Abstract

Una pezonera para una máquina de ordeño automático en la que la pezonera tiene un barril hueco alargado (12) que termina en extremos abiertos superior e inferior y tiene una forma sustancialmente uniforme que se extiende desde el extremo superior al extremo inferior del mismo, y se forma un cabezal (14) en el extremo superior del barril (12), el cabezal (14) tiene una embocadura (20) colocada a través del extremo superior abierto de otro modo del cabezal (14) y la embocadura (20) tiene una abertura central que se adapta para acomodar el pezón de un animal que se va a ordeñar, que comprende además al menos un elemento refuerzo alargado que comprende una nervadura elevada relativamente estrecha (32) moldeada integralmente a lo largo de una superficie de dicho barril (12); cada nervadura elevada (32) de este tipo tiene un extremo superior que se ubica adyacente a dicho extremo superior de dicho barril (12); y cada nervadura elevada (32) de este tipo se extiende a lo largo de una longitud longitudinal de dicho barril (12), con un extremo inferior de cada nervadura (32) de este tipo espaciado de dicho extremo superior de dicho barril (12) una distancia entre un medio y tres cuartos de dicha longitud longitudinal de dicho barril (12).A liner for an automatic milking machine in which the liner has an elongated hollow barrel (12) that ends at upper and lower open ends and has a substantially uniform shape that extends from the upper end to the lower end thereof, and is it forms a head (14) at the upper end of the barrel (12), the head (14) has a mouth (20) placed through the upper end otherwise open from the head (14) and the mouth (20) has a central opening that is adapted to accommodate the nipple of an animal to be milked, which further comprises at least one elongated reinforcing element comprising a relatively narrow raised rib (32) integrally molded along a surface of said barrel (12 ); each raised rib (32) of this type has an upper end that is located adjacent to said upper end of said barrel (12); and each raised rib (32) of this type extends along a longitudinal length of said barrel (12), with a lower end of each rib (32) of this spaced type of said upper end of said barrel (12) a distance between a half and three quarters of said longitudinal length of said barrel (12).

Description

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DESCRIPCIONDESCRIPTION

Pezonera de copa de ordeno Antecedentes de la invencionMilking cup liner Background of the invention

1. Campo de la invencion1. Field of the invention

La presente invencion esta relacionada con pezoneras de copa de ordeno utilizadas en conjuntos de copa de ordeno para ordenar vacas. En particular, la invencion esta relacionada con una pezonera que es un miembro elastomerico de una pieza moldeada que tiene un barril alargado hueco que tiene una forma en seccion transversal sustancialmente triangular.The present invention is related to milking cup liners used in milking cup assemblies for ordering cows. In particular, the invention is related to a liner that is an elastomeric member of a molded part having a hollow elongated barrel having a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape.

2. Estado de la tecnica2. State of the art

En el pasado se ha hecho mucho esfuerzo para proporcionar mejores pezoneras de copa de ordeno que masajeen los pezones de una vaca y se disenan de otro modo para que sea menos probable que provoquen mastitis en los pezones de las vacas que se ordenan. Se dirige la atencion a las patentes de EE. UU. nos. 3.659.558 y 3.967.587 en donde generalmente se especifican las deficiencias de las pezoneras de la tecnica anterior, particularmente en cuanto a condiciones no deseadas impuestas en los pezones de una vaca por pezoneras de la tecnica anterior.In the past, much effort has been made to provide better milking cup teat cups that massage a cow's nipples and are otherwise designed to be less likely to cause mastitis in the nipples of cows that are ordered. Attention is directed to US patents. UU. us. 3,659,558 and 3,967,587 where deficiencies of the teats of the prior art are generally specified, particularly in terms of unwanted conditions imposed on the nipples of a cow by teats of the prior art.

Una pezonera mejorada se describe en la patente de EE. UU. n° 3.967.587 en la que el barril de la pezonera tiene una forma en seccion transversal sustancialmente cuadrada. En el extremo superior o proximo del barril hay un cabezal cilmdrico moldeado integralmente en el barril. El cabezal tiene un reborde que se extiende reversiblemente que encaja sobre el extremo superior de la carcasa del conjunto de copa de ordeno. Se proporciona una embocadura o diafragma en el extremo superior del cabezal cilmdrico, teniendo la embocadura una abertura central para recibir el pezon de una vaca.An improved liner is described in US Pat. UU. No. 3,967,587 in which the barrel of the liner has a substantially square cross-sectional shape. At the top or next end of the barrel is a cylindrical head molded integrally into the barrel. The head has a reversibly extending flange that fits over the top end of the milking cup assembly housing. A mouthpiece or diaphragm is provided at the upper end of the cylindrical head, the mouthpiece having a central opening for receiving a cow's nipple.

La pezonera en forma de cuadrado fue un avance significativo en la tecnica y se utilizo ampliamente en las lechenas. Sin embargo, las demandas actuales sobre los aspectos de gestion de la industria lactea han tenido como resultado un drastico aumento de la produccion de leche asf como mejores rendimientos de la mano de obra. El aumento de la produccion de leche ha generado mayores demandas sobre los sistemas fisiologicos de la vaca lechera, sistemas de ordeno y el diseno de las pezoneras de ordeno. Esto anade demandas sobre la capacidad de los componentes de ordeno, dado que un sistema de ordeno que esta experimentando un excesivo flujo de fluido, aumenta la inestabilidad, que en ultima instancia puede tener como resultado una disminucion no deseada en las prestaciones de la salida de leche. Sena sumamente ventajoso desarrollar pezoneras alternativas que tengan una forma en seccion transversal diferente que logren o superen las prestaciones de la pezonera en forma de cuadrado de la tecnica anterior para cumplir las demandas del sector lechero actual.The square-shaped liner was a significant advance in the technique and was widely used in the milkmaids. However, current demands on the management aspects of the dairy industry have resulted in a dramatic increase in milk production as well as better labor yields. The increase in milk production has generated greater demands on the physiological systems of the dairy cow, milking systems and the design of the milking liner. This adds demands on the capacity of the milking components, given that an milking system that is experiencing excessive fluid flow increases instability, which can ultimately result in an unwanted decrease in the output performance of milk. It is highly advantageous to develop alternative lids that have a different cross-sectional shape that achieve or exceed the performance of the square-shaped liner in the prior art to meet the demands of the current dairy sector.

Tecnica anterior casualmente relacionada pero irrelevantePrevious technique casually related but irrelevant

En la patente de EE. UU. n° 5.482.004, expedida el 9 de enero de 1996, se describen forros, es decir pezoneras, de copa de ordeno, que se disenan especialmente para proporcionar una resistencia diferencial al desplome hacia dentro a lo largo de la longitud de la region receptora de pezon del barril de las pezoneras. La finalidad es permitir que las pezoneras acomoden pezones de longitudes diversas. Segun la ensenanza de la patente n° 5.482.004, se proporcionan medios para crear una resistencia diferencial al desplome hacia dentro de la region receptora de pezon a lo largo de la longitud de la region receptora de pezon. Una realizacion de dichos medios, que se describe en la patente de EE. UU. n° 5.482.004, consiste en una pluralidad de nervaduras espaciadas circunferencialmente que se extienden axialmente, que tienen una anchura maxima y un grosor maximo en el extremo mas superior de la pezonera, con la anchura y el grosor disminuyendo o haciendose mas pequenos a lo largo de la longitud de la nervadura. En la patente de EE. UU. n° 5.483.004 no hay sugerencia ni motivacion en absoluto de nervaduras que tengan anchura y/o grosor constantes o uniformes en la region receptora de pezon del barril, ni hay sugerencia ni motivacion en absoluto de nervaduras de anchura y/o grosor constantes o uniformes en la region receptora de pezon de una pezonera en forma triangular que tengan como resultado beneficio de ningun tipo, dejando solos los resultados logrados segun la presente invencion.In the US Pat. UU. No. 5,482,004, issued on January 9, 1996, liners, i.e. milking cup liners, are described which are specially designed to provide differential resistance to inward collapse along the length of the receiving region of nipple from the barrel of the nipples. The purpose is to allow the nipples to accommodate nipples of varying lengths. According to the teaching of patent No. 5,482,004, means are provided to create a differential resistance to collapse into the nipple receiving region along the length of the nipple receiving region. An embodiment of said means, which is described in US Pat. UU. No. 5,482,004, consists of a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs that extend axially, having a maximum width and a maximum thickness at the uppermost end of the liner, with the width and thickness decreasing or becoming smaller as along the length of the rib. In the US Pat. UU. No. 5,483,004 there is no suggestion or motivation at all for ribs that have constant or uniform width and / or thickness in the nipple receiving region of the barrel, nor is there any suggestion or motivation at all for ribs of constant width and / or thickness or uniforms in the nipple receiving region of a triangular shaped nipple that result in any type of benefit, leaving alone the results achieved according to the present invention.

En la patente de EE. UU. n° 6.776.120, expedida el 17 de agosto de 2004, se describen forros redondos, es decir, pezoneras, de copa de ordeno, que tienen una forma en seccion transversal circular, en la que se requiere uno de tres elementos. Primero, el grosor del barril de la pezonera debe disminuir en tamano en una direccion desde el extremo superior de la pezonera al extremo inferior. Segundo, se forman nervaduras alargadas en la superficie exterior del barril de la pezonera, y las nervaduras alargadas tienen un grosor que se extiende hacia fuera desde el barril, con el grosor aumentando en tamano en una direccion desde el extremo superior de la pezonera al extremo inferior. Tercero, que estan presentes ambos elementos mencionados en las dos frases anteriores. No ha sugerencia en absoluto de nervaduras que sean de grosor uniforme, en cambio las nervaduras deben aumentar en su grosor. Ademas, no hay sugerencia de usar las nervaduras en una pezonera en forma triangular, las pezoneras tienen una seccion transversal circular en la parte receptora de pezon del barril. En la patente de EE. UU. n° 6.776.120 no hay sugerencia ni motivacion en absoluto de nervaduras que tengan grosor constante o uniforme en la region receptora de pezon del barril, ni hay sugerencia ni motivacion en absoluto de nervaduras de grosor constanteIn the US Pat. UU. No. 6,776,120, issued on August 17, 2004, describes round liners, that is, teat cups, milking cup, which have a circular cross-sectional shape, in which one of three elements is required. First, the thickness of the liner barrel should decrease in size in a direction from the upper end of the liner to the lower end. Second, elongated ribs are formed on the outer surface of the liner barrel, and the elongated ribs have a thickness that extends outwardly from the barrel, with the thickness increasing in size in a direction from the upper end of the liner to the end lower. Third, that both elements mentioned in the two previous sentences are present. There is no suggestion at all of ribs that are of uniform thickness, instead the ribs should increase in thickness. In addition, there is no suggestion of using the ribs in a triangular shaped nipple, the nipples have a circular cross section in the nipple receiving part of the barrel. In the US Pat. UU. No. 6,776,120 there is no suggestion or motivation at all for ribs that have constant or uniform thickness in the nipple receiving region of the barrel, nor is there any suggestion or motivation at all for ribs of constant thickness

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o uniforme en la region receptora de pezon de una pezonera en forma triangular que tengan como resultado beneficio de ningun tipo, dejando solos los resultados logrados segun la presente invencion.or uniform in the nipple receiving region of a triangular shaped nipple that results in any type of benefit, leaving alone the results achieved according to the present invention.

Objetivos de la invencionObjectives of the invention

Un objetivo principal de la invencion es proporcionar una pezonera en forma triangular que logre ordeno rapido, eficiente mientras tambien reduzca y minimice el esfuerzo en el tejido de los pezones de la vaca que se ordena.A main objective of the invention is to provide a triangular shaped liner that achieves rapid, efficient milking while also reducing and minimizing the effort in the nipple tissue of the ordered cow.

Un objetivo espedfico de la presente invencion es proporcionar una pezonera en forma triangular que logre una mejora en aspectos de salud a largo plazo de los pezones de las vacas que se ordenan debido a la mejora en la capacidad de la pezonera para ejercer un masaje optimo, que se tratara adicionalmente en lo sucesivo, durante la fase de desplome del funcionamiento de la pezonera.A specific objective of the present invention is to provide a triangular shaped nipple that achieves an improvement in long-term health aspects of the nipples of the cows that are ordered due to the improvement in the ability of the nipple to exercise an optimal massage, that it will be discussed further hereinafter, during the phase of collapse of the operation of the liner.

Otro objetivo de la presente invencion es proporcionar una pezonera en forma triangular que proporcione un mejor masajeo del pezon de una vaca lechera como resultado de la mejora en su capacidad para ejercer un masaje optimo en los pezones de la vaca durante la fase de desplome del funcionamiento de la pezonera.Another objective of the present invention is to provide a triangular shaped nipple that provides a better massage of the nipple of a dairy cow as a result of the improvement in its ability to perform an optimal massage on the nipples of the cow during the phase of operation crash of the teat cup.

Breve descripcion de la invencionBrief Description of the Invention

Los objetivos anteriores se logran segun la presente invencion al proporcionar mejoras novedosas y exclusivas en las pezoneras en forma triangular de la tecnica anterior que inesperadamente producen una mejora significativa en las prestaciones de ordeno mientras al mismo tiempo mejoran o mantienen una buena salud de pezon y ubre de las vacas que se ordenan. Las pezoneras en forma triangular, como se sabe bien en la tecnica, tienen un barril hueco alargado que es de forma en seccion transversal sustancialmente triangular. Un cabezal sustancialmente cilmdrico se moldea integralmente en el extremo superior del barril en forma triangular. El cabezal comprende una pared lateral sustancialmente cilmdrica que tiene un diametro mayor que la dimension diagonal exterior del barril. Una embocadura, un miembro semejante a un diafragma, se extiende a traves de la otra pared lateral cilmdrica de extremo superior abierto de otro modo. La embocadura tiene una abertura central que se adapta para acomodar, es decir, recibir a traves de la misma, un pezon de un animal que se va a ordenar. Una seccion de transicion se moldea en el cabezal para conectar el extremo superior del barril con una superficie interior de la pared lateral cilmdrica del cabezal.The above objectives are achieved according to the present invention by providing novel and exclusive improvements in the triangular shaped nipples of the prior art that unexpectedly produce a significant improvement in milking benefits while at the same time improving or maintaining a good health of nipple and udder of the cows that are ordered. Triangular shaped teat cups, as is well known in the art, have an elongated hollow barrel that is substantially triangular in cross-sectional shape. A substantially cylindrical head is integrally molded at the upper end of the barrel in a triangular shape. The head comprises a substantially cylindrical side wall that has a diameter larger than the outer diagonal dimension of the barrel. A mouthpiece, a member similar to a diaphragm, extends through the other cylindrical side wall with an otherwise open upper end. The mouth has a central opening that adapts to accommodate, that is, receive through it, a nipple of an animal to be ordered. A transition section is molded into the head to connect the upper end of the barrel with an inner surface of the cylindrical side wall of the head.

Segun la presente invencion, cada una de las tres paredes laterales longitudinales de la pezonera en forma triangular tiene al menos una nervadura elevada alargada, relativamente estrecha, moldeada integralmente a lo largo de la superficie exterior del mismo. Cada una de las nervaduras elevadas tiene un extremo superior que se ubica adyacente al extremo superior abierto del barril hueco y un extremo inferior que se ubica en una posicion a lo largo de la longitud longitudinal del barril hueco. La posicion del extremo inferior de cada una de las nervaduras se ubica a una distancia entre aproximadamente un medio y tres cuartos de la longitud longitudinal total del barril hueco desde el extremo superior abierto del barril hueco. Cada nervadura tiene una parte predominante que tiene un grosor sustancialmente uniforme que se extiende desde la superficie exterior del barril en una direccion sustancialmente perpendicular al eje longitudinal del barril. La parte predominante, es decir, la parte que tiene un grosor sustancialmente uniforme, empieza en el extremo superior de la nervadura, esto es, adyacente al extremo superior abierto del barril hueco, y la parte predominante se extiende continuamente hacia abajo por la longitud longitudinal del barril una distancia que es al menos aproximadamente un medio de la longitud longitudinal total del barril hueco. Una parte menos predominante de la nervadura ubicada debajo de la posicion extrema de la parte predominante tiene un grosor que disminuye o se reduce gradualmente en una direccion a lo largo de la longitud longitudinal del barril al extremo inferior de la nervadura. Esta parte menos predominante inferior de la nervadura es en disminucion simplemente para facilitar la retirada de la pezonera de la cavidad de molde en la que se forma la pezonera. De otro modo, la parte menos predominante de la nervadura no tiene funcion y se podna eliminar si hubiera disponibles medios o se encontrara como lograr la retirada de la pezonera de la cavidad de molde en la que se moldea la pezonera.According to the present invention, each of the three longitudinal side walls of the triangular shaped liner has at least one elongated, relatively narrow raised rib, integrally molded along the outer surface thereof. Each of the raised ribs has an upper end that is located adjacent to the open upper end of the hollow barrel and a lower end that is located in a position along the longitudinal length of the hollow barrel. The position of the lower end of each of the ribs is located at a distance between about a half and three quarters of the total longitudinal length of the hollow barrel from the open upper end of the hollow barrel. Each rib has a predominant part that has a substantially uniform thickness that extends from the outer surface of the barrel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrel. The predominant part, that is, the part that has a substantially uniform thickness, begins at the upper end of the rib, that is, adjacent to the open upper end of the hollow barrel, and the predominant part continuously extends down the longitudinal length. from the barrel a distance that is at least about one half of the total longitudinal length of the hollow barrel. A less predominant part of the rib located below the extreme position of the predominant part has a thickness that gradually decreases or decreases in one direction along the longitudinal length of the barrel to the lower end of the rib. This less predominant lower part of the rib is decreasing simply to facilitate removal of the liner from the mold cavity in which the liner is formed. Otherwise, the less predominant part of the rib has no function and can be eliminated if means are available or it is found how to achieve removal of the liner from the mold cavity in which the liner is molded.

Se ha encontrado que la pezonera mejorada en forma triangular, que tiene las nervaduras elevadas, tiene como resultado una mejora significativa inesperada en rendimiento y prestaciones de ordeno, mientras al mismo tiempo mantiene buena salud de pezon y ubre o realmente mejora la salud del pezon y la ubre. Durante la fase de desplome del funcionamiento de la pezonera cuando se ordena una vaca, las nervaduras elevadas en la pezonera en forma triangular provocan que la pezonera ejerza una mejor presion en el tejido del pezon que se coloca en la pezonera. Pezoneras en forma triangular normales tienen menos capacidad de ejercer carga compresiva en un pezon. Se ha encontrado que las pezoneras en forma triangular, que tienen las nervaduras elevadas segun la presente invencion, tienen inesperadamente una capacidad superior y excelente para ejercer un masaje adecuado en un pezon. Como resultado, durante el ordeno se logra un masajeo beneficioso, enormemente mejorado, que promueve pezones sanos. Ademas se ha encontrado que las pezoneras en forma triangular, que tienen las nervaduras elevadas segun la presente invencion, generalmente son superiores a las pezoneras de la tecnica anterior como un conjunto en todos aspectos. Muchos operarios lecheros simplemente han observado que las pezoneras en forma triangular que tienen las nervaduras elevadas segun la presente invencion eran las pezoneras mejores, mas eficientes y que promueven pezones mas saludables que habfan usado nunca.It has been found that the triangular-shaped improved nipple, which has elevated ribs, results in an unexpected significant improvement in milking performance and performance, while maintaining good nipple and udder health or actually improving the health of the nipple and the udder During the collapse phase of the operation of the teat cup when a cow is ordered, the raised ribs on the teat cup triangularly cause the teat cup to exert a better pressure on the nipple tissue that is placed on the teat cup. Normal triangular shaped nipples have less ability to exert compressive load on a nipple. It has been found that triangular shaped nipples, which have elevated ribs according to the present invention, unexpectedly have a superior and excellent ability to exert an adequate massage on a nipple. As a result, during the milking a beneficial massage is achieved, greatly improved, which promotes healthy nipples. It has also been found that triangular shaped teat cups, which have elevated ribs according to the present invention, are generally superior to the prior art teats as a set in all aspects. Many dairy operators have simply observed that the triangular shaped teat cups that have elevated ribs according to the present invention were the best, most efficient teat cups that promote healthier nipples they had ever used.

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Objetos y rasgos adicionales de la invencion se haran evidentes a partir de la siguiente descripcion detallada, tomada junto con los dibujos adjuntos.Additional objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings.

Los dibujosThe drawings

Realizaciones preferidas de la presente invencion que representan el mejor modo contemplado actualmente de realizar la invencion se ilustran en los dibujos adjuntos en los que:Preferred embodiments of the present invention that represent the best contemplated way of performing the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

La figura 1 es una vista en alzado de una pezonera en forma triangular que incorpora las mejoras de la presente invencion, con la pezonera vista mirando en una pared lateral sustancialmente plana del barril como se muestra con la lmea 1-1 de la figura 2;Figure 1 is an elevation view of a triangular shaped liner incorporating the improvements of the present invention, with the liner seen looking at a substantially flat side wall of the barrel as shown with line 1-1 of Figure 2;

La figura 2 es una seccion transversal horizontal a traves de la pezonera de la figura 1 tomada a lo largo de la lmea 2-2 de la figura 1; yFigure 2 is a horizontal cross section through the liner of Figure 1 taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1; Y

La figura 3 es una seccion transversal vertical a traves de la pezonera de la figura 1 tomada a lo largo de la lmea 3-3 de la figura 2 que muestra la parte de nervadura de una pared lateral de la pezonera en alzado, y la figura 3 tambien muestra las secciones de transicion de la pezonera entre el barril y el cabezal cilmdrico de la pezonera y la boca.Figure 3 is a vertical cross section through the liner of Figure 1 taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the rib portion of a side wall of the raised liner, and Figure 3 also shows the transition sections of the liner between the barrel and the cylindrical head of the liner and the mouth.

Descripcion detallada de las realizaciones ilustradasDetailed description of the illustrated embodiments

Segun la presente invencion, se proporciona una pezonera mejorada para un conjunto de copa de ordeno de una maquina de ordeno. La pezonera se moldea como una unidad integral de un material elastomerico. La pezonera comprende un barril hueco alargado 12 que tiene una forma en seccion transversal sustancialmente triangular y termina en extremos abiertos superior e inferior. Un cabezal sustancialmente cilmdrico 14 se moldea integralmente en el extremo superior del barril 12. El cabezal 14 es sustancialmente cilmdrico, teniendo la pared lateral cilmdrica del cabezal 14 un diametro interior que es mayor que un diametro de un cfrculo dibujado a traves los tres vertices del barril en forma triangular 12. Una embocadura semejante a un diafragma 20 se coloca a traves del extremo superior de otro modo abierto de la pared lateral cilmdrica del cabezal 14. La embocadura 20 tiene una abertura central que se adapta para acomodar el pezon de un animal a ordenar.According to the present invention, an improved liner is provided for a milking cup assembly of a milking machine. The liner is molded as an integral unit of an elastomeric material. The liner comprises an elongated hollow barrel 12 that has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape and ends at open upper and lower ends. A substantially cylindrical head 14 is integrally molded at the upper end of the barrel 12. The head 14 is substantially cylindrical, the cylindrical side wall of the head 14 having an inside diameter that is larger than a diameter of a circle drawn across the three vertices of the barrel. triangular barrel 12. A diaphragm-like mouth 20 is placed through the otherwise open upper end of the cylindrical side wall of the head 14. The mouth 20 has a central opening that is adapted to accommodate an animal's nipple to order.

La pared lateral cilmdrica del cabezal 14 se conecta al barril 12 mediante una seccion de transicion 22 que se moldea en el cabezal 14 para conectar el extremo superior del barril 12 con una superficie interior de la pared lateral cilmdrica del cabezal 14. Una camara interna de boquilla se forma entre la seccion de transicion y la embocadura 20. La seccion de transicion 22 tiene una superficie curvada hacia fuera que se curva desde el extremo superior del barril 12 y se une a la superficie interior de la pared lateral cilmdrica del cabezal 14. Un apendice hueco cilmdrico alargado 24 se extiende desde el extremo inferior del barril 12. Una segunda seccion de transicion 22 tiene una superficie curvada hacia fuera que se curva desde el extremo inferior del barril 12 y une la superficie interior de la pared lateral triangular 30 del barril 12 a la pared lateral cilmdrica del apendice 24.The cylindrical side wall of the head 14 is connected to the barrel 12 by a transition section 22 that is molded into the head 14 to connect the upper end of the barrel 12 with an inner surface of the cylindrical side wall of the head 14. An internal chamber of nozzle is formed between the transition section and the mouthpiece 20. The transition section 22 has an outwardly curved surface that curves from the upper end of the barrel 12 and joins the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall of the head 14. An elongated cylindrical hollow appendix 24 extends from the lower end of the barrel 12. A second transition section 22 has an outwardly curved surface that curves from the lower end of the barrel 12 and joins the inner surface of the triangular side wall 30 of the barrel 12 to the cylindrical side wall of appendix 24.

Cada una de las tres paredes laterales longitudinales 30 del barril hueco 12 tiene al menos una nervadura elevada relativamente estrecha 32 moldeada integralmente a lo largo de una superficie exterior de cada una de las paredes laterales 30. Cada nervadura elevada 32 tiene un extremo superior que se ubica adyacente al extremo superior abierto del barril hueco 12. Cada nervadura elevada 32 se extiende hacia abajo hacia el extremo inferior del barril hueco 12, teniendo cada nervadura elevada 32 un grosor uniforme o constante en una direccion radial que se extiende alejandose de la superficie exterior de una pared lateral respectiva 30. Ese grosor puede estar entre aproximadamente 1,58 mm (1/16 de pulgada) 4,76 mm y (3/16 de pulgada), y preferiblemente alrededor de 3,17 mm (1/8 de pulgada). La anchura de las nervaduras elevadas es preferiblemente uniforme o constante, y como el grosor puede estar entre aproximadamente 1,58 mm (1/16 de pulgada) y 4,76 mm (3/16 de pulgada), y preferiblemente alrededor de 3,17 mm (1/8 de pulgada).Each of the three longitudinal side walls 30 of the hollow barrel 12 has at least one relatively narrow raised rib 32 integrally molded along an outer surface of each of the side walls 30. Each raised rib 32 has an upper end that is located adjacent to the open upper end of the hollow barrel 12. Each raised rib 32 extends downward toward the lower end of the hollow barrel 12, each raised rib 32 having a uniform or constant thickness in a radial direction extending away from the outer surface of a respective side wall 30. That thickness may be between approximately 1.58 mm (1/16 inch) 4.76 mm and (3/16 inch), and preferably about 3.17 mm (1/8 inch). inch). The width of the raised ribs is preferably uniform or constant, and since the thickness can be between about 1.58 mm (1/16 inch) and 4.76 mm (3/16 inch), and preferably about 3, 17 mm (1/8 inch).

Cada nervadura elevada 32 se extiende hacia abajo desde su extremo superior a un extremo inferior que se ubica de aproximadamente 7/16 a aproximadamente 9/16 del camino bajando la longitud longitudinal de la pared lateral respectiva 30 del barril hueco 12. Preferiblemente, cada nervadura elevada 32 se extiende hacia abajo a una posicion aproximadamente a 1/2 del camino bajando la longitud longitudinal de la pared lateral respectiva 30 del barril hueco 12. Un extremo terminal corto en disminucion 34 se forma integralmente con, y se extiende hacia abajo desde, el extremo inferior de cada nervadura elevada 32. El extremo terminal 34 es en disminucion de modo que su extremo inferior se une a la superficie de la pared lateral respectiva 30. El extremo terminal 34 tiene una longitud de manera que el extremo inferior del extremo terminal 32 se espaciara no mas de aproximadamente 3/4 de la longitud longitudinal del barril hueco 12 desde el extremo superior abierto del barril hueco 12. Como se ha mencionado previamente, el extremo terminal en disminucion 34 se proporciona simplemente para facilitar la retirada de la pezonera de la cavidad de molde en la que se forma la pezonera. Si la pezonera se forma sin ser moldeada en una cavidad de molde, o si se puede formar una cavidad de molde que permita facilmente la liberacion de las nervaduras 32 y las paredes laterales 30, entonces se puede eliminar el extremo terminal 34 de las nervaduras 32.Each raised rib 32 extends downwardly from its upper end to a lower end that is located about 7/16 to about 9/16 of the path by lowering the longitudinal length of the respective side wall 30 of the hollow barrel 12. Preferably, each rib raised 32 extends downward to a position approximately 1/2 of the path by lowering the longitudinal length of the respective side wall 30 of the hollow barrel 12. A short terminal end in decrease 34 is integrally formed with, and extends downward from, the lower end of each raised rib 32. The terminal end 34 is in decrease so that its lower end joins the surface of the respective side wall 30. The terminal end 34 has a length such that the lower end of the terminal end 32 no more than about 3/4 of the longitudinal length of the hollow barrel 12 will be spaced from the open top end of the hollow barrel 12. As previously mentioned, the decreasing end end 34 is simply provided to facilitate the removal of the liner from the mold cavity in which the liner is formed. If the liner is formed without being molded into a mold cavity, or if a mold cavity can be formed that allows the release of the ribs 32 and the side walls 30 easily, then the terminal end 34 of the ribs 32 can be removed .

Si se desea se pueden formar dos o tres nervaduras elevadas espaciadas 32 en cada pared lateral 30, pero se ha encontrado que es suficiente una nervadura 32 de este tipo. Si se utilizan multiples nervaduras, se deben espaciar relativamente cercanas entre sf Cuando se utiliza una unica nervadura elevada 32, preferiblemente se orienta paraIf desired, two or three spaced raised ribs 32 can be formed on each side wall 30, but such a rib 32 has been found to be sufficient. If multiple ribs are used, they should be spaced relatively close to each other. When a single raised rib 32 is used, it is preferably oriented to

que este sustancialmente paralela a los cantos laterales longitudinales de su pared lateral respectiva 30. Ademas es ventajoso colocar la unica nervadura elevada 32 en las inmediaciones de un eje longitudinal que es sustancialmente equidistante de los cantos laterales longitudinales de su pared lateral respectiva 30. Si se forman dos o tres nervaduras elevadas 32 en cada pared lateral 30, se deben orientar para que esten sustancialmente paralelas a los 5 cantos laterales longitudinales de la pared lateral respectiva 30, y el grupo de nervaduras elevadas se debe ubicar centradamente a lo largo de la pared lateral 30 de modo que las nervaduras exteriores de cada grupo esten espaciadas equidistantes de los cantos laterales opuestos de la pared lateral respectiva 30.which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal lateral edges of its respective lateral wall 30. It is also advantageous to place the only raised rib 32 in the vicinity of a longitudinal axis that is substantially equidistant from the longitudinal lateral edges of its respective lateral wall 30. If they form two or three raised ribs 32 on each side wall 30, they should be oriented so that they are substantially parallel to the 5 longitudinal side edges of the respective side wall 30, and the group of raised ribs should be located centrally along the wall side 30 so that the outer ribs of each group are spaced equidistant from the opposite side edges of the respective side wall 30.

Claims

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

1. A liner for an automatic milking machine in which the liner has an elongated hollow barrel (12) that ends at upper and lower open ends and has a substantially uniform shape extending from the upper end to the lower end thereof, and a head (14) is formed at the upper end of the barrel (12), the head (14) has a mouth (20) placed through the upper end otherwise open from the head (14) and the mouth (20) It has a central opening that adapts to accommodate the nipple of an animal to be ordered,

which also includes

at least one elongate reinforcing element comprising a relatively narrow raised rib (32) integrally molded along a surface of said barrel (12);

each raised rib (32) of this type has an upper end that is located adjacent to said upper end of said barrel (12); Y

each raised rib (32) of this type extends along a longitudinal length of said barrel (12), with a lower end of each rib (32) of this spaced type of said upper end of said barrel (12) a distance between a half and three quarters of said longitudinal length of said barrel (12).

2. The liner according to claim 1 wherein each raised rib (32) of this type is integrally molded along an outer surface of said barrel (12).

3. The liner according to claim 1 wherein each raised rib (32) of this type has a uniform thickness in a radial direction extending away from said outer surface of said barrel (12).

4. The teat cup according to claim 3 wherein said thickness is between 1.58 mm (1/16 inch) and

4.76 mm (3/16 inch).

5. The liner according to claim 3 wherein each raised rib (32) of this type has a uniform width.

6. The liner according to claim 5 wherein said width is between 1.58 mm (1/16 inch) and

4.76 mm (3/16 inch).

7. The liner according to claim 1 wherein each raised rib (32) of this type has first and second sections;

said first section extends from its proximal end located at the upper end of said barrel (12) a distance between 7/16 and 9/16 of said longitudinal length of said barrel (12); Y

said second section (34) extends from a lower end of said first section;

said second section (34) is in decrease so that its lower end joins said surface of said barrel (12); and said lower end of said second section (34) is spaced from the upper end of said barrel (12) no more than about 3/4 of said longitudinal length of said barrel (12).

8. The liner according to claim 7 wherein said first section of each raised rib (32) of this type has a uniform thickness in a radial direction extending away from said surface of said barrel (12).

9. The teat cup according to claim 8 wherein said thickness is between 1.58 mm (1/16 inch) and

4.76 mm (3/16 inch).

10. The liner according to claim 8 wherein said first section of each raised rib (32) of this type has a uniform width.

11. The teat cup according to claim 10 wherein said width is between 1.58 mm (1/16 inch) and

4.76 mm (3/16 inch).

12. The teat cup according to any of the preceding claims which further comprises that

said barrel (12) has a substantially uniform triangular cross section extending from the upper to the lower end thereof, such that said barrel (12) has three longitudinal side walls;

each of said longitudinal side walls has at least one elongate reinforcement element, said reinforcement element comprises a relatively narrow raised rib (32) integrally molded along a surface of each of said longitudinal side walls.