Patent ID: 7448344
Filing Date: 2008-11-11
Classification: A01J

Abstract:
1. A milking device operable in a milking state and a cleaning state, the device including: a milk-transporting member which includes at least one teatcup to be attached to a teat of an animal to be milked and is arranged to permit the transporting of milk from the teat to a milk-collecting member during the milking state, wherein the milk-transporting member is connectable to a relatively low pressure for achieving said transporting by sucking milk from the teat to the milk-collecting member via the milk-transporting member during the milking state; and a gas conduit for the introduction of a gas into the milk-transporting member during the milking state in order to enhance said transporting of milk, wherein the gas conduit has a first end connected to the milk transporting member and includes a gas inlet member for the introduction of said gas into the gas conduit, wherein the gas conduit beyond the gas inlet member has a second end which is connectable to a relatively low pressure for permitting a flow of a cleaning fluid from the milk-transporting member through the gas conduit during the cleaning state, and wherein the device includes a cleaning device arranged to deliver the cleaning fluid to the teatcup for permitting said flow through the gas conduit during the cleaning state, said cleaning device including a cleaning nozzle to be introduced into the teatcup, and a supply unit for supplying the cleaning fluid to the cleaning nozzle for said delivery of the cleaning fluid.