Abstract:
A teat dip applicator and method direct a teat dip to a teat cup liner head that defines a chamber and nozzle through which teat dip flows to coat an animal teat prior to and during detachment of a milker unit from a dairy animal.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation of Provisional Application No. 60/578,997 filed Jun. 12, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to teat dips for dairy animals and more particularly to methods and apparatus for applying teat dip to dairy animal teats and udders after milking and before detachment from a milker unit.  
         [0003]     After milking, a dairy animal&#39;s teats can be protected with a post-milking dip (“post-dip”) that protects the teats from infection. The post-dip is typically applied by an operator by dipping a liquid, spraying a liquid or applying a foam. This process is performed each time the animals are milked, and is generally useful in reducing the incidence of mastitis.  
         [0004]     One approach to simplifying this procedure is to apply the post-dip before the milker unit is detached as disclosed in WO 02/23976 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference. Nonetheless, with such a system there may only be limited coverage of the teat. Therefore, there is a need for apparatus and methods for applying post-dip to a dairy animal&#39;s teats and udder in an efficient manner.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Apparatus in accordance with the present invention include a liner contact automatic teat dip applicator for delivering a ring of post-dip to the top of a dairy animal&#39;s teat at the end of milking and before milker unit detachment. Teat post-dip is delivered to a chamber space inside a milking cup liner head between a liner barrel and liner mouth piece opening. The dip enters a liner head chamber space and exits openings in the liner head to apply a ring of dip around the teat.  
         [0006]     As the milker unit is detached and the teat cup shell is pulled from the teat, a ring of dip is wiped down the length of the teat by the liner mouth piece to apply a film of dip covering all sides of the teat and leaving a pool of dip at the end of the teat to protect the teat opening. This is an efficient way to ensure proper coating of a teat.  
         [0007]     Before the milker unit is applied to another animal, the teat cup must be rinsed of all dip to avoid contaminating milk. This is preferably done by isolating the teat dip applicator from the milk line and rinsing so that rinsing liquid and teat dip are prevented from entering the milk line.  
         [0008]     Valves and hoses for dip are preferably bunched with vacuum and milk lines that service the milker unit. A manifold can be used to direct dip from a controller to a number of different dip applicators in the milking parlor. A dip conduit from the manifold feeds dip to the liner dome. The dip conduit is disposed either along the outside of a teat cup shell or through a teat cup shell base and upward along an inside of the shell.  
         [0009]     The dip conduit can be a hose that connects to a nozzle to direct dip into the liner head chamber. Preferably, the nozzle has a relatively small diameter opening to limit the amount of milk that might enter the nozzle and dip hose. Alternatively, a check valve could be used to prevent milk from entering the nozzle, hose, and teat dip manifold.  
         [0010]     Dip is applied when the milking cycle has ended for each individual animal. An end-of-milking signal indicating that milker unit detachment is about to occur prompts delivery of the dips either automatically or by an operator. Similarly, shortly after dip is applied and the milker unit is detached, rinsing and backflushing of the teat cup will commence automatically. The present invention can be used alone or in combination with a system as described in WO 02/23976 A1. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of a teat dip application apparatus in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic elevational view of an animal&#39;s teat covered with dip applied by the apparatus and methods of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a teat cup, inflation, and a teat dip applicator in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of a teat dip applicator in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of a teat dip applicator flushing nozzle and short milk tube in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of a teat dip applicator ring in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a partial plan view of a teat dip applicator ring in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of an teat dip applicator ring in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a partial side view of a teat dip applicator ring in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of a flush nozzle for use with a teat dip applicator in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a partial side cross-sectional view of the flush nozzle of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a partial side cross-sectional view of the flush nozzle of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a partial top cross-sectional view of the flush nozzle of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a partial perspective view of a teat dip applicator ring in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a partial top view of the teat dip applicator ring of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a partial side view of the teat dip applicator ring of  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a partial cross-sectional side view of the teat dip applicator ring of  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a partial perspective view of a teat dip applicator ring in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is a top view of the teat dip applicator ring of  FIG. 18 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is a side view of the inner circumference of the teat dip applicator ring of  FIG. 18 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 21  is a partial cross-sectional view of the teat dip applicator ring of  FIG. 18 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 22  is a partial perspective view of a teat dip applicator ring in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 23  is a partial top view of the teat dip applicator ring of  FIG. 22 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 24  is a partial side view of the inner circumference of the teat dip applicator ring of  FIG. 22 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 25  is a partial side cross-sectional view of the teat dip applicator ring of  FIG. 22 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]      FIG. 1  illustrates a teat dip application system  30  in accordance with the present invention. The teat dip application system  30  includes an applicator  31  that applies dip to a cow or other dairy animal teat. The applicator  31  includes a control panel  32  and a dip manifold  34 . A teat cup shell  36 , a liner  38 , a first backflush valve  40 , a short milk tube  42 , a milker unit  44 , milk line  46 , and an optional second backflush valve  48  are also provided to work as part of or in conjunction with the applicator  31 .  
         [0037]     The control panel  32  remotely controls operation of the teat dip application system  30 . It can be automated with suitable manual overrides or it can be operated by manually engaging various control buttons in response to audible and/or visual signals reflecting the stage of a milking and backflush operation.  
         [0038]     The control panel  32  controls the flow of air, water, teat dip, and any appropriate three-way valve ventilation that may be necessary. The control panel  32  can remotely control valves elsewhere within the system  30  or it can incorporate valves and hose connections for controlling air, water, teat dip, and valve ventilation.  
         [0039]     The control panel  32  is in fluid communication with the dip manifold  34  via a manifold hose  50 . The dip manifold  34  is illustrated as feeding a single teat dip applicator and milker unit combination, but the manifold  34  preferably serves a number of liners  38  and milker unit combinations. The dip manifold  34  is in fluid communication with each teat dip liner  38  via a dip hose  52 .  
         [0040]     The dip hose  52  preferably tracks along the short milk tube  42 , the first backflush valve  40 , and passes into the teat cup shell  36  where it is protected from damage. Alternatively, the dip hose  52  could travel an alternate route to the teat cup shell  36 . The dip hose  52  can also be routed on the exterior of the teat cup shell  36 , or be part of an integral duct (not illustrated) formed in the teat cup shell  36 . The dip hose  52  forms part of a fluid conduit through which teat dips, air, and water pass.  
         [0041]     The liner  38  is disposed in the teat cup shell  36  and serves the same general function of any cup liner, which is to provide a pulsation necessary to extract milk from the teat  54 . The liner  38  includes a mouth  56 , a liner sleeve  58 , a liner head  60 , a liner head chamber  62 , at least one liner head opening  64 , and a barrel  66  that extends downward through the teat cup shell  36 . The liner mouth  56  is sized to receive the teat  54  in the usual manner.  
         [0042]     The liner head  60  defines the liner chamber  62  and the liner head opening  64 . Preferably, there are a plurality of line head openings  64 . There is also preferably included a nozzle  65  ( FIGS. 10 through 13 ) of a reduced diameter to limit the possibility of milk entering the dip hose  52 . Alternatively, a check valve could be used to seal the dip hose  52  from milk.  
         [0043]     The line head  60  and liner head chamber  62  are also part of the teat dip applicator  31  because with this configuration, air, water, and teat dip are fed from a source and through the control panel  32 , the manifold hose  50 , the dip manifold  34 , the dip hose  52 , and into the liner head chamber  62 . Once in the liner head chamber  62 , the teat dip is directed onto the teat  54  by the liner head opening  64  to apply a ring of dip around the upper portion of the teat  54 . As the shell  36  is detached from the teat  54 , it is preferred that the flow of teat dip continue or that there be a sufficient amount of dip already applied to the teat so that the liner head  60  wipes dip down the teat  54  toward the lower end to leave at least a majority of the teat  54  covered in dip. As the dip flows down the teat  54 , it will desirably leave an excess amount to protect the teat sphincter at the lower end of the teat from bacteria and other substances. (See  FIG. 2 .) The amount of dip applied will vary depending on the type and strength of dip being applied, but the control panel  32  can be adjusted to accommodate any amount of dip desired.  
         [0044]     Once a sufficient amount of dip is applied, the dip manifold  34  shuts off the flow of dip. Dip cannot be left inside the liner  38  because it may contaminate milk from the next cow. Backflushing of the liner  38  is therefore desirable. There are at least two options to backflush the liner  38 . In one option, the second backflush valve  48  is opened to deliver a backflushing fluid such as water or a suitable chemical into the milk line  46 , through the milker unit  44 , the short milk tube  42 , the first backflush valve  40  (if present), and out of the liner  38 . In a second option, the first backflushing valve  40  is used, and only the liner  38  is backflushed while the milk line  46  is isolated by the backflusing valve  40 .  
         [0045]     Automatic operation of the system  30  relies on an end-of-milking signal from a milk sensor (not illustrated) that activates the control panel  32  to shut off vacuum to the milker unit  44 . The first backflush valve  40  is then closed to isolate the liner head nozzle  64  from the milker line  46  to protect the milk line  46  from being exposed to dip and backflushing fluid.  
         [0046]     The control panel  32  then operates a three-way valve to connect the control panel  32  to the manifold hose  50  and delivers dip into the manifold hose  50 , manifold  34 , dip hose  52 , liner head chamber  62 , and liner head opening  64 . The amount and pressure of the dip is controlled by the valves and the pressure of the source of dip.  
         [0047]     Air is then forced through the manifold hose  50 , manifold  52 , dip hose  52 , and liner head chamber  62  to force dip out of the liner head opening  64 . As the milker unit  44  then begins detachment via a standard detacher mechanism (not illustrated), the liner head  60  mouth wipes dip down the teat sides and deposits an excess dip amount on the teat end.  
         [0048]     Next, normal backflush cycles are used as described above to sanitize the liner between milkings and rinse out any teat dip residue. The system  30  is now ready to repeat the cycle.  
         [0049]     The amount of dip varies depending on formulation, but is typically less than 2 milliliters (ml.) of dip per teat. Air pressure should be as low as possible to force dip through the applicator, and yet minimize forcing dip deep into the liner  38  or out the top of the liner  38 . A small residual amount of vacuum from the milking process may be used to draw dip through the applicator.  
         [0050]     The backflushing cycle helps reduce bacteria transfer between animals milked by the same milker unit. The backflushing cycle preferably includes a chemical cycle that exposes the liner to germicides for a sufficient time and then a rise cycle to remove the germicide, solids, and any other chemical residue. The rinse cycle is followed by a purge cycle that removes any excess rinse water.  
         [0051]      FIG. 3  depicts a teat cup shell  36 , a liner head  60 , and a dip hose  52 . The dip hose  52  continues upward through the shell  36  to connect with the liner head chamber  62 , as described above.  
         [0052]      FIG. 4  depicts a cross-section of a dip hose  52  feeding a liner head chamber  62  within a liner head  60 . The liner head  60  includes at least two liner head openings  64  through which dip is applied. The inner surface of the liner head  60 , includes a number of kerfs  68  to add flexibility to the liner head  60 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a teat cup shell  36 , a liner  38 , and a first backflushing valve  40 .  
         [0053]      FIGS. 6, 7 ,  8 , and  9  illustrate a segment of one embodiment of a liner head  60  in accordance with the present invention. The liner head  60  includes a chamber  62 , and a nipple  70  for connecting to a dip hose (not illustrated in these figures). The liner head  60  also includes a kerf  68  opposite the nipple  70  to provide flexibility. At the end of the nipple  70  there is provided an annular ring  72  that is preferably formed integrally with the nipple  70 , and is used to mate with a nozzle  65  or directly to the dip hose  52 .  
         [0054]     A suitable nozzle  65  at the end of the dip hose  52  is illustrated in  FIGS. 10, 11 ,  12 , and  13 . The nozzle  65  includes an internal bore  76  of a relatively large diameter and an internal elbow  78  of a relatively small diameter to limit the amount of milk that enters the dip hose  52 . Alternatively, a check valve could be used to seal off the dip hose  52 . At the downstream end of the elbow  78 , there is an annular recess  80  sized and positioned to mate with the annular ring  72  on the liner head nipple  72 . This is a preferred means providing a releasable and secure connection between the nozzle  65  and the liner head  60 .  
         [0055]      FIGS. 14, 15 ,  16 , and  17  illustrate a larger segment of a liner head  60  with  FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrating a liner head segment  60  extended (or flattened) out for illustration purposes. The liner head  60  could be manufactured this way as well. The liner head  60  includes a liner head chamber  62  that has an open end  82  and a terminal end  84 . The liner head chamber  62  feeds at least two liner head openings  64  to provide adequate coverage of the teat with dip. Kerfs  68  are provided as well. In this manner, the liner head  60  can be manufactured and attached to a liner  38  or the liner head  60  can be formed integrally with the liner  38 .  
         [0056]      FIGS. 18, 19 ,  20 , and  21  illustrate another alternate liner head  60  segment defining a liner head chamber  62  that is continuous around the liner head  60 . This liner head segment  60  includes four liner head openings  64 , a nipple  70 , and an annular ring  72  for mating with a dip hose  52 . A number of kerfs  68  are formed in the inner surface of the liner head  60  to provide flexibility.  
         [0057]      FIGS. 22, 23 ,  24 , and  25  illustrate another alternate embodiment of a liner head  60  that includes a liner head chamber  62  and a nipple  70 . A reinforced portion  88  is provided in the area adjacent the nipple  70 . The reinforced portion  88  also includes a number of alternate kerfs  90  to provide flexibility of the liner head  60  in the reinforced section.  
         [0058]     The foregoing detailed description is provided for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations therefrom should be read into the following claims.