Patent Publication Number: US-2015075434-A1

Title: Lip member, a teatcup liner and a teatcup

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention refers to a lip member configured to be comprised by a teatcup liner of a teatcup, as an integrated or separate part of the teatcup liner. More precisely, the present invention refers to a lip member according to the preamble of claim  1 . The present invention also refers to a teatcup liner comprising a lip member, and to a teatcup. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART 
     During the application of the teatcup liner to a teat, during milking and during the removal of the teatcup liner from the teat, the lip of the teatcup liner is subjected to deformation. The deformation is due to setting of the lip material, and the setting is due to a high stress that is built up in the lip material. After a certain time and use of the teatcup liner, the deformation may be permanent, and thus the ability to close tightly around the teat is reduced or get lost. In other words the deformation causes the teatcup liner to slip, i.e. to take in air. The deformation will therefore have a negative impact on the milking performance. 
     This problem is especially accentuated in connection with the use of new plastic materials in the teatcup liner, such as thermo-plastic elastomers, TPE, or thermo-plastic vulcanisates, TPV. 
     GB-1313457 discloses a lip member for a teatcup liner. The lip member comprise a first end, configured to be turned towards an udder of an animal to be milked, a second end, configured to be turned away from the udder, and a longitudinal centre axis extending through the first end and through the second end. An annular base extends around the centre axis. A lip comprises a lip edge defining an opening for receiving a teat of the animal to be milked. The lip extends in mounted rest state inwardly and upwardly from the annular base towards the centre axis to the lip edge. The lip has an oscillating shape with a plurality of oscillations seen radially from the centre axis. Each oscillation comprises a peak portion and valley portion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,898,790 discloses a similar lip member for a teatcup. In this case the oscillations follow a spiral path on top of the lip member seen along the centre axis. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,028,656 discloses a teatcup liner made of various materials, such as thermo-plastic elastomers, TPE, or thermo-plastic vulcanisates, TPV. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to overcome the problems discussed above and to provide an improved lip member configured to be comprised by a teatcup liner. More specifically, the object is to provide a lip member having a design permitting low stresses in the lip during use of the lip member, and permitting a uniform distribution of the stresses. 
     This object is achieved by the lip member initially defined, which is characterised in that the lip slopes from the annular base towards the second end at least in the mounted rest state. 
     Thanks to the oscillations, or wave-shape, the stretching and the deformation of the lip, especially in the proximity of the lip edge, is significantly reduced in comparison with a lip without oscillations during use of the lip member. The oscillations therefore contribute to a longer lifetime of the lip member since the stresses during use will be less. The sloping of the lip towards the second end also contributes to less deformation and less stretching of the lip, especially in the proximity of the lip edge. Since the lip is turned already in advance in the introductory direction for the teat, no great: deformation is needed, but only a straightening of the oscillations and a slight bending downwardly and outwardly. After milking when the udder is less tense, the teat may he easily and quickly removed from the teatcup liner through the opening of the lip member. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, the oscillating shape comprises at least four oscillations, or waves, and at most seven oscillations, or waves. Such a number of oscillations ensures a tight abutment against the teat during milking. Preferably, the oscillating shape, or wave-shape, may comprise at least four oscillations, or waves, and at most six oscillations, or waves. More preferably, the oscillating shape may comprise at least four oscillations, or waves, and at most five oscillations, or waves. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, the amplitude of the oscillations decreases from the lip edge towards the annular base. Advantageously, the amplitude of the oscillations of the lip may be zero at the annular base. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, each peak portion and each valley portion extend in a radial direction when seen along the longitudinal centre axis. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, the annular base extends from the first end towards the second end. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lip member comprises an annular end surface provided on the annular base at the first end. Advantageously, the annular end surface may be plane, or substantially plane. The annular end surface may lie in an end plane being perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the longitudinal centre axis. Such an annular end surface provides a suitable surface for applying the lip member and the teacup on a cleaning device. The annular end surface may abut tightly the support surface of the cleaning device, thereby ensuring an efficient cleaning of the teatcup and avoiding leakage of cleaning liquid during the cleaning operation. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lip extends from the annular base from a position between the first end and the second end. The lip will thus not interfere with the annular end surface. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lip edge is located at a position between the first end and the second end at least in the mounted rest state. Advantageously, each peak portion is located between the first end and the second end at least in the mounted rest state. Thus each peak portion may be completely located beneath the first end or the end plane. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, the annular base has a tubular shape between the first end and the second end. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lip and the annular base are manufactured of thermo-plastic elastomers, TPE, or thermo-plastic vulcanisates. 
     The object is also achieved by the teatcup liner initially defined, which comprises a barrel with an upper end portion, and a lip member as defined above, wherein the lip member is detachably or permanently attached to the upper end portion. 
     Furthermore, the object is achieved by the teatcup initially defined, which comprises a teatcup liner having a lip member as defined above. The lip member may thus form a separate part of the teatcup liner, or form an integrated part of the teatcup liner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       The present invention will now be explained more closely by means of a description of various embodiments and with reference to the drawings attached hereto. 
         FIG. 1  discloses a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of a teatcup according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  discloses a longitudinal section of a lip member and a cartridge of the teatcup in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  discloses a side view of the lip member of the teatcup in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  discloses a sectional view of the lip member in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  discloses a view from above of the lip member in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  discloses a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of a teatcup according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  discloses a teatcup attached to a teat T of an udder U of an animal to be milked according to a first embodiment. The teatcup comprises a cartridge  1  and a connector  2 . The teatcup may also comprise a lip member  3 , as a separate or integrated part of a teatcup liner. In addition, the teatcup may comprise or be connected to a milk conduit  4 , such as a short milk conduit. Moreover, the teatcup may comprise or be connected to a pulse conduit  5 . 
     A longitudinal centre axis x extends through and along the teatcup, i.e. the cartridge  1 , the connector  2  and the lip member  3 . The longitudinal centre axis x also extends through and along the milk conduit  4  when it is in a rest state. 
     The cartridge  1 , see also  FIG. 2 , comprises a sleeve  6  having an upper end  6   a  and a lower end  6   b,  and a barrel  7  mounted in the sleeve  6 . In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cartridge is shown in a mounted state, i.e. the barrel  7  is mounted in the sleeve  6 . The barrel  7  has or forms an inner space  8  for receiving the teat. A pulsation chamber  9  is provided or formed between an inner side of the sleeve  6  and an outer side of the barrel  7 . The barrel  7  may form a separate or integrated part of the teatcup liner. 
     The barrel  7  comprises an upper end portion  7   a  located at the upper end  6   a  of the sleeve  6 , a barrel portion  7   c  and a lower end portion  7   b  located at the lower end of the sleeve  6 . The barrel portion  7   c  is an intermediate tubular portion provided between and adjoining the upper end portion  7   a  and the lower end portion  7   b . The barrel portion  7   c  is the main part of the barrel  7  and is in contact with the teat of the animal during milking. 
     The lower end portion  7   b  extends from a position within the sleeve  6  away from and beyond the lower end  6   b  of the sleeve  6 . The lower end portion  7   b  forms an end nozzle  10 . The end nozzle  10  is the part of the lower end portion  7   b  that extends beyond the lower end  8   b  of the sleeve  8 . The end nozzle  10  forms an outlet from the inner space  8 . 
     The end nozzle  10  has a tapering external shape configured to be received in the milk conduit  4  for transporting the milk from the inner space  8  to the milk conduit  4 . The end nozzle  10  also has a tapering internal shape forming a tapering outlet for the milk from the inner space  8  of the barrel  7 . 
     The barrel portion  7   c  of the barrel  7  is made of a first material having a relatively high elasticity. The lower end portion  7   b  of the barrel  7  is made of a second material, which is different from the first material and has a different composition. The second material has a relatively low elasticity in comparison with the relatively high elasticity of the first material of the barrel portion  7   c.    
     The first material may consist of or comprise rubber, black rubber, silicone rubber, elastic polymers, such as thermo-plastic elastomers, TPE, thermo-plastic vulcanisates, TPV, or any other suitable elastic material. 
     The second material may consist of or comprise a suitable polymer with low elasticity, such as polyeten, polypropene, etc. 
     The upper end portion  7   a  is made in a third material having a relatively low elasticity in comparison with the relatively high elasticity of the first material of the barrel portion  7   c.  The third material may be a material having similar or the same composition and/or properties as the second material of the lower end portion  7   b.    
     The barrel portion  7   c  is attached to the lower end portion  7   b  by a lower permanent joint  11 . Such a permanent joint  11  may be formed by a melt joint, a weld Joint or a chemical bonding between the first material and the second material. 
     The barrel portion  7   c  is also attached to the upper end portion  7   a  by an upper permanent joint  12 . Such a permanent joint  12  may be formed by a melt joint, a weld joint or a chemical bonding between the first material and the third material. 
     The lower and/or upper permanent joints  11 ,  12  my be formed by melting of at least one of the first material and the second material at the permanent joint. The lower and/or upper permanent joints  11 ,  12  may also be obtained through vulcanisation. 
     Alternatively, the barrel portion  7   c  and the lower end portion  7   b  and/or the upper end portion  7   a  are made of the same material, for instance in one single piece, preferably through injection moulding. 
     The sleeve  6  is made of a fourth material having a relatively low elasticity. The fourth material may be a material having similar or the same composition and/or properties as the same material as the second material. 
     The lower end portion  7   b  of the barrel  7  comprises a lower engagement member  14 , which engages the sleeve  6  in such a manner that the barrel portion  7   c  of the barrel  7  is maintained in a stretched state in the sleeve  6 . The lower engagement member  14  comprises, or is formed as, an annular flange extending outwardly at least beyond an inner diameter of an end surface of the lower end  6   b  of the sleeve  6 . The annular flange of the lower end portion  7   b  may extend radially or substantially radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal centre axis x. The annular flange of the lower end portion  7   b  extends beyond and abuts the end surface of the lower end  6   b  of the sleeve  6 . 
     The upper end portion  7   a  of the barrel  7  comprises an upper engagement member  15 , which engages the sleeve  6  at the upper end  6   a  of the sleeve  6 . The upper engagement member  15  comprises, or is formed as, an upper annular flange extending outwardly at least beyond an inner diameter of an end surface of the upper end  6   a  of the sleeve  6 . The annular flange of the upper engagement member  15  may extend radially or substantially radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal centre axis x. In the embodiment disclose, the annular flange of the upper engagement member  15  of the upper end portion  7   a  abuts an outwardly bent part of the first material of the barrel portion  7   c , which in turn abuts the end surface of the upper end  6   a  of the sleeve  6 . 
     The sleeve  6  comprises a sealing ring  17  extending around an outer surface of the sleeve  6 . The sealing ring  17  is configured to engage a surface, especially an end surface, of the connector  2 , as will be described below. 
     Moreover, the sleeve  6  comprises a hole  18  through the sleeve  6 , or through the wall of the sleeve  6 . The hole  18  permits a pulsating vacuum to be applied in the pulsation chamber  9 . The hole  18  is provided between the sealing ring  17  and the lower end  6   b  of the sleeve  6 . 
     The lip member  3  is in the first embodiment disclosed attached to the cartridge  1  and the upper end portion  7   a  of the barrel  7 , as can be seen in  FIG. 1 , by means of a connection member  19 . The lip member  3  may be detachably attached to the cartridge  1 , or attached in connection with the mounting of the teatcup with the purpose of being permanently attached to the cartridge  1  and the upper end portion  7   a.  Thus, the connection member  19  is configured to permit snap connection of the lip member  3 , but may not allow detachment of the lip member  3 . In  FIG. 2  the lip member  3  is shown in a detached state with respect to the barrel  7  and the cartridge  1 . Alternatively, the lip member  3  may be detachably attached to the sleeve  6 . 
     The connector  2  comprises a casing  24 , which has a bottom wall  25  and a surrounding wall  26  having an inner surface. The casing  24  defines a connection space  27 . The bottom wall  25  is plane or substantially plane. 
     The connector  2 , or the casing  24 , comprises an inlet opening  28  for the cartridge  1  to the connection space  27 , and an outlet opening  29  for the milk conduit  4 . The outlet opening  29  extends through the bottom wall  25  and is configured to receive and hold the milk conduit  4 . In the first embodiment, the longitudinal centre axis x extends concentrically through the casing  24  and through the inlet opening  28  and the outlet opening  29 , wherein the bottom wall  25  extends perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal centre axis x. 
     The connector  2  is connected to the cartridge  1  by means of locking means. The locking means is provided on the inner surface of the surrounding wall  26 . Corresponding locking means is provided on the outer side of the sleeve  6 . The corresponding locking means is provided between the sealing ring  17  and the lower end  6   b  of the sleeve  6 . The locking means may comprise on or more outer bayonet coupling parts  31  on the inner surface of the casing  24 . The corresponding locking means may comprise one or more inner bayonet coupling parts  32  on the outer surface of the sleeve  6  of the cartridge  1 . The outer bayonet coupling parts  31  and the inner bayonet coupling parts  32  form a bayonet coupling permitting secure locking of the cartridge  1  in the connector  2 . 
     Furthermore, the connector  2  comprises an outer shell  34  extending beyond the inlet opening  28  of the casing  24 . The outer shell  34  is tubular and attached to an end portion  24   a  of the casing  24 . The purpose of the outer shell  34  is to protect the cartridge  1 . The outer shell  34  may be made of a relatively rigid material, for instance as plastics or metal, such as stainless steel. 
     The casing  24  also comprises an aperture  35  extending through the casing  24  into the connection space  27 . Furthermore, the connector  2  or the casing  24  comprises a holding member  36  configured to hold the pulse conduit  5  in a flow communication with the aperture  35  and the pulsating chamber  9  via the hole  18  for communicating a pulsating vacuum to the connection space  27  and to the pulsating chamber  9 . 
     The milk conduit  4 , or short milk conduit is tubular and comprises a first end portion  4   a  defining a first end, a second end portion  4   b  defining a second end, and a conduit portion  4   c  between the first end portion  4   a  and the second end portion  4   b.  The milk conduit  4  defines a milk channel  40  extending through the first end portion  4   a,  the conduit portion  4   c  and the second end portion  4   b.    
     The first end of the milk conduit  4  may be defined or formed by a plane, or substantially plane, end surface from which the milk channel  40  extends. 
     The first end portion  4   a  of the milk conduit  4  has an external tapering shape from the first end to the conduit portion  4   c.  The milk conduit  4  thus has a greater outer diameter at the first end compared to the outer diameter at the conduit portion  4   c.    
     The first end portion  4   a  is configured to be received in the outlet opening  29  extending through the bottom wall  25  of the connector  2  of the teatcup. The first end portion  4   a  comprises a first circumferential groove  41  configured to engage the bottom wall  25 , see  FIG. 1 . The first circumferential groove  41  is positioned at a distance from the first end and at a distance from the conduit portion  4   c.    
     The milk channel  40  of the first end portion  4   a  has an internal tapering shape from the first end towards the milk channel  40  of the conduit portion  4   c.    
     The second end portion  4   b  comprises a second circumferential groove  42 , which is configured to be received in any suitable milk-receiving member or milk-collecting member, such as a claw, not disclosed. The second circumferential groove  42  is positioned at a distance from the second end and at a distance from the conduit portion  4   c.  Also the second end portion  4   b  has an external tapering shape from the second end to the conduit portion  4   c.    
     The milk conduit  4  is made of a hose material having a relatively high elasticity in the order of the elasticity of the first material of the barrel portion. For instance, the milk conduit  4  may be manufactured of natural rubber, black rubber, silicone rubber or thermo-plastic elastomers, TPE, thermo-plastic vulcanisates, TPV. The conduit portion  4   c  comprises an bending area  43  having a locally decreased outer diameter, and thus a locally increased elasticity to provide a predetermined area for bending of the milk conduit  4 . 
     Also the pulse conduit  5  may be made of a hose material having a relatively high elasticity, possibly the same hose material as the material of the milk conduit  4 . The pulse conduit  5  has a attachment end portion  5   a  to be engaged by the holding member  36 . The pulse conduit  5  defines or encloses a pulse channel  51  extending along the pulse conduit  5  through the attachment end portion  5   a.  The attachment end portion  5   a  defines an opening of the pulse channel  51 . When the pulse conduit  5  is engaged by the holding member  36 , the opening is positioned opposite to the opening  35  through the casing  24 . 
     The lip member  3 , see  FIGS. 2 to 5 , comprises a first end  3   a , configured to be turned towards an udder of an animal to be milked, and a second end  3   b,  configured to be turned away from the udder U. The longitudinal centre axis x extends through the first end  3   a  and through the second end  3   b.    
     The lip member  3  also comprises an annular base  60  extending around the longitudinal centre axis x, and a lip  61  comprising a lip edge  62  defining an opening for receiving the teat T of the animal to be milked.  12 . The annular base  60  has a tubular shape between the first end  3   a  and the second end  3   b,  and extends from the first end  3   a  towards the second end  3   b.  The annular base  60  is connected to the connection member  19  extending beyond the annular base  60  to the second end  3   b.  The lip  61  extends from the tubular annular base  60  at the first end  3   a.    
     In  FIGS. 2 to 5 , the lip member  3  is shown in a rest state, whereas the lip member  3  in  FIG. 1  is shown in an active state in which the lip  60  surrounds and abut the teat T. In the rest state of the lip member  3 , the lip  61  thus extends inwardly from the annular base  60  towards the longitudinal centre axis x to the lip edge  62 . 
     The lip  61  has an oscillating shape, or wave shape, with a plurality of oscillations seen radially from the longitudinal centre axis x. Each oscillation comprises a peak portion  63  and valley portion  64 . In the first embodiment, the oscillating shape comprises five oscillations, i.e. five peak portions  63  and five valley portions  64 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the valley portions  64  are more extended along the lip edge  62  than the peak portions  63 . 
     The oscillations, i.e. the peak portions  63  and the valley portions  64 , extend along a length from lip edge  62  to a position at the annular base  60 . The lip  61  has a thickness. In the embodiments disclosed, the thickness is constant, or substantially constant. Especially, the thickness is constant, or substantially constant, along the length of the oscillations. 
     It is to be noted that the number of oscillation may be another than five, for instance four oscillations, six oscillations or seven oscillations. 
     The amplitude of the oscillations of the lip  61  may decrease from the lip edge  62  towards the annular base  60 . At the annular base  60 , the amplitude of the oscillations of the lip  61  may be zero. However, It is also possible to let the oscillations continue, with a constant amplitude or with a decreasing amplitude, to the annular base 
     In the first embodiment, each peak portion  63  and each valley portion  64  extend in a radial direction, when the peak portions and the valley portions  63  are seen along the longitudinal centre axis x. It is to be noted that the peak portions  63  and the valley portions  64 , alternatively, may be inclined in relation to the radial direction when seen along the longitudinal centre axis x, be curved in relation to the radial direction seen along the longitudinal centre axis x. 
     The lip member  3  comprises an annular end surface  65  provided on the annular base  60  at the first end  3   a,  see  FIGS. 5 and 4 . The annular end surface  65  is preferably plane, or substantially plane. Preferably, the annular end surface may be provided in a plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal centre axis x. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the lip  61  slopes from the annular base  60 , or from the annular end surface  65 , towards the second end  3   b  in the rest state. Thus, the lip  61  extends from the annular base  60  from a position at the annular end surface, i.e. at the first end  3   a,  to a position between the first end  3   a  and the second end  3   b.  Thus, the lip edge  62  may be located at a position between the first end  3   a  and the second end  3   b  at least in the rest state. Advantageously, each peak portion  64  is located between the first end  3   a  and the second end  3   b  at least in the rest state. Thanks to this configuration, the annular end surface will provide the end plane of the lip member  3 , i.e. no part of the lip member  3  will project beyond the annular end surface enabling the teatcup to be positioned on a support surface of a cleaning device. 
     The lip  61  and the annular base  60  are manufactured of thermo-plastic elastomers, TPE, or thermo-plastic vulcanisate, TPV. The lip  61  and the annular base  60  are thus also made of a relatively elastic material, possibly a material having similar or the same composition and/or properties as the first material of the barrel portion  7   c.    
     The thermo-plastic vulcanisates, TPV, may comprise a thermo-plastic continuous phase and a cross-linked rubber discontinuous phase. 
     The connection member  19  may be manufactured of the above-mentioned second material that may consist of or comprise a suitable polymer with low elasticity, such as polyeten, polypropene, etc. 
       FIG. 6  discloses a second embodiment, which differs from the first embodiment in that the lip member  3 , which is a part of the teatcup liner, is permanently joined to the upper end portion  7   a,  or being manufactured in one single piece with the upper end portion  7   a  or with the barrel  7 . The teatcup liner with the lip member  3  is not associated with a cartridge, but introduced in a shell  70  to form a teatcup of a more conventional design except for the configuration of the lip member  3  and the lip  61 . The lip  61  and the annular base  60  have the same design as in the first embodiment. 
     The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.