NL2010864C2

NL2010864C2 - Disinfection dip system for a nipple.

Info

Publication number: NL2010864C2
Application number: NL2010864A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Marcel Wenum
Original assignee: M Van Wenum Holding B V
Priority date: 2013-05-27
Filing date: 2013-05-27
Publication date: 2014-12-01
Also published as: EP3003015A1; WO2014193223A1

Abstract

The invention provides a disinfection system (1) for disinfecting a nipple of livestock, more in particular a nipple of a cow, after milking, said disinfection system comprising a disinfection controller (19), that is adapted for operationally coupling to a milking system that comprises at least one set of teat cups (2) coupled to a source of a pulsating vacuum, wherein said disinfection controller is adapted for operationally coupling to a source of pressurized fluid (AIR), and for operationally coupling to a source of disinfectant (DIP) for providing at least one dose of disinfectant, said disinfection controller adapted for activating said source of disinfectant for providing a dose of disinfectant into a conduit system of said disinfection system, and for activating said source of pressurized fluid for forcing said dose of disinfectant via said conduit system out of at least one spray nozzle (22) of said conduit system in response to a signal that said milking system stops said pulsating vacuum but before said teat cups leave teats of an animal of said livestock, said spray nozzles arranged for providing a spray of disinfectant onto nipples in said teat cups.

Description

P100115NL00

Disinfection dip system for a nipple Field of the invention

The invention relates to a disinfection dip system for a nipple of livestock, more in particular the nipple of a cow. The invention further pertains to a milking system comprising a milking claw provided with a series of teat cups. The invention further pertains to a method for disinfecting a nipple/udder of livestock after milking.

Background of the invention

Automated milking systems, for instance milking robots, are common place nowadays. Many documents disclose theses milking systems. In order to automate milking, many actions surrounding the actual milking may be automated. Again, many documents refer to these actions.

Before applying a milking claw to the udders, the udders are cleaned. Systems are available that brush the udders, and systems are available that spray the udders, for instance using water. After cleaning, a milking claw having a series of teat cups is applied to the teats (or nipples) of the udder (in case of a cow).

After the actual milking, the teat cups of a milking claw are cleaned in order to prevent cross contamination of animals. Various documents disclose cleaning systems for the udder of a cow. Usually, cleaning is done by spraying cleaning liquid into the teat cups, usually against the walls of a liner provided in the teat cups. This is done after the teat cups have fallen off of the nipples.

Between the end of the actual milking, i.e., milk flowing from teat into the teat cup and further, and before the cleaning of the teat cups, there are systems available that apply disinfectant to the teats of a cow. This disinfecting step is also referred to as “dipping”. This disinfecting after milking is done in particular to prevent mastitis. Most of these systems do not provide sufficient disinfection, or use relatively large amounts of disinfectant.

Summary of the invention A disadvantage of prior art is the insufficient disinfection of nipples, in particular the nipples of livestock.

Hence, it is an aspect of the invention to provide an alternative disinfection system which preferably further at least partly obviates one or more of above-described drawbacks.

The invention thus provides a disinfection system for disinfecting a nipple of livestock, more in particular a nipple of a cow, after milking, said disinfection system comprising a disinfection controller, that is adapted for operationally coupling to a milking system that comprises at least one set of teat cups coupled to a source of a pulsating vacuum, wherein said disinfection controller is adapted for operationally coupling to a source of pressurized fluid, and for operationally coupling to a source of disinfectant for providing at least one dose of disinfectant, said disinfection controller adapted for activating said source of disinfectant for providing a dose of disinfectant into a conduit system of said disinfection system in response to a signal that said milking system stops said pulsating vacuum but before said teat cups leave teats of an animal of said livestock, and for activating said source of pressurized fluid for forcing said dose of disinfectant via said conduit system out of at least one spray nozzle of said conduit system, said spray nozzles arranged for providing a spray of disinfectant onto nipples in said teat cups.

It was found that in order to provide a sufficient disinfection of a teat or nipple, only the end part of the actual milk channel of the teat needs to be provided with a layer of disinfectant, as well as a small end part of the teat or nipple. Furthermore, it was found that this could best be done while the milking channel was still open, this means shortly after the milk stops flowing from the milk channel. It was found that this might well be done while the milking vacuum (actually, under-pressure) was still on the teat cups.

In this application, reference is made to “nipples”. The nipples are those parts of a usually female mammal where one or more milk channels exit. With for instance cows, the nipples may also be referred to as “teats”. Wikipedia, for instance, defines it as follows: “In its most general form, a nipple is a structure from which a fluid emanates. More specifically, it is the projection on the breasts or udder of a mammal by which breast milk is delivered to a mother's young. In this sense, it is often called a teat, especially when referring to non-humans, and the medical term used to refer to it is papilla.” A joiner is an element that combines two or more flows into less flows. In fact, usually a joiner combines two or more flows into a single flow. In fact, it can also be seem as a splitter that is mounted in a reverse manner. An often-used type of joiner (or splitter) that can be used in the current invention is a Y-joiner or a Y-splitter. A Y-joiner combiner two flows into one flow, and a Y-splitter splits one flow into two flows.

The terms “upstream” and “downstream” relate the flow direction of disinfectant from the source of disinfectant to a teat cup, where the teat cup is downstream of the source of disinfectant.

In an embodiment, said conduit system comprises a downstream conduit coupled to at least one downstream conduit outlet end comprising said at least one spray nozzle.

In an embodiment, said conduit system has at least one downstream ends that are provided with said spray nozzles. The conduit system may have one or more ends that are provided with a nozzle. For instance, in use in a milking system for cows, the conduit system may end in four conduit parts that each have a spray nozzle. The disinfection system may thus provide each nipple of a cow with one spray nozzle.

In an embodiment of the disinfection system, said downstream conduit at an upstream end is coupled to an outlet of a first joiner coupling said downstream conduit via a disinfectant inlet to a disinfectant conduit. The disinfectant conduit in turn at an upstream end is coupled to a source of disinfectant (DIP). Via a second inlet, it may be coupled to a second conduit. The second conduit at its upstream end may be coupled to said source of pressurized fluid. In particular, compressed air (AIR) may be used as a reliable and easily to obtain source of pressurized fluid.

In an embodiment of the disinfection system, said disinfection controller is adapted for providing said dose of disinfectant passed said first joiner, and providing a dose of pressurized fluid for spraying said dose of disinfectant through said downstream conduit and out of said at least one nozzle after said milking and in response to said signal. The disinfectant and pressurized fluid may in an embodiment be provided at substantially the same time. Often, the pressurized fluid is provided as soon as of shortly after disinfectant is dosed. In particular said disinfection controller is adapted for first providing said dose of disinfectant and subsequently providing said dose of pressurized fluid. Thus, it better to assure that the entire dose of disinfectant is to be applied, or a defined amount of disinfectant is applied.

In an embodiment, said first joiner comprises a check valve in said disinfectant inlet that is coupled to said disinfectant conduit.

In an embodiment, said second inlet of said first joiner is upstream coupled to a second joiner. The joiner has a first inlet coupled to source of cleaning fluid (WATER) and a second inlet coupled to said source of pressurized fluid (AIR).

In an embodiment, said at least one downstream conduit outlet end comprises a non-retum valve. In particular, the non-retum valve is positioned upstream of said at least one nozzle.

In an embodiment, said at least one nozzle and said non-retum valve are integrated in at least one non-return nozzle. Thus, no complex devices are needed to operate the system.

In an embodiment, said non-retum nozzle comprising a chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end. It further comprises a closure body moveable in said chamber between said inlet end and said outlet end.

In an embodiment, said closure body is spring-biased via a spring part against an inlet seat for closing off said inlet end of said non-return nozzle.

In an embodiment, said outlet end comprising an outlet seat for said closure body, said outlet seat having passages defining a nozzle when said closure body rests against said outlet seat. The closure body may be a ball, and the seat may be adapted to receive said ball sealingly or in a sealing manner against said seat. In an embodiment, the passages may be at least one (substantially) radial groove in said seat. For instance, a notch may be made in the seat. Thus, a passage with a cross sectional area of less than 1 mm is provided. In particular, the cross sectional area will be less than 0.1 mm . The passage has such dimensions that it in fact atomized the disinfectant under the influence of the pressurized fluid that forces the disinfectant through the passage or passages.

In an embodiment, a size of said closure body and an internal size of said chamber are dimensioned to allow fluid to pass said closure body.

In an embodiment, said source of pressurized fluid and a spring force of said spring part are mutually adapted and configured in order to allow said pressurized fluid to press said closure body against said outlet seat. The pressure force of the disinfectant flow should be enough to activate the press the disinfectant up to the non-retum nozzle, but prevent leakage or exit of disinfectant, but also prevent milk from entering during milking. The pressure of the pressurized fluid should be (at least) sufficient to firmly pross the closure against the outlet seat.

In an embodiment, said disinfection controller is further coupled to said source of cleaning fluid for providing a dose of cleaning fluid for allowing cleaning of said teat cups after said dose of pressurized fluid is provided. The cleaning fluid may also be sprayed into the teat cups.

In an embodiment, The length of said downstream conduit is adapted for holding a dose of disinfectant. In an embodiment, it is adapted to hold at least a dose of disinfectant.

In an embodiment, a pressure of said source of disinfectant (DIP) and a biasing force in said biased check valve in said joiner are mutually adapted to force said disinfectant through said to biased valve. The biased valve may in an embodiment comprised a spring-biased ball valve. The ball may require a downstream-directed fluid pressure to be opened.

In an embodiment, said disinfection controller is adapted to provide a dose of pressurized fluid during a duration adapted to provide said dose of disinfectant. The required amount of pressurized fluid should be sufficient to force a predefined dose of disinfectant through the conduit system and out of the at least one nozzle. In fact, it should be enough to spray the dose of disinfectant out of the nozzle, and in an embodiment atomize the disinfectant out of the at least one spray nozzle.

The invention further relates to a milking system comprising a milking claw provided with a series of teat cups and the disinfection system described in this application. In particular, said milking system comprise at least one teat cup which comprise an opening in its or their upper end for introducing a nipple in said teat cup. A teat cup further comprises a milk conduit in the lower end of said teat cup. In an embodiment, said nozzles of said disinfection system are provided in each teat cup in the lower end upstream of said milk conduit.

As such, a milking system is known and may comprise or be part of a milking robot.

The invention further relates to a method for disinfecting at least one nipple of livestock after milking, comprising the steps of providing an amount of disinfectant in a conduit system coupled to, and exiting in, the lower end of a teat cup via at least one spray nozzle, and providing a burst of pressurized fluid to said conduit system for displacing, more in particular atomizing, said disinfectant via said at least one spray nozzle into said teat cup.

The invention further relates to a computer program product which, when running on a computer system, allows said computer system to preform the steps of: a. receiving a signal; b. in response to said signal activating a source of disinfectant for providing a dose of disinfectant into a conduit system of a disinfection system, and activating a source of pressurized fluid for forcing said dose of disinfectant via said conduit system out of at least one spray nozzle of said conduit system.

In an embodiment, the signal may comprise an electronic, optical, or acoustic signal. In many cases, the signal will be an electronic signal from a further milking system. The signal may also be transferred wirelessly. The signal may be part of a “stop milking” signal from a further milking system, or it may be provided to the disinfectant system via a milking system.

The invention further relates to a disinfection controller for a disinfection system for a milking system, said disinfection controller comprising: - an input device for intercepting a signal from a controller of a milking system, said signal representative of a stop milking signal; - a delay device, operationally coupled to said input device and for applying a delay to said signal, and - an output device, operationally coupled to said delay device and for relaying said intercepted, delayed signal back to said milking system.

The delay device may in an embodiment be software-inplemented.

In an embodiment, the disinfectant controller further comprising a control device that is operationally coupled to said input device, said control device adapted for in operation performing the steps of: - receiving a start signal from said input device; - in response to said start signal activating a source of disinfectant for providing a dose of disinfectant into a conduit system of said disinfection system, and - activating a source of pressurized fluid for forcing said dose of disinfectant via said conduit system out of at least one spray nozzle of said conduit system.

A valve can be a flow controlling device. It may also regulates the flow, or both regulates and controls the pressure. Types are in general: ball valves, butterfly valves, gate valves, globe valves, needle valves, plug valves, spherical valves, fixed cone valves, and non-return (check) valves

Valves may be operated manually, either by a handle, lever, pedal or wheel. Valves may also be automatic, driven by changes in pressure, temperature, or flow. These changes may act upon a diaphragm or a piston which in turn activates the valve, examples of this type of valve found commonly are safety valves fitted to hot water systems or boilers.

A valve in general is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. An example of a simple valve is a freely hinged flap which drops to obstruct fluid (gas or liquid) flow in one direction, but is pushed open by flow in the opposite direction. A valve that prevents or "checks" the flow in one direction is generally called a check valve. Other words that are used besides check valve are clack valve, non-retum valve or one-way valve. In general in other words it is a mechanical device or valve which allows fluid to flow through it in only one direction.

Check valves are usually two-port valves, meaning they have two openings or passages in a body, one for fluid to enter and the other for fluid to leave. There are various types of check valves used in a wide variety of applications. The bodies (external shells) of most check valves are made of plastic or metal.

In check valves a cracking pressure is defined, which is the minimum upstream pressure at which the valve will operate. Typically a check valve is designed for, and can therefore be specified for, a specific cracking pressure.

A ball check valve is a check valve in which a closing member, a movable part to block a flow, is a spherical ball. The ball may be spring-loaded to help keep it shut, blocking the flow. For those designs that are not spring loaded, for instance without a spring, a reverse flow may be required to move the ball toward a seat and create a seal. The interior surface the seat or seats of a ball check valve can be more or less conically-tapered to guide the ball into the seat and form a positive seal when stopping reverse flow. The ball may be made of metal, but can also be made of other materials.

Other check valves comprise a disc as a closure body, or some other shaped body, such as a poppet which may be energized by a spring.

A swing check valve or tilting disc check valve is check valve in which a disc, the movable part or closure body to block the flow, swings on a hinge or trunnion, either onto the seat to block reverse flow or off the seat to allow forward flow. The seat opening cross-section may be perpendicular to the centre line between the two ports or at an angle. Another variation of this mechanism is the clapper valve. In a clapper valve, a hinged gate only remains open in the inflowing direction. The clapper valve often also has a spring that keeps the gate shut when there is no forward pressure.

A lift-check valve is an example of a check valve in which a disc, sometimes called a lift, can be lifted up off its seat by higher pressure of inlet or upstream fluid to allow flow to the outlet or downstream side. A guide keeps motion of the disc on a vertical line, so the valve can later reseat properly. When the pressure is no longer higher, gravity or higher downstream pressure will cause the disc to lower onto its seat, shutting the valve to stop reverse flow.

An in-line check valve is an example of a check valve that is similar to the lift check valve. It generally has a spring that will 'lift' when there is pressure on the upstream side of the valve. The pressure needed on the upstream side of the valve to overcome the spring tension is called the 'cracking pressure'. When the pressure going through the valve goes below the cracking pressure, the spring will close the valve to prevent back-flow in the process.

A duckbill valve is an example of a check valve in which flow proceeds through a soft tube that protrudes into the downstream side. Back-pressure collapses this tube, cutting off flow.

Another check valves is a double ball check valves. In these check valves, there are two ball/seat combinations sequentially in the same body to ensure positive leak-tight shutoff when blocking reverse flow. Other check valves are piston check valves, wafer check valves, and ball-and-cone check valves.

A solenoid valve is an example of an electromechanically operated valve. Such a valve is controlled by an electric current through a solenoid: in the case of a two-port valve the flow is switched on or off; in the case of a three-port valve, the outflow is switched between the two outlet ports. Multiple solenoid valves can be placed together on a manifold.

For providing a flow of fluid, an actuator is used. Besides the plunger-type actuator which is used most frequently, pivoted-armature actuators and rocker actuators are also used. More complex control systems using valves may require automatic control based on an external input (i.e., regulating flow through a pipe to a changing set point) require an actuator. An actuator will stroke the valve depending on its input and set-up, allowing the valve to be positioned accurately, and allowing control over a variety of requirements.

The seat of a valve is the interior surface of the body contacting the closure body, such as a disc, to form a leak-tight seal. In discs that move linearly or swing on a hinge or trunnion, the disc comes into contact with the seat only when the valve is shut. In disks that rotate, the seat is always in contact with the disk, but the area of contact changes as the disc is turned. The seat remains stationary relative to the body.

Seats can be classified by whether they are cut directly into the body, or if they are made of a different material. For instance, hard seats are integral to the valve body. Nearly all hard seated metal valves have a small amount of leakage. On the other hand, soft seats are fitted to the valve body and made of softer materials such as PTFE or various elastomers such as NBR, EPDM, or FKM depending on the maximum operating temperature. A closed soft seated valve is much less liable to leak when shut while hard seated valves are more durable. Gate, globe, and check valves are usually hard seated while butterfly, ball, plug, and diaphragm valves are usually soft seated.

A valve may further comprise one or more gaskets. Gaskets are mechanical seals, or packings, used to prevent the leakage of a gas or fluids from valves.

Many valves have a spring for spring-loading or spring-biasing, to normally shift the closure body into some position by default but allow control to reposition the closure body. Relief valves commonly use a spring to keep the valve shut, but allow excessive pressure to force the valve open against the spring-loading. Coil springs can be used. Typical spring materials include zinc plated steel, stainless steel, and for high temperature applications Inconel X750.

The term “substantially” herein, such as in “substantially all emission” or in “substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of’.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

The devices or apparatus herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device or apparatus claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The invention further applies to an apparatus or device comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 schematically depicts a so called milking claw with teat cups and part of a disinfection system;

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a disinfection system;

Figure 3 shows a cross section of a joiner that can be used in the milking claw of figure 1 or the disinfection system of figure 2;

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a ‘non-return nozzle’.

The drawings are not necessarily on scale

Description of preferred embodiments

First, some of the general parts of a milking system will be described on the hand of figure 1. The current invention is not limited to this exact type of milking device. Figure 1 shows part of a disinfection system integrated in a (part of a) milking system.

Figure 1 schematically depicts a milking claw that is coupled to an udder of a cow. Such a milking claw is in general use in a milking system. A milking claw has a set of teat cups 2. In general, the teat cups 2 are provided with an inner liner. The teat cups 2 further often comprise a ridged outer teat cup part. The inner liner usually is made from a flexible, resilient rubber or artificial rubber or other elastomeric material, for instance silicon-based material. Between the inner liner of the inner liner or teat cup liner, a pulsating vacuum (or better: lowered or reduced pressure) is applied via vacuum conduits 3, as a result of which the milk flows out of the nipples of the udder and into the teat cups 2. The milk flows from the teat cups 2 via milk conduits 4 into milk collection chamber 7. From there, the milk usually flows via a common milk conduit (not shown) to a milk-air separator (not shown) and eventually into a milk tank (not shown).

In this embodiment, the milk conduits 4 are coupled to the inner liner of the teat cups 2 via a coupling part 6.

Coupled to coupling part 6 is a conduit system. The conduit system has ends provided with spray nozzles 22. The spray nozzles 22 are in this embodiment coupled to the coupling part 6. The spray nozzles 22 are at an angle with respect to a centre line of the coupling part 6. The spray nozzles 22 are each directed for spraying into a teat cup 2. Usually, the angle will be between 5° and 80° with respect to a longitudinal axis of the teat cups 2, and directed towards the open end of the teat cups 2. More in particular, the angle will be between 5° and 45°.

In this embodiment, schematically further additionally elucidated in figure 2, the conduit system comprises a downstream conduit 10. In the current embodiment, downstream conduit 10 first splits into two intermediate conduits 8 via a splitter 9. The resulting two intermediate conduits 8 split via splitters 9’ again, resulting in four end conduits 5. Each end conduit 5 is coupled to one of the teat cups 2. Alternatively, downstream conduit 10 may be split into four end conduits 5 directly using a four-way splitter. In the embodiment of figure 1 (and schematically shown in figure 2), downstream conduit 10 ends into four spray nozzles 22 via intermediate conduits 8 and end conduits 5.

Further upstream, the downstream conduit 10 is coupled to an outlet 41 of joiner 11. Joiner 11 joins a disinfectant conduit 13 and a second conduit 14 into downstream conduit 10. A further joiner 15 couples a source of cleaning fluid (WATER) and a source of pressurized fluid (AIR) to the second inlet of joiner 11. Using the layout described here, the number of conduits running towards the teat cups 2 can be limited. The source of cleaning fluid (WATER) is coupled via a cleaning fluid conduit 17 and the source of pressurized fluid (AIR) is coupled via pressurized fluid conduit 16.

In many cases, the cleaning fluid is water, which may be provided with an additive for increasing the cleaning power. The cleaning fluid may also be heated. The source of pressurized fluid often is compressed air as this is easy to provide. The cleaning action of the cleaning fluid may be increased by simultaneously providing or adding compressed air to a flow of cleaning fluid. This may induce turbulence that increases the cleaning power.

The disinfectant often is an Iodine solution. This type of disinfectants is often indicated with the term “dip”: The nipples of a cow are dipped into that disinfectant after milking.

Disinfectant controller 19 is a part of the disinfection system. Disinfectant controller 19 is functionally coupled to the source of disinfectant (DIP) and to the source of pressurized fluid (AIR). In this embodiment, disinfectant controller 19 is also functionally coupled to the source of cleaning fluid (WATER). Functionally coupled in many embodiments means that a physical line or a connection runs from the controller 19 to the source of disinfectant, the source of pressurized fluid, and here also to the source of cleaning fluid. Alternatives for such a coupling are possible, for instance wireless coupling. Known examples of wireless coupling are via WIFI, bluetooth or Zigby. The disinfectant controller 19 can be a programmable computer, or alternatively a programmable logic board. The disinfectant controller 19 may even be integrated into a milking system. For instance, a separate computer board may be integrated into a milking system and may be interfaced with a controller of a computer system of such a milking system. In an embodiment, the controller may even be or comprise a software extension or software extension of software running on a milking system or on a controller of a milking system. A skilled person having knowledge of milking system and/or milking process automation may recognize such an approach or may, base on this explanation, develop similar embodiments of a controller functionality as an equivalent of the current disinfection controller 19.

In the current embodiment, the respective sources of pressurized fluid, disinfectant and of cleaning fluid may provide the respective materials under pressure, for instance in a container, of may comprise an actuator pressurizing the materials. In the current embodiment, the sources of the materials each have a controllable valve that is operationally coupled to the disinfectant controller 19. Here, solenoid valves 18, 18’, 18” are used. In an alternative embodiment, for instance spring-biased valves may be used, and the disinfectant controller 19 may be functionally coupled to actuators that pressurized the materials. For instance, a positive displacement pump may provide disinfectant. The positive displacement pump may be operated by disinfectant controller 19.

An embodiment of joiner 11 is further shown is figure 3. Joiner 11 is here a Y-joiner. The Y-joiner 11 is shown in cross sectional view. The joiner 11 has a housing (denser hatched). The housing often is a plastic part. Joiner 11 here has an outlet 41 and two inlets 34 and 35. Inlet 35 is provided with a non-retum valve 12. Here, the nonreturn valve is a spring-biased ball valve having a spring 39 pressing a ball 38 against a seat 37 for closing off the inlet 35. Joiner 11 has a chamber 40. In this embodiment, the housing of joiner 11 has metal coupling parts (less densely hatched) pressed into the housing. The metal coupling parts have coupling ends allowing plastic conduits to be pressed onto the metal coupling parts. It is evident that other embodiments of the joiner 11 are possible. The current embodiment of figure 3, however, is simple and easy to modify and to use. The spring 39 sets a ‘cracking pressure’ of the ball valve. The pressure of the disinfectant is such that it is higher than that ‘cracking pressure’. Other types of valves or possible to have the same activatable/actuatable/controllable nonreturn functionality of the combination disinfectant source-spring-biased ball valve. These devices or combination of devices are often more expensive, not fail-safe or not inherently safe. The joiner needs no external wiring or power.

In figure 4, an embodiment of the coupling part 6 is shown in a 3D perspective view, and showing ‘non-return spray nozzles’ 22 or ‘non-return nozzle’ 22 in exploded view. The ‘non-return spray nozzle’ 22 combines a spray nozzle and a non-return valve in one device. In figure 2, for clarity reasons, the two functionalities were drafted separately. The two functionalities may be implemented separately. The non-retum spray nozzle 22 of the current embodiment proved simple, robust and fail-safe.

The non-return spray nozzle 22 comprises an inlet end 23 and an outlet end 24. Here, these two ends are screwed together (not indicated) and have a sealing ring 27.

The non-retum nozzle 22 has a chamber 30, here almost completely implemented in inlet end 23. At an inlet end of chamber 30, chamber 30 is provided with an inlet seat 31. When closure body 25 is pressed against inlet seat 31, it seals the inlet of inlet part 23 and thus chamber 30. Here, closure body 30 is a ball. Its diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of (cylindrical) chamber 30, allowing fluid to pass when the closure body is not pressed against the inlet seat 31. Spring part 26, here a coil spring, in rest urges closure body 25 against inlet seat 31. The opposite end of chamber 30, its outlet end, is provided with an outlet seat 28. This, however, is a ‘leaky seat’. It leaks in such a way that if pressurized fluid is introduced via inlet part 23 into chamber 30 and with a pressure that is sufficient to force closure body 25 against that ‘leaky seat’, the leaky seat functions as a spray nozzle. Here, the outlet seat 28 is provided with passages 29. In fact, in this embodiment, radial notches 29 were made in outlet seat 28. The size and number of notches were selected to provide an optimal spray nozzle. The pressure of the pressurized fluid and the spring force are mutually selected in such a way that the disinfectant is forced out via the non-return nozzle 22 while pressing closure body 25 against outlet seal 28, leaving only the passages 29 free.

In order to allow cleaning fluid to properly clean the inside of the teat cups after the disinfection process, the pressure of the cleaning fluid and/or the pressure of pressurized fluid that now may be used to (help) urging the cleaning fluid into the teat cups may be selected in such a way that the closure body 25 comes free from inlet seat 31, but is not urged against outlet seat 28. In this way, a sufficient flow rate of cleaning fluid is provided.

In operation, the disinfection system operates as follows.

A signal is provided to the disinfection controller 19. This signal may be a signal provided by the milking system as soon as the milking system stops the milking process. Such a signal in automated milking systems is commonly referred to as a “stop milking signal”. In other instances, a signal may be provided if the pulsation vacuum is stopped. Other signals may however also be used. The signal must allow the disinfection controller 19 to spray disinfectant into the teat cups before the teat cups have fallen off of were in another way removed from the nipples of an animal. Furthermore, it is preferred if the spraying is so short after milking that the milk glands or outlet of the nipples are still at least partly open.

The disinfectant controller 19 now activates the source of disinfectant to provide a dose of disinfectant into the conduit system. In fact, the disinfectant controller 19 now controls the disinfectant source to provide the dose of disinfectant past the joiner 11. In this embodiment, the volume of the downstream conduit 10 is sufficient to contain the dose of disinfectant.

Next, the disinfectant controller 19 actuates the source of pressurized fluid to provide an amount of pressurized fluid that is sufficient to pray the dose of disinfectant out of the conduit system, past the non-return spray nozzles 22, and into the teat cups. In the teat cups 2, which are still at least partly closed by the nipples, a dense mist of disinfectant is created. This mist covers the end of a nipple, the end part of the milk channel of the nipple, and even the interior lower surface of the inner liner of the teat cup 2, with a thin layer of disinfectant.

Next, the teat cups are removed from the nipples or fall off of the nipples. Now, the disinfectant controller 19, or perhaps even the controller of the milking system, activates the source of cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid may de sprayed into teat cup 2 of may flow into the teat cup 2, cleaning the inner surface of the inner liner of teat cup 2.

In an embodiment, the stop milking signal that is commonly issued by an automated milking system is intercepted in the disinfectant controller 19, and after delaying that signal, it is passed on to further parts of the milking system. In an embodiment, such a signal is delayed for 1-5 seconds. In particular the delay is 2-3 second. In an embodiment, the disinfectant controller 19 comprises a user interface, allowing a user to set the delay time. Such a user interface may allow a user to set the delay time within defined boundary values. The user interface may allow setting in steps of 0.1 seconds, for instance.

During this delay, the disinfectant system will be operative. During about 0.2-1.8 seconds, the disinfectant system will issue a dose of disinfectant. Usually after issuance of the dose of disinfectant, the disinfectant controller 19 will issue a dose of pressurized fluid. When compressed air is used, the duration of such a dose of compressed air will be less than 0.4 second. The dose may even be less than 0.2 seconds. The timing illustrated here shows that using the disinfecting system of the current invention allows very little to no time in the milking process. Furthermore, as the disinfecting is automated and standardised, no animal is forgotten, and treatment and sufficiency of the treatment can be guaranteed. This may reduce the amount of medication, for instance antibiotics, that are user per animal. The disinfectant may even be applied onto the inner surface of the teat cup 2, further improving the general disinfection process and limiting cross-infection of animals.

In an embodiment, the pressure of the disinfectant is below the cracking pressure of the non-retum valve or non-retum nozzle 22. In an embodiment, the pressure of the disinfectant can be between 4 and 6 bars.

In an embodiment, the pressure of the pressurized fluid is above the cracking pressure of the non-return valve at the nozzle, or of the non-return nozzle 22. In an embodiment, the pressure of the pressurized fluid can be between 6 and 10 bars. In particular and if the fluid is a gas, like air, the pressure is be sufficient to atomize the disinfectant through the nozzle 22.

In an embodiment, for instance for cows, the dose of disinfectant is less than 20 ml. This dose is divided over the nipples. In an embodiment, the dose is less than 15 ml. More in particular, the disinfectant system allows a dose of less than 10 ml. In some instances, doses of as low as 7 ml in total may be sufficient. The volume of the conduit system 10 up to the non-retum nozzles 22 is designed such that it is at least as large as the applied dose of disinfectant.

After the disinfection process, the spray of disinfectant will assist further in removing teat cups 2 from the nipples. After removal, and after the nipples are out of the teat cups 2, cleaning fluid will be introduced into the teat cups 2. The disinfectant controller 19 may issue a cleaning signal and start flushing of the teat cups 2. The cleaning fluid, usually water, will rinse the inner surface of the teat cups 2. The cleaning fluid can be combined with pressurized fluid, for instance compressed air. Thus, it may be possible to flush the milking system with a bubling cleaning fluid, thus increasing the intensity of the cleaning process.

The disinfectant controller 19 may be a general purpose computer that is provided with software allowing the disinfectant controller 19 to perform the steps illustrated above. The disinfectant controller 19 may also be or comprise a logical system that is designed to perform the illustrated steps. For instance, the disinfectant controller 19 may comprise or even be made of at least one PLC (programmable logic controller) element. It may even be possible to implement the disinfectant controller 19 as a software element in a milking system controller.

It will also be clear that the above description and drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person. These embodiments are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.

Claims

A disinfection assembly (1) for disinfecting a teat of cattle, more particularly a teat of a cow, after milking, the disinfection assembly (1) comprising a disinfection control device (19) adapted for operational coupling with a milking assembly comprising at least one set of teat cups (2) coupled to a source of pulsating vacuum, the fumigation controller (19) being adapted for operational coupling with a source of pressurized fluid (AIR), and for operational coupling with a source of disinfectant (DIP) for providing at least one dose of disinfectant, wherein the disinfecting controller (19) is adapted to activate the source of disinfectant (DIP) to provide a dose of disinfectant in a lead assembly of the disinfectant assembly (1) in answer to a signal that the milk assembly stops the pulsing vacuum but before the teat cups animal teats from the cattle, and to activate the source of pressurized fluid (AIR) to force the dose through at least one nozzle (22) of the conduit assembly through the conduit assembly, the nozzle (22) is arranged to provide a spray disinfectant on teats in the teat cup (2).

The decontamination assembly (1) of claim 1, wherein the conduit assembly comprises a downstream conduit (10) coupled to at least one downstream conduit outlet end (5, 6) which includes the at least one nozzle (22).

The decontamination assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the downstream conduit (10) is coupled at an upstream end to outlet (41) of a first coupling member (11) for coupling the downstream conduit (10) via a disinfectant inlet (35) on a disinfectant conduit (13), which disinfectant conduit (13) is coupled at an upstream end to a source of disinfectant (DIP) and via a second inlet (34) to a second conduit (14), which second conduit (14) at its upstream end is coupled to the source of pressurized fluid, in particular compressed air (AIR).

The fumigation assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the fumigation controller (19) is adapted to provide the dose of fumigant through the first coupling member (11), and to provide a dose of fluid under pressure for spraying the fumigant dose through the downstream conduit (10) and from the at least one nozzle (22) after milking and in response to the signal, in particular, the fumigation controller (19) is adapted to first provide the dose of fumigant and then provide the dose of fluid under pressure.

The decontamination assembly (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first coupling part (11) comprises a check valve (12) in the decontamination inlet (35) coupled to the decontamination conduit (13).

The decontamination assembly (1) according to any of claims 3-5, wherein the second inlet (34) of the first coupling part (11) is coupled upstream to a second coupling part (15) provided with a first inlet coupled to the source of cleaning fluid (WATER) and a second inlet coupled to the source of pressurized fluid (AIR).

The decontamination assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one downstream conduit outlet end (5) comprises a one-way valve, in particular upstream of the at least one nozzle (22).

The decontamination assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one nozzle (22) and the one-way valve are integrated in at least one one-way nozzle (22).

The decontamination assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein the one-way nozzle (22) comprises a chamber (30) with an inlet end (23) and an outlet end (24), and a closure body (25) movable in the chamber (30) between the inlet end (23) and the outlet end (24).

The decontamination assembly (1) according to the preceding claim 9, wherein the closing body (25) is biased by means of a spring member (26) against an inlet seat (31) for closing the inlet end (23) of the one-way nozzle ( 22).

The decontamination assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims 9-10, wherein the outlet end (24) comprises an outlet seat (28) for the closure body (25), the outlet seat (28) comprising passages (29) which define a nozzle when the closing body (25) rests against the outlet seat (28).

The decontamination assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims 9-11, wherein a size of the closure body (25) and an internal dimension of the chamber (30) are dimensioned to allow fluid to pass through the closure body (25) .

The decontamination assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the source of pressurized fluid and a spring force of the spring member (26) are mutually adapted and configured to allow the pressurized fluid to resist the sealing body (25). pressing the outlet seat (28).

The fumigation assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fumigation controller (19) is further coupled to the source of cleaning fluid (WATER) for providing a dose of cleaning fluid to allow cleaning of the teat cups after the dose fluid under pressure is provided.

The disinfection assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the downstream conduit (10) is adapted to hold a dose of disinfectant.

The disinfection assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a pressure from the source of disinfectant (DIP) and a biasing force in the biased check valve (12) in the coupling part (11) are adjusted relative to each other to disinfect the disinfectant by pushing the prestressed valve (12).

The fumigation assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fumigation controller (19) is adapted to provide a dose of fluid under pressure for a duration adapted to provide the dose of fumigant.

A milk assembly comprising a milking claw provided with teat cups of the disinfecting assembly (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the teat cups (2) comprise an opening in their upper end to enable introduction of a teat into the teat cup, and a milk line (4) in the lower end of the teat cup, wherein the nozzles (22) open into each teat cup (2) in the lower end upstream of the milk line (4).

A method for disinfecting at least one teat of cattle after milking, comprising the steps of providing a quantity of disinfectant in a conduit assembly that is coupled to, and discharges, the bottom end of a teat cup via at least a nozzle, and providing a burst of pressurized fluid to the line assembly for moving, more particularly atomizing, the disinfectant via the at least one nozzle in the teat cup.

20. A computer program product that, when operating on a computer system, enables the computer system to perform the steps of: a. Receiving a signal; b. in response to the signal triggering a disinfectant source (DIP) to provide a disinfectant dose in a conduit assembly of a disinfectant assembly (1), and activating a pressurized fluid source (AIR) for the line assembly from at least one nozzle (22) forcing the dose of disinfectant (22).

A disinfection control device (19) for a disinfection assembly (1) for a milk assembly, the disinfection control device (19) comprising: - an input device for intercepting a signal from a control device of a milk assembly, the signal being representative of a stop milking signal; - a delay device operatively connected to the input device and for applying a delay to the signal, and - an output device operatively connected to the delay device and for forwarding the intercepted delayed signal back to the milking assembly.

The disinfectant control device (19) according to claim 21, further comprising a control device operatively coupled to the input device, the control device being adapted to perform the steps in operation: - receiving a start signal from the input device; - in response to the start signal, activate a source of disinfectant (DIP) to provide a dose of disinfectant in a line assembly of the disinfectant assembly (1), and - activate a source of fluid under pressure (AIR) to dispense the dose of disinfectant via the to force the pipe assembly out of at least one nozzle of the pipe assembly (22). -o-o-o-o-o-