JP2013066448A - Teat cup - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a teat cup having a sufficiently long service life.SOLUTION: The teat cup 12 includes a teat cup liner 32 and a teat cup shell 31 formed in a cylindrical shape so as to be able to house a bore part 63 of the teat cup liner 32. The teat cup liner 32 is attached to the teat cup shell 31 in such a way that the bore part 63 is housed. A projecting part 44 for regulating a crushing direction, which projects toward the center of the teat cup shell 31, is provided on a portion of the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31 opposite to the bore part 63. The projecting part 44 is specified to have a projection height such that when a vacuum pressure is supplied at least between the teat cup shell 31 and the teat cup liner 32 (outside space S2), a peripheral face of the teat cup liner 32 makes contact with a projecting end T of the projecting part 44.

Description

  The present invention relates to a teat cup in which a bore portion of a teat cup liner is accommodated in a teat cup shell.

  As a teat cup for use in a vacuum dual-type milking machine, a teat cup disclosed by the applicant in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-92889 is known. This teat cup includes a teat cup shell and a teat cup liner attached to the teat cup shell, and includes a space inside the teat cup liner (hereinafter also referred to as “inner space”), a teat cup shell and a teat cup. A configuration is adopted in which two spaces, the space between the liners (the space formed outside the bore portion (body portion) in the teat cup liner: hereinafter also referred to as “outer space”), are formed in the teat cup. ing.

  In milking processing using this teat cup, the lower end of the teat cup liner is connected to the milk claw so that the inner space communicates with the milk claw, and the pulsator line connected to the milk claw is connected to the teat cup shell. The outer space communicates with the pulsator by connecting to a connection port provided on the side surface. In this state, the milking vacuum pressure adjusted in the milk claw is continuously supplied to the inner space, and the pulsating vacuum pressure from the pulsator is supplied to the outer space. At this time, lactation is promoted by the pulsation of the bore portion of the teat cup liner, and milk is discharged from the nipple into the inner space. The discharged milk is fed to the milk line via the milk claw.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 23, the teat cup 12x disclosed by the applicant (hereinafter, the elements relating to the “teat cup” disclosed by the applicant are marked with “x” at the end of the reference numeral. In the explanation, the teat cup in the teat cup shell 31x is obtained by supplying the pulsating vacuum pressure to the outer space S2x in the state where the vacuum pressure for milking is supplied to the inner space S1x to reduce the differential pressure between the two spaces S1x and S2x. In the “milking state (milking period)” in which the bore portion 63x of the liner 32x is expanded, as shown in FIG. 24, the pulsating vacuum pressure is supplied to the outer space S2x in a state where the milking vacuum pressure is supplied to the inner space S1x. By stopping and generating a large differential pressure between the spaces S1x and S2x, the teatcup liner 32x A configuration that encourages lactation while avoiding congestion of the nipple caused by continuous milking is adopted by alternately generating “massage state (massage period)” that reduces the diameter of the part 63x (set to a collapsed state). ing.

  For this reason, in the teat cup 12x used for a long period of time, the bore part 63x of the teat cup liner 32x is stretched or deformed by repeating the above-described diameter expansion and contraction. Further, in a state where the teat cup liner 32x is stretched or deformed, it takes a long time for the milking process due to the long time required for the teat cup liner 32x to elastically return from the massage state to the milking state. In addition, there is a risk of creeping up and detachment of the teat cup 12x from the teat. For this reason, in order to complete milking efficiently in a short time without causing bacterial infection due to the withdrawal of the teat cup 12x, before the teat cup liner 32x is greatly stretched or deformed, this is used as a new teat cup liner. Exchange to 32x is preferred.

  Therefore, the applicant has proposed a method that can reliably and easily determine the presence or absence of deterioration of the teat cup liner 32x in the above-mentioned publication. As a result, the teat cup liner 32x can be replaced before large elongation or deformation occurs, and high-quality milk can be expressed in a short time.

JP 2008-92889 A (page 2-4, FIG. 1-2)

  However, the teat cup 12x disclosed by the applicant has the following problems to be improved. That is, the teat cup 12x disclosed by the applicant employs a configuration in which the milking state and the massage state are alternately generated by expanding and reducing the diameter of the bore portion 63x of the teat cup liner 32x. In this case, the teat cup liner 32x of the teat cup 12x disclosed by the applicant is in a state where the differential pressure between the inner space S1x and the outer space S2x is small (or the difference between the two spaces S1x, S2x) as shown in FIG. The bore portion 63x is designed to be a perfect circle when no pressure is present. However, in the actual teat cup liner 32x, even if it is not in use, the bore 63x is formed in a slightly elliptical state, or the thickness of each part in the circumferential direction in the bore 63x is extremely small. There are small variations.

  In addition, the ovalization of the bore portion 63x and the variation in thickness generated during molding are maintained even when the teat cup liner 32x is attached to the teat cup shell 31x. Therefore, when the supply of the vacuum pressure to the outer space S2x is stopped, as shown in FIG. 24, when the bore portion 63x is crushed (becomes a massage state), the bore portion 63x formed into an ovalized state is short. It will be crushed in the axial direction, or it may be crushed so that the thin portion of the bore 63x is recessed. In this case, since the direction of crushing as described above does not change even when the milking state and the massage state are repeated alternately, in the teat cup 12x used for a long period of time, as shown in FIG. Crushing wrinkles occur and become oval, and the difference between the diameter along the major axis direction and the diameter along the minor axis direction gradually increases.

  With respect to the teatcup liner 32x in such a state, it is possible to detect that the deterioration has occurred in accordance with the method proposed by the applicant in the aforementioned publication. However, the teat cup 12x in which the teat cup liner 32x has deteriorated cannot exhibit its original milking ability until it is replaced with a new teat cup liner 32x. For this reason, in order to maintain a state where high-quality milk can be expressed in a short time, the teatcup liner 32x is periodically inspected for deterioration, and when it is determined that deterioration has occurred, the teatcup It is necessary to replace the liner 32x promptly. Accordingly, since the milking cost increases by the cost required for replacing the teat cup liner 32x, it is preferable to improve this point.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems to be improved, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a teat cup having a sufficiently long useful life.

  In order to achieve the above object, a teat cup according to claim 1 is provided with a teat cup liner and a teat cup shell formed in a cylindrical shape so as to be able to accommodate a bore part in the teat cup liner, wherein the bore part is The teat cup liner is mounted on the teat cup shell so as to be accommodated, and at least one protrusion projecting toward the center of the teat cup shell has the bore on the inner surface of the teat cup shell. The protrusion is provided at a portion facing the portion, and the peripheral surface of the teat cup liner is a protruding end of the protrusion when a vacuum pressure is supplied between at least the teat cup shell and the teat cup liner. Is defined as the protruding height that touches.

  The teat cup according to claim 2 is the teat cup according to claim 1, wherein the teat cup includes a pair of the projecting portions, and the pair of projecting portions are disposed opposite to each other with the teat cup liner sandwiched between inner surfaces of the teat cup shell. Has been.

  Furthermore, the teat cup according to claim 3 is the teat cup according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the teat cup shell includes an alignment mark capable of specifying a relative rotational position of the teat cup liner with respect to the teat cup shell. And provided on the teat cup liner.

  The teat cup according to claim 4 is the teat cup according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protruding portion is formed separately from the teat cup shell, and the teat cup shell includes It is detachably attached to the provided attachment portion.

  Furthermore, the teat cup according to claim 5 is the teat cup according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the teat cup shell includes an upper cylindrical part on which a teat insertion part of the teat cup liner is mounted; A lower cylindrical portion provided with a drawer hole for pulling out the feeding portion of the teat cup liner, and the upper cylindrical portion and the lower side disposed between the upper cylindrical portion and the lower cylindrical portion. A connecting portion that connects the cylindrical portions, and the connecting portion is provided with the protruding portion on the inner surface, and is rotated in the circumferential direction with respect to the upper cylindrical portion and the lower cylindrical portion. It is configured to be possible.

  According to the teat cup of the first aspect, at least when the vacuum pressure is supplied between the teat cup shell and the teat cup liner, the projecting end portion of the protrusion provided on the inner surface of the teat cup shell has the periphery of the teat cup liner. By adopting the configuration that touches the surface, the diameter of the bore in the direction in which the peripheral surface is in contact with the protruding end of the protruding portion is restricted, so when the transition from the milking state to the massage state occurs, the bore portion collapses. The direction which produces can be restrict | limited to directions other than the direction which expands diameter toward a protrusion part. Therefore, according to this teat cup, by periodically changing the relative rotational position of the teat cup liner with respect to the teat cup shell, the direction of causing the crushing in the bore portion when shifting from the milking state to the massage state is achieved. Because it can be changed, it is possible to suitably avoid the occurrence of large crushed wrinkles in a certain direction. As a result, the useful life of the teat cup liner can be made sufficiently long and high-quality milk can be milked in a short time Can be maintained at low cost.

  Further, according to the teat cup of the second aspect, by arranging the pair of projecting portions on the inner surface of the teat cup shell so as to sandwich the teat cup liner, the peripheral surface is in contact with the projecting end portion of the projecting portion. Since the expansion of the bore of the bore can be reliably controlled, the direction of causing the collapse of the bore when shifting from the milking state to the massage state is surely limited to a direction other than the direction of expanding the diameter toward the protrusion. As a result, it is possible to more suitably avoid the occurrence of large crushing creases in a certain direction.

  Further, according to the teat cup according to claim 3, in the operation of changing the relative rotational position of the teat cup liner with respect to the teat cup shell by providing alignment marks on the teat cup shell and the teat cup liner, Since the rotational position before the work and the rotational position after the work can be easily recognized, the relative rotational position of the teat cup liner can be surely and at a desired rotational position different from the state before the teat cup shell is removed. It can be easily changed.

  According to the teat cup of the fourth aspect, since the protrusion is formed separately from the teat cup shell, the protrusion height is adjusted to match the diameter of the bore portion of the teat cup liner attached to the teat cup shell. By mounting the member in which the stipulation is defined on the teat cup shell, it is possible to reliably limit the direction in which the bore portion is crushed when shifting from the milking state to the massage state. For this reason, unlike a teat cup in which the protruding part is formed integrally with the teat cup shell, it is not necessary to separately manufacture a teat cup shell for each teat cup liner having a different bore diameter. A teat cup capable of milking can be provided at low cost.

  Furthermore, according to the teat cup of the fifth aspect, the protruding portion is provided on the inner surface of the connecting portion disposed between the upper cylindrical portion and the lower cylindrical portion, and the circumferential direction relative to both cylindrical portions is provided. By changing the position of the protrusion with respect to the teat cup liner by rotating the connecting part, the diameter of the bore part in the direction in which the peripheral surface is in contact with the protruding end of the protrusion is restricted, so that the milking state The direction in which the bore part is crushed when shifting from the massage state to the massage state can be limited to a direction other than the direction in which the diameter increases toward the protruding part. Therefore, according to this teat cup, milking is performed by periodically changing the relative rotational position of the connecting part (protruding part) with respect to the upper cylindrical part and the lower cylindrical part to which the teat cup liner is fixed. The orientation that causes crushing in the bore when changing from the state to the massage state can be changed, so that it is possible to suitably avoid the occurrence of large crushing wrinkles in a certain direction. Can be made sufficiently long and a state in which high-quality milk can be milked in a short time can be maintained at a low cost. Further, according to the teat cup, the rotation position of the protruding portion with respect to the bore portion can be changed without removing the teat cup liner from the teat cup shell, so that the direction of crushing generated in the bore portion of the teat cup liner is easy. Can be changed. In this case, the upper cylindrical portion, the lower cylindrical portion, and the connecting portion are formed of a light-transmitting material, thereby rotating the connecting portion while visually confirming the position of the protruding portion with respect to the teat cup liner. Therefore, the direction in which the bore portion is crushed can be reliably changed to a desired direction.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the milking system 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the teat cup unit 5 in embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of teat cup unit 5 in an embodiment of the invention. It is sectional drawing of the longitudinal direction of the teat cup 12 in embodiment of this invention. It is other sectional drawing of the longitudinal direction of the teat cup 12 in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the radial direction of the teat cup 12 in embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the regulating member 52 of the teat cup 12 in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a bottom view of teat cup 12 in an embodiment of the invention. It is an external view of the teat cup liner 32 of the teat cup 12 in the embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing in the milking state of the teat cup 12 in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the massage state of the teat cup 12 in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the state where the ovalization occurred in the teat cup liner 32 of the teat cup 12 in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a state where the teat cup liner 32 of the teat cup 12 in the embodiment of the present invention is rotated with respect to the teat cup shell 31. It is sectional drawing of radial direction of teat cup 12A in other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the radial direction of the teat cup 12B in other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the radial direction of the teat cup 12C in other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of radial direction of teat cup 12D in other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the longitudinal direction of the teat cup 12E in other embodiment of this invention. It is other sectional drawing of the longitudinal direction of the teat cup 12E in other embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of teat cup shell 31e and weight 33 of teat cup 12E in other embodiments of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the radial direction of the teat cup 12E in other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the state which rotated the protrusion parts 44e and 44e (cylinder 56) for the crushing direction regulation of the teat cup 12E in the further another embodiment of this invention with respect to the teat cup liner 32 (shell main body 55). . It is sectional drawing in the milking state of the conventional teat cup 12x. It is sectional drawing in the massage state of the conventional teat cup 12x. It is sectional drawing of the state in which the ovalization occurred in the conventional teat cup 12x.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a teat cup according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  A milking system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a vacuum two-system milking system, a vacuum pipe 2 connected to a vacuum pressure supply source (not shown), a milk pipe 3 connected to a milk jar (not shown), and a support pipe The automatic detachment device 4 is connected to the vacuum pipe 2 and the milk pipe 3 through the milk inlet 4b and suspended from the 4a, and the teat cup unit 5 is connected to the automatic detachment device 4. In addition, since it is well-known about the installation form of the vacuum piping 2, the milk piping 3, the support pipe 4a, etc. in a vacuum 2 type | system | group milking system, detailed description and illustration regarding these are abbreviate | omitted.

  The automatic detachment apparatus 4 includes a controller, an operation panel, and the like (not shown) that control milking processing by the teat cup unit 5, and a vacuum pressure (pulsation pressure) against the milk claw 11 of the teat cup unit 5 as described later. ) Is built in (not shown). The automatic detaching device 4 converts the vacuum pressure supplied via the vacuum pipe 2 and the milk inlet 4b into a pulsating pressure by a pulsator and supplies the pulsating pressure to the teat cup unit 5 as well as the milk fed from the teat cup unit 5. Is fed to the milk pipe 3 via the milk inlet 4b. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the teat cup unit 5 includes a milk claw 11 and four teat cups 12, and sends (pulsation pressure) from the milk claw 11 to each teat cup 12 via a connecting tube 13. The supply structure is adopted.

  The milk claw 11 supplies the vacuum pressure supplied from the automatic detachment device 4 (pulsator) to each teat cup 12 and also sends the milk fed from each teat cup 12 to the automatic detachment device 4. Specifically, the milk claw 11 is supplied from the nipples 21 and 21 for vacuum pressure introduction for introducing the vacuum pressure for milking (for massage) supplied from the automatic release device 4 and the automatic release device 4. A nipple 22 for introducing a vacuum pressure for introducing a vacuum pressure for adjusting the pressure and a vacuum pressure for introducing milking (for massage) are supplied to each teat cup 12 (for mounting the connecting tube 13). Four nipples 23 for supplying vacuum pressure, four nipples 24 for introducing milk to which teat cup liners 32 (see FIGS. 4 and 9) of the respective teat cups 12 can be mounted, and milk introduced from the nipple 24 for introducing milk are automatically used. A milk liquid feeding nipple 25 for feeding liquid to the detaching device 4 is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the teat cup 12 includes a teat cup shell 31 and a teat cup liner 32. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 9, the teat cup liner 32 includes a nipple insertion portion 61 provided with an insertion port into which a nipple of a cow is inserted, and milk discharged from the nipple to the milk claw 11. A breast feeding part 62 for feeding breasts and a bore part 63 which is provided between the teat insertion part 61 and the breast feeding part 62 and pulsates as described later are integrated with an elastic material such as rubber. It is molded into. Further, when the teat cup liner 32 is mounted on the teat cup shell 31 as described later, the mouth portion of the opening 42 in the teat cup shell 31 is engaged with the feeding part 62 of the teat cup liner 32. An engaging groove 64 is formed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the teat cup shell 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape by a metal material such as stainless steel as an example. The teat cup shell 31 is configured such that the feeding part 62 of the teat cup liner 32 is drawn out from one opening part 42 and the bore part 63 is accommodated inside the teat cup shell 32 so that the teat cup liner 32 has a nipple in the opening part 41. The teat cup 12 is configured by mounting the insertion portion 61. Further, by introducing a vacuum pressure for milking (for massage) intermittently supplied from the milk claw 11 to the teat cup shell 31, the inside of the teat cup 12 is alternately changed to a vacuum pressure and an atmospheric pressure. The vacuum pressure introducing nipple 43 is provided. The vacuum pressure introduction nipple 43 is connected to the vacuum pressure supply nipple 23 of the milk claw 11 through the connection tube 13 as shown in FIGS.

  In this case, when the teat cup liner 32 is mounted on the teat cup shell 31, the inner space S1 of the teat cup liner 32 is interposed between the teat cup shell 31 and the teat cup liner 32 as shown in FIGS. The outer space S2 (sealed space into which the vacuum pressure from the milk claw 11 is introduced) is formed. In the teat cup 12, as will be described later, the bore 63 of the teat cup liner 32 is in a cylindrical state (milking state) and a state in which crushing occurs (massage state) depending on whether vacuum pressure is supplied to the outer space S2. ) Is alternately deformed.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the teat cup 12 of this example, a pair of crushing direction restricting projections 44 (corresponding to “projections”) projecting toward the center of the teat cup shell 31: A restricting protrusion 44 ”) is also provided on the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31. In this case, in the teat cup shell 31 of the present example, the restricting protrusion 52 is formed with the restricting member 52 (see FIG. 7) formed separately from the teat cup shell 31, and the teat cup shell. On the inner surface of 31, an engaging convex portion 51 that constitutes an “attachment portion” for removably attaching (engaging) the regulating member 52 is formed. Further, in the teat cup shell 31 of the present example, the engaging convex portions 51 and 51 are formed so that the two regulating members 52 are opposed to each other with the bore portion 63 of the mounted teat cup liner 32 interposed therebetween.

  In this case, in the teat cup shell 31 of this example, in the outer space S2 around the bore 63 in the teat cup liner 32 attached to the teat cup shell 31 (between the teat cup shell 31 and the teat cup liner 32). In a state where the vacuum pressure from the milk claw 11 is supplied (that is, “milking state”), the peripheral surface of the bore portion 63 is the protruding end portion T (hereinafter, “regulating protrusion” of the regulating member 52 in the regulating projection 44. The protrusion height H of the restricting protrusion 44 (the restricting member 52) from the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31 is defined so as to be in contact with the protrusion end portion T "of the portion 44 or simply" protrusion end portion T "). ing. More specifically, the separation distance L between the projecting end T of one regulating member 52 and the projecting end T of the other regulating member 52 is the unused teat cup liner. The diameter (for example, the bore portion) of the bore portion 63 in the teat cup liner 32 in which the ovalization has not occurred in the bore portion 63 or the teat cup liner 32 in which the degree of ovalization occurring in the bore portion 63 is light. The projecting height H of both regulating projections 44 (regulating member 52) is defined so that the distance is slightly shorter than the design value of the diameter of 63).

  As a result, in the teat cup 12, the peripheral surface of the bore portion 63 is accommodated in the teat cup shell 31 by attaching the teat cup liner 32 to the teat cup shell 31 with the regulating member 52 attached to the inner surface. In the state, the bore portion 63 is in contact with the protruding end portion T of the regulating member 52 and, as an example, within a range of 5% to 15% of the thickness of the bore portion 63 (as an example, about 10% of the thickness of the bore portion 63). Thus, the bore 63 is crushed and slightly elliptical.

  In this type of “teat cup”, any “teat cup liner” can be selected from various “teat cup liners” having different bore diameters depending on the type of cow (difference in nipple size). The “cup liner” can be selected and used. Accordingly, in the teat cup 12 of this example, various sizes of regulating members 52 (not shown) having different protrusion heights H are prepared in accordance with various teat cup liners 32 having different bore portions 63 having different inner diameters. Depending on the outer diameter of the teat cup liner 32 to be mounted on the teat cup shell 31, a restriction member 52 that satisfies the above conditions can be selected and mounted in the teat cup shell 31. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, alignment marks 45a and 45a and alignment marks 45b and 45b are formed on the bottom surface of the teat cup shell 31 on the opening 42 side, and as shown in FIG. Anti-twist marks 65 a and 65 b are respectively formed on the teat insertion part 61 and the breast feeding part 62 of the cup liner 32. In this case, the anti-twist marks 65 a and 65 b prevent the teat insertion portion 61 from being twisted with respect to the breast feeding portion 62 when the teat cup liner 32 is attached to the teat cup shell 31. These marks are formed so as to coincide with each other in the longitudinal direction of the teat cup liner 32 in a state where no twist is generated between the teat insertion portion 61 and the breast feeding portion 62 (so as to overlap in the longitudinal direction).

  The anti-twist marks 65a and 65b together with the alignment marks 45a and 45b of the teat cup shell 31 constitute an “alignment mark”. In the teat cup 12, as will be described later, The relative position of the teat cup liner 32 relative to the teat cup shell 31 can be specified by the positional relationship with the alignment marks 45a and 45b. In this case, in the teat cup 12, the line segment connecting the alignment marks 45 a and 45 a and the line segment connecting the alignment marks 45 b and 45 b are aligned with each other so that they are orthogonal to each other at the center of the teat cup shell 31. Marks 45a and 45b are formed.

  In using the milking system 1, the teat cup 12 is first assembled. Specifically, first, by engaging both regulating members 52 with the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31 so as to be engaged with the engaging convex portions 51, 51, the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31 is opposed to each other. The restricting protrusions 44 and 44 are formed. Next, in a state where the feeding part 62 of the teat cup liner 32 is inserted into the teat cup shell 31 and pulled out from the opening part 42, the teat insertion part 61 of the teat cup liner 32 is attached to the opening part 41 of the teat cup shell 31. At the same time, the mouth edge portion of the opening portion 42 of the teat cup shell 31 is engaged with the engaging groove portion 64 of the breast feeding portion 62 of the teat cup liner 32.

  At this time, the anti-twist marks 65a and 65b are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the teat cup liner 32 so as not to cause twisting of the teat cup liner 32, and as an example, provided on the teat cup shell 31. The teat cup liner 32 is attached to the teat cup shell 31 so that either one of the two alignment marks 45a, 45a and the anti-twist mark 65b face each other (match). Thereby, the assembly of the teat cup 12 is completed. The assembly operation of the teat cup 12 is similarly performed for the other three teat cups 12.

  Subsequently, the teat cup unit 5 is assembled. Specifically, the milk feeding part 62 in the teat cup liner 32 of each teat cup 12 is connected to each milk introduction nipple 24 of the milk claw 11. Next, the vacuum pressure introducing nipples 43 of the teat cups 12 and the vacuum pressure supply nipples 23 of the milk claw 11 are respectively connected by the connecting tubes 13. Thereby, the assembly of the teat cup unit 5 is completed. Thereafter, the nipples 21 and 21 for introducing the vacuum pressure of the milk claw 11 and the nipple 22 for introducing the vacuum pressure in the teat cup unit 5 are connected to the automatic releasing device 4, and the automatic releasing device 4 is connected to the vacuum pipe 2 and the milk pipe 3. By connecting, it will be in the state which can implement milking processing.

  On the other hand, in the milking process, as shown in FIG. 10, in the state where the vacuum pressure for milking is supplied to the inner space S1 of the teat cup 12, the pulsating vacuum pressure from the pulsator is supplied to the outer space S2, and both the spaces S1, S2 are supplied. The “milking state” in which the bore 63 of the teat cup liner 32 is expanded by reducing the differential pressure of the teat cup liner 32 and, as shown in FIG. 11, the milking vacuum pressure is supplied to the inner space S1 with respect to the outer space S2. The supply of the pulsating vacuum pressure is stopped (the inside of the outer space S2 is set to atmospheric pressure), and a large differential pressure is generated between the two spaces S1 and S2, thereby reducing the diameter of the bore portion 63 of the teat cup liner 32 (collapsed). By alternating the “massage state” with the “massage state”, lactation is promoted while avoiding teat congestion due to continuous milking.

  In this case, in the teat cup 12 in the milking system 1 (teat cup unit 5) of this example, the peripheral surface of the bore portion 63 is in contact with the protruding end T of the regulating member 52 in the “milking state” as shown in FIG. Thus, a restricting protrusion 44 having a protrusion height H is defined on the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31. Therefore, in the teat cup 12, when the supply of the vacuum pressure to the outer space S2 is stopped in order to shift from the “milking state” to the “massage state”, the bore portion 63 will collapse in the directions of the arrows A and A. However, the diameter expansion in the directions of the arrows B and B is restricted because the peripheral surface is in contact with the protruding end T of the restricting protrusion 44 (the restricting member 52). For this reason, in the teat cup 12, the bore portion 63 is expanded in the direction of arrows D and D, and is deformed so as to be crushed in the directions of arrows C and C.

  In this case, as described above, in the teat cup 12 in the milking system 1 (the teat cup unit 5), the separation distance L between the projecting end portions T and T in the restricting projecting portions 44 and 44 is an unused teat cup liner. The protrusion height H of the restricting protrusions 44 (the restricting member 52) is defined so that the distance is slightly shorter than the diameter of the bore part 63 at 32. Therefore, when the pressure difference between the inner space S1 and the outer space S2 is small (that is, when the vacuum pressure is supplied to the outer space S2), the bore portion 63 is formed by the restricting protrusions 44 (the restricting member 52). Is crushed in the direction of arrows C and C and is slightly ovalized. For this reason, in the teat cup 12, when the pressure difference between the two spaces S1 and S2 is small, the circumferential surface of the bore 63 is directed in the directions of the arrows B and B by the elastic restoring force. 52) is pressed against the protruding end T.

  Therefore, in this teat cup 12, the peripheral surface of the bore portion 63 protrudes from the protruding ends of both regulating projections 44 at the moment when supply of vacuum pressure to the outer space S2 is stopped in order to shift from the “milking state” to the “massage state”. Rather than being separated from the portion T, when a certain amount of time has passed since the supply of the vacuum pressure to the outer space S2 is stopped (the force for crushing the bore portion due to the pressure difference between the spaces S1 and S2 The peripheral surface of the bore 63 is separated from the projecting ends T of the restricting projecting portions 44 (when “the teat cup shell and the teat cup liner are separated from each other”). Not only when the vacuum pressure is supplied in between, but also immediately after the supply of vacuum pressure is stopped (when the vacuum pressure is not supplied), the peripheral surface of the teat cup liner is One example of a defined configuration to "protrusion height" of a state of contact with the end portion is maintained).

  In order to shift from the “milking state” to the “massage state”, the separation distance L between the protruding end portions T and T is the same distance as the diameter of the bore portion 63 in the unused teat cup liner 32. A configuration in which the peripheral surface of the bore portion 63 is separated from the projecting end portion T of both regulating projections 44 at the moment when supply of the vacuum pressure to the outer space S2 is stopped (“the vacuum pressure is between the teat cup shell and the teat cup liner. An example of a configuration defined as “projection height” in which the peripheral surface of the teat cup liner is in contact with the projecting end portion of the projecting portion only when “supplied” may be employed.

  On the other hand, when the vacuum pressure is supplied to the outer space S2 in order to shift from the “massage state” to the “milking state”, the bore portion 63 is elastically restored as shown by arrows B and B in FIG. As shown, the peripheral surface of the bore 63 is in contact with the protruding end T of the restricting protrusion 44 (the restricting member 52). Therefore, when the supply of the vacuum pressure to the outer space S2 is stopped in order to make the transition from the “milking state” to the “massage state” again, the restricting protrusion 44 (the restricting member 52) moves in the directions of the arrows B and B. The diameter of the bore 63 is restricted. For this reason, the bore part 63 is expanded in the direction of arrows D and D, and is deformed so as to be crushed in the directions of arrows C and C.

  In this manner, in the teat cup 12, the pair of protruding protrusions 44 are provided on the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31, so that the direction of crushing of the bore 63 in the teat cup shell 31 is a fixed direction (in this example, , Arrows C and C). For this reason, by repeating the daily milking process, as shown in FIG. 12, the direction of the arrows C and C is set as the short axis and the directions of the arrows D and D are set as the long axis, as shown in FIG. This is a state in which ovalization occurs (a state in which mild crushing wrinkles have occurred). In the figure, the difference between the diameter along the major axis direction and the diameter along the minor axis direction is exaggerated in order to facilitate understanding of the ovalization occurring in the bore portion 63.

  As described above, when the milking process is continuously performed in a state in which the bore 63 is ovalized as described above, the diameter along the major axis direction and the diameter along the minor axis direction in the bore part 63 are as follows. As a result of gradually increasing the difference, it may be difficult to milk high-quality milk in a short time. Accordingly, in the teat cup 12, the direction in which the bore portion 63 is crushed in the massage state can be arbitrarily changed when the above-described mild crease occurs or before such a crease occurs. It is configured as follows.

  Specifically, first, the connecting tube 13 is removed from the vacuum pressure introducing nipple 43 and the feeding part 62 of the teat cup liner 32 is removed from the milk claw 11, and then the teat is performed in the reverse procedure to the assembly procedure described above. The teat cup liner 32 is removed from the cup shell 31. Next, in a state where the feeding part 62 of the teat cup liner 32 is inserted into the teat cup shell 31 and pulled out from the opening part 42, the teat insertion part 61 of the teat cup liner 32 is attached to the opening part 41 of the teat cup shell 31. At the same time, the mouth edge portion of the opening portion 42 of the teat cup shell 31 is engaged with the engaging groove portion 64 of the breast feeding portion 62 of the teat cup liner 32.

  At this time, the anti-twist marks 65a and 65b are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the teat cup liner 32 so that the teat cup liner 32 is not twisted, and both positions provided on the teat cup shell 31 are aligned. The teat cup liner 32 is mounted on the teat cup shell 31 so that one of the alignment marks 45b and 45b and the anti-twist mark 65b face each other (match). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 13, the teat cup liner 32 is attached to the teat cup shell 31 in a state in which the teat cup liner 32 is rotated 90 degrees in the circumferential direction with respect to the teat cup shell 31 from the state before removal. Assembling is completed.

  Hereinafter, the teat cup 12 before performing the above work is also referred to as “the teat cup 12 before remounting”, and the teat cup is rotated 90 degrees in the circumferential direction with respect to the teat cup shell 31 after performing the above work. The teat cup 12 in which the teat cup liner 32 is mounted on the cup shell 31 is also referred to as “the teat cup 12 after being mounted again”.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, even if a slight ovalization occurs in the bore 63 of the teat cup liner 32 in the teat cup 12 before remounting, the teat cup 12 after remounting is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the peripheral surface in the major axis direction of the bore portion 63 in which the ovalization has occurred is in a state of being in contact with the protruding end portion T of the restricting protrusion 44 (the restricting member 52) in the teat cup shell 31. Therefore, in the teat cup 12 after remounting, the ovalization that has occurred in the bore 63 of the teat cup liner 32 in the teat cup 12 before remounting is corrected.

  Moreover, when milking processing is implemented using the teat cup 12 after remounting, when supply of vacuum pressure to the outer space S2 is stopped in order to shift from the “milking state” to the “massage state”. Even when the bore portion 63 is crushed in the directions of the arrows C and C, the circumferential surface in the major axis direction of the bore portion 63 where the ovalization has occurred in the teat cup 12 before remounting is the restricting protruding portion 44 (for restricting use). By contacting the protruding end T of the member 52), the diameter expansion in the directions of the arrows D and D is restricted. For this reason, in the teat cup 12 after remounting, the bore 63 is expanded in the directions of arrows B and B, and is deformed so that the directions of arrows A and A are crushed.

  On the other hand, when the vacuum pressure is supplied to the outer space S2 in order to shift from the “massage state” to the “milking state” in the teat cup 12 after remounting, the bore portion 63 elastically returns in the direction indicated by the arrows D and D. Thus, the peripheral surface of the bore 63 comes into contact with the protruding end T of the restricting protrusion 44 (the restricting member 52). Therefore, when the supply of the vacuum pressure to the outer space S2 is stopped in order to shift from the “milking state” to the “massage state” again, the restricting protrusion 44 (the restricting member 52) moves in the directions of the arrows D and D. The diameter of the bore 63 is restricted. For this reason, the bore part 63 is expanded in the direction of arrows B and B, and is deformed so as to be crushed in the directions of arrows A and A.

  Therefore, the teat cup 12 after remounting is deformed so that it is crushed in a direction perpendicular to the directions of the arrows C and C where crushing has occurred in the teat cup 12 before remounting. Crushing wrinkles will occur in a direction different from the state before mounting. For this reason, in the teat cup 12, the teat cup liner 32 with respect to the teat cup shell 31 (the restricting protrusion 44) is formed when a slight crushing flaw occurs in the bore portion 63 or before such a crushing flaw occurs. By changing the relative rotational position, the situation where the difference between the diameter along the major axis direction and the diameter along the minor axis direction is excessively large is caused in the bore portion 63.

  As described above, according to the teat cup 12, the restriction protrusion 44 (regulation) provided on the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31 when at least a vacuum pressure is supplied between the teat cup shell 31 and the teat cup liner 32. By adopting a configuration in which the protruding end T of the member 52) is in contact with the peripheral surface of the teat cup liner 32, the direction in which the peripheral surface is in contact with the protruding end T of the restricting protrusion 44 (regulating member 52) is adopted. Since the diameter of the bore portion 63 is restricted, the direction in which the bore portion 63 is crushed when shifting from the milking state to the massage state is increased toward the restricting protrusion 44 (the restricting member 52). It can be restricted to orientations other than the orientation. Therefore, according to the teat cup 12, the relative rotation position of the teat cup liner 32 with respect to the teat cup shell 31 is periodically changed so that the bore portion 63 is not crushed when the milking state is shifted to the massage state. Since the direction to be generated can be changed, it is possible to suitably avoid the occurrence of large crushed wrinkles in a certain direction. As a result, the useful life of the teat cup liner 32 can be sufficiently lengthened and high-quality milk is produced. Can be maintained at a low cost.

  Further, according to the teat cup 12, the pair of restricting protrusions 44 (the restricting members 52) are arranged opposite to each other on the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31 with the teat cup liner 32 interposed therebetween. Since the diameter of the bore portion 63 in the direction in which the peripheral surface is in contact with the projecting end portion T of the regulating member 52) can be reliably regulated, the bore portion 63 is crushed when shifting from the milking state to the massage state. The direction can be surely limited to a direction other than the direction in which the diameter is expanded toward the restricting protrusion 44 (the restricting member 52), and as a result, it is more preferable to avoid the occurrence of large crushing flaws in a certain direction. can do.

  Further, according to the teat cup 12, the teat cup shell 31 is provided with the alignment marks 45a and 45b and the teat cup liner 32 with the anti-twist marks 65a and 65b. In the operation of changing the relative rotation position of the liner 32, the rotation position before the operation and the rotation position after the operation can be easily recognized. Therefore, the relative rotation position of the teat cup liner 32 is determined as the teat cup shell 31. It is possible to reliably and easily change to a desired rotational position that is different from the state prior to removal from the machine.

  Further, according to the teat cup 12, the regulating member 52 constituting the “projecting portion” is formed separately from the teat cup shell 31, so that the bore portion of the teat cup liner 32 to be attached to the teat cup shell 31. By attaching to the teat cup shell 31 a regulating member 52 having a protrusion height H defined so as to match the diameter of 63, the direction in which the bore portion 63 is crushed when shifting from the milking state to the massage state is set. It can be surely limited. For this reason, unlike a “teat cup” (not shown) in which the “protruding portion” is formed integrally with the “teat cup shell”, the “teat cup shell” is different for each teat cup liner 32 having a different diameter of the bore portion 63. Therefore, the teat cup 12 that can be milked from various dairy cows can be provided at low cost.

  In addition, about the structure of a "teat cup", it is not limited to said illustration. For example, the restricting protrusion 44 (i.e., “in milking state”) including a restricting member 52 whose cross-sectional shape of the protruding end T is curved along the peripheral surface of the bore 63 in the teat cup liner 32. The teat cup 12 having the “protruding end portion” having an example of the “protruding portion” that is in surface contact with the peripheral surface of the bore portion 63 has been described as an example. However, the shape of the “projecting portion” is not limited thereto. Specifically, as an example, as in the teat cup 12A shown in FIG. 14, a restricting protrusion 44a configured by including a restricting member 52a in which the cross-sectional shape of the protruding end T is linear (that is, in a milking state) An example of a “protruding portion” in which the “protruding end portion” linearly contacts the peripheral surface of the bore portion 63 or linearly with a certain width can be provided on the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31.

  Further, as in the teat cup 12B shown in FIG. 15, a restricting protrusion configured to include a restricting member 52b in which the cross-sectional shape of the protruding end portion is bent in a direction opposite to the peripheral surface of the bore portion 63 in the milking state. The portion 44 b (that is, another example of the “protruding portion” in which the “protruding end portion” linearly contacts the peripheral surface of the bore portion 63 in the milking state) may be provided on the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31. Even in the teat cups 12A and 12B adopting such a configuration, the same effects as those of the teat cup 12 described above can be obtained. Note that components having the same functions as those of the teat cup 12 in the teat cups 12A and 12B and 12C and 12D (see FIGS. 16 and 17) described later are denoted by the same reference numerals and are duplicated. Description is omitted.

  Further, the attachment of the regulating members 52, 52a, 52b, etc. to the teat cup shell 31 is not limited to the engagement to the engaging convex portions 51, 51 provided on the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31, but an adhesive or It can also be attached using adhesive tape or by welding or welding. Further, like the teat cup 12C shown in FIG. 16, a regulating member 52c is integrally formed on the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31c to constitute a regulating projection 44c (another example of the “projection”). You can also In this case, as a configuration in which the “projection portion” is integrally formed with the “teat cup shell”, a part of the peripheral surface of the teat cup shell 31d is recessed inward as in the teat cup 12D shown in FIG. Thus, the recess can function as a restricting protrusion 44d corresponding to the “protrusion”. Thus, even in the teat cups 12C and 12D in which the “protruding portion” is integrally formed with the “teat cup shell”, the same effect as the above-described teat cups 12, 12A and 12B can be obtained.

  On the other hand, the teat cup 12E shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 changes the “teat cup liner” from the “teat cup shell” when changing the direction of crushing generated in the bore portion 63 when shifting from the milking state to the massage state. Without being removed, the relative rotation position of the “teat cup liner” with respect to the “projection” can be changed. In addition, about the component which has the same function as the teat cup 12 grade | etc., Mentioned above in this teat cup 12E, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. The teat cup 12E includes a teat cup shell 31e, a teat cup liner 32, and a weight 33.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the teat cup shell 31 e includes, for example, a shell main body 55 formed in a cylindrical shape with a resin material having optical transparency, and a cylinder made of a resin material with optical transparency similar to the shell main body 55. The cylindrical body 56 formed in a shape, and seal members 57 and 57 for closing a gap generated between the shell main body 55 and the cylindrical body 56 are configured. The shell main body 55 is supported (connected) by a pair of support portions 55c in a state where the upper cylindrical portion 55a and the lower cylindrical portion 55b are separated from each other in the cylinder length direction, and the upper cylindrical portion 55a and the lower cylindrical portion Openings 55h and 55h are provided between the shaped portions 55b. In this case, the upper tubular portion 55a is provided with an opening 41 for mounting the teat insertion portion 61 of the teat cup liner 32, and the milk feeding portion 62 of the teat cup liner 32 is pulled out to the lower tubular portion 55b. An opening 42 corresponding to the “drawer hole” is provided. The lower cylindrical portion 55b is formed with a flange portion 55r for rotatably holding the cylindrical body 56 in combination with the weight 33 and the teat insertion portion 61 of the teat cup liner 32 as will be described later. Yes.

  The cylindrical body 56 corresponds to a “connecting portion” and has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 55 a and the lower cylindrical portion 55 b in the shell body 55. Yes. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the cylindrical body 56 is disposed between the upper cylindrical portion 55a and the lower cylindrical portion 55b so that it can be rotated in the circumferential direction with respect to the shell body 55. The two cylindrical portions 55a and 55b are connected to each other. As shown in FIGS. 19, 21, and 22, in the teat cup 12 </ b> E, a regulating member 52 e is attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical body 56 attached to the shell body 55, and the “projection part” A pair of crushing direction regulating projections 44e (hereinafter also referred to as “regulating projections 44e”) corresponding to another example is configured. The cylindrical body 56 is provided with a vacuum pressure introducing nipple 43 for introducing a milking pressure (for massage) vacuum pressure supplied from the milk claw 11 (for connecting the connecting tube 13). Yes. The weight 33 is for adjusting the weight applied to the breast of the cow, and is attached to the teat cup shell 31e (shell body 55) together with the teat cup liner 32.

  When using the teat cup 12E, first, the cylindrical body 56 on which the restricting protrusions 44e and 44e are not mounted is moved from the opening 41 side to the periphery of the shell body 55 (upper cylindrical portion 55a and lower cylindrical portion). 55b). At this time, the seal material 57 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the shell main body 55 (the upper cylindrical portion 55a and the lower cylindrical portion 55b) and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 56, so that the shell A gap generated between the main body 55 and the cylindrical body 56 is closed to seal the outer space S2. Next, the restricting protrusions 44e and 44e are inserted into the shell body 55 from the opening 41 of the shell main body 55 (upper cylindrical portion 55a), and both restricting protrusions 44e are formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical body 56 at the opening 55h. , 44e are pressed. Subsequently, the restricting projecting portions 44 e and 44 e are screwed to the inner surface of the cylindrical body 56 with a countersunk screw through which a screw hole formed in the cylindrical body 56 is inserted. As a result, a pair of restricting projecting portions 44e, 44e projecting toward the center of the teat cup shell 31e is installed on the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31e (the inner surfaces of the shell body 55 and the cylindrical body 56).

  Next, after the weight 33 is mounted around the shell main body 55, the feeding part 62 of the teat cup liner 32 is pulled out from the opening 42 of the teat cup shell 31e (the lower cylindrical part 55b in the shell main body 55). The lip portion 42 is engaged with the engaging groove portion 64 of the breast feeding portion 62, and the teat insertion portion 61 is attached to the opening 41 of the teat cup shell 31 e (upper cylindrical portion 55 a in the shell body 55). At this time, the teat cup liner 32 is attached to the teat cup shell 31e so that the anti-twist marks 65a and 65b are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the teat cup liner 32 so that the teat cup liner 32 is not twisted. Installing. Thereby, the assembly of the teat cup 12E is completed. The assembly work of the teat cup 12E is performed in the same manner for the other three teat cups 12E.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the teat cup shell 31e includes a pair of regulating members 52e formed separately from the shell main body 55 and the cylindrical body 56, and a regulating projection 44e is formed. In the teat cup shell 31e of this example, both restricting protrusions 44e (the restricting member 52e) are opposed to each other with the bore 63 in the teat cup liner 32 attached to the teat cup shell 31e. In this case, in the teat cup shell 31e of this example, the protrusion height He of the restricting protrusion 44e (the restricting member 52e) from the inner surface of the teat cup shell 31e (in this example, the inner surface of the cylindrical body 56) is the teat cup. A state in which the vacuum pressure from the milk claw 11 is supplied to the outer space S2 (between the teat cup shell 31e and the teat cup liner 32) around the bore portion 63 in the teat cup liner 32 in a state of being attached to the shell 31e (that is, , “Milking state”), the height of the peripheral surface of the bore 63 is in contact with the protruding end T of the restricting protrusion 44e (the restricting member 52e).

  More specifically, as an example, the separation distance L between the protruding end T of one regulating member 52e and the protruding end T of the other regulating member 52e is unused. The protrusion height He of the restricting protrusions 44e (the restricting member 52e) is such that the distance is slightly shorter than the diameter of the bore 63 in the teat cup liner 32 (for example, the design value of the diameter of the bore 63). It is prescribed. As a result, in the teat cup shell 31e, the bore 63 is accommodated in the teat cup shell 31e by attaching the teat cup liner 32 to the teat cup shell 31e with the regulating member 52e attached thereto. The peripheral surface of the bore portion 63 is in contact with the protruding end T of the restricting protrusion 44e (the restricting member 52e), and as an example, within a range of 5% to 15% of the thickness of the bore portion 63 (as an example, the bore portion 63). The bore portion 63 is crushed at a thickness of about 10% of the thickness of the material and is slightly elliptical.

  Therefore, in this teat cup 12E, when the supply of the vacuum pressure to the outer space S2 is stopped in order to shift from the “milking state” to the “massage state” in the same manner as the above-described teat cup 12 and the like, The direction of crushing of the bore portion 63 in the shell 31e is restricted to a certain direction. For this reason, when the daily milking process is repeatedly performed, the bore portion 63 may be ovalized (a slight crushing wrinkle occurs). Therefore, in the teat cup 12E, when a slight crushing flaw occurs in the bore portion 63 or before such a crushing flaw occurs, the teat cup shell 31e (the restricting protrusion 44e provided on the cylindrical body 56) is formed. ) By changing the relative rotational position of the teat cup liner 32, the direction in which the bore portion 63 is crushed in the massage state can be changed.

  Specifically, as an example, when the milking process is repeatedly performed in the state shown in FIG. 21, and a slight ovalization occurs in the bore portion 63 of the teat cup liner 32, the cylindrical body 56 is attached to the shell body 55. Rotate 90 degrees in the direction of arrow E. At this time, in the teat cup 12E, the lip portion of the opening 42 in the lower cylindrical portion 55b is engaged with the engaging groove 64, and the nipple insertion portion is inserted into the opening 41 of the upper cylindrical portion 55a. In this state, the teat cup liner 32 with the 61 attached is fixed to the shell main body 55 (a state in which the rotation of the teat cup liner 32 with respect to the shell main body 55 is restricted). Accordingly, in the teat cup 12E, the cylindrical body 56 is rotated with respect to the shell body 55, whereby the relative rotation position of the teat cup liner 32 with respect to the regulating protrusion 44e provided on the cylindrical body 56 (the teat cup). The rotational position of the restricting protrusion 44e with respect to the liner 32 changes.

  In this case, in the teat cup 12E, since the shell main body 55 and the cylindrical body 56 are formed of a light-transmitting material (in this example, a resin material), both the restriction for the bore portion 63 in which the ovalization has occurred is provided. The cylindrical body 56 can be rotated with respect to the shell body 55 while visually confirming the position of the protruding portion 44e (the regulating member 52e). Further, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 21, even if a slight ovalization occurs in the bore 63 of the teat cup liner 32 in the teat cup 12E before the cylindrical body 56 is rotated, as shown in FIG. In the teat cup 12E after the cylindrical body 56 is rotated, the circumferential surface in the major axis direction of the bore portion 63 where the ovalization has occurred is the restricting protrusion 44e (the restricting member 52e) in the teat cup shell 31e. It will be in the state which touched the tip part T in. Accordingly, in the teat cup 12E after the cylindrical body 56 is rotated, the ovalization that has occurred in the bore 63 of the teat cup liner 32 in the teat cup 12E before the cylindrical body 56 is rotated is corrected.

  Moreover, when milking processing is implemented using the teat cup 12E after rotating the cylindrical body 56, the vacuum pressure to the outer space S2 is changed in order to shift from the “milking state” to the “massage state”. The direction of crushing that occurs in the bore 63 when supply is stopped is regulated so that crushing occurs in the major axis direction before the cylindrical body 56 is rotated. Therefore, in the teat cup 12E after the cylindrical body 56 is rotated, crushing wrinkles are generated in the bore portion 63 in a direction different from that of the teat cup 12E in a state before the cylindrical body 56 is rotated. For this reason, in the teat cup 12E, when a slight crushing flaw occurs in the bore portion 63 or before such a crushing flaw occurs, the cylindrical body 56 is rotated with respect to the teat cup liner 32, By changing the relative rotational position of the teat cup liner 32 with respect to the restricting protrusion 4e (the restricting member 52e), the difference between the diameter along the major axis direction and the diameter along the minor axis direction is excessively large. A situation in which ovalization occurs in the bore 63 is avoided.

  As described above, according to the teat cup 12E, the restricting protrusion 44e (the restricting member 52e) is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical body 56 disposed between the upper tubular portion 55a and the lower tubular portion 55b. By changing the position of the restricting protrusion 44e (the restricting member 52e) with respect to the teat cup liner 32 by rotating the cylindrical body 56 in the circumferential direction with respect to both the cylindrical parts 55a and 55b, the restricting protrusion Since the diameter of the bore portion 63 in the direction in which the peripheral surface is in contact with the projecting end portion T of the portion 44e (the regulating member 52e) is restricted, the bore portion 63 is crushed when the transition is made from the milking state to the massage state. The direction to be generated can be limited to directions other than the direction in which the diameter is increased toward the restricting protrusion 44e (the restricting member 52e). Therefore, according to the teat cup 12E, the milking state is obtained by periodically changing the relative rotational position of the cylindrical body 56 (the restricting protrusion 44e) with respect to the shell body 55 to which the teat cup liner 32 is fixed. Since the direction in which the bore portion 63 is crushed can be changed when shifting from the massage state to the massage state, it is possible to suitably avoid the occurrence of large crushed wrinkles in a certain direction. The life can be sufficiently lengthened, and a state where high quality milk can be expressed in a short time can be maintained at low cost. Further, according to the teat cup 12E, the rotational position of the restricting protruding portion 44e (the restricting member 52e) with respect to the bore portion 63 can be changed without removing the teat cup liner 32 from the teat cup shell 31e. The direction of crushing generated in the bore 63 of the teat cup liner 32 can be easily changed. Further, according to the teat cup 12E, the shell main body 55 and the cylindrical body 56 are formed of a light-transmitting material, so that the position of the restricting protrusion 44e (the restricting member 52e) with respect to the teat cup liner 32 is visually checked. Since the cylindrical body 56 can be rotated while confirming with the above, the direction in which the bore portion 63 is crushed can be reliably changed to a desired direction.

  Moreover, the structure which provides only one "projection part" in the inner surface of a "teat cup shell" can also be employ | adopted. Furthermore, when changing the direction of crushing that occurs in the bore portion 63, the angle for changing the relative rotational position of the “teat cup liner (bore portion)” with respect to the “teat cup shell (projecting portion)” is other than 90 degrees. Any angle can be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Milking system 5 Teat cup unit 11 Milk claw 12, 12A-12E Teat cup 31, 31c-31e Teat cup shell 32 Teat cup liner 41, 42 Opening part 44, 44a-44e Crush direction control protrusion 45a, 45b Position alignment Mark 51 Engaging convex part 52, 52a-52c, 52e Restricting member 55 Shell main body 55a Upper cylindrical part 55b Lower cylindrical part 55c Support part 55h Opening part 55r collar part 56 Cylindrical body 57 Sealing material 61 Nipple insertion part 62 Feeding part 63 Bore part 65a, 65b Anti twist mark L Separation distance H, He Protrusion height S1 Inner space S2 Outer space T Protrusion end

Claims (5)

A teat cup liner and a teat cup shell formed in a cylindrical shape so as to be able to receive a bore portion in the teat cup liner are provided, and the teat cup liner is attached to the teat cup shell so as to receive the bore portion. Teat cup,
At least one projecting portion projecting toward the center of the teat cup shell is provided at a portion of the inner surface of the teat cup shell facing the bore portion;
The protrusion is defined to have a protrusion height at which a peripheral surface of the teat cup liner is in contact with a protrusion end of the protrusion when a vacuum pressure is supplied between at least the teat cup shell and the teat cup liner. Teat cup.   2. The teat cup according to claim 1, wherein the teat cup includes a pair of the projecting portions, and the pair of projecting portions are disposed to face each other with an inner surface of the teat cup shell sandwiching the teat cup liner.   The teat cup according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an alignment mark capable of specifying a relative rotational position of the teat cup liner with respect to the teat cup shell is provided on the teat cup shell and the teat cup liner.   4. The teat cup according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is formed separately from the teat cup shell and is removably attached to an attaching portion provided in the teat cup shell. . The teat cup shell includes an upper cylindrical portion on which a teat insertion portion of the teat cup liner is mounted, a lower cylindrical portion provided with a drawer hole for drawing out a feeding portion of the teat cup liner, and the upper cylindrical shape. And a connecting portion that is disposed between the upper cylindrical portion and the lower cylindrical portion, and is connected between the upper cylindrical portion and the lower cylindrical portion,
5. The connecting portion according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is provided on an inner surface, and the connecting portion is configured to be rotatable in a circumferential direction with respect to the upper cylindrical portion and the lower cylindrical portion. Teat cup as described.

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