AU2008284506A1 - Improvements in or relating to milking machine claws - Google Patents

Description

WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 - I IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO MILKING MACHINE CLAWS FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to modifications to the design of milking claws, as commonly used in automated milking systems for dairy cows, to address the potential 5 spread of teat infections such as mastitis between different cows being milked. BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION The present invention was developed with the specific problems associated with the spread of mastitis between different teats, and different'cows in a dairy herd. In particular, consideration was given to the design of commonly used milking systems, 10 most modem systems utilising a claw bowl assembly which is essentially a manifold allowing the connection of separate teat cups (and their associated connecting tubes or lines) to the main milk collection apparatus. - While consideration was given to the issues of such types of systems, it should be appreciated that the principles described herein may be applied to a range of proprietary milking systems and fluid collection 15 methods, and need not be restricted to dairy cows (bovine). Similarly, while consideration has been given to mastitis, an affliction of the teats typically caused by infectious agents, the principles of the present invention may also be used to address the possibility of other infectious pathogens which may be spread through contaminated milking apparatus (of a type using a claw bowl assembly). 20 For the purposes of the specification, the following definitions will be made (unless specifically otherwise indicated): "Mastitis" shall refer to any inflammation or affliction of the teats, milk ducts, and mammary glands of an animal, such anatomical portions being associated with the production and delivery of milk by an animal. 25 "Pathogenically induced mastitis" shall refer to mastitis specifically caused by infection or the presence of an infectious agent, organism, or pathogen. "Claw bowl assembly" refers to a manifold type arrangement intermediate the lines to the individual teat cups, and the line to the milk collection portion of the milking system. Depending upon the specific design, there is typically a "claw" (or "milking 30 claw"), which is typically the portion to which a plurality of teat lines are attachable, and the "claw bowl" which is a reservoir in which incoming milk (from the teat lines) WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -2 are merged for connection to the "long milk tube" (or LMT), a line leading from the claw bowl assembly to the milk collection portion of the milking system. It should be appreciated that the exact design of a claw bowl assembly is subject to user choice, and need not necessarily be restricted to two pieces (e.g. the claw, and claw 5 bowl) and could be constructed in one or more pieces. Similarly, the LMT could be connected to the claw, rather than claw bowl, though typically the LMT in connected to the claw bowl. These variations are all envisaged within the scope of the present invention. However, for simplicity and ease of understanding, the present specification shall refer to the more typical two piece .arrangement of claw and claw bowl, with 10 which most people are more familiar. It is envisaged that a skilled reader will be able to apply the principles of the present invention to different claw bowl assembly designs, given the description given herein. It can be shown experimentally that the major cause of cross-infection with mastitis producing organisms between teats and also between cows, takes place in the teat cups 15 of the milking machine. When an animal's teat is infected with pathogenic organisms, a residue of infected milk is retained within the teat cup common to various milking systems. This residue then contaminates the surface of the teat, of the following cows, to which that cup is applied. This cause of transfer is generally accepted within the dairy industry as being the primary cause of the spread of pathogenically induced 20 mastitis between cows in a herd. Hence most solutions of the art are focused at addressing any residue of contaminated milk remaining in the' teat cup and its connecting line. However, the work of the inventor indicates that his is only part of the transfer process. Work by the inventor has indicated that infected milk from one quarter is able to 25 transfer to all the teat cups on the cluster and thus the residue of infected milk is passed to all four teats of the next cow, rather than just to the teat to which the contaminated teat cup is applied. Furthermore, it can be shown that the transfer of infection continues for the following succession of cows, being only slightly reduced after a further 5-6 cows. Thus one infected quarter is able to expose the following 24 or 30 more teats to a high level of pathogenic organisms. In the past it has been believed that the majority of this observed cross-transfer of milk between teat cups, occurred during the actual milking of the infected cow. It was argued that the periodic motion of the teat cup liner under the action of the pulsation, acted as a pump which moved milk back and forth between the claw bowl and the teat- WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -3 cup, through the short milk tube. Also it was argued that transient changes in pressure (i.e. vacuum) in the claw bowl would assist in the transfer of milk. This 'dynamic" transfer of infectious pathogens during milking can take place only under specific conditions and is not a feature of each milking. This understanding of the situation, by 5 the industry, has given rise to numerous claw designs aimed at reducing this potential dynamic cross-flow occurring during milking. However, the work of the inventor has unexpectedly indicated that the major cross contamination between teat cups does not take place during the actual milking of the cow. The majority of the cross contamination actually occurs in the interval between 10 milking successive cows - i.e. after the teat cups are removed. What has been found is, at the end of milking a cow a small pool of milk (usually 20-30 ml) is left lying in the long milk tube (LMT) which leads from the claw bowl to the milk pipeline. This arises because the flexible tubes hang slightly below the claw level and the air movement when teat cups are removed is not sufficient to scavenge all the milk from the long milk 15 tube. The residual milk clinging to the walls of the tube eventually drains back to form a small pool at the lowest level. This pool of milk is a mixture of the milk from all four quarters including an infected one, if present. The cross-contamination between teat cups takes place as the teat cup assembly is inverted, which usually happens as the cups are picked up or removed from a cow. As 20 the teat cups are relatively heavy, the claw bowl assembly pivots into the inverted position-with the pups hanging downward. At this point the claw bowl is on top, and the claw at the bottom. In this position also, either on removal or when being prepared for placement on the next cow, the long milk tube is straightened slightly and the teat cup cluster is held below the level of the loop or sag in the tube. In this position, the 25 small pool of milk in the tube is able to run back through the claw bowl, and down onto the claw. When it reaches the claw, the contaminated milk still seeks the lowest level, which are teat cup lines issuing from the bottom (of the inverted) claw. This contaminated milk can then run down the hanging teat cup lines and then find its way to the teat cups. We can then have a full set of contaminated teat cups ready to spread 30 infection to all of the teats of the next cow to which the teat cups are applied. This transfer of (typically) 20-30 ml of infected milk into the teat cup liners causes a major transfer of pathogens into the teat cup and to the surfaces which will be in direct contact with the teats of the next cow. In particular, a small pool of milk collects in the mouthpiece cavity of the liner where it continues to dribble down over the teat during 35 the milking process.

WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -4 This action can be shown experimentally using bacterial cultures introduced into one teat cup during the milking of one cow, to. simulate an infected quarter. The degree of transfer to the other three teats of that cow is quite small on average and is relatively infrequent. In the between-cow phase, however, milk can be seen to dribble from the 5 teat cups as they are inverted. Bacteriological analysis of swabs taken from all four teats of cows following the milking of a primary cow responsible for infection of a single cup will show all teats of the successive cows to be contaminated with the infectious organism. This contamination can be shown to continue for at least the next six cows at a relatively high level, depending on the level of initial infection and 10 specific milking practice (for removing and applying cups between successive cows). As this mechanism of transfer is not recognised by the milking machine industry, most claw-pieces do not provide any mechanism to prevent this static transfer of milk in the between-cow phase of milking. Instead, the art has addressed mastitis transfer by placing significant emphasis on such things as claw bowl volume and reduction of milk 15 flow turbulence in the claw. While these improvements can provide modest to minimal improvements in controlling the spread of infection, they still fail to provide a significant solution to the problem of the spread of infectious pathogens through milking apparatus teat cups. As the presence and spread of mastitis has significant animal health and financial 20 implications on the dairy industry, any advance which can more effectively control or address the spread of mastitis between cows is of significant importance. As design changes to milking apparatus have only addressed this issue in a modest way, there is still a need for a more effective means of addressing the issue. Reducing spread of pathogens by the milking apparatus may provide a number of financial benefits to 25 farmers - there is potentially less need to spend on veterinary pharmaceuticals to cure the mastitis, as well as less interruption to the full potential milk production offered by healthy cows. Accordingly there is a need for an improved method of addressing the spread of infectious pathogens by milking apparatus, and particularly through the teat cups. 30 It is an object of the present invention to address these problems. It is also an object of the present invention to provide at least an improved claw, or claw bowl assembly, which can help reduce the spread of contaminated milk between teat cup lines and teat cups during the between-cow phase of milking.

WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -5 At the very least it is an object of the present invention to provide the public with a useful alternative. Aspects of the present invention will be described by way of example only and with reference to the ensuing description. 5 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw for use in milking apparatus, said milking claw comprising a claw body portion and a plurality of teat line conduits passing through the body portion from its outside to inside sides; 10 said teat line conduits being characterised on the outside of the claw body portion as either or both comprising lines, or configured to allow the attachment of lines, for the connection of teat cups; the claw body portion being characterised by including features which contribute to defining at least one fluid capture volume when the milking claw is inverted; 15 a said fluid capture volume capable of capturing fluid and restricting it from flowing into said teat line conduits. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw for use in milking apparatus, said milking claw comprising a claw body portion and a plurality of teat line conduits passing through the body from its outside to inside sides; 20 said teat line conduits being characterised on the outside of the claw body portion as either or both comprising lines, or configured to allow the attachment of lines, for the connection of teat cups; the relationship between the inside of the claw body portion and the teat line conduits as they port to the inside of the claw body portion being such that, when the milking 25 claw is in an inverted position (as herein defined), the lowest point on the port opening of any said teat line conduit to the inside side of the claw body portion is above the lowest point on the inside side of said claw body portion. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, which allows for connection of a claw bowl. 30 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which the inside side of said claw body portion, when in said inverted position, includes one or more depressions which define a fluid capture volume, said fluid capture volume being defined as the volume of fluid which WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -6 said inverted claw body portion can hold without the fluid overflowing into the port openings of any said teat line conduit into the inside of the claw body portion. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in combination with a claw bowl, which together 5 define a fluid capture volume, said fluid capture volume being defined as the volume of fluid which said combined inverted claw body portion and claw bowl can hold without the fluid overflowing into the port openings of any said teat line conduit into the inside of the claw body portion. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, 10 substantially as described above, in which a said fluid capture volume is at least 15ml in volume. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which a said fluid capture volume is at least 25ml in volume. 15 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which a said fluid capture volume is at least 50ml in volume. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which a said depression comprises a moat like 20 depression encircling the openings of the teat line conduits to the inside of the claw body portion. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which the opening of at least one teat conduit line as it ports to the inside of the claw body portion, is substantially flush with the 25 surrounding inside region of the claw body portion. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which'the opening of-at least one teat line conduit as it ports to the inside of said claw body portion, is proud of, or extends beyond, the inside face of said claw body portion in the region it passes through. 30 According to. another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which the opening of a said teat line conduit into WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -7 the inside of the claw body portion extends at least 5mm beyond the inside face of the claw body portion in the region it passes through. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which the opening of a said teat line conduit into 5 the inside of the claw body portion extends at least 15mm beyond the inside face of the claw body portion in the region it passes through. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which the opening of at least one teat line conduit on the inside side of the claw body portion is configured, when the milking claw is in 10 an inverted position, to defer a stream of fluid poured from over the vicinity of said opening from flowing directly into said teat line conduit. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which said teat line conduit extends past the inside side of the claw body portion, and has a curved portion within the part which extends 15 past the inside side of the claw body portion. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which the angle of the curve, as measured along the average centre axis of said teat line conduit on the inside side of the claw body portion, is within the inclusive range of 350 to 180 . 20 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which the opening of said teat line conduit to the inside of the claw body portion comprises a shroud or deflector covering at least part of the cross-sectional area of the teat line conduit adjacent its opening. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, 25 substantially as described above, in which at least one teat line conduit is configured such that fluid transported through said teat line conduit to the inside side of the claw body portion is expelled having an induced direction at least 15' from an axis parallel to a central axis of the inverted milking claw. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, 30 substantially as described above, in which the induced direction of said expelled fluid is substantially tangential with respect to the central axis of the inverted milking claw.

WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -8 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which the induced direction of expelled fluid is such, when said milking claw is used in conjunction with a claw bowl, to impart a vortex motion to fluid entering the bowl at least when the combination is used in a non 5 inverted position. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, in which -expelled fliid is directed on to at least part of the inside of the claw body portion. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, 10 substantially as described above, which includes one or more connections for the pulsator means of an automated milking machine. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, which, when the milking claw is inverted, includes a baffle positioned substantially above opening of at least one teat line to the inside of the 15 claw body portion. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a milking claw, substantially as described above, which includes an integral claw bowl. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a claw bowl for use in a claw bowl assembly, said claw bowl comprising one or more internal features 20 on its walls which, when the claw bowl assembly is inverted, capture and hold fluid falling either or both falling downwardly or flowing down the walls of the bowl, but which features do not capture or hold fluid when in the claw bowl is in a non-inverted position. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a claw bowl, 25 substantially as described above, in which said internal features on the walls comprise circumferential, or circumferentially distributed, wells which collect fluid flowing down the walls of the claw bowl when inverted. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a claw bowl, substantially as described above, in which there is provided one or more well like 30 features, capable of collecting fluid at the end of the claw bowl to which a milking claw is attached, and which said well-like feature or features are positioned about the inside side of the milking claw when attached to the claw bowl; WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -9 the arrangement being further characterised in that when the attached claw bowl and milking claw are in an inverted position, the inside openings of teat line conduits, present in milking claw, are above the lowest points of said well-like features. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a claw bowl, 5 substantially as described above, when in an inverted position, comprises either or both of a moat, or a series of depressions, positioned both about and below the connection interface of said claw bowl to a milking claw. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a claw bowl assembly comprising a milking claw, substantially as described above, in conjunction 10 with a claw bowl. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a claw bowl assembly comprising a claw bowl, substantially as described above, in conjunction with a milking claw. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a claw bowl 15 assembly comprising a milking claw portion which has the characteristics of a milking claw, substantially as described above, in conjunction with a claw bowl portion having the characteristics of a claw bowl substantially as described above. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an automated milking system comprising a claw bowl assembly substantially as described above. 20 The present invention is generally directed to improvements to claw bowl assemblies, though improvements may be made to either or both of the two primary components which most claw bowl assemblies comprise - the milking claw, and the claw bowl. The same principles may be applied to integral one piece units, in which case references to "claw bowl" herein will refer to that portion of the integral unit which 25 approximates the function of the claw bowl on two piece units. Likewise, references to "milking claw" will refer to that portion of the integral unit which approximates the function of the milking claw on two piece units. This general logic should be used as a guideline to apply the principles of the present invention to various embodiments of claw bowl assemblies which may comprise one, two, or many pieces in construction. 30 For simplicity of description, the embodiments described in the specification all are of substantially circular cross-section about a central axis (running vertically for both WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -10 inverted and non-inverted claw bowl assemblies). Other configurations are possible, and the principles described herein may be applied to such designs and configurations. Typically, a milking claw according to the present invention is characterised by having a body portion, and at least one teat line conduit (though preferably a plurality thereof) 5 passing through the body portion so as to be able to convey fluid between the outside and inside of the body portion. These teat line conduits thus port through to, and open to the inside side of, the body portion. On the outside they may continue as lines to which (typically) teat cups are attached. . Alternatively they may terminate on the outside of the body portion in a manner-allowing for the attachment of fluid lines 10 (typically to teat cups). The milking claw may be constructed of a variety of materials, though typically the requirements of the industry in which they are used will dictate suitable materials. Typical industry requirements require easily sanitised materials, suitable for use in a wet environment and stable to cleaning with potentially corrosive agents, as well as 15 being UV stable (typically) and being able to withstand exposure to pulsed waves of reduced pressure. Commonly suitable materials include various stainless steels, though suitable plastics materials may also be used - injectable plastics allow more complex shapes to be formed. Combinations of different materials may also be considered. A common characteristic of embodiments of the present invention are features which 20 limit the reverse flow of fluid from the claw bowl into the teat lines. Typically this is performed by forming "wells" into which reverse flowing fluid preferentially accumulates rather than flowing through the teat line conduit openings on the inside of the claw body portion. Further modifications in some embodiments include modifying how the teat line conduits port to the inside side of the claw body portion - typically 25 these modifications will help deflect downward flowing or falling fluid (when the claw is in an inverted position) away from the conduit openings. Baffle like features may also be employed in some embodiments. The so called "wells' are typically features of the milking claw, the claw bowl portion, or the two in combination, which allow a volume of fluid to be held when the apparatus 30 is in an inverted position. Such wells may also be provided on both the milking claw and claw bowl portions. Referring firstly to the milking claw, such wells can be created in a number of ways, and a specific milking claw embodiment may rely on one or more of such methods. Firstly, there may be one or more depressions on the inside side of the claw body WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 - 11 portion. In the inverted milking claw, the lowest points of these depressions will be below the lowest point of any teat line conduit opening. These depressions will hold a volume of fluid, which comprise or contributes to the "fluid capture volume". The "fluid capture volume" is the volume of fluid an inverted claw bowl assembly can 5 accumulate before it starts flowing into the teat line conduits. This type of depression will be best seen in the right halves of figures 1 and 2. Ideally the volume that the depressions can hold in an inverted milking claw is at least 15ml, more preferably at least 25ml, and ideally at least 50ml. Accumulation of fluid can also be achieved by raising the openings of the teat line 10 conduits (in an inverted claw) above the inside face of the claw body portion in their vicinity (best seen in the right halves of figures 1 and 2). Hence, the claw body portion may have a planar inside face (such as the left halve of figure 1), providing the openings of the teat line conduits are proud of this face. Again this creates a well like feature, though it may be necessary (in some embodiments) for the claw bowl to be 15 attached before the outside faces of the well are formed. Ideally the lowest opening point of such intruding teat line conduits is 5mm beyond the inside face of the claw body portion in the region it passes through, though more preferably is at least 15mm. It should be appreciated that various design configurations may be adopted to create one or more well-like features defining or contributing to a fluid capture volume. 20 Another method of creating or contributing to a fluid capture- volume, according to various embodiments of the present invention, is to modify the inside face(s) of the bowl. This may be achieved by creating a depression (with reference to an inverted claw bowl) or lowered feature in the claw bowl such that the lowest point in the claw bowl is below the lowest opening point of a teat line conduit of a milking claw to which 25 the claw body is attached. This principle is best illustrated in the left half of figure 2. Another modification to a claw bowl is to provide inwardly directed features which capture fluid flowing down the walls of an inverted claw bowl, but which empty this fluid when the claw bowl is turned the right way up (i.e. non-inverted). This principle is also best illustrated in the left half of figure 2. 30 By providing such fluid accumulating areas, reverse flowing fluid is preferentially collected (rather than flowing down the teat line conduits and contaminating the teat lines and teat cups) as well as being able to be drained when the claw bowl assembly is turned upright (non-inverted) for the next milking operation. Consideration may also WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -12 be given to cleaning, and thus also adopting embodiments whose design facilitates cleaning. Consequently, preferred embodiments have designs which assist effective cleaning operations such as routinely conducted on milking apparatus. Such preferred embodiments preferentially have well-like features with smooth or 5 rounded faces, and which may assist the washing flow of cleaning fluids directed on to them. Teat line conduits may be ported into the inside of a claw bowl assembly in a manner to assist this process. For instance, the opening of teat line conduits may be directed towards well-like depressions in the claw body portion and/or any provided in an attached claw bowl. Care should be taken that hooks or bends in an intruding 10 portion of the teat line conduit do not hold contaminated, fluid which can flow back down into the teat line once the claw bowl assembly is inverted between milking operations. This can be addressed by providing drain apertures in the sides of hook shaped bends (or upward bends when viewed in the non-inverted position) of the inward protruding end of teat line conduits. 15 The inward end of teat line conduits may also be bent or arranged to direct fluid substantially tangentially (with respect to the previously mentioned central longitudinal axis). This can help direct fluid against the walls of a claw bowl and/or any well-like features on the claw body portion. The right half of figure 2 illustrates a protruding teat line conduit which directs fluid substantially tangentially and slightly upwardly, was 20 well as a well design which takes advantage of this directional flow. The right half of figure 1 also illustrates a teat line conduit which induces tangential flow. "Substantially tangential" means between +30' and -10' (inclusive) of the tangential of a circle about the previously described central longitudinal axis of the milking claw. Modifications may be made to the opening of teat line conduits where they port into the 25 inside of the claw body portion, so as to further help prevent the reverse flow of fluid into the conduit. This may merely comprise placing a bend in the end of the teat line conduit (such as described in the previous paragraphs) so as to impede a stream or dribble of falling fluid from directly entering into the mouth of the teat line conduit. This can be seen in the right halves of figures 1 and 2. 30 Another alternative is to position a baffle-like portion to at least partially obscure the mouth opening of a teat line conduit. The left half of figure 2 illustrates a baffle-like deflector integrally formed into the claw body portion, though separate elements may be employed.

WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -13 The various features described in relation milking claws and claw bowls may be employed in various embodiments of claw bowl assemblies. Hence a claw bowl assembly of the present invention might employ an embodiment of a milking claw according to the present invention, an embodiment of a claw bowl according to the 5 present invention, or both. This allows a user to substitute a new claw bowl assembly for those currently in use, or to modify existing equipment by only substituting an improved claw bowl according to the present invention (in combination with their standard milking claw), or only substituting an improved milking claw according to the present invention (in combination with their-standard claw bowl). These options allow 10 users of existing equipment to partially modify their existing equipment to benefit from some of the potentially realisable advantages of the present invention rather than the larger capital commitment of replacing all of their claw bowl assemblies in their entirety. Various other modifications of the principles described herein may be employed in 15 various embodiments of the present invention. Further aspects of the present invention will become clearer by virtue of drawings in detailed description to follow. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a front cross-sectional diagrammatic view of two embodiments of a 20 milking claw and claw bowl combination, shown in an inverted position, according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a front cross-sectional diagrammatic view of two embodiments of a milking claw and claw bowl combination, shown in an inverted position, according to the present invention; 25 Figure 3 is a front cross-sectional diagrammatic of an embodiment of a claw bowl assembly, shown in a non-inverted position; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the inside end of a teat line conduit used in an embodiment of a milking claw according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a front cross-sectional diagrammatic view of a further embodiment of 30 a claw bowl assembly, shown in a non-inverted position, and WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -14 Figure 6 is a partial front cross-sectional diagrammatic view of a further embodiment of a milking claw and claw bowl combination, shown in an inverted position, according to the present invention; DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 5 A description of some preferred embodiments of the present invention is given with reference to the drawings by way of example only. Figure 1 illustrates two possible embodiments of the present invention, one embodiment being illustrated in partial cross-section in the left half of the drawing, and the other in the right half for comparison. 10 In the left hand embodiment (generally indicated by figure 1) there is provided a claw bowl assembly (generally indicated by arrow 1) comprising a claw bowl (2) connectable to a milking claw (generally indicated by arrow 3). Through the body portion (4) of the milking claw (3) is provided a teat line conduit (5). The outside portion (6) is connectable to a teat line (7) leading-to a teat cup (not shown). 15 The inner end (8) of the conduit (5) ports such that its mouth is above the inner surface (9) of the claw body portion (4), at least in the vicinity of where the inner end (8) passes through the body portion (4). As the mouth (8) is above the inner surface (9) of the body portion (4) (when the milking claw (3) is inverted as shown in figure 1), a fluid capture volume (11) is able to be created though the wall of the claw bowl (2) 20 does help define this volume. Hence a volume (11) of fluid is able to be captured when the apparatus is in an inverted position, and this volume (11) must be filled before fluid is able to overflow into the teat line conduit (5) through its mouth (8). In the right half of figure 1 is illustrated a different variation of an embodiment, also including a claw body portion (104) and claw bowl (102). A teat line conduit (105) 25 passes through the body portion (104). On its (105) outer side, the teat line conduit (105) is also the teat line (107) leading to a teat cup (not shown). The inner portion of the teat line conduit (105) also extends above the inside surface (109) of the body portion (104) in the vicinity of where it passes therethrough. This helps define a fluid capture volume (111) with the top surface of this volume being 30 level with the lowest point of the opening mouth (108) of the teat line conduit (105). This inner portion of the teat line conduit (105) also includes a bend (generally indicated by arrow 115) which directs the end (108) of the conduit (105) substantially WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -15 outwardly. This bend also helps prevent falling fluid (when the claw bowl assembly (100) is inverted). Optionally, the bend may also direct the mouth (108) of the teat line conduit (105) may also be directed in a tangential or partially tangential direction tangential being with respect to a central longitudinal axis (30). 5 Also provided in the body portion (104) is a circumferential (about axis (30)) well (120) which further increases the fluid capture volume (111). Such a well (120) could have also been placed inwardly of the teat line conduit (105), or both inwardly and outwardly. Such wells could also be used in embodiments such as shown in the left halves of figures 1 and 2. 10 The left half of figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of a claw bowl assembly (200). In this embodiment the mouth (208) of the teat line conduit (205) is substantially flush with the inside face (209) of the claw body portion (204) in the vicinity of where it exits therethrough. A deflector (218) integrally formed into the body portion (204) partially shrouds the mouth (208) of the conduit (205) to reduce the likelihood of 15 dripping or falling fluid directly entering the mouth (208) of the conduit (205). In this embodiment a well (240) is formed in the claw bowl (202) and is situated lower than the lowest point of the mouth (208) of the teat line conduit (205). This well (240) defines a fluid capture volume. Such a modified claw bowl (202) could be used in combination with a variety of claw bodies, such as shown in figure 1 or the right half of 20 figure 2. The left half of figure 2 illustrates another optional feature - the presence of circumferential wells (241) on the inner face of the wall of the claw bowl (202). When inverted, as shown in the figure, each well can capture fluid, adding to the total fluid capture volume. However, when turned right side up, these circumferential wells (241) 25 are free to drain their captured fluid contents These wells need not be circumferential, and could comprise a plurality of pockets distributed about the inside face of the claw bowl (202). The right half of figure 3 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention. The claw bowl assembly (250) comprises a claw bowl (252) and claw body portion (254) 30 with a teat line conduit passing therethrough. There is a well (270) similar to that of the right half of figure 1, but more rounded in contour to assist cleaning by fluid pumped through the conduit (255). In this figure, the fluid capture volume is not shown, though reference may be made to the right half of figure 1.

WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 - 16 The inside portion (265) of the conduit line (255) is bent through approximately 120 145' in order to direct fluid (from cleaning) towards the well (270) and to further hinder the entry of dripping fluid entering the mouth (258) when the apparatus (250) is inverted. A small drain hole (266) may be provided in the side of the bend (265) to 5 avoid fluid accumulating when the apparatus (250) is right side up. The bend (265) also directs the mouth (258) of the conduit (255) in a substantially tangential direction with respect to central longitudinal axis 230. This helps further direct fluid in a rotational direction along the circumferential well (270) during a cleaning cycle. 10 It should be noted, that for simplicity, connections to a vacuum pulse unit and to the milk collection line have been omitted. These will typically be employed in the working embodiments of variations shown in figures 1 and 2. Such connections are illustrated, for the purposes of reference, in some of the other drawings. Some other embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying 15 drawings. A further embodiment of a claw bowl assembly (generally indicated by arrow 300) is shown in figure 3 in the normal milking operation position (i.e. non-inverted). This comprises a claw body (301), and a teat line connection (302) (comprising a, teat conduit line (303)) to the claw body (301) for each teat cup (not shown) to be 20 connected to the apparatus (300). Each teat line connection (302) comprises an individual teat line conduit (303). There is also provided a further outlet (305), in the claw bowl (315), for connection to milk collection means. The teat line conduits (303) lead into a common chamber (304) defined by the walls of the claw body (301) and of the claw bowl (315). 25 Each teat line conduit (303) includes an inner portion (306) substantially projecting from the inner walls of the claw body (301), as shown in Figure 3. An outlet (305) from the common chamber (304) conducts milk to the milk line, typically via a long milk tube (LMT) (not shown). The projecting conduit portions and openings are so configured and arranged as to substantially reduce or prevent backflow of milk from 30 the chamber (304) and/or from the outlet(305) into the conduits (303) and preferably also to substantially reduce or prevent cross flow between the conduits (303). Conventionally, the apparatus will also include pulsator means 310 or provision for the connection to associated apparatus.

WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -17 In use, the inward projection (306) of the teat line conduits (303) into the chamber (304) of the claw body 1 serves to avoid or control the 'static' transfer of milk between teat cups in the between-cow phase ("run-back") - this is when, as the claw is released from the cow, milk running back from the long milk tube forms a pool below the 5 inward ends (307) of the inwardly protruding conduit portions (306). The illustrated embodiment restricts the possibility of this 'run-back' from passing through the conduits (303) to the teat cups (not shown). In order to substantially reduce or prevent cross flow of milk between the conduits during milking, the conduits (303) are preferably shaped at their inward end (307) as 10 shown in figure 3 so that the openings (309) of the conduits (303) are directed substantially away from one another within the chamber (304).. This may be achieved by directing the mouths (309) in a substantially tangential direction. By tangentially directing the mouths in the same direction as one another, milk (or cleaning fluids) flowing from the conduits is deflected into a tangential path. Consequently the entering 15 fluid forms a swirl or vortex which tends to spin to the outer periphery of the chamber (304) until it exits through the outlet (305) to the long milk tube. The tangential direction of the conduits may be either horizontal or above or below horizontal depending on the shape of the claw bowl or chamber and the angle and location of the conduits. For example, in some claws the conduits enter towards the top of the internal 20 chamber and the direction of the outlets would need to take account of the resultant flow path to achieve minimum milk turbulence and maximum opportunity for all internal surfaces to be cleaned during the wash phase, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The deflection of the milk from the outlet conduits may be achieved by curving the end 25 of each conduit, or by positioning the mouth (409) at an oblique angle to the end (407) of the teat line conduit (403) and bending the tip as shown in Figure 4. The configuration shown in Figure 4 may be additionally advantageous in that it enables the tube to be inserted through the wall of the claw body to be straight, the tip being bent to give the required flow direction. This may be useful for embodiments manufactured of 30 individual components. In general, the internal shape of the chamber (304) will be configured to receive and deflect milk from the inlet conduits so as to substantially reduce or prevent cross flow of milk between the conduits.

WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 - 18 For example, it would be possible to turn the internal conduits into a vertically upward position as shown in Figure 5 so that the milk flow impinges on a suitably shaped surface (508) to direct the flow down the walls. Here there are provided well-like depressions (508) in the claw body portion (501) which are comparable to those (270) 5 of figure 2, though of larger size. The inner ends of the teat line conduits (503) may also be configured similarly to those (265).of figure 2. A milk line conduit (505) leads from the claw bowl (515). It is also intended that the present invention be used to modified existing claw bowl assemblies. While one method mentioned above is to substitute a modified claw bowl, 10 another method is to modify an existing milking claw. This is illustrated in figure 6, though it is noted that this embodiment can be produced as a modified milking claw in the first instance (though is not potentially as efficient as some of the other embodiments in restricting the entry of milk reverse flowing into the teat line conduits (in an inverted milking claw and bowl assembly). However, it still represents a 15 significant improvement over the prior art. In figure 6 is shown a claw bowl assembly (601) in partial cross-section, and in an inverted position. There is a claw bowl (602) attached to a milking claw (603). A teat line conduit (605) passes through the claw body portion (604) though its mouth (608) is flush with the inner surface (609) in the vicinity of the mouth (608). It is noted that if 20 creating a new milking claw (603) then the mouth (608) is unlikely to be flush with the inner surface (609) - ideally an embodiment based on the principles of the embodiments of figures 1 through 5 would preferably be used. Alternatively the encompassing walls (660, 661) would be as close as possible to the mouth (608) of the conduit (605), though eventually (by moving the walls (660, 661) closer to the mouth 25 (608)) this would become the embodiment of the left half of figure 1 - i.e. these walls are effectively an extending portion of the conduit (605) above the inner surface (609) of the claw body portion (603). The intention of figure 6 is more to illustrate the modification of an existing milking claw where the teat line conduits end flush with the inner face of the claw body portion 30 (604). Here several options may exist. An outer circumferential ring (660) may be affixed to the inner face (609) of the claw body portion. This circumferential ring (660) encompasses all of the conduit mouths (608) present in the claw body portion (604). The result is a fluid capture moat about the conduit mouths (608), said moat defining a fluid capture volume (611a). An inner circumferential ring (661) may 35 additionally, or alternatively, be provided to define an inner fluid capture volume (611) WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -19 inside of the conduit mouths (608) present in the claw body portion (604). Where the milking claw body portion (604) is formed of a stainless steel, such rings (660, 661) may be welded to the inner surface (609) of the claw body portion (604). Various bonding, fastening, and welding techniques may be used in different embodiments and 5 for different materials of construction. As a variation of the embodiment of the previous paragraph, individual rings about each conduit mouth (608) may be fastened to the inner face (609) of the claw body portion. In this case (660) and (661) represent diametrically opposite wall portions of such a ring about the conduit mouth (608). While this option is preferred, to that of the 10 previous paragraph, from a functional perspective, adequately securing individual rings about each conduit mouth (608) can be a fiddly, time consuming job that is difficult to accomplish in the field. Hence, the embodiment of the previous paragraph may be preferred, from a practical perspective, for retrofitting existing milking claws to possess the potentially realisable advantages of the present invention. 15 Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as described herein. It should also be understood that the term "comprise" where used herein is not to be considered to be used in a limiting sense. Accordingly, 'comprise' does not represent 20 nor define an exclusive set of items, but includes the possibility of other components and items being added to the list. This specification is also based on the understanding of the inventor regarding the prior art. The prior art description should not be regarded as being authoritative disclosure on the true state of the prior art but rather as referencing considerations brought to the 25 mind and attention of the inventor when developing this invention.

Claims (34)

1. A milking claw for use in milking apparatus, said milking claw comprising a claw body portion and a plurality of teat line conduits passing through the body portion from its outside to inside sides; said teat line conduits being characterised on the outside of the claw body portion as either or both comprising lines, or configured to allow the attachment of lines, for the connection of teat cups; the claw body portion being characterised by including features which contribute to defining at least one fluid capture volume when the milking claw is inverted; a said fluid capture volume capable of capturing fluid and restricting it from flowing into said teat line conduits.

2. A milking claw for use in milking apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said milking claw comprising a claw body portion and a plurality of teat line conduits passing through the body portion from its outside to inside sides; said teat line conduits being characterised on the outside of the claw body portion as either or both comprising lines, or configured to allow the attachment of lines, for the connection of teat cups; the relationship between the inside of the claw body portion and the teat line conduits as they port to the inside of the claw body portion being such that, when the milking claw is in an inverted position (as herein defined), the lowest point on the port opening of any said teat line conduit to the inside side of the claw body portion is above the lowest point on the inside side of said claw body portion.

3. A milking claw as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which allows for connection of a claw bowl.

4. A milking claw as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the inside side of said claw body portion, when in said inverted position, includes one or more depressions which define a fluid capture volume, said fluid capture volume being defined as the volume of fluid which said inverted claw body portion can hold without the fluid overflowing into the port openings of any said teat line conduit into the inside of the claw body portion.

5. A milking claw as claimed in claim 3, in combination with a claw bowl, which together define a fluid capture volume, said fluid capture volume being defined as the volume of fluid which said combined inverted claw body portion and claw bowl WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 -21 can hold without the fluid overflowing into the port openings of any said teat line conduit into the inside of the claw body portion.

6. A milking claw as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 in which a said fluid capture volume is at least 15ml in volume.

7. A milking claw as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 in which a said fluid capture volume is at least 25ml in volume.

8. A milking claw as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 in which a said fluid capture volume is at least 50ml in volume.

9. A milking claw as claimed in claim 4 in which a said 'depression comprises a moat like depression encircling the openings of the teat line conduits to the inside of the claw body portion.

10. A milking claw as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the opening of at least one teat conduit line as it ports to the inside of the claw body portion, is substantially flush with the surrounding inside region of the claw body portion.

11. A milking claw as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 10 in which the opening of at least one teat line conduit as it ports to the inside of said claw body portion, is proud of, or extends beyond, the inside face of said claw body portion in the region it passes through.

12. A milking claw as claimed in claim 11 in which the opening of a said teat line conduit into the inside of the claw body portion extends at least 5mm beyond the inside face of the claw body portion in the region it passes through.

13. A milking claw as claimed in claim 11 in which the opening of a said teat line conduit into the inside of the claw body portion extends at least 15mm beyond the inside face of the claw body portion in the region it passes through.

14. A milking claw as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the opening of at least one teat line conduit on the inside side of the claw body portion is configured, when the milking claw is in an inverted position, to defer a stream of fluid poured from over the vicinity of said opening from flowing directly into said teat line conduit. WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 - 22

15. A milking claw as claimed in claim 11 in which said teat line conduit extends past the inside side of the claw body portion, and has a curved portion within the part which extends past the inside side of the claw body portion.

16. A milking claw as claimed in claim 15 in which the angle of the curve, as measured along the average centre axis of said teat line conduit on the inside side of the claw body portion, is within the inclusive range of 350 to 180 .

17. A milking claw as claimed in claim 14 in which the opening of said teat line conduit to the inside of the claw body portion comprises a shroud or deflector covering at least part of the cross-sectional area of the teat line conduit adjacent its opening.

18. A milking claw as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which at least one teat line conduit is configured such that fluid transported through said teat line conduit to the inside side of the claw body portion is expelled having an induced direction at least 150 from an axis parallel to a central axis of the inverted milking claw.

19. A milking claw as claimed in claim 18 in which the induced direction of said expelled fluid is substantially tangential with respect to the central axis of the inverted milking claw.

20. A milking claw as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 in which the induced direction of expelled fluid is such, when said milking claw is used in conjunction with a claw bowl, to impart a vortex motion to fluid entering the bowl at least when the combination is used in a non-inverted position.

21. A milking claw as claimed in any one of claims 18 through. 20 in which expelled fluid is directed on to at least part of the inside of the claw body portion.

22. A milking claw as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes one or more connections for the pulsator means of an automated milking machine.

23. A milking claw as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which, when the milking claw is inverted, includes a baffle positioned substantially above opening of at least one teat line to the inside of the claw body portion.

24. A milking claw as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes an integral claw bowl. WO 2009/020407 PCT/NZ2008/000205 - 23

'25. A claw bowl for use in a claw bowl assembly, said claw bowl comprising one or more internal features on its walls which, when the claw bowl assembly is inverted, capture and hold fluid falling either or both falling downwardly or flowing down the walls of the bowl, but which features do not capture or hold fluid when in the claw bowl is in a non-inverted position.

26. A claw bowl as claimed in claim 25 in which said internal features on the walls comprise circumferential, or circumferentially distributed, wells which collect fluid flowing down the walls of the claw bowl when inverted.

27. A claw bowl as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26 in which there is provided one or more well like features, capable of collecting fluid at .the end of the claw bowl to which a milking claw is attached, and which said well-like feature or features are positioned about the inside side of the milking claw when attached to the claw bowl; the arrangement being further characterised in that when the attached claw bowl and milking claw are in an inverted position, the inside openings of teat line conduits, present in milking claw, are above the lowest points of said well-like features.

28. A claw bowl as claimed in claim 27 which, when in an inverted position, comprises either or both of a moat, or a series of depressions, positioned both about and below the connection interface of said claw bowl to a milking claw.

29. A claw bowl assembly comprising a milking claw as claimed in any one of claim 1 through 20 in conjunction with a claw bowl.

30. A claw bowl assembly comprising a claw bowl as claimed in any one of claims 25 through 28 in conjunction with a milking claw.

31. A claw bowl assembly comprising a milking claw portion which has the characteristics of a milking claw as claimed in any one of claim 1 through 23 in conjunction with a claw bowl portion having the characteristics of a claw bowl as claimed in any one of claims 25 through 28.

32. An automated milking system comprising a claw bowl assembly as claimed in any one of claims 28 through 31.

33. A milking claw, substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. A claw bowl, substantially as described herein,.with reference to the accompanying drawings.