# US 10,499,610 B2 · Milk tube dome with flow controller

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- Number: US 10,499,610 B2
- Document ID: US10499610B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/705,340
- Filed: 2017-09-15
- Published: 2018-03-08
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2008-06-27
- Assignees: GEA Farm Technologies GmbH
- Applicants: GEA Farm Technologies, Inc.
- Inventors: Kevin L. Torgerson; Duane F. Sellner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499610B2

## CPC

- A01J 5/06: Teat-cups with one chamber
- A01J 7/04: for treatment of udders or teats, e.g. for cleaning
- A01J: MANUFACTURE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS

## Abstract

A milker unit liner dome having an inner surface and flow diverters joined to the inner surface to redirect teat dip from an inlet to provide more uniform coverage of dip on a teat. The liner dome can also include more than one flow diverter for redirecting teat dip flow.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for applying a fluid to a dairy animal teat at the end of milking and before detachment of a milker unit, the method comprising the steps of:
directing the fluid through an inlet in a milker unit teat cup liner in which the dairy animal teat is disposed; and
redirecting the fluid with a flow diverter on an upper inner surface of a dome in the milker unit teat cup liner, and the flow diverter includes a ridge extending generally downwardly and away from the upper inner surface of the dome to define an open flow path while the milker unit teat cup liner is generally upright and attached to the dairy animal teat.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of directing the fluid through an inlet in a milker unit teat cup liner comprises the step of:
directing the fluid toward the upper inner surface of the liner dome.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of directing the fluid through an inlet in a milker unit teat cup liner comprises the step of:
directing the fluid through a one-way valve.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of directing the fluid through an inlet in a milker unit teat cup liner comprises the step of:
directing the flow through the inlet at a position adjacent to the upper inner surface of the dome.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of redirecting the fluid with a flow diverter comprises the step of:
redirecting the fluid into an arcuate flow path.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of redirecting the fluid with a flow diverter comprises the step of:
bifurcating flow of the fluid.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of redirecting the fluid with a flow diverter comprises the step of:
bifurcating flow of the fluid with a flow diverter disposed adjacent to the inlet.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of redirecting the fluid with a flow diverter comprises the step of:
redirecting the fluid in a substantially radial flow path.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of:
redirecting the fluid with a second flow diverter on the upper inner surface of the dome in the milker unit teat cup liner, and the second flow diverter extends away from the upper inner surface of the dome.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of directing the fluid through an inlet in the milker unit teat cup liner comprises the step of:
directing the fluid toward the upper inner surface of the dome, and the inlet is disposed adjacent to the upper inner surface of the dome; and
wherein the step of redirecting the fluid with a flow diverter comprises the step of:
redirecting the fluid into an arcuate flow path.