# US 2012/0073512 A1 · Washing system for washing a teat cleaning apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2012/0073512 A1 - Document ID: US20120073512A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/376,872 - Filed: 2010-06-03 - Published: 2012-03-29 - Earliest claimed: 2009-06-09 - Assignees: DeLaval Holding AB - Inventors: Epke Bosma - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120073512A1 ## CPC - A01J 7/022: {Clean-in-Place Systems, i.e. CIP, for cleaning the complete milking installation in place} - A01J: MANUFACTURE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS ## Abstract A washing system for washing a teat cleaning apparatus includes an inlet passage (14) adapted to convey washing liquid to at least a teat cleaning member (1) of the teat cleaning apparatus, a return passage (15) adapted to recirculate the washing liquid from the teat cleaning apparatus to the inlet passage (14) such that a separate closed flow circuit is formed for the washing liquid, and a circulating part (16) adapted to circulate the washing liquid in the separate closed flow circuit during a washing process of the teat cleaning member (1) of the teat cleaning apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-15. (canceled) ### Claim 16 A washing system for washing a teat cleaning apparatus, the washing system comprising: a separate closed flow circuit for washing liquid, the closed flow circuit comprised of i) an inlet passage (14) adapted to convey the washing liquid to a recess (1a) of a teat cleaning member (1) of the teat cleaning apparatus, the washing liquid to flow into the recess (1a) of the teat cleaning member (1) during a washing process, ii) a return passage (15) adapted to recirculate the washing liquid, having passed through the recess (1a) of the teat cleaning member (1), back to the inlet passage (14), and iii) a circulating part (16) adapted to circulate the washing liquid in the separate closed flow circuit during the washing process of the teat cleaning member (1) of the teat cleaning apparatus so that the washing liquid is re-circulated through the inlet passage (14), the teat cleaning member (1), the circulating part (16), and the return passage (15). ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A washing system according to claim 16, further comprising: a connecting member (13) adapted to be connected to the teat cleaning member (1) of the teat cleaning apparatus when the washing process is to be performed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A washing system according to claim 17, wherein the inlet passage (14) conveys the washing liquid to the connecting member (13). ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) A washing system according to claim 16, wherein the separate closed flow circuit further comprises an outlet passage (5) connected to the teat cleaning member (1) so that the washing liquid flows through the outlet passage (5) during the washing process. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A washing system according to claim 19, wherein the separate closed flow circuit further comprises a container (6) connected to the outlet passage (5) so that the washing liquid flows through the container (6) during the washing process. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A washing system according to claim 20, further comprising: a level meter (27) provided in the container (6), the level meter (27) adapted to measure a quantity of the washing liquid in the container (6). ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) A washing system according to claim 16, further comprising: a washing unit (21-25) adapted to supply the washing liquid to the inlet passage (14). ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A washing system according to claim 22, wherein the washing unit (21-25) comprises a washing liquid source (21, 22), a feeding conduit (24) connecting into the inlet passage (14), and a control valve (25) in the feeding conduit (24) adapted to control the supply of the washing liquid from the washing liquid source (21, 22) to the inlet passage (14). ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) A washing system according to claim 16, wherein the circulating part comprises a pump (16) arranged in the return passage (15). ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) A washing system according to claim 17, further comprising a one-way valve (17) arranged in the inlet passage (14) upstream of the connecting member (13). ### Claim 26 (depends on 16) A washing system according to claim 16, further comprising: a control unit (12) adapted to control the washing process of the teat cleaning apparatus. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) A washing system according to claim 26, wherein the control unit (12) controls the washing liquid to be circulated in the closed flow circuit during a predetermined period of time during the washing process of the teat cleaning apparatus. ### Claim 28 (depends on 16) A washing system according to claim 16, further comprising: a drain (10, 11) adapted to draw off the washing liquid from the separate closed flow circuit when the washing process has been finished. ### Claim 29 (depends on 16) A washing system according to claim 16, further comprising: another closed flow passage for circulation of the washing liquid through milking equipment. ### Claim 30 (depends on 20) A washing system according to claim 20, further comprising: a vacuum source connected to the container (6); and a conduit (18) connected to convey a part of the washing liquid in the return conduit (14) back to the container (6), an end of the conduit discharging into the container (6), a throttle valve (19) located in the conduit (18), a nozzle (20) provided at the end of the conduit (18, the nozzle (20) adapted to inject the washing liquid in the form of a plurality of divergent jets towards inner surfaces of the container (6). ### Claim 31 A washing system for washing a teat cleaning apparatus, the washing system comprising: a separate closed flow circuit for washing liquid, the closed flow circuit comprised of i) an inlet passage (14) adapted to convey the washing liquid to a teat cleaning member (1) of the teat cleaning apparatus, the washing liquid to flow into the teat cleaning member (1) during a washing process, ii) a return passage (15) adapted to recirculate the washing liquid, having passed through the teat cleaning member (1), back to the inlet passage (14), and iii) a circulating pump (16) adapted to circulate the washing liquid in the separate closed flow circuit during the washing process of the teat cleaning member (1) of the teat cleaning apparatus so that the washing liquid is re-circulated through the inlet passage (14), the teat cleaning member (1), the circulating part (16), and the return passage (15). ### Claim 32 (depends on 16) A washing system according to claim 16, further comprising: a connecting member (13) adapted to be connected to the teat cleaning member (1) of the teat cleaning apparatus when the washing process is to be performed so that the inlet passage (14) conveys the washing liquid into a recess (1a) of the teat cleaning member (1) of the teat cleaning apparatus during the washing process.