Abstract:
An apparatus and method for rinsing and cleaning lines in which milk has flowed in a system for automatically milking animals. The circuit includes a tank for heating water, receiving hot or cold water or a regulated mixture thereof and receiving selectively acid or alkali cleaning agents. The circuit includes a jet rinser for each teat cup and a line from each teat cup to a common milking jar or claw. Fluid from the jar or claw can be recirculated via a pump to the tank or discharged to a sewer. A first supply line for the circuit provides a pre-rinsing liquid, and a second supply line provides a rinsing liquid which is obtained specifically from the tank. Each rinse jetter has an individual valve controlled by the pulsator which, in concert controlled by a computer, equalize the rinsing and cleaning fluids received by each teat cup. Supply lines to the tank from the acid and alkali sources control the mixture of water and the acid or alkali by means of an adjustable controlled Venturi element. A further Venturi adjustably controllable element controls the concentration of cleansing fluid introduced into a water flow for a cleaning element for cleaning the animal's teats.
Abstract:
A device for rinsing milk pails automatically allows the use of a known rinser that rinse is suctioned into subject to partial vacuum and leaves again subject to atmospheric pressure. Prior to cleaning, a check valve is mounted over the milk-inlet connection and a cap over the air-suction connection to the upside-down milk-pail lid and the milk pail positioned on it with an annular spacer in between. The milk-inlet connection and the air-suction connection are connected to the rinser with hoses. During the initial suctioning stage, rinse is suctioned out of a rinsing tub through the teat cups, which are also connected up, and the pail simultaneously evacuated. When air is allowed into the rinser, part of the rinse flows back into the rinsing tube through the teat cups and the rest is sprayed into the milk pail, which is subject to partial vacuum, through the milk-inlet connection, the check valve, and a spray nozzle. During the next suctioning stage the rinse in the pail is suctioned out again through two channels and the pail is again evacuated. This process is repeated constantly during rinsing.
Abstract:
An automated milking system is disclosed in which the milking vacuum applied from a vacuum line (18) through a milk flow valve (13) and the milk hose (17) to a teat cup cluster (12) is initially shut off after automatic detacher controls (11) provide a signal indicating the end of milking. Milk sweep controls (10) provide a signal to the drive cylinder (24) of the milk flow valve (13) either a selected period of time after the end of milking or upon receipt of milk sweep initiate signal from a condition responsive sensor in the parlor to cause the milk flow valve to be shifted to the position in which vacuum is applied to the milk hose (17) and teat cup cluster (12), thereby drawing out rest milk remaining in these components. After a selected period of time, the milk valve (13) shuts off the milking vacuum in response to a signal from the milk sweep controller (10) and may thereafter shift to a position in which backflushing solution from a backflush system (14 ) is passed through the milk flow valve (13) into the milk hose (17) and teat cup cluster (12) to flush out these components.
Abstract:
A jetter apparatus for washing the vacuum-operated teat cup assemblies of a milking machine includes a housing which supports four teat cup attachment assemblies and which defines an internal chamber therein, the housing also defining an inlet to the chamber, and a valve device which is adjustably connected to the housing so as to control the flow of washing liquid entering the chamber through the inlet. The valve device can include a valve stem which is threadingly engaged with the housing, a first end of the valve stem extending into the chamber and the second end extending outside the housing, the first end supporting a conical valve head which, upon rotation of the valve stem, with move toward and away from the inlet and thus control the flow of washing liquid which can flow into the chamber and ultimately through the teat cup attachment assemblies and into the teat cup assemblies attached thereto.
Abstract:
After a cow has been milked out and the milking claw has been detached from the cow, the milking vacuum to the claw is shut off and a cleansing solution mixed with air is forced through a portion of the milk line and out through the claw and the teat cup inflations. The cleansing liquid may contain a disinfectant such as iodine to control the transmission of infection from cow to cow carried by the surfaces of the teat cup inflations. A blast of cleansing and drying air is provided following the cleaning cycle to force out any remaining liquid in the milk line, claw and inflations, to thereby eliminate residual disinfectant in these parts. The apparatus is capable of use with automatic detaching equipment, wherein it automatically shuts off the milking vacuum as the milking claw is detached, provides the cleansing liquid and blow out air in timed sequence, and resets to await initiation of another milking cycle.
Abstract:
A milking apparatus in which the teat cups have washing and raining holes that can be uncovered by unfolding a portion of their flexible inflations. The claw and teat cup assembly can be disconnected from its milking circuits and connected to a washing manifold in a vacuum line, inverted and immersed in wash solution. Valves in the vacuum lines are manipulated so that the solution is drawn through the entire apparatus of a dual vacuum pipe and milking claw system. Washing and complete draining of the interior of the apparatus, including the space between the shell and the inflation of the teat cup, together with all pipes and lines in the system is accomplished without further disassembly. The washing and/or rinsing of the claw and teat cup assembly between cows without disconnecting any of the vacuum lines can also be effected without disassembly so that essentially, only the teat cups are contacted by solution. By unfolding the inflations from their shells, exits are exposed at the lowest part of the entire system to insure total drainage.