Abstract:
A vacuum transfer system for transferring food grade products. A biased ball in a cage with a substantially uninterrupted cage wall is utilized as a check valve. The ball may be biased by a weight to float in a predictable orientation relative to the cage. The biased ball assures that a certain portion of the ball will consistently engage with and aperture. The biased ball also minimizes chattering of the ball in the cage under high flow conditions.
Abstract:
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning and sanitizing a tank, the tank for holding liquid food grade product, the liquid food grade product being transferred into and out of the tank by means of vacuum, the tank having a vacuum transfer system for transferring liquid food grade product includes apparatus for cyclically alternating a flow of cleaning fluid between the tank and the vacuum transfer system. Further, a method for cleaning and sanitizing a tank for holding liquid food grade product, the liquid food grade product being transferred into and out of the tank by means of vacuum, the tank having a vacuum transfer system for transferring liquid food grade product, includes the steps of:(a) providing a cleaning fluid to a fluid inlet;(b) cyclically alternating the flow of cleaning fluid between the tank and the vacuum transfer system; and(c) venting the cleaning fluid from the tank and from vacuum transfer system;whereby the tank and the vacuum transfer system are cleaned and sanitized during a single cleaning program having a selected series of rinse, cleaning and sanitizing cycles.
Abstract:
A vacuum transfer method and system for transferring liquid food grade product vacuum transfer system for transferring liquid food grade product into and from a vessel. The vessel has at least one product inlet/outlet. The vacuum transfer system includes a selectively activatable vacuum source. A vacuum transfer unit is in fluid communication with the vacuum source and with the vessel. Valves are operably coupled to the vacuum source and the vacuum transfer unit for selectively (a) pressurizing the tank and (b) drawing a vacuum in the tank, whereby drawing a vacuum by the vacuum source in the vessel acts to draw the liquid food grade product into the vessel through the at least one product inlet/outlet and pressurizing the vessel acts to expel the liquid food grade product from the vessel through the at least one product inlet/outlet.
Abstract:
A non-intrusive milk flow sensor includes first and second cylindrical nipples of a conductive material. Each of the first and second cylindrical nipples has an inner diameter. A molded rubber body has a passage therethrough joining the first and second nipples. The body fixes the first cylindrical nipple inline with the second cylindrical nipple and is bonded with the nipples. The body has an inner diameter defined by the passage equal to the inner diameter of the first and second cylindrical nipples. The molded rubber body insulates the first cylindrical nipple from the second cylindrical nipple. A first electrical lead is connected to the first cylindrical nipple. A second electrical lead is connected to the second cylindrical nipple.
Abstract:
A pump control for a pipeline milking system in which milk collects in a receiver and is pumped out periodically. The control has a liquid level sensing circuit connected with an electrode in the receiver. The sensing circuit includes a transistor amplifier, a source of alternating signal, a circuit connecting the source through the electrode and liquid with the base of the transistor and a sensitivity resistor connected in shunt with the transistor base. A timer actuated by conduction of the transistor controls the pump operation. The circuit has provision for control of the pump operation during washing with a switch selecting the milk or wash control electrode and selecting the appropriate time period for the timer.
Abstract:
The invention relates to milking apparatus in which the milk line and droppers, which convey milk under vacuum from teat-cup clusters to a receiving jar, are enclosed over their major length in a water-jacket through which water is directed in a direction contrary to the flow of milk. In this way the milk is pre-cooled before it is received in the receiving jar and frothing of the milk in the receiving jar is reduced so eliminating contamination of the vacuum line by froth. The water jacket is provided with warm-water outlets for drawing off warm water from the water-jacket for washing purposes.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for comparing the conductivities of liquid streams by induction are described. Such apparatus and methods have particular application in detecting mastitis in milk animals where differences in the conductivities of milk streams from different teats of the same animal may indicate the presence of mastitis. The apparatus described is specially suited for use with milking machinery in that it is economical to manufacture and is easy to keep clean. In one embodiment four coils are provided one for each of four conductivity measuring cells in a hemispherical chamber in the claw piece of milking apparatus.