AU703902B2

AU703902B2 - Washing system for use with milking machines

Info

Publication number: AU703902B2
Application number: AU23226/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Noel Read
Original assignee: Read & Son Ltd L
Current assignee: L Read & Son Ltd
Priority date: 1995-06-23
Filing date: 1995-06-23
Publication date: 1999-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2015-06-23
Also published as: AU2322695A

Description

V

S F Ref: 306140

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: L Read Son Limited 48 Newnham Street Rangiora NEW ZEALAND Noel Read Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Washing System For Use V;ith Milking Machines Invention Title: r The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845 2 The present invention relates to a washing system for use with milking machines.

Strict hygiene is essential in the milking industry. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries monitors the standard of hygiene by approving all washing systems for milking machines. The large volume of milk which is passed through machines up to twice a day can lead to bacterial contamination, fat build ups and milk stone build-up. Also milk vapour can condense r and collect in pipes. The shape of the components of milking machines makes cleaning difficult. For example, conventional washing of milk receiving cans does not clean the top portion of the can due to its size and curvature. Previously the only successful method of 'T ;washing the receiving can was to remove its perspex dome and manually wash the interior. Another problem previously encountered was that there was no real control over the volume of cleansing fluid that passes o along the milk line and directly into the milk receiving n .can once it has entered the milk line.

It is an object of the present invention to provide washing system for use with milking machines which will go some way towards providing a means of efficiently cleaning the machines to a high standard of oO-* hygiene, or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

-3- According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a washing system for a milking machine, the washing system including a milk line which delivers milk to a first inlet of a receiving can, the first inlet being located at or near the top of the receiving can, a return pipe which extends from one end of the milk line to a second inlet of the receiving can, the second inlet being at or adjacent the top of the receiving can, the receiving can includes at least two outlets, a first outlet is a vacuum pipe for allowing air to exit and a second outlet is a suction pipe for allowing milk, cleansing fluid and/or other liquid to exit, the construction and arrangement being such that during milking milk flows via cups, clusters and a dropper pipe into the milk line, and into the receiving can, and when washing is to S take place, a valve in the milk line is closed, and cleansing fluid passes from a cleansing fluid supply and into the milk line via the cups, clusters and dropper pipe, and the closed valve on the milk line forces the cleansing fluid into the receiving can via the return pipe.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing system for a milking machine, the washing system including at least two S milk lines which deliver milk to at least two inlets of a receiving can, the two inlets being located at or near the top of the receiving can, at least two return pipes each of which extends from one end of the said milk lines to at least one further iniet of the receiving can, the at least one further inlet being at or adjacent the top of the receiving can, the receiving can includes at least two outlets, a first outlet is a vacuum pipe for allowing air to exit and a second outlet is a suction pipe for allowing milk, cleansing fluid and/or liquid to exit, the construction and arrangement being such that -4during milking milk flows via cups, clusters and dropper pipes into the milk lines, and into the receiving can, and when washing is to take place, a valve on each of the milk lines is closed, and cleansing fluid passes from at least one cleansing fluid supply and into the milk lines via the cups, clusters and dropper lines, and the closed valve on each of the milk lines forces the cleansing fluid into the receiving can via the return pipes.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cleansing a milking machine, the method including the steps of: causing cleansing fluid to flow from a vessel to milking clusters of the milking machine, through a dropper pipe and into at least one milk line; closing a valve on each of the milk lines; forcing cleansing fluid through at least one return pipe to a receiving can; o• allowing the cleansing fluid and air to exit the receiving can.

.3 The cleansing fluid can pass from the vessel to the milking cluster via a letter pipe and a jetter.

The cleansing fluid can enter the receiving can through one or more sprinkler(s). Preferably, two sprinklers are provided in the receiving can.

When one return pipe is provided, the cleansing fluid passes from the return pipe through the two sprinklers via a Y-shaped fitting. If two return pipes are provided, cleansing fluid passes from each return pipe to a corresponding sprinkler.

L

5 The cluster can have an air admission hole. The hole lets air into the system to create turbulence. The turbulence provides more efficient cleansing and more efficient milking performance.

when the milk lines is filled with cleansing fluid, suction causes the cleansing fluid to flow through the at least one return pipe.

A bypass pipe can extend between each of the milk lines and a portion of each of the at least one return S pipe directly before the receiving can. The bypass pipe can allow cleansing fluid to bypass most of the at least one return pipe.

Air and cleansing fluid can be separated in the receiving can. The air exits through the vacuum pipe to a sanitary trar by means of a vacuum pump. The cleansing fluid exits to a milk pump through standard equipment.

The washing system can be converted back into a milking system by opening the valve on each one milk X line(s).

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given .:eo by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of the washing systenn according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the washing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

ce -I 6 Referring firstly to Figure i, during milking, milk flows into cups 1, and into clusters 2. The milk then proceeds through a dropper pipe 3, and into a large bore milk line 4. A valve 5 on the milk line 4 is open, and hence the milk can flow into a receiving can 6, as a result of the gradient of the milk line 4. In the receiving can, air and milk naturally separate, due to gravity. The air exits through a vacuum pipe 9, and passes through a sanitary trap (not shown) before 'e entering a vacuum pump (not shown). The milk leaves the receiving can 6 through a slotted receiver exit 7, and passes through a suction pipe 8 to a milk pump (not shown).

To initiate cleaning of the milking machine, the Svalve 5 is closed and air injector 10 is activated.

Cleansing fluid flows from a vessel 12 via jetter pipe 16 to jetters 11. These jetters 11 are attached to the "r milking cups 1 of clusters 2. Alternatively the cleansing fluid may pass directly from a vessel into the o milking cups 1. This avoids the need for a jetter pipe and jetters. The cleansing fluid then passes to the clusters 2, through the dropper pipe 3 and into the milk o line 4. Air entering through the air injector 10 in the milk line 4 creates turbulence. The closed valve prevents the cleansing fluid following the same path as the milk. Hence, the cleansing fluid is drawn into a return pipe 13. The cleansing fluid then enters the receiving can 6 through two sprinklers 14 via a Y-shaped fitting (not shown). Cleansing fluid which does not l~ps 7 pass through the return pipe 13 to the receiving can 6, is removed from the milk line via a bypass pipe 17. The bypass pipe 17 allows for a consistent vacuum in the milk line 4 giving even flow through the clusters 2.

STurbulence created by the sprinkler 14 and the added air is sufficient to cleanse the receiving can 6, and the end of the milk line 4 which was not cleaned earlier due to the closed valve During the milking and cleansing process, air i n leaves the receiving can 6 through a vacuum pipe 9. The cleansing fluid leaves the milking machine through a slotted receiver exit 7 and suction pipe 8 to a milk pump (not shown). The cleansing fluid is removed from the milking machine after the cleansing fluid has progressed through the milk pump, filter and cooler, but "before the cleansing fluid reaches the bulk tank which So. stores the milk prior to the milk being collected by a milk tanker. Any remnants of the cleansing fluid can be S" drained through drain Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the receiving can 6 is located in the centre of the milking machine. The receiving can 6 therefore has *ge* o. two milk lines 4 and 4' entering it. Accordingly, there are two return pipes 13 and 13'. As the receiving can 6 0* has two sprinklers 14, each return pipe 13 enters adjacent a sprinkler 14. Unlike the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, no Y-shaped fitting is present in this embodiment.

8 There is an air injector 10 and 10' on each milk line 4 and 4' respectively, one bypass pipe 17 and 17' between each milk line 4 and 4' and each return pipe 13 and 13'.

The milking machine components are preferably made of stdinless steel or other metal alloy.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a washing system for a milking machine.

Where in this description, reference has been made 'r to integers or components having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments 'V thereof, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/ or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, as defined in the appending claims.

Claims

1. A washing system for a milking machine, the washing system including a milk line which delivers milk to a first inlet of a receiving can, the first inlet being located at or near the top of the receiving can, a return pipe which extends from one end of the milk line to a second inlet of the receiving can, the second inlet being at or adjacent the top of the receiving can, the receiving can includes at least two outlets, a first outlet is a vacuum pipe for allowing air to exit and a second outlet is a suction pipe for allowing milk, cleansing fluid and/or other liquid to exit, the construction and arrangement being such that during milking milk flows via cups, clusters and a dropper pipe into the milk line, and into the receiving can, and when washing is to take place, a valve in the milk line is closed, and cleansing fluid passes from a cleansing fluid supply and into the milk line via the cups, clusters and dropper pipe, and the closed valve on the milk line forces a o the cleansing fluid into the receiving can via the return pipe. *Q a

2. A washing system for a milking machine, the washing system including at least two milk lines which deliver milk to at least two inlets of a receiving can, the two inlets being located at or near the top of the receiving can, at least two return pipes each of which extends from one end of one of the said milk lines to at least one further inlet of o °the receiving can, the at least one further inlet being at or adjacent the top of the S receiving can, the receiving can includes at least two outlets, a first outlet is a vacuum pipe for allowing air to exit and a second outlet is a suction pipe for allowing milk, cleansing fluid and/or other liquid to exit, the construction and arrangement being such that during milking milk flows via cups, clusters and dropper pipes into the milk lines, and into the receiving can, and when washing is to take place, a valve on each of the milk lines is closed, and cleansing fluid passes from at least one cleansing fluid supply and into the milk lines via the cups, clusters and dropper lines, and the closed valve on each of the milk lines forces the cleansing fluid into the receiving can via the return pipes.

3. A washing system for a milking machine, the washing system including a receiving can, the receiving can having at least two outlets and at least four inlets, one of the outlets is a vacuum pipe for allowing air to exit, and a second of the outlets is a suction pipe for allowing milk, cleansing fluid and/or other liquid to exit, and wherein two of the inlets are milk lines for delivering milk to the receiving can, and two of the other inlets are return pipes for delivery cleansing fluid into the receiving can. A washing system for a milking machine substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. S. 5. A method of cleansing a milking machine, the method including the steps of: causing cleansing fluid to flow from a vessel to milking clusters of the milking machine, through a dropper pipe and into at least one milk line; closing a valve on each of the milk lines; S- forcing cleansing fluid through at least one return pipe to a receiving can; allowing the cleansing fluid and air to exit the receiving can. A method as claim3d in claim 5 wherein air exits the receiving can through a vacuum pipe and passes through a sanitary trap.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the cleansing fluid leaves the receiving can through a slotted receiver exit and most of the cleansing fluid then passes through a suction pipe to a milk pipe. -11

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein any cleansing fluid remaining in the receiving can and which do not pass through the suction pipe, passes through a drain. A. method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the cleansing fluid passes from the vessel to the milking clusters via a jetter and jetter pipe. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9 wherein the cleansing fluid enters the receiving can through one or more sprinkler(s) to create sufficient turbulence to clean the receiving can.

11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein air is admitted to the cluster line via an air admission hole so as to create turbulence.

12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 11 wherein air is admitted to the milk line via an air injector so as to create more turbulence. 1 2. A method substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the acccm.panying drawings. DATED this Twenty-seventh Day of January 1999 L Read Son Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON Washing System For Use With Milking Machines ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for cleaning a milking machine which includes a receiving can The receiving can may be positioned either at an end of the milking machine, or in the centre. Th rceiving can has two outlets one is a vacuum pipe whereby air exits the receiving can and the second is a suction pi,3 (38) whereby milk, cleansing fluid and/or other liquid exits the receiving can When the receiving can is positioned at the end of the machine, the can has two inlets One of the inlets is a milk line for delivering milk to the receiving can The second inlet is a return pipe (13) for delivering cleansing fluid into the receiving can When the receiving can is positioned in the centre of the machine, the can has four inlets two milklines and two return pipes In use, cleansing fluid flows from a vessel to milking clusters through a dropper pipe and into the milk line(s) A closed valve on the milk line(s) forces the cleansing fluid through the return pipe(s) (13,13') to the receiving can The cleansing fluid leaves the receiving can in the same way as the milk. DLG: 1229W