GB1045376A - Improvements in or relating to cleansing and sterilisation of milking installations - Google Patents

Abstract

1,045,376. Cleaning tubes. S. A. CHRISTENSEN & CO. A.S. June 25, 1965 [June 27, 1964], No. 2704G/65. Heading F2N. [Also in Division A1] A device for cleansing milking equipment 1 and pipe lines 2 comprises a vessel 8 of cleansing fluid, a tank 4 mounted for vertical movement above the vessel and connected by a multiway valve 10 to a vacuum pump, the bottom of the tank 4 communicating through a pipe connection 5, 7 and a suction or vacuum closure 6 with the vessel 8 and the top of the tank 4 communicating with the vessel 8 through the pipe 2 and the equipment 1 whereby on operation of the pump cleaning fluid circulates from the vessel 8 through the equipment, the pipe, the tank and back to the vessel 8. The closure 6 comprises a thin, flexible rubber tube which tends to close due to external pressure when the vessel 4 is under suction or a ball-valve (Fig. 3, not shown) which acts similarly. The tank 4 is supported in rings 13a and 13b on a two-armed lever 14 pivoted at 15 and having a counterweight 16 sufficient to raise the tank in the rings 13a and 13b when it is empty. In this position the valve 10 connects the tank to the vacuum pump, causing the closure 6 to close and sucking up cleansing fluid through the pipe 2 until it reaches a predetermined level in the tank where the counterweight 16 is outbalanced. The frame 13 and tank 4 then fall and a projection 12 on the lever 14 which hits in an extension 11 on the valve control, causing the valve 10 to disconnect the interior of the tank from the pump and to connect it to atmosphere. As the pressure in the tank 4 rises again the closure 6 opens and the cleansing fluid in the tank flows back into the vessel 8. If only one washing cycle is desired it may be arranged for a time switch to cut off the vacuum pump when the tank 4 falls again; alternatively, the washing sequence may be repeated and the pump cut off , by a time switch (not shown).