GB2049624A - Milking Equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A recording jar (1) for a milking machine includes in the vacuum feed connection(s) a deflector (10) which defines a restricted passage (13) with the interior of the jar and directs cleaning liquid down over the inside surface of the jar, and a check valve arranged to allow unrestricted flow of air from the jar but only restricted flow of cleaning fluid into the jar through the passage (13). As shown, the deflector and valve are combined in a single device, the deflector having a hole (12) which is controlled by a free ball (11), and the device includes a support head (7) adjustable towards and away from the deflector to adjust the size of the passage (13). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Milking Equipment This invention relates to milking machine apparatus and more especially to recording jars for use in pipeline milking machines.

When a pipeline milking machine is used to milk a cow the milk from the teat cup cluster is collected in a calibrated glass milk hoider or recording jar from which a test sample can be taken before the milk is transferred from the milk holder to the dairy. Generally, the milking machine will include several holding jars and teat cup clusters allowing a number of cows to be milked simultaneously. After milking the apparatus including the hoiding jars is washed and sterilized by circulation of cleaning liquid through the plant.The cleaning liquid flows into the recording jar though the vacuum feed nipple of the jar and hitherto it hays be-en the usual practice to fit the nipple with a device which restricts the flow and causes the cleaning solution to be sprayed over the inside surface of the recording jar so that it is washed effectively.

Restriction of the flow into the jar is essential to ensure that the associated teat cup cluster which is cleaned in parallel with the jar receives sufficient cleaning solution.

The restriction in the nipple does however have an adverse effect on the air flow from the recording jar during milking operations and in practice it is necessary to reach a compromise so thatsufficient cleaning liquidflows to the teat cup cluster during cleaning periods and sufficient air flow is permitted to flow from the jar to prevent undue vacuum fiuctuation at the teat cups, and slow vacuum recovery in the event of air accidentally entering the jar, during milking periods.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a recording jar for a milking machine, comprising vacuum feed opening means, check valve means for controlling flow of fluid through the opening means and arranged to permit substantially unrestricted flow of air from the jar and restricted flow of liquid into the jar through the opening means.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a device for mounting in the vacuum feed nipple of a milking machine recording jar, comprising a deflector for defining a restricted annular passage with the inside surface of the jar, a hole in the deflector, a valve member cooperable with the deflector to close the hole, a support part for engaging the outer end of the nipple to support the device in the jar, and connecting means connecting the support part to the deflector.

Such a recording jar enables maximum restriction to be provided to the liquid flow during washing while a maximum air flow can be maintained during milking.

In a preferred embodiment a deflector is provided for directing the cleaning liquid to spread and flow down around the internal surface of the jar and the position of the deflector can be adjustable to allow for manufacturing tolerances and to permit adjustment of the restriction to an optimum value.

A better understanding of the invention will be had from the following description which is given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a section through a top part of a recording jar; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the valve device; Figure 3 is a section taken along the line A-A in Figure 1; Figures 4 and 5 show a modified form of combined valve and deflector device in side and top plan views, respectively; Figure 6 is a similar view to Figure 1 showing an alternative recording jar embodying the invention; and Figure 7 is a section taken along the line B-B in Figure 6.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the recording jar 1 has a milk entry nipple 2 and a vacuum feed nipple 3 at the top. Fitted in the nipple 3 is a combined check valve and deflector device 4 which is supported by a part 5 having a threaded spindle 6 and a cross-shaped head 7 with four arms which bear against the end of the nipple 3.

The device 4 consists of a hub 8 which is threadedly engaged with the spindle 6, a pair of legs 9 which depend from the hub 8 and carry an annular deflector 10, and a free ball 11 arranged to seat on the deflector to close the central hole 12. The deflector 10 defines with the portion of the jar surrounding the nipple 3 a restricted passage 1 3 the size of which can be adjusted by relatively rotating the support part 5 and the device 4.

When the nipple is connected to a vacuum source the ball 11 lifts from its seat to open hole 12 and allows air to flow unrestricted from the jar 1. When cleaning solution is supplied through the nipple the ball 11 closes the hole so that the liquid can only flow through the restricted passage 1 3. The deflector 10 ensures that the liquid flows down over the inside surfaces of the jar.

With the combined valve and deflector device of Figure 1, the upward displacement of the ball 11 is limited by the lower end of the spindle 6.

This can be a disadvantage, especially when the nipple 3 is short and the spindle 6 is screwed well down in the hub 8, since the ball may not be able to lift high enough to permit unimpeded flow of air from the jar through the hole 12. This drawback is avoided by the modified device illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. In this case the threaded spindle 36 is integral with the upper ends of the legs 39 and the cross head 37 has a hub with a threaded bore screwed onto the spindle. With this construction the upward displacement of the valve ball 41 is independent of the position of the cross head 37 with respect to the deflector 40. There is also an added advantage in that it facilitates assembly of the valve/deflector device in the jar nipple.

In the recording jar shown in Figures 6 and 7, there are two nipples 14, 1 5 provided for vacuum supply. A known restrictor/deflector member 1 6 is located in one nipple and has a spindle 17 with wing-like projections 1 8 which centralise the deflector member 1 6 in a manner permitting adjustment of the restricted opening 1 9 defined between the member 1 6 and the jar surrounding the nipple opening by adjusting the position of a head 20 on the upper end of the spindle 17. This head is also included to prevent the member 1 6 dropping accidentally into the jar 1.

Fitted to the nipple 1 5 is a check valve having a bulbous medial portion 20 containing a ball 21 which is cooperable with an annular seat. A pin 22 extends across the valve housing above the seat to restrict the upward movement of the ball 21. The upper end connection of the valve is connected by a hose 23 to one arm of a tee piece 24 having another arm connected to the nipple 14 by a hose 25, the third arm of the tee piece is connected to the vacuum source during milking and a supply of cleaning liquid during cleaning.

As in the first embodiment, when milking the ball 21 is lifted from its seat to allow free, unrestricted flow of air from the jar 1 via the nipple 1 5. At the same time a restricted air flow leaves through nipple 14. When cleaning solution is supplied the ball 21 closes the nipple 1 5 and the liquid can only enter the jar through the nipple 14 and the restricted opening 19. A small groove can be provided in the seat of the ball 21 to allow a small amount of cleaning liquid to flow past the valve for cleaning this connection.

Claims (15)

Claims

1. A recording jar for a milking machine, comprising vacuum feed opening means, and check valve means for controlling flow of fluid through said opening means and arranged to permit substantially unrestricted flow of air from the jar and only restricted flow of liquid into the jar through the opening means.

2. A recording jar according to claim 1, wherein the opening means includes a nipple, and a device is mounted in the nipple and comprises a deflector defining a restricted passage with the inside of the jar, and check valve means for controlling flow of fluid through the nipple.

3. A recording jar according to claim 2, wherein the deflector comprises a hole and defines a valve seat surrounding the hole, and the check valve means comprises a member cooperable with the seat to open and close the hole.

4. A recording jar according to claim 3, wherein the valve member is a ball which engages the valve seat under its own weight.

5. A recording jar according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the combined valve and deflector device includes a part which engages the outer end of the nipple to support the device in the jar.

6. A recording jar according to claim 5, wherein said supporting part of the device is adjustable towards and away from the deflector for adjusting the size of the restricted passage.

7. A recording jar according to claim 6, wherein the supporting part has a screw-threaded connection with a cooperating part fixed to the deflector.

8. A recording jar according to claim 7, wherein the supporting part has a hub with a screw-threaded bore and the cooperating part comprises a threaded spindle.

9. A recording jar according to claim 1, wherein the opening means comprises two openings, a device is mounted in one opening and defines a restricted opening, and the check valve means is arranged to control flow of fluid through the other opening.

10. A recording jar according to claim 9, wherein the check valve means comprises a ball and a valve seat with which the ball cooperates under its own weight.

1 A recording jar according to claim 10, wherein the valve seat has a groove to allow restricted flow of liquid past the valve and into the jar when the valve is closed.

12. A device for mounting in the vacuum feed nipple of a milking machine recording jar, comprising a deflector for defining a restricted annular passage with the inside surface of the jar, a hole in the deflector, a valve member cooperable with the deflector to close the hole, a support part for engaging the outer end of the nipple to support the device in the jar, and connecting means connecting the support part to the deflector.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the valve member is a ball which seats freely against the deflector.

14. A device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the support device is adjustable towards and away from the deflector.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the connecting means includes a screw-threaded connection for adjusting the support part with respect to the deflector.

1 6. A recording jar substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 7. A device for mounting in the vacuum feed nipple of a milking machine recording jar, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.