GB2061688A - Transfer valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a transfer valve for milking apparatus, comprising a body through which two flexible tubes can be passed, a movable member 13, 9 which can be moved to engage and locally flatten and thereby close one or other of the tubes, and a further movable member 14 which can be moved to engage and locally flatten and thereby close one of the tubes whereby either or both of the tubes can be closed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Transfer valve The invention relates to a transfer valve, particularly for use in milking apparatus.

In controlling the operation of milking apparatus of the general kind in which milk from a particular cow is led from teat cups through a flexible tube into the top of a container, the milk is drawn into the container by connecting it to vacuum via a vacuum pipe. When the cow is milked, the milk is removed from the container by closing the vacuum pipe and opening a milk pipe connected to the bottom of the container. The milk withdrawn is replaced by air at the top of the container. The flow through the pipes and tubes is controlled by a device known as a transfer valve. A prior transfer valve has relatively springy metal plates resting against the tubes to obturate them. However, the plates do not provide a comprehensive cutting off and also tend to chafe the tubes, which can lead to leakage.Also, the plates themselves can fracture as a result of continual flexing into and out of engagement with the tubes.

It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate the disadvantages of the proposed transfer valves.

According to the invention there is provided a transfer valve for milking apparatus, comprising a body through which two flexible tubes can be passed, a movable member which can be moved to engage and locally flatten and thereby close one or other of the tubes, and a further movable member which can be moved to engage and locally flatten and thereby close one of the tubes whereby either or both of the tubes can be closed.

The advantage which may be obtained using the invention is that a positive closing of one or both tubes is achieved when the milking apparatus is used for milking, emptying or delivering milk, washing, or sampling.

The movable member may comprise a manually turnable device pivoted in the body and a cylindrical obturator mounted substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, in the body. This provides a relatively simple, easily operable construction.

The axis of rotation may comprise an axis of rotation connected to the manually turnable device and to which axle the cylindrical obturator is connected.

The further movable member may comprise a cylindrical obturator connected to an independently turnable device.

The independently turnable device may comprise a handle which turns about the axis of rotation of the manually turnable device of the movable member.

The handle may comprise one part which is mounted for pivoting on the axle and a further part which is grippable for turning the further member aboutthe axle.

Atransfervalve embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a front view of the transfer valve; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the transfer valve of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side elevational view of the transfer valve of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a sectional view on the line X-X of Figure 3 showing one tube closed.

Figure 5 shows a sectional view on the line X-X of Figure 3 showing the other tube closed; and Figure 6 shows a sectional view on the line X-X of Figure 3 shown both tubes closed.

Referring to the drawings, the transfer valve 1 shown is for controlling the flow of milk in milking apparatus and comprises a rigid metal body 2 having front and rear walls 3 and 4 and side walls 5 and 6 through which two flexible tubes 7 and 8 pass in parallel through the open top and bottom (as considered in the drawings) of the body 2. The tube 7 is a milk, or transfer line, while the tube 8 is a vacuum line. Both tubes 7 and 8 are made of elastomeric, rubber-like material. Mounted in the body 2 is a movable member in the form of a cylindrical obturator comprising a roller 9. The roller9 is carried by brackets secured 10 to an axle 11 the longitudinal axis of which is the axis of rotation of the roller 9.

The axle 11 is journalled for rotation in the rear wall 4 of the body 2 and passes through a boss 12 in the front wall 3, where a continuation of the axle comprises a manuallygrippable handle 13.

There is a further movable member comprising a cylindrical obturator in the form of a roller 14. The roller 14 is mounted on an independentlyturnable device which has a part 15 mounted on the axle and a part 16 which is a handle which protrudes from the open top of the body 2. The independently turnable device is thus of bifurcated or "V"-shape, the roller 14 being carried near the apex of the "V". There is a projection 17 projecting inwardly from each side wall 5 and 6 in the same plane. The parts 15 and 16 are mounted between the projections 17 and the front wall 3 of the body 2.

Use of the transfer valve 1 will now be described.

The valve body 2 is mounted to a support 18 by suitable means, for example by U-bolts 19 which are secured to the back wall 4 and encircle the in use, upright support 18.

The vacuum tube 8 and milk tube 7 are passed through the body 2 with the handle 13 being central and the handle 16 resting againstthe side wall 5, Figure 2, the vacuum tube 8 being on the left of the rollers 9 and 14 and the milk tube 7 being to the right ofthe rollers 9 and 14.

During milking, that is when milk is being drawn from the cow into the container, the milk line or tube 7 is closed and the vacuum line 8 is open. To accomplish this, the handle 13 is moved to the left as viewed in Figures 1 and 5 so that the roller 9 locally flattens the milk tube 7 and prevents passage of milk (Fig. 5).

When the container is full and is to be emptied, the vacuum tube 8 is closed and the milk tube 7 is opened. To accomplish this, the handle 13 is pivoted so that the roller 9 moves in an arc over the axle 11, from the Figure 5 position to the Figure 4 position to engage, locally flatten and thus close the tube 8. The resilience of the tube 7 ensures that it opens to allow passage of milk.

It is often necessary during milking to sample the milk. This is achieved during milking by temporarily closing the vacuum tube 8, so that some milk can be drawn from the container. To achieve this, while the roller9 closes the milk tube 7, the handle 16 is grip ped and moved independently of the handle 13 to the right from the Figure 1 rest position to pivot the roller 14 in an arc under the axle 11 to engage, locally flatten and so close the vacuum tube 8, as shown in Figure 6, where the right hand wall 6 acts as a stop.

When sampling is complete, the handle 16 is moved back to the left to engage the side wall 5, which acts as a stop and to open the vacuum line or tube 8 again to continue milking.

To clean the apparatus, both rollers 9 and 14 are returned to the rest position shown in Figure 1, so that both tubes 7 and 8 are open for passage of cleaning fluid.

It will be understood that the natural resiliance of both tubes 7 and 8 means that they are open when they are not engaged by the rollers 9 and 14. Also, when the tubes 7 and 8 are locally flattened, they act to grip the respective rollers and hold them in the tube-engaging position.

It wilt be understood that the invention above described and shown in the drawings may be modified. For example the rear wall 4 may have a cylindrical boss (not shown) directed into the body 2 which has the same diameter as the distance between the rollers and over while the rollers can run when they are moved. The boss thus acts as roller guide means.

Claims (12)

1. Atransfervalvefor milking apparatus, comprising a body through which two flexible tubes can be passed, a movable member which can be moved to engage and locally flatten and thereby close one or other of the tubes, and a further movable member which can be moved to engage and locally flatten and thereby close one of the tubes whereby either or both of the tubes can be closed.

2. Atransfervalve according to Claim 1, in which the movable member comprises a manually turnable device pivoted in the body and a cylindrical obturator mounted substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, in the body.

3. Atransfervalve according to Claim 2, in which the arms of rotation comprises the longitudinal axis of an axle connected to the manually turnable device and to which axle the cylindrical obturator is connected.

4. Atransfer valve according to claim 3, the further movable member comprising a cylindrical obturator connected to an independently turnable device.

5. Atransfervalve according to Claim 4, the independentlyturnable device comprising a handle which turns about the axis of rotation of the manu allyturnable device of the movable member.

6. Atransfervalve according to Claim 5, in which the handle comprises one part which is mounted for pivoting on the axle and a further part which is grippable forturning the further member about the axle.

7. Atransfervalve according to Claim 6, the further part engaging part ofthe body in a position in which the one tube is open.

8. A transfer valve according to Claim 7, the movable member being movable in an arc over the axle to flatten locally one or other of the tubes and the further movable member being movable in an arc below the axle to flatten locally the one tube.

9. A transfer valve according to any preceding claim, including a guide for guiding the movement of the movable member.

10. A transfer valve according to any preceding claim, both movable members comprising cylindrical rollers.

11. Atransfer valve for milking apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

12. Milking apparatus including a transfer valve according to any preceding claim.