GB2316290A

GB2316290A - Apparatus for delivering rinsing liquid into a pipeline

Info

Publication number: GB2316290A
Application number: GB9717038A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edmond Patrick Harty; Junior Edmond Patrick Harty
Original assignee: ARATECH Ltd
Current assignee: ARATECH Ltd
Priority date: 1996-08-19
Filing date: 1997-08-12
Publication date: 1998-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 2017-08-12
Also published as: IE970613A1; GB2316290B; GB9717038D0; IES960595A2; IES77774B2

Abstract

Apparatus 20 for delivering a volume of rinse water into a main milk pipeline 2 comprises annular inner and outer compartments 37 and 38, which communicate through an opening 40, forming a holding chamber 28 for the water. The water is delivered to the main milk pipeline 2 through the main outlet 32. The holding compartment 28 is charged by the wash line 15 through a main inlet 44. A solenoid controlled diaphragm valve 47 selectively opens a secondary inlet 45 to the outer compartment 38 of the holding chamber 28, so that when a vacuum is applied to the main milk pipeline 2 and the valve 47 is opened to atmosphere the wash water is urged from the holding chamber 28 to flow with full flow characteristics as a plug of wash water through the main milk pipeline 2.

Description

"Apparatus for holding a volume of liquid for delivering into a pipeline, and a method for delivering a volume of liquid into a pipeline" The present invention relates to apparatus for holding a volume of liquid for delivery into a pipeline so that the liquid when delivered into the pipeline flows with full flow characteristics. In particular, the apparatus according to the invention is for holding a volume of water with or without a detergent and/or a disinfectant for cleansing a pipeline of a milking apparatus. The invention also relates to the milking apparatus containing the holding apparatus, and to a method for delivering a volume of liquid into a pipeline, for example, for delivering a volume of water, with or without a detergent and/or disinfectant for cleansing a pipeline of the milking apparatus.

Milking apparatus, in general, comprises a relatively long main milk pipeline which typically, is located overhead in a milking parlour. A plurality of milking clusters for attaching to the cows' teats for milking are Teed into the main milk pipeline. The main milk pipeline terminates in a receiver which is held under vacuum by a vacuum system for drawing the milk through the main milk pipeline, and in turn, from the cows' teats. A milk pump delivers milk from the receiver to a holding tank. The vacuum system also applies a vacuum through a pulsator to sleeves in the clusters for causing the sleeves to pulsate for urging milk from the cows' teats.

A separate wash pipeline for carrying washing water which may or may not contain a detergent and/or a disinfectant, and rinse water also runs overhead in the milking parlour adjacent the main pipeline. A plurality of jetters, one for each milking cluster are Teed off from the wash line for connecting to the corresponding cluster for facilitating washing the milk pipelines, the receiver jar, and the pump through which milk passes after milking has been completed. Such milking apparatus and wash lines will be well known to those skilled in the art.

It is, however, important that the milk lines be thoroughly cleaned after each milking session to avoid the growth of bacteria in the milk lines. In milk lines of relatively small diameter, thorough cleansing of the milk lines is achieved using conventional systems. Because of the relatively small diameter of the pipelines, it is possible to have the cleansing liquid, typically, water with a detergent and rinsing water to flow with full flow characteristics through all the milk lines, thereby adequately cleansing the milk lines. However, in relatively large installations, the overhead main milk pipeline, can be of relatively large diameter, and in general, known washing techniques are unsatisfactory. It is, in general, impossible to get the wash water and the rinse water to flow with full flow characteristics throughout the entire main milk pipeline.

There is therefore a need for an apparatus for overcoming this problem, and also for a method for overcoming the problem, both in milk apparatus and other apparatus.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a method and apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for holding a volume of liquid for delivery into a pipeline to flow through the pipeline with full flow characteristics, the apparatus comprising an enclosed holding chamber for holding the volume of liquid for delivery into the pipeline, the holding chamber having a communicating outlet for communicating with the pipeline for delivering the volume of liquid from the holding chamber into the pipeline, a main inlet for charging the holding chamber with the liquid, and a secondary inlet for selectively communicating the holding chamber with a medium source for selectively applying a pressure differential across the volume of liquid in the holding chamber between the secondary inlet and the communicating outlet when the communicating outlet is communicating with the pipeline for urging the volume of liquid from the holding chamber to flow through the pipeline with full flow characteristics, the secondary inlet being arranged relative to the communicating outlet so that the volume of liquid in the holding chamber acts as a liquid seal between the secondary inlet and the communicating outlet, and the communicating outlet is located for retaining the volume of liquid in the holding chamber when no pressure differential exists across the volume of liquid.

In one embodiment of the invention a bulkhead extends downwardly into the holding chamber for dividing the holding chamber into two compartments, the two compartments communicating with each other through a communicating opening located at the lower end of the bulkhead, so that the two compartments cooperate to, form a U-Shaped liquid seal between the secondary inlet and the communicating outlet for isolating the secondary inlet from the communicating outlet.

Preferably, the communicating opening is formed between a lower edge of the bulkhead and a base of the holding chamber which is spaced apart from the lower edge of the bulkhead.

In one embodiment of the invention the apparatus comprises a housing which defines an enclosed hollow interior region within which the holding chamber and a discharge chamber are formed, the holding chamber communicating with the discharge chamber through the communicating outlet, and a main outlet being provided from the discharge chamber for connecting to the pipeline into which the volume of liquid is to be delivered.

Preferably, the main outlet is located in a base of the discharge chamber.

Advantageously, the holding chamber is an annular chamber and extends around the discharge chamber.

Preferably, the bulkhead of the holding chamber extends downwardly from a secondary top wall, and extends around the discharge chamber within the holding chamber, and forms the two compartments as an inner annular compartment and an outer annular compartment, the outer annular compartment extending around the inner annular compartment and being closed by a main top wall, and the inner annular compartment extending around the discharge chamber, and ideally, the secondary inlet communicates with the outer compartment. Advantageously, the secondary inlet extends through the main top wall.

In one embodiment of the invention the main inlet is located in the base of the holding chamber, and preferably, the main inlet is located substantially beneath the inner compartment.

In one embodiment of the invention the communicating outlet is formed by a weir, and preferably, the weir defines with the secondary top wall of the holding chamber an annular communicating outlet.

In another embodiment of the invention a valve means is provided for closing the secondary inlet during charging of the holding chamber, and for selectively opening the secondary inlet for communicating the holding chamber with the medium source. Preferably, the valve means is a vacuum operated valve.

Ideally, the main inlet and the main outlet are arranged so that when the secondary inlet is closed the holding chamber may be charged through the main inlet by applying a pressure differential between the main inlet and the main outlet for urging the liquid into the holding chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention the apparatus is adapted for connecting to a main milk pipeline, the main milk pipeline communicating with the communicating outlet, and preferably, the communicating outlet communicates with the main milk pipeline adjacent an upstream end thereof.

Advantageously, the main inlet is adapted for connecting to a wash line associated with the main milk pipeline for receiving washing and/or rinsing water therefrom, and preferably, the secondary inlet is adapted for communicating the holding compartment with atmosphere which provides the medium source.

Ideally, the valve means is adapted for connecting to a vacuum system associated with the main milk pipeline for operation thereof for selectively opening and closing the secondary inlet Additionally, the invention comprises in combination a pipeline and the apparatus according to the invention connected to the pipeline for holding a volume of liquid for delivery into the pipeline so that the volume of liquid flows through the pipeline with full flow characteristics.

Further the invention provides milking apparatus comprising a main milk pipeline extending between an upstream end and a downstream end, and having a plurality of clusters of teats Teed therefrom, the main milk pipeline terminating at its downstream end in a receiver into which milk is drawn from the clusters of teats through the main milk pipeline, and a vacuum system for drawing the milk through the main milk pipeline into the receiver, a wash line associated with the main milk pipeline for facilitating washing of the main milk pipeline, the apparatus according to the invention being connected into the milking apparatus with the communicating outlet being connected to the main milk pipeline for delivering the volume of liquid into the main milk pipeline the main inlet being connected to the wash line for charging the holding chamber with the volume of liquid from the wash line, and the valve means being connected to the vacuum system for selectively opening the secondary inlet for communicating the holding chamber with atmosphere for, in turn, applying the pressure differential across the volume of liquid in the holding chamber for urging the volume of liquid from the holding chamber to flow through the main milk pipeline with full flow characteristics.

Preferably, the main outlet is connected to the main milk pipeline at the upstream end thereof.

The invention also provides a method for delivering a volume of liquid into a pipeline to flow with full flow characteristics, the method comprising the steps of storing the volume of liquid in a holding chamber having a communicating outlet communicating with the pipeline, and a main inlet for charging the holding chamber with the liquid, and a selectively operable secondary inlet for applying a pressure differential across the volume of liquid between the secondary inlet and the communicating outlet, the method comprising the further step of opening the secondary inlet for applying the pressure differential across the volume of liquid for urging the volume of liquid from the holding chamber into the pipeline to flow through the pipeline with full flow characteristics.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a milking apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view of apparatus also according to the invention of the milking apparatus of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated milking apparatus according to the invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The milking apparatus 1 comprises a main milk pipeline 2, which typically, is located overhead in a milking parlour. The main milk pipeline 2 runs from an upstream end 3 to a downstream end 4 where it terminates in a receiver 5 for receiving milk. A plurality of milking clusters 7, each comprising four teat cups 8 are Teed into the main milk pipeline 2 for delivering milk from the cows' teats into the main milk pipeline 2. Only one milking cluster 7 is illustrated in Fig. 1. A vacuum system indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 applies a continuous vacuum to the receiver 5 through a vacuum line 11 for drawing milk from the clusters 7 through the main milk pipeline 2 and into the receiver 5. A pump 12 pumps milk from the receiver 5 into a holding tank 13 through a solenoid operated switch over valve 17. The vacuum system 10 through a pulsator 14 applies a pulsating vacuum to sleeves (not shown) in the teat cups 8 of the clusters 7 for urging milk from the teats of animals being milked. A wash line 15, which is also located overhead in the milking parlour, in general, runs substantially parallel adjacent the main milk pipeline 2. The wash line 15 terminates in a trough 16 from which washing water, which typically comprises a detergent and/or a disinfectant, and subsequently rinse water is drawn into the wash line 15 for cleansing the milking apparatus 1. A plurality of jetters 18 are Teed off from the wash line 15 for connection to corresponding milking clusters 7 so that the wash water, and subsequently the rinse water can be drawn from the trough 16, through the wash line 15 and in turn through the jetters 18, the clusters 7, the main pipeline 2, and into the receiver 5 under the vacuum applied by the vacuum line 11 to the receiver 5. The wash and rinse water may then be pumped by the pump 12 and returned through the switch over valve 17 to the trough 16 for further circulation through the milking apparatus or may be delivered to the trough 13.

So far to here, the milking apparatus 1 is similar to a conventional milking apparatus which is provided with a wash line, and is of the type which will be well known to those skilled in the art.

Apparatus also according to the invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 20 for holding a volume of liquid is connected into the main milk pipeline 2 for delivering the volume of liquid into the main milk pipeline 2 to flow, through the main milk pipeline 2 with full flow characteristics.

In this case the volume of liquid is initially one or more volumes of the wash water, and then subsequently one or more volumes of the rinse water. The apparatus 20 is connected into the main milk pipeline 2 at the upstream end 3 thereof, and is charged with the wash water or the rinse water through the wash line ;5 which is also connected to the apparatus 20, as will be described below.

The apparatus 20 comprises a housing, in this case, provided by a cylindrical outer shell 22 which is sealably closed at the top by a main top wall 23, and at the bottom by a base 24. Annular seals 26 seal the main top wall 23 and the base 24 to the outer shell 22. Three tie rods 21 secure the main top wall 23, the base 24 and the outer shell 22 together. The tie rods 21 engage corresponding eyes 29 in the main top wall 23 and in the base 24. Nuts 41 engage threads at opposite ends of the tie rods 21 for securing the main top wall 23, the base 24 and the outer shell 22 together. The outer shell 22, the main top wall 23 and the base 24 define a enclosed hollow interior region 25. An inner cylindrical wall 27 which extends upwardly from the base 24 divides the hollow interior region 25 to form an annular holding chamber 28 for holding the volume of wash water or rinse water, and a discharge chamber 30, around which the holding chamber 28 extends. The volume of wash water or rinse water is delivered from the holding chamber 28 into the discharge chamber 30, and is in turn discharged into the main milk pipeline 2 from the discharge chamber 30. A main outlet 32 from the discharge chamber 30 extends from the base 24 for connecting the apparatus 20 to the main milk pipeline 2 for delivering the volumes of wash water or rinse water therethrough. The inner cylindrical wall 27 terminates at 33 short of the top wall 23, and forms a weir 34 which in turn forms a communicating outlet 31 from the holding chamber 28 through which the volume of water held in the holding chamber 28 is delivered into the discharge chamber 30. The inner cylindrical wall 27 also acts to retain the volume of water in the holding chamber 28.

A cylindrical bulkhead 35 extends downwardly from a secondary top wall 36, and divides the holding chamber 28 into an inner annular compartment 37 and an outer annular compartment 38. The cylindrical bulkhead 35 terminates at 39 short of the base 24, and defines with the base 24 an annular communicating opening 40 through which the inner and outer compartments 37 and 38 communicate. The secondary top wall 36 is secured to the main top wall 23 by screws (not shown), and is spaced apart therefrom by three circumferentially spaced apart spacers 42 for facilitating communication between the top portions of the outer compartment 38 between the main top wall 23 and the secondary top wall 36.

A main inlet 44 for charging the holding chamber 28 with the volume of wash or rinse water is located in the base 24 for connecting to the wash line 15. Wash water or rinse water is drawn into the holding chamber 28 through the main inlet 44 from the wash line 15 by applying a vacuum to the main milk pipeline 2 which in turn applies a vacuum to the entire hollow interior region 25 of the apparatus 20.

The vacuum in the milk pipeline draws the wash or rinse water through the inner compartment 37 and over the weir 34 which in turn retains the level of water in the inner compartment 37 at the level of the weir 34. By virtue of the fact that the entire hollow interior region 25 of the apparatus 20 is under vacuum, wash or rinse water rises in the outer compartment 38 to a level slightly below the level of the secondary wall 36. The level to which the wash or rinse water rises in the outer compartment 38 is dependent on the level of vacuum applied to the main milk pipeline 2. The main inlet 44 is located in the base 24 below the inner compartment 37 for facilitating flow of wash water through the inner compartment 37 for subsequent delivery into the discharge chamber 30 and in turn into the main pipeline 2 while wash water is being drawn directly from the wash line 15 through the apparatus 20 to the main milk pipeline 2.

A secondary inlet 45 is located in the main top wall 23 for communicating the holding chamber 28 with atmosphere for applying a pressure differential across the volume of water in the holding chamber 28 when a vacuum is applied to the main milk pipeline 2 for urging the volume of water from the holding chamber 28 through the discharge chamber 30, and in turn, into the main milk pipeline 2 to flow through the main milk pipeline 2 with full flow characteristics. The secondary inlet 45 terminates in a valve means, in this case, a vacuum operated diaphragm valve 47 which selectively communicates the secondary inlet 45 through a port 48 in the valve 47 with atmosphere. The diaphragm valve 47 is a typical diaphragm valve and is selectively operated by vacuum, derived from the vacuum system 10. Vacuum is applied to a port 51 of the diaphragm valve 47 through a vacuum line 49 of the vacuum system 10 for operating the valve 47. A solenoid control valve 50 of the diaphragm valve 47 selectively applies vacuum on the port 51 to a chamber 53 within the diaphragm valve 47 for operating a diaphragm 52 of the valve 47 for selectively communicating the secondary inlet 45 to atmosphere through the port 48.

The secondary inlet 45 communicates with the outer compartment 38 through the space between the main top wall 23 and the secondary top wall 36 for applying atmospheric air pressure to the surface of the volume of wash or rinse water in the outer compartment 38.

Accordingly, the inner and outer compartment 37 and 38, respectively, form a U-shaped water seal between the secondary inlet 45 and the communicating outlet 31, and in turn the main outlet 32. Thus, with the holding chamber 28 charged with a volume of wash or rinse water, and a vacuum applied to the main milk pipeline 2, when the valve 47 is operated to communicate the outer compartment 38 with atmosphere a pressure differential, which is the difference in pressure between the vacuum in the main milk pipeline 2 and atmospheric pressure is established across the volume of water in the holding chamber 28, which thus, drives the volume of water rapidly from the holding chamber 28 into the discharge chamber 30, and in turn through the main milk pipeline 2 to flow through the main milk pipeline 2 as a plug of water with full flow characteristics.

In this embodiment of the invention the volume of the holding chamber 28 is approximately 7,500cc, and this has been found sufficient to cause the volume of water from the holding chamber 28 to flow through the main milk pipeline 2 which has an internal diameter 50mm with full flow characteristics when a vacuum of approximately half an atmosphere is applied to the main milk pipeline 2.

In use, when it is desired to wash the apparatus 1, the trough 16 is charged with an appropriate wash water solution. The switch over valve 17 is operated to return wash water pumped by the pump 12 from the receiver 5 to the trough 16. The jetters 18 are connected to the clusters 7. The control valve 50 is operated to close the valve 47 for isolating the secondary inlet 45 from the port 48, and a vacuum is applied through the vacuum line 11 to the receiver 5.

This draws the wash water from the trough 16 through the wash line 15, through the apparatus 20 and in turn into the main milk pipeline 2. The wash water is also drawn into the main milk pipeline 2 from the wash line 15 through the jetters 18 and the clusters 7. The wash water which is drawn through the main milk pipeline 2 through the apparatus 20 is drawn into the holding chamber 28 through the main inlet 44. Since the entire system is under vacuum, including the hollow interior region 25 of the apparatus 20, the wash water is drawn upwardly into the outer compartment 38, to a level relatively close to the secondary top wall 36. The vacuum in the main milk pipeline 2 further draws the wash water through the inner compartment 37 where it flows over the weir 34, and in turn, into the discharge chamber 30 for delivery through the main outlet 32, and into the main milk pipeline 2. During this phase of the washing operation the inner compartment 37 of the holding chamber 28 is full of wash water to the level of the weir 34, and the, outer compartment 38 is almost full of wash water due to the fact that the entire hollow interior region 25 of the apparatus 20 is under vacuum.

At an appropriate time, or times during the time wash water is being drawn through the apparatus 20 by the vacuum into the main milk pipeline 2, the control valve 50 is operated for opening the valve 47 for communicating the secondary inlet 45 with atmosphere through the port 48. This, thus establishes a pressure differential across the volume of wash water in the holding chamber 28, which causes the volume of wash water to surge out of the holding chamber 28 into the discharge chamber 30, and in turn, through the main milk pipeline 2 through which it flows with full flow characteristics as a plug of wash water.

On closing the valve 47, the holding chamber 28 is again charged with wash water and by opening the valve 47 a further surge of wash water from the holding chamber 28 is urged through the milk pipeline 2.

Operation of the milking apparatus 1 and the apparatus 20 during rinsing with rinse water is similar to that just described for washing with wash water, with the exception that the trough 16 is charged with the rinse water.

It is envisaged that two troughs 16 may be provided, one being provided for wash water, and the other being provided for rinse water. A solenoid controlled switch over valve may be provided in the wash line 15 for switching the wash line 15 between the respective troughs 16, depending on whether it is desired to circulate wash water or rinse water through the apparatus.

Claims

1. Apparatus for holding a volume of liquid for delivery into a pipeline to flow through the pipeline with full flow characteristics, the apparatus comprising an enclosed holding chamber for holding the volume of liquid for delivery into the pipeline, the holding chamber having a communicating outlet for communicating with the pipeline for delivering the volume of liquid from the holding chamber into the pipeline, a main inlet for charging the holding chamber with the liquid, and a secondary inlet for selectively communicating the holding chamber with a medium source for selectively applying a pressure differential across the volume of liquid in the holding chamber between the secondary inlet and the communicating outlet when the communicating outlet is communicating with the pipeline for urging the volume of liquid from the holding chamber to flow through the pipeline with full flow characteristics, the secondary inlet being arranged relative to the communicating outlet so that the volume of liquid in the holding chamber acts as a liquid seal between the secondary inlet and the communicating outlet, and the communicating outlet is located for retaining the volume of liquid in the holding chamber when no pressure differential exists across the volume of liquid.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which a bulkhead extends downwardly into the holding chamber for dividing the holding chamber into two compartments, the two compartments communicating with each other through a communicating opening located at the lower end of the bulkhead, so that the two compartments cooperate to, form a U-Shaped liquid seal between the secondary inlet and the communicating outlet for isolating the secondary inlet from the communicating outlet.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which the communicating opening is formed between a lower edge of the bulkhead and a base of the holding chamber which is spaced apart from the lower edge of the bulkhead.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 2 or 3 in which a housing is provided which defines an enclosed hollow interior region within which the holding chamber and a discharge chamber are formed, the holding chamber communicating with the discharge chamber through the communicating outlet, and a main outlet being provided from the discharge chamber for connecting to the pipeline into which the volume of liquid is to be delivered.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 in which the main outlet is located in a base of the discharge chamber.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 or 5 in which the holding chamber is an annular chamber and extends around the discharge chamber.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 in which the bulkhead of the holding chamber extends downwardly from a secondary top wall, and extends around the discharge chamber within the holding chamber, and forms the two compartments as an inner annular compartment and an outer annular compartment, the outer annular compartment extending around the inner annular compartment and being closed by a main top wall, and the inner annular compartment extending around the discharge chamber.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 in which the secondary inlet communicates with the outer compartment.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or 8 in which the secondary inlet extends through the main top wall.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 9 in which the main inlet is located in the base of the holding chamber.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 10 in which the main inlet is located substantially beneath the inner compartment.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 11 in which the communicating outlet is formed by a weir.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 in which the weir defines with the secondary top wall of the holding chamber an annular communicating outlet.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a valve means is provided for closing the secondary inlet during charging of the holding chamber, and for selectively opening the secondary inlet for communicating the holding chamber with the medium source.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 in which the valve means is a vacuum operated valve.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the main inlet and the main outlet are arranged so that when the secondary inlet is closed the holding chamber may be charged through the main inlet by applying a pressure differential between the main inlet and the main outlet for urging the liquid into the holding chamber.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any of preceding claims in which the apparatus is adapted for connecting to a main milk pipeline, the main milk pipeline communicating with the communicating outlet.

18. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 17 in which the communicating outlet communicates with the main milk pipeline adjacent an upstream end thereof.

19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 17 or 18 in which the main inlet is adapted for connecting to a wash line associated with the main milk pipeline for receiving washing and/or rinsing water therefrom.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 17 to 19 in which the secondary inlet is adapted for communicating the holding compartment with atmosphere which provides the medium source.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 17 to 20 in which the valve means is adapted for connecting to a vacuum system associated with the main milk pipeline for operation thereof for selectively opening and closing the secondary inlet.

22. Apparatus for holding a volume of liquid for delivery into a pipeline to flow through the pipeline with full flow characteristics, the apparatus being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

23. In combination a pipeline and the apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim connected to the pipeline for holding a volume of liquid for delivery into the pipeline so that the volume of liquid flows through the pipeline with full flow characteristics.

24. Milking apparatus comprising a main milk pipeline extending between an upstream end and a downstream end, and having a plurality of clusters of teats Teed therefrom, the main milk pipeline terminating at its downstream end in a receiver into which milk is drawn from the clusters of teats through the main milk pipeline, and a vacuum system for drawing the milk through the main milk pipeline into the receiver, a wash line associated with the main milk pipeline for facilitating washing of the main milk pipeline, the apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 22 being connected into the milking apparatus with the communicating outlet being connected to the main milk pipeline for delivering the volume of liquid into the main milk pipeline the main inlet being connected to the wash line for charging the holding chamber with the volume of liquid from the wash line, and the valve means being connected to the vacuum system for selectively opening the secondary inlet for communicating the holding chamber with atmosphere for, in turn, applying the pressure differential across the volume of liquid in the holding chamber for urging the volume of liquid from the holding chamber to flow through the main milk pipeline with full flow characteristics.

25. Milking apparatus as claimed in Claim 24 in which the main outlet is connected to the main milk pipeline at the upstream end thereof.

26. Milking apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

27. A method for delivering a volume of liquid into a pipeline to flow with full flow characteristics, the method comprising the steps of storing the volume of liquid in a holding chamber having a communicating outlet communicating with the pipeline, and a main inlet for charging the holding chamber with the liquid, and a selectively operable secondary inlet for applying a pressure differential across the volume of liquid between the secondary inlet and the communicating outlet, the method comprising the further step of opening the secondary inlet for applying the pressure differential across the volume of liquid for urging the volume of liquid from the holding chamber into the pipeline to flow through the pipeline with full flow characteristics.

28. A method for delivering a volume of liquid to a pipeline to flow with full flow characteristics, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.