GB421112A - Improvements relating to milking machines - Google Patents

Abstract

421,112. Cow-milkers. GASCOIGNE, G. H., Queensmere, Wokingham, and KNOX, J. R., 7, Brunswick Hill, Reading, both in Berkshire. April 4, 1933, Nos. 30677/34, (divided out of 420,005), and 30678 /34, (divided application). [Class 84] Pneumatically operated cow-milking apparatus comprises vacuum producing means, e.g. a pump 7, and piping connectible with this means and with a source of milk, and a releasing vessel 19 consisting of a single undivided chamber connectible with the source of milk and with the vacuum producing means and, through a continuously open air lead 40, to atmosphere and provided with a single one-way valve 41, e.g., a flap valve which may be of rubber, permitting the flow of milk from the vessel 19 but preventing entry of air thereinto. As shown, the releaser 19 is connected to the vacuum pump 7 through pipe 18; a multiple way cock 3 and a pipe 6. The releaser 19 receives milk through pipe 13, cock 3 and pipe 21, from a container 14, which collects the milk from one cow through pipe 2, cock 3, and pipe 16, the container 14 being carried on a scale 22 for weighing the milk yielded. The milk passes from releaser 19 through a cooler 23 to a drum 24. As shown, a pair of milking units are connected to the releaser 19. The cock 3 can be adjusted by a handle 35 to three positions, the shut' position in which a timing device 11, as set forth in Specification 420,005, is energized, the milk ' position, in which the container 14 is connected to the vacuum pump 7 through pipe 16 and the cock 3 and simultaneously through pipe 13, the cock 3 and pipe 2 with the teat cups so that milk is drawn into the container, and the 'empty ' position in which the container 14 is connected to the releaser 19, to draw off the milk through pipes 13, 21, and simultaneously through pipe 16 and a vent hole to atmosphere, while releaser 19 is connected to the vacuum pump. So long as the releaser 19 is connected to vacuum a substantial degree of vacuum is maintained therein, but when the vacuum is cut off air entering through leak 40 destroys the vacuum in a few seconds. To enable samples of the milk from each cow to be taken, a bottle 45 having a T-shaped fitting 46 held therein by a stopper 47 is provided, the fitting 46 having two tubes 48, 49 which are temporarily connected across a break in pipe 13, this break being normally closed by insertion of a short length of glass tubing.