Animal husbandry – Milkers – With automatic control
Patent
1994-10-24
1996-08-20
Swiatek, Robert P.
Animal husbandry
Milkers
With automatic control
A01J 5007
Patent
active
055468926
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating milk and air from each other at an early stage in a pipe milking machine, comprising a centrepiece or claw and a pump assembly, which is in flow communication therewith, connected to a vacuum tube, and includes a body element and pump means for pumping milk into a normal-pressure milk pipe connected with the assembly.
EP Patent publication 0119222 discloses a method and apparatus for improved milking, wherein milk and air are separated at an early stage by passing the air from a claw in an overhead path into a vacuum tube and by conveying the milk by means of a pump in an underhand path along a vacuum tube into a milk pipe. EP Patent publication 0171403 discloses an apparatus for measuring previously milked milk especially in systems as disclosed in EP Patent publication 0119222.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for separating air and milk from each other. In order to achieve this object, an apparatus of the invention is characterized by what is set forth in the characterizing section of claim 1.
One benefit offered by an apparatus of the invention is that at no time is it necessary for milk to be drawn up by the direct application of vacuum (by means of air), the vacuum being only used in the claw for a milking operation (pulsation). Thus, the vacuum prevailing inside a teat cup remains substantially constant throughout a milking operation. By virtue of this permanently constant vacuum the flow diagram of milk can be made more level and, thus, the milking time can be reduced.
It is true that the pump means included in a pump assembly make use of vacuum, but operation of the pump means simultaneously effects the separation of milk and air, whereby the milk only is pumped into a normal-pressure milk pipe while air discharges from the pump assembly into the vacuum tube.
The invention will now be described with reference made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one exemplary embodiment for an apparatus of the invention. In the drawing figures:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the principle for a pipe milking machine configuration according to prior art,
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the principle for a pipe milking machine configuration employing an apparatus of the invention,
FIGS. 3-10 are schematic sectional views showing various operating stages for one embodiment of a pumping assembly for use in an apparatus of the invention.
A prior art apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a claw 1 provided with teat cups 2. The operation of teat pads or rubbers included in the teat cups as well as the aspiration of milk in a state of negative pressure into a negative-pressure milk pipe 4 are controlled by means of a pulsator 8, said pulsator being connected to a vacuum tube 5 and linked with the claw by means of a tube 5a. The milk is carried in a negative-pressure state along milk pipe 4 into a collector tank 6 for effecting the separation of milk and air, the milk being delivered into a farm tank 7 and the air to a vacuum assembly 9. One of the drawbacks in this type of pipe milking machine is that vacuum fluctuates in the teat rubber during a milking operation, which is partially responsible for the teat ends getting wet in milk which could be a factor contributing to udder infection. In addition, the milk is carried along with air through a relatively long distance all the way to a collector tank, whereby the milk has time to cool and the crystallization of milk fat begins. The removal of milk from a collector tank by means of a pump applies a major stress on the fat globule in its sensitive crystallization process. Completely crystallized or uncrystallized is the best form for milk to tolerate conditioning, such as pumping, which is why the separation of milk and air as well as the pumping of milk into a farm tank should be effected at a stage as early as possible.
On the other hand, FIG. 2 illustrates a pipe milking assembly with an apparatus of the invention employed therein. The corresponding compo
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patent: 3373720 (1968-03-01), Duncan
patent: 4190020 (1980-02-01), Tam as et al.
patent: 4607596 (1986-08-01), Whittlestone et al.
patent: 4793285 (1988-12-01), Marshall
Keegan Francis A.
Pellonpaja Oy
Swiatek Robert P.
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