NZ260087A - Milking machine cleaning system: valve in milk line diverts cleaning fluid into bypass line and into milk receiver through spray nozzle - Google Patents

Description

2u0087 Patents Form No. 5 Our Ref: RL800187 MEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 Complete After Provisional No. 260087 Filed: 14 March 1994 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION WASHING SYSTEM FOR PSE WITH MTT.KTHG MflfTHTNKS We, I> READ & SON LIMITED, a New Zealand company of 48 Newnham Street, Rangiora, New Zealand hereby declare the invention, for which We pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement; PT0509100 -I- 260087 The present invention relates to a washing system for use with milking machines.

Strict hygiene is essential in the milking industry. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries monitors the standard of hygiene by approving all washing systems for milking machines. The large volume of milk which is passed through machines up to twice a day can lead to bacterial contamination, fat build ups and milk stone build-up. Also milk vapour can condense and collect in pipes. The shape of the components of milking machines makes cleaning difficult. For example, conventional washing of milk receiving cans does not clean the top portion of the can due to its size and curvature. Previously the only successful method of washing the receiving can was to remove its perspex dome and manually wash the interior. Another problem previously encountered was that there was no real control over the volume of cleansing fluid that passes along the milk line and directly into the milk receiving can once it has entered the milk line.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing system for use with milking machines which will go some way towards providing a means of efficiently cleaning the machines to a high standard of hygiene, or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a washing system for a milking machine, the 2 b 0 0 washing system including a receiving can, the receiving can having at least two outlets and at least two inlets, one of the outlets is a vacuum pipe for allowing air to exit and a second of the outlets is a suction pipe for allowing milk, cleansing fluid and/or other liquid to exit, and one of the inlets is a milk line for delivering milk to the receiving can and a second of the inlets is a return pipe for delivering cleansing fluid into the receiving can.

The milking machine can be changed from a milking mode to a cleansing mode by closing a valve on the milk line, thereby forcing cleansing fluid onto the return pipe, and allowing cleansing fluid to enter the milking machine.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing system for a milking machine, the washing system comprising a receiving can, the receiving can having at least two outlets and at least four inlets, one of the outlets is a vacuum pipe for allowing air to exit and a second of the outlets is a suction pipe for allowing milk, cleansing fluid and/or other liquid to exit, and wherein two of the inlets are milk lines for delivering milk to the receiving can, and two of the other inlets are return pipes for delivering cleansing fluid into the receiving can.

The milking machine can be changed from a milking mode to a cleansing mode by closing two valves, one valve being present on each milk line. Closing the valves forces cleansing fluid into the corresponding return pipes, thereby allowing cleansing fluid to enter the milking machine. 2o0087 According to a third aspect o£ the present invention there is provided a method of cleansing a milking machine, the method including the steps oft - causing cleansing fluid to flow from a vessel to milking clusters of the milking machine, through a dropper pipe and into at least one milk line; - closing a valve on each of the milk lines; - forcing cleansing fluid through at least one return pipe to a receiving can; - allowing the cleansing fluid and air to exit the receiving can.

The cleansing fluid can pass from the vessel to the milking cluster via a jetter pipe and a jetter.

The cleansing fluid can enter the receiving can through one or more sprinkler(s). Preferably, two sprinklers are provided in the receiving can.

When one return pipe is provided, the cleansing fluid passes from the return pipe through the two sprinklers via a Y-shaped fitting. If two return pipes are provided, cleansing fluid passes from each return pipe to a corresponding sprinkler.

The cluster can have an air admission hole. The hole lets air into the system to create turbulence. The turbulence provides more efficient cleansing and more efficient milking performance.

Preferably when the milk lines is filled with cleansing fluid, suction causes the cleansing fluid to flow through the at least one return pipe. 2G008 A bypass pipe can extend between each of the milk lines and a portion of each of the at least one return pipe directly before the receiving can. The bypass pipe can allow cleansing fluid to bypass most of the at least one return pipe.

Air and cleansing fluid can be separated in the receiving can. The air exits through the vacuum pipe to a sanitary trap by means of a vacuum pump. The cleansing fluid exits to a milk pump through standard equipment.

The washing system can be converted back into a milking system by opening the valve on each one milk line(s).

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of the washing system according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the washing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, during milking, milk flows into cups 1, and into clusters 2. The milk then proceeds through a dropper pipe 3, and into a large bore milk line 4. A valve 5 on the milk line 4 is open, and hence the milk can flow into a receiving can 6, as a result of the gradient of the milk line 4. In the receiving can, air and milk naturally separate, due to gravity. The air exits through a vacuum pipe 9, and passes through a sanitary trap (not shown) before entering a vacuum pump (not shown). The milk leaves the receiving can 6 through a slotted receiver exit: 7, and passes through a suction pipe 8 to a milk pump (not shown).

To initiate cleaning of the milking machine, the valve 5 is closed and air injector 10 is activated. Cleansing fluid flows from a vessel 12 via jetter pipe 16 to jetters 11.

These jetters 11 are attached to the milking cups 1 of clusters 2. Alternatively the cleansing fluid may pass directly from a vessel into the milking cups 1. This avoids the need for a jetter pipe and jetters. The cleansing fluid then passes to the clusters 2, through the dropper pipe 3 and into the milk line 4. Air entering through the air injector 10 in the milk line 4 creates turbulence. The closed valve 5 prevents the cleansing fluid following the same path as the milk. Hence, the cleansing fluid is drawn into a return pipe 13. The cleansing fluid then enters the receiving can 6 through two sprinklers 14 via a Y-shaped fitting (not shown). Cleansing fluid which does not pass through the return pipe 13 to the receiving can 6, is removed from the milk line via a bypass pipe 17. The bypass pipe 17 allows for a consistent vacuum in the milk line 4 giving even flow through the clusters 2. Turbulence created by the sprinkler 14 and the added air is sufficient to cleanse the receiving can 6, and the end of the milk line 4 which was not cleaned earlier due to the closed valve 5.

During the milking and cleansing process, air leaves the receiving can 6 through a vacuum pipe 9. The cleansing fluid leaves the milking machine through a slotted receiver exit 7 and suction pipe 8 to a milk pump (not shown). The cleansing fluid is removed from the milking machine after the cleansing 2 h 0 0 8 7 fluid has progressed through the milk pump, filter and cooler, but before the cleansing fluid reaches the bulk tank which stores the milk prior to the milk being collected by a milk tanker. Any remnants of the cleansing fluid can be drained through drain 15.

Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the receiving can 6 is located in the centre of the milking machine. The receiving can 6 therefore has two milk lines 4 and 4' entering it. Accordingly, there are two return pipes 13 and 13'. As the receiving can 6 has two sprinklers 14, each return pipe 13 enters adjacent a sprinkler 14. Unlike the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, no Y-shaped fitting is present in this embodiment.

There is an air injector 10 and 10' on each milk line 4 and 4' respectively, one bypass pipe 17 and 17' between each milk line 4 and 4' and each return pipe 13 and 13'.

The milking machine components are preferably made of stainless steel or other metal alloy.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a washing system for a milking machine.

Where in this description, reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the 26008 scope or spirit: of the invention, as defined in the appending claims.

Claims (13)

- 9 - 26 0 0 8 7 WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A washing system for a milking machine, the washing system including a milk line which delivers milk to a first inlet of a receiving can, the first inlet being located at or near the top of the receiving can, a return pipe which extends from one end of the milk line to a second inlet of the receiving can, the second inlet being at or adjacent the top of the receiving can, the receiving can includes at least two outlets, a first outlet is a vacuum pipe for allowing air to exit and a second outlet is a suction pipe for allowing milk, cleansing fluid and/or other liquid to exit, the construction and arrangement being such that during milking milk flows via cups, clusters and a dropper pipe into the milk line, and into the receiving can, and when washing is to take place, a valve in the milk line is closed, and cleansing fluid passes from a cleansing fluid supply and into the milk line via the cups, clusters and dropper pipe, and the closed valve on the milk line forces the cleansing fluid into the receiving can via the return pipe.

2. A washing system for a milking machine, the washing system including at least two milk lines which deliver milk to at least two inlets of a receiving can, the two inlets being located at or near the top of the receiving can, at least two return pipes each of which extends from one end of one of the said milk lines to at least one further inlet of the receiving can, the at least one further inlets being at or adjacent the top of the receiving can, the receiving can includes at least two outlets, a first outlet is a vacuum pipe for allowing air to exit and a second outlet is a suction pipe for allowing milk, cleansing fluid and/or other liquid to exit, the construction and arrangement being such that during milking milk flows via cups, clusters and dropper pipes into the milk lines, and into the receiving can, and when washing is to take place, a valve on each of the milk fines is closed, and cleansing fluid passes from at least one cleansing fluid supply and into the milk lines via the cups, clusters and dropper lines, and the closed valve on ) PATf;f,'T 0 ; "13 NOV jSOS i - 10- 260087 each of the milk lines forces the cleansing fluid into the receiving can via the return pipes.

3. A washing system for a milking machine, the washing system including a receiving can, the receiving can having at least two outlets and at least four inlets, one of the outlets is a vacuum pipe for allowing air to exit, and a second of the outlets is a suction pipe for allowing milk, cleansing fluid and/or other liquid to exit, and wherein two of the inlets are milk lines for ueiivering milk to the receiving can, and two of the other inlets are return pipes for delivery cleansing fluid into the receiving can.

4. A washing system for a milking machine substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

5. A method of cleansing a milking machine, the method including the steps of: - causing cleansing fluid to flow from a vessel to milking clusters of the milking machine, through a dropper pipe and into at least one milk line; - closing a valve on each of the milk lines; - forcing cleansing fluid through at least one return pipe to a receiving can; - allowing the cleansing fluid and air to exit the receiving can.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein air exits the receiving can through a vacuum pipe and passes through a sanitary trap.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the cleansing fluid leaves the receiving can through a slotted receiver exit and most of the cleansing fluid then passes through a suction pipe to a milk pipe. 0 - 11 - 26 0 0 8

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein any cleansing fluid remaining in the receiving can and which do not pass through the suction pipe, passes through a drain.

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the cleansing fluid passes from the vessel to the milking clusters via a jetter and jetter pipe.

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9 wherein the cleansing fluid enters the receiving can through one or more sprinkler(s) to create sufficient turbulence to clean the receiving can.

11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein air is admitted to the cluster line via an air admission hole so as to create turbulence.

12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 11 wherein air is admitted tc the milk line via an air injector so as to create more turbulence.

13. A method substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. L READ & SON LIMITED By Their Attorneys BALDWIN. SON & CAREY ASPEC85252