Patent US3556053A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3556053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Milking machines
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-08-12
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Granted: 1971-01-19
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Expires: 1988-08-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for removing teat cups from milking animals wherein teat cup removing means are operated in response to milk flow detecting means which comprises a flow control means separate and apart from the teat cups, and a flow rate sensing means operable with said flow control means to sense a falling of the milk below a predetermined quantity. Means are actuated in response to the sensing means for closing a flexible milk line and to thereafter apply tension to such milk line to remove the teat cups.
Inventors
- 👤 John Neville Padman
- 👤 Donald Hadden Cummins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:00
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J5/00; A01J5/017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
Apparatus for removing milking machine teat cups from milking animals comprising milk flow detecting means associated with a flexible milk line connected to a set of teat cups, said milk flow detecting means comprising flow control means having milk inlet and milk outlet connections, said milk outlet connection being connected to a milk line of the milking machine and said milk inlet connection being connected to said flexible milk line, flow rate sensing means associated with said flow control means and operable with said flow control means to sense a falling of the milk flow below a predetermined quantity, teat cup removing means operatively responsive to said milk flow detecting means to remove the teat cups from an animal when the milk flow in the milk line falls below a predetermined quantity, and actuating means responsive to said flow rate sensing means to actuate said teat cup removing means, said teat cup removing means comprising an elongated cylinder having a vacuum connection means at its upper end, a piston in said cylinder, milk line closure means connected in said flexible milk line adjacent to, but spaced from said set of teat cups, and means extending between said piston and said milk line closure means and operable by movement of said piston in said cylinder responsive to an induced vacuum in said cylinder to cause the milk line closure means to close said flexible milk line and apply tension thereto to remove said teat cups.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
Apparatus for removing milking machine teat cups from milking animals comprising milk flow detecting means associated with a flexible milk line connected to a set of teat cups, said milk flow detecting means comprising flow control means having milk inlet and milk outlet connections, said milk outlet connection being connected to a milk line of the milking machine and said milk inlet connection being connected to said flexible milk line, flow rate sensing means associated with said flow control means and operable with said flow control means to sense a falling of the milk flow below a predetermined quantity, teat cup removing means operatively responsive to said milk flow detecting means to remove the teat cups from an animal when the milk flow in the milk line falls below a predetermined quantity, and actuating means responsive to said flow rate sensing means to actuate said teat cup removing means, said teat cup removing means comprising an elongated cylinder having a vacuum connection means at its upper end, a piston in said cylinder, milk line closure means connected in said flexible milk line adjacent to, but spaced from said set of teat cups, and means extending between said piston and said milk line closure means and operable by movement of said piston in said cylinder responsive to an induced vacuum in said cylinder to cause the milk line closure means to close said flexible milk line and apply tension thereto to remove said teat cups.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flow rate sensing mean includes a float chamber having a float means therein, and said actuating means includes first electrical switch means operable by said float means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said actuating means further includes an electrically operated vacuum valve, a vacuum source connected to said valve, electrical circuit means operatively associated with said valve, electrical circuit means operatively associated with said valve and said switch means, and vacuum connecting means between said valve and said teat cup removing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said electrical circuit means further includes second switch means operatively associated with said float means, relay means, and reset switch means, said second switch means being responsive to said float means to actuate said relay means to a state whereby operation of said first switch means operates said valve, and said reset switch means actuates said relay means to a state whereby said valve is not operated by said first switch means until said second switch means is operated by said float means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
148 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flow control means include a container having internal walls dividing said container into three compartments, each of two of said compartments having one of said milk inlet and outlet connections; openings in the walls between each of said two compartments and the third compartment, and said flow rate sensing means includes a float valve means in said third compartment operable by the milk flow through said third compartment to seal either one of said openings to seal either the first or second compartments from said third compartment when said milk flow falls to a predetermined quantity; and said actuating means includes a diaphragm in said third compartment movable by pressure change in said third compartment responsive to said float valve means, and vacuum valve means operable by said diaphragm to operatively connect a vacuum source to said teat cup removing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said milk inlet and outlet connections are connected to the flexible milk line and the milk line of the milking machine, respectively, through a reversing connection means mounted beneath said container, said reversing connection means having two outlet ports arranged on either side of a central inlet port and said connections means being movably mounted to position one of said two outlet ports to communicate with one of said inlet and outlet connections when the inlet port communicates with the other of said inlet and outlet ports.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flow control means comprises a bowl suspended from an arm pivoted on a boss; and said flow rate sensing means includes a counterbalance arm means pivoted on said boss and operable to move from a first position to a second position when the milk flow through said bowl decreases to a predetermined quantity; and said actuating means includes a lever means pivoted on said boss and movable therewith, vacuum valve means operable to connect a vacuum source to said teat cup removing means, when said counterbalance arm means moves from said first to second said second position and connecting rod means between said lever means and said vacuum valve means
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flow rate sensing means further includes reset lever means pivotally mounted adjacent said counterbalance arm means and spring biased away therefrom, operating means attached to said rest lever means and operable to move said counterbalance arm means from said second to said first position when the milk flow through said bowl is below below said predetermined quantity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for removing milking machine teat cups from milking animals comprising milk flow detecting means associated with a flexible milk line connected to a set of teat cups, teat cup removing means operatively responsive to said milk flow detecting means, said milk flow detecting means comprising flow control means separate and apart form from said teat cups and having milk inlet and milk outlet connections, said milk outlet connection being connected to a milk line of the milking machine and said milk inlet connection being connected to said flexible milk line, flow rate sensing means associated with said flow control means and operable with said flow control means to sense a falling of the milk flow below a predetermined quantity, actuating means responsive to said flow rate sensing means to actuate said teat cup removing means to remove the teat cups from the animal, said teat cup removing means comprising means to close said flexible milk line and to thereafter apply tension thereto to remove said teat cups.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for removing milking machine teat cups from milking animals comprising milk flow detecting means associated with a flexible milk line connected to a set of teat cups, teat cup removing means operatively responsive to said milk flow detecting means, said milk flow detecting means comprising flow control means separate and apart form from said teat cups and having milk inlet and milk outlet connections, said milk outlet connection being connected to a milk line of the milking machine and said milk inlet connection being connected to said flexible milk line, flow rate sensing means associated with said flow control means and operable with said flow control means to sense a falling of the milk flow below a predetermined quantity, actuating means responsive to said flow rate sensing means to actuate said teat cup removing means to remove the teat cups from the animal, said teat cup removing means comprising means to close said flexible milk line and to thereafter apply tension thereto to remove said teat cups.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-18 | 1974-07-20 | 1975-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-18 | 1978-07-20 | 1979-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-18 | 1982-07-20 | 1983-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |