US3731494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control apparatus for milk cooler
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1971-07-08
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1991-07-08
Abstract
Abstract An improved control apparatus for use with a milk cooler such as a farm bulk milk cooler including means for agitating milk in the tank of the cooler. The development permits manual control of the agitating function such as during milk pickup, milk addition, and cooler washing. The control is coordinated with other control elements providing different cooler functions.
Inventors
- 👤 G Fleck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:04
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J9/00; A01J9/04; F; F25; F25D; F25D31/00; F25D31/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
In a milk cooler apparatus having a tank for containing milk, means for cooling milk in said tank, and temperature responsive means for agitating milk in said tank when the temperature of the milk sensed by said temperature responsive means is above a preselected temperature, manually operable means for manually initiating operation of the agitating means regardless of the sensed temperature of the milk, and timer means for continuing the manually initiated operation thereof for any one of a plurality of different preselected times.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a milk cooler apparatus having a tank for containing milk, means for cooling milk in said tank, and temperature responsive means for agitating milk in said tank when the temperature of the milk sensed by said temperature responsive means is above a preselected temperature, manually operable means for manually initiating operation of the agitating means regardless of the sensed temperature of the milk, and timer means for continuing the manually initiated operation thereof for any one of a plurality of different preselected times.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The milk cooler apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for continuing the operation is infinitely adjustable up to a preselected maximum time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The milk cooler apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for manually initiating operation of the agitating means comprises a manually controlled timer including a timer motor and circuitry for holding the timer motor energized for any one of a plurality of different preselected times.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The milk cooler apparatus of claim 3 wherein said timer is arranged to provide timed control of said agitation up to a maximum of approximately 2 hours.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a milk cooler apparatus having a tank for containing milk, means for cooling milk in said tank, and temperature responsive means for agitating milk in said tank when the temperature of the milk sensed by said temperature responsive means is above a preselected temperature, means for manually initiating operation of the agitating means regardless of the sensed temperature of the milk, means for continuing the manually initiated operation thereof for any one of a plurality of different preselected times, and means for automatically operating said agitating means for a preselected period of time at preselected intervals regardless of the sensed temperature of the milk.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a milk cooler apparatus having a tank for containing milk, means for cooling milk in said tank, and temperature responsive means for agitating milk in said tank when the temperature of the milk sensed by said temperature responsive means is above a preselected temperature, means for manually initiating operation of the agitating means regardless of the sensed temperature of the milk, means for continuing the manually initiated operation thereof for any one of a plurality of different preselected times, and means for automatically operating said agitating means for a preselected period of time at preselected intervals regardless of the sensed temperature of the milk.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The milk cooler apparatus of claim 5 wherein said temperature responsive means is connected to said means for automatically operating said agitating means for controlling said agitating means as a function of the sensed temperature during the intervals between successive such periods of time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The milk cooler apparatus of claim 5 further including manually operable means for terminating operation of the agitating means by said means for automatically operating said agitating means during said preselected period of time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The milk cooler apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for manually initiating operation of the agitating means comprises a manually controlled timer including a timer motor and circuitry for holding the timer motor energized for any one of a plurality of different preselected times up to a maximum time greater than the maximum period time of operation effected by said means for automatically operating said agitating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
A premature cycler for a milk cooler apparatus having a tank for containing milk, means for cooling milk in said tank, means for agitating milk in said tank to achieve a uniform blend of the milk in said tank, temperature responsive means for controlling the operation of said cooling means and said agitating means when the temperature of the milk sensed by said temperature responsive means is above a preselected temperature, and means for manually initiating operation of the agitating means regardless of the sensed temperature of the milk, and continuing the operation thereof for a preselected time period, thereby to achieve faster blending and cooling of all of the milk in the tank when adding a load of warm milk to a quantity of cool milk in the tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
130 words
A premature cycler for a milk cooler apparatus having a tank for containing milk, means for cooling milk in said tank, means for agitating milk in said tank to achieve a uniform blend of the milk in said tank, temperature responsive means for controlling the operation of said cooling means and said agitating means when the temperature of the milk sensed by said temperature responsive means is above a preselected temperature, and means for manually initiating operation of the agitating means regardless of the sensed temperature of the milk, and continuing the operation thereof for a preselected time period, thereby to achieve faster blending and cooling of all of the milk in the tank when adding a load of warm milk to a quantity of cool milk in the tank.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |