Abstract: Animal milking claws, assemblies, and methods of making and using same. Upper and lower claw portions, the upper claw portion having front and rear milk inlets, and the lower claw portion including a milk outlet. Milk inlets positioned generally tangentially to the upper claw portion force milk to flow on geodesic curves on the internal surface of the upper milk claw. Milk is forced to impact upon the vertical partition in the lower claw portion. The milk outlet has a reinforced portion extending at least a portion of a length of the milk outlet, with one or more reinforcing chamfers where the reinforced portion connects with the lower claw portion. Coolant for heat transfer may be provided to the milk outlet or the lower claw portion, or both.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for grasping, retaining, inverting, coating and transporting a plurality of frangible conical confection shells. The present invention also relates to a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing system for producing frozen cone confections and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for grasping, retaining, inverting, coating and transporting a plurality of frangible conical confection shells. The present invention also relates to a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing system for producing frozen cone confections and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for unwrapping a package of frangible articles bearing a wrapping material, the wrapping material having a rear portion and a forward tab, the forward tab adapted to open the wrapping material when pulled, the apparatus comprising: (a) a support member for supporting the package; (b) a grasping mechanism adapted to grasp the forward tab and to pull the forward tab so as to open the wrapping material; (c) an engaging mechanism adapted to grasp the rear portion and pull the wrapping material so as to remove the wrapping material from the frangible articles. The invention may be used in conjunction with standard confection filling, transport and packaging machinery and mechanisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for grasping, retaining, inverting, coating and transporting a plurality of frangible conical confection shells. The present invention also relates to a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing system for producing frozen cone confections and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor and packaging apparatus, as well as packaging conveyance and packaging methods for irregularly shaped articles and packages, such as for packaged food products as in the case of conical packages for ice cream confections and the like. In the present invention, pairs of manufactured articles having irregular profiles are moved along a conveyor system. Each of a given pair of articles moves along an independent conveyor path toward a predetermined destination. Each article may undergo a change in alignment along its path such that it is in a preferred orientation upon leaving the conveyor system. In a preferred embodiment, pairs of conical articles are oriented with the narrow ends in opposing directions (interlaced) upon leaving the system so as to minimize the amount of space required for packaging of the two articles when placed adjacent one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor and packaging apparatus, as well as packaging conveyance and packaging methods for irregularly shaped articles and packages, such as for packaged food products as in the case of conical packages for ice cream confections and the like. In the present invention, pairs of manufactured articles having irregular profiles are moved along a conveyor system. Each of a given pair of articles moves along an independent conveyor path toward a predetermined destination. Each article may undergo a change in alignment along its path such that it is in a preferred orientation upon leaving the conveyor system. In a preferred embodiment, pairs of conical articles are oriented with the narrow ends in opposing directions (interlaced) upon leaving the system so as to minimize the amount of space required for packaging of the two articles when placed adjacent one another.

Abstract: A valve suitable for dispensing a food product, and a method and apparatus for distributing a food product into a series of containers via the valve. The valve comprises a food product chamber, a fluid chamber, an inlet valve, and an outlet valve. The food product chamber comprises a cylinder and a piston which is adapted to move within the cylinder. The cylinder has an inlet and an outlet. The fluid chamber is adapted to actuate the piston in a reciprocating motion comprising an uptake stroke and an expulsion stroke. The inlet valve is adapted to open the inlet during the uptake stroke, and to close the inlet during the expulsion stroke. Conversely, the outlet valve is adapted to open the outlet during the expulsion stroke, and to close the outlet during the uptake stroke. The diameter of the food product chamber is less than the diameter of the fluid chamber.

Abstract: The present invention includes a spinning valve having an inner valve portion and an outer valve portion, and having multiple inlets and multiple chambers at different heights along the longitudinal axis of the inner valve portion. The present invention also includes a spinning valve having an inner valve portion and an outer valve portion, with multiple inlets at the same height along the longitudinal axis of the inner valve portion with single or multiple chambers at that location along the longitudinal axis. In each of these valves, the inner valve portion is adapted to spin within the outer valve portion. Additionally, the present invention includes an apparatus for dispensing two or more discrete streams of fluid into a series of containers by using one of the aforementioned valves.

Abstract: An identification device wherein a flexible elongated strap is adapted for disposition into encircling relation about an extremity of an animal, such as, the legs or neck, comprising at least opposite ends of the strap composed of a heat-fusible, inelastic material. Opposite ends of the strap are temporarily secured as a preliminary to permanent fastening, and temporary securing means in the form of complementary fastening members at opposite ends of the strap operate to secure opposite ends in overlapping relation to one another. A partially embedded heating element in one end of the strap projects in contacting relation with the other end and has a melting point above that of the material of the opposite ends so that when current is applied thereto sufficient to melt the strap, it will simultaneously fuse opposite ends of the strap together.

Abstract: A milking unit support and detacher mechanism for supporting a milking unit when the milking unit is attached to a cow for milking. The milking unit support and detacher mechanism includes a milking unit support arm movable between a first position wherein the arm extends outwardly for supporting a milking unit when the milking unit is attached to a cow for milking. The milking unit support and detacher mechanism also includes means for supporting the milking unit support arm for movement between the first position and the second position, and means for retracting the milking unit and for moving the milking unit support arm from the second position to the first position, the retracting means including a flexible retracting member connected to the milking unit, and means for pulling on the flexible retracting member.

Abstract: A milking unit support and detacher mechanism for supporting a milking unit when the milking unit is attached to a cow for milking. The milking unit support and detacher mechanism includes a milking unit support arm having an end for supporting a milking unit and means for supporting the milking unit support arm for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis wherein the arm is movable from a rearward position to a forward position. The supporting means includes a generally vertical shaft rotatable about the vertical axis and supporting the support arm. The vertical shaft is supported such that it is freely rotatable about the vertical axis except when the support arm is between the rearward position and the forward position. The supporting means further includes means for biasing the arm forwardly when the arm is in the rearward position and for biasing the arm rearwardly when the arm is in the forward position.

Abstract: A milk volume metering method and apparatus is particularly suitable for use in automated or semiautomated milking systems of the type which will permit computerized monitoring of the total volumes produced by each cow, flow capacity, and conductivity, temperature of each cow during the milking operation. Other functions can be closely monitored and controlled preliminary to, during and after the milking operation.