Abstract: Cleaning apparatus for a vacuum-operated milk conveying system in a dairy comprises a cleaning liquid tank, timer-controlled components which periodically supply fresh cleaning liquid to the tank, connections by which liquid in the tank (fresh or used) is periodically provided to the system, and a timer-controlled drain control valve assembly mounted on the tank. The valve assembly comprises two (upper and lower) symmetrical molded plastic valve housings secured on opposite sides of a horizontal plate having sets of holes therein which are cooperable with chambers, ports and openings in the housings. The valve assembly also comprises an inlet port, an outlet port, a circulating port, and a single solenoid for operating three rod-mounted valves, namely: a fill valve located between the inlet port and the circulating port, a dump valve located between the inlet port and the outlet port, and a drain valve for a drain port on the tank.

Abstract: A piston type fluid pump which can maintain its prime even though the source of fluid from which the pump draws its supply becomes empty. The pump is capable of pumping its discharge into a pressure vessel as well as to the atmosphere if desired. The pump assembly includes a discharge chamber that receives discharged fluid from the pump and for ultimate delivery to the outflow of the pump assembly. The discharge chamber is of a volumetric size at least equal to or greater than the volume of the effective pumping chamber of the piston so that any air that enters the pumping chamber from the supply or inlet side of the pump remains at the top of the pumping chamber and is discharged into the discharge chamber and the pumping chamber remains full of fluid and consequently primed.

Abstract: A fluid conveying system includes a fluid conveying conduit which is under vacuum and which has an air opening for admission of air from the atmosphere. Apparatus is provided for periodically admitting air through the opening into the conduit and includes a valve assembly, a solenoid having a movable armature for actuating the valve assembly, and an adjustable timer for controlling energization of the solenoid. The valve assembly includes a stopper plug connected to a rod and seatable against the air opening and held there by vacuum, a bushing member connected to and movable by the solenoid armature, and a compression spring connected between the bushing member and plug rod. In operation, energization of the solenoid causes armature movement which initially effects compression of the spring and application of a loading force on the plug. Subsequent armature movement effect opening movement of the plug and allows the pre-loaded opening force to further assist in rapid opening movement of the plug.

Abstract: A commercial-type automatic dishwasher includes a motor-driven circulating pump for recirculating a washing solution, a motor-driven detergent supply pump for adding detergent to the washing solution, and a control system, including control means for operating the circulating pump for a wash cycle of predetermined length, and detergent supply pump control means responsive to the pH level of the washing solution for operating the detergent supply pump as required during the wash cycle to maintain a desired water/detergent ratio.

Abstract: Dairy cow milking apparatus comprises a vacuum system including a main vacuum line installed along a plurality of milking stalls and a plurality of spaced-apart vacuum ports along the main vacuum line. Manually operable shut-off valves are provided for selectively and independently opening and closing each vacuum port. The apparatus also comprises a mobile milking unit selectively movable from one position to another along said main vacuum line and said milking stalls. The unit comprises vacuum operated components including a plurality of teat claw assemblies for milking a plurality of cows simultaneously. A pair of flexible auxiliary vacuum lines are provided on the milking unit and each auxiliary vacuum line has one end connected to operate all the vacuum operated components. Each auxiliary vacuum line has its other end adapted for connection to a vacuum port in the main vacuum line.

Abstract: A mobile, complete milking unit for milking cows and transferring the milk to a storage tank, the unit having all the milk handling components mounted thereon as an integral, portable unit. The unit can be moved about in the milking area whether it is in the barn, in the barn yard, or in the field.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for automatically mixing and circulating cleaning solutions through dairy equipment, such as in-place milk line equipment, bulk storage tanks, or the like. The apparatus comprises individual pumps for supplying ingredients, such as a detergent, an acid and a sanitizer, in a predetermined sequence to a mixing receptacle for mixing with a solvent such as water to form different types of cleaning solutions which are then circulated by a main pump through the equipment in a predetermined sequence. Control means, including a timer, are provided to fill the mixing receptacle with water and to operate the individual pumps and the main pump in a predetermined sequence to provide desired cycles of operation, such as first rinse (with water), wash (with detergent), second rinse (with acid), OFF, sanitize (with sanitizer), and OFF.