Abstract: A three-way control valve is described comprising a body member formed with a central axial bore receiving a valve assembly axially displaceable within the bore and including a first valve member adapted to close one end of the bore in one position of the valve assembly, and a second valve member adapted to close the opposite end of the bore in a second position of the valve assembly, to establish selective communication between three ports formed in the body member. The valve assembly is biassed in one position by a spring, and is actuated to its other position by fluid pressure. One application for such a control valve is in a cow milking machine wherein one port is connected to the cow milking cups, the second port is connected to a source of vacuum applied to the milking cups, and the third port is connected to a source of water for washing the milking cups.

Abstract: Described is an enclosure device for encouraging the laying of eggs by domestic fowls particularly turkeys, comprising a cage open at opposite ends, one end constituting the fowl-entry end for permitting the entry and exit of the domestic fowl, and the opposite end constituting the egg-removal end for removing the egg layed by the fowl when in the cage. An ejector member is movable within the cage to force the fowl to exit from the fowl-entry end; and an egg-removing member is coupled to the ejector member within the cage to remove any eggs therein through the egg-removal end. The device further includes a drive for driving the ejector member and the egg-removal member first to force the fowl out of the cage from the fowl-entry end, and then to remove any egg therein from the egg-removal end.

Abstract: A system for washing milking cups in a rotary-platform type of milking machine comprises a nozzle coupled to a central water source and driven into engagement with a fluid inlet device at each station of the rotary platform as each arrives into a predetermined washing region during the rotation of the rotary platform. The system further includes fluid control means normally connecting the milking cups of all the stations to the source of vacuum, but effective to disconnect the milking cups of the station within the predetermined washing region from the vacuum and to connect same to the central water source via the nozzle after the latter has been driven into engagement with the inlet device arising in the predetermined washing region.