Patent ID: 9504225
Filing Date: 2016-11-29
CPC Classification: A01J

Claim Text:
1. A method, comprising: receiving a flow of milk at each of a plurality of inlets of a manifold, each inlet comprising a first end coupled to a hose that receives a flow of milk from a teat cup and a second end terminating in a chamber of the manifold, the manifold comprising a plurality of outlets, the plurality of outlets including one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets; directing at least a portion of the flow of milk from a first inlet to a corresponding milk collector outlet by causing a shut-off valve corresponding to the first inlet to open and by causing a drain valve corresponding to the first inlet to close, wherein the milk collector outlet comprises a first end forming a collector opening in the chamber of the manifold and a second end coupled to a milk collector; directing the flow of milk received by the milk collector outlet to the milk collector; directing at least a portion of the flow of milk from a second inlet to a corresponding drain outlet by causing a drain valve corresponding to the second inlet to open, wherein the drain outlet comprises a first end forming a discard opening in the chamber of the manifold and a second end coupled to a discard area; and directing the flow of milk received by the drain outlet to the discard area.