Patent ID: 7975647
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: A01J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A milking apparatus comprising: a vacuum source; a milking liner cooperating with a shell to define a pulsation chamber; a pulsator in fluid communication with the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source; the pulsator configured to produce at least a four-phase milking cycle in the milking liner; the cycle including at least an A phase and a C phase; the A phase being wherein the liner is changed from a closed configuration to an open configuration during which the pulsator provides fluid communication between the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source; the C phase being wherein the liner is changed from an open configuration to a closed configuration during which the pulsator allows atmospheric air to flow into the pulsation chamber; a restrictor disposed in the path of the fluid communication between the pulsator and the pulsation chamber; the restrictor slowing the C phase compared to the A phase; the restrictor having a main airflow pathway and an alternate airflow pathway; the flow rate through the alternate airflow pathway being slower than the flow rate through the main airflow pathway; the atmospheric air flowing into the pulsation chamber during the C phase being directed through the alternate airflow pathway; the restrictor having first and second body portions that are movable with respect to one another between at least first and second operational positions; the first operational position defining a first flow rate through the alternate airflow pathway and the second operational position defining a second flow rate through the alternate airflow pathway; the second flow rate being less than the first flow rate; and wherein the first and second body portions cooperate to surround a check valve to define the main airflow pathway and the alternate airflow pathway; the check valve providing substantially less or no flow in the alternate airflow pathway direction compared to the main airflow pathway direction; the first and second body portions being movable to different configurations that define the cross sectional area of at least a portion of the alternate airflow pathway.