Improvements in Machines for Milking Cows and other like Animals.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Oct., 1893-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Milking Cows and other like
Animals.
We, JOHN HARTNETT of 'Emo Road, East Malvern, in the Colony of Victoria,
Engineer, and DAVID MOFFATT ROBISON of "Laurieston" Church Square,
Ackland Street, St. Kilda, in Victoria as aforesaid, Engineer, do hereby declare
'the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in machines for milking cows and other
Jike animals the main improvements consisting 1st of the use and novel arrangement
of either a three or a four way cock or valve when connected with a pressure
supply pipe a suction or vacuum pipe and a tube leading to the teat cups and
having its plug or valve operated by a reciprocating lever so as to produce a
pulsating action on the teats. 2nd. Of improvements in the construction of the teat
cups the upper or teat squeezing part of which has a rubber tube arranged in it
that is secured to the outer metallic part at its top end only such tube being
crushed or squeezed intermittently between a rigid and a movable tapering presser
or tongue the movable tongue being actuated by a piston that is subjected to
alternate pressure and suction action controlled by aforesaid plug cock or valve,
and also of an alternate form of teat cup. 3rd. Of improvements in appliances for
automatically destroying the vacuum in the teat cups when the cow or other
animal is sufficiently milked and so ensuring that the udder of the animal is not
unduly strained or injured by being subjected to the vacuum after the milk ceases
to flow. The improvements also consist in other novel combinations and arrange-
ments of the several parts of the machine which together with the foregoing
inprovements will be hereinafter fully described and explained by reference to the
attached sheets of drawings throughout which latter similar parts will be marked
with the same letters and figures.
Fig. 1 is perspective view of a milking machine having our improvements
embodied in it.
Fig. 2 a central section. Fig. 3 a section on line a a Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 a plan
of a four way cock for producing the pulsating action. Figs. 5 are diagrammatic
sections shewing the several positions of the plug in the cock.
Fig. 6 a central section of a slide valve.
Fig. 7 a central section and Fig. 8 sectional plan at 6 6 Fig. 7 of a reciprocating
valve the latter and the slide valve Fig. 6 being alternatives for the cock shewn in
Figs. 2. 3 and 4.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view, and Fig. 10 a plan on top of the teat cup, that is
furnished with a piston which is subjected to alternate pressure and suction action,
while Fig. 9 is a part sectional view and Fig. 9B a section on line c c Fig. 94 of
an alternate form of teat cup.
Fig. 11 is a central section of one form of the appliance for automatically
destroying the vacuum in the teat cups when the cow sufficiently milked and
Figs. 12. 13. 14 and 15 are similar views of modified forms of such appliance.
In Fig. 1 A is the milk can or cistern shewn with its top furuished with two
small chambers A¹ to receive the teat cup automatic cut off appliances each of which
latter govern one set of teat cups B so that when the vacuum is cut off from one
set of teat cups the other set are not interfered with or in other words each set of
teat cups are worked independent of one another. C is the pulsating cock its plug
being worked by a lever C³, rod D³3 and lever D* from an oscillating shaft D supported

page_text: in suitable bearings and which shaft is shewn as having motion imparted to it by a
lever D' and connecting rod D² from a small lever on end of the crank shaft E' of an
air pump the barrel or cylinder E of which is connected by pipes E2 leading from
suitable valve boxes with an air pressure reservoir F furnished with safety valve F¹.
The pressure supply is taken from reservoir F by pipe F2 and led to the pulsating
cock C. E' is the vacuum pipe leading from air pump E to a branch furnished
with a vacuum gauge E* and from thence to the pulsating cock C. Vacuum
pipe E also has a branch pipe E' leading from it to the milk cistern A or to its
top chamber A' as the case may be. C is a branch and tubes from cock C such
tubes being each coupled to one nozzle of the five way branch piece C' from which
latter, tubes C lead to the teat crushing appliance at the side of the teat cups.
A² are the milk supply tubes leading from teat cups and connected with the five
way branch piece A³ from which a tube A leads to the crown of the chamber A¹
of milk cistern.
In Figs. 2 to 5 C is the four way pulsating cock fitted with a plug C¹ having a
three way passage through it as shewn. C³ is the plug lever for connection to
rod D (Fig. 1) which when in motion works the plug to and fro about 90 degrees.
In the cock casing c is a port open to the atmosphere and c¹ a branch leading to
the teat tube C (Fig. 1). e is a branch connected with vacuum pipe E³ (Fig 1)
and a branch connected with pressure pipe F1 (Fig. 1). Referring now more
particularly to Figs. 5 when the way of plug is at the position shewn in
diagram I the air pressure is passing through branch and way into
branch and from thence to tube C+ leading to the cylinder of teat crushing
appliance to cause the teat to be squeezed to expel the milk. When the
way is at the position shewn in diagram II there is no through communication
between any two of the branches and consequently both the pressure and vacuum
are cut off from said tube C* (Fig. 1). When the way c is at the position shewn
in diagram III the pressure contained in teat tube C is relieved by way of
branch c curved passage c³ way c³ and branch c to atmosphere. When the way c
is at the position shewn in diagram IV it is again cut off from all the branches
whilst when the plug is turned further to the right as shewn in diagram V its
way is placed in the position to allow through communication between the
vacuum branch e leading from main E³ (Fig. 1) and the teat branch c¹ leading to
the tube C. The result produced by said plug taking the several positions
described is that in the first place pressure is admitted to the tube leading to the
teat cup to cause its attached appliances to squeeze the teat, then the cock is
opened to the atmosphere to relieve the pressure prior to placing its plug in position
to allow the vacuum or suction to give à return stroke to the piston and relieve and
expand the pulsating tube when afterwards the plug is placed in position to allow
air to pass to vacuum tube to destroy same prior to again admitting the pressure.
As an alternative for said plug cock we shew in Fig. 6 a slide valve Carranged
in a casing C and to said slide valve a to and fro reciprocating motion must be
imparted whilst as a further alternative we shew in Figs. 7 and 8 a disc 'valve'C'
that is oscillated on a face G to which the four necessary branches are led and in
both alternatives the ports and passages are marked by the same letters as those in
the four way plug cock just described and consequently their use and action will be
well understood. We desire it to be known that the atmospheric port or branch c
can be dispensed with although we prefer to employ same as by its use we save
considerable power by allowing the pressure to fall to atmospheric pressure before
subjecting the teat tube to the vacuum and when the latter has been cut off by
admitting air to the tube before passing in air under pressure.
In Figs. 9 and 10 we shew the teat cup B having a cock 6' with a nozzle at its
lower end for attachment to the tube A (Fig. 1). Around the upper end of cup
we secure the top end of a rubber tube or sleeve B¹ that hangs down loosely within
the cup whilst behind the tube at one side we form a'rigid'flat faced tapering body B
and opposite to it on other side of cup we arrange a movable tapering tongue or
body B³ the back of which is hinged or connected to the rod Bt ofʼa'piston *B*

page_text: that works in a small cylinder B formed on side of teat cup.
The movable
tapering tongue B³ has its lower and longest end bearing on inside of cup while
between the back of its upper part and the piston is a coiled spring B7 and which
latter may be supplanted by an india rubber tube or tubular spring. A nozzle b is
formed on cover of small cylinder for connection to tube C (Fig. 1).
The action
of this teat cup is as follows:-Air pressure and suction being alternately exerted
at back of piston a pulsating movement is thereby given to the movable tongue or
body and which moves inward upon the teat tube in an angular direction from its
lower fulcrum point and thus it alternately squeezes and releases the tube B¹ in
which the teat is placed. The pulsating movement is brought about by the cock
and valves already described whilst the spring B' ensures that the top part of
tongue moves inward to first crush the teat at its root. If so preferred the rigid
body may be dispensed with and a movable one and its actuating mechanism arranged
in its place and so have both tongues movable.
In Figs. 94 and 9B we shew the alternative form of teat cup, the fixed and
movable bodies and piston being dispensed with whilst the rubber tube B' is secured
at both ends by being doubled over the ends of an outer cylindrical tube B' and
secured thereon with rings or bands B8. The teat tube proper B is cut away at both
sides to leave a taper on the central bar 63, so as thus to cause the tube to crush
the teat first at its root and then gradually in a downward direction. The rubber
tube B¹ in these figs. is shewn as if pressed partially inwards upon the teat.
its normal position it takes a tubular form and lies close against the tube B³.
In
In Fig. 11 the casing A¹ of the vacuum destroying appliance has supported
within it from its top by the perforated tubular distance piece a' a cylindrical
displacing body A' arranged concentrically within the milk receiving cylindrical
basin As that is carried by a central spindle A* on which are arranged a conical
valve a and a slide valve a¹. Valve spindle A is carried by a weighted lever A
centred at A on a suitable arm or post. A' is a valve box for said valves and
having a branch a² at one side for connection to the teat tube A' (Fig. 1). is a
nozzle either on top of casing A¹ or upon top of milk receiving vessel A for con-
nection to vacuum tube E (Fig. 1). a is a small hole at bottom of milk
vessel A3 and AB a pawl attached to lever A to bear upon shoulder provided on
bracket when the apparatus is started. In place of the weight at end of lever A*
it may be connected by a coiled spring with the top of vessel A'.
To start this apparatus a vacuum is first formed in milk chamber A A' through
the tube E the pawl A having previously been placed on the shoulder to keep
valve a open and valve a¹ closed. The tube from teat cups being also in position
the milk will flow through branch a to the valve chamber A' and thence down
into basin A³ and which, will, when the weight of milk within it is sufficient,
weigh or force said basin downward and so raise the weighted end of lever thus
releasing the pawl or finger A8 from its seat or shoulder. The apparatus will
remain in this position as long as any milk is flowing from the animal, but when
the milk ceases to flow therefrom the milk within basin A³ will flow or drain out
through small hole a³. When the milk has drained out of basin A' the weight
at end of lever A' will overbalance that of the basin and its valve rod consequently
lifting them and closing the valve a and at the same time open the valve a¹ to
admit air into the valve chamber A' and the tube A leading to the teat cups
and thus destroying the vacuum therein. The object of cylindrical body A³ is
to displace a large portion of the milk in basin A³ so that only a very small
quantity is necessary to give the required weight to overbalance the weight on
lever A.
In other apparatus known to us the quantity of milk that is held in the basin is
too great to flow through the small draining hole in the required time and by the
use of our displacing cylinder or body A' for displacing portion of the milk the
same weight is obtained as though the basin were full of milk and the basin is
emptied almost immediately. The time required to empty the basin A³ without
this cylinder would be considerable and thus have a tendency to injure the animal

page_text: being milked by allowing the udder to be subjected to the suction of the vacuum
after the milk has ceased to flow.
In Fig. 12 the basin A³ and displacing body A² are shewn with a spherical
bottom the said body being secured from the top of chamber A' by small brackets.
Chamber A in this fig. is shewn with a solid bottom or division between it and the
milk receiving vessel A and in centre of such bottom is a seating for the conical
valve a before referred to and again in this form of our apparatus the milk falls
directly into basin from branch a² in place of first entering the space between the
valves as in Fig. 11 although as will be understood the operation of both are
substantially similar. In Fig. 13 the basin is shewn consisting of the annular
space between the outer casing A' and an inner tube A³ the latter in fact forming
the displacing body whilst the valves are attached to the crown of inverted
basin A³, said valves with their box and weighted lever being precisely similar to
those shewn in Fig. 11. In Fig. 14 we shew the basin A³ carried at end of a
lever A centred at A within chamber A' the basin having a displacing body A³
within it similar to Figs. 11 and 12 whilst the end of lever is attached to a weighted
spindle upon which are the two valves a and a' as before described.
We are aware that a lever carrying a pan at one end and a valve at other
end is already designed for use in milking machines without the addition of
our displacing body and the two valves operated from lever. For our purpose
such an apparatus would be practically useless as it would be too slow in action and
not automatic as when destroying the vacuum it does not automatically confine its
action to the set of teats being operated on.
In the modified form of vacuum destroying apparatus shewn in Fig. 15 the
displacing body A² takes the form of a float secured to the central valve spindle A'
the lower valve a of which is arranged to close a seating at lower end of the
stationary overflow tube A10. All other parts being similar to those with corre-
sponding letters already described. The action of this apparatus is as follows:-
In starting it the upper valve a' is retained within the gland and stuffing box to
prevent air passing to chamber A¹ and the lower valve a is open to the vacuum
from cistern A then as the milk flows in through branch a² the body A² will float
upon it and be lifted the milk rising and overflowing over top end of tube A1, then
when the milk ceases to flow it will drain from chamber A' through hole a and the
float falling with it will carry down spindle A* and place valve a upon its seat to
cut off the connection with milk cistern A at same time as valve or port a¹ enters
below cover of chamber A' to admit the atmosphere through its hollow upper end
and thus destroy the vacuum in the chamber and in the tubes leading to the teat
cups and consequently the latter will fall off automatically.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. In machines for milking cows and other like animals the use of a plug cock or
a slide or disc valve having preferably four branches, one for connection to the
pressure supply pipe another connected to the vacuum or suction pipe another for
connection to a tube leading to the teat cups and the other, when employed open to
the atmosphere, for producing a pulsating action on the teat substantially as herein
described and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 of our drawings.
2. The use in combination with the plug cock or slide or disc valve claimed
above of an arm or lever on a rock shaft such as D for giving the said cock or
valve through medium of a connecting rod its requisite reciprocating motion
substantially as herein described and as illustrated in Fig. 1 of our drawings.
3. A teat cup for milking machines having a cylinder at its side provided with a
piston the rod of which is jointed or hinged to an eccentric tongue that when
pressure is put on it first squeezes the root of teat and afterwards its lower part
substantially as herein described and as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 of our
drawings.
1
3

page_text: 4. In a teat cup the arrangement and use of a spring B7 either of metal or
rubber between the back upper part of tongue piece B³ and the piston B for the
purposes specified and substantially as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 of our
drawings.
5. A teat cup consisting of the combination of the parts marked B to B and b
substantially as herein described and as illustrated in Figs. and 10 of our
drawings.
6. A teat cup having the rubber tube B' secured to both ends of a tube B⁹ and
arranged upon an inner tube B having both its sides cut away to allow the rubber
tube to be pressed inwards upon the teat through such cut away parts the pressure
acting first near root of teat and then gradually downward as and for the purposes
herein described and as illustrated in Figs 94 and 9B of our drawings.
7. In milking machines the use and arrangement within the milk cup or basin of
automatic vacuum cut off appliances of a cylinder or body such as A2 for displacing
the milk in the cup or basin substantially as herein described and as illustrated in
Figs. 11 to 15 of our drawings.
8. In milking machines the combination of a valve chamber provided with
branch for connection to the tube leading to teats with a spindle carrying two
valves said spindle being actuated by a basin and weighted lever one of said valves
admitting air to within the valve chamber whilst the other is cutting the vacuum
off therefrom substantially as and for the purposes herein described and as
illustrated in Figs. 11 to 14 of our drawings.
9. In milking machines the use of a valve for shutting off the vacuum in milk
receiving chamber when combined with a lever having a basin at one end
working over a displacing body and an air admission valve at the other end as
and for the purposes herein described and as illustrated in Fig. 14 of our
drawings.
10. In milking machines the combination of a weighted lever and pawl with a
spindle furnished with two valves as and for the purposes described and as
illustrated in Figs. 11 to 13 of our drawings.
11. In the automatic cut off apparatus of milking machines the use of a hole
such as a through which the milk drains off to allow a basin to lift or a float to
fall to operate the valves that destroy the vacuum as and for the purposes described
and as illustrated in Figs. 11 to 15 of our drawings.
12. In an automatic cut off apparatus for milking machines a float such as A² in
combination with tube A10 having drain hole a³ and the valve rod A* furnished
with valves a¹ and a as herein described and as illustrated in Fig. 15 of our
drawings.
13. In machines for milking cows and other like animals the general combination
and arrangement of the improvements above claimed as embodied in a machine
for producing a pulsating action on the teats and for automatically cutting off the
vacuum only in the teat tubes of the cow or animal that is sufficiently milked
substantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated in Fig. 1.
Dated this 31st day of October 1893.
JOHN
HARTNETT,
By L. W., per F. B.
D. M. ROBISON,
By L. W., per F. B.