WO1991007083A1

WO1991007083A1 - Metering device

Info

Publication number: WO1991007083A1
Application number: PCT/SE1989/000653
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas MERLÖV
Original assignee: Merloev Thomas
Priority date: 1988-05-11
Filing date: 1989-11-10
Publication date: 1991-05-30
Also published as: SE8801777L; SE8801777D0; SE464439B

Abstract

A dispensing device is used especially for dispensing a detergent in a pipeline milking plant. As known in the art, the milking plant (2) has a means (4) for producing a vacuum therein. According to the invention, the vacuum-producing means (4) is also connected, via a line (26), to a container (6) in the dispensing device, and a level-determining first pipe (16) is so adjustably arranged in the container (6) that detergent is drawn, by the vacuum produced, from a supply (20) into the container (6) where it adjusts to a level (B) corresponding to the vertical position of an opening (18) of the first pipe (16), when the vacuum is eliminated. The line (26) merges into a second pipe (24) which is extended in the container (6), passes into it from below and opens in the upper part thereof. Besides, a means (22) is provided for emptying the container (6) and for gas-tight closure thereof when no emptying is performed.

Description

METERING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a metering or dis¬ pensing device, especially for dispensing a detergent in a pipeline milking plant comprising a vacuum-producing means.

A variety of dispensing devices based on the siphon principle or using different types of valves are pre¬ viously known, e.g. from SE-C-107,028, SE-C-032,979, US- A-2,652,222 and US-A-3,390,860. DK 94,063 and DK 102,155 define the state of the art of detergent-dispensing devices in pipeline milking plants.

In some pipeline milking plants, an electric pump is used for pumping detergent" from a supply, either to a dis- pensing container or directly to an existing automatic washing machine where the detergent is mixed with water. The operation of the pump is controlled in a suitable man¬ ner, e.g. by timing means. In other plants, use is made of a vacuum or negative pressure for passing detergent from one container to another.

A large number of problems are linked with the use of prior art devices for dispensing exact amounts of detergent in automatic washing machines in pipeline milk¬ ing plants. Only a few of these problems are touched on here.

Thus, it cannot be positively ascertained that the exact amount of detergent has been pumped to the automatic washing machine. Deviations may occur, for example because the detergent supply container is empty or because the pump does not operate properly.

Since usable detergents are alkaline or acid and also highly concentrated, the pump, the containers and the pipelines must be inspected frequently to ensure flawless operation, involving the risk of injuries to the attending personnel because of frequent contacts with the highly concentrated detergent used. In most cases, the milk producer, i.e. the farmer, is not authorised himself to carry out repairs on an electric pump, but must use special service personnel who, particu¬ larly on non-working days, may not be easily available, which often means that the farmer will have to do the repairs himself with a consequent risk of physical inju¬ ries and/or damage to the plant.

Since the National Food Administration places severe hygienic demands on pipeline milking plants, these must be cleaned at relatively short intervals. Naturally, it is of great importance that cleaning be effected in a reliable manner and with the exact amount of detergent required.

The present invention therefore aims at providing a simple, yet reliable dispensing device for detergents which can be maintained/repaired by the milk producer him¬ self, without necessitating any special authorisation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dis¬ pensing device which meters and supplies an almost con¬ stant, predeterminable amount of detergent to e.g. an automatic washing machine.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a closed system minimising the risk of physical injuries from contacts with the highly concentrated detergent.

These and other objects are achieved by means of a dispensing device, especially for dispensing a detergent in a pipeline milking plant comprising means for producing a vacuum in said plant, characterised in that the vacuum- producing means is also connected, via a line, to a con¬ tainer, that a level-determining first pipe is so adjust- ably arranged in the container that the detergent, by the vacuum produced, is drawn from a supply into the container where it adjusts to a level corresponding to the vertical position of an opening of the first pipe, when said vacuum is eliminated, that said line merges into a second pipe which is extended in the container, passes into it from below and opens in the upper part thereof, and that means is provided for emptying the container and for gas-tight closure thereof when no emptying is carried out.

The accompanying drawing illustrates an embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention, especially for dispensing a detergent in a pipeline milking plant. This embodiment will be described in more detail herein- below with reference to the sole Figure schematically showing the dispensing device of the invention.

The drawing shows a dispensing device, especially for dispensing a detergent in a pipeline milking plant 2. The plant 2 has a means 4 for creating a vacuum in the plant 2 to allow automated milking of cows.

The dispensing device according to the invention com¬ prises, in the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, a container 6, preferably of a dimensionally stable mate¬ rial, in which a vacuum can be created. The bottom 8 of the^" container has three openings 10, 12, 14.

Through the first opening 10 extends a level-deter¬ mining first pipel The pipe 16 has an opening 18 whose vertical position in the container 6 is adjustable, as indicated by a double arrow A in the drawing. The first pipe 16 is connected to a sealingly closable supply vessel or tank 20 for the detergent.

The second opening 12 is connected to a drain/valve means 22.for emptying the contents of the container 6, e.g. into an automatic washing machine 23 for mixing with water, and for gas-tight closure of the container when no emptying is being effected. In this embodiment, this is achieved by means of a hose clip (not shown). The second opening 12 suitably is at the lowermost level of the con¬ tainer bottom 8 to allow self-draining of the container by the force of gravity acting on the contents of the con¬ tainer.

Through the third opening 14 extends a second pipe 24 extended in the container 6 and opening at the upper part thereof. The second pipe 24 is connected by a line 26 to the vacuum-producing means 4. The line 26 accommodates a valve 28 which should be closed when the pipeline milking plant is in operation.

In order to measure out a certain quantity of deter¬ gent, the first step suitably is to set the opening 18 of the level-determining first pipe at the desired vertical level. In the drawing, this level is designated B. To assist in accurately setting the vertical position of the pipe opening 18, use is made of a volume-indicating scale 30, e.g. graduated with figures. When the vacuum-producing means 4 is activated and the valve 28 is moved to working position, the means 4 creates, via the line 26 and the second pipe 24, a vacuum in the container 6. The valve means 22 is closed and detergent is drawn from the tank 20 through the first pipe 16 and into the container 6. To prevent detergent from splashing into the second pipe 24, the opening of the first pipe 18 is equipped with an umbrella-like member 19 serving as a shield at the top of the pipe opening 18.

When the detergent in the container 6 has risen to a level which is equal to or above level B, the valve 28 is closed. Thus, the vacuum in the container 6 is eliminated. Since the tank 20 and the container 6 act as communicating vessels, the level of detergent will adjust to the level B of the opening 18, if the level is above B when the valve 28 is closed. The container is thereafter emptied through the drain/valve means 22, either manually or automatically in conjunction with the filling of the automatic washing machine 23 with water. For instance, the water flowing into the washing machine 23 can actuate a simple lever which, in resting position, is so spring-loaded as to shut off the outflow from the container 6. Pressure equalisa¬ tion in the container 6 is then brought about by an open¬ ing 29 which may be closable and is arranged e.g. in the line 26 at a suitable location thereof. In a second embodiment (not shown), the umbrella-like member 19 and the valve 28 are replaced by a float-actuated closure member for closing the opening of the second pipe in the upper part of the container 6.

The advantages of the present invention can be sum¬ marised as follows: (1) The device need not be connected to the electric mains, and so the milk producer can himself maintain and repair the dispensing device without any special authori¬ sation.

(2) The device is a closed system, minimising the risk of the operator being injured by contacting the high¬ ly concentrated detergent.

(3) The device allows presetting and varying the amount of detergent to be dispensed.

(4) Even if the supply tank should be emptied while filling the container, this will be immediately observed when the level of detergent is checked in connection with the closure of the valve in the pipe passing between the container and the vacuum-producing means.

It is readily understood by a person skilled in the art that modifications and alterations of constructional features of the inventive device are conceivable and that the accompanying claims should be considered to comprise all the modifications and alterations falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

Claims

1. Dispensing device, especially for dispensing a detergent in a pipeline milking plant (2) comprising means (4) for producing a vacuum in said plant, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i s e d in that the vacuum-producing means (4) is also con¬ nected, via a line (26), to a container (6), that a level-determining first pipe (16) is so adjustably arranged in the container (6) that the deter¬ gent, by the vacuum produced, is drawn from a supply (20) into the container (6) where it adjusts to a level cor¬ responding to the vertical position of an opening (18) of the first pipe (16), when said vacuum is eliminated, that said line (26) merges into a second pipe (24) which is extended in the container (6), passes into it from below and opens in the upper part thereof, and that means (22) is provided for emptying the con- tainer (6) and for gas-tight closure thereof when no emp¬ tying is carried out.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i s e d in that a valve (28) is arranged in the line (26) between the second pipe (24) and the vacuum- producing means (4) for shutting off the dispensing device, and that the level-determining first pipe (16) also passes into the container (6) from below.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c - t e r i s e d by means (19) for preventing detergent from entering said second pipe (24) and thus said vacuum-producing means (4).

4. Device as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r - i s e d in that said means (19) is so arranged at said level- determining first pipe (16) that the opening (18) thereof is screened from the opening of the second pipe (24) in the container (6) .