Stimulating and valving system for milking

Abstract

A stimulating and valving system is disclosed that is useful for milking of animals such as cows. A stimulator, that includes one or more stimulator units each of which has biased elements, is releasably positioned on one or more teats of the animal to be milked and a warm liquid such as water is connected through the stimulator units and ejected therefrom onto the associated teat or teats in order to induce milk let down. Each biased element has resilient gripping teeth to engage the teats of the animal to be stimulated. After the supply of liquid is terminated and the teat cups of a milking apparatus have been positioned on the animal, milk is withdrawn from the animal through a valve under the control of a control unit that has an input responsive to the temperature of the milk being withdrawn. When the temperature falls to a predetermined point indicating the end of milking, the control unit causes actuation of the valve to stop milking of the animal and to automatically cause the valve to assume a rinse and/or drain position to rinse or sanitize the milking apparatus and allow the same to drain. The valve is multi-ported and three embodiments have been disclosed. In two embodiments, the rinse and drain positions are separate while in a third embodiment, the rinse and drain positions are combined.