Importance

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Abstract

In a milking parlor having a milk line to which milking clusters are connected and a wash line to which clean-in-place washer units are connected, milk from the milk line is directed through a pipeline to a single receiver tank that is maintained under a vacuum draw during the milking operation. Milk from the receiver tank is periodically pumped to a bulk tank. During wash up, the receiver tank is filled with wash water, and wash water is then pumped from the receiver tank through the milk pipelines leading to the bulk tank and then back by return lines to the receiver tank, and wash water is also pumped from the receiver tank to the wash line. The wash water from the wash line passes through the washer units, which are now connected to the teat cups of the milking cluster, thence to the milk line, and back through the milk line and the milk pipeline back to the receiver tank. Washing action may be enhanced by periodic injection of air into the wash supply line connected to the wash line to provide slugs of wash water that pass through the teat cup clusters and associated equipment.

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First Claim