Milk pumping system for vacuum milking installations

In a milk pumping apparatus for a vacuum milking installation for withdrawing milk from a milk receiver under constant vacuum to atmospheric pressure, having a first milk releaser including a liquid input connected to the milk receiver by a milk outlet line with a clack valve, a milk outlet, a first valve for opening and closing a vacuum line between the milk receiver and the first milk releaser, a second valve for opening and closing a vent to the atmosphere and a float for opening the first valve and closing the second valve when there is less than a preselected amount of milk in the first milk releaser and for closing the first valve and opening the second valve when there is more than a preselected amount of milk in the first milk releaser the improvement comprising:

• an air actuated two-way valve having one inlet connected to the atmosphere, another inlet connected to a vacuum, an outlet, and an actuating input connected by an air line to the first milk releaser and directly responsive to the prevailing pressure in the first milk releaser such that the valve's outlet is in communication with the one inlet when the first milk releaser and thereby the actuating input is under a vacuum and in communication with the other inlet when the first milk releaser and thereby the actuating input is at atmospheric pressure;
• a second milk releaser having a fluid inlet connected to the outlet of the two-way valve and a milk inlet;
• and means connecting the milk inlet of the second milk releaser to the milk outlet of the first milk releaser whereby milk collected in the first releaser is aspirated by the second milk releaser while a vacuum is maintained in the second milk releaser.