Milk storage tank cleaning

An apparatus for cleaning a milk tank, comprising:

• a buffer reservoir;
• at least one sensor for determining a first quantity of water in said buffer reservoir;
• at least one water supply means leading to the buffer reservoir;
• a shut-off valve means for opening and closing the water supply means;
• at least one transfer conduit communicating with the buffer reservoir for directing water from the buffer reservoir to the milk tank in order to accumulate a predetermined second quantity of water therein;
• means for controlling the passage of water through said transfer conduit;
• a timer;
• and
• a control unit including said timer or connected to said timer for determining at least a first period of time used for supplying said first quantity of water, said control unit being connected to said shut-off valve means and to said means for controlling the passage of water through said transfer conduit,
• wherein said control unit is operatively connected to said sensor and programmed for measuring said first period of time starting with the opening of the shut-off valve means or upon stopping of the passage of water through said transfer conduit and ending in response to a signal from said sensor, for determining a second period of time from said measured first period of time and said first and second quantities of water and for opening said shut-off valve means during the washing stage for a period of a duration equal to said determined second period of time.

A method of cleaning a milk tank, comprising:

• a rinsing stage comprising the steps of accumulating at least one predetermined first quantity of water from a water supply in a buffer reservoir and subsequently rinsing the milk tank with said first quantity of water, and
• a washing stage comprising the steps of accumulating a predetermined second quantity of water from said water supply in the milk tank and subsequently washing the milk tank with said second quantity of water,
• wherein accumulating said first quantity of water takes a first period of time,
• wherein the improvement comprises the steps of:
• measuring said first period of time used for accumulating said first quantity of water in the buffer reservoir during said rinsing stage, said washing stage, or both said rinsing stage and said washing stage;
• determining a second period of time used for accumulating said predetermined second quantity of water from said measured first period of time and said first and second quantities of water;
• and
• supplying water from said water supply to the milk tank during the washing stage for a period having a duration equal to said determined second period of time.