公开(公告)号：US09686961B2

公开(公告)日：2017-06-27

申请号：US15257998

申请日：2016-09-07

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis ,  Ype Groensma

IPC: A01J7/04 ,  A01K13/00 ,  B25J9/16 ,  A01K29/00 ,  A01J5/003 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01K1/12 ,  G06T1/00 ,  G06T7/73 ,  A01J7/00 ,  B25J11/00 ,  G06T7/00 ,  G06T7/13

CPC classification number: A01J7/04 ,  A01J5/003 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/0175 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01K1/126 ,  A01K13/001 ,  A01K29/00 ,  B25J9/0027 ,  B25J9/0093 ,  B25J9/0096 ,  B25J9/1679 ,  B25J9/1684 ,  B25J9/1697 ,  B25J11/0045 ,  G05B19/042 ,  G05B2219/2661 ,  G05B2219/45113 ,  G06T1/0014 ,  G06T7/0004 ,  G06T7/13 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T7/74 ,  G06T2200/04 ,  G06T2207/10004 ,  G06T2207/10021 ,  G06T2207/10028 ,  H04N7/183 ,  Y10S901/02 ,  Y10S901/06 ,  Y10S901/07 ,  Y10S901/09 ,  Y10S901/41 ,  Y10S901/43 ,  Y10S901/47

Abstract: A system for operating a robotic arm comprises a carriage and a robotic arm. The carriage is mounted on a track adjacent to a rotary milking platform having a substantially circular perimeter and a stall for a dairy livestock. The carriage moves along a substantially straight portion of the track tangent to and outside the perimeter of the rotary milking platform at a rate based at least in part upon a speed of rotation of the rotary milking platform. The carriage moves in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of the rotary milking platform and such movement of the carriage is independent of any physical coupling between the carriage and the rotary milking platform. The robotic arm extends between the legs of the dairy livestock.

公开(公告)号：US20170079233A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-23

申请号：US15370210

申请日：2016-12-06

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Peter Willem Van der Sluis ,  Ype Groensma

IPC: A01J5/00 ,  A01J7/04 ,  A01K11/00 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/017

CPC classification number: A01J5/00 ,  A01J5/003 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/01 ,  A01J5/013 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01J5/0175 ,  A01J5/04 ,  A01J5/06 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01J7/025 ,  A01J7/04 ,  A01J9/00 ,  A01K1/0023 ,  A01K1/0029 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01K5/00 ,  A01K5/02 ,  A01K11/006 ,  B25J13/08 ,  B25J19/023 ,  G05B2219/45113 ,  G06K9/00362 ,  G06T1/0014 ,  G06T7/70 ,  H04N5/247 ,  H04N13/204 ,  Y10S901/02 ,  Y10S901/47

Abstract: A method of operating a robotic attacher, includes suspending a robotic attacher from a rail and extending the robotic attacher between the legs of a dairy livestock. The method continues by attaching milking equipment to the dairy livestock using a gripping portion of the robotic attacher during a milking operation, wherein the gripping portion has a nozzle that is positioned away from a teat of the dairy livestock during the milking operation. The method concludes by rotating the gripping portion of the robotic attacher so that the nozzle is positioned to face a teat of the dairy livestock during a spraying operation.

公开(公告)号：US20160316710A1

公开(公告)日：2016-11-03

申请号：US15209096

申请日：2016-07-13

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis ,  Ype Groensma

IPC: A01J7/04 ,  A01K13/00 ,  G06T7/00 ,  B25J9/16 ,  G06T1/00 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01J5/007

CPC classification number: A01J7/04 ,  A01J5/003 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/0175 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01K1/126 ,  A01K13/001 ,  A01K29/00 ,  B25J9/0027 ,  B25J9/0093 ,  B25J9/0096 ,  B25J9/1679 ,  B25J9/1684 ,  B25J9/1697 ,  B25J11/0045 ,  G05B19/042 ,  G05B2219/2661 ,  G05B2219/45113 ,  G06T1/0014 ,  G06T7/0004 ,  G06T7/13 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T7/74 ,  G06T2200/04 ,  G06T2207/10004 ,  G06T2207/10021 ,  G06T2207/10028 ,  H04N7/183 ,  Y10S901/02 ,  Y10S901/06 ,  Y10S901/07 ,  Y10S901/09 ,  Y10S901/41 ,  Y10S901/43 ,  Y10S901/47

Abstract: A system for operating a robotic arm, comprises a controller and a robotic arm. The controller receives an indication that a stall of a rotary milking platform in which a dairy livestock is located has moved into an area adjacent a robotic arm that is detached from the rotary milking platform. The controller also determines whether a milking cluster is attached to the dairy livestock. The robotic arm is communicatively coupled to the controller and extends between the legs of the dairy livestock if the controller determines that the milking cluster is not attached to the dairy livestock. The robotic arm does not extend between the legs of the dairy livestock if the controller determines that the milking cluster is attached to the dairy livestock.

Abstract translation: 用于操作机器人手臂的系统包括控制器和机器臂。 控制器接收指示，其中奶牛家畜所在的旋转挤奶平台的失速已经移动到与旋转挤奶平台分离的机器人手臂附近的区域中。 控制器还确定挤奶集群是否连接到奶牛家畜。 如果控制器确定挤奶组不连接到奶牛家畜，则机器人手臂通信地耦合到控制器并且在奶牛家畜的腿之间延伸。 如果控制器确定挤奶集群连接到奶牛家畜，则机器臂不会延伸到奶牛家畜的腿部之间。

公开(公告)号：US09462781B2

公开(公告)日：2016-10-11

申请号：US14329548

申请日：2014-07-11

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis ,  Ype Groensma

IPC: A01J7/04 ,  G06T7/00 ,  A01K13/00 ,  B25J9/16 ,  A01K29/00

CPC classification number: A01J7/04 ,  A01J5/003 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/0175 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01K1/126 ,  A01K13/001 ,  A01K29/00 ,  B25J9/0027 ,  B25J9/0093 ,  B25J9/0096 ,  B25J9/1679 ,  B25J9/1684 ,  B25J9/1697 ,  B25J11/0045 ,  G05B19/042 ,  G05B2219/2661 ,  G05B2219/45113 ,  G06T1/0014 ,  G06T7/0004 ,  G06T7/13 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T7/74 ,  G06T2200/04 ,  G06T2207/10004 ,  G06T2207/10021 ,  G06T2207/10028 ,  H04N7/183 ,  Y10S901/02 ,  Y10S901/06 ,  Y10S901/07 ,  Y10S901/09 ,  Y10S901/41 ,  Y10S901/43 ,  Y10S901/47

Abstract: A system for operating a robotic arm comprises a carriage and a robotic arm. The carriage is mounted on a track adjacent to a rotary milking platform having a substantially circular perimeter and a stall for a dairy livestock. The carriage moves along a substantially straight portion of the track tangent to and outside the perimeter of the rotary milking platform at a rate based at least in part upon a speed of rotation of the rotary milking platform. The carriage moves in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of the rotary milking platform and such movement of the carriage is independent of any physical coupling between the carriage and the rotary milking platform. The robotic arm extends between the legs of the dairy livestock, and remains extended between the legs of the dairy livestock as the stall rotates adjacent to the robotic arm.

Abstract translation: 用于操作机器人臂的系统包括滑架和机器臂。 托架安装在与具有基本上圆形周边的旋转挤奶平台相邻的轨道上，并且用于奶制牲畜的档位。 滑架沿着至少部分地基于旋转挤奶平台的旋转速度的速度沿着轨道的基本上直的部分切线到旋转挤奶平台的周边和外侧。 滑架在与旋转挤奶平台的旋转方向相对应的方向上移动，并且滑架的这种移动与托架和旋转挤奶平台之间的任何物理联接无关。 机器手臂在奶牛家畜的腿之间延伸，并且随着失速与机器人手臂相邻旋转而保持在奶牛家畜的腿之间延伸。

公开(公告)号：US20160262336A1

公开(公告)日：2016-09-15

申请号：US15162815

申请日：2016-05-24

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis ,  Ype Groensma

IPC: A01J5/007 ,  A01J9/00 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01J5/017 ,  B25J19/02 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01K5/00 ,  A01K1/00 ,  H04N5/247 ,  A01J5/013 ,  A01K11/00

CPC classification number: A01J5/00 ,  A01J5/003 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/01 ,  A01J5/013 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01J5/0175 ,  A01J5/04 ,  A01J5/06 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01J7/025 ,  A01J7/04 ,  A01J9/00 ,  A01K1/0023 ,  A01K1/0029 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01K5/00 ,  A01K5/02 ,  A01K11/006 ,  B25J13/08 ,  B25J19/023 ,  G05B2219/45113 ,  G06K9/00362 ,  G06T1/0014 ,  G06T7/70 ,  H04N5/247 ,  H04N13/204 ,  Y10S901/02 ,  Y10S901/47

Abstract: A system includes a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The milking box stall comprises a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The system further includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion comprises a separation container for use with only the milking box stall and that is operable to receive milk from the dairy livestock to be discarded if it is determined to be bad milk. The equipment portion further comprises a receiver jar for use with only the milking box stall and that is operable to receive milk from the dairy livestock if it is determined to be good milk.

Abstract translation: 一个系统包括一个足够容纳奶牛家畜的大小的挤奶箱。 挤奶箱失速包括前壁，后壁，第一侧壁和第二侧壁。 该系统还包括邻近后壁定位的设备部分。 设备部分包括仅用于挤奶箱排档的分离容器，并且如果确定为不良牛奶，则其可操作以从乳品牲畜接收待丢弃的牛奶。 设备部分还包括接收器罐，仅用于挤奶箱排档，并且如果确定为好的牛奶，则可操作以接收来自乳品牲畜的牛奶。

公开(公告)号：US09374974B2

公开(公告)日：2016-06-28

申请号：US14178750

申请日：2014-02-12

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis ,  Ype Groensma

IPC: A01J5/00 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01J7/04 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J7/00 ,  B25J13/08 ,  B25J19/02 ,  A01J9/00

CPC classification number: A01J5/00 ,  A01J5/003 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/01 ,  A01J5/013 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01J5/0175 ,  A01J5/04 ,  A01J5/06 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01J7/025 ,  A01J7/04 ,  A01J9/00 ,  A01K1/0023 ,  A01K1/0029 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01K5/00 ,  A01K5/02 ,  A01K11/006 ,  B25J13/08 ,  B25J19/023 ,  G05B2219/45113 ,  G06K9/00362 ,  G06T1/0014 ,  G06T7/70 ,  H04N5/247 ,  H04N13/204 ,  Y10S901/02 ,  Y10S901/47

Abstract: A system includes a milking box and a robotic attacher. The milking box has a stall to accommodate a dairy livestock. The robotic attacher extends under the dairy livestock and comprises a nozzle. The robotic attacher is operable to rotate such that, during a first operation, the nozzle is positioned generally on the bottom of the robotic attacher, and during a second operation, the nozzle is positioned generally on the top of the robotic attacher.

Abstract translation: 一个系统包括一个挤奶箱和一个机器人装置。 挤奶箱有一个摊位可容纳一个奶牛家畜。 机器人护理员在奶牛家畜身下延伸，并包括喷嘴。 机器人附件可操作以旋转，使得在第一操作期间，喷嘴通常定位在机器人附件的底部上，并且在第二操作期间，喷嘴通常定位在机器人附件的顶部。

公开(公告)号：US09313998B2

公开(公告)日：2016-04-19

申请号：US14276193

申请日：2014-05-13

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis ,  Ype Groensma

IPC: A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/013 ,  A01J3/00

CPC classification number: A01J7/005 ,  A01J3/00 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/01 ,  A01J5/013 ,  A01J5/0133 ,  A01J5/0135 ,  A01J5/0138 ,  A01J5/04

Abstract: A method, comprises receiving a flow of milk at an inlet of a manifold. The inlet comprises a first end coupled to a hose that receives a flow of milk from a teat cup and a second end terminating in a chamber of the manifold. The manifold comprises one or more other inlets and a plurality of outlets. The plurality of outlets includes one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets. The method proceeds by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding milk collector outlet by causing a shut-off valve corresponding to the inlet to open, and by causing a drain valve corresponding to the inlet to close. The method concludes by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding drain outlet by causing the shut-off valve corresponding to the inlet to close, and by causing the drain valve corresponding to the inlet to open.

Abstract translation: 一种方法，包括在歧管的入口处接收牛奶流。 入口包括联接到软管的第一端，其接收来自奶杯的牛奶流，以及终止在歧管的腔室中的第二端。 歧管包括一个或多个其它入口和多个出口。 多个出口包括一个或多个集奶器出口和一个或多个排水出口。 通过使对应于入口的截止阀打开，并且通过使与入口对应的排水阀关闭，导致牛奶的流动被引导到相应的收集器出口。 该方法的结论是通过使对应于入口的截止阀关闭并通过使与入口相对应的排放阀打开来将牛奶的流动引导到相应的排出口。

公开(公告)号：US20150257356A1

公开(公告)日：2015-09-17

申请号：US14727921

申请日：2015-06-02

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis ,  Ype Groensma

IPC: A01J5/017 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01J9/00 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/00

CPC classification number: A01J5/00 ,  A01J5/003 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/01 ,  A01J5/013 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01J5/0175 ,  A01J5/04 ,  A01J5/06 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01J7/025 ,  A01J7/04 ,  A01J9/00 ,  A01K1/0023 ,  A01K1/0029 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01K5/00 ,  A01K5/02 ,  A01K11/006 ,  B25J13/08 ,  B25J19/023 ,  G05B2219/45113 ,  G06K9/00362 ,  G06T1/0014 ,  G06T7/70 ,  H04N5/247 ,  H04N13/204 ,  Y10S901/02 ,  Y10S901/47

Abstract: A system includes a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, and first and second side walls extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall that accommodates a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion adjacent to the rear wall. It houses a separation container that receives milk to be discarded from the dairy livestock. The equipment portion further houses a robotic attacher that extends from behind and between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.

Abstract translation: 系统包括前壁，与前壁相对的后壁，以及在前壁和后壁之间延伸的第一和第二侧壁。 所述第一侧壁包括门，所述第二侧壁与所述第一侧壁间隔开，使得所述前壁，所述后壁，所述第一侧壁和所述第二侧壁限定了挤奶箱档位， 家畜。 该系统包括邻近后壁的设备部分。 它装有一个分离容器，接收从奶牛家畜中丢弃的牛奶。 设备部分还容纳机器人护理者，其从位于挤奶箱档位内的乳品牲畜的后部后方延伸，以便将挤奶设备附接到奶牛家畜。

公开(公告)号：US20140318458A1

公开(公告)日：2014-10-30

申请号：US14331367

申请日：2014-07-15

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis ,  Ype Groensma

IPC: A01J5/017 ,  A01J7/04

CPC classification number: A01J5/00 ,  A01J5/003 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/01 ,  A01J5/013 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01J5/0175 ,  A01J5/04 ,  A01J5/06 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01J7/025 ,  A01J7/04 ,  A01J9/00 ,  A01K1/0023 ,  A01K1/0029 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01K5/00 ,  A01K5/02 ,  A01K11/006 ,  B25J13/08 ,  B25J19/023 ,  G05B2219/45113 ,  G06K9/00362 ,  G06T1/0014 ,  G06T7/70 ,  H04N5/247 ,  H04N13/204 ,  Y10S901/02 ,  Y10S901/47

Abstract: A robotic attacher comprises a main arm, a supplemental arm coupled to the main arm, and a gripping portion coupled to the supplemental arm. The gripping portion is operable to rotate such that at a first time, a nozzle is positioned generally on the bottom of the gripping portion, and at a second time, the nozzle is positioned generally on the top of the gripping portion.

Abstract translation: 机器人附件包括主臂，联接到主臂的辅助臂和联接到辅助臂的抓握部分。 抓握部分可操作以旋转，使得在第一时间，喷嘴通常定位在抓握部分的底部上，并且在第二时间，喷嘴大致位于夹持部分的顶部上。

公开(公告)号：US10477828B2

公开(公告)日：2019-11-19

申请号：US15637247

申请日：2017-06-29

Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis ,  Ype Groensma

IPC: A01J7/04 ,  A01K13/00 ,  B25J9/16 ,  A01K29/00 ,  A01J5/003 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01K1/12 ,  G06T1/00 ,  G06T7/73 ,  A01J7/00 ,  B25J11/00 ,  G06T7/00 ,  G06T7/13 ,  B25J9/00 ,  H04N7/18 ,  G05B19/042

Abstract: A method for applying disinfectant to the teats of a dairy livestock comprises moving a robotic arm along a track in relation to a rotary milking platform housing a dairy livestock and independent of any physical coupling between the robotic arm and the rotary milking platform. The rotary milking platform has a substantially circular perimeter. The track is positioned outside the perimeter of the rotary milking platform. At least a portion of the track is straight and offset in relation to the rotary milking platform. The robotic arm comprises an arm member operable to pivot about an axis that is parallel to the track, and a spray tool attached to one end of the arm member. The method further comprises extending the robotic arm between the hind legs of the dairy livestock while the rotary milking platform rotates such that the spray tool is located at a spray position from which it may discharge disinfectant to the teats of the dairy livestock.