公开(公告)号：US09980459B2

公开(公告)日：2018-05-29

申请号：US15289446

申请日：2016-10-10

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Cor de Ruijter ,  Menno Koekoek ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis

IPC: A01J5/017 ,  A01J5/003 ,  A01K1/12 ,  B25J9/10 ,  B25J9/04

CPC classification number: A01J5/0175 ,  A01K1/12 ,  B25J9/04 ,  B25J9/045 ,  B25J9/104 ,  Y10S901/14 ,  Y10S901/19 ,  Y10S901/21 ,  Y10S901/29 ,  Y10S901/31

Abstract: A robotic attacher includes a main arm that is suspended vertically from a rail, and a supplemental arm that is coupled to and extends horizontally from the main arm along a longitudinal axis. The supplemental arm includes a pivot assembly that pivots a gripping portion around a vertical axis that is substantially parallel to the main arm of the robotic attacher, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the supplemental arm, and between at least a maximum-left position, a maximum-right position, and a centered position. The pivot assembly includes a first actuator that extends and retracts a first cable coupled to a left side of the gripping portion in order to pivot the gripping portion. The pivot assembly further includes a second actuator that extends and retracts a second cable coupled to a right side of the gripping portion in order to pivot the gripping portion.

公开(公告)号：US20170295749A1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-19

申请号：US15641424

申请日：2017-07-05

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Cor de Ruijter ,  Menno Koekoek ,  Michael A. Mills ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis

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

CPC classification number: A01K1/12 ,  A01J5/00 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/0175

Abstract: A system includes a first milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a first dairy livestock and a second milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a second dairy livestock. The first and second milking box stalls face opposite directions. An equipment portion is located between the first milking box stall and the second milking box stall. A robotic attacher is housed in the equipment portion and configured to service both stalls at different times. The robotic attacher comprises a gripping portion having a spray nozzle. The gripping portion is operable to rotate around a longitudinal axis such that during a milking operation the spray nozzle is positioned on the bottom of the gripping portion, and after the milking operation the spray nozzle is positioned on the top of the gripping portion.

公开(公告)号：US09743635B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-29

申请号：US15245254

申请日：2016-08-24

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Cor de Ruijter ,  Menno Koekoek ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis

IPC: A01J5/017 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01J7/02 ,  A01K13/00 ,  G05B15/02

CPC classification number: A01J5/0175 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01J7/025 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01K13/003 ,  G05B15/02 ,  G05B2219/2661 ,  G05B2219/45113 ,  Y10S901/02 ,  Y10S901/40 ,  Y10S901/47

Abstract: A robotic attacher retrieves a preparation cup from an equipment area of a milking box located behind a dairy livestock. The robotic attacher attaches and detaches the preparation cup to the teats of the dairy livestock in sequence. The sequence comprises attaching and detaching the preparation cup to the right front teat, the left front teat, the left rear teat, and the right rear teat.

公开(公告)号：US09737041B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-22

申请号：US15218601

申请日：2016-07-25

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Cor de Ruijter ,  Menno Koekoek ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis

IPC: A01J5/00 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01J7/02 ,  A01K13/00 ,  G05B15/02

CPC classification number: A01J5/0175 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01J7/025 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01K13/003 ,  G05B15/02 ,  G05B2219/2661 ,  G05B2219/45113 ,  Y10S901/02 ,  Y10S901/40 ,  Y10S901/47

Abstract: A robotic attacher retrieves cups from the left side of an equipment area located behind a dairy livestock and attaches the cups to the teats of the dairy livestock in sequence. The sequence comprises attaching a first cup to the left front teat, a second cup to the right front teat, a third cup to the left rear teat, and a fourth cup to the right rear teat.

公开(公告)号：US09737040B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-22

申请号：US14941830

申请日：2015-11-16

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Cor de Ruijter ,  Menno Koekoek ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis

IPC: G06K9/00 ,  H04N13/02 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01J7/00 ,  G06K9/62 ,  G06T7/00 ,  H04N5/225 ,  G06T7/73

CPC classification number: A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01J5/0175 ,  A01J7/00 ,  G06K9/6202 ,  G06T7/0004 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T2207/10028 ,  G06T2207/30128 ,  H04N5/2252 ,  H04N13/204

Abstract: A system includes a three-dimensional camera and a processor communicatively coupled to the three-dimensional camera. The processor is operable to determine a first and second edge of a dairy livestock. The first edge includes an inner portion of a first hind leg and a first portion of an udder of the dairy livestock. The second edge includes an inner portion of a second hind leg and a second portion of the udder of the dairy livestock. The processor calculates a reference point associated with the udder of the dairy livestock based at least in part upon the first edge and the second edge. A robotic attacher moves toward the udder of the dairy livestock based at least in part upon the calculated reference point.

公开(公告)号：US09648841B2

公开(公告)日：2017-05-16

申请号：US15095632

申请日：2016-04-11

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Cor de Ruijter ,  Menno Koekoek ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis

IPC: A01J7/02 ,  A01K1/12

CPC classification number: A01J7/025 ,  A01J7/022 ,  A01K1/12

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system comprises a milk collecting system, a teat cup holder, and a cleansing hose system. The milk collecting system comprises a teat cup, a milk collector, and a milking hose system connecting the teat cup to the milk collector. The teat cup holder stores the teat cup of the milk collecting system such that a nozzle of the teat cup holder substantially aligns with an opening of the teat cup. The cleansing hose system connects the nozzle of the teat cup holder to one or more cleanser sources and operable to backwash at least a portion of the milk collecting system by injecting a cleanser from one or more of the cleanser sources through the nozzle and into the teat cup.

公开(公告)号：US09615537B2

公开(公告)日：2017-04-11

申请号：US15136460

申请日：2016-04-22

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Cor de Ruijter ,  Menno Koekoek ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis

IPC: A01J5/007 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01K1/01 ,  A01K5/02 ,  A01K11/00

CPC classification number: A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/0175 ,  A01K1/01 ,  A01K1/0103 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01K5/02 ,  A01K11/006 ,  G05B2219/45094

Abstract: A milking box comprises a stall portion having a longitudinal axis. A backplane is positioned in the stall portion and moves toward the rear of the stall portion along the longitudinal axis in response to pressure applied, and toward the front of the stall portion in response to pressure removed. A robotic attacher extends from the rear of the stall portion and between the hind legs of a dairy livestock. A controller determines the position of the backplane relative to the rear of the stall portion and determines a positional offset that increases as the dairy livestock moves toward the front of the stall and decreases as it moves toward the rear of the stall. The controller further communicates a signal to move the robotic attacher along the longitudinal axis. The amount of movement is determined at least in part according to the positional offset.

公开(公告)号：US09510554B2

公开(公告)日：2016-12-06

申请号：US14992138

申请日：2016-01-11

Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Cor de Ruijter ,  Menno Koekoek ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis

IPC: A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01J5/003

CPC classification number: A01J5/0175 ,  A01J5/003 ,  A01J5/007 ,  G06T1/0014 ,  G06T7/73

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a milking cup, a pulsating device coupled to the milking cup, a robotic arm comprising a gripper, and a controller communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the pulsating device. The controller is operable to instruct the gripper of the robotic arm to grip the milking cup, instruct the robotic arm to move the milking cup proximate to a teat of a dairy livestock, and instruct the robotic arm to move the milking cup towards the teat. The controller is further operable to instruct the pulsating device to apply pressure to the milking cup before attaching the milking cup to the teat and instruct the gripper of the robotic arm to release the milking cup.

Abstract translation: 在示例性实施例中，系统包括挤奶杯，联接到挤奶杯的脉动装置，包括夹持器的机器人手臂以及通信地联接到机器臂和脉动装置的控制器。 控制器可操作地指示机器人臂的夹持器夹紧挤奶杯，指示机器人臂将挤奶杯移动到靠近奶牛家畜的乳头，并且指示机器人臂将挤奶杯移动到奶头。 控制器还可操作以指示脉动装置在将挤奶杯连接到奶头之前向挤奶杯施加压力，并且指示机器人臂的夹持器释放挤奶杯。

公开(公告)号：US20160330927A1

公开(公告)日：2016-11-17

申请号：US15218601

申请日：2016-07-25

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Cor de Ruijter ,  Menno Koekoek ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis

IPC: A01J5/017 ,  G05B15/02 ,  A01K13/00 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01J5/007

CPC classification number: A01J5/0175 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01J7/025 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01K13/003 ,  G05B15/02 ,  G05B2219/2661 ,  G05B2219/45113 ,  Y10S901/02 ,  Y10S901/40 ,  Y10S901/47

Abstract: A robotic attacher retrieves cups from the left side of an equipment area located behind a dairy livestock and attaches the cups to the teats of the dairy livestock in sequence. The sequence comprises attaching a first cup to the left front teat, a second cup to the right front teat, a third cup to the left rear teat, and a fourth cup to the right rear teat.

Abstract translation: 机器人服务员从位于奶牛家畜后面的设备区域的左侧检索杯子，并将杯子依次连接到奶牛家畜的奶嘴上。 该顺序包括将第一杯连接到左前乳头，向右前乳头的第二杯，向左后奶头的第三杯，向右后奶头连接第四杯。

公开(公告)号：US09468188B2

公开(公告)日：2016-10-18

申请号：US15097509

申请日：2016-04-13

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP

Inventor： Henk Hofman ,  Cor de Ruijter ,  Menno Koekoek ,  Peter Willem van der Sluis

IPC: A01J5/017 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01K1/12

CPC classification number: A01J5/0175 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J7/00 ,  A01J7/025 ,  A01K1/12 ,  A01K13/003 ,  G05B15/02 ,  G05B2219/2661 ,  G05B2219/45113 ,  Y10S901/02 ,  Y10S901/40 ,  Y10S901/47

Abstract: A robotic attacher retrieves a preparation cup from the left side of an equipment area located behind a dairy livestock and attaches and detaches the preparation cup to the teats of the dairy livestock in sequence. The sequence comprises attaching and detaching the preparation cup to the right front teat, the left front teat, the left rear teat, and the right rear teat.

Abstract translation: 机器人服务员从位于奶牛家畜后面的设备区域的左侧检索准备杯，并将准备杯依次附着并分离到奶牛家畜的奶嘴上。 序列包括将准备杯连接到右前乳头，左前乳头，左后乳头和右后乳头。