Abstract:
A milking parlor (10) comprises a row of stalls (14) accessible to milk producing animals (12) from a front end (14a) thereof, and adapted for milking the animals; and an identification station (20) arranged in the front end for identifying the animals when entering the parlor. A method of verifying the identities of the animals in the row comprises: (i) identifying the animals in the stall located at the far end (14b) of the row, in the stall located at the front end (14a) of the row, and in a stall located there in between by first, second and third identification members (24, 26, 28); (ii) comparing the identifications of the first, second, and third identification members (24, 26, 28) with the first, last and n'th identifications from the identification station (20), where the stall located between the far and front ends is the n'th stall as counted from the far end (14b); and (iii) depending on the comparison verifying the identities of at least some of the animals (12) in the row (14).
Abstract:
A method of milking animals and cleaning at least a part of a milking device for milking animals, such as cows, is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of connecting at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal to be milked, milking the animal, cleaning at least a part of the milking device that has come into contact with the animal and/or with the milk from the animal, the very first cleaning step comprising cleaning and/or disinfecting said part of the milking device with steam, and a further cleaning step comprising treating with a fluid at least that part of the milking device that has been treated with steam.
Abstract:
A system for automatically milking animals comprising an area where the animals can move about freely. A milking robot automatically connects teat cups to an animal's teats in a milking compartment having a concentrate station. The entire system, including the concentrate station, is computer controlled. Doors in the milking compartment automatically open for the entry and departure of animals. An automatic cleaning member cleans the animal's teats and an automatic cleaning system automatically cleans the entire milk line system or a selected part thereof. The herd is divided by a computer into milk production groups with a computer defined priority criteria for admitting a specific group of animals into the milking compartment prior to another group. Each robot arm is controlled by three parallelogram structures in series, each being separately controlled by a piston and cylinder unit or an electromotor, the lowermost structures being capable of extending teat carriers under the cows udder, the forward structure, when so extended, being at an angle of roughly 45.degree. and the aft structure being at an angle of roughly 60.degree.. Retractable cables connect each teat cup to a teat cup carrier. Each teat cup is connected from its upper aspect by a cable to a spool mounted on the upper side of the milking compartment, each spool being computer controlled by an electromotor to retain the teat cups in upright positions after their disconnection from the teats when being retracted to the teat carriers.
Abstract:
A milking stall for housing an animal to be subjected to an animal-related action, comprises an enclosure (2, 3, 4, 17), defining a space (1) and having at least one passage permitting the animal to enter the space, and equipment (5, 8) for the performance of the action regarding the animal being present in the space. In order to attract the animal and make it feel comfortable, there is provided a conditioning device having an air delivery apparatus (18, 18a) adapted to produce an air flow at least to the space (1). Furthermore, it is contemplated that the supply of clean air is of importance for the function of the equipment.
Abstract:
An apparatus for automatically milking animals provided with one or more automatic milking robots, teat cups and milking compartments. The teat cups are disposed on a carrier of a milking robot arm so as to be in their inoperative position, inclined relative to the vertical and when being connected to a teat of an animal to be milked, the teat cups are moved from their inclined positions into substantially vertical positions. The carrier includes a box-shaped housing for each teat cup, and each housing contains tubes providing a passageway for the pulsating vacuum and a further passageway for milk received from a teat wherein the passageways as a whole have U-shaped configuration within their housing, the "U" portion being composed of a relatively flexible material whereas the portion of the passageways between the "U" and the teat cup is composed of a relatively stiff material and is movable so as to extend from and be drawn into the corresponding housing. Each milking compartment has a dung gutter and a dung collecting member that in its upper aspect bears against the rear of an animal in the compartment and which is movable within limits with the animal. The collecting member includes a tracking device for tracking movements which communicates with a milking robot disposed in the compartment to cause the milking robot to move in a manner the that conforms to the animal's movements.
Abstract:
A device for automatic removal of milking equipment from an animal's udder, comprising a motor (1) and a removal member (3) rotatable by the motor. According to the invention, a coupling device (K) is adapted to keep the removal member (3) operably connected to the motor and to keep the removal means disconnected from the motor, respectively.
Abstract:
An apparatus for milking animals, such as cows, comprising at least one milking parlor including at least one milking robot for automatically connecting teat cups to the teats of an animal to be milked, automatically milking this animal, and automatically disconnecting the teat cups from the animal's teats. The apparatus is further provided with at least two detectors for determining the positions of the animal's teats, which detectors are fixedly mounted relative to the milking parlor so as to be movable in their own housings whereby they each scan a sector which includes the foremost teats of the animal. Each detector is protected by a dome-shaped filter which is transparent to signals received by the detectors for locating the animal's teats. A spray cleaning device mounted on a framework defining the milking parlor selectively sprays a fluid to clean each dome-shaped filter.
Abstract:
A non-intrusive milk flow sensor includes first and second cylindrical nipples of a conductive material. Each of the first and second cylindrical nipples has an inner diameter. A molded rubber body has a passage therethrough joining the first and second nipples. The body fixes the first cylindrical nipple inline with the second cylindrical nipple and is bonded with the nipples. The body has an inner diameter defined by the passage equal to the inner diameter of the first and second cylindrical nipples. The molded rubber body insulates the first cylindrical nipple from the second cylindrical nipple. A first electrical lead is connected to the first cylindrical nipple. A second electrical lead is connected to the second cylindrical nipple.
Abstract:
A milking pulsator comprises a housing, forming a chamber, in which a vacuum passage opens via a first opening. A pulsation channel to be connected to at least one teat cup communicates with the chamber and with atmosphere via a second opening. Valve means are arranged to close and open said first and second openings. Each valve means comprises a membrane, and a pivoted member, the membrane being attached between the pivoted member and the housing. The pivoted members are journalled in the housing for pivotal motion back and forth between closing positions, at which said openings are covered by the membranes of the valve means, and opening positions, at which said openings are uncovered. In addition, adjustment means are adapted to adjust the pivoted members of the valve means such that the first opening is closed when the second opening is uncovered and vice versa.
Abstract:
A milking system for cows having a pair of parallel rows of milking stalls on an upper floor and an operator's cart adapted to move along the rows of stalls on a lower floor. An elongated opening is formed in the upper floor along the stalls through which one or more operators on the operator's cart may have access to the udder and teats of the cows to be milked. The stalls are provided with entry and exit gates; doors are provided for the elongated opening; spray bars are provided for cleaning and disinfecting the cows udders and teats; and suitable milking machines are provided for connection by the operators.