公开(公告)号：US09807974B2

公开(公告)日：2017-11-07

申请号：US15490182

申请日：2017-04-18

Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.

Inventor： Hendrik Hofman ,  Peter van der Sluis

IPC: A01J5/017 ,  F16B1/00 ,  A01J7/04 ,  B25J15/06 ,  B25J11/00 ,  B25J15/00

CPC classification number: A01J5/0175 ,  A01J7/04 ,  B25J11/0045 ,  B25J15/0052 ,  B25J15/0616 ,  F16B1/00 ,  F16B2001/0035 ,  Y10S901/40

Abstract: This invention is related to a double grab, its rinsing cup and milking machine provided therewith, and the method for automatically applying teat cups to the teats of an udder of an animal to be milked. The double grab according to the invention includes: —a first housing part provided with a first magnet designed to hold a first teat cup; —a second housing part, installed substantially in a horizontal plane next to the first housing part, provided with a second magnet designed to hold a second teat cup; —whereby each housing part is provided with separate pivoting means that can be activated and is designed to make the related housing part pivot around a pivoting axis which in use, extends substantially in a horizontal direction, substantially in a widthwise direction of the arm.

公开(公告)号：US09807973B2

公开(公告)日：2017-11-07

申请号：US15307877

申请日：2015-05-04

Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.

Inventor： Hendrik Hofman ,  Peter van der Sluis

IPC: A01J5/017 ,  A01J7/04

CPC classification number: A01J5/0175 ,  A01J7/04 ,  B25J11/0045 ,  B25J15/0052 ,  B25J15/0616 ,  F16B1/00 ,  F16B2001/0035 ,  Y10S901/40

Abstract: This invention is related to a double grab, its rinsing cup and milking machine provided therewith, and the method for automatically applying teat cups to the teats of an udder of an animal to be milked. The double grab according to the invention includes:—a first housing part provided with a first magnet designed to hold a first teat cup;—a second housing part, installed substantially in a horizontal plane next to the first housing part, provided with a second magnet designed to hold a second teat cup;—whereby each housing part is provided with separate pivoting means that can be activated and is designed to make the related housing part pivot around a pivoting axis which in use, extends substantially in a horizontal direction, substantially in a widthwise direction of the arm.

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：US09706745B2

公开(公告)日：2017-07-18

申请号：US15238898

申请日：2016-08-17

Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.

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

IPC: A01J5/00 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01K1/12 ,  G06T7/00 ,  H04N13/02 ,  G06T7/73 ,  G06T7/77

CPC classification number: A01J5/0175 ,  A01J5/007 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01K1/12 ,  G06T7/001 ,  G06T7/74 ,  G06T7/77 ,  G06T2207/10012 ,  H04N13/204

Abstract: A system includes a robotic arm on which at least one camera is attached. It further includes a memory and a controller communicatively coupled to the memory. The memory stores historical information associated with a dairy livestock. The historical information include a previously-determined location of a teat of the dairy livestock. The controller moves the camera on the robotic arm toward the previously-determined location of the teat. The camera generates an image of the teat of the dairy livestock from a position to which it is moved, and the controller determines a current location of the teat of the dairy livestock based at least in part on the image.

公开(公告)号：US09681634B2

公开(公告)日：2017-06-20

申请号：US13448751

申请日：2012-04-17

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

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

IPC: H04N7/18 ,  A01J5/017 ,  A01J5/007 ,  G06T7/73

CPC classification number: A01J5/0175 ,  A01J5/007 ,  G06T7/75 ,  G06T2207/30128

Abstract: A system includes a first camera, a second camera, and a processor wherein the second camera has a higher resolution than the first camera. The processor is communicatively coupled to the first camera and the second camera and is operable to determine a center coordinate of an udder of a dairy livestock based at least in part upon visual data captured by the first camera. The processor is also operable to determine a position of a teat of the dairy livestock based at least in part upon the center coordinate and visual data captured by the second camera.

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：USD782022S1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-21

申请号：US29526434

申请日：2015-05-08

Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.

Designer： Marco A. Tejeda ,  Michael J. Steffes ,  James A. Scharping, Jr. ,  Richard G. Giallombardo ,  Jared M. Stearns