Abstract:
A robotic attacher comprises a gripping portion, a vision system positioned on a first surface of the gripping portion, and at least one nozzle positioned on a second surface of the gripping portion. The gripping portion is rotates about a longitudinal axis such that during a first time, the vision system is positioned generally on the top of the gripping portion, and during a second time, the nozzle is positioned generally on the top of the gripping portion.
Abstract:
A safety valve device for a milking installation for milking milk-producing animals having a first valve with a first port and with a first port connector, a second valve with a second port and with a second port connector, a third valve with a third port and a third port connector, a drive, a common actuator, and at least one valve spring, and arranged so that the first port connector of the first valve is in fluid communication with the second port connector of the second valve, and the safety valve device can be moved between a first switching position, in which the first valve and the second valve are closed in order to block the first port and the second port and the third valve, is open a transition position, in which the first valve, the second valve and the third valve are closed, and a second switching position, in which the first valve and the second valve are open to connect the first port to the second port and the third valve is closed to block the third port.
Abstract:
An apparatus is designed for holding the tail of an animal to one side while the animal is on a milking platform. The apparatus consists of a structure mounted to the rail along or around the milking platform which holds the tail such that the pathway to the udder between the animal's rear legs is unobstructed by the tail.
Abstract:
A system comprises a milking box, a robotic attacher, a sensor, and a controller. The milking box has a stall to accommodate a dairy livestock. The stall comprises a first exit gate on a first side of the stall leading to a first sorting region and a second exit gate on a second side of the stall leading to a second sorting region. The robotic attacher extends from the rear between the hind legs of the dairy livestock. The sensor identifies the dairy livestock within the milking box stall. The controller selects and opens the first exit gate or the second exit gate based at least in part upon the identity of the dairy livestock in order to direct the first dairy livestock into either the first sorting region or the second sorting region.
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 comprises at least one nozzle and is operable to rotate such that during a first time, the nozzle is positioned away from the top of the gripping portion, and during a second time, the nozzle is positioned generally on the top of the gripping portion.
Abstract:
A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.
Abstract:
A device suitable for attachment to a milking platform at a “milking position” has a strippings viewing area and a light source, which is operable to illuminate in a suitable manner the strippings viewing area to enhance the visibility to an operator of any mastitis symptoms in use and/or to illuminate the udder to facilitate inspection or treatment. The light source may also be operable to give continuous or intermittent colour signals to the operator and the device might also include an alpha-numeric area. The device might form part of a leg separator and/or sprayer and/or milk hose support. A milking platform with such a device is also claimed.
Abstract:
A milking device includes a vessel and cover plate. The vessel and the cover plate form a sealed volume that is internally divided into a collecting chamber, a vacuum chamber and an air intake chamber. The collecting chamber is arranged between the vacuum chamber and the air intake chamber. The vessel has a first internal wall that separates the collecting chamber from the air intake chamber, with a first passage between the collecting chamber and the air intake chamber arranged at the first internal wall. The vessel has a second internal wall that separates the collecting chamber from the vacuum chamber, with a second passage between the collecting chamber and the vacuum chamber arranged at the second internal wall.
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:
A milking liner includes an integrated short air tube and short milk tube. In one configuration, the pulsation air is delivered through the bead of the milking liner directly inside the shell through a plurality of outlets. The disclosure also provides alignment features that assist the person assembling a milking liner and shell. The features limit rotation between the liner and the shell. The liner includes a short air tube that extends beyond a short milk tube with each having a sealing bead. The sealing beads are offset from each other.