Animal husbandry – Milkers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-17
2001-08-28
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Milkers
C119S014030, C119S014180
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279507
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an apparatus for automatically milking animals, such as cows, which comprises teat cups capable of being connected to the teats of an animal to be milked.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With such a construction it is important that the operations be very hygienic so that a high milk quality is obtained. In particular the teats of the animal to the be milked should preferably be cleaned before milking. With a known construction this takes place by means of the teat cups themselves. The disadvantage thereof is that cleaning fluid or contamination or both may remain behind in the teat cup and be mixed with the milk during milking. This is obviously undesirable.
Therefore, the invention's object is to obviate the above-mentioned drawback or at least to minimize same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, this is achieved in that the apparatus comprises separate cups which are capable of being connected to the teats of an animal and by means of which these teats can be cleaned or disinfected or foremilked or any combination thereof. In this manner cleaning fluid or other contaminating substances are prevented from being mixed with the milk to be yielded thereafter.
According to a further inventive feature, the apparatus is provided with a switching means that serve the purpose of switching the separate cups from the cleaning position into foremilking positions or a stimulating position or both. In the stimulating position the animal is stimulated to yield milk at an increased rate or earlier or both. In order to facilitate the connection of separate cups, according to an inventive feature, the separate cups have a larger diameter than the teat cups. The diameter of the teat separate cups is preferably approximately one and one-half times as large as the diameter of the teat cups. For the purpose of obtaining a proper connection of the separate cups to the teats, according to a further inventive feature, the separate cups are provided near their upper sides with an enlarged contact face with which they are positioned against the udder of an animal.
In order to prevent the cleaning or disinfecting fluid (or both) of the separate cups from being mixed with milk, according to an aspect of the invention, the separate cups comprise a separate supply or discharge line (or both) for supplying or discharging (or both) cleaning fluid or disinfecting fluid or foremilk or hot water. For the purpose of adjusting the intensity of the cleaning, according to an inventive feature, the apparatus comprises pressure adjusting means with the aid of which the pressure of the fluid in the supply line can be adjusted.
For the purpose of a further automation of the apparatus, according to an inventive feature, the apparatus comprises a robot for the teat cups and a further robot of the separate cups. With the aid of such robots, the teat cups and the separate cups respectively are successively connected to the teats of an animal. For determining the position of the teats, according to an inventive feature, the apparatus comprises a yet further robot with a detector disposed thereon. According to an inventive feature, the detector comprises a laser or an ultrasonic sensor or a camera (or a combination thereof).
In accordance with another inventive feature, the apparatus comprises a first cleaning device for cleaning the teat cups, as well as a second cleaning device for cleaning the separate cups. According to a further inventive feature, the first cleaning device and the second cleaning device comprise respective spaces in which the teat cups and the separate cups respectively are cleaned with fluid. In this manner, the operation is very hygienic, which has a favorable influence on milk quality. In order to prevent cleaning fluid from splashing away, according to an inventive feature, the first cleaning device and the second cleaning device comprise respective restrictive spaces in which the teat cups and separate cups, having a function different than the teat cups, can be respectively cleaned. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first cleaning device is located at one longitudinal side of the milking compartment, while the second cleaning device is situated at the other longitudinal side. According to again another inventive feature, in both spaces for the cleaning devices storage means are provided for storing the teat cups and the separate cups after operation. This prevents the teat cups and the separate cups from being contaminated. According to a further aspect of the invention, the teat cups or the separate cups or both are connected to transport cables with the aid of which they can be moved to the storage means. Therefore, the invention also relates to an apparatus for automatically milking animals, such as cows, which comprises teat cups, capable of being connected to the teats of an animal to be milked, characterized in that the apparatus comprises separate cups for cleaning and disinfecting the teats and for foremilking, the teat cups or the separate cups or both being connected to transport cables with the aid of which, after completing their respective operations, they can be conveyed to the storage means.
For the purpose of an efficient way of working, according to an inventive feature, the apparatus comprises switch means with the aid of which the first cleaning device can be activated for cleaning the teat cups when the separate cups are operative, as well as switch means with the aid of which the second cleaning device can be activated for cleaning the separate cups when the teat cups are operative. Therefore, the invention furthermore relates to an apparatus for automatically milking animals, such as cows, which comprises teat cups which are capable of being connected to the teats of an animal to be milked, characterized in that the apparatus comprise separate cups for cleaning or disinfecting the teats or foremilking or a combination thereof, as well as switch means with the aid of which the separate cups can be cleaned during operation of the teat cups and also with the aid of which the teat cups can be cleaned during operation of the separate cups. According to another aspect of the invention, the switch means are activated each time after operation of both the teat cups and the separate cups.
In accordance with an inventive feature, the apparatus comprises a computer or an animal identification system or both. According to a further inventive feature, in the computer or the animal identification system or both there is recorded for each animal or each group of animals whether the teats are stimulated by means of the teat cups or by the separate cups and by means of which cups foremilking takes place.
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patent: 4516592 (1985-05-01), Schultz et al.
patent: 4924809 (1990-05-01), Verbrugge
patent: 5345890 (1994-09-01), Petersson et al.
patent: 5383423 (1995-01-01), Van Der Lely
patent: 5596945 (1997-01-01), Lely
patent: 5722343 (1998-03-01), Aurik et al.
patent: 630558 A2 (1994-12-01), None
patent: 728412 A1 (1996-08-01), None
patent: 96/13151 (1996-05-01), None
van der Lely Cornelis
van der Lely Olaf
Abbott Yvonne R.
Jordan Charles T.
Penrose Lucas Albright
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