Animal husbandry – Milkers – Methods of milking
Patent
1996-10-03
1998-03-03
Hilten, John S.
Animal husbandry
Milkers
Methods of milking
119 1408, 119 1414, A01S 5013
Patent
active
057223432
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method for controlling a milking processing system wherein milk is extracted at each teat of a mammal such as a cow and is subsequently stored for a longer period.
It is known, particularly in automatically operating milking devices, to filter the drained milk before it is stored in a collection tank (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,590). Filtering of the milk serves to enable removal from the milk of possible contamination resulting from teat fouling etc. Systems are further known in which for instance the temperature of the milk is measured to determine whether a cow for milking has mastitis. This usually involves the use of temperature sensors.
The invention has for its object to provide a more comprehensive system for milking control such that the milking device can be controlled in optimal manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The control method according to the invention is distinguished in that prior to storing of the milk, it is at least partially or wholly filtered in the connecting conduit to the storage. The filtered residue is carried outside the conduit and subsequently detected and in the case of a predetermined variation of the or each animal a signal thereof is generated for the control.
Due to the detection of the filtered residue outside the milk conduit system, detection can be carried out better and the obtained signals are more readily available to the control system and therefore to an automatic milking device.
A signal can for instance be used to set into operation a valve system for draining contaminated or infected milk to an auxiliary tank. This valve system is therefore controlled on the basis of data of a single specific animal which is then being milked.
It is on the other hand possible to use the signals to set into operation auxiliary equipment of the milking device, for instance to replace the filter material or a teat cleaning appliance, if it is established that much dirt is present on the udders as a result of rainfall and the like.
It may be possible within the scope of this milk residue detection to actuate functions of the milking machine other than those stated above.
The invention further relates to a device for milking a mammal such as a cow and controlled according to any of the foregoing claims. The device includes at least one milking location which is provided with one or more teat cups, each of which can be placed on a teat of the animal for milking and which is connected to a milk conduit for draining the milk to a storage tank. An apparatus for filtering the milk is arranged in the milk conduit. The device according to the invention is distinguished in that the filtering apparatus has a filter which may or may not be exchangeable, wherein a detection means associated with the filter generates a signal when predetermined contaminants are detected on the filter.
In one embodiment the filter for such a milking device is embodied as a band which is trained step-wise through the filter housing. Each time there is a change of the animal for milking a new filter can thus be arranged automatically in the filter housing.
The invention finally relates to a milking device which is provided with an automatically driven milking arm. According to the invention this milking arm is also suitable for arranging a cleaning cylinder round the teat of a cow, wherein in one embodiment the cleaning cylinder can be placed by the milking arm as stand-alone element, thus separately of the teat cup, while in another embodiment the cleaning cylinder can be fixedly mounted on the teat cup, wherein the milking arm places either the cylinder or the teat cup round the teat. These latter steps can take place successively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Above mentioned and other features of the invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow in a figure description of a number of embodiments. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a milking parlour provided with a feed trough, guide fences and a milking set having connected th
REFERENCES:
patent: 4047500 (1977-09-01), Bender et al.
patent: 4376053 (1983-03-01), Bullock et al.
patent: 4385590 (1983-05-01), Mortensen
patent: 5628964 (1997-05-01), Tassitano
Aurik Erik Arnoldus
Dessing Joost
Oosterling Pieter Adriaan
Hilten John S.
Prolion B.V.
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