Abstract:
A system for identifying a ruminant, which is being milked. The system includes a transmitter (20) attached to a hind leg (70) of the ruminant and the transmitter transmits a predefined signal, which identifies the ruminant to which the transmitter is attached. The system includes at least one teat cup (40) on which is attached an antenna (30) to receive the signal with which to identify the animal. The teat cup is positionable on the ruminant's teat. A method for using the system is taught as is a teat cup (40) having an antenna (30) fixed thereon.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to modular apparatuses for manipulation of animals and to methods of manipulating animals with the modular apparatuses of the invention. A modular apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: (a) a main support fixed to a stationary point, (b) a number of arms, each of said arms comprising a proximal end and a distal end, each changeable arm having a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein said proximal end is pivotally mounted to the main support for rotation thereof about a first pivot axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and (c) one or more end of arm changeable tools, wherein said one or more end of arm changeable tools are pivotally coupled to the distal ends of each arm for rotation thereof about a second pivot axis, wherein the second pivot axis is substantially parallel to the first pivot axis.
Abstract:
The present invention refers to teat cup cleaning in an automated milking system comprising a plurality of teat cups, each connected to a first end of a respective milk line (5), and the second end of each milk line being individually and automatically connectable to a first (7) or a second container (9), respectively, wherein, during milking of the teats of a milking animal, the plurality of teat cups are attached to the teats of the animal, the second ends of the milk lines are connected to said first container and vacuum is supplied to said first container in order to draw milk through the milk lines into said first container. The cleaning comprises supplying (41, 43) a cleaning fluid to at least a first (3) of said plurality of teat cups; connecting the second end of the milk line (5) connected to the first teat cup (3) to said second container (9); and supplying vacuum to said second container in order to suck cleaning fluid through the milk lines into said second container(9), while keeping said first container (7) at substantially atmospheric pressure.
Abstract:
A pulsator (23) provides alternating vacuum pressure and atmospheric pressure to an elastomeric liner (35) in a sleeve (13) of a milking claw (11) in a diary barn. The purpose of pulsation is to alternate to cow teat between a milking phase and a rest phase. The invention (41) monitors the operation of the pulsator to determine if the pulsator is operating satisfactorily. The invention records data during a calibration mode from the pulsator in normal operation. The data that is recorded is the duration of the miling phase and the rest phase and the assocated pressures. During pulsator operation, the invention measures the pulsation between atmospheric and vacuum pressures provided to the milking claw and compares this measured data to the recorded calibraton data. If the pulsator is not found to be operating within predetermined tolerances, then an indication of a pulsator malfunction is provided, typically in the form of a light located in the milking pen. This indicates to the milking crew that the pulsator requires attention and should not be used until properly fixed
Abstract:
A pulsator (23) provides alternating vacuum pressure and atmospheric pressure to an elastomeric liner (35) in a sleeve (13) of a milking claw (11) in a diary barn. The purpose of pulsation is to alternate to cow teat between a milking phase and a rest phase. The invention (41) monitors the operation of the pulsator to determine if the pulsator is operating satisfactorily. The invention records data during a calibration mode from the pulsator in normal operation. The data that is recorded is the duration of the miling phase and the rest phase and the assocated pressures. During pulsator operation, the invention measures the pulsation between atmospheric and vacuum pressures provided to the milking claw and compares this measured data to the recorded calibraton data. If the pulsator is not found to be operating within predetermined tolerances, then an indication of a pulsator malfunction is provided, typically in the form of a light located in the milking pen. This indicates to the milking crew that the pulsator requires attention and should not be used until properly fixed
Abstract:
An apparatus (10) for gripping the teat of an animal assisting in drawing milk therefrom. The apparatus (10) includes a housing and more than one constricting element (14a-c) arranged in the housing so that the constricting elements (14a-c), which are operable in both constricting (14a-c) and non-constricting modes, periodically constrict the teat. The apparatus (10) further includes means for switching the constricting elements (14a-c) back and forth between non-constricting and constricting modes. The apparatus (10) includes a controller (56) in communication with the means for switching, which in accordance with a predetermined timing and spatial sequence controls the periodic switching of the constricting elements (14a-c) from constricting to non-constricting modes and vice-versa. A system including such a gripping apparatus (10) for drawing milk from the teat of an animal is also taught. Similarly, a method for milking an animal which imitates hand milking and does not employ a vacuum system is described.
Abstract:
A pulsator (23) provides alternating vacuum pressure and atmospheric pressure to an elastomeric liner (35) in a sleeve (13) of a milking claw (11) in a diary barn. The purpose of pulsation is to alternate to cow teat between a milking phase and a rest phase. The invention (41) monitors the operation of the pulsator to determine if the pulsator is operating satisfactorily. The invention records data during a calibration mode from the pulsator in normal operation. The data that is recorded is the duration of the miling phase and the rest phase and the assocated pressures. During pulsator operation, the invention measures the pulsation between atmospheric and vacuum pressures provided to the milking claw and compares this measured data to the recorded calibraton data. If the pulsator is not found to be operating within predetermined tolerances, then an indication of a pulsator malfunction is provided, typically in the form of a light located in the milking pen. This indicates to the milking crew that the pulsator requires attention and should not be used until properly fixed
Abstract:
A system for identifying a ruminant, which is being milked. The system includes a transmitter (20) attached to a hind leg (70) of the ruminant and the transmitter transmits a predefined signal, which identifies the ruminant to which the transmitter is attached. The system includes at least one teat cup (40) on which is attached an antenna (30) to receive the signal with which to identify the animal. The teat cup is positionable on the ruminant's teat. A method for using the system is taught as is a teat cup (40) having an antenna (30) fixed thereon.
Abstract:
C'est une sonde amovible pour trayon constituée d'une canalisation principale (8) destinée à être introduite dans le sinus du trayon, ledit sinus du trayon étant obstrué par un sphincter au niveau de son extrémité inférieure. Cette sonde présente une longueur suffisante pour déboucher dans la citerne de la mamelle et hors du trayon, et en ce qu'elle se prolonge au niveau de son extrémité supérieure par au moins deux brins (9) destinés à s'écarter de la direction principale de la canalisation principale (8) et corollairement de prendre appui sur la paroi interne de la citerne de la mamelle.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to modular apparatuses for manipulation of animals and to methods of manipulating animals with the modular apparatuses of the invention. A modular apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: (a) a main support fixed to a stationary point, (b) a number of arms, each of said arms comprising a proximal end and a distal end, each changeable arm having a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein said proximal end is pivotally mounted to the main support for rotation thereof about a first pivot axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and (c) one or more end of arm changeable tools, wherein said one or more end of arm changeable tools are pivotally coupled to the distal ends of each arm for rotation thereof about a second pivot axis, wherein the second pivot axis is substantially parallel to the first pivot axis.