Abstract: The invention relates to a milk collecting device and a method for operating a milk collecting device, comprising a milk collecting vessel with an inlet and a controllable outlet and a measuring device, said measuring device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode at a separation from the first electrode, a power supply electrically connected to both electrodes and a measuring device for recording an electrical parameter. The power supply is connected to two connection points on the first electrode at a separation from each other such as to be in parallel with relation to the first electrode and connected to the second electrode by the measuring device in order to determine a characteristic measure for the filling level of a liquid in the milk collecting vessel.

Abstract: A safety valve for use in a dairy backflushing and dipping system. The safety valve is situated on or near a milker unit to seal and protect downstream dairy milk lines from teat dip and cleaning fluids that are fed through the safety valve to upstream milker unit components. All of the fluids, including dip, cleansers, water, and air pass through and are controlled by the safety valve.

Abstract: A dipping device for a milking system, especially for an automatic milking system designed as a milking robot with teat cups to be placed onto the teats of an animal to be milked, which is designed for contacting the teats of the animal with at least one fluid or several fluids, and the device has several dipping valve arrangements so that the dipping agent introduction to each teat of the animal can be controlled separately.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding door system, comprising at least one sliding door, wherein a guide rail is provided in the vehicle body in the vicinity of the door opening. A guiding element can be displaced along the guide rail, the element being connected to the sliding door via a retaining arm. The sliding door system has a power conducting unit, which is formed by members connected to each other in an articulated manner for receiving and guiding at least one line, which extends from a stationary connection on a vehicle body to a connecting element. The power conducting unit can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. The guide rail overlaps the power conducting unit at least in some regions.

Abstract: A method for determining the quality of milk wherein a sample is examined and the type of at least one detected object is determined on the basis of at least one object recognition rule.

Abstract: An embedment tile with a replaceable upper plate and a lower plate joined by fasteners in a manner that permits replacement of the upper plate when desired. The embedment tile upper plate comprises a plate having a pattern of upwardly extending projections on its upper surface forming a tactilely detectable pattern.

Abstract: The device for measuring the mass flow of a foaming fluid, in particular of milk during milking, comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a measuring device for determining the mass flow. The housing is structured such that mixing the foam portion with the liquid portion of the fluid can be achieved. To this end, the inlet runs substantially tangentially into the housing interior.

Abstract: A chain link for an energy drag chain that guides conduits, tubes or the like between a stationary point of connection and a mobile point of connection. The chain link includes a cross piece and two spaced-apart link plates. The cross piece is connected to at least one link plate in an articulated manner and the connection between the cross piece and link plate can be a multi-axis connection.

Abstract: A power transmission device is proposed especially for long pathways, which comprises at least one energy supply unit composed of members, which are linked together around axes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the energy supply unit, wherein a first end of the energy supply unit can be fixed locally and the second end can be moved at least in the longitudinal direction. The energy supply unit forms an upper run and a lower run, whereby between these at least one cart is arranged, which can be moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the energy supply unit. This cart has a base body, which is connected to a return motion device. The return motion device is formed at least partially by at least on curved guide channel, so that the energy supply unit is guided in the curved region.

Abstract: Disclosed is an embedment tile for producing a tactilely detectable surface in a moldable material and method for using same. The tile comprises a tile member having a pattern of upwardly extending projections on its upper surface forming a tactilely detectable pattern, and a cross beam joined to the lower surface of the tile member. The cross beam defines a hollow chamber and apertures to allow for the release of air and inflow of moldable material to secure the embedment tile when the moldable material hardens. The cross beam can define a lower open portion at a cross beam end portion that eases installation by permitting a more direct flow path into the chamber for moldable material. The embedment tile can also include a reinforcing member joined to the lower surface of the tile member and/or a transverse reinforcing member joined to a lower surface of the tile member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for pasteurizing milk and colostrum for feeding to calves. The system includes a vat for storing milk or colostrum, a circulation pump and piping system, a heat exchanger for adjusting and/or maintaining milk temperature, and an ultraviolet light pasteurizing unit (“UV reactor”) that treats the milk without damaging important immunoglobulins.

Abstract: A milker unit liner dome having an inner surface and flow diverters joined to the inner surface to redirect teat dip from an inlet to provide more uniform coverage of dip on a teat. The liner dome can also include more than one flow diverter for redirecting teat dip flow.

Abstract: A milking machine teat cup liner having a dome and a barrel, and the barrel has an upper transition portion and a lower square portion. The transition section mates with the round cross-section of the dome and the square cross-section of the lower square portion to provide superior vacuum seal with less irritation and damage to teat tissue.

Abstract: For the determination of the occupancy of a milking stall by an animal, in particular a cow, in a rotary milking parlor with a plurality of milking stalls which are disposed on a rotatable milking platform, a process is proposed in which the identification of the animal only takes place after it has entered the milking stall in which it is supposed to be milked.

Abstract: An exercise machine includes a pair of support members having front ends connected to a crank unit for turning along with the crank unit and rear ends moving along a reciprocating path due to the guidance of a pair of guide members. A pair of foot members are each mounted on the respective support member. Each foot member moves through a substantially elliptical path, and each foot member at least partially overhangs the other foot member during at least a portion of travel along the substantially elliptical path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power conducting system comprising at least one power conducting unit (1) for conducting wires, cables, tubes, or similar items between a static and a mobile connection region by forming a curved section (6). The power conducting unit is formed by segments (3) connected together in a jointed manner and is conducted along a road in a conducting system. The conducting system has multiple first and second conducting elements (7,8). The first conducting elements (7) are arranged in a first plane, and the second conducting elements (8), in a second plane, spaced apart from each other. First elements (9) are arranged on some segments of the power conducting unit, and second elements (10) are arranged alternately on other segments. The first elements work together with the first conducting elements, and the second elements, with the second conducting elements.

Abstract: The novel antimicrobial composition is disclosed including from about 60 to 95% of a lipophilic polar solvent such as propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, or isopropanol and from about 0.5 to 5% of a mixture of C8 to C14 fatty acids. Other constituents of the present invention may include water, an alcohol (such as ethanol or propanol) or a mixture thereof. Also disclosed is a novel method of killing harmful microbes on the udder of a milk-producing animal using the above-mentioned composition.

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: The present invention is related generally to hoists, and more particularly to a hoist system for safely raising, storing, and lowering loads.