Abstract: A teatcup includes a sleeve, a teacup liner provided in the sleeve, and a milk receptacle including a milk space. An inlet channel extends between an inner space of the teatcup liner and the milk space for conveying milk from a teat into the milk space. An outlet channel extends from the milk space and is connectable to a milk conduit for conveying the milk in a milk flow from the milk space. A gas supply channel conveys a gas into the milk space for promoting the milk flow. The gas supply channel has an inlet communicating with a gas source, and an outlet into the milk space. The milk space is partly delimited by a side wall. The gas supply channel extends within the side wall and along a surface of the side wall.

Abstract: A system for storing and cooling milk includes a cooling tank to store milk, a first sensor monitoring the filling level of milk in the cooling tank, and a cooling system cooling the milk in the cooling tank including a cooling device, a second sensor, and a control device. The cooling device includes an evaporator, a varying-capacity modulated scroll compressor connected with its suction side to the evaporator, a condenser connected to the high pressure side of the compressor, and an expansion valve interconnected between the condenser and the evaporator. The second sensor monitors a parameter indicative of the pressure at the suction side of the compressor. The control device is operatively connected to the first sensor to receive the monitored filling level, the second sensor to receive the monitored parameter, and the compressor to control the capacity thereof in response to the monitored filling level and the monitored parameter.

Abstract: An animal hoof cleaning system that includes an automatic milking station, an automatic spraying device configured to clean at least one hoof of an animal housed in the automatic milking station by spraying a fluid towards the at least one hoof, a control unit that controls the operation of the automatic spraying device, and detecting means that detects a milking state wherein all the teats of the animal are enclosed in respective teat cups, where the control unit is configured to control the operation of the automatic spraying device on basis of information from the detecting means such that the automatic spraying device sprays on the hoof of the animal only when the detecting means detects the milking state.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus for testing a milking point of a milking machine includes sensors for measuring fluid-transport related parameters, including various pressure levels and/or flow values relating to a set of teatcups includes a controllable valve and a set of test tubes. Each test tube is configured to be attached to one teatcup, where the controllable valve selectively arranges a particular one of the test tubes for measurement of at least one parameter via one of the sensors in response to a control signal. The measurements are performed while all the teatcups are simultaneously attached to the test tubes and an external vacuum pressure is applied either on a milk-line side of the controllable valve or on a side opposite to the milk-line side relative to the controllable valve.

Abstract: A rotary milking parlor arrangement comprising an annular platform rotatably arranged around a rotary axis, a plurality of milking stalls arranged on the platform, a stationary floor surface surrounded by an inner edge portion of the annular platform. The floor surface is provided at a lower elevation than the platform surrounding it, such that a vertical opening is formed to a space under the platform between the edge portion of the platform and the floor surface. Modular units, located in the space under the platform, comprise a front wall element closing a part of said vertical opening, the modular units configured to be attached to a lower surface of the platform and to house at least one milking component in the space under the platform.

Abstract: A method of controlling an animal forage handling arrangement that includes a first forage dispensing arrangement having a first conveyor, a first separator adapted to separate and distribute forage, and a first dispensing end portion and a first loading end portion. The arrangement further includes a control unit, the control unit adapted to control a driving of the first conveyor and includes a first forage presence sensor arranged at the first loading end portion. The method includes starting the first conveyor to move an upper side of the first conveyor towards the first loading end portion, and, to prepare the first conveyor to be loaded with forage, stopping the first conveyor when a loading condition is fulfilled.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a flow of milk includes a first and a second refrigeration system; a first and a second intermediate coolant circulating system; and a line manifold interconnectable between the first and second intermediate coolant circulating systems, wherein coolant in the first intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the first refrigeration system in a first heat exchange section and coolant in the second intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the second refrigeration system in a second heat exchange section. The cooling system is reconfigurable between first operation configuration providing two-stage cooling of the flow of milk and a second operation configuration providing one-stage cooling of the flow of milk.

Abstract: A support arm assembly for milking equipment is disclosed which includes a pivotable support arm and a stationary arm suspension configured to support the pivotable support arm. The pivotable support arm includes an elongated arm member configured to support a milking cluster of the milking equipment at a distal end portion thereof. The elongated arm member is pivotable in a first direction and an opposite second direction in a substantially horizontal plane. The support arm assembly also includes a holding device configured to maintain the elongated arm member in a first pivotal position when the elongated arm member is subjected to a pivotal force smaller than a threshold force. Further a milking parlor is disclosed.

Abstract: Germicidal compositions and methods of using the same in the prevention and treatment of various hoof diseases are provided. The germicidal compositions generally comprise formic acid, at least one C2-C10 carboxylic acid, and one or more anionic surfactants, such as an ?-olefin sulfonate. The germicidal compositions may be applied topically to the hooves of an animal through various means including the use of footbaths.

Abstract: A rotatable livestock brush has a rotation axis and a brush surface configured to be brought into contact with a contact region of a body of a livestock animal. The brush surface includes at least a first region having first pressure-transfer properties, and a second region having second pressure-transfer properties which differ from the first pressure-transfer properties. A plane at a right angle to the rotation axis intersects both the first and second regions. The brush has a cylinder shape with a central cylinder axis. The rotation axis is eccentric and in a position which differs from a position of the central cylinder axis. Upon rotation, the brush massages the body of the livestock animal in the contact region thereof by transferring the varying pressures onto the body of the animal by successively bringing the first and second brush surface regions into contact with the body of the animal.

Abstract: A test device includes a fluid flow conduit, an air flow regulator, a pressure sensor, an air flow meter, and a control unit automatically controlling the air flow regulator on basis of a measurement performed by the pressure sensor or the air flow meter; controlling the air flow regulator and the pressure sensor or the air flow meter such that a closed loop sequence in which either the measured pressure or the measured air flow rate is used as the basis for changing the air flow rate by control of the air flow regulator until the moment in which the measured pressure or measured air flow rate reaches a predetermined value; and automatically initiating measurement operation of the other one of the pressure sensor or air flow meter when the measured pressure or measured air flow rate measured in the closed loop reaches the predetermined value.

Abstract: A teat cleaning cup (130) for cleaning a teat (120) includes a teat cleaner (300) having an inner body (270) forming a central cavity (280) for enclosing the teat (120), the inner body (270) including an inner surface (271), an outer surface (272), and a set of apertures (275) extending from the outer surface (272) to the inner surface (271); an exterior part (220) enclosing the inner body (270); a set of channels (291, 292), which set of channels (291, 292) connects to the set of apertures (275); a lower part (230) removably attached to the teat cleaner (300), which lower part (230) includes at least one cleaning liquid valve (240, 260), and a drain (250); and a seal (235) configured to distribute liquid from the cleaning liquid valve (240, 260) into the set of channels (291, 292).

Abstract: A teatcup and a cartridge insertable into a connector of the teatcup to be attached to the teat of an animal to be milked are disclosed. The cartridge includes an elongated sleeve, having an upper end section and a lower end section, and a teatcup liner pre-mounted in the elongated sleeve. The teatcup liner includes an upper end portion located at the upper end section, a lower end portion located at the lower end section, and a barrel portion extending between the upper end portion and the lower end portion. The elongated sleeve includes three separate primary hook members provided circumferentially after each other on an outer surface of the elongated sleeve. Each primary hook member has a lower slide surface sloping upwardly and outwardly, and an upper hook surface extending inwardly.

Abstract: A rotatable livestock brush has a rotation axis and a brush surface configured to be brought into contact with a contact region of a body of a livestock animal. The brush surface includes at least a first region having first pressure-transfer properties, and a second region having second pressure-transfer properties which differ from the first pressure-transfer properties. A plane at a right angle to the rotation axis intersects both the first and second regions. The brush has a cylinder shape with a central cylinder axis. The rotation axis is eccentric and in a position which differs from a position of the central cylinder axis. Upon rotation, the brush massages the body of the livestock animal in the contact region thereof by transferring the varying pressures onto the body of the animal by successively bringing the first and second brush surface regions into contact with the body of the animal.

Abstract: A cleaning system for an automatic milking system includes a water supply arrangement alternatively serving first and second cleaning arrangements. The first cleaning arrangement is configured, in milking mode, to clean the teat cups of the automatic milking system and/or the teats of milking animals prior to being milked. The first cleaning arrangement includes at least one cleaning module, at least one feed line interconnecting the cleaning module with a tank, and a feed pump for feeding water from the tank to the cleaning module. The second cleaning arrangement is configured, in system cleaning mode, to clean the automatic milking system and includes a detergent supply system connected to the tank for supplying detergent to the tank, and a supply line interconnecting the tank with the automatic milking system allowing the cleaning liquid to be supplied to the automatic milking system.

Abstract: A milk sampling device includes a housing forming an inner space, an inlet opening to the inner space, a deflector member with an upper surface mounted in the inner space of the housing in a position vertically below the inlet opening, a flow passage formed between a periphery edge portion of the deflector member and an inner surface of the housing, and a milk sampling passage provided with an opening which constitutes a part of the flow passage. The upper surface of the deflector member comprises a plurality of a upwardly extending members arranged at a distance from each other in the vicinity of the periphery edge portion of the deflector member such that flow channels are formed between adjacent upwardly extending members.