Abstract: A milking device and method for removing a teat cup from a teat of an animal are disclosed. The teat cup has a teat space for containing a teat and is connected via a milk tube to a vacuum source for generating a milking vacuum. A drawing-away device is provided for drawing the teat cup away from the animal only after a vacuum-lowering device has lowered the milking vacuum in the teat space below a threshold value. The level of vacuum may be measured by means of a vacuum sensor.

Abstract: A fluid-applying device for applying a fluid to a teat of a dairy animal. The fluid-applying device comprises a fluid detector for determining a fluid application pattern of the fluid on the teat of the dairy animal. The fluid detector comprises a computer loaded with comparing software for comparing the determined fluid application pattern with a previously stored reference criterion, for emitting a comparison signal which is indicative of the comparison result, and for determining the teat length, the tip of the teat, and the fluid application distance, measured from the tip of the teat, over which the fluid has been applied to the teat, and for emitting a fluid signal comprising data in relation to the determined fluid application distance. The reference criterion may be a threshold distance with which the determined fluid application distance is compared.

Abstract: A method of automatically milking a dairy animal by means of an automatic milking device includes successively the steps of: a) automatic connection of a first teat cup to a first teat of the dairy animal b) pushing away the first teat cup connected to the first teat, and c) automatic connection of a second teat cup to a second teat of the dairy animal alter the first teat cap has been connected to the first teat.

Abstract: An assembly for feeding and milking animals comprises a feeding system with a movable feed platform and a drive unit for driving the feed platform. The feed platform is provided with a number of feeding places. The assembly further comprises a milking system for automatically milking animals on the feed platform, which milking system comprises sets of teat cups. At least a large number of the sets of teat cups is disposed separately from the feed platform.

Abstract: An assembly for feeding and milking animals. The assembly is provided with a feeding system comprising a movable feed platform and a drive unit for driving the feed platform, a number of feeding places being provided on the feed platform. The assembly also includes a milking system for, in particular automatically, milking animals on the feed platform, which milking system comprises a number of sets of teat cups. An area where the animals are allowed to move freely communicates via an entrance with the feed platform, the width of the entrance being sufficiently large to enable simultaneous access of several animals to the feed platform. The entrance is free from a closing device.

Abstract: A device for determining the teat positions of a dairy animal after milking. The device is provided with at least one position-measuring device for determining a position of a teat prior to the milking of the dairy animal and for emitting a position signal corresponding to the teat position. The position-measuring device generates individual teat position signals and a control unit determines on the basis of the teat position signals determined before the milking, planes of symmetry extending substantially parallel to the teats. The expected positions are calculated with respect to the planes of symmetry.

Abstract: A milking installation comprises a compressed air system with a compressed air line, a pneumatically controllable cylinder and a compressed air pump for supplying compressed air for the cylinder. The compressed air system comprises a dew point sensor for measuring the dew point of the compressed air and for emitting a dew point signal that is representative of the dew point. The milking installation may comprise or form part of a milking robot for automatically connecting teat cups to the teats of a dairy animal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for the measurement of properties of a material to be measured, in particular of the moisture content of agricultural harvested products such as hay, straw, or wilted silage, with a moisture sensor element (22, 49, 54, 62, 65) and at least one further sensor element for the detection of other material properties. In order to improve the measuring device it is proposed according to the invention that the further sensor element (23, 50, 58, 64, 66) is suitable for the measurement of the compression force exerted by the material to be measured on the moisture sensor element (22, 49, 54, 62, 65), or of a force corresponding to this compression force at another measuring point.

Abstract: A teat cup carrier is designed to be able to co-operate with a feed platform, which teat cup carrier is freely movable relative to the feed platform. The teat cup carrier carries, besides teat cups, further milking elements for milking an animal, the further milking elements including at least a milk storage vessel for storing milk, a milking vacuum source and a pulsation vacuum source. The milk storage vessel is provided with a milk outlet. The freely movable teat cup carrier is in particular a self-propelled (autonomous) mobile teat-cup-carrying robot and comprises a control unit for controlling the functioning of the mobile teat-cup-carrying robot.

Abstract: A method of performing an animal related action on an animal by means of a robot arm is disclosed. The method includes carrying out measurements on the animal by means of a sensor for locating at least one animal part, generating, on the basis of the measurements, a list of data each corresponding to a possible animal part, comparing the data on the list with historical data regarding at least one animal part, assigning to each of the data on the list, on the basis of the comparison, a probability value for actual correspondence with at least one animal part, selecting as target position that possible target position that corresponds to the data on the list having the highest probability value and moving the robot arm to the target position which corresponds to the animal part found and performing there the animal related action.

Abstract: An assembly for performing an agricultural operation, in particular crop processing. The assembly is provided with an autonomous agricultural machine that is movable over a parcel for performing the agricultural operation and with a control unit for controlling the functioning of the autonomous agricultural machine. The control unit is provided with a memory containing sound-standard data. The control unit controls the functioning of the autonomous agricultural machine with the aid of the sound-standard data. An autonomous agricultural machine for performing the agricultural operation. The autonomous agricultural machine is provided with a control unit for controlling the functioning of the autonomous agricultural machine, with a position-determining system for determining the momentary position of the agricultural machine in the parcel, and with a sound meter. The control unit is provided with a memory containing sound-standard data.

Abstract: A device for milking animals is provided with at least two milking robots, each for automatically connecting at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal. Each milking robot is provided with a milking vacuum unit for generating a milking vacuum for milking an animal. The device is provided wit a common ring line and wit a controllable, central vacuum system for generating a vacuum with a first pressure on the common ring line. Each milking vacuum unit is connected to the ring line via a passage, a control device being provided for controlling the size of the passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping harvested crop material into bales wherein the wrapping material web is drawn off from a wrapping media supply which rotates about a vertical axis while, at the same time, the bale rotates about a horizontal axis. A sensor is provided which signals a tear in the wrapping media web or the absence of material media. The sensor may be optical ultrasonic or sense electromagnetic radiations of different frequency ranges, as appropriate for the media of which the wrapping media involved. A position sensor is provided which activates an evaluation of signals from the sensor that a signal is produced when the web tears or is absent.

Abstract: A robot arm construction is provided with a robot arm for carrying a teat cup, which robot arm can be pivoted under the udder of the animal. The robot arm construction is provided with a first robot arm construction portion, a second robot arm construction portion, a first horizontal axis for enabling a pivoting movement of the first robot arm construction portion, and a second horizontal axis by means of which the second robot arm construction portion is pivotably connected to the first robot arm construction portion. The robot arm is connected to the second robot arm construction portion.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a milk tank. The device is provided with a monitoring unit comprising a computer and a memory for at least temporarily storing data, a thermometer for measuring the temperature of a fluid present in the milk tank, and for supplying to the monitoring unit a temperature signal that is indicative of the measured temperature, and with a meter for measuring an electrical parameter, such as the conductivity, of the fluid present in the milk tank and for supplying to the monitoring unit a parameter signal that is indicative of the measured electrical parameter.

Abstract: A system for performing a first and a second agricultural operation on an agricultural parcel. The system is provided with a first autonomous agricultural machine for performing the first agricultural operation, with a second autonomous agricultural machine for performing the second agricultural operation, a control-unit for controlling the agricultural operations to be performed, the control-unit being suitable for subdividing the agricultural parcel into at least a first and a second parcel portion, and for first performing the first and the second agricultural operations on the first parcel portion, and subsequently on the second parcel portion.

Abstract: A device for automatically milking an animal, which device is provided with a milking robot, a computer for controlling the operation of the device, a measuring device for performing measurements on milk obtained from an animal, at least two teat cups, and a common milk line for discharging milk coming from the at least two teat cups, each teat cup being connected via a teat cup line to the common milk line. The device is provided with a milk-determining element for determining the teat cup from which comes the milk present in the common milk line and for emitting a determination signal. The measuring device comprises a common sensor for performing measurements on milk obtained from an animal and for emitting a measurement signal. The common sensor is disposed in the common milk line. The computer is suitable for combining the measurement signal and the determination signal.

Abstract: A robot arm construction is provided with a robot arm for carrying a teat cup, which robot arm can be pivoted under the udder of the animal. The robot arm construction is provided with a first robot arm construction portion, a second robot arm construction portion, a first horizontal axis for enabling a pivoting movement of the first robot arm construction portion, and a second horizontal axis by means of which the second robot arm construction portion is pivotably connected to the first robot arm construction portion. The robot arm is connected to the second robot arm construction portion.

Abstract: A service network including a service provider, technical installations and users, at least some of the users being trained to carry out different service actions on the technical installations. The service network is adapted to store data for each user concerning the particular service actions which that user is trained to carry out; the level of competence which that user has in carrying out the service actions and the geographical location of each user and/or technical installation. In response to a service action request from a requesting user or technical installation, the service network determines the geographically closest user having the required level of competence to carry out the requested service action and issues an authorization. The service network and method are particularly well adapted to the provision of service to automatic milking robots.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the cleaning of a milk line during a cleaning cycle is disclosed. The device is provided with a monitoring-unit comprising a computer and a memory for storing data at least temporarily, with a thermometer for measuring the temperature of a fluid that is present or has been present in the milk line and for supplying to the monitoring-unit a temperature signal that is indicative of the measured temperature, and with a comparing device for determining whether the measured temperature is higher than a predetermined threshold temperature, the comparing device being suitable for determining the first point of time when the measured temperature has come above the threshold temperature for the first time during a cleaning cycle, and for determining the last point of time when the measured temperature has come above the threshold temperature for the last time during the same cleaning cycle.