Abstract: An apparatus for automatically milking animals, such as cows, wherein the milking parlor contains a feeding apparatus for providing, in particular, concentrate. The apparatus has at least one hopper for storing the feed and at least one metering unit for metering the feed from the hopper into at least one conveyor channel. From the conveyor channel, the feed is received by a manger. The feeding apparatus comprises several embodiments of cleaning devices for preventing the conveyor channel from collecting undesired substances that may contaminate or clog the channel or cause both problems. The cleaning device may be an air blower which blows air through perforations in the wall of the conveyor channel towards the manger, the perforations being in the form of lamellae. Also an air blower may move air through a channel which debouches proximate the manger.

Abstract: Mower-conditioner comprising a mower (1) suspended vertically displaceable on a main frame (10) and a conditioner (2) following the mower (1), adjustably linked to the main frame (10). In order to improve the functioning, particularly the ground adaptation of the mower-conditioner while lessening the construction effort, it is proposed according to the invention that the conditioner (2) be movably coupled via at least one coupling member (19) to the mower (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning and/or disinfecting a teat of an animal immediately prior to or subsequent to the milking operation. The device comprises a teat receiving cup having a plurality of spray nozzles disposed on its upper side which are connected to receive cleansing fluid or disinfectant or both under pressure and capacity control to spray the animal's teats. The spray nozzles and supply lines thereto are affixed to the teat receiving cup so that the nozzles are pointed obliquely upwardly towards the center line of the teat receiving cup. The supply lines, including a distribution member for dividing fluid being conducted to the spray nozzles, is connected to the teat receiving cup by means of an elastic stocking or a shrink stocking.

Abstract: An apparatus for milking animals, such as cows, which comprises a milking compartment including a milking robot for automatically connecting teat cups to the teats of an animal to be milked in the compartment and automatically milking the animal. The apparatus is additionally provided with a milk container for receiving the milk from the animal. In at least one milk line and preferably in each of the milk lines, an auxiliary reservoir is disposed between the teat cups and the milk container. A fixed quantity of milk, in particular the foremilk, usually obtained at the commencement of the milking process, is collected in the auxiliary reservoir. Milk obtained thereafter is primarily guided to the milk container.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically milking animals in a milking compartment by means of teat cups on a robot arm that also includes a sensing device for locating the teats of the animal to be milked. The robot arm is automatically positioned longitudinally under the animal to be milked and includes a cleaning element which is connected thereto by a further arm member that can pivot relative to the robot arm about substantially horizontal and vertical axes. The cleaning member is pivotable from a position for cleaning the animal's teats to a further position displaced therefrom. The cleaning member includes a cover plate thereunder which is disposed under the cleaning member and above the teat cups mounted on the robot arm when in position for cleaning the animal's teats. The cleaning member comprises motor rotated parallel horizontal profiled spaced apart rollers and a spraying device is provided on the cleaning member for moistening the rollers.

Abstract: A quantity meter for determining the quantity of liquid flowing through a line is provided with at least two electrically conducting elements arranged in the line spaced from each other and being in communication with an electronic circuit. This electronic circuit determines the quantity of liquid which has flowed through the line on the basis of the electric conductivity of the liquid, the length of the interval of time during which a unit of milk passes between the two electrically conducting elements, the distance between the electrically conducting elements, the rate of flow of the liquid and the specific electrical resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus for milking animals, such as cows, comprising at least one milking parlor including at least one milking robot for automatically connecting teat cups to the teats of an animal to be milked, automatically milking this animal, and automatically disconnecting the teat cups from the animal's teats. The apparatus is further provided with at least two detectors for determining the positions of the animal's teats, which detectors are fixedly mounted relative to the milking parlor so as to be movable in their own housings whereby they each scan a sector which includes the foremost teats of the animal. Each detector is protected by a dome-shaped filter which is transparent to signals received by the detectors for locating the animal's teats. A spray cleaning device mounted on a framework defining the milking parlor selectively sprays a fluid to clean each dome-shaped filter.