Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for milking animals, in which the milk is removed is conveyed though a filter element. Any material which is deposited on the filter element is detected and, if appropriate, identified. After detection is complete, the direction of flow through the filter element is reversed, so that filter material is rinsed clean. The invention also comprises a contamination meter for user in die device and method mentioned above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for the automatic milking of animals. The animals enter the milking stall (5) from a gathering area (A) via an access path (B). The milking stall comprises a feeding device (7) and automatic milking equipment (6). After they have been milked, the animals leave the milking stall via an exit path (C) and move to the living area (D). According to the invention, a feeding stall (20) for supplying an amount of feed which is determined by the control system is incorporated in the exit path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for milking animals, in which the milk which is removed is conveyed through a filter element. Any material which is deposited on the filter element is detected and, if appropriate, identified. After detection is complete, the direction of flow through the filter element is reversed, so that the filter material is rinsed clean. The invention also comprises a contamination meter for user in the device and method mentioned above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device for use, for example, in an automatic milking device and, in particular, for detecting the positions of the teats of an animal which is to be milked. The sensor device comprises a number of radiation sources which generate non-divergent radiation beams which have different positions and/or directions which are known in the control unit. The reflections from the irradiated object are detected using detectors, and there are means for distinguishing between the reflections from the various radiation sources, so that the control unit is able to establish the position of the object.

Abstract: A device for preparing cleaning liquid in a buffer vessel, which can be used to clean a milking device. The cleaning agent is supplied as a powder, possibly in tablet form, and is metered into a mixing vessel which may form part of the buffer vessel. Consequently, the cleaning liquid is easier to prepare, since there is less risk of spilling the aggressive substances, and the packaging can easily be thrown away.

Abstract: A device is provided for the automatic milking of animals. The device includes milk cups with an inner wall which at the topside possibly encloses an upper chamber and at the bottom continues as a milkline provided during milking with underpressure. The upper chamber and possibly the milkline are connected with one or more uninterrupted lines with an air supply. By supplying air to the topside of the milk cup during milking, the milk cup does not creep upward during milking to prevent the milk cup pinching the milk supply to the teats.

Abstract: A device for milking an animal is controlled by a control system connected to sensors for detecting the position of the animal and the position of various components of the device. Each sensor and the control system are coupled via a transducer which is located at a different position from the sensor. Each sensor and the transducer are electrically insulated from one another.

Abstract: A device and a method for milking of animals is provided in which the teatcups are mounted on a milk rack and the milk rack can be moved with a positioning system in such a way that the teatcups are brought one after the other under a teat of the animals, whereafter the teatcups are brought upwards around the teat. For controlling the movements of the positioning system, a sensor system is used that can follow the position of a reference teat. A detection field of the sensor system is movable with regard to the milk rack in a direction similar to the breadth direction of the animal to be milked.

Abstract: A device for milking animals having at least two milking stalls which are each provided with a movable entrance gate, a movable exit gate and a first spurring device to drive the animals out of the milking stalls, and a passageway along the entrance gates and the exit gates. The passageway is provided with a second spurring device for spurring on the animals in the passageway so that the milking stalls are quickly accessible again for the following animals and so that the capacity of the device is increased.

Abstract: A cleaning device is provided for cleaning a teat of an animal. The cleaning device has a housing with a first wall, a second wall and teat receiving passage. The first wall is spaced from the second wall to form a space between the first and second walls. An outlet opening is formed in the device in flow communication with the teat receiving passage and the space between the first and second walls. A feed conduit is in flow communication with the space between the first and second walls for supplying a cleaning medium to the cleaning device. A flow guiding member is located in the space to guide the flow of cleaning medium through the space to the outlet opening. The first and second walls preferably include spaced apart flanges extending substantially parallel to each other to form the outlet opening.

Abstract: A device and method for the automatic milking of animals is disclosed. The device includes at least two milking stalls that are positioned one after the other in a lengthwise direction. The stalls are provided on one of the long sides with an entrance door and exit door, each movable with a drive device. Animals can walk via the exit door and a passageway out of the milking stall to an accommodation area. The access to the second and subsequent stalls crosses the passageway. The device further includes an access gate through which the entrance door of the milking stalls is directly accessible from the waiting area.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for automatic milking animals. The device includes comprising inter alia one or more milking stalls each provided with an entrance gate and an exit gate, a control system for controlling the automatically milking of the animal, a waiting area where the animals are waiting before entering the milking stalls and an exit area, connected to the exit gate of a milking stall, wherein a switchable gate is provided for connecting a milking stall with the waiting area so the cow can, after the exit gate is opened, walk to either the waiting area or the exit area and which area is available to her will depend on whether the milking has been finished successfully.

Abstract: A method and a device for surveying animal functions by means of an animal manipulating apparatus such as a milking device, in particular a milking robot, provided with animal guiding members, animal contacting elements and/or animal nursing elements, wherein a programmable control system is used to control said elements in order to subject the animal to a predetermined sequence of operations, that is for instance, positioning, applying of teat cups, milking and subsequent or simultaneous feeding, checking the specific animal behaviour and removing the animal, wherein the operations to which the animal is subjected are programmed in respect of time and that at least one warning signal is generated by the control system if a time determined in the program for an operation is exceeded or not attained, in order to detect non-function or aberrant functions of the animal.

Abstract: A device and method for automatic milking of animals. The device includes one or more milking stalls provided with an entrance gate and an exit gate, a lying and walking area, a feeding and watering area, and an access gate having a first identification system which is coupled to a control system for controlling the device. The access gate can alternatingly clear a passage for an animal from the walking area to a milking stall or to the feeding and watering space. A waiting area is incorporated between the access gate and the entrance gate.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling a milking processing system wherein milk is extracted at each teat of a mammal, such as a cow, and subsequently stored for a longer period. Prior to storing of the milk, it is at least partially or wholly filtered in the connecting conduit to the storage. The filter with any residue which may have remained behind thereon is carried outside the conduit and subsequently detected. A control signal is generated based on a predetermined quantity or quality of the residue of the animal, such that diverse control functions can be started on the basis of varying signals.

Abstract: Milking cups are attached to the teats of the female animal by positioning the milking cups relative to at least one teat by means of a control system responsive to a first sensor. The relative position of the teats in a substantially horizontal plane is determined by a second sensor and the milking cups are attached one after another while the at least one teat is continually sensed by the first sensor.

Abstract: An automatic milking device employs a robot arm, a sensor and a control system for searching for, finding and following the teats on the cow's udder. The control system employs a model to provide corrected position information for comparison with sensed position information so that a selection may be made based upon stored criteria.

Abstract: A milking cup comprising a flexible member provided with an opening for a teat on the top part thereof and pulling mechanism which is movable from a rest position in order to exert a pulling force on the flexible member for the purpose of enlarging the opening therein, wherein the flexible member is fixed to the pulling means, such that the pulling force engages at least partly evenly along the periphery of the flexible member.