Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a sampling apparatus for taking a representative milk sample in a predetermined quantity range from a conveying line in which milk is conveyed at conveying intervals of unknown length.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stimulating an udder during milking, made up of a housing with a first connection (350, 351) and a second connection (352, 353), which housing can be grasped by a hand. The first connection connects the housing to a pulsator and the second connection connects the housing to a teat cup. A throttle valve (305, 306) is interposed between the first connection and the second connection. A control device (309) is housed in the housing and is adapted to bring the throttle valve, after a defined duration, from a partially open to an open position.

Abstract: A device for carrying out at least one measurement and for removing milk samples from a milking machine, through which milk can flow and which contains an air separation device, a measurement device, a sample removal device and a channel that is open to the top. The air separation device is designed to separate the milk from air with which the milk is mixed. The measurement device is device and is connected to the air separation device by a first milk outlet opening of the air separation device and designed to carry out one or more measurements with the milk flowing through the device. The sample removal device is designed to supply milk to a sample container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stimulating an udder during milking, made up of a housing with a first connection (350, 351) and a second connection (352, 353), which housing can be grasped by a hand. The first connection connects the housing to a pulsator and the second connection connects the housing to a teat cup. A throttle valve (305, 306) is interposed between the first connection and the second connection. A control device (309) is housed in the housing and is adapted to bring the throttle valve, after a defined duration, from a partially open to an open position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stimulating an udder during milking, made up of a housing with a first connection (350, 351) and a second connection (352, 353), which housing can be grasped by a hand. The first connection connects the housing to a pulsator and the second connection connects the housing to a teat cup. A throttle valve (305, 306) is interposed between the first connection and the second connection. A control device (309) is housed in the housing and is adapted to bring the throttle valve, after a defined duration, from a partially open to an open position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for carrying out at least one measurement and for removing milk samples from a milking machine, through which milk can flow and which comprises an air separation device, a measurement device, a sample removal device and a channel that is open to the top. According to the invention, the air separation device is designed to separate the milk from air with which the milk is mixed. The measurement device is arranged downstream of the air separation device. It is connected to the air separation device by a first milk outlet opening of the air separation device and designed to carry out one or more measurements with the milk flowing through the device. The sample removal device is designed to supply milk to a sample container.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a quantity of milk yielded by an animal during a milking process comprises a container, a supply unit, a discharge unit, a filling level measuring device, a control unit and an evaluation unit. The supply unit is configured to feed milk into the container and can be connected to the milking unit of a milking machine. The discharge unit is configured to discharge milk from the container and can be connected to the milking line of the milking machine, which is adapted to have applied thereto a milking vacuum. The discharge unit comprises the means for changing the size of a discharge opening through which the milk flows when it is being discharged from the container. The discharge opening allowing milk to flow through the discharge opening can be adjusted to at least two sizes. The filling level measuring device is configured to measure a filling level of the milk in the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a quantity of milk yielded by an animal during a milking process comprises a container, a supply unit, a discharge unit, a filling level measuring device, a control unit and an evaluation unit. The supply unit is configured to feed milk into the container and can be connected to the milking unit of a milking machine. The discharge unit is configured to discharge milk from the container and can be connected to the milking line of the milking machine, which is adapted to have applied thereto a milking vacuum. The discharge unit comprises the means for changing the size of a discharge opening through which the milk flows when it is being discharged from the container. The discharge opening allowing milk to flow through the discharge opening can be adjusted to at least two sizes. The filling level measuring device is configured to measure a filling level of the milk in the container.

Abstract: The invention discloses a hose coupling (100) which, on the basis of design measures, can be provided with a small number of individual components (100a, 100b, 100c) so that high reliability during operation and simple handling during coupling and decoupling are achieved. The hose coupling can in particular be locked by rotation within a small angular range, without any movable components being necessary. In some illustrative embodiments, the hose coupling (100) is used as a coupling in fluid conduits in the agricultural sector, for example in milk lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stimulating an udder during milking, comprising a housing with a first connection (350, 351) and a second connection (352, 353), which housing can be grasped by a hand. The first connection connects the housing to a pulsator and the second connection connects the housing to a teat cup. A throttle valve (305, 306) is interposed between the first connection and the second connection. A control device (309) is housed in the housing and is adapted to bring the throttle valve, after a defined duration, from a partially open to an open position.

Abstract: A teat rubber cup comprising a head member substantially rotationally symmetric with a longitudinal axis, with an aperture for insertion of the teat, a retaining edge to engage over a teat cup sleeve, and a suction stub joined to the head member, the end of the head member opposite the teat insertion aperture merging into the retaining edge. The wall of the head member is stiffened in a region located between the teat insertion aperture and the transition to the retaining edge, and the upper end of the suction stub merges into this stiffened part of the head member. The part of the teat rubber cup head located between the stiffened part and the retaining edge is made at least partly elastic. During the suction phase a compressive force acts on the section of the head member located between the stiffened part of the head member and the retaining edge, the force endeavouring to move that section towards the outside of the suction stub.

Abstract: A method and a device are presented with which an analysis sample of less than 50 ml can be extracted from a milk flow having an amount which is proportional, even for cows having an expected total milk amount of up to 30 kg as well as an expected maximum milk flow of 12 kg per minute.

Abstract: A method and a device are presented with which an analysis sample of less than 50 ml can be extracted from a milk flow having an amount which is proportional, even for cows having an expected total milk amount of up to 30 kg as well as an expected maximum milk flow of 12 kg per minute.

Abstract: In the case of teat rubbers consisting of a shaped tubular member, the outer side of which has formed thereon a holding rim for engaging the edge of a milking cup from above, it may very easily happen that the holding rim of the teat rubber breaks through when subjected to blows or knocks. The teat rubber will then be practically unfit for use. It is now suggested that a recess should be provided in such a teat rubber in the holding rim portion located opposite the milking cup edge portion facing outwards in the longitudinal direction, and that this recess has inserted therein a ring consisting of a material which is different from the material of the teat rubber.

Abstract: A milk flow meter having a measuring chamber which is connected to a milk supply conduit, the measuring chamber communicating with a discharge chamber and a milk sump at the lower end thereof. A calibrated milk discharge opening is provided between the measuring chamber and the discharge chamber and a milk suction conduit is connected to said milk sump. An additional rinsing conduit is provided, the upper end of the rinsing conduit leading into the discharge chamber and/or the measuring chamber essentially on the level of the upper end of the measuring chamber and the other end of the rinsing conduit being adapted to be connected, with the aid of an adjustment means movable between a measuring position and a rinsing position, essentially exclusively to the milk suction conduit in the rinsing position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus useful in the course of a milking operation in which the milk is intermittently conveyed in the form of separate milk slugs, to accurately determine the mass of the individual milk slugs and to thereby determine the actual milk flow rate. A measuring apparatus of this type is particularly suitable for use as an indicator operable to indicate a drop in the milk flow to below a predetermined value at the end of a milking cycle. An additional operation of measuring the travel speed of the individual milk slugs results in an extremely simple milk flow measuring device being obtained, which is capable of relatively accurately measuring the milk flow rate throughout the milking cycle.

Abstract: This specific density of the liquid/air mixture is measured at successive levels within the reception vessel for the liquid using a reference measurement (Io) representing the specific density of the degasified liquid within a reference measuring path. The ratio of each obtained density value measurement and the reference value is calculated for each measuring level and multiplied with the specific density of the liquid to allow an accurate measurement of the overall liquid volume or flow-rate. Preferably the reception vessel (1) has a respective measuring electrode (El..En) at each measuring level with a common counter electrode (Eo) coupled to an oscillator (4) via a constant voltage circuit (5) and a coupling capacitor (6). Each measuring electrode (El-En) is coupled via a multiplexer (7) and an active rectifier (9) to an A/D converter (10) coupled to a microprocessor (11) controlling a read-out display (12).

Abstract: The specific density of the liquid/air mixture is measured at successive levels within the reception vessel for the liquid using a reference measurement (Io) representing the specific density of the degasified liquid within a reference measuring path. The ratio of each obtained density value measurement and the reference value is calculated for each measuring level and multiplied with the specific density of the liquid to allow an accurate measurment of the overall liquid volume or flow-rate. Preferably the reception vessel (1) has a respective measuring electrode (El . . . En) at each measuring level with a common counter electrode (Eo) coupled to an oscillator (4) via a constant voltage circuit (5) and a coupling capacitor (6). Each measuring electrode (El-En) is coupled via a multiplexer (7) and an active rectifier (9) to an A/D converter (10) coupled to a microprocessor (11) controlling a read-out display (12).

Abstract: The present invention refers to a temple for holding or for laterally tensioning a woven fabric, in particular on weaving looms, comprising endless guide means having displaceably arranged therein members provided with needles for engagement with said woven fabric, said guide means extending and being arranged in such a way that the needles of at least two members are simultaneously in engagement with the edge of the woven fabric and that, in the course of the needling-in operation, the needles brought into engagement with the woven fabric, are located at a greater distance from the longitudinal axis of the width of woven fabric than in the course of the de-needling operation. The failures occurring in the case of such a temple are now eliminated by providing an appropriate amount of play between the individual members and by guaranteeing at the same time that the members are returned to the point of needling-in in an appropriate manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying milk with the help of an underpressure in a pipe system which includes feedpipes comprises damming devices or check valves in the feedpipe, or a division of the feedpipe over at least a portion of its length into several pipes which preferably have various inside cross sectional areas and have valves which, in dependence on the milk flow rate, cause the cross sectional area of one or more pipes to be changed. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is part of a milking apparatus having milk discharge pipes which are supported overhead.