Abstract: A method and arrangement for monitoring the supply of cleaning liquid from a cleaning line to a milking system, where the milking system includes at least two milking stations and milk conduits, and the cleaning line includes supply conduits connectable to the milk conduits at the milking stations and arranged to apportion cleaning liquid to the milking stations, so that cleaning liquid flows through the milking stations. The method includes measuring a value of the flow of the cleaning liquid through the respective milking stations by a respective flow sensor and transferring the values of the measured flows to a control unit. The arrangement includes a first control unit and flow sensors and a respective flow sensor is adapted to measure a value of the flows of cleaning liquid through a respective milking station, and provide the values to the control unit.

Abstract: A vacuum operated milking system (1) which is operable in a milking mode and a cleaning mode is provided with a vacuum system (8) which applies a vacuum to milking clusters (9) through a main milk pipeline (2) and a receiver (5) in which milk from the milking clusters (9) is collected. A pulsator valve (24) provides a pulsating vacuum to milk liners in the milking cluster (9) from the vacuum system (8). An accumulator (32) accumulates respective volumes of washing and rinsing water from a wash and rinse water trough (31) through a wash and rinse pipeline (30), which are accumulated in an annular holding chamber (43). During respective ones of a washing cycle and a rinsing cycle, a valve (54) applies atmospheric pressure to the volume of washing or rinsing water accumulated in the accumulator (32) which is urged with full flow characteristics through the main milk pipeline (2), the clusters (9) and a connecting pipe (10) for cleaning thereof.

Abstract: A combination of a teat cup and a flexible milk tube is shown. The flexible milk tube has a main duct and a plurality of secondary ducts for discharging milk from the teat cup and for applying vacuum in the teat cup. The main duct is confined by a duct wall extending around the main duct. The secondary ducts are included in the duct wall of the main duct. By including the plurality of secondary ducts in the duct wall of the main duct the flexible milk tube as a whole has a smaller cross-section than that of the known milk tube. The plurality of secondary ducts no longer need separate duct walls forming separate tubes either connected or not with the flexible milk tube comprising the main duct. This results in space saving.

Abstract: A teat cup cleaning device having a heating chamber (2), provided with a discharge (3) which is closable by a valve (4), and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device (20) is provided for filling the heating chamber (2) with an amount of cleaning liquid (11), and a heating arrangement is arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber (2) to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. The valve (4) opens in this situation to deliver the heated cleaning liquid to the teat cup. The teat cup cleaning device also comprising a connecting line (17) between a liquid supply and the discharge.

Abstract: A dip cup 10 comprises a cup 12 for receiving a teat, the cup 12 being connected or connectable to a supply of teat treating liquid including a foaming agent, foaming elements 34, 36 for mixing air and the teat treating liquid to produce foam, and a regulator device 16 for setting an air-to-liquid ratio. The regulator device 16 is selectable or adjustable based on the teat treating liquid, so that a specified air-to-liquid ratio is achieved.

Abstract: A dipping device for a milking system, especially for an automatic milking system designed as a milking robot with teat cups to be placed onto the teats of an animal to be milked, which is designed for contacting the teats of the animal with at least one fluid or several fluids, and the device has several dipping valve arrangements so that the dipping agent introduction to each teat of the animal can be controlled separately.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets. Each inlet is adapted to receive a flow of milk from a dairy livestock, and each outlet is adapted to receive a flow of milk from a corresponding one or more inlets. The plurality of outlets include one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets. Each milk collector outlet is adapted to direct the flow of milk received from the corresponding one or more inlets to a milk collector. Each drain outlet is adapted to direct the flow of milk received from the corresponding one or more inlets to a discard area. The apparatus further includes one or more valves each associated with one of the plurality of inlets. The one or more valves are adapted to direct the flow of milk received at the associated inlet to either a corresponding one of the one or more milk collector outlets or a corresponding one of the one or more drain outlets.

Abstract: An animal treating arrangement includes a carrying device beside a milking platform rotating with a velocity and having animal places housing animals. The carrying device includes a fundament, a first bearing device (12) provided on the fundament, an arm (13) connected to the first bearing device permitting the arm to rotate in relation to the fundament around a first axis, a support platform (15) connected to the arm (13). A drive arrangement moves the support platform and includes a first drive member (31) rotating the arm around the first axis. A sensor (37) communicates with a control unit (36) and senses an instantaneous value of the velocity. The control unit controls the first drive member to move the support platform to follow the milking platform from a start position to an end position during a part of the rotation of the milking platform.

Abstract: An installation for supplying liquid feed to an animal, such as a calf. The installation comprises one or more feed loading places and one or more feed unloading places, and one or more vehicles that are autonomously displaceable, controlled by a microprocessor or the like, between one or more feed loading places and one or more feed unloading places, each vehicle comprising a drinking nozzle, such as a flexible teat, which is movably mounted relative to the remaining part of the displaceable vehicle, and a height adjusting device for adjusting a height of the drinking nozzle.

Abstract: In a milking cluster of teat cups, each teat cup has a port in the form of a nozzle disposed in the head portion of the flexible liner of the teat cup. The milking cluster includes a distributor having a fluid inlet and outlets connected to the nozzles of the cups. The distributor inlet is connected to a delivery line for supplying sanitising treatment fluid, which is utilised to treat the teats and teat cups in a cleansing cycle following the milking cycle, by a second valve operable to maintain the delivery line primed with treatment fluid preparatory to initiation of the cleansing cycle. A safety valve is disposed at the distributor inlet, the safety valve being operable during a milking cycle to open a drain port through which treatment fluid may flow to waste.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system comprises a milk collecting system, a teat cup holder, and a cleansing hose system. The milk collecting system comprises a teat cup, a milk collector, and a milking hose system connecting the teat cup to the milk collector. The teat cup holder stores the teat cup of the milk collecting system such that a nozzle of the teat cup holder substantially aligns with an opening of the teat cup. The cleansing hose system connects the nozzle of the teat cup holder to one or more cleanser sources and operable to backwash at least a portion of the milk collecting system by injecting a cleanser from one or more of the cleanser sources through the nozzle and into the teat cup.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for locating a teat cup for use in a milking parlor. The apparatus includes a milking stall (7) provided on a rotatable platform (9) and a system (19, 245, 23, 25) for controlling movement of a teat cup magazine (20) relative to the stall (7). The movement control system permits movement of the magazine (20) between first and second predefined positions relative to the milking stall (7).

Abstract: A milking implement comprising a frame with, disposed thereon, at least one teat cup holder with a teat cup movable relative thereto, and a replacing element connected with the teat cup, wherein the frame further includes an intermediate arm connected with the frame and with the teat cup holder and having a first joint and a second joint about which the teat cup holder and the intermediate arm, respectively, are tiltable with the aid of the replacing element, and a spring coupled with the teat cup holder and the frame and, if desired, with the intermediate arm.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile milking implement having a frame with, a sub-frame which is adjustable in height and which has at least one teat cup holder and a teat cup movable relative thereto. The teat cup holder is tiltable, via a tilting mechanism coupled to the teat cup holder and the frame between a substantially vertical position and a second partially inverted position. The milking implement protects the teat cups against contamination and is capable of storing them in a compact manner.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method for milking stall assignment includes storing first location information associated with a dairy livestock, the first location information comprising a coordinate location of the dairy livestock within a milking parlor at a first time. The method further includes comparing the stored first location information associated with the dairy livestock with an area associated with each of a plurality of milking stalls of the milking parlor to identify a milking stall in which the dairy cow is located at the first time and assigning the dairy livestock to the milking stall in which the dairy cow is located at the first time such that data associated with milking of the dairy livestock may be associated with the dairy cow.

Abstract: The milking machine and method of cleaning the same comprises more than one teat cup with a teat cup liner and a discharge, a pulsator with a control device, and a cleaning device to clean the teat cup by supplying cleaning liquid in the teat cup, wherein the control device is configured to adjust per teat cup, during the cleaning, the flow of the cleaning liquid through the teat cup liner and the discharge by pulsation of the teat cup liner. The teat cup liner itself acts as a valve during the cleaning. This has the advantage that a separate cleaning valve in the milk line is not required, which results in a simpler and more reliable construction.

Abstract: Closing device assembly for systems for milking animals, provided with at least one primary passage and at least two secondary passages, wherein the primary and secondary passages are provided with first and second connecting edges, respectively, with respective openings each having an axis, further provided with at least one closing device for at least one unused, non-selected secondary passage, which closing device is provided with a closing edge, wherein of each set of connecting edges and closing edges to be connected to each other in each case at least one is provided with a seal, wherein the closing device assembly further comprises a first drive unit for mutual displacement of the first connecting edge and the second connecting edge of a selected secondary passage from an uncoupled position in which the axes of their openings are not in line with each other to a position in which the axes of their openings are in line, a coupling line, with each other, and a second drive unit for bringing said connecti

Abstract: In a milking cluster of teat cups, each teat cup has a port in the form of a nozzle disposed in the head portion of the flexible liner (3) of the teat cup. The milking cluster includes a distributor having a fluid inlet aid outlets connected to the nozzles of the cups. The distributor inlet is connected to a supply of filtered air under atmospheric pressure by a first valve which is operable to admit air to the distributor in order to regulate the level of vacuum present in the teat cup liners during a milking cycle. It is connected to a delivery line for supplying sanitising fluid, which is utilised to treat the teats and teat cups in a cleansing cycle following the milking cycle, by a second valve operable to maintain the delivery line primed with sanitising fluid preparatory to initiation of the cleansing cycle.

Abstract: A milking implement comprising a frame with, disposed thereon, at least one teat cup holder with a teat cup movable relative thereto, and a replacing element connected with the teat cup, wherein the frame further includes an intermediate arm connected with the frame and with the teat cup holder and having a first joint and a second joint about which the teat cup holder and the intermediate arm, respectively, are tiltable with the aid of the replacing element, and a spring coupled with the teat cup holder and the frame and, if desired, with the intermediate arm.

Abstract: A milking system comprises a plurality of apparatuses (11a-g), wherein each of the apparatuses comprises a device (12a-g) for performing an action related to the operation of the milking system; a microprocessor (13a-g); an error message generating system (14a-g) for generating error messages (21) about errors that have occurred in the apparatus; and means (15a-g) for communicating said error messages to all other ones of the apparatuses. Each of the error messages comprises information, preferably categorized information, regarding the nature (22) and severity (23) and optionally physical location of the error and is interpretable by all other ones of the apparatuses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solution for cleaning a milking plant, which includes a milk line system (MLS), connectable to a collecting means, and is adapted to deliver milk that has been withdrawn from animals to a milk storage means (250). The milking plant also includes milk storage valve means (100; 235, 240), arranged between the milk line system (MLS) and the milk storage means (250). The valve means (240) are selectively adjustable to prevent fluid communication between the milk line system (MLS) and the milk storage means (250) during cleaning of the milk line system (MLS). Moreover, the valve means (100; 235, 240) are associated with a monitoring arrangement (275, EPS), which is adapted to determine an amount of leakage through the valve means (100; 235, 240) during the cleaning of the milk line system (MLS), and produce a valve health status signal (Sv) reflecting the amount of leakage. Hence, the functionality status of the valve means (100; 235, 240) may be qualitatively evaluated.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.

Abstract: A method for applying teat dip to a dairy animal and backflushing a milker unit using a safety valve. The method includes the steps of: closing the safety valve to seal off the milker unit from a dairy pipeline system, forcing teat dip through the safety valve and a dip channel to a teat dip applicator on a milker unit teat cup, forcing backflush fluid through the safety valve and the milker unit, forcing water through the safety valve and milker unit, forcing air through the safety valve and the milker unit, and opening the safety valve so that the milker unit is in fluid communication with the dairy pipeline system.

Abstract: The invention is related to a washing apparatus for cleaning milking related equipment comprising a washing apparatus connectable to an automatic milking station (2) by interconnecting pipelines in such a way as to enable the washing apparatus to circulate a washing fluid through the milking related equipment of the automatic milking station (2). The washing apparatus (6, 7) comprise a circulation tank 6 and a separate pre-filling tank (7), whereby filling in advance and holding of the washing fluid to be used in a subsequent washing step is enabled. The washing apparatus (6, 7) further comprises connecting means for connection of the pre-filling tank (7) to the circulation tank (6). By means of the invention the time needed to complete a cleaning procedure is shortened essentially, and a cleaning procedure rendered more effective. The invention further relates to such method.

Abstract: An automatic milking apparatus for laboratory animals that can facilitate and stabilize the positioning of a teat cup 20 is provided for full automation of a milking operation. An end of a first milk tube 12 attached to a teat cup 20 for laboratory animals is attached to a free end of a flexible arm A having one end fixed to a suitable base (milk collecting container stand B). The flexible arm A includes a laminated body 40 including a long member 41 formed of a material that is flexible and after being flexed, can maintain the shape (for example, a lead plate) and a steel plate member 42, the laminated body 40 being coated by a coating member 50, the members being in contact with each other in such a manner that they slip relative to each other upon being flexed in their entirety, the flexible arm A including a secured part 53 formed at the one end, the secured part 53 preventing relative movement of the respective members. The tip of the flexible arm A is not displaced after being positioned.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a system for cleaning teats of multiple milk-producing animals, wherein the animals are housed in a parlor area and the teats are cleaned or disinfected before a milking operation is started. The system comprises an aqueous chlorine dioxide disinfectant solution source provided at the parlor area; and, a hand-held applicator having a housing volume within which one or more scrubbing elements are positioned for engaging a teat of the milk-producing animal having been inserted in the volume for cleaning. The hand-held applicator is remotely operable relative to the disinfectant solution source.

Abstract: A milker unit liner dome having an inner surface and flow diverters joined to the inner surface to redirect teat dip from an inlet to provide more uniform coverage of dip on a teat. The liner dome can also include more than one flow diverter for redirecting teat dip flow.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a dairy harvesting facility including valves and valve assemblies that prevent contaminants from reaching a central milk collection system.

Abstract: An arrangement for automatically cleaning teat cups of a rotary milking platform includes i) a cleaning device at the side of the platform, the cleaning device having a movable part provided with an outlet opening through which a cleaning fluid is supplied to the teat cups; and ii) a positioning unit arranged to provide positioning of the cleaning device to a cleaning position in which the cleaning device is able to supply the cleaning medium from the outlet opening to the teat cups, the positioning unit adapted to provide a positioning of the movable part of the cleaning device in relation to the teat cups from an inactive position on the side of the platform to an active position in which the movable part extends in over the platform towards the teat cups to the cleaning position.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a milking system includes a rotary milking platform having a plurality of milking stalls and a plurality of milking devices, each milking device configured for attachment to the teats of a dairy livestock located in a corresponding milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The system further includes one or more robotic devices operable to perform one or more functions, including preparing the teats of a dairy livestock for the attachment of a milking apparatus, attaching a milking apparatus to the teats of a dairy livestock, and applying a sanitizing agent to the teats of a dairy livestock subsequent to the removal of a milking apparatus from the teats of the dairy livestock. Each of the one or more functions performed by the one or more robotic devices is performed during a period of time when the rotary milking platform is substantially stationary.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing animals (10) in a milking system which comprises a milking stall (11) provided with a milking apparatus (13) for milking the animals, a gate arrangement (18a-b; 18a-b, 32; 55a-b) allowing the animals to enter said milking stall, one at a time, from at least two different locations, and a control device (15) which holds and updates a milking suitability index for each of the animals. According to the method a first animal is identified and received at a first location, and a milking suitability index for the first animal is retrieved. A second animal is identified and received at a second location, and a milking suitability index for the second animal is retrieved. The milking suitability indexes for the first and second animals are compared and an animal at either one of said first and second locations is allowed to enter the milking stall depending on the outcome of the comparison.

Abstract: A method for applying teat dip to a dairy animal and backflushing a milker unit using a safety valve. The method includes the steps of: closing the safety valve to seal off the milker unit from a dairy pipeline system, forcing teat dip through the safety valve and a dip channel to a teat dip applicator on a milker unit teat cup, forcing backflush fluid through the safety valve and the milker unit, forcing water through the safety valve and milker unit, forcing air through the safety valve and the milker unit, and opening the safety valve so that the milker unit is in fluid communication with the dairy pipeline system.

Abstract: A teat cup has a nozzle in a head portion of a flexible liner of the teat cup for delivering fluid internally of the teat cup. The nozzle is directed so as to discharge fluid towards the discharge end of the teat cup. When milking is terminated, treatment fluid is injected through the nozzle into the head portion of the liner just prior to and/or as the teat cup is being withdrawn from the teat and, the teat cup wipes the fluid down the teat so as substantially to coat the teat. When the teat cup falls into an inverted rest position, after take-off, the interior of the liner may be flushed and dried with disinfectant, water and compressed air discharged upwardly into the liner by the nozzle. The discharge end of the teat cup may be fitted with a shut-off valve which can be actuated to prevent ingress of treatment and cleansing fluids into the milk tubes during the treatment and cleansing cycle.

Abstract: A system for managing a group of dairy animals to be milked fully automatically, where the dairy animals go through a lactation cycle comprising phases of calving, inmilking, producing milk, and being dry. The system includes a computer executing program instructions for recording information and processing data indicating a division of the group of dairy animals into subgroups of a plurality of dairy animals, an insemination period determined per subgroup within which the dairy animals of the subgroup concerned are to be inseminated, which insemination period is so short that substantially all dairy animals in the subgroup concerned go simultaneously through the lactation cycle, and a separation of pregnant dairy animals of at least one of the subgroups in a separate area, around the beginning of the being dry phase of the subgroup concerned.

Abstract: A device for milking animals including a plurality of milking stations, wherein each milking station includes a milk collecting container and a displacing mechanism for displacing liquid from the milk collecting container. The milk collecting container (is connected to a first discharge line and to a second discharge line, a second central milk line is connected to the second discharge line for leading milk from a plurality of milking stations to a collective liquid discharge and further includes a line cleaning device connected to the second central milk line for cleaning at least the second central milk line with a cleaning liquid, wherein the connection of the line cleaning device with the second central milk line is located at least equally far from the liquid discharge as the connection of a second discharge line with the second central milk line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning system for milking cups, said cleaning system comprising a dispensing device into which at least two different cleaning fluids can be introduced inside the milking cup, in such a way as to enable an efficient intermediate disinfection between individual milking processes.

Abstract: An arrangement for positioning at least two milking animals in at least two milking stalls allows the animals to stand in an inclined position such that a longitudinal axis of the animals forms an angle of 10°-80° to a vertical plane (6) of a front barrier (5) of the milking stalls. The arrangement includes a power member (22) and motion transmission mechanism adapted to transfer an activating motion from the power member to individual front positioning elements (10) in the milking stalls such that the individual front positioning element in each milking stall comes in contact with a front portion of the animal and acts with a resilient force on the animal in a manner such that the animal steps backwards to a desired milking position in which the rear part of the animal is in contact with a second rear positioning element (9).

Abstract: A system (10) operable to automatically obtain a milk sample and to automatically perform cleaning includes a milking arrangement (12) adapted for the milking of animals (14); a milk conduit (38); a cleaning supply conduit (56) which includes a cleaning device (82) adapted to supply cleaning liquid to the milking location (16), to the teat cups (18) of the milking location (16), to the milk conduit (38) during the cleaning; and a sampling arrangement. The sampling arrangement including an intermediate sampling device (24); a diverting part (22) operable to divert milk from the teat cups (18) to the intermediate sampling device (24); and a milk sample collecting element (64) for the milking location (16), operable to obtain a milk sample from the intermediate sampling device (24). The system (10) is adapted to apply a suction pressure during the cleaning, in order to draw the cleaning liquid through both the milking arrangement (12), including the teat cups, and the sampling arrangement.

Abstract: Device for milking an animal, such as a cow, comprising an animal standing area to be occupied by the animal to be milked in a particular milking position and a robot device with a robot arm assembly for applying to and/or removing teat cups from the respective teats of the udder of the animal, wherein the robot arm assembly at a distal end is provided with holding means for the teat cups, wherein the robot arm assembly at a proximal end is suspended from a support so as to extend downwards therefrom and is rotatable with respect thereto about a first centre line which has a vertical direction component, wherein, in use, the first centre line intersects the floor of the animal standing area.

Abstract: An installation for supplying liquid feed to an animal, such as a calf. The installation comprises one or more feed loading places (1) and one or more feed unloading places (2-5), and one or more vehicles (9) that are autonomously displaceable, controlled by a microprocessor or the like, between one or more feed loading places and one or more feed unloading places, each vehicle comprising a drinking nozzle (10), such as a flexible teat.

Abstract: A gripper device mountable on a robot arm (10) of a milking robot (2) provided for automatically attach teat cups (5) to the teats of a milking animal, the gripper device comprises an electromagnet (6) from gripping teat cups made of a magnetic material, the electromagnet including a coil (31) feedable with a current a core (33) of a magnetic material arranged at least partly within the coil; and a support structure (7) for holding the electromagnet. The core comprises two end and portions (33a-b) in a single face of the electromagnet, wherein the two end portions constitute different poles of the electromagnet, and are shaped to be engagable with each of the teat cups in a close fit.

Abstract: An arrangement for fetching a teat cup from a teat cup magazine in which each teat cup has a respective fixed position includes a reference entity in a fixed spatial relationship to the teat cup magazine and each teat cup stored therein; a remote detecting element that registers wireless energy reflected by the reference entity, and based thereon determines a respective position for the teat cup relative to a robotic arm. The robotic arm carries a gripper element configured to hold the teat cup during removal thereof from the teat cup magazine. The reference entity is configured to allow the remote detecting element to receive wireless energy reflected against the reference entity while moving the robotic arm towards the least one teat cup for removing the at least teat cup from the teat cup magazine.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for providing a representative milk sample from one animal, includes milk extracting parts, a receiver, a milk transferring part to transfer the milk from the receiver to a sampling unit, milk stirring parts adapted to stir the milk before transferring a sample part of the milk to the sample unit, a milk yield determining part, a stirring time determining part, the arrangement adapted to terminate the stirring of the milk when the time period ends so that a satisfactorily stirring can be accomplished without subjecting the milk to excessive stirring.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning of milking systems—creates slugs of cleaning liquid in milking systems in response to the detection of the presence of cleaning liquid. The milking system includes a milk conduit (3), a liquid sensor (4) for detecting the presence of liquid in the milk conduit (3), a vacuum source (7) for applying a suction pressure to the milk conduit and cleaning equipment (12, 13) including elements supplying cleaning liquid into the milk conduit and an air injector (16) arranged to supply air into the milk conduit, the system being adapted to supply cleaning liquid into the milk conduit, apply a suction pressure to the cleaning liquid and supply air so that a liquid slug is created that flushes the milk conduit. The liquid sensor (4) is adapted to sense the presence of cleaning liquid supplied to the milk conduit, and the system is adapted to supply the air based on the detection of the presence of cleaning liquid.

Abstract: An arrangement for and method of providing a representative sample of milk from one animal, after stirring the milk, includes a receiver, milk extracting parts, a pump transferring milk from the receiver to a sample unit, a circulation line extending from the receiver via the pump and back to the receiver, for stirring the milk in the receiver. The arrangement stirs the extracted milk without injecting air into the milk, before a sample part of the milk is transferred from the receiver to the milk-sampling unit, thereby ensuring that the sampled part is representative of the milk from one animal.

Abstract: The invention provides a receptacle for receiving cleaning concentrate, the receptacle comprising a concentrate discharge and a container having an opening, wherein a block-shaped cleaning agent is disposed on the opening in a replaceable manner, a liquid supply which is arranged for a washing out action, wherein liquid is sprayed through the opening onto the cleaning agent in order to wash out the cleaning agent and to form a cleaning concentrate, wherein a valve is provided in the concentrate discharge, which valve is controlled by a control device, wherein the control device is arranged to keep the valve closed during the washing out action, and wherein the device further comprises a signal supplier which is arranged to give a first warning signal after a predetermined phase of the washing out action.

Abstract: An assembly and method for feeding and milking animals is disclosed. The assembly is provided with an area where the animals are allowed to move freely, with a number of juxtaposed feeding stations for the animals, and with a retaining device for retaining an animal at a feeding station. The retaining device can be activated for retaining an animal and can be deactivated for releasing an animal. A mobile milking robot connects at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal, a computer system controlling the operation and movement of the milking robot. The mobile milking robot is a self-propelled mobile milking robot, and the retaining device is fixedly disposed at the feeding station.

Abstract: A system is provided herein for monitoring the quality of milk which is stored at a dairy facility comprising sensors, e.g., analog and/or digital sensors that are installed on equipment on a dairy farm. Such sensors report information through a communication device that sends the information, e.g., over wire-line or wireless telephony to a network operations center. The network operation center includes resident software which is programmed to interpret that information. Then, the software firstly determines whether the dairy farm operator needs to receive an alert or informational message via telephone or any other electronic communications device suggesting that the operator take appropriate action. Secondly, if necessary, the software then presents the alert and sensor information on a customized secure web site that the operator can access to review the information and prepare the compliance reporting for, e.g., HACCP-type activities.

Abstract: A teat preparation station(1) for preparation of teats of milking animals prior to being milked in a milking system (11) equipped with at least one milking stall(13) is provided. The teat preparation station (1) includes a teat preparation area (2) housing at least one milking animal at a time; an exit (4) leading to the milking system; pre-milking equipment (5) provided for automatically pre-milking milking animals in the teat preparation area; and milk quality analyzing equipment (6) provided for automatically analyzing pre-milk from the milking animals.