Patents Represented by Attorney Smith Law Office
  • Patent number: 7290497
    Abstract: Device for pneumatically milking a cow, comprising a number of milk extractors, each comprising a teat cup as well as milk line connected to the lower end of the teat cup, which line leads from the teat cup to a collection chamber for the milk from the teat cup, each milk extractor being provided with a supply for a cleansing medium, such as a disinfectant, to the teat cup, in particular to a teat present in the teat cup, the supply comprising a line having an end portion with discharge end, and each milk extractor being provided with means for closing off the passage of the milk extraction at or downstream of the discharge end of the line for cleansing medium, preferably at that level, when discharging the cleansing medium, the closing means comprising a reciprocating closing body that can be moved between a position leaving the passage of the milk extractor free and a position closing it off, the closing body being provided with a squirt line forming the end portion with discharge end of the line for supply
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: WestfaliaSurge, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Rottier, Kevin L. Torgerson
  • Patent number: 7278253
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention concerns a robot with at least one conductor guiding apparatus (1) running at least partially on the outside, in which guiding apparatus conductors, hoses or similar are guided. The conductor guiding apparatus (1) has at least one spatially deflectable section formed by members (4) each having a central body (5) through which a flexible linking element (6) extends. The members (4) form a channel (9) for accommodating supply conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Wehler, Uwe Kemper
  • Patent number: 7258074
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for machine milking an animal, particularly a cow, according to which a stimulation phase precedes a main milking phase, whereby during the entire stimulation phase, essentially no milk is withdrawn, and the duration of the stimulation phase is determined according to the amount of expected cisteral milk and/or alveolar milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: WestfaliaSurge GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Ebeling, Bernhard Schulze-Wartenhorst, Olaf Suhr
  • Patent number: 7155971
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for determining the volumetric flow rate of milk flowing during a milking process. A cross-sectional area (Ai) of the milk flow (2) is determined at a first measuring point (3) by means of a sensor (4) which is arranged outside the flowing milk. The time (ti) required by the milk flow (2) with the determined cross-sectional are (Ai), to go from the first measuring point (3) to a second measuring point (5) which is provided downstream from the first measuring point, is measured. The flow speed (vi) is derived from the measured time (ti) and the known distance (s) between the first and second measuring points (3, 5). The volumetric flow rate (V(t)) is determined on the basis of the determined cross-sectional area (Ai) and the flow speed (vi).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: WestfaliaSurge Gmbh
    Inventors: Heiner Wamhof, Marek Krasutzki, Peter Kaever, Jan-Hermann Reurik
  • Patent number: 7153527
    Abstract: A teat dip composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 2% iodine by weight of the composition on a formulation basis and form about 45% to about 99.9% propylene glycol by weight of the composition on a formulation basis, and a method of using such composition to treat mastitis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: WestfaliaSurge, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Gradle, Alejandro O. Dee
  • Patent number: 6990923
    Abstract: A rotary milking parlor milker detacher having a pivoting support arm and retracting chain arrangement that is synchronized with a rotating platform position to move the detacher between a storage position, a presentation position, and a milking position to protect the detacher from damage and provide a superior ergonomic design that reduces operator fatigue and turnover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: WestfaliaSurge, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Hein, Jeffrey S. Hanson, Michael Heinrich, Frank Hoelscher, Larry G. Larson, Peter Kaever, Karsten Schonrock
  • Patent number: 6964085
    Abstract: A storage system having a releasably mounted mounting clip that can be connected to a wall stud or ceiling joist. A variety of storage components can be joined to the mounting clip. The mounting clip can also be used to join boards and panels to construct furniture and stand-alone storage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: James C. Boda
  • Patent number: 6957625
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for milking milk residues to achieve the extraction of as much of the milk as possible that is preset in the udder. According to the method, a rubber teat element (10) in a teat cup (1) is displaced in a milking motion by a negative suction pressure caused by adjustable pulse phases consisting of alternating suction and pause phases and of a pulse intensity, in order to a volumetric flow of milk. The volumetric flow is continuously recorded and if it decreases, the motion of the rubber teat element is modified in a targeted manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: WestfaliaSurge GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Hennig
  • Patent number: 6902747
    Abstract: A teat dip composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 2% iodine by weight of the composition on a formulation basis and from about 50% to about 99.9% propylene glycol by weight of the composition on a formulation basis, and a method of using such composition to treat mastitis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: WestfaliaSurge, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Gradle, Alejandro O. Dee
  • Patent number: 6895892
    Abstract: A short milk tube for providing a conduit between a teat cup assembly and a milker claw that defines a number of ribs that import structural rigidity along a longitudinal axis and in predetermined directions relative to the longitudinal axis to maintain adequate cross-sectional flow area when in the milking position, and a vacuum seal when in the non-milking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: WestfaliaSurge, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane F. Sellner, Berthold Joharmes Theodorus Dietrich