Abstract: A replaceable air filter system for milking machine pulsators has a base with an internal channel that communicates with the air inlet of a milking machine pulsator when the base is mounted on the pulsator. An air filter section is releasably mounted to the base and includes a case, air filter medium attached to the case, and a connector extending from the case which connects to an open bore of the base. The air filter section can be releasably secured to the base. The air filter medium may be formed of multi-fold filter material to provide a large area filter for the input air. When the filter medium is saturated or clogged, an operator can detach the air filter section from the base and replace it with a new air filter section quickly and conveniently.

Abstract: In a milking parlor having a milk line to which milking clusters are connected and a wash line to which clean-in-place washer units are connected, milk from the milk line is directed through a pipeline to a single receiver tank that is maintained under a vacuum draw during the milking operation. Milk from the receiver tank is periodically pumped to a bulk tank. During wash up, the receiver tank is filled with wash water, and wash water is then pumped from the receiver tank through the milk pipelines leading to the bulk tank and then back by return lines to the receiver tank, and wash water is also pumped from the receiver tank to the wash line. The wash water from the wash line passes through the washer units, which are now connected to the teat cups of the milking cluster, thence to the milk line, and back through the milk line and the milk pipeline back to the receiver tank.

Abstract: A simple, efficient, and rugged dairy parlor entry gate which is especially useful for identifying animals, minimizing the need for lead animals to back up as the gates swing open, and provides for indexing the animals into proper position. The entry gate preferably includes a pair of opposed stanchions defining therebetween a passageway, at least one and preferably a pair of gate members, and mounting structure for swingably carrying the gate members and mounting them in offset relationship. An antenna may be provided in each of the gate members so that the interrogation field generated thereby swings with the gate member. The gate also preferably includes a motive member for swinging the gate members between an open position allowing the passage of animals therebetween and a closed position which both inhibits the passage of animals into the parlor and indexes the last animal into a proper position.

Abstract: A livestock identification apparatus 10 for automatically identifying and sorting livestock as they walk through the apparatus 10 is disclosed. The apparatus 10 includes an alley 12, a gate 14 for controlling passage through the alley 12, and an identification sensor 18 disposed within or adjacent the alley 12 for identifying animals passing through the alley 12. The identification sensor 18 includes a pair of rigid antennas 48,50 positioned on opposite sides of the alley 12 for energizing and reading transponders on animals passing through the alley 12. In another embodiment of the invention, the identification sensor 208 includes a gate 204 controlling entry into a milking parlor or other confined area, a first stationary antenna 210 positioned on one side of the entrance to the milking parlor and a second moveable antenna 212 integrally formed with the gate 204.

Abstract: A livestock cutter gate apparatus includes an elongated alley having a first end presenting an entrance and a second end presenting a main exit and a sort exit, and a first air-driven gate positioned in the alley between the main exit and the sort exit. The first gate is shiftable between a sorting position in which it blocks the main exit and opens the sort exit, and a non-sorting position in which it blocks the sort exit and opens the main exit. A pair of saloon gates are positioned in the alley at the entrance and are shiftable between a closed position in which they block the entrance from incoming livestock and an open position in which they open the entrance.

Abstract: A non-conductive dairy parlor gate is provided which retains the strength and corrosion resistance of magnetically conductive materials while permitting the gate to swing into and/or through an electromagnetic field generated by an electronic identification system for use with animal-worn transponders. The gate includes at least two magnetically conductive parts connected by an electrically non-conductive member to interrupt the formation of a magnetic loop. The gate may include additional structural members for strength and which inhibit a dairy animal from placing her head through the gate. The gate is used as a part of a dairy parlor and placed along an animal passage lane to prevent dairy animals from moving their transponders past the identification system prematurely. The gate may be positioned adjacent a milking stall to retain one dairy animal in position while inhibiting the passage of a second set of animals into the milking stalls.

Abstract: An elongated, flexible teat cup liner (10) of an improved design which can accommodate teats of varying lengths without fear of teat damage or inefficient machine milking. The liners (10) of the invention include an apertured mouthpiece (16) adjacent one end thereof, with an elongated, intermediate barrel (18) presenting an inwardly collapsible teat-receiving region (34) and a lowermost connecting tube (20) adapted for connection to a constant vacuum source, such as, e.g., a milk claw (54). The liners (10) of the present invention have a barrel wall (36) of gradually and progressively decreasing wall thickness for creating a differential resistance to inward collapse of the teat-receiving region of the barrel. The decrease in barrel wall (36) thickness assures a relatively high resistance to inward collapse at a first location adjacent the mouthpiece (16), and a gradual and progressive decrease in such resistance to inward collapse along an axial length of the teat receiving region (34) of the barrel (18).

Abstract: Elongated, flexible teat cup liners (10) of improved design are provided which can accommodate teats of varying lengths without fear of teat damage or inefficient machine milking. The liners (10) of the invention include an apertured mouthpiece (12) adjacent one end thereof, with an elongated, intermediate barrel (14) presenting an inwardly collapsible teat-receiving region and a lowermost connecting tube (16) adapted for connection to a constant vacuum source. The liners (10) of the invention also include structure (18) for creating a differential resistance to inward collapse of the teat-receiving region of barrel (14) along the length thereof. The structure (18) assures a relatively high resistance to inward collapse at a first location (34) adjacent mouthpiece (12), and a gradual and progressive decrease in such resistance to inward collapse along an axial length of the teat-receiving region of barrel (14).

Abstract: A transponder reader arm assembly is useful with feed cars for automatically feeding livestock in order to place a transponder reader in close proximity to a transponder worn by the livestock. The transponder reader arm assembly hereof includes a pivotally mounted arm connected to a mounting bracket at an inboard end and presenting an outwardly extending distal end having a transponder reader connected thereto. The transponder reader arm includes a biasing spring which serves to center the arm to an outwardly extending orientation. The transponder reader may be mounted directly to the distal end of a single arm or to a connecting linkage between a pair of parallel arms.

Abstract: A pulsation selector for milking machines is adjustable to enable alternate milking between the front and rear or between the right and left teats of the animal.

Abstract: An electronic identification system for identifying an animal moving through a portal structure is disclosed. A transponder worn on a rope or chain around the neck of the animal is energized by a multi-directional electromagnetic field generated by a double antenna loop in the portal structure. The transponder, when energized, will transmit identifying data back to the antenna loop after the electromagnetic field has been removed. That information will be processed by a microprocessor so that the animal can be identified. The antenna loop is secured within a flexible free-hanging curtain. The curtain is attached only at the top to the frame of the portal structure; the bottom of the curtain is free-hanging so that the curtain and antenna loop will not be damaged if the animal kicks the curtain. The system also includes two ultra-sonic transducers positioned at the entrance and exit of the portal.