Abstract: The present invention relates to a positioning device (10) that encourages animals to stand in a desired position to enable efficient and effective treatment of a part of their body. The positioning device (10) of the invention may optionally comprise one or more spraying nozzles (56) adapted for spraying the teats of the animal with a treatment chemical either pre- or post-milking.

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 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: The present invention relates to an application device for treating the teats of milk producing animals with a liquid. The device comprises a dip cup with one or more reservoir chambers formed by a limited circumferential extension of the body of a cup portion of the dip cup to form one or more indentations on the inside of the cup portion.

Abstract: A flow meter comprises an inflow chamber having a first fluid inlet, an outflow chamber housed in the inflow chamber and having a second fluid inlet, which is in fluid communication with the inflow chamber, and a fluid outlet by which fluid can drain from the outflow chamber, and a sensing device having a elongate sensor which is positioned at, or adjacent to and downstream of, the second fluid inlet. The second fluid inlet is of limited dimensions so that, in use, a head of fluid is formed in the inflow chamber and the flow rate of the fluid passing through the second fluid inlet is monitored based on the extent of the elongate sensor which is covered by the fluid.

Abstract: The applicator comprises a container for containing a liquid including a foaming agent, a cup mounted on the container, means for supplying gas at an elevated pressure into the liquid in the container to cause the liquid to foam and passage means between the container and the cup and through which foam can pass from the container to the cup.

Abstract: A dip cup comprises a compressible container for containing a liquid including a foaming agent, a cup mounted on the container, a foaming device for drawing air into liquid in the container as the container expands from a compressed state to cause the liquid to foam, and passage means between the container and the cup and through which foam can pass from the container to the cup as the container is compressed. The foaming device is arranged to draw air into liquid in the container from the exterior of the dip cup and includes a valve for preventing the contents of the container from being expelled via the foaming device when the container is compressed. A one way valve may be provided in the passage means to prevent the return of foam from the cup to the container.

Abstract: A teat cup for hydraulic milking apparatus comprises a shell and a liner. The liner has a body part within the shell, a mouthpiece at one end of the body part which mouthpiece defines an opening for receiving a teat during milking, a short milk tube at the other end of the body part, for connection to a clawpiece, and an air passage extending through the body part from the inside to the outside thereof. The shell has a first inlet to which a vacuum pulse tube can be connected and in use pressurize the space between the shell and the liner body part, a second inlet to which an air admission tube can be connected and a passageway defined within the shell itself or within a part rigid therewith and communicating the second inlet to the air passage in the liner body part, whereby air may be admitted to the interior of the liner body part at will.

Abstract: Automatic milking apparatus for hydraulic milking, in which there is no air bleed at or upstream of the clawpiece during milking of a cow. Each teat cup has a liner, within the rigid teat cup shell, which has a passage through which air may be admitted to the liner body from an air admission tube, at will after milking and before removal of the teat cups from the cow. The air admission tube runs from the liner body passage, between the liner and shell, through the pulse tube and into the clawpiece, where air admission is manually controlled.

Abstract: Automatic milking apparatus for hydraulic milking, in which there is no air bleed at or upstream of the clawpiece during milking of a cow. Each teat cup has a liner within the rigid teat cup shell which has a passage through which air may be admitted to the liner body from an air admission tube, at will after milking and before removal of the teat cups from the cow. The air admission tube runs from the linear body passage, between the liner and shell, through the pulse tube and into the clawpiece, where air admission is manually controlled.

Abstract: A method of automatic milking permitting continuous electrical monitoring of milk-related values, such as milk conductivity and milk temperature, for detecting diseased cows. The method uses a claw-piece with four short-milk tubes and teat cups, as is customary, but mixing of milk from different cow's quarters is prevented by valves within the claw-piece base. Within the base, the four channels from the four input nipples each contains milk from one cow's quarter solely. Groups of electrical sensors extend into each of the four channels for monitoring the milk-related values. The method relates in particular to hydraulic milking, when no air-bleed is provided upstream of the claw-piece. Suitable apparatus is described for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A teat spray system for installation in an automatic milking parlor for spraying the teats of cows. The system comprises a differential vacuum line switch, powered from the milking parlor vacuum line, and providing alternating vacuum pulses in a pair of vacuum lines; a liquid disinfectant pressure pump powered from the pair of vacuum lines; a pressure bottle for holding a volume of disinfectant under pressure and a spray line and spray head. The system is pressure self-limiting and has a pressure release valve operative when the milking parlor vacuum line is shut down.

Abstract: A vacuum line control valve having a single vacuum input port and a pair of output ports to which vacuum is supplied alternately, each output port being vented to atmosphere when not at vacuum pressure. A reciprocating valve control member is carried by a resilient diaphragm which separates two internal chambers. A first valve control setting corresponds to the initial, rest position of the diaphragm. Differential pressures in the chambers first displace the diaphragm to the second valve control setting and then return it to the first. Frequency of alternation is determined by a bleed aperture between one output port and one chamber.