Patents Assigned to DeLaval Holding
  • Antimicrobial method for fermentation processes
    Patent number: 9790520
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling bacteria, especially lactic and acetic acid bacteria in the production of ethanol using an organic oxidizing compound in combination with an inorganic oxidizer is provided. Particularly, a mixture of one or more peroxy acids and one or more peroxide compounds is introduced into a fermentation mash so as to inhibit or reduce levels of bacteria that compete with yeast for the fermentation sugars. The peroxy acid and peroxide compounds largely are consumed during the fermentation process and are generally not present in the fermentation by-products, especially recovered distiller's grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Reed Semenza, Michael Welker
  • HOOF TREATMENT ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR HOOF TREATMENT
    Publication number: 20170265449
    Abstract: A hoof treatment arrangement arranged to spray a liquid onto hooves of animals while they are stationary in a stall of an animal arrangement includes an identification system configured to identify animals, an automatic detector arrangement configured to determine the hoof status for animals, an automatic spray device, and a control arrangement. The control arrangement is operatively connected to an information database of the animal arrangement, which includes animal specific information for a plurality of animals housed in the animal arrangement; the identification system, to obtain information regarding the identity of each of the plurality of animals; the automatic detector arrangement, to obtain information regarding the hoof status for each of the identified animals; and the automatic spray device, to control the automatic spray device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Charlotte HALLEN SANDGREN
  • Antimicrobial compositions and related methods
    Patent number: 9750755
    Abstract: A liquid antimicrobial composition comprising an organic acid and one or more anionic surfactants is disclosed. In one embodiment, the organic acid is lactic acid and the anionic surfactant is sodium octane sulfonate. In a preferred embodiment, the antimicrobial solution is formulated as a teat dip for lactating animals, particularly cows. In other embodiments, the antimicrobial compositions may be used in personal care, hard surface care including hard surface disinfection in households, food processing, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, showers, or topically as hand soaps, surgical scrubs, and hoof disease mitigators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Fahim U. Ahmed, Alex Skender, Chris Foret, Thomas C. Hemling, N. Camelia Traistaru
  • Method and apparatus for detecting lameness in livestock
    Patent number: 9597017
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting lameness in a standing animal uses at least one optical imaging device coupled to processing arrangement. The optical imaging device is arranged in a position to capture at least one image showing the lower portions of at least one leg of an animal and to forward the image to the processing arrangement, which, in turn, analyses the image to determine a condition of lameness when said at least one leg is held in a raised position on or above ground level. The system is particularly suited to detecting lameness in dairy animals and can be integrated in a milking or feeding stall or with an automatic or semi-automatic milking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Thomas Axelsson, Gunnar Brostedt
  • Method of cleaning food and beverage manufacturing and handling equipment
    Patent number: 9586240
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed toward methods of cleaning and descaling surfaces contaminated with food soils, especially clean-in-place systems. More particularly, the methods according to the present invention also provide for sanitizing of surfaces contaminated with food soils. Thus, there is provided a single cleaning cycle that may clean, sanitize, and descale food-soiled surfaces, and in certain embodiments, without the need for a pre-rinse step, using a non-chlorine detergent composition. The methods comprise a cleaning step and a post-rinsing step. In certain embodiments, a pre-rinse step is utilized, in which the volume of pre-rinse fluid used is less than 50% of the volume of cleaning solution used in the cleaning step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Fahim U. Ahmed, Bruno Van Den Bossche
  • Animal brushing arrangement and method of operating animal brushing arrangement
    Patent number: 9565834
    Abstract: An animal brushing arrangement and method wherein a support part, a brush, an electric motor and a rotation sensor are provided. The electric motor is arranged to rotate the brush about a rotation axis, and the rotation sensor is arranged to detect a rotational movement about the rotation axis that is caused by an external force applied to the brush, such as by an animal, when the motor is not operating, a detection of such a rotational movement being operative to activate the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Hans Van Der Poel
  • Method and device for spraying dairy animals
    Patent number: 9554552
    Abstract: A method and device for spraying dairy animals and in particular for spraying an udder region of dairy animals, including cows, during an at least partly or fully automatic milking process, includes providing a spray device mounted on a robot arm, the spray device including a spray nozzle with a spray opening, and a fluid channel feeding spray solution from an input port to the spray opening; pumping spray solution through the fluid channel towards the spray opening; heating the spray solution in a heating region of the fluid channel; and spraying the heated spray solution through the spray opening towards the udder region of the dairy animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Sten Mellberg, Henrik Olander
  • ANIMAL WATERING DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING ANIMAL WATERING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20150208609
    Abstract: An animal watering device includes a trough that holds water, a water conduit system in fluid communication with the trough, a water outlet at a bottom portion of the trough, an outlet valve arrangement associated with the water outlet, and a water level control system. The water level control system includes a controller, a timer, and a low level sensor that senses a low water level in the trough. The timer measures a first time interval and a second time interval. The water level control system opens the water outlet under a first condition, and under a second condition if failing to meet the first condition, where the first condition is met when the first time interval has expired and the water level in the trough is at or below the low level sensor, and the second condition is met when the second time interval has expired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Nicolas Tillet, Hans Van Der Poel
  • Milking parlour and method for operating the same
    Patent number: 9027509
    Abstract: An apparatus for milking an animal and provides a milking parlor includes first and second robotic manipulation devices and a plurality of milking stalls provided on a platform moveable relative to the robotic manipulation devices. The robotic manipulation devices are positioned so that each of the robotic manipulation devices is able to simultaneously service two neighboring milking stalls on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Mats Nilsson
  • Arrangement and method in a milking system, the milking system itself, and a computer program product for controlling the method
    Patent number: 8991334
    Abstract: An arrangement in a rotary milking system includes a rotating platform, an entry thereto and an exit therefrom. A selection gate arrangement at the exit of the rotating platform selectively guides animals, which have been milked in the rotary milking system and leave the rotating platform through the exit, back to the entry of the rotating platform or to a waiting area. A control device is provided for (i) determining whether an animal, which has been milked and leaves the rotating platform through the exit, has at least one udder compartment that was incompletely milked the last time the animal was milked, and (ii) controlling the selection gate arrangement to guide the animal back to the entry of the rotating platform or to the waiting area provided that the animal has at least one udder compartment that was incompletely milked the last time the animal was milked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Mats Nilsson
  • Animal treating arrangement
    Patent number: 8978583
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Uzi Birk, Mats Nilsson, Gert Danneker, Thomas Axelsson, Jan Eriksson
  • Detection arrangement and method
    Patent number: 8944004
    Abstract: A detecting arrangement is provided for a teat cleaning device including a teat cleaning cup in which teats of milking animals are contained during cleaning thereof. The detecting arrangement comprises a measuring device provided for automatically measuring a teat related parameter in or adjacent to the teat cleaning cup at completion of a teat cleaning process, and a processing device operatively connected to the measuring device and provided for automatically comparing the measured teat related parameter with a reference value and for automatically determining whether the teat of the milking animal has been contained in the teat cleaning cup unfolded during the teat cleaning process based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Hans Holmgren, Thomas Axelsson
  • Treatment device
    Patent number: 8887669
    Abstract: A treatment device for an animal includes a treatment member (1), having a first end and a second end, a longitudinal rotary axis (X) extending through the treatment member and the first and second ends, a driving part connected to the treatment member brings about a rotational movement of the treatment member around the longitudinal rotary axis. A carrying member (2) carries the treatment member and the driving part. An anchorage member (4) anchors the carrying member to a stationary element. The carrying member includes a first pivotable connection (3), permitting the treatment member to swing about a first axis (Y), and a second pivotable connection (5), permitting the treatment member to swing about a second axis (Z). The second pivotable connection is provided laterally closer to the anchorage member than to the first pivotable connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Olof Friberg, Hans Van Der Poel
  • Scraping device for removing objects from a rotary milking platform
    Patent number: 8881678
    Abstract: The invention relates to a scraping device (14) for removing objects from a floor surface (1c) of a rotary milking platform (1). The scraping device (14) includes a scraper (18) configured to come into contact with and move an object on the floor surface (1c) of the rotary milking platform (1) during rotation, and a suspension device selectively supporting the scraper (18). The suspension device selectively supports the scraper (18) in each of i) a first position adjacent to the floor surface (1c) of the rotary milking platform (1) and ii) a second position in which the scraper (18) is pressed against the floor surface (1c) with a first force. The suspension device is configured to move the scraper (18) from the first position to the second position when the object on the floor surface (1c) hits the scraper (18) during rotation of the rotary milking platform (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Jan Eriksson
  • Rotary parlour for milking of animals
    Patent number: 8863687
    Abstract: A rotary parlour for milking of animals includes a rotary platform unit and storing devices connected to the platform unit and adapted to hold a number of teat cups in predetermined parking positions. The storing devices are supported by a supporting mechanism comprising an elevating part adapted to move the storing device between an operating position in which the storing device holds at least a part of the parked teat cups at a higher level than the lowest level of the upper surface of the platform unit and a non-operative position in which both the storing device and the parked teat cups are located at a lower level than the lowest level of the upper surface of the platform unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Jan-Erik Andersson
  • Teatcup liner
    Patent number: 8820263
    Abstract: A teatcup liner for a teatcup has a longitudinal shape extending along a longitudinal axis (x). The teatcup liner includes a barrel (2) having a length (L) and defining an inner space (21) for receiving the teat. The barrel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape transversely to the longitudinal axis along the barrel. The polygonal cross-sectional shape defines a plurality of corner portions and a plurality of side portions, each connecting two of the corner portions. Each corner portion includes an inner surface facing the inner space and having an inner radius extending from the inner space to the inner surface. The inner radius is equal for each corner portion. Furthermore, the inner radius of each of the corner portions is at least 4 mm at a centre part of the corner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Nils Älveby
  • Milking parlour and method for operating the same
    Patent number: 8807079
    Abstract: An apparatus for milking an animal and provides a milking parlor includes first and second robotic manipulation devices and a plurality of milking stalls provided on a platform moveable relative to the robotic manipulation devices. The robotic manipulation devices are positioned so that each of the robotic manipulation devices is able to simultaneously service two neighboring milking stalls on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Mats Nilsson
  • Control system and a method for milking members in a milking parlour
    Patent number: 8800486
    Abstract: A control system and a method for milking members in a milking parlor having plural milking stalls. The control system includes a local control unit in each milking stall automatically preparing the milking member for a milking operation by setting a vacuum valve in an open position when the milking member is moved from a storage position, and a control unit setting the milking stalls in the milking parlor in a pre-cleaning mode when a milking operation is still in progress in at least one other of the milking stalls. In this case, the local control units prepare the milking members for a cleaning operation instead of a milking operation by maintaining the vacuum valve in a closed position when the milking member is moved from a storage position, until the cleaning operation of the milking member is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Marc Daniel
  • Barrier film-forming compositions and methods of use
    Patent number: 8778369
    Abstract: Long-lasting persistent, uniform, film-forming skin protecting compositions provide long-lasting persistent barrier films when applied to skin. The compositions have particular utility as barrier teat dips for protecting cows against mastitis and as wound care agents. A barrier film-forming agent is selected from pullulan, pullulan derivatives and combinations thereof. The barrier film-forming agent is stably solubilized in a solvent that dries to form the long-lasting, persistent, uniform film over the animal skin. The compositions may contain additives, such as antimicrobial agents that kill microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Fahim U. Ahmed, N. Camelia Traistaru
  • Teat cup liner
    Patent number: D715008
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Nils Alveby