Abstract: A dispenser (5) for dispensing discrete predefined quantities of animal feed to animals comprises first and second primary containers (28a, 28b) for ingredients of the animal feed. Primary metering augers (34) are provided in each primary container (28) for metering predefined quantities of the ingredients to produce a discrete predefined quantity of animal feed for dispensing to an animal. A radio frequency identity detector (82) located in the dispenser (5) identifies the identity of an approaching animal, and a microprocessor (48) in the dispenser (5) operates the primary metering augers (34) for metering out appropriate quantities of the ingredients in the first and second primary containers (28a, 28b) to produce a specific discrete predefined quantity of the animal feed for consumption by the animal. The discrete predefined quantity of the animal feed is presented to the animal in a dish-shaped base (22) of the dispenser (5).

Abstract: A rotary milking platform (1) comprises a plurality of apparatus, each of which comprises a platform (11) which forms a segment of the rotary platform (1). The platforms (11) define respective animal accommodating locations (3) for animals to be milked. A communicating opening (20) in each platform (11) is closed by a pair of closure plates (25) which are pivotal upwardly into an open state for separating the hind legs of an animal. A carriage (14) which is slideably carried beneath the platform (11) of each apparatus (10) in the directions of the arrows A and B. A teat cup carrier (15) is pivotally mounted in the carriage (14) of each apparatus (10) and is pivotal from a first state with teat cups (16) in the carrier (15) in a protective state extending horizontally and a second state with the teat cups (16) in a ready state extending vertically upwardly and ready for manual placement onto the teats of an animal.

Abstract: Bail apparatus (1) includes an overhead support member (3) which is suspended from an overhead support framework (14) by a linkage mechanism (11) from an operating member (12), so that the bail apparatus is operable in a lower operative state for separating animals and an upper release state for releasing the animals from a milking parlor (2). A plurality of bail elements (8) are mounted at spaced apart locations along the overhead support member (3), and each bail element includes a partition element (22) which extends substantially transversely of the overhead support member (3) at an angle ? of approximately 78.5°. A coupling bracket (17) couples each bail element (8) to the overhead support member (3).

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 milk liner assembly (1) comprises a milk liner (5) seal ably located in an outer shell (3) and defining with the outer shell (3) a pulsating vacuum chamber (23). The milk liner (5) comprises a sleeve (8) and a teat engaging flange (25) which together define a teat receiving cavity (11). A teat accommodating opening (26) through the teat engaging flange (25) accommodates a teat into the teat receiving cavity (11). A strengthening ring (28) integrally formed with the sleeve (8) is located on the sleeve (8) and extends around the sleeve (8) adjacent the teat engaging flange (25) for minimizing excessive radial inward contraction of the sleeve (8), and in turn excessive radial inward contraction of the teat engaging flange (25) onto the teat so that even if the teat engaging flange (25) were to engage the cricoid fold, milk flow through the cricoid fold would not be inhibited by the gripping pressure exerted the teat engaging flange (25) on the cricoid fold.

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: Bail apparatus (1) includes an overhead support member (3) which is suspended from an overhead support framework (14) by a linkage mechanism (11) from an operating member (12), so that the bail apparatus is operable in a lower operative state for separating animals and an upper release state for releasing the animals from a milking parlour (2). A plurality of bail elements (8) are mounted at spaced apart locations along the overhead support member (3), and each bail element includes a partition element (22) which extends substantially transversely of the overhead support member (3) at an angle ? of approximately 78.5°. A coupling bracket (17) couples each bail element (8) to the overhead support member (3).

Abstract: A meter for measuring the quantity of milk by weight flowing in a pipeline comprises a main housing having a main milk inlet pipe and a main milk outlet pipe. A buffer chamber in the main housing receives and holds the milk prior to weighing. A weighing container in a weighing chamber sequentially receives discrete quantities of milk from the buffer chamber through a communicating opening. The weighing container is mounted on a load cell, which sequentially weighs the settled weights of the discrete quantities of milk, the settled weights of which are cumulatively stored. Weighed milk is discharged from the weighing container through a discharge outlet opening. A main valve member and a secondary valve member selectively close the communicating opening and the discharge outlet, respectfully. Milk samples are collected in a milk sample reservoir on discharge of weighed discrete quantities of milk from the weighing container for subsequent collection in a collection jar.