Abstract: An implement for automatically milking a dairy animal, such as a cow, comprises a milking parlour, a sensor for observing a teat, and a milking robot for automatically attaching a teat cup to the teat. The milking robot comprises a robot control that is connected to the sensor. The sensor comprises a radiation source for emitting light, a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the dairy animal, a lens, and sensor control unit. The sensor comprises a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers. The sensor control unit is designed to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate the distance from the sensor to a plurality of points on the part to be observed of the dairy animal.

Abstract: An implement for automatically milking a dairy animal, such as a cow, comprises a milking parlour, a sensor for observing a teat, and a milking robot for automatically attaching a teat cup to the teat. The milking robot comprises a robot control that is connected to the sensor. The sensor comprises a radiation source for emitting light, a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the dairy animal, a lens, and sensor control unit. The sensor comprises a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers. The sensor control unit is designed to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate the distance from the sensor to a plurality of points on the part to be observed of the dairy animal.

Abstract: An implement for automatically milking a dairy animal, such as a cow, comprises a milking parlour, a sensor for observing a teat, and a milking robot for automatically attaching a teat cup to the teat. The milking robot comprises a robot control that is connected to the sensor. The sensor comprises a radiation source for emitting light, a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the dairy animal, a lens, and sensor control unit. The sensor comprises a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers. The sensor control unit is designed to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate the distance from the sensor to a plurality of points on the part to be observed of the dairy animal.

Abstract: A device and computer program product arranged to manage a group of dairy animals including individually recognizing each animal by an animal identification system, milking the animals to give actual milk yields for each animal, and feeding the animals with a predetermined individual ration, collecting data regarding the group of dairy animals, which data includes for each animal at least the actual milk yield and an amount of the individual ration consumed by the animal, wherein subsequent individual milk yields are estimated using a model on the basis of said data, and wherein, for one or more animals, at least one of the individual ration and the milking of individual dairy animals is adjusted in a regulatory step of the model using a precondition.

Abstract: A teat cup cleaning device having a heating chamber, provided with a discharge which is closable by a valve, and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device is provided for filling the heating chamber with an amount of cleaning liquid, and a heating arrangement is arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. The valve opens in this situation to deliver the heated cleaning liquid to the teat cup. The teat cup cleaning device also comprising a connecting line between a liquid supply and the discharge.

Abstract: An implement for automatically milking a dairy animal, such as a cow, comprises a milking parlour, a sensor for observing a teat, and a milking robot for automatically attaching a teat cup to the teat. The milking robot comprises a robot control that is connected to the sensor. The sensor comprises a radiation source for emitting light, a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the dairy animal, a lens, and sensor control unit. The sensor comprises a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers. The sensor control unit is designed to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate the distance from the sensor to a plurality of points on the part to be observed of the dairy animal.

Abstract: An implement for automatically milking a dairy animal, such as a cow, comprises a milking parlor, a sensor for observing a teat, and a milking robot for automatically attaching a teat cup to the teat. The milking robot comprises a robot control that is connected to the sensor. The sensor comprises a radiation source for emitting light, a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the dairy animal, a lens, and sensor control unit. The sensor comprises a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers. The sensor control unit is designed to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate the distance from the sensor to a plurality of points on the part to be observed of the dairy animal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of managing a group of dairy animals including individually recognizing each animal by an animal identification system, milking the animals to give actual milk yields for each animal, and feeding the animals with an predetermined individual ration, collecting data regarding the group of dairy animals, which data comprise for each animal at least the actual milk yield and an amount of the individual ration consumed by the animal, wherein subsequent individual milk yields are estimated using a model on the basis of said data, and wherein, for one or more animals, at least one of the individual ration and the milking of individual dairy animals is adjusted in a regulatory step of the model using a precondition. The invention also provides a device and a computer program product, arranged to perform such a method.

Abstract: A milking implement comprising a frame with, disposed thereon, at least one teat cup holder with a teat cup movable relative thereto, and a replacing element connected with the teat cup, wherein the frame further includes an intermediate arm connected with the frame and with the teat cup holder and having a first joint and a second joint about which the teat cup holder and the intermediate arm, respectively, are tiltable with the aid of the replacing element, and a spring coupled with the teat cup holder and the frame and, if desired, with the intermediate arm.

Abstract: An unmanned autonomous vehicle for displacing feed lying on a floor is provided with two wheels that are separately drivable, a distance determining device for determining the distance from the vehicle to a wall portion, an orientation determining device for determining the orientation of the center line of the vehicle relative to the wall portion, a torque difference determining device for determining the torque difference between the wheels, a control unit for controlling the vehicle and moving it in a direction of travel, and a feed displacing arrangement for displacing feed substantially sidewardly. The control unit may be programmed in such a way that during operation the vehicle will maintain a distance determined by the distance determining device to the wall portion, which distance is greater than or equal to a pre-adjusted minimum distance to the wall portion.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile milking implement having a frame with, a sub-frame which is adjustable in height and which has at least one teat cup holder and a teat cup movable relative thereto. The teat cup holder is tiltable, via a tilting mechanism coupled to the teat cup holder and the frame between a substantially vertical position and a second partially inverted position. The milking implement protects the teat cups against contamination and is capable of storing them in a compact manner.

Abstract: A teat cup cleaning device comprises a heating chamber provided with a discharge outlet that is closable by a valve and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device is arranged for filling the heating chamber with an amount of cleaning liquid and retaining a given quantity of gas. The chamber is provided with a heating arrangement arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. On operation of the valve superheated cleaning liquid is discharged to clean a teat cup.

Abstract: A teat cup cleaning device comprises a heating chamber provided with a discharge outlet that is closable by a valve and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device is arranged for filling the heating chamber with an amount of cleaning liquid and retaining a given quantity of gas. The chamber is provided with a heating arrangement arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. On operation of the valve superheated cleaning liquid is discharged to clean a teat cup.

Abstract: A teat cup cleaning device having a heating chamber, provided with a discharge which is closable by a valve, and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device is provided for filling the heating chamber with an amount of cleaning liquid, and a heating arrangement is arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. The valve opens in this situation to deliver the heated cleaning liquid to the teat cup. The teat cup cleaning device also comprising a connecting line between a liquid supply and the discharge.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle for supplying feed to an animal, which is provided with a frame, with propulsion mechanism disposed thereon, feed supplier for supplying feed and navigator connected to the propulsion mechanism with a sensor for forming an image of an observation area, wherein the sensor comprises: a source of radiation for emitting modulated electromagnetic radiation, a receiver device for radiation reflected by an object, comprising a matrix with rows and columns of receivers, an optical device and sensor image processor configured to determine for the receivers a phase difference between the emitted electromagnetic radiation and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate a distance from the receiver to the object. Through use of the unmanned vehicle device an excellent and reliable navigation is possible, so that, for example, milk can be conveyed efficiently from a milking implement to a calf.

Abstract: A combination of a teat cup and a flexible milk tube is shown. The flexible milk tube has a main duct and a plurality of secondary ducts for discharging milk from the teat cup and for applying vacuum in the teat cup. The main duct is confined by a duct wall extending around the main duct. The secondary ducts are included in the duct wall of the main duct. By including the plurality of secondary ducts in the duct wall of the main duct the flexible milk tube as a whole has a smaller cross-section than that of the known milk tube. The plurality of secondary ducts no longer need separate duct walls forming separate tubes either connected or not with the flexible milk tube comprising the main duct. This results in space saving.

Abstract: A system for demarcating an area comprises a first vehicle, an attachment point, a demarcating element, a motor and a vehicle control unit. The demarcating element extends from the first vehicle to the attachment point. The system furthermore comprises a camera, which camera is operatively connected to the vehicle control unit.

Abstract: A teat cup cleaning device having a heating chamber (2), provided with a discharge (3) which is closable by a valve (4), and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device (20) is provided for filling the heating chamber (2) with an amount of cleaning liquid (11), and a heating arrangement is arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber (2) to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. The valve (4) opens in this situation to deliver the heated cleaning liquid to the teat cup. The teat cup cleaning device also comprising a connecting line (17) between a liquid supply and the discharge.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile milking implement having a frame with, a sub-frame which is adjustable in height and which has at least one teat cup holder and a teat cup movable relative thereto. The teat cup holder is tiltable, via a tilting mechanism coupled to the teat cup holder and the frame between a substantially vertical position and a second partially inverted position. The milking implement protects the teat cups against contamination and is capable of storing them in a compact manner.

Abstract: An installation for supplying liquid feed to an animal, such as a calf. The installation comprises one or more feed loading places and one or more feed unloading places, and one or more vehicles that are autonomously displaceable, controlled by a microprocessor or the like, between one or more feed loading places and one or more feed unloading places, each vehicle comprising a drinking nozzle, such as a flexible teat, which is movably mounted relative to the remaining part of the displaceable vehicle, and a height adjusting device for adjusting a height of the drinking nozzle.