Abstract: An apparatus for applying at least one teat cup (1) to a teat (2) of an animal (3), which includes a sensor arrangement (5) which has at least one sensor unit (6) that can be brought into contact with a rear body part of the animal (3). To apply a teat cup, an application device (14) is provided, which comprises at least one positioning arm (15) for applying the at least one teat cup (1) to the teat (2) of the animal (3). The application device is coupled with a controller, which connects to a positioning device. The sensor arrangement (5) comprises a measuring device (9) connected to the sensor unit (6). The sensor arrangement (5) is stationarily arranged with respect to a reference position. The sensor unit (6) is designed and constructed such that it follows the movement of the animal (3), and the measuring device (9) measures the change of position of the sensor unit (6) with respect to the reference position.

Abstract: A valve for a milk pipeline which includes an elastic, tubular sealing unit mounted between two connectors in the milk pipeline, and a housing surrounding the sealing unit so as to define a closed chamber therebetween. The sealing unit can be brought by an external over-pressure in the chamber into a fully collapsed and closed position. Also, the valve is provided with a structure which engages at least one section of the sealing unit and applies a force directed substantially radially outwardly, so that the sealing unit is at least partly collapsed in its non-actuated state. As a result, the valve can be reliably closed with a small external over-pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: A teat cup assembly for a milking machine and having a teat receptacle 21 which is in the form of an elastic sleeve 2 having an upper inlet opening 18 and a lower outlet opening 22. The teat cup assembly is provided with an outlet 6 connecting to a milking line. In the flow passage below the teat receptacle, a valve arrangement is formed with a valve chamber 12 accommodating a moveable valve body 8, by which the flow passage is closed in a closed position and opened in an open position. Arranged on the teat cup casing 1 is an actuating element 10 that is connected to valve body 8 and can be displaced away from the inlet opening 18 for closing the flow passage or displaced in a direction toward the inlet opening 18 for opening the flow passage.

Abstract: A process for locating an object, in particular a teat of a cow within an operation range using a sensor matrix (10) of a milking robot. This process is characterized in that the location identified using the sensor matrix (10) is checked for plausibility during the locating process and in the event of an implausible location, a separate diagnostic step is carried out.