Abstract: A milking system configured to milk animals includes at least one milking station, a milk tank, a transport conduit, a valve arrangement, and a cleaning arrangement that includes a delivery arrangement configured to deliver a first liquid into the milk transport conduit and to deliver a second liquid into the milk transport conduit, a pump, a controller configured to control the delivery arrangement, and a detector configured to detect that a delivery of the first liquid into milk transport conduit has ended. The detector is connected to the controller, which is configured, as a response to a signal from the detector that the delivery of the first liquid has ended, to activate the delivery arrangement to deliver the second liquid into the milk transport conduit subsequently to the ending of the delivery of the first liquid while there is a column of first liquid in the milk transport conduit.

Abstract: A milking arrangement includes a milk transport line (1), a plurality of milk stations, and a cleaning arrangement (4) with a delivery arrangement (5) configured to deliver a cleaning liquid into the milk transport line (1) and a pump (6) configured to pump the cleaning liquid through the milk transport line (1) at a pressure larger than atmospheric pressure, thereby filling the transport line (1) with cleaning liquid. A control unit (9) is configured to determine a volume and/or length of the milk transport line (1) on basis of registered first point of time of pump start, a second point of time of passage of cleaning liquid through the milk transport line (1), and the amount of liquid introduced into the milk transport line from the first point of time to the second point of time.

Abstract: A milking system configured to milk animals includes at least one milking station, a milk tank, a transport conduit, a valve arrangement, and a cleaning arrangement that includes a delivery arrangement configured to deliver a first liquid into the milk transport conduit and to deliver a second liquid into the milk transport conduit, a pump, a controller configured to control the delivery arrangement, and a detector configured to detect that a delivery of the first liquid into milk transport conduit has ended. The detector is connected to the controller, which is configured, as a response to a signal from the detector that the delivery of the first liquid has ended, to activate the delivery arrangement to deliver the second liquid into the milk transport conduit subsequently to the ending of the delivery of the first liquid while there is a column of first liquid in the milk transport conduit.

Abstract: A cleaning system for an automatic milking system includes a water supply arrangement alternatively serving first and second cleaning arrangements. The first cleaning arrangement is configured, in milking mode, to clean the teat cups of the automatic milking system and/or the teats of milking animals prior to being milked. The first cleaning arrangement includes at least one cleaning module, at least one feed line interconnecting the cleaning module with a tank, and a feed pump for feeding water from the tank to the cleaning module. The second cleaning arrangement is configured, in system cleaning mode, to clean the automatic milking system and includes a detergent supply system connected to the tank for supplying detergent to the tank, and a supply line interconnecting the tank with the automatic milking system allowing the cleaning liquid to be supplied to the automatic milking system.

Abstract: A arrangement for milking animals includes a milking station, a transport conduit, a main milk tank storing milk from the milking station, a connection conduit extending from the transport conduit to the main milk tank, a cleaning liquid arrangement, and a valve arrangement. From the milking station a connection pipe leads to the transport conduit at a connection point. The cleaning liquid arrangement is connected to the transport conduit via the valve arrangement. The valve arrangement is positionable in at least a first position and a second position. In the first position the transport conduit forms a loop such that two flow paths from the connection point to the connection conduit are provided by the transport conduit, and in the second position the loop is interrupted such that one flow path only from the connection point to the connection conduit is provided by the transport conduit.

Abstract: A cleaning system for an automatic milking system includes a water supply arrangement alternatively serving first and second cleaning arrangements. The first cleaning arrangement is configured, in milking mode, to clean the teat cups of the automatic milking system and/or the teats of milking animals prior to being milked. The first cleaning arrangement includes at least one cleaning module, at least one feed line interconnecting the cleaning module with a tank, and a feed pump for feeding water from the tank to the cleaning module. The second cleaning arrangement is configured, in system cleaning mode, to clean the automatic milking system and includes a detergent supply system connected to the tank for supplying detergent to the tank, and a supply line interconnecting the tank with the automatic milking system allowing the cleaning liquid to be supplied to the automatic milking system.

Abstract: A arrangement for milking animals includes a milking station, a transport conduit, a main milk tank storing milk from the milking station, a connection conduit extending from the transport conduit to the main milk tank, a cleaning liquid arrangement, and a valve arrangement. From the milking station a connection pipe leads to the transport conduit at a connection point. The cleaning liquid arrangement is connected to the transport conduit via the valve arrangement. The valve arrangement is positionable in at least a first position and a second position. In the first position the transport conduit forms a loop such that two flow paths from the connection point to the connection conduit are provided by the transport conduit, and in the second position the loop is interrupted such that one flow path only from the connection point to the connection conduit is provided by the transport conduit.

Abstract: A milking system includes a milking member for extracting milk from an animal, a transport line, a milk tank, a milk filter unit for filtering the milk with a first filter device and a second filter device, each including a filter container and a filter element, and a valve arrangement to convey milk through the devices, where the valve arrangement communicates with a control unit. The milking system further includes an indication device generating an indication to a user when any one of the filter elements needs to be replaced, which filter of the first and second filter device needs to be replaced, and when the filter element indicated to need to be replaced is accessible for replacement. A method for operating and cleaning the milking system is also provided.

Abstract: A milking plant includes a milking member to be attached to a teat of an animal to be milked during a milking operation. A milk container is connected to the milking member and adapted to collect the milk extracted during the milking operation. A milk pump, being a part of a milk transport conduit, defines a suction side and a pressure side. A milk tank is connected to the milk container via the milk transport conduit and adapted to collect the milk from the milk container. A milk sample discharge device is connected to the milk transport conduit at the pressure side. The milk pump is adapted to transport during a milk transport operation the milk extracted during the milking operation from the milk container in a major flow to the milk tank and in a minor flow via the milk discharge device.

Abstract: A milking installation includes first and second fluid systems (S1; S2) and a coupling arrangement for connecting and disconnecting the first fluid system (S1) to and from the second fluid system (S2). In a connected state, the first and second fluid systems (S1, S2) are in fluid communication with one another, and in a disconnected state the first and second fluid systems (S1, S2) are not in fluid communication with one another. The coupling arrangement includes a common cavity (CC) configured to be alternately included in the first fluid system (S1) or in the second fluid system (S2) for through passage of fluid while the first and second fluid systems (S1, S2) are disconnected from one another. The first fluid system (S1) also has a by-pass arrangement configured to allow fluid in the first fluid system (S1) to circulate independently from the passage of fluid through the common cavity (CC) when the common cavity (CC) is included in the second fluid system (S2).

Abstract: The present invention, relates to separating a first quantity of milk drawn from a milking animal in an automatic milking machine from a second quantity of milk drawn from a milking animal in said milking machine. Comprising the steps of milking an animal using said automatic milking machine, collecting a small representative amount of said milk during said milking, analysing at least a part of said small representative amount of milk using an on-line cell counter for counting the number of cells in said milk, and operating a valve depending on the counted number of cells so that if the counted number of cells are below a threshold said milk is collected in a first container and if said counted number of cells are equal to or above said threshold said milk are directed to either a drain or a second container.

Abstract: An indicating system for use in a milking system including an automated milking machine with a method for detecting mastitis of a milking animal in an automated milking machine, includes a first device for automatically obtaining and determining a first indicator of mastitis; a second device for automatically obtaining and determining a second indicator of mastitis; a processor operatively connected to the first and second devices and configured for automatically i) evaluating the first and second indicators of mastitis, and ii) identifying, based on the result the evaluation of the first and second indicators of mastitis, the need for a third indicator of mastitis.

Abstract: A milking system includes a milking member for extracting milk from an animal, a transport line, a milk tank, a milk filter unit for filtering the milk with a first filter device and a second filter device, each including a filter container and a filter element, and a valve arrangement to convey milk through the devices, where the valve arrangement communicates with a control unit. The milking system further includes an indication device generating an indication to a user when any one of the filter elements needs to be replaced, which filter of the first and second filter device needs to be replaced, and when the filter element indicated to need to be replaced is accessible for replacement. A method for operating and cleaning the milking system is also provided.

Abstract: An arrangement for and method of providing a representative sample of milk from one animal, after stirring the milk, includes a receiver, milk extracting parts, a pump transferring milk from the receiver to a sample unit, a circulation line extending from the receiver via the pump and back to the receiver, for stirring the milk in the receiver. The arrangement stirs the extracted milk without injecting air into the milk, before a sample part of the milk is transferred from the receiver to the milk-sampling unit, thereby ensuring that the sampled part is representative of the milk from one animal.

Abstract: A clean-in-place device for a milk conveying system. The milk conveying system includes at least two separate areas (A, B) with surfaces difficult to clean. The clean-in-place device includes a steam source (24), steam passages (25, 26) extending between the steam source (24) and a respective outlet opening (25a, 26a) from which it is possible to supply steam to these areas (A, B) of the milk conveying system and control unit (7, 27) adapted to control the supply of steam from the steam source (24) to these areas (A, B) of the milk conveying system.

Abstract: A washing system for washing equipment in a milking plant includes a closed flow circuit, a washing liquid source (14), a feeding part (7, 16) adapted to supply washing liquid from the washing liquid source (14) to a first portion (15) of the closed flow circuit and circulating part (10) adapted to circulate the washing liquid in the closed flow circuit during a washing process of the equipment (1, 2, 3, 8). The washing system further includes a heating part (7, 23-28) adapted to supply steam to at least a second vertical portion (19a) of the closed flow circuit during at least a part of the washing process for supplying heat energy to the circulating washing liquid. The second portion (19a) of the closed flow circuit is located at a distance from the first portion (15) of the closed flow circuit.

Abstract: A washing system for washing a teat cleaning apparatus includes an inlet passage (14) adapted to convey washing liquid to at least a teat cleaning member (1) of the teat cleaning apparatus, a return passage (15) adapted to recirculate the washing liquid from the teat cleaning apparatus to the inlet passage (14) such that a separate closed flow circuit is formed for the washing liquid, and a circulating part (16) adapted to circulate the washing liquid in the separate closed flow circuit during a washing process of the teat cleaning member (1) of the teat cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: An indicating system for use in a milking system including an automated milking machine with a method for detecting mastitis of a milking animal in an automated milking machine, includes a first device for automatically obtaining and determining a first indicator of mastitis; a second device for automatically obtaining and determining a second indicator of mastitis; a processor operatively connected to the first and second devices and configured for automatically i) evaluating the first and second indicators of mastitis, and ii) identifying, based on the result the evaluation of the first and second indicators of mastitis, the need for a third indicator of mastitis.

Abstract: A milking installation includes first and second fluid systems (S1; S2) and a coupling arrangement for connecting and disconnecting the first fluid system (S1) to and from the second fluid system (S2). In a connected state, the first and second fluid systems (S1, S2) are in fluid communication with one another, and in a disconnected state the first and second fluid systems (S1, S2) are not in fluid communication with one another. The coupling arrangement includes a common cavity (CC) configured to be alternately included in the first fluid system (S1) or in the second fluid system (S2) for through passage of fluid while the first and second fluid systems (S1, S2) are disconnected from one another. The first fluid system (S1) also has a by-pass arrangement configured to allow fluid in the first fluid system (S1) to circulate independently from the passage of fluid through the common cavity (CC) when the common cavity (CC) is included in the second fluid system (S2).

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the supply of cleaning liquid into a milking system includes a pressurizing arrangement adapted to pressurize the cleaning liquid, a supply arrangement for selectively supplying cleaning liquid and a pressure sensing arrangement for sensing the pressure in the milking system. The pressure sensing device is operatively connected to the supply arrangement, and the supply arrangement is adapted to supply cleaning liquid into the milking system depending on the sensed pressure in the milking system. The arrangement can be adapted to supply cleaning liquid when the sensed pressure in the milking system is below the atmospheric pressure.