Abstract: Milking cups are attached to the teats of the female animal by positioning the milking cups relative to at least one teat by means of a control system responsive to a first sensor. The relative position of the teats in a substantially horizontal plane is determined by a second sensor and the milking cups are attached one after another while the at least one teat is continually sensed by the first sensor.

Abstract: An automatic milking device employs a robot arm, a sensor and a control system for searching for, finding and following the teats on the cow's udder. The control system employs a model to provide corrected position information for comparison with sensed position information so that a selection may be made based upon stored criteria.

Abstract: A system for discharging milk to a storage tank is provided with an intermediate reservoir for temporarily storing the milk and/or a cooled tank for collecting milk unsuitable for human consumption.

Abstract: A milking cup is moved into position surrounding a cow's teat by power operated members controlled by an electrical circuit including a pair of spaced ultrasonic detectors for locating the teat. Each detector includes a transmitter and a receiver. The ultrasonic fields produced by the transmitters intersect one another at a position spaced from the transmitters. Conical reflecting surfaces are disposed adjacent the transmitters and receivers to reflect ultrasonic waves to obtain a detection field of predetermined dimensions and to determine the area within which the ultrasonic waves are reflected back to the receivers. The generatrix of the conical reflecting surfaces may be slightly concave or convex.