Abstract: A distribution unit for milk samples that includes a first distribution portion with a first flow channel and a plurality of ports adjoining and communicating with the first flow channel, the ports configured to permit various media to be delivered to and from the first flow channel, and a second distribution portion that includes a second flow channel and a plurality of ports adjoining and communicating with the second flow channel, including at least a milk inlet port permitting milk to be delivered from the first flow channel to the second flow channel, and including a milk outlet port permitting milk samples to be delivered from the second flow channel to a further milk analyzing unit.

Abstract: A method for sampling milk in a milking machine includes the steps of attaching teat cups to teats of an animal and starting to milk said teats; receiving a first amount of milk in a milk receiver while keeping an outlet valve device open; closing the outlet valve device; continuing the receiving of milk in the milk receiver; agitating the milk in the milk receiver using an agitation device of a milk sampling arrangement; taking a regular milk sample from the milk in an outlet portion of the milk receiver using a milk sample device of the milk sampling arrangement; and opening the outlet valve device so that the milk can be transferred to a milk tank.

Abstract: A method for sampling milk in a milking machine includes the steps of attaching teat cups to teats of an animal and starting to milk said teats; receiving a first amount of milk in a milk receiver while keeping an outlet valve device open; closing the outlet valve device; continuing the receiving of milk in the milk receiver; agitating the milk in the milk receiver using an agitation device of a milk sampling arrangement; taking a regular milk sample from the milk in an outlet portion of the milk receiver using a milk sample device of the milk sampling arrangement; and opening the outlet valve device so that the milk can be transferred to a milk tank.

Abstract: A milk sampling system for use with an automatic milking machine includes a metering pump (2) having an inlet (9) connected to a induction system (3) and an outlet (10) connected to a discharge system (5). The induction system includes a manifold block (4) with passages forming supply paths (12, 13, 15) for connecting the pump inlet to a milk source, a washing fluid source, and a source of pressurized air, and solenoid valves (21, 22, 25) to selectively open and close the supply paths. The discharge systems includes a manifold block (6) with passages forming a plurality discharge paths (27, 29, 31, 33) for successively delivering discrete milk samples for analysis, and solenoid valves (35, 36, 37, 38) to selectively open and close the discharge paths.

Abstract: A device to motivate an animal to leave a milking stall includes at least a first unit configured to motivate the animal to leave the milking stall by a first motivation means; a second unit configured to motivate the animal to leave the milking stall by a second motivation means which is of a different type than the first motivation means; and a control unit configured, when it is time for the animal to leave the milking stall, to activate at least one of the first and second units such that the animal in the milking stall will be motivated to leave the milking stall.

Abstract: A device to motivate an animal to leave a milking stall includes at least a first unit configured to motivate the animal to leave the milking stall by a first motivation means; a second unit configured to motivate the animal to leave the milking stall by a second motivation means which is of a different type than the first motivation means; and a control unit configured, when it is time for the animal to leave the milking stall, to activate at least one of the first and second units such that the animal in the milking stall will be motivated to leave the milking stall.

Abstract: A milk sampling apparatus and method receives milk from a milking machine and discharges discrete samples of the milk for analysis. In the method, milk is collected in a chamber, excess milk is emptied from the chamber by an emptying parts which reduces the milk in the chamber to a predetermined level, and milk samples of predetermined quantity are successively discharged through respective outlets located at different heights within the chamber and which are opened in turn from the uppermost outlet to the lowermost outlet.

Abstract: A milk sampling system for use with an automatic milking machine includes a metering pump (2) having an inlet (9) connected to a induction system (3) and an outlet (10) connected to a discharge system (5). The induction system includes a manifold block (4) with passages forming supply paths (12, 13, 15) for connecting the pump inlet to a milk source, a washing fluid source, and a source of pressurized air, and solenoid valves (21, 22, 25) to selectively open and close the supply paths. The discharge systems includes a manifold block (6) with passages forming a plurality discharge paths (27, 29, 31, 33) for successively delivering discrete milk samples for analysis, and solenoid valves (35, 36, 37, 38) to selectively open and close the discharge paths.

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 milk sampling apparatus and method receives milk from a milking machine and discharges discrete samples of the milk for analysis. In the method, milk is collected in a chamber, excess milk is emptied from the chamber by an emptying parts which reduces the milk in the chamber to a predetermined level, and milk samples of predetermined quantity are successively discharged through respective outlets located at different heights within the chamber and which are opened in turn from the uppermost outlet to the lowermost outlet.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for providing a representative milk sample from one animal, includes milk extracting parts, a receiver, a milk transferring part to transfer the milk from the receiver to a sampling unit, milk stirring parts adapted to stir the milk before transferring a sample part of the milk to the sample unit, a milk yield determining part, a stirring time determining part, the arrangement adapted to terminate the stirring of the milk when the time period ends so that a satisfactorily stirring can be accomplished without subjecting the milk to excessive stirring.

Abstract: A visual detection arrangement is provided in a milking system (3) comprising a robot arm (15) for attaching a teat cup (11) to a teat of a milking animal (8), and a control device (19) for controlling the movement of the robot arm. The detection arrangement comprises first visual detection means (17) provided on the robot arm for repeatedly determining the teat position relative the robot arm and second visual detection means (21) directed towards the milking animal. The second visual detection means (21) is provided for detecting a position of the animal in a longitudinal direction (x), and the control device (19) is initially provided for controlling the movement of the robot arm based on information of the position of the teat of the animal relative the animal itself, and on the detected longitudinal position of the animal.

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 visual detection arrangement is provided in a milking system (3) comprising a robot arm (15) for attaching a teat cup (11) to a teat of a milking animal (8), and a control device (19) for controlling the movement of the robot arm. The detection arrangement comprises first visual detection means (17) provided on the robot arm for repeatedly determining the teat position relative the robot arm and second visual detection means (21) directed towards the milking animal. The second visual detection means (21) is provided for detecting a position of the animal in a longitudinal direction (x), and the control device (19) is initially provided for controlling the movement of the robot arm based on information of the position of the teat of the animal relative the animal itself; and on the detected longitudinal position of the animal.

Abstract: A milk sampling apparatus for use with a processor controlled milking system. The apparatus may include a cassette wherein milk sample collecting elements are placed, and at least one filling member capable of being placed above a selected one of the milk sample collecting elements by a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by the processor controlled milking system, into the selected one of the milk sample collecting elements. The apparatus may further include a micro processor arranged for two-way communication with the processor controlled milking system.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention refer to a milk sampling apparatus and method for use with an automated milking system. The apparatus comprises a cassette (7) wherein milk sample collecting elements (9) are placed, and at least one filling member (27) capable of being placed above a selected one of the milk sample collecting elements (9) by a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by the automated milking system, into the selected one of the milk sample collecting elements (9).

Abstract: A milk sampling apparatus for use with an automated milking system. The apparatus may include a cassette wherein milk sample collecting elements may be placed, and at least one filling member capable of being placed above a selected one of the milk sample collecting elements by a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by the automated milking system, in the selected one of the milk sample collecting elements. Further, the milk sampling apparatus may include an agitating device, such as a shaking table, for agitating the milk sample.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a milk sampling apparatus for use with an automated milking system, said apparatus comprising a cassette (7) wherein milk sample collecting elements (9) are placed, and at least one filling member (27) capable of being placed above a selected one of said milk sample collecting elements (9) by means of a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by means of said automated milking system, into said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements (9). According to the invention the milk sampling apparatus comprises agitating means, preferably a shaking table (5), capable of agitating said milk sample.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a milk sampling apparatus and method for use with an automated milking system. The apparatus comprises a cassette (7) wherein milk sample collecting elements (9) are placed, and at least one filling member (27) capable of being placed above a selected one of said milk sample collecting elements (9) by means of a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by means of said automated milking system, into said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements (9).

Abstract: The present invention refers to a milk sampling apparatus for use with a processor controlled milking system (61), said apparatus comprising a cassette (7) wherein milk sample collecting elements (9) are placed, and at least one filling member (27) capable of being placed above a selected one of said milk sample collecting elements (9) by means of a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by means of said processor controlled milking system, into said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements (9). The apparatus further comprises processing means (33) arranged for two-way communication with said processor controlled milking system.