Abstract: Methods and apparatus for machine-milking an animal using a pulsed vacuum with sequential evacuation and ventilation phases in a teat cup pulse chamber by creating an improved pressure curve during the evacuation phase, the ventilation phase, or both pressure changing phases by controlling a pressure change phase using at least two pressure changing speed rates.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for operating a carousel milking facility comprising a plurality of milking stations, which are arranged on a movable platform. Movement of the platform is determined in relation to a reference point and the position of at least one milking station can be calculated with a position detection device.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a method and a device for associating animals with milking stations. For this purpose, the animals are detected by sensors and subjected to identification processes, thereby providing information units for an individual animal. The detection by sensors and the identification processes are tuned with each other in such a manner that the respective sensorically detected data are associated with the data obtained by the identification processes. The latter represent animal-related information units that are made available at milking stations. The sensory detection can for example be carried out by photoelectric sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a carousel milking facility (1) comprising a plurality of milking stations (3), which are arranged on a platform (2). According to said method, a positional modification of the platform (2) is determined in relation to a reference point and the position of at least one milking station (3) can be calculated.

Abstract: The method according to the invention for determining information on an animal and/or animal milk, in which a sensor unit detects four items of data relating to the health, well-being and/or behaviour of the animal and/or data relating to the quality or composition of the animal milk and/or data relating to a physical, chemical, biological and/or morphological property of the animal milk and uses a transmitting and/or receiving unit (6) to wirelessly transmit said data to a central data unit (10), is distinguished by the fact that activation and/or signalling for data transmission is/are effected separately from the actual data transmission.

Abstract: A method for milking animals in a group at a plurality of milking locations formed in a milking parlor, the method including the steps of manually applying, substantially successively, at each milking location a milking device to the udder of the animal to be milked and starting milking by a milking controller that controls the milking device. For adaptation to the individual needs of the milker, the present method suggests that a subsequent milking device of the milking parlor should be started in an automated manner in the order that corresponds to the order in which the milking device was attached and as a result of the starting of the preceding milking controller. The present method can be used for starting various milking phases, e.g.

Abstract: A milking parlor, milking module, and a closing unit comprising at least two closing members to optionally release or close a corresponding number of openings in a milking parlor floor which serves as a standing area. The closing members are disposed to be rotatable about a rotational axis at least between a closed position and an open position, wherein the open position allows at least one animal-related treatment means to be guided through said opening. Said rotational axis is disposed in a central region between the closing members.

Abstract: In order to improve the functionality of a cooling arrangement (4), the invention provides a method for providing data for a control system for a milk cooling arrangement (4), a method for cooling milk in a milk cooling arrangement, and a control system. Data, which are relevant to the cooling tank and which are at least specific to the milk at least two milking stations, are determined for the control system of a milk cooling arrangement of a milking system and are provided to said control system. At least one characteristic quantity is determined from this data, and the milk cooling arrangement is activated when at least one characteristic quantity lies outside a tolerance zone, particularly when it exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Shorter cooling times and an improved use of resources are achieved due to the interaction of the milking parlor control with the control system of a milk cooling arrangement.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a method and a device for associating animals with milking stations. For this purpose, the animals are subsequently detected by sensors and subjected to identification processes, thereby providing information units for an individual animal. The detection by sensors and the identification processes are tuned with each other in such a manner that the respective sensorically detected data are associated with the data obtained by the identification processes. The latter represent animal-related information units that are made available at least at the milking stations. The sensory detection can for example be carried out by means of photoelectric barriers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for determining the volumetric flow rate of milk flowing during a milking process. A cross-sectional area (Ai) of the milk flow (2) is determined at a first measuring point (3) by means of a sensor (4) which is arranged outside the flowing milk. The time (ti) required by the milk flow (2) with the determined cross-sectional are (Ai), to go from the first measuring point (3) to a second measuring point (5) which is provided downstream from the first measuring point, is measured. The flow speed (vi) is derived from the measured time (ti) and the known distance (s) between the first and second measuring points (3, 5). The volumetric flow rate (V(t)) is determined on the basis of the determined cross-sectional area (Ai) and the flow speed (vi).

Abstract: For verification of the functionality of an animal identification system, especially of an animal identification system of a milking installation, whereby the animal identification system [has] at least one transponder which is suitable for and is designed for transmitting of signals which contain preferably at least the code of one individual animal, and with at least one piece of read-in equipment for receiving signals and preferably for recognition of codes, a method is proposed in which at least one characteristic quantity is determined from the signals received during an identification period and this characteristic quantity is compared with a target quantity.

Abstract: The method according to the invention for providing data on individual animals in which a sample (2) is taken from an animal at a sample location (1), whereby the animal ID is determined for identification of the animal, a registration ID is determined for the identification of the sampling, and a sampling ID is determined for the identification of the sample, is characterized by the fact that the animal ID, the registration ID and the sample ID are determined at the sampling location (1), are linked together to one information unit and are introduced into a data center (3). The method according to the invention, the device as well as the installation, permit efficient, comprehensive and practicable preparation and acquisition of a mass of data on individual animals, which is not liable to error, even in the case of large animal stocks and also permits comprehensive monitoring of an animal throughout the day.

Abstract: For machine-milking an animal such as a cow it is proposed that a pulsed vacuum with sequential evacuation and ventilation phases is generated in a teat cup of a milking unit by means of a pulsator, wherein the pressure curve during the evacuation phase and/or the ventilation phase is controlled in at least two speed rates.

Abstract: A method is proposed for providing at least one item of information on occupancy of a milking stall in a milking facility having at least two milking stalls, which are arranged on a movable platform, in accordance with which method a movement of an animal out of an identification area in the direction of a milking stall is detected.

Abstract: A rotary milking parlor milker detacher having a pivoting support arm and retracting chain arrangement that is synchronized with a rotating platform position to move the detacher between a storage position, a presentation position, and a milking position to protect the detacher from damage and provide a superior ergonomic design that reduces operator fatigue and turnover.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a carousel milking facility (1) comprising a plurality of milking stations (3), which are arranged on a platform (2). According to said method, a positional modification of the platform (2) is determined in relation to a reference point and the position of at least one milking station (3) can be calculated.

Abstract: A rotary milking parlor milker detacher having a pivoting support arm and retracting chain arrangement that is synchronized with a rotating platform position to move the detacher between a storage position, a presentation position, and a milking position to protect the detacher from damage and provide a superior ergonomic design that reduces operator fatigue and turnover.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for determining the volumetric flow rate of milk flowing during a milking process. A cross-sectional area (Ai) of the milk flow (2) is determined at a first measuring point (3) by means of a sensor (4) which is arranged outside the flowing milk. The time (ti) required by the milk flow (2) with the determined cross-sectional area (Ai), to go from the first measuring point (3) to a second measuring point (5) which is provided downstream from the first measuring point, is measured. The flow speed (vi) is derived from the measured time (ti) and the known distance (s) between the first and second measuring points (3, 5). The volumetric flow rate (V(t)) is determined on the basis of the determined cross-sectional area (Ai) and the flow speed (vi).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for milking an animal, in particular a cow, according to which a characteristic (KG) of the milking operation is first determined. Said characteristic (KG) is composed of at least one of the following variables: the actual value (IW) of the milk flow (MF), the temporal modification of said flow and/or the accumulated quantity of milk (MM). A threshold value (SK) for determining the end of a milking operation is determined in accordance with the characteristic(s) (KG). The end of the milking operation is predicted using the characteristic (KG) and the threshold value (SK). An evaluation variable (BG) of the milking operation is determined during said milking operation, whereby this/these evaluation variable(s) (BG) take(s) into account at least one of the following variables: the actual value (IW) of the milk flow (MF), the temporal modification of said flow and/or the accumulated quantity of milk (MM).

Abstract: A rotary milking parlor milker detacher having a pivoting support arm and retracting chain arrangement that is synchronized with a rotating platform position to move the detacher between a storage position, a presentation position, and a milking position to protect the detacher from damage and provide a superior ergonomic design that reduces operator fatigue and turnover.