With Automatic Control Patents (Class 119/14.08)
  • Patent number: 8393296
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Peter Willem van der Sluis, Ype Groensma
  • Publication number: 20130055955
    Abstract: A control and monitoring system for a rotating animal platform which includes multiple animal stalls arranged about its periphery, where the system includes an interactive display screen which displays output information relating to the current status of operations on the platform and which displays input channels for use by an operator, the platform itself is represented at said interactive display screen by an annular shape, each stall on the platform is graphically represented by a cell, the cells are displayed in a spatial arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of stalls on the platform, real-time status information relating to operations on the platform is represented at each cell, and the rotating movement of the platform is represented by the progression of each cell about the displayed representation of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Anders Nyberg
  • Patent number: 8381681
    Abstract: A receptacle for receiving cleaning concentrate, the receptacle comprising a concentrate discharge and a container having an opening, wherein a block-shaped cleaning agent is disposed on the opening in a replaceable manner, a liquid supply which is arranged for a washing out action, wherein liquid is sprayed through the opening onto the cleaning agent in order to wash out the cleaning agent and to form a cleaning concentrate, wherein a valve is provided in the concentrate discharge, which valve is controlled by a control device, wherein the control device is arranged to keep the valve closed during the washing out action, and wherein the device further comprises a signal supplier which is arranged to give a first warning signal after a predetermined phase of the washing out action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lely Patent N.V.
    Inventors: Aalze Veenstra, Renatius Ignatius Josephus Fransen
  • Patent number: 8381680
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for monitoring the supply of cleaning liquid from a cleaning line to a milking system, where the milking system includes at least two milking stations and milk conduits, and the cleaning line includes supply conduits connectable to the milk conduits at the milking stations and arranged to apportion cleaning liquid to the milking stations, so that cleaning liquid flows through the milking stations. The method includes measuring a value of the flow of the cleaning liquid through the respective milking stations by a respective flow sensor and transferring the values of the measured flows to a control unit. The arrangement includes a first control unit and flow sensors and a respective flow sensor is adapted to measure a value of the flows of cleaning liquid through a respective milking station, and provide the values to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Anders Westman, Anders Thylén
  • Publication number: 20130036975
    Abstract: An automatic milking system (11) includes i) a milking apparatus (12) with teat cups (15a-d) and milk flow rate measuring equipment (16a-d) for measuring the individual milk flow from each of the teats of the animal; and ii) a teat-cup device (14) attaching the teat cups to the teats of the animal prior to milking the animal. The milk flow measuring equipment is arranged to measure the individual milk flow rate from each of the teats of the animal continuously during the milking of the animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Peter Carlsson
  • Patent number: 8371243
    Abstract: A vacuum operated milking system (1) which is operable in a milking mode and a cleaning mode is provided with a vacuum system (8) which applies a vacuum to milking clusters (9) through a main milk pipeline (2) and a receiver (5) in which milk from the milking clusters (9) is collected. A pulsator valve (24) provides a pulsating vacuum to milk liners in the milking cluster (9) from the vacuum system (8). An accumulator (32) accumulates respective volumes of washing and rinsing water from a wash and rinse water trough (31) through a wash and rinse pipeline (30), which are accumulated in an annular holding chamber (43). During respective ones of a washing cycle and a rinsing cycle, a valve (54) applies atmospheric pressure to the volume of washing or rinsing water accumulated in the accumulator (32) which is urged with full flow characteristics through the main milk pipeline (2), the clusters (9) and a connecting pipe (10) for cleaning thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Dewvale Limited
    Inventor: Edmond Patrick Harty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8373109
    Abstract: The invention provides a detection device for determining position information from an object to the detection device, wherein the position information includes at least a distance from that object to the detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Lely Patent N.V.
    Inventors: Gerrit Boersma, Karel Van Den Berg
  • Publication number: 20130025541
    Abstract: A milk analyzing system is disclosed, which includes a milk constituent analyzing unit configured to analyze milk from a milking station with respect to a specific constituent of the milk, and a control device communicatively connected to the milking station and to the milk constituent analyzing unit. The control device is configured to retrieve an analyzing appropriateness parameter for each of the animals milked by the milking station indicating an appropriateness of analyzing milk from the animal with respect to the specific constituent. The control device is configured to control the milk constituent analyzing unit to analyze milk from the milking station with respect to the specific constituent when the time elapsed from when the milk constituent analyzing unit last analyzed milk exceeds a threshold time period, irrespective of the analyzing appropriateness parameter for the animal milked by the milking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Johan Axelson
  • Publication number: 20130025540
    Abstract: A milking system includes a milk storage tank, a common milk line connected to the tank, at least two milking stations connected to the milk line, a milk constituent analyzing unit connected to the milk line and analyzing the milk provided from each of the stations through the milk line, with respect to a specific milk constituent, and a computer operatively connected to the analyzing unit. The computer stores milk quality information of the extracted milk and animal identity data of each of the specifically identified animals. Each station automatically identifies a specific animal, extracts milk from the animal, and transfers the milk through the common milk line to the milk storage tank. The stations, the computer, and the analyzing unit are operatively connected to allow a result of the milk analysis to be associated with the animal(s) identity specifically identified at each station from which the milk was extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Johan Axelson
  • Publication number: 20130019806
    Abstract: Milk flow detecting method and device monitors a flow of milk in a milk line which is connected to a teat cup and which has an aeration opening, like in a milking device. For this purpose, the milk filling level is monitored in a measuring section of the line. If the variation therein is too little, the absence of a flow, or at least an inadequate flow, is established. If, additionally, a (sufficient) filling level is detected, it can be concluded that there is an obstructed aeration opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: LELY PATENT N.V.
    Inventor: Lely Patent N.V.
  • Publication number: 20130000559
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile milking implement having a frame with, a sub-frame which is adjustable in height and which has at least one teat cup holder and a teat cup movable relative thereto. The teat cup holder is tiltable, via a tilting mechanism coupled to the teat cup holder and the frame between a substantially vertical position and a second partially inverted position. The milking implement protects the teat cups against contamination and is capable of storing them in a compact manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: MAASLAND N.V.
    Inventor: Karel VAN DEN BERG
  • Publication number: 20120325153
    Abstract: There are provided a method of and arrangement for automatically milking an animal by use of an automatic milking system comprising a plurality of teat cups, a robot arm for automatic attachment of the teat cups and a control system arranged to control the milking system, wherein the teat cups are used, until a defect is established with a teat cup. In that case, milking of the non-milked teat is automatically taken over with the first teat cup that has stopped milking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: LELY PATENT N.V.
    Inventor: Gerard MOSTERT
  • Publication number: 20120312237
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a cylinder and a piston, the piston positioned within the cylinder and operable to move within the cylinder from a retracted position to an extended position. The system further includes a vacuum port facilitating application of a vacuum pressure to the cylinder, the vacuum pressure resulting in a vacuum force being applied to the piston, the vacuum force causing the piston to move toward the retracted position. The system further includes a spring member configured to apply a spring force to the piston when the piston is in the retracted position, the spring force offsetting at least a portion of the vacuum force. The system further includes a sensor operable to generate a displacement signal in response to detecting movement of the piston from the retracted position toward the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Ejvind Hansen, Joergen Frederiksen
  • Publication number: 20120298042
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets. Each inlet is adapted to receive a flow of milk from a dairy livestock, and each outlet is adapted to receive a flow of milk from a corresponding one or more inlets. The plurality of outlets include one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets. Each milk collector outlet is adapted to direct the flow of milk received from the corresponding one or more inlets to a milk collector. Each drain outlet is adapted to direct the flow of milk received from the corresponding one or more inlets to a discard area. The apparatus further includes one or more valves each associated with one of the plurality of inlets. The one or more valves are adapted to direct the flow of milk received at the associated inlet to either a corresponding one of the one or more milk collector outlets or a corresponding one of the one or more drain outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Peter Willem van der Sluis, Ype Groensma
  • Publication number: 20120298043
    Abstract: An animal treating arrangement includes a carrying device beside a milking platform rotating with a velocity and having animal places housing animals. The carrying device includes a fundament, a first bearing device (12) provided on the fundament, an arm (13) connected to the first bearing device permitting the arm to rotate in relation to the fundament around a first axis, a support platform (15) connected to the arm (13). A drive arrangement moves the support platform and includes a first drive member (31) rotating the arm around the first axis. A sensor (37) communicates with a control unit (36) and senses an instantaneous value of the velocity. The control unit controls the first drive member to move the support platform to follow the milking platform from a start position to an end position during a part of the rotation of the milking platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventors: Uzi Birk, Mats Nilsson, Gert Danneker, Thomas Axelsson, Jan Eriksson
  • Patent number: 8302560
    Abstract: An adaptive milking system comprises a milk meter, a controller, and a detacher. The milk meter measures a flow rate of milking an animal during a first period of time, and continues to monitor the flow rate of milking the animal. The controller is communicatively coupled to the milk meter and calculates a percentage of the measured flow rate. The controller triggers a delay timer when the monitored flow rate of milking the animal becomes lower than the larger of (a) a default threshold flow rate and (b) the calculated percentage of the measured flow rate. The detacher is communicatively coupled to the controller and removes a milking unit from the animal when the delay timer reaches a threshold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: George H. Tucker, Jr., David A. Reid, Gary C. Steingraber, Timothy E. Blair
  • Publication number: 20120273006
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system comprises a milk collecting system, a teat cup holder, and a cleansing hose system. The milk collecting system comprises a teat cup, a milk collector, and a milking hose system connecting the teat cup to the milk collector. The teat cup holder stores the teat cup of the milk collecting system such that a nozzle of the teat cup holder substantially aligns with an opening of the teat cup. The cleansing hose system connects the nozzle of the teat cup holder to one or more cleanser sources and operable to backwash at least a portion of the milk collecting system by injecting a cleanser from one or more of the cleanser sources through the nozzle and into the teat cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Publication number: 20120272914
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a robotic attacher comprising a main arm and a supplemental arm operable to extend into a stall portion of a milking box. A camera couples to the supplemental arm. The supplemental arm comprises a camera-facing nozzle operable to spray the camera with a cleanser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Publication number: 20120272913
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a first milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system also includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the first milking box stall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher. The system also includes a second milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The second milking box stall is located adjacent to the equipment portion. The robotic attacher is configured to service both the first milking box stall and the second milking box stall by extending between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within either stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Michael A. Mills, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Publication number: 20120272915
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a milking box comprises a storage area comprising a retractable hose, a hose lift belt, a cup holder base, a cup holder, and a cup holder bracket. The retractable hose couples to a cup and suspends the cup in the storage area. The hose lift belt couples to the retractable hose and is operable to retract the retractable hose. The cup holder base defines an aperture through which the retractable hose is positioned. The cup holder comprises a rimmed structure adapted to hold an attachment end of the cup. The cup holder is coupled to the cup holder bracket. The cup holder bracket is operable to open and close such that when closed, the rimmed structure of the cup holder aligns with the attachment end of the cup that is suspended from the retractable hose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Publication number: 20120272917
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Peter Willem van der Sluis, Ype Groensma
  • Publication number: 20120272909
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Peter Willem van der Sluis, Ype Groensma
  • Publication number: 20120272906
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Peter Willem van der Sluis, Ype Groensma
  • Publication number: 20120272916
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a robotic attacher comprises a main arm, a supplemental arm coupled to the main arm, and a plurality of actuators operable to move the main arm and supplemental arm in response to signals from a controller. The actuators comprise first, second, and third actuators operable to move the main arm in x-, y-, and z-directions, respectively. The actuators further comprise fourth and fifth actuators operable to pivot a gripping portion of the supplemental arm in a first z-direction and a second z-direction, respectively, with the second z-direction being opposite the first z-direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Publication number: 20120272907
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Peter Willem van der Sluis, Ype Groensma
  • Publication number: 20120272908
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Peter Willem van der Sluis, Ype Groensma
  • Publication number: 20120272910
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Peter Willem van der Sluis, Ype Groensma
  • Publication number: 20120277913
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a controller operable to access a first image generated by a first camera. The controller determines a reference point from at least one main feature of a dairy livestock included in the first image. The controller is further operable to access a second image generated by the second camera. The second image includes at least a portion of an udder of the dairy livestock. The controller determines a location of a teat of the dairy livestock based on the second image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Peter Willem van der Sluis, Ype Groensma
  • Publication number: 20120272903
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a milking cup, a pulsating device coupled to the milking cup, a robotic arm comprising a gripper, and a controller communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the pulsating device. The controller is operable to instruct the gripper of the robotic arm to grip the milking cup, instruct the robotic arm to move the milking cup proximate to a teat of a dairy livestock, and instruct the robotic arm to move the milking cup towards the teat. The controller is further operable to instruct the pulsating device to apply pressure to the milking cup before attaching the milking cup to the teat and instruct the gripper of the robotic arm to release the milking cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Publication number: 20120272905
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a robotic attacher retrieves cups from the right side of an equipment area located behind a dairy livestock and attaches the cups to the teats of the dairy livestock in sequence. The sequence comprises attaching a first cup to the right front teat, a second cup to the left front teat, a third cup to the right rear teat, and a fourth cup to the left rear teat. In certain alternative embodiments, the robotic attacher retrieves cups from the left side of the equipment area, and the sequence comprises attaching a first cup to the left front teat, a second cup to the right front teat, a third cup to the left rear teat, and a fourth cup to the right rear teat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Publication number: 20120272912
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a milking box comprises a stall portion and a backplane positioned in the stall portion. The backplane moves toward the rear of the stall portion in response to pressure applied to a contact surface of the backplane. The backplane moves toward the front of stall portion in response to pressure removed from the contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Publication number: 20120272902
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Peter Willem van der Sluis, Ype Groensma
  • Patent number: 8291860
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for locating a teat cup for use in a milking parlor. The apparatus includes a milking stall (7) provided on a rotatable platform (9) and a system (19, 245, 23, 25) for controlling movement of a teat cup magazine (20) relative to the stall (7). The movement control system permits movement of the magazine (20) between first and second predefined positions relative to the milking stall (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Gert Danneker, Thomas Axelsson, Jan Eriksson
  • Patent number: 8286585
    Abstract: A griper device mountable on a robot arm of a milking robot provided for automatically attach teat cups to the teats of a milking animal, the gripper device comprises an electromagnet from gripping teat cups made of a magnetic material, the electromagnet including a coil feedable with a current a core of a magnetic material arranged at least partly within the coil; and a support structure for holding the electromagnet. The core comprises two end and portions in a single face of the electromagnet wherein the two end portions constitute different poles of the electromagnet and are shaped to be engagable with each of the teat cups in a close fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Lars Wase, Mats Nilsson, Nils Erik Holmertz, Jan-Erik Andersson, Krister Sjöblom, Mattias Oscarsson
  • Patent number: 8286583
    Abstract: A method of controlling a milking implement for automatically milking a dairy animal with an udder, such as a cow, which milking implement includes a camera and a teat cup. More particularly, the method includes attaching the teat cup to a teat of the udder, followed by producing by the camera an image of at least a part of the udder and of at least a part of the teat cup, making an analysis of the image of the udder with the teat cup, and performing at least one control action by the milking implement, based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Maasland N.V.
    Inventor: Karel Van Den Berg
  • Publication number: 20120255495
    Abstract: A milking implement comprising a frame with, disposed thereon, at least one teat cup holder with a teat cup movable relative thereto, and a replacing element connected with the teat cup, wherein the frame further includes an intermediate arm connected with the frame and with the teat cup holder and having a first joint and a second joint about which the teat cup holder and the intermediate arm, respectively, are tiltable with the aid of the replacing element, and a spring coupled with the teat cup holder and the frame and, if desired, with the intermediate arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: MAASLAND N.V.
    Inventor: Karel VAN DEN BERG
  • Patent number: 8281746
    Abstract: An arrangement for fetching a teat cup from a teat cup magazine in which each teat cup has a respective fixed position includes a reference entity in a fixed spatial relationship to the teat cup magazine and each teat cup stored therein; a remote detecting element that registers wireless energy reflected by the reference entity, and based thereon determines a respective position for the teat cup relative to a robotic arm. The robotic arm carries a gripper element configured to hold the teat cup during removal thereof from the teat cup magazine. The reference entity is configured to allow the remote detecting element to receive wireless energy reflected against the reference entity while moving the robotic arm towards the least one teat cup for removing the at least teat cup from the teat cup magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Mats Nilsson, Anders Hallström
  • Patent number: 8281744
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile milking implement having a frame with, a sub-frame which is adjustable in height and which has at least one teat cup holder and a teat cup movable relative thereto. The teat cup holder is tiltable, via a tilting mechanism coupled to the teat cup holder and the frame between a substantially vertical position and a second partially inverted position. The milking implement protects the teat cups against contamination and is capable of storing them in a compact manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Maasland N.V.
    Inventor: Karel Van Den Berg
  • Patent number: 8281745
    Abstract: A management system for managing animals on a dairy farm includes a receiving element (12) provided for receiving, for each of the animals, a value of a protein content and a value of a fat content of milk from the animal as milked on the dairy farm; a calculating element (19) provided for calculating, for each of the animals, the ratio of the values of the protein and fat contents of milk from the animal; a comparison element (20) provided for fetching, for each of the animals, from a database (18) a reference protein/fat ratio, and for comparing the calculated protein/fat ratio with the reference protein/fat ratio; and a notifying element (21-23), preferably a display unit (21) or a loudspeaker (22), provided for notifying, for each of the animals, a dairy farmer (24) of the dairy farm depending on the outcome of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Pierre De Villiers
  • Publication number: 20120234355
    Abstract: The milking machine and method of cleaning the same comprises more than one teat cup with a teat cup liner and a discharge, a pulsator with a control device, and a cleaning device to clean the teat cup by supplying cleaning liquid in the teat cup, wherein the control device is configured to adjust per teat cup, during the cleaning, the flow of the cleaning liquid through the teat cup liner and the discharge by pulsation of the teat cup liner. The teat cup liner itself acts as a valve during the cleaning. This has the advantage that a separate cleaning valve in the milk line is not required, which results in a simpler and more reliable construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: LELY PATENT N.V.
    Inventor: Karel Van Den Berg
  • Publication number: 20120216748
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a first robotic device operable to prepare the teats of a first dairy livestock located in a first milking stall of a rotary milking platform. The system also includes a second robotic device operable to attach a first milking device to the teats of a second dairy livestock located in a second milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The system also includes a third robotic device operable to attach a second milking device to the teats of a third dairy livestock located in a third milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The system also includes a fourth robotic device operable to apply a sanitizing agent to the teats of a fourth dairy livestock located in a fourth milking stall of the rotary milking platform subsequent to a removal of a third milking device from the teats of the fourth dairy livestock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Gary C. Steingraber, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Publication number: 20120210938
    Abstract: A system includes a carriage track positioned adjacent to a rotary milking platform, a robot carriage mounted to the carriage track, and a controller. The controller is operable to receive both a first rotary encoder signal indicating a first rotational position of a milking stall of the rotary milking platform (corresponding to a starting linear position of the robot carriage) and a second rotary encoder signal indicating a second rotational position of the milking stall. The controller is further operable to determine, based on a difference between the first and second signals, a desired linear position of the robot carriage on the carriage track (a position corresponding to the second rotational position of the milking stall). The controller is further operable to communicate a position signal to a carriage actuator, the position signal causing the carriage actuator to move the robot carriage to the desired linear position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor De Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Publication number: 20120210939
    Abstract: A method for controlling the milking by a milking machine includes, during an initial phase of the milking, increasing a milking vacuum and/or a maximum pulsation vacuum for the milking gradually from a first selected vacuum level (1L) towards a second selected vacuum level (2L) to thereby improve teat stimulation and decreasing the risk of a second milk letdown. When a second milk letdown (2ML) is detected, the maximum pulsation vacuum is preferably immediately lowered to a third selected vacuum level (3L), and is kept at that third selected vacuum level until a certain milk flow has been established, whereupon the pulsation vacuum level is then again increased gradually until the second selected vacuum level is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventors: Ola SANDBERG, Eva Pia SANDSTEDT, Torbjorn PETTERSON
  • Publication number: 20120199073
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a robotic arm. The robotic arm is operable to extend between the legs of a dairy livestock located in a milking stall of a rotary milking platform. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the robotic arm. The controller is operable to determine whether a milking claw is attached to the teats of the dairy livestock. The controller is also operable to control the robotic arm to extend between the legs of the dairy livestock based at least in part on whether the milking claw is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Henk Hofman, Cor de Ruijter, Menno Koekoek, Peter Willem van der Sluis
  • Publication number: 20120180728
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for milking animals, comprising a control device (2), four teat cups (6a to 6d), at least one collecting device (11a, 11b) for collecting the extracted milk and a milking line (15) for conveying the milk, said teat cups (6a to 6d) and said at least one collecting device (11a, 11b) and the milking line (15) being interconnected by way of milk lines (10a to 10d, 12a, 12b). A sensor device (13a) is provided and by means of said sensor device (13a) both the milk flow in at least one fore quarter (54, 55) of the udder (53) and the milk flow in at least one rear quarter (56, 57) is captured to separately control the milking operation by fore and rear udder half (58, 59).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GEA FARM TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Bernard Schulze Wartenhorst, Ralf Wiemann, Reinhard Frenser, Marcelo Alfredo Barba
  • Publication number: 20120180729
    Abstract: A device for automatically milking an animal in an animal space is provided with a robot arm for automatically performing an action on a teat of the animal, a teat sensor, and an animal position sensor for determining the animal position in the animal space. The animal position sensor is movable in a longitudinal direction of the animal space. The animal position sensor is mounted so as to be movable or shiftable in a longitudinal direction of the animal space. This has the advantage that the range of the sensor becomes considerably larger while the sensor can be the same as in a known device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Lely Patent N.V.
    Inventor: Michiel Adriaan Van Dorp
  • Patent number: 8220412
    Abstract: A milking implement comprising a frame with, disposed thereon, at least one teat cup holder with a teat cup movable relative thereto, and a replacing element connected with the teat cup, wherein the frame further includes an intermediate arm connected with the frame and with the teat cup holder and having a first joint and a second joint about which the teat cup holder and the intermediate arm, respectively, are tiltable with the aid of the replacing element, and a spring coupled with the teat cup holder and the frame and, if desired, with the intermediate arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Maasland N.V.
    Inventor: Karel Van Den Berg
  • Patent number: 8210122
    Abstract: An arrangement for determining positions of the teats of an animal is provided in a milking system comprising a robot arm for automatically attaching teat cups to the teats of an animal when being located in a position to be milked, and a control device for controlling the movement of the robot arm based on determined positions of the teats of the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventors: Maria Pettersson, Johan Andrén Dinerf
  • Publication number: 20120160175
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for indicating an undesired detachment of a milking member from an animal in a milking stall. The arrangement includes a removing device adapted to detach the milking member from the animal and move the detached milking member to a parking position when the milking process has been completed, and a supervision device adapted to supervise when the milking member has been detached from the animal before the milking process has been completed. When the milking member has been detached from the animal before the milking process has been completed, the removing device is adapted to move the undesirably detached milking member to an indicating position located at a distance from the parking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventors: Bjorn Carlson, Daniel Heim, Mats Stellnert, Stuart Wipperfurth
  • Publication number: 20120145082
    Abstract: The invention relates to a milking device, a method and software. The milking device includes a device for preventing contaminants in milk during the milking of an animal. The milking device includes a teat cup to be attached to a teat and to be connected to a milk collecting vessel for collecting the milk. The device further includes a detector for generating and transmitting a disruption signal as a result of the detection of a premature becoming detached of the teat cup, and/or as a result of the detection of the incorrect attachment of a teat cup. The device also includes a management system to separate, on the basis of the disruption signal, the milk from the animal into a first amount of milk, which is led to a first destination, and a second amount of milk, which is led to a second destination different from the first destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: LELY PATENT N.V.
    Inventor: Karel VAN DEN BERG