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US20030226509A1 - A device for automatically milking an animal - Google Patents

A device for automatically milking an animal Download PDF

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Publication number
US20030226509A1
US20030226509A1 US10/249,979 US24997903A US2003226509A1 US 20030226509 A1 US20030226509 A1 US 20030226509A1 US 24997903 A US24997903 A US 24997903A US 2003226509 A1 US2003226509 A1 US 2003226509A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
milk
line
common
teat cup
sensor
Prior art date
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Abandoned
Application number
US10/249,979
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English (en)
Inventor
Karel Van den Berg
Helena Vijverberg
Lucien Voogd
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lely Enterprises AG
Original Assignee
Lely Enterprises AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
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Application filed by Lely Enterprises AG filed Critical Lely Enterprises AG
Assigned to LELY ENTERPRISES AG reassignment LELY ENTERPRISES AG ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: VAN DEN BERG, KAREL, VIJVERBERG, HELENA GERALDA MARIA, VOOGD, LUCIEN ELIZA NIELS
Publication of US20030226509A1 publication Critical patent/US20030226509A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01J—MANUFACTURE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS
    • A01J5/00—Milking machines or devices
    • A01J5/007—Monitoring milking processes; Control or regulation of milking machines
    • A01J5/01—Milkmeters; Milk flow sensing devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01J—MANUFACTURE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS
    • A01J5/00—Milking machines or devices
    • A01J5/013—On-site detection of mastitis in milk
    • A01J5/0133—On-site detection of mastitis in milk by using electricity, e.g. conductivity or capacitance

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of milking and more particularly to devices and methods for automatically milking an animal.
  • Devices are known in which a milking robot is arranged to attach teat cups to the teats of an animal. Such devices may be provided with measuring devices comprising sensors for performing measurements on milk obtained from the animal and for emitting a measurement signal. A computer may also be provided for controlling the operation of the device.
  • a device for automatically milking an animal comprises a milking robot, a computer for controlling the operation of the device, at least two teat cups, a common milk line for discharging milk coming from the at least two teat cups, each teat cup being connected via a teat cup line to the common milk line, a milk-determining element for determining the teat cup from which comes the milk present in the common milk line and for emitting a determination signal, a measuring device comprising a common sensor for performing measurements on milk obtained from the animal and for emitting a measurement signal, the common sensor being disposed in the common milk line and a computer for controlling the operation of the device, the computer combining the measurement signal and the determination signal to determine the teat cup from which the milk measured originates.
  • the computer is capable of determining from which teat cup comes the milk that is measured by the sensor.
  • valve that is controlled by the milk-determining element is disposed in each teat cup line between the milk-determining element and the common milk line, it is possible to open the valve when a particular buffer quantity of milk required for performing the measurement is present, so that the buffer quantity can be measured by the sensor.
  • each teat cup line may be provided with a bypass line, the bypass line having a first end that is connected to the teat cup line in a position between the teat cup and the milk-determining element and a second end that is connected to the common milk line in a position downstream relative to said one sensor.
  • said one sensor may be a spectrum analyser, an infrared meter, a proximity infrared meter or a conductivity meter.
  • a method of controlling the automatic milking of an animal using an automatic milking device comprises: attaching at least two teat cups to at least two teats of the animal using a milking robot, each teat cup being connected via a teat cup line to a common milk line; applying a vacuum to the teat cups to cause milk to be withdrawn from the teats and to be supplied to the respective teat cup lines and to the common milk line; determining the teat cup from which milk present in the common milk line has come and emitting a determination signal; performing measurements on the milk present in a sensing region of the common milk line and emitting a measurement signal; and controlling the operation of the device on the basis of the measurement signal and the determination signal.
  • FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically a first embodiment of a device according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically a second embodiment of a device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically a third embodiment of a device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically a first embodiment of a device for automatically milking an animal.
  • the device may be an automatic milking device of the type known from U.S. Pat. No 6,213,051, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
  • the device is provided with a milking robot (not shown) that is known per se for connecting at least two teat cups, in the embodiment shown four teat cups 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , to respective teats of the animal.
  • a milking robot comprises customarily a computer (not shown) for controlling the operation of the milking robot and the relevant peripheral equipment, and for receiving measurement data obtained by measurements performed on milk obtained from an animal.
  • the device is provided with a common sensor 5 , in particular a spectrum analyser, by means of which, on the basis of the spectrum obtained, inter alia measurements on the components of the milk obtained can accurately be performed.
  • Said common sensor 5 performs measurements on the milk obtained from all the teat cups 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 and is connected to the computer via a non-shown line for emitting a measurement signal to the computer.
  • the invention is not limited to one sole common sensor that performs measurements on milk obtained from all the teat cups, but may be applied to a common sensor that performs measurements on milk obtained from at least two different teat cups.
  • the common sensor 5 is disposed in a common milk line 6 , and each teat cup 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 is connected to the common milk line 6 via a respective teat cup line 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 .
  • a milk-determining element 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 for determining the teat cup from which comes the milk that is present in the common milk line and for emitting a determination signal to the computer.
  • the computer combines the data from the milk-determining means and the measurement signals from the common sensor 5 , so that measured values for the milk obtained from the respective teat cups, or the respective quarter of the animal, can be obtained.
  • the milk-determining means are thus used for determining the teat cup from which comes the milk that is measured by the common sensor.
  • a sensor or a milk-determining element disposed in a line is meant that the sensor or the milk-determining element is positioned relative to the line in such a way that a measurement on the milk in the line can be performed. Accordingly, only one sensor 5 is required for measuring the milk obtained from all the teat cups.
  • FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically a second embodiment of a device for performing measurements on milk obtained from an animal.
  • a controlled valve 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 is disposed in each teat cup line 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 between the milk-determining element 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 and the common milk line 6 .
  • a controlled valve is in its closed position, a buffer quantity of milk can be collected.
  • the relevant milk-determining element detects a particular, for example a predetermined buffer quantity, it is possible for said milk-determining element to control the relevant valve in such a way that it is opened (and to control the valves in the other teat cup lines in such a way that they remain closed) thus enabling the sensor 5 to perform measurements on the relevant milk.
  • a particular for example a predetermined buffer quantity
  • each teat cup line 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 is provided with a bypass line 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 .
  • Each bypass line has a first end that is connected to the respective teat cup line in a position between the teat cup and the milk-determining element and a second end that is connected to the common milk line in a position downstream relative to the common sensor.
  • FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically a third embodiment of a device for performing measurements on milk obtained from an animal.
  • the device is provided with a common milk line 6 , each teat cup 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 being connected, via a teat cup line 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , to the common milk line 6 in which the common sensor 5 is disposed.
  • each teat cup line 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 there is further disposed a controlled valve 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , as well as a milk-determining element 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 for detecting milk upstream relative to the controlled valve 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 .
  • each teat cup line 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 is provided with a bypass line 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 .
  • Each bypass line has a first end that is connected to the respective teat cup line in a position between the teat cup and the milk-determining element and a second end that is connected to the common milk line in a position downstream relative to the common sensor.
  • a buffer reservoir 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 as connection between teat cup line and bypass line. It is then also possible to integrate the controlled valve and the milk-determining element into the buffer reservoir. It is also possible to employ an arrangement of buffers of the type known from co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/249,955 by the present inventor entitled “A device for automatically milking an animal” and filed May 22, 2003, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
US10/249,979 2002-06-06 2003-05-23 A device for automatically milking an animal Abandoned US20030226509A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1020805A NL1020805C2 (nl) 2002-06-06 2002-06-06 Werkwijze en inrichting voor het verrichten van metingen aan melk verkregen van het dier.
NL1020805 2002-06-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20030226509A1 true US20030226509A1 (en) 2003-12-11

Family

ID=29546458

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/249,980 Expired - Fee Related US6886492B2 (en) 2002-06-06 2003-05-23 Device for automatically milking an animal
US10/249,979 Abandoned US20030226509A1 (en) 2002-06-06 2003-05-23 A device for automatically milking an animal

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/249,980 Expired - Fee Related US6886492B2 (en) 2002-06-06 2003-05-23 Device for automatically milking an animal

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (2) US6886492B2 (da)
EP (1) EP1369031B1 (da)
DE (1) DE60301695T2 (da)
DK (1) DK1369031T3 (da)
NL (1) NL1020805C2 (da)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NZ525350A (en) * 2003-04-14 2005-09-30 Sensortec Ltd Sensor apparatus for extraction machinery for milking mammals
US7754052B2 (en) * 2006-11-01 2010-07-13 United States Gypsum Company Process and apparatus for feeding cementitious slurry for fiber-reinforced structural cement panels
NL2007149C2 (nl) * 2011-07-20 2013-01-22 Lely Patent Nv Sensorsysteem, sensorinrichting daarmee, en melkdierbehandelingsinrichting daarmee.
WO2016162654A1 (en) * 2015-04-10 2016-10-13 R J Fullood & Bland Ltd Automated milking

Citations (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3566841A (en) * 1969-07-11 1971-03-02 Research Corp Milk monitor and system
US4198999A (en) * 1978-05-16 1980-04-22 Boudreau Archie E Milking apparatus
US4325028A (en) * 1978-07-14 1982-04-13 Eisai Co., Ltd. Examination apparatus for milk drawn from quarter mammae of a milk cow
US4344385A (en) * 1978-05-03 1982-08-17 Babson Bros. Co. Milker
US4771007A (en) * 1982-03-18 1988-09-13 Wescor, Inc. Electrical conductivity device for detecting mastitis in dairy cows
US5568788A (en) * 1990-02-27 1996-10-29 C. Van Der Lely N.V. Implement for and a method of milking animals automatically
US5704311A (en) * 1994-04-14 1998-01-06 Maasland N.V. Method and apparatus for automatically milking animals
US5722343A (en) * 1994-02-17 1998-03-03 Prolion B.V. Method for controlling a milking processing system and a device controlled by said method
US5743209A (en) * 1994-08-01 1998-04-28 La Federation Francaise De Controle Laitier (F.F.C.L.) System and method for monitoring and controlling milk production at dairy farms
US5762020A (en) * 1994-11-30 1998-06-09 Van Der Lely; Cornelis Implement for milking animals
US5769024A (en) * 1994-05-17 1998-06-23 Alfa Laval Agri Ab Method of milking animals
US5913281A (en) * 1995-11-24 1999-06-22 Maasland N.V. A Dutch Limited Liability Company Implement for milking animals and separating the foremilk from the milk yield
US6155204A (en) * 1994-10-31 2000-12-05 Maasland N.V. Apparatus for and a method of cleaning an animal's teats and foremilking
US6371046B1 (en) * 1997-12-19 2002-04-16 De Laval Holding Ab Method and an apparatus for separation of foremilk
US6578516B1 (en) * 1998-12-16 2003-06-17 Prolion B.V. Device and method for milking animals, and a contamination meter

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IL64596A0 (en) * 1980-12-29 1982-03-31 Unihold Trading Int Milking machine
NL9200091A (nl) * 1992-01-17 1993-08-16 Lely Nv C Van Der Melkmachine.
DE29510414U1 (de) * 1995-07-03 1996-10-31 Düvelsdorf & Sohn GmbH & Co KG, 28870 Ottersberg Melkvorrichtung
NL1004406C2 (nl) 1996-08-01 1998-02-05 Maasland Nv Inrichting voor het automatisch melken van dieren.

Patent Citations (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3566841A (en) * 1969-07-11 1971-03-02 Research Corp Milk monitor and system
US4344385A (en) * 1978-05-03 1982-08-17 Babson Bros. Co. Milker
US4198999A (en) * 1978-05-16 1980-04-22 Boudreau Archie E Milking apparatus
US4325028A (en) * 1978-07-14 1982-04-13 Eisai Co., Ltd. Examination apparatus for milk drawn from quarter mammae of a milk cow
US4771007A (en) * 1982-03-18 1988-09-13 Wescor, Inc. Electrical conductivity device for detecting mastitis in dairy cows
US5568788A (en) * 1990-02-27 1996-10-29 C. Van Der Lely N.V. Implement for and a method of milking animals automatically
US5722343A (en) * 1994-02-17 1998-03-03 Prolion B.V. Method for controlling a milking processing system and a device controlled by said method
US5704311A (en) * 1994-04-14 1998-01-06 Maasland N.V. Method and apparatus for automatically milking animals
US5769024A (en) * 1994-05-17 1998-06-23 Alfa Laval Agri Ab Method of milking animals
US5743209A (en) * 1994-08-01 1998-04-28 La Federation Francaise De Controle Laitier (F.F.C.L.) System and method for monitoring and controlling milk production at dairy farms
US6155204A (en) * 1994-10-31 2000-12-05 Maasland N.V. Apparatus for and a method of cleaning an animal's teats and foremilking
US5762020A (en) * 1994-11-30 1998-06-09 Van Der Lely; Cornelis Implement for milking animals
US5913281A (en) * 1995-11-24 1999-06-22 Maasland N.V. A Dutch Limited Liability Company Implement for milking animals and separating the foremilk from the milk yield
US6371046B1 (en) * 1997-12-19 2002-04-16 De Laval Holding Ab Method and an apparatus for separation of foremilk
US6578516B1 (en) * 1998-12-16 2003-06-17 Prolion B.V. Device and method for milking animals, and a contamination meter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60301695D1 (de) 2006-02-09
EP1369031A3 (en) 2004-01-14
NL1020805C2 (nl) 2003-12-09
US6886492B2 (en) 2005-05-03
DE60301695T2 (de) 2006-07-13
DK1369031T3 (da) 2006-02-06
EP1369031A2 (en) 2003-12-10
EP1369031B1 (en) 2005-09-28
US20030226510A1 (en) 2003-12-11

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: LELY ENTERPRISES AG, SWITZERLAND

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:VAN DEN BERG, KAREL;VIJVERBERG, HELENA GERALDA MARIA;VOOGD, LUCIEN ELIZA NIELS;REEL/FRAME:013679/0797

Effective date: 20030415

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION