Alfa Laval Inc.

Alfa Laval Agri Ab

Whitmine Research Laboratories, Inc.

Michael W Ellis

Mofazzal H Chowdhury

Arthur R Terwilleger

Daniel M Stout

Michael W Thackeray

Robert D Shankle, Jr

A method and apparatus for automatically positioning a milking cluster at a preselected milking position is provided. A milking cluster is connected to a moveable cylinder which may be retracted at the conclusion of milking. Prior to milking, the moveable cylinder shifts into engagement with a sensor at a location corresponding to the preselected milking position. The movement of the cylinder is halted to locate and maintain the milking cluster at a height predetermined to be generally appropriate for the animals in the herd. The cylinder is counterbalanced to remain at the preselected height, or may be manually adjusted and remain counterbalanced at the adjusted height. At the conclusion of milking, the milking cluster may drop from the animal and cylinder retracted to a retracted position. The apparatus of the invention includes an arm connected to a milking cluster and a moveable member such as a pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder is coupled to a sensor and a motor including a pneumatic air logic circuit. The pneumatic cylinder may fall from a second upper position toward a first lowermost position under the influence of gravity until the sensor is engaged at a preselected third milking height. The sensor causes low pressure air to be supplied from the air logic circuit to the cylinder to counterbalance the cylinder and milking cluster at the preselected height. Upon the conclusion of milking, the milking cluster falls free from the animals teats and high pressure air is introduced to retract the cylinder to the second position.

Method and apparatus for positioning milking cluster

The present invention provides an apparatus for use in conjunction with a milking machine for reducing the incidence of milking claw or cluster contamination following uncoupling and retraction of the milking claw or cluster from an animal. The milking claw is retracted from the animal by the application of negative pressure and is retained in a retracted position by a retaining device which retains the milking claw in a predetermined position, even when the milking machine is turned off or, in the case of a portable machine, transported to another location.

Milking claw retraction and retention device for milking machine

A programmable, wide area insecticide (or other airborne chemical agent) dispensing system and method is disclosed in which a supply of a fluid insecticide is maintained and delivered under pressure to one or more spray heads which may be located remotely from the supply, as for example in various locations within a warehouse, dairy barn, or the like. A programmable controller effects the dispensing of the insecticide from the selected spray heads at predetermined times and in predetermined amounts so as to effectively control insects at various areas of the building at various times of the day so as to avoid indiscriminate spraying of the insecticide when it is not needed, or when it may interfere with activities within the building.

Programmable wide area insecticide dispensing system and method

A system for backflushing milking machinery comprises a backflush valve for alternatively connecting one or a plurality of milking units to a wash line or to a vacuum milk line. When the milking units are connected to the wash line, a manifold valve operated by high pressure air under automatic control, sends water, sanitizing fluid and air sequentially through the milking units. Provision is made for sending bursts of air through the water and sanitizing liquid as they are furnished to the milk units. Provision is also made for flushing the back-flush valve with water after a washing cycle to prevent entry of washing fluids into the milk line.

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Kansas City, MO, United States of America

Michael W Ellis