Lely Patent N.v.

Pieter Gerlof De Groot

Frans Emo Diderik Van Halsema

Rik Steenbergen

Abram Christiaan Knip

Hélèna Geralda Maria Vijverberg

Jan Willem Schrader

Martinus Petrus Kortekaas

Ida Helena Ten Have

Anneke Gouw

Peter Leonardus Hendricus Jennen

A milking system with a milking device, a milking control, a milk line in fluid connection with the milking device, and a sampling and analysis device to take a sample of the milk from the milk line and to analyse milk from the sample are disclosed. The milking control is arranged to control the milking device on the basis of the analysis. The sampling and analysis device includes a control unit, a tape reel provided with a tape that is lengthwise provided with a series of consecutive reagent pads that provide a detectable response in the presence of a substance in the sample, a tape mover to move the tape, a dosing device to supply a part of the sample onto a reagent pad on the tape, and a camera to obtain an image of the reagent pad supplied with the droplet, and an analysis device to analyse the obtained images to provide to the milking control device an indication of a presence or concentration of said substance. The camera has a field of view that contains a plurality of reagent pads of the series of consecutive reagent pads. This allows to observe the reaction in the reagent pad for a much longer time. In turn, this allows to use much less reagent material, such as expensive enzymes, in the pads. It is particularly useful when observing double layer reagent types.

Milking system with detection system

A method for milking a dairy animal using a milking device with a measuring device for a milk parameter, the method including identifying the dairy animal, determining a milking interval, attaching milking cups to the dairy animal, calculating, according to a first formula, an expected value for the milk parameter, milking the dairy animal, and detaching the milking cup when a first detachment criterion has been met. During the milking step and/or during the detaching step, use is made of the expected value of the milk parameter without determining the actual value of the milk parameter. The actual value is the value of the milk parameter if the milking takes place using a second detachment criterion which is stricter than the first detachment criterion. The method further includes measuring the actual value of the milk parameter for the present milking and updating the first formula.

Method and milking device for milking a dairy animal

A method and device for milking using a milking system with a control unit and an adjustable stimulator, including stimulating for a stimulus time and subsequently milking a dairy animal, measuring and evaluating the milk flow profile in order to determine if the milk flow profile is bimodal. If it is, then the control unit automatically adjusts the stimulating operation by extending the stimulating operation by an extension value. If it is not, then the control unit may, optionally automatically, shorten the stimulating operation. As a result, the milking system is able to reduce the strain on the teats caused by unnecessary stimulation or by milking in an efficient way during a bimodal part of the milking operation and also to adjust this during the entire lactation, if necessary. In this way, changes in the dairy animal itself are also compensated for.

Method for milking, milking system therefor and milking stall with such a milking system

A milking system for milking a dairy animal includes a milking cup to be attached to a teat of the dairy animal and milking the milk, and an electronic component. The electronic component includes a sensor which is arranged in or on the milking cup for measuring a value of a variable related to the milking, a transmitter for transmitting the measured values, and a power supply for supplying the sensor and/or the transmitter with electrical energy. The power supply may include an inductive power supply with a first coil component and a second coil component, where the first coil component and the electronic component are electrically connected to each other, and where the second coil component is electrically directly connectable to an external source of electrical energy. The milking system also includes a fastening means which holds the first coil component and the second coil component together.

Milking system comprising a milking cup with a sensor and a power supply

Sensor system with a sensor device having a through-flow cell for liquid, a detector device for measuring a property of the liquid in the through-flow cell and for generating an associated detector signal, a sensor control for analyzing the detector signal, wherein the sensor control detects a liquid transition between two different liquids in the through-flow cell when a change (per unit time) in the detector signal is greater than a threshold value. In the case of such a liquid transition detection, the sensor control generates an alarm signal. Liquid transition detection is carried out by optical, temperature and/or conductivity sensors.

Detector system, sensor and dairy animal treatment device

Sensor system with a sensor device having a through-flow cell for liquid, a detector device for measuring a property of the liquid in the through-flow cell and for generating an associated detector signal, a sensor control for analyzing the detector signal, wherein the sensor control detects a liquid transition between two different liquids in the through-flow cell when a change (per unit time) in the detector signal is greater is than a threshold value. In the case of such a liquid transition detection, the sensor control generates an alarm signal. Liquid transition detection is carried out by optical, temperature and/or conductivity sensors.

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.

Method of detecting a flow, detection device, automatic milking device and computer program

The invention relates to a device for and method of milking dairy animals, in particular cows. The device and method have been improved in order to enhance the efficiency of use. In one embodiment, for the milking, teat cups are connected by means of a robot arm to respective teats of the dairy animal. This makes it possible to start the milking of the teats of the dairy animal. A milk flow from the respective teat can be measured. The milking can be ended by means of a control unit in dependence on a comparison value which is calculated on the basis of a milking parameter representative of a milk flow from the respective teat and in dependence on a deactivation threshold. According to the invention, the milking of the last teat is ended in dependence on a last-teat period to be calculated.

Method and device for milking a dairy animal

The invention provides a system and method of milking and feeding a dairy animal, wherein feed is dispensed in portions during the milking. At a predetermined moment the portion size is reduced, in order to increase the chance that the animal has actually eaten the last allocated portion at the moment when the milking has been ended, so that it will not hesitate to leave the milking parlor. This will result in a reduction of the time during which the milking parlor is unnecessarily occupied, and in an enhanced efficiency.

Method of milking a dairy animal by means of a milking system

A device for and method of milking dairy animals, in particular cows includes teat cups that are connected by a robot arm to respective teats of the dairy animal. This makes it possible to start the milking of the teats of the dairy animal. A milk flow from the respective teat can be measured. The milking can be ended by a control unit in dependence on a comparison value which is calculated on the basis of a milking parameter representative of a milk flow from the respective teat and in dependence on a deactivation threshold. A second manner of calculating is used for calculating the comparison value of the last teat. The milking of the last teat can also depend on the moment of ending the milking of the one-but-last teat.

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Giessenburg, Netherlands

Pieter Gerlof De Groot