The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 31, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 09, 1999
Karel van den Berg, Bleskensgraaf, NL;
Rudolf E. van der Laan, Neer, NL;
Maasland N.V. a Dutch Limited Co, Maasland, NL;
Abstract
A cleaning apparatus and method for cleaning components of automated milking apparatus which includes milking machines which are automatically connected and disconnected to the animals being milked. A rinsing liquid supply line supplies water through a protecting device and a heat exchanger to a junction which has a line leading to a rinsing liquid reservoir which includes a heating element to provide heat cleaning if desired, a line connected to a metering device to introduce an additive such as an alkali or acid, a branch line for rinsing components of the automatic milking machine such as teat cups and a branch line leading through non-return devices to a rinsing liquid buffer reservoir which can be pressurized by air pressure and used for cleansing components such as the teat cups and sensor on a robot arm and the device for cleaning the udders and teats of the animals being milked. Computer-controlled valving is provided for each of the branch lines for cleaning milking components of the automatic milking system, the rinsing liquid supply before the juncture and in the line to the rinsing liquid reservoir, as well as the rinsing liquid discharge line leading to the rinsing liquid buffer reservoir.