Milking Apparatus and System

• US 20130087101A1
• Filed: 06/14/2011
• Published: 04/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies GmbH (GEA Group AG)
• Original Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies GmbH (GEA Group AG)
• Inventors: McDougal, Graeme David, Staheli, Rodrick Peter, Mikkelson, Jamie Christopher Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,277,728 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/14.18
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 5/007 Monitoring milking processes; Control or regulation of milking machines
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 5/0131 by analysing the milk composition, e.g. concentration or detection of specific substances
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 5/0134 by using filters or decanters
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 5/0135 by using light, e.g. light absorption or light transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 5/0175 Attaching of clusters
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 7/00 Accessories for milking machines or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 7/025 Teat cup cleaning, e.g. by rinse jetters or nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 7/04 for treatment of udders or teats, e.g. for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/12 Milking stations

Abstract

A device suitable for attachment to a milking platform at a “milking position” has a strippings viewing area and a light source, which is operable to illuminate in a suitable manner the strippings viewing area to enhance the visibility to an operator of any mastitis symptoms in use and/or to illuminate the udder to facilitate inspection or treatment. The light source may also be operable to give continuous or intermittent colour signals to the operator and the device might also include an alpha-numeric area. The device might form part of a leg separator and/or sprayer and/or milk hose support. A milking platform with such a device is also claimed.

Claims

1. A milking platform device disposed at a milking position in a diary, the device comprising:

a housing having at least a partly-open interior,

a milk contrasting surface, and a drain; and

a milk hose guide joined to the housing.

3. The device of claim 1, and further comprising:

an upwardly directed light joined to the housing.

4. The device of claim 1, and further comprising:

a light joined to the housing and directed to illuminate the milk contrasting surface.

5. The device of claim 1, and further comprising:

an upwardly directed light directed to illuminate a dairy animal udder when the dairy animal is at the milking position.

12. The device of claim 1, and further comprising:

a light joined to the housing and controlled to flash on and off.

13. The device of claim 1, and further comprising:

an alpha numeric visual display panel joined to the housing.

31. The device of claim 1, wherein the milk hose guide is a channel at least partially defined by the housing.

32. The device of claim 1, wherein the milk hose guide includes a hose support joined to the housing to support a milk hose and a pulsation hose.

33. The device of claim 1, wherein the milk hose guide includes a hose support joined to the housing to support a milk hose.

34. The device of claim 1, wherein the milk hose guide includes a substantially vertical hose support releasably attached to the housing.

35. The device of claim 1, wherein the milk hose guide includes a hose support that is flexible in a direction that is substantially aligned with a milk hose direction.

36. The device of claim 1, wherein the milk hose guide includes a hose support frictionally secured to and movable on the housing.

37. The device of claim 1, and further comprising:

a first hose support and a second hose support having a height that is different than a first hose support height.

38. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is shaped as a dairy animal leg separator.

39. The device of claim 1, and further comprising an alpha numeric display joined to the housing.

40. The device of claim 1, and further comprising:

an illuminable panel forming a floor that is at least a portion of the housing interior.

41. The device of claim 1, and further comprising:

a screen display forming at least a portion of the housing interior.

42. The device of claim 1, and further comprising:

a plurality of spray nozzles joined to the housing adapted to spray teats of an udder of a dairy animal standing at the milking position.

43. The device of claim 1, and further comprising:

an upwardly directed substantially central spraying nozzle joined to the housing.

2. (canceled)

6-11. -11. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. A device for installation on a milking platform at a milking position, the device comprising:

a strippings viewing area;

a drain from the strippings viewing area; and

a light.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the strippings viewing area is translucent and the light illuminates the strippings viewing area.

17. The device of claim 15 wherein, the strippings viewing area is translucent and the light is disposed below the strippings viewing area.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the strippings viewing area includes a translucent plate and the light illuminates the strippings viewing area.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the light comprises:

a plurality of light-emitting diodes at least one of which is substantially white and at least one of which is substantially some color other than white.

22. The device of claim 15, wherein the device further comprises:

an alpha numerical information display panel.

23. The device of claim 15, wherein at least part of the device is a dairy animal leg separator.

24. The device of claim 15, and further comprising:

a teat sprayer.

25. The device of claim 15, and further comprising:

a milk hose support.

18. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

26-29. -29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)