Space divider of a milking parlor arrangement, and milking parlor arrangement

• US 9,730,424 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 08/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies GmbH (GEA Group AG)
• Original Assignee: GEA Farm Technologies GmbH (GEA Group AG)
• Inventors: Hensel, Derk, Hnscheid, Armin, Hille, Dieter, Schneider, Erich, Trossehl, Marc, Mader, Thomas, Krone, Otto
• Primary Examiner(s): ABBOTT-LEWIS, YVONNE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US14/384,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20150296737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,615 Days
• Field of Search: 119 1401, 119 1403, 119 1404, 119 1408, 119 1418
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 5/003 Movable milking machines
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 5/007 Monitoring milking processes; Control or regulation of milking machines
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 5/017 Automatic attaching or detaching of clusters
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 5/0175 Attaching of clusters
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 5/041 Milk claw
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 7/02 for cleaning or sanitising milking machines or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A01J 7/025 Teat cup cleaning, e.g. by rinse jetters or nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/12 Milking stations
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/123 Mobile milking parlours
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/126 Carousels

Abstract

A space divider (4) of a milking parlor arrangement for at least one milking parlor (3) for milking milk-producing animals (T), wherein the space divider (4) is arranged approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the animal (T) to be milked, has an arm device (6) having a milking cluster (5, 5′), which can be adjusted from a parking position to a working position and back. The arm device (6) is arranged with the milking cluster (5) in the parking position in the space divider (4), wherein the milking cluster (5, 5′) can be adjusted into the working position laterally to the animal (T) to be milked between the front and rear legs thereof. The milking cluster (5, 5′) comprises two halves, wherein each half has a specific set of at least one teatcup (5a). The space divider (4) is designed in such a way that no additional space is required between adjacent animals (T), so that many animals (T) can be milked in a milking parlor arrangement (1, 1′, 1″) while the smallest possible amount of space is required. A milking parlor arrangement (1, 1′, 1″) has at least one external robot (12).

Claims

1. A space divider of a milking parlor arrangement for a milking parlor for milking milk-producing animals wherein the space divider comprises:

an arm device for movement between a park position and an operating position wherein the arm device is arranged in the space divider in the park position, and moves laterally into the operating position; and

a milking cluster supported by the arm device and including two portions and each portion includes a teat cup;

wherein the arm device is arranged in an opening in the space divider in the park position; and

wherein the opening of the space divider is closable by a protective covering.

2. The space divider of claim 1, wherein the arm device supports the milking cluster in the space divider in the park position.

3. The space divider of claim 1, wherein the arm device comprises an upper arm and a lower arm coupled to the upper arm, wherein the upper arm supports the lower arm, and the lower arm includes a milk cluster carrier.

4. The space divider of claim 1, and further comprising:

a milking cluster cleaning device arranged in the space divider.

5. The space divider of claim 4, and further comprising:

a vertical drive for adjusting the milking cluster into a cleaning position.

6. The space divider of claim 1, wherein the space divider and arm device are assembled as a unit and having connectors for being mounted to a milking parlor.

7. A milking parlor for milking milk-producing animals, the milking parlor arrangement having a space divider comprising:

an arm device for supporting a milking cluster between a park position arranged in the space divider, and laterally into an operating position;

a milking cluster including two portions and each portion includes a teat cup; and

an external robot for adjusting the milking cluster between the park position and a milking position;

wherein the external robot comprises;

two base arms and a hand joined to each base arm, wherein the base arms are opposite one another, and wherein the external robot is controllable for parallel positioning of at least one teat cup per side on a teat of an udder of an animal to be milked.

8. The milking parlor of claim 7, wherein the milking parlor is a rotary milking parlor.

9. The milking parlor arrangement of claim 8, wherein the rotary milking parlor is an external rotary milking parlor.

10. The milking parlor arrangement of claim 7, wherein the hand includes a teat cup gripping portion engaged with the teat cup when in the park position.

11. The milking parlor of claim 7, wherein the hand of the external robot further comprises:

a positioning sensor.

12. The space divider of claim 7, wherein the opening of the space divider is closable by a protective covering.