Apparatus for milking an animal

Abstract

In one aspect, the present application provides a milking parlor 1 for certain animals to be milked, the milking parlor comprising a deck divided into a series of stalls 17, each stall having side rails and end rails and having a size sufficient to accommodate only one animal 5 for milking. Each stall has a structure 2 (e.g. a box) such that when the milking parlor is used with animals to be milked, the structure 2 extends upwardly from the deck to a height below the animal's abdomen, between the animal's front legs, starting forward of the animal's front legs and extending rearwardly but stopping before the animal's rear legs, so as to have sufficient space to fit a set of milking cups onto the animal's teats.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to an apparatus for milking animals (e.g., dairy cows) by rotating a milking station. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, cows are milked on a rotating milking parlor, which is divided into a series of bales. In each bale, the animal is introduced into one of the bales, where the milking cup engages with the cow's udder. As the milking parlor rotates, milk is drawn from the cow's body under vacuum pressure through the milking cup and transported through pipes to a storage bin, from where it is collected by a tanker truck. Generally, the milking time for each cow is the time it takes for the milking parlor to complete one rotation. During milking, the animal is guided or left directly from the bale to return to the pasture. A new cow entering the same bale must be fitted with the same milking cup for milking. This often happens when milking a herd of cows, so the milking cup must repeatedly come into contact with and separate from the udder. This can be time-consuming and lead to inefficiency in the milking process. Furthermore, at the end of milking, cows often tend to turn around in the bale, trying to walk forward rather than backward. This can cause cows to leave the bale, resulting in delays when new cows are ready for milking.

[0003] Purpose

[0004] The purpose of the preferred embodiments of this application is to at least address the aforementioned problems in some way. While this applies to the preferred embodiments, the purpose of this application itself is merely to provide a useful alternative. Therefore, any purpose or advantage applicable to the preferred embodiments should not be construed as limiting the broader claims.

[0005] definition

[0006] The terms “contains” or “has”, if used in this document for one or more features, should not be considered as excluding options for other unmentioned features. The same applies to derived terms such as “containing” and “having”. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Milking stations with structures located below the forelegs and abdomen

[0008] On one hand, this application relates to a milking station for a certain animal (e.g., a cow, goat, or sheep) to be milked, the milking station comprising a deck divided into a series of stations, each station having side rails and end rails, and being large enough to accommodate only one animal of that species for milking, each station also having a structure (e.g., a box) such that when the milking station is used with the animal to be milked, the structure is arranged as follows:

[0009] a) The height extending upwards from the deck to below the animal's abdomen;

[0010] b) Between the animal's forelegs; and

[0011] c) Begin in front of the forelegs and extend toward the animal's hind legs, but stop before the hind legs to allow enough space to attach a set of milking cups to the animal's teats.

[0012] Optionally, the milking station is used in conjunction with the animals to be milked, with each animal standing in a corresponding station, making the structure:

[0013] a) The height extending upwards from the deck to below the animal's abdomen;

[0014] b) Between the animal's forelegs; and

[0015] c) Begin in front of the forelegs and extend toward the animal's hind legs, but stop before the hind legs to allow enough space to attach a set of milking cups to the animal's teats.

[0016] Alternatively, the animals mentioned above may be cows, goats, or sheep.

[0017] Optionally, in each case, the structure extends to a height slightly below the lowest part of the animal's abdomen (excluding the animal's nipples).

[0018] Optionally, in each case, the structure extends to the height of the lowest part of the animal's abdomen (excluding the animal's nipples), the height of which is:

[0019] ·5mm–150mm;

[0020] ·5mm–100mm;

[0021] ·5mm–50mm;

[0022] ·5mm–40mm;

[0023] · 5mm–20mm; or

[0024] • 5mm–10mm.

[0025] Optionally, for each animal, the structure extends to a height sufficient to prevent the animal from turning around while standing.

[0026] Alternatively, in each case, the structure extends upwards from the deck:

[0027] ·50mm–1000mm;

[0028] ·100mm–900mm;

[0029] ·150mm–800mm;

[0030] ·200mm–700mm;

[0031] ·250mm–600mm;

[0032] · 300mm–500mm; or

[0033] • 350mm–450mm.

[0034] Optionally, in each case, the length of the structure extension is:

[0035] • 200mm–1800mm;

[0036] ·500mm–1700mm;

[0037] ·600mm–1600mm

[0038] · 700mm–1500mm;

[0039] ·800mm–1400mm;

[0040] · 900mm–1300mm; or

[0041] • 1000mm–1200mm.

[0042] Optionally, in each case, the maximum width of the structure extension is:

[0043] ·30mm–500mm;

[0044] ·100mm–400mm;

[0045] ·150mm–300mm;

[0046] ·200mm–250mm; or

[0047] • Approximately 250mm.

[0048] Alternatively, in each case, the structure gradually narrows, making one end wider than the other.

[0049] Optionally, in each case, the structure gradually narrows so that one end is higher than the other.

[0050] Optionally, in each case, the structure includes a housing, which in turn includes a positioning device arranged to move a corresponding set of milking cups from a retracted position, generally inside the housing and below the animal's abdomen, to a pre-engaged position, generally below the animal's udder, when in the normal milking standing position.

[0051] Optionally, the folding position is located in front of the cow's udder.

[0052] Optionally, the pre-engagement position is located above and spaced apart from the milking station.

[0053] Optionally, in each case, the positioning device is used to move a set of milking cups to a pre-engagement position adjacent to the animal's udder, wherein at least two milking cups closest to one end of the animal remain upright and are higher than at least two milking cups closest to the other end of the animal.

[0054] Optionally, the milking cup is upright, and in each case is either vertical or at an angle of ±20° to the vertical direction.

[0055] Optionally, the milking cups are held with at least two up and two down, and each milking cup is in an inclined position.

[0056] Milking cup positioning device placed under the animal to be milked

[0057] According to another aspect of this application, a milking apparatus is provided, comprising:

[0058] a) A set of milking cups, suitable for drawing milk from cows (or other animals to be milked); and

[0059] b) A positioning device associated with the milking station, the positioning device being arranged such that, when in the normal milking standing position, the milking cup is moved from a retracted position substantially below the cow to a pre-engaged position substantially below the cow's udder.

[0060] Optionally, the folding position is located in front of the cow's udder.

[0061] Optionally, the pre-engagement position is located above and spaced apart from the milking station.

[0062] Optionally, the milking equipment includes an enclosure that is essentially located on the milking table.

[0063] Alternatively, when the cow is standing in the milking position on the milking platform, the fence is essentially located between the cow's forelegs and hind legs.

[0064] Alternatively, when the milking cups are in the retracted position, they are located inside the enclosure.

[0065] Optionally, the milking cups are connected to a milk discharge tube that extends to bring the milking cups to a pre-engaged position and retracts when the milking cups are in the retracted position.

[0066] Optionally, the milking equipment includes a device for rinsing the pipes with a cleaning liquid and tilting the pipes sufficiently to facilitate the discharge of the liquid.

[0067] Milking cups at varying heights

[0068] According to another aspect of this application, a milking apparatus is provided, comprising:

[0069] a) A set of milking cups, suitable for drawing milk from cows (or other animals to be milked); and

[0070] b) A positioning device associated with a milking station, the positioning device being arranged to move milking cups to a pre-engagement position near the cow's udder, wherein at least two milking cups closest to one end of the cow remain upright and are above at least two milking cups closest to the other end of the cow that remain upright.

[0071] Alternatively, the milking cups are upright, either vertical or at an angle of ±20° to the vertical direction in each case.

[0072] Optionally, at least two milking cups should be held upright and two downward, with each milking cup tilted.

[0073] Optionally, the positioning device is adapted to move the aforementioned set of milking cups from the pre-engaged position to the retracted position, in which the milking cups are at substantially the same height.

[0074] Milking cups stored under the surface of the milking station

[0075] On the other hand, this application relates to a milking apparatus, comprising:

[0076] a) A set of milking cups, suitable for drawing milk from cows (or other animals to be milked); and

[0077] b) A positioning device associated with the milking stand, the positioning device being arranged such that, when in the normal milking standing position, the set of milking cups is moved from a retracted position located below the upper surface of the milking stand and below the cow to a pre-engaged position below the cow's udder. Attached Figure Description

[0078] Some preferred embodiments of this application will now be described by way of example and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0079] Figure 1 This is a side cross-sectional view of a device used to present a set of milking cups to the cow's udder for milking.

[0080] Figure 2 This is a side sectional view of the device when the milking cup is retracted.

[0081] Figure 3 This is a side sectional view of the device when the milking cup is in the pre-engaged position.

[0082] Figure 4 This is a side cross-sectional view of the device as the milking cup is about to engage with the cow's teat.

[0083] Figure 5 This is a side view of a milking station according to another embodiment of this application.

[0084] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An isometric end view of the milking station.

[0085] Figure 7 Through Figure 6 The longitudinal cross-sectional view of BB.

[0086] Figure 8 yes Figure 5-7 The image shows a side isometric view of the milking station.

[0087] Figure 9 This is an isometric view of another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0088] See Figure 1 The rotating milking station 1 is equipped with a device 2 for storing and delivering a set of milking cups 3. As shown in the figure, the device has a housing 4, which is located on the milking station 1 and between the front and hind legs of the cow 5 when the cow 5 is in the normal milking position standing on the milking station 1.

[0089] The device 1 has a mechanical drive arm 6 that extends from the housing 4. As shown, the drive arm 6 includes a bracket 7 for securing the milking cup 3, which may include, for example, an annular boss for placing the milking cup. The bracket 7 is rotatable as the drive arm moves up and down to keep the milking cup fully upright.

[0090] Preferably, each milking cup 3 has its own retractable arm 6. The attached figure shows only one of them, but when there are two, they work in the same way.

[0091] When using the device, each drive arm 6 extends from the housing 4 toward the cow's hind legs to move its milking cup upwards, aligning it with the cow's udder 8. From here, the worker grasps the milking cup 3 and moves it slightly upwards by hand, positioning it directly below the cow's teat 9. Because the inside of the milking cups is vacuum-sealed, they automatically adhere to the teat 9 and remain attached during milking. At the end of milking, the worker removes the milking cup 3 from the teat 9 and places it back into the support 7. The drive arm 6 can then retract to return the milking cups back into the housing. While the milking cups are inside or near the housing 4, they can be cleaned by rinsing them with a water-based cleaning solution.

[0092] Similarly, Figure 1As shown, the device 1 has a lid 10, which is opened and closed by another mechanically driven telescopic arm 11. The lid rotates upward to open as the milking cup 3 moves toward the udder, and closes when the milking cup returns to its retracted position within the housing 4. A stopper 12 is located on the underside of the lid 10, which covers the upper opening of the milking cup when it is retracted.

[0093] See further Figure 1 A flexible vacuum hose 13 extends from the milking cup to draw milk away during milking. The hose passes through the housing 4, extends out through a hole 14 at the bottom of the device, and passes through a hole 15 on the underside of the milking table 1.

[0094] Figure 2-4 An example shows the retracted position of the cup 3 within the housing 4. Figure 2 ), the pre-joint position below breast 8 ( Figure 3 ) and their position before engagement with the nipple ( Figure 4 Movement between (). For ease of explanation, () has been omitted. Figure 1 Some of the components mentioned in the text.

[0095] See Figure 3 When each extendable arm 6 extends and positions the milking cup 3 below the udder 8, the milking cups 3 are "height-staggered." In other words, the milking cup closer to the cow (the front end in this example) is slightly higher than the milking cup closer to the other end (the rear end in this example). See also Figure 4 This staggered arrangement makes it easier for worker 16 to grasp the milking cup and move it upwards close enough to the teat to create a vacuum in the milking cup, causing it to move slightly upwards and press against the teat. Ideally, the worker should stand behind the cow to perform this operation. In other embodiments, the staggered height of the milking cups can be such that the milking cup on one side of the cow is higher than the milking cup on the other side.

[0096] exist Figure 1-4 In the above-described set of milking cups, there are only two milking cups 3. However, in other embodiments, there may be more, such as four. If there are four milking cups, there will be two milking cups on each side of the cow. The milking cups on one end or side of the cow can be staggered in height relative to the milking cups on the other end or side in the same manner as described above. In some embodiments of this application, the milking cups on each side will be associated with their own retractable arm 6. For example, each pair of milking cups on each side has its own retractable arm 6.

[0097] In some embodiments of this application, device 1 may have or be equipped with an optical sensing device that detects the position of the cow's teats when the cow is standing in a normal milking position and senses an infection, such as mastitis, whether or not it is subclinical.

[0098] In a further embodiment of this application, when in the normal milking position, the milking cup can be placed below the upper surface of the milking table, below the cow. From here, the milking cup can be moved to the pre-engagement position.

[0099] Figure 5-8 Another embodiment of this application is shown, which is substantially similar to the embodiment described above, but with a different housing proportion. In describing this embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment will be used for the same or similar parts.

[0100] See Figure 5 The rotary milking parlor 1 for dairy cows is equipped with a device 2 located on the milking deck. Device 2 has a box-shaped housing 4 and an internal mechanism adapted to transport a set of milking cups from a retracted position within the housing to a pre-engagement position directly below the udder 8 of the cow 5. This mechanism may include a mechanical drive arm and a milking cup holder as described previously. Assisted by the vacuum pressure of the milking machine, a worker standing behind the cow and below the milking parlor can skillfully manipulate the milking cups, attaching them from the pre-engagement position to the cow's teat 9 for milking. After milking, the milking cups are removed, and the mechanism returns them to the retracted position within the housing 4 for cleaning.

[0101] Figure 6-8 The relationship between cow 5, device 2, and milking deck is further illustrated. The deck is circular and divided into a series of stations 17, each large enough to accommodate one cow for milking at a time. For clarity, only one of the stations 17 is shown, but in practice, the milking deck will have many stations, extending one after another around the circular space. This arrangement ensures that during milking, each cow's head faces the center of the milking deck. The cow moves forward to its station for milking and must walk backward to empty the milk afterward.

[0102] See Figure 7-8 Each station has a side baffle (such as a crossbar) 18 and one or more front baffles 19, which keeps the cow in the correct position while in the station to receive the set of milking cups described above. Adjacent stations may share the side baffle 18. During milking, the station entrance / exit 20 is closed with a strap or similar object (not shown) to prevent each cow from leaving the station. The strap can be operated to open the entrance / exit, allowing the cow to leave the station after milking.

[0103] Preferably, each station is equipped with a feeding trough 21 so that the cows can be fed during milking. Figure 6-8As shown, the stand also features a spreader 22 on the deck level, which is placed between the cow's legs when the cow is in the milking position. The spreader 22 is a slightly raised mat or part of the deck, designed to prevent the cow from feeling uncomfortable if its hind legs are too close together. By encouraging the cow to keep its hind legs apart, it is easier to install the milking cup during milking.

[0104] like Figure 6-8 As shown, when a cow is in position 17, its forelegs are straddled on device 2, specifically on its housing 4 (in other words, each foreleg is positioned on a different side of the housing). The purpose of this is to prevent, or at least substantially deter, the cow from turning around in the position. This is advantageous because if the cow is able to turn around and look back, it is more likely to kick the operator installing or removing the milking cup, causing injury and / or resulting in harm.

[0105] Preventing cows from turning completely around in the station is also beneficial, as it helps them leave the station more orderly after milking. It is believed that the cows realize or perceive that, due to the limited space occupied by device 2, they have no choice but to walk backwards to the exit. Due to the restrictive effect of the sides of station 18 and device 2, each cow's foreleg can effectively enter through a relatively narrow, tunnel-like path. It is believed that the cows realize or perceive that they cannot turn around in the station, i.e., walk forward after milking, and therefore are unlikely or less likely to get stuck in the station when attempting to turn around.

[0106] Surprisingly, it has been found that restricting the space of each station as described above, for example requiring the cow's legs to straddle device 2, significantly reduces the time required for the cow to leave its station after milking. In trials, it was found that each cow could leave its station in an average of 3.5 seconds, which is very fast. Without the device, cows were observed to be able to partially turn and get stuck relatively easily, in some cases requiring up to 60 seconds to leave their station. In the trials, each station was approximately 635 mm from the inner end of the milking parlor (chest railing) to approximately 703 mm in the middle. The entrance / teardrop opening of each station was approximately 615 mm wide and 1800 mm long. Device 2 was approximately 300 mm wide, 1200 mm long, and 400 mm high. The average gap between the upper part of the device and the cow's abdomen (excluding the udder) was approximately 100–150 mm.

[0107] like Figure 5As shown, the height of device 2 leaves almost no space between it and the lower side of the cow's abdomen. This makes it difficult or impossible for the cow to lower its body while standing, so that its head is stuck below the front guard 19 (e.g., the front bar) of the standing position. Preferably, but not necessarily, the gap between device 2 and the cow's abdomen may be less than 100 mm, for example, it may be as small as 10 mm. Optional dimensions of device 2 are shown in the "Structure" section of the invention description in this specification. Also as shown, device 2 is positioned prominently in front of the teat / udder to provide sufficient working space to move the milking cup and / or attach the milking cup to the cow's teat.

[0108] In alternative embodiments of this application, substantially the same benefits can be achieved by using a structure of the same or similar size as device 2, but excluding the means for storing and presenting the milking cup. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the structure can be arranged as a single unit or a series of separate components on the deck within a station. In some embodiments of this application, the structure can be integrated with the deck, for example, as an elongated protrusion on the deck where the cow's forelegs straddle each station during milking. Furthermore, in some embodiments of this application, the structure can be adjustable in one or more aspects of its height, width, and length.

[0109] Although Figure 5-8 The embodiments have been described for milking cows, but the dimensions of the various components, such as station 17 and device 2, can be adjusted if necessary to accommodate milking of quadrupeds of different sizes, such as goats or sheep.

[0110] While some forms of this application have been described by way of example, it should be understood that modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

[0111] For the purposes of disclosure, this document envisions and proposes any combination of features mentioned herein with itself or any other features mentioned herein, even if such combination is not claimed.

Claims

1. A milking parlor for dairy cows, the milking parlor comprising a deck divided into a series of stations, each station having side rails and end rails to accommodate only one cow, each station also having a shell, the shell: a) Associated with a set of milking cups and one or more extendable arms; b) Extend upwards from the deck to a height of 300 mm - 500 mm and stop below the cow's belly; c) The width is 150 mm - 300 mm, and it extends between the forelegs of the cow; as well as d) Starting in front of the forelegs and extending toward the cow's udder and hind legs, but stopping before the hind legs, so that there is enough space to attach the milking cup to the cow's teats; and In each of the housings, the one or more retractable arms are adapted to extend from a retracted position fully located within the housing, carry the milking cup to a pre-engagement position below the udder of the corresponding cow, and retract the milking cup after milking the cow, such that both the one or more retractable arms and the milking cup are fully retracted within the housing.

2. The milking station according to claim 1, wherein for each cow, the shell extends upward to a height of 5 mm to 150 mm below the lowest portion of the cow's abdomen excluding the teats.

3. The milking station according to claim 1, wherein the housing extends upward to a height of 5 mm to 100 mm below the lowest part of the cow's abdomen excluding the cow's teats.

4. The milking station of claim 1, wherein for each of the cows, the housing extends upward to a height sufficient to prevent the cow from turning around in the station.

5. The milking station according to claim 1, wherein the length of the extension of the housing is 500 mm–1700 mm.

6. The milking station according to claim 1, wherein the length of the extension of the housing is 600 mm–1600 mm.

7. The milking station according to claim 1, wherein the length of the extension of the housing is 700 mm–1500 mm.

8. The milking station according to claim 1, wherein the shell gradually narrows such that one end is wider than the other.

9. The milking station according to claim 1, wherein the shell gradually narrows such that one end is higher than the other.

10. The milking station according to claim 1, wherein the retracted position is located in front of the cow's udder.

11. The milking station according to claim 1, wherein the pre-engaged position is located above the milking station and spaced apart from the milking station.

12. The milking station of claim 1, wherein the set of milking cups is adapted for milking the cow, and when the set of milking cups is in the pre-engaged position, the worker can manually move the set of milking cups to engage the animal's teats.

13. The milking station according to claim 1, wherein the set of milking cups is connected to the milk discharge tube, and the function of the milk discharge tube is to bring the set of milking cups to a pre-engaged position and retract them when the set of milking cups is in the retracted position.

14. The milking station of claim 1, wherein one or more telescopic arms extend from the housing cantilever to hold the milking cup in the pre-engaged position, thereby supporting the milking cup above the deck.

15. A milking parlor for dairy cows, the milking parlor comprising a deck divided into a series of stations, each station having side rails and end rails to accommodate only one cow, each station also having a shell, the shell: a) Associated with a set of milking cups and one or more extendable arms; b) A height of 5 mm to 150 mm below the lowest part of the cow's abdomen, excluding the cow's teats, extending upwards from the deck; c) The width is 150 mm - 300 mm, and it extends between the forelegs of the cow; as well as d) Starting in front of the forelegs and extending toward the cow's udder and hind legs, but stopping before the hind legs, so that there is enough space to attach the milking cup to the cow's teats; and In each of the housings, the one or more retractable arms are adapted to extend from a retracted position fully located within the housing, carry the milking cup to a pre-engagement position below the udder of the corresponding cow, and retract the milking cup after milking the cow, such that both the one or more retractable arms and the milking cup are fully retracted within the housing.

16. The milking station according to claim 15, wherein the length of the extension of the housing is 600 mm–1600 mm.

17. The milking station of claim 15, wherein one or more telescopic arms extend from the housing cantilever to hold the milking cup in the pre-engaged position, thereby supporting the milking cup above the deck.

18. A device suitable for presenting a milking cup to a cow, the device being adapted for mounting on a milking table, the device comprising a housing, the housing being: a) Contains a set of milking cups and one or more extendable arms; b) Height is 300 mm - 500 mm; c) Width is 150 mm - 300 mm; and d) Length is 500 mm - 1700 mm; and in, The one or more telescopic arms are adapted to extend from a retracted position fully located within the housing, and when used on the milking platform, to carry the milking cup to a pre-engagement position below the cow's udder, and to retract the milking cup after milking the cow, such that both the one or more telescopic arms and the milking cup are fully retracted within the housing.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the one or more telescopic arms extend from the housing cantilever to hold the milking cup in the pre-engaged position, thereby supporting the milking cup above the deck.

20. A method for milking cows, comprising: a) Moving the cow into a station on the milking stand, wherein the station is equipped with the device according to claim 18 on the deck of the milking stand; b) Arrange the cow to straddle the shell such that: (i) Each of the cow's forelegs is located on a different side of the shell, and the shell prevents the cow from turning around in the standing position; and (ii) The lower side of the cow's abdomen is close enough to the top of the shell that the cow cannot lower its body to a position where it could potentially get its head stuck under the guardrail in front of the station. as well as c) Milking the cow using the milking cup while the cow is standing in the station and straddling the shell.

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