Method for capturing pre-milk and a milking device for the method

Abstract

A method is provided for capturing and discharging pre-milk in a milking device which comprises a milking cup, a vacuum system, a milking glass and a controller. The milking cup comprises a cup sleeve and therein a liner, therein a teat space with a cup milk outflow opening, a milk capture chamber connected thereto with a chamber milk outflow opening and a chamber vacuum opening, and a milk transport line with a milk discharge valve. The vacuum system comprises a vacuum source with a pulsation line, a milking vacuum line at the chamber vacuum opening and a ventilation valve, and a milking glass vacuum line connected to the milking glass. The vacuum system applies a pulsation vacuum, a milking vacuum in the milking vacuum line, and a milk transport vacuum in the milk line. The method comprises connecting the milking cup, milking first milk jets from the teat, ventilating the pulsation space, opening the milk discharge valve and ventilating the milk capture chamber by opening the ventilation valve. Because of the great pressure difference between the milk transport vacuum and ambient pressure during ventilation of the milk capture chamber, the pre-milk is blown out by force from the milk capture chamber. Also a milking device for the method is provided.

Description

[0001] Method for capturing pre-milk and a milking device for the method

[0002] The present invention concerns a method for capturing pre-milk in a milking device, and discharging it, when milking a dairy animal with teats, which milking device comprises at least one milking cup, a vacuum system, a milking glass for temporary storage of the milk from one milking, and a controller; wherein the milking cup comprises a cup sleeve and therein a liner, with a pulsation space between the liner and the cup sleeve with a pulsation opening, wherein the liner surrounds a teat space with a cup milk outflow opening; a milk capture chamber connected to the cup milk outflow opening with a chamber milk outflow opening and a chamber vacuum opening separate from the chamber milk outflow opening; and a milk hose connected between the chamber milk outflow opening and said milking glass, which milk hose is provided with a controllable milk discharge valve; wherein the vacuum system comprises a vacuum source with a pulsation line which is connected to the pulsation opening, a milking vacuum line which is connected to the chamber vacuum opening and comprises a controllable ventilation valve, and a milking glass vacuum line which is connected to said milking glass and via the milking glass to said milk hose, and wherein the vacuum system is configured to apply a pulsation vacuum of changing pulsations in the pulsation line, to apply a milking vacuum in the milking vacuum line, and to apply a milk transport vacuum in the milk line.

[0003] The above-described milking device is known for example from document US2020084994A1. The separate milking vacuum line and milk hose for milk transport already provides a milk-air separation in the milking cup, which has various advantages as described in this document.

[0004] On each milking, pre-milk must be extracted in order to assess this as a criterion to determine what must be done with the main milk to be extracted. The above document however says nothing about this pre-milk or its extraction or discharge. It is however desired not only to capture this pre-milk, but to discharge it suitably from the milking device in order to clear the latter as quickly as possible for extracting the main milk or milk which is or may be intended for human consumption.

[0005] It is then also an object of the present invention to provide a method for enabling a suitable discharge of the pre-milk in the described milking device.

[0006] The invention achieves this object with a method according to claim 1. Here, the method comprises the following steps, not necessarily in this order: a) connecting the milking cup to a said teat, b) milking one or more first milk jets out of the teat, comprising, with closed milk discharge valve and applied milking vacuum and milk transport vacuum, causing pulsation of the pulsation vacuum in the pulsation space until a predefined pre-milk criterion is fulfilled, c) ventilating the pulsation space, d) opening the milk discharge valve, and e) ventilating the milk capture chamber by opening the ventilation valve.

[0007] The pre-milk, i.e. the first jets of milk, are here captured in the milk capture chamber, i.e. the chamber which is situated directly below the teat space of the milking cup. The milk discharge valve is naturally closed. If the pre-milk complies with the predefined pre-milk criterion, it can then be discharged from the milk capture chamber. For this, for example, milking is interrupted, wherein the pulsation space is ventilated, so that the resulting pressure of the liner on the teat causes the milking cup to remain suspended from the teat. Alternatively, for example, a sufficiently high head vacuum is used. Also, the milk discharge valve is opened to be able to discharge the pre-milk, and the milk capture chamber is ventilated by opening the ventilation valve in the milking vacuum line. In this way, ambient air can flow inward and be extracted by the milk transport vacuum in the milk hose. This milk transport vacuum is naturally greater than the milking vacuum in order to be able to discharge milk against the milking vacuum, but certainly also because the milking vacuum will fall due to the inflowing air. If desired, at the same time, the milking vacuum can be reduced. By means of the air flow through the milk capture chamber, the pre-milk present therein is swirled up and sucked out into the milk hose. Further down in the milk hose, the pre-milk can then be captured.

[0008] By this inflow of air via the milking vacuum line, the pre-milk can be discharged thoroughly and quickly, and certainly faster than if only a milking vacuum or milk transport vacuum is drawing on the pre-milk. If desired, at the same time, the milking vacuum can be lowered. This can be achieved in the vacuum device for example, by e.g. slowing down a vacuum pump intended for this purpose, by choking a connection or by fully or partly closing a choke valve between the vacuum pump and the milk transport vacuum line, etc.

[0009] In the context of the present invention, the term "controllable" means "operatable by the controller". It will also be clear that the milk transport vacuum, which is applied to the milking glass via the milking glass vacuum line, is then applied to the milk capture chamber via the milk hose. The ventilation of the pulsation space in fact corresponds to the stoppage of the pulsator in the state in which normally also the pulsation space is ventilated, before the c / d phase. Here, it was noted that it is not necessary to bring the pulsation space to ambient pressure. It is also possible to bring the pulsation space to a lower vacuum, and then maintain this in order not to exert unnecessarily great force on the teat, or even to the (maximum) pulsation vacuum. Secondly, it is also possible to apply a slight positive pressure in the pulsation space, i.e. higher than atmospheric pressure, for example in the case where a greater force must be exerted because of a particular teat shape.

[0010] Particular embodiments are described in the dependent claims and in the following part of this description.

[0011] In some embodiments, the pre-milking criterion comprises that a predefined number of pulsations have taken place. Assuming that main milk is almost always directly available, it is here sufficient to count the number of pulses, which naturally is a very simple variant. The quantity of pre-milk is not however unambiguously defined here.

[0012] Alternatively or in addition, the milking cup also comprises a milk meter provided in the milk capture chamber, such as a milk level meter, which is configured for measuring a milk quantity, in particular a milk level, in the milk capture chamber, and wherein the method furthermore comprises measuring of said milk quantity, in particular said milk level, wherein the pre-milk criterion comprises that said quantity, in particular said milk level, reaches a predefined limit value. It is often desirable to collect a specific quantity of pre-milk. Since the pre-milk is captured in the milk capture chamber, a milk meter provided therein provides the desired information, and the capture of the pre-milk can continue until the captured quantity reaches the limit value. The milk meter may be configured in various ways, such as a weight or mass meter. In particular, the milk meter may be configured as a milk level meter as described in WO 2018 / 111095, sensor 26 in Figure 2, pages 4 and 10, but alternatives are certainly not excluded. The controller receives the measured sensor value and controls the method on the basis thereof.

[0013] Said limit value, or said number of pulsations respectively, is not specifically limited. For example, a fixed quantity is taken such as a value of 5 and 50 ml, respectively between 3 and 6 pulsations. In particular, however, the limit value or said number differs per animal, and this is set depending on an identity of said dairy animal. Here, the wishes of the farmer may play a role, since more pre-milk in principle means less milk for sale. For example, a dairy animal may also be recovering or have just recovered from a disease such as mastitis, and not only must the pre-milk be thoroughly examined, but also the teat and the slot therein must be flushed well before any consumable milk can be captured. Also it may be that several tests must be carried out on the pre-milk, wherein it is better to capture a larger quantity of pre-milk. Other reasons are also possible. For example, in a slow-starting cow, it may be necessary to delay the start of the pulsations. After all, pulsations are pointless if there is no extractable milk at that moment. The ways of guaranteeing that the pre-milk will be discharged from the milk capture chamber are not specifically limited. In some embodiments, step e) comprises holding the ventilation valve open during a predefined time. This is a very simple embodiment to implement. Practical tests can show how long the ventilation valve should remain open, depending, for example, on the precise shape and dimensions of the various lines and valves, but also on the momentarily set milking and transport vacuum.

[0014] For example, step e) comprises holding the ventilation valve open until the milk level in the milk capture chamber has fallen below a predefined minimum level. This can suitably prevent air from unnecessarily entering the system. This air would after all have to be removed again by the vacuum device, which costs energy. The minimum level can be selected as low as possible, so that, for example, only some drops of milk remain in the chamber.

[0015] In some embodiments, the ventilation of the milk capture chamber comprises fully or partially closing the ventilation valve, and opening the ventilation valve again after a predefined waiting time, at least once, and advantageously two or more times. Thus, by ventilating the milk capture chamber not in one long pulse but in several shorter pulses, milk droplets which have been swirled up but not carried away have the opportunity to fall down again and collect on the floor of the capture chamber. Thus there is more chance that they will be carried away during a following ventilation. The number of times required to ensure an adequate discharge of the pre-milk can easily be determined in practice, but for example three times is a very usable number. In particular, here each time also the milk discharge valve can be closed and reopened one or more times. This can help the milk droplets fall down. Note that the ventilation valve, and where applicable the milk discharge valve, need not be held fully closed each time, and also need not be moved back to precisely the same state, as long as the air flow through the milk capture chamber falls away sufficiently to allow the milk droplets to fall down and then be carried away as much as possible.

[0016] Moreover, the air flow can assume arbitrary values. In some embodiments, during ventilation, the ventilation valve is opened to a state in which an air flow occurs in a predefined air flow range, in particular an air flow range dependent on the milk transport vacuum, for example between 20 and 25 l / minute. After all, the air flow need not be stronger than necessary in order to avoid unnecessary air discharge through the vacuum device. Said range has proved favourable in practical cases, but the range can certainly be adapted, for example to the dimensions of the lines, the value of the milk transport vacuum, the shape of the milk capture chamber, etc. The settings may also comprise the control of the ventilation valve until the milking vacuum reaches a predefined vacuum level. This means that the vacuum prevailing in the milk capture chamber need not increase, i.e. fall in an absolute sense, further than said vacuum level. After all, if the milk capture chamber is largely empty, a direct connection occurs between the milking vacuum line, in which there is ventilation, and the milk transport line. Then ultimately the milking vacuum prevailing in the milk capture chamber would be effectively equal to the transport vacuum, which is unnecessary. It is sensible then to no longer hold the ventilation valve fully or partially open.

[0017] It is possible to carry out the method independently of any quality of the captured pre-milk. However, in some embodiments, the method comprises measuring a first milk-related parameter value by means of a sensor device, in particular a milk quality sensor such as a conductivity sensor and / or a colour measuring sensor, in the milk capture chamber, and via the controller adjusting the method on the basis of the measured parameter value. Thus the method can be adapted to the captured pre-milk using the measured milk-related parameter value. The method thus becomes more flexible, for example in order, on the basis of this value, to determine the destination for the rest of the milking, or to adjust the discharge of the pre-milk.

[0018] For example, said adjustment comprises repeating the steps b) to e) inclusive and / or setting a total quantity of pre-milk to be milked. In some cases, it may be advantageous to collect more pre-milk, for example in the case where a parameter value deviates too greatly from a desired value without this necessarily characterizing the rest of the milk. Thus the conductivity value of the pre-milk may lie on the high side, wherein however it is known that, in this dairy animal, this does not indicate a sickness, and the main milk from the rest of the milking has a much lower conductivity. In such a case, it may be better to capture and discharge more than the standard quantity of pre-milk, so that here it is desirable to fill the milk capture chamber more than once to a desired level, and then empty it again, before starting the main milking. Note that the measurement can be carried out or repeated for each captured quantity of pre-milk until a dynamic picture of the momentary parameter value can be obtained. On this basis, the controller can decide whether or not to collect pre-milk again, such as by repeating said steps.

[0019] The invention furthermore concerns a milking device configured for performing a method according to the invention. The milking device comprises at least one milking cup, a vacuum system, a milking glass for temporary storage of the milk from one milking, and a controller. The milking cup comprises a cup sleeve and therein a liner, with a pulsation space between the liner and the cup sleeve with a pulsation opening, wherein the liner surrounds a teat space with a cup milk outflow opening; a milk capture chamber connected to the cup milk outflow opening with a chamber milk outflow opening and a chamber vacuum opening separate from the chamber milk outflow opening; and a milk hose connected between the chamber milk outflow opening and said milking glass, which milk hose is provided with a controllable milk discharge valve. The vacuum system comprises a vacuum source with a pulsation line which is connected to the pulsation opening, a milking vacuum line which is connected to the chamber vacuum opening and comprises a controllable ventilation valve, and a milking glass vacuum line which is connected to said milking glass and via the milking glass to said milk hose, and the vacuum system is configured to apply a pulsation vacuum of changing pulsations in the pulsation line, to apply a milking vacuum in the milking vacuum line, and to apply a milk transport vacuum in the milk hose. The controller is then configured for performing steps a) to e) as explained above. The advantages of such a milking device correspond to those which have been described for the method, and are therefore not repeated unnecessarily.

[0020] The milking device may be a conventional milking device in the sense that the milking cups are attached to the teats of the dairy animal by hand. However, in most cases the milker will carry out the pre-milking, so that no pre-milk need be captured. Therefore the milking device is preferably a robot milking device for fully automatic milking of the dairy animal.

[0021] In particular, the milking cup also comprises a milk level meter provided in the milk capture chamber, which is configured for measuring a milk level in the milk capture chamber and passing the milk level to the control device. Such a milking device is suitable for determining the milk level in the milk capture chamber, which may be favourable for determining whether the milking complies with the pre-milk criterion, namely whether the pre-milk has reached a predefined level as explained above. This applies both to filling with pre-milk and during discharge of the pre-milk. In addition, the milk level meter may be used for setting the milk transport vacuum and / or a state of a milk discharge valve during the main milking, for example in order to keep a constant milk level in the milk capture chamber.

[0022] In some embodiments, the milking device furthermore comprises a sensor device provided in the milk capture chamber, in particular a milk quality sensor such as a conductivity sensor and / or a colour measuring sensor, configured for measuring a first milk-related parameter value in the milk capture chamber and passing the parameter value to the control device. This sensor device may be active during capture of the pre- milk, and then offer the advantages as described above for the corresponding methods. Naturally, the sensor device can also be active during the main milking phase and then provide useful information about the extracted milk. Details concerning such sensor devices are sufficiently known to the person skilled in the art.

[0023] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment and the drawing. In the drawings:

[0024] - Figure 1 shows schematically an embodiment of the milking device 1 according to the invention;

[0025] - Figure 2 also shows schematically, in a cross-sectional side view, a detail of the milking device 1 with a milking cup 5; and

[0026] - Figure 3 shows purely schematically some further details for the capture of the pre-milk.

[0027] Figure 1 shows, highly schematically, an embodiment of the milking device 1 according to the invention. Figure 2 shows, also schematically in a cross-sectional side view, a detail of the milking device 1 with a milking cup 5.

[0028] The milking device 1 optionally comprises a milking robot 2 with a robot arm 3 and a gripper or cup carrier 4. Reference 5 indicates a milking cup with a chamber 30, reference 6 indicates a vacuum device with a pulsation line 7, a milking vacuum line 8, a milk hose 9 with a milk valve 39, and a transport vacuum line 10 to a milking glass 11. Reference 12 designates a controller, and reference 14 a milk line to a milk tank 15.

[0029] The drawings also show a first valve vi, a second valve V2 and a third valve V3, and a (part of a) dairy animal 100 with teats 101.

[0030] The milking cup 5 in Figure 2 comprises a cup sleeve 20 and a liner 21 which surrounds a teat space 22 with a teat opening 23 and a cup milk discharge opening 24. A pulsation space 25 with a pulsation opening 26 is connected to the pulsation line 7. At a chamber milk supply opening 27, a chamber 29 is connected to the cup milk discharge opening 24 via a connecting piece 28; said chamber surrounds a milk capture space 30 and has a chamber air discharge opening 31 and a chamber milk discharge opening 32, and also a milk level meter 33 with electrodes 34 and a bottom electrode 35.

[0031] The milking vacuum line 8 is connected to the chamber air discharge opening 31 and has a milking vacuum sensor 37. The milk hose 9 is connected to the chamber milk discharge opening 32 and has a milk valve 39 for controlling the discharge of the milk 40, and a milk flowmeter 41 for measuring the milk flow.

[0032] The milking robot 2, 3, 4 is optional, as stated. If omitted, there remains a milking device in which the cups are connected by hand to the teats 101 , as usual in known conventional milking devices.

[0033] At the start of milking, the milking cups 5 (only one of which is shown here) are attached by the milking robot 2 or by hand to the teats 101 of the dairy animal 100. Milking almost always takes place, as known, by means of application of a milking vacuum to the teat 101 in the teat space 22 by means of the vacuum device 6, and by then closing the liner 21 in pulsations in order thereby to periodically massage the teat and close off the milking vacuum.

[0034] For this, the vacuum device 6 applies a varying pulsation vacuum to the pulsation space 25 via the pulsation line 7, and a milking vacuum in the milk capture space 30 in the chamber 29 via the milking vacuum line 8, and a transport vacuum in the milking glass 11 via the milk transport vacuum line 10. The milking vacuum will also prevail below the teat, at least naturally during the milking phase when the liner 21 is open. The transport vacuum will also prevail in the milk hose 9 and thus act on the milk 40 present in the milk capture space 30. It is important to note that this means that, as long as sufficient milk is present in the milk capture space 30, the milking vacuum and the milk transport vacuum can be set independently of one another, and that in principle the milking vacuum is not dependent on the milk flow into the milk capture space 30.

[0035] At the start of milking, the milk valve 39 will still be closed. Not only is there no milk at all to be discharged, but this also prevents the milk transport vacuum - which naturally is greater than the milking vacuum - from acting undesirably on the teat. Note that a "greater vacuum" means that the difference from ambient pressure is greater. The absolute pressure here is however lower.

[0036] The first milked jets or gushes of milk will be captured as 'pre-milk' in the milk capture space 30. Thus the milk level there will rise, as can be measured for example with the milk level meter 33. This comprises electrodes 34 and a bottom electrode 35. The milk level meter measures the conductivity between each of the electrodes 34 and the bottom electrode 35. The top electrode 34, at which a relatively high conductivity is measured, indicates the height of the milk level. Naturally, other milk level meters are possible, such as a single elongated electrode 35 or a series of photoelectric cells, etc.

[0037] When the milk level meter 32 measures, for example, a predefined milk level corresponding to a defined quantity of pre-milk, the actively connected controller 12 can initiate an action to discharge the pre-milk.

[0038] This comprises the further steps:

[0039] - ventilating the pulsation space by suitably opening the first valve vi. This can also be done by suitably stopping the pulsator, which is not shown here but is sufficiently known to the person skilled in the art. The aim is to allow the milking cup 5 to be suspended on the teat 101 by closing the liner 21 around the teat 101.

[0040] - opening the second valve V2 in order to ventilate the milking vacuum line and hence the milk capture chamber 30. Because of the now great pressure difference, air will flow with force through the chamber and carry away the milk present therein.

[0041] - opening the milk valve 39 to suck away the pre-milk together with the air provided by the ventilation.

[0042] The pre-milk can be discharged by holding the second valve V2 open for a predefined time such as 1 second. Also, by means of the milk level meter 33, it can be determined when the milk level has fallen below a level limit value, after which the valve V2 can be closed again.

[0043] These steps can be repeated in the sense that after a time, the second valve V2 and in some cases the milk valve 39 are closed again. The milk droplets which have been swirled up and not yet carried away by the ventilation can fall downward in the chamber 29, after which, in a following ventilation time, this milk residue can be discharged according to the series of above-named steps. In practice, it will become clear how often this pulsed discharge is required. This may depend, for example, on the precise shape of the chamber 29, the manner in which in particular the milk hose 9 is connected to the chamber 29, the value of the milk transport vacuum, etc.

[0044] As stated, the air flow occurs because there is now a pressure difference which is equal to (at most) the milk transport vacuum in the chamber 29. The necessary air is supplied via the now open valve V2. It is possible to get more control of the air flow and hence of the milk flow by only opening the valve V2 to a limited extent, for example to restrict the air flow to a predefined maximum air flow such as 20 to 25 l / minute. This can be determined by calibration measurements and will depend on the set milk transport vacuum, wherein a higher milk transport vacuum will lead to a stronger air flow, or to a smaller valve opening if the air flow is to be maximized to said maximum air flow.

[0045] The quantity of pre-milk which is collected can in principle be set by the user. For example, in a dairy animal which only has a small quantity of main milk, a small quantity of pre-milk may be sufficient. This prevents blind milking, which would be harmful to the teat. Thus the quantity of pre-milk can also be set depending on the animal.

[0046] It is also possible to flush the milk capture chamber with a following quantity of milk, by capturing this following quantity in the milk capture chamber 30 and discharging it in the same way as the pre-milk.

[0047] After discharging the pre-milk, milking can in principle begin directly or after a further waiting time. Firstly, the milk valve 39 will be closed again in order firstly to be able to capture sufficient new milk in the milk capture chamber 29. Also, the first valve vi will be activated again, now in order to resume the pulsations. Thus subsequent milk jets are milked and captured in the milk capture space, until a desired level is measured and the milk valve 39 can be opened.

[0048] It is also possible to perform measurements on the pre-milk. For example, the milk level sensor 33 can also be used to measure the conductivity of the pre-milk by means of the electrodes 34 and 35. As well as the milk level, on the basis of the curve of the measured conductivity over the electrodes 34, naturally also an absolute value of conductivity can be determined, which is a measure of the milk quality, wherein a higher values indicates a poorer milk quality due to precipitation of salts under the influence of cell breakdown or similar. Also, if the milk level meter 33 comprises not electrodes but photocells, a milk quality can be determined thereby, such as a turbidity (greater turbidity means worse) or a colour (e.g. "more red" means more blood in the milk, i.e. worse). Naturally, one or more separate, specific milk quality sensors may also be provided in the milk capture chamber 30.

[0049] On the basis of the measured milk quality, the controller 12 can determine whether it is desirable to capture a further quantity of milk by repeating the abovedescribed steps. This may be favourable, for example, for checking whether the following quantity of milk is sufficiently pure in comparison with the first milk or pre-milk, or whether for example the milk capture chamber should be flushed again with a quantity of milk.

[0050] On the basis of the obtained milk quality, the controller 12 may also determine whether or not the milk from the present milking is suitable for human consumption, and adjusting the destination of the milk on the basis thereof. This determination, by means of one or more valves or similar, is known in itself and not relevant further for the present invention.

[0051] Figure 3 shows fully schematically some further details for the capture of the pre-milk. As in all the drawings, similar parts are indicated by the same reference signs.

[0052] The chamber 29 of the milking cup 5 is again connected to the milk hose 9, with a controllable milk valve 39 therein, and via the three-way valve V3 to the milking glass 11 , and to a pre-milk container 45, with a non-return valve 46 to a gutter 17. The vacuum device is shown with a moisture trap 50 and a vacuum pump 51. There are also a milk quality sensor 47, a sampling pump 48 and a sampling line 49.

[0053] The vacuum device 6 with the vacuum pump 6 provokes, inter alia, the pulsation vacuum in the pulsation line 7, and the milking vacuum in the milking vacuum line 8, as well as the transport vacuum in the milk hose 9. These connections are not shown again for the sake of clarity. In order to be able to draw up and process the premilk, the vacuum device 6 also provokes a vacuum in the pre-milk container 45. The controller can then switch the three-way valve V3 such that the pre-milk to be discharged passes through the milk hose and the three-way valve to the pre-milk container 45. Any milk droplets which leave the pre-milk container 45 in the direction of the vacuum pump 51 are captured in the moisture trap (sanitary trap) 50.

[0054] After capturing the pre-milk, the controller can switch the vacuum device 6 and the three-way valve V3 such that there is no longer a vacuum applied to the pre-milk container 45, but such that the transport vacuum (via the milking glass 11) is applied to the milk hose 9 in order to discharge milk to the milking glass.

[0055] The pre-milk in the pre-milk container 45 can also be examined by a milk analyser in the form of a milk quality sensor 47. This can for example draw off a pre-milk sample with a sampling pump 48 via the sampling line 49, and examine it. On the basis of the value(s) found therein, the controller can take further action such as changing the destination of the milk which is captured in the milking glass 11. For example, via the three-way valve V3 or a separately provided valve, the later milk can be conducted away if the quality does not meet the requirements for consumption. It is also possible to generate a message for the farmer. The pre-milk itself can also flow out of the pre-milk container 45 to the gutter, or to another capture tank via the non-return valve 46.

[0056] The examples described are not intended to be restrictive. The scope of protection of the invention is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Method for capturing pre-milk in a milking device, and discharging it, when milking a dairy animal with teats, which milking device comprises- at least one milking cup,- a vacuum system,- a milking glass for temporary storage of the milk from one milking, and- a controller, wherein the milking cup comprises:- a cup sleeve and therein a liner, with a pulsation space between the liner and the cup sleeve with a pulsation opening, wherein the liner surrounds a teat space with a cup milk outflow opening;- a milk capture chamber connected to the cup milk outflow opening with a chamber milk outflow opening and a chamber vacuum opening separate from the chamber milk outflow opening; and- a milk hose connected between the chamber milk outflow opening and said milking glass, which milk hose is provided with a controllable milk discharge valve; wherein the vacuum system comprises a vacuum source with a pulsation line which is connected to the pulsation opening, a milking vacuum line which is connected to the chamber vacuum opening and comprises a controllable ventilation valve, and a milking glass vacuum line which is connected to said milking glass and via the milking glass to said milk hose, and wherein the vacuum system is configured to apply a pulsation vacuum of changing pulsations in the pulsation line, to apply a milking vacuum in the milking vacuum line, and to apply a milk transport vacuum in the milk line, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) connecting the milking cup to a said teat, b) milking one or more first milk jets out of the teat, comprising, with closed milk discharge valve and applied milking vacuum and milk transport vacuum, causing pulsation of the pulsation vacuum in the pulsation space until a predefined pre-milk criterion is fulfilled, c) ventilating the pulsation space, d) opening the milk discharge valve, e) ventilating the milk capture chamber by opening the ventilation valve.

2. Method according to Claim 1 , wherein the pre-milking criterion comprises that a predefined number of pulsations have taken place.

3. Method according to Claim 1 , wherein the milking cup also comprises a milk level meter provided in the milk capture chamber, which is configured for measuring a milk level in the milk capture chamber, and wherein the method furthermore comprises measuring of said milk level, wherein the pre-milk criterion comprises that said milk level reaches a predefined limit value.

4. Method according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein said limit value, or said number of pulsations respectively, is set depending on an identity of said dairy animal.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein step e) comprises holding the ventilation valve open during a predefined time.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims where dependent on Claim 3, wherein step e) comprises holding the ventilation valve open until the milk level in the milk capture chamber has fallen below a predefined minimum level.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation of the milk capture chamber comprises fully or partially closing the ventilation valve, in particular also the milk discharge valve, and after a predefined waiting time reopening the ventilation valve, in particular also the milk discharge valve, at least once, and advantageously two or more times.

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein during ventilation, the ventilation valve is opened to a state in which an air flow occurs in a predefined air flow range, in particular an air flow range dependent on the milk transport vacuum, for example between 20 and 25 l / minute.

9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising measuring a first milk-related parameter value by means of a sensor device, in particular a milk quality sensor such as a conductivity sensor and / or a colour measuring sensor, in the milk capture chamber, and via the controller adjusting the method on the basis of the measured parameter value.

10. Method according to Claim 9, wherein said adjustment comprises repeating the steps b) to e) inclusive and / or setting a total quantity of pre-milk to be milked.

11. Milking device configured for performing a method according to any of Claims 1-10, comprising- at least one milking cup,- a vacuum system,- a milking glass for temporary storage of the milk from one milking, and- a controller, wherein the milking cup comprises:- a cup sleeve and therein a liner, with a pulsation space between the liner and the cup sleeve with a pulsation opening, wherein the liner surrounds a teat space with a cup milk outflow opening;- a milk capture chamber connected to the cup milk outflow opening with a chamber milk outflow opening and a chamber vacuum opening separate from the chamber milk outflow opening; and- a milk hose connected between the chamber milk outflow opening and said milking glass, which milk hose is provided with a controllable milk discharge valve; wherein the vacuum system comprises a vacuum source with a pulsation line which is connected to the pulsation opening, a milking vacuum line which is connected to the chamber vacuum opening and comprises a controllable ventilation valve, and a milking glass vacuum line which is connected to said milking glass and via the milking glass to said milk hose, and wherein the vacuum system is configured to apply a pulsation vacuum of changing pulsations in the pulsation line, to apply a milking vacuum in the milking vacuum line, and to apply a milk transport vacuum in the milk hose.

12. Milking device according to Claim 11 , wherein the milking cup also comprises a milk level meter provided in the milk capture chamber, which is configured for measuring a milk level in the milk capture chamber and passing the milk level to the control device.

13. Milking device according to Claim 11 or 12, furthermore comprising a sensor device provided in the milk capture chamber, in particular a milk quality sensor such as a conductivity sensor and / or a colour measuring sensor, configured for measuring a first milk-related parameter value in the milk capture chamber and passing the parameter value to the control device.

Images