U.S. patent application number 15/376959 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-30 for milking apparatus and a method for presenting a teat cup for attaching to an animal.
This patent application is currently assigned to DAIRYMASTER. The applicant listed for this patent is DAIRYMASTER. Invention is credited to John HARTY, Edmond Patrick HARTY, JR., Edmond Patrick HARTY, SR..
Application Number | 20170086420 15/376959 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52876050 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170086420 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HARTY, SR.; Edmond Patrick ;
et al. |
March 30, 2017 |
MILKING APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR PRESENTING A TEAT CUP FOR
ATTACHING TO AN ANIMAL
Abstract
A rotary milking platform (1) includes a plurality of apparatus,
each having a platform (11) which forms a segment of the rotary
platform (1). The platforms (11) define respective animal
accommodating locations (3) for animals to be milked. A
communicating opening (20) in each platform (11) is closed by a
pair of closure plates (25) which are pivotal upwardly into an open
state for separating the hind legs of an animal. A carriage (14)
which is slideably carried beneath the platform (11) of each
apparatus (10) in the directions of the arrows A and B. A teat cup
carrier (15) is pivotally mounted in the carriage (14) of each
apparatus (10) and is pivotal from a first state with teat cups
(16) in the carrier (15) in a protective state extending
horizontally and a second state with the teat cups (16) in a ready
state extending vertically upwardly and ready for manual placement
onto the teats of an animal. The carriage (14) is urgeable into a
first position with the teat cup carrier (15) in the first state
and with the teat cups (16) sealably engaged in plug elements (45)
which include jetters (47) for use in rinsing and washing the
milking system. The carriage (14) is moveable from the first
position to a second position with the teat cup carrier (15)
substantially aligned with the udder of an animal so that when the
teat cup carrier (15) is urged into the second state, the teat cups
(16) can be manually urged upwardly by hand and attached to the
teat of the animal.
Inventors: |
HARTY, SR.; Edmond Patrick;
(Causeway, IE) ; HARTY, JR.; Edmond Patrick;
(Causeway, IE) ; HARTY; John; (Causeway,
IE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DAIRYMASTER |
Causeway |
|
IE |
|
|
Assignee: |
DAIRYMASTER
Causeway
IE
|
Family ID: |
52876050 |
Appl. No.: |
15/376959 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13578089 |
Jan 23, 2013 |
9549530 |
|
|
PCT/IE2011/000009 |
Feb 9, 2011 |
|
|
|
15376959 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01J 7/00 20130101; A01J
5/0175 20130101; A01K 1/126 20130101; A01J 7/025 20130101; A01J
5/003 20130101; A01J 7/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01J 5/017 20060101
A01J005/017; A01J 5/003 20060101 A01J005/003; A01J 7/02 20060101
A01J007/02; A01K 1/12 20060101 A01K001/12; A01J 7/04 20060101
A01J007/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 10, 2010 |
IE |
S2010/0071 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for presenting a teat cup for attaching to a teat of
an animal to be milked, the apparatus comprising a support means
adapted for mounting beneath an upwardly facing major surface of a
platform on which an animal stands during milking thereof, and a
teat cup carrier for holding the teat cup, the teat cup carrier
being mounted on the support means and being adapted for holding
the teat cup beneath the animal in a ready state with the teat cup
ready to be urged upwardly from the teat cup carrier for attaching
to the teat of the animal.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the teat cup carrier is
located beneath the upwardly facing major surface of the platform,
and preferably, the teat cup carrier is adapted for holding the
teat cup in the ready state with at least a portion of the teat cup
extending above the upwardly facing major surface of the
platform.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the teat cup carrier is
selectively operable in a first state for holding the teat cup in a
protected state, and in a second state for holding the teat cup in
the ready state.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which the teat cup carrier is
adapted for holding the teat cup in the protected state with the
teat cup beneath the upwardly facing major surface of the platform,
and preferably, the teat cup carrier is selectively operable in a
third state with the teat cup in a flushing state for facilitating
back flushing of the teat cup, and advantageously, the teat cup
carrier is adapted for holding the teat cup in the flushing state
beneath the upwardly facing major surface of the platform, and
preferably, the teat cup carrier is adapted to hold the teat cup in
the flushing state inclined downwardly towards an open mouth of the
teat cup when the teat cup carrier is in the third state, and
advantageously, the teat cup carrier is adapted to hold the teat
cup in the protected state with the teat cup extending
substantially horizontally when the teat cup carrier is in the
first state, and preferably, the teat cup carrier is adapted to
hold the teat cup in the ready state with the teat cup extending
substantially vertically and with the open mouth of the teat cup
facing generally upwardly when the teat cup carrier is in the
second state, and advantageously, a first drive means is provided
for operating the teat cup carrier between the first, second and
third states.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the apparatus comprises
the platform, and preferably, the support means is mounted on and
beneath the platform, and advantageously, the platform defines a
centre line extending substantially in a forward/rearward direction
corresponding to a forward/rearward direction of an animal standing
on the platform during milking, and advantageously, a communicating
opening is formed in the platform for accommodating the teat cup
therethrough from the teat cup carrier in the second state, and
preferably, the communicating opening is located in the platform on
the centre line, and advantageously, the centre line bisects the
communicating opening, and preferably, the communicating opening is
provided in the platform at a location which is substantially
beneath an udder of an animal standing on the platform to be
milked, and advantageously, the communicating opening is
substantially aligned with the udder of an animal standing on the
platform to be milked, and preferably, the communicating opening
defines a pair of opposite side edges extending substantially
parallel to the centre line of the platform.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which a closure element is
provided for closing the communicating opening, and preferably, a
pair of closure elements is provided for closing the communicating
opening, the closure elements being coupled to the platform
adjacent the respective opposite side edges of the communicating
opening, and advantageously, the closure elements are urgeable
upwardly from a closed state closing the communicating opening to
an open state providing access through the communicating opening to
the teat cup, and preferably, the closure elements extend from the
respective opposite side edges towards each other in the closed
state and meet adjacent the centre line of the platform, and
advantageously, the closure elements are hingedly coupled to the
platform, and are hingeable between the closed and open states, and
preferably, each closure element is spring biased from the open
state to the closed state, and advantageously, a second drive means
is provided for urging the closure elements from the closed state
to the open state, and preferably, the closure elements form a
separating means for urging the hind legs of an animal apart as the
closure elements are being urged from the closed state to the open
state.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which a closure means is
provided for closing the open mouth of the teat cup when the teat
cup carrier is in the first state and the teat cup is in the
protected state.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the closure means
comprises a plug element for sealably engaging the open mouth of
the teat cup, and preferably, the closure means is configured as a
jetter for facilitating washing and/or rinsing of the teat cup.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which one of the teat cup
carrier and the closure means is moveable relative to the other of
the teat cup carrier and the closure means between an engaged
position with the closure means engaged in the open mouth of the
teat cup, and a disengaged position with the closure means
disengaged from the teat cup.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which the teat cup carrier
is moveable between the engaged position and the disengaged
position.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the teat cup carrier
is mounted on a carriage which is mounted on the support means, the
carriage being moveable relative to the support means between a
first position with the teat cup carrier in the engaged position
and a second position with the teat cup carrier in the disengaged
position.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which the carriage is
slideably mounted on the support means between the first and second
positions, and preferably, the carriage is slideable between the
first and second positions with rectilinear motion, and
advantageously, the carriage is moveable in a substantially
horizontal plane between the first and second positions, and
preferably, the carriage is moveable in a direction substantially
parallel to the centre line defined by the platform between the
first and second positions, and advantageously, a third drive means
is provided for urging the carriage between the first position and
the second position, and preferably, the teat cup carrier is
moveably mounted on the carriage and is moveable relative to the
carriage between the first, second and third states, and
advantageously, the teat cup carrier is pivotally mounted on the
carriage, and is pivotal between the first, second and third
states, and preferably, when the carriage is in the second position
and the teat cup carrier is in the second state with the teat cup
in the ready state, the teat cup is substantially aligned with a
teat of an animal.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which an urging means is
provided for urging the teat cup from a teat of an animal for
removing the teat cup from the teat of the animal, and preferably,
the urging means is adapted for returning the teat cup to the teat
cup carrier when the teat cup carrier is in the second state, and
preferably, the teat cup carrier is adapted to accommodate a vacuum
hose therethrough extending from the teat cup, so that the vacuum
hose can be pulled through the teat cup carrier when the teat cup
is being urged from the teat cup carrier to an animal, and
advantageously, the urging means is mounted on one of the support
means and the carriage and is engageable with the vacuum hose
extending from the teat cup for urging the teat cup from a teat of
an animal, and preferably, the urging means is pivotally mounted on
one of the support means and the carriage and is pivotal from a
first state to a second state for urging the teat cup from a teat
of an animal, and advantageously, the urging means is adapted so
that in the second state the urging means takes up slack in the
vacuum hose extending from the teat cup when the teat cup is
engaged in the teat cup carrier, and preferably, a fourth drive
means is provided for operating the urging means from the first
state to the second state.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which a spray nozzle is
provided for spraying at least one teat of an animal, and
preferably, the spray nozzle is mounted on the teat cup carrier,
and advantageously, the spray nozzle is adapted to direct a spray
at the teat of an animal when the teat cup carrier is in the second
state.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the platform comprises
a support plate, the support plate being adapted to receive
concrete to define the upwardly facing major surface of the
platform, and preferably, the teat cup carrier is adapted to hold
the teat cup for facilitating manual transfer of the teat cup from
the teat cup carrier to the teat of the animal, and advantageously,
the teat cup carrier is adapted to hold two teat cups, and
preferably, the teat cup carrier is adapted to hold four teat cups,
and advantageously, the teat cup carrier is adapted to hold a
number of teat cups corresponding to the number of teats of the
animal being milked, and preferably, one closure means is provided
corresponding to each teat cup.
16. A rotary milking platform comprising the apparatus as claimed
in claim 1.
17. A rotary milking platform as claimed in claim 16 in which the
rotary milking platform defines a plurality of animal accommodating
locations circumferentially disposed around the rotary platform,
and preferably, the animal accommodating locations are located
towards a circumferential periphery of the rotary platform, and
advantageously, each animal accommodating location is adapted to
accommodate an animal standing thereon during milking with the rear
end of the animal adjacent the circumferential periphery and the
head of the animal facing inwardly towards a centre of the rotary
platform, and preferably, one apparatus is provided in each animal
accommodating location of the rotary platform, and advantageously,
each apparatus is located beneath the rotary platform adjacent the
corresponding animal accommodating location, and preferably, each
apparatus is located towards the circumferential periphery of the
rotary platform, and advantageously, each apparatus is located so
that the teat cup carrier in the second state presents the teat cup
in the ready state substantially aligned with the udder of an
animal standing on the platform to be milked in the corresponding
animal accommodating location.
18. A rotary milking platform as claimed in claim 17 in which the
communicating opening is located in the platform in each animal
accommodating location towards the circumferential periphery of the
rotary platform, and preferably, the communicating opening is
located in the platform in each animal accommodating location
substantially aligned with the udder of an animal standing on the
platform to be milked in the corresponding animal accommodating
location.
19. A method for presenting a teat cup for attaching to a teat of
an animal to be milked, the method comprising supporting the teat
cup on a teat cup carrier mounted beneath an upwardly facing major
surface of a platform on which an animal stands during milking, and
providing a communicating opening in the platform, so that the teat
cup can be urged through the communicating opening from the teat
cup carrier for attaching to the teat of the animal to be
milked.
20. A rotary milking platform defining a plurality of animal
accommodating locations circumferentially disposed around the
platform, apparatus for presenting a teat cup for attaching to a
teat of an animal to be milked being located beneath the platform
adjacent each animal accommodating location, each apparatus
comprising a teat cup carrier for holding a teat cup, the teat cup
carrier being mounted on the support means and being adapted for
holding the teat cup beneath the animal in a ready state with the
teat cup ready to be urged upwardly from the teat cup carrier for
attaching to the teat of the animal.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/578,089 filed on Jan. 23, 2013, which is U.S. National Stage
of International Application No. PCT/IE2011/000009 filed on Feb. 9,
2011, which claims priority to Irish Application No. S2010/0071
filed on Feb. 10, 2010. The entire disclosures of the prior
applications are considered part of the disclosure of the
accompanying continuation, and are hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a milking apparatus, and in
particular the invention relates to apparatus for presenting a teat
cup for attaching to a teat of an animal to be milked, and the
invention also relates to a method for presenting a teat cup for
attaching to a teat of an animal to be milked. The invention also
relates to a rotary milking platform and a rotary milking
parlour.
[0003] Rotary milking parlours are known. Such rotary milking
parlours comprise a rotary milking platform which is rotated during
milking of the animals. A plurality of animal accommodating
locations are provided side by side circumferentially around and
adjacent the periphery of the rotary milking platform for
accommodating the animals during milking. Ideally the rotational
speed of the rotary milking platform is set so that the time taken
for one complete revolution of the platform is sufficient to allow
milking of a typical animal, and also to allow sufficient time for
attaching of teat cups of a milking system to the teats of the
animal, and the subsequent removal of the teat cups therefrom.
Thus, with the rotational speed of the rotary milking platform so
set, on completion of one revolution of the rotary platform,
milking of the animal should have been completed, the teat cups
should have been removed from the animal and the animal should be
just ready to exit the rotary platform.
[0004] If the rotational speed of the rotary milking platform is
too great, milking of the animal will not have been completed or
the teat cups will not have been removed from the animal by the
time the platform has made one complete revolution. On the other
hand, if the rotational speed of the platform is too slow, the
animals will have to remain on the rotary platform for a longer
period than is necessary. Both problems of a rotary milking
platform operating at too high a speed or too low a speed lead to
inefficiency in milking.
[0005] Efficiency in the operation of a rotary milking platform
could be achieved by increasing the rotational speed of the
platform, provided of course that at the end of one complete
revolution of the rotary platform, milking of the animal due to
exit the rotary platform had been completed, and the teat cups had
been removed from the animal. Since it is virtually impossible to
reduce the milking time of an animal, the areas where improved
efficiency could be achieved are in the attaching and removal of
the teat cups.
[0006] There is therefore a need for apparatus for presenting teat
cups for attaching to the teats of an animal for facilitating
efficient attaching and removal of the teat cups to and from the
animal. There is also a need for a rotary milking platform which
comprises such apparatus, and further, there is a need for a
milking parlour generally, be it rotary or otherwise, in which the
attaching and removal of teat cups to and from the teats of an
animal may be carried out efficiently and in the shortest possible
time.
[0007] The present invention is directed towards providing
apparatus for presenting a teat cup for attaching to a teat of an
animal for milking thereof. The invention is also directed towards
providing a milking parlour comprising such apparatus, and the
invention is also directed towards providing a rotary milking
platform with such apparatus. Further the invention is directed
towards providing a method for presenting a teat cup for attaching
to a teat of an animal for milking thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the invention there is provided apparatus for
presenting a teat cup for attaching to a teat of an animal to be
milked, the apparatus comprising a support means adapted for
mounting beneath an upwardly facing major surface of a platform on
which an animal stands during milking thereof, and a teat cup
carrier for holding the teat cup, the teat cup carrier being
mounted on the support means and being adapted for holding the teat
cup beneath the animal in a ready state with the teat cup ready to
be urged upwardly from the teat cup carrier for attaching to the
teat of the animal.
[0009] Preferably, the teat cup carrier is located beneath the
upwardly facing major surface of the platform. Ideally, the teat
cup carrier is adapted for holding the teat cup in the ready state
with at least a portion of the teat cup extending above the
upwardly facing major surface of the platform.
[0010] Advantageously, the teat cup carrier is selectively operable
in a first state for holding the teat cup in a protected state, and
in a second state for holding the teat cup in the ready state.
[0011] In one embodiment of the invention the teat cup carrier is
adapted for holding the teat cup in the protected state with the
teat cup beneath the upwardly facing major surface of the
platform.
[0012] In another embodiment of the invention the teat cup carrier
is selectively operable in a third state with the teat cup in a
flushing state for facilitating back flushing of the teat cup.
Preferably, the teat cup carrier is adapted for holding the teat
cup in the flushing state beneath the upwardly facing major surface
of the platform. Advantageously, the teat cup carrier is adapted to
hold the teat cup in the flushing state inclined downwardly towards
an open mouth of the teat cup when the teat cup carrier is in the
third state.
[0013] In another embodiment of the invention the teat cup carrier
is adapted to hold the teat cup in the protected state with the
teat cup extending substantially horizontally when the teat cup
carrier is in the first state.
[0014] In another embodiment of the invention the teat cup carrier
is adapted to hold the teat cup in the ready state with the teat
cup extending substantially vertically and with the open mouth of
the teat cup facing generally upwardly when the teat cup carrier is
in the second state.
[0015] Preferably, a first drive means is provided for operating
the teat cup carrier between the first, second and third
states.
[0016] In another embodiment of the invention the apparatus
comprises the platform.
[0017] Advantageously, the support means is mounted on and beneath
the platform.
[0018] In one embodiment of the invention the platform defines a
centre line extending substantially in a forward/rearward direction
corresponding to a forward/rearward direction of an animal standing
on the platform during milking.
[0019] In another embodiment of the invention a communicating
opening is formed in the platform for accommodating the teat cup
therethrough from the teat cup carrier in the second state.
[0020] Preferably, the communicating opening is located in the
platform on the centre line. Advantageously, the centre line
bisects the communicating opening. Ideally, the communicating
opening is provided in the platform at a location which is
substantially beneath an udder of an animal standing on the
platform to be milked. Preferably, the communicating opening is
substantially aligned with the udder of an animal standing on the
platform to be milked. Preferably, the communicating opening
defines a pair of opposite side edges extending substantially
parallel to the centre line of the platform.
[0021] Advantageously, a closure element is provided for closing
the communicating opening. Preferably, a pair of closure elements
is provided for closing the communicating opening, the closure
elements being coupled to the platform adjacent the respective
opposite side edges of the communicating opening. Ideally, the
closure elements are urgeable upwardly from a closed state closing
the communicating opening to an open state providing access through
the communicating opening to the teat cup. Advantageously, the
closure elements extend from the respective opposite side edges
towards each other in the closed state and meet adjacent the centre
line of the platform. Ideally, the closure elements are hingedly
coupled to the platform, and are hingeable between the closed and
open states. Preferably, each closure element is spring biased from
the open state to the closed state.
[0022] In one embodiment of the invention a second drive means is
provided for urging the closure elements from the closed state to
the open state.
[0023] Preferably, the closure elements form a separating means for
urging the hind legs of an animal apart as the closure elements are
being urged from the closed state to the open state.
[0024] In another embodiment of the invention a closure means is
provided for closing the open mouth of the teat cup when the teat
cup carrier is in the first state and the teat cup is in the
protected state. Preferably, the closure means comprises a plug
element for sealably engaging the open mouth of the teat cup.
Advantageously, the closure means is configured as a jetter for
facilitating washing and/or rinsing of the teat cup.
[0025] In one embodiment of the invention one of the teat cup
carrier and the closure means is moveable relative to the other of
the teat cup carrier and the closure means between an engaged
position with the closure means engaged in the open mouth of the
teat cup, and a disengaged position with the closure means
disengaged from the teat cup. Preferably, the teat cup carrier is
moveable between the engaged position and the disengaged
position.
[0026] In another embodiment of the invention the teat cup carrier
is mounted on a carriage which is mounted on the support means, the
carriage being moveable relative to the support means between a
first position with the teat cup carrier in the engaged position
and a second position with the teat cup carrier in the disengaged
position. Advantageously, the carriage is slideably mounted on the
support means between the first and second positions. Preferably,
the carriage is slideable between the first and second positions
with rectilinear motion. Advantageously, the carriage is moveable
in a substantially horizontal plane between the first and second
positions. Preferably, the carriage is moveable in a direction
substantially parallel to the centre line defined by the platform
between the first and second positions.
[0027] In another embodiment of the invention a third drive means
is provided for urging the carriage between the first position and
the second position.
[0028] In one embodiment of the invention the teat cup carrier is
moveably mounted on the carriage and is moveable relative to the
carriage between the first, second and third states. Preferably,
the teat cup carrier is pivotally mounted on the carriage, and is
pivotal between the first, second and third states. Advantageously,
when the carriage is in the second position and the teat cup
carrier is in the second state with the teat cup in the ready
state, the teat cup is substantially aligned with a teat of an
animal.
[0029] In another embodiment of the invention an urging means is
provided for urging the teat cup from a teat of an animal for
removing the teat cup from the teat of the animal. Preferably, the
urging means is adapted for returning the teat cup to the teat cup
carrier when the teat cup carrier is in the second state.
[0030] In another embodiment of the invention the teat cup carrier
is adapted to accommodate a vacuum hose therethrough extending from
the teat cup, so that the vacuum hose can be pulled through the
teat cup carrier when the teat cup is being urged from the teat cup
carrier to an animal.
[0031] In one embodiment of the invention the urging means is
mounted on one of the support means and the carriage and is
engageable with the vacuum hose extending from the teat cup for
urging the teat cup from a teat of an animal. Preferably, the
urging means is pivotally mounted on the one of the support means
and the carriage and is pivotal from a first state to a second
state for urging the teat cup from a teat of an animal.
Advantageously, the urging means is adapted so that in the second
state the urging means takes up slack in the vacuum hose extending
from the teat cup when the teat cup is engaged in the teat cup
carrier.
[0032] In one embodiment of the invention a fourth drive means is
provided for operating the urging means from the first state to the
second state.
[0033] In another embodiment of the invention a spray nozzle is
provided for spraying at least one teat of an animal. Preferably,
the spray nozzle is mounted on the teat cup carrier.
Advantageously, the spray nozzle is adapted to direct a spray at
the teat of an animal when the teat cup carrier is in the second
state.
[0034] In another embodiment of the invention the platform
comprises a support plate, the support plate being adapted to
receive concrete to define the upwardly facing major surface of the
platform.
[0035] In one embodiment of the invention the teat cup carrier is
adapted to hold the teat cup for facilitating manual transfer of
the teat cup from the teat cup carrier to the teat of the
animal.
[0036] In another embodiment of the invention the teat cup carrier
is adapted to hold two teat cups.
[0037] In a further embodiment of the invention the teat cup
carrier is adapted to hold four teat cups.
[0038] In a still further embodiment of the invention the teat cup
carrier is adapted to hold a number of teat cups corresponding to
the number of teats of the animal being milked.
[0039] Preferably, one closure means is provided corresponding to
each teat cup.
[0040] The invention also provides a rotary milking platform
comprising the apparatus according to the invention.
[0041] Preferably, the rotary milking platform defines a plurality
of animal accommodating locations circumferentially disposed around
the rotary platform. Advantageously, the animal accommodating
locations are located towards a circumferential periphery of the
rotary platform. Preferably, each animal accommodating location is
adapted to accommodate an animal standing thereon during milking
with the rear end of the animal adjacent the circumferential
periphery and the head of the animal facing inwardly towards a
centre of the rotary platform. Advantageously, one apparatus is
provided in each animal accommodating location of the rotary
platform.
[0042] Preferably, each apparatus is located beneath the rotary
platform adjacent the corresponding animal accommodating location.
Advantageously, each apparatus is located towards the
circumferential periphery of the rotary platform. Ideally, each
apparatus is located so that the teat cup carrier in the second
state presents the teat cup in the ready state substantially
aligned with the udder of an animal standing on the platform to be
milked in the corresponding animal accommodating location.
[0043] Preferably, the communicating opening is located in the
platform in each animal accommodating location towards the
circumferential periphery of the rotary platform. Advantageously,
the communicating opening is located in the platform in each animal
accommodating location substantially aligned with the udder of an
animal standing on the platform to be milked in the corresponding
animal accommodating location.
[0044] The invention also provides a rotary milking parlour
comprising the apparatus according to the invention.
[0045] Further the invention provides a method for presenting a
teat cup for attaching to a teat of an animal to be milked, the
method comprising supporting the teat cup on a teat cup carrier
mounted beneath an upwardly facing major surface of a platform on
which an animal stands during milking, and providing a
communicating opening in the platform, so that the teat cup can be
urged through the communicating opening from the teat cup carrier
for attaching to the teat of the animal to be milked.
[0046] In one embodiment of the invention a closure element is
provided for closing the communicating opening. Preferably, a pair
of closure elements are provided for closing the communicating
opening, the closure elements being adapted for urging the hind
legs of animal apart. Advantageously, the closure elements are
urgeable from a closed state closing the communicating opening to
an open state for accommodating the teat cup through the
communicating opening, and for urging the hind legs of an animal
apart.
[0047] In another embodiment of the invention the teat cup is held
by the teat cup carrier for facilitating manual transfer of the
teat cup from the teat cup carrier to a teat of an animal.
[0048] In a further embodiment of the invention the teat cup
carrier is located beneath the upwardly facing major surface of the
platform. Preferably, the teat cup carrier is adapted for holding
the teat cup in the ready state with at least a portion of the teat
cup extending above the upwardly facing major surface of the
platform.
[0049] Preferably, the teat cup carrier is selectively operable in
a first state for holding the teat cup in a protected state, and in
a second state for holding the teat cup in the ready state, and the
teat cup carrier with the teat cup carried therein is urged from
the first state to the second state to present the cup in the ready
state. Advantageously, the teat cup carrier is adapted for holding
the teat cup in the protected state and in the ready state beneath
the upwardly facing major surface of the platform.
[0050] In another embodiment of the invention the teat cup carrier
is selectively operable in a third state with the teat cup in a
flushing state for facilitating back flushing of the teat cup, and
the teat cup carrier is urged into the third state with the teat
cup carried therein on completion of milking of an animal for back
flushing the teat cup.
[0051] In another embodiment of the invention the teat cup carrier
is adapted to hold the teat cup in the ready state with the teat
cup extending substantially vertically and the open mouth of the
teat cup facing in a general upward direction when the teat cup
carrier is in the second state.
[0052] In one embodiment of the invention the teat cup carrier is
urged into the disengaged position and the second state with the
teat cup in the ready state and substantially aligned with a teat
of an animal. Preferably, the teat cup carrier is moveable in a
substantially horizontal plane between the engaged position and the
disengaged position.
[0053] In one embodiment of the invention the teat cup is urged
from a teat of an animal by urging the vacuum hose through the teat
cup carrier.
[0054] Preferably, a spray nozzle is provided for spraying at least
one teat of an animal. Advantageously, the at least one teat of an
animal is sprayed by urging a liquid through the spray nozzle when
the teat cup carrier is in the second state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0055] The invention will be more clearly understood from the
following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is
given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0056] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a rotary
milking platform according to the invention,
[0057] FIG. 2 is an underneath perspective view of apparatus also
according to the invention of the rotary milking platform of FIG. 1
for presenting teat cups for attaching to teats of an animal to be
milked,
[0058] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the apparatus of FIG.
2,
[0059] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 2,
[0060] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG.
2,
[0061] FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the apparatus of FIG.
2,
[0062] FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view
of the apparatus of FIG. 2 on the line VII-VII of FIG. 4,
[0063] FIG. 8 is an underneath perspective view of the apparatus of
FIG. 2 illustrated with a portion of the apparatus in a different
position to that of FIGS. 2 to 7,
[0064] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of the apparatus of FIG.
2 in the state of FIG. 8,
[0065] FIG. 10 is an underneath perspective view of the apparatus
of FIG. 2 in a different state to that of FIG. 2,
[0066] FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of the apparatus of FIG.
2 in the state of FIG. 10,
[0067] FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 2
illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 2 in a different state to that
of FIG. 2,
[0068] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of the apparatus of FIG.
2 in the state of FIG. 12,
[0069] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 2
in a different state to that of FIG. 2,
[0070] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 in the
state of FIG. 14,
[0071] FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of the apparatus of FIG.
2 in the state of FIG. 14,
[0072] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of the apparatus of FIG.
2 illustrating the apparatus in a further different state to that
of FIG. 2,
[0073] FIG. 18 is an underneath perspective view of the apparatus
of FIG. 2 in a different state to that of FIG. 2,
[0074] FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of the apparatus of FIG.
2 illustrating the apparatus in the state of FIG. 18,
[0075] FIG. 20 is an underneath perspective view of the apparatus
of FIG. 2 in a further different state to that of FIG. 2,
[0076] FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of the apparatus of FIG.
2 in the state of FIG. 20,
[0077] FIG. 22 is an underneath perspective view of the apparatus
of FIG. 2 illustrating the apparatus in a different state to that
of FIG. 2,
[0078] FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of the apparatus of FIG.
2 in the state of FIG. 22,
[0079] FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of a detail of the
apparatus of FIG. 1, and
[0080] FIGS. 25(a) and (b) are schematic end elevational views of
another detail of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0081] Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1,
there is illustrated a portion of a rotary milking platform
according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference
numeral 1, of a rotary milking parlour (not shown) also according
to the invention. Such rotary milking parlours will be well known
to those skilled in the art, and a description of the rotary
milking parlour should not be required. In this embodiment of the
invention the rotary milking parlour is suitable for milking
goats.
[0082] The rotary milking platform 1 comprises a circular platform
2 which defines a plurality of animal accommodating locations 3 for
accommodating animals 4, only one of which animals is illustrated
in FIG. 1, during milking. The animal accommodating locations 3 are
disposed side by side circumferentially around a circumferential
periphery 6 of the platform 2 and are defined by radially extending
barriers 5. The animal accommodating locations 3 are adapted to
accommodate the animals 4 with the head of the animal facing
radially inwardly towards the centre (not shown) of the platform 2
and the rear of the animal 4 adjacent the circumferential periphery
6 of the platform 2. Thus, the animals when in the animal
accommodating locations 3 extend in a general radial direction from
their head to their rear with the head of the animal pointing
towards the geometrical centre of the platform 2. Inner barriers 7
extending between respective pairs of the radial barriers 5 locates
the animals 4 in the animal accommodating locations 3.
[0083] A plurality of apparatus also according to the invention,
indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, are located
beneath the rotary milking platform 1 adjacent the respective
animal accommodating locations 3 for presenting teat cups 16 for
attaching to the teats of animals in the respective corresponding
animal accommodating locations 3 for milking of the animals. Each
apparatus 10 comprises a platform 11, and each platform 11 forms a
portion of the platform 2 and defines with adjacent ones of the
barriers 5 and the inner barrier 7 the corresponding animal
accommodating location 3. The platform 11 of each apparatus 10
defines a centre line 13 of the corresponding animal accommodating
location 3, which extends in a general radial direction relative to
the rotary milking platform 1 and in the general forward rearward
direction of the corresponding animal 4, see FIGS. 4 and 15. It
will be appreciated that while in this embodiment of the invention
each apparatus 10 also includes a platform 11, this is not
essential. The platform 2 may be formed by a single circular plate,
and each apparatus 10 without the corresponding platform 11 would
be secured to the single circular plate beneath the circular
plate.
[0084] Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 25, the platform 11 of each
apparatus 10 comprises a support plate 12 having upwardly extending
opposite end walls 9 which form with the support plate 12 a tray 24
for receiving concrete to form with the support plate and the end
walls the platform 11. The platform 11 defines an upwardly facing
major surface 26 on which the animal stands during milking.
[0085] A support means comprising four mounting brackets 27 secured
to and extending downwardly from the support plate 12 of each
apparatus 10 slideably carry a carriage 14 of steel below the
support plate 12. As will be described in more detail below, the
carriage 14 of each apparatus 10 is slideable radially on the
mounting brackets 27 relative to the rotary milking platform 1 in
the directions of the arrows A and B. A teat cup carrier 15 of
steel for holding the teat cups 16 is pivotally mounted on the
carriage 14 of each apparatus 10. In this embodiment of the
invention since the rotary milking platform 1 is suitable for
milking goats, the teat cup carrier 15 of each apparatus 10 is
adapted to carry two teat cups 16, one for each teat of the
corresponding goat to be milked. However, the rotary milking
platform 1 may be adapted for milking cows or other animals. When
adapted for milking cows each teat cup carrier 15 would be adapted
to hold four teat cups, one for each teat of the corresponding cow
to be milked. The teat cup carrier 15 would be adapted to hold the
four teat cups in pairs for alignment with the teats of a cow.
[0086] Each teat cup 16 comprises a cup 17 within which a milk
liner 19 is sealably located. The milk liner 19 defines an open
mouth 18 for accommodating the teat of the animal into the milk
liner 19. Such teat cups as the teat cups 16 will be well known to
those skilled in the art, and further description should not be
required. For convenience, the open mouth 18 to each milk liner 19
will hereinafter be referred to as the open mouth 18 of the
corresponding teat cup 16.
[0087] The teat cup carrier 15 of each apparatus 10 is pivotal
between a first state illustrated in FIG. 7 in which the teat cups
16 extend substantially horizontally, and in which the teat cups
may be held in a protected state as will be described below; and a
second state illustrated in FIG. 17 with the teat cups 16 in a
ready state oriented substantially vertically with respective open
mouths 18 of the teat cups 16 facing upwardly ready for urging by
hand from the teat cup carrier 15 into engagement with the teats of
the corresponding one of the animals 4. The teat cup carrier 15 is
also pivotal from the first state to a third state illustrated in
FIG. 11 with the teat cups 16 oriented in a flushing state inclined
downwardly towards the respective open mouths 18 thereof for
facilitating back flushing of the teat cups 16 between removal of
the teat cups 16 from the teats of one animal and attaching of the
teat cups 16 to the teats of the next animal to be milked.
[0088] The teat cup carrier 15 of each apparatus 10 comprises a
pair of teat cup accommodating openings 33 for releasably engaging
and holding the corresponding teat cups 16 in the teat cup carrier
15. Each teat cup accommodating opening 33 is also adapted to
accommodate a continuous vacuum hose 34 and a pulsating vacuum hose
35 of the corresponding teat cup 16 therethrough, so that as the
teat cups 16 are being urged upwardly from the teat cup carrier 15
to the teats of the animal, the vacuum hoses 34 and 35 are drawn
through the teat cup accommodating openings 33.
[0089] A communicating opening 20 formed in the platform 11 of each
apparatus 10 and extending through the corresponding platform 11
and the corresponding support plate 12 provides access to the
corresponding teat cup carrier 15, and in turn to the teat cups 16,
and accommodates the teat cups 16 therethrough for attaching to the
teats of the animal 4. The communicating openings 20 of the
respective apparatus 10 are located towards but spaced apart from
the circumferential periphery 6 of the platform 2, so that when an
animal is standing on the corresponding platform 10 in a position
ready to be milked in the animal accommodating location 3, the
communicating opening 20 is substantially aligned with and beneath
the udder of the animal. Each communicating opening 20 is of
rectangular shape and is defined by a pair of side edges 21
extending substantially parallel to the centre line 13 of the
corresponding platform 11, and by an inner end edge 22 and an outer
end edge 23. The centre line 13 extends centrally through the
communicating opening 20 and bisects the communicating opening
20.
[0090] A closure element, in this case provided by a pair of
closure plates 25 closes the communicating opening 20 of each
apparatus 10 for facilitating passage of an animal 4 into and out
of the corresponding animal accommodating location 3. Each closure
plate 25 is hingedly coupled to the platform 11 adjacent the
corresponding side edge 21 of the communicating opening 20, and the
closure plates 25 are hingeable upwardly from a closed state
closing the communicating opening 20 illustrated in three of the
animal accommodating locations 3 of the rotary milking platform 1
of FIG. 1 and also illustrated in FIG. 3, to an open state
illustrated in one of the animal accommodating locations 3 of the
rotary milking platform 1 of FIG. 1 and also illustrated in FIG.
12. The closure plates 25 of each apparatus 10 extend from the
respective side edges 21 towards each other in the closed state and
meet along the corresponding centre line 13. Additionally, the
closure plates 25 act as a separating means for separating the hind
legs of an animal 4 in the corresponding animal accommodating
location 3 as the closure plates 25 are pivoting from the closed
state to the open state to assist in aligning the udder of the
animal over the teat cup carrier 15. In the open state the closure
plates 25 retain the hind legs of the animal spaced apart as
illustrated in FIG. 1 for facilitating attaching the teat cups 16
to the teats of the corresponding animal.
[0091] The support plate 12 and the end walls 9 of each apparatus
10 are of steel plate material. The four mounting brackets 27 are
of steel and are welded to the support plate 12. Two of the
mounting brackets 27 are located on one side of the carriage 14 and
two of the mounting brackets 27 are located on the other side of
the carriage 14. The mounting brackets 27 slideably engage
corresponding engagement grooves 28 on respective opposite sides of
the carriage 14, and the mounting brackets 27 are located on the
support plate 12 for guiding the carriage 14 to move with
rectilinear motion in the general radial direction in the
directions of the arrows A and B relative to the rotary milking
platform 1 and substantially parallel to the centre line 13 defined
by the corresponding platform 11.
[0092] A pair of spaced apart side members 29 of the carriage 14 of
each apparatus 10 pivotally carry a pivot shaft 30 to which the
teat cup carrier 15 is rigidly mounted. A first drive means
provided by a first pneumatic ram 31 operably coupled between the
carriage 14 and the pivot shaft 30 pivots the teat cup carrier 15
between the first, second and third states, see FIG. 24. The first
pneumatic ram 31 is pivotally coupled to one of the side members 29
of the carriage 14, and a piston rod 36 extending from the first
ram 31 is pivotally coupled to a link arm 32 which extends radially
and rigidly from the pivot shaft 30. The first ram 31 is
illustrated in FIG. 24 only.
[0093] A second drive means comprising a pair of second pneumatic
rams 37 operably coupled between the support plate 12 and the
corresponding ones of the closure plates 25 pivot the closure
plates 25 from the closed state to the open state. The second rams
37 are only illustrated in FIGS. 25(a) and (b) and are illustrated
diagrammatically relative to the closure plates 25. Each second ram
37 is a single acting ram with an inbuilt spring return, and is
coupled between the support plate 12 and the corresponding closure
plate 25 so that the closure plate 25 is returned by the return
spring action. Each ram 37 is pivotally coupled to the support
plate 12 by a coupling bracket 42. A piston rod 52 extending from
each second ram 37 is pivotally coupled to a link member 53 which
extends radially and rigidly from a corresponding pivot shaft 54.
The pivot shafts 54 are pivotally mounted on the support plate 12,
and carry the respective corresponding closure plates 25, which
extend rigidly from the corresponding pivot shafts 54, so that the
closure plates 25 are hingedly coupled to the support plate 12. As
the piston rods 52 extend from the second rams 37 under the action
of the pneumatic power supply, the closure plates 25 are urged from
the closed state to the open state. Retraction of the piston rods
52 into the second rams 37 under the action of the return springs
(not shown) therein urges the closure plates 25 from the open state
to the closed state.
[0094] Thus, the closure plates 25 are spring returned from the
open state to the closed state by the spring return of the second
rams 37 by exhausting the pneumatic power supply from the second
rams 37. This avoids any danger of injury to the animal's hind legs
during pivoting of the closure plates 25 from the open state to the
closed state in the event of an animal's hind leg or legs becoming
located or caught between the closure plates 25, since the animal
could withdraw its hind leg or legs from the closure plates 25
against the spring urging of the closure plates 25 from the open
state to the closed state.
[0095] A pair of spaced apart closure means, namely, plug elements
45 are mounted on a support member 46 extending downwardly from the
support plate 12 of each apparatus 10 adjacent the outer edge 23 of
the communicating opening 20 for sealably engaging and closing the
open mouths 18 of the corresponding teat cups 16 when the teat cup
carrier 15 is in the first state with the teat cups 16 in the
protected state, see FIG. 7. In this embodiment of the invention
each plug element 45 comprises a jetter 47 for facilitating washing
and rinsing of the respective teat cups 16, and in turn the
continuous vacuum hose 34 during washing and rinsing of the milking
system to which the teat cups 16 and the vacuum hoses 34 and 35 are
connected.
[0096] As mentioned above, the carriage 14 of each apparatus 10 is
slideable with rectilinear motion on the mounting brackets 27 in a
radial direction relative to the rotary platform 1 in the direction
of the arrows A and B. A third drive means, in this embodiment of
the invention a double acting third pneumatic ram 48 which is
operably coupled between the support plate 12 and the carriage 14
urges the carriage 14 between a first position illustrated in FIG.
7 with the teat cup carrier 15 in an engaged position with the plug
elements 45 sealably engaged in the open mouths 18 of the
corresponding teat cups 16, and a second position illustrated in
FIG. 9 with the teat cup carrier 15 in a disengaged position
whereby the teat cups 16 are disengaged from the plug elements 45
for facilitating pivoting of the teat cup carriers 15 between the
first, second and third states. When the carriage 14 is in the
second position and the teat cup carrier 15 is in the second state
with the teat cups 16 in the ready state, a portion of the teat
cups 16 adjacent the open mouths 18 thereof extend through the
communicating opening 20 in the corresponding platform 11 and above
the upwardly facing major surface 26 of the platform 11 to
facilitate gripping of the teat cups 16 by and for manually
engaging the teat cups 16 with the teats of animal. Additionally,
when the carriage 14 is in the second position and the teat cup
carrier 16 is in the second state with the teat cups 16 in the
ready state, the teat cup carrier 15 and the teat cups 16 are
aligned with and located beneath the udder of the animal standing
on the platform 11 to be milked in the corresponding animal
accommodating location 3. The third ram 48 is illustrated in FIG. 7
only. The third ram 48 is coupled to the support plate 12 by a
downwardly extending mounting bracket 56 which extends downwardly
from the support plate 12. A piston rod 57 extends from the third
ram 48 and is coupled to a transverse member 58 extending between
the side members 29 of the carriage 14.
[0097] An urging means comprising an urging arm 38 engageable with
the vacuum hoses 34 and 35 is pivotally coupled to the carriage 14
of each apparatus 10 for urging the hoses 34 and 35 downwardly
through the communicating opening 20 and through the teat cup
accommodating openings 33 of the teat cup carrier 15 when the teat
cup carrier 15 is in the second state, for in turn removing the
teat cups 16 from the teats of the animal on completion of milking,
and returning the teat cups 16 to the teat cup carrier 15, and into
engagement with the teat accommodating openings 33 therein. The
urging arm 38 of each apparatus 10 comprises a pair of spaced apart
arms 39 fast on a pivot shaft 40 extending between and pivotally
mounted in side mounting brackets 41 of the carriage 14. A pair of
spaced apart rollers 43 extending between and rotatably mounted on
the arms 39 adjacent the distal ends thereof rollably engage the
vacuum hoses 34 and 35.
[0098] A fourth drive means comprising a single acting fourth
pneumatic ram 49 is operably coupled between the carriage 14 and
one of the arms 39 for urging the urging arm 38 downwardly from a
first state illustrated in FIG. 16 to a second state illustrated in
FIGS. 7 and 17 for urging the teat cups 16 from the teats of the
animals, for removal therefrom, and for returning the teat cups 16
into engagement with the teat cup carrier 15. The fourth ram 49 is
operable by applying a pneumatic power supply thereto for urging
the urging arm 38 from the first state to the second state and for
holding the urging arm 38 in the second state to take up any
slackness in the vacuum hoses 34 and 35 when the teat cups 16 have
been returned to the teat cup carrier 15. Exhausting of the
pneumatic power supply from the fourth ram 49 permits the teat cups
16 to be manually transferred from the teat cup carrier 15 to the
teats of the animal. As the teat cups 16 are being urged from the
teat cup carrier 15, once the pneumatic supply has been exhausted
from the fourth ram 49, the action of the vacuum hoses 34 and 35 on
the rollers 43 returns the urging arm 38 from the second state to
the first state. In this embodiment of the invention the pneumatic
power supply is exhausted from the fourth ram 49 as the first ram
31 is pivoting the teat cup carrier 15 from the first or third
states to the second state. The fourth ram 49 remains in the
exhaust state until milking has been completed, and then the
pneumatic power supply is applied again to the fourth ram 49 for
urging the urging arm 38 downwardly from the first state to the
second state for removing the teat cups 16 from the teats of the
animal and for returning the teat cups 16 to the teat cup carrier
15, and also for taking up any slack in the vacuum hoses 34 and 35.
The fourth pneumatic ram 49, which is only illustrated in FIGS. 7
and 16, is pivotally coupled to one of the side members 29 of the
carriage 14. A piston rod 59 extending from the fourth ram 49 is
pivotally coupled to one of the arms 39 of the urging arm 38.
[0099] A guide opening 44 in the carriage 14 guides the vacuum line
hoses 34 and 35 of the respective teat cups 16 into the carriage
14.
[0100] A protective plate 51 which is slideably mounted in the
carriage 14 of each apparatus 10 is urgeable by a fifth drive
means, namely, a double acting fifth pneumatic ram (not shown),
from a withdrawn state located within the carriage 14 clear of the
communicating opening 20 to a protective state, illustrated in FIG.
16 whereby the protective plate 51 extends into the communicating
opening 20 to the teat cup carrier 15 in order to support an
animal's hind legs in the event of an animal placing one of its
hind legs in the communicating opening 20.
[0101] A spray nozzle 55 located on the teat cup carrier 15 of each
apparatus 10 between the respective teat cup accommodating openings
33 directs a spray upwardly when the teat cup carrier 15 is in the
second state for spraying a disinfectant or other medicaments or a
water rinse upwardly onto the teats of the animal. Such a spray
could be suitable for protecting the animal against mastitis.
Additionally, the water rinse may be sprayed for rinsing the teats
of the animal before or after milking.
[0102] Where it is desired to spray the teats of the animals with a
disinfectant, medicament or rinse water, the spray nozzle 55 of
each apparatus 10 is connected to a reservoir of the appropriate
one of a disinfectant, medicament or water. An isolating valve (not
shown) is provided for selectively communicating the nozzle 55 with
a reservoir of the appropriate disinfectant, medicament or rinse
water to be sprayed onto the teats of the animal. A pump (also not
shown) is provided for pumping an appropriate metered amount of one
of the disinfectant, medicament or rinse water from the reservoir
to the nozzle 55.
[0103] Should it be desired to spray more than one of a
disinfectant, medicament or rinse water, the spray nozzle 55 would
be selectively connected through a manifold to the appropriate
numbers of reservoirs of the desired disinfectant, medicament
and/or rinse water. Alternatively, instead of connecting a single
spray nozzle 55 through a manifold to a number of reservoirs
containing different ones of disinfectant, medicament and/or rinse
water, an appropriate number of spray nozzles 55 may be provided
mounted on each teat cup carrier 15, and each nozzle would be
connected to a corresponding one of the reservoirs of the one of
the disinfectant, medicament and/or rinse water, as the case may
be.
[0104] A programmable microcontroller (not shown) is provided in
each apparatus 10 for operating the respective first, second,
third, fourth and fifth pneumatic rams in the appropriate sequence
for initially presenting the teat cups 16 for attaching to the teat
of an animal, and on completion of milking of the animal for
removing the teat cups 16 from the animal. The sequence of
operation of the respective pneumatic rams is described in more
detail below.
[0105] Sensors (not shown) are provided at appropriate locations in
each animal accommodating location 3 for detecting the presence of
an animal in the animal accommodating location 3. Sensors (not
shown) are also provided in the continuous vacuum hose 34 for
detecting completion of milking of the animal. The microcontroller
of each apparatus 10 is programmed to be responsive initially to
the sensors in the corresponding animal accommodating location 3
detecting the presence of an animal on the platform 11 and
positioned ready for milking for operating the second rams 37 for
in turn pivoting the closure plates 25 from the closed state to the
open state, and for operating the third ram 48 to urge the carriage
14 from the first position to the second position to disengage the
teat cups 16 from the plug elements 45. The microcontroller is
programmed to then operate the first ram 31 for in turn pivoting
the teat cup carrier 15 from the first state into the second state
with the teat cups 16 in the ready state ready for manual urging
upwardly and attaching to the teats of the animal. Simultaneously
with operating the first ram 31 to pivot the teat cup carrier 15
from the second to the first states, the microcontroller exhausts
the pneumatic power supply from the fourth ram 49, thereby
permitting the teat cups 16 to be manually transferred from the
teat cup carrier 15 to the teats of the animal. The microcontroller
is also programmed to operate the fifth ram (not shown) for urging
the protective plate 51 from the withdrawn state to the protective
state after the first ram 31 has operated the teat cup carrier 15
into the second state. The microcontroller of each apparatus is
also programmed to be responsive to the sensor (not shown) in the
corresponding continuous vacuum hoses 34 detecting completion of
milking of the animal for applying the pneumatic power supply to
the fourth ram 49 for in turn pivoting the urging arm 38 downwardly
from the first state to the second state for removing the teat cups
16 from the teats of the animal and returning the teat cups 16 into
engagement with the teat cup carrier 15 and also for taking up any
slack in the vacuum hoses 34 and 35.
[0106] The isolating valve (not shown) and the pump (also not
shown) through which the nozzle 55 of each apparatus 10 is coupled
to the reservoir are operated under the control of the
microcontroller of the apparatus 10 at appropriate times, typically
when the teat cup carrier 15 is in the second state with the teat
cups 16 in the ready state and prior to the teat cups being
attached to the teats of the animal, and/or when the teat cup
carrier 15 is in the second state after the teat cups 16 have been
removed from the teats of the animal.
[0107] The operating sequence of each apparatus 10 will now be
described with reference to the use of the rotary platform 1. The
vacuum hoses 34 and 35 of the teat cups of the respective apparatus
10 are connected to a conventional milking system and the spray
nozzles 55 of the respective apparatus 10 are connected through the
isolating valves and the pumps to the reservoir of the appropriate
one of the disinfectant, medicament or rinse water.
[0108] Initially, on commencement of a milking session, the
carriage 14 of each apparatus is in the first position, and the
teat cup carrier 15 is in the first state with the teat cups 16
sealably engaged in the plug elements 45. The closure plates 25 are
in the closed state, and the protective plate 51 is in the
withdrawn state. On the sensors (not shown) detecting the presence
of an animal in one of the animal accommodating locations 3 in a
position ready to be milked, the microcontroller operates the
second rams 37 for pivoting the closure plates 25 from the closed
state to the open state. As the closure plates 25 are being
operated into the open state, the hind legs of the animal are urged
apart and the animal is centred on the platform 11 with the udder
of the animal substantially aligned over the teat cup carrier 15.
Simultaneously, the microcontroller operates the third ram 48 to
urge the carriage 14 from the first position to the second position
with the teat cups 16 disengaged from the plug elements 45. The
first ram 31 is then operated by the microcontroller for pivoting
the teat cup carrier 15 from the first state to the second state
with the teat cups 16 in the ready state extending substantially
vertically with the open mouths 18 thereof facing upwardly, and
portions of the respective teat cups 16 adjacent the open mouths 18
thereof extending through the communicating opening 20. The
pneumatic power supply is exhausted from the fourth ram 49 under
the control of the microcontroller in order that the urging arm 38
can be freely urged upwardly from the second state to the first
state as the teat cups 16 are urged upwardly from the teat cup
carrier 15 for attaching to the teats of the animal. The protective
plate 51 is then urged in a radially outward direction from the
withdrawn state to the protective state to the teat cup carrier 15
by the fifth pneumatic ram (not shown) under the control of the
microcontroller. The teat cups 16 are then gripped by hand and
manually urged upwardly and attached to the teats of the
animal.
[0109] On the sensors in the continuous vacuum hose 34 of each
apparatus 10 detecting completion of milking, the microcontroller
operates the fourth ram 49 in order to urge the urging arm 38
downwardly from the first state to the second state for removing
the teat cups 16 from the teats of the animal and for returning the
teat cups 16 into engagement with the teat cup carrier 15. With the
teat cups 16 engaged in the teat cup carrier 15, the first ram 31
is operated under the control of the microcontroller for urging the
teat cup carrier 15 from the second state through the first state
and into the third state for back flushing of the teat cups 16. The
pneumatic power supply is then isolated and exhausted from the
second pneumatic rams 37 by the microcontroller and the return
springs of the second pneumatic rams 37 return the closure plates
25 to the closed state. The animal then exits the platform 11. The
fifth ram (not shown) is operated for returning the protective
plate 51 from the protective state to the withdrawn state.
[0110] The next animal to be milked then enters the corresponding
animal accommodating location 3 on the platform 11 and the closure
plates 25 are operated into the open state as already described.
The first ram 31 is operated for operating the teat cup carrier 15
from the third state through the first state and into the second
state with the teat cups 16 in the ready state, and so the next
animal is milked.
[0111] During the periods while the teat cup carrier 15 is in the
third state, the teat cups are back flushed.
[0112] If the teats of the animal are to be sprayed prior to
milking, when the teat cup carrier 15 is operated into the second
state the isolating valve which isolates the spray nozzle 55 from
the reservoir is operated into the open state and the pump is
operated for spraying the teats of the animal through the nozzle
with a disinfectant, medicament or rinse water, depending on the
contents of the reservoir to which the nozzle 55 is coupled. On
completion of spraying, the pump is deactivated and the isolating
valve is operated into the closed state. The teat cups 16 are then
manually urged from the teat cup carrier 15 and attached to the
teats of the animal.
[0113] On completion of milking when the teat cups 16 have been
returned to the teat cup carrier 15, and while the teat cup carrier
15 is still in the second state, if desired, the isolating valve
which isolates the nozzle 55 from the reservoir and the pump may
again be operated to spray the teats of the animal.
[0114] Thereafter operation of the apparatus continues as already
described until milking of the last animal to be milked in each
animal accommodating location has been completed.
[0115] On completion of milking of the last animal to be milked
during a milking session in each of the animal accommodating
locations 3, the urging arm 38 of each apparatus 10 is urged
downwardly from the first state to the second state for removing
the teat cups 16 from the teats of the animal and for returning the
teat cups 16 to the teat cup carrier 15. If the teats of the animal
are to be sprayed on completion of milking of the last of the
animals to be milked, the isolating valve and the pump are again
activated for spraying the teats of the animal through the spray
nozzle 55. The first ram 31 is then operated under the control of
the microcontroller for urging the teat cup carrier 15 from the
second state into the first state. The microcontroller then
operates the third ram 48 for urging the carriage 14 in the
direction of the arrow B from the second state to the first state
for sealably engaging the teat cups 16 with the corresponding plug
elements 45. The closure plates 25 are operated into the closed
state and the animal exits the platform 11. At this stage, since
the milking session is completed, the milking system is operated to
wash and rinse the system, and the jetters 47 in the plug elements
45 complete the washing and rinsing circuit through the teat cups
16.
[0116] Sensors may also be provided in the animal accommodating
location 3 of each apparatus 10 for detecting the position of the
teats of the animal. Where such sensors are provided, the
microcontroller would be programmed to operate the third ram 48 for
urging the carriage 14 and in turn the teat cup carrier 15 into an
aligned position with the teat cups 16 aligned directly beneath the
teats of the animal in the animal accommodating location 3.
Accordingly, while the teat cup carrier 15 is being pivoted from
the first to the second state, the carriage 14 would be operated in
the appropriate direction of the arrow A or B for aligning the teat
cups 16 beneath the teats of the animal.
[0117] The advantages of the invention are many. By virtue of the
fact that the teat cups are positioned by the teat cup carrier
beneath the animal, and in general will be positioned beneath the
animal in substantial alignment with the teats of the animal, and
are oriented into a vertical ready state with the open mouths 18
thereof facing upwardly, the teat cups can be readily urged by hand
from the teat cup carrier and attached to the teats of the animal.
Accordingly, the time required to attach the teat cups to the teats
of an animal is significantly reduced. By virtue of the fact that
the urging arm 38 is operated on completion of milking of the
animal to remove the teat cups 16 from the teats of the animal and
to return the teat cups 16 to the teat cup carrier 15, the time
required for removal of the teat cups from the animal is further
significantly reduced, and thus, the overall time required for
attaching the teat cups to the animal and removing the teat cups
from the animal is significantly reduced, thus allowing the rotary
milking platform to be operated at a higher speed, and thus further
increasing the efficiency of milking using the rotary milking
platform 1. Additionally, operator time required during milking is
reduced.
[0118] The provision of the spray nozzle on the teat cup carrier
for spraying the teat of an animal with a disinfectant or other
medicament or rinse water provides more accurate application and
significantly better coverage of the teats with the disinfectant,
medicament or rinse water than can be achieved heretofore, and
further, reduces the time required to spray the animal's teats,
which heretofore is carried out manually and is dependent on an
operator being present at the appropriate time for spraying.
[0119] By providing the teat cup carrier to be operable in the
third state, the teat cups may be back flushed between applications
from one animal to the next. By providing the plug elements for
sealably closing the teat cups when not in use, there is no danger
of foreign matter entering the milk liners of the teat cups. By
configuring the plug elements as jetters when milking has been
completed, the milking system, of which the teat cups 16 are a
part, can be readily subjected to a wash and rinse cycle.
[0120] The provision of the closure plates 25 maintains the
apparatus protected as the animals enter and exit the corresponding
animal accommodating locations.
[0121] Additionally, by operating the closure plates into the
closed state by the return springs of the second rams 37, there is
no danger of damage or injury to a hind leg or hind legs of an
animal which may extend into the communicating opening 20.
[0122] A further advantage of configuring the closure plates to act
as a spreading means for spreading the hind legs of an animal as
the closure plates are being opened upwardly is that as well as
spreading the hind legs of the animal apart, the closure plates 25
also act to centre the animal relative to the apparatus 10 along
the centre line 13 thereof, and in turn centre the udder of the
animal over the teat cup carrier, thereby facilitating rapid
attaching of the teat cups to the teats of the animal.
[0123] A particularly important advantage of the invention is
achieved by virtue of the fact that the apparatus 10 is located
beneath the platform on which the animals stand during milking. By
locating the apparatus beneath the platform, the teat cups are
concealed beneath the platform by the closure plates 25, and thus,
there is no need for any external equipment to be located which
could otherwise be damaged by an animal entering or exiting the
animal accommodating locations or even while the animal is in the
animal accommodating location.
[0124] It is envisaged that the apparatus 10 according to the
invention may be adapted for automatically applying the teat cups
to the teats of the animal. In which case, it is envisaged that an
additional mechanism would be provided for gripping the teat cups
and urging the teat cups upwardly from the teat cup carrier of each
apparatus to engage the teats of the corresponding animal. Such a
mechanism could also be adapted for engaging and removing the teat
cups from the animal on completion of milking, instead of or in
conjunction with the urging arm 38. Suitable monitoring and sensing
means would be provided for identifying the locations of the teats
of the animal, and the third pneumatic ram for urging the carriage
in the directions of the arrows A and B would be responsive to such
monitoring and sensing means for aligning the teat cup carrier and
in turn the teat cups with the teats of the animals along the
centre line 13 defined by the platform. The mechanism for urging
the teat cups upwardly from the teat cup carriers would then be
operated to make any other fine adjustments for aligning the teat
cups with the teats of the animal, so that the teat cups when
aligned with the teats of the animal would then be urged by the
mechanism into engagement with the teats of the animal. During
engagement of the teat cups with the teats of the animal, the
vacuum on the continuous vacuum hoses 34 would be applied for
drawing the teats of the animal into the teat cups. The monitoring
and sensing means for locating the positions of the teats of the
animal could be any suitable monitoring and sensing means such as
visual, for example, by an imaging means, such as a camera,
tactile, for example, by touch sensors and the like.
[0125] While the apparatus according to the invention has been
described for use on a rotary milking platform of a rotary milking
parlour, it will be appreciated that the apparatus according to the
invention may be used in any type of milking parlour, such as an
in-line milking parlour whereby the animal accommodating locations
are parallel to each other and side by side with each other.
[0126] It will also be appreciated that while the apparatus has
been described for presenting two teat cups for attaching to the
teats of a goat, the apparatus may be adapted for presenting any
number of teat cups for attachment to the teats of any animal.
Where the apparatus is adapted for presenting teat cups for
attaching to the teats of a cow, the teat cup carrier will be
adapted for carrying four teat cups instead of two. Indeed, in
certain cases, it is envisaged that where the apparatus is adapted
for presenting teat cups for attaching to the teats of a cow, a
pair of teat cup carrier may be provided whereby each teat cup
carrier would carry two teat cups.
[0127] While the communicating opening 20 has been described as
being of rectangular shape, the communicating opening may be of any
suitable or desired shape, and in certain cases, it is envisaged
that the side edges of the communicating opening may not be
parallel to each other, and may extend in a direction converging
inwardly towards each other in a direction towards the centre of
the rotary platform or towards the centre line 13. Needless to say,
the communicating openings 20 may be of any other desired
shape.
[0128] While each apparatus has been described as comprising its
own programmable microcontroller, it is envisaged in certain cases
that a single programmable microcontroller or a single
microprocessor may be provided for controlling and operating the
respective apparatus of the rotary milking platform. Needless to
say, instead of each apparatus being controlled by a
microcontroller, each apparatus may be controlled by a
microprocessor.
[0129] It is also envisaged that more than one spray nozzle 55 may
be provided on each teat cup carrier 15, and this would permit
different disinfectants, medicaments or water to be sprayed onto
the animal's teats, for example, one nozzle may be provided for
spraying an anti-mastitis disinfectant onto the teats of the animal
prior to milking, and another of the spray nozzles may be provided
for spraying rinse water onto the teats of the animal on completion
of milking. It is also envisaged that the spray nozzle 55 or spray
nozzles may be rigidly mounted on the carriage and directed in a
generally upwardly direction. The nozzle or nozzles would be
mounted on the carriage in a location so that when the teat cup
carrier is aligned with the teats, the spray nozzles would direct
the disinfectant, medicament or rinse water directly to the teats
of the animal. Each spray nozzle would be connected to a
corresponding reservoir.
[0130] While the protective plate 51 has been described as being
moveable relative to the carriage 14, it is envisaged in certain
cases that the protective plate 51 may be rigidly mounted on the
carriage 14, and would extend to the corresponding teat cup carrier
15 when the teat cup carrier is in the second state and the
carriage is in the second position.
[0131] While the first, second, third, fourth and fifth drive means
have been described as being pneumatic rams, any other suitable
drive means besides pneumatic rams may be provided. For example,
where rotary motion is required, rotary motors, for example,
pneumatically powered rotary motors may be provided. Alternatively,
the pneumatic rams or rotary motors may be hydraulically powered.
Alternatively, electrically powered linear motors may be used.
[0132] While the closure plates 25 have been described as being
urged from the closed state to the open state by respective
pneumatic rams, it is envisaged in certain cases that only one
pneumatic ram may be provided for operating the closure plates from
the closed state to the open state. In which case, it is envisaged
that the pneumatic ram would be connected to the closure plates by
suitable linkages. It is also envisaged that torsion springs may be
provided for urging the closure plates from the open state into the
closed state.
[0133] While the first drive means for urging the teat cup carrier
15 between the first, second and third states has been described as
comprising one first pneumatic ram, it is envisaged that two
pneumatic rams may be provided, one pneumatic ram would urge the
teat cup carrier between the second and third states, and the other
pneumatic ram would urge the teat cup carrier between the first and
second states, and could also be operable for urging the teat cup
carrier between the first and third states.
* * * * *