Patent ID: 7699024
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: A01J

Abstract:
1. A milk temperature monitor for sensing the temperature of milk conveyed from a lactating animal of a plurality of lactating animals, wherein the plurality of lactating animals are exposed to a variable ambient temperature, the milk temperature monitor comprising: a temperature sensor that is in heat transfer relationship with the milk while the milk is conveyed from the lactating animal, the temperature sensor being configured to provide a milk temperature signal representing a milk temperature value that varies with the temperature of the milk; a controller connected to receive the milk temperature signal from the temperature sensor, the controller being configured to provide an output signal that varies in response to the milk temperature signal; and a display unit connected to receive the output signal from the controller, the display unit providing notice that indicates whether the milk temperature is beyond an acceptable temperature range, wherein the controller effectively adjusts the acceptable temperature range to help compensate for the variable ambient temperature, the controller considering a plurality of milk temperature values corresponding to the plurality of lactating animals, the controller determining the acceptable temperature range based at least partially upon the plurality of milk temperature values, the controller calculating an average milk temperature value associated with the plurality of milk temperature values, the controller determining the acceptable temperature range based at least partially upon the average milk temperature value, the plurality of milk temperature values comprises a plurality of peak temperature values, and the average milk temperature value is an average of the plurality of peak temperature values.