A milking plant

Abstract: A milking plant for milking cows comprises teat cups (2) that are connectable to the respective teats of a cow's udder, while milk obtained from each udder quarter with the aid of said teat cups (2) can be supplied over a discharge line (9) to a milk cooling tank (6). The discharge line (9) is provided with a valve (60), through which in a first position thereof milk is passed to the milk cooling tank; in a second position thereof the valve (60) establishes a rinse line system, wherein a rinse fluid is supplied through a first rinse line (58) to a rinse jetter (59) and from there, over a teat cup (2), the discharge line (9) and the valve (60), is carried off through a second rinse line (61).

Description: The present invention relates to a milking plant for milking cows, comprising teat cups that are connectable to the teats of a cow, while milk obtained from each quarter of an udder can be pumped through a discharge line to a milk cooling tank, which discharge line is provided with switching means, through which in a first position milk is passing to the milk cooling tank, while in a second position after milking the switching means provides for a rinse line system. Such a milking plant is known from WO-A-84/04654. In this document the milking plant is cleaned by hand. The milking units connected to a milk discharge line are removed and connected to a part of the discharge line extending in a cleaning room, while the switching means, constituted by a tube and connected to a milk tank, are disconnected therefrom and subsequently connected to a cleaning trough. This cumbersome operation of the milking plant prevents the automation, particularly the robotization of the milking process. Therefore, according to the invention, the milking plant as described in the opening paragraph is characterized in that means are provided supplying a signal to the computer indicating the end of the milking and in that the switching means is constituted by a valve, the milking plant further comprising a sensor, able to produce a signal indicating that the discharge line is freed from milk, whereafter the computer, after having received this signal, supplies a further signal to the switching means for automatically switching the valve from the first to the second position. When the milking process, in accordance with the invention, has to be automated a milking robot will be provided for automatically connecting the teat cups to the respective teats of a cow. The milking robot will be controlled by a computer. This computer will also be used to control, in co-operation with the above sensors, the rinse line system. Prior to rinsing, all the milk must first have been forced from the lines to be rinsed; so, according to the invention, the computer produces, in response to said signals, a signal by means of which compressed air is passed through the discharge line. In a particular embodiment the rinse line system includes a rinse jetter which, for the purpose of flushing a teat cup, is connectable to said teat cup, while a rinse fluid can be supplied through a first rinse line to the rinse jetter and from there, via a teat cup, the discharge line and the valve incorporated therein, be carried off through a second rinse line, while further a fluid container is provided, from which the rinse fluid is led into the first rinse line and to which the rinse fluid is carried off over the second rinse line. Furthermore a milk measuring device may be provided, which measuring device includes four milk meters, each connected to a specific teat cup, the separate discharge lines of which milk meters are coupled to the above-mentioned discharge line, and wherein each of said milk meters and separate discharge lines are forming part of the rinse line system. The rinse fluid may pass the rinse line system by means of a vacuum, preferable generated in the milk measuring device, so that the application of a specific pump in the rinse line system will be superfluous. The present invention further relates to a method of rinsing a milk line sytem in a milking plant, wherein teat cups are connectable to the respective teats of a cow's udder, while milk obtained from each udder quarter with the aid of said teat cups can be supplied over a discharge line to a milk cooling tank and wherein, during rinsing after milking, a rinse fluid is supplied through a first rinse line to a rinse jetter and from there, via a teat cup, the discharge line and a valve incorporated therein, is carried off through a second rinse line. According to the invention, this method is characterized in that, before rinsing is started, the discharge line up to the valve is freed from milk by passing compressed air therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the milk line system is automatically freed from milk when the end of the milkstream is established, whereafter the rinsing of the milk line system is automatically started. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically an arrangement of a milking plant for milking cows; Figure 2 shows a basic arrangement of the milking plant in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is a more detailed representation of the basic structure of a milk meter in the arrangement shown in Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a more detailed representation of the basic structure of a teat cup in the arrangement shown in Figure 2. Corresponding components in the drawings have been denoted by the same reference numerals. Figure 1 shows a schematic arrangement of a milking plant for milking cows. Only two milking parlours are shown by way of illustration, in each of which a cow is present. For each milking parlour there is provided a milking robot 1 having four teat cups 2 at its end. For the matter of that, the invention is completely independent of the manner in which the teat cups are connected; the teat cups may, combined in one single milking claw, be connected together as well as individually and independently of each other to respective teats of a cow's udder. The milk obtained from each udder quarter with the aid of the teat cups 2 can be conveyed through a separate line 3 (see Figure 2) to a milk measuring device 4. From the milk measuring device 4 the milk is conveyed via a circular line 5, to which the discharge lines of the various milk measuring devices in the various milking parlours are connected, to a milk cooling tank 6. The milk measuring device 4 comprises four milk meters 7, only one of which is shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 furthermore illustrates the basic arrangement of the milking plant, only one teat cup 2 and only one milk meter 7 having been shown in this arrangement for the sake of simplicity. The individual discharge lines 8 of the milk meters 7 are coupled to a common discharge line 9 which terminates in the milk cooling tank 6. Figure 3 is a more detailed representation of the basic structure of a milk meter as is incorporated in the milking plant shown in Figure 2. The milk meter 7 includes a milk receptacle 10 and a measuring chamber 11, in which connection the milk flows under a vacuum via the separate line 3 connected to the teat cup 2 from the milk receptacle 10 into the measuring chamber 11 and is pumped in defined quantities by means of compressed air from the measuring chamber 11 into the separate discharge line 8. The milk meter 7 includes a valve rod 12 which, in a first (shown) position under a vacuum, leaves the aperture 13 between the milk receptacle 10 and the measuring chamber 11 open, and, in a second (non-shown) position by means of compressed air, closes same. At its upper side, the milk meter includes a chamber 14, in which chamber the valve rod 12 has a piston 15. The valve rod 12 is capable of upward and downward movement in and through this chamber 14. In the space below the piston 15 there is provided in the wall of the chamber 14 an aperture 16. Via this aperture 16, the milk meter 7 is connected to a switching element 17 (see Figure 2). In a first position of this switching element 17, a vacuum is applied to cause the valve rod 12 and the piston 15 to be moved downwardly to its first position, thereby leaving the aperture 13 open. In a second position of this switching element 17, compressed air is admitted into the space below the piston 15 to cause the valve rod 12 and the piston 15 to be moved upwardly to its second position, thereby closing the aperture 13. The milk meter 7 furthermore includes a tube 18 which, via relatively narrow apertures 19 and 20, is connected to the space in the chamber 14 below the piston and to the measuring chamber 11, respectively. When compressed air is admitted into the space below the piston 15, the aperture 13 is closed immediately and the air is forced into the measuring chamber 11 via the aperture 19, the tube 18 and the aperture 20, as a result of which the milk present in the measuring chamber 11 is passed into the separate discharge line 8. The measuring chamber 11 is provided with a milk level sensor 21, by means of which it is established when a defined quantity of milk is contained therein. When the milk level in the measuring chamber 11 has reached that of the sensor 21, this sensor 21 supplies a control signal S1 (see Figure 2) to cause the switching element 17 to be adjusted from its first position to its second position, so that the measuring chamber 11 can be emptied. After a fixed period of time, the switching element 17 is adjusted from its second position to its first position; this period of time is of such a duration that there is sufficient time for the measuring chamber 11 to be emptied. When the switching element 17 has returned to its first position, the measuring chamber 11 can be filled again. The milk level sensor 21 can also apply a control signal S2 to a computer 22, in which the quantity of milk obtained from each udder quarter is recorded for each individual cow. In the lower part of the measuring chamber 11 there is provided a spherical body 23. When the measuring chamber 11 is empty, this spherical body 23 closes the aperture 24 between the measuring chamber 11 and the separate discharge line 8. The spherical body 23 is made of such a material that, when the milk flows from the milk receptacle 10 into the measuring chamber 11, it floats on the milk contained therein. When the milk is forced from the measuring chamber 11 into the separate discharge line 8, the aperture 24 is closed automatically by the spherical body 23 once the measuring chamber 11 is empty. A non-return valve 25 is arranged in the separate discharge line 8 beyond the aperture 24 in the measuring chamber, pereferably as closely as possible therebeyond. Via this non-return valve 25 the milk is allowed to pass from the measuring chamber 11 but only under the influence of compressed air. In the opposite direction, the non-return valve 25 blocks any milk flow which might be possible in case, for whatever reason, the pressure in the relevant discharge lines would exceed that prevailing in the measuring chamber 11 in front of the non-return valve 25. When, during the milking operation, the first obtained milk flows into the measuring chamber 11, then not only the measuring chamber 11 itself will be filled, but also the space in the separate discharge line 8 between the non-return valve 25 and the said aperture 24. By each subsequent pump stroke it is only the milk contained in the measuring chamber that is pumped off, so that the total quantity of milk as determined by the computer during milking for each udder quarter must be increased only once by the quantity of milk corresponding to the volume of the separate discharge line 8 between the non-return valve 25 and the said aperture 24. This is, however, a constant correction to be entered into the computer 22 on recording of the quantity of milk obtained. After milking, the milk must also be forced from the separate discharge lines 8 and the common discharge line 9, i.e. into the circular line 5 to the milk cooling tank 6. For that purpose, the aperture 23 in the measuring chamber 11 must be free so as to allow compressed air to pass. To that end, the milk meter 7 is fitted with a lifting magnet 26 which moves the spherical body 23 upwardly in response to a control signal S3 supplied by the computer 22. The milk meter 7 includes a milk conductivity sensor 27, which sensor, preferably, is arranged in the measuring chamber 11. The control signal S4 supplied by the milk conductivity sensor 27 is a measure of the health of the udder; in the case of mastitis, the conductivity of the milk is higher than that of the milk obtained from a healthy udder or from a healthy udder quarter. The milk originating from an inflamed udder quarter must be separated off. For this purpose, the separate discharge line 8 is provided with a three-way valve 28, through which the milk pumped from the milk meter 7 is either passed into the common discharge line 9 or, after it has been found that the milk originates from an inflamed quarter, into a receptacle 29 specially provided for the purpose. The three-way valve 28 might be operated automatically as soon as the signal S4 produced by the milk conductivity sensor 27 indicates a value which exceeds a preset value. It is, however, more advantageous to apply the control signal S4 to the computer 22 which, taking account of the further conditions of the specific cow, supplies a control signal S5, by means of which the three-way valve 28 can be operated. In addition, the milk meter 7 is provided with a tube stop valve 30, with the aid of which the vacuum connection 31 can be disconnected from the milk meter after milking. During milking, a vacuum prevails in the milk receptacle 10. After the milking procedure has ended, the vacuum must be removed, and it is not until then that the teat cups are removed from the teats. Prior to removing the vacuum from the milk receptacle 10, the vacuum line 31 must be closed first. For that purpose, after a milking period preset in the computer 22 has elapsed, a control signal S6 is applied to the electromagnet 32 of the tube stop valve 30. By means of the then energized electromagnet 32, a rod 33 having a spherical end 34 is moved upwardly to seal the vacuum connection 31 against the fixed stop 35. With the aid of a lifting mechanism 36 which is connected pivotably to the rod 33, a valve 37 in the wall of the milk receptacle 10 is drawn upwards simultaneously, as a result of which air can flow freely thereinto. The milking plant as shown schematically in Figure 2 includes in a customary manner a vacuum pump 38 having a vacuum balance tank 39 to increase the vacuum stability. The balance tank 39 has a plurality of vacuum connections. A vacuum connection 31 is provided for the milk receptacle 10 of each milk meter 7. A vacuum connection 40 is present for each switching element 17. In addition, a vacuum connection 41 is provided for an electronic pulsator system 42 for the four teat cups. In the vacuum connection 31 there is incorporated a throttle ring 43 to prevent fluctuations in the vacuum of the various milk meters due to falling off of one of the teat cups. In order to be able to ascertain whether a vacuum is present in the milk meter, there is arranged an air flow sensor 44 in the vacuum connection between the throttle ring 43 and the relevant milk meter, which sensor supplies the computer 22 with a control signal S8 indicating the presence of vacuum in the line 31. Hereby this signal also forms an indication whether the teat cups are connected correctly. Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a teat cup; this teat cup in a customary manner consists of a solid, e.g. metal, sleeve 45, an inner wall 46 made of a flexible material, e.g. rubber, enclosed thereby, and a rubber cap 47 which seals the space between the sleeve 45 and the inner wall 46 at the upper side. At the lower side, the space between the sleeve 45 and the inner wall 46 is sealed by a sealing ring 48, while at some distance thereabove there is provided between the sleeve 45 and the inner wall 46 a ring 49 having an aperture 50. Between the sealing ring 48 and the ring 49 there is located a space, in which the electronic pulsator system 42 produces through the line 52 and via an aperture 51 a pulsating vacuum, thereby effecting in the space between the sleeve 45 and the inner wall 46 a pulsating vacuum which causes the inner wall 46 to close firmly around the teat, when the teat cup is connected thereto, or causes the inner wall to move outwards again, whereby is obtained the rhythmic movement around the teat as required for the milking operation to be performed. In order to function as a buffer for the milk to be collected and to minimize the fluctuations in the vacuum under the teat, there is provided in the lower part of the teat cup 2 a buffer space 53, in which a relativaly narrow air suction aperture 54 is made for the milk transport. The line 3, intended for the discharge of the milk to the milk meter 7, is connected to this buffer space 53. In addition, the buffer space 53 contains a fixed element 55, which element partly projects into the aperture between the teat space and the buffer space 53 to ensure that the milk flows gradually into the buffer space 53 and a splitting of the milk is prevented. At the upper end of the fixed element 55 a sensor can be provided to perform a temperature measurement. The temperature of the milk indicates the body temperature of the cows to be milked; the latter temperature is higher than normally with cows in heat and with sick cows. In order that the milk line system can be rinsed once the milking operation has been completed, it must include an arrangement for effecting this step. To that end, there is provided a rinse line system which is constituted by a rinse fluid container 56 having a valve 57, a first rinse line 58, a rinse jetter 59 which can be fitted around the end of the teat cup 2 in a fluid-tight manner, the teat cup 2, the line 3, the milk meter 7, the separate discharge line 8, the common discharge line 9, a three-way valve 60 incorporated therein and a second rinse line 61. In its first position, the three-way valve 60 admits milk from the common discharge line 9 into the circular line 5, and, in its second position, rinse fluid from the common line 9 into the second rinse line 61. After the milking, a rinse command can be delivered by the computer 22 which, to that end, applies a control signal S7 to the three-way valve 60 to adjust same to the appropriate position. Prior to starting the rinsing step after the milking operation has ended, the discharge lines must first be freed from milk. This is effected by passing compressed air through the measuring chamber 11, as a result of which the spherical body 23 is pushed upwardly and the aperture 24 is released. In front of the three-way valve 60 there is incorporated in the common discharge line 9 an air-milk sensor 62, which sensor applies a control signal S9 to the computer, on the basis of which control signal the computer can establish when there is no longer any milk present in the common line - compressed air then passing the air-milk sensor 62 instead of milk - so that the valve 60 can be adjusted for the rinsing procedure. Due to the vacuum in the milk receptacle 10, the rinse fluid is sucked from the rinse fluid container 56 through the first rinse line 58, the rinse jetter 59, the teat cup 2 and the line 3 to the milk receptacle 10, from where it flows into the measuring chamber 11, whereafter it is pumped therefrom in the same manner as the milk and is fed back via the separate discharge line 8, the common discharge line 9, the three-way valve 60 and the second rinse line 61 to the rinse fluid container 56. In the common discharge line 9 there is arranged in front of the three-way valve 60 incorporated therein a heat exchanger 63 as a pre-cooler for the milk cooling tank. The milk cooling tank 6 is incorporated in the circular line 5, to which via relevant three-way valves 60 the common discharge lines of the individual milk meters 7 are connected. A pump 64 is incorporated in the circular line 5. This pump can operate at at least two different speeds. In order to keep the milk in motion and to prevent milk residues from being deposited in the circular line 5, the milk is circulated at a relatively low speed from the milk cooling tank 6 through the circular line 5. Preferably, in this connection, the circular line 5 is thermally insulated. Usually, the milk cooling tank 6 is emptied a few times a week, whereafter it can be rinsed. A rinsing fluid can be introduced into the milk cooling tank 6 via a valve 65 and a spray nozzle 66. When the spray nozzle 66 is arranged capably of moving, it can cover the entire inner surface of the milk cooling tank 6. The rinsing fluid is circulated by the pump in the circular line at a relatively high speed and is ultimately discharged via a three-way valve 67. Also here, the valves 65, 67, the spray nozzle 66 and the pump 64 can be controlled from the computer 22. Although in Figure 2 they are shown as being single, several elements are provided in fourfold; in particular this holds for the rinse jetter, the teat cup and the milk meter, as well as for the lines connected thereto and the elements incorporated therein (valves and sensors). Preferably, the four milk meters are combined into one single milk measuring device.

Claims: A milking plant for milking cows, comprising teat cups (2) that are connectable to the teats of a cow, while milk obtained from each quarter of an udder can be pumped through a discharge line (9) to a milk cooling tank (6), which discharge line (9) is provided with switching means (60), through which in a first position milk is passing to the milk cooling tank (6), while in a second position after milking the switching means (60) provides for a rinse line system for the teat cups, characterized in that means (21) are provided supplying a signal (S2) to a computer (22) indicating the end of the milking and in that the switching means (60) is constituted by a valve, the milking plant further comprising a sensor (62), able to produce a signal (S9) indicating that the discharge line (9) is freed from milk, whereafter the computer (22), after having received this signal (S9), supplies a further signal (S7) to the switching means (60) for automatically switching the valve from the first to the second position. A milking plant as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a milking robot (1) is provided for automatically connecting the teat cups (2) to the respective teats of a cow. A milking plant as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the computer (22) produces, in response to the signal (S2) indicating the end of the milking, a signal (S3) by means of which compressed air is passed through the discharge line (9). A milking plant as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the sensor (62) indicating that the discharge line (9) is freed from milk is provided in the discharge line (9) directly in front of the valve (60). A milking plant as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rinse line system includes a rinse jetter (59) which, for the purpose of flushing a teat cup, is connectable to said teat cup (2), while a rinse fluid can be supplied through a first rinse line (58) to the rinse jetter (59) and from there, via a teat cup (2), the discharge line (9) and the valve (60) incorporated therein, be carried off through a second rinse line (61), while further a fluid container (56) is provided, from which the rinse fluid is led into the first rinse line (58) and to which the rinse fluid is carried off over the second rinse line (61). A milking plant as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a milk measuring device (4) is provided, including four milk meters (7), each connected to a specific teat cup (2), the separate discharge lines (8) of which milk meters (7) are coupled to the above-mentioned discharge line (9), and wherein each of said milk meters (7) and separate discharge lines (8) are forming part of the rinse line system. A milking plant as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that each of the milk meters (7) is provided with a sensor (21) able to indicate the end of the milkstream from a respective teat of a cow. A milking plant as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rinse fluid passes the rinse line system by means of a vacuum generated in a milk measuring device (4). A method of rinsing a milk line system in a milking plant wherein teat cups (2) are connectable to the respective teats of a cow's udder, while milk obtained from each udder quarter with the aid of said teat cups (2) can be supplied over a discharge line (9) to a milk cooling tank (6), and wherein, during rinsing after milking, a rinse fluid is supplied through a first rinse line (58) to a rinse jetter (59) and from there, via a teat cup (2), a discharge line (9) and a valve (60) incorporated therein, is carried off through a second rinse line (61), characterized in that, before the rinsing process is started, the discharge line (9) up to the valve (60) is freed from milk by passing compressed air therethrough. A method as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, when the end of the milkstream is established, automatically the milk line system is freed from milk, while when the latter is established automatically the rinsing of the milk line system is started.

Inventors: FRANSEN RENE, VAN DEN BERG KAREL, VAN DER LELY EDWIN, FRANSEN, RENE, VAN DEN BERG, KAREL, VAN DER LELY, EDWIN, Fransen, René
Applicants: LELY NV C VAN DER, C. VAN DER LELY N.V.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A01J7
IPC codes: A01J7, A01J5, G01F3, G01F1, A01J9