Patent RU-2763972-C2 (RU)
Title: Milking apparatus and method for milking animals therein
Inventor: COWLING TONY
IPC: A01K1/12
Filed: 2018-10-01
Granted: 2022-01-12
Abstract: FIELD: animal husbandry. 
     SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to a milking apparatus, a two-row milking parlor containing two of the above milking apparatuses, as well as to a method for milking a group of at least two animals in the above milking apparatus. The milking apparatus comprises at least one milking module (1) including at least two milking sites (3) located in a row one after the other along the longitudinal axis (x). Each milking site (3) is therein configured to accommodate the corresponding animal subject to milking. The milking module has a first end (1’) and a second end (1”) opposite to the first end (1’), and the milking apparatus is stretched along the longitudinal axis (x) from the first end (1') to the second end. The milking module comprises a front side (5) and a back side (6) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (x), as well as a front flap assembly (20) moved between a lower position wherein said assembly closes the front side (5) in order to prevent the animals from leaving the corresponding milking site (3) through the front side (5), and an upper position configured to allow the animals to leave the corresponding milking site (3) through the front side (5). The milking module includes an assembly (30) of consecutive flaps containing at least two consecutive flaps (31) provided between said front side (5) and said back side (6). Each of said consecutive flaps (31) in the first position of the assembly (30) of consecutive flaps can therein rotate between a closed position wherein the consecutive flap (31) forms a barrier opposite the entrance to the milking site (3) and an open position wherein said flap forms the side wall of the milking site (3). The milking module also has an entrance flap (34) provided at the first end (1’) of the milking module (1). Said entrance flap (34) is therein capable of moving between a closed position wherein said flap prevents the animals from entering said at least one milking module (1) and an open position wherein said flap allows animals to enter the milking module (1) through the first end. The milking apparatus therein comprises an independent first drive apparatus (22) for moving the assembly (20) of the front flap between the lower and upper positions thereof and a second drive apparatus (35) for moving the entrance flap (34) between the open and closed positions thereof. The milking apparatus also includes an independent third drive apparatus (32) for moving the assembly (30) of consecutive flaps from the specified first position to a second position which is a raised position wherein the consecutive flaps (31) are located at a level above and behind the animals standing at the corresponding milking sites (3). The assembly (30) of consecutive flaps of the milking module is therein configured to move from said second position to the first position with the consecutive flaps (31) in the closed position thereof, so that the consecutive flaps (31) stimulating the animals standing at the respective milking sites (3) to move to the front side (5) and leave the milking sites (3) through the front side (5). The milking apparatus also comprises a control apparatus (40) configured to control the opening of the entrance flap (34) based on the position of the assembly (30) of consecutive flaps. 
     EFFECT: invention ensures creation of a milking apparatus providing a possibility of stimulating animals to leave the milking site through the front part of the module of the milking apparatus, with a compact structure. 
     14 cl, 21 dwg