Automated Clean In Place Systems for Milking Equipment

A milking system for dairy farms that optimizes milking operations through a central utility system. The system comprises a central utility system that connects each milking device, including the milking unit, milk line, and buffer unit, to a common cleaning infrastructure. This infrastructure enables synchronized cleaning of all milking devices and their associated milk lines during scheduled cleaning cycles, while preventing milk line contamination during non-scheduled cleaning operations. The system incorporates advanced cleaning technologies, such as automated fluid management and temperature control, to maintain optimal milking conditions during cleaning cycles.

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A milking device for cows that automatically cleans the teats before milking to prevent contamination. The device has a rotating shaft with discs at each end. Between the discs are multiple drawstrings. Each drawstring has protruding hairs. When the cow's teats are pulled through the device, the rotating shaft spins and the hairs on the drawstrings contact and clean the teats. This provides automated teat cleaning before milking to prevent contamination.

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Milking cluster with valves in each teat cup to prevent treatment fluid contamination and reduce teat compression during rest phases. The valve system has a pressure-actuated valve in each milk flow passageway from the teat cup to the cluster bowl. During milking, the valve opens to allow milk flow. During rest phases, the valve closes to prevent milk flow. This prevents treatment fluid from entering the teat cup during rest phases when milk is not being extracted. It also reduces compression on the teat during rest phases by allowing the liner to collapse more fully.

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Automated milking system for cows and other milk-producing animals that provides thorough teat cleaning, milking, and medication application in a single device. The system uses a robotic arm with a processing mechanism that moves inside a cattle restraint cage. Cameras monitor the animal's teats and a recognition module identifies them. The arm cleans, milks, and medicates the teats in sequence using components like a cleaning device, milk lining, and medication bath shell. This integrated teat processing prevents bacteria growth, improves milk quality, and eliminates the need for separate machines.

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A seal and teat cleaning cup for efficiently cleaning animal teats during milking. The teat cleaning cup has a removable lower part with a cleaning liquid valve and drainage. The cup also has a seal that seals between the removable lower part and the main cup body. The seal distributes cleaning liquid from the valve into channels in the cup that connect to apertures in the cup body. This allows cleaning liquid to flow from the valve to the center of the cup around the teat. It eliminates the need for complex Y-shaped channels in the cup, simplifying design and assembly. The removable lower part also allows easier cleaning access compared to fully enclosed cups.

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A device for periodic cleaning of milk pipelines in milking machines that improves milk quality and storage duration. The device is compact and portable, allowing easy movement through the milk pipeline network. It doesn't require long water supply lines or high-pressure pumps like existing systems. The device has a pump and a washer that flush the milk pipelines to remove deposits. It provides complete cleaning of internal surfaces without the need for industrial-grade fluids. This improves milk quality and storage time by preventing contamination buildup in the milk pipelines.

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Optimizing milking efficiency and animal welfare in automated milking systems by intelligently controlling vacuum pressure during the milking process. The control unit has a method where it applies increased vacuum during the production phase, then higher vacuum during exit. This stimulates oxytocin release and milk letdown, then helps drain the remaining milk. The transition to exit is based on time criteria or milk yield. This provides a more efficient and animal-friendly milking experience compared to fixed vacuum levels.

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Cleaning device for evacuated milk pipelines in milking installations that prevents buildup of contaminants on the cleaning device itself. The device has a cork-shaped cleaner with cutouts along a helical line and a perpendicular groove on the outer surface. This allows fluid to flow through the cutouts and around the cleaner as it rotates, preventing accumulation of contaminants on the outer surface.

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An automated teat preparation system for cows that cleans, dries, and disinfects teats without towels. The system uses a lightweight handpiece connected to a control unit. The handpiece has modes to selectively deliver air, pre-dip, and post-dip solutions. It also has features like deflection caps and squeezing bladders to reach and clean hard-to-reach areas, strip teats, and adjust spray patterns. The system eliminates towels, provides consistent cleaning, and allows manual control.

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A teat cleaning device for efficiently cleaning the teats of an animal prior to milking. The device has a cavity to receive the teat, three rotating axles with brushes on each, and a button to activate rotation. The brushes rub against the teat as it rotates around the cavity, cleaning all sides without manual rotation.

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A movable automatic milking system that eliminates the labor-intensive process of manually attaching and detaching milking cups. The system features a side-by-side Baoding fence, milking machine, and milking cup assembly. The milking cup is connected to the machine through a piping system, with the trolley-mounted manipulator moving to different milking stations. The system includes a camera system to monitor cow milking activity and transmit images to the control system, enabling real-time monitoring and automation of milking operations.

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Periodic cleaning device for milk pipelines in milking installations to improve milk quality and storage. The device has a rotating cleaning head with cuffs that sequentially cover the pipeline. The cuffs have holes on concentric circles to divide the annular area between the pipeline and shaft. This provides complete removal of deposits from the cuff chambers compared to prior devices. The cleaning head is moved by a separate motor rather than relying on pressure difference. This allows controlled motion instead of just translating. It also prevents close contact with the pipeline to effectively clean. The head rotates as it moves to remove air.

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Optimizing milk extraction in automated milking machines to increase efficiency and animal-friendliness. The method involves transitioning from a high vacuum during lifting to lower vacuums during exit based on a calculated time criterion. The higher vacuum during lifting stimulates milk flow. The lower vacuums during exit prevent over-stimulation. This sequence is based on analyzing past milking data to find the optimal transition point.

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Teat cleaning device for milking cows that thoroughly cleans teats, delivers disinfectant/germicide, and efficiently elicits optimal milk let-down. The device has two rotatable brushes connected by cables to a handle. The brushes can spin at variable speeds and in pulsating motion to mimic suckling. This enhances stimulation and milk let-down. The brushes clean, whisk dry, and deliver fluid (disinfectant/germicide) to the teats. The pulsating spin is controlled by a pinch trigger.

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A milk cow massage cleaning device that simplifies the traditional milking process by incorporating a massage system with a built-in cleaning mechanism. The device features a rotating cleaning element that can be positioned directly above the udder installation point, allowing for efficient and thorough cleaning of the udder surface. The cleaning element is connected to a rotating cleaning system that can be adjusted to different cleaning modes, while the massage system provides gentle rolling motions to stimulate milk production. The device integrates the cleaning and massage functions into a single unit, eliminating the need for separate cleaning and massage steps.

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A milking system with automated milking equipment attachment that enables precise and efficient milking operations. The system comprises a milking box with a robotic attachment mechanism that extends between the rear legs of dairy livestock. The system incorporates a specialized attachment system that securely attaches milking equipment to the dairy animal, enabling automated milking while minimizing labor requirements.

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A milking machine with precision nipple positioning enables more efficient milking and cow comfort. The machine features a rotating table with a precision-fitted nipple guide system that accurately positions the cow's teat during milking. The guide system comprises a rotating shaft with a precision-fitted connecting rod, an inner fence, and peripheral fences. Spacer plates between the fences create milking areas. The system incorporates a cleaning system with a waste tank, cleaning cup, water pump, and suction line to maintain cleanliness during milking. The design minimizes equipment interference, prevents teat damage, and optimizes milking efficiency while maintaining cow comfort during the milking process.

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A double-cylinder milk cow milk bath disinfection cleaner and method that provides a comprehensive and efficient solution for dairy cow udder disinfection. The system comprises two separate cleaning and disinfecting cylinders that work in tandem to ensure thorough and effective cleaning and disinfection of the udder area. The cylinders are designed to prevent cross-contamination and ensure consistent disinfection across multiple milking operations. The system eliminates the need for separate cleaning and disinfection products and reduces labor intensity compared to traditional methods.

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A rotary table milking machine with automated cow management features that improves cow handling efficiency. The machine features a compact design with integrated milking stations, automatic cup removal, and automated cow rotation upon completion of milking cycles. The system includes a vacuum system, milk storage tank, and a motorized turntable that moves in tandem with the vacuum system. The turntable features a stepping motor that synchronizes with the vacuum system to automatically rotate the cow to the next milking station after each cycle, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system incorporates a cup removal mechanism that automatically removes the milking cup from the cow's udder, ensuring efficient and sanitary milking practices.

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Automatic milking machine with integrated cup removal capability for efficient milking operations. The machine comprises a milking box and an automatic cupping box, with a unique partition separating the milk collection chambers. The machine features a milk inlet and outlet opening at one end of the milk tank, allowing for automated milking while maintaining a clean and sanitary environment. The cup removal system enables the machine to automatically detach milk cups from the milking machine, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing labor costs.

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