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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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 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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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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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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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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Cleaning and monitoring milk line systems through an innovative device that combines a rotating cleaning system with real-time monitoring of the cleaning process. The system comprises a motorized cleaning element, an LED lamp for internal quality control, and a photosensor for monitoring the cleaning process. The motorized cleaning element utilizes a fan to generate thrust, while the LED lamp and photosensor work together to monitor the cleaning process. This integrated system provides both effective cleaning of the pipeline walls and continuous quality control of the cleaning process.

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A dairy CIP (Cleaning, Interim, and Sanitizing) process that optimizes cleaning efficiency and safety while maintaining the integrity of dairy equipment. The method involves a multi-step cleaning sequence with precise control over liquid chemistry and temperature, followed by thorough sanitization. The process includes pre-washing, pickling, alkaline washes, sterilization, and final cleaning steps to ensure effective removal of bacteria and sanitizers while preserving equipment surfaces.

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A rotary milking system that maximizes milking efficiency by integrating automated teat cleaning and milking operations. The system features a rotating milking platform with integrated robotic manipulation devices that fetch and attach teat cups to animals during milking. The robotic devices are designed to maintain optimal teat cup positioning during rotation, enabling faster teat cleaning and milking cycles. The system employs a parallel configuration where each milking stall receives a dedicated robotic device, allowing for synchronized teat cleaning and milking operations. The robotic devices are equipped with automated teat cup attachment mechanisms that maintain proper teat cup positioning during rotation, ensuring efficient milking operations.

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Automated milking system for dairy animals that optimizes teat cleaning and disinfection through a novel fluid dispensing architecture. The system integrates separate dispensing lines for first and second process fluids, with automated positioning and control of the dispensing arm. This design enables precise control over fluid application and distribution, ensuring optimal teat cleaning and disinfection before and after milking. The system can be configured to apply additional treatment fluids at specific positions during the milking process, providing enhanced hygiene and surface preparation for the animal's udder.

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Automated teat cleaning system for rotary milking platforms that optimizes cleaning between milking cycles. The system integrates cleaning devices into each milking stall, with the cleaning process synchronized with platform rotation. When the platform reaches a predetermined rotational position, the cleaning devices automatically clean teat cups between milking cycles, utilizing a closed-loop cleaning circuit that includes a milk conduit and a cleaning medium supply system. The cleaning devices are positioned strategically to facilitate efficient cleaning between milking cycles, with positioning mechanisms ensuring optimal alignment with teat cups and milk conduit connections.

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Automated milking system that enables precise control over milking parameters through real-time monitoring and automated adjustments. The system integrates a milking controller with advanced sensors and processing capabilities to optimize milk production and quality through automated control of parameters such as pulsation, vacuum, and massage. The system also features automatic detection of cow health indicators and residual milk levels. The system provides real-time monitoring and alerts for potential issues like mastitis, while also enabling automated cleaning and maintenance. The system's automated control and display capabilities enable precise parameter adjustments based on real-time data, ensuring optimal milk production and cow health.

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A nipple washer for dairy cows that provides a comprehensive cleaning system with enhanced safety and efficiency. The system incorporates an air-driven cleaning mechanism that rotates the washing tub to distribute cleaning solution and air mixture for thorough cleaning. The cleaning solution is mixed with air to create a gentle, massaging action that stimulates the nipple while preventing cross-contamination. The system features a safety switch that automatically turns off the cleaning process when a predetermined condition is met, ensuring optimal milk quality while minimizing labor intensity and equipment wear. The design enables continuous cleaning without the need for manual scrubbing, reducing labor costs and improving milk production.

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A device for cleaning milk lines in milking machines that achieves enhanced cleaning performance through a novel fan-driven cleaning system. The device comprises a motorized cleaning system with a rotating wiper that discharges cleaning fluid through an annular channel between the machine's pipeline and the motor. The rotating wiper creates a high-velocity impaction zone that effectively removes milk residue, while the fan-driven mechanism provides the necessary thrust to displace cleaning fluid. The system's unique design enables continuous cleaning motion through the pipeline, eliminating the need for rotational motion in traditional cleaning systems.

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Intelligent milking system that streamlines animal care operations through automated milking, sterilization, and storage processes. The system integrates milking, sterilization, storage, and waste management functions into a single, automated facility that replaces manual labor. The system features a milking parlor, teat cups, milk storage, sterilization processing, and a storage container. The system's control system coordinates these functions through a network of sensors and actuators. This integrated approach enables efficient milking, sterilization, and storage operations while providing comprehensive animal care.

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A milking machine for dairy farms that eliminates the need for manual sterilization, breast massage, and tank cleaning after milking, while maintaining the traditional teat cup milking and vacuum system. The machine incorporates an integrated cleaning system that automatically cleans the milking equipment and tank after each milking cycle, eliminating the need for manual cleaning procedures. This design addresses the challenges associated with traditional milking machines while maintaining the efficiency and quality of milk production.

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A milking cup system with automatic leak detection and control through a novel pressure monitoring architecture. The system integrates pressure sensors into the milking cup design, specifically targeting the liner and pulsation chamber, to monitor pressure changes. These sensors feed back pressure data to a controller that activates the three-way valve. By dynamically controlling the valve position, the system prevents excessive pressure drops during teat milking and prevents foreign object contamination. This approach enables early detection of liner damage, ensuring efficient milking while minimizing waste and maintaining animal health.

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A milk collection device that enhances milk quality through advanced automation and cleaning systems. The device features a milking apparatus, conduit, milk storage means, and a control unit that integrates multiple functions: detection, processing, and cleaning. The control unit monitors milking operations, detects milk quality issues, and automatically initiates cleaning cycles to maintain optimal storage conditions. This integrated approach ensures consistent milk quality while extending equipment lifespan.

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