MAASLAND N.V. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140318459 | IMPLEMENT FOR AUTOMATICALLY MILKING A DAIRY ANIMAL - An implement for automatically milking a dairy animal, such as a cow, comprises a milking parlour, a sensor for observing a teat, and a milking robot for automatically attaching a teat cup to the teat. The milking robot comprises a robot control that is connected to the sensor. The sensor comprises a radiation source for emitting light, a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the dairy animal, a lens, and sensor control unit. The sensor comprises a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers. The sensor control unit is designed to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate the distance from the sensor to a plurality of points on the part to be observed of the dairy animal. | 10-30-2014 |
20140238303 | METHOD OF AND DEVICE FOR MANAGING A GROUP OF DAIRY ANIMALS, AS WELL AS A COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT THEREFOR - A device and computer program product arranged to manage a group of dairy animals including individually recognizing each animal by an animal identification system, milking the animals to give actual milk yields for each animal, and feeding the animals with a predetermined individual ration, collecting data regarding the group of dairy animals, which data includes for each animal at least the actual milk yield and an amount of the individual ration consumed by the animal, wherein subsequent individual milk yields are estimated using a model on the basis of said data, and wherein, for one or more animals, at least one of the individual ration and the milking of individual dairy animals is adjusted in a regulatory step of the model using a precondition. | 08-28-2014 |
20130333728 | TEAT CUP CLEANING DEVICE AND METHOD - A teat cup cleaning device comprises a heating chamber provided with a discharge outlet that is closable by a valve and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device is arranged for filling the heating chamber with an amount of cleaning liquid and retaining a given quantity of gas. The chamber is provided with a heating arrangement arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. On operation of the valve superheated cleaning liquid is discharged to clean a teat cup. | 12-19-2013 |
20130092198 | TEAT CUP CLEANING DEVICE AND METHOD RELATED THERETO - A teat cup cleaning device having a heating chamber, provided with a discharge which is closable by a valve, and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device is provided for filling the heating chamber with an amount of cleaning liquid, and a heating arrangement is arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. The valve opens in this situation to deliver the heated cleaning liquid to the teat cup. The teat cup cleaning device also comprising a connecting line between a liquid supply and the discharge. | 04-18-2013 |
20130000559 | MILKING IMPLEMENT - An autonomous mobile milking implement having a frame with, a sub-frame which is adjustable in height and which has at least one teat cup holder and a teat cup movable relative thereto. The teat cup holder is tiltable, via a tilting mechanism coupled to the teat cup holder and the frame between a substantially vertical position and a second partially inverted position. The milking implement protects the teat cups against contamination and is capable of storing them in a compact manner. | 01-03-2013 |
20120255495 | MILKING IMPLEMENT - A milking implement comprising a frame with, disposed thereon, at least one teat cup holder with a teat cup movable relative thereto, and a replacing element connected with the teat cup, wherein the frame further includes an intermediate arm connected with the frame and with the teat cup holder and having a first joint and a second joint about which the teat cup holder and the intermediate arm, respectively, are tiltable with the aid of the replacing element, and a spring coupled with the teat cup holder and the frame and, if desired, with the intermediate arm. | 10-11-2012 |
20110174227 | INSTALLATION FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID FEED TO AN ANIMAL AND AN AUTONOMOUSLY DISPLACEABLE VEHICLE FOR USE IN SUCH AN INSTALLATION - An installation for supplying liquid feed to an animal, such as a calf. The installation comprises one or more feed loading places and one or more feed unloading places, and one or more vehicles that are autonomously displaceable, controlled by a microprocessor or the like, between one or more feed loading places and one or more feed unloading places, each vehicle comprising a drinking nozzle, such as a flexible teat, which is movably mounted relative to the remaining part of the displaceable vehicle, and a height adjusting device for adjusting a height of the drinking nozzle. | 07-21-2011 |
20110083700 | TEAT CUP CLEANING DEVICE AND METHOD - A teat cup cleaning device comprises a heating chamber provided with a discharge outlet that is closable by a valve and arranged for connection to a teat cup. A filling device is arranged for filling the heating chamber with an amount of cleaning liquid and retaining a given quantity of gas. The chamber is provided with a heating arrangement arranged to heat the contents of the heating chamber to a temperature T higher than the boiling point Tk of the cleaning liquid at ambient pressure. On operation of the valve superheated cleaning liquid is discharged to clean a teat cup. | 04-14-2011 |
20110048329 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A MILKING IMPLEMENT, A SOFTWARE PROGRAM FOR AND AN IMPLEMENT PERFORMING THE METHOD - Method of controlling a milking implement for automatically milking a dairy animal with an udder, such as a cow, which milking implement comprises a camera and a teat cup, which method comprises the following steps:
| 03-03-2011 |
20110011344 | COMBINATION OF A TEAT CUP AND A FLEXIBLE MILK TUBE, A COUPLING PIECE, AND A METHOD OF MONITORING THE INTEGRITY OF THE FLEXIBLE MILK TUBE - A combination of a teat cup and a flexible milk tube is shown. The flexible milk tube has a main duct and a plurality of secondary ducts for discharging milk from the teat cup and for applying vacuum in the teat cup. The main duct is confined by a duct wall extending around the main duct. The secondary ducts are included in the duct wall of the main duct. By including the plurality of secondary ducts in the duct wall of the main duct the flexible milk tube as a whole has a smaller cross-section than that of the known milk tube. The plurality of secondary ducts no longer need separate duct walls forming separate tubes either connected or not with the flexible milk tube comprising the main duct. This results in space saving. | 01-20-2011 |
20100326363 | FEED WAGON FOR FEEDING ANIMALS SUCH AS COWS - A feed wagon for feeding animals such as cows comprises an autonomous vehicle, a container for containing feed, wherein the container has at least one aperture for filling and emptying the container, and a connection between the autonomous vehicle and the container. The container is substantially cylindrical and rotatable about its axial axis, the container having an operative position for receiving and/or mixing feed and an unloading position for unloading the feed. The connection between the autonomous vehicle and the container comprises a tilt axis, the cylindrical container being tiltable about the tilt axis between the operative position and the unloading position relative to the autonomous vehicle. The invention further comprises a system for feeding animals such as cows, comprising such a feed wagon. | 12-30-2010 |
20100186676 | MILKING IMPLEMENT - A milking implement comprising a frame with, disposed thereon, at least one teat cup holder with a teat cup movable relative thereto, and a replacing element connected with the teat cup, wherein the frame further includes an intermediate arm connected with the frame and with the teat cup holder and having a first joint and a second joint about which the teat cup holder and the intermediate arm, respectively, are tiltable with the aid of the replacing element, and a spring coupled with the teat cup holder and the frame and, if desired, with the intermediate arm. | 07-29-2010 |
20100186675 | IMPLEMENT FOR AUTOMATICALLY MILKING A DAIRY ANIMAL - An implement for automatically milking a dairy animal, such as a cow, comprises a milking parlour, a sensor for observing a teat, and a milking robot for automatically attaching a teat cup to the teat. The milking robot comprises a robot control that is connected to the sensor. The sensor comprises a radiation source for emitting light, a receiver for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the dairy animal, a lens, and sensor control unit. The sensor comprises a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers. The sensor control unit is designed to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate the distance from the sensor to a plurality of points on the part to be observed of the dairy animal. | 07-29-2010 |
20100170445 | METHOD OF AND DEVICE FOR MANAGING A GROUP OF DAIRY ANIMALS, AS WELL AS A COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT THEREFOR - The invention provides a method of managing a group of dairy animals including individually recognizing each animal by an animal identification system, milking the animals to give actual milk yields for each animal, and feeding the animals with an predetermined individual ration, collecting data regarding the group of dairy animals, which data comprise for each animal at least the actual milk yield and an amount of the individual ration consumed by the animal, wherein subsequent individual milk yields are estimated using a model on the basis of said data, and wherein, for one or more animals, at least one of the individual ration and the milking of individual dairy animals is adjusted in a regulatory step of the model using a precondition. The invention also provides a device and a computer program product, arranged to perform such a method. | 07-08-2010 |
20100154722 | SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF MANAGING A GROUP OF ANIMALS - A system for and method of managing a group of animals include a control system, a camera operatively connected to it for forming a depth-image of at least one animal, and an animal management or actuator mechanism operatively connected to the control system. The control system compares information regarding the depth-image formed by the camera with reference information regarding the animal, generates control information on this basis, and sends the control information to the animal management or actuator mechanism. The camera includes an emitting source of electromagnetic radiation, a matrix with a plurality of rows and columns of receivers for receiving radiation reflected from the animal, a lens for displaying the reflected radiation on the receivers, and a sensor controller operatively connected to the source of radiation in order to modulate the radiation and determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected radiation. | 06-24-2010 |
20100077960 | SYSTEM FOR DEMARCATING AN AREA - A system for demarcating an area comprises a movable demarcating element, and a control system for determining the magnitude and/or the moment of a next move of the movable demarcating element. The system furthermore comprises one or more observation devices for observing an entity near the movable demarcating element, such as a position of a dairy animal or an amount of grass in the area. The observation devices are operatively connected to the control system for transmitting a signal from the observation means to the control system. The control system is designed to receive and process the signal from the observation means to determine the magnitude and/or the moment of the next move of the movable demarcating element. | 04-01-2010 |
20100065801 | MOBILE SUPPORT, ASSEMBLY WITH A FIRST AND A SECOND MOBILE SUPPORT AND TERRAIN DEMARCATION - A mobile support for supporting a wire-shaped terrain demarcation on an area of ground, having a plurality of segments rotatable about an axis. Each segment comprises a spoke having a free end, wherein at least one segment has a greater flexibility in an axial direction than in a direction tangential to the axial direction. | 03-18-2010 |
20100049392 | SYSTEM FOR DEMARCATING AN AREA - A system for demarcating an area comprises a first vehicle, an attachment point, a demarcating element, a motor and a vehicle control unit. The demarcating element extends from the first vehicle to the attachment point. The system furthermore comprises a camera, which camera is operatively connected to the vehicle control unit. | 02-25-2010 |
20100017035 | ASSEMBLY OF A MILKING ROBOT WITH A MILKING ROBOT FEEDING PLACE, AND A DEVICE FOR GRIPPING AND DISPLACING MATERIAL - The invention provides a device for gripping and displacing material, provided with a gripper, comprising controller for the gripper and a sensor for forming an image of an observation area, which sensor is connected to the controller, wherein the sensor comprises a source of radiation for modulated electromagnetic radiation, a receiver device for radiation reflected by an object, comprising a matrix of receivers, an optical device for displaying the reflected radiation on the receiver device, and sensor image processor in order to determine for each receiver a phase difference between the electromagnetic radiation emitted and the electromagnetic radiation reflected in order to calculate a distance from the receiver to the object. A device equipped with such a sensor is capable of functioning in a very reliable, safe and multifunctional manner, because it is capable of processing spatial images during operation. The invention also provides an assembly of the device and a feeding place, in particular of a milking robot and a milking robot feeding place. | 01-21-2010 |
20100012038 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING A GROUP OF DAIRY ANIMALS - A system for managing a group of dairy animals to be milked fully automatically, where the dairy animals go through a lactation cycle comprising phases of calving, inmilking, producing milk, and being dry. The system includes a computer executing program instructions for recording information and processing data indicating a division of the group of dairy animals into subgroups of a plurality of dairy animals, an insemination period determined per subgroup within which the dairy animals of the subgroup concerned are to be inseminated, which insemination period is so short that substantially all dairy animals in the subgroup concerned go simultaneously through the lactation cycle, and a separation of pregnant dairy animals of at least one of the subgroups in a separate area, around the beginning of the being dry phase of the subgroup concerned. The system also includes at least one milking robot for automatically milking the dairy animals, operatively connected to the computer for receiving first instructions from the computer for milking the dairy animals in the non-separated subgroups, and second instructions from the computer for milking the dairy animals in the separated subgroup in the separate area. | 01-21-2010 |
20100006127 | UNMANNED VEHICLE FOR DISPLACING DUNG - An unmanned vehicle for displacing material, in particular dung, from the floor of a shed includes a frame, with disposed thereon a material displacer, propulsion mechanism and navigator with a sensor for forming an image of an observation area, the sensor including a source of radiation for modulated electromagnetic radiation, a receiver device for electromagnetic radiation reflected by an object in the observation area, and a sensor image processor, wherein the receiver device includes a matrix with a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of receivers, and the sensor image processor is configured to determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate a distance from the receiver to the object. Such a vehicle is capable of detecting and displacing material in a very reliable manner by utilization of the depth image obtained by the sensor. | 01-14-2010 |
20100006034 | UNMANNED VEHICLE FOR SUPPLYING FEED TO AN ANIMAL - An unmanned vehicle for supplying feed to an animal, which is provided with a frame, with propulsion mechanism disposed thereon, feed supplier for supplying feed and navigator connected to the propulsion mechanism with a sensor for forming an image of an observation area, wherein the sensor comprises: a source of radiation for emitting modulated electromagnetic radiation, a receiver device for radiation reflected by an object, comprising a matrix with rows and columns of receivers, an optical device and sensor image processor configured to determine for the receivers a phase difference between the emitted electromagnetic radiation and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate a distance from the receiver to the object. Through use of the unmanned vehicle device an excellent and reliable navigation is possible, so that, for example, milk can be conveyed efficiently from a milking implement to a calf. | 01-14-2010 |
20090308327 | APPARATUS FOR DISPLACING OBJECTS, AN ASSEMBLY OF SUCH AN APPARATUS AND A STABLE - An apparatus for displacing objects. The apparatus comprises a displaceable support and a holding device for holding objects that is fastened to the support ( | 12-17-2009 |
20090288681 | APPARATUS FOR AND A METHOD FOR CLEANING THE FLOOR OF AN ACCOMODATION OF AN ANIMAL - An apparatus for cleaning the floor of an accommodation of an animal. The apparatus is provided with an air-flow-generating device and with a control system for controlling the operation of the apparatus, the apparatus being movable over the floor controlled by the control system and the apparatus performing a cleaning of the floor controlled by the control system. The control system is programmed in such a way that the control system controls the cleaning of the floor in such a way that the control system first activates and subsequently deactivates the air-flow-generating device. A method of cleaning the floor of an accommodation for an animal, the method comprising, as a first cleaning step, first generating an air flow and directing the air flow to the floor for removing loose material lying thereon. An apparatus for cleaning the floor of an accommodation of an animal, which apparatus is provided with an air-flow-generating device, and with a control system for controlling the operation of the apparatus, the apparatus being movable over the floor controlled by the control system and the apparatus performing a cleaning of the floor controlled by the control system, the apparatus comprising a master unit and a mobile unit that is movable relative to the master unit, the floor-cleaning device and the air-flow-generating device being disposed on the mobile unit that is movable relative to the remaining part of the apparatus. | 11-26-2009 |
20090133635 | METHOD OF AND AN INSTALLATION FOR FEEDING AN ANIMAL IN A FEEDING BOX - A method of feeding an animal in a feeding box. The method comprises at least the following steps, the steps a-c not necessarily taking place in the given sequence: a) identifying the animal in the feeding box, b) closing the feeding box, in such a way that access to the feeding box is impeded for an animal outside the feeding box, c) supplying feed to the animal in the feeding box in a chosen eating period of time. An installation for feeding an animal, which installation is provided with a frame that encloses at any rate at least partially a frame area. A neutral position means for positioning a passage means into one particular neutral position. | 05-28-2009 |
20090069968 | UNMANNED AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE FOR DISPLACING FEED - An unmanned autonomous vehicle for displacing feed lying on a floor is provided with two wheels that are separately drivable, a distance determining device for determining the distance from the vehicle to a wall portion, an orientation determining device for determining the orientation of the centre line of the vehicle relative to the wall portion, a torque difference determining device for determining the torque difference between the wheels, a control unit for controlling the vehicle and moving it in a direction of travel, and a feed displacing arrangement for displacing feed substantially sidewardly. The control unit may be programmed in such a way that during operation the vehicle will maintain a distance determined by the distance determining device to the wall portion, which distance is greater than or equal to a pre-adjusted minimum distance to the wall portion. During operation the centre line of the vehicle may be maintained with an orientation determined by the orientation determining device relative to the wall portion, which orientation is at least almost equal to a pre-adjusted orientation. During operation the drivable wheels of the vehicle may show a torque difference determined by the torque difference determining device, which difference can then be maintained at a value smaller than or equal to a pre-adjusted maximum torque. | 03-12-2009 |
20080289667 | TEAT CUP CLEANING DEVICE AND METHOD RELATED THERETO - A teat cup cleaning device having a heating chamber ( | 11-27-2008 |
20080257266 | METHOD OF AND AN INSTALLATION FOR MILKING AN ANIMAL HAVING AT LEAST TWO TEATS - A method of milking an animal having at least two teats. The method comprises a stimulation phase in which the teats of the animal are stimulated and a milking phase in which the animal is milked. The method comprises the steps of applying a stimulation phase and a milking phase to one of the teats of the animal and applying substantially only a milking phase to at least one of the other teats of the animal. The method further comprises a determination phase in which the teat with the shortest period of time in which the teat is milked out is determined, the stimulation phase and the milking phase being applied to the animal's teat with the shortest period of time, and the milking phase being applied substantially only to at least one of the other teats of the animal. | 10-23-2008 |
20080257265 | METHOD OF AND IMPLEMENT FOR MILKING DAIRY ANIMALS - A method of milking dairy animals, wherein the dairy animals are milked by a milking implement. An access device is provided for allowing or not allowing a dairy animal access to a waiting area for the milking implement. The access device has at least a first and a second access state, which access states have mutually different accesses for the dairy animals to the waiting area. The method comprises the steps of providing the first access state of the access device; identifying by means of an animal identification system an animal which is milked by the milking implement; determining a milking implement processing data on the basis of the identified animals; comparing the milking implement processing data with a criterion; and providing the second access state of the access device when the milking implement processing data meets the criterion | 10-23-2008 |
20080251024 | Assembly of Milking a Robot With a Milking Robot Feeding Place, Such as a Milking Robot Feed Trough, and a Device For Gripping and Displacing Material, Such as For Example Roughage and/or Concentrate For Animals - An assembly of a milking robot with a milking robot feeding place, such as a milking robot feed trough, and a device for gripping and displacing material, such as for example roughage and/or concentrate for animals. The device is provided with a gripper ( | 10-16-2008 |
20080251022 | METHOD OF AND AN INSTALLATION FOR MILKING AN ANIMAL - A method of milking an animal comprises determining the identity of the animal and discharging the milk obtained by milking the identified animal to a storage container. The identity of the animal is determined after connecting a teat cup to a teat of the animal or after confining the animal in a milking place and before discharging the milk to the storage container. An installation for milking an animal is provided with a determination device for determining the identity of the animal, a transport arrangement for transporting milk to a storage container for storing the milk and with a control unit for controlling the determination device and the transport arrangements. The control unit is programmed for additionally determining the identity of the animal after connecting a teat cup to a teat of the animal or after confining the animal in a milking place and before discharging the milk to the storage container. | 10-16-2008 |
20080236509 | INSTALLATION FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID FEED TO AN ANIMAL AND AN AUTONOMOUSLY DISPLACEABLE VEHICLE FOR USE IN SUCH AN INSTALLATION - An installation for supplying liquid feed to an animal, such as a calf. The installation comprises one or more feed loading places ( | 10-02-2008 |
20080216761 | CUBICLE CONSTRUCTION AND A COUPLING FOR SUCH A CUBICLE CONSTRUCTION - A cubicle construction for forming a partition of an animal place has a partition element extending in the longitudinal direction of an animal place and a coupling for fastening the partition element to a support. The coupling comprises a support portion for fastening to the support and a partition element portion for fastening to the partition element, the partition element being movable in height by rotation about an axis of rotation. The coupling comprises a closing element for making the partition element portion detachable from the support portion via a movement of the partition element portion perpendicular to the axis of rotation. | 09-11-2008 |
20080216751 | DEVICE FOR MILKING ANIMALS - A device for milking animals includes a milking robot for automatically connecting at least two teat cups to the teats of an animal to be milked. The milk yielded is collected in a milk container. In each milk line, between a respective teat cup and the milk container, there is provided an auxiliary reservoir for collecting milk obtained at the beginning of the milking process. The auxiliary reservoir has an outlet aperture with a closing device. Each auxiliary reservoir is disposed in a respective mounting block, the various mounting blocks being arranged side by side, and the device is provided with an arrangement for simultaneously operating the closing devices. | 09-11-2008 |
20080216750 | METHOD OF STIMULATING THE TEATS ... - A method of stimulating the teats of the udder of an animal comprises determining the dead milking time per udder or per quarter during a number of milkings and checking, on the basis of these historical data, whether a respective quarter has to be pre-stimulated and, if so, during what period of time. A pulsator controlled in three phases, makes it possible to adapt the suction-rest ratio of the pulsator at quarter level on the basis of the milk flow profile of the respective udder quarter. | 09-11-2008 |