Fluid Application Systems And Methods And Milking Systems And Methods

Abstract

A fluid application system for automatically applying a fluid to the teats of an animal subsequent to the milking of the animal comprises a fluid delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of applicators, wherein each of the applicators is arranged in connection with a respective teat cup and is provided for applying the fluid to a teat of the animal, to which the respective teat cup is attached during the milking of the animal, in connection with a detachment of the teat cup from the teat. A control arrangement is provided for (i) determining, for a detachment of a teat cup from a teat, whether that detachment is a normal detachment or an abnormal detachment, and (ii) controlling, for the detachment of the teat cup from the teat, the applicator arranged in connection with that teat cup to apply the fluid provided that the detachment is a normal detachment and to not apply the fluid provided that the detachment is an abnormal detachment.

1 . A fluid application system for automatically applying a fluid to the teats of an animal subsequent to the milking of said animal by milking equipment, said system comprising:
 a fluid delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of applicators, wherein each of said applicators is arranged in connection with a respective teat cup of said milking equipment and is provided for applying said fluid to a teat of the animal in connection with a detachment of said teat cup from the respective teat, and   wherein said fluid delivery arrangement includes two valves connected in series to provide a failsafe delivery arrangement for preventing application of said fluid if one of said two valves fails.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid application system of  claim 1 , wherein said valves are solenoid type valves. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid application system of  claim 1 , wherein said valves are spring loaded valves that default to a closed position and must be energized to open. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid application system of  claim 1 , comprising an application control arrangement for controlling the application of fluid by said applicators. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid application system of  claim 1 , comprising a valve control arrangement for controlling said two valves. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid applications system of  claim 1 , comprising a control arrangement for detecting whether said detachment of a teat cup from a respective teat of the animal is a normal detachment or an abnormal detachment, and for controlling the respective applicator to (a) apply said fluid when said detachment is a normal detachment, and (b) prevent fluid application when said detachment is an abnormal detachment. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid application system of  claim 6 , wherein a detachment occurring prior to the end of milking is recognized by said control arrangement as being an abnormal detachment, wherein said teat cup should be re-attached for further milking of said respective teat, and a detachment at the end of milking is recognized by said control arrangement as being a normal detachment; wherein said detached teat cup should not be re-attached for further milking of said respective teat. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid application system of  claim 1 , comprising a control arrangement for detecting whether said detachment of said teat cup from said respective teat of the animal is a normal detachment or an abnormal detachment, and for controlling the respective applicator to prevent administration of said fluid upon said detachment of the teat cup, irrespective of whether said detachment is a normal detachment or an abnormal detachment. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid application system of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid comprises one or both of a disinfectant and a conditioner. 
     
     
         10 . A milking system comprising one or more fluid application systems for automatically applying a fluid to the teats of an animal subsequent to the milking of said animal by milking equipment, each fluid application system including:
 a fluid delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of applicators, wherein
 each one of the applicators is arranged in connection with a respective teat cup of said milking equipment and is provided for applying said fluid to a teat of the animal in connection with a detachment of the teat cup from the respective teat, wherein 
 said fluid delivery arrangement includes two valves connected in series to provide a failsafe delivery arrangement in order to prevent application of said fluid if one of the two valves fails. 
   
     
     
         11 . The fluid application system of  claim 10 , wherein said two valves are selected from the group consisting of (a) solenoid type valves and (b) spring loaded valves that default to a closed position and must be energized to open. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid application system of  claim 10 , comprising a control arrangement for controlling one or both of said milking equipment and said application of fluid by said applicators. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid application system of  claim 10 , comprising a valve control arrangement for controlling the two valves. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid applications system of  claim 10 , comprising a control arrangement for detecting whether said detachment of a teat cup from a respective teat of the animal is a normal detachment or an abnormal detachment, and for controlling said respective applicator to (a) apply said fluid provided when said detachment is a normal detachment, and (b) prevent fluid application when said detachment is an abnormal detachment. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid application system of  claim 14 , wherein a detachment occurring prior to the end of milking is recognized by said control arrangement as being an abnormal detachment, wherein said teat cup should be re-attached for further milking of said respective teat, and a detachment at the end of milking is recognized by said control arrangement as being a normal detachment; wherein said detached teat cup should not be re-attached for further milking of said respective teat. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid application system of  claim 10 , comprising a control arrangement for detecting whether said detachment of the teat cup from the respective teat of the animal is a normal detachment or an abnormal detachment, and for automatically controlling the applicator arranged in connection with said teat cup to prevent administration of said fluid, irrespective of whether the detachment is a normal detachment or an abnormal detachment. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid application system of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid comprises one or both of a disinfectant and a conditioner. 
     
     
         18 . A milking system comprising, for each one of a plurality of milking positions:
 milking equipment;   a fluid delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of applicators, wherein
 each one of the applicators is arranged in connection with a respective teat cup of said milking equipment and is provided for applying said fluid to a teat of the animal in connection with a detachment of the teat cup from the respective teat, wherein 
 said fluid delivery arrangement includes two valves connected in series to provide a failsafe delivery arrangement in order to prevent application of said fluid if one of the two valves fails; and 
   a control arrangement for controlling the applicators and the milking equipment.   
     
     
         19 . The milking system of  claim 18 , the control arrangement including a first controller for controlling the applicators and a second controller for controlling the milking equipment, said first and second controllers being separated from one another. 
     
     
         20 . The milking system of  claim 19 , the first controller configured for detecting whether a detachment of a teat cup from a respective teat of the animal is a normal type detachment or an abnormal type detachment, and for controlling application of said fluid according to the type of detachment detected. 
     
     
         21 . A fluid application system for automatically applying a fluid to the teats of an animal subsequent to the milking of said animal by milking equipment, said system comprising a fluid delivery arrangement having:
 a plurality of applicators, wherein each of said applicators is arranged in connection with a respective teat cup of said milking equipment and is provided for applying said fluid to a teat of the animal in connection with a detachment of said teat cup from the respective teat;   a first line for delivering the fluid to the teat cup;   a second line for delivering water to the teat cup; and   a third line for delivering air to the teat cup; and   a valve manifold having a first valve for controlling delivery of the fluid; a second valve for controlling delivery of the water; a third valve for controlling delivery of the air, and a safety valve connected in series with each of the first, second and third valves, for preventing contamination of milk by the fluid in the event of a coil failure.   
     
     
         22 . A fluid application system for automatically applying a fluid to the teats of an animal subsequent to the milking of said animal by milking equipment, said system comprising a fluid delivery arrangement having:
 a plurality of applicators, wherein each of said applicators is arranged in connection with a respective teat cup of said milking equipment and is provided for applying said fluid to a teat of the animal in connection with a detachment of said teat cup from the respective teat;   a first line for delivering the fluid to the teat cup;   a second line for delivering water to the teat cup; and   a third line for delivering air to the teat cup; and   a valve manifold having a first valve for delivery of the fluid; a second valve for delivery of the water; a third valve for delivery of the air, and a safety valve connected in series with each of the first, second and third valves, for preventing contamination of milk by the fluid;   wherein the fluid is supplied to the applicators via the first line when both the first valve and the safety valve are open; and wherein, upon failure of the fluid valve in an open position, the fluid is ejected from the valve manifold to prevent contamination of the milk.