This invention is related to a double grab, its rinsing cup and milking machine provided therewith, and the method for automatically applying test cups to the teats of an udder of an animal to be milked. The double grab according to the invention includes: a first housing part provided with a first magnet designed to hold a first teat cup; a second housing part, installed substantially in a horizontal plane next to the first housing part, provided with a second magnet designed to hold a second teat cup; whereby each housing part is provided with separate pivoting means that can be activated and is designed to make the related housing part pivot around a pivoting axis which in use, extends substantially in a horizontal direction, substantially in a widthwise direction of the arm.

A control system for operating a robotic milking system utilizing at least two robotic milkers maximizes the efficiency of the operation of the robotic milking system. The milk delivery lines are provided with sensors in operable communication with a microprocessor to control the operation of teat washing apparatus and to control the flow of milk from the robotic milkers while milk receiving lines are being cleaned, enabling one robotic milker to be undergoing a wash procedure while the other robotic milker is undergoing a milking procedure. The teat washing apparatus has a pair of counter rotating rolls passing over the cow's teats in a downward direction and an air knife located above the rolls to dry the teats for a subsequent milking procedure. The teat washing apparatus makes a cleaning pass, returns to a home position for cleaning, and then makes a sanitizing pass to ready the cow for milking.

A control system for operating a robotic milking system utilizing at least two robotic milkers maximizes the efficiency of the operation of the robotic milking system. The milk delivery lines are provided with sensors in operable communication with a microprocessor to control the operation of teat washing apparatus and to control the flow of milk from the robotic milkers while milk receiving lines are being cleaned, enabling one robotic milker to be undergoing a wash procedure while the other robotic milker is undergoing a milking procedure. The teat washing apparatus has a pair of counter rotating rolls passing over the cow's teats in a downward direction and an air knife located above the rolls to dry the teats for a subsequent milking procedure. The teat washing apparatus makes a cleaning pass, returns to a home position for cleaning, and then makes a sanitizing pass to ready the cow for milking.

Embodiments are directed to a threaded gear assembly and a hand-held applicator for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. In an embodiment, a threaded gear is provided which comprises a disk-shaped member having a perimeter and a plurality of radiating teeth circumferentially arranged and integrated with the perimeter of the disk-shaped member, the plurality of radiating teeth being configured to impart torque. The threaded gear includes a bore hole in a center of the disk-shaped member, the bore hole including internal threading along a surface within the bore hole.

Embodiments are directed to a threaded gear assembly and a hand-held applicator for cleaning a teat of a milk-producing animal. In an embodiment, a threaded gear is provided which comprises a disk-shaped member having a perimeter and a plurality of radiating teeth circumferentially arranged and integrated with the perimeter of the disk-shaped member, the plurality of radiating teeth being configured to impart torque. The threaded gear includes a bore hole in a center of the disk-shaped member, the bore hole including internal threading along a surface within the bore hole.

The present invention relates to preparing dairy animal teats for being milked, and more particularly to teat preparation, rinsing, and milking that all take place in a milking machine teat cup liner. Such a method includes: applying a teat sanitizer to the teat; injecting air into the liner to force the teat sanitizer toward a waste milk line connected to the liner; pulsating the liner at a first pulsation rate; drawing a rinsing milk from the teat; directing the teat sanitizer, the air, and the rinsing fluid to the waste milk line; pulsating the liner at a second pulsation rate to draw additional milk from the teat; and directing the additional milk to a good milk line.

The present invention relates to preparing dairy animal teats for being milked, and more particularly to teat preparation, rinsing, and milking that all take place in a milking machine teat cup liner. Such a method includes: applying a teat sanitizer to the teat; injecting air into the liner to force the teat sanitizer toward a waste milk line connected to the liner; pulsating the liner at a first pulsation rate; drawing a rinsing milk from the teat; directing the teat sanitizer, the air, and the rinsing fluid to the waste milk line; pulsating the liner at a second pulsation rate to draw additional milk from the teat; and directing the additional milk to a good milk line.

This invention is related to a double grab, its rinsing cup and milking machine provided therewith, and the method for automatically applying teat cups to the teats of an udder of an animal to be milked. The double grab according to the invention includes:a first housing part provided with a first magnet designed to hold a first teat cup;a second housing part, installed substantially in a horizontal plane next to the first housing part, provided with a second magnet designed to hold a second teat cup;whereby each housing part is provided with separate pivoting means that can be activated and is designed to make the related housing part pivot around a pivoting axis which in use, extends substantially in a horizontal direction, substantially in a widthwise direction of the arm.

This invention is related to a double grab, its rinsing cup and milking machine provided therewith, and the method for automatically applying teat cups to the teats of an udder of an animal to be milked. The double grab according to the invention includes:a first housing part provided with a first magnet designed to hold a first teat cup;a second housing part, installed substantially in a horizontal plane next to the first housing part, provided with a second magnet designed to hold a second teat cup;whereby each housing part is provided with separate pivoting means that can be activated and is designed to make the related housing part pivot around a pivoting axis which in use, extends substantially in a horizontal direction, substantially in a widthwise direction of the arm.

This invention is related to a double grab, its rinsing cup and milking machine provided therewith, and the method for automatically applying teat cups to the teats of an udder of an animal to be milked. The double grab according to the invention includes: a first housing part provided with a first magnet designed to hold a first teat cup; a second housing part, installed substantially in a horizontal plane next to the first housing part, provided with a second magnet designed to hold a second teat cup; whereby each housing part is provided with separate pivoting means that can be activated and is designed to make the related housing part pivot around a pivoting axis which in use, extends substantially in a horizontal direction, substantially in a widthwise direction of the arm.