GB2564180A

GB2564180A - Improvements relating to sampling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2564180A
Application number: GB1803576.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Basel Berkan; Kromwijk Toon
Original assignee: Fullwood Ltd
Current assignee: Fullwood Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-06
Filing date: 2018-03-06
Publication date: 2019-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-06
Also published as: GB201803576D0; GB2564180B

Abstract

A device for collecting a fluid sample (e.g. a milk sample) from a conduit 60, the conduit having an aperture for receiving the device in a sidewall, comprises of an inlet 102, a sample receiving member (not shown), and an outlet 104. The inlet and outlet may be connected to a first 140 and second 142 conduit, respectively. The sample receiving member may be releasably connected to the inlet or outlet and the device may be releasably securable to the conduit. The fluid sampled may be tested using analyte detection means and there may be a fluid conditioning member provided upstream of the device to promote annular or spiral flow of the fluid through the conduit. A baffle may be provided for preventing fluid flowing through the conduit into the outlet.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO SAMPLING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to devices and apparatus for obtaining a fluid sample. In particular the present invention relates to apparatus and methods of obtaining a milk sample.

A milking machine comprises a vacuum source, a milk transport system and a series of lines and/or tubes connecting to the equipment attached to the teats of an animal to be milked.

In order to extract milk from an individual teat, a two chambered teatcup is attached by vacuum to the teat. In turn, a plurality of teatcups (usually two or four depending on the number of teats of the species being milked) is attached to a manifold (also known as a clawpiece), to facilitate ease of handling. The combination of multiple teatcups, connecting tubes and manifold is known as a milking cluster.

The milking cluster is itself connected to a milking line via a milk meter, yield indicator and/or any associated sample collection devices which carries the milk from the milking cluster to a reservoir for collection. There are numerous occasions where it is desirable to obtain a sample of the milk obtained from an animal to facilitate analysis, such as, for example, compositional quality, e.g. fat, protein, lactose, somatic cells, differential diagnosis of bacterial cells, other analytes used for herd management and breed selection purposes. It would be advantageous to avoid interrupting the milking process to obtain such a sample.

US6736087 discloses a device used to take milk sample from a milking cow without slowing down milking. However, it is not possible to contemplate the device working in varying flow conditions owing to the difficulty associated with obtaining a sample from the milk flow with a nozzle as disclosed and the device disclosed is likely prone to malfunction owing to the necessity to rotate the nozzle to collect a sample.

Further, it would advantageous for the sample to be a known proportion of the milk flow so as to be capable of quantitatively assessing the analytes in a sample and predicting the same in the milk volume as a whole.

Advantageously, the present invention overcomes or alleviates one or more of the problems associated with the prior art.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for collecting a milk sample from a conduit, the conduit having a lumen through which fluid may flow, said lumen defined by a conduit wall having an aperture through which the device may extend into the lumen, wherein the device comprises a body having an inlet for receiving a fluid sample from the lumen of the conduit, said inlet being in fluid communication with a sample receiving member and an outlet in fluid communication with the sample receiving member and the lumen of the conduit such that a milk sample may flow in through the inlet and be received by the sample receiving member.

The sample receiving member may comprise a reservoir and/or a sample receiving conduit in fluid connection with both the inlet and the outlet.

The sample receiving member may be releasably connected to the inlet and/or outlet.

The sample receiving member may be a vessel or a portion of a sample receiving conduit having one or more analyte detection means.

Such analyte detection means may comprise a device as described in WO2013/165236, incorporated herein by reference.

The device may be releasably secured to the conduit to facilitate removal. There may be provided a sealing member for sealing the conduit when the device is removed. The sealing member may comprise a plug or other suitable body for selectively sealing the conduit.

The device may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis of the conduit. Advantageously, the device extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the conduit.

The conduit may transport milk and air.

At least a portion of the inlet may be defined by the wall of the conduit.

Advantageously the inlet extends radially from the wall of the conduit defining the lumen toward the centre of the lumen.

The device may be contiguous with the wall of the conduit defining the lumen.

The sample receiving member may comprise a receiving vessel. The receiving vessel may be any one or more of a container, or inlet to analytical means.

The inlet and outlet may both be disposed in the body of the apparatus.

The inlet may be disposed upstream or downstream or at the same level of the outlet.

The direction of the flow of milk through the conduit may be towards the inlet and away from the outlet.

The body may comprise a baffle for preventing milk flowing through the conduit from entering the outlet.

The baffle may comprise a semi-hemispherical body that is disposed over or upstream of the outlet. Advantageously, the baffle covers and extends downstream of the outlet so as to prevent milk from being able to flow into the outlet.

The inlet and the outlet are advantageously disposed in the body of the device. In this manner, it is only necessary to provide one aperture in the conduit wall to facilitate both the inlet and the outlet to be accommodated. Alternatively, two apertures may be provided in the conduit wall, one for the inlet and one for the outlet.

The device may be releasably secured to the conduit to facilitate removal when a sample does not need to be taken. The device may comprise a circumferentially extending seal around the body to ensure a seal between it and the conduit wall to prevent fluid and or gases from passing therethrough.

The inlet may be in fluid communication with a milk sample conduit which extends from the inlet to a sample receiving member.

The outlet may be disposed in a fluid conduit which extends from the sample receiving member to the outlet.

The device body may comprise a single piece that is machined from a block, printed using 3D printing means, moulded or manufactured using any appropriate means.

Advantageously, the sample may be representative, in terms of milk composition, of the complete yield of the animal. This takes account that fat content varies from very low at start to very high at the end of the milking.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a conduit and a device as described hereinabove.

The system may further comprise a plug for sealing the aperture of the conduit when the device is removed.

The system may further comprise a decoupler located upstream of the device. The decoupler is intended to disrupt the irregular flow of milk in a conduit such a as a milking line and ensure that the flow is consistent and annular or spiral through a tubular conduit. An example of a decoupler is as described in WO2013/165236, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a milk sampling system comprising a device for collecting a milk sample from a conduit, the conduit having a lumen through which fluid may flow, said lumen defined by a conduit wall having an aperture through which the device may extend into the lumen, wherein the device comprises a body that extends at least partially into the lumen of the conduit, the body having an inlet for receiving a milk sample from the lumen of the conduit in fluid communication with a sample receiving member and an outlet in fluid communication with the sample receiving member and the lumen of the conduit such that a milk sample may flow in through the inlet and be received by the sample receiving member, and wherein, upstream of the device is disposed a decoupler for altering the flow of milk through the conduit.

The decoupler disrupts the irregular flow of milk from a milking line and promotes consistently annular or spiral flow of milk through a tubular conduit. An example of a decoupler is as described in WO2013/165236, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an apparatus in accordance with the present invention where the sample collection device is undocked;

Fig. 2 shows the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the sample collection device docked to receive a sample and with the lid of the fluid flow conditioning device removed;

Fig. 3 shows a fluid flow conditioning device or decoupler in accordance with the present invention with arrows showing the location of biasing members;

Fig. 4 is a partial cut away of a conduit and sample collection device mounted thereto in accordance with the present invention with the arrow showing the direction of flow of fluid;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view from below of the conduit and sample collection device of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the conduit and sample collection device of Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the inlet and outlet of the sample collection device of Fig. 4; and

Figs. 8a and b show the inlet and first and second conduits of the sample collection device;

Figs. 1 to 6 show an apparatus 10 for collecting a milk sample consisting of a fluid flow conditioning device 12 for influencing the flow type of milk through a conduit and a milk sample collection device 14. The flow of milk into the device may be unstable and consist of slug, bubble, churn, annular and/or spiral flow and it is advantageous to influence the flow type to be presented to the milk sample collection device.

The device 12 has a generally circular housing body 20 to which is removably attached a housing lid 22 having generally circular cross section. The housing lid has an open 24 and closed end 26 with a generally tubular sidewall 28 having an inner 30 and outer 32 surface. Located proximally to the closed end 26 is a tangentially disposed fluid delivery inlet 34 through which milk may flow into the device 12. The fluid delivery inlet 34 is associated with a fluid delivery pipe (not shown) through which milk is conveyed. Extending radially inwardly from the inner surface 30 are a plurality of groynes 40 for interrupting the flow of milk delivered into the device 12 from the inlet 34. The groynes act as physical walls over and around which milk will flow, slowing down the rate of flow to assist in the process of conditioning the type of flow desirable for collecting a representative sample of milk downstream.

The groynes 38 are arranged equidistantly around a portion of the circumference of the inner surface 30 of the lid proximal to the closed end 26.

The housing lid 22 is attached to the housing body 20 by means of bayonet attachment, whereby the housing body 20 has a number of circumferentially disposed lugs 48 spaced equidistantly around the edge of the housing body 20 which are received by correspondingly shaped retention members 50 located circumferentially around the lip 46 of the open end 24 of the lid 22. The retention members 50 consist of an elongate protrusion 52 extending perpendicularly to the plane of the side wall and having at one end a return 54 so as to act as a stop when the lid is connected to the body and locked in place.

Centrally disposed in the housing is a conduit 60 having an elongate hollow cylindrical body defining a lumen for receiving milk admitted through the inlet 34, connected to the milk line. Extending around the conduit is a funnel 64 proximal to the mouth of the conduit.

Extending around the conduit mouth is a decoupler 68 consisting of a plurality of upstanding circumferentially extending fingers 70. During milk flow, the milk is able to flow between the fingers 70 and into the mouth of the conduit 60. The fingers 70 encourage annular and/or spiral flow of milk through the conduit 60.

Disposed between some of the nine fingers 70 are small biasing members in the form of weirs 72 consisting of a low wall extending between adjacent fingers. The weirs 72 assist in promoting annular and/or spiral flow during low flow periods where the volume of milk flowing through the system has decreased. The precise number of weirs is four and their location is indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3. The weirs bias the flow of fluid, here milk, towards the side of the conduit in which the sample collection device is mounted during periods of low flow rate.

Downstream of the decoupler 68 is located a port 80 in the conduit wall for receiving the milk sampling device 14.

The port 80 is selectably closable using a blank 82 (Fig. 11) having a concave blank face 84 which conforms to the curvature of the inner wall 86 of the conduit 60 such that it is flush therewith when in situ so as not to affect the flow of milk through the conduit 60 when the sampling device is undocked.

The port 80 may be selectively occupied by the milk sampling device 14 or a blank 82.

The milk sampling device 14 comprises a sample device body 100 having an inlet 102 disposed above an outlet 104. The inlet 102 is orientated to receive milk that flows downwardly through the conduit whilst the outlet 104 is orientated to prevent milk from flowing downwardly in through the outlet.

To assist in the prevention of ingress of milk from occurring, a baffle 106 extends over the outlet 104 and shields the outlet from milk flowing through the conduit.

The baffle 106 has a hollow semi-hemispherical body that extends over the outlet 104.

The inlet 102 is an elongate slot 110 formed in an elongate body 112 that extends radially inwardly from the wall 86 of the conduit 60 towards the centre of the lumen and which sits above and upstream of the baffle 106. The elongate slot is sized so as to facilitate obtaining a sample volume representing a pre-determined volume of milk flowing through the conduit.

Fig. 7 shows the upper surface 130 of the inlet body 132 adjacent to the elongate slot 110 of the inlet is bevelled to facilitate improved collection of a milk sample. The bevelled edge 130 has been found to be particularly beneficial when collecting a sample from a viscous fluid, such as milk.

The elongate body 132 has at its free end 134 that extends toward the centre of the lumen, a concave end wall 136 that curves inwardly towards the conduit wall and the baffle 106.

Figs. 8 a and b show that the inlet and outlet are formed in a single piece body 150 and are in fluid connection with respective first 140 and second 142 conduits of the milk sampling device being a fluid discharging pipe and an air by-pass.

The first conduit, fluid discharging pipe 140, communicates with a sample receiving vessel (not shown) that can be selectively removed to facilitate sample analysis. Extending from the sample receiving vessel is the second conduit, by-pass 142, that communicates with the outlet and the interior of the conduit to facilitate the movement of air to prevent an air block from being caused that would otherwise prevent the flow of a milk sample through the first conduit into the sample receiving vessel.

The first conduit 140 is inclined and extends downwardly away from the inlet to better facilitate the flow of a sample into the vessel. The second conduit extends in the same plane as the longitudinal axis of the single piece body 150 but is angled away from this axis to accommodate the declining fluid discharging pipe 140.

Flexible tubes may be connected to the pipes 140,142 which are in turn connected to a sample receiving vessel (not shown). The pipes 140, 142 may be manufactured from a metal or metal alloy.

The sample collection device may be docked and operable connected to the conduit so that it is in its engaged configuration and disposed to receive a sample of fluid from the conduit. In this configuration, the inlet and outlet extend through an aperture in the conduit wall and are presented to the lumen of the conduit. The aperture in the conduit wall through which the sampling device may extend when in a docked, engaged configuration may then be occupied by a blank to close the port and prevent milk flow out of the conduit.

Claims

1. A device for collecting a milk sample from a conduit, the conduit having a lumen through which fluid may flow, said lumen defined by a conduit wall having an aperture through which the device may extend into the lumen, wherein the device comprises a body having an inlet for receiving a fluid sample from the lumen of the conduit, said inlet being in fluid communication with a sample receiving member and an outlet in fluid communication with the sample receiving member and the lumen of the conduit such that a milk sample may flow in through the inlet and be received by the sample receiving member.

2. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sample receiving member is releasably connected to the inlet and/or outlet.

3. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the sample receiving member is a vessel or a portion of a sample receiving conduit.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sample receiving member comprises one or more analyte detection means.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims being releasably securable to the conduit to facilitate removal.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 comprising a sealing member for sealing the conduit when the device is removed.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the device extends radially towards the centre of the lumen in a direction substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis of the conduit.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein at least a portion of the inlet is defined by the wall of the conduit.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the device is contiguous with the wall of the conduit defining the lumen when in situ.

10. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the inlet and outlet are both disposed in the body of the apparatus.

11. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the inlet is disposed upstream of the outlet.

12. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the body comprises a baffle for preventing milk flowing through the conduit from flowing into the outlet.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the baffle comprises a semi-hemispherical body that is disposed over or upstream of the outlet.

14. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the device has means for releasably securing it to the conduit to facilitate removal when a sample does not need to be taken.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14 having a circumferentially extending seal around the body to ensure a seal between it and the conduit wall to prevent fluid from passing therethrough.

16. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the inlet is in fluid communication with a milk sample conduit which extends from the inlet to a sample receiving member.

17. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the outlet is disposed in a fluid conduit which extends from the sample receiving member to the outlet.

18. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the outer surface of the mouth of the inlet is bevelled to facilitate improved collection of a fluid sample.

19. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims comprising means for releasably locking the device into a docked configuration wherein the device is coupled to the conduit.

20. A device as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for releasably locking may comprise a mating pair, one member of which is disposed on the device whilst the other complementarily shaped member is located adjacent the conduit.

21. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein the inlet is not rotatable once mounted and docked with the conduit.

22. A device as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the fluid is milk and/or air.

23. A device as claimed in claim 29 wherein the conduit is a fluid milk flow cell.

24. Apparatus comprising a conduit and a device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 comprising upstream of the device a fluid conditioning member for conditioning the flow of fluid through the conduit.

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein the fluid conditioning member promotes annular and/or spiral flow of fluid through the conduit.

27. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26 wherein the conduit is located within a housing having a port for receiving the device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23.

28. Apparatus as claimed in claim ΤΊ wherein the housing further accommodates the fluid conditioning member.

29. Apparatus as claimed in claim ΤΊ or 28 wherein the housing has a fluid delivery inlet to allow fluid to enter the housing wherein the fluid delivery inlet is tangentially disposed with respect to the housing to promote circular flow of fluid.

30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein the housing comprises one or more groynes for interrupting the flow of fluid delivered into the housing.

31. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 30 further comprising means for determining the conductivity of a fluid sample.

32. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 31 wherein the fluid conditioning member comprises a plurality of spaced apart upstanding fingers between which fluid may flow.

33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32 wherein the fingers are arranged in a circular configuration.

34. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32 or 33 further comprising one or more biasing members for biasing the direction of flow of fluid.

35. Apparatus as claimed in claim 34 further comprising one or more biasing members for biasing the flow of fluid under low flow rates towards the inlet of the device for collecting a fluid sample.

36. Apparatus as claimed in claim 34 or 35 wherein the biasing members comprise one or more weirs over which fluid may flow above a threshold fluid flow rate.

37. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 36 wherein the one or more biasing members extend between adjacent fingers.

38. Apparatus as claimed in claim 37 wherein the biasing members do not extend between all fingers.

39. Apparatus as claimed in claim 38 wherein at least a portion of the space between adjacent fingers is open or closed.

40. Apparatus as claimed in claim 39 wherein the one or more biasing members functions to close at least a portion of the space between adjacent fingers.

41. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 40 comprising a port wherein the port is closable by means of a blank when the device is decoupled.

42. Apparatus as claimed in claim 41 having a first configuration in which the device of claims 1 to 23 is docked and the inlet of the device is presented to the lumen of the conduit and a second configuration wherein the device of claims 1 to 23 is undocked and removed from the lumen of the conduit.

43. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 42 wherein the fluid comprises milk.