WO2001074148A1

WO2001074148A1 - Milk sampling apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2001074148A1
Application number: PCT/SE2001/000675
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mats Gudmundsson; Sten Mellberg
Original assignee: Delaval Holding Ab
Priority date: 2000-04-03
Filing date: 2001-03-28
Publication date: 2001-10-11
Also published as: AU2001242986A1; SE0001194D0; SE520348C2; SE0001194L

Abstract

The present invention refers to milk sampling apparatus and method for use with an automated milking system. Said apparatus comprises a hose storage means (8) for storing a hose (9); a feed means (5) for feeding said hose; a sealing means (4,2) for sealing said hose at a position located a distance (d) from an orifice of said hose, said hose portion between said position and said orifice being an end portion of said hose; a filling member (1) for bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during a milking of an animal by means of said automated milking system, into the end portion of said hose, said sealing means being arranged also for sealing the orifice (25) of said hose; and a separating means (3) for separating said end portion from said hose, said thus separated end portion containing said milk sample and being sealed in both ends (25, 27).

Description

MILK SAMPLING APPARATUS AND METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to dairy farm machine milking and to milk sampling related thereto.

Particularly, the invention relates to a milk sampling apparatus for use with an automated milking system and to a method for sampling of milk from said automated milking system.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When milking an animal by using an automated milking system, the milk is drawn from the teats of the animal by means of teat cups connected to vacuum. The milk is drawn through a milk tube and into a flow meter wherein the amount of milk is measured. The milk is further transported to a storing tank or similar wherein the milk is stored together with milk from other animals while waiting for a milk lorry to collect such stored milk.

On regular time basis, e.g. once a month, a sample of the milk from each animal is taken, which sample is typically sent to a laboratory for analysis, in which various parameters such as contents of fat, protein, cell, and urea are examined. It is expensive to implement the analysis at the milk sampling device and further, the laboratory equipment necessary is space demanding, and thus samples are typically taken and sent to a laboratory. Possibly, some kind of simpler measurements could be introduced at the milk sampling device.

The milk sampling is performed m connection with milking of the animals by employing a milk sampling device provided with a fixed or removable cassette wherein milk test tubes can be placed, and with a filling member connected to the milking system and capable of filling the respective tubes with milk from the respective animals. When all the tubes are filled they are removed from the milk sampling device, either manually one by one, or by means of removing the complete cassette, and sent to the laboratory.

The laboratory equipment is adapted to the cassettes and test tubes that are used by the farmers served by that laboratory. Further, laboratory equipment, cassettes and test tubes, vary quite much from country to country.

One such prior art milk sampling device is disclosed m EP 0 564 023 Al (LELY/MAASLAND) . Here, the cassette is formed as a rotating box in which, along its circumference, milk sample collecting elements can be arranged. The filling member is disposed n a fixed position, while the collecting elements can be placed successively under the filling member. The filling member is further provided with a vertically movable type of injection needle to be inserted into the collecting elements. However, in case of a relatively large number of collecting elements, the space m the box is insufficiently utilized. Therefore, the cassette occupies relatively much space, which, m view of the extensive equipment present m milking systems of today, may be experienced as a drawback.

Another prior art milk sampling device is depicted m EP 0 749 681 Al (LELY/MAASLAND) . This device is provided with a removable cassette in which milk sample collecting elements can be placed, and at least one filling member capable of being placed successively above various collecting elements and bringing milk samples, taken from milk provided by an automatic milking machine, to the respective collecting elements. Guide means is provided for supporting the filling member such that the filling member is moved, by successively increasing and decreasing the distance between the guide means and the cassette, from a position above a collecting element to an adjacent position above a nearby situated collecting element. In such manner the filling member may step from collecting element to collecting element along a predetermined fixed zigzag formed closed path.

However, the use of such prior art milk sampling devices provided with cassettes with sample tubes for milk sampling is t me consuming, labor intensive and thus costly.

Further, there is a certain risk of mixing samples at the milking farm, during transport, or at the laboratory since the individual sample collecting elements are only identified through their respective positions in the cassette.

If the individual sample collecting elements are to be removed from the cassette of the milk sampling device and placed m other cassette or box for being dispatched to the laboratory, this risk of mixing samples is considerably increased, and such approach is also very labor-intensive and costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a milk sampling apparatus and method, which are highly automated.

It is in this respect a particular object of the invention to provide such milk sampling apparatus and method, which are effective, flexible and of low cost.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a milk sampling apparatus and method, which are accurate, precise, reliable, and safe.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a milk sampling apparatus, which is easy and straightforward to install, and to provide a milk sampling method, which is effortless and simple to perform. It is still a further object of the invention to provide a milk sampling apparatus and method, m which milk samples can be preserved by adding a preservative to them.

It is in this respect a particular object of the invention to provide such milk sampling apparatus and method, in which the preservative and the milk can be mixed appropriately.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a milk sampling apparatus and method, which produce milk samples that are easily transportable to a laboratory.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a milk sampling apparatus and method, which produce milk samples that are hermetically sealed.

These objects among others are, according to the present invention, attained by a novel milk sampling technique comprising the use of disposable milk sample collecting elements, which are indeed fabricated, from a hose during the milk sampling. Thus, the apparatus of the invention is not only a milk sampling apparatus, but also an apparatus for the fabrication of milk sample collecting elements.

More specifically, the milk sampling apparatus comprises a hose storage means, e.g. a hose reel, a feed means, a sealing means, a filling member, and a separating means.

The sampling (and fabrication of a milk sample collecting element) comprises that a hose is fed by means of the feed means to a suitable position such that it can be sealed at a position located a distance d from an orifice of the hose by means of the sealing means, the hose portion between said position and the orifice is denoted an end portion of the hose. Further the filling member is adapted for bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during a milking of an animal by means of an automated milking system, into the end portion of the hose, the end portion being hereby a milk sample collecting element. Subsequent thereto, the orifice of the hose is sealed by means of the sealing means. Finally, the end portion is separated from the remaining hose by means of the separating means. Thus, the separated end portion contains said milk sample and is sealed in both ends.

The milk sample collecting element (or hose end portion) containing said milk sample is according to a further aspect of the invention provided with a unique identification mark identifying said milk sample.

Further features and embodiments of the present invention are found m the appended claims.

A major advantage of the invention is that it provides for a very effective and flexible milk sampling.

Further characteristics of the invention and advantages thereof will be evident from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description of embodiments of the present invention given hereinbelow and the accompanying Figs. 1-2, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention.

Fig. 1 displays schematically an embodiment of a milk sampling apparatus according to the present invention.

Figs. 2a-d illustrate schematically four different steps of an embodiment of a milk sampling method according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, fcr purposes of explanation ana not limitation, specific detaι_s are set forth, sucn as particular techniques and applications in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, t will be apparent to one skilleo m the art that the presert invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart fror these specific details. In other instances, detailec descriptions of well-known methoαs and apparatuses are omittec. so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary details.

Referring to Fig. 1 an embodiment of a milk sampling apparatus according to the present mventio" comprises a support 10, whicr is hollow and guides end portions of a plastic hose 9, of whιc^~ the remaining parts are wound around a hose reel 8, although other hose storage means may be _^sed. Further, a feed device 5 in the form of two feed rollers are arranged to be capable of feeding hose 9 upwards, and possibly also downwards, througr guiding support 10 m any conventional manner. Feed rollers ma^ be driven by any suitable means such an electric motor (not shown in Fig. 1) .

The milk sampling apparatus comprises further two sealing devices 4, 2 usable for pinching and sealing hose 9 by means of supplying compression forces and heat. Further a separating means 3, e.g. a cutter, is proviαed capable of cutting through plastic hose 9. A bar code marking apparatus 6 is arranged ι^ close vicinity for bar code marκιng of hose 9. It shall be appreciated, though not indicated in Fig. 1, that sealing devices 4, 2, separating means 3, and bar code marker 6 are supported by said support 10, and that these components are power supplied in any conventional manner. Further these components, as well as feed rollers 5, may be controlled throug^h signals from processing electronics, e.g. a microprocessor (not shown m Fig 1. )

Further, there are arranged two filling members 1, 11 above support 1. Preferably, filling members 1, 11 are in the form of hoses or tubings, and they may be supported by support 10, or in other manner.

Filling member 1 is connected to an automatic milking machine (not shown in Fig. 1) and is arranged so as to bring a milk sample from said automatic milking machine into the end portion of hose 9 that is located within support 10. Fillirg member 11 is preferably connected to a source of a preservative substance, such as e.g. 2-bromo-2-nιtropropane-l, 3-dιol, a_so widely commercially available under the trademark BRONOPOL.

A collecting container 7 is suitably arranged in close vicinity to support 10, and is preferably provided with a^ agitating means 12, e.g. a shaking table.

Next, with reference to Figs. 1 and 2a-d, the operation of the milk sampling apparatus will be further described.

The feed means 5 feeds hose 9 through support 10 ana upwards to a position where the orifice 25 of the loose end cf hose 9 is just passed bar code marker 6. Bar code marker 6 marks hose 9 with a bar code 23 that identifies the milk sample that is to be taken, and feed means 5 continues feeding hose 9. The feed is stopped at a position where the orifice 25 of hose 9 is on a level with sealing device 2.

Then, in a step 4' as indicated in Fig 2a, sealing device 4 pinches hose 9 and seals it in a fluid-tight manner at a distance d from orifice 25.

Sealing device 4 may be any suitable device known in the art for such operation, e.g. a heat sealing device, a thermo forming device or a welding device. The welding may be performed with aid of hot air or heateα tools, or the welding may be ultrasonic or high frequency welding.

The portion of said hose being located above said pinch and seal will m the following be referred to as an end portion 21 of hose 9.

Next, in a step 1' as indicated in Fig. 2b, filling member 1 brings a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during a milking of an animal by means of above mentioned automatic milking machine, into end portion 21 of hose 9. Preferably, the milk is flowed by way of gravity, but it can alternatively be pumpeα into hose end portion 21.

Next, in a step 2' as indicated in Fig. 2c, sealing device 2 pinches and seals the orifice 25 of hose 9. This process may be performed in the same way as sealing 4' .

Preferably, device 2 is arranged for hermetic sealing of the hose end portion 21.

Finally, m a step 3' as indicated in Fig. 2d, separating means 3 separates, i.e. cuts hose end portion 21 from hose 9. It is here important that the cutting is arranged at a secure distance from the position where sealing 4' was performed, such that the seal does not break. Hereby, a separated hose end portion 21 containing said milk sample and being sealed in both ends 25, 27 is obtained.

Hose end portion 21 containing the milk sample, or shortly spoken milk sample 21, is then collected in collecting container 7.

Then the above-described process is repeated for next milk sample and after a given period of time or after a given number of milk samples taken, container 7 is sealed and sent to a laboratory for milk analysis. The maximum volume of the milk sample is given by the cross- sectional area A of hose and the distance d between the two sealmgs. A typical volume may be 5-20 ml.

It shall be appreciated that the sealing performed by sealing devices 4 and 2 may be performed by a single sealing device. In such, an instance, however, hose 9 has to be fed by feed rollers 5 such that sealing can be performed at appropriate positions.

Further, it shall be appreciated that hose 9 may be provided with milk sample identifications, particularly bar codes, already when being loaded into the milk sampling apparatus, and in such instance, milk sample identification marker 6 may be replaced by a milk sample identification reader, particularly, a bar code reader, for identifying the milk sample.

In an alternative milk sampling method the second filling member 11 brings a preservative, particularly 2-bromo-2-nιtropropane- 1,3-dιol, into hose end portion 21 of hose 9 prior to the sealing 2' of orifice 25.

The preservative shall restrain the milk from turning to sour before the sample has been delivered to the laboratory and been analyzed, said preservative is to be dissolved in the milk. Such dissolving typically takes a certain period of time, during which the increase of bacteria in the milk speeds up, whereby the risk that the milk turns to sour increases.

Thus, the milk sampling apparatus of the present invention may further make use of agitating means 12 for agitating said separated end portion containing said milk sample and said preservative in order to accelerate the dissolving of the preservative m the milk. Preferably, the agitating means comprises a shaking table 12 as illustrated in Fig. 1. Alternatively, other agitating means may be used for the acceleration of the dissolving, such as e.g. ultrasonic apparatus .

It shall, however, be appreciated that, in the case device 2 is arranged for hermetic sealing of the hose end portion 21 such that substantially no air remains above the milk sample surface within hose end portion 21, the agitating may not be needeo.

It will be obvious that the invention may be varied _^ a plurality of ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the scope of the invention. All such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled m the art are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A milk sampling apparatus for use with an automated milking system, characteri zed in that said milk sampling apparatus comprises:

- a hose storage means (8) for storing a hose (9);

- a feed means (5) for feeding said hose;

- a sealing means (4,2) for sealing said hose at a position located a distance (d) from an orifice of said hose, said hose portion between said position and said orifice being an end portion of said hose;

a filling member (1) for bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during a milking of an animal by means of said automated milking system, into the end portion of said hose;

- said sealing means being arranged also for sealing the orifice (25) of said hose; and

- a separating means (3) for separating said end portion from said hose, said thus separated end portion containing said milk sample and being sealed m both ends (25, 27) .

2. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hose storage means comprises a hose reel (8).

3. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed m claim 1 or 2, wherein said feed means comprises a feed roller (5) .

4. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1-3, wherein said sealing means (4, 2) is arranged for hermetic sealing.

5. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in any ot claims 1-4, wherein said sealing means (4, 2) is arranged ror heat sealing.

6. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1-5, wherein said sealing means (4, 2) comprises a welding device.

7. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1-6, wherein said sealing means comprises a first sealing device (4) for sealing said hose at said distance from the orifice of said hose, and a second sealing device (2) for sealing the orifice of said hose.

8. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1-6, wherein said separating means comprises a cutter (3; .

9. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1-8, further comprising a collection container C⁷) for collecting said separated end portion.

10. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1-9, for use with a plastic hose.

11. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1-10 for use with a hose provided with a milk sample identification, particularly a bar code (23), at said end portion.

12. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a milk sample identification reader, particularly, a bar code reader, for identifying said milk sample.

13. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1-

10, further comprising a milk sample identification marking apparatus (6) for milk sample identification marking the end portion of said hose.

14. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said milk sample identification marking apparatus is a bar code marker ( 6) .

15. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1- 14, further comprising a second filling member (11) for bringing a preservative, particularly 2-bromo-2-nιtropropane-l, 3-diol, into the end portion of said hose prior to the sealing of the orifice of said hose.

16. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising an agitating means (12) for agitating said separated end portion containing said milk sample.

17. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said agitating means comprises a shaking table (12).

18. A milk sampling method for use in an automated milking system, characterized by the steps of:

- feeding a hose (9) by means of a feed means;

- sealing (4') said hose at a position located a distance (d) from an orifice of said hose by means of a sealing means, said hose portion between said position and said orifice being an end portion of said hose;

- bringing (1') a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during a milking of an animal by means of said automated milking system, into the end portion of said hose by means of a filling member;

- sealing (2') the orifice (25) of said hose by means of said sealing means; and

- separating (3') said end portion from said hose, said thus separated end portion containing said milk sample and being sealed in both ends (25, 27) .

19. The milk sampling method as claimed in claim 18, wherein each of said sealing steps comprises hermetic sealing.

20. The milk sampling method as claimed in claims 18 cr 19, wherein each of said sealing steps comprises heat sealing.

21. The milk sampling method as claimed in any of claims 18-20, wherein each of said sealing steps comprises welding.

22. The milk sampling method as claimed in any of claims 18-21, further comprising milk sample identification marking the end portion of said hose by means of a milk sample identification marking apparatus.

23. The milk sampling method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said marking comprises bar code marking.

24. The milk sampling method as claimed in any of claims 18-23, further comprising bringing a preservative, particularly 2- bromo-2-nitropropane-l, 3-diol, into the end portion of said hose prior to the sealing of the orifice of said hose.

25. The milk sampling method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising agitating said separated end portion containing said milk sample.

26. The milk sampling method as claimed in any of claims 18-25, wherein the steps of feeding said hose, sealing (4') said hose at a distance (d) from the orifice of said hose, bringing (1') a milk sample into the end portion of said hose, sealing (2' ) the orifice (25) of said hose, and separating (3' ) said end portion from said hose are repeated a plurality of times.

27. The milk sampling method as claimed in claim 26, wherein each milk sample brought (1' ) into the end portion of said hose is a milk sample representatively taken from milk yielded during a respective different milking.

28. A milk sampling apparatus for use with an automated milking system, said apparatus comprising at least one milk sample collecting element, and a filling member capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during a milking of an animal by means of said automated mιl<mg system, into said milk sample collecting element, characteri zed l n that said milk sample collecting element containing said milk sample is provided with a unique identification mark identifying said milk sample.

29. The apparatus as claimed m claim 28, comprising an identification marking apparatus for providing said milk sample collecting element with said unique identification mark.

30. The apparatus as claimed m claim 29, serein said identification marking apparatus comprises a bar code marking apparatus .

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28, comprising an identi ication reading apparatus for identifying said unique identification mark of said milk sample collecting.

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said identification reading apparatus comprises a bar code reader.