Sampling apparatus for taking a representative milk sample and method for taking representative milk samples

Abstract

Sampling apparatus for taking a representative foodstuff sample and method for taking representative foodstuff samples. In one aspect, the invention provides a sampling apparatus (100) for taking a representative milk sample in a prescribed quantity range from a conveying line (10) in which milk is conveyed in conveying intervals of unknown length. The sampling apparatus (100) comprises a pump (108), a controller (109) of the pump (108) and a sample container connecting element connected to the pump (108), wherein the controller (109) is configured to take the prescribed quantity range and a measured variable denoting a flow rate of the milk conveyed in the conveying line (10) and/or a prescribed variable denoting a total quantity of milk to be conveyed by the conveying line (10) in a conveying interval as a basis for controlling a pulsed mode of the pump (108) in a conveying interval, wherein the pump (108) conveys a discrete sample subquantity along a first conveying direction (122)of the pump (108) in a respective sample pulse interval during the pulsed mode, and wherein the prescribed quantity range is greater than or equal to a total quantity corresponding to a total number of discrete sample subquantities in the conveying interval.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a sampling device for taking a representative milk sample within a predetermined volume range, eg from a delivery line delivering milk at delivery intervals of unknown length, and a method for taking a representative milk sample. Background technique [0002] Although in food production the term "milk" is primarily understood to refer to milk from cows, milk produced by other domesticated and farmed animals besides cows, including sheep and goats, is also used as food by humans . [0003] Milk is a natural product and naturally contains bacteria in its raw and especially unprocessed form, so-called raw milk. Therefore, in addition to determining the fat content in raw milk, bacterial contamination is also a characteristic of milk quality. For example, in Germany, the classification of milk into commercial categories is governed by the Milk Quality Ordinance, which defines classification criteria such as total bacteria...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0014] However, this measuring system has clear disadvantages in terms of milking technology: the device has a high flow resistance, which leads to a significant drop in milk flow in relation to the milking vacuum

[0017] There is also a risk that, in sampling systems where the milk sample is separated by means of the valve after the valve has been opened, if the valve is opened very briefly, the risk of difficulties in the initiation of milking may distort the amount of the individual subsets separated

[0018] Furthermore, in the sampling systems described above, there is a risk of clogging, casementing or sticking of the valve closure if not cleaned properly

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