Milk sample collection system with self-cleaning filter device

Abstract

System (100) comprising: a milk sampling device (110) configured to extract a milk sample from the mammary gland; a first fluid connection line (115) attached to the milk sampling device (110) and configured to receive a milk sample; a milk analyzer (120); a filter holder (130) positioned to hold a filter device (140), the filter holder (130) being connected to the first fluid connection line (115) and a second fluid connection line (135), the second fluid connection line (135) being connected to a drain (150); a first pump (160) operable to transport a milk sample to the second fluid connection line (135); and the filter device (140). When the filter device (140) is held in the filter holder (130), the fluid passing from the first fluid connection line (115) to the second fluid connection line (135) rinses the first side (141) of the filter device (140).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This document discloses a system comprising a filter device as recited in the appended claims.

Background Art

[0002] In dairy farms, it may be desirable to analyze milk samples from specific animals using milk analysis equipment. This may be for investigating whether an animal is suffering from any disease or condition that can affect mastitis, ketosis, or milk production and / or milk quality, or for measuring parameters that reflect the milk quality itself, such as fat content.

[0003] A convenient way to extract a milk sample is when an animal is being milked at a milking station by, for example, a milking robot or in a rotary milking parlour. A milk sample collection device can then extract a milk sample from the mammary gland containing the animal's milk and provide the milk sample to the milk analysis equipment.

[0004] In the milk sample, there may be unwanted impurities, such as particles of hair, feed, or bedding, that should be removed before analyzing the milk sample. A solution often used to address this problem is to apply a filter that filters the milk sample before it reaches the milk analysis equipment. Currently used filters are made of paper and require frequent replacement, i.e., replacement between each milk sample, to prevent carry-over effects between animals, to ensure that the flow of milk through the filter is not blocked by the filtered particles, and / or to allow bacteria to grow in the residues within the filter, thereby preventing it from affecting the results of the milk analysis. Paper filters can also pose other problems, such as being damaged if not properly stored and / or handled (e.g., due to moisture / liquid or rough handling).

[0005] Frequent filter replacement is time-consuming for farmers, and forgetting to replace the filters has serious consequences, leading to increased paper consumption over time and wasting natural resources.

[0006] Metal filters made of stainless steel wire mesh can be used instead of paper filters. This saves paper material. The metal filters can be reused, but then must be washed, preferably between each animal, to avoid the carryover effect mentioned above. Unfortunately, this takes more time for farmers than simply replacing paper filters.

[0007] It is desirable to reduce the need for maintenance and save farmers labor, time, and money while reliably resolving the problem of filtering out undesirable particles from milk being analyzed within milk analysis equipment. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve at least some of the above problems and, in particular in relation to milk sample analysis, to facilitate the filtration of milk. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, this objective is achieved by a system comprising a milk sampling device configured to extract a milk sample from a mammary gland containing milk. The system also comprises a first fluid connection line attached to the milk sampling device. The first fluid connection line is configured to receive a milk sample from the milk sampling device. The system also comprises a milk analyzer configured to receive the milk sample and perform analysis on the received milk sample.

[0010] In addition, the system also includes a filter holder positioned to hold a filter device. The filter holder is connected to a first fluid connection line and a second fluid connection line. The system also includes a first pump operable to transport a milk sample from the milk sampling device to the second fluid connection line along the first fluid connection line.

[0011] The filter device comprises a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. When the filter device is held in the filter holder, the fluid passing from the first fluid connection line to the second fluid connection line performs a rinsing operation across the first side of the filter device.

[0012] By flushing the first side of the filter, i.e., the outside of the filter, with milk, particles / residue on the outside of the filter are washed away.

[0013] Optionally, the filter holder may be connected to a third fluid connection line, which may then be connected to a milk analyzer. Fluid passing through the filter device from the first side of the filter device to the second side of the filter device, and from the first fluid connection line to the third fluid connection line, will be filtered by the filter device.

[0014] This process filters out and removes particles from the milk sample before it is supplied to the milk analysis instrument.

[0015] Optionally, the system may include a second pump capable of transporting a milk sample to a milk analyzer along a third fluid connection line from a first side of the filter device to a second side of the filter device.

[0016] The second pump ensures that the milk passes through the filter and the third fluid connection line to the milk analyzer.

[0017] Optionally, the system may include a drain connected to a second fluid connection line.

[0018] By connecting a drain to the second fluid connection line, the milk used to rinse the outside of the filter, along with any ultimately flushed particles, is discharged from the system.

[0019] Optionally, the system may include a controller communicatively connected to a milk sampling device, a first pump, and a milk analyzer. The controller may be configured to send control signals to the milk sampling device for extracting the milk sample. The controller may also be configured to send control signals to the first pump for transporting the milk sample to the drain along a first fluid connection line and a second fluid connection line.

[0020] Thanks to the controller, reliable automation of the system can be achieved.

[0021] Optionally, the controller may be communicatively connected to a second pump. The controller may also be configured to send control signals to the second pump to transport a portion of the milk sample to a milk analyzer along a third fluid connection line from a first side of the filter device to a second side of the filter device. This allows the milk analyzer to analyze a portion of the milk sample.

[0022] This ensures that the controller reliably regulates the flow of milk through the second pump, the filter device, and the third fluid connection line to the milk analyzer.

[0023] Optionally, the system may include a washing fluid inlet for a milk sampling device, configured to supply washing fluid to a first fluid connection line via the milk sampling device. The system may also include a washing fluid inlet adjustment device, which is communicably connected to a controller. The washing fluid inlet adjustment device may be configured to regulate the flow of washing fluid into the washing fluid inlet.

[0024] The controller can be configured to send a control signal to the cleaning liquid inlet adjustment device to enable the inflow of the cleaning liquid into the milk sample collection device through the cleaning liquid inlet. Further, the controller can be configured to send a control signal to the first pump to transport the cleaning liquid along the first fluid connection line to the second fluid connection line, thereby performing a cleaning operation across the first side of the filter device.

[0025] By cleaning the filter device with the cleaning liquid, the cleaning of the first side of the filter device is improved.

[0026] Optionally, the controller can be configured to send a control signal to the second pump to transport the cleaning liquid from the first side of the filter device to the second side of the filter device along the third fluid connection line, thereby performing a cleaning operation on the filter device and the third fluid connection line.

[0027] By cleaning the filter device with the cleaning liquid, the cleaning of the filter device and the third fluid connection line is improved.

[0028] Optionally, the system can include a second cleaning liquid inlet of the milk analysis device, and the second cleaning liquid inlet can be configured to provide the cleaning liquid to the third fluid connection line. Further, the system can include a second cleaning liquid inlet adjustment device communicatively connected to the controller, and the second cleaning liquid inlet adjustment device is configured to adjust the inflow of the cleaning liquid into the third fluid connection line through the second cleaning liquid inlet.

[0029] The controller can be configured to send a control signal to the second cleaning liquid inlet adjustment device to enable the inflow of the cleaning liquid of the milk analysis device through the second cleaning liquid inlet. The controller can also be configured to send a control signal to the second pump to transport the cleaning liquid along the third fluid connection line through the second side of the filter device to the first side of the filter device.

[0030] By operating the second pump backward towards the filter, the filter is cleaned in an efficient manner.

[0031] Optionally, the controller may be configured to send a control signal to a first pump to prevent the transport of washing fluid to the milk sampling device along a first fluid connection line, thereby causing the washing fluid to pass from a second side of the filter device to a drain via a second fluid connection line to a first side of the filter device.

[0032] By preventing the cleaning fluid from flowing through the first fluid connection line, the cleaning fluid is directed towards the second fluid connection line and then to the drain.

[0033] Optionally, the filter device may be configured to filter multiple milk samples extracted from separate animals, and a washing operation may be performed between each milk sample.

[0034] By cleaning the filter device between handling milk samples from different animals, the risks and problems associated with carryover between milk samples from different animals are eliminated, or at least reduced.

[0035] Optionally, the filter device may include a wire mesh filter.

[0036] Optionally, the filter device may include etched metal foil.

[0037] Optionally, the filter device may have an aperture with a diameter of approximately 40 to 100 μm.

[0038] Milk fat particles have dimensions up to approximately 30 μm. Typically, it is desirable not to filter out fat particles from milk. Filter openings spaced 40-100 μm apart have been found to be ideal for filtering out most impurities while still allowing (most) of the fat particles in milk to pass through the filter device.

[0039] Optionally, the filter holder may be positioned to supply a milk sample from a first fluid connection line to the first side of the filter device at a first angular displacement with respect to the normal to the first side, thereby flushing any residue adhering to the first side of the filter device via a second fluid connection line.

[0040] By supplying fluid at an angle from the first fluid connection line, proper flushing of the external filter surface, i.e., the first side of the filter device, is ensured. This provides a self-rinsing effect on the first side of the filter device.

[0041] Optionally, the first angular displacement of the first side of the filter device with respect to the normal can be at least 30 degrees.

[0042] Optionally, the first angular displacement of the first side of the filter device with respect to the normal may be at least 45 degrees but not exceeding 75 degrees.

[0043] Optionally, the filter holder may be positioned to drain fluid after rinsing the first side of the filter device via a second fluid connection line, at a second angular displacement with respect to the normal of the first side of the filter device. The second angular displacement may be at least 30 degrees.

[0044] Optionally, the second angular displacement of the first side of the filter device with respect to the normal may be at least 45 degrees but not exceeding 75 degrees.

[0045] Optionally, the first angular displacement of the first fluid connection line and the second angular displacement of the second fluid connection line may be arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the normal of the first side of the filter device.

[0046] Optionally, the filter holder may include a filter chamber positioned to secure a filter device within the filter holder. The filter chamber may have a substantially curved funnel shape, comprising an inlet end for receiving fluid from a first fluid connection line and an outlet end for providing filtered fluid to a third fluid connection line. The inlet end may have a diameter at least three times larger than the diameter of the outlet end.

[0047] As a result, the curved funnel shape of the filter chamber increases the fluid velocity as it passes through the filter device, reducing the risk of residue buildup within the filter device.

[0048] Optionally, the filter holder may be divisible into a first section and a second section. The first section and the second section may be held together in a releaseable manner by at least one retaining means, thereby allowing for the replacement of the filter device.

[0049] This allows for the rapid replacement of the filter device, and in some cases, the repair or manual cleaning of the filter holder.

[0050] Thanks to the provided solution involving the filter device, the operation of the system for milk sample extraction is greatly improved and fully automated. The filter device is self-rinsing, reusable, and capable of automatic cleaning between milking sessions, thus reducing the need for system maintenance and improving hygiene. Farmers are freed from manual monitoring and / or maintenance / cleaning / replacement of filters between each milking session, allowing them to focus on the comfort and welfare of the animals, which in turn may lead to increased milk production, improved milk quality, and / or a decrease in animal deaths due to disease.

[0051] Self-rinsing filter devices allow the milk and / or cleaning solution to flush the outside of the filter during operation, effectively washing away any residue or contaminants. Flushing in self-rinsing filter devices helps keep the filter device clean and ensures optimal functionality, prevents the accumulation of stagnant residue, minimizes the risk of contamination, and reduces the need for manual cleaning.

[0052] The following detailed explanation will reveal other advantages and further novel features. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0053] Herein, embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the attached drawings. [Figure 1] An example of a system based on one embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 2A] An example of a filter holder is shown in Figure 1. [Figure 2B] An example of a filter holder in the first cross-section is shown. [Figure 2C] An example of a filter holder in the second cross-section is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0054] Embodiments of the invention described herein are defined as systems, which may be implemented in the embodiments described below. However, these embodiments may be illustrated and implemented in many different forms and are not limited to the examples described herein; rather, these illustrative examples of embodiments are provided so as to make this disclosure detailed and complete.

[0055] Further purposes and features may become apparent from the following detailed description, which is taken into consideration in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings are designed for illustrative purposes only and are not designed as definitions of the limitations of the embodiments disclosed herein, which will be referenced in the accompanying claims. Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and, unless otherwise stated, are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

[0056] Figure 1 shows System 100 in a scenario in which a milk sample is extracted from a mammary gland containing milk. The milk is extracted from an animal. The animal may be part of a herd of animals for dairy farming on a farm. System 100 can be advantageously implemented in automated milking facilities such as milking robots, rotary milking pits, or similar configurations, though not necessarily. System 100 can be applied as an alternative during manual milking in a rotary milking pit.

[0057] "Animals" can be any kind of domesticated female mammal, such as dairy cows, goats, sheep, camels, horses, dairy buffalo, donkeys, yaks, etc.

[0058] System 100 may be configured to coordinate the extraction of animal milk samples during normal milking of an animal via a milk sampling device 110. The milk sampling device 110 is configured to extract milk samples from the mammary gland containing milk, i.e., milk extracted from one individual animal during a milking session. The extracted milk sample may be, for example, several centiliters or several milliliters.

[0059] The objective is to analyze a milk sample or a portion thereof using the milk analysis instrument 120. The milk analysis instrument 120 is configured to receive a milk sample and perform analyses on the received milk sample, such as those related to mastitis, ketosis, and somatic cell count.

[0060] To prevent any impurities such as dirt, hair, bedding / feed fragments, and other particles from being transferred to the milk analyzer 120 in the extracted milk, the system 100 includes a filter device 140 and a filter holder 130 positioned to hold the filter device 140. The filter holder 130 and the filter device 140 held within it are positioned between the milk sampling device 110 and the milk analyzer 120.

[0061] The filter holder 130 is connected to the first fluid connection line 115 and the second fluid connection line 135.

[0062] The first fluid connection line 115 is also attached to the milk sampling device 110 and is configured to receive milk samples from the milk sampling device 110.

[0063] System 100 also includes a first pump 160 capable of transporting a milk sample from the milk sampling device 110 to a second fluid connection line 135 along a first fluid connection line 115. The first pump 160 may be, for example, a peristaltic pump, a hose pump, a roller pump, a tube pump, or a similar configuration.

[0064] The filter device 140 comprises a first side portion 141 and a second side portion 142 opposite to the first side portion 141. When the filter device 140 is held in the filter holder 130, the fluid passing from the first fluid connection line 115 to the second fluid connection line 135 performs a rinsing operation across the first side portion 141 of the filter device 140.

[0065] The filter device 140 may have a substantially circular cross-section, such as a circle, oval, or ellipse, which contains a closed curve within a substantially single plane. The advantage of a substantially circular cross-section is that there are no corners where dirt / impurities may be hidden and require special cleaning.

[0066] However, in other embodiments, other shapes such as squares, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons, and octagons may be applied.

[0067] As a result, any residue and particles trapped on the first side portion 141 (surface) are flushed with milk via the second fluid connection line 135, for example, into a drain 150 connected to the second fluid connection line 135. Alternatively, the flushed milk can be transported via the second fluid connection line 135 to a main milk tank or a separate milk container.

[0068] The filter holder 130 may be connected to a third fluid connection line 145, which in turn may be connected to a milk analyzer 120. As a result, the fluid passing through the filter device 140 from the first side 141 to the second side 142 of the filter device 140, and then from the first fluid connection line 115 to the third fluid connection line 145, is filtered by the filter device 140.

[0069] The fluid connection lines 115, 135, and 145 may include, for example, components of an elastic hose made of plastic (e.g., nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC)), synthetic rubber, or natural rubber. The fluid connection lines 115, 135, and 145 may have a substantially circular cross-section. The inner diameter of the fluid connection lines 115, 135, and 145 may be, for example, 1 to 5 mm, preferably about 2 to 3 mm.

[0070] The filter holder 130 may be positioned to supply a milk sample from the first fluid connection line 115 to the first side 141 of the filter device 140 at a first angular displacement α with respect to the normal N of the first side 141, thereby flushing any residue adhering to the first side 141 of the filter device 140 via the second fluid connection line 135.

[0071] The first angular displacement α of the first side portion 141 of the filter device 140 with respect to the normal N may be at least 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the first angular displacement α may be at least 45 degrees but not exceeding 75 degrees.

[0072] The applied first angular displacement α assists in the flushing of the first side 141 of the filter device 140 by the fluid at high speed, thereby improving rinsing.

[0073] The filter holder 130 may be positioned to drain fluid after rinsing the first side 141 of the filter device 140 via the second fluid connection line 135, at a second angular displacement β with respect to the normal N of the first side 141 of the filter device 140. The second angular displacement β may be at least 30 degrees.

[0074] The second angular displacement β of the first side portion 141 of the filter device 140 with respect to the normal N is at least 45 degrees but may not exceed 75 degrees.

[0075] The first angular displacement α of the first fluid connection line 115 and the second angular displacement β of the second fluid connection line 135 can be arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the normal N of the first side portion 141 of the filter device 140.

[0076] The filter device 140 may be configured to filter multiple milk samples extracted from separate animals. A washing operation may be performed between each milk sample. This avoids the carryover effect of milk samples from separate animals.

[0077] The filter device 140 may include a wire mesh filter, etched metal foil, or a similar solution. The aperture of the filter device 140 may have a diameter of approximately 40 to 100 μm.

[0078] In some embodiments, all filter openings of the filter device 140 may be the same size.

[0079] Furthermore, a filter device 140 having multiple filter openings of different sizes (within intervals of 40 to 100 μm) may be provided, thereby allowing agricultural workers to select the filter particle size according to the degree of contamination of the milk sample and / or the type of test to be performed by the milk analyzer 120.

[0080] The selection of filter opening size involves balancing the need to filter out impurities with the passage rate of the milk sample.

[0081] By providing a selection of filter devices 140 having filter openings of multiple different sizes, the optimal filter opening size can be selected by agricultural workers, enabling the best possible compromise between filtered-off impurities and milk sample throughput.

[0082] The system may include a second pump 170 capable of transporting a milk sample to the milk analyzer 120 along a third fluid connection line 145 from a first side 141 of the filter device 140 to a second side 142 of the filter device 140. The second pump 170 may be, for example, a peristaltic pump, a hose pump, a roller pump, a tube pump, or a similar configuration.

[0083] In some embodiments, the system 100 may include means, such as a valve, to regulate, i.e., enable / disable, the passage of milk / fluid along the third fluid connection line 145. However, the advantage of using a pump is that the pump can provide a very precise amount of milk / fluid. The pump can also be operated in both directions, which then allows for the washing / rinsing of the fluid connection lines 115, 135, 145 and the filter 140.

[0084] System 100 may also include a controller 200 that is communicably connected to a milk sample collection device 110, a first pump 160, and a milk analysis instrument 120.

[0085] The controller 200 may be configured to send control signals to the milk sampling device 110 in order to extract the milk sample. The controller 200 may also be configured to send control signals to the first pump 160 in order to transport the milk sample to the drain 150 along the first fluid connection line 115 and the second fluid connection line 135.

[0086] In embodiments comprising an optional second pump 170, the controller 200 may be communicatively connected to the second pump 170. The controller 200 may be configured to transmit control signals to the second pump 170 to transport a portion of the milk sample to the milk analyzer 120 along a third fluid connection line 145, from a first side 141 of the filter device 140 to a second side 142 of the filter device 140. This allows the milk analyzer 120 to analyze a portion of the milk sample upon receiving it.

[0087] The controller 200 may comprise one or more instances of processing circuits configured to perform various calculations for controlling the operation of the first pump 160 and / or the second pump 170. The controller 200 may also comprise memory in some embodiments. Optional memory may comprise a physical device used to temporarily or permanently store data or programs, i.e., sequences of instructions. According to some embodiments, memory may comprise an integrated circuit comprising silicon-based transistors. In different embodiments, memory may comprise, for example, a memory card, flash memory, USB memory, a hard disk, or another similar volatile or non-volatile storage unit for storing data, such as ROM (Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), etc.

[0088] System 100 may also include a washing fluid inlet 181 for the milk sampling device 110, which is configured to provide washing fluid to the first fluid connection line 115 via the milk sampling device 110.

[0089] System 100 may also include a cleaning fluid inlet adjustment device 180 that is communicably connected to the controller 200. An optional cleaning fluid inlet adjustment device 180 may be configured to adjust the flow of cleaning fluid into the cleaning fluid inlet 181.

[0090] The controller 200 may also be configured to send a control signal to the washing fluid inlet adjustment device 180 in order to allow the washing fluid to flow into the milk sample collection device 110 via the washing fluid inlet 181.

[0091] Furthermore, the controller 200 may be configured to send control signals to the first pump 160 in order to transport cleaning fluid along the first fluid connection line 115 to the second fluid connection line 135, thereby performing a cleaning operation across the first side 141 of the filter device 140.

[0092] In some embodiments, the controller 200 may be configured to send control signals to a second pump 170 to transport cleaning fluid along a third fluid connection line 145 from a first side 141 of the filter device 140 to a second side 142 of the filter device 140, thereby performing a cleaning operation of the filter device 140 and the third fluid connection line 145.

[0093] System 100 may include a second cleaning fluid inlet adjustment device 190 for the milk analyzer 120, the second cleaning fluid inlet 191 being configured to supply cleaning fluid to a third fluid connection line 145.

[0094] The cleaning solution may include detergents, acidic cleaning agents, disinfectants or sterilizers, and / or, in some cases, enzymatic cleaning agents.

[0095] Detergents are cleaning agents that can be used to remove organic and inorganic materials from system 100. They work by dissolving and lifting dirt, grease, and other contaminants from inside the fluid connection lines 115, 135, 145 and filter device 140, and optionally other parts of system 100 where cleaning is desired, such as the milk sampling device 110 and / or milk analyzer 120.

[0096] Acid-based cleaning agents may be used to remove mineral deposits (scale) that may accumulate in system 100 over time.

[0097] Bactericides or disinfectants may be used to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that may contaminate System 100 or any part thereof and / or the milking apparatus. This ensures that the disinfectant / disinfectant meets the high hygiene standards expected for products intended for human consumption. Bactericides / disinfectants may include, for example, iodine-based or chlorine-based products, as well as peracetic acid and / or hydrogen peroxide.

[0098] Enzymatic detergents may occasionally be used to break down biofilms or protein deposits that may be resistant to conventional detergents. These detergents contain enzymes that break down protein structures in biofilms or deposits, making them easier to remove.

[0099] In some embodiments, the controller 200 may be configured to implement a Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) protocol, which enables the cleaning and disinfection of the entire system 100 without requiring disassembly of the system 100 or human interaction by agricultural workers during the process.

[0100] A CIP protocol may include, for example, a pre-rinse stage (with cold / lukewarm water and / or hot water), a detergent wash stage, a post-rinse stage (with water), an acid rinse stage, and a disinfection stage. The type of detergent, acid, or disinfectant used may depend, for example, on the specific needs of system 100 and the water quality (hardness) of the dairy farm. The CIP protocol may also specify the use of different types of washing solutions at different time points, for example, rinsing with water and detergent between each milk sample, for example, application of acid once every two hours, and application of disinfectant once a day.

[0101] System 100 may also include a second cleaning fluid inlet adjustment device 190 which is communicably connected to the controller 200. The second cleaning fluid inlet adjustment device 190 may be configured to adjust the inflow of cleaning fluid into the third fluid connection line 145 via the second cleaning fluid inlet 191.

[0102] The controller 200 may be configured to send a control signal to the second washing fluid inlet adjustment device 190 in order to allow the washing fluid to flow into the milk analyzer 120 through the second washing fluid inlet 191.

[0103] The controller 200 may also be configured to send control signals to the second pump 170 to transport cleaning fluid along the third fluid connection line 145 to the first side 141 of the filter device 140 via the second side 142 of the filter device 140.

[0104] Therefore, by reversing the second pump 170, the cleaning fluid is supplied to the filter device 140 and flows through the filter device 140, thereby removing any particles that have adhered to the filter device 140.

[0105] The controller 200 may also be configured to send a control signal to the first pump 160 to prevent the transport of washing fluid to the milk sample collection device 110 along the first fluid connection line 115, thereby causing the washing fluid to pass from the second side 142 of the filter device 140 to the first side 141 of the filter device 140, and through the second fluid connection line 135 to the drain 150.

[0106] The cleaning fluid, provided by operating the second pump 170 in the reverse direction, has no alternative but to be discharged to the drain 150 via the second fluid connection line 135 after passing through the filter device 140, carrying any captured particles or residues on the filter surface to the drain 150.

[0107] Figures 2A and 2C show an example of the filter holder 130 and how it can be implemented. Figure 2A shows the filter holder 130 viewed from the first side. Figure 2B shows the first cross section AA of the filter holder 130 viewed from the second side. The second side is substantially perpendicular to the first side.

[0108] Figure 2C shows the third cross-section BB of the filter holder 130 as seen from the third side. The third side is substantially perpendicular to the second side.

[0109] The filter holder 130 may include a filter chamber 131 positioned to secure the filter device 140 within the filter holder 130. The filter chamber 131 may have a substantially curved funnel shape, comprising an inlet end for receiving fluid from a first fluid connection line 115 and an outlet end for providing filtered fluid to a third fluid connection line 145. The inlet end may have a diameter at least three times larger than the diameter of the outlet end.

[0110] This increases the fluid velocity as it passes through the filter device 140, reducing the risk of residue accumulation within the filter device 140.

[0111] The filter holder 130 may be separable into a first section 210 and a second section 220, the first section 210 and the second section 220 being releasably held together by at least one retaining means 139a, 139b. This allows for the replacement of the filter device 140.

[0112] The retaining means 139a, 139b may include, for example, fasteners such as screws / bolts used in conjunction with corresponding nuts, or optionally, threaded inserts, snap fasteners, quick-release pins, clamps, magnets, etc.

[0113] The filter device 140 can be reused repeatedly with only a washing operation between the provision of two separate milk samples, although the filter device 140 may need to be replaced at predetermined service intervals. Thanks to the divisible filter device 140 and the releaseable retaining means 139a, 139b, the filter device 140 can be quickly replaced by the agricultural worker with minimal time consumption.

[0114] The methods and processes described above, carried out by the controller 200, may be implemented through one or more processing circuits, together with a computer program for carrying out at least some of the functions of the method steps described above. Thus, the computer program includes instructions that cause the controller 200 to carry out the method steps when the computer program is executed by the controller 200 in the system 100.

[0115] The computer program described above may be provided, for example, in the form of a computer-readable medium, i.e., in the form of a data carrier that, when loaded into one or more processing circuits of the controller 200, carries computer program code for performing at least some of the method steps described above according to several embodiments. The data carrier may be, for example, a hard disk, a CD-ROM disk, a memory stick, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any other suitable medium such as a disk or tape that can permanently hold machine-readable data. The computer program may also be provided as computer program code on a server and downloaded remotely to the controller 200, for example, via an internet or intranet connection.

[0116] The terminology used in the description of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the described system 100. Various modifications, substitutions, and / or alterations may be made without departing from the embodiments of the invention, as defined by the accompanying claims.

[0117] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination of one or more of the enumerated items relating to the claim. As used herein, the term "or" should be interpreted as mathematical OR, i.e., a compatible disjunction, unless otherwise specified, and not as mathematical exclusive OR (XOR). In addition, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" should be interpreted as "at least one," and therefore, in some cases, include multiple entities of the same kind. It will be further understood that the terms "includes," "comprises," "including," and / or "comprising" specify the presence of the described features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. For example, a single unit, such as a processor, may perform the functions of several of the items enumerated in the claims. The mere fact that certain strategies or features are enumerated in different dependent claims, illustrated in different figures, or considered in relation to different embodiments does not indicate that combinations of these strategies or features cannot be used advantageously. Computer programs may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium, provided together with or as part of other hardware, or they may be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless communication systems.

Claims

1. System (100), A milk sample collection device (110) configured to extract a milk sample from the mammary gland containing milk, A first fluid connection line (115) is attached to the milk sample collection device (110) and configured to receive the milk sample from the milk sample collection device (110), A milk analyzer (120) is configured to receive the milk sample and perform analysis on the received milk sample, A filter holder (130) is positioned to hold a filter device (140), and is connected to the first fluid connection line (115) and the second fluid connection line (135). A first pump (160) is operated to transport the milk sample from the milk sample collection device (110) to the second fluid connection line (135) along the first fluid connection line (115), The filter device (140) comprises a first side portion (141) and a second side portion (142) opposite to the first side portion (141), and when the filter device (140) is held in the filter holder (130), The fluid passing from the first fluid connection line (115) to the second fluid connection line (135) performs a rinsing operation across the first side portion (141) of the filter device (140), A system (100) comprising the above.

2. The filter holder (130) is connected to a third fluid connection line (145), and the third fluid connection line (145) is connected to the milk analyzer (120). The fluid passing through the filter device (140) from the first side (141) to the second side (142) of the filter device (140), and from the first fluid connection line (115) to the third fluid connection line (145), is filtered by the filter device (140). The system (100) according to claim 1.

3. A second pump (170) is operated to transport the milk sample to the milk analyzer (120) along the third fluid connection line (145) from the first side (141) of the filter device (140) to the second side (142) of the filter device (140). The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. A drain (150) connected to the second fluid connection line (135) A system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

5. A controller (200) is communicably connected to the milk sample collection device (110), the first pump (160), and the milk analysis device (120). The controller (200) is equipped with the following: To extract the milk sample, a control signal is transmitted to the milk sample collection device (110), A control signal is transmitted to the first pump (160) in order to transport the milk sample to the drain (150) along the first fluid connection line (115) and the second fluid connection line (135). A system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, configured as described above.

6. The system (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the controller (200) is communicably connected to the second pump (170), and the controller (200) is configured to transmit a control signal to the second pump (170) to transport a portion of the milk sample to the milk analyzer (120) along the third fluid connection line (145) from the first side (141) of the filter device (140) to the second side (142) of the filter device (140), thereby enabling the milk analyzer (120) to analyze the portion of the milk sample.

7. The milk sample collection device (110) has a washing liquid inlet (181) configured to supply washing liquid to the first fluid connection line (115) via the milk sample collection device (110), A cleaning fluid inlet adjustment device (180) is communicably connected to the controller (200), and is configured to adjust the inflow of cleaning fluid into the cleaning fluid inlet (181), and Equipped with, The controller (200) In order to enable the flow of washing liquid into the milk sample collection device (110) via the washing liquid inlet (181), a control signal is transmitted to the washing liquid inlet adjustment device (180), The system is configured to transmit a control signal to the first pump (160) in order to transport the cleaning fluid along the first fluid connection line (115) to the second fluid connection line (135), thereby performing a cleaning operation across the first side (141) of the filter device (140). The system (100) according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The system (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the controller (200) is configured to transmit a control signal to the second pump (170) to transport the cleaning fluid along the third fluid connection line (145) from the first side (141) of the filter device (140) to the second side (142) of the filter device (140), thereby performing a cleaning operation of the filter device (140) and the third fluid connection line (145).

9. The second cleaning fluid inlet (191) of the milk analysis device (120) is configured to supply cleaning fluid to the third fluid connection line (145), and the second cleaning fluid inlet (191) is configured to supply cleaning fluid to the third fluid connection line (145), The second cleaning fluid inlet adjustment device (190) is communicably connected to the controller (200) and is configured to adjust the inflow of cleaning fluid into the third fluid connection line (145) via the second cleaning fluid inlet (191), Equipped with, The controller (200) In order to enable the inflow of cleaning solution into the milk analyzer (120) through the second cleaning solution inlet (191), a control signal is transmitted to the second cleaning solution inlet adjustment device (190), A control signal is transmitted to the second pump (170) to transport the cleaning fluid along the third fluid connection line (145) to the first side (141) of the filter device (140) via the second side (142) of the filter device (140). A system (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, configured as described above.

10. The controller (200) The system (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a control signal is transmitted to the first pump (160) to prevent the transport of the washing liquid along the first fluid connection line (115) to the milk sample collection device (110), thereby causing the washing liquid to pass from the second side (142) of the filter device (140) to the first side (141) of the filter device (140) through the second fluid connection line (135) to the drain (150).

11. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the filter device (140) is configured to filter multiple milk samples extracted from multiple separate animals, and a washing operation is performed between each of the milk samples.

12. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the filter device (140) includes a wire mesh filter.

13. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the filter device (140) includes an etched metal foil.

14. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the filter device (140) has an opening of about 40 to 100 μm.

15. The filter holder (130) is positioned to supply a milk sample from the first fluid connection line (115) to the first side (141) of the filter device (140) at a first angular displacement (α) with respect to the normal (N) of the first side (141), thereby flushing out any residue adhering to the first side (141) of the filter device (140) via the second fluid connection line (135). The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The system (100) according to claim 15, wherein the first angular displacement (α) of the first side portion (141) of the filter device (140) with respect to the normal (N) is at least 30 degrees.

17. The system (100) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the first angular displacement (α) of the first side portion (141) of the filter device (140) with respect to the normal (N) is at least 45 degrees but not exceeding 75 degrees.

18. The filter holder (130) is positioned to rinse the first side (141) of the filter device (140) via the second fluid connection line (135) and then discharge the fluid at a second angular displacement (β) with respect to the normal (N) of the first side (141) of the filter device (140), wherein the second angular displacement (β) is at least 30 degrees. The system (100) according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

19. The system (100) according to claim 18, wherein the second angular displacement (β) of the first side portion (141) of the filter device (140) with respect to the normal (N) is at least 45 degrees but not exceeding 75 degrees.

20. The system (100) according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the first angular displacement (α) of the first fluid connection line (115) and the second angular displacement (β) of the second fluid connection line (135) are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the normal (N) of the first side portion (141) of the filter device (140).

21. The filter holder (130) comprises a filter chamber (131) positioned to secure the filter device (140) within the filter holder (130), the filter chamber (131) having a substantially curved funnel shape, the inlet end having a diameter at least three times larger than the diameter of the outlet end, and the inlet end having an outlet end having a diameter at least three times larger than the diameter of the outlet end. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the filter holder (130) is separable into a first section (210) and a second section (220), and the first section (210) and the second section (220) are releasably held together by at least one retaining means (139a, 139b), thereby enabling replacement of the filter device (140).

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