초록 ▼

Example embodiments of the present invention refer to a milk sampling apparatus and method for use with an automated milking system. The apparatus comprises a cassette (7) wherein milk sample collecting elements (9) are placed, and at least one filling member (27) capable of being placed above a sel

Example embodiments of the present invention refer to a milk sampling apparatus and method for use with an automated milking system. The apparatus comprises a cassette (7) wherein milk sample collecting elements (9) are placed, and at least one filling member (27) capable of being placed above a selected one of the milk sample collecting elements (9) by a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during the milking of an animal by the automated milking system, into the selected one of the milk sample collecting elements (9). The positioning system comprises an arm (34) extending in a first dimension (Y) in a plane (XY) above the milk sample collecting elements (9) and being movable in a second direction (X) in the plane (XY), the first (Y) and second (X) directions being orthogonal; a runner ( 32) holding the filling member (27) and being movable along the arm (34); and first (29) and a second (31) drives, wherein the first drive (29) is effective to move the arm (34) and the second drive (31) is effective to move the runner (32) such that filling member (27) is positioned above the selected one of the milk sample collecting elements (9).

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A milk sampling apparatus used with an automated milking system, said apparatus comprising a cassette wherein milk sample collecting elements are placed, and at least one filling member capable of being placed above a selected one of said milk sample collecting elements

The invention claimed is: 1. A milk sampling apparatus used with an automated milking system, said apparatus comprising a cassette wherein milk sample collecting elements are placed, and at least one filling member capable of being placed above a selected one of said milk sample collecting elements by a positioning system, and capable of bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during a milking of an animal by said automated milking system, into said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements, wherein said positioning system comprises an arm extending in a first direction in a plane above said milk sample collecting elements and being movable in a second direction in said plane, said first and second directions being orthogonal; a first runner holding said filling member and being movable along said arm; and first and second drives, wherein said first drive is effective to move said arm in said second direction in response to a first provided signal value or a first provided number of pulses and said second drive is effective to move said first runner along said arm in response to a second provided signal value or a second provided number of pulses to position said filling member above said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements. 2. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second drives comprise a respective servo-operated motor. 3. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said arm is mounted on a second runner, which is threaded on a screw and prevented from being rotated, and wherein the motor of said first drive is effective to move said arm by rotating said screw. 4. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first runner is threaded on a second screw and prevented from being rotated, and wherein the motor of said second drive is mounted on said second runner and effective to move said first runner by rotating said second screw. 5. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first runner is spring biased and said second drive is effective to move said first runner by a drive wire. 6. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said first and second drives is effective to move a drive belt. 7. A milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first drive comprises a first servo-operated motor, which together with said arm are rigidly mounted on a second runner, said second runner being moved by said first motor cooperating with a first gear rack. 8. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second drive comprises a second servo-operated motor, which is rigidly mounted on said first runner, said first runner being moved by said second motor cooperating with a second gear rack. 9. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said milk sampling apparatus is capable of bringing a second non-consecutive milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during a second milking of said animal by said automated milking system, into said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements. 10. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cassette is held at place by an insert. 11. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said insert has an opening, in which said cassette fits. 12. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said milk sampling apparatus comprises a second cassette where milk sample collecting elements are placed, said second cassette being held at place by said insert, and said at least one filling member is capable of being placed above a selected one of said milk sample collecting elements in said second cassette. 13. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical distance between said filling member and the upper end of said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements is small when said filling member is positioned above said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements so as to ensure that said milk sample is brought into said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements in its entirety. 14. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a processing unit arranged to receive an indication of said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements and to control said first and second drives to move said arm and said first runner such that said filling member is positioned above said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements. 15. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a processing unit arranged for two-way communication with said automated milking system. 16. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a sensor connected to said processing unit wherein said processing unit is arranged for sending an alarm signal to said automated milking system depending on the sensing of said sensor. 17. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an agitating unit capable of agitating each of said milk samples. 18. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said agitating unit comprises a shaking table at which said cassette is removably mounted. 19. The milk sampling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position of said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements in said plane is provided by a pair of coordinates and wherein said first and second drives are effective to move in response to said pair of coordinates. 20. A method for milk sampling in a milk sampling apparatus comprising a cassette wherein milk sample collecting elements are placed, and at least one filling member movable above said milk sample collecting elements, and bringing a milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during a milking of an animal by an automated milking system, into one of said milk sample collecting elements, said method comprising the steps of: moving said filling member to a position above a selected one of said milk sample collecting elements by moving an arm, which extends in a first direction in a plane above said milk sample collecting elements, in a second direction in said plane by a first drive and in response to a first provided signal value or a first provided number of pulses, said first and second directions being orthogonal; and moving a first runner holding said filling member along said arm by a second drive and in response to a second provided signal value or a second provided number of pulses; and bringing said milk sample into said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements. 21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein one of said first and second drives is effective to move by a drive belt. 22. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein one of said first and second drives is effective to move by a gear rack. 23. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein one of said first and second drives is effective to move by a rotatable screw. 24. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein one of said first and second drives is effective to move by a drive wire. 25. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein a second non-consecutive milk sample, representatively taken from milk yielded during a second milking of said animal by said automated milking system, is brought into said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements by said first and second drives. 26. The method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising holding said cassette at place by an insert. 27. The method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising receiving an indication of said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements and controlling said first and second drive to move said arm and said first runner such that said filling member is placed above said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements. 28. The method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising measuring a parameter of said milk sampling apparatus and sending an alarm signal to said automated milking system depending on said measured parameter. 29. The method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising agitating each of said milk samples. 30. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein said agitating is performed by shaking a shaking table at which said cassette is removably arranged. 31. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the position of said selected one of said milk sample collecting elements in said plane is provided by a pair of coordinates and wherein said arm and said first runner are moved in response to said pair of coordinates.