APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE QUANTITY OF MILK DELIVERED BY A COW AND FOR DRAWING A SAMPLE FROM THE MILK DELIVERED

摘要

1489705 Weighing apparatus P P KIESTRA 1 Sept 1975 [6 Sept 1974] 35943/75 Heading G1 [Also in Division B8] An apparatus for determining the quantity of milk delivered by a cow and taking a sample of the milk comprises a frame 1 having an upper wall 2, a milk container 4 suspended from wall 2 by springs 3 and having an upper edge 5 engageable against wall 2 via a seal 6, an inlet 7 and a chamber 9 for connection to a milking cluster and to milk storage suction conduit 8 respectively, a tube 10 extending from wall 2 to near the bottom of the container, a valve 11 adjustable selectively to place tube 10 in communication with chamber 9 or the atmosphere, a valve 12 controlling the connection between container 4 and chamber 8, indicating means responsive to the vertical position of the container when suspended by the springs, and means for taking a sample of the milk being delivered through the chamber to the conduit 8. In use, with valves 11, 12 open as in Fig. 1, milk is sucked into container 4, and container 4 is held against seal 6 by the effects of springs 3 and the suction. At the end of the milking operation, valve 11 is closed, and air is sucked through valve 11 tube 10 and the milk in container 4 to thoroughly mix the milk, Fig. 2 (not shown). At the end of the mixing operation, valve 12 is closed, the vacuum in container 4 is broken, and container 4 drops and is supported by springs 3 only, the position of the container being determined by the weight of milk. A rod 33, Fig. 6, drives a drum 31 via a rack and pinion 29, 30, and graduations on drum 31 are projected on to a camera 32. Camera 32 is also arranged to record an identification number magnetically coded on to a stainless steel band on the cow's leg. After weighing, the container 4 is emptied by opening valve 11, Fig. 4. The connection 8 includes a constriction 17, and conduits 18, 19 either side of the constriction are connected to conduits 21, 22 of a sample bottle 20. Sample bottle 20 has a valve 25 which, in a first position Fig. 7, closes the bottom of the bottle but opens conduits 21, 22 so that a flow of milk into and through the bottle occurs, and a second position closes conduits 21, 22 and opens the bottom of the bottle to allow the milk to drain into container 27. A rotary table indexed automatically and carrying a plurality of containers 27 may be provided. When all the milking operations have been signals carried out, valves 11, 12 may be opened for rinsing and cleaning operations, Fig. 5 (not shown). Valve 25 may be opened to clean bottle 20. A program controller may be provided to control the valves as required.