The invention relates to a portable device for testing agro-dairy based samples. The said device comprises an optical detector based on micro-spectroscopy. With the aid of an adaptor, the device is amenable to holding a colorimetric test strip, a concave shaped holder for a solid or semi-solid substance and/or a cuvette. The invention also describes a system of testing agro-dairy based samples comprising the said portable device and also a method of testing agro-dairy based samples using the said system.

A milk analyser system is provided for detecting the presence of a biomarker, the system comprising: a colorimetric sensor which is arranged to change colour in the presence of a biomarker to be detected; and an optically transparent container which contains the sensor, the container being openable in use to allow milk received by the system to pass over the sensor in order to provide an indication of the biomarker in the milk, any change in colour in the sensor being detectable by viewing the sensor through the container.

A milking arrangement includes a milking machine for milking an animal and an analysing unit configured to determine a value of haptoglobin quantity in a milk sample taken from milk harvest by the milking machine. The analysing unit includes a blood detection sensor device configured to detect the presence of blood in said milk harvest by the milking machine, and a haptoglobin sensor device configured to provide a value of haptoglobin quantity in the milk sample.

An inline analyzer for a milking machine system includes an outer body having a central axis, a fluid input channel, an upper cover attached to the fluid input channel, a central portion attached to the upper cover, a lower portion attached to the central portion, and a fluid output channel attached to the lower portion, wherein the fluid input channel, the central portion and the fluid output channel each have a hollow central channel. A float portion is disposed loosely within the outer body and is free to move axially along the central axis such that milk flows around the float portion. Electrode(s) extend through an upper portion of the float portion. A battery, processor(s), memory and actuator are disposed within float portion. The actuator causes the float portion to move axially along the outer body central to regulate the flow of milk through the outer body.

A milking system for milking a dairy animal includes a milking cup and a measuring chamber which is in flow communication with the milking cup for the obtained milk where the chamber has a sensor system for measuring at least one property of the milk. The sensor system includes at least three optical sensor devices, each configured to measure values of a property of the milk, and a sensor control unit for actuating the sensor system and for processing the measured values. The sensor control unit is configured to repeatedly select one of the sensor devices. Two of the optical sensor devices are identical, and the sensor system is configured to in each case measure the local value of the property of the milk and to determine a value of the at least one property of the milk in the measuring chamber on the basis of the values measured locally.

An inline analyzer for a milking machine system includes an outer body having a central axis, a fluid input channel, an upper cover attached to the fluid input channel, a central portion attached to the upper cover, a lower portion attached to the central portion, and a fluid output channel attached to the lower portion, wherein the fluid input channel, the central portion and the fluid output channel each have a hollow central channel. A float portion is disposed loosely within the outer body and is free to move axially along the central axis such that milk flows around the float portion. Electrode(s) extend through an upper portion of the float portion. A battery, processor(s), memory and actuator are disposed within float portion. The actuator causes the float portion to move axially along the outer body central to regulate the flow of milk through the outer body.

In one aspect, the invention provides a sampling apparatus for taking a representative milk sample in a predetermined quantity range from a conveying line in which milk is conveyed at conveying intervals of unknown length. The sampling apparatus comprises a pump, a controller of the pump, and a sample container connecting element connecting member in communication with the pump, wherein the controller is configured based on the predetermined quantity range and a measured quantity indicating a flow rate of milk conveyed in the conveying line and/or a predetermined quantity indicating a total quantity of milk to be conveyed through the conveying line in a conveying interval, to control a pulsed operation of the pump in a conveying interval, wherein the pump conveys a discrete sample subset along a first conveying direction of the pump during the pulsed operation in each sample pulse interval, and wherein the predetermined quantity range is greater than or equal to a total quantity corresponding to a total number of discrete sample subsets in the conveying interval.

An inline analyzer for a milking machine system includes an outer body having a central axis, a fluid input channel, an upper cover attached to the fluid input channel, a central portion attached to the upper cover, a lower portion attached to the central portion, and a fluid output channel attached to the lower portion, wherein the fluid input channel, the central portion and the fluid output channel each have a hollow central channel. A float portion is disposed loosely within the outer body and is free to move axially along the central axis such that milk flows around the float portion. Electrode(s) extend through an upper portion of the float portion. A battery, processor(s), memory and actuator are disposed within float portion. The actuator causes the float portion to move axially along the outer body central to regulate the flow of milk through the outer body.

A method comprises receiving a flow of milk at an inlet of a manifold. The inlet comprises a first end coupled to a hose that receives a flow of milk from a teat cup and a second end terminating in a chamber of the manifold. The manifold comprises one or more other inlets and a plurality of outlets. The plurality of outlets includes one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets. The method proceeds by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding milk collector outlet by causing a shut-off valve corresponding to the inlet to open, and by causing a drain valve corresponding to the inlet to close. The method concludes by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding drain outlet by causing the drain valve corresponding to the inlet to open.

A milking system including a milking means, a milk line, and a sampling and analysis device, that includes an analysis tape, with a carrier layer and a reagent tape layer with a reagent that provides a detectable response in the presence of a substance in the sample, a dosing device, an optical radiation source, and an optical sensor device to detect optical response radiation emitted by the reagent tape layer and to analyse the detected optical response radiation to provide an indication of a presence or concentration of the substance in the droplet. The reagent tape layer includes, or is, a material with an asymmetrical porosity, having the largest pore size at a first side where the sample is provided, and the smallest pore size at the opposite side.