An arrangement is provided that is configured to measure a biomarker value of an animal milk sample, including a cassette including a carrier tape having test zones indicating the biomarker value, and an inspective window. The carrier tape is disposed on first and second spools configured to cooperate with a cassette external motor. The arrangement also includes a service module including a camera configured to inspect the test zone, a motor configured to be engaged with a cassette spool, and a tube element configured to provide the milk sample to the test zone.

Apparatus and installation methods for sampling ports are disclosed. Sampling ports include a port housing and a lid assembly. The lid assembly is configured to sealably close against the port housing. Additionally, the lid assembly can be secured, such as with a lock, to the port housing. In one aspect, the port housing includes a sample mount arrangement configured to receive a sampling assembly. The sample mount arrangement defines a sampling channel and the port housing defines a sampling opening and a first securing mount. The lid assembly includes a latch arrangement and defines a second securing mount.

A method for sampling milk in a milking machine includes the steps of attaching teat cups to teats of an animal and starting to milk said teats; receiving a first amount of milk in a milk receiver while keeping an outlet valve device open; closing the outlet valve device; continuing the receiving of milk in the milk receiver; agitating the milk in the milk receiver using an agitation device of a milk sampling arrangement; taking a regular milk sample from the milk in an outlet portion of the milk receiver using a milk sample device of the milk sampling arrangement; and opening the outlet valve device so that the milk can be transferred to a milk tank.

A distribution unit for milk samples that includes a first distribution portion with a first flow channel and a plurality of ports adjoining and communicating with the first flow channel, the ports configured to permit various media to be delivered to and from the first flow channel, and a second distribution portion that includes a second flow channel and a plurality of ports adjoining and communicating with the second flow channel, including at least a milk inlet port permitting milk to be delivered from the first flow channel to the second flow channel, and including a milk outlet port permitting milk samples to be delivered from the second flow channel to a further milk analyzing unit.

A distribution unit for milk samples, with a flow channel, a plurality of ports adjoining and communicating with the flow channel and configured to permit various media to be delivered to and from the flow channel, and a membrane extending inside the flow channel with a first side facing the ports and an opposite second side, wherein a plurality of valves each comprising a valve body act on the second side of the membrane for closing and opening the ports, each valve body attached to the second side of the membrane in a manner that permits the valve body to push the membrane against a respective seat surface and to pull the membrane away from the respective seat surface.

A sampler 1 including an inlet 10a,b, an outlet 20 and a flushing device 30, the sampler 1 adapted such that a sample fluid flows from the inlet 10a,b, out the outlet 20 and into sample containers 40, wherein, the flushing device 30 is adapted to flush a pressurised flushing fluid past all surfaces of the sampler 1 which are adapted to contact the sample fluid.

An apparatus (1) for taking a sample (2) of milk (4) that flows through a milk line (6), wherein the apparatus comprises a main valve (8) comprising a first valve inlet (10) and a first valve outlet (12), the apparatus being configured for including the main valve in a milk flow path of the milk line by placing the first valve inlet in fluid communication with a first open end (16) of the milk line and placing the first valve outlet in fluid communication with a second open end (18) of the milk line, the first open end being located upstream of the second open end in the milk flow path, the apparatus further comprising a sample collecting chamber (20) for receiving the sample of the milk, the sample collecting chamber being provided with a sample collecting chamber inlet (22) and at least one sample collecting chamber outlet (24), and the main valve further comprising a second valve outlet (26), the second valve main valve is configured to selectively swatch between a first and a second state, wherein in the first state the first valve inlet is in fluid communication with the first valve outlet so that the milk can flow through the milk line without a sample being taken and wherein in the second state the first valve inlet is in fluid communication with the second valve outlet for supplying milk from the milk line to the sample collecting chamber and wherein the apparatus is configured to selectively place or not place the sample collecting chamber outlet in fluid communication with the milk line downstream of the main valve for leading back to the milk line excess milk of a milk sample which is in the sample collecting chamber.

Systems and methods for analysing a fluid including a fluid sample delivery application. The system includes a sensing element configured to respond to at least one analyte in a sample of fluid. A detector is provided, configured to sense the response to the analyte by the sensing element. The fluid sample delivery apparatus includes a dosage needle configured to deliver the sample of fluid to the sensing element, at least one pump configured to control flow of fluid through the dosage needle, and at least one actuator configured to move the dosage needle relative to the sensing element. At least one controller is provided, configured to control the at least one pump and the at least one actuator.

An arrangement is provided that is configured to measure a biomarker value of an animal milk sample, including a cassette including a carrier tape having test zones indicating the biomarker value, and an inspective window. The carrier tape is disposed on first and second spools configured to cooperate with a cassette external motor. The arrangement also includes a service module including a camera configured to inspect the test zone, a motor configured to be engaged with a cassette spool, and a tube element configured to provide the milk sample to the test zone.

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 the 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 controlling 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.