A SYSTEM AND A DETERGENT CONTAINER

Abstract

A system and detergent container for cleaning a piece of milking equipment, where the system includes a cleaning unit that uses the detergent and water to create a mixture for cleaning the milking equipment, a dosing device supplying detergent to the cleaning unit, a wireless communicator that communicates wirelessly with a configuration tag on the detergent container that includes a memory device that stores a reference to the detergent, and a control unit, where the wireless communicator retrieves the reference from the memory device, and the control unit is configured to use the obtained reference to obtain the detergent reference via the wireless communicator from the memory device and set a cleaning parameter for cleaning the piece of the milking equipment.

Claims

1. A system configured to clean a piece of milking equipment in an agricultural environment, the system comprising: a detergent container comprising a detergent; a cleaning unit, configured to utilise water and the detergent of the detergent container to create a mixture, and to clean the piece of milking equipment during a cleaning session with the mixture; a dosing device configured to supply the detergent from the detergent container to the cleaning unit; a configuration tag associated with the detergent container and equipped with a memory device having stored therein a reference to the detergent of the detergent container; a wireless communicator configured to communicate wirelessly with the configuration tag and to retrieve the reference from the memory device of the configuration tag, when the configuration tag is situated within a communication distance (d) from the wireless communicator; and a control unit, configured to obtain the reference to the detergent via the wireless communicator from the memory device of the configuration tag, and set at least one parameter of the cleaning unit for the cleaning session, based on the obtained reference, wherein the control unit is configured to only enable performance of a pre-programmed cleaning session program for the cleaning device, when the cleaning unit is activated while detergent is extracted via the dosing devices, from the detergent container to the cleaning device, and no configuration tag associated with the detergent container is detected by the wireless communicator.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to obtain, based on the reference obtained from the memory device of the configuration tag, information relating to any of a temperature to be kept during the cleaning session, a detergent concentration, and a cleaning time of the cleaning session.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to obtain, based on the reference obtained from the memory device of the configuration tag, information relating to any of an amount of detergent in the detergent container and an expiration date of the detergent.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to obtain the information via the wireless communicator from the memory device of the configuration tag.

5. The system according to claim 2, further comprising: a database comprising the information associated with the reference to the detergent comprised in the detergent container, wherein the control unit is further configured to obtain the reference to the detergent from the configuration tag via the wireless communicator, provide the obtained reference to the database, and retrieve the information associated with the reference from the database.

6. The system according to claim 5, further comprising: a communication device configured to communicate with the database over a communication network; wherein the control unit is further configured to obtain the information from the database via the communication device.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter of the cleaning unit set by the control unit for the cleaning session comprises any of: a cleaning time of the cleaning session, a temperature to be kept by the cleaning unit during the cleaning session, a concentration of the detergent, and a contact surface time between the mixture and interior surfaces of the milking equipment to be cleaned.

8. The system according to claim 2, wherein the obtained information comprises an amount of detergent in the detergent container, and wherein the control unit is further configured to estimate an amount of detergent used by the cleaning unit during the cleaning session, calculate a remaining amount of detergent in the detergent container after the cleaning session, by subtracting the estimated used amount of detergent from the obtained amount of detergent, and transmit information related to the remaining amount of detergent via the wireless communicator to the configuration tag, for updating the information comprising the amount of detergent in the detergent container stored in the memory device of the configuration tag.

9. The system according to claim 2, further comprising: an alert emitting device, wherein the obtained information comprises an amount of detergent in the detergent container, and wherein the control unit is further configured to compare the obtained amount of detergent with a threshold limit, and generate an alert to be output on the alert emitting device when the amount of detergent in the detergent container is lower than the threshold limit for reminding a user of the emitting device for a replacement of the detergent container.

10. The system according to claim 2, wherein the obtained information comprises an expiration date of the detergent in the detergent container, and wherein the control unit is further configured to compare the obtained expiration date of the detergent with the current date, and perform an action for preventing usage of the detergent in the cleaning unit when the expiration date is older than the current date.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to detect a first-time detergent extraction from the detergent container, determine a moment in time when the first-time detergent extraction of the detergent container is detected, and transmit the determined moment in time via the wireless communicator to the memory device of the configuration tag for storage therein.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the control unit is further configured to retrieve the moment in time of first-time detergent extraction stored in the memory device of the configuration tag, via the wireless communicator, check whether a time difference between a current moment in time and the moment in time of the first-time detergent extraction, exceeds a predetermined time limit, and when the predetermined time limit is exceeded, perform an action for preventing detergent extraction from the detergent container.

13. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of detergent containers; a plurality of dosing devices, each one configured to enable detergent to flow from one distinct detergent container to the cleaning unit; a plurality of configuration tags, each one associated with a respective detergent container wherein a respective memory device of each configuration tag comprises a respective reference to the detergent of the respectively associated detergent container; and a plurality of wireless communicators, each one dedicated to a particular one of the dosing devices, wherein the control unit is further configured to select the detergent to be used by the cleaning unit during the cleaning session based on the reference obtained via the respective wireless communicator from the memory device of the configuration tag of the respective detergent container.

14. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor, situated in the piece of milking equipment to be cleaned, said sensor configured to measure a feature of the detergent during the cleaning session, wherein the control unit is further configured to obtain a measurement from the sensor, relating to the applied detergent, compare the obtained measurement of the sensor with an expected value of the detergent feature, and perform an action for preventing detergent extraction from the detergent container when the obtained measurement does not correspond with the expected value of the detergent feature.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the piece of milking equipment to be cleaned comprises a milk line, and wherein the system further comprises: a controllable valve (10), configured to admit gas into the milk line comprising the mixture in order to create a slug acting on the milk line; and a vacuum pump (20), configured to generate an under pressure within the milk line to be cleaned, and wherein the control unit is further configured to ascertain formation of a slug of the mixture in the milk line, to clean the milk line by ascertaining that contact is established between the slug and an internal surface of the milk line during a time period.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the piece of milking equipment to be cleaned comprises a milk line, wherein the system comprises a pump configured to generate an over pressure and pump the mixture through the milk line such that a cross section of the milk line is filled with the mixture, and wherein the control unit is further configured to control the pump (8) to ascertain that contact is established between the mixture and an internal surface of the milk line during a time period.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the piece of milking equipment to be cleaned comprises a milk tank.

18. A detergent container comprising a detergent, said detergent container associated with a configuration tag, said detergent configured for use by a cleaning unit of a system according to claim 1, wherein a memory device of the configuration tag stores a reference of the detergent comprised in the detergent container, and wherein the configuration tag is configured to communicate wirelessly with a wireless communicator, external to the detergent container, when the configuration tag is situated within a communication distance from the wireless communicator.

19. The detergent container according to claim 18, wherein the memory device comprises information relating to any of: a temperature to be kept during the cleaning session, a detergent concentration, and a cleaning time of the cleaning session.

20. The detergent container according to claim 18, wherein the memory device comprises information relating to any of an amount of detergent in the detergent container and an expiration date of the detergent.

Description

FIGURES

[0064] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0065] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of system configured to clean a piece of milking equipment in an agricultural environment.

[0066] FIG. 2 illustrates a system configured to clean a piece of milking equipment in an agricultural environment, according to an embodiment.

[0067] FIG. 3 illustrates a system configured to clean a piece of milking equipment in an agricultural environment, according to an embodiment.

[0068] FIG. 4A illustrates details of a system configured to clean a piece of milking equipment in an agricultural environment, according to an embodiment.

[0069] FIG. 4B illustrates details of a system configured to clean a piece of milking equipment in an agricultural environment, according to an embodiment.

[0070] FIG. 5 illustrates details of a system configured to clean a piece of milking equipment in an agricultural environment, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] Embodiments of the invention described herein are defined as a system and a detergent container, which may be put into practice in the embodiments described below. These embodiments may, however, be exemplified and realised in many different forms and are not to be limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these illustrative examples of embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete.

[0072] Still other objects and features may become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the herein disclosed embodiments, for which reference is to be made to the appended claims. Further, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

[0073] FIG. 1 illustrates a scenario with a system 100 for milking of an animal which may be comprised in a herd of dairy animals at a dairy farm, on which the animals are milked in a stationary parlour comprising several milking stations.

[0074] An alternative embodiment wherein the system 100 involves robotic milking is illustrated in FIG. 2, and an embodiment wherein the system 100 involves cleaning of a milk tank is illustrated in FIG. 3. FIGS. 4A-4B and 5 illustrate particular implementation details of the solution.

[0075] Animal may be any arbitrary type of domesticated female milk producing mammal such as cow, goat, sheep, horse, camel, dairy buffalo, donkey, yak, etc.

[0076] Milk of the animal may be extracted by a milk extracting arrangement, schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. The milk extracting arrangement comprises a milk line 140b and a plurality of milk stations 102a, 102b, 102c connected to the milk line 140b. Each milk station 102a, 102b, 102c comprises milking equipment for the milk extraction.

[0077] The milking arrangement further comprises a receiver 105 connected to the milk line 140b and configured to receive milk transported from the milk stations 102a, 102b, 102c to the receiver 105 via the milk line 140b.

[0078] There is also provided a vacuum system configured to supply a vacuum in the milk line 140b via the receiver 105. The vacuum system comprises a vacuum pump 5 and a controllable valve 6 configured to introduce gas, preferably atmospheric air, into a line that connects the receiver 105 with the vacuum pump 5. The vacuum supplied by the vacuum system may be controlled by controlling the effect of the vacuum pump 5 and/or the opening and closure of the controllable valve 6. The vacuum system also comprises a sanitary trap 7 and a buffer tank 8, arranged in series, via which the vacuum pump 5 is connected to the receiver 105. The vacuum system is used for supplying a vacuum to the milk line 140b during milking. However, as will be described later, the vacuum system is also used for controlling a cleaning session.

[0079] A cleaning unit 130 is connected to one or several detergent containers 110a, 110b comprising a detergent. Detergent may be provided to the cleaning unit 130 via a tubing 109a, 109b and a dosing device 108a, 108b configured to supply the detergent from the detergent container 110a, 110b to the cleaning unit 130. The cleaning unit 130 may then utilise detergent of the detergent container 110a, 110b and water to create a cleaning mixture, for cleaning a piece of milking equipment 102, 105, 140a, 140b, 140c, 150 during a cleaning session, with the mixture.

[0080] There is also provided a controllable valve 10, or injector, configured to introduce an amount of gas, preferably atmospheric air, into the milk line 140b thus producing a temporary pressure increase therein which causes a slug of the mixture from the cleaning unit 130 to be formed and forwarded through the milk line 140b. The cleaning unit 130 is connected to the milk line 140b in the vicinity of the injector 10 via tubing 140a and a controllable valve 12. The equipment of the milking stations 102a, 102b, 102c are also connectable in a way known per se to the cleaning unit 130 via the tubing 140a and controllable valves 13. Flow meters 14, 15, 16, 17 in connection to the injector 10 and in connection to the milk stations 102a, 102b, 102c may be provided for measuring the flow of the mixture that enters and occupies at least part of the milk line 140b during the cleaning session.

[0081] There is provided a pump 20 via which the mixture is pumped from the receiver 105 to the cleaning unit 130. In the specific embodiment shown, the pump 20 is also configured to pump milk from the receiver 105 to a milk tank 150 during milking. In the embodiment shown, the mixture pumped by said pump 20 is pumped to the cleaning unit 130 via a filter 22 and a heat exchanger 23 arranged between the pump 20 and the milk tank 150. A controllable valve 25 is provided for the purpose of directing the pumped mixture towards the cleaning unit 130 instead of towards the milk tank 150. During cleaning, said controllable valve 25 prevents flow of the mixture into the milk tank 150.

[0082] The milking arrangement further comprises a control unit 120 configured to control the operation of the injector 11, the vacuum pump 5 and the controllable valve 6 of the vacuum system. The control unit 120 is configured to control the vacuum level supplied by the vacuum system by controlling at least one of the vacuum pump 5 and the controllable valve 6. The control system is thereby configured to control the rpm of the vacuum pump 5 and the opening time of the controllable valve 6. A pressure sensor may be provided in a line connecting the vacuum pump 5 with the receiver 105, and the control unit 120 may be configured to control the vacuum system on basis of input from said pressure sensor.

[0083] The control unit 120 is also configured to control slug characteristics by controlling the amount of gas per time unit introduced via the controllable injector 10. The controllable injector 10 presents a channel that has a controllable variable cross section, and the control unit 120 may be configured to control said variable cross section of the channel for controlling the amount of gas per time unit introduced via the controllable injector 10. The slug characteristics controlled by the control unit 120 thereby comprises the slug velocity of an individual slug and the length of an individual slug.

[0084] The control unit 120 is also configured to control the operation of the controllable valves 12, 13 via which the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid source 9 is allowed to enter the milk line 140b either via the injector 10 or via the milking equipment of the milk stations 102a, 102b, 102c. The control unit 120 is also configured to control the operation of the pump 20 via which mixture is pumped from the receiver 105 to the cleaning unit 130.

[0085] The control unit 120 is here exemplified by locally positioned unit which comprises a processor and a readable memory. Alternative embodiments, such as cloud-based solutions are also conceivable, i.e. that the control unit 120 is remotely positioned while communicationally connected to the above-mentioned entities via a telecommunication network. In yet some embodiments, the control unit 120 may be distributed and comprise a locally positioned unit, performing some of the described actions and in addition a remotely positioned, communicationally connected control unit performing some other actions.

[0086] A cleaning unit 130 is connected to the milk line 140b. The cleaning unit 130 is also connected to one or several detergent containers 110a, 110b, via a respective tubing 109a, 109b and dosing device 108a, 108b, configured to enable detergent to flow from the detergent container 110a, 110b to the cleaning unit 130, when required.

[0087] The detergent container 110a, 110b may be situated in the same area as, and in relative closeness to the cleaning unit 130 in some embodiments. However, it is often desired to keep the detergent container 110a, 110b and the cleaning unit 130 in separate rooms, because concentrated detergent may cause damage such as corrosion. Keeping the detergent container 110a, 110b in a separate room (for example with a separate entrance) may also simplify exchange of the detergent container 110a, 110b. In those embodiments, the tubing 109a, 109b may pass a wall between the two separate respective rooms. The latter embodiment is further described in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0088] The control unit 120 may be communicationally connected to the dosing device 108a, 108b, thereby enabling the control unit 120 to provide and/or prevent, respectively, detergent from the corresponding detergent container 110a, 110b to the cleaning unit 130. The control unit 120 is thereby enable to orchestrate the detergent management and providing the appropriate detergent, as determined based on reference/information on the configuration tag 111a, 111b, to the cleaning unit 130 at the appropriate moment in time. Also, for example a pump may be communicationally connected to and controlled by the control unit 120 for this purpose.

[0089] The cleaning unit 130 may use distinct types of detergent for different purposes, at different time intervals. Alkaline detergent may be used for frequent cleaning/disinfection (one or several times a day), while acid detergent may be applied intermittently for dissolving scale formed over time in the milking equipment. A dedicated disinfectant may be used in some embodiments, added to the detergent or used separately from the detergent.

[0090] The detergent container 110a, 110b comprises a configuration tag 111a, 111b, associated with the detergent container 110a, 110b, wherein a memory device of the configuration tag 111a, 111b comprises a reference to the detergent of the detergent container 110a, 110b.

[0091] The reference may comprise information that uniquely identify the detergent of the detergent container 110a, 110b, such as a name, a letter, a code, a number, a geometric shape, a colour, a string of letters, etc., of the detergent.

[0092] The system 100 also comprises one or several wireless communicators 112a, 112b, configured to communicate wirelessly with the configuration tag 111a, 111b and to retrieve the reference to the detergent from the memory device of the configuration tag 111a, 111b, when the configuration tag 111a, 111b is situated within a communication distance from the wireless communicator 112a, 112b.

[0093] The communication between the wireless communicator 112a, 112b and the configuration tag 111a, 111b may be made by short distance wireless communication, such as for example Near Field Communication (NFC) or Radio-frequency identification (RFID).

[0094] NFC is a set of communication protocols for communication between two electronic devices over a distance of up to some few centimetres, such as e.g. 4-20 centimetres.

[0095] In an RFID implementation, the wireless communicator 112a, 112b transmits an electromagnetic interrogation pulse, which triggers and energize a radio transponder of the configuration tag 111a, 111b to transmit digital data, such as the reference uniquely identifying the detergent, back to the wireless communicator 112a, 112b.

[0096] Different detergents, also when being of the same general type (alkaline/acid) may have different qualities, chemical composition, concentration, and other properties that affect the cleaning session of the cleaning unit 130. Thus, settings of washing parameters of the cleaning unit 130 may have to be changed, or at least checked between each swap of detergent.

[0097] The control unit 120 may in some embodiments, based on the obtained reference, extract information related to the detergent in order to set the parameter of the cleaning unit 130. The information may be extracted from the memory device of the configuration tag 111a, 111b, and/or from a local database 125, and/or from a remote database 165 which may be accessible via a telecommunication network 170 and/or a wireless transceiver 160.

[0098] The extracted information may for example comprise a reference to a predetermined cleaning program to be used by the cleaning unit 130 during the cleaning session of the milking equipment 102, 105, 140a, 140b, 140c, 150, for the particular detergent of the detergent container 110a, 110b.

[0099] A non-limiting example: the obtained reference to the detergent may be associated with the cleaning program 0 while the detergent may be associated with the cleaning program 1. The details (time, concentration, temperature, etc.) of the respective cleaning programs may also be stored for example in the local database 125 and provided to the cleaning unit 130.

[0100] In some embodiments, the extracted additional information may comprise a reference to a cleaning program, temperature to be kept during the cleaning session, detergent concentration, cleaning time of the cleaning session, or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, the extracted additional information may comprise information to add additional detergent (in case non-chlorinated detergent is used), for example. In yet some embodiments, the extracted information may relate to an amount of detergent in the detergent container 110a, 110b and/or expiration date of the detergent.

[0101] The information, or some parts thereof, may in some embodiments be comprised in the memory of the configuration tag 111a, 111b of the detergent container 110a, 110b. Alternatively, or additionally, the information, or some parts thereof, may be comprised in the local database 125 and/or a remote database 165.

[0102] By extracting the information associated with the detergent of the detergent container 110a, 110b, and setting parameters of the cleaning unit 130 based on this information, the tedious manual setting/selection of parameters for the cleaning unit 130 is omitted as the process becomes automated. Hereby time of the farmer is saved, and he/she could instead focus on the well-being and comfort of the animal crew. Also, the risk of human errors/misprints when entering parameters of the cleaning unit 130 is omitted.

[0103] Another advantage of the described solution is that risks of entering inappropriate cleaning parameters for a particular detergent, or to forget changing cleaning parameters when changing detergent is eliminated.

[0104] Cleaning parameters could be set with different focus targets in mind. National legislation/sanitary restrictions (which may be different in different legislations) and/or sanitary regulations of the dairy collecting the milk must be fulfilled by the cleaning program, otherwise the milk may have to be wasted or at least not be used for human consumption. This forms a minimum requirement of sanitary that must be satisfied during each cleaning session.

[0105] Some producers may desire to keep an additional sanitary level on their farm, accepting no compromise in the cleaning process which may affect milk quality, which may result in a parameter setting involving higher temperature, longer circulation time for the cleaning program, higher concentration of detergent in the detergent/water mixture, etc., in comparison with the first mentioned case.

[0106] Yet other producers may focus on minimising the time used during the cleaning session. As already mentioned, the milking equipment cannot be used during the cleaning session, while the cleaning session put the milk production on hold. This may result in a parameter setting involving higher temperature and/or higher concentration of detergent in the detergent/water mixture, and/or selection of a detergent having a chemical composition being more efficient, in comparison with the first mentioned case.

[0107] There are also other producers may focus on minimising costs of the cleaning session, while yet fulfilling the above-mentioned sanitary restrictions. The costs of the cleaning session will vary depending on for example selected detergent, energy price (for heating the mixture to the cleaning temperature). The costs are also dependent on local parameters, such as length and/or diameter of the milk line, whether the milk line is heat isolated or not and similar factors which may be different on different farms.

[0108] There may in addition be producers focusing on minimising climate affection of the cleaning session and eutrophication of the detergent, for example by reducing used temperature while extending cleaning time and/or reducing concentration of detergent in the mixture.

[0109] Thanks to the provided solution, the parameters of the cleaning unit 130 may be set by the control unit 120 according to the endeavoured goals of the producer, thereby not only ensuring that national legislation/sanitary restrictions are fulfilled, but also that the desired goal of the producer is achieved.

[0110] In some embodiments, the control unit 120 may be connected to a remote database 165, for example provided by a service provider 180 such as for example the producer of the detergent of the applied detergent container 110a, 110b. Hereby, the farm may instantly take part of new development of the research department of the detergent producer 180 (concerning for example the optimal cleaning temperature/concentration, etc.), of a particular detergent. The cleaning session may thereby be additionally optimised.

[0111] In yet some embodiments, the system 100 may comprise one or several sensors 26a, 26b situated in or at the milking equipment 102, 105, 140a, 140b, 140c, 150 to be cleaned. The sensors 26a, 26b may be of the same or different types, such as for example temperature sensor, liquid flow sensor, connectivity sensor, etc. The sensor 26a, 26b may be communicationally connected with the control unit 120, which may adapt the cleaning session according to feedback from the sensor 26a, 26b, in some embodiments.

[0112] In alternative embodiments, the control unit 120 may provide the captured sensor detections of the sensor 26a, 26b to the detergent usage optimisation service provider 180, for example the producer of the detergent, who, based on the provided sensor detections may adjust recommended cleaning programs and/or settings of the cleaning unit 130 based there upon, possibly also based on other known information comprising, length of milking line, etc., which is specific for the particular farm. This revised recommended parameter settings may then be returned to the control unit 120 at the farm for implementation. The optimisation of the cleaning session may hereby be further improved.

[0113] An example of an implemented cleaning session of the milking equipment 102, 105, 140a, 140b, 140c, 150 will now briefly be described. The cleaning session is in this case made by using an alkaline detergent and may be performed after the milking event of the herd. The cleaning session may comprise a pre-rinsing phase, a main cleaning phase, and a post-rinsing phase. However, other programs may comprise a disinfection phase, an acid detergent phase, and/or additional post rinsing phases, for example.

[0114] During the pre-rinsing phase, lukewarm water is flushed through the milking equipment 102, 105, 140a, 140b, 140c, 150, suggestibly without circulation, in order to remove milk residues.

[0115] The pre-rinsing phase is followed by the main cleaning phase, wherein the cleaning unit 130 mix the detergent with water into a mixture, which is heated (for example into 50-90), for cleaning the milking equipment 102, 105, 140a, 140b, 140c, 150. During the main cleaning phase, the mixture of detergent and water may be circulating through the milking equipment 102, 105, 140a, 140b, 140c, 150 repeatedly, for a certain time period. During the circulation, a slug may be generated as previously described, filling up an interior cross section area of the milking line 140b.

[0116] After the main cleaning phase, a post-rinsing phase is performed, for removing remains of the detergent from the milking equipment 102, 105, 140a, 140b, 140c, 150. The post-rinsing may be made by letting tap water rinse through the milking equipment 102, 105, 140a, 140b, 140c, 150 without circulation.

[0117] In some cleaning programs, a means of disinfection may be entered into the milking equipment 102, 105, 140a, 140b, 140c, 150 after the post-rinsing phase, to inhibit bacterial growth/mould, etc., within the milking equipment 102, 105, 140a, 140b, 140c, 150.

[0118] The optional step of disinfection may then be followed by a second post-rinsing phase, similar to the above described post-rinsing phase.

[0119] FIG. 2 describes a milking system 100 at a farm wherein robotic milking is applied.

[0120] The milking system 100 comprises plurality of milking stations 102, a milk tank 150, a milk line 140b extending from the milking station 102 to the milk tank 150.

[0121] The milking stations 102 comprise milking robots configured to automatically milk animals that enter the respective milking station 102. The milk tank 150 is a cooling tank in which large volumes of milk are gathered in connection to harvesting of milk in the milking system 100. The cooling tank 150 is emptied on a regular basis, for example by means of milk lorries.

[0122] The milk line 140b is connected to the milking stations 102. The milk line 140b comprises a loop 140a to which the milking stations 102 are connected, and a part 140b which extends from the loop 140a to the tank 150. The loop 140a may have a length in the order of 100 meters or more, while the further part 140b may be considerably shorter, for example 10 meters (non-limiting examples). A valve arrangement 4, 5 is configured to control the flow of milk from the milking station 102 to the milk tank 150. In the drawing, only two valves 4, 5 are provided; in other embodiments, less or more valves may be involved in the valve arrangement.

[0123] The valves 34, 35 may be controlled by a control unit 120 for controlling the operation of the milking system 100.

[0124] The milking system 100 also comprises a cleaning unit 130 configured to introduce a mixture of detergent and water into the milk line 140b and to transport the mixture through at least a major part of the milk line 140b. The cleaning unit 130 may comprise a delivery arrangement configured to deliver the mixture into the milk line 140b. The cleaning unit 130 may form a circuit together with the milk line 140b. The cleaning arrangement 130 further may comprise a pump 38, for example a centrifugal pump, for pumping the mixture through the milk line 140b.

[0125] The cleaning unit 130 is also connected to one or several detergent containers 110a, 110b, via a respective tubing 109a, 109b and dosing device 108a, 108b, configured to enable detergent to flow from the detergent container 110a, 110b to the cleaning unit 130, when required.

[0126] Each of the detergent containers 110a, 110b comprises a configuration tag 111a, 111b wherein a memory device of the configuration tag 111a, 111b comprises a reference to the detergent of the detergent container 110a, 110b. A wireless communicator 112a, 112b is configured to communicate wirelessly with the configuration tag 111a, 111b and to retrieve the reference to the detergent from the memory device of the configuration tag 111a, 111b, when the configuration tag 111a, 111b is situated within a communication distanced from the wireless communicator 112a, 112b, i.e. in a dedicated position of the detergent container 110a, 110b for example in a detergent room.

[0127] The control unit 120 may then as previously described obtain the reference to the detergent via the wireless communicator 112a, 112b and set a parameter of the cleaning unit 130 for the cleaning session, based on the obtained reference.

[0128] The propagation of the mixture is made differently in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 than the previously described embodiment in FIG. 1. Instead of creating a slug of the mixture, a column of water/detergent mixture is pushed through the milk line 140b, by over pressure generated by the pump 8, which is configured to pump liquid comprising detergent through the milk line 140b such that a cross section of the milk line 140b, is filled with liquid.

[0129] The cleaning unit 130 may comprise a tray 12 in which detergent and water is mixed before being conducted via a first conduit 11 to the pump 38 in some embodiments. The control unit 120 is configured to start and operate the mixing of detergent and water by controlling dosing devices 108a, 108b. The amount of water/detergent mixture to be delivered for the cleaning session may be preset in accordance with a predetermined cleaning program.

[0130] The control unit 120 may be configured to control the pump 8 to ascertain that contact is established between the mixture and an internal surface of the milk line 140b during a time period in a loop for circulation, for ascertaining proper cleaning of the milk line 140b.

[0131] Otherwise, the program of the cleaning session may comprise the same element as previously described, i.e. a pre-rinsing phase, a main cleaning phase and a post-rinsing phase.

[0132] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment wherein a milk tank 150 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 130. The milk tank 150 is maintaining the extracted milk of each milking session and is normally chilled to a temperature of about 1-8 C., approximately corresponding to a refrigerator. Thus, cleaning of the milk tank 150 does not have to be made with the same frequency as cleaning of the milk line and certain other milking equipment. Instead, the milk tank 150 may be cleaned when the milk lorry has collected the milk and the milk tank 150 is empty, which may be some days a week.

[0133] The cleaning unit 130 is connected to one or several detergent containers 110a, 110b, via a respective tubing 109a, 109b and dosing device 108a, 108b, configured to enable detergent to flow from the detergent container 110a, 110b to the cleaning unit 130, when required.

[0134] The detergent container 110a, 110b comprises or is associated with a configuration tag 111a, 111b comprising a reference to the detergent of the detergent container 110a, 110b.

[0135] The system 100 also comprises a wireless communicator 112a, 112b, communicatively connected with the control unit 120. The wireless communicator 112a, 112b is configured to communicate wirelessly with the configuration tag 111a, 111b and to retrieve the reference to the detergent from the memory device of the configuration tag 111a, 111b, when the configuration tag 111a, 111b is situated within a communication distance from the wireless communicator 112a, 112b.

[0136] The control unit 120 may then obtain the reference to the detergent via the wireless communicator 112a, 112b and set at least one parameter of the cleaning unit 130 for the cleaning session, based on the obtained reference.

[0137] The cleaning session of the milk tank 150 may comprise a pre-rinsing phase, a main cleaning phase and a post-rinsing phase as previously described.

[0138] A pump 320a may forward liquid, either water during rinsing phases, and/or a mixture of water and detergent during the main cleaning phase, to a rotating nozzle 310, or some corresponding arrangement internal to the milk tank 150. The mixture may then be ejected over the internal walls of the milk tank 150.

[0139] The liquid used during pre-/post rinsing phases may be emptied from a tap at the bottom of the milk tank 150 while the mixture used during the main cleaning phase may be brought into circulation for example by another pump 320b for returning mixture back to the cleaning unit 130.

[0140] FIG. 4A illustrates an embodiment wherein the detergent container 110 is situated in a separate room separate from the room comprising the cleaning unit 130, as regarded from a side view. FIG. 4B illustrates the same arrangement as regarded from a top view.

[0141] The detergent container 110 may be situated in a separate room 420, separated from the other room 430 comprising the cleaning unit 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the detergent container 110 is separated from the cleaning unit 130 by a wall 440.

[0142] The detergent container 110 comprises a configuration tag 111, associated with the detergent container 110, comprising a reference to the detergent of the detergent container 110.

[0143] A wireless communicator 112, configured to communicate wirelessly with the configuration tag 111 of the detergent container 110 when situated within a communication distance d therefrom. The wireless communicator 112 may be situated in a position in the separate room 420 for detergent containers so that the configuration tag 111 may be detected and communicated only when the detergent container 110 is correctly positioned for allowing a dosing device 410, controlled by the control unit 120, to provide detergent from the detergent container 110 to the cleaning unit 130 via the tubing 109. The dosing device 410 may comprise a pump, such as for example comprise a hose pump.

[0144] By maintaining the detergent container/s 110 in a separate room 420, it is avoided that leaking detergent of the detergent container 110 could cause damage such as corrosion to neighboring equipment.

[0145] As illustrated in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the configuration tag 111 comprises a memory device 520 comprising a reference to the detergent of the detergent container 110, and a wireless transceiver 510, configured for wireless communication with the wireless communicator 112.

[0146] The system 100 may in some embodiments comprise an alert emitting device 530. The control unit 120 may emit various information concerning detected anomalies of the detergent of the detergent container 110 to the alert emitting device 530, for example when it is time to change/refill detergent; that the expiration date of the detergent has passed; that the detergent container 110 has been refilled; that there may be a leak in the detergent container 110; that analysis of feedback information of the sensors 26a, 26b indicates that the detergent has deteriorated or has been replaced, etc.

[0147] The alert emitting device 530 may be a mobile telephone of the farmer, a screen, a siren/loud noise-making device, a tactile device, or a combination of at least some of these features.

[0148] When a deviation, exceeding a threshold limit, is detected between an expected value of a detergent parameter (reference value) and an outcome of a corresponding detergent-related measurement, the alert may be outputted to the alert emitting device 530. The alert may comprise e.g. visual information, an audio message, a tactile signal or a combination thereof, encouraging the farmer to further investigate the reasons for the detected deviation in result. In case a plurality of people is working with the herd, a broadcast may be made to the plurality of farmers and their respective associated alert emitting devices 530, in some embodiments.

[0149] Thereby, the work of the agricultural manager/farmer is further facilitated.

[0150] The embodiments, or parts thereof, illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and/or FIG. 5 may with advantage be combined with each other for achieving further benefits.

[0151] The terminology used in the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the described system 100, control unit 120, detergent container 110a, 110b, cleaning unit 130, dosing device 108a, 108b, 410, configuration tag 111a, 111b, and wireless communicator 112a, 112b. Various changes, substitutions and/or alterations may be made, without departing from invention embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

[0152] As used herein, the term and/or comprises any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term or as used herein, is to be interpreted as a mathematical OR, i.e., as an inclusive disjunction; not as a mathematical exclusive OR (XOR), unless expressly stated otherwise. In addition, the singular forms a, an and the are to be interpreted as at least one, thus also possibly comprising a plurality of entities of the same kind, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms includes, comprises, including and/or comprising, specifies the presence of stated features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. A single unit such as e.g. a processor may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures or features are recited in mutually different dependent claims, illustrated in different figures or discussed in conjunction with different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures or features cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware but may also be distributed in other forms such as via Internet or other wired or wireless communication system.