BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a milking system for obtaining milk from an animal, in particular a cow, and processing that milk into a diary product, such as semi-skimmed milk, yoghurt, cream, and the like.

Description of the related art

Making dairy products, such as yoghurt, ice cream and cheese, on a farm, directly from the milk obtained from cows from that farm, is known for a long time. More recently, Lely has launched the Lely Orbiter™, a miniature dairy factory for processing milk directly on the farm, i.e. milk is processed and bottled within 24 hours after milking of the cow. The milk can thus be processed to a dairy product and sold at the farm. A miniature dairy factory has the disadvantages that it is just that, a dairy factory shrunk to a size that fits on a farming location. Such a miniature factory does not take into account the limitations of a farm, such as the surrounding environment, the costs, or the needed space and area for such a miniature factory. Furthermore, such a miniature dairy factory and the milking devices on the farm are not fully optimized to form a milking system that obtains and processes the milk extracted from the cow.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a milking system that at least alleviates some of the perceived inconveniences of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention comprises a milking system, comprising a milking device being configured to extract milk from a dairy animal, and a milk handling system connected to the milking device, comprising a plurality of modules forming a milk treatment device for treating at least part of the extracted milk and a module comprising at least one buffer tank for temporary storage of the at least part of the extracted milk before entering the milk treatment device, a first milk transport line for transporting the milk from the milking device to the at least one buffer tank of the milk handling system, a second milk transport line for transporting the milk from the buffer tank to the milk treatment device, and a control unit, wherein the milk treatment device comprises a processing unit to process the milk from the at least one buffer tank into a dairy product, a product unit for temporarily storing the dairy product, and a packaging unit to pack the dairy product in containers, wherein each of the processing unit, the product unit and the packaging unit is fitted on an individual frame body, and wherein each unit forms a module of the milk treatment device, and wherein a first supply line is provided between the processing unit and the product unit for supplying the dairy product to the product unit, and a second supply line between the product unit and the packaging unit for supplying the dairy product to the packaging unit.

The milking system according to the invention incorporates the milking device to extract milk from a cow, and a milk handling system to handle the extracted milk to obtain a packaged dairy product, ready for consumption. The milk handling system and the milking device are in direct connection, such that the milk obtained by the milking device can be processed through the milk handling system within 48 hours of extraction, preferably within 24 hours of extraction.

The milk is extracted from a dairy animal, in particular a cow, by the milking device, and then at least partly temporarily stored in the at least one buffer tank of the milk handling system. The buffer tank is thus a raw milk storage tank, as the milk has not yet been processed. The milk is transported from the milking device to the buffer tank via a first milk transport line. The first milk transport line is preferably connected to a milk jar of the milking device.

The control unit may be provided as a separate device within the milking system to control the various devices within the milking system. Alternatively, the control unit may be integrated in one of the milking device and/or the milk treatment device. Preferably, each of the devices comprises a control unit to control the processes in each device. When two or more control units are provided within the milking system, these control units may be connected or at least communicating with each other.

The milk treatment device of the milk handling system comprises various units that each are configured to perform specific tasks. The processing unit receives the milk from the buffer tank via the second milk transport line and subsequently processes the milk to obtain a dairy product. After processing the milk, the dairy product is supplied to the product unit where the dairy product is temporarily stored until packaging at the packaging unit. The dairy product can be milk, preferably pasteurized and standardized, for instance full fat milk, semi-skimmed milk or skimmed milk, or yoghurt or cream. Additionally, butter, or any other dairy product may be produced from the fresh milk.

According to an embodiment, the milk handling system further comprises a cleaning unit and a central utility unit, wherein each of the cleaning unit and the central utility unit is fitted on an individual frame body and forms a module of the milk handling system. Since the milk handling system has milk-carrying parts, keeping the system hygienic is important. This may be achieved with an integrated cleaning unit that can be provided as a module within the modular milk handling system. The advantage of an integrated cleaning unit is that the cleaning unit can be made ‘plug and play’ with the other modules of the milk handling system. A standalone cleaning unit could be used as well, but this would take some more effort to get it properly working with the other modules in the modular milk handling system.

Preferably, each frame body comprises a base and a framework supported by the base, wherein the base and/or the framework support the unit fitted on the frame body and wherein the framework extends in a height direction from the base and at least one perpendicular direction to the height direction. The base has a width and a length. The base may function as a support surface for the unit and the framework. The framework may function as an attachment body for the unit. The framework may extend in only two directions, or be a full 3D body extending in height, width and length of the base.

According to an embodiment, the at least one buffer tank is provided on a frame body and forms a raw milk storage module of the milk handling system. The at least one buffer tank may be placed on a frame body to form another module of the milk handling system, being a buffer unit or a raw milk storage unit. In this fashion, the raw milk storage unit may be placed near the milk treatment device, for instance at the same location. Alternatively, the raw milk storage unit may be placed in between the milking device and the milk treatment device, for instance halfway, such that the raw milk storage is at a location different form that of the milking device and of the milk treatment device. The distance between the milking device, the raw milk storage unit and the milk treatment device should be within a range suitable for milk transport via the first and second milk transport lines, preferably shorter than 500 meters, for instance 100 meters. The length of the milk transport lines are preferably kept as short as possible such that they can be cleaned and cooled without too much effort. Preferably, the milking system in use is located on an agricultural location, in particular a dairy farm. In this way, the milk extracted from the dairy animal can be processed and packaged within 48 hours, or even 24 hours to a dairy product.

Preferably, the milk handling system comprises at least two buffer tanks, wherein a first buffer tank receives milk with a first predetermined parameter, and a second buffer tank receives milk with a second predetermined parameter, and wherein the milk from the first and second buffer tanks is treated batch-wise in the milk treatment device without mixing the milk from the first and second buffer tanks. The predetermined parameter may be a protein content, a fat content, a single cow family, a specific day or a milking in a week or day, a specific part of a milking, for instance the start of the milking, or any other parameter that can be applied to the timing of the milking and/or the characteristics of milk. The control unit may be configured to send each milking of a milking device to one of the first and second buffer tank separately, preferably based on pre-selected parameters of the milk. Preferably, the milking system comprises more than one control unit, for instance one in the milking device, where a first milking can be send from a milk jar comprised in the milking device to the first buffer tank and a second milking can be send to the second buffer tank. Alternatively, a first portion of a milking can be send from the milk jar to the first buffer tank and a second portion of the milking can be send to the second buffer tank.

In an embodiment, the processing unit comprises at least one of a pasteurizing device to pasteurize the milk, a homogenizing device for homogenization of the milk, and a standardization device that is configured to standardize a fat content of the milk. Alternatively, or additionally, a device to standardize a protein content of the milk may be provided. The standardization device may be replaced by a separator device for separation of the fat from the milk, thus forming skimmed milk. The separated fat may later be added to the skimmed milk to provide semi-skimmed milk with a standardized fat content.

In the pasteurizer, the milk is heated to a temperature of 72 degrees Celsius for a period of at least 15 seconds. Due to the heating, the number of pathogens decreases enormously. These pathogens are, for example, bacteria that can cause tuberculosis or Q fever. After pasteurization, the milk can be stored for about two to three weeks, in particular 10-15 days, if refrigerated and unopened.

During homogenizing of milk, the fatty components of milk (milk fat) and the aqueous components are mixed to form an emulsion. This is achieved by forcing the milk under pressure through very small openings to create smaller fat globules. The smaller the fat globules, the longer it will take for the fat globules to form a layer of cream to float on top of the milk. Preferably, the homogenization is combined with the pasteurization of the milk.

Standardization means that a separator, for instance a centrifuge, separates the milk fat from the milk, after which the fat is added again to the skimmed milk, or where the skimmed milk is added to full fat milk, until the desired fat percentage is reached. This way you get full, semi-skimmed or skimmed milk. The addition of the fat to the skimmed milk, or the addition of skimmed milk to full fat milk, may be performed in the product unit.

Preferably, the product unit comprises at least a storage tank for storing cream, and at least one of a storage tank configured for maturing and storing yoghurt and a storage tank for storing and/or preparing a milk product, such as semi-skimmed milk. In this embodiment, the product unit is configured for yoghurt production. The milk is first processed in the processing unit and then poured into the tank configured for yoghurt production. For this, a yoghurt culture is added and the milk in the tank is kept under the right condition for the yoghurt to mature. Preferably, the storage tank configured for maturing and storing yoghurt is suitable for storing a milk product. This would make it possible to use the storage tank for both yoghurt and milk, and enhances the efficiency of the milk treatment device.

In a further embodiment, the packaging unit comprises a packaging device for packaging the dairy product in a container. The container may be a suitable container for the dairy product to be packed, like a bottle with a cap or carton container for milk, or a jar or tub with a lid for yoghurt and/or cream. Suitable materials for said containers and closures can be glass, carton and/or plastic.

Preferably, the milking system comprises a housing, wherein at least the processing unit, the product unit and the packaging unit are located in the housing. The housing and the frame bodies of the units may have a commensurate fit, i.e. the frame body of each unit has dimensions that do not exceed any inner dimension of the housing. For example, the housing may have overall average standardized sizes corresponding to the dimensions of a sea container. The advantage of building a housing with such dimensions is that the units of the milk treatment device can be built in the housing at a remote location and then easily shipped to the location for its use, in most cases a farm with dairy cattle. Other modular units, such as the cleaning unit, the central utility unit, and/or the buffer storage unit may be provided in the housing. Alternatively, building the modular units to fit in a housing having dimensions corresponding to a sea container means that the units can be transported more easily from the manufacturing location to the ultimate destination, being the farm.

Preferably, the milking system comprises a hygienic and conditioned section where at least one of the process unit, the product unit and at least part of the packaging unit are located. As the milking system is configured for manufacturing food, the dairy products must be processed, stored and packed under hygienic and conditioned sections in order to be fit for human consumption. The milking device may be an automatic milking device, such as a milking robot, or a milking carrousel. The milking device may comprise a plurality of milking cups, each ending in a milk hose, a first milk jar connected to the milk hose, which first milk jar is configured to receive the milk from the milking, wherein the first milk transport line is in flow communication with the first milk jar, a first pumping device configured to pump the milking from the first milk jar into the first milk transport line, wherein the at least one buffer tank is configured for receiving and storing at least a part of the milking via the first milk pipeline.

Preferably, the milking system comprises a second milk jar provided in the first milk transport line, and in flow communication to the first milk jar of the milking device and the at least one buffer tank via the first milk transport line, wherein the second milk jar receives the milk of the milking from the first milk jar via a first portion of the first milk transport line, where the first pumping device is configured to pump the milking from the first milk jar to the second milk jar via the first portion of the first milk transport line, the milking system further comprising a second pumping device which is configured to pump at least a part of the milking from the second milk jar to the at least one buffer tank via a second portion of the first milk transport line, wherein the second pumping device pumps the milking through the second portion of the milk transport line at a lower flow rate than the first pumping device pumps said milking through the first portion of the milk transport line.

The milking carrousel may be provided with multiple sets of milking cups, wherein each set of milking cups comprises a plurality of milking cups. Preferably, a milking cup for each teat of a dairy animal. In particular, each set of milking cups may contain four milking cups, one for each teat of an udder of a cow. Each set of milking cups in a milking carrousel may be provided with a first milk jar or milk glass, preferably additionally with a second milk jar or milk glass. In a milking carrousel multiple dairy animals can be milked during a single milking session.

The milking robot may be a voluntary visitable milking robot, wherein the plurality of milking cups comprises a milking cup for each teat of a dairy animal. In particular, the plurality of milking cups may contain four milking cups, one for each teat of an udder of a cow. Per milking robot a first milk jar or milk glass, and second milk jar or milk glass is provided. The first and the second milk jar, or milk glass, have substantially the same volume, in particular equivalent to a maximum expected milking. Usually, the milking robot extracts milk from a single dairy animal during a single milking session. In an embodiment, the milking system comprises multiple milking devices, each of which is configured to transport milk to the milk treatment device via the at least one buffer tank. Each milking device may comprise a second milk jar as described above, which then transports the at least part of the milking to the at least one buffer tank. A plurality of milking devices may also form a cluster that shares a second milk jar, and multiple clusters of milking devices may be present, such that each cluster has its own second milk jar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the milking system according to the invention as described above.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a buffer unit of the milking system according to the invention as described above.

Figure 3A shows a perspective view of a front side of an embodiment of a process unit of the milking system according to the invention as described above.

Figure 3B shows a perspective view of a backside of an embodiment of a process unit of the milking system according to the invention as described above.

Figure 4A shows a perspective view of a front side of an embodiment of a product unit of the milking system according to the invention as described above.

Figure 4B shows a perspective view of a backside of an embodiment of a product unit of the milking system according to the invention as described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the milking system 1 comprising two milking devices 10 and a milk handling system 100. A central control unit 13 controls the milking system 1. The milk-handling device 100 comprises a milk treatment device 200 for treating at least part of the extracted milk and a buffer unit 300 for temporary storage of the at least part of the extracted milk by the milking device 100 before entering the milk treatment device 200. The buffer unit 300 comprises four buffer tanks 301 that each can store multiple milkings from the milking device 100, preferably at least 100 liters of milk. The milk is transported from the milking device 100 to the buffer unit 300 to temporarily store the milk via the first transport line 11 .

From the buffer unit 300 the milk is transported to the milk treatment device 200 via a second milk transport line 12. The milk treatment device 200 comprises a processing unit 201 to process the milk into a dairy product, a product unit 202 for temporarily storing the dairy product, and a packaging unit 203 to pack the dairy product in suitable containers.

Each of the processing unit 201 , the product unit 202 and the packaging unit 203 is fitted on an individual frame body 207, 208, 209 that forms a module of the milk treatment device 200, as shown in Figures 3A to 4B. A first supply line 204 is provided between the processing unit 201 and the product unit 202 for supplying the dairy product to the product unit 202, and a second supply line 205 between the product unit 202 and the packaging unit 203 for supplying the dairy product to the packaging unit 203.

The milk handling system 100 further comprises a central utility unit and a cleaning unit placed in space 206. Each unit is fitted on a frame body to form a module of the milk handling system 100.

The buffer unit 300 comprises at least one buffer tank 301 . Fig. 1 shows a buffer unit 300 with four buffer tanks 301. Figure 2 shows a buffer unit 300 with two buffer tanks 301 mounted on a frame body 302.

The milking device 10 comprises a plurality of milking cups 14, each ending in a milk hose 15 and a first milk jar 16 connected to the milk hose 15. The first milk jar 16 receives the milk from the milking of the cow 17, wherein the first milk transport line 11 is in flow communication with the first milk jar 16. A first pumping device 18 pumps the milking from the first milk jar 16 into the first milk transport line 11 , wherein one of the buffer tanks 301 is configured for receiving and storing the milking.

A second milk jar 19 provided in the first milk transport line 11 , which second milk jar 19 is in flow communication to the first milk jar 16 and the buffer tank 301 via the first milk transport line 11. The second milk jar 19 receives the milk of the milking from the first milk jar 16 via a first portion 1 T of the first milk transport line 11 , where the first pumping device 18 pumps the milking from the first milk jar 16 to the second milk jar 19 via the first portion 1 T of the first milk transport line 11. A second pumping device 20 pumps the milking from the second milk jar 19 to the buffer tank 301 via a second portion 11” of the first milk transport line 11. The second pumping device 20 pumps the milking through the second portion 11” of the milk transport line 11 at a lower flow rate than the first pumping device 18 pumps the milking through the first portion 1 T of the milk transport line 11. Since the buffer unit 300 has four buffer tanks 301 , the control unit 13 may determine to which buffer tank 301 the milking is to be transported. Such a determination may depend on specific parameters of the milking, such as cow identity, cow family, protein content, date, and/or part of the day (i.e. night, morning, afternoon, evening), or any other particular parameter that can be assigned to the milking. The processing unit 201 comprises a pasteurizing device to pasteurize the milk, a homogenizing device for homogenization of the milk and a separator device that is configured to separate fat from the milk. The separator device may not be used for the processing of every dairy product. For instance for full-fat yoghurt of full-fat milk, the separator device may be skipped, unless the farmer desires to offer standardized full-fat dairy products.

The product unit 202 comprises five product tanks 210 to temporarily store a dairy product. For instance a product tank for storing cream, one or more product tanks for milk, and one or more product tanks for storing and maturing yoghurt. The product tank for milk may be used to standardize the fat content to form semi-skimmed milk, in particular by adding the fat that was separated earlier in the separator device to the desired fat content.

The packaging unit 203 comprises a packaging device 211 for packing the dairy product in a suitable container. The packaging device 211 comprises a filling station 212 to fill the container, a labelling device to label the container, and a closing station to close the container after filling. The packaging unit 203 may also comprise a reject station and a boxing station, which are shown but not indicated in Fig. 1. The reject station is configured to receive rejected bottles, such as bottles that are not closed properly or bottles where at least one of the labels are not correctly applied. These errors may be checked by a suitable sensor system. The boxing station is configured to put the correctly filled and labelled bottles in boxes for shipment. This can be done automatically with an automatic boxing system, or manually.

The milking system is located at a farm with dairy animals, i.e. cows 17. The milking device 10 is located in a barn (not shown) where the cows 17 roam. Via the first transport line 11 the milk extracted from the cows 17 is transported to the buffer unit 300 that is usually located in a different space than the milking device. The milk treatment device 200 is a modular device with different modules that together make up the complete milk treatment device 200. The various modules can be placed within a housing 220 with multiple rooms. The product unit 202 and the filling station 212 of the packaging unit 203 are placed in a conditioned and hygienic room 221 , which is separated from the other rooms. LIST OF PARTS

I . Milking system 220. Housing

221. Hygienic room

10. Milking device

I I . First milk transport line 300. Buffer unit

12. Second milk transport line 301. Buffer tank

13. Central control unit 302. Frame body of buffer unit

14. Milking cups

15. Milk hose

16. First milk jar

17. Cow

18. First pumping device

19. Second milk jar

20. Second pumping device

100. Milk handling system

200. Milk treatment device

201. Processing unit

202. Product unit

203. Packaging unit

204. First supply line

205. Second supply line

206. Space for a central utility unit and a cleaning unit

207. Frame body of the processing unit

208. Frame body of the product unit

209. Frame body of the packaging unit

210. Product tank

211. Packaging device

212. Filling station