Field of the Invention

This invention relates to milk processing, packaging & distribution. Specifically, the invention relates to a milk processing environment, pasteurising vessel and integration into a complete distribution & retailing system.

Background to the Invention

The pasteurisation and processing of milk is a highly regulated activity due to the risk of contamination.

Existing technology consists of housing milk processing equipment inside a specifically designed building designed to eliminate the risk of contamination of processed milk.

Operators follow strict procedures around changing clothing and footwear.

Existing processing practices consist of pumping raw milk into a batch or continuous flow pasteuriser and pasteurising the milk by heating it to a defined temperature and maintaining the temperature for a defined period of time.

The pasteurised milk is then removed from the pasteuriser and pumped, through cooling equipment into storage or bottling equipment. This equipment is expensive. In addition, as the milk is passed through various pipes, fittings and different equipment, there is a greater risk of the pasteurised milk becoming contaminated. It is essential that all parts of the system are completely sterilised. Any small contamination in any one part of the system can lead to contamination of a large batch of milk and extensive wastage and hence expense.

To reduce this risk, processing equipment and operators are housed inside specially designed processing rooms with filtered air and multiple zones to ensure bacteria are not present in the processing area. The operators are required to change clothing and footwear. Strict hygiene controls are required to meet high health and safety standards. Process operators are required to be specially trained and follow strict operational guidelines. For these reasons, milk processing plants are expensive to build and time- consuming and expensive to operate.

Economically viable milk processing is out of reach of smaller-scale farmers or operators as greater scale is required to cover these high costs.

Object of the Invention.

It is an object of this invention to go some way towards simplifying milk processing so that the cost and establishment of a milk processing plant is reduced, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice. Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides a milk processing system in which the unit which pasteurises the milk batch is also the final packaging system for milk delivery to the purchaser. The unit in which raw milk is pasteurised is the same unit which delivers milk to the end consumer’s purchase container.

The invention provides a milk processing system in which the pasteuriser is also the transportable storage container.

According to the processing system, the pasteuriser tank is sealed prior to pasteurisation and is not opened again until washing.

Preferably the processing system is reduced in size to house a pasteuriser tan or tanks, and in which the processing system is too small for the entry of a human.

Preferably the processing hub transmits data to cloud to provide regulatory oversight The milk processing system preferably controls milk processing tasks and/or instructs the operator to complete tasks via a touchscreen with step by steps instructions. This removes the need for expert training in order to safely process milk.

The system may include face recognition so only certified operators can operate the hub.

Preferably the pasteuriser /transportable storage tank contains data collection, including but not limited to temperature of the milk, and/or level of milk location of the tank.

The pasteuriser /storage tank preferably includes red and green lights such that milk cannot be dispensed unless the results of an alkaline phosphatase test have been completed. When test results are received, the tank light goes from red to green. Dispensers will not work if the tank light is red.

Preferably the milk dispenser is modular and consists of filling head and

refrigeration unit which can be configured to suit various applications i.e. cafe, retail store, mobile trailer.

Preferably the dispenser is connected to the internet and provides temp, wash cycle & location data and payment services.

Software may be provided that matches farmers to resellers and resellers to consumers.

Consumers may have an online account which they have prepaid via credit card or bank deposit. The dispenser reads the customer’s card via an RFID or NFC chip on a card or on their phone, or via a QR code or similar. The customer brings their own packaging and presses a button to dispense milk from the dispenser. The dispenser measures the volume of milk dispensed and debits the customer’s account.

The backend payment system splits payment to the farmer, retailer and system operator and other parties in real time. In particular, the invention provides a milk processing system in which the batch pasteuriser which is used to pasteurise raw milk received from a farm or dairy is transported via unrefrigerated vehicle to a retailer equipped with dispensers

Once pasteurised, the milk never leaves the pasteuriser before it is delivered as a product to the final purchaser via the dispenser.

The invention provides a milk processing system comprising:

A batch pasteuriser in which raw milk is pasteurised;

A processing hub whereby the pasteurising unit or units are housed in a sanitary environment;

A step by step control system which ensures the heating and cooling of milk is controlled and critical information is stored in the cloud for auditing purposes and

A dispenser whereby the pasteurising unit is connected to a dispensing system which includes a pump, flow meter, RFID or NFC reader or QR code, controller, internet connection and cooling system; and whereby the whole processing system is integrated such that once

pasteurised, the milk does not leave the pasteurising unit until it is finally dispensed to a purchaser.

Preferably the dispenser includes an ice bank refrigeration unit which circulates ice water around the heating/cooling jacket of the pasteuriser.

The invention also comprises a method of using the milk processing system as described in this specification.

It is acknowledged that the terms "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, these terms are intended to have an inclusive meaning - i.e. they will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components which the use directly references, but also to other non-specified components or elements.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a micro-batch pasteuriser;

Figure 2 shows a milk processing room or hub; and

Figure 3 shows a milk dispenser. Detailed Description of the Invention

The first component of the invention is shown in Figure 1. It consists of a micro batch pasteuriser (2). This processor also doubles as the final packaging. The processor (2) includes a heating/cooling jacket (4)a stirrer motor (6), a magnetic stirrer bar (8) and magnets (10). The stirrer motor (6) powers the magnetic stirrers (10) via the magnets (8) to stir the milk so attain and even mixing of the milk and hence an even pasteurisation of the milk in the pasteuriser (2). The pasteuriser is surrounded by a jacket (4) to maintain a constant temperature.

The pasteuriser (2) also includes a controller/transmission box (12) which controls processor tasks, heating and cooling of milk and transits data to the cloud. An air space element or other suitable heating device/mechanism (14) is provided to heat the airspace within the pasteuriser. Temperature probes (16) record the

temperature of the milk and airspace.

In use, raw milk is pumped into the pasteuriser (2) and the milk is heated, pasteurised and cooled down to 4 degrees C. The whole pasteuriser tank (2) is then transported to a retailer without being opened. The micro-batch pasteuriser (2) includes two indicator lights, red and green I the transmission box (12). The green light is activated when the milk product is deemed ready for release after all test results are completed. If a batch of milk is contaminated or the temperature falls out of acceptable parameters, the red light is activated, and no milk can be dispensed from the pasteuriser (2).

The second component of the invention is shown in Figure 2 and consists of a milk processing room (20). This room or hub (20) enables a sterile environment to house the micro-pasteuriser (2). This processing environment (20) is just big enough to house the micro-batch pasteuriser (2). An operator stands outside the room or hub (20) and operates the equipment via external gloves or small doors. The operator initiates the pasteurising process and follows the step by step process outlined by the controller via a screen. The operator uses the external gloves or doors to connect and disconnect the raw milk line and insert cleaning pipes and other corrective actions that may be required.

A control panel (22) outside the process room (20) controls the processing controller and guides the operator through checklists and step by step processes to ensure milk in the pasteuriser is processed in accordance with local food safety regulations. Essential data is recorded for auditing & quality control purposes. The processing room includes a door (24) to allow the micro-pasteuriser to enter and exit the hub. Also included is an air filter (26) to ensure air inside the hub is clean. Clean room gloves (28) are provided to allow the processor to make adjustments to equipment inside the Hub without compromising the clean environment inside the hub. The approximate size of the smallest hub/room is 1000mm cube and larger hubs will be longer to accommodate multiple micro-pasteurisers.

The third component of the system is a milk dispenser (30). The dispenser (30) includes a milk pump (32) to pump the milk from the micro-pasteuriser tank to the customer’s container via a milk line (33). A flowmeter (34) is provided to accurately measure the amount of milk dispensed. An RFID or NFC reader or QR code (36) reads the customer’s unique identification number. Internet connection to allow the debit of the customer’s online account. A controller controls all the individual components. A refrigeration unit (38) includes an ice bank or alternative

refrigeration device (40), ice (42), cooling water (44) and a pump (46), together with a radiator (48), compressor (50) and warm water return pipe (52) and is attached to the micro-pasteuriser to keep the milk cool.

All three components as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 are connected to the internet and feed information to a central control system (not shown). The control system co-ordinates deliveries and manages supply and demand of milk from farmers and retailers.

A dispenser is required to dispense and receive payment for milk.

The sensors and cloud-based system ensure that the milk is processed, delivered and retailed within a safe and hygienic manner and in accordance with food safety regulations.

According to the invention, all the separate components work together to deliver the outcome of centralised processing system, which cannot be achieved according to conventional milk processing systems.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to specific drawings and specific embodiments, it will apparent to those in the art that various modifications and improvements may be made to these embodiments without departing from the intended scope of the invention as described in this

specification. Some advantages of the presently described invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art. For example, the invention allows lay people to be able to operate milk processing equipment. The invention also dramatically reduces the cost of setting up a milk processing plant and significantly reduces the time and labour required to process milk. The invention also provides a

coordination system for a decentralised network of milk processors and milk dispensers.

The system provides a design of milk processing that reduces the risk of

contamination of pasteurized milk because the milk is not subject to other processes or equipment but only to the single pasteurizing unit. This allow lay people to be able to process the milk because they will not have to adhere to such rigid health and safety standards as is the case with processing of milk by conventional means.

The processing factory is scaled down to such an extent that a single person cannot fit inside it. This reduces the cost dramatically because there is no requirement for a building. It allows processing hubs to be moved around the country or even exported.

The processing system according to the invention may be used for any milk, including cow, sheep, and goat milk.

Industrial Applicability

The invention will be useful where milk is purchased by consumers. Milk from animals is fed directly into the processing unit of the invention at the site of milking. The collected milk is pasteurised in pasteurising tanks in the processing unit and is delivered to purchasers of the milk without further intervention or opening of the pasteurising unit. This prevent contamination of the milk. It enables milk to be transported from the collection point of raw milk to the end consumer simply and efficiently without the requirement for large processing rooms.