WO1981001230A1

WO1981001230A1 - Milkmeter for measurement by volume

Info

Publication number: WO1981001230A1
Application number: PCT/NL1980/000037
Authority: WO
Inventors: J Kummer
Original assignee: Kummer Electronics Bv; J Kummer
Priority date: 1979-11-08
Filing date: 1980-11-07
Publication date: 1981-05-14
Also published as: ES496669A0; EP0040228A1; ES8202947A1; JPS56501511A

Abstract

Milkmeter for measuring the milk quantity issued by a cow in volume. The meter has measuring cups (4) issuing an electronic signal to a counting device when they have been filled by the milk. When filled, milk from continued supply overflows into a next measuring cup (4). The cup (4) may be emptied into a reservoir by tilting or by a bottom valve (227, 228). An overflow cup may be provided within a single measuring cup for space saving. The milkmeter may have a correcting device for the air quantity present in the milk when flowing through the meter, in the shape of a float (304) in the measuring cup (301).

Description

Milkmeter for measurement by volume.

The invention relates to a method for measuring milk quantities by means of a milkmeter, as well as to a milkmeter for that purpose, comprising a measuring part, for measuring the quantity of milk issued per cow.

Such milkmeters are known. In a certain known meter the measuring part e.g. has a funnel shaped tiltable cup, having a central partition. The milk first falls into the cup at the one side of the partition. When a predetermined quantity by weight of the milk has flowed into this part of the cup, the center of gravity of the cup has moved so far relative to the tilt axis of the cup that it tilts, whereby the milk leaves the cup and flows towards a storage tank, whereas the part of the cup at the other side of the partition is placed, due to the tilting action, below the milkjet and is filled, whereafter the cup tilts back to its original position. Each tilt movement is registered, whereby the total quantity of milk may be determined. During the tilting action milk still falls at the side of the partition, which moves downwardly, so that the measuring result becomes inaccurate. For it is that the milk flow is not always constant, particularly not at the start and at the end of the milking process.

The invention aims at providing a milkmeter not having said disadvantages. This is achieved according to the invention, by the application of a method, whereby the milk is supplied to a first of a plurality of successive series of directly adjacent measuring cups of equal or substantially equal volume, said cups being open at their tops, when said cups are in a position wherein their open top edges are horizontal, whereby each time the milk of a cup overflows to an adjacent cup as soon as the first mentioned cup is full, which is continued up till just after filling the last cup preceding the last series of cups, whereafter the overflow from said last cup enters the last series and simultaneously the milk supply is transferred to said last series, and thereafter all cups of the previous series are tilted, whereby the milk therein leaves them, whereafter finally said cups are retilted to the original position and the process is repeated as if the last series were the first series and the first series were the last series.

The milk that is supplied after the cups of all series, with the exception of the last series, have been filled, enters the last series through the overflow of a filled cup, so that also this overflowing milk is measured and no unmeasured milk flows out, whereby measuring errors would occur.

When milk starts flowing into a cup, the counter connected to the measuring electrode reacts as soon as the milk reaches the electrode. In case the milk flow stops just after the electrode of a cup has reacted and this electrode would be in or near the bottom of the cup, the measuring error is at maximum equal to the contents of a single cup. If e.g. the volume of the cups is 0.1 Itrs, the error at maximum is + 0.1 Itr. If the electrode is provided at half the height of the cup, the error at maximum is + 0.05 Itrs. With a milk quantity per cow of 10 to 20 liters, the error at maximum is + 0.5 to 1% or + 0.25 to 0.5% respectively.

Some known meters operate such, that a proportional portion of the milk quantity is separated and this separated portion is measured. Measuring errors which probably occur, then cause a reverse proportional error in the measured total milk quantity. In that the measuring error is very small in the meter according to the invention, this meter may also serve very veil for measuring a proportional separated portion of the milk per cow.

In order to obtain an overflow of the milk from one cup to the adjacent cup in the series, without spilling, preferably the measuring cups have adjacent to each other walls, which are slightly lowered relative to their other walls.

Since foam on the milk, if present and formed by the intermixing of air with the milk, due to its flowing movement, spreads along the cups, a large area is available for the escapement of the air from the milk, so that only a small measuring error may occur due to the foam with the measuring by volume, according to the invention.

In a first embodiment of the milkmeter for carrying out the method according to the invention, said milkmeter having a measuring part, the series of cups are provided in the measuring part in series, according to a straight line, tiltable around an axis, each cup having a measuring electrode, while a milk supply means has been provided above the range of series, which is transferable from the first to the last series under the influence of an electrode signal. In a variation of this embodiment, to the series of measuring cups, identical series of measuring cups have been provided in reversed position, so that each time two cups have a common bottom. The series of cups are then each time tilted through 180°.

In another embodiment the cups are not tiltable, but two stationary, adjacent measuring cups are provided, each comprising a valve in the bottom, which is controllable through an electrode signal, the milk supply means supplying milk in the one pivoted position to the one cup and in the other pivoted position to the other cup. Thereby the drive mechanism for pivoting the cups is eliminated, as well as a possible waiting time in which the milk supply is interrupted during the pivoting of the cups. The pivoting supply chute of the older embodiment may now be replaced by a much smaller pivotable milk supply means. In a further embodiment with tiltable cups the series of cups have been provided in the measuring part in series according to a circle,each cup being provided with a measuring electrode and the cups being radially tiltable. Then the milk supply means may be rotatable relative to the center of the circle. It is also possible to have the milk supply means intermittently carry out a small pivotal movement between the first and the last cup of the series. In this embodiment with circular arrangement of the cups, the milk supply means need not carry out a large pivotal movement as with the previous embodiment.

This effect is still more pronounced in another embodiment according to the invention in which the measuring part contains two series of cups which are mutually parallel and have a common intermediate wall of both series, each cup being provided with a measuring electrode, the cups being funnel shaped and tiltable around an axis contained in the plane of the intermediate wall, at one end of both series and merging therewith a separate overflow cup being provided which receives the milk, which flows over from the first series, and is arranged to discharge said milk into the second series after the tilting of both series. For tilting the cups here no separate drive apparatus is necessary, since the tilting action may take place under the influence of gravity after seme milk has entered the overflov: cup and has issued a signal through an electrode present therein, whereafter the tilting may take place by deblocking the cup assembly. The milk supply means may now be provided stationary. The ovarflowcup of this milkmeter has to be emptied, which requires a separate drive mechanism. The additional space necessary for this mechanism and in connection with the emptying movement of the overflow cup may be avoided by a still further development of the milkmeter according to the invention, which, moreover, is very compact and has This further embodiment is characterised in that successive to the last cup of each series of cups and secured thereto an overflow cup has been formed which communicates with an elevator chute arranged in the longitudinal direction of the series, beside the cups of this series and separated therefrom by a wall, said chute being provided at the sice of the relative series of cups remote from the common intermediate wall, the bottom of said overflow cup merging with the bottom of the associated elevator chute, said bottoms extending gradually upwardly, the end of the elevator chute opening over the first cup of the relative series and adapted to discharge therein, the arrangement being such, that milk overflowing after the last cup of a series has been filled, is received by the overflowcup of said series and flows through a communication aperture between the overflow cups via the overflow cup of the other series, and after the assembly of series has been pivoted this milk is discharged into the first cup of the other series, into which then simultaneously milk from the supply sprout nay flow.

It is to be noted that a milkmeter having pivotable cups is known per se e.g. from the Dutch patent application 7305058, however, therein the cups are not pivoted through the influence of a measuring element or float, when they have been filled, but under the influence of the weight of the inflowing milk, said measurement being very inaccurate, since the pivoting movement has to start already when a cup is not yet completely filled because otherwise a portion of the milkflow directly flows towards the discharge opening of the meter. According to the invention measuring of the milk volume takes place and the milk overflows towards another cup of the meter, instead of directly towards the discharge opening.

In order to avoid with the milkmeter according to the invention that when the assembly is pivoted and the overflow milk from the first series flows to the other series, said milk is received by a different part from the first cup of said other series, it is preferable if for each series of cups an endwall extending upwardly over the outer side wall of the associated elevator chute is provided at the end of the overflow cup remote from the common intermediate wall, as well as shielding wall portions extending upwardly above the cup walls and shielding the elevator chute from all cups of the series, except from the first cup, and from the associated overflow cup.

A very compact meter is obtained if each series comprises only Since the milking process according to present practice is carried out in vacuum by a milking machine, it is very likely that in the circuit from the milkcluster on the cow's udder to the milkmeter, connected in the circuit prior to the milktank, air is entered into the milk. For example, often air is entered already in the milkbeakers of the milkclusters during the milking process. Also a milkbeaker may leak when a cow has thin nipples (false air). Although generally a milkmeter has a collecting reservoir prior to the measuring reservoirs, in which collecting reservoir air may seperate from the milk, still so much air remains present in the milk, that thereby the measurement may be inaccurate. Of course, when measuring the milk quantities, the idea is to determine the quantities exposed to atmospheric pressure, since the milk is used in that condition and not under vacuum.

Therefore the, invention further provides a device in a milkmeter for applying a correction for the air received in the milk to the measured milk quantity. This is achieved according to the invention in that the correcting device comprises a float which a guided vertically movable in a milkreservoir of a milkmeter and which is adapted to transmit its position, which is determined by the air quantity in the milk, electronically as a correction to the measuring portion of the meter. The electronic transduction of the float position into a correction of the measured milkvolumε may be effected in different manners which are known per se and are further mentioned below.

Although e.g. in the milkmeter according to fig. 4 the float nay be provided in the milksupply chamber, it is preferable to do this in both measuring cups and since a further variation in the air quantity may occur while the milk flows from the chamber to the measuring cups. Preferably therefore the above mentioned milkreservoir is a measuring reservoir of the milkmeter. In order to have the float react as much as possible to the present quantity of air on each level of the milk reservoir, it is advantageous when the float extends along a vertical distance which is substantially equal to the maximum filling height of the milkreservoir. The air will namely rise already during the short residence of the milk in the reservoir, so that in the upper part of the reservoir more air is present and the milk density is smaller than at the bottom.

In a preferred embodiment the float has the shape of a rod. Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of the first embodiment. Fig 2 shows schematically in perspective the shape of a tilting cup.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the second embodiment with cups arranged according to a circle.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through a third embodiment. Fig. 4A and 4B show modifications of the embodiments according to fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the electronic measuring circuit of the milkmeter.

Fig. 6 shows, very schematically, the third embodiment with tiltable cups in perspective view.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment. Fig. 8 shows a plan view of the embodiment according to fig.7, as seen in the direction of the common intermediate wall of the cups. Fig. 9 is a view from the right in fig. 7. Fig.10 shows the correcting device schematically.

Fig.11 shows a control diagram for a milkmeter with correcting device.

Fig. 1 shows the measuring part 1 of a milkmeter, into which a milk supply sprout 2 opens and said measuring part being at the lower side provided with a milk discharge sprout 3. Series of cups 4 have been provided within the measuring part in series and tiltable around an axis 5. Said axis extends horizontally and the upper edges of the cups, one of which is sσiematically shown in fig. 2 and which is discussed later on, extend accurately horizontal or level. In the embodiment shown, a range of cups comprises three series of each three cups. It will be clear that said numbers are arbitrary. The series are indicated, going from right to left in fig. 1, successively by first series 7, second series 8 and third series 9.

Over the series a milk supply means shaped as a chute 10 is provided pivotable around a transverse axis 11, which is in the middle of the length of the chute. In the position according to fig. 1 the chute supplies, when milk is entered into the chute, the milk to the cup 4 of the first series 7 situated farthest to the right. If the chute 10 is pivoted or tilted around the axis 11 such that this chute takes the position indicated with a broken line, the chute applies milk to the left cup 4 of the series 9. Each cup has a bottom 12, which has been indicated for one cup and in each bottom a measuring electrode 13 has been provided.

In the embodiment shown according to fig. 1 cups 5 have been provided in mirror position, relative to the cups 4 and having a common bottom with each of said cups, in a corresponding range, likewise distributed into three scries. However, it is possible to omit said cups 5 such that the apparatus only comprises the cups 4. The cups 4 are directly adjacent in the direction of the series and the cups of each series 7, 8 or 9 may have common adjacent walls. Said adjacent walls have a lowered upper edge 14 which has been lowered relative to the front edge 15 and the back edge 1G of the cup. The right wall of the first series 7, which is situated farthest to the right, is of equal height as the walls 15 and 16. Both intermediate walls of both other cups of said series have a lowered upper edge 14. The same applies for all other cups of the series 8 and 9, with the exception of the cup in fig. 1 which is situated farthest to the left, the left transverse wall or end wall of which has equal height as the front and back walls 15, 16 of the cups.

If now milk, issued by a cow, is supplied to the measuring part 1 through the sprout 2, this milk falls onto the chute 10 which supplies the milk in the position of the chute as shown in fig. 1 to the first cup 4 of the first series 7. In that the successive cups of said series mutually communicate through the lowered edges 14, the milk, when the first cup has been filled, overflows to the second cup of 'the series 7. As soon as milk reaches the electrode 13 in the bottom of a cup, this electrode transmits a signal to a counting device, not shown, whereby this indicates the contents of the cup, e.g. o.l liters, on the counter. Successively, all cups of series 7 and also all cups of series 8 are filled.

Thereafter milk overflows to the first cup of series 9 and in this way also all cups of said series would be filled, if it were not that the electrode in the bottom of the first cup of series 9 transmits, apart from the counting signal mentioned above, also a signal to a device, not shown, which pivots the chute 10 around its axis 11, so that it arrives in the position indicated with broken line. Thereby the milk is supplied through the left end of the chute to the left cup of series 9, which thereafter overflows to the second cup and thereafter reaches the third cup.

However, in the meantime, simultaneously with the pivoting signal to the chute, a tilting signal has been given to the cups of the series 7 and 8, whereby they are pivoted to such angle around the axis 5, that the milk leaves them and enters through the sprout 3 a storage tank (not shown). Thereafter the cups are retilted such that they are in their original position, prior to the moment in which- thε rilk of the third cup from the left in series 9 starts overflowing into the first cup from the left of series 3. The filling thereafter continues up till the cup of series 8, which is farthest to the right, in which moment,namely when milk overflows into the first cup from the left in series 7, again a switching signal is given to the chute 10 and now thε cups of the series 8 and 9 are tilted and thereafter retiltεd. The process is now repeated in the manner as described above. In the situation in which the cups are untilted, as shown in fig

1 they are retained such, that they are not permitted to tilt. This may be done e.g. by retaining the relative cups by a magnet 17 or 18 resp. If one of said magnets is deenergized, the cups may tilt under the influence of gravity if they have been mounted somewhat excentrically on the axis 5. However, they also may be secured to the axis 5 and may be tilted and retilted through the intermediary of a reciprocating drive.

In the case, which has been particularly shown in fig. 1, in which below each cup 4, a cup 19 has been provided in the reversed position, the cups are rotated by the drive through 180°, such that after the tilting movement the cups 19 are uppermost.

When the milkflow through the sprout 2 stops, an arbitrary cup has only particularly been filled with milk. Since the electrode in the bottom of that cup has already issued a counting signal, thε total milk quantity is indicated by the counting apparatus as if also this last cup has been completely filled. The result is that the occurring measuring error at maximum may amount to the contents of a single cup, that is the total quantity is indicated by an amount which is at most too high by a quantity equal with the contents of a single cup. This happens if so to speak some drops of milk just reach the electrode so that it issues its signal and thereafter the milk flow has stopped.

Thε cups all have a relatively small contents, e.g. 0.1 liters .

The cups have substantially equal volumes, although it is possible to have cups with e.g. alternately 90 and 100cm³.However, the simplest way is to make all cups with identical dimensions. So with the apparatus according to the invention, thε volume of the milk is determined. No milk gets lost unmeasured, since thε supply means supplies all milk to the cups. Also when switching the supply means, no milk gets lost, since thε milk which then e.g. overflows further into thε first cup of series 9, is received in the count when filling all cups cf said series from the ether side. It will be clear that the time necessary for filling the last one of the series must be greater than the time necessary for emptying and rεtilting the cups of the other ones of the series.

Tilting thε cups e.g. may be done through a pneumatic or hydraulic drive.

The milk may be supplied directly from a cow through the sprout 2 to a measuring part 1 of the milkmeter, but may also first be accumulated in a milkreservoir, situated above the measuring part, the sprout 2 opening into the bottom of that reservoir. It is not necessary that the milk supply chute 10 supplies the milk to the first cup of series 7 or to the cup of series 9, which is farthest to the left. The supply to an arbitrary other cup of the first or last series is likewise possible.

It is noted, that apart from measuring via a measuring elec trode, also measuring via a float in the cup, acting on a contact in the wall of the cup, or a capacitive measuring is possible. Likewise the electrode need not be provided in the bottom of a cup. The electrode may also be situated somewhere else in the cup walls, e.g. at half the height of the cup. The cups merge according to fig. 1. into eachother through lowered edges 14. However, the complete edge 14 need not to be lowered, a local lowering in said walls may be presεnt.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of the milkmeter according to the invention. Therein the series of cups 20 are arranged along a closed circle and the milk supply means 21 is a tube or chute, which is rotary driven around the sprout 2. Also these cups 20 are subdivided into series and at arriving at a next series, one or more of the prece ding series are tilted. The cups 20 may have walls that radially extend relative to thε cεnter 22 of the circle. Also said walls have lowered upper edges or loxvered portions therein, which has not been shown.

Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of the milkmeter. Therein the cups are funnel shaped of which each time a cup 21 and a cup 24 are mutually adjacent along a common wall 25. The cups are symmetrical with respect to the wall 25 and have been arranged in two series, namely in the embodiment shown a series of four cups 23 and a series of four cups 24.

The milk sprout 2 is stationary and is situated in fig. 6 directly over the front cup 23 of the first series. The assembly of the two series of tilting cups is tiltable around an axis 26. The cups are constructed such, that when the upper edges of thε cups 23 are accurately horizontal, the walls of the cups 24, situated opposite to the walls 25, slant just below the horizontal plane through the common lower edge of the cups, so that thereby the milk may flow from said cups. Behind the rearward cup in fig. 4 of the series 23 a so called overflowcup 27 has bee provided directly adjacent to the upper back edge of that cup. This cup is not secured to the assembly of tiltable cups, but mounted separately such, that it is directly adjacent to a lowered portion of the back wall of the rearward cup 23 and also to a lowered portion of the backwall of the rearward cup 24 when the cups have been tilted and the cups 24 are located with their upper edges horizontally.

If now, through the sprout 2, milk is supplied to the cups 23 they will be successively filled because they flow over into eachother When all cups have been filled, thε milk starts overflowing into the overflowcup 27. As soon as the milk reaches this cup 27, an electrode provided therein issues a signal, whereby the assembly of the tiltable cups 23, 24 is tilted. Thereafter this signal also causes raising and tilting the cup 27 such, that its contents flows out through an outflow sprout 28, provided therein, into one of the cups 24 which then have their upper edges extending horizontally. Due to the tilting of the cups 23, 24 one of the cups 24 has arrived below thε sprout 2, so that all cups 24 are being filled whereafter again milk overflows into thε cup 27. Thereby again a tilting signal is issued to the cups 23, 24 and thereafter the cup 27 is emptied by tilting into one of the cups 23 and so on.

An advantage of this embodiment is that, apart from, the stationary supply sprout 2 in the measuring part, no separate movable milk supply means (such as 10 or 21 in thε other embodiment) is necessary. Another advantage is that no separate drive for tilting the cups has to be provided, since the cups tilt under the influence of the weight of the milk as soon as the axis 26 is released. This again may e.g. be done by a solenoid or electromagnet, which retains the shaft or axis until a series of cups has been filled and thereafter is de-energized by the signal of the electrode in the cup 27, whereby the cups are automatically tilted.

Emptying the cups could be done in all embodiments likewise through a valve-like bottom or a valve, provided in the bottom, actuatable by the electrode signal.

The cups need not necessarily have a completely open upper side. A supply aperture in an upper wall which for the rest is closed, in each series, also suffices, of course adjacent cups then mutually communicating through a lowered upper edge of the limiting wall.

The lower upper edge also may be a hole, adjacent to the upper wall of the cups.

In the embodiment according to fig. 3, having a circular arrangement, the milk supply means 21 might also be only pivotable between the cup 20, over which it is shown in this figure, and an adjacent cup 20.

The milkmeter according to fig. 4 has an e.g. cylindrical casing 20 with a measuring portion 21. The casing has at its upper end a tangential milk supply sprout 22 and at the lower end a milk discharge sprout 23. The measuring portion 21 comprises two measuring cups 24, 25 separated by a common intermediate wall 26. Each measuring cup is closed at the lower end by a valve 27 and 28 resp. By means of said valves, the passage for the milk from the measuring cups to a collecting space 29 situated below, is closed or opened resp. The left valve in fig. 4 has been shown opened and the right valve closed.

The casing 20 has at the upper end a milk supply space 30 into which the sprout 22 opens. From the space 30 a supply channel 31 leads through a portion 32 of the casing which will be further discussed below. Below the lower end of the channel 31 the pivotable milk supply means 22 has been provided the pivot axis 33 of which is just over the common intermediate wall 26 of the measuring cups.

For each valve a housing 35 and 36 resp. has been provided in the space 32, within which housing a piston 37 or 38 resp. has been provided en the valve spindle 39 or 40 resp. The valves are pushed to their closed position by springs 41 and 42 resp. Each valvε may be opened by admitting pressurized air below the piston or by opening a vacuum conduit above the piston resp. The actuation is effected electronically. The drive of thε valves may also be obtained in a different manner. Electrodes 43 and 44 resp. have been provided in the side walls of the measuring cups 24, 25. Said electrodes are provided at such distance from thε bottom of thε measuring cups that they correspond in each case with a milk contents of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 cm³. of course this is only an example. As soon as the milk level, when filling a measuring cup, reaches an electrode, this emits an electric counting signal to the measuring circuit, whereby it is registered that 50, 100 etc. cm of milk have been supplied. A.s soon as the uppermost on of the electrodes 43, 44 has been reached, this electrode not only emits a counting signal, but also a signal whereby the milk supply chute 33 is pivoted, so that thε milk, which was supplied via 31, enters the other cup, simultaneously with milk overflowing from the first cup via the intermediate wall 26. Thereafter a signal is emitted, e.g. by the lower most of each series of electrodes, for opening the valve of the measuring cup, which has been filled. Has e.g. the cup 25 been filled and the chute 33 been pivoted to the position shown in fig. 4, then the lowermost electrode of the electrodes 43 emits the signal for opening the valve 28, whereafter the milk is discharged via 23. Modifications of the embodiment according to fig. 4 are shown in figs. 4A and 4B. Therein the two measuring cups have been replaced by a single measuring cup 224, within which an overflowcup 261 has been provided. The pivotable milk supply means has been replacεd by a stationary supply sprout 231. The measuring cup 224 as well as the overflowcup 261 are provided with a bottom valve 260 and 262 resp. In the modification according to fig. 4A, the valve stem 239 of the valve 262 has been prolonged below said valve and slidable on this prolonged portion the valve 260 of the measuring cup has been provided. A spring 263 is provided between the upper side of the valve 260 and an abutment ring 264 which has been secured to the valve stem. Said spring 263 presses the valve 260 downwardly, so that in the position shown said valve is closed. The overflowcup 261 is provided vertically slidable in an annular intermediate bottom 265 which is connected to the wall of the housing 220 through radial arms 266. The valve 260 may be actuated in the same manner as in the embodiment according to fig. 4, namely by means of the piston or disc drive 237, 241. The raeter according to fig. 4A operates as follows:

The milk of the cow being milked is supplied through the sprout 222 to the reservoir 230. The bottom of this reservoir is closed by a milkdischarge valve 267. Then this valve is opened, the milk flows via the supply sprout 231 to the measuring cup 224, the bottom valve 260 of which is closed. The sprout 231 is provided over the cup 224 outside the circumference of the overflowcup 261. When the measuring cup 224 is progressively filled with milk, the electrodes 243 successively issue a measuring signal until the uppermost electrode is reached, said electrode being in the same horizontal plane as the upper edge of the overflow cup 261. This upper electrode simultaneously issues an acuating signal, whereby the valve 267 is closed. Milk, continuing to flow, after the valve 267 has been closed, through the supply sprout 231 to the measuring cup 224, flows over the edge of the ovεrflowcup 261 and is retained therein by the valve 262 thereof, which is in the closed position. By the actuating signal of the upper electrode also the drive mechanism 237 is actuated such, that the valve 260 is opened whereby the milk may flow from the measuring cup into the discharge reservoir 229 and may leave the milkmeter through the discharge sprout 223. After the cup 224 has been emptied the drive mechanism 237 reverses its movement whereby the valve 260 is closed. After the valve 260 has been closed, the valve stem 239 moves further downwardly and compresses the spring 263 so that the valve 262 is opened so that the contents of the overflowcup 261 drops into the measuring cup 224 and is at a later stage measured together with milk which in the next cycle flows into the measuring cup. After the drive mechanism 237 has moved upwardly so far that the valve 262 closes and the valve 260 remains closed, the supply valve 267 is again opened. As said thereafter the cycle repeats.

At the left side of fig. 4A, against the wall of the housing 220, a vacuum separator 263 is provided which is tubular. This separator serves to permit air which is contained in the milk in the discharge reservoir 229 to escape from the milk. Further a so called electronic milk density meter 304, 306 has been provided, which will be discussed in further detail below with reference to figs. 10 and 11. Fig. 43 shows a further modification of the milkmeter according to fig. 4. The elements thereof which correspond to elements of the meter according to fig. 4A have been indicated by the same refεrence numbers. In this meter the overflowcup 261 is provided in the measuring cup 224 as a segment shaped space, separated from the remainder of the cylindrical measuring cup by a straight separation wall 269. The bottom valve 270 of this overflowcup has a valve stem 271 extending downwardly from said valve which is pivotably connected to one end of a double armed lever 272 which is mounted pivotably to an extension 273 from the bottom of the overflowcup 261. The other free end of the lever 272 abuts in the position shown on the lower side of a transverse extεnsion 274 of the valve stem 239 of the bottom valve 260 of the measuring cup. The operation will be clear since also here when the bottom valve 260 of the measuring cup is closed, the valvε 270 of the overflow cup initially remains closed. Only when the valve stem 239 is moved further downwardly the valve 270 is opened through the lever 272 so that the milk received by the overflowcup may flow downwardly into the measuring cup, which in the meantimε is closed by the valve 260. When the valve 260 is opened for emptying the measuring cup, the valve 270 of the overflowcup remains closed.

Fig. 5 finally shows a block diagram for connecting the measuring electrodes of the milkmeter to a registering devicε. Thε milkmeter, which may be one of the milkmeters as described above, has been indicated by 45 and is connected through a circuit connector 46 and a feed apparatus 47 to the circuit. The electrode signals are supplied to a device 48 to which through the connector 49 the identification mark o the milked cow is supplied, whereas the data obtained from the milkmeter are supplied to a computer 50 and to a registering device or printer 51. Simultaneously the measured milk quantity may be made visible on a display 52.

As a variation of the embodiment according to fig. 7 instead of thε overflow cup an overflow chute may be provided, joined to the last cup of each series, leading from the common intermediate wall between the series to the elevator chute of the other series of cups. Thereby the overflow cups may be omitted and the length in the direction of the pivoting axis may be decreased.

The milkmeter as shown in fig. 7 comprises two series of pivotable cups. The first series comprises two cups 1 and 2, followed by an overflow cup 3, while the second series comprises the cups 4 and 5, followed by an overflow cup 6. The seriεs are mutually separated by a common intermediate wall 7. The assembly is pivotable around a shaft 8, which is shown schematically and is contained in the plane 7. A supply sprout 9 for milk is indicated.

Each overflow cup 3 and 6 has a wall 10 opposite to the common intermediate wall 7, said wall 10 including a smaller angle with said intermediate wall than thε corresponding walls of the cups 1, 2 and 4, 5 resp. At the end of the wall 10, opposite to the intermediate wall 7, said wall 10 opens out over the bottom 11 of an elevator chute extending from the cup 6 alongside the cup 5 and alongside the cup 4, said bottom 11 terminating at and being joined to the frontside wall of the cup 4, as seen in fig. 1. The bottom 11 extends substantially parallel to the upper edges of the sidesswalls of the cups. The above of course also applies to the other series of cups, the overflow cup 3 thereof having an inclined wall 10 merging with an elevator chute 11, which terminates at the cup 1.

The milkmeter operates such, that when the assembly of cups is in the position according to fig. 7 and milk is supplied through the supply sprout 9, this milk is received in the cup 1. The common wall between the cups 1 and 2 has an upper edge 13, which is lowered relative to the front sidewall of the cup 1, said edge 13 being likewise lowered relative to the upper edge of the common intermediate wall 7 and relative to the wall of the cup 1 opposite to said intermediate wall. If now the cup 1 has been filled with milk, this milk overflows over the edge 13 to the cup 2. The common wall of the cups 2 and 3 likewise has a lowered upper edge 14, which is also lowered relative to the edge 13. Thereby the milk flows over, when the cup 2 has been filled, to the overflow cup 3. Both walls 10 of the cups 3 and 6 are joined at the lower edge of the common intermediate wall. Directly above a through-going aperture 15 has been formed in said intermediate wall.

As said in the other embodiment, mentioned above, an electrode or a float has been provided in each cup 1 and 2, said εlεctrode or float emitting a signal as soon as the milk in the relative cup reaches said electrode, or the float reaches a predetermined height respectively. Said signals are transmitted to the electronic measuring device connected to the milkmeter. If e.g. the cups have a contents of 0.1 liters, the relative electrode each time indicates the increase of the measured milk quantity by 0.1 liters. The electrode in the cup 2 has been provided adjacent to the upper edge 14 (or a separate electrode has been provided at this point) and issues a signal as soon as the milk reaches the edge 14, whereby the assembly of cups is pivoted.

The small quantity of milk which had flowed over into the cup 3 further flows past the wall 10 to the bottom of the elevator chute 11. In thε position according to fig. 1 the bottom 11 is inclined, apart from upwardly from the end of the wall 10 towards the cup 4, such (parallel to the upper edges of the sidewalls of the cups) that the milk remains in the elevator chute 11 and not yet flows into the cup 4. Thε assembly of cups is now pivoted because of the pivot signal whereby thε cup 4 arrives below the supply sprout 9. The milk in the cups 1 and 2 flows out past the edges of said cups, which are opposite to the intermediate walls 7, and received in a receiving reservoir, positioned below the assembly of cups. Simultaneously the milk now flows from the chute 11 into the cup 4 and is there added to the milk flowing from the sprout 9. After the cup 4 has been filled it overflows past a lowered edge 13 which has been lowered correspondingly as with the first series of cups, to the cup 5 and from it via an edge 14 to the overflow cup 6 and thereafter flows to the cup 3, while the pivot signal for again pivoting the assembly of cups is issued.

Preferably substantially half of the length of the sidewalls of the cups 1 and 4, a shielding wall portion 16 has been provided which prevents milk when overflowing from the elevator chute 11 to said first cup, to flow into the second cup 2 or 5 of the relative series, when the assembly is pivoted. A slightly curved wall portion 12 has beεn provided between and transversely to the sidewalls of the cups 1 and 4 at some distance from thε free edgε from the chute bottom 11, and serves for preventing that milk from the chute 11 entεrs the second cups 2 and 5 when the assembly is pivoted. Furthermore a shielding wall portion 17 may be provided at the end of the inclined wall 10 of the overflow cups 3 and 6, said wall portion serving to prevent that when milk overflows from the second cup to the overflow cup and to the wall 10 of the other series, this milk would continue to flow and leave the chute 11. The elevator chute 11 has apart from its bottom also a sidewall 18 extending substantially parallel to intermediate wall 7, wherein the wall portion 17 may be a continuation of the sidewall 18. This sidewall 18 does not continue up till the walls of the cups 1, 2 are 4, 5 resp., situated opposite to the intermediate wall 7, but leaves therewith a gap, through which the milk may flow from the measuring portion when thε assembly is pivoted.

It will bε clεar from what has been said above, that the new meter has a very compact measuring portion in which the overflow cup of the other embodiment, which is provided separately with respect to the series of cups and also has to be actuated separately, has been replaced by two overflow cups, which are integral with the series of cups and thereby do not require a separate drive mechanism.

Pivoting the cups may be effected through an arbitrary drive mechanism, but also such that the cups are retained at any moment in one position and are released through the pivot signal, whereby they pivot under the influence of gravity through the weight of the milk present therein, to the other position.

As a variation of the embodiment shown, each series of cups which in the embodiment shown comprises two cups and one overflow cup, may also comprise only a single cup and an overflow cup. Of course more than two cups and an overflow cup is also possible.

Further a variation of the embodiment shown is possible by enlarging the cups 1 and 4 to more cups around the axis 8, such that a circumferential assembly is obtained, e.g. four cups, each including an angle of 90° between their walls, or five cups, each having a "top angle" of 72°. The same applies then also for the cups 2 and 5 and for the overflow cups 3 and 6. Therein it is likewise possible to omit the cups 2, 5 and the associated cups such that a single circumferential arrangement of cups 1, 4 and so on, and behind them a circumferential arrangement of overflow cups 3, 6 is obtained.

The repeated pivoting and return movements of the assembly may then be replaced by a rotary intermittent pivoting movement in the same direction, since then a rotor has been obtained substantially according to fig. 3 of the above mentioned patent application 7908184. Each overflow cup then may discharge into the next cup, as seen in the direction of rotation, of the rotary arrangement.

In fig. 10 a milkreservoir 1 of a milkmeter has been shown schematically. This reservoir has been filled with milk 2, with which air has mixed and in fig. 1 it is assumed that the reservoir has just been filled up to the maximum height in which the milk has reached the upper one of the measuring electrodes in the wall of the reservoir. This upper electrode has been indicated with the reference number 3. As e.g. is described with reference to fig. 4, this upper electrode not only serves for transmitting a signal to the measuring device that again a predetermined volume part of the reservoir has been filled with milk, but also for issuing the signal, whereby the milksupply is switched from the relative reservoir to another reservoir. It has been assumed that the reservoir 1 as shown in fig. 1 is a measuring reservoir, such as the reservoirs 24, 25 in the milkmeter according to fig. 4. A float 4 floats in the milk 2, the float here being in the shape of a rod, e.i. elongated in thε vertical direction. Said float may e.g. be tubular, e.g. manufactured from synthetic material or plastic. In a portion of the float 4 an iron core 5 has been provided, which e.g. may comprise of iron powder which has been sintered together by means of synthetic material. In the embodiment shewn at this position, there is provided around the float an induction coil 6, having connections 7,8.

Since the force imparted by the milk upwardly to the float 4, acting against its weight and thereby keeping the float in floating condition, equals the weight of the displaced liquid, said upward force and therefore the vertical position of the float depends on the density or specific weight of the milk. Said density in its turn again is depen dent on the air present in thε milk. As said above, adjacent to the reservoir bottom there will be less air in the milk then in the upper portion. Since the elongate float extends substantially along the full height of the milk, the float position will depend on the average of the air presεnt in the milk and thereby its position will be a measure for the quantity of air present in the milk. The coil 6 is connected through the connections 7,8 with the measuring device such, e.g. by the conductor 9 shown in fig. 2, that simultaneously with the measuring signal of the upper electrode the signal is issued, which is determined by a variation in the induction value of the coil 6, dependent on the position of the iron core in the coil and which signal, of course, corresponds to the float position. This correction signal is handled in the apparatus 48 according to fig. 2 simultaneously with the measuring signal, so that the milk quantity appears on the registration or display device 51 without air.

Since it depends, among others, on the fat content of the milk whether this retains more or less air, it is not possible to always apply a fixed correction signal for the air in the milk.

According to the invention the quantity of air that is in any case in reality present is corrected.

It will be clear that also the air quantity in a different reservoir of a milkmeter than a measuring reservoir may be measured,e.g. the reservoir 30 of the meter according to fig. 4 of the older application. As said, however, the measurement in a measuring reservoir is more accurate.

The float doesn't have to be rod shaped as indicated, but may also have different shapes. E.g. the float may be a flat disc, which is rotatable around a horizontal axis in the reservoir, a float portion bεing containεd in said disc.

Apart from electronically through the induction of a coil, the measurement may take place through the intermediary of a light beam, infra-red measurement, through a variometer circuit, by capacitive measurement, with a Hall generator having a movable magnet, or in any other known manner.

Generally the issued signal will not be proportional to the float position. In order to make the circuit proportional the relation between the float position (and therefore the milk density) and the issued signal may be influenced in different manners which are known per se.E.g. by a shape of the float, which is adapted to the curve of the signal as plotted against the float position (e.g. parabolic shape of the float with a parabolic signal curve), an adapted shape of the iron core of the float of the distribution of the coil windings or electronically e.g. through the intermediary of a so called computing amplifier.

The idea is that a generally analogous, proportional signal is converted into a digital signal whereby the volume mεasurement is corrected It will be clear that the correcting device according to the invention is also applicable to different milkmeters than are described in the mentioned patent applications.

The float operating by measurement of the induction, as shown in fig. 10, has the advantage that the induction coil simultaneously may serve for guiding the rod-shaped float 4. In order to improve the guiding action, a guide ring 10 may be provided around the float at the upper end of the reservoir, said ring being secured to the wall of the reservoir 1.

Fig. 11 shows a block diagram for the connection of the measuring electrodes of the milkmeter, only the electrode 3 in fig. 1 being shown, as well as the correcting device according to the invention, to a display device. The milkmeter bears the reference number 45 and is connected through a circuit conductor 46 and a feed apparatus 47 to the circuit. The electrode signals are supplied to a device 43, to which is supplied through the connection 49, the identification mark of the cow being milked, while the data obtained from the milkmeter are supplied to a computer 50 and to a registration device or printer 51. Simultaneously the measured milk quantity may be made visible on a display 52.

Claims

1. A method for measuring a quantity of issued milk through the intermediary of a milkmeter, characterised in that the milk is supplied to a first one of a number of successive series of directly adjacent measuring cups with open top and of equal or substantially equal volume, when said cups are positioned with their open upper edges horizontally, whereby each time the milk of a cup overflows to an adjacen cup as soon as the first mentioned cup is full, which is continued untill just after the last cup, preceding the last series of cups, has been filled, whereafter the overflow from this last cup enters the last series and simultaneously the milk supply to said last series is transferred and thereafter all cups of the previous series are tilted, whereby the milk leaves them, whereafter finally said cups are retilted to the original position and the process is repeated as if the last series were the first series and the first series were the last series.

2. Milkmeter for carrying out the method according to claim 1 , comprising a measuring part, characterised in that the series of cups (4) are provided in the measuring part (1) sequential according to a straight line and tiltable around an axis (5), wherein each cup (4) is provided with a measuring electrode (13) while over the range of series (7,8,9) a milk supply means (10) has been provided, which is switchable from the first series (7) to the last series (9) under the influence of an electrode signal.

3. Milkmeter according to claim 2, characterised in that identical series of measuring cups (19) have been provided to the series of measuring cups (4) in reversed position, such that each time two cups (4, 19) have a common bottom (12).

4, Milkmeter according to claim 2, the milk supply means being pivotably provided between two positions, characterised in that the milkmeter comprises two stationary measuring cups (224, 225) separated by an intermediate wall (226), each having a valve (227, 228) in the bottom, which may be actuated by an electrode signal, the milk supply means (233) supplying milk in the one pivoted position to the one cup and in the other pivoted position to the other cup, milk overflowing from the one cup entering the ether cup.

5. Milkmeter for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterised in that the series of cups (20) have been provided in thε measuring part (1) sequentially according to a circle, each cup being. provided with a measuring electrode and the cups being radially tiltable.

6. Milkmeter for carrying out the method according to claim 1, characterisεd in that two series of cups (23, 24) have been provided in the measuring part parallel to eachbther and with common intermediate wall (25) of both series, each cup being provided with a measuring electrods, the cups being funnel shaped and tiltable around an axis (26) contained in the plane of the intermediate wall (25), a separate overflow cup (27) being provided at one end of both series (23, 24) and directly adjacent thereto, said overflow cup receiving milk overflowing from the first series and is adapted to discharge said milk after the tilting movement of both series (23, 24) into the second series.

7. A milkmeter according to claim 6, characterised in that successive to the last cup (102, 105) of each series of cups and secured thereto an overflow cup (103, 106) has been formed which communicates with an elevator chute (111, 113) provided in thε longitudinal direction of the series, beside the cups of said series and separated therefrom by a wall (112) at the side of the relative series of cups remote from the common intermediate wall (107), the wall (110) of said overflow cup mergingwith the bottom (111) of the associated elevator chute, said bottomsextending gradually upwardly, the end of the elevator chute opening over the first cup (101, 104) of the relative series and being adapted to discharge therein, the arrangement being such, that milk, overflowing after the last cup (102, 105) of a series has been filled, is received in the overflow cup (103, 106) of said series and flows through a communication aperture (115) between the overflow cups(103, 106) through the overflow cup of the other series to the elevator chute (111, 189) of the other series, and after pivoting the assembly of said series said milk is discharged into the first cup (101, 104) of the other series, into which then simultaneously milk may flow from the supply sprout (109).

8. Milkmeter according to claim 7, characterised in that for each series of cups an end wall (117) is provided at the end of the overflow cup (103, 106) remote from the common intermediate wall (107) and extending upwardly beyond the outer side wall (118) of the associated elevator chute (111) as well as shielding wall portions (112 and 116 resp.) extending upwardly beyond the walls of the cups, the elevator chute of all cups of the series except the first cup (101, 104), and the associated overflow cup (103 106) .

9. A milkmeter having a measuring portion including a measuring cup, in which measuring electrodes have been provided, characterised in that the measuring cup comprises a bottom valve, actuatable through an electrode signal, and an overflow cup, likewise clσsable by a bottom valve, said overflow cup being provided within the measuring cup and with its upper edge at the level of the signal electrode, a stationary milk supply sprout being provided with a milk supply valve, the arrangement being such, that when the measuring cup is completely filled, the bottom valve of the measuring cup is opened through the electrode signal and the closing valve in the milk supply sprout is closed, and after the measuring cup has emptied through gravity, its valve is closed, the bottom valve of the overflow cup is opened during a short interval and thereafter again closed, whereafter the milk supply valve is opened and the cycle repeats.

10. A milkmeter according to claim 9, characterised in that the bottom valves of the cups have valve stems, of which one is the extension of the other, the bottom valve of the measuring cup being provided slidably and spring biassed to the closed position on its stem.

11. A milkmeter, according to claim 9, characterised in that the bottom valve of the overflow cup is connected to the bottom valve of the measuring cup through a lever such that when the last mentioned valve is closed, the first menrioned valve is temporarily opened.

12. A device in a milkmeter for determining the milk quantity issued by a cow, by means of a measurement by volume, according to one of the previous claims 2 - 8, said device applying a correction for the air received in the milk to the measured milk quantity, characterised in that the correcting device comprises a float (304) which is guided vertically movable in a milkreservoir (301) of the milkmeter and which is adapted to transmit its position, determined by the air quantity in the milk, electronically (306, 307, 308) as a correction to the measuring portion of the meter.

13. A device according to claim 12, characterised in that the milkreservoir is a measuring reservoir (301) of the milkmeter.

14. A device according to claims 12, 13, characterised in that the float (304) extends along a vertical distance which is substantiall equal to the maximum filling height of the milkreservoir (301).

15. A device according to one or more of the claims 12-14, characterised in that the float (304) is rod-shaped.

16. A milkmeter substantially as herein before described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.