Abstract: A milking system includes a milking device, a milk line, and a sampling and analysis device for milk from the milk line, that includes a control unit, a carrier with reagent pads to detect a substance in the sample, a dosing device to dose a sample onto a reagent pad, an sensor device to detect radiation from that reagent pad, and to analyse the detected radiation to indicate a presence or concentration of said substance. The dosing device includes a nozzle with a supply line, a pump for pumping liquid to the nozzle, a flat wall part, and a mover to press the flat wall part and the nozzle against each other to close the nozzle. In this way, the nozzle can be filled completely to a known level and without bubbles. Thereafter, the sample pump can provide a sample droplet with known volume, which enables better control over the sample supply process.

Abstract: A method is provided for cleansing a hot beverage dispensing device (1), the device including at least one water inlet (11), a hot beverage preparation module (2) located downstream of the water inlet, and a beverage outlet (26) downstream of the beverage preparation module, a second rinsing step (S2) The method includes a first rinsing step (S1), a second rinsing step (S3). In the first rinsing step at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a first rinsing fluid temperature. In the treatment step (S2) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are treated with a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid having a temperature that is higher than the first rinsing fluid temperature. In the second rinsing step (S3) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a second rinsing fluid temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to an autonomous system for purification of water by membrane distillation. The invention also relates to the use of a membrane distillation module in a system. The invention furthermore relates to a method of operation a system for purification of water by membrane distillation.

Abstract: An assembly for frothing a fluid having an air channel with a controllable air valve and having a fluid channel with an air inlet emanation point in which the air channel emanates, a pump, a fluid restriction, a heater, and a valve assembly having a first state in which fluid is channeled to a fluid outlet of the fluid channel and a second state in which the fluid is diverted from the fluid channel to a second fluid outlet. A water supply channel is connected to the fluid channel. The assembly also includes a cleaning reservoir and a return channel that is connected to the second fluid outlet of the valve assembly and that emanates in the cleaning reservoir. An electronic controller assembly is configured to control at least the pump, the heater, and the valve assembly, and to operate the assembly in a production mode and a cleaning mode.

Abstract: A milking system includes a device to sample and analyse a milk sample, including a control unit, a sample supply line connected to the milk line, a pump to control the sample flow, an optical radiation source, and an optical sensor device to detect and analyse optical radiation coming from the reagent pad with said sample, to provide an indication of a substance in the sample, a tape mover to move and unwind the tape from the tape reel, and a pump drive, external to the cassette, and releasably operably connected to the pump device for driving the pump device. The sampling and analysis device also includes a cassette with a sample receiving line, releasably connected to the sample supply line by a liquid connector, and arranged to receive the sample from the sample supply line, a tape reel with a tape that includes a base tape layer and a series of separate reagent pads, and a dosing device to provide a droplet of the sample onto a reagent pad.

Abstract: A milking system includes a milking device, a milk line, and a sampling and analysis device for milk from the milk line, that includes a control unit, a carrier with reagent pads to detect a substance in the sample, a dosing device to dose a sample onto a reagent pad, an sensor device to detect radiation from that reagent pad, and to analyse the detected radiation to indicate a presence or concentration of said substance. The dosing device includes a nozzle with a supply line, a pump for pumping liquid to the nozzle, a flat wall part, and a mover to press the flat wall part and the nozzle against each other to close the nozzle. In this way, the nozzle can be filled completely to a known level and without bubbles. Thereafter, the sample pump can provide a sample droplet with known volume, which enables better control over the sample supply process.

Abstract: A milking system with a milking device, a milk line, and a sampling and analysis device to sample and analyse the milk are disclosed. The sampling and analysis device includes a control unit, a tape wound on a tape reel, and including a base material with a series of reagent pads arranged to provide a detectable response in the presence of a substance in the sample, a tape mover to move and unwind the tape, a dosing device to provide a part of the sample onto one of the reagent pads, and an optical sensor device to detect optical radiation from said reagent pad with said sample, and to analyse the detected optical radiation to provide an indication of a presence or concentration of said substance. The dosing device includes a displaceable nozzle with a supply line for supplying the sample to the nozzle. The nozzle is arranged for supplying the sample upwardly to the reagent pad.

Abstract: A method is provided for cleansing a hot beverage dispensing device (1), the device including at least one water inlet (11), a hot beverage preparation module (2) located downstream of the water inlet, and a beverage outlet (26) downstream of the beverage preparation module, a second rinsing step (S2) The method includes a first rinsing step (S1), a second rinsing step (S3). In the first rinsing step at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a first rinsing fluid temperature. In the treatment step (S2) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are treated with a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid having a temperature that is higher than the first rinsing fluid temperature. In the second rinsing step (S3) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a second rinsing fluid temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus (900) is provided for the preparation of a beverage, including at least one beverage outlet nozzle (910) for discharging the beverage into a beverage container (940), characterized in that the apparatus includes a cleaning structure (100) for cleaning an exterior surface of the beverage outlet nozzle. With such cleaning structure, residues and ingredients of beverages may be removed from the exterior surface of the beverage outlet nozzle.

Abstract: An assembly for frothing a fluid having an air channel with a controllable air valve and having a fluid channel with an air inlet emanation point in which the air channel emanates, a pump, a fluid restriction, a heater, and a valve assembly having a first state in which fluid is channeled to a fluid outlet of the fluid channel and a second state in which the fluid is diverted from the fluid channel to a second fluid outlet. A water supply channel is connected to the fluid channel. The assembly also includes a cleaning reservoir and a return channel that is connected to the second fluid outlet of the valve assembly and that emanates in the cleaning reservoir. An electronic controller assembly is configured to control at least the pump, the heater, and the valve assembly, and to operate the assembly in a production mode and a cleaning mode.

Abstract: The present application provides a product vending module for vending a number of products. The product vending module may include a product row, a product gate positioned about the product row, and a product locking system in communication with the product gate. The product locking system may include a latch and a biased base such that releasing the latch allows the product gate to be opened and one of the number of products to be removed therefrom.

Abstract: The present application provides a product vending module for vending a number of products. The product vending module may include a product row, a product gate positioned about the product row, and a product locking system in communication with the product gate. The product locking system may include a latch and a biased base such that releasing the latch allows the product gate to be opened and one of the number of products to be removed therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for milking animals, in which the milk is removed is conveyed though a filter element. Any material which is deposited on the filter element is detected and, if appropriate, identified. After detection is complete, the direction of flow through the filter element is reversed, so that filter material is rinsed clean. The invention also comprises a contamination meter for user in die device and method mentioned above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for milking animals, in which the milk is removed is conveyed though a filter element. Any material which is deposited on the filter element is detected and, if appropriate, identified. After detection is complete, the direction of flow through the filter element is reversed, so that filter material is rinsed clean. The invention also comprises a contamination meter for user in die device and method mentioned above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for the automatic milking of animals. The animals enter the milking stall (5) from a gathering area (A) via an access path (B). The milking stall comprises a feeding device (7) and automatic milking equipment (6). After they have been milked, the animals leave the milking stall via an exit path (C) and move to the living area (D). According to the invention, a feeding stall (20) for supplying an amount of feed which is determined by the control system is incorporated in the exit path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for milking animals, in which the milk which is removed is conveyed through a filter element. Any material which is deposited on the filter element is detected and, if appropriate, identified. After detection is complete, the direction of flow through the filter element is reversed, so that the filter material is rinsed clean. The invention also comprises a contamination meter for user in the device and method mentioned above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device for use, for example, in an automatic milking device and, in particular, for detecting the positions of the teats of an animal which is to be milked. The sensor device comprises a number of radiation sources which generate non-divergent radiation beams which have different positions and/or directions which are known in the control unit. The reflections from the irradiated object are detected using detectors, and there are means for distinguishing between the reflections from the various radiation sources, so that the control unit is able to establish the position of the object.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for selling foodstuffs. Product carriers are stored on a storage rack in a cabinet with a cooled atmosphere. A stock of foodstuff, such as meat products, is present on the product carriers. An ordered quantity is separated from this foodstuff by separating means, such as a cutting machine, and is then packaged. The invention relates to the removal of product carriers from the cabinet and the introduction of product carriers into the cabinet, by making use of a filling station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device for use, for example, in an automatic milking device and, in particular, for detecting the positions of the teats of an animal which is to be milked. The sensor device comprises a number of radiation sources which generate non-divergent radiation beams which have different positions and/or directions which are known in the control unit. The reflections from the irradiated object are detected using detectors, and there are means for distinguishing between the reflections from the various radiation sources, so that the control unit is able to establish the position of the object.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for selling foodstuffs. Product carriers are stored on a storage rack in a cabinet with a cooled atmosphere. A stock of foodstuff, such as meat products, is present on the product carriers. An ordered quantity is separated from this foodstuff by separating means, such as a cutting machine, and is then packaged. The invention relates to the removal of product carriers from the cabinet and the introduction of product carriers into the cabinet, by making use of a filling station.