Abstract: An arrangement and device for on-line liquid sampling in which small samples of a liquid, particularly a sterilizable liquid, flowing through a pipe are periodically withdrawn. Sterilization of the sampling device together with a collecting container attached thereto is made possible without exposure of the device to the atmosphere as the device is mounted on the pipe. This is achieved by enveloping the sampling device with the collection container attached thereto by a flexible, high-temperature resistant enclosure such as a plastic bag, which normally seals off the liquid entry port to the device; sterilizing the device and container assembly in this condition; and providing the pressure air actuated valve in the device which serves to close the normally open valve seat to trap a sample of the liquid, with an extension which punctures the bag adjacent to the entry port incident to the actuation of the valve.

Abstract: Electro-mechanical, milk transfer systems which interlock the dairy farmer's milk holding tank agitator and the pump for drawing milk from the tank into a milk transport vehicle to preclude energization of the pump until the agitator has operated for a minimum, predetermined time; tamper proof circumvention-preventing devices to preclude by-pass of the interlock systems during milk transfer to the transport vehicle; and milk sample-taking units for automatically taking one or more samples of the milk being pumped into the transport vehicle.

Abstract: On-line samplers using a piston having its rod reciprocally mounted in a tubular member which reciprocates in a passage, at least the piston and its rod adapted to project out of said passage into the line in which fluid to be sampled is flowing. Upon return of the piston and the tubular member into the passage, a constant volume of sample between the annular faces of the piston and the tubular member is taken into the passage, from which the sample is discharged under positive pressure by moving one of said annular faces into substantially face-to-face contact with the other annular face.