DESC:FORM 2 THE PATENTS ACT 1970 (39 of 1970) & The Patents Rules, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10 and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
“An Intelligent Laboratory System For Testing Multiple Milk Quality Parameters and Method Thereof”
2. APPLICANT:
(A) Name
:
Prompt Equipments Private Limited
(B) Nationality
:
India
(c) Address
:
Seventh Floor, Shaligram Corporates,
IskonAmbli Road, C. J. Marg,
Ahmedabad- 380058,
Gujarat, India.
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
PROVISIONAL The following specification describes the invention.
?COMPLETE The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
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FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for testing milk quality parameters. More particularly, the present invention relates to an intelligent laboratory system for testing single or multiple parameters of milk quality at a same time which is performed based on feedback received from data 5 analytics on farmer’s code, volume of milk, type of milk and quality parameters including% fat and % SNF obtained from milk composition measuring machine i.e. milk analyzer. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 10 It is very well know that milk is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium. It does have important role in bone health, heart health and etc. Milk is crucial due to its special nutritive value, which in turn plays essential role in human and animal health. It contains all the substances needed by organisms in its easiest assimilable form. It carries 15 high-value proteins, fat providing energy, a low melting point, small globules stimulating an easy assimilation, A and D vitamins playing a special role in Calcium and Phosphorus fixation in bones, low cholesterol compared to other foods of animal origin.
Due to the nutritive value of milk, its testing and quality control is an 20 essential component of any milk processing industry whether small, medium or large scale. Milk is made up of approximately 87% of water hence making it prone to adulteration by unscrupulous middlemen and unfaithful farmworkers. Milk being biological liquid matrix, quality of milk obtain from animal is also affected by number of factors like diet, drinking 25
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water, health issues and subsequent use of antibiotic, hormonal changes. Moreover, its high nutritive value makes it an ideal medium for rapid multiplication of bacteria, particularly under unhygienic production and storage at ambient temperatures. For any processor to make good dairy products, good quality raw materials are essential. A milk processor or 5 handler will only be assured of the quality of raw milk if certain quality tests are carried out at various stages of transportation of milk from the producer to the processor and finally to the consumer. Among the causes of small-scale dairy producers, difficulties in producing hygienic products are informal and unregulated marketing, 10 improper handling and processing of dairy products, lack of financial incentives for quality improvement and insufficient knowledge and skills in hygienic practices and lack of single platform with multiple test capacity at affordable price. To achieve hygienic quality, good hygiene practices should be applied throughout the dairy chain. 15 Milk should be tested for:
i. quantity – measured in volume or weight;
ii. organoleptic characteristics – appearance, taste and smell;
iii. compositional characteristics – especially fat, solid and protein contents; 20
iv. physical and chemical characteristics;
v. hygienic characteristics – Microbial quality in terms of SPC, MBRT.
vi. adulteration – with water, preservatives, added solids, etc;
vii. drug and pesticide residues. 25
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viii. Somatic Cell Count (SCC)
Examples of simple milk testing methods suitable for small-scale dairy producers and processors in developing countries include taste, smell, and visual observation (organoleptic tests), density meter or lactometer tests to measure the specific density of milk, clot-on-boiling testing to 5 determine whether the milk is sour or abnormal, acidity testing to measure the lactic acid in milk, and the Gerber test to measure the amount of fat in the milk. In many cases Ultrasonic or Spectrophotometric milk analyzers are also used. Among the all test listed above, only test related to compositional 10 characteristic are performed at the milk collection centre. Because,of the following: i. Existing payment system is based up on volume of milk and compositions like % Fat & % SNF. ii. Since the technology used to detect different quality parameters is 15 different, it is not economically viable for milk collection station to purchase / rent number of equipment. iii. If milk collection station wishes to perform test on aggregated milk, level of detection required for different quality parameters will go very low. This low level of detection requirement can be fulfilled with 20 advanced Laboratory grade detection equipment only.
iv. In India, majority of farmers are having 2-3 cattle and hence having less quantity of milk. It is not advisableas well as economically
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viableto perform the entire test every day on all such milk samples at milk collection station. There must be some intelligent feedback taking into account multiple parameters including but not limited to the history / pattern of farmer‘s milk pouring data; to perform specific test on a particular time on a particular sample. 5 v. Since some milk collection centre collects small amount of milk (2-3 liters) from a number of famers and if all the samples are tested for all the tests, the cost of testing per liter of milk goes very high. vi. There is no need to test all the sample everyday without having and specific intelligent feedback. 10 Accordingly, to overcome the aforementioned difficulties, it is desperately need to invent such intelligent laboratory system which eliminates the above mentioned drawbacks and test multiple parameters of milk quality at a same time which is performed based on feedback from data analytics on farmer’s identification, volume of milk, type of milk and 15 quality parameters including but not limited to% fat and % SNF obtained from milk analyzers information. OBJECT OF INVENTION The principle object of the present invention is to provide an 20 intelligentlaboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters.
Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide an intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters which is capable to take remote commands and has capability for identification and
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execution for right test method and conducting that test, storing results and publishing. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters which has self-cleaning &maintenance functionality has capability to read results and 5 replace or augment test. Another object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters which has milk flow management and strip inventory management. Further object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent 10 laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters which has capability to hold plurality of samples for analysis resulting in cost effective technology, dynamic adaption & spectrum of technologies and has minimal testing time. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent 15 laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters which improves the quality of milk in line with the international standards at low cost. Another object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters which 20 results in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Further object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters which has
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capability to self-test and provide relevant alerts for predictive maintenance. Further object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters and make entire data instantly available over Cloud based server for further action 5 and information dissemination. SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters and method thereof. The 10 system comprises of a data collection module to collect farmer’s data from existing milk collection system and /or milk testing equipment including milkanalyzers, an intelligent control module with cloud connectivity, a milk flow management module, plurality of sensor or strip, one or more sensor or strip loader, a sample result acquisition module for capturing images of 15 the strip and processing the images, and a control unit to interpret and processthe sensor signal; wherein said intelligent control module is configured to transmit commands to the strip or sensor loader to load one or more strip or sensor in test area and flow system to load sample on the loaded strip or sensor. The present invention further provides an 20 arrangement for the vertical movement of the programmable Pipette and is responsible for the collection of a desired amount of sample from a sample vessel, preventing disturbance to the sample vessel while creating clearance between the lower part of programmable Pipette and sample vessel. The programmable pipette is capable of being programmed to dispense a 25
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specified volume of samples. The system provides features of self-cleaning & maintenance, strip inventory management, milk flow management, qualitative and quantitative analysis which results in cost effective technology, dynamic adaption, spectrum of technologies and operates in low testing time. 5 Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention is readily understood with reference to the following specifications and attached drawings wherein: 10 Figure 1 represents a schematic view of the implementation of a mechanism for the intelligent laboratory system of the present invention respectively. Figure 2 represents a flow chart for an intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters of the present invention 15 respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details. 20 The invention is capable of other embodiment and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
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An intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters and the method thereof is described herein. Referring to Figure 1, the present invention discloses the main mechanism for an intelligent laboratory system for testing quality parameters of raw milk at raw milk collection or at the dairy laboratory or 5 chilling plant. The system of the present invention includes a vertical movement arrangement for the programmable volume pipette (1), a horizontal movement arrangement for the programmable volume pipette (2), a programmable pipette (3), a sample vessel (4), a horizontal movement arrangement for the test strip platform (5), a test strip platform (6), a test 10 strip (7), a test interpretation chamber (8) and a base platform (9). The arrangement for the vertical movement of the programmable pipette (1), is responsible for the collection of a desired amount of sample from a sample vessel (4), preventing disturbance to the sample vessel (4) while creating clearance between the lower part of programmable pipette 15 (3) and sample vessel (4) such that the movement of the pipette in horizontal direction does not disturb the sample vessel (4). Horizontal movement arrangement for the programmable Pipette (2) moves the collected sample to the test strip (7) and dispenses the sample at the sample well of the strip. 20
The programmable pipette (3) iscapable of being programmed to dispense a specified volume of sample in the range of 100 microliters to 5000 microliters with an accuracy of +/- 1.5% microliters. The pipette is designed to eliminate the need for washing between operations, thus
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avoiding carry-over effects and eliminating the need for cleaning or disposing of the pipette between different samples. Further the horizontal movement arrangement for the test strip platform (5)moves the test strip platform (6) to the test interpretation chamber (8). The platform is designed to hold the test strip (7) securely and 5 ensure accurate positioning during the test. Moreover, the test interpretation chamber (8) is provided with sensors equipped with a plurality of sensors to monitor the test strip's (7) arrival time and progress under managed environmental condition. It is to be understood that the plurality of sensors can be temperature control 10 sensor, humidity control sensor or photo sensor but not limited.Further the image capturing arrangement captures the image of the test strip (7) after the completion of the defined incubation time for the particular test. It also provides the cloud connectivity through the intelligent control module which sends the captured image to a cloud server for test outcome 15 interpretation. Referring to figure 2, the flowchart of the system of the present invention comprises of a data collection module (10), an intelligent control module with cloud connectivity (11), a sensor or strip loader (12), plurality of sensor or strip (13), a milk flow management module (14) and a sample 20 result acquisition module (15).
The data collection module (10) is operatively configured to collect farmer’s data from existing milk collecting system and/or milk analysing system. The intelligent control module is configured with cloud
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connectivity (11) to perform data analytics of particular farmer and push information of type of test to be performed on milk sample of existing farmer. Continue referring figure 2, said intelligent control module (11) transmit commands to the sensor or strip loader (12) to load one or more 5 strip or sensor (13) in test area from the array of multiple strip or tubes or sensors to perform specific test based upon the required protocol on milk sample of existing farmer. Further, said intelligent control module (11) is also configured to transmit command to flow system (14) to load sample on sensor or strip. 10 The sample result acquisition module (15) which comprises but not limited to image capture alone is operatively configured to capture image of the strip after predefined time of interval which is dynamically remote controlled module and process the images captured and declares the result. The intelligent control module (11) is configured to interpret sensor signal 15 and give output. The present embodiment of the intelligent laboratory is for the purpose of the quality test of raw milk, the system utilizesteststrips (7) to determine various quality parameters. The concept of the intelligent laboratory can also be applied to the test, requiring test tubes and specific 20 temperature incubation, such as Methylene Blue Reduction Test (MBRT), clot on boiling test, drug and pesticide residue test, somatic cell count, alcohol number test, presence of formalin test and presence of starch test.
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It is to be understood that the term ‚strip? or ‚sensor?or is not limited to the term described herein. It is to be understood that in the present invention, the tube can also be used in place of strips or sensors. A method for testing multiple milk quality parameters comprises of following steps: 5
a. The process begins with the use of a programmable pipette (3) to collect a sample from a designated source. The programmable pipette (3) is then utilized to dispense the collected sample into a predetermined location or onto a test strip, 10
b. Subsequently, the test strip platform (6) is actuated to precisely position the test strip (7) within the testing apparatus. This movement ensures that the test strip (7) is correctly aligned for analysis,
c. Once the test strip (7) is properly positioned, an image of the test 15 strip is captured within the test interpretation chamber (8). This chamber is equipped with imaging technology that facilitates the acquisition of a clear and accurate visual representation of the test strip (7),
d. The captured image is then transmitted to a cloud server (11) for 20 further processing. The cloud server performs image analysis and interpretation, providing diagnostic results or insights based on the visual data received,
e. The information regarding farmer’s code, volume of milk, type of milk andmilk quality parameters including % Fat, % SNF from 25 the existing milk composition measuring machine i.e. milk
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analyzeralongwith the sample of milk is collected through a data collector module (10),
f. Said collected data in data collector module(10) is transmitted to an intelligent laboratory system (11),
g. Collected data of particular farmer from specific milk collection 5 station is then analyzed and based upon the data analytics, information related to type of test to be performed on the respective milk sample of existing farmer is generated,
h. The information related to type of test to be performed on the respective milk sample of existing farmer is then transmitted 10 through cloud server (11),
i. Now, according to the information related to type of test to be performed on the respective milk sample of existing farmer, an intelligent control module transmits command to a strip or sensor loader (12) to load one or more strip or sensor (13) in the test area 15 from the array of multiple strip / sensors to perform a specific test as per required protocol of milk sample of existing farmer,
j. The intelligent control module (11) transmits commands to a milk flow management module(14) to load sample on the strip or sensor (12), 20
k. Now, if the strip is loaded, images of the strip are captured through asample result acquisition module (15) after predefine time which is dynamically remote controlled module,
l. The image captured from sample result acquisition module is processed and the result is declared. 25
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m. If the sensor is loaded, the senor signal is interpreted through the intelligent control module (11) and gives the output.
After completion of whole process of testing existing farmer milk sample; the present invention system is further comprises of a self-cleaning and maintenance mechanism which is configured to automatically clean the 5 residue of the milk sample left in the system. The present invention has capability to take remote commands, identification and execution for right test method and conducting that test, storing results & publishing,reading results, replace or augment test and capability to hold number of samples for analysis. The present invention is 10 not limited to described technology for a single or group of tests like strip but includes other sensor-based technology as well. The system provides features of self-cleaning & maintenance, strip inventory management, milk flow management, qualitative and quantitative analysis which results in cost effective technology, dynamic adaption, spectrum of technologies and 15 operates in low testing time. The present invention specifically provides following advantages:
? There is no need purchase / rent multiple technologies for the testing of multiple quality parameters of raw milk. 20
? The pipette is designed to eliminate the need for washing between operations, thus avoiding carry-over effects and eliminating the need for cleaning or disposing of the pipette between different samples.
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? Since the tests are chemical / enzyme reaction type LOD of detection is very low. Hence these tests can be performed on individual farmer’s milk or aggregated milk.
? Dairy can know quality of aggregated milk at collection center.
? There is no need to performall tests on all farmers’ sample. The test 5 can be performed based on feedback from data analytics server.
? Number and type of tests to be performed by this laboratory can be augmented.
? Improves the quality of milk in line with the international standards at affordable cost. 10
List of Reference numerals: 1: Vertical Movement arrangement for the programmable volume pipette 2: Horizontal Movement arrangement for the programmable volume pipette 3: Programmable Pipette 15 4: Sample vessel 5: Horizontal Movement arrangement for the Test strip Platform 6: Test strip Platform 7: Test Strip 8: Test interpretation chamber 20 9: Base platform
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10: Data collection module 11: Intelligent Control module with cloud connectivity 12: Automatic multi strip/sensor loader 13: Sensor/strip 14: Milk flow management 5 15: Sample result acquisition module 10 15
17 ,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. An intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters comprising:
a programmable pipette (3) with a vertical (1) and horizontal (2) movement arrangements for sample collection from a sample vessel 5 (4) and dispensing; a test strip platform (6) with a horizontal movement arrangement (5) for positioning a test strip (7); and a test interpretation chamber (8) on a base platform (9) with sensors, image capturing capabilities, and cloud connectivity for result analysis.
2. The intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality 10 parameters as claimed in claim 1, wherein the programmable pipette (3) is programmed to dispense sample volumes ranging from 100 microliters to 5000 microliters with an accuracy of +/-1.5% microliters.
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3. The intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters as claimed in claim 1, wherein the test interpretation chamber (8) includes mechanism for managing required environmental conditions and multiple cavities for holding test strips. 20
4. The intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe intelligent laboratory system is configured to perform the test selected but not limited to Methylene Blue Reduction Time (MBRT) test, clot on boiling test, 25
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drug and pesticide residue test, somatic cell count, alcohol number test, presence of formalin test and presence of starch test.
5. The intelligent laboratory system for testing multiple milk quality parameters as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system eliminates the 5 need for washing or disposing of the pipette between operations, preventing carry-over effects.
6. A method for testing multiple milk quality parameters using the intelligent laboratory system, comprising: 10
a. collecting and dispensing a sample using the programmable pipette (3);
b. moving the test strip platform (6) to position the test strip (7);
c. capturing the test strip image in the test interpretation chamber (8); 15
d. sending the image to a cloud server (11)for interpretation;
e. collecting information regarding farmer’s information, volume of milk, type of milk, milk testing parameters including % Fat, and % SNF from an existing milk composition measuring machine, along with a sample of milk, using a data collector module (10); 20
f. transmitting the collected data from the data collector module (10) to an intelligent laboratory system (11);
g. analyzing the collected data of a particular farmer from a specific milk collection station using the intelligent laboratory system (11), and generating information related to the type of test to be 25
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performed on the respective milk sample based on the data analytics;
h. transmitting the generated information regarding the type of test to be performed on the respective milk sample through a cloud server (11); 5
i. loading one or more strips or sensors into a test area from an array of multiple strips or sensors by multi strip/ sensor loader (12) through an intelligent control module (11), according to the information related to the type of test to be performed;
j. transmitting a command from the intelligent control module (11) 10 to a milk flow management module (14) to load the milk sample onto the loaded strip or sensor (13);
k. capturing images of the loaded strip through a sample result acquisition module (15) after a predefined time, where the sample result acquisition module (15) is a dynamically remote-controlled 15 module;
l. processing the captured image from the sample result acquisition module (15) and declaring the result; and
m. interpreting sensor signals through a control module (11) when a sensor is loaded and generating an output. 20
7. The method for testing multiple milk quality parameters using the intelligent laboratory system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the data collector module (10) is configured to collect information including farmer’s code, volume of milk, type of milk, milk quality parameters 25 including % Fat, and % SNF from a milk analyzer.
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8. The method for testing multiple milk quality parameters as claimed
in claim 6, wherein the intelligent laboratory system (11) is adapted
to perform data analytics to determine the specific type of test
required for the milk sample.
9. The method for testing multiple milk quality parameters as claimed
in claim 6, wherein the intelligent control module (11) includes a
processor configured to select and load one or more strips or sensors
(13) from an array based on the test type information.
10. The method for testing multiple milk quality parameters as claimed
in claim 6, wherein the milk flow management module (14) includes
a mechanism to control the flow and loading of the milk sample onto
the strip or sensor (13).
11. The method for testing multiple milk quality parameters as claimed
in claim 6, wherein the sample result acquisition module (15) is
equipped with imaging technology to capture and process images of
the test strip and sensor signal interpretation involves converting the
sensor data into a readable output indicative of the milk quality
parameter.
Dated this on 24th day of Septembe\ 2024
tr Dr. Rajeshkumar H. Acharya
Advocate & Patent Agent
For and on the behalf of applicant
IN/PA.134