Improved Process for Analysing Milk, Milk Products, and other Fatty, Solid, or Liquid Matters, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1899-Accepted, 23rd Sept., 1899
Improved Process for Analysing Milk, Milk Products, and other
Fatty, Solid, or Liquid Matters, and Apparatus therefor.
I, VICTOR DURANT, of 36, Rue Longue Vie, Brussels, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Agricultural Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The present invention relates to the analysis of milk and milk products and.
fatty matters liquid or solid in general the special object of this new process and
apparatus being a more rapid and more exact analysis of the substances, without
any danger, than can be obtained by the methods used at present.
The principles upon which I have worked in arriving at this invention are as
follows:-
1. To separate the whole of the non-fatty substances of the milk etc. without
however destroying any part of the fatty substance itself.
2. To preserve the heat produced by the chemical reactions, so as to maintain
and accelerate the effect until the reading of the results is completed.
3. To carry out the operation in an identical manner for all samples.
4. To reduce the number of operations to a minimum.
5. To obtain the readings with regard to the fatty extract with rapidity and
ease, at a constant temperature and for all the samples or tests.
T
6. To obtain the results so as to be able to compare the analysis by weight,
which serves as the basis of the process, with the volumetric analysis, it is
necessary to employ the same reagonts and the same instruments and to operate
in the same manner.
In this way I have constructed a weight butyrometer which will serve as a
base for the volumetric tests.
In the accompanying drawing, the apparatus used for carrying out the analyses,
are represented by way of example:
Figure 1 being a weight butyrometer.
:
Figure 1 illustrates another construction of stopper for the weight butyro-
meter.
Figure 2 represents a volumetric butyrometer.
Figure 3 is a front view of the analysing apparatus, and
Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line A-B of Figure 3.
The weight butyrometer, as its name indicates, serves to show the results as
regards weight, and is chiefly composed of two distinct parts. One part a is
widened out and' serves as the re-action chamber, the other b is drawn out and
serves, under the name of the butyrometric tube, for the collection of the
extracted fatty material. The butyrometric tube b terminates at its upper end
in a small funnel or enlargement while the reaction chamber w, at the other
end, is closed by a glass stopper provided with an india rubber ring d, (Figure 1).
When the weight butyrometer is destined for the analysis of milk and of
liquid products, the stopper c ends in a point, as represented in Figure 1, but
3

page_text: when the butyrometer is destined to serve for the analysis of milk products or
of any other solid matters, the stopper 18 open at its inner end forming a kind
of cup g (as represented in Figure 1).
'
of any other solid matters, the stopper 18 open at its inner end forming a kind
of cup g (as represented in Figure 1).
A. ANALYSIS BY WEIGHT OF Milk and Liquid Products.
METHOD OF OPERATION:--
The thin portion or butyrometric tube of the device is first weighed, then
the stopper c is attached to it in the following manner:-After having made sure
that both the indiarubber ring and the butyrometer tube are perfectly dry, the
indiarubber ring d is evenly inserted into the neck of the chamber a, then the
stopper is pushed through the ring d until its point projects through it, after
which the thin portion b is fitted at the other end of the reaction chamber and
the device is charged with the substance to be analysed, together with the neces-
sary reagent in the required proportions. Then the stopper c is regulated as
regards height by pressing it in with a screw-like motion, so as to drive the
fatty matter into the butyrometric tube 6. The butyrometer is then secured on
the plate of a centrifugal apparatus which is rotated for about two minutes so
as to perfectly separate the liquid from the fatty matters. The column of fat
thus obtained is then allowed to cool, after which the stopper c is so adjusted
that the acid liquid which might still remain in the butyrometric tube bis
withdrawn into the chamber a. The butyrometric tube 6 is then disconnected
and freed of any traces of acid liquid still left by means of filtering paper, and
the tube together with the fat contained in it is then weighed. Thus by com-
paring the difference of weights the actual weight of the fatty matter is obtained,
and can be calculated so as to give the result in percentage.
These results, obtained by the operation just described, serve as a basis for
the graduation of the volumetric scale.
The cup-shaped stopper g is first weighed and then charged with the substance
to be analysed, after which it is weighed again. Having thus obtained, from
the difference in weights, the weight of the substance to be analysed, the stopper g
thus charged is inserted in the neck, in the same manner as described in the
operation for liquids.
The reagents are now added and the whole agitated or shaken, and the opera-
tion is carried out in a similar manner to that already described, after which
the result is calculated to show the percentage.
Analysis by volume of milk and liquid products are obtained by means of the
volumetric butyrometer, and the milk analysing apparatus ("lacto-analysor").
The volumetric butyrometer for liquid milk products, as represented in
Figure 2, comprises a reaction chamber h provided with a butyrometric tube i
made in one piece with the chamber h, and graduated. The tube is closed
at its upper end by a bulb and the chamber h is closed by a pointed stopper c.
The stoppers are provided with indiarubber rings d to effect a tight joint with
the chamber h.
For analyses by volume of milk products and fatty matters a volumetric
butyrometer is. used having an opening at each end adapted to be closed by
stoppers gas represented in Figure 5.
The "lacto-analyser" apparatus, as represented in Figures 3 and 4 consists
principally of a heating chamber & made of sheet iron or any other suitable
material along the sides of which are arranged wooden plates in the spaces 21
between which the butyrometers are placed and supported by their bulbs j. Oue
of the plates is also provided with a recess for the purpose of holding a thermo-

page_text: meter m, which thermometer, together with the various butyrometers are held
in their respective places by a hinged frame n or the like.
The reaction chambers h of the butyrometers are arranged between two felt-
lined walls, one being formed by the door o which is represented open in Figure 3,
and the other by the lower portion p of the chamber k. The latter is traversed
in its whole length by a steam tubo provided with perforations opposite the
spaces ¹ between the plates /, in which the butyrometers are placed. The vapour
jets issuing from the perforations are intended to bring the butyrometers to a
uniform temperature, the degree of which is previously determined. One of
the ends of the tube.q is closed by a stopper r and the entry of steam is regulated
by more or less opening or completely closing a tube or opening s. communi-
cating with the interior of the chamber k. These openings also serve for empty-
ing the water accumulated in the apparatus, owing to the condensation of steam
in the chamber k. The apparatus is provided at its upper end with two small
rollers in order that it can be easily moved about when turned upside down.
spaces between the plates 1, in which the butyrometers are placed.
The vapour
jets issuing from the perforations are intended to bring the butyrometers to a
uniform temperature, the degree of which is previously determined. One of
the ends of the tube.g is closed by a stopper and the entry of steam is regulated
by more or less opening or completely closing a tube or opening s. communi-
cating with the interior of the chamber k. These openings also serve for empty-
ing the water accumulated in the apparatus, owing to the condensation of steam
in the chamber k. The apparatus is provided at its upper end with two small
rollers in order that it can be easily moved about when turned upside down.
A. VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS OF MILK AND LIQUID PRODUCTS.
METHOD OF OPERATION.
For this purpose butyrometers with only one opening are used. As shown
in Eig. 2 the lacto-analyser" is placed as indicated in Fig. 3. The butyro-
meters are then charged with the substance to be analysed; together with the
chemical reagents in due proportions. The india-rubber ring d is then inserted
into the neck and the stopper c into the indiarubber ring in the same manner
as has been explained above: The apparatus is then inclined so as to cause the
acidulated liquid that may have entered the butyrometer to descend into the
reaction chamber h after which the contrivance is shaken or agitated so as to
accelerate the reaction. After this the stopper c is inserted so as to drive the
liquid into the butyrometer tube which is then agitated by means of ordinary
centrifugal or like apparatus. The butyrometers are then replaced in the "lacto-
analyser to which steam is admitted taking care that the heat is so regulated
as to produce an air bath around the butyrometer tubes of constant temperature,
the degree of which has been previously determined.
When taking the readings down care should be taken that the thermometer
indicates the desired temperature, and that the column of fat or like matter is
between two principal parts on the scale of the tube i which can be effected by
moving the stoppers c either up or down by hand. If it is intended to take the
readings subsequently, it will be necessary to pass a current of steam through
the apparatus so as to bring the contents of the butyrometers to the temperature
deoided upon.

page_text: the apparatus is left for a few moments to allow all the globules of fat to accu-
mulate in the upper part of the chambors h. Then the stoppers c of one series
are removed in the manner already described and the india rubber rings d
taken out and put into hot water containing soda. The acidulated contents
are emptied into an enamelled vessel, after which the second series of butyro-
meters are treated in precisely the same manner. The butyrometers are then
rinsed with a stream of fresh water by means of a spraying device. If there is
no constant water, supply available it will be sufficient to connect the spraying
device with a water reservoir placed on a higher lever. The current of cold
water is sufficient to thoroughly clean the butyrometers. Finally the apparatus
is placed again in position as represented in Fig. 3.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A process of analysing milk and milk products and solid and liquid fatty
substances in general consisting in separating the whole of the non-fatty
matter; without destroying any of the fatty matter itself, by placing the sub-
stance or liquid to be treated in a butyrometer of the kind described with the
necessary reagents submitting the matter to centrifugal treatment to cause the
fatty matter to rise to the top in the butyrometer tube, removing the liquid
portion of the substance and ascertaining the weight of the fatty matter left,
substantially as described.
2. Apparatus for use in analysing milk and milk products and solid and liquid
fatty substances in general comprising a hollow chamber adapted to be heated
a series of butyrometers placed in recesses around the walls of said chamber
non-heat conducting material arranged on either side of the lower ends of said
butyrometers, and means for securing the latter in position substantially as
described.
3. A butyrometer for use in analysing milk and milk products and solid and
liquid fatty substances in general substantially as described or illustrated in
Figure 1, or in Figure 2 or in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The complete apparatus for use in analysing milk and milk products and
solid and liquid fatty substances in general substantially as described' or illu-
strated in Figures and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Talth of T.... 1900
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.