The present invention provides a rubber teat element which, on account of the radial expandability of the head part, is able to adapt to different teat geometries, in particular in the case where an animal has small, thin and short teats. A teat cup and a milking cluster with a corresponding rubber teat element are also provided.

The present invention provides a rubber teat element which, on account of the radial expandability of the head part, is able to adapt to different teat geometries, in particular in the case where an animal has small, thin and short teats. A teat cup and a milking cluster with a corresponding rubber teat element are also provided.

The invention provides a system for connecting a teat cup to a teat, and a teat cup of this type. A teat cup of this type includes an optical sensor which looks from the inside outwards through the opening of the teat cup. An image of, for example, a teat can thus be produced, and said image can be used very simply to assist a robot arm in guiding the teat cup to the teat.

The invention provides a system for connecting a teat cup to a teat, and a teat cup of this type. A teat cup of this type includes an optical sensor which looks from the inside outwards through the opening of the teat cup. An image of, for example, a teat can thus be produced, and said image can be used very simply to assist a robot arm in guiding the teat cup to the teat.

A teatcup liner includes a head defining a mouthpiece, a barrel with an upper barrel joined to a lower barrel, an outlet portion that extends downward from the lower barrel co-operates with the shell of the teat cup. In a relaxed state, the barrel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape, with the lower barrel having a flexibility for closing during the liner collapse phase of the milking operation greater than a flexibility of the upper barrel such that corner portions of the lower barrel are weaker than the corner portions of the upper barrel thereby assuring the lower barrel collapses first to create an upward wave movement of the lower barrel towards the upper barrel that securely collapses the upper barrel onto the teat to provide an enhanced teat massage and relieve congestion in the teat tissue.

A connector and a teatcup that includes a connector and a cartridge. The cartridge includes a sleeve, having a first end and a second end, and a teatcup liner mounted in the sleeve and having an inner space for receiving a teat. The connector is configured to connect a milk conduit to the cartridge. The connector includes a casing, which defines a longitudinal center axis (x) and encloses a connection space. The casing has an inner surface facing the connection space. The casing includes an inlet opening for the cartridge to the connection space, and an outlet opening for the milk conduit. Locking parts are provided on the inner surface of the casing and configured to permit locking of the cartridge in the connector.

A connector and a teatcup that includes a connector and a cartridge. The cartridge includes a sleeve, having a first end and a second end, and a teatcup liner mounted in the sleeve and having an inner space for receiving a teat. The connector is configured to connect a milk conduit to the cartridge. The connector includes a casing, which defines a longitudinal center axis (x) and encloses a connection space. The casing has an inner surface facing the connection space. The casing includes an inlet opening for the cartridge to the connection space, and an outlet opening for the milk conduit. Locking parts are provided on the inner surface of the casing and configured to permit locking of the cartridge in the connector.

A dairy inflation (10) for use in a milking device, including a flexible sleeve (24) adapted to surround a teat, wherein the flexible sleeve (24) includes a clear polyurethane composition. The clear polyurethane composition can be derived from a polyol mixture including a glycerine-based polyol having an average molecular weight in a range from about 200 g/mol to about 300 g/mol, and a first hydroxyl value; and a glycol-based polyol having an average molecular weight in a range from about 600 g/mol to about 700 g/mol, and a second hydroxyl value; and about 0.65 to about 1.05 stoichiometric equivalents of a cross-linking agent comprising a plurality of isocyanate groups, wherein the stoichiometric equivalents is based on a sum of the first and second hydroxyl values.

There is provided a teat cup (1) comprising a flexible liner (3) for engaging about a teat of an animal to be milked. The liner has a head portion (7) at one end of the liner and a milk discharge passageway (12) at another end of the liner. The head portion is provided with a mouth (9) through which the teat is engageable with the liner, and an injector (18) for injecting fluid into the head portion of the liner. The injector comprises a gravity biased diverter that controls, based on an orientation of the teat cup, an injection direction (FLT, FLF) in which the fluid is injected into the head portion. There is further provided a method for milking an animal using the teat cup.

There is provided a teat cup (1) comprising a flexible liner (3) for engaging about a teat of an animal to be milked. The liner has a head portion (7) at one end of the liner and a milk discharge passageway (12) at another end of the liner. The head portion is provided with a mouth (9) through which the teat is engageable with the liner, and an injector (18) for injecting fluid into the head portion of the liner. The injector comprises a gravity biased diverter that controls, based on an orientation of the teat cup, an injection direction (FLT, FLF) in which the fluid is injected into the head portion. There is further provided a method for milking an animal using the teat cup.