Abstract: A nipple/cover integral with a vented control member and/or check valve, as can be used in combination with a container for controlled movement of fluid, such as provided during liquid feeding of infant mammals.

Abstract: The milking tube section of a milking inflation has an elongated stem portion including a pair of circumferentially extending, axially spaced grooves in the outer surface near the lower end of the teat cup shell. A first groove is located adjacent a thicker part or externally supported part of the stem section and is arranged to permit substantial angular bending of the teat cup assembly relative to the stem portion for attachment to a cow's teat without substantial crimping which causes a reduction in the internal cross-section area of the flow passage extending through the milking tube. The second groove cooperates with the first groove to share deflective stresses applied on the teat cup assembly when bent at an angle for installation on a cow's teat.

Abstract: A nipple for feeding liquids to domesticated mammals.

Abstract: The teat cup assembly includes a shell and a flexible liner, which can be made from silicone rubber, having a suction portion which fits inside the shell and a head portion having a peripheral, downwardly extending cuff which fits over the upper end of the shell. The liner cuff is clamped into sealing engagement with the shell by an annular sleeve slidably mounted on the shell for relative axial movement between a locked position and an unlocked position axially displaced from the cuff so that the liner can be installed into and removed from the shell. The sleeve includes a protective collar which overlies at least the lower portion of the cuff when the sleeve is in the locked position. The sleeve cooperates with one or more interlocking, circumferentially-extending grooves and projections on the outer surface of the shell and the inner surface of the cuff to hold the liner in place on the shell.

Abstract: The claw end portion of the milking machine inflation adapted to be slipped onto a nipple of milking machine claw includes an enlarged reinforcement section in the region near the outer end of the claw nipple. The reinforcement section has a thickened lower wall portion covering the bottom portion of the claw nipple and extending circumferentially around at least 50% of the outer circumference of the reinforcement section and an upper wall portion having a thickness substantially less than the thickness of the lower wall portion and including a plurality of axially spaced, circumferentially extending ribs on the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: The head end portion of a milking inflation adapted to fit over the upper end of a teat cup shell includes a peripheral cuff adapted to surround and sealingly engage the upper rim of the shell and a substantially flat, relatively thin web section extending radially inwardly from the cuff and terminating in a raised, rounded deed which defines a circular central opening or mouth for receiving a cows' teat. A plurality of circumferentially-extending ribs are formed integrally with and extend radially outwardly from the bead and also are formed integrally with and project axially outwardly from the exterior surface of the web section. These ribs add sufficient stiffness to the web section to substantially increase its tendency to resist inward and outward deflections from its original flat and horizontal position and to return the web section to its original position if deflected.

Abstract: The expansion ring type milking inflation is formed from an elastomeric material and has a tapered upper end portion which serves as a mouthpiece for receiving cow's teat. The upper end portion includes an expansion ring-receiving portion adjacent the juncture with the main body and terminates in a rounded bead which defines a circular opening or mouth when the expansion ring is inserted. The upper end portion also includes an annular web section of reduced wall thickness adjacent the bead which serves to reduce transmissions of distortions caused by swelling to the bead and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, reinforcement ribs formed integrally with and extending longitudinally between the expansion ring-receiving portion and the bead and also formed integrally with and projecting radially outwardly from the web section.

Abstract: The end of the milking inflation adapted to be slipped onto a nipple on the milker claw includes a thickened wall section in the region near the outer end of the claw nipple. The thickened wall section includes a plurality of axially-spaced, circumferentially-extending rows of circumferentially spaced external recesses which permit the thickened wall section to flex so that the inner wall thereof can sealingly engage the outer end of the claw nipple to shut off communication between the claw and the inflation when the teat cup drops off a cow's teat.