Abstract: Nontoxic, germicide, and healing composition are disclosed comprising propylene glycol, allantoin and water. The composition may also include ascorbic acid and/or a member selected from the group consisting of chlorophyll, carotene, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Nontoxic, dry, powdered germicide, and healing compositions are disclosed comprising allantoin, ascorbic acid and an inert powdered carrier.

Abstract: A valve assembly for mounting in the outlet of a teat cup assembly. The valve assembly comprises a valve housing connected to the outlet of a teat cup assembly. The housing includes a nipple formed in the bottom portion thereof for connection to a milk suction line. A valve member is mounted inside the valve housing and adapted to seat on a valve seat in the housing when the interior of the housing is exposed to atmospheric pressure. The valve assembly further includes a plunger means slidably mounted in an opening in the wall of the valve housing, and the plunger means is adapted to slide inwardly into the valve housing when the pressure in the housing falls below atmospheric pressure. The inward movement of the plunger means is adapted to dislodge the valve member from its seated position in the valve housing.

Abstract: A collector member for the vacuum hose lines and pulsator lines from the milking cups of an automatic milking machine is provided which permits connection of the vacuum hose lines to a milk line or milk pail such that milk never contacts any part of the collector member itself. The collector is advantageously used in a system in which the vacuum hose lines for the milking cups are attached to a multi-lumen milk hose with each hose line being connected to a respective lumen in the multi-lumen milk hose. The collector member is sufficiently weighted so as to provide desirable tension to the teats of the animal being milked.

Abstract: A teat cup assembly is disclosed incorporating a novel inner shell and associated molded inflation member which can be inserted within an outer metal shell. The invention can be used to provide inexpensive, discardable inner shells and inflations for use with existing, conventional, stainless steel outer shells which are in common use in the dairy industry throughout the world. This permits the dairyman to take advantage of new, improved, molded inflations made of superior materials such as silicone rubber without the expense involved in replacing the costly stainless steel teat cup shells of his existing milking apparatus.

Abstract: A collector member for the vacuum hose lines and pulsator lines from the milking cups of an automatic milking machine is provided which permits connection of the vacuum hose lines to a milk line or milk pail such that milk never contacts any part of the collector member itself. The collector is advantageously used in a system in which the vacuum hose lines from the milking cups are attached to a multi-lumen milk hose with each hose line being connected to a respective lumen in the multi-lumen milk hose. The collector member is sufficiently weighted so as to provide desirable tension to the teats of the animal being milked. The collector provides a means for terminating the vacuum in the respective vacuum hose lines when the milking cups to which they are attached drop from the teat of the animal being milked.

Abstract: A teat cup assembly for automatic milking machines employing a vacuum milk line and a pulsating vacuum line is disclosed. The assembly comprises a rigid, tubular shell and an elongate, tubular, inflation member received longitudinally within the shell. A sheet of metal is wrapped around the shell, and an elongate sleeve member is adapted to fit telescopically over the sheet of metal which is wrapped about the shell. The lead end of the elongate member makes a tight fit with a raised band on said shell, so that the sheet of metal is sealed between the shell and the sleeve member. A cap member fits over the other end of the shell. Teat entrance means are provided at one of the opposite ends of the inflation for receiving a teat of an animal to be milked, and means are provided adjacent to the other end of the inflation for connecting the vacuum milk line in flow communication with the inflation. A port is provided in the shell for connection to the pulsating vacuum line.

Abstract: An inflation for use in a teat cup assembly for automatic milking machines employing a vacuum milk line and a pulsating vacuum line is disclosed. The inflation comprises an elongate, tubular, body member having a novel mouth-forming diaphragm at one end thereof for engaging the teat of a cow to retain the teat cup assembly from falling off the teat at the end point of milking. The mouth-forming diaphragm is formed by bonding one end of a relatively short tubular mouth-forming member to one end of the body member, wherein the mouth-forming member has a maximum cross-sectional dimension smaller than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the tubular body member.

Abstract: A teat cup assembly for automatic milking machines employing a vacuum milk line and a pulsating vacuum line is disclosed. The assembly comprises a rigid, tubular outer shell and an elongate, tubular, inflation member having a novel mouth-forming diaphragm at one end thereof for engaging the teat of a cow to retain the teat cup assembly from falling off the teat at the end point of milking. A sleeve member is adapted to secure the upper end of the inflation in expanded condition to the upper end of the shell. The sleeve member is also adapted to receive the mouth-forming diaphragm. The mouth-forming diaphragm has a central opening for receiving the teat of a cow, with the central opening having a circumference smaller than the cross-sectional circumference of the inflation. A protective cap member fits over the mouth-forming diaphragm and sleeve member.

Abstract: An inflation for use in a teat cup assembly for automatic milking machines employing a vacuum milk line and a pulsating vacuum line is disclosed. The inflation comprises an elongate, tubular, body member having a novel mouth-forming diaphragm at one end thereof for engaging the teat of a cow to retain the teat cup assembly from falling off the teat at the end point of milking. The mouth-forming diaphragm is formed by bonding one end of a relatively short tubular mouth-forming member to one end of the body member, wherein the mouth-forming member has a maximum cross-sectional dimension smaller than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the tubular body member.

Abstract: A claw for a milking machine milk receiver into which the milk descends through four inflations, a central vertical tubular assembly removing milk from low point of receiver, a vacuum delivery tube for milk attached with respect to the tubular member above the tank, a shutoff for the vacuum operating automatically upon a simple pulling action or accidental dropping of the claw, and means simultaneously shutting off the pulsator action for the inflations.

Abstract: A teat cup inflation for the prevention of mastitis comprising a generally cylindrical shell having a liner therein, an upper or proximate portion of which is stainless steel, the lower distal portion being transparent for observation of the action of the liner. The liner comprises an elastometric one-piece, molded elongated member having at the proximate end an integral flange disposable about the end of the stainless steel portion of the shell; and having a diaphragm with a teat opening therein with a corrugated or accordion type edge for ease of admission of the teat and for better holding, said liner then depending in a generally non-circular e.g.

Abstract: A diaphragm teat cup assembly comprising a shell including two mating clear molded plastic parts which hold and secure between them a flexible rubber-like diaphragm dividing the shell into two chambers, one chamber receiving the cow's teat and having a milk tube, and the other chamber having a tube for the application of the pulsation and for receiving required weight.