Abstract: The suction sleeve of a milking inflation includes three axially extending side walls connected together to form a generally triangular cross section. The side walls have a convex section which bulges slightly outwardly such that, where the inflation is installed on a teat cup shell and the side walls are in a full open position, a built-in spring effect is induced into each side wall to bias them toward the full open position and such that the biasing force of this built-in spring must be overcome before the side walls can be moved inwardly toward a closed position in response to the shell chamber being exposed to atmospheric pressure and assists movement of the side walls toward an open position in response to exposing the shell chamber to a subatmospheric pressure.

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 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 milking tube section of a milking inflation includes an elongated stem portion having a claw end portion which has an upper end located above the outer end of a milker claw nipple when installed thereon. The stem portion has a circumferentially extending, generally V-shaped groove at a location near the lower end of a teat cup shell in which the inflation is installed and/or at a location adjacent the upper end of the claw end portion. These grooves are arranged to permit substantial relative bending of portions adjacent each groove without substantial crimping which causes a reduction in the internal cross sectional area of the flow passage extending through the milking tube section. The resulting flexibility facilitates installation of a teat cup assembly on a cow's teat and provides improved teat-hanging characteristics.

Abstract: The milking inflation is formed from an elastomeric material and includes a suction sleeve which is located inside the shell of a teat cup assembly and a milking tube portion which is located below the lower end of the shell. An air vent is formed as an integral part of the milking tube portion at a location near the lower end of the shell. The air vent includes an annular recess in the wall of the milking tube portion which defines an isolated area and includes a bottom having an annular web section of reduced thickness surrounding the isolated area and also an opening extending through the isolated area for admitting a metered amount of air into the milking tube portion. The thinner, more flexible web section absorbs distortions caused by flexing of the milking tube portion during the milking operation, so that the air vent opening substantially retains its original shape and size during use.

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.