Abstract: A cleaning device for a liquid treatment plant comprises a tank and also a pressure line for the supply of the liquid to the tank. The pressure line has a nozzle which can be moved between a position in which it is connected to the filling aperture of the tank and a position not connected to the filling aperture, and also comprises means for periodic cleaning of the pressure line. In order to avoid mistakes in the connection, a return line for returning a cleaning fluid supplied through the pressure line is provided with a connecting piece which can be connected on the one hand to the nozzle of the pressure line removed from the filling aperture, in order to form a flow connection between pressure line and return line, and which can be connected on the other hand to the filling aperture, in order to shut it off.

Abstract: A milking machine is provided with a teat cup containing a teat catcher for guiding the teat into the teat cup. The teat catcher comprises an annular flexible element with an opening the dimension of which is variable. This opening can be given a large dimension when the teat is being taken in, and a smaller dimension after the teat has been accommodated in said opening. In this way, a smaller central opening is formed directly above the teat cup. The flexible element is also movable axially in the teat cup, in order to move at least partially with the teat towards the teat cup when the teat is drawn into the teat cup under influence of a vacuum.

Abstract: In a machine for milking cattle the teat cups are supported in a structure (2,3) movable horizontally towards and away from the animal to be milked, the teat cups being suspended by pivoting arms (15) so as to be swingable to move between the hind legs of the animal between a milking position and a retracted position. The arms 15 have horizontal pivoting axes at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the animal. This permits the teat cups to move between these two positions at a horizontal angle to this longitudinal direction so that, in the retracted position, there is a space in the milking parlor to the side of the teat cups. This space can be used for other purposes, e.g. for taking up a cleaning device for the udder and teats.

Abstract: Machine for milking animals, comprising a mobile carrier for taking a number of teat cups under an udder, the common carrier being a narrow oblong element carried by a supporting structure supported on the fixed surrounding area, and bearing on both sides one or more carriages which are movable along it independently of each other, each carriage carrying a teat cup and being able to move the teat cup from and to the carrier and up and down. Preferably the common carrier is connected to the supporting structure for a pivoting movement about an approximately horizontal axis at right angles to the lengthwise direction of the carrier, and each teat cup is approximately vertically movable with a holder in its carriage by a driver which exerts an elastic upward force thereon.