Abstract: A teat cup shell for holding a milking liner includes a body being made from a first material. The body has an upper end, a lower end; and a middle portion with the upper end adapted to receive the teat of the animal being milked. One configuration of the body may have enlarged upper and lower ends to define a dog-bone shape. The middle portion of the body may define gripping features at its middle portion. The body of the shell has a first weight. An insert is carried by the body with the insert being heavier than the remaining portion of the body. The insert is disposed closer to the lower end of the body than the upper end of the body such that the center of mass of the shell is disposed in the lower two-thirds of the shell.

Abstract: A milking apparatus that is used to extract milk from dairy animals includes a vacuum source, a milking liner cooperating with a shell to define a pulsation chamber; and a pulsator in fluid communication with the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source. The pulsator is configured to produce at least a four-phase milking cycle in the milking liner with the cycle including at least an A phase and a C phase. The A phase is wherein the liner is changed from a closed configuration to an open configuration during which the pulsator provides fluid communication between the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source. The C phase is wherein the liner is changed from an open configuration to a closed configuration during which the pulsator allows atmospheric air to flow into the pulsation chamber. A restrictor is disposed in the path of the fluid communication between the pulsator and the pulsation chamber with the restrictor slowing the C phase compared to the A phase.

Abstract: A teat cup shell for holding a milking liner includes a body being made from a first material. The body has an upper end, a lower end; and a middle portion with the upper end adapted to receive the teat of the animal being milked. One configuration of the body may have enlarged upper and lower ends to define a dog-bone shape. The middle portion of the body may define gripping features at its middle portion. The body of the shell has a first weight. An insert is carried by the body with the insert being heavier than the remaining portion of the body. The insert is disposed closer to the lower end of the body than the upper end of the body such that the center of mass of the shell is disposed in the lower two-thirds of the shell.

Abstract: A milking apparatus that is used to extract milk from dairy animals includes a vacuum source, a milking liner cooperating with a shell to define a pulsation chamber; and a pulsator in fluid communication with the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source. The pulsator is configured to produce at least a four-phase milking cycle in the milking liner with the cycle including at least an A phase and a C phase. The A phase is wherein the liner is changed from a closed configuration to an open configuration during which the pulsator provides fluid communication between the pulsation chamber and the vacuum source. The C phase is wherein the liner is changed from an open configuration to a closed configuration during which the pulsator allows atmospheric air to flow into the pulsation chamber. A restrictor is disposed in the path of the fluid communication between the pulsator and the pulsation chamber with the restrictor slowing the C phase compared to the A phase.