Abstract: An inflation for a milking machine is formed to have an elongate, hollow barrel. The barrel terminates in open upper and lower ends. An elongate reinforcement element comprising a relatively narrow raised rib is molded integrally along an outer surface of the barrel. The raised ribs provide added integrity for the sidewalls of the barrel and greatly improved massage to the teat tissue.

Abstract: An inflation for an automatic milking machine is molded as an integral unit from an elastomeric material. The inflation is formed to have an elongate, hollow barrel. The barrel has a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape and terminates in open upper and lower ends. A substantially cylindrical head is molded integrally to the upper end of the barrel. The head has a substantially cylindrical side wall. A diaphragm-like mouthpart is positioned across the otherwise open, upper end of the cylindrical side wall, with the mouthpart having a central opening that is adapted to accommodate the teat of an animal to be milked. A transition section is molded in the head so as to connect the upper end of the barrel with an inner surface of the side wall to form an internal, mouthpiece chamber between the transition section and the mouthpart.