Abstract: A shallow container for culturing organisms includes a holder defining a cavity and a separate lid to close off the cavity. The lid includes a transparent window portion to be arranged above the cavity when the lid closes off the cavity. The window portion includes an upper surface and a lower surface extending parallel to each other; where the cavity is filled with a matrix having a reflective top surface on which an organism to be cultured can be received, and where in at least one position of the lid with respect to the holder, in which the lid closes off the cavity, the top surface of the matrix extends non-parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the window portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rinsing and cleaning lines in which milk has flowed in a system for automatically milking animals. The circuit includes a tank for heating water, receiving hot or cold water or a regulated mixture thereof and receiving selectively acid or alkali cleaning agents. The circuit includes a jet rinser for each teat cup and a line from each teat cup to a common milking jar or claw. Fluid from the jar or claw can be recirculated via a pump to the tank or discharged to a sewer. A first supply line for the circuit provides a pre-rinsing liquid, and a second supply line provides a rinsing liquid which is obtained specifically from the tank. Each rinse jetter has an individual valve controlled by the pulsator which, in concert controlled by a computer, equalize the rinsing and cleaning fluids received by each teat cup. Supply lines to the tank from the acid and alkali sources control the mixture of water and the acid or alkali by means of an adjustable controlled Venturi element.

Abstract: In a method of automatically milking animals, such as cows, use is made of teat cups, each of which is provided with a liner made of a flexible material, by means of which the teat space of a teat cup is separated from the pulsation space. During milking, a pulsating vacuum stimulating the milk yield is created in the pulsation space. When a teat cup is being connected to a teat, the pulsation space is kept at an approximately atmospheric pressure, while air is extracted from the teat space. Conversely, when a teat cup is being disconnected, in the pulsation space a vacuum is maintained and in the teat space the vacuum is neutralized.