Abstract: A three-dimensional camera of an automatic milking system records image data representing an outer surface of a teat of a dairy animal in three dimensions. Based on the image data, a processing unit performs a geometric analysis and calculates at least one size measure of the teat. A user interface presents output data reflecting the size-related classification of the teat.

Abstract: A teatcup to be attached to the teat of an animal and a teatcup liner (1) for mounting in a shell (2) of the teatcup, where the teatcup liner includes a barrel (3) enclosing an inner space (7) for receiving the teat. The barrel includes a lower section (3?) and an upper section (3?) adjoining the lower section. The barrel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape, defining a plurality of side portions (18) and a plurality of corner portions (19), each connecting two of the side portions. Each side portion has a side wall thickness at a center line of the side portion. Each corner portion has a corner wall thickness at a center line of the corner portion. The corner wall thickness is thicker than the side wall thickness along the barrel. The corner wall thickness decreases along the upper section of the barrel towards the lower section.

Abstract: A teatcup liner includes a head defining a mouthpiece, a barrel with an upper barrel joined to a lower barrel, an outlet portion that extends downward from the lower barrel co-operates with the shell of the teat cup. In a relaxed state, the barrel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape, with the lower barrel having a flexibility for closing during the liner collapse phase of the milking operation greater than a flexibility of the upper barrel such that corner portions of the lower barrel are weaker than the corner portions of the upper barrel thereby assuring the lower barrel collapses first to create an upward wave movement of the lower barrel towards the upper barrel that securely collapses the upper barrel onto the teat to provide an enhanced teat massage and relieve congestion in the teat tissue.

Abstract: A teatcup liner, for use in a method of providing enhanced teat massage during a milking operation, includes a cross-sectional shape defining plural corner portions and plural side portions with a first side portion being a weak side and each remaining side portion being a strong side; with the weak side having a greater flexibility than each strong side such that during a collapse phase, the collapse of the weak side occurring first and being greater than the collapse of each strong side creates an asymmetric pressure distribution with a greater pressurized area resulting in a prolonged contact surface against the teat end across a first surface region of the cross-sectional shape opposite the weak side as compared to a remainder of the cross-sectional shape, the increased pressurized area across the first surface region providing an enhanced teat massage during the collapse phase.

Abstract: A teatcup and a teatcup liner for a teatcup to be attached to a teat of an animal for the performance of a milking operation. The teatcup liner defines an inner space for receiving the teat and a longitudinal center axis extending through the inner space. The teatcup liner is composed of at least three separate annular sections, which are attached to each other and arranged successively after each along the longitudinal center axis. A first section forms an upper part having an opening for allowing the teat to be introduced into the inner space. A second section forms a tube part engaging the teat during the milking operation. A third section forms a ring module having an inner surface facing the inner space. The ring module includes a functional member providing an additional function to the milking operation.

Abstract: A teatcup liner for a teatcup has a longitudinal shape extending along a longitudinal axis (x). The teatcup liner includes a barrel (2) having a length (L) and defining an inner space (21) for receiving the teat. The barrel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape transversely to the longitudinal axis along the barrel. The polygonal cross-sectional shape defines a plurality of corner portions and a plurality of side portions, each connecting two of the corner portions. Each corner portion includes an inner surface facing the inner space and having an inner radius extending from the inner space to the inner surface. The inner radius is equal for each corner portion. Furthermore, the inner radius of each of the corner portions is at least 4 mm at a centre part of the corner portion.

Abstract: A teatcup liner for a teatcup has a longitudinal shape extending along a longitudinal axis (x). The teatcup liner includes a barrel (2) having a length (L) and defining an inner space (21) for receiving the teat. The barrel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape transversely to the longitudinal axis along the barrel. The polygonal cross-sectional shape defines a plurality of corner portions and a plurality of side portions, each connecting two of the corner portions. Each corner portion includes an inner surface facing the inner space and having an inner radius extending from the inner space to the inner surface. The inner radius is equal for each corner portion. Furthermore, the inner radius of each of the corner portions is at least 4 mm at a centre part of the corner portion.

Abstract: A teatcup liner for a teatcup has a longitudinal shape extending along a longitudinal axis (x). The teatcup liner includes a barrel (2) having a length (L) and defining an inner space (21) for receiving the teat. The barrel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape transversely to the longitudinal axis along the barrel. The polygonal cross-sectional shape defines a plurality of corner portions and a plurality of side portions, each connecting two of the corner portions. Each corner portion includes an inner surface facing the inner space and having an inner radius extending from the inner space to the inner surface. The inner radius is equal for each corner portion. Furthermore, the inner radius of each of the corner portions is at least 4 mm at a center part of the corner portion.

Abstract: A teatcup (1) and a teatcup liner (3) for a teatcup to be attached to a teat of an animal for the performance of a milking operation. The teatcup liner defines an inner space for receiving the teat and a longitudinal center axis (x) extending through the inner space. The teatcup liner is composed of at least three separate annular sections, which are attached to each other and arranged successively after each along the longitudinal center axis. A first section (11) forms an upper part having an opening for allowing the teat to be introduced into the inner space. A second section (12) forms a tube part engaging the teat during the milking operation. A third section (13) forms a ring module having an inner surface facing the inner space. The ring module includes a functional member providing an additional function to the milking operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and components for milking apparatus, in particular to milk extracting devices. Especially it relates to components of such devices such as liners (20). The novel devices include a material, selected from the group consisting of thermo-plastic elastomers, as defined in ISO 18064, plasticized PVC, Vinyl TPE, the material exhibiting the following properties: a hardness between 25 shore A and 50 shore D; a Young's modulus between 0.1 MPa and 50 MPa; a tensile strength above 0.5 MPa; and a minimum elongation of 50% without breakage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a milking machine and a method for milking animal using a milking machine, wherein the milking machine comprises at least a first teat cup, the first teat cup is provided with a teat cup liner to be positioned around a teat of the milking animal, the teat cup liner comprises a lower end connected to a milking vacuum source for drawing milk from the milking animal, and a top end having a space and an orifice in which the teat is to be introduced, the teat cup liner further comprises an inlet to the space connected to a space vacuum source. The method is comprises the step of setting the vacuum level in the space so that the vacuum difference between the vacuum level in the lower end and the vacuum level in the space is related to a milking criteria for the particular udder quarter being milked.

Abstract: A hose element is configured for a milking device. The hose element includes a first end (3) and a hose portion (1) of a first material. The hose portion extends from the first end along a longitudinal centre axis (x) and has an outer size in a radial plane with respect to the longitudinal centre axis. An attachment section (4) extends around the hose portion in a peripheral direction in the proximity of the first end. The hose element includes a mounting member (10) of a second material which is joined to the hose portion (1). The mounting member includes a primary portion (11), which is joined to the hose portion (1) in the proximity of the attachment section and configured to permit, when being pressed inwardly towards the longitudinal centre axis, a reduction of the outer size of the hose portion at an end portion (5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a milking machine and a method for milking animal using a milking machine, wherein the milking machine comprises at least a first teat cup, the first teat cup is provided with a teat cup liner to be positioned around a teat of the milking animal, the teat cup liner comprises a lower end connected to a milking vacuum source for drawing milk from the milking animal, and a top end having a space and an orifice in which the teat is to be introduced, the teat cup liner further comprises an inlet to the space connected to a space vacuum source. The method is comprises the step of setting the vacuum level in the space so that the vacuum difference between the vacuum level in the lower end and the vacuum level in the space is related to a milking criteria for the particular udder quarter being milked.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and components for milking apparatus, in particular to milk extracting devices. Especially it relates to components of such devices such as liners (20). The novel devices include a material, selected from the group consisting of thermo-plastic elastomers, as defined in ISO 18064, plasticized PVC, Vinyl TPE, the material exhibiting the following properties: a hardness between 25 shore A and 50 shore D; a Young's modulus between 0.1 MPa and 50 MPa; a tensile strength above 0.5 MPa; and a minimum elongation of 50% without breakage.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tubular hose device for transporting milk to an inlet nipple. The device includes successively a first end portion (2), a strengthened portion (3) and a main hose portion (4). The first end portion is attachable to the nipple by having the nipple introduced into the first end portion. The strengthened portion includes a main segment adjoining the first end portion and having a wall thickness that is thicker than the wall thickness of the main hose portion. The strengthened portion also includes a transition segment adjoining the main hose portion and having an upper part (17) and an opposite lower part (18). The upper part has a wall thickness that is thicker than the wall thickness of main hose portion. The lower part has a wall thickness that is substantially equal to the wall thickness of the main hose portion.

Abstract: A hose device includes a hose portion (3), at least a first end portion (2) and a channel (5) which extends along the hose device (1) through the first end portion and the hose portion. The hose device has flexible and elastic properties. The first end portion (2) of the hose device is in a mounted state arranged to be attached to a tubular connection member (7) by having the connection member introduced in the channel (5). The hose device has a transition portion (4), which is located between the first end portion (2) and the hose portion (3). The channel (5) thus extends also through the transition portion and has, at the transition portion (4), in a non-mounted state a non-circular cross-sectional shape and in the mounted state a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, which permits a free liquid flow through the channel (5).

Abstract: The invention refers to a teatcup liner, a teatcup and a milking member. The liner (1) is mountable in a teatcup shell (2) having a first end (3) and a second end (4) to extend through the shell, and forms an inner space to receive a teat and an outer space (6) between the shell and the liner. The liner includes an opening at the first end for introducing a teat into the inner space. The liner includes a grip area (10) to be gripped by a grip portion (11) of the shell. The grip area has a non-circular shape. The liner includes a connection portion (15) arranged to connect the liner to the first end and including an annular recess. The connection portion includes a bridge of material (18) arranged to define at the most two possible rotary positions for the liner in relation to the teatcup shell. The bridge extends in the annular recess and is arranged to engage a corresponding recess (19) extending from the first end of the shell.

Abstract: The invention refers to a teatcup liner, a teatcup and a milking member. The liner (1) is mountable in a teatcup shell (2) having a first end (3) and a second end (4) to extend through the shell, and forms an inner space to receive a teat and an outer space (6) between the shell and the liner. The liner includes an opening at the first end for introducing a teat into the inner space. The liner includes a grip area (10) to be gripped by a grip portion (11) of the shell. The grip area has a non-circular shape. The liner includes a connection portion (15) arranged to connect the liner to the first end and including an annular recess. The connection portion includes a bridge of material (18) arranged to define at the most two possible rotary positions for the liner in relation to the teatcup shell. The bridge extends in the annular recess and is arranged to engage a corresponding recess (19) extending from the first end of the shell.