Abstract: A milking claw for a dairy animal has a top having a front pair of first and second inlets laterally spaced on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and receiving milk from the front pair of teats and directing such milk rearwardly into the claw on laterally opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, and a rear pair of third and fourth inlets laterally spaced on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and receiving milk from the rear pair of teats and directing such milk forwardly into the claw on laterally opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, along nonintersecting flow paths.

Abstract: A milking claw for a dairy animal has a bottom having an outlet tubular member having a flow passage of a first vertical height, and a nozzle having an opening passing milk therethrough from the claw bottom to the flow passage. The nozzle opening has a second vertical height less than the first vertical height, such that milk level in the claw bottom need only rise to the level of the second lower vertical height of the nozzle opening rather than to the level of the first higher vertical height of the flow passage of the outlet tubular member, to provide a pressure differential between the vacuum in the outlet and the vacuum in the claw, whereby to draw milk from the claw in smaller more frequent slugs as compared to higher volume less frequent slugs while otherwise waiting for milk level in the claw bottom to rise to the level of the first vertical height.

Abstract: A check out stand (20) having a telescoping take-away conveyor (26) extending between a front module (22) and a rear module (24). Retraction of the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) allows an area located beneath the leading end of the conveyor to be exposed. The exposed area can support a single bag (85) for bagging groceries and other items. If the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) is retracted only a limited amount, the single bag (85) may be inserted between the leading end of the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) and the trailing end of the scanner (32). The telescoping take-away conveyor (26) utilizes a friction roller (66) that permits the powered roller (60) for the telescoping take-away conveyor (26).

Abstract: A check out stand (20) having a telescoping take-away conveyor (26) extending between a front module (22) and a rear module (24). Retraction of the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) allows an area located beneath the leading end of the conveyor to be exposed. The exposed area can support a single bag (85) for bagging groceries and other items. If the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) is retracted only a limited amount, the single bag (85) may be inserted between the leading end of the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) and the trailing end of the scanner (32). The telescoping take-away conveyor (26) utilizes a friction roller (66) that permits the powered roller (60) for the telescoping take-away conveyor (26).

Abstract: A top unloading milking claw (10) includes a high-impact transparent plastic lower bowl (12) and a stainless steel upper top (14). The claw has a plurality of deflectors (50, 52, 54, 56) on the inner surface (48) of the lower bowl (12) and spaced radially outwardly of the vertical riser outlet tube (28) by an annular gap (58) therebetween. The deflectors (50, 52, 54, 56) reduce tangential velocity of milk flow along the inner surface (48) of the bowl (12) by intercepting such tangential milk flow and redirecting the intercepted milk flow inwardly and downwardly along the inner surface (48) toward the bottom of the bowl (12) to fill the space (38) between the lower end (36) of the outlet tube (28) and the bottom of the bowl (12), to maximize the air pressure differential across the surface of the milk, between the ambient air pressure within the claw and the vacuum within the outlet tube, to maximize milk flow capacity of the claw ( 10).

Abstract: A milking system uses a variable pressure source and varies the pressure supplied to the pulsation chamber along a controllably variable pressure curve of selectable waveshape. Pulsation cycles are shortened by shortening the transition time between pressure levels providing on and off portions of the pulsation cycle. The pulsation chamber is sequenced through different pressure change rates, all during the transition.

Abstract: The loader and carrier apparatus for boat and trailer includes a support framework having two side rail members with stake pocket engaging stubs and a front lower cross member, formed to lay atop and be supported only by the side and front walls of the pickup box. A front top cross member is supported above the front lower cross member. Two rear cross members extend across the pickup box between the side rail members. A guide rail is centrally attached to the rearmost cross member, and extends upward and forward to a central attachment at the front top cross member. A forward support platform is attached to the front end of the guide rail and extends horizontally forward a limited distance to provide for transition between trailer tongue supporting rollers. A first horizontal roller assembly is mounted on, and extends downward from, the trailer tongue, to engage the guide rail and forward support platform.

Abstract: A new teat cup inflation comprises a flexible tubular member having upper and lower barrels and a mouthpiece chamber. The walls of the upper and lower barrels are formed as continuous bands of alternating internal and external flutes. The lower end of the lower barrel is formed with an external projection that is received in a groove in a teat cup shell. The wall of the inflation upper barrel diverges from the lower barrel toward the mouthpiece chamber. The wall of a portion of the mouthpiece chamber is fluted on the interior and has a frusto-conical surface on the exterior. The mouthpiece chamber further has a band portion that receives a retaining ring for assembling the inflation in the teat cup without tools and without stressing the inflation mouthpiece after assembly. The new inflation provides better control for teat penetration for improved milkout.

Abstract: The milk claw has a frusto-conical cover fitting on and oriented to the bowl. The four inlets to the cover are downwardly and tangentially arranged on the cover so incoming milk hugs the inside wall of the cover as it swirls around the cover for discharge into the bowl. The bowl has a downwardly spiraled path leading to the outlet arranged on a radius of the bowl. A dam separates the start of the spiral path in the bowl from the outlet and serves to prevent the flow at the outlet from interfering with the flow entering the bowl.

Abstract: An inflation for mounting in a teat cup assembly in the form of an elongated tubular member made of silicon material and having a uniform cross-section from end to end and a wall thickness of approximately 0.05 inches. The wall of the tubular member consists of a plurality of outwardly projecting flute portions connected by a plurality of inwardly projecting flute portions, said outwardly and inwardly projecting flute portions extending vertically and parallel with each other.

Abstract: The inclusion of one or more spiral lands on the interior bore of a short milk tube helps to prevent infection in any quarter from impaction of the end of the teat with milk that is caused to rush back up the tube by a combination of factors inherent in the machine milking process. The spiral lands cause the milk droplets to take on a spiral motion and be thrown out radially, thereby preventing impaction on the teat end.