Abstract: A teat cup assembly for use with a milking machine for milking cows. The teat cup assembly comprises a hollow tubular shell together with an inflation including a hollow tubular barrel disposed within the shell. The inflation is deformable between a relaxed profile and a collapsed massage profile around the teat of a cow. The teat cup assembly includes reinforcing structure for predetermining a desired collapsed massage profile for the barrel of the inflation. The reinforcing structure includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs projecting from the barrel of the inflation, and a corresponding plurality of rib receiving grooves formed in the inner surface of the shell. As a result, the inflation will always collapse in a known and predetermined massage profile, which is preferably triangular in shape, to override any inherent inconsistencies in manufacturing processes or materials of construction.

Abstract: A banner display system including a system and method for the improved display of banners and other advertisements is provided. The banner display system includes a top banner cap, a bottom banner cap, and a banner wherein said banner includes a top sock for receiving a dowel and a bottom sock for receiving a dowel, said top sock resting against said top banner cap end stops and said bottom sock resting against said bottom banner cap end stops. The present invention provides stability and proper display for the banner as well as easy replacebility.

Abstract: A modular teat cup assembly for use with a milking machine for milking cows. The modular teat cup assembly comprises a hollow tubular shell together with a cartridge assembly slidably received within the shell. The cartridge assembly includes a spool-shaped liner and a framework comprising a pair of opposing sleeve members for supporting the liner. The sleeve members are movable between an open position to permit removal and replacement of the liner, and a closed position for supporting the liner therebetween. A cap removably mounted on the bottom of the shell holds the cartridge assembly within the shell and is used to attach a milking tube in the conventional manner. A head piece includes a mouth for receiving a cow's teat, and is snapped onto the upper end of the shell to complete the modular assembly.

Abstract: A nipple/cover integral with a vented control member and/or check valve, as can be used in combination with a container for controlled movement of fluid, such as provided during liquid feeding of infant mammals.

Abstract: The milking tube section of a milking inflation has an elongated stem portion including a pair of circumferentially extending, axially spaced grooves in the outer surface near the lower end of the teat cup shell. A first groove is located adjacent a thicker part or externally supported part of the stem section and is arranged to permit substantial angular bending of the teat cup assembly relative to the stem portion for attachment to a cow's teat without substantial crimping which causes a reduction in the internal cross-section area of the flow passage extending through the milking tube. The second groove cooperates with the first groove to share deflective stresses applied on the teat cup assembly when bent at an angle for installation on a cow's teat.

Abstract: A nipple for feeding liquids to domesticated mammals.

Abstract: The teat cup assembly includes a shell and a flexible liner, which can be made from silicone rubber, having a suction portion which fits inside the shell and a head portion having a peripheral, downwardly extending cuff which fits over the upper end of the shell. The liner cuff is clamped into sealing engagement with the shell by an annular sleeve slidably mounted on the shell for relative axial movement between a locked position and an unlocked position axially displaced from the cuff so that the liner can be installed into and removed from the shell. The sleeve includes a protective collar which overlies at least the lower portion of the cuff when the sleeve is in the locked position. The sleeve cooperates with one or more interlocking, circumferentially-extending grooves and projections on the outer surface of the shell and the inner surface of the cuff to hold the liner in place on the shell.

Abstract: The milking tube section for a milking inflation is provided with a plurality of axially spaced, circumferentially extending grooves which define segments having opposed edges and which are dimensioned to permit relative movement of the sides of adjacent segments and afford a predetermined degree of bending movement of one segment relative to the adjacent segment in one direction without causing a substantial reduction in the internal cross sectional area of the flow passage through the stem portion of the milking tube section. The grooves are also dimensioned so that, after such predetermined bending in one direction, the edges of adjacent segments on one side of the stem portion abut and hinder further bending of the stem portion in that direction.