Abstract: An apparatus for conveying milk with the help of an underpressure in a pipe system which includes feedpipes comprises damming devices or check valves in the feedpipe, or a division of the feedpipe over at least a portion of its length into several pipes which preferably have various inside cross sectional areas and have valves which, in dependence on the milk flow rate, cause the cross sectional area of one or more pipes to be changed. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is part of a milking apparatus having milk discharge pipes which are supported overhead.

Abstract: An air inlet valve for admitting air to the milk drain conduit of a milking cup or collector piece includes a housing secured to the milking cup or collector piece, a diaphragm clamped within the housing, and a valve poppet secured to the diaphragm so as to project from one side thereof. The valve poppet cooperates with a valve seat to form a valve adapted to periodically open and close in response to a pulsator pressure action on the other side of the diaphragm. In its opened state, the valve permits atmospheric air to flow through a connecting conduit to the milk drain conduit such as the interior of a rubber teat cup. The connecting conduit opens through the valve seat surface. The valve poppet can be releasably secured to the diaphragm.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying milk with the help of an underpressure in a pipe system which includes feedpipes comprises damming devices or check valves in the feedpipe, or a division of the feedpipe over at least a portion of its length into several pipes which preferably have various inside cross sectional areas and have valves which, in dependence on the milk flow rate, cause the cross sectional area of one or more pipes to be changed. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is part of a milking apparatus having milk discharge pipes which are supported overhead.

Abstract: A milk flow meter is provided, wherein the milk is tangentially introduced into an upper milk collecting chamber communicating with a milk discharge duct via a lower measuring chamber adapted to have the filling level therein measured. The milk flow meter may be suitably employed for directly measuring the milk flow during mechanized milking. Conventional flow meters are unsuitable for this purpose due to the specific properties of the medium to be measured, namely, milk, and due to the conditions of employ. The milk flow meter described enables the milk flow accurately and continuously. It is essentially characterized in that its measuring chamber communicates with the milk discharge duct via a substantially vertically extending measuring slot shielded from the remainder of the measuring chamber by a surrounding partition provided with a flow passage adjacent its lower end, and in that means is provided for measuring the retained liquid level within the partition.

Abstract: A method for mechanical milk removal in which a predetermined underpressure is applied to the interior of a milking cup applied to a teat to remove the milk and, if desired, a pulsation of a teat rubber is effected at a predetermined frequency and intensity, and while the milking cup is in place the teat is stimulated for a predetermined interval prior to the principal milking operation.

Abstract: An elongated milking hose for a quarter milking machine. The milking hose has four elongated, flexible conduits, of which two conduits are connected to one another along a first common connecting segment, extending parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the hose. The two other conduits are each arranged on opposite sides of the first connecting segment of the two first conduits and extend parallel therewith and are each connected to the two first conduits along a second and third, and fourth and fifth connecting segment.

Abstract: A milking cup having a sleeve-like cup and a rubber teat holder inserted therein. The rubber teat holder has a suction sleeve portion which is connected at the lower end to a milk discharge pipe connected to a vacuum source. An underpressure relief valve is provided on the milking cup. A tube is connected to and extends between the underpressure relief valve and either the suction sleeve or a member which is connected to and is positioned between the lower end of the suction sleeve and the milk discharge pipe. The end of the tube projects into a passageway defined by the suction sleeve or the member and terminates approximately at the midpoint of the passageway.

Abstract: A collecting piece incorporating a pair of relatively movable members which function as a valve to control the supply of a vacuum to all four milking cups of a quarter milking machine while maintaining the milk supplied from each of the milking cups separate from one another. Each of the lines connected to each of the pair of movable members of the connecting piece terminate in an opening which is flush with a sliding surface on each of the two relatively movable members. Thus, rotating one of the members relative to the other will either bring the openings into alignment with each other or cause the openings to remain out of alignment with each other. If desired, a locking mechanism can be provided for locking the two relatively movable members in the two positions thereof.

Abstract: A milking cup having a sleeve-like cup and a rubber teat holder inserted therein. The rubber teat holder has a suction sleeve portion which is connected at the lower end to a milk discharge pipe connected to a vacuum source. An underpressure relief valve is provided on the milking cup. A tube is connected to and extends between the underpressure relief valve and either the suction sleeve or a member which is connected to and is positioned between the lower end of the suction sleeve and the milk discharge pipe. The end of the tube projects into a passageway defined by the suction sleeve or the member and terminates approximately at the midpoint of the passageway.

Abstract: A rubber teat holder for milking cups having a suction sleeve section which conically enlarges adjacent its upper edge and transforms into an enlarged holding edge for gripping over the milking cup housing. A ring lip extends radially inwardly from the holding edge toward the longitudinal axis of the suction sleeve, the inside diameter of the ring lip being smaller than the inside diameter of the conically tapering part of the suction sleeve. An annular gap is provided between the ring lip and the upper end of the suction sleeve and the annular gap is dimensioned so that the part of the ring lip which extends between the holding edge and the mouth of the suction sleeve forms a lever arm which can be loaded by alternating pressure differences between atmospheric pressure and suction pressure to render the lever arm pivotal with respect to the holding edge.