Abstract: The invention relates to a milking unit comprising a milk collection part and at least two milk tubes that are connected to the milk collection part. At least one end of the milk tube has an essentially spherical clamping body, the central point of the clamping body being offset in relation to the longitudinal axis (S) of the milk tube and/or the clamping body having a channel with a mouth. The longitudinal axis (S) penetrates a plane, on which the cross-sectional surface of the mouth lies at an angle that is not equal to 90°.

Abstract: A combination of a teat cup and a flexible milk tube is shown. The flexible milk tube has a main duct and a plurality of secondary ducts for discharging milk from the teat cup and for applying vacuum in the teat cup. The main duct is confined by a duct wall extending around the main duct. The secondary ducts are included in the duct wall of the main duct. By including the plurality of secondary ducts in the duct wall of the main duct the flexible milk tube as a whole has a smaller cross-section than that of the known milk tube. The plurality of secondary ducts no longer need separate duct walls forming separate tubes either connected or not with the flexible milk tube comprising the main duct. This results in space saving.

Abstract: An apparatus for milking animals having a housing and a suction element arranged inside the housing wherein a pulsation chamber and a teat chamber are formed in said housing at the suction element and wherein at least one opening assigned to the pulsation chamber is provided to apply a gas to the pulsation chamber. Said pulsation chamber is subdivided into multiple pulsation compartments substantially separate from one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multifunctional health protection device for udders of cows. The device comprises a brassiere, which is provided at its lower portion with circular openings (5) corresponding to four teats of a cow. The four circular opening (5) are equipped with teat cups (8). There is a hole at the fore end of each teat cup (8). The brassiere is formed by the inner and outer hoods (1, 2). An electrical heater (4) is mounted between the inner and outer hoods (1,2). Permanent magnets, which are winded with coils, are arranged around the outer wall of the inner hood and the circular openings. An electrical vibrator (6) may be provided at the centers of the four circular openings between the inner and outer hoods. A plurality of conductive rubber electrode (7) is mounted on the inner wall of the inner hood. A removable cup (9) for containing sterilizing agent is installed in the brassiere (8). A ring seal (11) with a central hole is provided at the upper part of the removable cup.

Abstract: A teat cup assembly comprises an inflation having a plurality of radially-extending longitudinal ribs circumferentially spaced about the inflation and having a T-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically milking an animal, comprising at least one teatcup having a teat entrance end (17a), and a movable arm (6, 40) for moving the teatcup toward a teat of an animal to be milked and attaching it thereto. The teat entrance end of the teatcup is arranged, while being moved by the movable arm (6, 40) toward the teat, to be held in relation to the movable arm (6, 40) at a level which is different from that of the teat entrance end (17a) of a further teatcup, when held in relation to the movable arm.

Abstract: A teatcup supplying and retrieving device (4) has a teatcup supplying member (5) and at least one teatcup (10) connected to a tubing (11). The teatcup is provided with a teat entry end (19) having a surface defining an inlet opening (20) for a teat. The teatcup (10) is displaceable from a first position to a second position, in which the teat entry end (19) is directed differently from that of the first position, wherein the teatcup (10) is freely displaceable in relation to the teatcup supplying member (5) during displacement between the first and second positions. The displacement is at least initiated by a displacement device (8) controlled by a controller. Furthermore, there is provided an automatic milking apparatus having a milking robot provided with a robot arm (3) to be used in conjunction with such a teatcup supplying and retrieving device (4).

Abstract: A teat rubber cup comprising a head member substantially rotationally symmetric with a longitudinal axis, with an aperture for insertion of the teat, a retaining edge to engage over a teat cup sleeve, and a suction stub joined to the head member, the end of the head member opposite the teat insertion aperture merging into the retaining edge. The wall of the head member is stiffened in a region located between the teat insertion aperture and the transition to the retaining edge, and the upper end of the suction stub merges into this stiffened part of the head member. The part of the teat rubber cup head located between the stiffened part and the retaining edge is made at least partly elastic. During the suction phase a compressive force acts on the section of the head member located between the stiffened part of the head member and the retaining edge, the force endeavouring to move that section towards the outside of the suction stub.