Patent ID: 6308656
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: A01J

Abstract:
A modular teat cup assembly for use with a milking machine for milking cows, comprising:a shell including a hollow tubular body having an outer wall and defining a longitudinal axis, said tubular body further including an upper end having a radially inwardly extending upper rim defining an inlet and a lower end having an axially extending lower rim defining an outlet;a cartridge assembly slidably received within the tubular body of said shell and seated against said upper rim, said cartridge assembly including a spool-shaped liner and a framework for supporting said liner, said liner having a hollow tubular barrel with an upper end and a lower end, an upper flange at said upper end and a lower flange at said lower end, said barrel defining a teat-receiving region axially aligned with said inlet and having an outer wall spaced inwardly from the outer wall of said shell to define a vacuum chamber, said barrel deformable between a relaxed profile and a collapsed massage profile; anda cap removably mounted on the lower rim of said shell for holding said cartridge assembly within said shell.