Patent ID: 8627785
Filing Date: 2014-01-14
Classification: A01J

Abstract:
1. A teat cup assembly for use in a milking machine for the milking of mammals comprising: a rigid teat cup shell having an elongated body with an annular wall terminating at an upper rim defining an open upper end; and a teat cup liner received within the open upper end of the teat cup shell, the teat cup liner constructed so there is communication between a mouthpiece and an inflation barrel when vacuum is applied to the teat cup liner, generating a continuous sweeping flow of air from the mouthpiece down along at least a portion of the length of the inflation barrel and a teat; the mouthpiece having an open top and a tubular side wall portion mounted to the rim of the teat cup shell, and the tubular side wall portion further includes a vent hole that is adapted to admit a controlled amount of ambient air into the mouthpiece of the liner; and the inflation barrel extending into the elongated body of the teat cup shell and connected to the mouthpiece to receive a teat when the barrel is in an uncollapsed condition and adapted to close onto the teat in a collapsed condition, the barrel having a triangular cross-sectional configuration that forms one or more air passages along at least a portion of the length thereof for flow of air from the mouthpiece when the barrel is in the collapsed condition to facilitate air and milk flow to and through a region beneath the teat to a milk tube.