Patent ID: 7395781

Claim:
A device for selectively inserting or removing cup liners having a generally elongated cylindrical body, a front cup and a rear lip from a milking cup apparatus, said device comprising: a frame extending from a first end to a second end along a length; a force applying device, said force applying device connected to said frame, said force applying device configured to apply a first pre-selected force in a first direction and a second pre-selected force in a second direction; a liner connection device configured to connect a portion of a cup liner to said force applying device, wherein said liner connection device comprises a chute having a generally open portion connected to a base, said base held in sliding engagement against said frame, said base having a generally U-shaped riser extending upward from said base, said U-shaped riser having a bottom and a pair of sides, said U-shaped riser having a stop connected to said bottom and said sides of said U-shaped riser each defining a generally L-shaped aperture therein, said generally L-shaped aperture configured to receive a pair of rods therein, said pair of rods connected; to an upper clamping plate, said upper clamping plate connected to said force applying device whereby movement of said force applying device moves said pair of rods within said generally L-shaped apertures to alternatively compress or release an item held between one of said pair of rods and said stop, and to move said liner connection device in alternatively a first or second direction along said frame; and an actuator device operatively connected to said force applying device for selectively directing said force applying device to apply a pre-designated quantity of force in a selected direction; whereby a liner is connected to said liner connection device and a user activates said actuator device to cause said force applying device to apply a pre-selected quantity of force in a desired direction against said liner so as to selectively insert or remove said liner from said milking cup apparatus.