GB2189976A - Improvements in or relating to automatic milking apparatus - Google Patents

Description

GB 2 189 976 A 1

SPECIFICATION aperture as the teat cup is fitted and opens as the

Improvements in or relating to automatic milking teat cup is removed.

apparatus The object of the present invention is to provide automatic milking apparatus, particularly the teat Background of the Invention 70 cup and clawpiece components thereof, in which air

This invention relates to automatic milking may be admitted positively into the body space of apparatus. the teat cup liner, at will upon the completion of the Automatic milking apparatus includes, for each milking operation.

cow milking unit, a clawpiece and a cluster of four Accordingly, the present invention provides for teat cups connected to the clawpiece. Each teat cup 75 automatic milking apparatus, a teat cup liner of has a rigid shell and an internal flexible liner. This elastomeric material having a topmost mouthpiece, a liner has a topmost mouthpiece diaphragm with a downwardly extending body part, forfitting within a circular mouthpiece and a body part inside the shell teat cup rigid shell, and a tubular extension belowthe body. The liner extends through the bottom of the body part, forming a short milktube for connection to shell body as a short milk tube. This tube is 80 a clawpiece, the said body part of the teat cup liner connected to the clawpiece and thence, by way of a having a passage therethrough providing an opening long milk tube, to a source of steady vacuum. into the body interior, below the said mouthpiece of An annular space, between the teat cup shell and the teat cup liner, whereby air may be admitted into the teat cup finer, is connected to the clawpiece by a the said body interior, at will.

pulse tube and thence to a source of pulsating 85 The invention further provides, for automatic vacuum. milking apparatus, a teat cup having a liner as For milking, the fourteat cups are placed around described in the last preceding paragraph, fitted the cow's teats, the liner mouthpiece of each teat within a rigid shell, said shell providing for the cup being fitted over the respective teat. The teat connection of a pulse tube with the space between cups are held in position during the milking 90 the liner body and the shell body, said liner passage operation by adhesion, due to the steady vacuum providing for the connection of an air admission applied for the milking operation. The pulsating tube therewith, the said air admission tube vacuum applied between the teat cup liner and shell extending within the said space between the liner causes the liner body to dilate and contract again, body and the shell body and extending out of the thus promoting the flow of milk by simulating 95 said shell inside the said pulse tube.

suckling. After completion of the milking operation, The invention further provides, for automatic the teat cup cluster is removed from the cow's teats, milking apparatus, a cluster of four teat cups, each either manually or by automatic means. as described in the last preceding paragraph, in In milking methods which are conventional at the combination with a clawpiece, said clawpiece present date, in which a continuous air bleed is 100 having a pulsation block and milk flow parts, each of provided at the clawpiece or upstream of the said teat cups having the pulse tube thereof clawpiece, the steady vacuum induced adhesion is connected to a connector of the said pulsation block automatically broken when the vacuum supply is and having the said air admission tube within the shut off at the end of milking, so that the teat cup said pulse tube thereof connected to an air-flow cluster is easily removed from the milked cow. 105 connector provided by said clawpiece, each of said However, a more modern milking method, known teat cups having the short milk tube extension of the as the hydraulic milking method, has recently been teat cup linerthereof connected to a connector of introduced. In this hydraulic milking method there is the said milk flow part of said clawpiece, said no air bleed at or upstream of the clawpiece during clawpiece further having a movable control member milking, that is to say during the process of drawing 110 connected to a steady vacuum and milk flow control milk from an individual cow. In consequence, the valve within said milk flow part of said clawpiece, steady vacuum induced adhesion of the teat cup and an air-inlet valve, controlling the air-flow from liner to the cow's teat is not broken when the atmosphere to the said air- flow connector, being vacuum supply is shut off after milking. Some other linked to the said control member, said air-inlet means is thus needed to break the vacuum adhesion 115 valve being closed when the said steady vacuum before the teat cups can easily be removed from the and milk flow control valve is open and being open milked cow. when the said steady vacuum and milkflow control It has been proposed, in co-pending patent valve is closed.

application No. 8520814, to groove the surface of The invention further provides methods of the teat cup liner mouthpiece, in the area where it 120 automatic milking consequent upon the use of the makes contact with the surface of the cow's teat, so apparatus defined in the preceding paragraphs.

that, upon the displacement caused by a downward Thus, the invention provides a method of automatic pull on the teat cup, the contact seal is broken and milking by which there is no air bleed at or upstream air is admitted around the mouthpiece, past the teat of the clawpiece during milking and, after milking and into the liner body, thereby permitting of easy 125 and before the removal of teat cups from a cow's removal of the teat cup. teats, air is admitted to the interior of the bodies of It has been proposed, in co-pending patent the teat cup liners by way of a passage through each application No. 8603302, to provide one or more liner body, between the interior and exterior thereof, apertures in the mouthpiece diaphragm, each and byway of an air admission passage connected aperture having a closure stop which closes the 130 to the said liner body passage.

2 GB 2 189 976 A 2 Short Description of the Drawings dimensioned to fit closely around a teat of a cow to

Two embodiments of the invention will be be milked. At the bottom, below the grommet 7, the described, by way of example, with reference to the liner extends as an integrally moulded short milk accompanying drawings, wherein the same or tube 9.

similar parts are indicated by the same reference 70 In the parts as so far described, the teat cup 1 of numerals throughout the several drawings, and in the invention is of conventional construction and is which: used in conventional manner, being fitted on a Fig. 1 is an axial cross-section view of one teat cup cow's teat by the mouthpiece 11, a steady vacuum of a cluster of four, showing the rigid shell, being applied to the interior of the liner body 12 by elastomeric teat cup liner, with part of a short milk 75 way of the short milk tube 9 and a pulsating vacuum tube extending therefrom, part of a pulse tube being applied in the space 13, byway of the pulse connected to the teat cup shell and an air admission tube 4.

tube connected to a passage through the liner and However, since the apparatus of the invention is extending away from the teat cup shell inside the intended for hydraulic milking, no provision is made pulse tube; 80 for an air bleed at or upstream of the clawpiece, to Fig. 2 is a part elevation, part axial cross-section be described, during the milking operation itself.

view of a clawpiece for hydraulic milking, showing a Provision is made to admit air into the interior of the steady vacuum and milk-flow valve open and an air- liner body 12, just below the mouthpiece diaphragm inlet valve closed, as during a milking operation; 10, at will upon completion of the milking operation.

Fig. 3 is a corresponding view to Fig. 2, showing 85 The wall of the liner 5 is made thicker in a region the steadyvacuum and milk-flow valve closed and 14, beneath the skirt 6 and to one side, as shown at the air-inlet valve open, as at completion of a the top right in Fig. 1. Here, a passage 15 extends milking operation. from the liner outerwali nearly to the innerwall at a Fig. 4 is an axial cross-section view of an slit orifice 16; To form the orifice 16, the residual alternative teat cup to that shown in Fig. 1; 90 wall material is pierced to form a short slit which, by Figs. 5 and 6 are part elevation, part axial cross- reason of the elasticity of the liner material, is section views of the upper part of an alternative normally closed. The outer end of the passage 15 is clawpiece to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3; dimensioned to receive and to hold an air admission Fig. 5 is the view showing the steady vacuum and tube 17. The air admission tube 17 passes milk-flow valve open and the air-inlet valve closed, 95 downwardly in the space 13, out through the as during a milking operation; connector 3 and away from the teat cup 1 inside the Fig. 6 is the view showing the steady vacuum and pulse tube 4.

milk-flow valve closed and the air-inlet valve open, Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown in part, as at the completion of a milking operation; generally in axial cross- section and part in elevation, Fig. 7 is a detail view of the clawpiece parts of Fig. 100 a clawpiece shown generally at 20, comprising a 5, part elevation and part cross-section in a plane pulsation block part 21 and a milk flow part 22.

perpendicular to that of Fig. 5, showing the steady The pulsation block 21 is of conventional form vacuum and milk flow valve open; and, whether of the simultaneous or alternate Fig. 8 is a corresponding detail view of the pulsation type, need not be described in detail in clawpiece parts of Fig. 6, showing the steady 105 relation to the present invention. The milk flow part vacuum and milk flow valve closed; 22 of the clawpiece, in respects unrelated to the Fig. 9 is a detail view, part in elevation and part in present invention and not described herein, is of axial cross-section, showing a two-stage indexing of known form for a clawpiece for hydraulic milking the clawpiece valve control shaft; and and may correspond to the muiti- valve clawpiece Fig. 10 is an exploded, perspective view of the 110 described in U.K. patent no. 2,057,845.

lower part of the clawpiece of which the upper part The milk flow part 22 has a milk chamber 23, into is shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, with one member of the which milk passes through a milk connector, one of upper part also shown in perspective. four such connectors, to which the end of the short milk tube 9 of Fig. 1 is connected. The arrangement Description of the Embodiment 115 is shown diagrammatically by a milk connector 24

Fig. 1 shows, in axial cross-section, one teat cup 1 and the end of the short milk tube 9 fitted thereto.

of a cluster of four similar composite teat cups. The Milk passes out of the milk chamber 23 by way of a teat cup 1 has a rigid shell 2, with a pulse tube connector 25, which connector is connected by way connector 3 at its lower end. A pulse tube 4 is shown of a long milk tube, not shown, to a milktank and in part, connected at the connector 3. A teat cup liner 120 source of steady vacuum, in normal manner. The of elastomeric material fits inside the teat cup shell connector 25 extends into the body of the milkflow 2 and forms airtight seals therewith, at the top by a part22, the inner end providing an aperture 26 downwardly-extending skirt part 6 and at the which lies in a plane which is oblique to the axis of bottom by an integrally moulded grommet 7 which the inner portion of connector 25. A movable, plate fits tightly in an outlet hole 8 atthe bottom of the 125 shaped valve 27 is provided to shut off the steady shell 2. The body 12 of the liner 5 extends within the vacuum and the milk flow out of the clawpiece 20, in shell 2, spaced from the inside wall of the shell 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, or permit the flow of leave an annular space 13 between the shell 2 and milk and maintenance of steady vacuum within the the liner 5. At its top, the liner 5 has a mouthpiece clawpiece 20, in the position shown in Fig. 2.

diaphragm 10 with a central circular aperture 11 130 The pulsation block 21 has a composite connector 3 GB 2 189 976 A 3 28,29, one of four such connectors, to which the surfaces are removed from both "0" rings 37 and ends both of the pulse tube 4 and the air admission 38, the air-inlet valve formed thereby is open to tube 17 of Fig. 1 are connected. The part 28 provides admit air from the atmosphere to the air channel 30.

connection of the pulse tube 4 to a source of Air flows therefrom, by way of the air admission pulsating vacuum in conventional manner. The part 70 tube 17 to the passage 15. Since nearvacuum 29 provides connection of the air admission tube 17 pressure still persists in the interior of the teat cup to an air channel 30, which may be opened to liner 5, which at this time still retains the cow's teat atmosphere or closed by an air-inlet valve linked to which has been milked, air will pass from the the steady vacuum and milk flow control valve. passage 15, through the slit orifice 16 into the The construction of these two valves is shown in 75 interior of the teat cup liner 5, beneath the both Figs. 2 and 3. A control knob 31 positioned on mouthpiece diaphragm 10 and around the cow's top of the pulsation block21 has a shaft 32 which teat. Accordingly, the pressure within the teat cup extends through a bearing block 33, formed liner 5 will rapidly rise to the atmospheric pressure integrally with the pulsation block2 1, and carries outside the teat cup 1 and the easy removal of the the plate-shaped valve 27 at its lower end. Near its 80 teat cup 1, and correspondingly the other three teat lower end, the shaft 32 carries a flexible diaphragm cups of the cluster, is facilitated. In practice, the 34, the circumferential edge of which is held in the control knob 31 is raised slowly, from its Fig. 2 body of the clawpiece 20, as is shown in the figures. position to its Fig. 3 position, as will tend to be the The diaphragm seals the top of the milk chamber 23 case naturally, due to the initial vacuum pressure from the pulsation block part 21 and also seals the 85 below the diaphragm 34. Closure of the vacuum and air channel 30 from the milk chamber 23 due to the milk flow valve 27,26 thus proceeds progressively.

leakage path between the shaft 32 and bearing block This enables residual milk, still in the bottom of the 33. The control knob 31 is partly hollowed from its teat cup liner body 12 and in the short milk tube 9, to bottom to provide an outer skirt 35 and a circulartop flow through the milk chamber 23 and out through face 36, referenced in Fig. 3. Into the top face 36, 90 the connector 25, while the valve 27, 26 is still around the shaft 32, is fitted an "0" ring 37 in a partially open. The air inlet valve to the air channel position such that it abuts the top end of the bearing 30 is, of course, opened immediately the respective block 33, see Fig. 2. Into the top face of the pulsation abutment surfaces are removed from the---Wrings block 2 1, aligned with the outer skirt 35 of the 37 and 38, so that full flow of air is permitted control knob 31, is fitted an "0" ring 38, in a position 95 through the air admission tube 17. This flow such thatthe bottom face of the skirt 35 will abut it, progressively equalizes the air pressure within the see Fig. 2. teat cup liner 5 with the atmospheric pressure For milking operation, the control knob 31 is outside.

depressed into the position shown in Fig. 2. The Fig. 4 shows a teat cup 1 having a rigid shell 2, steady vacuum pressure is transmitted into the milk 100 connector 3, pulse tube 4 and teat cup liner 5, as chamber 23 and the valve 27 is opened to permit shown in the teat cup of Fig. 1. The liner 5 similarly milk flow through the connector 25. At this time, the has a passage 15 extending through the liner wall pressure above the diaphragm 34 will be region 14. In this example, the orifice 16 is a substantially at atmospheric pressure, having permanently-open orifice. The air admission tube 17 equalled atmospheric pressure in the air channel 30 105 is similarly connected to the passage 15 as in the by leakage between the shaft 32 and bearing block example of Fig. 1 and similarly passes out of the teat 33. Vacuum pressure acting upon the underside of cup by way of the space 13 and pulse tube 4.

the diaphragm 34 will cause the control knob 31 to Although the teat cup liner of Fig. 1, with the be held in the milk-flow position of Fig. 2. At the normally-closed orifice 16, is the preferred same time, the air-inlet valve constituted by the "0" 110 embodiment of teat cup liner, it is presently thought rings 37 and 38 and the respective abutment to be unimportant whether milk should enter the surfaces will be closed, so that the air channel 30 is passage 15, since it is ejected by the admission of air closed to the atmosphere and air is not admitted to through the air admission tube 17. The the air admission tube 17 nor into the interior of the permanently-open orifice 16 of Fig. 4 is thus an teat liner body 12. Steady vacuum is transmitted by 115 acceptable alternative.

way of the short milktube 9 to the teat liner body 12, Afurther alternative teat cup envisaged, not pulsating vacuum is transmitted from the pulsation illustrated in the accompanying drawings, is one in block21, by way of the pulse tube 4, to the space 13 which the rigid shell with pulse tube, teat cup liner of the teat cup 1, so that the milking operation with short milk tube and air admission tube are of proceeds in the normal manner of hydraulic milking. 120 unitary construction, forming a single replaceable Upon completion of milk flow from the cow being unit.

milked, the control knob 31 is lifted, either manually Comparing now the clawpiece of Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 or by known automatic means as the case may be, with the clawpiece of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, there is so that the control knob 31 assumes the position shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 a clawpiece for hydraulic shown in Fig. 3. Now, the plate-shaped valve 27 125 milking shown generally at20. This comprises an abuts the inner end of the connector 25, thereby upper part 2 1, which includes a conventional closing the milk flow exit from the milk chamber 23 pulsation block and a lower part, represented by the and stopping the admission of steady vacuum pres- numeral 22, to which the upper part21 is secured by sure thereto. In the raised position of the control a locking ring 40. The lower part 22 of the clawpiece knob 31 shown in Fig. 3, the respective abutment 130 20 is shown in detail, in the exploded perspective 4 GB 2 189 976 A 4 view of Fig. 10. The interior underside of the pulsation block In Fig. 10, the lower part 22 of the clawpiece screw top 67 has a circular steel knife edge 68 comprises a base moulding 42 having an interior moulded integrally therewith with the edge pointing milk chamber 23. Four milk connectors 24, three of downwardly. In assembly, as the screw top is which are seen in the view of Fig. 10, are spaced 70 tightened onto the pulsation block, the knife edge around the moulding circumference and cuts into the top surface of all the air admission dimensioned to receive the ends of the four short tubes 17, as is shown atthe right hand side of Fig. 5 milktubes 9 of a cluster of teat cups. The entry of the and Fig. 6, thereby to retain the ends of the air connectors 24 into the chamber 23 form valve admission tubes 17 very securely in their seatings 43, one of which is seen in the view of Fig. 75 connectors 29.

10. Each valve seating 43 receives a steel ball 44, The control elements of the clawpiece 20 upper two of which are shown. These are normally part 21 have two steady control positions, as retained by ball guides 45. A base cover 46 holds a represented by the two figures Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig.

small sealing ring 47 and a large sealing ring 48 and 5 shows the position for milking, Fig. 6 shows the is secured to the underside of the moulding 42 by a 80 position set after milking.

retaining screw 49. A clawpiece hanging bracket 50 The detail view of Fig. 7, corresponding to the attaches to the moulding 42 at the side thereof. The control positions of Fig. 5, shows a part of the moulding 42 indexes with the underside of a top connector 25, itself part of the moulding 51, at its moulding 51, which includes the connector 25 and inner end where it extends into the milk chamber 23, which is shown as a member of the clawpiece upper 85 providing an oblique aperture 26. The lower end of part 21 in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. The indexing is provided the control shaft 32, below the diaphragm 34, carries by moulded pins 52 which, together with the cut- the plate-shaped valve 27, which in the position of away 53, shaped to receive the neck of the Fig. 7 is open to permit the maintenance of steady connector 25, ensure that lugs, which extend vacuum in the milk chamber 23, from the long milk inwardly from the lower edge of the locking ring 40, 90 tube, not shown, connected to the connector 25, and engage four locking indentations 54 spaced around also the free passage of milk from the milk chamber the side of the moulding 42 below its top edge. The 23 into the long milk tube.

moulding 42 is thereby locked to the underside of At this time, the control knob 31 is in its the top moulding 51 with an intermediate seal 55, downward position, the seal pad 64 closes the top of shown as a ring seal in the drawing but which, when 95 the air channel 30 and the knob skirt 65 seals against fitted in place, occupies a top edge slot 56, which the sealing ring 66.

follows the cut-away 53. The detail view of Fig. 8, corresponding to the Returning to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, there is shown the control positions of Fig. 6, shows the connector 25 clawpiece top moulding 51, which includes the aperture 26 closed by the valve 27.

connector 25 and which retains the locking ring 40. 100 At this time, the control knob 31 is in its upper Threaded internally. the moulding 51 holds a position, the seal pad 64 is lifted free of the top of diaphragm retaining ring 57 which retains the the air channel 30 and the control knob skirt 65 is peripheral edge of the diaphragm 34 mounted on lifted free of the sealing ring 66, thereby admitting the control shaft 32. airto the air channel 30, to the connector parts 29 A skirt moulding 58 is fitted above the moulding 105 and thence to the air admission tubes 17 and the 51 with an intermediate skirt sealing ring 59. The interior of the teat cup liners 5.

pulsation block is positioned above the skirt With the clawpiece construction shown in Fig. 5 moulding 58 with an intermediate skirt sealing and Fig. 6, the control transition from the Fig. 5 ring 60. position to the Fig. 6 position is achieved in two The pulsation block 21 is of conventional form, of 110 stages. The first, and intermediate, stage is achieved either simultaneous or alternate pulsation type, and by the initial lifting of control knob 31, whereby the is provided with four composite connectors 28, 29, lifting of seal pad 64 and the breaking of the seal two of which are seen in the views of Fig. 5 and with sealing ring 66 is achieved with only a partial Fig. 6. The part 28 provides connection of a pulse closure of the valve 27 on the aperture 26. This first tube 4 to a source of pulsating vacuum in 115 stage admits air to the air channel 30, air admission conventional manner. The part 29 provides tubes 17 and to the teat cup liner mouthpieces. This connection of an air admission tube 17 to the air eases removal of the teat cup cluster while still channel 30. permitting milkflowfrom the teat cup liner bodies, The control knob 31 is attached to the control from the short milk tubes 9 and from the milk shaft 32 near its top end and is held by a steel dome 120 chamber 23. Completion of the movement of the cap 61. The dome cap 61 and shaft 32 both have a control knob 31 completes the control action by transverse hole 62 to receive a pull ring 63. closing the valve 27.

The interior underside of the control knob 31 has The two-stage operation of the control members an annular seal pad 64 dimensioned to close the air of the clawpiece is facilitated by a control shaft channel 30 at the top, when the control knob 31 is in 125 position indexing arrangement shown in Fig. 9. The the position shown in Fig. 5. In this position of the shaft 32 has a flat portion 70 with sloping sides 71 control knob 31 also, an outer skirt portion 65 of the milled in one face. An indexing steel ball 72 is knob 31 abuts and seals against an air admission housed in a bore 75 within the body of the pulsation sealing ring 66 retained in a groove on the top face block and the ball 72 is spring loaded by a helical of a pulsation block screw top 67. 130 spring 73 and tension screw 74 also housed in the GB 2 189 976 A 5 pulsation block bore 75. The milled fiat 70 is connector provided by said clawpiece, each of said positioned, in relation to the longitudinal movement teat cups having the short milk tube extension of the of the shaft 32, so that the first stage of movement is teat cup liner thereof connected to a connector of easily made and a noticeable further effort is the said milk flow part of said clawpiece, said required for the subsequent movement. 65 clawpiece further having a movable control member The method of hydraulic milking employing connected to a steady vacuum and milkfiow control apparatus as described herein requires the fitting of valve within said milkflow part of said clawpiece, teat cups to a cow in conventional manner. The and an air-inlet valve, controlling air-flow from control knob 31 is set as is shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 5, atmosphere to the said air-flow connector, being whereby steady vacuum is admitted to the milk 70 linked to the said control member, said air-inlet chamber 23 and air is excluded from the air valve being closed when the said steady vacuum admission tubes 17 and from the associated teat cup and milk flow control valve is open and being open liners. Pulsating vacuum is supplied to the pulse when the said steady vacuum and milk flow control tubes 4 from the pulsation block of the clawpiece valve is closed.

and milking proceeds in the normal manner for 75 5. For automatic milking apparatus as claimed in

Claims (4)

1. hydraulic milking. In this manner of milking, as has Claim 4, a clawpiece

   having a pulsation block and been explained, no air admission is permitted at or milkflow parts, the milk flow part having four up-stream of the clawpiece and the ball valves 44 connectors for the connection thereto of the short operate to seal the milk intake connectors 24, milk tubes of a cluster of four teat cups, the preventing any reverse flow of milk. At the 80 pulsation block having four pulse connectors for the completion of the milking of a cow, the clawpiece connection thereto of the pulse tubes of the said control knob 31 is moved, first to release air into the cluster of four teat cups, each said pulse connector air-admission tubes 17, to release the vacuum and including an air-flow connector for the connection to facilitate removal of the teat cups, and secondly thereto of the air admission tube of the associated to close the milk outlet from the milk chamber 23 of 85 pulse tube, and all the air-flow connectors being the clawpiece and to shut off the steady vacuum connected to an air-inlet valve.

   supplied through the long milk tube. 6. A clawpiece as claimed in Claim 5, in which the air-inlet valve is linked to a movable control member CLAIMS connected to a steady vacuum and milk flow control 1. A teat cup liner of elastomeric material having a 90 valve within said milk flow part of said clawpiece, in topmost mouthpiece, a downwardly extending such manner that said air- inlet valve is closed when body part, for fitting within a teat cup rigid shell, and the said steady vacuum and milk flow control valve a tubular extension below the body part, forming a is open and said airinlet valve is open when the said short milk tube for connection to a clawpiece, the steady vacuum and milk control valve is closed.

   said body part of the teat cup liner having a passage 95 7. A method of automatic milking by which there therethrough providing an opening into the body is no air bleed at or upstream of the clawpiece interior, below the said mouthpiece of the teat cup during milking and, after milking and before the liner, whereby air may be admitted into the said removal of teat cups from a cow's teats, air is body interior, at will. admitted to the interior of the bodies of the teat cup
2. 2. A teat cup liner as claimed in Claim 1, in which 100 liners by way of a passage through each liner body, the said teat cup liner body passage terminates at its between the interior and exterior thereof, and by inner end at a normally-closed aperture, which is way of an air admission passage connected to the opened by passage of air therethrough. said liner body passage.
3. 3. A teat cup having a liner as claimed in Claim 1, 8. A teat cup liner as claimed in Claim 1, fitted within a rigid shell, said shell providing for the 105 substantially as described herein with reference to connection of a. pulse tube with the space between Fig. 1 or to Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

   the liner body and the shell body, said liner passage 9. A teat cup as claimed in Claim 3, substantially providing for the connection of an air admission as described herein with reference to Fig. 1 or to tube therewith, the said air admission tube Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

   extending within the said space between the liner 110 10. Automatic milking apparatus as claimed in body and the shell body and extending out of the Claim 4, substantially as described herein with said shell inside the said pulse tube. reference to Figs. 1-3 or to Figs. 41 0 of the
4. 4. Automatic milking apparatus including a cluster accompanying drawings.

   of fourteat cups each as claimed in Claim 3, in 11. A clawpiece as claimed in Claim 5, combination with a clawpiece, said clawpiece 115 substantially as described herein with reference to having a pulsation block and milk flow parts, each of Figs. 2 and 3 orto Figs. 5-10 of the accompanying said teat cups having the pulse tube thereof drawings.

   connected to a connector of the said pulsation block 12. A method of automatic milking as claimed in and having the said air admission tube within the Claim 7 employing apparatus as claimed in any one said pulse tube thereof connected to an air-flow 120 of Claims 1 to 6.

   Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 11187. Demand No. 8991685. Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.