Teatcup liner

Abstract

A teatcup liner for a teatcup has a longitudinal shape extending along a longitudinal axis (x). The teatcup liner includes a barrel (2) having a length (L) and defining an inner space (21) for receiving the teat. The barrel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape transversely to the longitudinal axis along the barrel. The polygonal cross-sectional shape defines a plurality of corner portions and a plurality of side portions, each connecting two of the corner portions. Each corner portion includes an inner surface facing the inner space and having an inner radius extending from the inner space to the inner surface. The inner radius is equal for each corner portion. Furthermore, the inner radius of each of the corner portions is at least 4 mm at a centre part of the corner portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention refers to a teatcup liner configured to be mounted in a shell of a teatcup to be applied to a teat of an animal according to the preamble of claim 1.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART[0002]Teatcup liners having a barrel with various cross-sectional shapes are known. A barrel with a circular cross-sectional shape is common and have an advantage of a fast and complete milking.[0003]U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,243 discloses a teatcup liner comprising a head end portion, a barrel, and an outlet tube. The barrel has a triangular shape with three corner portions and three side portions extending along the length of the barrel. Each of the side portions is curved or bulged outwardly in a rest state.[0004]FR-953,779 discloses another teatcup comprising a shell and a teatcup liner, both having a triangular cross-section with outwardly curved or bulged side portions in a rest state.[0005]Teatcup liners having a barrel with a triangula...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The object of the present invention is to overcome the problems discussed above and to provide a teatcup liner providing an efficient milking and securing a gentle treatment of the teat during the milking operation.

[0011]The inventor of the present invention has realised this problem and has arrived at the understanding that this problem may be solved by providing the inner surface of the corner portions with a relatively large radius at a centre part of the corner portion, especially at least 4 mm. The teatcup liner according to the present invention will thus permit the teat to fill up the inner space of the teatcup liner during the whole pulsating cycles of the milking operation and to have a good contact with the teatcup liner. Consequently, the teatcup liner of the present invention ensures a proper and efficient milking performance.

[0012]In addition, the polygonal cross-sectional shape will result in low strains and pressures against the teat in the region close to the teat end or teat tip, and thus to a gentle treatment of the teat.

[0019]According to a further embodiment of the invention, each corner portion comprises an outer surface facing away from the inner space and having an outer radius extending from the inner space to the outer surface, wherein each side portion comprises an outer surface facing away from the inner space and having an outer radius extending from a position outside the inner space to the outer surface, and wherein a border line between the corner portion and the side portion is located at an outer transition point, at which a tangent of the outer surface of the corner portion and a tangent of the outer surface of the side portion are parallel and coincide with each other. In such a way a smooth transition between the outer surface of the corner portion and the outer surface of the side portion is ensured.

Problems solved by technology

However, the teat is not capable of being deformed to such an extent that these corners are filled by the teat, but there will remain an empty space between the teat and the inner surface of the teatcup liner during the entire milking also when the teatcup liner is collapsed.

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