Teatcup liner with articulated massage bars

Abstract

Disclosed is a teat rubber with massage bars which are designed, at least in sections, as limb massage bars.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a teatcup rubber according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] In mechanical milking, gentle teat treatment is crucial and is ensured, for example, by the use of milking systems that release the vacuum during the massage cycle, also known as the massage phase, as is the case with natural calf suckling. This vacuum relief has a demonstrably positive effect on teat condition. One such milking system is disclosed, for example, in EP 1 119 235 B1.

[0003] These milking systems use liners that have a liner head with an adjoining hose section for holding the teat. A vacuum connection, formed for example by a slanted end, opens into an interior space surrounded by the hose section, to which the milking vacuum is applied. Such a liner is clamped in a teat cup, with an annular space defined by the hose section being pressurized with atmosphere, overpressure, or even vacuum via a pulsator control. In this way, the massage cycle can be controlled by controlling the pressure difference between the interior of the hose section and the outer annular space. If the vacuum connection is designed as a slanted end, the hose section is designed as a thin-walled area in a section adjacent to it, which folds in during the massage phase and seals off the slanted end from the vacuum.

[0004] DE 10 2006 026 271 A1 and the associated supplementary applications describe teatcup liners in which an air inlet nozzle is formed in the teatcup liner head, through which the interior of the head is ventilated to the atmosphere. The resulting permanent air inlet ensures that an excessive vacuum cannot develop in the teatcup liner head.

[0005] Patent EP 3 104 688 B1 discloses a teatcup liner in which the tube section is formed by a comparatively thick rear wall and a massage wall that is reinforced laterally by stabilizing strips. A thin-walled area is formed below this massage wall, which folds in during the massage cycle, thus covering the sloped end and interrupting the vacuum connection. With such a design, the main massage of the teat is provided by the massage wall, which is formed approximately halfway along the side.

[0006] The disadvantage of this approach is that the massage is not performed at the optimal intensity. However, efficient teat massage during milking is crucial for the cow's well-being and for maintaining good teat condition. Since almost all pathogens that can cause mastitis enter the udder cistern through a teat canal at the teat tip, it is essential that the teat canal is in a healthy, physiologically sound condition to ward off pathogens.

[0007] If the teat cup liner is too hard, with a thick wall and / or higher longitudinal tension, a good massage transfer from the teat tip to the teat towards the teat base is achieved. However, this advantage is offset by the fact that the teat tip and teat canal are subjected to severe mechanical stress due to the high forces. This can flatten the teat tip, resulting in two longitudinal deformations on the teat in the form of opposing bulges or folds (so-called "iron folds").

[0008] The document SE 51011 C1 discloses a teatcup rubber in which the tube part wall is designed in sections in the longitudinal direction with a thinner corrugated wall thickness, so that the elasticity of the tube part is increased and its longitudinal tension is reduced.

[0009] If a teat cup liner is used that is too soft and / or the longitudinal tension is too low, the high elasticity of the teat cup liner wall results in only a comparatively low massage effect, which in many cases is not sufficient to maintain the cow's willingness to give milk, so that the milking speed is reduced and the cow's well-being is impaired.

[0010] US Pat. No. 1,000,948 A discloses a teatcup liner in which a longitudinally aligned row of spaced-apart bulges is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the tube part, increasing the wall thickness of the tube part inwardly. A similar solution is described in FR 599 054 A, wherein several rows of such bulges are distributed around the inner circumference of the tube part. These bulges exert point-like stress on the teat, negatively affecting the teat condition.

[0011] The documents DE 10 2011 001 788 A1 and DE 10 2004 010 375 A1 propose solutions in which two massage bars arranged diametrically opposite each other are formed on the hose part, which in particular improve the longitudinal rigidity of the massage area.

[0012] In practice, however, it has been shown that with conventional massage bars extending in the longitudinal direction of the tube part, a sufficient massage in the area of ​​the teat tip is not always guaranteed.

[0013] In contrast, the invention is based on the object of creating a teat rubber which ensures an efficient massage of the teat, even in the area of ​​the teat tip.

[0014] This object is achieved by a teat rubber having the features of patent claim 1.

[0015] Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0016] The teatcup liner according to the invention has a teatcup liner head and a tube part that forms a teat receiving space for a teat. Two massage bars are arranged diametrically on a tube part wall, extending approximately in the longitudinal direction of the tube part and projecting from the outer circumference of the tube part, thereby increasing the wall thickness of the tube part in sections. According to the invention, the massage bars are not designed to be continuous in the longitudinal direction, but at least in sections as articulated massage bars with a plurality of spaced-apart joint structures that extend approximately in the circumferential direction of the tube part.In other words, the massage bars are not solid throughout, but at least in sections are formed by articulated sections. This longitudinally linked structure and the resulting optimized deformation capability ensure a significantly better massage, particularly in the area of ​​the teat tip, than with conventional solutions. It is particularly advantageous that the massage occurs on both sides. According to the invention, the width of a rear massage bar, viewed in the circumferential direction, is greater than the width of a front massage bar arranged approximately diametrically opposite it.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, each joint structure of a massage bar with articulated members is formed by a joint recess that is continuous or, viewed in the circumferential direction of the massage bar, only partially formed, or by a plurality of recess sections arranged in a line-shaped manner in the manner of a perforation, which extend between two adjacent massage bar members and connect them to one another in an approximately articulated manner.

[0018] It is particularly preferred if the depth (T) of the joint structure in the radial direction is between 0.5 mm and 2.0 mm, preferably between 0.75 mm and 1.1 mm.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the distance between adjacent joint structures, ie the length (seen in the longitudinal direction of the teat rubber) of the massage bar members, is substantially greater than the effective joint width of the joint structures, which determines the elasticity of the respective massage bar.

[0020] The adaptation to an average teat geometry can be improved if the distance between adjacent joint structures and / or the depth of the joint structures is designed differently, so that the length of the massage bar elements changes towards the teat tip.

[0021] The massage effect can be further optimized if the circumferential width or height of the massage bar is varied along its length.

[0022] To stabilize the thinner side walls of the hose part adjacent to the massage bars, two reinforcing bars can be provided, with each reinforcing bar being arranged offset by approximately 90° to the massage bars, so that the reinforcing bars are also arranged diametrically.

[0023] The height and / or width of the reinforcement bars can be smaller than that of the massage bars. In principle, the length of the reinforcement bars can be approximately the same as the length of the massage bars.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, a rear massage bar, i.e., a massage bar located opposite the thin-walled area that folds in during the massage phase or at the angled end, is designed with a shorter effective length than a front massage bar, which is located approximately in the area or as an extension of the thin-walled area. In this case, a longitudinal section of each of the massage bars can be designed as a sectional massage bar.

[0025] Preferably, the rear massage bar extends approximately along half the circumference of the hose part, with a width of the front massage bar being smaller and being approximately between 8 mm and 20 mm.

[0026] Surprisingly, these dimensions significantly improve the bilateral massage effect compared to conventional solutions. A further advantage is that the inventive design of the back of the tube section ensures that the thin-walled area rests flat against the sloped end during the massage cycle when collapsing, thus ensuring a reliable seal against the vacuum. This bilateral massage also ensures optimal blood circulation in the teats, with the teat massage being characterized by the differential pressure, which is determined not least by the structure of the limb massage bars.

[0027] The massage effect can be further optimized if the wall thickness of the hose part is greater in the area of ​​the longitudinal or side edges of the massage bars than in an area lying between these longitudinal / side edges, whereby this difference in wall thickness is preferably determined by a flattening or other wall thickness reduction of the massage bars or by two longitudinal ribs formed in the longitudinal edge area.

[0028] In a variant of the invention, the wall thickness of the tube part in the area of ​​the rear limb massage along the two longitudinal edges is approximately 10% to 40% greater than the wall thickness of the tube part in the area between these longitudinal edges, with this wall thickness roughly corresponding to the wall thickness of the tube part in the area of ​​the side edges of the front limb massage. This further development supports the above-described precise collapse of the teat rubber during the massage cycle.

[0029] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, an outer surface / cover surface of the front-side limb massage bar runs as a substantially flat surface approximately parallel to a tangent of the hose part.

[0030] In a particularly preferred embodiment, a venting nozzle is formed in the teatcup rubber head of the teatcup rubber.

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a longitudinal section through a teatcup liner with massage and reinforcement strips; Fig. 2 a radial section along the section line AA in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 the teatcup liner according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 during the massage stroke; Fig. 4 a teat rubber with a slanted end; Fig. 5 a three-dimensional representation of a teatcup liner according to the invention; Fig. 6 a front view of the teatcup liner according to Fig. 5; Fig. 7 a rear view of the teatcup liner according to Fig. 5; Fig. 8 a side view of the teatcup liner according to Fig. 5; Fig. 9 a longitudinal section through the teatcup liner according to Fig. 5 to 8; Fig. 10 a section along the section line AA in Fig. 6 and Fig. 11 a detail C in Fig. 9.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a liner 1 of a milking cluster, which is clamped into a teat cup (not shown). With regard to the basic structure of such a milking cluster, reference is made to the prior art described above. In such a so-called two-chamber teat cup, a milking vacuum is applied to the teat during the suction stroke, so that milk can flow from the teat through the liner 1 and a milk hose to a claw. During the massage stroke, the liner 1 is folded in (collapsed) by admitting atmosphere or overpressure into the aforementioned annular space between the outer circumference of the liner 1 and an inner circumferential wall of the teat cup, so that the blood is massaged back from the teat tip to the teat base.

[0033] The Fig. The embodiment of the teat rubber 1 shown in Figure 1 has a hose part 2 which is connected to Fig. 1 upper end section into a teatcup head 4. This has a head sleeve 6, which extends at a distance from this end section of the hose part 2 away from the teatcup head 4 downwards (view according to Fig. 1) extends, so that an annular space 8 is formed into which the upper end portion of the teat cup (not shown) is inserted. A lower end portion of this teat cup sits on a clamping bead 10 of the teat rubber 1, which is formed so as to project radially at the lower end portion of the hose part 2, so that the teat rubber 1 is clamped into the teat cup.

[0034] An insertion opening 12 is formed on the teat cup head 4, into which the teat 14 (indicated by dashed lines) is inserted when the milking cluster is attached. The teat cup head 4, which is radially expanded relative to the tube part 2, forms a head space 16 that surrounds the teat 14 in a ring-shaped manner.

[0035] When the teat 14 is inserted, the tube part 2 forms a teat receiving space 18 that surrounds the teat 14 and an interior space 20 located thereunder. The latter can be connected to the head space 16 via a groove 22. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, this groove 22 is formed by a channel in the teat liner wall 26 that preferably runs parallel to the longitudinal axis 24 of the teat liner 1 and extends from the interior space 20 into the head space 16 that widens away from the tube part 2. However, such a groove 22 is an optional feature.

[0036] In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, an air inlet nozzle 28 is provided in the teatcup head 4, through which the head space 16 is ventilated to the atmosphere. This ventilation ensures that no excessive vacuum can develop in the teatcup head 4. Further details of such air inlet nozzles 28 are explained in the prior art, in particular DE 10 2006 040 079 A1.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a section along the Fig. 1, which thus runs vertically to the longitudinal axis 24 and to the plane of the drawing. This section extends through the tube part 2, so that the teat rubber wall 26 of the tube part 2, which encompasses the interior 20, is cut accordingly. As can be seen in particular from the section, the teat rubber wall 26 is designed with two massage strips 30, 32 and two reinforcing strips 34, 36, which protrude outwards in the radial direction from the circumference of the tube part 2. The two massage strips 30, 32 and the two reinforcing strips 34, 36 are each arranged diametrically, with the reinforcing strips 34, 36 being offset by approximately 90° to the massage strips 30, 32.

[0038] In the representation according to Fig. 1 is the Fig. 2 The upper massage bar 30 is not shown in dashed lines, as is actually required in a sectional view, but is shown with continuous lines for clarity.

[0039] Massage strips in the area of ​​the tube section surrounding the teat 14 are known from the prior art according to EP 3 104 688 B1 or DE 10 2011 001 788 A1. According to the invention, however, these massage strips 30, 32 are not designed throughout as a comparatively rigid reinforcing structure, but at least partially as a significantly more flexible articulated massage strip, which also ensures a massage in the area of ​​the teat tip.

[0040] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, these massage bars 30, 32 are provided with a plurality of joint structures according to detail X, which in the illustrated embodiment are each designed as a joint recess 38 (see also Fig. 3), which significantly improves the flexural elasticity of the massage bars 30, 32. Two adjacent joint recesses 38 each define a massage bar member 40, so that two adjacent massage bar members 40 are each connected in an articulated manner by the region of the massage bars 30, 32 formed by the joint recess 38.

[0041] The Fig. The depth T of the joint recess 38 shown in Figure 2 is at least half of the height H of the massage bars 30, 32 projecting radially from the outer circumference of the tube part 2. In principle, this depth T can also be selected such that it is greater than the height H and thus extends into the teatcup liner wall 26. This tube part 2 is thus designed with a wall thickness which is increased in the area of ​​the massage bars 30, 32 and the reinforcing bars 34, 36 according to the height of these elements projecting from the outer circumference of the tube part 2. The joint recess 38 is designed with a profile which facilitates demolding during the manufacture of the teatcup liner 1 - a preferred variant will be described later with reference to Fig. 11. At least for this purpose, the side walls of the joint recess 38 are slightly tapered, so that the profile of the joint recess 38 is approximately trapezoidal or rounded.

[0042] The joint recesses 38 do not necessarily have to be continuous - as in the illustrated embodiment - but can also be designed in the manner of a perforation with joint recess sections that are arranged one behind the other in a line.

[0043] The distance A between adjacent joint recesses 38 shown in detail X is designed to be significantly larger than their joint width b. The distance A and thus the length of the massage bar elements 40 can be approximately 5 to 15 mm, while the width b of the joint recesses 38 can be between 1 and 5 mm. The width B of the massage bars 30, 32 or the massage bar elements 40 can be between 8 and 15 mm. Ultimately, these geometries are designed to ensure good massage transmission from the teat tip to the teat in the direction of the teat base. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the length L of the massage bars 30, 32 is selected so that a massage of teats 14 with different teat lengths is ensured - accordingly, the massage bars 30, 32 extend from the teat rubber head 4 into the area of ​​the interior 20 located below the teat 14.

[0044] As explained above, the two reinforcing strips 34, 36 are arranged offset by 90° to the massage strips 30, 32 and thus form a longitudinal reinforcement of the side walls 44 of the teat rubber wall 26, which adjoin the sides of the massage strips 30, 32. The two reinforcing strips 34, 36 are arranged at the respective apex of these side walls 44, with a width U being significantly less than the width B of the massage strips 30, 32. The height h of the reinforcing strips 34, 36 corresponds approximately to the height H of the massage strips 30, 32; but it can of course also be selected differently. In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing strips 34, 36, which extend approximately parallel to the massage strips 30, 32, are rounded, with the longitudinal extent L corresponding to that of the massage strips 30, 32.Instead of the rounded profile of the reinforcing strips 34, 36, other geometries can of course also be used - it is essential that these reinforcing strips 34, 36 are selected in such a way that they ensure the longitudinal rigidity of the side walls 44 required during milking without negatively influencing the massage effect.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows a variant of the teatcup liner 1 according to Fig. 1 during the massage stroke. As explained above, the annular space 8 between the teat cup and the outer peripheral wall of the tube part 2 is subjected to atmospheric or overpressure, so that the area of ​​the teat rubber 1 provided with the massage bars 30, 32 collapses, and accordingly, the articulated massage bars 30, 32 fit precisely against the outer circumference of the teat 14, so that the teat is massaged all the way to the teat tip. In the area below this teat tip, the two massage bars 30, 32 and the tube part 2 are further curved, thus creating a seal against the vacuum and thus supporting the massage effect.

[0046] During this massage cycle, the reinforcing strips 34, 36 arranged at right angles to the two massage strips 30, 32 stabilize the side walls 44 extending longitudinally adjacent to the massage strips 30, 32, which are designed with a significantly thinner wall thickness than the massage strips 30, 32. Accordingly, the inventive concept ensures a more intense massage on both sides, up to the teat tip, compared to the prior art, with the collapse of the weaker side walls 44 being stabilized by the reinforcing strips 34, 36.

[0047] In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, the reinforcement bars 34, 36 are designed with a length LS that is slightly longer than the length L of the two massage bars 30, 32. Of course, both bars can also be designed with the same length L (see Fig. 1) must be carried out.

[0048] In the embodiments described above, the vacuum is closed off by the collapsing massage bars 30, 32 or thin-walled regions 48 (not shown) which adjoin in the longitudinal direction and which come into contact with the massage cycle and thus block the connection to the vacuum.

[0049] Fig. 4 shows a view rotated by 90° compared to the view in Fig. 1 shows an embodiment in which the teatcup rubber 1 is designed with a slanted end 46, which is covered by a thin-walled region 48 adjoining the massage bar 32 in the longitudinal direction during the massage stroke in order to interrupt the connection to the vacuum. The region of the teatcup rubber wall 26 adjoining the other massage bar 30 in the longitudinal direction is designed with a greater wall thickness than the thin-walled region 48, whereby this wall thickness is selected such that it allows the massage bars 30, 32 to arch inwards during the massage stroke. In the embodiment according to Fig. 4, a milk hose 50 is attached in one piece to the clamping bead 10. Otherwise, the embodiment according to Fig. 4 those who, based on the Fig. 1 to 3, so that further explanations on the structure of the teat rubber 1 are unnecessary.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiments, the air inlet nozzle 28 is positioned so that it is flushed with the cleaning fluid when cleaning the teatcup liner 1 using a rinsing cap. In principle, the air inlet nozzle 28 can also be positioned in the largest circumferential area of ​​the teatcup liner head 4, so that any contamination is wiped off when the rinsing cap is applied.

[0051] Fig. 5 shows a three-dimensional representation of a preferred embodiment of a teatcup rubber 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, too, two massage bars 30, 32 are formed opposite one another, which, however, in contrast to the previously described embodiments, are not designed continuously but only in sections as articulated massage bars and, as also shown in Fig. 5, are extended beyond these limb massage bars. These areas are referred to as limb massage bar section 52 and limb massage bar section 54, respectively. The specific structure of these bar sections will be explained below with reference to the Fig. 6 to 11 explained.

[0052] The basic structure of this exemplary embodiment of a teatcup liner 1 with a teatcup liner head 4, a hose part 2, a ring sleeve 6 and the short milk hose 50 corresponds to that of the previously described exemplary embodiments, so that explanations of the basic structure are unnecessary. As can be seen in particular from the illustration according to Fig. 5, in this embodiment, the hose part 2 is also slightly conical towards the milk hose 50 and the cross-section is somewhat ovalized. In this embodiment, the front-side articulated massage section 54 of the massage bar 32 is somewhat shorter than the articulated massage section 52 of the rear massage bar 30. This extends as shown in Fig. 5 essentially along the hose part 2 approximately from the head sleeve 6 of the teatcup rubber head 4 to a rear wall 55, which is formed according to the method described below. Fig. 9 the in Fig. 5. The rear wall 55 is widened in the circumferential direction at the transition to the clamping bead 10 by a transition region 56, which terminates in the clamping bead 10. Accordingly, the transition region 56 encompasses more than half the circumference of the hose part 2. The articulated massage bar section 52 thus extends only along a partial region L of the massage bar 30.

[0053] The articulated massage bar section 54 of the front massage bar 32 is designed with a slightly shorter length l than the articulated massage bar section 52 of the rear massage bar 30. The front massage bar 32 is extended beyond the articulated massage bar section 54 to form a stabilizing wall 58, which somewhat stabilizes the front thin-walled region 48 and ends at a distance from the clamping bead 10 or terminates in it. This stabilizing wall 58 optimizes the folding of the thin-walled region 48, so that a flat contact with the inclined end 46 (see Fig. 9) is guaranteed.

[0054] Accordingly, the rear massage bar 30 ending at the rear wall 55 is designed with a shorter effective length than the front massage bar 32 extending into the thin-wall region 48, so that although a massage of the teat on both sides is ensured, the predominant part of the massage is carried out via the front massage bar 32.

[0055] The geometry of the front massage bar 32 is shown in the front view of the teat rubber 1 according to Fig. 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the articulated massage bar section 54 is formed with a total of five joint recesses 38', which define four massage bar members 40 between them, wherein in the illustration according to Fig. 6 only a joint recess 38' and a massage bar link 40' are provided with a reference numeral. As explained above, the hose part 2 is slightly tapered towards the clamping bead 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the articulated massage bar section 54 is also tapered, so that its width B in the area of ​​the teat rubber head 4 is slightly larger than the width B' at the end section on the clamping bead side. This tapering of the articulated massage bar section 54 is achieved by a corresponding slight inclination of side edges 60, 62, thus facilitating demolding. A corresponding tapering of the hose part 2 and the massage bars 30, 32 can also be provided in the previously described embodiments.

[0056] As explained, the massage bar 32 is extended by the stabilizing wall 58 beyond the length l of the limb massage bar section 54, wherein the increase in the tube part wall thickness in this extended region is significantly less than in the section of the tube part wall thickness formed by the limb massage bar section 54. In other words, the radial increase in the stabilizing wall 58 is less than that of the limb massage bar section 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the stabilizing wall 58 has a width P that is slightly less than the width B'. In the transition region to the clamping bead 10, the stabilizing wall 58 is again stepped back to a width Y, wherein in this region the wall thickness of the tube part 2 is less than in the region of the stabilizing wall 58 marked by the P.This step-back can also be omitted, so that the stabilizing wall 58 then extends with approximately the width P up to the clamping bead 10. In principle, the stepped-back part can also be omitted, so that the stabilizing wall 58 ends at a distance from the clamping bead 10.

[0057] In the representation according to Fig. 6 clearly shows the longitudinal edges 64, 66 of the rear massage bar 30, which delimit the peripheral area of ​​the rear massage bar 30 and lie approximately in the plane of the drawing, so that the rear massage bar 30 encompasses half the circumference of the hose part 2. The longitudinal edges 64, 66 merge into longitudinal edge sections 67 and 69 of the rear wall 55, which, according to the illustration in Fig. 6 converge in the form of a parabolic rounding, the apex of which borders on the clamping bead 10. As Fig. 6, the longitudinal edges 64, 66 run at least in sections approximately parallel to the side edges 60 and 62 of the massage bar 32.

[0058] Fig. Figure 7 shows the back of the teatcup liner 1 according to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 with the massage bar 30, which is designed as a articulated massage bar section 52 along the length L. This has six joint recesses 38 extending along the entire width of the massage bar 30, which define five massage bar links 40 between them. This length L is slightly greater than the length l of the articulated massage bar section 54 of the front massage bar 30. As explained, the rear massage bar 30 and the adjoining rear wall 55 encompass approximately half of the hose part circumference, while - as can be seen from Fig. 6 - the transition area 56 surrounds more than half of the hose part circumference.

[0059] To simplify the manufacture of the teat rubber 1, the joint recesses 38 of the rear massage bar section 52 can also be designed such that they do not extend along the entire width of the massage bar section 52, which corresponds to half the circumference, but end at a distance from the longitudinal edges 64, 66 and thus have a smaller circumferential extent.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the distance A, A' (see also Fig. 9) between the joint recesses 38, 38' of the massage bars 30, 32 are the same. To optimize the folding of the teat rubber 1, the distances A, A' between the joint recesses 38, 39' of the articulated massage bar sections 52, 54 can also be designed differently.

[0061] The geometry of the limb massage bar sections 52, 54 is clearly evident from Fig. 8. This illustration shows that the two joint recesses 38, 38' of the articulated massage bar sections 52, 54, arranged adjacent to the teat rubber head 4, lie approximately in the same radial plane. However, since the articulated massage bar section 52 is designed with six joint recesses 38 and the articulated massage bar section 54 with five joint recesses 38', the articulated massage bar section 52 extends over a greater axial length L than the articulated massage bar section 54.

[0062] As particularly shown in the illustration according to Fig. 8, the radial elevation of the massage bar 32 measured from the outer circumference of the tube part 2 is smaller in the area of ​​the stabilizing wall 58 than in the area of ​​the limb massage bar section 54, so that the stiffness of the tube part wall in the thin-wall area 48 is not excessively increased and thus the desired folding kinetics of the teat rubber 1 is ensured.

[0063] In Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section along the section plane BB according to Fig. 6, which extends in the longitudinal direction through the teat cup head 4 with the head sleeve 6, the hose part 2, the clamping bead 10 and the milk hose 50. This sectional plane also runs accordingly through the massage bars 30, 32, in particular through their articulated massage bar sections 52, 54. As explained above, the joint recesses 38, 38' arranged adjacent to the teat cup head 4 lie approximately in one plane (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 9), whereby the distances A, A' to the adjacent joint recesses 38 and thus the longitudinal extent A, A' of the massage bar members 40, 40' are the same. Since, as mentioned, the rear massage bar section 52 is formed with six joint recesses 38 and the front massage bar section 54 with five joint recesses 38', the longitudinal extent of the massage bar section 52 is slightly larger than the longitudinal extent of the massage bar section 54.

[0064] This sectional view also clearly shows the slanted end 46, which is covered during the massage phase by the folding of the thin-walled region 48, thus interrupting the connection to the vacuum. This view also shows that the overall wall thickness of the hose section 2 in the area of ​​the massage bar 30 is only slightly increased by the stabilizing wall 58. This view also shows that the rear massage bar 30 extends only as far as the rear wall 55 surrounding the slanted end 46 and thus has a shorter effective length than the front massage bar 32, which extends into the thin-walled region 48.

[0065] In the area of ​​the hose part 2 encompassed by the clamping bead 10, a flow-calming device can be provided, which serves to calm the milk flow during the suction stroke and to prevent harmful backflow. Such a flow-calming device is described in a parallel application of the applicant, to which reference is made to avoid unnecessary repetition and whose disclosure is to be incorporated into that of the present application. In the sectional view according to Fig. 9 shows a centering bar 68 of the flow calming device, through which a flow body intended for flow calming is guided in the radial and axial directions.

[0066] Fig. 10 shows a section along the section plane AA in Fig. 6. This section thus runs through the hose part 2 which is tapered towards the milk hose 50. In the middle, the inner circumferential wall of the hose part 2 is visible in the area of ​​the clamping bead 10 downstream of the beveled end 46 with three centering strips 68 distributed around the circumference, of which only one is provided with a reference symbol. As explained above, the rear-wall massage strip 30 extends approximately along half the circumference of the teatcup liner 1, while the front-side massage strip 32 is only designed with the width B / B', which forms only a comparatively small circumferential area of ​​the hose part 2. The section according to Fig. The 10 visible massage bar members 40' each have a flat cover surface 70, which extends approximately parallel to a tangent of the tube part 2 and by which the wall thickness of the respective massage bar member 40' is determined. Accordingly, the wall thickness W in the region of the massage bar member 40' is greater than the wall thickness WS in the adjacent region of the tube part 2. In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the wall thickness W is approximately 2.8 mm, which, due to the tangential design of the cover surface 70, is correspondingly somewhat greater than the dimension W in the region of the two side edges 60, 62.

[0067] The outer cover surfaces 72 of the rear massage bar members 40 are rounded, with the radius of curvature being slightly larger than that of the tubular part in the corresponding area. These differences in the radius of curvature result in the wall thickness W' in the area of ​​the longitudinal edges 64, 66 being greater than in the area WZ lying between them, which in turn is greater than the wall thickness WS of the tubular part 2 in this area. The wall thickness WZ in the area between the longitudinal edges 64, 66 corresponds approximately to the wall thickness W of the articulated massage bar section 52. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the teatcup rubber 1 is designed such that the wall thickness W' is approximately 3.5 mm, while the wall thickness WZ corresponds to the wall thickness W and is thus approximately 2.8 mm.

[0068] Fig. 11 finally shows detail B in Fig. 9. In this enlarged view, one can see the profile of the joint recesses 38 (38'), which is preferably identical for all limb massage bars 30, 32. This profile of the joint recess 38 is designed with a view to optimal demolding during the manufacture of the teat rubber 1. According to the sectional view in Fig. 11, the profile has a concavely curved peripheral wall 74 with an approximately constant radius of curvature, which transitions into an inclined surface 76 arranged approximately tangentially thereto, facilitating demolding from the manufacturing tool. As mentioned, all joint recesses 38, 38' are preferably designed with approximately the same geometry.

[0069] Disclosed is a teat rubber with massage bars which are designed, at least in sections, as limb massage bars. List of reference symbols: 1 teat rubber 2 hose part 4 teat rubber head 6 head sleeve 8 Annular space 10 clamping bead 12 insertion opening 14 teats 16 headroom 18 Teat receiving room 20 Interior 22 gutter 24 Longitudinal axis 26 Teat rubber wall 28 Air intake nozzle 30 massage bar 32 massage bar 34 Reinforcement strip 36 reinforcement strip 38 Joint recess 40 massage bar link 44 side wall 46 sloping end 48 Thin-wall area 50 milk hose 52 limb massage bar section 55 Rear wall 54 limb massage bar section 56 Transition area 58 Stabilizing wall 60 side edge 62 side edge 64 Longitudinal edge 66 Longitudinal edge 67 Longitudinal edge section 68 Centering bar 69 Longitudinal edge section 70 deck area 72 deck area 74 peripheral wall 76 Inclined surface

Claims

[1] Teatcup rubber with a teatcup rubber head (4) and a tube part (2) which forms a teat receiving space (18) for a teat (14), wherein two massage strips (30, 32) extending approximately in the longitudinal direction of the tube part (2) and projecting from the outer circumference are arranged diametrically on a tube part wall, by means of which the wall thickness of the tube part (2) is increased in sections, characterized by that the massage bars (30, 32) are designed at least in sections as a joint massage bar with a plurality of joint structures extending approximately in the circumferential direction of the hose part (2) and spaced from one another, and that a width of a rear massage bar (30) seen in the circumferential direction is greater than the width (B, B') of a front massage bar (32) arranged approximately diametrically thereto. [2] Teatcup rubber according to claim 1, wherein the joint structure is formed by a continuous joint recess (38, 38') extending only along a partial area of ​​the limb massage bar or by a plurality of recess sections arranged linearly in the manner of a perforation, wherein adjacent joint structures each delimit a massage bar member (40, 40'). [3] Teatcup rubber according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a depth (T) of the joint structure is between 0.5 mm and 2.0 mm, preferably between 0.75 mm and 1.1 mm. [4] Teatcup rubber according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance (A) between adjacent joint structures is substantially greater than a joint width (b) of the joint structure and / or wherein a distance (A) between adjacent joint structures and / or a depth (T) of the joint structures is designed differently in the longitudinal direction of the massage bars (30, 32). [5] Teatcup rubber according to one of the preceding claims, wherein only one longitudinal section of the rear massage bar (30) and / or the front massage bar (32) is designed with a articulated massage bar section (52, 54). [6] Teatcup rubber according to claim 5, wherein the rear massage bar (30) extends approximately along half the circumference of the tube part (2) and the width (B, B') of the front massage bar (32) is between 8 mm and 20 mm. [7] Teatcup liner according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a joint width (b) of the joint structure is between 1 mm and 5 mm and / or a distance (A) between adjacent joint structures is approximately 5 mm to 15 mm. [8] Teatcup rubber according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a wall thickness (W, W') in the region of longitudinal or side edges (60, 62; 64, 66) of the articulated massage bar sections (50, 52) is greater than in the region between these longitudinal or side edges (60, 62; 64, 66), wherein this wall thickness difference is preferably determined by a flattening or other wall thickness reduction of the massage bars (30, 32) or by two longitudinal ribs formed in the longitudinal / side edge region. [9] Teatcup rubber according to claim 8, wherein the wall thickness (W') of the tube part (2) in the region of the rear massage bar (30) along the two longitudinal edges (64, 66) is approximately 10% to 40% greater than the wall thickness (WZ) of the tube part (2) in the region between the longitudinal edges (64, 66), wherein this wall thickness (WZ) preferably corresponds approximately to the wall thickness (W) of the tube part (2) in the region of the side edges (60, 62) of the front massage bar (32). [10] Teatcup rubber according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a cover surface (70) of the front massage bar (32) extends as a substantially flat surface approximately parallel to a tangent of the tube part (2). [11] Teatcup rubber according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the region of the massage bars (30, 32) on the hose part (2) two reinforcing bars (34, 36) are arranged offset in the circumferential direction by approximately 90° to the massage bars (30, 32), wherein preferably a height (h) and / or a width (U) of the reinforcing bars (34, 36) is less than that of the massage bars (30, 32) and / or the length (LS) of the reinforcing bars (34, 36) corresponds approximately to the length (L) of the massage bars (30, 32). [12] Teatcup rubber according to one of the preceding claims with an air inlet nozzle (28) in the teatcup rubber head (4).

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