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| The most innovative concept at this time is the Modular inflation! By manufacturing components such as the head, barrel, and milk tube individually it now allows for each part of the inflation to be compounded and molded to meet the special requirements of each segment. Special requirements may be due to desired chemical resistance, dynamic properties, longevity or animal udder and teat configuration. Head section requires good resistance to body fats and teat protective products based on petroleum derivatives. This section acts as a holding mechanism and a vacuum retainer to keep the inflation from falling off during milking and does not require the need for good flexing as required of the barrel. Barrel section is perhaps the most important section although each component relies on the best performance from each other. This section is where the milk is extracted from the teat orifice. The top portion of the barrel is predominately in contact with the teat and is where some massage action takes place. The lower portion of the barrel does the major flexing and massages primarily the lower 1/4 of the teat along with creating the shut off mechanism to close the constant partial vacuum to the teat. The barrel requires some degree of oil resistance but it's major requirement is speedy opening and closing or (flexing dynamics). One designer has even developed the (Quick Change Cartridge™) which allows the barrel to be changed in seconds. Milk tube sections are used to convey the milk from the shell which houses the inflation to the claw that is the collection point from the inflations being used (2 or 4) depending on the mammal (cow, sheep etc.) being milked. These parts require almost no oil resistance but must be very flexible, resistant to oxidation attack and require a high degree of cut resistance because of claw cutting. On most equipment a kinking action of the milk tube will close the vacuum to the inflation from the claw while not attached to the teat. Refer to the Polymer section to see the attributes of various materials that can now or in the future will be used.
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