GB2125343A

GB2125343A - Animal identification tag

Info

Publication number: GB2125343A
Application number: GB08321780A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Stuart Gardner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-08-18
Filing date: 1983-08-12
Publication date: 1984-03-07
Also published as: FR2531834A1; JPS5971627A; SE8304438D0; AU1784983A; GB8321780D0; DK362883D0; DE3329876A1; BR8304446A; DK362883A; ZA836029B; SE8304438L

Abstract

A tag for use as an identification tag for livestock such as cattle, or sheep includes a main body portion 1 capable of having marking or indicia placed thereon, and a head portion 6. An elongate shank 5 extends between and connects the main body portion and the head portion. At least two spaced apart and elongate lobe members 7 extend rearwardly of the head 6, at least one lobe member being provided on each side of the shank. The longitudinal axes of the lobe members are substantially co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the tag. At least the head portion and lobe members are formed of a resilient material. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Animal identification tag Background of the Invention This invention relates to a tag for use with livestock such as cattle, sheep and the like. The invention relates in particular to a tag for use as an identification tag for use with livestock.

Up until this time numerous forms of identification tag have been used for livestock, these including unitary or "one-piece" tags and also including tags consisting of a plurality of sections which are connected together through the ear of an animal. The unitary or "one-piece" tags used up until this time usually incorporate a head portion which is passed through the ear of the animal by a suitable applicator or tool, so that it is then held in position relative to the animal's ear.

The identification tags used up until this time all include a body portion or some similar portion which carries or is adapted to carry suitable indicia, numbers, marking and the like.

One form of ear tag known up until this time is found in United States patent specification No.

3,552,051 ,this disclosing an ear tag having a main body portion adapted to carry suitable indicia. The main body portion leads into a substantially elongate neck, the end of the neck being connected to or formed into a head portion which has shoulders extending outwardly of and laterally from, the head portion and neck. The head portion and neck are formed of a resilient material. The shoulders are adapted to fold over relative to each other and relative to the neck, so that they can then be passed through a slit such as may be formed in the ear of an animal. Having passed through the slit in the ear of the animal, the shoulders are (due to their resiliency), able to return to their original position in which they extend outwardly from the neck portion.The ear is then positioned between an upper surface of the main body portion and a lower surface of the shoulders. This goes some way towards maintaining the ear tag in position.

It has also been found in use, that the ear tag of United States patent specification No. 3,552,051, is able to be moved within, or withdrawn from the slit, by straight pulling or by snagging, in that the resilient shoulders are able to curve over relative to each other and to the neck, and to be removed from the slit. The tag of United States patent specification No. 3,552,051 also moves freely in the ear, which can assist in removal.

A further tag known up until this time is disclosed in United States patent specification No.

4,010,563. This discloses an ear tag having a main body portion carrying or adapted to carry marking or indicia. The tag of United States patent specification No. 4,010,563 includes a pin which extends away from the main body portion and has laterally extending and flexible prongs on the end of the pin. The arrangement also provides a pair of flexible, resilient support members which extend outwardly from the main body portion adjacent the pin. The support members are positioned to contact the surface area of the ear of an animal once the prongs are passed through the ear. This then allows the tag to stand up substantially vertically in use, so that the markings or numbers on the body portion can be readily seen.

The arrangement of United States patent specification No.4,010,563 provides a relatively complicated arrangement having a number of parts which must be compressed relative to each other before being passed through the ear of an animal and relates only to a tag which is able to be used in a substantially "stand up" position, in use.

A further type of identification tag is disclosed in New Zealand patent specification No. 1 69227.

This describes and discloses an ear tag of a substantially one piece or "unitary" nature, which includes a main body portion or indicia portion, with an elongate neck extending outwardly therefrom and at an angle thereto. This arrangement has a head member which extends outwardly at substantially right angles on either side of the neck. In the arrangement disclosed in New Zealand patent specification No. 169227, the head extending outwardly from the neck is substantially rigid and non-flexible, nor resilient in formation. Thus it does not allow the head member to be compressed and rolled relative to the neck, for the purpose of application. Further, once in position, the tag of New Zealand patent specification No. 1 69227 remains substantially rigid, extending outwardly from the neck.This does not therefore allow for the application and securement in position, of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a substantially unitary or one-piece tag which is preferably formed of a generally resilient material, and which is capable of being passed through the ear of the animal in a straightforward and efficient manner, so that once it has passed through the ear of an animal a main body portion or indicia carrying portion is able to be securely located in position relative to an animal's ear.

The present invention also provides a tag for the identification of livestock which is straightforward to manufacture and which is efficient and straightforward in so far as insertion and use are concerned.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a tag for the identification of livestock; including a main body portion and a head portion; an elongate shank connecting the main body portion and head portion; at least two spaced apart elongate lobe members extending rearwardly of the head portion; at least one lobe member being provided on each side of the shank, the longitudinal axes of the lobe members being substantially co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the tag; at least the head portion and lobe members being formed of a resilient material.

According to a further aspect of this invention, there is provided a tag for the identification of livestock, including a main body portion and a head portion; a shank connecting the main body portion and head portion; the main body portion including an indicia section and a neck section; the shank being provided with a bend or angled section therein; at least two spaced apart elongate lobe members extending rearwardly of said head portion; at least one lobe member being provided at each side of the shank and spaced apart laterally from said shank; the lobe members being of a shorter length than the shank; at least the head portion and lobe members being formed of a resilient material.

Brief Description of the Drawings This invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1: is a drawing of an identification tag according to one form of the invention, in use in the ear of the animal.

Figure 2: Is a plan view of an identification tag according to Figure 1.

Figure 3: is a view of an animal's ear showing the identification tag of the present invention engaged in the ear.

Figure 4: is a further drawing of an ear of the animal showing the identification tag of the present invention engaged in the ear.

Figure 5: is a view of an applicator arrangement showing an identification tag of the present invention in position ready for location in and through the ear of an animal.

aescription of the Prefen-ed Embodiment In the preferred form of the invention, the ear tag "X" is constructed of a suitable resilient material such as a plastic or polyurethane material. It is important that the material be reasonably tough, resilient and pliable for use with livestock.

The tag of the present invention includes a main body portion 1 which includes an indicia section 2 leading into a neck section 3. The indicia section 2 preferably has curved or rounded sides 4 and leads into a parallel sided neck section 3 which in turn leads to an elongate shank 5 connecting the main body portion 1 to the head portion 6.

If desired, the main body portion 1 may be of one single shape, such as for example rounded. In other words the main body portion need not be in two sections.

Any suitable indicia, marking, numbers and the like can be applied to one or both sides or surfaces of the main body portion 1 of indicia section 2 of the tag.

The neck section 3 of the main body portion 1 is substantially parallel sided and extends outwardly from one side or end of the indicia section 2 for a short distance, the sides 3a then being angled inwardly to connect with an elongate shank 5 which extends outwardly from one side or end of the main body portion 1.

The integers of the tag of the present invention are preferably integrally formed one with the other, so that the resultant tag is a substantially unitary or one piece tag.

The elongate shank 5 extends outwardly from the main body portion 1 for a predetermined distance and terminates in a head member 6 being an angled sided head member such that the end of the head member is substantially arrow shaped or pointed, having slanting sides 6a extending away from the point. The angled sides 6a of the head member lead into rearwardly extending, and elongate, lobe members 7 which are integrally formed with, and extend rearwardly of, the head member 6.

It is preferable that one such elongate lobe member 7 extend rearwardly of the head member 6 on each side of the shank 5.

The rearwardly extending lobe members 7 are integrally formed with the head member 6. The elongate lobe members 7 preferably extend rearwardly of the head member 6, the longitudinal axes of the lobe members 7 being preferably substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the tag "X" and main body portion 1.

The lobe members 7 are preferably laterally spaced apart from the shank 5 for a small distance.

The elongate lobe members 7 preferably extend rearwardly of the head member for a iength slightly less than the length of the shank 5. This is by way of example only however.

The elongate rearwardly extending lobe members 7 are preferably of a length such as to be slightly shorter than the length of the elongate shank 5 joining the main body portion 1 and the head 6. If the tag is flattened out, the rounded ends 8 of the elongate lobe members 7 will be adjacent to but slightly spaced apart from adjacent ends 3a of the neck section 3 of the tag.

It is preferred that the elongate lobe members 7 be of a length at least half (50%) the length of the length of the shank 5, joining the main body portion 1 and the head member 6. In use however, the length of the elongate lobe members 7 will tend to be in the region of (6085%) of the length of the shank 5. As will be appreciated, from the description herein, the length of the elongate lobe members 7 provides securing means on an underside or surface of the ear, to prevent or minimise withdrawal of the tag from the ear of an animal.

The ends of the elongate lobe members 7 are preferably curved or rounded as at 8 so as to avoid sharp edges.

Indeed on referring to the accompanying drawings it will be appreciated that where possibie, corners and edges are rounded so as to avoid sharp edges which can cause discomfort to animals and which can be inconvenient from the point of view of snagging and catching. For example snagging and catching on wire, scrub or the like.

The elongate shank 5 is, in one form of the invention (as shown in Figure 1), formed so as to extend downwardly from the main body portion 1, in a slope, step or kink, so that as shown in the accompanying drawings, the head member 6 is, in rest, located in a plane substantially parallel to (but spaced apart from and below) that of the main body portion 1. This is not however essential.

To apply a tag "X" of the present invention to the ear 10 of an animal, a slit or cut is made in the ear of an animal such as by an appropriate applicator or tool. The head member 6 of the tag is then passed through the slit or cut, having the head member 6, shank 5 and elongate lobes 7 resiliently compressed, with the lobes 7 rolled over the shank 5 towards each other so that they can pass through the slit or cut in the ear of the animal. Once the head portion 6 and lobes 7 have passed through the slit or cut in the ear 10 of the animal, the resiliency of the material will cause the lobes 7 to return to their initial position or orientation, in which they extend rearwardly of the head member 6.Thus, following application, the head member 6 will be on one side of the ear (as shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings), providing a substantially multiple point contact with the adjacent side of the ear 1 0; this assists in securely locating the tag "X" in position in the ear 10. As will be appreciated from the accompanying drawings, the points of contact with the ear 10 or surface 1 Oa of the ear will be the head portion 6 and the adjacent surfaces of the lobe members 7. This contact between the ear surface 1 Oa, the head member 6 and the lobes 7, then extends over the area covered by the head member 6 and the elongate and rearwardly extending lobe members 7.Thus, if the main body portion 1 of the tag becomes caught or snagged (and/or is pulled), such as to attempt to pull the tag out of the ear (as shown in Figure 4), the head member 6 and the two rearwardly extending lobe members 7 will all act on the underside 1 Oa of the ear to prevent movement and removal of the tag.

The points of contact (being the head member 6, and the lobes 7) will spread the pressure about the ear, and about and away from the slit or cut, preventing or minimising tag withdrawal.

Following application to the ear 10, a kinked, angled or bent shank 5 will cause the main body portion to be spaced apart from the slit or cut in the ear, thus avoiding or at least minimising infection or irritation.

The ear tag "X" of the present invention can be applied to the ear of an animal in any known manner, such as for example by using an elongate and sharpened applicator or tool as commonly used in the application of ear tags to animals. For example, holes 25 in the head portion 6 and the neck section 3 can be placed over lugs on the blade of a sharpened applicator tool (not shown).

The applicator tool can then be manually passed through the ear of an animal (causing the lobes 7 to compress and roll about the blade). The tool is then withdrawn. This then leaves the head member 6, and the lobes 7 of the tag, having passed through the ear 10, whereupon the lobe members 7 can be returned to their original orientation, to act with the head member, such as to locate the tag in position.

In a further form of the invention, as shown in Figure 5, an appropriate applicator tool 20 is provided.

Thus, the tool 20 operates in a "pliers" type manner and provides a sharpened pin 21 having location lugs on its outer surface, which will engage within holes or recesses 25 formed in the head portion 6 and neck section 3 of the main body portion 1 of the tag. As shown in Figure 5 therefore, the tag is able to be engaged over and relative to the pin 21 of the applicator tool. The handles 26 and jaws 27 of the applicator tool are normally spring biased so as to be apart by a spring 28. An operator will then grip the handles 26 of the tool and on an ear 10 being located between the jaws 27, the handles 26 will be closed; this in turn will close the jaws 27, moving the pin 21 downwardly through the ear 10 of the animal. This in turn passes the head portion 6 and elongate lobes 7 of the tay through the ear of the animal.The pin 21 and tool 20 can then be withdrawn leaving the tag in position.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that when the tag "X" of the present invention is in position in an animal's ear, lower surfaces of the head portion 6 and the elongate lobes 7 abut against adjacent areas of the surface 1 Oa of the ear, so that if and when pressure is applied to the tag (such as in an attempt to withdraw it from the cut or slit formed in the animal's ear), pressure will be applied over the entire area of the head portion 6 and the rearwardly extending lobes 7. This will then spread the load substantially over this area and will not localise the stress at the cut or slit which might well result in the material flexing and being capable of being pulled out of the cut or slit.

In fact in use, if pressure is applied to the tag (and in particular to the main body 1 or indicia section 2 of the tag), the lobe portions 7 (as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings) will tend to flex or move inwardly towards each other, this acting as a locking function and more securely locking the head portion 6 and lobes 7 to the ear. This in turn of course prevents to an even greater extent, removal of the tag from the ear.

The provision of a neck section 3 of a generally lesser area than the indicia section 2 also provides a stepped area which spaced the indicia section 2 away from the ear. In other words, the neck section 3 will tend to abut against the ear and will hold the indicia section 2 relatively clear away from the ear. Thus the indicia section 2 will always be clearly visible.

It should be appreciated that modifications and improvements may be made to the invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An animal identification tag including a main body portion and a head portion; an elongate shank connecting the main body portion and the head portion; at least two spaced apart elongate lobe members extending rearwardly of said head portion; at least one lobe member being provided on each side of the shank; the longitudinal axes of the lobe members being substantially co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the tag; at least the head portion and lobe members being formed of a resilient material.

2. An animal identification tag as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lobe members are of a length shorter than the length of the shank.

3. An animal identification tag as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shank is stepped or angled downwardly of and from the main body portion, so as to connect to the head portion in a substantially parallel but spaced apart plane.

4. An animal identification tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the main body portion includes an indicia section and a neck section; the neck section leading into the elongate shank; the head portion having a substantially pointed or sharpened end; the ends of the rearwardly extending lobe members being substantially rounded in formation.

5. An animal identification tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate lobe members are laterally spaced apart from the shank.

6. An animal identification tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is a unitary tag formed of a resilient material.

7. An animal identification tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body portion includes a substantially rounded indicia section leading into a substantially parallel sided neck section; the rearwardly extending lobe members being adjacent to but laterally spaced apart from the shank; location holes being provided in the head portion and neck section, to allow for the mounting of the tag to applicator means.

8. An animal identification tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the main body portion is rounded in formation.

9. An animal identification tag including a main body portion and a head portion; an elongate shank connecting the main body portion and head portion; at least two spaced apart elongate lobe members extending rearwardly of said head portion; at least one lobe member extending rearwardly of the head portion on each side of the shank; at least the head portion and lobe members being formed of a resilient material, and being deformable to be compressed or distorted, so as to be capable of being passed through a cut or slit in an animal's ear; and so as to return to their original orientation following passage through such a cut or slit; lower faces of the head portion and the lobe members, on having passed through the cut or slit in the animal's ear, being capable of acting on and pressing against an adjacent surface of the animal's ear to prevent withdrawal of the tag from the animal's ear, through said cut or slit.

10. An animal identification tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate lobe members extend rearwardly of the head portion for a distance at least half the length of the shank.

11. An animal identification tag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

12. An animal identification tag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.