AU2017101152A4 - A reflective ear tag device - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract There is provided reflective ear tag device comprising: a substantially elongate planar body comprising reflective material on at least one side of the body wherein the planar body comprises rounded ends and wherein the body defines an aperture formation cut out towards one of the ends and wherein the aperture formation cut out comprises: an aperture for receiving the stem of a fastener therethrough in use; and a slit intersecting an edge of the aperture and aligned with an elongate axis of the elongate body such that, in use, the slit allows the aperture to dilate for the passing of an endpoint of the stem of the fastener therethrough. -5 --6 Figure 1

Description

2017101152 23 Aug 2017 A reflective ear tag device

Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to a reflective ear tag device. The invention has been developed primarily for use for domestic animals and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Summary of the Disclosure [2] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reflective ear tag device comprising: a substantially elongate planar body comprising reflective material on at least one side of the body wherein the planar body comprises rounded ends and wherein the body defines an aperture formation cut out towards one of the ends and wherein the aperture formation cut out comprises: an aperture for receiving the stem of a fastener therethrough in use; and a slit intersecting an edge of the aperture and aligned with an elongate axis of the elongate body such that, in use, the slit allows the aperture to dilate for the passing of an endpoint of the stem of the fastener therethrough.

[3] The aperture formation cut out may further comprise a relatively smaller aperture terminating the slit.

[4] The aperture is configured to have a diameter less than that of a diameter of the endpoint.

[5] The aperture may have a diameter of approximately 7.5 mm.

[6] The slit may have a length of approximately 10 mm.

[7] The relatively smaller aperture may have a diameter of approximately 1 mm.

[8] The tag may have a thickness of approximately 2 mm.

[9] The tag may comprise a substrate and a reflective surface on at least one side of the substrate.

[10] The reflective surface may comprise an adhesive reflective sheet.

[11] The tag may comprise reflective surfaces on both sides of the substrate.

[12] The reflective surfaces have different reflective colouring.

[13] The reflective colouring may comprise white and red.

[14] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [15] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 2017101152 23 Aug 2017 [16] Figure 1 shows a plan view of a reflective ear tag device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; [17] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the reflective ear tag device engaging a conventional microchip identification ear tag fastener in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; [18] Figure 3 shows the reflective ear device tag fastened to an air of a domestic animal in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; [19] Figure 4 shows an end perspective view of the reflective ear tag device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; [20] Figure 5 shows a side lateral view of the ear tag device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; [21] Figure 6 shows an end side view of the ear tag device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; and [22] Figure 7 shows exemplary dimensions of the ear tag device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Description of Embodiments [23] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure.

[24] Before the structures, systems and associated methods relating to the reflective ear tag device are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the disclosure will be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

[25] In describing and claiming the subject matter of the disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

[26] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 2017101152 23 Aug 2017 [27] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterised by," and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[28] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[29] In the accompanying illustrations, there is shown a reflective ear tag device 1. As will be described in further detail below, the reflective ear tag device 1 has application for increasing the visibility of domestic animals such as is illustrated substantially in figure 3 wherein, as can be seen, the ear tag device 1 may be fastened to the ear of the domestic animal so as to increase the visibility thereof, especially adjacent roadsides and the like.

[30] As such, turning now to figure 1, there is shown a plan view of the ear tag device 1.

[31] As can be seen, the ear tag device 1 comprises a substantially elongate planar body 5. In a preferred embodiment, the planar body 5 comprising reflective material on at least one side of the body 5.

[32] As alluded to above, the reflective material may increase the visibility of the ear tag device 1 and therefore also that of the animal to which it is fastened.

[33] In one embodiment, the ear tag device 1 may comprise a pair of outer reflective layers which may be heat transfer Scotchlight™ reflective tape. In accordance with this embodiment, the ear tag device 1 may comprise a middle sheet sandwiched between the reflective material layers manufactured from polyethylene.

[34] Whereas reflective material as described herein with reference to the preferred embodiment, other types of coatings or materials may be utilised to increase the visibility of the ear tag device 1 including luminous, luminescent coatings and the like.

[35] Turning now to figure 6, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the ear tag device 1. In embodiments, the ear tag device 1 may be manufactured from plastic, such as by way of a punch manufacturing process.

[36] As such, computing on figure 6, the ear tag device 1 may comprise a plastic substrate 12 to which reflective material 11 is adhered. The substrate 12 may be a sheet of flexible, non-tear plastic/poly.

[37] The reflective material 11 may be adhered in differing manners, but, in one embodiment, adhesive reflective material may be stuck to the surfaces of the plastic substrate 12. In this embodiment, the reflective material may take the form of a sticky reflective plastic/poly sheet.

[38] In embodiments, the reflective material may cover the entire length of the tag 1. 2017101152 23 Aug 2017 [39] In embodiments, differing colours of reflective material 11 may be utilised to infer direction. For example, a white reflective material 11 may be adhered to one side of the tag 1 whereas red reflective material may be adhered to the other side of the tag. Furthermore, the tag 1 may be fastened to the ear of the animal such that the white reflective material faces forward. As such, when exposed to vehicle headlights or the like, the white or red colouring of the ear tag may indicate to the motorist the orientation of the domestic animal.

[40] In embodiments, the colouring of the ear tags are utilised for other purposes also, such as identifying animal ownership or other grouping types.

[41] Returning again to figure 1, in a preferred embodiment shown, the body 5 of the tag 1 comprises rounded ends 6 reducing snagging on foreign objects, increasing comfort for the domestic animal and the like. In embodiments, the ends 6 may be fully rounded.

[42] Now, in the embodiment shown, the tag 1 further comprises an aperture formation cut out 10. The aperture formation cut 10 is utilised for fastening the ear tag device 1 to various objects. The aperture formation cut out 10 may similarly be formed during a punch manufacturing process which may occur simultaneously with the punching of the body 5 of the tag 1.

[43] As can also be seen from figure 1, the aperture formation cut out 10 is located towards one of the ends 6 of the tag 1. Buy being located towards one of the ends 6 of the tag 1, the tag 1 is able to hang from an object engaged by the aperture formation cut out 10.

[44] Now, the aperture formation cut 10 comprises an aperture 2 for receiving the stem of a fastener there through in use.

[45] Specifically, turning to figure 2, there is shown a fasting 13 engaged by the aperture 2. Specifically, the stem 7 of the fastener 7 protrudes through the aperture 2 so as to be engaged by the aperture 2.

[46] In the embodiments described herein, there will be described the utilisation of an electronic ear tag as the fastener 13. Specifically, the fastener 13 may be the commonplace NUS approved ear tag device having a unique number including the property identification code and fitted with a microchip allowing the tags 13 to be read by electronic readers.

[47] Such electronic ear tags are commonplace in countries such as Australia and others.

[48] As such, the aperture formation cut out 10 is suitable for engaging the stem 7 of these electronic ear tags 13.

[49] Specifically, during the electronic ear tag installation, the aperture formation cut out 10 may be inserted between the male and female portions of the electronic ear tag fastener 13 such that the endpoint 8 of the stem 7 passes through the aperture 10 so as to be engaged by the female portion 2017101152 23 Aug 2017 of the electronic ear tag faster 13. In this manner, the tag 1 may be conveniently fastened to the ears of the domestic animals without requiring additional fasteners and/or trauma for the animals.

[50] As can be further seen, the aperture formation cut out 10 may further comprise a slit 3 intersecting an edge of the aperture 2 and aligned with an elongate axis of the elongate body 5.

[51] As such, in use, the slit 3 allows the aperture 2 to dilate for the passing of the endpoint 8 of the stem there through.

[52] Specifically, in the embodiment shown in figure 2, the diameter of the aperture 2 may be less than that of the diameter of the endpoint 8. As such, when pressing the endpoint 8 against the aperture 2, the slit 3 widens allowing the aperture 2 to dilate so as to allow the endpoint 8 a past therethrough. Once the endpoint 8 has passed through the aperture 2, the aperture formation cut out 10 re-assumes the non-dilated configuration so as to trap the rearward aspect of the endpoint 8 substantially preventing the endpoint 8 from being inadvertently pull therefrom. As alluded to above, in embodiments, the endpoint 8 may be engaged by a female portion of the electronic ear tag faster 13 also.

[53] As such, when installed in this manner, the ear tag 3 may present as hanging from the ear of a domestic animal as substantially shown in figure 3 increasing the visibility thereof, especially at night time.

[54] It should be noted that whereas the tag 1 will be described primarily herein with reference for the preferred application of being utilised for fastening to ears of domestic animals, it should be noted that the aperture formation cut out 10 may be utilised for fastening the tag 1 to other fasteners. For example, in one embodiment, the aperture formation cut a 10 may allow the tag 1 to be fastened to a shirt button, trouser button or the like so as to increase the visibility of the wearer or alternatively allowing for the convenient retention thereof for when required.

[55] Returning again to figure 1, in a further preferred embodiment, the aperture formation cut out 10 further comprises a relatively smaller aperture 4 terminating the slit 3.

[56] The smaller aperture 4 is suited for preventing tearing at the terminal end of the slit 3.

[57] Now, exemplary dimensions of the tag 1 are given in figure 7 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[58] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tag 1 has a length of approximately 110 mm and a width of approximately 30 mm. As is shown in figure 6, the tag 1 may have a thickness of approximately 2 mm. However, in embodiment, the tag 1 may be up to 3 mm thick.

[59] Returning again to figure 7, in embodiments, the aperture 2 has a diameter of approximately 7.5 mm. Specifically, as is shown in figure 2, the endpoint 8 of the fastener 13 may have a diameter of approximately 8 mm. In other words, the diameter of the aperture 2 is configured so as to be less than 2017101152 23 Aug 2017 that of the diameter of the endpoint 8 of the fastener 13 such that, when pressed against the aperture 2, the slit 3 allows the aperture 2 to dilate to a diameter greater than the diameter of the endpoint 8 so as to allow the endpoint 8 to past therethrough whereafter the aperture 2 subsequently assumes the non-dilated configuration so as to fasten the stem 7 therein.

[60] As can also be seen from figure 7, the length of the slit 3 may be approximately 10 mm.

[61] Furthermore, the diameter of the relatively smaller aperture 4 may be approximately 1 mm. 2017101152 23 Aug 2017

Interpretation

Embodiments: [62] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[63] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[64] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects [65] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details [66] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. Flowever, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. 2017101152 23 Aug 2017

Terminology [67] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including [68] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[69] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention [70] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[71] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. 8

Claims (12)

1. Claims

   1. A reflective ear tag device comprising: a substantially elongate planar body comprising reflective material on at least one side of the body wherein the planar body comprises rounded ends and wherein the body defines an aperture formation cut out towards one of the ends and wherein the aperture formation cut out comprises: an aperture for receiving the stem of a fastener therethrough in use; and a slit intersecting an edge of the aperture and aligned with an elongate axis of the elongate body such that, in use, the slit allows the aperture to dilate for the passing of an endpoint of the stem of the fastener therethrough.
2. 2. A reflective ear tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aperture formation cut out further comprises a relatively smaller aperture terminating the slit.
3. 3. A reflective ear tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aperture is configured to have a diameter less than that of a diameter of the endpoint.
4. 4. A reflective ear tag as claimed in claim 3, wherein the aperture has a diameter of approximately 7.5 mm.
5. 5. A reflective ear tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slit has a length of approximately 10 mm.
6. 6. A reflective ear tag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the relatively smaller aperture has a diameter of approximately 1 mm.
7. 7. A reflective ear tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tag has a thickness of approximately 2 mm.
8. 8. A reflective ear tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tag comprises a substrate and a reflective surface on at least one side of the substrate.
9. 9. A reflective ear tag as claimed in claim 8, wherein the reflective surface comprises an adhesive reflective sheet.
10. 10. A reflective ear tag as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tag comprises reflective surfaces on both sides of the substrate.
11. 11. A reflective ear tag as claimed in claim 10, wherein the reflective surfaces have different reflective colouring.
12. 12. A reflective ear tag as claimed in claim 11, wherein the reflective colouring comprises white and red.