GB2275892A - Tag device. - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a tag device 10 for attachment to a gill of a fish. The device has upper and lower elements 11, 12 connected by a hinge 13. A stud 19 is provided for piercing and extending through the gill, the end 21 of the stud engaging in a hole 20 in the lower element 12. Information or advertising can be printed on the elements 11, 12. A rear stop 15 prevents the tag device from being pushed too far on to the gill. Poppet 16 and hole 17 allow a number of the tag devices to be connected together in series. A dispensing and applying apparatus is described which causes the elements 11, 12 to be splayed apart for insertion of the gill before being forced together to secure the tag. <IMAGE>

Description

TAG DEVICES This invention relates to tag devices for attachment to articles. One particular type of article is the gill of a fish to aid identification and provide information. Other uses are, however, envisaged as will be apparent.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tag device for attachment to an article, which tag device comprises two elements, at least parts of which in use are disposed on respective sides of the article, said two elements being connected at one location by hinge means and having engagement means at another location which, in use, engages the article, at least part of said means extending into said article.

Preferably said engagement means comprises snap-fit means which, in use, interconnects the two elements through said article.

Preferably said hinge means comprises a Cshaped hinge element connected at its ends to the respective ends of the two elements. Ideally said hinge means is formed integrally with the two elements.

In one arrangement said snap fit means comprises a hole in one element and a stud projecting from the other element, the stud being shaped so as to be a snap fit within the hole. A preferred feature is that said interengagement means are disposed between the free ends of the two elements and the C-shaped hinge element.

In a preferred arrangement the stud is weakened so as to break off before the snap fit becomes disconnected should an attempt be made to remove the tag device. Conveniently said weakening is effected by reducing the cross-section of the base of the stud.

has a pointed free end to facilitate the piercing of the article. Preferably the pointed free end is generally conical in form. Another feature is that the stud has a recessed portion behind the conical free end for receiving the marginal portions of said one element surrounding the hole when the snap fit has been effected.

In another arrangement the hinge element is formed with a poppet and one of the elements has a poppet aperture by which the tag device can be connected to another tag device, the poppet of one device interengaging with the poppet aperture of the other device.

Preferably the joint of the C-shaped hinge with the two elements is stepped outwards so that a pair of elements from another tag device can lie in the step generally flush with the elements of the first tag device.

One preferred feature is that one of said elements provides a label surface for displaying graphics/drawings/information. Ideally the tag device is made from a plastics material which remains resilient enough at around 0 C - 40C to effect the snap connection of the two elements without becoming brittle provided said resilience does not adversely affect the breaking off of the stud. One such material is polypropylene.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided dispensing apparatus for a tag device as described above, comprising a feed mechanism for feeding the tag device in a disengaged condition, guide means for opening the elements of the tag device relative to each other, clamping mechanism for closing the two elements relative to each other after the article has been disposed therebetween, said clamping mechanism closing the two elements such that said part of the interengagement means is forced through the article and interengages with the remainder of the interengagement means.

In preferred embodiments the apparatus incorporates an enclosed guide passage along which the device is fed. A further preferred features is that the clamping mechanism comprises a fixed plate at the end of the guide passage and a clamping arm hingedly connected at the end of the guide passage, one of the elements of the tag device engaging the plate and the other being engaged by the clamping arm.

Preferably the feed mechanism comprises a rotary actuator and a feed strap which is moved linearly backwards and forwards by the rotary actuator, the free end of the strap engaging a projection on the tag device.

Alternatively a feed finger is attached to the free end of the feed strap for engaging the projection. Conveniently the projection engaged by the feed mechanism is the poppet which interengages successive tag devices.

An additional feature is that a non return spring is located immediately upstream of the fixed plate for cooperation with the step between the hinge and said one element of the tag device. Also, said fixed plate has a recess for accommodating the end of the stud when forced through the hole in said one element.

Preferably the lower plate is angled about 12" relative to the lengthwise axis and the clamping arm's rest position is about 200 relative to the lengthwise axis of the apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a tag device according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a front view of the tag device shown in figure 1 in a slightly different position, Figure 3 is a smaller scale plan view of the tag device shown in figure 1, Figure 4 is a smaller scale underplan view of the tag device shown in figure 1, Figure 5 is a lengthwise section through tag device dispensing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention, and Figure 6 is a cross section on line VI-VI of figure 5.

In figures 1 to 4 there is shown a tag device 10 made from polypropylene. The tag device 10 has main tag elements 11, 12, both of which are, in this example, octagonal in plan as shown in figures 3 and 4. The tag elements 11, 12 are joined at one end by a C-shaped hinge section 13 which forms an outward step 14 where it meets each tag element 11, 12. A rear stop 15 also extends generally at right angles from the tag element 12 (which for convenience will be called the lower element) towards the tag element 11 (which will be called the upper element).

A poppet 16 is provided on the hinge section 13 and a poppet hole 17 is formed near the free end 18 of the lower element 12. This enables a number of tag elements 10 to be connected end to end. The tag devices can then be stored on a reel (not shown).

Adjoining tag devices 10 can be easily separated for example by a light twisting action.

The upper tag element 11 carries a stud 19 which projects towards a corresponding hole 20 formed in the lower tag element 12. The stud has a pointed conical free end 21 just above which is a recessed portion 22. The free end 21 can be pushed through the hole 20 which engages with a snap fit in the recessed portion 22. The stud 19 is connected to the upper tag element 11 by two portions 23 of plastic. This weakening of the joint between the stud and the upper element 11 means that the force required to disengage the stud's snap fit with the lower element 12 is greater than the force required to break the stud 19 from the upper element. Once applied, therefore, the tag device cannot be readily removed without breaking.

In use, therefore, the tag device 10 is offered up to an article to be tagged and the article passes between the upper and lower tag elements 11, 12. The rear stop 15 prevents the article being extending too far into the tag device. The two tag elements 11, 12 are then pushed together. The stud 19 pierces the article and then the snap fit in the hole 20 is effected. The article is now tagged and the weak nature of the stud/upper element connection ensures that the tag cannot be removed for re-use.

The particular tag device 10 shown is ideally adapted for use in the fish industry. Fish, such as salmon, often needs to be identified as being from a particular source, such as Scotland. The tag device can be fixed neatly to the gill of a fish, the lower element 12 being located under the gill. The upper element provides a planar surface on which can be printed some identification mark, a number, a weight or any other desirable information. Once applied to a fish the tag cannot be removed and used on another fish, such as one of inferior quality or different source.

In figures 5 and 6 there are shown the basic features of dispensing apparatus or gun 30 for applying the tag devices 10. As already stated the tags 10 are joined end to end and provided on a reel which is not shown. The tag devices 10 enter the gun 30 with their hinges upstream (to the right as shown in figure 5). The gun 30 provides a guide passage 31 which is generally I-shaped in cross-section, thereby corresponding in general to the projected shape of an advancing tag device 10.

Below the guide passage 31 is a slot 32 for receiving a feed strap 33 which is attached at one end to a feed finger 34 adapted to engage the poppet 16 of a tag. The other end of the strap 33 is attached to a rotary actuator 3 which is driven clockwise and anticlockwise through a predetermined angular displacement. This in turn moves the strap 33 and feed finger 34 forwards and backwards a predetermined distance. The rotary actuator is in this case pneumatically driven.

Towards the downstream end of the passage 31 is a guide button 36 which starts to open out the tag elements 11, 12. At the downstream endof the passage 31 there is a fixed pressure plate 37 which is set at an angle 6 relative to the general lengthwise axis. of the gun. The angle 6 may be 120, this angle being particularly suitable for positioning the lower element under the gill of a fish.

There is also a movable pressure plate 38 or clamping arm which is hingedly attached to the gun 30 opposite the fixed plate 37. The movable plate 38 has an associated force means, pneumatic in this case, which moves the plate 38 towards the fixed plate 37 so as to effect the snap fit of the stud 19 in the hole 20 in the lower tag element 12. The plate 38 also has an associated guide plate 39 which is in a fixed location relative to the gun 30. Again, this guide plate ensures that the tag device 10 is in an open condition prior to application.

The movable plate 38, in its open condition is at an angle relative to the general lengthwise axis of the gun 30. In the example shown the angle is about 20 .

The fixed pressure plate 37 is also provided with a forward extending slot 40 for receiving the conical end portion 21 of the stud 19. There is also provided a spring 41 which prevents rearward movement of a tag device 10 ready to be applied. The spring 41 engages behind the step 14 between the lower element 12 and the C-shaped hinge section 13.

Operation of the device is as follows. The rotary actuator 35 is moved clockwise thereby moving the feed finger 34 to the right so that it is located to the right of the poppet 16 of the next tag device 10. The actuator 35 is then moved anti-clockwise thereby causing the feed finger 34 to move the tag device to the left. The guide plate 39 and guide button 36 ensure that the tag device is an open condition between the pressure plates 37 and 38. The cycle of the actuator 35 ensures that the finger 34 pushes the tag device 10 the correct distance and the spring 41 engages behind the step 14 on the lower element 12 to prevent return movement.

The gun 30 with open tag device 10 ready is then offered up to the gill of the fish. The fixed plate 37 of the gun and the lower element 12 of the tag device are moved under the gill of the fish.

Excessive movement in this direction is prevented by the gill abutting the rear stop 15 of the tag. The force means of the movable plate 38 is then actuated thus moving the plate 38 towards the fixed plate 37.

This causes the stud 19 to pierce the gill and engage in the hole 20 in the lower element 12 with a snap fit. The movable plate 38 then returns to its open condition. A twisting action by the operator then disengages the poppet 16 from the poppet hole 17 in the next tag device. The cycle of operation can then be repeated.

The gun 30 can use tags of various lengths provided the length of the feed finger stroke is greater than the length of the tag devices 10. The tag devices can even be provided in mixed lengths on the reel and the gun will still operate correctly.

It will be appreciated that the geometry of the tag device and gun are open to many changes. The choice of tag material is also open to change depending on the conditions to be encountered and the article being tagged. In the fish industry, cold temperatures of say 0 C to 40C are very common and it is essential that the tag does not become brittle.

This is because plastic shards could contaminate the fish and/or the tags would not work correctly.

Polypropylene has been found to be strong enough and retains flexibility at the low temperatures stated.

It is also not essential for the tags to be connectable in a line. The gun 30 is open to many adaptions of its basic tasks of feeding, guiding and closing.

Examples of applications of such tag devices would be clothing, material, baggage, animal identification. Modifications would of course be necessary for each different application.

Claims (25)

1. A tag device for attachment to an article, which tag device comprises two elements, at least parts of which in use are disposed on respective sides of the article, said two elements being connected at one location by hinge means and having engagement means at another location which, in use, engages the article, at least part of said means extending into said article.

2. A tag device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said hinge means comprises a C-shaped hinge element connected at its ends to the respective ends of the two elements.

3. A tag device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said hinge means is formed integrally with the two elements.

4. A tag device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said engagement means comprises snap fit means which, in use, interconnects the two elements through said article.

5. A tag device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said snap fit means comprises a hole in one element and a stud projecting from the other element, the stud being shaped so as to be a snap fit within the hole.

6. A tag device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said interengagement means are disposed between the free ends of the two elements and the C-shaped hinge element.

7. A tag device as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the stud is weakened so as to break off before the snap fit becomes disconnected should an attempt be made to remove the tag device.

8. A tag device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said weakening is effected by reducing the cross section of the base of the stud.

9. A tag device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the stud has a pointed free end to facilitate the piercing of the article.

10. A tag device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the pointed free end is generally conical in form.

11. A tag device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the stud has a recessed portion behind the conical free end for receiving the marginal portions of said one element surrounding the hole when the snap fit has been effected.

12. A tag device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the hinge element is formed with a poppet and one of the elements has a poppet aperture by which the tag device can be connected to another tag device, the poppet of one device interengaging with the poppet aperture of the other. device

13. A tag device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the joint of the C-shaped hinge with the two elements is stepped outwards so that a pair of elements from another tag device can lie in the step generally flush with the elements of the first tag device.

tag device.

14. A tag device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein one of said elements provides a label surface for displaying graphics/drawings/ information.

15. A tag device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the tag device is made from a plastics material which remains resilient enough at around 00C - 40C to effect the snap connection of the two elements without becoming brittle provided said resilience does not adversely affect the breaking off of the stud.

16. A tag device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the material is acetal.

17. Dispensing apparatus for a tag device for attachment t3 an article, which tag device comprises two elements, at least parts of which in use are disposed on respective sides of the article, said two elements being connected at one location by hinge means and having engagement means at another location which, in use, engages the article, at least part of said means extending into said article, comprising a feed mechanism for feeding the tag device in a disengaged condition, guide means for opening the elements of the tag device relative to each other, clamping mechanism for closing the two elements relative to each other after the article has been disposed therebetwzen, said clamping mechanism closing the two elements such that said part of the interengagement means is forced through the article and interengages with the remainder of the. interengagement means.

18. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the apparatus incorporates an enclosed guide passage along which the device is fed.

19. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a fixed plate at the end of the guide passage and a clamping arm hingedly connected at the end of the guide passage, one of the elements of the tag device engaging the plate and the other being engaged by the clamping arm.

20. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the feed mechanism comprises a rotary actuator and a feed strap which is moved linearly backwards and forwards by the rotary actuator, the free end of the strap engaging a projection on the tag device.

21. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein a non return spring is located immediately upstream of the fixed plate for cooperation with the step between the hinge and said one element of the tag device.

22. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein said fixed plate has a recess for accommodating the end of the stud when forced through the hole in said one element,

23. Dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein the lower plate is angled about 12t relative to the lengthwise axis and the clamping arm's rest position is about 200 relative to tho lengthwise axis of the apparatus.

24. A tag device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

25. Dispenser apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.