NL1025529C2 - Ear tag element for marking animals, comprises transponder which contains chip and antenna that are connected to each other - Google Patents

Abstract

The ear tag element comprises a transponder (311) which contains a chip and an antenna that are connected to each other. The portion of the element containing the transponder, is made of a flexible material such as polyurethane. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) method of manufacturing ear tag element; (2) transponder/carrier assembly; (3) method of manufacturing plastic product having transponder; (4) ear tag.

Description

Brief description: Ear tag element and method for manufacturing an ear tag element

The invention relates to an ear tag element for an ear tag for marking animals, which ear tag element has a transponder, wherein the transponder comprises a chip and an antenna and the transponder is surrounded by an enclosure, and wherein the body of the ear tag element is made of a flexible material and has a recess in which the transponder and the enclosure are at least partially received.

EP 0 639 942 describes an ear tag element with a transponder as applied to an ear tag for marking animals. With this known ear tag element, the transponder is arranged in a rigid housing, for example of polycarbonate, which shields the chip and the antenna. The housing is connected to the body of the ear tag element, which is of a flexible material, such as polyurethane.

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It has been found in practice that the known ear tag can have adverse effects on the animal that wears the ear tags.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved ear tag element.

The invention achieves the object with an ear tag element according to claim 1.

By designing the transponder casing in such a way that the transponder, in particular the antenna thereof, and the casing can be elastically deformed and because the casing and the transponder are arranged on an ear tag element body that is also flexible, the ear tag element is in its altogether, in particular at the location of the transponder, easier to deform 1025529

I 2 I

I then the well-known ear tags. This is advantageous, for example, as an I

I animal that becomes entangled in, for example, a fence I

I tries to free. The ear tag element according to the invention I

I can therefore deform at the location of the transponder because the I

Is subjected to a mechanical load. This will cause I

the animal can be released more easily from its entanglement, and I

I is the chance that the ear to which the ear tag element is fitted I

I tears considerably smaller than with known ear tags. I

Transponders used in eartags include I

I usually a thin metal wire antenna

I (usually designed as a flat annular coil) and I

I a chip of a limited size compared to the antenna. I

I The antenna is elastically deformable, and due to its limited I

The size of the chip is the flexibility of the transponder as I

I not in the way at all. By designing the enclosure in such a way that I

it is elastically deformable and also elastic deformation I

I of the transponder allows elastic deformation of the I

I earmark element not prevented by the assembly of I

20 transponder and enclosure. In practice, the chip is usually I

I smaller than 5x5 mm. I

In a first embodiment, the elastic deformability is I

of the envelope and the transponder realized by the I

I can carry out a covering in a thin plastic material. At I

I prefer the transponder between two layers of plastic film I

I confined, the two layers of foil being mutually together

I are connected that the transponder in the intended application I

I sufficiently protected against unfavorable environmental influences I

I is 30, without the signal transfer between transponder and I

I receiver is obstructed. I

I Polyester foil is a suitable material for the enclosure, with I

I particularly when it is used in combination with an I

I ear tag element body made of polyurethane. In the manufacture of I

I ear tag elements according to the first embodiment, the I

I body of the ear tag element often surrounds the assembly of I

I 1025529 3 transponder and cover are sprayed. When polyurethane is used for the body of the ear tag element, the process temperature of the polyurethane during injection molding is approximately 230 ° C. Polyester foil can withstand such a short-term temperature load of more than 200 ° C, so that the envelope does not suffer from the high temperature during the injection molding of the body of the ear tag element.

!

Alternatively, the transponder can be cast in a deformable plastic.

Preferably, the thickness of the envelope and transponder assembly is between 0.3 and 0.9 mm.

Preferably, in the first embodiment, the envelope and transponder assembly is not or only locally connected to the body of the ear tag element at a few locations.

This allows the surface of the envelope and transponder assembly to move at least at a micro level relative to the wall of the recess in the ear tag element body, whereby the resistance to deformation of the ear tag element is lower than when the envelope and transponder assembly at least over a substantial part of its outer surface would adhere to the surface of the body of the ear tag element.

It appears to be advantageous in practice if the orientation of the envelope and transponder assembly relative to the ear tag element body is secured. This is preferably achieved by a form-locked mechanical lock.

In this first embodiment, the envelope and transponder assembly is preferably completely enclosed by the body of the ear tag element.

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I 4 I

In a second embodiment, the enclosure connects to at least 1

At least a portion of the wall of the recess in the body of I

I the ear tag element. At least a part of the area I

in which there is contact between the envelope and the body I

Of the ear tag element, adhesion occurs between the envelope I

and the body of the ear tag element. I

Preferably there is such an adhesion between the I

I casing and the body of the ear tag element that there is no dirt I

Between the envelope and the body of the ear tag element, I

come. This can be achieved by ensuring that I

I along the entire circumference of the area in which there is contact between I

the cover and the wall of the recess provide good adhesion

I occurs. I

I 15

Preferably the enclosure fills the entire recess. I

In this second embodiment, the enclosure is preferably from I

I a material that corresponds at least to a certain extent I

20 with the material of the wall of the recess. Preferably I

I are both the envelope and the entire carrier of polyurethane. I

In the second embodiment, it is quite possible that the I

enclosure has a free surface, which free surface has a part I

Forms the outer surface of the ear tag element. I

In an advantageous variant of the second embodiment, I comprises

I the body has one or more protrusions that extend into the I

I recess. These protrusions carry the transponder so that the I

I 30 transponder not directly against the bottom of the recess I

I lies. I

The ear tag element according to the invention can be manufactured with I

The method according to claim 13. This method is in particular

Suitable for the manufacture of an ear tag element of the I

The first embodiment described above.

I 1025529 5

In the method according to claim 13 an assembly of a transponder and an enclosure is made, which assembly is brought together at a later stage with the body of the ear tag element.

5

Alternatively, the ear tag element according to the invention can be manufactured with the method according to claim 16. This method is particularly suitable for manufacturing an ear tag element of the second embodiment described above.

In the method according to claim 16, the transponder is brought together with the body of the ear tag element, and the envelope is arranged at a later stage.

15

Common ear tags for marking animals include a male element that has a pin that is inserted through an ear of the animal to be tagged. In addition, such ear tags include a female element having an opening that is inserted onto the pin of the male element, such that the animal's ear is located between the male element and the female element of the ear tag. The design of the two parts is such that the ear tag is secured after applying the female element.

25

The ear tag element according to the invention can be part of the male element or of the female element.

In order to optimally utilize the advantages of the invention, both the male and the female element are elastically deformable.

Ear tag elements and methods according to the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the appended drawing, in which exemplary embodiments are shown.

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I 6 I

I The drawing shows: I

Fig. 1: a cross-section of an ear tag element in a first I

I embodiment, I

Fig. 2: steps in an advantageous method for the I

Manufacturing an ear tag element according to the first embodiment, I

Fig. 3: a cross-section of an ear tag element in a second I

I embodiment, I

Fig. 4: an ear tag with an ear tag element according to I

I invention, partly in section, I

Fig. 5: a male and a female element of an ear tag I

I suitable for an ear tag element according to the invention. I

FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view of a first I

I embodiment of the ear tag element according to the invention. In I

This ear tag element is a transponder, which has an antenna 11 and an I

I chip 12 disposed in the body 1 of the I

I ear tag element. The transponder is through an enclosure 10 I

I shielded from unwanted influences from the environment. I

In this exemplary embodiment, the enclosure 10 is realized by I

I a first and a second disc 10a, b of polyester foil, which the I

I enclose transponder. As Fig. 1 shows, the discs I extend

10a, b extends beyond the perimeter of the transponder. The I

I polyester film is preferably so thin that the thickness of the I

Assembly of enclosure 10 and transponder between 0.3 mm and 0.9

1 mm, and preferably approximately 0.5 mm. In practice I

A thickness of 0.5 mm appears to be a good compromise between I

I the flexibility and robustness. I

Instead of polyester film, another plastic film can also be used

are applied. It is also provided that the envelope 10 of the I

I transponder is realized by the transponder in an I

flexible plastic. Also with such an I

I embodiment, it is recommended that the thickness of the assembly I

I 35 of envelope 10 and transponder is small enough to suffice

I guarantee flexibility. I

I 1025529 "7

The assembly of casing 10 and transponder is located in a recess 5 in body 1, which body 1 is flexible just like the assembly of casing 10 and transponder. The body 1 of the ear tag element is preferably made of polyurethane. It is advantageous if the material of the body 1 of the ear tag element in the first embodiment is different from the material of the envelope 10; in particular, it is advantageous that the melting points of the two materials are at some distance from each other. Hereby it is prevented that adhesion occurs between the body 1 of the ear tag element and the envelope 10 during manufacture. An advantageous material combination is polyurethane for the body 1 and polyester for the enclosure 10.

In the first embodiment of the ear tag element, the body 1 of the ear tag element comprises a first part 1a and a second part 1b. The first part 1a and the second part 1b together enclose the assembly of envelope 10 and transponder. Preferably, the first and the second part 1a, b are connected to each other in such a way that they close the environment in which the assembly of envelope 10 and transponder is located.

In the first embodiment, no adhesion occurs between the envelope 10 and the wall of the recess 5. This allows the outer surface of the envelope 10 to move at least at a micro level with respect to the surface of the recess 5. This leads to a low resistance to distortion of the ear tag element.

30

In practice, it appears desirable to ensure the orientation of the transponder relative to the body 1 of the ear tag element. To this end, in the first exemplary embodiment, two through holes 15a, b are provided in the part 35 of the enclosure 10 that extends outside the transponder. Anchors 2 are then inserted through these holes and connected to one of the two parts 1a, b.

1025529

The ear tag talent according to the first embodiment is taken at I

I preferably prepared as follows. First, an assembly of H envelope 10 and transponder is manufactured by applying the envelope 10 to the transponder. Such an assembly is shown in FIG. 2A. The enclosure 10 extends both outside the outside diameter and within the inside diameter of the transponder. In the part of the enclosure 10 that is not directly adjacent to parts of the transponder, two through-going holes 15a, b are provided in the enclosure 10. These holes are positioned in such a way that they do not adversely affect the protection of the transponder against undesirable external influences.

The assembly of envelope 10 and transponder 15 is then placed in an injection mold. Pins 20 are inserted through the through holes 15a, b, which position the assembly of envelope 10 and transponder relative to the mold. The first part 1a is now cast against the assembly of envelope 10 and 1 transponder. The inner and outer edges 3a, 4a of the recess in the first part 1a in which the assembly of casing 10 and transponder come to lie come to lie the assembly of casing 10 and transponder, as I shown in Fig. 2B.

The pins 20 are then withdrawn from the through holes 15a, b in the envelope 10. The inner edge 3a and the outer edge 4a of the recess in the body 1 of the ear tag element now hold the assembly of the envelope 10 and the transponder. their place in relation to the first part la.

The second part 1b is then cast. The first and the second part 1b are of the same material, so that the inner and 1 outer edge 3b, 4b of the second part 1b adhere to I, respectively, the inner and outer edge 3a, 4a of the first part 1a. Also, when casting the second part 1b, material I will flow into the through holes 15a, b of the enclosure 10.

As a result, anchors 2 are formed which secure the orientation of the assembly of envelope 10 and transponder relative to the body of the ear tag element. Preferably, the ends of the anchors 2 adhere to the first part 1a. This provides the ear tag element as shown in Fig. 1.

5

Preferably, the casting process used to manufacture the parts 1a and 1b is an injection molding process.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of an ear tag element 10 according to the invention. In this embodiment there is a body 101 with only one part. The body 101 of the ear tag element is provided with a recess 105 with an inner edge 104 and an outer edge 103. In this recess 105 a transponder which comprises an antenna 111 and a chip 112 is present.

Around the transponder is an enclosure 110 that fills the recess 105. The enclosure 110 adheres to the wall of the recess 105. As a result, this second embodiment will generally be somewhat stiffer than the first embodiment. Preferably, the enclosure 110 adheres to the wall of the recess 105 over the entire circumference of the area in which contact occurs between the enclosure 110 and the wall of the recess 105. This prevents the ingress of dirt particles into the ear tag element. A very robust variant is obtained if the enclosure 110 adheres to the wall of the recess 105 over the entire area in which contact occurs between the enclosure 110 and the wall of the recess 105.

30

Good adhesion can be achieved if the material of the envelope 110 is the same as the material of the body 101 of the ear tag element. Preference is given to using polyurethane for both.

35

If, as shown in Fig. 3, the enclosure 110 fills the entire recess 105 and a good adhesion occurs between 1025529

I 10 I

I enclosure 110 and carrier 101 at the location of the inner edge 104 and I

I of the outer edge 103 can be an ear tag element with a smooth and I

I uniform surface area is obtained which is insensitive to I

I pollution. I

I 5

In the example of the ear tag element I shown in Fig. 3

I according to the invention, the enclosure has a free surface 107, I

Which free surface 107 is a part of the outer surface of the I

I brand element. I

I 10

In an advantageous variant of the second embodiment, I comprises

The body 101 has one or more protrusions 106, which I

I extend into the recess 105. These protrusions 106 carry I

I the transponder so that the transponder is not directly against the wall I

15 of the recess 105. The protrusions 106 may be I

I are annular, or are designed as ribs or fingers. I

The ear tag element is preferably designed in this way and the free I

The surface 107 of the enclosure 110 when used to the ear are I

I turned. This has the advantage that the side that is the most

I is susceptible to pollution and damage to it I

I protected by the animal's ear.

The ear tag element according to the second embodiment is added at I

Is preferably manufactured as follows. First a body becomes 101

I manufactured with a recess 105 for receiving an I

I transponder, which comprises an antenna 111 and a chip 112.

The transponder is then placed in the recess 105 I. The transponder rests on the projections 106.

The recess 105 in which the transponder is located is filled with a flexible material, for example by filling the recess 105 with polyurethane. The flexible material then forms the enclosure 110 of the transponder. Because the transponder rests on the projections 106, there is some distance I between the transponder and the wall of the recess 105. As a result, flexible material can also come between the transponder and the wall of the recess 105. This is advantageous because adhesion also occurs at the location of the transponder between the envelope 110 and the wall of the recess 105.

The material of the casing 110 is preferably the same as that of the body 101 of the ear tag element, so that a good adhesion occurs between casing 110 and body 101.

FIG. 4 shows an ear tag according to the invention, which is arranged in the ear 214 of an animal. Common ear tags consist of a male element 201 and a female element 202, wherein at least one of the elements 201,202 comprises a writable part 203.

In the example of Fig. 4, an ear tag element according to the invention is accommodated in the male element 201. The male element has a pin 215 with a tip 216 which protrudes through the ear 214 and through an opening 217 in the female element. In an advantageous embodiment of an ear tag 20 according to the invention, both the male and the female element 201,202 allow elastic deformation. In this way the advantages of the invention are optimally utilized.

In the example of Fig. 4, the free surface 207 faces the ear 214 of the animal, so that the free surface 207 is protected by the ear 214 against undesirable external influences.

FIG. 5 shows the male element 201 and the female element 202 again, but now in a front view.

1025529

Claims (26)

1. Ear tag element for an ear tag for marking II of animals, which ear tag element comprises a transponder, II wherein the transponder comprises a chip and an antenna and the II transponder is surrounded by an enclosure, and wherein the II body of the ear tag element is made of a flexible material I and has a recess in which the transponder and II the enclosure are at least partially received, II characterized in that II the enclosure of the transponder allows elastic deformation of the enclosure and the transponder. I Ear tag element according to claim 1, wherein the casing is of a flexible plastic and has a thickness that is smaller than the other dimensions of the casing. I Ear tag element according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope comprises a first and a second layer of plastic film, the transponder being located between the first and the second layer of plastic film. I 4. Ear tag element according to claim 3, wherein the material of the plastic film is polyester. I Ear tag element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transponder and envelope assembly has a thickness that is between 0.3 mm and 0.9 mm. I I 30 I Ear tag element according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the sheath is movable with respect to the wall of the ear recess in the body of the ear tag element. 35 Ear tag element as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the orientation of the transponder relative to the body of the ear tag element is secured by means of a form-locked mechanical lock. The ear tag element of claim 1, wherein adhesion is present between enclosure and the wall of the recess in the body of the ear tag element. Ear tag element according to claim 8, wherein the envelope of the transponder fills the recess in the body of the ear tag element. 10. Ear tag element according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the casing of the transponder and the body of the ear tag element are made of polyurethane. 11. Ear tag element according to any of claims 8-10, wherein the enclosure has a free surface, which free surface forms a part of the outer surface of the ear tag element. 12. Ear tag element according to any of claims 8-11, wherein the body of the ear tag element comprises at least one protrusion, which protrusion extends into the recess and is arranged to create a distance between the transponder and at least a part of the wall of the recess. A method of manufacturing an ear tag element 30 according to claim 1, which method comprises the steps of: - applying an envelope around the transponder, the envelope extending beyond the transponder, 35. applying at least one continuous hole in the part of the casing that extends outside the transponder, 1025529 - placing the transponder surrounded by the casing in a mold intended for casting a first part of the body of the ear tag element, wherein a is inserted through the through hole in the casing, the casting of the first part of the body of the ear tag element, the casing inside which the transponder is located in a recess of the first part of the body of the body ear tag element comes to lie, I - removing the pin from the through hole in the I enclosure, I - casting a second part of the body of the ear tag element, which second part connects to the first part of the body of the ear tag element such that the transponder is confined between the first part of the body of the ear tag element and the second part of the body of the ear tag element, wherein an anchor formed on the second part is cast at the location of the through hole in the casing, which anchor pierces the through hole in the casing and thus anchors the transponder with the casing relative to the body of the ear tag element. 14. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the pin which protrudes through the through hole in the enclosure I fixes the position of the transponder relative to the mold during the casting of the first part of the body of the ear tag element. I 30 15. Method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the sugar formed during the casting of the second part of the body of the ear tag element adheres to the first part of the body of the ear tag element. I 1025529 « A method of manufacturing an ear tag element according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: - manufacturing a body of the ear tag element 5 with a recess for receiving a transponder comprising a chip and an antenna, - applying of a chip and an antenna of the transponder in the recess of the body of the ear tag element, 10. covering the chip and the antenna by a flexible, preferably castable, material such that the flexible material applied covers the enclosure of the chip and the transponder antenna, wherein the flexible material adheres to the walls of the recess in the body of the ear tag element. The method of claim 16, wherein the recess in the body of the ear tag element is filled with the flexible material. 20 18. Method as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the body of the ear tag element is manufactured from polyurethane and the flexible material with which the recess in the body of the ear tag element is filled is also polyurethane. 19. An assembly of a transponder and an enclosure, wherein the enclosure comprises a first and a second layer of plastic film, the transponder being located between the first and the second layer of plastic film A method of manufacturing a plastic product with a transponder, the method comprising the steps of: 35. manufacturing a transponder and enclosure assembly according to claim 19, 1025529 16 - placing the transponder and I assembly in a mold intended for casting a plastic product, I - pouring the plastic product, the transponder and casing assembly in the plastic product ends up. I 21. Method for manufacturing a plastic I product with a transponder, wherein the plastic product I has a body, which body comprises a first part and a second I part, which method comprises the following steps: I - manufacturing an assembly of transponder and I casing according to claim 19, placing the assembly of transponder and I casing in a mold intended for casting I of a first part of the body, I - casting the first part of the body of the ear tag element, wherein the assembly of transponder and enclosure comes to lie in the first part of the body of the ear tag element, I - casting a second part of the body of the ear tag element, which second part connects to the first part of the body of the ear tag element such that the assembly of transponder and cover is confined between the first part of the body of the ear tag The ear tag element and the second part of the body of the ear tag element. I An ear tag for marking an animal comprising an ear tag element according to any of claims 1-12, which ear tag comprises a male element and a female element. I Ear tag according to claim 21, characterized in that the male element of the ear tag comprises the ear tag element according to one of claims 1 to 12. Ear tag according to claim 21, characterized in that the female element of the ear tag comprises the ear tag element according to any of claims 1-12. Ear tag according to claim 21, characterized in that both the male element and the female element allow elastic deformation. 26. Ear tag according to claim 21, characterized in that the ear tag comprises an ear tag element according to claim 11, wherein the ear tag is shaped such that the free surface of the enclosure faces the animal's ear when used. 20 102552a