NL2008724C2 - ANIMAL BRAND AND A METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN ANIMAL BRAND. - Google Patents

Description

P95696NL00

Title: Ear tag for animals and method for manufacturing an ear tag for animals

The invention relates to an ear tag for animals provided with a first part with at least one opening and a second part with at least one pin, wherein the second part can be attached to the first part by inserting the pin in the opening. The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing an ear tag for animals provided with a first part with at least one opening and a second part with at least one pin, wherein the second part can be attached to the first part by the pin in to insert the opening.

Such an ear bud and method are known per se. The known ear tag is in particular provided with an electronic circuit which reacts with the transmission of an identification code when the electronic circuit is brought into an electromagnetic interrogation field. This electronic circuit is often included in a housing of the first part.

For attaching the ear tag known per se to an ear of an animal such as a cow, the first part and the second part are positioned on either side of the ear. Subsequently, the first part 20 and the second part are moved towards each other such that the at least one pin comes to lie in front of the at least one opening with the animal's ear between them. The at least one pin is then pressed through the animal's ear so that the pin is received in the opening, whereby the first part and the second part are attached to each other. For the pressing of the first part and the second part towards each other, such that the pin 2 is pressed through the ear of the animal and is subsequently received in the opening, a special pair of pliers is often used.

A consequence of attaching the ear tag to an ear of an animal is that the animal suffers a slight injury to its ear. A disadvantage of this is that the ear of the animal may start to ignite as a result of the injury.

The invention has for its object to obviate this mentioned problem.

The ear tag according to the invention is accordingly characterized in that a first material from which at least a part of the first part is made comprises a first antiseptic and / or disinfecting means and / or a second material from which at least part of the second part is made. second antiseptic and / or a disinfectant.

Because the first material comprises the first antiseptic and / or disinfectant and / or the second material comprises the second antiseptic and / or disinfectant, the chance of the animal's ear becoming inflamed as a result of the said injury is considerably reduced. Even after the injury of the animal has healed over time, the ear tag retains the advantage that the ear cannot easily become inflamed again, for example when a new injury is caused by another animal eating on the ear tag and a new injury caused by to draw an ear tag. Even with such a new injury, the chance of the ear becoming inflamed is reduced. It follows from the above that the first material does not form part of a coating or that the first material does not form a coating and / or that the second material does not form part of a coating or that the second material does not form a coating. The invention therefore does not concern a coating which is provided with the first material and / or the second material.

In particular, it holds that the first material consists of a first plastic, such as plastic, and the first means and that the second material consists of a second plastic, such as plastic, and the second means. In particular, it holds that an outside of the pin is formed by the second material. Because the outside of the pin comes into contact with the wound when attaching the ear tag to the animal, the risk of inflammation is reduced efficiently. More in particular, it holds that the pin is made of the second material. The pin can thus for instance be manufactured entirely from plastic. However, it is also possible that a core of the pin is made of metal while an outside of the pin is formed by the second material. It may also be that a housing of the second part is made of the second material. Such a housing can comprise a hollow space in which, for example, the known per se electronic circuit is included. However, it is also possible that the second part is entirely made of the second material. The second part can for instance (in its entirety) be solid.

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In particular, it holds that an inner wall of the opening and / or an area around the opening on the outside of the first part is formed by the first material. Here, too, it is true that precisely those parts of the first part that can come into contact with a wound on the ear of the animal are formed by the first material to reduce the risk of infections. In particular, it holds that a housing of the first part is made of the first material. In such a housing the electronic circuit known per se can again be included. It is also possible that the first part is entirely made of the first material. The first part can also be solid (in its entirety).

Preferably, the first means is the same as the second means. The first agent and the second agent may also contain an antibacterial agent. More particularly, the first and / or the second means Chlorhexidine, Povidone iodine,

Iodine tincture and / or lactic acid, more in particular polylactic acid.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that a manufacturing process comprises at least steps a. And b. and / or at least steps c. and d. comprises wherein step a. comprises joining a first plastic and a first antiseptic and / or disinfecting agent wherein the first plastic is melted before or after the plastic and the first agent are joined together so that the first agent is incorporated into the molten first plastic for obtaining a molten first material, more particularly so that the first plastic and the first means are mixed to obtain a molten first material; Step b. on the basis of the molten first material obtained in step a. comprises injection molding at least a part of the first part; step c. joining a second plastic and comprising a second antiseptic and / or disinfecting agent wherein the second plastic is melted before or after the plastic and the second agent are joined together so that the second agent is incorporated into the molten second plastic to obtain a second plastic molten second material, more particularly so that the second plastic and the second means are mixed to obtain a molten second material; 5 step d. it based on the step c. molten second material obtained comprises injection molding of at least a part of the second part.

It is noted that it is known to coat parts of an ear tag with an antiseptic material. A disadvantage of this is that the coating can become detached, which can reduce the anti-inflammatory or limiting effect of the ear tag. The application of such a coating also entails an additional production operation. In particular, it holds that the first material forms a rigid part of the ear tag and / or that the second material forms a rigid part of the ear tag. A coating cannot form a rigid part of the ear tag.

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing. Herein: Figure 1 shows a top view of a first part of a possible embodiment of an ear tag according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the first part of Figure 1 in the direction of the arrow P according to Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a cross section of the first part according to Figure 1 and a second part of the ear tag;

Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a second embodiment of an ear tag according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows two parts of the first part of the ear tag according to Figure 4 before they are mounted; Figure 6 shows the two parts according to Figure 5 in the mounted state; and

Figure 7 shows the first part of Figure 4 in the ready state.

In Figures 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 designates a possible embodiment of an ear tag according to the invention. The ear tag 1 for identifying an animal is provided with a first part 2. The first part is provided with a housing 3. An electronic circuit 4 is arranged in the housing which is adapted to transmit an identification code when the ear tag is in an electromagnetic interrogation field is introduced. The electronic circuit 4 is provided with at least one antenna coil 6 which is electrically connected to an electronic unit 8 of the electronic circuit 4. The electronic unit 8 relates to an electronic unit known per se. In the example, the electronic circuit 4 is designed as a passive transponder which, for example, can be provided with a capacity which, together with antenna coil 6, forms a resonant circuit, which resonant circuit is connected to an integrated circuit which is for instance provided with a microprocessor in which said identification code is stored. The capacitance and the interested circuit form part of the electronic unit 8. The antenna coil 6 in the example is of annular form and comprises windings formed by a wire 7 which extend around an axial axis 10 of the first part.

In the example, it further holds that the housing 3 is composed of at least a first housing part 16 and a second housing part 18. The housing parts 16, 18 are each designed to scale. The first housing part and the second housing part are fixed to each other, for example, at positions 20 by welding or gluing. The housing parts 16, 18 in the example are designed such that hollow spaces 22 form in the housing. This results in a weight saving.

The first part 2 is furthermore provided with an opening 24 which opens into channel 26 which extends in the axial direction 10. At least a part of the channel is bounded by resilient elements 34. In the example, these 30 resilient elements are designed as resilient fingers which are spread 7 in tangential direction of the channel, arranged around the channel and hereby at some distance from each other in tangential direction from each other. In the example, the fingers are fixedly connected to the second housing part 18.

5

As can be seen in Figure 3, the ear tag is further provided with a second part 30 which is provided with at least one and in the example one pin 28. The second part is furthermore provided with a disc-forming part 32. The pin 28 is connected to a end provided with a thickening 38. Figure 3 shows how the pin, in use, is included in the channel. All this is dimensioned in the example such that when the pin is inserted from an outside of the housing 2 via the opening 24 in the channel 26, the resilient elements through the pin 28 in particular cause the thickening 38 in a direction away from the pin, so that a cross-section of the channel increases at the location of the resilient elements. When the pin is further inserted, the resilient elements behind the bulge snap together when the bulge 38 lands in a receiving space 36.

In this example, it holds that the resilient elements 34 are made of a first material which comprises a first antiseptic and / or disinfectant. More particularly, in the example it holds that the entire second housing part 18 is made of the first material comprising the first antiseptic and / or disinfectant. In the example 25, it holds that the first material consists of a first plastic and the first means. In this example it further holds that the first agent is incorporated homogeneously distributed in the first plastic. The first plastic in this example consists of a plastic. More in particular, it holds that the first material is provided with polyurethane which is provided with the first agent. It therefore holds that the first part is at least partly made of the first material comprising the first antiseptic and / or disinfectant. The first material thus forms a rigid part of the ear tag. Because the elements 34 as well as the housing part 18 are made of the first material, it further holds that an inner basket of the channel extending into the first part and comprising as an open end the opening and an area around the opening 24 on the outside 44 of the first material. first part are each formed by the first material.

Furthermore, in the example it holds that a second material of which at least a part of the second part is made comprises a second antiseptic and / or disinfecting agent. More in particular, it holds that an outer side 40 of the pin is formed by the second material. In this example it even holds that the entire pin is made of the second material. The second material therefore also forms a rigid part of the ear tag. Because the pin is hollow in this example, it can also be said that the housing of the second part is made of the second material. If desired, an electronic circuit could also be included in the hollow part 42 of the pin, as discussed above. In the example it further holds that the second material consists of a second plastic and the second means. In this example, it further holds that the second agent is homogeneously distributed in the second plastic. The second plastic in this example consists of a plastic.

For attaching the ear tag according to Figure 3 to an ear of an animal, the first part 2 is positioned on a first side of the ear of an animal and the second part 30 on an opposite side of the ear of an animal positioned. The pin 28 herein lies opposite the opening 24. Subsequently, the pin 28, in particular the thickening 38 thereof, is pressed through the ear of an animal.

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Because the thickening 38 is of a sharp design, this can be done quite simply without the animal suffering as a result. The pin is then introduced into the channel 26 via the opening 24, whereafter the bulge hooks behind the resilient elements 34 as described above. Hereby a wound of the animal's ear will come into contact with the resilient elements 34 and with the pin 28. Because the resilient elements 34 and the pin 28 are each made of a material that comprises an antiseptic and / or disinfectant reduces the chance that a wound will ignite from the animal. Even if the wound will be slightly larger than average for whatever reason, the fact that the partial housing 18 is also made of the first material can contribute to reducing the risk of inflammation.

In the example it further holds that the first housing part 16 is made of a material which does not comprise an antiseptic and / or disinfectant.

In the example, it holds that the first material comprises polyurethane with the antiseptic and / or disinfectant. Furthermore, in the example it holds that a second material is equal to the first material, but this is not necessary.

The first part can be manufactured as follows. A plastic is melted and a first antiseptic and / or disinfectant is added to the molten plastic, preferably in liquid form. This merging can, for example, take place in a vessel. If the first agent is not liquid, it can still be liquefied by heating, or added to the molten plastic in the form of granules or a powder. The molten plastic and the first agent are mixed well together. This part of the process is indicated by step a. Next, in a step b. the resilient elements 34 are produced by means of the molten plastic obtained in step a. with the first means therein by means of injection molding.

5

Also in a step a. ’A plastic is melted to which also an antiseptic and / or disinfectant is added as discussed for step a. Here too, the molten plastic and the antiseptic and / or disinfectant are mixed well.

Subsequently, on the basis of molten plastic obtained in step a. "Containing the antiseptic and / or disinfecting agent in a step b.", The second housing part 18 is manufactured by means of injection molding. After this, the resilient means 34 are arranged in the housing part 18 and fixed by, for example, welding or gluing. When this is ready, the electronic circuit 4 is arranged in the first housing part 18. The second housing part 16 is also manufactured by means of injection molding, but in this case from a plastic which does not comprise an antiseptic and / or disinfectant. After this, the first housing part 18 and the second housing part 16 are connected to each other. It is noted that step a. And step a. "Can be one and the same step. This means that the housing part 18 and the resilient elements 34 are made of the same material.

The resilient elements 34 and / or the housing part can also be manufactured in an alternative manner. For this purpose, a plastic and a first antiseptic are brought together, for example in a vessel. The plastic can, for example, be incorporated in the form of granules into the vessel together with the first agent in liquid form. The plastic is then heated so that it melts. The molten plastic and the first agent are mixed well together. This 11 part of the process is again indicated by step a. Then in step b. the resilient elements 34 are produced by means of the molten plastic obtained in step a. with the first means therein by means of injection molding.

5

In an alternative step, a plastic and an antiseptic and / or disinfecting agent are brought together in, for example, a vessel that can be heated. The plastic can again be introduced into the vessel in the form of granules, but it can also be made in one piece. The antiseptic and / or disinfectant can again be in liquid form as discussed above. The plastic is then melted, for example by heating the vessel. Here too, the molten plastic and the antiseptic and / or disinfectant are mixed well. Subsequently, the second housing part 18 is produced on the basis of molten plastic obtained in step a. "Containing the antiseptic and / or disinfecting agent in a step b."

After this, the resilient means 34 are arranged in the housing part 18 and fixed by, for example, welding or gluing. When this is ready, the electronic circuit 4 is arranged in the first housing part 18. The second housing part 16 is also manufactured by means of injection molding, but in this case from a plastic which does not comprise an antiseptic and / or disinfectant. After this, the first housing part 18 and the second housing part 16 are connected to each other.

It is noted that step a. And step a. "Can again be one and the same step. This means that the housing part 18 and the resilient elements 34 are made of the same material.

Also in a step c. plastic and a second antiseptic and / or disinfectant. The agent can again be in liquid or solid form. The plastic is melted before or after joining. The molten plastic and the second agent (e.g. in liquid form, granules or powder) are well mixed together. Next, based on the information in step c. obtained molten plastic 5 containing the second agent in a step d. the second part 30 is manufactured by means of injection molding. It is also noted here that step c. and step a can comprise one and the same step so that the resilient elements 34, and / or the housing part 18 and / or the second part 30 can be made of the same material. However, this is not necessary, said parts 10 can also be made of materials that differ from each other.

In the example, the pin is hollow. However, it is also possible that a metal pin is included in the hollow space to reinforce the pin. In that case, it again applies that the outside of the pin is formed by the second material. The inside of the pin can then be formed by another material.

The invention is by no means limited to the embodiment outlined here. Thus, if desired, the first housing part 16 can also be made of a material which comprises an antiseptic and / or disinfectant. In this example the first material is provided with polyurethane. However, other materials such as nylon, TPU, PP and / or AS A are also possible. This applies entirely analogously to the second material. The invention is also not limited to a specific antiseptic and / or disinfectant. The first and / or second agent may be provided with, for example, Chlorhexidine, Povidone-iodine, Iodine tincture, Lactic acid, in particular Polylactic acid and the like. The first agent and / or second agent may also comprise an antibacterial agent. Such variants are each understood to fall within the scope of the invention.

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It is also possible that the first material is added to the first material by impregnation. It is also possible that the second agent is added to the second material by impregnation. For example, first the first part or a part thereof can be manufactured from the first material, whereafter the first material is impregnated with the first means. Thus, for example, the second part or a part thereof can also be manufactured from the second material, whereafter the second material is impregnated with the second means.

10

A possible second embodiment of an ear tag according to the invention is shown in Figures 4 to 7. As can be seen in Figure 4, the ear tag is provided with a first part 102 and a second part 104. The second part 104 is provided with a pin 106. The pin 106 is again provided with a thickening 108 which is located at an end of the pin 106 is located. In addition to pin 106, the second part is provided with a label part 108 which in a view P has a substantially rectangular shape. In the example, it holds that the pin is made of the second part of the second material which comprises a second antiseptic and / or disinfectant. The first part 102 is again provided with an opening 110. Furthermore, the first part comprises a channel 112 which extends into the first part and comprises the opening 110 as an open end. Figure 5 shows that the first part 102 is provided with a first housing part 114 made of one piece and which is provided with an upright side wall 116 with a bottom 118 in which the opening 110 is located. The first housing part also includes a portion 112A of the channel. Also arranged in the housing part 114 is the electronic circuit 120 which is comparable to the electronic circuit discussed with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The first part further comprises a cap 122. The first housing part and the cap 122 are each made of the first material which comprises an antiseptic and / or 14 disinfectant. In use, the cap 122 is mounted as shown in Figure 6. Next, an interior space of the first housing part 114 bounded by the upstanding side wall 116 and the bottom 118 is filled with a lightweight material such as a liquid foamed polyurethane which can then cure. The first housing part 114 and the cap 122 have been obtained by injection molding, wherein for injection molding a liquid plastic is used in which a first antiseptic and / or disinfecting agent is applied. In the example, it further holds that the pin 106 is injection-molded with a plastic in which an antiseptic and / or disinfecting material is provided. The part 108 in this example is made of a flexible material such as PVC, the part 108 not comprising an antiseptic and / or disinfectant. The part 108 and the pin 106 can for instance be attached to each other by gluing. Such variants are each understood to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (27)

An ear tag for animals provided with a first part with at least one opening and a second part with at least one pin, wherein the second part can be attached to the first part by inserting the pin in the opening, characterized in that a first Material of which at least a part of the first part is manufactured comprises a first antiseptic and / or disinfectant and / or a second material of which at least a part of the second part is manufactured comprises a second antiseptic and / or a disinfectant. 10 Animal ear tag according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part does not at least partly consist of a coating and / or that the second part does not at least partly consist of a coating. Animal ear tag according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first material does not form part of a coating or that the first material does not form a coating and / or that the second material does not form part of a coating or that the second material 20 material does not form a coating. 4. Animal ear tag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material forms a rigid part of the ear tag and / or that the second material forms a rigid part of the ear tag. Animal ear tag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material consists of a first plastic, such as plastic, and the first means included in the first plastic and / or that the second material consists of a second plastic, such as plastic, and the second agent included in the second plastic. Animal ear tag according to claim 5, characterized in that the first antiseptic and / or disinfecting agent is homogeneously dispersed in the first plastic and / or the second antiseptic and / or disinfecting agent is homogeneously dispersed in the second plastic . Animal ear tag according to claim 6, characterized in that the first plastic comprises polyurethane, Nylon, TPU, PP and / or ASA and / or that the second plastic comprises polyurethane, Nylon, TPU, PP and / or ASA. 8. An animal ear tag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outer side of the pin is formed by the second material. 9. An animal ear tag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin is made of the second material, more in particular that the pin is at least almost completely made of the second material. An animal ear tag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a housing of the second part is made of the second material, more particularly that the housing of the second part is at least substantially completely made of the second material. 11. An animal ear tag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part is made of the second material, more particularly that the second part is at least substantially completely made of the second material. 12. An animal ear tag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner wall of a channel which extends in the first part and comprises as an open end the opening and / or an area around the opening on the outside of the first part is formed by the first material. An animal ear tag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a housing of the first part is made of the first material, more particularly that the housing of the first part is at least substantially completely made of the first material. 20 14. An animal ear tag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part is made of the first material, more particularly that the first part is at least substantially completely made of the first material. 25 15. An animal ear tag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part and / or the second part is provided with an electronic circuit which reacts with the transmission of an identification code when the electronic circuit is brought into an electromagnetic interrogation field. wherein the electronic circuit is preferably provided with a transponder. Animal ear tag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first agent and / or the second agent comprises an antibacterial agent. Animal ear tag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first means and / or the second means Chlorhexidine, povidone iodine, iodine tincture and / or lactic acid, more in particular polylactic acid. Animal ear tag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material of which at least a part of the first part is manufactured is impregnated with a first antiseptic and / or disinfecting agent and / or the second material of which at least one part of the second part is manufactured with the second antiseptic and / or a disinfectant is impregnated. 20 19. Method for manufacturing an ear tag for animals provided with a first part with at least one opening and a second part with at least one pin, wherein the second part can be attached to the first part by inserting the pin in the opening, characterized in that the method comprises at least steps a. and b. and / or at least steps c. and d. comprises wherein step a. comprises joining a first plastic and a first antiseptic and / or disinfecting agent wherein the first plastic is melted before or after the plastic and the first agent are joined together so that the first agent is incorporated into the molten first plastic for obtaining a molten first material, more particularly so that the first plastic and the first means are mixed to obtain a molten first material; Step b. on the basis of the molten first material obtained in step a. comprises injection molding at least a part of the first part; step c. joining a second plastic and comprising a second antiseptic and / or disinfecting agent wherein the second plastic is melted before or after the plastic and the second agent are joined together so that the second agent is incorporated into the molten second plastic to obtain a second plastic molten second material, more particularly so that the second plastic and the second means are mixed to obtain a molten second material; step d. it based on the step c. molten second material obtained comprises injection molding of at least a part of the second part. A method according to claim 19, characterized in that in step d. an outside of the pin is formed from the second material, more particularly that in step d. an outer side of the pin is formed substantially completely from the second material. 25 A method according to any one of the preceding claims 19-20, characterized in that in step d. the pin is made from the second material, more particularly that in step d. the pin is at least almost completely manufactured from the second material. 30 A method according to any one of the preceding claims 19-21, characterized in that in step d. a housing of the second part is manufactured from the second material, more particularly that in step d. a housing of the second part is at least substantially completely manufactured from the second material. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 19-22, characterized in that in step d. the second part is made of the second material, more particularly that in step d. the second part is at least almost completely manufactured from the second material. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 19-23, characterized in that in step b. an inner wall of a channel extending into the first part and comprising as an open end the opening is formed from the first material, more particularly that in step b. an inner wall of a channel which extends in the first part and comprises as an open end the opening is at least substantially formed from the first material. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 19-24, characterized in that in step b. a housing of the first part is made of the first material, more particularly that in step b. a housing of the first part is at least substantially completely made of the first material. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 19-25, characterized in that in step b. the first part is made of the first material, more particularly that in step b. a housing of the first part is at least almost completely manufactured from the first material. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 19-26, characterized in that after performing steps a. And b. an electronic circuit is mounted in the first part wherein the electronic circuit is of a type that reacts to the transmission of an identification code when the electronic circuit is brought into an electromagnetic interrogation field, the electronic circuit being preferably provided with a transponder and / or that after performing the steps c. and d. an electronic circuit is mounted in the second part wherein the electronic circuit is of a type that responds to the transmission of an identification code when the electronic circuit is brought into an electromagnetic interrogation field, the electronic circuit preferably being provided with a transponder and / or a visible marker.