NZ614885B2 - Identification tags and their manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

female animal identification tag (15) is disclosed. The tag includes a base section having an opening with a plurality of inwardly directed projections (4) which, in use, will enable a head (27) of a male tag (16) to pass through and be retained by the projections (4). The base section is provided with an upwardly directed boss (12) adapted to receive an insert (17). The insert prevents tampering of the female tag (15) after its engagement with the male tag (16). A method of forming such a tab by overmolding a base component which may include an RFID component is also disclosed. ed with an upwardly directed boss (12) adapted to receive an insert (17). The insert prevents tampering of the female tag (15) after its engagement with the male tag (16). A method of forming such a tab by overmolding a base component which may include an RFID component is also disclosed.

Description

GE0509490NZPR 303743862 GEC:jaw 1 IDENTIFICATION TAGS AND THEIR MANUFACTURE Background of Invention This invention relates to identification tags and their manufacture. More especially, female identification tags.

The present invention will be described particularly in respect of an overmoulded animal female identification tag but it is to be tood that the invention has application for a wide variety of identification tags.

When a male tag engages with a female tag, it is important that the engagement is secure so that the tags are not readily detached, either ntally, or intentionally for some fraudulent e.

To facilitate that secure ment, various past proposals have been made. For example, in New Zealand patent 504742 ex) the female tag includes a female opening with a plurality of projections directed ly of a hard boss, of which the opening forms part, so that the male head, after entry into the female opening, is retained by the projections or “fingers”. A problem with that proposal is that the female flag is tied to the hard boss only in a small area around the edge of the female opening.

Another proposal, in New Zealand patent 236752 ord et al.), provides a female opening in the form of a domed split washer of resilient material, the outer peripheral edge of the washer being embedded in the soft plastics of the outer boss and female flag. That proposal, the manner of manufacture of which is unclear, has no ion for the inclusion of a hard material to protect the male head after insertion into the female tag in order to make the tag more tamper proof.

The present invention proposes the use of a female tag base section, including projections or “fingers”, such as in x referred to above. A major advantage of such fingers is that they enable the tag to be used in very cold environments, including sub- zero atures. A continuous female opening would, in such temperatures, resist the entry of the male head. It is to be appreciated that where the term “projections” or “fingers” is used in the present specification, it is intended to encompass all suitable designs for this purpose, including the presence of existing slots or gaps between discrete GEC509490NZPR 303743862 GEC:jaw 2 projections, or lines of weakness or perforations which would be able to fracture on the entry of the male head.

It is thus an object of a preferred embodiment of the invention to provide a method of manufacture of a female identification tag and/or tags manufactured thereby, which will overcome, or alleviate, problems in such manufacture or tags to date, or which at least will provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects of the invention in all its embodiments will become apparent from the ing description.

The reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of common general knowledge in any country.

Summary of the Invention It is also an object of a preferred embodiment of the invention to provide a resilient c clip for use in g reinforcing bars, and particular to a clip, and clip applying apparatus for use therewith, which is suitable forjoining bars of different sizes.

According to one aspect of the present ion, a method of manufacture of a female identification tag includes: i. positioning within an open ng tool a female base section including an opening with inwardly directed projections; ii. closing the moulding tool and its core over the female base section to define areas for ulding; iii. filling the defined areas with the overmoulding material so as to include the formation of a flexible or soft boss as part of a female tag the boss 3O including an upper opening narrower than a r defined by the flexible or soft boss; iv. opening the moulding tool and provide for its core to move through an upper g formed in the boss; and v. ejecting the female tag from the open tool.

GEC509490NZPR 303743862 GEC:jaw 3 ally the female base section and an RFID component in the above method are provided as a single unit.

Optionally the female base section and an RFID component in the above tag are provided as a single unit.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a method of manufacture of a female identification tag or a female fication tag, is substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the embodiments of the ion and/or as described with nce to the accompanying drawings. r aspects of this invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Unless the context clearly requires othen/vise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an ive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figures 1a & 1b: show plan and cross sectional views of a female base section according to one possible embodiment of the invention and including an RFID coil; Figure 2: shows an ed view of the base section of Figure 1; Figure 3: shows very diagrammatically an open moulding tool with a core, for use in the manufacture of a female tag and according to one possible embodiment of the invention; Figure 4: shows the moulding tool of Figure 3 but with the female base section loaded; 490NZPR 303743862 GECIJaw 4 Figure 5: shows the moulding tool loaded and about to close; Figure 6: shows the moulding tool closed prior to overmoulding; Figure 7: shows the moulding tool with the overmoulding filling the cavities defined by the moulding tool; Figure 8: shows the moulding tool opening but with no movement of the core; Figure 9: shows the ng tool opening and with the core rotating as it ejects through the g at the top of the boss which has been formed; Figure 10: shows the moulding tool open and with the core fully ejected; Figure 11: shows the moulding tool fully open and with the female tag ejected; Figure 12: shows a female tag according to one possible ment of the invention with a top cap about to be inserted and welded; Figures 13a & 13b: show plan and cross-sectional views of the tag of Figure 12 with the top cap welded in position; Figure 14: shows a female tag according to another possible ment of the invention but utilising a base section without an RFID coil; Figure 15: shows the tag of Figure 14 with its base section as formed by overmoulding; Figure 16: shows a female tag of the type shown in Figures 14 and 15 but with a top cap about to be inserted; Figures 17a & 17b: show plan and cross-sectional views of the tag of Figure 16 with the top cap inserted and welded; 490NZPR 303743862 GECZjaw 5 Figure 18: shows a further possible embodiment of the invention but with a top cap which is a snap fit in the boss of the female tag and further shows diagrammatically a male tag; Figures 19a & 19b: show plan and cross-sectional views of the tag of Figure 18 with the top cap snap fitted into position; Figure 20: shows a female tag ing to a further embodiment of the invention in which the top cap is inserted through the base section of the female tag; Figures 21a & 21b: show the tag of Figure 20 following the insertion of the insert h the base section of the female tag; Figures 22a & 22b: show another possible ment of the invention, being a modified design of that of Figures 20 and 21; Figures 23a - e: show exploded side and cross—sectional views of a female tag according to a r possible embodiment of the invention with the female tag in the form of a button tag, and, in Figures 23b - e, with the insert progressively being inserted through the base section of the female tag; Figures 24a & 24b: show plan and cross-sectional views of a female tag according to a further le embodiment of the invention with the female tag in the form of a button tag; Figure 25: shows an exploded view of the tag of Figures 24; Figures 26a & 26b: show side and cross-sectional views of a female tag according to a further le embodiment of the invention in which the boss has thick walls.

Figures 27a, b, c & d: show respectively, plan, side, underneath and cross sectional views of a female tag according to another possible embodiment of the invention and including an RFID coil; GEC509490NZPR 862 GECtjaw 6 Figures 28a, b & c: shows an ed view of the female tag of Figure 27; Figure 29: shows a cross sectional view of the female tag of Figure 1, engaged with a male tag; Figure 30: shows an RFID coil being wound on the base section of the female tag of Figure 1; Brief Description of Possible Embodiments As mentioned above, the present invention is directed towards female identification tags especially for animals, which include a base n provided, or able, with a plurality of projections around the female opening which can flex to enable the entry of the head of the male tag but can then resist the male tag head being pulled out. This provides a level of tamper proofing which is then, in preferred embodiments of the invention, supplemented by the provision of a hard insert positioned within a relatively soft or flexible boss formed above the base n of the female tag. By the use of such flexible tions at the female opening, the tags of the present ion are able to be used in very cold environments. This is not possible with female tags having a continuous opening. The tamper proofing may, if required, be further improved by the stem of the male tag being weakened so that it will fracture if undue force attempts to separate the male and female tags. The method of manufacture of the tags provided by the present invention also enables a multitude of s designs of female tags to be used, all of them using an ially r female base section, although this may or may not be provided with an RFID coil or the like.

Turning therefore to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a female tag base section is referenced generally by arrow 1. In this embodiment the base section 1 includes a base 2 with a substantially central opening 3 around which are positioned a plurality of inwardly directed inclined projections or fingers 4. These fingers 4 may be spaced apart from one another by actual slots 5 or, it is envisaged, they may be separated by lines of weakness or perforations so that the fingers 5 are formed as the male head enters the female opening 3. The base 2 has a peripheral chamber adapted to accommodate an RFlD coil 6. An upper cover plate 7 completes the assembly. As will become clear later, this particular design of base section 1 is given only by way of GEC509490NZPR 303743862 GEC:jaw 7 example. In alternative embodiments the RFID coil could be omitted. The only essential feature of the base section 1 is that it includes a plurality of projections or fingers 4.

Turning then to Figures 3 to 11, a moulding tool includes upper and lower tool member parts 8 and 9, movable relative to one another, and a core 10 movable relative to both the mould parts 8 and 9. The mould parts 8 and 9 are each shown with appropriate es or cavities 14 which together with the core 10 will define the shape of the moulded tag, once the flowable plastics material has flowed into the recesses 14, 148. 1O In Figure 4, a base section 1, such as that described in respect of Figures 1 and 2, has been positioned in the lower mould part 9 before, as is shown in Figure 5, the core 10 has moved into position over the base section 1. Then, as shown in Figure 6, the tool is closed prior to overmoulding commencing.

Referring then to Figure 7, the flowable plastic al is shown having filled the recesses provided by the mould parts 8 and 9 and the cavity defined around the core 10, so as to form a flag 11, a boss 12 and with overmoulded material around and within the base n 1. ln forming the flag 11, the overmoulded material has flowed into recess 148 (see Figure 6). lf a “button” tag were required, i.e. one with no flag, then the recess 14B would be omitted. Then, in Figure 8, the tool members 8 and 9 are shown opening, although the core 10 remains stationary. Then, in Figure 9, the core 10 starts to eject, moving through the flexible opening 13 formed at the top of the soft boss 12. Preferably, as shown by arrow ‘A’ in Figure 9, the core 10 is caused to rotate as it moves h the flexible opening 13 in order to break the bond between the cs material and the core 10. Turning then to Figure 10, the core 10 has fully ejected and the soft boss opening 13 has returned to its original size. ing then to Figure 11, a fully formed female tag 15, with its large flag 1 and soft boss 12, is shown being ejected from the fully open moulding tool.

In accordance with the normal moulding practice, onal ejector pins and r sleeves (not shown) would be included as part of the mould.

Turning now to Figures 12 and 13, a female tag 15, manufactured as hereinbefore described, may subsequently have a hard cap 17 , suitably by ultrasonic or high ncy welding, to the top of the soft boss 12. The insert or cap 17 may be of a hard GEC509490NZPR 303743862 GECZjaW 8 grade polyurethane (TPU), while the softer material of the overmoulding may be, for example, a softer grade of TPU. As will be seen, particularly in Figure 13b, a male tag 16 has its head 27 retained by the fingers 4 within the chamber defined by the soft boss 12, ing the entry of the head 17 into the female tag 15.

As mentioned previously, the female tag 15 may, in alternative embodiments, not have an RFID lity so that, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the base section 1 used in the manufacture of the tag 15 may be absent any RFID coil. Such a tag, also shown in s 16 and 17, may also have a hard top cap or insert 17 welded over the opening 13 of the soft boss 12.

In an ative embodiment as shown in Figures 18 and 19, another design of hard top cap or insert 18 may be used to close the opening 13 at the top of the soft boss 12. As seen, the top cap 18 may include a bottom flange 19 which can engage in a snap—fit within a recess 20 provided on an inner wall of the soft boss 12, as shown particularly in Figure 19b. In a further alternative embodiment, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, another form of hard insert 21 is shown being positioned, so as to close the opening 13 of the soft boss 12, through the base of the female tag 15. The insert 21 has a projection 22 which fits within the aperture 13 of the boss 12 and a flange 23 which can abut against a shoulder 24 provided on an inner wall of the soft boss 12, see particularly Figure 21b.

As mentioned usly, the female tag 15 may in alternative embodiments not have a flag 11 but instead be in the form of a button tag, such as referenced generally by 24 in s 22 and 23, othen/vise the same reference ls being used where appropriate. This button tag 24, as seen particularly in Figure 23a, includes an RFID coil 6 and an insert 21 insertable through the base of the female tag 24 in order to close off the opening 13 of the soft boss 12. In Figures 23b, 0, d and e, the insert 21 is shown progressively moving into position within the soft boss 12, through the base section 1 of the female tag 24, the fingers on the insert 21 able to compress to facilitate its progress.

An undercut or ledge 28, see Figure 23e, assists in holding the insert 21 in position.

Then in Figures 24 and 25, the button tag 24 is shown, in an alternative embodiment, with a top cap or insert 17 which is welded to the top of the soft boss 12.

Turning then to Figures 26a and 26b, in an alternative embodiment, instead of utilising a hard insert or cap 17 or 21, the aperture 13 at the top of the boss 25 may be left open but GE0509490NZPR 303743862 GECjaw 9 the tamper proofing of the female tag 24 can be improved by ing a thick wall 29 to resist attempts to access the head of the male tag 16 and intentionally push out the head past the fingers or projections 4.

Turning now to Figures 27 and 28 of the anying drawings, a female tag is nced generally by arrow 101. In this embodiment the tag 101 includes a base 102 with a substantially central opening 103 around which are positioned a plurality of inwardly directed inclined tions or fingers 104. These fingers 104 may be spaced apart from one another by actual slots 105 or, it is envisaged, they may be separated by lines of 1O weakness or perforations so that the fingers 105 are formed as the male head enters the female opening 103. The base 102 has been formed by overmoulding through and about a base section 117 which can odate an RFID ent such as coil 106. As shown, the base section 117 is fully enclosed by the overmoulding to form the base 102.

The overmoulding has also provided a boss 112 which may, as shown, accommodate a hard insert 115, a projection 124 of the insert 115 being located in the top aperture 113 of the boss 112. in Figure 29, a male tag 116 with a stem 125 is shown with its head 120 and hard insert 119, located within the female tag 101 and held by the fingers 104.

The insert 115 may include, see Figure 28 especially, a skirt 123 with slots 122, to facilitate its ion into the boss 112 through the aperture 103 in the base 102.

In manufacturing the tag of Figures 27 and 28, and referring again to Figure 3, the base section 117, will be positioned in the lower mould part 109 before the core 110 is moved into position over the base section 117. The tool is then closed prior to overmoulding commencing as described above until finally, when the core 110 starts to eject, it moves through the flexible opening 113 formed at the top of the soft boss 112.

Referring now to Figure 30, in one possible embodiment, the RFID component 106 of the female tag 102, is provided as an RFID coil 106 which has been wound on a base former or bobbin 107 to form the base section 117. The base former 107 is shown positioned on a spindle 111 which may be d as the copper wire or the like 106A is wound onto the base former 107 between its spaced apart flanges 118.

GE0509490NZPR 303743862 w 1 0 In providing the base section 117 as a single part with the fingers 104, ting of the former or bobbin 107 and the coil 106, instead of a multiple part assembly, such as in Figure 1 for example, a less costly manufacture can result. It is envisaged that this embodiment of the present invention may be particularly suitable for tags intended for use with sheep where a boss insert 15 may not be required.

Although a “button” type design has been described above, it will be appreciated that the present invention has application for any design of tag, including of the alternative large “flag” type.

It will be iated from the above ption that the present invention s the use of fingers or projections in the female opening for a large variety of female tags, which can be suitable for use in all environments, even those with ro temperatures. The invention includes a method of manufacture of those female tags.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known lents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

GE0509490NZPR 303743862 GECzjaw 1 1

Claims (11)

1. A method of manufacture of a female identification tag terised in: i. positioning within an open moulding tool a female base n including an 5 opening with inwardly directed projections; ii closing the moulding tool and its core over the female base n to define areas for overmoulding; iii filling the defined areas with the overmoulding material so as to include the formation of a flexible boss as part of a female tag the boss including an 1O upper opening narrower than a chamber defined by the flexible boss; iv opening the moulding tool and provide for its core to move through an upper opening formed in the boss; and v ejecting the female tag from the open tool.

2. A method of manufacture as claimed in claim 1 wherein the female base section and an RFlD ent are provided as a single unit.

3. A method of manufacture as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the core is 20 caused to rotate as it moves through the upper opening formed in the boss in order to break any bond between the core and the overmoulding material.

4. A method of manufacture as claimed in claim 2 wherein the RFID component is ed as an RFID coil which has been wound on a base former or bobbin to 25 form the female base section.

5. A method of manufacture as claimed in claim 1 in which an RFID component is accommodated within the female base section. 30

6. A method of manufacture as claimed in claim 1 in which the defined areas include an area in which a flag portion is formed for the tag.

7. A method of manufacture as claimed in claim 1 in which a hard insert is secured within the upper g formed in the boss.

8. A method of manufacture as claimed in claim 7 in which the hard insert is inserted through the base section. GECSOB490NZPR 303743862 GECZJaw 1 2

9. A method of manufacture as d in claim 1 in which the boss is formed with a thickened wall.

10. A method of manufacture as claimed in any preceding claim in which the 5 overmoulding material fully encloses the base section.

11. A method of manufacture of a female identification tag substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the ion and any 1O one or more of the accompanying