WO2001033950A1

WO2001033950A1 - Ear tag

Info

Publication number: WO2001033950A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2000/000225
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Stuart Gardner; Roy Victor Bladen
Original assignee: Michael Stuart Gardner; Roy Victor Bladen
Priority date: 1999-11-10
Filing date: 2000-11-10
Publication date: 2001-05-17
Also published as: AU1314701A

Abstract

An animal ear tag is described. The animal ear tag includes a rigid body portion (2A, 2B) including an internal cavity (3) in which an identification device (8) may be located and a flexible portion (5) engaged with the rigid body portion (2A, 2B) and extending from an aperture in the rigid body portion (2A, 2B). The flexible portion (5) includes a securing means (6) for securing the animal ear tag to an animal's ear. Optionally, the flexible portion (5) includes a receptacle (7) suitable for receiving therein the identification device (8). The flexible portion (5) extends into the internal cavity (3) so that the flexible portion (5) is adjacent to at least a part of the identification device (8) when it is located within the internal cavity (3).

Description

EAR TAG

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an animal ear tag and in particular, but not exclusively, to an animal ear tag for containing and protecting an identification device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ear tags are commonly used in the agricultural industry to identify animals. Numerous types of tags have been developed, which can be attached to an animal's ear. Recent advancements in ear tags for this purpose include the development of tamper evident ear tags to assist in the prevention of fraud, and the use of electronic identification devices, such as a transponder in the ear tag.

Ear tags are typically required to remain attached to an animal's ear for extended periods, of up to several years. During this time, there is the risk that the ear tag may become snagged against a bush, fence or other object. Therefore, ear tags have been developed which are constructed from a flexible material so that the ear tag can bend and flex and hence avoid snagging. Furthermore, flexible tags may also be less vulnerable to snapping through general fatigue and may be easier to apply to the animal.

One disadvantage of flexible ear tags occurs when an electronic or other frangible identification device is required to assist in the identification and/or tracking of an animal. Transponders are an example of such an identification device. Transponders are fragile and may be easily damaged if the ear tag accommodating the transponder is bent. Therefore flexible ear tags offer little protection to a transponder. Another disadvantage of including transponders in moulded flexible materials, particularly flexible plastics materials, is the risk of damage to the transponder during the moulding process due to the temperatures and/or pressures used in the process of manufacture.

A further disadvantage of using flexible materials, for example urethane, for ear tags is that printing identification onto the tag may be difficult and/or expensive and the resulting mark may be unclear or distorted.

A rigid tag offers the advantages of protecting the transponder and providing a better surface for printing. However, the rigid nature of the tag makes the transponder susceptible to damage due to contact with the hard material of the ear tag. Furthermore, if a rigid ear tag is used, the ear tag may snag on an object and the resulting forces applied to the tag can damage the ear tag, the transponder and/or the animal's ear.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an animal ear tag which overcomes or alleviates problems in animal ear tags at present or at least one which provides the public with a useful alternative.

Further objects of the invention may become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal ear tag including:

• a rigid body portion defining an internal cavity adapted to contain an identification device, the rigid body portion including at least one aperture extending from the periphery of the rigid body portion inwards; and

• a flexible portion engageable with the rigid body portion through at least one of the apertures, wherein the flexible portion is adapted to extend into the or each aperture of the rigid body portion and includes a securing means suitable for securing the ear tag to an animal's ear.

In one preferred form, the flexible portion may include a receptacle for receiving therein an identification device, wherein the flexible portion is dimensioned to allow the receptacle to be located within the internal cavity defined by the rigid body portion.

Preferably, the flexible portion may include a sealing section extending around the receptacle, said sealing section adapted in combination with one or more walls of the internal cavity to seal the receptacle.

Preferably, the rigid body portion may be adapted to engage in an interlocking manner with the sealing section.

In an alternative form, the flexible portion may extend at least partially into the internal cavity so as to be positioned, in use, so that a part of the flexible portion is adjacent to at least a portion of an identification device located within the cavity. Preferably, the identification device may include an electronic device and more preferably it may include a transponder.

Preferably, the body portion may include two parts engageable about an identification device.

Preferably, the flexible tag portion may include an aperture or recess adapted to receive a protrusion of the rigid body portion to engage the flexible tag portion with the rigid body portion.

Preferably, at least one part of the body portion may be constructed from a moulded material, the moulded material being moulded about the flexible tag portion.

Preferably, the securing means may be tamper evident.

Preferably, the body portion may be formed from a rigid plastic material.

Preferably, the flexible portion may be formed from a soft plastic or synthetic rubber material, more preferably, urethane.

In one preferred form, the or each aperture may be located in an outer peripheral rim of the rigid body portion.

In an alternative form, the rigid body portion may have an annular configuration including an inner and outer periphery and the or each aperture may be located in the inner periphery of the rigid body portion.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an electronic animal ear tag, the method including: • forming a flexible portion including securing means adapted to secure the ear tag to an animal's ear;

• forming a rigid body including an internal cavity and at least one aperture extending from the periphery of the rigid body portion inwards, wherein the or each aperture is adapted to receive the flexible portion;

• positioning an identification device within the internal cavity; and

• engaging the flexible portion with the rigid body portion through at least one of the apertures.

Preferably, the method may include forming at least a part of the rigid body portion by moulding said part about the flexible portion.

Preferably, the flexible portion may include one or more protrusions extending from its surface, wherein the method includes holding the flexible portion in a mould by the one or more protrusions when moulding the rigid body portion about the flexible portion.

Preferably, the method may further include providing an aperture within the flexible portion and moulding at least one part of the rigid body portion about the flexible portion so that a protrusion of the rigid body portion is received by the aperture.

Preferably, the method may further include providing a receptacle suitable for receiving the identification device within the flexible portion, locating the identification device within the receptacle and engaging two or more parts of the rigid body portion about the receptacle. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal ear tag substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Further aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 : shows an exploded view of an animal ear tag according to one aspect of the invention;

Figure 2: shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled ear tag of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3: shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of an animal ear tag.

Figure 4: shows an exploded view of a further alternative embodiment of an animal ear tag.

Figure 5: shows a cut-away view of the assembled ear tag of Figure 4.

Figure 6: shows a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, an exploded view of an animal ear tag according to a preferred embodiment is generally referenced by arrow 1 . The ear tag 1 includes a rigid body portion 2 including two parts 2A and 2B. Parts 2A and 2B each include a recess to form an internal cavity 3 when the parts 2A and 2B are adjoined.

The rigid body portion 2 includes an aperture 4 in its periphery. The aperture 4 extends into the rigid body portion 2 and is adapted to receive a flexible portion 5, so that the flexible portion 5 protrudes from the aperture 4. Alternatively, multiple apertures 4 may be included and the flexible portion 5 may include a corresponding number of fingers or other protrusions adapted to be received by the apertures 4.

It will be appreciated that the extent that the flexible portion 5 protrudes from aperture 4 may be varied depending on the particular requirements of the ear tag 1 . For example, the extent of protrusion may be increased to allow a greater range of flexing. It will further be appreciated that the shape of the protruding portion of flexible portion 5 and that of the rigid body portion 2 may be varied, the shape selected depending on the specific design requirements for the ear tag 1 . For example, the shape may be selected to minimise the risk of snagging and to provide a sufficiently robust connection between securing means 6 and the remainder of the ear tag 1 .

The flexible portion 5 includes at its distal end from the rigid body portion 2 a securing means 6 adapted to secure the ear tag 1 to an animal's ear. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the securing means 6 comprises a receptacle adapted to receive and engage a protrusion (not shown), which will extend through an animal's ear to secure the ear tag 1 in use. It will be appreciated that any securing means may be used, but in any case, it is preferable that the securing means is tamper evident to assist in the prevention of fraud.

The flexible portion 5 extends into the cavity 3 and forms a cup or receptacle 7 adapted to receive an identification device 8. The identification device 8 may be secured to flexible portion 5 through frictional engagement or by an appropriate fixing means, for example an adhesive. The rigid body portion 2 is assembled around the flexible portion 5 and the identification device 8. The flexible portion 5 may be any shape adapted to fit inside the cavity 3 and receive the identification device 8. The receptacle 7 may be adapted to engage with the identification device 8 and hold it securely, and substantially surround the identification device 8. The flexible portion 5 may be constructed from a flexible material which preferably has a soft surface to provide a shock-absorbing function to protect the identification device 8. Any soft plastic or synthetic rubber material exhibiting these characteristics may by used and in a preferred embodiment, the flexible portion 5 is constructed from urethane.

It will be appreciated that the identification device 8 may be any appropriate device. In the preferred embodiment as presently contemplated and as generally represented in Figure 1 , the identification device 8 includes a transponder.

The flexible portion 5 protrudes from the rigid body portion 2 between two shoulders 9. Due to flexible portion 5 being constructed from a flexible material, the ear tag 1 can bend and flex about the protruding portion of the flexible portion 5, assisting to prevent snagging. Furthermore, the shoulders 9 slope away from the securing means 6 to assist the prevention of snagging of the ear tag 1 . The exterior surface of the rigid body portion 2 defines a smooth surface, absent of any sharp corners, which may irritate the animal and/or result in snagging.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the ear tag 1 . The flexible portion 5 engages with the rigid body portion 2 in an interlocking relationship. The flexible portion 5 includes a protrusion 10 which engages with a corresponding recess in the rigid body portion 2. The protrusion 1 0 in combination with the rigid body portion 2 provides a seal around the identification device 8. This may be important for identification devices which are susceptible to damage due to exposure to moisture, such as electrical and electronic devices. Alternatively, a seal may be formed by compressing the flexible portion 5 between parts of the rigid body portion 2.

The identification device 8 is positioned within the cavity 3 of the rigid body portion 2 and the two parts 2A and 2B of the rigid body portion 2 are engaged together, preferably by welding, thereby preventing access to the identification device 8. It will be appreciated that any other means of engagement between the parts 2A and 2B may be used including an adhesive or fixing means like screws or any other form of secure engagement. Furthermore, the rigid body portion 2 may comprise more than two parts, the use of two parts being preferred to simplify manufacture and assembly of the ear tag 1 .

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that an advantage of the interlocking engagement of the flexible portion 5 and main body 2 avoids the requirement and associated problems of welding the two different materials together.

Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the assembled ear tag 1 of Figure 1 . The preferred form of securing means 6 is shown, which is shaped to receive a protrusion with an arrow-shaped head. In an alternative embodiment, the receptacle 7 of flexible portion 5 may be an aperture in which the identification device 8 is located in use. One or more legs or other protrusions may be provided on parts 2A and/or 2B to substantially surround and support the identification device 8 within the aperture. These legs or protrusions may optionally be dimensioned and shaped to form an additional sealing function around the identification device 8. The protrusions may be welded or otherwise engaged together inside the cavity 3.

In another alternative embodiment, the flexible portion 5 may not include a receptacle 7 for receiving identification device 8 and may engage with body portion 2 in any other interlocking relationship. However, it is preferable that the identification device 8 is secured within or adjacent to a flexible member or other shock-absorbing means within cavity 3 to assist in the prevention of damage to the identification device 8.

The rigid body portion 2 may be constructed from a rigid plastics material and flexible portion 2 from a flexible plastics material. Due to the potential extended exposure to the environment in use, the materials used for rigid body portion 2 and at least the protruding portion of the flexible portion 5 should have a high tolerance to exposure to ultra-violet light. Furthermore, the ear tag is preferably water proof to prevent water contacting the identification device 8. As aforementioned, protrusion 10, engaged with rigid body portion 2 in an interlocking manner provides a sealing engagement for this purpose.

The surface of the rigid body portion 2 may be printed with identification markings and/or other information prior to or after assembly of the ear tag 1 . The rigid material from which rigid body portion 2 is constructed provides an improved printing surface over flexible materials. This may result in advantages of improved efficiency of production and clearer markings.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of an ear tag 1 2 of the present invention, which may have particular application for smaller animals where a compact stud-like tag is required. The rigid body portion 20 defines an inner and outer periphery 21 and 22 respectively. One or more apertures 23 (obscured) are provided in the inner periphery 21 from which a flexible portion 50 protrudes. The flexible portion 50 substantially fills the area within the inner periphery 21 and includes a securing means 60 adapted to secure the ear tag 1 2 to an animal's ear. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the aperture extends around the full circumference of the inner periphery 21 , and the flexible portion engages through the aperture to be securely engaged between the inner peripheral rims of the two portions of the rigid body portion 20.

The identification device (not shown) to be used with ear tag 1 2 must fit inside rigid body portion 20. Therefore, the identification device may be substantially donut-shaped or annular and/or small enough to fit between the inner periphery 21 and outer periphery 22. It will be appreciated that a coil antenna and integrated circuit may be placed within rigid body portion 20, allowing a transponder to be used as the identification device.

As with ear tag 1 , ear tag 1 2 may have a rigid body portion in two or more parts engageable together by welding or other appropriate means, and the flexible portion 50 may be engageable with the rigid body portion 20 in an interlocking relationship creating a sealing engagement. Furthermore, flexible portion 50 may include a receptacle adapted to receive the identification device in use. It will be appreciated that the ability of ear tag 1 2 to bend and flex about the protruding portion of flexible tag member 50 may be limited due to the restricted area of flexible tag member 50 within inner periphery 21 . To increase flexibility, the flexible tag member 50 may extend through a single aperture 23 which extends only partly around the inner periphery 21 .

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of an ear tag 80 according to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention. Ear tag 80 includes a rigid body portion 81 , which includes two parts 81 A and 81 B. The flexible portion 82 extends through an aperture 83 in rigid body portion 81 A and has engagement means including an aperture 84 adapted to engage with a protrusion 85 of rigid body portion 81 A. The engagement means may form any interlocking type arrangement through the aperture 83.

The rigid body portion 81 B is preferably secured to portion 81 A by welding. However, any other appropriate method of securing the two portions may be used. The identification device 8, a transponder in Figure 4, is located within a cavity 86 formed by rigid body portions 81 A and 81 B.

The rigid body portion 81 A may be formed by placing the flexible portion 82 within a mould and moulding material around the flexible portion 82. The moulding process allows the material of the rigid body portion 81 A to be received by aperture 84, and create a seal about the flexible portion 82 at least around aperture 83. Therefore, a sealing interlocking engagement between flexible portion 82 and rigid body portion 81 A results. A similar engagement method may be used for ear tags including a receptacle and/or for ear tags having an annular shape. Figure 5 shows a cut-away view of ear tag 80. Flexible portion 82 extends into cavity 86 to lie adjacent to a portion of identification device 8. This may provide at least a partial shock absorbing function to protect the identification device 8.

The flexible portion 82 is positioned and held within the mould during the moulding of the rigid body portion 81 A. Therefore, a number of holes 87 may be formed in the rigid body portion 81 A where the flexible portion 82 was held. The flexible portion 82 may include one or more protrusions to assist in holding it within the mould. These protrusions may extend through holes 87 to terminate substantially flush with the outer surface of rigid body portion 81 A, thereby improving the seal around the holes 87. It will be appreciated that the holes 87 may be of any shape and may be positioned in any required profile depending on the mould used.

Referring now to Figure 6, a cross-section of ear tag 80 along line AA in Figure 5 is shown. The rigid body portion 81 A is moulded around the flexible portion 82 and the identification device 8 is placed within the cavity 86 after the rigid body portion has set. The rigid body portion 81 B is then engaged with portion 81 A to form a seal about the identification device 8.

The flexible portion 82 extends from aperture 83 to a certain extent, which like ear tag 1 may depend on the required flexing properties for the ear tag 80. A securing means 88, adapted to secure ear tag 80 to an animal's ear is provided at the distal end of flexible portion 82.

There is thus provided an animal ear tag 1 which provides a rigid cavity 3 to contain and protect an identification device 8, such as a transponder. The ear tag 1 is able to bend and flex about the protruding portion of flexible portion 5, thereby avoiding snagging of the ear tag.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents 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 thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims:

1 . An animal ear tag including:

2. An animal ear tag as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flexible portion includes a receptacle for receiving therein an identification device and wherein the flexible portion is dimensioned to allow the receptacle to be located within the internal cavity defined by the rigid body portion.

3. An animal ear tag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flexible portion includes a sealing section extending around the receptacle, the sealing section adapted in combination with one or more walls of the internal cavity to form a seal around the receptacle.

4. An animal ear tag as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rigid body portion is adapted to engage in an interlocking manner with the sealing section.

5. An animal ear tag as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flexible portion is dimensioned to extend, in use, at least partially into the internal cavity so as to be positioned with a part of the flexible portion adjacent to at least a portion of an identification device located within the cavity.

6. An animal ear tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification device includes an electronic device.

7. An animal ear tag as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electronic device includes a transponder.

8. An animal ear tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid body portion includes two parts engageable about the identification device.

9. An animal ear tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible tag portion includes an aperture or recess adapted to receive a protrusion of the rigid body portion to engage the flexible tag portion with the rigid body portion.

10. An animal ear tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the body portion is constructed from a moulded material, the moulded material being moulded about the flexible tag portion.

1 1 . An animal ear tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing means is tamper evident.

1 2. An animal ear tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body portion is formed from a rigid plastic material.

1 3. An animal ear tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible portion is formed from a soft plastic or synthetic rubber material.

14. An animal ear tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible portion is formed from urethane.

1 5. An animal ear tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each aperture is located in an outer peripheral rim of the rigid body portion.

1 6. An animal ear tag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the rigid body portion has an annular configuration including an inner and outer periphery and the or each aperture may be located in the inner periphery of the rigid body portion.

1 7. A method of manufacturing an animal ear tag, the method including: • forming a flexible portion including a securing means adapted to secure the ear tag to an animal's ear;

• positioning an identification device within the internal cavity; and engaging the flexible portion with the rigid body portion through at least one of the apertures.

1 8. A method of manufacturing an animal ear tag as claimed in claim 17 including forming at least a part of the rigid body portion by moulding said part about the flexible portion.

1 9. A method of manufacturing an animal ear tag as claimed in claim 1 7, wherein the flexible portion includes one or more protrusions extending from its surface and wherein the method includes holding the flexible portion in a mould by the one or more protrusions when moulding the rigid body portion about the flexible portion.

20. A method of manufacturing an animal ear tag as claimed in any one of claims 1 7 to 1 9, wherein the method further includes providing an aperture within the flexible portion and moulding at least one part of the rigid body portion about the flexible portion so that a protrusion of the rigid body portion is received by the aperture.

21 . A method of manufacturing an animal ear tag as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method may further include providing a receptacle suitable for receiving the identification device within the flexible portion, locating the identification device within the receptacle and engaging two or more parts of the rigid body portion about the receptacle.

22. An animal ear tag substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A method of manufacturing an animal ear tag substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.