WO2015107354A1 - Applicateur d'étiquette d'identification - Google Patents

Applicateur d'étiquette d'identification Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015107354A1
WO2015107354A1 PCT/GB2015/050089 GB2015050089W WO2015107354A1 WO 2015107354 A1 WO2015107354 A1 WO 2015107354A1 GB 2015050089 W GB2015050089 W GB 2015050089W WO 2015107354 A1 WO2015107354 A1 WO 2015107354A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
applicator
tag
jaws
jaw
pivotable
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2015/050089
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Brian Eadie
Original Assignee
Roxan Developments Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Roxan Developments Limited filed Critical Roxan Developments Limited
Priority to EP15701573.6A priority Critical patent/EP3094171A1/fr
Priority to AU2015207365A priority patent/AU2015207365A1/en
Publication of WO2015107354A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015107354A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K11/00—Marking of animals
    • A01K11/001—Ear-tags
    • A01K11/002—Pliers specially adapted for fixing ear-tags to ears

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to the field of identification tags, and provides an improved applicator for applying such tags to articles, objects and animals.
  • Existing identification tags especially those applied to livestock - are typically formed from moulded plastics. These tags usually have first and second portions foldable relative to one another to close the tag.
  • the first male portion has a piercing pin which, when the tag is folded, passes through an appendage of the animal, e.g. an ear, and into a corresponding aperture on the second female portion. The piercing pin locks within the aperture and the tag is thus secured.
  • the tags are loaded - either by hand, or via a semi- automatic delivery mechanism - into the jaws of the applicator in a flat orientation. In either case the operator of the tag applicator expends a significant proportion of a single squeezing hand movement just to fold a tag into an orientation ready for application. Thus, only a limited proportion of the squeezing hand movement remains available to generate sufficient force to then push the tag's pin through the appendage of an animal and into secure engagement with its locking aperture.
  • a further problem is that the process of consecutively attaching identification tags to a number of animals may be interrupted by the need to manually apply a topical solution - e.g. an antiseptic - to the tagging site on an appendage before proceeding to tag the next animal. This requirement represents a significant inconvenience by disrupting and slowing the tagging process, or by necessitating the involvement of an extra person to separately apply the topical solution.
  • a topical solution e.g. an antiseptic -
  • a user may simply elect not to apply the topical solution with consequent adverse impacts to animal welfare.
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • Existing tag applicators do not provide any kind of counting or tracking facility, so that the farmer applying the identification tags to the animals must carry both a tag applicator and a reader to count and/or track the RFID tags.
  • an identification tag applicator comprising:
  • a tag application mechanism including a mechanical linkage assembly connected to a pair of applicator jaws;
  • a manually-operable actuator adapted to activate the motor
  • a drive shaft comprising a first torque transfer member connected to the motor; wherein the first torque transfer member is engageable with the mechanical linkage assembly to transfer a closing force to at least one of the applicator jaws.
  • activation of the motor initiates a single cycle of the first torque transfer member.
  • the at least one applicator jaw may be pivotable, and the mechanical linkage assembly may comprise:
  • a lever arm pivotably connected to the tag applicator at a point between its first and second ends, the lever arm movable between a first position in which the pivotable jaw is in an open position and a second position in which the pivotable jaw is in a closed position;
  • first link member having a first link end pivotably connected to the pivotable jaw, and a second link end having a first locking surface
  • a second link member having a third link end pivotably connected to the first link member, and a fourth link end which has a second locking surface and which is pivotably connected to the first end of the lever arm;
  • pivoting connection of the pivotable jaw and the pivoting connection of the lever arm are each fixed relative to the tag applicator whereas their respective pivoting connections to the first and second link members are each floating relative to the tag applicator
  • the mechanical linkage assembly acts as a planar four- bar-linkage having four revolute joints: [i] the fixed joint connecting the pair of applicator jaws; (ii) the floating joint connecting the pivotable applicator jaw and the first link member; (iii) the floating joint connecting the second link member and the lever arm; and (iv) the fixed joint connecting the lever arm and the tag applicator.
  • the drive shaft extends along a plane which is substantially parallel to a plane comprising the lever arm.
  • the projecting member may be located upon the pivotable jaw. Alternatively, the projecting member may be located upon the first end of the lever arm.
  • the first transfer wheel engages the second end of the lever arm during a portion of its rotation.
  • the first torque transfer wheel may be provided with an eccentrically mounted lifting pin which engages the second end of the lever arm during a portion of its rotation cycle.
  • the second end of the lever arm is adapted to have a bearing surface having a width measuring less than the radius of the first transfer wheel.
  • the lifting pin is adapted to engage the bearing surface of the lever arm from beneath and lift it vertically as it rotates.
  • the second end of the lever arm acts as the input of the four- bar-linkage assembly.
  • the identification tag applicator further comprises a tag delivery mechanism adapted to successively deliver one of a plurality of tags to the tag application mechanism.
  • the drive shaft further comprises a second torque transfer member for operating the tag delivery mechanism.
  • first and second torque transfer members are mounted coaxia y on the drive shaft.
  • the tag applicator further comprises a dispenser outlet and a storage source; wherein the dispenser outlet dispenses a medicinal substance from the storage source, and is adapted to direct the medicinal substance into a space between the applicator jaws upon manual operation of the actuator.
  • the motor may be activated immediately upon any movement of the manually-operable actuator away from its rest position, for example by triggering a switch.
  • the manually-operable actuator may be permitted to travel a certain distance before the motor is activated.
  • a delayed activation of the motor may be desired so as to allow the medicinal substance to be dispensed onto the tag's piercing pin before the applicator jaws are closed.
  • the ability to partially move the manually-operable actuator away from its rest position without activating a cycle would allow a user to dispense multiple amounts of the medicinal substance before the applicator jaws are closed.
  • the second transfer wheel is provided with a crank arm which imparts a reciprocating linear movement to a pawl for transferring a pulling force to the next one of a number of identification tags to deliver it into the applicator jaws.
  • the relative positions of the lifting pin and crank arm on the first and second transfer wheels are each selected to coordinate the timing of the closure of pivotable jaw and the delivery of the next tag.
  • the pawl imparts a pulling force to deliver the next tag over 180 degrees of rotation of the second transfer wheel only after the lifting pin has disengaged from the bearing surface of the lever arm following the aforementioned 150 degree rotation of the first transfer wheel.
  • a 15 degree buffer zone is provided either side of the 150 degree rotation to ensure a small delay between the operation of the first and second transfer wheels, and hence to avoid any jamming.
  • the actuator includes a switch which activates the motor, and the pivotable applicator jaw is connected to the actuator such that operation of the actuator causes a first pivoting movement of the pivotable applicator jaw, and the motor is subsequently activated by operation of the switch to cause a second pivoting movement of the pivotable applicator jaw via the mechanical linkage.
  • One of the applicator jaws is fixed, and the fixed applicator jaw may be inclined relative to the axis of the drive shaft.
  • the non-pivotable applicator jaw is inclined at an angle of between approximately 1 and approximately 5 degrees relative to the axis of the drive shaft. More preferably, the incline is between 2 and 3 degrees. By inclining the non-pivotable applicator jaw in this way the force required to pass the tag through an appendage is reduced. Furthermore, a user's viewing angle of the tagging site is significantly improved.
  • the applicator may further comprise:
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • an electronic control means which can selectively actuate the at least one antenna and storage memory in order to read and store information received from RFID tags in the vicinity of the applicator.
  • the applicator may further comprise a tag guide adapted to guide tags into the applicator jaws, and one or more magnets located in the guide adjacent the applicator jaws.
  • the at least one RFID antenna may be positioned on the applicator such that it is at least partially located on an opposite side of the applicator jaws from the tag guide.
  • the applicator may comprise short range and long range RFID antennas.
  • an identification tag applicator comprising:
  • a tag application mechanism comprising a pair of applicator jaws; and a manually-operable actuator adapted to close the applicator jaws;
  • the tag applicator further comprises a dispenser outlet and a storage source; and wherein the dispenser outlet dispenses a medicinal substance from the storage source, and is adapted to direct the medicinal substance into a space between the applicator jaws upon manual operation of the actuator.
  • the dispenser outlet is adapted to direct a medicinal substance directly onto a piercing pin of an identification tag.
  • the identification tag applicator further comprises a tag delivery mechanism adapted to successively deliver one of a plurality of tags to the tag application mechanism.
  • the manually-operable actuator adapted to sequentially close the applicator jaws and operate the tag delivery mechanism.
  • the manually-operable actuator is moveable between a rest position and an actuation position
  • the applicator may further comprise a biasing member which biases the actuator into the rest position
  • the manually-operable actuator may be in the form of a finger trigger.
  • the applicator may further comprise:
  • a fluid chamber is provided within the tag applicator and having a chamber inlet in fluid communication with the storage source, and a chamber outlet in fluid communication with the dispenser outlet;
  • a piston arm attached to the manually-operable actuator and moveable into the fluid chamber upon manual operation of the actuator.
  • movement of the piston arm into the fluid chamber forces a single- use quantity of medicinal substance contained therein through the chamber outlet and through a conduit towards the dispenser outlet.
  • a one-way valve may be provided at the chamber outlet which allows the medicinal substance to exit the chamber but prevents its re-entry into the chamber.
  • One of the applicator jaws is pivotable and the other of the jaws is fixed, and the dispenser outlet is connected to, and moves with, the pivotable jaw.
  • the tag applicator is powered by a motor which is activated by the manually-operable actuator to pivot the pivotable jaw relative to the fixed jaw and/or to operate the tag delivery mechanism.
  • an identification tag applicator comprising:
  • a tag application mechanism comprising a pair of applicator jaws
  • a manually-operable actuator adapted to close the applicator jaws
  • radio frequency identification [RFID) antenna At least one radio frequency identification [RFID) antenna
  • a memory adapted to receive and store RFID information received from the at least one antenna
  • an electronic control means which can selectively actuate the at least one antenna and storage memory in order to read and store information received from RFID tags in the vicinity of the applicator.
  • the applicator may further comprise:
  • a tag guide adapted to guide the successive tags into the applicator jaws under the action of a tag delivery member
  • one or more magnets located in the guide adjacent the applicator jaws.
  • the at least one RFID antenna may be positioned on the applicator such that it is at least partially located on an opposite side of the applicator jaws from the tag guide.
  • the applicator may comprise short range and long range RFID antennas.
  • Fig. 1 shows an identification tag applicator of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the identification tag applicator of Fig. 1 with parts removed to show the apparatus for dispensing a medicinal substance;
  • Fig. 3 is cross-section through a fluid chamber shown in Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4 is a more detailed view of the applicator jaws in their closed position
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of the angle at which the female portion of an identification tag is held within the applicator jaws
  • Fig. 6 shows the identification tag applicator of Fig. 1 with its casing and dispensing apparatus removed to reveal its drive means and mechanical linkage assembly;
  • Figs. 7a-c are schematic representations showing three angular positions of a lifting pin and the second end of the lever arm during rotation of the first transfer wheel;
  • Figs. 8a-c show three positions of a finger trigger and the corresponding angular positions of the lifting pin and the second end of the lever arm;
  • Figs. 9a-c show three different positions of first and second link members of the mechanical linkage assembly;
  • Fig. 10a is a more detailed projection of the second transfer wheel, its crank arm and pawl
  • Fig. 10b is a plan view of the second transfer wheel, its crank arm and pawl in engagement with an identification tag
  • Fig. 11 is a schematic representation showing the angular positions of the second transfer wheel during which an identification tag is delivered by the pawl
  • Fig. 12 shows an adapted identification tag applicator of the present invention
  • Fig. 13 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of identification tag applicator of the present invention
  • Fig. 14 is a detail view of a tag punching mechanism employed in the applicator of Fig. 13;
  • Fig. 15 is a detail view of a tag pulling mechanism employed in the applicator of Fig. 13;
  • Fig. 16 is a detail view of a tag counting arrangement employed in the applicator of Fig. 13;
  • Fig. 17 is a detail view of a mechanical linkage used in the tag punching mechanism shown in Fig. 13.
  • Fig. 1 shows an identification tag applicator 10 which is ergonomically shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of a user.
  • the applicator is provided with a multifunction finger trigger 12 which operates to: (i) activate a dispenser for dispensing a medicinal substance from a dispenser outlet 14 (described below with reference to Figs. 2 and 3); (if) activate a drive means to close a pair of applicator jaws 16 (described below with reference to Figs. 4 to 9c); and (iii) activate a drive means to operate a tag delivery mechanism for delivering an identification tag 18 into the applicator jaws 16 (described below with reference to Figs. 10a, 10b).
  • the dispenser 14 and its associated upstream parts are shown more clearly in isolation in Fig. 2.
  • the trigger 12 is pivotably connected to the applicator 10 by via a pivot point 12a and biased into a rest position via a resilient means [not shown). Pivoting of the trigger 12 away from its rest position causes a piston arm 20, which is pivotably connected thereto, to move linearly into and out of a fluid chamber 22.
  • the fluid chamber 22 has a chamber inlet 22a connected, via a conduit, to a fluid source [not shown); and a chamber outlet 22b connected, via a conduit, to the dispenser outlet 14.
  • the fluid source [not shown) may be incorporated into the applicator 10 or, alternatively, may be a provided externally of the applicator, e.g.
  • the dispenser outlet 14 is provides at a distal end of the pivotable applicator jaw 16a, i.e. at the end opposite its pivot point 17.
  • the dispenser outlet - which may be a nozzle 14 - is angled inwardly into the mouth of opposing applicator jaws 16a, 16b.
  • the nozzle 14 is angled so as to direct a medicinal substance onto the piercing pin 18a of the identification tag 18 before it pierces, e.g., an appendage of an animal to be tagged.
  • the trigger 12 As the trigger 12 is squeezed by a user, its pivoting movement is transferred via pair of linking hinges 19a, 19b to a linear movement of the piston arm 20.
  • The causes the head 21 of the piston arm to progressively reduce the volume of the fluid chamber 22 and force fluid therein to exit via the chamber outlet 22b.
  • the chamber outlet 22b is provided with a one-way valve [not shown) so as to prevent back-flow of fluid into the fluid chamber 22.
  • the maximum volume of the fluid chamber 22 is selected so as to accommodate a single-use quantity of a medicinal substance, such as hydrogen peroxide antiseptic. In one example, the single-use quantity is approximately 0.2 ml.
  • a resilient means (not shown) connected between it and the applicator body 10 biases the trigger 12 back towards its rest position. In doing so, the head 21 of the piston arm retracts and progressively increases the volume of the fluid chamber 22. The resulting pressure differential causes fluid to be drawn into the fluid chamber 22 via the chamber inlet 22a.
  • the chamber inlet 22a is also provided with a one-way valve [not shown) so as to prevent back-flow of fluid out of the fluid chamber 22.
  • FIG. 4 shows the applicator jaws 16a, 16b in their closed position whereby piercing pin 18a of one part of the identification tag 18 has been forced into engagement with an aperture on its other part.
  • the appendage to which the identification tag 18 is attached is not shown.
  • Component parts of a mechanical linkage assembly used to impart a closing force to the applicator jaws 16a, 16b are also shown.
  • the mechanical linkage assembly is actuated via a rotating drive shaft 2 as described in further detail below.
  • the applicator jaw 16b is fixed and inclined by 2.6 degrees relative to the axis of the drive shaft 24.
  • Fig. 6 shows the applicator 10 with part of its plastics moulded casing removed, and without the fluid chamber and its associated parts of Figs. 2 and 3.
  • manually squeezing the trigger 12 activates, via a switch 60, an electrical motor 26 located the end of the applicator 10 remote from the applicator jaws 16, 16b.
  • the motor 26 rotates the drive shaft 24, the longitudinal axis of which extends along the length of the applicator 10 towards the applicator jaws 16, 16b.
  • a single squeezing force applied to the trigger 12 initiates a single 360 rotation of the drive shaft 24.
  • a first circular torque transfer wheel 28 is mounted coaxially on the drive shaft 24, proximate the motor 26, and rotates with the drive shaft 24.
  • a lifting pin 29 extends from one face of transfer wheel 28 at a fixed radial distance from the drive shaft 24. The lifting pin 29 extends towards the applicator jaws 16a, 16b and lies substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 24.
  • the lifting pin 19 co-operates with the aforementioned mechanical linkage assembly as described further below.
  • a second circular torque transfer wheel 30 is also mounted coaxially on the drive shaft 24, proximate the applicator jaws 16, 16b, and also rotates with the drive shaft 24.
  • the second circular transfer wheel 30 has a smaller diameter than the first circular transfer wheel 28.
  • a crank arm - shown in detail in Figs 10a, 10b - is connected to one face of transfer wheel 30 at a fixed radial distance from the drive shaft 24. The crank arm cooperates with a tag delivery mechanism for sequentially delivering identification tags 18 into the applicator jaws 16a, 16b as described further below.
  • the mechanical linkage assembly is shown in both Figs. 4 and 6 and takes the form of a planar four-bar-linkage having four revolute pivot points the rotational axes of which are all perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drive shaft 24.
  • the first revolute pivot point 17 is fixed relative to the casing of the applicator 10 and connects the pivotable applicator jaw 16a to the fixed applicator jaw 16b.
  • the second revolute pivot point 40 is a floating pivot point (i.e. it is not fixed relative to the casing of the applicator 10) and connects the pivotable applicator jaw 16a to a first link member 42.
  • the third revolute pivot point 44 is a floating pivot point and connects a second link member 46 to a lever arm 50.
  • the fourth revolute pivot point 52 is a fixed pivot point and connects the lever arm 50 to the casing of the applicator 10.
  • Fixed pivot points 17 and 52 are the "ground” points of the four-bar-linkage and are connected by a notional "base” bar.
  • the connection between fixed pivot point 52 and floating pivot point 44 constitutes an "input” bar.
  • the connection between floating pivot point 44 and floating pivot point 40 constitutes a "transfer” bar (consisting of the first and second link members 42, 46 joined by a pivot point 45, as discussed further below).
  • the connection between floating pivot point 40 and fixed pivot point 17 constitutes an "output" bar.
  • the lever arm 50 is elongate and has first and second ends 50a, 50b.
  • the first end 50a is connected to the second link member 46 at pivot point 44.
  • a minor portion of the lever arm 50 extends from pivot point 52 to its first end 50a.
  • a major portion of the lever arm 50 extends from pivot point 52 to its second end 50b.
  • the minor portion of the lever arm 50 lies at an obtuse angle relative to its major portion.
  • the pivot point 52 of the lever arm 50 is located above the drive shaft 24 whilst its second end 50b tends to a position lying below the drive shaft 24 proximate the first transfer wheel 28.
  • the second end 50b of the lever arm 50 lies within part of the rotational path of the lifting pin 29.
  • the lifting pin 2 engages the underside of the second end 50b of the lever arm 50 during approximately 150 degrees of its rotation cycle. It will be appreciated that the width of a bearing surface 50c of the second end 50b of the lever arm 50 relative to the radius of the first transfer wheel 28 dictates the extent of angular engagement between it and the lifting pin 29.
  • a single squeezing force applied to the trigger 12 initiates a single 360 rotation of the drive shaft 24.
  • the lifting pin 29 engages the bearing surface 50c and lifts the second end 50b of the lever arm 50 from its rest position below the drive shaft 24 to a raised position above the drive shaft.
  • the fixed pivot point 52 acts as a fulcrum to transfer and multiply (by around 2.5 times) the force of the angular movement of the major portion of the lever arm 50 to its minor portion. The angular force is transmitted across the fulcrum and through the four-bar- linkage - i.e.
  • Fig. 8a shows the initial position of the four-bar-linkage before a squeezing force is applied to the trigger 12.
  • the lever arm 50 is in its aforementioned rest position whereby its second end 50b lies below the drive shaft 24 and the lifting pin 29 is within 15 degrees of its lowest position. As is most clearly shown in Fig.
  • the first and second link members 42, 46 - which together constitute the "transfer" bar of the four-bar-linkage - are initially in a collapsed position whereby they have pivoted apart about their pivot point 45 by between 90 and 180 degrees such that their abutment surfaces 42a, 46a are separated.
  • Fig. 8b shows an intermediate position of the four-bar-linkage as a squeezing force is being applied to the trigger 12. Since the motor 26 has not yet been activated, the lever arm 50 remains in its aforementioned rest position whereby its second end 50b lies below the drive shaft 24. The lifting pin 29 also remains within 15 degrees of its lowest position.
  • the pivotable applicator jaw 16a is physically connected to the trigger 12 such that manual squeezing of the trigger 12 causes the pivotable applicator jaw 16a to pivot away from lever arm 50 and towards the opposing applicator jaw 16b. As is most clearly shown in Fig. 9b, this causes the first and second link members 42, 46 to pivot about their pivot point 45 such that abutment surface 42a abuts abutment surface 46a.
  • the alignment of the first and second link members 42, 46 is aided by mutually attracting magnetic members 43 (only visible on link member 42].
  • Fig. 8c shows a final position of the four-bar-linkage once the trigger 12 has been fully squeezed.
  • the trigger actuates a switch 60 to activate the motor 26 which in turn initiates a single rotation of the drive shaft 24.
  • Rotation of the drive shaft causes the lifting pin 29 to engage the second end 50b of the lever arm 50 through an angle of 150 degrees and thus force it to its raised position above the drive shaft 24.
  • the force is transferred via the fixed pivot point 52 and via the aligned first and second link members 42, 46 to the pivotable applicator jaw 16a.
  • a protrusion 16c on the pivotable applicator jaw 16a contacts the first link member 42 and overcomes the magnetic attraction force between the magnets 43. Consequently, the pivot point 45 is shifted from its stable offset position towards, and eventually past, the plane P. This causes the first and second link members 42, 46 to become destabilised.
  • the first and second link members 42, 46 immediately snap back into the arrangement shown in Figs. 8a and 9a. By this time, the lifting pin 29 has rotated by more than 150 degrees and so is disengaged from the second end 50b of the lever arm 50.
  • a crank arm 70 attached to the second transfer wheel 30 transfers pulling force to a pawl 72 towards the plane of the applicator jaws 16a, 16b.
  • the free end 74 of the pawl 72 has an engagement surface 76 and an indexing surface 78 which faces towards the tags 18 held within a tag guide 80 (see Fig. 6).
  • the indexing surface 78 lies at an acute angle to both the engagement surface 76 and the direction of travel of the tags 18 (i.e. top to bottom in Fig. 10b).
  • the angled indexing surface 78 means that the free end 74 of the pawl 72 is wedge-shaped.
  • the pawl 72 is pulled towards the plane of the applicator jaws 16a, 16b during the last 180 degrees of the rotation cycle of the drive shaft 24 and the second transfer wheel 30. In doing so, the engagement surface 76 of the pawl 72 engages a back surface of the next tag 18 and delivers it into position between the applicator jaws 16a, 16b. It will be appreciated that during the first half of the rotation cycle of the second transfer wheel 30 the pawl 72 is pushed away from the plane of the applicator jaws 16a, 16b.
  • the angled indexing surface 78 of the pawl 72 and its resilient nature allows it to easily pass over the next in a sequence of tags 18 and fall into position behind it. The engagement surface 76 is thus poised to engage with the back surface of the next tag 18.
  • the free end 74 of the pawl 72 may be dimensioned such that tags of varying pitch may be used, e.g. in one embodiment pitches in the range of up to 9 mm to 12mm can be accommodated.
  • the present invention provides an improved identification tag applicator which, in a preferred embodiment, performs three different actions during a single squeezing movement of its trigger 12. Firstly, a medicinal substance is sprayed onto a piercing pin 18a of a tag 18 before it is attached to, e.g., an animal's appendage. By integrating the trigger-operated spray means into the applicator this ensures that an appropriate medicinal substance is always correctly applied in an appropriate quantity and hence infection of tagging sites on an animal can be eliminated, or at least minimised.
  • a power- assisted mechanical linkage assembly to impart a closing force to the applicator jaws 16a, 16b immediately after spraying of the medicinal substance.
  • the power- assisted closing action reduces the amount of manual force required by a user which can be particularly beneficial if a significant number of animals are being successively tagged.
  • the amount of manual force required may be further reduced by inclining the applicator jaw 16b and shown in Fig. 5.
  • a power-assisted tag delivery mechanism imparts a force to the next tag 18 in a series of tags held in a tag guide to deliver it into position between the applicator jaws 16a, 16b. Again, the power-assisted action reduces the amount of manual force required by a user.
  • the mechanical linkage assembly is arranged so that it immediately (i.e. within approximately 0.1 seconds) snaps back into a fully-open position after a single squeezing movement of the trigger 12. This ensures that an animal's appendage is quickly released from the applicator after the tag 18 is attach and hence reduces stress and the likelihood of injury.
  • the above steps are completed with less than 1 second and so the process of attaching an identification tag 18 to an animal can be completed quickly and efficiently with minimal effort by a user.
  • Fig. 12 shows an adapted identification tag applicator of the present invention, where the applicator has been adapted in order to read tags equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) chips so that tagged livestock can be tracked and counted.
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • the adapted applicator 100 is provided with a multifunction finger trigger 112 which operates to: (i) activate a dispenser for dispensing a medicinal substance from a dispenser outlet 114; and/or (if) activate a drive means to close a pair of applicator jaws 116 and activate a drive means to operate a tag delivery mechanism for delivering an identification tag 118 into the applicator jaws 116.
  • the applicator 100 is also provided with a display screen 120 which can display the number of tags which have been applied by the applicator and/or show information relating to the RFID tags which are scanned.
  • the display 120 is provided with one or more push buttons 122 which can scroll through various functions and displays on the screen.
  • One such button 122 switches the applicator 100 between a tag application mode and a tag scanning mode.
  • the applicator 100 includes a RFID antenna 124 which is housed below the fixed lower jaw 116b. The antenna 124 is offset to one side of the jaw 116b such that a tag within the jaws 116a,116b will be closer to the tag guide 180 than the antenna 124.
  • the tag guide 180 includes one or more magnets 126 lying below the guide surface of the portion of the guide 180 which is closest to the jaws 116a,116b. In this way, the magnets 126 ensure that the antenna 124 can only read the RFID tag which is in the jaws 116a,116b and not those tags which are waiting in the guide 180 to be loaded into the jaws.
  • the applicator 100 may have a short range tag reading mode and a long range tag reading mode.
  • the short range mode is intended to read the tag which is in the jaws of the applicator, as described above, whilst the long range mode is for scanning an area such as a field where a number of RFID tags are already present attached to livestock.
  • the long range mode all tags would be removed from the applicator and the device would be operating solely as a tag reader.
  • the single antenna may be capable of reading tags at both short and long range.
  • the applicator may have a short range antenna and a long range antenna for the respective reading modes.
  • the applicator may read and record the tags that are being applied either to a memory built into the applicator.
  • the applicator may include Bluetooth connectivity which allows the applicator to download read and/or stored data to a data processing means or a mobile telephone application.
  • the applicator When in the long range scanning mode the applicator will be continuously looking for RFID tags. It will read tags more than once if it encounters the same tag again but is programmed so that the same tag is not counted twice during a given scanning procedure.
  • FIGS. 13-17 show various views of an alternative embodiment of an identification tag applicator 200.
  • the applicator 200 comprises a housing 201 enclosing a motor 203 and an actuator, or trigger, 212.
  • the trigger 212 is adapted to start the operation of the motor 203.
  • the applicator 200 further comprises a punching assembly 204, a pulling assembly 205 and a counting assembly 206.
  • the punching assembly 204 and pulling assembly 205 both are driven by the motor 203.
  • the punching assembly 204 is for punching a tag into an appendage of an animal
  • the pulling assembly 205 is for pulling or delivering the next tag to a punching position
  • the counting assembly 206 is for counting and displaying the number of tags punched by the applicator 200.
  • a power unit 207 is connected to the motor 203 to operate the applicator 200.
  • FIG 14 shows the punching assembly 204 with the applicator housing removed for illustrative purposes.
  • the punching assembly 204 comprises a drive shaft 204a which is connected to the motor 203 and the shaft is adapted to rotate on operation of the motor 203.
  • the punching assembly 204 further comprises a first torque transfer member in the form of lifting disc 204b fitted to the shaft 204a, the disc being adapted to rotate along with the shaft.
  • a pin 204c is attached to the lifting disc 204b so that on rotation of the lifting disc 204b, the pin revolves around the shaft 204a.
  • a lever 204d is mounted between the lifting disc 204b and a mechanical linkage 204e.
  • the pin 204c on the lifting disc 204b is adapted to lift the lever 204d which in turn acts upon the linkage 204e.
  • a pivotable applicator jaw, or hammer, 204f forms part of the linkage 204e and will pivot towards a fixed applicator jaw 204g when the lever 204d acts upon the linkage 204e, resulting in the punching of the tag and application of the tag to the animal's appendage.
  • the linkage assembly 204e is made up of a four bar linkage comprising the pivotable applicator jaw 204f, first and second link members 242,246 and the lever 204d.
  • a pivot point 245 between the first and second link members 242,246 is laterally offset from a plane P' extending through pivot points 240,244 where the first and second link members 242,246 are connected to the pivotable applicator jaw 204f and the lever 204d, respectively.
  • the pivot point 245 is laterally offset from the plane P' in a direction away from the trigger (not shown in figure 17).
  • pivot point 245 is close to the top surfaces of the first and second link members 242,246 whereas in the first embodiment the pivot point is close to the bottom of the link members.
  • This repositioning of the pivot point means that in this alternative embodiment when the force of the magnets holding the first and second link members in alignment is overcome, the linkage will break with the pivot point moving in a downward direction past the plane P' as opposed to in the upward direction as in the first embodiment.
  • a first end 250 of the lever 204d which is attached to the second link member 246 has a width which is greater than that of a second end 251 of the lever 204d which engages with the lifting disc 204b via pin 204c.
  • the first end 250 of the lever 204d also includes a longitudinal slot 254 in which one end of the second link member 246 is housed via pivot point 244.
  • the first end 250 of the lever 204d is also provided with a pair of prongs or projections 256 which project from the first end 250 in a generally perpendicular direction relative thereto.
  • the linkage mechanism operates in substantially the same manner as that of the first embodiment. The difference is that the projection to break the link between the first and second link members extends from the first end of the lever in this alternative embodiment, rather than from the pivotable jaw.
  • Operation of the trigger 212 activates the motor 203 which in turn initiates a single rotation of the drive shaft 204a. Rotation of the drive shaft causes the lifting pin 204c to engage the second end 251 of the lever 204d and thus force the second end 251 to a raised position above the drive shaft 204a. The force is transferred via a fixed pivot point 252 of the lever 204d and the aligned first and second link members 242,246 to the pivotable applicator jaw 204f.
  • the trigger 212 is provided to start the operation of the motor 203.
  • the trigger may be single stage trigger which simply operates a microswitch in order to start the operation of the motor 203 and the shaft 204a.
  • the trigger 212 may be a two stage trigger having both mechanical and electrical elements. Referring in particular to figure 14 the two stage trigger 212 has a first end 213 adjacent to a pivot point 214 which connects the trigger to the applicator. This first end 213 also engages the pivotable jaw 204f so that a first movement of the trigger 212 results in a first pivoting movement of the pivotable jaw 204f, thereby folding the identification tag towards the punching position.
  • FIG. 15 shows a view from the opposite side of the applicator than that shown in figure 14. This figure provides a better view of the optional pulling assembly 205 for pulling or delivering a tag to a punching position in the applicator 200.
  • the pulling assembly 205 is operated via the same drive shaft 204a and motor 203 as the punching assembly 204.
  • a second torque transfer member in the form of a cam 205b is fitted to the shaft 204a.
  • a reciprocating follower 205c abuts the cam 205b and a spring 205d is adapted to push the reciprocating follower 205c and the follower pulls the tag into the applicator jaws to the punching position.
  • the trigger 212 operates both the punching and pulling assemblies simultaneously via the motor 203.
  • the spring 205d is fitted to a guide 205e and the reciprocating follower 205c reciprocates on the guide.
  • the motor 203 starts operating and the shaft 204a also rotates.
  • the cam 205b rotates with the shaft 204a and pushes the reciprocating follower 205c abutting the cam 205b in one direction.
  • the spring 205d fitted to the guide 205e pushes the reciprocating follower 205c in the opposite direction to the cam 205b.
  • the follower engages the subsequent tag in the tag guide or delivery means (not shown) and pulls it into the applicator jaws under the action of the spring 205d.
  • FIG 16 shows a counting assembly 206 for counting number of tags punched by the applicator 200.
  • the counting assembly comprises a magnet 206a located on the drive shaft 204a driven by the motor 203.
  • a sensor 206c is located on the housing (not shown in figure 16] of the applicator 200 in proximity to the magnet 206a and a controller 206d.
  • the magnet 206a is adapted to rotate along with the shaft 204a and the sensor is adapted to sense the presence of the magnet 206a when the magnet 206a passes the sensor 206.
  • the controller 206d receives signals from the sensor 206c and displays the signals as an equivalent number of tags which have been punched.
  • the controller displays the resultant tag count on a display 206e.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Birds (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Labeling Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un applicateur d'étiquette d'identification comprenant un mécanisme d'application d'étiquette incluant un ensemble de transmission mécanique (204e) relié à deux mâchoires (204f,204g) de l'applicateur. Un moteur (203) permet la fermeture assistée des mâchoires de l'applicateur (204f,204g) par l'intermédiaire de l'ensemble de transmission mécanique (204e). Un actionneur (212) commandé manuellement active le moteur (203), et le moteur est relié à un arbre de transmission (204a) sur lequel est fixé un premier élément de transfert de couple (204b). Le premier élément de transfert de couple (204b) peut être couplé à l'ensemble de transmission mécanique (204e) pour transférer une force de fermeture à au moins une des mâchoires (204f) de l'applicateur. L'invention concerne également des applicateurs d'étiquettes comportant un distributeur de fluide pour la pulvérisation d'un fluide à proximité des mâchoires de l'applicateur, et/ou un système d'identification par radiofréquence (RFID) pour la lecture et la détection d'étiquettes RFID.
PCT/GB2015/050089 2014-01-16 2015-01-16 Applicateur d'étiquette d'identification WO2015107354A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15701573.6A EP3094171A1 (fr) 2014-01-16 2015-01-16 Applicateur d'étiquette d'identification
AU2015207365A AU2015207365A1 (en) 2014-01-16 2015-01-16 Identification tag applicator

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1400732.2 2014-01-16
GB201400732A GB201400732D0 (en) 2014-01-16 2014-01-16 Identification tag applicator

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015107354A1 true WO2015107354A1 (fr) 2015-07-23

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EP (1) EP3094171A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2015207365A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB201400732D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2015107354A1 (fr)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2570340A (en) * 2018-01-23 2019-07-24 Shearwell Data Ltd Applicator for animal identification tags
US10986817B2 (en) 2014-09-05 2021-04-27 Intervet Inc. Method and system for tracking health in animal populations
US10986816B2 (en) 2014-03-26 2021-04-27 Scr Engineers Ltd. Livestock location system
US11071279B2 (en) 2014-09-05 2021-07-27 Intervet Inc. Method and system for tracking health in animal populations
CN114930432A (zh) * 2019-12-19 2022-08-19 奥弗莱克斯美国有限责任公司 用于电子标识按钮标签以识别接种抵御布氏菌病的牛的疫苗接种标识按钮和与其相关的套件和方法
USD990063S1 (en) 2020-06-18 2023-06-20 S.C.R. (Engineers) Limited Animal ear tag
USD990062S1 (en) 2020-06-18 2023-06-20 S.C.R. (Engineers) Limited Animal ear tag
US11832587B2 (en) 2020-06-18 2023-12-05 S.C.R. (Engineers) Limited Animal tag
US11832584B2 (en) 2018-04-22 2023-12-05 Vence, Corp. Livestock management system and method
US11864529B2 (en) 2018-10-10 2024-01-09 S.C.R. (Engineers) Limited Livestock dry off method and device
US11960957B2 (en) 2020-11-25 2024-04-16 Identigen Limited System and method for tracing members of an animal population

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US3693254A (en) * 1970-08-26 1972-09-26 Albert R Salonen Motorized shearing implement
US5778946A (en) * 1995-09-12 1998-07-14 Pellenc (Societe Anonyme) Apparatus for placing ties, for example, for tying vines
US6659338B1 (en) * 1997-09-11 2003-12-09 Biopsytec Gmbh Method and device for withdrawing biological samples
US20040020550A1 (en) * 2000-10-04 2004-02-05 Freddy Dombray Apparatus for automatic laying of wire ties
WO2011114159A2 (fr) * 2010-03-18 2011-09-22 Brian Eadie Applicateur d'étiquette d'identification amélioré

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3693254A (en) * 1970-08-26 1972-09-26 Albert R Salonen Motorized shearing implement
US5778946A (en) * 1995-09-12 1998-07-14 Pellenc (Societe Anonyme) Apparatus for placing ties, for example, for tying vines
US6659338B1 (en) * 1997-09-11 2003-12-09 Biopsytec Gmbh Method and device for withdrawing biological samples
US20040020550A1 (en) * 2000-10-04 2004-02-05 Freddy Dombray Apparatus for automatic laying of wire ties
WO2011114159A2 (fr) * 2010-03-18 2011-09-22 Brian Eadie Applicateur d'étiquette d'identification amélioré

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10986816B2 (en) 2014-03-26 2021-04-27 Scr Engineers Ltd. Livestock location system
US11963515B2 (en) 2014-03-26 2024-04-23 S.C.R. (Engineers) Limited Livestock location system
US10986817B2 (en) 2014-09-05 2021-04-27 Intervet Inc. Method and system for tracking health in animal populations
US11071279B2 (en) 2014-09-05 2021-07-27 Intervet Inc. Method and system for tracking health in animal populations
GB2570340A (en) * 2018-01-23 2019-07-24 Shearwell Data Ltd Applicator for animal identification tags
GB2570340B (en) * 2018-01-23 2022-10-26 Shearwell Data Ltd Applicator for animal identification tags
US11832584B2 (en) 2018-04-22 2023-12-05 Vence, Corp. Livestock management system and method
US11864529B2 (en) 2018-10-10 2024-01-09 S.C.R. (Engineers) Limited Livestock dry off method and device
CN114930432A (zh) * 2019-12-19 2022-08-19 奥弗莱克斯美国有限责任公司 用于电子标识按钮标签以识别接种抵御布氏菌病的牛的疫苗接种标识按钮和与其相关的套件和方法
USD990062S1 (en) 2020-06-18 2023-06-20 S.C.R. (Engineers) Limited Animal ear tag
US11832587B2 (en) 2020-06-18 2023-12-05 S.C.R. (Engineers) Limited Animal tag
USD990063S1 (en) 2020-06-18 2023-06-20 S.C.R. (Engineers) Limited Animal ear tag
US11960957B2 (en) 2020-11-25 2024-04-16 Identigen Limited System and method for tracing members of an animal population

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2015207365A1 (en) 2016-08-25
EP3094171A1 (fr) 2016-11-23
GB201400732D0 (en) 2014-03-05

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