WO2019053263A1 - Animal ear tag system - Google Patents

Animal ear tag system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2019053263A1
WO2019053263A1 PCT/EP2018/075077 EP2018075077W WO2019053263A1 WO 2019053263 A1 WO2019053263 A1 WO 2019053263A1 EP 2018075077 W EP2018075077 W EP 2018075077W WO 2019053263 A1 WO2019053263 A1 WO 2019053263A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ear
female
tag part
adapter member
female tag
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2018/075077
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Reinhard Nehls
Original Assignee
Reinhard Nehls
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 Reinhard Nehls filed Critical Reinhard Nehls
Priority to EP18765934.7A priority Critical patent/EP3684170A1/en
Publication of WO2019053263A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019053263A1/en

Links

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
    • A01K11/004—Ear-tags with electronic identification means, e.g. transponders
    • 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
    • A01K29/00—Other apparatus for animal husbandry
    • A01K29/005—Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an animal ear tag system.
  • an ear tag system comprising a male tag part, a female tag part, distinct and separate from the male tag part, and a pin.
  • the pin is integrated at a first end thereof with the male tag part and has a second end that is provided with a conical head.
  • the female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion delimiting a bore with an introduction opening. This bore is adapted to receive therein the head of the pin.
  • the body further comprises a housing portion that extends about and is integral with the socket portion.
  • the conical head of the pin enters the bore in the female tag part and becomes locked therein so that the ear tag is fitted on the ear.
  • the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and an opposed outer side.
  • the application of the ear tag causes some wound to the ear and for said reason primarily the body of the female tag is provided with air passages through the body, which passages extend between the outer side and the inner side, preferably in proximity of the socket portion.
  • ear tag system having the features identified above with reference to US 4646455 is currently marketed by Caisley GmbH, Germany.
  • This known ear tag system is adapted for electronic identification in addition to visual identification present on the male and female tag part. This is done by the housing portion of the female tag part being embodied as a transponder housing portion that extends about and is integral with the socket portion.
  • a transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, which transponder comprises a chip and antenna.
  • the ear tag systems discussed above generally are satisfactory, it is desired to provide a system that has an enhanced versatility, e.g. allows for easy adaptation of the ear tag system to various practical situations.
  • a first aspect of the present invention therefore proposes an ear tag system according to claim 1 , wherein the animal ear tag system further comprises an adapter member, said adapter member being adapted to be secured onto the body of the female tag part at the inner side thereof, wherein the body of the adapter member has an ear contacting face that is adapted to contact the ear and has a female tag part adjoining face that is adapted to adjoin the inner side of the female tag part, wherein the body of the adapter member has a hole adapted to pass there through the head of the pin, wherein the ear tag system further comprises fastening members that are each adapted to fasten the adapter member to the female tag part, which fastening members are embodied to extend through a corresponding air passage in the body of the female tag part, and wherein the fastening members have dimensions such that a portion of the respective air passage remains open for passage of air, and wherein adapter member body is provided with one or more air passages that are in communication with said remaining portions of the air passages and that have one or
  • the first aspect of the present invention is based on the insight that the air passages in the body of the female tag part can be used to receive the fastening members whilst still ensuring that some portion of the air passages remains open for its task of exchange of air as the adapter member is provided with its own air passages that communicate with the air passages in the female tag part.
  • the adapter may be embodied for various functionalities, depending on the demand. As such a production method could include the production of one type of female ear tag part and multiple differently designed adapter members, e.g. having different functionalities, and fastening members that allow for the selective securement of a selected adapter member to the one type of female ear tag part.
  • the adapter member As the adapter member is secured to the female tag part by the fastening members a unit is formed and relative motion of the adapter member and the female tag part is avoided, which is seen as beneficial for the animal.
  • the fastening of the adapter member onto the female tag part may be done at the production facility of the ear tag system. In another embodiment the fastening step is done just prior to application of the ear tag to the animal ear, e.g. by the farmer.
  • the fastening members may be designed to create a permanent mounting of the adapter onto the female tag part, e.g. allowing disconnection only by breaking or damaging one or more of the components involved.
  • the fastening members may create a user releasable fastening of the adapter member to the female tag part.
  • the body of the adapter member is provided with protruding fastening members that extend away from the female tag part adjoining face and are each adapted to be received in a corresponding air passage in the body of the female tag part, wherein said protruding fastening members have dimensions such that a portion of the respective air passage remains, and wherein adapter member body is provided with air passages that are in communication with said remaining portions of the air passages and that have openings in the ear contacting face.
  • the body adapter member is injection moulded of plastic material, and for example the protruding fastening members that extend away from the female tag part adjoining face are integrally molded with said body.
  • the fastening members are embodied as resilient hook members having a shank protruding from the female tag part adjoining face and having a hook portion at the free end of the shank, so that the adapter member can be snap fitted onto the female tag part with the resilient hook members securing the adapter member to the female tag part.
  • the ear tag system further comprises a sensor part distinct from any of said male tag part, female tag part, pin, and adapter member.
  • This sensor part is provided with at least a wireless communicating sensor, e.g. a motion sensor adapted to sense motion of the animal, e.g. of the ear thereof, and an energy source for said wireless communicating sensor, e.g. a battery.
  • a wireless communicating sensor e.g. a motion sensor adapted to sense motion of the animal, e.g. of the ear thereof
  • an energy source for said wireless communicating sensor e.g. a battery.
  • the sensor part and the adapter part are adapted to directly secure the sensor part to the adapter part alone or to the united female tag part and adapter part together.
  • the sensor part comprises a sensor part body housing the wireless communicating sensor and the energy source for said wireless communicating sensor, wherein the body comprises a loop portion defining a mounting opening that is dimensioned to receive therein the adapter part alone or the united female tag part transponder housing and the adapter member together.
  • the loop portion is made of a flexible and resilient material, e.g. of polyurethane plastic material, e.g. allowing the loop portion to be resiliently stretched in order to secure the loop portion tightly about a perimeter defined by the united female tag part and the adapter member.
  • the female tag part has a round button type body with a circular outer perimeter of the transponder housing portion that is concentric with the socket portion, and wherein the adapter member has a circular outer perimeter having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the circular outer perimeter of the round button type female ear tag part.
  • the adapter member has a stepped diameter outer perimeter, wherein a first zone of the perimeter has a first diameter corresponding to the circular outer perimeter of the transponder housing portion, and wherein a second zone of the perimeter has a smaller second diameter.
  • the loop portion of the sensor part has a stepped mounting opening mating with the outer perimeters of the united transponder housing portion and the adapter member.
  • the female tag part has a round button type body with a circular outer perimeter of the transponder housing portion that is concentric with the socket portion.
  • the ear contact side of the adapted member is convex.
  • the female tag part has three resilient hook members that protrude from the female part adjoining face thereof, e.g. integrally molded resilient hook fingers.
  • the body of the adapter member has an annular transponder housing portion that is radially spaced from the socket portion with spoke portions interconnecting the socket portion to the annular transponder housing portion. These spoke portions define between them the air passages of the female tag part.
  • the spoke portions have an exterior side that lies recessed relative to the exterior surface face of the annular transponder housing portion so as to form a recessed space, e.g. an annular recessed groove, wherein the hook portions of the hook shaped fastening members are dimensioned so as to be fully received within said recessed space and do not protrude out of said recessed space.
  • the adapter member has a circular outer perimeter having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the circular outer perimeter of the round button type female ear tag part.
  • the socket part comprises a hard cover member at least partially closing the bore opposite the introduction opening.
  • the head is a pointed head, e.g. conical head.
  • a second aspect of the present invention relates to an animal ear tag system comprising:
  • the female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion delimiting a bore with an introduction opening, said bore being adapted to receive therein the head of the pin, the body further comprising an transponder housing portion extending about and integral with the socket portion, wherein a transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, said transponder comprising a chip and antenna, the system - in use - allowing the pin to be pressed through the ear of an animal with the head subsequently entering the bore in the female tag part, wherein the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side, and wherein the body of the female tag is provided with passages through the body and extending between the outer side and the inner side, preferably in proximity of the socket portion, wherein the animal ear tag system
  • the passages may, for example, effectively be occluded when the adapter member has been united by the adapter member so that no exchange of air will take place as in the
  • the second aspect may in embodiments thereof provide for enhanced access of air to the wound via another path than in the configuration of claim 1 .
  • the adapter member is provided with an undulating ear contacting face so as to provide air access gaps between the ear and the ear contacting face.
  • one or more air passages are provided in the adapter member that extend through the adapter member body between one or more openings thereof in the ear contacting face and one or more openings in the perimeter of the adapter.
  • the fastening members are embodied as resilient hook members, each having a shank protruding from the female tag part adjoining face and having a hook portion at the free end of the shank, so that the adapter member can be or has been snap fitted onto the female tag part with the resilient hook members securing the adapter member to the female tag part.
  • the body of the adapter member has an annular transponder housing portion that is radially spaced from the socket portion with a reduced thickness web portion interconnecting the socket portion to the annular transponder housing portion.
  • This web portion is provided with the passages through which the fastening members are arranged.
  • a third aspect of the invention relates an animal ear tag system comprising:
  • the female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion delimiting a bore with an introduction opening, said bore being adapted to receive therein the head of the pin, the body further comprising an transponder housing portion extending about and integral with the socket portion, wherein a transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, said transponder comprising a chip and antenna, the system - in use - allowing the pin to be pressed through the ear of an animal with the head subsequently entering the bore in the female tag part, wherein the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side,
  • Such an animal ear tag systems are known, for example in embodiments wherein the body of the female tag part has no passages that extend between the inner side and the opposed outer side, so that no air can pass
  • the third aspect of the invention aims to provide an alternative manner to establish an ear tag system with air passages, e.g. allowing to dispense with the mentioned pin with integrated air passages.
  • an animal ear tag system comprising:
  • the female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion delimiting a bore with an introduction opening, said bore being adapted to receive therein the head of the pin, the body further comprising an transponder housing portion extending about and integral with the socket portion, wherein a transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, said transponder comprising a chip and antenna, the system - in use - allowing the pin to be pressed through the ear of an animal with the head subsequently entering the bore in the female tag part, wherein the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side, wherein the animal ear tag system further comprises an adapter member, said adapter member being adapted to be secured onto the body of the female tag part at the inner side thereof, wherein the body of the adapt
  • One or more air passages are defined by, e.g. are provided in, the body of adapter member, wherein said one or more air passages extend from the perimeter of the adapter body or from where the perimeter of the adapter body adjoins the perimeter of the female tag part body, to, e.g. through the adapter member body, one or more openings thereof in the ear contacting face.
  • This system allows air to reach the location of the wound via a path that does not extend through any passages in the body of the female tag part. So a female tag part lacking such passages, e.g. for reasons of strength, ease of manufacture, application of visual coding thereon, etc., may be enhanced by uniting said female tag part with the adapter body in the manner of the third aspect of the invention.
  • the adapter member is provided with snap fit fastening portions that are configured to snap over the outer perimeter of the body of the female tag part, e.g. the circular outer perimeter, in order to fasten the adapter member onto the body of the female tag part.
  • the body of the female tag part as well as the adapter member body have a circular outer perimeter, for example the outer perimeter of the adapter member being formed by a annular snap fit rim adapted to snap over the perimeter of the body of the female tag part.
  • a fourth aspect of the present invention relates to an animal ear tag system comprising:
  • the female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion delimiting a bore with an introduction opening, said bore being adapted to receive therein the head of the pin, the body further comprising an transponder housing portion extending about and integral with the socket portion, wherein a transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, said transponder comprising a chip and antenna, the system - in use - allowing the pin to be pressed through the ear of an animal with the head subsequently entering the bore in the female tag part, wherein the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side, wherein the body of the female tag part has a circular perimeter.
  • round button type female tag parts with our without any air passages extending through the body, are well know in the field and
  • the fourth aspect of the invention aims to provide such an ear tag system with enhanced versatility, e.g. the mentioned air passage to the wound when the body of the female part lacks such air passages, or some other functionality.
  • the fourth aspect of the invention provides an animal ear tag system comprising:
  • the female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion delimiting a bore with an introduction opening, said bore being adapted to receive therein the head of the pin, the body further comprising an transponder housing portion extending about and integral with the socket portion, wherein a transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, said transponder comprising a chip and antenna, the system - in use - allowing the pin to be pressed through the ear of an animal with the head subsequently entering the bore in the female tag part, wherein the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side, wherein the body of the female tag part has a circular perimeter, wherein the animal ear tag system further comprises an adapter member, said adapter member being adapted to be secured onto the body of the female
  • the present invention also relates to a method to tag an animal, wherein use is made of an ear tag system as described herein, for example in an embodiment to provide the animal with a wireless communicating sensor, e.g. a motion sensor.
  • a wireless communicating sensor e.g. a motion sensor
  • adapter member is or has already been fastened to the female tag part by means of the fastening members, and wherein a loop portion of a sensor part housing is resiliently stretched to secure the loop portion tightly about the circular perimeter of the united female tag part and adapter part.
  • - fig. 1 shows an example of a male tag part with integrated pin and a female tag part having air passages
  • - figs. 3a - f show an adapter member to be united with the female tag part of figures 1 and 2 so as to form part of an embodiment of the ear tag system
  • - fig. 4 illustrates in cross-sectional view the head of the pin being locked in the bore of the female tag part united with the adapter member of figs. 3a-f;
  • - figs 5a, b illustrate in perspective view another embodiment of the ear tag system wherein a sensor part is fitted onto the united female tag part and adapter member of figs. 3a-f,
  • - fig. 7 illustrates in cross-sectional view the head of the pin being locked in the bore of the female tag part united with the adapter member and sensor part of figs. 5a, b and 6a, b, - fig. 8 shows an example of an ear tag system according to the second aspect of the invention
  • FIG. 10 shows an example of an ear tag system according to the third and fourth aspect of the invention.
  • animal ear tag system comprising:
  • the pin 3 has a stem 3a that extends from the male tag part 1 to a second end of the pin 3 that is provided with a pointed, here generally conical head 4.
  • the conical head 4 may include a hard plastic insert, e.g. as known in the art, e.g. from US6021592.
  • the female tag part 2 has a body which here is of the round button type body.
  • the body of the female tag part 2 comprising a socket portion 5 delimiting a bore 6 that is, in this example, at least partially closed at one end by a hard plastic cover member 7a to hinder tampering with the ear tag.
  • a hard plastic cover member 7a to hinder tampering with the ear tag.
  • the cover member 7a is not depicted.
  • the bore 6, or well is adapted to receive therein the head of the pin 3, preferably said head 4 becoming locked therein as the, preferably hard plastic, rim defining the introduction opening 8 resiliently snaps behind the outward shoulder of the head 4 as is generally known in the field.
  • Other locking structures for the head in the bore can also be envisaged.
  • the body of the female tag part 2 further comprises an annular transponder housing portion 9 that is radially spaced from the socket portion 5 with spoke portions 10 permanently interconnecting the socket portion 5 to the annular transponder housing portion 9.
  • These spoke portions 10 define between them air passages 1 1 of the female tag part.
  • the spoke portions 10 have an exterior side that lies recessed relative to the exterior surface face of the annular transponder housing portion 9 so as to form a recessed space, here an annular recessed groove 13. So the transponder housing portion 9 extends about and is integral with the socket portion 5.
  • a transponder e.g. storing an identification code or the like, is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion 9 of the body of the female tag part 2.
  • this transponder comprising a chip 14 and antenna 15.
  • the pin 3 is pressed through the ear of an animal with the pointed head 4 subsequently entering the bore 7 in the female tag part 2 and being locked therein by some locking arrangement.
  • the body of the female tag part 2 has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side.
  • the mentioned air passages 12 extend through the body and extend between the outer side and the inner side, preferably in proximity of the socket portion 5 as shown here.
  • the inner side of the female tag part 2 may be convex, which shape is known in the art.
  • inventive animal ear tag system further comprises an adapter member 20, here a monolithic adapter member 20 that has been molded of plastic material.
  • the adapter member 20 is adapted to be secured onto the body of the female tag part 2 at the inner side thereof.
  • the body of the adapter member 20 has an ear contacting face 21 that is adapted to contact the ear. It also has an opposed female tag part adjoining face 22 that is adapted to adjoin the inner side of the body of the female tag part 2.
  • the body of the adapter member 20 has a hole 23 that is adapted to pass there through the head 4 of the pin 3, preferably the hole being larger in diameter than the head 4 so that said head can pass without hindrance through the hole 23 in order to reach the aligned bore 7 in the socket portion 5.
  • the adapter member 20 has multiple integrally molded resilient hook members 24, each having a shank protruding from the female tag part adjoining face 22 of the adapter member 20 and each having a hook portion 25 at the free end of the shank, in this example inwardly directed towards the center line through the hole 23.
  • This arrangement of multiple resilient hook members 24 allows for the adapter member 20 to be snap fitted onto the female tag part 2 with the resilient hook members 24 securing the adapter member to the female tag part.
  • hook members 24 are arranged and dimensioned to each extend through a corresponding air passage 12 in the body of the female tag part 2, so from the inner side of the body to the outer side of the body of the tag part 2.
  • hook members 24 have dimensions such that a portion of the respective air passage 12 remains open for passage of air between the inner side and the outer side of the female tag part 2.
  • the adapter member body is provided with one or more air passages that are arranged to be in communication with these remaining portions of the air passages 12 and to provide further communication to the ear contact side of the adapter member 20.
  • air passages 26 through the adapter member here each in proximity of the location of the resilient hook members 24, have openings 27 in the ear contacting face 21 of the adapter member, see arrow A in figure 4.
  • This arrangement provides for a remaining functionality of the air passages 12 in providing air communication between the ear, preferably the region where the application of the ear tag caused some wound, and the outside, e.g. to enhance healing of the wound.
  • a further and/or alternative air passage is provided by the female tag part adjoining face of the adapter member 20 being locally spaced from the female tag part 2 so that air may pass through said space forming air passage 33, the space or passage 33 being in communication with the annular portion 23a that remains open of the original hole 23 for the head 4 of the pin 3 in the adapter member.
  • a further and/or alternative air passage see arrow B in figure 4, is established that is in communication with the portions of the air passages 12 that have remained.
  • hook portions 25 of the hook shaped fastening members 24 are
  • the adapter member 20 is dimensioned so as to be fully received within the recessed space, here groove 13, and do not protrude out of said recessed space. This e.g. avoids undesired loosening of the adapter member 20 as the animal may scratch the ear along a hard surface.
  • the illustrated adapter member 20 is primarily designed to allow for further inclusion of a sensor part 30 into the ear tag system as will be elucidated below.
  • the sensor part 30 is distinct from any of the male tag part 1 , female tag part 2, pin 3, and adapter member 20.
  • the sensor part is embodied as developed by Agis Automatisering,The Netherlands, and marketed under the name CowManager by said company.
  • the sensor part 30 is provided with at least a wireless communicating sensor 31 , e.g. a motion sensor adapted to sense motion of the animal, e.g. of the ear thereof, and an energy source for said wireless communicating sensor, e.g. a battery 32.
  • the sensor part comprises a sensor part body accommodating the wireless communicating sensor 31 and the electrical energy source 32 for the wireless communicating sensor 31 .
  • the body of the sensor part 30 further comprises a loop portion 33 defining a mounting opening 34. This mounting opening 34 is configured to received therein the unit formed by the female tag part 2 and the adapter member 20, so as to directly secure the sensor part 30 to the united female tag part and adapter part together.
  • At least the loop portion 33 of the body of the sensor part is made of a flexible and resilient material, e.g. of polyurethane plastic material. This allows the loop portion to be resiliency stretched in order to secure the loop portion tightly about a perimeter defined by the united female tag part 2 and the adapter member 20.
  • the alternative adapter member 120 occludes the passages 12 in the female tag part 2 so that no air will pass through.
  • one or more air passages 121 are provided in the body of adapter member that extend through the adapter member body between one or more openings 122 thereof in the ear contacting face and one or more openings 123 in the perimeter of the adapter. So air can still rear the ear near or at the location of the wound via path C.
  • Figure 9 shows an alternative version of figure 8, wherein the openings 123 are not within the body of the adapter member 120, yet one or more openings 123 are formed at the interface of the female tag part 2 and the adapter member 120, to form one or more openings at the location where the perimeter of the female tag part body adjoins the perimeter of the adapter member body having substantially the same diameter or size.
  • Figure 10 shows an example of an ear tag system in order to illustrate the third and fourth aspect of the invention.
  • the female tag part body 120 now lacks any air passages therein.
  • the female tag part is of the well known round button type and has a circular perimeter.
  • the adapter member 120 is secured onto the body of the female tag part 2 at the inner side thereof.
  • the body of the adapter member has an ear contacting face that is adapted to contact the ear and has a female tag part adjoining face that is adapted to adjoin the inner side of the female tag part.
  • the body of the adapter member has a hole adapted to pass there through the head 4 of the pin.
  • the adapter member body 120 has a circular outer perimeter, which here is formed by an annular snap fit rim 125 that is adapted to snap over the perimeter of the body of the female tag part 2.
  • the unit formed by the female tag part 2 and the adapter member 120 again is of the round button type, with the adapter member 120 offering the potential for an enhanced functionality of the ear tag system.
  • the adapter member provides for the air passage functionality that is not offered here by the body of the female tag part as air passages therein are lacking.
  • one or more air passages 121 are provided in the body of adapter member that extend through the adapter member body between one or more openings 122 thereof in the ear contacting face and one or more openings 123 in the perimeter of the adapter. So air can still rear the ear near or at the location of the wound via path C.
  • the adapter member could also provide another functionality.
  • the adapter member can accommodate therein one or more of a GPS sensor, a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, e.g. to be linked to a temperature probe that is insertable into the ear canal of the animal, a second transponder, wireless communication circuitry, a battery, a battery charging mechanism, a light, etc.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Birds (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
  • Snaps, Bayonet Connections, Set Pins, And Snap Rings (AREA)

Abstract

An animal ear tag system further comprises an adapter member adapted to be secured onto the body of the female tag part at the inner side thereof. The body has an ear contacting face and a female tag part adjoining face as well as a hole adapted to pass there through the head of the pin of the ear tag system. The system further comprises fastening members that are each adapted to fasten the adapter member to the female tag part. These members are embodied to extend through a corresponding air passage in the body of the female tag part and have dimensions such that a portion of the respective air passage remains open for passage of air. The adapter member body is provided with one or more air passages that are in communication with said remaining portions of the air passages and that have one or more openings in the ear contacting face.

Description

ANIMAL EAR TAG SYSTEM The present invention relates to an animal ear tag system.
For example from US 4646455 an ear tag system is known that comprises a male tag part, a female tag part, distinct and separate from the male tag part, and a pin. The pin is integrated at a first end thereof with the male tag part and has a second end that is provided with a conical head. The female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion delimiting a bore with an introduction opening. This bore is adapted to receive therein the head of the pin. The body further comprises a housing portion that extends about and is integral with the socket portion. In use, so as the ear tag system is applied to the ear of an animal, the pin is pressed through the ear of the animal using a suitable tool. Once penetrated through the ear the conical head of the pin enters the bore in the female tag part and becomes locked therein so that the ear tag is fitted on the ear. So the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and an opposed outer side. The application of the ear tag causes some wound to the ear and for said reason primarily the body of the female tag is provided with air passages through the body, which passages extend between the outer side and the inner side, preferably in proximity of the socket portion.
An ear tag system having the features identified above with reference to US 4646455 is currently marketed by Caisley GmbH, Germany. This known ear tag system is adapted for electronic identification in addition to visual identification present on the male and female tag part. This is done by the housing portion of the female tag part being embodied as a transponder housing portion that extends about and is integral with the socket portion. A transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, which transponder comprises a chip and antenna. Whilst the ear tag systems discussed above generally are satisfactory, it is desired to provide a system that has an enhanced versatility, e.g. allows for easy adaptation of the ear tag system to various practical situations.
A first aspect of the present invention therefore proposes an ear tag system according to claim 1 , wherein the animal ear tag system further comprises an adapter member, said adapter member being adapted to be secured onto the body of the female tag part at the inner side thereof, wherein the body of the adapter member has an ear contacting face that is adapted to contact the ear and has a female tag part adjoining face that is adapted to adjoin the inner side of the female tag part, wherein the body of the adapter member has a hole adapted to pass there through the head of the pin, wherein the ear tag system further comprises fastening members that are each adapted to fasten the adapter member to the female tag part, which fastening members are embodied to extend through a corresponding air passage in the body of the female tag part, and wherein the fastening members have dimensions such that a portion of the respective air passage remains open for passage of air, and wherein adapter member body is provided with one or more air passages that are in communication with said remaining portions of the air passages and that have one or more openings in the ear contacting face.
The first aspect of the present invention is based on the insight that the air passages in the body of the female tag part can be used to receive the fastening members whilst still ensuring that some portion of the air passages remains open for its task of exchange of air as the adapter member is provided with its own air passages that communicate with the air passages in the female tag part. The adapter may be embodied for various functionalities, depending on the demand. As such a production method could include the production of one type of female ear tag part and multiple differently designed adapter members, e.g. having different functionalities, and fastening members that allow for the selective securement of a selected adapter member to the one type of female ear tag part.
As the adapter member is secured to the female tag part by the fastening members a unit is formed and relative motion of the adapter member and the female tag part is avoided, which is seen as beneficial for the animal. The fastening of the adapter member onto the female tag part may be done at the production facility of the ear tag system. In another embodiment the fastening step is done just prior to application of the ear tag to the animal ear, e.g. by the farmer.
The fastening members may be designed to create a permanent mounting of the adapter onto the female tag part, e.g. allowing disconnection only by breaking or damaging one or more of the components involved. In another embodiment, the fastening members may create a user releasable fastening of the adapter member to the female tag part. In embodiments the body of the adapter member is provided with protruding fastening members that extend away from the female tag part adjoining face and are each adapted to be received in a corresponding air passage in the body of the female tag part, wherein said protruding fastening members have dimensions such that a portion of the respective air passage remains, and wherein adapter member body is provided with air passages that are in communication with said remaining portions of the air passages and that have openings in the ear contacting face.
For example the body adapter member is injection moulded of plastic material, and for example the protruding fastening members that extend away from the female tag part adjoining face are integrally molded with said body.
In embodiments the fastening members are embodied as resilient hook members having a shank protruding from the female tag part adjoining face and having a hook portion at the free end of the shank, so that the adapter member can be snap fitted onto the female tag part with the resilient hook members securing the adapter member to the female tag part.
In embodiments the ear tag system further comprises a sensor part distinct from any of said male tag part, female tag part, pin, and adapter member. This sensor part is provided with at least a wireless communicating sensor, e.g. a motion sensor adapted to sense motion of the animal, e.g. of the ear thereof, and an energy source for said wireless communicating sensor, e.g. a battery. Herein the sensor part and the adapter part are adapted to directly secure the sensor part to the adapter part alone or to the united female tag part and adapter part together.
In an embodiment the sensor part comprises a sensor part body housing the wireless communicating sensor and the energy source for said wireless communicating sensor, wherein the body comprises a loop portion defining a mounting opening that is dimensioned to receive therein the adapter part alone or the united female tag part transponder housing and the adapter member together.
In an embodiment at least the loop portion is made of a flexible and resilient material, e.g. of polyurethane plastic material, e.g. allowing the loop portion to be resiliently stretched in order to secure the loop portion tightly about a perimeter defined by the united female tag part and the adapter member. In embodiments the female tag part has a round button type body with a circular outer perimeter of the transponder housing portion that is concentric with the socket portion, and wherein the adapter member has a circular outer perimeter having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the circular outer perimeter of the round button type female ear tag part.
In an embodiment the adapter member has a stepped diameter outer perimeter, wherein a first zone of the perimeter has a first diameter corresponding to the circular outer perimeter of the transponder housing portion, and wherein a second zone of the perimeter has a smaller second diameter. For example the loop portion of the sensor part has a stepped mounting opening mating with the outer perimeters of the united transponder housing portion and the adapter member.
In embodiments the female tag part has a round button type body with a circular outer perimeter of the transponder housing portion that is concentric with the socket portion.
In embodiments the ear contact side of the adapted member is convex.
In embodiments the female tag part has three resilient hook members that protrude from the female part adjoining face thereof, e.g. integrally molded resilient hook fingers.
In embodiments the body of the adapter member has an annular transponder housing portion that is radially spaced from the socket portion with spoke portions interconnecting the socket portion to the annular transponder housing portion. These spoke portions define between them the air passages of the female tag part.
In embodiments the spoke portions have an exterior side that lies recessed relative to the exterior surface face of the annular transponder housing portion so as to form a recessed space, e.g. an annular recessed groove, wherein the hook portions of the hook shaped fastening members are dimensioned so as to be fully received within said recessed space and do not protrude out of said recessed space.
In embodiments the adapter member has a circular outer perimeter having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the circular outer perimeter of the round button type female ear tag part.
In embodiments the socket part comprises a hard cover member at least partially closing the bore opposite the introduction opening. In embodiments the head is a pointed head, e.g. conical head.
A second aspect of the present invention relates to an animal ear tag system comprising:
- a male tag part,
- a female tag part,
- a pin, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the male tag part and wherein the second end part is provided with a head, wherein the female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion delimiting a bore with an introduction opening, said bore being adapted to receive therein the head of the pin, the body further comprising an transponder housing portion extending about and integral with the socket portion, wherein a transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, said transponder comprising a chip and antenna, the system - in use - allowing the pin to be pressed through the ear of an animal with the head subsequently entering the bore in the female tag part, wherein the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side, and wherein the body of the female tag is provided with passages through the body and extending between the outer side and the inner side, preferably in proximity of the socket portion, wherein the animal ear tag system further comprises an adapter member, said adapter member being adapted to be secured onto the body of the female tag part at the inner side thereof, wherein the body of the adapter member has an ear contacting face that is adapted to contact the ear and has a female tag part adjoining face that is adapted to adjoin the inner side of the female tag part, and wherein the body of the adapter member has a hole adapted to pass there through the head of the pin, wherein the ear tag system further comprises fastening members that are each adapted to fasten the adapter member to the female tag part, which fastening members are embodied to extend through a corresponding passage in the body of the female tag part.
It will be appreciated that in this configuration of the second aspect of the invention the passages may, for example, effectively be occluded when the adapter member has been united by the adapter member so that no exchange of air will take place as in the
configuration of claim 1 . The second aspect, may in embodiments thereof provide for enhanced access of air to the wound via another path than in the configuration of claim 1 . For example the adapter member is provided with an undulating ear contacting face so as to provide air access gaps between the ear and the ear contacting face. In alternative, or in combination herewith, one or more air passages are provided in the adapter member that extend through the adapter member body between one or more openings thereof in the ear contacting face and one or more openings in the perimeter of the adapter. For example, the fastening members are embodied as resilient hook members, each having a shank protruding from the female tag part adjoining face and having a hook portion at the free end of the shank, so that the adapter member can be or has been snap fitted onto the female tag part with the resilient hook members securing the adapter member to the female tag part.
For example the body of the adapter member has an annular transponder housing portion that is radially spaced from the socket portion with a reduced thickness web portion interconnecting the socket portion to the annular transponder housing portion. This web portion is provided with the passages through which the fastening members are arranged.
It will be appreciated that the system of the second aspect of the invention may further include one or more of the features discussed herein in the context of the first aspect of the invention. A third aspect of the invention relates an animal ear tag system comprising:
- a male tag part,
- a female tag part,
- a pin, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the male tag part and wherein the second end part is provided with a head, wherein the female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion delimiting a bore with an introduction opening, said bore being adapted to receive therein the head of the pin, the body further comprising an transponder housing portion extending about and integral with the socket portion, wherein a transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, said transponder comprising a chip and antenna, the system - in use - allowing the pin to be pressed through the ear of an animal with the head subsequently entering the bore in the female tag part, wherein the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side, Such an animal ear tag systems are known, for example in embodiments wherein the body of the female tag part has no passages that extend between the inner side and the opposed outer side, so that no air can pass through the body via any such passages in the body.
In view of providing air to the location of the wound, it is known to have a pin that is hollow and provided with small bores to connect the open ended hollow interior of the pin to the outer surface of the pin at the location of the wound, so as to create an air passage.
Examples hereof are shown in W09525427. This approach reduces the strength of the pin compared to a solid cross-section pin, which may be seen as less preferred. The third aspect of the invention aims to provide an alternative manner to establish an ear tag system with air passages, e.g. allowing to dispense with the mentioned pin with integrated air passages.
According to the third aspect of the invention an animal ear tag system is provided comprising:
- a male tag part,
- a female tag part,
- a pin, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the male tag part and wherein the second end part is provided with a head, wherein the female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion delimiting a bore with an introduction opening, said bore being adapted to receive therein the head of the pin, the body further comprising an transponder housing portion extending about and integral with the socket portion, wherein a transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, said transponder comprising a chip and antenna, the system - in use - allowing the pin to be pressed through the ear of an animal with the head subsequently entering the bore in the female tag part, wherein the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side, wherein the animal ear tag system further comprises an adapter member, said adapter member being adapted to be secured onto the body of the female tag part at the inner side thereof, wherein the body of the adapter member has an ear contacting face that is adapted to contact the ear and has a female tag part adjoining face that is adapted to adjoin the inner side of the female tag part, and wherein the body of the adapter member has a hole adapted to pass there through the head of the pin.
One or more air passages are defined by, e.g. are provided in, the body of adapter member, wherein said one or more air passages extend from the perimeter of the adapter body or from where the perimeter of the adapter body adjoins the perimeter of the female tag part body, to, e.g. through the adapter member body, one or more openings thereof in the ear contacting face.
This system allows air to reach the location of the wound via a path that does not extend through any passages in the body of the female tag part. So a female tag part lacking such passages, e.g. for reasons of strength, ease of manufacture, application of visual coding thereon, etc., may be enhanced by uniting said female tag part with the adapter body in the manner of the third aspect of the invention.
In a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, the adapter member is provided with snap fit fastening portions that are configured to snap over the outer perimeter of the body of the female tag part, e.g. the circular outer perimeter, in order to fasten the adapter member onto the body of the female tag part.
In a preferred embodiment of the third aspect the body of the female tag part as well as the adapter member body have a circular outer perimeter, for example the outer perimeter of the adapter member being formed by a annular snap fit rim adapted to snap over the perimeter of the body of the female tag part.
A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to an animal ear tag system comprising:
- a male tag part,
- a female tag part,
- a pin, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the male tag part and wherein the second end part is provided with a head, wherein the female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion delimiting a bore with an introduction opening, said bore being adapted to receive therein the head of the pin, the body further comprising an transponder housing portion extending about and integral with the socket portion, wherein a transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, said transponder comprising a chip and antenna, the system - in use - allowing the pin to be pressed through the ear of an animal with the head subsequently entering the bore in the female tag part, wherein the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side, wherein the body of the female tag part has a circular perimeter. As mentioned here such round button type female tag parts, with our without any air passages extending through the body, are well know in the field and widely adopted.
The fourth aspect of the invention aims to provide such an ear tag system with enhanced versatility, e.g. the mentioned air passage to the wound when the body of the female part lacks such air passages, or some other functionality.
The fourth aspect of the invention provides an animal ear tag system comprising:
- a male tag part,
- a female tag part,
- a pin, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the male tag part and wherein the second end part is provided with a head, wherein the female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion delimiting a bore with an introduction opening, said bore being adapted to receive therein the head of the pin, the body further comprising an transponder housing portion extending about and integral with the socket portion, wherein a transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, said transponder comprising a chip and antenna, the system - in use - allowing the pin to be pressed through the ear of an animal with the head subsequently entering the bore in the female tag part, wherein the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side, wherein the body of the female tag part has a circular perimeter, wherein the animal ear tag system further comprises an adapter member, said adapter member being adapted to be secured onto the body of the female tag part at the inner side thereof, wherein the body of the adapter member has an ear contacting face that is adapted to contact the ear and has a female tag part adjoining face that is adapted to adjoin the inner side of the female tag part, and wherein the body of the adapter member has a hole adapted to pass there through the head of the pin, wherein adapter member body has a circular outer perimeter, and said adapter member body being provided at said circular outer perimeter with one or snap fit fastening members configured to snap over the circular outer perimeter of the female tag part body, for example the outer perimeter of the adapter member being formed by a annular snap fit rim adapted to snap over the perimeter of the body of the female tag part.
The present invention also relates to a method to tag an animal, wherein use is made of an ear tag system as described herein, for example in an embodiment to provide the animal with a wireless communicating sensor, e.g. a motion sensor. It will be appreciated that one or more features discussed herein with reference to one aspect of the invention may be combined with another aspect of the invention unless conflicting with the primary structure of said other aspect of the invention.
For example use is made of a system, wherein the adapter member is or has already been fastened to the female tag part by means of the fastening members, and wherein a loop portion of a sensor part housing is resiliently stretched to secure the loop portion tightly about the circular perimeter of the united female tag part and adapter part.
The invention will now be discussed with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:
- fig. 1 shows an example of a male tag part with integrated pin and a female tag part having air passages,
- figs. 2a, b shows the female tag part of figure 1 in rear view and from the side,
- figs. 3a - f show an adapter member to be united with the female tag part of figures 1 and 2 so as to form part of an embodiment of the ear tag system,
- fig. 4 illustrates in cross-sectional view the head of the pin being locked in the bore of the female tag part united with the adapter member of figs. 3a-f;
- figs 5a, b illustrate in perspective view another embodiment of the ear tag system wherein a sensor part is fitted onto the united female tag part and adapter member of figs. 3a-f,
- figs. 6a, b illustrate the sensor part fitted onto the united female tag part and adapter member as in figures 5a, b,
- fig. 7 illustrates in cross-sectional view the head of the pin being locked in the bore of the female tag part united with the adapter member and sensor part of figs. 5a, b and 6a, b, - fig. 8 shows an example of an ear tag system according to the second aspect of the invention,
- fig. 9 shows an alternative version of figure 8,
- fig. 10 shows an example of an ear tag system according to the third and fourth aspect of the invention.
In the figures an animal ear tag system is illustrated comprising:
- a male tag part 1 , as preferred of plastic material,
- a female tag part 2,
- a pin 3, here integrally moulded with the plastic male tag part so that its first end is permanently integrated with the male tag part 1 that has a flap provided with visual identifiers.
The pin 3 has a stem 3a that extends from the male tag part 1 to a second end of the pin 3 that is provided with a pointed, here generally conical head 4. The conical head 4 may include a hard plastic insert, e.g. as known in the art, e.g. from US6021592.
The female tag part 2 has a body which here is of the round button type body. The body of the female tag part 2 comprising a socket portion 5 delimiting a bore 6 that is, in this example, at least partially closed at one end by a hard plastic cover member 7a to hinder tampering with the ear tag. In figures 5a, 6b the cover member 7a is not depicted.
At the inner end of the bore 6 there is an introduction opening 8 for the head 4 of the pin 3.
The bore 6, or well, is adapted to receive therein the head of the pin 3, preferably said head 4 becoming locked therein as the, preferably hard plastic, rim defining the introduction opening 8 resiliently snaps behind the outward shoulder of the head 4 as is generally known in the field. Other locking structures for the head in the bore can also be envisaged.
The body of the female tag part 2 further comprises an annular transponder housing portion 9 that is radially spaced from the socket portion 5 with spoke portions 10 permanently interconnecting the socket portion 5 to the annular transponder housing portion 9. These spoke portions 10 define between them air passages 1 1 of the female tag part. In this example, as preferred, the spoke portions 10 have an exterior side that lies recessed relative to the exterior surface face of the annular transponder housing portion 9 so as to form a recessed space, here an annular recessed groove 13. So the transponder housing portion 9 extends about and is integral with the socket portion 5.
A transponder, e.g. storing an identification code or the like, is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion 9 of the body of the female tag part 2. As is known this transponder comprising a chip 14 and antenna 15.
During application of the ear tag system, the pin 3 is pressed through the ear of an animal with the pointed head 4 subsequently entering the bore 7 in the female tag part 2 and being locked therein by some locking arrangement. The body of the female tag part 2 has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side. The mentioned air passages 12 extend through the body and extend between the outer side and the inner side, preferably in proximity of the socket portion 5 as shown here. As illustrated the inner side of the female tag part 2 may be convex, which shape is known in the art.
The above described male tag part with pin and female tag part with air passages as shown in figures 1 , 2a, 2b, is currently marketed by Caisley GmbH, Germany.
As illustrated the inventive animal ear tag system further comprises an adapter member 20, here a monolithic adapter member 20 that has been molded of plastic material.
The adapter member 20 is adapted to be secured onto the body of the female tag part 2 at the inner side thereof.
The body of the adapter member 20 has an ear contacting face 21 that is adapted to contact the ear. It also has an opposed female tag part adjoining face 22 that is adapted to adjoin the inner side of the body of the female tag part 2.
Generally the body of the adapter member 20 has a hole 23 that is adapted to pass there through the head 4 of the pin 3, preferably the hole being larger in diameter than the head 4 so that said head can pass without hindrance through the hole 23 in order to reach the aligned bore 7 in the socket portion 5.
In the depicted embodiment the adapter member 20 has multiple integrally molded resilient hook members 24, each having a shank protruding from the female tag part adjoining face 22 of the adapter member 20 and each having a hook portion 25 at the free end of the shank, in this example inwardly directed towards the center line through the hole 23. This arrangement of multiple resilient hook members 24 allows for the adapter member 20 to be snap fitted onto the female tag part 2 with the resilient hook members 24 securing the adapter member to the female tag part.
These hook members 24 are arranged and dimensioned to each extend through a corresponding air passage 12 in the body of the female tag part 2, so from the inner side of the body to the outer side of the body of the tag part 2.
These hook members 24 have dimensions such that a portion of the respective air passage 12 remains open for passage of air between the inner side and the outer side of the female tag part 2. The adapter member body is provided with one or more air passages that are arranged to be in communication with these remaining portions of the air passages 12 and to provide further communication to the ear contact side of the adapter member 20.
In this example air passages 26 through the adapter member, here each in proximity of the location of the resilient hook members 24, have openings 27 in the ear contacting face 21 of the adapter member, see arrow A in figure 4. This arrangement provides for a remaining functionality of the air passages 12 in providing air communication between the ear, preferably the region where the application of the ear tag caused some wound, and the outside, e.g. to enhance healing of the wound.
A further and/or alternative air passage is provided by the female tag part adjoining face of the adapter member 20 being locally spaced from the female tag part 2 so that air may pass through said space forming air passage 33, the space or passage 33 being in communication with the annular portion 23a that remains open of the original hole 23 for the head 4 of the pin 3 in the adapter member. As the pin 3, when the ear tag system has been applied to the animal ear, does not fill this hole, a further and/or alternative air passage, see arrow B in figure 4, is established that is in communication with the portions of the air passages 12 that have remained.
As preferred the hook portions 25 of the hook shaped fastening members 24 are
dimensioned so as to be fully received within the recessed space, here groove 13, and do not protrude out of said recessed space. This e.g. avoids undesired loosening of the adapter member 20 as the animal may scratch the ear along a hard surface.
The illustrated adapter member 20 is primarily designed to allow for further inclusion of a sensor part 30 into the ear tag system as will be elucidated below.
The sensor part 30 is distinct from any of the male tag part 1 , female tag part 2, pin 3, and adapter member 20. For example the sensor part is embodied as developed by Agis Automatisering,The Netherlands, and marketed under the name CowManager by said company. The sensor part 30 is provided with at least a wireless communicating sensor 31 , e.g. a motion sensor adapted to sense motion of the animal, e.g. of the ear thereof, and an energy source for said wireless communicating sensor, e.g. a battery 32.
The sensor part comprises a sensor part body accommodating the wireless communicating sensor 31 and the electrical energy source 32 for the wireless communicating sensor 31 . The body of the sensor part 30 further comprises a loop portion 33 defining a mounting opening 34. This mounting opening 34 is configured to received therein the unit formed by the female tag part 2 and the adapter member 20, so as to directly secure the sensor part 30 to the united female tag part and adapter part together.
At least the loop portion 33 of the body of the sensor part is made of a flexible and resilient material, e.g. of polyurethane plastic material. This allows the loop portion to be resiliency stretched in order to secure the loop portion tightly about a perimeter defined by the united female tag part 2 and the adapter member 20.
In figure 8 the alternative adapter member 120 occludes the passages 12 in the female tag part 2 so that no air will pass through. However, one or more air passages 121 are provided in the body of adapter member that extend through the adapter member body between one or more openings 122 thereof in the ear contacting face and one or more openings 123 in the perimeter of the adapter. So air can still rear the ear near or at the location of the wound via path C. Figure 9 shows an alternative version of figure 8, wherein the openings 123 are not within the body of the adapter member 120, yet one or more openings 123 are formed at the interface of the female tag part 2 and the adapter member 120, to form one or more openings at the location where the perimeter of the female tag part body adjoins the perimeter of the adapter member body having substantially the same diameter or size.
Figure 10 shows an example of an ear tag system in order to illustrate the third and fourth aspect of the invention.
The female tag part body 120 now lacks any air passages therein. The female tag part is of the well known round button type and has a circular perimeter. The adapter member 120 is secured onto the body of the female tag part 2 at the inner side thereof. The body of the adapter member has an ear contacting face that is adapted to contact the ear and has a female tag part adjoining face that is adapted to adjoin the inner side of the female tag part. The body of the adapter member has a hole adapted to pass there through the head 4 of the pin. The adapter member body 120 has a circular outer perimeter, which here is formed by an annular snap fit rim 125 that is adapted to snap over the perimeter of the body of the female tag part 2. So the unit formed by the female tag part 2 and the adapter member 120 again is of the round button type, with the adapter member 120 offering the potential for an enhanced functionality of the ear tag system. As will be readily recognized in this example of figure 9 it is illustrated that the adapter member provides for the air passage functionality that is not offered here by the body of the female tag part as air passages therein are lacking. As in figure 8 one or more air passages 121 are provided in the body of adapter member that extend through the adapter member body between one or more openings 122 thereof in the ear contacting face and one or more openings 123 in the perimeter of the adapter. So air can still rear the ear near or at the location of the wound via path C.
Instead of, or in combination with, the provision of one or more air passages the adapter member could also provide another functionality. For example the adapter member can accommodate therein one or more of a GPS sensor, a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, e.g. to be linked to a temperature probe that is insertable into the ear canal of the animal, a second transponder, wireless communication circuitry, a battery, a battery charging mechanism, a light, etc.

Claims

C L A I M S
1 . An animal ear tag system comprising:
- a male tag part (1 ),
- a female tag part (2),
- a pin (3), having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the male tag part and wherein the second end part is provided with a head (4), wherein the female tag part has a body comprising a socket portion (5) delimiting a bore (7) with an introduction opening (8), said bore being adapted to receive therein the head (4) of the pin, the body further comprising a transponder housing portion (9) extending about and integral with the socket portion, wherein a transponder is encapsulated in the transponder housing portion of the body of the female tag part, said transponder comprising a chip (14) and antenna (15), the system - in use - allowing the pin to be pressed through the ear of an animal with the head (4) subsequently entering the bore (7) in the female tag part, wherein the body of the female tag part has an inner side that is directed towards the ear and has an opposed outer side, and wherein the body of the female tag is provided with air passages (12) through the body and extending between the outer side and the inner side, preferably in proximity of the socket portion (5), characterized in that the animal ear tag system further comprises an adapter member (20), said adapter member being adapted to be secured onto the body of the female tag part (2) at the inner side thereof, wherein the body of the adapter member has an ear contacting face that is adapted to contact the ear and has a female tag part adjoining face that is adapted to adjoin the inner side of the female tag part, and wherein the body of the adapter member has a hole (23) adapted to pass there through the head (4) of the pin, wherein the ear tag system further comprises fastening members (24,25) that are each adapted to fasten the adapter member to the female tag part, which fastening members are embodied to extend through a corresponding air passage (12) in the body of the female tag part, wherein the fastening members have dimensions such that a portion of the respective air passage (12) remains open for passage of air, and wherein the adapter member body is provided with one or more air passages (26,33,23a) that are in communication with said remaining portions of the air passages (12) of the female tag part (2) and that have one or more openings in the ear contacting face.
2. An animal ear tag system according to claim 1 , wherein the body of the adapter member is provided with protruding fastening members (24,25) that extend away from the female tag part adjoining face and are each adapted to be received in a corresponding air passage (12) in the body of the female tag part, wherein said protruding fastening members have dimensions such that a portion of the respective air passage (12) of the female tag part remains, and wherein the adapter member body is provided with one or more air passages (26,33,23a) that are in communication with said remaining portions of the air passages (12) of the female tag part (2) and that have one or more openings in the ear contacting face.
3. An animal ear tag system according to claim 2, wherein the fastening members are embodied as resilient hook members (24), each having a shank protruding from the female tag part adjoining face and having a hook portion (25) at the free end of the shank, so that the adapter member (20) can be or has been snap fitted onto the female tag part with the resilient hook members securing the adapter member to the female tag part.
4. An animal ear tag system according to any of claims 1 - 3, wherein the system further comprises a sensor part (30) that is distinct from any of said male tag part, female tag part, pin, and adapter member, said sensor part being provided with at least a wireless
communicating sensor (31 ), e.g. a motion sensor adapted to sense motion of the animal, e.g. of the ear thereof, and an energy source for said wireless communicating sensor, e.g. an electrical battery (32), wherein the sensor part and the adapter part are adapted to directly secure the sensor part to the adapter part alone or to the united female tag part and adapter part together.
5. An animal ear tag system according to claim 4, wherein the sensor part comprises a sensor part body housing said wireless communicating sensor (31 ) and said energy source
(32) for said wireless communicating sensor, and wherein the body comprises a loop portion
(33) defining an mounting opening (34) that is dimensioned to receive therein the adapter part alone or the united female tag part transponder housing (9) and the adapter member
(20) together.
6. An animal ear tag system according to claim 5, wherein at least the loop portion (33) is made of a flexible and resilient material, e.g. of polyurethane plastic material, e.g. the flexible and resilient material allowing the loop portion to be resiliently stretched in order to secure the loop portion tightly about a perimeter defined by the united female tag part and the adapter member.
7. An animal ear tag system according to any of claims 1 - 6, wherein the female tag part (2) has a round button type body with a circular outer perimeter of the transponder housing portion (9) that is concentric with the socket portion (5), and wherein the adapter member has a circular outer perimeter having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the circular outer perimeter of the round button type female ear tag part.
8. Method to tag an animal, wherein use is made of an ear tag system according to any of claims 1 - 7.
9. Method to tag an animal and provide said animal with a wireless communicating sensor, wherein use is made of a system according to at least claim 4.
10. Method according to claim 9, wherein use is made of a system according to at least claims 4, 5, and 6, wherein the adapter member (20) is or has already been fastened to the female tag part by means of the fastening members (24,25), and wherein the loop portion (33) of the sensor part housing is resiliently stretched to secure the loop portion tightly about the circular perimeter of the united female tag part and adapter part. 1 1 . Method for sensing motion of an animal, wherein use is made of a system according to at least claim 4, said system comprising a sensor adapted to sense motion of the animal, e.g. of the ear thereof.
PCT/EP2018/075077 2017-09-18 2018-09-17 Animal ear tag system WO2019053263A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18765934.7A EP3684170A1 (en) 2017-09-18 2018-09-17 Animal ear tag system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2019568 2017-09-18
NL2019568A NL2019568B1 (en) 2017-09-18 2017-09-18 Animal ear tag system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019053263A1 true WO2019053263A1 (en) 2019-03-21

Family

ID=60382548

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2018/075077 WO2019053263A1 (en) 2017-09-18 2018-09-17 Animal ear tag system

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3684170A1 (en)
NL (1) NL2019568B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2019053263A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112970615A (en) * 2019-12-17 2021-06-18 卡尤迪智农科技(北京)有限公司 Animal tag
WO2022271075A1 (en) * 2021-06-22 2022-12-29 Delaval Holding Ab Animal ear tag

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4646455A (en) 1984-11-26 1987-03-03 Gardner Michael S Animal identification tag
WO1995025427A1 (en) 1994-03-18 1995-09-28 Nehls, Reinhard Ear tag for marking animals, and a pin which is suitable for use in an ear tag
US6021592A (en) 1994-03-18 2000-02-08 Reinhard Nehls Ear tag for making an animal
US6666170B1 (en) * 1997-12-09 2003-12-23 Allflex New Zealand Limited Animal ear tag
EP2002705A2 (en) * 2006-03-21 2008-12-17 Cromasa Identificacion Electronica, S.A. Crotal for identifying animals
US20150242661A1 (en) * 2012-09-14 2015-08-27 Datamars S.A. Identification tags and their manufacture

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4646455A (en) 1984-11-26 1987-03-03 Gardner Michael S Animal identification tag
WO1995025427A1 (en) 1994-03-18 1995-09-28 Nehls, Reinhard Ear tag for marking animals, and a pin which is suitable for use in an ear tag
US6021592A (en) 1994-03-18 2000-02-08 Reinhard Nehls Ear tag for making an animal
US6666170B1 (en) * 1997-12-09 2003-12-23 Allflex New Zealand Limited Animal ear tag
EP2002705A2 (en) * 2006-03-21 2008-12-17 Cromasa Identificacion Electronica, S.A. Crotal for identifying animals
US20150242661A1 (en) * 2012-09-14 2015-08-27 Datamars S.A. Identification tags and their manufacture

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112970615A (en) * 2019-12-17 2021-06-18 卡尤迪智农科技(北京)有限公司 Animal tag
WO2022271075A1 (en) * 2021-06-22 2022-12-29 Delaval Holding Ab Animal ear tag

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3684170A1 (en) 2020-07-29
NL2019568B1 (en) 2019-03-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6016676A (en) Universal fob
US4868954A (en) Swivel joint assembly
WO2019053263A1 (en) Animal ear tag system
US5620330A (en) Connector for coaxial cable
JP2006521636A5 (en)
AU2019271415B2 (en) Animal tag
US6875024B2 (en) Coaxial connector for receiving a connector plug
EP1164613A4 (en) Electromagnetic relay
EP1584253A2 (en) Improved pressure button
EP1530417A1 (en) Animal identifiers
CN103732969A (en) Connecting device for connecting a fluid line
EP2084982A1 (en) Female part of snap fastener
GB2496904A (en) Animal identification device
EP2715876A1 (en) Electrical connector housing and device for vehicle charging system
US20020152590A1 (en) Magnetic buckle structure
KR100685185B1 (en) Trunk switch for automobile
JP2696556B2 (en) Hose end fitting and its mounting method
US6058804A (en) Crankset device of a toy vehicle
US11839197B2 (en) Female part of an animal identification device, and corresponding accessory and animal identification method
JP2561039Y2 (en) Structure of snap button
WO2004036103A8 (en) Female part of a fluid plug connection
JP3066894U (en) Hook
WO2022271075A1 (en) Animal ear tag
US5901421A (en) Pull tab of the zipper head
KR200179629Y1 (en) A connection tool for earring

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 18765934

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2018765934

Country of ref document: EP

Effective date: 20200420