Patent ID: 6385877
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
A tamper proof livestock ear tag device, comprising:a male component and a female component, said male component comprising a panel portion with a surface to carry indicia, to identify livestock, and a stem having a tip, said panel portion and said stem being made integrally of a same material, said tip being made of a first plastic material and said stem being made of a second plastic material, said tip being harder than said stem; wherein the male component comprises a predefined weakest point, in which the male component will tear when a pulling force exceeding a predetermined value is exerted between said tip and said panel portion, said weakest point being at an interface between said stem and said tip, said tip having recesses formed therein, and said second material filling said recesses and forming said weakest point, said weakest point being formed integral with said stem, said weakest point having a total cross section smaller than said stem, whereby said second material filling said recesses considerably increases a contact surface between said second material and said tip; and wherein said female component comprises an eye portion, said eye portion being equipped with a retaining ring, said eye portion being made of a third plastic material and said retaining ring being made of a fourth plastic material, said retaining ring being harder than said eye portion, said retaining ring being molded into said eye portion and being at least partially encased by the material of said eye portion, said retaining ring having a ring portion, said ring portion being radially bendable, so that said ring portion is bent towards a radially external material of said eye portion when said tip of the male component is pressed through said retaining ring, said female component further comprising a cup portion made integrally with said eye portion, said cup portion receiving at an interior portion said tip of the male component.