Abstract:
An identification tag is provided including a piercing element which captures a tissue sample of the animal during tagging. The tissue sample may be used to positively identify the animal for purposes of animal health tests, and the tissue sample may be further used to positively identify the animal tagged at all stages of the animal&#39;s life, as well as after the animal dies, by comparing the tissue sample with previously recorded DNA or other animal data. Visual indicia may also be incorporated on the tag, as well as electronic identification by use of a transponder.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to an identification device particularly suited for livestock, and more particularly, a livestock identification device in the form of an ear tag having the capability to store a tissue sample of the animal tagged.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Livestock tags have been commonly used to identify livestock for many years. Traditionally, livestock tags were typically in the form of ear tags having indicia printed thereon for identifying the particular animal. More recently, technological advances in the identification of livestock has included the use of small transponders which are retained within the ear tag, and generate an identification signal in response to an electromagnetic interrogation field generated by a transmitter/receiver. Once interrogated, the transponder sends the identification signal, the signal is received, and recorded/processed to make identification of the particular animal. Transponders of this type may also be equipped with memory chips that may contain a wide array of information on the particular animal. Accordingly, identification of livestock has advanced so that a vast amount of information may be stored within the memory chip, and can be easily downloaded to the receiver. The use of transponder technology has greatly improved the capability to track and maintain records on each animal.  
         [0003]     As time progresses, the trend in governmental control of livestock has been to require even greater information about each animal. Thus, identification requirements continue to increase in terms of the amount and type of data that must be maintained on each animal. Even with the use of transponders, the transponders may become separated from the animal, thus resulting in potential mis-identification of an animal, or at least delayed identification. In order to prevent mis-identification of an animal, redundant identification devices may be used on a particular animal, for example, use of a transponder and a visual tag.  
         [0004]     Although advances have been made for livestock identification, the same general requirements still remain for use of devices that are attached to an animal&#39;s ear. For example, it is advantageous to have ear tags that are easily installed, minimize damage to the animal&#39;s ear, and can withstand the stresses that are placed upon the ear tag by the animal and the environment. It is also advantageous to have tags which can be installed by existing ear tag applicators/installers.  
         [0005]     From time to time, it may also be necessary to obtain a tissue sample from the animal for analysis. For example, a tissue sample may be required for disease testing, DNA testing, or other purposes. Tissue sampling may become a more standard requirement in the future as government regulations become more stringent in terms of identifying every aspect of an animal, to include its lineage, and proof of its general state of health.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In accordance with the present invention, an identification device is provided including a piercing element that is used to penetrate the tissue of the animal for attachment. The configuration of the piercing element allows a user to obtain a tissue sample and to store the tissue sample within the piercing element. Optionally, the identification device may include a traditional panel with indicia thereon for identifying the particular animal. Alternatively, the identification device itself may include indicia printed or stamped thereon for identification of the animal.  
         [0007]     In another preferred embodiment, an identification tag may incorporate a transponder that is formed integrally with a sleeve member that attaches to the identification device.  
         [0008]     The piercing element is preferably cylindrical in shape, and having a sharpened or chamfered distal end. During installation, the distal end of the piercing element passes through an opening formed in the base of the identification device. As the distal tip passes through the opening, a slug of tissue is removed from the animal&#39;s ear or other body part, and the slug is captured within the hollow interior portion of the piercing element. A layer of wax or silicone may extend across the opening of the base, and this layer may serve as a sealer for maintaining the slug of tissue within the hollow interior of the piercing element.  
         [0009]     The tag of the present invention may have indicia stamped or printed thereon to identify the particular animal to which the tag is applied. Alternatively, a panel having indicia printed or stamped thereon may be attached to the tag.  
         [0010]     The particular details of the structure of the embodiments, along with other advantages of the invention, will become apparent to one skilled in the art in a review of the following description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the drawings and the claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art tag;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another prior art tag;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the present invention in a first embodiment;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a reverse perspective view of the tag shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment wherein a transponder is incorporated within a sleeve attached to the tag;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 6  wherein the sleeve is formed in a rectangular shape;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention illustrating an identifying panel attached thereto;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates an identification device or tag of the present invention secured to the ear of an animal;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-section of the tag showing a tissue sample captured by the tag;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating the tag of the present invention in a two-piece configuration;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is another perspective view of the tag of the present invention showing the tag constructed of bended flat stock;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged portion of  FIG. 12  more particularly illustrating the construction of  FIG. 12  using bended flat stock;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is another enlarged perspective view of a portion of  FIG. 12  showing the bended flat stock construction;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention incorporating a flexible connecting member;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a partial elevation view further illustrating details of the flexible connecting member shown in  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  illustrates yet another embodiment wherein the distal tip of the arm is crushed or flattened as opposed to being flared; and  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  shows an installation tool for attaching the tag of  FIG. 17  and the manner by which the distal tip can be flattened. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0029]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate prior art livestock tags  10 . These tags are manufactured and sold by Hasco Tag Company, and are currently marketed as a flat piercing post model ( FIG. 1 ) and a round piercing post model ( FIG. 2 ). These tags are self-piercing, self-locking, tamper resistant tags that are available for livestock, game and lab animals, poultry and turkey wing tagging, as well as other potential uses. The construction of these tags  10  include a base  12 , a projection or arm  16  interconnected by the bend  14 , and a piercing post  18  interconnected to the arm  16  by bend  19 . The base  12  includes a bump or protrusion  22  formed in the base. In the positions shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the protrusion  22  extends below the plane of the base. A web  20  traverses the opening created by the protrusion  22 . An opening (not shown) is formed in the protrusion  22  just below the web  20 , and the opening aligns with the web  20 . In  FIG. 1 , the piercing post  18  has a generally flat shape  24 , while  FIG. 2  illustrates the piercing post  18  having a curved or rounded configuration  26 . In operation, the piercing post  18  penetrates the ear or other body part of the animal to be tagged, and the distal tip  25  of the piercing post passes around the web  20  and through the opening formed in the protrusion  22 . The piercing post is prevented from being disengaged by the web  20 . This tag has proven to be an effective means of tagging animals; however, the particular construction of the present invention adds additional features not found in these prior art tags.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a first embodiment of the identification device or tag  30  of the present invention is illustrated. The tag includes a base  32 , an arm or projection  36 , a bend  34  interconnecting the base to the arm  36 , a piercing element  38 , and a bend  40  interconnecting the piercing element  38  with the arm  36 . The piercing element  38  of the present invention is preferably cylindrical in shape, and the distal end  41  thereof is sharpened as by formation of a chamfer  42 . Although preferably cylindrical in shape, the piercing element  38  may be another shape that at least includes some hollow interior portion that can be used to store a tissue sample, as discussed further below.  
         [0031]     Referring also to  FIG. 4 , in operation, the distal tip  41  of the piercing element  38  passes through an opening  46  formed on the base  32 . The distal tip  41  is then flared or mushroomed, thereby preventing the tip from being pulled back through the opening  46 . The distal tip  41  may be flared as by any conventional tool to include pliers, or ear tag installation tools having an anvil or flat engaging surface which can engage and flatten the distal tip.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the present invention is shown in a second embodiment wherein a flexible sleeve  48  is placed over the base  32 . As shown, the sleeve  48  may include visual indicia  49  formed thereon for identifying the animal tag. The sleeve  48  may be made of a thermoplastic material, and may have a desired color.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment is illustrated wherein a transponder  50  is incorporated on or into the sleeve  48 . In this particular configuration, the transponder  50  represents those used in the livestock industry wherein the transponder can generate a signal when a transmitter/receiver device transmits a signal for interrogating the transponder. In this configuration, the sleeve  48  may still also include visual indicia  49 . The transponder  50  may be attached to the sleeve  48  by epoxy, glue, resin, or some other attaching material. Alternatively, the transponder  50  may be molded within the sleeve  48  during manufacture of the sleeve. Those skilled in the art can envision other ways that the transponder  50  may be secured to the sleeve  48 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  illustrates a sleeve  52  having a rectangular shape. In this shape, it may be less likely that the sleeve could get caught by brush, fencing or other objects that the animal may come into contact with.  FIG. 7  also shows the transponder  50  attached to the sleeve  52 . Like sleeve  50  shown in  FIG. 6 , the sleeve  52  may also include visual indicia (not shown) for identifying the particular animal.  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein a panel  60  is secured to the tag. The panel  60  includes a neck  62  and an opening  64  formed in the neck which receives the tag. One or more forms of indicia may be provided. The panel  60  may include indicia  66  having the appropriate numbers or code for identifying a particular animal. Optionally, the tag  30  shown in  FIG. 8  may include additional means of identifying the animal in the form of indicia  49  formed directly on the tag, such as a stamped number or code. Further, the panel  60  may incorporate a transponder  50 . One company currently incorporating transponders on panels is Cow Tek, Inc. of Brule, Nebr.  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  illustrates the tag  30  of the present invention installed on the ear E of an animal. The piercing element  38  passes through the tissue of the ear and is locked to the base.  
         [0037]     One manner of construction for the present invention includes the use of a tubular metal stock, such as tubular stainless steel. When using tubular metal stock, the base  32 , bend  34 , arm  36 , and bend  40  would be flattened. However, the piercing element  38  would retain its tubular configuration.  
         [0038]     In an alternative construction, as shown in  FIG. 11 , in lieu of using a single piece of tubular metal stock, the tag  30  of the present invention may be formed from two pieces. Accordingly,  FIG. 11  shows the tag  30 ′ wherein the base  32  and arm  36  are formed of a single piece of material, but the piercing element is a separate piece of material, shown as piercing element  80 . The piercing element  80  has an enlarged head  82 . The body, extension, or shaft portion of the piercing element  80  is inserted through an opening  81  formed in the arm  36 . The head  82  is secured to the arm  36  as by welding, glue, or other appropriate means.  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a cross-section of the piercing element  38  is shown wherein the tissue sample T of the ear E is trapped within the hollow portion  44  of the piercing element  38 . Optionally, a sealing element  84  may be placed within the hollow portion  44  of the piercing element, thereby preventing inadvertent removal of the tissue sample T. This sealant  84  may be wax, silicone, or other sealing material that can be manually inserted in the hollow portion  44  of the piercing element. Alternatively, the sealant  84  may be placed across the opening  46  of the base  32  so that when the piercing element  38  passes through the opening  46 , the sealant  84  is dislodged and enters the hollow portion  44  of the piercing element. Positively securing a tissue sample T within the hollow portion  44  of the tag ultimately allows identification of the animal in the event the tag becomes separated from the animal. This is assumed, however, that there is some pre-existing data on the animal, such as DNA/prior tissue sampling that would enable one to compare the tissue sample with the existing data. Of course, the tissue sample T can also be used to check the health of the particular animal, as well as to check its lineage by DNA comparison. Because the tissue sample remains attached to the tag, there is less likelihood that the tissue sample can be confused with another animal.  
         [0040]      FIGS. 12-14  illustrate the present invention made from a flat stock material that is bent in the shape to create the tag. More specifically, the tag  30 ″ in accordance with the present invention is shown wherein a single piece of bended flat stock is used. In one preferred construction, the flat stock material has three distinct sections  88 ,  90 , and  92 , and a seam  86  extends along the base  32  and arm  36 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the piercing element  38  is simply formed in a tubular configuration. It may be more economical to use a single piece of bent flat stock as opposed to tubular stock.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tag  100  includes a break-away or flexible connecting member  112  that interconnects a base  106  with an arm or projection  102 . With the exception of the flexible connecting member, the tag of this embodiment functions in the same manner as the previous embodiments. Accordingly, the base  102  includes an opening  104  for receiving a piercing element  108 . The purpose of the flexible connecting member  112  is to serve as a safety break in the event the tag becomes entangled. Thus, instead of the tag being separated from the animal&#39;s ear by a tear created through the portion of the animal&#39;s ear captured by the tag, the flexible connecting member  112  separates from attachment with the base  102  or the arm  106 . The flexible connecting member  112  includes tabs  114  and  116  which secure the connecting member  112  to the base  102  and arm  106 . The adjacent ends of the base  102  and arm  106  have openings to receive the tabs  114  and  116 . With the application of enough force, the tabs  114  or  116  pass through the openings formed in the base or arm, thus separating the base from connection with the arm, and presumably freeing the entangled object from the tag. The flexible connecting member  112  may be made of a suitable rubber or plastic, and the tabs  114  and  116  can be sized with respect to the base and arm openings to enable the flexible connecting member to be separated with application of a maximum allowable force.  
         [0042]      FIG. 17  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention. This tag  120  is identified with the same reference numbers as the first embodiment, those like elements bearing the same reference numbers. In lieu of providing a flared tip for the arm  38 , the distal tip  41  of the arm is simply flattened or crushed. Once flattened or crushed, the distal tip  41  is prevented from passing back through the opening in base  32  since a lengthwise dimension of the crushed tip is greater than the diameter of the opening. Also, any tissue sample that may be taken when installing the tag is sealed within the arm  38 , thereby eliminating the need for any type of sealant for capturing the sample within the arm.  
         [0043]      FIG. 18  illustrates a common set of pliers  124  used as an installation tool for installing the tag of the present invention. As shown, the tag is positioned between an upper jaw  126  and a lower jaw  128  of the pliers. For clarity purposes, the ear of the animal is not illustrated. The animal&#39;s ear is first placed between the base  32  and the distal tip  41  of the arm  38 . The jaws are moved toward one another causing the distal tip  41  to pass through the opening in the base  32 . A slug of tissue is removed from the animal&#39;s ear and is then trapped within the hollow portion  44  of the arm  38 . As the jaws continue to move toward one another, the distal tip  41  of the arm  38  passes into a v-shaped groove  130  formed in the lower jaw  128 . As additional pressure is applied to the jaws, the normally circular shaped distal tip  41  is flattened or crushed within the v-shaped groove  138 . Accordingly, the tissue sample is sealed within the hollow portion  44 , and the tag is locked to the animal&#39;s ear.  
         [0044]     The advantages of the present invention are clear. An identification tag has been provided that allows the user to simultaneously obtain a tissue sample once the ear tag is installed. This tissue sample may be removed when necessary for testing, and in any event, identification of the animal to which the tag was secured remains with the tag throughout all phases of raising the animal.  
         [0045]     If a prior DNA or tissue sampling was conducted on a particular animal and recorded, the captured tissue sample within the ear tag may be used as a means to confirm the identity of the animal that received the particular ear tag.  
         [0046]     The tag of the present invention is also easily adapted to receive further identifying means to include a panel, a sleeve, and electronic identification in the form of a transponder that may be integrated within a sleeve. A break-away feature of the tag may be adopted in the form of a flexible connecting member.  
         [0047]     This invention has been described in detail with reference to particular embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that various other modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.