DEVICE FOR APPLYING SYMBOLS TO AN OBJECT, PARTICULARLY FOR BRANDING LIVING OR DEAD ANIMALS

Abstract: The device comprises a high-frequency power source (1), a switching member (2) connected to the output of said source, a stamping member (3) connected to the output of the switching member and having to be brought into contact with the object to be treated, when the device is used, and a con­ trol-member (4) connected to the source and/or the switching member for controlling the switching member and/or the source in a manner such that the stamping member is selec­ tively energized for applying at least one symbol determined by the control-member.

Description: Device for applying symbols to an object, particularly for branding living or dead animals. The invention relates to a device for applying symbols to an object. For branding living or dead animals it is known to use a marking iron, which is heated at a given temperature and then applied to the skin of a living or dead animal so that a stigma is left. Now branding is carried out in slaughter houses after the animals have been anaesthesized or killed, whilst the animals are suspending from hooks and before they are stabbed for bleeding. During the branding operation the animals are hanging on hooks so that branding can be carried out in orderly manner. The invention has for its object to automate the known device and to reduce the time required for branding animals and, in the case of living animals, to at least mitigate the pain produced. For this purpose the invention provides a device of the kind set forth in the preamble, which is characterized in that it comprises a highfrequency power source, a switching member connected to the output of said source, a stamping member connected to the output of the switching member and to be brought into contact with the object to be treated and a controlmember connected to the source and/or the switching member for controlling the switching member and/or the source in a manner such that the stamping member is selectively energized for applying at least one symbol determined by the control-member. It is emphasized that the device embodying the invention is not limited to branding living or dead animals,but may also be successfully employed for marking wood and applying symbols to objects such as pipelines, for example, plastics. The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the drawing in which Fig. 1 is a simplified block diagram of the device embodying the invention and Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the stamping element of the stamping member of Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of the device according to the invention for applying symbols to an object, particularly for branding animals. Reference numeral 1 designates a high-frequency power source, for example, a high-frequency generator for a high-fre- quency power transmitter. Reference numeral 2 designates a switching member connected to the output of high-frequency power source and having its output connected to a stamping member 3, which comprises at least one stamping element consisting of a plurality of relatively separated segments arranged in a holder of refractory, electrically insulating material. The segments are electrically connected to the switching member 2. Finally reference numeral 4 designates a control-member which is connected to the switching member 2 and may be connected to the high-frequency power source in order to switch on the high-frequency generator for a given time in synchronism with the actuation of the switching member 2. The latter operation if preferred, though it is not necessary. The high-frequency power source 1 may, as an alternative, be actuated by means of a separate switch. A suitable high-frequency power source for the stamping member comprising four stamping elements, the segments of which are arranged in the form of the digit 8 in the holder in analogy with the segments of a 7-segment reproducing member as shown in Fig. 2, is a high-frequency generator having a power of 1 kW and a frequency of 3.5 MHz. The frequency may however, be chosen in a wide range and the maximum power to be supplied depends on the type of stamping member used and the number of stamping elements employed therein. If the output impedance of the high-frequency generator is high, the animals should be grounded, which may be done by grounding the hooks on which the animals are suspended. With a given type of high-frequency generator it has been found that when the output impedance does not exceed 50 Ohm, grounding is not necessary. Fig. 2 shows a stamping element of a potential stamping member. In particular, segments a to g are shown , which are arranged in a holder of, for example, ceramic material (not shown). When the power of the highfrequency source is transmitted by the switching member 2 to the segments a, b, e, f and g, which is illustrated by filling up these segments in contrast to the segments c and d , the digit 3 is branded on the skin of the animal to which the stamping member 3 is applied. It is assumed that branding by the supply of high-frequency power results from the conversion of subcutaneous albumen or the albumen in the animals skin. Although Fig. 2 shows that the segments of a stamping element of the stamping member 3 are separately arranged in the form of the digit 8 in a refractory, electrically ,insulating holder, the segments of each stamping element of the stamping member may be arranged in a matrix in the holder in analogy with those of known ot-numerical reproducing members. Both the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and the first-mentioned embodiment permit of branding characters. The control-member may be a microprocessor connected to a keyboard by means of which the symbols to be applied can be chosen, whilst the switching member is controlled by the microprocessor so that the stamping member is selectively energized for applying the chosen symbols. In the simplest form the switching member 2 and the control-member 4 may consist of a plurality of switches. The advantage of forming the control-member 4 by a microprocessor is that the marks to be used can be instantaneously changed. The figures used in the claims are only meant to explain more clearly the intention of the invention and are not supposed to be any restriction concerning the interpretation of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device for applying symbols to an object characterized in that it comprises a high-frequency power source, a switching member connected to the output of said source, a stamping member connected to the output of the switching member and having to be brought into contact with the object to be treated, when the device is used, and a control-member connected to the source and/or the switching member for controlling the switching member and/or the source in a manner such that the stamping member is selectively energized for applying at least one symbol determined by the control-member. 2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 characterized in that the controlmember comprises setting means for setting at least one symbol to be applied by the stamp. 3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the control-member comprises a microprocessor and a keyboard connected with the latter , by means of which keyboard the symbols to be applied can be chosen and in that the switching member and/or the source are controlled by the microprocessor so that the stamping member is energized for applying the selected symbols. 4. A device as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims characterized in that the source is a high-frequency generator and in that the control-member comprises means for switching on the high-frequency generator for a given time in synchronism with the actuation of the switching member. 5. A device as claimed in Claim 4 characterized in that the highfrquency generator is a high-frequency power transmitter. 6. A device as claimed in anyone of the preceding Claims characterized in that the stamping member comprises at least one stamping element, which comprises a holder of refractory and electrically insulating material in which a plurality of segments are arranged separately, a selective actuation of the segments providing a desired symbol. 7. A device as claimed in Claim 6 characterized in that the holder of each stamping element of the stamping member is made from ceramic material. 8. A device as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 characterized in that the segments of each stamping element of the stamping member are arranged in the form of the digit 8 in the holder in analogy with the segments of a 7-segment reproducing member. 9. A device as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 characterized in that the segments of each stamping element of the stamping member are arranged in a matrix in the holder in analogy with those of known cL-numerical reproducing members. 10. A stamping member apparently designed to be used in a device as claimed in anyone of the preceding 51áilms.

Inventors: VAN ELSEN, JOHANNES JOSEPH MARIA
Applicants: VAN ELSEN, JOHANNES JOSEPH MARIA
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A01K11
IPC codes: A01K11, B44B7