A MARKING ELEMENT AND AN APPLICATION TOOL FOR MARKING ANIMALS OR THE LIKE

Abstract: A marking element for animals, provided with a disc-shaped plate (10) and a transversely directed stem (9) with a pointed extremity (8), and with passive electrical circuits (15) included therein for influencing the field of a transmitter according to a code identifying the marked animal, which element is adapted to be driven, by means of a shooting tool (16), with its sharp extremety through the upper skin, ear or skin fold of the animal to be marked, said plate (10) then applying itself flatly against the upper skin, and being adapted to be secured at the other side by means of barb-shaped portions (11) of the stem, if required by means of a securing disc (22) to be fixed on said stem (9).

Description: A marking element and an application tool for marking animals or the like. For several purposes it is often required to mark animals, in particular stable and slaughter animals. For instance pigs sold for being slaughtered will be marked by an ear-mark which is applied by means of pincers. A disadvantage of ear-marks is that they can get lost during transport of the animals by fighting and biting, or during a treatment such as washing the animals. Another disadvantage is that applying such ear-marks 'in a stable on the often vehemently moving animals is difficult, and also reading the marks can be onerous. Marking by means of paint or the like has the disadvantage that paint will badly adhere to the dirty and densely haired skin. Another reason for marking animals, in particular piglets, is as a proof of inoculation against contagious diseases. For ef¬ fectively fighting animal diseases, marketing and transporting possibly infected animals should be restricted or prevented, and un¬ ambiguously marking the inoculated animals can be of great advan¬ tage. The current ear-marks are, for the same reasons, less suitable for the latter purpose. From US 3788278 code tags are known which are adapted for being fixed in the upper skin parts of a cow at the upper side of the spinal column by means of staples, said tags then extending vertically upwards, and being provided with means for indicating therein a code. Such tags have relatively large dimensions, and have, moreover, the disadvantage that they can be torn off. This holds, in particular, for pigs which are inclined to fighting and rolling on the bottom. Furthermore such tags are unsuitable for marking very young animals since they are not adapted to the growth. From a publication in Wireless World (1971,01) 11 a marking element is known which consists of a disc provided with a stem, and passive circuit elements are included in the former which are adapted to absorb field energy emitted by a reading apparatus, and to remit it in encoded form. This element is adapted to be inserted into a hole in the ear of a pig, and to be fixed, at the other side, by means of a resilient securing ring. This requires making a hole in the ear and placing the securing ring on the ste , which is a complicated operation and, moreover, the risk of loss remains existent since pigs often bite in each other ears, and then either the element is bitten off or the securing ring is torn loose. Moreover such an element cannot be placed in a fat layer. It is an object of the invention to provide a marking ele¬ ment of the last-mentioned kind which does not have these draw-backs. The marking element for marking animals or the like, com¬ prising electrical circuit elements adapted to absorb field energy from the field of a transmitter and for influencing said field in correspondence with an included code in such a manner that this can be detected by the transmitter, and comprising a more or less disc¬ shaped plate and a stem or pin transversely extending therefrom, the latter being adapted te be inserted through the upper skin of an animal to be marked and to be secured at the other side of the skin, is characterised in that the stem or pin has a tip which is pointed in such a manner that it can be driven through the skin by means of a shooting tool, said disc having a substantially flat rear wall adapted to apply itself flatly against the outer skin surface, in which disk a pick-up coil, in particular provided with a ferrite core, for picking up field energy is included. Said disc can have a rounded and in particular somewhat elastically flexible edge so as to provide a smooth transition to¬ wards the outer skin surface of the animal. Rearwardly of said pointed tip the stem can be provided with barbs, or with one or more circumferential ribs acting as barbs, for securing the stem driven through the upper skin portions. At least near its pointed extremity the stem can, in par- ticulαr, be hollow, which will enhance the penetration of the upper skin parts and the underlying tissue. Such an element can also be adapted to be fixed in an ear or a skin fold by means of a securing disc to be fastened on the ste , as is known from the above-mentioned publication in Wireless World, and is, then, characterised in that the securing disc is made of plastics and is adapted to secure the stem of the marking element driven therein. . In the case of a hollow stem the securing disc can be pro- vided with a hole in which said stem fits so that, by co-operation • of the borders of said hole and the sharp edge of the stem, a good cutting action is obtained. Securing can be obtained either by means of the barbs or ribs, or by means of a mandrel provided or to be pro¬ vided in said disc and adapted to be driven into the bore of said stem for expanding the latter. This embodiment with a securing disc is favourably dis¬ tinguished from that according to the above-mentioned publication in Wireless World since it is, now, no longer required to make a hole in the ear, and, because of the fact that the wound is closed imme- diately, the infection- risk is smaller. Moreover, by shooting the marking element, the latter can be arranged in deeper parts of the ear where the risk of getting lost becomes negligible, and also other suitable skin folds can be used for the present purposes. In particular such a securing disc can be dish-shaped with more or less elastically flexible rims, the rim portion being adapted to engage the other side of the ear or skin fold, and to be flexed when this ear or skin fold portions becomes thicker when the animal grows. For applying such marking elements, a tool constructed as a gun or stapler can be used, which tool is, in particular, pneu¬ matically actuated, and is adapted to take up such marking elements with the extremity of the stem directed forwards. If this extremity is to be driven into a securing disc, said tool can be provided with α supporting surface to be placed at the other side of the body portion in question, and adapted to hold the securing discs, and, in the case of an expandable hollow pin, said surface, can, if re¬ quired, also be provided with a spreading mandrel in front of the exit aperture for the marking elements proper. If the electrical circuit of such a marking element com¬ prises externally programmable circuit elements, said tool can be provided with means for supplying programming currents or fields, and with setting means for selecting the desired code. The invention will be elucidated below in more detail by reference to a drawing, showing in: Fig. 1 a simplified circuit diagram of an example of the electrical circuit present in a marking element according to the invention; Fig. 2 a diagrammatical section of a first embodiment of a marking element according to the invention; ig. 3 a representation in perspective of a tool for shooting an element of Fig. 2; and Figs. 4A and B views, partially in section, of two other embodiments of a marking element according to the invention. In Fig. 1 a circuit diagram of a circuit is shown which is known per -se and is used, for instance, in a neck-collar for cows. This circuit comprises a resonance circuit 1 consisting of an induction coil 2 and a capacitor 3, and tuned to a frequency to be transmitted by a transmitter/receiver not shown. The resonance circuit 1 is connected, by means of a rectifier 4, to an encoder 5. When the circuit 1 comes in the vicinity of the transmitter/receiver, energy is picked up from the field of the latter, and the rectifier 4 can supply a feeding current to the encoder 5. If said current is sufficiently strong, the encoder becomes operative, and then an electronic switch 6 bridging the resonance circuit 1 is closed and opened agσin according to a given code. When short-circuiting the circuit, the latter does no longer pick up energy from the trans- mitter field. This switching on and off of the circuit 1 can be detected by the receiver section of the transmitter/receiver which, then, brings the code of the encoder 5 in some form which is suita¬ ble for further processing and/or reproduction. The encoder 5 is programmed so that a code identifying a marked animal can be delivered. This can be done in the factory, e.g. with a series of sequential numbers, but it is also possible to use encoder circuits 5 which can be encoded by the user. In view of the very small dimensions required for the marking elements in question, circuits which are programmable by means of external fields are suitable for the latter purpose. To that end the circuit 1 can be used as a receiver for the programming signals. In Fig. 2 an embodiment of a marking element 7 according to the invention is shown. This element is a plastics body having substantially the shape of a collar stud with a tip 8, a stem 9 and a disc 10. The tip 8 is pointed in such a manner that it can pene¬ trate through the skin of an animal under the driving force of a shooting tool, and its rear edge 11 forms a barb which prevents that the tip 8 is driven outwards again. In the case of a flat tip both edges -11 can be off-set in opposite directions. After driving in said element 7, its disc 10 will be seated against the skin surface. The edge 12 thereof is bevelled so that in the final condition, a smooth contact with the skin is ob- tained so as to prevent that the marking element will be pulled out¬ wards. The lower surface 13 of the disc 10 can, in particular, be slightly coπcavely curved so that, when being driven, the edge 10 will be elastically flexed to some degrees which enhances a flat engagement. The central part 14 of the disc surface is flattened and can, for instance, be provided with a visible mark or be differently coloured so that the marking element can be easily traced. The plastics body 7 is formed around a circuit wafer 15 carrying as much elements of the electrical circuit as possible. The coil 2 and associated ferrite core is included in the disk 10. The wafer 15 can, as shown, be included " in the stem 9; if, however, the dimensions thereof are sufficiently small, the wafer 15 can also be included in the dis 10. The tip 8 is to be shaped in such a manner that, on the one hand, it will penetrate through the skin surface without sub¬ stantial damage, and, on the other hand, provides a sufficient barb action. The disc-10 should be sufficiently large for accommodating the coil 2 and/or the wafer 15, and, on the other hand, its dimensions are determined by the kind of shooting tool. For the rest it is not necessary that the tip 8 and the stem 9 have rotational symmetry; a more or less flattened knife-like shape may facilitate the pene¬ tration into the skin. If the circuit wafer 15 is included in the disc 10, a recess can be provided in the stem 9, in particular in the case of a flattened tip 8, which allows a certain elastic deformation there¬ of which may simplify the penetration of the barbs 11. The fact that the disc 10 with the coil 2 remains seated outside the skin has the advantage that the coil 2 is not screened by skin or fat tissue. The visibility thereof will facilitate di¬ recting the transmitter/receiver as well as removing the marking element after slaughtering. The driving tool can be of any suitable construction, e.g. as used for driving nails and staples. Preference is given to a pneumatic tool since such a tool will be perfectly safe in unfavou¬ rable conditions (such as damp stables etc.), can provide a constant stroke force, and does not require muscle force as in shooting de¬ vices having a driving spring to be tensioned by hand. Fig. 3 shows, in a diagrammatical way, such a tool in the forr of a gun 16 with an air supply hose 17, an actuating trigger 18 and, on the exit opening 19, a distance piece 20 to be placed on the skir of the animal to be marked. A built-in code input circuit is provided with a keyboard 21 or the like for setting a desired code. It will be clear that such a tool can be realised in many other ways. If such a marking element is used for marking animals to be slaughtered, in which case the residence time of said element in the animal is short, use can be made of industrial plastics material. 5 The chance that ulcerisation by infection takes place, causing the element to be driven outwards, is, then, small. If a prolonged marking is desired, plastics which are currently used for medical purposes and which can be sterilised will be used. 10 Fig. 4A shows another embodiment 7' of the marking element of Fig. 2, in which corresponding parts have been indicated by the same reference numerals. The stem 9' is now made in the form of a hollow pin with a bevelled tip 8'. In this case the circuit wafer 15 is, of course, to be included in the disc 10. 15 This embodiment is, in particular, designed for being driven through an ear of skin fold of an animal to be marked, and the sharp end, in particular, bevelled tip 8' and the bore 21 there¬ of facilitate the penetration in and through the skin. At the other side of the ear of skin fold a securing disc 20 22 made of plastics is placed in such a manner that the pin 9' , after penetrating through the ear or skin fold, is driven into a recess 23 thereof in which this pin closely fits. The bottom of the recess 23 carries a mandrel 24. The latter penetrates into the bore 21 of the pin 9' so that its extremity is expanded so that the ring 22 is 25 firmly secured on the pin 9' . Also when using a marking element 7 of Fig. 2, a securing disc 12 can be used which can be solid in that case, and will act as a fat layer, the barbs 11 then providing the securing effect. Fig. 4B shows still another embodiment 7", in which only 30 the sharp-edged extremity 8" of the stem 9" is hollow, and the outer surface of the latter is provided with saw-tooth shaped ribs IT. The securing disc 22' has now a through hole 23' in which the ex¬ tremity 8" fits. One or more ribs IT are driven under deformation into the opening 23* and can expand beyond* the ring, so that an unbreakable locking is obtained. If required a metal ring having resilient lips can be included in said ring 22', or resilient lips can be formed on said ring, said lips co-operating with the ribs 11'. The disc 22' shown has an elastic edge portion 25 corres¬ ponding to the edge 12 for bringing about a resilient pinching which, when the ear or skin fold becomes thicker because of growth of the marked animal, can yield. For applying an element of Fig. 4 the tool 16 of Fig. 3 can be used again, which, then, is to be provided with a supporting surface at the other side of the ear or skin fold, which is shown in Fig, 3 at 26 with interrupted lines, and in which securings discs 22 and 22* can be supported in front of the outlet opening 19. If desired this surface can be provided with a fixed mandrel 24' for expanding the extremity of the pin 9' of Fig. 4A, if the discs 22 are not provided with a mandrel 24. Such elements can be applied very deeply in the ear where the risk of getting loose by scratching, biting or the like will not occur, and, moreover, it is not necessary to make a hole in the ear first as in the case of the known ear-marks. It will be clear that the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 4 are only given by way of example, and that many modifications thereof are possible. The marking elements are not only suitable for marking animals to be slaughtered for simplifying the work in the slaughter¬ house, but are also suitable for marking young animals, e.g. after having received the required culations, since such an element can be left during the whole l fe-time of the animal.

Claims: C l a i m s 1. A marking element for marking animals or the like, com¬ prising electrical circuit elements (1..6) adapted to absorb field energy from the field of a transmitter and for influencing said field in correspondence with an included code in such a manner that 5 this can be detected by the transmitter, and comprising a more or less disc-shaped plate (10) and a stem or- pin (9) transversely ex¬ tending therefrom, the latter being adapted to be inserted through the upper skin of an animal to be marked and to be secured at the other side of the skin, characterised in that the stem or pin (9) has a tip which is pointed in such a manner that the stem or pin can be driven through the skin by means of a shooting tool (16), said disc having a substantially flat rear wall (13) adapted to apply itself flatly against the outer skin surface, in which disc (10) a pickup coil (2), in particular provided with a ferrite core, for 5 picking up field energy is included. 2. The marking element of claim 1, ch arac terised in that the disk has a somewhat elastically flexible edge (12). 3. The marking element according to claim 1 or 2, ch aracte¬ rised in that rearwardly of said pointed tip (8, 8") the stem (9,9") -- is provided with a barb (11) or one or more circumferential ribs (IT) acting as barbs. 4. The marking element according to any one of claims 1..3, characterised in that at least near its pointed extremity (8', 8") the stem (9\ 9") is hollow (21, 21'). 5 5. The marking tool according to any one of claims 1..4, adapted to be fixed in an ear or a skin fold of an animal to be marked by means of a securing disc (22, 22') to be fastened on the stem (9', 9"), characterised in that the securing disc (22, 22') is made of plastics, and is adapted to secure the stem (9', 9") 0 of the marking element (7', 7") driven therein. 6. The marking element of claims 4 and 5, characterised in that the disc (22, 22') is provided with a hole (23, 23') in which the stem (9', 9") fits. 7. The marking element of claim 6, characterised in that a mandrel (23, 23*) is or can be provided in the disc (22), said mandrel being adapted to be driven into he bore (21) of the . stem (9 1 ) for expanding said stem. 8. The marking element of any one of claims 5..7, charac¬ terised in that the securing disc (22) is dish-haped with a more or less elastically flexible rim (25). 9. A tool for applying a marking element of any one of claims 1..8, characterised in that it is constructed as a gun or stapler (16), and is, in particular, pneumatically actuated, and is adapted for taking up the marking elements (7, 7', 7") with the extremity (8, 8', 8") of the stem (9, 9', 9") directed forwards. 10. The tool of claim 9 for applying a marking element of any one of claims 5..8, characterised in that the tool (16) is provided with a supporting surface (26) to be placed at the other side of the body portion in question of the animal to be marked, and adapted for taking up securing discs (22, 22'). 11. The tool of claim 10 for applying a securing disc of claim 7, characterised in that the supporting surface (26) is pro¬ vided with a spreading mandrel (24') in front of the exit aperture (19) of the tool (16). 12. The tool of any one of claims 9..11, adapted for marking elements (7) with externally programmable circuit elements (5), characterised by means for supplying programming currents or fields, and with setting means (21) for selecting the desired code.

Inventors: VAN ZEGGEREN WILHELM AART, VAN ZEGGEREN, WILHELM, AART
Applicants: PAALMAN BEREND JOHAN, PAALMAN, BEREND, JOHAN
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A01K11
IPC codes: A01K11, A01K29, A61B5, G07C9