LIGHTWEIGHT TRANSPONDER TAG FOR SMALL ANIMALS

Abstract: An animal eartag (100) includes a transponder (150) sealed inside a compartment (145) on a carrier (120). The carrier (120) is made from a relatively hard grade polyurethane which is relatively strong and water impermeable.

Description: LIGHTWEIGHT TRANSPONDER TAG FOR SMALL ANIMALS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to animal tags and in particular, to a lightweight eartag which houses a transponder and is suitable for use on relatively small and/or weak animals. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Animals are labeled or tagged for a variety of reasons. One particular animal tag is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,807 to Johnson. This prior art tag is designed for mounting on an animal's ear and is used in the livestock industry to identify and/or track individual animals. The tag includes a flexible carrier, a rigid insert, a transponder, a stabilizing material, and a cap. The transponder is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,129 to Taylor et al. Recognizing that the transponder is encapsulated in glass and designed for implantation within an animal, the prior art tag requires the rigid insert to protect or fortify the externally applied transponder. As shown in the Johnson patent, the prior art tag is assembled by inserting a stabilizing material into the rigid insert, followed by the transponder and then the cap. The sealed insert is then inserted into a compartment on the flexible carrier. Since the carrier is relatively soft and water permeable, the insert is provided to help protect the glass encapsulated transponder from damage which might otherwise result from animal bites and/or moisture in the environment. In other words, if left unprotected on the outside of a hog, the transponder on a first hog could be bitten by a second hog, causing the transponder to simply break or to crack and then take on moisture. Though not large by human standards, the prior art tag constitutes a relatively heavy load for a small animal to bear. The weight of the prior art tag is enough to cause significant ear damage and necrosis, thus having a negative affect on the piglets overall health. Thus, a need remains for a transponder eartag which is so light in weight that it can be applied to small and/or weak animals, such as newborn piglets, without hindering their movement or affecting their health. In the case of newborn piglets, such an identification eartag should weigh no more than about four grams. In addition to being lightweight, a transponder-type tag must also remain durable enough to protect the glass encapsulated transponder from the relatively inhospitable elements within a hog house. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention is to manufacture an animal tag with a carrier made from a relatively hard grade of polyurethane that is relatively rigid and impermeable to moisture, thereby eliminating the need for a discrete protective insert. In particular, a polyurethane with a hardness in the range of 55D to 80D, formed into a carrier smaller in size and shape than that of the Johnson patent, provides adequate protection for a glass encapsulated transponder of the type described above. The resulting animal tag is relatively lighter in weight and thus, less cumbersome for newborn piglets. Another aspect of the present invention is to manufacture an animal tag consisting essentially of a carrier having a compartment; a glass encapsulated transponder disposed within the compartment; and a cap for the compartment. The resulting three-piece combination is capable of withstanding the elements within a hog house, despite weighing no more than four grams. Yet another aspect of the present invention is to manufacture an animal tag by forming a carrier to have a compartment; inserting a glass encapsulated transponder directly into the compartment; and sealing the compartment closed. The resulting combination is capable of withstanding the elements within a hog house, despite the absence of any discrete protective insert. Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the more detailed description that follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING With reference to the Figures of the Drawing, wherein like numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a front view of an animal tag constructed according to the principles of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded front view of the animal tag of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a sectioned side view of a carrier which is a component of the animal tag of Figures 1-2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment animal tag, constructed according to the principles of the present invention, is designated as 100 in Figures 1-2. As shown in Figure 2, the animal tag 100 includes only three components: a carrier 120; a transponder 150; and a cap or plug 180. In accordance with the present invention, the transponder 150 is simply inserted into a compartment 145 on the carrier 120 and then sealed therein by the cap 180. Some sort of physical or chemical bond is established between the cap 180 and the carrier 120, by means of adhesive, for example, to ensure that the compartment 145 remains sealed. Contrary to the prior art eartag, the animal tag 100 of the present invention has no discrete protective insert and thus, weighs significantly less (from the perspective of a newborn piglet). The elimination of parts and associated reduction in size are accomplished by making the carrier itself more durable. In particular, the carrier 120 is made from polycaprolactone polyurethane or polyether polyurethane, having a hardness in the range of 55D to 80D, and thus, no longer needs to house a relatively bulky insert. It is understood that a comparable material that can withstand a severe animal environment and still provide protection may be used. The new carrier material is able to withstand both biting and exposure to moisture. In terms of structure, the carrier 120 includes a first integral portion 130, which is sized and configured to mount on an animal's ear, and a second integral portion 140, which is sized and configured to accommodate the transponder 150. The first integral portion 130 includes a base 132; an annular sidewall 134 extending perpendicularly away from one side of the base 132; and a circular hole 136 extending through the base 132 and concentrically aligned with the sidewall 134. A shoulder or ledge 138 projects radially inward from the sidewall 134, proximate the juncture between the sidewall 134 and the base 132, to support an end of a fastener (not shown) inside the sidewall 134. In other words, the hole 136 has a relatively larger diameter, bounded by the sidewall 134, to accommodate an oversized end of the fastener, and a relatively smaller diameter, bounded by the base 132 and the shoulder 138, to accommodate the shaft of the fastener. The opposite side of the base 132 provides a surface to support an oversized, opposite end of the fastener. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the first portion 130 may be said to provide a means for mounting the tag 100 to an animal's ear. The second integral portion 140 includes a base 142; and a semi- cylindrical sidewall 144 integrally joined to one side of the base 142. The base 142 and the base 132 are integral portions of a flat sheet 122. The semi-cylindrical sidewall 144 and the annular sidewall 134 project or extend away from the same side of the sheet 122. The semi-cylindrical sidewall 144 cooperates with the base 142 to define the compartment 145, which is cylindrical in shape and has a longitudinal axis that extends parallel to the base 142. The ends of the sidewall 144 are bevelled to reduce the possibility of the tag 100 snagging or catching on another object. The sidewall 144 and the compartment 145 are formed by first forming the second portion 140 with a semi-cylindrical protrusion and then coring into one end of the protrusion to create the compartment 145 and define the surrounding sidewall 144. The length of the compartment 145 is less than the length of the sidewall 144, leaving one end 146 of the compartment 145 closed and the other end 147 open to receive the transponder 150. In the preferred embodiment, the transponder 150 is identical to the one shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,211 ,129 to Taylor et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other lightweight transponders may be substituted for the preferred embodiment transponder 150 without departing from the scope of the present invention. The preferred embodiment transponder 150 is encapsulated in glass and is intended for implantation within an animal. The transponder 150 is cylindrical in shape and has a diameter approximately equal to that of the compartment 145, but a length that is shorter than that of the compartment 145. As a result, the transponder 150 fits snugly within the compartment 145 while leaving room at the open end 147 for the cap 180. In the preferred embodiment, the cap 180 is made from the same material as the carrier 120. The cap 180 is a cylindrical member having a diameter approximately equal to that of the compartment 145. The cap 180 has one normal end 186 and one bevelled end 187, the latter being sized and configured to assume a co-planar position relative to the end 147 of the sidewall 144 when the cap 180 is secured in place relative to the compartment 145. A tab 148 projects laterally from the distal end of the base 142 to provide a trademark logo identifier area for the tag 100. The corners of the tab 148 and the base 142 are rounded to reduce the likelihood of the tag 100 snagging or catching on some other object. The distal end of the base 132 is rounded to minimize discomfort to an animal's ear. The length of the carrier 120, as measured from the outer edge of the tab 148 to the rounded edge of the first base 132, is approximately 1.07 inches. The width of the carrier 120, as measured between opposite edges of the second base 142, is approximately 0.70 inches. The thickness of the sheet 122 is approximately 0.06 inches; the length of the annular sidewall 134 is approximately 0.35 inches; and the radius of the semi-cylindrical sidewall 144 is approximately 0J 1 inches. The resulting configuration is smaller than the eartag which is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,807 to Johnson, which patent is incorporated herein by reference, and the resulting tag 100 weighs less than four grams. For reasons of practicality, the foregoing description and accompanying figures are limited to only a preferred embodiment and particular application of the present invention. Recognizing that those skilled in the art may recognize additional embodiments and/or improvements which incorporate aspects of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the extent of the following claims.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. An animal tag, comprising: a carrier defining a compartment and made of a polyurethane having a hardness of between 55D and 80D; and a transponder disposed within the compartment. 2. The animal tag of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer is selected from the group consisting of polycaprolactone polyurethane and polyether polyurethane. 3. The animal tag of claim 1 , further comprising a mounting means, connected to the carrier, for mounting the animal tag to an animal's ear. 4. The animal tag of claim 1 , wherein the transponder is encapsulated in glass. 5. The animal tag of claim 1 , further comprising a cap inserted into the compartment to enclose the transponder therein. 6. The animal tag of claim 1, further comprising a sealing means, connected to the carrier, for sealing the transponder inside the compartment. 7. The animal tag of claim 1 , wherein the transponder is generally cylindrical and has an outside diameter, and the compartment is bordered by a generally cylindrical sidewall having an inside diameter, and the inside diameter is approximately equal to the outside diameter. 8. A lightweight animal eartag, consisting essentially of: a carrier defining a compartment; a transponder disposed within the compartment via an opening; and a compartment seal disposed across the opening to seal the transponder inside the compartment, wherein the entire eartag weighs less than four grams. 9. The animal eartag of claim 8, wherein the carrier is made of polyurethane having a hardness of between 55D and 80D. 10. The animal eartag of claim 9, wherein the transponder is encapsulated in glass. 11. The animal eartag of claim 9, wherein the seal includes a cap made of polyurethane or better having a hardness of between 55D and 80D. 12. The animal eartag of claim 8, wherein the seal includes a cap which is inserted into the compartment. 13. The animal eartag of claim 8, wherein a hole is formed through the carrier to facilitate mounting of the animal eartag to an animal's ear. 14. The animal eartag of claim 8, wherein the compartment and the transponder are substantially cylindrical. 15. A method of making a lightweight animal tag, comprising the steps of: forming a durable carrier to include a first integral portion sized and configured to mount on an animal's ear, and a second integral portion sized and configured to define a compartment; inserting a transponder directly into the compartment; and sealing the compartment closed with the transponder inside. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a hole is formed through the first integral portion. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the compartment is sealed closed by inserting a cap into the compartment after the transponder has been inserted. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the carrier is made of polyurethane having a hardness of between 55D and 80D. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the transponder is encapsulated in glass. 20. The method of claim 15, wherein only the transponder is sealed inside the compartment.

Inventors: JOHNSON GEORGE N, JOHNSON, GEORGE, N.
Applicants: DESTRON FEARING CORP, DESTRON FEARING CORPORATION
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A01K11
IPC codes: A01K11