Patent Publication Number: US-2018027765-A1

Title: Button and Applicator for Animal Identification Tags

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/368,246 entitled “Button and Applicator for Animal Identification Tags” and filed on Jul. 29, 2016 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In the field of animal husbandry, animals are often identified by tags that include a unique identification number and which are often attached to the ear of the animal. Occasionally, tags are lost due to a variety of factors relating to, e.g., environmental conditions, the behavior of the animal, and the properties of the tag itself. For example, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and continually changing temperatures can cause the material of some identification tags to degrade and crack. As a result, degraded identification tags can fail and, in turn, fall off. Some identification tags may also degrade and fail as a result of repeated rubbing against objects in the surrounding environment such as, e.g., trees, fences, bushes, and the like. Furthermore, some identification tags can become snagged and thus be torn off. 
     Therefore, there is a need for improved animal identification tags that increase the retentions rate of such tags once attached. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of various embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. One or more components illustrated in the accompanying figures may be positioned in other than the disclosed arrangement and that one or more of the components illustrated may be optional. The drawings may represent the scale of different components of one embodiment; however, the disclosed embodiment is not limited to that particular scale. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of an example of an implementation of a button for an animal identification tag in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a top perspective view of an example of an implementation of a button for an animal identification tag in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a side cross-sectional view of the button of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side cross-sectional view of a mid-region of the button of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  depicts a side cross-sectional view of a front region of the button of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  depicts a top perspective view of the button core of the button of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  depicts a pair of side views of the button of  FIG. 2  with example dimensions for portions of the button. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a top view and a top perspective view of the button of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  depicts an example of an implementation of a button applicator in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a top perspective view of the button holder of the button application of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  depicts various perspective views of the button applicator of  FIG. 9  and its components. 
         FIG. 12A  depicts the button applicator of  FIG. 9  configured with an example button and an example identification tag in example use. 
         FIG. 12B  depicts example operation of the button applicator of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12C  depicts an example of an implementation of a button assembly formed with the button applicator of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 13A  depicts a top perspective view of an example of an implementation of a button mold assembly in an exploded configuration and in accordance with aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 13B  depicts a top perspective view of a mold assembly portion of the button mold assembly of  FIG. 13A . 
         FIG. 13C  depicts a front view of a mold assembly portion of the button mold assembly of  FIG. 13A . 
         FIG. 14  depicts a front view of a mold cavity of a mold assembly portion of the button mold assembly of  FIG. 13A . 
         FIG. 15  depicts a first stress analysis diagram for the button of  FIG. 2  without the button core. 
         FIG. 16  depicts a second stress analysis diagram for the button of  FIG. 2  without the button core. 
         FIG. 17  depicts a third stress analysis diagram for the button of  FIG. 2  without the button core. 
         FIG. 18  depicts a stress analysis diagram for the button of  FIG. 2  with the button core. 
         FIG. 19  depicts a set of designs for a button head of a button for an animal identification tag in accordance with aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 20  depicts a set of designs for a button back of a button for an animal identification tag in accordance with aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 21  depicts a set of designs for a button shaft of a button for an animal identification tag in accordance with aspects described herein. 
         FIG. 22  depicts a set of designs for a button core void of a button for an animal identification tag in accordance with aspects described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a button configured to attach an identification tag to the ear of an animal and an applicator configured to perform the attachment. 
     Aspects of the button described herein are designed to improve the retention rate of an attached identification tag by reducing the likelihood that the button will fail resulting in loss of the identification tag. For example, aspects of the button promote resistance to degradation from, e.g., UV radiation, temperature changes, hydrolysis, and the like. In addition, aspects of the button promote the release of the button from a snag or other encumbrance without damaging or otherwise degrading the button. Furthermore, aspects of the button promote faster healing and lower rates of infection which, in turn, result in less irritation to the animal and thus less disturbance by the animal at the attachment site, e.g., by rubbing, scratching, and the like. Additional advantages will be appreciated upon review of the additional disclosures set forth in further detail below. 
     While embodiments may be implemented in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail various example embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles disclosed herein and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of those principles to the embodiments illustrated. Other embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. 
     In the following description of various example structures, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which are shown by way of illustration various example components, devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. Other specific arrangements of example components, devices, systems, and environments may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,” “forward,” “backward,” “upward,” “downward,” “rearward,” and the like may be used herein to describe various features and elements of the example embodiments, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during example use. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Furthermore, the term “set,” as used herein, indicates a collection of one or more elements. Nothing in the disclosures below should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of those disclosures. Finally, unless explicitly indicated, the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and any dimensions are provided by way of example only. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of an example of an implementation of a button  100  for an animal identification tag in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The button  100  in this example includes a button back  102 , a button shaft  104 , a button head  106 , and a button core  108 . The button back  102 , button shaft  104 , and button head  106  may be described as making up the body  110  of the button  100 . The button shaft  104  extends along the longitudinal axis  112  of the button  100  and connects the button back  102  to the button head  106 . A void  114  extends through the button  100  along the longitudinal axis  112  through each of the button back  102 , the button shaft  104 , and the button head  106 . The button core  108  resides within the void  114  such that the core may be described as embedded in the button body  110 . The button core  108  residing within the void  114  also extends through the button  100  along the longitudinal axis  112  through each of the button back  102 , the button shaft  104 , and the button head  106 . With the button core  108  embedded in the button body  110 , the button is substantially free of any voids in an assembled configuration. The button core  108  also includes a core tip  116  that protrudes from the button head  106 . As described in further detail below, the core tip  116  is shaped so as to make a hole in the ear of an animal when applying an identification tag. 
     For the sake of clarity, the following terminology is adopted to facilitate the description of the button  100  and its features. The portion of the button  100  that includes the button back  102  is referred to herein as the proximal end of the button, and the portion of the button that includes the button head  106  is referred to herein as the distal end of the button. The button  100  has a length that is measured along its longitudinal axis  112  between the proximal end and distal end of the button. The button  100  has a width that is measured along an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  112 . The button  100  has an overall length as well as an overall width. The overall length is measured from the rear surface of the button back  102  to the end of the core tip  116 . The overall width of the button  100  is measured across the button at its widest point. As described in further detail below, various aspects of the button  100  have individual lengths and widths. Accordingly, various implementations of a button may exhibit different lengths and/or widths while remaining within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additionally, the button  100  and various portions or regions of the button may be described as having a thickness which may be measured along one or more axes of the button, e.g., the longitudinal axis  112  of the button, an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and/or an axis oblique to the longitudinal axis. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a top perspective view of an example of an implementation of a button  200  for an animal identification tag in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The button  200  shown by way of example in  FIG. 2  likewise includes a button back  202  connected to a button shaft  204  which is in turn connected to a button head  206 . The button back  202 , button shaft  204 , and button head  206  of the button  200  in  FIG. 2  has a singular, one-piece construction such that the material forming the button back, button shaft, and button head is contiguous. As described in further detail below, the button back  202 , button shaft  204 , and button head  206  may be constructed using injection molding techniques. 
     A button core  208  is embedded in the button  200  such that the core extends through at least a portion of the button shaft  204  and the button head  206 . In some example implementations, the button core  208  may extend through the entirety of the button back  202 , the button shaft  204 , and the button head  206 . In other example implementations, the button core  208  may extend through only a portion of the button back  202  and/or only a portion of the button shaft  204 . The button core  208  includes a core head  210  that protrudes from the button head  206  of the button  200 . Accordingly, in some example implementations, the core head  210  may be the only portion of the button core  208  that is visible from the exterior of the button  200 . 
     The core head  210  in  FIG. 2  includes a bladed edge  212  that makes an incision at the ear of an animal when applying an identification tag. In other example implementations, the core head  210  may include a pointed tip that punctures the ear of an animal when applying an identification tag. In certain applications, incising the ear using a button having a core with a bladed edge may be preferred over puncturing the ear using a button having a core with a pointed tip. This is because an incision may heal faster than a puncture. In addition, an incision can be less prone to infection than a puncture and, as a result, be less irritating to the animal. Less irritation may result in less scratching, rubbing, and the like by the animal thus reducing disturbance to the identification tag and/or button. Although a core having a bladed edge may be preferred in certain circumstances, a core having a pointed tip may be used without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The button core  208  in  FIG. 2  is constructed from a metallic material. Various types of metallic material may be used to construct the button core  208  including, for example, aluminum and aluminum alloys, copper and copper alloys (e.g., brass, bronze), iron and iron alloys (e.g., steel, stainless steel), lead and lead alloys (e.g., solder), nickel and nickel alloys, silver and silver alloys, gold and gold alloys, titanium and titanium alloys, tin and tin alloys, tungsten and tungsten alloys, palladium, and other types of metallic materials that reinforce and promote the structural integrity of a button for an identification tag when embedded in that button. In some example implementations, 12-gage 430 stainless steel wire may be selectively employed to form the button core  208  (e.g., part number 89065K24 from McMaster-Carr Supply Company of Elmhurst, Ill.). In example implementations the metallic material used to construct the button core  208  may be magnetic (e.g., paramagnetic or ferromagnetic), while in other implementations the core may be non-magnetic. In other implementations, the button core  208  may be constructed of non-metallic materials that nevertheless reinforce and promote the structural integrity of the button  200  for an identification tag when embedded in the button. Examples of non-metallic materials that may be used to construct the core include high-strength resins, high-strength polymers, high-strength polyresins, high-strength composite materials, and the like. 
     The button back  202  in  FIG. 2  is substantially flat, has a circular shape, and includes a curved edge  214  and a flange  216 . The button shaft  204  of the button  200  in this example is connected to the button back  202  at the center of the button back. The curved edge  214  of the button back  202  in this example includes multiple curved edge portions  218 - 222  each having an individual radius of curvature. In particular, the curved edge  214  in  FIG. 2  includes a 1 st  curved edge portion  218  having a 1 st  radius of curvature, a 2 nd  curved edge portion  220  having a 2 nd  radius of curvature, and a 3 rd  curved edge portion  222  having a 3 rd  radius of curvature. In some example implementations, each radii of curvature may be different while in other example implementations, two or more of the radii of curvature may be the same. The flange  216  of the button back  202  in this example includes a front surface  224  that faces toward the distal end of the button  200 . The front surface  224  of the flange  216  includes a circumferential flat region  226  extending from the curved edge  214  toward the center of the button back  202  where it connects to a filleted rear shaft portion which will be discussed in further detail below. 
     While the button back  202  shown by way of example in  FIG. 2  exhibits a circular shape (i.e., has a circular cross-sectional shape), other shapes may be employed for the button back. For example, in other implementations a button back may exhibit a triangular shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, a heptagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a rhomboid shape, a kite shape, a trapezoidal shape, an oval shape, a star shape, and other types of shapes. The shape of a button back may be a regular shape or an irregular shape. In another example, the shape of a button back may conform to the shape of a numeric character (e.g., 0-9), an alphabetic character (e.g., A-Z, a-z), or a symbol, emblem, or icon (e.g., a heart, a spade, a sun, a moon). In a further example, the shape of a button back may be amorphous. The shape of the flange  216  may determine the manner in which and the extent to which the flange flexes when disturbed, e.g., when scratched, rubbed, pulled, etc. 
     In addition, in some example implementations, a flange of a button may include a non-flat region extending from the edge of the button back toward the center. For example, instead of a flat region, some example implementations of a button may include a flange having a concave region extending from the edge toward the center, a convex region extending from the edge toward the center, or an incline region extending from the edge toward the center in which a height of the incline region proximate the edge is less than a height of the incline region proximate the center. 
     As noted above, the button shaft  204  of the button  200  in  FIG. 2  is positioned at the center of the button back  202  and extends away from the button back toward the distal end of the button. The button head  206  is connected to the button shaft  204  at the distal end of the button. Accordingly, the button shaft  204  in this example may be described as having a shaft rear region  228  proximate to the button back  202 , a shaft front region  230  proximate to the button head  206 , and a shaft middle region  232  between the shaft rear region and the shaft front region. The button shaft  204  in  FIG. 2  includes a filleted rear shaft portion  234 , a conical shaft portion  236 , a cylindrical shaft portion  238 , and a filleted front shaft portion (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The filleted rear shaft portion  234  provides a smooth transition from the flat region  226  of the flange  216  to the rest of the button shaft  204  that extends away from the flange thereby distributing across the filleted rear shaft portion any stress the button shaft might experience. The conical shaft portion  236  extends from the filleted rear shaft portion  234  toward the shaft middle region  232  where it connects to the cylindrical shaft portion  238 . The conical shaft portion  236  in this example tapers from the shaft rear region  228  toward the shaft middle region  232 . In other words, the width of the conical shaft portion  236  proximate to the shaft rear region  228  is greater than the width of the conical shaft portion proximate to the shaft middle region  232 . The cylindrical shaft portion  238  extends from the shaft middle region  232  toward the shaft front region  230  and connects to the filleted front shaft portion. Although not shown in  FIG. 2 , the filleted front shaft portion is positioned between the cylindrical shaft portion  238  and the button head  206 . The filleted front shaft portion likewise provides a smooth transition from the cylindrical shaft portion  238  to the rear surface of the button head  206  and likewise distributes across the filleted front shaft portion any stress the button head might experience. The filleted front shaft portion of the button shaft  204  and the rear surface of the button head  206  are shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The button head  206  of the button  200  in  FIG. 2  includes a cylindrical head portion  240  and a conical head portion  242 . The cylindrical head portion  240  is positioned proximate the filleted front shaft portion and extends away from the filleted front shaft portion toward the conical head portion  242 . The conical head portion  242  extends away from the cylindrical head portion  240  toward the core head  210 . The conical head portion  242  also tapers toward the core head  210  such that a width of the conical head portion proximate to the cylindrical head portion  240  is greater than a width of the conical head portion proximate to the core head. 
     As described in further detail below, the button back, button shaft, and button head of a button may be constructed using mold injection techniques. Various types of materials may be selectively employed to form the button back, button shaft, and button head. For example, in some implementations, a thermoplastic elastomer may be used to form the button back, button shaft, and button head. To reduce the likelihood of failure, a thermoplastic elastomer that is heat-stabilized and UV-stabilized may be selected. In addition, the thermoplastic elastomer may include a mold release additive to help release the button from the mold during the injection molding process described below. To avoid infection, a material having anti-microbial properties may be selected. 
     Furthermore, the thermoplastic elastomer selected may have the following properties in some example implementations: a density of about 1.00 g/cm 3  according to the ISO 1183 test method; a water absorption at equilibrium (20° C. and 50% R.H.) of about 0.4% according to the ISO 62 test method; a water absorption (23° C. and 24 hours in water) of about 1.2% according to the ISO 62 test method; a melting point of about 134° C. according to the ISO 11357 test method; a vicat point (under 1 daN) of about 58° C. according to the ISO 306 test method; shrinkage (after 24 hours, 4 mm, mold at 40° C.) of about 0.5% (//) and about 0.8% (⊥) according to the internal test method; an instantaneous hardness (after 15 days at 23° and 50% R.H.) of about 77/27 Shore A/Shore D according to the ISO 868 test method; a hardness after 15 seconds (after 15 days at 23° and 50% R.H.) of about 74/22 Shore A/Shore D according to the ISO 868 test method; a tensile stress at break (after 15 days at 23° and 50% R.H.) of about 32 MPa according to the ISO 527 test method; a tensile strain at break of greater than about 750% according to the ISO 527 test method; a flexural modulus (after 15 days at 23° and 50% R.H.) of about 12 MPa according to the ISO 178 test method; and exhibit no break during a Charpy impact test (after 15 days at 23° and 50% R.H.) at 23° C. and −30° C. when unnotched and when V-notched according to the ISO 179 test. In some example implementations the thermoplastic elastomer may be a polyether block amide such as PEBAX® available from Arkema of Colombes, France. In some example implementations, PEBAX® 2533 SD 02 may be selectively utilized to form the button back, button shaft, and button head. 
     The material selected may additionally or alternatively have the following properties: a glass transition temperature of less than about −20° C.; an outer layer tensile modulus of between about 4,000 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 6,500 psi; and a core tensile modulus of greater than about 40,000 psi. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a side cross-sectional view of the button of  FIG. 2 . The cross-sectional view of the button  200  in  FIG. 3  depicts additional features of the button. As described above with reference to  FIG. 2 , the button back  202  includes a flange  216  which the button shaft  204  is connected to. The button shaft  204  includes a filleted rear shaft portion  234  connected to the front surface  224  of the flange  216 . The filleted rear shaft portion  234  extends away from the front surface  224  of the flange  216  toward the conical shaft portion  236  of the button shaft  204 . The conical shaft portion  236  extends away from the filleted rear shaft portion  234  toward the cylindrical shaft portion  238  of the button shaft  204 . The conical shaft portion  236  also tapers toward the cylindrical shaft portion  238  of the button shaft  204 . The cylindrical shaft portion  238  extends away from conical shaft portion  236  toward the filleted front shaft portion  244  of the button shaft  204 . The filleted front shaft portion  244  is connected to the rear surface  246  of the button head  206 . The button head  206  includes a cylindrical head portion  240  extending away from the filleted front shaft portion  244  of the button shaft  204  toward a conical head portion  242  of the button head. The conical head portion  242  extends away from the cylindrical head portion  240  toward the core head  210  of the button core  208 . The conical head portion  242  also tapers toward the core head  210  of the button core  208 . The front surface  248  of the button head  206  in this example includes the surface of the conical head portion  242 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , the button core  208  is embedded in the button  200  such that the button is substantially free of any voids in its assembled configuration. The button core  208  in this example extends through each of the button back  202 , the button shaft  204 , and the button head  206  and includes a core head  210  that protrudes from the button head  206 . The button core  208 , in this example, is a full tang button core and also includes a core end  250  embedded in the button back  202  that is flush with the rear surface  252  of the button back. The button core  208  in this example also includes a series of circumferential grooves  254  that help to secure the button core within the button  200 . The grooves  254  increase the surface area of the button core  208  thereby providing a larger area for the surrounding material to bind to. Additional and alternative techniques may be selectively employed to increase the surface area of a button core and thereby promote bonding between the outer surface of the button core and the surrounding material. In example implementations, the outer surface of a button core may include one or more features to promote bonding of the button core and the surrounding material. For example, the outer surface of a button core may be roughened using various techniques to promote bonding between the button core and the polymer. For example, the outer surface of a button core may be sand-blasted, filed, mechanically etched, chemically etched, chemically treated, threaded, ground, scraped, knurled, and the like in order to form various types of structures on the outer surface on the button core that promote bonding with the surrounding material. Examples of such structures include threads, pores, channels, etchings, knurls, cavities, notches, and the like. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the circumferential grooves  254  divide the button core  208  into a series of cylindrical core body portions  256  and each groove exhibits an arcuate contour  258 . The core head  210  of the button core  208  in this example includes a linearly tapering region  260  and a non-linearly tapering region  262 . The linearly tapering region  260  of the core head  210  extends away from the conical head portion  242  of the button head  206  toward the non-linearly tapering region  262  of the core head. The non-linearly tapering region  262  of the core head extends away from the linearly tapering region  260  toward the bladed edge  212  of the core head  210 . The linearly tapering region  260  and a non-linearly tapering region  262  of the core head  210  will be discussed in further detail below. 
     As noted above, the button  200  may exhibit different widths at various points along the button. For example, the button  200  is widest across the width of the button back  202  which is identified in  FIG. 3  as diameter, d 0 . Accordingly, diameter, d 0 , corresponds to the overall width of the button  200  in this example. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a side cross-sectional view of a mid-region of the button  200  of  FIG. 2  and indicates additional widths of the button at various points in this mid-region. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the diameter of the cross-section changes along the length of the mid-region of the button  200 . For example, the cross-section of the button shaft  204  has a diameter, d 1 , in the filleted rear shaft portion  234  of the button  200  proximate to the front surface  224  of the button back  202  in which d 0 &gt;d 1 . Moving along the longitudinal axis of the button  200  toward the distal end of the button, the button shaft  204  has a diameter, d 2 , in the filleted rear shaft portion  234  in which d 1 &gt;d 2 . The button shaft  204  has a diameter, d 3 , where the filleted rear shaft portion  234  meets the conical shaft portion  236  of the button shaft in which d 2 &gt;d 3 . As noted above, the conical shaft portion  236  of the button shaft  204  tapers toward the cylindrical shaft portion  238 . Accordingly, the button shaft  204  has a diameter, d 4 , in the conical shaft portion  236  in which d 3 &gt;d 4 . The button shaft  204  has a diameter, d 5 , where the conical shaft portion  236  meets the cylindrical shaft portion  238  of the button shaft in which d 4 &gt;d 5 . Continuing along the longitudinal axis of the button  200  toward the distal end of the button, the button shaft  204  has a diameter, d 6 , in the cylindrical shaft portion  238  and a diameter, d 7 , where the cylindrical shaft portion meets the filleted front shaft portion  244  in which d 5 =d 6 =d 7 . It will be appreciated that, due to the practicalities of manufacturing the button, the diameters, d 5 , d 6 , and d 7  might not be exactly equal but rather may be considered to be the same when within practical manufacturing tolerances. The button shaft  204  has a diameter, d 8 , where the filleted front shaft portion  244  meets the rear surface ( 246  in  FIG. 3 ) of the button head ( 206  in  FIGS. 2-3 ) in which d 8 &gt;d 7 . 
     Alternative implementations of a button may exhibit different dimensions. For example, in a first alternative implementation, the button shaft may omit the cylindrical shaft portion and only include a conical shaft portion between the filleted rear shaft portion and the filleted front shaft portion. In this first alternative implementation, a diameter of a cross-section of the button shaft continuously reduces in a linear fashion when moving along the longitudinal axis of the button between the filleted rear shaft portion and the filleted front shaft portion. In a second alternative implementation, the button shaft may omit the conical shaft portion and only include a cylindrical shaft portion between the filleted rear shaft portion and the filleted front shaft portion. In this second alternative implementation, a diameter of a cross-section of the button shaft is uniform when moving along the longitudinal axis of the button between the filleted rear shaft portion and the filleted front shaft portion. In a third alternative implementation, the button shaft may include a cylindrical shaft portion positioned proximate to the proximal end of the button adjacent to the button back and a conical shaft portion positioned proximate to the distal end of the button adjacent to the button head. In a fourth alternative implementation, the button shaft may include a conical shaft portion in which a diameter of a cross-section of that conical shaft portion tapers when moving backward along the longitudinal axis of the button toward the proximal end of the button. In further implementations, the button shaft may omit one or both of the filleted rear shaft portion and the filleted front shaft portion such that a conical shaft portion and/or a cylindrical shaft portion form a non-filleted corner when meeting the front surface of the button back and/or the rear surface of the button head. 
       FIG. 4  also indicates various widths of the button core  208  at various points in the mid-region. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the cross-section of the button core  208  has different diameters at the circumferential grooves  254  and the cylindrical core body portion  256 . For example, the button core  208  has a diameter, d 9 , at the circumferential groove  254  of the button core and a diameter, dm, at the cylindrical body portion  256  in which d 10 &gt;d 9 . 
     In alternative implementations, a button core may exhibit alternative dimensions. For example, in a first alternative implementation, a button core may omit the circumferential grooves. In a second alternative implementation, a button core may include one or more conical core body portions in which a cross-section of the conical core body portion tapers either toward or away from the distal end of the button. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a side cross-sectional view of a front region of the button  200  of  FIG. 2  and indicates additional widths of the button at various points in this front region. As seen in  FIG. 5 , the diameter of the cross-section again changes along the length of the front-region of the button. For example, the button head  210  has a diameter, d 11 , in the cylindrical head portion  240  in which d 11 &gt;d 8 . The button head  210  has a diameter, d 12 , in the conical head portion  242  in which d 11 &gt;d 12 . The button head  210  has a diameter, d 13 , where the conical head portion  242  meets the core head  210  in which d 12 &gt;d 13 . 
     As noted above, the core head  210  in this example includes a linearly tapering region  260  positioned adjacent to the conical head portion  242  of the button head  210  as well as a non-linearly tapering region  262  positioned adjacent to the linearly tapering region and leading to the bladed edge  212 . The cross-section of the core head  210  thus exhibits a linearly tapering edge  264  through the linearly tapering region  260  between the conical head portion  242  and the point where the linearly tapering region meets the non-linearly tapering region  262 . The core head  210  thus has a diameter, d 14 , in the linearly tapering region  260  in which d 11 &gt;d 14 . The diameter of the linearly tapering region  260  tapers in a linear fashion between the conical head portion  242  and the point where the linearly tapering region meets the non-linearly tapering region  262 . The core head  210  has a diameter, d 15 , where the linearly tapering region  260  meets the non-linearly tapering region  262  in which d 14 &gt;d 15 . The cross-section of the core head  210  in this example also exhibits a non-linearly tapering edge  266  through the non-linearly tapering region  262  between the linearly tapering region  260  and the point where the non-linearly tapering region meets the bladed edge  212 . The core head  210  thus has a diameter, d 16 , where the non-linearly tapering region  262  meets the bladed edge  212  in which d 15 &gt;d 16 . The diameter of the non-linearly tapering region  262  tapers in a non-linear fashion between the linearly tapering region  260  and the point where the non-linearly tapering region meets the bladed edge  212 . The non-linearly tapering edge  266  in this example is curved such that it may be described as having a flattened S-shape or a bell-like shape. The curve of the non-linearly tapering edge  266  imparts a contour to the core head  210  such that the non-linearly tapering edge may also be described as providing a ridge at the core head. The ridge of the contoured core head  210  may assist in the creation of an incision in the ear of the animal during application of the button-tag assembly. 
     In alternative implementations, a button head and a core head may exhibit alternative dimensions. For example, in one alternative implementation of a button head, that button head may omit the cylindrical head portion such that the diameter of the button head continuously tapers in a linear fashion between the filleted front shaft portion of the button shaft and the point at which the conical head portion meets the core head. In one alternative implementation of a core head, that core head may omit the non-linearly tapering region and instead only include a linearly tapering region such that the diameter of that core head continuously tapers in a linear fashion between the point at which the button head meets the core head and the point at which that linearly tapering region meets the bladed edge. In another alternative implementation of a core head, that core head may omit the linearly tapering region and instead only include a non-linearly tapering region such that the diameter of that core head continuously tapers in a non-linear fashion between the point at which the button head meets the core head and the point at which that non-linearly tapering region meets the bladed edge. The edge formed by the cross-section of the non-linearly tapering region may also exhibit alternative shapes. For example, alternative implementations of the non-linearly tapering region may provide a cross-section having a non-linearly tapering edge that exhibits a U-shape that either curves inward (e.g., a concave edge) or outward (e.g., a convex edge). 
       FIG. 6  depicts a top perspective view of the button core  208  of the button of  FIG. 2 . The button core  208  in this example includes a core end  250  positioned proximate to the proximal end of the button and a core head  210  positioned proximate to the distal end of the button. The button core  208  includes a core shaft  268  between the core end  250  and the core head  210 . As noted above, a series of circumferential grooves  254  are formed in the core shaft  268  which divide the core shaft into a series of cylindrical core body portions  256 . As also noted above, the circumferential grooves  254  in this example exhibit an arcuate contour  258  such that the face of the groove is curved around the circumference of the core shaft  268 . In alternative implementations, a circumferential groove of the core shaft of a button core may exhibit a square-shaped contour such that the circumferential groove includes one or more flat faces around the circumference of the core shaft. The core head  210  in this example also includes a rim  270  that is positioned adjacent to and abuts the button head when the button core is embedded in the rest of the button. As further noted above, the core head  210  in this example includes a linearly tapering region  260  proximate to the core head rim  270  which leads to a non-linearly tapering region  262  which in turn leads to a bladed edge  212 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a pair of side views of the button  200  of  FIG. 2  with example dimensions for various portions of the button. As noted above, the length of the button  200  is measured in this example along the longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end of the button. The width of the button  200  is measured in this example along an axis that in perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the button. 
     The button  200  in this example includes a length, l 4 , measured from the rear surface  252  of the button back  202  from the front surface  224  of the button back. The length, l 4 , may be between about 0.080 inches (in.) and about 0.10 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.090 in. The length, l 4 , may also correspond to the thickness of the button back  202 . The button  200  includes a length, l 2 , measured from the front surface  224  of the button back to the point where the filleted rear shaft portion  234  meets the conical shaft portion  236 . The length, l 2 , may be between about 0.10 in. and about 0.20 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.114 in. The length, l 2 , may thus correspond to the length of the filleted rear shaft portion  234  at its longest point, e.g., 0.114 in. The button  200  includes a length, l 3 , measured from the front surface  224  of the button back  202  to the point where the conical shaft portion  236  meets the cylindrical shaft portion  238 . The length, l 3 , may be between about 0.40 in. and about 0.30 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.350 in. The length of the conical shaft portion  236  at its longest point may thus be about 0.236 in. in some example implementations. The button  200  includes a length, l 4 , measured from the front surface  224  of the button back  202  to the point where the cylindrical shaft portion  238  meets the filleted front shaft portion  244 . The length, l 4 , may be between about 0.50 in. and about 0.60 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.565 in. The length of the cylindrical shaft portion  238  may thus be about 0.215 in. in some example implementations. The button  200  includes a length, l 5 , measured from the front surface  224  of the button back  202  to the rear surface  246  of the button head  206 . The length, l 5 , may be between about 0.60 in. and about 0.50 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.590 in. The length, l 5 , may thus correspond to the overall length of the button shaft  204  and include the length of the filleted rear shaft portion  234 , the conical shaft portion  236 , the cylindrical shaft portion  238 , and the filleted front shaft portion  244 . The button  200  includes a length, l 6 , measured from the front surface  224  of the button back  202  to the point at which the cylindrical head portion  240  of the button head  206  meets the conical head portion  242  of the button head. The length, l 6 , may be between about 0.60 in. and about 0.70 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.635 in. The length of the cylindrical head portion  240  of the button head may thus be about 0.045 in. in some example implementations. The button  200  includes a length, l 7 , measured from the front surface  224  of the button back  202  to the point at which the conical head portion  242  of the button head  206  meets the core head  210  of the button core. The length, l 7 , may be between about 0.60 in. and about 0.70 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.692 in. The length of the conical head portion  242  of the button head  206  at its longest point may thus be about 0.057 in. in some example implementations. Accordingly, the overall length of the button head at its longest point may be about 0.102 in. in some example implementations. The button includes a length, l 8 , measured from the front surface  224  of the button back  202  to the tip of the bladed edge  212 . The length, l 8 , may be between about 0.80 in. and about 0.90 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.832 in. Accordingly, the overall length of the button  200  may be measured from the rear surface  252  of the button back  202  to the tip of the bladed edge  212 . The length of the core head  210  at its longest point may thus be about 0.140 in. in some example implementations. The overall length of the button  200  may thus be between about 1.0 in. and about 0.90 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.922 in. 
     The button  200  in this example includes a width, w 1 , measured across the button back  202 . The width, w 1 , may be between about 1.0 in. and about 1.2 in., and in some example implementations be about 1.120 in. As noted above, the overall width of the button  200  may be measured across the button back  202 . The button  200  includes a width, w 2 , measured across the cylindrical head portion  240  of the button head  206 . The width, w 2 , may be between about 0.2 in. and about 0.4 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.30 in. The button  200  includes a width, w 3 , measured across the button head  206  at the point where the conical head portion  242  of the button head meets the core head  210  of the button core  208 . The width, w 3 , may be between about 0.2 in. and about 0.3 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.220 in. The button  200  includes a width, w 4 , measured across the button shaft  204  at the point where the filleted rear shaft portion  234  of the button shaft meets the conical shaft portion  236  of the button shaft. The width, w 4 , may be between about 0.2 in. and about 0.3 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.231 in. The button  200  includes a width, w 5 , measured across the button shaft  204  at the point where the conical shaft portion  236  of the button shaft meets the cylindrical shaft portion  238  of the button shaft. The width, w 5 , may be between about 0.1 in. and about 0.2 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.190 in. The widths, w 1-5 , thus represent the diameters of the button  200  at its various regions. 
     The dimensions of various portions of a button may be calculated as a percentage of other portions of the button. For example, the overall length of a button may be between about 80% and about 90% of the overall width of the button, and in some example implementations be about 82% of the overall width of the button. The thickness of the button back of a button may be between about 5% and about 10% of the overall width of the button, and in some example implementations be about 8% of the overall width of the button. The length of the filleted rear shaft portion of a button may be between about 10% and about 20% of the overall length of the button, and in some example implementations may be about 12% of the overall length of the button. The length of the filleted rear shaft portion may alternatively be between about 10% and about 20% of the overall length of the button shaft of a button, and in some example implementations be about 19% of the overall length of the button shaft. The length of the conical shaft portion of a button may be between about 20% and about 30% of the overall length of the button, and in some example implementations may be about 26% of the overall length of the button. The length of the conical shaft portion may alternatively be between about 35% and about 45% of the overall length of the button shaft of a button, and in some example implementations be about 40% of the overall length of the button shaft. The length of the cylindrical shaft portion of a button may be between about 20% and about 30% of the overall length of the button, and in some example implementations may be about 23% of the overall length of the button. The length of the cylindrical shaft portion may alternatively be between about 30% and about 40% of the overall length of the button shaft of a button, and in some example implementations be about 36% of the overall length of the button shaft. The length of the filleted front shaft portion of a button may be between about 1% and about 5% of the overall length of the button, and in some example implementations may be about 3% of the overall length of the button. The length of the filleted front shaft portion may alternatively be between about 1% and about 5% of the overall length of the button shaft of a button, and in some example implementations be about 4% of the overall length of the button shaft. The width of the cylindrical shaft portion of the button shaft of a button may be between about 80% and about 90% of the width of the conical shaft portion of the button shaft at its widest point, and in some example implementations may be about 82% of the width of the conical shaft portion at its widest point. The width of the conical head portion of the button head of a button at its narrowest point may be between about 70% and about 80% of the width of the cylindrical head portion of the button head, and in some example implementations may be about 73% of the width of the cylindrical head portion. 
     As also seen in  FIG. 7 , the side views of the button  200  depict various radii of curvature for various portions of the button. For example, the button  200  includes a radius of curvature, r 1 , at the filleted front shaft portion of the button shaft. The radius of curvature, r 1 , may be between about 0.010 in. and about 0.020 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.016 in. The button includes a radius of curvature, r 2 , at the 1st curved edge portion of the curved edge of the button back. The radius of curvature, r 2 , may be between about 0.120 in. and about 0.130 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.125 in. The button includes a radius of curvature, r 3 , at the 2 nd  curved edge portion of the curved edge of the button back. The radius of curvature, r 3 , may be between about 0.030 in. and about 0.040 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.031 in. The button includes a radius of curvature, r 4 , at the 3 rd  curved edge portion of the curved edge of the button back. The radius of curvature, r 4 , may be between about 0.030 in. and about 0.040 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.031 in. The button includes a radius of curvature, r 5 , at the filleted rear shaft portion. The radius of curvature, r 5 , may be between about 0.20 in. and about 0.30 in., and in some example implementations be about 0.26 in. As further seen in  FIG. 7 , the button head and the button shaft form an angle, θ 1 , between the conical head portion of the button head and the cylindrical shaft portion of the button shaft. The angle, θ 1 , may be between about 30° and about 40°, and in some example implementations may be about 35°. The conical shaft portion of the button shaft also forms an angle, θ 2 , between the narrowest point of the conical shaft portion and the widest point of the conical shaft portion. The angle, θ 2 , may be between about 1° and about 10°, and in some example implementations be about 5°. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a top view and a top perspective view of the button  200  of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts an example of an implementation of a button applicator  900  in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The button applicator  900  depicted in  FIG. 9  may be described as a pin-less applicator as it does not use a pin to secure the button when applying the button-tag assembly to the ear of an animal. The button applicator  900  may be configured to provide at least about 16 lbf (pound-force). In example implementations, the maximum grip size of the button applicator  900  may be about 3.5 in. and the maximum overall length of the button applicator may be about 10 in. 
     The button applicator  900 , in this example, includes a grasping end  902  for holding the button applicator and an engagement end  904  for engaging a button and a tag. The grasping end  902  includes an upper handle  906  and a lower handle  908  that pivot around a hinge point  910  near the center of the button applicator  900 . The engagement end  904  includes an upper jaw  912  and a lower jaw  914 . The upper jaw  912  is configured to hold a tag and thus includes a tag holder  916 . The lower jaw  914  is configured to hold a button and thus includes a button holder  918 . The upper jaw  912  and lower jaw  914  likewise pivot around the hinge point  910 . A right hinge portion  920  connects the upper handle  906  to the lower jaw  914 , and a left hinge portion  922  connects the lower handle  908  to the upper jaw  912 . The right hinge portion  920  and the left hinge portion  922  mesh at the hinge point  910 . Accordingly, moving the upper handle  906  in a downward direction moves the lower jaw  914  in a corresponding upward direction, and moving the lower handle  908  in an upward direction moves the upper jaw  912  in a corresponding downward direction. In other words, moving the upper handle  906  and lower handle  908  toward each other moves the upper jaw  912  and lower jaw  914  toward each other. As described in further detail below with reference to  FIGS. 12A-C , the movement of the upper jaw  912  and lower jaw  914  in this fashion engages a button with a tag. The upper handle  906 , right hinge portion  920 , and lower jaw  914  thus form a button holder arm  921  of the button applicator  900 . The lower handle  908 , left hinge portion  922 , and upper jaw  912  thus form a tag holder arm  923  of the button applicator  900 . 
     The tag holder  916  of the upper jaw  912  is configured to hold a tag in place during application of the button-tag assembly to the ear of an animal. The tag holder  916  in this example includes a tag receptacle  924  configured to hold, for example, a head, neck, collar, or stem of a tag. The tag receptacle  924 , in this example, has a U-shaped configuration for receiving a correspondingly shaped head, neck, collar or stem of a tag. Receipt of the tag in the tag receptacle  924  is illustrated in  FIGS. 12A-C  and described in further detail below. 
     The button holder  918  of the lower jaw  914  is configured to hold a button in place during application of the button-tag assembly to the ear of an animal.  FIG. 9  includes a close-up view of the button holder  918  and its components. The button holder  918 , in this example, includes a substantially flat flange platform  926  the flange of the button rests upon and a flange cover  928  that covers at least a portion of the button flange. The flange cover  928  is spaced apart from the flange platform  926 , and the flange cover is connected to the flange platform by a rear wall  930 . The flange platform  926 , flange cover  928 , and wall  930  thus form a flange receptacle  932  for the button flange. The distance between the flange cover  928  and the flange platform  926  may be slightly larger than the thickness of the button flange so as to hold the button flange in the flange receptacle  932 . The front edge of the flange cover  928  extends past front edge of the wall  930  such that a notch  934  is formed between the flange cover  928  and flange platform  926  at the front end of the flange receptacle  932  for the button flange. The flange cover  928 , in this example, has a semi-circular shape and also includes a shaft receptacle  936  for the button shaft. The shaft receptacle  936  for the button shaft, in this example, is a U-shaped notch formed in the flange cover  928  from the front edge of the flange cover to the center of the flange cover. When a user inserts a button into the button holder  918 , the flange receptacle  932  receives the button flange, and the shaft receptacle  936  receives the button shaft. As seen in  FIG. 9 , the placement point  938  of the button in the button holder  918  aligns with a central axis  940  of the tag receptacle  924 . The button shaft is thus aligned with a center of an aperture of a tag held in the tag receptacle  924 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts a top perspective view of the button holder  918  of the button applicator of  FIG. 9 . In some example implementations of the button holder  918 , the flange platform  926  that supports the button flange includes a magnet  942  embedded in the flange platform at the placement point  938 . Accordingly, when a button having a metallic core is utilized, the magnet  942  further secures the button in the button holder  918 . In example implementations, the diameter of the magnet  942  is substantially the same as the diameter of the metallic core of the button. 
       FIG. 11  depicts various perspective views of the button applicator  900  of  FIG. 9  and its components. For example, a bottom-right perspective view and a top-left perspective view of the button applicator  900  are depicted with the button holder arm  921  meshed with the tag holder arm  923  at the pivot point. In addition, a top-left perspective view of the button holder arm  921  and a bottom-right perspective view of the tag holder arm  923  are depicted individually. In example implementations, the button holder arm  921  and the tag holder arm  923  are casted from aluminum. A press-fit pin may be used to secure the button holder arm  921  to the tag holder arm  923  at the hinge point. 
       FIG. 12A  depicts the button applicator  900  of  FIG. 9  configured with an example button  944  and an example identification tag  946  in example use. As seen in  FIG. 12A , the tag  946  has been received in the tag holder of the button applicator  900 , and the button  944  has been received in the button holder of the button applicator. The tag  946 , in this example, includes a collar  948  having an aperture  950  through which the button shaft is received. The tag receptacle secures the collar  948  of the tag  946  to hold the tag in place during the application process. The button holder  918  likewise secures the button  944  to hold the button in place during the application process. In  FIG. 12A , the button applicator  900  is depicted in an “open” position. In the “open” position, the upper jaw and lower jaw are positioned apart from one another forming an ear-receiving region  952  between the tag and the button. 
     The arrows respectively shown at the grasping end and the engaging end of the button applicator  900  indicate the direction of movement of the upper and lower handles as well as the upper and lower jaws. The ear of an animal may be received with the ear-received region  952  and positioned between the button  944  and the tag  946 . A user may then operate the button applicator to engage the button  944  with the tag  946  and form the button-tag assembly. As noted above, by moving the upper and lower handles of the button applicator  900  toward each other, the upper and lower jaws move toward each other. As the upper and lower jaws move toward each other, the shaft of the button  944  passes through the ear of the animal and engages with the tag  946 . For example, the shaft of the button  944  passes through the aperture  950  of the collar  948  of the tag  946 . As the button  944  moves toward the tag  946 , the head of the button either punctures (e.g., when the core head includes a pointed tip) or makes an incision at (e.g., when the core head includes a bladed edge) the ear of the animal allowing the rest of the button shaft to pass through the ear. The aperture  950  of the collar  948  of the tag  946  may have a diameter that allows one-way movement of the head of the button  944  through the aperture. In other words, the aperture  950  of the collar  948  of the tag  946  may permit the core head of the button  944  to pass through in one direction but prevent the core head from being pulled back through the aperture in the opposite direction. 
       FIG. 12B  depicts example operation of the button applicator  900  of  FIG. 9 . As seen in  FIG. 9 , the button applicator is depicted in a “closed” position. Having moved from the “open” position (shown in  FIG. 12A ) to the “closed” position, the button  944  has engaged the tag  946  as described above to form the button-tag assembly  954 . The user may then release the button-tag assembly  954  from the button applicator  900 . As seen in  FIG. 12B , the respective receptacles formed at the tag holder and the button holder of the button application  900  permit the user to easily release the button-tag assembly  954  from the button applicator by pulling the applicator back and away from the ear of the animal. Having been secured to the ear of the animal, the button-tag assembly  954  remains in place as the button flange is released from the receptacle of the button holder and the collar  948  of the tag  946  is released from the tag receptacle when the user pulls the button applicator  900  away from the ear of the animal. In this way, the user may apply and release the button-tag assembly  954  in one smooth motion with one hand. In addition, pin-based applicators can jam or tug on the ear of the animal if the user attempts to pull the applicator away without releasing the handles. The pin-less design of the button applicator  900 , however, avoids tugging on the ear of the animal when the user pulls the button applicator away without releasing the handles since the button-tag assembly  954  is released when the user pulls the button applicator away. By avoiding tugging on the ear of the animal the risk of tearing the ear is reduced. The operation of the button applicator  900  described herein thus provides an efficient means for applying button tag-assemblies in quick succession. The hinge point of the button applicator  900  may be spring-loaded so as to automatically return the button applicator from the “closed” position to the “open” position when the user releases the grip on the upper and lower handles. For example, a spring may be compressed and secured into retention holes formed in the button holder arm and the tag holder arm behind the hinge point of a button applicator which ensures the resting position of the button applicator is the “open” position. The upper and lower handle may also include a rubber coating which may be applied by dipping the handles in a rubberized vat. 
       FIG. 12C  depicts an example of an implementation of a button-tag assembly  954  formed with the button applicator  900  of  FIG. 9 . The core head  210  of the button  944  has been secured in the collar  948  of the tag  946 . The tag  946 , in this example, includes a neck  956  connected to and extending from the collar  948  as well as a body  958  connected to and extending from the neck. The body  958  of the tag  946  may include, for example, identification information including a unique identifier for the animal (e.g., an ID number), the name of the owner of the animal, as well as any other information associated with the animal. The information may be applied to the tag in a human-readable format (e.g., alphanumeric characters) or encoded in an optical machine-readable format (e.g., a linear barcode, a matrix barcode, and the like). The tag  946  may also include a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that encodes any of the information above. The RFID chip may, in some example implementations, be a passive RFID chip that transmits the information in response to receipt of interrogating radio waves from an RFID reader. In other implementations, the RFID chip may include a local power source and transmitter that transmits the information at a regular interval, at an irregular interval, or on-demand in response to an interrogation from an RFID reader. The information applied to the tag  946  or encoded by the RFID chip may be encrypted using various encryption techniques. 
     As seen in  FIG. 12C , the button applicator  900  has been pulled back to release the button-tag assembly  954  from the tag holder and button holder. Although the ear of the animal has been omitted from  FIGS. 12A-C , in actual practice the ear of the animal would be positioned between the flange of the button  944  and the collar  948  of the tag  946 . As seen in  FIGS. 12A-C , the button-tag assembly  954  may be applied to the ear of an animal without a portion of the button applicator  900  entering or passing through the ear of the animal. In addition, the solid core of the button  944  helps to prevent buckling of the button material when applying the button-tag assembly  954 . In some example implementations, a button applicator may include a multi-tool in which various tools are attached to or otherwise stored in or at the button applicator. For example, in some example implementations, a button applicator may include one or more of a knife, a reamer, a bottle-opener, a screwdriver, wire stripper, file, rasp, tweezers, scissors, magnifying glass, wrench, pliers, knife, hammer, corkscrew, saw, light source (e.g., light emitting diode—LED light), chisel, writing implement, and the like. Providing one or more of these tools in or at a button applicator may be useful when applying button-tag assemblies in the field. 
       FIG. 13A  depicts a top perspective view of an example of an implementation of a button mold assembly  1300  in an exploded configuration and in accordance with aspects described herein. The button mold assembly  1300 , in this example, includes mold assembly top portion  1302 , a mold assembly front portion  1304 , and a mold assembly rear portion  1306 . As seen in  FIG. 13A , the mold assembly front portion  1304  and the mold assembly rear portion  1306  are mirror images of each other and form a mold cavity within the button mold assembly. 
       FIG. 13B  depicts a top perspective view of a mold assembly portion (e.g., the mold assembly front portion  1304  or the mold assembly rear portion  1306 ) of the button mold assembly  1300  of  FIG. 13A . 
       FIG. 13C  depicts a side view of a mold assembly portion (e.g., the mold assembly front portion  1304  or the mold assembly rear portion  1306 ) of the button mold assembly  1300  of  FIG. 13A . The mold assembly portion, in this example, forms two adjacent mold cavities  1308  for forming two buttons at a time in a single button mold assembly. 
       FIG. 14  depicts a side view of a mold cavity  1308  of a mold assembly portion (e.g., mold assembly front portion  1304  or mold assembly rear portion  1306 ) of the button mold assembly  1300  of  FIG. 13A . The mold cavity  1308 , in this example, includes various cavity portions for forming the various portions of a button. For example, the mold cavity  1308  includes a flange-forming cavity portion  1310  for forming a flange of a button, a shaft-forming cavity portion  1312  for forming a shaft of the button, and a head-forming cavity portion  1314  for forming a head of the button. To form the button, a core (e.g., the metallic core of  FIG. 3 ) may be inserted into the mold cavity  1308 . The head-forming cavity portion  1314  may have a diameter, d 17 , that is about the same as the largest diameter of the core head of the button (e.g., diameter, d 13 , in  FIG. 5 ). Accordingly, the rim of the core head of a button core may rest on the interior rim  1316  of the head-forming cavity portion  1314 . In addition, the mold cavity  1308 , in this example, includes a head-receiving cavity portion  1318  that receives the core head of the button core when it is inserted into the mold cavity. In this way, the mold cavity  1308  may be filled such that the shaft of the button core is embedded into, e.g., the button shaft and the button back while leaving the head of the core exposed. When inserted into the mold cavity  1308 , the button core may be aligned with a central axis  1320  of the mold cavity. Various mold injection techniques may be utilized to form a button using the button mold assembly. 
     It will also be appreciated that the entirety of the button may be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer, metallic material, or other durable material (e.g., high strength polymers such as fiber-reinforced polymers and polyether ether ketone—PEEK). Accordingly, in embodiments where the entirety of the button is formed from a metallic material, various forging or casting techniques may be employed to form the button. Forging and casting techniques may also be selectively employed to form portions of the button in embodiments formed from different types of materials (e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer and a metallic material). 
       FIG. 15  depicts a first stress analysis diagram for the button  200  of  FIG. 2  without the button core. As seen in  FIG. 15 , the button  200  has been deformed by applying a downward force on the flange  216  of the button back  202  near the curved edge  214 . As a result of this downward force, the button  200  experiences a relatively large amount of stress at the filleted rear shaft portion  234  of the button shaft  204 , e.g., between about 90 MPa to about 115 MPa. 
       FIG. 16  depicts a second stress analysis diagram for the button  200  of  FIG. 2  without the button core. A cross-sectional view of the button  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 16  in order to depict stress at the interior wall  272  of the button shaft  204  and at the perimeter  274  of the button void  276  at the button back  202 . The button  200  has been similarly deformed in  FIG. 16  by applying a downward force on the flange  216  of the button back  202  near the curved edge  214 . As a result of this downward force, the button  200  also experiences a relatively large amount of stress at the interior wall  272  of the button void  276  and the perimeter  274  of the button void, e.g., between about 55 MPa and about 90 MPa. 
       FIG. 17  depicts a third stress analysis diagram for the button  200  of  FIG. 2  without the button core. In  FIG. 17 , a close-up view of the filleted rear shaft portion  234 , the interior wall  272  of the button void  276 , and the perimeter  274  of the button void is shown to further illustrate the stress experienced at these regions in response to deforming the flange  216  of the button back  202  as described above. 
       FIG. 18  depicts a stress analysis diagram for the button  200  of  FIG. 2  with the button core  208 . The button  200  in  FIG. 18  has again been deformed by applying a downward force on the flange  216  of the button back  202  near the curved edge  214 . As seen in  FIG. 18 , the button  200  absorbs much of the resulting stress, e.g., at the core end  250  of the button core  208 , around the perimeter  278  of the core head  210 , and throughout the cylindrical core body portions  256 . 
       FIG. 19  depicts a set of alternative embodiments  1900 - 1908  for a button head of a button for an animal identification tag in accordance with aspects described herein. For example, the alternative button head  1900  has a core head having a substantially conical shape and a pointed tip. The alternative button head  1902  has a core head having a first tapering region, a second tapering region, and a pointed tip in which both the first and second tapering regions taper in a linear fashion and in which the first tapering region tapers at a greater degree than the second tapering region. The alternative button head  1904  similarly has a core head having a substantially conical shape and also includes two triangular bladed wings extending away from the conical portion and positioned opposite each other. The alternative button head  1906  includes a core head similar to that of the alternative button head  1904  and includes a core shaft having a diameter that is almost as large as the overall diameter of the core head. The alternative button head  1908  includes a core head similar to that of the alternative button head  1900  and likewise includes a core shaft having a diameter that almost as large as the overall width of the core head. 
       FIG. 20  depicts alternative embodiments of button backs  2000 - 2020  of a button for an animal identification tag in accordance with aspects described herein. The alternative embodiments for the button backs depicted in  FIG. 20  include alternative shapes, alternative dimensions, and alternative positions for the button shaft relative to the button back, e.g., positioned near the edge of the button back (e.g., alternative button backs  2004 ,  2006 ,  2010 ,  2012 , and  2016 ) rather than at the center of the button back. In addition, some of the alternative button backs are configured to accommodate multiple button shafts (e.g., alternative button backs  2004  and  2018 ). 
       FIG. 21  depicts alternative embodiments of button shafts  2100 - 2106  of a button for an animal identification tag in accordance with aspects described herein. For example, in the alternative button shaft  2100 , only a cylindrical shaft portion is connected to the button head. In the alternative button shaft  2102 , only a conical shaft portion is connected to the button head in which the diameter of the conical shaft portion tapers in a linear fashion toward the button head. In the alternative shaft  2104 , only a shaft portion is connected to the button head in which the diameter of the shaft portion tapers in a non-linear fashion toward the button head, e.g., curves inwardly along the length of the button shaft toward the button head. The alternative shaft design  2106  includes a conical shaft portion, a cylindrical shaft portion, and a ridge formed between the conical shaft portion and the cylindrical shaft portion. 
       FIG. 22  depicts alternative embodiments of button core voids  2200 - 2206  of a button for an animal identification tag in accordance with aspects described herein. For example, the alternative button core void  2200  has a first diameter at a first core void region and a second diameter at a second core void region, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter, in other words, a stepped button core void. The first core void region extends through the button back and into the button shaft where it connects to the second core void region which extends through the button shaft toward the button head. The alternative button core void  2202  includes a core void that extends through the button back and the button shaft and that tapers toward the button head. The alternative button core void  2202  tapers in a linear fashion toward the button head. As seen in  FIG. 22 , the alternative button core voids  2200  and  2202  do not extend into or through the button head. Accordingly, the alternative button core voids  2200  and  2202  each include a void in the button head into which a core head may be embedded. The alternative button core void  2204  includes a substantially straight core void that extends through the button back, button shaft, and button head. The alternative button core void  2206  includes a first substantially straight core void portion that extends through the button back, button shaft, and button head as well as a second substantially straight core void portion extending across the button back and positioned substantially perpendicular to the first substantially straight core void portion. Buttons implementing the alternative button core voids  2200 - 2206  depicted in  FIG. 22  may include cores having corresponding shapes for residing in those button core voids. 
     Various implementations of the button may incorporate any combination of the embodiments of the button heads  1900 - 1908 , button backs  2000 - 2020 , button shafts  2100 - 2106  and/or button core voids  2200 - 2206  described herein and depicted in the accompanying figures. 
     Aspects of this disclosure have been described in terms of example embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of disclosed principles will be appreciated upon review of this entire disclosure. 
     For example, in some example embodiments, the core may only be embedded in the button head. In these example embodiments, the button back and the button shaft may lack an interior void but rather have a solid interior construction. In other example embodiments, the core may only extend part of the way into the button shaft, for example, x % of the length of the button shaft where x is 1-99% (e.g., 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, etc.) or one-half, one-third, one-fourth, one-fifth, etc. of the way into the button shaft. Reducing the extent to which the core extends into the button shaft may reduce the amount of material needed to construct the core thereby reducing the overall cost to construct the button. 
     As another example, the flange of the button may include features that reduce the amount of material required to construct the button. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the button shown by way of example includes a button back having a flange with a solid construction. In other example implementations, however, the flange may include one or more apertures to reduce the amount of material needed to construct the button. Alternatively, some example embodiments may include radial spokes that extend from a center region of the shaft to the edge of the button back thus also reducing the amount of material needed to construct the button. Reducing the amount of material needed to construct the button may likewise reduce the overall cost to construct the button. 
     Alternative dimensions for the button include the following: an outer diameter of about 0.5 in. to about 1.5 in.; a button shaft length of about 0.5 in. to about 0.75 in.; a button shaft diameter of about 0.20 in. to about 0.30 in.; a button back thickness of about 0.06 in. to about 0.15 in.; a minimum button back thickness of greater than about 0.06 in.; an overall button length of about 2.0 in.; and a tip radius of less than about 0.007 in. 
     Additional examples of various embodiments and implementations will be appreciated upon review of the entirety of the disclosures provided herein.