Device for Cutting and Dyeing Marks in the Hair of the Skin of Animals.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 23rd Sept., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Device for Cutting and Dyeing Marks in the Hair of the Skin of
Animals.
We, WILLIAM HELLBARDT, Gentleman, of Roschenen, and OSCAR GERHARDT,
Engineer, of Oberschönweide, both in the Empire of Germany, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of the present application is an apparatus for marking animls,
with which on turning a crank a mark is cut into the hair of the animal and is
afterwards dyed. The apparatus is especially serviceable for use in cattle markets
wherein animals to be placed in one drove have to be marked as speedily as
possible in order that mistakes or disputes may be avoided.
The annexed drawing shows such an apparatus in: Fig. 1 in plan view and
in Fig. 2 in vertical section on the line. Fig. 3 shows the larger part of
the circular comb and the dyeing arrangement. Fig. 4 is a section on the
line yy of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is the sector shaped razor and the crank by means
of which it is turned, as well as a section through it. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section
on the line 2-2 of Fig. 2.
One half of the comb and scissors are broken away in order to show the pattern
lying thereunder.
The apparatus consists of a round box A narrowed towards the top end and
closed at the lower end by a pattern of thin sheet steel. On the pattern lies the
star shaped steel comb b whose form as well as that of its teeth is shown in Figs. 3,
4 and 6. The single teeth of the comb are so formed that their section forms a
triangle the point of which rests on the pattern. At one spot there is a sector
shaped part not formed into teeth and here the color box c is screwed or rivetted
on (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 6) under which in the comb plate a slit d (Fig. 4) is formed.
Into the latter are put two thin wads of which one end goes into the color box c
and the other end fits with its lower edge in the hollows e beside the slit.
The comb b is fastened to the axle f of the apparatus which axle passes through
a central opening and carries at its top end a lever arm g held fast in its end
positions by means of a spring. The axle f is surrounded by a second tube like
axle which carries at its top end a crank i whilst at the lower end sliding on
the comb the sector shaped knife k is fastened. The knife is formed of teeth,
whose form is analagous to the teeth of the comb but whose angular edge is
directed upwards so that the plain part directed downwards slides on the part
of the upper flat face of the comb whereby the edges cut the hair. By a
spring p the knife is always held in contact with the comb and the latter pushed
down upon the pattern.
According as the lever arm g gears with the catching block 7 arranged on the
casing or with the block arranged on the crank only the knife is moved and
the comb remains fast or the comb will follow the movement of the knife if
the crank is turned. On the cover may further be arranged two shoulders mm¹
limiting the movement of the crank. At the part beyond the limits of the two

page_text: shoulders there must be no holes in the pattern, because there would be no dye
for them. At the spot where the color box normally rests the pattern remains
unperforated, because there the hair can not pass through.
The junction of the cover with the box containing the mechanism is best
effected by bayonet closure as shown in Fig. 2.
In use the apparatus is placed with the pattern on the spot to be marked.
By turning it slightly to and fro the hair penetrates through the pattern into
the gaps of the comb. By turning the crank from the one shoulder m to the
other m² and back to the middle-position, the penetrated hair is cut off. The
lever arm is now turned and the comb with the dyeing device thrown into
gear with the crank. By to and fro movement of the crank the wad with color
is caried over the slots of the pattern whereby the shaved spots are colored.
In order to avoid mistakes the respective positions of the lever g may be marked
S for cutting the hair and F för dyeing.
For cleaning the apparatus after use, the cover A¹ is removed and the inner
parts namely the comb, knife and so on are easily reached. The color box is filled
through an opening closed by means of a screw plug s.
The apparatus can be constructed in larger or smaller sizes. The smallest
size is best made entirely flat so that the apparatus may be easily carried in the
pocket.
The whole manipulation of marking is quickly done by moving only a crank
to and fro and causes no suffering to the animal.. The mark is very clear and
lasts a long time. Even if rain or the like should wash the color away when
the color is not fast, the shaved mark will still remain.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
A device for shaving and dyeing a mark on the skin of an animal consisting
of a flat box like casing A A¹ whose bottom is formed of a perforated pattern a
whereupon a starlike comb b rests on which by means of a crank e a comb like
sector shaped knife is moved and on whose one side a color receiver with dye-
ing device is arranged, for first cutting the mark and then on throwing the comb
and the color box c into gear with the crank the color box is carried across the
shaved mark thus coloring the same.
Dated this 14th day of February 1899
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicants,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London.