Patent Description:
There is a need when dealing with animals to mark them. This need may arise for a number of reasons, but a primary one is to show if that animal has received a treatment or not.

Normally such markings are some form of colour applied to an exterior of the animal, such as the head, side, or hindquarters, that is visible from a distance or close up and indicates the animal has received the treatment.

One such solution that exists is the use of a crayon or paint stick marker to place a mark on the animal after it has been treated. This is usually placed in an area on the animal that provides good visibility to the operator to indicate to the operator or to other people that the animal has received a treatment. The marker is hand-held and can be carried and used by the operator as a secondary activity to the treatment, or carried and used by another person, also as a secondary activity to the treatment, in some cases, the marker is directly mounted to the treatment device, and so the marking can be made by the operator. However, the marker is fixed to one portion of the treatment device and requires a secondary operation immediately after the treatment. For example after spraying with the treatment the operator turns the treatment device, for example a drench gun, around to where the crayon is located and then marks the animal by drawing the needed mark.

One such crayon or marker of the prior art is that sold under the name Raidex Animal Marking Crayon. This may be handled, or in some way, often contrived by the user, mounted to the treatment apparatus, for example by using a zip tie or similar. The disadvantage of such a system is that it requires the operator, once they have applied the treatment, to then perform the secondary operation of marking the animal, either by hand, or using the treatment apparatus. This requirement of the secondary operation is a burden on the operator, as it requires them to perform two operations, both separate. This becomes a problem when there are large numbers of animals to treat and mark, the repetitive nature of performing both tasks separately can place a strain on the user's hands and result in injury. Further performing two separate operations increases the overall time of the operation. Worse still this method requires the operator, or second operator, to remember to mark the animal. Therefore, it is prone to error and possible non-marking of the animal despite being treated. This can lead to the animal being treated again. Alternatively, animals may be marked that have not been treated. This can result in the animal being untreated, which may make it unhealthy.

A further solution is a pressurised paint cartridge directly mounted to the treatment device and as the treatment is being made to the animal, a spray of paint is discharged from the cartridge to mark the animal. The paint spray is made near the site of the treatment. There are a number of challenges with this device based on external market research in the USA. The paint cartridge valve can stick open causing excess paint to be discharged and users to stop treatment to remedy the situation. This causes undue delay, and wastage of the marking paint and a mess. The paint spray propellant is usually solvent based and the unpleasant odour can readily contaminate the immediate environment the operator is working in. This is particularly evident when animals are treated in closed environments especially in winter months. The pressurized spray system typically administers <NUM> - <NUM> discharges and therefore the user is required to change out the paint cartridge frequently in larger operations. There is the potential for the operator to hold the trigger down for extended periods of time when treating a squirming animal resulting in excess use of paint and excess spray on the animal and/or its surrounds. The paint spray has a relatively wide spray pattern and the paint droplets may not be particularly uniform in size nor well dispersed. Over-spray is common, and in some cases, the paint spray may disperse over and potentially visually obliterate or contaminate the injection treatment site. For at least these reasons such a pressurised system is undesirable.

Also present systems, particularly those where there are two operators, do not automatically identify the location on the surface of the animal where the treatment was applied. Up until now marking of the animal has served only to identify which animals were treated. However there is a growing need to also note where on the animal a treatment has been applied. Either to prevent that part entering the food chain, or to ensure other treatments are not applied in the same location.

<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> are examples of animal marking and inoculation devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved marking and inoculation methods and apparatus or to overcome the above shortcomings or address the above desiderata, or to provide an improved marking and inoculation method and apparatus that safeguards, or reduces the risk to, the user from needle stick, while also increasing the confidence in marking of the animal indicating a successful inoculation, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

An animal marking and treatment apparatus is here after disclosed, comprising or including,.

The apparatus requires no additional movement or operation from the operator to stamp the mark over the movement or operation of treating the animal.

The marking also marks the location of where the treatment was applied.

The marking portion is an absorbent pad that contains a marking medium, such as an ink or paint.

The marking portion is circular and is capable of leaving a circular mark on the animal.

The animal treatment is applied through a hollow centre of the marking portion.

The animal treatment, in an embodiment not claimed, is applied outside the periphery of the marking portion.

The marking portion includes a housing that holds and presents the absorbent pad to the animal for marking when in use
The housing has a mounting portion, at an opposing end to that holding the absorbent pad, to cooperate with a mount on the operative end of the treatment apparatus.

The housing holding the absorbent pad and the mounting portion form a cassette that can be attached and removed from the treatment apparatus.

Preferably the marking medium is an odourless, food contact approved ink.

Preferably the absorbent pad can be refilled with marking medium, either in place on the treatment apparatus, or when removed from the treatment apparatus.

Alternatively the cassette is supplied as a non-serviceable consumable part that can be easily swapped out by the operator without any mess or clean-up process when the pre- stamped ink pad is exhausted.

Preferably there is an offset bracket to attach to the mount and to which the mounting portion can attach to offset the marking portion when the animal treatment is applied outside the periphery of the marking portion.

Preferably the offset bracket places the marking portion at the desired angle to the surface or subcutaneous layer.

Preferably the offset bracket is angled to apply the mark to a surface that is not on the same plane as that where the treatment is applied, for example where the animal surface is curved, such as a next, leg, side or similar.

The cassette includes a removable cover for the absorbent pad to prevent it drying out.

Preferably the cassette forms a needle guard that covers a needle of the treatment apparatus save for when the treatment apparatus is applied to the surface of the animal.

Preferably the cover can be replaced on, or over, the absorbent pad when marking is not desired or when the treatment apparatus is not in use.

The mark circular encircles the location of the surface where the treatment was applied.

A marking cassette for attachment to an animal treatment apparatus is also disclosed, comprising or including,.

wherein the cassette when mounted to a treatment apparatus will, in use, leave a mark on an animal indicating the treatment has been applied, and the location of the treatment.

The marking portion consists of an absorbent pad that contains a marking medium such as ink or paint.

The housing is circular with a hollow centre through which the treatment is applied.

Preferably the absorbent pad is refillable from a separate supply of marking medium, whether the cassette is mounted to the treatment apparatus, or removed therefrom.

A method of marking and treating an animal, comprises the steps of,.

such that the animal is treated and marked as being treated, and the location of the treatment in the one motion.

A kit of parts for marking an animal, comprises,.

such that when the cassette is mounted to the treatment apparatus it can mark an animal as being treated and the location of the treatment in one movement or step.

The kit includes a cover for the marking portion.

Preferably the kit includes a plurality of cassettes, such that when one cassette runs out of marking portion, it can be removed and replaced by another, and refilled at a later point in time.

Preferably the kit includes an offset bracket to offset the cassette relative to the treatment location, for example to enable marking on a surface that is in a differing plane or place to that of the treatment location.

A marking cassette is described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

An animal marking and treatment apparatus is described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. A method of marking and treating an animal is described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

A kit of parts for marking an animal is described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present, but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner. it is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, <NUM> to <NUM>) also incorporates reference to ail rational numbers within that range (for example, <NUM>, <NUM>. <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM>. <NUM> to <NUM> and <NUM> to <NUM>).

An animal marking and treatment apparatus according to the present invention is claimed in claim <NUM>.

Preferred embodiments of the animal marking and treatment apparatus according to the present invention are claimed in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

A method of marking and treating an animal according to the present invention is claimed in claim <NUM>.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG> the marking cassette <NUM> is mounted to a sliding portion <NUM> of the treatment apparatus <NUM>. The sliding portion can slide along the major axis of the apparatus, back and forth in the direction A as shown in <FIG>. The sliding portion <NUM> by itself, or in conjunction with the marking cassette <NUM> forms a needle guard that covers the needle <NUM> until the treatment apparatus <NUM> is pressed against the animal <NUM>. In <FIG> the needle guard functionality is shown being active such that it is guarding the needle <NUM> and therefore the needle cannot be seen. However the needle <NUM> would extend out the hollow centre <NUM> in the embodiment shown in <FIG>. When pressed against the animal <NUM> the needle <NUM> is allowed to extend past the end of the marking cassette <NUM> to apply the treatment, and the marking cassette <NUM> can apply the mark <NUM>. When the treatment apparatus <NUM> is removed from the animal <NUM>, the sliding portion <NUM>, under bias, extends and the needle <NUM> is then covered again. The sliding portion <NUM> may cover the needle <NUM> entirely by itself when extended to the tip <NUM> of the needle <NUM>, or may rely on the additional length of the marking cassette <NUM> to provide the full length to cover the needle <NUM>. if the sliding portion is long enough by itself then this provides additional safety of covering the needle even if the marking cassette <NUM> is removed, for example when changing the marking cassette <NUM>, or using the treatment apparatus with the marking cassette <NUM> removed.

The length of the marking cassette <NUM> axially may also vary to allow variation of the depth of penetration of the needle <NUM>.

The marking portion <NUM> can be achieved in a number of ways, but in the preferred form there is an absorbent pad <NUM> held there, as shown in <FIG>. The absorbent pad <NUM> contains a marking medium, such as for example an odourless, non-toxic and/or food contact approved ink or similar. The absorbent pad <NUM> may optionally be covered by a cover <NUM>, which may be replaceable on the pad <NUM> when not in use, or no marking is desired, or may simply be there initially and is discarded when the cassette <NUM> is attached. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> the cover <NUM> clips into place on and off the housing <NUM> to cover the marking portion <NUM>. When clipped to the housing <NUM> the cover <NUM> enables the cassette <NUM> to easily be handled and stored without marking or drying out. Cassettes <NUM> may be supplied in bulk or as aftermarket in this way to replace used cassettes <NUM>, or place onto treatment apparatus <NUM> as needed. The cover <NUM> connection may be sufficient to prevent drying out when in place, or may need an additional seal, for example a tamper evident tear off wrapping.

In the preferred form the marking portion <NUM> is sufficient to apply between <NUM> and <NUM> marks <NUM>, and experience has shown that a capacity of <NUM> is preferred. The mark <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, on the surface <NUM> of the animal <NUM> provides a stable and durable ink that will not drip or contaminate the actual treatment point <NUM>.

The cassette <NUM> may be reusable. For example when the supply of marking medium <NUM> runs out in the absorbent pad <NUM>, the cassette <NUM> may be removed and another fully charged one put in its place. The then removed cassette <NUM> may then be recharged with ink <NUM> from a supply of marking medium <NUM> as is needed as shown in <FIG>. Alternately if desired the absorbent pad may simply be recharged in situ on the treatment apparatus <NUM>.

The marking portion <NUM> is as shown in <FIG> is circular with a hollow centre <NUM>. The hollow centre <NUM> allows for concentric mounting on the treatment apparatus <NUM> about the needle <NUM>, or other treatment application portion of the treatment apparatus <NUM>. The cassette <NUM> then can also form a needle guard to prevent accidental needle stick by a user to the animal, themselves or other users, until the needle <NUM> is deployed in the treatment action. The method being that when the treatment apparatus <NUM> is activated when located against the surface <NUM> of the animal <NUM> the needle extends through the hollow centre <NUM> penetrates the skin and delivers the treatment, and at the same time the marking portion <NUM> applies the mark <NUM> to the surface <NUM>. While subcutaneous treatment by needle <NUM> is mentioned here, the treatment may also be topical for example by spraying or squirting on the surface <NUM>, or may be intraorifice, whether oral, nasal or otherwise with a suitable applicator and the cassette <NUM> and marking portion <NUM> set at the appropriate distance to apply the mark <NUM> whether at or near the treatment location. In this way the marking portion <NUM> will still mark <NUM> the location <NUM>.

However, the marking portion <NUM> may be of other forms also, for example an arc or partial circle, or oval or other closed form as shown in <FIG>. The marking portion <NUM> in one form may consist of one 6A or two 6A and 6B marking portions raised above the housing <NUM>, and could include more than one colour, whether each separate part is of a differing colour, Alternative the marking portion <NUM> is a single part but has differing colour ink portions.

The pre-inked absorbent marker <NUM> can be supplied as an easily refillable system, as described. Alternatively it can also be supplied as a non -serviceable consumable part that can be easily swapped out by the operator without any mess or clean-up process when the pre-stamped ink pad is exhausted.

With marking <NUM> concentrically around the treatment site <NUM> as seen in <FIG> the site can be more readily identifiable. This is not the case with current methods and the present invention has advantages for compliance. Not limited to, but including, ensuring the injection site can be identified to encourage correct placement of injection according to certain best practice guidelines, and to identify potential injection site lesions post treatment.

in some applications the treatment location <NUM> may be in a differing plane to the location desired for the mark <NUM>, for example outside the periphery <NUM><NUM> of the mark <NUM>. In this case an offset bracket <NUM> is used as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. This has a similar mounting portion <NUM> to the cassette <NUM>, and this mounting portion <NUM> engages with that of the treatment apparatus <NUM>. The offset bracket <NUM> then has an angled body as desired (or can be configured or bent as needed) that has a portion that then receives the mounting portion <NUM> of the cassette <NUM>. in this way as shown in <FIG> the location <NUM> of the treatment is offset to that of the mark <NUM>. This is desirable when the location <NUM> for example may be in the neck of the animal <NUM>, and it is desirable to see the mark <NUM> more convenient from above.

A further variation of the mount <NUM> is shown in <FIG> where the marking cassette <NUM> is mounted concentric with the needle <NUM>, but the marking cassette <NUM> is mounted to the treatment apparatus <NUM>, for example injecting gun, in a way that it does not slide out of the way to expose the needle <NUM> when injecting. In other words there is no needle guard functionality as it is not connected to a sliding portion <NUM> as in <FIG>.

In this variation the marking cassette is the same, or substantially the same as earlier described, however there is no retractable needle guard functionality. The marking cassette <NUM> is secured stationary via a thread, for example, and acts as a backstop when pressing the needle <NUM> into the animal <NUM>. This provides additional depth control and prevents the operator pressing the hub of the needle <NUM> into the injection site potentially causing undue damage to the injection site, potentially resulting in a site reaction (that could lead to infection). The needle <NUM> always remains in front of the marking cassette <NUM> so contact of the cassette <NUM> with the animal <NUM> only occurs at full needle <NUM> penetration.

Likewise the position of the marking cassette <NUM> in <FIG> is similar to the location the cassette <NUM> is in once the sliding portion <NUM> of the treatment apparatus <NUM> is pushed back along direction A to expose the needle <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An animal marking and treatment apparatus, comprising,
an animal treatment apparatus (<NUM>) to apply an animal treatment to a surface or subcutaneous layer at a treatment location of an animal via an operative end (<NUM>) of the animal treatment apparatus (<NUM>); and
a marking cassette (<NUM>) attached to the animal treatment apparatus (<NUM>) at the operative end (<NUM>), comprising,
- a housing (<NUM>) that has a holding portion (<NUM>) at one end, and a mounting portion (<NUM>) engaged directly or indirectly, to the animal treatment apparatus at an opposing end, and
- a marking portion (<NUM>) located in the holding portion, the marking portion (<NUM>) adapted to mark the surface of the animal when applied thereto and leave at least a portion of a circular mark on the surface, the marking portion (<NUM>) having an absorbent pad (<NUM>) that contains a marking medium,
wherein the marking cassette (<NUM>) is adapted to mark the surface of the animal to leave the at least a portion of the circular mark from the marking portion (<NUM>) on the animal indicating the treatment has been applied, and the location of the treatment by marking at the same time as the treatment,
wherein the animal treatment is applied through a hollow centre (<NUM>) of the marking portion (<NUM>),
characterized in that the marking cassette (<NUM>) further comprises a removable replaceable cover (<NUM>) to cover the marking portion (<NUM>), and that the the removable replaceable cover (<NUM>) includes a hollow centre and the hollow centre of the marking portion (<NUM>) corresponds with the hollow centre of the removable replaceable cover (<NUM>).