Patent Description:
More particularly, the invention relates to an animal one-piece tag permitting the identification of an animal.

For many years, the marking of livestock animals, such as cattle, pigs or sheep, has become mandatory in many parts throughout the world, to ensure the sanitary monitoring of this livestock and also to guarantee the origin and quality of the meat offered to consumers. In addition to mandatory marking, there are also many voluntary systems of marking or tracking animals for similar or the same reasons.

Identification tags for animal, for example for attachment to the animal's ear, are now available. These identification tags may comprise an identification number inscribed on a portion of them that is attached to the ear, which makes it possible to track the animal throughout its existence.

Identification tags may be formed on two pieces, a male part and a female part, or may be formed as a one-piece tag, as the A-Tag™ one-piece ear tag from Allflex (https:// www. au/product/visual-tag-a-tag-feedlot).

One-piece tags may comprise a main body with a portion adapted to receive the identification number inscribed on it, and a head part extending from one end of said main body. For example, the head part may be formed with a pin end adapted to pierce the ear of an animal in such a way that it does not injure the animal and does not block the healing of the animal's ear after installation of this ear tag. to achieve this, the pin end of a tag may be provided with a circular end shape adapted to pierce the ear of an animal.

However, with certain one-piece tags, the force needed to apply the tag on the animal's ear may be excessive. As such, this force needs to be minimized for health and safety of both a user applying the tag (such as a farmer) and the animal. For example, if excessive force is needed, this may increase the risk of user injury to a person who is attaching the tag to an animal. This can be especially true if a user has to install many tags on a large number of animals, perhaps also under time pressure. An excessive application force for the tag also increase the risk of injury for the animal. For example, if excessive force is required to attach the tag, this can lead to tearing of the animal's skin, injury to the animal, subsequent infection, and/or reduced healing after tag application,.

Moreover, certain known tags are classically able to cooperate with an applicator pin. The loading of the tag on the applicator pin may be done by the bottom of the head part, through the main body, and this type of application requires a rotation of the head part to fully load the tag on the applicator pin in order to place the applicator pin in a position of use.

A disadvantage of such a configuration is that the setting up of the applicator pin in a position of use requires a lot of manipulations by the user. This wastes time and also increase the risk of injury for the user.

There is therefore need for a novel technique for marking an animal with a tag that does not have all these prior-art drawbacks.

The disclosure proposes a novel solution that does not have all these drawbacks of the prior art, in the form of, in at least one embodiment, a one-piece tag for identifying an animal comprising:.

The use of a pin end portion presenting an elliptic conical shape, i.e. having an apex at a front end, and an elliptic section at a rear end, enables to reduce the force needed to pierce a portion of an animal's body (for example its ear or its wing) to fix the tag.

It can also facilitate the healing, as the hole made by the head insert is smaller than that of the prior art head insert.

It can also reduce the risk that the head insert and head body goes back through the hole made by the head insert.

It can also smooth the contact and potentially improve the comfort of the animal, and the retention rate of the tag on the animal.

With the apex of the pin end portion and the first straight channel are located on a same axis, the first straight channel and the apex of the pin end portion are aligned, and the applicator pin can be guided within the first straight channel and transfer its force to the pin end portion, thus improving the piercing of the animal's body.

According to at least one embodiment, the pin end portion comprises a first part, comprising an apex at its front end and an elliptic section at its rear end.

In this embodiment, the first surface inclination angle is different from the second surface inclination angle. The first part thus has an apex at its front end, and an elliptic section at its rear end.

In another embodiment, the pin end portion comprises a first part, comprising an apex at its front end and a disk section at its rear end, and a second part comprising the disk section at its front end and an elliptic section at its rear end.

In this case, the first surface inclination angle is identical to the second surface inclination angle.

In this case, the second surface inclination angle being different from the third surface inclination angle. The second part thus has a disk section at its front end, i.e. at the junction with the first part, and an elliptic section at its rear end.

For example, the second surface inclination angle is comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, preferably approximately equal to <NUM> degrees.

In embodiments where the pin end comprises only a first part, the first surface inclination angle can be comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, preferably approximately equal to <NUM> degrees.

In embodiments where the pin end comprises both a first part and a second part, the first surface inclination angle can be equal to the second surface inclination angle, and the third surface inclination angle can be comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, preferably approximately equal to <NUM> degrees.

According to at least one embodiment, said first part and/or said second part presents a surface with rounded edges.

The use of rounded edges, instead of sharp edges, enables to reduce the risk to hurt the animal or a user.

In addition, the use of rounded edges, instead of sharp edges, enables to reduce the risk of the hole widening during lifetime of the animal.

According to at least one embodiment, the head body comprises a second channel, starting from the front end of said head body, and wherein said head insert comprises a support portion inserted into said second channel.

The head body and the head insert can thus be made of different materials, for example a harder one for the head insert.

For example, the head insert comprises at least one fin, for example two fins, formed on an external surface of said support portion, each of said fins being clipped into a corresponding recess formed onto said head body.

In this way, the head insert is firmly fixed to the head body.

According to at least one embodiment, the head insert comprises a third channel in the continuity of said first channel, when said support portion is inserted in said second channel.

In this way, the applicator pin can be inserted within the head insert, through the first channel and third channel, to improve the force applied on the apex to pierce the animal's body.

According to at least one embodiment, the tag comprises a main body extending in a longitudinal plan and a head support connecting the head body to the main body, and wherein the head body extends in a direction parallel to said longitudinal plan.

Other features and advantages of the disclosure shall appear more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of a simple illustratory and nonexhaustive examples and from the appended figures, of which:.

The general principles of the disclosure include the use of a one-piece tag combined with the use of a head insert comprising a pin end portion presenting an elliptic conical shape.

In at least one embodiment, such shape of the pin end portion lowers the risk of injuries for the user and for the animal. The force needed to apply tags with the shapes and designs described herein on an animal is significantly reduced in comparison with head inserts of the prior art. For example, with such a shape, the force needed to pierce an ear of an animal can be reduced by a half. Moreover, this reduction in force will improve the retention rate of the tag and improve any healing of the animal's wound caused by the tag application. The wound healing and retention rate are improved, at least in part, because the hole in the animal's ear (or other body part the tag is attached to) is smaller, cleaner, includes less tearing, and/or includes less infection due the design and shape of the tags described herein.

Below, different embodiments of the disclosure are described with the help of <FIG>.

More specifically, <FIG> illustrate a tag <NUM> for identifying an animal comprising:.

The main body <NUM> extends in a longitudinal plane L and presents for example a rectangular part, which may be adapted for receiving the inscription of an identification indicia (such as a number, color, etc.) of an animal. In another embodiment, not illustrated, the main body can have the shape of a disc. More generally, the main body can have any shape that ensures that the tag remains on the animal after being placed. The main body may optionally include means for electronic identification and/or monitoring of the animal.

In the continuity of this rectangular part illustrated in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> comprises a neck portion forming an end portion of this main body. As illustrated in this <FIG>, the head part <NUM> extends from one end of the main body <NUM>, which corresponds here to the end of the neck portion.

The head support <NUM>, which may also be referred to as a stem, can be connected to the main body <NUM> by the way of a connection part <NUM>, as visible for example in <FIG>. For example, this connection part <NUM> takes the form of a base presenting a larger diameter than a diameter of the head support in order to reinforce the maintaining of the head part <NUM> on the main body <NUM>.

This head support <NUM> is, in this embodiment, arranged according to a direction approximately orthogonal to the longitudinal plane L.

In this embodiment, the head support <NUM> could measure between <NUM> and <NUM>, for example about <NUM>.

In other embodiments, the size of the head support can be different, depending for example on the thickness of the ear, or on the type of animal on which is has to be applied.

As to the head body <NUM>, it comprises:.

More particularly, the first straight channel <NUM> is formed at a first end of the head body <NUM> corresponding to the back/rear of this head body. The first channel <NUM> is preferably straight and aligns with the direction of the head body, as it can receive the applicator pin.

More precisely, in this embodiment, the first straight channel <NUM> is located in continuity with a passage <NUM> formed by wings <NUM> located at the back/rear end of the head body <NUM> and implemented for guiding the applicator pin <NUM> when inserted into the first channel.

There are, for example, two wings <NUM> that form an anchor "V" shaped on the back side of the head body in certain embodiments.

The second channel <NUM>, is formed at a front end of the head body <NUM> corresponding to the front of this head body.

It is to be noticed that the first and second channels may be straight and aligned (or alternatively, approximately aligned) according to a direction corresponding to the direction of the head body. Thus, the first and second channels may be aligned according to a direction parallel (or alternatively, approximately parallel) to the longitudinal plane L.

Such a direction of the first channel <NUM> parallel (or approximately parallel) to the longitudinal plane L of the main body allows a loading of the applicator pin <NUM> by the back of the tag <NUM>, i.e. by the back end of the head body <NUM>, for example between the two wings <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the head body <NUM>, without the wings <NUM>, measures for example between <NUM> and <NUM>, and for instance about <NUM>. In another embodiment where the head body <NUM> cooperates with wings <NUM>, the head body <NUM> with the wings <NUM> measures for example between <NUM> and <NUM>, and for instance about <NUM>.

In other embodiments, head body could measure between <NUM> and <NUM>. The size of the head body can, for example, depend on the course and/or the length of the pin of the tag applicator. It can also depends on the animal on which is has to be applied and/or under which circumstances it is applied.

Moreover, in an embodiment, the head body presents an elliptical shape, with an elliptic section. In another embodiment, the head body presents a cylindrical or frustoconical shape, with a disc-shaped section. With any of these shapes, the head more easily penetrates into and through a part of the animal (for example its ear or its wing) with less force or effort needed for application. It also allows a clean piercing and thus fast healing.

As already described, the tag <NUM> can also include a head insert <NUM>.

The head insert <NUM> comprises a support portion <NUM> adapted to be inserted in the second channel <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the support portion <NUM> can comprise a third channel <NUM> such that, when the support portion <NUM> is placed into the second channel <NUM>, the third channel forms a continuation of the first channel <NUM>.

In other words, the third channel <NUM> is adapted to be placed in the continuity of the first channel <NUM> when the support portion <NUM> is inserted in the second channel <NUM>.

Moreover, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the head insert <NUM> can comprise one or more fins <NUM> formed on an external surface of the support portion <NUM>.

At least one of these fins <NUM> is configured to be clipped into a corresponding recess <NUM> formed onto the head body <NUM>, as more particularly represented in <FIG>.

In this way, when the head insert <NUM> is inserted in the second channel <NUM>, the fins <NUM> lock the head insert <NUM> into the head body <NUM>.

Of course, other solutions can be proposed to secure the head insert <NUM> with the head body <NUM>, that do not rely on the use of a support portion <NUM> cooperating with the second channel <NUM>. For example, the head insert <NUM> can be fitted onto the head body by welding, adhesive or the like, or force fitted into the head body, or over molded by the head body. The head insert <NUM> can even be molded integrally with the head body.

According to the disclosure, the head insert <NUM> also comprises a pin end portion, located at the opposite of the support portion <NUM>.

According to a first embodiment, the pin end portion comprises a first part having an elliptic conical shape. The front end of the first part, used to pierce the animal's skin, comprises an apex. The rear end of the first part has an elliptic section.

According to a second embodiment, the pin end comprises a first part having a conical shape. The front end of the first part, used to pierce the animal's skin, comprises an apex. The rear end of the first part has a disk section. The pin end also comprises a second part having a truncated elliptic conical shape. The front end of the second part, which correspond to the rear end of the first part, has a disk section. The rear end of the second part has an elliptic section.

The pin end portion presents a generally elliptic conical shape, symmetrical with respects to a plane P passing through the apex S of the elliptic conical shape. Such plane P can be parallel to the longitudinal plane L.

In other words, the pin end portion presents one upper part and one lower part which are identical, and are arranged symmetrically according to the plane P passing by the summit of the pin end, also called the tip of the pin end, which corresponds to the apex of the conical shape.

The direction of the head body can be given by the axis passing through the first channel <NUM> and the apex (which are preferably aligned), located in the plane P. In other words, the direction of the head body is given by two points, one located at the rear of the head body, for example between the two wings <NUM> that form an anchor "V", and the other one at the apex of the head insert <NUM>.

In this disclosure, and as more visible in <FIG>, the pin end portion of the head insert <NUM> comprises a first part <NUM> comprising the apex S. In some embodiments, the pin end portion also comprises a second part <NUM> located between the first part <NUM> and the support portion <NUM>.

In other words, the first part <NUM> is at the front end of the head insert <NUM>, the second part <NUM> is in continuity of the first part <NUM>, and the support portion <NUM> is in continuity of the second part <NUM>, at the back end of the head insert <NUM>.

In the first embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, where the pin end portion comprises a first part having an elliptic conical shape, the first part <NUM> has a first surface inclination angle A1 from apex S relative to the plane of symmetry P (i.e. defined by the apex of the pin end portion and the major axis of an elliptic section of the pin end portion).

Moreover, this first part <NUM> has a second surface inclination angle A2 from apex S relative to a plan P' orthogonal to the plan of symmetry P (i.e. defined by the apex S of the pin end portion and the minor axis of an elliptic section of the pin end portion).

As the shape is elliptic, first surface inclination angle A1 and second surface inclination angle A2 are different.

More particularly, in this embodiment, the second surface inclination angle A2 is greater than the first surface inclination angle A1.

In this embodiment, the first surface inclination angle A1 is for example comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, for instance approximately equal to <NUM> degrees. This corresponds to an angle comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, for example approximately <NUM> degrees, for the whole first part, taken from a side view of the head insert.

In other embodiments, the first surface inclination angle could be comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the second surface inclination angle A2 is for example comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, for instance approximately equal to <NUM> degrees. This corresponds to an angle comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, for example approximately <NUM> degrees taken from a top view of the head insert.

In other embodiments, the second surface inclination angle could be comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees.

In the second embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, where the pin end portion comprises a first part having a conical shape, and a second part having a truncated elliptic conical shape, the first part <NUM> has a first surface inclination angle A1 from apex S relative to the plane of symmetry P (i.e. defined by the apex of the pin end portion and the major axis of an elliptic section of the pin end portion) and a second surface inclination angle A2 from apex S relative to a plan P' orthogonal to the plan of symmetry P (i.e. defined by the apex S of the pin end portion and the minor axis of an elliptic section of the pin end portion), which are identical.

The second part (<NUM>) has the same second surface inclination angle from apex (S) relative to the plane (P') orthogonal to the plane of symmetry (P), and a third surface inclination angle (A3) from a point located at a junction between the first part (<NUM>) and the second part (<NUM>) relative to the plane of symmetry (P), said second surface inclination angle (A2) being different from said third surface inclination angle (A3).

More particularly, in this embodiment, the first surface inclination angle A1 is greater than the third surface inclination angle A3.

In this embodiment, the first surface inclination angle A1 and the second surface inclination angle A2 are for example comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, for instance approximately equal to <NUM> degrees. This corresponds to an angle comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, for example approximately <NUM> degrees taken from a top view or a side view of the head insert.

In other embodiments, the first and second surface inclination angles could be comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the third surface inclination angle A3 is for example comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, for instance approximately equal to <NUM> degrees. This corresponds to an angle comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, for example approximately <NUM> degrees, for the whole first part, taken from a side view of the head insert.

In other embodiments, the third surface inclination angle could be comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees.

Concerning the shape of the head insert, and depending on the embodiments, it is to be noticed that the first part and/or the second part if present can present a surface with rounded edges. In variants, first part or the second part can present a surface without rounded edges.

In this embodiment, and as illustrated more particularly in <FIG>, both first part <NUM> and second part <NUM> present a surface with rounded edges.

The head insert <NUM> illustrated in this embodiment presents a width approximately equal to <NUM>, a length approximately equal to <NUM>, and height approximately equal to <NUM>.

As illustrated, the maximum height is reached on the second part <NUM> of this head insert <NUM>. So is the maximum width.

In other embodiments, the head insert can present a width comprised for example between <NUM> and <NUM>. Moreover, the maximum width can be reached at the second part or at the support portion.

Furthermore in other embodiments not illustrated, the head insert can present a length (including the support portion <NUM>) comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Furthermore in other embodiments not illustrated, the head insert can present a height comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>. Moreover, the maximum height can be reached at the second part or at the support portion.

Concerning the support portion <NUM>, it presents for example a length comprised between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably approximately equal to <NUM>.

A tag of the disclosure may be made in a material adapted to resist the conditions and circumstances under which it is applied to an animal and subsequently worn by the animal. For example, it has to be resistant to a variety of different weather conditions if the animal is outside, and it must be able to withstand mechanical stress such as breaks and tears during both application and while the animal wears the tag. Moreover, it has to be healthy for the animal, including not a material that the animal might have an allergic reaction to. And the tag material must not be too heavy.

In this way, the main body of the tag can be made in any one of materials comprising: Thermoplastic PolyUrethane (TPU), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), nylon6, Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), rubber, or some combination thereof.

Furthermore, the head insert of the disclosure has to be made in material adapted to resists to the conditions in which it is applied and worn (as described above) and also has to be able to pierce the animal's skin without breaking deforming.

In this way, the head insert can be made in any one of materials comprising: Polyoxymethylene (POM), Nylon <NUM>, Nylon <NUM>, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Zamac, brass, inox, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), or some combination thereof.

The head body can be made in any one of materials comprising: Thermoplastic PolyUrethane (TPU), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), nylon6, Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM), rubber, or some combination thereof.

We now describe another embodiment of the disclosure with the help of <FIG>.

As illustrated in those two figures, the one-piece tag <NUM>' comprises:.

In this embodiment also, and according to the invention, the head insert <NUM>' comprises a pin end portion presenting an elliptic conical shape, adapted to pierce a portion of an animal's body.

As illustrated, the one-piece tag <NUM>' of this embodiment comprises a main body <NUM>' taking the form of a plastic strip provided with a hole <NUM>' at the back end, corresponding to the end opposite to the end supporting the head body <NUM>'.

With this kind of main body <NUM>', when applicating the tag <NUM>' onto an animal's ear, the main body <NUM>' is fold and the head insert <NUM>' together with the head body <NUM>' cross the hole <NUM>' and are locked in this position, the tag forming a loop.

The head body <NUM>' is quite similar to the head body <NUM>. It is adapted to receive an applicator pin at its rear end, and to cooperate with a head insert at its front end. The head body <NUM>' is thus not described in more details.

Claim 1:
A one-piece tag (<NUM>, <NUM>') for identifying an animal comprising:
- a head body (<NUM>), comprising a first straight channel (<NUM>) starting from an open back end of said head body (<NUM>) and adapted to receive an applicator pin (<NUM>), and
- a head insert (<NUM>), located at a front end of said head body (<NUM>), comprising a pin end portion presenting an elliptic conical shape, adapted to pierce a portion of an animal's body,
said pin end portion having an apex at a front end and an elliptic section at a rear end, with
said apex and said first straight channel being located on a same axis, characterised by the major axis and the minor axis of the elliptic section having different lengths.