ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION TAG AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improved animal identification tag, and to a method of manufacturing an improved animal identification tag.

Background of the Invention

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Animal identification tags are used to identify particular animals. They are typically attached to an ear of cattle, sheep or other animals. Known animal identification tags generally include a display portion, wherein numbers, letters or like indicia are displayed, these indicia being unique to the particular animal to which the tag is to be attached. The tag further incorporates an attachment portion for attachment of the tag to the ear or other part of the animal. The attachment portion typically includes a keeper and a pointed shaft which is forced through the ear of the animal and which anchors the main body portion of with the tag positioned on the opposed side of the ear.

With presently known animal identification tags, the loss of the tags from the livestock is an on-going problem. Loss rates in excess of 3-5% are not uncommon. When tags are lost, the animal's identification and history can be lost, and this can have adverse implications for husbandry and genetic recording. As will be appreciated, if a tag which is used as an identifier for mandatory livestock identification is lost, its loss can have human and animal health implications. Factors impacting on retention of the tag into the ear of the animal include the size, the weight, the position and the method of application of the tag to the animal.

In order to minimise tag loss, many manufacturers of tags reduce the size and weight of the tag, in an attempt to improve the retention on the ear. That is, by minimising size and weight, the tag is less prone to become snagged on objects and be extracted from the ear. The disadvantage with minimising size, is that the indicia provided on the tags can become too small to read at any distance, whether by human reading, or by electronic readers, such as barcode readers.

Some, but not all, identification tags incorporate bar codes or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips or other similar transponder devices. RFID tags operate in conjunction with reader devices typically positioned near a gate or the like, through which animals may pass. The number, location and/or particular identity of particular animals may therefore be tracked.

Animal identification tag manufacturers have attempted to improve tag retention, not only by reducing the size and weight of the tag, but by recommending that these small tags are applied high-up in the centre of the ear. Reducing the size of the tag creates an inherent problem in that there is little room on the tag to print easily readable characters.

Furthermore, known animal identification tags are typically presently printed with laser markings or the like. Unfortunately, over a period of time, the tags become difficult to read due to lack of print contrast and, due to print wear factors.

Summary of the Invention The present invention seeks to provide an animal identification tag which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of prior art tag devices.

The present invention also seeks to provide an animal identification tag which has improved readability characteristics and retention characteristics compared with prior art devices.

The present invention also seeks provide a method of manufacturing an animal identification tag which is more durable and which is more likely to be retained on the ear of an animal.

In one broad form, the present invention provides an animal identification tag, including: an attachment portion, for attachment of said tag to the ear of an animal; and a display portion, for display of indicia to uniquely identify a respective animal to which said tag is attached, said display portion including: a substrate, formed of plastics or like material; and, a film, printed with said indicia, said film being interleaved between layers of lamina to form a laminated sheet which is attached to said substrate.

Preferably, said laminated sheet is attached to said substrate by plastic welding (including radio frequency, ultrasonic, heat or chemical welding) or by other mechanical means.

Also preferably, said laminated sheet is manufactured at least partly from UV stable material.

Also preferably, said film is printed with any one or more of numbers, letters, logos, barcodes or any other indicia capable of being visually read by a person and/or read by an electronic reader device.

Preferably, said tag further includes an transponder, such as an RFID (radio frequency identification device transponder).

Also preferably, said film is printed by the use of a thermal transfer, inkjet or other printing processes.

Preferably, said film is printed in black, white, or any selected colour, which

preferably contrasts with said substrate, etc. for ease of reading.

Also preferably, said tag is lightweight and flexible, and is preferably attached to said animal high in the centre of its ear.

In a further broad form, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing an animal identification tag, including the steps of: printing unique indicia onto a film material; laminating said film by interleaving said film between layers of lamina to form a laminated sheet; and attaching said laminated sheet to a substrate to form a display portion of said tag; wherein, said animal identification tag also includes an attachment portion which is adapted to be attached to the ear of an animal.

Preferably, in said attaching step, said laminated sheet is attached to said substrate by plastic welding, including radio frequency, ultrasonic, heat or chemical welding, or by other mechanical means.

Also preferably, in said laminating step, said film and/or said lamina is formed of UV stable material.

Preferably, in said printing step, said film is provided with any one or more of numbers, letters, logos, barcodes or any other indicia capable of being read by a visual reader and/or by a person.

Also preferably, said substrate used in said attaching step incorporates a transponder device, such as an RFID (radio frequency identification device) transponder.

Preferably, in said printing step, said film is printed using a thermal transfer, inkjet or other printing processes.

Preferably, in said printing step, said indicia is printed in black, white and/or any selected colour which contrasts with said substrate, etc. for ease of reading.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of preferred but non-limiting embodiments thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates an animal identification tag, formed in accordance with the present invention, attached to the ear of an animal; Figure 2 details an exploded view of an animal identification tag, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 details the process of forming a printed laminate for attachment to an animal identification tag; and,

Figure 4 illustrates the laminated sheet ready for attachment to the animal identification tag.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Throughout the drawings, like numerals will be used to identify similar features, except where expressly otherwise indicated.

As shown in Figure 1, the animal identification tag, generally designated by the numeral 1, is attachable to an ear 2 of an animal.

As shown in Figure 2, the animal identification tag 1 may be formed in two parts ready for installation on an animal, namely a main body part 2, and a keeper portion 3.

The main body part 2 generally includes a display portion 4 for the display of indicia to uniquely visually identify a particular animal to which the tag 1 is attached, and, the attachment portion 7 for engagement of the keeper 3, after it has passed through the ear or other part of the animal. The display portion 4 of the tag 1 therefore is formed of a substrate 5, which may be manufactured of plastics or like material, and, a film 6, which is printed with the indicia. The keeper portion 3 is formed of a back plate 8 having a shaft 9

exteriding therefrom, the shaft 9 having a pointed end 10 which is formed through the ear of the animal and then engaged with the attachment portion 7 of the main body part 2.

The film 6 is shown in more detail in Figures 3 and 4. For ease of reading, a backing sheet may be supplied, as shown in Figure 3, prior to application of the film 6 to the substrate 5. The film is manufactured by being printed with the indicia, examples of which are shown in Figures 3 and 4, and then the film is interleaved between layers of lamina material, such that a laminated sheet is produced.

The laminated sheet is then attached to the substrate by plastic welding or the like, such as by radio frequency, ultrasonic, heat or chemical welding or by other mechanical means. The laminated sheet is preferably manufactured from UV stable material, such that it does not fade over the course of time, particularly once installed on the ear or other part of the animal.

As shown, the film may be printed with any form of indicia, such as numbers, letters, logos, barcodes, pictures or any other indicia capable of being read or visually identified by a person, or by an electronic reader device or the like.

The substrate 5 of the tag 1 may be provided with a transponder such as a RFID transponder, or the like, incorporated therein, of either the active or passive type, such that, instead of, or in addition to, visual reading of the tag, the tag may be read electronically by the use of a radio-frequency or like transponder.

.The film 6, in accordance with the present invention, may be printed by using thermal transfer, inkjet or other printing processes. This may be done in black, white or any selected colour, which preferably contrasts with the substrate of the tag, the colour of the animal, background, etc., for ease of reading. The use of thermal transfer, inkjet or other printing processes is considered to be superior to other known processes such as laser printing, etc., for longevity of the print.

Once the film is printed with the required indicia, it is then laminated by interleaving it between layers of lamina. The laminated sheet may then be attached to the substrate, by means of plastic welding.

The animal identification tag produced in accordance with the present invention is therefore lightweight and flexible and is preferably attached to the animal high in the centre of the ear, to minimise the risk of it being dislodged.

The present invention therefore provides an animal identification tag that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by enabling high retention rates, along with enhanced visual readability. The use of thermal transfer, inkjet or other printing processes for printing produces solid print with contrast for high visibility, and the print can be applied in a range of colours. The laminating process gives the tag strength, whilst preserving flexibility, and the printed characters are protected from wear and fading by being encapsulated between layers of UV stable laminated film.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the numerous variations and modifications will be envisaged to the animal identification tag and the method of manufacturing same, whilst still falling within the spirit of the invention as broadly hereinbefore described. All such variations and modifications should be considered to fall within the scope of this invention.