Background of the Invention Animals, in particular cattle, are currently typically identified using an identification tag affixed to an ear, with an identification number stamped or otherwise marked on the tag. The cattle must then be identified by close visual inspection of the tag.

This visual identification process is typically a timely one, and reading of the tag can be quite difficult if the animal being identified is unsettled.

Attempts have been made to provide electronic identification of animals by inserting an encoded transponder microchip into a pellet to be ingested by the animal, the specific gravity of the pellet being such that it remains within the digestive system of the animal. The encoded transponder is then read by an electronic scanner to identify the animal. Similar transponders are also known which can be implanted under the skin of the animal. The use of such pellets or implantable transponders, however, still require the use of a further identification tag allowing visual identification for situations when a scanner is not available.

Ear tags have also been used with button type electronic transponders secured to the ear of the animal, however the transponders are prone to damage when the animal flaps it's ears, and if secured deeper inside the ear in an attempt to reduce such damage, visual identification using the same tag becomes difficult, and a further tag is thus required for visual identification.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the above disadvantages.

Summary of the invention There is disclosed herein an animal identification tag comprising: a first member, a second member engageable with said first member, a receptacle defined by said first and/or second member adapted to receive an identification transponder, engagement of said first and second members locking said receptacle closed when said second member is in a locked position, attachment means adapted to lock said tag onto the nose of an animal, and an outer surface provided on either of said first and second members for receiving a visible identification mark.

Typically said second member is slideably engageable with said first member.

Preferably said first member includes a recessed portion, said recessed portion having undercut recesses longitudinally extending in the direction of sliding of said second member on opposing sides of said recessed portion, said undercut recesses each receiving a corresponding opposing edge portion of said second member to facilitate the sliding engagement of said first and second members.

Preferably adjacent outer surfaces of said first and second members are substantially flush when said second member is in said locked position.

In one embodiment, said recessed portion forms said receptacle, said second member covering said receptacle when in said locked position.

In another embodiment said receptacle may be formed at least partially by a longitudinally extending hole provided in said second member.

Preferably said hole is blind at an end distal to said first member.

Alternatively said hole may be sealed by a tamper resistant fastener at an end distal to said first member.

Said receptacle may be formed at least partially by opposing longitudinally extending semi-circular slots provided in said recessed portion and an adjacent opposing face of said second member.

Preferably said first and second members include a locking ramp and groove arrangement for locking said second member onto said first member in said locked position.

Preferably said locking ramp and groove arrangement is fully enclosed when said second member is in said locked position.

Alternatively said locking ramp and groove arrangement may be exposed when said second member is in said locked position enabling unlocking of said second member.

Preferably said first and second members include means for temporarily securing said second member in an open position which allows access to said receptacle for insertion of said transponder.

Typically said attachment means is adapted to lock said tag onto said nose on opposing sides of the nasal septum of said nose.

Typically said attachment means comprises first and second opposing collinear pins adapted to hook onto the nostrils of said nose on opposing sides of said nasal septum.

Preferably said first pin is fixed to said first member and said second pin is fixed to said second member such that, when said second member is slid into said locked position, said first and second pins are brought closer together in a relationship enabling locking of said first and second pins onto said nose.

Preferably opposing ends of said first and second pins are separated by a distance of between 2 mm and 6 mm when said second member is in said locked position.

More preferably said opposing ends of said first and second pins are separated by a distance of approximately 4 mm when said second member is in said locked position.

Preferably, said opposing ends of said first and second pins are separated by a distance of between 25 mm and 35 mm when said second member is in said open position Preferably said second member includes a torsional support flange adjacent to said second pin which engages a torsional support slot provided in an end of said first member when said second member is in said locked position so as to increase the torsional rigidity of said second member adjacent to said second pin, thereby hindering removal of said tag from said animal by tampering with said second pin and said second member.

Preferably said tag is primarily manufactured from a plastics material.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a front elevation view of an animal identification tag according to a first embodiment of the present invention with its cover in the locked position Figure 2 is a rear elevation view of the animal identification tag of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the animal identification tag of Figure 2 at section 3-3.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the animal identification tag of Figure 2 at section 4-4.

Figure 5 is cross sectional view of the animal identification tag of Figure 2 at section 5-5.

Figure 6 is an end elevation view of the animal identification tag of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a rear elevation view of an animal identification tag with its cover in the open position Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the animal identification tag of Figure 7 at section 8-8.

Figure 9 is a front elevation view of an animal identification tag according to a second embodiment of the present invention with its cover in the locked position Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of the animal identification tag of figure 9 at section 10-10 Figure 11 is a front elevation view of the casing of the animal identification tag of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a right end elevation view of the casing of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a cross sectional view of the casing of Figure 12 at section 13-13.

Figure 14 is a cross sectional view of the casing of Figure 12 at section 14-14.

Figure 15 is a cross sectional view of the casing of Figure 11 at section 15-15.

Figure 16 is a rear elevation view of the cover of the animal identification tag of Figure 9.

Figure 17 is a cross sectional view of the cover of Figure 16 at section 17-17.

Figure 18 is a front elevation view of the cover of Figure 16.

Figure 19 is an inverse plan view of the cover of Figure 16.

Figure 20 is a left end view of the cover of Figure 16.

Figure 21 is a partial cross sectional view of the cover of Figure 18 at section 21- 21.

Figure 22 is a perspective view from the front of an animal identification tag according to a third embodiment in a disassembled position.

Figure 23 is a perspective view from the front of the cover of an animal identification tag according to a fourth embodiment.

Figure 24 is a perspective view from the rear of the cover of Figure 23.

Figure 25 is a perspective view from the rear of an animal identification tag according to the fourth embodiment.

Figure 26 is a cross sectional view of the animal identification tag of Figure 25.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments An animal identification tag 1 according to a first embodiment as depicted in Figures 1 to 8 comprises a first member in the form of casing 2, a second member in the form of cover 3 and attachment means 4,5 for locking the tag 1 onto the nose of an animal. The tag 1 of the preferred embodiment is adapted to be secured to the noses of cattle, but the size and arrangement of the tag 1 can be readily modified to suit other animals required to be identified. The tag 1 may be manufactured from any suitable resilient material, and in the preferred embodiment is manufactured from a polypropylene plastics material.

A receptacle is defined by the first and/or second member, in which may be received a identification transponder microchip (not shown). Here a recessed portion of the casing 2 forms the receptacle 6 for the identification transponder. The transponder may be encoded with identification details such as a serial number identifying the

individual animal, and if appropriate a separate number identifying the farm or owner to which the animal belongs. The identification details can then be readily retrieved using a scanner, which may be either handheld for use in the field or a fixed scanner for use at weighting stations and the like to automatically identify each animal as it weighed or enters a given area. As scanners are unlikely to always be at the identifier's disposal in the field, there remains a requirement for visual identification marks on the animal, and hence the front outer surface 2f of the casing 2 is sized and arranged to receive a visual identification mark 7 which may be applied by laser engraving or the like. Alternatively, the visual identification mark 7 may be provided on the cover 3.

The cover 3 engages with the casing 2 to enable the receptacle 6 to be locked closed when the cover 3 is in a locked position. In the current embodiment, the cover 3 is slideably engaged with the casing 2 such that the receptacle 6 can be locked closed by sliding the cover 3 over the receptacle 6. To facilitate the sliding engagement of the cover 3 and the casing 2, undercut recesses 8, longitudinally extending in the direction of sliding of the cover 3, are provided on opposing sides of the recessed portion 6, in which are received corresponding edge portions 9 of the cover 3. Engagement of the edge portions 9 in the undercut recesses 8, along with the fact that the outer surface 10 of the cover 3 is flush with the adjacent outer surfaces 11,12 of the casing 2, hinder removal of the cover 3 from the casing 2 by tampering with the cover 3.

To positively lock the cover 3 onto the casing 2 (over the receptacle 6) of the current embodiment, a locking ramp 13 and groove 14 arrangement is provided on the cover 3 and casing 2 arrangement, here with the locking ramp 13 being provided on in the casing 2 and the groove 14 being provided on the cover 3. The locking ramp 13 and groove 14 are fully enclosed by the casing 2 when in the locked position, as depicted in Figures 1 through 6, enhancing the tamper proof characteristics of the tag, ensuring that the receptacle 6 can not be readily accessed for interference with the transponder.

The casing and cover also includes means 15,16 for temporarily securing the cover in an open position as depicted in Figures 7 and 8, allowing ready access to the receptacle 3 for insertion of the transponder. In the current embodiment the means comprises a protrusion 15 provided on the cover 3 which engages a notch 16 provided in the wall of

the receptacle 6. When the cover 3 is slid into a position where the protrusion 15 and notch 16 engage, the cover 3 is held in the open position, and requires the application of force to disengage the protrusion 15 and notch. Sliding of the cover 3 toward the locked position results in the protrusion 15 engaging an elongated notch 17, which allows the leading edge 18 of the cover to engage the sloped surface of the locking ramp 13.

Continual sliding of the cover 3 into the locked position results in the locking ramp 13 riding over the cover leading edge 18 and into the groove 14, locking the cover 3 in position.

Rather than configuring the cover 3 such that it slides over the receptacle 6 and locks as discussed above, embodiments are envisaged where the cover is hingedly fixed and locked to the casing or is fixed to the casing by other means such as snap fittings or even plastic welding so as to secure the transponder within the receptacle.

The attachment means 4,5 is preferably adapted to lock the tag 1 onto the nose on opposing sides of the nasal septum, being the wall dividing the nasal cavity of the nose.

This area is particularly suitable for tag 1 attachment as the nasal septum typically does not thicken appreciably during the life of many animals, in particular cattle, and hence can usually remain attached throughout the life of the animal. Here the attachment means comprises first and second pins 4,5 which are collinear and oppose each other such that they can be locked on to the nose of the animal to be tagged by hooking onto the nostrils on opposing sides of the nasal septum. The first pin 4 is fixed to the casing 2 and the second pin 5 is attached to the cover 3. As a result of the arrangement, when the cover 2 is slid into the locked position, the pins 4,5 are brought closer together such that they lock onto the nasal septum of the animal when so positioned. The inventor has found that a separation of approximately 4 mm between the pins 4,5 when in the locked position is most appropriate for most breeds of cattle. The separation of the pins 4,5 should allow some movement between the tag 1 and the nasal septum rather than having the pins 4,5 bearing hard up against the nasal septum to agitate the animal.

Depending on the animal to be tagged, the tag 1 may be brought in to position at the nose of the animal with the cover 3 in the open position, where the pins 4,5 are typically separated by 25 to 35 mm, and then the cover 3 is slid into the locked position thereby

locking closed the receptacle 6 containing the transponder and concurrently locking the pins 4,5 on opposing sides of the nasal septum, or if preferred the tag 1 may be positioned with the cover 3 in a position between the open and locked positions, thereby removing any risk of the transponder falling out of the receptacle whilst tagging a restless animal.

The cover 3 includes a torsional support flange 19 adjacent to the second pin 5 which engages a torsional support slot 20 in the end of the casing 2 when the cover 2 is in the locked position. The flange 19/slot 20 engagement increases the torsional rigidity of the cover 2 adjacent to the second pin 5 thereby hindering removal of the tag from the animal by tampering with the second pin 5 and cover 2.

An animal identification tag 100 according to a second embodiment as depicted in Figures 9-21 similarly comprises a first member in the form of casing 102, a second member in the form of cover 103 and attachment means 104,105 for locking the tag 100 onto the nose of an animal.

In this embodiment the recessed portion 106 provided in the casing includes a semicylindrical slot 106a adapted to receive the identification transponder microchip. As per the first embodiment, additional visual identification can be provided on the casing 102 or cover 103.

The cover 103 is slideably engaged with the casing 102 and is locked into the locked position by sliding the cover 103 over the recessed portion 106 of the casing 102. A semicircular slot 140 is provided on the free end portion 103a of the cover which protrudes into the recessed portion 106 of the casing when in the locked position. The semicircular slot 140 cooperates with the semicircular slot 106a to define a cylindrical receptacle 142 within the recessed portion 106 which, in use, contains the transponder.

The slot 140 extends into the body of the cover 103 with a generally cylindrical blind hole 141 which forms part of the receptacle 142 housing the transponder.

To facilitate sliding engagement of the cover 103 and the casing 102, undercut recesses 108 are provided on opposing sides of the recessed portion 106 in the casing 102, with corresponding edge portions 109 of the cover being received in the undercut recesses 108. As per the first embodiment, the engagement of the edge portions 109 in the

undercut recesses 108 and the flush outer surface 110 of the cover hinder tampering. In the locked position, the cover 103 fills the recessed portion 106 of the casing 102 except for the slot 106a so that the transponder is held firmly in the receptacle 142 formed by the slot 106a, slot 140 and hole 141.

To positively lock the cover 103 and casing 102, a locking ramp 113 provided on the cover 103 engages a groove 114 provided on the casing 102. The locking ramp 113 and groove 114 are tapered such that they become locked when engaged. The locking ramp 113 and groove 114 are fully enclosed when in the locked position.

In this embodiment, the means for temporarily securing the cover 103 in an open position to provide access to the receptacle 106 for inserting the transponder comprises a cantilevered tab 115 provided on the cover end portion 103a. In the undeformed state the tab 115 protrudes from the surface of the cover end portion 103a, but when slidingly engaged with the casing 102, the casing 102 surface deforms the tab such that it is generally parallel with the surface of the cover end portion 103a, allowing the casing 102 and cover 103 to slide. Whilst sliding the cover toward the locked position, the tab 115 engages the groove 114 to temporarily secure the relative position of the cover 103 and casing 102 in an open position. Continual sliding of the cover 103 toward the locked position results in the tab 115 passing beyond the groove 114, being deformed again by the casing 102 surface. With further sliding into the locked position the locking ramp 113 then engages the groove 114.

As per the first embodiment, the attachment means comprises first and second pins 104,105 attached to the casing 102 and cover 103, respectively.

When applying the tag 100 to an animal and inserting the transponder, the transponder may be inserted with its end in the generally cylindrical hole 141 in the cover 103 before locking the cover 103 over the recessed portion 106 of the casing 102, or alternatively the transponder may be slid toward the semicircular slot 106a in the recessed portion 106 such that the corresponding semicircular slot 140 forming the opposing half of the receptacle 142 will slide over the transponder as the cover 103 is locked into position.

An animal identification tag 200 according to a third embodiment is depicted in Figure 22. The tag 200 of the third embodiment is a variation of the tag 100 of the second embodiment, with like features having corresponding reference numerals incremented by 100. The primary distinction between the second and third embodiments is that the receptacle for housing the transponder is formed exclusively by a longitudinally extending blind hole 242 formed in the second member 203. The transponder is thus housed in the second member 203 rather than between the first and second members 202,203 in the recessed portion 206 of the first member 202. The edge portions 209 of the second member 203 extend around the free end of the second member 203 and fill the recessed portion 206 of the first member 202. The open end of the receptacle 206 is sealed by the first member 202 when the second member 203 is in the locked position.

An animal identification tag 300 according to a fourth embodiment is depicted in Figures 23 through 26. The tag depicted in Figures 25 and 26 is a mirror image copy of that of Figures 23 and 24. The fourth embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment and again like features have corresponding reference numerals incremented by 100. Tag 300 is a reusable version of the third embodiment tag 200 which allows the first and second members 302,303 to be disengaged from the locked position.

The transponder is again housed in a receptacle formed by a longitudinally extending hole 342 in the second member 303, however this hole 342 is open at the end distal to the first member 302. The hole 342 is sealed at this end by a tamper resistant fastener 344 allowing access to the receptacle and transponder through use of the appropriate tool to unfasten the fastener 344.

The locking ramp and groove arrangement of the fourth embodiment has been modified to provide for disengagement of the first and second members 302,303. The groove 314 of this arrangement is open to the rear face of the first member 302, so that it forms an aperture 314 rather than a closed groove. This aperture 314 thus provides access to the locking ramp 313 which engages the side of the aperture 314 to lock the second member 303 onto the first member 302. The locking member 313 is cantilevered so that it can be depressed out of engagement from the aperture 314. A longitudinally extending clearance cavity 343 is provided in the second member 303 which provides clearance for

the cantilevered locking ramp 313 to be depressed into when being disengaged from the aperture 314. The clearance cavity 343 here communicates with the transponder receptacle 343, although this is only as a result of the sizing and location of the cavity 343 and receptacle 343.

The protrusion 315 formed on the second member 303 engages the aperture 314 to allow the second member 303 to be held in the open position. As the solid protrusion 315 passes over the first member 302, it flexes the adjacent region of the second member 303 inwardly toward the clearance cavity 343, allowing the first and second members to continue their sliding engagement.

The modifications of the fourth embodiment which provide for a reusable tag 300 provide further flexibility in situations where human tampering with the identification tag is not of major concern.