The invention relates to an ear tag for animals provided with a first part having at least one opening and a second part having at least one pin, wherein the second part can be attached to the first part by inserting the pin in the opening. The invention further relates to a method for

manufacturing an ear tag for animals provided with a first part having at least one opening and a second part having at least one pin, wherein the second part can be attached to the first part by inserting the pin in the opening. Such an ear stud and method are known per se. The known ear tag is, in particular, provided with an electronic circuit which responds by transmitting an identification code when the electronic circuit is introduced into an electromagnetic interrogation field. This electronic circuit is typically included in a housing of the first part.

For attaching the ear tag known per se to an ear of an animal such as a cow, the first part and the second part are positioned on either side of the ear. Then the first part and the second part are moved towards each other, such that the at least one pin comes to be in front of the at least one opening, with the ear of the animal in between them. Then the at least one pin is pressed through the ear of the animal so that the pin is received in the opening, as a result of which the first part and the second part are attached to each other. For pressing the first part and the second part towards each other in such a manner that the pin is pressed through the ear of the animal and is then received in the opening, typically, use is made of special tongs. A consequence of the attachment of the ear tag to an ear of an animal is that the animal sustains a slight injury of its ear. A disadvantage of this is that the ear of the animal may inflame as a result of the injury. The invention contemplates meeting this problem.

The ear tag according to the invention is accordingly characterized in that a first material of which at least a part of the first part is made comprises a first antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent, and/or a second material of which at least a part of the second part is made comprises a second antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent..

As the first material comprises the first antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent and/or the second material comprises the second antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent, the chance of the ear of the animal becoming inflamed as a result of the injury mentioned is reduced

considerably. Even after the injury of the animal has healed in time, the ear tag retains the advantage that the ear cannot easily become inflamed again, for instance when a new injury occurs due to another animal eating away at the ear tag and causing a new injury by pulling the ear tag. Also in the event of such new injury, the chance of the ear inflaming is reduced. From the above, it follows that the first material is not part of a coating or that the first material does not form a coating and/or that the second material is not part of a coating or that the second material does not form a coating. The invention thus does not concern a coating which is provided with the first material and/or the second material.

In particular, it holds that the first material consists of a first synthetic, such as plastic, and the first agent, and that the second material consists of a second synthetic, such as plastic, and the second agent. In particular, it holds that an outer side of the pin is formed by the second material. Since upon attachment of the ear tag to the animal it is the outer side of the pin that comes into contact with the wound, the chance of inflammation is efficiently reduced. More particularly, it holds that the pin is made of the second material. Thus, for instance, the pin may as a whole be made of the second material. It is also possible, however, that a core of the pin is made of metal while an outer side of the pin is formed by the second material. It may also be that a housing of the second part is made of the second material. Such a housing can comprise a hollow space in which, for example, the above-mentioned electronic circuit known per se is accommodated. It is also possible, however, that the second part as a whole is made of the second material. The second part can for instance (as a whole) be of solid design.

In particular, it holds that an inner wall of the opening and/or an area around the opening on the outer side of the first part is formed by the first material. Here, too, it holds that in this way precisely those parts of the first part that can come into contact with a wound of the ear of the animal are formed by the first material to reduce the risk of infections. In

particular, it holds that a housing of the first part is made of the first material. In such a housing, again, the electronic circuit known per se may be accommodated. It is also possible that the first part is wholly made of the first material. The first part, too, may (as a whole) be of sohd design.

Preferably, it holds that the first agent is equal to the second agent. The first agent and the second agent can also include an antibacterial agent. More particularly, it holds that the first agent and/or the second agent comprises Chlorohexidine, Povidone-iodine, Iodine tincture and/or Lactic acid, more particularly, Polylactic acid.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that a manufacturing process comprises at least steps a. and b. and/or at least steps c. and d., wherein

step a. comprises putting together a first synthetic and a first antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent, wherein the first synthetic is melted before or after the synthetic and the first agent are put together, so that the first agent is incorporated in the molten first synthetic for obtaining a molten first material, more particularly, so that the first synthetic and the first agent are mixed for obtaining a molten first material;

step b. comprises, on the basis of the molten first material obtained in step a., manufacturing at least a part of the first part by injection molding;

step c. comprises putting together a second synthetic and a second antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent, wherein the second synthetic is melted before or after the synthetic and the second agent are put together, so that the second agent is incorporated in the molten second synthetic for obtaining a molten second material, more particularly, so that the second synthetic and the second agent are mixed for obtaining a molten second material;

step d. comprises, on the basis of the molten second material obtained in step c, manufacturing at least a part of the second part by injection molding.

It is noted that it is known to coat parts of an ear tag with an antiseptic material. A disadvantage of this is that the coating can become detached as a result of which the inflammation inhibiting or limiting activity of the ear tag may diminish. Also, providing such a coating entails an extra production operation. In particular, it holds that the first material forms a rigid part of the ear tag and/or that the second material forms a rigid part of the ear tag. A coating cannot form a rigid part of the ear tag. The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a top plan view of a first part of a possible

embodiment of an ear tag according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the first part of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrow P according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the first part according to Fig. 1 and a second part of the ear tag;

Fig. 4 shows a cross section of a second embodiment of an ear tag according to the invention;

Fig. 5 shows two parts of the first part of the ear tag according to Fig. 4 before their assembly;

Fig. 6 shows the two parts according to Fig. 5 in assembled condition; and

Fig. 7 shows the first part of Fig. 4 in finished condition.

In Figs. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a possible embodiment of an ear tag according to the invention. The ear tag 1 for identifying an animal is provided with a first part 2. The first part is provided with a housing 3. Arranged in the housing is an electronic circuit 4 which is designed to transmit an identification code when the ear tag is introduced into an electromagnetic interrogation field. The electronic circuit 4 is provided with at least one antenna coil 6 which is electrically connected to an electronic unit 8 of the electronic circuit 4. The electronic unit 8 is an electronic unit known per se. The electronic circuit 4 in the example is implemented as a passive transponder which may for instance be provided with a capacitance which, together with antenna coil 6, forms a resonant circuit, which resonant circuit is connected to an integrated circuit which is for instance provided with a microprocessor in which the identification code mentioned is stored. The capacitance and the integrated circuit are here part of the electronic unit 8. In the example, the antenna coil 6 is of annular design and comprises windings formed by a wire 7, which extend around an axial axis 10 of the first part. In the example, it holds further that the housing 3 is composed of at least a first housing part 16 and a second housing part 18. The housing parts 16, 18 are each of dish-shaped design. The first housing part and the second housing part are joined together at positions 20, for instance, by welding or gluing. In the example, the housing parts 16, 18 are so designed that hollow spaces 22 are formed in the housing. Thus, a saving of weight is realized.

The first part 2 is furthermore provided with an opening 24 which terminates in channel 26 which extends in the axial direction 10. At least a part of the channel is bounded by resilient elements 34. These resilient elements are designed in the example as resilient fingers which are arranged around the channel, distributed in tangential direction of the channel, and mutually spaced apart some distance in tangential direction. In the example, the fingers are fixedly connected to the second housing part 18.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, the ear tag is further provided with a second part 30 which is provided with at least one, and in the example one, pin 28. The second part is furthermore provided with a disc-shaped part 32. The pin 28 is provided at one end with a thickened portion 38. In Fig. 3 it can be seen how the pin, in use, is received in the channel. In the example, all this is dimensioned such that insertion of the pin from an outside of the housing 3 via the opening 24 into the channel 26 has as a result that the resilient elements are bent by the pin 28, in particular the thickened portion 38, in a direction away from the pin, so that a cross section of the channel at the location of the resilient elements increases. When the pin is introduced farther, the resilient elements, once behind the thickened portion, snap towards each other again when the thickened portion 38 lands in a receiving space 36.

In this example, it holds that the resilient elements 34 are made of a first material which comprises a first antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent. More particularly, it holds in the example that the whole second housing part 18 is made of the first material which comprises the first antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent. In the example, it holds that the first material consists of a first synthetic and the first agent. In this example, it holds further that the first agent is incorporated in the first synthetic in a homogeneously distributed manner. The first synthetic in this example consists of a plastic. More particularly, it holds that the first material is provided with polyurethane which is provided with the first agent. It holds thus that the first part is at least in part made of the first material which comprises the first antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent. The first material thus forms a rigid part of the ear tag. As the elements 34 as well as the housing part 18 are made of the first material, it holds furthermore that an inner wall of the channel which extends in the first part and comprises as open end the opening, as well as an area around the opening 24 on the outer side 44 of the first part are each formed by the first material.

Further, it holds in the example that a second material of which at least a part of the second part is made comprises a second antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent. More particularly, it holds that an outer side 40 of the pin is formed by the second material. In this example, it even holds that the whole pin is made of the second material. Accordingly, the second material also forms a rigid part of the ear tag. Because the pin in this example is hollow, it can also be stated that the housing of the second part is made of the second material. In the hollow part 42 of the pin, too, if desired, another electronic circuit as discussed above could be included. In the example, it holds furthermore that the second material consists of a second synthetic and the second agent. In this example, it holds furthermore that the second agent is included in the second synthetic in a homogeneously distributed manner. The second synthetic in this example consists of a plastic.

For attachment of the ear tag according to Fig. 3 to an ear of an animal, the first part 2 is positioned on a first side of the ear of an animal and the second part 30 is positioned on a side opposite to this side, of the ear of an animal. The pin 28 is then opposite the opening 24. Then, the pin 28, in particular the thickened portion 38 thereof, is pressed through the ear of an animal. The thickened portion 38 being of sharp design, this can be carried out fairly simply without the animal suffering in the process.

Thereupon the pin is inserted via the opening 24 into the channel 26, after which, as described above, the thickened portion hooks behind the resilient elements 34. A wound of the ear of the animal will come into contact with the resilient elements 34 and with the pin 28. As the resilient elements 34 as well as the pin 28 are each made of a material comprising an antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent, the chance that a wound of the animal will inflame is reduced. Also when the wound for whatever reason is slightly greater than average, the fact that also the partial housing 18 is made of the first material can contribute to the reduction of the chance of inflammation. In the example, it holds furthermore that the first housing part 16 is made of a material that does not comprise an antiseptic and/or

disinfectant agent.

In the example, it holds that the first material comprises polyurethane with the antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent. Furthermore, it holds in the example that a second material is equal to the first material, but this is not requisite.

The first part can be manufactured as follows. A synthetic is melted and to the molten synthetic a first antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent is added, preferably in liquid form. This putting together can be done, for instance, in a vat. If the first agent is not liquid, it may be liquefied by heating, or be added to the molten synthetic in the form of granules or a powder. The molten synthetic and the first agent are properly mixed with each other. This part of the process is denoted with step a. Thereupon, in a step b., with the aid of the molten synthetic including the first agent as obtained in step a., the resilient elements 34 are manufactured by injection molding. Also, in a step a.', a synthetic is melted to which also an antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent is added as discussed for step a. Here, too, the molten synthetic and the antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent are properly mixed with each other. Thereupon, on the basis of molten synthetic with the antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent in it as obtained in step a.', in a step b.' the second housing part 18 is manufactured by injection molding. After this, the resilient means 34 are arranged in the housing part 18 and fixed by, for instance, welding or gluing. When this is finished, the electronic circuit 4 is arranged in the second housing part 18. The first housing part 16 is also manufactured by injection molding, but in this case of a synthetic which does not comprise an antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent. After this, the second housing part 18 and the first housing part 16 are joined together. It is noted that step a. and step a.' can be one and the same step. This means, then, that the housing part 18 and the resilient elements 34 are

manufactured of a same material. The resilient elements 34 and/or the housing part can also be manufactured according to an alternative procedure. For this, a synthetic and a first antiseptic agent are brought together, for instance, in a vat. The synthetic can be added to the vat, for instance, in the form of granules, together with the first agent in liquid form. After this, the synthetic is heated so that it melts. The molten synthetic and the first agent are properly mixed with each other. This part of the process is denoted with step a. again. Thereupon, in a step b., with the aid of the molten synthetic with the first agent in it obtained in step a., the resilient elements 34 are manufactured by injection molding.

In an alternative step a.' a synthetic and an antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent are brought together in, for instance, a vat that can be heated. The synthetic can be added to the vat in the form of granules again, but it may also be in one piece. The antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent can again be in liquid form as discussed before. Thereupon, the synthetic is melted, for instance, by heating the vat. Here, too, the molten synthetic and the antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent are properly mixed with each other. Thereupon, on the basis of molten synthetic with the antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent in it as obtained in step a.', in a step b.' the second housing part 18 is manufactured by injection molding.

After this, the resilient means 34 are arranged in the housing part 18 and fixed by, for instance, welding or gluing. When this is finished, the electronic circuit 4 is arranged in the second housing part 18. The first housing part 16 is also manufactured by means of injection molding, but in this case from a synthetic which does not comprise an antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent. After this, the second housing part 18 and the first housing part 16 are joined together. It is noted that step a. and step a.' can be one and the same step again. This means, then, that the housing part 18 and the resilient elements 34 are manufactured of a same material. Also, in a step c, synthetic and a second antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent are put together. The agent can be in hquid or solid form again. The synthetic is melted before or after the putting together. The molten synthetic and the second agent (for instance, in hquid form, granules or powder) are properly mixed with each other. Thereupon, on the basis of the molten synthetic with the second agent in it obtained in step c, in a step d. the second part 30 is manufactured by injection molding. Here, too, it is noted that step c. and step a. can comprise one and the same step so that the resilient elements 34, and/or the housing part 18 and/or the second part 30 may be manufactured of a same material. However, this is not requisite, the parts mentioned can also be manufactured from mutually different materials. In the example, the pin is of hollow design. It is also possible, however, that in the hollow space a metal pin is received to strengthen the pin. In that case, it holds again that the outer side of the pin is formed by the second material. The inner side of the pin can then be formed by a different material.

The invention is not in any way limited to the embodiment outlined here. Thus, if desired, also the first housing part 16 may be manufactured of a material that comprises an antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent. In this example, the first material is provided with polyurethane. However, other materials, such as nylon, TPU, PP and/or ASA are also possible. Entirely analogously, this also holds for the second material. Nor is the invention limited to any specific antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent. The first and/or second agent can be provided with, for example, Chlorohexidine, Povidone- iodine, Iodine tincture, Lactic acid, in particular Polylactic acid, and the like. Also, the first agent and/or second agent can comprise an antibacterial agent. Such variants are each understood to be within the scope of the invention.

It is also possible for the first agent to be added to the first material by impregnation. Also, it is possible for the second agent to be added to the second material by impregnation. Thus, for instance, first the first part or a part thereof may be manufactured from the first material, after which the first material is impregnated with the first agent. Thus, for instance, similarly, the second part or a part thereof may be manufactured from the second material, after which the second material is impregnated with the second agent.

In Figs. 4 to 7 a possible second embodiment of an ear tag according to the invention is shown. As can be seen in Fig. 4, the ear tag is provided with a first part 102 and a second part 104. The second part 104 is provided with a pin 106. The pin 106 is again provided with a thickened portion 108 which is at an end of the pin 106. In addition to pin 106, the second part is further provided with a label part 108 which, in a view P has a substantially rectangular shape. In the example, it holds that the pin of the second part is manufactured of the second material which comprises a second antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent. The first part 102 is again provided with an opening 110. Furthermore, the first part comprises a channel 112 which extends in the first part and comprises as open end the opening 110. Fig. 5 shows that the first part 102 is provided with a first housing part 114 manufactured in one piece, which is provided with an upstanding sidewall 116 with a bottom 118 in which is the opening 110. The first housing part further comprises a portion 112A of the channel. Also, in the housing part 114 the electronic circuit 120 is arranged which is comparable to the electronic circuit which has been discussed in relation to Figs. 1 to 3. Furthermore, the first part comprises a cap 122. The first housing part and the cap 122 are each made of the first material which comprises an antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent. In use, the cap 122 is arranged as shown in Fig. 6. Thereupon, an inner space of the first housing part 114 which is bounded by the upstanding sidewall 116 and the bottom 118 is filled up with a lightweight material such as a liquid foaming polyurethane which can proceed to harden. The first housing part 114 and the cap 122 are obtained by injection molding, whereby for injection molding a liquid synthetic is used in which a first antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent is provided. In the example, it holds furthermore that the pin 106 is obtained by injection molding with a synthetic in which an antiseptic and/or disinfectant material is provided. The part 108 in this example is

manufactured of a flexible material such as PVC, whereby the part 108 does not comprise antiseptic and/or disinfectant agent. The part 108 and the pin 106 can be joined together, for instance, by gluing. Such variants are each understood to be within the scope of the invention.