Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of joining together two parts of an animal identification tag.

Background

It is well known in the field of animal identification to provide an identification tag, typically attached to the animal’s ear. Such tags may comprise two parts (such as a male part and female part) which interlock with one part passing through the animal’s ear. The two parts of a tag may form a matched pair, as they may include corresponding identification information for identifying an animal. In order to attach tags to an animal, an applicator is used which typically drives a spiked male part of the tag through the animal’s ear to engage with a female part of the tag on the other side to securely affix the tag to the animal.

The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations.

Summary of the Invention

At its most general, the present invention provides a method of joining pairs of animal identification tag parts together. This may be useful for storage and transport of the tag parts, prior to attaching the tag parts to an animal. In particular, the inventors have found that it is useful to keep pairs of tag parts together prior to attachment to an animal, as this may facilitate attaching the correct tag parts to the animal. For example, the male part and the female part of a tag may each include corresponding identification information displayed thereon, to enable an animal to be identified when the tag is attached to an animal. Accordingly, male and female tag parts having the same identification should be attached to the animal, to avoid confusion with regard to identification of the animal. By temporarily joining the two parts of the tag together, it is possible to avoid the tag parts of different pairs being mixed up prior to use, so that a user can easily find and attach the tag parts with the correct identification information to the animal. In particular, if multiple animal identification tags are stored together, as the tag parts are joined in pairs, a user can easily locate and retrieve the two tag parts corresponding to a given pair. The method involves heating edges of the tag parts, so that the tag parts can be temporarily joined together along their edges. Then, to use the tag parts, they can be separated (e.g. by pulling their edges apart) and loaded into a tag applicator so that they can be attached to the animal.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for joining a first part and a second part of an animal identification tag together, the method comprising: heating an edge of the first part and an edge of the second part, to partially melt the edge of the first part and the edge of the second part; and contacting the edge of the first part to the edge of the second part to join the first part and the second part together. The heating and partial melting of the edges of the first part and the second part causes the edges of the first part and the second part to stick together when they are brought into contact with one another. In other words, a bond may form between the edge of the first part and the edge of the second part so that they are joined together. For example, the partially melted edges of the first and second parts may bond together when they brought into contact with one another.

Any suitable technique for heating the edges of the first and second parts may be used.

Following the joining together of the first part and the second part along their edges, the first part and the second part may act as a single part. Thus, the first part and the second part may be stored, picked up, and/or handled as a single part. This may facilitate locating and retrieving both parts of the tag for use.

When the two tag parts are joined together, the first tag part and the second tag part may be arranged side-by-side, i.e. one next to the other. In this manner, there may be no overlap between surfaces of the first part and the second part (i.e. none of the first part may be arranged over or under the second part). As a result, surfaces of the first part and the second part may be visible and unobstructed, such that a user can easily read identification information displayed on the first and second parts. This may facilitate locating and retrieving a pair of tag parts having desired identification information thereon.

Prior to attaching the tag parts to an animal, the first part and the second part may be separated. In particular, the first part and the second part may be pulled apart to separate the edges of the first part and the second part. As the bond is formed along the edges of the first part and the second part, the first part and the second part may be readily separated along their edges, e.g. by breaking or tearing the bond between the two parts, without damaging or disrupting other areas of the tag parts. In particular, the inventors have found that attaching the tag parts along their edges may avoid damaging the tag parts when they are separated, such that the temporary joining of the tag parts together does not negatively impact on their usability. Joining the tag parts along their edges may also avoid the presence of joining features or defects on the surfaces of the tag parts. In this manner, the surfaces of the tag parts, which are typically used for displaying identification information, may be unaffected by the process of joining the tag parts together.

The edge of the first part may correspond to an outer edge (e.g. outer boundary) of the first part, and the edge of the second part may correspond to an outer edge (e.g. outer boundary) of the second part. The edge of the first part may extend along a side of the first part, whilst the edge of the second part may extend along a side of the second part.

The edge of the first part and the edge of the second part may have complementary shapes. In this manner, the edges of the first part and the second part may fit together, thus facilitating joining them together.

In some cases, the edge of the first part and the edge of the second part may be substantially straight. In this manner, the first part and the second part may be joined along substantially straight edges. This may facilitate separating the first part and the second part prior to use, as the first part and the second part can readily be separated by tearing them apart along a straight line. The first part and the second part may be formed as separate parts prior to the joining together of the tag parts. Any suitable manufacturing processes may be used for producing the tag parts. For example, where the tag parts comprise plastic materials, suitable moulding processes may be used, and where the tag parts comprise metallic materials, suitable casting processes may be used.

The edge of the first part and the edge of the second part may be heated simultaneously. This may facilitate joining the first and second part together, as the edges of the first and second parts can be brought together immediately after being heated to effectively bond the two together.

The first part may comprise a plastic material along its edge and the second part may comprise a plastic material along its edge. In this manner, the plastic material along the edges of the first part and the second part can be partially melted by heating them to (or near) a melting temperature of the plastic material. As an example, a portion of the first part along which the edge of the first part is defined may be formed of a plastic material, and a portion of the second part along which the edge of the second part is defined may be formed of a plastic material. The edge of the first part and the edge of the second part may be heated for a predetermined amount of time, to ensure that the edges are sufficiently melted/softened, to enable effective joining of the two parts.

The temperature to which the edge of the first part and the edge of the second part are heated may be set based on the material of the tag parts, to achieve partial melting of the edges. Typically, the temperature may be between 200°C and 300°C for most plastic materials.

The heating may be performed so as to obtain localised heating and partial melting along the edges of the first and second parts, to avoid deforming the tag parts. Accordingly, the amount of time for which the edges of the first and second parts are heated may be set so as to enable partial melting of the edges, whilst avoiding melting of other areas of the tag. For example, the edges of the first part and the second part may be heated for an amount of time between 0.1 second and 10 seconds.

Preferably, the plastic material along the edge of the first part and the plastic material along the edge of the second part may be the same plastic material. This may facilitate joining the two parts together, as the edges of the two parts can be heated to the same temperature to partially melt them.

As an example, the plastic material along the edges of the first part and the second part may be a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material. The inventors have found that a TPU material provides good joining characteristics when the edges of the first and second parts are heated and partially melted.

In some cases, the first part and the second part may be formed entirely of plastic material(s). However, in other cases, other materials may also be used in the tag parts. For example engagement portions of the tag parts and/or information display portions of the tag parts may include other materials (such as metallic materials), e.g. to provide regions on the tag parts with increased hardness and/or durability.

Heating the edge of the first part and the edge of the second part may comprise applying a heated element to the edge of the first part and the edge of the second part, respectively. In other words, the heated element may be brought into contact with edge of the first part and the edge of the second part to heat and partially melt the edges. Use of a heating element in this manner may ensure uniform heating along the edges of the first part and the second part, which may enable effective joining of the first part and the second part along a length of their edges. In particular, the heated element may be arranged to contact a length of the edge of the first part and a length of the edge of the second part, to heat the edges of the first and second parts along the lengths of their edges.

The edge of the first part and the edge of the second part may be heated using the same heated element. Alternatively, the edge of the first part and the edge of the second part may be heated using respective heated elements.

Any suitable heated element may be used. In one example, the heated element may comprise a heater connected to a thermally conductive material. The thermally conductive material may be configured (e.g. shaped) to apply heat from the heater to the edge of the first part and/or the edge of the second part.

The edge of the first part and the edge of the second part may be heated simultaneously with the heated element. This may facilitate joining the first part and the second part together, as the edges of the first and second parts can be heated simultaneously and then brought together to be joined. Using a single heated element to simultaneously heat the edges of the first and second parts may simplify the joining procedure, as both parts can easily be heated in a same step.

The heated element comprises a first heating surface and a second heating surface arranged on opposite sides of the heated element, and the edge of the first part and the edge of the second part may be heated simultaneously with the heated element by placing the heated element between the first part and the second part such that the first heating surface contacts the edge of the first part and the second heating surface contacts the edge of the second part. Accordingly, to heat the edges of the first and second parts, the heated element can simply be placed between the first part and the second part. Once the edges of the first and second parts are partially melted, the heated element can be removed from between the first part and the second part, and the first and second parts can be pushed together to join their edges. Thus, this arrangement of the heated element enables the edges of the first and second parts to be joined together via a simple set of actions. Indeed, only the spacing between the edges of the first and second parts, and the position of the heated element may need to be controlled to perform the joining process with this arrangement of the heated element.

The first heating surface may have a shape that is complementary to a shape of the edge of the first part, to enable effective and uniform heating of the edge of the first part. Similarly, the second heating surface may have a shape that is complementary to a shape of the edge of the second part, to enable effective and uniform heating of the edge of the second part. For example, where the edges of the first and second parts are substantially straight, the first and second heating surfaces may be substantially straight (e.g. flat).

The first heating surface and the second heating surface being arranged on opposite sides of the heated element may mean that the first heating surface and the second heating surface face in opposite directions. Thus, when the heated element is located between the first and second parts, the first heating surface may face towards the first part and the second heating surface may face towards the second part. The first and second heating surfaces may, for example, be provided on the thermally conductive material of the heated element mentioned above.

Other techniques instead of applying a heated element to the edges may be used for heating the edges and joining them together. By way of example, the edges of the first and second parts may be heated using a laser source, a heated air source, a plasma source, an infra-red source, a flame, or any other suitable technique. As another example, friction welding may be used to heat the edges and join them together. Other techniques involving oscillations (and/or harmonics) as a way of generating heat can be used. For instance, ultrasonic welding, radiofrequency welding, or microwave welding can be used to heat the edges.

Contacting the edge of the first part to the edge of the second part comprises pressing the edge of the first part and the edge of the second part together. In other words, a force may be applied to press the edge of the first part against the edge of the second part. This may serve to ensure effective bonding between the partially melted edges of the first and second parts. The edge of the first part and the edge of the second part may be pressed together for a predetermined amount of time, to ensure effective bonding. The edges of the first and second parts may be pressed together for a predetermined amount of time, to ensure effective joining of the two edges. For example, the edges of the first and second parts may be pressed together for between 0.1 and 10 seconds.

Following the joining of the first part and the second part together, a seam may be formed between the edge of the first part and the edge of the second part. The seam may correspond to a region between the first part and the second part where the edges are joined together. For example, the seam may be formed by the mixing of the partially melted edges when they are brought into contact with one another. The seam may be weaker than the first and second parts of the tag, such that when the first and second parts are pulled apart, they may separate along the seam without otherwise damaging the first and second parts.

The first part may comprise a first plate for displaying identification information and the second part may comprise a second plate for displaying identification information, and the edge of the first part may correspond to an edge of the first plate and the edge of the second part corresponds to an edge of the second plate. Thus, edges of the first plate and the second plate may be joined together. In this manner, once the first and second parts are joined together, the first plate and the second plate may be arranged side-by-side, so that a user can easily read identification information displayed on the first and/or second plates.

The first plate may comprise a first surface for displaying the identification information and the second plate may comprise a second surface for displaying the identification information. The first surface and the second surface may each be substantially planar. The edge of the first plate may correspond to a boundary (outer edge) of the first surface. Similarly, the edge of the second plate may correspond to a boundary (outer edge) of the second surface. In some cases, following the joining of the first part and the second part together, the first surface and the second surface may be arranged side-by-side. Thus, both the first surface and the second surface may face in the same direction when the two tag parts are joined together, so that the identification information on each surface can easily be read at the same time. For example, the first surface and the second surface may be located on either side of the seam formed between the edges of the first part and the second part. In other cases, following the joining of the first part and the second part together, the first surface and the second surface may face is opposite directions. In other words, the first plate and the second plate may be arranged side-by-side, with the first surface facing in a first direction and the second surface facing in a second, opposite direction.

Herein, identification information may include any suitable information for identifying an animal. For example, identification information may comprise a name, identification number, symbol, logo or similar. The identification information may be applied to the first plate and/or the second plate using any suitable technique. For example, the identification information may be printed, etched or otherwise affixed on the first plate and/or the second plate.

The first plate and the second plate may comprise the same identification information.

The first part may comprise a female engagement portion and the second part may comprise a male engagement portion that is engageable in the female engagement portion. Thus, to use the tag, the first part and the second part may be separated, following which the male engagement portion can be engaged in the female engagement portion to attach the tag to an animal.

The male engagement portion may comprise a spike which is configured to pass through (e.g. pierce) a part (e.g. an ear) of the animal. The female engagement portion may be configured to receive and retain a tip of the spike. Thus, following passing the spike through the part of the animal, the tip of the spike can be inserted into the female engagement portion to secure the tag to the animal. For example, the female engagement portion may comprise a receptacle which is configured (e.g. shaped) to receive the tip of the spike, and to retain the tip of the spike once the tip has been inserted into the receptacle.

The female engagement portion may be attached to the first plate, and the male engagement portion may be attached to the second plate.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an animal identification tag comprising: a first part having a female engagement portion; and a second part having a male engagement portion that is engageable in the female engagement portion; wherein an edge of the first part is joined to an edge of the second part, such that the first part and the second part are arranged side- by-side.

The first part and the second part of the tag may be joined using the method of the first aspect of the invention. Any of the features described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention may be shared with the second aspect of the invention (and vice versa). In particular, features described in relation to the first aspect concerning the structure of the tag, the manner in which the tag parts are joined together, and the manner in which the tag is used are equally applicable to the second aspect. Herein, the terms “animal identification tag” and “tag” are used interchangeably.

The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

Summary of the Figures

Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an animal identification tag used in a method of the invention, where a first part and a second part of the tag are separate;

Figs. 2-4 are schematic perspective views illustrating steps in a method for joining the first part and the second part of the tag together, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an animal identification tag according to an embodiment of the invention, where a first part and second part of the tag are joined together; and

Figs. 6a and 6b show schematic views of the tag of Fig. 1 where a male engagement portion of the first part is engaged in a female engagement portion of the second part.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A method according to an embodiment of the invention for joining two parts of an animal identification tag is described with reference to Figs. 1-4.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an animal identification tag including a first part 100 and a second part 200. The tag may be attachable to a part of an animal. For example, the tag may be an ear tag for attachment to an ear of the animal. The first part 100 includes a female engagement portion 102 which is connected to a first plate 104. The second part 200 includes a male engagement portion 202 which is connected to a second plate 204, the male engagement portion 202 being engageable in the female engagement portion 102. As shown, the male engagement portion 102 is in the form of a spike, which in use serves to pass through the part (e.g. ear) of the animal, so that the male engagement portion 202 can be engaged with the female engagement portion 102 after being passed through the part of the animal, to secure the tag to the animal.

The first plate 104 and the second plate 204 are made of a plastic material. Preferably the first plate 104 and the second plate 204 may be made of the same plastic material. The plastic material of the first plate 104 and the second plate 204 may be relatively flexible, to allow the first and second plates to bend a certain amount when they are attached to the animal. As an example, the first plate 104 and the second plate 204 may be formed of a thermoplastic polyurethan (TPU) material. The female engagement portion 102 and the male engagement portion 202 may each be formed of any suitable material, which may be a same or different material compared to the first plate 104 and the second plate 204. The first plate 104 and the second plate 204 each have a relatively thin and substantially flat tag shape. For example, a thickness of the first plate 104 and the second plate 204 may be between about 0.5 mm and 3 mm. In some cases, the thickness of the first plate 104 may increase towards the female engagement portion 102, to provide increased rigidity in the region of the first plate 104 in a vicinity of the female engagement portion 102. Similarly, the thickness of the second plate 204 may increase towards the male engagement portion 202, to provide increased rigidity in the region of the second plate 204 in a vicinity of the male engagement portion 202.

The first plate 104 includes a substantially planar first surface 106 for displaying identification information. Likewise, the second plate includes a substantially planar second surface 206 (shown in Fig. 6b) for displaying identification information. Note that the second surface 206 is not visible in the views shown in Figs. 1-4, as the second surface 206 is faces downwards in the views of Figs. 1-4. Identification information may be printed, etched or otherwise affixed on to the first surface 106 and/or the second surface 206, to enable identification of an animal when the tag is attached to the animal. For example, the identification information may comprise a name, identification number or any other suitable means for identifying an animal. Where identification information is provided on both the first surface 106 and the second surface 206, the identification information may be the same. This may facilitate identification of the animal, as both parts of the tag can be checked to verify an identity of the animal.

To keep the first part 100 and the second part 200 of the tag together prior to attachment to an animal (e.g. during storage and/or transport of the tag), the first part 100 and the second part 200 are temporarily joined together. In this manner, if the tag is stored with a plurality of other tag parts, the first part 100 and the second part 200 of the tag do not become mixed up with other tag parts. This may facilitate attaching the correct tag parts to the animal. In particular, this may serve to ensure that tag parts having the same identification information are attached to the animal.

Fig. 2 depicts a first step of a method for joining the first part 100 and the second part 200 together. The first part 100 and the second part 200 may be placed spaced apart on a substantially flat surface. In the example shown, the first part 100 is arranged such that the first surface 106 faces upwards whilst the second part 200 is arranged such that the second surface 206 faces downwards. In this arrangement, the male engagement portion 202 extends in an upwards direction. A heated element 300 is arranged between the first part 100 and the second part 200. The heated element 300 includes a block of thermally conductive material 302 (e.g. metal) which is connected to a heater (not shown) such as an electrical heater. The heated element 300 may be heated to a predetermined temperature, e.g. by controlling a power supplied to the heater. The temperature to which the heated element 300 is heated may correspond to a temperature at or near a melting point of the material forming the first plate 104 and the second plate 204.

The block of thermally conductive material 302 includes a first heating surface (not visible in the drawings) which faces towards an edge 108 of the first plate 104, and a second heating surface 304 which faces towards an edge 208 of the second plate 204. The first heating surface and the second heating surface 304 are arranged on opposite sides of the block of thermally conductive material 302, i.e. they face in opposite directions. The edge 108 of the first plate 104 is a substantially straight edge that defines part of a boundary of the first surface 106. Similarly, the edge 208 of the second plate 104 is a substantially straight edge that defines part of a boundary of the second surface 206.

In a next step of the method, depicted in Fig. 3, the first part 100 and the second part 200 are moved towards each other until the edge 108 of the first plate 104 contacts the first heating surface of the heated element 300 and the edge 208 of the second plate 204 contacts the second heating surface 304 of the heated element 304. The first heating surface is arranged to contact the edge 108 of the first plate 104 along an entire length of the edge 108. Likewise, the second heating surface 304 is arranged to contact the edge 208 of the second plate 204 along an entire length of the edge 208. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, the heated element 300 heats the edges 108, 208 of the first and second plates 104, 204, which causes the edges 108, 208 to soften and partially melt.

Once the edges 108, 208 of the first and second plates 104, 204 are partially melted by the heated element 300, the heated element 300 is raised as shown by arrow 400 in Fig. 4, to remove it from between the first part 100 and the second part 200. The first part 100 and the second part 200 are then moved towards each other so that the edges 108, 208 of the first and second plates 104, 204 contact one another. Additionally, the first part 100 and the second part 200 may be pressed together (as shown by arrows 402 in Fig. 4) so that the edges 108, 208 are pressed against one another. As a result, the partially melted edges 108, 208 stick together, i.e. a bond is formed between the first plate 100 and the second plate 200 at an interface between the two. In this manner, a seam 404 where the first plate 104 and the second plate 204 are joined together may be formed between the edge 108 of the first plate 104 and the edge 208 of the second plate 204. As can be seen, the edge 108 of the first plate 104 and the edge 208 of the second plate 204 are substantially straight with a same length, and are joined together along their entire length. This may provide an effective bond between the first part 100 and the second part 200, so that they are reliably held together.

Fig. 5 shows a view of the tag following the joining of the first part 100 and the second part 200. In this configuration, the tag may easily be stored and/or transported prior to being attached to an animal. As the first part 100 and the second part 200 are arranged side by side, identification information displayed on the first plate 104 and/or the second plate 204 may be clearly readable. In this manner, a user can easily select and pick up a pair of tag parts having desired identification information thereon.

To subsequently use the tag (e.g. to attach the tag to an animal), the first part 100 and the second part 200 may be separated by pulling them apart. As the seam 404 between the first plate 104 and the second plate 204 is relatively weak (compared to the material of the rest of the first and second plates 104, 204), the first plate 104 and the second plate 204 will readily separate at the seam 404 without otherwise affecting the first part 100 or the second part 200. In particular, the inventors have found that this technique of joining the tag parts enables the tag parts to be separated along the edges 108, 208 without damaging the tag parts.

Figs. 6a and 6b shows schematic views of the tag where the male engagement portion 202 is engaged in the female engagement portion 102. The view of Fig. 6a is a perspective view, whilst the view of Fig. 6b is a side view. The male engagement portion 202 is engageable in the female engagement portion 102 to connect the first part 100 and the second part 200 of the tag together. In particular, the female engagement portion 102 includes a receptacle which is configured to (i.e. shaped to) receive a tip of the male engagement portion 202, and to retain the tip of the male engagement portion 202 once it has been inserted into the receptacle. In other words, the tip of the male engagement portion 202 and the receptacle of the female engagement portion 102 may be shaped to allow the tip to be inserted into the receptacle, but to prevent the tip from being withdrawn from the receptacle.

To attach the tag to an animal, the male engagement portion 202 is passed through a part (e.g. ear) of the animal to which the tag is to be attached. The pointed spike shape of the male engagement portion may facilitate passing the male engagement portion 202 through the part of the animal. Once the tip of the male engagement portion 202 has been passed through the part of the animal, the tip can be engaged in the female engagement portion 102, i.e. the tip can be inserted into the receptacle of the female engagement portion 102. In this manner, the tag may be secured to the animal, with the part (e.g. ear) of the animal being sandwiched between the first part 100 and the second part 200 and a stem of the male engagement portion passing through the part of the animal.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example +/- 10%.