Ear tag with tissue sample security feature

© Inventor (s):

Jacobus Gerardus Maria Hendrikx in Rosmalen © Authorized representative:

Dr. R. Jorritsma et al. At 2517 KZ The Hague.

(54) Ear tag secured by tissue sample.

© An ear tag for establishing the identity of an animal comprises at least one plate element, a pin attached to the plate element intended to be received in a hole in the ear of the animal, and a counter element in which the pen can be press-fitted for lock the eartag to the ear. The pin has a cutting edge for piercing the animal's ear when pressing the pin and counter member together, as well as means for storing the tissue material released upon piercing the ear.

NL C 1012000

The content of this patent differs from the original filed description with claim (s) and possible drawing (s). The documents originally submitted can be viewed at the Industrial Property Office.

Ear tag secured by tissue sample

The invention relates to an ear tag for determining the identity of an animal, comprising at least one plate element, a pin attached to the plate element intended to be received in a hole in the ear of the animal, and a counter element in which the pen can be fixed by pressing is for locking the ear tag to the ear, which pin has a cutting edge for piercing the animal's ear when pressing the pin and counter element together.

Such ear tags are known from US-A-4653208, and are used in particular in cattle to identify the individual animals. The purpose of such identification is to provide insight into the origin of each individual animal. This makes it possible to determine the family ties and the hereditary characteristics of an animal. These data can play an important role in detecting and combating deviations that are dangerous not only for the animal itself, but also for the consumer who uses products derived from these animals.

In addition, it is important that the owner, or former owner, of the animal can be traced.

The data of animals is intended to be centrally stored and maintained. To this end, mutations such as birth, death, etc., must be reported immediately to the body that manages the relevant register.

In practice, however, it appears that a not insignificant part of the cattle herd is nevertheless incorrectly registered. Because of the great economic interests associated with the health of the animals, fraud in ear tag registration is a fact. As a result, the utility of the eartag registration has so far been limited, as it is not possible to conclusively ascertain the condition, history, etc. of each individual animal.

The object of the invention is to provide an earmark in which fraud in the registration of the animal is to an extent excluded. This object is achieved in that the ear tag is provided with means for storing the tissue material released when the ear is pierced.

When an ear tag according to the invention is applied, a sample of the fabric material is taken immediately. As is known, the fabric material

1 2 00 0 of each animal unique properties, which are recorded in the DNA data of that material. By now linking this data with the applied ear tag, fraud is made considerably more difficult.

The DNA data does not have to be determined directly. Only 5 if, for whatever reason, the correctness of the identity of an animal has to be verified, it is necessary to determine these data. Subsequently, the DNA data of the sample taken on the application of the eartag can be compared with that of the animal in question. A comparison of these data must then show whether the eartag provides the correct data.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pin has a loose cutting head provided with a circumferential cutting edge as well as a recess for receiving the released tissue material, which cutting head is located at the end of the pin facing the counter element.

In that case the counter element has a recess for receiving the cutting head with the released tissue material, the recess in the counter element being bounded by the cap.

The safest form of registration is that in which the samples thus obtained are stored in a central register. To this end, the sample of tissue material must be removed from the ear tag, which can be achieved with an embodiment in which the cap is releasably or severably connected to the counter element.

Since the cutting head is clampable with respect to the cap when the pin and the counter element are pressed together, a closed container is immediately obtained when the ear tag is applied, which sample contains tissue material of the animal in question.

The identification data on the ear tag that remains on the animal is the same as that on the hood, so that an unambiguous and fraud-proofing of the identity of the animal is guaranteed

Preferably, the cap is detached or broken from the counter element 30 when the pin and that counter element are pressed together by pressing.

As usual, the pin and the counter element can be attached to each other by means of a snap connection.

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The invention also relates to a tool for fastening the plate element with pin to each other, as well as the counter element for forming an ear tag on the ear of an animal, comprising

- pliers, the jaws of which are formed for engaging the plate element and the counter element, respectively,

a receiving means for receiving the assembly from the cutting head, the head and the fabric material, which assembly is released when the plate element with pin and the counter element are pressed together by pressing.

The receiving means includes a multi-chamber magazine, as well as index means for sequentially moving the magazine such that a next chamber is held ready for sequentially applying ear tags.

This warehouse can for instance be designed as a drum on the periphery of which the chambers are located. Alternative versions are also possible, such as a belt-shaped magazine.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an illustrative embodiment shown in the figures.

Figure 1 shows a first step in applying the ear tag according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a second step.

Figure 3 shows a third step.

Figure 4 shows a container with a sample of tissue material.

Figure 5 shows a first embodiment of a tool for use in the implementation.

The ear tag shown in figure 1 comprises a plate element 1 to which a pin 2 with its widened base 3 is attached. The pin 2 has a recess 4 at its end opposite the head 3, in which a cutting head indicated in its entirety by 5 is detachably fastened.

The cutting head 5 has a circumferential cutting edge 6, within which a recess 7 is defined.

As shown in figure 1, the cutting edge 6 is placed against the ear 8 of an animal, while on the other side of the ear 8 a corresponding ear tag

2 0 0 0 counter element 9 is placed. In the embodiment shown, the shape of this counter element is otherwise the same as the shape of the plate element 1.

When the plate element 1 with pin 2 and the counter element 3 are pressed together, a sample of tissue material 10 is cut from the animal's ear, which ends up in the recess 7.

The pin 2 has a conical head 11, while a snap ring 13 is received in the recess 12 of the counter element 9. When pin 2 and counter element 9 are pressed together, the breast 14 of the conical head 11 ends up behind the click ring 13, whereby a firm connection is ensured.

At the same time, the cutting edge 6 of the cutting head 5 comes to lie within the circumference of the cap 15, such that they are clamped tightly together.

This cap 15 is connected to the rest of the counter element 9 by means of one or more breakable edges 16.

According to the invention it can be provided that, as soon as the head 11 of the pin 2 snaps behind the click edge 13, these breakable edges 16 are broken, and the holder 17 thus formed, comprising the cutting head 5, the cap 15, as well as the sample of tissue material, is released.

The holder 17, in particular the cap 15 carries the same identification number as the counter element 9, whereby the sample of tissue material 10 and the animal in question are unambiguously related to each other.

In the embodiment shown in figure 3 the counter element 9 is shown, from which the holder 17 as shown in figure 4 has been removed.

The tool shown in Figure 5, indicated in its entirety by 20, can be used for applying the ear tag according to the invention. This tool includes pliers 21 with jaws 22, 23. These jaws 22, 23 engage the plate element 1 and the counter element 9, respectively. The pin 2 attached to the plate element 1 can therefore be pressed into the counter element 9, as described with reference to Figures 1-4.

The container 7 thereby released, with the sample of tissue material 10 therein, is then directly received in a chamber 24 of the magazine 25 which is coupled to the jaw 23 of the forceps 21.

2000

By means of indexing means (not shown), the magazine can then be rotated such that the next chamber 26 comes to lie opposite the hole 27 in the jaw 23 of the pliers 21.

The tool 20 is then ready to receive a further container 17 with tissue material therein.

Both the plate element 1 and the counter element 3 can have an edge stiffened by means of one or more ridges 30. These ridges prevent the rolling up of those elements 1, 3, and subsequently removing the ear tag via the hole in the animal's ear.

For example, an elongated transponder or chip can be included in the ridge (s). Removing that ridge (s) would then damage the transponder and chip, further complicating fraud. The eartag can then no longer be detected electronically.

The execution of the pen and the like is further complicated if the elements 1, 3 bear groove shapes and / or holographic images at the level of their mutual click connection. Attempted manipulation would damage such shapes / images beyond repair.

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