U.S. patent number RE31,940 [Application Number 06/545,841] was granted by the patent office on 1985-07-09 for identification tag for livestock.
Invention is credited to Eugene B. Ritchey.
United States Patent |
RE31,940 |
Ritchey |
July 9, 1985 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Identification tag for livestock
Abstract
An identification tag with an hourglass configuration for
livestock or other animals having a pair of separable tapered,
geometric solid portions in the preferred form of conical sections
wherein each portion has a large end and a small end whose
.[.sides.]. .Iadd.side surfaces .Iaddend.taper at an .[.acute.].
.Iadd.included .Iaddend.angle .Iadd.which does not exceed
90.degree.. Each portion extends .Iaddend.away from the plane of an
opening cut in the ear or other tissue of the animal to be tagged.
.Iadd.Thus, when the surface of the tag is engaged by an
obstruction, it can pivot so as to be at an obtuse angle to the ear
to facilitate shedding of the obstruction. .Iaddend.No pressure is
applied to the tissue around the opening and air is allowed to
reach all portions of the opening to enhance healing. Piercing
means extend from the smaller end of one of the portions and is
used to form the opening in the ear. Means on the other portion
secures the piercing means to the smaller end of the other portion
after it has been passed through the opening.
Inventors: |
Ritchey; Eugene B. (Brighton,
CO) |
Family
ID: |
26925705 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/545,841 |
Filed: |
October 27, 1983 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
232127 |
Feb 6, 1981 |
04359015 |
Nov 16, 1982 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
119/655;
40/301 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K
11/001 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01K
11/00 (20060101); A01K 029/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;40/301 ;119/156 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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10829 |
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Oct 1895 |
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CH |
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154081 |
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Jul 1932 |
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CH |
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228159 |
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Aug 1943 |
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CH |
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Primary Examiner: Chamblee; Hugh R.
Claims
I claim:
1. An identification tag for animals .[.that is installed.].
.Iadd.for installation .Iaddend.in an opening cut through the skin
tissue of the animal wherein the tag enhances healing of the
opening and will shed obstructions, said tag comprising:
a first conical portion .Iadd., having a cross-sectional angle not
exceeding 90.degree., .Iaddend.to be positioned on one side of the
opening with the smaller end toward the opening;
a second conical portion .Iadd., having a cross-sectional angle not
exceeding 90.degree., .Iaddend.to be positioned on the opposite
side of the opening with the smaller end toward the opening;
and
means positionable through the opening to connect said smaller ends
of said conical portions together within the opening, the surface
of said conical portions extending away from the opening .[.at an
angle to the skin tissue.]. so that said surface does not normally
contact the skin tissue and will shed away obstacles coming into
contact with said surface .Iadd.by pivoting in the opening so that
the surface engaged by the obstacle is at an obtuse angle to the
skin.Iaddend..
2. An identification tag for animals .[.that is installed.].
.Iadd.for installation .Iaddend.in an opening cut through the skin
tissue of the animal wherein the tag enhances healing of the
opening and will shed obstacles, said tag comprising:
a pair of bulbous portions, each formed so that the surface thereof
tapers away from the opening .[.at.]. an .[.acute.]. .Iadd.included
cross-sectional .Iaddend.angle .[.without contacting the skin
tissue.]. .Iadd.and having .Iaddend.at least one of said portions
having identifying means .Iadd.not exceeding 90.degree..Iaddend.;
and
.Iadd.said one portion having .Iaddend.means .Iadd.which is
.Iaddend.extendable through the opening for joining .Iadd.thereon
.Iaddend.said bulbous portions together on opposite sides of the
opening.
3. A tag, as claimed in claim 2, wherein:
said joining means is integral with one of said bulbous portions
and is removably connected to the other of said bulbous
portions.
4. A tag, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said joining means
includes:
a hollow shaft extending from the small end of one conical portion
and having a sharp edge at the distal end for cutting through the
tissue of the animal.
5. A tag, as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of said
portions is hollow, said tag further including:
insecticide containing means in said hollow portion; and
conduit means .[.in.]. .Iadd.extending longitudinally along
.Iaddend.said shaft for transmitting insecticide from said
insecticide containing means to the opening .Iadd.where said
smaller ends of said conical portions come together.Iaddend..
6. A tag as claimed in claim 5, wherein said conduit means
comprises:
a plurality of longitudinally-extending, circumferentially-spaced
grooves in the outer periphery of said shaft .Iadd.extending from
said insecticide containing means to said smaller ends of said
conical portions.Iaddend..
7. An identification tag for animals that is installed in an
opening cut through the skin tissue of the animal wherein the tag
enhances healing of the opening and will shed obstructions, said
tag comprising:
a pair of separable tapered portions, each having a larger end and
a smaller end formed as a solid of revolution .Iadd.having an
included angle not exceeding 90.degree..Iaddend.;
means joining said smaller ends of said portions through said
opening, the taper of said portions causing them to be spaced at an
angle to the skin tissue and allowing air to reach the edges of
said opening all around its periphery to promote rapid healing and
causing them to shed any obstacle coming into contact with said
portions .Iadd.by pivoting in the opening so that the surface
engaged by the obstacle is at an obtuse angle to the
skin.Iaddend..
8. An identification tag for animals .[.that is installed.].
.Iadd.for installation .Iaddend.in an opening cut through the skin
tissue of the animal wherein the tag enhances healing of the
opening and will shed obstacles, said tag comprising:
a body having an hourglass configuration wherein the neck of the
configuration is positionable in the opening, said configuration
being separable into two halves.Iadd., each half having a surface
of revolution whose cross-section has an included angle not
exceeding 90.degree..Iaddend.; and
means for connecting said two halves together wherein the
configuration of each half extends away from the skin tissue .[.at
an angle thereto.]. to facilitate healing of the opening and to
shed obstacles coming into contact .[.therewith.]. .Iadd.with said
surface by pivoting in the opening so that the surface is at an
obtuse angle to the skin.Iaddend..
9. An identification tag for animals that is installed in an
opening cut through the skin tissue of the animal wherein the tag
enhances healing of the opening and will shed obstacles, said tag
comprising:
a pair of separable tapered portions having a larger end and a
smaller end, each formed as a geometric solid .[.whose sides taper
at.]. .Iadd.having a surface whose cross-section forms .Iaddend.an
.[.acute.]. .Iadd.included .Iaddend.angle .[.away from the plane of
the opening and the skin tissue.]. .Iadd.which is not greater than
90.degree..Iaddend. to allow air to reach all portions of the
opening to enhance healing; .[.and.].
piercing means extending from the smaller ends of one of said
portions for forming the opening in the skin; and
means on the other portion for securing said piercing means to the
smaller end of said other of said portions after it has passed
through the skin and formed the opening.Iadd., said one of said
portions being pivoted in the opening when its side is engaged by
an obstacle so that said side is at an obtuse angle to the
skin.Iaddend.. .[.10. A tag, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said
piercing means includes;
a hollow shaft with a tapered cutting edge at the distal end for
cutting out a generally circular plug of tissue to form the
opening..]. .[.11. A tag, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:
said smaller end of said other portion is received over said distal
end of said piercing means; and
said distal end is flared so that said other portion is permanently
attached to said piercing means..]. .[.12. A tag, as claimed in
claim 9, wherein said piercing means includes:
a sharp point for puncturing the tissue to form the opening..].
.[.13. A tag, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:
said securing means is formed on said piercing means adjacent said
point..]. .[.14. A tag, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
said securing means comprises male threads on said piercing and
mating
female threads in said other portion..].15. A tag, as claimed in
claim 9, wherein:
said portions each have means for releasable holding indicia
bearing means. .[.16. A tag, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:
at least one of said portions is hollow..]. 17. A tag, as claimed
in claim .[.16,.]. .Iadd.9 .Iaddend.wherein:
.Iadd.at least one of said portions is hollow; and .Iaddend.
a radio receiver or transmitter is positioned in at least one of
said hollow portions.
Description
DESCRIPTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an identification tag for livestock and
other animals, and more particularly to an identification tag of
the two piece, self-piercing type wherein two elements on opposite
sides of the ear of the animal are joined together by a pin or
other member passing through an opening cut in the ear.
BACKGROUND ART
In recent years, the use of plastic identification ear tags in
cattle and livestock of all types has become increasingly popular.
The sales for 1980 in the United States alone will be in excess of
47 million units. These tags are of generally two distinct types,
namely the one piece tag and the two piece tag. The one piece tag
typically is made of resilient elastomeric material of the type
having a laterally extensive base for receiving indicia, and a
locking device which can be folded in a particular manner for
passage through a slit in the ear of an animal and then unfolded to
lock it in the ear. This locking device is connected by a narrow
neck to the base. Typically, these tags are placed in an
installation tool which has a sharp cutting edge and are either
pulled or pushed through a slit formed by this cutting edge until
the locking device is on the other side of the ear and is released
from the tool. A typical tab of this type is shown in my U.S. Pat.
No. 3,552,051. These tags have enjoyed great commercial success in
that they cause minimal damage to the ear and allow for rapid
healing of the incision. However, they suffer the disadvantage in
that they sometimes can be caught on a fence or tree and pulled
from the ear and lost whereby the identification of the animal is
destroyed. Furthermore, they suffer the disadvantage in that the
manipulation of the tag to place it in the tool for installing is
somewhat time consuming and awkward for some individuals and is
particularly difficult to handle in field conditions when the
weather is extremely cold.
The other type of tag which has enjoyed increasingly great
commercial success is the two piece tag. This tag typically is also
made of elastomeric material and has an extensive base section
bearing indicia which terminates in a narrow neck portion. The
distal end of the neck portion is provided with a small reinforced
opening. The second piece of the tag is a locking device having a
generally flat head with a central pin or shaft extending from one
side of the head and terminating in an enlarged pointed end which
has a maximum diameter greater than that of the pin or shaft. To
install the tag, the pointed end is driven through the ear forming
an incision and is forceably passed through and streaches and
reinforced opening in the neck of the panel until it is locked in
place on the shaft. These tags have enjoyed great commercial
success because of their extreme ease of installation and ease of
mounting in an installing tool. However, they have two very serious
disadvantages. The first is that they cannot automatically be
released from the ear when they catch on an obstruction and
therefore, can cause the ear to be badly torn and in some
instances, literally split in two. The other disadvantage is that
when installed, the head of the pin and the reinforced portion
around the opening in the panel are compressed against opposite
surfaces of the ear adjacent the wound or opening formed in the
ear. This restricts the flow of blood to the injured tissue, which
retards healing. Furthermore, air cannot easily reach the injured
tissue. The result is often necrosis of the tissue causing it to
rot away leaving a very large hole in the ear. This allows undue
movement of the tag in the ear causing erosion of the tissue or in
some cases the hole becomes so large that the tag completely falls
out of the ear.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A novel two piece identification tag has been provided which
includes two separable tapered geometric solids having a larger end
and a smaller end. A pointed pin or shaft for forming an opening in
the skin of an animal extends from the smaller end of one of the
portions and is installed by forcing it through the skin. The
smaller end of the second portion is slidably received over the pin
or shaft and is permanently connected thereto by suitable attaching
means The tapered configuration of the two portions forms an
identification tag having a generally hourglass configuration which
permits air to reach the cut tissue for healing; does not apply any
pressure to the surrounding skin area to restrict blood flow;
pivots in any direction to shed obstructions easily; and provides
at the larger end of the portions a place for placing suitable
identifying indicia.
More particularly, the identification tag can be formed having a
first and second tapered portion which are solids of revolution and
more particularly, are conical sections.Iadd., each having an
included cross-sectional angle which does not exceed
90.degree..Iaddend.. One of the conical sections includes a
cylindrical shaft having either a piercing point or a tubular
member having a tapered edge to form a sharp surface for cutting a
circular hole in an ear of an animal, much in the manner of a
leather punch. The shaft, connected to the first conical section,
is driven through the ear by means of a suitable tool and the small
end of the second conical section is placed over the protruding end
of the shaft. The outer end of the piercing element is then flared
to lock the second conical section in place to form the final
configuration, which is hourglass shaped. In one embodiment,
removable panels bearing suitable indicia may be attached to the
outer large ends of the conical portions. The conical portions can
be of varying size and can have a hang tag attached thereto, if
desired. Furthermore, these conical portions may be hollow to
provide a reservoir for an insecticide, preferably contained in a
porous sponge-like material. A groove may be provided along the
shaft of the piercing element to allow the insecticide to travel by
capillary action to the ear. In some applications, it may be
desirable to place a transmitter in the hollow conical portion for
transmitting a signal to a receiver held by the cattle owner to
identify the cattle. Also, such as transmitter would have
application for use of the tags on wildlife for subsequent location
and identification. Because of the shape of the extending portions
of the ear tag, it will easily pivot .Iadd.through a sufficient
angle .Iaddend.in any direction in the opening in the ear so as to
shed branches, fences, wires and other obstructions which it may
encounter without becoming caught thereon. .Iadd.The surface of the
tag engaged by the obstruction can move so as to be at an obtuse
angle to the ear to facilitate shedding of the obstruction.
.Iaddend.This shedding feature is an important advantage not found
in other two-piece tags. Furthermore, because of the tapered shape,
when the tag does encounter an obstacle which pulls on it, and
because of the elasticity of the ear, the bearing area on the ear
is increased thereby minimizing any tearing of the ear. Finally,
the identification of this tag can be used on various planes on the
animal. Although the ear is the most popular area, it can also be
used on the dewlap as well.
Additional advantages of this invention will become apparent from
the description which follows taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred form of the
identification tag of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the identification tag of FIG. 1
installed in the ear of an animal;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section, taken along line 3--3 of
FIG. 2 showing the position of the identification tag in the ear of
an animal;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section, taken along line 4--4 of
FIG. 3 showing how the two portions of the tag are fastened
together;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a stylized installation tool for the
identification tag of this invention showing the position of the
two portions of the tag before they are placed in the installing
tool, portions of the installing tool being broken away for clarity
of illustration;
FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged vertical section of a portion of the
installing tool and identification tag as it has been installed in
the ear showing how the end of the post is flared to permanently
attach the two sections of the identification tag together;
FIG. 7 is a horizontal section, similar to FIG. 4, but showing an
alternative embodiment wherein insecticide is provided in opposite
ends of the tag and conduit means is provided along the central
post to convey the insecticide to the ear of the animal;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical section, taken along line 8--8 of
FIG. 7, showing further details of the construction of the center
post;
FIG. 9 is a horizontal section similar to FIGS. 4 and 7, but
showing a still further alternative embodiment wherein insecticide
is provided in one end of the identification tag and an electronic
transmitter is provided in the opposite end of the tag;
FIG. 10 is a horizontal section, similar to FIG. 4, showing an
alternative embodiment of the invention in which the end portions
of the tag have curved surfaces;
FIG. 11 is a horizontal section, similar to FIG. 4, showing a
further alternative embodiment wherein the end sections of the
identification tag are different sizes;
FIG. 12 is a horizontal section, similar to FIGS. 10 and 11, but
showing a tag having a sharp piercing point on one section which is
threadably received in the opposite section;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of this
invention for use with a hang tag;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged vertical section of the hang tag of FIG. 13
showing it in assembled position in an ear;
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a small metal tag made
in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged horizontal section showing the
identification tag of FIG. 15 in installed position in an ear;
FIG. 17 is a view of an animal utilizing the ear tag of FIG. 1
which has become engaged with an obstruction; and
FIG. 18 is an enlarged section, taken along line 18--18 of FIG. 17,
showing the identification tag of this invention being canted or
pivoted in response to engagement with an obstruction so that it
sheds the obstruction without pulling the identification tag from
the ear of the animal.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, a novel identification tag T is
disclosed in FIGS. 1-3 which is adapted to be received through an
opening in the tissue of an animal, such as an animal's ear 10, as
shown. Conveniently, the identification tag has two uniform tapered
geometric solid portions such as cone 12 and cone 14. Attached to
the smaller end of cone 12 is a post or shaft 16 having a chamfered
cutting edge 18, similar to the cutting edge of a leather punch,
which cuts through the flash of the animal, such as the ear
cartilage to form an opening 15, so that shaft 16 can pass
therethrough. Thereupon the small end of cone 14 is placed over the
opposite end of shaft 16 and the chamfered end 18 is flared to form
an enlarged portion 20, as best seen in FIG. 4, which permanently
attaches cone 14 to the shaft. Conveniently, an end plate 22 may be
snapped into a peripheral rim 24 at the end of one or both cones
and may be provided with suitable indicia for identification.
By looking at FIG. 4, it is apparent that air will reach the wound,
caused by cutting the opening, to enhance healing. Additionally,
there is no pressure against the area surrounding the ear which
would cause restriction of blood flow and possible necrosis.
Furthermore, it is apparent that, because all portions of the
conical surface are at an acute angle to the surface in which the
opening is made .Iadd.and having an included angle which does not
exceed 90.degree..Iaddend., it would be difficult for the
identification tag to become entangled or caught on objects, as
will be discussed more fully below.
A stylized hand tool H is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 which can be
used for installing the tool in a fast and efficient manner. The
hand tool H, as shown, comprises a first arm 24 and a second arm 26
pivoted together at their ends, as by pin 28. The opposite end of
arm 24 is provided with a first cone holder 30 which is shaped
generally like cone 12 and has a pointed end 32 which extends into
the portion of shaft 16 when the cone is placed over cone holder 30
and held in place, as by spring clips 34. The second arm 26 is
provided at its opposite end with a cone holder 36 for receiving
cone 14 which is also held in place, as by spring clip 38. After
the cones 12 and 14 have been mounted on the arms, ear 10 is
positioned between them and then the arms are quickly squeezed
together, as by means of hydraulic cylinder 40 connected at one end
to arm 24 and having a piston rod 41 connected to arm 26, as seen
in FIG. 5. The cylinder is operated by supplying hydraulic fluid
through hydraulic lines 42 and 43, as is well understood by one
skilled in the art. As can best be understood by viewing FIG. 6, as
the arms 24 and 26 of the hand tool H are squeezed together, the
portion of the ear to be cut is supported by the small end of
truncated cone 14 as the cutting edge 18 of shaft 16 punches a hole
in the ear and is driven through the ear and through the opening in
the small end of cone 14 whereupon the pointed end of cone holder
36 enters the end of shaft 16 and causes it to be flared or
expanded to form an enlarged portion 20 which prevents cone 14 from
coming off of shaft 16. To release the tool, cylinder 40 is
extended back to the position shown in FIG. 5. It will be
understood that pressure could be applied by hand rather than
through a hydraulic cylinder and a return spring could be provided
for reopening the tool, all as readily understood by one skilled in
the art.
As shown in FIG. 7, the hollow conical portions 12 and 14 can be
filled with a sponge-like material 46, such as open-cell
polyurethane which can contain as insecticide or other medication
for the ear of the animal in which the identification tag is
placed. In this embodiment, a shaft 16 is provided with a plurality
of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending grooves 48 as
seen in both FIGS. 7 and 8 through which the insecticide may be
supplied, as by capillary action, to the ear at the intersections
of the cones.
A further alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 9 wherein cone 12
is provided with a transmitter 50 for transmitting radio signals to
a receiver for identifying the animal and its location. In this
embodiment, a shaft 52 is provided which is generally solid but has
a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending
grooves 54 extending toward cone 14 so that insecticide in the
material 46 may be transmitted by capillary action to the ear 10
but will not pass into the area in cone 12 containing transmitter
50.
Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 10 wherein cones
12' and 14' are convex in shape and provided with end plates 22'.
It should be understood that they can also be concave in shape,
however the convex or straight configuration provides for better
shedding of obstacles which the identification tag may
encounter.
In FIG. 11, an identification tag is shown having one large cone
12" and a smaller cone 14" which may be desirable in some
instances, particularly where an end plate, such as end plate 22"
is needed only on one side of the ear.
An additional embodiment is shown in FIG. 12 wherein the
identification tag M is made entirely of metal, such as aluminum or
brass and comprises a first solid conical end 56 having a threaded
shaft 58 formed integrally therewith and terminating in a piercing
point 60 for forming an opening in an ear or other body tissue of
an animal to be identified. A second conical end 62 is provided
with an internally threaded bore 64 for receiving the point 60 and
threaded shaft 58 to attach the identification tag to the animal.
Suitable indicia can be imprinted on the flat end surface of
conical end portion 56.
A still further alternative identification tag G which is of the
hang tag variety is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. This tag includes a
first conical end 68 to which a hang tag 70 is attached or formed
integrally therewith. A hollow cylindrical shaft 72 extends
therefrom and has a bevelled cutting edge 74 for cutting a hole in
the ear or other skin tissue of the animal to be tagged. A second
conical end 76 is receivable over shaft 72 after the shaft has been
inserted through the ear. Conveniently, the shaft is then flared to
form an enlarged end 78, as seen in FIG. 14 to prevent cone 76 from
coming off of the shaft. If desired, an end panel bearing indicia
can be placed in the end cone 76 to provide identification on both
sides of the ear. Also, the hang tag can have indicia on both sides
thereof.
A second very small metal tag M' is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 which
can be used on very small animals. Tag M' includes a first hollow
conical section 80 having a hollow shaft 82 extending therefrom.
Shaft 82 has a bevelled edge 84 for cutting a hole in the tissue of
ear 10. The other end includes a conical section 86 having a
tubular shaft 88 extending from the small end and receivable in
shaft 82 as best seen in FIG. 16. As in the other embodiments, the
end of tube 88 can be flared to form an enlarged end 90 so that the
two sections are permanently locked together. If desired, end
plates 92 can be provided in the respective conical sections 80 and
86 bearing indicia to identify the animal. Alternatively, numbers
can be stamped either on the inside or outside of the conical
surface prior to assembly and preferably during manufacture to
provide the identification.
Finally, in FIGS. 17 and 18, the shedding feature of the
identification tag of this invention is illustrated. .[.Although it
has been illustrated with respect to identification tag T, it will
be understood that the same feature is true of all embodiments..].
The ear of an animal is shown having the ear tag T therein whose
conical end 12 has become engaged with a strand 94 of barbed wire
fencing. As can be seen, the tapered shape .[.causes.]. .Iadd.which
has a cross-sectional angle not exceeding 90.degree. to permit
.Iaddend.the identification tag to pivot in the ear so that the
obstruction, such as strand 94, does not become permanently
entangled with the identification tag. .Iadd.The conical surface
engaged by wire 94 will slope downwardly at an obtuse angle to the
ear to assure shedding of the wire, as illustrated in FIG. 18.
.Iaddend.Furthermore, should one end of the tag become entangled
and be pulled on the ear, the ear will distort and a larger bearing
surface will be created against the other conical or tapered
portion of the tag minimizing the chance of tearing the opening in
the ear before the identification tag becomes disentangled and
released from the obstruction.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that a novel two piece
identification tag has been provided in accordance with this
invention. The tag is easly installed and is of the self-piercing
variety that forms an opening in the tissue or ear of the animal in
which it is placed as it is installed. Furthermore, the tapered
geometric solid shape causes the surface of the tag to be at an
acute angle to the ear of the animal so air is allowed to reach the
wound formed by making the opening in the ear so that it can heal.
Conveniently, there is no pressure placed on the tissue around the
wound by the tag which would cause necrosis of the tissue.
Advantageously, the tapered shape .Iadd., having an included angle
of not more than 90.degree., .Iaddend.facilitates the shedding of
any object which the identification tag encounters so that it
slides off and does not tear the tag from the ear. In addition,
should the tag become caught on a obstruction, the distortion of
the ear, together with the novel shape of the tag, provides an
increased bearing area to minimize the change of ear damage.
The invention has been described in detail with particular
reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be
understood that variations and modifications can be effected within
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *