Identification device and method for manufacturing thereof

Abstract

Device for identifying articles such as animals, comprising a male part and a female part, which male part comprises an arrow-shaped element and which female part is provided with a passage with a front end and a rear end, wherein the arrow-shaped element can be inserted into the passage along the front end, wherein the passage is provided close to the front end with at least one protruding element, and wherein the passage is partly closed close to the rear end by a closing part, wherein the partly closed passage, including the protruding element, are manufactured integrally from a hard material; method for manufacturing such a device.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 664,954 entitled “IDENTIFICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THEREOF” filed on Dec. 1, 2008, which claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT / BE2005 / 000148, filed Oct. 20, 2005, which claims priority to Belgium Patent Application No. 2004 / 0518 filed Oct. 25, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a device for identifying articles such as animals, comprising a male part and a female part, which male part comprises an arrow-shaped element and which female part is provided with a passage with a front end and a rear end, wherein the arrow-shaped element can be inserted into the passage along the front end and wherein the passage is provided close to the front end with at least one protruding element. The invention further relates to a female part for use in such a device, to a method for manufacturing the female part of such...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]One embodiment provides for this purpose a device which is distinguished in that the passage is partly closed close to the rear end by a closing part, wherein the partly closed passage, including the protruding element, are manufactured integrally from a hard material. In this manner the arrow-shaped element can be inserted into the passage via the front end of the passage, wherein the at least one protruding element, as seen in the direction from the front end to the rear end of the passage, will engage behind the tip part of the arrow-shaped element and in this manner prevent removal of the arrow-shaped element back along the front end. Because the passage is partly closed near the rear end, it will not be possible either to remove the arrow-shaped element along this rear end, such that a tamper-proof device is obtained which cannot be reused. By manufacturing the passage, including the protruding element, integrally a relatively light device can moreover be obtained.

[0011]In the case that the device is used as an ear tag for animals, the maximum diameter of the arrow-shaped element is further preferably equal to or greater than the diameter of the passage, such that the ear tag retains an anvil effect during tagging so as to prevent crushing of the ear tissue. According to a possible embodiment, the female part is substantially disc-shaped, wherein the passage is arranged substantially centrally on the disc. This is an advantageous design which is particularly suitable for ear tags.

[0012]According to a further embodiment, an electronic transponder including at least one electronic component and an antenna winding is incorporated in the female part. In this manner a code coupled to the ear tag can be programmed in the electronic component and read in simple manner; using an electronic reader. Such an electronic transponder is for instance described in EP 0 941 656.

[0013]According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, two or more protruding elements are arranged close to the front end, spread regularly along the periphery of the passage. It is further recommended that the perpendicular projections of the protruding parts and of the closing part onto a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the passage substantially do not overlap each other. As will further be found from the figure description, this has considerable advantages in the performing of the method, particularly in respect of the design of the mold components.

[0022]According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the form and size of the first mold component resembles as closely as possible that of the first passage, but the at least one protruding part and the first mold component, as seen in a projection onto a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the passage, do not overlap each other. In this way the first mold component can be removed without problem along the front end of the passage.

[0023]It is further recommended that the lower part of the second mold component and the closing part, as seen in the projection onto a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the passage, do not overlap each other. In this way the second mold component can be removed without problem along the rear end of the passage.

Problems solved by technology

Because the passage is partly closed near the rear end, it will not be possible either to remove the arrow-shaped element along this rear end, such that a tamper-proof device is obtained which cannot be reused.

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