Animal identification tag applicator

Abstract

A hand-held applicator for applying an identification tag to an animal, comprising a body (10), a first handle (11), a second handle (13), a first jaw (141), a second jaw (142), a tag loading area, a tag application area (101), a magazine for holding a plurality of interconnected animal tags (18), a tag loading device for loading the interconnected animal tags from the magazine into the applicator body, a tag cutting and pushing element (50) for separating a single animal tag from the plurality of interconnected animal tags and moving the single animal tag from the tag loading area to the tag application area, and an application assembly. Moving the tag cutting and pushing element (50) forwards and backwards and moving the first handle (11) and second handle (13) together causes the application assembly to apply the single animal tag to an animal.

Description

[0001] 25852 1

[0002] ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION TAG APPLICATOR

[0003] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] The field of disclosure is animal tags, including animal identification tags and monitoring tags, such as visual identification tags, electronic identification tags, animal ear tags, and the like. In particular, the disclosure relates to new and improved applicator tools (referred to herein as an applicator or an applicator tool) for applying an animal tag to an animal and more particularly, but not exclusively, for applying an ear tag to the ear of an animal.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] It is known for animal tags to be manufactured in a strip of interconnected tags located side by side. For example, this can be achieved by molding, as one piece, a strip of tags coupled side by side via integrally molded and breakable / tearable elements. A user can lift, tear, or break a tag from the strip prior to loading the tag into an applicator and applying the tag to the animal.

[0007] To speed up the operation of tagging a large number of animals in quick succession, some applicator tools may feed strips of interconnected tags into the applicator and incorporate a reloading mechanism to feed tags sequentially to the applicator jaws to be applied to an animal. Such applicators may include a device (such as a cutting device) to sever / break the front tag from the strip of tags before it is applied to an animal. An example of such an applicator is the RapIDMatic Applicator by Allflex.

[0008] However, prior art applicator tools suffer from a number of drawbacks that limit their efficiency, effectiveness, usability, and cleanliness. For example, in past designs, the elements used to feed the strip of tags into the applicator, the elements used to guide the tags towards the applicator jaws, and / or the elements that sever individual tags from the strip, may be designed poorly. This can lead to problems, including engaging the wrong part of a tag, incomplete or incorrect cutting of tags, tags falling out of the applicator before being applied to the animal, inefficient and ineffective cleaning of the applicator, jamming of the tag and applicator, and inefficient and slow application of the tags. 25852 2

[0009] In addition, the tagging operation using such prior art applicator tools may generate uncomfortable shock vibrations and noise, which is uncomfortable and damaging for the user and the animal being tagged. For example, when the applicator is used to apply a tag on an animal's ear, excessive shock vibrations and noise can be detrimental to the animal's welfare. Further, excessive shocks, vibrations, and noise can impact usability and injure the user.

[0010] Another exemplary deficiency of the prior art involves dust, dirt, or debris ingress inside the applicator that can lead to malfunctions of the applicator, for example as the applicator attempts to load the strip of tags, sever individual tags, guide the tag into position to be applied, or apply a tag to an animal.

[0011] There is therefore a need for a tag applicator with an improved design to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0013] The present disclosure provides an applicator tool into which a plurality of tags can be loaded substantially as a unit in a magazine, the tool having such a construction and operation that individual tags, during successive operations of the applicator tool, can be presented for application to an animal. The present applicator has improved ergonomics, improved efficiency, improved durability and cleanliness, and increased reliability. The animal's health and wellbeing are thus safeguarded, and user experience is improved.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a hand-held applicator for applying an identification tag to an animal, comprising: a body; a first handle; a second handle; a first jaw; a second jaw; a tag loading area; a tag application area; a magazine for holding a plurality of interconnected animal tags; a tag loading device for loading the interconnected animal tags from the magazine into the applicator body; a tag cutting and pushing element for separating a single animal tag from the plurality of interconnected animal tags and moving the single animal tag from the tag loading area to the tag application area; an application assembly; wherein moving the tag cutting and pushing element forwards and backwards and moving the first handle and second handle together causes the application assembly to apply the single animal tag to an animal. 25852 3

[0015] Said applicator may comprise a handle dampening element for dampening the impact of the second handle against the first handle when the single tag is applied to the animal.

[0016] Said applicator may comprise an application assembly dampening element for dampening the impact of the application assembly as it moves away from the tag application area after the tag is applied to the animal.

[0017] Said applicator may comprise a tag loading dampening element for dampening the impact of the tag delivery device as it is thrusted away from the applicator body after the tag is applied to the animal.

[0018] The tag cutting and pushing element may comprise:

[0019] - a downward pointed finger and;

[0020] - a return element that urges the downward pointed finger to remain in a downward position.

[0021] The return element may be a spring.

[0022] The cutting and pushing element may be moved from the front to the rear of the applicator, the downward pointed finger may move over any tag located in the tag loading area before returning to a downward pointing position.

[0023] The cutting and pushing element may be held in a forward position by a locking element.

[0024] The locking element may retain the cutting and pushing element in the forward position such that it may not slide or move from its front position without a user moving it intentionally.

[0025] The cutting and pushing element may comprise one or more self-cleaning elements. 25852 4

[0026] The one or more self-cleaning elements may be on the front or rear of the cutting and pushing element and may clean the applicator when the cutting and pushing element is moved forwards and backwards.

[0027] Said magazine may be detachably connected to said body.

[0028] The magazine may be detachably connected with a screw.

[0029] The tag loading device may comprise a tag advance device for engaging said leading tag of said interconnected animal tags, said tag advance device may include a double spring that fits said tag advance device from said sliding plate.

[0030] The application assembly dampening element may be removable by the user.

[0031] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of applying a one- piece animal tag to an animal, comprising loading the one-piece animal tag into an animal tag applicator that comprises two handles, a tag loading area and a tag application area; moving the one-piece animal tag through the applicator from the tag loading area to the tag application area; closing the two handles and thereby applying the tag to the animal; wherein, when the one-pieces animal tag is in the tag application area, it is held in a substantially asymmetrical U-like shape.

[0032] After the one-piece animal tag is applied to the animal, the force of the substantially asymmetrical U-like shape may act like a spring to remove the tag from the applicator.

[0033] After the one-piece animal tag is applied to the animal, the tag may form a substantially symmetrical U-like shape.

[0034] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] One or more aspects of the present disclosure and advantages of the disclosure will appear upon reading the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings, among which: 25852 5

[0036] Figure 1 shows a side view of an animal tag applicator;

[0037] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0038] Figure 3 shows a side view of a tag for use in the identification of animals;

[0039] Figure 4 shows a partial rear view of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0040] Figure 5 shows a perspective rear view of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1, with a magazine disconnected from the animal tag applicator;

[0041] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional perspective rear view of the of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1 with the magazine connected to the animal tag applicator;

[0042] Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of the magazine connected to the to the animal tag applicator of Figure 6;

[0043] Figure 8 shows a partial rear cross-sectional view of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0044] Figure 9 shows a partial top cross-sectional perspective view of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1 connected to a magazine;

[0045] Figure 10A shows a perspective view of a strip of tags for use with the animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0046] Figure 10B shows a top view of a strip of tags for use with the animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0047] Figure 11 shows a perspective rear view of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1 with a strip of tags received in the magazine;

[0048] Figure 12 shows a partial side view of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1 with a tag provided in an application area;

[0049] Figure 13 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a female end of a tag received in the animal tag applicator of Figure 12;

[0050] Figure 14 shows a side cross-sectional view of the application assembly of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1 with the handles in a closed position and with a tag in the application area;

[0051] Figure 15 shows another side cross-sectional view of the application assembly of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0052] Figure 16 shows a side cross-sectional view of the application assembly of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1 with the handles in an open position and with a tag in the application area; 25852 6

[0053] Figure 17 shows a partial side cross-sectional view of the of the application assembly of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1 with a tag in a loading area;

[0054] Figure 18 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the application assembly of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0055] Figure 19 shows an enlarged perspective view of the male portion of the tag in the tag application area of the tag applicator;

[0056] Figure 20 shows a perspective view of tags being loaded into animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0057] Figure 21 shows a perspective view of tags being loaded into animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0058] Figure 22A shows a perspective view of a tag cutting and pushing element of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0059] Figure 22B shows a side view of a tag cutting and pushing element of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0060] Figure 23 shows a schematic top view of the tag cutting and pushing element of Figure 22;

[0061] Figure 24 shows a side cross-sectional view of the tag cutting and pushing element of Figure 22;

[0062] Figure 25 shows an enlarged perspective view of a tag loading device of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0063] Figure 26 shows a cross-sectional bottom perspective view of the tag loading device of the animal tag applicator of Figure 25;

[0064] Figure 27 shows a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a tag loading device of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1;

[0065] Figures 28A to 28D show a partial side cross-sectional view of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1 with a tag cutting and pushing element in various locations;

[0066] Figures 29A to 29E show a partial side cross-sectional view of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1 with a tag cutting and pushing element in various locations; and

[0067] Figure 29F shows a side view of the animal tag applicator of Figure 1 with its handles in an open configuration and a tag. 25852 7

[0068] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0069] A particular embodiment of an animal tag applicator according to the invention is presented, wherein as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the applicator 1 comprises a body 10 with a first handle 11, which may optionally be a handle that is integrally formed with the body, and a second handle 13 pivotally attached to the body 10 about a pivot point 13a. A return spring 32 mounted within handle 11 applies a biasing force to the second handle 13. This return spring 32 keeps the handle 13 away from the handle 11 when the applicator tool is in its normal rest position as shown in Figures 1 and 2. While return spring 32 is described herein, other spring designs or locations known to those skilled in the art could also perform the functions of return spring 32.

[0070] In certain embodiments, handle 11 may be integral to body 10 and remain stationary in a user's hand relative to handle 13. In that embodiment, the applicator handle 13 may be pressed by a user, which causes handle 13 to be displaced in a closing direction towards handle 11. The body 10 may be formed in a single piece, for example by being molded from a plastic material of any suitable type which provides sufficient rigidity, robustness, and durability. In other embodiments, the handle 11 may be movable and the handle 13 may be fixed, or both may be moveable relative to each other. Similarly, the body 10 may be formed of more than one piece.

[0071] In certain embodiments, one or more of the handle 11 and handle 13 are configured to reduce the vibrations and / or noise experienced by a user or animal during use. For example, one or more of the handle 11 and handle 13 may be formed of a material and / or may have components which tends to reduce vibration and / or noise. Exemplary materials include TPE, TPU, rubber, neoprene, and silicone, silicon. In an illustrated embodiment (for example as seen in Figure 2), a dampening device taking the form of a cushion member 111 is mounted in the handle 11. This cushion member 111 has a generally circular shape and is designed to come into contact with the handle 13 at the end of handle closure so as to absorb the shock, energy, and noise of the impact and animal tag application process. The cushion member 111 helps to absorb and dissipate these forces without passing them onto the user or animal via vibration or noise.

[0072] The applicator is designed to apply particularly, but not exclusively, a one-piece type of tag for use in the identification of animals (such as sheep, cows, goats, calves etc.) The tag may be a visual identification ear tag, an electronic identification (EID) ear tag, a tag that 25852 8 provides both visual and electronic identification, an animal monitoring tag, or a tag with combination of these features. An exemplary one-piece ear tag design T is shown in Figure 3. The one-piece ear tag T illustrated in Figure 3 comprises an elongate panel P having a male part 113 comprising a male element (having a stem 114 and conical head H) disposed at or near one end and a female part 115 comprising a female element, i.e. an opening O, disposed at or near the other end and configured to receive the male element of the male part. An optional cap C disposed around opening O delimits an internal space for receiving the head H of the male part, the cap C being located on the other side of the opening O through which the male element is intended to be inserted.

[0073] The optional cap C design has advantages when optionally used in combination with the applicator designs described herein. As described more fully below, the cap C, in cooperation with the applicator designs described herein, helps to hold the tag in the correct location once it is ready to be applied to an animal. Without such a combination of design features, the tag is more likely to move from its correct location, or even fall out prematurely, as the tag goes through the forceful process of being bent and applied to the animal. Thus, the optional cap design, in combination with the applicator tools described herein, reduces the risks of tags falling out, tags getting damaged during application, injury to the animal, and injury to the user.

[0074] The tag T is applied to an animal's ear by using the applicator tool 1 which loops the panel P around the ear and then forces the headed stem through the ear. The head H as it protrudes through the ear snap locks through the opening O to thereby fix together the ends of the tag and retain the tag in the animal's ear. While exemplary tag T is described herein, other types of one-piece tags may also be applied by the applicator. For example, a one- piece tag with a different cap design than described above could be applied by the applicator tool described herein. Further, tags without any cap design may also be applied with the applicator 1. The applicator 1 described herein is designed to apply tags to cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, poultry and, more generally, to any animal species for which tagging is necessary or desirable. Exemplary one-piece ear tags that may be applied with the applicator described herein include Bubblegum EID tags by Allflex and RapID tag by Allflex.

[0075] Returning to Figure 1, disposed on a lateral side of the applicator 1 is a removable device for holding a plurality of animal tags; this removable device is referred to herein as a magazine 18. Figure 4 shows a partial rear view of the animal tag applicator 1 and Figure 5 25852 9 shows a perspective rear view of the animal tag applicator 1 with the magazine 18 disconnected from the animal tag applicator. An embodiment of the magazine 18 is shown in Figures 1, and 4 to 7. The magazine 18 has first connecting means, a flexible part 23. Flexible connecting part 23 cooperates with ledge 104 on the body 10. Specifically, ledge 104 cooperates with the free end of the flexible part 23 to help connect the magazine 18 to the applicator body 10. Magazine 18 is optionally or additionally secured to the applicator body 10 via a base 24 projection from the applicator body 10 (see Figure 8). Other designs for securing the magazine 18 to the applicator body 10 will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the invention is not limited to the particular design of securing the magazine 18 described above.

[0076] A delivery member on the applicator in the form of a tag delivery plate 25 is engaged with the base 24 (Figure 8). The delivery plate 25 is substantially planar and its opposite longitudinal edges are designed to cooperate with the guiding rails extending on opposite internal surfaces of the base 24.

[0077] The magazine 18 is optionally or additionally connected to the body 10 via a removable connector 18A (Figure 4 and Figure 9), such as screw or similar. This removable connector 18A helps keep the magazine 18 more securely connected to the applicator body 10 but is removable so that the magazine can be easily removed and cleaned of dirt or debris. In addition, or in the alternative, the magazine 18 may include a trap that, when opened, gives access to the internal area of the magazine 18 for cleaning and / or removing debris.

[0078] A strip of conjoined tags 118 shown in Figure 10A and 10B, for example the tags T described herein, can be wound into a coil shape and placed within magazine 18, for example as shown in Figure 11. The tags may then be sequentially dispensed into the applicator through an opening 62A in the side of the applicator housing, as described herein.

[0079] The body 10 of the applicator 1 comprises a tag application area 101. The tag application area 101 is generally an inverted U-like shape and includes a mouth between a first jaw portion 141 and a second jaw portion 142. When a tag is ready to be applied to an animal, the tag is located in the tag application area 101, as shown in Figure 12 - such that the panel P is curved, the female end 115 of the tag is generally in jaw portion 142, and the male end 113 of the tag in generally in jaw portion 141. Optionally located within the second jaw portion 142 is an opening or bore 300 which provides a clearance for tags with 25852 10 an enlarged female end design (such as cap C) and also provides a passage away from the internal guide system 17 for any hair, gristle, dirt, etc. which may be created or caught during use. This opening 300 helps to keep the applicator tool from getting jammed or otherwise operating poorly because of hair, gristle, dirt, etc. getting stuck inside the applicator. Such debris inside the applicator can, for example, negatively impact the movement of the tag into the correct position for application or make it easier for the tag to fall out before application. The optional opening 300 helps to prevent this.

[0080] When the tag T is located in the application area 101 of the applicator tool 1, the tag may be applied to the animal with the assistance of the application assembly 16. The applicator assembly 16, in combination with handle 11 and handle 13 being closed, provides the force to apply the tag to the animal and generally includes one or more forcing elements, such as one or more springs, and a mechanism for transferring the force from the forcing element to the male pin of the ear tag. An example of an application assembly known to those skilled in the art can be found in the RapIDMatic tag applicator by Allflex. One particular design for the application assembly 16 is described below in detail, but other mechanisms and designs for an application assembly known to those skilled in the art for applying tags to animals using handles (or similar) may be used to transfer the force from the forcing element into the tagging operation.

[0081] One embodiment of an application assembly 16 will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. The assembly 16 includes a plunger spring 16a, a pin holder 16b, a delivery plate drive pin 16c, a plunger 16d, and a plunger spring pin 16e. The plunger spring 16a is engaged with the pin holder 16b, the plunger 16d, a plunger spring pin 16e and a spring ring 16F. The plunger spring pin 16e is located at the end of the plunger spring that is nearest the tag application area 101 of the applicator. The delivery plate drive pin 16c is engaged with the pin holder 16b and moves with the pin holder 16b. When the plunger spring is in its resting position (Figure 16), the plunger 16d, the plunger spring pin 16e, and pin holder 16b are in a retracted position with respect to the tag application area 101 of the applicator tool. When the plunger spring is extended (as described further herein), the plunger, plunger spring pin, and the pin holder are extended towards the tag application area 101 of the applicator. As will be described further below, the delivery plate drive pin 16c cooperates with other features of the applicator tool 1 to 25852 11 load the next tag from the strip of tags from a tag magazine 18 into the tag loading area 500 (Figure 17).

[0082] The applicator assembly 16 may optionally also include, or be engaged with, a dampening element. One exemplary dampening element 102 is shown in Figures 14, 16, 17, and 18. The dampening element 102 absorbs and dissipates the energy of tag application, including the energy associated with the plunger spring 16a moving back to its rest position and the tag being applied to the animal. As noted above, uncomfortable and unhealthy shock, vibration, and noise for the user and animal are limited by the dampening element 102. As visible in Figure 18 for example, the dampening element 102 has a geometry which dissipates any shock waves caused by the tag application towards the top and bottom of the applicator body 10. Of course, other specific dampening element geometries known to those skilled in the art that perform the same function are included in the scope of the invention.

[0083] An arm 33 is pivotably attached to handle 13 about a pivot pin 34 and engages with the application assembly 16 to assist with tag application. As the handle 13 is moved toward handle 11, the plunger 16d is moved by the arm 33 towards the tag application area 101. The movement of the plunger 16d toward the tag application area 101 moves the male portion of the tag towards the female end of tag, engaging and applying a force to the base of the stem which forces head H through the animal's ear (which is located between the jaws of the tag application area 101) so that the head H passes through a portion of an animal (such as its ear) and snap locks through opening O (see transition between Figure 16 and Figure 14). Thereby applying the tag to the animal.

[0084] At a point which corresponds with proper application of the tag on the animal, the arm 33 loses contact with applicator assembly 16, and no longer pushes the plunger 16b, etc. forward. Without arm 33 pushing it, the plunger spring 16a retracts to its resting position thereby retracting the plunger 16d, the pin holder 16, and the delivery plate drive pin.

[0085] As noted, other designs for an application assembly for transferring the force from the closing of the applicator handle 11 and handle 13 to the tag being applied to the animal are known to those skilled in the art and are applicable to the invention disclosed herein.

[0086] Generally, a one-piece identification tag must be bent before it can be applied to an animal so that the male and female ends are aligned for application. Bending the tag creates 25852 12 a significant amount of force - the tag will desire to return to its resting (straightened position) unless it is forced to stay bent. In essence, the tag is bent like a spring and will bounce back unless care is taken to prevent this. In prior art devices, tags would often eject or fall out of the applicator tool before they could be applied to the animal because this spring force was not adequately taken into account when the applicator tool was designed.

[0087] The applicator tool of the invention has an improved design that ensures that the bent tag does not eject or escape from the applicator before it can be applied to the animal. As one example improvement, the jaw 142 includes a female housing 143 (Figure 18) to hold the female end of the tag firmly in place. In a preferred embodiment, the female housing 143 is designed to substantially match with the design of the female end of the tag. For example, the female housing 143 may match the cap design of the exemplary tag described herein. For example, the shape of the tag cap T15 (Figure 3) and matching female housing 143 may be one of a semicircular, non-symmetrical, or irregular shape. With such a shape, the tag is restricted from rotating within the housing, as opposed to if, for example, a circular shape was chosen. In this way, the tag and applicator act like a lock and key, where the internal female housing 143 is designed to fit the female cap securely and in the correct orientation for tag application (Figure 18). This reduces the risk of the tag being misaligned when the user attempts to apply the tag to the animal.

[0088] The male end of the tag and jaw 141 may optionally also include a similar lock and key design. For example, the male end of the tag may have a protrusion T16 (Figure 3) that extends in a perpendicular direction away from the male pin. In this embodiment, the jaw 141 may include a male housing 180 (Figure 19) that cooperates with the protrusion T16 to retain the male end of the tag in the applicator until after the tag has been applied, and also to ensure that the tag is properly aligned for application on an animal.

[0089] More securely holding the tag in place helps to avoid the tag moving or falling out before it can be applied to the animal. And ensuring the proper tag alignment also ensure that the male pin is applied correctly through the opening the female end of the tag. This improves both usability and animal welfare. The examples of the female and male housings 143 and 180 are described above with reference to the exemplary tag design included herein. But, the principles of the invention would work just as well with other tag and applicator designs that securely hold the tag in the correct location and orientation until after tag application. 25852 13

[0090] Further, the tag application area 101 is shaped such that the spring force of the bent tag actually assists with an improved application of the tag on the animal - in contrast with prior art devices where the force of the bent tag resulted in misapplication or tags falling out. For example, the substantially asymmetrical U-like shape of the tag (see Figures 14 and 18) creates a force that assists in the removal of the tag from the applicator after the tag has been applied to the animal. The substantially asymmetrical U-like shape of the tag is intentionally formed by the design of the tag application area 101 in order to utilize the tag as a spring that provides a force designed to eject the tag from the applicator after the tag is applied to the animal. The substantially asymmetrical U-like shape crates a spring-like force because, absent the constraints of the tag application area 101 after the tag has been applied to the animal, the tag will revert to a more substantially symmetrical U-like shape, where the forces are balanced. Figure 29F illustrates and an example of this more substantially symmetrical U-like tag shape after the tag is applied to the animal. Thus, after the tag is applied and ejected from the applicator, the tag will naturally revert to a more balanced U -shape). Thus, the applicator holds the tag securely in a substantially asymmetrical U-like shape until after the tag is applied but then allows that unbalanced force of the tag to assist in effectively and efficiently ejecting the tag from the applicator. In this manner, the tag itself acts like a spring that assists in removing the tag from the applicator once the tag has been applied to the animal.

[0091] This helps to ensure the animal is not injured when the tag is applied. For example, animals will often pull away from the applicator tool once the tag has been applied and an efficient and effective method of removing the tag from the applicator tool aids in avoiding animal injury. Thus, the invention uses the force of the bent tag to assist in improved tag application - thereby improving animal welfare and avoiding the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0092] The female housings 143 and the male housing 180 that hold the tag in place and the intentional use of the force of the bent tag are additionally advantageous when optionally used together in combination. For example, the housings 143 and 180 hold the tag more securely, which is an improvement, but also requires additional force to remove the tag from the applicator. The use of the bent tag force provides this additional force at the correct time. Thus, the design both holds the tag more securely when needed but also ensures it is released more easily once the tag is applied. 25852 14

[0093] The tags in the tag magazine 18 are sequentially loaded into the body 10 of the tag applicator through an opening 62A in the body 10 into the tag loading area 500 within the applicator body. Figures 20 and 21 show tags about to be loaded into the loading area 500 and Figure 17 shows a tag in the loading area 500. An exemplary embodiment of this process will be explained generally before specific embodiments are discussed in more detail. Also, other methods (other than those specifically described herein) of moving the tags from a magazine 18 into the applicator body 10 are known to those skilled in the art and would be applicable to the invention described herein, including the design and mechanisms used in the RapIDMatic applicator by Allflex.

[0094] In one embodiment, the applicator includes a tag cutting and pushing element 50 and a tag loading device 400 (see Figures 5 and 25) that cooperates with the magazine 18. The tag loading device 400 moves the leading tag into position inside the applicator body. The tag is severed form the strip of tags by, for example, a cutting action. The applicator includes a series of structures for guiding the tag to the correct location for application on an animal, such as the internal guiding system 17 described herein. The tag loading area 500 presents the tag ready for transfer along the internal tag guiding system, with for example the assistance of the cutting and pushing element 50, towards the tag application area 101 where it can be applied to an animal's ear.

[0095] One particular embodiment of the tag loading device 400 is now described. In this embodiment, the base 24 of the applicator body 1 includes a tag delivery plate 25 (see Figure 8) and tag advance device 30 (Figure 8). This device 30 includes one, or optionally a pair, of fingers 31b (visible in Figure 20 and 25). Fingers 31b are shaped and dimensioned so that they can engage in between the leading tag and the next tag in the strip of tags as it exits the magazine and prepare to enter the tag applicator body (see Figures 20 and 21). An example of a gap between adjacent tags in a strip can been seen in the strip of tags illustrated in Figure 10A and Figure 10B.

[0096] The underside of tag delivery plate 25 includes a substantially diagonal slot 28 (as shown in Figure 26). The tag delivery plate pin 16c is engaged with the tag delivery plate 25 via slot 28 such that, when the tag delivery plate pin 16c is moved forward via the mechanism of the arm 33 and tag application assembly 16 (as described further herein), the tag delivery plate 25 is moved towards the applicator body 10 under the influence of the pin 16c and the slot 28. 25852 15

[0097] As the tag delivery plate 25 moves towards the applicator body, the finger 31b becomes engaged in the gap between the leading tag T and the next adjacent tag in the strip. Continued movement of tag delivery plate 25, via the tag delivery plate pin 16c and slot 28, causes this leading tag to be pushed toward and into the tag loading area 500. The applicator body includes an elongate opening 62A formed in the side wall of the body 10 through which the tag enters the applicator from the magazine 18.

[0098] In certain embodiments, the tag advance device 30 includes a double spring design 26 (Figure 26) that is mounted on the tag delivery plate 25 via a rotation axis. The double spring 26 creates a force, rotated about an axis, to lift away the tag advance device 30 away from the sliding delivery plate 25 (figure 8). The double spring design is more secure and better balances the spring force across the finger 30. This results in more reliable operation of the double spring compared with prior art devices that included, for example, a single spring, which could be easily dislodged should the applicator be subjected to shock, for example, from the user dropping the unit. The double spring 26 design ensures that the tag advance device 30 more consistently and efficiently engages with the tags being loaded from the magazine 18 into the applicator body 10.

[0099] In a preferred form of the invention, a pressure plate 62 (Figure 8) is mounted with magazine 18 which provides a downward pressure to the leading tag of the tag strip. Thus, when the leading tag is subjected to the forward moving pressure of fingers 31b it is also subjected to the downward pressure of the pressure plate 62 thereby helping to move the tag into the opening 62A in the side wall of the applicator body 10.

[0100] At the end of placing the tag on the animal, the application assembly 16 moves backwards under the force of spring 16A. This also causes the tag delivery plate 25 to move back, under the influence of the tag delivery plate pin 16c and slot 28. The shock and noise created by the tag delivery plate 25 moving backwards, and for example, colliding with other parts of the applicator body 10 or magazine 18, may be dampened by an optional dampening element 150 (Figure 27). This element is designed for dampening the impact of the tag delivery plate 25 as it is thrusted away from the tag loading area 500 once the tag has been applied to the animal. This dampening reduces uncomfortable and unhealthy vibrations propagating in the applicator and unwanted impact noise.

[0101] In a preferred embodiment, the dampening element 150 can be replaced or removed without having to replace the remainder of the applicator tool. For example, a flap 150a can 25852 16 be added at the back of the dampener to aid assembly. The assembler would insert the small flap 150a into the dampener holder 151) and then pull the dampener into the holder. By pulling the little flap 150a, a user is easily able to replace the dampening element without requiring significant repairs for the applicator. This can be advantageous, for example, when using such an applicator tool in the field.

[0102] The general operation of the tag applicator will now be described followed by a more detailed description of specific embodiments. In one particular embodiment, the action of applying a tag to an animal also loads the next tag from the magazine 18 into the loading area 500 in the applicator body. A tag cutting and pushing element 50 is pulled backwards (see Figure 28A to 28D), which severs the tag in the loading area 500 from the reaming tags on the strip. Thus, the tag in the loading area 500 is no longer attached to the strip of tags. The tag cutting and pushing element 50 is then moved forward which pushes the tag, though the internal guide system 17, into position for tag application in the tag application area 101 of the applicator. The user then moves the handles together which applies the tag to the animal, and also moves the next tag in the strip of tags into the tag loading area 500 inside the applicator - for example as described above.

[0103] The internal tag guide system 17 is adapted to guide the tags into the application mechanism under the action of a tag cutting and pushing element 50. Generally, the internal tag guide system 17 has a first end into which tags are loaded from the magazine 18 through an opening 62A in the side wall of the body 10; a second end from which the tags enter the tag application area 101; and internal guide surfaces adapted to guide and fold the tag as the tag progresses from the first end towards the second end of the guide system 17, with the assistance of the tag cutting and pushing element 50.

[0104] The tags are substantially flat when stored in the magazine 18 and located in the tag loading area 500. The tags are then gradually folded when displaced in the tag guide system 17 in preparation for tag application. The internal guide system 17 includes guide rails for one or more of the female end of the tag, the male end of the tag, the panel body of the tag, the entire tag, or some combination of these parts. In a preferred embodiment, the internal guide system 17 includes two walls 171 (Figure 18) facing each that create guide rails for the tag as it is moved from the tag loading area 500 to the tag application area 101. Figure 18 is a cut open view of the internal applicator body, which illustrates one embodiment of the guide walls 171. One wall 171 can be seen guiding the tag, from a straight to a bent shape, 25852 17 toward the tag application area 101. The other half of the application (not shown) includes a substantially similar guide wall 171. Together, these walls create one set of guide rails. In a preferred embodiment, the two walls 171 do not fully meet leaving a gap between them. This gap can accommodate the optional cap C of the female element of the tag during movement of the tag in the internal guide system 17 The optional gap may also serve as an exit point for dirt, dust, and other debris that can otherwise jam or interfere with the operation of the applicator tool. In other embodiments, the walls 171 are joined to form one set of guide rails and do not include a gap.

[0105] The applicator includes a tag cutting and pushing element 50 that helps sever the leading tag from the strip of tags and also moves the leading tag from the loading area in the applicator to the application area, as described more fully below. The tag cutting and pushing element 50 is slidingly mounted on top of the body 10. It moves from the rear of the applicator (i.e. nearer the handle 11) to the front of the applicator (i.e. nearer the tag application area 101), and vice versa (Figures 28A-D, Figures 29A-F, and Figures 14 and 16).

[0106] The tag cutting and pushing element 50 includes a cutting blade 50c which extends downwardly inside body 10. The cutting blade 50c is secured to the pusher 50 and hangs beside the pusher. The cutting blade 50c is designed so that a cutting element 50d is made available on the front of the blade 50c, the back of the blade 50C, or both the front and the rear of the blade 50c. In normal operation, the back cutting element 50d of the cutting blade 50c would be used to cut the tags away from the strip because the tag cutting and pushing element 50 is located in its front position after applying the last tag to the animal (as explained further herein). However, should the user leave the tag cutting and pushing element 50 at the rear end of the applicator after applying the tag, an additional, optional, cutting element 50d located on the front of the tag is able to cut the leading tag free from the rest of the strip, when the tag cutting and pushing element 50 is moved forward. This dual cutting element design will prevent jamming from occurring no matter where the tag cutting and pushing element 50 is left after a tag is applied to the animal. In the front position, the tag cutting and pushing element 50 engages with a locking element 63, such as a ball bearing 63, (visible in Figures 2, 12, 14 to 18, and 28A-D) that retains the element 50 such that it will not slide or move from its front position - without a user moving it intentionally. 25852 18

[0107] The cutting element 50d of the cutting blade 50c can have a straight design (as illustrated in 22b), a curved design (not shown), or any other design known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0108] As the tag cutting and pushing element 50 is moved along the body 10 away from the front of the applicator, the cutting element 50d cuts the attachments between the leading tag and the next adjacent tag held in the magazine 18. As a consequence, the leading tag is severed from the remainder of the tags held in the magazine 18.

[0109] Projecting downwardly from the tag cutting and pushing element 50 is a pivoted finger 52, the point of pivot of the finger 52 being provided by a pivot pin 53. See figure 24. Finger 52 includes a curved surface 54. When the tag cutting and pushing element 50 is moved from the front to the rear of the applicator, the finger 52 moves over the tag loaded in the applicator (visible in Figures 2, 12, 14 to 18, and 28A-D). As the tag cutting and pushing element 50 is moved from the rear to the front of the applicator, the finger engages with the tag located in the tag loading area 500 and moves it, through the internal guide system to the tag application area 101. (Figures 29A-E).

[0110] Thus, while the finger 52 is designed to move over the tag when the tag cutting and pushing element 50 is moved to the rear, it designed to engage and move the tag forward when the cutting pushing element moves in the opposite direction. In an exemplary embodiment, finger 52 may be shaped such that when it is pushed backwards and towards a tag waiting to be loaded, the finger is pushed upwards into the cavity within tag cutting and pushing element 50 and, thus, the finger 52 is allowed to pass over the waiting tag.

[0111] Optionally, as shown in Figure 24, element 50 includes a return element, for example a torsion spring 55, which may be attached between the internal cavity of tag cutting and pushing element 50 and the finger 52. Figure 24 illustrates torsion spring 55 and two alternate return element designs, including a compression spring 200 and a traction spring 300 that would also function as the return element described herein. Thus, while Figure 24 illustrates three different return element design options, only one is needed. Alternatively, one, two, or all three of the return element design options in Figure 24 may be used in combination. The return element returns the finger back to its extended downward position (Figure 28C) after the finger 52 has passed the tag in the tag loading area 500. This keeps the finger pointed downwards so it will engage with the tag in the tag loading area 500 when moved forward (Figure 28D), as descried herein. The return element design also 25852 19 reduces the risk of the finger 52 being locked / stuck in an upward position inside element 50 due to, for example, dust, dirt, and / or rust ingress between the finger 52 and the internal walls of the element 50.

[0112] As described herein, when the finger 52 is moved towards the front of the applicator, it engages with the tag in the loading area 500 and moves it forward through the internal guide system 17 (Figures 29A to 29E). The tag moves forward until the leading female end of the tag engages with a curved surface leading into the second jaw portion 142. As it moves forward, the leading end of the tag follows of the internal guide system 17 such that the end of the tag having the cap C engages in a female housing 143 in the second jaw portion 142. Continued movement of the tag cutting and pushing element 50 causes the tag T to bend to a point whereby the male end of the tag slides down the curved surface of the finger 52. (Figures 29A to 29E). The lower end of finger 52 then engages with the surface of the panel of the tag so as to force the male end of the tag down the inclined face of the finger 52 and into jaw 141 of the tag application area. Thus, once the tag cutting and pushing element 50 has completed its forward movement, the tag is located in the tag application area 101 in a position whereby application of the tag to an animal can begin.

[0113] The tag cutting and pushing element 50 may optionally have on or more selfcleaning elements. For example, as visible in Figure 22A and 22B, the front and / or rear of the tag cutting and pushing element 50 may include a leading-edge design 50A. When the element 50 is moved back and forth along its rails (e.g. to sever a tag or to the move a tag through the internal guide system 17) the leading-edge design 50A will help to push out or remove dirt, stones, or other debris that might otherwise jam or disrupt the operation of the tag cutting and pushing element 50. In this way, normal use of the applicator also serves to clean out parts that might otherwise be susceptible to jamming or breaking. An alternative leading-edge design 50B is also shown in Figure 23, which also serves to remove debris as described herein.

[0114] As described herein, the process of applying the tag on the animal also moves the next tag on the strip into the tag loading area 500 in the applicator body 10. Having completed the tagging operation, the operator then moves tag cutting and pushing element 50 back along the body 10 whereupon cutting element 50d will sever the next leading tag. As previously described, when the tag cutting and pushing element 50 is moved backwards along the body 10, finger 52 pivots so as to ride over the top of the leading tag located in the 25852 20 tag loading area 500. Once the tag cutting and pushing element 50 has reached the terminal point of its movement, finger 52 has moved past the tag and is once again pointed downwardly and in position to engage the next tag in the loading area 500.

[0115] By using the applicator 1, a plurality of tags can be applied to a number of animals in relatively fast succession. Thus, the present invention provides an applicator tool whereby a plurality of interconnected tags can be loaded into the magazine whereby the user does not need to physically manipulate a tag into the jaws prior to each application procedure. As described herein, the application of a tag and the delivery of a next tag in the loading area is achieved in simple steps by an operator. Reloading is thus quick and easy, and speed of application of a strip of tags is enhanced.

Claims

25852 21CLAIMS1. A hand-held applicator for applying an identification tag to an animal, comprising: a body; a first handle; a second handle; a first jaw; a second jaw; a tag loading area; a tag application area; a magazine for holding a plurality of interconnected animal tags; a tag loading device for loading the interconnected animal tags from the magazine into the applicator body; a tag cutting and pushing element for separating a single animal tag from the plurality of interconnected animal tags and moving the single animal tag from the tag loading area to the tag application area; an application assembly; wherein moving the tag cutting and pushing element forwards and backwards and moving the first handle and second handle together causes the application assembly to apply the single animal tag to an animal.

2. A hand-held applicator according to claim 1, said applicator comprising a handle dampening element for dampening the impact of the second handle against the first handle when the single tag is applied to the animal.

3. A hand-held applicator according to claim 1, said applicator comprising an application assembly dampening element for dampening the impact of the application assembly as it moves away from the tag application area after the tag is applied to the animal.25852 224. A hand-held applicator according to claim 1, said applicator comprising a tag loading dampening element for dampening the impact of the tag delivery device as it is thrusted away from the applicator body after the tag is applied to the animal.

5. A hand-held applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tag cutting and pushing element comprises:- a downward pointed finger and;- a return element that urges the downward pointed finger to remain in a downward position.

6. A hand-held applicator according to claim 5, wherein the return element is a spring.

7. A hand-held applicator according to claim 5, wherein when the cutting and pushing element is moved from the front to the rear of the applicator, the downward pointed finger moves over any tag located in the tag loading area before returning to a downward pointing position.

8. A hand-held applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting and pushing element is held in a forward position by a locking element and wherein, optionally, the locking element retains the cutting and pushing element in the forward position such that it will not slide or move from its front position without a user moving it intentionally.

9. A hand-held applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting and pushing element comprises one or more self-cleaning elements.

10. A hand-held applicator according to claim 9, wherein the one or more self-cleaning elements are on the front or rear of the cutting and pushing element and clean the applicator when the cutting and pushing element is moved forwards and backwards.

11. A hand-held applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, said magazine being detachably connected to said body.25852 2312. A hand-held applicator according to claim 11, wherein the magazine is detachably connected with a screw.

13. A hand-held applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tag loading device comprises a tag advance device for engaging said leading tag of said interconnected animal tags, said tag advance device including a double spring that fits said tag advance device from said sliding plate.

14. A hand-held applicator according to claim 3, wherein the application assembly dampening element is removable by the user.

15. A method of applying a one-piece animal tag to an animal, comprising loading the one-piece animal tag into an animal tag applicator that comprises two handles, a tag loading area and a tag application area; moving the one-piece animal tag through the applicator from the tag loading area to the tag application area; closing the two handles and thereby applying the tag to the animal; wherein, when the one-pieces animal tag is in the tag application area, it is held in a substantially asymmetrical U-like shape.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein after the one-piece animal tag is applied to the animal, the force of the substantially asymmetrical U-like shape acts like a spring to remove the tag from the applicator.17 The method of claim 15, wherein after the one-piece animal tag is applied to the animal, the tag forms a substantially symmetrical U-like shape.

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