Tag applicator

Abstract

Tag Applicator This disclosure relates to a TST applicator tool, a vial restrictor for a sampling tool, a method of tagging and sampling an animal, a tool for sampling and / or tagging an animal, and a passage insert. The TST applicator tool has: a first arm having a first handle and a first jaw part; and a second arm having a second handle and a second jaw part, the second handle to move the second jaw part towards the first, the second jaw part comprising a pusher; the second arm comprising an auxiliary arm attached to and biased from the second jaw part, the auxiliary arm coupled to the pusher, the second arm configured to, in response to a single movement of the second handle towards the first: move the second jaw part towards the first; and move the auxiliary arm to push the pusher towards the first jaw part, the auxiliary arm movement after the start of the second jaw part movement.

Description

[0001] 25853 January 29, 2025

[0002] 1

[0003] Tag Applicator

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This invention generally relates to: a tool for attaching a tag to, and / or sampling, an animal; a vial restrictor for a tool for sampling an animal; a method of tagging and sampling an animal; a tool for sampling and / or tagging an animal; and a passage insert. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION A Tissue Sampling Unit (TSU) is a tool designed to capture a sample of an animal for analysis, such as subsequent laboratory testing, e.g. for meat source tracking, disease detection and / or genomic evaluation of the animal. A Tag Applicator tool is generally used only for attaching a tag to an animal. A Tissue Sampling Tag (TST) applicator tool is for both attaching a tag to an animal and also for capturing a sample of an animal. The animal may be an agricultural or livestock animal such as a cow, sheep, pig, deer, or goat, which may be farmed for meat or for production of e.g. milk, fur, leather, wool, eggs etc. Other types of animals include non-domesticated animals, e.g. horses. The sample may be a tissue sample comprising, e.g., hair, fur, wool, cartilage, blood and / or skin. For example, an ear sample may comprise skin, fat, connective tissue, muscle and cartilage cambium layer / fibrous layer. Each of the above tool types is generally operable, for example, by squeezing handles together. In a TSU or TST applicator tool, this causes a push rod to move towards a sampling vial (e.g. a tube) that contains preservative e.g. a buffer liquid or desiccant material. The movement of the push rod causes a sharp (e.g. needle or applicator pin, sometimes referred to as a syringe) to capture the sample, which is then pushed into the vial. The appearance of a ball within the vial may indicate that a sample has been collected. The sample is then known to be in a preservative, such as the buffer liquid. A differently coloured ball may be visible at the end of the vial once the vial has been sealed; that ball may re-seal the vial following the sample collection. Thus, the vial is initially sealed with a first ball, then that ball is pushed into the vial with the sample and the differently coloured ball then comes out of the sharp and seals the vial. The differently coloured balls, when visible, indicate to a user that the vial contains a sample and has been re-sealed. When the handles are released to re-open the jaws, the animal is free to go. The vial and sharp are each then removed from the tool, the vial collected and the sharp thrown away.

[0006] A TST applicator tool may therefore require many steps to be taken by the user to tag and sample the animal, including e.g. respective steps for the actual tagging and sampling, and also associated steps such as for removing tool part(s) that are for holding25853 January 29, 2025

[0007] 2

[0008] the tool assembly together, releasing clamp(s) to remove the sharp and / or vial, an additional closure of the tool to e.g. allow the sharp to be removed, etc. The full sequence of steps may require the user to use both hands, and can be time-consuming and tiring for the user. Sometimes the user has to switch hands during a process for tagging and sampling: they may use both hands to load and arm the tool, one hand to apply the tool, and two hands to remove the vial. Thus, multiple user steps are generally involved. Some of those steps directly involve the animal, however other steps are involved before and after to prepare the tool, seal the vial, and retrieve the vial away from the animal and after tag application.

[0009] For use in understanding the present invention, the following disclosures are referred to: - Allflex (RTM) Universal Tag Applicator, shown at https: / / shop.allflex.co.uk / universal-tag-applicator-redb06.html;

[0010] - Allflex (RTM) Tissue Sample Unit (TSU), described in an Application Guide at https: / / www.allflex.co.nz / wp-content / uploads / sites / 371 / 2022 / 11 / TSU-Applicatorinstructionguide.pdf

[0011] - Allflex (RTM) Tissue Sample Unit (TSU), described in an Application Guide available at https: / / www.allflexsa.com / wp-content / uploads / 2017 / 05 / Application-Guide-TSU.pdf - Allflex (RTM) Tissue Sample Tag (TST) Applicator, described in an Application Guide available at https: / / www.allflexsa.com / wp-content / uploads / 2017 / 05 / Application-Guide-TST.pdf;

[0012] - Allflex (RTM) Tissue Sampling Tag, described in an Application Guide at https: / / www.allflexsa.eom / wp-content / uploads / 2017 / 05 / KKJ432_Allflex_General_TST-ApplicationGuide_v01_20161005.pdf

[0013] - Livestock Tags as shown at https: / / shop.allflex.co.uk / livestock-tags.html;

[0014] - UTT3S (RTM) applicator described at https: / / www.allflex.global / na / utt3s / .

[0015] There remains a need to e.g. increase the speed, ease, user safety and / or convenience of animal sampling and / or tagging, reduce distress to the animal, reduce the risk of the accidental loss of the sample and / or vial, improve visibility of a sample collected in a vial, and / or to provide a more ergonomic, durable and / or maintainable tool.

[0016] SUMMARY25853 January 29, 2025

[0017] 3

[0018] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool for attaching a tag to, and sampling, an animal, the tool comprising: a first arm having a first handle and a first jaw part for holding a vial and a female part of a tag; and a second arm having a second handle and a second jaw part for holding a sharp for sampling an animal and a male part of a said tag, wherein the first and second handles are movable towards each other to thereby move the second jaw part towards the first jaw part, wherein: the second jaw part comprises a pusher for moving through a sharp; and the second arm comprises an auxiliary arm attached at one end to the second jaw part, and biased away from the second jaw part, the auxiliary arm coupled at another end to the pusher, and wherein the second arm is configured to, in response to a single movement of the second handle towards the first handle, : move the second jaw part towards the first jaw part; and move the auxiliary arm to push the pusher towards the first jaw part, wherein the movement of the auxiliary arm starts after the start of the movement of the second jaw part.

[0019] Desirably, such a tool may be for both attaching a tag to, and sampling, the animal. The animal may be any non-human animal and is generally for agriculture (including aquaculture) or livestock, e.g., a cow, sheep, pig, deer, goat or fish. The tagging may be for the purposes of identifying the animal.

[0020] Advantages of the tool may include enabling sampling and / or tagging in response to, e.g. during, a single user movement such as a single user actuation step of the tool, and / or by means of a single-handed procedure for the user. Such a single user movement may cause both movement of a sharp held by the tool to cut the animal and a tool movement to couple any held male and female tag parts. The cutting may be driven by rotation of the auxiliary arm, the rotation preferably by means of a hinge coupling of the auxiliary arm to the second jaw part. The auxiliary arm may be biased away from the second jaw part for example by a spring. The single user movement may also cause the pusher to push the cut sample out of the (preferably hollow) sharp, e.g. needle or pin. The user effort may be further reduced by one of the jaw parts (e.g. the second) being biased to move away from the other when the handles are released.

[0021] Preferably, embodiments allow a tagging and / or sampling process to be performed with only a small number of user steps. For example, once the tool is loaded with a vial and / or tag, an embodiment may allow all other steps of the tagging and / or sampling to be achieved in one user action and preferably using one hand of the user. A lot of time may be saved by such embodiments.

[0022] The above-mentioned movement of the second jaw part towards the first jaw part may be relative: in an embodiment, the movement may comprise the first jaw part moving25853 January 29, 2025

[0023] 4

[0024] towards the second jaw part. Similarly, the tool may be operated by the user forcing the second handle towards the first handle, or vice versa, or by applying force to both handles to bring them closer together. In embodiments, the movement of the jaw parts together may continue throughout the entire relative movement of the handles. Furthermore, the relative movement of the jaw parts towards each other may continue while the auxiliary arm pushes the pusher.

[0025] There may further be provided the tool, wherein the first arm comprises a rack and the second arm comprises a pinion, wherein the pinion is configured to rotate relative to the rack during the single said movement of the second handle towards the first handle, to thereby rotate the auxiliary arm towards the second jaw part, said rotation of the auxiliary arm to cause the pushing of the pusher towards the first jaw part.

[0026] Preferably, the pinion has a cam shape to cause a surface region of the pinion to come into contact with the auxiliary arm to initiate the movement of the auxiliary arm to push the pusher towards the first jaw part, the surface region to remain in contact with the auxiliary arm to drive the movement. Similarly, a surface of the rack, which has gear teeth to interlock with corresponding teeth of the pinion, may have a curved shape and / or the pinion may be movably coupled to the second jaw part such the pinion rotation occurs together with a movement of the pinion along a curved or linear path relative to the second jaw part.

[0027] Further preferably, the surface region of the pinion has a first portion to come into said contact with and push the auxiliary arm and a second, adjacent portion to contact and push the auxiliary arm after the first portion, wherein the surface region is curved to enable the auxiliary arm to, when pushed by the second portion, push the pusher to move faster than during the push by the first portion. In embodiments, the surface region may have uniform curvature across the entire region comprising the adjacent first and second portions, or the first and second portions may have different and / or varying curvatures. Preferably however, each portion may have constant or smoothly varying curvature, so that the auxiliary arm (e.g. by means of an attached freely rotating element such as a roller) moves smoothly against each portion. In embodiments, the curvature may vary across any portion(s) of the entire region, for example to change the torque or speed of gearing.

[0028] The above-mentioned contacts of the first and then second portions with the auxiliary arm are generally within the single movement of the tool. The faster movement may comprise an acceleration, advantageously at or towards the end of the push towards the first jaw part. Such faster movement and / or acceleration may be beneficial if there is not25853 January 29, 2025

[0029] 5

[0030] much stroke (e.g. drive from the handles being brought together) left to ensure that the sample gets into the vial.

[0031] There may further be provided a tool, wherein: the second jaw part has a passage for the pusher; the auxiliary arm has a slot having a curved shape; and the pusher has a protrusion that protrudes into the slot, wherein the curved shape of the slot is to push the pusher to travel linearly along the passage towards the first jaw. The passage may be within a pusher guide that is a separate or integral component of the second jaw part and provides a hole, e.g. a linear slot, that the pusher protrusion (e.g. pin) extends through to then protrude into the auxiliary arm slot. The linear travel may allow the pusher to move with low resistance through a straight and hollow sharp (e.g. needle) held by the second jaw part.

[0032] There may further be provided a tool, wherein the second jaw part has a passage and the movement of the pusher towards the first jaw part comprises movement of the pusher along the passage, wherein: the second jaw part has an element biased into the passage; and the pusher has a (preferably longitudinal) surface having a depression to receive the biased element, wherein the biased element is to hinder extraction of the pusher from the passage. The biased element (e.g. ball bearing and / or spring loaded) may allow the pusher to be inserted, extracted and / or replaced. As a result, the whole tool may not need to be replaced if the pusher gets bent or otherwise distorted, for example due to sudden movement of the animal. Furthermore, an embodiment may comprise an actuator such as a button or slider, to release the biased element and thus release and / or eject the pusher.

[0033] Preferably, the pusher comprises a passage insert having the coupling to the auxiliary arm and comprises a pusher rod having the depression, the passage insert to receive the pusher rod and having the element biased to contact with the received pusher rod. The passage insert may be separable from the pusher rod and / or extractable from the passage.

[0034] Generally, any female tag part referred to herein is preferred to be a female part of an animal tag, comprising an opening for receiving a protrusion of a male part of a said tag, the female part for holding a detachable vial and configured to allow a sharp to pass through the opening to a said vial, optionally (i.e., preferably) wherein the vial is separably attached to the female part. Such a preferred tag part is generally usable as the female part of a TST tag, i.e., a tag for a combined tissue sampling and tagging25853 January 29, 2025

[0035] 6

[0036] procedure, preferably for use with a Tissue Sampling Tag (TST) applicator tool embodiment as disclosed herein, e.g., such a tool in a TST mode.

[0037] Generally, any such male tag part referred to herein is preferred to be a male part of an animal tag, the male part having a protrusion for entering a female part of a said tag, the protrusion having a hole extending between a first open end for receiving a sharp and a second open end for allowing a pusher to enter a said received sharp, optionally wherein the male part has the sharp at least within the first open end. Such a sharp is generally for piercing an animal part such as an ear; it is preferably hollow and may comprise e.g. a hypodermic needle. Similarly as above for the preferred female tag part, such a preferred male tag part is generally usable for a TST tag, preferably for use with a Tissue Sampling Tag (TST) applicator tool embodiment and / or TST mode as disclosed herein. Furthermore, any such male tag part referred to herein is preferably for lockably inserting into a female tag part such as the above-mentioned preferred female part, i.e. , such that it can’t be pulled back out from the female tag part; preferably, the male part may ‘click’ into place in the female part, for example by means of an arrow shape to lock into the female part. The female part, such as the above-mentioned preferred female part, may correspondingly have a ridge to prevent the arrow head being pulled back out.

[0038] A tag comprising the above-mentioned preferred female and male tag parts is suitable for a combined tagging and sampling operation and may be correspondingly referred to as a Tissue Sampling Tag (‘TST)’ or ‘TST tag’ (meaning TST-type tag). A kit of parts may comprise the above-mentioned preferred female tag part and the preferred male tag part. The parts of such a kit may be marked or serialised such that two or more of the components in the kit have matched identification. For example, a number marked on the female tag part may be duplicated on the vial and / or other components within the kit including parts of any other, different tags or devices. Preferably, the female and male tag parts are respectively for inserting into the first jaw part of the tool of the first aspect and for inserting into the second jaw part of the tool. In more detail, the female tag part with the vial may be attached to the first jaw part by means of: an opening of the female jaw part shaped to receive the tag part; a II spring; and / or a female tag clamp. The male tag part with the sharp may be attached to the second jaw part by means of an opening (e.g. hole) shaped to receive the male tag part (e.g. an end of the sharp), and optionally by means of a male tag clamp.

[0039] There may further be provided the tool of the first aspect, wherein the female and male tag parts may be respectively the above-mentioned preferred such parts, and wherein25853 January 29, 2025

[0040] 7

[0041] the sharp comprises a vial insert for sealing a said vial, wherein: the push of the pusher by the auxiliary arm towards the first jaw part is to push the vial insert out of the sharp and into a said vial held by the first jaw part. In embodiments, this may detach the vial from the female tag part. Such detachment may facilitate easy and / or fast vial recovery after the pushing of the vial insert and any sample to their final positions in the vial. The final pushing of the sample and vial insert into the vial preferably occurs after the detachment of the vial, when any corresponding movement of the vial may be prevented by a limiter. In this regard, it is noted that the pusher of embodiments may not push the sharp into contact with the vial, as such contact may be caused by a jaw movement before the pusher starts to push the sample and then seal the vial.

[0042] Consistent with the above, when the above-mentioned preferred male tag part is used with a TST applicator tool, e.g. as defined by the first aspect, the sharp may hold a vial insert that causes, when pushed out from the sharp by a pusher of the tool, a sample cut by the sharp to be pushed from the end of the sharp into a vial. The vial insert may further be suitable to seal such a vial after the sample has been pushed into the vial. In embodiments, this may re-seal the vial if an initial seal - e.g. installed by the vial manufacturer - has been removed by or before a sampling procedure using the tool; such an initial seal (which may further function as a sample indicator) may be a ball (or differently shaped element) and may be pushed, together with any sample, by the vial insert.

[0043] Preferably, the vial insert seals the vial when pushed into the vial by a pusher. In embodiments, the vial initially has a small element, e.g. plastic ball, which acts as a seal to prevent liquid from leaking. The element may act as a sample indicator. When the vial insert is pushed into the vial, it may push the element and replace it as the seal.

[0044] There may further be provided the tool, wherein the female and male tag parts may be the above-mentioned preferred such parts, wherein the tool is for performing operations for tagging and sampling a said animal in response to the single said movement, the operations comprising: a) a tagging operation, wherein: the second jaw part is configured to, during at least part of the movement of the second jaw part towards the first jaw part, and if the first jaw part holds a female part of a tag and second jaw part holds a male part of the tag, push the male part into the female part; and b) a tissue sampling operation wherein, if the first jaw part holds a vial, the second jaw part holds a sharp and the sharp has a vial insert within the sharp,: the second jaw part is configured to, during at least part of the movement of the second jaw part towards the first jaw part, move the sharp25853 January 29, 2025

[0045] 8

[0046] towards the vial, the movement of the sharp for obtaining a sample of a said animal; and the pusher is configured to, during at least part of the movement of the auxiliary arm to push the pusher, push the vial insert through the sharp and towards the vial, the push of the vial insert for pushing a said obtained sample into the vial, wherein the movement of the auxiliary arm starts after the at least part of the movement of the second jaw part. It is particularly noted however, that the tool may be configured to perform only the tagging operation a), only the tissue sampling operation b), or both.

[0047] If an animal part is present, the pushing of the sharp causes the sharp to pass through the part to obtain a sample. Thus, an embodiment may enable a single user movement to perform steps including preferably all of taking a sample; applying a tag; pushing the sample into the vial; and / or sealing the vial. The sharp may subsequently be extracted by the user and thrown away. The pushing of the male and female tag parts together may begin on / after the start of the movement of the auxiliary arm to push the pusher. The pusher may cause a tissue sample and then the vial insert to enter the vial. The sharp preferably does not partially or fully enter the vial, or if it does enter then it is then also withdrawn by the tool. The movement of the sharp may push the vial to detach from, e.g. be pushed out of, the female tag part, after the male and female tag parts tag couple together. The push of the vial insert by the pusher may also seal the vial, preferably dislodging an initial seal on the vial such that the vial insert becomes the new seal. There may further be provided the tool, configured to be operated in at least two selectable operation modes, wherein the modes comprise: a tagging and sampling mode comprising the operations a) and b), and at least one of:

[0048] a sampling mode comprising, from among a) and b), only the tissue sampling operation b), wherein the first jaw part is configured to hold a vial and the second jaw part is configured to hold a sharp; and / or

[0049] a tagging mode comprising, from among a) and b), only the tissue sampling operation a), wherein the first jaw part is configured to hold a said female tag part lacking a vial and the second jaw part is configured to hold a said male tag part lacking a sharp. Such a tagging and sampling mode may be referred to as a ‘TST’ mode, whereas the sampling mode (no tagging) may be referred to as a ‘TSU’ mode. The TST mode preferably uses a TST tag as described above. However, the tagging mode may use a tag that is unsuitable fora combined tagging and sampling operation; consistent with the above, the female part of such as tag may lack a vial and the male part may lack a sharp. The sampling mode generally does not use a tag.25853 January 29, 2025

[0050] 9

[0051] There may further be provided the tool comprising a mode selector movable in a first direction to select the tagging and sampling mode and in a second, other direction to select the tagging mode, wherein: the second jaw part comprises a pusher guide having the passage for the pusher and a guide hole to receive the pusher protrusion, the guide hole having a guide slot to allow the linear travel of the pusher and a portion extending at an angle away from the guide slot; the pusher protrusion extends through the guide hole to protrude into the slot of the auxiliary arm and is configured to move within the guide slot during the lineartravel of the pusher; and the mode selector is attached to the pusher guide and is configured to, when the auxiliary arm has moved to push the pusher towards the first jaw part, be: moveable in the first direction to turn the pusher guide to receive the protrusion of the pusher into the extending portion of the guide hole, to thereby prevent travel of the pusher towards the first jaw part; and moveable in the second direction to turn the pusher guide to receive the protrusion of the pusher into the guide slot of the guide hole.

[0052] In an embodiment, the mode selector movement may be a user-actioned rotation back and forth between two positions to select between tagging (no sampling) and TST modes. For the tagging mode, the prevention of the pusher travel may lock the pusher in a fixed position in the passage.

[0053] There may further be provided the tool, wherein the first jaw part holds a said female part having a vial and the second jaw part holds a said sharp, and wherein the second handle is configured to cause, by moving away from the first handle after the pushing of the pusher,: the second jaw part to pull the sharp away from the vial to allow the vial to be extracted from the tool; and the auxiliary arm to pull the pusher out of the sharp. The movement of the handles away from each other may simply be a result of the user releasing, or ceasing to apply force to, the handles. The pulling of the sharp away may be after the pusher has been pushed to the end of, or to partially protrude from, the sharp. The pulling of the pusher may be enabled by the movement of the second handle away from the first handle to thereby cause the pinion to drop away from the auxiliary arm, which is then biased back away from the second arm to pull the pusher back. In some embodiments, for example when configured for the TSU mode, the sharp may be clamped within the first jaw part. Preferably, an actuator such as a button, lever or slider on the tool may be provided to allow the user to release the clamp when the sharp is to be extracted, inserted or replaced.25853 January 29, 2025

[0054] 10

[0055] There may further be provided the tool, wherein the second jaw part has an opening to allow a sharp to be pushed into the second jaw part, the opening having at least one chamfered surface to grip the sharp to thereby prevent the sharp from falling from the tool and to allow the sharp to be pulled out of the tool. Preferably, the sharp is part of male TST tag part such as the above-mentioned preferred male part. The presence of chamfered surface(s), e.g. 2, may mean that the tool design can omit any actuator such as a clamp or lever for allowing attachment of a male TST tag part to the tool.

[0056] There may further be provided the tool, wherein first jaw part comprises an ejector comprising an actuator to, when activated by a user, release tension in the actuator to thereby push the vial partially out of the first jaw part. The actuator may be e.g. a button attached to a spring, or a tensioned clamp or lever.

[0057] There may further be provided the tool, comprising a barrel rotatably coupled to the first jaw part, the barrel having an open end opposing the second jaw part and further having a side opening to receive a said vial, wherein the barrel is rotatable to cause the side opening to face a surface of the first jaw part to thereby prevent the vial from falling through the side opening. Such a barrel may protect the vial and / or lock it in place against or within the first jaw part.

[0058] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a vial restrictor for a tool for sampling an animal, the vial restrictor comprising: at least one receiver having an opening for receiving at least part of a vial; and a limiter connected to a said receiver and for resisting movement of a said received vial more than a predetermined distance through the vial restrictor. The tool may be for both tagging and sampling, and is preferably according to the first aspect. The vial restrictor may be an integral part of, or insertable into, the tool.

[0059] There may further be provided the vial restrictor, for a tool for tagging and sampling an animal, the tool having a first jaw part and a second jaw part, wherein the vial restrictor is for receiving a female tag part that is for holding a said vial (e.g., the above-mentioned preferred female tag part), wherein the at least one receiver comprises a first receiver having an opening for receiving a first part of a vial and a second receiver connected to the first receiver and having an opening for receiving a second part of the vial, wherein the limiter is connnected to the second receiver, and wherein the vial restrictor is for positioning in an opening of a said first jaw part and positioning the first receiver against an inner jaw surface of the first jaw part and positioning the second receiver against an outer jaw surface of the first jaw part. Where the vial is e.g. a tube, the receiver openings25853 January 29, 2025

[0060] 11

[0061] may each have a U-shape to receive the vial. Generally, the first part of the vial may be fitted adjacent the tag body of the female tag part, and the second part further from the tag body. The second receiver may be longer than the first receiver, such that it extends further along the outer surface (facing away from the second jaw part) of the first jaw part when inserted into the tool. The first receiver, the second receiver and / or limiter are preferably rigidly connected together, and the vial restrictor may be monolithic, e.g. a single plastic component. The vial restrictor may be an integral part of a said first jaw part, or may be inserted into the jaw part. The vial restrictor may assist easy and / or fast loading of a vial, or female tag part comprising a vial, into a TSU or TST applicator tool such as of the first aspect. Similarly, the vial restrictor may allow easy and / or fast recovery of such a vial from such a tool (once detached from the female tag part in the case of a TST applicator tool). In embodiments, a bias (e.g. clamp such as a sprung clip, sheet or arm(s)) pushes such a tag part against a surface of the first receiver. Regarding loading and / or recovery, the vial restrictor may allow single-handed operation of the tool. Indeed, the vial may be easily removable after the user has simply pulled the tool away from the tag once the tag is attached to the animal. During a sampling operation, the limiter may prevent, or limit how far, the vial moves back in response to a sharp pushing against a vial held by the vial restrictor, for example when a protrusion or shoulder of the vial hits a surface of the limiter.

[0062] There may further be provided the tool for receiving an vial restrictor according to the second aspect and a female tag part such as the above-mentioned preferred such part, wherein the first jaw part comprises a rotatable vial cover to allow insertion of a said vial restrictor into the first jaw part and insertion of a said female tag part comprising a vial into the inserted vial restrictor, wherein the vial cover has: an end surface to protect an end of the vial of the inserted female tag part, the end furthest from the first jaw part; and a side comprising at least one side surface extending from the first jaw part to the end surface, wherein the side has a hole to allow the insertion of the vial restrictor and the insertion of the female tag part comprising the vial, wherein the cover is rotatable relative to the first jaw part to allow the insertion and removal of the vial. The vial restrictor may for example comprise two arms meeting with the end surface to form an end surface. The cover (otherwise referred to as a bumper) may allow the vial insertion and removal to and from the tool or a said vial restrictor position in the tool; the vial may be removed with or without the vial restrictor, in a TST applicator tool embodiment after the female tag part has been detached from the vial preferably by contact between a sharp and the vial.25853 January 29, 2025

[0063] 12

[0064] The vial restrictor may be used in a tagging and sampling method comprising: inserting the vial into the vial restrictor and positioning the vial restrictor in the tool (in either order); and then operating the tool to tag, and sample, an animal. The sample recovery may comprise removing the tool from the tag (and thus the animal) and extracting (e.g. unclipping) the vial from the vial restrictor (optionally after first extracting the vial restrictor holding the vial).

[0065] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of tagging and sampling an animal, the method using the tool of the first aspect, the female part of a tag and the male part of a tag (wherein the female and male parts may be the preferred such parts), the method comprising: inserting the female part into the first jaw part, the inserted female part having the vial; inserting the male part into the second jaw part, the inserted male part having the sharp; and moving at least one of the first and second handles towards the other of the first and second handles to, in response to that movement, perform:

[0066] - the tagging operation a), wherein the push of the male part pushes the protrusion of the male part through a part of the animal and into the opening of the female tag to thereby couple the female and male parts; and

[0067] - the tissue sampling operation b), wherein the movement of the sharp into the vial causes the sharp to cut through the animal to thereby obtain a sample of the animal, and the push of the pusher toward the end of the sharp pushes the sample from the sharp into the vial.

[0068] (Such a push of the pusher towards the end of the sharp may move the pusher until the front end of the pusher, or of a vial insert and / or a sample ahead of the pusher, is at , or just short of, the end of the sharp).

[0069] Advantageously, the movement of the handles is a single movement, preferably one continuous movement without any break. The operations a) and b) may advantageously take place during that single movement.

[0070] There may further be provided the method, wherein the movement of the auxiliary arm starts when or after the end of sharp has come into contact with the vial, the contact preferably due to a jaw movement. Where a female tag part (e.g. the above-mentioned preferred such part) comprising a vial is used, the contact may push the vial to detach from the tag part.

[0071] Preferably, the inserted sharp comprises a vial insert for sealing a vial, wherein the push of the pusher toward the end of the sharp pushes the vial insert at the same time as the25853 January 29, 2025

[0072] 13

[0073] pushing the sample, the push of the pusher to thereby push the vial insert into the vial and thereby seal the vial. The vial insert may function similarly to, for example, a cork, stopper or seal. In an example sampling and tagging procedure, pushing the vial insert into the vial may also detach the vial from, e.g. push it off from, the female tag part to ease sample recovery. However, in a preferred embodiment the detachment is caused by the sharp coming into contact with the vial. In either case, the vial may be pushed away from the tag until the vial hits a limiter (e.g., stopper) of a vial restrictor. Following this, the sample and vial insert may be pushed further, this in turn pushing any initial seal (e.g. sample indicator) further into the vial, installing the sample within the vial and preferably installing the vial insert as a new seal.

[0074] The method may comprise recovering the vial after the sealing the vial, wherein the movement of the sharp causes the vial to detach from the female tag part and the recovering comprises the user using: one hand to hold and pull the tool away from the coupled tag parts; and another hand to collect the detached vial while the one hand continues to hold the tool. The vial may then already be detached from the tag part before the tool is pulled away, the vial being held safely by the tool until collected by the user. This may further assist easy and / or fast vial recovery. Considering that a farmer may need to tag a few hundred animals a day, such vial recovery is advantageously timeefficient, easier and / or less tiring on the hands. For further context, it is noted that the sharp may have been inserted into the male tag part in a tag part production line; the farmer may then insert or attach this assembly into / to the second jaw part, optionally with the help of a male tag clamp.

[0075] According to another aspect, there is provided a tool for sampling and / or tagging an animal, the tool comprising opposing jaw parts wherein a second of the jaw parts has a passage for movement of a pusher through the passage towards a first of the jaw parts, wherein: the second jaw part has an element biased into the passage; and the pusher has a surface having a depression to receive the biased element, wherein the biased element is to hinder extraction of the pusher from the passage.

[0076] According another aspect, there is provided a passage insert for inserting into a passage of a tool jaw part and for receiving a push rod, the tool for sampling and / or tagging an animal, the passage insert having an element biased to contact a said received push rod having a depression to receive the biased element.

[0077] According to a still other aspect of the invention, there is provided a tool for tagging and / or sampling an animal, the tool preferably according to an aspect or embodiment25853 January 29, 2025

[0078] 14

[0079] described above, wherein the tool has handles rotatable about an axis in common to initiate or control a tagging and / or sampling procedure of the tool, wherein: a first of the handles has a hook and a hinge to couple the hook rotably to the first handle; and a second of the handles has an end or protrusion for the hook to hook around to maintain the handles in a closed configuration.

[0080] Regarding the above aspects, any one of the tool, vial restrictor, method or passage insert may be provided, wherein a said female part of an animal tag comprises an opening for receiving a protrusion of a male part of a said tag, the female part for holding a detachable vial and configured to allow a sharp to pass through the opening to a said vial, optionally wherein the vial is separably attached to the female part.

[0081] Again regarding the above aspects, any above-described tool, vial restrictor, method or passage insert may be provided, wherein a said male part of an animal tag has a protrusion for entering a female part of a said tag, the protrusion having a hole extending between a first open end for receiving a sharp and a second open end for allowing a pusher to enter a said received sharp, optionally wherein the male part has the sharp at least within the first open end.

[0082] Once again regarding the above aspects, any tool as described above may comprise the female tag part, the male tag part, the vial and / or the sharp. A tag, comprising the male and female parts when coupled together, may have physical and / or electronic means for identifying, monitoring, and / or providing information about some attribute of an animal. Information may include identification information, vaccination status, sex, medication received, and / or origin. Monitoring may include monitoring health, activity, performance, and / or location information, for example.

[0083] Any one or more of the above aspects and / or any one or more of the above optional, i.e., preferable, features of the preferred embodiments may be combined, in any permutation.

[0084] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0085] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0086] Fig. 1a shows TST applicator tool embodiment holding a vial and female and male tag parts, the male tag part including a sharp;

[0087] Fig. 1b shows internal elements of the example of Fig. 1a, including a rack and pinion;25853 January 29, 2025

[0088] 15

[0089] Figs. 2a - 2d illustrate operation of a sychronisation mechanism of the example tool of Fig. 1;

[0090] Figs. 3a - 3d show stages of an example single-stroke synchronised tagging and sampling process of the tool (for clarity, without any sampling device or tag parts present);

[0091] Figs. 4a - 4c show internal views of the stages of an example single-stroke synchronised tagging and sampling process of the tool;

[0092] Figs. 4d-1 - 4d-8 similarly show internal view of the stages of an example such synchronised tagging and sampling process;

[0093] Figs. 4e-1 and 4e-2 illustrate that the rack and / or pinion of Figs. 4d-1 to d- 8 may be absent or take an entirely different shape or form;

[0094] Fig. 4f illustrates that, in contrast to the rack and pinion of Figs. 4a - e, a control arrangement may comprise an element that pushes down on a contact with the auxiliary arm;

[0095] Fig. 5a shows an example auxiliary arm of the tool;

[0096] Fig. 5b shows an example rack and pinion configuration of the tool;

[0097] Fig. 5c shows part of an example pinion having an enhanced curve;

[0098] Fig. 6 shows an example activated and re-sealed vial holding a sample;

[0099] Figs. 7a - 7c show an example vial restrictor having a clip or clamp, the vial restrictor for fitting within a jaw part of the example tool as shown in Fig. 7b and holding a vial attached to a female tag part;

[0100] Figs. 8a - 8c comprise photographs showing example loading steps of the tool;

[0101] Figs. 9a and 9b show example vial positions in relation to detachment of the vial for vial recovery, respectively when the tool is open and when the tool is closed;

[0102] Figs. 9c and 9d show an example change of position of a sample indicator;

[0103] Figs. 9e and 9f show an example change of position of a tissue sample;

[0104] Fig. 10 illustrates an example vial recovery step;

[0105] Figs. 11a - d are photographs of an example sequence of a sample collection process, wherein Fig. 11c shows the tag being pulled away (this may be done by an animal in real-life) and Fig. 11d shows vial recovery;25853 January 29, 2025

[0106] 16

[0107] Figs. 12a and the views of 12b- 1 and -2 show, respectively, an example female tag part comprising a vial, and an example male tag part comprising a sharp;

[0108] Figs. 12 c-1 and -2 show two stages of a sampling process, wherein an initial vial seal is shaped to reduce the sample leakage;

[0109] Figs. 13a - 13c show an example configuration of an embodiment of the tool having a mode selector, the tool initially (Fig. 13a) in a TST mode and then (Figs. 13b, 13c) in a tagging (no sampling) mode;

[0110] Figs. 14a and 14b show an example configuration of the tool when switched from a TST mode to a tagging (no sampling) mode;

[0111] Fig. 15 shows an example internal configuration of the tool in a tagging mode;

[0112] Fig. 16 shows an photograph of an example of the tool configured for a TSU mode; Figs. 17a-1 and 17a-2 show an example cover for protecting a vial, wherein the cover is rotated between the figures;

[0113] Fig. 17b shows an example barrel feature for protecting a vial;

[0114] Figs. 17c - 17e show an example vial restrictor integrated into a tool jaw;

[0115] Figs. 17f-1 and -2 show an example of vial recovery based on rotation;

[0116] Figs. 17g-1 and -2 show an example of vial recovery based on sliding;

[0117] Fig. 18a shows in cross-section an example passage insert for holding a pusher of a TSU or TST applicator tool;

[0118] Figs. 18b and 18c show an exploded view of an embodiment of such a passage insert, before and after assembly with a pusher;

[0119] Figs. 19a - 19d show part of an example tool having a hook, wherein Fig. 19a shows the handles unhooked and Figs. 19b - 19d show the handles hooked together.

[0120] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0121] The following generally describes tools, methods and components preferably having feature(s) or advantage(s) such as:

[0122] synchronized system, preferably suitable for a single stroke tag application and sample collection procedure, the synchronisation in embodiments enabling a single user action (e.g. to tag, collect sample and seal) so that the risk of loss of the sample is reduced. The system may use an auxiliary arm that is activated25853 January 29, 2025

[0123] 17

[0124] after tag parts have been coupled, the activation preferably by using gear(s) and / or a rack and pinion arrangement;

[0125] single-handed operation, e.g. by using an internal pusher to open a vial, push a sample in and close the vial;

[0126] easy and / or fast loading;

[0127] easy and / or fast vial recovery, e.g, ejection of the vial via a vial ejection switch; female tag part comprising detachable vial;

[0128] male tag part comprising detachable sharp;

[0129] mode switching between:

[0130] (i) a sampling and tagging mode (‘TST’ mode);

[0131] (ii) a sampling (no tagging) mode (‘TSU’ mode); and / or

[0132] (iii) a tagging (no sampling) mode;

[0133] vial protection, e.g. to reduce risk of accidental vial ejection and / or unintentional loss of the vial containing a sample;

[0134] easy replacement of the pusher, e.g., push pin; and / or

[0135] a design that is easily adapted to different pusher, e.g., pin, shapes.

[0136] Any one or more of the above may be implemented in a TST applicator tool. However, developments described herein such as single-handed operation can be implemented for a tagging only tool or a sampling only tool (TSU).

[0137] Use of a TST applicator tool generally involves tagging the animal, taking the sample, releasing the animal and then recovery of the vial having the sample. Advantageously, tagging and sampling steps including applying the tag, cutting the tissue, pushing the tissue sample into a vial and preferably also sealing the vial, may happen in, and / or in response to, one manual action (generally in response to, e.g. within, one stroke such as a single instance of a user moving handles of the tool partially or fully together) and / or by means of a single-handed user procedure.

[0138] Fig. 1a shows an embodiment of a tool 1 to which a female tag part 2 and a male tag part 3 have been fitted, the female tag part having a vial 11 (e.g. tube) and the male tag part having a sharp (e.g. needle or pin) 4. The embodiment comprises a first arm 5 having a first handle 5a and a first jaw part 5b, and a second arm 6 having a second handle 6a and a second jaw part 6b, which in turn comprises auxiliary arm 8 (in embodiments referable to as a rod) rotatably attached e.g. by a hinge to the second jaw part 6b and connected at one end to a pusher 7, e.g. push rod, within the second jaw part 6b. The connection to the pusher may comprise a curved slot 17 such as a banana path as shown in Fig. 1b or Fig. 5a. The auxiliary arm may be biased away from the second jaw part, for example by an auxiliary spring 16b (see Fig. 1b). The tool may further comprise a25853 January 29, 2025

[0139] 18

[0140] pusher guide 9, to allow the pusher to move within the second jaw part. When taking a tissue sample (in some embodiments in the same procedure as applying a tag), the pusher may come into play preferably towards the end of a stroke and push the sample far into the vial. (In embodiments, the pusher may not play a role in any sample cutting step: the cutting may be done by the sharp being pushed by the jaw 6b. However, the pusher may be used to push the cut sample out and re-seal the vial). A mode selector 10 (e.g. switch mode ring; see below) may further be provided to allow a user to select each of a tissue sampling mode (TSU mode) and a tissue sampling and tagging mode (TST mode). In some embodiments, a tagging only mode may be selectable. Preferably, a vial restrictor 12 is provided to restrict movement of the vial when the sample is being pushed to its final position in the vial. The vial restrictor, integrated within or attachable to the tool, preferably allows the vial to be securely yet removably positioned within an opening of the first jaw part 5b.

[0141] Furthermore, the second jaw part may have a passage 9c through which the pusher moves. The passage may hold the pusher by friction. The passage may comprise internal chamfer(s) (e.g. 2 chamfers) that allow a sharp (e.g. as part of a TST tag) to be pushed into and held by the passage: the sharp 4 may ‘click’ into place; the chamfer(s) may be fixed or spring loaded. Preferably, the sharp is easily pulled out from the chamfers by a user, bearing in mind for example that use of a fresh sharp for each animal is desirable to prevent cross-contamination, the tool may additionally or alternatively have a mechanism or actuator, e.g. a button or releasably sprung clamp, to cause or facilitate removal of the sharp.

[0142] Internal elements of the embodiment are shown in Fig. 1b, including a rack 13 and preferably cam-shaped pinion 14 for example as further shown in Figs. 4a - 4c and / or 4d-1 to 4d-8, wherein a surface 19 of the pinion may contact the auxiliary arm 8 during part of its movement against the rack. Such contact is preferably via a freely rotating element 15, e.g., ball, that may be considered part of the auxiliary arm.

[0143] However, Figs. 4e-1 and 4e-2 are provided to illustrate, by means of a cross shape, that a part corresponding to the pinion of Figs. 4d-1 to d- 8 may be absent or take an entirely different shape or form in other embodiments. For example, the rack and pinion arrangement may be replaced with any other structure such that the contact of the auxiliary arm, e.g., ball 15, can move or roll along a suitable shaped surface to move the auxiliary arm. Such a structure may comprise an element represented by the triangle in Figs. 4e-1 and -2 (wherein the specifically triangular shape is merely to assist understanding) or the example element 14a in Fig. 4f that replaces the triangular shaped part in Fig. 4e. Thus, embodiments are not limited to a rack and pinion design: any25853 January 29, 2025

[0144] 19

[0145] design that moves or rolls a contact element 15 so that the auxiliary arm is moved as and when needed may be used. In other words, and similarly to the pinion 14, a preferred such design does have at least one element or surface that is shaped to control the timing and movement of the auxiliary arm 8. In this regard, the auxiliary arm contact (e.g., rotating element 15) - rather than running (e.g., rolling) along an upper surface of an element, e.g., the surface 19 of a pinion 14 - may instead run along a lower surface of an e.g. triangular shaped element as illustrated in Figs, e-1 and -2. An alternative example, wherein the contact moves along a lower surface of an element, is illustrated in Fig. 4f. Thus, rather than a lower element such as pinion 14 pushing the auxiliary arm contact upwards, an embodiment may additionally or alternatively have an element that pushes down on the contact with the auxiliary arm. Such downwards pushing can be understood from the example design shown in Fig. 4f. Any design lacking a rack and pinion, e.g., a design based on Figs. 4e and 4f, may lack gear teeth. In this regard, it is noted that interlocking gear teeth could in some embodiments be problematic if dirt or debris should enter the mechanism. A simpler design without a gear mechanism may be less susceptible to jamming.

[0146] As alluded to above, the contact of a control element, e.g., pinion 14, to the auxiliary arm 8 may be via a freely rotating element, such as a roller, ball or wheel 15, to allow the auxiliary arm to move more smoothly and / or with reduced friction or wear along the surface of the element. As further shown in the drawings, the sharp may comprise a vial insert 18 that, when pushed into the vial by the pusher, seals the vial.

[0147] A timing mechanism of an embodiment, also referred to herein as a synchronisation mechanism, can be understood from Figs. 2a - 2d. Similarly, the drawings sequences Figs. 3a - 3d and Figs. 4a - 4c each show a sequence of stages of a single-stroke synchronised tagging and sampling process. A first action is to bring the jaw parts together and, using the sharp, cut the tissue sample 20 (e.g. from an animal ear 23). Once contact has been made with the ear, the sharp cuts through it and the male tag part 3 is pushed through the ear to couple with the female tag part 2. (The male and female parts respectively may be considered similar to an arrowhead going into a locking mechanism; generally, this coupling is a one-way action to lock the two tag parts together permanently). The movement of the sharp into contact with the vial may further cause the vial to detach from the female tag part. In a second action after (preferably immediately following) the first, the pinion 14 will then come into play and push the pusher, e.g. a steel rod, which in turn pushes the tissue sample 20 and any vial insert 18 into the vial. (The pushing of the sample 20 and / or insert 18 into the vial preferably also releases an indicator 24, e.g. a coloured ball, in the vial to indicate sample presence).25853 January 29, 2025

[0148] 20

[0149] The tool can then be opened. The animal can then pull away with the tag coupled to the animal, leaving the vial in the tool.

[0150] The synchronisation mechanism may enable a one-stroke operation, wherein a first part of a movement of the jaw parts to come together causes the tag parts to couple together and then a second stage of the movement causes the pusher to push the sample through to the vial. Such different stages of the one-stroke operation are enabled, at least in part, by the rack and pinion arrangement together with the auxiliary arm, wherein the auxiliary arm is actuated by the pinion to move the pusher through the second jaw part. Additional or alternative advantages of the synchronisation mechanism include a tool that is compact, cheaper to manufacture and / or more comfortable (e.g. ergonomic, easier to use, and / or less user fatigue). Safety may be improved by an embodiment that reduces the risk of a user cutting themselves, .g., because fewer user steps are needed for a single tagging and / or sampling procedure. Reliability of getting a sample may be improved in embodiments due to a lower risk of a sample escaping. Embodiments may contrast with applicators wherein a sample remains in a sharp and only at a later stage is pushed out into a vial, or other applicators that have a vial attached over the sharp; in such applicators, a sample can fall out between such operations.

[0151] In embodiments, the timings or synchronization of the tag coupling and tissue sampling movements are determined by a cam-shape of the pinion. In this regard, the tissue sample is preferably not pushed too early, otherwise it could fall out or at least not go far enough into the vial. Embodiments may be configured such that there is no movement of the pusher until the pinion has rotated sufficiently to make contact with the auxiliary arm. A cam shape of the pinion may allow such contact to push the auxiliary arm, and thus the pusher, at the right time. Prior to the contact, the pusher may be stationary within the second jaw part and the only action may be just the jaw parts moving together with the leverage of the handles, to move the tag parts together. In embodiment, the pinion may then come into play and, in a preferably last part of the pinion rotation (further facilitated by a curved shape and / or a change of curvature of the pinion just before or within an end region of the pinion surface that contacts the auxiliary arm), the pusher finally pushes the sample through. The sample may in effect be stored in the sharp (if at least partially hollow, e.g. in the form of a needle) until the pusher comes through and pushes the sample into the vial. For example, the above-mentioned second action may start when the angle between the first and second arms and thus handles 5a and 5b has reduced from their initial positions by for example 9° - 15°, e.g. about 12°. In embodiments, the handles form an angle of approx. 30° (e.g. 29.7°) when fully open, and / or the pusher starts to move when the angle between the arms is less than about25853 January 29, 2025

[0152] 21

[0153] 5°. The pinion may be in contact with the auxiliary arm, e.g. via a roller on the arm, for about 65% - 70% of the duration of the closing of the arms by the user to perform a tagging and sampling procedure. That duration preferably corresponds to the last approx. 5°, 10°, 15° or 20° of the handles’ closure. (For completeness, we note that the angle between the arms is an angle representing a relative rotation of the arms around a pivot 25 in common, for example the pivot comprising a hinge coupled to both arms. The angle is zero when the handles are fully closed).

[0154] Fig. 4 shows how an embodiment that executes preferably each of three functions in response to, e.g. during, a single movement of the handles coming together: tagging, sampling and sealing. Specifically, Fig. 4a represents a sampling phase, and shows that there is enough space in the sharp (e.g. needle) to cut and obtain a sample e.g. meat from an ear 23. Fig. 4b shows a tagging phase to bring together and couple the tag parts, the tagging phase comprising, e.g. 2 / 3 of the duration of the jaws closing, during which there may be little or no movement of the pusher. When the sharp reaches the vial, the sharp may push the vial to detach it from the coupled tag. Fig. 4c shows a sealing phase that starts near the end of tagging phase, when the pinion comes into contact with the auxiliary arm (preferably via a roller). During the sealing phase, the pusher may move faster and / or accelerate to push a vial insert from the sharp and thus properly push the sample, e.g. meat, into the vial. The vial may then be ready to be collected by the user. In more detail regarding Fig. 4, it is noted that in embodiments the sharp comprises (preferably within the sharp) a vial insert 18, and is firstly moved to cut through the animal part (e.g. ear 23). The sharp then goes through the female tag part that couples with the male tag part. When the sharp comes into contact with the top of the vial, this pushes the vial out of / away from the female tag part, the vial consequently sliding partly out of I away from the tool until the vial hits a limiter (e.g., stopper). The sample and vial insert, and any initial content of the vial (e.g., a sample indicator 24, such as a coloured ball, which be an initial seal when the empty vial is first received), is pushed further into the vial that then becomes sealed by the vial insert. In such a process, the vial generally becomes sealed by the vial insert at a time later than the disconnection of the vial from the female tag part.

[0155] For completeness however, we further note that in some embodiments the sample may at least start to be pushed into the vial before the vial has disconnected from the tag. Furthermore, the order of steps may in different embodiments include using a vial insert to, e.g.,: (1) seal the vial, then push the vial to detach the vial from the female tag part; or (2) push the vial to detach from the tag, then seal the vial. In either case, a sample can be pushed into the vial before the vial is sealed.25853 January 29, 2025

[0156] 22

[0157] Benefits of such embodiments such as that of Fig. 4 may include: the three phases taking place in response, or within, a single user or handle movement; easy sample recovery; and / or force for the tagging phase does not need to be applied by the user at the same time as force for the sampling phase. Such timing separation of the tagging and sampling forces may be enabled by the synchronisation mechanism comprising the rack, pinion, and auxiliary arm.

[0158] An additional or alternative advantage may include allowing a user to clearly see a collected sample in the vial. This may contrast with an arrangement wherein the vial is used to collect and hold a needle that in turn contains sample; in such an arrangement, the sample could fall out during the process of putting the needle into the vial and the user would be unaware. In comparison, embodiments as disclosed herein may be safer (e.g., because no sharp is collected in the vial, which may later be handled at a laboratory) and / or may better preserve a sample if the vial contains preservative (e.g., a buffer liquid or desiccant material) and the sample is deposited directly into the preservative rather than remaining in a needle and thus not contacting any preservative as completely.

[0159] More detailed cross-sectional images of an example tool having a synchronisation mechanism are shown in Figs. 4d-1 to 4d-8. The images show a sequence of stages of a tagging and sampling process, wherein a vial is pushed to detach from, e.g. out of, a female tag part before a sample is received into the vial. Movement of the auxiliary arm to enable the process may however be controlled be any other arrangement having a suitably shaped surface, e.g., such a surface that pushes upwards or downwards on a contact with the auxiliary arm as discussed herein in relation to Figs 4e and 4f.

[0160] Fig. 5a shows an example auxiliary arm, including the curved slot 17 that, in this example, may be referred to as a ‘banana path’. The auxiliary arm may be configured to hold a roller 15 for contacting and moving along the pinion surface.

[0161] Fig. 5b shows the rack and pinion, each having teeth designed for a preferred speed of rotation of the cam pinion and / or hold effort of the user. A surface region 19 of the cam pinion (an upper surface of the pinion in the Fig. 5c orientation) may be curved to enable the pinion surface region to increase the speed of, and / or accelerate, the pusher’s movement towards or at the end of a stroke (e.g. a jaw closing movement). The faster speed and / or acceleration may be driven by the portion of the region 19 that moves against the auxiliary arm (e.g. via a roller thereof) in a final phase of the pinion’s contact with the auxiliary arm to thereby push the pusher. At the end of the stroke including the auxiliary arm movement, there may be only a small fraction of the stroke created by bringing the handles closer together left to finally get the sample through to the vial. For25853 January 29, 2025

[0162] 23

[0163] this reason, an increased speed and / or acceleration of the pusher in a preferably final phase of its movement towards the vial may increase reliability of the sampling process. In this regard, it is noted that with increased speed and / or acceleration, there may generally be a loss of torque and vice versa.

[0164] Further in this regard, Fig. 5c shows part of an example pinion outline 19a, wherein the surface region 19 that moves against the auxiliary arm 8 (e.g. a roller 15 thereof) has an enhanced curve to enable the increased speed and / or acceleration. That curve can be seen in the pinion outline 19a within Fig. 5c, which outline is shown - merely for comparison - overlaid on a differently curved pinion having a surface region 19. In embodiments, the first surface portion (in Fig. 5c, to the left of the 19a arrow, i.e., nearest the rack) to move along the auxiliary arm I roller is designed to delay part of a sampling movement, while the second surface portion (to the right of the 19a arrow, i.e., further from the rack) is designed to provide a fast speed and / or acceleration of part of the sampling movement. The shape of the second surface portion advantageously causes a fast and / or accelerating movement of the pusher. The surface region 19 may in embodiments have a smaller radius of curvature relative to adjacent first and / or second portions on either side of the smaller radius, and / or such adjacent first and second portions may have different radii of curvature. More generally however, and rather than the rack and / or pinion as shown specifically in Figs. 5b and 5c, an embodiment may use any moveable (e.g., rotatable) element(s) with a surface shaped to push upwards or downwards on an auxiliary arm contact (e.g. ball). Any such surface may be an enhanced curve as discussed above, to cause the auxiliary arm movement with the increase in speed and / or acceleration. Various different arrangements may therefore be used instead of a rack and pinion as shown in the drawings, to enable a single-stroke synchronised tagging and sampling process.

[0165] Further in this regard, it is noted that the pinion shape could be altered to push the auxiliary arm, e.g., a roller bearing thereof, from a different point such as under such a bearing instead of from the back of it. It is further noted that the rack could be integrated into another part instead of being a separate part.

[0166] Still further regarding Fig. 5, it is noted that in alternative embodiments it may be advantageous to have a fast motion at the start of the auxiliary arm movement, so that a higher torque is achieved by a slower finishing stroke.

[0167] Fig. 6 shows a vial holding a sample 20 (e.g. an ear notch), wherein the vial insert 18 is in position to seal or cap the vial. This example further shows an indicator 24 (e.g., ball or other shaped element), which may act as a seal when the vial does not yet contain a sample 20, and which is pushed into the vial by the vial insert 18.25853 January 29, 2025

[0168] 24

[0169] Figs.7a - 7c show views of a vial restrictor 12. The illustrated embodiment is insertable into a TST applicator tool such as an embodiment disclosed herein, however another embodiment of the restrictor is an integral part of such a tool, and in yet another embodiment, the restrictor made be comprised of parts that are integral to the tool and / or parts that are insertable or removable. Regardless of whether it comprises insertable or integral parts, the vial restrictor 12 may assist easy and / or fast loading of a vial into the tool, advantageously allowing the vial to be securely yet removably positioned by, or within an opening of, the first jaw part. The vial restrictor has a first receiver 12a, a second receiver 12b and a limiter 12c (e.g. stopper; may comprise a stop surface on an inside face to meet a vial protrusion or shoulder, and / or may comprise a grip, clamp, or clip). The restrictor 12 may further have a clip or clamp 12d for holding the female tag part 2 in place. The limiter is provided because, while it may be desirable that the vial (e.g. in the form of a tube) can slide, e.g. to allow detachment from a female tag part, it should ideally not move too far such that there is a risk it will fall away from the tool e.g. into surrounding mud or slurry. The limiter may further assist pushing of a sample into the vial and / or of a vial insert to seal the vial after sample collection, wherein the limiter preferably completely stops movement of the vial while the sample and / or vial insert are pushed into the vial. Loss of a vial is particularly inefficient, if a different tag must also then be used for the animal: a vial and tag are often labelled with the same ID number for tracking purposes. By using a vial restrictor, once a sample has gone into the vial, the vial can in embodiments move backwards but only by a limited distance. (Referring to the clip or clamp 12d for holding the female tag part 2 in place, it is noted that this may similarly hold a vial, e.g., when a tool is in a TSU mode. Embodiments of a vial restrictor may be specifically adapted for a TSU mode, to hold the vial more firmly before the sampling. A firmer hold may occur at the end of movement. In embodiments, this may involve the vial diameter at the clip or clamp 12d growing, if the vial has an e.g. conical shape. Thus, the further the vial is pushed, the more it may be held by the restrictor 12). In this regard, Fig. 7b shows the vial restrictor fitted within an opening in the first jaw part of a tool, wherein the female tag part is attached to the vial and held against the jaw part by a tag clip or clamp. Fig. 7c shows a vial 11, which is attached to a female tag part 2, being positioned into the vial restrictor 12 having a e.g. U shape to receive the vial. It is further noted that the vial restrictor may be clipped into the first jaw part, before or after the vial and female tag part are positioned in the vial restrictor.

[0170] Simplified, easy and / or fast loading can be further understood from Figs. 8a - 8c, which are a sequence of photographs showing: (a) a user positing the vial restrictor holding the vial and female tag part into the tool (the user leveraging an end of a tag clamp to allow25853 January 29, 2025

[0171] 25

[0172] the female tag part to be clamped into position against the jaw part); (b) a user attaching a male tag part to the upper jaw part; (c) the tool holding both tag parts and vial, ready for a tagging and sampling procedure.

[0173] Figs. 9a and 9b show, respectively, a vial position when the tool is open and a position when the tool is closed. To limit movement of the vial backwards, the vial restrictor has the above-mentioned limiter 12c, in this example incorporating a surface to stop the vial in translation at a specific point. For example, the vial has a shoulder around its circumference, so that the vial movement is stopped when the shoulder reaches a face of the limiter 12c (see vertical ellipse annotation in Fig. 9 encompassing the face and, in Fig. 9b, also the shoulder). The limiter 12c may stop the vial in translation and / or allow the vial insert to get inside the vial. The travel of the vial, e.g. during the pushing of a sharp against and / or valve insert into the vial, may cause the vial to separate from the female tag part, thus assisting easy and / or fast vial recovery. In this regard, Figs. 9a and 9b show the vial restrictor, respectively, before and after a vial insert has been pushed in to a held vial, wherein the vial has been pushed to an extent out of the tool (or at least away from the main body of the first jaw part). Thus, an advantage of the restrictor may be to allow the vial to move so that it will separate from the tag, but not move too far such that it falls out, or that the vial won’t seal. This way, the vial may remain securely on the tool, waiting for the user (e.g. farmer) to recover the vial, while the tag may remain on the animal that may move unpredictably away from the tool and vial. Advantageously, the vial may move a precise distance: far enough so that tag will not pull the vial when the user is taking the tool away from the animal, and far enough that the vial insert is positioned correctly in the vial at the end of the stroke. In some embodiments, the precise distance is about 7mm to about 9mm, e.g., about 7.8 mm.

[0174] Considering a vial restrictor integrated into a tool, Figs. 9c and 9d show a change of position of a sample 20 and an indicator 24 (e.g. ball or differently shaped element; such an element may initially be within the vial preferably as a first vial seal), wherein the position of the ball indicates whether or not a sample has been collected in the vial. Whereas Figs. 9e and 9f show a change of position of a tissue sample 20, this example lacking an indicator.

[0175] It is particularly noted that an integral vial restrictor may lack a distinct first receiver and / or distinct second receiver, the integral vial restrictor however comprising at least a limiter to restrict the extent of movement of the vial.

[0176] Different vial restrictor designs compared to Figs. 9a - 9f (e.g. of different configuration and / or size) could be integrated within, or positioned within the same opening of, the first jaw part if a different design of tag is to be attached to an animal. For example, a vial25853 January 29, 2025

[0177] 26

[0178] restrictor may be adapted to receive a specific or generic ‘non-TST’-type female tag part lacking a vial. An embodiment of the tool may be configured to allow a user to turn off the synchronisation mechanism in this case, for example using a mode selector 10 (described below) to change from a TST mode to a tagging (no sampling) mode.

[0179] Further in this regard, Figs. 10 and the photograph sequence of Figs. 11a - d show that a tool may be designed to allow e.g. easy and / or fast recovery after a sample has been sealed in the vial. When the tagged animal moves away from the tool, the vial remains on the tool, ready to be collected by the user. The removal of the vial may be from the first jaw part or, if an above-mentioned with integrated or separable vial restrictor is used, from the vial restrictor. Thus, the collection may involve e.g. just unclipping the vial from the jaw part or from the vial restrictor, e.g. in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 10. Desirably, no extra handle or actuator may be required on the tool to achieve the removal of the vial.

[0180] As an alternative or addition to the vial restrictor as described above, an embodiment may have a cover (or bumper) 21 as shown in Figs. 17a-1 and 17a-2, a barrel-type lock 22 as shown in Fig. 17b, or a vial restrictor integrated into a tool jaw as shown in Figs.

[0181] 17c- 17e.

[0182] Regarding Fig. 17a, the vial cover 21 is rotatable to allow insertion, into the first jaw portion and via a side hole of the cover, of the vial having the female tag portion and / or a vial restrictor (e.g. having the limiter as described above). The vial when rotated to another position is shown in Fig. 17a-2. In the position shown in Fig. 17a-1, an end surface of the cover protects the closed end of the vial. For this reason, the cover may alternatively be referred to a bumper, i.e. , protects at least the closed end from bumps with external objects. When the cover has been rotated such that the end surface is no longer in position behind the closed end of the vial, this allows clear access by the user to facilitate removal of the vial, with or without the vial restrictor and / or female tag part (which may have become detached from the vial by the pushing of the vial insert to seal the vial).

[0183] Regarding the barrel-type lock of Fig. 17b, the vial may be inserted, through a side opening of the barrel 22, into the barrel (the female part on the inner surface of the first jaw part; now shown). A ‘bottom’ surface of the barrel (i.e. furthest from the first jaw part) may protect the closed end of the vial. When the barrel is rotated such that the side opening faces a surface of the first jaw part, a side surface of the barrel prevents the vial from falling through the side opening and out of the barrel and thus tool. Thus, the barrel as shown in Fig. 17b may act as a locker and protector.25853 January 29, 2025

[0184] 27

[0185] In embodiments, a vial protector is provided such that the vial is not accidentally ejected if the applicator is bumped. In embodiments, a user can push a trigger to eject the vial. The trigger may be substantially (e.g. fully) covered so that a user must push a trigger actuator, e.g., switch, into the tool jaw to activate it, or the trigger could be protected by being under the bottom of the jaw, e.g. as shown in Figs. 17c - 17e.

[0186] Specifically, Figs. 17c - 17e show a vial protector that is built into a jaw, the protector substantially surrounding at least a bottom part of the vial so that a user generally cannot accidentally knock or pull the vial out. To operate the arrangement, a user pushes in the trigger area 26, the pivoter 26a pivots around a pivot point 26b and the top of the pivoter 26a moves the vial forward and out of the holder. A bias, such as a spring 26c, may move the pivoter 26a back into place. In an embodiment, the pushing of the trigger area 26 may specifically push a switch 26d. The pivoter may comprise (e.g. be) such a switch 26d that is provided on an outer surface of the jaw, under the space for the vial. The pivoter, when activated (e.g., pushed) by the user, pivots (due to the push and / or a bias, e.g., a spring) to cause the vial to move upwards towards the jaw whereupon the vial becomes accessible for removal by a user. (The bias, in the form of a spring 26c, is shown merely approximately in the illustration of Fig. 17e). Another embodiment may provide a switch arrangement having a taper to cause the vial to move out of the bottom of the jaw to become accessible to a user, e.g., to eject the vial preferably into a user’s hand.

[0187] However, while an embodiment as described above may include a pin that the pivoter 26a pivots on, other embodiments may have an ejection lever sliding on one of more rails to eliminate the need for a pivot point of a pin.

[0188] Consistent with the above, simplified, easy and / or fast vial recovery may be facilitated in an embodiment by means of the above-described vial restrictor and / or cover 21 or barreltype lock 22. However, other embodiments may enable vial recovery using rotation. For example, as shown in Figs. 17f-1 and f-2, after sampling (preferably also tagging) are done and an animal is released from the tool: the user can turn a rotatable vial holder 30a (e.g., a part or system that contains the vial) by using e.g. their finger. This may move the vial such that it becomes easier to recover, e.g., because the vial is moved to a position where there is a clear path or surrounding to remove or catch the vial. In such an embodiment, the vial holder may comprise a plastic part linked by a pivot to the jaw part, which may be made of e.g. aluminium. Alternatively, vial recovery may be enabled using sliding. For example, and as shown in Figs. 17g-1 and g-2, the tool may have a slider arrangement to allow a vial holder 30b to be slid out of (e.g., by being pushed by a user’s thumb) the jaw part such that the vial is easier to recover. Preferably, a slideable25853 January 29, 2025

[0189] 28

[0190] vial holder 30b comprises a rail that slides along a groove in the jaw part (or vice versa, i.e. , the rail and groove in the jaw part and holder respectively).

[0191] It is further noted with regard to Fig. 17f that an embodiment may be configured to eject the vial at an angle out from the front of the applicator tool.

[0192] Fig. 12 shows a female tag part comprising a detachable vial, and a male tag part comprising a detachable sharp 4; the sharp may for example be detachably mounted on a support 3a and / or removable out from the back of the male tag part. Specifically, Figs.

[0193] 12a and the views 12b- 1 and -2 show, respectively, a female tag part 2 with attached vial 11 , and a male tag part 3 preferably comprising support 3a, the male tag part holding sharp 4 and vial insert 18. Such tag parts are suitable for use with embodiments of the tool as described herein. As shown in the Fig. 12a, the vial 11 of the female tag part may be sealed by receiving the male tag part’s vial insert 18, such that an element functioning as an initial vial seal and / or sample indicator is moved further into the vial.

[0194] Figs. 12c-1 and -2 show that such an element may have an irregular shape. Furthermore, they show the element at different positions within the vial, corresponding to different stages of a sampling process. Such a vial with a shaped element may be used in any TST or sampling-only procedure performed by a TSU or TST applicator tool. Consistent with the context shown in Figs. 12c-1 and -2, the procedure may be performed using an embodiment of the TST applicator tool as disclosed herein and / or the vial may be provided as a detachable vial of the preferred female TST tag part described herein. More generally however, the shaped element such as the indicator 24 may be provided in any vial that is for use with any TSU or TST applicator tool, and regardless of whether or not the vial is initially provided as part of a female tag part.

[0195] Considering Figs. 12c-1 and -2 in more detail, the illustrated sampling stages occur after a sample 20 has been cut from an animal but not yet moved into the vial. The sample is illustrated as a block at the end of the sharp, wherein the block is adjacent the shaped element in Fig. 12c-2. The element may be shaped to reduce leakage, e.g. to reduce or prevent partial or complete loss of the cut sample from a sharp before the sample is moved into the vial and / or to reduce or prevent loss of fluid from the vial. Such reduction or prevention may be improved compared to when using a simple ball or spherical shape element. A more preferable shape generally ensures that the sample stays fully inside a sharp until actively pushed into the vial, e.g., by the pusher? when using a TST applicator tool embodiment disclosed herein. Indeed, when using such a tool, the shaped element may prevent a cut sample 20 moving even partially into a vial 11 until the vial and sharp 4 are fully aligned. To achieve the reduction or prevention in any embodiment, the shape25853 January 29, 2025

[0196] 29

[0197] of part of the element that is nearest the open end of the vial acts to some extent as a barrier to the cut sample. The shaped part may be elongated and / or narrow in its crosssection towards the open end of the vial. For example, in Figs. 12c-1 and -2, the part is substantially (e.g. exactly) a preferably truncated cone. The part may be integral, or attached, to another part of the element, which other part may for example comprise a ball or be at least partially spherical. In other examples however, the shaped element comprises only the shaped part.

[0198] Fig. 12c-3 shows another embodiment of the generally tear-drop shape element of Figs. 12c-1 and 12c-2 (as above, the element functioning as an initial vial seal and / or sample indicator). The element of Fig. 12c-3 embodies the same general idea as that of Figs. 12c-1 and 12c-2, but the tear drop has an additional feature that may further reduce or prevent leakage. Specifically the Fig. 12c-3 element has the tear drop design from Figs. 12c-1 and 12c-2, but with an additional flap or tail. While the image of Fig. 12c-3 is in 2D, the flap is preferably a complete circle within the vial, thereby forming an additional seal.

[0199] Preferred embodiments of a tool described herein further comprise a selector 10, for example in the form of a switch mode ring or dial as shown in Figs. 1 and 13, wherein the selector 10 can be moved, e.g. turned, to rotate the pusher guide 9. In embodiments, the selector 10 may be moved, for example, manually by the user or with the aid of a tool. The pusher guide may have a guide hole comprising a guide slot 9a and a guide hole extension 9b that extends away from the guide slot 9a.

[0200] Correspondingly, the pusher 7 has a protrusion (e.g. pin) 7p that protrudes into the auxiliary arm 8 e.g. into a curved slot 17 of the auxiliary arm. The auxiliary arm 8 is configured such that, when the jaws are closed by the handles being squeezed, such that the auxiliary arm 8 is close to (preferably in contact with) the second jaw part, the pusher guide 9 can be rotated by the selector 10 such that the protrusion 7p enters the extension 9b. The angle of the extension 9b relative to the guide slot 9a, e.g. about 90°, is such that the pusher can then no longer move through the pusher guide 9. A reverse turning of the selector 10 will also turn the pusher guide 9 and may allow the protrusion 7p to re-enter the guide slot 9a such that the pusher can once again move through the pusher guide 9.

[0201] Such turning and reverse turning of the selector 10 may switch the tool into a nonsampling mode (e.g. tagging only) and then back into a sampling mode (e.g. TST mode).25853 January 29, 2025

[0202] 30

[0203] Vice versa applies. Consistent therewith, Figs. 13a, and the two sub-drawings of Figs.

[0204] 13b (auxiliary arm shown) and 13c (auxiliary arm omitted for illustrative purposes, to show the extension portion 9b into which the protrusion 7p has been received), show, respectively, the tool initially in a TST mode (Fig. 13b) and then in a tagging (no sampling) mode (Fig. 13c). For example, if the user turns the switch mode ring, the pusher guide will rotate and block the pusher and auxiliary arm in position, to thus prevent longitudinal or lateral movement of the pusher through the pusher guide and backwards movement of the auxiliary arm relative to the second jaw part. The pusher 7 may then be considered to have become a ‘tagging pin’, i.e. , a pin that applies an ear tag to an animal (such a tagging pin is shown to the right of the sign in Fig. 14b). Merely for completeness, it is noted that in the non-sampling mode wherein the pusher is fixed I locked in position, the tool may be used to attach to an animal a ‘non-TST’ type tag, i.e., a tag not comprised of parts incorporating a vial and sharp (both of the female and male tag parts of such a tag are generally closed, i.e., neither may have a hole extending through their thickness; it is further noted that the male part of such a tag has a sharp, e.g., a pointed tip). In that case, the pusher may be used as a pin on which the male tag part is mounted before the animal is then tagged; the mode selector may then be operated to lock the pusher in a fixed position after the pusher has been pushed to a position where it partially protrudes from the second jaw part 6b; this may be the furthest position reachable by the pusher in response to or during a jaw closing stroke.

[0205] Regarding protrusion of the pusher from the second jaw part it is noted that, fora tagging-only mode, it is desirable for the switch to lock the pusher at a pre-defined position. For example, the protrusion of the pusher may then be compatible with use of a standard male tag part. Further regarding the protrusion it is noted that, in an embodiment, the switch may stop the pusher at a specific location, preferably such that the tagging stroke is suitable for the tag set being used, e.g., not too short (which could result in underapplication, i.e., tag parts not coupled correctly) or too long (over application).

[0206] Fig. 14 similarly shows an embodiment of the tool switching from a TST mode wherein the auxiliary arm is biased away from the second arm, to a tagging (no sampling) mode wherein the auxiliary arm is fixed, e.g. locked, in position against the second arm. In the drawing, the sign and jaw piece lacking an auxiliary arm is merely to illustrate that second jaw part of the tool in a tagging-only mode is similar to a jaw part of a nonsampling tag applicator such as the LITT3S (RTM) applicator described at https: / / www.allflex.global / na / utt3s / . In this regard, Fig. 15 shows the tool in a TSU, or sampling, mode (i.e. no tagging).25853 January 29, 2025

[0207] 31

[0208] Embodiments of the tool may be usable in a so-called TSU mode, i.e., a sampling mode lacking tagging, as shown in the diagram of Fig. 15 and photograph of Fig. 16. The tool may then work similarly or identically as for a TST mode, e.g. merely without any tag parts being in place during the tissue sampling. Thus, the vial is loaded and held without female tag part. Optionally, a sharp holder specifically designed for insertion into or attachment to - absent a male tag part - the second jaw part may be used. The example of Fig. 16 shows a TSU mode operation, using a sharp in the form of a needle loaded on the tool (rather than on male tag), wherein a sample 20 has been collected in a vial. The vial may be plastic. Nevertheless, some protection of the vial may be desirable, e.g. to prevent the vial in case any part of the tool, e.g. a mechanism that holds the vial in place, bumps against a bar of a cattle pen (for example due to a user reaction when the animal unexpectedly moves). For example, it is preferable that such a bump of the mechanism does not release the vial such that it accidentally falls away from the tool, potentially into surrounding mud or slurry. Protection may be achieved to an extent by a vial restrictor 12 e.g. as shown in Figs. 7 or 9, a cover e.g. as shown in Figs. 17a-1 and 17a-2 or a barrel e.g. as shown in Fig. 17b.

[0209] The cover 21 of Fig. 17a-1 and 17a-2 is rotatable e.g. by means of a hinge attachment to the first jaw part. The end of the cover may then protect the closed end of the vial. In its non-protective position, the closed end of the vial is fully accessible to the user. Alternatively, protection is provided in the form of the barrel-type lock of Fig. 17b, which comprises barrel 22 holding a vial (optionally with attached female tag part). The vial may have been inserted into the first jaw part through a side opening of the barrel. A user can rotate the barrel within the first jaw part to lock the vial within, such that if the tool is bumped against an external object, the vial cannot fall out.

[0210] Fig. 18a shows in cross-section an example passage insert for holding the pusher 7, e.g. a push rod or pin 7a preferably made of steel. (The push rod or pin 7a may have any shape that is compatible with any particular tag, e.g. a standard tag if the applicator tool is to be used for tagging-only or in a tagging-only mode. For example, the rod or pin may have a conical taper and / or a stepped design that fits an internal region of a tag part). Such a passage insert can be used in any sampling and / or tagging tool, e.g. any embodimentof a TST applicator tool as described herein. On occasion, when an animal’s e.g. ear is between jaws of a tool, the animal may suddenly and unexpectedly move and may even try to pull away from the tool. This may occur because the animal is in distress; notably, this is more likely if the tagging and / or sampling procedure requires many user steps and / or much time. It is therefore preferred to design the tool to allow the pusher or push rod to be more easily replaced, for example if a part, or whole, of the pusher25853 January 29, 2025

[0211] 32

[0212] becomes bent and / or falls away due to such an animal movement or other damage during use. With regard to Fig. 18a, the second jaw part (preferably a pusher guide thereof) may have a pusher 7a and a passage insert body 7b coupled to be pushed, e.g. by an auxiliary arm as described herein. The pusher preferably has a feature such as a depression 7e (e.g. notch) to receive a biased element 7c of the passage insert, such as a spring loaded ball bearing. The element may be biased into contact with a part of the pusher that is within the passage insert. Thus, the biased element may allow the pusher to be held firmly within the passage insert, to retain the pusher throughout a tagging and / or sampling operation. However, the biased element may also allow a user to pull the pusher out of the passage insert and push a new, replacement pusher into the passage insert. Complexity and / or cost of repairing the tool in the event of pusher damage or loss may thus be reduced. Indeed, without the more easily replaced pusher element and passage insert design described herein, the tool may need to be replaced in its entirety due to such loss or damage.

[0213] Similarly to Fig. 18a, Figs. 18b and 18c show an exploded view of an example passage insert comprising parts 7b - 7d, before and after assembly with a pusher 7 such as push rod 7a. The biased element 7c is preferably ball-shaped and biased by a removable cover 7d to press through a side hole in the passage insert body and against any pusher that is present. In each of the Fig. 18 embodiments, the element 7c preferably has a size and / or shape such that it cannot freely move fully through the side hole into the passage insert body when no pusher is present. More generally, an element 7c may in embodiments be biased and / or secured by, e.g. being screwed into a side hole of a passage insert body and thus against any pusher present within the body, or by using a locking collar or cover (e.g. 7d of Fig. 18b) that releases the element when the collar / cover is removed.

[0214] Alternatively, and as shown in e.g. Figs. 1 and 2, the pusher 7a and passage insert body 7b may be coupled or integrated as, in effect, a single-piece pusher 7. (It is noted in this regard that the pusher may not comprise a uniform cylindrical rod; the push rods of distinct embodiments may have different shapes, e.g. a pin). The biased element 7c may then be part of the second jaw part 6b, e.g. part of the pusher guide 9, and biased from the inner surface of the pusher passage 9c to thereby contact a depression, e.g. notch 7e (or similar), in the pusher. In the event of loss or damage of the pusher, the entire pusher comprising the rod 7a and insert body 7b may be replaceable. Such a coupled or integrated arrangement may be implemented for or in any sampling and / or tagging tool, e.g. a TST applicator tool embodiment as described herein.25853 January 29, 2025

[0215] 33

[0216] The use of a biased element 7c as described in a tool as described above may enable the pusher to ‘click’ into place when pushed into the passage and / or passage insert body. Figs. 19a - 19d show a part of a tool having a rotatable hook 27 to keep the handles closed, e.g., substantially parallel and / or touching. Fig. 19a shows the hook resting against one of the handles, preferably such that a hook surface opposing the other handle is substantially (e.g. exactly) flush with one handle. Thus, then handles are not hooked together and are free to be opened and, in embodiments, may then be closed to perform tagging and / or sampling depending on whether the tool is a TSU or TST applicator tool - such as a TST applicator tool embodiment described herein. On the other hand, Figs. 19b - 19d show the handles hooked to stay closed.

[0217] In embodiments, the hook, which may comprise plastic and / or metal, is attached by a hinge, e.g., comprising a pin extending across part of a handle to provide an axis of rotation of the hook. The other end of the hook has a shape that is curved or bent back to hold onto or grab, i.e., hook around, the other handle. For example, the shape may hook onto a feature that is the end of the other handle and / or a protrusion from the other handle. Such a protrusion may for example be another pin 28 attached to the other handle as shown in Fig. 19d. Such a pin 28 is preferably parallel to the axis of rotation at the hinge. However, the protrusion can have any shape that allows the hook to hook over the protrusion to thereby prevent the handles from opening until a user unhooks the hook.

[0218] As further shown in Fig. 19c a bias such as a spring 16a may be linked between the handles. Similarly, a hook bias, for example a torsion spring 29 as partially shown in Fig.

[0219] 19d, may be provided to couple the hook to the handle having the hinge. Such a hook bias 29 may pull or push the hook towards the hinged handle, e.g., to the hook position as shown in Fig. 19a.

[0220] The shape of the hook may allow the tool to be securely closed, advantageously such that the tool can be attached to a wall and / or a belt with increased safety and / or reduced risk of damage to the tool. Additionally or alternatively, the hook may prevent (or reduce the risk of) the tool re-opening absent user intervention, advantageously such that the tool does not re-open due to e.g. vibration, shaking and / or knocking against an external object such as may accidentally happen during travel.

[0221] No doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and25853 January 29, 2025

[0222] 34

[0223] encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

25853 January 29, 202535CLAIMS:

1. A tool for attaching a tag to, and sampling, an animal, the tool comprising:- a first arm having a first handle and a first jaw part for holding a vial and a female part of a tag; and- a second arm having a second handle and a second jaw part for holding a sharp for sampling an animal and a male part of a said tag,wherein the first and second handles are movable towards each other to thereby move the second jaw part towards the first jaw part,wherein:the second jaw part comprises a pusher for moving through a sharp; and the second arm comprises an auxiliary arm attached at one end to the second jaw part, and biased away from the second jaw part, the auxiliary arm coupled at another end to the pusher, andwherein the second arm is configured to, in response to a single movement of the second handle towards the first handle:- move the second jaw part towards the first jaw part; and- move the auxiliary arm to push the pusher towards the first jaw part, wherein the movement of the auxiliary arm starts after the start of the movement of the second jaw part.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first arm comprises a rack and the second arm comprises a pinion, wherein:the pinion is configured to rotate relative to the rack during the single said movement of the second handle towards the first handle, to thereby rotate the auxiliary arm towards the second jaw part, said rotation of the auxiliary arm to cause the pushing of the pusher towards the first jaw part.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the pinion has a cam shape to cause a surface region of the pinion to come into contact with the auxiliary arm to initiate the movement of the25853 January 29, 202536auxiliary arm to push the pusher towards the first jaw part, the surface region to remain in contact with the auxiliary arm to drive the movement.

4. The tool of claim 3, wherein the surface region of the pinion has a first portion to come into said contact with and push the auxiliary arm and a second, adjacent portion to contact and push the auxiliary arm after the first portion, wherein the surface region is curved to enable the auxiliary arm to, when pushed by the second portion, push the pusher to move faster than during the push by the first portion.

5. The tool of any preceding claim, wherein:the second jaw part has a passage for the pusher;the auxiliary arm has a slot having a curved shape; andthe pusher has a protrusion that protrudes into the slot,wherein the curved shape of the slot is to push the pusher to travel linearly along the passage towards the first jaw.

6. The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the second jaw part has a passage and the movement of the pusher towards the first jaw part comprises movement of the pusher along the passage, wherein:the second jaw part has an element biased into the passage; andthe pusher has a surface having a depression to receive the biased element, wherein the biased element is to hinder extraction of the pusher from the passage.

7. The tool of claim 6, wherein the pusher comprises a passage insert having the coupling to the auxiliary arm and comprises a pusher rod having the depression, the passage insert to receive the pusher rod and having the element biased to contact with the received pusher rod.25853 January 29, 2025378. The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the sharp comprises a vial insert for sealing a said vial, and the push of the pusher by the auxiliary arm towards the first jaw part is to push the vial insert out of the sharp and into a said vial held by the first jaw part.

9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the vial insert is configured to seal the vial when pushed into the vial by the pusher.

10. The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the tool is for performing operations for tagging and sampling a said animal during the single said movement, the operations comprising:a) a tagging operation, wherein:the second jaw part is configured to, during at least part of the movement of the second jaw part towards the first jaw part, and if the first jaw part holds a female part of a tag and second jaw part holds a male part of the tag, push the male part into the female part; andb) a tissue sampling operation wherein, if the first jaw part holds a said vial, the second jaw part holds a said sharp and the sharp has a vial insert within the sharp,:the second jaw part is configured to, during at least part of the movement of the second jaw part towards the first jaw part, move the sharp towards the vial, the movement of the sharp for obtaining a sample of a said animal; and the pusher is configured to, during at least part of the movement of the auxiliary arm to push the pusher, push the vial insert through the sharp and towards the vial, the push of the vial insert for pushing a said obtained sample into the vial,wherein the movement of the auxiliary arm starts after the at least part of the movement of the second jaw part.

11. The tool of claim 10, configured to be operated in at least two selectable operation modes, wherein the modes comprise:a tagging and sampling mode comprising the operations a) and b),and at least one of:25853 January 29, 202538a sampling mode comprising, from among a) and b), only the tissue sampling operation b), wherein the first jaw part is configured to hold a vial and the second jaw part is configured to hold a sharp; and / ora tagging mode comprising, from among a) and b), only the tissue sampling operation a), wherein the first jaw part is configured to hold a said female tag part lacking a vial and the second jaw part is configured to hold a said male tag part lacking a sharp.

12. The tool of claim 11 , comprising a mode selector movable in a first direction to select the tagging and sampling mode and in a second, other direction to select the tagging mode, wherein:the second jaw part comprises a pusher guide having the passage for the pusher and a guide hole to receive the pusher protrusion, the guide hole having a guide slot to allow the linear travel of the pusher and a portion extending at an angle away from the guide slot;the pusher protrusion extends through the guide hole to protrude into the slot of the auxiliary arm and is configured to move within the guide slot during the linear travel of the pusher; andthe mode selector is attached to the pusher guide and is configured to, when the auxiliary arm has moved to push the pusher towards the first jaw part, be:moveable in the first direction to turn the pusher guide to receive the protrusion of the pusher into the extending portion of the guide hole, to thereby prevent travel of the pusher towards the first jaw part; andmoveable in the second direction to turn the pusher guide to receive the protrusion of the pusher into the guide slot of the guide hole.

13. The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the first jaw part holds a said female part having a vial and the second jaw part holds a said sharp, and wherein the second handle is configured to cause, by moving away from the first handle after the pushing of the pusher toward the end of the sharp,:the second jaw part to pull the sharp away from vial to allow the vial to be extracted from the tool; and25853 January 29, 202539the auxiliary arm to pull the pusher out of the sharp.

14. The tool of any preceding claim, wherein the second jaw part has an opening to allow a sharp to be pushed into the second jaw part, the opening having at least one chamfered surface to grip the sharp to thereby prevent the sharp from falling from the tool and to allow the sharp to be pulled out of the tool.

15. The tool of any preceding claim, wherein first jaw part comprises an ejector comprising an actuator to, when activated by a user, release tension in the actuator to thereby push the vial partially out of the first jaw part.

16. The tool of any preceding claim, comprising a barrel rotatably coupled to the first jaw part, the barrel having an open end opposing the second jaw part and further having a side opening to receive a said vial, wherein the barrel is rotatable to cause the side opening to face a surface of the first jaw part to thereby prevent the vial from falling through the side opening.

17. A vial restrictor for a tool for sampling an animal, the vial restrictor comprising:at least one receiver having an opening for receiving at least part of a vial; anda limiter connected to a said receiver and for resisting movement of a said received vial more than a predetermined distance through the vial restrictor.

18. The vial restrictor of claim 17, for a tool for tagging and sampling an animal, the tool having a first jaw part and a second jaw part, wherein the vial restrictor is for receiving a female tag part that is for holding a said vial, wherein:the at least one receiver comprises: a first receiver having an opening for receiving a first part of a vial; and a second receiver connected to the first receiver and having an opening for receiving a second part of the vial, wherein the limiter is connnected to the second receiver; and25853 January 29, 202540the vial restrictor is for positioning in an opening of the first jaw part and positioning the first receiver against an inner jaw surface of the first jaw part and positioning the second receiver against an outer jaw surface of the first jaw part.

19. The tool of any one of claims 1 to 16, the tool for receiving a vial restrictor according to claim 17 or 18 and a female tag part, wherein the first jaw part comprises a rotatable vial cover to allow insertion of a said vial restrictor into the first jaw part and insertion of a said female tag part comprising a vial into the inserted vial restrictor, wherein the vial cover has:an end surface to protect an end of the vial of the inserted female tag part, the end furthest from the first jaw part; anda side comprising at least one side surface extending from the first jaw part to the end surface,wherein the side has a hole to allow the insertion of the vial restrictor and the insertion of the female tag part comprising the vial,wherein the cover is rotatable relative to the first jaw part to allow the insertion and removal of the vial.

20. A method of tagging and sampling an animal, the method using the tool of any one of claims 1 - 16 and 19, the method comprising:inserting the female part into the first jaw part, the inserted female part having the vial;inserting the male part into the second jaw part, the inserted male part having the sharp; andmoving at least one of the first and second handles towards the other of the first and second handles to, in response to that movement, perform:the tagging operation a), wherein the push of the male part pushes the protrusion of the male part through a part of the animal and into the opening of the female tag to thereby couple the female and male parts; and the tissue sampling operation b), wherein the movement of the sharp into the vial causes the sharp to cut through the animal to thereby obtain a sample of the animal, and the push of the pusher toward the end of the sharp pushes the sample from the sharp into the vial.25853 January 29, 20254121. The method of claim 20, wherein the movement of the auxiliary arm starts when or after the end of sharp has come into contact with the vial.

22. The method of claim 20 or 21 , wherein the inserted sharp comprises a vial insert for sealing a vial, wherein the push of the pusher toward the end of the sharp pushes the vial insert at the same time as the pushing the sample, the push of the pusher to thereby push the vial insert into the vial and thereby seal the vial.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising recovering the vial after the sealing the vial, wherein movement of the sharp causes the vial to detach from the female tag part and the recovering comprises the user using:one hand to hold and pull the tool away from the coupled tag parts; and another hand to collect the detached vial while the one hand continues to hold the tool.

24. A tool for sampling and / or tagging an animal, the tool comprising opposing jaw parts wherein a second of the jaw parts has a passage for movement of a pusher through the passage towards a first of the jaw parts, wherein:the second jaw part has an element biased into the passage; andthe pusher has a surface having a depression to receive the biased element, wherein the biased element is to hinder extraction of the pusher from the passage.

25. A passage insert for inserting into a passage of a tool jaw part and for receiving a push rod, the tool for sampling and / or tagging an animal, the passage insert having an element biased to contact a said received push rod having a depression to receive the biased element.

26. A tool, vial restrictor, method or passage insert as defined in any preceding claim, wherein a said female part of an animal tag comprises an opening for receiving a protrusion of a male part of a said tag, the female part for holding a detachable vial and25853 January 29, 202542configured to allow a sharp to pass through the opening to a said vial, optionally wherein the vial is separably attached to the female part.

27. A tool, vial restrictor, method or passage insert as defined in any preceding claim, wherein a said male part of an animal tag has a protrusion for entering a female part of a said tag, the protrusion having a hole extending between a first open end for receiving a sharp and a second open end for allowing a pusher to enter a said received sharp, optionally wherein the male part has the sharp at least within the first open end.

28. A tool of any one of claims 1 - 16, 19, 24 or 26, comprising the female tag part, the male tag part, the vial and / or the sharp.

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