Ear Tag Retainer Nodes and Holder Interlock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ear tag retainer systems often fail to securely attach and maintain identification tags on animals due to breakage, rotting, or separation, leading to inefficiencies in animal identification and re-tagging processes.

Innovation Solution

A durable ear tag retainer system featuring a retainer with nodes and a holder, where the nodes extend from the retainer and fit into openings in the holder, ensuring secure attachment and long-term retention on animals, utilizing a plastic or composite material with a strong, weather-resistant design and a tapered shaft to prevent compression and bacterial accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional ear tag retainers are used, then the attachment process is simple, but the retainers break, rot, or separate over time causing tag loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretainer durabilityVSAvoidretainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer is divided into multiple components: a base portion with nodes, a separate holder with openings, and a tag portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as a unified system, improving overall reliability without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nodes are nested within the holder openings, creating an interlocking structure where the retainer base with nodes fits into the holder. This nesting mechanism provides secure attachment and prevents separation, addressing the reliability issue while maintaining reasonable structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If traditional ear tag materials are used, then manufacturing is inexpensive, but the materials rot away over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretainer lifespanVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer system utilizes composite or treated materials that resist rotting and degradation. The base and holder are constructed from materials designed for long-term durability in animal ear environments, extending the retainer lifespan while remaining manufacturable through standard processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If simple ear tag retainers are used, then attachment is easy, but the tags are not securely retained and are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidattachment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The nodes are pre-formed on the retainer base before assembly, and the holder openings are pre-positioned to receive them. This preliminary preparation ensures that when assembled, the nodes securely engage with the holder openings, providing reliable attachment without requiring complex assembly operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The nodes extend from the base in specific directions and fit into corresponding openings in the holder, utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement to create secure mechanical interlocking. This dimensional approach enhances attachment security while keeping the overall structure relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7937861B1Ear tag retainer system

Publication Date: 2011.05.10 ZACHER CLAYTON S

AI summary

An ear tag retainer system for efficiently and easily securing an ear tag to an animal. The ear tag retainer system generally includes a retainer including a plurality of nodes, wherein the plurality of nodes extend from the retainer and a holder including a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings receive the plurality of nodes when attaching an identification tag to an animal.