FR2497632A1 - Two part ear-tag for cattle or sheep - has supple plastics stab with works number attached by U=shaped metal clip with number indicia - Google Patents

Abstract

The ear tag identifies cattle or sheep, comprising a metal plate (1) and a supple plastics tab (6) carrying a unique breeding number and a works number respectively. The plate is of brass or Al alloy, folding into a 'U' shape, and secured by a stud (4) projecting from one wing (2). The stud passes through an opening (5) in the other wing (3) for its free end to be return-folded. The tab is also secured by the engagement of the stud in the opening, using its own opening (7) with a lip on one edge to accommodate the stud whilst located in the plate opening. The lip returns (8) to prevent its withdrawal from the plate opening, the tab being fixed to the plate.

Description

 The present invention relates to the field of marking of cattle and sheep, both from the health point of view, and from the point of view of management of a herd by a breeder, and relates to an ear tag intended for this purpose.

 Currently, this permanent identification is generalized and consists in affixing to the right ear of the animal an "exclusive number", most often in the form of a small metal plate imprinted in hollow, and in providing the left ear a "work number" with three or four large digits readable from afar and carried on a plate generally made of flexible synthetic material.

 The plate bearing the "exclusive number" is very easy to use and can be put in place by means of an automatic release pliers, which makes it possible to work in complete safety during prophylaxis operations. However, this plate cannot be read from a distance, and identification is no longer possible except by reading the "work number" on the other ear.

 In addition, the plastic plate bearing said "work number" must be placed by means of a special clamp difficult to use, and thus more dangerous, because the duration of the setting operation risk of annoying animals, and thus making them dangerous.

 The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

 Its purpose, in fact, is an ear tag for the identification of cattle and sheep essentially constituted by a metal plate in brass or aluminum alloy bearing the "exclusive number" and formed by two foldable wings provided, l 'one from a male part, and the other from a female part, and by a flexible plastic plate bearing the "work number", characterized in that the flexible plastic plate is mounted on the female part of the metal plate and can be provided with an opening whose contours correspond to those of the male and female parts, and in that said plastic plate is provided with a lug for hooking in the female part of the metal plate .

 The invention will be better understood thanks to the description below, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, e- explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of an ear tag according to the invention FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the assembly of the two plates FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the mark according to FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view, on a larger scale, of the mark in the use position.

 In accordance with the invention, and as shown more particularly, by way of example, FIGS. 1 to 4 of the appended drawings, the ear tag for the identification of cattle and sheep, essentially constituted by a metal plate 1 in brass or aluminum alloy provided with the "exclusive number" and formed by two folding wings 2 and 3 provided, one, 2, with a male part 4, and the other 3, with a female part 5, and by a plate 6 of flexible synthetic material carrying the "work number", is characterized in that the flexible plate 6 is provided with an opening 7, the contours of which correspond to those of the male 4 and female 5 parts of the metal plate 1 The plate 6 is, moreover, provided with a lug 8 for hooking in the female part 5 of the plate 1.

 Thanks to this lug 8, the two plates 1 and 6 can be made integral, one from the other as well for their packaging as for their introduction into a known automatic release forceps with a view to their attachment to an ear. closing the clamp, the male part 4 of the wing 2 is pressed on the animal's ear in the direction of the wing 3, and perforates said ear, then it comes into contact with the plate 6, the contours of the opening 7 are also cut by the male part 4. The latter then completely crosses the female part 5 and folds over the external face of the latter, so as to crimp the wafer 1, lug 8 being destroyed during this last operation.

 The plate 6 can also be produced without opening 7, the latter being pierced during the establishment of the mark.

 According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown in the accompanying drawings, the flexible plate can also be fixed to the female part of the metal plate by overmolding, or by thermal shrinkage.

 In addition, the flexible plate can also be fixed to the female part of the metal plate in the manner of a clip, that is to say by having a male element passing through the female part and a female element fitting onto said male element for enclosing said female part of the metal plate.

 Thanks to the invention, it is possible to produce an ear tag which can be placed simply and quickly, and which is completely inviolable.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements, or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (4)

- R E V E N D I C A T I O N S  1. Ear tag for the identification of cattle and sheep, essentially consisting of a metal plate (1) made of brass or aluminum alloy bearing the "exclusive number" and formed by two folding wings (2 and 3) provided , one (2) of a male part (4), and the other (3) of a female part (5), and by a plate (6) in flexible synthetic material bearing the "job number" , characterized in that the flexible plastic plate (6) is mounted on the female part (5) of the metal plate and can be provided with an opening (7), the contours of which correspond to those of the male parts (4 ) and female (5) of the metal plate (6), and in that said flexible plastic plate (6) is provided with a lug (8) for hooking in the female part (5) of the metal plate (1).  2. Mark according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible plate is fixed to the female part of the metal plate by overmolding.  3. Brand according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible plate is fixed to the female part of the metal plate by thermal retraction.  4. Mark according to claim 1, characterized in that it is fixed to the female part of the metal plate in the manner of a clip, that is to say by having a male element passing through the female part and a female element fitting onto said male element to enclose said female part of the metal plate.