WO2005082132A2

WO2005082132A2 - Ear tag element and method for producing an ear tag element

Info

Publication number: WO2005082132A2
Application number: PCT/IB2005/000402
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roy Caisley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-19
Filing date: 2005-02-18
Publication date: 2005-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2006-08-19
Also published as: WO2005082132A8; NL1026918C1; WO2005082132A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an ear tag element for marking animals. The ear tag element comprises a body (1) and a transponder accommodated in the said body (1), the transponder comprising a chip (12) and an antenna (11) which are connected to one another, and the body (1) of the ear tag element being made from flexible material. The ear tag element according to the invention is characterized in that the ear tag element permits elastic deformation at the location of the transponder. The invention also relates to methods for producing an ear tag element according to the invention, to an ear tag, to an assembly made of up of transponder and sheath (10), and to a method for producing a plastic product having a transponder.

Description

Short title: Ear tag element and method for producing an ear tag element

The invention relates to an ear tag element for an ear tag for marking animals, which ear tag element comprises a body and a transponder accommodated in the said body, the transponder • comprising a chip and an antenna which are connected to one another, and the body of the ear tag element being made from flexible material.

EP 0 639 942 describes an ear tag element having a transponder as used for an ear tag for marking animals. In this known ear tag element, the antenna and the chip of the transponder are arranged in a rigid housing, for example made from polycarbonate, which housing protects the chip and the antenna. The housing is embedded by injection moulding in the body of the ear tag element, which is made from a flexible material, such as polyurethane . In practice, it has been found that the known ear tag may have disadvantageous effects on the animal wearing the ear tags.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved ear tag element.

A further object of the invention is to provide alternative production methods .

The invention achieves the object by means of an ear tag element according to claim 1.

The ear tag element according to the invention is designed in such a way that the body of the ear tag element permits elastic deformation at the location of the transponder, and the transponder can be deformed with the body of the ear tag element on account of the absence of a rigid housing around the transponder or a rigid carrier to which the transponder is secured. This is advantageous, for example, if an animal which has become trapped in a fence, for example, is attempting to free itself. The ear tag element according to the invention can therefore be deformed even at the location of the transponder if it is subjected to a mechanical load as a result of the animal attempting to free itself. This will make it easier for the animal to disentangle itself, and the risk of the ear to which the ear tag element is fitted tearing open is considerably reduced compared to when using known ear tags.

Transponders which are used in ear tags usually comprise an antenna made from thin metal wire (usually designed as a flat annular coil) and a chip which is of limited size compared to the antenna. The antenna can be elastically deformed, and on account of its limited size the chip does not impair the flexibility of the transponder as a whole. In practice, the chip is generally smaller than 5^χ5 mm.

In a first embodiment, the transponder is secured to a carrier made from a flexible material, preferably a flexible plastic. This carrier has no adverse effect on the elastic deformability of the ear tag element.

In one advantageous embodiment, the carrier is a sheath which surrounds the transponder. The transponder is preferably then enclosed between two layers of plastic film, with the two layers of film being joined to one another in such a manner that in the intended use the transponder is sufficiently protected from unfavourable influences from the environment, such as moisture and dirt, without the transmission of signals between transponder and receiver being impeded.

Polyester film is a suitable material for the sheath, in particular if it is used in combination with an ear tag element body made from polyurethane. During the production of ear tag elements according to the first embodiment, the body of the ear tag element will generally be moulded around a prefabricated assembly made up of transponder and sheath. If polyurethane is used for the body of the ear tag element, the processing temperature of the polyurethane during injection moulding is around 230°C. Polyester film is able to withstand short thermal loading at more than 200°C of this nature, and consequently the sheath is not detrimentally affected by the high temperature during the injection moulding of the body of the ear tag element .

As an alternative to using plastic film as material for the sheath, it is possible for the transponder to be moulded into a deformable plastic.

The thickness of the assembly made up of the carrier and the transponder is preferably between 0.3 and 0.9 mm.

In the first embodiment, the assembly made up of carrier and transponder is preferably not joined or is only locally joined at a few positions to the body of the ear tag element. This allows the surface of the assembly made up of carrier and transponder to move at least at a micro level with respect to the wall of the recess in the body of the ear tag element, so that the resistance of the ear tag element to deformation is lower than if the assembly made up of carrier and transponder were to be attached to the surface of the body of the ear tag element at least over a considerable part of its outer surface.

In practice, it has proven advantageous for the orientation of the assembly made up of carrier and transponder to be locked with respect to the body of the ear tag element. This is preferably realized by a positive mechanical locking action.

In this first embodiment, it is preferable for the assembly made up of carrier and transponder to be completely surrounded by the body of the ear tag element.

The ear tag element according to the first embodiment of the invention can be produced in a suitable way by the method according to claim 15.

In the method according to claim 15, an assembly made up of a transponder and a carrier is produced, around which assembly the body of the ear tag element is formed by moulding, for example injection moulding.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to claim 15, use is made of a carrier for the transponder which extends outside the transponder. One or more through-holes are formed in that part of the carrier which extends outside the transponder.

When the assembly made up of transponder and carrier is being arranged in the mould prior to the injection-moulding of the first part of the body of the ear tag element a pin is fitted through each through-hole. These pins remain in the holes during the injection moulding, so that no (or scarcely any) material of the first part of the body of the ear tag element flows into the holes.

The pins are removed prior to the injection moulding of the second part of the body of the ear tag element. Consequently, material does flow through the holes during the injection moulding of this second part. This material therefore forms anchors which are formed on the second part and anchor the¹ assembly made up of carrier and transponder. It is preferable for the material types of the first and second parts of the body of the ear tag element to be so close that bonding occurs between the end of each anchor and the first part of the body of the ear tag element.

This method has the advantage that the assembly made up of transponder and carrier is locked in a simple manner in the body of the ear tag element.

In a second embodiment, the transponder comprises only an antenna and a chip, which are connected to one another. In this second embodiment, the antenna and the chip are directly embedded in the body of the ear tag element; therefore, there is no housing around the antenna and the chip. This has the advantage that there is no need to fit a separate housing or carrier around or against the transponder.

The second embodiment is also suitable for ear tag elements in which transponders of a relatively great thickness, for example between 1 and 2.5 mm, are used.

It is preferable for the body of the ear tag element to have a first part and a second part, in which case the first part has a recess for receiving the antenna and the chip of the transponder. The second part then ensures that the transponder is protected from dirt and moisture, for example. An ear tag element of this type is simple to produce.

In a first variant of the second embodiment, the recess in the first part is larger than the antenna and the chip of the transponder. The second part in which the transponder is received at least partially fills the recess. This variant is simple to produce-.

In at least part of the region in which there is contact between the wall of the recess in the first part and the second part of the body of the ear tag element, it is preferable for bonding to occur between the two parts of the body of the ear tag element. This bonding is preferably such that it is impossible for any dirt to penetrate between the two parts of the body of the ear tag element. This can be realized by ensuring that good bonding occurs along the entire periphery of the region in which there is contact between the second part and the wall of the recess in the first part.

It is preferable for the second part to completely fill the recess in the first part, so that the ear tag element acquires a smooth outer surface. This helps to prevent the ear tag element from becoming dirty.

There is provision for the first part to comprise one or more projections which extend into the recess. These projections support the transponder so that the transponder does not bear directly against the base of the recess.

In the first variant of the second embodiment, the material of the second part preferably corresponds at least to a certain extent to the material of the first part. It is preferable for both parts to be made from polyurethane.

The first variant of the second embodiment can be produced in a suitable way by means of the method according to claim 19.

In this method, first of all the first part of the body of the ear tag element is produced, for example by injection moulding. Then, the transponder, which comprises an antenna and a chip, is placed in the recess in the finished first part. This preferably takes place outside the injection-moulding machine. After the transponder has been put in place, the recess is covered by a layer of flexible material which thereby forms the second part of the body of the transponder. This method allows simple production.

It is preferable for the material of the second part of the body of the ear tag element to be mouldable.

In a second variant of the second embodiment, the recess in the first part of the body of the ear tag element adjoins the antenna and the chip of the transponder. Those surfaces of the antenna and the chip which do not bear against the wall of the recess in the first part in this variant bear against the second part of the body of the ear tag element. This variant is eminently suitable for production by injection moulding.

In the second variant of the second embodiment, the material of the second part preferably corresponds at least to a certain extent to the material of the first part. It is preferable for both parts to be made from polyurethane.

The second variant of the second embodiment can be produced in a suitable way of means of the method described in claim 22.

In this method, first of all the antenna and the chip of the transponder are placed in an injection mould, preferably against the wall of the mould cavity in which the first part of the body of the ear tag will be formed. During the injection moulding of the first part, the material will flow around the antenna and the transponder, so that the recess in the first part adjoins the chip and the antenna of the transponder.

Placing the chip and the antenna against the wall of the mould cavity prevents the forces which are produced during injection moulding from damaging the txansponder . This positioning does cause the chip and the antenna of the transponder to lie at the free surface of the first part. However, this is not a problem, since the second part of the body of the ear tag element is then moulded onto the first part, with the transponder being embedded in the body of the ear tag element.

This method can also be used to produce ear tag elements in accordance with the second variant of the second embodiment in large numbers in a simple and reliable way.

Conventional ear tags for marking animals comprise a male element, which has a pin that is fitted through an ear of the animal which is to be marked. In addition, ear tags of this type comprise a female element which has an opening which is fitted onto the pin of the male element, in such a manner that the ear of the animal is located between the male element and the female element of the ear tag. The two parts are shaped in such a way that the ear tag is locked after the female element has been fitted.

The ear tag element according to the invention may form part of the male element or of the female element.

To make optimum use of the advantages of the invention, it is preferable for both the male and the female element to be elastically deformable.

Ear tag elements and methods according to the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the appended drawing, which shows exemplary embodiments, without these constituting any restriction on the invention. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a cross section through an ear tag element in a first embodiment,

Fig. 2 shows steps involved in an advantageous method for the production of the ear tag element in accordance with the first embodiment,

Fig. 3 shows a cross, section through an ear tag element in. a first variant of the second embodiment,

Fig. 4 shows a second variant of the second embodiment of an ear tag element according to the invention,

Fig. 5 shows various steps involved in an advantageous method for the production of an ear tag element as shown in Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 shows an ear tag having an ear tag element according to the invention, partially in cross section, Fig. 7 shows a male and a female element of an ear tag which is suitable for an ear tag element according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows, on an enlarged scale, a cross section through a first embodiment of the ear tag element according to the invention. In this ear tag element, a transponder which comprises an antenna 11 and a chip 12 is arranged in the body 1 of the ear tag element. The transponder is protected from undesirable environmental influences by a sheath 10. The sheath 10 also functions as a carrier. As an alternative to a sheath, it is also possible to opt for a carrier which extends on one side of the transponder.

In this exemplary embodiment, the antenna is arranged around the opening in a female ear tag element. As an alternative, the antenna may be arranged around the pin of a male ear tag element or in the plate-like part of an ear tag. These alternatives can also be used in the other exemplary embodiments shown.

In this exemplary embodiment, the sheath 10 is realized by a first and a second disc 10a,b made from polyester film surrounding the transponder. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the discs 10a,b extend beyond the periphery of the transponder. The polyester film is preferably so thin that the thickness of the assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder amounts to between 0.3 mm and 0.9 mm, and is preferably approximately 0.5 mm. In practice, a thickness of 0.5 mm has proven to represent a good compromise between flexibility and robustness.

It is also possible for a different type of plastic film to be used instead of polyester film. There is also provision for the sheath 10 of the transponder to be realized by moulding the transponder in a flexible plastic. In an embodiment of this type, it is also recommended for the thickness of the assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder to be low enough to ensure sufficient flexibility.

The assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder is located in a recess 5 in a body 1, which body 1, like the assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder, is flexible. It is preferable for the body 1 of the ear tag element to be made from polyurethane. It is advantageous if the material of the body 1 of the ear tag element in the first embodiment differs from the material of the sheath 10; in particular, it is advantageous for the melting point of the two materials to be at a certain interval apart. This prevents bonding from occurring between the body 1 of the ear tag element and the sheath 10 during production. An advantageous combination of materials is polyurethane for the body 1 and polyester for the sheath 10.

In the first embodiment of the ear tag element, the body 1 of the ear tag element comprises a first part la and a second part lb. The first part la and the second part lb together enclose the assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder. It is preferable for the first and second part la,b to be joined to one another in such a manner that they close off the space in which the assembly made of sheath 10 and transponder is located from the environment.

In the first embodiment, there is no bonding between the sheath 10 and the wall of the recess 5. As a result, the outer surface of the sheath 10 can move at least at a micro level with respect to the surface of the recess 5. This leads to a low resistance to deformation of the ear tag element. In practice, it has proven desirable to lock the orientation of the transponder with respect to the body 1 of the ear tag element. For this purpose, in the first exemplary embodiment two through-holes 15a,b are formed in that part of the sheath 10 which extends outside the transponder. Then, anchors 2 which are connected to one of the two parts la,b are fitted through these holes .

The ear tag element in accordance with the first embodiment is preferably produced as follows. First of all, an assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder is produced by arranging the sheath 10 around the transponder. An assembly of this type is illustrated in Fig. 2A. The sheath 10 extends both outside the external diameter and inside the internal diameter of the transponder. Two through-holes 15a,b are formed in the sheath 10 in that part of the sheath 10 which does not directly adjoin components of the transponder. These holes are positioned in such a way that they have no adverse effect on the protection of the transponder against undesirable external influences.

Then, the assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder is placed in an injection mould. Pins 20 which position the assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder with respect to the mould are fitted through the through-holes 15a,b. The first part la is then moulded onto the assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder. The inner and outer edges 3a, 4a of the recess in the first part la in which the assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder comes to lie are positioned around the assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder, as shown in Fig. 2B.

The pins 20 are then pulled back out of the through-holes 15a,b in the sheath 10. The inner edge 3a and the outer edge 4a of the recess in the body 1 of the ear tag element then hold the assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder in place with respect to the first part la.

Then, the second part lb is moulded. The first and second parts lb are made from the same material, so that the inner and outer edges 3b, 4b of the second part lb are respectively bonded to the inner and outer edges 3a, 4a of the first part la. During the moulding of the second part lb, material will also flow into the through-holes 15a,b in the sheath 10. As a result, anchors 2 are formed which lock the orientation of the assembly made up of sheath 10 and transponder with respect to the body of the ear tag element. It is preferable for the ends of the anchors 2 to be bonded to the first part la. This produces the ear tag element as shown in Fig. 1.

The moulding process which is used to produce the parts la and lb is preferably an injection-moulding process.

Fig. 3 shows a first variant of a second embodiment of an ear tag element according to the invention. This embodiment comprises a body 101 having a first part 101a. The first part 101a of the body 101 of the ear tag element is provided with a recess 105 having an inner edge 104 and an outer edge 103. A transponder which comprises an antenna 111 and a chip 112 is present in this recess 105.

Around the transponder there is a second part 101b of the body 101, which second part 101b fills the recess 105. The second part 101b of the body 101 bonds to the wall of the recess 105. As a result, this second embodiment will generally be somewhat more sturdy than the first embodiment. It is preferable for the second part 101b of the body 101 to bond to the wall of the recess 105 over the entire periphery of the region in which there is contact between the second part 101b of the body 101 and the wall of the recess 105. This prevents dirt particles from penetrating into the ear tag element. A very robust variant is obtained if the second part 101b of the body 101 bonds to the wall of the recess 105 over the entire region in which there is contact between the second part 101b of the body 101 and the wall of the recess 105.

Good bonding can be achieved if the material of the second part 101b of the body 101 is identical to the material of the first part 101a of the body 101 of the ear tag element. It is preferable for polyurethane to be used for both.

If, as shown in Fig. 3, the second part 101b of the body 101 fills the entire recess 105 and good bonding is produced between second part 101b of the body 101 and carrier 101 at the location of the inner edge 104 and of the outer edge 103, it is possible to obtain an ear tag element with a smooth and uniform surface which is not susceptible to becoming dirty.

In the variant of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the first part 101a of the body 101 comprises one or more projections 106 which extend into the recess 105. These projections 106 support the transponder, so that the transponder does not bear directly against the wall of the recess 105. The projections 106 may be annular or may be designed as ribs or fingers .

It is preferable for the ear tag element to be designed in such a way that the free surface 107 of the second part 101b of the body 101 faces the ear in use. This has the advantage that the side which is most susceptible to dirt and damage is protected from this by the ear of the animal.

The ear tag element in accordance with the first variant of the second embodiment is preferably produced as follows. First of all, a first part 101a of the body 101 is produced. In this first part 101a there is a recess 105 for receiving a transponder which comprises an antenna 111 and a chip 112. Then, the transponder is arranged in the recess 105. The transponder rests on the projections 106.

The recess 105 in which the transponder is located is filled with a flexible material, for example by filling the recess 105 with polyurethane by moulding. The flexible material then forms the second part 101b of the body 101 of the transponder. Since the transponder is resting on the projections 106, there is a certain distance between the transponder and the wall of the recess 105. As a result, flexible material can also penetrate between the transponder and the wall of the recess 105. This is advantageous since as a result bonding between the second part 101b of the body 101 and the wall of the recess 105 also occurs at the location of the transponder.

It is preferable for the material of the second part 101b of the body 101 to be identical (or very similar) to the material of the first part 101a. of the body 101 of the ear tag element., so as to produce good bonding between the first part 101a and the second part 101b of the body 101.

Fig. 4 shows a second variant of the second embodiment of an ear tag element according to the invention. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, a transponder 311 which comprises an antenna and a chip is accommodated in a first part 301a of the body 301 of the ear tag element. A second part 301b is arranged in such a manner that the transponder 311 is embedded in the body 301 of the ear tag element. Unlike in the variant which is shown in Fig. 3, in the variant shown in Fig. 4 the wall of the first part 301a bears directly against the transponder 311.

Fig. 5 shows various steps involved in an advantageous method for producing an ear tag element in accordance with Fig. 4.

In this method, first of all the antenna and the chip connected to it forming the transponder 311 are arranged in an injection mould 320, preferably against the wall 322 of the mould cavity 321 in which the first part 301a of the body 301 of the ear tag element will be formed (cf. Fig. 5a) . During the injection- moulding of the first part, the plastic material will flow around the antenna and the chip, so that the chip and the antenna of the transponder 311 are embedded in the first part 301a.

Placing the chip and the antenna against the wall 322 of the mould cavity 321 prevents the forces which are produced during injection moulding from damaging the transponder 311.

This step leads to the semi-finished product shown in Fig. 5b. In this product, the chip and the antenna of the transponder are located at the free surface of the first part 301a. However, this is not a problem since the second part 301b of the body 301 of the ear tag element is then moulded onto the first part 301a, with the transponder 311 being embedded in the body 301 of the ear tag element.

This is shown in Fig. 5c. In this example, the semi-finished product from Fig. 5b is taken out of the injection mould 320 and placed in a second injection mould 330 for the injection- moulding of the second part 301b. However, it is also possible for there to be elements which slide into injection mould 320, allowing the second part 301b to be moulded on in the same mould 320.

Fig. 6 shows an ear tag according to the invention which has been fitted in the ear 214 of an animal. Conventional ear tags comprise a male element 201 and a female element 202, with at least one of the elements 201, 202 comprising a part 203 which can be written on.

In the example shown in Fig. 6, an ear tag element according to the invention is accommodated in the male element 201. The male element has a pin 215 with a point 216 which fits through the ear 214 and through an opening 217 in the female element. In one advantageous embodiment of an ear tag according to the invention, both the male and the female element 201, 202 permit elastic deformation. This makes optimum use of the advantages of the invention.

In the example shown in Fig. 6, the free surface 207 faces the ear 214 of the animal, so that the free surface 207 is protected from undesirable external influences by the ear 214.

Fig. 7 shows the male element 201 and the female element 202 once again, but this time in the form of a front view.

Claims

1. Ear tag element for marking animals, which ear tag comprises a body and a transponder accommodated in the said body, the transponder comprising a chip and an antenna which are connected to one another, and the body of the ear tag element being made from . flexible material, characterized in that the ear tag element permits elastic deformation at the location of the transponder.

2. Ear tag element according to claim 1, which ear tag element also comprises a carrier to which the antenna and the chip of the transponder are secured, which carrier is made from flexible plastic.

3. Ear tag element according to claim 2, in which the carrier is a sheath which surrounds the transponder.

4. Ear tag element according to claim 3, in which the sheath comprises a first and a second layer of plastic film, the transponder being located between the first and second layers of plastic film.

5. Ear tag element according to claim 4, in which the material of the plastic film is polyester.

6. Ear tag element according to one of claims 2-5, in which the assembly made up of transponder and carrier is between 0.3 mm and 0.9 mm thick.

7. Ear tag element according to one of claims 2-6, in which at least part of the outer surface of the carrier is movable with respect to a wall of a recess for the transponder in the body of the ear tag element.

Ear tag element according to one of the preceding claims, in which the orientation of the transponder with respect to the body of the ear tag element is locked by means of a positive mechanical locking action.

9. Ear tag element according to claim 1, in which the transponder comprises an antenna and a chip, and in which the antenna and the chip are directly embedded in the body of the ear tag element.

10. Ear tag element according to .claim 9, in which the body of the ear tag element comprises a first part and a second part, the first part having a recess for receiving the antenna and the chip of the transponder.

11. Ear tag element according to claim 10, in which the recess in the first part is larger than the antenna and the chip of the transponder accommodated therein, and the second part at least partially fills the recess in which the transponder is received.

12. Ear tag element according to claim 11, in which bonding is present between the second part of the body of the ear tag element and the wall of the recess in the first part of the body of the ear tag element.

13. Ear tag element according to one of claims 9-12, in which the first part and the second part of the body of the ear tag element are made from polyurethane.

14. Ear tag element according to one of claims 9-13, in which the first part of the body of the ear tag element comprises at least one projection, which projection extends into the recess and is designed to create a distance between the transponder and at least part of the wall of the recess.

15. Method for producing an ear tag element according to claim 2, which method comprises the following steps: - the production of an assembly made up of transponder and carrier, - the placing of the assembly made up of carrier and transponder in a mould which is intended for the moulding of a first part of the body of the ear tag element, - the moulding of the first part of the body of the ear tag element, with the assembly made up of transponder and carrier coming to lie in the first part of the body of the ear tag element, - the moulding of a second part of the body of the ear tag element, which second part adjoins the first part of the body of the ear tag element in such a manner that the assembly made up of transponder and carrier is enclosed between the first part of the body of the ear tag element and the second part of the body of the ear tag element.

16. Method according to claim 15, in which the carrier extends outside the transponder, which method also comprises the following steps: - the formation of at least one through-hole in that part of the carrier which extends outside the transponder, - the fitting of a pin through the through-hole in the carrier when the assembly made up of transponder and carrier is being placed in a mould which is intended for the moulding of a first part of the body of the ear tag element, - the removal of the pin from the through-hole in the carrier after the first part of the body of the ear tag element has been moulded, - during the moulding of a second part of the body of the ear tag element, moulding an anchor, which is formed on the second part and fits through the through-hole in the carrier, thereby anchoring the assembly made up of transponder and carrier with respect to the body of the ear tag element.

17. Method according to claim 16, in which the pin which fits through the through-hole in the carrier fixes the position of the transponder with respect to the mould during the moulding of the first part of the body of the ear tag element .

18. Method according to claim 16 or 17, in which the anchor which is formed during the moulding of the second part of the body of the ear tag element attaches itself to the first part of the body of the ear tag element.

19. Method for producing an ear tag element according to claim 9, which method comprises the following steps: - the production of a first part of the body of the ear tag element with a recess for receiving a transponder which comprises a chip and an antenna, - the arranging of the chip and the antenna of the transponder in the recess in the body of the ear tag element, - the covering of the chip and the antenna by a flexible, preferably mouldable, material, so that the flexible material which is applied forms the second part of the body of the ear tag element.

20. Method according to claim 19, in which the recess in the first part of the body of the ear tag element is filled with the flexible material of the second part of the ear tag element.

21. Method according to claim 19 or 20, in which both the first part and the second part of the body of the ear tag element are produced from polyurethane.

22. Method for producing an ear tag element according to claim 9, which method comprises the following steps: - the placing of the antenna and the chip of the transponder against a wall of a cavity in a mould for the purpose of forming the first part of a body of the ear tag element, - the moulding of the first part of the body of the ear tag element, in such a manner that it receives the first part of the transponder, - the moulding of the second part of the body of the ear tag element, which second part, during the moulding operation, is joined to the first part of the body of the ear tag element, in such a manner that the transponder is embedded in the body of the ear tag element at the interface between the first and second parts.

23. Method according to claim 22, in which the moulding of the second part of the body of the ear tag element takes place in a second mould.

24. Assembly of a transponder and a carrier in . the form of a sheath, the sheath comprising a first and a second layer of plastic film, with the transponder located between the first and second layers of plastic film.

25. Method for producing a plastic product having a transponder, which method comprises the following steps: - the production of an assembly made up of transponder and carrier in- accordance with claim 24, - the placing of the assembly made up of transponder and carrier in a mould which is intended for the moulding of a plastic product, - the moulding of the plastic product, such that the assembly made up of transponder and carrier comes to lie within the plastic product.

26. Method for producing a plastic product having a transponder which comprises an antenna and a chip, the plastic product having a body, which body comprises a first part and a second part, which method comprises the following steps: - the placing of the chip and the antenna of the transponder against the wall of a cavity in a mould which is intended for the moulding of a first part of the body, - the moulding of the first part of the body of the product, in such a manner that the first part receives the transponder, - the moulding of a second part of the body, which second part, during the moulding operation, is joined to the first part of the body of the product, in such a manner that the transponder is embedded in the body of the product at the interface between the first and second parts .

27. Ear tag for marking an animal, which comprises an ear tag element according to one of claims 1-14, which ear tag comprises a male element and a female element.

28. Ear tag according to claim 27, characterized in that the male element of the ear tag comprises the ear tag element according to one of claims 1-14.

29. Ear tag element according to claim 27, characterized in that the female element of the ear tag comprises the ear tag element according to one of claims 1-14.

30. Ear tag according to claim 27, characterized in that both the male element and the female element permit elastic deformation.

31. Ear tag according to claim 27, characterized in that the ear tag comprises an ear tag element according to claim 9, the ear tag being shaped in such a way that the second part of the body of the ear tag element faces the animal's ear during use.