Tag for livestock

• US 20060260156A1
• Filed: 05/19/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eugene B. Ritchey
• Original Assignee: Eugene B. Ritchey
• Inventors: Ritchey, Eugene B.
• Application Number:
  US11/133,624
• Publication Number:
  US 20060260156A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/300
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/003 with means for taking tissue samples, e.g. for DNA analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/00 Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means medals or badges A44C3/00; making labels B31D1/02; sheets temporarily attached together B42F; labelling B65C; labels on record carriers G11B23/38, G11B23/40; Seals; Postage or like stamps

Abstract

An identification tag is provided including a piercing element which captures a tissue sample of the animal during tagging. The tissue sample may be used to positively identify the animal for purposes of animal health tests, and the tissue sample may be further used to positively identify the animal tagged at all stages of the animal'"'"'s life, as well as after the animal dies, by comparing the tissue sample with previously recorded DNA or other animal data. Visual indicia may also be incorporated on the tag, as well as electronic identification by use of a transponder.

Claims

1. An identification device comprising:

a base having an opening formed therein;

an arm connected to said base; and

a piercing element connected to said arm, said piercing element having a hollow interior, wherein said piercing element pierces a tissue of an animal to be identified, said piercing element is securable with respect to said base thereby securing the identification device to the animal, and said hollow interior receives a piece of tissue of the animal as the identification device is installed.

2. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said piercing element has a chamfered end that enhances the ability of the piercing element to penetrate the tissue.

3. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said base and said arm are substantially flat.

4. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

at least one or more of said base, said arm, and said piercing element are made from tubular metal stock.

5. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said piercing element is secured with respect to said base by inserting said piercing element through said opening in said base, and then flaring a distal tip of said piercing element so that said distal tip has a diameter larger than a diameter of said opening.

6. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said identification device comprises a substantially triangular shape when installed.

7. An identification device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said piercing element includes a distal tip having a flattened configuration when installed.

8. An identification tag comprising:

a base having an opening formed therein;

an arm interconnected to said base;

a sleeve placed over said base and extending along a selected length of said base; and

a cylindrical shaped piercing element connected to said arm, wherein said piercing element pierces a tissue of an animal to be identified, and said piercing element is locked with respect to said base thereby securing the tag to the animal.

9. A tag, as claimed in claim 8, further including:

a transponder integrated with said sleeve, said transponder usable with an electronic identification system for identifying the animal.

10. A tag, as claimed in claim 8, further including:

a panel attached to said tag, said panel having indicia for identifying the animal.

11. A tag, as claimed in claim 8, further including:

indicia provided on said tag for identifying the animal.

12. A tag, as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

said indicia is stamped or printed on said tag.

13. A tag, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said sleeve has a substantially cylindrical shape.

14. A tag, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said sleeve has a substantially rectangular shape.

15. A tag, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said base and said arm are made of a first piece of material, and said piercing element is formed of a separate second piece of material, said piercing element having a head secured on one side of said arm, and said piercing element having an extension extending through an opening formed on said arm.

16. A tag, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said tag is made from flat metal stock bent in a configuration to accommodate formation of said base, arm, and piercing element.

17. A tag, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said flat metal stock is bent in three sections to form said base, arm, and piercing element.

18. A tag, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said base and said arm are interconnected by a break-away member.

19. A tag, as claimed in claim 18, wherein:

said break-away member is flexible and includes a pair of tabs for securing said break-away member to said base and said arm.

20. An identification device, as claimed in claim 8 wherein:

said piercing element includes a distal tip having a flattened configuration when installed.

21. A method of obtaining a tissue sample of an animal, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a device including a base, an arm, and means for piercing tissue of the animal, said means for piercing attached to said arm;

placing a designated part of the animal'"'"'s body between the base and the means for piercing;

engaging said means for piercing through said base thus removing a slug of tissue from the animal;

capturing the slug of tissue from the animal within said means for piercing; and

sealing the captured slug of tissue in the means for piercing by a sealing element covering the slug of tissue.

22. A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

said means for piercing has a cylindrical shape and a hollow interior, wherein the slug of tissue is captured within the hollow interior as said means for piercing engages said base.

23. A method, as claimed in claim 23, further including the step of:

locking said means for piercing with respect to said base by inserting said means for piercing through said base, and then flaring a distal tip of said means for piercing.

24. A tag for identifying and obtaining a tissue sample from a body part of an animal, the tag comprising:

a means for piercing the body part and separating the tissue sample from the body part;

a means for retaining the tissue sample interconnected to said means for piercing; and

a means for interconnecting said means for retaining to the animal.

25. A tag as claimed in claim 24, further comprising:

a means for sealing the tissue sample within said means for retaining.

26. A tag as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

said means for interconnecting comprises a means for breaking away.