Ruminal bolus for electronic identification of a ruminant

• US 6,202,596 B1
• Filed: 02/11/1999
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: European Community
• Original Assignee: European Community
• Inventors: Lopez, Gerardo Caja, Korn, Christophe, Vilaseca Vintro, Joan Francesc
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bergin, James S.
• Application Number:
  US09/029,261
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 119/51.02, 119/174, 119/859, 119/215, 119/908, 128/899, 128/903, 501/66, 501/68, 501/153, 367/2, 367/139
• US Class Current: 119/174
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/007 Boluses

Abstract

The bolus is intended to be received in the reticulum of a ruminant. It comprises a body (10) having a housing (12) for containing a data interchange device (14). According to the invention, the body (10) is made of a material based on alumina, Al₂O₃, and/or on silica, SiO₂.

Claims

1. A bolus for electronically identifying a ruminant, the bolus being designed to be received in the reticulum of the ruminant and comprising a body itself having a housing designed to contain a data interchange device, wherein the body is made of a material having an alumina (Al₂O₃) content in the range of about 60% to about 99.5% by weight U.S. Pat. Application 09/029,261.

2. The bolus according to claim 1, wherein the body is made of a material having an alumina (Al₂O₃) content in the range of about 75% to 99.5% by weight.

3. The bolus according to claim 2, wherein the body is made of a material having an alumina (Al₂O₃) content in the range of about 80% to 99.5% by weight.

4. The bolus according to claim 1, which is substantially non-magnetic.

5. The bolus according to claim 1, wherein the center of gravity and the geometrical center of the body substantially coincide.

6. The bolus according to claim 1, wherein the body is substantially cylindrical in shape having rounded or chamfered edges.

7. The bolus according to claim 1, wherein the housing for the electronic data interchange device is accessible from one end or from two opposite ends of the body.

8. The bolus according to claim 1, which further comprises a sleeve of elastic material designed to receive the data interchange device and adapted to be received snugly in the housing.

9. The ruminal bolus according to claim 1, which is equipped with a data exchange device in said housing.

10. The bolus according to claim 1, wherein the density of the material is not less than 2.5 g/cm³.

11. The bolus according to claim 1, wherein the density of the material is not less than 3 g/cm³.

12. The bolus according to claim 1, wherein the density of the material is not less than 3.5 g/cm³.