Identification tag

• US 6,497,062 B1
• Filed: 09/22/2000
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cattle Time, LLC
• Original Assignee: Gene T. Koopman, Henry G. Koopman
• Inventors: Koopman, Henry G., Koopman, Gene T.
• Primary Examiner(s): DAVIS, CASSANDRA HOPE
• Application Number:
  US09/668,727
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 403/02, 403/01, 405/94, 406/15, 405/80, 405/82, 406/12, 428/187, 156/252
• US Class Current: 40/301
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/001 Ear-tags
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/004 with electronic identification means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/207 in the form of a badge to be worn by a person

Abstract

An identification tag is described in which a first tag member is formed of a polymer and includes a front surface. A second tag member, also formed of a polymer but that visually contrasts with the first tag member, includes slots formed as visual indicia that extend through the second tag member. The second tag member is welded to the first tag member to expose the front surface of the first tag member through the slots.

Claims

1. An identification tag, comprising:

a first tag member formed of a polymer and including a front surface;

a second tag member formed of a polymer that visually contrasts with the first tag member;

wherein the second tag member includes slots formed as visual indicia, extending through the second tag member and exposing the front surface of the first tag member through the slots;

wherein the second tag member is welded to the front surface of the first tag member with the slots opening against the front surface of the first tag member; and

wherein the first tag member includes a back surface and further comprising a third tag member with slots forming visual indicia and welded to the back surface.

2. An identification tag as claimed by claim 1 wherein the first and second tag members are secured together by radio frequency welding.

3. An identification tag, comprising:

a first-tag member formed of a polymer and including a front surface;

a second tag member formed of a polymer that visually contrasts with the first tag member;

wherein the second tag member includes slots formed as visual indicia, extending through the second tag member and exposing the front surface of the first tag member through the slots;

wherein the second tag member is welded to the front surface of the first tag member with the slots opening against the front surface of the first tag member; and

wherein the first and second tag members are formed of thermoplastic elastomeric material and are secured together by radio frequency welding.

4. An identification tag, as claimed by claim 3, wherein the slots are laser cut through the second tag member.

5. An identification tag, as claimed by claim 3, wherein the first and second tag members are formed of at least substantially similar thermoplastic materials.

6. An identification tag, comprising:

a first tag member formed of a polymer and including a front surface;

a second tag member formed of a polymer that visually contrasts with the first tag member;

wherein the second tag member includes slots formed as visual indicia, extending through the second tag member and exposing the front surface of the first tag member through the slots;

wherein the second tag member is welded to the front surface of the first tag member with the slots opening against the front surface of the first tag member; and

wherein the first tag member includes a recessed surface along the front surface and wherein the second tag member is welded to the first tag member within the recessed surface.

7. An identification tag, comprising:

a first tag member formed of a polymer and including a front surface;

a second tag member formed of a polymer that visually contrasts with the first tag member;

wherein the second tag member includes slots formed as visual indicia, extending through the second tag member and exposing the front surface of the first tag member through the slots;

wherein the second tag member is welded to the front surface of the first tag member with the slots opening against the front surface of the first tag member; and

wherein the first tag member includes a recessed surface along the front surface and wherein the second tag member is radio frequency welded to the first tag member within the recessed surface.

10. An identification tag, as claimed by claim 7, wherein the first and second tag members are formed of polyurethane.

8. An identification tag, comprising:

a first tag member formed of flexible thermoplastic material including a front surface with a recess surface formed therein and bounded by a marginal peripheral recess edge extending from the recess surface to the front surface;

a second tag member having outward edge surfaces and formed of flexible thermoplastic material but visually contrasting with the first tag member;

wherein the second tag member is radio frequency welded to the first tag member against the recess surface and with the outward edge surfaces adjacent the marginal peripheral recess edge; and

wherein the second tag member includes laser cut through slots formed as visual indicia, extending through the second tag member.

9. An identification tag, as claimed by claim 8, wherein the second tag member includes a thickness dimension that is less than a distance dimension from the recess surface to the front surface of the first tag member.