WO2006089634A1

WO2006089634A1 - Kit for identifying animals

Info

Publication number: WO2006089634A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/001092
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joan Francesc Vlaseca Vintro
Original assignee: Rumitag, S.L.
Priority date: 2005-02-28
Filing date: 2006-02-08
Publication date: 2006-08-31
Also published as: ES2264878A1; ES2264878B1; AR053146A1

Abstract

Kit (1) for identifying animals, comprised of at least one label (2) for identifying animals, such as a tag or similar, and of a receptacle (3) which encapsulates an electronic means of identification to be kept or lodged permanently in the body of an animal, introduced in the same sealed packaging (6) and having both the animal identifying label and the receptacle for external signals or references (7, 8) so that, by their simple visual observation, a reciprocal relationship between them is obvious and unquestionable .

Description

D E S C R I P T I O N

"Kit for identifying animals"

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a kit for identifying animals, especially for identifying and monitoring farm animals, ruminants or monogastric animals, such as cows, sheep or pigs.

Background of the invention

Domestic animals are generally marked in some way to allow the animal to be identified throughout its life. More specifically, farm animals are marked for hygiene purposes, to prevent fraud and to control cross-border trade. Identification of this type of animal is also aimed at controlling the meat produced from them, whereby such identification should be possible until it dies or is slaughtered in the abattoir, so that control of the animal can also be extended to the products deriving from it. By knowing the origin of the meat, identification of the animal from which it comes also allows us to know the background history of said animal, collected throughout its life, and is associated with the identification number or code the animal has been marked with from birth or during the rearing period.

Traditionally, livestock is marked via branding or tattooing, or by the use of labels or tags, also called crotals, in the ears of the animals.

As an example, conventional tags or crotals are comprised of two parts, one comprising a male perforating component, while the other part comprises a female coupling component, suitable for receiving the male component of the first part once it has pierced the animal's ear, the latter being held securely in the coupling part of the female component, the two parts of the tag being joined together so that they cannot be separated, both being attached to the animal's ear. At least one of the two parts comprising the tag has an external visual reference or signal of the animal's identification code, which is usually a numerical or alphanumerical representation which is quick and easy to read.

In order to avoid manipulation or alteration of the numerical representation, labels of this type are known which also have an electronic device, such as a transponder, which stores the identification code which identifies the animal wearing the label. This is the case in document WO91/10982, which discloses an ear label for animals, especially cattle, to facilitate their identification, to verify, for example, the origin of an animal or to check the milk production of each cow individually.

However, these labels are not considered to be entirely secure due to the possibility of their getting lost, by coming undone or detaching from the part of the animal to which they are attached, or by causing the animal harm due to their external positioning and lack of protection from scratching or any blows received.

Another type of known identifiers are those that comprise a receptacle which encapsulates an electronic device which stores at least the animal's identification code. Such receptacles are suitable for subcutaneous implantation below the surface of the animal's hide, normally behind the ear, or for administration to the animal, being lodged inside its stomach, especially in ruminants. The electronic devices generate a response signal, for example, an identification code, in response to an electromagnetic field of interrogation generated by a transmitter-receiver. It can be said that these electronic devices can store an identification code in some way. To avoid identification via this type of device leading to a problem of identifying the animal when no suitable interrogation unit is available or when simply no said interrogation unit exists, patent document WO 93/05648 discloses a "capsule" type identifier, for lodging in the stomach of a ruminant, which includes both electronic and visual means of identification. In particular, the receptacle which encapsulates the electronic device has a permanent visual representation of the same code which the electronic identification device generates in response to a field of interrogation, on and/or inside it.

This solution enables the animal to be identified even when the electronic device is not functioning properly, when it is absolutely imperative or when the appropriate reading devices are not available, but only when the animal dies or is slaughtered in the abattoir, since the receptacle must be visible for identification of the animal via the visual representation provided on said receptacle. When the animal is still alive and the electronic device is not functioning correctly or no appropriate reading device is available, the animal cannot be correctly identified.

On the other hand, the solution is based on the visual representation of the code on the receptacle being permanent, which means that it must continue to be legible after remaining in the rumen or reticulum of the animal, or below the surface of its hide. This means that the receptacles or the inscription of the code on the receptacle must be protected against, for example, the acids present in the animal's stomach which may cause the code inscription to deteriorate, making it impossible to be read by simple visual observation.

The lack is thus noted of any identifying system which compensates the disadvantages of, one the one hand, the external labelling, with the risk of loss due to poor, inadequate and manipulable attachment and, on the other hand, the disadvantages of those systems based on receptacles for permanent storage or lodging in the body of the animal, which are unsatisfactory when damaged when the animal is still alive, making correct identification impossible until it dies. In the same way, the identification procedure cannot be altered and must be simple to control, avoiding situations in which the same animal can be marked with different identification codes due to confusion or poor handling of the devices or labels used during the marking process.

Explanation of the invention

The kit for identifying animals object of the invention, which solves said problems, is characterized, in essence, in that it is comprised of at least one label for identifying animals, such as a tag or similar, and of a receptacle which encapsulates an electronic means of identification which is to be kept or lodged permanently in the body of an animal, introduced in the same sealed packaging, having both the animal identifying label and the receptacle for external signals or references so that, for their simple visual observation, a reciprocal relationship between them is obvious and unquestionable.

Such characteristics enable an array of identifiers to be commercialized in a single unit, comprising a kit, to achieve the same end, in this case, the multiple marking of the same animal without the risk of confusion or inadequate identification.

According to a variation of the invention, the external signals or references of the receptacle partially reproduce the signals or references of the identifying label.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the external signals or references of the identifying label are a visual representation of an electronically stored code in the electronic identifying means encapsulated in the receptacle packaged together with the identifying label.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said packaging is transparent, or at least partially. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said packaging is flexible and must be broken, cut or torn apart to be definitively opened.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the packaging has at least one visual representation linked to the external signals or references of the identifying label and the receptacle.

In accordance with another characteristic of the invention, the packaging 6 also stores at least one bar-coded label which reproduces the electronically stored code in the identifying electronic means 4.

Brief description of the drawings

The attached drawings show a non-limitative example of different embodiments of the kit for identifying animals object of the invention. In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a representation of a set of identifiers which is contained in a kit for identifying animals according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a representation of a kit according to the invention, which includes the set of identifiers in Fig. 1, introduced in the same sealed packaging, for their storage and transport, without the possibility of them being mixed up with other identifiers.

Fig. 3 is a representation of an animal with the dual marking of the first and the second identifiers of the kit in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a representation of a second embodiment of the kit according to the invention, which includes a set of identifiers different from the one in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a representation of an animal with the dual marking of the first and the second identifiers of the kit in Fig. 4.

Detailed description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a set of identifiers which is comprised, as an example, of a capsule of the type comprising a receptacle 3 which encapsulates an electronic means of identification 4 (see Fig. 3) and an ear label, or tag, of the type comprising a first part 2b and a second part 2a, for attaching by placing either side of the ear of an animal, both parts being joined and fastened to the ear of the animal.

The set of identifiers in Fig. 1 is to be applied on the same animal, so that it will have dual marking by two different types of identifiers. Thus, even if one of the identifiers ceases to operate or gets lost, the animal will continue to be identified by the other identifier, ensuring the correct control of the animal.

The two identifiers are linked, in a way that will be explained below, to prevent the identifiers of the same set being applied to different animals and thus destroying the concept of dual marking referred to in the previous paragraph.

In addition, to avoid confusion and so as not to increase the time required for marking, the two identifiers which, in the example, are comprised of the receptacle 3, which incorporates the electronic means 4, and the tag 2, are introduced in the same packaging 6 so that they cannot be mixed up with identifiers of the same family, in other words, with other tags or other receptacles with electronic means, at the time of application to the animal.

In accordance with the embodiment in Fig. 2, the receptacle 3 and the tag 2 are introduced in the same flexible packaging 6, in such a way that they cannot be separated, if the packaging 6 is not broken, cut or torn apart to be definitively opened. This characteristic makes it impossible, on the one hand, for the set of identifiers contained in the packaging 6 to be confused or mixed up with similar identifiers or even with similar kits during handling before it is applied to the animal, for example, during its transport and storage. In the same way, opening of the packaging involves breaking the sealed unit with which the identifiers are linked, which ensures that the identifiers have not been substituted or altered by a third party before being applied to the animal.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, both identifiers each have external signals or references which, in the example in the drawings, are comprised of alphanumerical representations. In particular, the receptacle 3 has a numerical inscription 7, while part 2b of the tag has an inscription 8 which combines numbers and letters, both inscriptions being external and easy to see.

The inscription 7 of the receptacle 3 is a partial reproduction of the inscription 8 of part 2b of the tag 2 and, more specifically, reproduces the larger-sized numbers written on said part 2b of the tag. This inscription 8 of part 2b of the tag can itself correspond to the identification code stored in the electronic means 4 which encapsulates the receptacle 3 either partially or completely. Preferably, and not exclusively, the inscription 8 of the external identifier (in the example, part 2b of the tag) fully reproduces the code associated with the electronic means 4 so that, in the event of said electronic means 4 being damaged or lost, or the means for reading said electronic means not being available, the animal can be identified via an alternative means, which is the external identifier comprising the tag 2. The partial reproduction of the receptacle 3 is more than adequate so that, by simple visual observation of the inscriptions 7 and 8 of the two identifiers of the same set or kit (the receptacle 3 and the tag 2), a reciprocal relationship between the two is obvious and unquestionable.

In the example in Figs. 1 and 2, in the event of the packaging 6 being unsealed or opened, the inscription of a six-figure code in the receptacle 3 will allow said receptacle 3 to be associated with its corresponding tag 2, by comparing said six figures with the larger-sized figures on parts 2b of the tags which, at the same time, would have been uncoupled and would be outside their corresponding packaging in the same installation. The use of six figures is more than adequate for an unmistakable identification of the receptacle 3 and the associated tag, since there is no same relationship if the number of animals does not exceed 999,999 examples. The number of figures written on the receptacle 3 could even be less than six without causing confusion, since the probability of finding another receptacle with the same inscription as the larger-sized figures of an unsealed tag would be very low or insignificant. The fact that the tags and the receptacles still to be applied to the animals are contained in accordance with the first claim of the invention, reduces confusion and the time needed to find the identifying pairs of the same set, or that come from the same kit.

The main function of the inscription 7 of the receptacle 3 is precisely to ensure the correct marking of the animal, avoiding confusion when marking. For this reason, the inscription 7 of the receptacle 3 does not need to be permanent. The subsequent deterioration of said inscription does not affect the main objective of the invention, which is to control the marking operation.

As explained above, neither of the inscriptions 7 and 8 contained in the identifiers of the same kit which, and by simple observation, makes it obvious that there is a relationship between them, need to correspond with the identification code stored in the electronic means 4 encapsulated in one of the identifiers. If this is the case, there should be a relationship between both codes (the one visible on either of the identifiers and the one stored in the electronic means) which is, as far as possible, unrepeatable, so that the same animal can be identified either via the electronic code or via the visible code, the animal having dual marking in accordance with the invention.

It should be understood that the inscriptions 7 and 8 in the examples are not limitative and that they may be comprised of alphanumerical characters or any other combination of symbols with numbers or letters.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical representation of the identifiers contained by the kit for identifying animals in Fig. 2, once they have been applied to the animal. In the case of the example, the tag 2 is external and the inscriptions 8 on said tag are visible and can be read without the need for an appropriate reading device, while the receptacle 3 is lodged in the stomach of the animal, whereby reading of the inscription 7 can only be done when the receptacle 3 is removed from the animal, which generally occurs when the animal is slaughtered in the abattoir. However, the animal can be identified by using an appropriate reading device which generates a response signal 9 from the electronic means 4 encapsulated in the receptacle 3. The correct identification via either identifier offers a maximum guarantee using the kit being the object of the invention.

It is also understood that the number and the type of identifiers that form a kit 1 , like the one in the invention, may vary, it being commercialized as a single kit unit which comprises different sets of identifiers, combining, for example, tag-type ear labels with receptacles for subcutaneous implantation in an animal, sticky labels combined with receptacles for lodging in the stomach of the animals, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the packaging 6 wherein the identifiers are introduced is transparent, so that the type of identifiers stored can be seen from the outside. In the same way, it is understood that said packaging 6 can have any inscription that helps identify both its content and the code or codes associated with the identifiers stored inside it.

Fig. 4 is a representation of another embodiment of the kit 1 of the invention wherein the same numerical references have been used to designate the same characteristics. Unlike in Fig. 2, the electronic means of identification 4 is for subcutaneous implantation beneath the hide of an animal, in particular, behind the ear of a pig, whereby the receptacle 3 is comprised, in this case, of an insertion needle 33, the array being prepared so that, via the help of a common applicator, the electronic identifying means is lodged in the animal's body.

In this case, the insertion needle 33 has the external inscription 7 written on its outer section 10, for attachment to the applicator which, as in the previous example, is a partial reproduction of the inscription 8 on the part 2b of the tag 2 which, together with the array comprised of the insertion needle 33 and the receptacle 3, makes up the kit 1 of the invention.

The packaging 6 in Fig. 4 also has a visual representation 11 linked to the external signals or references 8 and 7 of the identifying label 2 and the insertion needle 33, respectively. More specifically, the visual representation 11 is provided on a label 12 applied to the outside of the packaging 6. In the example in Fig. 4, the visual representation 11 of the label 12 reproduces a partial inscription 8 of the part 2b of the tag 2.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatical representation of the identifiers contained in the kit for identifying animals in Fig. 3, once they have been applied to the animal. In this case, the tag 2 is also on the outside, but has a rounded configuration to avoid harming the animal.

Although not represented, the inventor also provides for inclusion in the packaging 6 of one or more labels, for example self-adhesive labels, with a bar code containing the code stored in the electronic identification means 4, for possible later use in documentary records or for other purposes such as for marking samples taken from the animals identified.

Claims

C L A I M S

1.- Kit (1) for identifying animals, characterized in that it is comprised of at least one label (2) for identifying animals, such as a tag or similar, and of a receptacle (3) which encapsulates an electronic means of identification (4) which is to be kept or lodged permanently in the body of an animal (5), introduced in the same sealed packaging (6), having both the animal identifying label and the receptacle of external signals or references (7; 8) so that, for their simple visual observation, a reciprocal relationship between them is obvious and unquestionable.

2.- Kit (1), according to claim 1 , characterized in that the external signals or references (7) of the receptacle (3) partially reproduce the signals or references (8) on the identifying label (2).

3.- Kit (1), according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the external signals or references (7) of the identifying label (2) are a visual representation of an electronically stored code in the electronic identifying means (4) encapsulated in the receptacle (3) contained together with the identifying label.

4.- Kit (1 ), according to the previous claims, characterized in that said packaging (6) is transparent, or at least partially.

5.- Kit (1), according to the previous claims, characterized in that said packaging (6) is flexible and because it can be broken, cut or torn apart to be definitively opened.

6.- Kit (1), according to the previous claims, characterized in that the packaging (6) has at least one visual representation (11) linked to the external signals or references (7; 8) of the identifying label (2) and the receptacle (3).

7.- Kit (1), according to the previous claims, characterized in that the packaging (6) also stores at least one bar-coded label which reproduces the electronically stored code in the identifying electronic means (4).