Identification tag for livestock

Abstract

An identification tag with an hourglass configuration for livestock or other animals having a pair of separable tapered, geometric solid portions in the preferred form of conical sections wherein each portion has a large end and a small end whose .[.sides.]. .Iadd.side surfaces .Iaddend.taper at an .[.acute.]. .Iadd.included .Iaddend.angle .Iadd.which does not exceed 90°. Each portion extends .Iaddend.away from the plane of an opening cut in the ear or other tissue of the animal to be tagged. .Iadd.Thus, when the surface of the tag is engaged by an obstruction, it can pivot so as to be at an obtuse angle to the ear to facilitate shedding of the obstruction. .Iaddend.No pressure is applied to the tissue around the opening and air is allowed to reach all portions of the opening to enhance healing. Piercing means extend from the smaller end of one of the portions and is used to form the opening in the ear. Means on the other portion secures the piercing means to the smaller end of the other portion after it has been passed through the opening.

I claim: 
     
       1. An identification tag for animals .[.that is installed.]. .Iadd.for installation .Iaddend.in an opening cut through the skin tissue of the animal wherein the tag enhances healing of the opening and will shed obstructions, said tag comprising: a first conical portion .Iadd., having a cross-sectional angle not exceeding 90°, .Iaddend.to be positioned on one side of the opening with the smaller end toward the opening;   a second conical portion .Iadd., having a cross-sectional angle not exceeding 90°, .Iaddend.to be positioned on the opposite side of the opening with the smaller end toward the opening; and   means positionable through the opening to connect said smaller ends of said conical portions together within the opening, the surface of said conical portions extending away from the opening .[.at an angle to the skin tissue.]. so that said surface does not normally contact the skin tissue and will shed away obstacles coming into contact with said surface .Iadd.by pivoting in the opening so that the surface engaged by the obstacle is at an obtuse angle to the skin.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. An identification tag for animals .[.that is installed.]. .Iadd.for installation .Iaddend.in an opening cut through the skin tissue of the animal wherein the tag enhances healing of the opening and will shed obstacles, said tag comprising: a pair of bulbous portions, each formed so that the surface thereof tapers away from the opening .[.at.]. an .[.acute.]. .Iadd.included cross-sectional .Iaddend.angle .[.without contacting the skin tissue.]. .Iadd.and having .Iaddend.at least one of said portions having identifying means .Iadd.not exceeding 90°.Iaddend.; and   .Iadd.said one portion having .Iaddend.means .Iadd.which is .Iaddend.extendable through the opening for joining .Iadd.thereon .Iaddend.said bulbous portions together on opposite sides of the opening.   
     
     
       3. A tag, as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said joining means is integral with one of said bulbous portions and is removably connected to the other of said bulbous portions.   
     
     
       4. A tag, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said joining means includes: a hollow shaft extending from the small end of one conical portion and having a sharp edge at the distal end for cutting through the tissue of the animal.   
     
     
       5. A tag, as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of said portions is hollow, said tag further including: insecticide containing means in said hollow portion; and   conduit means .[.in.]. .Iadd.extending longitudinally along .Iaddend.said shaft for transmitting insecticide from said insecticide containing means to the opening .Iadd.where said smaller ends of said conical portions come together.Iaddend..   
     
     
       6. A tag as claimed in claim 5, wherein said conduit means comprises: a plurality of longitudinally-extending, circumferentially-spaced grooves in the outer periphery of said shaft .Iadd.extending from said insecticide containing means to said smaller ends of said conical portions.Iaddend..   
     
     
       7. An identification tag for animals that is installed in an opening cut through the skin tissue of the animal wherein the tag enhances healing of the opening and will shed obstructions, said tag comprising: a pair of separable tapered portions, each having a larger end and a smaller end formed as a solid of revolution .Iadd.having an included angle not exceeding 90°.Iaddend.;   means joining said smaller ends of said portions through said opening, the taper of said portions causing them to be spaced at an angle to the skin tissue and allowing air to reach the edges of said opening all around its periphery to promote rapid healing and causing them to shed any obstacle coming into contact with said portions .Iadd.by pivoting in the opening so that the surface engaged by the obstacle is at an obtuse angle to the skin.Iaddend..   
     
     
       8. An identification tag for animals .[.that is installed.]. .Iadd.for installation .Iaddend.in an opening cut through the skin tissue of the animal wherein the tag enhances healing of the opening and will shed obstacles, said tag comprising: a body having an hourglass configuration wherein the neck of the configuration is positionable in the opening, said configuration being separable into two halves.Iadd., each half having a surface of revolution whose cross-section has an included angle not exceeding 90°.Iaddend.; and   means for connecting said two halves together wherein the configuration of each half extends away from the skin tissue .[.at an angle thereto.]. to facilitate healing of the opening and to shed obstacles coming into contact .[.therewith.]. .Iadd.with said surface by pivoting in the opening so that the surface is at an obtuse angle to the skin.Iaddend..   
     
     
       9. An identification tag for animals that is installed in an opening cut through the skin tissue of the animal wherein the tag enhances healing of the opening and will shed obstacles, said tag comprising: a pair of separable tapered portions having a larger end and a smaller end, each formed as a geometric solid .[.whose sides taper at.]. .Iadd.having a surface whose cross-section forms .Iaddend.an .[.acute.]. .Iadd.included .Iaddend.angle .[.away from the plane of the opening and the skin tissue.]. .Iadd.which is not greater than 90°.Iaddend. to allow air to reach all portions of the opening to enhance healing; .[.and.].   piercing means extending from the smaller ends of one of said portions for forming the opening in the skin; and   means on the other portion for securing said piercing means to the smaller end of said other of said portions after it has passed through the skin and formed the opening.Iadd., said one of said portions being pivoted in the opening when its side is engaged by an obstacle so that said side is at an obtuse angle to the skin.Iaddend.. .[.10. A tag, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said piercing means includes;   a hollow shaft with a tapered cutting edge at the distal end for cutting out a generally circular plug of tissue to form the opening..]. .[.11. A tag, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:   said smaller end of said other portion is received over said distal end of said piercing means; and   said distal end is flared so that said other portion is permanently attached to said piercing means..]. .[.12. A tag, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said piercing means includes:   a sharp point for puncturing the tissue to form the opening..]. .[.13. A tag, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:   said securing means is formed on said piercing means adjacent said point..]. .[.14. A tag, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:   said securing means comprises male threads on said piercing and mating   
     
     
        female threads in said other portion..].15. A tag, as claimed in claim 9, wherein: said portions each have means for releasable holding indicia bearing means. .[.16. A tag, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:   
     
     
       at least one of said portions is hollow..]. 17. A tag, as claimed in claim .[.16,.]. .Iadd.9 .Iaddend.wherein: .Iadd.at least one of said portions is hollow; and .Iaddend.   a radio receiver or transmitter is positioned in at least one of said hollow portions.