APPLICATOR FOR ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION TAGS

Abstract

An applicator for animal identification tags comprises a tag magazine receiver configured to receive a tag magazine comprising a reservoir for holding a plurality of discrete animal identification tags, each comprising a male and female engagement portion, and an opening, wherein the identification tags are displaceable along the reservoir to be sequentially dispensed through the opening. A pair of jaws engage male and female portions of a dispensed identification tag through the ear of an animal placed between the jaws. A motorized tag dispenser displaces the identification tags along the reservoir of a received tag magazine to sequentially dispense the identification tags through the opening. A sensor senses information indicative that an identification tag has been dispensed through the opening and received by the pair of jaws. A controller stops operation of the motorized tag dispenser based on an output of the sensor.

Claims

1. An applicator for animal identification tags comprising: a tag magazine receiver configured to receive a tag magazine, the tag magazine comprising a reservoir for holding a plurality of discrete animal identification tags, each comprising a male and female engagement portion, and an opening, wherein the identification tags are displaceable along the reservoir to be sequentially dispensed through the opening; a pair of jaws arranged to receive an identification tag dispensed from the opening of a received tag magazine, wherein the pair of jaws are operable to engage the male and female portions of the identification tag through the ear of an animal placed between the jaws; a motorised tag dispenser operable to displace the identification tags along the reservoir of a received tag magazine to sequentially dispense the identification tags through the opening of the received tag magazine; a sensor for sensing information indicative that an identification tag has been dispensed through the opening of the received tag magazine and received by the pair of jaws; and a controller configured to stop operation of the motorised tag dispenser based on an output of the sensor.

2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is for sensing information indicative of the displacement of the identification tags along the reservoir of the received tag magazine.

3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the motorised tag dispenser comprises: a pusher arranged to be received in the reservoir of a received tag magazine, the pusher being displaceable along the reservoir to push the identification tags along the reservoir; and a tag dispenser motor operable to displace the pusher along the reservoir.

4. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein: the motorised tag dispenser further comprises a lead-screw; the tag dispenser motor is arranged to rotate the lead-screw; and the pusher is coupled to the lead-screw so that rotation of the lead-screw causes displacement of the pusher along the reservoir.

5. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a displacement of the pusher.

6. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a position of the pusher.

7. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the tag magazine receiver comprises an elongate member configured to receive the tag magazine.

8. The applicator according to claim 7, wherein the elongate member comprises a channel for receiving the tag magazine therein.

9. The applicator according to claim 7, wherein the applicator comprises a plurality of sensors, for sensing information indicative that an identification tag has been dispensed through the opening of the received tag magazine and received by the pair of jaws, arranged along an elongate length of the elongate member.

10. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a plurality of sensors, for sensing information indicative that an identification tag has been dispensed through the opening of the received tag magazine and received by the pair of jaws, disposed so as to be arranged along a length of the reservoir of a received tag magazine.

11. The applicator according to claim 9, wherein the sensors are arranged at a predetermined spacing that is equal to a necessary displacement of the identification tags to dispense an identification tag from the opening of the received tag magazine so that it is received by the pair of jaws.

12. The applicator according to claim 9, wherein the motorised tag dispenser comprises: a pusher arranged to be received in the reservoir of a received tag magazine, the pusher being displaceable along the reservoir to push the identification tags along the reservoir; and a tag dispenser motor operable to displace the pusher along the reservoir, and wherein each of the sensors is configured to detect when the pusher is proximal to the sensor.

13. The applicator according to claim 12, wherein the pusher comprises a magnet and the sensors are configured to detect the magnet when the pusher is proximal to the sensor.

14. The applicator according to claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to stop operation of the motorised tag dispenser when one of the sensors detects that the pusher is proximal to the sensor.

15. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a motorised jaw operator for operating the pair of jaws to engage the male and female portions of the identification tag through the ear of an animal placed between the jaws.

16. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein the applicator comprises a jaw sensor for sensing information indicative that the pair of jaws has been operated to engage the male and female portions of the identification tag through the ear of an animal placed between the jaws.

17. The applicator according to claim 16, wherein the jaw sensor is configured to sense when the pair of jaws have re-opened following being closed.

18. The applicator according to claim 16, wherein the applicator comprises a controller configured to stop operation of the motorised jaw operator based on an output of the jaw sensor.

19. The applicator according to claim 18, wherein the jaw sensor comprises a magnetically energised sensor for sensing when a magnet is proximal to the sensor.

20. The applicator according to claim 19, wherein: one of the pair of jaws has a magnet; and the jaw sensor is positioned on a housing of the applicator so that the magnet and the jaw sensor are brought into proximity when the pair of jaws are open.

21. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein the motorised jaw operator comprises: a rotatable cam arranged to engage with an arm of one of the pair of jaws to force the pair of jaws to close as the cam is rotated, and to disengage from the arm upon further rotation of the cam; and a jaw operator motor operatively coupled to the rotatable cam and operable to rotate the cam.

22. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein the applicator comprises a trigger for causing the motorised jaw operator to operate the pair of jaws when the trigger is actuated by a user of the applicator.

23. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein the motorised tag dispenser is configured to start operation after an end of operation of the motorised jaw operator.

24. The applicator according to claim 23, wherein the motorised tag dispenser is configured to start operation a predetermined time after an end of operation of the motorised jaw operator.

25. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the pair of jaws are biased apart.

26. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to operate the tag dispenser motor to displace the pusher back to an initial position when all of the identification tags have been dispensed from the opening of a received tag magazine.

27. An applicator system for animal identification tags, comprising: an applicator according to claim 1; and a tag magazine, wherein the tag magazine comprises a reservoir for holding a plurality of discrete animal identification tags, each comprising a male and female engagement portion, and an opening, wherein the identification tags are displaceable along the reservoir to be sequentially dispensed through the opening.

28. The applicator system according to claim 27, wherein the tag magazine is received by the tag magazine receiver with the opening adjacent the pair of jaws.

29. The applicator system according to claim 27, wherein the tag magazine is loaded with plural discrete identification tags.

30. The applicator system according to claim 27, wherein the reservoir comprises a channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0084] Embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0085] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an applicator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0086] FIG. 2 is a side view of the applicator according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0087] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the applicator according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0088] FIG. 4 is an enlarged rear portion of a loaded tag magazine according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0089] FIG. 5 is a side view of a loaded tag magazine according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0090] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of the printed circuit board of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0091] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a rear end of the upper jaw of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND FURTHER OPTIONAL FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

[0092] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0093] The applicator according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a motorised identification tag feed system for feeding individual identification tags to a pair of jaws for applying the identification tag to an ear of an animal, and a motorised jaw operator system for operating the pair of jaws to apply the identification tag to an ear of an animal.

[0094] Both the motorised identification tag feed system and the motorised jaw operator system of the applicator will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0095] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an applicator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a tag magazine guide 3 (corresponding to a tag magazine receiver in the claims) for receiving a tag magazine 5.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 4, which shows an enlarged rear portion of a loaded tag magazine 5, and FIG. 5, which shows a side view of a loaded tag magazine 5, the tag magazine is an elongate rod-like member comprising an elongate channel 7 (corresponding to a reservoir in the claims) for holding a plurality of discrete animal identification tags 9, each of which comprises a male 11 and female 13 engagement portion. The tag magazine 5 further comprises a first opening 15 at a first (front) end thereof, through which the identification tags 9 can be dispensed by displacing them along the channel 7. Furthermore, the tag magazine 5 has a corresponding second opening 17 at a second (rear) end thereof. As discussed in more detail below, the second opening 17 facilitates access to the channel 7 by a pusher for pushing identification tags 9 along the channel 7 towards the first opening 15.

[0097] The magazine 5 is loaded with individual animal identification tags 9 which are arranged in a line in the channel 7, which runs the length of the magazine 5 between the first opening 15 and the second opening 17.

[0098] As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the individual identification tags 9 are folded over so that the protruding male portion 11 is touching the female portion 13, although not actually engaged with it. Resilient elongate connecting portions 19 of the identification tags 9 are bent over but are biased (by the resilience of the connecting portion 19) against upper and lower walls of the magazine 5.

[0099] A recess is provided in each wall of the magazine 5 to accept a projection on each side of each identification tag 9. These projections may be provided at some point near the female portion 13 of the identification tag 9 or along the sides of the elongate tag portion between the female portion 13 and the bend in the elongate portion 19. These projections run along the recesses and keep the identification tags 9 in a level and controlled position along the channel 7. This may help to prevent the identification tags 9 from catching or snaring on each other in the magazine 5 and causing jams in the tag feed.

[0100] The identification tags 9 are shown as being spaced apart in the schematic image of FIG. 5 for reasons of clarity. However, in reality the identification tags 9 are normally in direct contact, particularly when they are displaced along the channel 7 towards the opening 15 as described below. The identification tags 9 are slidable along the channel 7 towards the front opening 15.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 1, the tag magazine guide 3 has a guide therein. In use, the tag magazine 5 is received in the guide channel 21 with the first (front) opening 15 adjacent jaws (which are discussed below) of the applicator 1 at a first (front) end of the magazine guide 3, and with the second (rear) opening 17 at an opposite second (rear) end of the magazine guide 3. The guide channel 21 may be configured to releasably attach to the tag magazine 5, or to releasably grip the tag magazine 5, so as to releasably connect the tag magazine 5 to the applicator 1.

[0102] A tag pusher 23 is provided at the second (rear) end of the magazine guide 3, at least partially within the guide channel 21. The tag pusher 23 is configured to be received in the channel 7 of the magazine 5 through the second (rear) opening 17 of the magazine 5. The tag pusher 23 may be received in the magazine 5 when the magazine 5 is received in the tag magazine guide 3, i.e. when the magazine 5 is inserted into the guide channel 21. Alternatively, the guide channel 21 may be longer than the tag magazine 5 to provide space for the magazine 5 to be inserted in the guide channel 21 in front of the tag pusher 23, and the tag pusher 23 may then be advanced into the channel 7 of the magazine 5 using the tag pusher displacement system discussed below.

[0103] The tag pusher 23 is slidable along the guide channel 21 and within the channel 7 of the magazine 5 so as to push the identification tags 9 along the channel 7 towards the front opening 15.

[0104] The tag pusher 23 is part of a motorised tag dispenser that is operable to displace the identification tags 9 along the channel 7 to sequentially dispense the identification tags 9 through the front opening 15 of the tag magazine 5.

[0105] The motorised tag dispenser further comprises a tag feed motor 25 and a lead-screw 27 (an elongate externally threaded rod or member). The tag feed motor 25 is configured to rotate the lead-screw 27. For example, the lead-screw 27 may be directly coupled to a rotating shaft of the tag feed motor 25. Thus, operation of the tag feed motor 25 causes rotation of the lead-screw 27. The lead-screw 27 extends substantially along the entire length of the tag magazine guide 3.

[0106] It may be possible to operate the tag feed motor 25 in either of two opposite directions, so as to cause rotation of the lead-screw 27 in either of two opposite directions. For example, the tag feed motor 25 may have a rotatable shaft that can be rotated in either a forward or a reverse direction.

[0107] The tag pusher 23 is operatively coupled to the lead-screw 27 so that rotation of the lead-screw 27 causes linear displacement of the tag pusher 23 along the guide channel 21 of the tag magazine guide 3, and thus along the channel 7 of a tag magazine 5 received in the tag magazine guide 3. For example, the tag pusher 23 may have a threaded part that is in threaded engagement with an external screw thread of the lead-screw 27 so that rotation of the lead-screw 27 causes linear displacement of the tag pusher 23.

[0108] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tag magazine 5 may have one or more openings 29, for example an elongate slot or window in a side face of the tag magazine 5, through which an operative connection between the tag pusher 23 and the lead-screw is maintained as the tag pusher 23 is displaced along the channel 7 of the tag magazine 5. Preferably, the opening 29 is a slot that extends along substantially an entire length of the tag magazine 5, so that the tag pusher 23 can be displaced along substantially the entire length of the tag magazine 5 to dispense all of the identification tags 9 in the channel 7 of the tag magazine 5. For example, a threaded portion of the tag pusher 23 for threadedly engaging with a screw thread of the lead-screw 27 may protrude from the tag magazine 7 through the opening 29.

[0109] At the opposite first (front) end of the magazine guide 3 are provided a pair of jaws 31, 33 comprising an upper jaw 31 and a lower jaw 33, which define a dispensing opening 35 there-between. As described in more detail below, the pair of jaws 31, 33 are operable to clamp together so as to affix a tag received in the jaws 31, 33 to the ear of an animal which is placed in the dispensing opening 35. A biasing spring is provided to bias the jaws 31, 33 apart to the open configuration shown in FIG. 2. The jaws 31, 33 are pivoted together at a pivot 37, so that they can pivot relative to each other to open and close the jaws 31, 33.

[0110] When the tag feed motor 25 is operated to displace the tag pusher 23 along the channel 7 of the tag magazine, the identification tags 9 are displaced along the channel 7 so that an identification tag 9 is received by the pair of jaws 31, 33 ready for applying to the ear of an animal. As an identification tag 9 is dispensed from the dispensing opening 15 of the magazine 5, the identification tag 9 opens out from a position where the male and female parts are touching or almost touching, to one in which arms of the identification tag 9 having the male and female parts are splayed apart. When the jaws 31, 33 are then actuated (as discussed below) the jaws 31, 33 are squeezed together to drive the male part 11 of the identification tag 9 through the ear of an animal which is inserted into the dispensing opening 35 to engage with the female part 13 of the identification tag 9 which is retained in the lower jaw 33 of the applicator 1 to securely fix the identification tag 9 to the ear of the animal.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 1, the applicator 1 comprises a printed circuit board 39 that extends along substantially the entire length of the tag magazine guide 3. The printed circuit board is positioned directly below the tag magazine guide 3, so that in use it is directly below the channel 7 of the tag magazine 5 received in the guide channel 21.

[0112] As shown schematically in FIG. 6, the printed circuit board 39 comprises a plurality of sensors 41 arranged along an elongate length of the printed circuit board 39 at a predetermined spacing 43. Thus, in use the sensors 41 are arranged along the length of the channel 7 of the tag magazine 5, and are directly below the tag magazine 5. Each of the sensors 41 is configured to sense when the tag pusher 23 is adjacent to that sensor 41, i.e. when the tag pusher 23 is directly above that sensor 41. For example, the tag pusher 23 may comprise a magnet, or magnetic material, and the sensors 41 may be configured to detect that the tag pusher 23 is proximal to the sensor 23 by detecting the magnetism of the magnet or magnetic material. For example, the sensors 41 may be configured to be energised by the magnet in the tag pusher 23. The sensors may be hall-effect sensors, which are widely known and available.

[0113] The predetermined spacing 43 between the sensors corresponds to a predetermined displacement of the identification tags 9 in the channel 7 of the magazine 5 necessary to dispense a single identification tag 9 from the dispensing opening 15 of the magazine 5 so that it is received by the pair of jaws 31, 33 ready for dispensing. For example, where the identification tags 9 are in contact in the channel 7 of the magazine 5, the predetermined spacing 43 may correspond to a length of the identification tags 9 along the channel 7. The first sensor 41 may be positioned at the predetermined spacing 43 from the second (rear) end 17 of the magazine 5, so that when the tag pusher 23 reaches the first sensor the first identification tag 9 has just been dispensed from the front dispensing opening 15 of the magazine 5.

[0114] The printed circuit board 39 or the tag feed motor 25 may comprise a controller for stopping the operation of the tag feed motor based on a signal from one of the sensors 41, or from the printed circuit board 41, indicating that the tag pusher 23 is proximal to one of the sensors 41. As discussed above, because of the predetermined spacing 43 of the sensors 41, the positions of the sensors 41 correspond to displacements of the tag pusher 43 along the channel 7 of the reservoir 5 at which an identification tag 9 has been dispensed from the dispensing opening 15 and has been received by the pair of jaws 31, 33. Thus, by stopping the motor when one of the sensors 41 detects that the tag pusher 23 is proximal to the sensor 41, the tag feed motor 23 is stopped immediately after an identification tag 9 is dispensed and received by the jaws 31, 33 ready for applying to the ear of an animal.

[0115] The controller may be a processor integral with the printed circuit board 39 or the tag feed motor 25. Alternatively, the controller may be a distinct component from the printed circuit board 39 or the tag feed motor 25. For example, the controller may be a separate processor that is in wired communication with both the printed circuit board 39 (or the sensors 41 thereon) and the tag feed motor 25, so that the processor can control the operation of the tag feed motor 25 based on the output(s) of the sensor(s) 41.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 1, the applicator 1 according to the present invention further has a motorised jaw operator for operating the pair of jaws 31, 33 to engage the male 11 and female 13 portions of the identification tag 9 through the ear of an animal placed between the jaws 31, 33. The motorised jaw operator comprises a jaw operator motor 43, a worm 45, a worm-wheel 47, a jaw-closing cam 49 and a jaw arm 51 of the upper jaw 31.

[0117] The jaw operator motor 43 is arranged to rotate the worm 45. For example, the worm 45 is connected to a rotatable shaft of the jaw operator motor 43. The worm 45 is a tubular member having a screw thread on the external surface thereof. The worm 45 is arranged to rotate the worm-wheel 47. The worm-wheel 47 is a disk having a thread around the circumference thereof, which corresponds to the thread of the worm 45. The thread of the worm-wheel 47 is engaged with the thread of the worm 45 so that rotation of the worm 45 causes corresponding rotation of the worm-wheel 47. The axis of rotation of the worm-wheel 47 is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the worm 45. The worm-wheel 47 is coupled to the jaw-closing cam 49 so that rotation of the worm-wheel 47 causes corresponding rotation of the jaw-closing cam 49. Thus, operation of the jaw operator motor 43 causes rotation of the jaw-closing cam 49.

[0118] The upper jaw 31 has a jaw arm 51, which is a curved arm that extends in an opposite direction to the upper jaw 31. The jaw-closing cam 49 and the jaw arm 51 are arranged so that the jaw-closing cam 49 engages with the jaw arm 51 over part of the rotation of the jaw-closing cam 49 to displace the jaw arm 51 upwards, and thus displace the upper jaw 31 downwards to close the pair of jaws 31, 33. Thus, operation of the jaw motor 43 causes the pair of jaws 31, 33 to be operated (forced closed), so as to engage the male and female portions of an identification tag 9 received by the pair of jaws 31, 33 through the ear of an animal placed between the jaws 31, 33. Once the pair of jaws 31, 33 is closed, continued rotation of the jaw-closing cam 49 causes the jaw-closing cam 49 to disengage from the jaw arm 51, i.e. when the jaw closing cam 49 is at the bottom part of its rotation in FIG. 1 it is no longer in contact with the jaw arm 51. When this occurs, the jaw operator motor 43 no longer forces the jaws 31, 33 closed.

[0119] A spring is provided between the upper jaw 31 and the lower jaw 33 to bias the jaws 31, 33 apart. This spring is compressed when the jaws 31, 33 are forced together by the operation of the jaw operator motor 43. However, once the jaw-closing cam 49 is disengaged from the jaw arm 51, the compressed spring acts to force the jaws 31, 33 apart so that they return to their initial configuration shown in FIG. 2, ready to receive an(other) identification tag 9 for applying to the ear of an animal.

[0120] A jaw sensor arrangement is provided in one or both of the upper jaw 31 and the lower jaw 33 to sense when the jaws 31, 33 have reopened following closing of the jaws 31, 33. The jaw sensor arrangement comprises a magnet and a sensor for sensing the magnet when it is in close proximity to the sensor, the sensor and the magnet being disposed so that they are brought into close proximity when the jaws 31, 33 are open but are not in close proximity when the jaws 31, 33 are closed. Thus, reopening of the jaws 31, 33 following operation of the jaws 31, 33 is detected by the sensor detecting that the magnet is proximal to the sensor.

[0121] An example of the positioning of the magnet and sensor is illustrated in FIG. 7, which is an enlarged view of the rear end of the upper jaw 31. As shown in FIG. 7, a magnet 63 is positioned on a rear surface of the jaw arm 51. A sensor 65 for sensing the magnet 63 is positioned on a housing of the applicator 1 so that the sensor 65 and magnet 63 are brought into close proximity when the jaws, 31, 33 are open. The sensor 65 is a hall-effect sensor. Of course, in another embodiment the positions of the sensor and magnet may be reversed. Thus, the sensor 65 is able to detect when the jaws 31, 33 have re-opened following actuation of the jaws 31, 33.

[0122] FIG. 7 also shows a spring 67 for biasing the jaws 31, 33 apart to an open configuration. The spring 67 is a compression spring between the jaw arm 51 and a part of the housing of the applicator 1 above the jaw arm 51 that is compressed when the jaw arm 51 is displaced upwards as the jaws 31, 33 are closed. Thus, when the jaw-closing cam 49 disengages from the jaw arm 51 after causing the pair of jaws 31, 33 to close the compressed spring 67 displaces the jaw arm 51 back downwards and thus causes the jaws 31, 33 to return to an open configuration, which is then detected by the sensor 65.

[0123] A controller is provided to stop operation of the jaw operator motor 43 when the sensor detects that the magnet is proximal to the sensor, i.e. that the jaws 31, 33 have re-opened following operation of the jaws 31, 33. Thus, once the jaw motor 43 has caused the jaws 31, 33 to close, and the jaws 31, 33 have subsequently re-opened, the jaw motor 43 is prevented from automatically re-closing the jaws 31, 33. The controller may be part of the sensor, part of the jaw operator motor 43, or a separate part of the applicator. For example, the controller may comprise an additional printed circuit board 53. Typically, the controller is a processor in wired communication with the jaw operator motor 43. The controller is configured to stop operation of the jaw operator motor 43 a predetermined time after the jaw sensor senses that the jaws 31, 33 have re-opened following closure. For example, the processor may comprise, or be connected to, a time keeping means for determining when a predetermined period of time has passed.

[0124] Of course, in other embodiments the same controller (or processor) may control operation of both the tag feed motor 25 and the jaw operator motor 43. In other words, the same processor may be in communication with both the tag feed motor 25 and the jaw operator motor 43 and configured to control operation of both of these motors.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 1, the applicator 1 comprises a power source in the form of a battery pack 55 for supplying power to any components of the applicator 1 that require a power supply, such as the tag feed motor 25, the jaw operator motor 43 and the various sensors 41 and printed circuit boards 39, 53.

[0126] The applicator 1 further comprises a trigger 57 that can be actuated by a user of the applicator 1 to start operation of the applicator 1. As discussed below, the trigger 57 is operatively connected to the jaw operator motor 43, for example directly or via a controller/processor, so that actuation of the trigger 57 causes the jaw operator motor 43 to start operation and to close the jaws 31, 33.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 1, the lower jaw 33 is integral with a lower jaw holder 59. Furthermore, the applicator 1 comprises covers 61 for enclosing the parts of the applicator 1.

[0128] Operation of the applicator 1 in use will now be described.

[0129] Firstly, a magazine 5 having a plurality of identification tags 9 in the channel 7 thereof is positioned in the guide channel 21 of the magazine guide 3. At this stage, no identification tag is present in the pair of jaws 31 to 33. A user of the applicator 1 then presses the trigger 57 to operate the applicator 1. When the trigger 57 is pressed, the jaw operator motor 43 is automatically started by a controller/processor operatively coupled to both the trigger 57 and the jaw operator motor 43. As described above, operation of the jaw operator motor 43 causes the pair of jaws 31, 33 to close, due to the interaction between the rotating jaw-closing cam 49 and the jaw-arm 51. The jaws 31, 33 are therefore forced to close against the biasing of the spring. However, since there is no identification tag 9 in the jaws 31, 33, no identification tag is applied at this time. As operation of the jaw operator motor 43 continues, the jaw-closing cam 49 disengages from the jaw arm 51 so that the jaws 31, 33 are no longer forced closed. Therefore, the jaws 31, 33 are forced open again by the action of the spring 67, which was compressed when the jaws 31, 33 were closed. Re-opening of the jaws 31, 33 is detected by the jaw sensor 65, and based on this detection the operation of the jaw operator motor 43 is automatically terminated by the controller processor a predetermined time after the detection, so that the jaws 31, 33 remain open and ready to receive an identification tag 9.

[0130] After a predetermined delay, operation of the tag feed motor 25 is automatically started by a controller/processor operatively coupled to the tag feed motor 25 and to the jaw operator motor 43 and/or the previously mentioned controller/processor. Of course, the same processor may be operatively coupled to both the tag feed motor 25 and to the jaw operator motor 43 for controlling operation of both of these motors. The tag pusher 23 is displaced within the channel 7 of the magazine 5 to displace the identification tags 9 in the channel 7 towards the dispensing opening 15 until the tag pusher 23 is adjacent to a first sensor 41 of the printed circuit board 39, which corresponds to the displacement necessary for a first identification tag 9 to be dispensed through the opening 15 and received by the jaws 31, 33. Operation of the tag feed motor is automatically stopped when the sensor 41 detects that the tag pusher 23 is adjacent to (above) the sensor 41. Thus, at this stage a single identification tag 9 has been dispensed to the pair of jaws 31, 33 and the tag feed motor 25 has been stopped so that the identification tags 9 are no longer being displaced.

[0131] The applicator 1 is now ready to apply an identification tag 9 to the ear of an animal. When the user actuates the trigger 57 again, the same operation of the jaws 31, 33 as described above happens again, except this time there is an identification tag 9 in the jaws 31, 33 and this identification tag 9 is applied to the ear of an animal positioned between the jaws 31, 33. The remainder of the operation is as described above, i.e. the jaws 31, 33 automatically open again, this is detected, and a predetermined time later the tag feed motor 25 is automatically started to dispense a further single identification tag 9 to the jaws 31, 33, ready to apply the further identification tag 9 to an ear of an animal.

[0132] Thus, by repeating this operation, a plurality of identification tags 9 (which may be different types) can be sequentially applied to ears of animals.

[0133] Once all of the identification tags 9 in the channel 7 have been dispensed, the tag feed motor 25 can be operated in reverse to take the tag pusher 23 back to its initial position at the rear end of the magazine 5 so that the empty magazine 5 can be removed and replaced with a fresh one. This operation may happen automatically, for example when a sensor indicates that there are no identification tags 9 remaining in the magazine 5, or that the tag pusher 23 has moved a sufficient distance to dispense all of the identification tags 9. Alternatively, this operation may be manually caused by the user actuating the trigger 57 when the tag pusher 23 has reached the end of the magazine 5.

[0134] Of course, other embodiments may differ from this embodiment. For example, in other embodiments the operation of the jaws 31, 33 may not be motorised, i.e. the jaw operator motor 43 and corresponding parts be omitted. Instead, the jaws 31, 33 may be operated manually, for example by the user squeezing a trigger that is directly coupled to the jaws 31, 33 to cause them to close.

[0135] Where the jaws 31, 33 are motorised, the mechanism by which the jaws 31, 33 are caused to close may be different to the worm, worm-wheel and jaw-closing cam arrangement described above.

[0136] In other embodiments only a single controller/processor or printed circuit board may be provided for controlling all of the parts of the applicator.

[0137] In other embodiments a different mechanism may be used to couple the tag feed motor to the tag pusher. For example, the tag pusher may be integral with a piston that is caused to extend or retract along a length of the tag magazine guide.

[0138] In other embodiments the sensors may be different to the sensors 41 described above. For example, there may be only one sensor that can measure displacement of the tag pusher or identification tags along the entire length of the tag magazine guide. Or the sensors may detect something other than a magnet, such as the presence or absence of some kind of electromagnetic radiation.