Abstract: A one piece identification tag which is formed from a flexible material. The tag comprises a panel on which identification indicia can be applied. A neck portion extends from the panel and terminates in a head portion. The head portion has a pair of flaps which project backwardly therefrom toward the panel with a flap being situated either side of the neck portion.

Abstract: An applicator tool comprising a body with a lever pivotally mounted with the body. An applicator needle is coupled via a coupling arrangement to the lever. The applicator needle is adapted at the free end thereof to engage with the leading portion of a tag. Overall the applicator needle is of curved shape and it is located by guide means such that as the lever is pivotally moved this movement is reflected in movement of the applicator needle on an arcuate path.

Abstract: An electronic device is located within a carrier. The carrier comprises a body portion and attachment portion whereby the body portion can be attached to an object to be identified. A flexible coupling portion couples the attachment portion with the body portion. The body portion is formed in two sections which are fastened together forming a cavity in which the electronic device is located.

Abstract: A liquid flow sensing device which incorporates a flow sensor having a liquid flow passage through which liquid can flow. A first electrode is disposed with a first wall of the flow passage such that the electrode extends about a portion of the flow passage. A second electrode is disposed with a second wall of the flow passage in that portion of the flow passage about which the first electrode extends. The first and second electrodes are so disposed that at least portions of the electrodes are in an opposing disposition. Electronic circuitry is coupled to the electrodes and in use of the device electronic detection circuitry detects a varying capacitance between the electrodes as the amount of liquid flowing through the flow passage varies.The flow sensing device is particularly suited for sensing milk flow in apparatus for the machine milking of animals.

Abstract: A tag for attachment to the ear of an animal, said tag comprising in combination a male component having a headed stem and a female component having a base portion 11 with an upper surface and a lower surface, a panel 10 projecting upwardly from the upper surface. An opening 12 is formed in the base portion 11 and the headed portion of the stem of the male component is able to pass through the opening 12 to effect coupling of the male and female components. The lower surface of the base 11 includes an engagement surface 16 which in use of the tag engages with the upper outer surface of an animal's ear. The engagement surface 16 has a profile which relative to the panel is transverse to the plane of the panel and follows the contour of the upper outer surface of the animal's ear to which the tag is to be applied to resist swivelling movement of the tag about the axis of coupling between the male and female components.

Abstract: A one piece tag formed from a resilient plastics material comprises a mounting member and a pair of panels attached thereto. The mounting member has a pair of limb portions coupled together by an intermediate portion. A panel extends from the end of each limb portion. Coupling means is provided adjacent the free end of one panel and an applicator tool can engage the tag via the coupling means. The panel is thus able to be forced through an object, such as the ear of an animal, by the applicator so that the intermediate portion resides within the opening formed in the object and a panel lies either side of the opening.

Abstract: An animal ear tag applicator tool which includes spaced apart first and second retention members each of which is adapted to retain an animal ear tag part. The tool has a body to which is pivotally attached a lever. Movement of the lever toward handle of body results in rectilinear movement of the first retention member toward the second retention member. The tool is characterized by a linkage which transforms pivotal movement of the lever into a varying speed rectilinear movement of the first retention member toward the second retention member relative to the movement of the lever itself.

Abstract: A venting valve comprising a body having first and second ports. A movable valve member having a venting passage is located in the body and is biassed to a first position where the venting passage provides communication between the first and second ports. A chamber is located within said body and a third port opens into the chamber. The construction and arrangement is such that the introduction of sub-atmospheric pressure into the chamber via the third port causes the valve member to move to a second position where the first port is isolated from the second port but is opened to the third port via the chamber.

Abstract: A device for closing a fluid flow passage in response to a decrease in vacuum pressure existing in the passage. The device comprises a fluid flow passage with a seating therein. A diaphragm is located so that one face thereof can locate on the seating to close the passage. A chamber is formed partially by the or at least part of the other face of the diaphragm. In use the diaphragm is maintained away from said seating by a higher pressure in the chamber due to a pressure differential existing between chamber and passage. Venting means open the chamber to atmosphere, and means are provided to seal said venting means. Actuating means are provided and engage with said diaphragm when the pressure differential exists. Accordingly when the pressure differential is altered by a decrease in the vacuum in said passage, the resultant movement of the diaphragm causes the actuating means to operate the sealing means such that the venting means vent said chamber and enables the diaphragm to locate on the seat.

Abstract: An animal ear tag comprising two components formed of a plastics or other resilient material, a first component having a hollow stem with a flanged end which has a spike of hard plastic or other rigid material shaped from its back end with a hole for the reception of a guide pin of a reusable back plate, and the second component having a boss with a hole for fitting over such end whereby with each component detachably mounted on a jaw of a pliers like applicator and the pin of the backplate inserted through the hollow stem of the first component and into the hole of the rigid spike, on a closing of the jaws of the applicator, the spike and stem of the first component is forced through the ear of an animal, and through the hole in the second component, and on an opening of the jaws of the applicator, the rigid pin and its backplate is left within the hollow stem of the first component, and the second component retained on the hollow stem and the spike on the end of the first component, the reusable backing pla