Abstract: An animal ear tag including a female opening through which a head of a stem of a coupling member can pass to effect a coupling action when installing the tag on an animal, the female opening being formed as part of a separate enclosed boss component of hard material, the boss component having a flange extending peripherally from an external surface thereof, the flange being located within resilient material forming a part of the ear tag sized to anchor the boss component to the tag.

Abstract: An applicator tool for animal ear tags the applicator tool having a tag reception area in which a tag to be applied can be located. Tag engagement means are coupled with operative means whereby the tag engagement means can apply a force to at least part of the tag in the tag reception area to apply the tag to an animal. The applicator tool includes tag location means with which a plurality of tags which are conjoined by lugs can be located. Tag transport means which is operative to transport a tag from the plurality of conjoined tags to the tag reception means. Removing means is provided for removing a single tag to be transported from the plurality of conjoined tags.

Abstract: A female tag component for a two piece animal ear tag of the type comprising a male component having a stem with a head portion and a female component having an opening through which the head portion can be forced to effect coupling of the male and female components. The opening in the female component has an annular wall thereabout and the head portion of the male component, when the male and female components are coupled together, is located within the annular wall. An insert is located within the confines of the annular wall, this insert being in the form of a collar having an internal rim adjacent the end of the collar which is located about the opening. A portion of the collar, including that end of the collar which incorporates the rim, is deformable such as to enable entry of the head portion into the collar. The collar returns to the non-deformed state when the head is located therein so that the rim locates behind the head portion and retains the head portion within the collar.

Abstract: An applicator tool for applying identification tags to animals having a movable applicator member which is lever controllable. A magazine into which a plurality of tags can be individually loaded is mounted on the applicator such that it can be indexed to place a tag located therein into a position whereby the applicator member can engage, during operation of the applicator tool, with a part of the tag. That part of the tag can then be moved through an opening in the portion of the animal to which the tag is to be applied such that the tag becomes installed in that portion of the animal.