Abstract: An apparatus and method of installing livestock ear tags are provided. The apparatus includes handle members that control the insertion of a piercing needle that cuts an opening through an animal's ear. A slidable head assembly enables efficient manipulation of the piercing needle and reload of a new piercing needle for installing another tag. The piercing needle has attached to it a securing tab of the ear tag. The tab is stripped from the piercing needle after the needle clears the far side of the ear thereby securing the tag to the ear by placing the tab on the opposite side of the ear. The piercing needle is preferably disposable. The piercing needle has an integral tissue capturing cavity for capturing a slug of tissue from the animal's ear as the needle passes through the ear. The tissue sample can be used for subsequent animal health testing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of installing livestock ear tags are provided. The apparatus includes handle members that control the insertion of a piercing needle that cuts an opening through an animal's ear. A slidable head assembly enables efficient manipulation of the piercing needle and reload of a new piercing needle for installing another tag. The piercing needle has attached to it a securing tab of the ear tag. The tab is stripped from the piercing needle after the needle clears the far side of the ear thereby securing the tag to the ear by placing the tab on the opposite side of the ear. The piercing needle is preferably disposable. The piercing needle has an integral tissue capturing cavity for capturing a slug of tissue from the animal's ear as the needle passes through the ear. The tissue sample can be used for subsequent animal health testing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of installing livestock ear tags are provided. The apparatus includes handle members that control the insertion of a piercing needle that cuts an opening through an animal's ear. A slidable head assembly enables efficient manipulation of the piercing needle and reload of a new piercing needle for installing another tag. The piercing needle has attached to it a securing tab of the ear tag. The tab is stripped from the piercing needle after the needle clears the far side of the ear thereby securing the tag to the ear by placing the tab on the opposite side of the ear. The piercing needle is preferably disposable. The piercing needle has an integral tissue capturing cavity for capturing a slug of tissue from the animal's ear as the needle passes through the ear. The tissue sample can be used for subsequent animal health testing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of installing livestock ear tags are provided. The apparatus includes handle members that control the insertion of a piercing needle that cuts an opening through an animal's ear. A slidable head assembly enables efficient manipulation of the piercing needle and reload of a new piercing needle for installing another tag. The piercing needle has attached to it a securing tab of the ear tag. The tab is stripped from the piercing needle after the needle clears the far side of the ear thereby securing the tag to the ear by placing the tab on the opposite side of the ear. The piercing needle is preferably disposable. The piercing needle has an integral tissue capturing cavity for capturing a slug of tissue from the animal's ear as the needle passes through the ear. The tissue sample can be used for subsequent animal health testing.

Abstract: An identification tag is provided including a piercing element which captures a tissue sample of the animal during tagging. The tissue sample may be used to positively identify the animal for purposes of animal health tests, and the tissue sample may be further used to positively identify the animal tagged at all stages of the animal's life, as well as after the animal dies, by comparing the tissue sample with previously recorded DNA or other animal data. Visual indicia may also be incorporated on the tag, as well as electronic identification by use of a transponder.

Abstract: A keyboard support device provides a user with ergonomic positioning of the hands during keyboarding to prevent ailments such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The support device provides surfaces to receive a keyboard and mouse. Wedge shaped inserts can be used to alter the particular angle of the keyboard and mouse thereby providing a user with flexibility to position the hands at a desired angle. A first embodiment can be constructed of a closed cell foam in a molding or injection molding process. A second embodiment provides an inflatable support device especially suited for users who travel.

Abstract: A lap stabilization device includes a support tray, and at least one strap which is routed around and removably secured to the legs of a seated person to provide a stabilized work surface. The stabilized work surface can be used to secure a laptop computer, or any other object which requires stabilization on the lap of the person. In the first embodiment, the lap stabilization device comprises the support tray and at least one strap. In the second embodiment, the lap stabilization device can further include a lid thereby providing storage capacity for a laptop computer in the form of a laptop computer carrying case. Various structures are disclosed for attaching the stabilization device to the lap of the user. A retracting mechanism can be used to store and to selectively feed a desired length of securing strap for securing the stabilization device to the lap of the user.

Abstract: A keyboard support apparatus is provided to allow a keyboard to be placed in a reverse inclination or angle thus allowing a user's hands and fingers to be placed at a level at or below the level of the user's forearms and wrists when the user's forearms are extended for keyboarding operations. A first embodiment includes an inclined panel rotatably connected to a base panel, and an adjustment panel which has a free end for engaging adjustment slots in the base panel thereby allowing a selective inclinations of the inclined panel with respect to the base panel. In a second embodiment, the keyboard support apparatus may be used in conjunction with a common computer desk or table which incorporates a pull-out tray. The keyboard support apparatus is installed on the pull-out tray allowing a user to adjust the reverse inclination of the keyboard, or to allow the keyboard to remain in its normal horizontal position.

Abstract: An animal ear tag includes a component locking member of novel design. The component locking member has an interior passageway which substantially conforms in shape to the post or pin of an ear tag installation tool to stabilize the connection therebetween which prevents slippage or other undesirable movement of the component locking member when installed on the ear of an animal. The component locking member is characterized by a transverse portion having a pair of opposed flanges, and a substantially planar rear edge. The planar edge is adapted for contact with an inner surface of a jaw of an installation tool which further provides stabilization between the component locking member and the ear tag installation tool. As an ear tag assembly, the invention utilizes the component locking member and an ear tag panel having a grommet which engages the component locking member.

Abstract: An ear tag is provided which includes a locking member for multi-purpose storage of desired articles. In the first embodiment, the locking member is a transverse portion including a cutting tip for engaging a visual display panel of the ear tag. In another embodiment, the cutting tip may be formed integral with the panel and the transverse portion may include an opening for receiving the cutting tip. In another embodiment, the locking member may be of a conical shape. In yet another embodiment, a two-piece locking assembly is characterized by a retaining section and a cutting tip attached thereto, and a transverse portion which is engaged by the retaining section. Various types of cutting tips are disclosed and additional transverse portions may be provided for additional storage for desired articles. The ear tag is compatible for installation by standard ear tag installation tools.

Abstract: Apparatuses for and methods of installing ear tags are provided. One embodiment of the invention is defined as an ear tag installation tool and which makes use of a pair of handle members which control the insertion of an inserting member through an opening formed in the ear of an animal. The inserting member has attached to it a portion of the ear tag during the insertion process. The inserting member may be disposable and separates from the handle members after the insertion process is complete. In a second embodiment, the ear tag installation tool is an elongate tool having a handle and a distal tip for receiving the inserting member. In a third embodiment of the invention, an ear tag installer is provided which has some elements directly attached to the ear tag. The ear tag installer also includes a driving tool which forces the inserting member through the ear. In this third embodiment, the ear tag installation tools of the first and second embodiments can be used as preferred forms of the driving tool.

Abstract: Apparatuses for and methods of installing ear tags are provided. One embodiment of the invention is defined as an ear tag installation tool and which makes use of a pair of handle members which control the insertion of an inserting member through an opening formed in the ear of an animal. The inserting member has attached to it a portion of the ear tag during the insertion process. The inserting member is disposable and separates from the handle members after the insertion process is complete. In a second embodiment, the ear tag installation tool is an elongate tool having a handle and a distal tip for receiving the inserting member. In a third embodiment of the invention, an ear tag installer is provided which has some elements directly attached to the ear tag. The ear tag installer also includes a driving tool which forces the inserting member through the ear. In this third embodiment, the ear tag installation tools of the first and second embodiments can be used as preferred forms of the driving tool.

Abstract: An improved method of injection molding is characterized by an annular flow of resin materials into a mold cavity to produce a molded article. The innermost resin material within the annular stream of material flows in an inside-out pattern and forms the cap layer of the molded article. The inner core material of the molded article concentrically surrounds the cap material during the injection process except for the leading edge of the inner core material which is preceded by the cap material into the mold cavity. The molded article may have two or more layers created by the process wherein each of the layers can be controlled in terms of their thickness and content within the molded article.

Abstract: An improved method of injection molding is characterized by an annular flow of resin materials into a mold cavity to produce a molded article. The innermost resin material within the annular stream of material flows in an inside-out pattern and forms the cap layer of the molded article. The inner core material of the molded article concentrically surrounds the cap material during the injection process except for the leading edge of the inner core material which is preceded by the cap material into the mold cavity. The molded article may have two or more layers created by the process wherein each of the layers can be controlled in terms of their thickness and content within the molded article.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, the toilet paper holder and dispenser includes a rod receiving section adapted to receive the dispenser rod of a common toilet paper dispenser. A peg attaches to the rod receiving section and protrudes away therefrom. A stabilizer is also attached to the rod receiving section to prevent the toilet paper holder from undesirably rotating and shifting when toilet paper is dispensed from the roll which is mounted over the peg. In a second embodiment, the peg may be adjustably positioned at a desired vertical angle. In a third embodiment, the toilet paper holder includes a recessed mounting bracket which is directly mountable to the recess formed in the wall which previously had mounted to it the common toilet paper dispenser. For any one of the embodiments, the distal end of the peg may include either a tip portion which is angled or bent away from the longitudinal axis of the peg or may include a retainer or cap to assist in retaining a roll of toilet paper mounted over the peg.

Abstract: A bird nesting box is disclosed for viewing the nesting behavior of birds. The apparatus includes a housing with an opening and a perch. The back wall of the housing is transparent to allow viewing the interior area of the housing. The roof of the housing is preferably translucent to increase the natural lighting of the interior area. For safe and convenient viewing, the bird nesting box is removably attachable to the outside facing surface of a window pane with suction cups. An opaque cover is removably attachable to the inside facing surface of the window pane. In one orientation, the cover entirely covers the transparent back wall. A view port in the cover allows for partial viewing of the inside area with the cover in this orientation. In a second orientation, the cover uncovers the back wall for complete viewing of the interior area. In another embodiment, the housing is supported above the ground by a post. The back wall is transparent hand has a frame.

Abstract: The process of displaying indicia on a panel includes forming a panel with a substratum of a first selected material and at least one superstratum of a second contrasting material attached to the substratum. At least the superstratum is meltable, and preferably both layers are formed of tough, pliable, weatherproof plastic such as polyurethane. A heated indicia-forming tool is pressurally applied selectively to the superstratum to melt localized portions of its material throughout its thickness and force it out of the path of movement of the tool, leaving corresponding portions of the substratum exposed to define indicia with a contrasting background. The method can include also melting a portion of the substratum, having a contrasting color to the superstratum and causing a portion of the substratum to flow up over the melted raised portion of the superstratum along the edge of the melted area to form highly visible indicia on the panel.

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.degree.. 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.