Abstract: A biopsy sampler comprising a penetration zone for receiving a part of an organism to be sampled, a ram situated at a first side of the penetration zone able to be actuated to move along a path between a withdrawn position and an advanced position, a sample collector that can cut a biopsy sample from tissue interposed in the penetration zone, and a container that can receive the sample collector, the sample collector and the container being initially located on opposite sides of the penetration zone, a disposable shield initially located between the ram (with the ram in the withdrawn position) and the penetration zone, advance action of the ram from the withdrawn to the advanced position bringing together the sample collector and container at side of the penetration zone away from the ram, and bringing the disposable shield into the penetration zone, withdrawal action of the ram from the advanced position to the withdrawn position withdrawing the disposable shield to the first side of the penetration zone, le

Abstract: A biopsy sampler comprising a body carrying a ram able to be actuated to move along a path relative the body between a primed position and a second position, the body having a magazine receptacle at where a magazine, carrying a plurality of sample collectors that can cut and retain a biopsy sample from an organism in a magazine retained position, can be held in a movable manner to allow each sample collector retained by the magazine to be selectively presented in the path of the ram and be actuated by the ram and be moved at least partially from the magazine to take a sample from an organism as the ram moves to its second position and back to its magazine retained position, carrying a sample, as the ram moves from its second position back to its primed position.

Abstract: A sample collector to take and hold a biopsy sample from an organism upon being driven by an actuator into the organism, the collector comprising a punch that includes a cutter with a cutting edge formed at a cutting end of the punch to remove and retain a biopsy sample, and a unique identifier on or in the collector, the identifier being machine or human readable at the time of use of the collector to take the sample.

Abstract: A sample collector to take and hold a biopsy sample from an organism upon being driven by an actuator into the organism, the collector comprising of a punch that includes a cutter with a cutting edge formed at a cutting end of the punch to remove and retain a biopsy sample and a plunger retained to the punch in a manner to allow it to move relative to the cutter to remove a cutter retained biopsy sample from the cutter.

Abstract: A storage container to receive and store a biopsy sample of an organism, held by a biopsy sample collector, the storage container comprising a container body defining a containment region with an open end, and a container cap removably located at the open end to seal the containment region, the cap including a passage that is closed by a closure that is able to be ruptured to allow a biopsy sample retaining biopsy sample collector to thereat enter the containment region so that the sample can be stored in the containment region and the sample collector can seal the passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a kit of parts comprising a collecting device for collecting a tissue sample and a storage tube for storing the tissue sample therein. The collecting device comprises a punch and a plunger located within a bore of the punch and being adapted to slide within the bore. The storage tube comprises a tube body having an open first end, a closed second end, and a cap located at the first end of the tube body, the cap having a breakable seal that extends across the body of the tube to seal the first end of the tube body. The collecting device is adapted to break the seal of the cap and to fill the resulting opening to close off the storage tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tissue sampler for taking samples of tissue from animal's or plants. The tissue sampler is adapted to hold a storage tube in which a tissue sample is to be placed and to hold a magazine comprising one or more collecting devices. Each collecting device comprises a punch for cutting a tissue sampler and a plunger for pushing the tissue sample into the storage tube. The magazine can be moved after each tissue sample is taken so that a fresh collection device is ready to take the next tissue sample. The invention also relates to a magazine comprising a plurality of collecting devices for use with the tissue sampler.

Abstract: There is provided a tag applicator (1) for a wrap around tag (12) which includes first and second pivotally connected jaws (4, 5) which are moveable together when applying the tag. The first jaw (5) includes a pin (6) adapted to receive a male portion (13, 16) of the tag, and the second jaw (4) is adapted to receive a female portion (15) of the tag. One of the jaws includes a guide means (11) adapted to act on a loop portion (14) of the tag (12) connecting the male and female tag portions. The guides means biases the male and female portions of the tag apart prior to engaging these together apart an animal's ear.

Abstract: An applicator (1) has handles (2, 4) which on closing together will engage an animal tag with the animal's ear but at which time a control member (28) will engage with a linkage (6) to trip the linkage (6) into a jaw-open position. Once the handles (2, 4) have been released the linkage (6) will again be returned to its normal position primarily under the bias of a spring (25).

Abstract: In FIG. 9 a female identification tag is formed by overmoulding between mould parts (8, 9) a base section (1) which will include inwardly directed projections or fingers (4) to retain in use the head of a male tag and may include an RFID coil (6). As the mould parts (8,9) separate, the core (10) can start to eject, moving through the flexible opening (13) formed at the top of the soft boss (12) of the tag. Subsequently, a hard insert can close off the opening (13) in providing tamperproofing. The core (10) can be caused to rotate as it moves through the flexible opening (13) in order to break any bond between the plastics material and the core (10).

Abstract: An applicator (1) has handles (2, 4) which on closing together will engage an animal tag with the animal's ear but at which time a control member (28) will engage with a linkage (6) to trip the linkage (6) into a jaw-open position. Once the handles (2, 4) have been released the linkage (6) will again be returned to its normal position primarily under the bias of a spring (25).

Abstract: An animal tag applicator (1) has handles (2) and (3) pivotally connected together and extending to respective jaws (6) and (7) for dispensing an ear tag (10) to be engaged about an animal's ear (39). The tags (10) are in the form of an elongate, longitudinally connected, strip which can be accommodated within the hollow handle (2). A slider (17) has a pusher (18) engaged with the front-most tag (10A) to move it into the dispensing position where its male portion is engaged by the top jaw (7) and a cutting means (31) severs the connection between the front-most tag (10A) and the immediately following tag. A releasable stop member (42) engages the front-most tag (10A) before it is dispensed. A lost motion slot (43) enables the cutting means (31) to be raised before the pusher (18) engages with the next tag (10) to move it into the dispensing position.

Abstract: An animal tag applicator (1) has a rear body portion (4) slidable forwardly over a front body portion (3) to load a frontmost tag (10) between first and second jaws (7), (8) from a strip of tags (not shown) accommodated longitudinally within a chamber defined by the body portions (3), (4). Operation of a handle (5) against its bias (12) can then effect a tagging operation after which further forward movement of the body portion (4) will re-load the applicator (1) ready for the next tagging operation.

Abstract: An animal tag includes a flag (11) of substantially flexible material about which is secured a substantially rigid assembly (14) including a flanged member (15), a cap (17), and an insert (18) which assists the retention of the head of a male tag (not shown) within the cap (17). In another embodiment the tag is formed as a strip of indeterminate length of the flexible material. The aperture (19) may also be omitted and formed during use of the tag, by the head of the male tag. The substantially rigid assembly (14) may provide part of a male tag or part of a female tag as shown.

Abstract: An animal tag applicator (1) has handles (2) and (3) pivotally connected together and extending to respective jaws (6) and (7) for dispensing an ear tag (10) to be engaged about an animal's ear (39). The tags (10) are in the form of an elongate, longitudinally connected, strip which can be accommodated within the hollow handle (2). A slider (17) has a pusher (18) engaged with the front-most tag (10A) to move it into the dispensing position where its male portion is engaged by the top jaw (7) and a cutting means (31) severs the connection between the front-most tag (10A) and the immediately following tag. A releasable stop member (42) engages the front-most tag (10A) before it is dispensed. A lost motion slot (43) enables the cutting means (31) to be raised before the pusher (18) engages with the next tag (10) to move it into the dispensing position.

Abstract: A plastic product such an animal ear tag (1) is laser marked with indicia (2). The contrast between the indicia (2) and the surrounding surface of the tag (1) is enhanced by the heated of the indicia following laser marking to a temperature at which the indicia and the surrounding surface have melted. In the preferred embodiment the indicia (2) is provided as a raised surface (3) and with a plurality of spaced apart peaks (4) with gaps (6) therebetween. The heating of the tag (1) is preferably by the application of a hot plate to the indicia surface of the tag and simultaneaouly or subsequently to the non-indicia surface of the tag.

Abstract: A tag for application to the ear of an animal includes a male portion and female portion. The female portion includes a chamber within which an insert is accommodated, the insert engaging in an interlocking manner with the chamber and allowing access of a head of the male portion into the chamber but then acting to prevent removal of the head. The male and female portions may be connected at a central portion which enables folding of the male and female portions. In another embodiment, the central portion may include a weak-link so that the male and female portions can be torn apart if the tag becomes caught on an obstruction.