The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 05, 1997
Filed:
Mar. 06, 1996
Joseph S Sheen, Olathe, KS (US);
Lars H Andersson, Sodertalje, SE;
Philip M Wirth, Pleasant Hill, MO (US);
William Edward Spencer, Parkville, MO (US);
Alfa Laval Agri Inc., Kansas City, MO (US);
Abstract
A livestock identification apparatus 10 for automatically identifying and sorting livestock as they walk through the apparatus 10 is disclosed. The apparatus 10 includes an alley 12, a gate 14 for controlling passage through the alley 12, and an identification sensor 18 disposed within or adjacent the alley 12 for identifying animals passing through the alley 12. The identification sensor 18 includes a pair of rigid antennas 48,50 positioned on opposite sides of the alley 12 for energizing and reading transponders on animals passing through the alley 12. In another embodiment of the invention, the identification sensor 208 includes a gate 204 controlling entry into a milking parlor or other confined area, a first stationary antenna 210 positioned on one side of the entrance to the milking parlor and a second moveable antenna 212 integrally formed with the gate 204.