Patch assembly for use on live animals

#This invention relates to the general field of adhesive patches, specifically, to a patch assembly having a device retaining housing, and more specifically, for retaining a radio transmitter or other device securely to a live animal. This application, thus, describes a composite textile fabric patch assembly having a pouch-type housing disposed thereon, capable of securely housing a radio transmitter or the like; said patch being detachably and/or semi-permanently mounted to the animal via pre-applied, pressure sensitive adhesive.

#It is not uncommon to monitor via radio frequency and the like, not only humans but non-human animals, for a number of reasons. For example, non-human animals are monitored for breeding status and humans are monitored for birthing status. This invention is generally directed to and discussed in terms of the animal husbandry industry for ease of understanding, but is not limited or intended to be limited to such.

#A current standard for ensuring breed backs and the like in the cattle industry is the use of artificial insemination (AI) of cows. In order to achieve a high success rate using AI, it is necessary to inseminate the cow during standing heat. Generally, cows are classified as in standing heat and ready for breeding when they submit to being mounted by other cows. One way of determining a standing heat is to have ranch hands, in shifts, observe the herd, pull the cows that appear to be in standing heat and inseminate them. In recent years, technology has provided alternatives to reliance on the human eye for 24-hour observation, for example, the HeatWatch® system (U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,431 to Starzl et al.). This alternative includes the transfer of pertinent information via radio frequency (RF) broadcast from individual cows to a remote location for evaluation and action thereon. One aspect of the system is the attachment of a radio frequency transmitter to the tailhead of each cow. Attachment of this and/or other apparatuses to the tail-heads of cows has been achieved in the past with crude patches that are cemented to a cow with what is generally referred to as livestock glue.

#FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the patch assembly;

#FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c are exploded views of the housing assembly; depicting the individual parts thereof and their relationship to one another.

#FIG. 2a illustrates the upper portion of the device retaining housing assembly, and

#It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. The present invention provides a patch system useful for easy semi-permanent attachment to the skin of a human or non-human animal subject, as well as retaining a device within a housing mounted thereon. It is recognized by those skilled in the art that a broad range of patch assemblies and adhesive formulations may be practiced in accordance with the presently disclosed invention.

#The concept of a factory-applied “peel and stick” adhesive patches to retain a device on an animal, for example, the tail-head of a cow, responds to industry need. In current use are cloth or plastic patches that are glued to the tail-head of a cow using non-setting, solvent-based “sale-tag adhesive” which is dispensed from a tube equipped with a nozzle. This patch adhesive system has proven to be reasonably satisfactory in current applications throughout the U.S. and in several foreign countries. However, this method is messy, time-consuming, and requires reasonably careful and skilled application to achieve the required retention period. That is, the amount of time the patch is retained on the animal without reapplication. Even then, in high temperatures or when significant moisture is present, retention is a problem.

#Originally, patches employed, for example in conjunction with HeatWatch® (DDx, Inc., Denver, Colo.) were constructed of burlap fabric which fell apart; especially under conditions of excessive moisture. The next generation of patches were constructed of polyester mesh with pouches produced from Cordura® yarn, or the like. Since conception, several types of adhesives and many patch materials have been tried. Specifically, latex-based adhesives were tried and rejected due to long curing time. Several hot-melt or pressure-sensitive formulations were tried and rejected due to lack of bond strength.