Automatic labeling and packaging system label folding and application

• US 20040123565A1
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc. (The Cigna Group)
• Original Assignee: Medco Health Solutions Incorporated (The Cigna Group)
• Inventors: Rice, Dennis Wayne, McErlean, James G., Petten, Allen, Booler, Andrew P., Szesko, Michael Joseph, Hess, E. Christian, Shupert, P. Thomas, Detri, Mark A., Vidal, Orlando
• Granted Patent: US 7,409,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/415
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/103 for packaging pills or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/20 for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents adding unpacking elements B65B61/18
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/0018 Preparing the labels
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/0015 Preparing the labels or articles, e.g. smoothing, removing air bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/22 by wetting, e.g. by applying liquid glue or a liquid to a dry glue coating
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/40 relating to drugs, e.g. their side effects or intended usage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1002 with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1028 by bending, drawing or stretch forming sheet to assume shape of configured lamina while in contact therewith
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1033 Flexible sheet to cylinder lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1051 by folding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1326 Severing means or member secured thereto also bonds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1339 Delivering cut part in sequence to serially conveyed articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1768 Means simultaneously conveying plural articles from a single source and serially presenting them to an assembly station
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1771 Turret or rotary drum-type conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1773 For flexible sheets

Abstract

A method of labeling of a container including a medication includes, in at least one embodiment, reducing the size of the label using a label apparatus and reducing the label size using the label apparatus, applying a surface securing adhesive to at least one surface securing section of the label using an adhesive application apparatus, and attaching the at least one surface securing section of the label to the container with the securing adhesive. The method also includes applying a label securing adhesive to the label to maintain the label in the reduced orientation.

Claims

1. A method of labeling of a container including a medication, comprising at least one of a bottle and a package, with a label providing information regarding the medication to a consumer thereof, comprising at least one of the sequential, non-sequential, and sequence independent the steps of:

providing the label to a label apparatus;

reducing the label size using the label apparatus, wherein the label is prepared by the label apparatus for attachment to a surface;

transporting the label from the label apparatus to an adhesive application apparatus;

applying a surface securing adhesive to at least one surface securing section of the label; and

attaching the at least one surface securing section of the label to the container, wherein the surface securing adhesive affixes the label to the container.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transporting the label from the label apparatus to the adhesive application apparatus further comprises removing the label from the label apparatus.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the label is between 11 inches and 12 inches in length and between 1.25 inches and 1.75 inches in width.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the label comprises:

a customer information section;

a medication information section a use instructions of the medication section;

the at least one surface securing section; and

a barcode section.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one surface securing section is between 1.5 inches and 1.75 inches in length and between 1.25 inches and 1.75 inches in width.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reducing the label size comprises:

rolling the label; and

at least one of creasing the label during rolling and creasing the label after rolling.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising applying a label securing adhesive to a label securing section of the label, such that the label is secured in a rolled shape by attaching the label securing section to an inner portion of the label that confronts the label securing section.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the label securing adhesive enables the label to be unrolled and resecured in the rolled shaped without damaging the label.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the label comprises:

a customer information section;

a medication information section;

a use instructions of the medication section;

the label securing section;

the at least one surface securing section; and

a barcode section.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the label securing section is between 0.75 inches and 1 inch in length and between 1.25 inches and 1.75 inches in width.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one surface securing section is between 1.5 inches and 1.75 inches in length and between 1.25 inches and 1.75 inches in width.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the surface securing adhesive is used to secure the label in a rolled orientation.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the label is rolled such that an overhanging flap is formed.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface securing adhesive is applied to a first end of the label, such that the label is capable of being unrolled while remaining attached to the container at the first end of the label.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the label is transported by the transporting step using a vacuum pad.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface securing adhesive is applied to the label in at least one contiguous location on the at least one surface securing section of the label.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface securing adhesive is applied to the label in at least two, disparate locations on the at least one surface securing section.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the label is folded such that a first end and a second end of the label are left exposed.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the surface securing adhesive is applied to a first surface securing section located at the first end of the label, such that the label is capable of being affixed to the container at the first end of the label.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the surface securing adhesive is applied to a first surface securing section located at the first end and to a second surface securing section located at the second end of the label, such that the label is capable of being affixed to the container at the first end and the second end of the label.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

printing the label, wherein the label is given a barcode; and

scanning the barcode printed on the label to facilitate correct matching of the label to the container.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein scanning the barcode is performed after the label has been attached to the container.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the container has a product barcode and the label is attached to the container such that the label does not obscure the product barcode.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising rejecting the label if an error in the method of labeling is detected.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the error comprises at least one of a barcode on the label is not read after the label is printed, affixing the label to the wrong container, a barcode on the container is not read, a device that reads the barcode on the label malfunctions, and a device that reads the barcode on the container malfunctions.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the label is rejected before the step of applying the surface securing adhesive, the method further comprising:

applying a retracting device to the label after the transporting step;

removing the label from a transporting device;

disposing of the label in a disposal assembly; and

detecting the label as it is placed in the disposal assembly.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the retracting device comprises a pair of needles and a stripper plate.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the applying step comprises:

lowering the stripper plate onto the transportation device to hold the label in place; and

advancing the needles through the label.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the removing step comprises retracting the stripper plate and the needles such that the label is removed from the transportation device.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the detecting step is accomplished using a photocell array.

31. A method of labeling of a container including a medication, comprising at least one of a bottle and a package, with a label providing information regarding the medication to a consumer thereof, comprising at least one of the sequential, non-sequential, and sequence independent the steps of:

providing the label to a label apparatus;

reducing the label size using the label apparatus, wherein the label is prepared by the label apparatus for attachment to a surface;

transporting the label from the label apparatus to an adhesive application apparatus;

applying a label securing adhesive to the label, wherein the label securing adhesive overhangs an edge of the label; and

attaching the label to the container, wherein the label securing adhesive both secures the label in a reduced orientation and affixes the label to the container.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the label securing adhesive enables the label to be unrolled and resecured in the rolled shaped without damaging the label.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of transporting the label from the label apparatus to the adhesive application apparatus further comprises removing the label from the label apparatus.

34. A system for labeling of a container including a medication, comprising at least one of a bottle and a package, with a label providing information regarding the medication to a consumer thereof, the system comprising:

a label reducing tool;

a label securing adhesive application device, which applies a label securing adhesive to the label such that the label is capable of being maintained in a reduced orientation;

a surface securing adhesive application device, which applies a surface securing adhesive to the label such that the label is capable of being attached to the container; and

a label shuttle block, wherein the label shuttle block conveys the label from the label reducing tool to the surface securing adhesive application device.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the label shuttle block further removes the label from the label reducing tool.

36. The system of claim 34, further comprising a controller that controls an operation of the system.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein the label rolling tool comprises a flat, rectilinear device, with a first and second end, with at least one of the first end and second end being attached to a rotation device, the rotation device enabling the folding tool to be rotated along an axis of rotation.

38. The system of claim 34, further comprising at least one creasing wheel, wherein the at least one creasing wheel creases the label as the label is being folded by the folding tool.

39. The system of claim 38, further comprising a second creasing wheel, wherein the second creasing wheel creases the label after the label has been folded by the folding tool.

40. The system of claim 34, wherein the label shuttle block comprises a vacuum pad, which enables the label to be kept in a secure position during transport of the label.

41. The system of claim 34, further comprising a spring loaded ridge, wherein the spring-loaded ridge enables the label to be removed from the label reducing tool without causing damage to the label.

42. The system of claim 34, further comprising a barcode reader, wherein the barcode reader scans a barcode printed on the label to facilitate correct matching of the label to the container.

43. The system of claim 34, further comprising:

a first barcode reader, wherein the first barcode reader scans a barcode printed on the label before the label is folded; and

a second barcode reader, wherein the first barcode reader scans a barcode printed on the label after the label is folded, wherein the first barcode reader and the second barcode reader facilitate correct matching of the label to the container.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the second barcode reader scans the barcode on the label before the label is affixed to the container.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the second barcode reader scans the barcode on the label after the label is affixed to the container.

46. The system of claim 34, wherein the label is between 11 inches and 12 inches in length and between 1.25 inches and 1.75 inches in width.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the label comprises:

a customer information section;

a medication information section;

a use instructions of the medication section;

a label securing section;

at least one surface securing section; and

a barcode section.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the label securing section is between 0.75 inches and 1 inch in length and between 1.25 inches and 1.75 inches in width.

49. The system of claim 44, wherein the at least one surface securing section is between 1.5 inches and 1.75 inches in length and between 1.25 inches and 1.75 inches in width.

50. The system of claim 34, further comprising a label rejection mechanism, the label rejection mechanism comprising:

a pair of needles, wherein the needles are advanced through the label as the label lies on the label shuttle block;

a stripper plate, wherein the stripper plate holds the label in place on the label shuttle block as the pair of needles are applied to the label; and

a disposal assembly.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the disposal assembly comprises:

a label reject vertical slide;

a label reject horizontal slide;

a label reject drop tube; and

a label reject bin.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein the label shuttle block comprises a pair of holds to accommodate the pair of needles as the pair of needles are applied to the label.

53. The system of claim 34, further comprising an automated device for affixing the label to the container.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the automated device comprises:

a robotic arm; and

a controller that controls the robotic arm.

55. The system of claim 34, wherein the label securing adhesive enables the label to be unrolled and resecured in the rolled shaped without damaging the label.

56. A system for labeling of a container including a container including a medication, comprising at least one of a bottle and a package, with a label providing information regarding the medication to a consumer thereof, the system comprising:

means for rolling the label, wherein the label is creased by the means for rolling;

means for applying adhesive to an outer portion of the label;

means for transporting the label from the means for rolling to the means for applying adhesive; and

means for attaching the outer portion of the label to the container, wherein the adhesive affixes the label to the container.

57. The system of claim 56, further comprising means for controlling an operation of the system.

58. The system of claim 57, further comprising means for removing the label from the means for rolling.

59. A system for labeling of a container including a medication, comprising at least one of a bottle and a package, with a label providing information regarding the medication to a consumer thereof, the system comprising:

means for reducing the label size, wherein the label is prepared by the means for reducing for attachment to a surface;

means for providing the label to means for reducing;

means for applying a surface securing adhesive to at least one surface securing section of the label;

means for transporting label from the means for reducing to the means for applying the surface securing adhesive; and

means for attaching the at least one surface securing section of the label to the container, wherein the surface securing adhesive affixes the label to the container.

60. The system of claim 59, further comprising means for controlling an operation of the system.

61. The system of claim 59 further comprising means for removing the label from the means for rolling.

62. A label including information relating to a medication comprising:

a substrate comprising a first end and a second end, and dimensioned responsive to at least a length, wherein the length is defined by the first end and the second end;

a first section on the substrate, having patient information;

a second section on the substrate, having usage instructions for the medication;

a third section on the substrate, for receiving a transfer adhesive, wherein the transfer adhesive secures the label in a reduced orientation;

a fourth section on the substrate, for receiving a hot melt adhesive; and

a fifth section on the substrate, having at least a barcode.

63. The label of claim 62, wherein the reduced orientation is at least one of rolled and folded.

64. The label of claim 62, wherein the fourth section comprises at least two, discrete sections.

65. The label of claim 62, wherein the at least two, discrete sections are location on non-adjoining location on the label.

66. A method of labeling of a container including a medication, comprising at least one of a bottle and a package, with a label providing information regarding the medication to a consumer thereof, comprising at least one of the sequential, non-sequential, and sequence independent the steps of:

providing the label to a label apparatus;

folding the label using the label apparatus, wherein the label is folded into a rolled orientation by the label apparatus for attachment to a surface;

removing the label from the label apparatus;

transporting the label from the label apparatus to an adhesive application apparatus;

applying a surface securing adhesive to at least one surface securing section of the label; and

attaching the at least one surface securing section of the label to the container, wherein the surface securing adhesive affixes the label to the container.

67. A method of labeling of a container including a medication, comprising at least one of a bottle and a package, with a label providing information regarding the medication to a consumer thereof, comprising at least one of the sequential, non-sequential, and sequence independent the steps of:

folding the label, wherein the label is folded into a flag orientation for attachment to a surface;

applying a surface securing adhesive to at least one surface securing section of the label; and

attaching the at least one surface securing section of the label to the container, wherein the surface securing adhesive affixes the label to the container.