METHOD OF IDENTIFYING A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS AND/OR FINISHED ARTICLES OBTAINED FROM THE SAID CONTAINERS

• US 20090159174A1
• Filed: 04/26/2006
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton Dickinson France (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Becton Dickinson France (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Grimard, Jean-Pierre
• Granted Patent: US 7,856,795 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/64
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/00 Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes capsules or the like for oral use A61J3/07; specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments A61B50/30; containers for radioactive substances G21F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/10 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/50 using icons or symbolic figures, e.g. by a graphical representation symbolising the type of pathology or the organ by an image
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 Optical identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3129 Syringe barrels A61M5/3205 and A61M5/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/24 Ablative recording, e.g. by burning marks; Spark recording marking by high energetic means, e.g. by laser otherwise than burning or ablative removal B41M5/26; materials or methods for recording or reproduction by optical means G11B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/26 Thermography B41M5/20, B41M5/24 take precedence; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used B23K takes precedence; thermographic or photothermographic systems using noble metal compounds G03C1/494
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/262 recording or marking of inorganic surfaces or materials, e.g. glass, metal, or ceramics marking of plastic artifacts with inorganic additives B41M5/267
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/267 Marking of plastic artifacts, e.g. with laser
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 23/0025 by a laser beam

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of identifying a batch of articles comprising the following step: (AA) a plurality of containers (1) is taken, characterized in that the following steps are carried out: (AB) one intrinsic identification code (5) is generated for the batch; (AC) the batch of containers (1) is marked by providing a two-dimensional or three-dimensional intrinsic marking zone (4) in the wall (3) of each container (1) and reproducing a readable intrinsic identification code (5) in each container (1) identified by the latter, by the modification of the constituent substrate of the wall (3); (AD) one extrinsic identification code (16), relating to the product (10) filling the containers (1) of the batch, is generated; (AE) the batch of containers (1) filled with the product (10) is marked again, by associating with each container (1) an extrinsic marking means (15) that readably reproduces each extrinsic identification code (16); (AF) each article is identified by reading its intrinsic (5) and extrinsic (16) identification codes.

Claims

1. Method of identifying, especially authenticating, at least one batch, or a plurality, of containers (1) and/or finished articles (11) obtained from the said containers after a process which comprises at least the following step:

(AA) a plurality of containers (1), each having at least one wall (3), is taken, characterized in that at least the following additional steps are carried out;

(AB) at least one intrinsic identification code (5) is generated or produced for the batch;

(AC) the said plurality of containers (1) is marked by providing a two-dimensional or three-dimensional intrinsic marking zone (4) in or on the wall (3) of each container (1) and reproducing, so as to be readable, the said intrinsic identification code (5) in or on each container (1) identified by the latter, by the removal or modification of the constituent substrate of the wall (3);

(AD) at least one extrinsic identification code (16), relating to the product of interest (10) intended to fill, or filling, the containers (1) of the batch, is generated or produced;

(AE) the said plurality of containers (1) intended to be filled or filled with the product of interest (10) is marked again, by associating with each container (1) an extrinsic marking means (15) that reproduces, so as to be readable, each extrinsic identification code (16); and

(AF) whereby each finished article (11) is identified by reading its intrinsic (5) and extrinsic (16) identification codes.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in at least one of the said steps (AB) or (AD), at least one intrinsic identification code (5) and/or at least one extrinsic identification code (16) per container (1) are/is generated or provided in such a way that a container (1) and the product of interest (10) that it is intended to contain or does contain are identified in a unique manner by the combination of at least one intrinsic identification code (5) and an extrinsic identification code (16).

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the said intrinsic marking zone (4) and the said extrinsic marking means (15) are separate and not superposed.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a correlation step during which each intrinsic identification code (5) is made to correspond to an extrinsic identification code (16), or vice versa, and in that the said correspondences are stored in memory.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the intrinsic marking zone (4) is provided in the thickness of the wall (3) of each container (1).

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the intrinsic marking zone (4) is provided on the wall (3) of each container (1).

7. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the intrinsic marking zone (4) is provided on the internal face (3a) of the wall (3) of each container (1).

8. Method according claim 7, characterized in that

the intrinsic marking zone (4) is provided in the useful part (1b) of the said container (1) intended to be in contact with the product of interest (10), and to be closed off by means (12) for ensuring the integrity of the content of each said container (1).

9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the extrinsic marking means (15) consists of a label attached to or affixed on the outside of each container (1).

10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the extrinsic marking means (15) consists of a recessed surface abraded on the external face (3b) of the wall (3) of each container (1), and the intrinsic identification code (5) is reproduced in the recessed surface, for example by printing.

11. Method according to claim 1, which is implemented by computer means, characterized in that:

a first operator, for example the manufacturer of the batch of empty containers (1), generates a first database ranked by intrinsic identification code (5) and associated with the said batch;

a second operator, for example the one filling the said batch of containers (1), generates a second database, again ranked by intrinsic identification codes (5), in which second database the extrinsic identification codes (16) are stored, these being correlated with the respective intrinsic identification codes (5); and

where appropriate, a third operator, for example the person using the finished articles (11), reads at least one of the said intrinsic identification codes (5) and/or extrinsic identification codes (16) and accesses the second database in order to authenticate the said container (1) and the said product of interest (10).

12. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (1) is for medical use and chosen from the group comprising a syringe, a bottle or vial, a cartridge, a tube or a slide, and in that the product of interest (10) is chosen from the group comprising a medicament, a vaccine, a product or a physiological fluid, and is in divided or undivided solid, gel, powder or liquid form.