Specimen Container Label for Automated Clinical Laboratory Processing Systems

• US 20120210778A1
• Filed: 11/14/2011
• Published: 08/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Ross, Robert S., Holmes, Paul, Golabek, Robert S. Jr., Felix, Shenika E., Dubrowny, Nancy, Palmer, Ashley, Conley, Kristine, Bush, Christine
• Granted Patent: US 8,973,293 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/149
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5294 involving using additional data, e.g. patient information, image labeling, acquisition parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/168 Specific optical properties, e.g. reflective coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/54 Labware with identification means identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers G01N35/00732
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5453 for test tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 17/00 Methods or apparatus for determining the capacity of containers or cavities, or the volume of solid bodies measuring linear dimensions to determine volume G01B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00861 printing and sticking of identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/10 by an adhesive layer

Abstract

A label and labeling system for identifying the volume of a specimen within a specimen collection container are disclosed. The system includes providing a specimen collection container having an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween forming an interior adapted for receiving a specimen therein. The specimen collection container also includes a label having a label body disposed over at least a portion of the sidewall, in visual alignment with a colored background. At least one of the sidewall of the specimen collection container and the label body have printing disposed thereon having a color that is substantially identical to the colored background against which the specimen collection container will be viewed. At least one of the sidewall of the specimen collection container and the label body may have colorless indicia having a surface enhancement feature for providing visual distinction.

Claims

1. A label for application to a specimen collection container for automated viewing against a colored background, comprising:

a label body having a top surface and a bottom surface adapted for affixation to the specimen collection container, the label body having a visualization window defined therethrough,

wherein the top surface includes printing thereon having a color substantially identical to a color of the background against which the label will be viewed.

2. The label of claim 1, having a plurality of visualization windows defined between the top surface and the bottom surface.

3. The label of claim 1, the label includes additional printing disposed over the printing, the additional printing having a second color, the second color being different from the color substantially identical to the color of the background.

4. The label of claim 1, further comprising a flood coating, wherein the printing is disposed over the flood coating.

5. The label of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the label body is clear.

6. The label of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the label body is white.

7. The label of claim 1, wherein the label body comprises at least one fill line.

8. The label of claim 7, wherein the top surface of the label includes the at least one fill line.

9. The label of claim 1, wherein the visualization window includes at least one fill line, the fill line having a color substantially identical to the color of the background against which the label will be viewed.

10. The label of claim 1, further comprising the specimen collection container in contact with the bottom surface of the label body.

11. A label for application to a specimen collection container for automated viewing against a colored background, comprising:

a label body having a top surface having printing thereon, and a bottom surface adapted for affixation to the specimen collection container, the label body having a visualization window defined therethrough,

wherein the bottom surface has a color substantially identical to a color of the background against which the label will be viewed.

12. The label of claim 11, wherein the label body comprises at least one fill line.

13. The label of claim 11, wherein the top surface of the label includes at least one fill line.

14. The label of claim 11, wherein the visualization window includes at least one fill line, the fill line having a color substantially identical to the color of the background against which the label will be viewed.

15. The label of claim 11, further comprising the specimen collection container in contact with the bottom surface of the label body.

16. A specimen collection container for automated viewing against a colored background, comprising:

an open top end;

a closed bottom end; and

a sidewall extending therebetween forming an interior adapted for receiving a specimen therein, wherein the sidewall includes printing having a color substantially identical to a color of the background against which the specimen collection container will be viewed.

17. The specimen collection container of claim 16, wherein the printing comprises at least one fill line.

18. The specimen collection container of claim 16, further comprising a label disposed on a portion of the sidewall, at least a portion of the label aligned with the sidewall including printing.

19. The specimen collection container of claim 18, wherein the printing comprises at least one fill line and the label comprises at least one fill line aligned with the printing.

20. A specimen collection container for automated viewing against a colored background, comprising:

an open top end;

a closed bottom end; and

a sidewall extending therebetween forming an interior adapted for receiving a specimen therein, wherein the sidewall includes colorless indicia having a surface enhancement feature for providing visual distinction from at least a portion of the sidewall.

21. The specimen collection container of claim 20, wherein the colorless indicia comprises at least one fill line.

22. The specimen collection container of claim 20, further comprising a label disposed on a portion of the sidewall, at least a portion of the label aligned with the sidewall including colorless indicia.

23. The specimen collection container of claim 20, wherein the colorless indicia comprises at least one fill line and the label comprises at least one fill line aligned with the colorless indicia.

24. A method for viewing a specimen within a specimen collection container, comprising:

providing a specimen collection container against a colored background, the specimen collection container comprising;

an open top end;

a closed bottom end;

a sidewall extending therebetween forming an interior adapted for receiving the specimen therein; and

a label having a label body disposed over at least a portion of the sidewall, in visual alignment with the colored background, wherein at least one of the sidewall of the specimen collection container and the label body have printing disposed thereon having a color that is substantially identical to the colored background; and

viewing the amount of specimen disposed within the interior of the specimen collection container.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the sidewall of the specimen collection container includes printing that is substantially identical to the color of the colored background.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the sidewall of the specimen collection container includes printing that is clear.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the printing includes at least one fill line.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the label body is clear.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the label body includes a top surface and a bottom surface adapted for affixation to the specimen collection container, the label body having a visualization window defined therethrough.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the top surface includes printing thereon having a color substantially identical to a color of the background against which the label will be viewed.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the bottom surface has a color substantially identical to a color of the background against which the label will be viewed.

32. The method of claim 24, further comprising determining whether there is sufficient specimen within the specimen collection container to perform an intended testing procedure.

33. The method of claim 24, wherein viewing the amount of specimen disposed within the interior of the specimen collection container is performed by an automated viewing device.

34. A method for viewing a specimen within a specimen collection container, comprising:

providing a specimen collection container against a colored background, the specimen collection container comprising;

an open top end;

a closed bottom end;

a sidewall extending therebetween forming an interior adapted for receiving the specimen therein; and

a label having a label body disposed over at least a portion of the sidewall, in visual alignment with the colored background, wherein at least one of the sidewall of the specimen collection container and the label body comprises colorless indicia having a surface enhancement feature for providing visual distinction from at least another portion of the sidewall or the label body; and

viewing the amount of specimen disposed within the interior of the specimen collection container.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising determining whether there is sufficient specimen within the specimen collection container to perform an intended testing procedure.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein viewing the amount of specimen disposed within the interior of the specimen collection container is performed by an automated viewing device.