Label system and method for label alignment and placement

• US 7,445,152 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Issued: 11/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Swenson, Kirk D., Shea, Cathy, Golabek, Robert S. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech; Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim; Tae W
• Application Number:
  US11/124,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20060249582A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5453 for test tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/408 reading information before printing and applying a label
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/44 by special means responsive to marks on labels or articles feed control in wrapping B65B
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/46 Applying date marks, code marks, or the like, to the label during labelling manually-controlled or operable apparatus having printing equipment B65C11/02; ticket printing and issuing G07B1/00 ; apparatus for ticket validating or cancelling G07B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00861 printing and sticking of identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00732 Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers

Abstract

The present invention is a label system and method for label alignment and placement on a container. The label system includes a first label or a container whereby the first label includes alignment symbology and a second label having an alignment area corresponding to the alignment symbology of the first label. The second label is positioned on the container whereby the alignment area of the second label is aligned with the alignment symbology of the first label. Visibility enhancement indicia may be provided adjacent the alignment area to increase the visibility of the alignment area to the user. Other indicia may be used to align the container in a holder for bar code scanning.

Claims

1. A method for proper alignment of a label on a container comprising:

providing a container having a first label positioned thereon, said first label including alignment symbology;

providing a second label including an alignment area having visibility enhancement indicia adjacent the alignment area, said alignment area of said second label corresponding to said alignment symbology of said first label;

positioning said second label on said container with said alignment area of said second label in alignment with said alignment symbology of said first label such that said alignment symbology is detectable through said alignment area, thereby assuring proper alignment of said second label on said container.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said alignment area is an opening in said second label.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said alignment symbology is a protrusion on said first label.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said alignment area is a transparent portion of said second label.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the second label with demarcation indicia, positioned to align the container bearing the second label in a holder, so that a bar code on the container can be read by a bar code scanner when the container is in the holder.

6. A method for proper alignment of a label on a container comprising:

providing a container having a first label positioned thereon, said first label including alignment symbology;

providing a second label including an alignment area, said alignment area of said second label corresponding to said alignment symbology of said first label;

positioning said second label on said container with said alignment area of said second label in alignment with said alignment symbology of said first label such that said alignment symbology is detectable through said alignment area, thereby assuring proper alignment of said second label on said container

the second label further comprising demarcation indicia, positioned to align the container bearing the second label in a holder, thereby enabling information on the container to be read when the container is in the holder.

7. The method of claim 6, further including the step of providing visibility enhancement indicia adjacent the alignment area on the second label.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said alignment area is an opening in said second label.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said alignment symbology is a protrusion on said first label.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein said alignment area is a transparent portion of said second label.

11. A label system for ensuring proper positioning of information on a label, comprising:

a first label comprising alignment symbology; and

a second label comprising an alignment area corresponding to said alignment symbology of said first label, and having visibility enhancement indicia adjacent the alignment area;

whereby said second label is positioned over said first label whereby the alignment area of the second label is aligned with the alignment symbology of the first label.

12. The label system of claim 11, wherein said alignment area is an opening in said second label.

13. The label system of claim 11, wherein said alignment symbology is a protrusion on said first label.

14. The label system of claim 11, wherein said alignment area is a transparent portion of said second label.

15. The label system of claim 11, wherein the second label further comprises demarcation indicia, positioned to align the container bearing the second label in a holder, so that information on the container can be read by a bar code scanner when the container is in the holder.

16. A label system for ensuring proper positioning of bar code information on a label, comprising:

a first label comprising alignment symbology; and

a second label comprising an alignment area corresponding to said alignment symbology of said first label such that said second label is positioned over said first label and the alignment area of the second label is aligned with the alignment symbology of the first label;

the second label further comprising demarcation indicia, positioned to align the container bearing the second label in a holder, so that information on the container can be read when the container is in the holder.

17. The label system of claim 16, further comprising visibility enhancement indicia adjacent the alignment area on the second label.

18. The label system of claim 16, wherein said alignment area is an opening in said second label.

19. The label system of claim 16, wherein said alignment symbology is a protrusion on said first label.

20. The label system of claim 16, wherein said alignment area is a transparent portion of said second label.