Method and apparatus for delivering barcode-to-dose labels
First Claim
1. A method of labeling a dose of medication in a dose dispenser for administration to a patient, the method comprising the steps:
- a. printing a two layer label having a neck and first and second end portions, the neck narrower than either of the first and second end portions, the first and second end portions being substantially identical in shape and size, the two layer label further comprising;
(i)an inner layer having a first surface and a second surface;
(ii)an adhesive applied to the second surface of the inner layer;
(iii) an outer layer substantially identical in shape and size to the inner layer, the outer layer releasably adhered to the first surface of the inner layer, the outer layer of which further comprises medicine ID data and a removable dose label defined by one of the first and second end portions of the outer layer, the dose label having dosage and patient ID data;
b. exposing at least a portion of the adhesive on the second surface of the inner layer;
c. wrapping the two layer label around a circumference of a medicine container such that the first and second end portions of the inner layer adhere together; and
d. removing the dose label and attaching it to the dosing dispenser.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A labeling apparatus has a source of printed labels that have adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup with two opposable arms, a blower bar to support a label on air. Each opposable arm has its own vacuum head and each head is removably attachable to a respective end portion of the label. The apparatus also has a label position sensor, and the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position. Each pickup arm has a plurality of spring loaded pins. A two layer label has a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, and at least one removable portion of the outer layer. The label has a neck portion and two end portions, such that the label set may be wrapped a container with the two end portions adhered back to back to each other. The neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label.
74 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method of labeling a dose of medication in a dose dispenser for administration to a patient, the method comprising the steps:
-
a. printing a two layer label having a neck and first and second end portions, the neck narrower than either of the first and second end portions, the first and second end portions being substantially identical in shape and size, the two layer label further comprising; (i)an inner layer having a first surface and a second surface; (ii)an adhesive applied to the second surface of the inner layer; (iii) an outer layer substantially identical in shape and size to the inner layer, the outer layer releasably adhered to the first surface of the inner layer, the outer layer of which further comprises medicine ID data and a removable dose label defined by one of the first and second end portions of the outer layer, the dose label having dosage and patient ID data; b. exposing at least a portion of the adhesive on the second surface of the inner layer; c. wrapping the two layer label around a circumference of a medicine container such that the first and second end portions of the inner layer adhere together; and d. removing the dose label and attaching it to the dosing dispenser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
3. A method of applying a label to a medicine container, the method comprising the steps:
-
a. providing a two layer label having a neck and first and second end tabs, the first and second end tabs being substantially identical in shape and size, the neck narrower than either of the first and second end tabs, the two layer label further comprising; (i) a backing strip; (ii) an inner layer releasably adhered to the backing strip; (iii) an outer layer substantially identical in shape and size to the inner layer, the outer layer releasably adhered to the inner layer, wherein first and second end tabs of the outer layer are separately removable from the inner layer; b. peeling away at least a portion of the backing strip to expose an adhesive surface of the inner layer of the label; c. floating the exposed inner layer on a cushion of air; d. picking up the label at each end tab with a pickup device; e. moving the label and pickup device to position substantially the center of the label neck upon the container; and f. actuating the pickup device to wrap the label around the container so that the inner layer of the first tab adheres to the inner layer of the second tab. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
Specification