Automatic labeling and packaging system label folding and application

• US 8,110,057 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2008
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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., Hess, E. Christian, Booler, Andrew P., Shupert, P. Thomas, Szesko, Michael J., Petten, Allen, Vidal, Orlando, Detri, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Khanh P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoover, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US12/190,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20080295952A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 156/1, 156/60, 156/196, 156/212, 156/215
• US Class Current: 156/215
• 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 having a product barcode corresponding thereto and comprising at least one of a bottle and a package, with a label providing information regarding the medication to a consumer thereof and having a label barcode, 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 into a reduced orientation having a surface securing section exposed therefrom, wherein the label is prepared by the label apparatus for attachment to a surface of the container;

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

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

securing the label in the reduced orientation;

scanning the label barcode printed on the label and scanning the product barcode of the medication to facilitate correct matching of the label information with the corresponding medication; and

attaching, when the label barcode matches the product barcode, 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 rescued 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 information and the label barcode on the label.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the scanning of the label barcode is performed at least one of before and after the label has been attached to the container.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the product barcode of the medication is affixed to at least one of the medication and the medication container, and wherein 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 the 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.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein the label is reduced by temporarily restraining a first portion of the label and rotating the first portion of the label about itself, thereby rolling a second portion of the label about the first portion, thus reducing the label into a rolled orientation.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the label in the reduced orientation comprises securing a first portion of the label to a second portion of the label.

39. The method of claim 1, wherein said reducing the label size using the label apparatus into the reduced orientation further comprises reducing the label size by rotating the label using a rotatable label reducing tool having a vacuum pad thereon, and providing tension to the label using a vacuum pad while the label reducing tool rotates to reduce the label.

40. The method of claim 1, further comprising tensioning the label while reducing the label into the reduced orientation.

41. The method of claim 1, wherein said scanning of the label barcode is performed before and after the label has been attached to the container.

42. The method of claim 1, further comprising scanning of the label barcode after the label has been attached to the container.

31. A method of labeling of a container including a medication having a product barcode corresponding thereto and comprising at least one of a bottle and a package, with a label providing information regarding the medication to a consumer thereof and having a label barcode, 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 into a reduced orientation having a surface securing section exposed therefrom, wherein the label is prepared by the label apparatus for attachment to a surface of the container;

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

applying a label securing adhesive to the label, wherein the label securing adhesive overhangs at least one edge of the label;

scanning the label barcode printed on the label and scanning the product barcode of the medication to facilitate correct matching of the label information with the corresponding medication; and

attaching, when the label barcode matches the product barcode, 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 rescued in the rolled shape 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.

43. The method of claim 31, wherein said reducing the label size using the label apparatus into the reduced orientation further comprises reducing the label size by rotating the label using a rotatable label reducing tool having a vacuum pad thereon, and providing tension to the label using a vacuum pad while the label reducing tool rotates to reduce the label.

44. The method of claim 31, further comprising tensioning the label while reducing the label into the reduced orientation.

45. The method of claim 31, wherein said scanning of the label barcode is performed before and after the label has been attached to the container.

46. The method of claim 31, further comprising scanning of the label barcode after the label has been attached to the container.

34. A method of labeling of a container including a medication having a product barcode corresponding thereto and comprising at least one of a bottle and a package, with a label providing information regarding the medication to a consumer thereof and having a label barcode, 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 into a reduced orientation having a surface securing section exposed therefrom, wherein the label is folded into a rolled orientation by the label apparatus for attachment to a surface of the container;

removing the label from the label apparatus;

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

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

securing the label in the reduced orientation;

scanning the label barcode printed on the label and scanning the product barcode of the medication to facilitate correct matching of the label information with the corresponding medication; and

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

35. A method of labeling of a container including a medication having a product barcode corresponding thereto and comprising at least one of a bottle and a package, with a label providing information regarding the medication to a consumer thereof and having a label barcode, 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 having a surface securing section exposed therefrom for attachment to a surface of the container;

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

securing the label in the reduced orientation;

scanning the label barcode printed on the label and scanning the product barcode of the medication to facilitate correct matching of the label information with the corresponding medication; and

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

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

providing the label having a first securing area to a label apparatus;

reducing the first securing area of the label into a second securing area smaller than the first securing area, the label also having a surface securing section exposed therefrom, using the label apparatus, wherein the label is prepared by the label apparatus for attachment to a surface of the container;

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

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

securing the label in the reduced orientation;

scanning the label barcode printed on the label and scanning the product barcode of the medication to facilitate correct matching of the label information with the corresponding medication; and

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