Automatic labeling and packaging system label folding and application

• US 8,480,834 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2012
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• 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., Petten, Allen, Shupert, P. Thomas, Szesko, Michael Joseph, Vidal, Orlando, Detri, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schatz, Christopher
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoover, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US13/367,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20120312450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 156/215, 156/212, 156/196, 156/60, 156/1
• 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

The method of labeling of a container including a medication includes, in at least one embodiment, reducing a 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 comprising:

reducing a label size of a label into a reduced orientation having a surface securing section exposed therefrom, wherein the label includes label information regarding a medication;

applying a surface securing adhesive to the surface securing section of the label;

securing the label in the reduced orientation;

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

when the label barcode matches the product barcode, attaching the surface securing section of the label to a surface of a container including the medication, wherein the surface securing adhesive affixes the label to the container.

2. 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.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the label includes a customer information section, a medication information section, a medication use instructions section, the surface securing section, and a label barcode section.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the 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.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein reducing the label size comprises:

rolling the label; and

creasing the label during rolling, creasing the label after rolling, or creasing the label during rolling and after rolling.

6. The method of claim 5, 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.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the label securing adhesive enables the label to be unrolled and resecured in the rolled shaped without damaging the label.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the label includes a customer information section, a medication information section, a medication use instructions section, the label securing section, the surface securing section, and a label barcode section.

9. The method of claim 8, 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.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the 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.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the surface securing adhesive is used to secure the label in a rolled orientation.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein the label is rolled such that an overhanging flap is formed.

13. 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.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface securing adhesive is applied to the label in a contiguous location on the surface securing section of the label.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface securing adhesive is applied to the label in at least two disparate locations on the surface securing section.

16. 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.

17. The method of claim 16, 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.

18. The method of claim 16, 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.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

printing the label information and the label barcode on the label.

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

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

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the product barcode of the medication is affixed to the medication, the container, or both the medication and the container, and wherein the label is attached to the container such that the label does not obscure the product barcode.