Label processor and method relating thereto

• US 8,630,016 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Swenson, Kirk D., Golabek, Robert S. Jr., Wu, Yuguang
• Primary Examiner(s): Cordero, Marivelisse Santiago
• Assistant Examiner(s): Diaby, Moustapha
• Application Number:
  US12/278,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20100067024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,532 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 358/1.6
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/024 Storing results with means integrated into the container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0663 Whole sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/508 rigid containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50825 Closing or opening means, corks, bungs closures for containers B65D; means for removing stoppers B67B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00861 printing and sticking of identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/229 for investigating time/temperature history
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2003/0211 Transfer or thermo-sensitive
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2003/0272 Labels for containers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/00 Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means medals or badges A44C3/00; making labels B31D1/02; sheets temporarily attached together B42F; labelling B65C; labels on record carriers G11B23/38, G11B23/40; Seals; Postage or like stamps

Abstract

A system and method are provided for providing information on at least one container for storing a biological sample, including: a holder configured to hold at least one biological sample container and a receiver configured to receive information relating to at least one of the container or the biological sample as well as data relating to at least one instruction for printing the information. The system and method further include a printer configured to print the information in accordance with the at least one instruction. In one embodiment, the printer is configured to print the information directly on the container. In another embodiment, the system and method further include an applicator configured to apply a label on the container and the printer is configured to print the information on the label. In another embodiment, the system and method include a detector configured to detect whether the container contains the biological sample and a processor configured to determine the manner for printing the information. In this embodiment, the determination is based, at least in part, on whether container contains the biological sample.

Claims

1. A system for providing information on at least one container for storing a biological sample, comprising:

a holder configured to hold at least one biological sample container;

a receiver configured to receive;

information relating to at least one of the container or the biological sample; and

data relating to at least one instruction for printing the information;

a printer configured to print the information in accordance with the at least one instruction;

an applicator configured to apply a label on the container;

a detector configured to detect whether the container contains the biological sample; and

a processor configured to determine the manner for printing the information, wherein the determination is based, at least in part, on whether the container contains the biological sample.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the printer is configured to print the information directly on the container.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the printer is configured to print the information on the label.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the printer is configured to print the information on the label after the applicator applies the label to the container.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the instruction relates to, at least in part, whether the container contains the biological sample.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the instruction relates, at least in part, to orientation for printing the information by the printer.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the data relates, at least in part, to placement of the information by the printer.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the data relates, at least in part, to orientation of the container in the system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the data relates, at least in part, to the placement of the container in the system.

10. A method for providing information on at least one container for storing a biological sample, comprising:

holding the at least one biological sample container by an apparatus having printing capability and an applicator configured to apply a label on the container;

receiving information relating to at least one of the container or the biological sample, and data relating to at least one instruction for printing the information;

printing the information, by the apparatus, in accordance with the at least one instruction;

detecting whether the container contains the biological sample; and

determining the manner for printing the information, wherein the determining is based, at least in part, on whether the container contains the biological sample.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the information is printed directly on the container.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

applying a label on the container, and wherein the information is printed on the label.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the information is printed on the label after the applicator applies the label to the container.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the instruction relates to, at least in part, whether the container contains the biological sample.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the instruction relates, at least in part, to orientation for printing the information.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the data relates, at least in part, to placement of the information.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the data relates, at least in part, to orientation of the container for the printing.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the data relates, at least in part, to the placement of the container for the printing.