Method of identifying a plurality of containers and/or finished articles obtained from the said containers

• US 7,856,795 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2006
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton Dickinson France (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Grimard, Jean-Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Durand; Paul R
• Application Number:
  US11/912,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20090159174A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,707 Days
• Field of Search: 533/96, 534/11, 53/51, 531/312, 531/313, 531/314, 156/64, 156/277
• US Class Current: 53/411
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/00 Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes capsules or the like for oral use A61J3/07; specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments A61B50/30; containers for radioactive substances G21F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/10 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/50 using icons or symbolic figures, e.g. by a graphical representation symbolising the type of pathology or the organ by an image
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 Optical identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3129 Syringe barrels A61M5/3205 and A61M5/50 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/24 Ablative recording, e.g. by burning marks; Spark recording marking by high energetic means, e.g. by laser otherwise than burning or ablative removal B41M5/26; materials or methods for recording or reproduction by optical means G11B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/26 Thermography B41M5/20, B41M5/24 take precedence; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used B23K takes precedence; thermographic or photothermographic systems using noble metal compounds G03C1/494
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/262 recording or marking of inorganic surfaces or materials, e.g. glass, metal, or ceramics marking of plastic artifacts with inorganic additives B41M5/267
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/267 Marking of plastic artifacts, e.g. with laser
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 23/0025 by a laser beam

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of identifying a batch of articles comprising the following step: (AA) a plurality of containers (1) is taken, characterized in that the following steps are carried out: (AB) one intrinsic identification code (5) is generated for the batch; (AC) the batch of containers (1) is marked by providing a two-dimensional or three-dimensional intrinsic marking zone (4) in the wall (3) of each container (1) and reproducing a readable intrinsic identification code (5) in each container (1) identified by the latter, by the modification of the constituent substrate of the wall (3); (AD) one extrinsic identification code (16), relating to the product (10) filling the containers (1) of the batch, is generated; (AE) the batch of containers (1) filled with the product (10) is marked again, by associating with each container (1) an extrinsic marking means (15) that readably reproduces each extrinsic identification code (16); (AF) each article is identified by reading its intrinsic (5) and extrinsic (16) identification codes.

Claims

1. Method of preparing for authentication at least one batch of one or more containers (1) for medical use, said batch associated with a product of interest (10), each said container having at least one wall (3), said method comprising:

(AB) generating at least one intrinsic identification code (5) for the batch;

(AC) marking said plurality of containers (1) by providing a two-dimensional or three-dimensional intrinsic marking zone (4) in or on the wall (3) of each container (1) and reproducing, so as to be readable, said intrinsic identification code (5) in or on each container (1) identified by the latter, by the removal or modification of the constituent substrate of the wall (3);

(AD) generating at least one extrinsic identification code (16) relating to the product of interest (10); and

(AE) marking said plurality of containers (1) with an extrinsic marking means (15) that reproduces, so as to be readable, each extrinsic identification code (16);

(AF) whereby each finished article (11) is authenticable by reading its intrinsic (5) and extrinsic (16) identification codes.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said intrinsic marking zone (4) and said extrinsic marking means (15) are separate and not superposed.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes a correlation step during which each said intrinsic identification code (5) is made to correspond to one said extrinsic identification code (16), or vice versa, and in that said correspondences are stored in memory.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the intrinsic marking zone (4) is provided in the thickness of the wall (3) of each container (1).

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the intrinsic marking zone (4) is provided on the wall (3) of each container (1).

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the intrinsic marking zone (4) is provided on the internal face (3a) of the wall (3) of each container (1).

7. Method according claim 6, characterized in that the intrinsic marking zone (4) is provided in a portion of said container (1) intended to be in contact with the product of interest (10).

8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the extrinsic marking means (15) includes a label attached to or affixed on the outside of each container (1).

9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the extrinsic marking means (15) includes a recessed surface abraded on the external face (3b) of the wall (3) of each container (1).

10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (1) is chosen from the group comprising a syringe, a bottle or vial, a cartridge, a tube and a slide.

11. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the product of interest (10) is chosen from the group comprising a medicament, a vaccine, a product and a physiological fluid.

12. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the product of interest (10) is in divided or undivided solid, gel, powder or liquid form.

13. Method of authenticating containers (1) for medical use associated with one or more products of interest (10), said method implemented by computer means, said method comprising:

preparing for authenticating at least one batch of one or more containers (1) for medical use in accordance with claim 1;

generating a first database ranked by said intrinsic identification codes (5) and associated with said batch;

generating a second database, again ranked by said intrinsic identification codes (5), in which said second database, the extrinsic identification codes (16) are stored, these being correlated with the respective said intrinsic identification codes (5);

reading at least one of said intrinsic identification codes (5) and said extrinsic identification codes (16); and

accessing the second database to compare the at least one read code with the codes stored in the second database in order to authenticate the said container (1) and the said product of interest (10).

14. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the intrinsic identification code (5) is marked on said recessed surface.