Abstract:
An identification band and method for fitting the same to an individual&#39;s wrist. The ends of the band overlap when the band is applied around an individual&#39;s wrist. The band is constructed so the band can be adjusted to fit different sizes of wrists and allow the end to overlap without requiring that one of the ends be cut to size the band.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     Statement Regarding federally Sponsored Research or Development. 
     Not Applicable. 
     Reference to a “Microfiche Appendix” (see 37 CFR 1.96). 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains to identification bands. 
     More particularly, this invention pertains to a method and apparatus for fitting an identification band on the wrist of a patient. 
     2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,899 to Twentier describes an identification band. The band includes a first strip of flexible material having first and second ends. The strip is looped around the wrist of a patient such that the second end overlaps the top of the first end. The top of the first end is provided with adhesive which contacts the second end and secures the second end in place on the adhesive. One end of a second strip of transparent material is affixed to the top of the middle of the first strip. The other end of the strip of transparent material overlaps the second end of the first strip to help further secure the second end of the first strip in position on the first end of the first strip. The second strip of material only extends intermediate the ends of the first strip of material and does not extend outwardly past the ends of the first strip. 
     While the identification band utilized in the Twentier patent has been in use for many years, it suffers from a significant disadvantage. Namely, the second end of the first strip must be attached to a specific area on top of the first end of the first strip. This means that when the band is sized to fit a smaller sized wrist, the second end of the strip must be cut to size. While carrying scissors and cutting the Twentier band to size is readily accomplished, it is an inconvenient and time-consuming procedure, particularly in hospitals or medical treatment facilities where large numbers of patients are processed and where many medical personnel are involved in applying bands to patients. 
     Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved identification band which could be sized without requiring the use of scissors. 
     Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved identification band. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an improved identification; band of the general type described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,899 to Twentier which can be readily adjusted to fit different sized wrists without requiring that the identification band be cut. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide an improved method for adjusting an identification band to fit around a wrist of a patient without requiring that the band be cut to size. The method includes the step of providing a first strip of flexible material having a top surface; a bottom surface; a first end; a second end; and, an intermediate portion extending between the first and second ends. The method also includes the step of providing a second strip of flexible material including a first end; a second end; an upper surface; a lower surface; and, a transparent section comprising at least a portion of the second strip. The method further includes the steps of attaching the second end of the second strip to the intermediate portion and the top surface of the first strip such that the second strip extends over a section of the first strip, and a portion of the first end of the second strip extends outwardly past and away from the first end of the first strip; wrapping the first strip around the wrist such that the first end overlaps the second end, and the bottom surface is adjacent the wrist; adjusting the position of the first end of the first strip on the second end of the first strip to fit the band to the wrist; attaching the first end of the first strip to the second end of the first strip; and, attaching the portion of the first end of the second strip to the top surface of the first strip in overlapping relationship to the first end of the second strip to secure the band around the wrist. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, I provide an improved identification band for adjustment to fit around a wrist of a patient without requiring that the band be cut to size. The band includes a first strip of flexible material having a top surface; a bottom surface; a first end; a second end; and, an intermediate portion extending between the first and second ends. The band also includes a second strip of flexible material including a first end; a second end; an upper surface; a lower surface; and, a transparent section comprising at least a portion of the second strip. The second end is attached to the intermediate portion and the top surface of the first strip such that the second strip extends over a section of the first strip; and, a portion of the first end of the second strip extends outwardly past and away from the first end of the first strip. The portion of the first end of the second strip is attached to the top surface of the first strip in overlapping relationship to the first end of the second strip. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S). 
     The foregoing and other, further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is perspective view illustrating an identification band constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is perspective view illustrating the mode of operation of the identification band of FIG. 1; to 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view further illustrating the mode of operation of the identification band of FIG. 1; and, 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view still further illustrating the mode of operation of the identification band of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently preferred embodiments of the invention for the purpose of illustrating the practice thereof and not by way of limitation of the scope of the invention, and in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 to  4  illustrate an identification band including a first strip of a polymer or other flexible material  10  and a second strip of a flexible transparent polymer or other transparent flexible material  11 . 
     The strip  10  includes a top rectangular-shaped surface  27 , bottom rectangular-shaped surface  28 , first end  14 , second end  12 , intermediate portion  16  extending between ends  12  and  14 , and edges  13  and  15  on ends  12  and  14 , respectively. Information for identifying a patient or any other desired information is written or imprinted on upper surface  27  in the area circumscribed by dashed lines  31 . Or, a label bearing the patient&#39;s name or bearing other desired information can be fastened to surface  27  with adhesive or other fastening means. If desired, adhesive  41  can be attached to surface  28  of end  14 . Adhesive  41  can be contact adhesive and be covered and protected by a backing which can be peeled off adhesive  41  to expose adhesive  41 . 
     The strip  11  includes first end  21 , second end  18 , crease or line of weakening  20 , upper rectangular surface  40 , a lower rectangular surface, contact adhesive  30  (FIG. 2) applied to the lower surface, and backing tape strip  23  (FIG. 2) removably attached to adhesive  30 . Strip  11  is shaped and dimensioned such that a portion of first end  21  extends outwardly past and away from end  14  and edge  15 . This extension of end  21  outwardly from strip  10  is important in the practice of the invention. 
     Strip  23  includes sections  24  and  25  separated by die cut  26  extending through strip  23  (FIG.  2 ). Section  25  is removed by peeling it off adhesive  30  in the direction of arrow A. Section  24  is similarly removed from adhesive  30 . After patient identification information is inscribed on or applied to area  31  of surface  27 , section  25  is removed from adhesive  30 , strip  11  is returned to the position shown in FIG. 1, and is pressed against strip  10  to secure adhesive  30  to strip  10 . 
     In use, flexible strip  11  is folded along line of weakening  20  and moved from the position of FIG. 1 to the position of FIG.  2 . Patient identification information or other information is inscribed on or applied to area  31 . Section  25  is peeled in the direction of arrow A off adhesive  30 . Strip  11  is moved from the orientation of FIG. 2 back to the position shown in FIG.  1  and is pressed against surface  27  to affix adhesive  30  to a portion of surface  27  intermediate end  18  and edge  15 . Strip  11  covers and protects the information inscribed in or applied to area  31 . Strip  10  is wrapped around the wrist of a patient such that first end  14  overlaps second end  12  in the manner illustrated in FIG.  3 . The position of end  14  is adjusted along surface  27  in the directions indicated by arrows D to fit the band to the wrist of the patient. The band can loosely fit, snugly fit, etc. the wrist as desired. By way of example, and not limitation, end  14  can be slid over end  12  until edge  15  is in the position indicated by dashed line  32 A or is in the position indicated by dashed line  32 B or is in the position indicated by dashed line  32 C. 
     Once the position of end  14  on and over end  12  is selected, section  24  is peeled off the remaining section of adhesive  30  in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 3, and end  21  is pressed downwardly in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 4 against end  14  and against a portion of surface  27  adjacent edge  15  of end  14 . The overlapping of end  21  with respect to edge  15  is important in the practice of the invention because it functions to secure end  14  in fixed position. Although not necessary, it is preferred that a portion of the adhesive  30  beneath end  21  contact and adhere to the portion of top surface  27  comprising the top of end  14 , When this is accomplished, end  21  adheres to and secures both end  14  and a portion of surface  27  adjacent end  14 . Similarly, the portion of bottom surface  28  comprising the lower portion of end  14  can be fastened to the portion of top surface  27  comprising the upper surface of end  12  in FIG.  4 . This is, for example, accomplished if end  14  is provided with adhesive  41  in the manner earlier described. 
     In contrast to the identification band described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,899, the improved identification band of the invention requires that end  14  overlap end  12  and not vice-versa, requires that the position of end  14  along surface  27  and with respect to end  12  be adjustable, and requires that the end  21  of flexible strip  11  extend outwardly past edge  15  of end  14 .