Label system and method for label alignment and placement

The present invention is a label system and method for label alignment and placement on a container. The label system includes a first label or a container whereby the first label includes alignment symbology and a second label having an alignment area corresponding to the alignment symbology of the first label. The second label is positioned on the container whereby the alignment area of the second label is aligned with the alignment symbology of the first label. The method for label alignment and placement comprises the steps of (i) providing a container with identification information and a label bearing area; (ii) scanning the identification information; (iii) processing the identification information; (iv) printing indicia on a label at a position defined by the identification information; and (v) placing the label on the container with the indicia positioned at the desired predetermined location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a label system and method for proper positioning of a label on a container and for ensuring proper alignment of printed information on a label for subsequent reading. More particularly, the present invention relates to proper positioning of bar code information on a label for attachment to a container to ensure positioning of the bar code at a predetermined position for subsequent reading or scanning by automated laboratory analysis equipment.

2. Description of Related Art

Proper placement of a printed label on a container is important for ensuring subsequent reading of the information printed on the label. If not properly placed, the printed information is not easily seen, or cannot easily be scanned, by automated equipment.

Proper placement of the bar code information on a specimen collection container is important to ensure proper scanning of the encoded information by various clinical equipment and analytical testing instrumentation. If the bar code information is not properly positioned on the sample container, the scanner of the instrumentation may not be able to read the bar code, thus requiring the operator to manually scan the bar code information, or manually enter the bar code information into the instrumentation.

Accordingly, a need exists for a system which is capable of properly aligning a label on a specimen collection container. Further, a need exists for a system capable of printing indicia on a label, such as bar code information, in a standard position with respect to the container for subsequent automated reading or scanning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a label system and method for proper alignment and placement of a label on a container.

Desirably, the label system comprises a first label and a second label. The first label is located on a container and includes alignment symbology. The alignment symbology may be in the form of a distinct shape, such as a triangle or a diamond or in the form of a protrusion.

The second label desirably includes an alignment area corresponding to the alignment symbology of the first label. The alignment area may be in the form of an opening or a transparent portion.

Preferably, the second label is positioned on the container such that the alignment area of the second label is aligned with the alignment symbology of the first label, whereby the alignment symbology is detectable through the alignment area of the second label to assure proper alignment of the second label on the container.

Alternatively, the first label may include alignment symbology in the form of a protrusion whereby the protrusion provides a means for detecting proper alignment both visually and through touch.

The present invention further includes a method for positionally locating indicia on a label for aligned placement of the indicia at a predetermined position on a container. Preferably, the indicia is in the form of a bar code that identifies the contents of the sample container.

Desirably, the method of the present invention for placing a label on a container comprises the following steps: (i) a container is provided having identification information associated with the container, which identifying information is unique to the container and which defines a fixed label bearing area on the container; (ii) printing a label with indicia being selectively located on the label at a position defined by the identifying information of the container; and (iii) placing the printed label on the label bearing area of the container so as to position the printed indicia at a predetermined location on the container.

Preferably, the method of the present invention for placing a label on a container with indicia at a predetermined location on the container, comprises the following steps:(i) providing a specimen container with a label bearing area or desired predetermined location and identification information that defines the container;(ii) reading or scanning the identification information on the specimen container confirming that the container scanned is of the type indicated to receive the specimen;(iii) processing the identification information for positioning a label on the specimen container with respect to a desired predetermined location;(iv) printing indicia on a label at a position defined by the identification information and the desired predetermined location; and(v) placing the label on the container with the indicia positioned at the desired predetermined location.

Preferably, the method of the present invention for placing a label on a specimen container with indicia at a predetermined location on the container, comprises the following steps:(i) providing a processing unit and means for scanning or reading information into the processing unit;(ii) providing a patient identification bracelet with patient identification information;(iii) providing a specimen container with a label bearing area or desired predetermined location and identification information that defines the container;(iv) reading or scanning the patient identification information into the processing unit;(v) processing the patient identification information in the processing unit; and(vi) reading or scanning the identification information on the specimen container into the processing unit;(vii) processing the identification information for positioning a label on the specimen container with respect to a desired predetermined location; and(viii) printing indicia from the processing unit on a label at a position defined by said identification information from said container; and(ix) placing the label on the container with the indicia positioned at the desired predetermined location.

The information identifying the container type may be in the form of printing appearing on the container at the fixed label bearing area, or may be in the form of a first label affixed to the container, with the first label including a marking to define the fixed label bearing area for proper placement of a printed, second label. Such marking is preferably an alignment symbology as described above.

The present invention therefore accomplishes the correct identification of the required tube for a specific test for a specific patient and generates the proper identification label with printed indicia positioned properly on the identification label for proper reading or scanning by the diagnostic analyzer and ensured proper alignment of the identification label onto the specimen container.

An important attribute of the present invention is that proper placement of identification indicia, for example, the bar code, ensures proper reading and scanning of the information by the scanners of the various instrumentation. In addition, the present invention provides, standardized positioning of identification indicia such as a bar code to insure efficiency and quality in analysis.

A further attribute of the present invention, is that an identification indicia is placed on a container, regardless of the size and shape of the container, so that the scanner of the instrumentation may be able to read the bar code and eliminate manually scanning the bar code information, or manually enter the bar code information into the instrumentation.

Most notably, is that the method of the present invention provides indicia on a label for a specimen container wherein the information about the specimen container and the patient are located as the indicia in one place on the container for proper identification of the container, the test to be conducted and the patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views thereof,FIG. 1illustrates a container10with an alignment symbology30on an outer surface of container10. Alignment symbology30is designed to aid in the alignment of an identification label subsequently placed over the container. The alignment symbology may be any type of symbol capable of assisting in the proper positioning and alignment of a subsequently placed label. For example, the alignment symbology may be a distinct shape in the form of a graphic or pictorial representation, such as a triangle, rectangle, diamond, circle, or the like, and mixtures thereof. Alternatively, the alignment symbology may be a protrusion which can be felt with the finger.

As shown inFIG. 1, container10includes a first label20affixed to the outer surface of the container or label bearing area15, with alignment symbology30printed on label20. Label20may further contain additional encoded or printed information thereon such as container identification symbology. Such identification symbology includes a bar code25and/or an alphanumeric indicia23, either or both of which may include information identifying the specific type of the container, the manufacturer lot number, the expiration date, the size and/or shape of the container and the reagents and/or additives included within the container.

As shown inFIG. 2, an identification label40is provided for placement on container10. Identification label40may include encoded or printed information thereon, such as a bar code45and/or an alphanumeric indicia43, either or both or which may represent an identification of the sample contained within the container, information identifying the patient, what analyses are to be conducted on the sample and sampling information such as date and time of sampling. Identification label40may be generated by a printer located at nursing station or in a centralized laboratory or printed at the bedside with a portable printer.

Identification label40is provided as a second label capable of being affixed over label20. Identification label40includes an alignment area50corresponding to alignment symbology30of label20. Alignment area50may be an opening or notched cut-away of label40. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, alignment symbology30is in the form of a v-shaped triangle and alignment area50is a v-shaped notch appearing on the edge of label40. Alternatively, alignment area50may be a transparent portion having a shape designed to fit over alignment symbology30, such as transparent portion51as shown inFIG. 4d.

As shown inFIG. 3, identification label40is positioned on container10such that alignment area50of identification label40is aligned with alignment symbology30of label20, with alignment symbology30being detectable through alignment area50, thereby assuring proper alignment of the identification label on container10.

It is within the purview of the present invention that alignment symbology30and identification label40are contrasting colors, for example, alignment symbology30is printed in black ink as a geometric shape, and identification label40is a white label including alignment area50therethrough. Therefore, the sharp contrast between the colors of the alignment symbology30and alignment area50provides accurate assurance that identification label40is properly aligned over container10.

It is also within the purview of the present invention that alignment symbology30includes a protrusion, such as a v-shaped bump and alignment area50of identification label40is in the form of a v-shaped notch extending through identification label40. Therefore, the v-shaped notch is aligned with the v-shaped bump of container10or container label20when identification label40is positioned over container label20, with the v-shape ensuring both vertical and horizontal alignment of identification label40on container label20. Moreover, such a protrusion provides a means for detecting proper alignment both visually and through touch to assure proper placement of identification label40over container label20.

As shown inFIG. 4a, container label20may include a plurality of alignment. Areas50aand50bat opposed label edges41and42. Alignment areas50aand50bare designed to cooperate with two separate alignment symbologies appearing on container10and/or container label20.

It is within the purview of the present invention that alignment symbology30can be any shape or form, so long as alignment area50of identification label40properly corresponds to the shape and/or form of alignment symbology30.

As shown inFIGS. 4b, 4c, and 4d, alignment area50can be in the shape of a diamond, or a circle which shapes would correspond to a similar shape alignment symbology appearing on container label20. For ease of use, alignment symbology30and alignment area50corresponding to shapes which are non-rotationally symmetrical, such as a polygon, to assure proper alignment in both a vertical and horizontal direction and prevent identification label40from being improperly skewed or canted.

The system and method for positionally locating indicia on a label for aligned placement of the indicia at a predetermined position on a container is illustrated inFIG. 5.

The system and method in use begins with an operator such as a phlebotomist is provided with a portable sampling kit including a scanner, a microprocessor/display screen and a printer including a supply of labels for printing thereon. As depicted in box90ofFIG. 5, the patient identification bracelet is scanned with the portable sampling kit scanner to provide specific patient test and associated specific tube type requirements. The phlebotomist then selects the appropriate container10for containing the sample requirement. As shown in step100in the box diagram ofFIG. 3, container10in the form of a blood collection tube is provided including bar code25including encoded information which identifies the container type and defines the location of label bearing area15unique to that container type. The phlebotomist is provided with a listing of patients requiring sampling. Each patient is provided with a patient identification bracelet, preferably including a bar code identification, as is well known in the art. As shown in step200ofFIG. 5, the phlebotomist then scans bar code25on container10with the scanner. The portable sampling kit may provide the phlebotomist with confirmation that container10is appropriate for containing the sample requiring testing. It is also possible that the phlebotomist does not scan the container until after the collection and prior to requesting the printed label.

Bar code25includes encoded information which identifies the container type and defines the location of label bearing area15unique to that container type. For example, as depicted inFIG. 1a, container label is positioned at label bearing area15of container10at a predetermined distance h from the bottom of container10. This predetermined distance h is determined according to the container type including the size and shape of container10. The microprocessor of the sampling kit processes the encoded information of bar code25identifying the container type with respect to the location of label bearing area15.

The microprocessor further identifies what information is required for printing on identification label40to be affixed to container10. Identification label40is provided with information identifying the patient, the type of sample, and what analyses are to be conducted on the sample, as well as sampling information such as date and time of sampling. As shown inFIG. 6, such information may be encoded as bar code45, or may be in alphanumeric form, such as alphanumeric indicia43or may be provided in both bar code45and alphanumeric indicia43.

After identifying the correctness of the container type and the information to be provided on the label, the microprocessor processes this information to determine the exact location for printing on identification label40. For example, the microprocessor may be preprogrammed to ensure printing of bar code information at a specific predetermined position on a container, regardless of the size and shape of the container, so as to provide a standard position for such bar code information for all containers to effectuate subsequent reading, for example, by an automated analytical instrument including a bar code scanner. Thus, the microprocessor processes the information previously scanned from container label20with respect to the size of identification label40. The microprocessor then determines the exact location for printing of the identification information on identification label40with respect to the predetermined standard position. In all cases, the alignment of the second label40onto the container is accomplished by the cut out on the label that is placed onto a matching symbol on the container.

For example, with reference toFIG. 1, the microprocessor processes the scanned information to determine that label bearing area15of container10is positioned distance h from the bottom of container10. Further, the microprocessor recognizes from its memory that it is necessary to print bar code45on identification label40at a predetermined position with respect to label bearing area15and container10, according to a standard position for the specific instrument to conduct the testing. The microprocessor then determines the exact position for printing bar code45on identification label40according to the desired predetermined position of bar code45with respect to label bearing area15, for example, distance g from a bottom edge of identification label40. Once the correct tube is identified, the microprocessor then instructs the printer to print the identification information in the form of bar code45on identification label40at a position, for example distance g, defined by the predetermined desired location of bar code45with respect to the container information scanned from container label20, as depicted in step400ofFIG. 5.

After bar code45is printed on identification label40, the phlebotomist removes identification label40from the printer and affixes it to container10at label bearing area15, according to step500ofFIG. 5. Container10is provided with alignment symbology30and identification label40is provided with opening50corresponding to alignment symbology30. In this manner, proper alignment and positioning of bar code45at a predetermined position with respect to the standard scanning position and the size and shape of container10is assured.