Abstract:
A combination wristband and label form has a front sheet with a top portion having labels; and a bottom portion having a wristband die cut therein. A portion of the wristband is configured to receive indicia. The form additionally includes a backing sheet comprising a release liner. The wristband has a central portion with a centerline therethrough, separating the central portion into an upper section and a lower section. A first arm portion extends from the upper section in a first direction and a second arm portion extends from the lower section in a second direction. The first and second arm portions have first and second lateral ends, respectively, and the lateral ends each have a respective adhesive area. Removal of the wristband from the form exposes an area of the release liner which is devoid of any voids. The wristband is formed of a single-ply of water-resistant material.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/339,105, filed Oct. 31, 2016, which is pending. The &#39;105 Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/247,863, filed on Oct. 29, 2015, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/256,465, filed on Nov. 17, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/257,086, filed on Nov. 18, 2015 the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The wristband is a frequently-used instrument for distinguishing among various groups of people. For example, wristbands may be used to identify persons in short term healthcare facilities, or to distinguish between levels of access (e.g., at a concert) or permissions. Prior art wristbands often have disadvantages. For example, some wristbands include a paper layer which is not water resistant causing the wristband to become torn and tattered. Other designs include wristbands that are removed from a form such that when the wristband is removed, the form is left with a large void which prevents or makes difficult the ability to pass the remaining labels back through a printer. Thus, there is a need for improved wristbands. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify critical elements of the invention or to limit the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description presented below. 
         [0004]    According to an embodiment, a combination wristband and label form has a front sheet which includes a top portion having a plurality of labels die cut therein; and a bottom portion having a wristband die cut therein. At least a portion of the wristband is configured to receive indicia. The bottom portion further includes a peripheral section. The form additionally includes a backing sheet comprising a release liner. The wristband has a central portion which has a centerline therethrough which separates the central portion into an upper section and a lower section. A first arm portion extends from the upper section in a first direction and a second arm portion extends from the lower section in a second opposing direction. The first and second arm portions have first and second lateral ends, respectively, and the lateral ends each have a respective adhesive area with adhesive attached thereto. Removal of the wristband from the form exposes an area of the release liner which is devoid of any voids. The wristband is formed of a single-ply of water-resistant material. 
         [0005]    According to another embodiment, a combination wristband and label form, has a front sheet having a top portion having a plurality of labels die cut therein; and a bottom portion having a wristband die cut therein. At least a portion of the wristband is configured to receive indicia. The bottom portion further comprising a peripheral section. The form further includes a backing sheet having a release liner. The wristband comprises a central portion having a centerline therethrough, separating the central portion into an upper generally transparent section and a lower generally opaque section, and first and second arm portions. The first arm portion extends from the upper section in a first direction and the second arm portion extends from the lower section in a second opposing direction. The first and second arm portions have first and second lateral ends, respectively, each having a respective adhesive area with adhesive attached thereto. The wristband is formed of a single-ply of water-resistant material and is configured for removal from the backing sheet in a single continuous motion. Removal of the wristband from the form exposes an area of the release liner which is devoid of any voids. 
         [0006]    According to still another embodiment, a combination wristband and label form has a front sheet; and a backing sheet having a release liner. The front sheet includes a top portion having a plurality of labels die cut therein; and a bottom portion having a wristband die cut therein, at least a portion of the wristband being configured to receive indicia. The bottom portion further includes a peripheral section permanently adhered to the backing sheet. The wristband has a central portion having a centerline therethrough, separating the central portion into an upper, generally transparent section and a lower, generally opaque section. A first arm portion extends from the upper section in a first direction and a second arm portion extends from the lower section in a second opposing direction. The first and second arm portions have first and second lateral ends, respectively, the first and second lateral ends each having a respective adhesive area with adhesive attached thereto, and at least one of the first and second lateral ends has tamper evident slits. The upper, generally transparent section is configured to receive laser printed indicia. Additionally, the wristband is formed of a single-ply of water-resistant material and is configured for removal from the backing sheet in a single continuous motion. Removal of the wristband from the form exposes an area of the release liner which is devoid of any voids. Accordingly, upon removal of the wristband, the form is configured for multiple passes through a printer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front side view of a combination wristband and label form according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a back side view of the combination wristband and label form according to  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a back side view of the combination wristband and label form showing an adhesive and silicone pattern according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a back side view of an alternative embodiment of adhesive and silicone patterns of the form of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a front side view of a combination wristband and label form according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a back side view of the combination wristband and label form of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a front side view of an alternative embodiment of the form of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Many wristband designs require multiple steps in order to remove the wristband from its liner and subsequently affix it to the wearer. For example, the user may be required to remove the liner in order to expose adhesive. Other wristbands may be configured to include two layers of material, fastened together with adhesive. The wristband is thus thicker and heavier. Still further designs include a paper layer which is not water resistant that tends to get torn and tattered. According to these designs, a wristband portion is permanently adhered to a paper backing sheet which is die cut in a form, to form a two-layer wristband. 
         [0015]    One embodiment of the present invention, described in detail herein, provides for a wristband which may be removed from a form via one generally continuous motion. The wristband may have adhesive on one end only, or on both ends. Further, the wristband may be configured to include only a single layer of a light, synthetic (or other similar) material, thus making the wristband approximately half of the thickness of traditional wristbands currently on the market. Finally, the synthetic material may be water and tear resistant such that the wristband will not tear when removed from the backing sheet prior to affixing the wristband to the person. In one embodiment, the wristband may be configured to be removed from a form without leaving a hole in the form, thus leaving the backing sheet intact such that the form may be passed through a printer multiple times. 
         [0016]    With reference now to the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a combination wristband and label form  100 . The form  100  includes a front sheet  101  adhered to a backing sheet  140 . The front sheet  101  has a front side  101   f  and a back side  101   b  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The front sheet  101  may in some embodiments be separated into a top portion  102  and a bottom portion  103  having a relatively small gap therebetween. The top portion  102  and the bottom portion  103  may each have a front face  102   f  and  103   f,  and a back face  102   b  and  103   b,  respectively. The top portion  102  and the bottom portion  103  may be separated by a vertical perforation  111 . 
         [0017]    The front surface  102   f  of the top portion  102  may include a plurality of labels  107 . The labels  107  may be arranged in columns and rows, for example, 4×6. However, the labels  107  may be provided in any combinations of columns (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) and rows (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). The labels  107  may be configured to receive indicia. Accordingly, the front surface  102   f  may be constructed of paper or other appropriate textile sufficient for receiving ink, e.g., from a printer or other marking device. 
         [0018]    The labels  107  may have a variety of constructions. For example, the figures illustrate the labels  107  as having a generally rectangular configuration. However, the labels  107  may be square, circular, polygonal, etc. Additionally, a combination of label configurations may be employed on a single form  100 . 
         [0019]    The bottom portion  103   f  may comprise one or more outlines of wristbands  120 . The wristbands  120  may include a paper area  105  which is be configured to be printable. In some embodiments, the form  100  may be configured to be passed through a printer so that indicia (e.g., patient name, patient medications, machine readable information such as barcodes, et cetera) may be printed directly on the wristband paper area  105 . The paper area  105  may be die cut into the bottom portion  103   f.  In this manner, the paper area  105  may face the same direction as the labels  107 , making it easier for indicia to be simultaneously printed on the labels  107  and the paper area  105 . 
         [0020]    Attention is now directed to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , which shows the back side  101   b  of the form  100 . The back side  101   b  may include a back face  102   b  of the top portion  102  and a back face  103   b  of the bottom portion  103 . The back face top portion  102   b  may include an adhesive area  107   a.  The adhesive area  107   a  may allow for the labels  107  to be releasably secured to the backing sheet  140 . The back face bottom portion  103   b  may additionally have an adhesive area  107   b.  The adhesive area  107   b  may correspond to the area surrounding the wristband  120  which remains in place when the wristband  120  is removed from the form  100 . 
         [0021]    The adhesive areas  107   a  and  107   b  of the back faces  102   b  and  103   b  may adhere to a back side of the backing sheet  140 , illustrated in  FIG. 2 . A top portion  141  of the backing sheet  140  may be constructed of paper or a synthetic resin, and the back side of the top portion  141  (not shown) may include a layer of silicone (or another similar release material) in the area corresponding to the adhesive area  107   a.  A back side of the bottom portion  142  of the backing sheet  140  may additionally include a layer of silicone in the area corresponding to adhesive area  107   b,  or may alternatively be permanently adhered to adhesive area  107   b  (such that the bottom portion  142  does not include a silicone layer). For example, the adhesive area  107   a  may releasably adhere to the silicone material on top portion  141 , and adhesive area  107   b  may releasably (or permanently) adhere to bottom portion  142  as appropriate. The silicone material may be applied in a pattern which may allow for a more permanent adhesion between the backing sheet  140  and the front sheet  102  in areas void of silicone (e.g., the bond between the area of the bottom portion  142  surrounding the wristband  120  and the back side bottom portion  103   b  may be stronger than the bond between the top portion  102   b  and the top portion  141  of the backing sheet  140 ). This may keep the area of the bottom portion  142  surrounding the wristband  120  in place upon removal of the wristband  120 . In some embodiments, the silicone material  107   b  may be completely omitted so that the area of the bottom portion  142  surrounding the wristband  120  permanently adheres to the back side bottom portion  103   b.    
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the back side bottom portion  103   b  may further include areas of silicone  108  which may coincide with the wristband  120 . Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , areas of adhesive  109  may be provided on the areas of silicone  108  to adhere the wristband  120  in place. Alternatively, as described below, adhesive  117 ,  119 , and  135  may be applied to a back side of the backing  142  corresponding to portions of the wristband  120  and/or extension portion  115  in order to adhere the ends  124  and  128  of the wristband  120  together. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates the backing sheet  140  having a top portion  141  and a bottom portion  142 . The wristband  120  may be die cut into the bottom portion  142  of the backing sheet  140 , and may be defined by two laterally opposing sides (or ends)  124  and  128  which may extend directly (e.g., without a transition) from a central portion  122  having an upper portion  122   a  and a lower portion  122   b  separated by an indention  123 . The laterally opposing sides (or ends)  124  and  128  may extend from the lower portion  122   b  and the upper portion  122   a,  respectively (or vice versa). 
         [0024]    The sides  124  and  128  extend directly from a central portion  122 , without any transition, such as a shoulder, or other type of transition. With such a configuration, the material required for the wristband  120  may be less than otherwise may be required. Further, the design is sleek, having no protrusions or other unneeded and/or unwanted areas of material extending from the central portion  122  and/or the sides  124  and  128 . 
         [0025]    As noted above, the upper portion  122   a  (or the lower portion  122   b ) of the central portion  122  may include a small paper area  105  that is removed from the front sheet  101  along with the wristband  120 . The small paper area  105  may leave a small hole in the form  100  after removal therefrom. The wristband  120  may be configured to be self-laminating to protect the paper area  105 . Accordingly, adhesive may be applied to surround the paper area  105  on the central upper portion  122   a . Upon removal of the wristband  120  from the form  100 , the wristband  120  may be folded about the indention  123  such that the adhesive on the central upper portion  122   a  adheres to the central lower portion  122   b  so that the paper area  105  is secured therebetween. Optionally, adhesive may be applied to the backside of the central lower portion  122   b  in addition to, or instead of adhesive applied to the backside of the central upper portion  122   a.    
         [0026]    One of the laterally opposed sides, e.g., side  128 , may include perforations  129 , and have no adhesive inwardly adjacent the perforations  129 . The other laterally opposed side, e.g., side  124 , may contain an area of adhesive  135  ( FIG. 2 ) on a backside of the wristband  120 , which may be in addition to the adhesive  109  provided on the face sheet portion back side  103   b.  Alternatively, the adhesive at side  124  may be provided instead of the adhesive  109 . The adhesive  135  and/or  109  may keep the end  124  secured to the front sheet back side bottom portion  103   b.  The wristband  120  may be substantially held into position via the adhesive patch  135  and the perforated side  128 . The wristband  120  may contain no adhesive apart from the adhesive  135  adjacent the end  124  and the adhesive surrounding the paper area  105  as described above. 
         [0027]    The laterally opposing sides  124  and  128  of the wristband  120  may be generally rectangular. In one embodiment, the sides  124  and  128  are completely straight, without a taper. Alternatively, as shown in the figures, the sides  124  and  128  may gradually taper towards the end and may conclude in a tongue  136 . Alternatively, the wristband  120  may take on other desirable shapes. In one embodiment, a height of the tongue  136  (e.g., end  124 ) may be less than a height of the remainder of the wristband  120  (including being less than the height of the end  128 ). 
         [0028]    The wristband  120  may be further equipped with security slits  130 . The security slits  130  may be configured to tear, should the wristband  120  be tampered with after the wristband  120  is applied to a wearer. This may be beneficial to ensure that the wristband  120  remains associated with the intended wearer, particularly in a healthcare environment where the wristband  120  includes patient-specific information. 
         [0029]    In addition to the wristband  120 , an extension portion  115  may be die cut into the bottom portion  142  of the backing sheet  140  to allow the wristband  120  to accommodate larger wrists. The extension portion  115  may include a first end  116  having an area of adhesive  117  on the backside thereof. A second end  118  may additionally have an area of adhesive  119  on the backside. Adhesive may not be located between the first and second ends of the extension portion  116  and  118 , respectively. The second end  118  may additionally include arms  121  extending outwardly from the second end  118 , and separated from the second end  118  by lines of perforation  160 . Adhesive may be located on the backside of the arms  121 . In one embodiment, the arms  121  may be separated from the second end  118  by tearing away at the lines of perforation  160 . In another embodiment, the extension second end  118  may be aligned with an end  124  or  128  of the wristband  120  and placed thereupon. The arms  121  may then be folded about the lines of perforation  160 , one at a time, to further secured the extension  115  to the wristband  120 . 
         [0030]    As noted above, the extension portion  115  may attach to either end  124  and  128  of the wristband  120 , and may extend the reach of the band  120  my approximately one and one-half inches, for example, although other lengths may additionally or alternatively be accommodated. Further, the extension may also incorporate tamper evident slits  130 . 
         [0031]    The bottom portion  142  may be constructed of a synthetic material, such as polyester fabric or plastic, for example. Other materials may additionally, or alternately, be appropriate. Those of skill in the art may recognize that it may be beneficial for the wristband  120  material to be resistant to water or other liquid, which may cause the integrity of the wristband  120  to be prematurely compromised. 
         [0032]    In use, after the wristband  120  has been printed, the user may peel the side  124  of the wristband  120  up and away from the form  100 , inserting his or her finger under, for example, the bottom edge, until the finger exits at the top edge. The user may then tear the side  128  along the perforations  129  to free the wristband  120  from the form  100 . Alternately, the user may hold the wristband  100 , e.g., from the top or bottom edge, between his index finger and thumb, tear the side  128  along the perforations  129 , and then separate the wristband  120 , including the side  124  having the adhesive  119 , from the form  100 . In this way, the user may remove the wristband  120  from the form  100  in one generally continuous motion. The user may then fold the wristband  120  about the indention  123  and subsequently attach the wristband  120  to a person&#39;s wrist by wrapping the wristband  120  around the wrist, face up, and fastening the adhesive end (e.g., side  124 ) to the face of the wristband  120 . The extension portion  115  may similarly be removed from the form  100  and secured to the wristband  120  as described above. 
         [0033]    Such quick and convenient removal of the wristband  120  and/or the extension portion  115  from a single side (e.g., of the backing sheet  140 ) of the form  100  and its ready securement to a person&#39;s wrist may be preferable, as compared for example, to wristbands that must be removed from the associated forms in several steps. This may allow the user to save valuable time, especially where many wristbands  120  are utilized in a single setting. Further, the wristband  120  being removed from a single side of the form  100  eliminates the difficulty of the user having to access both sides of the form  100  in order to push one piece through in order to pull the remainder of the wristband off the form. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , an alternative embodiment of a wristband  220  is illustrated which is similar to the wristband  120  except as shown and described herein. Here, the wristband  220  may be die cut into the bottom portion front face  203   f,  and may be defined by two laterally opposing sides (or ends)  224  and  228  which may extend directly (e.g., without a transition) from a central portion  222  having an upper portion  222   a  and a lower portion  222   b  separated by an indention  223 . The laterally opposing sides (or ends)  124  and  128  may extend outwardly from the lower portion  222   b  and the upper portion  222   a,  respectively (or from the upper portion  222   a  and the lower portion  222   b,  respectively). 
         [0035]    The sides  224  and  228  may be generally rectangular, and may be completely straight. Optionally, the sides  224  and  228  may taper aware from the central portion  222  and conclude in a tongue  226 , similar to the wristband  120  described above. One or both ends  224  and  228  may include tamper evident slits  214 , configured to tear should the wristband  220  be tampered with after the wristband  220  is applied to the wearer. 
         [0036]    The lower portion  222   b  (or the upper portion  222   a  as the case may be) of the central portion  222  may include a small laser printable area  205  which may allow indicia to be printed on the wristband  220  without having to provide a paper area. Further, the laser printable area may allow for the wristband  220  to be removed from the form  200  without leaving a hole in the form  200 . 
         [0037]    An extension band  215 , substantially similar to extension band  115  may additionally be included with the wristband  220  on the front face bottom portion  203   b.    
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , which illustrates a back side  201   b  of the form  200 , adhesive areas  207   a  and  207   b  may be provided. It may be advantageous to additionally have areas  208  without adhesive. The adhesive areas  207   a  and  207   b  may adhere to a backing sheet which may be made of, for example, paper or synthetic resin and may be generally similar to back sheet  140 . The backing sheet may include silicone or other suitable release material on the side of the backing sheet which contacts the adhesive areas  207   a  and  207   b.  This may thus allow the top portion  202  and bottom portion  203  to be releasably adhered to the backing sheet. As can be seen my comparing  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the area of adhesive  207   b  may be such that it encompasses a portion of the sides  224  and  228 , and further such that adhesive is provided around the perimeter(s) of the central upper and lower portions  222   a  and  222   b.    
         [0039]    The configuration of the wristband  220  on the form  200  may be such that the adhesive ends  224  and  228  are initially all facing the same direction (e.g., toward the backing sheet). Upon folding the wristband  220  about the indention  223 , the adhesive covered ends  224  and  228  may face in opposite directions such that they meet back to back, thus forming a solid adhesion to the wristband  220  (or the extension portion  215 ) and not exposing the adhesive to the patient. 
         [0040]    In use, a user may peel the wristband  220  from the form  200 , wherein the adhesive remains at the desired location on the underside of the wristband. The wristband  220  may be peeled from the form  200  in a similar manner as that described above regarding wristband  120 . Specifically, a user may insert his or her finger under the wristband  220  from the bottom edge, the finger exiting under the top edge. The user may then slide his or her finger toward one of the ends (e.g., end  228 ) to release the adhesive under the end  228  from the backing. The user may then grasp the end (e.g.,  228 ) and peel the rest of the wristband  220  from the backing. Therefore, as with the wristband  120 , the wristband  220  may similarly be pulled from a single side of the form  200 . 
         [0041]    When the wristband  220  is removed from the form  200 , the area of the backing sheet behind the wristband  120  may remain intact. Such a configuration may provide several benefits over prior art wristbands. For example, as noted above, other methods may consist of “punching out” the wristband from the form leaves a void that may prevent the rest of the form from being used at a later time. However, if the form remains intact, as in the present invention, it may be used multiple times, for example, to print on the labels  207 . This may be beneficial because it is often desirable to print the labels  207  at different times (for example, it may be desirable to print new labels  207  to reflect changes made to medications prescribed to a patient during the course of his treatment). A new label  207 , such as a label  207  leftover on the form  200 , may thus be printed with the new information until all the labels  207  have been used. Of course, the labels  207  may be used for any desirable purposes, such as for labeling patient files and other documents, vials, etc. The labels  207  may all be printed with information in a single pass through the printer, or the form  200  may be passed through the printer multiple times such that the labels  207  are printed as needed. 
         [0042]    In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a form  300  may consist of a plurality of wristbands  320  (which may be wristband  120 ,  220 , or another alternative wristband) and does not include labels  107  and  207 . Alternately, a form may include only a single wristband. The form  300  may be approximately the size of a standard piece of paper (e.g., 8½″×11″), or the form may be tailored to the size of the required wristbands and/or labels. For example, if only a single wristband is required, the form may be only the size necessary to contain one wristband. 
         [0043]    Many different arrangements of the described invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are described herein with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the disclosed improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0044]    Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures and description need to be carried out in the specific order described. The description should not be restricted to the specific described embodiments.