Abstract:
An identification bracelet is provided. The identification bracelet includes an elongated body, and an end of the body includes a securement portion, which includes an adhesive. A cover having a release section and a gripping section is disposed at the end of the body such that, in an initial configuration, the release section of the cover is engaged with the adhesive of the securement portion. The gripping section is connected to the release section and can be utilized to disengage the cover from the adhesive of the securement portion. When the cover is disengaged, the securement portion is narrower than the rest of the body, resulting in the identification bracelet having a tapered closure.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Identification bracelets are widely used to identify persons or objects in various settings, for example, in hospitals and medical facilities as well as in entertainment venues, recreation sites, and other locations where individual identification and/or crowd control is necessary. Such bracelets typically include identifying or other relevant indicia relating to the person or object to which the bracelet is attached, as well as a closure that allows for easy fastening of the bracelet. The closures are usually either mechanical or adhesive, and are configured to render unauthorized removal of the bracelet difficult or easily detectable. 
     Bracelets having adhesive closures tend to be simpler than those having mechanical closures, in both production and use. The adhesive closure is typically provided at one end of an elongated strip and covered by a release liner. To fasten the bracelet, the release liner is removed so as to expose the adhesive, the bracelet is encircled about an object or appendage, and the adhesive end is then pressed onto the surface of the bracelet. In many identification bracelets, the release liner, the adhesive closure, or both, impart an additional thickness to the bracelet in the area of the closure and liner. This can cause issues when the bracelets are fed through a printer, which can result in jams, as well as when the bracelets are wound up into spools or rolls, which results in uneven or asymmetrical bracelet spools. To mitigate this issue, some bracelets are constructed to have uniform thickness throughout the bracelet, with the adhesive closure and liner being formed from the laminates used to construct the bracelet. However, in both of the above bracelet configurations, the release liner can be difficult to remove, requiring repeated attempts to separate the liner from the adhesive, which can cause delays in situations where large quantities of bracelets need to be deployed, as well as frustration for the user. Moreover, if, upon fastening, a portion of the adhesive closure does not overlap the bracelet, that portion of the adhesive remains exposed and can cause discomfort by contacting the skin or clothing of the wearer. In various applications, carefully positioning the closure so that no adhesive is exposed can likewise cause delays and aggravation. 
     Certain identification bracelets provide tapered closures, i.e., where the width of the closure portion of the bracelet is narrower than width of the remainder of the bracelet. This allows for a greater margin of error in the fastening of the bracelet, as the likelihood that some adhesive remains exposed is reduced by the narrower width of the closure. However, bracelets having non-uniform width, such as those with tapered closures, can present additional issues. For example, continuous strips of bracelets are typically wound into spools or rolls for convenient storage, transport and handling. Bracelets having non-uniform width do not easily form neat spools due to the variation in bracelet width, and instead form spools with uneven and jagged faces. Such uneven faces tend to have many ridges and grooves of various sizes and configurations due to the edges of the rolled up bracelets lining up in various relations to each other. Because of this, such spools are more difficult to stack without risk of the stack toppling, or to otherwise be placed in compact groups. The bracelets in such spools are also more likely to be damaged, for example by bending and creasing, when the spools are stacked or transported. Moreover, bracelets that have non-uniform width can increase the likelihood of jams when fed through a printer or other high-speed feeder or processor. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for an identification bracelet, which has an easily operable, tapered adhesive closure, possesses the advantages of bracelets with tapered closures, and avoids the disadvantages of both uniform-width and non-uniform-width bracelets. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one exemplary embodiment, an identification bracelet is provided. The identification bracelet includes an elongated body, and an end of the body includes a securement portion, which includes an adhesive. A cover having a release section and a gripping section is disposed at the end of the body such that, in an initial configuration, the release section of the cover is engaged with the adhesive of the securement portion. When the cover is moved to a non-engagement relationship with the adhesive, the width of the end of the body is less than the width of the remainder of the body. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment, the identification bracelet is formed from a first layer and a second layer. The first layer may be bonded to the second layer by an adhesive layer disposed therebetween. The first layer, second layer, and adhesive layer may be coextensive with the body and the adhesive of the securement portion may be formed from the adhesive layer. The release section of the cover includes the second layer, while the gripping section of the cover includes the first layer, second layer, and adhesive layer. 
     According to a further exemplary embodiment, the gripping section may be disposed between a longitudinal edge of the body and the securement portion. The gripping section is connected to the release section and can be utilized to disengage the cover from the adhesive of the securement portion. When the cover is disengaged, the securement portion is narrower than the rest of the body, resulting in the identification bracelet having a tapered closure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet along line B-B of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5  showing the peel-off cover separated. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of section C-C of  FIG. 4 , showing the peel-off cover separated. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a continuous strip of identification bracelets according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of a continuous strip of identification bracelets according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a continuous strip of identification bracelets along line D-D of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11 a    is a top perspective view of the first end of an exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet, showing the cover attached to the securement portion. 
         FIG. 11 b    is a top perspective view of the first end of an exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet, showing the cover being peeled away from the securement portion. 
         FIG. 11 c    is a top perspective view of the first end of an exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet, showing the cover separated from the securement portion. 
         FIG. 11 d    is a bottom perspective view of the first end of an exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet, showing the adhesive of the securement portion exposed. 
         FIG. 11 e    is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet, showing the bracelet fastening step. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of a sheet of identification bracelets according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13 a    is a top view of a second exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet. 
         FIG. 13 b    is a bottom view of a second exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet. 
         FIG. 14 a    is a top view of a third exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet. 
         FIG. 14 b    is a bottom view of a third exemplary embodiment of an identification bracelet. 
         FIG. 14 c    is a top view of a continuous strip of identification bracelets according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 14   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows. 
     As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
     According to at least one exemplary embodiment and as shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , a bracelet  100  is disclosed. The bracelet  100  can include a generally elongated body, a first end  102 , a second end  104 , and a body portion  106  extending therebetween. A first longitudinal edge  108  and a second longitudinal edge  110  extend between a first transverse edge  112  disposed at first end  102 , and a second transverse edge  114  disposed at second end  104 . In an initial configuration, the width of bracelet  100  can be uniform along substantially the entire length of bracelet  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , bracelet  100  is formed from a plurality of layers of material that are laminated together or otherwise bonded to one another. It should be noted that in the Figures, the thicknesses of the layers are not to scale, and have been enlarged for ease of illustration. In the exemplary embodiment, bracelet  100  can include a top layer  150 , a bottom layer  154 , and an adhesive layer  152  disposed therebetween. The top layer  150  is adapted for receiving indicia thereon, for example on an information-receiving area  107  of body portion  106 , or elsewhere as desired. The indicia may be identifying indicia for the object or person to which bracelet  100  is to be attached, and may be human-readable, machine-readable, or a combination of both. In one exemplary embodiment, top layer  150  may be a thermal-sensitive layer adapted to receive and retain indicia imprinted by a thermal printer, as known in the art. For example, top layer  150  may be a top-side barrier-coated polypropylene film including a thermal coating. Top layer  150  may further be opaque, and may be provided in any desired color or shade. In other embodiments, top layer  150  may be adapted to receive indicia imprinted by any other known printing manner, such as ink or laser printing, to receive handwritten indicia, or to receive and retain adhesive-backed labels thereon. Furthermore, any desired flexible material for the top layer may be used that enables bracelet  100  to function as described herein, including, but not limited to, polyester, polyethylene, and so forth. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, bottom layer  154  may be adhesively bonded to top layer  150  by adhesive layer  152 . Adhesive layer  152  may be, by way of example and not limitation, a UV-radiation-cured acrylic adhesive, and may further be a pressure-sensitive adhesive, or may be any desired adhesive material that enables bracelet  100  to function as described herein. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, bottom layer  154  can be formed from a polyester material adapted for high-speed converting. Bottom layer  154  may further be moisture-resistant, and, if desired, bottom layer  154  may also be transparent. It should be appreciated that bottom layer  154  may also be formed from any desired flexible material that allows bracelet  100  to function as described herein, including, but not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, and so forth. Bottom layer  154  may also include a cue mark  156  on the bottom surface thereof, which may have a contrasting appearance to bottom layer  154  (or, if bottom layer  154  is transparent, to any layer visible through the bottom layer), and may be used by a printing apparatus for determining the appropriate location for printing desired indicia along the length of bracelet  100 . Furthermore, in some exemplary embodiments, bottom layer  154  may be releasably bonded to adhesive layer  152 , i.e., bottom layer  154  may be substantially securely, but not permanently bonded to adhesive layer  152 , thereby allowing bottom layer  154  to be detached from adhesive  152  upon intentional separation by a user, for example by peeling bottom layer  154  away from adhesive  152 . Adhesive layer  152 , however, may be relatively permanently bonded to top layer  150 , or bonded more strongly to top layer  150  than to bottom layer  154 . Therefore, when bottom layer  154 , or a portion thereof, is peeled away, adhesive  152  may remain bonded to top layer  150  and be exposed on the bottom face of top layer  150 . 
     Such a construction of the bracelet results in bracelet  100  having substantially uniform thickness throughout, providing an advantage for feeding the bracelet through printers by reducing the likelihood of jams, and for winding up a plurality of connected bracelets (described further below) into symmetrical rolls or spools. However, it should be appreciated that top layer  150  and bottom layer  154  may each be formed from a single sheet of material, or may each be formed from a plurality of laminated sheets of material, as desired, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments describe an adhesive layer  152  formed from a single type of adhesive that extends throughout the bracelet  100  and is sandwiched between top layer  150  and bottom layer  154 . However, it should also be understood that, in alternate embodiments, top layer  150  and bottom layer  154  may be bonded in any desired manner, or by any desired quantity or type of adhesives, that allow bracelet  100  to function as described herein. In such alternate embodiments, an adhesive layer as described herein may be provided at the securement portion  116  of bracelet  100 , or, in yet other embodiments, an adhesive layer may be provided only at securement portion  116  of bracelet  100 . 
     First end  102  of bracelet  100  may include a securement portion  116  and a peel-off cover  120 , with the width of securement portion  116  being less than the width of the remainder of bracelet  100 , i.e. body portion  106  and second end  104 . Securement portion  116  can also include a pattern of tamper-evident score lines  118 , which can be formed through at least top layer  150  and adhesive layer  152 . 
     The peel-off cover  120  allows for conveniently exposing the adhesive layer  152  of securement portion  116  to allow for fastening bracelet  100 . To that end, cover  120  can include at least one gripping section  122  and a release section  124 . A gripping section  122  can include top layer  150 , adhesive layer  152 , and bottom layer  154 , while release section  124  can include bottom layer  154  but not top layer  150  nor adhesive layer  152 . 
     As viewed from the top in  FIG. 1 , gripping sections  122  can be provided along the longitudinal edges  108 ,  110  of bracelet  100 . The boundaries of gripping section  122  may be defined by a longitudinal edge  108 / 110 , first transverse edge  112 , and a score line  126  extending between longitudinal edge  108 / 110  and first transverse edge  112 . As shown in the cross-section in  FIG. 5 , score line  126  may be formed through top layer  150  and adhesive layer  152 , but not through bottom layer  154 . 
     A bottom view of bracelet  100  and cover  120  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The boundaries of cover  120  may be defined by first transverse edge  112 , longitudinal edges  108 ,  110 , and a score line  128  extending between longitudinal edges  108  and  110 . As shown in the cross-section in  FIG. 4 , score line  128  may be formed through bottom layer  154 , but not through top layer  150  and adhesive layer  152 . 
     In this exemplary embodiment, score line  128  extends substantially transversely across bracelet  100 . However, proximate longitudinal edges  108 / 110 , score line  128  can include extending portions  130  that project towards second end  104  prior to reaching a longitudinal edge  108  or  110 . Each extending portion  130  of score line  128  defines a tab  132 , and is substantially coextensive with a corresponding extending portion  134  of score line  126 . Consequently, along the length of each extending portion  130 , a cut line is effectively formed through top layer  150 , adhesive layer  152  and bottom layer  154 , i.e., through the entire thickness of bracelet  100 . The tab  132  and the cut line formed through bracelet  100  can provide a starting point for the separation of cover  120  from bracelet  100  so as to increase the ease of such separation. It should also be appreciated that various shapes and configurations for the score lines disclosed herein and for cover  120  may be contemplated and provided without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, bracelets  100  can be provided in a continuous strip  160  of detachably connected bracelets, as shown in  FIGS. 8-10 , in which a first end  102  of a bracelet  100  is connected to a second end  104  of an adjacent bracelet  100 ′. The detachable connection between bracelets  100 ,  100 ′ can be provided by a perforated line  162  formed through top layer  150 , adhesive layer  152  and bottom layer  154 . Perforated line  162  may extend for a portion of the width of bracelet  100 , for example substantially similar to and along the width of securement portion  116 . Between the gripping sections  122  of cover  120  of bracelet  100  and second end  104  of adjacent bracelet  100 ′, cut lines  164  may be formed through top layer  150 , adhesive layer  152  and bottom layer  154 , resulting in a complete separation between the gripping sections and the adjacent bracelet along the length of cut lines  164 . This increases the ease of separation of bracelets  100  and  100 ′ from each other and also prevents unintended or premature separation of cover  120  from bracelet  100  during bracelet separation. The continuous strip  160  of detachable bracelets may be provided as a roll or spool, and the bracelets  100  may be mounted in a dispenser and/or then be fed into a suitable printer, such as one adapted for feeding and printing on continuous strips, or any other compatible device known in the art. 
     In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8-9 , cut lines  164  have a generally arcuate shape, resulting in second end  104  of the bracelet having rounded corners. Similarly, score lines  126  may have arcuate portions proximate first end  102 , resulting in the distal end of securement portion  116  having rounded corners as well. The rounded corners can serve to increase the comfort of bracelet  100  to the wearer, due to the lack of sharp corners that may repeatedly contact the skin and cause unpleasant sensations or irritation. However, it should be appreciated that any desired configuration may be contemplated and provided for these and other features of bracelet  100  without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that, as contemplated herein, the rounded corners shall not be considered as reducing the width of the body of bracelet  100 . 
       FIGS. 11 a -11 e    illustrate the steps for manipulating bracelet  100  so as to fasten the bracelet to an object to be identified. In the initial configuration of  FIG. 11 a   , peel-off cover  120  is coupled to bracelet  100 , and so the bracelet has a substantially uniform width. Peel-off cover  120  may then be gripped at one of the gripping sections  122 , for example by pinching the gripping section between the thumb and a finger. Cover  120  can then be gradually separated from bracelet  100  by peeling cover  120  away from the bracelet and towards edge  112 , as shown in  FIG. 11 b   . The peeling action causes release section  124  to detach from adhesive layer  152  of securement portion  116 , in turn causing the other gripping section  122  to detach from bracelet  100  as well, resulting in a tapered securement portion  116 , and a separate cover  120 , shown in  FIG. 11 c   . The width of the tapered securement portion  116 , and consequently of end  102 , is therefore less than the width of the remainder of the body of bracelet  100 . Furthermore, the thickness of the tapered securement portion  116 , and consequently of end  102 , is also less than the thickness of the remainder of the body of bracelet  100 . With bottom layer  154  removed at the securement portion, adhesive layer  152  is exposed, as shown in  FIG. 11 d   . As shown in  FIG. 11 e   , bracelet  100  may now be encircled around an object to be identified, and securement portion  116  can be adhered to the top layer  150  of bracelet  100 , at second end  104  or further along the length of bracelet  100 , so as to achieve a desired circumference for the bracelet. If removal of the bracelet is attempted, tamper-evident score lines  118  can cause the securement portion  116  to tear, thereby indicating attempted removal of the bracelet. 
       FIG. 12  shows an exemplary alternative configuration of a plurality of bracelets  100 , which can be provided as a sheet  170  of bracelets. Such sheets can be used in printers adapted for feeding and printing on a variety of standard-size sheets. Sheet  170  includes a plurality of bracelets  100  disposed in side-by-side relation. Perforated lines  172  are provided for separation of bracelets  100  from each other, and define longitudinal edges  108 ,  110  of the bracelets. Separation of bracelets along perforated lines  172  should be sufficiently easy so as not to cause unintended separation of cover  120  from wristband  100 . Margins  174  are provided as necessary to conform sheet  170  to a desired standardized or other paper size. In the illustrated embodiment, margins  174  are provided longitudinally, while transverse edges  112 ,  114  of bracelets  100  are defined by the transverse edges  176  of sheet  170 . However, depending on the desired paper format and wristband size as well as on printer specifications, margins  174  may also be provided transversely rather than longitudinally, both transversely and longitudinally, or may be absent. In the case where margins are provided transversely, perforated lines are provided at the transverse edges  112 ,  114  of the bracelets for separation of the bracelets. 
     The securement section and cover at the first end of the bracelet can be provided in various configurations while conforming with the spirit of the invention described herein. Such configurations may be adapted for the particular requirements of manufacturers and end users, as desired. For example, another embodiment of the bracelet is shown in  FIGS. 13 a -13 b    and denoted by reference numeral  200 . In this exemplary embodiment, similar features are denoted by similar reference numerals, but with a hundreds digit of 2. Bracelet  200  has a substantially similar structure and configuration to bracelet  100 , except that only one gripping section  222  is provided at first end  202 , the gripping section  222  being defined by longitudinal edge  210 , score line  226 , and transverse edge  212 . Consequently, the score line  228 , which defines the extent of cover  220  on the bottom face of bracelet  200 , includes only one extending portion  230  which is coextensive with the extending portion  234  of score line  226 . 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the bracelet is shown in  FIGS. 14 a -14 c    and denoted by reference numeral  300 , with similar features being denoted by similar reference numerals, but with a hundreds digit of 3. Bracelet  300  has a substantially similar structure and configuration to bracelet  100 , except that bracelet  300  lacks the rounded corners, extending portions  130 ,  134 , and tabs  132  of bracelet  100 . Thus, the gripping sections  322  of bracelet  300  are substantially rectangular, and defined by score lines  326  and score lines  327  which extend from score lines  327  to longitudinal edges  308  and  310 . Similarly, score line  328  extends linearly between longitudinal edges  308  and  310 . Where score line  328  overlaps score lines  327 , a cut line may be formed through the entire thickness of bracelet  300 , so as to increase the ease of separation of cover  320 . In the exemplary embodiment of the continuous strip of bracelets  360 , perforated line  362  may extend the full distance between longitudinal edges  308  and  310 . Alternatively, perforated line  362  may extend substantially along the width of securement portion  316 , while cut lines (not shown) through the entire thickness of bracelet  300  may be provided along the width of gripping sections  322 , between an end of perforated line  362  and longitudinal edge  308  or  310 . 
     The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.