Abstract:
A wrap around, self laminating wristband comprises a substantially transparent laminate strap with an imaging area for receiving printed information and one or more layers of adhesive adjacent the imaging area so that as the strap is wrapped around itself to overlie the imaging area it laminates it. Alternate embodiments provide for a snap closure to secure the wristband instead of adhesive, forming the imaging area with a coating of a thermally sensitive or active print material, adding one or more labels for common use with the wristband, forming the wristband in a page of multiple wristbands or with labels or separately, forming the wristband as part of a printer processable business form, and providing the wristband forms either with or without labels in a continuous fan fold or roll format.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Self laminating wristbands have become widely available for medical applications and have achieved great commercial success principally through the inventive efforts of the assignee of the present invention. Examples of the several different embodiments of the self laminating wristbands that have received patents and which are experiencing great commercial success may be found in one or more of the following US patents, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,933,993; 6,438,881; 7,017,293; and 7,222,448. 
     These self laminating wristbands are formed in part with a clamshell of laminating layers which are hinged together so that after separation of the wristband from the carrier the two clamshell halves are folded over to laminate an imaging portion. In almost all of these embodiments, the clamshells are hinged along their long dimension although at least one embodiment depicts the clamshell hinged at their ends. With this arrangement, the imaging area which is adhered to one of the clamshell halves is positioned to be readily laminated by merely folding over the two halves along the hinge joining them. This provides a quick and easy method for “assembling” or laminating the wristband after its separation from the carrier, and then applying it to the patient&#39;s wrist. Many millions of these design wristbands, in a number of different formats and arrangements, have been sold by the assignee, and customers/users have used them as they have found them to be ideally suited to their many applications. 
     In its continuing efforts to improve and develop alternate design wristbands, the inventor herein has developed for the assignee a new inventive design wrap around self laminating wristband which is elegantly simple, perhaps even simpler than the previous clamshell design, and which is arguably also faster to separate from the carrier and apply to the patient&#39;s wrist. In essence, this new invention comprises a slightly longer single width, substantially transparent strap having an imaging end for carrying the printed image and an opposite or “window” end for overlying the imaging end to laminate it. In other words, this design departs from the clamshell arrangement the assignee has commercialized to great success and instead provides a single strap which wraps around the patient&#39;s wrist with the opposite end providing a lay over see-through laminate or window area which is affixed in one of several alternative manners to attach the wristband to the wearer&#39;s wrist. While the entire strap may be provided as substantially transparent, as an alternative a decorative design may obscure a portion of the strap length to actually form a window through which the printed image may be viewed. In that embodiment, the window is preferably provided in a length appreciably longer than the imaging area to allow for adjustability in the amount of overlap, and thus wristband length, while ensuring that the imaging area is visible therethrough. While a “see-through” laminate is preferred, it is also possible that one or more cutouts could be provided to enhance the readability of a bar code, for example, or for any other purpose. Also, in some embodiments, the imaging area end may preferably be slightly smaller in width so that the strap can be wrapped around the wrist and the window end may be slightly misaligned or even be “loose” but yet completely cover and laminate the imaging area with its surface being entirely visible through the window. Yet another alternative is for the wristband to have a curved, contoured or curvilinear edge along at least a portion of at least one of its sides, maybe even to the extreme of an hourglass or “wasp-waisted” band formed along both edges of both sides, or to have contoured sides as exemplified by the disclosure found in co-pending application Ser. No. 11/553,873 filed Oct. 27, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference 
     A number of alternate arrangements for the “wraparound” wristband of the present invention have been conceived of. For example, instead of providing a two ply form, a single ply laminate strap can be provided separately from a printed face stock label and the two assembled by adhering the label to the laminate strap before wrapping the strap around the patient&#39;s wrist. The label can be provided as self adhering and separate patches or stripes of adhesive be provided on the laminate strap, either to completely enclose the label as the wristband is secured or merely to attach the “wrapped” end to the opposite end so that while the label is captured between two outer layers of laminate it is not totally encapsulated by the overlying laminate strap. And, the adhesive may be applied on either side of the label so that the laminate strap may have its end either fixed or loose. For convenience, the word “laminate” or “laminating” is used herein to refer to an arrangement where two layers of laminate capture an imaging area therebetween, but not necessarily encapsulate it. In some instances the laminate layers may be adhered together to completely encapsulate the imaging area, as in most of the other self laminating wristband designs disclosed in the assignee&#39;s other patents. In other instances, however, the sides or the ends or even the sides and ends of the laminate overlay may not be affixed in place. For purposes of this disclosure, these arrangements shall also be considered as satisfying the “laminate” or “laminating” definition. 
     As this design wristband requires a “wrapping around” or overlap of one end over the other, the length of the wristband is preferably slightly longer than a corresponding “finished length” self laminating wristband of the clamshell design. This is not an issue should the wristband be intended for smaller wrists, such as for pediatric applications, and this design may be conveniently die cut into a standard 8½×11 inch sheet for laser printer processing. This design is also adaptable for adult sized wristbands for laser printing in a slightly longer sheet, such as legal size or 8½×14 inches. Nor is this an issue when the wristband business forms are provided in a continuous strip, either fan fold or roll, such as would be intended for thermal printing applications. As the most common format for wristbands is in combination with a plurality of labels, this design wristband is uniquely suited for thermal printers where the overall width of the form is limited by the throat size of the printer. Due to it being a single width, a wristband of the present invention would occupy the top half of a nominal two inch (2″) wide form and the bottom half would be occupied by a series of labels. Thus, a self laminating, adult sized, self laminating wristband along with a plurality of labels are conveniently provided in a continuous strip or roll format in two inch width suitable for processing by most thermal printers. As explained above, this design is versatile and suited to many formats. 
     The “stock” from which this design wristband would preferably be provided in would be the common two ply stock comprised of a face or imaging ply adhered with a pattern adhesive to a backing or laminate ply. The wristband would then be die cut into both of the face ply and the laminate ply: the imaging area die cut into the face ply and the strap die cut into the laminate ply. Depending on the pattern of the adhesive, for example should there be no adhesive joining the length of the strap and window to the face ply, the die cut could be an “interrupted” die cut with for example nicks in the die which would leave behind “ties” of both or at least one ply to hold at least the laminate strap in place before desired removal and use of the wristband. Then, the user would tear the strap loose along the interrupted die cut after printing. A “surround” of adhesive would preferably be applied around the image area, and would be exposed after separation of the wristband from the carrier so that it would adhere to the portion of the window end overlying the imaging area to “laminate” it by substantially encapsulating it in this embodiment. 
     As an alternate in the embodiments disclosed herein, instead of providing a label or face stock ply, the imaging area may be formed for a thermal printer version by applying an opaque white base coat followed by a thermal active coating and for increased durability a protective top coating if desired to a single laminate ply, either in the desired area or across the entire ply as determined by cost, raw stock, forming machine capabilities, etc. The coating material provided may be any chosen from a group of suitable materials chosen as would be known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Examples are Environmental Inks &amp; Coatings EH012552 Direct Thermal coating, EC007094 Opaque white base coat and Organic Dyestuffs Corporation ORCO Black ODB-2 Leuco-dye thermal coat. This “stock” material could be used to form single wristband sheetlets, multiple wristband sheets, “combo” forms with labels in sheet format, and thermal printer formats comprising continuous strips in fan fold or roll format as well as any other format as exemplified in the various other patent filings owned by the assignee. 
     Yet another alternate embodiment incorporates mechanical fasteners to close the wristband about the wearer&#39;s wrist. One such example is a snap closure which would be located at each side of the “wrapped end” and two series of holes located along the strap edges inboard of the imaging area, one of which each snap closure would fasten to and join the strap ends. The length of the finished wristband would thus be variable depending on which pair of holes the snap closures were fastened to. In this embodiment, the laminate would overlie the imaging area but need not be sealed on any edge. As an alternative to including the mechanical fastener in the wristband, they may also be provided separately with the wristband having pre-punched holes or other areas of weakness to accommodate the assembly of the mechanical fastener after the wristband may be processed and printed. 
     While the principal advantages and features of the present invention have been briefly explained above, a fuller understanding may be gained by referring to the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of the wraparound wristband formed in a two ply carrier; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the wraparound wristband separated from the carrier and having a decorative imprint defining a window at the opposite end; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of a wraparound wristband with labels arranged in a strip orientation; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a roll of the wraparound wristband and label combo form depicted in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of a wraparound wristband with labels arranged in a page format; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a wraparound wristband in a carrier with a pair of snap closures and associated series of holes for attaching the wristband; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the wraparound wristband with snap closures and a matrix of labels arranged in a page format; 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of a plurality of wraparound wristbands with snap closures formed in a page format; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of a separated wraparound wristband having a pair of adhesive strips straddling an imaging area formed by a coating process; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of a plurality of wraparound wristbands as shown in  FIG. 9  arranged in a page format; and 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of a separated wraparound wristband having a single adhesive stripe at its end. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A first embodiment of the wraparound self laminating wristband  20  of the present invention is depicted in  FIG. 1  and includes a two ply carrier  22  comprised of a top face ply  24  and a bottom laminate ply  26 . A first die cut  28  in the face ply  24  forms an imaging area  30  and a second die cut  32  in the bottom laminate ply  26  forms a wristband strap  34 . Die cut  32  may be an interrupted die cut, as depicted in other figures. The laminate wristband strap  34  is shown to preferably have a narrower end  36  whereat the imaging area  30  is adhered and a wider end  38 . A dotted line  40  near the neck joining the narrower end  36  with the wider end  38  indicates the end of where a layer of adhesive  42  is applied to the narrower end  36  of wristband strap  34 . A layer of release (not shown) surrounds the imaging area so that when the wristband  20  is separated from the carrier  22  it exposes the adhesive surrounding the imaging area  30 . As there is preferably no release layer separating the laminate strap  32  from the imaging area  30 , it remains adhered and separates with the laminate strap upon separation from the carrier  22  although it will separate with the laminate strap even if a release layer is applied if the directions for separating the wristband are followed. After separation by pushing down at the corner of the imaging area  30 , the wristband  20  is applied to a wearer&#39;s wrist by wrapping the wider end  38  of laminate ply  34  about the wrist and pressing it over the top of the imaging area  30  to completely cover it and the surrounding layer of adhesive  42  adheres the two laminate layers together to laminate the imaging area  30 . In this embodiment the wider end  36  helps allow for its inexact alignment over the imaging area  30  but which will still completely seal and encapsulate it. Any excess length may be trimmed off for comfort and to help guard against any patient discomfort from a floppy loose end. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the laminate strap  32  may be imprinted with a decorative pattern  44  to define a window  46  through which the imaging area  30  may be viewed. By making the window  46  substantially longer than the imaging area  30 , the wristband may be sized to fit different wrists and yet ensure that a portion of the window  46  overlies the imaging area  30  to allow for its viewing. This is an alternative to providing the strap  32  as completely transparent. 
     The wristband  20  may be provided in a continuous construction, with a series of labels  48  in a continuous strip  50  as depicted in  FIG. 3 . Also as shown in  FIG. 3  is a line of perforation  52  at an end of the wristband laminate strap  32  which is of slightly different construction than the interrupted die cut line  54  also shown therein. The perforation line  52  provides slightly greater resistance to separation of the strap  32  from the carrier  22  than the interrupted die cut  54  and thus provides greater assurance that the strap  32  will not unintentionally separate during processing through a printer and other handling prior to use. With this increased strength, the perforation essentially forms a hinge. All of these variations are considered to be lines of weakness or die cuts, as those terms are used herein. Furthermore, the die cut to be used is to some extent a matter of design choice and depends on field testing in various applications with various materials, and the invention is not intended to be limited to the choice of die cut, etc. unless expressly so stated. 
     The continuous construction depicted in  FIG. 3  may be provided in a fan fold configuration or in a roll format  56  as depicted in  FIG. 4 . Yet another format for use is as a page  58  as depicted in  FIG. 5 . In the formats depicted in  FIG. 3-5 , the web construction underlying the self adhering labels  48  may preferably be different, with a different backing sheet or web (not shown) having a release layer applied to it to expose the layer of adhesive applied to the labels  48  as they are removed from the carrier  22 , as known in the art and as shown in various other patents owned by the assignee including those noted above. 
     Instead of a layer of adhesive, one or more mechanical fasteners such as snap closures  60  each having an associated series of holes  62  may be used to attach the wristband about a wearer&#39;s wrist. Each snap closure may preferably include a male member  64  which inserts first through one of its associated holes  62  and then into a female member  66  to secure the wristband strap. When so fastened, one end of the laminate strap  32  overlies the imaging area  30  which may be a label separately supplied or provided as part of the wristband  20  formed as part of or on a carrier  22 . In this embodiment the laminate strap  32  overlies the imaging area but preferably no adhesive is used so that the edges are not sealed, but nevertheless are laminated as that term is used herein. Should the wristband  20  shown in  FIG. 6  be provided without a carrier  22 , the strap  32  is preferably constructed of a somewhat heavier or thicker laminate and the imaging area  30  may preferably be a self adhering label. 
     The wristband  20  as depicted in  FIG. 6  may be combined and provided with a matrix of labels  68  in a page format as shown in  FIG. 7 , or provided as a group of wristbands only in a page  70  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Yet another embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 9  and includes a single laminate strap  72  with an imaging area  74  surrounded by a pair of adhesive patches or stripes  76 . As depicted in  FIG. 9 , the wristband is essentially a strap and is formed by being die cut into a carrier, similar to that shown in  FIG. 8  and described below. The strap may be thinner or thicker, as desired to suit the particular parameters of its intended use. Imaging area  74  may be a separately supplied and printed label, or may be a coating of a thermally receptive print material as described in greater detail above. To secure the wristband  20  of  FIG. 9 , the opposite end is wrapped around to overlie the two stripes of adhesive  76  and included imaging area  74  and pressed together. When properly adhered, the two ends of the imaging area  74  are sealed but not the sides, but nevertheless are laminated as that term is used herein. 
       FIG. 10  depicts several variations for the wristband shown and described for  FIG. 9 . A plurality of wristbands  20  may comprise a page  78 , either with or without a carrier  80 . Adjacent wristbands  20  may be preferably separated by a line of weakness  82  so that they may be readily separated and individually used. An imaging area  84  is separately formed on each wristband  20  and is depicted as having a stripe of adhesive  86  on either side thereof, although alternatively a single stripe of adhesive may be provided on either side of the imaging area for each wristband as depicted in  FIG. 11 . The imaging area  84  may be formed from a coating of thermally receptive material and applied in a continuous fashion to the page of laminate prior to the die cuts  82  being made. Also, imaging areas  84  may be formed from a face stock ply adhered to the laminate ply comprising page ply  78 . Further, the face stock ply used to form the imaging areas  84  may be readily extended to cover the adhesive stripes and die cuts  88  made to form removable tabs for exposing the adhesive stripes upon application to a wearer&#39;s wrist. 
     Various materials may be used as envisioned by the inventor. For example, polyethylene or Polyester or polypropylene may preferably be used for lighter and thinner laminate straps preferably having a thickness of about 1.5 to about 4 mil. For heavier and thicker laminates straps, Vinyl, polyethylene or polyurethane may preferably be used and preferably have a thickness of from about 4 to 12 mil. The face stock may preferably be standard #20 bond, or any other suitable paper stock as known in the art. Adhesives are also well known and their selection would be a matter of design choice depending on whether the wristband is intended to be processed through a laser or thermal printer. The imaging area may be formed by preferably applying a coating of EIC EH012552 or ORCO Black ODB-2 as a thermally receptive print material, preferably to a thickness of between about 0.1 to about 0.5 mil. These materials are all well known to those in the art and other suitable materials may be substituted therefor depending on the cost, availability, application and other design parameters. 
     While the invention has been disclosed in an illustrative manner through the drawing figures and description of the preferred embodiments, it would be apparent that other alternatives are included within the scope of the invention which should be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, other mechanical fasteners than snap closures may be used to fasten the wristband about the wearer&#39;s wrist. The imaging area may be formed as part of an overlying face stock ply or web, applied as a self adhering label after being printed with the desired information, applied as a thermally receptive print coating and then processed through a thermal printer, or otherwise. The laminate strap may have a substantially constant width along substantially the entirety of its length, have a narrower end at the imaging area, or have other shapes depending on the particular application. The laminate strap may be sized to overlap and be secured at intermediate locations allowing for it to be used on people having differently sized wrists. Thus, the laminate strap may have a variable length to suit the particular application. Adhesive stripes or patches may be applied in different locations, so long as they may be used to secure the wristband about the wearer&#39;s wrist. Although mention is made throughout this disclosure about a wearer&#39;s wrist, it should be understood that any wearer&#39;s appendage would be amenable for application of the present invention, and the term “wristband” has been used merely for convenience. Wristbands may be formed individually, in multiple numbers as part of a page of wristbands, combined with labels into “combo” forms, be formed in a reduced page size commonly referred to as a Sheetlet, or otherwise. Still other variations may be readily arrived at by those of skill in the art given the present teaching and these variations are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.