Method and apparatus for delivering barcode-to-dose labels

Abstract

A labeling apparatus has a source of printed labels that have adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup with two opposable arms, a blower bar to support a label on air. Each opposable arm has its own vacuum head and each head is removably attachable to a respective end portion of the label. The apparatus also has a label position sensor, and the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position. Each pickup arm has a plurality of spring loaded pins. A two layer label has a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, and at least one removable portion of the outer layer. The label has a neck portion and two end portions, such that the label set may be wrapped a container with the two end portions adhered back to back to each other. The neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label.

1 . A labeling apparatus comprising a source of printed labels having adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup having two opposable arms, each arm having its own vacuum head and each head removably attachable to a respective end portion of a label.  
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position, and further comprising a label position sensor.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a blower bar whereby the label is supported on air from the blower bar.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of spring loaded pins engaged in each pickup arm, each pin in a contacting relationship with a portion of the label.  
   
   
       5 . A labeling apparatus comprising a source of printed labels having adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup having two opposable arms, each arm having its own vacuum head and each head removably attachable to a respective end portion of a label, and further comprising a label position sensor, and wherein the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position.  
   
   
       6 . A labeling apparatus comprising a source of printed labels having adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup having two opposable arms, each arm having its own vacuum head and each head removably attachable to a respective end portion of a label, and further comprising a blower bar whereby the label is supported on air from the blower bar.  
   
   
       7 . A labeling apparatus comprising a source of printed labels having adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup having two opposable arms, each arm having its own vacuum head and each head removably attachable to a respective end portion of a label, and further comprising a plurality of spring loaded pins engaged in each pickup arm, each pin in a contacting relationship with a portion of the label.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a blower bar whereby the label is supported on air from the blower bar.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a plurality of spring loaded pins engaged in each pickup arm each pin in a contacting relationship with a portion of the label.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a blower bar whereby the label is supported on air from the blower bar and further comprising a plurality of spring loaded pins engaged in each pickup arm, each pin in a contacting relationship with a portion of the label.  
   
   
       11 . A labeling apparatus comprising a source of printed labels having adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup having two opposable arms, each arm having its own vacuum head and each head removably attachable to a respective end portion of a label, and further comprising a label position sensor, and wherein the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position, and further comprising a blower bar whereby the label is supported on air from the blower bar.  
   
   
       12 . A labeling apparatus comprising a source of printed labels having adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup having two opposable arms, each arm having its own vacuum head and each head removably attachable to a respective end portion of a label, and further comprising a label position sensor, and wherein the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position, and further comprising a plurality of spring loaded pins engaged in each pickup arm each pin in a contacting relationship with a portion of the label.  
   
   
       13 . A labeling apparatus comprising a source of printed labels having adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup having two opposable arms, each arm having its own vacuum head and each head removably attachable to a respective end portion of a label, and further comprising a label position sensor, and wherein the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position, and further comprising a blower bar whereby the label is supported on air from the blower bar and further comprising a plurality of spring loaded pins engaged in each pickup arm, each pin in a contacting relationship with a portion of the label.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of spring loaded pins engaged in each pickup arm each pin in a contacting relationship with a portion of the label.  
   
   
       15 . A labeling apparatus comprising a source of printed labels having adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup having two opposable arms, each arm having its own vacuum head and each head removably attachable to a respective end portion of a label, and further comprising a blower bar whereby the label is supported on air from the blower bar and further comprising a plurality of spring loaded pins engaged in each pickup arm, each pin in a contacting relationship with a portion of the label.  
   
   
       16 . A labeling apparatus comprising a source of printed labels having adhesive backing, a vacuum head removably attachable to a label, and a blower bar whereby the label is supported on air from the blower bar.  
   
   
       17 . A labeling apparatus comprising a source of printed labels having adhesive backing, a vacuum head removably attachable to a label, and a plurality of spring loaded pins, each pin in a contacting relationship with a portion of the label.  
   
   
       18 . A labeling apparatus comprising a source of printed labels having adhesive backing and a vacuum head removably attachable to a label, wherein the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position, and further comprising a label position sensor.  
   
   
       19 . A label having a length and comprising a neck portion and two end portions, the length selectably greater than a selected circumference of a selected container, whereby the label may be wrapped around the selected circumference such that the two end portions may be adhered back to back to each other.  
   
   
       20 . The label of  claim 19  wherein the neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions.  
   
   
       21 . The label of  claim 20  wherein the neck portion is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label than to a back edge.  
   
   
       22 . The label of  claim 20  wherein the neck portion has a length that is greater than or equal to the selected circumference.  
   
   
       23 . A label having a label length and comprising a neck portion having a neck length and two end portions, the label length selectably greater than a selected circumference of a selected container, whereby the label may be wrapped around the selected circumference such that the two end portions may be adhered back to back to each other, and further wherein the neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions.  
   
   
       24 . A label having a label length and comprising a neck portion having a neck length and two end portions, the label length selectably greater than a selected circumference of a selected container, whereby the label may be wrapped around the selected circumference such that the two end portions may be adhered back to back to each other, and further wherein the neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label than to a back edge.  
   
   
       25 . A label having a label length and comprising a neck portion having a neck length and two end portions, the label length selectably greater than a selected circumference of a selected container, whereby the label may be wrapped around the selected circumference such that the two end portions may be adhered back to back to each other, and further wherein the neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label than to a back edge, and further wherein the neck portion has a length that is greater than or equal to the selected circumference.  
   
   
       26 . A two layer label set comprising a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, the inner layer releasably adhered to the backing strip, and serving at least in part as a backing strip for at least one removable portion of the outer layer that is less than all of the outer layer, the removable portion of the outer layer releasably adhered to the inner layer.  
   
   
       27 . The label set of  claim 26  further having a length and comprising a neck portion and two end portions, the length selectably greater than a selected circumference of a selected container, whereby the label may be wrapped around the selected circumference such that the two end portions may be adhered back to back to each other.  
   
   
       28 . The label of  claim 27  wherein the neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions.  
   
   
       29 . The label of  claim 27  wherein the neck portion is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label than to a back edge.  
   
   
       30 . The label of  claim 27  wherein the neck portion has a length that is greater than or equal to the selected circumference, and the removable portion of the outer layer is one of the end portions and is separated from the neck by a notch in the outer layer.  
   
   
       31 . A two layer label set comprising a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, the inner layer releasably adhered to the backing strip, and serving at least in part as a backing strip for at least one removable portion of the outer layer that is less than all of the outer layer, the removable portion of the outer layer releasably adhered to the inner layer, the label set further having a length and comprising a neck portion and two end portions, the length selectably greater than a selected circumference of a selected container, whereby when the backing strip is removed, the label set may be wrapped around the selected circumference such that the two end portions may be adhered back to back to each other.  
   
   
       32 . A two layer label set comprising a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, the inner layer releasably adhered to the backing strip, and serving at least in part as a backing strip for at least one removable portion of the outer layer that is less than all of the outer layer, the removable portion of the outer layer releasably adhered to the inner layer, the label set further having a length and comprising a neck portion and two end portions, the length selectably greater than a selected circumference of a selected container, whereby when the backing strip is removed, the label set may be wrapped around the selected circumference such that the two end portions may be adhered back to back to each other, and wherein the neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and the neck portion is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label than to a back edge, and the removable portion of the outer layer is one of the end portions and is separated from the neck by a notch in the outer layer.  
   
   
       33 . A labeling system comprising a two layer label set, a medicine container and a dosing dispenser, the medicine container having a label application circumference, the two layer label set further comprising a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, the inner layer releasably adhered to the backing strip, and serving at least in part as a backing strip for at least one removable portion of the outer layer that is less than all of the outer layer, the removable portion of the outer layer releasably adhered to the inner layer and transferable to the dosing dispenser.  
   
   
       34 . The labeling system of  claim 33  further having a length and comprising a neck portion and two end portions, the length selectably greater than the label application circumference of the medicine container, whereby the label may be wrapped around the application circumference such that the two end portions may be adhered back to back to each other.  
   
   
       35 . The labeling system of  claim 33  wherein the dosing dispenser is a syringe.  
   
   
       36 . The labeling system of  claim 33  wherein the label application circumference is located at the neck of the medicine container, and the medicine container is an injection vial.  
   
   
       37 . A labeling system comprising a two layer label set, an injection vial and a syringe, the vial having a label application circumference, the two layer label set further having a length and comprising a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, the inner layer releasably adhered to the backing strip, and serving at least in part as a backing strip for at least one removable portion of the outer layer that is less than all of the outer layer, the removable portion of the outer layer releasably adhered to the inner layer and transferable to the syringe, the label set further comprising a neck portion and two end portions, the length selectably greater than the label application circumference at the neck of the vial, whereby the label may be wrapped around the application circumference such that the two end portions may be adhered back to back to each other.  
   
   
       38 . A method of labeling a dose of medication in a dose dispenser for administration to a patient, the method comprising the steps: 
 a. printing a two layer label, an outer layer of which further comprises medicine ID data and a removable dose label having dosage and patient ID data;    b. attaching the two layer label to a medicine container.    
   
   
       39 . The method of labeling a dose of medication of  claim 38  further comprising, after step b. the step: 
 c. removing the dose label and attaching it to the dosing dispenser.    
   
   
       40 . A method of labeling a dose of medication in a dose dispenser for administration to a patient, the method comprising the steps: 
 a. printing a two layer label, an outer layer of which further comprises medicine ID data and a removable dose label having dosage and patient ID data;    b. attaching the two layer label to a medicine container; and    c. removing the dose label and attaching it to the dosing dispenser.    
   
   
       41 . A method of transferring a label to a medicine container, the method comprising the steps: 
 a. exposing an adhesive surface of a mid portion of the label, while temporarily and releasably retaining two ends of the label in a spaced apart relationship;    b. interpositioning the medicine container with the mid portion of the label, so that the mid portion of the label is adhered to the container.    
   
   
       42 . The method of transferring a label of  claim 41  further comprising, after step b. the step: 
 c. wrapping the two label ends around the container so that at least a portion of one end is adherable to at least a portion of the other end.    
   
   
       43 . A method of transferring a label to a medicine container, the method comprising the steps: 
 a. exposing an adhesive surface of a mid portion of the label, while temporarily and releasably retaining two ends of the label in a spaced apart relationship;    b. interpositioning the medicine container with the mid portion of the label, so that the mid portion of the label is adhered to the container; and    c. wrapping the two label ends around the container so that at least a portion of one end is adherable to at least a portion of the other end.    
   
   
       44 . A method of transferring a label from a backing strip to a medicine container, the label comprising a neck and two end tabs, the method comprising the steps: 
 a. peeling away a portion of the backing strip to expose an adhesive surface of the neck of the label, while releasably retaining substantially all of the two tabs on the backing strip;    b. floating the exposed label neck on a cushion of air;    c. picking up the label at each tab with a pickup device;    d. moving the label and pickup device to position substantially the center of the label neck upon the container; and    e. wrapping the two tabs down and around the container so that at least a portion of one tab is adherable to at least a portion of the other tab.    
   
   
       45 . The method of transferring a label of  claim 44  further comprising, in step e, employing a plurality of spring loaded pins in the pickup device to press portions of the label to the container.  
   
   
       46 . The method of transferring a label of  claim 44  further comprising, in step d, employing a position sensor to guide the pickup device in stopping descent and starting wrap when the label neck meets the container.  
   
   
       47 . A method of transferring a label from a backing strip to a medicine container, the label comprising a neck and two end tabs, the method comprising the steps: 
 a. peeling away a portion of the backing strip to expose an adhesive surface of the neck of the label, while releasably retaining substantially all of the two tabs on the backing strip;    b. floating the exposed label neck on a cushion of air;    c. picking up the label at each tab with a pickup device;    d. moving the label and pickup device to position substantially the center of the label neck upon the container, while employing a position sensor to guide the pickup device in stopping descent and starting wrap when the label neck meets the container; and    e. wrapping the two tabs down and around the container so that at least a portion of one tab is adherable to at least a portion of the other tab, while employing a plurality of spring loaded pins in the pickup device to press portions of the label to the container.    
   
   
       48 . A method of transferring a label from a backing strip to a medicine container, the label comprising a neck and two end tabs, the method comprising the steps: 
 a. peeling away a portion of the backing strip to expose an adhesive surface of the neck of the label, while releasably retaining substantially all of the two tabs on the backing strip.    
   
   
       49 . The method of transferring a label of  claim 48  further comprising, after step a: 
 b. picking up the label at each tab with a pickup device.    
   
   
       50 . The method of transferring a label of  claim 48  wherein the pickup device is a vacuum pickup device.  
   
   
       51 . The method of transferring a label of  claim 49  further comprising, after step b: 
 c. moving the label and pickup device to position substantially the center of the label neck upon the container.    
   
   
       52 . The method of transferring a label of  claim 51  further comprising, after step c: 
 d. wrapping the two tabs down and around the container so that at least a portion of one tab is adherable to at least a portion of the other tab.    
   
   
       53 . The method of transferring a label of  claim 50  further comprising during step a, floating the peeled off adhesive surface of the neck of the label on a cushion of air, and, after step b: 
 c. moving the label and pickup device to position substantially the center of the label neck upon the container; and    e. wrapping the two tabs down and around the container so that at least a portion of one tab is adherable to at least a portion of the other tab.    
   
   
       54 . The method of transferring a label of  claim 50  further comprising during step a, floating the peeled off adhesive surface of the neck of the label on a cushion of air, and, after step b: 
 c. moving the label and pickup device to position substantially the center of the label neck upon the container, while employing a position sensor to guide the pickup device in stopping descent and starting wrap when the label neck meets the container; and    e. wrapping the two tabs down and around the container so that at least a portion of one tab is adherable to at least a portion of the other tab.