EP0139412B1

EP0139412B1 - Improvements in business forms assemblies

Info

Publication number: EP0139412B1
Application number: EP84305877A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Ian Kennedy Fasham
Original assignee: Moore Business Forms Inc
Current assignee: Moore Business Forms Inc
Priority date: 1983-09-14
Filing date: 1984-08-29
Publication date: 1988-08-17
Also published as: DE3473430D1; EP0139412A2; EP0139412A3

Description

This invention has reference to forms assemblies and has particular reference to forms assemblies for use in hospital and which are especially useful in connection with blood, urine or other medical tests in recording information about the tests.
It is estimated that in the United Kingdom some three hundred million (300,000,000) medical tests are made annually which require the taking of samples of blood, urine etc. Information about the samples is recorded and it is vital to ensure that the sample and recorded information about the sample are retained securely together in order that the sample and information about the sample can be transported for example between one laboratory and another laboratory.
In US Specification US-A-4,153,163 there is described a forms assembly primarily intended for use as a shipping form in which the assembly includes an envelope partly of transparent material to receive one of the sheet parts of the forms assembly and includes adhesive so that the envelope containing the one sheet part may be attached to goods being shipped.
In UK Specification GB-A-2017813 there is described a bag with a closure device having rib and channel members located at the mouth of the bag to close the bag.
In French Specification FR-A-2259764 there is described a package including a sachet of plastics material sealed at the edges to close the sachet and to contain pulverulent material and the sachet also contains graduations to enable the correct dosage of the pulverulent material to be dispensed and information about the contents of the sachet.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a combined form and bag capable of receiving a container containing a blood or other medical sample and capable of receiving recorded information about the medical sample.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a forms assembly including a bag within which a medical sample can be securely enclosed.
According to the present invention a medical forms system comprises a forms set and a bag associated with the set and having an open end to receive material therein and being sized and positioned so as to be substantially confined within the periphery of said forms set, said set having means for receiving information about the contents of the bag characterised in that the bag is made of liquid impervious material to receive a container containing a medical test specimen, said bag having liquid impervious closure means along said open end for closing the bag to ensure that the contents of the bag are prevented from escaping therefrom but allow the container to be removed therefrom and said bag being constructed to prevent leaking therefrom if liquid contents escape from the container located in the bag said bag and said container being separable from said business forms set for analysis for said specimen while said form set is maintained intact and wherein said form set has a plurality of record sheets with transfer material for recording the details of said analysis.
Further aspects of the embodiment of the invention are-set out in the dependent claims.
A business forms assembly in accordanc with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figs. 1 and 2 are each a plan view of the business forms assembly.
Fig. 3 is a side view of the business forms assembly.
Fig. 4 is a side view of a forms assembly supported on a filing tray.
Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view corresponding to Fig. 4 and
Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative support.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a business forms assembly including a forms set 1 and a bag 2 to contain a container for a blood or other medical sample.
Fig. 1 shows the forms set 1 separate from the bag 2 but in Fig. 2 the bag 2 has been secured to the forms set 1.
The forms set shown comprises three record sheets 3 with interleaved sheets of carbon paper 4 located between adjacent record sheets 3. The sheets of carbon paper 4 extend to the bottom end of the forms set and their bottom edge is in line with the bottom edge of the record sheets 3. However, the top edge of the carbon paper sheets terminates short of top edge of the record sheets 3. The sheets 3 are secured together by lines of adhesive 5 extendig at the stub or top end of the forms set transversely between each of the record sheets 3. Likewise the sheets of carbon paper 4 are secured to both front and rear faces of adjacent record sheets by respective lines of adhesive 5a. As shown in Fig. 3 the sheets 3 are designed to receive recorded information. Data is included on the record sheets such as relates to matters so arranged that information may be recorded in relation to a blood test. However, the record sheets may record information related to other tests as may be carried out especially in hospitals such as urine tests or other tests embodying body liquids or solids. The record sheets are preferably identical the one with the other as regards data printed on the sheets 3. In any case, the data on the forms sets is arranged so that information recorded on the first record sheet of the set is recorded on the corresponding underlying record sheets.
The forms set may be produced as a continuous interleaved web with each of the record sheets 3 forming part of a continuous web (not shown) with margins having feed apertures by means of which the webs may be collated and the webs brought into register the one with the other as well as for feeding purposes.
A line of adhesive 11 which extends across the width of the first sheet of the forms set is utilized to secure the bag to the uppermost record sheet of the forms set 1. The line of adhesive is preferably a double sided line of adhesive that is to say consists of a line of adhesive on each of the opposite sides of a strip of supporting material. One line of adhesive secures the adhesive to the forms set and the other enables the bag to be securd to the form set. A strip of barrier coating 12 is applied over the line of adhesive which strip is removed prior to having the bag secured.
A tear-off line of perforations 13 is arranged in each one of the sheets .of the forms set 1 spaced a short distance from the head of the forms set but beyond the line of adhesive 5A. This enables the sheets of the forms set to be detached from the stub of the forms set leaving the bag attached to the stub for processing in the hospital laboratories or the like. It will be appreciated that by virtue of having the line of adhesive 11 the stub part of the forms set is extended.
In a modified arrangement the forms set may be made up from sheets of self copy paper for example as sold under the Trademark MCP in which case the sheets of carbon paper are not required.
The forms set 1 has an aperture 14 extending through all the parts of the set 1 in the extended stub part so that the business forms assembly may be suspended on a filing post or in a rail type suspension system to be hereinafter described to facilitate transport to the hospital laboratory or for storage purposes until such time as they are required.
Another feature concerns the provision of an additional line of adhesive adjacent the strip perforation 13 in order to secure the parts of the assembly together when the parts are inserted into a blood count machine (for example, a Coulter machine) or the set of forms is used for recording a manual report. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a further line of adhesive 15 is positioned below the line of adhesive 11 on the back of the first sheet of the sheets 3 and between all parts of the set in the same position. This is designed to ensure that the weight of the bag and any specimen contained therein does not tear the paper from the stub and endanger the specimen.
The bag comprises a front sheet 6 and a rear sheet 7 closed at the bottom of the bag (as shown in Fig. 2) by a transverse line of heat seal 8 extending across the bottom of the bag. Alternatively, the bag may be formed of a single sheet folded at its bottom end. The bag is made of transparent plastics material capable of being heat sealed. The bag is secured to the forms set by a line of adhesive 11 located between the rear face of the rear sheet 7 of the bag and the front face of the first of the record sheets 3 and located adjacent to the mouth of the bag. This line of adhesive 11 is preferably a double sided adhesive strip applied to the form set 1 and covered by a barrier sheet prior to having the bag 3 applied to the forms set 1.
The bag has a closure means adjacent to its mouth to ensure that anything contained in the bag does not escape. As shown in Fig. 2, the closure means comprises a rib member 9 positioned on the inner face of the front sheet 6 and a channel member 10 positioned on the inner face of the rear sheet 7 with the rib member 9 and channel member 10 so positioned that they interlock when pressed together. As shown, the rib member is made of transparent plastics material with a re-entrant head part extending longitudinally of the rib. Similarly, the channel member has a re-entrant part extending longitudinally of the channel to receive the head part of the rib to retain the rib and channel parts together. Both the rib member 9 and channel member 10 extend across the width of the bag 2. Preferably, the rib member 9 and channel member 10 are formed as an integral part of the respective sheets of the bag. The bag may be of the kind sold under Trademark MINIGRIP.
A business forms assembly, according to the invention, is made by printing the respective forms parts each in a continuous web and applying adhesive to them to create a forms set 1 as shown in Fig. 1 and 2. The double sided line of adhesive 11 is also applied to the forms set 1. The aperture 14 is also punched for vertical suspension of the forms set 1. The forms sets 1 and bags 2 are brought together perhaps by the doctor or technician dealing with the processing of blood or other medical sample. The securing together of the forms set 1 and bag 2 is achieved by removing the barrier sheet and applying the bag to the forms set.
Some information about the blood or other medical sample will have been applied to the forms set, prior to the bag being secured to the forms set and the blood or other sample is located in a phial which is located in the bag which is subsequently sealed. Even if the phial leaks, the sample liquid is maintained in the sealed bag as the bag is transported vertically on a vertical transport system to be described.
On receipt in the laboratory the set of forms is detached from the stub to which the bag is still attached. The specimen is removed for analysis and the set of forms is still held together by glueline 5A and used to record details of analysis either manually or mechanically.
Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings there is shown a record retainer 21 located on a tray 22 in a carrying case (only part of which is shown in Fig. 6). The record retainer 21 comprises a continuous bar of metal for example of steel covered by a covering of plastics material for example polyethylene or polyproplyene but preferably of nylon. The nylon covering may be applied by heating the metal assembly and then dipping in nylon powder or nylon preformer powder. The plastics material must be cabable of withstanding steam cleaning and sterilizing as in an Autoclave. The bar includes a lower limb 23 which is substantially straight and positioned tilting slightly backwards so as to allow specimens to slide backwards but has an upwardly curved free end
part 24. This lower limb 23 has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of an aperture formed adjacent the upper edge of a business forms assembly shown in Figs. 1 and 4 divided into a single form and bag length as shown diagrammatically at 25.
The bar also includes an upper limb 26 integrally connected to the lower limb 23 by an intermediate portion 27 to form a carrying handle so that specimens will slide down when removed by hand from the main assembly. Adjacent its outer end the upper limb 26 has a diameter the same as the diameter the same as the diameter of the lower limb 23 and has a straight portion 28 positioned substantially horizontal. At about the mid part of the upper limb the limb bends upwardly and then bends to a further substantially horizontal portion 29 but spaced from the intermediate portion 27 by a larger distance than the distance between the straight limb position and the intermediate portion. The outer end of the further horizontal portion 29 terminates in a bend which joins the intermediate portion 27.
The record retainer is capable of supporting the forms records 25 on its lower limb 23 and of being supported by a sleeve 34 on the tray or in a case 22 to be hereinafter described.
The tray comprises a drip tray base 31 of rectangular form with shallow side walls 32 at each side. An integral handle member 33 with vertical side parts 33a and a horizontal top part 33b is secured at the lower end of its side parts 33a to the respective side walls as by welding.
A plurality of sleeves 34 are secured as by welding to the horizontal top part 33b of the handle member. The end of the sleeve 34 to receive the record retainer is chamfered to facilitate insertion of the record retainer in the sleeve. The longitudinal centre line of each respective sleeve is positioned above and at right angles to the horizontal top part 33b and each respective sleeve is secured to the top part by welding.
The sleeves are each located in a horizontal plane in the record retainer shown. It is intended that there are three sleeves secured to the top ,part 33b with the sleeves so spaced so that the forms records 25 each of which has a depth of approximately nine and one half (92) inches (24 centimeters) and has a width of approximately five (5) inches (13 centimeters) lie close to the tray 22 and the forms records assemblies are positioned in groups which groups lie close to one another side by side.
The handle member 33 as shown has a carrying handle 35 of similar bar material covered with plastics material which is secured to the top part 33b. Also an extension 36 is formed from the respective side parts and has an eye portion which enables the assembly to be mounted on a wall or other surface as by a screw 37. The tray is also covered with a coating of nylon or other plastics material. The covering is provided in order that the record retainer and tray may be capable of being subjected to heat treatment such as by steam cleaning as in an Autoclave for sterilization purposes.
When a record retainer as described is to be used the requested details for example of a medical test are entered on a forms record and a sample (for example blood) is taken and inserted into a container which in turn is placed in the bag or envelope of the forms records. The bag or envelope is then closed and the forms record is placed on the record retainer with the aperture 14 in the forms record engaged on the lower limb 23. In the record retainer described there are three separate record retainers so one retainer may be used to receive sample tests relating for example to HAEMATOLOGY, another for MICRO BIOLOGY and the third for CLINICAL CHEMISTRY.
When enough forms records are mounted on the record retainer, the record retainer is carried by the horizontal carrying portion to the tray where the upper limb engages a selected one of the sleeves 34. When the sleeves are engaged the tray with the record retainer is carried to the appropriate laboratory for testing where the records are dealt with and further information about the samples are recorded on the forms records and they are further processed.
If desired instead of supporting-the record retainers on the tray member shown in Figs. 4 and 5 they may be supported on a sleeve 17 which is secured as by welding to a pair of brackets 18 each with an eye 19 which enables the sleeve to be secured as by a screw to a wall or other surface. The opposite ends of the sleeve are chamfered to enable the retainer to be located within the sleeve from either of the two ends as shown in Fig. 6.
By this invention, we are able to provide an improved business forms assembly by the use of which the making and recording of blood and other medical samples is effectively simplified.

Claims

1. A medical forms system comprising a forms set 1 and a bag 2 associated with the set 1 and having an open end to receive material therein and being sized and positioned so as to be substantially confined within the periphery of said forms set 1, said set 1 having means for receiving information about the contents of the bag characterised in that the bag 2 is made of liquid impervious material to receive a container containing a medical test specimen, said bag having liquid impervious closure 9-10 means along said open end for closing the bag to ensure that the contents of the bag 2 are prevented from escaping therefrom but allow the container to be removed therefrom and said bag 2 being constructed to prevent leaking therefrom if liquid contents escape from the container located in the bag 2 said bag 2 and said container being serapable from said business forms set 1 for analysis for said specimen while said form set is maintained intact and wherein said form set 1 has a plurality of record sheets with transfer material for recording the details of said analysis.

2. A medical forms system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the system is provided with an aperture 14 located outside the closure means and extending through all the parts of the record sheets 3 of the assembly to enable the assembly to be suspended on a cross bar and the container securely enclosed in the bag.

3. A forms assembly according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the bag 2 is made of transparent plastics material and the closure means 9-10 at the mouth of the bag comprises a rib member 9 and channel member 10, the rib being engaged in the channel to close the bag.

4. A forms assembly according to claim 3 characterised in that the rib member 9 and channel member 10 each have reentrant parts.

5. A forms assembly according to claim 1 characterised in that the bag 2 is secured to the forms set by a double sided line of adhesive 11.