GB2454741A - Identification wristband - Google Patents

Abstract

A wristband has an adhesive portion which does not extend to the lateral edges of the band, or in other terms, with non adhesive portions proximate these edges. A unique shaped section is removed from a layer of the band to expose adhesive underneath, which is then stuck back onto the surface of the band once placed around a wrist and so holds the band securely in place. The peel away section of the band (see shaded area of Fig. 1) is taken from the centre of the end section and a thin strip of the full composite material (face, adhesive and carrier) is left behind at either side of it. This keeps the cut away from the outer edges of the wristband and so offering no weak points that can be pulled and torn when it is applied to the wrist.

Description

I

Pscription This invention relates to a new method of safely securing self adhesive wristbands which are used for the identification of patients in hospitals by the use of a unique shaped removable section when this section is removed it exposes the adhesive underneath which is then stuck back onto the surface of the band once placed around a wrist and so holds the band securely in place, the peel away section of the band (see shaded area of figi) is taken from the centre of the end section and a thin strip of the full composite material (face, adhesive and carrier) is left behind at either side of it, this keeps the cut away from the outer edges of the wristband and so offering no weak points that can be pulled and torn when it is applied to the wrist Traditionally an adhesive wristband has two layers of material bonded together An adhesive is sandwiched iii between a top printable layer (known as a face) and bottom layer (known as a carrier) material. The carrier then has a cut placed across it during manufacture to allow a small section at one end to be completely removed and discarded by the user this exposes the adhesive covered underside of the face and allowing it to be stuck back on itself after it has been wrapped around a wrist, this cut is commonly placed at a ninety degree angle which runs from one side of the wristband to the other, the cut across the band is the weak point of the product as the underside of the face material is scored right up to both edges of the band when the carner is cut and if any pressure is placed onto the band over this point then the band will break This invention relates to the style of the cut, where a section of the carner is cut out but left in place allowing it to be easily removed by the user, once removed this section leaves behind a thin strip of the composite material down both outer edges of the band thus ensuring any scoring of the underside of the face that takes place during manufacture is kept from the edges of the band This gives a substantially stronger final product This invention is not limited to use in hospitals and could be used in any number of areas where wristbandirig a person is required The National Patient Safety Agency (a UK body which governs hospital safety procedures) has issued a directive that all hospitals in the UK are required to stop using hand written wristbands and only use wristbands that can be printed electronically by the summer of 2009 The wristband that this invention is associated with can be printed with a printer as required by the above directives The most commonly used wristbands used in hospitals are fastened with a plastic clasp that snaps together through holes previously cut into the wristbands at the time of manufacture This is an expensive option for 2 reasons, firstly the wristband needs holes putting into it at the time of manufacture and this slows the production, secondly there is a plastic clasp required to secure the band onto the wrist.

This design puts an end to problems encountered with cheaper prices self adhesive wristbands which have always traditionally been very weak at the point where the 2 ends are attached to each other It is a breakthrough that will ensure hospitals can safely identify hospital patients without fear of the bands breaking and allowing them to do so with a reduced priced product To date no single product has come onto the hospital wristband market that offers this level of security This invention is a method of enhancing an already proven way of identifying people to ensure that the wristband still meets all of its requirements whilst the unique fastening method ensures there is no need for a clasp and production time of the product is kept to a minimum due to the fact that no holes are required

Claims (5)

1. Claims 1 This invention relates to identification wristbands which has no need for a plastic clasp to secure it on the wrist, traditionally an adhesive wristband has two layers of material bonded together with an adhesive sandwiched in between a top layer (known as a face) and bottom layer (known as a carrier) material, therefore forming one composite material, the carrier then has a cut placed in it during manufacture to allow a small section at one end that can be removed and discarded, therefore exposing the adhesive covered underside of the face and allowing it to be stuck back on itself after it has been wrapped around a wrist, this cut is commonly placed at a ninety degree angle which runs from one side of the wristband to the other, the cut across the band is the weak point of the product as the underside of the face material is scored when the carrier is cut and if any pressure is placed onto the band over this point then the band will break 2. A method is claimed in claim 1, where the cut that runs through the carrier to allow it to be removed also by the nature of its manufacturing process cuts a little way into the underside of the face material and so weakening it because the cut ran right to the edge of the wristband 3 A method is claimed in claim 2, where the wristband has an inbuilt weak point, however, if the cut that is required is not cut straight across and instead a small section of the carrier is removed whilst not allowing the cut to touch the edge of the band (see shaded area of figi) then it has no weak point when it is stuck back on itself as the new cut does not touch the edge of the band 4 A method is claimed in claim 3, wherein the new style of cut will allow the wristband to be of a much stronger nature whilst still remaining functional A method is claimed in claim 4, wherein the new style wristband created by the new style of cut will eliminate the problems encountered with self adhesive wristbands breaking on the weak point created by full length 90 degree cut claimed in claim 1 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows S -y Claims 1. This invention relates to identification wristbands which has no need for a plastic clasp to secure it on the wrist, traditionally an adhesive wristband has two layers of material bonded together with an adhesive sandwiched in between a top layer (known as a face) and bottom layer (known as a carrier) material, therefore forming one composite material, the carrier then has a cut placed in it during manufacture to allow a small section at one end that can be removed and discarded, therefore exposing the adhesive covered underside of the face and allowing it to be stuck back on itself after it has been wrapped around a wrist, this cut is commonly placed at a ninety degree angle which runs from one side of the wristband to the other, the cut across the band is the weak point of the product as the underside of the face material is scored when the carrier is cut and if any pressure is placed onto the band over this point then the band will break.
2. 2. A method is darned in claim 1, where the cut that runs through the carrier to allow it to be removed also by the nature of its manufacturing process cuts a little way into the underside of the face material and so weakening it because the cut ran right to the edge of the wristband
3. 3. A method is claimed in claim 2, where the wristband has an inbuilt weak point, however, if . the cut that is required is not cut straight across and instead a small section of the carrier is :.:: removed whilst not allowing the cut to touch the edge of the band (see shaded area of figi) then it has no weak point when it is stuck back on itself as the new cut does not touch the edge of the band.

   * .* *
4. 4. A method is claimed in claim 3, wherein the new style of Cut will allow the wristband to be of a much stronger nature whilst still remaining functional.
5. 5. A method is claimed in claim 4, wherein the new style wristband created by the new style of cut will eliminate the problems encountered with self adhesive wristbands breaking on the * *1 weak point created by full length 90 degree cut claimed in claim 1.

   ****** * *