ITBO20120408A1 - LABEL FOR MEDICAL PRODUCTS FOR HOSPITAL USE AND PROCEDURE FOR REALIZING THE LABEL. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION having the title

LABEL FOR MEDICAL PRODUCTS FOR HOSPITAL USE AND PROCEDURE FOR MAKING

THE LABEL.

The present invention relates to a label for medical products for hospital use.

The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing the label for medical products for hospital use.

In the technical field of "tracing" medical products used in hospital therapies on patients, the use of "multiple" labels is known, that is, composed of at least two parts (but there are also cases in which the label is divided into three or multiple parts).

In particular (see figures 1 and 2), the label E is composed of a main adhesive strip applied to the product or to the product packaging (in which the main data D of the product are entered such as, for example, name, composition, batch production, etc.) and a secondary label ES which is part of the main label E.

The secondary label is within the perimeter of the main label, but the secondary label itself is pre-cut, i.e. separate, in order to be removed from the main label (therefore from the product or product waste) when the product medical is administered to the patient.

In particular, this secondary label is applied, for example, on the patient's medical record to confirm the medical treatment received.

In fact, the secondary label has the main drug DI data printed on its surface (for example, they can also be summarized in a barcode).

However, it should be noted that, in the event that the product can be administered several times, several secondary labels can be obtained on the main label.

Each secondary label can be separated from the main label and from the product package, as it adheres to an auxiliary portion of non-adhesive PCS backing paper (usually of the silicone-coated type) interposed to the package.

In this way, the adhesive glue placed under the auxiliary label is made "maximally active" (ie the glue molecules catalyze by effect of contact with air / oxygen) only when it is detached from the backing paper.

To obtain this type of multiple labels and their application on the medical product, a procedure is used on special automatic machines (also separated from each other), in which there is a series of phases composed as follows:

- preparation of a continuous roll consisting of an adhesive strip adhering, on one of its surfaces, to a continuous strip of backing paper SA;

- feeding of the strips joined along an operative path;

- a perimeter punching of the adhesive portion with perimeter definition of a succession of main labels regularly spaced apart; - at least one pre-cut on an internal portion of the main label to configure the surface of the secondary label and

- at least one pre-cut on the strip of support material SA made on the face opposite to that in contact with the adhesive material and to complete the actual secondary label with support so as to obtain the multiple label.

This first methodological phase is usually carried out by companies producing labels in rolls that send the product to the company which, in fact, packages and labels the medical products.

For this type of operation, the procedure includes the steps of:

- printing of the alphanumeric codes D, DI of the medical product on the main and secondary labels;

- separation of the multiple label from the backing strip through a deviation of the path of the backing strip, which also includes the portion of the PCS silicone backing strip located below the secondary label;

- removal of the multiple label by means of a suction pad in contact with the printed surface of the multiple label;

- application of the multiple label on the surface of a medical product package.

Of all the steps described above (generally carried out automatically, in a continuous cycle and at a reasonable speed), the most critical are the detachment steps between the multiple label and the backing paper strip.

In fact, during the separation phase, the backing paper strip is forced to fold downwards by at least a right angle with respect to the exit path of the label which, in fact, can continue along a horizontal direction thanks to its greater rigidity. than the support strip.

In this way, the multiple label can and must appear below the vacuum pad perfectly parallel to the same pad, otherwise the latter does not have the ability to hold the label correctly and avoid its deformation or the generation of creases.

It should be noted, however, that the multiple label described above has, as mentioned, also an incision on the secondary label which in fact adds to the same label a portion of PCS support strip which, necessarily, must remain combined with the multiple label.

This additional element increases the criticality in the detachment phase between the label and the backing strip. The creation of a "window" FS on the support strip, therefore, generates a series of chain reactions that can lead to an imperfect positioning of the label itself.

In particular, the presence of the window generates a discontinuity in the flexibility of the support strip itself.

This discontinuity on the paper strip, in turn, can generate an uneven advancement of the strip itself in the movement of separation from the multiple label: this entails an unequal advancement of the label as well, in particular on its longitudinal front.

Therefore, all the relative label-strip movements described above may be unbalanced with respect to the relative and different directions of advancement with the result that the label assumes an incorrect position with respect to the pad or, even, remains partially adherent to the support strip.

With the label in the wrong position, the pad cannot hold it correctly: this determines a machine stop with the production block and with obvious delays in the completion of the production cycle of medical products.

The object of the present invention is to make available a label for medical products for hospital use which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the known art.

The object of the present invention is also to make available a method for manufacturing the label for medical products for hospital use which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the known art.

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide a label for medical products for hospital use capable of reducing the material used and removed for its use on the medical product, maintaining high quality standards and thanks to which its application process is safe. it is reliable.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a process for the production of the label for medical products for hospital use capable of speeding up the production of the multiple label, of reducing the operations necessary for its completion, and of making the production cycle reliable also for high speeds.

Said purposes are fully achieved by the label for medical products and by the process for making the label object of the present invention, which are characterized by the contents of the claims reported below.

In particular, the label for medical products comprises a main sheet having a rear surface provided with a first layer of glue for its association to a surface of the medical product and a front surface on which identification codes of the medical product are printed.

A portion of the main sheet can be separated from the main sheet itself to define a secondary label that can be subsequently applied on a surface other than that of the medical product; this secondary label has a front surface where the identification codes of the medical product are printed. According to the invention, the secondary label has its own rear surface comprising the first layer of glue distributed over its entire surface and a second layer of a paint, with characteristics of reducing the adhesive effect of the glue, distributed over a portion of the same rear surface of the secondary label to reduce the adhesive retention effect on the surface of the medical product during the detachment of the secondary label from the main sheet.

The secondary label thus structured allows its rapid and precise removal from the main sheet, without the need for material remaining on the packaging of the medical product, while maintaining a reliable seal on the surface it is intended for.

Furthermore, the label as a whole is economically more advantageous, as it is composed only of the main sheet with secondary label without additional silicone material, in use.

The present invention also provides a process for manufacturing the label for medical products.

According to the invention, the method comprises at least the steps of:

- prepare a continuous strip composed of a layer of label paper joined, on one of its adhesive back surfaces, to a layer of backing paper;

- separating and separating the two layers making up the strip along two different paths;

- applying, in a controlled manner, a second layer of a paint with characteristics of reducing the effect of glue adhesion on predefined portions of the rear surface of the strip of label paper having the first layer of glue;

- bring together and join the two layers making up the continuous strip;

- shaping, with a pre-cut, the label strip to define a succession of main sheets regularly spaced apart;

- shaping, with a pre-cut, at least an internal portion of each main sheet, around the rear surface having the paint layer, to configure at least one secondary label.

Thanks to this procedure, therefore, a series of labels are obtained by manipulating only the adhesive strip that will define the actual label and leaving the support strip intact.

This makes the label detachment and positioning phase extremely safe and precise and actually facilitates the phase of gripping and applying the label to the medical product.

This and other characteristics will be more evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawing tables, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a multiple label of a known type in a schematic bottom plan view;

Figure 2 illustrates a portion of a continuous strip with known labels in a pick-up condition in a schematic plan view from above; Figure 3 illustrates a multiple label according to the present invention, in a bottom plan view;

- Figures 4 to 11 illustrate a corresponding series of steps for forming the multiple label of Figure 3, all the figures are in schematic side views with some parts removed to better highlight others;

Figure 12 illustrates a strip of labels formed according to the process in question in a schematic top plan view;

Figure 13 shows a diagram of a part of the apparatus for forming the label of Figure 3 in a schematic side view with some parts removed to better highlight others.

In accordance with the attached drawings and with particular reference to Figure 3, the multiple label object of the present invention (globally indicated with 1) is used for the identification of medical products for hospital use.

The label 1 comprises a main sheet 2 (for example with a quadrangular shape) having a rear surface 3 provided with a first layer 4 of glue for its association to a surface 12 of the medical product PM (i.e. of the product packaging).

The label 1 has a front surface 5 on which identification codes C of the medical product are printed (indicated here with a generic border with a discontinuous line because they are not strictly part of the invention).

At least a portion of the main sheet 2 can be separated from the main sheet 2 itself to define a secondary label 6 that can be subsequently applied on a surface other than that of the medical product (for example a medical record of a patient to whom the medical product has been administered / applied ).

The secondary label 6 has a front surface 7 in which the aforementioned CI identification codes of the medical product are printed (duplicated).

This discussion describes a multiple label 1 provided with at least one secondary label 6 purely by way of non-limiting example of the solution. The solution in question is also valid in the presence of more secondary labels 6 (at least two) obtained on the main sheet 2.

The secondary label 6, preferably, has a quadrangular conformation with a smaller front side arranged to complete the front edge of the main sheet 2.

According to the invention, at least the secondary label 6 has its own rear surface 8 comprising the first layer 4 of glue distributed over its entire surface and a second layer 9 of a paint with characteristics of reducing the adhesive effect of the glue.

In other words, the second layer 9 of paint has the characteristic of inhibiting (at least partially) the catalyzing effect of the glue molecules in contact with the air (i.e. when the adhesive moves away from the siliconized support material - as is see later in the discussion), which in fact allows adherence and stable contact of the adhesive on the new surface to which it is adhered.

This second layer 9 of paint is distributed over a portion of the same rear surface 8 of the secondary label 6 to reduce, as a result, the effect of retaining the adhesive on the surface of the medical product during the detachment of the secondary label from the main sheet 2.

It should be noted that this second layer 9 of paint is composed of a desensitizing substance of glue products (as mentioned above), and reduces the useful adhesion surface of the secondary label 6 by that percentage which allows an easy and harmless separation from the surface of the medical product, but at the same time allows a secure adhesion to the subsequent surface to which the same secondary label 6 is intended.

Preferably, the second layer 9 of paint covers the rear surface 8 of the secondary label 6 and the first layer 4 of glue for at least 50% of the total rear surface 8.

Even more preferably, the second layer 9 of paint covers the rear surface 8 of the secondary label 6 and the first layer 4 of glue in a percentage greater than 50%

Preferably, but not limitedly, the percentage can vary from 50% to 80% of the total rear surface 8.

The percentage of coverage by the second layer 9 of paint may depend on the type of contact surface that the label 1 must receive.

In this light, the label material can be polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

In an application example, which is however not limiting of the solution in question, the secondary label 6 has the second layer 9 of paint distributed on its rear surface 8 to completely cover the free front and gripping edge 10 of the secondary label 6 forming part of the edge of the main sheet 2.

Combined with the edge 10, the back surface 8 is treated with a series of paint strips 11 connected to the free edge 10.

It should be noted that the strips 11 are distributed along the rear surface 8 and alternate with areas of the same surface 8 provided with the first layer 4 of glue.

It should also be noted that the strips 11 are transversal to the edge 10 and parallel to each other.

As previously mentioned, this configuration of the second layer of paint can be modified according to operational needs, without thereby limiting the present invention.

The invention also provides a method for making the (multiple) label 1 just described.

The procedure includes at least the steps of:

- preparing a continuous strip S composed of a layer S1 of label material joined, on an adhesive rear surface thereof, to a layer S2 of support material (Figure 4);

- separating and separating the two layers S1 and S2 making up the strip S along two different paths P1 and P2 (Figure 5);

- applying, in a controlled manner, a second layer 9 of a paint with characteristics of reducing the glue adhesion effect on predefined portions 8 of the rear surface of the layer S1 of label material having the first layer 4 of glue (Figure 6) ;

- bring together and join the two layers S1, S2 making up the continuous strip S (figure 7);

- shaping, with a pre-cut, the label strip S1 to define a succession of main sheets 2 regularly spaced apart (figure 8);

- shaping, with a pre-cut, at least an internal portion of each main sheet 2, around the rear surface 8 having the paint layer 9, to configure at least one secondary label 6 (Figure 8).

Preferably, the steps of shaping the main sheet 6 and the secondary label 8 are carried out simultaneously.

Alternatively, according to production requirements, the steps of shaping the main sheet 6 and the secondary label 8 are carried out in separate succession. The process comprises a step of printing the identification codes C and CI of the medical product on the main sheet 2 and on the secondary label 6 (Figure 9). Preferably, the step of applying the second layer 9 of paint with characteristics of reducing the glue adhesion effect is carried out to cover at least 50% of the portion of the rear surface 8 intended to form the secondary label 6.

Even more preferably, the step of applying the second layer 9 of paint with characteristics of reducing the effect of glue adhesion is carried out to cover between 50% and 80% of the portion of the rear surface 8 intended to configure the secondary label 6 .

Thanks to these series of phases it is possible to notice how the layer of support paper S2 is not touched by any type of pre-cutting operation during the preparation of the labels 1.

This allows to reduce the operational phases of label preparation, actually speeding up the production of the same labels 1.

Preferably, the process also includes the steps of:

- separating the main sheet 2 with secondary label 6 from the layer S1 of support material due to a deviation of the path of the layer S1 of support material (Figure 10);

- picking up the main sheet 2 with secondary label 6 by contact with the corresponding printed front surface 5, 7 of both and by means of a suction member 16 (Figure 10);

- apply sheet 2 and secondary label 6 joined to the surface of the medical product (figure 11).

In the separation phase between label 1 and layer S2 of support material, the positioning of the label 1, along a horizontal direction OR, always takes place in a precise and constant way thanks to the continuity of the material present both on the label 1 and on the layer. S2 of support material, as shown in Figure 12.

Figure 9 illustrates a step of separating waste material SIA from the adhesive strip S1 obtained from the aforementioned step of shaping, with the pre-cut, of the strip S1 from the label.

This step takes place prior to the step of separating the label 1 from the strip S2 for its application on the medical product.

The waste material is recovered and collected in rolls.

Preferably, (see Figure 13) the preparation step of the strip S takes place through its feeding from coil 13.

Preferably, the step of applying the second layer of paint 9 takes place by means of a roller 14 having a matrix 15 shaped to distribute the paint only in the predetermined portion of the strip S1 (Figures 6 and 13).

Preferably, the step of picking up and applying the formed multiple label 1 takes place by means of a suction pad 16 acting on the printed surface of the multiple label 1.

The layer (in strip) S2 of support material is preferably composed of siliconized paper.

Thanks to this label 1 and to the procedure for obtaining it (and applying it) various advantages are obtained.

In particular, the structure of the label thus obtained completely separates the label itself from the support material which, in fact, no longer acts as an auxiliary element on the medical product package, effectively reducing the production costs per unit product.

Furthermore, the absence of support material on the label allows to keep the strip of support material intact with the possibility of complete recycling of the same support material.

The structure of the multiple label with continuous surface gives high advantages also in the production phase:

- avoids discontinuity in the flexibility of the support strip, thanks to maintaining the integrity of the front of both elements of the main strip;

- the continuity on the strip of support material, allows a uniform advancement of the strip itself in the movement of separation from the multiple label; - the uniform advancement, therefore, allows the label to always position itself precisely under the pick-up pad.

Thanks to this, that is, with the label in the correct position, the pick-up and application phase by the pad always takes place without problems, thus maintaining a high production cycle in the unit of time.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS 1. Label for medical products for hospital use, comprising a main sheet (2) having a rear surface (3) provided with a first layer (4) of glue for its association to a surface of the medical product and a front surface (5 ) on which are printed the identification codes (C) of the medical product; at least a portion of the main sheet (2) being separable from the main sheet itself (2) to define a secondary label (6) subsequently applicable on a surface other than that of the medical product; said secondary label (6) having a front surface (7) in which said identification codes (Cl) of the medical product are printed, characterized by the fact that said at least one secondary label (6) has its own rear surface (8) comprising the first layer (4) of glue distributed over its entire surface and a second layer (9) of a paint, with reduction characteristics of the adhesive effect of the glue, distributed on a portion of the same rear surface (8) of the secondary label (6) to reduce the adhesive retention effect on the surface of the medical product during the detachment of the secondary label from the main sheet ( 2). Label according to claim 1, wherein the second layer (9) of paint covers the back surface (8) of the secondary label (6) and the first layer (4) of glue for at least 50% of the back surface ( 8) total. 3. Label according to claim 1, wherein the second layer (9) of paint covers the rear surface (8) of the secondary label (6) and the first layer (4) of glue in a percentage at least higher than 50% of the total posterior surface (8). Label according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary label (6) has the second layer (9) of paint distributed on its rear surface (8) to completely cover a free, front and gripping edge (10) , of the secondary label (6) forming part of the edge of the main sheet (2), and a series of strips (11) connected to the free edge (10); said strips (11) being distributed along the rear surface (8) and alternating with areas of the same surface (8) provided with the first layer (4) of glue. 5. Process for manufacturing a label for medical products for pharmaceutical use, label (1) comprising a main sheet (2) having a rear surface (3) provided with a first layer of glue (4) for its association with a surface of the main product and a front surface (5) on which identification codes (C) of the medical product are printed; at least a portion of the main sheet (2) being separable from the main sheet itself (2) to define a secondary label (6) subsequently applicable on a surface other than that of the medical product; said secondary label (6) having a front surface (7) in which said identification codes (Cl) of the medical product are printed, characterized in that it includes at least the phases of: - preparing a continuous strip (S) composed of a layer (SI) of label material joined, on one of its adhesive back surfaces, to a layer (S2) of support material; - separating and separating the two layers (S1, S2) making up the strip (S) along two different paths (P1 and P2) from each other; - applying, in a controlled manner, a second layer (9) of a paint with characteristics of reducing the effect of glue adhesion on predefined portions (8) of the rear surface of the layer (SI) of label material having the first layer ( 4) of glue; - bring together and join the two layers (SI, S2) making up the continuous strip (S); shaping, with a pre-cut, the label layer (SI) to define a succession of main sheets (2) regularly spaced apart; - shaping, with a pre-cut, at least an internal portion of each main sheet (2), around the rear surface (8) having the paint layer (9), to configure at least one secondary label (6). Process according to claim 5, wherein the steps of shaping the main sheet (2) and the secondary label (6) are carried out simultaneously. Method according to claim 5, wherein the steps of shaping the main sheet (2) and the secondary label (6) are carried out in separate succession. Process according to any one of claims 5 to 7, comprising a step of printing identification codes (C, Cl) of the medical product on the main sheet (2) and on the secondary label (6). Process according to any one of claims 5 to 8, in which the step of applying the second layer (9) of paint with characteristics of reducing the glue adhesion effect is carried out to cover at least 50% of the surface portions rear (8) intended to configure the secondary label (6). Process according to any one of claims 5 to 9, in which the step of applying the second layer (9) of paint with characteristics of reducing the glue adhesion effect is carried out to cover more than 50% of the surface portion rear (8) intended to configure the secondary label (6). 11. Process according to any one of claims 5 to 10, also comprising the steps of: - separating the main sheet (2) with secondary label (6) from the layer (S2) of support material due to a deviation of the path of the layer (S2) of support material; - picking up the main sheet (2) with secondary label (6) by contact with the printed front surface (5, 7) of both and by means of a suction member (16); - apply sheet (2) and secondary label (6) on the surface of the medical product.