JP2001299874A - Customized prescription product package and method and apparatus for manufacturing the customized prescription product package - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a package for customized prescription product and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the package. SOLUTION: The package housing at least one prescription product having customized graphic information in at least a portion of the surface area of the package is provided. Further, the method and apparatus for manufacturing the customized package for housing at least one prescription product are provided. The package is customized by individual doctors for prescribing the at least one prescription product or patients receiving the prescription product, and the method consists of a step of receiving the order for the at least one prescription product from the doctor or an order for replenishment from the patient and a step of printing the package corresponding to the at least one prescription product with the customized graphic information specified by the doctor or the patient.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to customized prescription packages and methods for manufacturing customized prescription packages.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Contact lens packaging is well known in the contact lens manufacturing art. For short-term or single-use contact lenses,
Such packaging arrangements are generally constituted by blister packs, which are used to store and dispense hydrophilic contact lenses in sales to healthcare practitioners or patients wearing contact lenses. Used for Generally, the blister pack described above comprises a plastic bowl shaped area for receiving a contact lens, and a cover, such as a heat sealed lid, which can be comprised of one or more layers of polymer or metal foil. Have. Normally, such a lid would releasably attach several blister packs to one another to form an array of blister packs. An example of a blister pack suitable for forming a sterile sealed storage environment for disposable or single-use hydrophilic contact lenses in which the lens is immersed in a sterile aqueous solution is described herein. No. 4,691,820, issued to Martinez, assigned to a common assignee with the present invention, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Generally, one or more arrays of blister packs are placed in a box or carton for sale to a patient. Conventionally, a plurality of blister packs containing contact lenses in a sterile aqueous solution are, for example, 15 or 30 blister packs or other suitable quantities of cartons each containing blister packs in a specified quantity. It is packaged and stored inside. Generally, these cartons are made of cardboard or cardboard having a rectangular shape and have appropriate identification symbols, logos, qualifications, and labels as required by various administrative regulations and / or laws and regulations. Instructions on the use of the contents and / or information on the manufacturer are imprinted.

[0004] These cartons are usually placed in large storage boxes near the production line where the lenses are manufactured, packaged and sterilized. In addition, large storage boxes containing such cartons are sent to distribution centers or warehouses where they are stored. If it is not necessary to further process the contents of the carton, upon receipt of a shipping and / or sales order, a large storage box is withdrawn from the storage location, such as a blister packaged contact lens. Cartons containing the various products are removed from these boxes, individual orders containing a variety of different products, and prospective customers or contact lenses such as domestic or foreign distributors, doctors, optometrists. Separated according to orders shipped to potential users.

[0005]

Both the lid and the carton as described above are placed on the lid or carton immediately before the lid is sealed on the blister or immediately before the blister pack is placed in the carton. Specific information to be printed can be included. In general, the information attached to the cover material or the carton in such a case is limited to the refractive power, the optical axis, the cylindrical surface, the expiration date, and the lot number. That is, other information and logos are typically present on the lid and carton prior to packaging the contact lens on the manufacturing line.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a package for accommodating at least one prescription having graphic information tailored for the package, the graphic information comprising an individual physician's prescription and / or information. Or customized by the individual patient receiving the at least one prescription.

Further, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing a customized package containing at least one prescription, wherein the package comprises an individual physician's prescription and / or Customized by the patient receiving the at least one prescription, the method comprising receiving an order corresponding to the at least one prescription by the physician or an order for replenishment by the patient; Printing customized graphic information specified by the doctor or patient for the corresponding package.

The present invention provides a customized package corresponding to the at least one prescription, and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the package. An advantage of the present invention is that it allows a physician to customize a prescription package for his or her patient. That is, the doctor has his / her name, telephone number, e-mail address, web address,
Attach a photo or picture of the site, address, reservation information, greeting, doctor, office, placemark, and / or any other desired pictures or information directly related to the packaging material corresponding to the prescription. be able to. A preferred formulation is a contact lens. The present invention provides a physician with a carton with customized graphic information for new patients who need to wear a pair of trial contact lenses and attach a follow-up appointment to the physician. Particularly useful. The present invention can also provide the physician with a vehicle for advertising the physician's experience.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to a preferred prescription, that is, a contact lens, but this contact lens can be replaced with any prescription. Note that examples of other prescription products include drugs,
Glasses, medical devices and the like are included.

In this specification, "identification means (identifica
tion means) is a numerical value, barcode, two-dimensional matrix,
It is a dimension matrix, an inductive transmitting / receiving device, a high frequency chip, or the like. Preferably, each recognizing means comprises some specific information having one information in each part. The recognition means is capable of machine reading and / or human reading, and is preferably at least machine reading. Further, the machine-readable recognizing means preferably has information stored in a database attached to the recognizing means. In the case of a package, the information stored in the database attached to such recognition means does not have to be present on the package in a form that can be read by a person. That is, accessing the information in the database by inputting the above-described recognition means into the database via a barcode reader or the like is the only way to know which product is in the package. That is.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the package having the customized graphic information to accommodate at least one contact lens may be part of any package for the contact lens. it can. Generally, a contact lens package is composed of a primary package and a secondary package. The primary package is the package adjacent to the contact lens, and the secondary package is around the primary package. Although any number of package layers for contact lenses can be provided, in a preferred embodiment, a primary package and a secondary package are provided. The customized graphic information described above can be attached to the primary package and / or the secondary package, but can generally be a package insert contained within the secondary package. Also, the customized graphic information includes alphanumeric messages, photos, pictures, etc.
Alternatively, it can be a combination of these.

[0013] Preferably, the primary package of the contact lens is a blister pack having a lid, but if it can provide adequate protection for the contact lens, it can be, for example, a glass bottle, a can, a tray, for example a molded- It can take any form, such as a pouch such as a filled-and-sealed pouch. FIG. 1 illustrates a blister pack array 10 with customized graphic information. This blister pack array 10 is composed of five blister packs 11. In addition, each blister pack 11 has an individual base 12, all five of which are interconnected by a continuous lid 13 and which
Are formed with score lines so that individual blister packs 11 can be separated from the array 10 respectively. Preferably, each base 12 is made of an injection molded or thermoformed plastic material including a molded hole 15, and each hole 15 is
Are surrounded by a flat flange 18 on the outer periphery of the edge of the edge. Further, a flexible cover sheet or lid 13 is adhered to the surface of the flange 18 to seal the cavity 15 in a generally airtight and liquid honey state. In the cavity 15 of the base 12, a contact lens (not shown) is immersed in a sterile aqueous solution (not shown). Preferably, the contact lens is a hydrophilic contact lens made of materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The illustrated customized graphic information 14 is provided on the lid 13.
It indicates to the patient to receive the contact lens in each blister pack and indicates which eye of the patient should wear the contact lens. That is, the customized graphic information 14 on the lid in each blister pack is described as "CONTACT LENS FOR JOAN'S LEFT EYE".
E) ". Therefore, the prescription information such as the refractive power corresponding to the spherical contact lens or the refractive power corresponding to the toric contact lens, the cylindrical surface, the optical axis, etc. is not described on the package, and is a product for anyone. And only information on its proper use is given. This package is provided by the manufacturer
At least one recognition means, also referred to as product recognition means, preferably machine read, provided on the package, preferably on at least a secondary package, more preferably on both the primary and secondary packages Recognition and tracking is possible only by possible means. Information pertaining to the product recognition means such as storage device information (SKU), lot number and expiration date is 1
Can be stored in more than one database. This information becomes accessible when the product recognition means is entered into a computer that has access to the database.

At present, the package for the contact lens is preferably constituted by a primary package and a secondary package. The preferred secondary package is a carton, but can take any form such as a bag, plastic wrap, envelope, pouch, can, box, bottle, or tray. Preferably, this secondary package contains a number of primary packages.
A preferred secondary package is shown in FIG. That is, FIG.
Shows a carton 20, which preferably contains a number of contact lenses, each housed in a primary package (such as one or more of the arrays shown in FIG. 1). This cuboid carton 2
0 is preferably made of cardboard. The carton 20 comprises a flat upper wall panel 21 and an opposite lower wall panel (not shown), a front panel 25 and an opposite rear panel (not shown), and an adhesive or adhesive known in the carton forming technique. (Only one is shown). The upper wall panel 21 has a lower hanging front flap 2 having a centrally located latch tab 27 at its lower end.
6 and latch tabs 27 are configured to be inserted into corresponding latch slits (not shown) formed in the center of the front panel 25 to facilitate opening and closing of the carton 20. I have. Furthermore, the upper wall panel 21
Turns upward about the rear hinge line 28 and
0 is opened. The top wall 21 of this carton is shown with customized graphic information 22, 23 consisting of alphanumeric characters 22 and pictures 23. This alphanumeric character 22 is referred to as "CONTACT LENSES FORJOAN SMITH PROVIDED BY DR. J. Contact Lenses provided by Dr. Jones.
ONES) ". Picture 23 is a photograph of Doctor Jones, a doctor who prescribed a contact lens.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention in which customized graphic information is added to a package insert. The package insert can be paper or any object, such as, for example, a toy, mirror, etc. attached to the package. That is, FIG. 3 shows an insert 30 such as a piece of paper, wherein the customized graphic information 31 is an alphanumeric message, which message states, "These lenses were provided to Joanne Smith by Dr. Jones. Contact lenses.We will call you within a month to schedule follow-up.If these lenses cause any problems for you in the meantime, 555 in my office Call -5555, your eyes are important to us (These cont
act lenses are provided to JoanSmith by DR. JONES,
OD Our office will call you in one month to s
chedule a follow-up.In the interim if you have an
y problems with these contact lenses, please call
my office at 555-5555. Your eyes are importantto
me.) ". The paper 30 of the package insert can be folded so that it can be stored in a secondary package, such as a carton. It should be noted that the customized graphic information shown in these drawings is exemplary. That is, any alphanumeric message, picture or picture selected by the doctor or patient can be used.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the label 40.
This label can be attached to a blank area of the package, or it can be over-labeled, ie,
It can be used as a label that can be applied to an area of the package that has been partially or completely labeled for distribution. Preferably, label 40 is an adhesive sticker. The label 40 shown is shaped for use with a picture similar to the picture shown in FIG. That is, the label 40 is an upper layer 47 made of paper, polymer (eg, polyvinyl chloride film) or metal film, preferably paper.
It has. Preferably, an adhesive layer (not shown) is coated on the back surface of the upper layer 47. This label 40 can be affixed to a release layer (not shown) from which the top layer 47 and the adhesive layer can be peeled off before attaching the label 40 to the package. Preferably, the adhesive is an Avery Dennison adhesive LP-430 Permanent / E having an operating temperature range of, for example, -54 ° C to + 93 ° C.
mulsion Acrylic and Avery Dennison adhesive S-4600 Permane having an operating temperature range of -40 ° C to + 80 ° C
It is a permanent adhesive like nt / Acrylic. Alternatively, the above label 40 is composed of only the upper layer 47,
An adhesive can be supplied to the package before the upper layer 47 is attached to the package. The label 40 has a number of customized graphic information 41, 42 and 43. In other words, the label 40 is a picture of the doctor 41, a picture of the sail boat 42, and the contact lens is “Doctor Sailor (555) 555-5.
555 (Provided by Dr. Sailor
(555) 555-5555) ". These pictures, pictures, and alphanumeric messages were all selected by the physician. That is, the doctor (or the patient)
Like a horse for horse lovers, you can specify a picture that you know is well suited to the patient.

As shown in FIG. 4, the label 40 comprises additional information such as a product recognition means 45 and a label recognition means 46, and preferably both of these recognition means are machine readable recognition means. Means. The product recognition means 45 is used for recognizing the type of contact lens and the prescription of the contact lens to be put in the carton on which the label 40 is to be applied. In addition, the label recognition means 46 used when necessary is a specific label 40.
Can be used to identify a carton, which allows tracking to be performed in selecting a carton, applying the label to the proper carton and sending the product to the proper recipient of the patient or physician. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the label recognition means 46 described above is used in an apparatus for printing customized graphic information to track label quality. Alternatively, the label recognition means 46
Can be located on a portion of the upper layer 47 of the label,
The recognition means 46 is preferably maintained with the release layer when the upper layer 47 is peeled from the release layer, just prior to applying the label to the appropriate carton.

Alternatively, product recognition means 45 need not be on the label, but instead is located on an area of the package that is not covered when label 40 is applied to the package. If this label recognition means 45 is not on the label, the order information can be attached to the product recognition means in the database, and this product recognition means can be used to track the package after the label has been applied to the package. Can be used. Alternatively, when the label recognition means is the only recognition means present on the package, the label recognition means may be a product recognition means.

The label 40 is not customized for either the physician and / or the patient and can be present on the label 40 before the customized graphic information is printed on the label 40, or the graphic information can be printed. It is shown with standard graphic information 44 that can be added to label 40 after it has been rendered, or the uncustomized graphic information can be printed on label 40 at the same time that the customized graphic information is attached. In short, customized and non-customized graphic information can be attached to the package in any order. Such uncustomized information includes:
For example, identification symbols and logos for the company that manufactures and sells the product, instructions on the use of the product packaged in the carton, qualifying labeling of the contents, instructions for use, and distributing the prescription without a prescription. Warnings are included.

If the customized graphic information is attached to a primary package, and the primary package is constituted by a blister pack constituted by a bowl and a cover material, the customized graphic information is attached to the cover. At present, it is considered preferable to attach to the material. The lid material can print the customized graphic information or can be directly attached, and the customized graphic information can be indirectly printed by printing a label having the customized graphic information or attaching the label to the lid material. Can be attached to the material. Alternatively, a label having a blank area can be attached to the lid material and printed after attaching to the lid material. The preferred method for printing customized graphic information on a label is described in detail below. (The preferred method described below is currently used to print labels on cartons, but this method can be modified to print labels on lids.) The embodiment shown in FIG. The customized graphic information 10 is attached to the lid 13 by printing directly on the lid. An area of the lid can be reserved for customized graphic information, and the customized graphic information can cover the entire lid.

At present, it is considered preferable to attach customized graphic information to a secondary package. At present, the secondary package that is considered preferred is a carton. The customized graphic information can be attached to either the outer or inner surface of the secondary package. Preferably, the customized graphic information is at least 5% of the surface area outside the secondary package,
More preferably it is present up to at least 25%, most preferably up to at least 50%. Preferably, the customized graphic information is at least 30% of the surface area of the secondary package, more preferably at least 60%.
%, Most preferably at least 80%. In the case of a carton, preferably at least one panel or wall has some customized graphic information, and preferably at least two panels have some customized graphic information. And most preferably at least three panels have some customized information. Alternatively, or in addition to the customized graphic information on the outer surface of the secondary package, the customized graphic information may be provided on a portion of the inner surface area of the secondary package. At present, it may be preferable for the outer surface of the secondary package to carry customized graphic information.

The customized graphic information can be indirectly or directly attached to the secondary package. The secondary package can be printed directly, and the label can also be printed on the secondary package after it has been applied to the secondary package. In the case of indirect printing, the customized graphic information can be first printed as a self-adhesive label on a label as shown in FIG. 4 and then applied to a secondary package. This label can be either small or large. The label may be used as part of a means for sealing the secondary package, or the label may be used in the vicinity of the sealing means, i.e., the flap material, tear piece, insert piece, seam, etc. in the secondary package. It is also possible to cover a part of the outer surface area of the secondary package which is not. Although the previous method of printing on a label has the drawback of requiring the next step of attaching the label to the package, this method is customizable in that all ordered contact lenses are attached to the package. It is considered presently preferred because it is not always manufactured for doctors and patients who want to have the graphical information provided. Next, a preferred method of printing a label is described in detail below.

The above graphical information can also be printed directly on the secondary package. The secondary package may be assembled or disassembled during printing with or without the primary package contained therein. For example, if the secondary package is a carton, the customized graphic can be printed on the carton as a blank in a flat carton or as an empty assembled carton. Duis et al., "Supports and methods for cartons, filed December 21, 1998, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, includes a support for assembled empty cartons that can be used during printing on a carton. (METH
OD AND SUPPORT FOR CARTON) No. 09 / 217,879 (Attorney docket number: VTN-
442). Alternatively, the carton can be printed directly after inserting the primary package of contact lenses into the carton by laser or ink jet printing. Alternatively, the customized graphic information can be attached to the label after attaching the label with the blank area to the carton. If the secondary package is not a carton, the preferred printing techniques for printing on the secondary package are applicable to the material of the secondary package used.

Alternatively, the customized graphic information can be printed on an insert that can be inserted into the secondary package on a production line, for example, prior to sealing the secondary package.

For example, printing on a package, such as a primary package, a secondary package, and / or a package insert may be performed by any printing method, such as, for example, heat, laser, electrophotography, ink jet, and pad printing. Can be performed. Several methods are suitable for the particular type of packaging material known to those of ordinary skill in the art. A preferred method for printing on such a label is described below.

In each embodiment, the method of printing customized graphic information begins with ordering from a doctor prescribing a contact lens. These orders are modified, except that the doctor or patient wants to get the customized graphic information on the package and where to place the customized graphic information on the package. It may be received according to conventionally known methods such as mailing, telephone, Internet, fax and the like. Preferably a large number of pictures, to select
A collection of pictures and messages is encoded and stored in a computer accessible to the printing device, with each piece of information in the collection. More preferably, the doctor can identify a picture, picture or message from the collective information. For example, Doctor
When Jones places an order, he will provide a carton (if one exists) to print his picture which has already been provided to the manufacturer and stored in computer memory accessible to the printing device. Can be identified. Depending on which package, i.e., primary package, secondary package, or insert, the customized graphic information is attached to, the customized graphic information may be attached to the package either in-line or off-line. Thus, the processing method of the order information is determined. For example, if the customized graphic information is to be attached to a primary package, the order information is preferably sent to a production line having a lid or a printer corresponding to the label for the lid, whereby the customized information is sent. Information can be attached to the primary package before the primary package is placed in the secondary package. Also, if you want to attach the customized graphic information to the secondary package,
Before or after placing the primary contact lens package in the secondary package, the information can be printed directly on the secondary package or on a contact lens manufacturing line that prints it on the label for the secondary package. Can be sent. Preferably, the modified package is marked by recognition means, preferably by machine readable means for recognizing to whom the order should be sent, and tracking it to the appropriate physician or patient. You can do it. Alternatively, the package may have a unique machine-readable code used to recognize product and other information such as lot number, storage device information (SKU), and expiration date (eg, product recognition means)
On its exterior. This machine readable code is an additional information (preferably in a database) assigned to the package that identifies the package receiving the customized graphic information and identifies to whom the product should be supplied. Which is stored in the data storage device). Alternatively, or in addition, the exterior of the package may be tracked by an operator, with a visual support device signifying that the package has received customized graphic information to assist quality inspection by the operator prior to shipping or ordering. Can be labeled.

At present, the preferred method described above is to fabricate contact lenses, enclose the contact lenses in a primary package, and enclose multiple primary packages of contact lenses in a secondary package in the prior art. The lenses were sterilized by the conventional methods described, and then customized into a secondary package with off-line printed labels, preferably off-line attached labels. Attach graphic information. Preferably, the order information corresponding to the customized graphic information is sent to a device for printing the customized graphic information that is separate from the contact lens manufacturing line.
This customized graphic information printing device prints a label covering at least a portion of the outer surface of a secondary package, such as a carton. Preferably,
The physician's order is picked up from the archival information in a conventional manner incorporating the ordered contact lens in a conventional secondary package. Thereafter, the labels produced by the customized graphic information printing apparatus are matched to the respective secondary packages corresponding to the orders of the respective doctors, and the respective labels are automatically or manually applied to the respective secondary packages. After applying each label to the secondary package according to the doctor's order, the order is shipped directly to the doctor or patient.

In another method, the customized graphic information is in-line, ie, contact information.
It can be affixed in the production line where the lens is manufactured and can also be placed in the primary package, and preferably in the secondary package. In this in-line style,
Ordering information is provided to the manufacturing line that manufactures the ordered contact lenses, and customized graphic information is generated within the manufacturing line and attached to the package in-line. If the customized graphic information is attached to the primary package, the customized graphic information is attached to the lid, for example, at about the same time that the ordered contact lens is placed in each primary package. Then, the lid is heat-sealed to the bowl. Also, if the customized graphic information is attached to a secondary package, it is preferably printed on the production line before the carton places the primary package in the carton and seals the carton. This printing can be performed by any of the various methods described above. For example, the exterior of the package, such as a secondary package, preferably has recognition means, preferably a machine readable code, to which information about the customized graphic information is contacted. Reserved for supply to the proper recipient of the lens.

In a preferred method, the above graphical information is attached off-line, and one or more computerized databases are provided which keep track of the physician's name and selected customized graphic information. As discussed above, once a prescription order has been placed and incorporated into the database, the ordering information requires a request corresponding to the customized graphic information, or customized graphic information in all of its packages. Searched for the doctor's name. (Or
This order information is searched for the name of the patient requesting the customized graphic information. If, by this means, one or more orders requesting the customized graphic information are detected, these customized graphic information are sent to a device that prints the customized graphic information. In a preferred manner, the label with the customized graphic information is printed by a device that prints the customized graphic information. Then this label,
It is preferably checked against the correct package, such as a carton containing the ordered contact lenses. A preferred method of combining or picking up ordered products is described in Duncan et al., Apparatus and Method for Automated Warehouse Management and Apparatus Filling Order for Multi-Item Inventory, co-filed herein with reference. an
d Method for Automated Warehousing and Filling Ord
ers for Multi-Item Inventories) in accordance with the method disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 494,860. This picked up (combined) order is sent to a device for printing off-line customized graphic information, and the printed label with the customized graphic information is received in a carton for receiving the label in that order. Supplied to

A preferred off-line method for producing a label with customized graphic information comprises a printing process and one or more quality inspection processes. More preferably, the method further comprises a topcoating step. Most preferably, the method further comprises one or more cutting steps. In FIG. 5, the above and other steps are described based on a preferred apparatus for printing labels with customized graphic information.

FIG. 5 shows an apparatus 500 for printing customized graphic information, which is presently preferred, comprising a printer 502, a quality inspection station 505, a top coater 508, and a cutter 5.
09, a label applicator 513, and preferably a shop floor controller 512. The shop floor controller 512 is a computer or the like, and tracks a label in the printing device 500. The shop floor controller 512 includes a memory, a program, a processor, a database, and a function of receiving information from, for example, components of the printing apparatus 500, and output information.
There are instructions that operate on the functions of the 00 parts. next,
The operation of the shop floor controller 512 will be described.

Preferably, contact lens orders and customized graphic information are received by another order processing device and are preferably transmitted from a central customer ordering machine server (not shown) to the shop floor controller 512. Is done. Customer orders may be received by telephone, mail, internet, fax, or any other method. Several methods of receiving orders are disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,9,9, incorporated herein by reference.
No. 58,280, and other methods are known in the art. Preferably, only orders that receive customized graphic information are on the shop floor.
Sent to controller 512. The order information includes, for example, the number of orders, the order date, the orderer, the order items, customized graphic information to be printed on a carton, and a shipping address. In the preferred apparatus 500, the shop floor controller 512 categorizes the information in the order for labels to be printed on the web and stores this information in a database. FIG. 6 shows a database 60 that can be used to store the stored order information. It should be noted that FIG. 6 is merely an exemplary drawing, and more or fewer fields can be used to track each label in a printing device 500 as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. This database 60 includes an order number 61 (each order has an order number), and product storage device information (SKU) 62 to recognize the type of product ordered, and a doctor and / or Includes fields for ordering information, such as customized graphic information 63, 64 specified by the patient. The customized graphic information field 63 specifies, for example, the background art. Also, the customized graphic information field 64 specifies, for example, a message. Also, more or fewer fields can be used as needed. In addition, another field,
For example, a storage device information (SKU) field may indicate additional, uncustomized graphic information to be printed on a label. One or more fields in the database 60 can act as additional database keys, which can provide additional information when needed;
For example, the order number acts as a key to a database with the doctor's name and address, and each graphic
The identification number in the field acts as a key to a database pointing to the graphic to be printed by printer 502.

Preferably, each label of the same order is printed adjacent to each other and has a similar graphic (eg,
Each label having a picture with the same background is printed on the web close to each other, and one label recognition means is assigned to each label. Such shortened label information is sent to the control device 501 for the printer 502. Preferably, a spool 550 of web made of 32 cm wide label material is supplied to the digital printer 502. Preferably, this material comprises a top layer of polyvinyl chloride coated paper having an adhesive coating on the back side, and a removable release layer as described in FIG. Examples of commercially available webs include matte imprints on paper with an adhesive layer, such as Datacal PLV-400-FW Opark MT / C-354 V-29 S50K-8 available from Flexicon. There is white colored polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with a possible top coating layer. In a preferred manner, the web is a piece of material and is not precut or notched, but in another embodiment, the web can be precut and notched, Graphic information that is not customized above is pre-printed. For example, the labels can be printed individually instead of on the web, and the labels can be preprinted with brand information on them. At present, at least 5
Preferably, 000 labels are printed on the web in each spool. When all labels to be printed on the first web have been printed on the first web, the first spool 550 is removed from the printer 502 and a second spool 550 with a second web of material strips is provided. Will be replaced.

Preferably, the digital printer 502 has the ability to change the text and graphics of each label by 100%. Such a preferred printer is Xe
Available from ikon or Indigo. In addition, the controller 501 for the printer 502 controls the printing of each label, and prints customized graphic and contact lens information on the label, if necessary, in accordance with the instructions of the shop floor controller 512. To the printer 502. Further, preferably, each label has some label recognition means printed on the label or on a web adjacent to the label so that each label can be tracked. Also, specific information pertaining to label recognition means 65 is preferably specified by the physician or patient, preferably on the web (preferably in row field 67, column field 68, and spool number 66) for each label. Stored in the database 60 at the shop floor controller 512, along with customized graphic information 63, 64 and product storage information (SKU) 62 for receiving each label. In addition, a quality inspection station, preferably using a visual inspection device 520, such as a spectrophotometer or densitometer to inspect the color density and match of the toner, pigment or dye after the web has moved through the printer 502. Before passing through 505, the web is accumulated in accumulator 504. Densitometers and spectrophotometers useful in this application are spectrometers.
Eye Spectrophotometer (Spectro Eye Spectrop)
hotometer) D200-11 process densitometer, and
Available from Gretag Macbeth, such as D19C densitometer, and SP99 Multi-Angle Spectrophotometer and 4
08 Color Reflection Densitometer (Color R
Some are available from X-Rite, such as the Eflection Densitometer. At present, the above densitometers are hand-held, but fixed densitometers can also be used in the method of the invention. In addition, the operator can make a subjective evaluation of the label.

At present, the above visual inspection device 520
Can continually check the quality of each graphic and allow the printer to adjust itself or provide feedback to the controller 501 to notify the operator if the printer cannot self-correct a printing problem. If the print quality is lower than a certain level, the label in the area of the web is rejected, and this processing is performed by the label controller 5.
03 (a computer configured with processing instructions and memory) that is notified and schedules a reprint of the rejected label upon notification to a 03 (computer configured with processing instructions and memory). Will be notified. This rejection information is also stored in field 69 of database 60, and shop floor controller 512 instructs reprinted rejected labels. This process is performed for each field 61,6 corresponding to any rejected label.
This can be accomplished by moving 2,63,64 with subsequent incoming order information into a subsequent record in the database, and holding in those separate fields to keep track of this rejected label information. .

Preferably, quality inspection station 505
Performs a visual inspection of each label on the web at predetermined intervals, for example, every 15 minutes. At this time, the operator operates the label recognition means on the web by the hand-held scanner 519, and the scanner 51
9 inputs at least one label recognizing means into the area of the web to be inspected by the label control device 503.
Preferably, the hand-held scanner 519 is a barcode scanner. If there is a problem with the label, the operator informs the label controller 503 of the fact that the label has failed the inspection via the keypad or the like using the hand-held scanner 519, and checks all the information since the last operator's inspection. Label is rejected. The rejected labels since these last inspections are determined by the label controller 503 and the shop floor controller 51
2 is notified. Further, the rejection of these labels is signaled in the database in field 69 and the labels are eventually reprinted.

After checking the print quality, the web is rewound by the rewinder 506. The core of each spool 550 has recognition means including a preferably machine readable code, such as a bar code, so that shop floor controller 512 and label controller 503 track each spool 550 and label in database 60. Can be attached to the spool 550 on which the label is printed. (Preferably, the label controller 503 has a database similar to the database 60.) If individual labels on the spool do not pass the inspection, or if the entire spool does not pass the inspection, the controller 512 instructs the printer to reprint the appropriate label, updates the database 60, and informs the label controller 503 of the new location information (row, column, and spool) for the reprinted label. . Preferably, if any of the labels corresponding to a single order do not pass the inspection, all labels in the order are reprinted on a new spool to keep all labels for the same order together That is.

Next, the web on the spool is unwound on an unwinding device 507 and
8 is preferably supplied to the station 508
In the above, the web, particularly the label on the web, is coated with a UV radiation curable varnish to improve the appearance and the abrasion resistance of the label. Examples of suitable varnishes include, for example, anilox rollers (anilox
INXCURE UV FLEXO P / I can be supplied by Belmark varnish applicator with rollers
There is COATING. Preferably, the varnish is supplied and the web is inspected after it has been confirmed that the varnish has been supplied properly and that no other spills or other errors have occurred. This inspection can be performed by an operator or a visual inspection device (not shown) similar to the devices and methods described above.
The inspection apparatus described above uses a second hand-held scanner for inputting recognition means for the label to be inspected, and if there is a problem with the varnish applicator and if the label does not pass the inspection, Preferably, the entire label or web can be discarded. If the web is to be discarded, the label controller 503 knows the means for recognizing the spool and stores this information in the shop floor.
The controller 512 is notified and the controller 512 is notified.
Updates the field 69, especially of the database 60,
Instructs printer 502 to reprint the label on its spool. Also, if only certain levels should be discarded, the label controller 503 knows the label recognition means for labels that do not pass these checks,
This information is communicated to the shop floor controller 512, which updates the database 60 and instructs the printer 502 to reprint the labels to be discarded. Preferably, all labels in one order are reprinted together on a single spool.

After the inspection, the web is supplied to a die cutter 509, which cuts through the upper layer of the web and cuts each label. In the next step, the upper part of the web around each label is cut. The layer is removed from the web, leaving the label on the release layer. In a preferred embodiment, two separate devices manufactured by Preco perform each of the above steps. In a preferred embodiment, multiple, eg, three, labels are printed on the web. After cutting the label, the web is cut laterally in the slit forming device 510 to form a smaller reel 551, for example, three reels. These reels are tracked by machine readable codes on the core of each reel. Prior to forming the web slit, the label controller 503 updates its database by assigning the labels on each row on the spool to one of the three reels described above, so that the reel and spool are able to form the slit. This update is signaled in field 70 when installed on the device. Preferably,
Each label is printed on the web such that labels corresponding to the same ordered product are printed adjacent to one another in the same row. As shown in FIG.
Three products corresponding to 0,175 are printed in stage 1 of spool 2.

At present, since each label is only printed in correspondence with the product in stock, any label 5
51 can be selected by the operator and mounted on the label applicator 513. When the machine readable code corresponding to the selected reel is input to the label controller 503, the label is applied, preferably via a reader (not shown) located on the label applicator 513. An apparatus 500 for printing customized graphic information as each product to be attached is withdrawn from stock.
Sent to In another embodiment, each reel 551
Can wait until all cartons that receive the customized label on that reel are removed from inventory. In either embodiment, the instructions for preparing to place the label on the product are stored on the shop floor.
The carton is sent from the controller 512 to an order pick and / or assemble device (not shown) that removes the carton from inventory. Preferably, the cartons receiving the labels are transferred to a label applicator 513 on a conveyor 514 (shown in partial cross-section), and these cartons are in the same order as the labels corresponding to each carton on reel 551. Is preferred. Alternatively, each carton can be transported in assembled containers or belt sections (not shown) of conveyor belt 514 in combined order. Each belt portion may have a machine readable code associated with an order within the belt portion. In addition, the machine readable code and associated order information for the belt portion can be communicated to the shop floor unit 512 from the combined unit. In any of the embodiments, the order 500 is arranged in the same order as the order in which the customized labels corresponding to the order are present on the reel.
And / or the product cartons in the order are placed in the system 50 in the same order that the labels corresponding to the order are present on the reels.
Preferably, it is transported to zero. Preferably, each carton is conveyed to a label applicator on one carton wide conveyor 514 in the order of the available labels on the reel.

In this manner, each carton is transported to label applicator 513. At this time, the product is taken out of the conveyor using a product handling device such as a robot arm (not shown), and the product is labeled and stored.
It can be located within the applicator 513. Useful labeling equipment is commercially available. As each product receives the label, a second conveyor 51 that transports each product to a final inspection area, a packaging area, and a transport area (not shown).
It is preferred to extrude or place the product on 7. Preferably, these products are maintained in the same order and on the conveyor 517 at intervals of individual orders.

Preferably, the label applicator 5
13 reads recognition means (if applicable) on the conveyor portion via a reading device (not shown),
In addition, by reading the recognition means on the carton via a reader (not shown) and / or by reading the label recognition means via a reader (not shown), Supply the label on the carton only when it is confirmed that it is present. Also, the label applicator 513 automatically jumps over the label on the reel to be discarded and ignores it. (The shop / floor / controller 512 may provide tracking information about these labels as they are recorded in the database 60.
Supply to applicator 513. In addition, the label applicator 513 preferably comprises an inspection mechanism (not shown) which ensures that each label is properly positioned before the carton can be transported for transport. Make sure there are no wrinkles. If an inspection mechanism or operator, such as the visual device, does not allow the labeled product to pass, discard each carton that does not pass this inspection and repeat the above procedure for these cartons from the beginning to make a single order. Wait for the rest of the carton in. Also, if there is an error in the applicator 513 that requires operator attention, the operator uses the handheld scanner 519 to notify the label controller 503 that a particular label should be discarded, This is notified to the database 60 and the shop floor controller 512. This step can be performed at any point in the printing method described above or at any other point in the other method of producing the labeled product.

Preferably, the label applicator 513 continues the verification, labeling, and inspection steps described above until all the labels on the reel have been affixed to the carton. Thereafter, when the labels to be supplied on the reels are exhausted, a signal indicating that the reels 551 need to be replaced is sent to the operator, and the operator places the desired reels on the label applicator 513 or checks the shop floor. The controller 512 is the next reel 551
Can be notified to the operator to attach to the label applicator 513, and such a label supply process is continued.

Prior to and / or after the supply of customized graphic information, the package may not have human-readable identification information about the product's formula, and may be used to track the product through manufacturing and shipping. It can be constituted only by the machine-readable recognition means used for the above. Preferably, the customized graphic information indicates who the product is for,
No prescription information need be shown. This means
It is particularly beneficial in preventing the product from being supplied to persons who do not have the proper prescription for the product.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, various modifications and changes in its form and details can be easily made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. We think that we can understand what we can do. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the forms and details shown and described herein, but the scope of the present invention is to be defined only by the claims set forth herein and the embodiments thereof.

The embodiments of the present invention are as follows. The package of claim 1, wherein (1) the customized graphic information is specified at the same time as placing the order for the prescription. (2) The package according to claim 1, wherein the customized graphic information is information for recognizing a person who ordered a prescription. (3) The package according to the embodiment (2), wherein the package does not show recognition information of the prescription. 4. The package of claim 1, wherein the customized graphic information indicates identification information of a physician prescribing the prescription. 5. The package of claim 1, wherein the prescription is shipped by a manufacturer with the customized graphic information on the package.

(6) The package comprises a primary package and a secondary package, and the customized graphic information is present on a surface area of at least a part of the primary package or the secondary package. Package described in. The package of claim 6, wherein the customized graphic information is present on at least a portion of a surface area of the primary package. (8) The prescription is a contact lens.
Package described in. 9. The package of claim 8, wherein said package comprises a primary package and a secondary package, and wherein said customized graphic information is present on a surface area of at least a portion of said primary package. (10) The package according to the mode (9), wherein the primary package is a blister pack constituted by a bowl and a lid, and the customized graphic information is present on the lid.

(11) The package according to the embodiment (10), wherein the customized graphic information is printed on the lid material. (12) An embodiment in which the customized graphic information is printed on a label attached to the lid material (1).
The package according to 0). (13) the package is composed of a primary package and a secondary package, wherein the customized graphic information is present on a surface portion of at least a part of the secondary package, and the secondary package is a carton. The package according to embodiment (8). 14. The package of claim 13, wherein said customized graphic information is printed on said carton. 15. The package of claim 13, wherein said customized graphic information is printed on a label attached to said carton.

(16) The package according to claim 1, wherein the customized graphic information is alphanumeric characters or symbols. (17) The package according to claim 1, wherein the customized graphic information is a picture or a photograph. 18. The method of claim 2, wherein the printing step includes printing the customized graphic information on a primary package corresponding to the prescription. The method of claim 2, wherein the printing step includes printing the customized graphic information on a secondary package corresponding to the prescription. The method of claim 2, wherein the printing step includes printing the customized graphic information on a label.

(21) The method according to the embodiment (20), further comprising a step of overcoating the label. (22) An embodiment (2) further comprising a step of attaching the label onto the package after the printing step.
The method according to 0). (23) The method of claim 2, wherein the prescription is a contact lens. (24) The method according to the mode (20), wherein the label has label recognition means. (25) The embodiment according to (24), wherein the package has a product machine readable code, and further comprising a step of inspecting the label recognition means and the product machine readable code before the attaching step. the method of.

(26) Further, before the inspection step, the prescription in a conventional package is taken out of the stock,
The method of claim 25, comprising transferring the formulation to a device for printing customized graphic information. (27) The method according to claim 2, wherein the printing step is performed by an apparatus for printing customized graphic information. (28) The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a varnish supply device for supplying varnish to the package. 29. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said customized graphic information is printed on labels, each label having a unique recognition means. (30) The apparatus according to embodiment (29), wherein each of the labels corresponds to a particular ordered prescription, and the apparatus is compatible with the prescription having the label. (31) The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a quality inspection station. (32) The apparatus according to embodiment (30), further comprising a label applicator.

[0052]

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a package for a customized prescription product and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the package for a customized prescription product, which are superior to the prior art. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a top and side view of a blister pack array with customized graphic information.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the top and side of a carton with customized graphic information.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the insert with customized graphic information.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a label with customized graphic information for a carton.

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of an apparatus for printing a label with customized graphic information for attaching to a carton.

FIG. 6 shows a database that can be used to store shortened order information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 61 order number 62 storage device 63 graphic information 64 graphic information 65 label recognition means 66 spool number 67 column (information) 68 steps (information) 69 rejection (information) 70 reel (information)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G02C 11/00 G02C 11/00 (71) Applicant 500092561 7500 Centurion Parkway-Suite 100, Jacksonville, Florida 32256 , U.S. S. A. (72) Inventor Daniel Two-Van One, United States, 32224 Florida, Jacksonville, Night Hawk Court 13753 (72) Inventor Stephen Earle Beton United States, 32250 Florida, Jacksonville, United Nice Road 3445 (72) Inventor George E. Heims United States, 32259 Florida, Mallard Green Coat, Jacksonville, FL 1404 (72) Inventor Wallace Anthony Martin United States, 32073 Florida, Orange Park, Judson Circle 29 (72) Inventor Donnie Jerome Duis, 32225 Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, Shawnee Shores Drive 3657

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A package for receiving at least one prescription comprising customized graphic information on a surface of at least a portion of the package, wherein the customized graphic information prescribes the prescription. Package selected by the individual physician or the patient receiving the prescription. 2. A method of manufacturing a customized package containing at least one prescription, wherein the package is provided by an individual physician prescribing the at least one prescription and / or a patient receiving the prescription. Receiving an order for at least one prescription from the physician or a refill order from the patient; customization specified by the physician or patient for the package corresponding to at least one prescription. Printing the generated graphic information. 3. An apparatus for printing customized graphic information for attaching customized graphic information to a package corresponding to a prescription, comprising: an order information corresponding to the prescription; and an order information corresponding to the prescription. An apparatus comprising: a computer for receiving customized graphic information printed on a package; and a printer for printing customized graphic information corresponding to the package corresponding to the prescription.