Registers – Records
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-11
2003-11-04
Pitts, Harold I. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Records
C235S375000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06641048
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed generally to a printable form that includes detachable cut-outs formable into a wristband, and more particularly to a wristband with one or more detents on or near at least one end thereof that permit a more secure connection between joined ends upon wristband formation.
Upon admission to a hospital, a patient typically provides pertinent background information, such as patient name, social security number, primary physician, health insurance coverage, allergies and related known health history, and the nature of the ailment, just to name a few. Prior to the advent of electronic data processing and printing equipment, such information would be manually written or typed, then transcribed to a bracelet that could be placed on a patient's extremity, such as wrist or ankle, for ease of identification by treating hospital personnel. Errors in transcription and legibility of the printed indicia on the wristband could result in incorrect identification of vital patient information, thus compromising patient care. The availability of modern computing and printing equipment in virtually all hospitals and related health care facilities has significantly reduced the likelihood of such errors occurring, as information entered into the hospital database is automatically processed and printed directly onto a sheet-like form that includes an elongate strip that can be formed into a wristband. Simultaneously, some or all of the same information provided by the patient upon admission can be printed onto labels situated on the same form. The form is typically made from multiple plies, where the top (or face) ply capable of accepting printing thereon is adhesively bonded to a release layer (such as a conventional silicone coating) disposed on a liner ply. Cut-outs defined in the face ply permit easy removal of the elongate strip or labels from the liner ply of the form. Locations on the elongate strip (such as the ends) may have exposed pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) that can be used to establish adhesive bracelet-forming contact. Hospital personnel generally secure the bracelet to the patient so that chances for misidentification of the patient are minimized. This is especially useful when, due to the patient's age or condition, verifying information cannot be readily ascertained by hospital personnel. An example of a form with cut-outs for labels and wristbands that can be fed into a printer to accept patient-unique information is U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,472 to Huddleston et al., owned by the assignee of the present invention and herein incorporated by reference. In one embodiment of that device, peripherally disposed adhesive permits laminated joining of the wristband, while adhesive disposed at the longitudinally spaced contact portions permits a bonded connection therebetween.
While such prior art devices offer marked improvement in patient wristband accuracy and efficiency, there are situations where the relatively simple joining scheme between the two opposing ends of the band may be torn apart, thus negating the benefit of providing such notorious indicia. For example, if the patient is disoriented, or is operating under a defect of reason, he or she might become inclined to remove the wristband. Similarly, an inquisitive child can pick at the connection, causing it to come undone. In either event, if the wristband becomes separated from the patient, hospital personnel must perform time-consuming independent verification of the identity and medical needs of the patient prior to treatment to avoid potentially catastrophic consequences. One way to discourage wristband removal is to use a separate single-use clip, typically made from a metal or durable plastic, to keep the wristband in place. Such an approach is disadvantageous in that it requires separate storage and retrieval of both the wristband and the clip, and in some instances, the use of a special tool to crimp the clip to the wristband. This inconvenience to hospital personnel can lead to the consumption of extra time and money. Other methods can include the use of transparent plastic coverings that can be folded over onto the printed surface to improve water and tear-resistance. However, these too can add significant cost and complexity to the wristband.
Accordingly, there is a need for a wristband that can be easily formed from a sheet that is amenable to automated printing, and that upon wristband formation exhibits enhanced resistance to destruction and subsequent removal. There exists an additional need for such a wristband that does not sacrifice low cost, printability and ease of use to achieve these improved structural properties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These needs are met by the present invention, which is directed to a wristband formed from a printer-compatible sheet. The sheet can come in either cut-sheet size, for individual or stacked feeding into a conventional printer tray, or in a continuous web, such as a Z-fold configuration, or in roll form which can be fed directly into a variety of printers, including mechanical impact, direct thermal, thermal transfer, ink jet, and laser printers. Multiple elongate strips can be placed on a single sheet. In the alternative, one or more labels, preferably as an array, can be similarly placed on the same surface of the sheet as the elongate strips, such that duplicate or related patient information can be printed onto the label array. The sheet is made up of at least a face ply adhesively joined to a liner ply, the latter of which can include a release coating placed on at least a part of the surface joining the face ply. Both the elongate strip and the labels can be die cut for ease of removal upon printing. The elongate strips have one or more detents (alternately referred to as wings) that extend from the strip such that the wings can be folded over to secure opposing strip contact portions once the strip is formed into a wristband, thus enhancing the durability of the connection.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an elongate strip configured to form a wristband is disclosed. The elongate strip includes a body portion defined by an inner surface and an outer surface, at least the latter of which is configured to accept printing (such as from a conventional automated printer, handwriting or other printing method) thereon, a pair of longitudinally spaced contact portions, each extending from the body portion such that they can be brought together to permit the strip to be shaped like a ring or bracelet, at least one laterally projecting detent (or wing) extending from at least one of the contact portions, and an adhesive layer disposed on at least one of the contact portions and the detent. The lateral edges define opposing side portions of the elongate strip, and extend substantially from one end of the strip to the other. As used in conjunction with the present disclosure, the term “substantially” refers to an arrangement of elements or features that, while in theory would be expected to exhibit exact correspondence or behavior, may, in practice embody something slightly less than exact. The one or more detents extend from the longitudinally spaced contact portions and include an inner surface and an outer surface. The adhesive on the longitudinally spaced contact portions is such that upon formation of the elongate strip into the wristband through looped contact of adjacent surfaces, a permanent bond is formed. Similarly, the adhesive layer disposed on the detent forms a permanent bond between the detent surface and whatever part of the wristband it comes in contact with, further strengthening the connection. In the present context, a contact portion need not be situated at the immediate end of the strip, and accordingly may include any portion of the adjacent strip structure that is configured to engage one or more surfaces of the opposing strip end or contact surface. As such, the contact portion may be disposed longitudinally inward from the end of the strip by such a distance as re
Gill Frank
Schintz Michael
Killworth, Gottman Hagan & Schaeff LLP
Pitts Harold I.
The Standard Register Company
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