Claims
- 1. A method for labeling a plurality of syringe bodies, comprising:
interconnecting a belt to a plurality of a syringe bodies in a predetermined orientation; placing contents-related information on an interconnected belt segment for each given one of said plurality of syringe bodies; and separating said belt between each of said plurality of syringe bodies to define an interconnected flap on each of said plurality of syringe bodies.
- 2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said belt is of a pliable construction, and wherein said separating step comprises:
severing said belt between adjacent ones of said plurality of syringe bodies.
- 3. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein for each of said plurality of syringe bodies said placing step comprises:
printing said contents-related information on a label; and, affixing said label to said interconnected belt segment.
- 4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein for each said plurality of syringe bodies said placing step comprises:
printing said contents-related information directly on said interconnected belt segment.
- 5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said contents-related information comprises at least one of the following:
information regarding a type of fluid contained in the syringe body; information regarding an amount of a fluid contained in the syringe body; information regarding a fill date for the contents of the syringe body; and, information regarding handling and storage instructions for the syringe body.
- 6. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein at least a portion of said contents-related information is bar coded.
- 7. A method a recited in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:
packaging said plurality of syringe bodies in a container after said interconnecting step and prior to said separating and placing steps; and, unpackaging said plurality of syringe bodies from said container prior to said separating and placing steps.
- 8. A method as recited in claim 7, further comprising:
sterilizing said plurality of syringe bodies after to said packaging step.
- 9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said interconnecting step comprises:
attaching at least one continuous layer of a pliable material between and about at least a portion of each of said plurality of syringe bodies.
- 10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein said at least one continuous layer is substantially transparent.
- 11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said interconnector step comprises:
attaching opposing layers to define said belt, wherein said opposing layers are adjoined in fact-to-face relation between adjacent ones of said plurality of syringe bodies and wrapped about opposing sides of the barrels of each of said plurality of syringe bodies.
- 12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein at least a first one of said opposing layers is opaque, and where said placing step comprises:
printing said contents-related information on said opaque layer.
- 13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein a second one of said opposing layers is substantially transparent.
- 14. An apparatus for labeling a plurality of syringe bodies interconnected in series by a belt, comprising:
a plurality of holders for holding said plurality of syringe bodies; and, a separation member for separating said belt between adjacent ones of said plurality of syringe bodies to define an interconnected flap on each of the plurality of syringe bodies; and, a labeling member for placing contents-related information on an interconnected belt segment for each given one of said plurality of syringe bodies.
- 15. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said belt defines a predetermined spacing between adjacent ones of said plurality of syringe bodies, and wherein said plurality of holders are separated by a distance corresponding with said predetermined spacing.
- 16. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising:
a driven support member for moving at least one of said separation member and said labeling member towards and away from said plurality of holders.
- 17. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising:
first and second driven support members for separately moving said separation member and said labeling member towards and away from said plurality of holders, respectively.
- 18. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising:
a driven support member for moving said plurality of holders along a predetermined path.
- 19. An apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said driven support member comprises:
a rotatable member.
- 20. An apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said separation member and said labeling member are disposed for sequential operation along said predetermined path.
- 21. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising:
a processor for storing and providing said contents-related information to said labeling member.
- 22. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said labeling member comprises:
a printer for printing said contents-related information on one of labels and said belt segments.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/928,007, filed Aug. 10, 2001, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09928007 |
Aug 2001 |
US |
Child |
10727097 |
Dec 2003 |
US |