Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The prese~t invention relates to an improved
identification band~ in the form of a bracelet, such as
those used in hospitals for the ldentification of
patients, the identification markings or indicia some-
times also including other useful lnfox~ation, This
type of bracelet may also be used by parents for
identifying young children, when at the beach or other
like public places, in case the children should get lost.
One can, of course, imagine many other ways in which
these identification bands can be used,
A great many of these identification bands
are known, as shown by the search result referred to
hereinafter, but the present applicant finds that many
of them comprise, along with a plastic strip bearing
the required identification markings, various types of
undesirable metal locking structures or other type of
projecting parts made of rigid material, for securing
the ends of the plastic strip together in loop form.
Such bands have been found objectionable by users
because of the presence of the rigid parts, be they
metal or plastic, found to be capable of causing injury
particularly when used on young patients or infants.
There are others that do not involve such rigid parts but
are found awkward in use and impractical particularly
for old people, babies or seriously ill patients.
The search mentioned above has revealed the
following Canadian patents:
679,644 of 1964
754,315 of 1967
981,449 of 1976
1,095,548 of 1980
1,099,509 of 1981
1,105,256 of 1981
1,131,908 of 1982
1,115,307 of 1981
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Ca~adian patent No~ 679!644 disc~oses an
iden~ification band having a complex locking structure
which is also awkward in use and costly in manufacture.
Canadian patent No. 754,315 is of a simpler type but
involves two distinct complex parts, one for holding an
identification card and the other to tie the two ends
of the bands together. Canadian patent No~ 981,449
includes a rigid clip locking structure which projects
from the body of the band and is thus rather dangerous
when worn. The same applies to Canadian patents Nos.
1,099,509; 1,105,256 and 1,131,90~, Canadian patent
No. 1,095,548 and its divisional No, 1,115,307 involve
the use of a fastener separate from the band for use in
holding the ends of the band together,
An object of the present invention lies in the
provision of an improved identification band which is
simple in use and low in manufacturing cost, being
further devoid of rigid projecting parts that could
cause injury to the user,
According to one aspect of the invention, the
identification band comprises an elongated strip of
flexible material over which is a window made of
transparent plastic material that bridges the width of
the strip at one of its ends and that is sealed to the
strip along common lateral edges only of the strip and
of the window so as to define therebetween an open-
ended passage, A layer of pressure sensitive material
is provided on the window inside the passage, a
protective cover being applied over the adhesive
material having a pull tab suitable for pulling the cover
out of the passage whereby to expose the adhesive
material. Identification means is prov,ded on the strip
at a predetermined distance from the passage away from
the above-mentioned end of the strip, this distance
being selected so that, in use, the other end of the strip
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may be inserted into the passage, beneath the cover,
and then pulled away from the passage until the
identification means lie fully inside the passage,
beneath the cover, at which time the cover is removed
from the passage by drawing on the pull tab to thus
expose the adhesive material The latter is then
pressure applied over the identification means to render
the latter visible through the window.
The invention also involves a method for
making a set of elongated identification bands of the
type described above. It comprises: selecting a sheet
of flexible plastic material having a predetermined
constant width at least equal to the length of the bands;
disposing along one edge of the sheet a~series of covers
spaced equally from one another and having a layer of
adhesive material on one surface thereof opposite the
sheet; applying, over the covers a strip of transparent
plastic material having a width sufficient to spread
over at least the layer of adhesive material; heat
sealing the strip of transparent plastic material to the
sheet of flexible plastic material only across the width
of the strip and immediately adjacent the edges of the
covers whereby the covers adhere to the strip and the
latter and the sheet define open-ended passages there-
between into which the covers are contained. Finally,the sheet of flexible plastic material is cut along its
width and between the covers to produce the required
bands.
According to another aspect of the invention,
similar to the first aspect defined above, the protective
cover used has a first portion of a size which is
sufficient to overlay the identification means and an
adhesive material is provided between the cover portion
and the identification means so as to removably hold
the cover over the identification means. This cover has
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a second portion which is bent back over the first portion
whereby to act as a pu].l tab. In this case, the
predetermined distance is selected so that, in use, the
other end of the strip is inserted into the passage and
pulled away therefrom until both the identification rneans
and the cover l:ie wholly within the passage at which time
the pull tab is used to pull the cover out of the passage
whereby to expose the adhesive material which is then
pressure applied on the window to thus secure the identifi-
cation means to the window and render the identification
means visible through the window.
In accordance with a further aspect of the
invention, which further aspect is the only one specifically
claimed hereinafter, there is provided an improved
identification band in an identification bracelet for use in
wrapping around a person's wrist or the like body member,
said bracelet having an elongated strip of flexible plastic
material with a top and a bottom surface, a first end
portion, an identification portion next to said first end
portion with identification means on said identification
portion on sid top surface, and a wrapping portion
terminating into a second end portion, the improvements
wherein:
- said first end portion is formed with a first, a
second and a third through slot spaced from one another,
extending across said first end portion along a width
thereof sufficient to allow threading therethrough of said
second end portion and at least a portion of said wrapping
portion adjacent said second end portion, said third slot
being closest to said identification portion and said first
slot furthest away therefrom;
- the top surface of said elongated strip is
provided with a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive
material positioned between said second and third slot, and
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- a removable protective cover is provided over
said pressure sensitive adhesive material,
- whereby, in use, said second end portion and
said adjacent wrapping portion are slid successively through
said first and third slots over said bottom surface, folded
back and threaded through said second and first slots, said
identification protective cover is removed to expose said
adhesive material, said second end portion and said adjacent
wrapping portion pulled to a predetermined tightness and the
latter pressure-applied over said adhesi.ve material.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are
described hereinafter with reference to the appended drawing
wherein:
F`igure 1 is a perspective view of an identifi-
cation band made according to one embodiment;
Figure 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of
the band of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view
taken at the ends of the band, in joined condition of the
ends and prior to the ends being connected one to the other;
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing
the two ends of the band in the process of being glued
together;
Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of a band
according to this first embodiment being applied over the
wrist of a user;
Figures 7 and 8, first sheet of drawing, are
partial plan views of identification bands during the
process of manufacture;
Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view
similar to that of Figure 3 but of a second embodiment;
Figure 10 is a plan view of an identification band
according to a third embodiment, which embodiment is the
only one specifically claimed hereinafter.
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Referring to Figures 1 to 4, illustrating an
identification band according to a first embodiment, it will
be seen that the bancl comprises an elongated strip 1 made
of flexible plastic material which can be nylon or other
suitable plastic material having sufflcient strength so that
lt will not break or stretch in use. The stri.p is of
constant width over most of its
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length, which if used as a wrist band may have about
13 in. One end 3 of strip 1 is however greater in ~idth,
terminating into a round tip 5 Bridging the strip
stretch 3 having the greater widthis a window 7 made of flexible
transparent plastic material r being sealed to the strip 1
only along common lateral edges 9 of the strip 1 and
window 7, as clearly shown in both Figures 1 and 2.
Thus, the window 7 defines with the strip 1 a passage 11
(Figure 3) which is open-ended lengthwise of the strip 1.
A layer of pressure sensitive adhesive material is applied
lengthwise of the window 7 on the inner surface 13, that
is within the passage 11. A cover 15 is applied over
the adhesive material to protect it prior to use.
Preferably, cover 15 has a first portion 17 which is
applied directly over the adhesive material and a second
portion 19, acting as a pull means, which is in the
continuation of the first portion and bends back over it,
having a length which is sufficient for this second
portion 19 to extend out of the passage in the form of a
pull tab 21, as clearly shown in Figure 3, Identification
indicia means 23 ~s provided on the strip at a predeter-
mined distance from the passage 11 away from the end 3,
as shown in Figure 1. This predetermined distance is
selected so that, in use, the other end 25 is inserted
into the passage 11, beneath the cover 15, and is pulled
until the identification means 23 lie fully inside the
passage and beneath the cover. The predetermined
distance for affixing the identification means 23 is
determined prior to use and is such that in closed
position of the band, the diameter of the latter be
sufficient to allow it to be easily placed over the
wrist of a patient or around other parts on which the
identification band is to be used.
With the identification means 23 suitably
placed in the passage 11, beneath the cover 15, the
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latter is then rolled out of the passage li by
pulling on the tab 21 to thus expose the adhesive
material which may then be pressure applied over the
identification means 23 to render the identification
means visible through the window 7. Removal operation
of the cover 15 is illustrated in Figure 4,
The pressure sensitive adhesive material
applied on the window 7 and the material of the cover 15
must be selected so that when the latter is pulled out
of the passage ll, it will freely roll off the adhesive
which will remain on the plastic material of the window 7.
The adhesive material must of course be effective to
hold the identification means 23, secured to the strip 1,
against sliding movement through the passage 11, meaning
that the two ends of the band are safely secured on the
wrist of the user.
Thus, the cover 15 may be made up of paper
sold by Du Pont Canada under the trade name Tyvek, the
glue applied over the first portion 17 of the cover 15
which would be suitable for the present use is one that
is sold by the 3 M Company. Other equivalent materials,
readily available on the market, may of course be used.
- As to the identification means 23, it may
consist of a card of suitable size over which the
identification markings have been placed and fixed in
position on the strip 1 in any known manner as by the
use of a suitable adhesive material compatible with the
nature of the plastic material of the strip 1. This
card may have a size smaller than the size of the
passage ]1 so that the adhesive material on the window
7 will be applied over the card and also around it so
that both the window 7 and the card 23 are sealed to
the strip 1 in the passage 11.
The identification means may also be a coating
of indicia receptive material known also on the market
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and found at the ~ack of ide~tification cards to
receive the signature of the card owner. The identifica-
tion markings are of course supplied on this coating
material. An indicia receptive material of this type is
sold by Advance Ink Company under the trade mark HIT-120
and can be applied over the plastic strip 1 by ultra-
violet rays.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate how the identifica-
tion bands of the invention can be made. The method
involves the selection of a sheet of fiexible plastic
material 27 of the type aforesaid of whic~ the constant
width is at least equal to the length of the bands to
be made. Disposed along one edge of the sheet 27 are a
number of covers 15 with the first portion 17, having
the adhesive material, facing up, these covers 15 being
spaced equally from one another. Applied over the
covers 15 is a strip 29 of transparent plastic material
intended to become the transparent windows 7. This
strip 29 has a width sufficient to spread over at
least the layer of adhesive material. The strip 29 is
then heat sealed to the sheet 27 but only across the
width of the strip 29 and immediately adja~ent the edges
of the covers 15 whereby the latter adhere to the strip
29, this strip 29 as well as the sheet 27 then defining
the open-ended passages 11 into which the covers 15 are
thus contained. Thereafter, the sheet 27 is cut along
its width and between the covers 15 to result in the
bands 1, as shown in Figure 8. These bands can be
manufactured by available automatic machinery.
Obviously, if the bands are to be used in
hospitals or the like places, materials that are non-
toxic for human use must be selected.
Figures 5 and 6 illustrate how the band can
be placed on the wrist of a patient. In Figure 5, one
hand holds on to the window 7 while the other end
pulls o~ the end 25 of the strip 1 which slides through
the passage 11. Once the identification means 23 is
fully located within the passage 11, then the cover 15 is
rolled out of the passage 11 to thereby expose the
adhesive material, Simultaneously or thereafter, the
window 7 is applied, with the adhesive material, over the
identification means 23 and the strip 1, as shown in
Figure 4.
In another embodiment, illustrated in Figure 9,
the cover 15 is used in reverse and is applied over the
identification means 23 prior to the insertion of the
latter in the passage 11, Thus, the location where t~e
identification means 23 are to be affixed is selected,
the cover 15 applied thereover with the glued portion 17
lying over the identification means. Then the strip 1
is drawn through the passage 11 by being pulled by the
strip end 25 until both the identification means 23 and
cover 15 lie wholly within the passage 11, The cover 15
is then rolled out of the passage 11 to free the
adhesive material over the identification means 23 and
the window 7, identification means 23 and, preferably,
the portion of the strip 1 along the edges of the
identification means 23, are pressure sealed together.
In this second embodiment of the invention,
the same type of materials are used as in the first
embodiment, with respect to the adhesive material, the
covers and the identification means.
A third embodiment of the invention is shown
in Figure 10. It consists of a strip 1' of flexible
plastic material having a top and a bottom surface, a
first end portion 3' and a second end portion 25'.
An identification portion 31 is located next to the
first end portion 3' and has identification means on the
top surface. A wrapping portion extends between the
identification portion 31 and the second end of portion
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25~. The ~irst end poXtio~ 3 ~ is formed with a fi~st,
a second and a third through slot 33, 35, 37,
respectively, spaced from one another and extending
across the first end portion along a width thereof
sufficient to allow threading therethrough of the second
end portlon 25~ and at least a portion of the wrapping
portion adjacent the second end portion~ A la~er of
pressure sensitive adhesive material is applied over the
top surface at the first end portion 3 ' between the
second and third slots 35, 3?, and a removable protective
cover 39 is placed over the adhesive material.
In use, the strip 1' is wound around the wrist
with the identification means 31 facing up, the second
end portion 25' and its adjacent wrapping portion are
then slid successivel~ through the first and third slots
33, 37, passing over the bottom surface of the strip,
and the second end portion 25' is pulled until the band
is properly adjusted over the wrist. Thereafter, the
second end portion 25~ and adjacent wrapping portion
are folded back and threaded successively through the
second and first slots 35, 33, respectively. The
identification protective cover 39 is removed so as to
expose the adhesive material therebeneath. The second
end portion 25~ and its adjacent wrapping portion are
i 25 then pulled tight and pressure applied over the
adhesive material.
The identification means on the identification
portion 31 is preferably a coating of indicia
receptive material of the type mentioned above and
bearing the identification markings required. The
identification marking may of course also be a simple
card bearing the required identification and glued over
the identification portion 31. However, the use of
indicia receptive material is found to be more convenient.
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