# US 10,245,589 B2 · Dual barcode labeling facilitating automated decapping

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- Number: US 10,245,589 B2
- Document ID: US10245589B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/816,024
- Filed: 2017-11-17
- Published: 2018-04-05
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-22
- Assignees: Becton, Dickinson and Company
- Applicants: Becton, Dickinson and Company
- Inventors: Craig A. Gelfand
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245589B2

## CPC

- B01L 3/5453: {for test tubes}
- B01L 3/5457: {for container closures}
- G01N 35/00732: {Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers}
- G09F 3/0297: {including a machine-readable marking, e.g. a bar code (digitally marked record carriers in general G06K19/00)}
- B01L 2300/022: Transponder chips
- G01N 2035/00782: {reprogrammmable code}
- G01N 2035/0405: {manipulating closing or opening means, e.g. stoppers, screw caps, lids or covers}
- G09F 2003/0273: {Labels for bottles, flasks}
- Y10T 436/11: Automated chemical analysis
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A specimen collection assembly and method for detecting the same are disclosed. The specimen collection assembly includes a specimen collection container having an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior adapted to receive a biological specimen. The specimen collection container also includes first indicia containing information. The assembly further includes a cap having thereon second indicia, the cap being removably engagable with the open top end of the container. The second indicia contains the same information as the first indicia.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of detecting a specimen collection assembly comprising:
providing a specimen collection assembly comprising a specimen collection container having an open top end, a closed bottom end, a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior adapted for receiving a specimen therein, and a first indicia disposed on at least a portion of the sidewall; a cap removably engagable with the open top end of the specimen collection container; a second indicia disposed on at least a portion of the cap; and a specimen disposed within the interior of the specimen collection container;
detecting the second indicia with the cap engaged with the open top end of the specimen collection container, wherein the cap, when engaged with the open top end of the specimen collection container, at least partially obscures the first indicia disposed on the at least a portion of the sidewall;
removing the cap from the specimen collection container; and
subsequently detecting the first indicia.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing an automated processing system having at least one detector for detecting indicia in communication with a control unit having at least one processor therein and at least one analyzer;
detecting, with the at least one detector, the second indicia; and
subsequently detecting, with the at least one detector, the first indicia.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first indicia and second indicia are machine-readable indicia.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first indicia and the second indicia comprise at least one of a matrix barcode, RFID tag or linear barcode.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first indicia and the second indicia comprise at least one of an optical 1D, 2D, or 3D barcode.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first indicia and the second indicia are directly printed on the sidewall and cap, respectively.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first indicia and the second indicia are provided on labels affixed to the sidewall and cap, respectively.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one detector is configured to detect at least one of a matrix barcode, an RFID tag or a linear barcode.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one detector is configured to detect at least one of an optical 2D or 3D barcode.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of performing at least one analysis on the specimen with the at least one analyzer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first indicia comprises the same information as the second indicia.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the cap is opaque.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the cap, when engaged with the open top end of the specimen collection container, fully obscures the first indicia disposed on the at least a portion of the sidewall.