Back to results
US 9,315,286 B2Granted
Test tube labeling assembly
OwnerMilad A. Hannainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable test tube labeling device provides labeling and tracking of test tubes used in patient care. The device includes a chute extending through a housing. A barrel extending across the chute is rotatable within the housing. Spacers are coupled to the barrel defining a plurality of channels extending along the barrel and receiving one of the test tubes as the barrel is rotated. A printing head and spool assembly are positioned in the housing. A tape is coupled to the spool assembly passing adjacent to the printing head wherein indicia is printable on labels on the tape. As the barrel is rotated, each label is extended from the tape and delivered onto the test tube in each channel. A collar is coupled to the barrel for retaining each of the test tubes in one of the channels between the collar and a base end of the barrel.
Claims17
A test tube labeling device comprising:
- a housing, an interior space of said housing comprising a chamber configured for holding a plurality of test tubes;
- a chute extending through said housing;
- a barrel positioned in said housing, said barrel being rotatable within said housing, said barrel being positioned to extend across said chute;
- spacers coupled to said barrel, said spacers defining a plurality of channels extending along said barrel, each said channel being configured to receive one of the test tubes as said barrel is rotated;
- a printing head positioned in said housing;
- a spool assembly positioned in said housing;
- a tape having a plurality of labels thereon, said tape being coupled to said spool assembly such that said tape passes adjacent to said printing head wherein indicia is printable on said labels on said tape by said printing head, said spool assembly being positioned adjacent to each said channel as said channel is rotated such that each said label is extended from said tape and delivered onto the test tube in each said channel;
- and
- a collar coupled to said barrel in spaced relationship to a base end of said barrel wherein said collar is configured for retaining each of the test tubes in one of said channels between said collar and said base end of said barrel.
6 more elements
A test tube labeling device comprising:
- a housing, an interior space of said housing comprising a chamber configured for holding a plurality of test tubes;
- a chute extending through said housing;
- a barrel positioned in said housing, said barrel being rotatable within said housing, said barrel being positioned to extend across said chute, said barrel dividing said chute into a feed section extending from said chamber and a delivery section extending from said barrel;
- spacers coupled to said barrel, said spacers defining a plurality of channels extending along said barrel, each said channel being configured to receive one of the test tubes as said barrel is rotated, each of said spacers being a disc having a plurality of radial slots, said discs being positioned in spaced relationship on said barrel, each said disc being coupled to said barrel such that said disc is transverse to a longitudinal axis of said barrel, each said disc having an arcuate outer edge;
- a printing head positioned in said housing;
- a spool assembly positioned in said housing, said spool assembly having a feed spool and a collection spool;
- a tape having a plurality of labels thereon, said tape being coupled to said spool assembly such that said tape passes adjacent to said printing head wherein indicia is printable on said labels on said tape by said printing head, said spool assembly being positioned adjacent to each said channel as said channel is rotated such that each said label is extended from said tape and delivered onto the test tube in each said channel, said feed spool holding said tape being dispensed towards said barrel, said collection spool being positioned to receive said tape after dispensing of said labels from said tape;
- a slit extending through said housing, said tape being positionable to extend through said slit wherein said tape delivers each of said labels out of said housing for manual placement on one of the test tubes;
- a collar coupled to said barrel in spaced relationship to a base end of said barrel wherein said collar is configured for retaining each of the test tubes in one of said channels between said collar and said base end of said barrel, a position of said collar being adjustable along a length of said barrel wherein said channels are configured for accommodating variable lengths of test tubes, said printing head being positioned between said collar and said base end of said barrel;
- a tray being coupled to said housing, said tray being positioned at a distal end of said delivery section of said chute relative to said barrel;
- a processor coupled to and positioned in said housing;
- a display screen coupled to said housing, said display screen being communicatively coupled to said processor, said display screen being a touch screen, said processor being operationally coupled to said printing head, said spool assembly and said barrel wherein creation and dispensing of indicia on said labels is controllable through operation of said touch screen;
- a memory unit coupled to and positioned in said housing, said memory unit being communicatively coupled to said processor for storing a record of information printed onto said labels;
- a transceiver coupled to and positioned in said housing, said transceiver being operationally and communicatively coupled to said processor wherein said processor is configured for communicating with an extrinsic apparatus, said transceiver utilizing a personal access network;
- and
- a network port coupled to said housing, said network port being communicatively coupled to said processor wherein said transceiver is configured for communication with the extrinsic apparatus through said network port.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.