Label having alignment information

Abstract

The present invention is a label system and method for label alignment and placement on a container. The label system includes a first label or a container whereby the first label includes alignment symbology and a second label having an alignment area corresponding to the alignment symbology of the first label. The second label is positioned on the container whereby the alignment area of the second label is aligned with the alignment symbology of the first label. Visibility enhancement indicia may be provided adjacent the alignment area to increase the visibility of the alignment area to the user. Other indicia may be used to align the container in a holder for bar code scanning.

1 . A label capable of being affixed to a container, the container having alignment symbology thereon, the label comprising:
 an alignment area for corresponding to the alignment symbology of the container; and   at least one visual enhancement indicia adjacent to at least a portion of the alignment area,   wherein the at least one visual enhancement indicia has a width that is less than the label width.   
   
   
       2 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the visual enhancement indicia meets the alignment area. 
   
   
       3 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the visual enhancement indicia is similar to at least a portion of the shape of the alignment area. 
   
   
       4 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment area is an opening in said label. 
   
   
       5 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment symbology is included on another label which is affixed to the container. 
   
   
       6 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment area is a transparent portion of said second label. 
   
   
       7 . A label capable of being affixed to a container, the container having alignment symbology thereon, the label comprising:
 an alignment area for corresponding to the alignment symbology of the container; and   and at least one visual enhancement indicia adjacent to at least a portion of the alignment area,   wherein the at least one visual enhancement indicia identifies at least one characteristic of the container.   
   
   
       9 . The label of claim  8 , wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of: a substance contained in the container, a type associated with the container, a material with which the container is formed. 
   
   
       10 . A set for labeling containers having alignment symbology thereon, the set comprising:
 a plurality of labels, wherein each of said plurality of labels includes;
 an alignment area for corresponding to the alignment symbology of the containers; and 
 at least one visual enhancement indicia adjacent to at least a portion of the alignment area; and 
   a surface upon which the plurality of labels are affixed, prior to labeling the containers with the labels.   
   
   
       11 . A label capable of being affixed to a container, the label comprising:
 machine readable information; and   at least one demarcation indicia to assist with aligning the container for reading by the machine.   
   
   
       12 . The label of  claim 11  further comprising an alignment area, the alignment areas includes information for positioning the label at a desired location on the container. 
   
   
       13 . A method for printing a label that is capable of being affixed to a container having alignment symbology thereon, the method comprising:
 printing an alignment area on the label, the alignment area corresponding to the alignment symbology of the container; and   printing at least one visual enhancement indicia adjacent to at least a portion of the alignment area,
 wherein the at least one visual enhancement indicia has a width that is less than the label width. 
   
   
   
       14 . A method for printing a label that is capable of being affixed to a container having alignment symbology thereon, the method comprising:
 printing an alignment area for corresponding to the alignment symbology of the container; and   printing at least one visual enhancement indicia adjacent to at least a portion of the alignment area,
 wherein the at least one visual enhancement indicia identifies at least one characteristic of the container. 
   
   
   
       15 . A method for preparing a set of labels for labeling containers having alignment symbology thereon, the set comprising:
 printing a plurality of labels, wherein each of said plurality of labels includes:
 an alignment area for corresponding to the alignment symbology of the container; and 
 at least one visual enhancement indicia adjacent to at least a portion of the alignment area; and 
   affixing the plurality of labels to a surface, prior to labeling the containers with the labels.   
   
   
       16 . A method of preparing a label capable of being affixed to a container, the label comprising:
 printing machine readable information on the label; and   printing at least one demarcation indicia on the label to assist with aligning the container for reading by the machine.   
   
   
       17 . A method for facilitating positioning of a container in a container holder comprising:
 reading information provided on the container;   printing at least one demarcation indicia on a label, the at least one demarcation indicia being capable of facilitating container positioning when affixed to the container, wherein interpretation of the information readable from the container determines the location for printing the demarcation on the label.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the container is an evacuated blood collection container. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a scanner reads the information provided on the container. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein a printer prints the at least one demarcation indicatia on the label, the printer being capable of communicating with the scanner. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the label comprises alignment symbology for facilitating alignment of the container in a container holder.