System for applying a label to a product, preferably in the form of a container, including a radioactive, or hazardous, material

Abstract

System (010) for applying a label (11 ) to a product (13), preferably in the form of a container, in particular in the form of a vial, including a radioactive, or hazardous, material, preferably said material being a radiopharmaceutical or a material for performing diagnostic investigations; the system (010) operating in a protected zone (120), that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material; the system (010) comprising means (14) which are adapted to apply the label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and which are arranged inside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (120); the system (010) further comprises means (16) which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (120), into said protected zone (120).

Description

[0001] SYSTEM FOR APPLYING A LABEL TO A PRODUCT, PREFERABLY IN THE FORM OF A CONTAINER, INCLUDING A RADIOACTIVE, OR HAZARDOUS, MATERIAL.

[0002] Field of application of the present invention

[0003] The present invention refers to a system for applying a label to a product, preferably in the form of a container, including a radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] They are known systems for applying a label to a vial including a radioactive, or hazardous, material, preferably in the form of a radiopharmaceutical.

[0006] In these already known systems, the system comprises a radioactivity protected zone, which is adapted to receive the respective vial including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and means which are adapted to apply the label to said vial containing the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and which are arranged inside said protected zone.

[0007] In these already known systems, means for printing the label are therefore provided, in particular in the form of a thermographic printer, which only prints in black colour, and which is placed inside said protected zone.

[0008] With these already known systems, although it is possible to apply the label on said product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in a way that is safe for the personnel in charge, the inside of said protected zone is however excessively cluttered.

[0009] Furthermore, with these already known systems, due to radioactivity, it is not possible to use equipment provided with significant electronics, in particular, it is not possible to use printers that are adapted to print labels in colour, as would instead be required by the labelling regulations of several countries.

[0010] Furthermore, it would be desirable in the sector to facilitate operations for the personnel in charge, who currently have to enter an often cramped labelling zone in order to carry out respective maintenance or refilling operations.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] In any case, with the present invention it is wished to propose a new solution and / or an alternative to the solutions known up to now and in particular it is proposed to overcome one or more of the drawbacks or problems referred to above, and / or to satisfy one or more requirements experienced in the art, and in particular that can be deduced from the above.

[0013] A system is thus provided for applying a label to a product, preferably in the form of a container, in particular in the form of a vial, including a radioactive, or hazardous, material, preferably said material being a radiopharmaceutical or a material for performing diagnostic investigations; the system operating in a protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material; the system comprising means which are adapted to apply the label to said product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and which are arranged inside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity; the system being characterised in that it comprises means which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label from outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, into said protected zone.

[0014] It is thus possible to apply the label to said product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material in a way that is safe for the personnel in charge, and that, at the same time, avoids excessively cluttering the inside of said protected zone and / or damaging the corresponding equipment, in particular the means for making, i.e. for printing, said label, and that also facilitates the work of the personnel in charge, who no longer have to enter the often cramped protected labelling zone in order to carry out the respective maintenance or refilling operations.

[0015] Brief description of the drawings

[0016] This and other innovative aspects, i.e. respective and specific advantageous embodiments, are however, set forth in the appended claims, the technical characteristics of which can be found, together with corresponding advantages achieved, in the following description, showing in detail purely exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view from above of a preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 shows an elevated side schematic view of a detail of the production zone of said label of the first preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 shows an elevated side schematic view of the label application zone of the first preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4A shows an elevated side schematic view of a second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4B shows an elevated side schematic view of the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention, in a different working condition;

[0022] Figure 4C shows an elevated side schematic view of the label application zone of the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4D shows a horizontal section schematic view of the lower part of the means for applying the label of the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4E shows a perspective schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4F shows a perspective schematic view of the label application zone of the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4G shows a schematic perspective view of the label application zone of the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention, taken from a different side than in Figure 4F;

[0027] Figure 5A shows a schematic perspective view of the zone of the printer for making the label of the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5B shows a schematic perspective view of the zone of the printer for making the label of the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention, taken from a different side than in Figure 5A;

[0029] Figure 6A shows an elevated side schematic view of the zone of the printer for making the label of the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6B shows a schematic plan view from above of the zone of the printer for making the label of the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6C shows a schematic plan view from below of the zone of the printer for making the label of the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention; Figure 6D shows an elevated frontal schematic view of the zone of the printer for making the label of the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the product or container support to which the label of the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention is to be applied.

[0033] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0034] In the attached figures 1 to 3, a first preferred embodiment 10 of a system for applying a label 11 to a product 13 is shown, said product preferably being in the form of a container, in particular in the form of a vial, including a radioactive, or hazardous, material, preferably in a liquid state.

[0035] Preferably, said material is in the form of a radiopharmaceutical or is in the form of a material for performing diagnostic investigations.

[0036] The label 11 is in turn configured in such a way as to have one side or face adhering to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and one side or face having information components, e.g. lettering or drawings, of the product, or container, wherein preferably at least some of these are made in colour, for example in four-colour printing.

[0037] In particular, the label 11 includes at least one corresponding piece of information relating to the value, in particular measured contiguously, i.e. just before or shortly before the application of the label, of at least one parameter indicative of the radioactivity of said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and which is for example reported in coded form inside or in the form of a respective code, preferably in the form of a bar code.

[0038] In practice, measuring the radioactivity is, and indeed must be, carried out when the product is released, and this data must be stated on the label which is applied to said product or container. As shown, said system 10 comprises a protected zone 120, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, means 14 which are adapted to apply the label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous material, and which are arranged inside said protected zone 120.

[0039] In an appreciably advantageous way, as shown, means 16 are provided which are adapted to transport said label 11 from outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 120, into said protected zone 120.

[0040] It is thus possible to apply the label to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in a way that is safe for the personnel in charge, and that, at the same time, avoids excessively cluttering the inside of said protected zone and / or damaging the corresponding equipment, in particular the means for making, i.e. for printing, said label, and that also facilitates the work of the personnel in charge, who no longer have to enter the often cramped protected labelling zone in order to carry out the respective maintenance or refilling operations.

[0041] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 120 is delimited or surrounded by corresponding radioactivity shielding means 12, in particular in the form of a corresponding shielding wall 121 , for example made of lead or containing lead parts, which shielding means 12 separate said protected zone 120 from an environment that is freely accessible by personnel and not subject to radioactive hazard.

[0042] As is clear form said figures, as an appreciable advantage, means 20 are provided in the system for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , which means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , are arranged outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 120, and preferably arranged in the immediate surroundings thereof.

[0043] As an appreciable advantage, as is clear from said figures, in practice, said radioactivity shielding means 12 comprise a shielding wall 121 that extends so as to separate said protected zone 120 from the external environment, in particular so as to surround or enclose said protected zone 120 peripherally.

[0044] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e. said shielding wall 121 , have, or has, an opening 122 to allow the passage of said label 11 from outside said protected zone 120, in particular from outside said shielding means 12, into said protected zone 120, or to allow the passage of said means 16 which are adapted to transport said label 11 from outside said protected zone 120, in particular from outside said shielding means 12, into said protected zone 120.

[0045] As is clear from said figures, as an advantage, the system 10 has a respective movable portion 123 for opening and closing said opening 122 which is adapted to allow the passage of said label 11 from outside said protected zone 120, in particular from outside said shielding means 12, or from said shielding wall 121 , into said protected zone 120, i.e. which is adapted to allow the passage of said means 16 which are adapted to carry said label 11 from outside said protected zone 120, into said protected zone 120, i.e. inside said shielding means 12, or said shielding wall 121 ; in particular, said movable portion 123 for opening and closing said opening

[0046] 122 being defined by a portion of said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e. of said shielding wall 121 .

[0047] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said movable portion

[0048] 123 for opening and closing said passage opening 122 is shiftable between a coupling position with said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e. with said shielding wall 121 , and for closing said passage opening 122, and a distanced position, in particular linearly distanced, from said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e. from said shielding wall 121 , for opening said passage opening 122.

[0049] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, means are provided which are adapted to open and close said movable portion 123 for opening and closing said passage opening 122 i.e. which are adapted to move said movable portion 123 for opening and closing said passage opening 122 between said coupling position with said radioactivity shielding means 12 i.e. with said shielding wall 121 , and for closing said passage opening 122, and the distanced position, in particular linearly distanced, from said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e. from said shielding wall 121 , for opening said passage opening 122.

[0050] As is clear from said figure, advantageously, and as will be clearer however from the following of the present description, said means which are adapted to open and close said movable portion 123 for opening and closing said passage opening 122 are defined by said means 16 which are adapted to transport said label 11 from outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 120, into said protected zone 120.

[0051] In a particularly advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said means 16 which are adapted to transport said label 11 from outside said protected zone 120, in particular from outside said shielding means 12, into said protected zone 120, are in the form of corresponding means 161 movable between a position A for picking up said label 11 , in particular outside said protected zone 120, especially said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e. said shielding wall 121 , and a position B for releasing said label 11 , in particular inside said protected zone 120, especially said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e. said shielding wall 121.

[0052] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, said means 161 which are adapted to transport said label 11 are adapted to reach a position C for rejecting a defective label 11 , as will be clearer in any case from the following of the present description.

[0053] As is clear from said figures, in a particularly advantageous way, said position C for rejecting a defective label 11 is outside said protected zone 120, especially being outside said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e., said shielding wall 121 .

[0054] In an appreciably advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said position C for rejecting a defective label 11 is an intermediate position between said position A for picking up said label 11 and said position B for releasing said label 11 .

[0055] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, means 16 are provided which are adapted to transport said label 11 , in particular from outside said protected zone 120, into said protected zone 120, comprising respective means 18 for picking up and releasing said label 11 .

[0056] As is clear from said figures, in an appreciably advantageous way, said means 18 for picking up and releasing said label 11 comprise a corresponding engagement surface 181 for engaging said label 11.

[0057] As an appreciable advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 18 for gripping and releasing said label 11 retain the side or face of the label displaying the information components of the product, or container.

[0058] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, means are provided in the system for retaining the label on said surface 181 for engaging the label 11.

[0059] As is clear from said figures, as an appreciable advantage, said means for retaining the label on said surface 181 for engaging said label 11 are in the form of corresponding means, or holes, for sucking said label 11 which are provided at said surface 181 for engaging said label 11 .

[0060] As an advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 18 for picking up and releasing said label 11 comprise a portion, or blade, 182 carrying said engagement surface 181 for engaging said label 11.

[0061] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said portion, or blade, 182 carrying said engagement surface 181 for engaging said label 11 extends cantilevered, in particular protruding laterally with respect to said means of transport 16.

[0062] As is clear from said figures, as an advantage, said portion, or blade, 182 carrying said engagement surface 181 for engaging said label 11 is movable and has a position, in particular lowered, for picking up said label 11 , especially from said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , and a position, in particular raised, for releasing said label 11 into said protected zone 120, in particular to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0063] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said portion, or blade, 182 carrying said engagement surface 181 for carrying said label 11 has a position, in particular raised, for transporting said label 11 .

[0064] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said portion, or blade, 182 carrying said engagement surface 181 for engaging said label 11 also has a position, in particular lowered, for rejecting said label 11 .

[0065] As can be advantageously inferred from said figures, means 16 are provided which are adapted to transport said label 11 , from outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 120, into said protected zone 120, comprising a corresponding movable carriage 161 .

[0066] In a particularly advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said movable carriage 161 carrying said label 11 comprises a carriage body 162 and a portion, or blade, 182 defining said engagement surface 181 for engaging said label 11 , in particular extending, preferably laterally, from said carriage body 162.

[0067] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said portion, or blade, 182 carrying said engagement surface 181 for carrying said label 11 extends protruding from said carriage body 162.

[0068] Advantageously, s is clear from said figures, said movable carriage 161 carrying said label 11 moves with a movement, in particular translating, especially horizontally and / or linearly, between said position A for picking up said label 11 and said position B for releasing said label 11 , and in particular, after having released said label 11 , with a movement going back to said position A for picking up a subsequent label 11 .

[0069] As is clear from said figures, in a particularly advantageous way, said movable carriage 161 carrying said label 11 moves with a movement, in particular translating, especially horizontally and / or linearly, between said position A for picking up said label 11 and said position C for rejecting a defective label 11 and in particular, after having released said defective label 11 , with a movement going back to said position A for picking up a subsequent label 11 .

[0070] In an appreciably advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said movable carriage 161 carrying said label 11 supports and transports said movable portion 123 for opening and closing said passage opening 122 in said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e. in said shielding wall 121.

[0071] It should be understood, however, that although the present preferred embodiment of means which are adapted to transport said label from outside into said protected zone constituted by a corresponding label transport carriage is particularly preferred, also other embodiments are however conceivable according to the present invention; for example said means which are adapted to transport said label from outside into said protected zone could also be constituted by a corresponding endless conveyor belt or other.

[0072] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, in said means 16 which are adapted to transport said label 11 from outside said protected zone 120, into said protected zone 120, they are provided means 163 for supporting said movable carriage 161 carrying said label 11 , which said support means 163 comprise corresponding guide and sliding means 164 for said movable carriage 161 carrying said label 11.

[0073] As is clear from said figures, in an appreciably advantageous way, said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , are in the form of a colour printer, in particular adapted to print in four-colour printing.

[0074] As an appreciable advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , are in the form of an inkjet printer 20.

[0075] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , are arranged alongside, i.e. on a side of, said means 16 which are adapted to transport said label 11 from outside said protected zone 120, into said protected zone 120, and in particular are adjacent thereto.

[0076] As is clear from said figures, as an appreciable advantage, said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 are arranged at, or near, the end 16”, of said means 16 which are adapted to transport said label 11 from outside said protected zone 120 into said protected zone 120, that is opposite to the end 16' which is at said zone 120 which is protected, in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0077] As an advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , have corresponding means 201 for transferring said label 11 , in particular including corresponding means 202 for supporting said label 11 .

[0078] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , have means 203 for peeling off the respective label 11 , i.e. for removing the layer preferably made of paper material supporting said label 11 , and in particular to which the adhesive face of said label 11 adheres.

[0079] As is clear from said figures, as an advantage, means 22 are provided for checking said label 11 , in particular for checking the conformity of the printing that has been carried out on said label 11 .

[0080] Advantageously, said means 22 for checking said label 11 are arranged outside said zone 120 which is protected, in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, i.e. outside said radioactivity shielding means 12, or said shielding wall 121 .

[0081] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 22 for checking said label 11 comprise a corresponding camera 22.

[0082] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, said means 22 for checking said label 11 , i.e. said camera 22, are at said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11.

[0083] In a particularly advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said means 22 for checking said label 11 are above the means 201 for transferring said label 11 of said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11.

[0084] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 22 for checking said label 11 operate after the printing, on the respective side or face, of the information components of the product, or container including at least one corresponding piece of information concerning the value, in particular measured in contiguity, i.e. just before or shortly before the application of the label, of at least one parameter indicative of the radioactivity of said product, or container, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, has been carried out by said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 . As is clear from said figures, in a particularly advantageous way, said means 22 for checking said label 11 operate, i.e. detect at least one image of said label 11 , before picking up said label 11 , i.e. before shifting, in the respective lowered position, said portion, or blade, 182 carrying said engagement surface 181 for engaging said label 11 of said means 18 for picking up and releasing said label 11 .

[0085] In an appreciably advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said means 14 which are adapted to apply the label 11 to said container, or vial, 13 containing said product, including, or consisting of, a radioactive, or hazardous, agent, comprise means 141 for pushing said label 11 , i.e. pushing the adhesive face thereof, against the external surface of said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, agent.

[0086] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 141 for pushing said label 11 , i.e. the adhesive face thereof against the external surface of said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, are in the form of an applicator roller 141 , rotatable, in particular according to a vertical axis, which engages said label 11 and, while rotating, pushes the adhesive face thereof against the external surface of said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0087] As is clear from said figures, in an appreciably advantageous way, means 142 are provided which are adapted to move said means 141 for pushing said label 11 , or said applicator roller 141 , between a position distanced from said product, or container, 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, and a position close to said product, or container, 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous material, to provide for the engagement and application of said label 11 on the external surface of said product, or container, 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0088] As an appreciable advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 14 which are adapted to apply the label 11 to said container, or vial, 13 containing said product, including, or consisting of, a radioactive, or hazardous agent, comprise means 143 for rotating said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, which are preferably arranged above said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0089] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said portion, or blade, 182 carrying said engagement surface 181 for engaging said label 11 of said means 16 which are adapted to transport said label 11 from outside said protected zone 120, into said protected zone 120, carries said label 11 with an end 11 ' which is protruding towards said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in order to allow the engagement of said end 11 ' by said means 141 for pushing said label 11 , i.e. said applicator roller 141 , and allow to subsequently drag and apply said label 11 along the external surface of said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0090] As is clear from said figures, as an appreciable advantage, means 24 are provided in the system for collecting defective labels 11.

[0091] As an advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 16 which are adapted to transport said label 11 from outside said protected zone 120, into said protected zone 120, are adapted to transport the respective defective label 11 in a position for transferring the defective label 11 to said means 24 for collecting the defective labels 11 in order to transfer the corresponding label thereto.

[0092] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 24 for collecting the defective labels 11 are outside said zone 120 which is protected, in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular outside said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e. said shielding wall 121 .

[0093] As is clear from said figures, as an advantage, said means 24 for collecting said defective labels 11 are in an intermediate position between said zone 120 which is protected, in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e. said shielding wall 121 , and said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11.

[0094] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, means 26 are also provided in the system for checking said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous material, or for checking the correct application of said label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0095] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means for checking said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, i.e. for checking the correct application of said label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, are in the form of a respective camera 26.

[0096] As is clear from said figures, said means 26 for checking said product, or container, 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, or for checking the correct application of said label 11 to said product, or container,

[0097] 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material are placed at or near said zone 120 which is protected, in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, i.e. inside said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e. said shielding wall 121 .

[0098] In a particularly advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, means 28 are provided in the system for conveying said product, or container, 13, including radioactive, or hazardous, material, at said zone 120, which is protected, in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, 13, including radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0099] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 28 for conveying said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous material, at said zone 120 which is protected, in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, are adapted to carry said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous material, tp said zone 120 which is protected, in particular with respect to radioactivity, only when said movable portion 123 for opening and closing said passage opening 122, provided in said radioactivity shielding means 12, i.e. in said shielding wall 121 , is in a closed condition.

[0100] The safety of the personnel in charge is thus guaranteed.

[0101] As is clear from said figures, in a particularly advantageous way, said means 16 which are adapted to transport said label 11 from outside said protected zone 120, into said protected zone 120, are adapted to open said movable portion 123 for opening and closing said passage opening 122, provided in said radioactivity shielding means 12, or in said shielding wall 121 , only when said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material has been moved away, in particular by said means 28 for conveying said product, or container, 13.

[0102] In particular, as is clear from said figures, computer means for controlling the system are provided in the system, which in particular are adapted to command said means 14 which are adapted to apply said label 11 to said container, or vial, 13 containing said product, including, or consisting of, a radioactive, or hazardous, agent, said means 16 which are adapted to transport said label 11 from outside said protected zone 120, into said protected zone 120, said means 18 for gripping and releasing said label 11 , said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , said means 24 for collecting the defective labels 11 and / or said means 28 for conveying said product, or container, 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material at said protected zone 120 which is protected, in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, especially by means of data detected through said means 22 for checking said label 11.

[0103] In the attached Figures 4A to 7, a second preferred embodiment 010 of the system for applying a label 11 to a product 13, preferably in the form of a container, in particular in the form of a vial, including a radioactive, or hazardous, material, is shown. Preferably, said material being a radiopharmaceutical or a material for performing diagnostic investigations.

[0104] In the figures relating to the second preferred embodiment 010 of the system according to the present invention, the components that substantially correspond to those of the first preferred embodiment are marked with the same numerical references that were used in the previous preferred embodiment and, in order not to overburden the present description, are not re-commented in detail.

[0105] In the figures, for conventional purposes, references L, T, and P respectively denote the axes, orthogonal to each other, indicating the longitudinal, transverse and perpendicular reference directions.

[0106] As is clear from said figures, the system 010 operates in a protected zone 0120, which is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0107] As is clear from said figures, the system 010 comprises means 014 which are adapted to apply the label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and which are arranged inside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120.

[0108] In a particularly advantageous way, as shown, the system 010 comprises means 016 which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label 11 from outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120, into said protected zone 120.

[0109] It is thus possible to apply the label to said product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material in a way that is safe for the personnel in charge, and that, at the same time, avoids excessively cluttering the inside of said protected zone and / or damaging the corresponding equipment, in particular the means for making, i.e. for printing, said label, and that also facilitates the work of the personnel in charge, who no longer have to enter the often cramped protected labelling zone in order to carry out the respective maintenance or refilling operations.

[0110] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120, may be, or preferably is, part of the system and is defined by a zone delimited or surrounded by corresponding shielding means, that shield in particular with respect to radioactivity, 012, which separate said protected zone 0120 from an environment 0129 which does not need to be protected and which is freely accessible by personnel and in particular which is not subject to radioactive hazard.

[0111] As is clear from said figures, as an advantage, said shielding means, that shield in particular with respect to radioactivity, 012 comprise a shielding wall 0121 extending so as to separate said protected zone 0120 from the external environment 0129, in particular said shielding wall 0121 extends so as to surround or peripherally enclose said protected zone 0120.

[0112] In an appreciably advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said shielding means, that shield in particular with respect to radioactivity, 012, i.e. said shielding wall 0121 , have, or has, an opening 0122 adapted to allow the passage of said label 11 from outside said protected zone 0120, in particular from outside said shielding means 012, into said protected zone 0120, or adapted to allow the passage of said means 016 which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label 11 from outside 0129 said protected zone 0120, in particular from outside 0129 said shielding means 012, into said protected zone 0120.

[0113] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said opening 0122 adapted to allow the passage of said label 11 from outside said protected zone 0120, in particular from outside said shielding means 012, into said protected zone 0120, is in the form of a thin slit and in particular has a width that is preferably between 50mm and 100mm, and, optimally, that is 60mm, or in any case around 60mm, and a height that is preferably between 5mm and 30mm, and optimally that is 20mm, or in any case around 20mm.

[0114] The possible passage of radioactivity to the outside is thus considerably limited.

[0115] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, said means 016 which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label 11 from outside 0129 said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120, into said protected zone 0120, comprise a band 15 which supports said label 11 , i.e. which supports a plurality of said labels 11 .

[0116] As an appreciable advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 016 which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label 11 from outside 0129 said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120, into said protected zone 0120, comprise means 0161 for supporting and guiding, along a respective path, said label 11 , or a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11.

[0117] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 016 which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label 11 from outside 0129 said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120, into said protected zone 0120, comprise a support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , in particular defining, especially at least in part, said support and guide means 0161 , of said label 11 , i.e. of the band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11.

[0118] As is clear from said figures, in a particularly advantageous way, said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , is in the form of an elongated plate 0161 which is adapted to extend through said opening 0122 adapted to allow the passage of said label 11 from outside said protected zone 0120, in particular from outside said shielding means 012, into said protected zone 0120. In particular, therefore, said means 0161 for supporting and guiding, along a respective path, said label 11 , i.e. a band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , extend, at least in part, within said protected zone 0120.

[0119] As an advantage, as is clear from said figures and in particular from figure 4A, said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , has at least the respective free, or front, end 0161 e which is positioned within said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120, in particular with a positioning immediately beyond, or near, said opening 0122 which is adapted to allow the passage of said label 11 , from outside said protected zone 0120, into said protected zone 0120.

[0120] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , has a respective free, or front end, 0161 e, at which said label 11 is discharged from said means 016 which are adapted to transfer or transport, said label 11 from outside 0129 said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120, into said protected zone 0120, in particular said label 11 being, discharged from said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 .

[0121] As is clear from said figures, in an appreciably advantageous way, said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , has an upper face 0161 ' for supporting and sliding, i.e. for advancing, said label 11 , i.e. said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 .

[0122] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , has a lower sliding face 0161”, in particular sliding backward, for said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 .

[0123] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , is movable, or shiftable, between a position, in particular advanced, 0A, shown in particular in Figure 4A, wherein at least one respective part, i.e. a respective end 0161 e thereof, is inside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120, and in particular at which said label 11 is discharged, and a position, in particular retracted, 0C, shown in particular in figure 4B, wherein said support and sliding element 0161 , or elongated plate 0161 , is outside, i.e. is totally outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to the radioactivity, 0120, in particular with said free, or front end, 0161 e of said support and sliding element 0161 , or elongated plate 0161 , which is in a position in any case close to said shielding wall 0121 , especially while being on the outer side thereof.

[0124] As is clear from said figures, as an appreciable advantage, said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , in the respective position 0C, wherein it is outside, i.e. is totally outside, said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120, is adapted to allow the discharge, or release, of a defective label 11 , in particular the discharge, or release, of a defective label 11 from said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , as will be clearer in any case from the following of the present description.

[0125] In a particularly advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , extends horizontally and / or longitudinally, and in particular at the front, relative to said means 020 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , as will be clearer in any case from the following of the present description.

[0126] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 016 which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label 11 from outside 0129 said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120, into said protected zone 0120, comprise means 0165 for dragging said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 .

[0127] As is clear from said figures, as an advantage, said means for dragging said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , are in particular in the form of corresponding rotatable roller means 0165 for engaging and dragging said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 .

[0128] In an appreciably advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said means 0165 for dragging said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , are provided, according to the advancement path of said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , downstream of said support and sliding element, or elongated plate 0161 .

[0129] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 016 which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label 11 from outside 0129 said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120, into said protected zone 0120, comprise drive means 0166, 0167, 0168, 0169, 01610 for driving said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 .

[0130] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, said drive means 0166, 0167, 0168, 0169, 01610 for driving said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , comprise corresponding freely rotatable roller means 0166, 0167, 0168, 0169, 01610.

[0131] In particular, a first a second and a third drive rollers 0166, 0167, 0168 for driving said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , are provided upstream of said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , and are adapted to enable the conveyance of said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , along the upper face 016T thereof.

[0132] In particular, a drive roller 0169 is provided at the zone upstream of the lower sliding face 0161 ” of said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , and is adapted to maintain said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 in contact with said lower surface 0161" of said support and sliding element 0161 .

[0133] In particular, a drive roller 01610 is provided downstream of the said dragging means, or roller 0165.

[0134] As an appreciable advantage, as is clear from said figures, the system 010 comprises means 020 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , which means 020 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , are arranged outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120, and preferably, as shown, in the immediately nearby.

[0135] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 020 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , are defined by a respective printer 0201 , in particular in the form of a colour printer, in particular adapted to print in four-colour printing, and / or preferably an ink-jet type printer.

[0136] As is clear from said figures, in a particularly advantageous way, the system 010 comprises means 030 to support said means 020 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , i.e. said printer 0201 .

[0137] As an advantage, the system 010 comprises means 030 defining said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 .

[0138] Advantageously, support means 030 for said means 020 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , i.e. for said printer 0201 , and / or defining said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , are in the form of a support frame, in particular made of metal, 0300.

[0139] As is clear from said figures, in an appreciably advantageous way, said support frame, in particular made of metal, 0300 comprises a support base 0301 for said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , i.e. for the respective printer 201 , on which, in particular, said means 020 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , i.e. said printer 0201 , rest on, and / or to which said means 020 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , i.e. said printer 0201 , are fixed, or is fixed.

[0140] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said support frame, in particular made of metal, 0300 supports said means, or roller, 0165 for dragging said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , and / or supports said means, or rollers, 0166, 0167, 0168, 0169, 01610 for driving said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 .

[0141] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said support frame, in particular made of metal, 0300 has corresponding upwardly extending column means 0302 which support cantilevered said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , which, in particular extends longitudinally forward from a corresponding enlarged platform 0303, extended transversely, in particular horizontally, and / or coplanar to said support and sliding element 0161 or elongated plate 0161 and especially extending from the upper end of said column means 0302 and preferably defining an upper face 0303’ for supporting and sliding said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , which is plane-shaped.

[0142] As is clear from said figures, as an appreciable advantage, said support frame, in particular made of metal, 0300 i.e. said upwardly extending column means 0302, is adapted, or are adapted, to arrange said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , on the longitudinal extension of the outlet 0201 u of said label 11 , i.e. of said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , from said means 020 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , i.e. from said printer 0201 .

[0143] In a particularly advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said support frame, in particular made of metal, 0300 and the means 020, supported by the latter, for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , i.e. said printer 0201 , and / or said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , is movable, or shiftable, or are movable, or shiftable, between a position, in particular advanced, 0A for discharging said label 11 , and a position, in particular retracted, 0C, especially for discharging the respective defective label 11 on said means 024 for collecting defective labels, as will be clearer in any case from the following of the present description.

[0144] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, the system 010 comprises means 023 for handling said means 016 which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label 11 , i.e. for handling said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , and / or for handling said support frame, in particular made of metal, 0300, and the means 020, supported by the latter, for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , i.e. said printer 0201 , and / or said support and sliding element 0161 , or elongated plate 0161 , in particular according to a longitudinal direction, preferably between said position, in particular advanced, 0A for discharging said label 11 , and a position, in particular retracted, OC, especially for discharging the respective defective label 11 on said means 024 for collecting defective labels.

[0145] As is clear from said figures, as an advantage, said handling means 023 comprise corresponding guide means, in particular a first and a second longitudinal guide means, 0231 , 0231 for said support frame, in particular made of metal, 0300, on which skid means 0232 slide, carried by corresponding lower cross members 0305, 0305 of said support frame 0300, which are connected to the base 0301 of said support frame, in particular made of metal, 0300 by corresponding side rails 0304, 0304.

[0146] In an appreciably advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said handling means 023 comprise pulling means for said support frame, in particular made of metal, 0300, and which are not however particularly shown in the figures.

[0147] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, the system 010 comprises corresponding means 021 for supplying, or accumulating, a portion, or stretch, of said label-bearing band 15, especially which are configured to release, or let slide longitudinally, a longitudinal quantity or portion of label-bearing strip upon application of the label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material inside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120.

[0148] Said operation of applying said label can thus be performed with said means for making said label, in particular for printing said label, i.e. with said printer, in the stop condition of the longitudinal movement, i.e. in said position 0A for discharging said label.

[0149] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, said means 021 for supplying said label-bearing band 15 are arranged upstream of said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 .

[0150] As an appreciable advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 021 for supplying said label-bearing band 15 comprise a movable dancer roller, in particular in the form of a roll, 0168 engaging, in particular on top, said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , and moving, in particular perpendicularly, i.e. from top to bottom and vice versa, between corresponding longitudinally spaced rollers 0166, 0167.

[0151] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 021 for supplying said label-bearing band 15 are carried by said support frame, particularly made of metal, 0300.

[0152] As is clear from said figures, in a particularly advantageous way, said means 020 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , i.e., the respective printer 0201 , have, or has, means 0209 for feeding said labelbearing band 15.

[0153] In particular, as is clear from said figures, said means 0209 for feeding said label-bearing band 15 comprise means, in particular in the form of a corresponding shaft 0208 supporting a supply spool 17, of said label-bearing band 15, in particular carried by said support frame 0202 of the respective printer 0201 .

[0154] As an advantage, as is clear from said figures, the system 010 comprises means 026 for collecting the label-bearing band 15.

[0155] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 026 for collecting said label-bearing band 15 comprise a corresponding shaft 0261 , in particular rotatable, for collecting said label-bearing band 15, which in particular is suitably motorised in rotation.

[0156] As is clear from said figures, in an appreciably advantageous way, said means 026 for collecting the label-bearing band 15, or collection shaft 0261 , are carried, or is carried, by said support frame, in particular made of metal, 0300, preferably by said base 0301 thereof. Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 026 for collecting the label-bearing band 15, or collection shaft 0261 , are arranged, or is arranged, in particular according to the longitudinal direction, at the rear of said means 020 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , i.e. at the rear of said printer 0201. In particular, as shown, said means 026 for collecting the label-bearing band 15, or collection shaft 0261 , are supported, or is supported, by a corresponding baseplate 0262, from which opposite side arms 0263, 0263 extend, rotatably supporting said transverse shaft 0261 , which baseplate 0262 is supported on said support base 0301 for said means 20 for making said label, in particular for printing said label 11 , i.e. for the respective printer 201 .

[0157] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, the system 010 comprises means 024 for collecting defective labels.

[0158] As is clear from said figures, as an appreciable advantage, said means 024 for collecting defective labels comprise a reel, especially rotatable, 0241 , in particular made of paper material, i.e. cardboard, on which said defective labels are applied.

[0159] Waste can thus be suitably sorted out.

[0160] In a particularly advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, means 0242 are provided for supporting and rotating said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected, in particular from which a corresponding shaft 0244 for rotating and supporting said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected protrudes transversely cantilevered.

[0161] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 024 for collecting said defective labels comprise an applicator roller 0243 which is adapted to push said defective label onto said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected, and which in particular is positioned above said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected and / or which provides to peel off the respective defective label from said label-bearing band. As is clear from said figures, as an advantage, said means 024 for collecting said defective labels, i.e. said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected, and especially said means 0242 for supporting and rotating said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected, as well as said applicator roller 0243 for engaging said defective label 11 , are movable, or shiftable, between a rest position, in particular lowered, and a position, in particular raised, for receiving a corresponding defective label 11 on said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected.

[0162] In an appreciably advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said means 024 for collecting the defective labels comprise a corresponding actuator 0245 for handling said means 024 for collecting said defective labels, i.e. said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected, and in particular said means 0242 for supporting and rotating said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected, as well as said applicator roller 0243 for engaging said defective label 11 , in particular between said rest position, in particular lowered, and said position, in particular raised, for receiving a corresponding defective label 11 on said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected.

[0163] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 024 for collecting said defective labels comprise a corresponding actuator 0245 for handling said means 024 for collecting said defective labels, i.e. said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected, and in particular said means 0242 for supporting and rotating said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected, as well as said applicator roller 0243 for engaging said defective label 11 , in the position, in particular raised, for receiving a corresponding defective label 11 on said reel 0241 on which said defective labels are collected, are at said free, or front end, 0161 e of said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , in the position 0C extracted from said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120.

[0164] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, said means 014 which are adapted to apply the label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, comprise means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13.

[0165] As an appreciable advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 014 which are adapted to apply the label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, comprise means 0141 , 0142 which in particular are adapted to support said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, which means 0141 , 0142 are in the form of corresponding means which rotate said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0166] Said label 11 is thus applied to said product, or container, 13 including the radioactive, or hazardous material, in a particularly easy way.

[0167] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 014 which are adapted to apply the label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, comprise means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, position.

[0168] As is clear from said figures, in a particularly advantageous way, said means 014 which are adapted to apply the label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, are in the form of corresponding roller means, in particular in the form of a first and a second rollers 0141 , 0142 for supporting and rotating said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0169] As an advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 014 which are adapted to apply the label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, comprise means 0143 for engaging and applying the respective label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, arranged on said means, or rollers, 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular in the form of an applicator roller 0143.

[0170] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 0143 for engaging and applying the respective label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular in the form of an applicator roller 0143, are positioned, or is positioned, above said means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, or to said roller means, in particular in the form of a first and a second rollers 0141 , 0142 for supporting and rotating said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous material.

[0171] As is clear from said figures, in an appreciably advantageous way, said roller means, in particular in the form of a first and a second rollers, 0141 , 0142 for supporting and rotating said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and / or said applicator roller 0143, of the respective label 11 on said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, have the respective rotation axis which is horizontal, or substantially horizontal.

[0172] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 014 which are adapted to apply the label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, and which are arranged inside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120 comprise actuating means 0145 to rotate said roller means, in particular in the form of a first and a second rollers, 0141 , 0142 for supporting and rotating said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and / or said applicator roller 0143, of the respective label 11 on said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular said rotation actuating means 0145 being in the form of a corresponding motor 0145.

[0173] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, means 0144 are provided for supporting, in particular rotatably, said means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular by means of said roller means, in particular in the form of a first and a second rollers 0141 , 0142 for supporting and rotating said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0174] As is clear from said figures, as an appreciable advantage, said means 0141 , 0142, which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, in a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, position, are movable, or shiftable, in particular vertically, between a position, in particular raised, for applying said label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and a position, in particular lowered, especially for receiving said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, not yet labelled and / or for releasing said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, with said label 11 applied.

[0175] In a particularly advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, the system 010 comprises means, or actuator, 0146 for actuating the movement, in particular perpendicular, of said means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous material, in a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, position, are movable, or shiftable, in particular vertically, between a position in particular raised, for applying said label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous material, and a position, in particular lowered, especially for receiving said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, not yet labelled and / or for releasing said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, with said label 11 applied.

[0176] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, the system 010 comprises means 0146, 0147, 0148 for adjusting the position of said means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13.

[0177] It is thus possible to have maximum flexibility of application, i.e. to be able to apply a label to any possible product, or container, of any size, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and in any desired position, and one can also, if necessary, compensate for any imperfect positioning of said product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and thus be able to apply the label optimally.

[0178] As is clear from said figures, as an advantage, the system 010 comprises means, or actuator, 0146 for adjusting the height, or perpendicular position, of said means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13.

[0179] Products, or containers, including radioactive or hazardous material, of different diameters can thus be handled.

[0180] In an appreciably advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, the system 010 comprises means, or actuator, 0147 which are adapted, or is adapted, to move, or shift, according to a linear direction, said means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13, i.e. said roller means, in particular in the form of a first and a second rollers, 0141 , 0142 for supporting and rotating said product, or container, 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular according to a direction parallel to the respective rotation axis, for adjusting the position in the plane, in particular the axial position, of said means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13, including said radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0181] It is thus possible to centre the position of said product, or container, 13 including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in relation to the respective label 11 .

[0182] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means, or actuator, 0147, which are adapted, or is adapted, to move, or shift, according to a linear direction, said means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13, are adapted to let slide, in particular horizontally, said means 0144 supporting said means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, on corresponding skid means 0149, in particular by operating through a respective connecting rod and crank mechanism 0149'.

[0183] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, the system 010 comprises means, or actuator, 0148 for adjusting the angular position of said means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13.

[0184] Said product, or container, 13 including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, can thus be arranged in the correct angular position to receive the respective label 11 .

[0185] As an appreciable advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 014 which are adapted to apply the label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, comprise means 0161 s for peeling off said label 11 from said label-bearing band 15, in particular in the form of a sharp edge, or bevel, at the free end 0161 e of said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or said elongated plate 0161 , coinciding with the point of inversion of the direction of advancement of said band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or coinciding with said free end 0161 e of said support and sliding element 0161 .

[0186] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 014 which are adapted to apply the label 11 to said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, include lighting means 01410, particularly near said applicator roller 0143.

[0187] As is clear from said figures, in a particularly advantageous way, the system 010 comprises means 022 for checking said label 11 , i.e. the correctness of the printing of said label 11 .

[0188] It is thus possible to check whether the printing of the label is correct, if it is not, said defective label will be discharged on said means 024 for collecting defective labels.

[0189] As an advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 022 for checking said label 11 comprise means 0221 for detecting said label 11 , in particular in the form of corresponding camera means, especially in the form of a single camera.

[0190] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, said means 0221 for detecting said label 11 , in particular in the form of corresponding camera means, are positioned outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120.

[0191] In an appreciably advantageous way, said means 0221 for detecting said label 11 , in particular in the form of corresponding camera means, are adapted to detect a respective label 11 placed on said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or on the enlarged platform 0303 upstream of said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 .

[0192] Advantageously, the system 010 comprises said means 028 for controlling the application of said label 11 on the corresponding said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0193] It is thus possible to detect whether the application of said label 11 to said product, or container, 13 including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, is successful.

[0194] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, said means 028 for checking the application of said label 11 on the corresponding said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, comprise means 0281 for detecting the application of said label 11 on the corresponding said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular in the form of corresponding camera means, in particular in the form of a single camera 0281 .

[0195] As an appreciable advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 0281 for detecting the application of said label 11 on the corresponding said product, or container, 13, including radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular in the form of corresponding camera means, are positioned inside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120.

[0196] In a particularly advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, said means 0281 for detecting the application of said label 11 on the corresponding said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular in the form of corresponding camera means, are positioned above said means 0141 , 0142 which are adapted to support said product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

[0197] As is clear from said figures, advantageously, the system 010 comprises means 0123 for closing said opening 0122, adapted to allow the passage of said label 11 from outside said protected zone 0120, in particular from outside said shielding means 012, into said protected zone 0120.

[0198] As an advantage, as is clear from said figures, said means 0123 for closing said opening 0122, adapted to allow the passage of said label 11 from outside said protected zone 0120, in particular from outside said shielding means 012, into said protected zone 0120, comprise a door for closing said opening 0122, which is openable, in particular to allow the insertion of said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , and is closable, in particular when said support and sliding element 0161 for said label 11 , i.e. for a corresponding band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , or elongated plate 0161 , is extracted from said opening 0122.

[0199] In an appreciably advantageous way, as is clear from said figures, the band 15 supporting said label 11 , i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels 11 , is made of siliconised paper material and / or said label 11 is made of plasticised paper material and is writable on the outer side and has an adhesive layer applied on the side which is joined to said band 15.

[0200] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, the band 15 supports a plurality of labels 11 spaced from each other, in particular by a predetermined distance d, especially by a distance which is greater than the length of said label 11 , along the main extension direction of said band 15, preferably which is greater by several times, or by a plurality of times, the corresponding length of said label 11 along the main extension direction of said band 15.

[0201] Advantageously, as is clear from said figures, a process for applying a label 11 to a product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, has been therefore provided, said product, or container 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous material, is arranged inside a protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 120.

[0202] According to the process, said label 11 is made, or printed, outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 120, said label 11 is transferred, or transported, into said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 120, and said label 11 is applied to the product, or container, 13, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material inside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, 0120.

[0203] In practice, as is evident, the technical characteristics illustrated above allow, individually or in a respective combination, to achieve one or more of the following advantageous results:

[0204] - it is possible to obtain the application of the label on said product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in a safe way for the personnel in charge,

[0205] - excessive cluttering of the inside of said protected zone is avoided;

[0206] - damage to corresponding equipment, in particular to the means for making, or printing, said label, is avoided;

[0207] - the work of the personnel in charge, who no longer have to enter the often cramped protected labelling zone in order to carry out the respective maintenance or refilling operations is made easier;

[0208] - the possible passage of radioactivity to the outside is definitely limited;

[0209] - said operation of applying said label may be carried out with said means for making said label, in particular for printing said label, i.e. with said printer, in the stopped condition of the longitudinal movement, or in said position of discharging said label;

[0210] - waste can be suitably sorted out;

[0211] - said label is easily applied to the said product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material;

[0212] - it is possible to have maximum flexibility of application, i.e. to be able to apply a label to any possible product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in any desired position, and moreover, to compensate if necessary for any imperfect positioning of said product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and thus to be able to apply the label optimally;

[0213] - products, or containers, including radioactive, or hazardous, material, of different diameters can be handled;

[0214] - it is possible to centre the position of the said product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous material, in relation to the respective label;

[0215] - said product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, can be arranged in the correct angular position to receive the respective label;

[0216] - it is possible to check whether the printing of the label is correct; if it is not, said defective label will be discharged on said means for collecting the defective labels;

[0217] - it is possible to detect whether the application of said label to the said product, or container, including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, is successful.

[0218] The present invention is susceptible to evident industrial application. The person skilled in the art will also be able to imagine numerous modifications and / or variations to be made to the same invention, while remaining within the scope of the inventive concept, as extensively explained. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art will be able to imagine further preferred embodiments of the invention comprising one or more of the above illustrated features of the above-shown preferred embodiment, in particular as set forth in the appended claims. Moreover, it must also be understood that all the details of the invention can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . System (010) for applying a label (11 ) to a product (13), preferably in the form of a container, in particular in the form of a vial, including a radioactive, or hazardous, material, preferably said material being a radiopharmaceutical or a material for performing diagnostic investigations; the system (010) operating in a protected zone (120), that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material; the system (010) comprising means (014) which are adapted to apply the label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and which are arranged within said protected zone, that is protected in particular in respect to radioactivity, (0120); the system (010) being characterised in that it comprises means (016) which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120), into said protected zone (0120).

2. System according to claim 1 , characterised in that said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120) is defined by a zone delimited or surrounded by corresponding shielding means, that shield in particular with respect to radioactivity (012), which separate said protected zone (0120) from an environment (0129) that does not need to be protected and which is freely accessible by personnel.

3. System according to claim 2, characterised in that said shielding means, that shield in particular with respect to radioactivity, (012) comprise a shielding wall (0121 ) which extends so as to separate said protected zone (0120) from the external environment (0129), in particular which shielding wall (0121 ) extends so as to surround or peripherally enclose said protected zone (0120).

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims 2 and 3,characterised in that said shielding means, that shield in particular with respect to radioactivity (012), i.e. said shielding wall (0121 ), have, or has, an opening (0122) adapted to allow the passage of said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone (0120), in particular from outside said shielding means (012), into the same protected zone (0120), i.e. adapted to allow the passage of said means (016) which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label (11 ) from outside (0129) said protected zone (0120), in particular from outside (0129) said shielding means (012), into said protected zone (0120).

5. System according to claim 4, characterised in that said opening (0122) adapted to allow the passage of said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone (0120), in particular from outside said shielding means (012), into said protected zone (0120), is in the form of a thin slit and in particular has a width that is preferably between 50mm and 100mm, and, optimally, that is 60mm, or in any case around 60mm, and a height that is preferably between 5mm and 30mm, and optimally that is 20mm, or in any case around 20mm.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said means (016) which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label (11 ) from outside (0129) said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120), into said protected zone (0120), comprise a band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ).

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said means (016) which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label (11 ) from outside (0129) said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120), into said protected zone (0120), comprise means (0161 ) for supporting and guiding, along a respective path, said label (11 ), i.e. a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ).

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterisedin that said means (016) which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label (11 ) from outside (0129) said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120), into said protected zone (0120), comprise a support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for the band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ).

9. System according to claim 8, characterised in that said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ) is in the form of an elongated plate (0161 ) which is adapted to extend through said opening (0122) adapted to allow the passage of said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone (0120), in particular from outside said shielding means (012), into said protected zone (0120).

10. System according to any one of the preceding claims 8 and 9, characterised in that said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), has at least the respective free, or front, end (0161e) which is positioned inside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120), in particular with the positioning immediately beyond, or near, said opening (0122) which is adapted to allow the passage of said label (11 ), from outside said protected zone (0120), into said protected zone (0120).

11. System according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterised in that said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ) has a respective free, or front, end (0161 e), at which said label (11 ) is discharged from said means (016) which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label (11 ) from outside (0129) said protected zone, that is protected in particularwith respect to radioactivity, (0120), into said protected zone (0120).

12. System according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 11 , characterised in that said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), has an upper face (0161') for supporting and sliding, i.e. for advancing, said label (11 ), i.e. said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ).

13. System according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 12, characterised in that said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), has a sliding lower face (0161'), in particular sliding backwards, for said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ).

14. System according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 13, characterised in that said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), is movable, or shiftable, between a position, in particular advanced, (0A) wherein at least a respective part or a respective end (0161e) thereof, is inside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120), and in particular at which said label (11 ) is discharged, and a position, in particular retracted, (0C), wherein said support and sliding element (0161 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), is outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120).

15. System according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 14, characterised in that said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), in therespective position (OC) wherein it is outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120), is adapted to allow the discharge, or release, of a defective label (11 ), in particular the discharge, or release, of a defective label (11 ) from said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ).

16. System according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 15, characterised in that said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), extends horizontally and / or longitudinally.

17. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said means (016) which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label (11 ) from outside (0129) said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120), into said protected zone (0120), comprise means (0165) for dragging said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ).

18. System according to claim 17, characterised in that said dragging means for said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), in particular are in the form of corresponding rotatable roller means (0165) engaging and dragging said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ).

19. System according to any one of the preceding claims 17 and 18, characterised in that said dragging means (0165) for said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), are provided, according to the advancement path of said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), downstream of said support and sliding element, or elongated plate (0161 ).

20. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said means (016) which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label(11 ) from outside (0129) said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120), into said protected zone (0120), comprise drive means (0166, 0167, 0168, 0169, 01610) for said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ).21 . System according to claim 20, characterised in that said drive means (0166, 0167, 0168, 0169, 01610) for said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), comprise corresponding freely rotatable roller means (0166, 0167, 0168, 0169, 01610).

22. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that the system (010) comprises means (020) for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), which means (020) for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), are arranged outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120).

23. System according to claim 22, characterised in that said means (020) for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), are defined by a respective printer (0201 ), in particular in the form of a colour printer and / or preferably an inkjet type printer.

24. System according to any one of the preceding claims 22 and 23, characterised in that the system (010) comprises means (030) for supporting said means (020) for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), i.e. for said printer (0201 ).

25. System according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 24, characterised in that the system (010) comprises means (030) defining said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ).

26. System according to any one of the preceding claims 24 and 25, characterised in that means (030) for supporting said means (020) for makingsaid label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), i.e. for said printer (0201 ) and / or defining said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), are in the form of a support frame, in particular made of metal, (0300).

27. System according to claim 26, characterized in that said support frame, in particular made of metal (0300) comprises a support base (0301 ) for said means (20) for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), i.e. for the respective printer (201 ), on which, in particular, said means (020) for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), i.e. said printer (0201 ), rest or rests, and / or to which said means (020) for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), i.e. said printer (0201 ) are fixed, or is fixed.

28. System according to any one of the preceding claims 26 and 27, characterised in that said support frame, in particular made of metal, (0300) supports said means, or roller, (0165) for dragging said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), and / or supporting said means, or rollers, (0166, 0167, 0168, 0169, 01610) for driving said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ).

29. System according to any one of the preceding claims 26 to 28, characterised in that said support frame, in particular made of metal, (0300) has corresponding upwardly extending column means (0302) which support cantilevered said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ) i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or said elongated plate (0161 ), which, in particular extends longitudinally forward from a corresponding enlarged platform (0303), extended transversely, in particular horizontally, and / or coplanar to said support and sliding element (0161 ) or elongated plate (0161 ) and in particular extending from the upper end of said column means (0302).

30. System according to any one of the preceding claims 26 to 29, characterised in that said support frame, in particular made of metal, (0300) i.e. said column means (0302) extending upwards, is adapted, or are adapted, to arrange said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ) i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), on the longitudinal extension of the outlet (0201 u) of said label (11 ), i.e. of said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), from said means (020) for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), i.e. from said printer (0201 ).

31. System according to any one of the preceding claims 26 to 30, characterised in that said support frame, in particular made of metal, (0300) and the means (020), supported by the latter, for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), i.e. said printer (0201 ), and / or said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ) i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), is movable, or shiftable, or are movable, or shiftable, between a position, in particular advanced, (0A) for discharging said label (11 ), and a position, in particular retracted, (0C), especially for discharging the respective defective label (11 ) onto said means (024) for collecting defective labels.

32. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that the system (010) comprises means (023) for handling said means (016) which are adapted to transfer, or transport, said label (11 ), i.e. for handling said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), and / or for handling said support frame, in particular made of metal, (0300), and the means (020), supported by the latter, formaking said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), i.e. said printer (0201 ), and / or said support and sliding element (0161 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), in particular according to a longitudinal direction, preferably between said position, in particular advanced, (0A) for discharging said label (11 ), and a position, in particular retracted, (0C), especially for discharging the respective defective label (11 ) on said means (024) for collecting defective labels.

33. System according to claim 32, characterised in that said handling means (023) comprise corresponding guide means, in particular a first and second longitudinal guides, (0231 ,0231 ) for said support frame, in particular made of metal, (0300).

34. System according to any one of the preceding claims 32 and 33, characterised in that said handling means (023) comprise pulling means for said support frame, in particular made of metal, (0300).

35. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that the system (010) comprises corresponding means (021 ) for supplying, or accumulating, a portion, or stretch, of said label-bearing band (15), especially which are configured to release, or to let slide longitudinally, a quantity, or longitudinal portion, of said label-bearing band upon application of the label (11 ) onto said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material within said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120).

36. System according to claim 35, characterised in that said means (021 ) for supplying said label-bearing band (15) are arranged upstream of said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ).

37. System according to any one of the preceding claims 35 and 36,characterised in that said means (021 ) for supplying said label-bearing band (15) comprise a movable dancer roller, in particular in the form of a roll, (0168) engaging, in particular on top, said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), and moving, in particular perpendicularly, between corresponding longitudinally spaced rollers (0166, 0167).

38. System according to any one of the preceding claims 35 to 37, characterised in that said means (021 ) for supplying said label-bearing band (15) are carried by said support frame, in particular made of metal, (0300).

39. System according to any one of the preceding claims 22 to 38, characterised in that said means (020) for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), i.e. the respective printer (0201 ), have, or has, means (0209) for advancing said label-bearing band (15).

40. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that the system (010) comprises means (026) for collecting the label-bearing band (15).41 . System according to claim 40, characterised in that said means (026) for collecting the label-bearing band (15) comprise a corresponding shaft, in particular rotatable, (0261 ) for collecting said label-bearing band (15).

42. System according to any one of the preceding claims 40 and 41 , characterised in that said means (026) for collecting the label-bearing band (15), or collection shaft (0261 ), is carried, or is carried, by said support frame, in particular made of metal, (0300), preferably by said base (0301 ) thereof.

43. System according to any one of the preceding claims 40 to 42, characterised in that said means (026) for collecting the label-bearing band (15), or collection shaft (0261 ), are arranged, or is arranged, in particular according to the longitudinal direction, at the rear of said means (020) for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), or at the rear of said printer (0201 ).

44. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that the system (010) comprises means (024) for collecting defective labels.

45. System according to claim 44, characterised in that said means (024) for collecting said defective labels comprise a reel, in particular rotatable, (0241 ), in particular made of paper material, i.e. of cardboard, on which said defective labels are applied.

46. System according to any one of the preceding claims 44 and 45, characterised in that means (0242) for supporting and rotating said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected, in particular from which a corresponding shaft (0244) for rotating and supporting said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected protrudes cantilevered transversely.

47. System according to any one of the preceding claims 44 to 46, characterised in that said means (024) for collecting said defective labels comprise an applicator roller (0243) which is adapted to push said defective label onto said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected, and which in particular is positioned above said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected and / or which provides to peel off said respective defective label from said label-bearing band.

48. System according to any one of the preceding claims 44 to 47, characterised in that said means (024) for collecting said defective labels are collected, i.e. said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected, and in particular said means (0242) for supporting and rotating said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected, as well as said applicator roller (0243) for engaging said defective label (11 ), are movable, or shiftable, between a rest position, in particular lowered, and a position, in particular raised, for receiving a corresponding defective label (11 ) on said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected.

49. System according to any one of the preceding claims 44 to 48,characterised in that said means (024) for collecting said defective labels comprise a corresponding actuator (0245) for handling said means (024) for collecting said defective labels, i.e. said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected and in particular said means (0242) for supporting and rotating said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected, as well as said applicator roller (0243) for engaging said defective label (11 ), in particular between said rest position, in particular lowered, and said position, in particular raised, for receiving a corresponding defective label (11 ) on said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected.

50. System according to any one of the preceding claims 44 to 49, characterised in that said means (024) for collecting said defective labels comprise a corresponding actuator (0245) for handling said means (024) for collecting said defective labels i.e. said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected, and in particular said means (0242) for supporting and rotating said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected, as well as said applicator roller (0243) for engaging said defective label (11 ), in the position, in particular raised, for receiving a corresponding defective label (11 ) on said reel (0241 ) on which said defective labels are collected, are at said free, or front, end, (0161 e) of said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ) i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), in the position (0C) extracted from said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to the radioactivity, (0120).51 . System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that said means (014) which are adapted to apply the label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material comprise means (0141 , 0142) which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13).

52. System according to claim 51 , characterised in that said means (014)which are adapted to apply the label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, comprise means (0141 , 0142) which in particular are adapted to support said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, which means (0141 , 0142) are in the form of corresponding means which rotate said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

53. System according to any one of the preceding claims 51 and 52, characterised in that said means (014) which are adapted to apply said label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ) including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, comprise means (0141 , 0142) which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13) including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, position.

54. System according to any one of the preceding claims 51 to 53, characterised in that said means (014) which are adapted to apply the label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, are in the form of corresponding roller means, in particular in the form of a first and a second roller means, (0141 , 0142) for supporting and rotating said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

55. System according to any one of the preceding claims 51 to 54, characterised in that said means (014) which are adapted to apply the label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, comprise means (0143) for engaging and applying the respective label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular in the form of an applicator roller (0143).

56. System according to claim 55, characterised in that said means (0143) for engaging and applying the respective label (11) to said product, orcontainer, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular in the form of an applicator roller (0143) are positioned, or is positioned, above said means (0141 , 0142) which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, i.e. said roller means, in particular in the form of a first and a second roller, (0141 , 0142) for supporting and rotating said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

57. System according to any one of the preceding claims 51 to 56, characterised in that said roller means, in particular in the form of a first and a second rollers, (0141 , 0142) for supporting and rotating said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and / or said applicator roller (0143), of the respective label (11 ) on said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, have the respective rotation axis which is horizontal, or substantially horizontal.

58. System according to any one of the preceding claims 54 to 57, characterised in that said means (014) which are adapted to apply the label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and which are arranged within said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120) comprise actuating means (0145) to rotate said roller means, in particular in the form of a first and a second rollers, (0141 , 0142) for supporting and rotating said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and / or said applicator roller (0143), applying the respective label (11 ) on said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

59. System according to any one of the preceding claims 51 to 58, characterised in that support means (0144), are provided, in particular rotatable, of said means (0141 , 0142) which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular with said roller means, in particular in the form of a first and asecond rollers, (0141 , 0142) for supporting and rotating said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

60. System according to any one of the preceding claims 51 to 59, characterised in that said means (0141 , 0142), which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13), including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, in a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, position, are movable, or shiftable, in particular vertically, between a position, in particular raised, for applying said label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and a position, in particular lowered, especially for receiving said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, not yet labelled and / or for releasing said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, with said label (11 ) applied.

61. System according to claim 60, characterised in that the system (010) comprises means, or actuator, (0146) for actuating the movement, in particular perpendicularly, of said means (0141 , 0142) which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, position,, are movable, or shiftable, in particular vertically, between a position, in particular raised for applying said label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and a position, in particular lowered, especially for receiving said product, or container, (13), including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, not yet labelled and / or for releasing said product, or container, (13), including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, with said label (11 ) applied.

62. System according to any one of the preceding claims 51 to 61 , characterised in that the system (010) comprises means (0146, 0147, 0148) for adjusting the position of said means (0141 , 0142) which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13).

63. System according to claim 62, characterised in that the system (010) comprises means, or actuator, (0146) for adjusting the height, or perpendicular position, of said means (0141 , 0142) which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13).

64. System according to any one of the preceding claims 62 and 63, characterised in that the system (010) comprises means, or actuator, (0147) which are adapted, or is adapted, to move, or shift, according to a linear direction said means (0141 , 0142) which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13), i.e. said roller means, in particular in the form of a first and a second rollers, (0141 , 0142) for supporting and rotating said product, or container, (13), including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular in a direction parallel to the respective rotation axis, for adjusting the position in the plane, in particular the axial position, of said means (0141 , 0142) which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13), including said radioactive, or hazardous, material.

65. System according to claim 64, characterised in that said means, or actuator, (0147), which are adapted, or is adapted, to move, or shift, according to a linear direction said means (0141 , 0142) which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13), are adapted to slide said support means (0144) of said means (0141 , 0142) which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous material, on corresponding skid means (0149), in particular by operating via a respective crank and connecting rod mechanism (0149').

66. System according to any one of the preceding claims 62 to 65, characterised in that the system (010) comprises means, or actuator, (0148) for adjusting the angular position of said means (0141 , 0142) which are adapted to support said product, or container, (13).

67. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that said means (014)which are adapted to apply the label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), including said radioactive, or hazardous, material, comprise means (0161 s) for peeling off said label (11 ) from said label-bearing band (15), in particular in the form of a sharp edge at the free end (0161 e) of said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or said elongated plate (0161 ), coinciding with the point of inversion of the advancement direction of said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ).

68. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that said means (014) which are adapted to apply the label (11 ) to said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous material, comprise lighting means (01410), in particular near said applicator roller (0143).

69. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that the system (010) comprises means (022) for checking said label (11 ), i.e. the conformity of the printing of said label (11 ).

70. System according to claim 69, characterised in that said means (022) for checking said label (11 ) comprise means (0221 ) for detecting said label (11 ), in particular in the form of corresponding camera means.

71. System according to any one of the preceding claims 69 and 70, characterised in that said means (0221 ) for detecting said label (11 ), in particular in the form of corresponding camera means, are positioned outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120).

72. System according to any one of the preceding claims 69 to 71 , characterised in that said means (221 ) for detecting said label (11 ), in particular in the form of corresponding camera means, are adapted to detecta respective label (11 ) placed on said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ) i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), i.e. on the enlarged platform (0303) upstream of said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ).

73. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that the system (010) comprises said means (028) for checking the application of said label (11 ) on the corresponding said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

74. System according to claim 73, characterised in that said means (028) for checking the application of said label (11 ) on the corresponding said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, comprise means (0281 ) for detecting the application of said label (11 ) on the corresponding said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular in the form of corresponding camera means.

75. System according to any one of the preceding claims 73 and 74, characterised in that said means (0281 ) for detecting the application of said label (11 ) on the corresponding said product, or container, (13), including radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular in the form of corresponding camera means, are positioned inside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120).

76. System according to any one of the preceding claims 73 to 75, characterised in that said means (0231 ) for detecting the application of said label (11 ) on the corresponding said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in particular in the form of corresponding camera means, are positioned above said means (0141 , 0142) which areadapted to support said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

77. System according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 76, characterised in that the system (010) comprises means (0123) for closing said opening (0122), adapted to allow the passage of said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone (0120), in particular from outside said shielding means (012), into said protected zone (0120).

78. System according to claim 77, characterised in that said means (0123) for closing said opening (0122), adapted to allow the passage of said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone (0120), in particular from outside said shielding means (012), into said protected zone (0120), comprise a door for closing said opening (0122), which is openable, in particular to allow the insertion of said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ) i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), and is closable, in particular when said support and sliding element (0161 ) for said label (11 ), i.e. for a corresponding band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), or elongated plate (0161 ), is extracted from said opening (0122).

79. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that said band (15) supporting said label (11 ), i.e. supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), is made of siliconised paper material and / or said label (11 ) is made of plasticized paper material and writable on the outer side and with an adhesive layer applied on the side that is joined to said band (15).

80. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that said band (15) supports a plurality of labels (11 ) spaced apart from each other, in particular by a predetermined distance (d), especially by a distance which is greaterthan the length of said label (11 ), along the main extension direction of said band (15), preferably which is greater by several times the corresponding length of said label (11 ) along the main extension direction of said band (15).81 . System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that the system (10) has a respective movable portion (123) for opening and closing said opening (122) which is adapted to allow the passage of said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone (120), in particular from outside said shielding means (12), or from said shielding wall (121 ), within said protected zone (120), i.e. which is adapted to allow the passage of said means (16) which are adapted to transport said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone (120), into said protected zone (120), i.e. inside said shielding means (12), or said shielding wall (121 ); in particular, said movable portion (123) for opening and closing said opening (122) being defined by a portion of said radioactivity shielding means (12), i.e. of said shielding wall (121 ); in particular, in that said movable portion (123) for opening and closing said passage opening (122) is shiftable between a coupling position with said radioactivity shielding means (12), i.e. with said shielding wall (121 ), and for closing said passage opening (122), and a position distanced, in particular linearly distanced, from said radioactivity shielding means (12), i.e. from said shielding wall (121 ), for opening said passage opening (122).

82. System according to claim 81 , characterised in that means are provided which are adapted to open and close said movable portion (123) for opening and closing said passage opening (122) i.e. which are adapted to shift said movable portion (123) for opening and closing said passage opening (122) between said coupling position with said radioactivity shielding means (12) i.e. with said shielding wall (121 ), and for closing said passage opening (122), and the distanced position, in particular linearly distanced, from said radioactivity shielding means (12), i.e. from said shielding wall(121 ), for opening said passage opening (122).

83. System according to claim 82, characterised in that said means which are adapted to open and close said movable portion (123) for opening and closing said passage opening (122) are defined by said means (16) which are adapted to transport said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (120), into said protected zone (120).

84. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that said means (16) which are adapted to transport said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone (120), in particular from outside said shielding means (12), into said protected zone (120), are in the form of corresponding means (161 ) movable between a position (A) for picking said label (11 ), in particular outside said protected zone (120), especially said radioactivity shielding means (12), i.e. said shielding wall (121 ), and a position (B) for releasing said label (11 ), in particular inside said protected zone (120), especially said radioactivity shielding means (12), or said shielding wall (121 ); especially in that said means (161 ) which are adapted to transport said label (11 ) are adapted to reach a position (C) for rejecting a defective label (11 ); preferably in that said position (C) for rejecting a defective label (11 ) is outside said protected zone (120), especially being outside said radioactivity shielding means (12), i.e. said shielding wall (121 ); especially said position (C) for rejecting said defective label (11 ) being an intermediate position between said position (A) for picking said label (11 ) and said position (B) for releasing said label (11 ).

85. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that means (16) are provided which are adapted to transport said label (11 ) in particular from outside said protected zone (120), into said protected zone (120), comprising respective means (18) for gripping and releasing said label (11 ).

86. System according to claim 85, characterized in that said means (18) for gripping and releasing said label (11 ) comprise a corresponding surface (181 ) for engaging said label (11 ); and / or in that said means (18) for gripping and releasing said label (11 ) retain the side or face of the label having the information components of the product, or container.

87. System according to any one of the preceding claims 85 and 86, characterised in that said means (18) for picking and releasing said label (11 ) comprise a portion, or blade, (182) carrying said engagement surface (181 ) for engaging said label (11 ); in particular in that said portion, or blade, (182) bearing said engagement surface (181 ) for engaging said label (11 ) is movable and has a position, in particular lowered, for picking said label (11 ), especially by said means (20) for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), and a position, in particular raised, for releasing said label (11 ) inside said protected zone (120), in particular said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material; especially in that said portion, or blade, (182) carrying said engagement surface (181 ) for engaging said label (11 ) has a position, in particular raised, for transporting said label (11 ), and / or in that said portion, or blade, (182) carrying said engagement surface (181 ) for engaging said label (11 ) has a position, in particular lowered, for rejecting said label (11 ).

88. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that means (16) are provided which are adapted to transport said label (11 ), in particular from outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (120), into said protected zone (120), comprising a corresponding movable carriage (161 ), in particular in that said movable carriage (161 ) carrying said label (11 ) comprises a carriage body (162) and a portion, or blade, (182) defining said engagement surface (181 ) for engaging said label (11 ), in particular extending, preferably laterally, fromsaid carriage body (162).

89. System according to claim 88, characterised in that said movable carriage (161 ) carrying said label (11 ) moves with a movement, in particular translating, especially horizontally and / or linearly, between said position (A) for picking said label (11 ) and said position (B) for releasing said label (11 ), and in particular, after having released said label (11 ), with a movement going back to said position (A) for picking a subsequent label (11 ); in particular in that said movable carriage (161 ) carrying said label (11 ) moves with a movement, in particular translating, especially horizontally and / or linearly, between said position (A) for picking said label (11 ) and said position (C) for rejecting a defective label (11 ), and in particular, after having released said defective label (11 ), with a movement going back to said position (A) for picking a subsequent label (11 ).

90. System according to any one of the preceding claims 12 and 13, characterized in that said movable carriage (161 ) carrying said label (11 ) supports and transports said movable portion (123) for opening and closing said passage opening (122) in said radioactivity shielding means (12), i.e. in said shielding wall (121 ).

91. System according to any one of the preceding claims 22 to 90, characterised in that said means (20) for making said label, in particular for printing said label (11 ), are arranged alongside, i.e. on a side of, said means (16) which are adapted to transport said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone (120), into said protected zone (120), and in particular are adjacent thereto.

92. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that said means (14) which are adapted to apply said label (11 ) to said container, or vial, (13) containing said product, including, or consisting of, a radioactive, or hazardous, agent, comprise means (141 ) for pushing said label (11 ), i.e. forpushing the adhesive face thereof, against the external surface of said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material; especially in that said means (141 ) for pushing said label (11 ), i.e. the adhesive face thereof, against the external surface of said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, are in the form of an applicator roller (141 ) rotatable, in particular according to a vertical axis, which engages said label (11 ) and, while rotating, pushes the adhesive face thereof against the external face of said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, and / or in that said means (14) which are adapted to apply the label (11 ) to said container, or vial, (13) containing said product, including, or consisting in, a radioactive, or hazardous, agent, comprise means (143) for rotating said product, or container, (13), including said radioactive, or hazardous material, which are preferably arranged above said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous material; and / or in that said portion, or blade, (182) carrying said surface (181 ) for engaging said label (11 ) of said means (16) which are adapted to transport said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone (120), into said protected zone (120), carries said label (11 ) with one end (11 ') protruding towards said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, in order to allow engagement of this end (11 ') by said means (141 ) for pushing said label (11 ), i.e. said applicator roller (141 ), and to allow subsequent dragging and application of said label (11 ) along the external surface of said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material.

93. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that means (24) for collecting the defective labels (11 ) are provided; in particular in that said means (16) which are adapted to transport said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone (120), into said protected zone (120) are adapted to transportthe respective defective label (11 ) to a transfer position of the defective label (11 ) at said means (24) for collecting defective labels (11 ) to transfer the corresponding label thereto.

94. System according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the pre-characterising part of claim 1 , characterised in that means (28) are provided for conveying said product, or container, (13), including radioactive, or hazardous, material, to said zone (120) which is protected, in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, (13), including radioactive, or hazardous, material; in particular in that said means (28) for conveying said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, into said zone (120) which is protected, in particular with respect to radioactivity, and which is adapted to receive said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, are adapted to carry said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, into said zone (120) which is protected, in particular with respect to radioactivity, only when said movable portion (123) for opening and closing said passage opening (122), provided in said radioactivity shielding means (12), i.e. in said shielding wall (121 ), is in a closed condition; and in that said means (16) which are adapted to transport said label (11 ) from outside said protected zone (120), into said protected zone (120), are adapted to open said movable portion (123) for opening and closing said passage opening (122), provided in said radioactivity shielding means (12), i.e in said shielding wall (121 ), only when said product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material has been moved away, in particular by said means (28) for conveying said product, or container, (13).

95. Process for applying a label (11 ) to a product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material, characterised in that said product, or container, (13), including radioactive, or hazardous, material, isplaced inside a protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (120), in that said label (11 ) is made, or printed, outside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (120), in that said label (11 ) is transferred or transported into the protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (120), and in that said label (11 ) is applied to the product, or container, (13), including the radioactive, or hazardous, material inside said protected zone, that is protected in particular with respect to radioactivity, (0120).

96. Band (15) supporting a plurality of said labels (11 ), characterised in that it is as provided for in any one of the corresponding preceding claims.

97. System, process and band, each respectively characterised in that they are made according to any one of the preceding claims and / or as described and illustrated with reference to the attached drawings.

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