Biological Sample Label Layout for Rear-Side Readability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biological sample collection containers lack sufficient space for informative markings, particularly on the rear side, which limits the amount of important information that can be included, such as temperature indicators, time indicators, and barcode information, making it difficult to track sample integrity and compliance with handling protocols.

Innovation Solution

A label design with a rear side featuring multiple readable information portions, including a fill line indicator, barcode, and electronically readable information, allowing for increased information capacity and visibility through the container wall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the label is affixed to the container with the readable information portion on the front side only, then the label structure is simple, but the amount of readable information that can be included is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation capacityVSAvoidlabel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the rear side of the label as an additional dimension for information display. By making the container wall transparent or translucent, information on both the front and rear sides of the label becomes accessible, effectively doubling the information capacity without increasing the physical footprint of the label.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The label serves multiple functions: it provides information on the front side for general identification and on the rear side for additional details that can be read through the container wall. This multi-functional approach allows a single label to convey comprehensive information about the biological sample.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple indicators are included on the label to track sample integrity and compliance, then the information completeness is improved, but the label design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample integrity trackingVSAvoidlabel design
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The label is divided into distinct functional segments: front side information for primary identification and rear side information for additional tracking data. This segmentation allows multiple indicators (temperature, time, barcode, fill line) to be organized systematically, improving reliability while maintaining design clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the readable information portion is placed only on the front side of the label, then the label application is simple, but the visibility and accessibility of information is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoidlabel configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By utilizing the rear side of the label in addition to the front side, the patent creates a two-dimensional information display system. The transparent container wall acts as a window, allowing users to access information on both sides of the label without adding physical complexity to the label application process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3170169B1Biological sample containment system and label
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 BECTON DICKINSON & CO
  • EP3170169B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3170169B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3170169B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A biological sample containment system (10) that includes a biological specimen collection container (12) for collecting a biological sample and a label (20) for the container (12) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the label (20) includes a first or front side(22) and a second or rear side (24) having a readable information portion (26). The label (20) is affixable to the container (12) by the second side (24) and with the label (20) affixed to the container (12), the readable information portion (26) on the second side (24) is readable through a portion of the container (12). By including readable information on the second or rear side (24) of the label (20), the amount of readable information that can be included on the label (20) is increased by using the previously unused rear side of the label (20).