Glass vials with data matrix codes and method of making the same

• US 20030039590A1
• Filed: 08/27/2001
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Q.I.S., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Q.I.S., Inc.
• Inventors: Lodge, Daniel B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,818,859 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/102
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/021 Identification, e.g. bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0851 Bottom walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5453 for test tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/24 Ablative recording, e.g. by burning marks; Spark recording marking by high energetic means, e.g. by laser otherwise than burning or ablative removal B41M5/26; materials or methods for recording or reproduction by optical means G11B7/00

Abstract

A glass vial which includes a tubular glass container having a closed bottom end and an open top end is disclosed. The bottom end of the container is painted with a ceramic paint. The vial is then fired so that the paint bonds to the bottom end. A laser beam is then used to etch a data matrix code into the painted bottom end of the container. The bottom end of the container may now be read by a machine in order to perform various tests on the sample contained within the vial.

Claims

1. A glass vial comprising:

a generally tubular glass container having a closed bottom end and an open top end, said bottom end having a ceramic paint bonded thereon and

a data matrix code etched into said bottom end wherein said matrix may be read by an optical reading machine.

2. A process of forming a labeled glass vial comprising the steps of:

providing a generally tubular glass container having a closed bottom end and an open top end;

applying ceramic paint to the bottom end of said tubular container;

firing at least said bottom end of said tubular container so as to bond the paint to said bottom end; and

laser etching a data matrix code into said fired bottom end wherein said data matrix code may be read by an optical reading machine.