Bar code configuration and method of molding
First Claim
1. In a system having a light source and a receiving sensor for scanning a bar code configuration on the surface of said article comprising even surface portions and uneven surface portions for selectively reflecting light from said light source to said receiving sensor, said even surface portions reflecting substantially all light received from said light source in a first direction and said uneven surface portions including a sloped face positioned for reflecting light from said light source in a second direction different from said first direction and said light source and said receiving sensor being located generally in the same direction from said bar code configuration whereby said light reflected to said receiving sensor defines bars of said bar code.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bar code configuration which may be molded in the sidewall of a tire and has even surface portions and uneven surface portions for selectively reflecting light from a light source toward a receiving sensor to define bars of a bar code. The uneven surface portions may have grooves or ribs with a sawtooth cross section and sloped faces for reflecting light to a receiving sensor at an angle to the sidewall surface. The bar code configuration for tires molded in a particular mold may be provided by an insert fastened to the mold and having even surfaces and uneven surfaces at the inner mold face to mold the even surface portions and uneven surface portions of the bar code configuration in the tire sidewall as the tire is being vulcanized. By changing the insert the bar code configuration can be changed to provide different information about the tire.
105 Citations
23 Claims
- 1. In a system having a light source and a receiving sensor for scanning a bar code configuration on the surface of said article comprising even surface portions and uneven surface portions for selectively reflecting light from said light source to said receiving sensor, said even surface portions reflecting substantially all light received from said light source in a first direction and said uneven surface portions including a sloped face positioned for reflecting light from said light source in a second direction different from said first direction and said light source and said receiving sensor being located generally in the same direction from said bar code configuration whereby said light reflected to said receiving sensor defines bars of said bar code.
- 17. A method of molding a bar code configuration in the sidewall surface of a pneumatic tire cured in a tire mold cavity having an inner mold face comprising fastening an insert to said tire mold with said insert having even surfaces and uneven surfaces at said inner mold face, placing said tire in said tire mold with said sidewall surface of said tire in contact with said insert, applying heat to cure said tire in said tire mold and to mold even surface portions with said even surfaces of said insert and uneven surface portions having sloped faces with said uneven surfaces of said insert and removing said tire from said tire mold.
Specification