Forming markings on a vial surface
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for forming markings in a cylindrical surface of an object, comprising the steps of:
- providing the object;
providing instructions as to the markings to be formed;
rotating the object around an axis of the cylindrical surface in accordance with the instructions; and
grinding the cylindrical surface of the object by a grinding wheel in accordance with the instructions so as to form the markings in the surface;
wherein the axis of the cylindrical surface is parallel to a tangent of the grinding wheel at a point at which the grinding wheel contacts the surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Glass laboratory vials are marked by grinding the surface of the vial with an abrasive wheel. The vial is moved relative to the wheel under control of a computer so as to automatically grind a desired bar code or alpha-numeric symbols into the surface. The ground portion of the surface of the vial scatters light while the unground portion of the surface transmits light.
The process is automated and can be performed by a robot as part of an analyzing or processing system. The ground-in markings are more enduring than the prior art paper labels.
32 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for forming markings in a cylindrical surface of an object, comprising the steps of:
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providing the object; providing instructions as to the markings to be formed; rotating the object around an axis of the cylindrical surface in accordance with the instructions; and grinding the cylindrical surface of the object by a grinding wheel in accordance with the instructions so as to form the markings in the surface; wherein the axis of the cylindrical surface is parallel to a tangent of the grinding wheel at a point at which the grinding wheel contacts the surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of forming a bar code having a plurality of non- reflecting lines in a cylindrical surface of a transparent object comprising the steps of:
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providing the object; rotating the object around an axis of the cylindrical surface; and grinding a plurality of spaced apart lines in the cylindrical surface of the object by a grinding wheel; wherein the axis of the cylindrical surface is parallel to a tangent of the grinding wheel at a point at which the grinding wheel contacts the surface; and the spaces between the lines comprise the non-reflecting lines of the bar code.
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16. A device for forming markings in a cylindrical surface of an object comprising:
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means for holding the object; a grinding wheel for grinding the cylindrical surface of the object so as to form the markings; and means for controlling the grinding wheel and the holding means; wherein an axis of the cylindrical surface is parallel to a tangent of the grinding wheel at a point at which the grinding wheel contacts the surface; and the holding means can rotate the object around the axis. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A device for forming markings in the surface of an object, comprising:
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holding means for holding the object; means including a ferromagnetic portion, for removing material from the surface of the object so as to form the markings; a flexible member, the removing means being mounted at about a first end of the flexible member; a base member on which a second end of the flexible member is mounted; and an electromagnet mounted on said base; wherein actuation of the electromagnet attracts the ferromagnetic portion and thereby moves the removing means with respect to the base member. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification