Spirally arranged bar code

• US 5,481,100 A
• Filed: 07/20/1994
• Issued: 01/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RISO Kagaku Corporation
• Original Assignee: RISO Kagaku Corporation
• Inventors: Terauchi, Junichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FILIPEK, JEFFER
• Application Number:
  US08/278,111
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/455, 235/385, 235/462, 235/472, 235/467, 235/470, 235/463, 235/464, 235/494, 33/716, 242/57, 40/299, 40/306, 40/309, 40/316, 40/334
• US Class Current: 235/494
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes

Abstract

A bar code is formed of a number of parallel bars adapted to be provided circumferentially on a tubular or rod-like work and extend spirally about the center line of the work. In an alternative form, the bar code includes a number of parallel bars each adapted to extend continuously along the entire length of the work. In another alternative form, the bar code includes a number of parallel bars adapted to be provided on the surface of a belt-like work and each adapted to extend continuously along the entire length of the work.

Claims

1. A bar code device comprising,

an elongated member having a circumferential surface and at least a predetermined longitudinal length, and

a bar code spirally provided on the circumferential surface of the elongated member, said bar code completely surrounding an entire area of the circumferential surface of the elongated member in said predetermined longitudinal length so that when the bar code is scanned with respect to a sensor for reading the bar code in one of a longitudinal direction of the elongated member for the predetermined longitudinal length and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction along the circumferential surface of the elongated member, the bar code is surely ready.

2. A bar code device according to claim 1, wherein said elongated member is cut perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at a distance more than the predetermined longitudinal length to form a product with a complete bar code on the circumferential surface.

3. A bar code device according to claim 2, wherein said circumferential surface of the elongated member is an outer surface of the elongated member.

4. A bar code device according to claim 2, wherein said elongated member has a hollow portion therein, said circumferential surface being an inner surface of the hollow portion.

5. A bar code device according to claim 1, wherein said bar code surrounds the circumferential surface of the elongated member at least twice in the predetermined longitudinal length.

6. A bar code device according to claim 1, further comprising a belt-like article having the bar code thereon, said belt-like article being spirally wound all around the elongated member without forming a space in a longitudinal direction of the elongated member.

7. A bar code device according to claim 6, wherein said belt-like article includes a character which is different from the bar code and is not read by the sensor.

8. A bar code device according to claim 6, wherein said belt-like article is wound around an outer surface of the elongated member forming the circumferential surface.

9. A bar code device according to claim 6, wherein said elongated member has a cylindrical form with an inner surface forming the circumferential surface, said belt-like article being situated at the entire inner surface of the elongated member.

10. A bar code device comprising,

an elongated member having a circumferential surface and at least a predetermined longitudinal length, and

a plurality of bar codes arranged parallel to each other and spirally provided on the circumferential surface of the elongated member, a complete bar code being shown on any part of the circumferential surface in and along the predetermined longitudinal length so that when the bar code is scanned with respect to a sensor for reading the bar code along a completely circumferential surface of the elongated member in the predetermined longitudinal length, the bar code is read at least twice, and when the bar code is scanned in one of a longitudinal direction of the elongated member for the predetermined longitudinal length and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction along the circumferential surface of the elongated member, the bar code is surely read.

11. A bar code device according to claim 10, wherein said elongated member is cut perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at a distance more than the predetermined longitudinal length to form a product with a complete bar code on the circumferential surface.

12. A bar code device according to claim 11, wherein said circumferential surface of the elongated member is an outer surface of the elongated member.

13. A bar code device according to claim 11, wherein said elongated member has a hollow portion therein, said circumferential surface being an inner surface of the hollow portion.