Coding systems

• US 6,390,368 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2000
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aquasol Limited (Biome Technologies Plc)
• Original Assignee: Aquasol Limited (Biome Technologies Plc)
• Inventors: Edwards, David Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US09/445,332
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 235/494, 235/462.9
• US Class Current: 235/456
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0715 the preform having one end closed
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/06 Injection blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/52 having decorating or printing means
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7156 Pressure vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details

Abstract

Machine readable coded markings carried on articles to identify various properties of the articles are disclosed. The coded markings are formed integrally of the article in the form of a sequence of areas having contrasting light scattering and reflecting properties incorporated on the article'"'"'s surface. The areas are arranged in the form of neighboring blocks and empty spaces disposed around and outside of a central target area defined by a sequence of concentric continuous markings, the blocks forming a series of layers containing coded information. Each of the blocks is positioned side-by-side contiguous either with the outermost ring of the target or with a block in a previous layer.

Claims

1. A coding arrangement, for identifying—

in a visible manner readable by appropriate mechanical and/or electronic scanning equipment—

some property of the article to which the coding is applied, in which arrangement the information to be imparted is in the form of neighbouring blocks and spaces disposed around and outside a central target area defined by a sequence of concentric continuous markings, or rings, the blocks forming a series of layers, such that in use the code-reading scanning equipment identifies the target area, and then scans around it, layer by layer, to pick up the coded information,

which arrangement incorporates the improvement that each of the blocks is side-by-side contiguous either with the outermost ring of the target or with a block in a previous layer.

2. A coding arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are two, three or four layers of coding element blocks around the central target.

6. A coding system comprising code-illuminating apparatus, code-scanning apparatus, and a coding arrangement as defined in claim 1.

16. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the area of coding markings is tampo printed.

3. A method of enabling a moulded plastics article to carry coded markings identifying some property of that article (or its contents), in which method there is formed integrally of the article, on or in the article'"'"'s surface, a code-defining sequence of areas having significantly contrasting light reflecting and scattering properties, the formation being effected by a moulding process carried out while the article itself is being moulded, said areas being in the form of neighboring blocks and spaces disposed around and outside a central target area defined by a sequence of concentric continuous markings, or rings, the blocks forming a series of layers, such that in use the code-reading scanning equipment identifies the target area, and then scans around it, layer by layer, to pick up the coded information, which arrangement incorporates the improvement that each of the blocks is side-by-side contiguous either with the outermost ring of the target or with a block in a previous layer.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, in which the article is a plastic container.

5. A moulded plastics article whenever bearing coded markings fabricated by a moulding process integrally of the article, on or in the article'"'"'s surface, and taking the form of a sequence (or similar arrangement) of areas having significantly contrasting light reflecting and scattering properties, the areas being arranged according to claim 3.

7. A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the coding system utilized employs a two-dimensional code.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, in which the code employed is a modified form of AZTEC code in which arrangement of the information to be imparted is in the form of neighboring blocks and spaces disposed around and outside a central target area defined by a sequence of concentric continuous markings, or rings, the blocks forming a series of layers, such that in use the code-reading scanning equipment identifies the target area, and then scans around it, layer by layer, to pick up the coded information, which arrangement incorporates the improvement that each of the blocks is side-by-side contiguous either with the outermost ring of the target or with a block in a previous layer.

9. A method as claimed in claim 3, in which the coded markings are in the article'"'"'s surface—

that is, they are areas which are either slightly above or below (or both) that surface area.

10. A method as claimed in any of claim 3, in which the markings are sited near to or on the underside of the base of the article.

11. A method as claimed in claim 3, in which the markings are formed on/in the surface of the article by employing a suitably shaped and marked mould insert.

12. A method as claimed in claim 3, in which the required contrast is achieved by making the areas relatively raised or lowered, relatively rough or smooth, or both relatively raised and rough or lowered and smooth.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, in which the rough portions of the markings have a roughness of from 21-42 Verein Deutscher Ingenieure.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, in which the roughness is from 30-33 Verein Deutscher Ingenieure.

15. A method as claimed in claim 3, in which there is provided a quiet space around the markings.