GB1536781A - Code symbol inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

1536781 Gauges for bar code symbols L E PASTORIUS 18 Feb 1976 [18 Feb 1975 23 Jan 1976] 06275/76 Heading G1M A gauge for inspecting a parallel bar code symbol (e.g. as used to identify packages) comprises a sheet 14, 31 with windows 16, 33, 34 each having at least two areas of different width 41, 42, Fig. 9, so that when the sheet is superimposed on the symbol the width of each bar viewed through a window can be inspected to determine whether it lies within maximum and minimum limits. Two additional areas 43, 44 of intermediate widths may be provided to show if the bar width is close to the limits so that adjustment of printing processes may be made before the limit is reached. A window 20 may be provided to check a numerical code 13 and the windows 16 may be at the edge of the gauge or spaced from the edge as in Fig. 6 (not shown). The gauge 14 Fig. 2 is also used to check the relative spacing of all the bars. Fig. 7 shows a gauge 31 which is transparent except for the opaque areas shown which define windows 33 to check a selected number of bars of a code. On either side of the code a clear unimprinted area is required between edges 50, 51 while the full width of the code corresponds to edges 54, 55. This gauge can also be used to check a condensed (zerosuppressed) code representing six digits instead of ten, windows 34 corresponding to selected bars, edges 56, 57 to the full width and edges 52, 53 to the required clear area.