Bar code stencil and method of use

Abstract

A bar code identification stencil for uniquely identifying a plurality of articles. The stencil includes a carrier strip which carries an identification code. The identification code is formed of a plurality of spaced a part markers which are used to form a machine readable bar code. The bar code is unique for each of the plurality of articles to be identified.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A bar code identification stencil for uniquely identifying a plurality of articles, said stencil comprising: 
 a carrier strip for carrying an identification code; and    an identification code carried by said carrier strip, said identification code being formed of a plurality of spaced a part markers of generally elongated shape formed in said carrier strip, said markers forming a machine readable bar code which is unique for each of said plurality of articles to be identified.    
     
     
         2 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein said carrier strip is generally rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         3 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein said carrier strip is generally uniform in thickness.  
     
     
         4 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein each of said markers are generally parallel to each other.  
     
     
         5 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 4   , wherein each of said markers are generally of the same length.  
     
     
         6 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein each of said markers is formed by a depression in said carrier strip.  
     
     
         7 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein each of said markers is formed by a cutout in said carrier strip.  
     
     
         8 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 7   , wherein each of said cutouts extends fully through said carrier strip.  
     
     
         9 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein said carrier strip is generally flexible in order to conform to the shape of an article being identified by said identification stencil.  
     
     
         10 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein said carrier strip is made from a fibre reinforced material with a bind agent for containing said fibre reinforced material.  
     
     
         11 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein said carrier strip is made from a material which can withstand a temperature of at least 3,500 degrees F without being damaged to the point that said identification stencil is no longer useful for its intended purpose.  
     
     
         12 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein said carrier strip is made from a material which can withstand a pressure of at least 5,000 PSI without being damaged to the point that said identification stencil is no longer useful for its intended purpose.  
     
     
         13 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein said carrier strip is made from a material which can withstand a vacuum of at least 30 inch es of mercury without being damaged to the point that said identification stencil is no longer useful for its intended purpose.  
     
     
         14 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein said identification code is formed of a plurality of identification code elements and wherein said carrier strip includes a plurality of identification code element locations, said markers being formed at selected ones of said element locations.  
     
     
         15 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 14   , wherein the presence or absence of a said marker at a said element location forms a unique identification code for said identification stencil.  
     
     
         16 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1    further comprising an attachment element for attaching said identification stencil to an article to be identified by said identification stencil.  
     
     
         17 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 16   , wherein said attachment element includes an adhesive tape.  
     
     
         18 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 16   , wherein said attachment element includes a double-back adhesive tape with a first side of said adhesive tape adhered to said carrier strip and a second side of said adhesive tape adhered to a release liner.  
     
     
         19 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein said carrier strip is adapted to be attached to an interior surface of a cast used to cast the article to be identified by said identification stencil using an attachment material.  
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 19   , wherein said carrier strip further includes a barrier layer for preventing said attachment material from coming into contact with said carrier strip.  
     
     
         21 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 1   , wherein said carrier strip is adapted to be attached to an interior surface of a mold used to mold the article to be identified by said identification stencil using an attachment material.  
     
     
         22 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 6   , wherein said carrier strip includes runner and gate depressions through which a molding material can be supplied to fill said marker depressions during an injection molding process.  
     
     
         23 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 22   , wherein said gate depression is formed along one edge of said carrier strip.  
     
     
         24 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 23   , wherein said gate depression is connected to said runner depression.  
     
     
         25 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 24   , wherein said runner depression is connected to each of said marker depressions.  
     
     
         26 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 25   , wherein at least one end of said marker depressions terminate in an opening at an edge of said carrier strip.  
     
     
         27 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 6   , wherein said carrier strip further includes human readable symbols which correspond to said identification code.  
     
     
         28 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 27   , wherein said human readable symbols are formed as depressions in said carrier strip.  
     
     
         29 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 28   , wherein said runner depression is connected to each of said symbol depressions.  
     
     
         30 . A bar code identification stencil according to    claim 29   , wherein an edge of each of said symbol depressions forms an opening at an edge of said carrier strip.  
     
     
         31 . A method for uniquely identifying a plurality of cast articles using a machine readable bar code number integrally cast into said article during the casting process, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a bar code identification stencil having a carrier strip which carries an identification code, said identification code being formed of a plurality of spaced a part voids and being unique for each of said plurality of articles to be identified;    attaching said stencil to an- interior surface of the cast used to cast said articles;    filling said cast with casting material to cast said article and to fill said voids to thereby form said bar code number; and    using a different said stencil for each of said plurality articles to be cast.    
     
     
         32 . The method of    claim 31   , wherein said carrier strip includes an attachment element for attaching said identification stencil to said interior surface of said cast.  
     
     
         33 . The method of    claim 32   , wherein said carrier strip is adapted to be attached to said interior surface of said cast using an attachment material.  
     
     
         34 . The method of    claim 33   , wherein said carrier strip further includes a barrier layer for preventing said attachment material from coming into contact with said carrier strip.  
     
     
         35 . A method for uniquely identifying a plurality of molded articles using a machine readable bar code number integrally molded into said article during the molding process, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a bar code identification stencil having a carrier strip which carries an identification code, said identification code being formed of a plurality of spaced a part voids and being unique for each of said plurality of articles to be identified;    attaching said stencil to an interior surface of the mold used to mold said articles;    filling said mold with molding material to mold said article and to fill said voids to thereby form said bar code number; and    using a different said stencil for each of said plurality of articles to be molded.