Abstract: A method and a coding line (128) for serializing a plurality of products in a coding line (128), wherein each product is packed in a cuboid box (114), is disclosed. Herein, the coding line (128) comprises at least one slide (132) and at least one main pusher (130) being adapted for jointly moving the boxes (114) on the slide (132) in a row of the boxes (114) through the coding line (128), wherein the coding line (128) further comprises at least one printing system (118) designed for printing a serial code onto each of the boxes (114), wherein the serial code comprises at least one unique serial number, and at least one camera (120) designed for reading the serial code printed on each of the boxes (114).

Abstract: A method and a coding line (128) for serializing a plurality of products in a coding line (128), wherein each product is packed in a cuboid box (114), is disclosed. Herein, the coding line (128) comprises at least one slide (132) and at least one main pusher (130) being adapted for jointly moving the boxes (114) on the slide (132) in a row of the boxes (114) through the coding line (128), wherein the coding line (128) further comprises at least one printing system (118) designed for printing a serial code onto each of the boxes (114), wherein the serial code comprises at least one unique serial number, and at least one camera (120) designed for reading the serial code printed on each of the boxes (114).

Abstract: A method for serializing products using a barcode and checking authenticity of barcodes. A printing modification introduces an authentication feature into the barcode. Print batch data comprising a batch of serial codes and an individual security rationale for modifying the barcode is provided. A modified barcode is printed using a single serial code out of the range of sequential serial numbers and the assigned individual security rationale to provide the barcode with an authentication feature. To check authenticity of a barcode, an image of the modified barcode is processed and submitted to a central database. Content of the modified barcode is read to decode the serial number. The serial number is used to identify a print batch and individual security rationale. If reconstructed properties of the modified barcode and corresponding original properties of the modified barcode stored in the central database are identical, the barcode is considered an original barcode.

Abstract: A method for serializing products using a barcode and checking authenticity of barcodes. A printing modification introduces an authentication feature into the barcode. Print batch data comprising a batch of serial codes and an individual security rationale for modifying the barcode is provided. A modified barcode is printed using a single serial code out of the range of sequential serial numbers and the assigned individual security rationale to provide the barcode with an authentication feature. To check authenticity of a barcode, an image of the modified barcode is processed and submitted to a central database. Content of the modified barcode is read to decode the serial number. The serial number is used to identify a print batch and individual security rationale. If reconstructed properties of the modified barcode and corresponding original properties of the modified barcode stored in the central database are identical, the barcode is considered an original barcode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for authenticating an item wherein a code is assigned to the item and includes a plurality of modules arranged in an ideal image. A barcode is encoded within the modules and a picture of the code is printed onto the item. A picture of the printed code is recorded with a low resolution camera at high speed during the production process from which the barcode content is decoded. Irregularities in the picture are analyzed and a numerical value describing an individual imperfection profile is calculated. The numerical value of the imperfection profile depends on at least one unique feature inherently related to the original printing device. The individual imperfection profile is printed onto the item and/or a database record is generated. To authenticate a suspect item, the imperfection profile of the suspect item is compared with the imperfection profile of the original item.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for authenticating an item wherein a code is assigned to the item and includes a plurality of modules arranged in an ideal image. A barcode is encoded within the modules and a picture of the code is printed onto the item. A picture of the printed code is recorded with a low resolution camera at high speed during the production process from which the barcode content is decoded. Irregularities in the picture are analyzed and a numerical value describing an individual imperfection profile is calculated. The numerical value of the imperfection profile depends on at least one unique feature inherently related to the original printing device. The individual imperfection profile is printed onto the item and/or a database record is generated. To authenticate a suspect item, the imperfection profile of the suspect item is compared with the imperfection profile of the original item.

Abstract: A readout device for reading out machine-readable markings on at least one lateral surface of receptacles is proposed. The readout device has at least one optical detector with at least one viewing region. The optical detector is designed to detect the machine-readable markings in the viewing region. The readout device further has at least one roll area and at least one transport device. The readout device is designed to roll the receptacles in succession over the roll area by means of the transport device and, in so doing, to roll at least part of the lateral surface within the viewing region.

Abstract: In the present method, the flow of articles through a distribution network with article positions (P1, P2, . . . ) and paths connecting the article positions is monitored. The movements of each article are recorded in a data base (2). For each article, event counts are determined, which indicate how often it runs through a given path or arrives at a given article position. The event counts are tested for certain criteria and a warning is issued if the criteria are not fulfilled. This procedure allows, depending on the criteria, to locate grey market activities, inefficiencies or defective articles.

Abstract: Unique identification codes for marking articles are generated in a process (16) running on a computer. Each code is transferred to an output device, such as a printer, for physically attributing the code to the article. Furthermore, the process instructs a database (10) via a programming interface (15) to generate a new record containing the identification code and further pertinent information. The database (10) does not contain any user interface for setting and/or modifying the identification code. This set-up makes it virtually impossible for a third party to enter false identification codes into the database. Even if they do gain access to the database, the database offers no user interface for setting and/or modifying the identification code of a record.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for sampling textile fiber skeins. A fiber skein (2) continuously moved in the longitudinal direction (23) is intermittently brought to a stop within a defined section (4, 28). The profile of the immobilized section (4, 28) of the fiber skein (2) is flattened at least in partial region (24) and the textile analysis is carried out on this temporarily immobilized, flattened partial region (24) of the fiber skein.

Abstract: In method of yarn strength measurement, the yarn of which the strength is being tested is grabbed while the yarn is moving during a production or processing process, in a spinning machine or a yarn-processing machine, a spooling frame or open-end spinning machine, by a clamp and is made to tear. The forces arising during tearing are determined using a test device and utilizing the electronic infrastructure already extant in the yarn cleaner to ascertain the yarn strength.

Abstract: This method serves to optimize and maintain constant fiber-quality in automated mixing of bales having fibers of differing qualities. The bales (1a, . . . 1k, . . . 1n) are moved into the conveyance path (3) of a removal member (4) of a bale-removing device (2) and a fiber sample is automatically withdrawn in each case from the bale (1k) processed by the removal member (4) and is analyzed in measuring and control instrument (5). The analytical values so measured are continuously compared by a program in the measuring and control instrument (5) with nominal values and the comparison measurements so obtained in a continuous manner are used to maintain the mixing values by instructing the bale-removing device (2) to remove corresponding quantities from the particular bales (1a, . . . 1k, . . . 1n) evincing different qualities.

Abstract: In a process for preparing and fixing samples of fibres to be analysed optically, a plurality of fibres (5) to be analysed is laid on a first transparent plate (2), the first plate (2) and the fibres (5) lying on it are covered by a second transparent plate (1) and the two plates (1,2) are pressed together and simultaneously displaced coplanarly with respect to each other to form a fixed sample composed of parallel, longitudinally aligned fibres (5).

Abstract: A machine for conveying and blast treating workpieces by an abrasive or blasting medium includes at least one rotatable barrel or drum in a blasting chamber, the axis of rotation of the drum being inclined downwardly in the direction of conveyance. The diameter of the drum decreases in the direction of conveyance and a blast wheel is mounted at the upper, larger, input end of the drum. The lowest generatrix of the drum is horizontal or slightly inclined upwardly in the downstream direction. In a preferred embodiment, the drum diameter decreases in stepwise fashion. Axially extending impeller members in the drum provide for uniform travel of the workpieces. In one embodiment, a discharge drum and a housing drum are rotatable with the blasting drum.

Abstract: A throwing wheel for centrifugally propelling solid material, such as abrasive grit, has discs with grooves to hold a plurality of uniformly distributed blades. The blades have ribs along a disc-engaging portion thereof and stop members to limit radial outward movement of the blades. The grooves or the ribs or both are tapered relative to radii of the wheel. Stop members protrude from the blades and engage stops on the discs. Fixed and movable stops are retained in such a way that at least one gap remains along the blade edge to facilitate blade removal and replacement.

Abstract: A continuous shot-blasting machine for surface treating arbitrarily arranged batches of workpieces includes at least one blasting chamber for shot-blasting the workpieces and a turn-over device for turning over the workpieces to expose all surfaces for treatment. A pair of supporting racks carry the workpieces along a conveyor to and from the blasting chamber. The workpieces are carried on one of the supporting racks through the chamber for blasting treatment of their exposed surfaces and after being turned over are carried on the other supporting rack through the same chamber or through a second chamber for blasting treatment of the newly exposed surfaces. The turn-over device rotates the first supporting rack and workpieces through 180 degrees about a substantially horizontal axis after the first shot-blasting treatment to turn the workpieces over for deposit onto the other supporting rack.