Abstract: Disclosed is a method of continuously determining the perimeter of an elongated object of generally uniform cross section which comprises wrapping the object with a sheet of flexible material having a pair of detectable parallel lines formed thereon, such that the lines extend axially parallel to the object, placing detection means in position to detect the lines, the detection means being capable of determining the distance between the lines, moving the object and the detection means relative to each other in a manner such that continuous detection of the lines and measurement of the distance therebetween occurs, and correlating the measured distance between the lines to the perimeter of said object.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of continuously determining the perimeter of an elongated object of generally uniform cross-section which comprises wrapping the object with a sheet of flexible material having a single band imprinted thereon in such manner that the single band extends axially parallel to the object and becomes partially obscured by an overlapping edge of the sheet, placing detection means in position to detect the width of the unobscured portion of the single band, the detection means being capable of determining the width of the unobscured portion of the single band, moving the object and the detection means relative to each other in a manner such that continuous detection of the single band and the measurement of the width of the unobscured portion of the single band occurs and correlating the measured width of the unobscured portion of the band to the perimeter of the object.