SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRINTING A CODE ON AN ELONGATE ARTICLE AND THE CODE SO PRINTED

摘要

A method and apparatus for printing a redundant code on an elongate articleare disclosed. The apparatus includes an ink unit, at least one printing headand a controller. The printing head includes two, or three, valves, controlledby the controller. As the elongate article passes through a printing station,the controller selectively actuates the valves to release ink, and thus printthe code. The two valves are preferably aligned and laterally spaced from eachother in order to print the same code twice on the article.