Coding symbology and a method for printing same

Abstract

The present invention provides forming a coding symbology by disposing a plurality of light-reflecting segments separated by spaces on a substrate. The coding symbology represents fixed information and variable information.

1 - 32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . A method of transferring a negative image bar code onto a flexible web comprising the steps of: 
 providing a flexible transparent plastic web forming all or part of a container,    providing a printer for transferring a plurality of light-reflecting segments onto the web in response to a signal representative of the plurality of light-reflecting segments,    transferring the signal to the printer, and    transferring the plurality of light-reflecting segments directly onto the web, wherein the transparent plastic web defines spaces that separate the plurality of light-reflecting segments, wherein the web that defines the spaces also itself defines a plurality light-absorbing segments, wherein the light-reflecting segments and the light-absorbing segments define a negative image bar code that is detected by a reader, wherein the negative image bar code represents fixed information and variable information, and wherein the variable information comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of, lot number, batch number, expiration date, serial number, production time, price, and concentration.    
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the printer is a thermal transfer printer, a hot-stamp printer, a laser printer, an inkjet printer, or a flexographic printer.  
   
   
       35 . A medical container comprised of flexible transparent plastic film and having a bar code comprising: 
 a negative image bar code disposed directly on the flexible medical container film,    wherein the film of the medical container itself defines at least two spaces in the bar code, the spaces absorbing light,    wherein the negative image bar code is detectable with a bar code reader,    wherein the negative image bar code comprises fixed and variable information, and    wherein the variable information comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: lot number, batch number, expiration date, serial number, production time, price, and concentration.    
   
   
       36 . The medical container of  claim 35  wherein the spaces have a maximum reflectance of about twenty-five percent.  
   
   
       37 . The medical container of  claim 35  wherein the negative image bar code comprises a symbology selected from the group consisting of: Code 16K, Code 39, Code 49, Codabar, Code 128, UPC-E, UPC-A, EAN8, EAN-13, Reduced Space Symbology, composite symbol, PDF-417, and Interleaved 2-of-5.  
   
   
       38 . The medical container of  claim 35  wherein the negative image bar code is a two-dimensional symbology.