Bar codes are shown for measurement of volumes of liquids, e.g., the amount of milk collected in a dairy milking operation, and correlation therewith to identification of the source of the liquid, such as a cow. In the preferred embodiment, infrared or laser scanners are used to scan the two bar codes to provide an input to a computer for correlating the container or the source of liquid with the volume of liquid, whereby complex volume measuring devices and operator measurements can be substantially eliminated. Similar techniques can be used to provide computer input data representing a wide variety of analog inputs; e.g., by providing a bar code scale for juxtaposition to a thermometer, the segments of the code along the scale being selected in accordance with the mercury level at a given temperature, simple analog-to-digital temperature data conversion and input is obtained.

A filing system is provided for locating a particular file contained in a file holder which contains a plurality of files. The apparatus includes a machine-readable code mounted on each of the files, a guide attached to each file holder, a scanner for reading the codes on the files in a file holder, and an indicator for indicating when the particular machine-readable code corresponding to the particular file is located. The apparatus uses an improved bar code in which character boundaries are eliminated and the number of ONE's and ZERO's in a code are variable, resulting in increased data density. The unique numeric values which result from the improved bar code sparsely populate the possible range of values, and therefore a mapping algorithm is provided to map the bar code values to a sequential numeric system for ease of use. The improved bar code system uses repeating basic patterns of bars separated by a MARK bar, and a basic pattern can be reconstructed if the scan view includes only one MARK bar surrounded by ONE and ZERO bars. The improved apparatus also utilizes an inventive perpendicular file tab which positions the bar code accurately for the scanner. Border bars are provided to allow the scanner to separate bar codes from each other and to aid in determining if a bar code is defective or damaged.

A composite strip for preparation of a substrate edge for application of labels is disclosed. The composite strip comprises an elongated carrier web having an upper surface and a lower surface with the lower surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing covered with a removable release sheet. A high tensile strength film, such as that sold under the trademark "Mylar" by DuPont made of a polyethylene terephthalate, according to the preferred embodiment is directly bonded to the upper surface of the carrier web by a further adhesive. This film provides a receptor surface for receiving labels. The film is of a width equal to or less than the width of the carrier web and of a width to receive a label therein. This composite strip has proven useful in preparing a substrate, such as on existing file folder tab or the edge of an x-ray jacket for the subsequent application of a discrete series of labels applied about the edge of the substrate. Such discrete series of labels may also be applied to the composite strip before its application to the edge of the substrate. It is also possible to apply the labels beneath the high tensile strength film which in this case would be transparent. The composite strip can advantageously be used in combination with a tab extension to provide an add-on assembly.

Disclosed is a human and machine readable label which is divided into three areas. The top portion of the label, which is typically half the length of the label, is divided into two columns. One of these columns contains a bar code with a quiet zone at each end of the bar code. This bar code contains the entire message of the label in a machine readable bar code format. The other column of the top portion of the label contains the first few characters of the human readable portion of the message. The bottom portion of the label contains the remainder of the human readable message and is printed throughout the entire width of the label, thus allowing the characters to be a much larger size that the human readable characters contained in the top portion of the label. The label is of a size that allows it to be placed on one end of a 3480 style tape cartridge, as well as allowing it to be placed on other types of media such a file folders. The human readable characters contained on the label have a background color which is different for each letter or digit of the human readable message. Since the background color is different for each letter or number, out of sequence cartridges are very easy to spot on a shelf. Furthermore, because the lower portion of the label contains much larger letters than the upper portion of the label, it is much easier to discern the message on the label at a longer distance. Also, the larger letters of the bottom portion have a larger colored background area which further aids in distinguishing out-of-sequence cartridges.

In a quantity of label-price tag composite forms, each composite form includes two shipping labels and a plurality of price tags associated with each of the shipping labels. The form includes a pair of shipping labels, each shipping label having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. Each shipping label has one side edge abutting the other shipping label. Each of a pair of price tag sheets has a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. Each price tag sheet is secured at its top edge to the bottom edge of an associated shipping label. The width of each price sheet is less than the width of the shipping label associated therewith. A strip of discard material bridges the space between adjacent side edges of the pair of price tag sheets. The pair of price tag sheets are spaced apart such that the non-adjacent side edges thereof are inwardly of the non-abutting side edges of the pair of shipping labels. A layer of pressure sensitive adhesive is provided on the back side of the shipping labels, the price tag sheets, and the strip of discard material, and a sheet of release material is provided beneath the shipping labels, the price tag sheets, and the strip of discard material.