Sofia Martinez
Plastic products often have date stamps, which can be identified by a circle with numbers and an arrow pointing to one of the numbers. The upper dial usually indicates the year, the middle one the month, and the bottom dial could be the mold identifier, shift indicator, or week. These date stamps are important for quality control and can help identify issues with specific batches. Sometimes, the bottom dial can also indicate the material source, with each number representing a different manufacturer. These stamps are especially important for products with an expiry date, such as car seats, where the lifespan needs to be calculated from the date of manufacture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What do the clock-like symbols on plastic containers mean? | The date the item was manufactured. |
| Top dial | Year |
| Middle dial | Month |
| Bottom dial | Could be a mold identifier, shift indicator, week, or material source identifier |
| Lot number | Indicates the production line, manufactured country, and color of the product |
| Date stamps are used for | Automotive parts, plastic commodities, and rubber products |
| Date stamps are useful for | Tracking down which mold may need maintenance |
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What You'll Learn
Recognise the clock symbols
Plastic date stamps, often referred to as "clocks", are used to indicate the date a plastic item was manufactured. They are commonly found on the underside of plastic containers and toys. These stamps are used by manufacturers to quickly identify which mould may need maintenance if a faulty product is found.
The clock-like symbols usually consist of concentric circles with numbers and an arrow or dial pointing to a specific number. The upper dial typically indicates the year, the middle one the month, and the bottom dial could be a mould identifier or a shift indicator. The bottom dial could also indicate the specific mould number used to form the product.
The number of dials and the information conveyed can vary depending on the manufacturer and the product. For example, the bottom dial might indicate the shift during which the item was produced, with clocks going from 1 to 3, 4, or 6, depending on the shifts allocated for production.
These clock symbols are an essential tool for manufacturers to trace quality issues to a specific date and material source. They also help manufacturers quickly identify and address any issues with their moulds, ensuring consistent product quality.
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Identify the year, month, and week
The clock-like symbols found on plastic products indicate the date of manufacture. The dials from top to bottom represent the year, month, and week or day. The upper dial, which displays the numbers 1 to 12, represents the year. The middle dial, also with the numbers 1 to 12, represents the month. The bottom dial could indicate the week or day of manufacture.
For example, a date stamp with an arrow pointing to the number 18 on the upper dial would mean the product was manufactured in 2018. If the arrow pointed to 82 and 83, it would indicate that the mould was first used in 1982 and was still in use in 1983.
The bottom dial could also indicate the mould identifier, shift, or day of the week. For instance, the numbers 1 to 5 on the bottom dial could indicate the day of the week, with 1 representing Monday and 5 representing Friday.
These date stamps allow companies to quickly identify which mould may need maintenance if a faulty product is found. Additionally, they help consumers determine the manufacture date and expiry date of products, especially important for items with a lifespan, such as car seats.
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Understand the mould number
Plastic products often have a set of set of "clock-like symbols" imprinted on them, which indicate the date of manufacture. The upper dial usually signifies the year, the middle one the month, and the bottom dial could be the mould number or a shift indicator.
The mould number indicates the mould used to form the product. If a faulty product is noticed, the factory can quickly track down which mould needs maintenance. The mould number is often indicated by a small raised conical or diametric bar, or a small moulded pip above or next to a number. For example, a pip above or next to the number 82 indicates that the mould was first used in 1982.
The bottom dial could also be a shift indicator, which shows the shift during which the product was made. This would typically be indicated by a clock with numbers from 1 to 3, 4, or 6, depending on how shifts are allocated. It could also indicate the day of the week, with 1 to 6 representing Monday to Saturday and 7 indicating Sunday.
The bottom dial could also be a material source identifier, indicating the manufacturer of the injection moulding pellets used. For example, 1 = company 1's resin, 2 = company 2's resin, and so on.
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Identify the material source
The bottom dial of the date stamp is often the material source identifier. This dial is usually represented by a number or a clock face with an arrow pointing to a number. The number indicates the company that supplied the resin or injection moulding pellets for the plastic product. For example, "1" may correspond to "Company 1's resin", "2" to "Company 2", and so on. This allows for traceability of quality issues to a specific material source and manufacturing date.
In some cases, the bottom dial could be a mould identifier or a shift indicator. A mould identifier helps to quickly identify which mould may require maintenance if a faulty product is detected. A shift indicator, on the other hand, represents the shift during which the product was manufactured, which could be a day of the week or a specific shift depending on the company's shift structure.
The date stamp may also include raised conical pips, dimples, or drilled indentations on the mould, indicating the year of production. For example, a mould with a dimple above "82" and "83" suggests it was first used in 1982 and was still in use in 1983. Similarly, a mould with a small moulded pip over "82" and "83" could indicate the years 1982 and 1983.
Additionally, the date stamp may consist of clock faces with arrows pointing to specific numbers. For instance, a clock face with numbers 1 to 12 and an arrow pointing to "8" could indicate the month of August. Alternatively, if the arrow points to "18", it could mean the year 2018, with the first two digits omitted.
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Calculate the expiry date
Many plastic products have date stamps on them, usually on the bottom, which indicate the date of manufacture. These stamps typically consist of a series of dials or clocks, with numbers and/or arrows. The upper dial often indicates the year, the middle one the month, and the bottom one might be a mold identifier, shift indicator, or day of the week.
To calculate the expiry date of a product with a date stamp, you first need to identify the date of manufacture. Look for a clock face with numbers 1 to 12, indicating the months of the year. Then, identify the dials pointing to a specific number within that range to determine the year and month of manufacture.
Once you have the date of manufacture, you need to know the lifespan of the product. This can vary depending on the product and the brand, so it is important to check this information. You can often find this information online, either through a product lifespan list or by contacting the manufacturer or distributor directly.
For example, if a product was manufactured on 27 August 2018 and has a lifespan of 6 years, you would add 6 years to the year 2018, making its expiry date 27 August 2024.
It is important to note that not all date stamps follow the same format, and some may include additional information such as the day of the week or shift when the product was made. Additionally, the bottom dial could indicate the material source identifier, with each number corresponding to a different manufacturer or supplier.
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Frequently asked questions
These symbols are date stamps, which indicate when the item was manufactured. The upper dial gives the year, the middle one the month, and the bottom indicator could be the week, mold identifier, or shift indicator.
The dial with numbers 1-12 indicates the month, as there are 12 months in a year. The other dials could indicate the year or week, depending on the company.
To calculate the expiry date, you need to know the lifespan of the product. You can then add the lifespan in years to the manufacturing year indicated on the stamp.
