MÉTODO DE MARCAÇÃO E RECIPIENTE MARCADO

Description

1 / 49 MARKING METHOD AND MARKED CONTAINER This application is a divisional patent application BR 11 2022 022014 6 based on PCT / EP2021 / 061404 filed on April 30, 2021. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for marking a container that moves along a transport path. In particular, the container may be a container or a lid intended to regulate the atmosphere in packaging containing sensitive products such as food, nutraceutical products, pharmaceuticals or diagnostic products. The invention also relates to a marked container. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The use of a container filled with an active material to regulate the atmosphere within a package containing sensitive products such as food, nutraceutical products, pharmaceuticals, or diagnostic products is known. The active material may be selected, for example, from the group of moisture absorbers, oxygen scavengers, odor absorbers, moisture emitters, and / or emitters of volatile olfactory organic compounds. In particular, the container may be a container intended to be placed in a package for sensitive products or a lid configured to close a package for sensitive products. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 61 / 135 2 / 49

[0003] Such a container is typically formed of gas-permeable elements comprising perforations, the active material received in the internal volume of the container being able to interact with the gas present in the packaging as it flows through the perforations. The container generally comprises a visual marking on its outer periphery, printed with a non-toxic or inert ink supplied, for example, by a printer, directly on its peripheral wall or on a label adhered to its peripheral wall. In particular, the visual marking aims to avoid confusion between the container and the sensitive consumable products contained in the packaging.

[0004] Incorporating ink printing steps into a line for manufacturing atmosphere control containers increases manufacturing time and cost. In particular, the use of printed labels requires additional production steps and materials, while direct ink marking on the container requires precise control of the container's position relative to an ink deposition instrument to accurately apply the ink, which limits production rates. Production rates can also be undesirably reduced since each newly marked item must not be used for a certain period of time determined by the ink drying requirements. Poor ink adhesion to the container wall or the label adhered to it can also compromise the indelibility of the marking and cause a risk of Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 62 / 135 3 / 49 Ink migration to sensitive products contained in the packaging.

[0005] It is these disadvantages that the invention is most particularly intended to remedy, proposing a method and apparatus for marking a container and a marked container, ensuring that the marking of the container can be achieved while the container is being moved along a transport path, even at very high production rates, with high marking resolution and indelibility, the marked pattern being as complete as possible to provide a clear message to the user and avoid any confusion between the container and a consumable product. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] To this end, an object of the invention is a method for marking a container while it is moving along a transport path, the method comprising:

[0007] - move the container at a marking station along the transport route;

[0008] - to simultaneously mark a first surface region and a second surface region of the container while it is moved in the marking station along the transport path, using a first laser beam and a second laser beam emitted in opposite directions on both sides of the container, transversely to the transport direction, with the first and second surface regions arranged Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 63 / 135 4 / 49 substantially 180° from each other with respect to a main axis of the vessel.

[0009] The invention's method is a laser marking method in which the container is marked in motion, i.e., while in continuous motion, involving simultaneous marking of two opposite surface regions of the container. This laser marking method has the advantage of providing high-resolution marking very efficiently, compatible with the production rates existing in atmospheric control container manufacturing lines, which can reach 1000 containers per minute. Thanks to the simultaneous marking on two regions of the container's outer surface, the marked pattern can be sufficiently complete to meet regulatory requirements in terms of content and character size, while also respecting the marking time imposed by existing production rates. In this way, the laser marking step according to the invention can be easily incorporated into the line without reducing the production rate.Furthermore, the laser marking in each region of the surface is indelible, eliminating the risk of contamination of sensitive products.

[0010] According to a characteristic, the first laser beam is emitted by a first laser device and the second laser beam is emitted by a second laser device, where the first laser device and the second laser device each comprise a respective laser source. The use of two separate laser sources, to generate respectively the Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 64 / 135 5 / 49 The first laser beam and the second laser beam allow marking the two surface regions completely independently, thus marking different patterns on the two surface regions with optimized marking time for each pattern. This is not the case when, for example, deflection means are used at the output of a single laser source to generate two laser beams. In this case, the two laser beams coexist all the time, making it impossible to switch off one laser beam or leave one laser beam static, which would result in burning the material on the surface of the container. Controlling laser beams obtained from a single laser source, particularly in terms of intensity and optical path length, can be difficult. More generally, the control and efficiency of marking in each surface region are better when two separate laser sources are used.

[0011] Within the meaning of the invention, the expression "simultaneously marking the first surface region and the second surface region" means that the two surface regions are marked during the same marking time period. Note that the first and second laser beams can operate synchronously or asynchronously, that is, the marking of one surface region can be performed synchronously or asynchronously with respect to the marking of the other surface region, provided that the two marking operations occur within the same overall marking time period. It is understood that the marking of a surface region can be performed Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 65 / 135 6 / 49 in a shorter time than marking the other surface region within the aforementioned marking time period, both marking times being still less than or equal to a maximum marking time imposed by the production rate. In particular, when the patterns to be marked in the two surface regions are the same, the operations to mark the two surface regions can be performed synchronously or asynchronously; when the patterns to be marked in the two surface regions are different from each other, the operations to mark the two surface regions are performed asynchronously.

[0012] For each surface region of the container, the marked pattern includes characters, such as alphanumeric characters or characters from world writing systems, or other symbols, which form, for example, words, codes, images, logos, etc. For example, regulatory standards of the food and pharmaceutical industries may require the presence of the words “DO NOT EAT” on each container, with a minimum character size, namely 3 mm according to Regulation (EC) No 450 / 2009 of the European Union. According to a feature of the invention, in order to meet regulatory constraints and production rates, laser beam scanning marking is used, i.e., each laser beam between the first laser beam and the second laser beam engraves each character of the marked pattern linearly on the corresponding surface region, in the form of a straight or curved line. The line can be a line Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 66 / 135 7 / 49 continuous, which is obtained when the laser operates in Continuous Wave (CW) or Quasi-Continuous Wave (QCW) mode, or the line can be formed by a plurality of successive points arranged in a row, which is obtained when the laser operates in pulsed mode.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the container to be marked is moved along the transport path in the marking station such that the first laser beam is focused on a first focal plane corresponding substantially to the first surface region of the container, while the second laser beam is focused on a second focal plane that corresponds substantially to the second surface region of the container.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the first surface region and the second surface region of the container are marked while the container is moved in the marking station at a predetermined speed along the transport path.According to one embodiment, the predetermined speed is a conventional transport speed used in a container manufacturing line, such as atmosphere control containers; in particular, the predetermined speed is greater than or equal to 0.1 m / s, preferably greater than or equal to 0.2 m / s, and most likely greater than or equal to 0.5 m / s.

[0015] According to a feature of the invention, for at least one of the first and second surface regions of the container, preferably for each of the first and second surface regions of the container, a ratio of Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 67 / 135 8 / 49 maximum arc length of the marked pattern in the aforementioned surface region, taken in the circumferential direction of the container, half the circumference of the container is greater than 30%, preferably greater than 40%, more preferably greater than 45%. In one embodiment, the container may have a tubular shape at the level of the marked surface region, so that its circumference is constant at that level. In another embodiment, the container may have a variable cross-section at the level of the marked surface region, and in this case, the value of half the circumference considered for the ratio defined above is the maximum half circumference of the container at the level of the surface region.More generally, the container has a curved shape, so when it is moved in the marking station at a conventional transport speed, as mentioned above, laser marking needs to be done within a very precise time window to ensure that the patterns of the first and second surface regions, which extend over a large part of the container's circumference, are properly marked without becoming partial or distorted due to the container's curvature. In particular, at such a high transport speed and with such a high ratio of the maximum arc length of the pattern of at least one surface region, preferably each surface region, to half the circumference of the container, the pattern to be marked can be adapted to avoid stretching the characters due to the transport speed and / or the curvature of the container. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 68 / 135 9 / 49

[0016] According to one embodiment, each laser beam between the first laser beam and the second laser beam is produced by a laser device comprising a respective laser source coupled to a beam delivery unit. The beam delivery unit of each laser device is configured to focus the laser beam emitted by the laser source onto the focal plane corresponding to the surface region to be marked, in the form of a spot with a spot diameter in a range between 50 μm and 150 μm, preferably between 80 μm and 120 μm. This laser spot size offers a good compromise for having accurate and legible marking of the corresponding surface region and high marking speed.

[0017] According to one embodiment, each laser point is moved, in the focal plane corresponding to the surface region to be marked, according to a scanning path corresponding to a desired pattern to be marked, with an average scanning speed in a range between 2,500 mm / s and 5,000 mm / s, preferably between 3,000 mm / s and 4,500 mm / s. The laser scanning speed is adapted depending on the predetermined speed at which the container is moved in the marking station. For each surface region, the laser scanning speed can vary during the marking operation. In particular, the laser scanning speed can be higher for marking straight lines compared to marking curved lines. Typically, the higher the Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 69 / 135 The greater the radius of curvature of a line to be marked, the higher the laser scanning speed.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the beam distribution unit of each laser device comprises an X-scanning mirror and a Y-scanning mirror, for example, driven by galvanic scanners. The laser beam emitted by the laser source is reflected by the X-scanning mirror and the Y-scanning mirror to become a scanning laser beam, which is focused through at least one lens in the focal plane in the form of a laser spot of the desired size. For each laser device, the scanning mirrors need time to accelerate from a steady state to their scanning speed and then return to a steady state, which defines the laser activation and deactivation delays. In one embodiment, for each laser device, each activation delay and deactivation delay is in a range between 5 μs and 175 ps, typically between 50 μs and 175 ps.

[0019] According to a feature of the invention, each laser beam between the first laser beam and the second laser beam is a pulsed laser beam, the repetition rate and laser scanning speed being adapted such that the length of an overlap zone between two successive laser spot positions for the laser spot diameter is greater than or equal to 0.15, preferably greater than or equal to 0.3. The overlap length may be greater for curved line segments compared to straight line segments, due Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 70 / 135 11 / 49 to a decrease in laser scanning speed for marking curved line segments. According to one feature, the repetition rate and laser scanning speed are adapted in such a way that, for marking a straight line segment, the ratio of the length of an overlap zone between two successive laser spot positions to the laser spot diameter is in the range between 0.15 and 0.45, preferably on the order of 0.3. This overlap length ensures that each line forming a character of the marked pattern appears continuous to the human eye, even if it is formed by a plurality of successive spots arranged in a row.

[0020] According to a feature, the marking time of each of the first and second surface regions of the container by the corresponding laser beam is minimized, determining an optimized scanning path of the laser point corresponding to an optimized marking order of the pattern characters to be marked, which minimizes the marking time of the pattern in the surface region.

[0021] According to one embodiment, for each of the first surface region and the second surface region of the container, the surface region comprises a polymeric resin and an additive that absorbs radiation in a given wavelength range and the wavelength of the laser beam marking the surface region is in said wavelength range. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 71 / 135 12 / 49

[0022] Examples of polymeric resins suitable for each surface region of the container include, without limitation: polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polyisobutylene; ethylene copolymers such as, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene ethyl acrylates, ethylene butyl acrylates, ethylene maleic anhydrides, ethylene alpha olefins; polystyrene; styrene copolymers; polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); vinyl chloride copolymers; polyvinylidene chlorides; cellulose derivatives; polyamides; polycarbonates; polyoxymethylenes; copolyesters; polyphenylene oxides; polymethyl methacrylates; acrylate copolymers; fluorine polymers; polyimides; polyurethanes; and any combination thereof.For marking with a laser beam at a UV wavelength, examples of polymeric resins particularly suitable for each region of the container surface include polyolefins such as polyethylene, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or polypropylene; polystyrene; polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0023] For each region of the container surface, the additive is preferably a pigment that undergoes a photochemical reaction and changes color under the effect of a laser beam whose wavelength is in the absorption spectrum of the additive. The photochemical reaction minimizes thermal effects in the surface region to be marked. Advantageously, the change Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 72 / 135 13 / 49 The additive's color change occurs with limited heat transfer to the surrounding material, so that material burning or ablation is avoided. In one embodiment, the additive is titanium dioxide (T1O2), which absorbs radiation in the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range below 400 nm. The photochemical reaction induces a color change of the additive so that the color of the surface region of the container becomes darker where it was irradiated by the laser beam, thus forming a marked darker pattern in the surface region. In particular, when the additive is TiO2, the color of the surface region changes from white to gray where it was irradiated by a laser beam at a UV wavelength.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the wavelength of the laser beam, which is used to produce the photochemical reaction in the surface region of the vessel, is in the UV wavelength range between 100 nm and 400 nm. To obtain a UV wavelength, the laser source can be an infrared laser in which a harmonic in the UV wavelength range is used, or a laser whose output is in the UV wavelength range. Examples of suitable lasers include, for example: a triple-frequency Nd:YVO4 laser emitting at a wavelength of 355 nm; a triple-frequency Nd:YAG laser emitting at a wavelength of 355 nm; an excimer laser emitting in the deep UV range, for example, a KrF excimer laser emitting at a wavelength of 248 nm. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 73 / 135 14 / 49

[0025] According to a characteristic, for each laser beam between the first laser beam and the second laser beam, the laser source is a pulsed source with a pulse width of less than 25 ns. A short pulse duration leads to a high peak power to induce the photochemical reaction, reducing heat transfer to the surrounding material, which is advantageous for obtaining a marked pattern without ablation of the material.

[0026] According to one embodiment, for each laser beam between the first laser beam and the second laser beam, the energy density in the focal plane corresponding to the surface region to be marked is adapted to avoid ablation of the material. In particular, the energy density in the focal plane is less than 2 J / cm2 when the surface region comprises a polymeric resin.

[0027] By way of example, in a non-limiting and purely illustrative embodiment, for each surface region of the container, the polymer resin is a polyolefin, for example, polyethylene; the additive is titanium dioxide (TiO2), and in an amount between 0.5 and 5% by weight; each laser source is a frequency-tripled, diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser emitting pulses at 355 nm, for example, with a repetition rate of 50 kHz, a pulse width of less than 25 ns and a pulse energy of 160 μO. Throughout this text, the % by weight number gives the % by weight of the additive over the total weight of the composition. As an example, when the polymer resin is polyethylene Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 74 / 135 15 / 49 and the additive is TiO2 in an amount between 1 and 3% by weight, the energy density in the focal plane is preferably greater than or equal to 1 J / cm2 to have sufficient contrast and less than or equal to 2 J / cm2 to avoid ablation of the material.

[0028] According to a feature of the invention, the laser marking step of the container according to the method of the invention is performed after a step of filling the container with an active material. In this case, the container that is marked at the marking station by the first and second laser beams, while moving along the transport path, is a filled container containing active material in its internal volume. The active material received in the internal volume of the container can be any type of active material. In the sense of the invention, an active material is a material capable of regulating the atmosphere in a package or container, especially intended to receive sensitive products. In particular, the active material can be selected from the group of: moisture absorbers; oxygen scavengers; odor absorbers; emitters of moisture or volatile olfactory organic compounds; and any combination thereof.The active ingredient may be able to release gaseous substances, such as moisture or fragrance. Such properties can, for example, be useful for applications where sensitive products require a certain level of humidity. Such products include, for example, powders, especially for aerosol generation, gelatin capsules, herbal medicine, gels and creams including cosmetics and food products. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 75 / 135 16 / 49

[0029] Examples of suitable dehydrating agents include, without limitation, silica gels, dehydrating clays, activated alumina, calcium oxide, barium oxide, natural or synthetic zeolites, molecular sieves or the like, or deliquescent salts such as magnesium sulfide, calcium chloride, aluminum chloride, lithium chloride, calcium bromide, zinc chloride or the like. Preferably, the dehydrating agent is a molecular sieve and / or a silica gel.

[0030] Examples of suitable oxygen-scavenging agents include, without limitation, metal powders with reducing capacity, in particular iron, zinc, tin powder, metal oxides still with the capacity to oxidize, in particular ferrous oxide, as well as iron compounds such as carbides, carbonyls, hydroxides, used alone or in the presence of an activator such as hydroxides, carbonates, sulfites, thiosulfates, phosphates, salts of organic acids or hydrogen salts of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals, activated carbon, activated alumina or activated clays. Other oxygen-scavenging agents may also be chosen from specific reactive polymers, such as those described, for example, in US patent documents 5,736,616 A, WO 99 / 48963 A2, WO 98 / 51758 A1 and WO 2018 / 149778 A1.

[0031] According to one embodiment, both the container filling and marking stages are performed in line. In particular, the container can be filled at a filling station located upstream. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 76 / 135 17 / 49 of the marking station in relation to the transport direction, in which the active material is introduced into the internal volume of the container and the container is closed to prevent the active material from escaping. In an advantageous embodiment, the filled container can be moved continuously along the transport path, for example, at a predetermined speed, from the filling station to the marking station and then within the marking station.

[0032] According to one feature of the invention, the laser marking step of the container according to the method of the invention is followed by a quality control step of the marking in each of the first and second surface regions of the container. According to one embodiment, the marking control in each surface region is performed using a first camera and a second camera positioned on either side of the container, such that the first camera is facing the first surface region of the container and the second camera is facing the second surface region of the container. The first and second cameras independently ensure that each region of the container surface is in fact marked with its respective pattern by the first and second laser beams.In one embodiment, not only does each camera ensure that a marking is present in the corresponding surface region of the container, but each camera also ensures, within a certain tolerance, that the pattern marked in the corresponding surface region is complete. This... Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 77 / 135 18 / 49 control by two independent cameras is fundamental to the automation system of two lasers at high production rates.

[0033] According to one embodiment, both the marking of the container and the control of the marking in each surface region of the container are performed in line. In particular, the marking in each surface region of the container can be controlled at a control station located downstream of the marking station relative to the transport direction. In an advantageous embodiment, the container can be moved continuously along the transport path, for example, at a predetermined speed, within the marking station, then from the marking station to the control station, and then within the control station.

[0034] According to a feature of the invention, the laser marking step of the container according to the method of the invention is performed after a step of separating successive containers by a spacing, such that the containers pass individually through the marking station, in a time-discrete manner. Advantageously, the spacing between two successive containers to be marked at the marking station is adjusted according to the speed of the containers along the transport path in the marking station and the activation and deactivation delays of the laser devices, so that each laser device can return to the fundamental state between two successive containers. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 78 / 135 19 / 49

[0035] According to one embodiment, the separation of successive containers by a spacing is carried out, at a separation station located upstream of the marking station in relation to the transport direction, using a separation device that applies a certain distance between successive containers, e.g., initially grouped randomly at the entrance of the separation device. In an advantageous embodiment, the successive containers are moved continuously along the transport path, at a certain speed and with the determined spacing between them, from the separation station to the marking station, and then within the marking station. In one embodiment, the spacing between successive containers is a constant spacing, so that the containers pass through the marking station with a constant frequency, i.e., at regular time intervals.

[0036] According to a feature, for each container to be marked, the simultaneous marking of the first surface region and the second surface region of the container at the marking station is controlled as a function of the speed at which the container is moved at the marking station and a trigger time.

[0037] According to a characteristic, the first and second laser beams are emitted by the first and second laser devices, each comprising a respective laser source, the first and second laser devices being Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 79 / 135 20 / 49 controlled based on the speed at which the container is moved in the marking station and a firing time. According to one feature, each laser device is triggered from a fundamental state and the activation time is adjusted to account for the activation and deactivation delays of each laser device.

[0038] According to one resource, the firing time is the same for the first and second laser devices. This common firing time for the two laser devices ensures that the two marking operations begin substantially at the same time, so that even if the marking of one surface region takes longer than the marking of the other surface region, both markings occur within an overall marking period less than or equal to a maximum marking time imposed by the production rate.

[0039] In one embodiment, the firing time for the first laser device and the second laser device is determined using a single sensor configured to detect a position of the container to be marked along the transport path. The marking firing sensor can be located upstream of the first and second laser devices relative to the transport direction.

[0040] In another embodiment, the firing time for the first laser device is determined using a first sensor, while the firing time for the second laser device is determined using a second sensor, each of Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 80 / 135 21 / 49 The first and second devices are configured to detect a position of the container to be marked along the transport path, which position may be the same or different for the two sensors. Each marking trigger sensor can be located upstream of the corresponding laser device relative to the transport direction.

[0041] In another embodiment, the firing time for the first laser device and the second laser device is calculated from the speed at which the container is moved along the transport path in the marking station and a spacing between successive containers to be marked in the marking station.

[0042] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the steps of a marking method as described above when the program is run by a computer. In one embodiment, said steps comprise: - receive a value indicating the speed at which the container is moved at the marking station along the transport route; - Obtain a firing time for the first laser device and the second laser device, either by receiving a signal from at least one marking firing sensor configured to detect the position of a container to be marked along the transport path, or by calculating the firing time from the speed at which the container is moved within the marking station. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 81 / 135 22 / 49 along the transport route and a spacing between successive containers to be marked; and - To activate the first laser device and the second laser device to operate a simultaneous marking of the first surface region and the second surface region of a container as they pass through the marking station, using the first laser beam and the second laser beam emitted in opposite directions on both sides of the container, transversely to the direction of transport.

[0043] Another object of the invention is a non-transient computer-readable medium comprising instructions for implementing the steps of a marking method as described above, when the instructions are executed by a computer.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the instructions of the computer program or computer-readable media further comprise at least one instruction for minimizing the marking time of each of the first and second surface regions of the container by the corresponding laser beam, determining, for example, computing an optimized scanning path of the laser point of the laser device corresponding to an optimized marking order of the characters of the pattern to be marked, which minimizes the marking time of the pattern in the surface region.

[0045] Another objective of the invention is a laser-marked container obtained by the method described above. According to a Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 82 / 135 23 / 49 modality, in each laser-marked surface region of the laser-marked container, the laser-marked points are arranged in lines so that the width of each line corresponds to the diameter of a laser-marked point.

[0046] Another object of the invention is a laser-marked container, notably a jar or lid intended for use in packaging filled with sensitive products, such as food, nutraceutical products, pharmaceutical products or diagnostic products, wherein said marked container comprises on its surface two laser-marked surface regions arranged substantially 180° from each other with respect to a principal axis of the container, wherein each laser-marked surface region comprises a respective marked pattern formed by a plurality of laser-marked dots resulting from a change in the color of the outer surface material under the effect of a photochemical reaction induced by a laser beam, in particular with limited heat transfer to the surrounding material, such that annealing of the material or ablation of the material is avoided, wherein, in each laser-marked surface region,The laser-marked points are arranged in straight or curved lines, so that the width of each line corresponds to the diameter of a laser-marked point. Advantageously, in each laser-marked surface region, each character of the marked pattern is formed linearly by straight or curved line segments, each comprising a single row of laser-marked points. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 83 / 135 In particular, the single line of laser-marked dots is not juxtaposed to another line of laser-marked dots. Such an arrangement of the characters of each marked pattern of the laser-marked container is different from, for example, a marked pattern in which the characters are defined by a matrix with a predetermined number of rows and columns, which is much longer to produce compared to a pattern obtained by linear scan marking. Preferably, the successive laser-marked dots in each line are connected to each other in an overlapping zone.

[0047] The arrangement of laser-marked dots in lines, where the width of each line corresponds to the diameter of a single laser-marked dot, corresponds to an optimized marking speed of the laser-marked pattern in each region of the container surface. In particular, the marking speed achieved with such a linear arrangement of laser-marked dots is greater than that achieved with a dispersed arrangement of laser-marked dots. In this way, the marked container according to the invention can be obtained while respecting the marking times imposed by the production rates existing in the manufacturing lines of atmosphere control containers, where the imposed marking time can be, for example, less than 120 ms for a production rate of 500 containers per minute, or even less than 60 ms for a production rate of 1000 containers per minute. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 84 / 135 25 / 49

[0048] For each region of the container's surface, the marked pattern is indelible and includes characters, such as alphanumeric characters or characters from worldwide writing systems, or other symbols, which form, for example, words, codes, images, logos, etc. Thanks to the presence of a laser-marked pattern in two regions of the container's outer surface and the linear arrangement of the laser-marked points in each marked pattern, the marking on the container marked according to the invention can be sufficiently complete to meet regulatory requirements in terms of content and font size, such as the requirements of EU (EC) Labelling Regulation No 450 / 2009 which requires the inscription “DO NOT EAT” on each container, with a minimum font size of 3 mm.According to one characteristic, the patterns marked in the two regions of the container surface result from a color change of the container material without burning or ablation of the material, which is especially important in the nutraceutical or pharmaceutical sectors, where dust or surface defects must be avoided.

[0049] According to a feature of the invention, for each laser-marked surface region of the marked container, the total linear length of the marked pattern is less than 700 mm, preferably less than 350 mm, preferably less than 175 mm. Within the framework of the invention, the total linear length of the marked pattern is the sum of the lengths of all line segments that form the characters of the pattern. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 85 / 135 26 / 49 marked, where the length of each line segment is taken in the longitudinal direction of the line segment. In other words, the length of each line segment corresponds to the sum of the diameters of the laser-marked points that make up the line segment, from which is subtracted the length of the overlap zones between successive laser-marked points.

[0050] According to another feature of the invention, for each laser-marked surface region of the marked container, the number of laser-marked points forming the marked pattern is less than 10,000, preferably less than 6,000, preferably less than 3,000. According to another feature of the invention, a surface density of laser-marked points for the marked pattern in each surface region, defined as the ratio of the number of laser-marked points forming the marked pattern to the surface area of ​​the smallest rectangle within which the marked pattern is inscribed, is less than 300 points / mm2, preferably less than 150 points / mm2, preferably less than 70 points / mm2, preferably less than 35 points / mm2.Note that when the surface region comprising the marked pattern is a non-planar surface region, the circumscribed rectangle considered is the smallest rectangle, tangent to the non-planar surface region and orthogonal to a laser marking direction, within which the projection of the marked pattern is inscribed. This limited number of laser-marked points, or limited density of laser-marked points, in each region of... Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 86 / 135 27 / 49 laser-marked surface of the container makes it possible to achieve a marking speed for each container compatible with existing in-line production rates. For a container marked according to the invention, each marked pattern can typically be inscribed in a smaller circumscribed rectangle with a length on each side of the rectangle in a range between 5 mm and 50 mm.

[0051] According to one embodiment, for each line of each laser-marked surface region, the ratio of the overlap zone length between two successive laser-marked points in the longitudinal direction of the line to the diameter of each laser-marked point is greater than or equal to 0.15, preferably greater than or equal to 0.3. The overlap length may be greater for curved line segments compared to straight line segments, due to a decrease in laser scanning speed for marking curved line segments. According to one feature, for each straight line segment of each laser-marked surface region, the ratio of the overlap zone length between two successive laser-marked points in the longitudinal direction of the straight line to the diameter of each laser-marked point is in the range between 0.15 and 0.45, preferably on the order of 0.3.This overlap length between successive laser-marked points ensures that each line forming a character of the marked pattern appears to be continuous. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 87 / 135 28 / 49 human eye, even if it is formed by a plurality of successive points.

[0052] According to one embodiment, in each laser-marked surface region of the marked container, the diameter of each laser-marked spot is in a range between 50 μm and 150 μm, preferably between 80 μm and 120 μm. Advantageously, the diameter of each laser-marked spot is selected to allow high-speed laser marking while also ensuring good marking resolution and an energy density in the surface region that maintains the integrity of the material.

[0053] According to one embodiment, for at least one pattern marked on a surface region of the container, the ratio of the maximum arc length of the pattern in the circumferential direction of the container to half the circumference of the container is greater than 30%, preferably greater than 40%, and more preferably greater than 45%. With such a ratio for at least one of the first and second marked surface regions, the marked patterns extend over a large part of the container's circumference, thus making it possible to provide a clear message to a user. In one embodiment, the container may have a tubular shape at the level of the marked surface region, so that its circumference is constant at that level. In another embodiment, the container may have a variable cross-section at the level of the marked surface region, and in this case, the value of half the circumference considered for the ratio defined above is half of Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 88 / 135 29 / 49 maximum circumference of the container at the surface level.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the patterns marked on the two surface regions of the container are different from each other, which also helps to convey a clear message to a user, for example, by providing an inscription in English on a first surface region and its translation into another language or a corresponding symbol on the second surface region.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the marked container is filled with an active material. The active material received in the internal volume of the container may be any type of active material capable of regulating the atmosphere in a package or container, for example, selected from the group of: moisture absorbers; oxygen scavengers; odor absorbers; moisture emitters or volatile olfactory organic compounds; and any combination thereof.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the outer surface of the marked container is a polymeric surface comprising a polymeric resin and an additive that absorbs radiation in a specific wavelength range, in particular with an amount of the additive between 0.5 and 5% by weight. In one embodiment, the additive is titanium dioxide (T1O2), preferably in an amount equal to or greater than 1% by weight, more preferably in an amount equal to or greater than 2% by weight, and the color of the laser-marked spots in each region of the laser-marked surface is darker than the color of the rest. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 89 / 135 30 / 49 of the outer surface of the marked container. In particular, when the additive is TiO2, a typical color for each laser-marked point is gray, while a typical color for the rest of the outer surface of the marked container is white.

[0057] The invention also relates to an apparatus for marking successive containers at a marking station, the apparatus comprising: - a conveyor for moving successive containers at the marking station along a transport path; - a first laser device and a second laser device, each comprising a respective laser source, which are located on either side of the transport path and configured to emit two laser beams in opposite directions, transverse to the direction of travel of the conveyor, such that: The laser beam from the first laser device is focused on a first focal plane that corresponds substantially to a first surface region of a container passing through the marking station, and the laser beam from the second laser device is focused on a second focal plane that corresponds substantially to a second surface region of a container passing through the marking station, wherein, for each container, the first and second surface regions are arranged substantially to Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 90 / 135 31 / 49 180° from each other in relation to a principal axis of the container; and - a controller configured to control the first and second laser devices depending on the conveyor speed and a firing time, which is preferably the same for both laser devices.

[0058] According to one embodiment, each laser device comprises a laser source for emitting a laser beam, which is coupled to a beam delivery unit, wherein the beam delivery unit is configured to focus the laser beam in the focal plane in the form of a laser spot having a spot diameter in the range between 50 μm and 150 pm, preferably between 80 pm and 120 pm.

[0059] According to a feature, the beam delivery unit is configured to move the laser spot in the focal plane, according to a scanning path corresponding to a desired pattern to be marked, with an average scanning speed in the range between 2,500 mm / s and 5,000 mm / s, preferably between 3,000 mm / s and 4,500 mm / s.

[0060] In one embodiment, the scanning path for the beam distribution unit of the first laser device is different from the scanning path for the beam distribution unit of the second laser device. In this case, the pattern marked on the first surface region of the Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 91 / 135 32 / 49 container is different from the standard marking in the second surface region of the container.

[0061] According to one embodiment, each laser source is a pulsed laser source, the repetition rate and laser scan speed being adapted such that the ratio of the length of an overlap zone between two successive laser spot positions to the laser spot diameter is greater than or equal to 0.15, preferably greater than or equal to 0.3. The overlap length may be greater for curved line segments compared to straight line segments, due to a decrease in laser scan speed for marking curved line segments. According to one feature, the repetition rate and laser scan speed are adapted such that, for marking a straight line segment, the ratio of the length of an overlap zone between two successive laser spot positions to the laser spot diameter is in the range between 0.15 and 0.45, preferably on the order of 0.3.

[0062] According to one resource, each laser device is triggered from a fundamental state and the activation time is adjusted to take into account the activation and deactivation delays of each laser device.

[0063] In one embodiment, the firing time for the first laser device and the second laser device is determined by a single sensor configured to detect a position of the container being transported by the conveyor. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 92 / 135 33 / 49

[0064] In another embodiment, the firing time for the first laser device is determined by a first sensor, while the firing time for the second laser device is determined by a second sensor, each of the first and second devices being configured to detect a position of the container to be marked along the transport path, which position may be the same or different for the two sensors.

[0065] In another embodiment, the firing time for the first laser device and the second laser device is calculated from the speed at which the container is moved along the transport path in the marking station and a spacing between successive containers to be marked in the marking station.

[0066] In another embodiment, the firing time for the first laser device and the second laser device is calculated from the conveyor speed at the marking station and a spacing between successive containers transported by the conveyor. According to one embodiment, the controller is configured to monitor laser marking by controlling at least one laser parameter of each of the first and second laser devices selected from: the laser focal spot diameter, the average laser power, the laser scanning speed, the repetition rate, the pulse width, the marking direction, and a combination thereof. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 93 / 135 34 / 49 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of a marked container and a marking method and apparatus according to the invention; this description is given merely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0068] Figure 1 is a side view of a marked container according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising on its outer surface two laser-marked surface regions arranged substantially 180° from each other with respect to a central axis of the container;

[0069] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the marked container of figure 1 on the side of a first laser-marked surface region;

[0070] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the marked container from figure 1 on the side of a second laser-marked surface region;

[0071] Figure 4 is a larger scale view of detail IV from Figure 2;

[0072] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the laser-marked constituent points of a marked character from Figure 4, illustrating the appropriate point diameter and overlap length produced by the marking method according to the invention; Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 94 / 135 35 / 49

[0073] Figure 6 is a schematic top view of part of a manufacturing line 30 for the production of marked containers similar to those in Figure 1, comprising a marking apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0074] Figure 7 is a larger-scale view of detail VII of figure 6. ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0075] The figures illustrate a marked container 2 according to an embodiment of the invention and a portion of a manufacturing line 30 for producing such marked containers 2. As shown in Figure 6, successive operations are performed on the containers 2 in the manufacturing line 30, namely, successively: each container 2 is filled, assembled and closed. In a filling station 31; the containers 2 are separated from each other in a separation station 33; each container 2 is laser marked in a marking station 35; each container 2 is checked for the quality of its laser marking in a control station 37.

[0076] In the example of figures 1 to 3, the container marked 2 comprises a tubular body 23 and a gas-permeable lid 24. The gas-permeable lid 24 is provided with a plurality of perforations 28 and configured to be fixed to the tubular body 23, for example, by cutout. The tubular body 23 has a circular cross-section and comprises a bottom wall and a perimeter wall delimiting a volume to receive an active material, which is closed by the gas-permeable lid 24. By way of Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 95 / 135 36 / 49 By way of non-limiting example, the active material received in the inner volume of container 2 may be a dehydrating agent (or desiccant) in powder or granular form, for example, selected from molecular sieves, silica gel and / or dehydrating clays. Container 2 is intended to be placed in a container (not shown) in which sensitive products are stored, in order to regulate the atmosphere inside the container.

[0077] As clearly visible in figure 1, the tubular body 23 of the container comprises on its outer surface two laser-marked surface regions 2A and 2B, arranged substantially 180° from each other with respect to a central axis X2 of the container 2. Each laser-marked surface region 2A, 2B comprises a respective marked pattern 21, 22. In this illustrative embodiment, the marked pattern 21 in the surface region 2A is different from the marked pattern 22 in the surface region 2B.

[0078] The combination of the two patterns marked 21 and 22 is configured to satisfy normative requirements, for example, in terms of content and font size. In particular, pattern marked 21 in surface region 2A comprises the inscriptions DESICCANT and DO NOT EAT, as well as a symbol showing that the container should not be ingested, while pattern marked 22 in surface region 2B comprises the inscription “DO NOT EAT” and its translations in English, French and Spanish. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 96 / 135 37 / 49

[0079] As visible in the larger scale view of figure 4, each character of the marked patterns 21 and 22 is formed by a plurality of laser-marked points 26, which are arranged in straight or curved lines 25. In an illustrative embodiment, which is given only by way of example and is not limiting, the tubular body 23 and the lid 24 of the container are both made of a polymeric material comprising a polyethylene matrix and titanium dioxide (T1O2) as an additive in an amount of 1 to 3% by weight, which gives a white color to the container 2. The laser-marked points 26 of each marked pattern 21, 22 have a gray color which makes them visually distinct from the white background.

[0080] The gray laser-marked dots 26 result from the reduction of TiO2 in zones where surface regions 2A and 2B have been irradiated with pulsed UV laser radiation. The duration and intensity of each dot-producing pulse and the pulse repetition rate are determined according to the surface material to be marked. Advantageously, the reduction of TiO2 is a photochemical reaction that absorbs a large amount of photon energy, so thermal effects are minimized in surface regions 2A and 2B, and the color change of the laser-marked dots 26 occurs without burning or ablating the surrounding polymeric material. This results in good resolution and good contrast of the laser-marked dots 26.

[0081] It can be observed in the figures that, for each pattern marked 21 or 22, each segment of line 25 of each character Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 97 / 135 38 / 49 of the marked pattern is formed by a single row of 26 laser-marked points. Therefore, for each marked pattern 21 or 22, a width W of each line or line segment 25 corresponds to the diameter D of a laser-marked point 26. This is due to the specific process used to mark the two surface regions 2A and 2B of the container, in which a laser beam linearly engraves each character of the marked pattern onto the corresponding surface region, in the form of a straight or curved line. This linear scanning marking is the most efficient method for marking container 2, respecting the marking times imposed by existing production rates for containers. Advantageously, in this embodiment, the marked patterns 21 and 22 do not contain any line segment comprising a matrix of points juxtaposed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the line segment.

[0082] As shown in Figure 5, for each marked pattern 21 or 22, the successive laser-marked points 26 in each line 25 are connected to each other in an overlap zone J. By way of example, in this illustrative embodiment, the diameter D of each laser-marked point 26 is 100 μm and the length L of the overlap zone J in each straight line segment is 30 pm, i.e., there is a 30% overlap. The overlap length L may be greater than 30 pm for curved line segments compared to straight line segments, due to a decrease in laser scanning speed for marking curved line segments. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 98 / 135 39 / 49 This value of the ratio of the overlap length L to the point diameter D ensures that each line 25 forming a character in the patterns marked 21, 22 appears to be continuous to the human eye.

[0083] In order to achieve high marking speed, when the marking method of the invention is used, in which the two surface regions 2A and 2B of the container 2 are marked simultaneously by two laser beams emitted in opposite directions on both sides of the container 2, it is possible to calculate a maximum number of laser-marked points 26 in each of the surface regions 2A and 2B, based on a maximum marking time imposed on the container 2 and a repetition rate of each laser used to create the laser-marked points 26. For example, if the container 2 is to be marked in less than 60 ms and the lasers used to simultaneously mark the two surface regions 2A and 2B have a repetition rate of 50 kHz, then the number of laser-marked points 26 constituting each marked pattern 21 or 22 will have to be less than 3000.Knowing the desired length of the pattern to be marked, it is then possible to determine the values ​​of the point diameter D and the overlap length L.

[0084] On the other hand, if the values ​​of the point diameter D and the overlap length L are fixed, another parameter that can be calculated, based on a maximum marking time for container 2 and a repetition rate of each laser used to create the laser-marked points 26, is the linear length. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 99 / 135 40 / 49 total of each marked pattern 21 or 22, that is, the sum of the lengths of all line segments that form the characters of the marked pattern, where the length of each line segment is taken in the longitudinal direction of the line segment. For example, if the container is to be marked in less than 60 ms, the lasers used to simultaneously mark the two surface regions 2A and 2B have a repetition rate of 50 kHz, the diameter of point D is 100 pm, then the total linear length of each marked pattern 21 or 22 will have to be less than 300 mm, and even less if an overlap length between successive points is considered.

[0085] Advantageously, in this embodiment, the surface density of the laser-marked points 26 for each of the marked patterns 21 and 22 is less than 35 points / mm2. The surface density of the laser-marked points 26 of a marked pattern is defined as the ratio of the number of laser-marked points 26 that form the marked pattern to the surface area of ​​the smallest circumscribed rectangle tangent to the surface region within which the projection of the marked pattern is inscribed. By way of example, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, where the X direction is parallel to the central axis X2 and the X and Y directions define a plane tangent to each surface region 2A, 2B of container 2, the orthogonal projection of the marked pattern 21 onto the XY plane tangent to the surface region 2A is inscribed within a circumscribed rectangle R1 having a side length a1 of 10 mm along the X axis and a side length b1 of 9 mm along the X axis. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pages 100 / 135 41 / 49 along the Y-axis, while the orthogonal projection of the pattern marked 22 onto the XY plane tangent to the surface region 2B is inscribed within a circumscribed rectangle R2 having a side length a2 of 8 mm along the X-axis and a side length b2 of 10.5 mm along the Y-axis.

[0086] In this embodiment, for each surface region 2A, 2B of container 2, the ratio of the maximum arc length of pattern 21, 22, taken in the circumferential direction of the container, to half the circumference of the container is greater than 45%. With such a ratio, patterns 21, 22 extend over a large part of the circumference of container 2, so that they can be sufficiently complete and legible to provide a clear message to a user.As an example and without limitation, with reference to figures 2 and 3: the diameter of container 2 is 19.35 mm, which corresponds to a half circumference of the container of 30.40 mm; for surface region 2A, the maximum arc length l1 of the pattern marked 21 is 14.08 mm, which corresponds to a ratio of the maximum arc length l1 to half the circumference of the container of approximately 46.3%; for surface region 2B, the maximum arc length l2 of the pattern marked 22 is 14.84 mm, which corresponds to a ratio of the maximum arc length l2 to half the circumference of the container of approximately 48.8%.

[0087] As shown schematically in figure 6, the manufacturing line 30 for manufacturing filled and marked containers 2 comprises a conveyor 1 to move the Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 101 / 135 42 / 49 containers 2 at a predetermined speed to the scheme of a transport path 10. The stations are available successively along the transport path 10, including the operating direction Xi of transport 1: - the filling station 31, where the active material is introduced into the internal volume of the tubular body 23 of each container 2, and the container 2 is assembled and closed by clipping the lid 24 onto the tubular body 23, to prevent the active material from escaping; - separation station 33, where successive containers 2, initially grouped randomly, are separated by a constant spacing d by a separation device 3; - marking station 35, in which the two surface regions 2A and 2B of each container 2 are marked simultaneously by two laser devices 4, 5; as illustrated in figure 6, the X-scan direction of laser devices 4, 5 is parallel to the central axis X2 of each container 2, while the Y-scan direction of laser devices 4, 5 is parallel to the displacement direction Xi of the conveyor 1;

[0088] - control station 37, in which the patterns marked on the two surface regions 2A, 2B of each container 2 are controlled by two cameras 7, 8 positioned on either side of the conveyor 1, such that camera 7 faces surface region 2A of the container and camera 8 faces surface region 2B of the container. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 102 / 135 43 / 49 Cameras 7 and 8 independently ensure that each surface region 2A, 2B of container 2 is in fact marked with its respective pattern 21, 22 by laser devices 4, 5. In this embodiment, not only does each camera 7, 8 ensure that the pattern 21, 22 is present in the corresponding surface region 2A, 2B of each container 2, but each camera 7, 8 also ensures, within a certain tolerance, that the marked pattern 21, 22 is complete in terms of characters (letters and symbols in the example shown).

[0089] The containers 2 are moved continuously by the conveyor 1 along the transport path 10, successively from one station to the next and within each separation station 33, marking station 35, control station 37. The speed of the conveyor 1 is advantageously measured by a speed sensor 12, such as a coding wheel. The spacing d imposed between successive containers 2 by the separation device 3 is adjusted according to the speed of the conveyor 1, measured by the speed sensor 12, and according to the activation and deactivation delays of the laser devices 4, 5, such that each of the two laser devices 4, 5 can return to the fundamental state between the marking of two successive containers 2.

[0090] The manufacturing line 30 also comprises two trigger sensors 6 and 9, which are located respectively upstream of the marking station 35 and upstream of the station. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 103 / 135 44 / 49 control 37. Each trigger sensor 6, 9 comprises an emitter 61, 91 and a detector 63, 93 arranged on both sides of the transport path 10, such that a radiation beam 64, 94 emitted by the emitter 61, 91 is detected by the corresponding detector 63, 93 as it crosses the transport path 10. In this way, each trigger sensor 6, 9 can detect the presence of a container 2 just upstream of station 35 or 37, when the container 2 passes between the emitter 61, 91 and the detector 63, 93, which interrupts the beam 64, 94. The detection of a container 2 by the marking trigger sensor 6 corresponds to a trigger time that triggers the marking operation for both laser devices 4, 5 of the marking station 35. Similarly, the detection of a container 2 by the control trigger sensor 9 corresponds to a time trigger that activates the control operation for both cameras 7 and 8 of control station 37.

[0091] At marking station 35, the marking apparatus comprises two marking devices 4 and 5 located on either side of the transport path 10 and configured to emit two laser beams 44, 54 in opposite directions, transverse to the direction of execution X1 of the conveyor, such that the laser beam 44 from laser device 4 is focused on the surface region 2A of the container 2 when passing through marking station 35 and the laser beam 54 from laser device 5 is focused on the surface region 2B of the container 2 when passing through marking station 35. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 104 / 135 45 / 49

[0092] Each laser device 4, 5 comprises a laser source 41, 51 coupled to a beam delivery unit 43, 53. In one embodiment, which is given by way of example only and is not limiting, each laser source 41, 51 is a pumped frequency tripled Nd:YVO4 laser diode emitting pulses at 355 nm, with a repetition rate of 50 kHz, a pulse width of less than 25 ns and a pulse energy of 160 μυ. Each beam delivery unit 43, 53 is configured to focus the laser beam, in the focal plane corresponding substantially to the surface region 2A or 2B to be marked, in the form of a laser spot 46, 56 with a spot diameter D of 100 μη, and to move the laser spot 46, 56 in the focal plane according to a scanning path corresponding to the desired pattern 21, 22 to be marked.

[0093] To this end, the beam delivery units 43, 53 each comprise an X-scanning mirror and a Y-scanning mirror driven by galvanic scanners, configured to control the beam movement respectively on the X-axis and the Y-axis, as shown in the figures. For each laser device 4, 5, the laser beam emitted by the laser source 41, 51 is reflected by the X-scanning mirror and the Y-scanning mirror to become a scanning laser beam 44, 54, which is focused through at least one lens in the focal plane in the form of the laser spot 46, 56. Note that, for the marking of the containers 2 similar to that of figure 1, since the marked pattern 21 in the surface region 2A is different from the pattern Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 105 / 135 46 / 49 marked 22 in surface region 2B, the scanning path for beam distribution unit 43 of laser device 4 is different from the scanning path for beam distribution unit 53 of laser device 5.

[0094] The marking apparatus also comprises a controller 36 configured to monitor the laser marking at the marking station 35 by controlling the laser devices 4, 5, in particular as a function of the conveyor speed 1 and a firing time determined by the marking firing sensor 6 located upstream of the marking station 35. In practice, the laser scanning speed of each laser device 4, 5 is adapted as a function of the conveyor speed 1 measured by the speed sensor 12, so as to mark each of the patterns 21, 22 appropriately in the surface regions 2A and 2B. For each surface region 2A, 2B, the laser scanning speed may vary during the marking operation, in particular the laser scanning speed is typically higher for marking straight lines compared to marking curved lines.

[0095] The scanning speed is in the range between 2,500 mm / s and 5,000 mm / s, preferably between 3,000 mm / s and 4,500 mm / s. For a given repetition rate of each pulsed source 41, 51, the laser scanning speed can be advantageously adapted such that the ratio of the length L of the overlap zone J between two successive positions of the laser spot 46, 56 to the diameter of the laser spot D is greater or Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pages 106 / 135 47 / 49 equals 0.15, preferably greater than or equal to 0.3, corresponding to the marked container 2 shown in Figure 1. The overlap length may be greater for curved line segments compared to straight line segments, due to a decrease in laser scanning speed for marking curved line segments.

[0096] By way of example, for a repetition rate of 50 kHz of each laser source 41, 51 and a spot diameter D of 100 µm, a scanning speed of at least 3,500 mm / s in straight line segments corresponds to a movement of 70 µm per pulse, i.e., an overlap length L of 30 µm, i.e., an overlap of 30% for each straight line segment. Another controlled parameter is the energy density in the focal plane, which is a function of the concentration of the photoactive additive, the laser pulse energy, and the spot diameter D. In the example of containers 2 with surface regions 2A, 2B made of polyethylene with TiO2 in an amount of 1 to 3% by weight, the energy density in the focal plane is selected to be greater than or equal to 1 J / cm2 in order to have sufficient marking contrast, and less than or equal to 2 J / cm2 to avoid ablation of the material.More generally, the controller 36 is advantageously configured to control the parameters of each laser device 4, 5 among: the laser focal spot diameter D, the average laser power, the laser scanning speed, the repetition rate, the pulse width, the marking direction, and a combination thereof. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 107 / 135 48 / 49

[0097] The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.

[0098] In particular, the containers can be made of a material other than a polymeric resin. For example, each container can be an anodized aluminum container. In this case, marking each of the first and second surface regions of the container can be performed using an infrared (IR) laser. For marking each surface region according to the invention, the laser source can also be non-pulsed. For example, Continuous Wave (CW) or Quasi-Continuous Wave (QCW) lasers can be used.

[0099] Furthermore, in the example of the container described and shown in the figures, the first and second surface regions of the container are located on the tubular body of the container. As a variant, at least one of the first and second surface regions may be on the lid of the container, for example, on the periphery or on the upper wall of the lid. At least one of the first and second surface regions may also extend over the body and the lid, for example, overlapping the boundary between the two parts.

[00100] The container may also be different from a container intended to be placed in packaging. For example, the container may be a lid configured to close packaging, for example, for sensitive products. Furthermore, whatever its application, the container may have other shapes besides the cylindrical shape, as shown in the Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pages 108 / 135 49 / 49 figures, as well as, the container can have a tubular shape with any cross-section, or a spherical shape, provided that the container defines an internal volume bounded by at least one peripheral wall and the first and second surface regions are arranged on two opposite sides of the internal volume.

[00101] Other relative orientations of the container and laser beams besides those represented in the figures may also be considered, provided that simultaneous marking of the first and second surface regions can occur. For example, the laser beams may be considered to be oriented vertically opposite each other in the case of a container with the first and second surface regions facing up and down, for example, when the container is suspended above the transport path or when the container is moved in a lying position along the transport path. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 109 / 135

Claims

1 / 9 CLAIMS 1. Method for marking a container (2) while it moves along a transport path (10), the method being CHARACTERIZED by comprising: - moving the container (2) at a marking station (35) along the transport path (10); - simultaneously mark a first surface region (2A) and a second surface region (2B) of the container (2) while it moves in the marking station (35) along the transport path (10), using a first laser beam (44) and a second laser beam (54) emitted in opposite directions on both sides of the container, transversely to the transport direction (Xi), the first and second surface regions (2A, 2B) being arranged substantially 180° from each other with respect to a principal axis (X2) of the container where each laser beam (44, 54) is focused, in a focal plane corresponding to the surface region (2A, 2B) to be marked, in the form of a laser point (46, 56),wherein each laser beam (44, 54) is a pulsed laser beam, the repetition rate and scanning speed of the laser being adapted in such a way that the ratio between the length (L) of an overlap zone (J) between two successive positions of the laser point (46, 56) to the diameter (D) of the laser point (46, 56) is greater than or equal to 0.15, preferably greater than or equal to 0.

3.

2. Method according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the first laser beam (44) is emitted by a first laser device (4), while the second laser beam (54) is emitted by a second laser device (5), wherein the first and second laser devices (4, 5) each comprise a respective laser source (41, 51).

3. Method according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the first and second laser devices (4, 5) are controlled as a function of the speed at which the container (2) is moved in the marking station (35) along the transport path (10) and a firing time, which is preferably the same for both laser devices (4, 5).

4. Method according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that the firing time for the first laser device and the second laser device (4, 5) is determined by a single sensor (6) configured to detect a position of the container (2) along the transport path (10).

5. Method, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that, for at least one of the first and second surface regions (2A, 2B) of the container (2), a ratio of a maximum arc length (11, 12) of the pattern marked on said surface region, taken in the circumferential direction of the container, half the circumference of the container is greater than 30%, preferably greater than 40%, more preferably greater than 45%.

6. Method, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that, for each of the first and second surface regions (2A, 2B) of the container (2), the surface region comprises a polymer resin and an additive that absorbs radiation in a given wavelength range, wherein the wavelength of the laser beam (44, 54) marking the surface region is in said wavelength range, wherein the energy density in the focal plane for each laser beam (44, 54) is preferably adapted to avoid ablation of material in the corresponding surface region (2A, 2B) of the container.

7. Method, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that for each laser beam (44, 54) that is focused in the form of a laser spot (46, 56) in a focal plane corresponding to the surface region (2A, 2B) to be marked, the laser spot (46, 56) has a spot diameter (D) in the range between 50 μm and 150 μm, preferably between 80 μm and 120 μm.

8. Method, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 112 / 135 4 / 9 each laser point (46, 56) is displaced, in a focal plane corresponding to the surface region (2A, 2B) to be marked, according to a scanning path with a scanning speed in a range between 2,500 mm / s and 5,000 mm / s, preferably between 3,000 mm / s and 4,500 mm / s.

9. Method, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a step of determining, for each of the first and second surface regions (2A, 2B) of the container (2) to be marked respectively by the first and second laser beam (44, 54), an optimized laser spot scanning path corresponding to an optimized marking order of the characters of the pattern to be marked that minimizes the marking time of the pattern in the surface region.

10. Laser-marked container, CHARACTERIZED by being obtained by the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Laser-marked container, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED in that, in each laser-marked surface region (2A, 2B), the laser-marked dots (26) are arranged in lines (25) such that a width (W) of each line (25) corresponds to the diameter (D) of a laser-marked dot (26). Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 113 / 135 5 / 9 12. Laser-marked container (2), notably a container or lid intended for use in packaging filled with sensitive products, such as food, nutraceutical products, pharmaceutical products or diagnostic products, wherein said marked container (2) is CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises on its outer surface two laser-marked surface regions (2A, 2B) arranged substantially 180° from each other with respect to a principal axis (X2) of the container, wherein each laser-marked surface region (2A, 2B) comprises a respective marked pattern (21, 22) formed by a plurality of laser-marked points (26) resulting from a color change of the outer surface material under the effect of a photochemical reaction induced by a laser beam (44, 54), wherein, in each laser-marked surface region (2A, 2B),The laser-marked points (26) are arranged in lines (25) such that a width (W) of each line (25) corresponds to the diameter (D) of a laser-marked point (26), wherein, for each line (25) of each laser-marked surface region (2A, 2B), the successive laser-marked points (26) that form the line are connected to each other in an overlap zone (J), the ratio between the length (L) of the overlap zone (J) between two successive laser-marked points (26) in the longitudinal direction of the line to the diameter (D) of each laser-marked point (26) is greater than or equal to 0.15, preferably greater than or equal to 0.

3.

13. Laser-marked container according to any one of claims 10 to 12, CHARACTERIZED in that, in each laser-marked surface region (2A, 2B), the marked patterns (21, 22) are formed by straight and curved line segments, wherein, for each line segment of each laser-marked surface region (2A, 2B), all successive laser-marked points (26) that form the line segment are connected to each other in an overlap zone (J) such that, for all pairs of successive laser-marked points (26), a ratio between the length (L) of the overlap zone (J) between the two successive laser-marked points (26) in the longitudinal direction of the line to the diameter (D) of each laser-marked point (26) is greater than or equal to 0.15, preferably greater than or equal to 0.3, for both straight and curved line segments.

14. Laser-marked container, according to any one of claims 11 to 13, CHARACTERIZED in that the patterns (21, 22) marked on the two surface regions (2A, 2B) of the container (2) result from a color change of the container material without material burning or material ablation.

15. Laser-marked container, according to any one of claims 10 to 14, CHARACTERIZED Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 115 / 135 7 / 9 by the fact that, for at least one pattern (21, 22) marked on a surface region (2A, 2B) of the container (2), a ratio of a maximum arc length (11, 12) of the pattern in the circumferential direction of the container to half the circumference of the container is greater than 30%, preferably greater than 40%, more preferably greater than 45%.

16. Laser-marked container, according to any one of claims 10 to 15, CHARACTERIZED in that, for each laser-marked surface region (2A, 2B), a surface density of laser-marked points (26) to the marked pattern (21, 22), defined as the ratio of the number of laser-marked points (26) forming the marked pattern (21, 22) to the surface area of ​​the smallest circumscribed rectangle tangent to the surface region (2A, 2B) within which the marked pattern is inscribed, is less than 300 points / mm2, preferably less than 150 points / mm2, preferably less than 35 points / mm2.

17. Laser-marked container, according to any one of claims 10 to 16, CHARACTERIZED in that, for each laser-marked surface region (2A, 2B), the number of laser-marked points (26) forming the marked pattern (21, 22) is less than 10,000, preferably less than 6,000, preferably less than 3,000. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 116 / 135 8 / 9 18. Laser-marked container, according to any one of claims 10 to 17, CHARACTERIZED in that, in each laser-marked surface region (2A, 2B), the diameter (D) of each laser-marked spot (26) is in a range between 50 μm and 150 μm, preferably between 80 μm and 120 μm.

19. Laser-marked container, according to any one of claims 10 to 18, CHARACTERIZED in that the outer surface of the container (2) is a polymeric surface comprising a polymeric resin and an additive that absorbs radiation in a specific wavelength range, in particular with an amount of the additive between 0.5 and 5% by weight.

20. Apparatus for marking successive containers (2) in a marking station (35), the apparatus being CHARACTERIZED by comprising: - a conveyor (1) for moving successive containers (2) in the marking station (35) along a transport path (10); - a first laser device (4) and a second laser device (5), each comprising a respective laser source (41, 51), which are located on both sides of the transport path (10) and configured to emit two laser beams (44, 54) in opposite directions, transversely to the direction (X1) of the conveyor, such that: Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page. 117 / 135 9 / 9 the laser beam (44) of the first laser device (4) is focused in the form of a focal spot (46) in a first focal plane corresponding to a first surface region (2A) of a container (2) passing through the marking station (35),and the laser beam (54) of the second laser device (5) is focused in the form of a focal spot (46) in a second focal plane corresponding to a second surface region (2B) of a container (2) passing through the marking station (35), wherein for each container (2), the first and second surface regions (2A, 2B) are arranged substantially 180° from each other with respect to a principal axis (X2) of the container; - a controller (36) configured to control the first and second laser devices (4, 5) as a function of the conveyor speed (1) and a firing time, which is preferably the same for both laser devices (4, 5) wherein each laser beam (44, 54) is a pulsed laser beam, the repetition rate and the laser scanning speed being adapted so that the ratio between the length (L) of an overlap zone (J) between two successive positions of the laser spot (46, 56) to the diameter of the spot (D) of the laser spot (46,56) be greater than or equal to 0.15, preferably greater than or equal to 0.

3. Petition 870260056734, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 118 / 135,

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