LASER PRINTING MARKING ON A PIPETTE AND PROCESS FOR PERFORMING LASER PRINTING MARKING

Abstract

LASER IMPRINT MARKING ON A PIPETTE AND PROCESS FOR CARRYING OUT THE LASER IMPRINT MARKING The present invention relates to laser printing marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, in which: i) the laser printing marking is carried out by laser dots which form at least one line or pattern, and it covers part of a circumference of the pipette, or even the entire circumference of the pipette; ii) the length of the pipette is from about 10 mm to about 150 mm and the diameter of the pipette is from about 3 mm to about 20 mm.The present invention also relates to a laser printing process for applying a laser imprint to a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, wherein the process comprises: i) obtaining a pipette made of glass, plastic, or a combination thereof; ii) using a laser to apply a laser imprint to the pipette, wherein the depth of the laser imprint is from approximately 0.01 mm to approximately 0.5 mm; and iii) washing away the laser imprint to remove waste. Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: LASER PRINTING MARKING ON A PIPETTE AND PROCESS FOR CARRYING OUT THE SAME LASER PRINTING MARKING FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention generally relates to laser printing marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, as well as a process for carrying out the laser printing marking on a pipette. CONTEXT

[0002] The statements contained in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] As is known, dropper bottles contain a dropper and are used for dispensing small amounts of liquid. Such a dropper and a dropper bottle are known, for example, from JP2005187028A. The dropper bottle has numerical values, graduations, or markings on the side of the body of the dropper pipette corresponding to the number of drops of liquid to be dispensed. In the dropper bottle or the like disclosed in JP2005187028A, the graduations and numerical values ​​are printed with ink on the outer surface of the dropper pipette, and the graduations and numerical values ​​may be dissolved in the liquid in the bottle and the liquid may deteriorate. In addition, the graduation and numerical value may rub against the neck of the bottle and become blurred or disappear.

[0004] JP3223051U discloses a stepped portion formed on the pipette for indication of the graduation. This "stepped portion" graduation instead of ink printing does not dissolve in a fluid and does not disappear when rubbed. The glass pipette itself constituting the stepped portion is treated to function as a graduation, so that the suction amount can be measured without using the printing. It is possible to further prevent the elution of printing components and the disappearance of components by abrasion of the printing itself.

[0005] Although the graduation indication in JP3223051U is legible and indelible on the dropper pipette, the formation of a stepped portion is a rather complex process that undergoes annealing. In addition, the stepped portion is not flexible if its position needs to be changed, and such a process of forming a stepped portion on the pipette for the graduation indication is expensive.

[0006] Various methods are known from the prior art for marking glass. or inscription on it by means of laser radiation. Hollow glass products, such as bottles, flasks and jars, are generally manufactured in LS machines. (individual sections). In one process, the surface of a glass product includes an indelible marking and identification automatically readable from the portion of IS machines by means of a laser process. The laser process is carried out before annealing the glass bottle at a surface temperature of 500 to 580 degrees, which means that a microcrack structure of the laser line can alter the material properties of the glass pipette. In addition, this process is only applied to IS machine bottles with a limited surface, for example, a square surface of approximately 10 mm x 10 mm.

[0007] It can be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new and improved laser printing marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, as well as a process for performing the laser printing marking as presented herein, which provides a cost-effective and with unlimited personalized indication way of forming a legible and indelible marking on the pipette, and in this regard, the present invention substantially meets this need. SUMMARY

[0008] An objective of the invention is therefore to provide laser printing marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, which provides legible and indelible marking on the dropper pipette in a cost-effective manner and with personalized and unlimited indication.

[0009] Furthermore, another object of the invention is to provide a process for performing laser printing marking which offers a cost-effective way and with a personalized and unlimited indication of forming a readable and indelible marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment, the invention relates to a marking by laser printing on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, in which:

[0011] i) the laser printing marking is carried out by laser points forming at least one line or pattern, and it covers a part of a pipette circumference, or even the entire pipette circumference;

[0012] ii) the length of the pipette is from about 10 mm to about 150 mm and the diameter of the pipette is from about 3 mm to about 20 mm.

[0013] In another aspect of the present application, the pipette of a dispensing system, preferably the dropper pipette, is transparent or translucent, and the pipette is preferably made of glass, plastic or a combination thereof.

[0014] In another aspect of the present application, the laser spot has a diameter of at least 0.01 mm, preferably at least 0.05 mm.

[0015] In another aspect of the present application, the depth of the laser line is from about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the pipette wall is from about 0.3 mm to about 2.5 mm.

[0016] In another aspect of the present application, the laser printing marking is applied by laser, such as violet diode, with wavelength of 355 nm under working voltage of 220 V, frequency of 50 HZ and current of 10 A.

[0017] In another aspect of the present application, the laser printing marking is applied to an outer surface of the pipette, or to an inner surface of the pipette, or between the outer surface and the inner surface of the pipette.

[0018] In another aspect of the present application, the laser printing marking includes images, patterns or text.

[0019] In another aspect of the present application, the laser spots form multiple lines, multiple patterns, or a combination of one or more lines and patterns.

[0020] According to another advantageous embodiment, the invention relates to a laser printing process for carrying out a marking by laser printing on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, the process comprises:

[0021] i) obtaining a pipette made of glass, plastic or a combination thereof;

[0022] ii) using a laser to perform laser printing marking on the pipette, wherein the depth of the laser printing marking is from about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm; and

[0023] iii) washing the laser printing marking to remove waste.

[0024] In another aspect of the present application, the pipette is annealed prior to the laser printing process in the case where the pipette is made of glass.

[0025] In another aspect of the present application, the use of a laser to perform laser printing marking includes forming at least one laser line around the circumference of the pipette.

[0026] In another aspect of the present application, the use of a laser to perform laser printing marking includes the use of a violet diode with a wavelength of 355 nm under a working voltage of 220 V, a frequency of 50 HZ and a current of 10 A.

[0027] In another aspect of the present application, the laser printing marking is applied to an outer surface of the pipette, or to an inner surface of the pipette, or between the outer surface and the inner surface of the pipette.

[0028] In another aspect of the present application, the laser printing marking includes images, patterns or text.

[0029] In another aspect of the present application, the laser print marking has a width of about 0.8 mm, and the length between the laser print marking and The tip of the pipette is approximately 30 mm.

[0030] In another aspect of the present application, the laser printing marking is performed by laser spots having diameters of at least 0.01 mm, and the laser spots may form at least one line or pattern, and it covers a portion of a pipette circumference, or even the entire pipette circumference.

[0031] In another aspect of the present application, the laser is selected from a gas laser, a solid-state laser and a semiconductor laser.

[0032] By using the laser printing technology according to the present application, a legible and indelible marking can be formed on a pipette in a cost-effective manner. In addition, the entire surface of the pipette can be laser printed, which means that the entire surface, rather than only the limited area, can be the flexible pattern area. In addition, the indication positions and the design of the indications can be customized by the consumer, and the pipette with laser printing marking can be reused multiple times (e.g., 3 to 5 times) as a mother pack.

[0033] Other areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It is to be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] The drawings described herein are provided for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure in any manner.

[0035] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] is an exploded perspective view of a dropper assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein the dropper is shown separately from the bottle;

[0036] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a dropper according to an example of embodiment of the present application;

[0037] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of a dropper according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0038] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows a perspective view of a dropper pipette according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application in the upper portion, and shows a sectional view of a dropper pipette according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application along line AA in the lower portion;

[0039] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows enlarged sectional views of the portions circled by B and C in [Fig.4] of the dropper pipette according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein the flange and tip of the dropper pipette are shown in detail in these enlarged views; and

[0040] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is an elevation view of three different droppers according to exemplary embodiments of the present application, wherein various designs of patterns, images and text are laser printed onto the dropper pipette. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following description is purely exemplary and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or its uses.

[0042] Referring now to the drawings, a new and improved dropper for aspiration of a liquid product incorporating the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 1 will be described.

[0043] Referring to [Fig. 1], there is shown an exploded perspective view of a dropper assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, in which the dropper 1 is shown separately from the bottle 10. As shown in [Fig.l], the bottle 10 includes a neck 11 as well as an external thread 12 formed on the external surface of the neck 11.

[0044] [Fig. 2] is a perspective view of a dropper 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Fig. 3] is a sectional view of a dropper 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the dropper 1 according to the present application includes: a bulb 2 made of elastomer or rubber which can be pressed; an inner cap 3 for attachment to the neck 11 of the bottle 10, wherein the inner cap 3 has an internal thread 31 on its inner surface; a collar 4 fitting onto the inner cap 3 without relative movement therebetween; and a dropper pipette 6 for drawing the liquid product into the bottle 10. In one example, the dropper pipette 6 has an elongated shape. The dropper pipette 6 includes a laser print marking 7 near the middle of it and a tip 8 on one end.The bulb 2 includes a recess 21 at its base portion for receiving one end of the dropper pipette 6, as explained below.

[0045] As shown in [Fig.l], the collar 4 screws onto the neck 11 of the bottle 10 by engaging the internal thread 31 of the inner cap 3 with the external thread 12 of the neck 11, thereby closing the bottle 10. When the collar 4 completely covers the bottle 10, a gap is formed between the tip 8 of the dropper 6 and the bottom of the bottle 10, so that the dropper 6 does not come into contact with the bottom of the bottle 10. With reference to [Fig.3], there is also a seal 5 formed within the inner cap 3, and when the collar 4 completely covers the bottle 10, the upper end of the neck 11 of the bottle 10 will be pressed against the seal 5 so as to ensure a seal between the bottle 10 and the dropper 1, thus preventing the liquid product from leaking from the bottle 10.

[0046] [Fig. 4] shows a perspective view of a dropper pipette 6 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application in the upper portion, and shows a sectional view of the dropper pipette 6 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application along the line AA in the lower portion.

[0047] As shown in [Fig. 4], according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the dropper pipette 6 is formed in a single piece. In one example, the dropper pipette 6 is transparent, and is preferably made of glass. The dropper pipette 6 may also be made of other materials, such as plastic that is transparent, translucent, or nearly transparent and does not react with the liquid product in the bottle. In general, the pipette may be made of glass, plastic, or a combination thereof. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the dropper pipette 6 is formed with a flange 61 on one end, and is formed with a tip 8 on the other end. The dropper pipette 6 is secured to the inner cap 3 by fitting the flange 16 into a recess 21 of the bulb 2.

[0048] [Fig. 5] shows enlarged sectional views of the portions circled by B and C in [Fig. 4] of the dropper pipette 6 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, in which the flange 61 and the tip 8 are shown in detail in these enlarged views.

[0049] With continued reference to Figs. 3-5, a tip 8 of the dropper pipette 6 includes: a hollow conical base portion 81 that tapers toward the front lower side; a spherical distal end portion 82; and a cylindrical coupling portion 83 that connects the distal end portion 82 and the lower end portion of the base portion 81. As shown in [Fig. 5], the body of the dropper pipette 6 has a central axis S1, and the spherical distal end portion 82 has an internal flow passage 84 that has a central axis S2. In one example, the central axis S2 is inclined at an angle T with respect to the central axis S1 of the dropper pipette 6, for example, inclined by 25 degrees. Due to this inclination, a distal end opening of the internal flow passage 84 is positioned so as to be offset from the central axis SI of the dropper pipette 6.In addition, the spherical distal end portion 82 prevents the tip 8 and the bottle 10 from being damaged because the spherical distal end portion 82 smoothly contacts the bottle 10 with a spherical or curved surface. The shape of the pipette tip is not limited. In other words, the tip 8 of the dropper pipette 6 may have other shapes, and the shape in the drawings is only a preferred example.

[0050] With continued reference to [Fig.4], the dropper pipette 6 has a length L1 along its central axis SI and an external diameter DI. In one example, the length L1 is about 10 mm to about 150 mm. In one example, the diameter DI is about 3 mm to about 20 mm. In one example, the thickness Tl of the wall of the dropper pipette is about 0.3 mm to about 2.5 mm, the wall thickness of the pipette in the drawing being 1 mm. In another example, the dropper pipette 6 may have shapes other than cylindrical, as shown in the drawings. For example, the section of the dropper pipette 6 may be oval, polygonal, etc.

[0051] In addition, the dropper pipette 6 includes a laser print marking 7, and the laser print marking 7 has a width Wl. In one example, the width W1 of the laser print marking 7 is about 0.1 mm to about 39 mm, and is preferably about 0.8 mm. In one example, the laser print marking 7 has a distance L2 from the tip 8. In one example, the distance L2 is approximately 30 mm.More specifically, the laser indication position or the position of the laser print marking 7 may be established or customized by consumers. In one example, the laser indication position is calculated based on the internal volume of the dropper pipette 6 and a dropper dosage. In one example, the dropper dosage is about 0.8 ml, and the dropper bottle 10 has a total fill volume of about 30 ml.

[0052] Preferably, the dropper pipette 6 is made of glass, and it is annealed at a surface temperature of about 500 to 800 degrees. After annealing, the dropper pipette 6 will be laser printed. In one example, the dropper pipette 6 is applied by laser, such as a violet diode with a wavelength of 355 nm under a working voltage of 220 V, a frequency of 50 HZ and a current of 10 A. The wavelength can be chosen according to the material of the dropper pipette 6. Alternatively, the laser can also be a gas laser, such as a He-Ne laser, an Ar-ion laser, a CO2 laser and an excimer laser; a solid-state laser, such as a YAG laser; or a semiconductor laser, etc. For example, if the dropper pipette 6 is made of plastic, a semiconductor laser may be preferred.

[0053] In one example, the laser print marking 7 may be applied to an outer surface of the dropper pipette 6 as shown in [Fig. 4], or to an inner surface of the dropper pipette 6, or between the outer surface and the inner surface of the dropper pipette 6. The laser print marking 7 is preferably applied to an outer surface of the dropper pipette 6, which means lower cost, high capacity and flexibility for the laser printing process and greater ease for waste disposal. In one example, the laser print marking 7 is applied to an inner surface of the dropper pipette 6, so that a lens effect is produced when looking through the body of the dropper pipette 6. In another example, the laser print marking 7 is applied between the outer surface and the inner surface of the 6 dropper pipette, which is feasible but requires higher energy such as CO2 laser beam to generate different appearance effects.

[0054] By using the laser printing technology according to the present application, laser marking is more chemically resistant and safer compared to traditional printing technology. In addition, the entire surface of the dropper pipette 6 can be laser printed, which means that the entire surface can constitute the flexible pattern area.

[0055] In one example, the laser print marking 7 includes at least one laser line 71 that is formed around the circumference of the dropper pipette 6. By forming the laser line 71 on the entire circumference of the dropper pipette 6, the graduation of aspirated liquid product can be confirmed even when the dropper pipette 6 is viewed from any circumferential direction. In one example, the laser print marking 7 has at least one laser line 71 made by laser spot that can form a line or a pattern, and it covers from about 10 to about 360 degrees of pipette surface 6, the laser spot having a diameter of at least 0.01 mm. In another example, the laser spot has a diameter of at least 0.05 mm.

[0056] In one example, the laser printing marking 7 is performed by laser spots having diameters of at least 0.01 mm, and the laser spots may form a line or a pattern. In another example, the laser spots form multiple lines, multiple patterns, or a combination of one or more lines and patterns, as shown in [Fig. 6].

[0057] In one example, the laser print marking 7 is formed around or covers a portion of a circumference of the pipette 6. Preferably, the laser print marking 7 is formed around or covers 1 / 72 of a circumference of the pipette 6 or even less, provided that the formed laser print marking 7 can be observed with the naked eye. As examples, the laser print marking may cover 1 / 32, 1 / 16, 1 / 8, 1 / 4 or 1 / 2 of a pipette circumference.

[0058] In one aspect of the present application, there is disclosed a laser printing marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, in which:

[0059] i) the laser printing marking is performed by laser dots having a diameter of at least 0.01 mm, and the laser dots may form a line or a pattern, and it covers a part of a pipette circumference, or even the entire pipette circumference;

[0060] ii) the length of the pipette is from about 10 mm to about 150 mm and the diameter of the pipette is from about 3 mm to about 20 mm.

[0061] In one example, according to our invention, the line or pattern may be used for dose indication. In another example, multiple lines may form multiple graduations on the pipette wall. In another example, only the line, only the pattern, or both the line and the pattern may be used for the indication, including, but not limited to, the dose indication.

[0062] [Fig. 6] is an elevational view of three different droppers 6 according to exemplary embodiments of the present application, in which various designs of patterns, images, and text are laser printed on the dropper pipette 6. In one example, the laser-printed marking 7 may also include images, patterns, or text, in addition to the laser line 71. For example, these images, patterns, or text may provide additional information to consumers, including the production address, company logo, and trademarks, provide an additional indication or graduation to consumers, or simply provide interest during use by consumers.

[0063] As shown in [Fig. 6] on the left, an image 72 such as the Eiffel Tower may be laser printed on the body of the dropper pipette 6. As another example, as shown in [Fig. 6] in the middle, a logo or text 73 may also be laser printed on the body of the dropper pipette 6. As yet another example, as shown in [Fig. 6] on the right, a smiley face 74 may also be laser printed on the body of the dropper pipette 6. These images, logos or text may also be a laser marking such as an indication or graduation, and may enrich or add fun, appeal and enjoyment to consumers.Optionally, these images, patterns or texts may provide additional information to consumers, including the production address, company logo and trademarks, provide additional indication or graduation to consumers, or simply offer interest during use by consumers.

[0064] In another aspect of the present application, there is disclosed a laser printing marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, in particular on a pump pipette which is not shown in the drawings, where the position of the laser indication is a compound calculation related to the internal volume of the pipette and the dosage of the dropper.

[0065] In another aspect of the present application, a laser printing process for performing laser printing marking 7 on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette 6, is provided, the process comprising:

[0066] i) obtaining a pipette 6 made of glass, plastic or a combination thereof

[0067] ii) using a laser to perform laser printing marking 7 on the pipette 6, in which the depth of the laser printing marking 7 is approximately 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm; and

[0068] iii) washing the laser printing marking 7 to remove waste.

[0069] In one example, the laser printing process is performed using a laser, such as a violet diode with a wavelength of 355 nm under a working voltage of 220 V, a frequency of 50 HZ and a current of 10 A. The wavelength can be chosen depending on the material of the dropper pipette 6. Alternatively, the laser can also be a gas laser, such as a He-Ne laser, an Ar-ion laser, a CO2 laser and an excimer laser; a solid-state laser, such as a YAG laser; or a semiconductor laser, etc.

[0070] In the present application, a washing process is carried out after the laser printing process in order to ensure hygiene and safety, and in this way the waste produced during the laser printing process will be removed by the washing process.

[0071] In the case where the dropper pipette 6 is made of glass, the dropper pipette 6 will be annealed before the laser printing process. Therefore, the annealing process is carried out before the laser printing process and the washing process is carried out after the laser printing process, thereby eliminating glass waste and greatly alleviating glass breakage problems during the annealing process.

[0072] In one example, the use of a laser to perform a laser print marking 7 includes forming at least one laser line 71 around the entire circumference of the dropper pipette 6. In this way, the graduation of aspirated liquid product can be confirmed even when the dropper pipette 6 is viewed from any circumferential direction. In another example not shown in the drawings, the laser print marking 7 covers only a portion of the circumference of the pipette 6. Thus, the laser print marking 7 may cover 1 / 32, 1 / 16, 1 / 8, 1 / 4, or 1 / 2 of the pipette circumference.

[0073] In one example, the laser print marking 7 is applied to an outer surface of the dropper pipette 6, or to an inner surface of the dropper pipette 6, or between the outer surface and the inner surface of the dropper pipette 6.

[0074] In one example, the laser print marking 7 has a width of about 0.8 mm, and the length between the laser print marking 7 and the tip 8 of the dropper pipette 6 is about 30 mm.

[0075] In one example, the laser print marking 7 includes images, patterns, or text, in addition to the laser line. The images, patterns, or text may provide additional information to consumers, including the production address, company logo, and trademarks, provide an indication or graduation additional or scale to consumers, or simply provide interest during consumer use.

[0076] By using the laser printing technology according to the present application, a legible and indelible marking can be formed on a dropper pipette in a cost-effective manner. In addition, the entire surface of the dropper pipette can be laser printed, which means that the entire surface, rather than only the limited area, can be the flexible pattern area. Furthermore, the indication positions and the design of the indications can be customized by the consumer, and the dropper pipette with laser printing marking can be reused multiple times (e.g., 3 to 5 times) as a mother pack.

[0077] Aspects of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments; however, those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the precise construction and compositions disclosed herein; all apparent modifications, changes, and variations of the foregoing descriptions are within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the present concepts expressly include all combinations and subcombinations of the foregoing elements and features. LIST OF DIGITAL REFERENCES

[0078] 1 dropper

[0079] 2 pears

[0080] 3 internal cap

[0081] 4 necklace

[0082] 5 joint

[0083] 6 dropper pipettes

[0084] 7 laser printing marking

[0085] 8 tip

[0086] 10 bottles

[0087] 11 neck

[0088] 12 external thread

[0089] 21 recess

[0090] 31 internal thread

[0091] 61 bridle

[0092] 71 laser line

[0093] 72 image

[0094] 73 logo or text

[0095] 74 smiling face

[0096]

[0097]

[0098]

[0099]

[0100]

[0101]

[0102]

[0103]

[0104]

[0105]

[0106] 81 base portion 82 distal end portion 83 cylindrical coupling portion 84 internal flow passage 100 dropper assembly L1 length of the dropper pipette L2 distance of the laser marking from the tip W1 width of the laser print marking DI outer diameter of the dropper pipette S1 center axis of the dropper pipette S2 center axis of the internal flow passage

Claims

Claims

1. A laser printing process for making a laser printing mark (7) on a pipette (6) of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, characterized in that the process comprises: i) obtaining a glass pipette; ii) using a laser to make a laser printing mark on the pipette, wherein the depth of the laser printing mark is from about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm; and iii) washing the laser printing mark to remove waste wherein the pipette (6) is annealed before the laser printing mark.

2. The laser printing process of claim 1, wherein using a laser to perform laser printing marking includes forming at least one laser line around the circumference of the pipette (6).

3. The laser printing process of claim 1, wherein the laser printing marking (7) is applied to an outer surface of the pipette (6), or to an inner surface of the pipette, or between the outer surface and the inner surface of the pipette.

4. A laser printing process according to claim 1, wherein the laser printing marking (7) includes images, patterns or texts.

5. The laser printing process of claim 1, wherein the laser spot has a diameter of at least 0.01 mm, preferably at least 0.05 mm.

6. The laser printing process of claim 1, wherein the depth of the laser line is about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the pipette wall is about 0.3 mm to about 2.5 mm.

7. The laser printing process of claim 1, wherein the laser printing marking is applied by laser, such as a violet diode.

Images