Laser marking device

Abstract

To provide a laser marking device that enables fume generated from a medium to be recovered and enables a marking enabled region to be wide.SOLUTION: A laser marking device according to an aspect of the present disclosure performs marking on a surface of a medium by laser light. The laser marking device includes: a laser light source that emits laser light; a supply mechanism that supplies gas to a part between the medium and the laser light source; and a first recovery mechanism that recovers fume generated from the medium due to irradiation of the laser light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laser marking device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Laser marking devices that perform marking by irradiating a surface of a medium with laser light are conventionally known.

[0003] A laser marking device has been disclosed that has a cylindrical dust collection duct with an imaging lens at one end and an opening at the other end, and that irradiates a medium with laser light through the imaging lens to mark it and also collects combustion soot generated from the medium (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the device of Patent Document 1, the area that can be marked by the laser marking device may be limited and narrowed by the sizes of the imaging lens and the dust collection duct.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a laser marking device that is capable of collecting fumes generated from a medium and that can widen the area that can be marked. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A laser marking device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a laser marking device that marks the surface of a medium using laser light, and includes a laser light source that emits laser light, a supply mechanism that supplies gas between the medium and the laser light source, and a first recovery mechanism that recovers fumes generated from the medium by irradiation with the laser light. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a laser marking device that is capable of collecting fumes generated from a medium and that is capable of widening the area that can be marked. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating marking on a medium. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a laser marking device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic side view of a laser marking device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a schematic side view of an auxiliary member and a first recovery mechanism showing another example of an auxiliary member in the laser marking device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a transport mechanism provided in the laser marking device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a laser marking device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a laser marking device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of a laser marking device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a first top view diagrammatically illustrating a marking process performed by a laser marking device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a second top view diagrammatically illustrating the state of marking by the laser marking device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of marking on a polygonal medium. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a container B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A laser marking device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments are merely examples of laser marking devices for realizing the technical ideas of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to be limiting.

[0010] In addition, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Note that the sizes, positional relationships, etc. of components shown in each drawing may be exaggerated to clarify the explanation. In the following explanation, the same names and symbols indicate the same or similar components, and detailed explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] In each drawing, a cartesian coordinate system having an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis may be used to represent direction. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are mutually perpendicular. The side toward which the arrow points in the X direction along the X-axis is indicated as the +X side, and the opposite side of the +X side is indicated as the -X side. The side toward which the arrow points in the Y direction along the Y-axis is indicated as the +Y side, and the opposite side of the +Y side is indicated as the -Y side. The side toward which the arrow points in the Z direction along the Z-axis is indicated as the +Z side, and the opposite side of the +Z side is indicated as the -Z side.

[0012] The X direction corresponds to a direction along the medium transport direction by a transport mechanism included in the laser marking device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The transport mechanism transports the medium to the +X side. The Z direction corresponds to an optical axis direction along the optical axis of the irradiation optical system included in the laser marking device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The Y direction corresponds to a vertical direction. However, these do not limit the orientation of the laser marking device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure when in use, and the orientation of the laser marking device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure when in use is arbitrary.

[0013] In the embodiments of the present disclosure described below, "along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis" includes an object having a tilt within a range of ±10 degrees with respect to these axes. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the perpendicular and perpendicular directions may have an error within ±10 degrees with respect to 90 degrees.

[0014] A laser marking device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a device that performs marking on a surface of a medium using a laser beam. For example, the laser marking device can perform marking on a non-flat portion of the medium. Here, the medium includes, as an example, a container or the like. The container refers to a member capable of storing a substance such as a solid, liquid, or gas inside. For example, the container is a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle. The substrate refers to a material portion that constitutes the container. The substrate may be configured to include a transparent material such as resin or glass.

[0015] A transparent material is a material that is optically transparent to at least visible light. Visible light is light that is visible to humans and has a lower wavelength of approximately 360 nm to approximately 400 nm and an upper wavelength of approximately 760 nm to approximately 830 nm.

[0016] Resin materials used for the substrate include polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polybutylene adipate / terephthalate (PBAT), polyethylene terephthalate succinate, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane, epoxy, bio-polybutylene succinate (PBS), polylactic acid blend (PBAT), starch blend polyester resin, polybutylene terephthalate succinate, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate / hydroxyhexanoate (PHBH), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), bio-PET30, bio-polyamide (PA) 610, 410, 510, bio-PA1012, 10T, bio-PA11T, MXD10, bio-polycarbonate, bio-polyurethane, bio-PE, bio-PET100, bio-PA11, bio-PA1010, etc.

[0017] The container may include a main body for accommodating the object to be contained, as well as a cap, a lid, etc. In addition to the identification code, characters indicating the object to be contained or the manufacturer, etc., or graphics such as a brand logo or a recycle mark may be formed on the base material.

[0018] A container that contains an item such as a beverage is called a container.

[0019] Marking refers to forming a design on a medium. Designs include identification codes, characters, symbols, and marks. Identification codes include one-dimensional codes such as barcodes, and two-dimensional codes such as QR Code (registered trademark). The content formed by marking is a symbol, figure, or character that displays information about the medium, such as the name or identification number of the container to which the identification code is assigned or the item contained in the container, the manufacturer, and the date and time of manufacture.

[0020] A non-flat part refers to a part that is not flat. For example, a non-flat part corresponds to a non-flat part included in a three-dimensional structure such as a PET bottle formed in a cylindrical or polygonal tubular shape. More specifically, a non-flat part corresponds to a side part of a PET bottle or an uneven part formed on a side part.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining marking on a medium S. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the medium S is a PET bottle, which is a cylindrical member with a pattern 200 marked on the side surface.

[0022] The side surface of the medium S is a curved surface having a curvature around the cylindrical axis. The curved surface portion 110 of the side surface of the medium S is an example of a non-flat portion including a first region 101, a second region 102, and a third region 103.

[0023] The first region 101, the second region 102, and the third region 103 are examples of a plurality of regions arranged around a cylindrical axis on the side portion of the medium S, and the regions do not overlap each other. In other words, the first region 101 includes a non-overlapping region that does not overlap with the second region 102. However, this is not limited to this, and the regions may at least partially overlap each other.

[0024] The pattern 200 is an example of a design. In the example of Fig. 1, the pattern 200 is a pattern showing flower petals. The pattern 200 is marked by denaturing the base material of the medium S, such as by evaporation, melting, crystallization, or foaming, due to the optical energy of the laser light focused on each of the first region 101, the second region 102, and the third region 103. The laser marking device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can mark the pattern 200 or the like on the medium S.

[0025] [First embodiment] <Overall configuration example of laser marking device> The overall configuration of the laser marking device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is a schematic top view showing an example of the laser marking device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a schematic side view showing an example of the laser marking device 100. Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of an auxiliary member 6 and a first recovery mechanism 4 showing another example of the auxiliary member 6 in the laser marking device 100.

[0026] The laser marking device 100 includes a laser light source 1 that emits laser light L, a supply mechanism 3 that supplies gas G between the medium S and the laser light source 1, and a first recovery mechanism 4 that recovers fumes H generated from the medium S by irradiation with the laser light L. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the fumes H are recovered by the first recovery mechanism 4 together with the gas supplied from the supply mechanism 3.

[0027] In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the laser marking device 100 has a transport mechanism 5 capable of transporting the medium S placed on a placement surface 540 in a transport direction (for example, the +X side).

[0028] Fumes H refer to fine particles generated by condensation of vapor during chemical reactions, combustion, roasting, distillation, sublimation, and the like during the marking process by the laser marking device 100. The generated fumes H scatter and adhere to the surface of the medium S, the surface of the laser marking device 100, the wall or floor of a building in which the laser marking device 100 is installed, and may contaminate the medium S, the laser marking device 100, or the building. For this reason, it is preferable to collect the fumes H generated during the marking process.

[0029] The laser marking device 100 collects fumes H generated from the medium S by irradiating the surface of the medium S with laser light L, using the first collection mechanism 4. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the arrow representing the gas G indicates the flow direction of the gas G. The fumes H can move in the direction in which the gas G flows. The laser marking device 100 can collect the fumes H by the first collection mechanism 4 after moving the fumes H by the gas G supplied from the supply mechanism 3. The laser marking device 100 collects the fumes H without using a member surrounding the medium S, such as a dust collection duct. As a result, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a laser marking device 100 that can collect the fumes H generated from the medium S and can widen the markable area.

[0030] 2, the supply mechanism 3 supplies gas G flowing from above to below in the Y direction, and the first recovery mechanism 4 can be disposed below the supply mechanism 3 in the Y direction. This makes it possible to use gravity to move the gas G and the fumes H from the supply mechanism 3 to the first recovery mechanism 4, thereby increasing the efficiency of recovering the fumes H. However, the supply mechanism 3 does not necessarily have to supply gas G from above to below in the Y direction. For example, the gas G may be supplied in the X direction.

[0031] 2, the laser marking device 100 has an irradiation optical system 2 that includes an optical axis 20 intersecting with the vertical direction and irradiates the surface of the medium S with laser light L from the laser light source 1. The irradiation optical system 2 has a variable mechanism 21 that can vary the irradiation position of the laser light L from the laser light source 1 at least in the X direction, and a lens 22 that transmits the laser light L from the variable mechanism 21. The irradiation optical system 2 can irradiate the laser light L to the medium S transported in a transport direction that intersects with each of the Y direction and the Z direction. In the X direction, a supply range R1 to which the supply mechanism 3 can supply the gas G is wider than an irradiation range R2 to which the irradiation optical system 2 can irradiate the laser light L.

[0032] The marking area M shown in FIG. 2 represents an area to be marked on the medium S by the laser marking device 100. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 2, five media S, media S1 to S5, are shown. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the laser marking device 100 irradiates a part of the medium S3 transported near the facing position, a part of the medium S2 transported upstream near the facing position, and a part of the medium S4 transported downstream near the facing position with a laser light L to perform marking, among the media S1 to S5 transported to the +X side. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the laser marking device 100 performs desired marking on one medium S by irradiating the irradiation range R2 with the laser light L during the period when the medium S2 is transported from the position of the medium S2 to the position of the medium S4. By performing marking on the medium S during the period when the medium S is transported in the transport direction, it is possible to increase the productivity of marking compared to the case where the medium S is stopped and marking is performed on the medium S.

[0033] Furthermore, in the laser marking device 100, by making the supply range R1 wider in the X direction than the irradiation range R2, it is possible to supply the gas G to the entire range in which marking is being performed in the transport direction, and to collect the gas G and the fumes H. This prevents the fumes H generated by the irradiation of the laser light L from accumulating near the medium S or scattering, and allows the fumes H to be efficiently collected.

[0034] In addition, in the laser marking device 100, the medium S can be placed on the placement surface 540 so that the central axis 120 of the medium S along the Y direction is located closer to the laser light source 1 than the center 541 of the placement surface 540 in the Z direction. This allows the surface of the medium S to protrude from the end of the placement surface 540 in the Z direction, making it easier for the gas G supplied from the supply mechanism 3 to hit the surface of the medium S. By making it easier for the gas G to hit the surface of the medium S, it is possible to reduce the fumes H that cannot be collected because they remain near the surface of the medium S or scatter. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the supply end 31 to which the gas G is supplied is located farther from the laser light source 1 than the position where the laser light is irradiated onto the medium S. This allows the gas G to be supplied from the supply mechanism 3 to the position where the laser light is irradiated onto the medium S.

[0035] 2, a semiconductor laser, a fiber laser, a solid-state laser, or the like that emits pulsed laser light can be used as the laser light source 1. The laser light L emitted from the laser light source 1 reaches the lens 22 via the variable mechanism 21, and is irradiated so as to be substantially focused on the surface of the medium S by the lens 22. The laser light L in FIGS. 2 and 3 shows how it is focused and irradiated on the surface of the medium S.

[0036] The variable mechanism 21 includes a reflecting surface that reflects the laser light from the laser light source 1, and changes the angle of the reflecting surface to vary the irradiation position of the laser light L from the laser light source 1. In the laser marking device 100, the irradiation position of the laser light L in the X direction can be varied by the variable mechanism 21, so that marking can be performed on the medium S transported to the +X side. This can increase the productivity of marking compared to the case where the medium S is stopped and marking is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the positional relationship between the laser light source 1 and the variable mechanism 21 is shown in a simplified manner, but as long as the irradiation position of the laser light L from the laser light source 1 can be varied, the positional relationship between the laser light source 1 and the variable mechanism 21 can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the variable mechanism 21 may vary the irradiation position of the laser light L from the laser light source 1 not only in the X direction but also in the Y direction.

[0037] For example, a galvanometer mirror can be used as the variable mechanism 21. By using the galvanometer mirror, the irradiation position of the laser light L can be changed with a simple mechanism. However, the variable mechanism 21 is not limited to the galvanometer mirror, and a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirror, a polygon mirror, or the like may also be used.

[0038] A blower such as a fan can be used in the supply mechanism 3. The supply mechanism 3 can include multiple blowers. For example, the supply mechanism 3 can supply the gas G over a wide range, such as a transport region for multiple media S in the X direction, by including multiple blowers arranged in the X direction. The supply mechanism 3 may also be configured with an axial fan, a centrifugal fan, or a combination of these.

[0039] In the laser marking device 100, the supply mechanism 3 can supply the gas G so that the laser light L hits the surface of the medium S to be irradiated. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of fumes H that cannot be collected by remaining near the surface of the medium S or scattering, compared to when the laser light L does not hit the surface of the medium S to be irradiated.

[0040] The first recovery mechanism 4 can be an exhaust mechanism using a suction pump or the like. The first recovery mechanism 4 can also recover the gas G and fumes H via an exhaust duct or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the length of the supply mechanism 3 and the length of the first recovery mechanism 4 in the X direction are approximately equal. With this configuration, the laser marking device 100 can reduce the fumes H that do not enter the first recovery mechanism 4 and therefore cannot be recovered.

[0041] In the laser marking device 100, the first recovery mechanism 4 can be disposed in the Z direction such that a recovery mechanism end 40 on the laser light source 1 side (-Z side) of the first recovery mechanism 4 is located closer to the laser light source 1 than a supply mechanism end 30 on the -Z side of the supply mechanism 3. This makes it easier for the first recovery mechanism 4 to receive the fumes H that are generated near the surface on the -Z side of the medium S and moved by the gas G from the supply mechanism 3. As a result, the fumes H that cannot be recovered by the first recovery mechanism 4 can be reduced, and the recovery efficiency of the fumes H by the first recovery mechanism 4 can be increased.

[0042] Furthermore, in the laser marking device 100, the length of the first recovery mechanism 4 in the Z direction can be made longer than the length of the supply mechanism 3 in the Z direction. This makes it possible to reduce the fumes H that cannot be recovered by the first recovery mechanism 4, thereby increasing the recovery efficiency of the fumes H by the first recovery mechanism 4.

[0043] Furthermore, in the laser marking device 100, the first recovery mechanism 4 is disposed in the Z direction away from the medium S on the side (-Z side) where the laser light source 1 is located. The laser marking device 100 can have an auxiliary member 6 disposed between the first recovery mechanism 4 and the medium S in the Z direction. The auxiliary member 6 is a plate-like member made of, for example, resin, metal, or the like.

[0044] By including the auxiliary member 6, the laser marking device 100 can reduce fumes H falling between the medium S and the first recovery mechanism 4 even when the first recovery mechanism 4 is disposed away from the medium S on the −Z side, thereby reducing the amount of fumes H that cannot be recovered by the first recovery mechanism 4. This can increase the efficiency with which the first recovery mechanism 4 recovers the fumes H.

[0045] In the laser marking device 100, the auxiliary member 6 can be arranged at an angle in the Y direction so that the side where the medium S is located (+Z side) is higher and the side where the first recovery mechanism 4 is located (-Z side) is lower. This makes it possible to utilize the effect of gravity to move the fumes H along the surface of the +Y side of the auxiliary member 6 to the first recovery mechanism 4, thereby increasing the recovery efficiency of the fumes H by the first recovery mechanism 4.

[0046] Furthermore, in the laser marking device 100, the auxiliary member 6 is not limited to a flat member. For example, the auxiliary member 6 may be a member having a curved surface portion 60 as shown in FIG. 4. Even if the auxiliary member 6 has the curved surface portion 60, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the flat auxiliary member 6. Note that the curved surface portion 60 may be a curved surface in part of the auxiliary member 6, or the entire auxiliary member 6 may be a curved surface.

[0047] <Configuration example of the transfer mechanism 5> Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conveying mechanism 5 included in the laser marking device 100. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the laser marking device 100 has a motor 50, a transmission system 51, a driving pulley 52, a driven pulley 53, and a belt conveyor 54.

[0048] The motor 50 may be any of various motors such as a stepping motor. The transmission system 51 may be a gear or the like. The belt conveyor 54 is wound around a driving pulley 52 and a driven pulley 53. The driving pulley 52 rotates as the rotation of the motor 50 is transmitted via the transmission system 51. The belt conveyor 54 can run as the driving pulley 52 rotates. The driven pulley 53 rotates in accordance with the running of the belt conveyor 54.

[0049] The surface on the +Y side of the belt conveyor 54 corresponds to the placement surface 540. The medium S placed on the placement surface 540 can be transported by the running of the belt conveyor 54. Note that the configuration of the transport mechanism 5 is not limited to the configuration exemplified in FIG. 5 and can be changed as appropriate.

[0050] [Second embodiment] Next, a laser marking device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the same names and symbols as those in the embodiments of the present disclosure already described indicate the same or similar members or configurations, and detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. This also applies to the embodiments of the present disclosure described below.

[0051] The configuration of the laser marking device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a schematic top view showing an example of the laser marking device 100a according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a schematic side view showing an example of the laser marking device 100a.

[0052] The laser marking device 100a differs from the first embodiment of the present disclosure primarily in that it has a second recovery mechanism 7 capable of recovering fumes H on the opposite side (e.g., the +Z side) of the medium S from the side (e.g., the -Z side) where the laser light L is irradiated from the laser light source 1.

[0053] In the laser marking device, fumes may scatter not only on the side of the medium where the laser light is irradiated, but also on the opposite side of the side where the laser light is irradiated. The fumes scattered on the opposite side of the side where the laser light is irradiated may adhere to the surface of the laser marking device or the wall or floor of the building where the laser marking device is installed, and may contaminate the laser marking device or the building.

[0054] In the laser marking device 100a, by having the second recovery mechanism 7 capable of recovering the fumes H on the side of the medium S opposite to the side irradiated with the laser light L from the laser light source 1, it is possible to recover the fumes H scattered on the side opposite to the side irradiated with the laser light L. This makes it possible to reduce contamination of the laser marking device 100a or the building in which the laser marking device 100a is installed.

[0055] 6 and 7, the second recovery mechanism 7 is disposed on the opposite side of the first recovery mechanism 4 across the transport mechanism 5 that places the medium S on the placement surface 540. In the X direction, the length of the second recovery mechanism 7 is substantially equal to the length of the first recovery mechanism 4. However, in the X direction, the length of the second recovery mechanism 7 may be different from the length of the first recovery mechanism 4.

[0056] An exhaust mechanism using a suction pump or the like can be used as the second recovery mechanism 7. The second recovery mechanism 7 can also recover the gas G and the fumes H via an exhaust duct or the like.

[0057] [Third embodiment] Next, a laser marking device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 10. Fig. 8 is a schematic top view showing an example of the laser marking device 100b according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 is a first top view showing an example of the state of marking by the laser marking device 100b. Fig. 10 is a second top view showing an example of the state of marking by the laser marking device 100b.

[0058] The laser marking device 100b has a plurality of irradiation units 300 arranged side by side in the conveying direction. The laser marking device 100b can mark a plurality of media S by irradiating the media S with laser light L from each of the plurality of irradiation units 300 in parallel. In addition, in the conveying direction, a supply range R3 in which the supply mechanism 3 can supply gas is wider than an irradiation range R4 in which the irradiation optical system 2 can irradiate the laser light L. For example, in the conveying direction, the entire length of the supply mechanism 3 is longer than the entire length of the plurality of irradiation units 300. These points are mainly different from the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] When a laser marking device has multiple irradiation units arranged in a line in the conveying direction, the marking range in the conveying direction becomes wider. Therefore, for example, in a configuration using a dust collection duct to collect fumes, a very large dust collection duct is required, which may be difficult to implement.

[0060] In the laser marking device 100b, it is only necessary to increase the length of each of the supply mechanism 3 and the first recovery mechanism 4 in the conveying direction, so that it is easy to deal with cases where the marking range in the conveying direction is wide. In other words, in the laser marking device 100b, the supply range R3 to which the supply mechanism 3 can supply gas in the conveying direction can be made wider than the irradiation range R4 to which the irradiation optical system 2 can irradiate the laser light L. This makes it possible to supply the gas G to the entire marking range in the conveying direction, and to collect the gas G and the fumes H. As a result, the fumes H generated by the irradiation of the laser light L are prevented from accumulating or scattering near the medium S, and the fumes H can be efficiently collected.

[0061] 8 to 10, the laser marking device 100b has a first irradiation unit 300-1, a second irradiation unit 300-2, and a third irradiation unit 300-3. Each of the first irradiation unit 300-1, the second irradiation unit 300-2, and the third irradiation unit 300-3 has a laser light source 1 and an irradiation optical system 2, and can irradiate the medium S with laser light L. The first irradiation unit 300-1, the second irradiation unit 300-2, and the third irradiation unit 300-3 are arranged side by side in the transport direction (for example, the X direction), and can perform marking in parallel on the transported media S1 to S9.

[0062] In the example shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, the first irradiation unit 300-1 performs marking on the media S1 to S3 transported near the facing position. The second irradiation unit 300-2 performs marking on the media S4 to S6 transported near the facing position. The third irradiation unit 300-3 performs marking on the media S7 to S9 transported near the facing position. The laser marking device 100b can perform marking on the media S1 to S3, marking on the media S4 to S6, and marking on the media S7 to S9 in parallel by the first irradiation unit 300-1, the second irradiation unit 300-2, and the third irradiation unit 300-3. In addition, the first irradiation unit 300-1, the second irradiation unit 300-2, and the third irradiation unit 300-3 can perform marking so that the marking targets do not overlap.

[0063] Fig. 9 shows an example of how marking is performed in the +X side area of ​​the marking area M of the medium S. Fig. 10 shows an example of how marking is performed in the -X side area of ​​the marking area M of the medium S.

[0064] As described above, in the laser marking device 100b, the first irradiation unit 300-1, the second irradiation unit 300-2, and the third irradiation unit 300-3 are arranged side by side in the X direction, and marking is performed in parallel on the transported media S1 to S9, thereby making it possible to increase the productivity of marking.

[0065] [Other preferred embodiments of the present disclosure] 1 shows a cylindrical medium S, the medium S on which the laser marking device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs marking is not limited to a cylindrical one. For example, the laser marking device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can also perform marking on a cylindrical member such as a PET bottle having a polygonal cross section.

[0066] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of marking on a polygonal medium Sa. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the polygonal medium Sa as viewed along the axial direction of the cylinder. As shown in Fig. 11, the side portion of the polygonal medium Sa can be made into a first region 101a, a second region 102a, and a third region 103a.

[0067] The embodiment of the present disclosure also includes a container. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a container B according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 12, the container B includes a medium S, an object 9 contained inside the medium S, and a cap 8. A pattern 201 including the characters "labelless" is marked on the side of the medium S. Note that the cap 8 is not an essential component of the container B.

[0068] Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0069] All numbers such as ordinal numbers and quantities used in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated numbers. In addition, the connection relationships between components are provided as examples to specifically explain the technology of the present disclosure, and do not limit the connection relationships that realize the functions of the present disclosure.

[0070] Aspects of the present disclosure are, for example, as follows. <1> The laser marking device marks the surface of a medium using laser light, and includes a laser light source that emits laser light, a supply mechanism that supplies gas between the medium and the laser light source, and a first recovery mechanism that recovers fumes generated from the medium by irradiation with the laser light. <2> The supply mechanism supplies the gas flowing from above to below in a vertical direction, and the first recovery mechanism is disposed below the supply mechanism in the vertical direction. <1> 2 is a laser marking device according to the first embodiment. <3> the laser light source is arranged to irradiate a surface of the medium with the laser light from the laser light source, the laser light source including an optical axis intersecting with a vertical direction, the laser light source being arranged to irradiate the surface of the medium with the laser light from the laser light source ... <1> or the above <2> 2 is a laser marking device according to the first embodiment. <4> the irradiation optical system includes a variable mechanism that can vary an irradiation position of the laser light from the laser light source at least in the transport direction; <3> 2 is a laser marking device according to the first embodiment. <5> The variable mechanism includes a galvanometer mirror. <3> 2 is a laser marking device according to the first embodiment. <6> a transport mechanism capable of transporting the medium in the transport direction while the medium is placed on a placement surface, the medium being placed on the placement surface such that a central axis of the medium along the vertical direction is located closer to the laser light source than a center of the placement surface in the optical axis direction; <3> From the above <5> The laser marking device according to any one of the above items. <7> the supply mechanism is capable of supplying the gas so that the gas impinges on the surface of the medium to be irradiated with the laser light; <1> From the above <6> The laser marking device according to any one of the above items. <8> the first recovery mechanism is disposed such that a recovery mechanism end portion of the first recovery mechanism on the side of the laser light source is located closer to the laser light source than a supply mechanism end portion of the supply mechanism on the side of the laser light source; <1> From the above <7> The laser marking device according to any one of the above items. <9> The length of the first recovery mechanism in the optical axis direction is longer than the length of the supply mechanism in the optical axis direction. <3> From the above <5> The laser marking device according to any one of the above items. <10> the first recovery mechanism is disposed on a side where the laser light source is located, away from the medium, and further includes an auxiliary member disposed between the first recovery mechanism and the medium. <1> From the above <9> The laser marking device according to any one of the above items. <11> the auxiliary member is disposed at an incline in the vertical direction such that the side where the medium is located is higher and the side where the first collection mechanism is located is lower; <10> 2 is a laser marking device according to the first embodiment. <12> The laser light source further includes a second recovery mechanism capable of recovering the fumes on a side of the medium opposite to a side on which the laser light is irradiated from the laser light source. <1> From the above <11> 2 is a laser marking device according to the first embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Laser light source 2 Irradiation optical system 20 Optical axis 21 Variable Mechanism 22 Lens 3 Supply mechanism 30 Supply mechanism end 31 Supply end 4. First Collection Mechanism 40 Recovery mechanism end 5. Transport mechanism 50 Motor 51 Transmission System 52 Drive pulley 53 Driven pulley 54 Conveyor Belt 540 Placement surface 541 Central 6 Auxiliary parts 60 Curved section 7. Second Collection Mechanism 8 Cap 9. Items Detained 100, 100a, 100b Laser marking device 101, 101a 1st area 102, 102a 2nd area 103, 103a 3rd area 110 Curved surface part 120 center axis Patterns 200 and 201 300 irradiation units 300-1 First irradiation unit 300-2 Second irradiation unit 300-3 3rd irradiation unit B Containment Unit G Gas H. Hume L Laser light M marking area R1, R3 supply range R2, R4 irradiation range S, S1-S9, Sa medium [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0072] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-150176 A

Claims

1. A laser marking device for marking a surface of a medium using a laser beam, comprising: A laser light source that emits laser light; a supply mechanism for supplying a gas between the medium and the laser light source; a first recovery mechanism that recovers fumes generated from the medium by irradiation with the laser light.

2. The supply mechanism supplies the gas flowing vertically from above to below, The laser marking device according to claim 1 , wherein the first collection mechanism is disposed below the supply mechanism in the vertical direction.

3. an irradiation optical system including an optical axis intersecting a vertical direction and configured to irradiate the laser light from the laser light source onto a surface of the medium; the irradiation optical system is capable of irradiating the laser light onto the medium transported in a transport direction that intersects both the vertical direction and an optical axis direction along the optical axis, The laser marking device according to claim 1 , wherein a supply range in the transport direction into which the supply mechanism can supply the gas is wider than an irradiation range into which the irradiation optical system can irradiate the laser light.

4. The laser marking device according to claim 3 , wherein the irradiation optical system includes a variable mechanism that is capable of varying an irradiation position of the laser light from the laser light source at least in the transport direction.

5. The laser marking device according to claim 4 , wherein the variable mechanism includes a galvanometer mirror.

6. a transport mechanism capable of transporting the medium in the transport direction while the medium is placed on a mounting surface; 4. The laser marking device according to claim 3, wherein the medium is placed on the placement surface such that a central axis of the medium along the vertical direction is located closer to the irradiation optical system than a center of the placement surface in the optical axis direction.

7. The laser marking device according to claim 1 , wherein the supply mechanism is capable of supplying the gas so that the gas impinges on the surface of the medium to be irradiated with the laser light.

8. The laser marking device of claim 1, wherein the first recovery mechanism is positioned so that an end of the recovery mechanism on a side where the laser light source is located is located closer to the laser light source than an end of the supply mechanism on a side where the laser light source is located in the supply mechanism.

9. The laser marking device according to claim 3 , wherein a length of the first recovery mechanism in the optical axis direction is longer than a length of the supply mechanism in the optical axis direction.

10. the first collection mechanism is disposed on a side where the laser light source is located and away from the medium; The laser marking device according to claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary member disposed between the first collection mechanism and the medium.

11. The laser marking device according to claim 10 , wherein the auxiliary member is inclined in the vertical direction so that a side where the medium is located is higher and a side where the first recovery mechanism is located is lower.

12. The laser marking device according to claim 1 , further comprising a second recovery mechanism capable of recovering the fumes on a side of the medium opposite to a side on which the laser light is irradiated from the laser light source.

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