Apparatus for forming identification marks and method for forming identification marks

Abstract

To provide an identification mark forming apparatus and an identification mark forming method that employ new technologies for forming identification marks on objects to be marked. [Solution] An identification mark forming apparatus EA is provided with a marking agent applying means 10 for applying a first marking agent MA1 to an object WK to form a recognizable identification mark DM. The marking agent applying means 10 includes a first marking agent applying means 13 for applying the first marking agent MA1 to the object WK and forming an identification mark DM with the applied first marking agent MA1, and a second marking agent applying means 15 for applying a second marking agent MA2 to the object WK and covering all or part of the identification mark DM with the applied second marking agent MA2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an identification mark forming apparatus and an identification mark forming method.

Background Art

[0002] A technique for forming an identification mark on an object to be marked is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a technique for forming an anti-counterfeiting pattern (identification mark) on a substrate 9 (object to be marked) by plate-less printing is disclosed. However, in recent years, new techniques have been demanded for forming an identification mark on an object to be marked.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an identification mark forming apparatus and an identification mark forming method in which a new technique is adopted for forming an identification mark on an object to be marked.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention adopts the configuration described in the claims.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a first marking agent is applied to the object to be marked, forming an identification mark with the applied first marking agent, and a second marking agent is applied to the object to be marked, covering all or part of the identification mark with the applied second marking agent. Therefore, an identification mark forming apparatus and identification mark forming method are provided that employ new technology when forming an identification mark on an object to be marked. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] (A) to (E) are explanatory diagrams of an identification mark forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention and an explanatory diagram of the operation of the apparatus. (F) is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the X, Y, and Z axes are orthogonal to each other. The X and Y axes are axes within a predetermined plane, and the Z axis is an axis perpendicular to the predetermined plane. Furthermore, in this embodiment, using the view from the front direction in Figure 1(A), which is parallel to the Y axis, as the reference, when directions are indicated without specifying a figure, "up" is the direction of the Z-axis arrow and "down" is the opposite direction, "left" is the direction of the X-axis arrow and "right" is the opposite direction, and "front" is the front direction in Figure 1(A), which is parallel to the Y axis and "back" is the opposite direction.

[0010] An identification mark forming apparatus EA for implementing the identification mark forming method of the present invention includes: a marking agent application means 10 that performs a marking agent application step of applying a first marking agent MA1 to an object WK to form a recognizable identification mark DM (see Figures 1(B) to (E)); an adhesion promotion means 20 that performs an adhesion promotion step of promoting the adhesion of only the first marking agent MA1 applied to the object WK to the object WK; a verification means 30 that performs a verification step of verifying whether or not the identification mark DM is recognizable; and a predetermined fixing treatment of ultraviolet irradiation applied to both the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 applied to the object WK to fix the first marking agent MA1 and The device includes a fixing means 40 that performs a fixing process to forcibly fix both the second marking agent MA2 to the object to be applied WK, a lamination means 50 that performs a lamination process to form the object to be applied WK by laminating an adhesive sheet AS as a covering material onto a base material BM, an energy application means 60 that performs an energy application process to apply heat HA as a predetermined energy to the adhesive sheet AS laminated onto the base material BM, an imaging means 70 that performs an imaging process to capture an image of the identification mark DM to form an image and transmit the image to another device TA that performs a post-processing process to apply a predetermined processing to the object to be applied WK, and a moving means 80 that performs a moving process to move the object to be applied WK. In this embodiment, both the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 employ ultraviolet-curable liquid inks as forced-fixing agents that are forcibly fixed to the target object WK by ultraviolet irradiation as a predetermined fixing treatment. Of these, the first marking agent MA1 is designed to flow after being applied to the target object WK. Furthermore, the adhesive sheet AS of this embodiment undergoes hardening as a change specific to the heat HA when heat HA is applied as a predetermined energy.

[0011] The marking agent application means 10 includes linear motors 11 as two drive devices that can move each slider 11A in the front-rear direction, linear motors 12 supported by each slider 11A and that can move slider 12A in the left-right direction, a first inkjet nozzle 13 supported by slider 12A and that performs a first marking agent application process in which the first marking agent MA1 is applied to the object WK to be applied and an identification mark DM is formed by the applied first marking agent MA1, and a stored first marking agent MA1 The system includes a first tank 14 as a first storage device that sends the second marking agent MA2 to the first inkjet nozzle 13 via a first hose 14A, a second inkjet nozzle 15 as a second marking agent application means supported by a slider 12A that applies the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK to be applied and performs a second marking agent application process that covers a part of the identification mark DM with the applied second marking agent MA2, and a second tank 16 as a second storage device that sends the stored second marking agent MA2 to the second inkjet nozzle 15 via a second hose 16A. In this embodiment, the first marking agent MA1 is an electromagnetic wave-impermeable ink that does not transmit infrared rays as a predetermined electromagnetic wave, and the second marking agent MA2 is an electromagnetic wave-transmitting ink that transmits infrared rays. Furthermore, the first inkjet nozzle 13 of this embodiment applies the first marking agent MA1 in the form of fine particles to the object WK to be marked, and forms an identification mark DM consisting of the letters "ABC" as shown in Figures 1(B) and (C). Meanwhile, the second inkjet nozzle 15 atomizes the second marking agent MA2 and applies it to the object WK, covering a portion of the identification mark DM as shown in Figures 1(D) and (E).

[0012] The adhesion promoting means 20 includes a vibrator 21 as an adhesion promoting device that applies vibration to the object WK to be marked. By applying vibration, the first marking agent MA1 is made to penetrate into fine gaps and valleys on the surface of the object WK to be marked, thereby promoting adhesion of the first marking agent MA1 to the object WK.

[0013] The verification means 30 includes a CCD camera 31 as an imaging device, an image matching device 32 as a verification device, and a RAM 33 as a storage device, and is configured to verify whether or not it can recognize the identification mark DM. The CCD camera 31 employs an infrared camera to see through the second marking agent MA2 to identify the identification mark DM, and forms an image by capturing the identification mark DM formed on the object WK to be marked. The image matching device 32 performs verification by comparing the image captured by the CCD camera 31 with the image stored in the RAM 33. In this embodiment, the image matching device 32 compares the image captured by the CCD camera 31 with the image stored in the RAM 33 to detect matching and mismatching areas. A predetermined condition is that the ratio of matching areas to the total of matching and mismatching areas is 50% or more. If this predetermined condition is met, the device determines that the identification mark DM captured by the CCD camera 31 is recognizable. Conversely, if the predetermined matching condition is not met, the device determines that the identification mark DM captured by the CCD camera 31 is unrecognizable. The RAM 33 is capable of storing an image of a reference notation (in this embodiment, a notation consisting of the letters "ABC") that serves as the basis for the notation applied by the first inkjet nozzle 13. The reference notation stored in the RAM 33 can be set arbitrarily.

[0014] The fixing means 40 includes an ultraviolet light emitter 41, which is a fixing device capable of emitting ultraviolet UV light.

[0015] The laminating means 50 includes a base plate 51 that directly or indirectly supports the components constituting the laminating means 50, a support roller 52 that supports the raw material roll RS in which the adhesive sheet AS is temporarily attached to the strip-shaped release sheet RL, a guide roller 53 that guides the raw material roll RS, a release plate 54 as a peeling means that folds back the release sheet RL at the peeling edge 54A and peels the adhesive sheet AS from the release sheet RL, a pressing roller 55 as a pressing means that presses and laminates the adhesive sheet AS onto the application object WK, a driving roller 56 supported by an output shaft (not shown) of a rotation motor 56A as a driving device, which sandwiches the release sheet RL with a pinch roller 56B, and a recovery roller 57 as a recovery means that is supported by an output shaft of a driving device (not shown) and constantly applies a predetermined tension to the release sheet RL existing between the release sheet RL and the pinch roller 56B to recover the release sheet RL while the automatic operation of the identification mark forming device EA is in progress.

[0016] The energy applying means 60 includes a coil heater 61 as an energy applying device capable of applying heat HA.

[0017] The imaging means 70 includes a CCD camera 71 as an imaging device equivalent to the imaging device of the verification means 30, forms an image by imaging the identification mark DM through the second marking agent MA2 and through the identification mark DM applied to the application object WK, and transmits the formed image to another device TA.

[0018] The moving means 80 includes a linear motor 81 as a driving device, and a support table 82 having a support surface 82A that can be adsorbed and held by a decompression means (holding means) such as a decompression pump or a vacuum ejector (not shown), which is supported via the adhesion promotion means 20 to the slider 81A of the linear motor 81.

[0019] The operation of the above identification mark forming device EA will be described. First, the user of the identification mark forming device EA (hereinafter simply referred to as "user") sets the raw material RS as shown in the figure and inputs the image to be used as the reference mark into RAM 33, and then inputs a signal to start automatic operation via an operating means (not shown), such as an operation panel or a personal computer. Then, the lamination means 50 drives the rotary motor 56A to feed out the raw material RS, and as shown in Figure 1(A), when the leading end of the adhesive sheet AS in the feeding direction is peeled off from the release sheet RL by a predetermined length at the folded portion of the release sheet RL which is folded back by the release edge 54A of the release plate 54, the driving of the rotary motor 56A is stopped. Next, when the user or a transport means (not shown) such as an articulated robot or a belt conveyor places the base material BM in a predetermined position on the support table 82 as shown in Figure 1(A), the moving means 80 drives a depressurizing means (not shown) to start suction holding on the support surface 82A, and then drives the linear motor 81 to move the support table 82 to the left.

[0020] Subsequently, when the base material BM reaches a predetermined position relative to the lamination means 50, the lamination means 50 drives the rotary motor 56A to feed out the raw material RS in accordance with the movement speed of the base material BM. As a result, the adhesive sheet AS is peeled from the release sheet RL at the folded portion of the release sheet RL, and is pressed by the pressure roller 55 and laminated onto the base material BM as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1(A), forming the object to be applied WK. Next, after the entire leading adhesive sheet AS has been laminated onto the base material BM to form the object to be applied WK, when the leading edge in the feeding direction of the next adhesive sheet AS following the leading adhesive sheet AS has been peeled from the release sheet RL by a predetermined length at the folded portion of the release sheet RL, the lamination means 50 stops driving the rotary motor 56A.

[0021] Then, when the object WK to be applied reaches the energy application position EP of the energy application means 60 indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 1(A), the moving means 80 stops driving the linear motor 81. Next, the energy application means 60 drives the coil heater 61, applies heat HA to the adhesive sheet AS, and cures the adhesive sheet AS. After that, when the adhesive sheet AS is cured, the energy application means 60 stops driving the coil heater 61, and the moving means 80 drives the linear motor 81 to move the support table 82 to the left.

[0022] Next, when the object WK to be applied reaches the mark formation position MP of the marking agent application means 10 indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 1(A), the moving means 80 stops driving the linear motor 81. Then, the marking agent application means 10 drives the linear motors 11, 12, and the first inkjet nozzle 13, and as shown in Figs. 1(B) and (C), applies the granulated first marking agent MA1 to the object WK to be applied to form the identification mark DM. Next, when the application of the first marking agent MA1 is completed, after the marking agent application means 10 stops driving the first inkjet nozzle 13, the adhesion promotion means 20 drives the vibrator 21 to start applying vibration to the first marking agent MA1, and the moving means 80 drives the linear motor 81 to move the support table 82 to the left.

[0023] After that, when the object WK to be applied reaches the ultraviolet irradiation position UP of the fixing means 40 indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 1(A), the moving means 80 stops driving the linear motor 81. Next, when the adhesion promotion means 20 stops driving the vibrator 21, the fixing means 40 drives the ultraviolet emitter 41, irradiates the first marking agent MA1 with ultraviolet rays UV, and forcibly fixes the first marking agent MA1 to the object WK to be applied. When the fixing is completed, the driving of the ultraviolet emitter 41 is stopped, and the moving means 80 drives the linear motor 81 to move the support table 82 in the reverse direction, that is, to the right.

[0024] Then, when the object WK to be marked reaches the mark formation position MP again, the moving means 80 stops driving the linear motor 81. Next, the marking agent application means 10 drives the linear motors 11 and 12 and the second inkjet nozzle 15 to apply the second marking agent MA2, atomized to cover a portion of the identification mark DM, to the object WK, as shown in Figures 1(D) and (E). After the application of the second marking agent MA2 is complete, the marking agent application means 10 stops driving the second inkjet nozzle 15, then drives the linear motors 11 and 12 to return the slider 12A to its initial position, and the moving means 80 drives the linear motor 81 to move the support table 82 to the left.

[0025] Next, when the object WK to be marked reaches the ultraviolet irradiation position UP again, the moving means 80 stops driving the linear motor 81. Then, the fixing means 40 drives the ultraviolet light emitter 41 and irradiates the second marking agent MA2 with ultraviolet UV to forcibly fix the second marking agent MA2 to the first marking agent MA1 and the object WK to be marked. Once fixing is complete, the driving of the ultraviolet light emitter 41 is stopped. Subsequently, the verification means 30 drives the CCD camera 31 to capture an image of the identification mark DM by holding it through the second marking agent MA2. Then, the image matching device 32 and RAM 33 are driven to compare and verify the image captured by the CCD camera 31 with the image stored in the RAM 33. If, as a result of this verification, the image matching device 32 determines that the identification mark DM captured by the CCD camera 31 is recognizable, the moving means 80 drives the linear motor 81 and moves the support table 82 to the left. Furthermore, if, as a result of the above verification, the image matching device 32 determines that the identification mark DM, which has been captured by the CCD camera 31, is unrecognizable, it may output a drive start signal, such as an electrical signal or a radio signal, to a warning means (not shown) such as a light emitter or sound emitter, to inform the user that recognition is unrecognizable by light or sound, or it may output a drive start signal to a rejection means (not shown) such as a rejection device or drive device, to remove the object WK, which has been captured by the CCD camera 31, from the identification mark forming device EA.

[0026] Subsequently, when the object to be marked WK reaches the imaging position RP of the imaging means 70, indicated by the dashed line in Figure 1(A), the moving means 80 stops driving the linear motor 81. Next, the imaging means 70 drives the CCD camera 71 to capture the identification mark DM by passing it through the second marking agent MA2, and transmits the captured image to another device TA. The other device TA, upon receiving the image transmitted from the imaging means 70, stores the image in the storage device T3. Then, the moving means 80 stops driving the depressurization means (not shown), and after releasing the suction holding on the support surface 82A, the user or a transport means (not shown) transports the object to be marked WK. At this point, the moving means 80 drives the linear motor 81 to return the support table 82 to its initial position, and the above operation is repeated thereafter. Furthermore, other devices TA capture images of the identification mark DM applied to the object WK before or during post-processing steps such as when the object WK is being processed, using imaging device T1. Verification is then performed by comparing the captured image with the image stored in storage device T3 using verification device T2. If a matching image is found as a result of verification by verification device T2, other devices TA will either apply the prescribed processing to the object WK that was captured by imaging device T1 or continue the prescribed processing. On the other hand, if no matching image is found, other devices TA will either not apply the prescribed processing to the object WK that was captured by imaging device T1 or will stop the prescribed processing midway. This prevents other devices TA from applying the prescribed processing to counterfeit products or inappropriate objects WK.

[0027] According to the embodiments described above, the first marking agent MA1 is applied to the object WK to be marked, forming an identification mark DM with the applied first marking agent MA1, and the second marking agent MA2 is applied to the object WK to be marked, covering a portion of the identification mark DM with the applied second marking agent MA2. Thus, an identification mark forming apparatus EA and an identification mark forming method are provided that employ new technology in forming the identification mark DM on the object WK to be marked. Furthermore, since the second marking agent MA2 is applied in such a way that it partially obscures the identification mark DM, even if someone attempts to illegally create a replica of the target object WK by copying the identification mark DM, it becomes difficult to easily create a copy of the target object WK because a portion of the identification mark DM is hidden by the second marking agent MA2.

[0028] The means and processes in the present invention are not limited in any way as long as they can perform the operations, functions, or processes described for those means and processes, and are certainly not limited in any way to the components or processes of a single embodiment shown above. For example, the fixing means can be any means that can forcibly fix the forcibly fixing agent applied to the object to be applied to by applying a predetermined fixing treatment to the forcibly fixing agent to the object, and is not limited in any way as long as it is within the scope of the common technical knowledge at the time of filing (the same applies to other means and processes).

[0029] The marking agent application means 10 may apply the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 to at least one of the base material BM and the coating material. For example, it may form an identification mark DM by applying the first marking agent MA1 in the form of letters such as "ABCDEF", "あいう", "壱弐参", numbers including Chinese numerals such as "12345", "一二三四", "百千万", symbols such as "!#%&", "+-×÷", "、。· / ", patterns such as "●■▲", "◎▽◇", etc. Or it may form an identification mark DM by applying the first marking agent MA1 in the form of only one notation such as only "A", only "1", only "#", only "●", etc. Or it may form an identification mark DM by applying the first marking agent MA1 in the form of a notation combining a plurality of things from the same form such as "いろは", "AAA", "56298", "#$%!?", "●▽◇▲". Or it may form an identification mark DM by applying the first marking agent MA1 in the form of a notation combining one or more things from different forms such as "あA1●#", "KをC3●▲!&", "%38語AA▲□+ / ". Or it may form an identification mark DM by applying the first marking agent MA1 so that each object to be applied WK has a different notation. Or it may form an identification mark DM by applying the first marking agent MA1 so that all objects to be applied WK or a plurality of objects to be applied WK have the same notation or a partially same notation. As the first marking agent application means, it may adopt a means of applying the first marking agent MA1 to the object to be applied WK in any form such as a mist shape, a cube shape, a cylindrical shape, a prismatic shape, a spherical shape, an ellipsoidal shape, etc. As the second marking agent application means, it may adopt a means of applying the second marking agent MA2 to the object to be applied WK in any form such as a mist shape, a cube shape, a cylindrical shape, a prismatic shape, a spherical shape, an ellipsoidal shape, etc. As the first marking agent application means and the second marking agent application means, for example, in addition to a letterpress printer, a gravure printer, a lithographic printer, a silk printer or a screen printer, an inkjet printer, a dot impact printer, a thermal printer, a thermal transfer printer, a laser printer, etc. may be adopted. Considering the characteristics, qualities, properties, materials, compositions and configurations of the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2,Any method can be used as long as it can apply the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK. For example, both the first marking agent application means and the second marking agent application means may be made up of letterpress printing presses, or both may be made up of thermal printers. The first marking agent application means and the second marking agent application means may be made up of the same type of equipment. For example, the first marking agent application means may be made up of letterpress printing presses and the second marking agent application means may be made up of inkjet printers. The first marking agent application means may be configured as a dot impact printer and the second marking agent application means as a screen printing machine, or the first marking agent application means and the second marking agent application means may be configured as different types of machines. Alternatively, for example, a single drive device having a first output unit and a second output unit, such as a linear motor having a first slider and a second slider, may support the first marking agent application means with its first output unit and support the second marking agent application means with its second output unit to move them. Alternatively, a drive device for moving the first marking agent application means and a drive device for moving the second marking agent application means may be provided separately, and the first marking agent application means and the second marking agent application means may be moved. Alternatively, while the first marking agent application means is applying the first marking agent MA1 to the object WK, the second marking agent application means may apply the second marking agent MA2. Alternatively, the first marking agent application means may apply the first marking agent MA1 to the object WK, and at the same time, the second marking agent application means may apply the second marking agent MA2. The marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 may be applied to the target object WK by moving the target object WK or by restricting the movement of the target object WK, or the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 may be applied to the target object WK by restricting the movement of the first marking agent application means and the second marking agent application means while moving the target object WK or by restricting the movement of the target object WK. The marking agent application means 10 may apply the second marking agent MA2 to the object to be marked WK and cover the entire identification mark DM with the applied second marking agent MA2, or, as shown in Figure 1(F), apply the second marking agent MA2 in such a way that it individually covers the first marking agent MA1 applied to the object to be marked WK, or covers multiple first marking agents MA1 together, or apply the first marking agent MA1 or the second marking agent MA2 to the object to be marked WK, which do not flow after being applied to the object to be marked WK.

[0030] The adhesion-promoting means 20 may promote adhesion of only the first marking agent MA1 to the object WK to be applied, or it may promote adhesion of both the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK to be applied. An eccentric motor, piston vibrator, or electrodynamic vibrator may be used as the adhesion-promoting device, and the adhesion-promoting device may apply vibration in any direction, such as vertical, horizontal, front-to-back, circumferential, or a direction including at least one of these directional components, or a direction combining these directions. It may be used, and the adhesion-promoting device is not limited to one that applies vibration to the object WK, the first marking agent MA1, or the second marking agent MA2 via the support table 82. For example, any adhesion-promoting device may be used, such as one that applies vibration to the object WK, the first marking agent MA1, or the second marking agent MA2 via a linear motor 81, or one that applies vibration directly or indirectly to the object WK, the first marking agent MA1, or the second marking agent MA2 without going through the components of the moving means 80. For example, a gas such as air or gas may be used to apply vibration to the object WK. Alternatively, an adhesion-promoting device may be used to spray the first marking agent MA1 or the second marking agent MA2 onto the object WK to be applied, or an adhesion-promoting device may be used to tilt the object WK to be applied, thereby promoting the adhesion of the first marking agent MA1 or the second marking agent MA2 onto the object WK, or a contact member such as a plate-shaped member, rod-shaped member, or brush-shaped member may be brought into contact with the first marking agent MA1 or the second marking agent MA2 applied to the object WK to be applied Adhesion-promoting equipment may be used to promote adhesion of the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK, or adhesion-promoting equipment may be used to promote adhesion of the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK by applying energy such as electromagnetic waves such as ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, visible light, radio waves, X-rays or gamma rays, heating such as hot water or hot air, or cooling such as cold water or cold air, and taking into consideration the characteristics, features, properties, materials, composition and structure of the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2,Any adhesion-promoting device can be used as long as it can promote the adhesion of the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK to be applied. The adhesion-promoting device may be moved while the object WK is being moved, or while the movement of the object WK is being suppressed, to promote the adhesion of the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK. The adhesion-promoting device may also be provided in the identification mark forming apparatus EA of the present invention, or it may not be provided.

[0031] The verification means 30 may be any imaging device that can see through the second marking agent MA2 to the identification mark DM and image the identification mark DM, such as an infrared camera, ultraviolet camera, ultrasonic camera, X-ray camera, optical sensor, ultrasonic sensor, area sensor, line sensor, image sensor, digital camera, microscope camera, film camera, etc., or an imaging device that enlarges the identification mark DM by 2x, 1000x, etc., reduces it by 1 / 2x, 1 / 15x, etc., or images it at 1x, or images it at 1x, or an imaging device that images part or all of the identification mark DM applied to the object WK, or an imaging device that sees through the object WK from the object WK side to the identification mark DM and images the identification mark DM, or any image comparison tool, AI tool, etc. may be used as the verification device, or the markings are formed by numbers, symbols or patterns, etc. Verification equipment capable of verifying the identification mark DM may be used, any type of storage device such as flash memory, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc. may be used, at least two of the imaging device, verification device and storage device may be configured as an integral part, at least one of the functions of the other two may be provided in any one of the functions of the imaging device, verification device and storage device, the storage device may be configured to also function as an imaging means 70 by transmitting the same image stored in the storage device to another device TA, the identification mark DM may be imaged by moving the imaging device while moving the object to be marked WK, or while suppressing the movement of the object to be marked WK, while suppressing the movement of the imaging device and imaged, the identification mark DM may be provided in or not provided in the identification mark forming apparatus EA of the present invention. When the verification means 30 verifies whether or not it can recognize the identification mark DM, it may, for example, set a predetermined condition that the proportion of matching portions to the total of matching portions is 30% or more, or 75% or more, or set a predetermined condition that the proportion of mismatching portions to the total of matching portions is 10% or less, or 60% or less, or it may detect only matching portions or only mismatching portions and set a predetermined condition based on the proportion of matching portions or mismatching portions to the entire marking, and any verification method may be adopted.

[0032] In the case where the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 are forcibly fixed by electromagnetic wave irradiation, such as by irradiating them with electromagnetic waves such as ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, visible light, radio waves, X-rays, or gamma rays, the fixing means 40 may employ electromagnetic wave irradiation equipment such as an infrared irradiation device or an X-ray irradiation device as the fixing device. In the case where the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 are forcibly fixed by heating, such as by applying a heating medium such as hot air or hot water, the fixing device may employ heating equipment such as a coil heater or an infrared irradiator. If the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 are forcibly fixed by a cooling process such as applying a cooling medium such as cold air or cold water, cooling equipment such as a blower or Peltier element may be used as fixing equipment. If the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 are forcibly fixed by a drying process such as blowing air or heating, drying equipment such as a coil heater or blower may be used as fixing equipment. If the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 are forcibly fixed by a fixing agent application process such as applying a fixing agent such as oxygen or a hardening agent, Therefore, in the case of a forcibly fixing agent, fixing equipment such as oxygen spraying equipment or hardening agent application equipment may be used as fixing equipment, and any equipment that can forcibly fix the forcibly fixing agent to the target object WK, taking into consideration the characteristics, features, properties, material, composition and structure of the forcibly fixing agent, may be used as fixing equipment, and may be installed in a location other than the location shown in the above embodiment, and may be installed anywhere as long as the forcibly fixing agent can be forcibly fixed to the target object WK, and the forcibly fixing agent is installed on the target object Immediately after being applied to WK, or after a predetermined time has elapsed, a predetermined fixing treatment may be performed on the forcibly fixing agent, or the fixing device may be moved while the object WK to be applied to is being moved, or while the movement of the object WK is being suppressed, in order to forcibly fix the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK, or the fixing device may be moved while the object WK to be applied is being moved, or while the movement of the object WK is being suppressed, in order to forcibly fix the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK,The identification mark forming apparatus EA of the present invention may or may not be equipped with this feature. The fixing means 40 may apply a predetermined fixing treatment only to the first marking agent MA1 applied to the object WK to be applied, thereby forcibly fixing only the first marking agent MA1 to the object WK, or it may apply a predetermined fixing treatment only to the second marking agent MA2 applied to the object WK to be applied, thereby forcibly fixing only the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK.

[0033] The lamination means 50 may peel off the adhesive sheet AS from the roll RS, where a predetermined area partitioned by the cut is an adhesive sheet AS, and laminate it onto the base material BM, by forming a closed loop-shaped or entire-length cut in the adhesive sheet substrate that is temporarily attached to the strip-shaped release sheet RL, and laminating the adhesive sheet AS onto the base material BM. Alternatively, a strip-shaped adhesive sheet roll in which a strip-shaped adhesive sheet substrate is temporarily attached to the strip-shaped release sheet RL may be used, and while the strip-shaped adhesive sheet roll is being fed out, a closed loop-shaped or entire-length cut in the adhesive sheet substrate may be formed with a cutting blade as a cutting means, and the adhesive sheet AS may peel off from the roll RS, where a predetermined area partitioned by the cut is an adhesive sheet AS, and laminate it onto the base material BM. Alternatively, the strip-shaped adhesive sheet AS may peel off from the roll RS in which a strip-shaped adhesive sheet AS is temporarily attached to the strip-shaped release sheet RL and laminate it onto the base material BM. When laminating the adhesive sheet AS onto the base material BM, the speed of the fed-out roll RS is... Lamination tension control may be performed to control the tension so that a predetermined tension is applied to the adhesive sheet AS, or so that tension is not applied. Alternatively, the adhesive sheet AS may be peeled off from a raw material RS that has been fan-folded, for example, without being wound, and laminated onto the base material BM. Alternatively, a pressing means may be employed in which the adhesive sheet AS is held by a holding member supported on the output shaft of a linear motor as a drive device and can be held by adsorption by a depressurization means (not shown) such as a depressurization pump or a vacuum ejector, and the adhesive sheet AS held by the holding member is pressed onto the base material BM for lamination. Alternatively, a recovery means may be employed to recover the release sheet RL without winding, for example by fan-folding, shredding, or haphazardly accumulating it. Alternatively, no recovery means may be employed, or an adhesive sheet AS that is not temporarily attached to the release sheet RL may be used. The lamination means 50 may laminate the coating material on only one surface or only the other surface of the base material BM, or on both the one surface and the other surface, or as shown in Figure 1(B), it may laminate the coating material on a part of one surface of the base material BM, or on the entire surface of one surface of the base material BM, or on all or part of all surfaces of the base material BM, or it may laminate the coating material on the base material BM by spraying or coating the coating material, or any method that can form the object WK to be applied by laminating the coating material on the base material BM, or the base plate 51 may be moved while the base material BM is being moved or while the movement of the base material BM is being suppressed and the movement of the base plate 51 is being suppressed and the coating material on the base material BM may be laminated, or it may be provided in the identification mark forming apparatus EA of the present invention or not.

[0034] The energy-imparting means 60 may impart a predetermined energy to the entire coating material or a part of the coating material. As the energy-imparting device, any type of energy-imparting device may be used, such as an electromagnetic wave-imparting device that imparts electromagnetic waves such as ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, visible light, radio waves, X-rays, or gamma rays; a heating device that imparts a heating medium such as hot water or hot air; or a cooling device that imparts a cooling medium such as cold water or cold air. Any type of device that can cause a change in the coating material specific to that energy, taking into consideration the characteristics, properties, materials, composition, and structure of the coating material, may be used. For example, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1(A), the device may be arranged inside the support table 82 or on the support surface 82A and impart a predetermined energy A coil heater 62 capable of supplying heat as energy may be used as an energy supply device, both coil heater 61 and coil heater 62 may be used, or either coil heater 61 or coil heater 62 may be used, or the energy supply device may be moved while the object WK to be supplied with energy is moved, or while the movement of the object WK to be supplied with energy is suppressed, and the energy supply device may be moved while the movement of the object WK to be supplied with energy is suppressed, and the energy supply device may be moved, or it may not be provided in the identification mark forming apparatus EA of the present invention.

[0035] The imaging means 70 may be configured with an imaging device equivalent to or different from the imaging device of the verification means 30, or it may image the identification mark DM in a method equivalent to or different from the imaging device of the verification means 30, or it may take images multiple times for one object WK to be marked to form multiple images and transmit one of those images, multiple of some of those images, or all of those images to another device TA, or it may move the imaging device to image the identification mark DM while moving the object WK to be marked to, or while suppressing the movement of the object WK to be marked to, or it may suppress the movement of the imaging device to image the identification mark DM while moving the object WK to be marked to, or while suppressing the movement of the object WK to be marked to, or it may be provided in the identification mark forming apparatus EA of the present invention, or it may not be provided.

[0036] The moving means 80 may be a support table 82 that cannot be held by suction on the support surface 82A, or the support table 82 may be supported by the slider 81A without the contact promoting means 20, or it may or may not be provided in the identification mark forming apparatus EA of the present invention.

[0037] The identification mark forming apparatus EA may be directly or indirectly connected to the adhesion promoting means 20, verification means 30, fixing means 40, lamination means 50, energy supply means 60, imaging means 70, moving means 80 or other apparatus TA, or it may not be directly or indirectly connected to them. Alternatively, the marking agent application means 10, adhesion promoting means 20, verification means 30, fixing means 40, lamination means 50, energy supply means 60, imaging means 70, moving means 80 and other apparatus TA may be arranged in appropriate positions so that the marking agent application process, adhesion promoting process, verification process, fixing process, lamination process, energy supply process, imaging process, moving process and post-processing process can be performed in an appropriate order. For example, the operation may be changed while maintaining the arrangement configuration of the above embodiment so that the energy supply process is performed after the marking agent application process. After the marking agent application means 10 applies the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 to the object to be applied WK, the moving means 80 may transport the object to be applied WK in the reverse direction, i.e., to the right, and the energy application means 60 may apply a predetermined energy to the adhesive sheet AS. Alternatively, the arrangement of the above embodiment may be changed so that the energy application means 60 is placed between the marking agent application means 10 and the fixing means 40, or between the fixing means 40 and the imaging means 70, etc. For example, the operation or arrangement may be changed so that the adhesion promotion process is performed after the second marking agent application process, or the operation or arrangement may be changed so that the fixing process is not performed between the first marking agent application process and the second marking agent application process, or the operation or arrangement may be changed so that the fixing process is not performed after the second marking agent application process. The identification mark forming apparatus EA may perform a verification step before performing the second marking agent application step. If the verification step determines that the identification mark DM is unrecognizable, the apparatus may perform a move step to move the object WK to be marked to the marking position MP and perform the first marking agent application step again. Then, the move step may be performed to move the object WK to the ultraviolet irradiation position UP and perform the verification step again. This retry operation may be repeated until the verification step determines that the identification mark DM is recognizable. Alternatively, if the retry operation is repeated a predetermined number of times and the verification step determines that the identification mark DM is unrecognizable, the apparatus may output a drive start signal to the warning means and the elimination means, and remove the object WK, which has become the target of imaging by the CCD camera 31, from the identification mark forming apparatus EA.

[0038] Other devices TA may be any device, such as a cleaning device, etching device, immersion device, cutting device, oxide film forming device, nitriding device, grinding device, sandblasting device, polishing device, painting device, lamination device, sheet bonding device, surface treatment device, drilling device, bending device, inspection device, verification device, irradiation device, plating device, counterfeit detection device, etc., and may be directly or indirectly connected to the identification mark forming device EA, or not directly or indirectly connected to the identification mark forming device EA. For example, it may be located in the same building or on the same premises as the identification mark forming device EA without being directly or indirectly connected to the identification mark forming device EA, or it may be located in a different building or on a different premises than the same building or on the same premises as the identification mark forming device EA, or it may be located in the building or on the premises of the destination where the object to be marked WK was shipped, or it may be located anywhere, and may or may not be equipped with the identification mark forming device EA of the present invention. Other devices TA may configure imaging device T1, verification device T2, or storage device T3 with devices equivalent to or different from the imaging device, verification device, or storage device of verification means 30, or may image, verify, or store the identification mark DM in a method equivalent to or different from the imaging device, verification device, or storage device of verification means 30. Imaging device T1 can be any device that can form an image that can be verified by verification device T2, verification device T2 can be any device that can verify the image captured by imaging device T1 and the image transmitted from imaging means 70, and storage device T3 can store the image captured by imaging device T1 and can be any device that can store the image transmitted from imaging means 70.

[0039] Of the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2, only the first marking agent MA1 may flow after being applied to the object WK, or both the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 may flow after being applied to the object WK, or both the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 may not flow after being applied to the object WK. The first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2, which flow after being applied to the object WK, may be any kind of marking agent such as oil-based or water-based inks, paints, varnishes, coatings, adhesives, etc. They may also be molten metals, molten solders, molten resins, molten rubbers, etc. that are molten before fixing, or they may be thermosetting, energy-ray curing, drying-curing, or mixed-curing type resins or adhesives that have not hardened before fixing, or they may flow even without any load applied after being applied to the object WK, or they may flow when a load is applied after being applied to the object WK, or they may flow when energy is applied to the object WK, such as electromagnetic waves such as ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, visible light, radio waves, X-rays or gamma rays, or heating such as hot water or hot air, or cooling such as cold water or cold air. The first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2, which are unable to flow after being applied to the object WK, can be exemplified by marking agents used in dot matrix printers, thermal printers, thermal transfer printers, laser printers, etc., as well as labels and adhesive sheets. The first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 may be fluid or non-fluid depending on the method used, such as by spraying gas, tilting, or contact with contacting members. If the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 are to be adhered to the target object WK by the same adhesion promoting device, the adhesion promoting means 20 may promote the adhesion of both the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 to the target object WK with one adhesion promoting device, or it may comprise a first adhesion promoting device that promotes the adhesion of only the first marking agent MA1 to the target object WK, and a second adhesion promoting device that promotes the adhesion of only the second marking agent MA2 to the target object WK, or if the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 are to be adhered to the target object WK by different adhesion promoting devices, the adhesion promoting means 20 may comprise the first marking agent MA1 The system may include a first adhesion-promoting device that promotes adhesion of only the marking agent MA1 to the object WK, and a second adhesion-promoting device that promotes adhesion of only the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK. Alternatively, if only the first marking agent MA1 is promoted to adhere to the object WK by the adhesion-promoting device, the adhesion-promoting means 20 may include an adhesion-promoting device that promotes adhesion of only the first marking agent MA1 to the object WK. Alternatively, if only the second marking agent MA2 is promoted to adhere to the object WK by the adhesion-promoting device, the adhesion-promoting means 20 may include an adhesion-promoting device that promotes adhesion of only the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK. The first marking agent MA1 may be the only force-fixing agent, or the second marking agent MA2 may be the only force-fixing agent, or neither the first marking agent MA1 nor the second marking agent MA2 may be force-fixing agents. At least one of the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 may be a forcibly fixable agent that is forcibly fixed to the object WK by any predetermined fixing treatment, such as electromagnetic wave irradiation, heating, cooling, drying, or application treatment. Examples of forcibly fixable agents that are forcibly fixed to the object WK by electromagnetic wave irradiation include ultraviolet-curing inks and paints, infrared-curing resins and adhesives, etc. Examples of forcibly fixable agents that are forcibly fixed to the object WK by heating include thermosetting resins, adhesives and toners, etc. Examples of forcibly fixable agents that are forcibly fixed to the object WK by cooling include molten metal, molten solder, molten resin and molten rubber, etc. Examples of forcibly fixable agents that are forcibly fixed to the object WK by drying include paints, varnishes and adhesives, etc. Examples of forcibly fixable agents that are forcibly fixed to the object WK by application treatment include oxygen-bonding inks and resins, two-component mixed resins and paints, etc. At least one of the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 may be fixed to the object WK by means of natural cooling, natural drying, natural oxidation, etc., even without a predetermined fixing treatment. Examples of substances that fix to the object WK by natural cooling include molten metal, molten solder, molten resin, molten rubber, etc. Examples of substances that fix to the object WK by natural drying include paint, varnish, coating, adhesive, etc. Examples of substances that fix to the object WK by natural oxidation include resins, adhesives, etc., that harden by bonding with oxygen present in the atmosphere. At least one of the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 is a marking agent that adheres to the object WK by natural cooling, natural drying, natural oxidation, etc., even without a predetermined fixing treatment, and may also be a forcibly fixable agent that adheres to the object WK by a predetermined fixing treatment. Examples of forcibly fixable agents that adhere to the object WK by natural cooling and adhere to the object WK by a predetermined fixing treatment include molten metal, molten solder, molten resin, molten rubber, etc., in which case the fixing means 40 can employ a blower or a Peltier element as fixing equipment. Examples of forcibly fixable agents that adhere to the object WK by natural drying and adhere to the object WK by a predetermined fixing treatment include paint, varnish, coating, adhesive, etc., in which case the fixing means 40 can employ a coil heater or a blower as fixing equipment. Furthermore, while some agents are fixed to the target object WK by natural oxidation, examples of forcibly fixable agents that are forcibly fixed to the target object WK by a predetermined fixing treatment include resins and adhesives that harden by bonding with oxygen present in the atmosphere. In this case, the fixing means 40 can employ oxygen spraying equipment, blowers, etc., as fixing equipment. In the case of a forcibly fixable agent in which the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 are forcibly fixed to the target object WK by the same predetermined fixing process, the fixing means 40 may forcibly fix both the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 to the target object WK with one fixing device, or it may comprise a first fixing device for forcibly fixing the first marking agent MA1 to the target object WK and a second fixing device for forcibly fixing the second marking agent MA2 to the target object WK, or in the case of a forcibly fixable agent in which the first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 are forcibly fixed to the target object WK by different predetermined fixing processes, the fixing means 40 may comprise the first The fixing means 40 may include a first fixing device for forcibly fixing the marking agent MA1 to the object WK, and a second fixing device for forcibly fixing the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK. Alternatively, in the case of a forcibly fixing agent in which only the first marking agent MA1 is forcibly fixed to the object WK by a predetermined fixing process, the fixing means 40 may include a fixing device for forcibly fixing only the first marking agent MA1 to the object WK. Alternatively, in the case of a forcibly fixing agent in which only the second marking agent MA2 is forcibly fixed to the object WK by a predetermined fixing process, the fixing means 40 may include a fixing device for forcibly fixing only the second marking agent MA2 to the object WK. The first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2, which are forcibly fixed by a predetermined fixing treatment, may be agents that do not permanently fix to the object WK simply by being applied to it, and are forcibly fixable agents that are fixed to the object WK by a predetermined fixing treatment, or they may be agents that will eventually fix to the object WK simply by being applied to it, and are forcibly fixable agents whose fixing time to the object WK is accelerated by a predetermined fixing treatment. The first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 may have the same composition or different compositions, the same viscosity or different viscosities, and are not limited to black and white, but may be any combination of colors such as red and light blue, gray and green, black and yellow, etc., and may be the same color combination such as black and black or red and red, as long as the imaging equipment of the verification means 30 and the imaging equipment of the imaging means 70 can see through the second marking agent MA2 and the object to be marked WK and see through to identify the mark DM. In such cases, the first marking agent MA1 may be made of a composition that is not see-through to the imaging equipment of the verification means 30 and the imaging equipment of the imaging means 70, and the second marking agent MA2 may be made of a composition that is see-through to the imaging equipment of the verification means 30 and the imaging equipment of the imaging means 70. The first marking agent MA1 may be an electromagnetic wave-impermeable type that does not transmit ultraviolet rays, X-rays, etc., as specified electromagnetic waves, or an electromagnetic wave-transmitting type that transmits them. The second marking agent MA2 may be an electromagnetic wave-transmitting type that transmits ultraviolet rays, X-rays, etc., as specified electromagnetic waves, or an electromagnetic wave-impermeable type that does not transmit them. The first marking agent MA1 and the second marking agent MA2 may be composed of a combination that produces a difference in the reflected ultrasonic waves. The adhesion force of the first marking agent MA1 to the object WK may be set to be weaker than the adhesion force of the second marking agent MA2 to the first marking agent MA1. By setting it in this way, even if someone tries to peel off the second marking agent MA2 to view the identification mark DM, the first marking agent MA1 will peel off from the object WK while still adhering to the second marking agent MA2. This prevents the exact shape of the identification mark DM applied to the object WK from being revealed, and also allows for the detection of the fact that the second marking agent MA2 has been peeled off from the object WK. The adhesion force of the first marking agent MA1 to the object WK may also be set to be stronger than or equal to the adhesion force of the second marking agent MA2 to the first marking agent MA1.

[0040] The identification mark DM may be a representation formed by a collective shape consisting of the first marking agent MA1 attached to multiple locations, or it may be a representation formed by the first marking agent MA1 attached to only one location. The identification mark DM may be used for determining whether an object WK is counterfeit, genuine, or tampered, or for determining whether it is acceptable or unacceptable, or for determining whether an object WK is acceptable or unacceptable, or for determining whether it is a factual determination or a qualification, and may be used for any purpose whatsoever.

[0041] The object WK to be coated may have the coating material laminated on both one and the other surface of the base material BM, or it may consist only of the base material BM, or it may not have the coating material laminated on it, or it may be supported by an adhesive sheet different from the adhesive sheet AS, or it may be supported by an adhesive sheet and said adhesive sheet may be supported by a support member such as a ring-shaped member or a rod-shaped member.

[0042] The coating material can be anything that can cover the base material BM, such as adhesive sheets, adhesive tapes, adhesive tapes, adhesives, adhesives, resin materials, rubber materials, metal materials, solder, wax, varnish, etc. It can be a solid, a liquid, or a gel-like substance, and it can be larger, smaller, or the same size as the object WK to be coated. The predetermined energy can be any energy that causes a change specific to that energy, such as ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, visible light, radio waves, X-rays, or gamma rays, heating energy such as hot water or hot air, or cooling energy such as cold water or cold air. The specific change caused by the application of the predetermined energy can be any change, such as hardening, softening, shrinking, expanding, vaporizing, liquefaction, solidification, discoloration, oxidation, penetration, fixing, decrease in adhesive strength, or increase in adhesive strength. It can also be a material that does not cause a change specific to the predetermined energy when the predetermined energy is applied, and it does not have to be laminated onto the object WK to be coated.

[0043] The materials, types, shapes, etc., of the object to be marked WK, the base material BM, the first marking agent MA1, the second marking agent MA2, and the coating material in this invention are not particularly limited. For example, the object to be marked WK, the base material BM, and the coating material may be circular, elliptical, polygonal (such as triangle or square), or other shapes, and the coating material may have an adhesive form such as pressure-sensitive adhesive or heat-sensitive adhesive. If a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet AS is used, it may be bonded by an appropriate method, such as providing a suitable heating means such as a coil heater or the heating side of a heat pipe to heat the adhesive sheet AS. Furthermore, such adhesive sheets AS can be any type, such as a single layer consisting only of an adhesive layer, a two-layer sheet with a substrate and an adhesive layer laminated together, a three-layer or more-layer sheet with one or more intermediate layers laminated between the substrate and the adhesive layer, a three-layer or more-layer sheet with one or more cover layers laminated on the upper surface of the substrate, a sheet in which the substrate, intermediate layer, or cover layer is provided in a peelable manner, a single-layer double-sided adhesive sheet consisting only of an adhesive layer, or a double-sided adhesive sheet with adhesive layers laminated on both outermost surfaces of one or more intermediate layers. In addition, the base material BM or the object to which the adhesive is applied WK can be, for example, a semiconductor wafer such as a silicon semiconductor wafer, a compound semiconductor wafer, or a diamond semiconductor wafer, as well as individual items such as food, a resin container, an information recording substrate such as a circuit board or optical disc, a glass plate, a steel plate, a ceramic, a wooden board, or a resin, or a composite object formed from two or more of these, and any form of component or article can also be targeted. The adhesive sheet AS may be any sheet, film, tape, etc., such as information labels, decorative labels, protective sheets, dicing tapes, die attach films, die bonding tapes, or recording layer forming resin sheets.

[0044] The drive equipment in the above embodiment may be electric motors such as rotary motors, linear motors, single-axis robots, and so-called articulated robots with two or three or more joints, or actuators such as air cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, rodless cylinders, and rotary cylinders, either individually or in combination directly or indirectly. Furthermore, the drive equipment may be capable of or incapable of torque control or speed control of the output section of the electric motors or actuators.

[0045] In the above embodiment, an object (hereinafter referred to as "object A") and an object moving relative to object A (hereinafter referred to as "object B"), that is, object A and object B moving relative to object A, object B may move relative to object A which does not move, object A may move relative to object B which does not move, or both object A and object B may move, and either object A or object B may move as long as the result achieved by the movement is the same. If a rotating member such as a roller is used, a drive device for rotating the rotating member may be provided. The surface of the rotating member or the rotating member itself may be made of a deformable material such as rubber or resin, or the surface of the rotating member or the rotating member itself may be made of a non-deformable material. Other members such as rotating or non-rotating shafts or blades may be used instead of rollers. If a means or member for pressing an object to be pressed, such as a pressing roller or pressing head, is used, in addition to rollers, round bars, blade materials, brush-like members, a method of blowing gas such as air or gas may be used instead of or in combination with those exemplified above. The object may be made of a deformable material such as rubber, resin, or sponge, or it may be made of a non-deformable material such as metal or glass. If a means or member for peeling off the object to be peeled off, such as a peeling plate or peeling roller, is used, then a plate-shaped member, a round bar, a roller, or other member may be used instead of or in combination with those exemplified above. The object to be peeled off may be made of a deformable material such as rubber or resin, or it may be made of a non-deformable material. If a means or member for supporting (holding) the supported (held) member is used, then... In such cases, a configuration may be adopted in which the member to be supported is supported (held) by gripping means such as a chuck motor or chuck cylinder, Coulomb force, adhesive (adhesive sheet, adhesive tape), adhesive agent (adhesive sheet, adhesive tape), magnetic force, Bernoulli adsorption, suction adsorption, drive equipment, etc., or if a cutting means or cutting member is used to cut the member to be cut or to form a cut incision or cutting line in the member to be cut, a cutting method using a cutter blade, laser cutter, ion beam, thermal power, heat, water pressure, electric heating wire, spraying of gas or liquid, etc. may be used instead of or in combination with the examples given above.It may also be possible to move the object to be cut by combining it with appropriate drive devices. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] EA...Identification mark forming device 10...Method for applying marking agent 13…First inkjet nozzle (first marking agent application means) 15…Second inkjet nozzle (second marking agent application means) 40… means of fixing DM…Identification mark MA1…First Marking Agent MA2... Second Marking Agent WK... Items to be awarded

Claims

1. An identification mark forming apparatus equipped with a marking agent application means for applying a first marking agent to an object to be marked to form a recognizable identification mark, An identification mark forming apparatus characterized in that the marking agent application means comprises a first marking agent application means for applying the first marking agent to the object to be marked and forming the identification mark with the applied first marking agent, and a second marking agent application means for applying the second marking agent to the object to be marked and covering all or part of the identification mark with the applied second marking agent.

2. At least one of the first marking agent and the second marking agent is a forcibly fixable agent that is forcibly fixed to the object to be marked by a predetermined fixing treatment. The identification mark forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising fixing means for forcibly fixing the forcibly fixing agent applied to the object to be applied to by applying a predetermined fixing treatment to the forcibly fixing agent to the object to be applied.

3. In an identification mark formation method, which involves a marking agent application step in which a first marking agent is applied to an object to be marked to form an identification mark having recognizability, A method for forming an identification mark, characterized in that the marking agent application step includes a first marking agent application step of applying the first marking agent to the object to be marked and forming the identification mark with the applied first marking agent, and a second marking agent application step of applying the second marking agent to the object to be marked and covering all or part of the identification mark with the applied second marking agent.

Images