An apparatus for marking an object comprising a laser marking device and a filter system

Abstract

An apparatus for marking an object, such as a laboratory sample carrier. The apparatus comprises: a laser marking device (12); a storage magazine (21) for objects (25) to be marked; a guide (28) to move the object (25) from a storing position to a marking position and further to an exit position (22), wherein the marking position is located in an intermediate position between the storing position and the exit position; a marking chamber (24), located in the marking position for delimiting an area (26) of the object to be marked by the laser marking device; an air filter system for removing emission gases emitted during laser printing from the marking chamber (24).

Description

[0001] TITLE: AN APPARATUS FOR MARKING AN OBJECT

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus for marking an object, such as a microscope slide or a tissue cassette, with an identification mark by means of laser.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] In a medical laboratory, there is a need to mark microscope slides or tissue cassettes or similar, with identification marks.

[0006] Patent document W02013 / 180617 discloses a method and a device for application of a label to an object, comprising: moving the object from a storing position to a labeling position; back-feeding and printing a label arranged at a continuous liner; moving the liner across a peeling edge, whereby the label is peeled off from the liner; transferring the label from the liner to the object; and removing the object from the labeling position to a removal position.

[0007] A drawback with such a marking method is that labels and other consumables need to be replaced. An apparatus for marking with laser would be solve this problem. Such an apparatus has no consumables that need to be replaced.

[0008] Patent document US6822189B2 discloses a method of laser marking, suitable for the marking of hard transparent materials without causing micro-cracking. The method includes arranging a sample of target material and a sample of markable material such that they are spaced apart; directing irradiation having an energy fluence above an ablation threshold of the target material onto the target material so that some of it is ablated and thrown onto a surface of the markable material; and subjecting the surface of the markable material to irradiation having an energy fluence below the ablation threshold of the markable material to induce an interaction between the ablated material and the surface which marks the surface of the ablated material. Different colors of mark can be obtained by using different target materials, and the tone of the mark can be controlled as desired. Apparatus for implementing the method permits control of the method in real time

[0009] Patent document W02020031038A1 relates to the field of pathological anatomy, especially the sector related to printing codes on slides used in hospital departments and, more specifically, concerns a printer for slides which allows writing, by means of a laser, of ID - 2D (barcodes or data matrix) and alphanumeric codes so as to allow, in the reading phase, identification of the code printed on the slides by means of suitable readers.

[0010] Patent document EP2226123B1 relates to an apparatus for the production of one or more containers of custom-marked microscope slides, which containers are produced according to an order, the apparatus comprising a dispensing carousel disposed with two or more discrete reservoirs for microscope slides, which carousel is configured to select a reservoir and remove a slide therefrom responsive to the order; a processing platform configured to receive a slide dispensed from a reservoir and slidably advance it to a laser marking system, and subsequently to an ejection system; laser marking system comprising a laser the beam from which can be directed controllably, configured to mark a markable region of the slide; and an ejection system configured to slidably eject the marked slide into the container; and a container dispensing system disposed with a container storage tower for empty containers, configured to dispense an empty container to a loading zone that receives slides ejected by the ejection system, and further configured to eject an order-completed container to a container storage platform.

[0011] Patent document US20020186384A1 discloses a method for dividing a print job, which is a list of sheets to be printed, to several printers connected in parallel, to improve total printing speed. This method is used with conventional office printers and lacks the possibility to be adapted to more complex environments. For example, this method lacks the possibility to divide the print job based on the kind of support that should be printed.

[0012] Patent document CN110497087(B) discloses a laser coding machine for a slide. The laser coding machine for the slide comprises a conveying box, a feeding rail, a laser coding head, a collecting box, a push plate and a material receiving tray. The push plate pushes the slide in the conveying box out to the feeding rail, and then pushes the slide to the position below the laser coding head, and the slide is carried by the material receiving tray; the top of the push plate is provided with a push block which can rotate, when the push block moves back along with the push plate, the push block makes contact with the slide and rotates under the action of the slide, so that the original way that the push block enters the bottom of the slide in a linear manner is changed into the way that the push block enters the bottom of the slide in a rolling mode so as to avoid abrasion and scratch of the slide; and after the laser coding head finishes etching the identification information in the slide, the material receiving tray rotates from the horizontal position to the inclined position, so that the slide slides and falls from the material receiving tray into the collecting box, so that discharging is finished. The laser coding machine for the slide has the advantages of simple action and high efficiency

[0013] Patent document CN117383298 discloses a medical slide marking machine which comprises a mounting frame, a slide loading box, a slide pushing device, a slide positioning and discharging device, a laser marking device and a slide collecting device, a slide outlet of the slide loading box can only allow one slide to enter and exit, and the situation that printing is missed due to adsorption and adhesion of the slides is completely eradicated; the slide positioning and discharging device comprises a first positioning block, a second positioning block, a first motor, a first inclined slide way and a first slide sensor, the first positioning block and the second positioning block can position the periphery of a slide, it is guaranteed that the position of the slide has consistency and accuracy during marking, and when the second positioning block rotates downwards, one end of the slide inclines downwards; the slide gradually falls on the first inclined slide way, so that the slide is prevented from violently colliding with the first inclined slide way, and the slide is prevented from being damaged. According to the automatic marking device, automatic operation such as slide feeding, positioning and discharging can be well achieved, the slides are not prone to being damaged, movement is stable, and the marking precision is high.

[0014] A problem with laser printers as disclosed in said publications is that laser printing results in emission of gases and small particles that may be odorous and even hazardous to breath. These gases may partially block the path of light from the laser marker to the object, thus resulting in incorrect or uneven marking of the object. Moreover, these gases and particles may contaminate the object being printed and the other objects in the storage container, voiding the further sample examination. In addition, any emitted laser light from the apparatus may be detrimental to the eyes of the user. Furthermore, laser light may cause heating and such heat needs to be dissipated.

[0015] Another problem with laser printers is related to the speed of marking, which is often much slower compared to other technologies, such as thermal printing.

[0016] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages or other deficiencies singly or in any combination.

[0018] In an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for marking an object, such as a laboratory sample carrier, comprising: a laser marking device, configured to emit laser radiation according to an optical path for marking the object; one or several storage magazines configured to hold the objects in a storing position; a moving device configured to move the object from the storing position to a marking position and subsequently to an exit position; a marking chamber arranged at the marking position and configured to delimit a marking area of the object to be marked by the laser marking device; a filter system configured to withdraw emission gases generated inside the marking chamber during laser marking.

[0019] In an embodiment, the marking chamber may comprise an enclosure configured to form an internal space enclosing at least the marking area of the object and the optical path between the laser-marking device and the object, the marking chamber comprising at least one suction opening; wherein the filter system may be directly fluid-coupled to said opening in the marking chamber. The enclosure may comprise holes arranged adjacent the marking area and configured to let in air into the enclosure adjacent the marking area. Moreover, the enclosure may comprise holes arranged adjacent the laser marking device and configured to let in air into the enclosure adjacent the laser marking device. The internal space may be configured to enclose the entire object inclusive its marking area.

[0020] In another embodiment, the moving device may be configured to displace the object exclusively in a straight line that runs parallel to, and directly beneath, a long dimension of the laser-marking device, the line extending from the storing position located below the lasermarking device, through the marking position inside the marking chamber, and onward to the exit position, wherein the displacement may occur without any lateral offset or rotational movement of the object, thereby keeping the entire transport path within the footprint of the laser-marking device and allowing the storage magazine to be housed beneath the laser.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the filter system may comprise at least one elongate tubular conduit that extends from the suction opening of the marking chamber to a discharge location at a rear region of the apparatus; and includes perforations located inside the marking chamber adjacent the area to be marked, so that the same conduit functions both as an airtransport duct and as a housing for a replaceable sorbent filter medium; and comprises an electronic identification device configured to accumulate a count of objects marked and to issue a replacement signal when the count reaches a programmable threshold that is selectable in accordance with the type of object being marked.

[0022] In a yet further embodiment, the marking chamber is provided with an exit slit for the object, the exit slit being fitted with a self-closing movable barrier, comprising a roller mounted for vertical displacement, or a flap hinged along one edge or any other barrier, wherein the barrier being pushed open only by direct contact with the object as the object leaves the chamber, and returned to a closed, light-tight position solely by gravity or by an integral spring immediately after the object has passed, thereby preventing laser radiation and emission gases from diffusing out of the marking chamber via the exit path.

[0023] In a still further embodiment, the marking chamber and the storage magazine are positioned in a slidable or removable drawer, the drawer being located in the space between the laser marking device and a base of the apparatus, wherein the drawer has a slit to allow exit of the marked object.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a pushing sleigh and a follower sleigh arranged in the apparatus to move the object from the storing position to the exit slit of the drawer, the follower sleigh being configured to follow the pushing sleigh until a predetermined point at which the follower sleigh lifts the remaining stack of objects to facilitate return of the pushing sleigh to its starting position.

[0025] In still another embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a rotation mechanism disposed upstream of the marking position and configured to pivot the object about one of its longitudinal edges, thereby re-orienting a selected surface of the object into a plane that is substantially parallel to the beam plane of the laser-marking device before the object enters the marking chamber. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a plurality of identical marking modules arranged side-by-side in a common chassis, each module being an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and having its own storage magazine pre-loaded with objects of a predetermined type, the plurality of modules being coupled to a common electronic controller that is programmed to receive a print-job queue containing object identifiers that specify the type of object to be marked; allocate each object in the queue to a module whose magazine holds that object type, the allocation being performed according to a first-available rule that always selects the module projected to become available soonest; and issue print commands to the modules so that marking operations proceed in parallel, whereby, when n modules are loaded with the same object type, the turnaround time for that type is reduced approximately by the factor n, while any module loaded with a different object type continues to operate at its normal speed on objects of that type. The control system may be configured to actuate the laser-marking device as soon as a leading end of an elongated glass slide enters the marking chamber, and maintain laser emission while the transport mechanism continues to move the slide linearly through the chamber, so that successive, adjacent portions of the slide are exposed in sequence and a continuous etched pattern is produced along a length that exceeds the static marking field of the laser-marking device, thereby generating a boundary track on the glass suitable for tissue attachment or for confining reagents.

[0026] The apparatus may further comprise at least one inertial sensor selected from an accelerometer or gyroscope, the sensor being operatively connected to the control system to monitor in real time both vibrational amplitude during a marking cycle, and spatial orientation of the apparatus relative to the horizontal plane; automatically interrupt or inhibit laser emission when either the detected vibration level exceeds a predetermined threshold, or the apparatus is tilted beyond a safety angle or inverted; and oprtionally initiate a re-print cycle for the affected object once safe, level operating conditions are restored, thereby ensuring compliance with Class 1 laser-safety requirements even during servicing or accidental movement.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0029] Fig. l is a perspective view of an enclosure of a first embodiment of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a part of an insert according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment with the insert according to Fig. 2 partially inserted in the enclosure.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the insert of a second embodiment showing a marking chamber. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an insert of a third embodiment.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the third embodiment in perspective.

[0032] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment.

[0033] Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the embodiment according to Fig. 7.

[0034] Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section similar to Fig. 8 of a still further embodiment.

[0035] Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section similar to Fig. 9 of an alternative feeding device.

[0036] Fig. 11, 12,13 are longitudinal sections similar to Fig. 8 of a yet further embodiment.

[0037] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of several devices arranged in parallel.

[0038] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a fan device according to an embodiment.

[0039] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a marking device having several magazines.

[0040] Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 16 of yet another embodiment.

[0041] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an insert plate with bearings.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0043] Below, several embodiments of the invention will be described. These embodiments are described in illustrating purpose in order to disclose the best mode and to enable a skilled person to carry out the invention. However, such embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, certain combinations of features are shown and discussed. However, other combinations of the different features described are possible within the scope of the invention. Directions indicated in the specification relates to the drawing in which the direction is mentioned, and the directions may be different in the product.

[0044] In an embodiment, there is provided apparatus for marking an object, such as a laboratory sample carrier, comprising: a laser marking device; one or several storage magazines for objects to be marked; a moving device for moving the object from a storing position to a marking position and further to an exit position; a marking chamber, located in the marking position for delimiting an area of the object to be marked by the laser marking device; a filter system for removing emission gases emitted during laser printing from the marking chamber.

[0045] In an embodiment, the moving device may further comprise: a system to move the object linearly from a storing position to a marking position and further to an exit position, whereas the linear movement is carried out along the longest dimension of the laser marking device. The filter system may be provided with at least one filter tube having one or several holes positioned in close proximity with the area of the object to be marked, in order to remove emission gases emitted during printing and wherein each filter tube optionally comprises a filter, such as an active carbon or another gas sorbent filter, and wherein the filter system optionally is equipped with an electronic chip configured to count the number of objects that can be printed before the filter is depleted. In a further embodiment, the marking chamber may comprise moveable parts arranged to block the path of light produced by the laser marking device such that laser light and gases do not diffuse outside the apparatus, like self-closing exit barrier (roller or flap or similar) that automatically returns to a light-tight and gas-tight state.

[0046] In another embodiment, the marking chamber and the storage magazine are positioned in a slidable drawer, whereas the drawer is placed in the space formed between the laser marking device and a base of the apparatus, and wherein the drawer has a slit to allow exit of the marked object, and wherein a pushing sleigh and a follower sleigh are arranged to move the object to be marked across the length of the drawer, running parallel to the laser head longest dimension, from the storing position to the marking position and further to the exit position, with a separator plate that guarantees single-object release. The follower sleigh is arranged to follow the pushing sleigh until a predetermined position, whereby the follower sleigh lifts the remaining stack of objects in the storage container to facilitate the returning in position of the pushing sleigh.

[0047] In a still further embodiment, the apparatus further may comprise a rotation device for rotating the object to be printed along one of its edges to orientate a surface to be marked with the laser marking device.

[0048] Multiple marking devices may be assembled side by side, for example using a mechanical connection, and wherein the multiple devices comprise objects of the same type or different type and wherein the apparatus is controlled by a data input unit to mark several objects at the same time with several different marking devices, and wherein a computer system is arranged to divide the objects to be printed among the devices, for example using a first available logic for objects of the same type.

[0049] The laser marking device may be arranged to etch the glass with a specific pattern, for providing a boundary surface for the attachment of tissue or acting as a barrier for reagents and / or antibodies.

[0050] In a yet further embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise an accelerometer to measure the level of vibration during the marking phase for automatically suspend printing or re-print a new object when the vibrations exceed a predetermined level.

[0051] Fig. 1 discloses an embodiment of a laser printing apparatus for marking specimens or objects like microscope slides. The apparatus comprises an enclosure 11 with rectangular sides. The enclosure is approximately of a size corresponding to an A4 size on the largest surface and has a width of approximately 6 cm. On the narrow side surface, there is arranged an opening 13. The enclosure further comprises a laser device 12 for producing a laser beam.

[0052] The printing apparatus is intended to print on slides having a dimension of about 76mm * 26mm * 1mm in an embodiment. Other sizes may be used. The slides may be made of glass or transparent plastics material. The slide may have a marking area which is approximately square and of dimensions 26mm * 26mm and the rest of the slide may be an analyzing surface. A specimen to be analyzed may be placed on the analyzing surface and another glass may be placed above the specimen to keep it in place during the examination, which may be microscopic study.

[0053] The marking area may be covered by a marking material, which can be a ceramic material, a silver composition or other marking materials used in the art. The laser printing produces marks in the marking materials, by heating the marking material or by more direct interaction with the marking material. Such heating may bum the marking material thereby producing emission gases or particles, which should be prevented from reaching out of the enclosure. The laser printing may also cause a chemical reaction producing a color shift. Such chemical reaction may also produce emission gases. The laser printing can also produce heat that should be dissipated, for example in order not to crack the glass surface. In addition, laser light may be hazardous if the naked eye is exposed to such laser light. As shown in Fig. 3, a slidable insert or a drawer 31 is arranged to fit in the opening 13 of the enclosure. In the inserted position, the insert 31 covers the opening almost completely. A slit 32 is arranged in the insert to emit printed slides without removing the insert. A magnet 33 may be arranged for keeping the drawer 31 in the inserted position. A magnetic sensor 34, such as a Hall sensor, or a mechanical or optical switch may be arranged for indicating that the insert or drawer 31 is in its inserted position.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 2, slides 25 are stored in a slide magazine 21 arranged at the insert. The slide magazine encloses a plurality of slides arranged above each other. The slide magazine is arranged on an insert plate 27. To the left of the magazine 21, a feeding plate 28 is arranged at two distance ribs 29 for forming a narrow feeding chamber 22 between the feeding plate 28 and the insert plate 27. An opening 23 is formed in the feeding plate 28 for exposing a marking chamber 24. The marking chamber 24 is arranged to the left of the slide magazine. A slit in the slide magazine 21 opens to the marking chamber so that a bottom slide in the slide magazine may be pushed from the slide magazine to the marking chamber.

[0055] The marking chamber 24 has approximately the same size as the marking area of the slide, i.e. about 26mm * 26mm. The narrow feeding chamber 22 has a size so that it accommodates a slide 25 so that a slide may be pushed from the slide magazine 21 and through the narrow feeding chamber and out via the slit 32 in the insert wall, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 2 also shows that the marking area 26 is exposed when the slide is emitted through slit 32.

[0056] Sensors (not shown) may be arranged to detect that a slide 25 has been taken, one by one.

[0057] The marking chamber 24 is any containment of space or enclosure, as large as the area of the object to be marked or as large as the object itself, partially or totally enclosing the path of light from the laser device to the object. The marking chamber may comprise walls and a system of rollers, sliding doors or other moveable parts to further block the path of light produced by the laser marking device, such that laser light and gases do not diffuse outside the apparatus. The walls may be opaque.

[0058] In certain embodiments, miniature ball bearings 91 may be mounted along the side rails of the insert plate 27 where the slide edges travel, as shown in Fig. 18. These side- mounted bearings may roll against the slide edges as the slide moves in and out, preventing the comers or edges from catching or abrading against the sidewalls. By ensuring smooth lateral guidance, the bearings reduce the risk of jams, chipping, or breakage of fragile glass slides during insertion and ejection.

[0059] A spring-loaded bearing assembly 93 may be positioned proximate to the exit region and may act during the ejection phase. The assembly may include at least a pair of small wheels or ball bearings 92 (and optionally more arranged in a short array) configured to contact the upper face of the slide and apply a gentle downward force. This downward bias may press the slide against the insert plate 27 and keep it constrained in the intended travel plane as its center of mass passes beyond the last internal support. Without this constraint, the unsupported outboard edge may drop under gravity and the opposite edge may rise (cantilever effect), which may cause loss of effective pusher contact and arrest forward motion. The spring loading may establish a controlled normal force sufficient to counterbalance the slide’s weight while accommodating thickness tolerances and surface irregularities, thereby maintaining smooth rolling contact and enabling clean, uninterrupted ejection to the exit slit.

[0060] A suction opening 43 is directly machined into the chamber wall adjacent the marking area so that laser marking combustion products are captured at source before they can diffuse elsewhere.

[0061] Below the insert plate 27, there is arranged a feed mechanism comprising a feed screw and a feed sleigh and a follower sleigh, which follows the feed sleigh for a part of its travel movement as further explained with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. The position of the feed sleigh is sensed by sensors, for example optical readers, that identify positions of the sleighs. There is sensed a first position to the right, when the feed sleigh as below the slide magazine and in a position to grasp a slide positioned there above, a second position when the feed sleigh has pushed a slide out of the magazine so that a marking area of the slide is positioned in the marking chamber, i.e. approximately 30 mm out of the slide magazine, and a third position, when the slide is in a position extending out of the slit 32 in the insert to be grasped by a user. These positions are shown in Figs. 8 and 9, respectively.

[0062] In operation, the feed screw moves the feed sleigh and the follower sleigh to the very right position to grasp a new slide to be printed. The feed screw moves the sleighs, carrying the slide to be printed, about 30 mm to the right in order to arrange the slide marking area in the marking chamber. The laser printer 12 is operated to form marks on the marking area as controlled by a computer or controller 80. When the printing process is finalized, the feed sleigh moves the printed slide further to the left to expel the printed slide to the outside of the enclosure.

[0063] The follower sleigh moves together with the feed sleigh from the right position to a position below the slide storage magazine. At this point it detaches from the feed sleigh with continues its travel to expel the printed slide. Once a new slide needs to be printed, the feed sleigh will return to the right position and the follower sleigh keeps the stack of slides raised to facilitate the passage of the feed sleigh under the stack.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 2, the marking area of the slides is positioned to the left inside the magazine, so that the marking area is the first area to reach out of the slide magazine. This enables the arrangement of a sealing roller 41 to the left end of the marking chamber 24 as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 4. The sealing roller 41 extends down to the bottom of the marking chamber when no slide is inside the marking chamber. Thus, the left portion of the feeding chamber is sealed off from the marking chamber, so that no laser light and no emission gases may escape beyond the sealing roller 41. The sealing roller 41 is urged downwards via springs or by gravity so that the sealing roller 41 moves upward when the slide is pushed further to the left after laser treatment. Thus, the sealing roller 41 is in its bottommost position during the laser exposure.

[0065] A second sealing roller 42 may optionally be arranged at the right side of the marking chamber as shown in Fig. 4. The second sealing roller 42 prevents gases from escaping to the right.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 5, there may additionally be arranged a sealing chamber 45 extending to the top of the object storage. The sealing chamber may be closed and will prevent emission gases to escape. The sealing chamber has openings 43 on both sides to allow the arrangement of an air filter system, which may extend from the sides of the sealing chamber to the back of the object storage container. There may be arranged fins 46, which act as a barrier to further block gases from diffusing inside the apparatus. The sealing chamber may extend partially or entirely up to the laser device.

[0067] Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section of the embodiment according to Fig. 5. An opening 43 is arranged in the sealing chamber.

[0068] In a further embodiment shown in Fig. 7, there may be arranged a filter device 50. The filter device comprises a fan unit 51 and at least one filter unit 52 or tubular conduits, two of which are shown in Fig. 7. The filter device 50 may be arranged at a space just to the right of the slide magazine as shown in Fig. 7. The filter units may extend at each side of the slide magazine up to the opening 43 in the marking chamber as shown in Fig. 7.

[0069] The filter unit 50 comprises a first filter tube 53 arranged at one side of the slide magazine for conducting air from the marking chamber to the fan unit and a second filter tube 54 arranged at the other side of the slide magazine for conducting air from the marking chamber to the fan unit. The filter tube end is provided with one large or several smaller perforations 55, see Fig. 8, which open to the sealing chamber 45. Thus, air inside the sealing chamber 45 may be sucked out via the perforations 55 and the filter tubes 52, 54, through the filter material by means of the fan unit 51 to be expelled to the surroundings. By reversing the rotation direction of the fan unit 51, air may pass in the opposite direction. Thus, the emission gases and possible particles will be directly sucked out of the sealing chamber and will not diffuse in the apparatus, where they may deposit harmful particles on the slides to be printed, contaminating the slides and thus disturbing the further microscopic examination. Moreover, the air transporting the emission gases will be forced to pass through the filter, before being released outside.

[0070] The filter tubes may be provided with filter material that absorbs the emission gases and particles expelled from the laser printing process. Such filter material may comprise activated carbon or other sorbent, such as potassium permanganate. The marking chamber may optionally include the sealing rollers 41, 42.

[0071] Additionally or alternatively, the marking chamber may be sealed by other mechanism, such as a sliding door 101 as shown in the longitudinal section view of Fig. 17. The sliding door is shown in its open state. The door is pivoting along one of its edges to completely close the slit formed by the sealing chamber 45 and the base plate 27. When a slide is being fed, this pushes the door upwards. After the slide has passed, the door is pushed downwards by gravity or by a spring (not shown). Several sealing rollers such as 41 and 42 and sliding doors such as 101 may be placed on the path between the storage container 21 and the exit slit 32, to further block the laser light or the emission gases from reaching out of the apparatus.

[0072] The sealing chamber may optionally comprise cooling plates that, partially or completely, surrounds and delimits the area above the marking chamber. The cooling plates may be replaced by sealing plates that merely seals of the marking chamber, partially or completely.

[0073] In an embodiment, the filter tubes may be operated in push-pull, so that the first filter tube is arranged to suck air from the sealing chamber while the second filter tube provides air to the sealing chamber. The provided air may be cooled to further cool the sealing chamber if needed. After some time, the flow or air may be reversed.

[0074] The exact placement of the filter device may vary. For example, the filter device may be arranged at the top of the enclosure to the left of the laser device.

[0075] There may be arranged several filter tubes or only a single filter tube.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 7, there may be arranged one or several holes 56 in the walls of the sealing chamber adjacent the printing area. The holes will introduce air from the surroundings to the marking area when the suction device and filter device is operating to conduct gases formed during laser marking from the marking area to the filter device. One or several holes 57 may be arranged in the walls of the sealing chamber adjacent the laser device for cooling the laser device. Additionally, a cooling air flow may be provided via slits 58 between the laser device and the sealing chamber.

[0077] Fig. 8 shows an arrangement of a feeding device for moving a slide one by one from the pile of slides to a marking position and further to a feeding position. The feeding device 60 comprises a first sleigh 61 and a second sleigh 62. The sleighs are moved back and forth by feed screws 63 driven by electric motors (not shown). The first sleigh comprises a feeding edge 64 cooperating with a right end of a lowermost slide in the pile of slides. When the first sleigh 61 moves to the left, it brings with it the lowermost follower sleigh and pushes the slide to a printing position, as shown by broken lines in Fig. 8. When the first sleigh is in a position to expel the slide through the slit 32, the second sleigh has been stopped in a position below the slides to support the pile of slides and enable return of the first sleigh, creating clearance for friction-free retraction, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0078] In some embodiments, both the pusher sleigh 61 and the follower sleigh 62 may be fitted with rows of miniature ball bearings or wheels 91 on their sliding surfaces. These bearings may roll along the bottom faces of the slides and / or on the base plate of the apparatus during both forward and return strokes, thereby further reducing friction and wear. By allowing the sleighs to glide on rolling elements rather than sliding contacts, the system may operate more smoothly at higher feed speeds and may exhibit lower motor torque requirements, enhancing longevity and overall reliability of the feeding mechanism. In addition, the reduced contact friction may decrease the risk of chipping or scratching the slide edges, making it less likely to break or damage the slides during handling.

[0079] The positions of the two sleighs may be controlled by position sensors (not shown), which determine the positions of the sleighs. There may be a first position sensor, which senses that the two sleighs are in a rest position shown in Fig. 8, and are ready to expel a new slide. A second position sensor determines when the slide is in a printing position. A third position sensor determines when the second sleigh is in the position according to Fig. 9 for stopping further movement of the second sleigh to the left. In the position shown in Fig. 9, the entire printed slide is removed out of the marking chamber, and a new slide to be printed can be moved into the marking chamber while the newly printed previous slide is still present in the slit 32, for example waiting for being grasped by a user.

[0080] The movement of the sleighs may be imparted by feed screws, for example one feed screw per sleigh. Alternatively, both sleighs are moved by a single feed screw, and the movement of the second follower sleigh is controlled by a clutch. Alternatively, the sleights may be equipped with magnets with opposite polarity, in such a way that the two sleights are kept attached together. Only the first sleight 61 is driven, for example by the feed screw, and the second sleight 62 follows the first sleight across the length of the feed screw. At a certain position, when the sleight 62 is still under the stack of slides in close proximity with the exit position of the storage magazine, the sleight 62 encounters a mechanical stop preventing to further follow sleight 61 to the leftmost position. Thus, the two sleights are detached from each other. Upon return of sleight 61 towards the rightmost position, the two sleights get in contact and are both moved backwards.

[0081] Alternatively, the slides may be moved by edges arranged at a rotating chain as shown in Fig. 10. In this case the second follower sleigh is not required.

[0082] There may be arranged a collection device for collecting printed slides.

[0083] Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment, in which a tissue cassette 70 is printed.

[0084] The object to be marked might have an irregular shape, such as a tissue cassette, in such a way that the surface intended to be marked is not oriented parallel to the laser marking device. Thus, the object is loaded from the storage container and transported in proximity of the marking chamber, where it is rotated to orientate one of its surfaces to the laser marking device.

[0085] An edge 71 is arranged to push a cassette to the right into a cassette holder 72. A filter device 74 is arranged to expel gases from the marking chamber. A laser device 73 exposes the cassette for printing information.

[0086] The cassette holder 72 is pivoting on a hinge 75 to allow upwards or downwards rotation of the cassette holder 72. In Fig. 12 the cassette holder 72 is rotated upwards, where it fully enters the marking chamber. In this position, the marking side of tissue cassette 70 is perfectly parallel with the laser device 73.

[0087] Fig. 13 shows a feeding out position, where the cassette holder 72 is rotated downwards to expel the cassette. The cassette holder 72 is then rotated in loading position as shown in Fig. 11 to load a new cassette.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 14, multiple printing modules 59 may be arranged side-by-side within a common chassis to form a parallel marking array. This modular architecture may allow each module to be pre-loaded with a specific object type — such as standard glass slides, charged-coated slides, or tissue cassettes — so that batches of mixed jobs may be processed without frequent media reloading. A central controller 80 may receive a print-job queue containing object identifiers and may allocate each object to the next-available module that holds the corresponding carrier type. By applying a “first-available” scheduling policy, the system may dynamically balance load across the modules and may reduce average turnaround time in proportion to the number of modules assigned to a given object type. For instance, if four modules are loaded with standard slides, the effective throughput for that slide type may increase nearly fourfold compared to a single-module setup. At the same time, modules loaded with specialty carriers may continue to process their queues at full speed, thereby maximizing overall equipment utilization and reducing idle time. This scalable, parallel approach may be especially advantageous in high-volume laboratories where mixed sample types must be marked rapidly while maintaining minimal footprint and energy consumption. Fig. 15 shows the filter device 50 separately. The filter device comprises a fan body 81 and two wings 82 and 83. The wings comprise a tube area, which is filled with an absorbent material, for absorption of the gases and particles produced during the printing. A sensor chip 85 may be provided to count the number of prints after which the filter is considered saturated and should be replaced. These threshold numbers are programmable per slide or cassette type.

[0089] When the filter is consumed or saturated, it is simply replaced.

[0090] Each wing is provided with one or several perforations 84 at the end, which perforations are arranged to open into the marking chamber. In an alternative embodiment, there is only a single wing. In a further alternative embodiment, there are two independent filter devices, each comprising a fan body and at least one filter wing as shown by broken lines 86 in Fig. 15. By arranging one filter device opening at one side of the marking chamber and a second filter device opening at another side of the marking chamber, a push-pull action may be obtained, as described above. Additionally, a safety aspect is obtained in that if one of the filter devices becomes inoperative, the other filter device may still operate in a satisfactory way, until the inoperative filter device is replaced.

[0091] The marking apparatus may include one or more inertial sensors (e.g., MEMS accelerometers and / or gyroscopes) rigidly mounted to the printer chassis. During each marking cycle, these sensors may continuously measure both vibration amplitude (across X-, Y-, and Z-axes) and the absolute spatial orientation of the device relative to gravity. If vibrations exceed a user-programmable threshold (for example, 0.1 g RMS over a 100 ms interval), or if the tilt angle around any axis exceeds a preset safety limit (for example, ±5°), the control system may suspend laser emission and halt the object transport mechanism. An on-screen message or indicator LED may activate to alert the operator. Once the apparatus returns to within safe limits — verified by the sensors remaining below thresholds for a continuous debounce period (e.g., 500 ms) — the system may resume marking. If the suspension occurs mid-scan, the controller may reposition the object to the last recorded safe point and re-execute the interrupted portion of the pattern, thereby completing the mark without operator intervention. Alternatively, the controller might discard the object. This interlock mechanism ensures Class 1 laser-safe operation even during unexpected movements or servicing.

[0092] In the claims, the term "comprises / comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented by e.g. a single unit. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims or embodiments, these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and / or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. The terms "a", "an", “first”, “second” etc. do not preclude a plurality. Reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.

[0093] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiment, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the invention is limited only by the accompanying claims and other embodiments than those specified above are equally possible within the scope of these appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for marking an object, such as a laboratory sample carrier, comprising:(a) a laser marking device (12), configured to emit laser radiation according to an optical path for marking the object;(b) one or several storage magazines (21) configured to hold the objects (25) in a storing position;(c) a moving device configured to move the object (25) from the storing position (21) to a marking position (24) and subsequently to an exit position (22);(d) a marking chamber (24) arranged at the marking position and configured to delimit a marking area (26) of the object to be marked by the laser marking device; a filter system (50) configured to withdraw emission gases generated inside the marking chamber during laser marking.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the marking chamber comprises an enclosure (45) configured to form an internal space enclosing at least the marking area (26) of the object and the optical path between the laser-marking device and the object, the marking chamber comprising at least one suction opening (43); the filter system being directly fluid-coupled to said opening (43) in the marking chamber.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the enclosure (45) comprises holes (56) arranged adjacent the marking area (26) and configured to let in air into the enclosure adjacent the marking area.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the enclosure (45) comprises holes (57) arranged adjacent the laser marking device (12) and configured to let in air into the enclosure adjacent the laser marking device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the internal space is configured to enclose the entire object inclusive its marking area.

6. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the moving device is configured to displace the object exclusively in a straight line that runs parallel to, and directly beneath, a long dimension of the laser-marking device, the line extending from- the storing position located below the laser-marking device,- through the marking position inside the marking chamber, and- onward to the exit position, the displacement occurring without any lateral offset or rotational movement of the object, thereby keeping the entire transport path within the footprint of the laser-marking device and allowing the storage magazine to be housed beneath the laser.

7. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the filter system comprises at least one elongate tubular conduit that(a) extends from the at least one suction opening of the marking chamber to a discharge location at a rear region of the apparatus;(b) includes perforations (55) located inside the marking chamber adjacent the area to be marked, so that the same conduit functions both as an air-transport duct and as a housing for a replaceable sorbent filter medium; and(c) comprises an electronic identification device configured to accumulate a count of objects marked and to issue a replacement signal when the count reaches a programmable threshold that is selectable in accordance with the type of object being marked.

8. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the marking chamber is provided with an exit slit (32) for the object, the exit slit being fitted with a selfclosing movable barrier — comprising either- a roller mounted for vertical displacement, or- a flap hinged along one edge or any other barrier — the barrier being(a) pushed open only by direct contact with the object as the object leaves the chamber, and(b) returned to a closed, light-tight position solely by gravity or by an integral spring immediately after the object has passed, thereby preventing laser radiation and emission gases from diffusing out of the marking chamber via the exit path.

9. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the marking chamber and the storage magazine are positioned in a slidable or removable drawer, the drawer being located in the space between the laser marking device and a base of the apparatus, wherein the drawer has a slit to allow exit of the marked object.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a pushing sleigh and a follower sleigh are arranged in the apparatus to move the object from the storing position to the exit slit of the drawer, the follower sleigh being configured to follow the pushing sleigh until apredetermined point at which the follower sleigh lifts the remaining stack of objects to facilitate return of the pushing sleigh to its starting position.

11. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising a rotation mechanism disposed upstream of the marking position and configured to pivot the object about one of its longitudinal edges, thereby re-orienting a selected surface of the object into a plane that is substantially parallel to the beam plane of the laser-marking device before the object enters the marking chamber.

12. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising a plurality of identical marking modules arranged side-by-side in a common chassis, each module being an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and having its own storage magazine pre-loaded with objects of a predetermined type, the plurality of modules being coupled to a common electronic controller that is programmed to(a) receive a print-job queue containing object identifiers that specify the type of object to be marked;(b) allocate each object in the queue to a module whose magazine holds that object type, the allocation being performed according to a first-available rule that always selects the module projected to become available soonest; and(c) issue print commands to the modules so that marking operations proceed in parallel, whereby, when n modules are loaded with the same object type, the turnaround time for that type is reduced approximately by the factor n, while any module loaded with a different object type continues to operate at its normal speed on objects of that type.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control system is configured to(a) actuate the laser-marking device as soon as a leading end of an elongated glass slide enters the marking chamber, and(b) maintain laser emission while the transport mechanism continues to move the slide linearly through the chamber, so that successive, adjacent portions of the slide are exposed in sequence and a continuous etched pattern is produced along a length that exceeds the static marking field of the laser-marking device, thereby generating a boundary track on the glass suitable for tissue attachment or for confining reagents.

14. The apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising at least one inertial sensor selected from an accelerometer or gyroscope, the sensor being operatively connected to the control system to(a) monitor in real time both- vibrational amplitude during a marking cycle, and- spatial orientation of the apparatus relative to the horizontal plane;(b) automatically interrupt or inhibit laser emission when either - the detected vibration level exceeds a predetermined threshold, or- the apparatus is tilted beyond a safety angle or inverted; and optionally(c) initiate a re-print cycle for the affected object once safe, level operating conditions are restored, thereby ensuring compliance with Class 1 laser-safety requirements even during servicing or accidental movement.

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