Container Laser Marking with Non-Overlapping Irradiation Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for marking containers, such as plastic bottles, often require labels and struggle with achieving high-quality patterns with efficient productivity, particularly in forming small, recognizable characters or images without visible dots.
Innovation Solution
A laser irradiation apparatus and method that uses multiple irradiation units to create non-overlapping patterns on a container's surface by controlling first and second irradiation regions with specific laser beams, forming aggregate dots with concave and convex portions to enhance light diffusibility and visibility, allowing for the display of information like 'LABEL-LESS' without labels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple laser beams are used to form patterns simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to overlapping irradiation regions causing visible dots and reduced pattern quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the base surface into multiple non-overlapping irradiation regions, with each region assigned to a specific laser beam. This segmentation prevents overlapping irradiation that would cause visible dots, while allowing multiple beams to work simultaneously on different segments, thus maintaining both high productivity and pattern quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If laser beams are focused to form small dots for recognizable characters, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to the time-consuming nature of forming small dots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different irradiation regions to different laser beams, allowing simultaneous formation of multiple small dots that constitute recognizable characters. This parallel processing approach maintains the precision needed for small, recognizable characters while significantly improving productivity through concurrent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple laser beams operating in parallel on different non-overlapping regions to achieve both high precision (through focused small dots) and high productivity (through simultaneous operation). The aggregation of dots from multiple beams forms the complete pattern.
3Ease of manufacture
If labels are used to display information on containers, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the need for additional components increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the information display function from separate label components and integrates it directly into the container base through laser-formed patterns. This eliminates the need for additional label components, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture through direct laser processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the formation of high-quality, recognizable patterns on containers with improved productivity, where the dots are not visually distinct, enhancing the visibility and contrast of characters or images, thus eliminating the need for labels.
Implementation Method 1
multiple irradiation units each to emit a laser beam to a surface of a base to form a pattern
Implementation Method 2
controlling the first irradiation unit to irradiate only a first irradiation region on a surface of a base with the first laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A laser irradiation apparatus includes: multiple irradiation units each to emit a laser beam to a surface of a base to form a pattern, the multiple irradiation units, including: a first irradiation unit to emit a first laser beam; and a second irradiation unit to emit a second laser beam; and a circuitry to: control the first irradiation unit to irradiate only a first irradiation region on a surface of a base with the first laser beam; and control the second irradiation unit to irradiate only a second irradiation region on the surface of the base with the second laser beam. The first irradiation region and the second irradiation region are not overlapping each other.