Dual-Layer Packaging Marking with Laser Etching

Solution Overview

Problem

Current packaging methods for bulk food products, such as powdered milk, face issues with inkjet printer inefficiencies, including frequent cartridge replacements, mess, health hazards, and the lack of markings on inner plastic liners, leading to confusion and potential errors during repackaging. Additionally, security measures like OVDs are susceptible to removal and costly.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for packaging that involves marking both the inner and outer liners of packaging bags using laser etching machines, with markings stored in a database for authentication and readability, ensuring product identity and authenticity even after the outer liner is removed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If inkjet printers are used for marking outer paper bags, then marking capability is provided, but frequent cartridge replacement is required causing line stoppages and reduced productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging line productivityVSAvoidtime lost to ink cartridge replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the inkjet printing system with a laser marking system. The laser marking apparatus uses a laser beam to directly mark the packaging bag without requiring ink cartridges, eliminating the need for frequent cartridge replacements and associated line stoppages. This substitution of mechanical/printing system with a laser-based system resolves the productivity issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If inkjet printers are used for marking, then marking is achieved, but ink can squirt creating mess and health hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarking capabilityVSAvoidink mess and health hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the inkjet printing system with a laser marking system. The laser marking apparatus uses a laser beam to directly mark the packaging bag without requiring ink cartridges, eliminating the need for frequent cartridge replacements and associated line stoppages. This substitution of mechanical/printing system with a laser-based system resolves the productivity issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a reusable laser marking system instead of consumable ink cartridges. The laser marking apparatus can operate continuously without requiring frequent replacement of consumable materials, eliminating the waste and cost associated with disposable ink cartridges while maintaining marking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If inkjet printers spray wet ink onto the bag, then marking is achieved, but markings may smudge if touched, rendering them illegible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarking capabilityVSAvoidmarking integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the inkjet printing system with a laser marking system. The laser marking apparatus uses a laser beam to directly mark the packaging bag without requiring ink cartridges, eliminating the need for frequent cartridge replacements and associated line stoppages. This substitution of mechanical/printing system with a laser-based system resolves the productivity issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the marking process from wet ink application to laser-induced material modification. The laser marking creates permanent marks through thermal or ablation effects on the bag material, changing the marking parameter from chemical (ink) to physical (laser energy), thereby eliminating smudging issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If only the outer paper bag is marked, then marking is achieved, but inner plastic bag lacks markings leading to confusion during repackaging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarking capabilityVSAvoidproduct identification information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the laser marking capability to mark both the outer paper bag and the inner plastic bag. The laser marking apparatus can mark multiple layers or components of the packaging structure, providing universal marking functionality that ensures product identification information is preserved even when the outer bag is removed during repackaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enhances packaging line productivity by eliminating inkjet printer drawbacks, maintains marking integrity, and provides secure authentication of product identity and authenticity, reducing the risk of counterfeit products.

Implementation Method 1

marking both the inner and outer liners of packaging bags using laser etching machines

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS10906684B2Packaging

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 TECHNOPAK DEVELOPMENTS LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a system for, or method of, packaging a product within a packaging bag, wherein the packaging bag includes an inner liner and an outer liner. The method including the steps of marking the inner liner with a first marking unit, filling the bag with the product, and subsequently marking the outer liner with a second marking unit. The markings may be machine readable and/or randomly generated and stored in a database. The system may further include a machine reader, which is capable of accessing the database, and which is capable of reading the markings on the inner liner and/or the outer liner, to thus determine if an outer liner subsequently removed from an inner liner is/was the same outer liner associated with the same inner liner, at the time when the bag was filled and/or packaged.