Egg Laser Marking After Packaging for Consistent Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for laser marking eggs at high speeds during grading processes face challenges such as inconsistent and unreliable markings due to varying moisture content, dust interference, and limited visibility of markings after packaging, leading to inefficiencies and waste.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a laser marking system into the egg packing apparatus, where eggs are marked after being placed in packages, allowing for precise and consistent marking of eggs with improved visibility and flexibility in packaging orientation, utilizing sensors and conveyor motion monitors to ensure accurate positioning and increased marking time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If eggs are marked at high speed during grading process, then productivity is improved, but marking precision and reliability deteriorate due to moisture variation and dust interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by marking eggs after they are placed in packages rather than during the grading process. This allows the eggs to be stationary and stable during marking, eliminating the effects of high-speed motion, moisture variation, and dust interference that plague on-line marking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the egg package itself - as the marking surface. By marking the egg within the context of the package rather than during grading, the system creates a stable intermediate state that allows for precise marking while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If eggs are marked during high-speed grading, then throughput is increased, but marking consistency and visibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The marking operation is performed as a preliminary action before the eggs leave the packaging station. This timing allows for consistent marking conditions while maintaining high throughput, as the marking is done immediately after packaging without requiring separate handling steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical on-line marking systems with a stationary marking system that operates after packaging. This substitution eliminates the mechanical complexity and instability of high-speed marking while maintaining productivity through efficient workflow integration.
3Area of stationary object
If eggs are marked on vertical surfaces, then marking space is limited, but marking comprehensiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the egg's curved surface and multiple orientations within the package to create additional marking dimensions. By marking on the egg's surface after packaging, the system can wrap information around the egg's curvature, effectively using the third dimension to increase marking capacity without requiring more physical space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric marking strategies by positioning information at specific locations on the egg surface that will be visible from multiple angles. This asymmetric placement ensures comprehensive information delivery despite limited surface area, as the marking is optimized for visibility from the consumer's perspective.
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 significantly enhances marking quality and reliability, reduces waste, and allows for more comprehensive marking of egg surfaces without slowing down the processing speed, ensuring that markings remain visible and legible upon package opening.
Implementation Method 1
laser marking system into the egg packing apparatus, where eggs are marked after being placed in packages
Data Source
AI summary
A package of eggs is disclosed which comprises a plurality of eggs arranged in one or more rows. The eggs are arranged in the package so that a long axis of each egg in the package is tilted toward the back of the package so as to be at least slightly offset from vertical. In some embodiments, each of the eggs in the package may have information laser marked on it in substantially the same location as the other eggs in the package, and the eggs may be oriented in the package such that information marked on each egg faces substantially the same direction as the information marked on the other eggs in the package.