Hollow Glass Product Marking for Supply Chain Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for marking glass products are complex and may alter the physical and chemical properties of the glass, making it difficult to ensure traceability and authenticity, especially for pharmaceutical containers that require high-quality and secure production data throughout the supply chain.
Innovation Solution
A method for producing hollow glass products from semi-finished glass tube products using markings that do not change the physical and chemical properties of the glass, allowing for clear identification of the origin and production data, using techniques like inkjet or laser printing to apply codes that can be read easily and reliably, ensuring traceability and security against counterfeiting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser pulsing is used to inscribe markings directly into the glass material, then the marking is clearly visible and can be reliably read, but the process becomes too complex for applications that place lower demands on authenticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a marking that copies identification information onto the glass product surface without altering the glass material itself. This simplified marking approach maintains readability and traceability while avoiding the complexity of laser inscribing processes, resolving the contradiction between reliable marking and process simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If glass is exposed to laser pulse to apply marking at high temperatures, then the marking can be applied stress-free during production, but the process may be too complex for applications with lower authenticity demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a marking method that applies identification information to the glass surface without requiring high-temperature laser exposure or complex production integration. This copying approach maintains ease of manufacture while significantly reducing process complexity, making it suitable for applications with varying authenticity demands.
3Reliability
If markings are applied by modifying glass with additives, coatings, pigments or additional doping, then the glass can be marked, but the transparency of the glass is adversely affected at the laser-processed area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a marking that copies identification information onto the glass surface without using additives, coatings, pigments, or doping that would affect glass transparency. This non-invasive marking method maintains both marking reliability and glass optical properties, resolving the contradiction between authenticity and transparency.
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 method enables reliable traceability of the glass products from the supplier to the end product, maintaining the integrity of the glass properties and ensuring high security against counterfeiting, while simplifying quality control and quality improvement processes.
Implementation Method 1
the glass is exposed to a laser pulse in sections to apply a marking to the surface
Implementation Method 2
The marking is clearly visible and can be reliably read, in particular, via a lens effect exerted by the marking
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A glass tube semi-finished product or a hollow glass product manufactured from a glass tube semi-finished product is provided with a first marking containing information on the origin and/or tube-specific production data of the glass tube semi-finished product (1). This marking is readable on the manufactured hollow glass product (20) after its production, enabling a determination of the origin and/or tube-specific production data of the glass tube semi-finished product (1). According to the invention, reading the marking allows for the unambiguous identification of the glass tube semi-finished product from which the hollow glass product was manufactured. Furthermore, tube-specific production data of this glass tube semi-finished product can also be directly determined and traced. Thus, the entire supply chain for the hollow glass product, from the supplier of the originally used glass tube semi-finished product to the finished product, can be unambiguously identified.According to the invention, the physical and chemical properties of the glass tube semi-finished product are not changed to produce the first marking, which can be easily achieved by applying a marking using a printer, for example an inkjet printer, or using a laser.