Laser Egg Marking Orientation and Dust Control

The patent applies preliminary action by orienting eggs to a predetermined orientation before laser marking. The egg orienter positions eggs with their broad sides facing upward and aligned in a specific direction, ensuring that when eggs are subsequently laser marked, the markings are consistently positioned on accessible surface areas. This pre-positioning eliminates the need to slow down the processing line for manual orientation, maintaining high productivity while achieving reliable marking precision.

The patent applies copying by transferring the expiration date information from the package level to the individual egg level through laser marking. Instead of relying on consumers to read package labels after transferring eggs to refrigerator containers, the expiration date is permanently copied onto each individual egg shell. This ensures that even when eggs are separated from their original packaging, the critical information remains accessible and visible to consumers.

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing chemical marking methods (vegetable dyes and water-soluble inks) with a physical/energy-based method: laser marking. The laser beam directly etches or burns the marking onto the egg shell through ablation, creating permanent, heat-based markings that cannot leak, wash off, or fade. This substitution eliminates the reliability problems associated with chemical markers while maintaining ease of operation through automated laser systems.

The patent applies copying by creating unique identification markers on individual eggs, enabling traceability and tracking of each egg or small groups of eggs rather than treating the entire package as a single unit. This individual identification system allows for precise tracking of egg pedigrees and integrity, enabling selective disposal of only affected eggs rather than entire packages, thus reducing waste while maintaining food safety through improved monitoring capabilities.