Opposed Laser Receptacle Marking for Full-Speed Dual-Side Coding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for marking receptacles with visual markings, such as ink printing or labels, increase manufacturing time and cost, reduce production rates, and risk ink migration or poor adherence, especially when used for atmosphere control receptacles in packaging sensitive products.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using two laser beams emitted in opposite directions simultaneously mark two surface regions of a moving receptacle, allowing high-resolution, indelible marking compatible with high production rates, using separate laser sources to control intensity and optical path independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If ink printing or labels are used to mark receptacles, then visual marking is achieved, but manufacturing time increases and production rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical ink printing systems with a laser marking system. The laser beam directly marks the receptacle surface through photochemical reactions, eliminating the need for mechanical printing mechanisms, ink materials, and associated drying time constraints. This substitution enables marking at high speeds compatible with modern production rates while maintaining clear visual markings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the marking method from thermal/chemical ink deposition to optical parameter-based laser marking. By controlling laser parameters (wavelength, pulse duration, energy density) and using photochemical additives in the receptacle material, the system achieves rapid marking without the time constraints of ink drying, thereby increasing production rate while maintaining marking quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If direct ink marking is used on the receptacle, then marking is achieved, but precise control of receptacle position is required which limits production rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical positioning control requirements with optical field-based marking. The laser beam can be precisely controlled in terms of position and focus, allowing accurate marking even as the receptacle moves through the marking station. This optical precision eliminates the need for complex mechanical positioning control systems that would limit production speed.
3Manufacturing precision
If ink is deposited on the receptacle, then marking is achieved, but ink migration toward sensitive products may occur causing contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ink deposition with direct laser marking of the receptacle material itself. The laser induces photochemical changes in the receptacle wall material, creating permanent markings that are an integral part of the receptacle structure. This eliminates the presence of foreign ink materials that could migrate toward and contaminate sensitive products, thereby removing the contamination risk entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the ink material from the marking process. Instead of depositing foreign substances (ink) onto the receptacle, the system uses laser energy to directly modify the receptacle material itself. This extraction of the ink component removes the potential harmful effect of ink migration while maintaining marking indelibility.
4Productivity
If laser marking is used to mark moving receptacles, then high production rates are maintained, but marking completeness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the marking process into multiple laser beam passes or uses multiple laser sources that can simultaneously mark different portions of the receptacle. This segmentation allows complete marking of all required surface regions while maintaining high speeds, as each segment can be processed independently or in parallel without creating bottlenecks that would reduce overall production rate.
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
The method enables efficient, high-speed, and complete marking of receptacles with clear messages, meeting normative requirements without reducing production rates, and avoids contamination risks, while using a photochemical reaction to change the receptacle's color without material ablation.
Implementation Method 1
using a photochemical reaction to change the receptacle's color without material ablation
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
This method, intended for the marking of a receptacle (2) while it is moved along a conveying path, comprises: - moving the receptacle (2) in a marking station along the conveying path; - simultaneously marking a first surface region (2A) and a second surface region (2B) of the receptacle (2) while it is moved in the marking station along the conveying path, using a first laser beam (44) and a second laser beam (54) emitted in opposite directions on both sides of the receptacle, transversally to the conveying direction (X1), the first and second surface regions (2A, 2B) being arranged substantially at 180° from each other with respect to a main axis (X2) of the receptacle.