Apparatus for Inscribing Containers

• US 20090323753A1
• Filed: 06/26/2009
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Krones AG (Krones)
• Original Assignee: Krones AG (Krones)
• Inventors: Gmeiner, Franz, Humele, Heinz
• Application Number:
  US12/493,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20090323753A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 372/50.122
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/12 Vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/50 Inorganic material, e.g. metals, not provided for in B23K2103/02 – B23K2103/26
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/0604 by a combination of beams
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/0676 into dependently operating sub-beams, e.g. an array of spots with fixed spatial relationship or for performing simultaneously identical operations
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/0838 by using an endless conveyor belt
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/355 Texturing
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/40 taking account of the properties of the material involved
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/24 Ablative recording, e.g. by burning marks; Spark recording marking by high energetic means, e.g. by laser otherwise than burning or ablative removal B41M5/26; materials or methods for recording or reproduction by optical means G11B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/26 Thermography B41M5/20, B41M5/24 take precedence; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used B23K takes precedence; thermographic or photothermographic systems using noble metal compounds G03C1/494

Abstract

An apparatus for inscribing containers may include an inscription unit. The inscription unit may include a plurality of laser light sources and a plurality of light discharge bodies. The light discharge bodies may be arranged next to one another. The laser light sources may be solid-state lasers. Each light discharge body may be connected to a respective one of the laser light sources. The light discharge bodies may be configured to direct laser light from the laser light sources onto containers to be inscribed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for inscribing containers, the apparatus comprising:

an inscription unit, the inscription unit comprising

a plurality of laser light sources, the laser light sources being solid-state lasers, and

a plurality of light discharge bodies arranged next to one another, each light discharge body being coupled with a respective one of the laser light sources, the light discharge bodies being configured to direct laser light from said laser light sources onto containers to be inscribed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laser light sources are diode lasers.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light discharge bodies are connected to the laser light sources via a plurality of optical fibres.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light discharge bodies are arranged in a common housing.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two of said light discharge bodies are offset relative to one another in a transport direction of the containers.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light discharge bodies are arranged along a diagonal line relative to a longitudinal direction of the container.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transport device which transports the containers individually.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laser light sources emit radiation in a wavelength range between 700 nm and 1300 nm.

9. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the optical fibres run at least partially alongside one another.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the individual laser light sources can be controlled independently of one another.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one refractive element arranged between the light discharge bodies and the container to be inscribed.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light discharge bodies can be moved jointly in a transport direction of the containers.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control device, the control device controlling a movement of the light discharge bodies in a transport direction of the containers as a function of the transport speed of the containers.

14. Method for inscribing containers, comprising:

transporting containers individually via a transport device along a predefined path;

inscribing said containers individually during said transport by means of an apparatus for inscribing the containers, the apparatus for inscribing the containers comprising a plurality of light discharge bodies arranged next to one another and configured to direct laser light onto the containers, wherein the containers move relative to the light discharge bodies during the inscription, the light discharge bodies being supplied with laser light by a plurality of laser light sources, wherein the laser light sources are solid-state laser light sources.

15. Method according to claim 14, further comprising transmitting the laser light from the laser light sources to the light discharge bodies by means of a plurality of optical fibres.

16. Method for inscribing container, comprising:

supplying laser light from a plurality of solid-state laser light sources to a plurality of light discharge bodies, the light discharge bodies being arranged next to one another, each light discharge body being coupled with a respective solid-state laser light source;

transporting containers individually along a predefined path via a transport device such that the containers move relative to the light discharge bodies; and

inscribing the containers individually by directing light via the light discharge bodies as said containers are moved relative to the light discharge bodies.

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein said supplying step comprises directing laser light from the solid-state laser light sources to the light discharge bodies by means of a plurality of optical fibres.