Laser-scribing process for rubber and thermoplastic materials such as a hose

• US 6,576,862 B1
• Filed: 01/07/2000
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RevoLaze LLC (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TechnoLines LP
• Inventors: Harris, Scott, Costin, Darryl
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, Tom
• Assistant Examiner(s): EDMONDSON, LYNNE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US09/479,830
• Time in Patent Office: 1,250 Days
• Field of Search: 219/121.6, 219/121.68, 219/121.69
• US Class Current: 219/121.6
• 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: F16L 2201/60 Identification or marking
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/126 by photographic or thermographic registration recording apparatus for measuring instruments G01D15/00

Abstract

A laser apparatus which operates to mark specified information on a rubber or plastic product, such as a hose. The information is marked using a laser whose energy density per unit time is controlled. The information can.be an alphanumeric information, or a graphic, and can be written while the hose is in motion on a conveyor.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

forming a desired pattern to be marked on a rubber or plastic hose;

using said desired pattern to change an output of a laser, and applying the laser output to the hose to mark the desired pattern on the hose, the laser being applied with parameters that do not undesirably damage the material, but which forms a perceivable mark indicative of said pattern on said hose; and

said parameters include at least control of an amount of energy applied to a unit area of the hose to amount of energy which allows said hose to withstand its designed for pressure.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein said control includes controlling said amount of energy to a value between 2 and 600 watts per cm.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein said pattern is indicative of alphanumeric information, and said applying comprises writing said information while moving said material.

4. A method as in claim 3 wherein said writing comprises defining a rectangular slice of the information to be written, and writing one of said rectangular slices at each said predetermined time, while the material is moving.

5. A method as in claim 3 further comprising first writing a first item of information, changing said item of information, and second writing a second item of information different than said first item of information.

6. A method as in claim 5 wherein said items of information include unique identifying indicia.

7. A hose marking apparatus, comprising:

a conveyer, having a surface for holding a cylindrically-cross sectioned rubber or plastic hose material, and operated to move said hose along a path of movement; and

an electrically controllable laser, having an output which is directed to a point above a surface of said conveyer and which is controlled to produce an output signal indicative of information, said output signal having a specified energy density per unit time, said output signal changing an outer surface of said hose in a way that produces a perceivable change to said outer surface without altering a capability of said hose to withstand a designed-for pressure.

8. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said information is a graphic.

9. An apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said information is alphanumeric.

10. An apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said movement of said conveyor is constant, and said changing occurs during said movement.

11. An apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said conveyor starts and stops its movement.