JP2022066134A - Pattern formation device and pattern formation method for base material - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce variance among patterns formed on a plurality of base materials.SOLUTION: A manufacturing apparatus comprises an irradiation part 300 which irradiates a plurality of containers 1, carried by a manufacturing line 200 as an example of a carrier part, with laser light so that optical path lengths are constant, and forms patterns on respective surfaces of the plurality of containers 1. The container 1 includes a base material 1a. The manufacturing line 200 comprises a rotary disk 210 for rotating the containers 1 movably, and carries the containers 1 while rotating them.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a substrate pattern forming apparatus and a pattern forming method.

In Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-011819), the notation is directly printed on the bottle 2 by engraving or printing by mold molding, and the structure of the PET bottle is defined as a cap without using a label. It is stated that it will be a bottle.

An object of the present invention is to reduce variations in patterns formed on a plurality of substrates.

In the pattern forming apparatus according to the present invention, each of the plurality of substrates to be conveyed is irradiated with a laser so that the optical path length or the beam size at the position of the substrate is substantially constant, and the plurality of substrates are subjected to laser irradiation. A pattern is formed on each surface.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce variations in patterns formed on a plurality of substrates.

It is a figure which shows an example of the predetermined shape which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the dot part which concerns on this embodiment, (a) is a top view, (b) is a sectional view taken along the line CC of (a). It is a scanning electron micrograph of a dot part which concerns on this embodiment, (a) is a perspective view seen from the top surface direction, (b) is a perspective view seen from the DD arrow-viewing cross-sectional direction of (a). .. It is a figure which shows the manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the laser irradiation which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the laser irradiation which concerns on this embodiment in time series. It is a figure which shows the modification of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view of the modification shown in FIG. 7. It is a side view of the modification shown in FIG. 7. It is a figure explaining the laser irradiation of the modification shown in FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows the 2nd modification of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view of the 2nd modification shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the laser irradiation of the 2nd modification shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 3rd modification of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view of the 3rd modification shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components may be designated by the same reference numerals and duplicate explanations may be omitted. Further, the embodiments shown below exemplify an apparatus for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below. The dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described below are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific description, but are intended to be exemplified. It is a thing. In addition, the size and positional relationship of the members shown in the drawings may be exaggerated in order to clarify the explanation.

The base material according to the embodiment of the present invention is a base material in which a predetermined shape constituting the pattern is formed in at least a part of the region. The base material means the material part of an object. The object may be, for example, a container. Further, the container includes a PET bottle containing a resin such as PET and accommodating a beverage. However, there are no particular restrictions on the object, and any object may be used. The container is not limited in shape and material, and may be an container of any shape and any material.

"At least a part of the region" in the substrate includes an region on the surface of the substrate. The surface of the base material means a surface of the material that comes into contact with external air or the like. In the embodiment, the term "surface of the substrate" is used as a term symmetrical to the inside of the substrate. Therefore, for example, in the case of a plate-shaped substrate, both the front surface and the back surface of the substrate are the substrate. Corresponds to the surface of. Further, in the case of a cylindrical base material, both the outer surface and the inner surface of the base material correspond to the surface of the base material.

The pattern includes characters, codes such as barcodes, figures, images, etc., for example, the name and identification number, the manufacturer, the date and time of manufacture, etc. of the container or the contained object such as a beverage contained in the container. It displays information about the contents of the contents.

In a container such as a PET bottle, the information may be displayed by attaching a recording medium on which the information is recorded to the surface of the container, but in the embodiment, the base material constituting the container is used. By forming a pattern showing these information on the surface of the above, these information is displayed without using a recording medium.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a predetermined shape formed on the base material according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a part of the base material 1a constituting the container 1 in which the pattern 11 is formed on the surface. The container 1 and the object to be contained constitute an container. As an example, the container 1 is composed of a base material 1a made of PET resin having transparency to visible light. Visible light has a lower bound wavelength of about 360 nm to about 400 nm and an upper bound wavelength of about 760 nm to about 1600 nm.

The pattern 11 constitutes a character string "labelless". The area A is a part of the character "su" in the pattern 11. The perspective view B is an enlarged view schematically showing the region A in order to explain the details of the configuration of the pattern 11.

As shown in the perspective view B, the region A includes a plurality of dot portions 110. The dot portion 110 is an example of a predetermined shape formed in at least a part of the base material and constituting the pattern. The predetermined shape includes a shape formed on the surface of the base material and an internal shape such as a void portion under the surface of the shape formed on the surface of the base material.

The dot portion 110 is a cloudy portion as a visual example, and includes a concave portion 111 and a convex portion 112. The recess 111 is a recessed portion with respect to the surface of the base material 1a constituting the container 1, and is an example of a predetermined recess. The convex portion 112 is a portion protruding from the surface of the base material 1a constituting the container 1, and is an example of a predetermined convex portion. The convex portion 112 is formed around the concave portion 111 so as to surround the concave portion 111.

The plurality of dot portions 110 are formed as an aggregate on the base material 1a constituting the container 1 to form the character string "labelless" in the pattern 11. Here, the aggregate means an aggregate formed by assembling individual objects, and the pattern 11 is composed of an aggregate of a plurality of dot portions 110.

In the base material 1a, the pattern region 13 in which the pattern 11 is formed by the plurality of dot portions 110 corresponds to the first region. Further, the non-patterned region 12 other than the first region in the base material 1a corresponds to the second region.

Since the pattern region 13 is formed with a plurality of dot portions 110, the reflection direction and light diffusivity of the light incident on the container 1 are different from those of the non-pattern region 12. As a result, at least one of the light transmittance or the light reflectance for the light incident on the container 1 is different between the pattern region 13 and the non-pattern region 12. Since at least one of the light transmittance and the light reflectance is different, the person who sees the container 1 can visually recognize the pattern 11 formed in the container 1.

Further, the overall width (dot width) of each of the plurality of dot portions 110 and the spacing (dot spacing) between the plurality of dot portions 110 are smaller than those of the pattern 11. As a result, a person who looks at the container 1 can visually recognize the character "labelless" of the pattern 11 without visually recognizing the dot portion 110 itself.

The gap between dots so that the dot portion 110 itself cannot be visually recognized varies depending on the visual acuity of the person who sees the container 1 and the distance between the eyes and the container 1, but is preferably 100 μm or less. The smaller the dot width, the better, but the size is preferably smaller than about 100 um so that the shape of the dot portion itself cannot be discriminated. This point will be described in more detail.

When a person (person) with a visual acuity of about 1.5 looks at the container 1 at a distance of about 30 cm, it is generally possible to identify black and white dots (dots) of 50 μm. If the contrast between black and white is low, this limit value becomes large, but it is about 50 μm. However, if only the presence of dots is present, even dots of 30 μm can be visually recognized, and if the dots have high contrast, even dots of 10 μm may be visually recognizable.

Further, when there are two dot portions 110 adjacent to each other, whether or not the two dot portions 110 can be visually recognized depends on the resolution of the human eye and the like. The resolution is the minimum distance that can be recognized as two points separated from each other.

The resolution of the human eye depends on the visual acuity, but is generally 100 μm at a distance of 30 cm. 30 cm corresponds to the distance when a PET bottle containing drinking water or the like is picked up and information such as a label displayed on the PET bottle is visually recognized. That is, when the PET bottle is picked up with the elbow slightly bent, the distance between the human eye and the PET bottle is about 30 cm. Considering the physique of a person, this distance varies in the range of about 30 cm to 50 cm. The resolution is about 100 μm at a distance of 30 cm and about 160 μm at a distance of 50 cm.

In another index, when guaranteeing 200 dpi (dot per inch) as the boundary of resolution, if the gap between adjacent dots is 130 μm or less, the dots are not decomposed one by one and are grouped together. It is visually recognized.

From the above, by setting the gap between the dots to preferably 160 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or less, the dot portions 110 are visually recognized as a continuous body without being visually recognized if they are separated one by one, and the pattern 11 is recognized. Patterns such as the characters "labelless" can be visually recognized. Further, when the size of the dot is larger than 100 μm, the shape change of the dot itself may be visually recognized. Therefore, by setting the dots to preferably 160 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or less, the dots can be perceived as a uniform pattern even if there is a shape change in the dots, and a pattern such as a character that is an aggregate thereof can be perceived. It becomes visible as a uniform pattern without a grainy feeling.

In order to form the dot portion 110, various processing methods such as laser processing, electric discharge machining, etching processing, cutting processing, and molding processing using a mold can be applied. However, among these, the laser processing method is suitable because it can be processed without contacting the substrate, and high-speed processing can be performed by scanning the laser beam, forming an array of light sources, pattern exposure, or the like.

In laser processing, the size, shape, depth, etc. of the dot portion 110 can be changed by adjusting the light energy of the laser beam (laser beam) to be irradiated, the size of the laser beam, the irradiation time, and the like. The cross-sectional intensity distribution of the laser beam is generally Gaussian distribution, but the intensity distribution can be adjusted by combining the laser beams of the array light source, or the intensity distribution in the center is flat due to the design of the irradiation optical system. Can also be generated. In addition, it is desirable to adjust the laser irradiation size by the light source / optical system so that the laser irradiation size is almost constant in processing. It should be noted that the constant here means that there is substantially no fluctuation within the permissible range of machining accuracy, and includes those that fluctuate within the permissible range of about several percent depending on the machining accuracy.

The recess 111 in the dot portion 110 is formed by melting, burning, vaporizing, or deforming a part of the base material 1a at the irradiation position of the laser beam. The convex portion 112 is formed by a part of the base material 1a discrete from the concave portion 111 adhering to the periphery of the concave portion 111 and solidifying without being burnt or vaporized. Since the processing mainly utilizes heat energy, a resin or the like having a relatively low thermal conductivity is suitable as the material of the base material 1a, but it can also be applied to other materials such as glass.

Further, by controlling the thermal conductivity, various predetermined shapes such as the dot portion 110 can be formed. To control the thermal conductivity, for example, the base material 1a itself has high thermal conductivity, or another member having high thermal conductivity is brought into close contact with the base material 1a, and the base material 1a is irradiated with laser light. It is conceivable that the heat generated by the laser will be released rapidly. Examples of other members having high thermal conductivity include a coolant and a metal.

Further, since phenomena such as melting, evaporation, crystallization or foaming in laser processing occur irregularly in the irradiation region, the surface of the pattern region 13 is roughened and the surface roughness is larger than that of the non-pattern region 12. Prone. Due to the large surface roughness, in the pattern region 13, the light diffusivity for the light incident on the container 1 is higher than that in the non-pattern region 12. As a result, the contrast of the pattern 11 is increased, and the visibility is further improved. In this respect as well, the application of laser processing is more preferable.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the pattern is composed of an aggregate of the concave portion 111 and a plurality of dot portions 110 including at least one of the convex portions 112, the surface area is large along the shapes of the concave portion 111 and the convex portion 112. As a result, the region having a large surface roughness becomes larger than the case where the pattern is composed of grooves or dents as a lump. Further, since the pattern is composed of an aggregate of the plurality of dot portions 110, the surface area is further increased along the shape of the plurality of dot portions 110. As a result, the light diffusivity is further increased and the contrast is increased, so that the visibility is further improved.

In the example shown in the perspective view B, the dot portions 110 are formed by regularly arranging them in a square grid pattern, but the dot portions 110 are not limited to this. It may be formed by arranging them in a triangular lattice pattern or a honeycomb shape, or may be formed irregularly so that the arrangement intervals are different from each other without being arranged regularly.

Further, although the pattern 11 including the character string "labelless" is exemplified, the present invention is not limited thereto. The pattern 11 can also be configured by any character string, a symbol or code such as a figure or a photograph, a barcode or a QR code, and a combination thereof. The pattern 11 is, in other words, an image, and the image can be formed by a predetermined shape such as the dot portion 110.

<Structure example of dot portion 110>
2A and 2B are views for explaining an example of the configuration of the dot portion 110 according to the present embodiment, where FIG. 2A is a top view and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 2A. 3A and 3B are scanning electron microscope (SEM; Scanning Electron Microscope) photographs of the dot portion 110 according to the present embodiment, (a) is a perspective view seen from above, and (b) is D- in (a). D is a perspective view seen from the cross-sectional direction of the arrow. FIG. 3 is an SEM photograph in which a part of the pattern region 13 is magnified and observed. In FIG. 3A, the entire two of the plurality of dot portions 110 are observed, and a part of the two dot portions 110 is slightly observed on the positive direction side of the Y axis, and 2 on the negative direction side of the Y axis. A part of one dot portion 110 is slightly observed. The dot width is about 100 um.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dot portion 110 includes a concave portion 111 and a convex portion 112. The recess 111 includes a first inclined surface 1111 (hatched portion with diagonal lines) and a bottom portion 1112 (black-filled portion), and is formed in a bowl shape. The recess width Dc represents the width of the recess 111, and the depth dp represents the height (length in the Z-axis direction) of the bottom 1112 with respect to the surface of the non-patterned region 12.

Further, the convex portion 112 includes a top portion 1121 (vertical line hatching portion) and a second inclined surface 1122 (pear-skin hatching portion), and is formed in an annular surface shape. The annular surface means a rotating surface obtained by rotating the circumference. The annular width Dr represents the radial width of the annular surface portion of the convex portion 112, and the height h represents the height (length in the Z-axis direction) of the top 1121 with respect to the surface of the non-patterned region 12. There is.

The dot width W represents the width of the entire dot portion 110. The first inclined surface 1111 and the second inclined surface 1122 are continuous surfaces. A continuous surface means a surface made of the same material and connected without a step.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, minute uneven portions 113 are formed on the surfaces constituting each of the concave portion 111 and the convex portion 112, and the surface is roughened. The uneven portion 113 is an example of an uneven portion having a concave portion and a convex portion smaller than a predetermined shape. The uneven portion 113 is composed of concave portions and convex portions having a width smaller than the dot width W of the dot portion 110, and typically includes concave portions and convex portions having a width of about 1 μm to 10 μm.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the processed pieces obtained by processing the dot portion 110 are also scattered in the region between the dot portions 110, and the surface is also roughened by these. In the pattern region 13, the surface roughness becomes larger than that in the non-pattern region due to the surface roughness caused by the uneven portion 113 and the processed piece.

The dot portion 110 can be formed, for example, by irradiating the base material 1a with a laser beam to modify the surface of the base material 1a. One dot portion 110 is formed by condensing a laser beam to one point on the base material 1a. Further, by two-dimensionally scanning this laser beam, a plurality of dot portions 110 are formed. Alternatively, it can also be formed by a plurality of laser beams emitted from each of the plurality of laser light sources arranged in an array. Further, a mask member having a plurality of light transmission openings corresponding to the positions of the dot portions 110 is irradiated with magnified laser light, and a plurality of transmission laser light groups transmitted through each light transmission opening of the mask member are used. It is also possible to form the dot portions 110 of the above in parallel with one exposure.

As the laser light source for irradiating the laser light, various laser light sources can be used. Those capable of pulse oscillation such as femtoseconds and picoseconds to nanoseconds are preferable. Examples of the solid-state laser include a YAG laser and a titanium sapphire laser. Examples of the gas laser include an argon laser, a helium neon laser, and a carbon dioxide gas laser. Semiconductor lasers are also preferable because they are small in size. A fiber laser, which is a kind of solid-state laser using an optical fiber as an amplification medium, is an example of a light source suitable for its high peak energy and miniaturization.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is a fixing plate that holds a production line 200, which is an example of a transport unit for transporting a cylindrical container 1, a rotating roller 250, and a cap (mouth) 160 for sealing the container 1. The 220 is provided with an irradiation unit 300 that irradiates the container 1 conveyed by the production line 200 with a laser to form a pattern 11 on the base material 1a of the container 1. The manufacturing apparatus is an example of a pattern forming apparatus. The manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is incorporated in the manufacturing apparatus of the container 1 or the housing in the factory, and is included in one step arranged in the flow order of the manufacturing line of the housing 1 or the housing.

The rotary roller 250 is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed around an axis positioned with respect to the production line 200.

The fixing plate 220 is positioned with respect to the production line 200, sandwiches the cap 160 together with the rotating roller 250, and rotates the container 1 on the production line 200 in conjunction with the rotating roller 250. The fixing plate 220 may be provided with a configuration for preventing the container 1 from popping up.

The production line 200 includes a rotating plate 210 that holds a recess 150 on the bottom surface of the container 1. The rotating plate 210 is formed in a conical shape that matches the recess 150 on the bottom surface of the container 1, and is rotatable about a central axis fixed on the moving production line 200.

The irradiation unit 300 includes a tracking horizontal deflection device 310 and a vertical deflection irradiation device 320. The vertical deflection irradiation device 320 includes a laser 321, a lens 322, a mirror 323, a mirror 324, a PTZ actuator 325, and a widening lens 326 from the upstream side of the optical path.

The control device 400 controls the production line 200 to convey the container 1, and rotates the rotary roller 250 in synchronization with the transfer speed of the container 1 by the production line 200. As a result, the container 1 rotates about the central axis in the vertical direction at a rotation speed synchronized with the transfer speed of the container 1 by the production line 200 in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary roller 250.

The control device 400 controls the vertical deflection irradiation device 320 and the tracking horizontal deflection device 310 of the irradiation unit 300 to irradiate the container 1 with a laser.

The vertical deflection irradiation device 320 is positioned with respect to the production line 200, repeatedly scans the laser beam modulated according to the label image data sent from the drawing control device vertically, and causes the tracking horizontal deflection device 310 to perform the laser beam. Is incident.

The tracking horizontal deflection device 310 can rotate at a predetermined speed around an axis positioned and fixed with respect to the production line 200, reflects a laser beam incident from the vertical deflection irradiation device 320, and causes the container 1 to move. It scans vertically and tracks while turning horizontally.

As a result, the tracking horizontal deflection device 310 can track and scan the container 1 that moves while rotating.

When the base material 1a was polyethylene terephthalate, it was confirmed by measurement that the peak wavelengths of the light absorption bands in the ultraviolet region and the infrared region existed. As the light source of the laser 321, a laser light source suitable for the range of plus or minus 50 nm of the light absorption peak wavelength is used. The applicable range may be the half width of the absorption band. As of 2020, for example, ALC-1680-14000-FM400.22-Doppia manufactured by Akela Laser is applicable as a laser suitable for a light absorption peak wavelength of 1660 nm.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating laser irradiation according to the present embodiment.

r: Cap radius, R1: Rotating roller radius, R2: Fixed plate radius = R1 + r, R3: Production line center radius = (R1 + R2) ÷ 2, θ1: Rotating roller angle at one round of cap, θ2: Cap rotation end Time angle, θ3: End rotation angle of production line, θ: Rotation angle of polygon mirror, Ω1: Rotation roller angular velocity, Ω2: Fixed plate-cap contact angular velocity (angle angular velocity of line), L: Distance between conical rotation axes ≧ 2 Let it be × π × r.

From the relative relationship of each contact line of the rolling track, R1 × θ1 = r × 2π × 2, R2 × θ2 = r × 2π, and therefore the rotation angle of the rotating roller is rotated by the following formula.

θ1 = 2 × θ2 × R2 ÷ R1
Therefore, the angular velocity Ω1 of the rotating roller is Ω1 = 2 × Ω2 × R2 ÷ R1.
The conditions for forming the n-sided polygon mirror satisfy the following equation.

θ3 = L ÷ ((R1 + R2) ÷ 2)
θ = θ3 / 2
n = 2π ÷ θ ・ ・ ・ Integer value Therefore
n = 2π × (2 × R1 + r) ÷ L ... The angular velocity that must be an integer value is Ω2 ÷ 2.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating laser irradiation according to the present embodiment in chronological order. The manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment can form the pattern 11 directly on the container 1 at high speed by repeating the processes of FIGS. 6A to 6D.

In FIG. 6A, the cap 160 of the accommodating body 1 penetrates into the gap between the fixed plate 220 and the rotating roller 250, is sandwiched by the cooperation between the fixed plate 220 and the rotating roller 250, and is placed on the axis of the rotating plate 210. Start spinning. The vertical deflection irradiation device 320 vertically scans the laser beam modulated according to the image data. The tracking horizontal deflection device 310 reflects the laser beam incident from the vertical deflection irradiation device 320 and scans the housing 1 in the vertical direction.

In FIG. 6B, the cap 160 of the accommodating body 1 is sandwiched by the cooperation between the fixing plate 220 and the rotating roller 250 and continues to rotate on the axis of the rotating plate 210 while being conveyed by the production line 200. The vertical deflection irradiation device 320 continues to scan the laser beam modulated according to the image data in the vertical direction. The tracking horizontal deflection device 310 changes the direction of the optical path L of the laser by reflecting the laser beam incident from the vertical deflection irradiation device 320 while rotating, and scans the housing 1 in the vertical direction while tracking. .. In this state, about one-third of the entire peripheral surface of the housing 1 is drawn by laser irradiation.

In FIG. 6C, the cap 160 of the accommodating body 1 is sandwiched by the cooperation between the fixing plate 220 and the rotating roller 250 and continues to rotate on the axis of the rotating plate 210 while being further conveyed by the production line 200. .. The vertical deflection irradiation device 320 continues to scan the laser beam modulated according to the image data in the vertical direction. The tracking horizontal deflection device 310 further changes the direction of the optical path L of the laser by reflecting the laser beam incident from the vertical deflection irradiation device 320 while rotating, and scans in the vertical direction while tracking the housing 1. do. In this state, about two-thirds of the entire peripheral surface of the housing 1 is drawn by laser irradiation.

In FIG. 6E, the cap 160 of the housing 1 reaches the end of the fixing plate 220, is sandwiched by the cooperation between the fixing plate 220 and the rotating roller 250, and rotates on the axis of the rotating plate 210. To finish. The vertical deflection irradiator 320 ends the vertical scanning of the laser beam modulated according to the image data in synchronization with the end of the rotation of the housing 1. The tracking horizontal deflection device 310 further changes the direction of the optical path L of the laser by reflecting the laser beam incident from the vertical deflection irradiation device 320 while rotating, and scans in the vertical direction while tracking the housing 1. do. In this state, the entire peripheral surface of the housing 1 is drawn by laser irradiation.

In FIG. 6 (f), the cap 160 of the housing body 1 to be conveyed next is about to enter the gap between the fixing plate 220 and the rotating roller 250. After that, the above-mentioned FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (f) are repeated.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an irradiation unit 300 that irradiates each of the plurality of accommodating units 1 conveyed by the production line 200 with a laser, and has a plurality of accommodating units. A pattern is formed on each surface of the container 1, and the production line 200 is provided with a rotary plate 210 for rotating the container 1 so as to be movable, and the container 1 is conveyed while being rotated.

As a result, the orientation of the irradiation position of the accommodator 1 with respect to the irradiation direction of the laser can be changed, so that the distortion of the pattern caused by the orientation of the irradiation position of the accommodator 1 with respect to the irradiation direction of the laser can be reduced.

By reflecting the laser beam while the tracking horizontal deflection device 310 rotates, the irradiation unit 300 can change the direction in which the laser is irradiated along the direction in which the container 1 is conveyed.

As a result, it becomes possible to track the transported container 1 with a laser, so that it is possible to reduce the variation in the laser optical path length with respect to the irradiation position of the container 1 or the beam size at the position of the container 1, and the laser optical path length can be reduced. Alternatively, it is possible to reduce the variation in the pattern caused by the variation in the beam size at the position of the container 1.

The production line 200 conveys the accommodator 1 by a path in which the tracking horizontal deflection device 310 in the irradiation unit 30 that irradiates the laser is located inside, preferably by a concentric path with respect to the rotation center of the tracking horizontal deflection device 310. .. Here, the concentric circle means a state in which all the lines intersect on the extension of the path to the tracking horizontal deflection device 310 in the irradiation unit 300, even if the circles are not strictly concentric.

As a result, the optical path length of the laser between the reflecting surface of the tracking horizontal deflection device 310 and the conveyed container 1 or the container 1 while rotating the tracking horizontal deflection device 310 in synchronization with the conveyed container 1. The beam size at the position can be made substantially constant, and the variation in the pattern due to the variation in the laser optical path length or the variation in the beam size at the position of the container 1 can be reliably reduced. Here, "substantially constant" means that there is substantially no fluctuation within the allowable range of processing accuracy for the container 1, and includes those that vary within an allowable range of about several percent depending on the processing accuracy. Alternatively, the term “substantially constant” includes a permissible range in which the patterns formed in the plurality of containers 1 do not visually differ, and, for example, fluctuate within a permissible range of about ± 10%.

The interval at which the plurality of container 1s 1 are arranged on the production line 200 is set to be the longer of the distance required for the container 1 to make one round and the diameter of the container 1. As a result, one container 1 goes around and finishes drawing by laser irradiation, and drawing can be started by laser irradiation on the next container 1, so that drawing is performed continuously by laser irradiation on a plurality of container 1. And productivity is improved.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. Similar to the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 7 includes a manufacturing line 200 that supports the bottom 140 of the container 1 and a control device 400, and is on the left side in the transport direction of the manufacturing line 200. It is provided with an irradiation unit 300L arranged in the container 1, rotating portions 230L and 230R that come into contact with the boundary between the shoulder portion 120 and the body portion 130 of the container 1, and a space fixing unit 240 that fixes the space between the plurality of container 1.

The irradiation unit 300L includes a laser array unit 301 that emits a laser and an angle changing unit 302 that changes the angle of the laser array unit 301, and irradiates the body 130 of the container 1 with a laser.

The control device 400 controls the production line 200 to convey the container 1, and also controls the rotating portions 230L and 230R to rotate the container 1.

The control device 400 controls the laser array unit 301 and the angle changing unit 302 of the irradiation unit 300L to irradiate the container 1 with a laser.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the modified example shown in FIG. 7. By rotating the container 1, the rotating portions 230L and 230R align the directions of the plurality of container 1 and press the subsequent container 1 against the preceding container 1 via the space fixing portion 240. .. In particular, when the container 1 has a square shape, the rotating portions 230L and 230R are aligned in a direction in which the adjacent container 1 can be easily brought into close contact with each other.

The manufacturing apparatus according to this modification includes an irradiation unit 300 that irradiates a laser to each of the plurality of containers 1 conveyed by the production line 200, and forms a pattern on each surface of the plurality of containers 1. At the same time, the rotating portions 230L and 230R align the directions of the plurality of container 1s by rotating the container 1.

As a result, even if the housing 1 has a cross section other than a cylindrical shape, the optical path length of the laser or the beam size at the position of the housing 1 with respect to the conveyed container 1 can be made substantially constant, and the laser optical path length can be made substantially constant. Alternatively, it is possible to reliably reduce the variation in the pattern caused by the variation in the beam size at the position of the container 1. Here, "substantially constant" means that there is substantially no fluctuation within the allowable range of processing accuracy for the container 1, and includes those that vary within an allowable range of about several percent depending on the processing accuracy. Alternatively, the term “substantially constant” includes a permissible range in which the patterns formed in the plurality of containers 1 do not visually differ, and, for example, fluctuate within a permissible range of about ± 10%.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the modified example shown in FIG. 7. The production line 200 includes a production line 200B that conveys the container 1 irradiated with the laser, a production line 200A that conveys the container 1 that is not irradiated with the laser on the upstream side of the production line 200B, and a production line 200B downstream of the production line 200B. It is provided with a production line 200C for transporting a container 1 that is not irradiated with a laser on the side.

Each of the production lines 200A to 200C is composed of a transport belt. The production line 200B includes a plurality of interval fixing portions 240 at equal intervals.

The control device 400 shown in FIG. 7 controls so that the speed at which the accommodator 1 is conveyed by the production line 200B is slower than the speed at which the accommodator 1 is conveyed by the production line 200A and the production line 200C.

As a result, the container 1 transported at high speed by the production line 200A is pressed against the container 1 conveyed at low speed by the production line 200B by the rotating portions 230L and 230R via the space fixing portion 240. And stick together.

Further, the container 1 conveyed at a low speed by the production line 200B is the same as that of the production line 200B.

At the end point, it is pushed out to the production line 200C which is conveyed at high speed by the space fixing portion 240.

The irradiation unit 300 irradiates a plurality of containers 1 that are closely conveyed via the space fixing unit 240 with a laser.

With the above configuration, by transporting the container 1 on the low-speed production line 200B, the laser irradiation time for the container 1 can be lengthened, a pattern can be reliably formed on the container 1, and the high-speed production line 200A, By transporting the container 1 at 200C, the speed of transporting the container 1 not irradiated with the laser can be increased, and the productivity can be improved.

Further, the irradiation unit 300 arranges the laser array unit 301 on a straight line having a constant angle α in the traveling direction of the container 1 to simultaneously irradiate a plurality of laser beams to improve productivity. Can be done. The control device 400 can change the angle α in the range of 30 degrees to 150 degrees.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating laser irradiation of the modified example shown in FIG. 7. The control device 400 has slice image information in the image P along the slice line SL in which the laser array unit 301 is inclined corresponding to the inclination angle α, and the laser array unit 301 has the slice image information according to the slice image information. Simultaneously irradiate multiple laser beams from.

The control device 400 moves the slice line SL and changes the slice image information in synchronization with the transfer of the container 1 by the production line 200B. The control device 400 divides each slice image information according to the number of laser beams of the laser array unit 301, converts it into an irradiation command corresponding to the position of each laser light, and transmits the command to the irradiation unit 300. The fineness in the vertical direction changes according to the angle α according to the following equation.

Fineness (magnification when α is 90 degrees) = 1 ÷ SIN (α) times

When α is in the range of 30 to 150 degrees, the fineness is in the range of 1 to 2 times. Along with this, the range of images in four vertical directions that can be sliced becomes one to one-half times.

As described above, by providing the laser array portion 301 and the slice line SL with a constant angle α, the vertical spacing of the laser light is made close, and the base material 1a of the container 1 is provided with the required fineness. A wealth of information can be described at high speed.

At the same time, there is a demerit that the range in the vertical direction to be recorded on the base material 1a is narrowed. In the case of information, it is preferable to set a constant angle α.

On the other hand, in the case of abundant information that requires a relatively wide range and does not require relatively fineness, for example, a design, it is preferable to set the angle α close to a right angle.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second modification of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a top view of the second modification shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating laser irradiation of the second modification shown in FIG.

In the second modification shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, instead of the irradiation unit 300L in the modification shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the irradiation unit 300R arranged on the right side in the transport direction of the production line 200 is used. Be prepared. Others are the same as the modified examples shown in FIGS. 8 to 10.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a third modification of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a top view of the third modification shown in FIG.

The third modification shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 includes both the irradiation unit 300L in the modification shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 and the irradiation unit 300R in the second modification shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. .. Others are the same as the modified examples shown in FIGS. 8 to 10.

● Summary ●
As described above, the manufacturing apparatus, which is an example of the pattern forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, has an optical path for each of the plurality of reservoirs 1 conveyed by the production line 200, which is an example of the conveying unit. An irradiation unit 300 that irradiates a laser so that the beam size at the length or the position of the container 1 is substantially constant is provided, and a pattern is formed on each surface of the plurality of containers 1. The container 1 includes a base material 1a. The manufacturing apparatus is an irradiation unit that irradiates a plurality of containers in which the objects to be contained are housed in the plurality of containers 1 with a laser so that the optical path length or the beam size at the position of the container is substantially constant. The 300 may be provided and a pattern may be formed on the surface of each of the plurality of containers.

Thereby, it is possible to reduce the variation in the pattern due to the variation in the beam size at the laser optical path length or the position of the accommodator 1.

The manufacturing apparatus, which is an example of the pattern forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, includes an irradiation unit 300 that irradiates each of the plurality of accommodating units 1 conveyed by the production line 200 with a laser, and the plurality of accommodating units. A pattern is formed on each surface of the container 1, and the production line 200 is provided with a rotary plate 210 for rotating the container 1 so as to be movable, and the container 1 is conveyed while being rotated.

As a result, the orientation of the irradiation position of the accommodator 1 with respect to the irradiation direction of the laser can be changed, so that the distortion of the pattern caused by the orientation of the irradiation position of the accommodator 1 with respect to the irradiation direction of the laser can be reduced.

The irradiation unit 300 can change the direction in which the laser is irradiated along the direction in which the container 1 is conveyed.

As a result, it becomes possible to track the transported container 1 with a laser, so that it is possible to reduce the variation in the laser optical path length with respect to the irradiation position of the container 1 or the beam size at the position of the container 1, and the laser optical path length can be reduced. Alternatively, it is possible to reduce the variation in the pattern caused by the variation in the beam size at the position of the container 1.

The production line 200 conveys the container 1 by a path such that the optical path length of the laser with respect to the conveyed container 1 or the beam size at the position of the container 1 is substantially constant.

As a result, it is possible to reliably reduce the variation in the pattern due to the variation in the beam size at the laser optical path length or the position of the accommodator 1. It should be noted that the irradiation unit 300 side may take measures so that the optical path length of the laser with respect to the conveyed container 1 or the beam size at the position of the container 1 is substantially constant.

The manufacturing apparatus, which is an example of the pattern forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, includes an irradiation unit 300 that irradiates each of the plurality of reservoirs 1 conveyed by the production line 200 with a laser, and has a plurality of containers. In addition to forming a pattern on each surface of No. 1, the production line 200 describes the path in which the tracking horizontal deflection device 310 is located inside in the irradiation unit 30 that irradiates the laser, preferably with respect to the rotation center of the tracking horizontal deflection device 310. The container 1 is transported by a concentric route.

As a result, the optical path length of the laser or the beam size at the position of the container 1 with respect to the conveyed container 1 can be made substantially constant, which is caused by the variation in the laser optical path length or the beam size at the position of the container 1. It is possible to surely reduce the variation of the pattern to be performed.

The production line 200 includes a production line 200B that conveys the container 1 that is irradiated with the laser, a production line 200A that conveys the container 1 that is not irradiated with the laser on the upstream side of the production line 200B, and an upstream of the production line 200B. It is provided with a production line 200C for transporting the accommodator 1 which is not irradiated with a laser on the side, and the speed at which the accommodator 1 is conveyed by the production line 200B is higher than the speed at which the accommodator 1 is conveyed by the production line 200A and the production line 200C. Slow down. The production line 200B is an example of a first transport unit, and the production lines 200A and 200C are examples of a second transport unit.

As a result, the laser irradiation time for the container 1 can be lengthened, a pattern can be reliably formed on the container 1, and the speed at which the container 1 not irradiated with the laser is conveyed is increased, thereby improving the productivity. Can be done.

The manufacturing method, which is an example of the pattern forming method according to the embodiment of the present invention, is a step of transporting a plurality of reservoirs 1 and an optical path length or an accommodation device 1 for each of the plurality of conveyors 1 to be transported. A step of irradiating the laser so that the beam size at the position is substantially constant and forming a pattern on each surface of the plurality of containers 1 is provided.

Thereby, it is possible to reduce the variation in the pattern due to the variation in the beam size at the laser optical path length or the position of the accommodator 1.

1 Container 1a Base material 11 Pattern 110 Dot part (predetermined shape, example of dots)
111 Recess (an example of a predetermined recess)
1111 First inclined surface 1112 Bottom 112 Convex part (an example of a predetermined convex part)
1121 Top 1122 Second inclined surface 113 Uneven part 12 Non-patterned area (an example of the second area)
13 Pattern area (an example of the first area)
120 Shoulder 130 Body 140 Bottom 150 Bottom indentation 160 Cap (an example of mouth)
200 production line (example of transport unit)
200A production line (an example of the second transport unit)
200B production line (an example of the first transport unit)
200C production line (an example of the second transport unit)
210 Rotating plate 220 Fixed plate 230 Rotating part 240 Interval fixing part 250 Rotating roller 300 Irradiating part 301 Laser array part 302 Angle changing part 310 Tracking horizontal deflection device 320 Vertical deflection irradiation device 321 Laser 322 Lens 323 Mirror 324 Mirror 325 PTZ actuator 326 Wide angle Lens 400 Control device L Optical path A Region B Perspective view dp Depth Dc Recess width Dr Circular width h Height W Dot width










400 control unit

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-011819

Claims (8)

A laser is irradiated to each of the plurality of substrates to be transported so that the optical path length or the beam size at the position of the substrate is substantially constant, and a pattern is formed on the surface of each of the plurality of substrates. Pattern forming device. The pattern forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base material is conveyed while being rotated. The pattern forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the direction in which the laser is irradiated can be changed along the direction in which the base material is conveyed. The pattern formation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the substrate is conveyed by a path such that the optical path length of the laser or the beam size at the position of the substrate is substantially constant with respect to the conveyed substrate. Device. The pattern forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the base material is conveyed by a path in which an irradiation unit that irradiates a laser is located inside. The pattern forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the base material is conveyed by a concentric path with respect to an irradiation unit that irradiates a laser. The pattern forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the speed of transporting the base material irradiated with the laser is slower than the speed of transporting the base material not irradiated with the laser. Steps to transport multiple substrates and
A laser is applied to each of the plurality of conveyed substrates so that the optical path length or the beam size at the position of the substrate is substantially constant, and a pattern is formed on the surface of each of the plurality of substrates. A pattern forming method with steps to be performed.

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