KR20010091831A - Laser-etched pull tab container opening devices and methods of making the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus for opening a laser etched pull tab container and a manufacturing method of a laser etched pull tab are provided to produce a decorative tab having a closed-tab design and having tab decorations thereon. CONSTITUTION: The container opening apparatus comprises a container opening pull tab(124) exhibiting a substantially planar member having an attachment point for attachment to a container with a closed grab portion(129) oriented to one side of the attachment point and a nose portion oriented on an opposite side of the attachment point; D; an epoxy coating layer disposed on the pull tab; and a laser etched image defined on the pull tab. The image is created by a localized laser removal of the coating layer to expose an uncoated surface of the pull tab.

Description

Laser-etched pull tab container opening devices and methods of making the same

The present invention relates to a container opening device and a method of manufacturing the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a laser-etched pull tab and a method of manufacturing the same.

Pull tab container openings have not been used in the food and beverage industry for packaging improvements, brand awareness, promotion, or informational performance. Most existing pull tab designs provide only the ability to allow the user to open the container. In recent years, the industry trend has been directed towards open ring-shaped configurations of pull tabs. See US patent applications 289,017 and US Pat. Nos. 4,465,204 and 4,530,631. Such a tab is good because it has a hole (for opening the container) to receive a user's finger and allows the use of a smaller amount of material in manufacturing the tab in the industry. However, ring-shaped tabs have proven ineffective due to the limited surface area of the tams (produced by ink-jet printing, stamping, mechanical etching, or other methods).

To overcome this surface area problem, some skilled persons have attempted to place promotional pieces in the finger holes of conventional tabs, but they are relatively expensive and have limited success due to the delay of the closure operation. See US Pat. Nos. 3,958,354 and 5,191,695.

Other skilled persons have attempted to use a closed-tab configuration to provide additional surface area for applying promotions or decorations on top. See US Pat. No. 4,363,179. The prior art discloses that a closed end tab can accommodate ink printing for positioning a mark on the tab, and as a process shows an ink-jet printer equipped with a metal-compatible ink. See Australian Patent No. 81794/94. As is well known, printing onto metal surfaces requires a metal-compatible ink, which is a solvent-based ink. However, it is impossible to use such ink in ink-jet printers. Inherent thermal and electrical control of the ink-jet printer causes ink instability and combustion, resulting in equipment breakage.

While it is impossible to use pressurized ink ejectors of the solvent base ink, this method requires versatility and durability (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). Solvent base inks have a low friction rate and can be easily moved by microair flow during deposition and even when applied to metal base layers. It is a characteristic in the ink spray method that it is impossible to repeatedly produce the same clear image on a small substrate.

In addition, solvent based inks can be easily removed from most substrates by conventional solvents due to their inherent properties. For this reason, counterfeit manufacturers can easily remove competitors' markings from pull tabs and replace them with their own ink markings, making the ink-spray printed tabs impractical. Thus, ink-jet printing using solvent based inks has been technically impossible, and ink-spray printing has proved to be logically and technically forbidden, excessively expensive, and of limited availability.

As noted in Australian Patent No. 81794/94, any other printing method that uses ink or paint on the tabs or ends of the containers is impractical. When applied prior to the formation of tabs or ends of the container, the ink or paint is broken by cracking or peeling and distortion of the image occurs during subsequent forming operations. Such ink or paint cannot be applied after the forming process in which the tabs and ends of the container form the outer surface, and cannot be printed by any method other than the ink-spraying method with severe limitation as described above.

The foregoing highlights the problems associated with prior art tabs and their painting methods. The foregoing also highlights the longstanding need in the art to provide an efficient and inexpensive means of providing a container opening device with high clarity and permanent display for information, promotion or decoration purposes.

The present invention overcomes the practicality problem as described above and provides new advantages. The present invention is based on the technique of laser-etching a pull tab down to a depth that removes a portion of the tab base that is quite hard to reach and provides a permanent, consistent, high definition display.

In order to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art, the applicant has already disclosed a method of providing a coated tab stock with a laser-etched decoration, promotion, or information display on top. For example, a laser for providing a high definition and clarity display on top of the applicant's US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 917,516, filed Aug. 26, 1997, and US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 061,227, dated April 17, 1998, Etch pull tabs are incorporated herein by reference.

In a preferred embodiment of the Applicant's prior application, the pull tab has one or more coating layers, and portions of the layer are selectively removed to form an indication on the pull tab. The pull tab according to the invention selectively removes portions of the coating layer and the base layer. According to a preferred method of the present invention for laser imprinting a coated pull tab, the substrate itself can be permanently etched into at least a portion of the intended display, preventing forgery or easy removal of the display of the pull tab.

In addition, laser ablation of a portion of the substrate according to the present invention allows the uncoated pull tab to be etched using a laser to produce a visually contrasting image due to sublimation and oxidation of the substrate. Further, according to a related feature of the invention, laser ablation of the substrate surface up to a certain depth reveals the contour of the substrate so that the display is visible and can be detected by contact. For example, in accordance with the present invention, braille may be etched into the tab for recognition of the contents of the container.

In accordance with the present invention, the substrate may be removed or etched to any desired depth, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art related to the present application.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a pull tab container opening device is provided having information, promotions or decorations laser removed into the surface of a pull tab base. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pull tab container opening device having at least one coating layer and information, promotions or ornaments on top of which is substantially permanent, wherein the information, promotions or ornaments are a part of the coating layer or the substrate. It is formed by some selective laser ablation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing the above-described pull tab container opening device having a laser etched display portion thereon.

The pull tab of the present invention is made of any suitable material that can function as a pull tab of a container comprising aluminum, steel, plastic, other metals, and / or any natural, synthetic, composite, or other suitable material. Can be. Selection of suitable materials is made by those skilled in the art. The tab may also include a ring opening for receiving a user's finger. Suitable pull tab structures in accordance with the present invention are made by those skilled in the art. The invention should not be understood as being limited by the shape, size or material of the pull tab base.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a pull tab comprising an aluminum alloy is provided, wherein the tab is in contact with an emission of an optical device capable of removing the surface of the tab such that the surface is permanently etched. The etching can be made to any desired depth. The preferred depth is 5 to 50 mu, more preferably 15 to 30 mu.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a pull tab having a coating layer thereon, the pull tab having a display layer formed thereon by laser ablation of a portion of the coating layer to expose at least a portion of the base layer. And the base layer is also selectively removed by the laser to any suitable depth. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pull tab having a plurality of coating layers thereon is provided. According to this aspect of the invention, the pull tab according to the invention has a multicolored image formed thereon, the image having the surface and the surface of the base so that at least part thereof is permanently etched to a desired depth inside the base. It is formed by selective removal of the coating layer (or selective laser removal).

Suitable coatings of pull tabs according to the present invention include any coating that can be selectively removed by laser ablation. According to one aspect of the present invention, the coating used on the base layer should be easy to laser removal by sublimation or the like rather than the surface of the base layer. Thus, the operator of the laser etching apparatus according to the invention can remove the coating without affecting the surface of the pull tab.

Typical coatings include those readily applicable by those skilled in the art. Alcoa, for example, supplies tap stock with appropriate coatings supplied by Valspar, Dexter, BASF, and others. The coating form is not limited to epoxy, vinyl or other organic coatings. It may be desirable to use a coating that contrasts with the underlying substrate, which may be aluminum, another material, or another coating layer. In addition, a number of contrasting coating layers may be used so that selective removal of portions of the coating layer may expose a multicolored design. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the color or number of coatings applied, nor by the substrate on which the indicator is to be provided.

The invention is also not limited by the laser-etching method used to decorate pull tabs according to the invention. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, there are various ways of generating an image on a substrate by a laser. All such methods are understood to be equally as within the scope of the present invention.

One preferred method of the present invention for laser-etching a design into a pull tab is laser etching using a computer. According to this method, the design is laser-etched into the substrate with the aid of a computer and a computer peripheral, the laser-etching device being controlled by a computer program controlling the direction and the path of the laser beam for generating the removal pattern. Any laser device suitable for computer-assisted laser etching can be used in accordance with the present invention. The pull tab, which is the workpiece in this case, preferably comprises a surface on which a single or multi-layer coating such as oxidizable paint or organic coating is applied.

A preferred method according to the present invention comprises the following steps: inserting the design into computer memory by the use of a scanner or other input device, adjusting the design to the desired size, desired layer or layers of material to a particular depth The intensity of the laser beam is selected to be removed, and the control program causes the laser beam for etching away from the appropriate portion of the layer or layers of removable material, thereby to form a desired image The surface or coating of the substrate is exposed and / or etched. Multicolor and multi-layer designs according to this method can be formed by programming the laser beam to remove different portions and different depths of each layer to create a multi-layered or multi-colored design.

According to this aspect of the invention, the present preferred embodiment includes the use of a yttrium aluminum garner (YAG) laser marker. The YAG marking method is processed by steering the laser beam using a pair of x and y galvanometers controlled by software and hardware interfaces. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the indicia is engraved on the substrate with very fine clarity and clarity to provide outstanding contrast and clarity compared to conventional ink-printed substrates.

Another preferred method for laser-etching a design into a pull tab is mask-etching. According to this method, a CO ₂ laser device or an optical high amplification laser device suitable for laser marking can be used. CO ₂ and similar lasers may use an etching mask or stencil. According to this aspect of the invention, this preferred embodiment contemplates the use of a laser device in which a mask defining a desired pattern is located within the optical cavity of the laser. The output or energy emanating from the laser should be sufficient to physically alter the surface such that the desired pattern from the mask is engraved into the surface of the substrate contacted by the output of the laser device. Optionally, the mask structure may be placed anywhere along the output path between the output of the laser device and the surface of the substrate. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various configurations of masks or stencils located between the laser source and the substrate surface are within the scope of the present invention.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, suitable mask structures include structures having cut-out portions that define a desired pattern to be imprinted on a substrate. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that equivalent patterns can be formed by providing a mask having a portion that is simply transmitted for the particular wavelength of laser light involved. Thus, the term "cut" means to include any equivalent means of defining a pattern on a mask such that the pattern can be etched into the surface of the substrate being processed. Generally, the mask structure is used with a laser when a pattern with uniform depth is desired. The mask structure is not sensitive to changing the intensity or depth of various portions of the display portion generated on the substrate. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, multiple masks and / or multiple laser devices may be used to generate indicators having various removal depths or multiple layers to be selectively removed. Preferred embodiments of the invention have a mask pattern including a single mask and a single layer such that the coated pull tab is removed into and through the coating layer to a depth of up to 30μ. This embodiment makes it possible to quickly stamp a number of tabs in manufacturing speed. Thus, CO ₂ laser etching is suitable for generating a display on a pull tab with or without a single coating layer.

However, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the assembly-line laser etching step is set up along the manufacturing line such that other portions of the display are quickly laser-etched onto the substrate as the substrate passes through each stage. Can be.

The invention described and claimed herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art with reference to the following detailed description and drawings. Aspects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, and features of other elements of the present invention are described in the claims. The drawings are only for purposes of illustration and not for comparison. The drawings do not limit the scope of the invention. What is disclosed below is relevant to those skilled in the art, and it is assumed that aspects of the invention will be understood and clarified within the ability of those skilled in the art.

1 is a plan view of an aluminum can top in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

2A illustrates a substrate with a coating layer and a laser-etched pattern thereon according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a substrate having a plurality of layers and a multilayered laser-etched pattern thereon in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

3A and 3B are micrographs of prior art ink-spray printed aluminum cans.

4A and 4B are micrographs of a laser-etched and coated aluminum substrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

5A-5C are micrographs of a laser-removed surface of an aluminum substrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a laser-etched pull tab manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a plan view of an alternative manufacturing arrangement of a laser-etched pull tab in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a plan view of another alternative manufacturing apparatus of a laser-etched pull tab according to another embodiment of the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

120: upper part of the can 121: anti-buckling coin

122: upper opening score 123: upper border

124: pull tab 125: button

131: slit 132, 133: decoration

1 shows a novel laser-etched container opening device according to the present invention. A conventional aluminum can top 120, or the top of another container, as shown in FIG. 1, is provided to receive a container opening device. The can top or container lid is typically formed into a shape for receiving the container opening device and a shape for attaching to the container body in a diversion press (not shown). During the can top forming process, various covers and deformations known as “coins” are attached to the top of the can to reinforce its strength. The top of the can of FIG. 1 shows a typical anti-buckle coins 121 generated in the conversion press. Additional coins 126 are also shown in FIG. 1. The can top also includes an upper opening score 122 that allows the container to be opened by the user and an upper rim 123 that attaches the top to the appropriate container body. In addition, other deformable portions 127 may be located within the engraved panel 128 to allow the contents of the container to be taken. Preferably, there is a stop (not shown) along the path of the top opening score 122 around the panel 128 so that the panel 128 remains attached to the can top 120 even after opening. .

To assist opening of the container by the user, pull tab 124 is provided for operation by the user. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, pull tabs are typically formed from thin sheets of tab stock material in a conversion press. In a diverting press, various cutting and stamping dies work on a sheet of tab stock material to form a sheet of pull tabs that can be drawn out of the sheet and attached to the top of the container. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the tab 124 may be riveted, ie, steaked, on the button 125 at the top of the can by the re-hit operation of the changeover press.

As shown in FIG. 1, current conventional pull tabs include a grip 129 and a protrusion 130. The grip 129 may be raised such that the protrusion 130 exerts a force into intimate contact with the scored panel 128. When the pressure of the protrusion 130 against the scored panel 128 is sufficient, the opening score 122 is torn off and the panel 128 is folded down to take the contents of the container. Preferably, a stop (not shown) in the opening score 122 prevents the panel 128 from separating from the can top 120 and falling into the container. As shown in FIG. 1, the slit 131 may advantageously be provided in the pull tab 124 to facilitate operation of the pull tab as a lever with a staked button 125 acting as a lever support point. Can be. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, most tabs of any size, shape, or configuration are suitable for use in the present invention.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the gripping portion is preferably configured as a "closed-tab" rather than configured to receive a user's finger. The closed-tab configuration provides additional surface area for applying promotional, informational or decorative materials. For example, the pull tab in FIG. 1 represents the ornament 132 shown as a “price tag” logo.

The ornament 132 according to the present invention is laser-etched into the surface of the pull tab base. The term "laser-etching" is removed by contact with a laser beam to form a desired pattern of the desired depth by local sublimation, evaporation, ignition, oxidation, or other processing of the material to which the selected portion of the material is contacted. Means fair. Thus, for example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the logo “price tag” and the border around the logo are preferably pulled by the laser beam so that the contacted area is removed in a predetermined pattern to a predetermined depth. The result of the surface of the tab. In the preferred base layer of the aluminum pull tab of the present invention, the removed area achieves an unexpectedly significantly contrasted image due to the oxidation and sublimation of the base layer. In other words, the removed area has a significantly different shade and / or hue than the area that is not removed. A noticeable visible contrast in hue is not achieved by mechanical etching, stamping or chemical engraving of the aluminum pull tab. In addition, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, laser etching allows images to be generated on a substrate at any resolution that may or may not be visually perceptible. The resolution also cannot be reliably achieved by the methods of the prior art.

The visible contrast achievable through laser-etching techniques may be used to provide information, promotions or decorations on other parts of the container. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the decorative portion 133 (“brand equity”) is etched directly into the can top 120. The can decoration preferably has a tinted coating on the aluminum (or other material) on top of the can or has a pigment therein because the visible contrast and sharpness of the tissue in the laser-etching process is more pronounced. Occurs in the phase.

In addition, the laser-etched pull tab according to the present invention is well etched to a predetermined depth so that a physical contour is generated on the pull tab that can be detected by contact. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the substrate to be etched is an aluminum pull tab container opening device for aluminum beverage cans, the etching is preferably between 5 μm and 50 μm, more preferably between 15 μm and 30 μm.

As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, controlling the depth at which the laser removes the surface of the substrate depends on and can be controlled by various factors. For example, each of the above shapes, power and contact times of the laser device allow the user to achieve etch depth. Also, for example, the shape of the substrate, coating, or the like allows the user to predetermine the etch depth through experiments, failures, and the like.

In addition, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art with reference to the Applicant's specification, when workpiece material and process parameters are set, laser-etching is a rapid solution with a visually identical, very sharp display generated on top. Enable the manufacture of the product. The versatility and repeatability cannot be achieved by conventional printing techniques.

Two current preferred laser-etching methods are computer-assisted laser etching and mask etching. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, computer-aided etching typically involves the use of computers and computer peripherals to control the direction, path, and / or force of the laser beam to generate a removed pattern on the workpiece. . According to a preferred method, the design is input into the memory of the computer via a scanner, keyboard, or any other device, or by a design input method known in the art. The computer then transmits the design to a laser engraving device that stamps the design onto the workpiece by use of the laser beam of the device. Selection of a suitable laser device is made by one skilled in the art. A preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a YAG laser device, more preferably a 120 watt Nd: YAG laser device having a 530 nm wavelength.

According to this method, the computer can be a conventional personal computer such as IBM 486, Pentium, etc., programmed with a laser control program. For example, the laser control program is LUMONICS SOLO user interface software available for LUMONICS LIGHTWRITER SPE laser engraving devices or ROFIN-SINAR VISUALLASERMARKER-SOFTWARE for ROFIN-SINAR laser marking devices. It is to be understood that the trademarks and models of the control software, imprinting devices and the like may be capable of carrying out the methods disclosed herein which are within the scope of the present invention, and that the brands and models discussed are merely disclosed as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. You have to understand.

In operation, the operator enters a design such as a "price tag" into the memory of the computer. The design can be input into the computer's memory by image scanning, typing or both into the scanner, or by input of an image using a computer keyboard. Preferably, the operator can change the input design in various ways. For example, it is desirable for an operator to make any prior art design at a certain rate such that the whole or part of the design can be made larger or smaller or that multiple images can be combined in whole or in part.

The workpiece is then positioned at a location inside the path of the laser beam. The intensity of the laser beam is adjusted so that the etching achieves a suitable depth. The laser beam is then controlled by the computer to etch the design into the workpiece. According to a preferred method of the present invention, computer control of the laser beam comprises a software and hardware interface for controlling a pair of X and Y galvanometers that steer the laser in a path corresponding to the output design. The etched output design reflects any variations made by the input design and the operator. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the etch depth can be controlled by various means. Various methods of the present invention for controlling the depth of etching are to first vary the intensity of the beam, and are not limited to changes in the focal length and power level of the beam. As is known to those skilled in the art or learned through experiments and failures, the proper setting of a particular laser and laser beam is used for the particular workpiece involved.

In addition, the laser beam is a galvo deflection system used in single or multi-head configurations to achieve high speed vector marking in on-the-fly systems. Can be modified by orbit. The galvo head may consist of a miniature camera for inspecting the workpiece construction or marking contents online.

Optionally, laser etching can be accomplished by a mask-etching method. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the method typically involves illuminating the laser beam through the mask and possibly around it prior to contacting the surface of the workpiece. The selection of a suitable laser device for this etching method can be made within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art. Preferred devices of the present invention include high amplification devices such as CO ₂ lasers.

The mask material should be able to resist the penetration of the laser beam. The mask may be disposed within the lens system of the laser source at the output point of the laser device or along the path of the laser beam. Optionally, the mask can act as a stencil lying against the workpiece during the marking process. The mask typically includes cutouts of the desired image shape, only the portion of the beam penetrating the mask being the shape of the desired image.

As will be evident to one skilled in the art, suitable mask structures include structures having cutouts defining desired patterns imprinted on a substrate and structures having portions that are simply transmitted at a particular wavelength of laser light included. Thus, the term "cut" means to include any equivalent means of defining a pattern on a mask such that the pattern can be etched into the surface of the workpiece being machined.

In general, the mask structure is used with a suitable laser when a pattern having a uniform depth is desired since the mask structure is not affected by selecting the depth or intensity of various portions of the display portion generated on the workpiece. However, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, multiple masks and / or multiple laser devices may be used to generate displays having various layers of removal or multiple layers selectively removed. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include a single mask and a single layer, wherein the coated pull tab has a mask pattern removed into the substrate through the coating layer to a depth of up to 30μ. This embodiment allows for the rapid inscription of multiple tabs in manufacturing speed. Thus, mask-etching using a laser such as CO ₂ is suitable for generating a display portion on a pull tab with or without a single coating layer.

Regardless of the type of laser etch used, preferred embodiments of the present invention utilize pull tabs having at least one coating layer thereon. 2a shows a laser-etched base layer of a single coating layer according to the present invention. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2A is provided with a base layer 150 having a suitable coating layer 151 thereon. Preferred coating layers of the present invention include coating layers that can be readily taken by one skilled in the art. Alcoa, for example, supplies tab stock with appropriate coatings supplied by Valspar, Dexter, BASF and many others. The coating form is not limited to epoxy, vinyl or other organic coatings. At least a portion of the coating layer 151 and any portion of the base layer 150 exposed thereunder according to an embodiment of the present invention may form a permanent etch-region capable of forming an excellent visible image for promoting or decorating the container. Laser-etched to provide 160.

As will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, the workpiece material and process parameters may be selected to cause removal of the surface of the substrate and coating layers that are removed to any desired depth in any desired pattern.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the base layer 150 may be an aluminum tab or another container opening device that is decorated or marked. The substrate according to this embodiment is an opening device of a food or beverage container, but any other suitable substrate may be marked. Preferred substrates of the present invention may be made of any suitable material and may form pull tabs, can tops, bottle caps, container lids, or any other portion of the container device.

The substrate according to the invention may be coated with one or more layers. 2B shows four coating layers on substrate 150. As described above, the coating layer is preferably a material capable of laser ablation, and more preferably a material that can be laser removed more sensitively by the intended laser than the underlying substrate or the underlying layers and substrates. . Preferred coating layers of the present invention include those that can be readily taken by one skilled in the art. Alcoa, for example, supplies tab stock with appropriate coating layers supplied by Valspar, Dexter, BASF, and many others. The coating form is not limited to epoxy, vinyl or other organic coatings.

The coating can have any suitable color tone. Preferably, the coating has a variety of tones or contrasting tones that are visibly visible so that multicolor images can be formed. For example, the multi-coated base layer of FIG. 2B may include a cyan layer 151, a magenta layer 152, a yellow layer 153, and a black layer 154. When the base layer is aluminum, the region from which all four layers are removed, such as region 155, exhibits a natural aluminum tint. Region 156 shows that three layers are removed to represent cyan. Region 157 illustrates the removal of two layers to show magenta. Region 158 shows one yellow color by removing one layer. In this form, any color tone can be generated visually. In addition, region 159 according to the present invention shows removal of all four layers and partial removal of a portion of the base layer to the desired depth. By the removal of the base layer, a permanent etch-region 160 can be generated. The area continues to function to equalize the tabs even if the layers 151, 152, 153, 154 are removed by chemical, physical, or other means. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the permanent removal of the surface of the substrate may serve to prevent imitation or alteration of the informational, promotional or decorative function of the substrate.

The permanence of chemical solvents is the only advantage over conventional methods of preparing substrates having aluminum or other forms of color shades. For example, in the aluminum can industry, ink-spray printing is sometimes used to place raw and date stamps on exposed aluminum under the can. 3A and 3B are micrographs of ink-printed characters applied to the bottom of a "Mountain Dew" soda can (made by the Pepsi Cola Company). 3A and 3B are taken by Scanning Electron Microscope (“SEM”) at 15X and 30X, respectively. The solid line on the bottom right of the microscope shows 100μ length. By contrast, FIGS. 4A and 4B are micrographs at 15X and 30X, respectively, of a coated aluminum base layer laser-etched according to the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 4A and 4B show a 5052H19 aluminum alloy substrate with 3msi (approximately 1.9 μ thick) Valspar 26839-803 black epoxy coating treated at manufacturing speed using a 120 Watt-powered Nd: YAG-type laser with a 530 nm wavelength. Micrograph showing part of the.

Comparing FIGS. 3A and 3B to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the conventional laser ablation carter generated by Nd: YAG or similar lasers is a typical ink dot (about 600 to 700 microns on average) in the ink printing process. It indicates that the diameter with a smaller overall size is approximately 60μ. Thus, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the clarity and clarity that can be generated by laser etching are better than with ink printing methods.

In addition, conventional laser ablation shows a substantially uniform surface area and appearance, and ink dots exhibit non-uniform shape, surface area and appearance (which adversely affects sharpness and clarity). Thus, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, laser etching results in images with better sharpness. In addition, conventional laser ablation can predict the exact location and occurrence and result in a visibly uniform and visually continuous removal pattern compared to the mottled deposition of ink dots in the ink printing method. In addition, laser ablation visually clearly borders between the tint coated area and the laser treated area as compared to the unpredictable contours and ink clumps of ink dots generated in the ink printing method.

In addition, as described above, the laser etching method is a more easily removed (physically or chemically removed) ink-generating image of the ink printing method that is unable to accumulate any substantial thickness above the surface of the substrate due to the solvent transport base. Compared to any suitable or desired depth to provide a substantially permanent image when the substrate is removed. 5A-5C are micrographs of the embodiment of FIG. 4 at different positions and clarity. As shown in the micrograph, the surface of the aluminum base layer under the coating can be removed to a predetermined depth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substrate is etched to a depth of about 5 to about 50 microns, more preferably to a depth of about 15 to about 30 microns. The base layer of Figure 5 is removed to about 30 microns, which is the preferred depth of the present invention. .

With respect to the foregoing, those skilled in the art will understand that laser-etching substrates, such as pull tabs according to the present invention, overcome many of the drawbacks and limitations of the prior art and meet the needs that have not been addressed for a long time.

As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the laser-etching method may be performed at an appropriate stage during manufacture. For example, for a pull tab, the laser-etching method may be performed before, during or after the tap stock material is formed into the pull tab and connected to the top of the container.

Exemplary devices for manufacturing pull tabs according to the invention are shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. In the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus comprises a modified switching press 70. Conventional conventional presses for making conventional tabs are commercially available from companies such as the Dayton Reliable Tool. The modified press 70 includes a vessel end conveyor 71 for conveying the vessel end through the press 70. The bin end conveyor 71 has an inlet 72 for receiving a non-tabbed bin shell end and an outlet 73 where the tabbed bin shell end can be collected. The conveyor 71 carries the container end from the inlet 72 to the outlet 73 through which the tabbed container end can be collected via the press 70.

As shown in FIG. 6, the press 70 also includes a tab stock inlet 74 and a tab strip outlet 76 formed. Intersecting the conveyor 71 interposed between the tab stock inlet 74 and the tab strip outlet 76 is the die region 75. As is generally known in the art, the die region 75 includes a plurality of cutting and stamping dies (not shown) that operate to form a material to be pressed through the die into a desired configuration. Die area 75 may treat the container end as the container end passes through die area 75 on conveyor 71. Tab stock 90 according to the invention enters press 70 through tab stock inlet 74. As shown in FIG. 6, the strip of tab stock 90 is pressed through the inlet 74 and then pressed into a die region 75 that is shaped into a tab formed by cutting the strip. The formed tab strip 91 then exits the press 70 through the formed tab strip exit 76.

In the preferred embodiment, the die area 75 consists of a plurality of replaceable cutting dies and stamping dies. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the replaceable portion is a single press used to produce a plurality of different shaped tabs composed of a plurality of different materials. For example, the die was configured to produce a tab without finger holes by removing or plugging the hole cutting die. Accordingly, many other variations to the die area for manufacturing tabs of other configurations may be apparent to those skilled in the art related to the present application.

The formed tab strip 91 after exiting the press 70 through the formed tab strip exit 76 may reenter the press 70 through the formed tab strip inlet 77. Thereafter, the formed tab strip 91 is transferred into the riveting area 78 adjacent to the conveyor 71. In the riveting region 78, the formed tab is removed from the formed tab strip 91 and riveted to the end of the container entering the riveting region 78 via the conveyor 71. The tab strip piece 92 then formed exits the riveting area 78 and exits the press 70 through the tab piece outlet 79. The container end exits by means of the conveyor 71 a riveting area 78 having a riveted tab. The conveyor eventually transfers the tabbed container end out of the press 70 at the conveyor outlet 73 where the container end can be collected. The tab strip piece 92 exiting the tab piece outlet 79 may be collected and used for other purposes as it is regenerated into a new tab stock 90.

Tab stock 90 according to the present invention may comprise any material that can be used as a pull tab container opening device. For example, the material includes aluminum, steel, plastic, or any natural, synthetic, composite, or other suitable material. Similarly, combinations of materials may be used for the layers or the like. Thus, those skilled in the art will understand that a corresponding operation of the modified press 70 is necessary to accommodate a variety of materials.

In a preferred embodiment, the tab stock 90 comprises aluminum. As shown in FIG. 6, the aluminum tab stock strip may be any suitable width and any desired length. Generally, the press accommodates tab stock having a width of 4.825 to 7.112 cm (1.9 or 2.8 in) and a thickness of 0.229 to 0.254 cm (0.009 to 0.010 in). The depth of the tab stock according to the invention can be increased depending on the desired strength and the material used. Preferred embodiments contemplate aluminum strips having a width of about 2.54 to 7.62 cm (1 to 3 in) and a depth of about 0.032 cm (0.0125 in).

Tinted tab stock 90 may be used with the present invention where tinted tabs are desired. To achieve the hue, coloring may be used during tab stock formation or, optionally, the tab stock 90 may be coated with a tinted material. Similarly, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, other tinted or coated materials such as plastic can be used.

To further enhance the decorative or trademark functionality of the tab, laser-etching apparatus 100 may be used. The laser-etching apparatus 100 may be an area inside the deformed press 70. Optionally, the laser-etching apparatus 100 may be located outside the press 70 even if it is in series or integral with the press 70.

In the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the laser-etching apparatus 100 is located in an area which can be decorated before the tab stock 90 enters the tab stock inlet 74. The laser-etching apparatus 100 is integrally formed with a conveying mechanism for transferring the tab stock 90 to the tab stock inlet 74, or optionally, the laser-etching apparatus 100 is an area in which the press 70 is located. It may be located at a position for processing a tab stock 90 that is not installed at. The location may be an aluminum sheet manufacturing facility for winding an aluminum tab stock sheet to coat a substrate. In other words, after the tab stock 90 is decorated, it is moved to the position where the press 70 is mounted.

7 shows an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing a pull tab according to the invention. Although the same reference numerals are used for the same elements with reference to FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the laser-etching apparatus 100 is located outside the press 70 in series with the tab stock 90, thereby forming a formed tab strip ( 91 passes through the laser-etching apparatus 100 after exiting through the tab strip exit 76 and before reentering the press 70.

No matter where the laser-etching device 100 is placed, it is intended to carry out all the decorative functions within the scope of the present invention, although the laser-etching device arranged in series capable of receiving the formed tab strip 91 ( Positioning of 100) is an important process. Firstly, the tabs are pre-formed in a strip that can enhance the speed and performance of the device to provide the same tab decoration on each tab, either through mechanical orientation or computer recognized, or vice versa. Next, the laser-etching apparatus 100 is connected with an accumulator (not shown) that can be used to operate the die region 75 at a higher speed than can be accommodated by the laser-etching apparatus 100. Can be used.

8 shows another alternative embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing a tab according to the invention. Although the same reference numerals have been used to refer to the same element with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the laser-etching apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 8 accommodates a tabbed vessel end exiting the conveyor 71 at the conveyor outlet 73. Is located in the area for. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the laser-etching apparatus 100 is generally cylindrical in shape. Placed within the laser-etching apparatus 100 is a cylindrical track 101 for receiving a plurality of tapped container ends. The laser-etching apparatus 100 also has an inner zone 102 surrounded by a cylindrical track 101.

In this embodiment, the tabbed container end exits the conveyor 71 at the conveyor exit 73 and is received by the cylindrical track 101 of the laser-etching apparatus 100. The track 101 can be rotated in any direction such that the container end can be rotated through one or more devices. In this arrangement, various tab decorations may be etched at the end of the container on the tab or in another device. The laser etching equipment may be disposed in the inner region 102 of the laser-etching apparatus 100 or may be located at the outer periphery of the track 101. If the decoration is applied not only on the tab but also on the container end, this embodiment or a combination with the previous embodiments is preferred. The laser-etching apparatus 100 may be integrated with the conveyor outlet 73, or optionally, the laser-etching apparatus 100 may be placed on a beverage or food can body that is not installed in the area where the press 70 is located. Can be positioned in place for attaching the tabbed container end. The location is a filling or packaging facility for a beverage or food company. In other words, the tab stock 90 is decorated and then moved to the position where the press 70 is mounted.

The laser-etching apparatus 100 of the present invention may be configured in a manner suitable for etching tab stock, formed tab strips, or tabs before and after attachment to the container. The exact placement or design of the laser-etching device varies depending on the method and material used. The laser-etching apparatus may further comprise an apparatus for embossing, engraving, stamping or etching the tab decoration, or a combination thereof. Similarly, the laser-etching device may include, alone or in combination with the above-described device, a device suitable for printing, screening, painting, fixing, adhering or locating or generating the tab decoration on the tab or tab material.

The laser-etching device may use a mechanical orientation or computer controlled artificial recognition system to make the tab decoration appear substantially the same on the end product. It is also within the scope of the present invention to make use of a plurality of laser-etching devices, for example a combination of FIGS. 6 to 8.

It will be understood that many variations to the invention may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The claims show the scope of the invention.

The present invention provides a technique for laser-etching a full tab to a depth that is quite difficult to hand and removes a portion of the tab base that provides a permanent, consistent, high definition display.

Claims (38)

A pull tab operable to open the container having an attachment point for attaching to the container, A container opening device comprising a laser-etched image formed on the pull tab, And the image is formed by selective laser ablation of a portion of the pull tab. The container opening device of claim 1, wherein the pull tab comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal and plastic. 3. The container opening device of claim 2, wherein the material is metal. 4. The container opening device of claim 3, wherein the metal is aluminum. The container opening device of claim 4, wherein the pull tab is removed to a depth of about 1 μ to 50 μ. 6. The container opening device of claim 5, wherein the pull tab is removed to a depth of about 15 to 30 microns. 7. The container opening apparatus of claim 6, wherein the selective laser ablation is performed by laser-etching using a computer. 8. The container opening apparatus of claim 7, wherein the laser-etching using the computer is performed by an Nd: YAG laser. 7. The container opening apparatus of claim 6, wherein the selective laser ablation is performed by mask-etching. A pull tab having an attachment point for attaching to the container, The pull tab has a gripping portion directed to one side of the attachment point and a protrusion directed to an opposite side of the attachment point, and is operable to open the container, At least one coating layer disposed on the pull tab, A container opening device, further comprising a laser-etched image formed on the pull tab, And the image is formed by selective laser ablation of a portion of the at least one coating layer and selective laser ablation of at least a portion of the pull tab in at least some region exposed by selective laser control of the coating layer. 11. The container opening device of claim 10, wherein the pull tab comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal and plastic. 12. The container opening device of claim 11, wherein the material is metal. 13. The container opening device of claim 12, wherein the metal is aluminum. The container opening device of claim 13, wherein the pull tab exhibits a configuration in which the removal area is a depth of about 1 μ-50 μm. 15. The container opening device of claim 14, wherein the removal region is a depth of about 15 to 30 microns. The container opening apparatus of claim 15, wherein the selective laser ablation is performed by laser-etching using a computer. 17. The container opening apparatus of claim 16, wherein the laser-etching of the computer use is performed by an Nd: YAG laser. 18. The container opening apparatus of claim 17, wherein the selective laser ablation is performed by mask-etching. A pull tab having an attachment point for attaching to the container, At least two coating layers disposed on the pull tabs; A container opening device comprising a laser-etched image formed on the pull tab, And the image is formed by selective laser ablation of portions of the coating layer and selective laser ablation of a portion of the pull tab exposed by selective laser ablation of the coating layer. Forming a tab stock into a pull tab adapted to operatively attach to the container, Laser removing the surface of the pull tab to a predetermined depth of between 1 micron and 50 microns to form a substantially permanent indicia on the pull tab. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said laser ablation step is performed prior to said forming step. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said laser ablation step is performed after said forming step. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising attaching the pull tab to the container. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said laser ablation step is performed prior to said attaching step. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said laser removing step is performed after said attaching step. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising applying at least one substantially permanent coating layer to the surface of the pull tab prior to laser ablation of the surface, wherein a portion of the at least one coating layer is also present during the laser ablation step. A method of manufacturing a laser-etched pull tab container opening device that is removed by laser ablation. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein said laser ablation step is performed prior to said forming step. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein said laser ablation step is performed after said forming step. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising attaching the pull tab to the container. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein said laser removing step is performed prior to said attaching step. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the laser removing step is performed after the attaching step. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the laser ablation step is performed by computer-assisted laser-etching. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the computer-assisted laser-etching comprises the use of a yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser marker. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the laser-etching using the computer comprises the use of a Nd: YAG laser. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the Nd: YAG laser emits a laser beam having a wavelength of about 530 nm. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the laser device is a 120watt Nd: YAG laser device having a wavelength of 530 nm. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the laser ablation step further comprises detecting a direction of the pull tab prior to the laser ablation to produce substantially identical pull tabs having substantially identically formed indicators thereon. Laser-etched pull tab container opening device. 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the laser removing step further comprises aligning the pull tabs in a predetermined direction within a path of the laser device to produce substantially identical pull tabs having substantially identically formed markings thereon. A method of manufacturing a laser-etched pull tab container opening device, comprising: