Marking of foodstuffs with an unlimited variety of designs by the use of a guided laser

摘要

A carbon dioxide laser is housed in a closed case together with a processor that can select a variety of designs from a database and/or a scanner, a drive for the laser to respond to these inputs and a carrier for the foodstuff that can be located accurately under the laser. Particular care is taken to prevent fouling of the laser window (11). This laser window is set at the top of a tube (7) whose lower, open, end is normally closed by a plate (9). In operation the plate (9) is drawn aside, air is blown downwards through jets (8) and suction is applied through cups (10) so that no greasy fumes can enter the tube. Designed for use in a retail shop the marker can be used by the staff or by customers who would pay for the service through a coin machine. The system can reproduce designs ranging from simple lines to photographs. Attention is drawn to a linked patent DE19646813-A1