Laser-made microperforations in films
AssigneePreco, Inc.
InventorsMark Daun, Matt Lackner, James Bucklew, Kurt Hatella, Karl Weber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laser system and method is used to micro-drill a web producing holes of approximately 85 μm or less. The laser system comprises a laser beam having a wavelength in the range of approximately 2 to 6 microns and the focal point of the laser beam being steered onto a surface of the moving web wherein the web is moving. The web is a film such as a flexible film or commercial packaging film. The laser beam wavelength and constant laser energy can be used to laser micro-drill the flexible film.
Claims26
A method of micro-drilling a moving web comprising:
- providing a laser system for production of a laser beam having a wavelength in the range of 2 to 6 microns;
- steering a focal point of the laser beam on a surface of the moving web concurrently with moving the web and producing one or more round holes in the moving web wherein the moving web has a thickness of approximately 20 to 150 μm, whereby the laser is pulsed at a duration of 1 μsec to 750 μsec producing round holes having a diameter in the range of approximately 85 μm or less;
- and
- moving the web while producing holes.
A method of micro-drilling a film for use as a modified atmosphere packaging by using a laser system, the method comprising directing a focal point of a laser beam of the laser system onto a surface of the film to form round holes in the film, the round holes having a diameter less than approximately 85 μm while moving the film through the laser system wherein the moving film has a thickness of approximately 20 to 150 μm and whereby the laser is pulsed at a duration of 1 μsec to 750 μsec.
A method of micro-drilling a flexible film with a laser system, the method comprising directing a focal point of a laser beam produced by an 2 to 6 micron wavelength laser onto a surface of the film to form round holes in the film, the round holes having a diameter approximately less than 85 μm while moving the film through the laser system wherein the moving film has a thickness of approximately 20 to 150 μm, whereby the laser is pulsed at a duration of 1 μsec to 750 μsec and wherein the flexible material is then incorporated into pet food bags.
A method of laser perforating a commercial packaging film with a mid-infrared wavelength laser beam at a constant laser energy while moving the commercial packaging film through a laser system at a commercial production speed to micro-drill round holes in the film having a diameter less than approximately 85 μm.
A method of laser perforating a moving web comprising:
- providing a laser system for production of a laser beam having a wavelength in the range of 2 microns to 6 microns;
- steering a focal point of the laser beam on a surface of the moving web concurrently with moving the web and producing one or more round holes in the moving web wherein the round hole or holes have a diameter in the range of approximately 85 μm or less;
- and
- moving the web at least approximately 200 feet per minute while producing the one or more round holes.
A method of perforating a film for use as a modified atmosphere packaging by using a laser system, the method comprising directing a focal point of a laser beam of the laser system onto a surface of the film to form one or more round holes in the film, the one or more round holes having a diameter less than approximately 85 μm while moving the film through the laser system at a speed approximately 200 feet per minute or greater.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.