Method and apparatus for marking coconuts and similar food products

A method of marking a coconut shell with a user-defined graphical mark, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a laser light emitter configured to produce powered laser light having a user-specified spectrum and intensity;
• positioning a bracket base over said workframe, said bracket base including a workframe interface configured to stabilize said bracket relative to said workframe, and said bracket base defining at least one receiving socket sized to stabilize the coconut relative to said bracket base;
• positioning a coconut of substantially pre-determined size and shape on said bracket base wherein at least a portion of said coconut is held within said socket;
• and
• manipulating at least one of said laser light emitter and said bracket base in a user-defined sequence to mark said shell to a pre-defined depth within said shell.

An apparatus for marking a food product with a graphical mark, said apparatus comprising:

• a laser light emitter configured to produce powered laser light having a user-specified spectrum and intensity;
• a workframe positioned to receive said laser light from said laser light emitter;
• a bracket base positioned over said workframe, said bracket base including a workframe interface configured to stabilize said bracket relative to said workframe, and said bracket base defining at least one receiving socket sized to stabilize at least a portion of said food product relative to said bracket base;
• a first controller in communication with said laser light emitter, said controller configured to trigger intermittently said laser light emitter in a pre-programmed sequence;
• a user interface in communication with said first controller including a graphical display for defining said graphical mark;
• at least one digital processor in communication with said first controller for producing data relating to said graphical mark;
• at least one computer memory in communication with said user interface for storing data relating to said graphical mark;
• a second controller in communication with said at least one digital processor;
• and
• at least one servomotor positioned to move at least one of said workframe and said laser light emitter in accordance with commands issued by said second controller;
• wherein said first and second controllers are operable to trigger said laser light emitter and said at least one servomotor to burn at least a portion of said graphical mark at least partially onto a surface of said food product in accordance with said data.

A method of marking a food product with a graphical mark, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a laser light emitter configured to produce powered laser light having a user-specified spectrum and intensity;
• stabilizing a product a user-defined distance from said laser light emitter to receive said laser light;
• providing a user interface including a graphical display for defining said graphical mark;
• storing data relating to said graphical mark in at least one computer memory;
• providing a first programmable controller for triggering intermittently said laser light emitter in a pre-programmed sequence in accordance with said data relating to said graphical mark;
• providing at least one servomotor for moving said laser light emitter in accordance with said data;
• manipulating said laser light emitter such that said laser light emitter is positioned a pre-defined distance from said product;
• and
• activating said first programmable controller to trigger said laser light emitter and manipulating said at least one servomotor to burn at least a portion of said graphical mark at least partially onto a surface of said food product in accordance with said data.

An apparatus for marking a food product with a graphical mark, said apparatus comprising:

• a laser light emitter configured to produce powered laser light having a user-specified spectrum and intensity;
• a workframe positioned to receive said laser light from said laser light emitter;
• a bracket base positioned over said workframe, said bracket base including a workframe interface configured to stabilize said bracket relative to said workframe, and said bracket base defining at least one receiving socket sized to stabilize at least a portion of said food product relative to said bracket base;
• a first controller in communication with said laser light emitter, said controller configured to trigger intermittently said laser light emitter;
• a user interface in communication with said first controller including a graphical display for defining said graphical mark;
• at least one digital processor in communication with said first controller for producing data relating to said graphical mark;
• at least one computer memory in communication with said user interface for storing data relating to said graphical mark;
• a second controller in communication with said at least one digital processor;
• and
• at least one servomotor positioned to move at least one of said workframe and said laser light emitter in accordance with commands issued by said second controller;
• wherein said first and second controllers are operable to trigger said laser light emitter and said at least one servomotor to burn at least a portion of said graphical mark at least partially onto a surface of said food product in accordance with said data.