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US 8,865,379 B2Granted
Marked straws and methods for marking straws
AssigneeInguran, LLC
InventorsJohnathan Charles Sharpe, Thomas B. Gilligan, Richard W. Lenz, Juan Moreno
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Generally, polymeric members and laser marking methods for producing visible marks on polymeric members, such as on thin and/or curved surfaces. The laser marking methods can include methods of laser marking straws with the step of matching laser source properties to the properties of straws being marked or with the step of laser marking straws having photochromic dyes.
Claims28
A method of marking a straw comprising:
- a) defining a marking plane on a curved exterior surface of a straw, the straw having an axial body defining an axial passage between a pair of unsealed body ends and being formed from a polymeric matrix including an additive with electromagnetic radiation absorbance properties, the electromagnetic radiation absorbance properties including a maximum electromagnetic radiation absorbance wavelength and the axial body having a wall thickness of between about 0.1 mm and about 0.2 mm;
- b) matching the wavelength of a laser source with the maximum electromagnetic radiation absorbance wavelength of the additive in the polymeric matrix, wherein the additive with a maximum electromagnetic radiation absorbance wavelength comprises a photochromic dye with at least one maximum absorbance wavelength;
- c) generating a laser beam having a fluence within a fixed dimensional boundary of a beam spot;
- and
- d) focusing the laser beam spot at a plurality of pixel locations to produce permanent visible marks in the form of shallow divots and/or char marks on the marking plane of the straw, wherein the marked straw maintains sufficient integrity for sealing fluids.
2 more elements
A method of marking a straw comprising:
- a) defining a marking plane on a curved exterior surface of a straw, the straw being formed from a polymeric matrix containing a photochromic dye, the photochromic dye having reversible activate and inactivated states;
- b) matching a laser source with an electromagnetic radiation absorbance property of the photochromic dye in the activate state;
- c) reversibly activating the photochromic dye within the straw;
- d) generating a laser beam having a fluence within a fixed dimensional boundary of a beam spot;
- and
- e) focusing the laser beam spot at a plurality of pixel locations to produce a permanent visible mark in the form of shallow divots and/or char marks on the marking plane of the straw while the photochromic dye is in the reversible activated state.
3 more elements
An unwarped and fluid impermeable straw comprising:
- an axial body defining an axial passage between a pair of body ends, the axial body comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface and a thickness between the exterior surface and the interior surface, wherein the thickness between the exterior surface and the interior surface is between about 0.1 mm and about 0.2 mm;
- a polymeric matrix having a photochromic dye;
- permanent visible marks in the form of shallow divots and/or char marks on the exterior surface of the axial body, wherein the photochromic dye is matched with the wavelength of the laser used for producing the visible marks.
An unwarped and fluid impermeable straw for containing a biological material comprising:
- an axial body defining an axial passage between a pair of unsealed body ends, the axial body having an exterior surface and being formed from a polymeric matrix including a photochromic dye;
- the photochromic dye selected to reversibly change color in an activated state in response to visible light and/or ultraviolet light;
- and
- permanent visible marks in the form of shallow divots and/or char marks on the exterior surface of the axial body.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.