WO2024197554A1

WO2024197554A1 - Laser print marking on pipette and process to make laser print marking

Info

Publication number: WO2024197554A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/084247
Authority: WO
Inventors: Huiting MAO; Ruijun DU; Jiye ZHANG; Gonghao XUE; Yong Li
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2023-03-28
Filing date: 2023-03-28
Publication date: 2024-10-03
Also published as: FR3147140B1; FR3147140A1

Abstract

A laser print marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, wherein: i) the laser print marking is made by laser dots which form at least one line or pattern, and it covers a part of a circumference of pipette, or even covers the whole circumference of pipette; ii) the length of the pipette is from about 10 mm to about 150 mm and the diameter of the pipette is from about 3 mm to about 20 mm. A laser printing process to make a laser print marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, wherein the process comprises: i) obtaining a pipette which is made of glass, plastics or a combination thereof; ii) using a laser to make a laser print marking on the pipette, wherein the depth of the laser print marking is about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm; and iii) washing the laser print marking to remove waste.

Description

LASER PRINT MARKING ON PIPETTE AND PROCESS TO MAKE LASER PRINT MARKING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a laser print marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette as well as a process to make the laser print marking on a pipette.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

As known, dropper bottles contain a dropper and are used for dispensing small amounts of liquid. Such a dropper and a dropper bottle are known for example in JP2005187028A. The dropper bottle has numerical values, scales or markings on the side of the body of the dropper pipette corresponding to the number of drops of liquid intended to be dispensed. In the dropper bottle or the like disclosed in JP2005187028A, scales and numerical values are ink printed on the outer surface of the dropper pipette, and the scales and numerical values may be dissolved in the liquid of the bottle and the liquid may deteriorate. In addition, the scale and the numerical value may rub against the neck of the bottle to be blurred or disappear.

JP3223051U describes a step portion formed on pipette for scale indication. This "step portion" scale instead of ink printing does not dissolve in a fluid and does not disappear when rubbed. The glass pipette itself constituting the step portion is processed to function as a scale, so that the suction amount can be measured without using printing. It is possible to further prevent elution of components from printing and disappearance of components due to abrasion of the printing itself.

Although the scale indication in JP3223051U is readable and indelible on the dropper pipette, forming a step portion is a quite complicated process which undergoes annealing. Moreover, the step portion is not flexible if the position thereof needs to be changed, and such process for forming a step portion on pipette for scale indication is cost expensive.

Various methods are known from the prior art for marking or inscribing glass by means of laser radiation. Hollow glass products, such as bottles, flasks, jars, are generally manufactured in I. S. (Individual Section) machines. In one method, the surface of a glass product includes an automatically readable indelible marking and identification of the portion of the I. S. machines by means of laser process. Laser process is carried out before glass bottle annealing with surface temperature 500-580 degree, which means that microcrack structure for the laser line might impair the material property of the glass pipette. Moreover, this process is only applied on I. S. machine bottle with a limited surface, for example a square area of about 10 mm x 10 mm.

It may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new and improved laser print marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette as well as a process to make the laser print marking as set forth herein which provides a cost effective and indication customized and unlimited way to form a readable and indelible marking on pipette, and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY

One aim of the invention is therefore to provide a laser print marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, that provides a readable and indelible marking on pipette of dropper in a cost effective and indication customized and unlimited manner.

Moreover, another aim of the invention is to provide a process to make the laser print marking that provides a cost effective and indication customized and unlimited way to form a readable and indelible marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the invention relates to a laser print marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, wherein:

i)the laser print marking is made by laser dots which form at least one line or pattern, and it covers a part of a circumference of pipette, or even covers the whole circumference of pipette;

ii) the length of the pipette is from about 10 mm to about 150 mm and the diameter of the pipette is from about 3 mm to about 20 mm.

In another aspect of the present application, the pipette of a dispensing system, preferably the dropper pipette, is transparent or translucent, and the pipette is preferably made of glass, plastics or a combination thereof.

In another aspect of the present application, the laser dot has a diameter of at least 0.01 mm, preferably of at least 0.05 mm.

In another aspect of the present application, the depth of the laser line is about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the wall of the pipette is about 0.3 mm to about 2.5 mm.

In another aspect of the present application, the laser print marking is applied by laser, such as purple diode, with a wavelength of 355 nm under working voltage of220V, a frequency of50HZ and a current of 10A.

In another aspect of the present application, the laser print marking is applied on an outer surface of the pipette, or on an inner surface of the pipette, or between the outer surface and inner surface of the pipette.

In another aspect of the present application, the laser print marking includes images, patterns or texts.

In another aspect of the present application, the laser dots form multiple lines, multiple patterns or a combination of one or more lines and patterns.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the invention relates to a laser printing process to make a laser print marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, the process comprises:

i) obtaining a pipette which is made of glass, plastics or a combination thereof;

ii) using a laser to make a laser print marking on the pipette, wherein the depth of the laser print marking is about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm; and

iii) washing the laser print marking to remove waste.

In another aspect of the present application, the pipette is annealed before the laser printing process in case that the pipette is made of glass.

In another aspect of the present application, using a laser to make a laser print marking includes forming at least one laser line around the circumference of the pipette.

In another aspect of the present application, using a laser to make a laser print marking includes using purple diode with a wavelength of 355 nm under working voltage of 220V, a frequency of 50HZ and a current of 10A.

In another aspect of the present application, the laser print marking has a width of about 0.8 mm, and the length between the laser print marking and the mouthpiece of the pipette is about 30 mm.

In another aspect of the present application, the laser print marking is made by laser dots which have diameters of at least 0.01 mm, and the laser dots can form at least one line or pattern, and it covers a part of a circumference of pipette, or even covers the whole circumference of pipette.

In another aspect of the present application, the laser is selected from any one of a gas laser, a solid state laser and a semiconductor laser.

Thanks to the laser printing technology according to the present application, a readable and indelible marking can be formed on a pipette in a cost effective way. Moreover, the whole surface of the pipette can be laser printed by laser, and thus the whole surface rather than only limited area can be the flexible pattern area. Furthermore, the indication positions and design of the indications can be customized by the consumer, and the pipette with laser print marking can be reused for multiple times (for example, 3-5 times) as a mother pack.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a dropper assembly according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein the dropper is shown separate from the bottle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dropper according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a dropper according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a dropper pipette according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application in the top portion, and shows a sectional view of a dropper pipette according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application along line A-A in the bottom portion;

FIG. 5 are enlarged sectional views of the portions circled as B and C in fig. 4 of the dropper pipette according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein the flange and the mouthpiece of the dropper pipette are shown in detail in these enlarged views; and

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of three different droppers according to exemplary embodiments of the present application, wherein various designs of patterns, images and texts are laser printed on the dropper pipette.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

With reference now to the drawings, a new and improved dropper for drawing a liquid product embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number 1 will be described.

With reference to Fig. 1, there is shown an exploded perspective view of a dropper assembly 100 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein the dropper 1 is shown separate from the bottle 10. As shown in fig. 1, the bottle 10 includes a neck 11 as well as external thread 12 formed on the outer surface of the neck 11.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dropper 1 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a dropper 1 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application. With reference to figs. 1-3, the dropper 1 according to the present application includes: a bulb 2 made of an elastomer or rubber which can be squeezed; an inner cap 3 for fastening onto the neck 11 of the bottle 10, wherein the inner cap 3 has internal thread 31 on the inner surface thereof; a collar 4 nesting onto the inner cap 3 without relative movement therebetween; and a dropper pipette 6 for sucking up the liquid product in the bottle 10. In one example, the dropper pipette 6 has an elongated shape. The dropper pipette 6 includes a laser print marking 7 near the middle thereof and a mouthpiece 8 on one end. The bulb 2 includes a recess 21 at the base portion thereof for receiving one end of the dropper pipette 6, as will be explained below.

As shown in fig. 1, the collar 4 is screwing onto the neck 11 of the bottle 10 by engaging the internal thread 31 of the inner cap 3 with the external thread 12 of the neck 11, thereby closing the bottle 10. When the collar 4 fully covers the bottle 10, a gap is formed between the mouthpiece 8 of the dropper 6 and the bottom of the bottle 10, so that the dropper 6 does not contact the bottom of the bottle 10. With reference to fig. 3, there is also a liner 5 formed within the inner cap 3, and when the collar 4 fully covers the bottle 10, the upper end of the neck 11 of the bottle 10 will be pressed onto the liner 5 so as to provide a sealing between the bottle 10 and the dropper 1, and thus the leakage of the liquid product from the bottle 10 is prevented.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a dropper pipette 6 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application in the top portion, and shows a sectional view of the dropper pipette 6 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application along line A-A in the bottom portion.

As shown in fig. 4, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application, the dropper pipette 6 is formed as one piece. In one example, the dropper pipette 6 is transparent, and it is preferably made of glass. The dropper pipette 6 may also be made of other materials, such as plastics which is transparent, translucent or nearly transparent and does not react with the liquid product in the bottle. In general, the pipette may be made of glass, plastics or a combination thereof. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present application, the dropper pipette 6 is formed with a flange 61 on one end, and is formed with a mouthpiece 8 on the other end. The dropper pipette 6 is fixed to the inner cap 3 by fitting the flange 16 into a recess 21 of the bulb 2.

FIG. 5 are enlarged sectional views of the portions circled as B and C in fig. 4 of the dropper pipette 6 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein the flange 61 and the mouthpiece 8 are shown in detail in these enlarged views.

With continuous reference to figs. 3-5, a mouthpiece 8 of the dropper pipette 6 includes: a base portion 81 of a hollow conical shape that narrows toward the front lower side; a spherical distal end portion 82; and a cylindrical coupling portion 83 that connects the distal end portion 82 and the lower end portion of the base portion 81. As shown in fig. 5, the body of the dropper pipette 6 has a central axis S1, and the spherical distal end portion 82 has an inner flow passage 84 which has a central axis S2. In one example, the central axis S2 is inclined at an angle T with respect to the central axis S1 of the dropper pipette 6, for example, inclined by 25 degrees. Due to this inclination, a distal end opening of the inner flow passage 84 is positioned so as to be offset from the central axis S1 of the dropper pipette 6. Moreover, the spherical distal end portion 82 prevents the mouthpiece 8 and the bottle 10 from being damaged because the spherical distal end portion 82 smoothly contacts the bottle 10 with a spherical or curved surface. There is no limitation on pipette tip shape. In other words, the mouthpiece 8 of the dropper pipette 6 may have other shapes, and the shape in the drawings is only a preferred example.

With continuous reference to fig. 4, the dropper pipette 6 has a length L1 along the central axis S1 thereof and an outer diameter D1. In one example, the length L1 is from about 10 mm to about 150 mm. In one example, the diameter D1 is from about 3 mm to about 20 mm. In one example, the thickness T1 of the wall of the dropper pipette is about 0.3 mm to about 2.5 mm, wherein the wall thickness of pipette on drawing is 1mm. In another example, the dropper pipette 6 can have other shapes than cylindrical shape as shown in the drawings. For example, the cross section of the dropper pipette 6 can be oval, polygon and so on.

Moreover, the dropper pipette 6 includes a laser print marking 7, and the laser print marking 7 has a width W1. In one example, the width W1 of the laser print marking 7 is from about 0.1 mm to about 39 mm, and preferably is about 0.8 mm. In one example, the laser print marking 7 has a distance L2 to the mouthpiece 8. In one example, the distance L2 is about 30 mm. More specifically, the laser indication position or the position of the laser print marking 7 can be set or customized by the consumers. In one example, the laser indication position is calculated based on the inner volume of the dropper pipette 6 and a dropper dosage. In one example, the dropper dosage is about 0.8 ml, and the dropper bottle 10 has a total filling volume of about 30 ml.

Preferably, the dropper pipette 6 is made of glass, and it is annealed with surface temperature of about 500 to 800 degrees. After annealing, the dropper pipette 6 will be laser printed by laser. In one example, the dropper pipette 6 is applied by laser, such as purple diode with a wavelength of 355 nm under working voltage of 220V, a frequency of 50HZ and a current of 10A. The wavelength may be chosen according to the material of the dropper pipette 6. Alternatively, the laser may also be a gas laser, such as a He-Ne laser, an Ar-ion laser, a CO₂ laser and an excimer laser; a solid state laser, such as a YAG laser; or a semiconductor laser, etc. For example, if the dropper pipette 6 is made of plastics, asemiconductor laser may be preferred.

In one example, the laser print marking 7 may be applied on an outer surface of the dropper pipette 6 as shown in fig. 4, or on an inner surface of the dropper pipette 6, or between the outer surface and inner surface of the dropper pipette 6. The laser print marking 7 is preferably applied on an outer surface of the dropper pipette 6, which means lower cost, high capacity and flexibility for laser printing process and more easy for washing away waste. In one example, the laser print marking 7 is applied on an inner surface of the dropper pipette 6, so that lenses effect is produced when viewing through the body of the dropper pipette 6. In another example, the laser print marking 7 is applied between the outer surface and inner surface of the dropper pipette 6, this is feasible but need more high energy such as CO₂ laser beam to generate with different aspect effects.

Thanks to the laser printing technology according to the present application, the laser print marking is better in chemical resistance and safety, compared with traditional printing technology. Moreover, the whole surface of the dropper pipette 6 can be laser printed by laser, and thus the whole surface can be the flexible pattern area.

In one example, the laser print marking 7 includes at least one laser line 71 which is formed around the circumference of the dropper pipette 6. By forming the laser line 71 around the whole circumference of the dropper pipette 6, the scale of liquid product being sucked in can be confirmed even when the dropper pipette 6 is viewed from any circumferential direction. In one example, the laser print marking 7 has at least one laser line 71 made by laser dot which can form a line or pattern, and it covers from about 10 to about360 degrees area of pipette 6, wherein the laser dot has a diameter of at least 0.01 mm. In another example, the laser dot has a diameter of at least 0.05 mm.

In one example, the laser print marking 7 is made by laser dots which have diameters of at least 0.01 mm, and the laser dots can form a line or pattern. In another example, the laser dots form multiple lines, multiple patterns or a combination of one or more lines and patterns, such as, as shown in fig. 6.

In one example, the laser print marking 7 is formed around or covers a part of a circumference of pipette 6. Preferably, the laser print marking 7 is formed around or covers 1/72 of a circumference of pipette 6 or even smaller, as long as the formed laser print marking 7 can be observed with naked eyes. By way of examples, the laser print marking may cover 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4 or 1/2 of a circumference of pipette.

In one aspect of the present application, there is disclosed a laser print marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, wherein:

i)the laser print marking is made by laser dots which have diameters of at least 0.01mm, and the laser dots can form a line or pattern, and it covers a part of a circumference of pipette, or even covers the whole circumference of pipette;

In one example, according to our invention, the line or pattern may be used for dose indication. In another example, multiple lines may form multiple scales on the wall of the pipette. In still another example, only the line, only the pattern, or both the line and pattern may be used for indication, including but not limited to dose indication.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of three different droppers 6 according to exemplary embodiments of the present application, wherein various designs of patterns, images and texts are laser printed on the dropper pipette 6. In one example, the laser print marking 7 may also include images, patterns or texts, besides the laser line 71. For example, these images, patterns or texts can provide additional information to the consumers, including production address, corporate logo, and brands, provide additional indication or scale for the consumers, or just provide interest during consumer use.

As shown in fig. 6 on the left, an image 72 such as Eiffel Tower may be laser printed on the body of the dropper pipette 6. By way of another example, as shown in fig. 6 in the middle, a logo or text 73 may also be laser printed on the body of the dropper pipette 6. By way of still another example, as shown in fig. 6 on the right, a smile face 74 may also be laser printed on the body of the dropper pipette 6. These images, logo or texts can also be laser marking as indication or scale, and they may enrich or add fun, attraction and pleasure to the consumers. Optionally, these images, patterns or texts can provide additional information to the consumers, including production address, corporation logo and brands, provide additional indication or scale for the consumers, or just provide interest during consumer use.

In another aspect of the present application, there is disclosed a laser print marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, especially on a pump pipette which is not shown in the drawings, wherein the laser indication position is compound calculation linked with pipette inner volume and dropper dosage.

In another aspect of the present application, a laser printing process to make a laser print marking 7 on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette 6, is proposed, wherein the process comprises:

i)obtaining a pipette 6 which is made of glass, plastics or a combination thereof;

ii) using a laser to make a laser print marking 7 on the pipette 6, wherein the depth of the laser print marking 7 is about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm; and

iii) washing the laser print marking 7 to remove waste.

In one example, the laser printing process is carried out using a laser, such as purple diode with a wavelength of 355 nm under working voltage of 220V, a frequency of 50HZ and a current of 10A. The wavelength may be chosen according to the material of the dropper pipette 6. Alternatively, the laser may also be a gas laser, such as a He-Ne laser, an Ar-ion laser, aCO₂ laser and an excimer laser; a solid state laser, such as a YAG laser; or a semiconductor laser, etc.

In the present application, a washing process is carried out after laser printing process so as to ensure hygiene and safety, and in this way waste produced during the laser printing process will be removed by the washing process.

In case that the dropper pipette 6 is made of glass, the dropper pipette 6 will be annealed before the laser printing process. Therefore, annealing process is carried out before laser printing process and a washing process is carried out after laser printing process, and thus glass waste is removed and glass breakage issue during annealing process is greatly mitigated.

In one example, using a laser to make a laser print marking 7 includes forming at least one laser line 71 around the whole circumference of the dropper pipette 6. In this way, the scale of liquid product being sucked in can be confirmed even when the dropper pipette 6 is viewed from any circumferential direction. In another example not shown in the drawings, the laser print marking 7 covers only a part of the circumference of pipette 6. Such as, the laser print marking 7 may cover 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4 or 1/2 of the circumference ofpipette.

In one example, the laser print marking 7 is applied on an outer surface of the dropper pipette 6, or on an inner surface of the dropper pipette 6, or between the outer surface and inner surface of the dropper pipette 6.

In one example, the laser print marking 7 has a width of about 0.8 mm, and the length between the laser print marking 7 and the mouthpiece 8 of the dropper pipette 6 is about 30 mm.

In one example, the laser print marking 7 includes images, patterns or texts, in addition to the laser line. The images, patterns or texts can provide additional information to the consumers, including production address, corporate logo, and brands, provide additional indication or scale for the consumers, or just provide interest during consumer use.

Thanks to the laser printing technology according to the present application, a readable and indelible marking can be formed on a dropper pipette in a cost effective way. Moreover, the whole surface of the dropper pipette can be laser printed by laser, and thus the whole surface rather than only limited area can be the flexible pattern area. Furthermore, the indication positions and design of the indications can be customized by the consumer, and the dropper pipette with laser print marking can be reused for multiple times (for example, 3-5 times) as a mother pack.

Aspects of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments; those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the precise construction and compositions disclosed herein; any and all modifications, changes, and variations apparent from the foregoing descriptions are within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the present concepts expressly include any and all combinations and sub combinations of the preceding elements and features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 dropper

2 bulb

3 inner cap

4 collar

5 liner

6 dropper pipette

7 laser print marking

8 mouthpiece

10 bottle

11 neck

12 external thread

21 recess

31 internal thread

61 flange

71 laser line

72 image

73 logo or text

74 smile face

81 base portion

82 distal end portion

83 cylindrical coupling portion

84 inner flow passage

100 dropper assembly

L1 length of the dropper pipette

L2 distance of the laser print marking to the mouthpiece

W1 width of the laser print marking

D1 outer diameter of the dropper pipette

S1 central axis of the dropper pipette

S2 central axis of the inner flow passage

Claims

A laser print marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, characterized in that:

i)the laser print marking is made by laser dots which form at least one line or pattern, and it covers a part of a circumference of pipette, or even covers the whole circumference of pipette;

ii) the length of the pipette is from about 10 mm to about 150 mm and the diameter of the pipette is from about 3 mm to about 20 mm.
The laser print marking according to claim 1, wherein:

the pipette is transparent or translucent, and the pipette is preferably made of glass, plastics or a combination thereof.
The laser print marking according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the laser dot has a diameter of at least 0.01 mm, preferably of at least 0.05 mm.
The laser print marking according to claim 3, wherein:

the depth of the laser line is about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the wall of the pipette is about 0.3 mm to about 2.5 mm.
The laser print marking according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the laser print marking is applied by laser, such as a purple diode.
The laser print marking according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the laser print marking is applied on an outer surface of the pipette, or on an inner surface of the pipette, or between the outer surface and inner surface of the pipette.
The laser print marking according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the laser print marking includes images, patterns or texts.
The laser print marking according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the laser dots form multiple lines, multiple patterns or a combination of one or more lines and patterns.
A laser printing process to make a laser print marking on a pipette of a dispensing system, preferably a dropper pipette, characterized in that, the process comprises:

i) obtaining a pipette which is made of glass, plastics or a combination thereof;

ii) using a laser to make a laser print marking on the pipette, wherein the depth of the laser print marking is about 0.01 mm to about 0.5 mm; and

iii) washing the laser print marking to remove waste.
The laser printing process according to claim 9, wherein:

the pipette is annealed before the laser printing process in case that the pipette is made of glass.
The laser printing process according to claim 9 or 10, wherein:

using a laser to make a laser print marking includes forming at least one laser line around the circumference of the pipette.
The laser printing process according to claim 9 or 10, wherein:

the laser print marking is applied on an outer surface of the pipette, or on an inner surface of the pipette, or between the outer surface and inner surface of the pipette.
The laser printing process according to claim 9 or 10, wherein:

the laser print marking includes images, patterns or texts.
The laser printing process according to claim 9 or 10, wherein:

the laser print marking is made by laser dots which have diameters of at least 0.01 mm, and the laser dots form at least one line or pattern, and it covers a part of a circumference of pipette, or even covers the whole circumference of pipette.
The laser printing process according to claim 9 or 10, wherein:

the laser is selected from any one of a gas laser, a solid state laser and a semiconductor laser.