Laser Marking Pigment Gains European Patent

The Datalase pigment that forms the basis of its laser marking products has been granted a European patent.

The patent covers the pigment used for Datalase's primary and secondary packaging systems Packmark and Casemark Flexo and Tape.

The process features the pigment, which undergoes a colour change reaction from white to black to form a positive image once exposed to a computer controlled low power CO2 laser.

The process requires no inks, ribbons, or other costly consumables, making it much simpler, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than traditional printing techniques, said Datalase.

The laser based print engine is claimed to be highly efficient with almost 100 per cent production uptime.

The lifetime of the laser is over 30,000 hours and compared to thermal printers it requires little maintenance and no replacing of print heads due to wear and tear, added the company.

Unlike printing inks or inkjet fluids, the Datalase laser-marked image is not prone to bleeding on absorbent substrates.

Packmark is designed for applying high speed, on-demand variable information to primary packaging and it is said to be mainly suitable for laser marking date and bar codes, as well as ensuring tracking and tracing of products for brand protection.

The pigment is applied to the substrate by the converter and then supplied to the packer or manufacturer.

On the final production line, the low-powered laser is used to produce the required image in the Datalase pigment.

Casemark is claimed to be the only label replacement system for secondary packaging capable of producing a consistently verifiable bar code on-line and direct-to-corrugated packaging.

For Casemark Flexo, the packaging is flexo printed with a Datalase ink by the converter and then, the packer creates the image on the final production line.

In contrast, Casemark Tape is said to enable the user to apply the tape and 'print' the information on the production line.

The pigment is integrated in the tape material making it possible to laser through its polypropylene surface without affecting it, encasing the image within the tape.

The image cannot be removed, not even with chemicals or solvents, said Datalase.

In addition, if the tape is removed, the image is permanently transferred to the box.

Steve Kelly, chief executive officer of Datalase, commented: "The significance of the Datalase process has been recognised with this patent.

We will continue to expand on our extensive patent application programme with the aim to further establish our unique approach in applying colour change know-how to solve practical manufacturing problems.".

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