Method and apparatus for laser marking objects

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise an apparatus for laser marking individual objects with indicia at a marking station wherein a predetermined window exists during which each object can be marked as the objects are conveyed along at least one path at a predetermined speed, the apparatus comprising, at least first and second lasers positioned adjacent one or more paths configured to direct a laser beam onto the objects to mark the same with indicia as the objects pass through the marking station, with each of the first and second lasers marking alternate following objects as they pass through the marking station.

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A carton having disposed therein a plurality of eggs, wherein:
 every egg of the plurality of eggs has printed thereon one or more graphical representations; and
 for every pair of first and second eggs of the plurality of eggs, the one or more graphical representations printed on the first egg are different in at least one aspect from the one or more graphical representations printed on the second egg. 
   
     
     
         39 . The carton of  claim 38 , wherein, for every egg of the plurality of eggs, the one or more graphical representations printed on the egg are laser etched onto the shell of the egg. 
     
     
         40 . The carton of  claim 38 , wherein the one or more graphical representations printed on the first egg comprise text. 
     
     
         41 . The carton of  claim 38 , wherein the one or more graphical representations printed on the first egg are more complex than the one or more graphical representations printed on the second egg. 
     
     
         42 . The carton of  claim 38 , wherein the plurality of eggs consists of twelve eggs, so that twelve different graphical representations are printed, respectively, on the twelve eggs. 
     
     
         43 . The carton of  claim 42 , wherein the twelve different graphical representations comprise twelve different advertising messages. 
     
     
         44 . An apparatus for printing graphical representations on edible objects, the apparatus comprising:
 a first printing unit configured to print, during a first time window, a first graphical representation of a first edible object disposed on a conveying mechanism;   a second printing unit configured to print, during a second time window, a second graphical representation differs from the first graphical representation in at least one aspect; and   the first time window overlaps with the second time window.   
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the first edible object is a first egg and the second edible object is a second egg. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the first printing unit comprises a first laser marking unit and the second printing unit comprises a second laser marking unit. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the first edible object is disposed on the conveying mechanism adjacent to the second edible object. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the conveying mechanism is configured to convey the edible objects along a conveying direction, and wherein the first and second edible objects are spaced apart from each other along the conveying direction. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the first and second printing units are configured to print on the first and second edible objects while the first and second edible objects are in motion along the conveying direction. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , further comprising a packing unit configured to place the first and second edible objects in a same carton for distribution to a consumer. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the packing unit is configured to place the first and second edible objects in the same carton after the first graphical representation has been printed onto the first edible object and the second graphical representation has been printed onto the second edible object. 
     
     
         52 . A method for printing graphical representations on the edible objects, the method comprising acts of:
 printing, during a first time window, a first graphical representation on a first edible object disposed on a conveying mechanism; and   printing, during a second time window, a second graphical representation on a second edible object disposed on the conveying mechanism, wherein:   the second graphical representation differs from the first graphical representation in at least one aspect; and   the first time window overlaps with the second time window.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the first edible object is a first egg and the second edible object is a second egg. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein each of the act of printing on the first edible object and the act of printing on the second edible object comprises laser printing. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the first edible object is disposed on the conveying mechanism adjacent to the second edible object. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the conveying mechanism conveys the edible objects along a conveying direction, and wherein the first and second edible objects are spaced apart from each other along the conveying direction. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the act of printing on the first edible object comprises printing on the first edible object while the first edible object is in motion along the conveying direction and the act of printing on the second edible object comprises printing on the second edible object while the second edible object is in motion along the conveying direction.