Method for Ablating a Label With a Laser

Abstract

A method for ablating a label having a topcoat layer and a sacrificial layer includes irradiating at least one target region on the topcoat layer with a laser beam and further includes removing the topcoat layer and at least a portion of the sacrificial layer in the at least one target region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for ablating a label having a topcoat layer and a sacrificial layer, the method comprising:
 irradiating at least one target region on the topcoat layer with a laser beam; and   removing the topcoat layer and at least a portion of the sacrificial layer in the at least one target region.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 the topcoat layer has a first facial surface and a second facial surface;   the sacrificial layer has a first facial surface and a second facial surface; and   the second facial surface of the topcoat layer is coupled to the first facial surface of the sacrificial layer.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of irradiating includes irradiating the at least one target region on the topcoat layer and allowing at least a portion of the energy from the laser beam to irradiate the sacrificial layer at a region corresponding to the target region. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of removing the topcoat layer and at least a portion of the sacrificial layer includes allowing the sacrificial layer to expand and blow out the topcoat layer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the topcoat layer comprises a reflective pigment and a first polymeric binder. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the reflective pigment is selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a mixed metal oxide, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the reflective pigment has a particle size of greater than or equal to 4 Hegman units, as measured in accordance with ASTM D1210-05. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the topcoat layer has a light color selected from the group consisting of white, off-white, cream, tan, gray, and pastels. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sacrificial layer comprises an infrared (IR) absorbing material and a second polymeric binder. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the IR absorbing material is a carbon black. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the IR absorbing material has a particle size of greater than or equal to 4 Hegman units, as measured in accordance with ASTM D1210-05. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sacrificial layer has a dark color selected from the group consisting of black, gray, brown, purple, blue, green, red, orange, and yellow. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising marking the topcoat layer to outline the at least one target region before the irradiating step. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of removing includes removing the topcoat layer and at least a portion of the sacrificial layer in the at least one target region to form at least one indicia.