Datalase Limited

Siltech Corporation

Sherwood Technology, Inc.

Nazir Khan

Martin Robert Walker

Christopher Anthony Wyres

There are described compositions and methods for the laser marking of products or their packaging. The compositions comprise transition metal oxides, saccharides and/or flame-retardant agents, optionally with other additives, dispersed in a carrier.

Laser marking

A laser-markable composition comprises a binder and an oxyanion of a multivalent metal.

Laser-markable compositions

Laser-markable compositions and methods for providing an image on a substrate are provided. A laser-markable composition can include a pigment, a solvent, and a conductive polymer that absorbs IR radiation. This can be used to mark a substrate, using a low-energy laser. Irradiation can be by means of a near-IR laser source, and the conductive polymer can absorb radiation and transfer heat to the pigment.

An ink formulation comprises a marking component and a metal salt that absorbs laser irradiation at 700-2000 mn and thereby causes the marking component to change colour. A copper salt in particular allows effective marking with a diode or COlaser.

Laser imaging

A laser-markable composition comprises a pigment, a solvent and a conductive polymer that absorbs IR radiation. This can be used to mark a substrate, using a low-energy laser.

A laser-markable composition which comprises a binder and an oxyanion of a multivalent metal.

A colorless or transparent composition comprises a charge-delocalization compound and a photoacid, wherein the photoacid generates an acid on irradiation or heating, thereby forming a colored change-transfer complex with said compound.

Photothermal recording medium

A method for making an object, wherein the object comprises a material including a functional group and a metal compound or acid that causes an elimination reaction on irradiation with a laser, to form a reaction product of contrasting colour, comprises directing a laser beam on to the areas of the object to be marked. For example, by using a carbohydrate and a metal salt, effective marking can be achieved on the coating of a pill or other edible material.

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Nottingham, United Kingdom

Nazir Khan