Patent US4356375A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4356375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for producing lines of weakness in the protective backing of an adhesive laminate
Assignee: Avery Dennison Corp
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Filing: 1980-07-10
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Granted: 1982-10-26
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Expires: 2000-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for forming a line of weakness in the protective backing of an adhesive laminate is disclosed. The process is performed by generating a laser beam of sufficient energy to vaporize at least a portion of the protective backing of an adhesive laminate. The laser beam is focused in a focal line extending across the protective backing for a time sufficient for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing. At least a portion of the protective backing is vaporized with the laser beam to a depth sufficient for forming a line of weakness in the protective backing along the focal line.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Josephy
- 👤 Richard R. Baggarley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:55
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C59/00; B29C59/007; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/073; B23K26/0738; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0838
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A process for forming a line of weakness in the protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the process comprising the steps of: (a) generating a laser beam of sufficient energy density to vaporize at least a portion of the protective backing of an adhesive laminate; (b) focusing the laser beam in a focal line extending across the protective backing for a time sufficient for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; and (c) vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing with the laser beam to a depth sufficient for forming a line of weakness in the protective backing along the focal line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for forming a line of weakness in the protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the process comprising the steps of: (a) generating a laser beam of sufficient energy density to vaporize at least a portion of the protective backing of an adhesive laminate; (b) focusing the laser beam in a focal line extending across the protective backing for a time sufficient for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; and (c) vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing with the laser beam to a depth sufficient for forming a line of weakness in the protective backing along the focal line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A process for forming a line of weakness as recited in claim 1 wherein the focusing step comprises directing the laser beam to a reflective surface, reflecting the laser beam to a focal line of the reflective surface, and projecting the reflected laser beam along the focal line and onto the protective backing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process for forming a line of weakness as recited in claim 1 wherein the protective backing is vaporized to a substantially uniform depth along the focal line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process forming a line of weakness as recited in claim 1 wherein an energy density of the laser beam is substantially uniform along the focal line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process for forming a line of weakness as recited in claim 1 wherein the generating step comprises generating a laser beam having an intensity minimum at its center.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process for forming a line of weakness as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of continuously passing an adhesive laminate having a protective backing through the focal line and intermittently generating the laser beam for forming a plurality of lines of weakness extending across the protective backing spaced apart along the protective backing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process for forming a line of weakness as recited in claim 1 wherein the laser beam is focused to a focal line extending diagonally across the protective backing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process for forming a line of weakness as recited in claim 1 further comprising pulsing the laser beam and passing the adhesive laminate continuously through the focal line for providing a plurality of lines of weakness in the protective backing alone the adhesive laminate spaced apart from each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process as recited in claim 1 wherein the vaporizing step provides vaporization of the protective backing and adhesive laminate along the focal line for cutting the adhesive laminate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process as recited in claim 1 further comprising masking the protective backing with a mask for intercepting the focused laser light beam and for forming a discontinuous line of weakness extending across the protective backing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for forming a line of weakness in a protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the apparatus comprising: (a) a laser for generating a laser light beam having sufficient energy density for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; (b) a segmented reflective axicon capable of focusing the laser light beam to a focal line positioned for receiving the laser light beam, and focusing the laser light bean to a focal line projected on the protective backing; and (c) means for supporting the adhesive laminate at about the focal line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for forming a line of weakness in a protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the apparatus comprising: (a) a laser for generating a laser light beam having sufficient energy density for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; (b) a segmented reflective axicon capable of focusing the laser light beam to a focal line positioned for receiving the laser light beam, and focusing the laser light bean to a focal line projected on the protective backing; and (c) means for supporting the adhesive laminate at about the focal line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the reflective axicon is a segmented axicon comprising a plurality of segments having differing angles of reflectance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 11 further comprising means for advancing the adhesive laminate and for maintaining the adhesive laminate at about the focal line and means for pulsing the laser for providing a focused laser light beam which intermittently impinges upon the protective backing of the adhesive laminate for forming a plurality of lines of weakness spaced apart along the protective backing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 11 further comprising means for intercepting the focused laser light beam spaced between the focusing means and the adhesive laminate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein the means for intercepting the focused laser light comprises a wire grid supported between the adhesive laminate and means for focusing the laser light beam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for forming a line of weakness in a protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the apparatus comprising: (a) a laser for generating a laser light beam having a minimum intensity at its center and sufficient energy density for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; (b) a reflective axicon selectively positioned for receiving the laser light beam, and focusing the laser light beam to a focal line projected on the protective backing; and (c) means for supporting the adhesive laminate at about the focal line.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for forming a line of weakness in a protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the apparatus comprising: (a) a laser for generating a laser light beam having a minimum intensity at its center and sufficient energy density for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; (b) a reflective axicon selectively positioned for receiving the laser light beam, and focusing the laser light beam to a focal line projected on the protective backing; and (c) means for supporting the adhesive laminate at about the focal line.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 16 further comprising means for advancing the adhesive laminate and for maintaining the adhesive laminate at about the focal line, and means for pulsing the laser for providing a focused laser light beam which intermittently impinges upon the protective backing of the adhesive laminate for forming a plurality of lines of weakness spaced apart along the protective backing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 16 further comprising means for intercepting the focused laser light beam spaced between the focusing means and the adhesive laminate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein the means for intercepting the focused laser light comprises a wire grid supported between the adhesive laminate and means for focusing the laser light beam.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for forming a line of weakness in a protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the apparatus comprising: (a) a laser for generating a laser light beam having a minimum intensity at its center and sufficient energy density for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; (b) a segmented axicon comprising a plurality of segments having differing reflectance for focusing the laser light beam to a focal line positioned for receiving the laser light beam, and focusing the laser light beam to a focal line projected on the protective backing; and (c) means for supporting the adhesive laminate at about the focal line.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for forming a line of weakness in a protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the apparatus comprising: (a) a laser for generating a laser light beam having a minimum intensity at its center and sufficient energy density for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; (b) a segmented axicon comprising a plurality of segments having differing reflectance for focusing the laser light beam to a focal line positioned for receiving the laser light beam, and focusing the laser light beam to a focal line projected on the protective backing; and (c) means for supporting the adhesive laminate at about the focal line.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein the angle of reflectance decreases for each axicon segment beginning with the axicon segment farthest from the laser and ending with the axicon segment closest to the laser.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 20 further comprising means for intercepting the focused laser light beam spaced between the focusing means and the adhesive laminate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 22 wherein the means for intercepting the focused laser light comprises a wire grid supported between the adhesive laminate and means for focusing the laser light beam.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for forming a line of weakness in a protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the apparatus comprising: (a) a laser for generating a laser light beam having a single peaked curve and sufficient energy density for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; (b) a segmented axicon comprising a plurality of segments having differing angles of reflectance for focusing the laser light beam to a focal line positioned for receiving the laser light beam, and focusing the laser light beam to a focal line projected on the protective backing; and (c) means for supporting the adhesive laminate at about the focal line.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for forming a line of weakness in a protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the apparatus comprising: (a) a laser for generating a laser light beam having a single peaked curve and sufficient energy density for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; (b) a segmented axicon comprising a plurality of segments having differing angles of reflectance for focusing the laser light beam to a focal line positioned for receiving the laser light beam, and focusing the laser light beam to a focal line projected on the protective backing; and (c) means for supporting the adhesive laminate at about the focal line.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein the angle of reflectance decreases for each axicon segment beginning with the axicon segment farthest from the laser and ending with the axicon segment closest to the laser.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 24 further comprising means for advancing the adhesive laminate and for maintaining the adhesive laminate at about the focal line, and means for pulsing the laser for providing a focused laser light beam which intermittently impinges upon the protective backing of the adhesive laminate for forming a plurality of lines of weakness spaced apart along the protective backing.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 24 further comprising means for intercepting the focused laser light beam spaced between the focusing means and the adhesive laminate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 27 wherein the means for intercepting the focused laser light comprises a wire grid supported between the adhesive laminate and means for focusing the laser light beam.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
118 words
A process for forming a line of weakness in the protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the process comprising the steps of: (a) generating a laser beam having a minimum intensity at the center thereof and of sufficient energy density to vaporize at least a portion of the protective backing of an adhesive laminate; (b) directing the laser beam to a reflective segmented axicon; and (c) reflecting the laser beam on at least a portion of the protective backing for a time sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the protective backing with the laser beam along a line to a depth sufficient to form a line of weakness of substantially uniform depth in the protective backing.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
118 words
A process for forming a line of weakness in the protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the process comprising the steps of: (a) generating a laser beam having a minimum intensity at the center thereof and of sufficient energy density to vaporize at least a portion of the protective backing of an adhesive laminate; (b) directing the laser beam to a reflective segmented axicon; and (c) reflecting the laser beam on at least a portion of the protective backing for a time sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the protective backing with the laser beam along a line to a depth sufficient to form a line of weakness of substantially uniform depth in the protective backing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process for forming a line of weakness as recited in claim 29 further comprising continuously passing an adhesive laminate through the reflected laser beam and intermittently generating the laser beam to form a plurality of lines of weakness extending across the protective backing spaced apart along the protective backing.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process for forming a line of weakness as recited in claim 29 wherein the laser beam is focused along a line extending diagonally across the protective backing.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
A process for forming a line of weakness as recited in claim 29 further comprising pulsing the laser beam and passing the adhesive laminate continuously through the reflected pulsed laser beam to provide a plurality of lines of weakness in the protective backing along the adhesive laminate spaced apart from each other.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process for forming a line of weakness as recited in claim 29 in which the protective backing is moved to intercept the reflected laser beam to form a discontinuous line of weakness extending across the protective backing.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for forming a line of weakness in a protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the apparatus comprising: (a) a laser for generating a laser light beam having sufficient energy density for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; (b) a segmented axicon capable of focusing the laser light beam to a focal line positioned for receiving the laser light beam, and focusing the laser light beam to a focal line projected on the protective backing; and (c) means for supporting the adhesive laminate at about the focal line.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for forming a line of weakness in a protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the apparatus comprising: (a) a laser for generating a laser light beam having sufficient energy density for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; (b) a segmented axicon capable of focusing the laser light beam to a focal line positioned for receiving the laser light beam, and focusing the laser light beam to a focal line projected on the protective backing; and (c) means for supporting the adhesive laminate at about the focal line.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for forming a line of weakness in a protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the apparatus comprising: (a) a laser for generating a laser light beam having sufficient energy density for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; (b) a segmented reflective axicon comprising a plurality of segments having differing angles of reflectance, in which the angle of reflectance decreases for each axicon segment beginning with the axicon segment farthest from the laser and ending with the axicon segment closest to the laser, and capable of focusing the laser light beam to a focal line positioned for receiving the laser light beam, and focusing the laser light beam to a focal line projected on the protective backing; and (c) means for supporting the adhesive laminate at about the focal line.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for forming a line of weakness in a protective backing of an adhesive laminate, the apparatus comprising: (a) a laser for generating a laser light beam having sufficient energy density for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing; (b) a segmented reflective axicon comprising a plurality of segments having differing angles of reflectance, in which the angle of reflectance decreases for each axicon segment beginning with the axicon segment farthest from the laser and ending with the axicon segment closest to the laser, and capable of focusing the laser light beam to a focal line positioned for receiving the laser light beam, and focusing the laser light beam to a focal line projected on the protective backing; and (c) means for supporting the adhesive laminate at about the focal line.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-10-25 | 1986-04-26 | 1986-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-25 | 1990-04-26 | 1990-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-25 | 1994-04-26 | 1994-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |