초록 ▼

A produce (e.g. fruits and vegetables) marking system is used to etch the skin of a piece of produce with an identifying mark. The first embodiment of the system uses a laser to emit a high intensity light beam to form the identifying mark. The second and third embodiments of the system use a dot ma

A produce (e.g. fruits and vegetables) marking system is used to etch the skin of a piece of produce with an identifying mark. The first embodiment of the system uses a laser to emit a high intensity light beam to form the identifying mark. The second and third embodiments of the system use a dot matrix printer head. In the second embodiment, the pins of the printer head directly contact the produce skin to etch an area of the skin to form the identifying mark. In the third embodiment, a thermally conductive ribbon member is placed between the printer head and the produce. The pins of the printer head impact the ribbon member thereby forming a hot spot on the ribbon member, which in turn, etches the skin of the produce to form the identifying mark.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The invention claimed is:] [1.] A produce marking system comprising: a piece of produce having a skin cell depth ranging from approximately 40 to 200 microns; and structure for marking a plurality of dots in said produce skin in a dot matrix pattern to form an identifying mark, said dots having a

[ The invention claimed is:] [1.] A produce marking system comprising: a piece of produce having a skin cell depth ranging from approximately 40 to 200 microns; and structure for marking a plurality of dots in said produce skin in a dot matrix pattern to form an identifying mark, said dots having a depth into said produce skin not exceeding said cell depth, said dots have a depth of approximately 20 to 120 microns so that the identifying mark formed is approximately one-half of the skin cell depth.