Abstract: A product identifying tag has a front surface and a back surface. Multiple readable product identification indicia are printed on one or more of the tag front surface or the tag back surface. A transparent overlay covers each of the multiple readable product tag product identification indicia. Each overlay is separately removable from each of the multiple readable product tag product identification indicia. Alternatively, there may be only one set of product identifying indicia and a first adhesively coated transparent overlay covers the product identification indicia while a second adhesively coated transparent film overlays the first adhesively coated transparent overlay.

Abstract: A method for identifying dip-galvanized parts commences with marking a tag (e.g., metal) with identification indicia for a galvanizable part. The markings and the tag are resistant to molten zinc. A temporary film is applied over the identification indicia. The temporary film is resistant to pre-galvanizing treatment, but is removed (burned away) during dip galvanizing without obscuring the readability of the identification indicia. Finally, the metal tag is associated with the galvanizable part and the part galvanized in a molten zinc bath.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for marking objects for their identification which marks survive elevated temperatures of, say, up to 600° to 800° F. or higher, for extended periods of time. The inventive system for marking workpieces for their identification includes a laser that emits a beam select band of radiation and a coating system for application to a workpiece to be marked. The coating system includes two coats of paint, a topcoat and a basecoat which paints have been coated sequentially on the workpiece. The basecoat is an at least partially-cured, laser-blackenable paint which has been marked with fragile product identification indicia by the laser beam, after which a clear topcoat has been applied thereover. The laser generates fragile product identification indicia on the workpiece by its beam being directed onto the basecoat for its blackening to generate the fragile product identification indicia by the selective charring of said basecoat.

Abstract: A method for identifying dip-galvanized parts commences with marking a tag (e.g., metal) with identification indicia for a galvanizable part. The markings and the tag are resistant to molten zinc. A temporary film is applied over the identification indicia. The temporary film is resistant to pre-galvanizing treatment, but is removed (burned away) during dip galvanizing without obscuring the readability of the identification indicia. Finally, the metal tag is associated with the galvanizable part and the part galvanized in a molten zinc bath.

Abstract: A method for imaging a product with a pattern commences by forming a film of a wet or tacking marking material on a cliché. A negative of the pattern is ablatively imaged into the film on the cliché. The negative image then is pressure transferred from the cliché onto a marking pad. Finally, the negative image is pressure transferred from the marking pad onto the product. Preferably, the cliché where the film is formed contains recesses. The apparatus, which images the product, has a moveable cliché having a recessed pocket. An ink reservoir transfers ink into the recessed pocket. A laser imaging system images a pattern into ink contained in the recessed pocket. A stamp pad is moveable from a home position to contact the imaged pattern for pressure transferring the pattern onto the stamp pad, and moveable to a printing station to pressure transfer the pattern onto a product.

Abstract: Method for identifying an object having a surface of a given color associates a colored zone with the surface of the object. The zone is machine readably contrasting in color compared to the surface color. The colored zone is ablatively imaging to produce one or more of machine readable images, human readable images, or graphics. The contrast in color between the colored zone and the surface is machine readable. Advantageously, at least two colored zones are associated with the object to be identified. One or more of these colored zones can be ablatively marked. One or more of these colored zones also can be used to sort and/or identify the object by color.

Abstract: An anodized micro-pore aluminum tag bearing indicia thereon wherein the micro-pore anodized aluminum has its micro-pores filled with the cured reside of a composition, which contains silicone resin having pendant groups selected from one or more of methyl groups or phenyl groups. The composition in the micro-pores was cured to a degree effective for marking by blackening thereof with a, e.g., CO2, laser beam, in the form of indicia thereon. The surface of the tag preferably is substantially free of said composition. The method for treating the surface of the anodized micro-pore aluminum tag for forming indicia thereon commences by applying the composition to the surface. Excess of the composition from the surface is removed to leave composition resident in said micro-pores. The composition in the micro-pores then is at least partially cured. A laser then can create the indicia by blackening the composition in the micro-pores.

Abstract: An anodized micro-pore aluminum tag bearing indicia thereon wherein the micro-pore anodized aluminum has its micro-pores filled with the cured reside of a composition, which contains silicone resin having pendant groups selected from one or more of methyl groups or phenyl groups. The composition in the micro-pores was cured to a degree effective for marking by blackening thereof with a, e.g., CO2, laser beam, in the form of indicia thereon. The surface of the tag preferably is substantially free of said composition. The method for treating the surface of the anodized micro-pore aluminum tag for forming indicia thereon commences by applying the composition to the surface. Excess of the composition from the surface is removed to leave composition resident in said micro-pores. The composition in the micro-pores then is at least partially cured. A laser then can create the indicia by blackening the composition in the micro-pores.

Abstract: Broadly, the present invention is directed to a method for making a metal tag bearing visible indicia thereon and which can be welded onto a workpiece. Such inventive method commences by providing a metal sheet having a top face, a bottom face, and a pair of ends. The top face bears a painted zone upon which is imprinted with visible indicia. At least one of the ends of the bottom face has exposed bare metal. Such bare metal end is folded so as to reveal the bottom face bare metal adjacent to the imprinted painted zone. The thickness of the folded ends is effective for the metal tag to be welded onto a metal workpiece at such folded tag end. Another aspect of the present invention is a metal tag bearing indicia thereon and which can be welded onto a metal workpiece. The tag includes a metal sheet having a top face, a bottom face, and a pair of ends. The top face bears a painted zone upon that is imprinted with visible indicia.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for marking objects for their identification. The inventive system includes a laser that emits a select band of radiation and a coating system for application to an object or workpiece to be marked. The coating system is composed of two contrasting coats of paint, a topcoat and a basecoat, which have been coated sequentially on the workpiece. The topcoat, while still wet, can be ablated by the beam of said laser while the basecoat, while wet, dry or tacky, is refractory to the beam of said laser. The laser, thus, can generate alphanumeric and graphic characters (product identification indicia) on the workpiece by its beam being directed onto the coating system for ablating the topcoat to reveal the basecoat to generate the characters by dint of the visible contrast between the two coats of paint.