US3617702A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for perforating sheet material
Assignee: EIDP Inc
•
Filing: 1969-06-10
•
Granted: 1971-11-02
•
Expires: 1989-06-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. a means for moving the sheet material; B. a laser source; C. a reflective hologram, said hologram: 1. HAVING ITS SURFACE PREPARED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT WILL REFLECT HIGH-INTENSITY SPOT IMAGES WHEN A BEAM EMITTED FROM THE LASER SOURCE IS CAST THEREON; AND 2. BEING POSITIONED SO THAT IT WILL REFLECT THE HIGH-INTENSITY SPOT IMAGES ONTO THE SHEET MATERIAL; AND D. means for causing the high-intensity spot images to impinge upon certain areas of the sheet material for a duration that is greater than the duration of impingement in other areas, said sheet material areas of greater duration of impingement receiving sufficient energy to cause perforations to be formed therein, and said sheet material areas of lesser duration of impingement receiving impingement in the amount of from no impingement at all to an amount of impingement that contains less than the amount of energy required to perforate the sheet material.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip Flournoy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:28
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/08; B23K26/083; B23K26/0838; B23K26/0846; G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/32; G06; G06K; G06K1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. a means for moving the sheet material; B. a laser source C. a reflective hologram, said hologram: 1. having its surface prepared in such a manner that it will reflect high-intensity spot images when a beam emitted from the laser source is cast thereon; and 2. being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and D. means for causing the high-intensity spot images to impinge upon certain areas of the sheet material for a duration that is greater than the duration of impingement in other areas, said sheet material areas of greater duration of impingement receiving sufficient energy to cause perforations to be formed therein, and said sheet material areas of lesser duration of impingement receiving impingement in the amount of from no impingement at all to an amount of impingement that contains less than the amount of energy required to perforate the sheet material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. a means for moving the sheet material; B. a laser source C. a reflective hologram, said hologram: 1. having its surface prepared in such a manner that it will reflect high-intensity spot images when a beam emitted from the laser source is cast thereon; and 2. being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and D. means for causing the high-intensity spot images to impinge upon certain areas of the sheet material for a duration that is greater than the duration of impingement in other areas, said sheet material areas of greater duration of impingement receiving sufficient energy to cause perforations to be formed therein, and said sheet material areas of lesser duration of impingement receiving impingement in the amount of from no impingement at all to an amount of impingement that contains less than the amount of energy required to perforate the sheet material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and D. means for causing the high-intensity hole images to trace pathways over the surface of the sheet material, certain areas of these pathways to receive a greater duration of impingement from the high-intensity spot images than other areas, said sheet material areas of greater duration of impingement receiving sufficient energy to cause perforations to be formed therein and said sheet material areas of lesser duration of impingement receiving an amount of impingement that contains less than the amount of energy required to perforate the sheet material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
102 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and D. means for causing the high-intensity hole images to trace pathways over the surface of the sheet material, certain areas of these pathways to receive a greater duration of impingement from the high-intensity spot images than other areas, said sheet material areas of greater duration of impingement receiving sufficient energy to cause perforations to be formed therein and said sheet material areas of lesser duration of impingement receiving an amount of impingement that contains less than the amount of energy required to perforate the sheet material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and C. causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate, thereby forming, with each pulsation, perforations in the sheet material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and C. causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate, thereby forming, with each pulsation, perforations in the sheet material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and C. causing the hologram to vibrate, thereby resulting in the surface thereof casting a random distribution of high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and D. causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate, thereby forming, with each pulsation, a random distribution of perforations in the sheet material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and C. causing the hologram to vibrate, thereby resulting in the surface thereof casting a random distribution of high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and D. causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate, thereby forming, with each pulsation, a random distribution of perforations in the sheet material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and C. causing the high-intensity spot images to trace pathways over the surface of the sheet material, certain areas of these pathways to receive a greater duration of impingement from the high-intensity spot images than other areas, said sheet material areas of greater duration of impingement receiving sufficient energy to cause perforations to be formed therein and said sheet material areas of lesser duration of impingement receiving an amount of impingement that contains less than the amount of energy required to perforate the sheet material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and C. causing the high-intensity spot images to trace pathways over the surface of the sheet material, certain areas of these pathways to receive a greater duration of impingement from the high-intensity spot images than other areas, said sheet material areas of greater duration of impingement receiving sufficient energy to cause perforations to be formed therein and said sheet material areas of lesser duration of impingement receiving an amount of impingement that contains less than the amount of energy required to perforate the sheet material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and C. causing the high-intensity spot images to impinge upon certain areas of the sheet material for a duration that is greater than the duration of impingement in other areas, said sheet material areas of greater duration of impingement receiving sufficient energy to cause perforations to be formed therein, and said sheet material areas of lesser duration of impingement receiving impingement in the amount of from no impingement at all to an amount of impingement that contains less than the amount of energy required to perforate the sheet material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and C. causing the high-intensity spot images to impinge upon certain areas of the sheet material for a duration that is greater than the duration of impingement in other areas, said sheet material areas of greater duration of impingement receiving sufficient energy to cause perforations to be formed therein, and said sheet material areas of lesser duration of impingement receiving impingement in the amount of from no impingement at all to an amount of impingement that contains less than the amount of energy required to perforate the sheet material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and D. means for causing the high-intensity spot images to impinge upon certain areas of the sheet material for a duration that is greater than the duration of impingement in other areas, said sheet material areas of greater duration of impingement receiving sufficient energy to cause perforations to be formed therein, and said sheet material areas of lesser duration of impingement receiving impingement in the amount of from no impingement at all to an amount of impingement that contains less than the amount of energy required to perforate the sheet material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and D. means for causing the high-intensity spot images to impinge upon certain areas of the sheet material for a duration that is greater than the duration of impingement in other areas, said sheet material areas of greater duration of impingement receiving sufficient energy to cause perforations to be formed therein, and said sheet material areas of lesser duration of impingement receiving impingement in the amount of from no impingement at all to an amount of impingement that contains less than the amount of energy required to perforate the sheet material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emiTted from a laser source which comprises: A. a means for moving the sheet material; B. a laser source; C. a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emiTted from a laser source which comprises: A. a means for moving the sheet material; B. a laser source; C. a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and D. means for causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate at a suitable frequency, so as to cause, with each pulsation, perforations to be formed in the sheet material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and D. means for causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate at a suitable frequency, so as to cause, with each pulsation, perforations to be formed in the sheet material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and D. a means capable of causing the hologram to vibrate, so as to cause the surface thereof to cast a random distribution of high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and E. a means for causing the random distribution of high-intensity spot images to pulsate at a suitable frequency, so as to cause, with each pulsation, a random distribution of perforations in the sheet material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
being positioned so that it will reflect the high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and D. a means capable of causing the hologram to vibrate, so as to cause the surface thereof to cast a random distribution of high-intensity spot images onto the sheet material; and E. a means for causing the random distribution of high-intensity spot images to pulsate at a suitable frequency, so as to cause, with each pulsation, a random distribution of perforations in the sheet material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate is a laser source which emits a pulsating beam.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate is a laser source which emits a beam that pulsates as a rate of greater than 1 kilocycle per second.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate is a laser source which emits a beam having a wavelength that is absorbed readily by the material to be perforated and pulsates at a rate of greater than 1 kilocycle per second.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate is a CO2-N2-He infrared gas laser which emits a beam having a wavelength of about 10.6 microns and pulsates at a rate of greater than 1 kilocycle per second.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein in lieu of the single laser source mentioned in part (B) there is a plurality of laser sources; and in lieu of the single hologram mentioned in part (C) there is a plurality of holograms.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. a means for moving the sheet material; B. a laser source; C. a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. a means for moving the sheet material; B. a laser source; C. a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the means for causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate is a laser source which emits a pulsating beam.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the means for causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate is a laser source which emits a beam that pulsates at a rate of greater than 1 kilocycle per second.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the means for causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate is a laser source which emits a beam having a wavelength that is absorbed readily by the material to be perforated and pulsates at a rate of greater than 1 kilocycle per second.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the means for causing the high-intensity spot images to pulsate is a CO2-N2-He infrared gas laser which emits a beam having a wavelength of about 10.6 microns and pulsates at a rate of greater than 1 kilocycle per second.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein in lieu of the single laser source mentioned in part (B) there is a plurality of laser sources; and in lieu of the single hologram mentioned in part (C) there is a plurality of holograms.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the means for causing the hologram to vibrate is comprised of a stationary mount pivotally attached to one end of The hologram, and a vibrating means attached to that end of the hologram where the mount is not attached.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. a means for moving the sheet material; B. a laser source; C. a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. a means for moving the sheet material; B. a laser source; C. a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein in lieu of the single laser source mentioned in part (B) there is a plurality of laser sources; and in lieu of the single hologram mentioned in part (C) there is a plurality of holograms.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
45 words
A method for perforation sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. moving the sheet material to be perforated, and simultaneously; B. passing the beam from a laser source onto the surface of a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 38
Independent Claim
45 words
A method for perforation sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. moving the sheet material to be perforated, and simultaneously; B. passing the beam from a laser source onto the surface of a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 17 wherein in lieu of the single laser source mentioned in part (B) there is a plurality of laser sources; and in lieu of the single hologram mentioned in part (B) there is a plurality of holograms.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
45 words
A method of perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitter from a laser source which comprises: A. moving the sheet material to be perforated, and simultaneously; B. passing the beam from a laser source onto the surface of a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 41
Independent Claim
45 words
A method of perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitter from a laser source which comprises: A. moving the sheet material to be perforated, and simultaneously; B. passing the beam from a laser source onto the surface of a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 19 wherein a pulsating beam emitted from a laser source is used for causing pulsation of the high-intensity spot images.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 19 wherein a beam pulsating at a rate of greater than 1 kilocycle per second, which is emitted from a laser source, is used for causing pulsation of the high-intensity spot images.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the pulsating beam emitted from the laser source has a wavelength that is absorbed readily by the material to be perforated.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the laser source is a CO2-N2-He infrared gas laser which emits a beam having a wavelength of about 10.6 microns.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
45 words
A method for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. moving the sheet material to be perforated, and simultaneously B. passing the beam from a laser source onto the surface of a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 47
Independent Claim
45 words
A method for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. moving the sheet material to be perforated, and simultaneously B. passing the beam from a laser source onto the surface of a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 24 wherein a pulsating beam emitted from a laser source is used for causing pulsation of the high-intensity spot images.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 24 wherein a beam pulsating at a rate of greater than 1 kilocycle per second, which is emitted from the laser source, is used for causing pulsation of the high-intensity spot images.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the pulsating beam emitted from the laser source has a wavelength that is absorbed readily by the material to be perforated.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the laser source is CO2-N2-He infrared gas laser which emits a beam having a wavelength of about 10.6 microns.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
45 words
A method for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. moving the sheet material to be perforated, and simultaneously; B. passing the beam from a laser source onto the surface of a reflective hologram, said hologram:
Claim 53
Independent Claim
45 words
A method for perforating sheet material by means of a beam emitted from a laser source which comprises: A. moving the sheet material to be perforated, and simultaneously; B. passing the beam from a laser source onto the surface of a reflective hologram, said hologram:
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3388314A
Cited
US3348233A
Cited
US3226527A
Cited
US3256524A
Cited
US3314073A
Cited
US3419321A
Cited
US3396401A
Cited
US3410203A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |