Kellogg's will use laser to burn logo onto individual corn flakes to stamp out fakes

The Daily Mail (U.K.) / various ^ | October 13,2009

[Stoat]

Kellogg's has developed a hi-tech method to stamp out imitation cereals - by branding individual flakes of corn with the company logo.
 

The new technology enables the firm - which makes 67million boxes of Corn Flakes every year - to burn the famous signature onto individual flakes using lasers.
 

Kellogg's plans to produce a number one-off trial batches of the branded flakes to test the system.

Bosses will then consider inserting a proportion of branded flakes into each box to guarantee the cereal's origins and protect against imitation products.
 

If the system is successful it could be used on Kellogg's other best-loved brands including Frosties, Special K, Crunchy Nut and Bran Flakes.
 

The laser uses a concentrated beam of light which focuses the energy within the beam, down to a very small spot on the Corn Flake.

Mirror galvanometers are then used to steer the beam creating multiple vectors that reflect the laser from different angles and ultimately make up the image.
 

The energy density within the laser spot diameter is sufficient enough to give the surface of the flake a darker, toasted appearance without changing the taste.
 

Kellogg's embarked on the project to reinforce that they don't make cereals for any other companies and to fire a shot across the bows of makers of 'fake flakes'.

 

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Don’t lase me bro!

[Buckeye McFrog]

yeah, I’m really looking forward to my breakfast cereal being flavored with just a hint of Kingsford Charcoal...

[xjcsa]

How long before it is used to burn ID tats onto everyone?

Quarter after never.

[missnry]

I can think of a few flakes that need to be tatooed!

[Larry Lucido]

serial numbers

You mean cereal number. Pretty ceries, if you ask me.

[dfwgator]

"They're always after me Lucky Charms."

[onedoug]

Currently taste testing twixt General Mills Cherrios and Trader Joe’s “Joe’s O’s”....

Joe’s O’s appear to have the lead.

[Dewey Revoltnow]

Ever wonder what the logo on an M&M costs?

Millions & Millions?

[Liberty Valance]

Now with more democrats in every spoonful! Yum!

[texmexis best]

“Ever wonder what the logo on an M&M costs?”

Oddly enough, I have. Do you know the answer?

[Andonius_99]

I thought those were W’s...

[GOYAKLA]

Your state flake has a profile of the Playboy Bunny! :>)

[MNDude]

I bet that would suck if you fell in the machine and got thousands of little K’s zapped onto your body.

[Atlas Sneezed]

[Constitution Day]

Yes!

It's very and !

[gathersnomoss]

Sure beats 50 stars on your face...

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“Joe’s O’s appear to have the lead.”

Are they made in China?

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

You look like a flake to me.

[Cicero]

And do they really think that the Chinese, for instance, are incapable of developing their own Circle K branding machines to do their own counterfeit flakes dipped in antifreeze?

[Liberty Valance]

Thank you!