Abstract: Multicolor thermal imaging members are described that comprise color-forming layers that are separated by thermally-insulating layers and can be addressed with a thermal printing head in contact with a surface to form an image. The thermally-insulating layers are designed to be as thin as possible consistent with at least partially independent addressing of the color-forming layers, and are formulated so as not to lead to instabilities either before or after printing or to give rise to dimensional changes of a thermal imaging member when it is subjected to changes in temperature or humidity. Coating compositions for manufacturing such thermally-insulating layers are also provided.

Abstract: Multicolor thermal imaging members are described that comprise color-forming layers that are separated by thermally-insulating layers and can be addressed with a thermal printing head in contact with a surface to form an image. The thermally-insulating layers are designed to be as thin as possible consistent with at least partially independent addressing of the color-forming layers, and are formulated so as not to lead to instabilities either before or after printing or to give rise to dimensional changes of a thermal imaging member when it is subjected to changes in temperature or humidity. Coating compositions for manufacturing such thermally-insulating layers are also provided.

Abstract: There are disclosed imaging members wherein a chemical compound in a crystalline form is converted, at least partially, and preferably substantially completely or completely, to an amorphous form that has intrinsically a different color from the crystalline form. Also described are imaging methods utilizing the imaging members. The conversion of the compound from the crystalline form to an amorphous form can be effected by laser exposure.

Abstract: Multicolor thermal imaging members are described that comprise color-forming layers that are separated by thermally-insulating layers and can be addressed with a thermal printing head in contact with a surface to form an image. The thermally-insulating layers are designed to be as thin as possible consistent with at least partially independent addressing of the color-forming layers, and are formulated so as not to lead to instabilities either before or after printing or to give rise to dimensional changes of a thermal imaging member when it is subjected to changes in temperature or humidity. Coating compositions for manufacturing such thermally-insulating layers are also provided.

Abstract: There are disclosed imaging members wherein a chemical compound in a crystalline form is converted, at least partially, and preferably substantially completely or completely, to an amorphous form that has intrinsically a different color from the crystalline form. Also described are imaging methods utilizing the imaging members. The conversion of the compound from the crystalline form to an amorphous form can be effected by laser exposure.

Abstract: Multicolor thermal imaging members are described that comprise color-forming layers that are separated by thermally-insulating layers and can be addressed with a thermal printing head in contact with a surface to form an image. The thermally-insulating layers are designed to be as thin as possible consistent with at least partially independent addressing of the color-forming layers, and are formulated so as not to lead to instabilities either before or after printing or to give rise to dimensional changes of a thermal imaging member when it is subjected to changes in temperature or humidity. Coating compositions for manufacturing such thermally-insulating layers are also provided.

Abstract: There are described novel fluorescein dye compounds and imaging members and imaging methods utilizing the compounds. The fluorescein dye compounds exhibit a first color when in the crystalline form and a second color, different from the first color, when in the liquid, amorphous form.

Abstract: There are described novel complexes formed between hydrogen bond acceptors and phenolic dye compounds and imaging members and imaging methods, including thermal imaging members and methods utilizing the complexes.

Abstract: There are disclosed imaging members wherein a chemical compound in a crystalline form is converted, at least partially, and preferably substantially completely or completely, to a liquid in the amorphous form, the liquid having intrinsically a different color from the crystalline form. Also described are imaging methods utilizing the imaging members. The conversion of the compound from the crystalline form to the liquid form can be effected by the application of thermal energy or by other imaging techniques.

Abstract: A thermal printing head having a two-dimensional array of resistive heating elements, and a method of printing using such a thermal printing head. The resistive heating elements in different rows of such elements may differ in dimensions, resistance, or other physical properties. The thermal printing head may be used to address a direct thermal medium containing more than one color-forming composition, in which different color-forming compositions produce different colors when heated.

Abstract: A multicolor direct thermal imaging method wherein a multicolor image is formed in a thermal imaging member comprising at least first and second different image-forming compositions and a thermal printer for use in practicing the method. Heat is applied to at least the second image-forming composition while the first image-forming composition is at a first baseline temperature (T1) to form an image in at least the second image-forming composition, and heat is applied to at least the first image-forming composition while it is at a second baseline temperature (T2) to form an image in at least the first image-forming composition, wherein T1 is different from T2.

Abstract: There are described thermal imaging members and thermal imaging methods utilizing unsymmetrical rhodamine compounds. The rhodamine color-forming compounds exhibit a first color when in a crystalline form and a second color, different from the first color, when in an amorphous form.

Abstract: A multicolor imaging system is described wherein at least two, and preferably three, different image-forming layers of a thermal imaging member are addressed at least partially independently by a thermal printhead or printheads from the same surface of the imaging member by controlling the temperature of the thermal printhead(s) and the time thermal energy is applied to the image-forming layers. Each color of the thermal imaging member can be printed alone or in selectable proportion to the other color(s). Novel thermal imaging members are also described.

Abstract: A multicolor direct thermal imaging method and an imaging member for use therein, wherein a multicolor image is formed in a thermal imaging member having at least two different image-forming compositions capable of forming two different colors. Heat is used to form an image in the first color at a first speed of travel of the thermal imaging member with respect to the source of heat, and heat is used to form an image in the second color at a second speed of travel of the thermal imaging member with respect to the source of heat, where the first speed of travel and the second speed of travel are different from each other.

Abstract: There are described articles bearing indicia applied with an ink composition which comprises two or more color-changing or color-forming components which combine, or become diluted, upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time to cause a change in the appearance of the indicia. Also described are printing ink compositions for forming such indicia and methods for forming such articles.

Abstract: A printing device that includes a platen for supporting an imaging member during a printing operation and at least one print head subassembly for direct thermal printing on the imaging member. The print head subassembly is configured to be movable independently of the platen for printing on a first surface of the imaging member in a first transport path and on a second surface of the imaging member in a second transport path. The printing device also includes at least one driving roller for driving the imaging member during the printing operation that is configured to drive the imaging member through a driving nip created by the driving roller with a substantially constant degree of wrap wherein the distance of transport of said imaging member for a given angular rotation of said driving roller is substantially the same for the first transport path and the second transport path.

Abstract: A technique for optimizing or enhancing color images. Embodiments are disclosed for creating an enhanced color image, including the enhancement of perceived color uniformity. In a “dot-on-dot” registration scheme for producing color images, the dots need to be precisely superimposed on each other to provide optimum or enhanced images. The dot-on-dot registration produced by a single head thermal printer is generally acceptable, but a single head machine is very slow because multiple passes (reciprocation) are required to lay down multiple colors of dots. In a much faster multi-head or tandem thermal imaging system a serious problem of dot misalignment may cause moire patterns or other visual artifacts in the color images produced by dot patterns. A solution to this problem is disclosed herein which intentionally misregisters superimposed dots in a novel and particular manner to achieve image optimization.

Abstract: A multicolor imaging system is described wherein at least two, and preferably three, different image-forming layers of a thermal imaging member are addressed at least partially independently by a thermal printhead or printheads from the same surface of the imaging member by controlling the temperature of the thermal printhead(s) and the time thermal energy is applied to the image-forming layers. Each color of the thermal imaging member can be printed alone or in selectable proportion to the other color(s). Novel thermal imaging members are also described.