Abstract: The invention describes an improved heat-sensitive recording material comprising a substrate having coated thereon a thermally-sensitive color-forming composition in one or more layers. The thermally sensitive color forming composition comprises a chromgenic dye precursor, an acidic developer material and a first binder material, and at least one protective layer comprising a dimer form of benzotriazole, namely, 2,2?-methylenebis(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol) dispersed in a second binder material, wherein the first binder material and the second binder material can be the same or different. Preferably 2,2?-methylenebis(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol) is dispersed in both the protective layer and the thermally sensitive color forming layer or layers.

Abstract: A novel method of forming water in oil microcapsules is disclosed. According to the invention microcapsules are obtained by steps comprising dispersing an oil soluble amine modified polyfunctional polyvinyl monomer and an oil soluble bi- or polyfunctional vinyl monomer along with a thermal or UV free radical initiator (optionally included in one or both of the oil or water phases) and an organic acid into an internal phase oil; heating or UV exposing for a time (and temperature) sufficient to oligomerize the amine modified polyfunctional polyvinyl monomer and oil soluble bi- or polyfunctional vinyl monomer forming a pre-polymer. Thereafter the process involves adding to the oil phase oil a water phase comprising a dispersion in water of an anionic emulsifier (and optionally initiator), and adding an emulsifying agent. Emulsifying the water phase into the oil phase (W/O) is controlled through the quantity of water employed.

Abstract: A novel method of forming oil in water microcapsules is disclosed. According to the invention microcapsules are obtained by steps comprising dispersing an oil soluble amine modified polyfunctional polyvinyl monomer and an oil soluble bi- or polyfunctional vinyl monomer along with a thermal or UV free radical initiator (optionally included in one or both of the oil or water phases) and an organic acid into an internal phase oil; heating or UV exposing for a time (and temperature) sufficient to oligomerize the amine modified polyfunctional polyvinyl monomer and oil soluble bi- or polyfunctional vinyl monomer forming a pre-polymer. Thereafter the process involves adding to the oil phase oil a water phase comprising a dispersion in water of an anionic emulsifier (and optionally initiator), and adding an emulsifying agent. Emulsification of the oil phase into the water phase (O/W) is controlled through the quantity of water employed.

Abstract: A linerless label system comprising pressure adhesive coating, release coating and thermal imaging coating is described. The thermal imaging coating contains as one of its components the compounds of the formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 are selected from methyl, ethyl, aryl, aryl substituted with methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy or halogen, benzyl or benzyl with phenyl substituted with methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy or halogen, R3,R4,R5 and R6 are selected from hydrogen, halogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, phenyl, R7 and R8 are each independently selected from methyl or ethyl, R9 is selected from hydrogen, methoxy or ethoxy, R10 is selected from hydrogen, dimethylamino or diethylamino, R11 is methyl. The imaged linerless label according to the invention has been a bar reflectance of less than 20 at 670 nanometers, a print control contrast signal of at least 80 and a BNL background of at least 75%.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an improved process for preparing a population of microcapsules having a substantially uniform size distribution, especially useful for manufacture of carbonless paper. The improved process teaches use of membrane material having a pre-selected pore size in the capsule manufacture process. A core material is provided along with a receiving solution for receiving the core material. The receiving solution is a nonsolvent for the core material. The core material is passed under pressure through the membrane into a moving or turbulent receiving solution forming uniform droplets of core material dispersed in the receiving solution. Wall-forming material is added to the receiving solution for coating the core material droplets. The coating on the droplets is polymerized forming microcapsules. This novel process also lends itself to microcapsule formation in a continuous process.

Abstract: Scent formulation information is imparted onto an authentication token. The scent formulation information may be used in numerous authentication applications, such as security badges, airline tickets, and so forth. Various methods and systems involving such tokens are disclosed.

Abstract: Beverage or food containers made from sheet material, and methods of making such containers. Such container comprises a layer of paperboard and an expanded foam layer applied as a coating in a liquid carrier, and affixed to a paperboard base layer. The expanded foam has a remote surface preferably defined by intermingled peaks and valleys. The sheet material can include a protective cover layer overlying the remote surface. Such cover layer can comprise paper, plastic film, or foamed thermoplastic. The sheet material can include a heat seal layer, with the heat seal layer overlying, and in surface-to-surface contact with, the foam layer such that the foam layer is between the paperboard and the heat seal layer. Preferred composition for the foam layer is PVDC or AMM.

Abstract: Improved control of continuous processes that handle liquids. Data generated by this invention is used to control gas contents of liquids within optimum ranges, for instance in paper coating processes and in the manufacture of food products (ketchup), personal care products (shampoo), paints, and in any industry where information on entrained and/or dissolved gases, and related parameters such as true density of and gas solubility in process liquids, is employed to optimize processing. The amount of gas in a liquid is determined by subjecting a mixture of an incompressible liquid sample and a compressible gas to three or more different equilibrium pressure states, measuring the temperature and volume of the mixture at each of the pressure states, determining the changes in volume of the mixture between at least two different pairs of pressure states, and calculating the amount of gas in the liquid sample.

Abstract: The present invention is a container sleeve or alternatively a pressure sensitive tape having coated thereon or therein an energy receiver material which heats in response to microwave energy. The container sleeve or pressure sensitive tape substrate can be advantageously employed with conventional thermally imaging record materials in the form of a label, such as used on prescriptions, to facilitate preserving patient information confidentiality by obscuring information when contacted with microwave energy.

Abstract: A secure point of sale imageable substrate is disclosed comprising a heat sensitive recording material for recording confidential information. The heat sensitive recording material comprises a heat transmissive optically opaque paper support, a heat sensitive imaging layer coated on the paper support, a removable cover sheet, and a transparent layer or sheet positioned between the heat sensitive layer and the removeable cover sheet. A method for recording confidential information using such a secure point of sale imageable substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermally image record material such as a secure document is taught which is susceptible to rapid and bulk destruction of confidential or sensitive information by microwave or high energy absorption. The thermally responsive record material comprises a heat sensitive composition applied onto a substrate having provided thereon in proximity, to the heat sensitive composition as a subcoat or undercoat or back side coating, a layer of particles of an energy receiver material such as a microwave susceptor. Sensitive information imprinted on the record material can be readily destroyed by microwave heating.

Abstract: A thermally image record material such as a secure document is taught which is susceptible to rapid and bulk destruction of confidential or sensitive information by microwave or high energy absorption. The thermally responsive record material comprises a heat sensitive composition applied onto a substrate having provided thereon in proximity, to the heat sensitive composition as a subcoat or undercoat or back side coating, a layer of particles of an energy receiver material such as a microwave susceptor. Sensitive information imprinted on the record material can be readily destroyed by microwave heating.

Abstract: Thermally imaging systems are disclosed incorporating a layer of an optical color shifting material coated over a heat sensitive layer to provide direct thermally imaging recording materials that express lustrous metallic effects when heated with a thermal printhead. The color shifting material such as interference pigments are coated as a layer applied over a heat sensitive layer. The optical color shifting materials cooperate in a unique fashion with the underlying chromogen, preferably darkly imaging, of the heat sensitive layer to yield a faux metallic toned image that appears to be an additive effect of the underlying chromogen and the chromatic tone of the color shifting material. A new class of metallic imaging thermally-responsive recording material is taught.

Abstract: Thermally imaging systems are disclosed that can express at least two colors. The record materials incorporate a layer of an optical color shifting material coated over at least a portion of a heat sensitive layer to provide direct thermally imaging recording materials that express lustrous metallic effects when heated with a thermal printhead. The color shifting material such as interference pigments are coated as a layer applied over at least a portion of the surface area coated with a heat sensitive layer. The optical color shifting materials cooperate in a unique fashion with the underlying chromogen, preferably darkly imaging, of the heat sensitive layer to yield a faux metallic toned image that appears to be an additive effect of the underlying chromogen and the chromatic tone of the color shifting material. The chromogenic material when thermally imaged expresses a first color in surface areas of the record material not coated with the optical color shifting material.

Abstract: A rapidly reversing authenticity indicator for substrates such as secure documents, tags and labels is described. The authenticity indicator comprises a substrate having provided thereon a coating of a colorless chromogenic material, a binder material and optional pigment. An applicator is provided containing a developer material solution for the colorless chromogen. In one embodiment, the developer material solution is preferably an organic acid of five carbons or less and is selected to have a molecular weight of 102 or less, a pH of less than 5, and preferably positive vapor pressure. The coated substrate when contacted with the developer material in the applicator develops an intense color that persists momentarily rapidly reverting to substantially a colorless or pale form to provide a visual indication of authenticity without permanent discoloration of the substrate or inadvertent coloration or undue false positives.

Abstract: Product package, comprising a data storage device, packaging material, and an authentication system. The authentication system comprises first and second coatings coated on the storage device and the packaging material. One of the coatings comprises chromogenic microcapsules capable of reacting to produce color. The other coating comprises color developer. The coatings can be bonded to each other or a composite coating can be a self-contained color former such as on the storage device. The invention further comprises methods of affirming authenticity of a data storage device. The method comprises applying to the storage device a color-reactable coating which can react with a color-producing second composition, packaging the storage device to provide a closed and sealed packaged, opening the package, and concurrent with or after opening the package, reacting the chemical compositions to produce the color as an indication of authenticity of the data storage device.

Abstract: A thermal imaging paper having a laminate structure is disclosed. The laminate structure includes a thermal imaging heat sensitive substrate, an adhesive layer, and a polyfoam layer. In addition, a security feature such as an antenna and integrated circuit are provided in a position interposed between said adhesive layer and said thermal imaging heat sensitive substrate. The thermal imaging paper provides the combination of an effective thermal imaging paper product incorporating the benefits of a security feature such as a wireless memory device.

Abstract: A method for performing a dental articulation test and a related test kit are provided. In preferred embodiments, the method includes applying a first chemical component of a binary marking system to at least one tooth of a patient or articulation device. A substrate sheet that contains a coating of microcapsules disposed on at least one side thereof, with at least some of the microcapsules containing a second chemical component of the binary marking system is inserted into the patient's mouth or the articulation device. The first and second arches of the patient or articulation device are then caused to occlude over the substrate, thereby causing formation of a visible mark at the occlusion contact points. The dental articulation kit includes the substrate sheet, an applicator for applying the first chemical component of the binary marking system to teeth, and a quantity of the first chemical component of the binary marking system sufficient to apply to at least one tooth.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an improved process for preparing a population of microcapsules having a substantially uniform size distribution, especially useful for manufacture of carbonless paper. The improved process teaches use of membrane material having a pre-selected pore size in the capsule manufacture process. A core material is provided along with a receiving solution for receiving the core material. The receiving solution is a nonsolvent for the core material. The core material is passed under pressure through the membrane into a moving or turbulent receiving solution forming uniform droplets of core material dispersed in the receiving solution. Wall-forming material is added to the receiving solution for coating the core material droplets. The coating on the droplets is polymerized forming microcapsules. This novel process also lends itself to microcapsule formation in a continuous process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous web which includes a microencapsulated material, such as a microencapsulated phase change material, adhered to the web. Preferably, the web is prepared in a melt-blowing or spun-bonding process. In the melt-blowing process, cooling water containing the microcapsules is used to cool melt blown fibers prior to collection on a collector. In the spun-bonding process, microcapsules are applied in liquid suspension or in dry form to a heated web, for instance, after the web has been calendared. The fibrous webs thus prepared have numerous uses, and are particularly suited to the manufacture of clothing.