Abstract: A method of making a pressure sensitive adhesive article includes depositing a layer of liquid adhesive material onto a substrate, and depositing a layer of non-adhesive liquid material onto the liquid adhesive material, wherein the non-adhesive liquid material covers only a portion of the liquid adhesive layer. The liquid layers can be cured which allows winding the article onto a spool. The pressure sensitive adhesive article includes a substrate with a liquid adhesive layer deposited onto the substrate. At least one liquid non-adhesive structure is deposited onto a portion of the liquid adhesive layer, and the structure can have a theoretical angle of contact with the adhesive layer which is greater than 0°.

Abstract: A switch lever lock out assembly which is engagable with a switch having a lever positionable in at least two positions. The assembly includes a lock rail fixable relative to the switch. At least one transverse opening is formed in the lock rail. One end of an elongated lock arm extends through the opening and an opposing end extends toward the switch. In one aspect of the present invention, a switch engageable head is fixed to the lock arm opposing end, and is clampable to the lever. In another aspect of the invention, the head is slidably mounted to the lock arm. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the head is fixed to the lock arm, and offset from a lock aim longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A laminated label has a first conductive material defining electrical attachment pads; a dielectric material surrounding the attachment pads; a second conductive material deposited on the dielectric material and forming an antenna electrically connected to the attachment pads. A layer of expandable material forms a protective cavity surrounding the attachment pads. An IC chip is received in the protective cavity and connected to the antenna.

Abstract: Coating compositions for ink jet recording media are disclosed comprising at least one non-ionic surfactant, at least one dispersing agent, at least one ionomer, at least one polyamide binder, and at least one particulate filler. Optionally, the coating compositions may also comprise one or more of UV stabilizers, light stabilizers, and antioxidants. Furthermore, the compositions can also comprise a polyfunctional aziridine crosslinking agent. Also disclosed are ink jet recording media coated with the coating composition, methods for producing an ink jet recording media coated with the composition, and methods for improving weather resistance, curl resistance, dry abrasion resistance, wet abrasion resistance, and resistance to color density loss upon immersion in water by coating a substrate with the coating composition and allowing the coating composition to cure.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer which includes a labeling media drive subassembly and ribbon drive subassembly which cooperatively advance labeling media and a thermal transfer ink ribbon past a print head subassembly. A labeling media supply spool is rotatably driven by the labeling media drive subassembly to feed labeling media. The labeling media supply spool has labeling media with a plurality of labels on a web wrapped around a spool core. An inventory of labels available for printing on the spool is stored on a memory device. The memory device is electrically connected to printer circuitry in a printer. When the printer prints on a label, the inventory on the memory device is updated to reflect the unavailability of the printed label.

Abstract: Labels comprising (i) a film substrate, e.g., polyester, (ii) a primer layer, e.g., resorcinol-formaldehyde resin, and (iii) a pressure sensitive adhesive, e.g., a natural or synthetic rubber based adhesive, are improved by including a second primer layer of chlororesorcinol between the film substrate and the first primer layer.

Abstract: Tags having a metallic heft and processes for making them are described in which a first resin-based thermal mass transfer printer image is applied to a metallized polymer film, with or without an intervening translucent print receptive layer, and then a second resin-based thermal mass transfer printer image is applied to at least a portion of the first resin-based thernal mass transfer printer image. The first resin-based thermal mass transfer printer image has an opaque first color and the second resin-based thermal mass transfer printer image has an opaque second color, the opaque second color preferably selected to contrast with the first opaque color. These tags are useful as replacements for anodized aluminum asset tags, which are more difficult and expensive to produce and do not lend themselves to printing computer-generated indica such as a series of different bar codes. The disclosed and described tags can be cost-effectively manufactured in small quantities and yet have such variable indica.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer including a chassis having opposing side frame members. A pair of cones are each rotatably mounted to one of the opposing side frame members. At least one of the cones has a convex surface with one or more teeth formed thereon. A spool is supported between the pair of cones, wherein the cone teeth engage an end of the spool for rotatably driving the spool. The spool has an elongated body with outwardly extending crush ribs which hold labeling media or ink ribbon thereon.

Abstract: A labeling media for electronic printers according to the present invention has labels integral with a carrier strip. The labels are defined by a die cutting process outlining the labels and cutting away portions of the carrier strip adjacent to the labels to allow for release of the labels by hand after being printed. The labels remain attached to the carrier strip at one or more tack points at various locations, which are broken by the user when releasing the labels from the carrier strip. The labels are evenly spaced throughout the length of the carrier strip and are fixed relative to reference guides formed in the carrier strip.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer wherein labeling media and thermal transfer ink ribbon advances past a print head and a platen. The platen urges the ribbon and the labeling media in close cooperation with the print head. The print head exerts a pressure on the platen to provide a platen pressure when the print head thermally transfers ink from the ink ribbon to the labeling media. The print head is pivotally mounted, such that pivoting the print head applies a continuously variable pressure against the platen.

Abstract: A laminated label has a first conductive material defining electrical attachment pads; a dielectric material surrounding the attachment pads; a second conductive material deposited on the dielectric material and forming an antenna electrically connected to the attachment pads. A layer of expandable material forms a protective cavity surrounding the attachment pads. An IC chip is received in the protective cavity and connected to the antenna.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism for a hand held printer includes a lever pivotally mounted to a base and coupled to a slidably mounted blade. Pivotal movement of the lever translates the blade along a cutting axis to cut labeling media. The lever is automatically returned to the noncutting position by a spring, and the blade is biased toward the cutting bar by a spring incorporated in the blade mounting mechanism. The blade has a chevron shape to provide a clean cut in a short cutting stroke.

Abstract: A tag holder has RFID circuitry and an antenna embedded in a housing. The housing holds a non-RF metal ID tag. The RFID circuitry embedded in the housing is operatively connected to an antenna providing the non-RFID tag with RFID capabilities. The antenna is embedded in the housing and encircles the tag taking advantage of the higher magnetic permeability of the metal tag.

Abstract: A hand held label printer receives spools containing print media of different sizes and types. Each spool contains a memory chip which stores information about its print media, and this information is conveyed to the printer through concentric electrical contacts on the end of the spool. The concentric electrical contacts engage stationary contacts on the printer, and this electrical connection is insensitive to incidental rotation of the spool when it is inserted into the printer and used.