Abstract: A coating for a retroreflective document is provided which renders the surface of the document receptive to toners and inks printed thereon while not substantially interfering with the retroreflective properties of the underlying substrate. Methods for fabricating the document are also provided.

Abstract: A thermochromic ink composition is provided for use on security documents such as checks which provides a reversible color change in response to heat. The ink composition includes a thermochromic aqueous slurry and an ink vehicle comprising either a phenolic modified rosin and a compatible oil, a styrene maleic anhydride resin and a glycol, or an acrylic resin varnish. The ink composition is printed on at least a portion of a substrate using letterpress printing methods and provides enhanced adhesion to toner when applied to areas of a substrate which are subsequently printed with a non-impact printing device such as a laser printer.

Abstract: A mailer intermediate is formed from a sheet having at least one transverse fold line dividing the sheet into a first panel and a second panel such that the first panel longitudinal dimensions are equal to, or exceed the second panel longitudinal dimensions. The second panel is folded over onto the first panel. A temporary tacking agent is applied to the face of the sheet to temporarily tack down the folded over, transverse edge of the lower panel. The mailer intermediate may be processed in this pre-folded condition according to the user's variable imaging needs because there are no loose edges to catch in printer output stacking trays, or jam in internal components of printers. The longitudinal edges of the return envelope panel may be permanently sealed prior to printing, or may be sealed later during processing through folder/sealer equipment.

Abstract: A business form includes a carrier sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface, and defining a die cut opening there through, with a patch of liner material mounted on the lower surface of the carrier sheet. The patch extends over the opening. The liner material has an upper surface facing the die cut opening in the carrier sheet, and carries a release coating on the upper surface. A two ply label assembly is mounted on the patch of liner material in the die cut opening. The two ply label assembly includes a transparent ply mounted on the upper surface of the patch of liner material, and a label ply mounted on the transparent ply. The form is manufactured by: a.) die cutting an opening in a piece of carrier material; b.) adhesively affixing a patch of liner material to the piece of carrier material; c.) mounting a transparent ply on the patch of liner material within the die cut opening; and d.) mounting a label ply on the transparent ply. The form is used by: a.

Abstract: A heat-transferable security stamp is provided including a carrier sheet, a top coat layer, at least one design layer between the carrier sheet and the top coat layer, a release layer between the carrier sheet and the design layer, and a base coat layer between the release layer and the design layer. The release layer includes a water-borne release component. The base coat layer includes a water-borne base coat component. The design layer includes a water-borne design component. The top coat layer includes a water-borne top coat component. The carrier sheet is resistant to heat above a predetermined heat transfer temperature. The adhesive release component of the release layer is operative to secure the carrier sheet to the base coat layer at temperatures below the heat transfer temperature and to permit release of the carrier sheet from the base coat layer at temperatures above the heat transfer temperature.

Abstract: A security document and a device for authenticating the security document are provided. The device for authenticating the security document comprises an optical imaging device and a specially programmed controller. The security document comprises a unique combination of covert triggers, overt triggers, and overt secure document indicators arranged to enhance the security of the document at issue and enable high speed machine authentication of the document at issue. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a device for authenticating a security document is provided. The security document includes a security image printed on a face thereof. The security image is defined by a collection of security image elements and defines at least one document authentication scheme. The document authentication scheme is arranged to provide a primary indication of document authenticity. The authentication device comprises an optical imaging device and a specially programmed controller.

Abstract: A tuck label for placing on a shipping package. The tuck label includes a substrate portion and a single sheet label portion with adhesive included on a surface. The label portion further includes one or more fold lines that define upper and lower adjacent print panels, both of which can receive printable indicia. A score line is placed in the label portion to define a mount region, a printable surface region and a pull tab region. The pull tab region is disposed between the mount region and the printable surface region, and includes a pull tab with at least one layer of adhesive so that, upon folding of the label portion along the one or more fold lines, the pull tab becomes multi-layered for increased strength and durability.

Abstract: A business form or mailer intermediate providing fold-over carbonless imaging is provided. The form or mailer includes separate CB and CF coating portions on a single sheet. When the form or mailer is folded about a fold line, the CB portion comes in contact with the CF portion. An image is created when the fold-over carbonless area is subjected to an imaging force.

Abstract: A combination release coating and barrier coating for use on linerless thermal labels is provided in which the release coating includes an epoxy-silicone copolymer, a release modifier, and a cationic photoinitiator. The release coating provides an improved surface for direct thermal printing and good release properties from pressure sensitive adhesives. The barrier coating is preferably provided on the first and second surfaces of the label substrate to provide moisture and abrasion resistance to the substrate and to prevent adhesive failure.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for in-line folding and affixing a label to an article, the label having a fold line thereacross defining a foldable portion and a cover portion of the label. The apparatus comprises a transfer grid having one or more rollers to convey the label from a first end of the transfer grid to a second end of the transfer grid. An opening is defined between two of the rollers intermediate the first and second ends of the transfer grid. The transfer grid conveys the label in a substantially unfolded orientation from the first end of the transfer grid to the opening of the transfer grid such that the foldable portion of the label is projective through the opening. A folding station is adjacent the opening and receives the foldable portion of the label, urging a projecting portion of the foldable portion over the cover portion to define a substantially folded-over orientation of the label.

Abstract: An improved scheme for shipping and handling Smart Cards and Smart Card readers is provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a business form is provided including a mounting ply defining a mounting surface and a card reader defining an upper reader panel and a lower reader panel. The upper reader panel is coupled to the lower reader panel via a reader hinge. The reader hinge is arranged to enable the upper reader panel to pivot relative to the lower reader panel from an open reader position to a closed reader position. The open reader position is characterized by separation of the upper reader panel from the lower reader panel by an angle of approximately 180° about a pivotal axis defined by the reader hinge. The card reader is removably secured to the mounting surface of the mounting ply in the open reader position. The card reader is preferably removably secured to the mounting surface with an adhesive.

Abstract: A coating for a retroreflective document is provided which renders the surface of the document receptive to toners and inks printed thereon while not substantially interfering with the retroreflective properties of the underlying substrate. Methods for fabricating the document are also provided.

Abstract: A printing system for printing documents and forms, as needed, in response to user-entered commands, includes a touch screen monitor for displaying information regarding the documents and forms, and user options, and for entry of commands by the user. A memory stores a plurality of documents and forms, the documents and forms being organized into a plurality of libraries, and stores software to control the display of options on the monitor and the interpretation and implementation of commands entered on the monitor. A printer prints documents and forms, and a processor, responsive to the monitor and the memory and communicating therewith, is connected to the printer to control printing of a document or form by the printer upon selection thereof by a user and entry of commands via the touch screen monitor. The memory further stores software to control the display and printing of the documents and forms without the native applications in which the documents and forms were created.

Abstract: A cellulosic sheet suitable for use as a security document is provided including a multi-functional transparent secure mark formed therein. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the secure mark comprises a transparentized portion of the substrate. The cellulosic substrate defines first and second major faces. The transparentized portion comprises a transparentizing composition applied to the cellulosic substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to define a graphical image having a relative transparency selected so as to define an area of increased transparency in the substrate. The transparentizing composition comprises a transparentizing agent and a security agent. In one embodiment of the present invention, the transparentized portion includes a printed portion and printed matter defining the printed portion is covered by the transparentizing composition.

Abstract: A business form or mailer intermediate providing fold-over carbonless imaging is provided. The form or mailer includes separate CB and CF coating portions on a single sheet. When the form or mailer is folded about a fold line, the CB portion comes in contact with the CF portion. An image is created when the fold-over carbonless area is subjected to an imaging force.

Abstract: A security document production scheme is presented for the creation of a security document including a prismatic multi-color security image. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a security document is provided comprising a security image defined on a face of the document. The security image is defined along first and second dimensions by the superposition of a primary security image portion and a secondary security image portion. The primary security image portion is defined by security image elements of a first color. The secondary security image portion is defined by security image elements of a second color. The primary security image portion is arranged to include first, second, and third types of security image segments. The secondary security image portion is arranged to include first, second, and third types of security image segments.

Abstract: A web or sheet product is provided which is coated on at least a portion of its surface with a bond-enabling material for adhering toner particles on the surface of the sheet. The sheet product can be used as a mailer or confidential form which is sealed using toner particles as the adhesive. The bond-enabling material may be a polymer which is coated on the sheet as a liquid and then cured to form a film on the surface of the sheet. The bond-enabling material is resistant to melting or degrading when exposed to temperatures used for fusing toner particles, and additionally may act as a tie coat to enhance the adhesion of toner particles to the surface of the sheet. The bond-enabling material may be coated on the peripheral edges of the sheet, and toner particles are printed over the bond-enabling material on the peripheral edges of the sheet. The sheet is folded and sealed by the application of heat and pressure to the edges of the sheet.

Abstract: A secure sticker is provided comprising a waterproof base portion including a paper ply, static printed matter, and a resin, wherein the paper ply and the static printed matter are sealed within the resin, and wherein the resin is substantially transparent to light in the visible spectrum. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a secure sticker is provided comprising a substantially waterproof base portion, a liner ply, and an adhesive interface. The substantially waterproof base portion includes a paper ply, static printed matter, and a resin. The paper ply and the static printed matter are sealed within the resin. The resin is substantially transparent to light in the visible spectrum. The liner ply defines a label portion and a removable portion, wherein the label portion includes variable printed matter thereon. The adhesive interface is arranged to adhere the liner ply to the base portion.

Abstract: A system for viewing a subtle image on a security document is provided including a security document, a document viewer, and a document receiving station. The security document comprises a subtle image and a security image formed on a first face of the security document, wherein security image elements are arranged in a security image element array and complementary security image elements are arranged in a complementary security image element array. The subtle image comprises a plurality of subtle image elements arranged in a subtle image element array. The subtle image element array is arranged in a pattern that is optically distinct from respective patterns of arrangement of the security image element array and the complementary security image element array.

Abstract: A single multipurpose tuck label/form is provided and is imprinted with only a single pass of a printer. The multipurpose tuck label/form includes a label ply and a liner ply, both having respective first and second sides. The first side of the liner ply contacts the second side of the label ply and includes a release coating thereon. Through a unique placement of the release coating on the liner ply and pattern-coated adhesive on the label ply, the tuck label/form can be imprinted in a single pass through a computer-driven printer and may be used without the need for any die cuts to be made on the liner ply.