Abstract: A direct thermal printable construct, such as a ticket, game piece, coupon, collection piece, label, security card, or voucher includes a thermally printable medium and a metallized layer bonded directly or indirectly to the thermally printable medium. A thermosensitive imaging layer of the thermally printable medium is printable by exposing the metallized layer to localized heat of a thermal printer for inducing local changes in the color of the thermosensitive imaging layer that are obscured from view through both the metallized layer and a base substrate of the thermally printable medium. One or more areas of the metallized layer are arranged to be removable by a scratching action using a fingernail or coin for revealing the underlying local changes in the color of the thermosensitive imaging layer.

Abstract: A direct thermal printable construct, such as a ticket, game piece, coupon, collection piece, label, security card, or voucher includes a thermally printable medium and a metallized layer bonded directly or indirectly to the thermally printable medium. A thermosensitive imaging layer of the thermally printable medium is printable by exposing the metallized layer to localized heat of a thermal printer for inducing local changes in the color of the thermosensitive imaging layer that are obscured from view through both the metallized layer and a base substrate of the thermally printable medium. One or more areas of the metallized layer are arranged to be removable by a scratching action using a fingernail or coin for revealing the underlying local changes in the color of the thermosensitive imaging layer.

Abstract: A laminated construct such as a ticket or game piece includes an internal on-demand thermally printable layer hidden between substantially opaque substrates. One of the substrates is a metallized film and the other substrate is a direct thermal print medium. The construct can be arranged in various ways including an arrangement for presenting some thermally printed information for immediate viewing and other thermally printed information that is temporarily hidden from view beneath the metallized film. The arrangements include arranging the metallized film as a plurality of island that are individually peelable apart from the direct thermal print medium for revealing the temporarily hidden information.

Abstract: Multi-ply thermally printable constructs include a thermal print medium sandwiched between two opaque substrates that are temporarily bonded together to prevent information that is thermally printed through one of the substrates from being viewed until the substrates are separated. The thermal print medium, opaque substrates, and the means for bonding the substrates can take various forms for achieving particular objectives.

Abstract: Multi-ply thermally printable constructs include a thermal print medium sandwiched between two opaque substrates that are temporarily bonded together to prevent information that is thermally printed through one of the substrates from being viewed until the substrates are separated. The thermal print medium, opaque substrates, and the means for bonding the substrates can take various forms for achieving particular objectives.

Abstract: A web of print media dispensable as individual sheets along lines of perforation includes a pattern of ties and slits that provide a more predictable resistance to manually separating the sheets from the web. The lines of perforation extend transversely with respect to a longitudinal dimension of the web and cross a longitudinal centerline between two edges of the web. The ties are weaker near the centerline of the web than near either of the two edges sufficient to relatively increase resistance to tearing along the lines of perforation starting near either of the two edges while relatively decreasing resistance to tearing along the same lines of perforation starting near the centerline of the web.

Abstract: A unique conductivity pattern is applied to printable articles to provide a “signature” for later verifying the authenticity of the printable articles. Preferably, the conductivity pattern is hidden from sight and differs from other conductivity patterns applied to other printable articles in an effectively random manner. Capacitive sensors read the conductivity patterns, and the resulting data for recording the signatures reflects not only details of the conductivity patterns themselves but also the characteristics of the capacitive sensors and their use.

Abstract: A web of print media dispensable as individual sheets along lines of perforation includes a pattern of ties and slits that provide a more predictable resistance to manually separating the sheets from the web. The lines of perforation extend transversely with respect to a longitudinal dimension of the web and cross a longitudinal centerline between two edges of the web. The ties are weaker near the centerline of the web than near either of the two edges sufficient to relatively increase resistance to tearing along the lines of perforation starting near either of the two edges while relatively decreasing resistance to tearing along the same lines of perforation starting near the centerline of the web.

Abstract: Display information is revealed from behind a metal film that can be cleared upon effective contact with a clearing agent. The metal film, while opaque, is generally less than 1000 Angstroms thick and can be cleared by exposure to innocuous agents including food or other household products.

Abstract: A web of print media dispensable as individual sheets along lines of perforation includes a pattern of ties and slits that provide a more predictable resistance to manually separating the sheets from the web. The lines of perforation extend transversely with respect to a longitudinal dimension of the web and cross a longitudinal centerline between two edges of the web. The ties are weaker near the centerline of the web than near either of the two edges sufficient to relatively increase resistance to tearing along the lines of perforation starting near either of the two edges while relatively decreasing resistance to tearing along the same lines of perforation starting near the centerline of the web.

Abstract: Display information is revealed from behind a metal film that can be cleared upon effective contact with a clearing agent. The metal film, while opaque, is generally less than 1000 Angstroms thick and can be cleared by exposure to innocuous agents including food or other household products.

Abstract: A new direct thermal printable media includes an optically transmissive film that gives both form and protection to a layer of thermosensitive imaging material on a back surface of the film. Concentrations of heat applied to a front surface of the film form images within the thermosensitive layer that are visible through the film. A substrate is laminated to the thermosensitive layer on the back surface of the film for providing additional support independently of physical and chemical properties required for directly supporting thermosensitive imaging material.

Abstract: Printed electrochemical cells including both power cells and display cells are arranged in a partially assembled condition to extend shelf life of the cells. The partially assembled condition is also used as a switching mechanism for controlling activation of some of the cells. The active components of the cells include two electrodes and an electrolyte layer that is maintained out of contact with at least one of the electrodes for interrupting an ionically conductive pathway between the electrodes. The electrolyte is preferably an electrolytic adhesive that is protected by a release layer until the cells are needed for service.

Abstract: An improved construction for pull-tab game pieces involves the use or two or more substrates, one of which is at least partially transparent. A thermosensitive imaging layer within which game results are direct thermally printed is located between the transparent substrate and an opaque cover layer through which the game results are printed. An opaque substrate precut to form one or more tabs covers the opposite side of the transparent substrate. The game results are revealed by retracting the tabs to view the game results through the transparent substrate.

Abstract: An electrolyte is formulated as a printing ink and laid down by an in-line press for manufacturing printed electrochemical cells. A curing station transforms the electrolyte to perform additional functions such as separating electrodes, preventing leakage, bonding cell layers, and resisting evaporation.

Abstract: A metal layer cleared by contact with a chemical clearing agent to reveal an underlying graphics layer is at least partially covered by a buffer material that delays contact with the clearing agent. The buffer material can be applied in a pattern that forms a temporary image in the metal layer prior to more completely revealing the underlying graphics layer.

Abstract: Electrochemical displays have electronic or ionic pathways between electrodes interrupted to control activation. Electrochemical erosion of one of the electrodes reveals an underlying graphic image. Game assemblies are constructed by dividing electrochemical components between a main substrate and one or more mounting pieces that can be assembled on the main substrate to activate the display cells.

Abstract: Display information is revealed from behind a metal film that can be cleared upon effective contact with a clearing agent. The metal film, while opaque, is generally less than 1000 Angstroms thick and can be cleared by exposure to innocuous agents including food or other household products.

Abstract: Printed electrochemical display cells are arranged in layer form with two electrode layers and an electrolyte layer occupying distinct areas of a substrate. When activated, an electrochemical reaction progressively increases the area occupied by the electrolyte layer and progressively decreases the area occupied by the thin-film electrode layer. The thin-film electrode layer recedes at a boundary in common with the electrolyte layer and provides an irreversible indication of change at a rate governed by the electrochemical reaction.

Abstract: The contents of sealed envelopes are accessed by detecting and digitizing a change in capacitance produced when a pattern of dielectric or conductive ink is passed by a sensitive capacitance sensor. The capacitance changes are converted into corresponding electrical patterns for further processing.