Abstract: Environmental monitors for monitoring a predetermined environmental exposure, for example, an historical heat exposure such as a cumulative ambient heat exposure and/or a peak ambient heat exposure may include an environmental indicator material and a security material. The environmental monitor may be configured to attach to a host product for monitoring the predetermined environmental exposure of the host product, and additionally serve as an anti-counterfeiting indicator.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotary screen printing apparatus, comprising: a rotary cylindrical screen; a conduit which provides fluid communication to an internal volume of the rotary cylindrical screen; and, a heater whose output is directed towards the conduit.

Abstract: A secure indicator includes a substrate, a barcode symbol that has a plurality of barcode modules provided on the substrate, and a security material positioned proximate the barcode symbol on the substrate. The security material is configured to be activated by irradiation at one or more predetermined activation wavelengths. Additionally, the barcode symbol is configured to be read (i) before the security material is activated and (ii) while the security material is activated.

Abstract: A temperature indicator includes a first capacitor configured to change capacitance when exposed to a temperature above a first threshold temperature, a second capacitor configured to change capacitance when exposed to a temperature above a second threshold temperature. The first capacitor is electrically connected to the second capacitor. The second threshold temperature is different than the first threshold temperature. The first capacitor and the second capacitor retain their changed capacitance permanently after they return to a temperature below their respective threshold temperature.

Abstract: A dual heat-freeze indicator and methods for making the same are disclosed. The dual heat-freeze exposure indicator includes a substrate, a low temperature indicator material provided in a first initial color state, a high temperature indicator material provided in a second initial color state, both supported by the substrate. The low temperature indicator material is configured to change from the first initial color state to a first exposed color state responsive to the indicator being exposed to a temperature below a low temperature threshold. The high temperature indicator material is configured to irreversibly change from the second initial color state to a second exposed color state responsive to the indicator being exposed to a temperature above a high temperature threshold. The low temperature indicator material returns from the exposed color state to the initial color state responsive to being exposed to a temperature above a reset temperature threshold.

Abstract: An RFID tag system includes an antenna, an integrated circuit electrically connected to the antenna, and a humidity or gas indicator being electrically connected to the antenna and the integrated circuit. The humidity or gas indicator includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a dielectric material, and a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode. At least a portion of the gap contains the dielectric material. The dielectric material is configured to have a change in its dielectric constant responsive to exposure to an environmental stimulus, which may be at least one of humidity or the presence of a gas. The change in the dielectric constant of the dielectric material changes a capacitance of the humidity or gas indicator, causing the integrated circuit to indicate the presence of the environmental stimulus.

Abstract: A temperature exposure indicator includes a first temperature responsive material, a capacitor including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a first path connecting the first temperature responsive material to the gap. The first temperature responsive material is configured to migrate along the first path and into or along the gap in response to exposure to a temperature above a first threshold temperature. The migration of the first temperature responsive material into or along the gap causes a change of the capacitance of the capacitor.

Abstract: Environmental monitors for monitoring a predetermined environmental exposure, for example, an historical heat exposure such as a cumulative ambient heat exposure and/or a peak ambient heat exposure may include an environmental indicator material and a security material. The environmental monitor may be configured to attach to a host product for monitoring the predetermined environmental exposure of the host product, and additionally serve as an anti-counterfeiting indicator.

Abstract: An environmental exposure indicator includes a substrate and an environmental exposure indicator (“EEI”) material provided on the substrate that is configured to change an optical property between a creation state and an end state. The environmental exposure indicator material has a deployment state, between the creation state and the end state, at a deployment time. The environmental exposure indicator also includes calibration data based on the deployment state.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a media processing head; a ribbon transport assembly configured to transport ribbon along a ribbon path between a ribbon dispenser and the media processing head; a graphite applicator disposed along the ribbon path, the graphite applicator configured to apply a combination of graphite and graphene to an active side of the ribbon via frictional engagement with the ribbon; and a media transport assembly configured to transport media from a media supply to the media processing head for transfer of at least a portion of the combination of graphite and graphene from the active side of the ribbon onto the media via application of at least one of heat and pressure at the media processing head.

Abstract: Environmental monitors for monitoring a predetermined environmental exposure, for example, an historical heat exposure such as a cumulative ambient heat exposure and/or a peak ambient heat exposure may include an environmental indicator material and a security material. The environmental monitor may be configured to attach to a host product for monitoring the predetermined environmental exposure of the host product, and additionally serve as an anti-counterfeiting indicator.

Abstract: An environmental exposure indicator includes a substrate and an environmental exposure indicator (“EEI”) material provided on the substrate that is configured to change an optical property between a creation state and an end state. The environmental exposure indicator material has a deployment state, between the creation state and the end state, at a deployment time. The environmental exposure indicator also includes calibration data based on the deployment state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are delayed reaction threshold temperature indicators and methods of making and activating the same, the delayed reaction threshold temperature indicators including a first substrate, first and second layers, and a housing secured to the substrate. The first layer includes a first reactant and an optional meltable polymer, and the second layer includes a meltable polymer and a second reactant. The meltable polymer is configured to keep the first and second reactants from interacting with each other. When exposed to temperatures at and/or above a desired threshold for a period of time, the meltable polymer melts and allows the first and second reactants to come into contact with each other, thereby producing a visual change in appearance.

Abstract: A secure indicator includes a substrate, a barcode symbol that has a plurality of barcode modules provided on the substrate, and a security material positioned proximate the barcode symbol on the substrate. The security material is configured to be activated by irradiation at one or more predetermined activation wavelengths. Additionally, the barcode symbol is configured to be read (i) before the security material is activated and (ii) while the security material is activated.

Abstract: A media processing device includes: a media processing head; a ribbon transport assembly configured to transport ribbon along a ribbon path between a ribbon dispenser and the media processing head; a graphite applicator disposed along the ribbon path, the graphite applicator configured to apply a combination of graphite and graphene to an active side of the ribbon via frictional engagement with the ribbon; and a media transport assembly configured to transport media from a media supply to the media processing head for transfer of at least a portion of the combination of graphite and graphene from the active side of the ribbon onto the media via application of at least one of heat and pressure at the media processing head.

Abstract: An excess heat exposure indicator and methods for making the same are disclosed. The excess heat exposure indicator includes a print media substrate comprising an indicator region, a data region, at least one first thermochromic composition is provided on the substrate within the indicator region of the substrate, a second thermochromic composition is provided on the substrate within the data region, the second thermochromic composition configured to change color state from a third color state to a fourth color state when heated above a second temperature threshold, the indicator region is configured to be selectively treated with heat above the first temperature threshold to place a first portion of the indicator region in the second color state, different than the first color state, forming a visible indicia, the visible indicia configured to change appearance when the indicator region is subsequently exposed to a temperature above the first temperature threshold.

Abstract: A customizable temperature exposure indicator and methods for making the same are disclosed. The temperature exposure indicator includes a substrate, a printing region of the substrate forming a heat sensitive media that is configured to darken when it is heated by a thermal printhead, the darkening being permanent with respect to subsequent cooling of the media; at least one memory thermochromic composition provided on an indicator region of the substrate, the thermochromic composition is configured to have high temperature color state when it is heated above a high temperature threshold, and to remain in the high temperature color state until it is cooled below a low temperature threshold, the thermochromic composition is configured to have a low temperature color state when it is cooled below the low temperature threshold and to maintain the low temperature threshold until it is heated above the high temperature threshold.

Abstract: A secure indicator includes a substrate, a barcode symbol that has a plurality of barcode modules provided on the substrate, and a security material positioned proximate the barcode symbol on the substrate. The security material is configured to be activated by irradiation at one or more predetermined activation wavelengths. Additionally, the barcode symbol is configured to be read (i) before the security material is activated and (ii) while the security material is activated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are delayed reaction threshold temperature indicators and methods of making and activating the same, the delayed reaction threshold temperature indicators including a first substrate, first and second layers, and a housing secured to the substrate. The first layer includes a first reactant and an optional meltable polymer, and the second layer includes a meltable polymer and a second reactant. The meltable polymer is configured to keep the first and second reactants from interacting with each other. When exposed to temperatures at and/or above a desired threshold for a period of time, the meltable polymer melts and allows the first and second reactants to come into contact with each other, thereby producing a visual change in appearance.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for combining preprinted information together with coded sensor information within a two-dimensional barcode. The sensor information may be of an environmental, physical or biological nature, and records a cumulative change in status of the environmental or biological condition to which the labeled product has been exposed. A sensor dye chemistry is employed that undergoes a continuous chemical or physical state change in response to the occurrence of the environmental condition. The continuous change is between an initial state and an end state causing a change in the color state of the sensor dye embedded within the sensor-augmented two-dimensional barcode, encoding sensor digital information. Sensor information is recovered utilizing the error-correction feature during barcode decoding.