Abstract: An activatable print medium is disclosed. The print medium includes a first reactive component, a second reactive component, wherein the first and second reactive components are configured to react to initiate a state change of the activatable print medium when exposed to each other and a barrier that is initially in an unactivated form and configured to transition to an activated form when activated by an application of at least one of an activation heat and an activation pressure wherein after the barrier is activated, but not before, the activatable print medium is configured so that the first and second reactive components interact in response to a predetermined environmental stimulus or interact over time at a rate dependent on an environmental stimulus, thereby providing an indication of the cumulative historical exposure of the activatable print medium to the environmental stimulus.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon includes a carrier layer, a release layer, and a thermally transferable ink layer. The ink layer includes an active ink having a chemistry that is configured, responsive to the occurrence of an environmental, physical or biological condition, to undergo a chemical or physical state change causing a change in the color state of the active ink.

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 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: 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.

Abstract: A temperature exposure indicator includes a reservoir of meltable material having a melting point at an activation threshold of the temperature exposure indicator. The temperature exposure indicator also includes a light scattering material having voids and an indicia overlayed by the light scattering material such that the indicia is initially obscured by the light scattering material prior to the meltable material being exposed to a temperature above the activation threshold. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the light scattering material, such that the meltable material, when exposed to a temperature at or above the activation threshold, is configured to melt and flow into the voids of the light scattering material thereby causing the light scattering material to transition from an obscuring form to a non-obscuring form so that the indicia is viewable through the light scattering material.

Abstract: A color-changing environmental stimulus indicator includes a substrate, an active indicator placed above the substrate, and a reference component. The active indicator is configured to change color in response to an environmental stimulus. The reference component is also color changeable in response to an environmental stimulus. The reference component is configured to have a similar appearance to the active indicator at an end point. The environmental stimulus includes one or more of temperature, cumulative temperature, humidity, pH, and ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon includes a carrier layer, a release layer, and a thermally transferable ink layer. The ink layer includes an active ink having a chemistry that is configured, responsive to the occurrence of an environmental, physical or biological condition, to undergo a chemical or physical state change causing a change in the color state of the active ink.

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 temperature-activatable temperature indicator that includes a substrate and an indicator material supported by the substrate. The indicator material includes a mixture of a side-chain crystalline polymer and conductive particles and provides an electrical indication of exposure to increased temperature.

Abstract: An ascending/descending indicator can include a sealed housing that contains a deep eutectic solvent (DES) within the housing. The DES can include two or more components and is configured to exhibit a first characteristic when at a first temperature and to assume a second characteristic when exposed to a second temperature and to substantially maintain the second characteristic even when again exposed to the first temperature.

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 ascending/descending indicator can include a sealed housing that contains a deep eutectic solvent (DES) within the housing. The DES can include two or more components and is configured to exhibit a first characteristic when at a first temperature and to assume a second characteristic when exposed to a second temperature and to substantially maintain the second characteristic even when again exposed to the first temperature.

Abstract: A label includes a flexible substrate comprising a first side and a second side. The first side is an adhesive, the second side is configured to be printed with a first visible mark, and the second side has a second printed, overlapping mark. The overlapping mark is configured to change opacity below a first transition temperature to obscure the visible mark.

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: 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: 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: A multi-event minimum temperature indicator that includes a substrate, at least two thermochromic compositions positioned on the substrate, and an optional top layer adhered to the substrate. Each thermochromic composition is positioned on a discrete area of the substrate, and the compositions provide a visual indication of exposure to progressively colder temperatures.

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 change in status of the environmental or biological condition to which the labeled product has been exposed. A sensor dye chemistry is employed and when a specified condition of the sensed property occurs it causes a change in the color state of sensor dye modules embedded within the sensor-augmented two-dimensional barcode, encoding sensor digital information. Sensor information is recovered utilizing the error-correction feature during barcode reading.

Abstract: An indicator includes a substrate, a two-dimensional barcode symbol provided on the substrate, a space on the substrate surrounding the barcode symbol, and a historical environmental condition indicator on the substrate. The two-dimensional barcode symbol may be printed on the substrate, preferably in a rectangular, and more preferably in a square configuration. The two-dimensional barcode is printed preferably in black and white and more preferably according to a certain standard. The space on the substrate surrounding the barcode symbol has four quadrants. Additionally, the historical environmental condition indicator is preferably a historical temperature indicator, which occupies space on the substrate in at least two of the four quadrants. The historical environmental condition indicator preferably occupies three and more preferably occupies four of the four quadrants.