Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal transfer medium which transfers images to a receiving substrate. The thermal transfer medium includes a laminate, having a substrate, a coating and a functional layer positioned substantially on the coating. This coating may include an oil. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method of making the thermal transfer medium.

Abstract: Thermal transfer ribbons which employ a reflective sensor marker of a small size for detecting the end of the ribbon and also thermal transfer ribbons which employ a reflective sensor marker and a transparent sensor marker for detecting the end of the ribbon.

Abstract: A printer guide clip is configured for retrofit in a paper tray of pre-existing commercially available printer for blocking corner curling of forms transported therethrough. The clip includes first and second side tabs integrally joined together by an arcuate cap extending between the top ends thereof. The first tab is configured for retention inside a pre-existing slot in the paper tray. An inclined ramp extends outwardly from the second tab inside the tray in the vicinity of the form corner for blocking curling thereof during use. The clip is readily attachable to the tray for use with laminated forms, and is easily removable therefrom when no longer needed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal transfer medium which transfers images to a receiving substrate. The thermal transfer medium includes a laminate, having a substrate, a coating and a functional layer positioned substantially on the coating. This coating may include an oil. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method of making the thermal transfer medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal transfer medium which transfers images to a receiving substrate. The thermal transfer medium includes a laminate, having a substrate and a coating having protrusions with a length/width ratio of not less than about 3 and at a density of not less than about 20 protrusions/100 micrometer squared, and a functional layer positioned substantially on the coating. This coating may include an oil. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method of making the thermal transfer medium.

Abstract: A printer guide clip is configured for retrofit in a paper tray of pre-existing commercially available printer for blocking corner curling of forms transported therethrough. The clip includes first and second side tabs integrally joined together by an arcuate cap extending between the top ends thereof. The first tab is configured for retention inside a pre-existing slot in the paper tray. An inclined ramp extends outwardly from the second tab inside the tray in the vicinity of the form corner for blocking curling thereof during use. The clip is readily attachable to the tray for use with laminated forms, and is easily removable therefrom when no longer needed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal transfer medium which transfers images to a receiving substrate. The thermal transfer medium includes a laminate, having a substrate and a coating having protrusions with a length/width ratio of not less than about 3 and at a density of not less than about 20 protrusions/100 micrometer squared, and a functional layer positioned substantially on the coating. This coating may include an oil. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method of making the thermal transfer medium.

Abstract: Thermal transfer ribbons with large wax or thermoplastic resin particles within the thermal transfer layer provide a profiled surface which resists transfer of the layer to reverse side of the ribbon when wound onto itself and stored. The large particles preferably have an average diameter in the range of 5 to 20 microns and the thermal transfer layers preferably have an average thickness of less than the average diameter of these large particles. Where the large particles have higher softening temperatures in the range of 50° to 150° C., the energy needed to transfer the thermal transfer layer is reduced.

Abstract: Thermal transfer ribbons having a polyester substrate which employ paper leaders and/or paper trailers with printed indicia thereon such as marking which identify the thermal transfer ribbon and instructions for its use. The paper having a stiffness greater than the polyester substrate can be used as a leader and/or trailer for the thermal transfer ribbons. The paper leaders and trailers can be colored to provide further identification of the thermal transfer ribbons.

Abstract: A thermal transfer medium which forms images with high speed thermal transfer printers is provided which comprises a substrate, a first coating comprised of at least 75 wt. % of a wax, a second coating comprising a sensible material such as a pigment and a binder resin with high hot tack properties in an amount of at least 20 wt. % based on total dry components and an optional third coating which does not contain any coloring agent. The first coating has a melt viscosity and cohesion lower than that of the second coating and preferably lower hot tack properties to simplify complete transfer to a receiving substrate. The coating formulation provides high adhesion to a receiving substrate with reduced adhesion to the flexible substrate of the thermal transfer medium, allowing for rapid transfer to a receiving substrate as required with high speed thermal transfer printers.

Abstract: There is provided by the present invention a coating formulation and thermal transfer ribbons obtained therefrom which do not require the application of a separate backcoating to the substrate employed. A backcoating is self-generated on the untreated side of the substrate from the thermal transfer layer of the ribbon when the two contact. A thermal transfer ribbon with a self-generated backcoat is also provided.

Abstract: Smear and scratch resistant thermally transferable printing ribbons and methods of making the same consisting of elongated backing elements having thermally transferable printing media adhered to one side thereof. The thermally transferable printing media preferably consists of two layers, a sub coat layer and a print layer, and is capable of being transferred to paper, or some other print receiving media, by conventional thermal transfer printing equipment. The use of a silicon compound and/or ethylene bisstearamide and/or micronized polyethylene in the sub coat layer provides enhanced smear and scratch resistance in thermally transferred printed images while maintaining the advantage of low thermal energy print transfer.

Abstract: A thermal transfer medium which forms images having a matte finish is provided which comprises a substrate, a thin first coating and a thick second coating. The coatings are formulated such that only the second coating transfers to a receiving substrate upon exposure to a thermal print head leaving the first coating positioned on the substrate. Separation of the two coatings provides images with a matte finish. The first coating has a higher softening point than the second coating and in preferred embodiments, the binder resin in the first coating provides higher adhesion to the substrate than the binder resin in the second coating.

Abstract: Multi-layer thermally transferable printing ribbons and methods of making the same consisting of elongated backing elements having a subcoat layer requiring a relatively high level of thermal energy to transfer the subcoat layer and a topcoat layer which requires a lower level of thermal energy to transfer the topcoat layer. Accordingly, when printing using a lower level of thermal energy, only the topcoat layer will transfer onto the paper or other print receiving medium. On the other hand, if a relatively high level of thermal energy is used, both the topcoat layer and the subcoat layer will transfer onto the paper or other print receiving medium, with the subcoat layer remaining on top and blocking or obscuring the topcoat layer.

Abstract: Thermally transferable printing ribbons and methods of making same fabricated by initially mixing and grinding solid ingredients together, and then emulsifying the entire mixture. Thermally transferable printing ribbons formulations in accordance with the present invention generally include one or more waxes, one or more resins, and pigments. These ingredients are ground hot in an attritor or ball mill. This mixture is then emulsified, and the resulting formulation is coated on an elongated backing element utilizing conventional coating equipment and techniques.

Abstract: A facsimile security system includes a base sheet capable of having confidential information thereon and a cover sheet with imprinting thereon for obscuring the confidential information on the base sheet. The imprinting comprises lines in a repeated pattern over the cover sheet and the lines are separated by spaces without imprinting which spaces extend across the cover sheet or in an elongated direction of the cover sheet. The spaces may extend in a diagonal direction on the cover sheet or the spaces may extend only partially across the cover sheet in a repeated pattern. The cover sheet is preprinted in a preferred form of the invention.

Abstract: A magnetic thermal transfer ribbon includes a substrate and a thermal sensitive coating which is a mixture and essentially consists of a fatty alcohol, a water base latex, an intensifying dye, an adhesive, and a surface agent along with iron oxide, and the coating mixture is dispersed in alcohol, in water, or in a combined water/alcohol mixture.

Abstract: A magnetic thermal transfer ribbon includes a substrate and a thermal sensitive coating which is a mixture and essentially consists of a fatty alcohol, a water base latex, an intensifying dye, an adhesive, and a surface agent along with iron oxide, and the coating mixture is dispersed in alcohol, in water, or in a combined water/alcohol mixture.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon includes a substrate and a layer thereon comprising a mixture of an emulsion essentially consisting of hydrocarbon, paraffin and carnauba waxes and an acetate copolymer, and a fluorescent color coating essentially containing a fluorescent pigment, a color toner and a filler.

Abstract: A magnetic thermal transfer ribbon includes a substrate and a thermal sensitive coating which is a mixture and essentially consists of a fatty alcohol, a water base latex, an intensifying dye, an adhesive, and a surface agent along with iron oxide, and the coating mixture is dispersed in alcohol, in water, or in a combined water/alcohol mixture.