Abstract: Thermal printers and methods of operating thereof are provided. In one embodiment, a thermal printer comprising a thermal print head, thermal media including a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating on at least a first side thereof, and a thermal transfer ribbon installed between the thermal print head and the first side of the thermal media is provided, wherein the thermal print head is adapted to apply heat at a first temperature to image the direct thermal thermally sensitive coating without transferring a thermal transfer coating associated with the thermal transfer ribbon and a second temperature to image the direct thermal thermally sensitive coating and transfer the thermal transfer coating associated with the thermal transfer ribbon.

Abstract: Two-sided thermal media comprising thermal transfer receptive and/or direct thermal thermally sensitive coatings on one or both of a first and a second side thereof are provided. In one embodiment, two-sided thermal media comprising a substrate having a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, and a first and a second thermal transfer receptive coating supported on the respective first and second substrate sides is provided. In another embodiment, two-sided thermal media comprising a substrate having a thermal transfer receptive coating on a first side thereof, and a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating on a second side thereof, is provided. In some embodiments, a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating provided on one or both sides of two-sided thermal media is adapted to image at a temperature different than a temperature at which thermal transfer printing has or can occur.

Abstract: A printer and method of combining inkjet printing with thermal printing which optimizes use of both. The printer includes a thermal print head, an inkjet print head, and control circuitry for activating the thermal print head to print in a first area of a print medium and for activating the inkjet print head to print in a second area of the print medium.

Abstract: Two-sided thermal media comprising thermal transfer receptive and/or direct thermal thermally sensitive coatings on one or both of a first and a second side thereof are provided. In one embodiment, two-sided thermal media comprising a substrate having a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, and a first and a second thermal transfer receptive coating supported on the respective first and second substrate sides is provided. In another embodiment, two-sided thermal media comprising a substrate having a thermal transfer receptive coating on a first side thereof, and a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating on a second side thereof, is provided. In some embodiments, a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating provided on one or both sides of two-sided thermal media is adapted to image at a temperature different than a temperature at which thermal transfer printing has or can occur.

Abstract: Thermal printers and methods of operating thereof are provided. In one embodiment, a thermal printer comprising a thermal print head, thermal media including a direct thermal thermally sensitive coating on at least a first side thereof, and a thermal transfer ribbon installed between the thermal print head and the first side of the thermal media is provided, wherein the thermal print head is adapted to apply heat at a first temperature to image the direct thermal thermally sensitive coating without transferring a thermal transfer coating associated with the thermal transfer ribbon and a second temperature to image the direct thermal thermally sensitive coating and transfer the thermal transfer coating associated with the thermal transfer ribbon.

Abstract: A tunable radio frequency identification device and a method for customizing a radio frequency identification device are disclosed. The method for customizing the radio frequency identification device includes: providing a radio frequency identification device having a tunable antenna; and modifying the tunable antenna. As a result of modifying the antenna the inlay is tuned to operate within one of several frequencies bands.

Abstract: A water-based security printing ink is provided with two means of security. The use of a variable light absorbing and/or transmitting pigment or dye is a first security and a water repelling agent is provided as a second security. Visible images can be generated from the printed ink upon exposure to UV or infrared light. The water repelling agent renders the image waterproof and differentiates the printed image from the substrate, which allows the image to be detected upon exposure to water or other aqueous mixture. Suitable inks can be used in conventional printing methods, such as jet printing, lithography, offset printing and impact printing. Also provided are substrates imaged with these security printing inks.

Abstract: Printing inks and printing systems which contain near infrared fluorescent compounds and U.V. absorbing pigments provide print media with coatings, sense marks and data images containing NIRF compounds and U.V absorbing pigments with improved light stability. These printing inks and printing systems can be modified for use in a wide variety of printing methods. The print media obtained contains detectable NIRF compounds after the equivalent of 6 months exposure to indoor U.V. light.

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 paper having a near infrared radiation scannable data image comprised of near infrared flourescent compounds provides scannable data invisible to the naked eye with little interference from printed text or images on the thermal paper. The near infrared fluorescent pigments are protected from contact with oxygen using a polymer resin. Thermal papers with overlapping bar codes can be prepared when using two or more near infrared radiation scannable bar codes that respond to different wavelengths. The overlapping bar codes provide more information in a given area.

Abstract: A print medium having a sense mark comprised of a near infrared fluorescent component which triggers automated operations without interference from printed text or images or the substrate. The near infrared fluorescent pigments are protected from contact with oxygen using a polymer resin. Apparatus for dispensing printed media comprises a print medium of this invention, detector for sensing the mark, a logic element for locating the mark and a paper transporting apparatus controlled by the logic element. The apparatus can be incorporated in business machines such as automatic teller machines, cash registers, ticket dispensing machines and coupon dispensing machines.

Abstract: Thermosensitive recording materials, such as thermal papers, with near infrared flourescent (NIRF) compounds as a security feature and methods for preparing thermal papers with NIRF compounds as a security measure, wherein the NIRF compounds do not react with the reactive components of the thermosensitive recording materials and are preferably shielded from contact with ambient air.

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: Porous inking members for impact printers and methods of making the same which control the ink transfer flow rate from the porous inking members to dot matrix or other impact print heads. One preferred embodiment of the porous inking members for impact printers and methods of making the same uses peptizer and liquid nitrile rubber as ingredients in the manufacturing process to produce porous inking members.

Abstract: A thermal paper with an image derived from a water-based security ink has more than one means of security. A variable light absorbing and/or transmitting pigment or dye in the ink is a first security and a water repelling agent in the ink is a second security. A pseudo-watermark from the coloration of the ink under ambient conditions is a third security. Visible images can be generated from the printed ink upon exposure to UV or infrared light. Methods of preparing the thermal paper comprise printing the security ink on thermal paper with only one thermosensitive coating on the surface opposite the thermosensitive coating.

Abstract: There is provided by the present invention methods for preparing coating formulations and thermal transfer ribbons which provide images of high resolution by thermal transfer printing. The formulations contain an incompatible resin or wax component for reduced cohesiveness between the components of the thermal transfer layer. These methods employ thermoplastic resins and waxes with distinct solubility in the absence of solvent to reduce cohesion but are sufficiently compatible as to exhibit film forming properties. A method for modifying a coating formulation is also provided where an incompatible resin or wax components is added thereto.

Abstract: Continuous or endless loop printing ribbon cassettes and reinking devices therefor which will control the start of reinking transfer flow and the reinking transfer flow rate from the reinking device to the continuous or endless loop printing ribbon fabric substrate. One preferred embodiment of the reinking device in accordance with the present invention utilizes two cylindrical ink rolls positioned concentric to each other. The inner ink roll is saturated with an ink having a normal flow rate and acts as a reservoir. The outer ink roll is saturated with an ink having a higher viscosity or other materials which delay the start of reinking transfer flow when the continuous or endless printing ribbon cassette is new and controls the ink transfer flow rate during the useful life of the continuous or endless loop printing ribbon cassette. In a second preferred embodiment, the inner ink roll is replaced by an inner ink reservoir which controls the ink transfer flow rate to the porous outer ink roll.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon has a substrate and a coating which contains thermally active ingredients for transferring images onto a receiving medium upon the application of heat to said ribbon. The ingredients are predominately water based and are environmentally acceptable in the industry. The various ingredients provide a flexible coating structure and a good adhesive bond along with improved resistance to smear and smudging of the transferred images. The thermal transfer formulation comprises carnauba wax and paraffin wax emulsified in a mixture of 1-10% volatile solvent and about 90-99% water.

Abstract: A fluorescent security system for retail transactions which maximizes the printed character or image life of a combination visible/fluorescent inked printing ribbon while ensuring that the fluorescent security life of the combination visible/fluorescent inked printing ribbon will outlast the visible life for printed characters or images under normal lighting conditions. This fluorescent security system for transaction records consists of a fabric ribbon, a dual-roll foam reinker and an optical filter. The fabric ribbon is initially inked with fluorescent ink richer in visible color dye than a normal fluorescent ink to enhance the printed character or image life of the combination visible/fluorescent inked printing ribbon. A dual-roll foam reinker consisting of an inner roll and an outer roll positioned concentric to the inner roll is used to replenish ink depleted from the fabric ribbon during the printing process. The inner roll and the outer roll can have the same or different pore sizes.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ribbon has a substrate and a coating which contains thermally active ingredients for transferring images onto a receiving medium upon the application of heat to said ribbon. The ingredients are predominately water based and are environmentally acceptable in the industry. The various ingredients provide a flexible coating structure and a good adhesive bond along with improved resistance to smear and smudging of the transferred images.