Thermal Indicators

• US 20120236096A1
• Filed: 12/08/2011
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New Receiptco Opco LLC
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Roth, Joseph D., Halbrook, Wendell B. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,567,317 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/102
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/315 characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material B41J2/385, B41J2/435 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/32 using thermal heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/14 Security printing securities B42D25/29
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/04 in respect of time

Abstract

A thermal indicator using indicia formed by opaque ink applied to a thermal imaging material element is described. The ink is substantially the same color as the imaging element background and remains substantially hidden until the imaging element background changes color when heated. Time-temperature exposure indicating labels can be prepared using a printer with direct thermal type and ink jet type print heads.

Claims

1. A method of providing a time-temperature indicator label comprising:

providing a thermal media element including a thermally sensitive coating on a substrate, where said thermally sensitive coating changes color upon exposure to heat; and

printing over said coating with an ink of substantially matching a color.

2. The method of claim 1 which further includes printing of said thermal media element by direct thermal printing.

3. The method of claim 2 in which said ink is applied by ink jet printing.