Printed item having an image with a high durability and/or resolution

• US 20080136887A1
• Filed: 12/11/2006
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SSGII, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SSGII, Inc.
• Inventors: Peterson, Chris, Schmitt, Stephen E., Rosland, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/637,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20080136887A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/106
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/309 Photographs
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/378 Special inks

Abstract

A printed device is provided with an image printed thereon, having a relatively high durability and/or resolution. A printer and method are also provided to produce a high durability image by treating an item to be printed with plasma. In particular, a printer is provided that is configured to convey a plurality of individuated items through a plasma treatment stage to prepare the surfaces of the item for printing. More specifically such printer may use a non-continuous ink jet printing assembly such as a drop on demand printing assembly.

Claims

1-38. -38. (canceled)

39. A printed item comprising:

a surface; and

an image structure printed on the surface of the item by a non-contact ink printing technique and forming an image,

wherein the image has a percent loss in color density of less than or equal to about 60% after about 350 Taber cycles applied to at least a portion of the image structure.

40. The printed item of claim 39

wherein the image has a resolution of at least about 150 dpi.

41. The printed item of claim 39 wherein the surface comprises a plastic.

42. A printed item comprising:

a surface; and

an image structure printed on the surface of the item by a non-contact ink printing technique and forming an image,

wherein the image has a percent loss in color density of less than or equal to about 60% after about 300 Taber cycles applied to at least a portion of the image structure.

43. The printed item of claim 42 wherein the image has a resolution of at least about 150 dpi.

44. The printed item of claim 42 wherein the surface comprises a plastic.

45. A printed item comprising:

a surface; and

an image structure printed on the surface of the item by a non-contact ink printing technique and forming an image,

wherein the image has a percent loss in color density of less than or equal to about 30% after about 150 Taber cycles to at least a portion of the image structure.

46. The printed item of claim 45 wherein the image has a resolution of at least about 150 dpi.

47. The printed item of claim 45 wherein the surface comprises a plastic.

48. A plurality of individuated transaction cards wherein each card has two opposing planar sides, at least one of the planar sides having a image structure printed thereon allowing for matching of a transaction with the printed image structure thereon, forming an image thereon being unique to the transaction card upon which the image structure resides so that it distinguishes the transaction card from the other of said plurality of transaction cards wherein the image has a percent loss in color density of less than or equal to about 60% after about 350 Taber cycles to at least a portion of said image structure.

49. A printed transaction card comprising:

a card having a planar surface; and

an image structure printed on the surface of the item and forming an image, wherein the image has a percent loss in color density of less than or equal to about 60% after about 350 Taber cycles to at least a portion of the image structure.

50. The printed item of claim 49 wherein the surface comprises a plastic.

51. The printed item of claim 49 wherein the image comprises individuated data.

52. An individuated printed item comprising:

a substrate having a surface;

an image structure printed on the surface comprising individuated data printed thereon using a non contact printing technique;

wherein the image structure has a percent loss in color density of less than or equal to about 60% after about 350 Taber cycles to at least a portion of the image structure.