JP5335597B2 - Thermal printing media - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to direct thermal printing, and in certain embodiments relates to direct thermal printing labels for objects and containers, but does not limit the invention.

  US Pat. No. 6,784,906 and US Pat. No. 6,759,366 disclose two-sided or double-sided direct thermal printing of documents such as transaction documents and receipts. ing. In the case of two-sided direct thermal printing, the printer is configured so that it can simultaneously print on both sides of a thermal or print medium that moves along the feed path through the printer. In such a printer, a direct thermal print head is placed on each side of the media along the feed path. In operation, each thermal print head faces the opposing platen across the media from each print head.

  In the case of direct thermal printing, the print head selectively applies heat to paper or other media with a support that includes a thermal coating. The coating changes color when heat is applied to “print” on the coated substrate. In the case of double-sided direct thermal printing, both sides of the sheet media support can be coated.

  In various industries, there is a large amount of information that is desired or necessary to attach to an object such as a product or its container. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, when providing such a drug to a patient, there is a large amount of information that must be provided with the drug. Some of this information is printed on a label that is attached directly to the pharmaceutical container.

US Pat. No. 6,784,906 US Pat. No. 6,759,366 US Pat. No. 6,803,344 US Pat. No. 6,906,735

  In many cases, the size of the container is determined by the amount of information on the label, not by the amount of drug. Similarly, the desired or necessary additional information attached to an object such as a pharmaceutical can be printed separately from the label attached to the object that requires additional resources, so that Risk increases.

  In some embodiments, the print medium includes a first support having a front surface and a back surface. The first portion on the back surface is for attachment to a product container, and the second portion on the back surface includes a surface for displaying information. The surface is for displaying information, and the print medium is for positioning on the product container, and the periphery of the container is shorter than the length of the print medium. Therefore, when placed on the product container, the first portion of the back surface substantially covers the periphery of the product container and the second portion of the back surface extends from the container and / or the surface of the print medium To cover a part of. The print medium can further include a second support for printing and providing additional information.

1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a double-sided image-forming direct thermal printer. A is an exemplary embodiment of the first side of the print media in the form of a label, and B is an exemplary embodiment of the second side of the A label. FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a label that is wrapped around an object in the form of a container. A is another exemplary embodiment of the first side of the print medium in the form of a label, and B is an exemplary embodiment of the second side of the A label. A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a form-label combination, and B is a plan view of A's form-label combination. A is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a print medium in the form of a label, B is a drawing of a first side (top) of A's label, and C is a second of A's label. It is drawing of a surface (bottom surface). A is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a print medium in the form of a label, B is a drawing of a first side (top) of A's label, and C is a second of A's label. It is drawing of a surface (bottom surface).

  By way of example, the various embodiments of the present invention can be modified as described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,344 discloses an overview of background material that can be applied directly to thermal printing and relates to the manufacture of the media and its common functions. The above US patents are hereby incorporated by reference.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a double-sided imaging direct thermal printer 10 that can be used, inter alia, for double-sided single pass printing of transaction receipts, tickets, labels or other documents when issued. The printer 10 includes, for example, cellulose coated on each side with a thermal dye disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 6,784,906 (Patent Document 1) and 6,759,366 (Patent Document 2). It operates on a print medium 20, which is a double-sided thermal paper with a polymer support. If multicolor printing is desired, two or more dyes that are sensitive to different temperatures on the surface can be used to allow multicolor printing on both sides of the document. Supports and thermochromic coatings for direct thermal printing are well known to those skilled in the art. Two-sided direct thermal printing affects the coloration on the media 20 with the media 20 containing dyes sensitive to different temperatures on the opposite surface of the media 20 and / or thermal printing on one side of the media 20. This can be done easily by using a heat resistance support that prevents the above.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 has rotating platens 30 and 40 and opposing thermal print heads 50 and 60 on the opposing surface of the print medium or print medium 20. Double-sided direct thermal printing of the medium 20 is performed in a single pass at the time of transaction or document issuance. The media 20 can typically be cut or separated by, for example, an electromechanical knife (not shown) to provide individual documents when printing is complete.

  Exemplary media 20 includes an opaque support and a thermal coating on each side for general double-sided direct thermal printing applications. The support or substrate sheet is used in conventional direct thermal printing applications including materials from, for example, cellulose (natural) fibers such as opaque paper, and synthetic and / or natural fibers such as polyester (synthetic) fibers. These materials can be included. The support can also include extruded plastics and / or films using materials such as Kapton, polyethylene and polyester polymers. To improve thermal imaging, calendaring can be performed on each side of the media 20 to make it 75 Bekk or smoother. For example, binder materials such as calcium carbonate or clay-rich subcoats or base coats, and latex binders to improve the smoothness of the finish and directly improve the quality of thermal printing, and In particular, it can be used on a paper support in order to protect the thermal coating from chemicals that are inherently contained in the support.

  Without sub-coating, typical smoothness achieved by calendering the base paper prior to applying the thermal coating is in the range of 75-150 Bekk. When sub-coating is performed and calendering is performed, the finished smoothness is usually 250 Bekk or more. For example, in order to improve the characteristics of thermal image formation such as barcode printing, the finishing smoothness must be at least 300 Bekk. When used, the weight of the subcoat is typically about 1-10 lbs / 3300 SFR (square foot ream) per side of one or both sides, preferably per side of one or both sides 2-5 lbs / 3300 SFR is preferred.

  Calendar processing to smooth the surface of the media 20 can include online or offline soft or soft nip calendering or supercalendering during one or more pass operations. Supercalendering, typically performed off-line from a paper production line, can be performed using a stack of alternating chilled cast iron and fiber cover rolls. The fiber cover roll can be covered, for example, with high compression paper for processing uncoated paper or with high compression cotton for processing paper with coating. In the case of soft calendering, the synthetic cover crown roll can be run against a heated metal roll, for example during the in-line process, to form the desired sheet surface finish and gloss. More than one roll stack can be used to calendar both sides of the media 20 in a single pass.

  The thermal coating is preferably of the dye development type and is particularly suitable for use with an opaque paper support for media 20, for example in the case of double-sided direct thermal printing applications. A development type is preferred. Such coatings typically include a developer, optional sensitizer, and a color former or dye, such as a leuco dye, that changes color when heated. For example, several thermal coatings such as dye development type or dye sublimation type can be used and can vary depending on the support material such as plastic support material. When used, the dye-developing type thermal coating located on the subcoat usually has a weight of about 1-8 lbs / 3300 SFR, but preferably has a weight of about 1-3 lbs / 3300 SFR. When sub-coating is not performed, the heat-sensitive layer is usually heavier.

  The subcoat can be used on one or both sides, and the degree of calendaring or smoothing of the finish can be the same or different on each side of the media 20, depending on the cost and requirements of the particular application involved. May be. For example, there may be a case where higher quality printing is required on one side, such as when barcode printing is required. For such applications, it is usually necessary to use a subcoat on the barcode printing surface of the media 20, and it is necessary to calender to a finishing smoothness of 300 Bekk or higher. The same finish or a less expensive finish can be used for the other side of the media 20. Similarly, the nature, chemical composition, thermal sensitivity and cost of the thermal coating may be the same or different on each of the two surfaces. For example, a sensitizer can be used on one or both sides of the medium 20 depending on the application. Different chemistries on both sides of the media 20 can be used to provide different environmental compatibility or characteristics or other desired product characteristics such as imaging color.

  The subcoats used may again be the same on each side of the media 20 or have different compositions or weights on each side of the media 20 depending on cost and application considerations. Good. For example, when performing arbitrary ink jet printing and direct thermal printing on one surface, it is preferable to perform a calcium carbonate subcoat.

  The thermal coating on each side of the media 20 can print one color on each side of the media 20 with the same or different print color on each side of the media 20. Alternatively, direct thermal printing of multiple colors can be performed, for example, multiple thermal coatings or multiple thermal layers in a coating as disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,906,735. Or the selection of print colors that can be used can be performed on one or both sides using multiple dyes in the same or different coating layers on each side of the media 20.

  For some applications, on one or both sides of the media 20 in the form of spots, strips or pattern coatings to provide a special or more costly finished spot, strip or pattern on one or both sides. It may be desirable to provide a thermal coating. For example, in order to print a barcode at a particular location on the media 20, the required smoothness of the finish and the thermal coating can be limited to that location only. In addition, a repeat detection mark can be applied to one or more locations on one or both sides of the media 20 so that the location for printing specific information such as a barcode can be identified during the printing process. . For certain applications, the detection marks on the opposing surface of the media 20 can have different repeat lengths, for example, so that the intended print size or area can be different. In other embodiments, sensing is such that the location within the removable portion of media 20 such as the label portion can be determined prior to printing the desired information on one or both sides. Marks can be used. Regardless of the application, one or more sensors (not shown) associated with the printer 10 trigger the printing of the appropriate information to identify the detection mark and within the appropriate area or location. Can be used for.

  A top coat can be applied over the thermal coating on one or both sides of the media 20 to protect the image and preserve the environment. When used, the topcoat can include a spot, strip or pattern coating to further protect certain printed information such as, for example, barcodes. Repeat detection marks can be applied to the media 20 to facilitate identification of specific topcoat spots, strips or pattern locations. The topcoat can include any suitable component that serves to protect or improve some performance characteristics of the heat sensitive or functional layer, and can also include water, polymers, monomers, UV absorbers, anti-scratch agents, stains An inhibitor or the like can also be included.

  The media 20 may be one or more areas pre-printed with ink, for example thermal printing or other non-thermal printing on at least one side of the media 20 for security functions, standard conditions, or advertising, depending on application requirements. Pre-printing can be included. Pre-printing can also provide a colored background area that affects the color of the final image. For example, yellow ink can be used on red image thermal paper to make the final image color orange.

  The double-sided direct thermal print media 20 can include multiple color features on one or both sides of the media to print multiple colors on one or both sides of the media. This allows custom full color printing of variable information on one or both sides of a medium containing full color photographic quality images. Such full-color printing can be performed with a crystalline dye that transitions from a transparent state to a colored state in response to an input from a thermal print head.

  As already explained, the thermal or functional coating can contain a dye, such as a leuco dye, necessary to form an image. In order to form a full color image, at least three dyes (eg, cyan, magenta and yellow) must be used. These dyes may be a mixture of crystalline dyes that change from a colorless state to a colored state when heated. The dyes can be mixed with suitable binders, additives and solvents to allow the final product to be easily coated and function properly.

  Various sub-coatings, functional coatings and top coatings on one or both sides of the media 20 can be applied by any suitable means such as flooding, metering and subsequent drying. Alternatively, spray can be used instead of color coding and metering. Such a double-sided thermal printing medium or medium 20 can be manufactured by any suitable process or apparatus such as a conventional inline paper coating machine. Similarly, the double-sided thermal printing medium or medium 20 is preferably printed with a suitable double-sided imaging direct thermal printer disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,759,366.

  The double-sided thermal printing medium or medium 20 can be manufactured in the form of individual tags or labels, and can include the double-sided thermal medium 20 with nested tags or labels. For example, very small tags or labels having a size of about 0.5-2 inches wide, about 1-4 inches long, and 3-35 mils thick can be produced. Such tag or label supports may be cellulose or polymeric and may be substantially opaque. When present, the protective layer generally has an environmental resistance.

  The double-sided thermal paper / nested label combination is particularly useful when used within a foam-label combination. Since the combination is double-sided, images can be formed on the front and back surfaces of the medium. It can then be printed on a removable part embedded on the front and / or back side of such media and can be separated from the media. Such portions can include a suitable release material such as UV cured silicone that can be applied in a spot or pattern arrangement. Useful adhesives include hot melt, aqueous, and UV curable adhesives. When using hot melt adhesives, care must be taken to prevent unwanted imaging of the heat sensitive media. Premature imaging during application of the hot melt adhesive can be addressed, for example, by using a cooling vacuum roller, a cooling roller, and a subsequent vacuum roller.

  The double-sided thermal form-label combination has all the advantages of double-sided thermal printing media, such that it can be imaged in a simple and durable printer, thus requiring fewer repairs and fewer failures. And only one consumable (eg, a medium capable of thermal imaging) is required. Double-sided thermal printing can further increase the printing speed and reduce paper consumption as compared with a single-sided thermal apparatus.

  Exemplary uses for double-sided thermal foam-labels include prescriptions, shipping labels / packaging lists, among others.

  Some embodiments include double-sided thermosensitive product labels, and certain embodiments include double-sided thermosensitive pharmaceutical labels. These and related embodiments are suitable for situations that require or have a high amount of information desired for an object such as a product or its container, such as, for example, a pill bottle and / or other pharmaceutical container . In such a situation, for example, a larger pill bottle label is required, thus requiring a larger pill bottle. In many situations, the pill bottle is already much larger than needed to contain the pill. It is desirable to use smaller pill bottles. This is because it is more cost-effective and can be handled more easily. Therefore, using these embodiments, the labels can be printed differently with a large printable area on both sides of the label. Printing on both sides of the label can reduce the required label size for a given amount of information to a minimum.

  In one embodiment, the length of the label is longer than the perimeter (or perimeter) of the container, such as the bottle on which the label is stretched. 2A and 2B show examples of such labels. FIG. 2A is the front surface of the label 200, and FIG. 2B is the back surface of the label 200. Referring initially to FIG. 2B, the back side of the label 200 includes a first section 230 and a second section 240. The two sections 230 and 240 are separated by a fine wire 215. Adhesive or other securing means is applied onto section 230 and then label 200 is wrapped and attached around the product container (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B). The length of section 230 is approximately equal to the perimeter (or perimeter) of the product container, but the surface coverage can be greater or smaller. Section 240 can have a product or other information printed thereon. In one embodiment, section 230 may also be viewed by looking inside or through the outside of the container when a label 200, such as a drug container, is attached to a transparent or translucent container. By viewing, you can have the information printed on it so that you can see the information.

  FIG. 2A shows the surface of the label 200 and includes a first section 210 and a second section 220 separated by a fine wire 215. In some embodiments, the fine wires 215 separating the sections 210 and 220 on the surface of the label 200, and the sections 230 and 240 on the back of the label 200 include sections 220 and 240, as shown in FIG. 2B. One or more perforations, cuts, detents, recesses, etc. can be included so that a portion of the label 200 can be removed from the label 200. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the sections 210 and 220 on the front side of the label 200 and the sections 230 and 240 on the back side of the label 200 allow the printer 10 to print information as described above. One or more desired sections, or one or more detection marks 245 that can be used to keep the area from protruding outside.

  As already shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the length of section 210 is approximately equal to the length of section 230, and the length of section 220 is approximately equal to the length of section 240. In the case of sections 230 and 240, both sections 210 and 220 may have products or other information printed thereon. Similarly, the length of section 210 is approximately equal to the perimeter (or perimeter) of the product container. However, section 230 can provide a wider or narrower surface covering portion.

  FIG. 3 is a system 300 that includes a label 200 when affixed onto an object 310 that is in the shape of a circular container. Of course, other objects and their shapes can also be used. FIG. 3 shows the case where the top of the container 310 is viewed from above. Referring to FIG. 3, the label 200 is affixed to the container 310 so that the section 230 contacts and is attached to the container 310, for example, by a built-in adhesive layer. As shown in FIG. 3, a portion of label 200 that includes sections 210 and 230 is substantially wrapped around container 310, and a portion of label 200 that includes sections 220 and 240 is substantially of container 310. Extend beyond the periphery. As a result, as further shown in FIG. 3, the portion of label 200 that includes sections 220 and 240 wraps around and / or otherwise on the top of the portion of the label that includes sections 210 and 230 To position. Moving the portion of label 200 including sections 220 and 240 away from the container, ie, in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, exposes section 210 of covered label 200 and above it. Can read information. Similarly, when the portion of label 200 that includes sections 220 and 240 moves in the direction of arrow A, the information on section 240 is also exposed. Further, if some or all of the container to which the label 200 is attached is transparent or opaque, the information printed on the section 230 can be read from the outside or from the inside through the container.

  Thus, the label 200 can wrap its own top when applied to a container 310, such as a pharmaceutical or pill bottle. The label 200 can be affixed to a container 310 such as a bottle by adhesive, tape or other attachment means. In addition, some or all of the surface of a label such as section 210 may be peeled off, such as silicone, so that, among other things, section 240 of label 200 from section 210 can be easily separated or peeled off. Can be covered with a coating. In contrast, section 230 of label 200 is attached to container 310 and cannot be easily removed from container 310. In this way, the end user can release or peel off a portion of the label to expose additional information.

  The wrap-around portions 220 and 240 of the label 200 are also used to hide certain information printed on the portions 240 and / or 210 of the label 200, or to protect privacy, avoid fraud, etc. Can be used to make it difficult to read. In such a case, a second adhesive portion or stripe (eg, adhesive stripe 255 in FIG. 4B) with or without a near release agent can be removed or peeled from section 240 to the mating portion of section 210. Can be used to attach to.

  In addition, a portion of the label 200 that extends beyond the container 310 may include, among other things, one or more cuts, tears, recesses, such as perforations at line 215 of the label 200, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. By using the stress concentration portion, it can be removed from the container 310. Next, the removable portion of label 200, which can include some or all of the portions shown in sections 220 and 240, can be stored separately or used for coupons, advertisements, transaction receipts, etc. that can be bought back. be able to.

  4A and 4B are another embodiment of a wrap-around label 200 for use on objects and containers, such as pharmaceutical bottles, among others. As shown in FIG. 4A, the section 210 of the surface of the label 200 includes a release coating 225 such as silicone. Note that in other embodiments, the release coating 225 may additionally or alternatively be applied to other sections of the label 200, such as section 220 or portions thereof. The back side of the label 200 of FIG. 4B, including sections 230 and 240, includes two patches 250 and 255 of adhesive. The size of the larger adhesive patch 250 is approximately equal to the size of the section 230. This section 230 is designed to substantially traverse or surround the container or other object on which the label 200 is applied. The main function of the adhesive patch 250 is to attach the label 200 to the container. Note that in other embodiments, adhesive patch 250 may be a shorter cover than all sections 230. The smaller patch 255 of adhesive that covers a portion of the section 240 on the back side of the label 200 is the silicone or silicone on the section 210 on the surface of the label 200 when the label is attached to the container and the container is wrapped around. Designed to form temporary bonds with other release coatings 225. This primary bond attaches a portion of label 200, including section 240, to the bin when not in use. The smaller adhesive patch 255 and the silicone coating 225 on the surface of the label 200 allow the information printed on the section 240 and the portion of the section 210 covered by it to be read as needed (eg, The wrapped label can be easily peeled off and then reapplied to the container (eg, some or all of the information printed on section 240 and section 210 covered thereby) To hide). The size and position of the smaller adhesive patch 255 can be varied to control adhesion and control the area on the section 240 where product information is printed. Further, different adhesives 250 and 255 can be used to increase or decrease adhesion persistence or ease of removal, for example, with or without a release coating 225.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are another embodiment that may be referred to as a form-label combination 400. The form-label combination 400 can be manufactured as a form-label roll, as a fan-folded form-label, as an individual (one) form-label, or the like. For ease of understanding, FIGS. 5A and 5B show one form-label combination. As shown in FIG. 5A, the form-label combination 400 includes a label 200, a substrate sheet 430, and a die cut 420 on the back surface of the substrate sheet 430.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the form-label combination 400 of FIG. 5A further includes a topsheet 205, adhesive sections 250, 255 and 257, and a silicone layer 410. As shown in FIG. 5B, a portion of the substrate sheet 430 that is surrounded by the top sheet 205, the adhesive sections 250, 255 and 257, and the die cut 420 and identified as section 240 can be, for example, FIG. 2A, FIG. 3, 4A and 4B, including the embodiment of label 200 previously described.

  5A and 5B further show a portion of a form-label 400 on which printing including thermal printing of information can be performed. These sections are sections 210 and 220 delimited by fine wires 215 on the surface of the top sheet 205, a section 240 surrounded by a die cut 420 on the back surface of the base sheet 430, and the back surface of the base sheet 430. A section 440 including the remaining portion and a section 450 including a portion of the surface of the substrate sheet 430 not covered by the label 200. Similarly, in other embodiments, printing, including thermal printing of information, includes, among other things, forms that include the back surface of the top sheet 205 under the section 210 and the surface of the substrate sheet 430 close to the release layer 410- This can be done on additional portions of the label 400.

  To perform printing, in one embodiment, the topsheet 205 of the form-label 400 includes a single-sided thermal medium that includes a thermal coating on a portion of the topsheet 205 that includes sections 210 and 220; The substrate sheet 430 includes a double-sided thermal medium that includes a thermal coating on both its front and back surfaces including sections 240, 440, and 450, although other embodiments can be used as well.

  Printing, including thermal printing of the base sheet 430, can provide information that can be displayed on the label 200, including its sections 210, 220, and 240, or that can actually be performed. Such information may be independent or form-label including label 200 including, but not limited to, contract information, transaction (receipt) information, warranty information, discount information, advertisements, coupons, etc. It may relate to information printed on a portion of 400 or may provide more information. For pharmaceutical applications, the label 200 may include information normally displayed on a pharmaceutical container, such as patient and drug name, dose, and dosing information. On the other hand, the remaining portion of the base sheet 430 may include detailed drug information, interaction information, transaction (receipt) information, etc., if desired or necessary when distributing a pharmaceutical product.

  To remove the label 200 from the form-label combination 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, for example, starting from point B of FIG. 5B, the label 200 may be grasped and pulled from the substrate sheet 430. When the label 200 is peeled from the substrate sheet 430, the adhesive section 250 separates from the silicone release layer 410, while the adhesive section 250 remains attached to the top sheet 205 of the label 200. When the leading edge of the die cut 420 is reached, the adhesive section 257 between the top sheet 205 and the base sheet 430 pulls the section 240 of the base sheet 430 together with the top sheet 205, thereby causing the remaining portion of the base sheet Remove this part from When the trailing edge of the die cut 420 is reached, the portion 240 of the base sheet that is attached to the label 200 and removed along with the label 200 is cut off from the rest of the base sheet 430. This portion 240 of the base sheet 430 that is removed along with the topsheet 205 when the label 200 is removed from the foam label combination 400 is attached to the container as shown in FIG. For example, the portion 240 that extends beyond the portion 210 and wraps around.

  Note that the adhesive sections 250, 255, and 257 can include the same or different adhesives depending on the application. For example, adhesive sections 250 and 255 can include an easily peelable adhesive with or without release layer 410, while adhesive layer 257 tops section 240 of substrate sheet 430. A permanent adhesive may be included for permanent attachment to the section 220 of the sheet 205. Other adhesives and application locations / coating areas can also be used.

  In other embodiments shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, the label 200 includes a top sheet 205, a base sheet 430, an adhesive 250, and a release layer 410. In this embodiment, the topsheet 205 can have a thermal coating on both sides so that, among other things, sections 210, 212, 220, 235 and 240 can be custom imaged, while the base The sheet of material 430 can have a thermal coating on one side so that the section 230 can be thermally imaged. However, other embodiments that include a thermal coating on the back surface of the substrate sheet 430 facing the section 230 can also be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, some or all of the labels 200 including portions 210, 220, 235 and 240 are printed with information such as objects, containers and / or other information. Can do. Similarly, information such as objects, containers and / or other information can be printed on some or all of the sections 230 of the substrate sheet 430. In one embodiment, the printed portions of sections 210, 220, 235 and 240 of label topsheet 205 contain purchased product information, and the printed portions of section 230 of substrate sheet 430 are: Contains transaction (receipt) information. In another embodiment, sections 210, 220, 235 and 240 contain product and / or transaction information and section 230 contains coupon or advertising information. Similarly, in other embodiments, sections 210, 220, 235, and 240 can include object storage information, and section 230 identifies and retrieves the stored item with which label 200 is associated. Claim ticket information can be included.

  When affixed to an object, the label 200 of FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C has an area 235 of the label 200 that surrounds a portion of the object, such as a handle, and an adhesive 250 contacts and adheres to the section 240. Thus, it can be bent around the fine wires 215 and 217. Such a label can be used, for example, in a baggage handling system in which the top sheet 205 is a baggage tag and the base sheet 430 is a voucher.

  In another embodiment of the label 200 of FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, including but not limited to the above baggage handling applications, the substrate sheet 430 and the adhesive and release layers 250 and 410 are respectively top An area that is equal to, greater than, or smaller than the area of the topsheet 205 that includes a portion of the coating that is equal to all of the back side of the sheet 205 can be covered. In such a case, the substrate sheet 430 can have a thermal coating on both sides, and the topsheet 205 can have a thermal coating only on its top surface.

  Further, depending on the application, some or all of the information printed on the label 200 can be thermally printed by a single-sided or double-sided thermal printer such as the thermal printer 10 of FIG. Similarly, some or all of such information can be printed by lithographic printing, flexographic printing, relief printing, gravure printing, or any other suitable printing method. For thermal printing, an appropriate portion of the label 200 can include one or more leuco dyes, a developer and a sensitizer, varying with the location (eg, section or portion) on the label 200. Can be coated with one or more thermal inks.

  Typically, the information printed on the label 200 can include information related to the product or item with which the label 200 is associated or the label 200 is affixed. This information may include product or item names, or other identifications, ingredients, specifications, sizes, weights, storage and processing, costs, etc. In addition, the purchase or other including product or item, including typical receipt information (eg, store name and / or logo, date, time, product name and / or code, price, tax, payment method, etc.) Information related to the transaction can also be written on the label 200 or a portion thereof. Furthermore, the information to be provided can be changed depending on the application.

  For example, in the case of pharmaceutical applications, the information provided includes, among other things, (1) patient information including name, address, phone number and / or photo, (2) insurance name such as operator name, group number, etc. Information, (3) cost and / or payment information, (4) dose information, medication information, unfavorable and / or other interaction information, etc., (5) drug information including name, address, logo, etc., (6) Warning information, (7) advertisement, (8) loyalty information, and the like can be included. Similarly, when used as a baggage tag, such information includes, among other things, (1) baggage information such as size, weight, color and / or other identifying features of the bag, (2) name Passenger information including address, telephone number and / or photo, (3) transportation means information including ticket number, departure and destination and / or operator name, etc. Other uses and types of information provided can also be included.

  When submitting a photo, such photo is attached to or associated with a computer or terminal to which a thermal printer, such as printer 10 of FIG. 1, is connected for printing on label 200, for example. Can be recorded and printed simultaneously by a digital camera. Similarly, such photos include relevant recorded photos of government agencies (eg, driver's licenses, passports, etc.) that can be retrieved by a customer loyalty program or a computer to which the printer 10 is connected. Can do.

  7A, 7B and 7C are another embodiment of the label 200. FIG. FIG. 7A is a plan view of the label 200. As shown in FIG. 7A, the label 200 includes a substrate sheet 205 having a top release layer 412, a top adhesive 255, a top sheet 432 on the top surface, and a bottom adhesive 250, a bottom release layer 410, and a bottom surface thereof. Includes an upper bottom sheet 430. In this embodiment, all top sheet 432, substrate sheet 205, and bottom sheet 430 contain a thermal medium having a thermal coating on one side. However, other embodiments can also be used, including embodiments in which one or more top sheet 432, substrate sheet 205, and bottom sheet 430 include a double-sided thermal medium having a thermal coating on both sides thereof. .

  In the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, the substrate sheet 205 includes a cellulose support (eg, paper) having a thermal coating on its surface (top surface). However, different embodiments including different substrate sheet 205 supports and / or coatings (eg, polymer sheets such as spunbond olefins with thermal coatings on both sides) can also be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the surface of the substrate sheet 205 includes a section 210 on which information can be printed including thermal prints thereon. Similarly, the surface of the topsheet 432 includes a section 220 on which information can be printed, including thermal prints thereon. The topsheet 432 is removably attached to the substrate sheet 205 by a top adhesive 255 such as a hot melt glue or pressure sensitive adhesive and a top release layer 412 such as UV or EB cured silicone. When removed, the topsheet 432 can be permanently or removed to objects such as documents by the top adhesive 255 being removed along with the topsheet 432 leaving the top release layer 412 on the substrate sheet 205. Can be attached.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7C, the back surface of the bottom sheet 430 includes a section 230 and a section 240 on which information can be printed including thermal prints thereon. The bottom sheet 430 is removably attached to the back side of the substrate sheet 205 by a bottom adhesive 250, such as a hot melt glue or pressure sensitive adhesive, and a release coating 410, such as UV or EB cured silicone. The bottom release layer 410 is removed along with the bottom sheet 430, leaving a bottom adhesive 250 for bonding the base sheet 205 to an object such as a pharmaceutical or other container.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, the fine wire 215 separating the sections 210 and 220 and 230 and 240 is a portion of the substrate sheet 205 near the section 230 of the bottom sheet. The substrate sheet 205 is positioned so as to substantially wrap around the periphery of an object such as a container to which the base sheet 205 is attached. Next, this portion of the base sheet 205 corresponding to the section 220 and located near the section 240 of the bottom sheet 430 extends significantly beyond this attached portion and / or wraps around. If the topsheet 432 and associated top adhesive 255 are removed, this portion of the base sheet 205 can be removed to the top surface of the base sheet 205 by the associated portion of the bottom adhesive 250 and the top release layer 412. Can be glued.

  The thermal coating thereon allows thermal printing of variable information on sections 210, 220, 230 and 240 of label 200 with a single or double sided thermal printer such as printer 10 of FIG. As already described, such information can include information related to an object, such as a product to which some or all of the labels 200 are related or attached. Similarly, as already described, such information can include transaction information such as item, quantity, store, date, time, tax and payment information. In such an embodiment, the substrate sheet 205 of the label 200 can be attached to an object such as a pharmaceutical container. In this case, information related to the drug is printed on section 210, and information related to the purchase is on sections 230 and 240 so that if removed, bottom sheet 430 becomes a receipt for purchase transactions. Printed. In such an embodiment, the topsheet 432 may include additional products such as drug information for adhering to a record book signature line such as a drug counter. Alternatively or additionally, the top sheet 432 can include additional information for bonding to other parts of the product, such as the top of the container, including warning information and dosing information. Advertisements, coupons or other promotional information can also be printed on sections 230 and 240 of the bottom sheet 430 so that they can be processed and / or redeemed separately.

  By using a double-sided thermal label, desired information can be thermally printed on both sides of the label. Such a label can then be further attached to the product or container to provide relevant information. Depending on the design and / or application of the label, one or more adhesives such as hot melt adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, and / or release layers such as UV curable silicones can be used. Similarly, one or more printable portions of a label can be removed for separate storage, use, redemption, etc.

  As already explained, several parts of a thermal medium having a release layer such as silicone can be thermally imaged through such a release layer. Similarly, in some embodiments where an adhesive is used to attach the label to the container, the thermal image on the adhesive side can be prevented from sticking out of the non-adhesive area. It can also be printed before application. Further, in some embodiments, single-sided or double-sided thermal paper can be used for part or all of the label. Furthermore, various embodiments can be implemented using rolls, fan-folded or sheet-like labels and / or form-label combinations. Today, the form-label combination is very popular in the pharmaceutical market.

  It should be noted that the illustrated embodiment is merely illustrative and not limiting of the present invention. Therefore, the relative and absolute length, thickness, size and area of the label or part thereof shown in any drawing can be varied.

  The above description is illustrative and is not intended to limit the present invention. After reading the above description, many other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. The scope of embodiments should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

  A summary is attached in accordance with section 1.72 (b) of the US Patent Law Enforcement Regulations. The reader will be able to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret and limit the scope of the meaning of the claims.

  In the above description of the embodiments, the various functions are combined together in one embodiment for ease of description. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting that the claimed embodiments have more functionality than is expressly recited in each claim. On the contrary, the subject matter of the invention is less than all the features of one disclosed embodiment, as reflected in the appended claims. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the description of each embodiment, with each claim standing on its own as a separate exemplary embodiment.

Claims (7)

A first support having a first surface and a second surface;
A second support having a first surface and a second surface;
The first support includes a thermal coating on at least the first surface of the first support;
The second support includes a thermal coating on at least the second surface of the second support;
The first surface of the second support is releasably attached to the second surface of the first support;
Said first support is seen containing a thermally sensitive coating on said first of said second surface of the support,
The first support includes a first adhesive on at least a first portion of the second surface of the first support, and the second support includes the first adhesive. A thermal printing medium comprising a first release agent on at least a first portion of the first surface of the second support close to .   2. The thermal printing medium according to claim 1, wherein a surface area of the second surface of the first support is larger than a surface area of the first surface of the second support. The first support further includes a second adhesive on at least a second portion of the second surface of the first support, the second support being the second adhesive. The thermal printing medium according to claim 1 , comprising a second release agent on at least a second portion of the first surface of the second support close to the agent. The thermal printing medium according to claim 3 , wherein the first support further comprises a third release agent on at least a first portion of the first surface of the first support. Wherein the first support comprises a printed information disposed between the second surface of the first support and the first adhesive, thermal printing medium of claim 1. A first support having a first surface and a second surface;
A second support having a first surface and a second surface;
The first support includes a thermal coating on at least the first surface of the first support;
The second support includes a thermal coating on at least the second surface of the second support;
The first surface of the second support is releasably attached to the second surface of the first support;
The first support includes a thermal coating on the second surface of the first support;
A first adhesive for fixably bonding at least a first portion of the second surface of the first support to the first portion of the first surface of the second support;
Before SL is formed on the outer edge of the specific area in the first surface of the second support member, further comprising, a die cut extending through the second support, thermal printing medium characterized . A first support having a first surface and a second surface;
A second support having a first surface and a second surface;
The first support includes a thermal coating on at least the first surface of the first support;
The second support includes a thermal coating on at least the second surface of the second support;
The first surface of the second support is releasably attached to the second surface of the first support;
The first support includes a thermal coating on the second surface of the first support;
A thermal printing medium, wherein the first support includes perforations so that the first portion of the first support can be removed from the first support.

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