US 10,311,760 B1 · Infrared ink labeling system

Abstract

An ink that is detectable using infrared (IR) light may be used to apply machine readable codes, such as a barcode. The indicia, once applied, may be either invisible or difficult to detect with visible light, such as with the human eye. The ink may include one or more materials such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), particles of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), metals, and so forth. These materials may be used to enhance one or more of the reflectivity to IR light or the fluorescence of the ink under IR light. The fluorescent ink may be deposited in a single pass, or as part of a two-pass process in which a reflective substrate, such as a resin with encapsulated TiO2, is applied and then the fluorescent ink is deposited atop the substrate. The markings are machine readable even when overprinting markings that are readable under visible light.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a continuous inkjet printer configured to produce a mark with a single pass using an ink, the ink comprising:
a dye that upon excitation at a wavelength of between 800 nanometers and 830 nanometers fluoresces at a wavelength of between 840 and 860 nanometers;
rutile titanium dioxide particles that reflect infrared light with a wavelength of between 800 and 870 nanometers;
and
a first computing device comprising:
a first memory, storing first computer-executable instructions;
and
a hardware processor to execute the first computer-executable instructions to:
direct the continuous inkjet printer to print the mark on an item using the ink.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Infrared ink labeling system

Life of this patent

Infrared ink labeling system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20