# US 10,500,884 B2 · Thermal sensitive media with internal RF printing matrix

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- Number: US 10,500,884 B2
- Document ID: US10500884B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/625,196
- Filed: 2017-06-16
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2014-12-19
- Assignees: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC
- Applicants: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, LLC
- Inventors: Mark W. Roth
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500884B2

## CPC

- B41M 5/405: {characterised by layers cured by radiation (layers cured after recording B41M7/0072)}
- B41M 5/337: Additives; Binders {(B41M5/46 takes precedence)}
- B41M 5/41: Base layers {supports or substrates}
- B41M 5/42: Intermediate, {backcoat}, or covering layers {(B41M5/405 takes precedence; multilayer thermal transfer systems in general B41M5/38214)}
- B41M 5/44: characterised by the macromolecular compounds
- B41M 5/46: characterised by the light-to-heat converting means; characterised by the heat or radiation filtering or absorbing means or layers
- B41M 7/0054: {using protective coatings or film forming compositions cured by thermal means, e.g. infrared radiation, heat}
- B41M 7/0081: {using electromagnetic radiation or waves, e.g. ultraviolet radiation, electron beams}
- B41M 2205/04: Direct thermal recording [DTR]
- B41M 2205/36: Backcoats; Back layers
- B41M 2205/40: Cover layers; Layers separated from substrate by imaging layer; Protective layers; Layers applied before imaging
- B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P)

## Abstract

A thermal sensitive media for use with labeling or identification methods is disclosed. The thermal sensitive media comprises a media layer and a thermally sensitive record layer formed upon at least one surface of the media layer. The thermally sensitive record layer forms a visually discernable colored image in response to heat. However, the colored image is subject to degradation as a result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation within a known photodegradative wavelength range. An ultraviolet protective coating layer may then disposed over the thermally sensitive record layer. A lamination layer is positioned internal to the media layer and comprises a matrix of micro heating elements driven by radio frequency (RF) power. The matrix of micro heating elements are arranged in a pin array to energize the micro heating elements within the laminated media structure to create a simple numeric image.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A thermal sensitive media, comprising:
a media layer;
a lamination layer disposed internal to the media layer, the lamination layer comprising a matrix of micro heating elements linked via fine circuit traces to a discharge generator;
a thermally sensitive record layer formed upon at least a portion of one surface of the media layer;
wherein the thermally sensitive record layer forms a visually discernable colored image in response to heat; and
an ultraviolet protective coating layer, where the protective coating layer comprises at least one light stabilizer and the at least one light stabilizer is a sterically hindered amine and the at least one stabilizer is capable of scavenging free radicals upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation; wherein the colored image is subject to degradation as a result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation within a known photodegradative wavelength range.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The media of claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet protective coating layer is disposed over the thermally sensitive record layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The media of claim 2, wherein the ultraviolet protective coating layer contains at least one additive capable of preventing transmission therethrough of ultraviolet radiation within the known photodegradative wavelength range.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The media of claim 3, wherein the known photodegradative wavelength range is 340-390 nm and wherein the protective coating layer has been cured by exposure to ultraviolet radiation at a wavelength below 330 nm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The media of claim 3, wherein the additive is a UV absorber.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The media of claim 5, wherein the UV absorber is a hydroxyphenyl benzotriazole.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The media of claim 2, wherein the protective coating layer is applied at a thickness sufficient for protection.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The media of claim 1, wherein the micro heating elements are activated by radio frequency (RF) power.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The media of claim 8, wherein the matrix of micro heating elements are arranged in a pin array.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The media of claim 9, wherein a laser cutting process is used to create the matrix of micro heating elements.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The media of claim 1, wherein inductive or capacitance coupling energy activates the micro heating elements to create an image on the surface of the media.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The media of claim 1, wherein the at least one light stabilizer capable of scavenging free radicals upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation is within the known photodegradative wavelength range.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The media of claim 1, wherein the media layer is paper or plastic.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The media of claim 1, wherein the thermally sensitive record layer is used with a tape.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The media of claim 1, wherein the thermally sensitive record layer is in the form of a coating, film, paint, decal, or applique.

### Claim 16

A method of making a thermal sensitive media comprising the steps of:
providing a media layer, a lamination layer disposed internal to the media layer such that the lamination layer comprises a matrix of micro heating elements linked via fine circuit traces to a discharge generator, a thermally sensitive record layer, and an ultraviolet protective coating layer;
applying at least one light stabilizer capable of scavenging free radicals upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
forming the thermally sensitive record layer on the media layer;
disposing the ultraviolet protective coating layer over the thermally sensitive record layer; and
positioning the lamination layer internal to the media layer.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the matrix of micro heating elements is activated by RF power.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, further comprising cutting the media to generate at least one antenna profile.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, further comprising applying a protective film with the ultraviolet protective coating layer.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, further comprising incorporating a layer of polyester film between the ultraviolet protective coating layer and the thermally sensitive record layer.