Activatable and thermally sensitive media elements with light scattering layer

A direct thermal printable media, comprising:

• a substrate;
• a pigmented layer overlaying the substrate;
• a light scattering layer overlaying the pigmented layer, the light scattering layer formed of a light scattering material having voids such that the light scattering layer obscures the pigmented layer;
• and
• a plurality of activatable microcapsules;
• wherein each microcapsule of the plurality of activatable microcapsules includes a liquefiable material microencapsulated in a frangible shell,
• wherein the frangible shells are configured to be ruptured when exposed to a compressive stress above an activation threshold, and configured to release the liquefiable material when ruptured, and
• wherein the liquefiable material is configured to liquefy when exposed to heat above a predetermined heat threshold,
• wherein after the plurality of activatable microcapsules are coupled to the substrate in a position so that when the liquefiable material is released from the frangible shells and when liquefied, the liquefiable material is flows into the light scattering layer and fill the voids, such that portions of pigmented layer aligned with portions of the light scattering layer where the voids are filled with the liquefiable material become unobscured.

A method of forming indicia on a media element, comprising:

• providing a substrate layer including a pigmented surface;
• overlaying the pigmented surface with a light scattering material, the light scattering material having voids configured to obscure the pigmented surface;
• overlaying the light scattering material with a plurality of activatable microcapsules, thus forming a media element,
• wherein each microcapsule of the plurality of activatable microcapsules includes a liquefiable material microencapsulated in a frangible shell, and
• wherein the frangible shells are configured to be ruptured when exposed to a compressive stress above an activation threshold and release the liquefiable material when ruptured,
• wherein the liquefiable material is configured to liquefy when exposed to heat above a predetermined heat threshold,
• applying a compressive force to the media element, wherein the compressive force has sufficient magnitude to expose the microcapsules to a compressive stress exceeding the activation threshold, thus rupturing the frangible shells;
• and
• applying heat to specified portions of the media element, wherein the heat applied exceeds the predetermined heat threshold, such that the liquefiable material in the specified portions liquefies and flows into the light scattering material and fills the voids in the specified portions, and the pigmented surface becomes unobscured in the specified portions, thus forming indicia in the specified portions.

A method of forming a media element, comprising:

• providing a substrate layer, comprising a pigmented surface;
• coupling a light scattering material containing voids to the pigmented surface of the substrate layer, forming a light scattering layer, such that the light scattering material obscures the pigmented surface;
• and
• dispensing, in a liquified state, a carrier material in which a plurality of activatable microcapsules is embedded;
• wherein the carrier material is configured to solidify after dispensation, such that each of the plurality of activatable microcapsules are embedded in a solid matrix formed by the carrier material,
• wherein each microcapsule of the plurality of activatable microcapsules includes a liquefiable material microencapsulated in a frangible shell,
• wherein the frangible shells are configured to a) rupture when exposed to a compressive stress above an activation threshold, releasing the liquefiable material, and b) contain the liquefiable material when liquefied and when solidified, prior to an exposure to the compressive stress above the activation threshold, and
• wherein the liquefiable material is configured to liquefy when exposed to a temperature above a predetermined temperature threshold,
• wherein after the liquefiable material is released from the frangible shells and when liquefied, the liquefiable material is configured to flow into the light scattering layer and fill the voids, such that the pigmented surface becomes unobscured.