# US 5,707,924 A · Method for printing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,707,924 A - Document ID: US5707924A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/744,243 - Filed: 1996-11-05 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1995-11-07 - Assignees: Larry F. Vaughn - Inventors: Larry F. Vaughn; John G. Whitaker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707924A ## CPC - B41M 5/165: characterised by the use of microcapsules; Special solvents for incorporating the ingredients - 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 The invention described herein relates to methods mid systems for printing. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and systems for printing using a disposable substrate containing an essentially dry layer of microcapsules which contain a colorless dye solution in a first substrate region and a substantially dry layer of dye developing compound in a second substrate region. The disposable printing system according to the invention provides a reduced availability for bacterial growth and transfer due to its essentially dry characteristics. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A printing system comprising, in combination: a first substrate region containing an essentially dry layer comprising a plurality of microcapsules wherein the microcapsules contain a colorless dye solution; an image containing device for contact with the microcapsule layer of the substrate, the image containing device having a rigid base, a handle fixedly attached to one surface of the base and an image having a raised portion attached to an opposing surface of the base; and an image receiving second substrate region for contact with the image containing device wherein the image receiving substrate comprises an substantially dry layer of a dye developing compound. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The printing system according to claim 1 wherein the microcapsules have a spherical diameter within the range of from about 40 to about 80 microns. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The printing system according to claim 1 wherein the dye of the dye solution comprises an electron donating dye. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The printing system according to claim 3 wherein the dye comprises a vat dye. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The printing system according to claim 1 wherein the dye developing compound comprises an electron accepting phenolic derivative. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The printing system according to claim 5 wherein the phenolic derivative comprises an alkylphenol novolac resin. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The printing system according claim 1 wherein the microcapsules contain from about 10 to about 20 weight percent colorless dye and from about 80 to about 90 weight percent of a citrus oil. ### Claim 8 A disposable ink pad and an image producing system comprising an object having surface relief and a paper or paperboard substrate having printed thereon in a first region on a surface of the substrate an essentially dry layer of microcapsules and binder wherein from about 50 to about 99 percent of the microcapsules by weight is a colorless dye solution for depositing a colorless dye on the object and having printed thereon in a second coplanar region on the surface of the substrate a substantially dry dye developing layer for receiving the colorless dye from the object to produce an image of the object on the substrate in the second region. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8 wherein the microcapsules of the microcapsule layer have a spherical diameter within the range of from about 40 to about 80 microns. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8 wherein the dye comprises an electron donating dye. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system according to claim 10 wherein the dye comprises a water soluble vat dye. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8 wherein the dye developing layer comprises an electron accepting phenolic derivative. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system pad according to claim 12 wherein the phenolic derivative comprises an alkylphenol novolac resin. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The system according claim 8 wherein the microcapsules contain from about 10 to about 20 weight percent colorless dye and from about 80 to about 90 weight percent of a citrus oil. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The printing system of claim 8 wherein the object having surface relief comprises a finger or thumb. ### Claim 16 A disposable ink pad and an image producing system comprising an object having surface relief and a paper or paperboard substrate having printed thereon in a first region on a surface of the substrate an essentially dry layer of microcapsules containing a dye developing solution for depositing the solution on the object and having printed thereon in a second coplanar region on the surface of the substrate a substantially dry colorless dye layer for receiving the dye developing solution from the object to produce an image of the object on the substrate in the second region, wherein the microcapsules of the microcapsule layer have a spherical diameter within the range of from about 40 to about 80 microns and the dye comprises an electron donating dye. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16 wherein the microcapsules contain from about 10 to about 20 weight percent dye developing compound and from about 80 to about 90 weight percent of a citrus oil. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16 wherein dye developing solution comprises an electron accepting phenolic derivative. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The printing system of claim 16 wherein the object having surface relief comprises a finger or thumb. ### Claim 20 An image producing system comprising an object having surface relief and a first substrate region comprising an essentially dry layer of fluid filled microcapsules and binder wherein the microcapsules have an average spherical diameter of from about 40 to about 80 microns and contain a fluid selected from the group consisting of colorless dye solutions and dye developing solutions and a second substrate region having printed thereon a substantially dry compound which compound is reactive with the fluid and wherein the compound is printed on the second substrate region in the shape of text or a design which printed compound is substantially imperceptible prior to reaction with the microcapsule fluid and wherein the printed compound becomes visible subsequent to reaction with the microcapsule fluid. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The image producing system of claim 20 wherein the fluid in the microcapsules comprises a colorless vat dye and wherein the substantially dry compound comprises a dye developing compound. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The image producing system of claim 21 wherein the fluid in the microcapsules comprises about 10 to about 20 weight percent colorless dye and from about 80 to about 90 weight percent of a citrus oil. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The image producing system of claim 22 wherein the dye developing compound comprises an alkylphenol novolac resin. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The image producing system of claim 20 wherein the fluid in the microcapsules comprises a dye developing solution and wherein the substantially dry compound comprises of a colorless vat dye. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The image producing system of claim 24 wherein the dye developing solution is an alkylphenol novolac resin solution.