Direct thermal printable film with friction-reducing layer
AssigneeMedia Solutions International, Inc.
InventorChauncey T. Mitchell, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A new direct thermal printable media includes an optically transmissive film that gives both form and protection to a layer of thermosensitive imaging material on a back surface of the film. Concentrations of heat applied to a front surface of the film form images within the thermosensitive layer that are visible through the film. A substrate is laminated to the thermosensitive layer on the back surface of the film for providing additional support independently of physical and chemical properties required for directly supporting thermosensitive imaging material.
Claims11
A direct thermal printable film for use with a substrate for making a direct thermal printable laminate comprising:
- an optically and thermally transmissive film having front and back surfaces;
- a layer of friction-reducing material applied to said front surface of the transmissive film;
- a layer of thermosensitive imaging material applied to said back surface of the transmissive film;
- said front and back surfaces having respective surface forms and said thermosensitive imaging material taking the form of said back surface of the film;
- said thermosensitive imaging material having a color developing mechanism reactive to transmissions of heat through said film for forming images within said thermosensitive imaging layer that are visible through said film;
- and
- a layer of adhesive being applied over said layer of thermosensitive imaging material for attaching the film to the substrate prior to printing.
A method of making a direct thermal printable laminate using a direct thermal printable film comprising:
- an optically and thermally transmissive film having front and back surfaces;
- a layer of friction-reducing material applied to said front surface of the transmissive film;
- a layer of thermosensitive imaging material applied to said back surface of the transmissive film;
- said front and back surfaces having respective surface forms and said thermosensitive imaging material taking the form of said back surface of the film;
- said thermosensitive imaging material having a color developing mechanism reactive to transmissions of heat through said film for forming images within said thermosensitive imaging layer that are visible through said film;
- a layer of adhesive being applied over said layer of thermosensitive imaging material for attaching the film to the substrate prior to printing;
- and
- including a step of laminating the back surface of the transmissive film containing the layer of thermosensitive imaging material to a front surface of a substrate that does not as readily transmit heat as the transmissive film.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.