Multi-layer, light markable media and method and automatic and manually operated apparatus for using same

An automatic labeling machine used to apply labels to produce, wherein a label applicator having a plurality of bellows carried on a rotary applicator head is utilized to transfer individual labels from a label carrier strip, onto the tip of a single bellows, and thereafter onto individual items of produce, each label having a front, visible surface and a back surface, wherein:

• a plurality of plastic labels carried by said carrier strip, wherein each of said plastic labels includes a multi-layered laminate media,
• sensing means for sensing at least one variable characteristic of each of said individual items of produce,
• laser coding means operating in response to said sensing means for producing a variable human or machine readable code representative of said variable characteristic on each individual label when said label is carried on the tip of a bellows and prior to application of said individual label to the particular item of produce for which the variable characteristic was sensed,
• wherein said laser coding means is positioned so that its output is directed at the back surface of a label transferred onto said tip of a single bellows,
• wherein as said laser output passes through said adhesive layer and through said substrate of each label, and is partially absorbed by said light absorbent layer, portions of said thermochromic layer change color in response to application of the output of said laser coding means through said substrate into said light absorbent layer, and conduction of heat absorbed by said light absorbing layer into said thermochromic layer and wherein said multi-layered laminate media comprises:
• a media substrate, said substrate having back and front surfaces,
• a light absorbent layer, said layer adapted to absorb light from said output of said high intensity light source and to convert said absorbed light into heat, and
• a thermochromic layer in thermal contact with said light absorbent layer, said thermochromic layer forming said visible, front surface of said media, wherein portions of said thermochromic layer change visual appearance in response to application of said output of said high intensity light source into said light absorbent layer, and conduction of heat converted from light absorbed by said light absorbing layer into said thermochromic layer, and wherein said light absorbent layer absorbs light in the visible and NIR (near infrared) wavelength ranges of light.

A manually operated labeling machine for applying labels to variable batches of produce items, comprising:

• a handheld, manually operated label applicator
• suspension means for supporting all or a portion of the weight of said label applicator and allowing said label applicator to move freely vertically and horizontally,
• a label supply mounted remotely from said label applicator, said label supply including a label carrier strip having a plurality of unfinished labels,
• label transport means for transporting said labels from said label supply to said applicator,
• wherein each of said labels includes a multi-layered laminate media on which information may be applied in machine or human readable form on a visible front surface of said media by the output of a high intensity light source, comprising:
• a media substrate, said substrate having back and front surfaces,
• a light absorbent layer, said layer adapted to absorb light from said output of said high intensity light source and to convert said absorbed light into heat, and
• a thermochromic layer in thermal contact with said light absorbent layer, said thermochromic layer forming said visible, front surface of said media, wherein portions of said thermochromic layer change visual appearance in response to application of said output of said high intensity light source into said light absorbent layer, and conduction of heat converted from light absorbed by said light absorbing layer into said thermochromic layer, and wherein said light absorbent layer absorbs light in the visible and NIR (near infrared) wavelength ranges of light, and
• a programmable, manually actuated, high intensity light source means positioned between said label applicator and said label supply for creating batches of finished labels, wherein said batches are variable in the number of labels in each batch and variable in the information applied to each batch of labels.

A rewinder apparatus for rolls of multi-layered laminate labels markable by a high intensity light source, comprising:

• a roll of said labels that are unfinished, said labels mounted on a clear transparent carrier strip and said labels having a clear, transparent substrate,
• a programmable high intensity light source through which said carrier strip of said labels is fed,
• a rewind drive spool onto which said carrier strip is fed after passing through said high intensity light source,
• whereby as said rewind drive, spool rotates, unfinished labels passing said high intensity light source are marked to become finished labels and form a roll of finished labels on said rewind drive spool, any may be loaded onto a known labeling apparatus and wherein each of said multi-layered laminate media labels comprises:
• a media substrate, said substrate having back and front surfaces,
• a light absorbent layer, said layer adapted to absorb light from said output of said high intensity light source and to convert said absorbed light into heat, and
• a thermochromic layer in thermal contact with said light absorbent layer, said thermochromic layer forming said visible, front surface of said media, wherein portions of said thermochromic layer change visual appearance in response to application of said output of said high intensity light source into said light absorbent layer, and conduction of heat converted from light absorbed by said light absorbing layer into said thermochromic layer, and wherein said light absorbent layer absorbs light in the visible and NIR (near infrared) wavelength ranges of light.