# US 8,772,198 B2 · Method of making a self-expiring identification badge using a thermal transfer printer

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- Number: US 8,772,198 B2
- Document ID: US8772198B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/557,405
- Filed: 2012-07-25
- Published: 2013-01-31
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2011-07-28
- Assignees: Brady Worldwide, Inc.
- Applicants: Michael D. Savagian
- Inventors: Michael D. Savagian
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8772198B2

## CPC

- B41M 5/323: Organic colour formers, e.g. leuco dyes
- B41J 2/32: using thermal heads
- B41J 31/04: woven from synthetic material
- B41M 5/3275: {Fluoran compounds}
- B41J 2/4753: {using thermosensitive substrates, e.g. paper}
- G09F 2003/0211: {Transfer or thermo-sensitive}
- 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)
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS

## Abstract

Self-expiring labels and badges are made by a method of: (A) contacting a first component of a dye system with a second component of the dye system, the first component carried on a facial surface of a transfer ribbon and the second component carried on a facial surface of a media, the second component beneath and in contact with a timing layer, and (B) heating the contacted first component of the dye system and timing layer with a thermal print head such that (i) the first component of the dye system transfers to the timing layer, and (ii) the first component of the dye system begins to migrate through the timing layer to the second component of the dye system which, upon contact of the first and second components of the dye system, an image is formed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of making a self-expiring label or badge using a thermal transfer printer equipped with a transfer ribbon and a thermal print head, the method comprising the steps of:
A. Contacting a first component of a dye system with a second component of the dye system, the first component carried on a facial surface of the transfer ribbon and the second component carried on a facial surface of a media, the second component beneath and in contact with a timing layer, and
B. Heating the contacted first component of the dye system and timing layer with the thermal print head such that (i) the first component of the dye system transfers to the timing layer, and (ii) the first component of the dye system begins to migrate through the timing layer to the second component of the dye system which, upon contact of the first and second components of the dye system, an image is formed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 in which the second component of the dye system is a leuco dye.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 in which the first component of the dye system is an activator.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 in which the activator is an organic acid.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4 in which the media comprises the timing layer over and in direct contact with a dye imaging layer, and the dye imaging layer is over and in direct contact with a label substrate, and the label substrate is over and in direct contact with an optional PSA, and the optional PSA is over and in direct contact with an optional release liner.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 in which the media comprises the timing layer over and in direct contact with a dye imaging layer, and the dye imaging layer is over and in direct contact with a label substrate, and the label substrate is over and in direct contact with an optional PSA, and the optional PSA is over and in direct contact with an optional release liner.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 in which the transfer ribbon comprises the first component as an activation layer which is over and in direct contact with an optional clear protective layer, the clear protective layer over and in direct contact with an optional release layer, and the optional release layer over and in direct contact with a film substrate.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 in which the leuco dye comprises at least one of 2′-anilino-6′-di-n-butylamino-3′-methylfluoran and 2′-anilino-6′(N-ethyl-N-isopentylamino)-3′-methyl-fluoran.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 in which the media comprises the timing layer over and in direct contact with a dye imaging layer, and the dye imaging layer is over and in direct contact with a label substrate, and the label substrate is over and in direct contact with an optional PSA, and the optional PSA is over and in direct contact with an optional release liner.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 in which the transfer ribbon comprises the first component as an activation layer which is over and in direct contact with an optional clear protective layer, the clear protective layer over and in direct contact with an optional release layer, and the optional release layer over and in direct contact with a film substrate.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 in which the first component of the dye system is an activator.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11 in which the media comprises the timing layer over and in direct contact with a dye imaging layer, and the dye imaging layer is over and in direct contact with a label substrate, and the label substrate is over and in direct contact with an optional PSA, and the optional PSA is over and in direct contact with an optional release liner.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11 in which the transfer ribbon comprises the first component as an activation layer which is over and in direct contact with an optional clear protective layer, the clear protective layer over and in direct contact with an optional release layer, and the optional release layer over and in direct contact with a film substrate.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 in which the media comprises the timing layer over and in direct contact with said second component in a dye imaging layer, and the dye imaging layer is over and in direct contact with a label substrate, and the label substrate is over and in direct contact with an optional PSA, and the optional PSA is over and in direct contact with an optional release liner.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 in which the transfer ribbon comprises the first component as an activation layer which is over and in direct contact with an optional clear protective layer, the clear protective layer over and in direct contact with an optional release layer, and the optional release layer over and in direct contact with a film substrate.