3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Craig A Schmidt

Thomas F Look

Neeraj Sharma

Lee A Pavelka

Suman K Patel

Joseph M McGrath

Franklin C Bradshaw

Bruce D Orensteen

Thomas I Bradshaw

Tadesse G Nigatu

Robert V O'Keefe

Michael G O'Reilly

Thanh-Huong Thi Nguyen

Steven E Poss

Techniques are described in which articles (e.g., security documents, traffic signage and personal protective equipment) are formed to include an infrared absorptive material. In some instances, the infrared absorptive material includes a reduced tungsten oxide, such as cesium tungsten oxide, calcium tungsten oxide, potassium tungsten oxide, or the like, and exposed to radiation such that one or more regions of the security document has a modified appearance, thereby providing a visual marking or information on the article. Example articles include at least one layer including a polymer and an infrared absorptive material including a reduced tungsten oxide. The layer includes a radiation-treated region that exhibits a first appearance under visible light and at least one non-radiation-treated region that exhibits a second, different appearance under visible light. The at least one radiation-treated region may be formed by exposing the at least one radiation-treated region to infrared light to change at least one property of the reduced tungsten oxide in the radiation-treated region compared to the reduced tungsten oxide in the non-radiation-treated region. The first appearance may be whiter than the second appearance.

Articles including infrared absorptive material and comprising radiation-treated and non-radiation-treated regions

A method of thermal mass transfer printing a colorant including a binder media from a ribbon onto a first surface of a web having a non-homogeneous thermal conductivity, a non-planar printing surface, a non-homogeneous structure or chemical incompatibility. The first surface of the web is preheated prior to thermal mass transfer printing. The surface of the ribbon containing the colorant is positioned opposite the first surface of the heated web at an inner face. A thermal print head is positioned at the interface on the side of the ribbon opposite the colorant. The web is moved relative to the thermal print head. Printing is completed by selectively applying localized heat to the ribbon from the thermal print head and pressure at the interface to cause the transfer of colorant from the ribbon to the heated web.

Method and system for thermal mass transfer printing

A portable system and method for printing variable information indicia on a reflective sign comprises providing a first polymeric sign component having a surface suitable for receiving a printed image. A definition of an image to be printed on the first sign component is provided to a portable computer. Indicia in the form of images is then rapidly transferred to the surface of the first sign component.

Method for manufacturing improved data display retroreflective sheeting

Growing community of inventors

Lindstrom, MN, United States of America

Craig A Schmidt