Nucoat, Inc.

Other

Jodi A Schwendimann

Nabil F Nasser

Earl Pickering

Jahn Stopperan

Terry C Schultz

Richard Maksimoski

Scott Evanoff

The present disclosure relates to a device for activating thermochromatic ink. The device may include a drawing tip, a heating element, which may include a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating element, communicably coupled to the drawing tip and configure to heat the drawing tip, and a power source configured to provide power to the heating element. The power source may be a lithium-ion battery. The battery may be rechargeable, and the device may have a charging port to recharge the battery from a power source coupled to the charging port. The device may have a regulator for regulating power from the power source to the heating element. The device may have a controller for directing power from the power source to the heating element. Further the heating element may be configured to heat the drawing tip to a temperature between 30-70 degrees Celsius.

Heated writing device for use with thermochromatic ink

A mess-free coloring system comprising a coloring medium and optionally one or more coloring utensils is disclosed. The coloring medium can include a substrate with or without decorative effects and one or more coating layers on a surface of the substrate. In various examples, the one or more coating layers include a color-triggering developer, e.g., in the form of a substantially clear resin, and an opaque pigment. Decorative effects integrated with or disposed on the substrate, while initially obscured by the one or more coating layers, can be revealed when the coating layers are mixed with at least one color precursor stored and dispensed from a coloring utensil. The opaque pigment is selected and configured such that, upon receipt of at least one color precursor by the one or more coating layers, a change in the pigment's reflective index occurs as the pigment dissolves into the clear resin developer.

Mess free coloring system

An image transfer article can include an image-imparting member and a removable substrate disposed adjacent to the image-imparting member. The image-imparting member can have a softening point temperature less than about 220&#xb0; C. The image-imparting member can include at least one surface configured to receive and carry indicia to be transferred and at least one portion comprising a pigment providing an opaque background for received indicia. In some examples, the image-imparting member can comprise a first polymer including the indicia and at least a second polymer including the pigment. In some examples, the image-imparting member can comprise a polymer including the indicia and the pigment. The indicia and the opaque background can be arranged to concurrently transfer to a woven- or fabric-based article or paper in contact with the image-imparting member, upon application of iron pressing temperatures.

Image transfer on a colored base

Image transfer articles, sheets and methods are disclosed. The image transfer articles and sheets can include or be configured to receive an image. The image can be capture on one or more ink or other marking receptive layers of the image transfer articles or sheets. In various examples, the image transfer articles provide decorative features in addition to the image. Such decorative features can include article portions bearing elements such as, but not limited to, metallic flakes, metallic-like flakes, glitter materials, sparkle materials, luminescent materials (e.g., having a glow-in-the-dark effect), pearlescent materials, reflective materials, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the image transfer articles include a vanishing layer configured to hold or sustain the image on a receptor element until the receptor element is washed a predetermined number of times.

Methods and articles for image transfer

The present invention includes an article and method for transferring an image from one substrate to another. The method includes providing or obtaining an image transfer sheet that is comprised of a substrate layer, a release layer and an image-imparting layer that may comprise a low density polyethylene or other polymeric component having a melting temperature within a range of about 90 degrees C. to about 700 degrees C. An image is imparted to the low density polyethylene area with an image-imparting medium. A second image-receiving substrate can be provided. The second image-receiving substrate is contacted to the first image transfer sheet at the polymer, image-imparting layer. Heat is applied to the image transfer sheet so that the low density polyethylene encapsulates the image-imparting medium and transfers the encapsulates to the image-receiving substrate, thereby forming a mirror image on the image-receiving substrate.

Image transfer sheet

The present invention relates to thermochromatic inks. The present invention provides a toy, wherein the toy includes at least one thermochromatic ink. The present invention provides a pre-printed item, wherein when the temperature of the pre-printed item is changed to particular temperatures, the color of a marking, the color of a drawing, or both, change. The present invention provides an interactive item, wherein the visual appearance of the item is changed by changing the color of at least one of a first or second inks. The present invention provides a drawing device, wherein the position of a substrate and a temperature element are such that a thermochromatic ink does not change color unless sufficient pressure is applied to the substrate effective to deflect the surface of the substrate and bring it temporarily sufficiently more proximate to the temperature element. The present invention provides a smart wand for drawing on a substrate that includes thermochromatic ink. The present invention provides a backlight system. The present invention provides a light box.

Thermochromatic inks, printing methods and kits

The present invention includes an article and method for transferring an image from one substrate to another. The method includes providing or obtaining an image transfer sheet that is comprised of a substrate layer, a release layer and an image-imparting layer that may comprise a low density polyethylene or other polymeric component having a melting temperature within a range of about 90 degrees C. to about 700 degrees C. An image is imparted to the low density polyethylene area with an image-imparting medium. A second image receiving substrate can be provided. The second image receiving substrate is contacted to the first image transfer sheet at the polymer, image-imparting layer. Heat is applied to the image transfer sheet so that the low density polyethylene encapsulates the image-imparting medium and transfers the encapsulates to the image receiving substrate, thereby forming a mirror image on the image receiving substrate.

Various drawable and moldable gel-based articles, methods and kits are disclosed in this patent document. In some examples, the gel-based article includes a gel-clinging article, which is configured to adhere to smooth, rigid surfaces such as glass windows upon curing, without the use of adhesives or fasteners. In some examples, the gel-based article includes a molded article, such as a bouncy ball (commonly known as a 'super-ball'), a fishing lure or other small figurine-type toys. In some examples, the gel-based article includes an edible gel-based article, such as a gummy worm or gummy bear. In various examples, the gel-based article is simple to use and capable of prompt curing. Advantageously, the present gel-based articles, methods and kits allow for stimulation of one's creativity and imagination, and subsequent display, use or consumption of a created product.

Drawable and moldable gel-based articles

The present subject matter includes apparatus and methods for a heat shrinkable water resistant image medium. The method can include providing a shrinkable coating comprising a polyurethane dispersion and applying the coating to a shrinkable substrate. The shrinkable substrate and the shrinkable coating are configured to accept ink, shrink when exposed to heat and, after shrinking, retain the ink when the substrate and coating are exposed to moisture.

Water resistant shrinkable medium for receiving ink

The present invention includes an image transfer sheet. The image transfer sheet comprises a release layer and a polymer layer. One or more of the release layer and the polymer layer comprise titanium oxide or other white pigment.

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Minnetonka Beach, MN, United States of America

Jodi A Schwendimann