Appvion, Inc.

Appleton Papers Inc.

Bayer Aktiengesellschaft

Appvion Operations, Inc.

Mark Robert Fisher

John Charles DeBraal

Ponnampalam Mathiaparanam

Fadi Chakar

Yves Defrenne

Guido Steffan

Peter P Wenzl

Michael B Pitsch

Stacey Ann Justa MacNeil

Fadi Selim Chakar

Debra Arlene Berggren

Lei Xu

Ian Draheim

Joseph Peter Gusse

Dan Gilk

Nicholas J Sortedahl

Sam Glik

Direct thermal recording media are designed to operate based on a thermally-induced change of state rather than a thermally-induced chemical reaction between a leuco dye and an acidic developer. The media use two types of solid scattering particles, one of which changes its state from solid to liquid during printing, and the other of which does not. The former particles, upon melting, fill spaces between the latter particles, thus eliminating or substantially reducing light scattering, which makes an underlying colorant visible at selected print locations where heat is locally applied. The media can provide high quality thermally-produced images at print speeds at least as high as 10 inches per second (ips).

Methods for direct thermal recording media based on selective change of state

Non-phenolic direct thermal recording media have a thermally responsive layer containing a leuco dye and a plurality of non-phenolic developers including 1,3-diphenyl urea (DPU) and urea urethane (UU). This chemistry enables multi-purpose recording materials capable of withstanding multiple different types of environmental conditions or agents—such as a water soak, contact with polyvinyl chloride meat wrapping film, boiling water, dry and humid heat, sunlight, and contact with hand sanitizer. The unique non-phenolic chemistry allows the product's thermally responsive layer to have an ultra-low coat weight, less than 1.48 g/m.

Multi-purpose phenol-free direct thermal recording media

Coating compositions are disclosed that can be applied to at least a food-facing surface of a molded fiber container to make the coated container suitable for applications involving long term storage of a dry or frozen food item combined with short term contact with the food item in a liquid or moist state. The coating compositions include carboxylated polyvinyl alcohol copolymer and a crosslinking resin that is epichlorohydrin-based and/or azetidinium-functionalized. The compositions can also include clay particles or other suitable fillers. After crosslinking and drying, the compositions form a thermoset barrier coating in which the polyvinyl alcohol is bonded to the crosslinker by a plurality of function groups including ester functional groups.

Multi-functional barrier coating for molded fiber containers

We disclose specialized direct thermal recording media that are both phenol-free and water-dispersible. The thermally responsive layer of such media includes a leuco dye and an acidic developer. To avoid image fade and image formation problems associated with certain demanding environmental storage conditions, the developer is not only phenol-free but also a derivative of N,N'-diphenylurea. The thermal recording medium also includes a base coat between the substrate and the thermally responsive layer, the base coat containing a non-water-soluble binder, and a top coat carried by the substrate such that the thermally responsive layer is between the top coat and the substrate.

Fade-resistant water-dispersible phenol-free direct thermal media

Deck recess for boat

Direct thermal recording media are designed to operate based on a thermally-induced change of state rather than a thermally-induced chemical reaction between a leuco dye and an acidic developer. The media use two types of scattering particles, one of which changes its state from solid to liquid during printing, and the other of which does not. The former particles, upon melting, fill spaces between the latter particles, thus eliminating or substantially reducing light scattering, which makes an underlying colorant visible at selected print locations where heat is locally applied. The latter, higher melting point particles have a caged morphology and comprise perforated particles. The media can provide high quality thermally-produced images at print speeds at least as high as 10 inches per second (ips).

Direct thermal recording media with perforated particles

Dispersible record materials or media include a water-soluble or water-dispersible paper substrate, a printable layer carried by the substrate, and a base coat between the substrate and the printable layer. The printable layer may be a thermally responsive layer, e.g. containing a leuco dye and an acidic color developer, or an inkjet receptive layer. The binder material used in the base coat, and the base coat itself, are non-water-soluble, but nevertheless tailored in such a way that the record material as a whole is water-dispersible, i.e., it breaks apart under the influence of water with minimal agitation. The binder material of the base coat is preferably a non-resinous binder, a particulate binder, and/or a binder derived from a dispersion, such as latex. Use of such a binder material in a carefully selected concentration, with other elements, provides a base coat that allows for high quality images to be thermally printed at high print speeds on the thermally responsive layer.

Water-dispersible direct thermal or inkjet printable media

Direct thermal recording media based on selective change of state

The present invention is directed to a composition and method of providing a silicone release coating material for a thermally-responsive record material while maintaining strong printability with UV inks and water based inks, as well as scuff resistance. The thermally-responsive record material includes a substrate with first and second surfaces. The first surface includes a heat sensitive coating having a colorless dye precursor and an acidic developer material in contiguous relationship. The release coating is provided with an aqueous mixture of a water soluble or water dispersible polymeric material, a silicone release agent, an excess of platinum catalyst, and a hydrophilic silica. The platinum catalyst is preferably provided in excess of 150 ppm. The hydrophilic silica is preferably fumed silica. The release coating is cured at a temperature of 160&#xb0; C. or less, or even from 70&#xb0; C. to 120&#xb0; C.

Printable and scuff resistant silicone release coating for linerless thermally-responsive record material

A secure substrate may include a base layer and an opacity layer disposed above the base layer. An optional background layer may be disposed above the opacity layer. The secure substrate may further include an inkjet receptive layer. A first inkjet receptive layer may be disposed above the background layer, and a second inkjet layer may be disposed below the base layer. The opacity layer may include copper such as metallic copper flakes or other particles. The opacity layer may also include a binder material such as polyvinyl alcohol, and in some cases also carbon black, process black, or the like.

Secure substrate

The invention describes a composition and method of providing an improved recording material, such as an ink receptive recording material or thermally responsive record material useful for linerless labels. The record material comprises a support having provided thereon on one surface an adhesive material, and on at least one other surface, an ink receptive coating or a heat sensitive imaging coating. The method comprises applying to a first surface a first layer of a coating of an ink receptive material or of a heat sensitive color-forming composition comprising a binder material and a substantially colorless dye precursor and an acidic developer material in substantially contiguous relationship. The adhesive is heat activated. The record material exhibits substantially no tack at 23&#xb0; C., 40% relative humidity when pressure is applied, however develops high peel strength (300 grams/inch) upon application of 7 mJ/mmto 13 mJ/mmof heat energy.

Linerless record material

The invention describes a composition and method of providing an improved thermally responsive record material useful for linerless labels. The record material comprises a support having provided thereon on one surface an adhesive material, and on at least one other surface, a heat sensitive imaging coating. The method comprises applying to a first surface a first layer of a coating of a heat sensitive color-forming composition comprising a binder material and a substantially colorless dye precursor and an acidic developer material in substantially contiguous relationship. Over the first layer is applied a release coat overcoating the first layer. The release coat comprises a water soluble or water dispersible polymeric material, a polysiloxane release agent and excess platinum catalyst in excess of 150 ppm based on weight of the second coating. The release coat is cured at a temperature of from at or below 160&#xb0; C., or even from 70&#xb0; to 120&#xb0; C. to a scuff resistant hardness and without visible background discoloration of the first layer.

Linerless thermally-responsive record material

The invention describes a thermally-responsive record material substantially free of aromatic isocyanate. The record material comprises a support having provided thereon a heat-sensitive composition comprising a substantially colorless dye precursor comprising a fluoran; and a developer material selected from the group consisting of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone and 3,3&#x2032;-diaminodiphenylsulfone, which upon being heated react with said dye precursor to develop color, and including a binder material. Optionally, a modifier compound is included in the heat-sensitive composition. The modifier compound can be selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid amide, preferably a saturated fatty acid amide such as an alkyl amide, a bis methylene alkyl amide, or a bis ethylene alkyl amide, or any of 1,2-diphenoxy ethane, dimethyl diphenoxy ethane, and dimethyl phthalate.

Thermally-responsive record material

The invention describes an improved thermally-responsive record material substantially free of aromatic isocyanate yielding an image of high intensity and useful for bar codes. The record material comprises a support having provided thereon a heat-sensitive composition comprising a substantially colorless color former comprising a fluoran; and a developer material selected from the group consisting of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone and 3,3&#x2032;-diaminodiphenylsulfone, and an organic acid which upon being heated reacts with said color former to develop color, and including a binder material. Optionally, a modifier compound is included in the heat-sensitive composition. The compound can be selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid amide, such as stearmide. Optionally, magnesium state is included.

The invention describes a thermally-responsive record material substantially free of aromatic isocyanate. The record material comprises a support having provided thereon a heat-sensitive composition comprising a substantially colorless dye precursor comprising a fluoran; and a developer material selected from the group consisting of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone and 3,3&#x2032;-diaminodiphenylsulfone in combination with N-[(butylamino)carbonyl]-4-methylbenzene sulfonamide, which upon being heated react with said dye precursor to develop color, and including a binder material.

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Appleton, WI, United States of America

Mark Robert Fisher