Sinclair Systems International, LLC

Richard Hirst

Richard Parker Evans

Neil Griffin

Roger Clarke

M Scott Howarth

Wilson B Murray

Sam Hyde

Richard Calusdian

Matthew Scott Howarth

Enrique B Schilling

Aylwyn Scally

David Southwood

Timothy Moore

Gareth Melton

Colin P Woodward

Roger Clark

Wilson R Murray

A multi-layer laminate media is provided on which information may be applied in machine or human readable form on a visible front surface by the output of one or more lasers, or other high intensity light source. In a preferred embodiment, the media has three layers including preferably transparent substrate, a thermochromic layer and a light absorbent layer located intermediate the media substrate and the thermochromic layer. The light absorbent layer is adapted to absorb light from the light source and convert the absorbed light into heat. The heat is immediately conducted into selected portions of the thermochromic layer which is in thermal contact with the light absorbent layer, causing portions of the thermochromic layer to change visual appearance such as color to create the desired mark. The media optimally includes obscuration materials to reduce the visibility of the light absorbent layer to the naked eye. The light absorbent layer absorbs light in the NIR and visible light wavelength ranges of light and is preferably a low cost absorber such as carbon black. The invention also includes a manually operated produce labeling system utilizing the multi-layer laminate media. A rewinder is also provided which utilizes the multi-layer laminate media.

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

A multi-layer laminate media is provided on which information may be applied in machine or human readable form on a visible front surface by the output of one or more lasers, or other high intensity light source. In a preferred embodiment, the media has three layers including a substrate, a thermochromic layer and a light absorbent layer such as carbon black located intermediate the media substrate and the thermochromic layer. The light absorbent layer is adapted to absorb light from the light source and convert the absorbed light into heat. The heat is immediately conducted into selected portions of the thermochromic layer which is in thermal contact with the light absorbent layer, causing portions of the thermochromic layer to change visual appearance such as color to create the desired mark. The invention includes a method and apparatus for using the media in conjunction with labeling produce items.

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

An apparatus and method are provided for automatically labeling individual produce items. Individual produce items are conveyed towards a rotary bellows or other applicator. A sensor senses at least one variable characteristic, such as size of each of the produce items. The sensed variable is transmitted to a laser coding device and a variable human or machine readable code is printed on an individual label prior to application of that label to the specific item of produce for which the variable characteristic was sensed. The laser coding beam either reacts with a reactive or ablatable film on each label.

Method and apparatus for applying variable coded labels to items of produce

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Norwich, United Kingdom

Richard Hirst