The Technology Partnership, Plc.

Sinclair Systems International, LLC

Adlens Limited

Advanced Medical Solutions Limited

Roger Clarke

Robert Edward Stevens

Richard Parker Evans

Alex Edginton

Colin Raymond Bradford

Neil Griffin

Julian Brandon-Jones

M Scott Howarth

Sam Hyde

Richard Hirst

Wilson B Murray

Richard Calusdian

Liam Mcguinness

Stephen Eason

Colin P Woodward

Aylwyn Scally

Enrique B Schilling

Gareth Melton

Timothy Moore

David Southwood

Andreas Meliniotis

Richard Freeman

An optical device comprising an optical grating structure embedded between media of substantially the same optical refractive index, the structure having an optical coating at the interface between the two media, wherein the structure comprises grating facets inclined relative to the interface plane such that, in use, anomalous optical effects due to coating are substantially reduced.

Embedded grating structure

An optical device comprises an optical diffuser structure embedded between media of substantially the same optical refractive index. The structure comprises a partially reflective optical coating at the interface between the two media. The partially reflective optical coating comprises a relief profile such that, in use, the optical diffuser structure diffuses light in reflection from the partially reflective optical coating and delivers substantially no optical deflection in transmission.

Embedded diffuser structure

A light modulation device comprising an optical element and at least one addressable mask disposed adjacent to the optical element. The optical element comprises at least two sub-elements, each of the at least two sub-elements having at least one optical characteristic wherein at least one optical characteristic of one sub-element is discrete from at least one optical characteristic of another sub-element. The mask comprises at least two regions corresponding to the at least two sub-elements, each of the at least two regions being individually addressable to enable its corresponding sub-element to be light transmitting.

Optical element with sub elements and an addressable mask

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

Growing community of inventors

Royston, United Kingdom

Roger Clarke