Record receiver having plural interactive leaves or a colorless – Having a colorless color-former – developer therefor – or... – Method of use – kit – or combined with marking instrument or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-15
2001-10-16
Hess, Bruce H. (Department: 1774)
Record receiver having plural interactive leaves or a colorless
Having a colorless color-former, developer therefor, or...
Method of use, kit, or combined with marking instrument or...
C427S150000, C427S152000, C503S204000, C503S206000, C503S226000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06303539
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a printable sheet such as a business form having a base sheet and a separable top sheet wherein images printed on the top sheet are duplicated on the base sheet without carbon paper. The invention is also directed to a method for preparing these printable sheets and a method for using these printable sheets to make duplicate copies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the manufacture of printable sheets such as business forms, there are many circumstances in which it is desirable to print duplicate information on multiple sheets. This includes printing duplicate information on adhesive labels.
Carbonless-paper forms which transfer images from a top sheet to a base sheet by impact methods or thermal printing methods are well known. Chemical carbonless paper functions by bringing together colorless components that react to produce a legible image. In most carbonless papers, the chemical reaction is similar to that of litmus paper changing color when placed in contact with an acid or alkaline solution. Proper functioning of the chemical carbonless paper is dependent on some means of preventing the colorless components from meeting and reacting until this color-producing reaction is desired. A common method of accomplishing this is through the encapsulation of one of the two components of the image-producing chemical system.
Generally, chemical carbonless papers are prepared in three configurations. One is the coated back (CB) configuration, wherein a sheet of paper has a coating of capsules containing color formers and oil solution, binders and other materials on the back of the sheet. A second configuration is coated front (CF), wherein a sheet of paper has a coating of color developing materials on the front of the sheet. A third configuration is front and back (CFB) which comprises a sheet of paper with a coating of color developers on its front surface and color-forming capsules on its back surface.
When using carbonless paper for impact printers, the pressure applied to the top sheet upon impact of the printhead transfers to the base sheet and any intermediate plies. The localized increase in pressure results in the rupture of the capsules which contain reactive compounds within these sheets. Migration of these compounds, either from sheet to sheet or within the same sheet, results in a reaction of these compounds and the generation of color within a pattern of the original image. Examples of such carbonless forms are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,505, issued to Gruttemeyer et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,404, issued to Treier; U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,875, issued to Juszak et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,571, issued to Baxter.
The carbonless-paper forms used in direct thermal printers or thermal transfer printers typically comprise multiple layers which contain a thermosensitive coating. These coatings contain thermally activated, color forming compounds which change color by the application of heat from a thermal printhead. The resistors within a thermal printhead rapidly heat the surface to temperatures typically in excess of 140° F. Examples of multilayer recording media with thermosensitive, color forming coatings are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,256, issued to Obringer et al and U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,159 issued to Langan.
With the ability to generate duplicate images with multilayer printable sheets, the space available for other information is increased. For example, the printable sheets with multiple integrated removable labels described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,159 need not provide space for each label to reproduce the printing on each label since duplicates of the printed image are formed on underlying labels. It is desirable to extend this capability to heat fused toner-based printing methods.
Carbonless papers which can be used in non-impact laser printing and electrostatographic copiers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,334,571 and 4,046,404, respectively. However, the images formed with these printers are not duplicated. Separate sheets are printed within these printers and then assembled to form a multi-part form. The duplication process achieved with these carbonless papers is accomplished after the forms are assembled.
It is desirable to provide a multilayer printable sheet which will form duplicate images within a heat fusing toner printer such as a laser printer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a printable multilayer sheet which will provide duplicate copies of heat fused toner-based images printed thereon.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a printable sheet having an integral removable label which will provide duplicate copies of heat fused toner-based images printed on the label.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method for preparing a printable sheet which forms duplicate copies of heat fused toner-based images printed thereon.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming at least one duplicate copy of a heat fused toner-based image when printing the image.
These and other objects will be apparent from the description and claims which follow. The above objects are achieved through the printable sheets, and methods of this invention.
In one aspect of this invention, there is provided a printable sheet having multiple separable layers comprising:
(a) a base sheet having a front face capable of receiving heat fused toner-based print thereon;
(b) a thermosensitive, image-forming coating positioned on the front face of said base sheet which contains a thermally-activated, color-forming dye that can be activated at a temperature in the range of 90° F. to 135° F.; and
(c) a separable top sheet positioned on the base sheet over the thermosensitive, image-forming coating. The top sheet has a front face capable of receiving heat fused toner-based print thereon and has a weight and thickness (density) which permits sufficient heat to be conducted from a heat fused toner-based image printed thereon to the thermosensitive image-forming coating so as to raise the temperature of the underlying portions of the thermosensitive, image-forming coating by at least 20° F.
In a preferred aspect of this invention, there is provided a printable sheet having at least one integral label associated therewith and removable therefrom comprising:
(a) a base sheet having a front face capable of receiving heat fused toner-based print thereon;
(b) a thermosensitive, image-forming coating positioned on the front face of said base sheet which contains a thermally-activated, color-forming dye that can be activated at a temperature in the range of 90° F. to 135° F.; and
(c) a label laminate positioned on the base sheet over the thermosensitive, image-forming coating. The label laminate comprises a face stock as a top lamina having a front face capable of receiving heat fused toner-based print thereon, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer positioned on the rear face of the face stock and a silicone release layer which covers the pressure sensitive adhesive. The label laminate is of a thickness which permits sufficient heat to be conducted from a heat fused toner-based image printed thereon to the thermosensitive, image-forming coating to raise the temperature of underlying portions by at least 20° F.
In a method aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for preparing a printable sheet comprising multiple layers suitable for printing in a heat fusing toner printer, said method comprising:
(a) providing a base sheet having a front face suitable for heat fused toner-based printing;
(b) applying to the front face of the base sheet a thermosensitive, image-forming coating which has a thermally-active, color-forming dye that can be activated at a temperature in the range of 90° F. to 135° F.; and
(c) laminating a top sheet to the thermosensitive, image-forming coating. The top sheet has a front face capable of receiving heat fused toner-based print thereon and is of a weight and density which permit sufficient h
Hess Bruce H.
Millen White Zelano & Branigan P.C.
NCR Corporation
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