초록 ▼

A self-contained thermal transfer label is disclosed herein. The product is formed as paper stock having an area of release material applied to a surface portion thereof. A layer of adhesive material is applied upon the release material. A thermal transfer donor ribbon is mated to the label by the a

A self-contained thermal transfer label is disclosed herein. The product is formed as paper stock having an area of release material applied to a surface portion thereof. A layer of adhesive material is applied upon the release material. A thermal transfer donor ribbon is mated to the label by the area of adhesive material. The donor ribbon is treated, prior to mating with the label, such that the surface tension at the donor ribbon is modified to a level substantially different from that of the release material. As a consequence, when the donor ribbon is removed from the label, after printing on the label, the adhesive remains secured to the donor ribbon, rather than the underlying label. A result is a label that may support a higher quality image, but without adhesive residue after the donor sheet is peeled away. Various applications of the product are disclosed herein.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A self-contained thermal transfer paper, the paper comprising:a) a paper stock having upper and lower surfaces and a first edge portion;b) a first area of release material disposed on the paper stock upper surface, the release material being formed as a strip extending

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A self-contained thermal transfer paper, the paper comprising:a) a paper stock having upper and lower surfaces and a first edge portion;b) a first area of release material disposed on the paper stock upper surface, the release material being formed as a strip extending transverse to the length of the paper stock, adjacent the first edge portion thereof;c) a first area of adhesive material disposed upon the first area of release material; andd) a thermal transfer donor ribbon disposed upon the paper stock upper surface, in substantial registry therewith, the donor ribbon having a thermal transfer coating formed on the side facing the paper stock, the thermal transfer coating having a surface tension greater than the surface tension of the release material. [15.]15. A method of printing a thermal transfer image on a direct thermal image printer, comprising;a) feeding the self-contained paper stock of claim 1 into a direct thermal printer;b) printing the paper stock by thermal transfer from the donor ribbon to the paper stock; andc) simultaneously removing the donor ribbon and underlying adhesive from the paper stock, to expose the thermal transfer image thereon;d) whereby the image is transferred from the donor ribbon to the paper stock when the donor ribbon is peeled, and the fact that the donor ribbon has been peeled is evident from the negative of the image formed on the donor ribbon after peeling.16. A method of securely printing messages on paper stock such that viewing of the message by anyone other than the intended recipient can be readily detected, the method comprising:a) feeding the self-contained paper stock of claim 1 into a direct thermal printer;b) printing the paper stock by thermal transfer from the donor ribbon to the paper stock; andc) simultaneously removing the donor ribbon and underlying adhesive from the paper stock, to expose the thermal transfer image thereon.d) whereby the image is transferred from the donor ribbon to the paper stock when the donor ribbon is peeled, and the fact that the donor ribbon has been peeled is evident from the negative of the image formed on the donor ribbon after peeling.