Brenda E Anderson

US Patent:

6916130, Jul 12, 2005

Filed:

Nov 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/702213

Inventors:

Robert J. Holt - Cornwall-On-Hudson NY, US
David J. Haas - Suffern NY, US
Brenda J. Anderson - Anoka MN, US
Michael J. Schmit - Eden Prairie MN, US

Assignee:

Brady Worldwide, Inc. - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

B41J003/215

US Classification:

40012001, 40012002, 347171, 347176, 347172, 368327, 368114, 116206

Abstract:

A method for continuously producing a plurality of printed and activated time dependent labels. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a web having a plurality of inked substrates thereon. Each substrate has a migrating ink pattern printed on a surface of the substrate. A transfer printer is provided that has a first ribbon means for applying a timing layer through which the migrating ink bleeds after a predetermined period of time. A second ribbon means is provided for printing variable data. The web of inked substrates is continuously fed through the printer, each inked substrate passing sequentially under the first ribbon means and then the second ribbon means. The first ribbon means is activated to apply the timing layer to a portion of the printed surface of each inked substrate thereunder to produce a coated substrate. The second ribbon means is activated to print the variable data information on each coated substrate thereunder, thus continuously producing a plurality of activated time dependent labels having variable data information printed thereon. In another embodiment for producing a plurality of printed and activated time dependent labels, the web having the plurality of inked substrates thereon is continuously fed through a transfer printer having a single ribbon means.