Multi-color stamp printing system

Abstract

A method of including a multi-color ribbon on a target object. The multi-color ribbon has a lower layer and an upper layer of ink or pigment. The method further includes applying heat and pressure on the multi-color ribbon to transfer the upper layer of ink or pigment onto the target object, and removing at least a portion of the lower layer of ink or pigment transferred onto the target object to reveal at least a portion of the upper layer of ink or pigment transferred onto the target object.

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 489,896 (filed September 30, 2021), which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 086,869 (filed October 2, 2020), and is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2021 / 037445 (filed June 15, 2021), which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 040,834 (filed June 18, 2020). The entire disclosure of these applications is incorporated herein by reference. background Technical Field

[0004] The subject matter described herein relates to hot stamping printing systems. Background Technology

[0006] Some known printing ribbons used in hot stamping systems provide a single color that is transferred to the item to be printed using a die. One problem with this technology is that only a single color is used for printing on the item. However, to print multiple different colors on an item, it is usually necessary to use multiple different ribbons of different colors. This can significantly increase the time required to decorate the target object, as multiple rolls of ribbon may be needed, and the same item may require multiple printings or printing via multiple impressions. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In one embodiment, the method includes moving a multicolor ribbon over a target object. The multicolor ribbon has a lower layer and an upper layer of ink or pigment. The method further includes applying heat and pressure to the multicolor ribbon to transfer a coating layer of ink or pigment onto the target object, and removing at least a portion of the lower layer of ink or pigment transferred onto the target object to expose at least a portion of the upper layer of ink or pigment to be transferred onto the target object.

[0008] In one embodiment, a multicolor ribbon configured for use in a hot stamping printing system is provided. The multicolor ribbon includes an elongated carrier extending continuously from a first end to a second end, and multiple different colored inks or pigments disposed in different layers of the elongated carrier between the first and second ends. The elongated carrier is configured to move over a target object when heat and pressure are applied to it to transfer two or more of the different colored inks or pigments onto the target object, thereby hot stamping the two or more layers of the different colored inks or pigments onto the target object.

[0009] In one embodiment, a hot stamp printing system includes a heated die configured to punch a multi-color ribbon of cover layers having different color inks or pigments to transfer the layers of the different color inks or pigments onto a target object, and an ablation assembly configured to generate ablation energy on the layers of the different color inks or pigments on the target object, remove at least portions of upper layers of the layers of the different color inks or pigments on the target object, and reveal underlying layers of the layers of the different color inks or pigments on the target object.

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The subject matter of the present application can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments and the attached drawings, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 A hot stamp printing system is schematically illustrated;

[0013] Figure 2 An example of a hot stamp multi-color ribbon is shown in Figure 1

[0014] Another example of a hot stamp multi-color ribbon is shown in Figure 3

[0015] Another example of a hot stamp multi-color ribbon is shown in Figure 4 Figure 1 Figure 2 A top view of an example of a target object is schematically illustrated in

[0016] Figure 5 A flow chart of one embodiment of a multi-color hot stamp printing method is shown in

[0017] Figure 6 Another example of a multi-color ribbon is shown in a cross-sectional view along the cut line 6-6 shown in Figure 2

[0018] Another example of a hot stamp printing system is shown in Figure 7 Figure 1 An example of an ablation assembly is shown in

[0019] Figure 8 A flow chart of one example of a hot stamp printing method is shown in

[0020] Figure 9 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1 ​​​​A hot stamping printing system 100 is schematically illustrated. The printing system 100 includes an unwinding reel 102 on which a multi-color ribbon 104 is mounted. The ribbon 104 extends from the unwinding reel 102 to a winding reel 106. The ribbon 104 unwinds from the unwinding reel 102 to the winding reel 106 along a mesh belt or ribbon direction 108. The mesh belt or ribbon direction 108 indicates the direction of movement of the ribbon 104 during printing (e.g., from the unwinding reel 102 to the winding reel 106). As the ribbon 104 moves along the mesh belt or ribbon direction 108, a heated die 110 presses the ribbon 104 along a transfer direction 112. The pressure and heat of the die 110 transfer at least a portion of the coating from the ribbon 104 to a target object 116 to be printed, such as an intravenous (IV) pouch, card, document, or any other various object. This printing process on the target object 116 transfers the pigment or ink in the ribbon 104 onto the target object 116. The ink or pigment may be a coating formed by one or more polymer binders and one or more colored pigments.

[0022] The target object 116 may be one of several target objects 116 continuously printed thereon by the printing system 100. For example, several target objects 116 may move in a machine direction to be continuously printed on the target object 116. The machine direction along which the target object 116 moves may be the same as or different from the mesh belt or film direction 108. The machine direction may be orthogonal to the mesh belt or film direction 108 (e.g., entering or leaving). Figure 1 (the plane) or at another angle to the direction 108 of the mesh belt or film.

[0023] Unlike some known hot stamping ribbons that contain only a single color of ink (coating) or pigment, the ribbon 104 includes multiple colors of ink or pigment in different areas. In a single stamping of the die 110, two or more of these colors can be transferred from the ribbon 104 to the target object 116.

[0024] Figure 2 Showing Figure 1 An example of the multi-color ribbon 104 is shown. As shown, the ribbon 104 is an elongated carrier 214 that extends continuously from the rear end 200 to the front end 202. The carrier 214 may also be referred to as a film 214 or carrier film 214. The front end 202 may be the end of the ribbon 104 that is initially coupled to the winding reel 106. (The preceding text appears to be incomplete and requires further context.) Figure 1 During the printing process, the ribbon 104 can be pulled along the ribbon direction 108.

[0025] The ribbon 104 includes different zones 204, 206, 208 that have different color inks or pigments. In the illustrated example, the ribbon 104 includes elongated zones 204, 206, 208 that extend from one end 200 to an opposite end 202. The zones 204, 206, 208 are elongated in the machine direction 108 during the hot stamp printing process. Although three zones 204, 206, 208 are shown, the ribbon 104 can alternatively include two zones (so that the ribbon 104 has two different color inks or pigments) or more than three zones (so that the ribbon 104 has three or more different color inks or pigments).

[0026] Figure 3 Another example of a multi-color ribbon 304 is shown. The ribbon 304 can replace the ribbon 104 shown in FIGS. 1-3 during the hot stamp printing process described above in connection with FIGS. 1-3. The ribbon 304 is an elongated carrier 314 that extends continuously from a back end 300 to a front end 302. The carrier 314 can alternatively be referred to as a film 314 or a carrier film 314. Similar to the ribbon 104, the front end 302 can be the end of the ribbon 304 that is initially coupled to the spool 106. During the printing process described above in connection with FIGS. 1-3, the ribbon 304 can be pulled in the machine direction 108. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 1

[0027] ​​​The ribbon 304 includes different regions 304, 306, 308 having different color inks or pigments. These regions 304, 306, 308 can alternatively be referred to as panels. In the illustrated example, the ribbon 304 includes elongated regions 304, 306, 308 that do not extend from one end 300 to the opposite end 302. For example, the regions 304, 306, 308 extend from one edge 310 of the ribbon 304 across the entire width of the ribbon 304 to the opposite edge 312 of the ribbon 304, each edge 310, 312 extending from one end 300 to the other end 302. In contrast, none of the regions 204, 206, 208 in the ribbon 104 extend from one edge 310 across the entire width of the ribbon 104 to the opposite edge 312 as do the regions 304, 306, 308 in the ribbon 304. Instead, the region 204 in the ribbon 104 extends partially (e.g., one-third of the length) from one edge toward the opposite edge, the region 206 extends partially (e.g., another one-third of the length) from the region 204 toward the opposite edge, and the region 208 extends from the region 206 to the opposite edge. Although three regions 304, 306, 308 are shown in the figures, the ribbon 304 can alternatively include two regions (so that the ribbon 304 has two different color inks or pigments) or more than three regions (so that the ribbon 304 has three or more different color inks or pigments).

[0028] Figure 4 A top view of one example of the target object 116 shown in FIGS. 1-3 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A top view of one example of the target object 116 shown in FIGS. 1-3 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4. Figure 4 The viewable face of the target object 116 in FIG. 1 can be the surface that is contacted by the ribbon 104 or 304 when the stamp 110 is pressed against the ribbon 104 or 304 to transfer ink or pigment from the ribbon 104 or 304.

[0029] The arrangement of different inks in the ribbon 104, 304 can allow or prevent different color inks or pigments from being transferred onto different areas of the target object 116. During printing using either ribbon 104, 304, a single impression of the stamp 110 can transfer multiple different color inks from the ribbon 104, 304 onto the target object 116. For example, the stamp 110 can simultaneously impress multiple areas 204, 206, and / or 208 of the ribbon 104 to simultaneously transfer different color inks from the impressed areas 204, 206, and / or 208. However, because different areas 204, 206, 208 of the ribbon 104 are moved over different areas 404, 406, 408 of the target object 116, the ribbon 104 can only be able to transfer a certain color to certain areas 404, 406, 408 of the target object 116.

[0030] For example, when the area 204 of the ribbon 104 is moved over the first area 404 of the target object 116, the ribbon 104 can be able to transfer the color of ink in the area 204 onto the first area 404 of the target object 116. When neither the area 206 nor the area 208 of the ribbon 104 are moved over the first area 404 of the target object 116, the ribbon 104 can not transfer ink or pigments having another color in the areas 206 or 208 onto the first area 404 of the target object 116.

[0031] Similarly, when the area 206 of the ribbon 104 is moved over the second area 406 of the target object 116, the ribbon 104 can be able to transfer the color of ink in the area 206 onto the different second area 406 of the target object 116. In the illustrated example, the second area 406 does not overlap the first area 404. When neither the area 204 nor the area 208 of the ribbon 104 are moved over the second area 406 of the target object 116, the ribbon 104 can not transfer ink or pigments having another color in the areas 204 or 208 onto the second area 406 of the target object 116.

[0032] As the region 208 of the ribbon 104 moves over the third region 408 of the target object 116, the ribbon 104 can transfer the ink color in the region 208 to a different third region 408 of the target object 116. In the illustrated example, the third region 408 does not overlap with the first region 404 or the second region 406. As neither the region 202 nor the region 204 of the ribbon 104 is moving over the third region 408 of the target object 116, the ribbon 104 can not transfer ink or pigment having another color in the regions 202 or 204 to the third region 408 of the target object 116.

[0033] Conversely, the ribbon 304 can transfer any ink or pigment in any of the regions 304, 306, 308 that extend across the width of the ribbon 304 to any region on the target object 116 over which the ribbon 304 moves during the stamping of the impression. For example, ink or pigment in the region 304 can be transferred to any of the regions 404, 406, 408, ink or pigment in the region 306 can be transferred to any of the regions 404, 406, 408, and ink or pigment in the region 308 can be transferred to any of the regions 404, 406, 408, as each of the regions 304, 306, 308 extends across the entire width of the ribbon 304.

[0034] The color bands 104 and 304 can be used to change the intensity or color of the ink transferred from any of the regions 204, 206, 208, 304, 306, and 308. For example, the same printing die 110 can repeatedly press the color bands 104 and 304 into one or more regions 204, 206, 208, 304, 306, and 308 to overprint at the same location on the target object 116. This overprinting can increase the amount of ink transferred onto the target object 116. The ink repeatedly transferred from the color bands 104 and 304 can originate from the same regions 204, 206, 208, 304, 306, and 308 to change the intensity (e.g., darken) of the color transferred to the target object 116. Regarding the color ribbon 304, the printing mold 110 can repeatedly press different regions 304, 306, and 308 of the color ribbon 304 at the same position on the target object 116 to transfer and mix multiple colors at the same position or region on the target object 116. For example, the printing mold 110 can press region 304 at one position on the target object 116, and then press region 306 or 308 at the same position on the target object 116 to mix the ink color in region 304 with the ink in region 306 or 308 on the target object 116.

[0035] Different colored inks or pigments can be transferred to different positions on the target object 116 and / or overprinted onto the target object 116. Multiple different colors can be transferred from the color ribbons 104 and 304 to the target object 116 during a single pass of the color ribbons 104 and 304 over the target object 116 and / or during a single stamping of the printing mold 110 onto the target object 116. For example, the color ribbons 104 and 304 can be unrolled from the unwinding reel 102 to the winding reel 106 in one go, simultaneously transferring multiple different colors to the target object 116 (or multiple target objects 116).

[0036] Different inks or pigments of different colors can be transferred from the ribbons 104 and 304 using different printing dies 110. For example, the printing dies 110 can be changed to print on different target objects 116, and different printing dies 110 can use a variety of different colors to hot stamp different information (e.g., different alphanumeric strings).

[0037] Figure 5A flowchart showing one embodiment of a multi-color hot stamp printing method 500 is shown. The method 500 can include operations described herein to transfer multiple different colors in a hot stamp system using the color ribbon 104, 304 (or another color ribbon having different regions of different color inks or pigments) in a single pass of the color ribbon. At 502, a multi-color color ribbon is obtained. As described above, such a color ribbon can have elongated regions of different color inks or pigments that extend end-to-end along the length of the color ribbon. Alternatively, the color ribbon can have panels that include different color inks or pigments that extend edge-to-edge along the width of the color ribbon.

[0038] At 504, the color ribbon is moved over one or more target objects in a single pass of the color ribbon. For example, the color ribbon can be unwound from one spool and wound onto another spool while passing over one or more target objects. At 506, a stamp presses two or more different regions or panels of the color ribbon. This action transfers two or more different colors from the color ribbon onto the target objects. Thus, multiple different colors can be printed onto each of one or more target objects during a single pass of the color ribbon.

[0039] In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes moving a multi-color color ribbon over a target object. The multi-color color ribbon has different color inks or pigments in different regions of the multi-color color ribbon. The method further includes applying heat and pressure to the multi-color color ribbon to transfer two or more different color inks or pigments onto the target object during a single pass of the multi-color color ribbon across the target object.

[0040] Optionally, the multi-color color ribbon is moved in a web direction across the target object, the different regions of the multi-color color ribbon being elongated along the length of the multi-color color ribbon from one end of the multi-color color ribbon to an opposite end of the multi-color color ribbon in the web direction.

[0041] Optionally, the multi-color color ribbon is moved in a web direction across the target object, the different regions of the multi-color color ribbon extending from one edge of the multi-color color ribbon to an opposite, transverse edge of the multi-color color ribbon.

[0042] Optionally, the heat and pressure are applied to vary a tint of at least one different color ink or pigment transferred multiple times to the same location on the target object during the single pass of the multi-color color ribbon across the target object.

[0043] Optionally, the heat and pressure are applied to vary a tint of at least one different color ink or pigment transferred multiple times to the same location on the target object during the single pass of the multi-color color ribbon across the target object.

[0044] Optionally, the heat and pressure are applied to mix two or more different color inks or pigments on the same location of the target object multiple times during a single pass of the multi-color ribbon across the target object.

[0045] In one embodiment, a multi-color ribbon configured for use in a hot stamp printing system is provided. The multi-color ribbon includes an elongated carrier extending continuously from a first end to an opposite end, and a plurality of different color inks or pigments disposed in different regions of the elongated carrier between the first end and the second end of the elongated carrier. The elongated carrier is configured to be moved across a target object with application of heat and pressure to the elongated carrier to transfer two or more of the different color inks or pigments to the target object during a single pass of the elongated carrier across the target object to hot stamp print two or more of the different color inks to the target object.

[0046] Optionally, the regions of the elongated carrier having different color inks or pigments are elongated channels extending continuously from the first end of the carrier to the second end of the carrier.

[0047] Optionally, the ribbon includes opposite first and second edges each extending from the first end of the ribbon to the second end of the ribbon. The regions of the elongated carrier having different color inks or pigments can be panels extending continuously from the first edge of the carrier to the second edge of the carrier.

[0048] Optionally, the different color inks are disposed in different regions of the elongated carrier such that two or more of the different color inks or pigments are transferred to different locations of the target object.

[0049] Optionally, the different color inks or pigments are disposed in different regions of the elongated carrier such that two or more of the different color inks are transferred to the same location of the target object multiple times during a single pass of the multi-color ribbon across the target object.

[0050] Optionally, the different color inks or pigments are disposed in different regions of the elongated carrier such that two or more of the different color inks or pigments are transferred to the same location of the target object multiple times during a single pass of the multi-color ribbon across the target object.

[0051] In one embodiment, a multicolor hot stamping ribbon is provided, comprising an elongated carrier configured to unwind from a first spool and onto a second spool of a hot stamping system, and two or more different color inks or pigments disposed in one or more different channels or different panels of the carrier. The different color inks or pigments are located on the carrier such that the two or more different color inks or pigments are transferred to one or more common or different locations on a target object to be printed by the hot stamping system.

[0052] Optionally, the two or more different colored inks or pigments are in different channels of the carrier.

[0053] Optionally, the different channels of the carrier are elongated in some directions, which extend along the direction in which the carrier unwinds from the first reel and winds onto the second reel.

[0054] Optionally, the two or more different colored inks or pigments in different channels of the carrier are used to transfer the two or more different colored inks or pigments to different positions on the target object.

[0055] Optionally, the two or more different colored inks or pigments are in different panels of the carrier.

[0056] Optionally, the different panels of the carrier are oriented in certain directions that extend perpendicular to the direction in which the carrier unwinds from the first reel and winds onto the second reel.

[0057] The singular forms of "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context explicitly specifies otherwise. "Optional" or "optionally" means that an event or situation subsequently described may or may not occur, and the description may include instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not. Approximate expressions used herein throughout the specification and claims can be used to modify any quantitative expression that allows for variation without altering the underlying functionality. Therefore, a numerical value modified by one or more terms such as "about," "substantially," and "probably" may not be limited to the specified precise value. At least in some cases, approximate expressions may correspond to the precision of the instrument measuring the value. Scope limitations may be combined and / or interchanged herein and throughout the specification and claims, such scopes may be determined and include all subscopes contained therein, unless the context or language indicates otherwise.

[0058] Figure 6 Showing along Figure 2Another example of a cross-sectional view of a multicolored ribbon 104 shown in cross-section 6-6. The ribbon 104 can include multiple layers 600, 602 of different color inks or pigments in at least one of the regions or channels 204, 206, 208. The upper or exposed layer 600 can be the ink or pigment visible along the top or exposed surface of the ribbon 104, for example Figure 2 The layer visible in the region 204, 206, or 208. The lower or covered layer 602 can be a different color ink or pigment that is located beneath the upper or exposed layer 600 and between the upper layer 600 and the elongate carrier 214. For example, the upper layer 600 can include or be formed of a red, green, white, or blue ink or pigment, and the lower layer 602 can include or be formed of a black ink or pigment. In one embodiment, the lower or covered layer 602 is not visible through the upper or exposed layer 600.

[0059] In one embodiment, only one of the regions 204, 206, 208 includes the different color layers 600, 602. Alternatively, two or more of the regions 204, 206, 208 include the different color layers 600, 602. In one embodiment, two or more of the regions 204, 206, 208 include the different color layers 600, 602, the underlying or covered layer 602 can be the same color in the different regions 204, 206, and / or 208, or can be different colors in different regions 204, 206, 208. For example, the underlying layer 602 beneath the red ink or pigment in the region 204 can be a black ink or pigment, and the underlying layer 602 beneath the black ink or pigment in the region 206 can be a red, yellow, or white ink or pigment.

[0060] Figure 7 Another example of a cross-sectional view of a multicolored ribbon 104 shown in cross-section 6-6. The ribbon 104 can include multiple layers 600, 602 of different color inks or pigments in at least one of the regions or channels 204, 206, 208. The upper or exposed layer 600 can be the ink or pigment visible along the top or exposed surface of the ribbon 104, for example Figure 1Another example of the stamp printing system 100 is shown. In the stamp printing system 100, during printing with the multi-layer ribbon 104 having the different color layers 600, 602, the upper layer 600 can face the target object 116 so that the upper layer 600 is closer to the target object 116 while the carrier 214 is closer to the heated stamp 110. The heated stamp 110 stamps the ribbon 104 and transfers at least a portion of the ink or pigment from the ribbon 104 to the target object 116 to be printed, such as an IV bag. This stamping on the target object 116 transfers the pigment or ink in the ribbon 104 to the target object 116. This stamping can also transfer multiple layers of different color inks or pigments to the target object 116. For example, the ink or pigment in the upper layer 600 can be transferred to the surface of the target object and the ink or pigment in the latent layer 602 can be transferred over the ink or pigment from the upper layer 600. This can result in the ink or pigment transferred from the upper layer 600 to the target object 116 being covered and hidden from view by the ink or pigment transferred from the latent layer 602 to the target object 116. For example, if the upper layer 600 includes black ink or pigment and the latent layer 602 includes white ink or pigment, then the stamping of the heated stamp 110 on the ribbon 104 can transfer black ink or pigment to the surface of the target object 116 while the white ink or pigment is over the black ink or pigment.

[0061] Alternatively, the multi-layers 806, 808 can be transferred to the target object 116 using another printing technique, such as gravure printing, screen printing, or the like.

[0062] Figure 8 An example of an ablation assembly 800 is shown. The ablation assembly 800 includes an energy source 802 that directs energy 804 toward the target object 116 to remove one or more upper or exposed layers 806 of ink or pigment (or portions of layers 806) on the target object. For example, the energy source 802 can be a laser light source that emits laser light toward the target object 116 to remove one or more portions of the ink or pigment in the upper or exposed layers 806 printed on the target object 116 to expose the underlying ink or pigment in the latent layer 808 on the target object 116. The upper or exposed layers 806 of ink or pigment can be transferred from the lower layer 602 in the ribbon 104 to the target object 116 while the lower or cover layer 808 of ink or pigment can be transferred from the upper layer 600 in the ribbon 104 to the target object 116.

[0063] For example, the ribbon 104 can be used to transfer Figure 6 the ink or pigment in the upper layer 600 shown to the surface of the target object 106 and to transfer Figure 6 the ink or pigment in the lower layer 602 shown over the ink or pigment on the target object 116 that was transferred from the upper layer 600. The energy emitted by the energy source 802 can ablate or otherwise remove some of the ink or pigment from the lower layer 602 (the visible ink or pigment on the target object 116) to reveal the underlying ink or pigment (previously not visible) from the upper layer 600.

[0064] The ablation assembly 800 can be used to form variable data on a target object 116 using the layers of ink or pigment 600, 602 transferred onto the target object 116. The hot stamping system 100 can transfer unchanging information or data onto the target object 116, and the ablation assembly 800 can remove portions of the transferred ink or pigment to form variable information or data on the target object. For example, the same indicia (e.g., an image, text, numbers, etc.) can be transferred onto several target objects 116 using the ribbon 104 having the layers of ink or pigment 600, 602. This common indicia printed on several target objects 116 can be unchanging data because the indicia does not change for multiple target objects 116. The ablation assembly 800 can then remove different portions of the ink or pigment transferred onto the target objects 116 from the lower layer 602. For each of two or more target objects 116, the portions of the ink or pigment removed can be different to reveal different portions of the underlying ink or pigment on the target objects 116. The different revealed portions of the underlying ink or pigment can be variable data because the different revealed portions for different target objects 116 form different indicia. For example, the different revealed portions can be a unique identifier, a bar code, a serial number, or the like for the target objects 116.

[0065] Figure 9 A flowchart showing one example of a method 900 for hot stamp printing is shown. The method 900 can represent operations performed by the system 100 and the assembly 800 (which can be included in the system 100 or separate from the system 100). At 902, a multi-color ribbon is moved over one or more target objects. As described above, the ribbon can include overlapping layers of different colored inks or pigments. While one embodiment of the ribbon includes two layers of pigments or inks, alternatively, the ribbon can have three or more overlapping or overlying layers of pigments or inks.

[0066] At 904, the stamp presses the ribbon. This action transfers two or more layers of different color inks or pigments from the ribbon onto the target object. At 906, the upper layer of these different color inks or pigments is at least partially removed by ablating the upper layer of inks or pigments transferred from the ribbon at 904. This can reveal a potential layer of different color inks or pigments. As described above, the ablation can be individually applied to the target object by forming variable data or variable indicia.

[0067] In one embodiment, a method includes moving a multi-color ribbon over a target object. The multi-color ribbon has lower and upper layers of inks or pigments. The method further includes applying heat and pressure to the multi-color ribbon to transfer the upper layer of inks or pigments onto the target object and to remove at least a portion of the lower layer of inks or pigments transferred onto the target object to reveal at least a portion of the upper layer of inks or pigments transferred onto the target object.

[0068] Optionally, the lower and upper layers of inks or pigments are different color inks or pigments.

[0069] Optionally, the lower layer of inks or pigments in the multi-color ribbon is transferred onto the target object as an upper layer and the upper layer of inks or pigments in the multi-color ribbon is transferred onto the target object as a lower layer.

[0070] Optionally, the at least a portion of the lower layer of color inks or pigments is removed to form variable data on the target object.

[0071] Optionally, the at least a portion of the lower layer of color inks or pigments is removed using laser ablation.

[0072] In one embodiment, a multi-color ribbon configured for use in a hot stamp printing system is provided. The ribbon includes an elongated carrier extending continuously from a first end to an opposite end, and a plurality of different color inks or pigments disposed in different layers of the elongated carrier between the first end and the second end of the elongated carrier. The elongated carrier is configured to be moved over a target object with application of heat and pressure to the elongated carrier to transfer two or more of the different layers of different color inks or pigments onto a target object to hot stamp the two or more layers of different color inks onto the target object.

[0073] In one embodiment, the hot stamping system includes a heated stamp configured to punch a multi-color ribbon having different color ink or pigment layers to transfer the layers of the different color inks or pigments onto a target object, and an ablation assembly configured to generate an ablation energy on the layers of the different color inks or pigments on the target object, remove at least a portion of the upper layer of the layers of the different color inks or pigments on the target object, and reveal underlying layers of the layers of the different color inks or pigments on the target object.

[0074] Optionally, the heated stamp is configured to punch the multi-color ribbon such that the lower layer of the inks or pigments in the multi-color ribbon is transferred onto the target object as an upper layer, and the upper layer of the inks or pigments in the multi-color ribbon is transferred onto the target object as a lower layer.

[0075] Optionally, the ablation assembly is configured to remove the at least the portion of the lower layer of the inks or pigments to form variable data on the target object.

[0076] This specification describes using examples to disclose the embodiments, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The claims define the patentable scope of the disclosure, and include other examples that are tantamount to those recited in the claims. If these other examples have structural elements in common with the claim recitations, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the claim recitations, then these examples are intended to fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A multi-color hot stamping printing method, comprising: During a single pass across a target object, a multi-colored ribbon is moved over the target object, the multi-colored ribbon having different non-overlapping regions, each region comprising ink or pigment of a different color from the other regions in the region, each region extending end-to-end along the length of the ribbon; as well as As the ribbon moves across the target object during the single stroke, a die is used to stamp two or more areas within the different regions of the ribbon. The printing mold presses two or more of the different regions to simultaneously transfer different colored inks or pigments from the two or more of the different regions onto the target object.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the printing mold is a first printing mold, the first printing mold printing the first information onto the target object by stamping the two or more areas of the ribbon, and the method further includes: The first printing mold is changed to the second printing mold to stamp the ribbon; as well as The second mold is used to press the ribbon to print second information onto the target object, the second information being different from the first information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ribbon moves on the target object in a mesh belt direction extending end-to-end along the length of the ribbon, and stamping the ribbon with a heated die includes moving the die downward in a transfer direction to the ribbon and transferring the ink or pigment onto the target object using heat and pressure, and stamping the ribbon with the die to transfer the ink or pigment onto an intravenous bag which is the target object.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ribbon comprises two regions in the region, and stamping the ribbon with the die comprises stamping the two regions with the die, or The ribbon includes three or more regions of the area, and stamping the ribbon with the die includes stamping at least two regions of the three or more regions with the die, or When two or more regions of the different areas in the ribbon are stamped by the printing die, the multicolor ribbon moves in the mesh belt direction, which extends end-to-end along the length of the ribbon.

5. A hot stamping printing method, comprising: A multi-colored ribbon is moved across a target object. The ribbon has an elongated carrier that extends continuously from a first end to an opposite end. The ribbon has different non-overlapping regions, each extending from the first end to the opposite end of the ribbon. Each region in the ribbon has a different color ink or pigment on the elongated carrier. During a single stroke of the ribbon on the target object, two or more areas in the region of the ribbon are stamped by a die of a hot stamping system to simultaneously transfer two or more colors of inks or pigments of different colors onto the target object.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the printing mold is a first printing mold, the first printing mold printing the first information onto the target object by stamping the two or more areas of the ribbon, and the method further comprises: The first printing mold is changed to the second printing mold to stamp the ribbon; as well as The second mold is used to press the ribbon to print second information onto the target object, the second information being different from the first information.

7. The method of claim 1 or 5, wherein at least one region of the area of ​​the ribbon comprises a lower layer and an upper layer of the ink or pigment, and the at least one region of the area of ​​the ribbon is stamped with the die to transfer the lower layer and the upper layer onto the target object, wherein the method further comprises removing at least a portion of the lower layer of the ink or pigment transferred onto the target object to expose at least a portion of the upper layer of the ink or pigment transferred onto the target object.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 5, wherein stamping the ribbon with the die comprises overprinting the ink or pigment in the two or more regions of the ribbon at the same location on the target object by repeatedly stamping the two or more regions of the ribbon with the die to contact the same location on the target object, thereby changing the density of the ink or pigment transferred to the target object.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the ink or pigment in a first color band region of the color band is transferred to a first target object region of the target object by stamping the color band with the die, and the ink or pigment in a different second color band region of the color band is transferred to a second target object region of the target object that does not overlap with the first target object region of the target object, but it is not possible to transfer the ink or pigment in the first color band region of the color band to the second target object region of the target object, nor is it possible to transfer the ink or pigment in the second color band region of the color band to the first target object region of the target object.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein stamping the ribbon with the die cannot transfer the ink or pigment in the first ribbon region of the ribbon to the second target object region of the target object, nor can it transfer the ink or pigment in the second ribbon region of the ribbon to the first target object region of the target object, because moving the ribbon on the target object will only move the first ribbon region of the ribbon to the first target object region of the target object, and will only move the second ribbon region of the ribbon to the second target object region of the target object, but will not move the first ribbon region of the ribbon to the second target object region of the target object, nor will it move the second ribbon region of the ribbon to the first target object region of the target object.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the multicolor ribbon comprises three or more regions of the regions, and stamping the ribbon with the die comprises stamping at least two regions of the three or more regions with the die, or When two or more regions in the area of ​​the ribbon are stamped by the die, the multicolor ribbon moves on the target object in the mesh belt direction, which extends from the first end of the carrier to the opposite end.

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