Thermal device for erasing information on thermal paper

Abstract

Device for erasing information on thermal paper, including: a. A heat source selected from the group consisting of ceramic heating elements, nichrome wire or infrared heating elements, b. Control electronics designed to control and regulate the heat source, optionally using capacitors for efficient energy discharge, c. A power supply that includes a rechargeable battery, a USB connection, or a combination thereof, d. A sensor system configured to monitor operating parameters, including temperature control, to prevent the device from activating if it overheats or has not cooled down sufficiently after use.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a portable device designed for erasing information printed on thermal paper used in labels, receipts, and similar materials. Thermal printers use heat-sensitive paper that turns black when heated to display printed information. The device uses this principle in reverse by applying targeted heat to the exposed areas of the thermal paper to effectively erase printed data such as names, addresses, barcodes, or other personal information.

[0002] The device incorporates various technologies, such as ceramic heating elements, nichrome wire, or infrared heating elements, for the controlled application of heat. Power is supplied either via a rechargeable battery, a USB cable, or a combination of both. To ensure efficient energy use, the control electronics regulate the heating elements and may include capacitors to quickly deliver energy for short, targeted heat pulses. This allows the device to avoid continuous heating and increases user safety.

[0003] The device incorporates a sensor system that monitors operating parameters such as temperature and the presence of thermal paper. These sensors prevent the device from activating if the heating element is too hot or has not cooled sufficiently between uses, thus providing an additional layer of safety. The heating element is only activated when the user presses the activation button, and the heat switches off automatically after use.

[0004] Available in various form factors, the device can resemble a portable device, such as a barcode scanner, or a stationary design for larger or industrial applications. The device's housing is made of heat-resistant plastic to protect the user from burns. Additionally, a reflector is used to direct heat onto the target thermal paper while preventing heat from escaping towards the user's hand.

[0005] The device may have a simple interface, including one or more LEDs or a small black and white display to indicate power and battery status. LEDs can show the operating status, the battery charge level in increments (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%), and a cascading charge indicator.

[0006] This invention provides an efficient and safe method for removing unwanted information from thermal paper, including but not limited to thermal shipping labels, receipts or similar products made of thermal paper.

Claims

[1] Device for erasing information on thermal paper, comprising: a. A heat source selected from the group consisting of ceramic heating elements, nichrome wire or infrared heating elements, b. Control electronics designed to control and regulate the heat source, possibly using capacitors for efficient energy discharge, c. A power supply that includes a rechargeable battery, a USB connection, or a combination thereof, d. A sensor system configured to monitor operating parameters, including temperature control, to prevent the device from being activated if it is overheated or has not cooled down sufficiently after use. [2] The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is made of heat-resistant plastic and is designed to prevent accidental burns to the user. [3] The device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a reflector that redirects heat toward the exposed area of ​​the thermal paper while preventing heat from escaping toward the user's hand. [4] The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control electronics are configured to manage the heat application based on feedback from one or more sensors that monitor the presence of thermal paper or the temperature of the heat source. [5] The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat source is manually activated by pressing an activation button and is automatically deactivated after a preset time or after sufficient heat has been applied to erase the thermal paper. [6] The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor system optionally comprises a proximity sensor to detect the presence of thermal paper and trigger the application of heat, with the possibility of deactivating this function if required. [7] The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises one or more indicators in the form of LEDs or a display that indicate the operating status, the battery charge level and the readiness for operation. [8] The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a charge level indicator consisting of LEDs or a display that shows the charge level of the battery in gradations, the LEDs flashing in a cascading manner during the charging process. [9] The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the overheat protection system is configured to prevent the device from exceeding a preset temperature threshold.