Gene A Hofer

US Patent:

7967340, Jun 28, 2011

Filed:

Aug 2, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/833001

Inventors:

Gene A. Hofer - Lake Zurich IL, US
Michael S. Weinhammer - Round Lake IL, US
Michael W. Paul - Round Lake IL, US

Assignee:

ZIH Corp. - Hamilton

International Classification:

B42D 15/00

US Classification:

283 81, 283 601, 283103, 283106, 283116

Abstract:

Slip and protective label assemblies are provided, as well as methods of manufacture and application to a receiving face. In one case, the assembly includes a slip layer and a protective layer, with the slip layer divided into a slip portion that is printed upon, a surrounding border portion, and a tab portion. The reverse side of the slip layer is coated with a release coating such that the slip layer may be removably laminated to the protective layer using an adhesive. In another case, direct thermal stock is laminated to an intermediate layer to form a slip laminate, which is adhered to a protective layer to form the assembly. In all cases, the border portion of the slip layer or slip laminate may be removed to attach the label to a receiving face, and the protective layer may be peeled away to provide access to the printed slip portion.

US Patent:

20060248767, Nov 9, 2006

Filed:

Apr 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/413499

Inventors:

Gene Hofer - Lake Zurich IL, US
David Macedon - Lemont IL, US

International Classification:

A44C 5/00

US Classification:

040633000

Abstract:

An identification device that combines an antimicrobial coating with a printable substrate. For example, the invention includes a wristband with a face stock supporting indicia which are applied on (such as through thermal transfer printing) or through (such as through direct thermal printing) an antimicrobial layer. The antimicrobial layer is preferably a coating or varnish that is applied as the outermost layer and can bind with thermal transfer printing ink or supports pass through of direct thermal printing on a chemically receptive sublayer. The antimicrobial varnish includes varnish compounds and antimicrobial compounds such as a silver zeolite ion that is configured to react to moisture with a controlled release of microbial disinfectant. Preferably, the wristband is a hospital wristband bearing on-site printed identification indicia for a patient.

US Patent:

20130260117, Oct 3, 2013

Filed:

Dec 28, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/729531

Inventors:

- Hamilton, BM
Gene A. Hofer - Lake Zurich IL, US

Assignee:

ZIH CORP. - Hamilton

International Classification:

A61B 5/117

US Classification:

428213, 428518, 428523, 428334, 428483, 4284242, 428497

Abstract:

Identification devices (e.g., wristbands) including a face stock comprising a tough polyolefin material and a flexible vinyl layer are provided. A direct thermal chemistry layer can be deposited directly onto a top surface of the face stock or alternatively a pre-print color layer can be depositing directly onto the top surface of the face stock and the direct thermal chemistry layer can be deposited/located onto the free side of the pre-print layer. The flexible vinyl layer can be adhered to a bottom side of the face stock via an adhesive tie-layer sandwiched between the bottom side of the face stock and the flexible vinyl layer. If desired, an anti-cling layer can also be incorporated into the identification devices.

US Patent:

57689911, Jun 23, 1998

Filed:

Apr 10, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/631322

Inventors:

Gerhard Cless - Northbrook IL
Kenneth Folke Ullenius - Cary IL
Michael Roger Garross - Beach Park IL
Gene Allen Hofer - Lake Zurich IL
Gary N. Schneider - Libertyville IL
Barry Matthew Bidinger - Palatine IL

Assignee:

Zebra Technologies Corporation - Vernon Hills IL

International Classification:

B41F 1356

US Classification:

101227

Abstract:

A novel printer is used to print and produce a pre-moistened label and the like on demand by an operator. The printer includes an outer casing; a media associated with the casing, and a printhead mounted in the casing for printing indicia and the like on an upper surface of the media. The media has a liquid activated adhesive on a lower surface thereof. A liquid delivery structure and a liquid application structure are associated with the casing and may be provided a separate modules which are attached to an existing printer. The liquid delivery structure supplies liquid to the liquid application structure and the liquid application structure applies the liquid to the adhesive coated lower surface of the media to pre-moisten the media before it is dispensed from the printer. The printhead prints the indicia and the like on the media prior to the stage where the adhesive coating on the media is moistened by the liquid application structure. A cutter is provided for severing the media to produce an individual label or the like.

US Patent:

53641337, Nov 15, 1994

Filed:

Jan 12, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/180440

Inventors:

Gene A. Hofer - Lake Zurich IL
Karen M. Longe - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Zebra Technologies Corporation - Vernon Hills IL

International Classification:

B42D 1500

US Classification:

283 75

Abstract:

An identification bracelet formed from upper and lower layers of flexible material removably laminated with a selectively printed release layer and a pigmented adhesive. The lower layer has a plurality of die cut areas which can be removed to expose a portion of the adhesive, which is then overlapped with, and attached to the upper layer. The adhesive is applied over a selectively printed release layer so as to have areas of high adhesion and areas of low adhesion to the upper layer which separate differentially and form a "void" indication, for example, if the attached ends are separated after application.

US Patent:

20220314672, Oct 6, 2022

Filed:

Apr 6, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/223765

Inventors:

- Lincolnshire IL, US
Gene A. Hofer - Lake Zurich IL, US
Mohannad Abdo - Clifton NJ, US
Frederick Robert Grabiner - Delray Beach FL, US
John Olson - Dayton NJ, US
Steven J. Vandercar - Rolling Meadows IL, US

International Classification:

B41J 35/04
B41J 33/14
B41J 2/325

Abstract:

A media processing device includes: a media processing head; a ribbon transport assembly configured to transport ribbon along a ribbon path between a ribbon dispenser and the media processing head; a graphite applicator disposed along the ribbon path, the graphite applicator configured to apply a combination of graphite and graphene to an active side of the ribbon via frictional engagement with the ribbon; and a media transport assembly configured to transport media from a media supply to the media processing head for transfer of at least a portion of the combination of graphite and graphene from the active side of the ribbon onto the media via application of at least one of heat and pressure at the media processing head.

US Patent:

20170043260, Feb 16, 2017

Filed:

Oct 31, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/339173

Inventors:

- Lincolnshire IL, US
Gene Hofer - Lake Zurich IL, US
James J. O'Hagan - McHenry IL, US

International Classification:

A63F 13/798
H04W 4/02
H04L 29/08
H04W 4/00
A63F 13/828
A63F 13/537

Abstract:

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are disclosed for providing analytics including participant statistical data or game status data. In one embodiment, a method is provided for transmitting participant data relating to one or more participants that are available in a fantasy game, the fantasy game is at least partially related to a players performance in a sporting event; receiving a selected participant data indication from at least one user, the selected participant data indication provides selection of at least one participant from the participant data; generating a participant data update for one or more participants based on the selected participant data indication; the participant data is defined by a time period comprising an event and is calculated based on blink data transmitted from a location tag mounted to the participant; and transmitting the participant data update, the participant data update is viewable via a user interface.

US Patent:

20150148129, May 28, 2015

Filed:

Dec 1, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/556758

Inventors:

- Lincolnshire IL, US
Gene Hofer - Lake Zurich IL, US
James J. O'Hagan - McHenry IL, US

International Classification:

A63F 13/798
A63F 13/828
A63F 13/537

US Classification:

463 31

Abstract:

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are disclosed for providing analytics including participant statistical data or game status data. In one embodiment, a method is provided for transmitting participant data relating to one or more participants that are available in a fantasy game, the fantasy game is at least partially related to a players performance in a sporting event; receiving a selected participant data indication from at least one user, the selected participant data indication provides selection of at least one participant from the participant data; generating a participant data update for one or more participants based on the selected participant data indication; the participant data is defined by a time period comprising an event and is calculated based on blink data transmitted from a location tag mounted to the participant; and transmitting the participant data update, the participant data update is viewable via a user interface.