Activatable time-temperature indicator system
US6544925B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 2, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 2, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N31/229
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An activatable time-temperature indicator system useful in tracking the thermal exposure history of a temperature-sensitive perishable product and providing a visually-distinct signal, such as a change in color density, at the expiration of a predetermined time-temperature integral comprises a first element, such as a direct thermal printing label (11), comprising a composition (13) having at least a first co-reactant of a color-forming reaction. A second, activator element, such as an adhesive tab (21) capable of being affixed to the label element, comprises an activator component (25), such as a second co-reactant of the color-forming reaction or a solubilizing agent for prompting the interaction of the co-reactants of the label composition. The activator tab element is affixed to the label composition to activate for reaction at ambient conditions the normally high-temperature color-forming composition (13) of the label at about the same time as the label is affixed to the perishable product. Such an ability to effect the initiation of the indicator reaction at a given time eliminates any unknown, premature color formation in the indicator system to thereby ensure a true time-te…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.