EP1662460A2 - Device for providing an optical display of a time limit and method for producing such device - Google Patents

Abstract

Optical display (A) of a temporal end point, comprises a carrier material (4) and a dye (3), characterized, where a part of (4) is subjected with (3) and at least one part of (3) changes its position or expansion to (4) with progressive time. An independent claim is also included for the preparation of (A).

Description

The invention relates to an optical display of a time end point and a method for producing the optical display.

In the prior art, it is known to provide packages for food, semi-luxury or other goods whose usability is limited by their inherent properties with labels indicating their expiration date. Examples include canned food, tetra pack, packaging for yogurt, butter, medicines or chemical substances that are inedible over time or chemically disintegrate or subject to chemical reactions with, for example, air constituents.

In stores, but also in the private sector, these goods are stored on shelves. In order to determine which product will be unusable next, it is often necessary to take each individual product in hand and read on the label when the product may no longer be consumed. For this, the label often has to be searched. In many cases, the print cartridge was empty or almost empty for the labeling of the label, so that the font is also barely to read. It is therefore often time consuming and cumbersome to review it get which product, for example which can be used up in the kitchen cabinet or refrigerator first.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an optical display of a time end point, in particular a durability mark, which at first glance makes it possible to evaluate whether a product needs to be quickly consumed or sorted out.

Starting from the preamble of claim 1, the object is achieved in that an optical display of a time endpoint, in particular a durability mark, is provided, which contains a dye which expands on a support material or migrates on it in one direction and with its extent or location on the ground gives an easily visible signal as to whether the shelf life limit or the predetermined end date has been reached.

In the following, the term durability mark is used for the explanation of the invention. However, the term "durability sign" should always also include an optical indication of a time end point in the general form, so that this term is not to be understood as limiting.

With the durability mark according to the invention it is now possible to easily recognize whether the durability limit or the predetermined end time has been reached, or whether it is approaching soon.
In particular, older people who are no longer able to read well or even children who are still too young to read or to understand the content of what they have read can find it easier Recognize whether they may still use a food or a means of use. The durability mark according to the invention also makes it easier for the sales staff because it can check or sort entire pallets at a glance. The customer is also made easier to choose when shopping. Furthermore, this visually recognizable durability indicator facilitates the overview in the domestic refrigerator. It can be seen at a glance which products are approaching the expiry date and thus can sort and consume or dispose of its goods better and more clearly. With the optical display of a time end point, in particular, an optical color durability mark for food or other perishable goods has been created, which can be used, for example, in addition to the known from the prior art stamps with the expiration date.

The invention further relates to a method for producing an optical display of a time end point, which is characterized in that the loading of the carrier material with the dye and / or the solvent takes place in a temporal relationship with the production of a product provided with the optical display.

This means in particular that the dye or a solvent for the dye is applied to the support material during production, or immediately before or immediately afterwards.

The terms immediately before or immediately after in this context mean, in particular, that in the case of series production of the goods, the loading of the carrier material with the dye and / or solvent is coupled with the production of the goods.

Further advantages, features and expedient developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

The figures show various embodiments of the inventive durability mark in a schematic form.

Fig. 1:

ein Haltbarkeitszeichen;

Fig. 1a:

ein Haltbarkeitszeichen, welches einen sich annähernden zerfall anzeigt;

Fig. 2:

eine alternative Ausführungsform.

It shows:

Fig. 1:

a durability mark;

Fig. 1a:

a durability sign indicating an approaching decay;

Fig. 2:

an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows part of a durability mark 1 in strip form. At the left end 2, a dye 3 is visible, which is located on a substrate 4, which extends over the entire length of the strip. On one side of the durability mark 1 is a scale 5.

It is expedient that in the area in which the dye 3 and / or a solvent is applied to the support material, a space is provided which can accommodate a certain amount of the dye and / or the solvent.

In FIG. 1a, the same durability mark 1 is shown, in which the dye 3 has already moved to the right on the carrier material 4.

Figure 2 shows a cross-section through an alternative embodiment of the durability mark 1. In this case, the material of the durability mark 1 has a thickness which allows the dye 3 on the substrate 4 to migrate from the side facing away from the viewer to the side facing the viewer can.

In the following, the operation of the durability mark according to the invention will be explained.

The durability mark 1 according to the invention comprises a carrier material 4 on which a dye is located.

Preferably, the dye 3 is located at one end 2 of the durability mark 1.

The support material 4 is a substance which allows migration of the dye 3 on its surface when a liquid is applied to the dye 2 or when the dye itself is liquid or in liquid form since it is already solvated.

Typical materials which can be used as carrier material 4 are therefore carrier materials which are used in chromatography.

By way of example, but not limitation, may be used:

Alumina, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium silicate, calcium oxide, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, silicate, silicone, gel, cellulose, silica gel, fumed silica, cellulose acetate, polyamides or fluorinated polyamides, polyesters or fluorinated polyesters, polyethylene, Teflon, diatomaceous earth, talc, bleaching earth, clay, glass powder, metal oxides, or silicates with alkyl coating or fluoroalkyl coatings z. B. C ₁₂ to C ₂₀ , in particular C ₁₈ , as an example of reversed-phase surfaces or mixtures thereof, such as Teflon or polyethylene which contains silicate.

As a gel, for example, dextran, agarose and polysaccharide can be used.

But it can also textiles, such as natural or synthetic fibers, paper, cardboard or cardboard are used.

The carrier material can be present as a powder, pearled powder or gel on a support such as glass, plastic, aluminum or another metal. In addition, the carrier material may optionally comprise a binder. This contributes to the formation of a layer of the carrier material which adheres to the carrier. For example, the binder may include gypsum, silicic acid, polyacrylic acids or salts thereof, polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinyl alcohols.

On the substrate 4, the dye 3, preferably at one end 2, is applied.

Under a dye 3 in the context of the invention is basically any substance to understand, which has a color, including black and white. The decisive factor is that the dye differs optically from its background.

However, preferred are dyes, which are clearly visible. Furthermore, they should have the highest possible extinction.

Particular preference is given to luminescent dyes, especially fluorescent dyes, for example neon paints or daylight paints, since these are particularly noticeable.

Preferably, the dye is photochemically stable.

Further preferably, the dye 3 should be non-toxic and satisfy food law requirements.

By way of example, but not limitation, the following dyes may be used:

Anthocyanins, alizarin, litmus, aniline dyes, azo dyes, azine dyes, anthraquinone dyes, oxazine dyes, thiazine dyes, triarylmethane dyes, aminotriarylmethane dyes, hydroxytriphenylmethane dyes, eosin, rhodamine, methylene blue, cresyl violet, fluorescene, perylene, potassium permanganate, congo red, naphthol AS dyes, metal complex azo dyes, acridines, xanthenes , Thioxanthene, pyrenes, acridine orange, tetracyclines, porphyrins, betalaine, bluewood, chlorophyll, chochenille, turmeric, hemoglobin, indigo, kermes, madder, orlean, orseille, purple, safflower, aniliblau, aniline black, anthracene blue, bismarck brown, chrysoidine, cibablue, fuchsin , Hydron blue, immedia black, crystal violet, malachite green, methyl orange, methyl violet, variamin blue, Victoria blue, acridine dyes, cyanine dyes, oxazine dyes, polymethine dyes, thiazine dyes, chelate metal complexes, phenolphthalein, crystal violet, trypaflavine, atebrin, rivanol, phthaleins, quinoid dyes offe, diphenylamine blue.

The dye 3 may be a solid or a liquid or a dye dissolved in a solvent.

If the dye 3 is a liquid, it is not necessary to add another liquid, but it is possible.

If the dye 3 is a solid, then a certain amount of liquid is added to the dye.

If the dye 3 itself is a liquid which may be added with another liquid, it migrates through the support material 4 due to capillary forces and surface forces, as it does in chromatography, or expands its surface.

If the dye 3 is a solid, it migrates through the liquid either dissolved or undissolved on or through the carrier material 4 and changes its position or expands its surface.

It is also possible to apply the liquid over the entire length or extent of the durability mark 1 or at least a part thereof.
In this case, the dye 3 migrates by diffusion and changes its position or surface area.

As liquids, all possible liquids come into consideration, but they should be non-toxic or particularly preferably satisfy food law requirements.

By way of example, but not limitation, may include water, glycerol, butanol, phenol or higher alcohols, preferably having 8 to 12 carbon atoms or higher hydrocarbons, for example having 8 to 20 carbon atoms, organic acids, in particular fatty acids, polymers or oligomers, such as For example, PEO oligomers (PEO = polyethylene oxide) or PCL oligomers (PCL = poly-ε-caprolactone) may be mentioned as liquids. Glycols, ketones, esters and hydrocarbons can be used.

Which combination of Dye 3, support material 4 and possibly liquids must be used can be determined by simple laboratory experiments, for example with chromatography columns and / or thin-layer chromatography plates.

The combination of carriers, dyes and solvents used depends on the period of time that is relevant for the determination of the end date. If the expiry time is short, a solvent is chosen which dissolves the dye well. For this purpose, the elutrope series can be used. If a long period is to be marked, a solvent is chosen which dissolves the dye less well or not well. For fast drain times, the support material and the dye have a different polarity or a weak adsorptive interaction, for long run times they have a similar or the same polarity or strong adsorptive interaction. The same laws apply as for chromatography, in particular thin-layer chromatography, gel permeation chromatography and column chromatography.

In addition, the migration rate also depends on the viscosity and the surface tension of the dye and the solvent, the contact angle between the carrier substance and Solvent or dye or between the vehicle and the mixture of solvent and dye. Furthermore, the migration rate also depends on the permeability of the support material and in particular on the size and number of pores present and optionally on the binder used and on the mean particle size of the particles of the support material.

For example, the migration rate (V _f ) in thin-layer chromatography is given by the formula V _f = √ (kt) where the rate factor k is determined by the permeability constant (K ₀ ) of the carrier, the mean diameter of the particles of the carrier material (d _m ). , depends on the surface tension (γ) of the migrating liquid or the migrating liquid mixture, the viscosity (η) of the migrating liquid or the migrating liquid mixture and the contact angle (φ) between the carrier substance and the migrating liquid or the migrating liquid mixture: $$\mathrm{k}={\mathrm{K}}_0,{\mathrm{d}}_{\mathrm{m}}\left(\gamma /\eta \right),\cos \left(\phi \right).$$

This makes it possible to influence the migration speed also by the various parameters just described. Accordingly, the expiration time can be increased and the migration rate can be reduced by changing the parameters just described, even if the support material and the dye have a different polarity or a weak adsorptive interaction and / or if the solvent dissolves the dye well or very well.

The permeability constant of the support material depends inter alia on the size and the number of pores present and, where appropriate, on the binder used.

The mean particle diameter of the carrier material may be, for example, between 1 nm and 20 .mu.m, preferably between 1 nm and 100 nm, more preferably between 100 nm and 7 .mu.m or between 7 .mu.m and 20 .mu.m. The smaller the average diameter of the particles of the carrier material used, the lower the migration rate of the dye, the solvent and / or the mixture of dye and solvent. However, the greater the average diameter of the particles of support material used, the greater the rate of migration of the dye, solvent, and / or dye / solvent mixture.
The same applies analogously to the surface tension of the dye, the solvent and / or the mixture of solvent and dye. The smaller the surface tension of the dye, the solvent and / or the mixture of solvent and dye, the lower the migration rate of the dye, the solvent and / or the mixture of dye and solvent. The greater the surface tension of the dye, the solvent and / or the mixture of solvent and dye, the greater the migration rate of the dye, the solvent and / or the mixture of dye and solvent.
The surface tension may be from 1 to 100 mN / m, preferably from 1 to 50 mN / m and particularly preferably from 1 to 30 mN / m. Further, increasing the viscosity of the dye, solvent, and / or dye and solvent mixture reduces the rate of migration of the dye, the solvent and / or the mixture of dye and solvent. A reduction in the viscosity consequently leads to an increase in the migration speed. In this case, the viscosity of the dye, the solvent and / or the mixture of dye and solvent, for example between 0.1 mPa.s and 100,000 mPa.s, preferably between 50 mPa.s and 10,000 mPa.s and more preferably between 100 mPa .s and 70000 mPa.s. Finally, the increase in the contact angle between the carrier material and solvent or dye or between the carrier material and the mixture of solvent and dye to increase the migration rate of the dye, the solvent and / or the mixture of dye and solvent. A reduction in the contact angle between the carrier material and solvent or dye or between the carrier material and the mixture of solvent and dye in turn leads to the reduction of the migration speed of the dye, the solvent and / or the mixture of dye and solvent. In this case, the contact angle can be influenced both by the selection of the solvent biziehungweise of the dye and by the selection of the carrier material. For example, in the case of using a hydrophilic solution of a dye and a solvent, the contact angle can be achieved by using a hydrophobic carrier material such as silicate Teflon, silicate polyethylene, a polyamide or a fluorinated polyamide, a polyester or a fluorinated polyester or a polyester Silicates with alkyl coating or Fluoralkylbeschichtung be reduced.

Particularly preferred according to the invention are mixtures of a solvent and a dye which have a retention factor (R _f ) of 1 or approximately 1. The means that solvent and dye have essentially the same migration rate. As a result, the distance required for the display and the amount of carrier material used can be kept small. This makes it possible to keep the use of materials low and hereby also to achieve a cost savings.

Depending on the choice of materials, ie the carrier material 4, the dye 3 or the liquid, a different distribution / migration or distribution or migration speed is effected on or in the carrier material 4.

Exemplary particularly preferred combinations of support materials, dyes and solvents are given below:

Either the dye 3 is distributed over the entire surface of the carrier material 4, or the applied dye 3 migrates over the carrier material 4 in a moving strip, as in chromatography, which is known as the separation method.
In the first case, the expiration date or any other date relevant as a determination date will be indicated by the complete staining or staining to a marked end point of the shelf life mark 1.
In the second case, the relevant date can be recognized by the fact that the dye 3 has arrived at the other end 2 of the shelf-life mark 1 or has reached its edge or another marked spot.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the dye 3 is applied in an analogous manner to the back of the durability mark 1. He then wanders to the surface, which the Viewer is facing. The expiration date is then indicated by the visibility of Dye 3. Preferably, the surface of the durability mark 1 may be adjacent to a color pattern which is colored with the hue corresponding to the end date, so that the expiration date can be better recognized.

In a particular embodiment, the dye 3 may be applied on the side facing away from the observer so that it represents a number or a month as a date. If the dye 3 passes through the carrier material 4, the end date appears on the surface on the side facing the observer, so that it can be read in addition to the color effect associated therewith.

The migration of the dye can also be effected by capillaries, which are either parallel to the side facing the viewer, or extend from the side facing away from the viewer to the side facing the viewer. These capillaries may be made of glass fiber or plastic fiber and are preferably transparent.

Preferably, the durability mark 1 is formed as a label, which can be glued to the object to be marked. For this purpose, adhesives, such as adhesives or Velcro can be used.

Preferably, the durability mark 1 is formed as a strip. This is preferably applied to the dye at one end.

In a further preferred embodiment, the durability mark 1 has a scaling, which may include time units so that the temporal progression can be followed quantitatively or semiquantitatively.

The geometry of the durability mark 1 may also differ from the strip shape. Thus, other shapes are conceivable, such as a circular surface, wherein the dye 3 is either applied to the side facing away from the viewer and moves upwards over time, so that it is visible, or the dye 3 is in the middle and migrates outwards, creating either a full colored dot or an expanding circle. Alternatively, the durability mark 1 may be configured as a circular possibly interrupted web or spiral path or as a serpentine line. The dye 3 migrates from a starting point around the circle to the starting point or until the interruption of the circle or to the end point of the spiral or to the end of the serpentine line. In this case, the embodiments just mentioned offer the possibility of applying a long distance of the carrier material to as small a surface as possible.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the durability mark 1 is at least partially coated with a liquid-impermeable layer, such as a transparent plastic film or a transparent plastic resin so that the liquid or the dye 3 can not evaporate and the dye transport not by evaporation of the liquid or the dye itself is prevented. The layer which is impermeable to the liquid may be located on the upper side and / or on the underside and / or on at least one edge of the durability mark 1.

Preferably, the durability mark 1 is produced in time with the production of the goods, so that - due to the procedures in the production of the durability mark 1 - normalized conditions are ensured when marking the goods. It is important that the dye 3 and / or the liquid is applied to the carrier material 4 at the time from which the disintegration or expiration date is to be measured, in particular at the time of manufacture or immediately after production. It is particularly advantageous to bring the mixture of solvent and dye with a portion of the support material at this time by application, for example by injection or by dropping into contact. The contact can come about, for example, through an opening in the cover, which is later optionally closed as needed. Alternatively, the contact can also be made before the cover of the carrier material.

When the product is packaged, the color strip is short, and the farther the date of expiration approaches, the strip expands in the color of choice to each clearly visible, as in a scale, so that one recognizes at first glance, how long the product is still tough. This scale is divided into days, weeks or months, depending on the product and expiry date.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the web of the carrier material may be partially concealed on or through which the dye, the solvent or the mixture of dye and solvent migrates. For example, the optical indication of a time endpoint may thereby be made only in the 25, 20, 15, 10, or 5 last days of the shelf life period so as not to prevent a potential consumer from buying at the beginning of the shelf life to discourage an older product and, nevertheless, to alert it to the remaining shelf life of the product when it comes to maturity. Since the distance traveled by the dye, the solvent or the mixture of dye and solvent decreases with time as the time progresses, and the distance traveled per unit of time is therefore at its beginning, a potential consumer may prefer to buy a product. wherein the path traveled by the dye, solvent or mixture of dye and solvent is much smaller compared to another product, without the remaining shelf life of the two products being different in proportion to the difference in the paths traveled. In extreme cases, the potential consumer might be tempted to prefer only slightly earlier manufactured products to slightly later manufactured products. In order to prevent this procedure as far as possible, the masking of at least part of the web of the carrier material, onto or through which the dye, the solvent or the mixture of dye and solvent migrates, makes sense so as not to confuse the consumer.

The visual indication of a temporal endpoint according to the invention is preferably applied above the product description so that it is easily recognizable.

COVERS LIST:

1.

durability characters

Second

The End

Third

dye

4th

support material

5th

scaling

Claims (22)

Optical display of a temporal endpoint comprising a support material and a dye,
characterized by
in that a part of the carrier material (4) is exposed to the dye (3), wherein at least a part of the dye (3) changes its position or extent on the carrier material (4) with increasing time. Optical display of a time end point according to claim 1,
characterized by
that the dye (3) has a different color than the carrier material (4), Optical display of a time end point according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized by
that the dye (3) has a high absorbance. Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized by
that the dye (3) is a luminescent dye. Optical display of a time end point according to claim 4,
characterized by
that the dye (3) is a fluorescent dye. Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized by
that the dye (3) is a liquid or a solid. Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 7, to 6,
characterized by
that the dye (3) is accompanied by a liquid. Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized by
that the dye is at least one component comprises from the group of dyes anthocyanins, Alizarin, litmus, aniline dyes, azo dyes, azine dyes, anthraquinone dyes, oxazine dyes, thiazine dyes, triarylmethane dyes, Aminotriarylmethanfarbstoffe, the Hydroxytriphenylmethanfarbstoffe, eosin, rhodamine, methylene blue, cresyl violet, fluorescein, perylene, potassium permanganate , Congo Red,
naphthol AS dyes, metal complex azo dyes, acridines, xanthenes, thioxanthenes, pyrenes, acridine orange, tetracacines, porphyrins, betalains, sawnwood, chlorophyll, cholesterol, curcuma, hemoglobin, indigo, kermes, madder, orlean, orseille, purple, safflower, Aniline blue, aniline black, anthracene blue, bismarck brown, chrysoidine, cibablue, fuchsin, hydron blue, immedia black, crystal violet, malachite green, methyl orange, methyl violet, variamin blue, Victoria blue, acridine dyes, cyanine dyes, oxazine dyes, polymethine dyes, thiazine dyes, chelate metal complexes, phenolphthalein, crystal violet, trypaflavine, atebrin, Rivanol, phthaleins, quinoid dyes and diphenylamine blue. Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 1 to 8,
characterized by
in that the carrier material (4) is supplied with a liquid at least in the region where the dye (3) is located. Optical display of a temporal end point according to claim 9,
characterized by
that the liquid contains at least one component from the group consisting of water, alcohol, glycerol, butanol, phenol, higher alcohols, hydrocarbons, glycols, ketones, esters. Optical display of a temporal endpoint according to claim 9 or 10,
characterized by
that the liquid complies with food law requirements. Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 1 to 11,
characterized by
in that the carrier material (4) consists of one or more of the following materials: Alumina, magnesia, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium, calcium oxide, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, silicate, silicone, gel, cellulose, silica gel, cellulose acetate, polyamides, polyester, kieselguhr, talc, bleaching earth, clay, glass powder, Metal oxides, or silicates with alkyl coating, gel, dextran, agarose, polysaccharide, textile, natural and / or synthetic fibers, paper, capillaries of glass fiber or plastic. Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 1 to 12,
characterized by
that it is strip-shaped. Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 1 to 13,
characterized by
that the dye (3) located at one end (2). Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 1 to 13,
characterized by
that the dye (3) is located on the side facing away from the viewer. Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 1 to 15,
characterized by
that it is covered on at least one side with a coating or film which is impermeable to a liquid used (3). Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 1 to 16.
characterized by
that she is a label. Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 1 to 17,
characterized by
that she has adhesive. Optical display of a time end point according to one of claims 1 to 18,
characterized by
that it has a scaling. Optical display of a temporal end point according to claim 19,
characterized by
that the scaling contains date or time unit dimensions. Optical display of a time end point according to one or more of claims 1 to 16,
characterized by
that the dye (3) is applied in the form of a date display. Method for producing an optical display of a time end point according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the loading of the carrier material (4) with the dye (3) and / or a solvent is carried out in a temporal relation to the production of a product bearing the optical display.

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