GB2074975A - Containers Bearing Temperature Indicators - Google Patents

Abstract

A container 1 for alpha -cyanoacrylate adhesives is provided with an indicator that irreversibly indicates when a predetermined temperature has been exceeded, and hence makes it possible to check whether the recommended storage temperature has been observed. The indicator comprises a carrier 3 bearing a dot 4 of material which changes colour at temperatures above the predetermined value. Alternatively, the indicator may be a temperature- sensitive strip or label. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Packaging For -Cyanoacrylate Adhesives The storage stability of a-cyanoacrylate adhesives depends very much on the particular storage temperature.

Whilst the cyanoacrylates can be stored practically indefinitely at relatively low temperatures, storage at temperatures that are above normal room temperature leads sooner or later to the gelatinisation or solidification of the cyanoacrylates.

The suppliers' instruction to "store in a cool place" is frequently ignored, especially in nonindustrial fields of use. The result of incorrect storage, for example, in a shop-window where the packages are exposed to direct solar radiation, or in rooms having abnormally high temperatures, is an early polymerisation of the cyanoacrylate which is marked by a sharp increase in viscosity, by gelatinisation or by solidification of the cyanoacrylate.

In the case of the hitherto known packaging of cyanoacrylates, for example, in polyethylene bottles, polyethylene pipettes or aluminium tubes, the "storage record" or "storage history" of the cyanoacrylates cannot be checked. As a result, it is not possible to distinguish between polymerisation caused by incorrect storage and polymerisation that is to be attributed to a poor quality cyanoacrylate.

Understandably, however, there has for a long time been a great need, especially on the part of the suppliers, for means of making such a distinction since complaints should only be justified in the case of cyanoacrylates stored in the prescribed manner.

It is an object of the invention to provide a packaging for a-cyanoacrylate adhesives that meets this need.

The present invention provides a container for a a-cyanoacrylate adhesives which is provided with means that irreversibly indicates when a predetermined temperature has been exceeded.

For this purpose there are preferably used readily visible means, especially self-adhesive measuring dots made of temperature-sensitive materials which indicate by a change in colour when a predetermined temperature is exceeded.

It will be understand that the type of coloursensitive substance chosen will depend upon the selected critical temperature.

When a certain temperature is exceeded, for example, 490C, then in the case, for instance, of one kind of measuring dots the white inner dot very clearly becomes permanently black. Since the temperature measuring dots themselves can be hermetically sealed by encapsulation and are moisture-, oil-, fat- and vapour-resistant, the packages provided with such indicators can be stored in the conventional manner without additional precautions.

Other forms of the temperature indicators, for example, measuring strips or suitably prepared labels, can also b'e used.

Example A preferred embodiment of the packaging according to the invention for cyanoacrylate adhesives can be seen in the drawing. The container 1 is in the form of a screw cap bottle made of low-density polyethylene and preferably has a capacity of approximately from 25 to 50 ml.

The body of the bottle is provided with a label 2 for the necessary details about the product and the manufacturer. The largest possible label is preferably selected and fixed around the bottle.

Furthermore, the measuring dot carrier 3, which is made of light-coloured material covered with film is fixed to the bottle together with the likewise light-coloured measuring dot 4 and this dot irreversibly turns black at a selectable temperature. Measuring dots are preferably selected that change colour at a temperature of approximately from 40 to 45 0C. It is of course also possible to use several measuring dots if a wider range of temperatures is to be tested. A metering head 5 is inserted into the bottle 1. The bottle 1 with the attached metering head 5 is closed by means of the screw cap 6.

Claims

1. A container for a-cyanoacrylate adhesives, which is provided with means that irreversibly indicates when a predetermined temperature is exceeded.

2. A container for a-cyanoacrylate adhesives as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the temperature indicating means comprises a temperaturesensitive material which indicates by a change in colour when a predetermined temperature is exceeded.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the temperature indicating means is in the form of a self-adhesive dot made of a temperaturesensitive material.

4. A container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the temperature indicating means comprises a white inner dot which turns permanently black when the container is exposed to a temperature exceeding the predetermined temperature.

5. A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the temperature indicating means is in the form or a strip or label.

6. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the temperature indicating means is readily visible on the outside of the container.

7. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, which contains an a-cyanoacrylate adhesive.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Packaging For -Cyanoacrylate Adhesives The storage stability of a-cyanoacrylate adhesives depends very much on the particular storage temperature. Whilst the cyanoacrylates can be stored practically indefinitely at relatively low temperatures, storage at temperatures that are above normal room temperature leads sooner or later to the gelatinisation or solidification of the cyanoacrylates. The suppliers' instruction to "store in a cool place" is frequently ignored, especially in nonindustrial fields of use. The result of incorrect storage, for example, in a shop-window where the packages are exposed to direct solar radiation, or in rooms having abnormally high temperatures, is an early polymerisation of the cyanoacrylate which is marked by a sharp increase in viscosity, by gelatinisation or by solidification of the cyanoacrylate. In the case of the hitherto known packaging of cyanoacrylates, for example, in polyethylene bottles, polyethylene pipettes or aluminium tubes, the "storage record" or "storage history" of the cyanoacrylates cannot be checked. As a result, it is not possible to distinguish between polymerisation caused by incorrect storage and polymerisation that is to be attributed to a poor quality cyanoacrylate. Understandably, however, there has for a long time been a great need, especially on the part of the suppliers, for means of making such a distinction since complaints should only be justified in the case of cyanoacrylates stored in the prescribed manner. It is an object of the invention to provide a packaging for a-cyanoacrylate adhesives that meets this need. The present invention provides a container for a a-cyanoacrylate adhesives which is provided with means that irreversibly indicates when a predetermined temperature has been exceeded. For this purpose there are preferably used readily visible means, especially self-adhesive measuring dots made of temperature-sensitive materials which indicate by a change in colour when a predetermined temperature is exceeded. It will be understand that the type of coloursensitive substance chosen will depend upon the selected critical temperature. When a certain temperature is exceeded, for example, 490C, then in the case, for instance, of one kind of measuring dots the white inner dot very clearly becomes permanently black. Since the temperature measuring dots themselves can be hermetically sealed by encapsulation and are moisture-, oil-, fat- and vapour-resistant, the packages provided with such indicators can be stored in the conventional manner without additional precautions. Other forms of the temperature indicators, for example, measuring strips or suitably prepared labels, can also b'e used. Example A preferred embodiment of the packaging according to the invention for cyanoacrylate adhesives can be seen in the drawing. The container 1 is in the form of a screw cap bottle made of low-density polyethylene and preferably has a capacity of approximately from 25 to 50 ml. The body of the bottle is provided with a label 2 for the necessary details about the product and the manufacturer. The largest possible label is preferably selected and fixed around the bottle. Furthermore, the measuring dot carrier 3, which is made of light-coloured material covered with film is fixed to the bottle together with the likewise light-coloured measuring dot 4 and this dot irreversibly turns black at a selectable temperature. Measuring dots are preferably selected that change colour at a temperature of approximately from 40 to 45 0C. It is of course also possible to use several measuring dots if a wider range of temperatures is to be tested. A metering head 5 is inserted into the bottle 1. The bottle 1 with the attached metering head 5 is closed by means of the screw cap 6. Claims

1. A container for a-cyanoacrylate adhesives, which is provided with means that irreversibly indicates when a predetermined temperature is exceeded.

2. A container for a-cyanoacrylate adhesives as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the temperature indicating means comprises a temperaturesensitive material which indicates by a change in colour when a predetermined temperature is exceeded.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the temperature indicating means is in the form of a self-adhesive dot made of a temperaturesensitive material.

4. A container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the temperature indicating means comprises a white inner dot which turns permanently black when the container is exposed to a temperature exceeding the predetermined temperature.

5. A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the temperature indicating means is in the form or a strip or label.

6. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the temperature indicating means is readily visible on the outside of the container.

7. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, which contains an a-cyanoacrylate adhesive.