JP2005114550A - Commodity-managing method and commodity managing label - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a commodity-managing method which concerns a method of discriminating passage of time, using the discoloration of a discoloration layer composed of a color coupler and a color developer as a discrimination index, and can discriminate the preservation period of the commodity, without losing its function as the discrimination index, even if the commodity is exposed to unexpected high temperature. <P>SOLUTION: This commodity managing method discriminates the preservation period of the commodity to be heated and preserved at a predetermined temperature, from the degree of fading of the discoloration section 5 comprising the color coupler and the color developer, by attaching the discoloration section 5 which is in a coloring state to the commodity, and heating and preserving this commodity at the predetermined temperature. In a label suitable for this method, a discoloration layer 5 in an approximately perfectly coloring state is laminated on a base material 3 provided with an adhesive layer 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a merchandise management method capable of confirming the storage period of merchandise that is warmed and stored at a predetermined temperature, and a merchandise management label used therefor.

Among various products, there are products that are warmed to a predetermined temperature and stored in a distribution process or a manufacturing process. For example, beverage-filled containers such as PET bottles and cans filled with tea are sold in hot warmers at convenience stores and supermarkets, or sold by hot vendors on the streets. However, it is said that the flavor of the filling is lowered when left in a warmed state for a long time. For example, in tea, the flavor is considerably lowered when left at about 55 ° C. for about 2 weeks. As means for managing the storage period of such a product, it has been proposed to attach a label or the like whose color changes over time to the product.
As such a product management label, a label having a color changing layer containing a color former such as a leuco dye and a color developer is known, and if this label is used, the color former or color developer is stored during warm storage. Since the agent melts and reacts and the discolored layer gradually develops color, the warming storage period can be determined by the degree of color development. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-326086 discloses a sheet body obtained by impregnating a filter paper with a volatile organic compound together with a color former and a developer as a time-lapse display body. As the compound volatilizes, color develops gradually and the elapsed time can be determined.

  However, the former label is exposed to a mischief or unexpected situation, for example, before it is warmed and stored on a product. When exposed to (temperature), the color former and developer immediately react to develop color, and once complete color development, it can no longer function as a time-determining indicator. Therefore, attention should be paid to storage of labels. On the other hand, the latter sheet body must contain a volatile compound in the color former and the developer, and is more expensive than the former. It is not suitable for merchandise.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-326086

  Therefore, the present invention provides a product management method capable of determining the storage period of a product without loss of function as a discrimination index even when exposed to an unexpectedly high temperature, and a label used for the method. The task is to do.

As a result of diligent research under the above problems, the present inventors developed a layer containing a color former and a developer, and then heated and stored at a predetermined temperature. The present invention was completed by finding that the color deteriorates relatively early and naturally due to deterioration.
That is, the present invention provides a product that is warmed and stored at a predetermined temperature in a state in which a color changing portion containing a color former and a developer is developed, and the product is warmed and stored at the predetermined temperature. The present invention relates to a product management method for determining a product storage period based on a degree of fading.

In the above management method, a discolored portion in a colored state is provided in a product, and the product is warmed and stored, so that the discolored portion is discolored by the heat during storage, and the degree of fading is visually determined. You can know the retention period. According to such a method, the degree of fading of the discolored portion in the developed state is used as a discrimination index, that is, the discolored portion is used even when exposed to an unexpected high temperature because the discolored portion is used in a state in which the discolored portion is colored from the beginning. The color does not recur, or even if it recurs, it will only return to the original color state, so even if it encounters a high temperature accident, it will not lose its function as a discriminating index, so the warming storage period can be reliably determined can do.
In addition, since the discolored portion of the colored state is discolored by heat applied when the product is warmed and stored, there is no need for a separate agent or the like to discolor the product, and therefore a simple configuration can be achieved, so product management is inexpensive. It can be performed.

In addition, the second means of the present invention is a method in which a coloring agent and a coloring agent and a base material provided with an adhesive layer are attached to a product in order to determine a storage period of the product to be warmed and stored at a predetermined temperature. The present invention relates to a product management label in which a color change layer containing a color developer is provided in a colored state, and the storage period of the product can be determined by the degree of fading of the color change layer.
The product management can be carried out simply by attaching the label to products for warming storage in various modes.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when the product is exposed to an unexpectedly high temperature, for example, in the distribution process, the warming storage period of the product can be determined using the discolored portion as a determination index. Further, since the color-changed portion in the developed state is faded by using heat at the time of warming storage of the product, the configuration of the color-changed portion is simplified, and therefore product management can be performed relatively inexpensively.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a product management label according to the present invention. The label 1 is configured by laminating layers in the order of the adhesive layer 2, the substrate 3, the design printing layer 4, the discoloration layer 5, and the surface protective layer 6 from the lower layer. The label 1 is usually provided on a release paper (not shown).
Specifically, the adhesive layer 2 is provided on the back surface of the substrate 3 by applying an adhesive such as an acrylic adhesive. The substrate 3 is not particularly limited, and a synthetic resin film, synthetic paper, paper, a laminate of different materials, or the like can be used. Moreover, the base material 3 is formed in arbitrary planar shapes, for example, a rectangular shape. The design printing layer 4 is printed with a predetermined display 4a such as a trade name, a trademark, a description, a picture, etc., using printing ink of an arbitrary color, and among these, in the portion where the discoloration layer 5 is laminated. The display 4b is printed with a printing ink exhibiting substantially the same color as the color at the time of color development of the color changing layer 5 (hereinafter, this part of the display 4b is referred to as a color changing layer corresponding display 4b). The surface protective layer 6 is coated so as to cover at least the surface of the color changing layer 5 using, for example, an ultraviolet curable varnish or ink. The discoloration layer 5 is provided on a part of the surface side of the substrate 3 in a state where a predetermined color (for example, amber color) is substantially completely developed. Therefore, the discoloration layer corresponding display 4b cannot be visually recognized from the outside, and the display 4a in a portion where the discoloration layer 5 is not laminated can be visually recognized from the outside.

The discoloration layer 5 is composed of a layer containing a color former, a developer, a sensitizer, and a binder that binds these, and is in a state where a predetermined color is developed. The colored layer 5 is dispersed in a binder and coated on the surface of the substrate 3 to provide the colored layer 5 in an uncolored state, and then the color former or developer is melted. It can be configured by heating to a temperature or higher, for example, about 100 to 150 ° C., and causing both to contact. As the color former, an irreversible color former that does not return to its original color even when exposed to a high temperature after color development is preferable. Since the color change is particularly large, a leuco that exhibits a dark color (for example, dark blue color) at the time of color development. It is preferable to use a dye. Examples of the leuco dye include 1,3-dimethyl-6-diethylaminofluorane, 2-bromo-3-methyl-6-dibutylaminofluorane, 6-diethylaminobenzo [a] -fluorane, and 3,7-bis. (Dimethylamino) -10-benzoylphenothiazine, 3,3-bis (P-dimethylaminophenyl) -6-dimethylaminophthalide, 2-N, N-dibenzoylamino-6-diethylaminofluorane, 2- (2 -Chloroanilino) -6-diethylaminofluorane, 2- (2-chloroanilino) -6-dibutylaminofluorane, 4-anilino-3-methyl-6-dibutylaminofluorane, 2-anilino-3-methyl-6- Diethylaminofluorane and the like can be used, and these may be used in combination of two or more. Further, the developer is not particularly limited as long as it reacts with a color former. For example, when a leuco dye is used as a color former, t-butylphenol, bisphenol A, phenols such as phenol resin, etc. Inorganic acidic substances such as organic acidic substances, activated clay, bentonite and clay can be used. The sensitizer is not particularly limited as long as it is a substance that promotes the chemical reaction between the color former and the developer. In the case of a leuco dye, N-hydroxymethyl stearamide, stearamide, palmitic acid amide, etc. Waxes, naphthol derivatives such as 2-benzyloxynaphthalene, biphenyl derivatives such as p-benzylbiphenyl and 4-allyloxybiphenyl, and carbonic acid or oxalic acid diester derivatives such as diphenyl carbonate and dibenzyl oxalate can be used. As the binder, for example, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose ester resin, acrylic resin, starch, casein, urethane resin, SBR resin, polyolefin and the like can be used.
The amount of the developer is appropriately set in consideration of the degree of color fading and the desired amount of color change, but is generally 0.01 to 100 times, preferably 0.1 to 0.1 by weight with respect to the color former. About 10 times.

Next, a product management method according to the present invention will be described.
The product management label 1 is attached to a part of the product (for example, in the case of a beverage-filled container such as tea, the cap of the container or the body of the container) via the adhesive layer 2. By doing so, a labeled product provided with a discoloration portion is prepared. This labeled product is put in a hot warmer or the like, and is warmed and stored at a temperature suitable for warm storage of the product, for example, a predetermined temperature selected from about 55 to 65 ° C. Then, the color changing layer 5 fades and changes color every day. The color-changing layer 5 does not fade at room temperature unless it has passed for a very long period of time. However, when it is warmed and stored at such a predetermined temperature, it will fade in approximately 10 to 50 days. This is presumably because heat during warming storage deteriorates the color former or / and the developer, and fading is promoted. If the color of the discoloration layer 5 is discriminated visually or with an optical device using the degree of fading as a discrimination index, the total storage period of the heating state can be known. For example, FIG. 2 shows that the color change layer 5 is completely colored with three identical labels at a color development temperature of 120 ° C. and stored at temperatures of 55 ° C., 60 ° C., and 65 ° C., respectively, and the color fading degree of the color change layer 5 with respect to the elapsed days Is shown. In this example, when stored at 55 ° C., the discoloration layer 5 did not fade even after 28 days, and the color (dark blue) at the time of color development remained almost the same, but when stored at 60 ° C., it clearly faded after about 21 days. The discoloration disappeared, and after storage at 65 ° C., the color faded and disappeared after about 14 days. This label 1 can be clearly discriminated visually by color, and is suitable as a product management label for determining the passage of about 3 weeks of products placed under storage at 60 ° C. It can be suitably used as a label. The relationship between the storage temperature and the degree of fading (fading speed) according to the number of days elapsed can be appropriately adjusted by selecting the type of color former and developer or changing the blending ratio of both agents. Further, even for the color change layer 5 having the same composition, the color fading speed can be varied by changing the color development temperature when the color change layer 5 is colored. For example, even in the discoloration layer 5 having the same composition, it was confirmed that the color developed at 120 ° C. and the color developed at 130 ° C. had a faster fading speed even when stored at the same temperature. ing. However, if the composition of the color changing layer 5 is changed, the color development temperature may be faster at 130 ° C.
Therefore, for example, if a plurality of labels 1 having the same composition are prepared, and each of these is colored at different color development temperatures and attached to a product, each storage period for a plurality of storage temperatures can be determined, or the storage period can be determined. It can be determined in stages. Specifically, the color development temperature of label 1 is appropriately adjusted, and three labels that can fade after 2 weeks are prepared and stored on one product under storage at 55 ° C, 60 ° C, and 65 ° C. For example, in the range of 55 ° C. to 65 ° C., it is possible to determine the storage period of 2 weeks, and prepare 3 labels that can fade after 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks under storage at 60 ° C. If attached to a product, this labeled container can be discriminated in a plurality of storage periods step by step under storage at 60 ° C. Of course, it is the same even if the composition of the discoloration layer 5 is appropriately adjusted and a plurality of labels 1 are adhered to the product as described above.

As described above, by looking at the degree of fading of the discoloration layer 5 of the label 1, it is possible to know how many days it has been warmed and stored, so that the manager can appropriately manage the quality of the product. In addition, even if the label 1 is temporarily exposed to a high temperature before or during the warm storage of the product, the irreversible discoloration layer 5 will not be completely recolored. Even if the discoloration layer 5 does not return to the original coloring color and an unexpected high temperature failure occurs, the label 1 (discoloration part) of the present invention can accurately indicate the storage period. Further, since the discoloration layer 5 is discolored by heat during warm storage of the product, it is not necessary to add another chemical or to complicate the structure in order to discolor the discoloration layer 5. The configuration of the (color changing layer 5) is simplified.
Further, when the color changing layer 5 fades, as shown in FIG. 2, the color changing layer corresponding display 4b in the design print layer 4 appears, and the color changing layer corresponding display 4b is visually discriminated from the color changing degree. It can be used as a comparative control. Furthermore, it is preferable to display the display 4b in association with the scheduled color fading date, such as 14th, for example, because the product manager can be aware of the product quality retention period.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the various embodiments described above, and appropriate configurations can be added, substituted, combined, and changed in design within the intended scope of the present invention. Hereinafter, with respect to further modified examples, portions different from those of the above-described embodiments will be mainly described. For similar configurations, terms and drawing numbers may be used, and description thereof may be omitted.
In the label 1 of each of the above embodiments, the adhesive layer 2 is made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, but may be composed of an adhesive such as a heat-sensitive adhesive instead. When a heat-sensitive adhesive is used, for example, the heat generated when the color-changing layer 5 develops the uncolored label 1 is used to activate the heat-sensitive adhesive at the same time as the color-changing layer 5 develops. Can be attached to. Moreover, if the label 1 in which the color-changing layer 5 is not colored is temporarily attached to the heat-shrinkable cylindrical label, and the heat-shrinkable cylindrical label is shrink-mounted, the label of the present invention is generated by the heat at that time. This is a preferred embodiment because it is possible to attach 1 and color change layer 5 simultaneously. Further, when the discoloration layer 5 is colored immediately before the label 1 of the present invention is attached to a product (immediately before the use of the label 1), it is planned as compared with the case where it is stored in a colored state. The degree of fading of the discolored layer 5 can be accurately reproduced. That is, depending on the storage period of the label 1 in the colored state, the color changing layer 5 may be slightly discolored. Therefore, the color changing layer 5 is preferably colored immediately before use.

  Further, in each of the embodiments described above, the color change layer corresponding display 4b has the same color as the color change state of the color change layer 5, but may have a different color. For example, when the discoloration layer 5 is amber, if the discoloration layer corresponding display 4b is set to red or the like, at the start of use, the discoloration of the discoloration layer 5 and the red of the display 4b are merged to become substantially purple, and the discoloration layer 5 fades Accordingly, the color of the discoloration layer corresponding display 4b clearly appears, so that it can be used as a comparison when the degree of fading of the discoloration layer 5 is visually discriminated. Further, in each of the above embodiments, the color change layer corresponding display 4b is provided in a part of the color change layer 5, but is provided in the entire range of the color change layer 5 (the entire surface of the color change layer 5 or the back surface). Also good. In this case, if the color change layer corresponding display 4b is set to a color different from the color of the color change color layer 5 as described above, the color fading of the color change layer 5 that fades with time is hidden by the color of the color change layer corresponding display 4b. Is done. Therefore, since the fading portion of the color changing layer 5 due to fading cannot be seen, it is preferable because it does not give the consumer a dirty feeling. However, in the case where the color change layer corresponding display 4b is provided in the entire range of the color change layer 5 as described above, the display 4b has a color (for example, black or the like) in which only the color change layer corresponding display 4b appears from the start of use. ), The color fading of the color changing layer 5 cannot be visually recognized. Therefore, the color of the color changing layer corresponding display 4b is selected so that the color fading of the color changing layer 5 can be determined.

  Further, the configuration of the label 1 is not limited to that shown in each of the above embodiments. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the second base is formed on the upper layer of the discoloration layer 5 with an adhesive layer 7 interposed therebetween. A label structure in which the material 8 is laminated may be used. In the case of this label 1, for example, by printing a campaign application guide or the like on the second base material 8, it can also be used as a campaign label that the consumer peels off and returns the second base material 8. . Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, if the discoloration layer 5 is provided on the second substrate 8 side separated from the substrate 3, the discoloration layer 5 is collected together with the campaign label. If the color fading degree of the discoloration layer 5 is totaled, it is possible to follow up and investigate how much merchandise is managed in a store or the like. In addition, when the 2nd base material 8 is laminated | stacked so that the discoloration layer 5 may be covered like FIG. 3, in order to be able to visually recognize the discoloration layer 5 from the outside, at least one part of the 2nd base material 8 is used. It is preferable to provide a colorless and transparent portion.

  Moreover, although the management method of goods in each said embodiment attaches the label 1 which has the color-change layer 5 as a means to provide a color-change part to goods, for example, it is externally attached to the trunk | drum of a container, etc. A heat-shrinkable cylindrical label or a stretchable cylindrical label is provided with a color-changing layer containing a color former and a developer, which may be mounted in a container in a colored state, or a means for providing a color-changing portion on a product Is not limited to means for attaching a label. In the case where the color-changing layer is directly provided on the heat-shrinkable cylindrical label, the color-changing layer can be brought into a colored state by using heat at the time of shrink attachment, as described above.

  In the product management label 1, the surface protective layer 6 covering the discoloration layer 5 is not an essential element, but the influence of humidity on the discoloration layer 5 is prevented, and the planned discoloration of the discoloration layer 5 is prevented. Since it can be accurately reproduced, it is preferable that the surface protective layer 6 is provided, and in the label of FIG. 3, the second base material 8 plays the role of moisture prevention.

  In addition, the goods which implement the management method of the present invention are not limited to beverage-filled containers. In addition, it is not limited to usage examples for the purpose of maintaining the quality of products.For example, products that need to be heated and stored at a predetermined temperature during the manufacturing process, for example, placed in a heating state such as sterilization or aging during the manufacturing process. It can also be used to manage the time and date of the merchandise being sold.

(A) is a top view which shows the label for merchandise management of this invention, (b) is an AA line enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view. In (a), the discolored layer is shown in black. The reference figure which shows the fading change of a discoloration layer with storage temperature and elapsed days. (A), (b) is a partially omitted vertical sectional view showing another embodiment of the label.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Product management label, 2 ... Adhesive agent layer, 3 ... Base material, 4 ... Design printing layer, 4a ... Display, 4b ... Display corresponding to discoloration layer, 5 ... Discoloration layer, 6 ... Surface protection layer, 7 ... Adhesion Agent layer, 8 ... second base material

Claims (2)

  A product to be warmed and stored at a predetermined temperature is provided in a state in which a color changing portion containing a color former and a developer is developed, and this product is warmed and stored at a predetermined temperature, and the color of the product varies depending on the degree of fading of the color changing portion. A method for managing a product, characterized by determining a retention period. A label for merchandise management that is affixed to the merchandise to determine the shelf life of the merchandise that has been warmed and stored at a predetermined temperature. A product management label, wherein a color change layer containing a colorant is provided in a colored state, and a storage period of the product can be determined based on a degree of fading of the color change layer.