JP5856250B2 - Barcode indicator for quality control - Google Patents

Description

Reference to Related Application US Pat. No. 7,562,811 (filed on Sep. 10, 2007, entitled “System And Method For Improved Quality Management In A Product Logistic Chain”), International Application No. PCT / IL07 / 000547 (2007) Filed May 6, 2007, entitled “A System And Method For Improved Quality Management In A Product Logistic Chain”), International Application PCT / IL07 / 01411 (filed November 14, 2007, titled “A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators "), international application PCT / IL2008 / 001495 (filed November 13, 2008, titled" A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators "), international application PCT / IL 2008/001494 (filed on November 13, 2008, titled “A System And Method For Quality Management U tilizing Barcode Indicators "), international application PCT / IL2009 / 000503 (filed May 20, 2009, titled" A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators "), US Patent Application No. 12/469309 (Filed on May 20, 2009, titled “A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators”), US Provisional Application No. 61/231799 (filed on August 6, 2009, titled “Barcoded” See Indicators For Quality Management ”). The disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

  Based on 37 CFR 1.78 (a) (1) and (2) (i), international application PCT / IL2009 / 000503 (filed on May 20, 2009, entitled “A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators”). )), And US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309 (filed May 20, 2009, entitled “A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators”), and 37 CFR 1.78 (a ) Based on (4) and (5) (i), US Provisional Patent Application No. 61/231799 (filed Aug. 6, 2009, entitled “Barcoded Indicators For Quality Management”) Insist.

The present invention relates to quality control and indicators useful in quality control.
The following U.S. patent specifications, namely 6758397, 6009400, 6667594, 7157048, 7156597, and RE39226, are generally related to the subject matter of the present invention.

Special table 2001-502794 gazette International Publication No. 2007/129316

  The present invention seeks to provide an improved indicator useful in quality control systems and methods.

  Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bar-coded indicator which serves to indicate in a machine-readable manner that at least one threshold has been exceeded by at least one parameter affecting product quality. 1 barcode and at least a second barcode, wherein at least the first barcode comprises at least a first set of initially uncolored colorable areas including at least one initially uncolorable colorable area. And the first set of colorable areas is located between the bars of the first bar code when the first bar code is in a first bar code readable state prior to exceeding at least one threshold. And at least the second barcode has at least one initially uncolored colorable area and is initially uncolored colored A second bar that appears only when the second bar code is in a second bar code readable state after exceeding at least one threshold. As a result of being located at the bar location of the code, at least the second barcode is in a second barcode unreadable state before at least one threshold is exceeded, and at least the second set is uncolored, A bar code bar that exceeds a single narrow bar code bar is missing from at least the second bar code, and when at least one threshold is exceeded, at least the first bar code comprises at least a colorable area. Become unreadable as a result of the coloration of at least a part of at least one colorable area forming part of the first set; Substantially simultaneously, at least a second bar code will be read as a result of coloring at least a second set consisting of colorable area, bar-coded indicator is provided.

  Preferably, the bar-coded indicator comprises a colorant disposed at a first location on the indicator, a first set of colorable areas for coloring from the first location, and a second set of colorable areas. And a colorant pathway that serves to allow the colorant to move at a rate that is at least partially a function of time.

  In addition, the colorant path serves to allow the colorant to move by diffusing from a first location to a first set of colorable areas and a second set of colorable areas.

  Preferably, the first set of colorable areas continues to be colored after at least one threshold is exceeded.

  Preferably, the at least one threshold includes at least one time threshold.

  Preferably, the at least one threshold includes at least one time and temperature threshold.

  Preferably, the quality indicator serves to indicate that several different thresholds have been exceeded.

  Preferably, at least one colorable area forming part of one of the first set of colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas has a width of a single narrow barcode bar. doing.

  Preferably, the colorable areas forming at least one portion of the first set of colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas are colored sequentially.

  Preferably, at least one of the first set of colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas includes at least two colorable areas. In addition, each of the first set of colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas includes at least two colorable areas.

  Preferably, the bar code indicator further comprises at least a third bar code, at least the third bar code comprising at least one initially uncolored colorable area comprising at least an initially uncolored colorable area. A third set of colorable areas of the third barcode that appears only when the third barcode is in a third barcode readable state after exceeding at least one additional threshold. Located at the bar location, at least the third bar code is in a third bar code unreadable state before at least one additional threshold is exceeded, and the third set of colorable areas is uncolored As a result, barcode bars above a single narrow barcode bar are missing from at least the third barcode, and less The second barcode also includes at least a fourth set of initially uncolored colorable areas including at least one initially uncolored colorable area, wherein the fourth set of colorable areas comprises a second Located at a location between at least a second bar code bar when the bar code is in a second bar code readable state prior to exceeding at least one additional threshold, and at least one additional Beyond the threshold, at least the second barcode becomes unreadable as a result of the coloration of at least a portion of the at least one colorable area that forms part of at least the fourth set of colorable areas, and at about the same time, At least the third barcode is readable as a result of coloring at least a third set of colorable areas.

  The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of an example quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of an example quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of an example quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of an example quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of an example quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of an example quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of an example quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of an example quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of an example quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of an example quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of an example quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of another example of a quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of another example of a quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of another example of a quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of another example of a quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of another example of a quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of another example of a quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of another example of a quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of another example of a quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of another example of a quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of another example of a quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history. FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of another example of a quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in a temperature history.

  The present invention provides a variable barcoded indicator that serves to indicate readable, preferably readable by a barcode reader, that at least one threshold has been exceeded by at least one parameter affecting product quality. .

  A barcode reader that serves to read the barcode indicator and provide an output indication, and an instruction interpreter corresponding to the type of product that serves to receive the output indication and provide a human-perceivable product quality status output , US Pat. No. 7,562,811, and pamphlets of International Publication Nos. 2007/129316, 2008/135962, 2009/063464, and 2009/063465.

  The term “bar code” is used herein to refer to a machine readable optical code. In the examples herein, linear or one-dimensional barcodes are shown. It will be appreciated that the present invention is applicable to two-dimensional barcodes.

  Each barcode standard includes rules that govern the proper reading of the barcode. A typical barcode includes a start indicia that represents the beginning of the barcode, a stop indicia that represents the end of the barcode, and a digital indicia that represents the digits located between them. It is out. Each digit of the bar code is represented by a series of bars and spaces, each having a predetermined width. For example, in the interleaved 2 of 5 barcode standard, each digit is represented by two wide bars and three narrow bars. The UPC and EAN 128 barcode standards include a central indicia and have different rules for indicating digits on both sides of the central indicia. In addition, some bar code standards employ checksum digits. The checksum digit is calculated according to a mathematical formula based on the bar code symbol digit and is used as a control for the validity of the bar code.

  Thus, a readable bar code can be made unreadable in several different ways. For example, the series of bars forming the start or stop indicia can be changed by adding or deleting bars or spaces, or by changing their width. Such a change can prevent the bar code reader from recognizing the beginning or end of the bar code symbol so that the bar code is unreadable.

  Another possibility is that by adding or removing digital indicia, or by changing its width, a series of bars and spaces that represent a single digit no longer replace the digit according to the adopted standard. It is not shown. Yet another possibility is to make the above changes to a series of one or more bars and spaces that represent a single digit, so that different digits are shown after the change, and a checksum that includes the modified digit. The calculation of the digit results in a checksum digit that is different from the checksum digit indicated in the barcode, thereby making the barcode invalid. Similar changes can be made to the bar indicating the checksum digit itself, resulting in an invalid bar code.

  Similarly, unreadable barcodes can be made readable by adding or removing bars or spaces, or by changing their width. For example, in order to properly form a start or stop indicia, the bar forming the start or stop indicia in a barcode that is not properly marked with a start or end may be modified as described above.

  Similarly, a series of unreadable bars can be made to indicate digits by adding or removing bars or spaces, or by changing their width. For example, according to the interleaved 2 of 5 barcode standard, each digit is represented by two wide bars and three narrow bars. For example, when a readable bar code is made unreadable by changing a wide bar to a narrow bar, the bar code can be made readable by changing the narrow bar to a wide bar. Similarly, if the checksum digit is unreadable because it does not match another bar code digit, the bar code can be changed by changing one of the digits or the bar indicating the checksum digit as described above. Effectiveness can be restored.

  The quality indicator may incorporate a product code, such as an EAN (European Article Number) or UPC code (Universal product Code). The examples shown in the following description illustrate the use of EAN codes. Alternatively, the quality indicator may incorporate an interleaved 2 of 5 barcode, or any other suitable barcode or readable method. A bar of a one-dimensional barcode corresponds to a cell of a data matrix two-dimensional barcode, and instead of the “start” and “stop” indicia of the one-dimensional barcode, two adjacent ones that define a “finder pattern” It will be appreciated that boundaries are used within the data matrix two-dimensional barcode to place and position symbols.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the quality indicator includes a bar code that conforms to the GS1 (General Specifications) standard outlined at www.gs1.org. According to the GS1 standard, the three leftmost digits are usually assigned to a country. In Israel, the leftmost seven, nine, or ten digits, including the country code, represent the supplier's code, and the remaining rightmost digit is used by the respective supplier. For example, as seen in the illustrated embodiment of the present application, the leftmost three digits are 729, and the GS1 country code is assigned to Israel. The 10 leftmost digits, including the country code, represent the supplier's code, the 3 rightmost digits can be changed by the supplier, and their combination is used in this application to indicate that the threshold has been exceeded. Used in.

  Applicant's US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309, filed May 20, 2009, discloses a quality indicator intended to present a single readable bar code almost anytime. Has been.

  The term “almost anytime” as defined in this application means all times except the shortest possible time.

  The term “substantially simultaneously” as defined in this application means within a short period of time.

  Preferably, in normal operation, a short period means a time of less than 15 minutes.

  The quality indicator of US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309 includes at least two variable barcodes, for example, a first barcode and a second barcode, preferably arranged in a stack. Each of the at least two variable barcodes includes at least one colorable area and has at least two visible states. One of the colorable areas in the first barcode serves to be colored or uncolored simultaneously with one of the colorable areas of the second barcode. Colored or uncolored occurs, for example, when the time at the temperature threshold is exceeded.

  In US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309, a group of colorable areas that serve to be colored or uncolored simultaneously is referred to as a colorable common area.

  According to the embodiment disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309, page 14, paragraph [0051], the colorable common area forming part of the first and second barcodes in the quality indicator is colored. By doing so, the visible state of the first barcode, which is initially readable, becomes unreadable, and at the same time, the visible state of the second barcode, which is initially unreadable, becomes readable. Thus, the quality indicator of US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309 presents a single readable bar code both before and after the threshold is exceeded.

  The colorable common area disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309 preferably includes a single colorable area per barcode and preferably has a single barcode bar width. Accordingly, the difference between the bar code readable state and the non-readable state disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309 is preferably a single bar code bar.

  Problems may arise if a barcode is read by a barcode reader when the barcode is in an unreadable state. The more similar the bar code unreadable state is to the readable state, the higher the probability that the unreadable bar code will be misread by the bar code reader. If the barcode reader misreads the first or second barcode in the quality indicator of US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309 when the barcode is in an unreadable state, the barcode reader will There is a risk of reading bar codes that present sensitive information. This problem may occur in the following situation in connection with the embodiment disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309, page 14, paragraph [0051].

  In the first situation, a second barcode that is unreadable before the threshold is exceeded is misread by the barcode reader even though the colorable common area is not yet colored. At the same time, the first barcode remains readable because the first barcode becomes unreadable only when the colorable common area is colored. As a result, by reading the unreadable second barcode, the barcode reader reads the barcode that presents inaccurate information.

  In the second situation, the first bar code that can be read before the threshold is exceeded, but the colorable common area is colored and the first bar code cannot be read, even after the threshold is exceeded. It is still misread by the barcode reader. At the same time, the second barcode can be read by the coloration effect of the colorable common area. As a result, by reading the unreadable first barcode, the barcode reader reads the barcode that presents inaccurate information.

  A group of colorable areas that serve to be colored or uncolored simultaneously, corresponding to the colorable common areas disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. This is called a possible area.

  The common colorable area preferably has the width of a single narrow barcode bar. Alternatively, the common colorable area is wider than a single narrow barcode bar.

  This application provides an improvement to the quality indicator described in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. This improvement alleviates the above problem by including, in addition to the common colorable area, preferably a set of at least one additional colorable area as a barcode part.

  Each set of additional colorable areas, hereinafter referred to as additional colorable areas, preferably includes at least one colorable area and forms part of a single barcode, and this set is It is configured to reduce the bar code readability level of the bar code that forms part of it. Preferably, the additional colorable area includes two or more colorable areas. Alternatively, the additional colorable area includes a single colorable area.

  The phrase “barcode readability level” or “BCR level” for an unreadable barcode reflects the likelihood that the barcode reader will misread the barcode when the barcode is in an unreadable state. Therefore, an unreadable barcode with a low BCR level is less likely to be misread by the barcode reader.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the first situation, the additional colorable area initially forms a part of the second barcode that is unreadable, and is initially a collection of uncolorable colorable areas. Is included. The set of initially uncolorable colorable areas is preferably located at the location of the barcode bar that appears in the second barcode that is readable. As a result, a barcode bar that exceeds a single narrow barcode bar is missing from the second barcode. As a result of the lack of a bar code bar that exceeds a single narrow bar code bar, the BCR level of the unreadable second bar code is reduced and described in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. It will be appreciated that the BCR level of an unreadable second barcode lacking only a single narrow barcode bar will be lower.

  Preferably, the phrase “bar code bar above a single narrow bar code bar” means above one bar code bar, said bar code bar being narrow or wide. Alternatively, the phrase “barcode bar above a single narrow barcode bar” means a barcode bar that exceeds a portion of a wide barcode bar, where the “part” is a narrow bar. It is the same width as the code bar.

  It will be appreciated that the barcode bar portion may be missing as a result of the set of colorable areas not being colored.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, in the second situation, the additional colorable area initially forms part of the first readable barcode and is initially uncolorable colorable area. Contains a set of Initially, the set of uncolored colorable areas is suitably positioned within the space between the barcode bars that form part of the first barcode that is readable, and when uncolored, the first bar It does not interfere with the readability of the code.

  Preferably, after the threshold is exceeded, the colorable areas forming part of the common colorable area and the additional colorable area become colored, which makes the first barcode unreadable. As a result of the additional colorable areas being colored, multiple spaces between the bars of the first barcode are filled, thereby reducing the BCR level of the first barcode and US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. Unreadable state of the first barcode described in the specification, ie, unreadable of the first barcode having a space that is only filled with the width of a single barcode bar in relation to the readable state It becomes lower than the BCR level of the state.

  It will be appreciated that instead of multiple spaces becoming filled between the bars of the first barcode, a single space wider than a single narrow barcode bar may be filled. Like.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-2K, the colorable areas that form part of the additional colorable area and the common colorable area are colored sequentially. Alternatively, the colorable areas that form part of the additional colorable area and the common colorable area are colored substantially simultaneously.

  It will be appreciated that the plurality of spaces between barcode bars that are filled as a result of the coloration of the set of colorable areas can include partially filled spaces.

  It will be appreciated that instead of being initially uncolored and colored, the colorable area is initially colored and may be uncolored.

  Preferably, as the colorable area is colored, a bar code bar or part thereof appears and the space between the bar code or part of the bar code becomes filled. Alternatively, as the colorable area is colored, the barcode bars or portions thereof disappear, and spaces or portions of spaces are formed between the barcode bars.

  It will further be appreciated that the quality indicator may serve to indicate an overrun only after activation. Alternatively, as shown in the description and drawings of the present application, the quality indicator may serve to indicate an excess without activation.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the barcodes forming part of the quality indicator can each indicate an arbitrary number or alphanumeric string. In addition or in the alternative, the bar codes forming part of the quality indicator may be, for example, EAN, UPC, interleaved 2 of 5, code 39, code 39 extended, code 93, code 93 extended, code 128 Any suitable bar code standard can be followed, including codes 128A, B and C, ISBN, Code bar and Data Matrix. Thus, different barcodes that form part of the same quality indicator can follow different barcode standards. For example, the quality indicator may include a first barcode according to the EAN 13 standard and a second barcode according to the interleaved 2 of 5 standard. As a result, if the checkout scanner's bar code reader only works to read the EAN13 bar code standard and then the first bar code becomes unreadable, the indicator will no longer present the readable bar code to the checkout scanner. There is no. However, the indicator can still be read by a bar code reader that serves to read the interleaved 2 of 5 standard.

  Reference is now made to FIGS. Both of these figures are simplified illustrations of the structure and operation of one embodiment of a quality indicator for indicating a combination of elapsed time and temperature. The quality indicator described in FIGS. 1A-1K serves to separately indicate that at two temperatures of at least 21 ° C., two different durations have been exceeded, namely 1 hour and 3 and a half hours.

  In each of FIGS. 1A-1K, the quality indicator 100 is shown in both an exploded view in the upper left part of the drawing and a plan view in the lower left part of the drawing.

  As can be seen in the exploded views shown in FIGS. 1A-1K, the quality indicator shown here by reference numeral 100 preferably includes a barcode forming layer 102. The barcode forming layer 102 is preferably printed on a transparent substrate. Printing on the transparent substrate is preferably a plurality of background areas 103 printed with black ink and overprinted with white ink, and a plurality of barcode portions I, II, and III, preferably printed with black ink. No. 104 and, for example, Pantone No. A plurality of transparent areas 105 printed with light blue ink, such as 645, having a visual appearance similar to black ink overprinted with white ink. In the alternative, the background area 103 and the plurality of bars 104 are printed in a color that creates a high contrast between them.

  For purposes of this specification and the claims, the phrase “transparent area” is defined to include within its scope an area that is transparent or translucent.

  The barcodes I, II and III are preferably arranged in a stack, and the transparent area 105 is preferably a portion of six regions, namely a common colorable region 110 forming a portion of barcodes I and II; An additional colorable region 111 forming part of barcode I, an additional colorable region 112 forming part of barcode II, a common colorable region 113 forming part of barcodes II and III, and a bar It forms six regions, an additional colorable region 114 that forms part of Code II and an additional colorable region 115 that forms part of Barcode III.

  It will be appreciated that the barcodes I, II and III need not be positioned on the indicator in any particular order.

  It will also be appreciated that the space appearing between barcode I and barcode II and between barcode II and barcode III in FIGS. 1A-1K may be removed.

  Preferably, the common colorable region 110 includes two transparent areas, a transparent area 116 that forms part of the barcode I and a transparent area 117 that forms part of the barcode II.

  Preferably, the common colorable region 113 includes two transparent areas, a transparent area 118 that forms part of the barcode II and a transparent area 119 that forms part of the barcode III.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1K, an additional colorable region 111 forming part of the barcode I appears on the right side of the transparent area 116. The transparent area 116 and the transparent area 105 forming part of the additional colorable area 111 are preferably positioned in the space between the barcode bars forming the part of the barcode I in a readable state. Bar code I in the readable state is indicated by reference numeral 140 in the plan view of FIG. 1A.

  For purposes of the following description, the transparent area 105 that forms part of the additional colorable region 111 is classified into two multiple transparent areas, namely 121 and 122, as shown in FIGS. .

  According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1K, the additional colorable region 112 forming part of the barcode II appears on the left side of the transparent area 117. The transparent area 117 and the transparent area 105 forming part of the additional colorable area 112 are positioned at the bar location that appears when the barcode II is in its readable state. Barcode II in the readable state is indicated by reference numeral 163 in FIG. 1E.

  For the purposes of the following description, the transparent area 105 that forms part of the additional colorable region 112 is classified into two transparent areas 124 and 125 as shown in FIGS.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1K, an additional colorable area 114 forming part of the barcode II appears on the right side of the transparent area 118. The transparent area 118 and the transparent area 105 forming part of the additional colorable area 114 are preferably positioned in the space between the barcode bars forming part of the barcode II in the readable state. Bar code II in the readable state is indicated by reference numeral 163 in FIG. 1E.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1K, an additional colorable region 115 forming part of the bar code III appears on the left side of the transparent area 119. The transparent area 119 and the transparent area 105 forming part of the additional colorable area 115 are positioned at the bar location that appears when the bar code III is in its readable state. Barcode III in the readable state is indicated by reference numeral 175 in FIG. 1J.

  Behind the barcode forming layer 102 is a colorable element 130, such as Whatman No., commercially available from Whatman International. Three filter papers [CAT #: 1003917] are placed and preferably attached to the barcode forming layer 102. The element is usually white until colored. The colorable element 130 preferably extends behind the common colorable regions 110 and 113 and the additional colorable regions 111, 112, 114 and 115.

  A back layer 135 is provided behind the barcode forming layer 102 and behind the colorable element 130. Preferably, the back layer 135 has a temperature-responsive coloring element 136, such as a pad, behind the colorable element 130, such as Noam-Urim of Kibbutz Urim Israel. Commercially available KR; 210/34/28 is attached, and the pad was dissolved in a ratio of 1 gram per kg in coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8], for example It is impregnated with a colorant such as Sudan Black's black pigment [CAS: 4197-25-5].

  Referring now to FIG. 1A, as is apparent from the plan view, barcode I is initially in a readable state indicated by reference numeral 140. Barcode I can be read as 7290003804115 by a barcode reader, and barcodes II and III are in an unreadable state indicated by reference numerals 141 and 142, respectively.

  As is apparent from the exploded view of FIG. 1A, the transparent area 117 and the transparent area 105 that forms part of the additional colorable region 112 that forms part of the barcode II are initially uncolored. As a result, as seen in the plan view, the plurality of bars that appear when barcode II is in its readable state are missing from barcode II. As a result of the lack of multiple barcode bars, the BCR level of barcode II in the initial unreadable state 141 is the unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309, for example a single US Patent Application No. 12/469309, which lacks only a narrow bar code bar, is lower than the bar codes II, III, and IV of FIG. 4A.

  As is apparent from the exploded view of FIG. 1A, the transparent area 119 and the additional colorable region 115 forming part of the barcode III are initially uncolored. As a result, as seen in the plan view, the plurality of bars that appear when the barcode III is in its readable state are missing from the barcode III. As a result of the lack of multiple barcode bars, the BCR level of barcode III in the initial unreadable state 142 is the unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309, for example a single US Patent Application No. 12/469309, which lacks only a narrow bar code bar, is lower than the bar codes II, III, and IV of FIG. 4A.

  As a result, the probability that the barcode reader will read the unreadable barcode II or III in its current state is lower than the probability of reading the unreadable barcode in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309.

  Referring to FIG. 1B, as is apparent from the exploded view, when the temperature in the quality indicator exceeds 21 ° C., for example 25 ° C., the colorant indicated by reference numeral 150 begins to melt and from the coloring element 136 It begins to be released and begins to diffuse through the colorable element 130. The colored portion of the colorable element 130 is not visible through the plurality of transparent areas 105 and, as is apparent from the plan view, the barcodes I, II and III remain unchanged.

  Referring to FIG. 1C, as is apparent from the exploded view, the colorant 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130 after a predetermined amount of time at 25 ° C., for example after 30 minutes. As a result, the portion of the colorable element 130 can be seen through a plurality of transparent areas indicated by reference numeral 124, so that, as is apparent from the plan view, by reference numeral 152 forming part of the barcode II. The indicated bars appear. Barcode I remains in readable state 140, barcode III remains in unreadable state 142, and the changed unreadable state of barcode II is indicated by reference numeral 153.

  The barcode bar that appears at the location of the transparent area 117 and the plurality of transparent areas 125 when the barcode II is in a readable state indicated by reference numeral 163 in FIG. 1E is still missing from the barcode II. As a result of this lack of multiple barcode bars, the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 153 is the BCR of the unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. Still lower than level.

  As a result, the probability that the barcode reader will read the unreadable barcode II or III in its current state is still lower than the probability of reading the unreadable barcode in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309.

  As can be seen from the top views of FIGS. 1B and 1C, fewer barcode bars are missing when the barcode II is in the unreadable state 153 than when it is in the unreadable state 141. Therefore, it can be seen that the BCR level of the barcode II in the unreadable state 153 is higher than the BCR level of the barcode II in the unreadable state 141.

  Referring to FIG. 1D, as is apparent from the exploded view, the colorant 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130 after an additional amount of time at 25 ° C., for example after an additional 25 minutes. As a result, the portion of the colorable element 130 can be seen through a plurality of transparent areas indicated by reference numeral 125, so that, as is apparent from the plan view, a further plurality of bars forming part of the barcode II. 154 appears. Barcode I remains in readable state 140, barcode III remains in unreadable state 142, and the changed unreadable state of barcode II is indicated by reference numeral 155. Only a single narrow barcode bar that appears at the location of transparent area 117 when barcode II is in the readable state indicated by reference numeral 163 in FIG. 1E is still missing from barcode II and The bar code bar that is present makes bar code II in state 155 unreadable.

  Since only a single narrow barcode bar is missing in the unreadable state 155, the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 155 is the bar in the unreadable states 141 and 153 described in FIGS. It will be appreciated that it is higher than Code II. The BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 155 is an unreadable barcode as described in US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309, such as the bar of FIG. 4A of US patent application Ser. It will be further understood that the BCR levels of codes II, III and IV are similar.

  Referring to FIG. 1E, as is apparent from the exploded view, when the threshold is exceeded by the temperature in the indicator being at least 21 ° C. for at least a predetermined amount of accumulation time, eg, 25 ° C. for a total of at least 1 hour, The agent 150 diffuses through the colorable element 130 so that a portion of the colorable element 130 is visible through the common colorable region 110 including the transparent areas indicated by reference numerals 116 and 117.

  As a result of the visible portion of the colorable element 130 being visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 116, the space indicated by reference numeral 160 located between the bars of bar code I in a readable state is filled, thereby As apparent from the plan view, the barcode I is caused to exhibit an unreadable state 161.

  As a result of the visible portion of the colorable element 130 being visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 117, a single narrow barcode bar indicated by reference numeral 162 appears in barcode II, thereby creating a top view. As can be seen from the above, the bar code II is brought to a readable state 163. Barcode II can typically be read as 72938044139 by a barcode reader.

  Since the space preferably having the width of a single narrow barcode bar located between the barcode I bars in the readable state is filled, the BCR level of barcode I in the unreadable state 161 is It will be appreciated that the barcode II BCR level in the unreadable state 155 described in 1D is as high. The BCR level of barcode I in the unreadable state 161 is the unreadable barcode described in US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309, for example, the bar of FIG. 4E of US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309. It will be further appreciated that the BCR levels of codes I, II and III are similar.

  Referring to FIG. 1F, as is apparent from the exploded view, the colorant 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130 if the temperature is at least 21 ° C. for a further amount of time, for example 25 ° C. for an additional 30 minutes, A portion of the possible element 130 is visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 121. As a result, a plurality of spaces indicated by reference numeral 165 located between the bars of barcode I in the readable state are filled as seen in the plan view. Barcode II remains in readable state 163, barcode III remains in unreadable state 142, and barcode I exhibits a further unreadable state indicated by reference numeral 166. As a result of the coloration of the plurality of spaces 165, the BCR level of barcode I in the unreadable state 166 is reduced to be lower than the BCR level of the unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309. Lower.

  As a result, the probability that the barcode reader will read the unreadable barcode I or III in that state is lower than the probability of reading the unreadable barcode in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309.

  As is apparent from the plan views of FIGS. 1E and 1F, more space is filled between the bars of barcode I in the unreadable state 166 than in the unreadable state 161. Accordingly, it can be seen that the BCR level of the barcode I is lower in the unreadable state 166 than in the unreadable state 161.

  Referring to FIG. 1G, as is apparent from the exploded view, the colorant 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130 if the temperature is at least 21 ° C. for an additional amount of time, for example 25 ° C. for an additional 30 minutes, A portion of the possible element 130 is visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 122. As a result, the additional spaces indicated by reference numeral 167 located between the bars of bar code I in the readable state appear colored as seen in the plan view. Barcode II remains in readable state 163, barcode III remains in unreadable state 142, and barcode I exhibits a further unreadable state 168. As a result of the additional coloration of the spaces 167, the BCR level of the barcode I in the unreadable state 168 is further reduced to the BCR level of the unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309. Keeps getting lower than.

  As a result, the probability that the barcode reader will read the unreadable barcode I or III in that state is lower than the probability of reading the unreadable barcode in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309.

  As is apparent from the plan views of FIGS. 1F and 1G, more space is filled between the barcode I barcode bars in the unreadable state 166 than in the unreadable state 166. Accordingly, the BCR level of barcode I is lower in the unreadable state 168 than in the unreadable state 166.

  Referring to FIG. 1H, as is apparent from the exploded view, the colorant 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130 if the temperature is at least 21 ° C. over a further amount of time, for example 25 ° C. over an additional hour. Further colored portions of the colorable element 130 are not visible through the plurality of transparent areas 105, and the barcodes I, II and III remain unchanged as is apparent from the plan view.

  As can be seen in the exploded view of FIG. 1H, the transparent area 119 and the additional colorable regions 115 forming part of the bar code III remain uncolored. As a result, as can be seen from the plan view, the bars that appear when barcode III is in the readable state indicated by reference numeral 175 in FIG. 1J are still missing from barcode III. As a result of the lack of multiple barcode bars, the BCR level of barcode III in the unreadable state 142 may be an unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309, for example a single barcode. Lower than barcodes II, III and IV in FIG. 4A of US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309, which lacks only a narrow barcode bar.

  As a result, the probability that a barcode reader will read unreadable barcodes I or III in their current unreadable state is greater than the probability of reading an unreadable barcode in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. Low.

  Referring to FIG. 1I, as is apparent from the exploded view, after an additional amount of time has elapsed at 25 ° C., for example after an additional 25 minutes, the colorant 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130. As a result, a portion of the colorable element 130 can be seen through a plurality of transparent areas 105 that form part of an additional colorable region indicated by reference numeral 115, so that, as is apparent from the plan view, A plurality of bars 170 appear forming the bar code III portion. Barcode I remains in the unreadable state 168, barcode II remains in the readable state 163, and the changed unreadable state of barcode III is indicated by reference numeral 171. The portion of the barcode bar that appears at the location of the transparent area 119 when the barcode III is readable, only a portion having the width of a single narrow barcode bar is still from barcode III. The missing and part of the missing barcode bar renders barcode III in state 171 unreadable.

  Since only a portion of the barcode bar having the width of a single narrow barcode bar is missing in the unreadable state 171, the BCR level of barcode III in the unreadable state 171 is shown in FIG. It will be appreciated that it is higher than the Barcode III BCR level in the unreadable state 142 described in ~ 1H. The BCR level of barcode III in the unreadable state 171 is the unreadable barcode described in US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309, such as the bar of FIG. 4A of US patent application Ser. It will be further appreciated that the BCR levels for codes II, III, and IV are as high.

  Referring to FIG. 1J, as is apparent from the exploded view, the threshold is exceeded by the temperature in the indicator being at least 21 ° C. over at least a second predetermined accumulation time amount, eg, 25 ° C. over a total of at least 3 and a half hours. The colorant 150 diffuses through the colorable element 130 such that a portion of the colorable element 130 is visible through the common colorable region 113 including the transparent areas indicated by reference numerals 118 and 119.

  The portion of the colorable element 130 visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 118 results in the filling of the space indicated by reference numeral 172 disposed between the bars of bar code II in a readable state. Thus, as is apparent from the plan view, the barcode II is brought into the unreadable state 173.

  The portion of the colorable element 130 visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 119 results in a portion of the bar code indicated by reference numeral 174 having a single narrow bar code bar width being bar code III. Appears within. As a result, the bar code III exhibits a readable state 175, as is apparent from the plan view. Barcode III is typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804122.

  Since the space preferably having the width of a single narrow barcode bar located between the barcode II bars in the readable state is filled, the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 173 is It will be appreciated that the barcode III BCR level in the unreadable state 171 described in 1I is as high. The BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 173 is an unreadable barcode as described in US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309, for example, barcode I in FIG. 4E of US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309. It will be further understood that the BCR levels of II, III and III are similar.

  Referring to FIG. 1K, as is apparent from the exploded view, the colorant 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130 if the temperature is at least 21 ° C. for an additional amount of time, for example 25 ° C. for an additional 30 minutes. A portion of the possible element 130 is visible through the transparent area 105 forming a portion of the additional colorable region indicated by reference numeral 114. As a result, a plurality of spaces 176 located between the bars of bar code II in a readable state are filled as seen in the plan view. Barcode I remains in an unreadable state 168, barcode III remains in a readable state 175, and barcode II exhibits a further unreadable state indicated by reference numeral 177. By filling multiple spaces 176, the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 177 is reduced, and the BCR of the unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309. Lower than level.

  As a result, the probability that a barcode reader will read an unreadable barcode I or II in their current unreadable state is greater than the probability of reading an unreadable barcode in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. Low.

  As can be seen from the plan views of FIGS. 1J and 1K, more space is filled between the barcode bars of the barcode II in the unreadable state 173 than in the unreadable state 173. Accordingly, the BCR level of barcode II is lower in the unreadable state 177 than in the unreadable state 173.

  It will be appreciated that when the temperature drops below 21 ° C., the colorant 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130. If the temperature drops below 17 ° C. after the temperature has reached 21 ° C., the colorant 150 becomes solid and diffusion through the colorable element 130 is suspended until the temperature reaches 21 ° C. again. The

  Reference is now made to FIGS. Both of these figures are simplified illustrations of the structure and operation of one embodiment of a quality indicator for indicating a combination of elapsed time and temperature. The quality indicators described in FIGS. 2A-2K serve to indicate separately that two different temperatures have been exceeded, i.e., 12 ° C. and 21 ° C., for a duration of at least 1 hour at each temperature.

  In each of FIGS. 2A-2K, the quality indicator 200 is shown both in an exploded view in the upper left part of the drawing and in a plan view in the lower right part of the drawing.

  As can be seen in the exploded views shown in FIGS. 2A-2K, the quality indicator indicated here by reference numeral 200 preferably includes a barcode forming layer 202. The barcode forming layer 202 is preferably printed on a transparent substrate. The printing on the transparent substrate is preferably a background area 203 printed with black ink and overprinted with white ink, and a plurality of barcode portions IV, V, and VI preferably printed with black ink. Bar 204, and preferably Pantone No. A plurality of transparent areas 205 printed with light blue ink, such as 645, having a visual appearance similar to, for example, black ink overprinted with white ink. In the alternative, the background area 203 and the bars 204 are printed in a color that creates a high contrast between them.

  The barcodes IV, V and VI are preferably arranged in a stack, and the transparent area 205 is preferably a portion of six regions, namely a common colorable region 210 forming a portion of barcodes IV and V; An additional colorable region 211 forming part of barcode IV, an additional colorable region 212 forming part of barcode V, a common colorable region 213 forming parts of barcodes V and VI, and a bar Six additional colorable areas 214 forming part of code V and additional colorable area 215 forming part of bar code VI are formed.

  It will be appreciated that the barcodes IV, V and VI need not be positioned on the indicator in any particular order.

  It will also be appreciated that the space appearing between bar code IV and bar code V and between bar code V and bar code VI of FIGS. 2A-2K may be removed.

  Preferably, the common colorable region 210 includes two transparent areas, a transparent area 216 that forms part of the barcode IV and a transparent area 217 that forms part of the barcode V.

  Preferably, the common colorable region 213 includes two transparent areas, a transparent area 218 that forms part of the bar code V and a transparent area 219 that forms part of the bar code VI.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2K, an additional colorable region 211 forming part of the barcode IV appears on the right side of the transparent area 216. The transparent area 216 and the transparent area 205 forming part of the additional colorable area 211 are preferably positioned in the space between the barcode bars forming the part of the bar code IV in a readable state. The bar code IV in the readable state is indicated by reference numeral 240 in the plan view of FIG. 2A.

  For the purposes of the following description, the transparent area 205 that forms part of the additional colorable region 211 is classified into two transparent areas 221 and 222 as shown in FIGS.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2K, an additional colorable region 212 forming part of the barcode V appears on the left side of the transparent area 217. The transparent area 217 and the transparent area 205 forming part of the additional colorable area 212 are positioned at the bar location that appears when the barcode V is in its readable state. The barcode V in the readable state is indicated by reference numeral 263 in FIG. 2E.

  For the purposes of the following description, the transparent area 205 that forms part of the additional colorable region 212 is classified into two transparent areas 224 and 225 as shown in FIGS.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2K, an additional colorable region 214 forming part of the barcode V appears on the left side of the transparent area 218. The transparent area 218 and the transparent area 205 forming part of the additional colorable area 214 are preferably positioned in the space between the barcode bars forming the part of the barcode V in the readable state. The barcode V in the readable state is indicated by reference numeral 263 in FIG. 2E.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2K, an additional colorable area 215 forming part of the barcode VI appears on the right side of the transparent area 219. The transparent area 219 and the transparent area 205 that forms part of the additional colorable area 215 are positioned at the location of the bar that appears when the barcode VI is in its readable state. The barcode VI in the readable state is indicated by reference numeral 275 in FIG. 2J.

  Behind the barcode forming layer 202 is a colorable element 230, such as Whatman No., commercially available from Whatman International. Three filter papers [CAT #: 100003917] are placed and preferably attached to the barcode forming layer 202. This colorable element 230 is usually white until colored. The colorable element 230 preferably extends behind the common colorable region 210 and the additional colorable regions 211 and 212.

  Also behind the barcode forming layer 202 is an additional colorable element 232, such as Whatman No., commercially available from Whatman International. Three filter papers [CAT #: 100003917] are also disposed and preferably attached to the barcode forming layer 202. This colorable element 232 is usually white until colored. The colorable element 232 is preferably adjacent to the colorable element 230 and preferably extends behind the common colorable area 213 and the additional colorable areas 214 and 215.

  Instead of including two separate colorable elements, the indicator according to the invention may also include a single colorable element separated into two parts by a separator formed from an ink impermeable material, for example varnish. It will be understood that it can be done.

  A back layer 235 is disposed behind the barcode forming layer 202 and behind the colorable elements 230 and 232.

  Preferably, the back layer 235 has a temperature-responsive coloring element 236, such as a pad, for example, Noam-Urim of Kibbutz Urim Israel, behind the colorable element 230. Commercially available KR; 210/34/28 attached, the pad comprising 74.25% coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8], 24.75% oleic acid [CAS : 112-80-1] and 1% hexanoic acid [CAS: 142-62-1] dissolved in a ratio of 1 gram per kg, for example, Sudan Black black pigment [CAS: 4197- 25-5] and impregnated with a colorant.

  Preferably, the back layer 235 also has a temperature-responsive coloring element 238, such as a pad, for example Noam-Urim of Kibbutz Urim Israel, behind the colorable element 232. ); Commercially available KR; 210/34/28, and the pad was dissolved in a ratio of 1 gram per kg in coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8] For example, it is impregnated with a colorant such as Sudan Black's black pigment [CAS: 4197-25-5].

  Referring now to FIG. 2A, as is apparent from the plan view, barcode IV is initially in a readable state indicated by reference numeral 240. Barcode IV can be read by a barcode reader as 7290003804115, and barcodes V and VI are in an unreadable state indicated by reference numerals 241 and 242, respectively.

  As is apparent from the exploded view of FIG. 2A, the transparent area 217 and the transparent area 205 forming the portion of the additional colorable region 212 forming the portion of the barcode V are initially uncolored. As a result, as seen in the plan view, the plurality of bars that appear when the barcode V is in its readable state are missing from the barcode V. As a result of the lack of multiple barcode bars, the BCR level of barcode V in the initial unreadable state 241 is the unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309, for example a single barcode. US Patent Application No. 12/469309, which lacks only a narrow bar code bar, is lower than the bar codes II, III, and IV of FIG. 4A.

  As can be seen from the exploded view of FIG. 2A, the transparent area 219 and the additional colorable region 215 forming part of the barcode VI are initially uncolored. As a result, as seen in the plan view, the plurality of bars that appear when the barcode VI is in its readable state are missing from the barcode VI. As a result of the lack of a plurality of barcode bars, the BCR level of barcode VI in the initial unreadable state 242 is the unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309, for example a single barcode. US Patent Application No. 12/469309, which lacks only a narrow bar code bar, is lower than the bar codes II, III, and IV of FIG. 4A.

  As a result, the probability that a barcode reader will read an unreadable barcode V or VI in their current unreadable state is greater than the probability of reading an unreadable barcode in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. Low.

  Referring to FIG. 2B, as is apparent from the exploded view, when the temperature in the quality indicator exceeds 12 ° C., for example when the temperature reaches 15 ° C., the colorant indicated by reference numeral 250 begins to melt and the coloring element It begins to be released from 236 and begins to diffuse through the colorable element 230. The colored portion of the colorable element 230 is not visible through the plurality of transparent areas 205 and, as is apparent from the plan view, the barcodes IV, V and VI remain unchanged.

  Referring to FIG. 2C, as is apparent from the exploded view, the colorant 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230 after a predetermined amount of time at 15 ° C., for example after 30 minutes. As a result, the portion of the colorable element 230 can be seen through a plurality of transparent areas indicated by reference numeral 224, so that, as is apparent from the plan view, by reference numeral 252 forming the portion of barcode V The indicated bars appear. Barcode IV remains in readable state 240, barcode VI remains in unreadable state 242, and a changed unreadable state of barcode V is indicated by reference numeral 253.

  When the barcode V is in the readable state indicated by reference numeral 263 in FIG. 2E, the barcode bar appearing at the transparent area 217 and the plurality of transparent areas 225 is still missing from the barcode V. As a result of this lack of multiple barcodes, the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 253 is still lower than the unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. .

  As a result, the probability that a barcode reader will read an unreadable barcode V or VI in their current unreadable state is greater than the probability of reading an unreadable barcode in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. Low.

  As can be seen from the plan views of FIGS. 2B and 2C, fewer barcode bars are missing when the barcode V is in the unreadable state 253 than when it is in the unreadable state 241. Therefore, it can be seen that the BCR level of the barcode II in the unreadable state 253 is higher than the BCR level of the barcode V in the unreadable state 241.

  Referring to FIG. 2D, as is apparent from the exploded view, the colorant 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230 after an additional amount of time at 15 ° C., for example after an additional 25 minutes. As a result, the portion of the colorable element 230 can be seen through a plurality of transparent areas indicated by reference numeral 225, so that a further plurality of bars forming a portion of the bar code V, as is apparent from the plan view. 254 appears. Barcode IV remains in readable state 240, barcode VI remains in unreadable state 242, and a changed unreadable state of barcode V is indicated by reference numeral 255. Only a single narrow barcode bar that appears at the location of the transparent area 217 when the barcode V is in the readable state indicated by reference numeral 263 in FIG. The bar code bar that is present makes bar code V in state 255 unreadable.

  Since only a single narrow barcode bar is missing in the unreadable state 255, the BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 255 is the bar in the unreadable states 241 and 253 described in FIGS. It will be appreciated that it is higher than code V. The BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 255 is an unreadable barcode as described in US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309, such as the bar of FIG. 4A of US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309. It will be further understood that the BCR levels of codes II, III and IV are similar.

  Referring to FIG. 2E, as is apparent from the exploded view, when the threshold is exceeded by the temperature in the indicator being at least 12 ° C. for at least a predetermined amount of accumulation time, eg, 15 ° C. for a total of at least 1 hour, The agent 250 diffuses through the colorable element 230 so that a portion of the colorable element 230 is visible through the common colorable region 210 including the transparent areas indicated by reference numerals 216 and 217.

  As a result of the portion of the colorable element 230 being visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 216, the space indicated by reference numeral 260 located between the bars of bar code IV in a readable state is filled, As can be seen from the plan view, the bar code IV is caused to exhibit an unreadable state 261.

  As a result of the visible portion of the colorable element 230 being visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 217, a single narrow barcode bar indicated by reference numeral 262 appears in the barcode V, thereby providing a plan view. As can be seen from the above, the bar code V has a readable state 263. Barcode V can typically be read as 73000804139 by a barcode reader.

  The BCR level of barcode IV in the unreadable state 261 is shown in the figure because a space preferably having the width of a single narrow barcode bar located between the barcode IV bars in the readable state is filled. It will be appreciated that the BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 255 described in 2D is as high. The BCR level of barcode IV in the unreadable state 261 is the unreadable barcode described in US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309, for example, the bar of FIG. 4E of US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309. It will be further understood that the BCR levels of codes I, II and III are similar.

  Referring to FIG. 2F, as is apparent from the exploded view, the colorant 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230 if the temperature is at least 12 ° C. for a further amount of time, for example 15 ° C. for a further 30 minutes, A portion of the possible element 230 is visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 221. As a result, a plurality of spaces indicated by reference numeral 265 located between the bars of bar code IV in a readable state are filled as seen in the plan view. Barcode V remains in readable state 263, barcode VI remains in unreadable state 242, and barcode IV exhibits a further unreadable state indicated by reference numeral 266. As a result of the filling of the plurality of spaces 265, the BCR level of the barcode IV in the unreadable state 266 is reduced to be lower than the BCR level of the unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309. Lower.

  As a result, the probability that a barcode reader will read unreadable barcodes IV or VI in their current unreadable state is greater than the probability of reading an unreadable barcode in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. Low.

  As is apparent from the plan views of FIGS. 2E and 2F, more space is filled between the barcode bar of the barcode IV in the unreadable state 266 than in the unreadable state 261. Accordingly, the BCR level of barcode IV is lower in the unreadable state 266 than in the unreadable state 261.

  Referring to FIG. 2G, as is apparent from the exploded view, the colorant 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230 if the temperature is at least 12 ° C. for an additional amount of time, for example 15 ° C. for an additional 30 minutes, A portion of the possible element 230 is visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 222. As a result, additional spaces indicated by reference numeral 267 located between the bars of bar code IV in a readable state are filled as seen in the plan view. Barcode V remains in readable state 263, barcode VI remains in unreadable state 242, and barcode IV exhibits a further unreadable state 268. As a result of the additional spaces 267 being filled, the BCR level of the barcode IV in the unreadable state 268 is further reduced to the BCR level of the unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. Keeps getting lower than.

  As a result, the probability that a barcode reader will read unreadable barcodes IV or VI in their current unreadable state is greater than the probability of reading an unreadable barcode in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. Low.

  As is apparent from the plan views of FIGS. 2F and 2G, more space is filled between the barcode bars of the barcode IV in the unreadable state 268 than in the unreadable state 266. Accordingly, the BCR level of barcode IV is lower in the unreadable state 268 than in the unreadable state 266.

  It is understood that the colorant 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230 when the temperature drops below 12 ° C. If the temperature drops below 7 ° C. after the temperature reaches 12 ° C., the colorant 250 becomes solid and diffusion through the colorable element 230 is paused until the temperature reaches 12 ° C. again. The

  Referring to FIG. 2H, as apparent from the exploded view, when the temperature in the quality indicator exceeds 21 ° C., for example when the temperature reaches 25 ° C., the colorant indicated by reference numeral 269 begins to melt and the coloration It begins to be emitted from element 238 and begins to diffuse through the colorable element 232. The colored portion of the colorable element 232 is not visible through the plurality of transparent areas 205 and, as is apparent from the plan view, the barcodes IV, V and VI remain unchanged.

  As can be seen in the exploded view of FIG. 2H, the transparent area 219 and the additional colorable regions 215 that form part of the barcode VI remain uncolored. As a result, as can be seen from the plan view, the bars that appear when the barcode VI is in the readable state indicated by reference numeral 275 in FIG. 2J are still missing from the barcode VI. The lack of a bar bar results in a low BCR level unreadable bar code VI, which is the unreadable bar disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. Lower than the BCR level of barcodes II, III, and IV of FIG. 4A of US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309, which lacks a code, for example, only a single narrow barcode bar.

  As a result, the probability that a barcode reader will read unreadable barcodes IV or VI in their current unreadable state is greater than the probability of reading an unreadable barcode in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. Low.

  Referring to FIG. 2I, colorant 269 continues to diffuse through colorable element 232 after a predetermined amount of time, for example 55 minutes, has elapsed at 25 ° C., as is apparent from the exploded view. As a result, a portion of the colorable element 232 can be seen through a plurality of transparent areas 205 that form part of an additional colorable region indicated by reference numeral 215, so that, as is apparent from the plan view, A plurality of bars 270 appearing forming the barcode VI portion. Barcode IV remains in an unreadable state 268, barcode V remains in a readable state 263, and the changed unreadable state of barcode VI is indicated by reference numeral 271. Only a single narrow barcode bar that appears at the location of the transparent area 219 when the barcode VI is readable is still missing from the barcode VI, and the missing barcode bar is in the state 271. The bar code VI on the screen is made unreadable.

  Since only a single narrow barcode bar is missing in the unreadable state 271, the BCR level of the barcode VI in the unreadable state 271 is the barcode VI in the unreadable state 242 described in FIGS. It will be understood that it is higher. The BCR level of the barcode VI in the unreadable state 271 is the unreadable barcode described in US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309, for example, the bar of FIG. 4A of US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309. It will be further appreciated that the BCR levels for codes II, III, and IV are as high.

  Referring to FIG. 2J, as is apparent from the exploded view, the second threshold was exceeded by the temperature at the indicator being at least 21 ° C. for at least a predetermined amount of accumulation time, eg, 25 ° C. for a total of at least 1 hour. Sometimes the colorant 269 diffuses through the colorable element 232 so that a portion of the colorable element 232 is visible through the common colorable region 213 including the transparent areas indicated by reference numerals 218 and 219.

  The portion of the colorable element 232 visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 218 results in the filling of the space indicated by reference numeral 272 disposed between the bars of the bar code V in a readable state. Thus, as apparent from the plan view, the bar code V exhibits the unreadable state 273.

  As a result of the visible portion of the colorable element 232 being visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 219, a single narrow bar code bar indicated by reference numeral 274 appears in the bar code VI, thereby causing the As can be seen, the bar code VI exhibits a readable state 275. Barcode VI can typically be read as 7290003804122 by a barcode reader.

  Since the space preferably having the width of a single narrow barcode bar located between the barcode V bars in the readable state is filled, the BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 273 is It will be appreciated that the BVI level of the barcode VI in the unreadable state 271 described in 2I is as high. The BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 273 is the unreadable barcode described in US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309, for example the bar of FIG. 4E of US patent application Ser. No. 12/469309. It will be further appreciated that the BCR levels of codes I, II and III are similar.

  Since the distance between the common colorable region 213 and the coloring element 238 is at least equal to the distance between the common colorable region 210 and the coloring element 236, the common colorable region 213 is not colored before the common colorable region 210. It will be understood that it will not become colored. In the alternative, the colorable elements 230 and 232 are formed from different materials so that diffusion along the colorable element 232 is slower than diffusion along the colorable element 230.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, the second threshold is exceeded before the first threshold is exceeded, for example by including a temperature at which the second threshold is higher than the first threshold and a duration shorter than the first threshold. Additional colorable areas are added in barcode IV such that both barcodes IV and V become unreadable in response to exceeding the second threshold. According to this embodiment, if the first threshold is exceeded only after the second threshold is exceeded, the first threshold is not indicated to be exceeded.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the colorable element is not separated into two parts, and the indication of exceeding the second threshold is a temperature at or above the predetermined temperature of the first threshold. Can result from exceeding the second duration.

  Referring to FIG. 2K, as is apparent from the exploded view, the colorant 269 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 232 if the temperature is at least 21 ° C. for an additional amount of time, for example 25 ° C. for an additional 30 minutes. A portion of the possible element 232 is visible through the transparent area 205 that forms part of the additional colorable region indicated by reference numeral 214. As a result, a plurality of spaces 276 located between the bars of the barcode V in the readable state are filled as seen in the plan view. Barcode IV remains in the unreadable state 268, barcode VI remains in the readable state 275, and barcode V exhibits a further unreadable state indicated by reference numeral 277. As a result of the plurality of spaces 276 being filled, the BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 277 is reduced, resulting in the unreadable barcode disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. It becomes lower than the BCR level.

  As a result, the probability that a barcode reader will read unreadable barcodes IV or V in their current unreadable state is greater than the probability of reading an unreadable barcode in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 469,309. Low.

  As can be seen from the plan views of FIGS. 2J and 2K, more space is filled between the barcode bars of barcode V in the unreadable state 273 than in the unreadable state 273. Therefore, it can be seen that the BCR level of the bar code V is lower in the unreadable state 277 than in the unreadable state 273.

  It will be appreciated that if the temperature drops below 21 ° C., the colorant 269 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 232. If the temperature drops below 17 ° C. after the temperature reaches 21 ° C., the colorant 269 becomes solid and its diffusion through the colorable element 232 pauses until the temperature reaches 21 ° C. again. Is done.

  In the embodiment described in FIGS. 2A-2K, the colorant 269 moves from right to left along the coloring element 232, so that the additional colorable region 214 forming part of the barcode V is the transparent area 218. An additional colorable area 215 that appears on the left side of, and forms part of the barcode VI appears on the right side of the transparent area 219. In the alternative, the colorant 269 moves from left to right along the coloring element 232, then the additional colorable area 214 appears to the right of the transparent area 218 and the additional colorable area 215 is shown in FIGS. Will appear on the left side of the transparent area 219 as shown in FIG.

  If the temperature exceeds the second predetermined temperature before exceeding the first threshold including the first predetermined duration at the first predetermined temperature, the colorant reactive to the second threshold temperature exceeds the first threshold. It will be appreciated that the common colorable areas that serve to indicate the color begin to melt and become released from the corresponding coloring elements before being colored. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2K, if the temperature exceeds 21 ° C. before exceeding 1 hour at a temperature of at least 12 ° C., the colorant 269 before the common colorable region 210 is colored. Begins to melt and release from the coloring element 232.

  An indicator according to the present invention can include more than four barcodes, in which case only one barcode is readable at almost any time, and a readable barcode becomes unreadable as a result of exceeding a threshold; It will be appreciated that one of the unreadable bar codes can be read.

  It will be appreciated that the background of the bar code forming layer of the indicator may be printed in a dark color and the bar of the bar code may be printed in a light color.

  Melting of the colorant may be caused by changes in ambient parameters other than temperature, such as changes in pH, humidity, or the presence of certain chemicals, thereby indicating an over-threshold associated with such parameters. It will be appreciated that it allows the use of the indicators described in the present invention to do so.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention covers both the various features of the present invention, and variations that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art after reading the above description, as well as combinations and subcombinations of variations not found in the prior art. including.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Quality indicator 102 Barcode formation layer 103 Background area 104 Bar 105 Transparent area 110 Common coloring possible area 111 Additional coloring possible area 112 Additional coloring possible area 113 Common coloring possible area 114 Additional coloring possible area 115 Additional coloring possible area 116 Transparent Area 117 Transparent Area 118 Transparent Area 119 Transparent Area 130 Colorable Element 135 Back Layer 136 Temperature Reactive Coloring Element

Claims (12)

An indicator with a bar code that serves to indicate in a machine-readable manner that at least one threshold is exceeded by at least one parameter affecting product quality, comprising at least a first bar code and at least a second bar code Equipped,
The at least first barcode includes at least a first set of initially uncolored colorable areas including at least one initially uncolorable colorable area, the first set of colorable areas comprising: The first barcode is located in a location between the bars of the first barcode when the first barcode is ready to be read before the at least one threshold is exceeded,
The at least second barcode includes at least a second set of initially uncolored colorable areas including at least one initially uncolorable colorable area, wherein the second set of colorable areas includes the Located at the bar location of the second barcode that appears only when the second barcode is in a second barcode readable state after the at least one threshold is exceeded,
At least a first set of the colorable areas and at least a second set of the colorable areas comprise at least one common colorable area;
The at least first set of colorable areas also includes at least one additional first colorable area;
The at least second set of colorable areas also includes at least one additional second colorable area;
The at least second barcode is in a second barcode unreadable state before the at least one threshold is exceeded and the at least second set is uncolored, resulting in a single narrow barcode barcode. A barcode bar above the bar is missing from the at least second barcode;
Exceeds the at least one threshold, the at least first bar code is made unreadable as a result of wearing color of said at least one common colorable area to form at least a portion of the first set consisting of the colorable area And at about the same time, the at least second barcode is readable as a result of coloring at least a second set of the colorable areas. A colorant disposed at a first location on the indicator;
Moving the colorant from the first location for coloring to a first set of colorable areas and a second set of colorable areas at least partially at a speed that is a function of time. The barcoded quality indicator of claim 1, further comprising a colorant pathway that serves to enable. The colorant path allows the colorant to move by diffusing from the first location into a first set of colorable areas and a second set of colorable areas. working, paradoxical indicator with a barcode according to claim 2. The colorable first set consisting of area, the certain to at least one egg is colored after exceeding the threshold value, the bar code attached heard indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The barcoded indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one threshold comprises at least one time threshold.   The barcoded indicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one threshold comprises at least one time and temperature threshold. The quality indicator serves to indicate several different threshold excess, barcode heard indicator according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   At least one colorable area forming one portion of the first set of colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas has a width of a single narrow barcode bar. A quality indicator with a barcode according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The at least one common colorable area and the at least one additional first colorable area forming a portion of a first set of the colorable areas are sequentially colored;
9. Any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one common colorable area and the at least one additional second colorable area forming part of a second set of colorable areas are sequentially colored. Barcode quality indicator as described in section.   10. At least one of the first set of colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas includes at least two colorable areas. Barcode quality indicator.   11. The barcoded quality indicator of claim 10, wherein each of the first set of colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas includes at least two colorable areas. 12. Barcoded indicator according to any one of the preceding claims, which serves to indicate in a machine-readable manner that at least one additional threshold is exceeded by at least one parameter affecting product quality. Because
At least a third barcode,
The at least third barcode includes at least a third set of initially uncolored colorable areas including at least one initially uncolorable colorable area, the third set of colorable areas comprising Located at the bar location of the third barcode that appears only when the third barcode is in a third barcode readable state after the at least one additional threshold has been exceeded,
The at least third barcode is in a third barcode unreadable state before the at least one additional threshold is exceeded, and as a result of the third set of colorable areas being uncolored, A barcode bar above one narrow barcode bar is missing from the at least third barcode;
The at least second barcode includes at least a fourth set of initially uncolored colorable areas including at least one initially uncolorable colorable area, the fourth set of colorable areas comprising: A second bar code is located at a location between the bars of the at least second bar code when in the second bar code readable state prior to exceeding the at least one additional threshold;
When the at least one additional threshold is exceeded, the at least second barcode is a result of the coloring of at least a portion of the at least one colorable area forming part of at least a fourth set of the colorable area. A barbed indicator that becomes unreadable and substantially simultaneously, the at least third barcode becomes readable as a result of coloring at least a third set of the colorable areas.

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