WO2004050507A1 - A package for storing goods in a preservative state as well as a method for making such a package - Google Patents
A package for storing goods in a preservative state as well as a method for making such a package Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2004050507A1 WO2004050507A1 PCT/SE2003/001863 SE0301863W WO2004050507A1 WO 2004050507 A1 WO2004050507 A1 WO 2004050507A1 SE 0301863 W SE0301863 W SE 0301863W WO 2004050507 A1 WO2004050507 A1 WO 2004050507A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- code
- temperature
- bar
- light
- temperature indicator
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K3/00—Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature
- G01K3/02—Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature giving means values; giving integrated values
- G01K3/04—Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature giving means values; giving integrated values in respect of time
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D79/00—Kinds or details of packages, not otherwise provided for
- B65D79/02—Arrangements or devices for indicating incorrect storage or transport
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K11/00—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00
- G01K11/06—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00 using melting, freezing, or softening
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
- B65D2203/06—Arrangements on packages concerning bar-codes
Definitions
- this invention relates to a package for storing goods in a preservative state in which the temperature may not pass a certain limit value, comprising, on one hand, a bar-code of the type that between two outer, light-absorbing code bars includes a plurality of intermediate and likewise light-absorbing code bars or marks mutually spaced-apart by neutral, light-reflecting fields, outer, neutral fields being found, also outside the outer code bars, and on the other hand a temperature indicator, which comprises a contrast medium contained between two walls, which medium in a first temperature state is transparent or light-reflecting, but which on transition to another temperature state is triggered so far that the same is irreversibly converted to an opaque or light-absorbing colour.
- Deep-frozen foods are handled in large amounts in the food sector.
- a certain recommended desired value which for deep- frozen products usually is -18 °C. If the goods during a certain time would unintentionally obtain a higher temperature than the recommended desired value, there is a risk that the quality of the goods is deteriorated, and if the exposure to the higher temperature would become long, the goods may become directly unhealthy by growth of bacteria.
- the handling of the goods from the producer to the consumer includes, in practice, a plurality of different phases, such as storage (long-term as well as short-term storage) , transshipments, transports, as well as handling in the shop.
- storage long-term as well as short-term storage
- transshipments transports
- handling in the shop There are, per se, strict rules and recommendations how the temperature of the goods should be supervised and documented during these different steps, but in practice the rules are difficult to completely observe. If the individual goods at some point, by misadventure or otherwise, would be exposed to a higher temperature than the recommended highest desired value, neither the consumers nor other parties in the chain between the producer and the consumer have previ- ously been able to see this on the proper package.
- WO 01/72601 has by WO 01/72601 been proposed to provide packages for frozen goods with a temperature indicator, which comprises a means, which has a certain property when the temperature of the goods is lowered towards and past a predetermined limit value, which is at least somewhat higher than the desired value of temperature of the goods in question, but which alters said property in an irreversible way if the temperature during the storage would rise above the desired value up to and past the limit value.
- said means consists of a contrast fluid, which is initially transparent and preserves the transparency thereof during temperature reduction past said limit value and said desired value, but is converted to an irreversible opaque state if the temperature would increase above the desired value.
- WO 01/72601 it is disclosed how the temperature indicator in question may be applied to the outside of a bar-code exposed on the external surface of the package in order to at least partially cover the same.
- the intention with this is that the temperature indicator in the transparent state thereof should enable scanning of the code, but in a triggered, opaque state make conventional scanning of the code impossible.
- the normal scanning of the bar-code i.e. scanning of fully useful goods on the packages of which the temperature indicator has not been triggered, is made more difficult in spite of the medium in the temperature indicator still being transparent.
- Bar-codes of the type that are applied to packages for food and other merchandise usually consist of so-called EAN codes, where the letters EAN stand for European Article Number. This constitutes a worldwide system for article numbering of all types of consumer goods.
- the system is administered by "International Article Numbering Association, EAN", which issues instructions for the users which are associated to the system.
- EAN International Article Numbering Association
- EAN is used in shops having computerized paydesks and a fixed or mobile bar-code scanner. When the symbol is scanned, a registration of the EAN code takes place in the com- puter system of the shop.
- the most common bar-codes consist of price codes and weight codes, respectively. When the registration takes place a row of measures are triggered, if a code is in the price memory of the computer system.
- the price and the merchandise description, which the shop has entered into the computer system, are shown for the customer through a price window.
- the information is printed in plain text on the receipt of the customer, and the computer adds the amount to be paid. On possible price changes, the goods does not have to be remarked.
- special programs in the computer system there is a possibility to effectively assemble information, which may be combined in order to form a basis for order quantities, composition of class of goods, pricing, etc.
- the system could also be utilized for registering whether frozen goods has thawed, namely if the packages of the goods are provided with temperature indicators, which are combined with the bar-code of the packages.
- the code scanners on the market make use of infrared light, which illuminates the bars as well as the intermediate neutral fields in a bar-code, the contrast between the bars and said fields being crucial for the quality of scanning.
- the bars are illuminated by a grid of light rays. If the bars are of a dark colour, such as black or blue, at the same time as the neutral fields are light, e.g. white or yellow, an optimum contrasting effect is obtained. However, also other combinations of colour may exist.
- the essential thing is that the infrared light is either absorbed or reflected by the colours in question. Of large importance is naturally also the distinctness of the code bars.
- a primary object of the invention in a first aspect, is to provide a package for goods having a bar-code as well as a tem- perature indicator, which can separate saleable goods from obsolete without aggravating the scanning of a bar-code by means of a conventional, existing scanning equipment.
- This object is attained by the features defined in the characterizing clause of claim 1.
- Preferred embodiments of the package are further- more defined in the dependent claims 2-8.
- the invention also aims at providing a method for marking packages for goods.
- the features of this method are seen in claims 9 and 10.
- a temperature indicator is previously known in the form of a label applicable on packages for goods, which in addition to a thermally reactable layer having a variable colour, includes a transparent top coat in which a bar-code is integrated.
- the reactable layer remains unaffected and the bar-code scannable, but if the desired temperature is exceeded, the lower layer changes its colour and makes the bar-code unscannable.
- a disadvantage of this label is that the same is intended to form the individual price or weight code of the package for goods, which means that an extremely large number of different labels have to be manufactured, distributed, stored and applied to the thousands different goods, which are in circulation in the convenience goods trade and which demand individual code marking.
- the present invention is based on the understanding that for the scanning of a bar-code, not only neutral fields bet- ween nearby bars in the code or the symbol is required, but also fairly wide, neutral fields beside the bar-code, i.e. outside the two outer bars.
- the temperature indicator beside the bar-code, although in close connection to one of the outer code bars thereof, it is guaranteed that the temperature indicator cannot disturb the scanning by entirely or partly overlapping the bar-code. As long as the temperature indicator is more or less distanced from the bar-code, a distinct contrasting effect is always obtained between the bars and the untriggered temperature indicator at normal scanning of saleable goods.
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a package according to the invention, a temperature indicator being shown applied beside a bar-code on a long-side edge surface on the package,
- Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of the bar-code and the te - perature indicator, the temperature indicator being shown in an initial state,
- Fig. 3 is an analogous front view showing the same temperature indicator in a triggered state
- Fig. 4 is an exaggeratedly enlarged cross-section through a first embodiment of a temperature indicator according to the invention
- Fig. 5 is an analogous cross-section showing a second, alternative embodiment of the temperature indicator
- Fig. 6 is a chart showing the function of the temperature indicator in different temperature states
- Fig. 7 is a partially cut perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a temperature indicator shown in connection with a bar-code
- Fig. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the te - perature indicator according to fig 7 shown in an initial, unaffected state,
- Fig. 9 is an analogous longitudinal section showing the temperature indicator in a primed state
- Fig 10 is a perspective view of the bar-code and the temperature indicator, the last-mentioned one being shown in a triggered state
- Fig 11 is a perspective view corresponding to fig 10 showing another, alternative embodiment of the temperature indicator
- Fig 12 is a longitudinal section showing an additional alternative embodiment of a temperature indicator
- Fig 13 is a chart illustrating the melting point for an olive oil
- Figs 14-16 are enlarged longitudinal sections through an additional alternative embodiment of a temperature indicator, which is shown in three different useful states, and Fig 17 is a perspective view of the temperature indicator according to figs 14-16 in a finally, triggered state.
- numeral 1 generally designates a package for goods, preferably in the form of a package for frozen goods, which in the example has a parallelepipedic, flat basic shape.
- the package may consist of a capsule of comparatively stiff board or cardboard.
- a bar- code 2 as well as a temperature indicator 3 according to the invention are applied.
- the bar-code 2 may consist of a conventional price code and/or weight code (merchandise code) , which may be printed on the package in connection with the same generally being provided with printing.
- the bar- code 2 may be included in a piece of tape, a label or the like, which is applied to the package afterwards. By scanning in an available code scanner, the bar-code enables the usual data capture in a computer system of a shop.
- the bar-code 2 includes a plurality of code bars located between two outer bars 4 having mutually varying thickness and location. Together said code bars form an elongate, rectangular configuration. Under the code bars, there is usually also a numerical series of Arabic figures, which in the example are designated "X". In the area outside the two outer code bars 4, neutral fields 5 without any text or pictures are left in order to enable scanning according to prevalent bar-code technique. In practice, said fields should have a width of at least 2,7 mm.
- the code bars 4 may have a black, blue or another dark colour, while the fields 5 positioned between and outside the code bars may have a white, yellow or another light colour. The essential thing in this connection is that a contrasting effect is attained by the infrared light of a code scanner either being absorbed or reflected by the different colours .
- the temperature indicator in its entirety designated 3, which is shown on an enlarged scale in figs 2 and 3, has general similarities to the temperature indicator disclosed in WO 01/72601 inasmuch as it comprises a contrast medium generally designated 8 contained between a front wall 6 and a base wall 7, which has a certain colour or light-reflecting property in a first temperature state, and is arranged to be irreversibly converted to a different colour or light-reflecting property at transition to another temperature state.
- the present temperature indicator has another construction than the previously known indicator.
- the two walls 6, 7 are included in an outer casing 9, which contains or confines the contrast medium 8, and which may by realized in the form of a label or label-like unit applicable on the outside of the package.
- Said label may have an elongate, rectangular basic shape, and be manufactured from a partially transparent film web, which is double-folded along a first short-side edge 10 and welded together at the other edges as is outlined at 11, 12 and 13.
- the film is welded along two long-side edges 12, 13, and the short-side edge 11 that is opposite the double-folded edge 10.
- the front wall 6 includes transparent as well as opaque fields.
- a transparent, com- paratively narrow field or window 14 is arranged adjacent to the edge 10, while the remaining surface is covered by or consists of an opaque field 15.
- said opaque field 15 there are, however, also a number of transparent symbol fields 16, which in the example are in the form of letters (which together form the word STOP) .
- the front wall 6 should have a light, e.g. white or yel- low, colour in order to reflect infrared light.
- the front side of the base wall 7 should have a light colour.
- the base wall may be transparent.
- the contrast medium, in its entirety designated 8, includes in the example two different liquids, a first one of which is designated 17 and is denominated indicator liquid.
- the second liquid is designated 18 and is included in one or more burstable capsules 19, which at least partially are surrounded by the indicator liquid 17.
- the liquid 18 will henceforth be denominated henceforth phase-changing liquid. Charac- teristic of the liquids 17, 18 is, generally, that they have different freezing points or eutectic temperatures.
- At least one of the liquids contains water and one or more freezing-point lowering agents.
- the liquid 18 contains a colouring agent.
- the liquids may consist of only water, although also alcohol could be included.
- salt of the type that is approved for use in foods is used as a freezing point lowering agent.
- the agent in the respective liquid may consist of a mixture of at least two salts, such as chlorides and sulphates of calcium, potassium and sodium, respectively.
- the eutectic temperatures of which in mixture with water can simply be established by varying the amount of salt in the water.
- the eutectic temperature may be set with high accuracy within the temperature range of -1 °C to -21 °C.
- the desired temperature value for quick-frozen foods is usually -18 °C.
- the eutectic temperature in the indicator liquid 17 may be set to -14 °C, while the eutectic temperature for the phase-changing liquid 18 is set to the higher value -12 °C.
- the outer casing 9 is made of a material, which resists low temperatures without becoming brittle or otherwise degradable.
- the burstable casing/casings or inner envelope/envelopes 19 are made of a film material that preserves a fundamental elasticity or soft- ness at degrees above zero, but becomes brittle and degradable at lower temperatures.
- the volume of the liquid decreases at the same time as the volume of the individual casing 19 decreases, the material therein becoming more brittle.
- the temperature has fallen to -12 °C, the liquid 18 freezes to ice and begins to expand.
- the liquid 17 begins to freeze to ice and to expand.
- the capsules crack, whereby an irreversible communication path to the ice/liquid 17 arises.
- the ice formed by the indicator liquid 17 can expand without the outer casing 9 being damaged or effected, since the material in said casing preserves the softness and tightness thereof at considerably lower temperature than the capsules 19.
- no reaction takes place bet- ween the liquids 17, 18 because the same are in the state of ice.
- the temperature indicator is now primed.
- the temperature indicator 3 on a later occasion would unintentionally come to be thawed, by being exposed for temperatures above -12 °C during a considerable time, initially the ice mass 17 and then the ice mass 18 will melt and revert to the liquid state.
- Said colouring agent may in prac- tice consist of pigments, e.g. pigment of the type that is approved for use in food. It is also feasible to provide the requisite colouring of the liquid 17 by a chemical reaction between the liquids.
- the initially transparent state of the liquid 17 is altered, in a known way per se, to an opaque, dark coloured state. This change of state is not reversible and will subsist also if the package and the content thereof are frozen down again.
- the described course of thawing is illustrated graphi- cally in fig 6, the presumptions being that the indicator liquid has a freezing point of -14 °C and the phase-changing liquid 18 a freezing point of -12 °C.
- the temperature in the indicator will increase linearly from -18 °C to -14 °C during the time Tl up to phase FI .
- the indicator then contains only ice.
- the outer ice mass 17 melts to liquid, and during this time, the temperature is constantly -14 °C up to phase F2. Then the temperature rises linearly to -12 °C during the time T3 up to phase F3.
- phase F5 the entire content of the temperature indicator has melted to liquid, the indicator being triggered inasmuch s the indicator liquid has been coloured.
- the indicator will return to an untriggered, uncoloured state. If the exposure passes the phase F3, the indicator will entirely or partly be triggered depending on how far the phases F4 and F5 are driven. In practice, it should be ensured that the volume of the phase-changing liquid 18 is considerably smaller than the volume of the indicator liquid 17. In this way, it can be guaranteed that the capsules in the untriggered state do not become ocularly perceptible, in particular if they have the same col- our or light-reflecting property as the rest of the base wall. It is also feasible to place the capsules outside the rectangular transparent fields 14, 16.
- an alternative embodiment of the temperature indicator is shown according to which an optical fibre element 20 is arranged at the edge of the indicator that is turned to the bar-code.
- This optical fibre element is transparent or light-reflecting as long as the contrast medium 8 is transparent or light-reflecting, but on triggering of the indicator the same becomes opaque or light-absorbing in order to make a scanning of the bar-code impossible by covering the field 5.
- the temperature indicator should be placed with the short-side edge thereof within a distance of 0-3 mm, suitably 0,2-2,0 mm from the outer code bar 4 of the bar-code 2.
- the temperature indicator has the form of a label having an exposed, visible front wall 6 and a hidden bottom side 7 in the applied state, which advantageously may include an adhesive (not shown) by means of which the label may be sticked onto the package 1.
- the label may be in the form of a casing 9 made from a thin plastic foil or plastic film, which is folded along an end edge 10 and welded together along two long-side edges 12, 13 and an opposite end edge 11.
- Said plastic film may have a front wall 6, which is either transparent in its entirety, or formed with transparent windows surrounded by opaque fields.
- the film defines a hollow space which houses a porous, capillary suc- tioning means 8, e.g.
- the film forms a casing which surrounds the strip, preferably in such a way that the casing is in close contact with the outside of the strip.
- at least one capsule is arranged which contains a liquid.
- two such capsules 19 are present, which are placed fairly near each other in the area of the end edge 11 of the label.
- Each individual capsule is manufactured from a thin film of a material, e.g. a suitable plastic, which retains a fundamental elasticity or softness at a certain temperature, e.g. near 0 °C, but becomes brittle at lower temperatures, e.g. below -16 °C.
- the liquid designated 18 contained in the individual capsule may, for instance, consist of a mixture of alcohol and water in such proportions that the freezing point of the liquid mix is at, for instance, -16 °C. Such a liquid mix is colourless and transparent.
- paper has different optical properties in dry and wet states, respectively. More precisely, the top side of a white or brightly coloured paper is in a dry state opaque so far that only the surface, but not the interior of the paper fibre web may be seen by the eye. However, as soon as the fibre web becomes wet, the same becomes transparent inasmuch as at least the outermost layer of the fibre web may be seen through. This phenomenon may, in the invention, be utilized in such a way that the strip 8 is provided with one or more prints, which are invisible from the top side as long as the strip is dry, but which are made visible when the strip becomes wet.
- the print 21, which is located in the immediate vicin- ity of the end edge 10, consists of a border that extends along the major part of the width of the label, while the print 22 consists of a number of warning triangles.
- the different prints may advantageously have different colours that, however, always should deviate from the colour of the strip 8.
- the same may advantageously be white or at least light in order to reflect infrared light of the type that is used in code scanners.
- the colours of the prints 21, 22 should generally be darker than the white or the light colour of the strip 8.
- the colour of the print 21 may be black, while the triangular prints 22 may be of, for instance, yellow, red or orange colour.
- the print-carrying strip 8 should be pre-printed on one side thereof, and then it is contained in a double-folded plastic film, which is welded along three edges.
- the liquid capsules 19 are also inserted either by beforehand being inserted in the strip (e.g. in countersinks in the same), or by being placed between the strip and the surrounding casing 9.
- the disclosed temperature indicator/the label may be primed for use, more precisely on the occasion when a storing period for a packaged frozen goods should be initiated.
- the only essential in this connection, is that the label before priming is not exposed to temperatures below the limit value that should be supervised (e.g. -16 °C) .
- the invention is applicable not only to such packages that contain frozen foods.
- a summary will follow of a number of alternative embodiments, which are particularly suitable for the saleability supervision of chilled goods, i.e. goods which are stored at temperatures below room temperature, but above the freezing point, e.g. at +4 °C or +8 °C.
- a liquid that has a semi-plastic consistency at temperatures below a certain limit value, but becomes liquid at temperatures above the same is used as a wetting agent.
- the chosen limit value should be in the temperature range of 0 to +12 °C, suitably between +2 °C and +10 °C.
- the limit value may be established to either +4 °C or +8 °C.
- the liquid in question should have the ability to transform or be converted from one viscosity state to another, more precisely between on one hand, a state of low viscosity, and, on the other hand, a semi-plastic or probably a state of high viscosity - depending on the ambient temperature - said liquid henceforth will be denominated conversion liquid.
- the choice of conversion liquid is determined by a plurality of factors, one of which is the nature of the packaged goods.
- a liquid that is not toxic and/or chemically active should be chosen. Therefore, for the purpose, vegetable or animal oils are suitable of the type that has a melting point or a viscosity transition temperature within the range of 0-12 °C.
- olive oil is particularly appropriate. Therefore, a brief account of a practical experiment will follow below, reference being made to the chart in fig 13.
- a conversion liquid 18 of the above described type is contained in a capsule 19, which is connected to the label via a welded material portion 25 in which one or more weakened portions are included that may form an open way of communication between the capsule and the strip 8.
- the strip 8 has three prints
- priming takes place by a mechanical pressure being applied against the capsule 19.
- Said pressure may be provided either in a manual way, e.g. by means of fingers, or in a mechanical way by means of the tool, which is used in order to apply the label on the package.
- the weakened material portion in the welding 23 serving as a valve breaks, whereby a free way of communication is established for the liquid up to the strip.
- the capsule 19 is punctured earliest in connection with the indicator being applied to the package 1 and/or the goods being brought into a cooling accomodation, for instance at a manu- facturer/distributor or in a shop. In this state, the strip 8 is unaffected by the liquid. In other words, the prints 21,
- the temperature limit value in question for the goods is set to +4 °C.
- the label remains in the initial state thereof. If, however, the temperature during storing of the goods would exceed +4 °C, the consistency of the liquid will be converted from a semi-plastic one to a liquid one. By the capillary effect in the porous strip 8, the liquid will then be sucked into the strip and completely wet the same, the prints 23, 22, 21 appearing and becoming visible from the outside of the label. In this way, the observer is made aware of the fact that the temperature limit value has been exceeded.
- the label according to figs 7-9 is applied in the immediate vicinity of the bar-code 2 of the package 1.
- the label is placed with the end edge 10 thereof in the immediate vicinity of an outer code bar 4.
- the dark, border-like print 21 of the label should be located at a distance within the range of 0,2- 2,0 mm from the outer code bar 4 of the barrcode. In this way, it is guaranteed that conventional code scanning without hindrance can be carried out as long as the strip is dry and white/light, but as soon as the strip is wet the dark border 21 appears and makes impossible scanning of the code, because the border absorbs the infrared light of the code scanner.
- the embodiment shown in fig 11 differs from the preceding embodiment only in that the print 22 is in the form of a comparatively large triangle, which has the purpose of making visible the successive penetration of the liquid in the paper strip.
- said triangle may include two or more fields, which may have different colours.
- a delay of the penetration of the liquid of low viscos- ity in the fibre web may also be provided by making the fibre web with spaced-apart sections, which have different porosity or varying capillary effect.
- a semi-plastic conversion liquid of the type that has been described above in connection with figs 7- 12 may also be used in capsules of the type that are integrated in the fibre web in the way shown in figs 14-17. It is even feasible to have, in a combination, a semi-plastic con- version liquid in one capsule, and a freezing liquid (e.g. water/ alcohol) in another one.
- a freezing liquid e.g. water/ alcohol
- the invention is not solely limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings.
- the packages may, for instance, medicines, photographic films, etc, be stored.
- the temperature indicator according to the invention in order to detect/register whether freezing rather than thawing has taken place.
- the temperature indicator could be utilized on pots for paint. Paint is frequently water-based and thereby affected by freezing. If a temperature indicator is applied, for instance, on the outside of a lid, it will indicate if the container/package has been exposed to unallowed temperatures.
- the temperature indicator may include a varying number of capsules having a phase- changing liquid.
- phase-changing liquid in relation to the indicator liquid may be realized in many other ways, e.g. by the phase-changing liquid being encapsulated in a plurality of small, mutually spaced- apart balls or bubbles.
- the front and base walls which liquid- tightly contain the contrast medium in another way than in the form of parts of a continuous casing of plastic film.
- the contrast medium consists of a wettable paper strip or fibre web
- EAN codes are the most common form of merchandise codes, in particular for food
- the invention is also applicable in connection with other types of merchandise codes, which make use of bars or bar-like symbols. Examples on such codes are Interleaved 2/5, Code 39, Code 128, as well as PDF-417. Characteristic of these codes too, is that the bars or the symbols form a rectangular configuration in the extension of which a temperature indicator can be applied.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002505927A CA2505927A1 (en) | 2002-12-03 | 2003-12-02 | A package for storing goods in a preservative state as well as a method for making such a package |
EP03776135A EP1581441A1 (en) | 2002-12-03 | 2003-12-02 | A package for storing goods in a preservative state as well as a method for making such a package |
US10/538,003 US20060032774A1 (en) | 2002-12-03 | 2003-12-02 | Package for storing goods in a preservative state as well as a method for making such a package |
AU2003283921A AU2003283921A1 (en) | 2002-12-03 | 2003-12-02 | A package for storing goods in a preservative state as well as a method for making such a package |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE0203566A SE524448C2 (en) | 2002-12-03 | 2002-12-03 | Packaging for storing goods in a preservative state, method for labeling such packaging, and temperature indicator for the packaging |
SE0203566-5 | 2002-12-03 | ||
SE0301125A SE0301125L (en) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-04-16 | Temperature indicator, product packaging and method for monitoring the price of goods stored in packages |
SE0301125-1 | 2003-04-16 | ||
SE0301126-9 | 2003-04-16 | ||
SE0301126A SE0301126L (en) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-04-16 | Temperature indicator, product packaging and method for monitoring the price of goods stored in packages |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2004050507A1 true WO2004050507A1 (en) | 2004-06-17 |
Family
ID=32475261
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/SE2003/001863 WO2004050507A1 (en) | 2002-12-03 | 2003-12-02 | A package for storing goods in a preservative state as well as a method for making such a package |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060032774A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1581441A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003283921A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2505927A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004050507A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7802730B2 (en) | 2005-10-21 | 2010-09-28 | Denso Wave Incorporated | Information carrier integrated with an optically readable information symbol |
DE102014104901B3 (en) * | 2014-04-07 | 2015-05-13 | Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Vertreten Durch Den Bundesminister Für Wirtschaft Und Energie, Dieser Vertreten Durch Den Präsidenten Der Bundesanstalt Für Materialforschung Und -Prüfung (Bam) | Temperature indicator for detecting the exceeding of an upper temperature threshold within a cooling chain |
WO2021005525A1 (en) | 2019-07-08 | 2021-01-14 | Pasqui Valentina | Monitoring system for perishable products |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US7770534B2 (en) * | 2001-08-10 | 2010-08-10 | Isadore Cooperman | Changed condition indicator |
DE102006020619B4 (en) * | 2006-05-02 | 2012-11-15 | Fritz Egger Gmbh & Co. | Panel packaging with indicator |
US20070263695A1 (en) * | 2006-05-11 | 2007-11-15 | Luis Figarella | Temperature Sensitive Sign |
US7643378B2 (en) * | 2006-07-25 | 2010-01-05 | Amir Genosar | Package showing elapsed time since opening |
US20080184927A1 (en) * | 2007-02-02 | 2008-08-07 | Paul Phong Anh Pham | Container cap for assuring quality |
US7861542B2 (en) | 2007-04-10 | 2011-01-04 | Maytag Corporation | Refrigerator including food product management system |
US11313730B2 (en) * | 2018-03-14 | 2022-04-26 | Temptime Corporation | Descending and ascending temperature indicators utilizing deep eutectics |
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US3414415A (en) * | 1965-10-22 | 1968-12-03 | Robert L. Broad Jr. | Thaw indicator |
WO1989004952A1 (en) * | 1987-11-24 | 1989-06-01 | Patrick Izoard | Device for the control of a possible warming up of a product and for the recording by an irreversible marking of such a possibility |
EP0484578A1 (en) * | 1989-08-29 | 1992-05-13 | Lifelines Technology, Inc. | Multifunctional time-temperature indicator |
WO1994027144A1 (en) * | 1993-05-19 | 1994-11-24 | California South Pacific Investors | Detection of contaminants in food |
DE19912529A1 (en) * | 1999-03-19 | 2000-09-28 | Nikolaus Vogels | Device for documenting overheating of cold store or deep-frozen products; has layer of thermo-indicator that undergoes irreversible reaction to produce colour change, or display symbol or message |
DE19945110A1 (en) * | 1999-09-21 | 2001-03-22 | Martin Bungter | Packing for heat sensitive products has data chip with irreversible temperature display ensures correct handling |
US6270724B1 (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 2001-08-07 | California South Pacific Investors | Detection of contaminants in food |
WO2001072601A1 (en) * | 2000-03-27 | 2001-10-04 | Henry Norrby | Package for keeping goods in a temperature-decreased, preservative state and a temperature indicator therefor |
FR2829854A1 (en) * | 2001-09-17 | 2003-03-21 | Renaud Vaillant | Product marking, for frozen foodstuffs and health products, has a barcode marker for automatic scanning and a shrouding component which masks the barcode if freezing and storage temperatures breach a threshold |
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US3055759A (en) * | 1959-04-13 | 1962-09-25 | John C Busby | Temperature indicators |
US3958528A (en) * | 1973-10-23 | 1976-05-25 | Robert Hill | Product thaw indicator |
US4408557A (en) * | 1979-06-18 | 1983-10-11 | Micro-Circuits Co., Inc. | Timer and storage condition indicator |
US4382700A (en) * | 1980-10-14 | 1983-05-10 | Youngren Fred R | Shelf life indicator |
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2003
- 2003-12-02 WO PCT/SE2003/001863 patent/WO2004050507A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-12-02 AU AU2003283921A patent/AU2003283921A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-12-02 CA CA002505927A patent/CA2505927A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-12-02 US US10/538,003 patent/US20060032774A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-12-02 EP EP03776135A patent/EP1581441A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3414415A (en) * | 1965-10-22 | 1968-12-03 | Robert L. Broad Jr. | Thaw indicator |
WO1989004952A1 (en) * | 1987-11-24 | 1989-06-01 | Patrick Izoard | Device for the control of a possible warming up of a product and for the recording by an irreversible marking of such a possibility |
EP0484578A1 (en) * | 1989-08-29 | 1992-05-13 | Lifelines Technology, Inc. | Multifunctional time-temperature indicator |
WO1994027144A1 (en) * | 1993-05-19 | 1994-11-24 | California South Pacific Investors | Detection of contaminants in food |
US6270724B1 (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 2001-08-07 | California South Pacific Investors | Detection of contaminants in food |
DE19912529A1 (en) * | 1999-03-19 | 2000-09-28 | Nikolaus Vogels | Device for documenting overheating of cold store or deep-frozen products; has layer of thermo-indicator that undergoes irreversible reaction to produce colour change, or display symbol or message |
DE19945110A1 (en) * | 1999-09-21 | 2001-03-22 | Martin Bungter | Packing for heat sensitive products has data chip with irreversible temperature display ensures correct handling |
WO2001072601A1 (en) * | 2000-03-27 | 2001-10-04 | Henry Norrby | Package for keeping goods in a temperature-decreased, preservative state and a temperature indicator therefor |
FR2829854A1 (en) * | 2001-09-17 | 2003-03-21 | Renaud Vaillant | Product marking, for frozen foodstuffs and health products, has a barcode marker for automatic scanning and a shrouding component which masks the barcode if freezing and storage temperatures breach a threshold |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7802730B2 (en) | 2005-10-21 | 2010-09-28 | Denso Wave Incorporated | Information carrier integrated with an optically readable information symbol |
CN1979522B (en) * | 2005-10-21 | 2011-05-11 | 电装波动株式会社 | Information carrier integrated with an optically readable information symbol |
DE102014104901B3 (en) * | 2014-04-07 | 2015-05-13 | Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Vertreten Durch Den Bundesminister Für Wirtschaft Und Energie, Dieser Vertreten Durch Den Präsidenten Der Bundesanstalt Für Materialforschung Und -Prüfung (Bam) | Temperature indicator for detecting the exceeding of an upper temperature threshold within a cooling chain |
WO2021005525A1 (en) | 2019-07-08 | 2021-01-14 | Pasqui Valentina | Monitoring system for perishable products |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2505927A1 (en) | 2004-06-17 |
AU2003283921A1 (en) | 2004-06-23 |
US20060032774A1 (en) | 2006-02-16 |
EP1581441A1 (en) | 2005-10-05 |
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