Time-temperature tracking label
First Claim
1. A time-temperature tracking and indicator system for a pharmaceutical product having a time-temperature threshold, the system comprising a label, a computing device, and a computer application, wherein:
- the time-temperature threshold comprises an upper temperature threshold, an extreme upper temperature threshold, and a lower temperature threshold;
the label is configured to be attached to at least one of the product and packaging for the product, the label including;
a facestock comprising printed indicia, wherein the facestock has a thickness from about 10 to about 100 microns,a microchip configured to store information associated with the product, the information including at least one of time data and temperature data associated with the product, wherein the microchip is configured to record time only when a temperature threshold is exceeded;
a communication apparatus configured to wirelessly communicate the information stored in the microchip to the computing device,an indicator configured to display an initial status and a secondary status, and to provide a permanent visual indication as the secondary status for indicating that the time-temperature threshold of the product has been exceeded, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), thermochromic ink, and electrochromic ink anda power source for powering the microchip, the indicator, and optionally the communication apparatus; and
the computer application is executable on the computing device and configured to create manipulated information by performing operations on the information communicated to the computing device by the communication apparatus, and to output the manipulated information to indicate if the time-temperature threshold of the product has been exceeded;
wherein the indicator is visible through the facestock.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A time-temperature tracking and indicator system including a laminated label and a computer application. The laminated label is capable of tracking and recording information associated with a product having a time-temperature threshold. If the time-temperature threshold is exceeded, the product is considered unsuited for its intended purpose. The information recorded by the label is wirelessly communicated from the label to the computer application for manipulation. One or more of the label and the computer application provides indication as to whether the time-temperature threshold of the product has been exceeded.
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. A time-temperature tracking and indicator system for a pharmaceutical product having a time-temperature threshold, the system comprising a label, a computing device, and a computer application, wherein:
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the time-temperature threshold comprises an upper temperature threshold, an extreme upper temperature threshold, and a lower temperature threshold; the label is configured to be attached to at least one of the product and packaging for the product, the label including; a facestock comprising printed indicia, wherein the facestock has a thickness from about 10 to about 100 microns, a microchip configured to store information associated with the product, the information including at least one of time data and temperature data associated with the product, wherein the microchip is configured to record time only when a temperature threshold is exceeded; a communication apparatus configured to wirelessly communicate the information stored in the microchip to the computing device, an indicator configured to display an initial status and a secondary status, and to provide a permanent visual indication as the secondary status for indicating that the time-temperature threshold of the product has been exceeded, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), thermochromic ink, and electrochromic ink and a power source for powering the microchip, the indicator, and optionally the communication apparatus; and the computer application is executable on the computing device and configured to create manipulated information by performing operations on the information communicated to the computing device by the communication apparatus, and to output the manipulated information to indicate if the time-temperature threshold of the product has been exceeded; wherein the indicator is visible through the facestock. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of determining if a time-temperature threshold of a perishable pharmaceutical product has been exceeded, the method comprising:
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providing a time-temperature tracking and indicator system comprising an activatable label and a computer application, the label comprising a facestock comprising printed indicia, wherein the facestock has a thickness from about 10 to about 100 microns, a microchip, a communication apparatus, an indicator, and a power source for powering the microchip, the indicator, and optionally the communication apparatus, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), thermochromic ink, and electrochromic ink; activating the label such that the microchip records information associated with the product only when a temperature of the product, or a temperature to which the product is exposed, is not at recommended temperature or not within a recommended temperature range, the information including at least one of time data and temperature data associated with the product, and the microchip actuates the indicator to provide a permanent visual indication when the time-temperature threshold of the product has been exceeded; attaching the label to at least one of the product and packaging for the product, wherein the indicator is visible through the facestock; establishing communication between the communication apparatus and a separate computing device whereby the information recorded in the microchip is wirelessly communicated to the computing device; executing the computer application on the computing device whereby the computer application creates manipulated information by performing operations on the information communicated to the computing device, the computer application outputs the manipulated information to the computing device, and the computing device displays the manipulated information; and assessing at least one of the indicator and the manipulated information displayed on the computing device in order to determine if the time-temperature threshold of the product has been exceeded; wherein the time-temperature threshold comprises an upper temperature threshold, an extreme upper temperature threshold, and a lower temperature threshold. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of compiling information relating a perishable pharmaceutical product contained in a series of packages and having a time-temperature threshold, the information including at least one of time data and temperature data associated with the perishable product, the method comprising:
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providing a time-temperature tracking and indicator system comprising a plurality of labels and a computer application executable on a computing device, the labels each comprising a facestock comprising printed indicia, wherein the facestock has a thickness from about 10 to about 100 microns, a microchip, a communication apparatus, an indicator, and a power source for powering the microchip, the indicator, and optionally the communication apparatus, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), thermochromic ink, and electrochromic ink; attaching one of the labels to each package in the series of packages;
wherein the indicator is visible through the facestock;activating the labels such that the microchip records information associated with the product only when a temperature of the product, or a temperature to which the product is exposed, is not at a recommended temperature or within a recommended temperature range, the information including at least one of time data and temperature data associated with the product, and the microchip actuates the indicator to provide a permanent visual indication when the time-temperature threshold of the product has been exceeded; establishing communication between the computing device and the communication apparatus, whereby the information recorded in the microchip is wirelessly communicated to the computing device; and executing the computer application on the computing device whereby the information communicated to the computing device is communicated to a database to thereby compile the information relating to the product contained in the series of packages; wherein the time-temperature threshold comprises an upper temperature threshold, an extreme upper temperature threshold, and a lower temperature threshold; and further wherein the microchip is configured to record time only when a temperature threshold is exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A time-temperature tracking and indicator label for a pharmaceutical product having a time-temperature threshold, the label comprising:
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a facestock comprising printed indicia, wherein the facestock has a thickness from about 10 to about 100 microns, a microchip configured to store information associated with the product including at least one of time data and temperature data associated with the product, a communication apparatus configured to wirelessly communicate the information stored in the microchip to a computing device, an indicator configured to provide a permanent visual indication that the time-temperature threshold of the product has been exceeded, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), thermochromic ink, and electrochromic ink, and a power source for powering the microchip, the indicator, and optionally the communication apparatus; wherein the label is configured to be attached to at least one of the product and packaging for the product; wherein the indicator is visible through the facestock; wherein the time-temperature threshold comprises an upper temperature threshold, an extreme upper temperature threshold, and a lower temperature threshold; and wherein the microchip is configured to record time only when a temperature threshold is exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A time-temperature tracking and indicator system for a pharmaceutical product having a time-temperature threshold, the system comprising a label, and packaging for the product, wherein the label is attached to the packaging, the label including:
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a facestock comprising printed indicia, wherein the facestock has a thickness from about 10 to about 100 microns, a microchip configured to store information associated with the product including at least one of time data and temperature data associated with the product, a communication apparatus configured to wirelessly communicate the information stored in the microchip to a computing device, an indicator configured to provide a permanent visual indication that the time-temperature threshold of the product has been exceeded, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), thermochromic ink, and electrochromic ink, and a power source for powering the microchip, the indicator, and optionally the communication apparatus; wherein the indicator is visible through the facestock; wherein the time-temperature threshold comprises an upper temperature threshold, an extreme upper temperature threshold, and a lower temperature threshold; and further wherein the microchip is configured to record time only when a temperature threshold is exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification