High pressure processing pressure sensor
First Claim
1. A pressure sensor for visually determining whether a pressure threshold has been achieved, said pressure sensor comprising:
- a reversible thermochromic color-changing system comprising;
a dye;
a developer; and
a solvent;
wherein said reversible thermochromic color-changing system is contained such that said dye, said developer, and said solvent are encapsulated together;
wherein said developer variably interacts with said dye according to the pressure of said color-changing system;
wherein upon achievement of said pressure threshold, said dye and said developer interact, resulting in a visible color change; and
wherein said reversible thermochromic color-changing system comprises a color-memory property which facilitates retention of said visible color change upon a decrease in pressure from said pressure threshold to record said achievement of said pressure threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure sensor and its use for visually determining whether a preselected pressure threshold has been achieved, for example during high pressure processing treatment of a foodstuff. The pressure sensor includes a contained color-changing system having a dye, a developer, and a solvent; upon achievement of the preselected pressure threshold, the dye and the developer interact, resulting in a visible color change. Further, the visible color change can be retained upon a decrease in pressure and upon an increase in temperature, thereby effectively recording the achievement of the preselected pressure threshold during the high pressure processing treatment.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A pressure sensor for visually determining whether a pressure threshold has been achieved, said pressure sensor comprising:
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a reversible thermochromic color-changing system comprising; a dye; a developer; and a solvent; wherein said reversible thermochromic color-changing system is contained such that said dye, said developer, and said solvent are encapsulated together; wherein said developer variably interacts with said dye according to the pressure of said color-changing system; wherein upon achievement of said pressure threshold, said dye and said developer interact, resulting in a visible color change; and wherein said reversible thermochromic color-changing system comprises a color-memory property which facilitates retention of said visible color change upon a decrease in pressure from said pressure threshold to record said achievement of said pressure threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for visually determining whether a pressure threshold has been achieved during high pressure processing treatment of a foodstuff, comprising:
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reliably associating a pressure sensor with said foodstuff, said pressure sensor comprising; a reversible thermochromic color-changing system comprising; a dye; a developer; and a solvent; wherein said reversible thermochromic color-changing system is contained such that said dye, said developer, and said solvent are encapsulated together; wherein said developer variably interacts with said dye according to the pressure of said color-changing system; wherein upon achievement of said pressure threshold, said dye and said developer interact, resulting in a visible color change; and wherein said reversible thermochromic color-changing system comprises a color-memory property which facilitates retention of said visible color change upon a decrease in pressure from said pressure threshold to record said achievement of said pressure threshold.
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22. A method for indicating achievement of a pressure threshold during high pressure processing treatment of a foodstuff, comprising:
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reliably associating a pressure sensor with said foodstuff, said pressure sensor comprising; a reversible thermochromic color-changing system comprising; a dye; a developer; and a solvent; wherein said reversible thermochromic color-changing system is contained such that said dye, said developer, and said solvent are encapsulated together; wherein said developer variably interacts with said dye according to the pressure of said color-changing system; wherein upon achievement of said pressure threshold, said dye and said developer interact, resulting in a visible color change; and wherein said reversible thermochromic color-changing system comprises a color-memory property which facilitates retention of said visible color change upon a decrease in pressure from said pressure threshold to record said achievement of said pressure threshold.
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Specification