PLASTIC-CONTAINING FOODSTUFF CONTAINERS USING IRREVERSIBLE THERMOCHROMIC MATERIAL TO INDICATE PAST EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

• US 20160194132A1
• Filed: 01/02/2015
• Published: 07/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lara L. Davidson, Ryan S. Davidson
• Original Assignee: Lara L. Davidson, Ryan S. Davidson
• Inventors: Davidson, Lara L., Davidson, Ryan S.
• Application Number:
  US14/588,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20160194132A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/3422 using video scanning devices, e.g. TV-cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/0207 characterised by material, e.g. composition, physical features
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/02 Labels
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 79/02 Arrangements or devices for indicating incorrect storage or transport B65D79/005 takes precedence ; measuring devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/72 for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/12 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/04 in respect of time

Abstract

An article includes a foodstuff container comprising a plastic, and a container component containing an irreversible thermochromic material configured to undergo a permanent color change responsive to exposure to temperatures above a threshold range. A system includes an optical scanner to capture imagery of a batch of foodstuff containers, at least one foodstuff container of the batch comprising an irreversible thermochromic material configured to permanently undergo a color change after exposure to temperatures above a threshold temperature range. The system also includes an image processing system to analyze the imagery to determine whether a foodstuff container of the batch has thermochromic material that has permanently undergone the color change. The system further includes a flow control system to prevent further distribution of a foodstuff container of the batch responsive to the image processing system determining that the foodstuff container has thermochromic material that has permanently undergone the color change.

Claims

1. An article comprising:

a foodstuff container comprising a plastic; and

a container component containing an irreversible thermochromic material configured to undergo a permanent color change responsive to exposure to temperatures above a threshold range.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein:

the container component comprises a label affixed to a surface of the foodstuff container.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein:

the irreversible thermochromic material comprises thermochromic ink printed at a region of the label; and

the label further comprises printed information regarding interpretation of a coloration of the region.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein:

the foodstuff container comprises a bottle; and

the container component comprises a bottle lid, wherein the irreversible thermochromic material is at least one of;

a thermochromic pigment suspended in a material of the bottle lid; and

a thermochromic ink printed at a surface of the bottle lid.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the container component comprises a plastic material of the foodstuff container.

6. The article of claim 5, wherein the irreversible thermochromic material is at least one of:

suspended in the plastic material; and

printed on a surface of the plastic material.

7. The article of claim 1, wherein the threshold range represents a maximum customary temperature for at least one of:

storing the foodstuff container prior to transfer to a consumer; and

transporting the foodstuff container prior to final transfer to a consumer.

8. The article of claim 1, wherein the foodstuff container comprises one selected from a group consisting of:

a bottle;

a plastic box;

a plastic-lined paper box;

a plastic lined metal can; and

a plastic zipper storage bag.

9. A bottle comprising:

a plastic bottle body to contain a foodstuff; and

a bottle lid comprising an irreversible thermochromic material configured to permanently undergo a color change after exposure to heat above a threshold temperature range.

10. The bottle of claim 9, wherein the irreversible thermochromic material is at least one of:

an irreversible thermochromic material suspended in a plastic material of the bottle lid; and

a thermochromic ink printed at a surface of the bottle lid.

11. A system comprising:

an optical scanner to capture imagery of a batch of foodstuff containers, at least one foodstuff container of the batch comprising an irreversible thermochromic material configured to permanently undergo a color change after exposure to temperatures above a threshold temperature range;

an image processing system coupled to the optical scanner, the image processing system to analyze the imagery to determine whether a foodstuff container of the batch has thermochromic material that has permanently undergone the color change; and

a flow control system coupled to the image processing system, the flow control system to prevent further distribution of a foodstuff container of the batch responsive to the image processing system determining that the foodstuff container has thermochromic material that has permanently undergone the color change.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the irreversible thermochromic material is disposed at a label of the foodstuff container; and

the optical scanner captures imagery of the label of the foodstuff container.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the irreversible thermochromic material is disposed at a region of plastic material of a body of the foodstuff container; and

the optical scanner captures imagery of the region of plastic material of the body of the foodstuff container.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the irreversible thermochromic material is disposed at a lid of the foodstuff container; and

the optical scanner captures imagery of the lid of the foodstuff container.