Integrity indicator

• US 3,899,295 A
• Filed: 11/23/1973
• Issued: 08/12/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: INFO-Chem Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Donald F. Halpern
• Inventors: Halpern, Donald F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scovronek, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hollander, Barry I.
• Application Number:
  US05/418,486
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 23/254R,23L,253TP,232R 116/114AM 206/459
• US Class Current: 422/400
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/026 initial opening or unauthorised access being indicated by a visual change using indicators other than tearable means, e.g. change of colour, pattern or opacity B65D55/066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/807 Tamper proof

Abstract

A system for indicating the integrity of a normally sealed package utilizes a sensor containing a pH sensitive dye which displays a first color at normal atmospheric pH and a second color above normal atmospheric pH. An artificial atmosphere containing a basic gaseous material, which maintains the dye in its second color so long as the integrity of the sealed package is maintained, is then introduced in the package.

Claims

1. A VISUAL PACKAGE INTEGRITY INDICATOR COMPRISING A NORMALLY SEALED PACKAGE, A SENSOR MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID PACKAGE AND VISIBLE FROM THE XTERIOR OF SAID PACKAGE, SAID SENSOR MEANS INCLUDING A PH SENSITIVE DYE SYSTEM WHICH DISPLAYS A FIRST COLOR AT NORMAL ATMOSPHERIC PH AND A SECOND COLOR SLIGHTLY ABOVE SAID NORMAL ATMOSPHERIC PH AND AN ARTIFICAL ATMOSPHERE WITHIN SAID PACKAGE CONTAINING A QUANTITY OF BASIC GASEOUS MATERIAL IN A QUANTITY SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN SAID DYE SYSTEM IN ITS SECOND COLOR WHEN SAID PACKAGE IS SEALED, THE COLOR OF SAID DYE STSTEM BEING REVERSIBLY RESPONSIVE TO THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF SAID GASEOUS MATERIAL THEREBY INDICATING DAMAGE TO THE INTEGRITY OF SAID NORMALLY SEALED PACKAGE.

2. A package integrity indicator according to claim 1 wherein said basic gaseous material is ammonia.

3. A package integrity indicator according to claim 1 wherein said package is transparent and said sensor is indicia printed on an inside surface of said package.

4. A package integrity indicator according to claim 1 wherein said dye syStem includes a pH sensitive dye and a buffer system.

5. The package integrity indicator, according to claim 1, wherein the pH sensitive dye is bromcresol purple, cresol red, or thymol blue.