Time-temperature indicator device and method of manufacture

• US 6,042,264 A
• Filed: 11/21/1997
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Temptime Corporation (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lifeline Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Fields, Stephen C., Prusik, Thaddeus, Arnold, Raymond M.
• Primary Examiner(s): HIRSHFELD, ANDREW HOWARD
• Application Number:
  US08/976,260
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 374/150, 374/106, 374/160, 374/102, 374/104, 374/141, 116/219
• US Class Current: 374/106
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/04 in respect of time

Abstract

A time-temperature indicator label for measuring the length of time to which a product has been exposed to a temperature above a pre-determined temperature is provided. The period of time of exposure is integrated with the temperature to which the indicator is exposed. The label is a composite of a plurality of layers adapted to be adhered at its underside to a product container. The label includes a printable surface layer, a longitudinal wicking strip that is adhered underneath the surface layer substantially at the opposite extremities only of the wicking strip and a lower substrate layer forming an envelope with said surface layer. A heat-fusible substance, which melts and flows above a pre-determined temperature, is applied on the surface of the wicking strip contiguous to at least one of the ends of the wicking member. When the heat-fusible substance is exposed to a temperature above the pre-determined temperature, the heat-fusible substance flows along the length of the wicking member. The label has a printable surface layer and is sealed at its peripheral edge to the peripheral edge of the substrate layer. These layers encapsulate the wicking member and the heat-fusible substance. The surface layer is provided with a sight window at an intermediate location over the wicking member through which the progress of flow on the wicking member is observed.

Claims

1. A pliable time-temperature indicator for signaling the exposure of a product to a pre-determined temperature above a pre-determined temperature and after a period of time that is integrated with said temperature comprising in combination:

(a) a substrate layer adapted to be adhered at its underside to a container;

(b) a surface layer;

(c) a wicking member between said substrate and surface layers that is adhered substantially only at the extremities of the member to the surface of one of said substrate or surface layers; and

(d) a microencapsulated heat-fusible substance, which, melts and flows above a pre-determined temperature, applied on the surface of the wicking member and contiguous with at least one of the ends of said wicking member and which, after being exposed to a temperature above said predetermined temperature, flows along the length of said wicking member;

said

(e) surface layer being superimposed over said wicking member and heat-fusible substance and, in conjunction with said substrate layer, encapsulating said wicking member and heat-fusible substance, said surface layer being provided with a sight window at an intermediate location over said wicking member and through which progress of flow on the wicking member of said heat-fusible substance is observable.

2. The indicator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the substrate layer and the surface layer are inherently sealable layers.

3. The indicator in accordance with claim 1 in which the surface layer is printable and transparent.

4. An indicator in accordance with claim 1 in the form of a label in which the surface layer is printable and wherein the indicator has a maximum thickness of 1.3 mm.

5. The indicator of claim 1 in which the microencapsulated heat-fusible substance is contained within a recess configured in the substrate layer, said substrate layer being an embossable layer.