Time-temperature indicator device and method of manufacture
First Claim
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.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
5 Claims
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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:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification