US3899295A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrity indicator
Assignee: Pymah Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-23
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1993-11-23
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald F Halpern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:30
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/026; A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/26; A61L2/28; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A package integrity indicator according to claim 1 wherein said basic gaseous material is ammonia.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A package integrity indicator according to claim 1 wherein said dye syStem includes a pH sensitive dye and a buffer system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The package integrity indicator, according to claim 1, wherein the pH sensitive dye is bromcresol purple, cresol red, or thymol blue.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2567445A
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US2787238A
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US2995425A
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US3011874A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |