Patent US3575882A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US1811086A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4098577A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and indicator for detecting the loss of integrity of a package
Assignee: Pymah Corp
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Filing: 1975-05-27
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Granted: 1978-07-04
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Expires: 1995-05-27
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 in equilibrium with normal atmospheric conditions and a second color when in equilibrium with an artificial atmosphere comprising an acidic gaseous material. When the air normally in the package is displaced by the artificial atmosphere, the pH sensitive dye assumes its second color. Loss of integrity of the sealed package results in loss of the acidic gaseous material. As a consequence, the pH sensitive dye reverts to its first color, thereby signaling the loss of package integrity.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald F. Halpern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:43
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: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A visual package integrity indicator system comprising a normally sealed package, a sensor in communication with the interior of said package but visual from the exterior of said package, said sensor including a pH sensitive dye system which displays a first color when in equilibrium with normal air and a second color when in equilibrium with an acidic gaseous material, and an artificial atmosphere within said package, said artifical atmosphere comprising an acidic gaseous material, said gaseous material being sufficient to maintain said dye system in its second color when said package is sealed, said dye system being reversibly responsive to the presence or absence of said artificial atmosphere whereby said dye reverts to its first color when the artificial atmosphere is lost as a result of package seal being broken.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A visual package integrity indicator system comprising a normally sealed package, a sensor in communication with the interior of said package but visual from the exterior of said package, said sensor including a pH sensitive dye system which displays a first color when in equilibrium with normal air and a second color when in equilibrium with an acidic gaseous material, and an artificial atmosphere within said package, said artifical atmosphere comprising an acidic gaseous material, said gaseous material being sufficient to maintain said dye system in its second color when said package is sealed, said dye system being reversibly responsive to the presence or absence of said artificial atmosphere whereby said dye reverts to its first color when the artificial atmosphere is lost as a result of package seal being broken.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A package integrity indicator system according to claim 1 wherein said acidic gaseous material is carbon dioxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A package integrity indicator system according to claim 1 wherein said package is transparent and said sensor is indicia printed on the inside surface of said package.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A package integrity indicator system according to claim 1 wherein said dye system includes a pH sensitive dye and a buffering compound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The package integrity system of claim 1 wherein the artificial atmosphere comprises CO 2 enriched air, the CO 2 concentration being at least sufficient to cause the pH sensitive dye to assume its second color.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The package integrity indicator system of claim 1 wherein the pH sensitive dye is thymol blue, bromocresol green, bromophenol red, or Nile blue A.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The package integrity indicator according to claim 1 wherein the artificial atmosphere comprises CO 2 in an amount at least sufficient to cause the pH sensitive dye to assume its second color and an inert gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the inert gas is nitrogen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The package integrity indicator system of claim 1 wherein the sealed package is sealed in an overwrap of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric films and metal foils.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the polymeric film is polyvinylidiene chloride, teflon, polytriflurochlorethylene, or a laminate of polyvinylidiene chloride between two layers of polyethylene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the foil is aluminum foil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A package integrity indicator system according to claim 1 wherein said acidic gaseous material is carbon dioxide and said pH sensitive dye undergoes a color change in the pH range of 6.7 to 9.2.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A package integrity indicator system according to claim 12 wherein said package is transparent and said sensor is indicia printed on the inside surface of said package.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A package integrity indicator system according to claim 12 wherein said package is transparent and said sensor is inserted in said package.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A package integrity indicator system according to claim 12 wherein said dye system includes a pH sensitive dye and a buffering compound.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A package integrity indicator system according to claim 12 wherein said atmosphere comprises nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A package integrity indicator system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a pH sensitive dye in combination with a polyol and a buffering system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A package integrity indicator system according to claim 17 wherein the acidic gaseous material is CO 2 .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A package integrity indicator system according to claim 17 wherein the polyol is glycerol.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A package integrity indicator system according to claim 19 wherein the buffering compound is NaOH, Na 2 CO 3 or NaHCO 3 and the acidic gaseous material is CO 2 .
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The package integrity indicator system of claim 20 wherein the pH sensitive dye is thymol blue.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for detecting the loss of integrity of a sealed package which comprises: (a) filling the package prior to sealing with an artificial atmosphere comprising an acidic gaseous material; (b) incorporating in the package a sensor comprising a pH sensitive dye, said dye displaying a first color when in equilibrium with normal air and a second color when in equilibrium with said artificial atmosphere; and (c) sealing the package; said acidic gaseous material being sufficient to maintain the dye in its second color whereby damage to the package results in loss of artificial atmosphere, resulting in the reversion of the dye to its first color.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
106 words
A process for detecting the loss of integrity of a sealed package which comprises: (a) filling the package prior to sealing with an artificial atmosphere comprising an acidic gaseous material; (b) incorporating in the package a sensor comprising a pH sensitive dye, said dye displaying a first color when in equilibrium with normal air and a second color when in equilibrium with said artificial atmosphere; and (c) sealing the package; said acidic gaseous material being sufficient to maintain the dye in its second color whereby damage to the package results in loss of artificial atmosphere, resulting in the reversion of the dye to its first color.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 22 wherein the sealed package is sealed in an overwrap of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric films and metal foils.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 23 wherein the polymer film is polyvinylidene chloride, teflon, polytrifluorochloroethylene, or a laminate of polyvinylidene chloride between two layers of polyethylene.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 24 wherein the foil is aluminum foil.
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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) | 1981-07-03 | 1982-01-02 | 1982-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-03 | 1986-01-02 | 1986-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-03 | 1990-01-02 | 1990-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |