US5045283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Moving boundary device for monitoring shelf-life of a perishable product
Assignee: JP Laboratories Inc
•
Filing: 1988-08-02
•
Granted: 1991-09-03
•
Expires: 2008-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A moving boundary device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history, i.e. shelf life, of perishable products. The device is constructed of an activator tape, containing an activator composition in an activator matrix, an indicating tape, containing an indicating composition in an indicator matrix in which the matrices are adhered together to form a wedge-shaped composite matrix, preferably by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive. The device operates by allowing the activating composiiton, e.g. an organic acid such as citric acid, to diffuse through the increasingly thicker composite matrix to continuously contact the indicating composition, e.g. an acid-base dye indicator such as 2,2',4,4',4",-pentamethoxy triphenylmethanol, to produce a visually observable color change at the temperature being monitored. The color change appears as a moving boundary at the color/non-color interface which moves transversely along the length of the device toward the thicker end of the composite matrix. The matrices are water-impermeable and the device preferably possesses activation energy and rate constant values for the color change which are substantially the same as those for product decay. This allows accurate and continuously observable monitoring of the available shelf-life of the perishable product to which the device is adhered.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordhanbhai N. Patel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N31/00; G01N31/22; G01N31/229; G01K; G01K3/00; G01K3/02; G01K3/04; G07; G07C; G07C1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for measuring the shelf life of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: (a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one matrix layer containing an indicator composition: (b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one matrix layer containing an activator composition: (c) a composite matrix, formed by bonding together said indicator tape and activator tape matrix layer, by means of at least one water-impermeable pressure sensitive adhesive; and wherein at least one matrix layer is of variable thickness, and said activator composition is capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact and chemically react with said indicator composition producing a visually observable color change in said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said color change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for measuring the shelf life of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: (a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one matrix layer containing an indicator composition: (b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one matrix layer containing an activator composition: (c) a composite matrix, formed by bonding together said indicator tape and activator tape matrix layer, by means of at least one water-impermeable pressure sensitive adhesive; and wherein at least one matrix layer is of variable thickness, and said activator composition is capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact and chemically react with said indicator composition producing a visually observable color change in said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said color change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said composite matrix further comprises at least one barrier matrix layer laminated to said activator and indicator matrix layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said barrier matrix layer is of variable thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said barrier matrix layer is of uniform thickness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said barrier matrix layer is of uniform thickness and comprises two wedge-shaped matrix layers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said indicator tape matrix layer and said activator tape matrix layers are both independently of variable thickness and said composite matrix is formed by directly laminating together said indicator and activator matrix layers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said activator matrix layer is of variable thickness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said indicator matrix layer is of variable thickness.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said device further possesses an activation energy and rate constant for color change which are substantially the same as the activation energy and rate constant for product decay of the perishable product in the temperature region of monitoring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said polymer film, substrate, and the indicator and activator compositions, are substantially impermeable to moisture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said film is comprised of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinylchloride, polycarbonate or cellulose acetate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said substrate is a translucent or opaque polymer film or metal foil.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said indicator, activator or barrier matrix is independently a resin of the type: epoxy, phenol-formaldehyde, amino-formaldehyde, polyamide, vinyl, acrylic, polyurethane,polyester, alkyd, elastomer, or rosin; pressure sensitive adhesive; or an ink of the type: flexo, gravure, offset, letter-press, or litho.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said matrix is a resin of the type: epoxy, phenol-formaldehyde, amino-formaldehyde, polyamide, vinyl, acrylic, polyurethane, polyester, alkyd, elastomer, or rosin; pressure sensitive adhesive; or an ink of the type: flexo, gravure, offset, letter-press, or litho.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said activator is an oxidizing agent and said indicator is redox dye.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said activator is a reducing agent and said indicator is a redox dye.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said activator is a base and said indicator is a base sensitive pH dye.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said activator is an acid and said indicator is an acid sensitive pH dye.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said activator is an organic compound containing a functional group capable of reacting with the indicator, being a known functional group reagent, producing a perceptible visual color change.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 19 wherein said activator is an organic compound having, one or more of the following functional groups: alcohol, aldehyde, allyl, amide, amine, amino acid, anhydride, azo, carbonyl, carboxylic acid, ester, ethoxy, hydrazine, hydroxamic acid, imide, ketone, nitrate, nitro, oximine, phenol, phenolester, sulfinic acid, sulfonamide, sulfone, sulfonic acid or thiol.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said activator is an inorganic compound containing at least one inorganic cation or anion capable of reacting with the indicator, being a known test reagent, and producing a visual perceptible color change.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said indicator is a partially polymerized diacetylene monomer and said activator is a solvent for the unpolymerized portion of the diacetylene monomer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 22 wherein said partially polymerized diacetylene monomer is 4BCMU and said indicator is triacetin.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 1 wherein: (a) the indicator tape comprises: a polyester film, a synthetic elastomer matrix containing 2,2',4,4',4"-pentamethoxy triphenylmethanol; (b) the activator tape comprises: a polyester film, the same synthetic elastomer as in containing citric acid in solid solution.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said indicator composition is displayed as at least one alphanumeric figure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said indicator composition is displayed as at least one bar code.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The indicator tape of claim 1 comprised of a transparent polymer film and at least one matrix layer of variable thickness affixed thereto, containing an indicator composition.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The indicator tape of claim 27 wherein said matrix layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The activator tape of claim 1 comprised of a substrate and at least one matrix layer, of variable thickness affixed thereto, containing an activator composition in solid solution.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The activator tape of claim 29 wherein said matrix layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
A perishable product having the device of claim 1, in inactivated form, attached thereto.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
A perishable product having the device of claim 1, in activated form, attached thereto.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process for monitoring the time-temperature storage history of a perishable product comprising the step of affixing to said product the device according to claim 1, and activating the device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 33 wherein the activating is by thermal annealing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 33 wherein the activating is by radiation.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 33 wherein the activating is by applying pressure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
111 words
A process for constructing the device of claim 1 monitoring the shelf life of a perishable product comprising the step of laminating: (a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto, at least one matrix layer containing an indicator composition; and (b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one matrix layer containing an activator composition in solid solution; producing a composite matrix layer wherein said activator being capable of migrating through said barrier at a predetermined time to contact said indicator producing a visually observable color change in the indicator tape, in which the predetermined time varies transversely along the device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
67 words
A process for altering the activation energy of the device of claim 1 to match that of a perishable product comprising the step of varying the nature of one of the following components of the device selected from: activator matrix, indicator matrix barrier matrix, activator, indicator, additives in a matrix, interface between two matrices, the degree of crystallinity of a given matrix, or combination of said components.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
144 words
A device for monitoring the time-temperature history of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing an indicator composition: b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing in solid solution an activator composition: c) a composite matrix, of uniform thickness, comprised of said indicator tape matrix and said activator tape matrix, both being of variable thickness, adhered together by a pressure sensitive adhesive, and said activator composition is capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact said indicator composition producing a visually observable color change in said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said color change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
144 words
A device for monitoring the time-temperature history of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing an indicator composition: b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing in solid solution an activator composition: c) a composite matrix, of uniform thickness, comprised of said indicator tape matrix and said activator tape matrix, both being of variable thickness, adhered together by a pressure sensitive adhesive, and said activator composition is capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact said indicator composition producing a visually observable color change in said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said color change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 39 wherein said device further possesses an activation energy and rate constant for color change which are substantially the same as the activation energy and rate constant for product decay of the perishable in the temperature region of monitoring.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
171 words
A device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing an indicator composition: b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing in solid solution an activator composition: c) a composite matrix, formed by bonding together said indicator tape and activator tape matrix layers, and further comprising at least one barrier matrix layer bonded to said activator and indicator matrix layers by at least one water-impermeable pressure sensitive adhesive, and wherein at least one matrix layer is of variable thickness, and said activator composition is capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact and chemically react with said indicator composition producing a visually observable color change in said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said color change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
171 words
A device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing an indicator composition: b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing in solid solution an activator composition: c) a composite matrix, formed by bonding together said indicator tape and activator tape matrix layers, and further comprising at least one barrier matrix layer bonded to said activator and indicator matrix layers by at least one water-impermeable pressure sensitive adhesive, and wherein at least one matrix layer is of variable thickness, and said activator composition is capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact and chemically react with said indicator composition producing a visually observable color change in said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said color change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 41 wherein said device further possesses an activation energy and rate constant for color change which are substantially the same as the activation energy and rate constant for product decay of the perishable product in the temperature region of monitoring.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
174 words
A device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing an indicator composition: b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing in solid solution an activator composition: c) a composite matrix, comprised of a plurality of laminated matrix layers, including said indicator tape and activator tape matrix layers, and further comprising at least one barrier matrix layer, of uniform thickness and comprised of two wedge-shaped matrix layers, said barrier layer being laminated to said activator and indicator matrix layers by at least one pressure sensitive adhesive, and said activator composition being capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact said indicator composition producing a visually observable color change in said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said color change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
174 words
A device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing an indicator composition: b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing in solid solution an activator composition: c) a composite matrix, comprised of a plurality of laminated matrix layers, including said indicator tape and activator tape matrix layers, and further comprising at least one barrier matrix layer, of uniform thickness and comprised of two wedge-shaped matrix layers, said barrier layer being laminated to said activator and indicator matrix layers by at least one pressure sensitive adhesive, and said activator composition being capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact said indicator composition producing a visually observable color change in said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said color change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 43 wherein said device further possesses an activation energy and rate constant for color change which are substantially the same as the activation energy and rate constant for product decay of the perishable product in the temperature region of monitoring.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
154 words
A device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing an indicator composition: b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing in solid solution an activator composition: c) a composite matrix, formed by bonding together said indicator tape and activator tape matrix layers, by at least one water-impermeable pressure sensitive adhesive, and wherein at least one matrix layer is of variable thickness, and said activator composition is capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact and chemically react with said indicator composition producing a visually observable change in fluorescence of said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
154 words
A device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing an indicator composition: b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing in solid solution an activator composition: c) a composite matrix, formed by bonding together said indicator tape and activator tape matrix layers, by at least one water-impermeable pressure sensitive adhesive, and wherein at least one matrix layer is of variable thickness, and said activator composition is capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact and chemically react with said indicator composition producing a visually observable change in fluorescence of said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 43 wherein said device further possesses an activation energy and rate constant for the change in fluorescence which are substantially the same as the activation energy and rate constant for product decay of the perishable product in the temperature region of monitoring.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
157 words
A device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing an indicator composition: b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing in solid solution an activator composition: c) a composite matrix, comprised of a plurality of laminated matrix layers, including said indicator tape and activator tape matrix layers, bonded together by at least one pressure sensitive adhesive, and wherein at least one matrix layer is of variable thickness, and said activator composition is capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact said indicator composition producing a measurable change in the electrical conductance of said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
157 words
A device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing an indicator composition: b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing in solid solution an activator composition: c) a composite matrix, comprised of a plurality of laminated matrix layers, including said indicator tape and activator tape matrix layers, bonded together by at least one pressure sensitive adhesive, and wherein at least one matrix layer is of variable thickness, and said activator composition is capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact said indicator composition producing a measurable change in the electrical conductance of said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing an indicator composition positioned below an opaque additive: b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing in solid solution an activator composition capable of dissolving said opaque additive: c) a composite matrix, formed by bonding together said indicator tape and activator tape matrix layers, by at least one water-impermeable pressure sensitive adhesive, and wherein at least one matrix layer is of variable thickness, and said activator composition is capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact and chemically react with said opaque additive to dissolve said opaque additive, producing a visually observable change in said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history of a perishable product having a measurable activation energy of product deterioration comprising: a) an indicator tape comprised of a transparent polymer film and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing an indicator composition positioned below an opaque additive: b) an activator tape comprised of a substrate and affixed thereto at least one water-impermeable matrix layer containing in solid solution an activator composition capable of dissolving said opaque additive: c) a composite matrix, formed by bonding together said indicator tape and activator tape matrix layers, by at least one water-impermeable pressure sensitive adhesive, and wherein at least one matrix layer is of variable thickness, and said activator composition is capable of diffusing through said composite matrix in a predetermined time to contact and chemically react with said opaque additive to dissolve said opaque additive, producing a visually observable change in said indicator composition, in which the predetermined time for producing said change, varies transversely along said composite matrix.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2614430A
Cited
US2889799A
Cited
US3065083A
Cited
US3078182A
Cited
US3311084A
Cited
US3360338A
Cited
US3386807A
Cited
US3414415A
Cited
US3479877A
Cited
US3520124A
Cited
US3677088A
Cited
US3954011A
Cited
US3942467A
Cited
US3946611A
Cited
US4042336A
Cited
US3981683A
Cited
US3981683B1
Cited
US3967579A
Cited
US3999946A
Cited
GB1521653A
Cited
US4057029A
Cited
US4154107A
Cited
US4163427A
Cited
US4212153A
Cited
US4188437A
Cited
US4195056A
Cited
US4195058A
Cited
US4292916A
Cited
US4280441A
Cited
US4432656A
Cited
US4382700A
Cited
US4410493A
Cited
US4509449A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-02 | 1995-03-04 | 1995-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-02 | 1999-03-04 | 1999-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-02 | 2003-03-04 | 2003-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |