Patent Application
20070041423
In a first aspect, this invention relates to a package for storing goods in a preservative state in which the temperature must not pass a set limit value, the package comprising, on one hand, a bar-code, which in the usage state of the package is applied in a surface field reserved for the same, in which field extraneous prints must not be present, and on the other hand a temperature indicator, the optical properties of which are variable, when the temperature passes said limit value.
In a second aspect, the invention also relates to a method for making such packages.
Chilled and deep-frozen foods, respectively, are handled in large amounts within the food sector. During the period between production, when the goods are chilled or deep-frozen, and retail sale to final consumer, it is of vital importance that the temperature of the package and the goods contained in the same do not exceed a certain recommended limit value, which for deep-frozen products usually is −18° C. and for chilled products +4° C. (at times +8° C.). If the goods during a certain time would unintentionally obtain a higher temperature than the recommended limit value, it is risked that the quality of the goods is deteriorated, and if the exposure to the forbidden high temperature would become long, the goods may become completely unhealthy by growth of bacteria. The handling of the goods from producer to consumer includes in practice a plurality of different phases, such as storage, transshipments, transports as well as handling in the shop. There are, per se, strict rules and recommendations how the temperature of the goods should be monitored and documented during these different phases, but in practice, the rules are difficult to observe completely. If the individual goods on some occasion by misadventure or in another way would be exposed to higher temperature than the recommended highest limit value, neither the consumers nor other parties in the chain between producer and consumer have previously been able to see this on the proper package.
With the purpose of managing the above-mentioned problems, it has by WO 01/72601 (SE 0001069-4) been proposed a package having a temperature indicator, which is especially intended for monitoring the freshness of deep-frozen foods. This temperature indicator makes use of a contrast fluid, which is initially transparent and preserves the transparency thereof during a temperature reduction past a certain limit value, but is converted in an irreversible way to an opaque, coloured state, if the temperature would exceed the same value. In a particular embodiment, the temperature indicator is utilized in order to cover a bar-code by an initially transparent part. The intention hereby is that the temperature indicator in the transparent state thereof should enable scanning of the code, but in a triggered, coloured state make conventional scanning of the bar-code impossible. During the development of the temperature indicator being the subject of WO 01/72601, it has, however, turned out that the normal scanning of the bar-code, i.e., scanning of fully fresh goods on the packages of which the temperature indicator has not been triggered, is made more difficult in spite of the contrast fluid included in the temperature indicator still being transparent.
The present invention aims at obviating the code scanning problems that are associated with the package according to WO 01/72601 and at providing an improved package. Thus, a primary object of the invention in a first aspect is to provide a package for goods having a bar-code as well as a temperature indicator, which can separate fresh goods from unfresh without aggravating normal scanning of a bar-code by means of conventional, existing scanning equipment. An additional object is to provide a package in which the requirements on precision in application of, on one hand, a bar-code and on the other hand a separately made temperature indicator interacting with the same, are moderate. In other words, the nature of the package should enable quick and easy application of the respective components in connection with the daily, current marking of packages for goods, whether this is carried out at the producer/wholesaler or in the shop. Another object of the invention is to provide a package that can be used for frozen as well as chilled goods.
According to the invention, at least the primary object is attained by the features defined in the characterizing clause of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the package according to the invention are furthermore defined in the dependent claims 2-13.
In a second aspect, the invention also relates to a method for making packages of the kind in question. The features of this method are seen in the independent claim 14.
The invention is based on the intention to apply a temperature indicator on the package in a first step, which indicator partially overlaps a surface field reserved for a bar-code in which field extraneous prints must not be present, and to apply the bar-code in a second step, more precisely in such a way that one or more of the bars in the bar-code cover the temperature indicator, i.e., are present on top of the same. In such a way, the temperature indicator, which advantageously is in the form of a separate label, can be fastened on the package without other demand on precision than that the same should partially overlap the surface field reserved for the bar-code, whereupon the bar-code is applied without other demand on precision than that at least one of the bars in the same should be located on top of the temperature indicator. In such a way, on one hand it is guaranteed that the normal scanning of the bar-code will be reliable during all conditions, and on the other hand that a colour alteration of the temperature indicator triggered by a temperature limit passage affects the bar-code in such a way that said passage is observed in the shop's computer system connected to the code scanner.
By DE 19912529, a temperature indicator is previously known in the form of a label applicable to packages for goods, which label, in addition to a thermally reactable layer having a variable colour, includes a transparent top coat in which a bar-code is integrated. As long as the goods in question holds the desired temperature, the reactable layer remains unaffected and the bar-code scannable, but if the desired temperature is exceeded, the lower layer changes colour and makes the bar-code unscannable. However, a disadvantage of this label is that the same is intended to form the individual price or weight code of the goods package, which means that an extremely large number of different labels have to be manufactured, distributed, stored and applied to the thousands of different goods, which are in circulation in the convenience goods trade and which require individual code marking.
In the drawings:
Before the invention is described more in detail, it should be pointed out that bar-codes of the type that are applied to packages for foods and other commodities usually consist of so-called EAN codes, where the letters EAN stand for European Article Number. This constitutes a worldwide system for article numbering of all types of consumer goods. The system is administered by “International Article Numbering Association, EAN”, which issues instructions to the users having joined the system. EAN is used in shops having computerized paydesks and a fixed or mobile bar-code scanner. Upon the symbol scanning, a registration of the EAN code takes place in the computer system of the shop. The most common bar-codes consist of price codes and weight codes, respectively. When registration takes place, a number of measures are triggered if a code is in the price memory of the computer system. The price and the merchandise description, which the shop has entered into the computer system, are shown to the customer through a price window. The specifications are printed in plain text on the receipt of the customer and the computer sums up the amount that shall be paid. At possible price changes, the goods do not need to be remarked. Furthermore, by using special programs in the computer system, there is a possibility to assemble information in an expedient way, which may be combined in order to form a basis for order quantities, composition of class of goods, pricing, etc. The code scanners on the market make use of infrared light, which illuminates the bars as well as the intermediate neutral fields in a bar-code, the contrast between the bars and said fields being crucial to the quality of scanning. Generally, the black or dark bars in a bar-code absorb the light, while the white or light fields between the bars reflect the light. In larger scanners, the bars are illuminated by a grid of light beams. If the bars are of a dark colour, such as black or blue, at the same time as the neutral fields are light, e.g., white or yellow, an optimum contrasting effect is obtained. However, also other combinations of colour may exist. The essential thing is that the infrared light is either absorbed or reflected by the colouring substances in question. Of course, the distinctness of the code bars is also of great importance.
In
As is seen in
Characteristic of the package according to the invention is that the temperature indicator 3 at least partially overlaps the surface field 4 reserved for the bar-code, and that one or more of the bars in the bar-code are applied on top of the temperature indicator. Although the temperature indicator 3 may be realized in many different ways, in the example, the same has the form of a label having an exposed, visible top side or outside 8 in the applied state and a hidden bottom side 9, which advantageously may include a finishing (not shown) by means of which the label may be pasted on the package. In practice, the label may be manufactured from a thin, transparent plastic foil or film, which in its entirety forms a casing designated 10. For instance, the production may take place by the fact that the foil is folded along an end edge and welded together along two long-side edges and an opposite end edge. The casing defines a hollow space in which a porous, capillary suctioning means 11 is housed, which advantageously may be composed of a strip of paper or other fibrous material. In practice, the two foil parts that surround the strip 11 should lie in close contact with the outside as well as the inside of the same.
Furthermore, inside the casing 10 at least one burstable capsule 12 is arranged, which contains liquid. In the shown, preferred embodiment, two such capsules, 12, 12′, are present, which are placed fairly near each other in the area of one end edge of the label. Each individual capsule is manufactured from a thin film of a material, e.g., a suitable plastic, that retains a fundamental elasticity or softness at a certain temperature, e.g., near 0° C., but becomes brittle at lower temperatures, e.g., below −16° C. The liquid contained in the individual capsule may for instance consist of a mixture of alcohol and water in such proportions that the freezing point of the liquid mix is at, for instance, −16° C. Such a liquid mix is colourless and transparent.
Paper and similar fibrous materials have different optical properties in dry and wet state, respectively. More precisely, in a dry state the top side of a white or brightly coloured paper is opaque so far that only the surface, but not the interior of the paper fibre web, can be seen by the eye. However, as soon as the fibre web is wetted, the same becomes transparent in so far that at least the outermost layer in the fibre web can be seen through. This phenomenon may in the invention be utilized in such a way that the strip 11 is provided with one or more prints that are invisible from the top side as long as the strip is dry, but which are made visible when the strip is wetted. Although the number of prints as well as the physical shape and location thereof in the fibre web may be varied in a multiple of ways within the scope of the invention, two different prints 13, 14 are shown in the example according to
Although series manufacturing of the label serving as temperature indicator as such can be carried out in various ways, the print-carrying strip 11 should be pre-printed on one side thereof, after which it is contained in the casing. Before sealing the same, also the liquid capsules 12, 12′ are inserted either by being inserted in the strip 11 (e.g., in countersinks in the same) in advance or by being placed between the strip and the surrounding casing.
In order to complete the package according to
Arbitrarily long time after the manufacture, the disclosed temperature indicator/the label can be primed for use, more precisely in connection with the fact that a storing period of a packaged quick-frozen food item should be initiated. The only essential in this respect is that the label before priming is not exposed to temperatures below the limit value that should be monitored (e.g., −16° C.). Conventionally, freezing of quick-frozen food is carried out at very low temperatures in order to hasten the freezing process. Inside the temperature indicator, the following then takes place: As the temperature falls from room temperature, heat is transported from the liquid capsules 12, 12′ via the casing to the cooled surroundings. When the temperature has dropped to, for instance −16° C., the liquid in the capsules freezes to ice and begins to expand. Simultaneously, the material in the capsule walls has become brittle, said expansion resulting in that the capsules bursts (in practice, cracks are formed in the capsule walls). The bursting means that an irreversible way of communication arises between the interior of the capsules and the surrounding paper fibre web. However, as long as the temperature is below said limit value, no exit of liquid from the capsules takes place because the liquid still exists in solid form, more precisely as ice. The temperature indicator is now primed.
However, if the package 1 together with the temperature indicator 3 thereof at some occasion during the handling from producer to consumer would unintentionally come to be thawed by being exposed to temperatures above the limit value during a considerable time, the ice will melt and return to liquid state. Then, the accordingly triggered liquid is first sucked into the fibre web in the immediate vicinity of the capsules 12, 12′ (see
In an alternative embodiment of the package particularly suited for chilled products, a temperature indicator is used the wetting agent of which consists of a liquid, which has a semi-plastic consistency at temperatures below a certain limit value, but becomes liquid at temperatures above the same. For chilled products in general and chilled foods in particular, the chosen limit value should be in the temperature range of 0 to +12° C., suitably between +2° C. and +10° C. For specific foods, the limit value may be set to either +4° C. or +8° C.
Because the liquid in question should have the capability to transform or be converted from one viscosity state to another, more precisely between, on one hand, a state of low viscosity, and on the other hand a semi-plastic state or possibly a state of high viscosity—depending on the ambient temperature—said liquid will henceforth be denominated conversion liquid.
The choice of conversion liquid is determined by a plurality of factors, one of which consists of the character of the packaged goods. Thus, if the goods consists of a food item, a liquid that is not toxic and/or chemically active should be chosen. Therefore, for the purpose, vegetable or animal oils of the type that has a melting point (pourpoint) or viscosity transition temperature within the range of 0-12° C. are suitable. Experiments having preceded the invention have shown that olive oil is particularly expedient. Therefore, below a brief account of a practical experiment follows.
An olive oil of the make “BERTOLLI GENTILE, Extra Vergine” was cooled down in a refrigerator to a temperature of +3° C., whereupon the sample was taken out in room temperature for the measurement of the temperature change as well as the consistency of the oil once per minute during totally 6 min. Below, the result of the same measurement follows in tabular form.
Thus, during the relatively narrow temperature range of 2.6° C. between +6.0° C. and +8.6° C., the olive oil in question transforms from a non-liquid, semi-plastic state to a state of low viscosity.
A temperature-indicating label, particularly suitable for chilled products, is shown in
Suppose that the temperature limit value in question of the goods is set to +4° C. As long as the ambient temperature is below the same value, the label remains in the initial state thereof. However, if the temperature during storing of the goods would exceed +4° C., the consistency of the liquid will be transformed from semi-plastic to be of low viscosity. By the capillary effects in the porous strip 11, the liquid will then be sucked into the strip and completely wet the same, whereupon the two prints 13 and 14 will appear and become visible from the outside of the label. In such a way, the observer as well as the computer system (upon code scanning) are made aware that the temperature limit value has been exceeded.
Conventional code scanning can be carried out without hindrance as long as the strip 11 is dry and white/light, but as soon as the strip is wetted, the dark border 13 appears and makes scanning of the code impossible because the border absorbs the infrared light of the code scanner.
A delay of the advance of the liquid of low viscosity in the fibre web may also be accomplished by making the fibre web with spaced-apart sections, which have different porosity or capillary effects. By in a suitable way delaying the liquid penetration, it is guaranteed that the goods has to be exposed to a harmfully increased temperature during a certain time in order to trigger the indicator. Hence, a short exceeding of the temperature limit value, e.g., the time during which the customer stays in a shop (usually max. approx. 30 min), will not lead to the indicator being triggered. In this connection, it should also be pointed out that a viscous conversion liquid of the type oil in itself has the property that a triggering of the temperature indicator registrable by the code scanner does not come into effect as a consequence of a short temperature rise only. Namely, if a temperature rise arises and the package a short time thereafter is cooled down, it is true that the liquid initially will commence to flow in the strip, but thereafter again become viscous or stiff. This means that the diffusion of the liquid in the direction of the print 13 co-operating with the bar-code is checked and entirely stops before the liquid reaches up to the same.
It is obvious that a semi-plastic conversion liquid of the type that has been described above in connection with
As has initially been mentioned, the technical embodiment of the temperature indicator is of minor importance for the realization of the invention. The temperature indicators illustrated in
The invention is not solely limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. Thus, the temperature indicator and the interaction thereof with the package may be varied in multiple ways. For instance, it is feasible to apply the dark or light-absorbing print on the package instead of the underneath side of the label that forms the temperature indicator. In other words, the print or signal element that is to appear upon triggering does not necessarily need to be integrated with the proper temperature indicator. It is also possible to make the temperature indicator in accordance with prior art, e.g., such as this is represented by DE 19831519 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,748, FR 2611899 (in addition to the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,671). Furthermore, it is feasible to use the package according to the invention for goods, the ambient temperature of which must not pass below a certain limit value. In such cases, the temperature indicator of the package is primed at a temperature above the set limit value, e.g., above 0° C., in order to at a temperature reduction to and past the limit value trigger a colour-wise or another optic alteration that affects the scanning of the bar-code. Such packages, e.g., in the form of pots, cases, boxes, etc., may advantageously be used for storing of goods which must not freeze, e.g., paint, certain medicines, beverages, fruit and vegetables, etc. In this connection, it should also be mentioned that the package may include more than one temperature indicator. For instance, the package may be provided with one temperature indicator, which is capable of indicating whether a certain temperature value has been exceeded, as well as another temperature indicator, which marks whether the temperature has fallen below a certain, other value. Two such temperature indicators may then be applied at opposite ends of the bar-code in the way that characterizes the invention according to the subsequent claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0302455-1 | Sep 2003 | SE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SE04/01317 | 9/14/2004 | WO | 3/16/2006 |
