WO2001082006A1 - Perishable goods timer device - Google Patents

Perishable goods timer device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001082006A1
WO2001082006A1 PCT/IT2001/000198 IT0100198W WO0182006A1 WO 2001082006 A1 WO2001082006 A1 WO 2001082006A1 IT 0100198 W IT0100198 W IT 0100198W WO 0182006 A1 WO0182006 A1 WO 0182006A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
expiry date
cell
chip
thermal paper
clock
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IT2001/000198
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Giovanni Leuti
Claudio Nini
Original Assignee
Giovanni Leuti
Claudio Nini
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Giovanni Leuti, Claudio Nini filed Critical Giovanni Leuti
Priority to AU2001260602A priority Critical patent/AU2001260602A1/en
Publication of WO2001082006A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001082006A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
    • G09F3/0291—Labels or tickets undergoing a change under particular conditions, e.g. heat, radiation, passage of time
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
    • G04F1/00—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers
    • G04F1/005—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers using electronic timing, e.g. counting means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device able to indicate the reaching of an expiry date relative to days, months, years and also hours elapsed from the initial " instant chosen " at the time of " setting the expiry date.
  • the expiry date is present in all of the perishable edible or non-edible products both for industrial and domestic use.
  • the invention seeks to overcome all of the problems connected with the difficult check of the expiry date of a product and to provide a device able to indicate visually and in easily, immediately detectable fashion the reaching of the expiry date of the product to which the device is applied.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section view of a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the invention of Fig. 2.
  • the indicating device has visual indicating means which are operated by driving means controlled by suitable time control means .
  • the invention includes essentially a thin "plaster" to be stuck to the packaging of the perishable product, which is provided with a window area that clearly changes colour or brightness when the predetermined expiry date is reached. For example, such window area turns red or takes a colour which differs sharply from the surroundings or provides a light signal.
  • the ' visual indicating means consists of an iridescent temperature-sensitive material, such as a thermal " paper T, which is heated by a microresistance R controlled by a chip or integrated circuit C of the known type which operates essentially like a timing relay provided with a clock.
  • the operation is very easy and effective.
  • the clock indicates the reaching of the expiry date (time, day, month and year)
  • the relay closes a circuit that connects directly cell E to resistance R which heats thermal paper T adjacent thereto by Joule effect and causes a not reversible colour change as well as the next indication that the predetermined expiry date has been reached.
  • the clock indicates the reaching of the expiry date (time, day, month and year)
  • the relay closes a circuit that connects directly cell E to resistance R which heats thermal paper T adjacent thereto by Joule effect and causes a not reversible colour change as well as the next indication that the predetermined expiry date has been reached.
  • FIGs. 2 and 3 shows a particularly advantageous embodiment.
  • Cell E, chip C and microresistance R are secured to an adhesive tape N and covered by thermal paper T and • an outside protection film P connected to the tape.
  • Such protection film has a transparent window area F at the resistance R covered by thermal paper T.
  • This embodiment includes a power supply cell E having a voltage preferably of 0.8 to 3 Volt according to the expiry date (the farther the expiry date, the greater the capacity of the cell) , and a resistance R able to warm up preferably to a temperature of 40-50°C or in any case to cause the thermal paper to change colour.
  • a power supply cell E having a voltage preferably of 0.8 to 3 Volt according to the expiry date (the farther the expiry date, the greater the capacity of the cell) , and a resistance R able to warm up preferably to a temperature of 40-50°C or in any case to cause the thermal paper to change colour.
  • the invention can also be applied to documents having an expiry date such as identification documents (identity cards, driving licence, passport, etc.), and all of the applications where it is useful to perceive easily and immediately if the expiry date has been reached or not, such as the insurance of a vehicle, road fund tax, etc.
  • the clock of chip C is programmed permanently to operate the inside relay at a determined expiry date.
  • the overall dimensions ⁇ of the disclosed device are very small owing to the present production technology.
  • the device can be easily manufactured with a thickness of some millimetres. For example, if integrated circuit C is directly connected to adhesive tape N, the whole device could have a thickness of 2-3 millimetres.
  • the visual indicating means T may undergo a colour change in a different manner from that described above, for example in a. chemical way by. a reaction causing a "toning" like a litmus paper.
  • the present invention has been described according to a preferred embodiment thereof, however, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make equivalent modifications and/or replacements without departing from the scope of the present industrial invention.
  • the device instead of using the • disclosed adhesive "plaster” the device could be inserted directly into the thickness of the packaging material, with the check window F facing and visible from the outside.
  • the surface aspect of the changing area could change at the expiry date. For example, it can become wrinkled so that it can be known by the touch also by a blind man.
  • a further embodiment, as already disclosed, consists in that a . LED or a liquid crystal diode can be provided instead of the thermal paper as visual indicating means, such diode being activated or

Abstract

A perishable expiry date indicator, characterized in that it includes means for modifying its exterior aspect by indicating the reaching of a predetermined expiry date visually and automatically. The invention includes essentially a thin 'plaster' able to be stuck or secured to the package of the perishable product and provided with an area that clearly changes colour or brightness when the predetermined expiry date is reached. The visual indicating means consists preferably of thermal paper (T) or other iridescent temperature-sensitive material which is heated by a microresistance (R) controlled by a chip or integrated circuit (C) of the known type which operates essentially like a timing relay provided with a clock. As an alternative, a LED or a liquid crystal diode increasing or decreasing in brightness at the expiry date is provided.

Description

PERISHABLE GOODS TIMER DEVICE
The present invention relates to a device able to indicate the reaching of an expiry date relative to days, months, years and also hours elapsed from the initial" instant chosen " at the time of" setting the expiry date.
It is well known, for example, that drugs have an expiry date, and unfortunately the writing of the latter is often not visible or deteriorates with time. Such problem becomes even worse considering that who takes medicines are mostly old people generally having sight problems.
A similar drawbacks occurs in packaged or tinned foodstuffs. Also in this case, it is mandatory to indicate the expiry date which often cannot be easily read.
Generally, the expiry date is present in all of the perishable edible or non-edible products both for industrial and domestic use.
The invention seeks to overcome all of the problems connected with the difficult check of the expiry date of a product and to provide a device able to indicate visually and in easily, immediately detectable fashion the reaching of the expiry date of the product to which the device is applied.
This is achieved according to the invention by providing a device to be applied to the packaging of the perishable product like . a sticking plaster that clearly changes colour or brightness when the expiry date is reached, thus making the expiry of the product unambiguous .
A better understanding of the invention " will result from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings that show a preferred embodiment thereof only by way of a not limiting example.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the invention of Fig. 2.
According to the disclosed invention, the indicating device has visual indicating means which are operated by driving means controlled by suitable time control means . Actually, the invention includes essentially a thin "plaster" to be stuck to the packaging of the perishable product, which is provided with a window area that clearly changes colour or brightness when the predetermined expiry date is reached. For example, such window area turns red or takes a colour which differs sharply from the surroundings or provides a light signal.
More particularly, in' the embodiment shown in the figures the ' visual indicating means consists of an iridescent temperature-sensitive material, such as a thermal "paper T, which is heated by a microresistance R controlled by a chip or integrated circuit C of the known type which operates essentially like a timing relay provided with a clock. Advantageously, the operation is very easy and effective. When the clock indicates the reaching of the expiry date (time, day, month and year) , the relay closes a circuit that connects directly cell E to resistance R which heats thermal paper T adjacent thereto by Joule effect and causes a not reversible colour change as well as the next indication that the predetermined expiry date has been reached. In the specific case described above and shown in Fig.
1, the chip is fed continuously by cell E so that as soon as the timing relay closes the circuit mentioned above, microresistance R is supplied with the power of cell E, thus causing an increase in the temperature and the permanent colour change. Figs. 2 and 3 shows a particularly advantageous embodiment. Cell E, chip C and microresistance R are secured to an adhesive tape N and covered by thermal paper T and • an outside protection film P connected to the tape. Such protection film has a transparent window area F at the resistance R covered by thermal paper T. Thus, when the thermal paper changes colour because of the increase in the temperature, the user can immediately and easily perceive that the product, drug, food, etc. is expired.
This embodiment includes a power supply cell E having a voltage preferably of 0.8 to 3 Volt according to the expiry date (the farther the expiry date, the greater the capacity of the cell) , and a resistance R able to warm up preferably to a temperature of 40-50°C or in any case to cause the thermal paper to change colour. Advantageously the invention can also be applied to documents having an expiry date such as identification documents (identity cards, driving licence, passport, etc.), and all of the applications where it is useful to perceive easily and immediately if the expiry date has been reached or not, such as the insurance of a vehicle, road fund tax, etc.
From the practical point of view the clock of chip C is programmed permanently to operate the inside relay at a determined expiry date. Advantageously, the overall dimensions ■ of the disclosed device are very small owing to the present production technology. In fact, the device can be easily manufactured with a thickness of some millimetres. For example, if integrated circuit C is directly connected to adhesive tape N, the whole device could have a thickness of 2-3 millimetres.
It is self-evident from the foregoing that the visual indicating means T may undergo a colour change in a different manner from that described above, for example in a. chemical way by. a reaction causing a "toning" like a litmus paper.
The present invention has been described according to a preferred embodiment thereof, however, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make equivalent modifications and/or replacements without departing from the scope of the present industrial invention. For example, instead of using the • disclosed adhesive "plaster" the device could be inserted directly into the thickness of the packaging material, with the check window F facing and visible from the outside. Finally, in addition to the colour also the surface aspect of the changing area could change at the expiry date. For example, it can become wrinkled so that it can be known by the touch also by a blind man. A further embodiment, as already disclosed, consists in that a . LED or a liquid crystal diode can be provided instead of the thermal paper as visual indicating means, such diode being activated or
■ .deactivated under the control of the microchip operating as a timer. In this case, a brightness variation immediately visible at a distance and not the change of colour will indicate the reaching of the expiry date.

Claims

Claims
1. A perishable expiry date indicator, characterized in that it includes means for "modifying its exterior aspect by indicating the reaching of a predetermined expiry date visually and automatically.
2. The device of claim 1, characterized in that there is provided visual indicating means operated by drive means controlled by suitable time control means.
3. The device of the preceding claim, characterized in that there is provided a thin "plaster" able to be stuck or secured to the package of the perishable product and provided with an area that clearly changes colour when the predetermined expiry date is reached.
4. The device of the preceding claim, characterized in that the visual indicating means consists of thermal paper (T) or • other iridescent temperature-sensitive material which is heated by a microresistance (R) controlled by a chip or integrated circuit (C) of the known type which operates essentially like a timing relay provided with a clock.
5. The device of the preceding claim, characterized in that, when the clock indicates the reaching of the expiry date (time, day, month and year) , the relay closes a circuit that connects directly a cell (E) to resistance (R) which heats thermal paper (T) adjacent thereto by Joule effect and causes a not reversible colour change as well as the next indication that the predetermined expiry date has been reached.
6. The device of the preceding claim, characterized in that the chip or integrated circuit (C) is fed continuously by cell (E) so that as soon as the timing relay closes the circuit, microresistance (R) is supplied with the power of cell (E) , thus causing an increase in the temperature and the permanent colour change.
7. The device of claim 5 or 6, characterized in that cell (E) , chip (C) and microresistance (R) are secured to an adhesive tape (N) and covered by thermal paper
(T) and an outside protection film (P) connected to the tape, said protection film having a transparent window area (F) at the resistance (R) covered by thermal paper (T) .
8. The device of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that power supply cell (E) has a voltage of 0.8 to 3 Volt according to the expiry date (the farther the expiry date, the greater the capacity of the cell), and resistance (R) is able to warm up preferably to a temperature of 40-50°C or in any case to cause the thermal paper to change colour.
9. The device of the preceding claim, characterized in that the clock of chip or integrated circuit (C) is programmed permanently to operate the inside relay at a determined expiry date.
10. The device of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the visual indicating means (T) may undergo a colour change by chemical way by a reaction causing a "toning" like a litmus paper.
11. The device of the preceding claims, characterized in that, instead of being applied outside the package, the device is inserted directly into the thickness of the packaging material, with the check window (F) facing and visible from the outside.
12. The device of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that there is essentially provided a thin "plaster" able to be stuck or secured to the packaging of the perishable product and provided with visual indicating means that changes brightness when the predetermined expiry date is reached.
13. The device of the preceding claim, characterized in that the visual indicating means is a LED or a liquid crystal diode which is connected to or disconnected from a power supply cell under the control of a chip or integrated circuit (C) of the known type which operates essentially like a timing relay with a clock.
PCT/IT2001/000198 2000-04-21 2001-04-20 Perishable goods timer device WO2001082006A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001260602A AU2001260602A1 (en) 2000-04-21 2001-04-20 Perishable goods timer device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT2000RM000222A IT1315912B1 (en) 2000-04-21 2000-04-21 EXPIRY SIGNALING DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR GOODS AND PERISHABLE PRODUCTS.
ITRM2000A000222 2000-04-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001082006A1 true WO2001082006A1 (en) 2001-11-01

Family

ID=11454685

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IT2001/000198 WO2001082006A1 (en) 2000-04-21 2001-04-20 Perishable goods timer device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001260602A1 (en)
IT (1) IT1315912B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2001082006A1 (en)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6801477B2 (en) 2001-12-13 2004-10-05 Vision Works, Llc Timing system and device and method for making the same
US6822931B2 (en) 2001-12-13 2004-11-23 Vision Works, Llc Timing system and device and method for making the same
US7254095B1 (en) 2002-12-13 2007-08-07 Vision Works, Llc Timing system and device and method for making the same
US7372780B1 (en) 2002-12-13 2008-05-13 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
WO2009060391A1 (en) * 2007-11-08 2009-05-14 Massimiliano Bini Device and method for detecting counterfeit goods
GB2469100A (en) * 2009-04-02 2010-10-06 Roger Lucien Bailhache Expiry indicator
US7813226B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2010-10-12 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US8503269B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2013-08-06 Vision Works Ip Corporation Time dependent-temperature independent color changing label
US8717854B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2014-05-06 Vision Works Ip Corporation Environment dependent—temperature independent color changing label
US9298167B2 (en) 2011-12-23 2016-03-29 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US9395699B2 (en) 2011-11-01 2016-07-19 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US10318604B2 (en) 2017-02-13 2019-06-11 Vision Works Ip Corporation Electronically readable system and device with changing codes
US10338537B2 (en) 2014-09-08 2019-07-02 Vision Works Ip Corporation Indicators for external variables consisting of singular and multiple depletion cells

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3768976A (en) * 1971-05-20 1973-10-30 Us Army Temperature-time integrating indicator
US4419016A (en) * 1982-07-02 1983-12-06 American Cyanamid Company Device for indicating last medication usage
JPS62172290A (en) * 1986-01-27 1987-07-29 Koji Takamura Label timer for displaying effective period
DE3936543A1 (en) * 1989-11-02 1991-05-08 Badische Tabakmanufaktur ELECTRICAL EXPIRY INDICATOR

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3768976A (en) * 1971-05-20 1973-10-30 Us Army Temperature-time integrating indicator
US4419016A (en) * 1982-07-02 1983-12-06 American Cyanamid Company Device for indicating last medication usage
JPS62172290A (en) * 1986-01-27 1987-07-29 Koji Takamura Label timer for displaying effective period
DE3936543A1 (en) * 1989-11-02 1991-05-08 Badische Tabakmanufaktur ELECTRICAL EXPIRY INDICATOR

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 012, no. 016 (P - 656) 19 January 1988 (1988-01-19) *

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6801477B2 (en) 2001-12-13 2004-10-05 Vision Works, Llc Timing system and device and method for making the same
US6822931B2 (en) 2001-12-13 2004-11-23 Vision Works, Llc Timing system and device and method for making the same
US8014234B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2011-09-06 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US8077553B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2011-12-13 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US7463558B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2008-12-09 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US7254095B1 (en) 2002-12-13 2007-08-07 Vision Works, Llc Timing system and device and method for making the same
US10274900B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2019-04-30 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US7813226B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2010-10-12 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US9606512B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2017-03-28 Vision Works Ip Corporation Environment dependent—temperature independent color changing label
US7372780B1 (en) 2002-12-13 2008-05-13 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US8503269B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2013-08-06 Vision Works Ip Corporation Time dependent-temperature independent color changing label
US8559278B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2013-10-15 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US8717854B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2014-05-06 Vision Works Ip Corporation Environment dependent—temperature independent color changing label
US8824246B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2014-09-02 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US9063521B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2015-06-23 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US9632485B2 (en) 2002-12-13 2017-04-25 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
WO2009060391A1 (en) * 2007-11-08 2009-05-14 Massimiliano Bini Device and method for detecting counterfeit goods
GB2469100A (en) * 2009-04-02 2010-10-06 Roger Lucien Bailhache Expiry indicator
US9395699B2 (en) 2011-11-01 2016-07-19 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US9298167B2 (en) 2011-12-23 2016-03-29 Vision Works Ip Corporation Timing system and device and method for making the same
US10338537B2 (en) 2014-09-08 2019-07-02 Vision Works Ip Corporation Indicators for external variables consisting of singular and multiple depletion cells
US10318604B2 (en) 2017-02-13 2019-06-11 Vision Works Ip Corporation Electronically readable system and device with changing codes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1315912B1 (en) 2003-03-26
ITRM20000222A0 (en) 2000-04-21
ITRM20000222A1 (en) 2001-10-21
AU2001260602A1 (en) 2001-11-07

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