Time-Temperature Indicator for Food

Abstract

The present invention provides a time-temperature indicator for food, which comprises a box body, a cover plate and a partition board. The box body is circular and has an opening at the upper end. The box body is adhered to the upper surface of the food packaging box through an adhesive. The cover plate is made of transparent plastic and is sealed and installed on the opening of the box body. The box body is separated by the partition board to form an inner cavity and an outer cavity. A plurality of holes are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the partition board. An enzyme-containing gel is placed in the inner cavity, and a substrate gel is placed in the outer cavity. When the temperature exceeds the set temperature, the enzyme-containing gel and the substrate gel gradually melt. The higher the temperature, the stronger the fluidity. The melted enzyme enters the outer cavity through the holes on the partition board and contacts the melted substrate. After the two come into contact, the substrate will undergo a color change reaction. The higher the temperature and the longer the temperature exceeds the set time, the larger the circular color change zone produced by the substrate. Therefore, users can clearly monitor the impact of the change of temperature over time on the food lifespan during the food circulation process through the transparent cover plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of food placement time and temperature indicating devices, and more particularly, to a time-temperature indicator for food. Background Art

[0002] Every year around the world, there are major economic losses and food safety incidents caused by food spoilage. These incidents are not only due to expired food, but often because the temperature exceeds the specified storage temperature during the shelf life, leading to spoilage, and this situation is often difficult for consumers to identify with the naked eye.

[0003] Abroad, during the circulation of cold-chain food, there is a requirement called the "not higher than principle", that is, the temperature at each link from the producer to the consumer is not higher than the set temperature. This is because the temperature is difficult to control during the circulation of food. If the temperature is higher than the set temperature for a certain period of time, it is easy to cause food spoilage. In this case, the expiration date on traditional food packaging has lost its function of indicating the effective shelf life of the food at this time, and the expiration date label printed on the outer surface of the packaging material has lost its correct indication meaning for consumers, cannot warn the seller or consumer, and even has the opposite indication effect, thus easily causing food safety problems and posing a potential hazard to the lives of consumers.

[0004] Therefore, an effective method is needed to monitor the cumulative effect of temperature over time during the circulation of products, indicate whether there is a situation where the temperature is higher than the set temperature during the circulation of products, causing product spoilage, so as to accurately indicate the quality information of the products and provide the remaining shelf life information of the products. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main object of the present invention is to provide a time-temperature indicator for food to solve the problem in the prior art that food packaging cannot accurately display the impact of temperature on the food shelf life.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a time-temperature indicator for food, including a box body, a cover plate and a partition. The box body is circular and has an opening at the upper end. A back glue is provided on the back surface of the lower end of the box body, and the box body is adhered to the upper surface of the food packaging box through the back glue. The cover plate is made of transparent plastic and is sealed and installed on the opening of the box body. The partition is annular and extends upward from the bottom of the box body. The box body is divided into an inner cavity and an outer cavity by the partition. A plurality of holes are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the partition. An enzyme-containing gel is placed in the inner cavity, and a substrate gel is placed in the outer cavity. A color change reaction occurs when the substrate and the enzyme come into contact.

[0007] Further, continuous concentric rings are provided on the surface of the cover plate away from the box body between the partition and the edge of the box body.

[0008] Furthermore, the box body is divided into different series, and the sizes of the holes on the partitions of the box bodies in different series are different.

[0009] Furthermore, the cover plate and the box body are connected by screw threads, or by hot pressing, or by glue.

[0010] Furthermore, when the cover plate and the box body are connected by screw threads, the contact part between the cover plate and the partition is sealed with glue.

[0011] Furthermore, the box body and the partition are integrally formed.

[0012] Furthermore, the box body, the partition and the cover plate are directly injection-molded from polyethylene terephthalate.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0014] 1. After the food is packaged, the food time-temperature indicator of the present invention is pasted on the upper surface of the food packaging bag. During the circulation of the food, the food time-temperature indicator is always connected to the food packaging bag. When the temperature does not exceed the set temperature, the enzyme-containing gel in the content cavity and the substrate gel in the outer cavity do not melt and do not flow, the enzyme and the substrate do not come into contact, and no discoloration reaction occurs; when the temperature exceeds the set temperature, the enzyme-containing gel and the substrate gel gradually melt. The higher the temperature, the more severe the melting degree of the two, the stronger the fluidity. The melted enzyme enters the outer cavity through the holes on the partition and contacts the melted substrate. After the two come into contact, the substrate will undergo a discoloration reaction, generating a circular discoloration band. The higher the temperature, the larger the circular discoloration band produced by the substrate. The longer the temperature exceeds the set time, the larger the circular discoloration band produced by the substrate. Therefore, users can clearly monitor the impact of the temperature change over time on the food lifespan during the circulation of the food through the transparent cover plate, clearly indicate whether the food has deteriorated due to excessive temperature during the circulation process. Users can conveniently select safe food by checking the size of the circular discoloration band of the substrate in the box body, and the factory can also observe whether the food has deteriorated due to excessive temperature at any time by checking the size of the circular discoloration band of the substrate in the box body.

[0015] 2. Under the same heating conditions, the larger the holes on the partition, the larger the contact area between the enzyme and the substrate, the larger the range where the discoloration reaction occurs, and the larger the circular discoloration band produced, and the more sensitive the reaction to temperature changes. Therefore, different series of box bodies can be selected according to different foods to adjust the sensitivity of the discoloration reaction.

[0016] 3. The concentric rings on the cover plate can accurately measure and compare the size of the discoloration range in the substrate, facilitating scientific measurement and comparison. Description of the Drawings

[0017] The accompanying drawings of the specification, which form a part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic structural view of the time-temperature indicator for food of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A schematic structural view of the middle cover plate.

[0020] Among them, the above-mentioned drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0021] 1, box body; 2, cover plate; 3, partition; 4, back glue; 5, content cavity; 6, outer cavity. Detailed implementation manners

[0022] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in this application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0023] It should be pointed out that the following detailed description is illustrative and is intended to provide further description of this application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs.

[0024] In the present invention, unless otherwise stated, the orientation words such as "upper, lower, top, bottom" are usually in the direction shown in the drawings, or in the vertical, perpendicular or gravitational direction of the component itself; similarly, for the convenience of understanding and description, "inner, outer" refer to the inner and outer of the contour of each component itself, but the above orientation words do not limit the present invention.

[0025] To solve the problem that the existing food packaging cannot accurately display the impact of temperature on the shelf life of food, the present invention provides a time-temperature indicator for food.

[0026] Such as Figure 1 And Figure 2As shown in the figure, the time-temperature indicator for food includes a box body 1, a cover plate 2 and a partition plate 3. The box body 1 is circular and has an opening at the upper end. A back glue 4 is provided on the back surface of the lower end of the box body 1. The box body 1 is adhered to the upper surface of the food packaging box through the back glue 4. The cover plate 2 is made of transparent plastic and is sealed and installed on the opening of the box body 1. The partition plate 3 is annular and extends upward from the bottom of the box body 1. The box body 1 is separated by the partition plate 3 to form an inner cavity 5 and an outer cavity 6. A plurality of holes are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the partition plate 3. An enzyme-containing gel is placed in the inner cavity 5, and a substrate gel is placed in the outer cavity 6. A color change reaction will occur after the substrate and the enzyme come into contact.

[0027] When manufacturing the time-temperature indicator for food of the present invention, a pre-prepared enzyme-containing gel is placed in the inner cavity 5, and a pre-prepared substrate gel containing the food in the food packaging bag is placed in the outer cavity 6. The substrate represents the food in the food packaging bag, and then the cover plate 2 is installed. After the food is packaged, the time-temperature indicator for food of the present invention is pasted on the upper surface of the food packaging bag. During the circulation of the food, the time-temperature indicator for food is always connected to the food packaging bag. When the temperature does not exceed the set temperature, the enzyme-containing gel in the inner cavity 5 and the substrate gel in the outer cavity 6 do not melt, do not flow, the enzyme and the substrate do not come into contact, and no color change reaction occurs; when the temperature exceeds the set temperature, the enzyme-containing gel and the substrate gel gradually melt. The higher the temperature, the more severe the melting degree of the two, the stronger the fluidity. The melted enzyme enters the outer cavity 6 through the holes on the partition plate 3 and comes into contact with the melted substrate. After the two come into contact, the substrate will undergo a color change reaction, generating a color change ring. And the higher the temperature, the larger the color change ring produced by the substrate. The longer the temperature exceeds the set time, the larger the color change ring produced by the substrate. Therefore, users can clearly monitor the impact of the change of temperature over time on the food life during the circulation of the food through the transparent cover plate 2, clearly indicate whether the food has deteriorated due to excessive temperature during the circulation process. Users can conveniently select safe food by checking the size of the color change of the substrate in the box body 1, and the factory can also observe whether the food has deteriorated due to excessive temperature at any time by checking the size of the color change ring of the substrate in the box body 1.

[0028] Preferably, continuous concentric rings are provided on the side of the cover plate 2 away from the box body 1 between the partition plate 3 and the edge of the box body 1. Through the concentric rings on the cover plate 2, the size of the color change range occurring in the substrate can be accurately measured and compared. Workers and users can check the deterioration situation of the packaged food by comparing the number of color change rings appearing on the cover plate 2, which is convenient for scientific measurement and comparison.

[0029] Preferably, the box body 1 is divided into different series, and the hole sizes on the partition plate 3 of the box bodies 1 in different series are different. Under the same temperature rising conditions, the larger the holes on the partition plate 3 are, the larger the amount of enzyme entering the substrate through the holes is, the larger the contact area between the enzyme and the substrate is, the more intense the discoloration reaction is, and the larger the discolored ring produced is. Therefore, by changing the size of the holes on the partition plate 3, the sensitivity of the food time-temperature indicator of the present invention can be conveniently adjusted. Furthermore, different series of box bodies 1 can be selected according to different foods to adjust the sensitivity of the discoloration reaction.

[0030] Preferably, the cover plate 2 and the box body 1 are connected by screw connection, hot pressing connection or glue connection. When connected by screw connection, it can be conveniently disassembled, and the box body 1 and the cover plate 2 will not be damaged during the disassembly process, which is convenient for recycling; when connected by hot pressing connection or glue connection, the sealing performance between the box body 1 and the cover plate 2 can be effectively guaranteed, preventing the food time-temperature indicator of the present invention from failing due to airtightness problems.

[0031] Preferably, when the cover plate 2 and the box body 1 are connected by screw connection, the contact part between the cover plate 2 and the partition plate 3 is sealed with glue. The contact part between the cover plate 2 and the partition plate 3 is sealed with glue to prevent the contact between the enzyme-containing gel and the substrate gel from the gap between the cover plate 2 and the partition plate 3 and affecting the accuracy of the results.

[0032] Preferably, the box body 1 and the partition plate 3 are integrally formed, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and connection process of the box body 1 and the partition plate 3 and reducing the manufacturing cost of the food time-temperature indicator of the present invention.

[0033] Preferably, the box body 1, the partition plate 3 and the cover plate 2 are directly injection-molded from polyethylene terephthalate.

[0034] From the above description, it can be seen that the above embodiments of the present invention achieve the following technical effects:

[0035] 1. Users can clearly monitor the influence of the change of temperature over time on the food life during the food circulation process through the transparent cover plate 2, clearly indicate whether the food has deteriorated due to excessive temperature during the circulation process. Users can conveniently select safe foods by checking the size of the substrate annular discolored band in the box body 1, and factories can also observe whether the food has deteriorated due to excessive temperature at any time by checking the size of the substrate annular discolored band in the box body 1.

[0036] 2. Under the same temperature rising conditions, the larger the holes on the partition plate 3 are, the larger the contact area between the enzyme and the substrate is, the larger the range where the discoloration reaction occurs is, and the larger the annular discolored band produced is, and the more sensitive the reaction to temperature change is. Therefore, different series of box bodies 1 can be selected according to different foods to adjust the sensitivity of the discoloration reaction.

[0037] 3. The concentric rings on the cover plate 2 can accurately measure and compare the size of the discolored range in the substrate, facilitating scientific measurement and comparison. There is no need to measure with a ruler separately, which is convenient and fast.

[0038] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms are also intended to include the plural forms. In addition, it should also be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they specify the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0039] It should be noted that the terms "including" and "having" in the specification and claims of the present application and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units does not necessarily have to be limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or are inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0040] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various changes and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A time-temperature indicator for food, characterized in that, Comprising: A box body (1), the box body (1) being circular and having an opening provided at the upper end, a back adhesive (4) being provided on the back surface of the lower end of the box body (1), and the box body (1) being adhered to the upper surface of a food packaging box through the back adhesive (4); A cover plate (2), the cover plate (2) being made of transparent plastic and hermetically installed on the opening of the box body (1); A partition plate (3), the partition plate (3) being annular and formed by extending upward from the bottom of the box body (1), the box body (1) being separated by the partition plate (3) to form an inner cavity (5) and an outer cavity (6), a plurality of holes being evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the partition plate (3), an enzyme-containing gel being placed in the inner cavity (5), and a substrate gel being placed in the outer cavity (6), and a color change reaction occurring after the substrate and the enzyme come into contact; Continuous concentric rings are provided on the side of the cover plate (2) away from the box body (1) between the partition plate (3) and the edge of the box body (1); the cover plate (2) and the box body (1) are connected by threading or hot pressing or gluing.

2. The time-temperature indicator for food according to claim 1, wherein The box body (1) is divided into different series, and the sizes of the holes in the partition plate (3) of the box body (1) in different series are different.

3. The time-temperature indicator for food according to claim 1, wherein When the cover plate (2) and the box body (1) are connected by threading, the contact part between the cover plate (2) and the partition plate (3) is sealed with glue.

4. The time-temperature indicator for food according to claim 1, wherein The box body (1) and the partition plate (3) are integrally formed.

5. The time-temperature indicator for food according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The box body (1), the partition plate (3) and the cover plate (2) are directly injection molded from polyethylene terephthalate.

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