Thermochromic barcode

Abstract

The present utility model relates to a barcode solution printed with thermochromic ink, which allows an identification to change when a temperature changes. Two different codes are printed, the first, for room temperature conditions, has a background filled with leuco dye and the bars printed with conventional ink in the colour that the said dye reaches at the desired temperature. The second has the background in a neutral colour and the bars printed with ink made from the same thermochromic pigment. Thus, at ambient temperature, only the first code is visible and detectable. When a transition to the desired temperature occurs, the first code stops showing contrast and the second code becomes visible. This solution allows the same product to be sold in different temperature conditions, and the added value and convenience for the consumer to be also differentiated in the amount charged.

Description

THERMAL CHROMIC BARCODE Field of invention

[0001] The present utility model patent has as its objective a barcode printed with thermochromic ink that, when subjected to temperature changes within a specific range, can change its identification.

[0002] Thermochromic dyes and pigments change color as they are subjected to temperature changes. This characteristic is used to create a barcode that, when marked with a type of ink with this characteristic, can provide two distinct identifications depending on the thermal condition. Fundamentals of the invention

[0003] The use of barcodes to identify products is widely used and provides automation in merchandise purchasing and billing systems.

[0004] In static barcodes, the identification of a type of product corresponds to a code and this can be easily read according to adopted standards.

[0005] When selling the same product under different temperature conditions, the static barcode limits the charging of a single amount.

[0006] When using thermochromatic ink, the barcode identification can show one code when the product is at one temperature and another when a change occurs to adapt to the best conditions of use.

[0007] The state of the art of thermochromatic pigments is already used on labels and packaging in the beverage industry to demonstrate to consumers when a product is sold at the ideal temperature for consumption.

[0008] The use of the same technology in barcodes follows the same production processes as labels and packaging and allows the sales establishment to differentiate prices based on added value to the product. It also reflects an additional cost of keeping a given product refrigerated or heated and allows this increase to be passed on to the consumer. Brief description of the drawings

[0009] The illustration in Figure 1 shows an example of thermochromic barcodes applied to the packaging of a product that is at room temperature. The identification that represents this temperature condition is visible at the bottom and can be read using a barcode reader. In this case, the thermochromic pigment, deposited at the bottom of the lower code and in the composition of the bars of the upper code, remains in a transparent condition, presenting only residual coloration. The visible bars are printed with conventional ink in the same color that the pigment will reach when changing phase.

[0010] Figure 2 shows the same code from the temperature change that causes the phase change in the thermochromatic pigment. In this condition, the lower code does not present sufficient contrast for reading, given that the background now has the same color as the bars. At the top, the bars become visible and detectable while the bottom remains neutral in color, making this the code that can be detected in this temperature condition. Description of the invention

[0011] The barcode printed with thermochromic ink allows two identifications to be obtained as the temperature changes. This is feasible using an appropriate leuco dye exhibiting a specific color at the desired temperature and transparency at room temperature.

[0012] The barcode is composed of two fields that are visible according to the temperature condition. In the indication (1) there is filling with the thermochromatic pigment, both in the background of the lower part and in the bars of the upper part. In the lower part there are also bars printed with conventional ink (2) in the same color that the leuco dye reaches at the desired temperature.

[0013] The leuco dye must have detectable spectrum change curve characteristics according to the desired temperature ranges. It must also be non-toxic and have sufficient stability so as not to degrade over the shelf life of the product.

[0014] The positioning of the thermochromic barcode must allow the temperature that determines the identification to correspond to the predominant temperature of the product.

[0015] Prior registration and advertising at the point of sale must occur for the difference in identification and value under temperature conditions of the same product.

[0016] Specific legislation regarding the possibility of different charges and permitted levels must be respected. Examples of embodiments of the invention

[0017] Although the application of this utility model can encompass both high, low and freezing temperatures, the solution is especially applicable to the service of bottled or canned beverages such as beers and soft drinks. Typically, consumers want to purchase these products at a low temperature to better enjoy them. Points of sale that adopt conventional barcodes can offer this convenience by charging the same price for products that are at room temperature as those that are available to consumers already refrigerated. When the thermochromic barcode is adopted, the consumer who wants to obtain a cold beverage must pay a different price. This process is fully automated, since the code to be identified when the product is at a low temperature corresponds to the one with the bars printed with leic dye.The barcode printed in conventional ink, which corresponds to the product at room temperature, is not visible because the background is also printed with ink. chromic term, has the same color and the contrast is not identifiable in barcode readers.

[0018] During the transition between room temperature and the ideal temperature for consumption, a state occurs where both codes will present the same visibility condition. However, this anomaly is also useful for the consumer, who uses the leuco dye condition to know if the product is at the desired temperature, with the thermochromatic barcode having this additional function.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. THERMO CHROMIC BARCODE characterized by presenting two identification values according to the temperature when using thermo chromic ink, which presents a transparent color at room temperature and a specific color at the desired temperature, filling the code background with the bars printed with conventional ink for room temperature and the bars, with a neutral color background, in the code that becomes visible at the desired temperature.

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