Flexible Temperature Indicator for Cold Chain Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature indicators for smart packaging fail to effectively indicate temperatures below room temperature and do not meet the requirements for smart labels, as they often require power, special devices, or complex activation methods, and are not flexible enough for application on packaged products.
Innovation Solution
A temperature indicator using graphics technology with a flexible substrate, featuring a conical reservoir for precise indicator material dosage, activation below room temperature, and a pull-out tab for activation, allowing indication of temperature fluctuations and cumulative time without power or additional equipment, suitable for smart labels and various packaging shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing temperature indicators are used for smart packaging, then temperature monitoring function is provided, but they require power supply and special reading devices which complicates the system and reduces accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature indicator operates autonomously without requiring external power supply or special reading devices. The indicator material itself performs the sensing and display functions through temperature-dependent color changes, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional powered components or specialized equipment for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic or mechanical temperature sensing systems with a chemical indicator system based on thermochromic materials. Instead of using powered sensors, circuits, and digital displays, the solution employs chemical substances that directly change color in response to temperature variations, substituting a complex mechanical/electrical system with a simple chemical phenomenon.
2Reliability
If existing temperature indicators are used, then temperature indication is provided, but they are not suitable for temperatures below room temperature which limits application range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the indicator materials to enable functioning at temperatures below room temperature. By selecting and formulating thermochromic materials with appropriate transition temperatures, the indicator system achieves adaptability to cold chain applications and other low-temperature environments while maintaining reliable temperature indication.
3Reliability
If existing temperature indicators are used, then temperature monitoring is provided, but they require complex activation methods and are not flexible for various packaging shapes which reduces ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature indicator is pre-applied to the packaging surface during the manufacturing process before the product is placed. The indicator material is deposited onto the packaging material in advance, eliminating the need for separate activation steps or post-assembly installation. This preliminary integration simplifies the overall manufacturing process and enables adaptation to various packaging shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin-film indicator materials that can be conformally applied to packaging surfaces of various shapes and sizes. The flexible nature of the indicator layer allows it to adapt to curved, irregular, or complex packaging geometries, facilitating easy integration during manufacture without requiring rigid or shape-specific designs.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional graphics technology is used for indicator application, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but precise dosage and reproducibility of indicator material are difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes spray deposition technology, which employs pneumatic principles to atomize and distribute the indicator material uniformly across the packaging surface. This spray application method enables precise control of material dosage through adjustable spray parameters (pressure, flow rate, distance), achieving consistent and reproducible indicator layers while maintaining compatibility with conventional graphics technology manufacturing processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The indicator provides irreversible and clearly visible color changes indicating temperature exceedances below room temperature, enabling reliable monitoring of product safety and quality, with flexible application and production processes that meet the needs of smart labels and security printing.
Implementation Method 1
The indicator provides irreversible and clearly visible color changes indicating temperature exceedances below room temperature
Implementation Method 2
the layers, of which the temperature indicator consists, allow that an appropriate amount of indicator material is applied on the substrate material and can be activated with a specific procedure, wherein the indicator material irreversibly propagates across the absorption layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention refers to a temperature indicator which records exceeding the upper or prescribed temperature level, at which items in a cold chain should be maintained. The indicator is composed of 10 layers that make it possible for an adequate quantity of an indicator material (3) to be deposited on a carrier substrate (1) that is activated by a pull-out tab (6) being pulled out; the indicator material (3) can thus propagate across an absorption layer (9) and any exceeding of temperature becomes visible. A separation ribbon (4) prevents propagation of the indicator material (3) prior to activation, while a protective layer (8) provides for adequate functionality. Individual layers are glued by adhesive layers (2, 5, 7). The indicator is covered by a transparent self-adhesive film (10), on which instructions or any commercial messages can be printed, except on the place of a transparent portion (10a) where an absorption layer (9) should remain transparent. By changing at least one physical property, such as a change in the aggregate state of the indicator material (3), the indicator irreversibly records any exceeding temperature up to maximum cumulative time that depends on the selected materials for the indicator material (3) and the absorption layer (9). The indicator can be completely realized by a combination of methods used in graphics technology. This provides for a precise realization of a conical groove (la) for the indicator material (3) in the carrier substrate (1) and precise dosing of this material; perfect reproducibility of all indicators is herewith ascertained. Flexible substrates are generally used and this is why the temperature indicator is thin and flexible and meets all requirements for a smart label. While activated, the temperature indicator can already be present on an item, so the packaging can be completely prepared separately from product packing and the indicator is activated only when the packed product has entered the cold chain.