초록 ▼

A shelf life indicating structure including a substrate printed with an oxygen sensitive ink in combination with an oxygen scavenging layer is disclosed. The oxygen scavenging layer prevents oxygen reaching the substrate for a predetermined interval. Once the finite oxygen scavenging capability of t

A shelf life indicating structure including a substrate printed with an oxygen sensitive ink in combination with an oxygen scavenging layer is disclosed. The oxygen scavenging layer prevents oxygen reaching the substrate for a predetermined interval. Once the finite oxygen scavenging capability of the layer is exhausted, oxygen reaches the substrate, thereby activating a visible indication such as a color change, in the ink. The substrate and layer may be formed into a patch or label for a package, and covered with an oxygen impermeable layer, such as a strip of aluminum foil which can be peeled off to initiate a shelf life indication structure. A method associated with the shelf life indicating structure is also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A shelf life indicator for indicating shelf life of a product, the indicator comprising:a structural first layer including an oxygen sensitive ink for providing a visible indication when exposed to a predetermined minimum quantity of oxygen,a second layer including an o

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A shelf life indicator for indicating shelf life of a product, the indicator comprising:a structural first layer including an oxygen sensitive ink for providing a visible indication when exposed to a predetermined minimum quantity of oxygen,a second layer including an oxygen scavenging material that prevents oxygen from reaching the oxygen sensitive ink while the oxygen scavenging capability of the oxygen scavenging material is substantially not exhausted, the second layer becoming unable to prevent the predetermined quantity of oxygen from reaching the ink after the oxygen scavenging material is substantially exhausted, anda removable, metallic foil, oxygen-impermeable layer, whereby removal of the oxygen-impermeable layer may initiate the shelf life indicator, reby the ink provides the visible indication substantially after the oxygen scavenging capability is substantially exhausted to provide a shelf life indication.