초록 ▼

The present invention is generally in the field of measuring and indicating techniques and relates to a time-temperature indicating device and methods of manufacturing and reading this device. More specifically, the time-temperature indicator (TTI) device comprises at least one active reactant being

The present invention is generally in the field of measuring and indicating techniques and relates to a time-temperature indicating device and methods of manufacturing and reading this device. More specifically, the time-temperature indicator (TTI) device comprises at least one active reactant being at least a part of a component that is configured to be either an electrical component or transformable into an electrical component, said at least one active reactant being selected to be affectable by a chemical and/or physical reaction effecting a change in at least an electrical property of said electrical component at a rate that is time-temperature dependent.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A time-temperature indicator device comprising (i) at least one active reactant being at least a part of an electrical component, said at least one active reactant is selected such that it changes at least an electrical property of said at least a part of said electrical component at a rate that

1. A time-temperature indicator device comprising (i) at least one active reactant being at least a part of an electrical component, said at least one active reactant is selected such that it changes at least an electrical property of said at least a part of said electrical component at a rate that is temperature dependent or time-temperature dependent, wherein the active reactant is a metal or an oxide thereof, or a semiconductor, and(ii) at least a first passive reactant in the form of a viscous substance; wherein said viscous substance is in contact with said active reactant, such that said at least one active reactant reacts with said at least a first passive reactant to induce temperature dependent or time-temperature dependent disintegration of said active reactant, wherein said at least a first passive reactant and said active reactant are selected such that they cause temperature dependent or time-temperature dependent development of said temperature dependent or time-temperature dependent disintegration, thereby effecting a change in at least an electrical property of said at least a part of an electrical component at a rate that is temperature dependent or time-temperature dependent;wherein said change in at least an electrical property of said at least a part of an electrical component is associated with a change in a visual physical property of the indicator device. 2. A time-temperature indicator device comprising (i) at least one active reactant being at least a part of an electrical component, wherein said electrical component comprises an electrically conductive material, said at least one active reactant is selected such that it intrinsically changes at least an electrical property of said at least a part of said electrical component at a rate that is temperature dependent, said at least one active reactant is selected such that it intrinsically changes at least an electrical property of said at least a part of said electrical component at a rate that is temperature dependent, wherein the active reactant is a metal or an oxide thereof, or a semiconductor; (ii) at least one first passive reactant in the form of a viscous substance; and (iii) at least one second passive reactant, wherein said at least one first passive reactant is located between said at least one active reactant and said at least one second passive reactant, wherein said at least one second passive reactant is a viscous substance wherein said chemical and/or physical reaction is a reaction between said at least one active reactant and said at least one second passive reactant and wherein said at least one first passive reactant is selected such that it causes time dependent transfer of heat towards said at least one second passive reactant thereby causing time-temperature dependent development of said chemical and/or physical reaction. 3. The time-temperature indicator device according to claim 1, wherein said electrical component is selected from the group consisting of resistor, capacitor, diode, inductance coil and antenna. 4. The time-temperature indicator device according to claim 1, wherein said chemical and/or physical reaction is selected from the group consisting of acid-base reaction, oxidation-reduction reaction and salt forming reaction. 5. The time-temperature indicator device according to claim 1, wherein said chemical and/or physical reaction consists of mixing said at least one active reactant and said at least one first passive reactant, thereby causing a change in permeability of the at least one active reactant. 6. The time-temperature indicator device according to claim 1, configured as a two-part device, wherein one of the two parts includes at least the at least one active reactant, and the other part includes the at least one first and/or second passive reactant, the two parts being configured to be attachable to one another to thereby induce said chemical and/or physical process and thereby put the device in operation. 7. A method of time temperature indication comprising performing a chemical and/or physical reaction between at least one active reactant and at least one passive reactant effecting a change in at least an electrical property of an electrical component wherein said at least one active reactant is at least a part of an electrical component, wherein said electrical component comprises an electrically conductive material, wherein the active reactant is a metal or an oxide thereof, or a semiconductor, and wherein said at least one passive reactant is a viscous substance; wherein said viscous substance is in contact with said active reactant, such that said performing said chemical and/or physical reaction comprising reacting said at least one active reactant with said at least one passive reactant to induce temperature dependent or time-temperature dependent disintegration of said active reactant, wherein said at least one passive reactant and said active reactant are selected such that they cause temperature dependent or time-temperature dependent development of said temperature dependent or time-temperature dependent disintegration, thereby effecting a change in at least an electrical property of said at least a part of an electrical component at a rate that is temperature dependent or time-temperature dependent; wherein said change in at least an electrical property of said at least a part of an electrical component is associated with a change in a visual physical property of the indicator device. 8. A packaging material or a label, comprising the time-temperature indicator device according to claim 1. 9. The time-temperature indicator device according to claim 2, wherein said chemical and/or physical reaction is selected from the group consisting of acid-base reaction, oxidation-reduction reaction and salt forming reaction. 10. The time-temperature indicator device according to claim 2, wherein said chemical and/or physical reaction consists of mixing said at least one active reactant and said at least one first passive reactant, thereby causing a change in permeability of the at least one active reactant. 11. The time-temperature indicator device according to claim 2, configured as a two-part device, wherein one of the two parts includes at least the at least one active reactant, and the other part includes the at least one first and/or second passive reactant, the two parts being configured to be attachable to one another to thereby induce said chemical and/or physical process and thereby put the device in operation. 12. The time-temperature indicator device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one active reactant is a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, aluminum, copper and nickel, or an oxide thereof.