WO2002086433A1 - A food storage container - Google Patents

A food storage container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002086433A1
WO2002086433A1 PCT/GB2002/001801 GB0201801W WO02086433A1 WO 2002086433 A1 WO2002086433 A1 WO 2002086433A1 GB 0201801 W GB0201801 W GB 0201801W WO 02086433 A1 WO02086433 A1 WO 02086433A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
indicator
temperature
container
printed
thermochromic ink
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2002/001801
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Arnold Edward Rees
Original Assignee
Jackel International Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jackel International Limited filed Critical Jackel International Limited
Publication of WO2002086433A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002086433A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K11/00—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00
    • G01K11/12—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K11/00—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00
    • G01K11/12—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
    • G01K11/16—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance of organic materials
    • G01K11/165—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance of organic materials of organic liquid crystals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K2207/00—Application of thermometers in household appliances
    • G01K2207/02—Application of thermometers in household appliances for measuring food temperature
    • G01K2207/08—Application of thermometers in household appliances for measuring food temperature with food recipients having temperature sensing capability

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a food storage container for storing food in solid or liquid form.
  • a liquid container incorporating a temperature sensor for indicating when temperature of a wall thereof reaches a predetermined value.
  • the container has particular but not exclusive application to babies' feeding bottles and provides an indication as to whether the contents of a feeding bottle are too hot to be fed safely to a baby.
  • a temperature indicator which is carried on a food holding vessel, the indicator comprising a thermochromic layer which is arranged to change colour twice in a selected temperature range.
  • the arrangement is such that there is a first colour change at a lower temperature in the range as the temperature of food in the vessel rises above that lower temperature and there is a further colour change at a higher temperature in the range as the temperature of the food rises above that higher temperature.
  • the purpose of the invention is to indicate whether the temperature of the food is within the range, when it will be safe to consume the food.
  • a food storage container carrying an indicator which indicates visually when cold storage of the container has exceeded a predetermined temperature.
  • the indicator may include a portion printed in thermochromic ink.
  • the indicator may include a portion printed in liquid crystal based solutions.
  • the indicator may employ a time-temperature indicator (TTI) which usually includes two inks printed in the form of a bullseye target the inner ring darkening with time and temperature. With higher temperatures the inner ring darkens more quickly.
  • TTI time-temperature indicator
  • the time and temperature triggers may be adjusted according to the requirements of the particular food concerned.
  • the container of the present invention is applicable to solid, semi-solid- liquid or liquid foods including baby milk.
  • the drawing is an elevation of a food storage container comprising a bag 10 which is formed of a sheet of clear plastics film material which is printed with a scale 11 for indicating volume of contents contained in the bag 10 and which is also printed with indicators 12 and 13.
  • the sheet is folded to provide two layers of film material, one superimposed on another, and to provide a bottom fold 14 of the bag 10.
  • the two layers of film material are welded one to another to provide side seams 15, 16 of the bag 10.
  • the sheet may also be provided with a pair of tabs, one of which is shown at 17, and lines of perforations 18 extending across a base of the respective tabs 17.
  • the tabs 17 assist in opening of the bag 10 to provide an opening at 19.
  • the indicators 12, 13 each comprise a series of printed rectangular frames 20, 21 and 22 and 23, 24 and 25.
  • the frames 20 and 23 have printed therein different symbols 26 and 27 which represent respectively "correct temperature storage” and "correct temperature for consumption”.
  • the frames 21 and 24 each have the symbols "V” printed therein in thermochromic ink.
  • the frames 22 and 25 each have printed thereon an "X" symbol and the frames 22 and 25 are blocked by a layer of thermochromic ink which is opaque but which clears at a predetermined temperature.
  • the change occurs at temperatures in excess of 5 Q C and with regard to rectangular frames 24 and 25, the change occurs at temperatures in excess of 37 ⁇ C.
  • the bag 10 Prior to use, the bag 10 is opened by pulling apart the tabs 17 and then tearing off the tabs 17 along the lines of perforations 18. The bag 10 is then inserted into a bottle having a clear cylindrical wall and an upper circumferential margin of the bag 10 is folded outwardly over a rim of a neck of the bottle. Contents are then inserted into the bag 10 and a top containing a teat is then located on the neck so as to trap the upper circumferential margin of the bag 10 between the top and the neck of the bottle. The bottle containing the bag 10 and contents is then placed in cold storage.
  • the indicator 12 will show the information indicated in the accompanying drawing. However, if the temperature of the cold storage environment rises above 5 S C, the thermochromic ink of the indicator 12 will show a change in that the "V" in frame 21 and the opaque covering of the frame 22 will disappear resulting in the frame 21 becoming blank and an "X" appearing in the frame 22. This is a message that the contents contained in the bag 10 have not been stored at the correct temperature and should not be consumed.
  • the other indicator 13 will function in a similar manner if the bottle is removed from cold storage and placed in water which is then heated such that the temperature of the contents of the bag 10 rises beyond 37 S C, such temperature being in excess of that which is safe for consumption by a baby.
  • thermochromic ink referred to above may comprise a thermochromic leuco dye as supplied by Matsui Shikiso Chemical Co. Ltd of Yamashina- ku, Kyoto-shi, Japan or thermochromic chiral nematic or cholesteric esters as supplied by Merck & Co. Inc. of Rahway, New Jersey, USA.
  • the bag 10 may be manufactured by a method different from that described above.
  • the bag 10 may be formed from a tube of clear plastics film material which is sealed at the bottom.

Abstract

A food storage container comprising a bag (10) formed of clear plastics film material having indicators (12, 13) printed thereon in the form of a series of frames (20, 21, 22; 23, 24, 25). In one of the frames (21, 24) of the indicators (12,13) there is printed a '∑' in thermochromic ink and in another of the frames (22, 25) there is printed an 'X' in non-thermochromic ink. The 'X' is covered by a layer of thermochromic ink. If the temperature of food contained in the bag (10) exceeds a predetermined temperature, i.e. 05 ºC for one indicator (12) and 37 ºC for the other indicator (13), the '∑' and the covering layer of thermochromic ink disappear leaving blank the frame (21, 24) formerly containing the '∑' and showing the 'X' in the formerly obscured frame (22, 25).

Description

A FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER
This invention relates to a food storage container for storing food in solid or liquid form.
In WO 98/49995 there is disclosed a liquid container incorporating a temperature sensor for indicating when temperature of a wall thereof reaches a predetermined value. The container has particular but not exclusive application to babies' feeding bottles and provides an indication as to whether the contents of a feeding bottle are too hot to be fed safely to a baby.
In US-A-4, 156,365 there is disclosed a temperature indicator which is carried on a food holding vessel, the indicator comprising a thermochromic layer which is arranged to change colour twice in a selected temperature range. The arrangement is such that there is a first colour change at a lower temperature in the range as the temperature of food in the vessel rises above that lower temperature and there is a further colour change at a higher temperature in the range as the temperature of the food rises above that higher temperature. The purpose of the invention is to indicate whether the temperature of the food is within the range, when it will be safe to consume the food.
It has been discovered that, if baby food is stored in cold storage at a temperature in excess of 5δC, the temperature may provide an environment which could cause incubation of bacteria in the food which, if subsequently heated and consumed, could result in the baby contracting gastro-enteritis. According to the present invention, there is provided a food storage container carrying an indicator which indicates visually when cold storage of the container has exceeded a predetermined temperature.
The indicator may include a portion printed in thermochromic ink. In the alternative the indicator may include a portion printed in liquid crystal based solutions.
The indicator may employ a time-temperature indicator (TTI) which usually includes two inks printed in the form of a bullseye target the inner ring darkening with time and temperature. With higher temperatures the inner ring darkens more quickly. The time and temperature triggers may be adjusted according to the requirements of the particular food concerned.
The container of the present invention is applicable to solid, semi-solid- liquid or liquid foods including baby milk.
Following is a description, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing, of one method of carrying the invention into effect.
The drawing is an elevation of a food storage container comprising a bag 10 which is formed of a sheet of clear plastics film material which is printed with a scale 11 for indicating volume of contents contained in the bag 10 and which is also printed with indicators 12 and 13. The sheet is folded to provide two layers of film material, one superimposed on another, and to provide a bottom fold 14 of the bag 10. The two layers of film material are welded one to another to provide side seams 15, 16 of the bag 10. The sheet may also be provided with a pair of tabs, one of which is shown at 17, and lines of perforations 18 extending across a base of the respective tabs 17. The tabs 17 assist in opening of the bag 10 to provide an opening at 19.
The indicators 12, 13 each comprise a series of printed rectangular frames 20, 21 and 22 and 23, 24 and 25. The frames 20 and 23 have printed therein different symbols 26 and 27 which represent respectively "correct temperature storage" and "correct temperature for consumption". The frames 21 and 24 each have the symbols "V" printed therein in thermochromic ink. The frames 22 and 25 each have printed thereon an "X" symbol and the frames 22 and 25 are blocked by a layer of thermochromic ink which is opaque but which clears at a predetermined temperature. With regard to rectangular frames 21 and 22, the change occurs at temperatures in excess of 5QC and with regard to rectangular frames 24 and 25, the change occurs at temperatures in excess of 37^C.
Prior to use, the bag 10 is opened by pulling apart the tabs 17 and then tearing off the tabs 17 along the lines of perforations 18. The bag 10 is then inserted into a bottle having a clear cylindrical wall and an upper circumferential margin of the bag 10 is folded outwardly over a rim of a neck of the bottle. Contents are then inserted into the bag 10 and a top containing a teat is then located on the neck so as to trap the upper circumferential margin of the bag 10 between the top and the neck of the bottle. The bottle containing the bag 10 and contents is then placed in cold storage.
Assuming that the temperature of the cold storage environment does not rise above 5SC the indicator 12 will show the information indicated in the accompanying drawing. However, if the temperature of the cold storage environment rises above 5SC, the thermochromic ink of the indicator 12 will show a change in that the "V" in frame 21 and the opaque covering of the frame 22 will disappear resulting in the frame 21 becoming blank and an "X" appearing in the frame 22. This is a message that the contents contained in the bag 10 have not been stored at the correct temperature and should not be consumed.
The other indicator 13 will function in a similar manner if the bottle is removed from cold storage and placed in water which is then heated such that the temperature of the contents of the bag 10 rises beyond 37SC, such temperature being in excess of that which is safe for consumption by a baby.
The thermochromic ink referred to above may comprise a thermochromic leuco dye as supplied by Matsui Shikiso Chemical Co. Ltd of Yamashina- ku, Kyoto-shi, Japan or thermochromic chiral nematic or cholesteric esters as supplied by Merck & Co. Inc. of Rahway, New Jersey, USA.
It will be appreciated that the bag 10 may be manufactured by a method different from that described above. For example, the bag 10 may be formed from a tube of clear plastics film material which is sealed at the bottom.
It will also be appreciated that the images which indicate temperature may differ from those shown on the bag 10 shown in the accompanying drawing.

Claims

1. A food storage container (10) characterised by an indicator (12, 13) which indicates visually when cold storage of the container (10) has exceeded a predetermined temperature.
2. A container (10) as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the indicator (12, 13) includes a portion printed in thermochromic ink.
3. A container (10) as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the indicator (12, 13) includes a frame (22,25) containing a symbol and the symbol is overprinted with the thermochromic ink.
4. A container (10) as claimed in Claim 3 characterised in that the indicator (12, 13) includes a plurality of frames (20, 21, 22, 3, 24, 25) at least two of which contain respectively the symbol and another symbol, the other symbol being printed in thermochromic ink and the said overprinting and the said other symbol being such as to change at the same temperature.
5. A container (10) as claimed in Claim 4 characterised in that there is provided a second indicator (13) corresponding to the said indicator (12) but which changes at a different temperature compared with the said indicator.
6. A container (10) as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the indicator includes a portion printed in a liquid crystal based solution.
7. A container (10) as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the indicator comprises a time-temperature indicator with a portion thereof being chromatically changeable in accordance with time and/or temperature.
8. A container (10) as claimed in Claim 7 characterised in that the time-temperature indicator is in the form of a bullseye with one of the rings being a reference and the other being chromatically changeable as aforesaid.
PCT/GB2002/001801 2001-04-21 2002-04-18 A food storage container WO2002086433A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0109875A GB2374583A (en) 2001-04-21 2001-04-21 Thermochromic indicator for food containers
GB0109875.5 2001-04-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002086433A1 true WO2002086433A1 (en) 2002-10-31

Family

ID=9913245

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2002/001801 WO2002086433A1 (en) 2001-04-21 2002-04-18 A food storage container

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2374583A (en)
WO (1) WO2002086433A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007089554A1 (en) * 2006-01-26 2007-08-09 Chiquita Brands, Inc. Thermochromic ink to hide/reveal graphics

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2401176A (en) * 2003-04-30 2004-11-03 Ashley Gerrard Pert Container with contents temperature indications
CA2899183A1 (en) * 2013-02-08 2014-08-14 Ach Food Companies, Inc. Temperature indicating package and method of using
DE102016010465A1 (en) 2016-08-31 2018-03-01 Unipress Etiketten & Schilder e.K. Protective element for covering the pouring end of a beverage container

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4292916A (en) * 1979-06-18 1981-10-06 Micro-Circuits Company Timer and storage condition indicator
GB2092744A (en) * 1981-02-06 1982-08-18 Spirig Ernst Temperature indicator
US4554565A (en) * 1984-04-06 1985-11-19 Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. Method of producing reversible thermochromic display
DE8909408U1 (en) * 1989-08-04 1989-11-23 Breuer, Uwe, Dr., 8940 Memmingen, De
EP0901005A1 (en) * 1997-09-05 1999-03-10 Seb S.A. Temperature indicating device for a container with a food product to be heated and container equipped with such a device

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0837011A1 (en) * 1996-08-15 1998-04-22 Unilever Plc Container with thermochromic temperature indicator
GB2334092B (en) * 1998-02-10 2001-07-04 Unilever Plc A thermosensitive container
IT1301796B1 (en) * 1998-06-24 2000-07-07 I P S S R L Internat Products CONTINUOUS OR PRINTING PROCEDURE OF LIQUID CRYSTALS, THERMOCHROME AND / OR PHOTOCROMIC MATERIALS.
DE19912529A1 (en) * 1999-03-19 2000-09-28 Nikolaus Vogels Device for documenting overheating of cold store or deep-frozen products; has layer of thermo-indicator that undergoes irreversible reaction to produce colour change, or display symbol or message

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4292916A (en) * 1979-06-18 1981-10-06 Micro-Circuits Company Timer and storage condition indicator
GB2092744A (en) * 1981-02-06 1982-08-18 Spirig Ernst Temperature indicator
US4554565A (en) * 1984-04-06 1985-11-19 Pilot Ink Co., Ltd. Method of producing reversible thermochromic display
DE8909408U1 (en) * 1989-08-04 1989-11-23 Breuer, Uwe, Dr., 8940 Memmingen, De
EP0901005A1 (en) * 1997-09-05 1999-03-10 Seb S.A. Temperature indicating device for a container with a food product to be heated and container equipped with such a device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007089554A1 (en) * 2006-01-26 2007-08-09 Chiquita Brands, Inc. Thermochromic ink to hide/reveal graphics

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0109875D0 (en) 2001-06-13
GB2374583A (en) 2002-10-23

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