Temptime Corporation

Zebra Technologies Corporation

Brian S Huffman

Mohannad Abdo

Thi N Do

Dawn E Smith

Dene H Taylor

Marielle K Smith

Carl Michael Lentz

John Olson

Ravi Bhatia

Deniz Boyu

Thaddeus Prusik

Gene A Hofer

Eric W Liberato

John Newport

Robert Reilly

John F L Newport

Yvonne Osunga

Janine Grazaitis Klages

A temperature exposure indicator includes a substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode on the substrate, the second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a temperature responsive material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the temperature responsive material comprises an insulating material and conductive particles, and an absorbent coupled to the temperature responsive material. In response to exposure to a temperature above a predetermined threshold temperature, at least a portion of the insulating material of the temperature responsive material is absorbed into the absorbent coupled to the temperature responsive material, changing an electrical property of the temperature responsive material.

Orientation-independent temperature sensor

Activatable indicator platforms for integrated circuits using microencapsulation are disclosed herein. An example activatable indicator platform includes an RFID tag, including an antenna; an integrated circuit, electrically connected to the antenna; an electrical loop having an open state and a closed state, the electrical loop electrically connected to the integrated circuit; an activatable environmental exposure indicator included as a portion of the electrical loop, the indicator having a conductive state and a nonconductive state, such that the electrical loop is in the closed state when the activatable environmental exposure indicator is in the conductive state and the electrical loop is in the open state when the activatable environmental exposure indicator is in the nonconductive state.

Activatable indicator platform with RFID focus using microencapsulation

An RFID tag system includes an antenna, an integrated circuit electrically connected to the antenna, and a humidity or gas indicator being electrically connected to the antenna and the integrated circuit. The humidity or gas indicator includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a dielectric material, and a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode. At least a portion of the gap contains the dielectric material. The dielectric material is configured to have a change in its dielectric constant responsive to exposure to an environmental stimulus, which may be at least one of humidity or the presence of a gas. The change in the dielectric constant of the dielectric material changes a capacitance of the humidity or gas indicator, causing the integrated circuit to indicate the presence of the environmental stimulus.

Capacitance-based humidity and gas sensing RFID tags

A temperature-activatable temperature indicator that includes a substrate and an indicator material supported by the substrate. The indicator material includes a mixture of a side-chain crystalline polymer and conductive particles and provides an electrical indication of exposure to increased temperature.

Temperature indicator with electrochemical switch

Environmental indicators for monitoring a predetermined environmental exposure, for example, an historical heat exposure such as a cumulative ambient heat exposure and/or a peak ambient heat exposure, may include an environmental indicator material. The environmental indicator may be configured to attach to a host product for monitoring the predetermined environmental exposure of the host product.

Time-temperature exposure indicator with delayed threshold response

The present disclosure is directed to a rotary screen printing apparatus, comprising: a rotary cylindrical screen; a conduit which provides fluid communication to an internal volume of the rotary cylindrical screen; and, a heater whose output is directed towards the conduit.

Rotary screen printing apparatus and process

Environmental monitors for monitoring a predetermined environmental exposure, for example, an historical heat exposure such as a cumulative ambient heat exposure and/or a peak ambient heat exposure may include an environmental indicator material and a security material. The environmental monitor may be configured to attach to a host product for monitoring the predetermined environmental exposure of the host product, and additionally serve as an anti-counterfeiting indicator.

Environmental history monitor with security features

A temperature indicator includes a first capacitor configured to change capacitance when exposed to a temperature above a first threshold temperature, a second capacitor configured to change capacitance when exposed to a temperature above a second threshold temperature. The first capacitor is electrically connected to the second capacitor. The second threshold temperature is different than the first threshold temperature. The first capacitor and the second capacitor retain their changed capacitance permanently after they return to a temperature below their respective threshold temperature.

Tunable capacitance-based temperature sensor

Environmental history monitor with positional displacement and security features

Disclosed herein are delayed reaction threshold temperature indicators and methods of making and activating the same, the delayed reaction threshold temperature indicators including a first substrate, first and second layers, and a housing secured to the substrate. The first layer includes a first reactant and an optional meltable polymer, and the second layer includes a meltable polymer and a second reactant. The meltable polymer is configured to keep the first and second reactants from interacting with each other. When exposed to temperatures at and/or above a desired threshold for a period of time, the meltable polymer melts and allows the first and second reactants to come into contact with each other, thereby producing a visual change in appearance.

Activatable temperature indicator with time delay

A freeze indicator including an indicator dispersion is described herein. Such an indicator dispersion can include: a liquid medium and particles of a colored indicator agent dispersed in the liquid medium. The colored indicator agent particles having an inherent color; wherein the indicator dispersion exhibits the inherent color of the colored indicator agent particles after freezing and is configured to have a less colored appearance before freezing and wherein light scattering masks the inherent color of the colored indicator agent particles before freezing. Some indicator dispersions can be free of color-changing chemical co-reactants. These freeze indicators can be small, have a low cost, and have a simple configuration.

Freeze indicator employing light scattering and method of making same

A temperature-activatable time-temperature indicator that can be used to monitor the historical exposure of a host product to ambient temperatures includes an optically readable, thermally sensitive indicator element. The indicator element can be inactive below a base temperature and is intrinsically thermally responsive at or above an activation temperature which is equal to or greater than the base temperature. The indicator can record cumulative ambient temperature exposure above the activation temperature irreversibly with respect to time. The indicator element can include a synthetic polymeric material, and optionally, a dye. A side-chain crystallizable polymer such as poly(hexadecylmethacrylate), that is solid below the base temperature and is a viscous liquid above the activation temperature can be employed. Intense indicator element colors can be obtained using an appropriate dye or dyes. Various structural configurations of indicator are described and illustrated.

Time-temperature indicator comprising a side chain crystalline polymer

Described herein are temperature condition indicators (e.g. freezing, threshold temperature, thermal history indicators, etc.) comprising three phase emulsions. Methods of forming and using these indicators, and products that include these indicators, are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Belle Mead, NJ, United States of America

Brian S Huffman