Temptime Corporation

Carl Michael Lentz

Dawn E Smith

Thaddeus Prusik

Dene H Taylor

Brian S Huffman

Frederick Robert Grabiner

Emily Moore

Nicholas Puro

Bruce-Erik Osborn

Ray H Baughman

Mikhail E Kozlov

Lee J Hall

Elizabeth Castillo Martinez

Yvonne Osunga

In part, the invention relates to computing systems and methods for electronically indicating the acceptability of a product. An image capture and communication device may analyze a product label that includes one or more monitors, authentication elements, and identification elements. The image capture and communication device may determine the type and features of the monitors, authentication elements, and identification elements. The image capture and communication device may transmit data based on the type and features to a host server, which may transmit data associated with the host product to the image capture and communication device in, inter alia, the form of an acceptability report.

Computing systems and methods for electronically indicating the acceptability of a product

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

Computing systems and methods for electronically indicating the acceptability of a product. An image capture and communication device may analyze a product label that includes one or more monitors, authentication elements, and identification elements. The image capture and communication device may determine the type and features of the monitors, authentication elements, and identification elements and, based on the type of the monitors, authentication elements, and identification elements. The image capture and communication device may transmit data based on the type and features to a host server, which may transmit data associated with the host product to the image capture and communication device in, inter alia, the form of an acceptability report.

Temperature-activated time-temperature indicator

A color-changing emulsion for use in a freeze indicator can employ a dispersion medium, for example, an aqueous liquid, a first reactant phase and a second reactant phase, which two reactant phases can both be dispersed in the dispersion medium. The first reactant phase includes a hydrophobic liquid and a first reactant, for example, a color precursor such as a leuco dye. The second reactant phase can include a hydrophobic liquid, and includes, or can be, a second reactant, for example, a color developer such as a leuco dye developer. The first and second reactant phases can be essentially unmixed, and can be co-reactable to provide a color change. In response to a freezing temperature, the color-changing emulsion can coagulate and change color irreversibly. An intense color change can be obtained by using, for example, a suitable leuco dye precursor and developer.

Color-changing emulsions for freeze indicators

Solid polymerizable diacetylenic monomer compositions, including compositions co-crystallized from a diversity of solvent systems under diverse cooling conditions, can exhibit diffraction patterns associated with the color development reactivities of the compositions. High reactivity compositions are disclosed and high reactivity and low reactivity phases can be identified. A low angle powder X-ray diffraction peak can indicate the presence of one or more crystal phases in a composition. A fingerprint region can exhibit fingerprint patterns of diffraction peaks associated with different reactivities. Information about polymerization of the diacetylenic monomers is disclosed usingC nuclear magnetic resonance ('NMR') characterization. Diacetylenic monomer compositions useful in ambient condition indicators, for example time-temperature indicators are disclosed.

Co-crystallizable diacetylenic monomer compositions, crystal phases and mixtures, and related methods

Freeze indicators can include an indicator dispersion, a liquid medium, indicator particles dispersed in the liquid medium and a particulate inorganic nucleating agent to inhibit supercooling of the liquid medium. The inorganic nucleating agent can have an ionic surface coating which can help provide a sharp end point. Optionally, freeze indicators can include indicator particles comprising an organic material and a softener to soften the indicator particles and provide the freeze indication with an enhanced visual appearance. Another option is to provide a temperature-sensitive stabilizer to inhibit coagulation of the indicator dispersion at temperatures above the liquid medium frozen state melting point while permitting coagulation of the indicator dispersion at the liquid medium frozen state melting point.

Freeze indicators, components therefor and preparative processes

A freeze indicator can include an indicator dispersion having an aqueous liquid medium and organic material indicator particles dispersed in the aqueous liquid medium. The indicator dispersion can have an initial appearance before freezing and an irreversibly different appearance after freezing and can exhibit a freeze-onset temperature of about &#x2212;1.9&#xb0; C. or higher. Some factors helpful to providing a relatively high freeze onset temperature are employment of a proteinaceous ice-nucleating agent, control of pH, use of a protein stabilizer and control of the ratio of protein stabilizer to ice-nucleating agent.

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Cedar Knolls, NJ, United States of America

Carl Michael Lentz