Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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BARCODED INDICATORS FOR QUALITY MANAGEMENT
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Reference is made to US Patent No. US 7,562,811, filed September 10,
2007 and entitled "System And Method For Improved Quality Management In A
Product
Logistic Chain", to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL07/000547, filed May 6,
2007
and entitled "A System And Method For Improved Quality Management In A Product
Logistic Chain", to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL07/01411, filed November
14,
2007 and entitled "A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing
Barcode
Indicators", to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2008/001495, filed November
13,
2008 and entitled "A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing
Barcode
Indicators", to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2008/001494, filed November
13,
2008 and entitled "A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing
Barcode
Indicators", to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2009/000503, filed May 20,
2009 and
entitled "A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode
Indicators"
to US Patent Application Serial No. 12/469,309, filed May 20, 2009 and
entitled "A
System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators" and to
US
Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/231,799, filed August 6, 2009 and
entitled
"Barcoded Indicators For Quality Management".
[0001] Priority is hereby claimed under 37 CFR 1.78(a) (1) and (2)(i)
from PCT
Patent Application No. PCT/IL2009/000503, filed May 20, 2009 and entitled "A
System
And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators" and from US
Patent
Application Serial No. 12/469,309, filed May 20, 2009 and entitled "A System
And
Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators", and under 37 CFR
1.78(a) (4) and (5)(i) from US Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
61/231,799, filed
August 6, 2009 and entitled "Barcoded Indicators For Quality Management".
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to quality management and to indicators
useful in quality management.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following U.S. Patents relate generally to the subject matter of the
present application: 6,758,397, 6,009,400, 6,685,094, 7,157,048, 7,156,597 and
RE
39,226.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide improved indicators useful in
quality management systems and methodologies.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention a barcoded indicator operative to provide a machine-readable
indication
of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality
affecting
parameter, the barcoded indicator including at least a first barcode including
at least a
first set of initially uncolored, colorable areas including at least one
initially uncolored
colorable area, positioned at locations between bars of the first barcode when
the first
barcode is in a first barcode readable state prior to exceedance of the at
least one
threshold, and at least a second barcode including at least a second set of
initially
uncolored, colorable areas including at least one initially uncolored
colorable area,
positioned at locations of bars of the second barcode which appear only when
the second
barcode is in a second barcode readable state following exceedance of the at
least one
threshold, the at least a second barcode being in a second barcode unreadable
state prior
to exceedance of the at least one threshold wherein as the result of the at
least a second
set being uncolored, more than a single narrow barcode bar is missing from the
at least a
second barcode, and upon exceedance of the at least one threshold the at least
a first
barcode becoming unreadable as the result of coloring of at least a portion of
at least one
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colorable area forming part of the at least a first set of colorable areas and
generally
simultaneously the at least a second barcode becoming readable as the result
of coloring
of the at least a second set of colorable areas.
Preferably, the barcode indicator includes a coloring agent located at a
first location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to
allow the
coloring agent to move, at a rate which is at least partially a function of
time, from the
first location to the first and second sets of colorable areas for coloring
thereof.
Additionally, the coloring agent pathway is operative to allow the coloring
agent to move by diffusing from the first location to the first and the second
sets of
colorable areas.
Preferably, the first set of colorable areas continues to be colored
following exceedance of the at least one threshold.
Preferably, the at least one threshold includes at least one time threshold.
Preferably, the at least one threshold includes at least one time and
temperature threshold.
Preferably, the quality indicator is operative to provide indications of
exceedance of several different thresholds.
Preferably, at least one colorable area forming part of one of the first set
of
colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas has a width of a single
narrow
barcode bar.
Preferably, colorable areas forming part of at least one of the first set of
colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas become colored
sequentially.
Preferably, at least one of the first set of colorable areas and the second
set
of colorable areas includes at least two colorable areas. Additionally, each
of the first set
of colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas includes at least two
colorable
areas.
Preferably, the barcoded indicator further including at least a third barcode
including at least a third set of initially uncolored, colorable areas
including at least one
initially uncolored colorable area, positioned at locations of bars of the
third barcode
which appear only when the third barcode is in a third barcode readable state
following
exceedance of the at least one additional threshold, the at least a third
barcode being in a
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third barcode unreadable state prior to exceedance of the at least one
additional threshold
wherein as the result of the third set of colorable areas being uncolored,
more than a
single narrow barcode bar is missing from the at least a third barcode, the at
least a
second barcode including at least a fourth set of initially uncolored,
colorable areas
including at least one initially uncolored colorable area, positioned at
locations between
bars of the at least a second barcode when the at least a second barcode is in
the second
barcode readable state prior to exceedance of the at least one additional
threshold, and
upon exceedance of the at least one additional threshold the at least a second
barcode
becoming unreadable as the result of coloring of at least a portion of at
least one
colorable area forming part of the at least a fourth set of colorable areas
and generally
simultaneously the at least a third barcode becoming readable as the result of
coloring of
the at least a third set of colorable areas.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from
the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in
which:
5 Figs. 1
A ¨ 1K together are a simplified illustration of the structure and
operation of an example of the quality indicator constructed and operative in
accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed
time in
temperature history;
Figs. 2A ¨ 2K together are a simplified illustration of the structure and
operation of another example of the quality indicator constructed and
operative in
accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for
indicating
elapsed time in temperature history;
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention provides changeable barcode indicators operative to
provide a readable, preferably barcode-reader-readable, indication of
exceedance of at
least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter.
Barcode readers operative to read the barcode indicators and to provide
output indications, and product type responsive indication interpreters
operative to
receive the output indications and to provide human sensible, product quality
status
outputs are described in US Patent No. US 7,562,811 and in the publications
W0/2007/129316, W0/2008/135962, WO/2009/063464 and WO/2009/063465.
The term "barcode" is used herein to refer to a machine-readable optical
code. In the examples in the specification, linear, or one-dimensional
barcodes are
illustrated. It is appreciated that the invention may be applicable to two
dimensional
barcodes as well.
Each barcode standard includes rules which govern the proper reading of
the barcode. A typical barcode includes start indicia representing the start
of the barcode,
stop indicia representing the end of the barcode and digital indicia
representing digits
positioned therebetween. Each digit of the barcode is indicated by a series of
bars and
spaces each having a predetermined width. For example, in the 2 of 5
Interleaved barcode
standard, each digit is indicated by two wide bars and three narrow bars. The
UPC and
the EAN128 barcode standards include middle indicia with different rules for
indicating
digits on either side of the middle indicia. Additionally, some barcode
standards employ a
checksum digit, which is calculated according to a mathematical formula based
on the
barcode symbol digits and is used as a control for the validity of the
barcode.
Accordingly, a readable barcode can be rendered unreadable in several
different ways. For example, the series of bars forming the start or the stop
indicia can be
changed by adding or deleting bars or spaces, or by changing the width thereof
Such a
change can cause the barcode reader not to recognize the start or the end of
the barcode
symbol resulting in the barcode not being readable.
Another possibility is adding or deleting bars or spaces of the digital
indicia or changing the width thereof so that a series of bars and spaces
indicating a digit
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no longer indicate a digit according to the standard employed. Yet another
possibility is
making the above changes to a series of one or more bars and spaces indicating
a digit
such that a different digit is indicated after the change and calculating the
checksum digit
including the changed digit results in a checksum digit different from the
checksum digit
indicated in the barcode, thereby causing the barcode to become invalid. A
similar
change causing invalidity of the barcode can also be made to the bars
indicating the
checksum digit itself.
Similarly, an unreadable barcode can be rendered readable by adding or
deleting bars or spaces or changing the width thereof. For example, bars
forming the start
or the stop indicia in a barcode where the start or the end are not properly
indicated can
be changed as explained above in order to properly form start or stop indicia.
Similarly, an unreadable series of bars can be made to indicate a digit by
adding or deleting bars or spaces or changing the width thereof. For example,
according
to the 2 of 5 Interleaved barcode standard, each digit is indicated by two
wide bars and
three narrow bars. If, for example, a readable barcode was rendered unreadable
by
changing a wide bar into a narrow bar, then changing a narrow bar into a wide
bar can
render the barcode readable. Similarly, if a barcode is unreadable because the
checksum
digit does not match the other barcode digits, then the bars indicating one of
the digits or
the checksum digit can be changed as explained above to restore barcode
validity.
The quality indicator may incorporate a product code such as an EAN
(European Article Number) or a UPC code (Universal Product Code). The examples
shown in the description which follows illustrate the use of an EAN code.
Alternatively,
the quality indicator may incorporate a 2 of 5 interleaved barcode or any
other suitable
barcode or readable methodology. It is appreciated that bars of one
dimensional barcodes
correspond to cells in Data Matrix two dimensional barcodes and instead of the
"start"
and "stop" indicia of one dimensional barcodes, two adjacent borders defining
a "finder
pattern" are used in the Data Matrix two dimensional barcodes to locate and
orient the
symbol.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the quality
indicator includes barcodes complying with GS1 (General Specifications)
standards,
which are outlined at www.gs 1 .org. According to GS1 standards, the three
left-most
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digits are usually assigned to a country. In Israel, the seven, nine or ten
left-most digits,
including the country code, represent the supplier's code and the remaining
right-most
digits are used by each supplier. For example, as seen in the illustrated
embodiments of
the present application, the three left-most digits are 729, the GS1 country
code assigned
to Israel. The ten left-most digits, including the country code, represent a
supplier's code
and the three right-most digits are changeable by the supplier and
combinations thereof
are used in this application for indicating exceedance of thresholds.
Applicant's US application Serial Number 12/469,309, filed May 20, 2009,
which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a quality indicator which
is intended
to present a single readable barcode generally at any given time.
The phrase "generally at any given time", as defined in this application,
means at all times except possibly for short time periods.
The phrase "generally simultaneously", as defined in this application,
means within a short time period.
Preferably, in normal operation, a short time period means a time period of
less than fifteen minutes.
The quality indicator of USSN 12/469,309 includes at least two variable
barcodes, such as a first barcode and a second barcode, preferably arranged in
a stacked
arrangement. Each of the at least two variable barcodes includes at least one
colorable
area and has at least two visible states. One of the colorable areas in the
first barcode is
operative to become colored or uncolored at the same time as one of the
colorable areas
of the second barcode. The coloring or the uncoloring occurs, for example,
upon
exceedance of a time in temperature threshold.
In USSN 12/469,309, a group of colorable areas which are operative to
become colored or uncolored at the same time is referred to as a colorable
common area.
According to an embodiment disclosed on page 14, paragraph [0051] of
USSN 12/469,309, the coloring of the colorable common area which forms part of
the
first and the second barcodes in a quality indicator causes the visible state
of the first
barcode, which is initially readable, to become unreadable and, at the same
time, causes
the visible state of the second barcode, which is initially not readable, to
become
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readable. Accordingly, the quality indicator of USSN 12/469,309 presents a
single
readable barcode both before and after exceedance of a threshold.
The colorable common areas disclosed in USSN 12/469,309 preferably
include a single colorable area per barcode and preferably have the width of a
single
barcode bar. Accordingly, the difference between the readable state and the
unreadable
state of the barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309 is preferably a single
barcode bar.
A problem may occur if a barcode is read by a barcode reader when the
barcode is in an unreadable state. The more similar the unreadable state of a
barcode is to
the readable state thereof, the higher is the probability that the unreadable
barcode will be
erroneously read by a barcode reader. If a barcode reader erroneously reads
either the
first or the second barcode in the quality indicator of USSN 12/469,309 when
that
barcode is in an unreadable state, the barcode reader may read a barcode
presenting
incorrect information. This problem can occur in situations such as described
below, with
reference to the embodiment disclosed on page 14, paragraph [0051] of USSN
12/469,309:
In a first situation, the second barcode, which is not readable prior to
exceedance of a threshold, is erroneously read by a barcode reader
notwithstanding that
the colorable common area has not yet become colored. At the same time, the
first
barcode remains readable because the first barcode becomes unreadable only
upon
coloring of the colorable common area. As a result, by reading the second
unreadable
barcode, the barcode reader reads a barcode presenting incorrect information.
In a second situation, the first barcode, which is readable prior to
exceedance of a threshold, is erroneously still read by a barcode reader
following
exceedance of the threshold, notwithstanding that the colorable common area
became
colored and rendered the first barcode unreadable. At the same time, the
second barcode
becomes readable by virtue of the coloring of the colorable common area. As a
result, by
reading the first unreadable barcode, the barcode reader reads a barcode
presenting
incorrect information.
A group of colorable areas corresponding to the colorable common area
disclosed in USSN 12/469,309 and which are operative to become colored or
uncolored
at the same time, is hereinafter referred to as a common colorable region.
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The common colorable region preferably has a width of a single narrow
barcode bar. Alternatively, the common colorable region is wider than a single
narrow
barcode bar.
The present application provides an improvement to the quality indicator
5 described in USSN 12/469,309. This improvement alleviates the above
problem by
preferably including as part of a barcode at least one additional set of
colorable areas, in
addition to the common colorable region.
Each additional set of colorable areas, hereinafter referred to as an
additional colorable region, preferably includes at least one colorable area,
forms part of
10 a single barcode and is configured to reduce the barcode readability
level of the barcode
of which it forms a part. Preferably, an additional colorable region includes
more than
one colorable area. Alternatively, an additional colorable region includes a
single
colorable area.
The phrase "barcode readability level" or "BCR level" of a barcode in an
unreadable state reflects the likelihood that a barcode reader will
erroneously read the
barcode when it is in that unreadable state. Accordingly, an unreadable
barcode having a
low BCR level is not likely to be erroneously read by a barcode reader.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the
first situation described above, the additional colorable region forms part of
the initially
unreadable second barcode, and includes an initially uncolored set of
colorable areas. The
initially uncolored set of colorable areas is preferably positioned at
location of barcode
bars which appear in the second barcode in its readable state. As a result,
more than a
single narrow barcode bar is missing from the second barcode. It is
appreciated that as a
result of more than a single narrow barcode bars being missing, the BCR level
of the
unreadable second barcode decreases and becomes lower than the BCR level of
the
unreadable second barcode in USSN 12/469,309, wherein only a single barcode
bar is
missing.
Preferably, "more than a single narrow barcode bar" means more than one
barcode bar, the barcode bars being narrow or wide. Alternatively, "more than
a single
narrow barcode bar means more than a portion of a wide barcode bar, the
portion being at
the same width as a narrow barcode bar.
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It is appreciated that portions of barcode bars can be missing as a result of
set of colorable areas not being colored.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
in the second situation described above, the additional colorable region forms
part of the
initially readable first barcode and includes an initially uncolored set of
colorable areas.
The initially uncolored set of colorable areas is preferably positioned in
spaces between
barcode bars which form part of the first barcode in its readable state, and
when
uncolored do not interfere with the readability of the first barcode.
Preferably, following exceedance of a threshold, colorable areas forming
part of the common colorable region and of the additional colorable region
become
colored, thereby causing the first barcode to become unreadable. The coloring
of the
additional colorable region results in multiple spaces between bars of the
first barcode
becoming filled in, thereby decreasing the BCR level of the first barcode and
causing it to
be lower than that of the unreadable state of the first barcode described in
USSN
12/469,309, which has only a space having a width of a single barcode bar
filled in
relative to the readable state thereof.
It is appreciated that instead of multiple spaces becoming filled in between
bars of the first barcode, a space which is wider than a single narrow barcode
bar can
become filled in.
According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1A ¨ 2K, the colorable
areas forming part of the additional colorable region and the common colorable
region
become colored sequentially. Alternatively, the colorable areas forming part
of the
additional colorable region and of the common colorable region become colored
generally simultaneously.
It is appreciated that a plurality of spaces between barcode bars which
become filled in as a result of coloring of a set of colorable areas can
include spaces
which are partially filled in.
It is appreciated that instead of being initially uncolored and becoming
colored, a colorable area can be initially colored and become uncolored.
Preferably, as colorable areas become colored, barcode bars or portions
thereof appear and spaces between barcodes or portions thereof become filled
in.
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Alternatively, as colorable areas become colored, barcode bars or portions
thereof
disappear and spaces or portions thereof form between barcode bars.
It is further appreciated that the quality indicator may be operative to
provide an indication of exceedance only following actuation thereof.
Alternatively, as
illustrated in the description and drawings of this application, the quality
indicator may be
operative to provide an indication of exceedance without actuation.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention barcodes
forming part of a quality indicator are each capable of indicating any
numerical or
alphanumerical sequence. Additionally or alternatively, barcodes forming part
of a
quality indicator are each capable of complying with any suitable barcode
standard,
including but not limited to EAN, UPC, 2 of 5 Interleaved, code39, code 39
extended,
code 93, code 93 extended, code 128, code 128 A, B and C, ISBN, Code bar and
Data
Matrix. Accordingly, different barcodes forming part of the same quality
indicator can
comply with different barcode standards. For example, a quality indicator can
include a
first barcode complying with the EAN13 standard and a second barcode complying
with
the 2 of 5 Interleaved standard. Consequently, if the barcode reader of a
checkout scanner
is operative to read only the EAN13 barcode standard, then, once the first
barcode
becomes unreadable, the indicator no longer presents a readable barcode to the
checkout
scanner. However, the indicator is still readable by a barcode reader
operative to read the
=2 of 5 Interleaved standard.
Reference is now made to Figs. 1A ¨ 1K, which together are a simplified
illustration of the construction and operation of one embodiment of a quality
indicator for
indicating a combination of elapsed time and temperature. The quality
indicator described
in Figs. 1 A ¨ 1K is operative to provide separate indications of exceedance
of two
different time durations, one hour, and three and a half hours, at a
temperature of at least
21 degrees Celsius.
In each of Figs. 1A ¨ 1K, the quality indicator 100 appears both in an
exploded view at the top left portion of the drawing and in a planar view at
the bottom
right portion of the drawing.
As seen in the exploded view in Figs. 1A ¨ 1K, the quality indicator, here
indicated by reference number 100, preferably includes a barcode defining
layer 102,
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which is preferably printed on a transparent substrate. The printing on the
transparent
substrate preferably defines a background area 103, which is preferably
printed with
black ink and overprinted with white ink, a plurality of bars 104 forming part
of barcodes
I, II and III which are preferably printed with black ink, and a plurality of
transparent
areas 105, which are preferably printed with light blue ink, such as Pantone
No. 645,
which has a visual appearance similar to that of the black ink overprinted
with white ink.
Alternatively, the background area 103 and the plurality of bars 104 are
printed in such
colors so as to define high contrast therebetween.
For the purposes of the present specification and claims, the phrase
"transparent areas" is defined so as to include within its scope areas that
are either
transparent or translucent.
The barcodes I, II and III are preferably arranged in a stacked arrangement
and the transparent areas 105 preferably form part of six regions: a common
colorable
region 110 forming part of barcodes I and II, an additional colorable region
111 forming
part of barcode I, an additional colorable region 112 forming part of barcode
II, a
common colorable region 113 forming part of barcodes II and III, an additional
colorable
region 114 forming part of barcode II and an additional colorable region 115
forming part
of barcode III.
It is appreciated that barcodes I, II and III need not be positioned on the
indicator in any particular order.
It is also appreciated that the spaces which appear Figs. 1A ¨ 1K between
barcode I and barcode II and between barcode II and barcode III may be
obviated.
Preferably, the common colorable region 110 includes two transparent
areas, transparent area 116 forming part of barcode I and transparent area 117
forming
part of barcode II.
Preferably, the common colorable region 113 includes two transparent
areas, transparent area 118 forming part of barcode II and transparent area
119 forming
part of barcode III.
According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1A ¨ 1K, the additional
colorable region 111, forming part of barcode I, appears to the right of the
transparent
area 116. The transparent area 116 and the transparent areas 105 which form
part of the
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additional colorable region 111 are preferably positioned in spaces between
barcode bars
forming part of barcode I in its readable state, which is indicated by
reference numeral
140 in Fig. 1A.
For the purpose of the explanation which follows, the transparent areas
105 forming part of the additional colorable region 111 are grouped into two
pluralities of
transparent areas: 121 and 122, as illustrated in Figs. lA ¨ 1K.
According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 A ¨ 1K, the additional
colorable region 112 forming part of barcode II appears to the left of the
transparent area
117. The transparent area 117 and the transparent areas 105 which form part of
the
additional colorable region 112 are positioned at locations of bars which
appear when
barcode II is in its readable state, which is indicated by reference numeral
163 in Fig. 1E.
For the purpose of the explanation which follows, the transparent areas
105 forming part of the additional colorable region 112 are grouped into two
pluralities of
transparent areas: 124 and 125, as illustrated in Figs. 1 A ¨ 1K.
According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 A ¨ 1K, the additional
colorable region 114, forming part of barcode II, appears to the right of the
transparent
area 118. The transparent area 118 and the transparent areas 105 which form
part of the
additional colorable region 114 are preferably positioned in the spaces
between barcode
bars forming part of barcode II in its readable state, which is indicated by
reference
numeral 163 in Fig. 1E.
According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1A ¨ 1K, the additional
colorable region 115 forming part of barcode III appears to the left of the
transparent area
119. The transparent area 119 and the transparent areas 105 which form part of
the
additional colorable region 115 are positioned at locations of bars which
appear when
barcode III is in its readable state, which is indicated by reference numeral
175 in Fig. 1J.
Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 102 and preferably adhered
thereto is a colorable element 130, such as Whatman No. 3 filter paper
commercially
available from Whatman International [CAT#: 1003917], which until colored is
normally
white. The colorable element 130 preferably extends behind the common
colorable
regions 110 and 113 and the additional colorable regions 111, 112, 114 and
115.
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Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 102 and behind the colorable
element 130 is a back layer 135. Preferably adhered to the back layer 135
rearwardly of
the colorable element 130 is a temperature responsive coloring element 136,
such as a
pad, for example, K-R; 210/34/28, commercially available from Noam-Urim of
Kibbutz
5 Urim,
Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent, such as Sudan Black, a black color
dye
[CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg in Coconut oil [CAS:
8001-31-
8].
Turning now to Fig. 1A, as can be seen in the planar view, barcode I is
initially in a readable state indicated by reference numeral 140, which is
typically
10
readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115 and barcodes II and III are in
unreadable
states indicated by reference numerals 141 and 142, respectively.
As can be seen in the exploded view of Fig. 1A, the transparent area 117
and the transparent areas 105 forming part of the additional colorable region
112 forming
part of barcode II are initially uncolored. As a result, as can be seen in the
planar view, a
15
plurality of bars which appear when barcode II in its readable state are
missing from
barcode II. The missing plurality of barcode bars results in barcode II in the
initial
unreadable state 141 having a BCR level lower than that of the unreadable
barcodes
disclosed in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A
of USSN
12/469,309, in which only a single narrow barcode bar is missing.
As can also be seen in the exploded view of Fig. 1A, the transparent area
119 and the additional colorable region 115 forming part of barcode III are
initially
uncolored. As a result, as can be seen in the planar view, a plurality of bars
which appear
when barcode III in its readable state are missing from barcode III. The
missing plurality
of barcode bars results in barcode III in the initial unreadable state 142
having a BCR
level lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309,
for
example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309, in which only a
single
narrow barcode bar is missing.
As a result, a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes
II or III in their current state than read the unreadable barcodes of USSN
12/469,309.
Turning to Fig. 1B, as can be seen in the exploded view, when the
temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 21 degrees Celsius, such as when
the
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16
temperature reaches 25 degrees Celsius, the coloring agent, indicated by
reference
number 150 begins to melt and be released from the coloring element 136 and
begins to
diffuse through the colorable element 130. The colored portions of the
colorable element
130 cannot be seen through the plurality of the transparent areas 105 and, as
can be seen
in the planar view, barcodes I, II and III remain unchanged.
Turning to Fig. 1C, as can be seen in the exploded view, following the
elapse of a certain amount of time at 25 degrees, for example 30 minutes, the
coloring
agent 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130. As a result,
portions of
the colorable element 130 are visible through the plurality of transparent
areas indicated
by reference number 124, resulting in the appearance of a plurality of bars
indicated by
reference numeral 152 forming part of barcode II, as can be seen in the planar
view.
Barcode I remains in the readable state 140, barcode III remains in the
unreadable state
142, and the changed unreadable state of barcode II is indicated by reference
number 153.
The barcode bars which appear at the locations of the transparent area 117
and of the plurality of transparent areas 125 when barcode II in its readable
state,
indicated by reference numeral 163 in Fig. 1E, are still missing from barcode
II. This
missing plurality of barcode bars results in the BCR level of barcode II in
the unreadable
state 153 being still lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in
USSN
12/469,309.
As a result, a barcode reader is still less likely to read the unreadable
barcodes II or III in their current state than read the unreadable barcodes of
USSN
12/469,309.
As can be seen from the planar view of Figs. 1B and 1C, less barcode bars
are missing when barcode II is in the unreadable state 153 than when it is in
the
unreadable state 141. Accordingly, it is appreciated that the BCR level of
barcode II in
the unreadable state 153 is higher than the BCR level thereof in the
unreadable state 141.
Turning to Fig. 1D, as can be seen in the exploded view, following the
elapse of an additional amount of time at 25 degrees, for example another 25
minutes, the
coloring agent 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130. As
a result,
portions of the colorable element 130 are visible through the plurality of
transparent areas
indicated by reference number 125, resulting in the appearance of an
additional plurality
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of bars 154 forming part of barcode II, as can be seen in the planar view.
Barcode I
remains in the readable state 140, barcode III remains in the unreadable state
142 and the
changed unreadable state of barcode II is indicated by reference number 155.
Only a
single narrow barcode bar which appears at the location of the transparent
area 117 when
barcode II in its readable state, indicated by reference numeral 163 in Fig.
1E, is still
missing from barcode II, and the missing barcode bar renders barcode II in
state 155
unreadable.
It is appreciated that because only a single narrow barcode bar is missing
in the unreadable state 155, the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable
state 155 is
higher than that of barcode II in the unreadable states 141 and 153 described
in Figs. 1A
¨ 1C above. It is further appreciated that barcode II in the unreadable state
155 has a BCR
level similar to the BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN
12/469,309,
for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309.
Turning to Fig. 1E, as can be seen in the exploded view, when a threshold
is exceeded by the temperature at the indicator being at least 21 degrees
Celsius for at
least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, such as 25 degrees Celsius
for a total of
at least one hour, the coloring agent 150 diffuses through the colorable
element 130, such
that portions of the colorable element 130 are visible through the common
colorable
region 110, including the transparent areas indicated by reference numerals
116 and 117.
As a result of portions of the colorable element 130 being visible through
the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 116, a space indicated by
reference
numeral 160, which is located between bars of barcode I in its readable state,
is filled in,
thereby causing barcode Ito assume an unreadable state 161, as can be seen in
the planar
view.
As a result of portions of the colorable element 130 being visible through
the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 117, a single narrow
barcode bar
indicated by reference numeral 162 appears in barcode II, thereby causing
barcode II to
assume a readable state 163, as can be seen in the planar view, which is
typically readable
by a barcode reader as 7290003804139.
It is appreciated that because a space preferably having a width of a single
narrow barcode bar located between the bars of barcode I in its readable state
is filled in,
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the BCR level of barcode I in the unreadable state 161 is high, similar to the
BCR level of
barcode II in the unreadable state 155 described in Fig. 1D above. It is
further appreciated
that the BCR level of barcode I in the unreadable state 161 is similar to the
BCR level of
the unreadable barcodes described in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes I,
II and
III in Fig. 4E of USSN 12/469,309.
Turning to Fig. 1F, as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature
is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example
25 degrees
Celsius for an additional 30 minutes, the coloring agent 150 continues to
diffuse through
the colorable element 130, such that portions of the colorable element 130 are
visible
through the transparent areas indicated by reference numeral 121. As a result,
a plurality
of spaces indicated by reference numeral 165 located between the bars of
barcode I in its
readable state is filled in, as can be seen in the planar view. Barcode II
remains in the
readable state 163, barcode III remains in the unreadable state 142 and
barcode I assumes
a further unreadable state, indicated by reference number 166. As a result of
the coloring
of the plurality of spaces 165, the BCR level of barcode I in the unreadable
state 166
decreases and becomes lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in
USSN
12/469,309.
As a result, a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes I
or III in their current state than read the unreadable barcodes of USSN
12/469,309.
As can be seen from the planar view of Figs. 1E and 1F, more spaces are
filled in between bars of barcode Tin the unreadable state 166 than in the
unreadable state
161. Accordingly, it is appreciated that the BCR level of barcode I is lower
in the
unreadable state 166 than in the unreadable state 161.
Turning to Fig. 1G, as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature
is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example
25 degrees
Celsius for an additional 30 minutes, the coloring agent 150 continues to
diffuse through
the colorable element 130, such that portions of the colorable element 130 are
visible
through the transparent areas indicated by reference number 122. As a result,
an
additional plurality of spaces indicated by reference numeral 167, located
between the
bars of barcode I in its readable state, appears colored, as can be seen in
the planar view.
Barcode II remains in the readable state 163, barcode III remains in the
unreadable state
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142 and barcode I assumes a further unreadable state 168. As a result of the
coloring of
the additional plurality of spaces 167, the BCR level of barcode I in the
unreadable state
168 further decreases and continues to be lower than that of the unreadable
barcodes
disclosed in USSN 12/469,309.
As a result, a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes I
or III in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes of
USSN
12/469,309.
As can be seen from the planar view of Figs. 1F and 1G, more spaces are
filled in between barcode bars of barcode I in the unreadable state 168 than
in the
unreadable state 166. Accordingly, the BCR level of barcode I is lower in the
unreadable
state 168 than in the unreadable state 166.
Turning to Fig. 1H, as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature
is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example
25 degrees
Celsius for an additional one hour, the coloring agent 150 continues to
diffuse through
the colorable element 130. The additional colored portions of the colorable
element 130
are not seen through the plurality of the transparent areas 105 and, as can be
seen in the
planar view, barcodes I, II and III remain unchanged.
As can be seen in the exploded view of Fig. 1H, the transparent area 119
and the additional colorable region 115 forming part of barcode III are still
uncolored. As
a result, as can be seen in the planar view, a plurality of bars which appear
when barcode
III in its readable state, indicated by reference numeral 175 in Fig. 1J, are
still missing
from barcode III. The missing barcode bars result in barcode III in the
unreadable state
142 having a BCR level lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in
USSN
12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309,
in
which only a single narrow barcode bar is missing.
As a result, a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes I
or III in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes of
USSN
12/469,309.
Turning to Fig. 1I, as can be seen in the exploded view, following the
elapse of an additional amount of time at 25 degrees, for example another 25
minutes, the
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coloring agent 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130. As
a result,
portions of the colorable element 130 are visible through the plurality of
transparent areas
105 forming part of the additional colorable region indicated by reference
number 115,
resulting in the appearance of a plurality of bars 170 forming part of barcode
III, as can
5 be
seen in the planar view. Barcode I remains in the unreadable state 168,
barcode II
remains in the readable state 163 and the changed unreadable state of barcode
III is
indicated by reference number 171. Only a portion of a barcode bar which
appears at the
location of the transparent area 119 when barcode III in its readable state,
the portion
having a width of a single narrow barcode bar, is still missing from barcode
III, and the
10 missing barcode bar portion renders barcode III in state 171 unreadable.
It is appreciated that because only a portion of a barcode bar is missing in
the unreadable state 171, the portion having a width of a single narrow
barcode bar, the
BCR level of barcode III in the unreadable state 171 is higher than that of
barcode III in
the unreadable state 142 described in Fig. 1A ¨ 1H above. It is further
appreciated that
15
barcode III in the unreadable state 171 has a high BCR level, which is similar
to the BCR
level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN 12/469,309, for example
barcodes II,
III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309.
Turning to Fig. 1J, as can be seen in the exploded view, when a second
threshold is exceeded by the temperature at the indicator being at least 21
degrees Celsius
20 for at
least a second predetermined cumulative amount of time, such as 25 degrees
Celsius for a total of at least three and a half hours, the coloring agent 150
diffuses
through the colorable element 130, such that portions of the colorable element
130 are
visible through the common colorable region 113, including the transparent
areas
indicated by reference numerals 118 and 119.
As a result of portions of the colorable element 130 being visible through
the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 118, a space indicated by
reference
numeral 172, which is located between bars of barcode II in its readable
state, is filled in,
thereby causing barcode II to assume an unreadable state 173, as can be seen
in the planar
view.
As a result of portions of the colorable element 130 being visible through
the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 119, a portion of a
barcode appears in
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barcode III, the portion being indicated by reference numeral 174 and having a
width of a
single narrow barcode bar. As a result, barcode III assumes a readable state
175, as can
be seen in the planar view, which is typically readable by a barcode reader as
7290003804122.
It is appreciated that because a space preferably having a width of a single
narrow barcode bar located between the bars of barcode II in its readable
state is filled in,
the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 173 is high, similar to
the BCR level
of barcode III in the unreadable state 171 described in Fig. 11 above. It is
further
appreciated that the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 173 is
similar to the
BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN 12/469,309, for example
barcodes I, II and III in Fig. 4E of USSN 12/469,309.
Turning to Fig. 1K, as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature
is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example
25 degrees
Celsius for an additional 30 minutes, the coloring agent 150 continues to
diffuse through
the colorable element 130, such that portions of the colorable element 130 are
visible
through the transparent areas 105 forming part of the additional colorable
region
indicated by reference number 114. As a result, a plurality of spaces 176,
located between
the bars of barcode II in its readable state, is filled in, as can be seen in
the planar view.
Barcode I remains in the unreadable state 168, barcode III remains in the
readable state
175 and barcode II assumes a further unreadable state, indicated by reference
numeral
177. The plurality of spaces 176 becoming filled in causes the BCR level of
barcode II in
the unreadable state 177 to decrease and be lower than that of the unreadable
barcodes
disclosed in USSN 12/469,309.
As a result, a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes I
or II in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes of
USSN
12/469,309.
As can be seen from the planar view of Figs. 1J and 1K, more spaces are
filled in between barcode bars of barcode II in the unreadable state 177 than
in the
unreadable state 173. Accordingly, it is appreciated that the BCR level of
barcode II is
lower in the unreadable state 177 than in the unreadable state 173.
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It is appreciated that if the temperature drops below 21 degrees Celsius the
coloring agent 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130. If,
after the
temperature reaches 21 degrees Celsius, the temperature drops below 17 degrees
Celsius,
then the coloring agent 150 becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the
colorable
element 130 is suspended until the temperature again reaches 21 degrees
Celsius.
Reference is now made to Figs. 2A ¨ 2K, which together are a simplified
illustration of the construction and operation of one embodiment of a quality
indicator for
indicating a combination of elapsed time and temperature. The quality
indicator described
in Figs. 2A ¨ 2K is operative to provide separate indications of exceedance of
two
different temperatures: 12 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius, for a time
duration of
at least one hour at each temperature.
In each of Figs. 2A ¨ 2K, the quality indicator 200 appears both in an
exploded view at the top left portion of the drawing and in a planar view at
the bottom
right portion of the drawing.
As seen in the exploded view in Figs. 2A ¨ 2K, the quality indicator, here
indicated by reference number 200, preferably includes a barcode defining
layer 202,
which is preferably printed on a transparent substrate. The printing on the
transparent
substrate preferably defines a background area 203, which is preferably
printed with
black ink and overprinted with white ink, a plurality of bars 204 forming part
of barcodes
IV, V and VI which are preferably printed with black ink, and a plurality of
transparent
areas 205, which are preferably printed with light blue ink, such as Pantone
No. 645,
which has a visual appearance similar to that of the black ink overprinted
with white ink.
Alternatively, the background area 203 and the plurality of bars 204 are
printed in such
colors so as to define high contrast therebetween.
The barcodes IV, V and VI are preferably arranged in a stacked
arrangement and the transparent areas 205 preferably form part of six regions:
a common
colorable region 210 forming part of barcodes IV and V, an additional
colorable region
211 forming part of barcode IV, an additional colorable region 212 forming
part of
barcode V, a common colorable region 213 forming part of barcodes V and VI, an
additional colorable region 214 forming part of barcode V and an additional
colorable
region 215 forming part of barcode VI.
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It is appreciated that barcodes IV, V and VI need not be positioned on the
indicator in any particular order.
It is also appreciated that the spaces which appear Figs. 2A ¨ 2K between
barcode IV and barcode V and between barcode V and barcode VI may be obviated.
Preferably, the common colorable region 210 includes two transparent
areas, transparent area 216 forming part of barcode IV and transparent area
217 forming
part of barcode V.
Preferably, the common colorable region 213 includes two transparent
areas, transparent area 218 forming part of barcode V and transparent area 219
forming
part of barcode VI.
According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2A ¨ 2K, the additional
colorable region 211, forming part of barcode IV, appears to the right of the
transparent
area 216. The transparent area 216 and the transparent areas 205 which form
part of the
additional colorable region 211 are preferably positioned in the spaces
between barcode
bars forming part of barcode IV in its readable state, which is indicated by
reference
numeral 240 in Fig. 2A.
For the purpose of the explanation which follows, the transparent areas
205 forming part of the additional colorable region 211 are grouped into two
pluralities of
transparent areas: 221 and 222, as illustrated in Figs. 2A ¨ 2K.
According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2A ¨ 2K, the additional
colorable region 212 forming part of barcode V appears to the left of the
transparent area
217. The transparent area 217 and the transparent areas 205 which form part of
the
additional colorable region 212 are positioned at locations of bars which
appear when
barcode V is in its readable state, which is indicated by reference numeral
263 in Fig. 2E.
For the purpose of the explanation which follows, the transparent areas
205 forming part of the additional colorable region 212 are grouped into two
pluralities of
transparent areas: 224 and 225, as illustrated in Figs. 2A ¨ 2K.
According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2A ¨ 2K, the additional
colorable region 214, forming part of barcode V, appears to the left of the
transparent
area 218. The transparent area 218 and the transparent areas 205 which form
part of the
additional colorable region 214 are preferably positioned in the spaces
between barcode
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bars forming part of barcode V in its readable state, which is indicated by
reference
numeral 263 in Fig. 2E.
According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2A ¨ 2K, the additional
colorable region 215 forming part of barcode VI appears to the right of the
transparent
area 219. The transparent area 219 and the transparent areas 205 which form
part of the
additional colorable region 215 are positioned at locations of bars which
appear when
barcode VI is in its readable state, which is indicated by reference numeral
275 in Fig. 2J.
Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 202 and preferably adhered
thereto is a colorable element 230, such as Whatman No. 3 filter paper
commercially
available from Whatman International [CAT#: 1003917], which until colored is
normally
white. The colorable element 230 preferably extends behind the common
colorable
region 210 and the additional colorable regions 211 and 212.
Also disposed behind the barcode defining layer 202 and preferably
adhered thereto is an additional colorable element 232, such as Whatman No. 3
filter
paper commercially available from Whatman International [CAT#: 1003917], which
until
colored is normally white. The colorable element 232 is preferably adjacent
the colorable
element 230 and preferably extends behind the common colorable region 213 and
the
additional colorable regions 214 and 215.
It is appreciated that instead of including two separate colorable elements,
an indicator according to the present invention can include a single colorable
element
separated into two portions by a separator made of a material which is
impermeable to
ink, such as varnish.
Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 202 and behind the colorable
elements 230 and 232 is a back layer 235.
Preferably adhered to the back layer 235 rearwardly of the colorable
element 230 is a temperature responsive coloring element 236, such as a pad,
for
example, K-R; 210/34/28, commercially available from Noam-Urim of Kibbutz
Urim,
Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent, such as Sudan Black, a black color
dye [CAS:
4197-25-5], dissolved at a ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg in a solution of 74.25%
Coconut oil
[CAS: 8001-31-8], 24.75% Oleic acid [CAS: 112-80-1] and 1% Hexanoic acid [CAS:
142-62-1].
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Preferably also adhered to the back layer 235 rearwardly of the colorable
element 232 is a temperature responsive coloring element 238, such as a pad,
for
example, K-R; 210/34/28, commercially available from Noam-Urim of Kibbutz
Urim,
Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent, such as Sudan Black, a black color
dye [CAS:
5 4197-25-5], dissolved at a ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg in Coconut oil [CAS:
8001-31-8].
Turning now to Fig. 2A, as can be seen in the planar view, barcode IV is
initially in a readable state indicated by reference numeral 240, which is
typically
readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115 and barcodes V and VI are in
unreadable
states indicated by reference numerals 241 and 242, respectively.
10 As can
be seen in the exploded view of Fig. 2A, the transparent area 217
and the transparent areas 205 forming part of the additional colorable region
212 forming
part of barcode V are initially uncolored. As a result, as can be seen in the
planar view, a
plurality of bars which appear when barcode V in its readable state are
missing from
barcode V. The missing plurality of barcode bars results in barcode V in the
initial
15 unreadable state 241 having a BCR level lower than that of the
unreadable barcodes
disclosed in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A
of USSN
12/469,309, in which only a single barcode bar is missing.
As can also be seen in the exploded view of Fig. 2A, the transparent area
219 and the additional colorable region 215 forming part of barcode VI are
initially
20 uncolored. As a result, as can be seen in the planar view, a plurality
of bars which appear
when barcode VI in its readable state are missing from barcode VI. The missing
plurality
of barcode bars results in barcode VI in the initial unreadable state 242
having a BCR
level lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309,
for
example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309, in which only a
single
25 narrow barcode bar is missing.
As a result, a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes
V or VI in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes
of USSN
12/469,309.
Turning to Fig. 2B, as can be seen in the exploded view, when the
temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 12 degrees Celsius, such as when
the
temperature reaches 15 degrees Celsius, the coloring agent, indicated by
reference
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26
numeral 250 begins to melt and be released from the coloring element 236 and
begins to
diffuse through the colorable element 230. The colored portions of the
colorable element
230 cannot be seen through the plurality of the transparent areas 205 and, as
can be seen
in the planar view, barcodes IV, V and VI remain unchanged.
Turning to Fig. 2C, as can be seen in the exploded view, following the
elapse of a certain amount of time at 15 degrees, for example 30 minutes, the
coloring
agent 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230. As a result,
portions of
the colorable element 230 are visible through the plurality of transparent
areas indicated
by reference numeral 224, resulting in the appearance of a plurality of bars
indicated by
reference numeral 252 forming part of barcode V, as can be seen in the planar
view.
Barcode IV remains in the readable state 240, barcode VI remains in the
unreadable state
242, and the changed unreadable state of barcode V is indicated by reference
number
253.
The barcode bars which appear at the locations of the transparent area 217
and of the plurality of transparent areas 225 when barcode V in its readable
state,
indicated by reference numeral 263 in Fig. 2E, are still missing from barcode
V. This
missing plurality of barcode bars results in the BCR level of barcode II in
the unreadable
state 253 being still lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in
USSN
12/469,309.
As a result, a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes
V or VI in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes
of USSN
12/469,309.
As can be seen from the planar view of Figs. 2B and 2C, less barcode bars
are missing when barcode V is in the unreadable state 253 than when it is in
the
unreadable state 241. Accordingly, it is appreciated that the BCR level of
barcode V in
the unreadable state 253 is higher than the BCR level thereof in the
unreadable state 241.
Turning to Fig. 2D, as can be seen in the exploded view, following the
elapse of an additional amount of time at 15 degrees, for example another 25
minutes, the
coloring agent 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230. As
a result,
portions of the colorable element 230 are visible through the plurality of
transparent areas
indicated by reference numeral 225, resulting in the appearance of an
additional plurality
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of bars 254 forming part of barcode V, as can be seen in the planar view.
Barcode IV
remains in the readable state 240, barcode VI remains in the unreadable state
242 and the
changed unreadable state of barcode V is indicated by reference number 255.
Only a
single narrow barcode bar which appears at the location of the transparent
area 217 when
barcode V in its readable state, indicated by reference numeral 263 in Fig.
2E, is still
missing from barcode V, and the missing barcode bar renders barcode V in state
255
unreadable.
It is appreciated that because only a single barcode bar is missing in the
unreadable state 255, the BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 255
is higher
than that of barcode V in the unreadable states 241 and 253 described in Figs.
2A ¨ 2C
above. It is further appreciated that barcode V in the unreadable state 255
has a BCR
level similar to the BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN
12/469,309,
for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309.
Turning to Fig. 2E, as can be seen in the exploded view, when a threshold
is exceeded by the temperature at the indicator being at least 12 degrees
Celsius for at
least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, such as 15 degrees Celsius
for a total of
at least one hour, the coloring agent 250 diffuses through the colorable
element 230, such
that portions of the colorable element 230 are visible through the common
colorable
region 210, including the transparent areas indicated by reference numerals
216 and 217.
As a result of portions of the colorable element 230 being visible through
the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 216, a space indicated by
reference
numeral 260, which is located between bars of barcode IV in its readable
state, is filled
in, thereby causing barcode IV to assume an unreadable state 261, as can be
seen in the
planar view.
As a result of portions of the colorable element 230 being visible through
the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 217, a single barcode bar
indicated by
reference numeral 262 appears in barcode V, thereby causing barcode V to
assume a
readable state 263, as can be seen in the planar view, which is typically
readable by a
barcode reader as 7290003804139.
It is appreciated that because a space preferably having a width of a single
narrow barcode bar located between the bars of barcode IV in its readable
state is filled
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in, the BCR level of barcode IV in the unreadable state 261 is high, similar
to the BCR
level of barcode V in the unreadable state 255 described in Fig. 2D above. It
is further
appreciated that the BCR level of barcode IV in the unreadable state 261 is
similar to the
BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN 12/469,309, for example
barcodes I, II and III in Fig. 4E of USSN 12/469,309.
Turning to Fig. 2F, as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature
is at least 12 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example
15 degrees
Celsius for an additional 30 minutes, the coloring agent 250 continues to
diffuse through
the colorable element 230, such that portions of the colorable element 230 are
visible
through the transparent areas indicated by reference numeral 221. As a result,
a plurality
of spaces indicated by reference numeral 265 located between the bars of
barcode IV in
its readable state are filled in, as can be seen in the planar view. Barcode V
remains in
the readable state 263, barcode VI remains in the unreadable state 242 and
barcode IV
assumes a further unreadable state, indicated by reference number 266. As a
result of the
plurality of spaces 265 becoming filled in, the BCR level of barcode IV in the
unreadable
state 266 decreases and becomes lower than that of the unreadable barcodes
disclosed in
USSN 12/469,309.
As a result, a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes
IV or VI in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes
of US SN
12/469,309.
As can be seen from the planar view of Figs. 2E and 2F, more spaces are
filled in between barcode bars of barcode IV in the unreadable state 266 than
in the
unreadable state 261. Accordingly, it is appreciated that the BCR level of
barcode IV is
lower in the unreadable state 266 than in the unreadable state 261.
Turning to Fig. 2G, as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature
is at least 12 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example
15 degrees
Celsius for an additional 30 minutes, the coloring agent 250 continues to
diffuse through
the colorable element 230, such that portions of the colorable element 230 are
visible
through the transparent areas indicated by reference number 222. As a result,
an
additional plurality of spaces indicated by reference numeral 267, located
between the
bars of barcode IV in its readable state, are filled in, as can be seen in the
planar view.
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Barcode V remains in the readable state 263, barcode VI remains in the
unreadable state
242 and barcode IV assumes a further unreadable state 268. As a result of the
additional
plurality of spaces 267 becoming filled in, the BCR level of barcode IV in the
unreadable
state 268 further decreases and continues to be lower than that of the
unreadable barcodes
disclosed in USSN 12/469,309.
As a result, a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes
IV or VI in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes
of USSN
12/469,309.
As can be seen from the planar view of Figs. 2F and 2G, more spaces are
filled in between barcode bars of barcode IV in the unreadable state 268 than
in the
unreadable state 266. Accordingly, the BCR level of barcode IV is lower in the
unreadable state 268 than in the unreadable state 266.
It is appreciated that if the temperature drops below 12 degrees Celsius,
the coloring agent 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230.
If, at any
time after the temperature reaches 12 degrees Celsius, the temperature drops
below 7
degrees Celsius, then the coloring agent 250 becomes solid and diffusion
thereof through
the colorable element 230 is suspended until the temperature again reaches 12
degrees
Celsius.
Turning to Fig. 2H, as can be seen in the exploded view, when the
temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 21 degrees Celsius, such as when
the
temperature reaches 25 degrees Celsius, the coloring agent, indicated by
reference
number 269 begins to melt and be released from the coloring element 238 and
begins to
diffuse through the colorable element 232. The colored portions of the
colorable element
232 cannot be seen through the plurality of the transparent areas 205 and, as
can be seen
in the planar view, barcodes IV, V and VI remain unchanged.
As can be seen in the exploded view of Fig. 211, the transparent area 219
and the additional colorable region 215 forming part of barcode VI are still
uncolored. As
a result, as can be seen in the planar view, a plurality of bars which appear
when barcode
VI in its readable state, indicated by reference numeral 275 in Fig. 2J, are
still missing
from barcode VI. The missing barcode bars result in barcode VI in the
unreadable state
242 having a BCR level lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in
USSN
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12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309,
in
which only a single narrow barcode bar is missing.
As a result, a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes
IV or VI in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes
of USSN
5 12/469,309.
Turning to Fig. 21, as can be seen in the exploded view, following the
elapse of a certain amount of time at 25 degrees, for example 55 minutes, the
coloring
agent 269 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 232. As a result,
portions of
the colorable element 232 are visible through the plurality of transparent
areas 205
10 forming part of the additional colorable region indicated by reference
number 215,
resulting in the appearance of a plurality of bars 270 forming part of barcode
VI, as can
be seen in the planar view. Barcode IV remains in the unreadable state 268,
barcode V
remains in the readable state 263 and the changed unreadable state of barcode
VI is
indicated by reference number 271. Only a single narrow barcode bar, which
appears at
15 the location of the transparent area 219 when barcode VI in its readable
state, is still
missing from barcode VI, and the missing barcode bar renders barcode VI in
state 271
unreadable.
It is appreciated that because only a single narrow barcode bar is missing
in the unreadable state 271, the BCR level of barcode VI in the unreadable
state 271 is
20 higher than that of barcode VI in the unreadable state 242 described in
Fig. 2A ¨ 2H
above. It is further appreciated that barcode VI in the unreadable state 271
has a high
BCR level, which is similar to the BCR level of the unreadable barcodes
described in
USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN
12/469,309.
Turning to Fig. 2J, as can be seen in the exploded view, when a second
25 threshold is exceeded by the temperature at the indicator being at least
21 degrees Celsius
for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, such as 25 degrees
Celsius for a
total of at least one hour, the coloring agent 269 diffuses through the
colorable element
232, such that portions of the colorable element 232 are visible through the
common
colorable region 213, including the transparent areas indicated by reference
numerals 218
30 and 219.
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As a result of portions of the colorable element 232 being visible through
the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 218, a space indicated by
reference
numeral 272, which is located between bars of barcode V in its readable state,
is filled in
thereby causing barcode V to assume an unreadable state 273, as can be seen in
the
planar view.
As a result of portions of the colorable element 232 being visible through
the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 219, a single narrow
barcode bar
indicated by reference numeral 274 appears in barcode VI, thereby causing
barcode VI to
assume a readable state 275, as can be seen in the planar view, which is
typically readable
by a barcode reader as 7290003804122.
It is appreciated that because a space preferably having a width of a single
narrow barcode bar located between the bars of barcode V in its readable state
is filled in,
the BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 273 is high, similar to the
BCR level
of barcode VI in the unreadable state 271 described in Fig. 21 above. It is
further
appreciated that the BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 273 is
similar to the
BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN 12/469,309, for example
barcodes I, II and III in Fig. 4E of USSN 12/469,309.
It is appreciated that since the distance between the common colorable
region 213 and the coloring element 238 is at least equal to the distance
between the
common colorable region 210 and the coloring element 236, the common colorable
region 213 will not become colored prior to the coloring of the common
colorable region
210. Alternatively, the colorable elements 230 and 232 are made from different
materials
such that diffusion along the colorable element 232 is slower than diffusion
along the
colorable element 230.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, if the second
threshold may be exceeded before the first threshold is exceeded, for example,
by the
second threshold including a temperature higher than that of the first
threshold and a time
duration shorter than that of the first threshold, an additional colorable
area is added in
barcode IV such that both barcodes IV and V become unreadable in response to
exceedance of the second threshold. In accordance with this embodiment, if the
first
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threshold is exceeded only following exceedance of the second threshold,
exceedance of
the first threshold will not be indicated.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the
colorable element is not separated into two portions, and indication of
exceedance of the
second threshold can also result from exceedance of a second time duration at
or above
the predetermined temperature of the first threshold.
Turning to Fig. 2K, as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature
is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example
25 degrees
Celsius for an additional 30 minutes, the coloring agent 269 continues to
diffuse through
the colorable element 232, such that portions of the colorable element 232 are
visible
through the transparent areas 205 forming part of the additional colorable
region
indicated by reference number 214. As a result, a plurality of spaces 276,
located between
the bars of barcode V in its readable state, is filled in, as can be seen in
the planar view.
Barcode IV remains in the unreadable state 268, barcode VI remains in the
readable state
275 and barcode V assumes a further unreadable state, indicated by reference
numeral
277. As a result of the plurality of spaces 276 becoming filled in, the BCR
level of
barcode V in the unreadable state 277 decreases and becomes lower than that of
the
unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309.
As a result, a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes
IV or V in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes
of USSN
12/469,309.
As can be seen from the planar view of Figs. 2J and 2K, more spaces are
filled in between barcode bars of barcode V in the unreadable state 277 than
in the
unreadable state 273. Accordingly, it is appreciated that the BCR level of
barcode V is
lower in the unreadable state 277 than in the unreadable state 273.
It is appreciated that if the temperature drops below 21 degrees Celsius the
coloring agent 269 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 232. If,
after the
temperature reaches 21 degrees Celsius, the temperature drops below 17 degrees
Celsius,
then the coloring agent 269 becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the
colorable
element 232 is suspended until the temperature again reaches 21 degrees
Celsius.
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In the embodiment described in Figs. 2A ¨ 2K above, the coloring agent
269 moves along the coloring element 232 from right to left and therefore the
additional
colorable region 214, forming part of barcode V, appears to the left of the
transparent
area 218 and the additional colorable region 215, forming part of barcode VI,
appears to
the right of the transparent area 219. Alternatively, the coloring agent 269
can move
along the coloring element 232 from left to right, and then the additional
colorable region
214 would appear to the right of the transparent area 218 and the additional
colorable
region 215 would appear to the left of the transparent area 219, as
illustrated in Figs. 1A
¨1K.
It is appreciated that if the temperature increases above a second
predetermined temperature before exceedance of a first threshold, which
includes a first
predetermined time duration at a first predetermined temperature, the coloring
agent
responsive to the second predetermined temperature melts and starts to be
released from
the corresponding coloring element before coloring of the common colorable
region
which is operative to indicate the exceedance of the first threshold. For
example, in the
embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2A ¨ 2K above, if the temperature exceeds 21
degrees
Celsius before the exceedance of one hour at a temperature of at least 12
degrees Celsius,
the coloring agent 269 melts and starts to be released from the coloring
element 232,
before coloring of the common colorable region 210.
It is appreciated that an indicator according to the present invention can
include more than three barcodes, wherein only one barcode is readable
generally at any
given time and as a result of exceedance of a threshold the readable barcode
becomes
unreadable and one of the unreadable barcodes becomes readable.
It is appreciated that the background of the barcode defining layer of the
indicator may be printed in a dark color and the bars of the barcode may be
printed in a
light color.
It is appreciated that the melting of the coloring agent may be caused by a
change in ambient parameters other than temperature, such as pH, humidity or
the
presence of certain chemicals, thereby enabling the use of the indicators
described in the
present invention for indicating exceedance of thresholds relating to such
parameters.
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It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present
invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described
hereinabove.
Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and sub-
combinations of various features of the invention and modifications thereof
which may
occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and
which are
not in the prior art.
