Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for time-dependent color-changing article

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11468798-B2
Application number	US-202117172952-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 10, 2021
Priority date	May 23, 2019
Publication date	Oct 11, 2022
Grant date	Oct 11, 2022

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments may relate to a time-dependent color-changing label for a product. The label may include a first layer comprising a plurality of particles, the particles comprising a time dependent color-changing material that changes color after a predetermined time period, the predetermined time period being greater than one month. The label may also include an attachment structure attaching the first layer to the product. In certain embodiments, the first layer may include a polymer, and the particles may include glass microspheres containing the time-dependent color changing material. The particles may be embedded in the polymer.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A time-dependent color-changing label for a product, comprising:
a first layer comprising particles embedded in a polymer, wherein the particles comprise a time-dependent color-changing material that changes color after a predetermined time period and wherein the particles are encapsulated into one or more encapsulation devices that have a porosity that corresponds to the predetermined time period after which a color change occurs; and
a second layer at least partially covering the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises a plurality of perforations configured to expose the first layer to ambient atmosphere.

2. The label of claim 1 , further comprising an attachment structure configured to attach the first layer to the product, wherein the attachment structure comprises at least one of an adhesive, a fastener, or a magnet.

3. The label of claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a printable surface.

4. The label of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is at least one of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene, acetal, acrylic, nylon (polyamides), polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or polycarbonate.

5. The label of claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise substantially spherical particles having a diameter of about 15-22 microns.

6. The label of claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise an oxygen-sensitive material that changes color based on an amount of time the oxygen-sensitive material has been exposed to oxygen.

7. The label of claim 6 , wherein the particles comprise a material that changes color when exposed to oxygen for at least one year.

8. The label of claim 6 , wherein the particles comprise a material that changes color when exposed to oxygen for at least two years.

9. The label of claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise a pressure-sensitive material that changes color based on an amount of time the pressure-sensitive material has been held at a pressure of at least one atmosphere.

10. The label of claim 9 , wherein the particles comprise a pressure-sensitive material that changes color when the pressure-sensitive material has been held at a pressure of at least one atmosphere for at least one year.

11. The label of claim 10 , wherein the particles comprise a material that changes color when exposed to pressures greater than atmospheric pressure for at least two years.

12. The label of claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise a light-sensitive material that changes color based on an amount of time the light-sensitive material has been exposed to ultraviolet light.

13. The label of claim 12 , wherein the particles comprise a material that changes color when exposed to ultraviolet light for at least one year.

14. The label of claim 12 , wherein the particles change color when exposed to ultraviolet light for at least two years.

15. A printable sheet of time-dependent color-changing labels, comprising:
a substrate; and
a plurality of time-dependent color-changing labels comprising:
a first layer having a polymer and particles embedded in the polymer, wherein the particles comprise a time-dependent color-changing chemical and wherein the particles are encapsulated into one or more encapsulation devices that have a porosity that corresponds to a predetermined time period after which a color change occurs;
a second layer at least partially covering the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises a plurality of perforations configured to expose the first layer to ambient atmosphere; and
an adhesive layer releasably securing the time-dependent color-changing labels to the substrate.

16. The printable sheet of time-dependent color-changing labels of claim 15 , wherein the particles comprise an oxygen-sensitive material that changes color based on an amount of time the oxygen-sensitive material has been exposed to oxygen.

17. A time-dependent color-changing label, comprising:
a first layer comprising particles embedded in a polymer, wherein the particles comprise a time-dependent color-changing material that changes color after a predetermined time period and wherein the particles are encapsulated into one or more encapsulation devices that have a porosity that corresponds to the predetermined time period after which a color change occurs; and
a second layer at least partially covering the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises a plurality of perforations configured to expose the first layer to ambient atmosphere.

18. The label of claim 17 , wherein the particles comprise an oxygen-sensitive material that changes color based on an amount of time the oxygen-sensitive material has been exposed to oxygen.

Assignees

• Capital One Services Llc

Inventors

• Wurmfeld David

Classifications

• B42D25/369

  Magnetised or magnetisable materials · CPC title

• G09F3/0294

  where the change is not permanent, e.g. labels only readable under a special light, temperature indicating labels and the like · CPC title

• G09F3/0291 Primary

  Labels or tickets undergoing a change under particular conditions, e.g. heat, radiation, passage of time · CPC title

• B42D25/387

  absorbing or reflecting ultraviolet light · CPC title

• B42D15/00

  Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for · CPC title