Appearance-Changing Indicators For Packaging

摘要

Appearance-changing indicators are provided that include a substrate having two or more portions configured to undergo one or more visible color changes when exposed to one or more transition temperatures to reveal one or more markings. A conventional ink is printed onto the substrate to form a first marking. A first thermochromic ink is printed onto the substrate to form a second marking adjacent to and at least partially surrounding the first marking and is further printed onto the substrate to form a third marking. The first marking is embedded within the second marking to disguise the first marking without substantially overlapping the first marking, such that the first marking becomes visible when a first transition temperature is reached or exceeded. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating such appearance-changing indicators.

主权项

1. An appearance-changing indicator for a package for containing product therein, said indicator comprising:
a substrate having two or more portions configured to undergo one or more visible color changes when exposed to one or more transition temperatures to reveal one or more markings; a conventional ink printed onto a first of the two or more portions to form a first of the one or more markings; and a first thermochromic ink printed onto one or more areas of the first portion to form a second of the one or more markings adjacent to and at least partially surrounding the first marking and further printed onto a second of the two or more portions to form a third of the one or more markings, the first thermochromic ink undergoing a first of the one or more visible color changes when a first of the one or more transition temperatures is reached or exceeded, wherein the first marking is embedded within the second marking to disguise the first marking without substantially overlapping the first marking, such that the first marking becomes visible when the first transition temperature is reached or exceeded.