METHOD OF MONITORING MATURING CONSUMABLE PRODUCTS AND PRODUCTS USEFUL THEREIN

摘要

A monitoring process for a maturing consumable product, especially one lacking a clear visual indication of maturity or ripeness, e.g. certain pears (26), other fruit, some cheeses, aged beef, sausages and wine, employs a visual indicator (16) responsive to cumulative exposure to temperature, humidity, atmospheric conditions and/or other environmental conditions. The maturity indicator (16) responds by changing its visual appearance, or providing another signal, after elapse of a condition exposure correlated with the conditions anticipated to be required for a desired maturity stage of the maturing product. Optionally the indicator can be incorporated in a label (10) adhered to the maturing product or its package. The maturity indicator (16) can employ various indicator technologies including an active chemical agent, e.g. a polyacetylenic agent, adhesive diffusion technology, an oxidative reaction, a silver salt redox reaction, an enzyme based reaction or an electronic condition exposure indicator. The visual maturity indicator (16) can enable a customer readily to determine the ripeness or maturity of a product (26) without having to handle the product or otherwise physically inspect it.