GB2469100A - Expiry indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

An expiry indicator device, particularly suitable for food, comprised of a housing (11) with visual indicator means (12) to indicate a colour change over time. In one form the indicator is a line of LEDs (13) that change colour or countdown dependent on the days/weeks left to expiry. Most preferably the housing is provided with a protective/washable sleeve (20) which prevents damage or cross-contamination of food with the device.

Description

EXPIRY INDICATOR

The present invention relates to an expiry indicator specifically to guide and inform users as to the freshness of their food and when food in a domestic/commercial refrigerator or freezer is approaching the end of its life and/or is no longer safe to eat.

Modern pre-packaged foodstuffs typically carry a bar code and label that identifies contents and a "use-by" or "best before date", assuming the provided storage instructions are followed. This allows the consumer to quickly determine whether the product is likely to be fresh and safe for consumption, before being opened.

Most foods that must be refrigerated are safe to consume up to three days after opening, assuming a storage temperature of 3°C to 5°C. Generally, the quality of many foods deteriorates such that, after three days, consumption is not recommended.

However, once the packaging is opened the labelling information can become partially obscured, removed completely or at least less reliable because it is not clear whether the "best before date", for example, is an absolute date or related to opening. Furthermore, fresh food items which have been frozen and thawed by the customer may include a completely irrelevant date on the packaging, unrelated to the safe consumption of the actual product.

A number of food expiry timer type devices are known in the prior art. For example, US2006/018l961 discloses a container with an integrated timer. Food or beverage is placed in the container and a time period is selected which, when expired, triggers an alarm.

Other devices also rely on a timer countdown, such as US2007/0091726 and DE3936543 which use a colour or symbol change display to indicate expiry.

More elaborate systems include WO2006016343 that describes use of an RFID tag and reading device to monitor a number of items at once. GB2361064 describes data logging via a sensor (e.g package opening) for a similar purpose.

The prior art documents tend to be elaborate devices and do not necessarily address hygiene/cross-contamination issues by being easily reusable and washable etc, with a device/unit that is, for example, easily available and useable by a wide range of home users, from the blind, to pensioners, and busy mothers and executives.

The present invention seeks to provide a simple device for indicating safe consumption limits for foods, both packaged (once opened) and as fresh produce. In the latter case, this would help track the deterioration of food products increasingly purchased from local sources, such as farmer's markets, farmer's and garden gates, much of it inadequately labelled, or not labelled at all, as a means of informing and protecting the consumer.

In one broad aspect the present invention provides a food expiry indicator device comprised of a housing with visual indicator means on a surface thereof to indicate a colour change over time.

Preferably the colour change is progressive. Also, preferably there a PIR and/or vacuum sensor is included to provide a power saving function.

Preferably the housing is adapted to be placed within an enclosure or sleeve.

Preferably the sleeve is dishwasher proof. The sleeve may be colour coded and/or include attachment means in the form of a suction cup, spike, magnet, hook, eye, VelcroTM or spring clip.

The use of LEDs is preferred because it provides high visibility and instant status confirmation to a user as to the quality of the food/product. An additional alert is provided by audible alarm which mitigates the effects of poor eyesight or items being stacked on top of one another.

In further forms the invention could be associated (linked/integrated) with a digital or analogue thermometer.

Control electronics could be configured to use the display of the expiry indicator to also flag temperature range problems, not dependent on the PIR or vacuum sensor.

The expiry indicator of the present invention will be described hereinafter by reference to the accompanying drawings that illustrate preferred embodiments wherein:-Figure 1 is a front elevation view of an expiry indicator for food according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the food expiry indicator from Figure 1, Figure 3 is an underside elevation view of the food expiry indicator, Figure 4 is a front elevation view of a protective sleeve for use with the food expiry indicator of the invention, Figure 5 is a cross section of the sleeve, Figure 6 is a rear elevation view of the sleeve, Figure 7 is a front elevation view of the food expiry indicator in place within the sleeve, Figure 8 is a cross section view, Figure 9 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of a food expiry indicator according to the invention, Figure 10 is a side cross section elevation view of a sleeve suitable for use with the embodiment of Figure Figure 11 is a rear elevation view of the sleeve, Figure 12 is a front elevation view of the second embodiment in place in a sleeve according to Figures 10 and 11, and Figure 13 is front elevation view according to a third embodiment of the food expiry indicator according to the invention.

A first embodiment of the invention is described by reference to Figures 1 to 8. An expiry indicator 10 suitable for food is comprised of a housing 11 with a visual indicator strip 12 on the surface of the housing. The visual indicator strip 12 is formed from a line of LED lights 13 that, in use, progressively tint from light/dark green to light/dark orange/red over a specified time period. The colour change may be gradual from left to right or right to left over time to provide a visual representation of the time elapsed. In the illustrated embodiment there are seven pairs of LEDS which can represent seven days of the week and the half days of each. A simplified form may have seven LED5 only.

Also on the surface of housing 11 is an on/off/reset button 14 and a time select function button 15. In use, select button 15 is pressed and held to confirm the number of days or weeks, one to seven, utilising the seven pairs of LED lights 13 and the "days", "weeks" indicators 16. Various combinations of settings are possible. The "weeks" function is probably more relevant for use in a freezer environment where lower temperatures preserve food for a longer period.

Further embodiments, particularly for freezers (and some trade uses), may include a "months" indicator.

The indicator means 10 can run in a mode counting down days/weeks based on the number of LED5 lit or in a representative mode where LEDs change colour from green to red to indicate the safety of the product for consumption; green being safe, red being unsafe.

Expiry times are set based on the storage recommendations for the type of food, either printed on the packaging or found in a supplemental user manual provided with the food expiry indicator. Such information can also be printed on a sticker for attachment to a refrigerator or onto the device (or sleeve described hereunder) itself. The device can be further customised by label or sticker, for example, to separate a device used for cat or dog food tracking from those used for human food tracking, or for other trade uses outside of the food industry (for example, cement powder may have a three or four month shelf life from the date of manufacture indicated on the bag) Upon completion of the countdown, an expiry light 17 can flash and an audible alarm 18 can sound in tandem with the day or week LED 16 or, indeed, all LEDs 13 may flash. LEDs can be programmed to flash, for example, increasingly rapidly over time, with a slow flash at the beginning of a cycle and a rapid flash towards the end of the programmed period. This imparts a growing and increasing sense of urgency to the user, i.e. either use the food or dispose of it.

As the electronics incorporate a programmable chip, the alert light 17 could be configured to activate before the alarm 18 sounds. It could flash more rapidly as time expires, from a slow flash as it nears the expiry period to a rapid flash or permanent on-state at expiry.

If a fridge is not opened frequently, say three or four days after expiry of an item associated with the indicator, the expiry LED 17 and buzzer 18 can be configured to pulse, as an indication, e.g. three or four pulses, then a pause to represent, in this instance, an additional three or four days have elapsed since expiry. "Days" or "weeks" LEDs 16 indicate which time frame is referred to.

The indicator 10 may further include an energy-save function to prolong battery life (a battery being installed in the rear of the device as seen in Figure 3) . For this purpose a PIR or vacuum switch sensor 19 is provided. Accordingly, the unit is in a dormant mode until the refrigerator door is opened which activates the sensor 19 (either light from the fridge/daylight activating a PIR sensor or pressure change in the door opening activating a pressure sensor) and the indicator functions become visible.

The indicator 10 itself is manufactured with microelectronic components and preferably should be kept out of contact with food so it does not become contaminated, or allow cross contamination to occur. To this end a removable sleeve 20 is provided, into which the indicator housing 11 is placed.

(Figure 7) Sleeve 20 includes slots 21 through which the visual indicator strip 12, alarm, sensor and day/week indicator are visible. On the rear of sleeve 20 (Figure 6) a number of alternative attachment means are provided, some or all of which may be incorporated in practice. The illustrated version shows a spike 22, a magnet or suction cup 23, a spring clip 24 and an eye hole 25. These attachment means enable the device to be associated with a food product directly or its package, or for storage of the device when not in use, i.e. on the exterior of the refrigerator or freezer, kitchen shelf or rack, etc. Attachment means may be found directly on the housing 11 with suitable apertures formed in the sleeve for said attachments to pass through if necessary.

Sleeve 20 has a closed end 26 and an open end 27 for receiving the indicator housing 11. Preferably the open end 27 is dimensioned to extend slightly beyond the edge of housing 11 to minimise contamination by outside foodstuffs.

As seen in the cross section views, Figure 5 and Figure 8, the sleeve is designed for minimal contact with the sleeve via internal ridges 28, aiding removal and minimising cross contamination. A finger slot 29 also aids removal of the housing 11.

Sleeves 20 may be coloured to catering codes for food types and are preferably dishwasher safe for ease of cleaning at regular intervals. Preferably the indicator 10 itself is capable of being wiped clean and, even more preferably, may include a latex or equivalent skin that is itself machine washable.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated by Figures 9 to 12.

The housing 30 includes further electronic functions in the form of a scroll function button 31, select/clear function button 32 and LCD screen 33 with icons 34 representing different food types. The LED indicator strip 12 for green/red countdown, day/week indicator 16 and alarm/sensor 18/19 are otherwise comparable to the first embodiment.

The electronics can be programmed to set the time function based on the recommended storage time for each food icon 34, i.e. poultry, red meat, dairy, fish, vegetables, eggs, fruit, baked goods, beverages etc. If the device were applied to an alternate non-food use, icons would be provided relevant to that trade or use (e.g. pharmaceuticals -drug type or name, building trade -materials, etc.).

As seen in Figure 12, a sleeve 35 provides a protective cover with cut-outs 36 for a user to view the indicator functions.

LCD display 33 may provide a graphical or written representation of product status and time to expiry (or indeed warning "do not consume!") . The views of Figures 10 and 11 illustrate the sleeve 35 with features comparable to the first embodiment, i.e. a spring clip 24, a spike 22 and suction pad (or magnet) 23, hooks, VelcroTM etc. Operation of the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, but with improved function given by direct programming of specific foods. In this regard the LCD display 33 could be a touch screen or replaced by buttons/LEDs related to a timescale for the food type icon indicated. A colour coded button system could be employed, e.g. blue for raw fish, yellow for cooked poultry and (cooked) meats, red for raw meat etc. A third embodiment is illustrated by Figure 13 wherein the seven stage indicator strip 12 is included with a menu button to enable selection of a number of food types 41 which will effectively set the expiry time. The LEDs adjacent each food type 41 can indicate the correct food code and corresponding sleeve colour choice designed for ease of use and better food safety, education, and practice in the home e.g. correct selection of a red sleeve for fresh poultry and raw meats.

Upon confirmation the colour code LED can flash next to product selected in tandem with light countdown the alarm will sound in tandem with flashing product selection and sequence of days elapsed.

All embodiments preferably include a PIR sensor to save battery life by the indicator being in "dormant" mode when the refrigerator/freezer door is closed.

The present invention can be generally manufactured from available materials, although advances in electronics can make the food expiry indicator progressively smaller, less expensive or more cost effective to manufacture and distribute.

It is intended that a device according to the invention is associated with a single product in a refrigerator such that multiple devices are required for general use.

The functions of the device are intended to be simple such that after a few uses a consumer will become familiar with and rely on the device whenever opening a package of perishable foodstuffs.

While the intended function is in a domestic refrigerator, the device concept can be applied to a freezer or unrefrigerated shelf storage of goods. Furthermore, the device can find application in a catering business with bulk goods in larger storage facilities.

The device could also be manufactured as a customised bespoke version for large supermarket chains, specific to particular food types, e.g. delicatessen, bakery, seafood. Where the device is exclusively used for one food type a wide range of programmable expiry times may not then be required, but otherwise the indicator means may still be required.

Further uses include routine/reminder prompting, such as weekly changing of water in a fish tank, repeat medicine indicator, bulk medicine expiry in a pharmacy (or home) or any number of "out-of-date" retail situations.

In addition to the illustrated attachment methods, VelcroTM (hook and pile fastener) could be incorporated for conveniently locating the device on items. Such an attachment means may be useful for the above mentioned non-food uses.

The invention may be configured to be used in conjunction with an RFID tag and reading device to monitor a number of items in a refrigerator.

Claims (8)

1. Claims: 1. An expiry indicator device comprised of a housing with visual indicator means on a surface thereof to indicate a colour change over time.
2. 2. The expiry indicator of claim 1 wherein the colour change is progressive with time.
3. 3. The expiry indicator of claim 1 or 2, further including a removable enclosure or sleeve.
4. 4. The expiry indicator of claim 3 wherein the sleeve is dishwasher proof.
5. 5. The expiry indicator of claim 4 wherein the sleeve is colour coded according to a food type.
6. 6. The expiry indicator of any of claims 3 to 5 wherein the sleeve includes an attachment means in the form of a suction cup, spike, magnet, hook, Velcro or spring clip.
7. 7. An expiry indicator according to any of the preceding claims including a plurality of buttons, each relating directly to a preset time countdown for a particular type of food.
8. 8. An expiry indicator substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.