Indicator System For Goods And Services

Abstract

An indicator system with a blocked state and an unblocked state is disclosed. The indicator system may be used in conjunction with packaged products, packaging materials, medical products, films, biological assays and diagnostics, identification badges, and/or security passes. The indicator system responds to a triggering stimulus once unblocked. The respond is observable through a color change that may include a change form colorless to colored, colored to colorless, and/or colored to colored. The indicator system in its blocked state is substantially unreactive with the triggering stimulus.

1 . A colorimetric indicator system comprising: 
 a reactive material, said reactive material has a first state that is substantially unreactive to the presence of oxygen and a second state that is substantially reactive to the presence of oxygen;    wherein said first state comprises at least one blocked dye derived by the reduction of a dye selected from azines, oxazines, thiazines, and combinations thereof; and said second state comprises said at least one blocked dye unblocked;    wherein said at least one blocked dye is derived by the reduction of a dye having the formula (I):                          wherein    Y represents O, S, or NR 12 , wherein R 12  is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl groups;    Z is selected form NR 9  R 10 , OR 11 , hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, azo, or fused aromatic components; R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , and R 6  each independently is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, nitro, or fused aromatic groups;    R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , R 10 , and R 11  each independently is selected from hydrogen, alkyl or aryl groups; and    X represents a halogen or other suitable anion;    wherein said reactive material is affixed to and/or integral with at least one of a package wall, a packaged object, an identification badge, and a substrate.    
   
   
       2 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a reducing agent.  
   
   
       3 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 2 , wherein said reducing agent is stannous ethylhexanoate.  
   
   
       4 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 2 , wherein said reducing agent is selected from soluble Sn (II) compounds, soluble iron (II) compounds, reducing saccharides, ascorbic acid and its derivatives, hydroxylamines, hydrazines, dithionates with a solubilizing counter ion, alpha-hydroxyketones, appropriately substituted boron and silicon hydrides, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one basic substance.  
   
   
       6 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one basic substance is selected based on the ability to act as an unblocking catalyst.  
   
   
       7 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one basic substance is selected based on the ability to control the rate the reduced form of the reactive material is oxidized.  
   
   
       8 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one basic substance is selected from a amine group.  
   
   
       9 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one basic substance is 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane or Tinuvin 292.  
   
   
       10 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a carrier material wherein said carrier material is selected from at least one of thermoplastic acrylic polymers, polyester resins, epoxy resins, polythiolenes, ultraviolet cured organic resins, polyurethanes, thermosettable acrylic polymers, alkyds, vinyl resins, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover layer wherein said cover layer overlays said reactive material.  
   
   
       12 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lamination layer wherein said lamination layer overlays said reactive material.  
   
   
       13 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is selected from a roll material, such as plastic, metal, or paper.  
   
   
       14 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said reactive material is in the form of a particulate.  
   
   
       15 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said reactive material is triisopropylsilyloxycarbonyl leucomethylene blue (II):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       16 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said reactive material is enclosed in an anaeorbic package.  
   
   
       17 . A colorimetric indicator system used for a packaging application comprising: 
 a reactive material, said reactive material has a first state that is substantially unreactive to the presence of oxygen and a second state that is substantially reactive to the presence of oxygen;    wherein said first state comprises at least one blocked dye derived by the reduction of a dye and combinations thereof; and said second state comprises said at least one blocked dye unblocked;    wherein said at least one blocked dye is derived by the reduction of a dye having the formula (III):                          wherein    R 1 -R 4 , R 7  each independently is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, halogens, hydroxyl, CN, substituted thiols, SO 2  alkyl, SO 2  aryl, CO 2  alkyl, or CO 2  aryl, where alkyl and aryl can be substituted and may include atoms necessary to complete an aromatic or acyclic ring system, which may contain heteroatoms and substitution;    R 5 , R 6  each independently is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, where alkyl and aryl can be substituted an may include atoms necessary to complete an aromatic or acyclic ring system; and    wherein said reactive material is affixed to and/or integral with at least one of a package wall, a packaged object, an identification badge, and a substrate.    
   
   
       18 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 17 , further comprising a reducing agent.  
   
   
       19 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 18 , wherein said reducing agent is stannous ethylhexanoate.  
   
   
       20 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 18 , wherein said reducing agent is selected from soluble Sn (II) compounds, soluble iron (II) compounds, reducing saccharides, ascorbic acid and its derivatives, hydroxylamines, hydrazines, dithionates with a solubilizing counter ion, alpha-hydroxyketones, appropriately substituted boron and silicon hydrides, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       21 . The colorimetric indicator system to  claim 17 , further comprising at least one basic substance.  
   
   
       22 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one basic substance is selected based on the ability to set as an unblocking catalyst.  
   
   
       23 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one basic substance is selected based on the ability to control the rate the reduced form of the dye is oxidized.  
   
   
       24 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one basic substance is selected from an amine group.  
   
   
       25 . The optical medium according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one basic substance is selected from an least one of imidazole, diisopropylamine, dodecylamine, tripentylamine, tinuvin 292, aminohexanol, 4-(2-aminoethyl)-morpholine, dihexylamine, diisobutylamine, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-piperazine, aminoethoxyethanol, dioctylamine, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       26 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 17 , further comprising a carrier material wherein said carrier material is selected form at least one of thermoplalstic acrylic polymers, polyester resins, epoxy resins, polythiolenes, ultraviolet cured organic resins, polyurethanes, thermosettable acrylic polymers, alkyds, vinyl resins, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       27 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 17 , further comprising a cover layer wherein said cover layer overlays said reactive material.  
   
   
       28 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 17 , further comprising a lamination layer wherein said lamination layer overlays said reactive material.  
   
   
       29 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 17 , wherein said substrate is selected from a roll material, such as plastic, metal, or paper.  
   
   
       30 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 17 , which said reactive material is in the form of a particulate.  
   
   
       31 . The optical medium according to  claim 30 , wherein said at least one blocked dye is form the reduction of 2-arylamino-1,4-naphthoquinone type dyes (IV).  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       32 . The colorimetric indicator system according to  claim 17 , wherein said reactive material is enclosed in an anaerobic package.