Time Validation Indicator

Abstract

A time validation indicator is disclosed comprising at least a receiving layer and an activating layer. The receiving layer comprises at least one or more masking colorants and one or more deactivators that cause and maintain the one or more masking colorants in an initial colored state. The activating layer comprises at least one or more migratory activators that migrate into the receiving layer upon at least a portion of the receiving layer being placed in contact with at least a portion of the activating layer to initiate a predetermined time period. The migration of the one or more migratory activators into the receiving layer causes at least a portion of the one or more masking colorants to advance to a final colorless state resulting in a visual color change of the receiving layer that indicates the predetermined time period has elapsed. Also disclosed are methods for creating and using the inventive time validation indicator.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A time validation indicator, said time validation indicator comprising:
 a receiving layer that comprises:
 (i) a masking colorant; and 
 (ii) a deactivator that causes and maintain said masking colorant in an initial colored state, wherein the deactivator is an electron accepting compound; 
   an activating layer that comprises a migratory activator that migrates into the receiving layer upon at least a portion of the receiving layer being placed in contact with at least a portion of the activating layer to initiate a predetermined time period, and   a timing layer that comprises a material that at least partially retards the rate of migration of the one or more migratory activators into the receiving layer,   wherein the migration of the migratory activator into the receiving layer causes at least a portion of the masking colorant to advance to a final colorless state resulting in a visual color change of the receiving layer that indicates that the predetermined time period has elapsed.   
     
     
         37 . The time validation indicator of claim  1 , wherein the timing layer comprises one or more of polyacrylic, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyester, and fluorinated polymer. 
     
     
         38 . The time validation indicator of claim  1 , wherein the timing layer comprises a static colorant. 
     
     
         39 . The time validation indicator of claim  1 , wherein the timing layer comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         40 . The time validation indicator of claim  1 , wherein the timing layer is disposed between the receiving layer and the activation layer. 
     
     
         41 . The time validation indicator of claim  1 , wherein the masking colorant is a leuco dye. 
     
     
         42 . The time validation indicator of claim  1 , wherein the receiving layer further comprises a polymer that functions together with the deactivator to cause and maintain the masking colorant to be in an initial colored state. 
     
     
         43 . The time validation indicator of claim  1 , wherein at least one of the receiving layer and the activating layer further comprises a plasticizer that aids in the migration of the migratory activator into the receiving layer. 
     
     
         44 . The time validation indicator of claim  1 , wherein at least one of the receiving layer and the activating layer further comprises at least one of a dispersant, a thickener, a wetting agent, and a defoamer. 
     
     
         45 . The time validation indicator of claim  1 , wherein at least one of the receiving layer and the activating layer further comprise a static colorant. 
     
     
         46 . The time validation indicator of claim  1 , further comprising a colorant layer that comprises a static colorant. 
     
     
         47 . The time validation indicator of claim  1 , further comprising a base substrate, wherein the base substrate comprises an indicia area that is capable of being visually observed upon at least a portion of the masking colorant of the receiving layer being partially or fully in the final colorless state. 
     
     
         48 . A method for indicating a predetermined time period has elapsed, said method comprising:
 providing a time validation indicator that comprises:
 a receiving layer that comprising:
 (i) a masking colorant; and 
 (ii) a deactivator that causes and maintain said masking colorant in an initial colored state, wherein the deactivator is an electron accepting compound; and 
 
 an activating layer that comprises a migratory activator that migrates into the receiving layer upon at least a portion of the receiving layer being placed in contact with at least a portion of the activating layer to initiate a predetermined time period, and 
 a timing layer that comprises a material that at least partially retards the rate of migration of the one or more migratory activators into the receiving layer; 
   positioning the receiving layer, the activating layer, and the timing layer such that the timing layer is disposed between the receiving layer and the activation layer and at least a portion of the receiving layer and at least a portion of the activating layer are in contact with at least a portion of the timing layer to initiate the predetermined time period; and   detecting the visual color change of the receiving layer that indicates that the predetermined time period has elapsed.   
     
     
         49 . The method of claim  13 , further comprising applying the time validation indicator to at least a portion of a surface of an object. 
     
     
         50 . The method of claim  13 , wherein the timing layer comprises one or more of polyacrylic, polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyester, and fluorinated polymer. 
     
     
         51 . The method of claim  13 , wherein the timing layer comprises a static colorant. 
     
     
         52 . The method of claim  13 , wherein the masking colorant is a leuco dye. 
     
     
         53 . The method of claim  13 , wherein the receiving layer further comprises a polymer that functions together with the deactivator to cause and maintain the masking colorant to be in an initial colored state. 
     
     
         54 . A time validation indicator comprising:
 a receiving layer that comprises:
 (i) one or more masking colorants; and 
 (ii) one or more deactivators that cause and maintain said one or more masking colorants in an initial colored state, wherein the one or more deactivators are one or more electron accepting compounds; and 
   an activating layer that comprises one or more migratory activators that migrate into said receiving layer upon at least a portion of said receiving layer being placed in contact with at least a portion of said activating layer to initiate a predetermined time period.