High Pressure Processing Indicator

Abstract

A device for indicating exposure to a pressure. The device may include a base layer, a plurality of microcapsules, and a coating, with the microcapsules being disposed between the base layer and the coating. The microcapsules contain a indicator material that can be released once the microcapsules burst. The microcapsules then have a compressive bursting strength that is chosen or designed to be less than a selected pressure (e.g., the pressure being that to which a particular article may be exposed during high pressure processing). Thus, when the device is subjected to a pressure greater than the compressive bursting strength, at least some microcapsules burst, the indicator material is released from the microcapsules, and the release of the indicator material can be detected by observation of the device. The device may be a label that is associated (such as by being affixed) to the article being subjected to pressure (or multiple labels being associated (such as by being affixed) to multiple articles. Alternatively, the device may be associated with an article or articles without being affixed thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for indicating exposure to a pressure, the device comprising:
 a base layer, a plurality of microcapsules, and a coating, the microcapsules being disposed between the base layer and the coating;   the microcapsules containing a indicator material and having a compressive bursting strength less than a selected pressure;   whereby when the device is subjected to a pressure greater than the compressive bursting strength, at least some microcapsules burst, the indicator material is released from the microcapsules, and the release of the indicator material can be detected by observation of the device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the base layer and the coating is formed from a material that permits detection of indicator material released from the microcapsules by observation of the device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer includes a material chosen from a film and paper. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the base layer includes a film chosen from polypropylene, biaxially-oriented polypropylene, and polyester. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator material includes at least one ink. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one ink is chosen from a leuco dye and a UV curable ink. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the ink can change from a colored ink to a colorless or clear ink when exposed to a temperature equal to or greater than a temperature chosen from 104° F., 120° F., and 150° F. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the coating is a varnish. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the coating is UV-curable. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the compressive bursting strength is equal to or less than a selected pressure to which the device will be subjected. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an ink layer. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the ink layer is disposed between the plurality of microcapsules and the base layer. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer disposed adjacent to the base layer such that the base layer is positioned between the adhesive layer and the plurality of microcapsules. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive layer includes at least one adhesive that is an acrylic adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . A label for indicating exposure to a pressure, the label comprising:
 a base layer, a plurality of microcapsules, and a top layer, the microcapsules being disposed between the base layer and the top layer, the microcapsules containing a indicator material and having a compressive bursting strength less than a selected pressure; and   an adhesive layer disposed adjacent to the base layer such that the base layer is positioned between the adhesive layer and the plurality of microcapsules;   whereby when the label is subjected to a pressure greater than the compressive bursting strength, at least some microcapsules burst, the indicator material is released from the microcapsules, and the release of the indicator material can be detected by observation of the label.   
     
     
         16 . The label of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the base layer and the coating is formed from a material that permits detection of indicator material released from the microcapsules by observation of the label. 
     
     
         17 . The label of  claim 15 , wherein the base layer includes a material chosen from a film and paper. 
     
     
         18 . The label of  claim 17 , wherein the base layer includes a film chosen from polypropylene, biaxially-oriented polypropylene, and polyester. 
     
     
         19 . The label of  claim 15 , wherein the indicator material includes at least one ink. 
     
     
         20 . The label of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one ink is chosen from a leuco dye and a UV curable ink. 
     
     
         21 . The label of  claim 20 , wherein the ink can change from a colored ink to a colorless or clear ink when exposed to a temperature equal to or greater than a temperature chosen from 104° F., 120° F., and 150° F. 
     
     
         22 . The label of  claim 15 , wherein the top layer is chosen from a film and a varnish. 
     
     
         23 . The label of  claim 22 , wherein the top layer is UV-curable. 
     
     
         24 . The label of  claim 22 , wherein the top layer is a film and includes polypropylene. 
     
     
         25 . The label of  claim 15 , wherein the compressive bursting strength is equal to or less than a selected pressure to which the label will be subjected. 
     
     
         26 . The label of  claim 15 , further comprising an ink layer. 
     
     
         27 . The label of  claim 26 , wherein the ink layer is disposed between the plurality of microcapsules and the base layer. 
     
     
         28 . The label of  claim 27 , wherein the adhesive layer includes at least one adhesive that is an acrylic adhesive. 
     
     
         29 . The label of  claim 15 , wherein the label is a pressure sensitive label, a shrink sleeve label, or an in-mold label. 
     
     
         30 . A heat transfer label for indicating exposure to a pressure, the heat transfer label comprising:
 an adhesive layer, a plurality of microcapsules, and a top layer, the plurality of microcapsules being disposed between the adhesive layer and the top layer, the microcapsules containing a indicator material and having a compressive bursting strength less than a selected pressure;   whereby when the label is subjected to a pressure greater than the compressive bursting strength, at least some microcapsules burst, the indicator material is released from the microcapsules, and the release of the indicator material can be detected by observation of the label.   
     
     
         31 . A shrink sleeve label for indicating exposure to a pressure, the shrink sleeve label comprising:
 a shrink film and a plurality of microcapsules being disposed proximal to a surface of the shrink film, the microcapsules containing a indicator material and having a compressive bursting strength greater than a first pressure achieved by shrinkage of the shrink film to an article, but less than a selected second pressure;   whereby when the label is subjected to a pressure greater than the compressive bursting strength, at least some microcapsules burst, the indicator material is released from the microcapsules, and the release of the indicator material can be detected by observation of the label.   
     
     
         32 . An assembly for indicating achievement of a selected pressure in a high pressure process for treating a foodstuff, the assembly comprising:
 a foodstuff associated with a device that comprises a base layer, a plurality of microcapsules, and a coating, the microcapsules being disposed between the base layer and the coating, the microcapsules containing a indicator material and having a compressive bursting strength less than a selected pressure;   whereby when the device is subjected to a pressure greater than the compressive bursting strength, at least some microcapsules burst, the indicator material is released from the microcapsules, and the release of the indicator material can be detected by observation of the device.