What it takes to make it work:

The TTI

André Fuchs

Ciba, Basel / Switzerland

What it takes to make it work:

The TTI

André Fuchs

Ciba, Basel / Switzerland

Bonn, June 2nd and 3rd, 2008

2

Overview

Monitoring of the chill chain

OnVuTM: the basic idea and how it works

The heart of OnVuTM: label, UV light and filter

The charging and labeling equipment

The system label solution

Conclusion and outlook

3

Monitoring of the chill chainData loggers and RFID tags- Supply complete temperature history- Expensive compared to TTI labels- Reader required for RFID tags- Mainly for logistics, not suitable for consumer

Time-temperature integrators (indicators)- Accumulate time-temperature history- Cost-efficient- Visual check, easy to use- Suitable for logistics and consumer

4

TTIs – important propertiesColor change of TTIs based on different chemical and biological principlesImportant for industrial application:- Activation mechanism- Storage conditions before applicationTTI activation by light: photochromic compounds(photo or phos = light; chroma = color)

ONR

NO2 N+

O

NO2

R

Lightenergy

Themalenergy

Leuco form Colored form

5

Spiropyran color fading in solutionLab experiment: spiropyran in organic solvent

Activation by UV-LED

6

Photochromism in crystalline state!Color fading and activation energies of spiropyrancrystals correspond to characteristics of bacterial growth

The OnVuTM TTI – the basic idea

ONR

NO2 N+

O

NO2

R

Light, 365 nmActivation

HeatFading

A, colorless B, dark blue

7

Color fading depending on time + temperature

Activation by UV light

Before activation

Time

T

How does the OnVuTM TTI work?

8

TTI characterization by colormeasurement

CIE Lab color system, measurement by spectrometersCharacterization of TTI activation (= charging) and color fading

222 baLE ++=

54

58

62

66

70

74

78

82

86

90

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Time [d]

E va

lue

TTI

Reference color

UV light

9

Charging energy and shelf life

54

58

62

66

70

74

78

82

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

Time [d]

E va

lue

80 mJ×cm-²

100 mJ×cm-²

130 mJ×cm-²

170 mJ×cm-²

Referencecolor

Starting color of TTI can be modified by charging energy High flexibility to match different time-temperature conditions

ExampleOnVuTM B1 label, different charging energies, at 4 °C

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Label

Lightsourcefor activation

Filter(TTR)

TTR: thermotransfer ribbon

The heart of OnVuTM: label, UV light and filter

Filter required for reversible irreversible system

11

The protective filter – UV absorption

High UV barrier in the UVA range (365 nm)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450

Wavelength [nm]

Abs

orba

nce

TTR filter

PSA filter label

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The making of … the OnVuTM labelR&DFreshPointCiba

Ink productionCiba

OnVuTM label printingBizerba P+E

TTI pigment productionCiba

R&DCiba

Identification of suitable pigments in R&D labsColorimetric characterization of TTI fading under different conditions (charging energy, temperature) and definition of reference colorRegistration of pigments including toxicological testingTechnical documentation (specification, handling & storage) and quality testing for each production step

Special know-how for printing of OnVuTM labels required

13

Flexo press Printed OnVuTM labels

OnVuTM label printing at Bizerba P+EPrinting of active TTI using water based flexo ink

Control of printing parameters is vital for constant high TTI quality

Bizerba P+E is certified for the manufacturing of OnVuTM labels

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Development of new charging equipment for OnVuTM labels based on UV LEDs

Integration of TTI charging unit into existing label dispensers of Bizerba

Modification of thermal transfer unit for TTR filter application

Extensive testing of the complete system under realistic conditions: TTI label + TTR filter + charging and dispensing equipment

Shine some light on me – the TTI charging equipment

TTI charging by UV light

Thermal transfer of filter on charged TTI

Dispensing of label / filter combination on product package

15

Industrial label dispensers from BizerbaGLP-TTI for manual label application (10 to 20 labels per min)LDI-TTI for automatic label application (100 labels per min)

GLP-TTI

LDI-TTI

OnVuTM charging and labelingequipment

16

The OnVuTM system label

Production

Retail

2D matrix code on label with tracing data (charging date and energy, batch no., product shelf life)

B1B1

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OutlookSpecial label for visual check of the Logistics chainDevelopment of TTIs for frozen foodDevelopment of TTIs for longer shelf life (3 to 4 weeks)

B-L

Logistics

A

BC

D

B-L

Logistics

A

BC

D

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Benefits of the OnVuTM TTIStable and reproducible color fading based on photochromicpigments

Cost-efficient manufacturing of TTI labels

Defined activation at the point of packaging

Simple storage and handling of TTI labels

High flexibility through variable charging

Charging, filter application and label dispensing of OnVuTM

labels under typical industrial conditions using one machine

Conclusions

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The partners of the OnVuTM project

Dr. Hans ReichertDr. Leonhard FeilerTracey NisbetDr. André Fuchs

Professor Dr. Yoav EichenProfessor Dr. Dietrich Haarer

Michael FeuerstackUwe JannaschDr. Winfried BückenMarkus Uber

… and many helping hands in all companies!

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EU projects - involved institutes

Maria Smolander et. al

Petros Taoukis et. alBrigitte Petersen et. al

Yee Hilz et. al

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www.onvu.com

Thank you for your kind attention !