Label having a temperature-monitoring function, a package for goods provided with a label, as well as a method and equipment for the application of labels to packages for goods

A package (2) for the storage of goods in a temperature range having a predetermined maximum value, comprising a label (1) that has a print (3) made with coded information,

• which print (3) is achieved by the effect of heat on a colouring substance (4) included in the label (1), and has a colour that contrasts with base colour of the label (1),
• the label (1) including an agent (7) in order to, at least partially, destroy contrast between the print (3) and the base colour of the label (1), if the package (2) is exposed to a temperature above said maximum value, wherein
• the label (1) is manufactured from a substrate (5) of a porous, capillary-suctioning material,
• said agent (7) is included in a loading of substance (7) located beside the print (3), which substance is solid at temperatures up to said maximum value, but becomes liquid above the same, and
• both the print (3) and agent (7) are located on top of the porous, capillary-suctioning substrate (5) adjacent one another.

Equipment for the application of labels (1) on packages (2) for goods, comprising

• a conveyor (10) to feed packages (2) consecutively in a production direction,
• a supply (22) of labels (1), which are carried on a web (13) movable towards the packages, and which comprise a colouring substance of the type that has the capacity of producing a print by the effect of heat, the colour of which print contrasts with the base colour of the labels,
• a thermal printer (12) having the purpose of supplying heat to the individual label with the object of providing a print (3), within a delimited surface field of the label, having coded information, as well as a device (20) for the individual transfer of individual, printed labels (1) to individual packages (2), wherein
• between the thermal printer (12) and the transfer device (20), there are arranged,
• on one hand, a nozzle (16) to provide the individual label (1) with a loading of a substance (7) having the property of being solid at temperatures up to a predetermined maximum value, but becoming liquid above the same, and
• on the other hand a tool (19) for the encapsulation of the substance loading (7).

A method for the application of labels on packages for goods, comprising the steps of:

• a) feeding packages (2) consecutively in a production direction,
• b) feeding a web (13) of labels (1) towards the packages, which labels comprise a colouring substance of the type that has the capacity of producing a print by the effect of heat, the colour of which print contrasts with the base colour of the labels,
• c) producing a print (3), by the supply of heat to the same, in a surface field of the individual label (1), which print has coded information,
• d) individually transferring individual, printed labels (1) to individual packages (2),
• e) using labels that are made from porous, capillary-suctioning substrates (5),
• f) providing the individual label (1) with a loading of a substance (7) after the printing, which substance has the property of being solid at temperatures up to a predetermined maximum value, but becoming liquid above the same, the substance loading being located beside the print (3), and
• g) encapsulating the substance loading (7) before the individual label (1) is transferred to a package (2).