printed intelligence in packaging - tappi

Printed Intelligence in Packaging

Eero HurmeVTT Technical Reseach Centre of Finland

Session 3, paper 7642

Paper 7642 Eero Hurme 2

Contents• Background

– Product safety and convenience issues for packed food

– Technology overview

• Development of package leak indicators– Visual detection– Automatic optical detection

• Future prospects


Background studies• Internal research programme 2002 - 2006 on Intelligent

products and Systems– Active, Communicating Packaging Systems

(consumer packages)• Printed low cost diagnostic indicators• Optical coding systems• Printable conductive wiring, thin film indicators

• Sustainpack EU -project 2004 - 2008– Printed rH sensors and optical detection methods


Innovative packages through ages (for food safety)

functional packagesMA-packages

aseptic packagesretorted plastic pouches

sterilised hermetic bottleswine containers

water submergeleaves

Stone Age .... 1800 1900 2000


Intelligent packaging systems

WAY OF ACTION

• Printed label (e.g. ingredients, best before, instructions)

• Colour changing indicator label/print

• Electronic tags

FUNCTION

• Monitoring the conditions of package/packedfood

• Storage of information & communication


Intelligent packaging systems Indicator Principle/

reagentsGivesinformationabout

Application

Time-temperatureindicators(external)

MechanicalChemicalEnzymatic

Storageconditions

Foods stored under chilledand frozen conditions

Oxygenindicators(internal)

Redox dyespH dyesEnzymes

Storageconditions

Package leak

Foods stored in MApackages

Carbondioxideindicator(internal)

Chemical Storageconditions

Package leak

MA or CA food packaging

Microbialgrowthindicators(internal)

pH dyesAll dyes reactingwith certainmetabolites(volatiles or non-volatiles)

Microbialquality offood

Perishable foods


Package leakage indication systems

BACKGROUND• New materials, new product types

leaking seals– possible hazards in safety

• Demonstrations of integrity requirements for consumer packages– Development of in-line non-

destructive leak testers– Development of package indicators


Critical leakage diameter in consumer packages

Growth of E. aerogenes in biotested packages

0

20

40

60

80

100

0 7-9 10-12 13-15 16-18 19-21 22-24

Microhole diameter (µm)

Con

tam

inat

ed (%

)

50 347

11

21

14

47

0

20

40

60

80

100

0 7-9 10-12 13-15 16-18 19-21 22-24

Microhole diameter (µm)

Con

tam

inat

ed (%

)

50 8 10 33

54

13 20

10

Aseptic cup , lid 100 µm Retort tray, lid 220 µm


Package leakage vs.microbiological quality

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 5 10 15 20 25

time (d)

PCA

(log

CFU

/g)

C8, PCACL8, PCAC5, PCACL5, PCA

Leaking package


Package leakage vs.indicator colour change

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

0 5 10 15 20 25

time (d)

L-va

lue OS8

OSL8OS5OSL5

Leaking package


Ink- jet inks for Indicators• Low cost• Clearly visible colour reaction• Irreversible colour change preferred• Stabile (time, temperature, moisture)• Suitable for food contact (legislation)• Physical properties;

– low viscosity, typically below 20 mPa·s– surface tension/wetting behaviour of fluid and nozzle

material → spray formation • Moisture often important in colour development →

water-based inks → binders and surface tratments to improve the adhesion.


Printed package leakage (O2) indicator

• Visual and/or optically readable, low cost

– for sterilised shelf stable products (indicator activated by heat). Based on indigo colourant

– for fast moving consumer goods (indicator activated by volatile reducing agent, e.g. ammonia). Based on redox dye


Printed package leakage (O2) indicator

• Application areas– Tamper-evidence of

hermetically sealed food/pharmaceutical/cosmetic packages

– Evaluation of use-by date in opened package at home

– Evaluation of remaining shelf-life of packed product


Demo: Printed “Use-by” Indicator

Intact Opened48

HO

UR

S

2

HO

UR

S

• Printing: flexo (can be ink-jet)just before packaging

• Package conditions: 100% N2, rH 100%, O2 scavenger, 200mL plastic tray

• The “clock” started when the package was opened

• The rate of the colour changecan be tailored: reducing agents/compsition/protective layers


OPTICAL DETECTIONMobile camera phone

• DEMO: The software detects the square from the focus area → the colour change is recognised

• → information can be used for judging whether the food is fresh or whether the package has been opened/tampered


Freshness indicators

• Volatile compounds produced in microbial spoilage in – perishable products (meat,

fish, poultry, fresh-cuts,ready-to-eat meals)

– metabolites causing pH change, nitrogen compounds (e.g. volatile & biogenic amines), sulphuriccompounds,

HUMIDITY


Freshness indicators

METABOLITES• H2S• CO2

• SO2

• NH4

• amines • diacetyl• organic acids • ethanol • microbial toxins

0

50

100

150

200

250

0 2 4 6 8 10

PCA (cfu/g)

tyra

min

e (p

pm)

Smolander, VTT


Approval of indicators:Retailers attitudes

Smolander, VTT, 2004 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

LI / retailer

LI / consumer

FI / retailer

FI / consumer

TTI / retailer

TTI / consumer

improvenot changedecline

Quality and safety of the food product would...


Printed Intelligence• Electronic, bio, chemical, optic,

optoelectronic etc. functionalities created and manufactured by printing like roll-to-roll methods.

• Cost efficient manufacturing, integration & embedding of simple intelligence everywhere.

• Filling the "gap" between traditional paper, printing and ICT/electronics industry products, towards applications like sensors, electronics and bioactive paper on large areas, tag and code technologies, …

Research results in commercialisation phase

20

Inkbyte®Printed Digital

Content

Raflatac® Pro Label

Hydrogen sulphideindicator label

UpCode™Optical code

solutions for mobile users

Roll-to-roll hotembossed gratings


Acknowledgments• Senior Research Scientist Thea Sipiläinen-Malm• Senior Research Scientist Jali Heilmann• Research Scientist Liisa Hakola• Senior Research Scientist Maria Smolander

Further material• Bioactive paper and fibre products. Patent and literary

survey”, 83 p. VTT Working Papers 51 (2006).• www.vtt.fi/proj/cpi/index.jsp?lang=en


THANK YOU!

printed intelligence in packaging - tappi

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