A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators, a barcode indicator reader and a product type responsive indication interpreter, each of the barcoded quality indicators including a first barcode including at least one first colorable area, the first barcode being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, at least a second barcode including at least one second colorable area, the second barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, a coloring agent located at a first location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to allow the coloring agent to move, from the first location to the first and second colorable areas simultaneously thereby causing the first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing the second barcode to become machine-readable.

A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators, a barcode indicator reader and a product type responsive indication interpreter, each of the barcoded quality indicators including a first barcode including at least one first colorable area, the first barcode being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, at least a second barcode including at least one second colorable area, the second barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, a coloring agent located at a first location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to allow the coloring agent to move, from the first location to the first and second colorable areas simultaneously thereby causing the first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing the second barcode to become machine-readable.

The present disclosure relates to a composite fiber capable of discoloration, and more particularly, to a composite fiber capable of discoloration by various external stimuli such as heat, electrical signals, mechanical external stimuli, etc. by filling a hollow of an elastic hollow fiber containing a thermochromic pigment and an elastic polymer with a liquid metal, and a manufacturing method thereof. The composite fiber capable of discoloration according to the present disclosure includes: a hollow fiber containing a thermochromic pigment and an elastic polymer, a liquid metal filled in the hollow of the elastic hollow fiber, a metal wire having one end inserted into the liquid metal and the other end exposed to the outside, and a stopper connected to seal the end of the elastic hollow fiber.

The present disclosure relates to a composite fiber capable of discoloration, and more particularly, to a composite fiber capable of discoloration by various external stimuli such as heat, electrical signals, mechanical external stimuli, etc. by filling a hollow of an elastic hollow fiber containing a thermochromic pigment and an elastic polymer with a liquid metal, and a manufacturing method thereof. The composite fiber capable of discoloration according to the present disclosure includes: a hollow fiber containing a thermochromic pigment and an elastic polymer, a liquid metal filled in the hollow of the elastic hollow fiber, a metal wire having one end inserted into the liquid metal and the other end exposed to the outside, and a stopper connected to seal the end of the elastic hollow fiber.

A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators, a barcode indicator reader and a product type responsive indication interpreter, each of the barcoded quality indicators including a first barcode including at least one first colorable area, the first barcode being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, at least a second barcode including at least one second colorable area, the second barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, a coloring agent located at a first location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to allow the coloring agent to move, from the first location to the first and second colorable areas simultaneously thereby causing the first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing the second barcode to become machine-readable.

A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of barcoded quality indicators, a barcode indicator reader and a product type responsive indication interpreter, each of the barcoded quality indicators including a first barcode including at least one first colorable area, the first barcode being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, at least a second barcode including at least one second colorable area, the second barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time and temperature threshold, a coloring agent located at a first location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to allow the coloring agent to move, from the first location to the first and second colorable areas simultaneously thereby causing the first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing the second barcode to become machine-readable.

A barcoded indicator operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter, the barcoded indicator including at least a first barcode and at least a second barcode, the at least a second barcode being in a second barcode unreadable state prior to exceedance of the at least one threshold and upon exceedance of the at least one threshold the at least a first barcode becoming unreadable and generally simultaneously the at least a second barcode becoming readable.

A barcoded indicator operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter, the barcoded indicator including at least a first barcode and at least a second barcode, the at least a second barcode being in a second barcode unreadable state prior to exceedance of the at least one threshold and upon exceedance of the at least one threshold the at least a first barcode becoming unreadable and generally simultaneously the at least a second barcode becoming readable.

An indicator tab comprising a thermochromic material is mounted in thermal contact with an electrical component in an enclosure. An observation port in a cover of the enclosure is juxtaposed with the indicator tab enabling visual observation of the thermochromic material indicating a temperature of the component. Each indicator tab comprises a visible portion on one end of an arm where the thermochromic material is located and a fastening portion on the other end thermally contacting the component. The indicator tab is composed of a material having a high thermal conductivity to efficiently conduct heat toward the visible portion. In an enclosure where the components are close together, the arm may be composed of a high electrical resistivity material to avoid creating a short circuit with other components. Alternately, in an enclosure where the components are not closely positioned, the arm may be composed of a metallic material.

A barcoded indicator operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter, the barcoded indicator including a first barcode including a first plurality of barcode bars and at least a first colorable area, at least a second barcode including a second plurality of barcode bars and at least a second colorable area, and at least one interposed line extending between the first barcode and the second barcode, the interposed line being capable of preventing a barcode reader from reading parts of the first barcode and of the second barcode as part of a single barcode.