System and method for quality management utilizing barcode indicators

1. A barcoded quality indicator operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter,

said barcoded quality indicator being readable by a barcode indicator reader at all times, after first becoming readable, including times prior to, during and immediately following exceedance of said at least one threshold by said at least one product quality affecting parameter,

said barcoded quality indicator providing a first machine-readable indication prior to said exceedance of said at least one threshold and a second machine-readable indication, different from said first machine-readable indication, following said exceedance of said at least one threshold,

said barcoded quality indicator comprising:

a barcode comprising black areas and transparent areas arranged along a barcode axis;

at least one colorable element at least partially underlying said transparent areas; and

at least one coloring agent adapted to color said at least one colorable element in response to exceedance of said at least one threshold, said at least one coloring agent passing along a pathway to said at least one colorable element in a time corresponding to said threshold, said pathway being configured such that said coloring agent progressively colors said colorable element in a direction generally perpendicular with respect to said barcode axis, thereby enabling said barcode to be readable while said colorable element is being progressively colored.

2. A barcoded quality indicator according to claim 1 and wherein said barcoded quality indicator comprises a linear barcode.

3. A barcoded quality indicator according to claim 1 and wherein said first and second machine-readable indications comprising at least mutually different alpha-numerical data encoded in said barcoded quality indicators.

4. A barcoded quality indicator according to claim 1 and wherein said barcoded quality indicator continues to provide said second machine-readable indication following said exceedence of said at least one threshold even when said at least one threshold is no longer exceeded.

5. A quality management system according to claim 1 and wherein during exceedance of said threshold said coloring agent colors part of said colorable element such that said first machine-readable indication is provided by portions of said transparent areas lying above areas of said colorable element not colored by said coloring agent read together with areas of said barcode not lying above said colorable element, and said second machine-readable indication is provided by portions of said transparent areas lying above areas of said colorable element colored by said coloring agent read together with areas of said barcode not lying above said colorable element.

6. A quality management system for products comprising:

a first multiplicity of individual package specific barcoded quality indicators each operative to provide a first individual package machine-readable indication prior to exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter of an individual package, and a second individual package machine-readable indication, different from said first individual package machine-readable indication, following said exceedance of said at least one threshold by said at least one product quality affecting parameter of said individual package, said first and second individual package machine-readable indications comprising at least mutually different alpha-numerical data encoded in said barcoded quality indicators;

a second multiplicity of outer package specific barcoded quality indicators each operative to provide a first outer package machine-readable indication prior to exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter of an outer package containing a plurality of said individual packages, and a second outer package machine-readable indication, different from said first outer package machine-readable indication, following said exceedance of said at least one threshold by said at least one product quality affecting parameter of said outer package, said first and second outer package machine-readable indications comprising at least mutually different alpha-numerical data encoded in said barcoded quality indicators, the thresholds for which indication of exceedance is provided by said outer packag e specific indicators corresponding to an operative range different from the operative range to which the thresholds for which indication of exceedance is provided by said individual package specific indicators correspond;

a barcode indicator reader operative to read said barcoded quality indicators and to provide output indications, said barcoded quality indicators being readable by said barcode indicator reader at all times, after fi rst becoming readable, including times prior to, during and immediately following exceedance of said at least one threshold by said at least one product quality affecting parameter; and

a product type responsive indication interpreter operative to receive said output indications and to provide human sensible, product quality status outputs.

7. A quality management system for products according to claim 6 and wherein indication of exceedance may be provided by said outer package specific indicators associated with outer packages even when indication of exceedance is not provided by said individual package specific indicators attached to the individual packages contained therein.

8. A quality management system for products according to claim 6 and wherein indication of exceedance is not provided by said individual package specific indicators associated with individual packages if an indication of exceedance was not provided by said outer package specific indicators associated with the outer packages containing them.