Package or product having a use indicator
A product includes a container, and a use indicator carried inside the container so that, upon removal of a closure from the container or upon removal of flowable product from within the container, a coloration of the product changes irreversibly to indicate to a user that the product has been used.
1. A product that includes:
a container; and
a use indicator carried inside the container so that, upon removal of a closure from the container or upon removal of flowable product from within the container, a coloration of the product changes irreversibly to indicate to a user that the product has been used, wherein the indicator includes a material with microcapsules carried in a forward osmosis membrane.
2. A package including the product set forth in claim 1 , a closure coupled to the container, and a flowable product carried in the container.
3. The product set forth in claim 1 , wherein the material sprayed as a coating that includes the microcapsules suspended in a liquid membrane material.
4. The product set forth in claim 1 , wherein the material applied as a film that includes the microcapsules.
5. The product set forth in claim 1 , wherein the material is inserted into the container as a sleeve that includes the microcapsules, and that is blown into tight contact with an interior of the container.
6. The product set forth in claim 1 , wherein the microcapsules contain an indicating liquid.
7. The product set forth in claim 6 , wherein the indicating liquid includes at least one of a stain, a dye, or an ink.
8. A method of producing a product that includes the steps of:
(a) positioning an indicator inside of a container, wherein the indicator has a coloration state changeable to another coloration state in response to use of the product;
(b) flowing a flowable product into the container to at least partially cover the indicator; and
(c) assembling a closure to the container,
wherein when the container carries the flowable product, the use indicator includes a material with microcapsules carried in a forward osmosis membrane and hydrated via a forward osmosis process.
9. The method set forth in claim 8 , further comprising a step of irradiating the air-reactive indicator after the assembling step (c) to reset the coloration state of the indicator.
10. The method set forth in claim 8 wherein the assembling step (c) is conducted under at least one of a vacuum condition or an oxygen-free environment.
11. A product produced by the method set forth in claim 8 .
12. A method of using the product set forth in claim 11 that includes:
removing the closure to open the container; and
dispensing the flowable product out of the container and over the indicator, such that the indicator is exposed to air and exhibits a different state of coloration that is irreversible to the initial state of coloration.
13. A method of discouraging reuse of a container after opening of the container, which includes the step of: applying a permanent discoloration to the container, which is observable by a potential user to indicate that the container has already been used, wherein said step of applying a permanent discoloration to the container is carried out by coating the interior surface of the container with microcapsules embedded in a forward osmosis membrane, such that the microcapsules rupture and permanently discolor at least one of the membrane material or the container when the contents are removed from the container.
14. A product that includes:
a container; and
a use indicator carried inside the container so that, upon removal of a closure from the container or upon removal of flowable product from within the container, a coloration of the product changes irreversibly to indicate to a user that the product has been used, wherein when the container carries the flowable product, the use indicator includes microcapsules hydrated via a forward osmosis process.