Abstract: A gel composition possessing good cohesive properties. In one embodiment, the gel composition includes a phase-change material. The phase-change material is preferably an aqueous salt solution. The gel composition also includes a cross-linkable thickener. The cross-linkable thickener preferably is compatible with an aqueous salt solution and preferably includes one or more cross-linkable hydroxyl groups. The gel composition additionally includes a boron-containing cross-linker that is present in an amount that is sufficient to gel the formulation. The weight ratio in the gel composition of boron to thickener is preferably in the range of about 1:250 to 1:50. When packaged in a container, the gel composition resists flowing when the container is torn or punctured. The present invention is also directed at a method of preparing the gel composition, at a thermal exchange implement including the gel composition, and at methods of preparing and using the thermal exchange implement.

Abstract: Method and system for maintaining temperature-sensitive materials within a desired temperature range for an extended time. In one embodiment, the system includes an outer box having a rectangular cavity. An insulation unit is snugly but removably positioned in the rectangular cavity. The insulation unit includes a support and a thermal insulation member. The support may be a generally rectangular sleeve with four sides, an open bottom and an open top. The thermal insulation may be a bilayer material wrapped around the four sides of the support to form a spiral structure. The bilayer material may include a first sheet of an expanded slit-sheet packaging material and a second sheet of tissue paper. The system may additionally include a bottom insulation member at the bottom of the support, a top insulation member at the top of the support, and a payload and temperature-control members between the top and bottom insulation member.

Abstract: A color-changing environmental stimulus indicator includes a substrate, an active indicator placed above the substrate, and a reference component. The active indicator is configured to change color in response to an environmental stimulus. The reference component is also color changeable in response to an environmental stimulus. The reference component is configured to have a similar appearance to the active indicator at an end point. The environmental stimulus includes one or more of temperature, cumulative temperature, humidity, pH, and ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A dual-function heat indicator for monitoring two or more modes of heat exposure is described. A manufacturing process for the dual-function heat indicator is also described. Dual-function heat indicators as described may be useful for monitoring the exposure of host products, with which the dual-function heat indicators may be associated, to cumulative ambient heat exposure and to a peak ambient heat exposure, and for other purposes.

Abstract: Method and system for storing and/or transporting temperature-sensitive materials. In one embodiment, the system is designed for use as a dry ice shipper and includes an outer box, a vacuum insulated panel (VIP) base assembly, a VIP lid assembly, and a gas flow director. The VIP base assembly is positioned within the outer box and includes five VIPs arranged to form a container having a bottom, four sides, and an open top. The VIP lid assembly, which may be coupled to a top closure flap of the outer box, includes a VIP dimensioned to close the open top of the VIP base assembly. The gas flow director, which may comprise a bag having an opening at its top end, may be positioned within the outer box and may be used to receive the VIP base assembly. The gas flow director inhibits convective gas flow that promotes excessive dry ice sublimation.

Abstract: A dual-function heat indicator for monitoring two or more modes of heat exposure is described. A manufacturing process for the dual-function heat indicator is also described. Dual-function heat indicators as described may be useful for monitoring the exposure of host products, with which the dual-function heat indicators may be associated, to cumulative ambient heat exposure and to a peak ambient heat exposure, and for other purposes.

Abstract: A dual-function heat indicator for monitoring two or more modes of heat exposure is described. A manufacturing process for the dual-function heat indicator is also described. Dual-function heat indicators as described may be useful for monitoring the exposure of host products, with which the dual-function heat indicators may be associated, to cumulative ambient heat exposure and to a peak ambient heat exposure, and for other purposes.

Abstract: A dual-function heat indicator for monitoring two or more modes of heat exposure is described. A manufacturing process for the dual-function heat indicator is also described. Dual-function heat indicators as described may be useful for monitoring the exposure of host products, with which the dual-function heat indicators may be associated, to cumulative ambient heat exposure and to a peak ambient heat exposure, and for other purposes.

Abstract: A dual-function heat indicator for monitoring two or more modes of heat exposure is described. A manufacturing process for the dual-function heat indicator is also described. Dual-function heat indicators as described may be useful for monitoring the exposure of host products, with which the dual-function heat indicators may be associated, to cumulative ambient heat exposure and to a peak ambient heat exposure, and for other purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are gel-based temperature indicators that include a first absorbent substrate having opposing first and second faces and a first gel coupled to the first face. In some embodiments, the first gel is a gel at a first temperature, and the first gel turns to liquid at a second temperature. In some embodiments, the first absorbent substrate is configured to allow the first gel upon turning to liquid to diffuse through the first face toward the second face.

Abstract: A dual-function heat indicator for monitoring two or more modes of heat exposure is described. A manufacturing process for the dual-function heat indicator is also described. Dual-function heat indicators as described may be useful for monitoring the exposure of host products, with which the dual-function heat indicators may be associated, to cumulative ambient heat exposure and to a peak ambient heat exposure, and for other purposes.

Abstract: A dual-function heat indicator for monitoring two or more modes of heat exposure is described. A manufacturing process for the dual-function heat indicator is also described. Dual-function heat indicators as described may be useful for monitoring the exposure of host products, with which the dual-function heat indicators may be associated, to cumulative ambient heat exposure and to a peak ambient heat exposure, and for other purposes.

Abstract: A dual-function heat indicator for monitoring two or more modes of heat exposure is described. A manufacturing process for the dual-function heat indicator is also described. Dual-function heat indicators as described may be useful for monitoring the exposure of host products, with which the dual-function heat indicators may be associated, to cumulative ambient heat exposure and to a peak ambient heat exposure, and for other purposes.

Abstract: A freeze indicator including an indicator dispersion is described herein. Such an indicator dispersion can include: a liquid medium and particles of a colored indicator agent dispersed in the liquid medium. The colored indicator agent particles having an inherent color; wherein the indicator dispersion exhibits the inherent color of the colored indicator agent particles after freezing and is configured to have a less colored appearance before freezing and wherein light scattering masks the inherent color of the colored indicator agent particles before freezing. Some indicator dispersions can be free of color-changing chemical co-reactants. These freeze indicators can be small, have a low cost, and have a simple configuration.

Abstract: A dual-function heat indicator for monitoring two or more modes of heat exposure is described. A manufacturing process for the dual-function heat indicator is also described. Dual-function heat indicators as described may be useful for monitoring the exposure of host products, with which the dual-function heat indicators may be associated, to cumulative ambient heat exposure and to a peak ambient heat exposure, and for other purposes.

Abstract: A color-changing environmental stimulus indicator includes a substrate, an active indicator placed above the substrate, and a reference component. The active indicator is configured to change color in response to an environmental stimulus. The reference component is also color changeable in response to an environmental stimulus. The reference component is configured to have a similar appearance to the active indicator at an end point. The environmental stimulus includes one or more of temperature, cumulative temperature, humidity, pH, and ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are gel-based temperature indicators that include a first absorbent substrate having opposing first and second faces and a first gel coupled to the first face. In some embodiments, the first gel is a gel at a first temperature, and the first gel turns to liquid at a second temperature. In some embodiments, the first absorbent substrate is configured to allow the first gel upon turning to liquid to diffuse through the first face toward the second face.

Abstract: A temperature-activatable time-temperature indicator that can be used to monitor the historical exposure of a host product to ambient temperatures includes an optically readable, thermally sensitive indicator element. The indicator element can be inactive below a base temperature and is intrinsically thermally responsive at or above an activation temperature which is equal to or greater than the base temperature. The indicator can record cumulative ambient temperature exposure above the activation temperature irreversibly with respect to time. The indicator element can include a synthetic polymeric material, and optionally, a dye. A side-chain crystallizable polymer such as poly(hexadecylmethacrylate), that is solid below the base temperature and is a viscous liquid above the activation temperature can be employed. Intense indicator element colors can be obtained using an appropriate dye or dyes. Various structural configurations of indicator are described and illustrated.

Abstract: Described herein are temperature condition indicators (e.g. freezing, threshold temperature, thermal history indicators, etc.) comprising three phase emulsions. Methods of forming and using these indicators, and products that include these indicators, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual-function heat indicator for monitoring two or more modes of heat exposure is described. A manufacturing process for the dual-function heat indicator is also described. Dual-function heat indicators as described may be useful for monitoring the exposure of host products, with which the dual-function heat indicators may be associated, to cumulative ambient heat exposure and to a peak ambient heat exposure, and for other purposes.