Freshness Monitoring Container System
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of food packaging and monitoring systems, and more specifically to containers with integrated freshness sensors designed to detect and communicate the condition of perishable contents.
Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98
[0002] Consumers and businesses frequently rely on printed expiration dates to assess the freshness of perishable food products. However, these labels can fade, become unreadable, or be removed altogether, especially when products are repackaged or transferred to new containers. Expiration dates are often based on conservative estimates rather than real-time environmental conditions or spoilage indicators. Although technologies such as RFID have been introduced to improve freshness tracking, they typically require external scanners and complex infrastructure, limiting their practicality for everyday use.
[0003] US Patent Publication US20040100380A1, published May 27, 2004, by Lindsay et al., for "RFID System and Method for Tracking Food Freshness", discloses:
“A method is provided for tracking the freshness or expiration dates of food products put into storage. The food products placed into storage are provided with smart tags, the smart tags containing food product information regarding the freshness or expiration date of the food product. The food products are scanned with a smart tag scanner prior to placing the products into storage, the scanner configured to retrieve the food product information from the smart tags. The user may be alerted if the retrieved information indicates that the food product being placed into storage has expired or is no longer fresh. The food products are placed in storage, and the user may be alerted when any of the stored products have expired or are no longer fresh.”
[0004] While Lindsay et al.. propose a smart tagging system that tracks food freshness through external RFID scanners and alerts, the invention relies heavily on separate scanning equipment and does not embed freshness monitoring directly into the packaging structure. Moreover, their system emphasizes inventory and environmental tracking at storage facilities rather than offering an intuitive, self-contained, and visually communicative solution for individual consumers.
[0005] What remains unsolved is a user-friendly packaging system that integrates freshness sensors directly into the container wall itself—eliminating the need for external tags or scanners. The present invention addresses this gap by embedding sensing elements into the container’s structure and combining them with wireless communication capabilities and visual indicators, providing immediate feedback on freshness status and supporting real-time monitoring without requiring specialized equipment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention relates to a container system 2 for storing perishable goods while monitoring freshness conditions in real time. The system includes a container body 2 and one or more freshness sensors 6 configured to detect internal or environmental factors such as gas levels, moisture, or microbial presence. Sensors 6 may be embedded within the container structure 2 or mounted on a surface and may include visual display indicators 12 or wireless communication signals 8. In some embodiments, square-shaped visual display indicators 12 are positioned along the side walls of the container body 2, and circular freshness sensors 6 are located on the front and back walls. The system may operate independently or in connection with external electronic devices 10 such as smartphones or tablets. The container 2 and its components may be constructed from a variety of materials and adapted for both residential and commercial applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the smart storage container and the associated smartphone used to monitor freshness data.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating the body of the smart storage container and the positioning of the embedded sensor near the bottom center.
FIG. 3 is a front-side perspective view illustrating the smart container body with a square visual indicator and circular freshness sensors.
FIG. 4 is a back elevation view illustrating the smart container with two square-shaped visual indicators positioned on the side walls of the container body.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the container system illustrating the lid separated above the container body, showing the alignment of components.
List of Reference Numerals
[0008] 2 Structural container body
[0009] 4 Lid
[0010] 6 Freshness sensor
[0011] 8 Wireless communication signals
[0012] 10 External electronic device
[0013] 12 Visual display indicator
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The invention is directed to a storage container system configured to monitor freshness-related conditions of perishable goods. In one embodiment, the system comprises a structural container body 2 and a lid 4, along with at least one freshness sensor 6 that detects internal or environmental conditions such as gas levels, moisture, or microbial presence. The sensor 6 may be embedded within the wall of the container body 2 or lid 4, or attached to a surface. The sensor 6 may be operably connected to a visual display indicator 12 or configured to transmit wireless communication signals 8 for relaying freshness data to an external electronic device 10. In some examples, the visual display indicator 12 may be positioned along the longer sides of the structural container body 2 to display freshness condition changes, such as color variation.
[0015] The system may operate independently or in coordination with external electronic devices 10 such as smartphones, tablets, or other consumer electronics. This invention provides an integrated, self-contained freshness detection solution that simplifies the process of determining product condition and reduces reliance on external labels, manual inspection, or scanning devices. The structural components may be manufactured using a range of materials and adapted for both residential and commercial use cases.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the freshness monitoring container system is shown. The system includes a container body 2 and a removable lid 4 forming an enclosed volume for storing perishable goods. A pair of circular sensor components 6 are positioned along the front wall of the container to monitor freshness-related conditions. A square-shaped visual indicator 12 is placed on the side of the container body to provide immediate visual feedback. Wireless communication signals 8 are shown extending between the container and an external electronic device 10, such as a smartphone or tablet, which may be used to receive freshness data or alerts.
[0017] FIG. 2 provides a top plan view of the container body 2 without the lid attached. This view reveals the internal structure of the container, showing a circular freshness sensor 6 embedded in the center of the bottom interior surface. The placement of the sensor allows for centralized monitoring of freshness-related conditions within the container's storage volume.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, a front-side perspective view illustrates the assembled container with the lid 4 secured in place. A square-shaped visual indicator 12 is positioned along the side wall of the container body 2, configured to visually reflect changes in freshness conditions. Circular sensors 6 are located along the front wall of the container body, enabling freshness monitoring based on internal or environmental factors.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a back elevation view of the container system, showing the container body 2 with the lid 4 in the closed position. Two square-shaped visual indicators 12 are shown on the side walls of the container, positioned near the back corners. These indicators may be configured to change color or appearance based on detected freshness conditions, providing visual status from multiple angles when the container is viewed from the rear.
[0020] In FIG. 5, an exploded perspective view of the container system is shown. The lid 4 is displayed above the container body 2 in a disassembled state to illustrate how the components align and interface during assembly. Circular sensors 6 are positioned along the front wall, while a square-shaped indicator 12 is located on the side wall of the container body 2. This view highlights the modular nature of the system and the spatial arrangement of the freshness monitoring components.
[0021] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is understood that modifications and variations of the present invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims set forth below. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention; however, the preferred methods and materials are now described.
CLAIMS
The invention claimed is:
1. A freshness-monitoring storage container system comprising:
a container body forming an enclosed storage volume for perishable goods;
a removable lid configured to sealably engage with said container body; and
at least one freshness sensor integrated within or attached to a structural wall of said container body, wherein said freshness sensor is configured to detect freshness-related conditions within said enclosed storage volume.
2. The freshness-monitoring storage container system of claim 1, wherein said freshness sensor comprises at least one sensing element configured to detect at least one condition selected from the group comprising gas levels, moisture, temperature, chemical composition, and microbial presence.
3. The freshness-monitoring storage container system of claim 1, further comprising at least one visual indicator operatively connected to said freshness sensor, wherein said visual indicator provides visual feedback indicative of freshness condition changes.
4. The freshness-monitoring storage container system of claim 3, wherein said visual indicator comprises at least one square-shaped component positioned on at least one side wall of said container body.
5. The freshness-monitoring storage container system of claim 1, wherein said freshness sensor comprises at least one circular sensing component positioned along a front or back structural wall of said container body.
6. The freshness-monitoring storage container system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication module operatively connected to said freshness sensor, said wireless communication module configured to transmit freshness condition data to an external electronic device.
7. The freshness-monitoring storage container system of claim 6, wherein said external electronic device comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of smartphones, tablets, and portable computers.
8. The freshness-monitoring storage container system of claim 1, wherein said structural wall of the container body is transparent, allowing visual inspection of said freshness sensor or said perishable goods.
9. A method of monitoring freshness conditions of a perishable product comprising:
placing the perishable product within a packaging container comprising at least one structural wall, a removable lid, and an integrated freshness sensor;
sensing freshness-related conditions of the perishable product using said freshness sensor;
transmitting freshness condition data from said freshness sensor to an external electronic application; and
displaying an indication of freshness status via a visual indicator positioned on the container or through the external electronic application.
ABSTRACT
A container system for monitoring the freshness of perishable goods is provided. The system includes a container body and one or more sensor components configured to detect internal or environmental conditions associated with spoilage. The sensors may be embedded within the container or mounted on its surface, and may include visual indicators or wireless transmission capabilities for communicating with external devices. In certain embodiments, square visual indicators are positioned along the side walls, while circular sensors are located on the front and back. The system is configured to operate independently or in coordination with electronic devices such as smartphones. This self-contained freshness detection solution reduces the need for external scanning, labeling, or manual inspection.