The best ideas are the simple ones!

Timestrips® are patented disposable smart labels that monitor how long a product has been open or how long it has been in use.  They can measure elapsed time from minutes up to over a year, in the freezer, refrigerator, at normal ambient or even at elevated temperatures.

At the heart of the Timestrip® is a special porous membrane through which a food-grade liquid diffuses in a consistent and repeatable way.  The Timestrip® is activated by squeezing a start button which moves the liquid into direct contact with the membrane.  The laws of physics then take over and the liquid diffuses through the membrane in a consistent and totally repeatable way.

On the top surface of the Timestrip® we print markers which communicate the all important time since activation, as well as space for branding and other graphics.  Since most applications require the Timestrip® to adhere to a package or a product, we can choose from a wide range of adhesive tapes on the underside to suit the specific needs of the customer.

So there you have it.  A truly smart label that measures elapsed time.  All we need to know from the customer is the amount of times to be monitored, the temperature range in which the Timestrip® will be used, the surface to which it will need to adhere and any custom artwork such as logos and instructions for printing on the surface.

For something so simple we think it really quite clever.