Description:Field of the Invention:
[001] The present invention lies in the packaging technology domain particularly in the area of environment friendly packaging material which is integrated with sensor technology. Due to the invention’s usefulness for monitoring the freshness of perishable products across distinct sectors, it is paramount to food and pharmaceutical industries. It uses biodegradable materials alongside smart sensors to develop an environmentally sound packaging solution that is capable of providing real-time information about food freshness and effective notification of varying degrees of freshness hence help user save money by reducing waste.
Background of the Invention:
[002] The current global awareness about the environment has led the industries to develop techniques that reduce waste and limit the effects of the product on the environment. This is especially so due to the fact that most of the packaging materials coming under the traditional packing material are made from plastic and are non-biodegradable. This has therefore resulted into increased calls for organic packaging material that would easily biodegrade and be harmless to the environment.

[003] At the same time, the problem of food waste is still relevant all over the world, and a large number of perishable products ends up in the trash. The major portion of this waste can be credited to lack of proper checks on the freshness of foods during storage as well as during transit. Thus, consumers and other businesses struggle with defining the correct conditions of perishable goods, and can only rely on guessing or basic static date markings, which are in most cases entirely incorrect.

[004] The development of new sensor technologies, smart devices and Internet of Things make it possible to expand the possibilities of packaging functionality. Physical sensors that can measure aspects of the environment like temperature, humidity, and levels of certain gases can help determine the status of packaged products. But, incorporation of these sensors into packaging in a cost efficient and environmentally friendly manner is always a challenge.

[005] The present invention seeks to accomplish these challenges through the development of smart packaging solution which is made through integrating biodegradable material with modern sensor technology. Not only does it allow for environmental sustainability but it also improves the approach towards tracking and management of the perishable goods’ quality. Wireless communication with smart devices is thereby incorporated to facilitate real time monitoring and the issuing of alerts enhancing the provision of timely information to the users for decision making as regards to the storage and consumption of their products.

[006] Thus, the invention will serve to decrease the amount of produced waste, increase customers’ satisfaction, and facilitate the proper disposal of packaging materials. The establishment of such a subsystem is a major innovation in the area of smart packaging as it provides a suitable and resourceful approach to tackle the problems related to waste disposal and food conservation.
Summary of the Invention:
[007] According to the present invention, a unique biodegradable smart packaging system is proposed to control and inform about the quality of its contents in real-time. This system entails the use of biodegradable products along with new generation sensors to improve the efficiency of tracing the condition of perishable goods through packaging.

[008] At the heart of invention, the sensors for the sensing of the gases, temperature and humidity within the packaging are included. These sensors are incorporated into the biodegradable packaging material in such a manner that they themselves are made of environmentally friendly material that cannot harm the environment. These sensors always perform its real-time functioning in observing the status of the internal environment of the package regarding its freshness and safety of the contained food item.

[009] This smart packaging system is equipped with a wireless connection feature and it may also able to be connected to a user’s smart phone or other Smart devices via a designated smart application. The condition of the packaged goods is reported in real-time on the app, alerting the customers on aspects like approaching expiry date, shifts in the environment conditions which are unfavorable for the packaged goods and signs of spoilage. Sophisticated filters provide opportunity to set up personal alerts, this way users will only receive the information that is useful for them.

[010] The app also gathers and stores data over time and provides information and recommendations to the storage behavior in an attempt to lessen wastage. This feature not only assists consumers in making appropriate decisions concerning their perishable commodities but also aids the businesses by indicating their product’s storage condition and handling.

[011] Because the packaging material is biodegradable, it disintegrates after use and hence relieves the environment of the burdens posed by conventional packing mediums. Compared to prior methods, this invention integrates sustainability as a crucial strategy in monitoring food waste while tracing the potential pollution of the environment.

[012] Altogether, the invention can be mentioned to be a crucial step in the world of packaging that helps to provide the population with environmental-friendly inventions to monitor the freshness of the perishable products. Smart packaging made of biodegradable material equipped with embedded sensors and real-time wireless communication offers the best solution covering the user’s convenience, environmental sustainability, food waste, and the general effort toward pollution reduction.

Description of the invention:
[013] The current invention concerns with a biodegradable smart packaging system that may actively track and report on the quality of the contents within the packaging. Nonetheless, this enhanced packaging consists of green material and intelligent sensors to give a detailed account of the state of perishable products.

[014] Biodegradable Materials: The packing materials are ecofriendly like PLA, cellulose or any other compostable polymer packing material. Thus, the materials used for these rolls are selected in such a way that after their discharge in the environment, they can break down into the environment faster compared to plastic packaging materials. Since the use of this material in the packaging does not harm the environment, after it has served its useful purpose, it degrades naturally, without polluting the environment.

[015] Integrated Sensor Technology: Within the packaging structure can be incorporated programs that are able to measure a number of environmental impacts relevant to the expiry date of the packaged food items. These sensors include:
• Gas Sensors: These identify the presence of gases such as ethylene, a gas produced by ripe fruits and vegetables or the ripeness of some meats and fish which has ammonia gas. Thus, the sensors can indicate with the help of these gases whether the food products are fresh and safe for consumption.
• Temperature Sensors: These control temperature of inside the packaging to check that the content is within the required range. Variation in temperature often affects the shelf life of most products especially foods and therefore there is need to maintain a constant temperature.
• Humidity Sensors: These examine the extent of humidity inside packaging. Humidity control effectively eliminates mold and is especially crucial for specific food types that are highly sensitive to its levels.

[016] Wireless Communication: The smart packaging system comprises of a built-in wireless communication normally through Bluetooth or Near Field Communication (NFC). These enables the sensors to interface with a user’s smartphone or other smart devices. This system also has a special mobile application that is intended for interaction and it offers the immediate information and notification concerning the state of the packaged goods.

[017] Mobile App Integration: The operation of the mobile app is a vital part of the system where the client itself can easily check the freshness of the contents. Key features of the app include:

• Real-Time Monitoring: The data is recorded on the sensors and displayed in the application with the help of which the user can monitor the state of the perishable goods at any time.
• Alerts and Notifications: It has features such as alert reminding users about expiry date, temperature and humidity change from the ideal level, possibility of food spoilage.
• Data Analysis and Insights: The app gathers statistics and the usage patterns over a period and then gives suggestions to curtail wastage of storage. For instance, it could suggest that fridge temperature be changed or certain foods’ positioning and organization be modified.

[018] Practical Applications: The biodegradable smart packaging system has numerous practical applications across various industries:
• Food Industry: The major advantages for perishable food products such as fresh produce, meat, dairy products, etc. can improve the monitoring systems so that losses resulting from spoilage can be greatly reduced and there are better ways of insuring food safety.
• Pharmaceuticals: Some types of medicines and vaccines must be stored at certain temperature and the use of the smart packaging can support such conditions.
• Consumer Goods: Relatively perishable goods that can be affected by humidity or temperature like electronics or specific cosmetics can also be greatly helped from this technology.

[019] Environmental Impact: The materials used in the preparation of the packaging are biodegradable hence his reduces the impact on the environment. The conventional plastic packaging is environmentally unfriendly and causes pollution and waste which are accumulated in the landfills while the biodegradable packaging materials used in this invention return to the environment without any adverse effluence. This is in line with some of the international sustainability standards and the current market trend of going green.

[020] All things considered, the reported development of biodegradable smart packaging with in-built freshness monitoring system is a breakthrough discovery in packaging technology. Hence, the invention of incorporating sustainability with heightened sensor technology and wireless communication solves the problems of food waste, environmental pollution as well as convenience.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 Biodegradable Smart Packaging Structure

[021] Fig.1 illustrates the packaging diagram illustrates the main features of the biodegradable smart packaging system. It has a biodegradable material base with embedded gas, temperature and humidity sensors. These sensors are attached to a wireless communication module, which transmits data to external devices and is powered by a thin-film battery. The figure also includes a legend describing the symbols and colors of each component, and the arrows indicate the data flow and power connections of the system This system enables real-time viewing and communication within the package of circumstances.
Fig. 2 User Interaction Flowchart
[022] Fig.1 illustrates the complex user interaction flowchart depicts how the users engage with the biodegradable smart packaging system through a smart phone application. First, the app is started and the complete link with the packaging is made to obtain the freshness data. It is necessary to mention that the app shows this data and alerts/notifications if something wrong is defined. Users can also look at the insight of the data and do something on the basis of that insight. Besides, the feedback from the users to the system is also allowed. The process of monitoring is continuous in nature thus update the applications with latest information and data. This flowchart illustrates and simplifies the action and engagement between the user and the smart packaging system.
, Claims:1. The material used is biodegradable packaging material that breaks down in the environment thus having a minimal environmental footprint and longevity without compromising on functionality.
2. The packaging also has incorporated gas, temperature as well as humidity sensor that analyze the internal status of the packaging at any given time.
3. A wireless communication module is mounted in the packaging and is used to transfer the environmental data to the other devices like the smart phones or cloud system in real time with alarms.
4. The system is supported with a thin film battery that has a low profile as well as flexibility that would complement the effective operation of the sensors including the communication module even as the product is in shelf for the completeness of its lifecycle without lacking biodegradability.
5. Smartphone integration also engages the packaging and allows the user to view freshness information and receive notifications, as well as break down the observed conditions and offer advice on proper usage, which improves control.