AU2001216820B2 - A product temperature and product identification device - Google Patents

Description

WO 01/71698 PCT/AU00/01466 1 A PRODUCT TEMPERATURE AND PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a product temperature and product identification device which has particular use in the food take-away and food display industry, and which allows the temperature of a particular product and the identity of the product to be readily viewed by a consumer and/or the retailer. The device need not be limited to this industry.

BACKGROUND ART Temperature probes which can be inserted into food products to see if the food products are the correct temperature are well-known. These probes usually comprise a dial and a metal sensor in the form of a spike which is pushed into the food to ensure that the food is at the correct temperature.

Food products and especially fresh meat and dairy-based products are required to be chilled to minimise bacterial growth. These foods include processed meat products such as salamis, bacons and the like, dairy products such as cheese and especially young cheeses, fresh fish products, salads, coleslaw, meat salads, meat mixes, marinated meats and a host of other food products.

It is conventional for these food products to be placed in dishes or trays in a side-by-side relationship in a large refrigerated or cooled cabinet.

The cabinet is provided with a glass front wall such that a consumer can view and select the purchase, and the rear of the cabinet is either open or has sliding doors to allow the desired product to be removed from the cabinet.

The cabinet is refrigerated and it is usual for the cabinet to have a temperature sensor. However, in large cabinets, it is impossible to keep all parts of the cabinet at the same temperature. For instance, food products towards the rear of the cabinet (near the open rear or rear doors) are cooled less than products in the front of the cabinet. Outside temperature conditions can also affect the temperature of food products situated immediately behind the glass parts of the cabinet. This results in uneven cooling of the food dishes or trays in the cabinet which can result in the food products spoiling.

WO 01/71698 PCT/AU00/01466 2 Another consideration is that different food products should be maintained at different temperatures. For instance, a made up tuna salad needs to be kept at a lower temperature than an ordinary garden salad which does not contain fish products.

While it may be possible to insert a temperature probe into each food dish to give the temperature of that particular food dish in the cabinet, this does not present useful information to a consumer or a retailer. For instance, a particular temperature (say 100) may be suitable for one type of food product, but may be too high for a more sensitive type of food product lo which will become quickly spoiled at this temperature.

Many consumers are very astute and know that certain food products maintain optimum freshness and taste if kept at certain temperatures while other food product keep optimum taste and freshness if kept at different temperatures. Thus, a general temperature sensor in a cabinet is insufficiently precise, as are individual temperature sensors in each food product which does not readily identify the food product.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a device which will enable a consumer to readily identify a particular product (for instance a food product) and also enables the consumer to identify the temperature at which the product is being maintained. The device finds particular use in the take-away and food display industry, but it should be appreciated that the device is not limited to this type of industry and finds use in any industry where a product identification and product temperature needs to be provided as a combined source of information.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device which may overcome the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a product temperature and product identification device which has an advertising surface which is visible to a consumer and on which product identification can be applied, a support to support the device adjacent the product, a temperature sensor to sense the WO 01/71698 PCT/AU00/01466 3 temperature of the product, and a temperature display to display the temperature of the product to the consumer.

In a more particular form, the invention resides in a product temperature and product identification device which has a main body portion provided with at least one advertising surface which is visible to a consumer and on which product identification can be applied, a support to support the main body portion adjacent the product, the support adapted to be in thermal communication with the product, a temperature sensor located on or in the support to sense the temperature of the product, and a temperature display -o on the main body portion to display the temperature of the product to the consumer.

In another form, the invention can utilise existing product ticketing systems (for example plastic sheets or labels with product details already printed thereon), and may in this form the invention comprises a product temperature and product identification device which has a main body portion, a support extending from the main body portion to support the device adjacent the product, a temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the product, a temperature display on the main body portion to display the temperature of the product to the consumer, and attachment means adapted to attach an advertising surface to the device, and which is visible to a consumer and on which product identification can be applied. The attachment means may be on the main body portion and can comprise a clip, slot, clamp, fastener, pin in socket, adhesive, and the like.

The device will be described with reference to its use to determine the temperature and identification of food products, but it should be appreciated that no limitation is meant thereby.

The device has, or can have an attached advertising surface which is visible to a consumer and on which product identification can be applied. In one embodiment, the device has a main body portion which can be rectangular and where one side wall of the main body portion is planar or has a planar portion on which product identification can be applied. In another embodiment, a separate existing label can be attached to the device.

WO 01/71698 PCT/AU00/01466 4 The product identification can be written on, or printed on the surface, and the surface may be a write on/wipe off surface which can be reused many times. Alternatively, the product identification can be in the form of a sticker, label, transfer and the like which can be applied to and removed from the advertising surface. It is envisaged that for devices which are always used with a particular product, the product identification can be applied permanently on the advertising surface such that when the device is cleaned, the identification is not removed.

The main body portion may be formed of plastic or other io materials suitable for the purpose. If used with food products, the main body portion is suitably of a food grade plastic which can be readily cleaned.

The main body portion may be rectangular and plate-like to allow it to be easily gripped by a retailer and placed next to or into a food product. The size of the device can vary to suit but it is envisaged that the size should be sufficient to provide a sufficient advertising surface to allow product identification to be applied and easily viewed by a consumer while not being so large that removal of product becomes cumbersome of difficult, or that the price of manufacture of the device becomes excessive. If the product identification means is a separate label, the main body portion can be quite compact.

In an embodiment, the device may be rectangular when viewed in plan and may have a length of between 5 to 20cm, a width of between 3 to and a thickness or depth of between 1 to 5cm. Of course, the device may have shapes other than rectangular although a rectangular shape appears to be most suitable for use with food products due to the ability to provide a good sized advertising surface.

The device has a support which allows the device to be supported, typically in a generally upright position, on, in, or adjacent the product. The support may be in the form of one or more leg members which can be inserted into the product (for instance if the product is a food product).

The leg members may be pointed or otherwise configured to facilitate their insertion into the food product. A small device may have a single leg portion WO 01/71698 PCT/AU00/01466 while a larger device may require two or more spaced apart leg portions. The support may alternatively comprise a foot to allow the device to be selfsupporting and free standing. The foot may be in the form of an L-shaped or T-shaped member or bracket or other type of member having a portion which can sit underneath the product or product bowl to hold the device in place.

Other types of supports are also envisaged although it is preferred that the support is of the type which is easily inserted and removed from the food product and easy to clean.

The support may have a removable foot portion which can have i 0 various shapes and sizes depending on the type of product.

A temperature sensor is provided to sense the temperature of the product. As a temperature sensor is usually fairly fragile, it may be positioned in, on or adjacent the support for protection and also to minimise the number of parts of the device which directly contact or disrupt the product.

However, the sensor may comprise a separate probe which can be inserted into the product or placed near it. The probe may be flexible. And have one end attached to the device.

A temperature display is provided to display the temperature of the product to the consumer. The display may be in the form of a dial, LED, or colour display, or any other type of suitable display. It is preferred that a clear temperature display is on, or adjacent the advertising surface to allow a consumer to read the temperature of the product and the identification of the product as a combined, or single source of information. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, a temperature display may be on the rear of the device to allow the temperature to be displayed to the retailer or serving person.

The advantage of the device is that it provides the product temperature and an identification of the product as a single or combined source of information which is an advantage not found in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which Figure 1 is a front view of a device according to an embodiment WO 01/71698 PCT/AU00/01466 6 of the invention.

Figure 2A is a rear view of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 2B is a side view of the device of Figure 2A.

Figure 3A is a front view of a device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3B is a side view of the device of Figure 3A.

Figure 4A is a front view of device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4B is a side view of the device of Figure 4A.

1o Figures 5A and 5B are front and side views of one embodiment of a device which uses an existing ticketing system.

Figures 6A and 6B are front and side views of another embodiment of a device which uses an exiting ticketing system.

BEST MODE Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures 1 and 2A-2B, there is illustrated a product temperature and product identification device which in the embodiment has a main body portion 11 which is generally rectangular in shape and has a front wall 12, a back wall 13 (see Figure 2A), a rounded top wall 14, a rounded bottom wall 15, and side walls 16. In the embodiment, the main body portion is plate-like or box-like in configuration and has a length of about 100mm, a height of about 70mm and a thickness of about 6mm (this can of course vary to suit).

Front wall 12 is substantially planar and most of the entire front wall can be used as an advertising surface which is visible to a consumer and on which product identification can be applied. In the embodiment, the front wall is of a food grade plastic material where product information can be written on/wiped off for repeated use. The product information can comprise an identification of the product and a product price.

Extending from bottom wall 15 is a pair of supports 17.

Supports 17 in this embodiment is in the form of flat leg members which are tapered to a sharpened point to allow the leg members to be pushed into a food product. The leg members function to hold the main body portion in an WO 01/71698 PCT/AU00/01466 7 upright or inclined position such that the front wall is visible to the consumer.

Without the flat leg members, the main body portion may be quite unstable and may fall into the food product. In Figures 1 and 2A, a pair of spaced apart leg members are provided this being suitable for larger bowls of food material and to provide greater stability especially if the food product is made of rather loose material (for instance a chicken stirfry).

Forming part of, or otherwise associated with one or each leg member 17 is a temperature sensor 18 which is commercially available in the marketplace. The sensor is attached to, or forms part of each leg member which means that the sensor is protected by the leg member and the food product is not cluttered by an unnecessary number of projections and the like extending into the food product. Therefore, as the leg members are pushed into the food product to stabilise the main body portion 11, the sensor is in thermal communication with the product.

Temperature sensor 18 displays the temperature to a temperature display 19 which may comprise a digital or colour display. Back wall 13 is also provided with a temperature display 20 to allow the temperature to be displayed both to the consumer and to the server. Back wall 13 may also be substantially planar to form an advertising surface such that the product identification can also be written on the back wall for the benefit of the server of the food product.

Figure 3A illustrates a device similar to that of Figure 1 and 2 A except that only a single leg member 21 is provided which can be pushed into the food product. A single temperature sensor 22 is on leg member 21 and allows the temperature to be displayed by display 19. To power the sensor, a solar panel 23 is provided on front wall 12 but away from where the product identification is written on the front wall 12. In most delicatessens, a fairly bright light is directed onto the food products and solar panel 23 can use that light to generate sufficient power for the display 19.

Figure 4A illustrates an embodiment where the support is in the form of a foot having a vertical portion 24 extending from the bottom wall of the main body portion 12, and a horizontal portion 25. This L-shaped foot WO 01/71698 PCT/AU00/01466 8 makes the main body portion free standing but also allows the device to sit around a food box or a polygonal food product (for instance block cheese or food presented in a rectangular or angular container). Again, a sensor 26 is provided on vertical portion 24 and which is either in direct contact or very close to the food product to allow the temperature to be displayed on display 19.

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a different version of the invention.

In this version, an existing label 30 is attached to a main body portion 31. In the embodiment, label 30 is relatively thin and rectangular when viewed in plan and is sufficiently dimensionally stable to be self-supporting. A lower edge of label 30 has a thickened portion 32, and this fits within a clip 33 which is positioned on the top wall of main body portion 31. Main body portion 31 is provided with the temperature display 34 which is visible to the consumer. If desired, a solar panel (not illustrated) may be on the main body portion 31. A support in the form of a single rounded leg 35 extends from the bottom of main body portion 31. A lowermost foot 36 has a socket 37 which allows it to be pushed onto the lowermost end of leg 35. A flexible temperature probe 38 has one end 39 which extends into or adjacent the food product, and another end 40 which is attached to a rear wall of main body portion 31 this allows the foot to be positioned somewhat away from the food product while the temperature probe can still be in or very close to the food product.

Figures 6A and 6B illustrate an alternative embodiment which also uses a separate label or ticket 30 which is attached to a main body portion 31, these components being identical or similar to that described with reference to figures 5A and 5B. In this embodiment, the leg member 40 is relatively long and has a detachable lowermost foot 41. The temperature probe 42 passes through the interior of leg member 40. A cutout 43 is provided in leg member 40 to improve the sensitivity of probe 42.

The device may be made of water resistant material for cleaning purposes and if used to display the temperature of hot food, is also heat resistant. The unit may be solar powered or battery powered and if a battery is supplied, it may be inside main body portion 12. The front face 12 in the WO 01/71698 PCT/AU00/01466 9 embodiment is able to be written on/wiped off for repeated use. The device is easy to operate and requires almost no maintenance, is easy to clean and extremely cost effective. In one embodiment of the invention, there are no loose wires or temperature sensors which can be damaged or which may break off and fall into the food product. The identification of the food product and the temperature of the food product are in a close relationship and can be seen as providing a single source of information.

The device can be used in the take-away and food display industry. A constant problem in this industry is to monitor the correct temperature to inhibit the growth of harmful bacterial in the food product. The device allows the constant monitoring of each product on display and allows the consumer and the retailer to be aware of the temperature of the food that is on display and to ensure that the food is within the temperature range for safe consumption.

The device may be suitable for hot and cold foods and can be manufactured for uses of temperatures from up to 365 0

C.

The device has use outside the food industry. The temperature display may be numerical or use a colour range to provide ideal temperatures. The temperature display, while preferably being on the front face, may be on other parts of the device. Similarly, if the device is solar powered, the solar panel may be on other parts of the device.

It should be appreciated that various other changes or modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. For instance the shape of the leg portion 17, 21, 24 can vary and can comprise a rod shape.

Claims (18)

1. A product temperature and product identification device which has an advertising surface which is visible to a consumer and on which product identification can be applied, a support to support the device adjacent the product, a temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the product, and a temperature display to display the temperature of the product to the consumer.

2. The device of claim 1, which has a main body portion provided with at least one advertising surface which is visible to a consumer and on which product identification can be applied, a support to support the main body portion adjacent the product, the support adapted to be in thermal communication with the product, a temperature sensor located on or in the support to sense the temperature of the product, and a temperature display on the main body portion to display the temperature of the product to the consumer.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the support comprises at least one leg member.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the support comprise two flat leg members which extend from a bottom of the main body portion.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein each said leg member has a lowermost point to allow the leg member to be pushed into a food product.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the leg member has a lower foot portion.

7. The device of claim 1 comprising a solar panel on the device to power the device.

8. The device of claim 1, which has a main body portion which has a substantially flat front wall and a substantially flat rear wall on which product identification can be applied.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the main body portion has a length of about 100mm, a width of about 70mm and a thickness of about 6 mm.

The device of claim 2, wherein a temperature display is on the WO 01/71698 PCT/AU00/01466 11 front wall and the back wall of the main body portion.

11. A product temperature and product identification device which has a main body portion, a support extending from the main body portion to support the device adjacent the product, a temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the product, a temperature display on the main body portion to display the temperature of the product to the consumer, and attachment means adapted to attach an advertising surface to the device, and which is visible to a consumer and on which product identification can be applied.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the attachment means is on the io main body portion.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the support comprises at least one leg member.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the support comprise two flat leg members which extend from a bottom of the main body portion.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein each said leg member has a lowermost point to allow the leg member to be pushed into a food product.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the leg member has a lower foot portion.

17. The device of claim 11 comprising a solar panel on the main body portion to power the device.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a probe which has one end adapted for contact with the product and another end attached to the main body portion.