DE202011000177U1 - Electronic digital day counter for monitoring the age of eggs - Google Patents

Abstract

Electronic digital day counter for monitoring the age of eggs in the refrigerator, characterized in that the day counter has at least the following components:
A timing device having the shape of a cylinder with a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein in the top surface a digital display is provided which indicates the remaining days of shelf life of eggs and / or days past the purchase of eggs, and
- A fastening means for fixing the timing device, wherein the fastening means is provided on the base of the timing device.

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic digital day counter for monitoring the freshness of food, in particular for monitoring the shelf life of eggs in the refrigerator.

The foodstuffs that need to be stored in the refrigerator usually have a very short shelf life, which requires the special attention of the consumer. While on the packaging of all foods a shelf life date is found, the traceability of the freshness of eggs in this point is a problem: the egg box with the shelf life tag is very often thrown away to save space in the refrigerator. It is then often forgotten when the eggs were purchased and if they are still usable, which is problematic for a spontaneous cooking.

An empirical method for judging the freshness of eggs is the "water method". In this method, the egg is placed in a container of water. If the egg stays horizontal on the ground, it is very fresh. If it is half vertical, it is already a few days old. If it floats vertically in the water, the egg should be disposed of. This process is well proven, but is also cumbersome and not known to everyone.

There are some timepieces for monitoring the freshness of foods in the prior art.

US patent application US 5,892,734 A discloses a time indicator with a magnetic back comprising an hour hand and a minute hand.

Another US patent application US 5,243,579 A has described an electronic device for monitoring the remaining shelf life of frozen foods. The device comprises an electro-optical display, control electronics with data memory, an input element for inputting the type of food and the remaining storage time, a switching element for starting the data backup, etc.

The US Design Patent, US Pat. No. 3,083,771 claims a decorative timepiece having an elongate shape. A liquid crystal display for minutes and seconds, a start / stop button and two pushbuttons each for minutes and seconds are provided on the front of the timepiece.

All of the above inventions, neither alone nor in combination, describe the present invention.

• – eine Zeitmessvorrichtung, die die Form eines Zylinders mit einer Deckfläche und einer Grundfläche aufweist, wobei in der Deckfläche ein digitales Display vorgesehen ist, das die verbleibenden Tage der Haltbarkeit von Eiern und/oder die seit Kauf der Eier vergangenen Tage anzeigt, und
• – ein Befestigungsmittel zur Befestigung der Zeitmessvorrichtung, wobei das Befestigungsmittel auf der Grundfläche der Zeitmessvorrichtung vorgesehen ist.

The present invention has for its object to provide a simple device that is particularly suitable for monitoring the age of eggs. The object is achieved by an electronic digital day counter according to claim 1, wherein the day counter has at least the following components,

• A timing device having the shape of a cylinder with a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein in the top surface a digital display is provided which indicates the remaining days of shelf life of eggs and / or days past the purchase of eggs, and
• - A fastening means for fixing the timing device, wherein the fastening means is provided on the base of the timing device.

The time measuring device in the sense of the present invention is a timer which is operated by battery. The timer counts down the time to reach the expiration date or counts the days since the purchase of the eggs.

To show the purpose of the day counter externally, the top surface and the bottom surface preferably each assume an oval shape. The shape of the top surface and the base surface particularly preferably resemble the shape of an egg.

The fixing means provided on the base of the time measuring device may be a clip or a magnet. The magnet makes it possible to attach the time device to the door of the refrigerator. The clamp allows the time device to be clamped to a package or in the refrigerator door.

The display of the timing device is a liquid crystal display or an LED display. With an LED display you can read the display in the dark.

The display will digitally display the remaining days of egg shelf life or days gone by since the eggs were purchased, depending on the timing device setting.

On the Zeitmessvorrichung at least one reset button is provided, preferably on the shell side of the timing device. It is advantageous if the reset button is recessed in the shell side to avoid accidental reset. Of course, the reset button can also be mounted protruding on the shell side. Of the Reset button can set the time on display to zero or to the days of average shelf life, such as. B. 15-21 days, depending on the setting of the timing device. It is advantageous if the consumer does not have to set the days of the average shelf life of eggs, but can start by just pressing the reset button.

It is advantageous if two reset buttons are provided on the shell side of the timepiece, with one reset button setting the time on the display to zero while the other reset button sets the time on the display to the days of average durability Eggs, allowing the consumer to decide on which time criterion to monitor the freshness of eggs.

The day counter preferably has a height of 3 to 7 cm, a width of 2 to 4 cm and a thickness of 0.5 to 1 cm, and the surface of the time measuring device is preferably made of matte stainless steel.

The advantages of the present invention are many. There is a concrete saving for consumers who have to throw eggs away because of the lack of monitoring of the freshness of the eggs. In addition, the unpleasant situation is avoided that the rotten eggs are opened and give off a foul smell.

pictures:

1 Representation of the front view of the day counter according to an embodiment of the present invention

2 Representation of the side view of the day counter of in 1 shown embodiment of the present invention

3 Representation of the back view of the day counter of in 1 shown embodiment of the present invention

1 shows the front view of the day counter according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front view or the top surface of the day counter assumes an oval shape, which resembles the shape of an egg. In the middle of the top surface is a digital display ( 1 ) indicating the remaining days of the shelf life of eggs and / or the days since the eggs were purchased. Right on the edge is a reset button ( 2 ) is provided, which is mounted protruding on the side.

2 represents the side view of the day counter, with the reset button in the middle of the page ( 2 ), the survey left the display ( 1 ) and a bracket on the right ( 3 ) is mounted for attachment, for example, in the refrigerator door.

3 represents the rear view of the day counter, where on the left is the reset button and in the middle is the clip for fixing. The battery compartment cover is not shown.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 303771 [0007]

Claims (8)

Electronic digital day counter for monitoring the age of eggs in the refrigerator, characterized in that the day counter comprises at least the following components: - A timing device which has the shape of a cylinder with a top surface and a base surface, wherein in the top surface, a digital display is provided indicating the remaining days of shelf life of eggs and / or the days since the eggs were purchased, and - a fixing means for fixing the time measuring device, the fixing means being provided on the base of the time measuring device. Electronic digital day counter according to claim 1, characterized in that the top surface and the base surface each assume an oval shape. Electronic digital day counter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fastening means is a clamp or a magnet. Electronic digital day counter according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the display is a liquid crystal display or LED display. Electronic digital day counter according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one reset button on the shell side of the time measuring device is provided. Electronic digital day counter according to claim 5, characterized in that two reset buttons are provided on the shell side of the time measuring device, wherein a reset button sets the time on the display to zero, while the other reset button, the time on the display on the Days of average shelf life of 15 to 21 days of eggs presents. Electronic digital day counter according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the day counter has a height of 3 to 7 cm, a width of 2 to 4 cm and a thickness of 0.5 to 1 cm. Electronic digital day counter according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the surface of the time measuring device is made of matt stainless steel.

Images