US20080135563A1 - Food Warming or Cooling Package Thermometer - Google Patents
Food Warming or Cooling Package Thermometer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080135563A1 US20080135563A1 US12/033,297 US3329708A US2008135563A1 US 20080135563 A1 US20080135563 A1 US 20080135563A1 US 3329708 A US3329708 A US 3329708A US 2008135563 A1 US2008135563 A1 US 2008135563A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- container
- temperature
- closure
- enclosure
- spout
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 58
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 14
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 title description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims description 27
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 abstract description 10
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000593 degrading effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229910001369 Brass Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010951 brass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013350 formula milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K13/00—Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K2207/00—Application of thermometers in household appliances
- G01K2207/02—Application of thermometers in household appliances for measuring food temperature
- G01K2207/06—Application of thermometers in household appliances for measuring food temperature for preparation purposes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to thermometers, and more specifically to a thermometer assembly utilized with food container capable of warming or cooling a food product.
- Items of food are contained within a variety of packages or containers in order to enable an individual to store the food item prior to consumption. These containers can hold a variety of types of food items, but in order to be consumable, the food products must be held within the container in a consumable state or must be converted to a consumable state.
- thermometers capable of indicating the temperature of the food item within the container.
- these thermometers often do not accurately reflect the temperature of the food item within the container due to the placement of the thermometer on the container.
- the configurations and/or constructions of these thermometers, such as thermochromic strips often cannot readily provide accurate, precise and easily readable measurements with regard to the temperature of the food item in these containers.
- thermometer that can be employed with a self-heating or self-cooling food product container, among other uses, that is capable of accurately measuring the temperature of a food item within the container in a manner that is easily readable by an individual.
- thermometer assembly for use with a self-heating or self-cooling food container or package that includes an opening extending through the container wall into the interior of the container.
- the thermometer assembly includes a spout securable over the opening that enables the assembly to sense the temperature of a food item located within the container through the opening, as the spout allows the thermometer assembly to thermally contact the food item in the. container.
- the assembly includes a closure or cap which effectively engages the spout and seals the opening in the container, thereby preventing the food product from exiting the container through the spout until the cap is removed.
- the cap includes an inwardly extending probe enclosure that is sealingly secured to the cap such that an inner end of the enclosure is disposed within the interior of container when the cap is engaged with the spout.
- the probe enclosure is formed of a material capable of transmitting heat, and is engagable with a temperature sensing probe on a thermometer to enable the thermometer to read or determine the temperature of the food item that is transmitted through the probe enclosure.
- the thermometer of the assembly is capable of emitting audible or visual, i.e., lighted, signals when specified temperatures are sensed by the thermometer in order to clearly indicate to an individual when the food item in the container has reached a specified temperature. These signals can also be utilized to indicate various operating conditions or parameters of the thermometer, including the amount of battery life remaining for the thermometer.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food product container including the temperature sensing assembly of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a partially broken away, perspective view of the container and the spout of the temperature sensing assembly of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is an front perspective view of the closure of the temperature sensing assembly of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the closure of the temperature sensing assembly of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the thermometer of the temperature sensing assembly of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line 7 - 7 of FIG. 6 .
- the food container 10 includes a temperature-changing pack 11 disposed within the container 10 , and can be formed of any suitable material and is preferably a plastic material to ease the assembly and attachment of the pack 11 and a thermometer assembly 12 to the container 10 .
- the container 10 includes an opening 14 over which the assembly 12 is secured.
- the opening 14 can be any shape, but in a preferred embodiment is circular in shape.
- thermometer assembly 12 includes a spout 16 adapted to be secured over the opening 14 , a closure 18 releasably securable to the spout 16 , and a temperature sensing element 20 releasably engageable with the closure 18 .
- the spout 16 is preferably formed of a lightweight and durable material, and preferably is a thermosetting plastic capable of withstanding the temperatures generated within the container 10 by the pack 11 without degrading, such that the spout 16 can be formed integrally with or separately from the container 10 .
- the spout 16 includes a radially extending flange 22 at one end that is engaged, such as by an adhesive or by heat sealing, with the food container 10 around the periphery of the opening 14 to secure the spout 16 over the opening 14 .
- the opening 14 and the spout 16 be disposed slightly above the bottom of the container 10 , but spaced below the heating or cooling pack 11 located therein, in order to obtain an accurate reading of the temperature of the food product in the container 10 without interference from the energy generated by the heating or cooling pack 11 .
- a collar 24 extends axially from the flange 22 and defines an interior passage 26 therethrough that can be used to pour a food item(s) (not shown) through the spout 16 both into and out of the container 10 .
- the peripheral shape of the flange 22 and the collar 24 can be formed as desired, but are preferably selected to conform to the shape of the opening 14 in order to effectively seal the opening 14 .
- the exterior of the collar 24 opposite the passage 26 also includes a suitable securing means 28 , which in a preferred embodiment takes the form of exterior threads that facilitate the engagement of the closure 18 with the spout 16 .
- suitable securing means 28 can be employed to attach the closure 18 to the spout 16 in a fluid-tight, and preferably releasable manner.
- the closure 18 in a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5 , takes the form of a cap and is preferably formed of a lightweight, waterproof and durable material, and most preferably a thermosetting plastic capable of withstanding the temperatures generated by the pack 11 within the container 10 without degrading.
- the closure 18 includes a top or outer end 30 and an outwardly extending peripheral wall 32 disposed around the periphery of the outer end 30 .
- the peripheral wall 32 includes mounting means 34 that is engageable and complementary to the securing means 28 on the spout 16 .
- the mounting means 34 takes the form of threads disposed on the interior surface of the wall 32 that can engage the threads on the exterior of the spout 16 and securely hold the closure 18 on the spout 16 .
- the closure 18 includes a probe enclosure 36 having an open, outer end 40 sealingly secured to the outer end 30 of the closure 18 and extending through an aperture 38 formed in the outer end 30 .
- the closure 18 and enclosure 36 can be integrally formed using certain heat conducting materials.
- the probe enclosure 36 extends into the interior of the closure 18 a distance less than the length of the peripheral wall 32 . This configuration positions a closed, inner end 42 of the probe enclosure 36 at a location in intimate thermal contact with the interior of the container 10 , but recessed slightly inside of the closure 18 .
- the probe enclosure 36 is effectively positioned in thermal contact with any food item disposed within the container 10 to enable an accurate reading of the temperature of the food item, without being positioned far enough inside of the container 10 to have any temperature reading skewed by the heat or cold coming directly from the heating or cooling pack 11 located in the container 10 .
- the enclosure 36 is formed of a durable, heat transmitting material, and preferably a metal, such as stainless steel, brass or copper.
- a durable, heat transmitting material such as stainless steel, brass or copper.
- the enclosure 36 can transmit the heat generated in the inner end 42 by the food item along the length of the enclosure 36 .
- the enclosure 36 is preferably formed so that the inner end 42 is closed, preventing any of the food product held in the container 10 from flowing out of the enclosure 36 .
- the enclosure 36 can take the form of a hollow tube (not shown) formed of a heat-transmitting material that includes an obstruction (not shown) disposed inside the tube in order to close the tube and prevent the food product from flowing out of the container 10 through the tube.
- the open end 40 of the probe enclosure 36 can be disposed within a cap sleeve 45 that extends outwardly from the outer end 30 of the closure 18 .
- the sleeve 45 includes inwardly extending ribs 47 that operate to frictionally engage and retain the temperature sensing element 20 when it is attached to the closure 18 .
- the assembly 12 also includes the temperature sensing element 20 .
- the element 20 includes a housing 46 with a display 48 , such as an LCD display, a number of operation controls 50 , and signal lights 52 , 54 , e.g., LEDs, at one end 56 , and a temperature sensing probe 58 extending outwardly from the housing 46 , preferably through an outwardly extending portion 60 of the housing 46 disposed generally opposite the display 48 to provide additional support and protection to the probe 58 .
- the housing 46 is formed of a generally rigid material, such as a metal or plastic, to ensure the proper engagement of the probe 58 with the probe enclosure 36 .
- the outwardly projecting portion 60 of the housing 46 is formed to have an outer diameter the enables the portion 60 to engage the ribs 47 located in the cap sleeve 45 and securely hold the temperature sensing element 20 on the closure 18 , ensuring a good contact between the enclosure 36 and the probe 58 .
- suitable means for holding the temperature sensing element 20 and the closure 18 in engagement with one another can be used, such as other types of mechanical interlocks, or a Velcro® attachment mechanism, among others.
- the housing 46 for the temperature sensing element 20 can be formed as an integral part of the closure 18 to limit the number of parts of the assembly 12 .
- the display 48 , the controls 50 , the lights 52 , 54 and the probe 58 are each operably connected to temperature sensing control circuitry 62 that is disposed within the housing 46 .
- the probe 58 is formed of a heat-conducting material with known properties, such as a metal, such that the heat or cold contacting the probe 58 through the enclosure 36 8 causes the probe 58 to generate a signal representative of the temperature that is receivable and readable by the control circuitry 62 , as is known in the art.
- the circuitry 62 is preferably connected to a suitable permanent or replaceable power supply 64 , such as a battery, also disposed within the housing 46 . However, it is also contemplated that the circuitry 62 could be connectable to an exterior power supply, if desired.
- the circuitry 62 enables the temperature signal generated in the probe 58 by the food item to be analyzed and converted into a temperature value that is visually presented on the display 48 , and optionally by lights 52 , 54 in a manner as is known in the art.
- the circuitry 62 also enables an individual to operate the element 20 via the controls 50 , e.g., turning the element 20 on and off, or resetting the element 20 , and optionally allows for the display 48 , an optional speaker 66 , or lights 52 , 54 to indicate various operating conditions of the element 20 , such as the remaining battery life for the element 20 .
- the probe 58 is releasably inserted within the open end 40 of the enclosure 36 such that the probe 58 is positioned in thermal contact with the enclosure 36 .
- This temperature detected by the element 20 via the probe 58 is subsequently calculated and presented on the display 48 by the circuitry 62 to provide an accurate and easily viewable temperature reading of the food item within the container 10 .
- the element 20 can utilize the control circuitry 62 to emit an audible signal from the element 20 through the speaker 66 that is also connected to the control circuitry 62 when the element 20 senses a specified temperature for the food item.
- the audible signals generated by the speaker 66 can be enhanced or substituted for by the operation of the lights 52 , 54 by the control circuitry 62 to provide another form of visible indication of the temperature of the food item.
- the element 20 can be configured to emit an audible signal from the speaker 66 and/or turn on one of the lights 52 , 54 when the food item reaches the lower end of a specified temperature range, e.g., 86° F. to 104° degrees Fahrenheit. This indication alerts an individual that the optimal temperature for serving the food item has been reached and that the food item should be removed from the container 10 .
- the element 20 can sense the increase in the temperature of the food item towards the upper end of the optimal range for the preparation of the food item.
- the element 20 can operate to emit a different audible signal from the speaker 66 , and/or a different light 52 , 54 , to signal to the individual that the food item is in danger of being overheated within the container 10 .
- assembly 12 While the above-described preferred embodiment for the assembly 12 is shown being utilized with a food product heating or cooling container, it is also contemplated that the assembly 12 can be utilized with a number of other types of containers in which it is desired or necessary to accurate determine and display the temperature of a material(s) held in the container.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Measuring Temperature Or Quantity Of Heat (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention is a thermometer assembly adapted to be utilized to sense the temperature of a material within a container, such as a food item heating or cooling container. The assembly includes a spout connected to the container, a closure releasably engageable with the spout, and a temperature sensing element engaged with the closure. The closure and spout allow a food item to be inserted into and withdrawn from the container after preparation, while the temperature sensing element, when engaged with the closure, senses the temperature of the food item within the container and emits both visible and audible signals regarding the temperature of the food item.
Description
- This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/192,507, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,696, issued on Feb. 19, 2008, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/657,194, filed on Feb. 28, 2005, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- The present invention relates to thermometers, and more specifically to a thermometer assembly utilized with food container capable of warming or cooling a food product.
- Items of food are contained within a variety of packages or containers in order to enable an individual to store the food item prior to consumption. These containers can hold a variety of types of food items, but in order to be consumable, the food products must be held within the container in a consumable state or must be converted to a consumable state.
- For those types of food items that need to be converted into a consumable state, a number of food containers have been designed which incorporate heating or cooling mechanisms in order to prepare the contents of the container for consumption directly within the container. One example of such a container is disclosed in co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11,195,118, which is incorporated herein in its entirety, in which a heating or cooling mechanism is disposed within a plastic pouch. The food product is added to the pouch around the heating or cooling mechanism, and the mechanism is subsequently activated to heat or cool the food product to the desired consumable state.
- However, when utilizing containers of this type, it is often difficult to determine the temperature of the food item within the container as it is being heated or cooled. As a result, the individual consuming the item may inadvertently allow the food item to become too hot or cold for consumption.
- To remedy this problem, a number of self-heating or self-cooling containers have been designed to include thermometers capable of indicating the temperature of the food item within the container. However, these thermometers often do not accurately reflect the temperature of the food item within the container due to the placement of the thermometer on the container. Further, the configurations and/or constructions of these thermometers, such as thermochromic strips, often cannot readily provide accurate, precise and easily readable measurements with regard to the temperature of the food item in these containers.
- Therefore, it is desirable to develop a thermometer that can be employed with a self-heating or self-cooling food product container, among other uses, that is capable of accurately measuring the temperature of a food item within the container in a manner that is easily readable by an individual.
- According to a primary aspect of the present invention, a thermometer assembly is provided for use with a self-heating or self-cooling food container or package that includes an opening extending through the container wall into the interior of the container. The thermometer assembly includes a spout securable over the opening that enables the assembly to sense the temperature of a food item located within the container through the opening, as the spout allows the thermometer assembly to thermally contact the food item in the. container.
- According to another aspect of the present invention, the assembly includes a closure or cap which effectively engages the spout and seals the opening in the container, thereby preventing the food product from exiting the container through the spout until the cap is removed. The cap includes an inwardly extending probe enclosure that is sealingly secured to the cap such that an inner end of the enclosure is disposed within the interior of container when the cap is engaged with the spout. The probe enclosure is formed of a material capable of transmitting heat, and is engagable with a temperature sensing probe on a thermometer to enable the thermometer to read or determine the temperature of the food item that is transmitted through the probe enclosure.
- According to still another aspect of the present invention, the thermometer of the assembly is capable of emitting audible or visual, i.e., lighted, signals when specified temperatures are sensed by the thermometer in order to clearly indicate to an individual when the food item in the container has reached a specified temperature. These signals can also be utilized to indicate various operating conditions or parameters of the thermometer, including the amount of battery life remaining for the thermometer.
- Numerous other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures.
- The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present invention.
- In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food product container including the temperature sensing assembly of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a partially broken away, perspective view of the container and the spout of the temperature sensing assembly ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is an front perspective view of the closure of the temperature sensing assembly ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the closure of the temperature sensing assembly ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the thermometer of the temperature sensing assembly ofFIG. 1 ; and -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along line 7-7 ofFIG. 6 . - With reference now to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, a food container is illustrated in
FIG. 1 generally at 10. Thefood container 10 includes a temperature-changingpack 11 disposed within thecontainer 10, and can be formed of any suitable material and is preferably a plastic material to ease the assembly and attachment of thepack 11 and athermometer assembly 12 to thecontainer 10. Thecontainer 10 includes anopening 14 over which theassembly 12 is secured. Theopening 14 can be any shape, but in a preferred embodiment is circular in shape. - Referring now to
FIGS. 1-7 , thethermometer assembly 12 includes aspout 16 adapted to be secured over theopening 14, aclosure 18 releasably securable to thespout 16, and atemperature sensing element 20 releasably engageable with theclosure 18. - The
spout 16, best shown inFIG. 2 , is preferably formed of a lightweight and durable material, and preferably is a thermosetting plastic capable of withstanding the temperatures generated within thecontainer 10 by thepack 11 without degrading, such that thespout 16 can be formed integrally with or separately from thecontainer 10. In a preferred embodiment, thespout 16 includes aradially extending flange 22 at one end that is engaged, such as by an adhesive or by heat sealing, with thefood container 10 around the periphery of theopening 14 to secure thespout 16 over theopening 14. Additionally, it is preferred that theopening 14 and thespout 16 be disposed slightly above the bottom of thecontainer 10, but spaced below the heating orcooling pack 11 located therein, in order to obtain an accurate reading of the temperature of the food product in thecontainer 10 without interference from the energy generated by the heating orcooling pack 11. Acollar 24 extends axially from theflange 22 and defines aninterior passage 26 therethrough that can be used to pour a food item(s) (not shown) through thespout 16 both into and out of thecontainer 10. The peripheral shape of theflange 22 and thecollar 24 can be formed as desired, but are preferably selected to conform to the shape of theopening 14 in order to effectively seal theopening 14. The exterior of thecollar 24 opposite thepassage 26 also includes a suitable securing means 28, which in a preferred embodiment takes the form of exterior threads that facilitate the engagement of theclosure 18 with thespout 16. However, other suitable securing means can be employed to attach theclosure 18 to thespout 16 in a fluid-tight, and preferably releasable manner. - The
closure 18, in a preferred embodiment shown inFIGS. 3-5 , takes the form of a cap and is preferably formed of a lightweight, waterproof and durable material, and most preferably a thermosetting plastic capable of withstanding the temperatures generated by thepack 11 within thecontainer 10 without degrading. Theclosure 18 includes a top orouter end 30 and an outwardly extendingperipheral wall 32 disposed around the periphery of theouter end 30. Theperipheral wall 32 includes mounting means 34 that is engageable and complementary to the securing means 28 on thespout 16. Preferably, the mounting means 34 takes the form of threads disposed on the interior surface of thewall 32 that can engage the threads on the exterior of thespout 16 and securely hold theclosure 18 on thespout 16. - Further, as best shown in
FIG. 4 , theclosure 18 includes aprobe enclosure 36 having an open,outer end 40 sealingly secured to theouter end 30 of theclosure 18 and extending through an aperture 38 formed in theouter end 30. However, it is also contemplated that theclosure 18 andenclosure 36 can be integrally formed using certain heat conducting materials. Theprobe enclosure 36 extends into the interior of the closure 18 a distance less than the length of theperipheral wall 32. This configuration positions a closed,inner end 42 of theprobe enclosure 36 at a location in intimate thermal contact with the interior of thecontainer 10, but recessed slightly inside of theclosure 18. As a result, theprobe enclosure 36 is effectively positioned in thermal contact with any food item disposed within thecontainer 10 to enable an accurate reading of the temperature of the food item, without being positioned far enough inside of thecontainer 10 to have any temperature reading skewed by the heat or cold coming directly from the heating orcooling pack 11 located in thecontainer 10. - To enable the
probe enclosure 36 to transmit an accurate temperature for determination by thetemperature sensing element 20, theenclosure 36 is formed of a durable, heat transmitting material, and preferably a metal, such as stainless steel, brass or copper. Thus, when the food item is being heated or cooled within thecontainer 10 by thepack 11, because theprobe enclosure 36 is in thermal contact with the food item, theenclosure 36 can transmit the heat generated in theinner end 42 by the food item along the length of theenclosure 36. Theenclosure 36 is preferably formed so that theinner end 42 is closed, preventing any of the food product held in thecontainer 10 from flowing out of theenclosure 36. However, in another embodiment of the present invention, theenclosure 36 can take the form of a hollow tube (not shown) formed of a heat-transmitting material that includes an obstruction (not shown) disposed inside the tube in order to close the tube and prevent the food product from flowing out of thecontainer 10 through the tube. Further, theopen end 40 of theprobe enclosure 36 can be disposed within acap sleeve 45 that extends outwardly from theouter end 30 of theclosure 18. Thesleeve 45 includes inwardly extendingribs 47 that operate to frictionally engage and retain thetemperature sensing element 20 when it is attached to theclosure 18. - Looking now at
FIGS. 1 , 6 and 7, theassembly 12 also includes thetemperature sensing element 20. Theelement 20 includes ahousing 46 with adisplay 48, such as an LCD display, a number of operation controls 50, and signallights end 56, and atemperature sensing probe 58 extending outwardly from thehousing 46, preferably through an outwardly extendingportion 60 of thehousing 46 disposed generally opposite thedisplay 48 to provide additional support and protection to theprobe 58. Thehousing 46 is formed of a generally rigid material, such as a metal or plastic, to ensure the proper engagement of theprobe 58 with theprobe enclosure 36. Further, the outwardly projectingportion 60 of thehousing 46 is formed to have an outer diameter the enables theportion 60 to engage theribs 47 located in thecap sleeve 45 and securely hold thetemperature sensing element 20 on theclosure 18, ensuring a good contact between theenclosure 36 and theprobe 58. Alternatively, other suitable means for holding thetemperature sensing element 20 and theclosure 18 in engagement with one another can be used, such as other types of mechanical interlocks, or a Velcro® attachment mechanism, among others. Further, thehousing 46 for thetemperature sensing element 20 can be formed as an integral part of theclosure 18 to limit the number of parts of theassembly 12. - The
display 48, thecontrols 50, thelights probe 58 are each operably connected to temperaturesensing control circuitry 62 that is disposed within thehousing 46. Theprobe 58 is formed of a heat-conducting material with known properties, such as a metal, such that the heat or cold contacting theprobe 58 through theenclosure 36 8 causes theprobe 58 to generate a signal representative of the temperature that is receivable and readable by thecontrol circuitry 62, as is known in the art. - The
circuitry 62 is preferably connected to a suitable permanent orreplaceable power supply 64, such as a battery, also disposed within thehousing 46. However, it is also contemplated that thecircuitry 62 could be connectable to an exterior power supply, if desired. Thecircuitry 62 enables the temperature signal generated in theprobe 58 by the food item to be analyzed and converted into a temperature value that is visually presented on thedisplay 48, and optionally bylights circuitry 62 also enables an individual to operate theelement 20 via thecontrols 50, e.g., turning theelement 20 on and off, or resetting theelement 20, and optionally allows for thedisplay 48, anoptional speaker 66, orlights element 20, such as the remaining battery life for theelement 20. - To utilize the
temperature sensing element 20, theprobe 58 is releasably inserted within theopen end 40 of theenclosure 36 such that theprobe 58 is positioned in thermal contact with theenclosure 36. This enables theelement 20, via theprobe 58, to sense the temperature of theenclosure 36, and consequently the temperature of the food item being heated or cooled within thecontainer 10. This temperature detected by theelement 20 via theprobe 58 is subsequently calculated and presented on thedisplay 48 by thecircuitry 62 to provide an accurate and easily viewable temperature reading of the food item within thecontainer 10. - In addition to the
display 48, theelement 20 can utilize thecontrol circuitry 62 to emit an audible signal from theelement 20 through thespeaker 66 that is also connected to thecontrol circuitry 62 when theelement 20 senses a specified temperature for the food item. The audible signals generated by thespeaker 66 can be enhanced or substituted for by the operation of thelights control circuitry 62 to provide another form of visible indication of the temperature of the food item. For example, when the food item to be heated within thecontainer 10 is baby formula or a similar food item, theelement 20 can be configured to emit an audible signal from thespeaker 66 and/or turn on one of thelights container 10. Upon continued heating of the food item in thecontainer 10, theelement 20 can sense the increase in the temperature of the food item towards the upper end of the optimal range for the preparation of the food item. When the temperature reaches the upper limit of the optimal range, theelement 20 can operate to emit a different audible signal from thespeaker 66, and/or adifferent light container 10. - While the above-described preferred embodiment for the
assembly 12 is shown being utilized with a food product heating or cooling container, it is also contemplated that theassembly 12 can be utilized with a number of other types of containers in which it is desired or necessary to accurate determine and display the temperature of a material(s) held in the container. - Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.
Claims (15)
1. A self-heating or self-cooling food product container comprising:
a) an enclosure adapted to hold a food product within an interior defined by the enclosure;
b) a temperature-changing pack disposed within the interior of the enclosure; and
c) a temperature sensing assembly secured to the enclosure, the assembly including a spout secured over an opening in the enclosure, a closure engaged with the spout, and including a temperature conducting element, and a temperature sensing element engaged with the temperature conducting element.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the spout defines a passage in fluid communication with the interior of the container.
3. The container of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensing assembly is secured to the enclosure at a location spaced from the pack.
4. The container of claim 3 wherein the temperature sensing assembly is secured to the enclosure at a location below the pack.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein the temperature conducting element and the closure are formed separately from one another.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein the spout is releasably engaged with the closure.
7. The container of claim 6 further comprising a securing means disposed on one of the spout or the closure, and releasably engaged with the other of the spout or the closure.
8. The container of claim 7 wherein the securing means comprises threads.
9. The container of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensing element comprises:
a) a probe engageable with the temperature conducting element that generates a temperature signal; and
b) a control means operably connected to the probe and configured to analyze the temperature signal and generate and present a temperature value.
10. The container of claim 9 wherein the temperature value is visually presented.
11. The container of claim 10 wherein the temperature value is presented on a display operably connected to the control means.
12. The container of claim 9 wherein the temperature value is presented using at least one light operably connected to the control means.
13. The container of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensing element is releasably engaged with the closure.
14. The container of claim 13 wherein the temperature sensing element is frictionally engaged with the closure.
15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the temperature conducting element and the temperature sensing element are formed separately from one another.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/033,297 US20080135563A1 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2008-02-19 | Food Warming or Cooling Package Thermometer |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US65719405P | 2005-02-28 | 2005-02-28 | |
US11/192,507 US7332696B2 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2005-07-29 | Food warming or cooling package thermometer assembly |
US12/033,297 US20080135563A1 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2008-02-19 | Food Warming or Cooling Package Thermometer |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/192,507 Division US7332696B2 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2005-07-29 | Food warming or cooling package thermometer assembly |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20080135563A1 true US20080135563A1 (en) | 2008-06-12 |
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ID=36648710
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/192,507 Expired - Fee Related US7332696B2 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2005-07-29 | Food warming or cooling package thermometer assembly |
US11/694,381 Abandoned US20070163448A1 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2007-03-30 | Food Warming or Cooling Package Thermometer Assembly |
US12/033,297 Abandoned US20080135563A1 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2008-02-19 | Food Warming or Cooling Package Thermometer |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/192,507 Expired - Fee Related US7332696B2 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2005-07-29 | Food warming or cooling package thermometer assembly |
US11/694,381 Abandoned US20070163448A1 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2007-03-30 | Food Warming or Cooling Package Thermometer Assembly |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US7332696B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006093849A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2014007838A1 (en) * | 2012-07-02 | 2014-01-09 | Dumm Richard H | Proof of treatment closure and methods of use |
US20140226920A1 (en) * | 2013-02-13 | 2014-08-14 | Canyon Products, Llc | Fully insulated heat sealed soft cooler bag and method |
US10183806B1 (en) * | 2017-08-22 | 2019-01-22 | Anytrek Corporation | Telemetric digital thermometer with GPS tracking |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7332696B2 (en) * | 2005-02-28 | 2008-02-19 | Hickey Charles P | Food warming or cooling package thermometer assembly |
US20070125362A1 (en) | 2005-11-14 | 2007-06-07 | Heat Wave Technologies Llc | Self-heating container |
GB0703316D0 (en) * | 2007-02-21 | 2007-03-28 | Montague Nicholas P | A temperature sensitive unit |
US8556108B2 (en) | 2007-09-26 | 2013-10-15 | Heat Wave Technologies, Llc | Self-heating systems and methods for rapidly heating a comestible substance |
US8360048B2 (en) | 2009-03-09 | 2013-01-29 | Heat Wave Technologies, Llc | Self-heating systems and methods for rapidly heating a comestible substance |
US8578926B2 (en) | 2009-03-09 | 2013-11-12 | Heat Wave Technologies, Llc | Self-heating systems and methods for rapidly heating a comestible substance |
USD875572S1 (en) | 2018-09-25 | 2020-02-18 | Rebecca A. Ferlet | Temperature indicator |
USD876250S1 (en) | 2018-10-18 | 2020-02-25 | Rebecca A. Ferlet | Temperature indicator |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4340610A (en) * | 1980-08-27 | 1982-07-20 | Rjr Foods, Inc. | Flexible pouch and thermocouple locator therefor |
US20030007544A1 (en) * | 2001-07-09 | 2003-01-09 | Chang Chee Ann | Dual thermometer system |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5407641A (en) * | 1990-10-25 | 1995-04-18 | Helmut Katschnig | Microwave apparatus, and container for use in a microwave apparatus |
US5374811A (en) * | 1992-05-06 | 1994-12-20 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | Blood and tissue rewarming device |
US5645748A (en) * | 1994-10-07 | 1997-07-08 | Quiclave, L.L.C. | System for simultaneous microwave sterilization of multiple medical instruments |
EP0839671B1 (en) * | 1996-10-07 | 2001-11-28 | IBICO Trading GmbH | Device for binding sheets by heating |
JP2001161556A (en) | 1999-12-08 | 2001-06-19 | Elco:Kk | Hot-keeping device |
US7004161B2 (en) * | 2001-05-02 | 2006-02-28 | Expressasia Berhad | Insertable thermotic module for self-heating cans |
US20060107774A1 (en) * | 2004-11-24 | 2006-05-25 | Dr. Michael Meyberg | Probe for permeation carrier gas method, measuring apparatus and measuring method |
US7332696B2 (en) * | 2005-02-28 | 2008-02-19 | Hickey Charles P | Food warming or cooling package thermometer assembly |
-
2005
- 2005-07-29 US US11/192,507 patent/US7332696B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2006
- 2006-02-27 WO PCT/US2006/006779 patent/WO2006093849A1/en active Search and Examination
-
2007
- 2007-03-30 US US11/694,381 patent/US20070163448A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2008
- 2008-02-19 US US12/033,297 patent/US20080135563A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4340610A (en) * | 1980-08-27 | 1982-07-20 | Rjr Foods, Inc. | Flexible pouch and thermocouple locator therefor |
US20030007544A1 (en) * | 2001-07-09 | 2003-01-09 | Chang Chee Ann | Dual thermometer system |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2014007838A1 (en) * | 2012-07-02 | 2014-01-09 | Dumm Richard H | Proof of treatment closure and methods of use |
US20150223511A1 (en) * | 2012-07-02 | 2015-08-13 | Richard H. Dumm | Proof of Treatment Closure and Methods of Use |
US9357798B2 (en) * | 2012-07-02 | 2016-06-07 | Richard H Dumm | Proof of treatment closure and methods of use |
US20140226920A1 (en) * | 2013-02-13 | 2014-08-14 | Canyon Products, Llc | Fully insulated heat sealed soft cooler bag and method |
US10183806B1 (en) * | 2017-08-22 | 2019-01-22 | Anytrek Corporation | Telemetric digital thermometer with GPS tracking |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2006093849A1 (en) | 2006-09-08 |
US20070012686A1 (en) | 2007-01-18 |
US7332696B2 (en) | 2008-02-19 |
US20070163448A1 (en) | 2007-07-19 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CONCEPTS & DESIGNS, LLC,WYOMING Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HICKEY, CHARLES P.;REEL/FRAME:024445/0557 Effective date: 20100527 |