METHOD OF MONITORING TEMPERATURE EXPOSURE
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring the temperature exposure of an object comprising:
- a) providing an electronic temperature monitoring device adapted for electronically monitoring and recording temperature readings;
b) providing a time-temperature indicator label adapted for visually indicating an increased probability of a time-temperature exposure above a predetermined threshold;
c) activating said electronic temperature monitoring device;
d) activating said label;
e) positioning said electronic temperature monitoring device and said label in a temperature monitoring relationship with the object;
f) visually inspecting said label for indication that the time-temperature exposure of the object exceeded the predetermined threshold; and
g) retrieving stored temperature readings from said electronic temperature monitoring device if the visual inspection of said label indicated that the time-temperature exposure exceeded the predetermined threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a method of monitoring the temperature to which an object has been exposed. The invention comprises combining a Time-Temperature Indicator (TTI) with an electronic monitoring device to determine whether the temperature to which the object has been exposed may have exceeded a predetermined threshold. The TTI device can be used to make a rapid initial determination as to the acceptability of the temperature history. The temperature history stored in the electronic monitoring device can be retrieved if visual inspection of the TTI indicates that the temperature history may possibly have exceeded the predetermined threshold. As a result, rejection of goods based on inaccurate TTI readings can be reduced or prevented, and the amount of time needed to retrieve data from an electronic monitoring device can be limited to only those circumstances where the initial visualization of the TTI indicates the possibility of an unacceptable temperature history.
34 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring the temperature exposure of an object comprising:
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a) providing an electronic temperature monitoring device adapted for electronically monitoring and recording temperature readings;
b) providing a time-temperature indicator label adapted for visually indicating an increased probability of a time-temperature exposure above a predetermined threshold;
c) activating said electronic temperature monitoring device;
d) activating said label;
e) positioning said electronic temperature monitoring device and said label in a temperature monitoring relationship with the object;
f) visually inspecting said label for indication that the time-temperature exposure of the object exceeded the predetermined threshold; and
g) retrieving stored temperature readings from said electronic temperature monitoring device if the visual inspection of said label indicated that the time-temperature exposure exceeded the predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19)
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18. A method of monitoring the temperature history of a package while in shipment comprising:
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a) providing a package to be shipped;
b) providing an electronic temperature monitoring device adapted for electronically monitoring and recording temperature readings;
c) providing a time-temperature indicator label adapted for visually indicating an increased probability of a time-temperature exposure above a predetermined threshold;
d) activating said electronic temperature monitoring device;
e) activating said label;
f) attaching said electronic temperature monitoring device and said label to said package;
g) shipping said package;
h) visually inspecting said label for a visual indication that the time-temperature exposure of the package exceeded the predetermined threshold; and
i) retrieving stored temperature readings from said electronic temperature monitoring device if the visual inspection of said label indicated that the time-temperature exposure exceeded the predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. An apparatus for monitoring the temperature exposure of an object comprising:
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a) an envelope having an electronic temperature monitoring device insertably disposed in an interior of said envelope, said electronic temperature monitoring device adapted for electronically monitoring and recording temperature readings; and
b) a time-temperature indicator label adapted for visually indicating an increased probability of a time-temperature exposure above a predetermined threshold, said label attached to an outer surface of said envelope. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification