Thermochromic Level Indicator

• US 20130340885A1
• Filed: 06/21/2013
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ChromaticTechnologies lncoporated
• Original Assignee: ChromaticTechnologies lncoporated
• Inventors: Clayton, Terrill Scott, Owen, Timothy J.
• Application Number:
  US13/924,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20130340885A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/11
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2227 with means for amusing or giving information to the user A47G23/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/04 Level indicators see also B65D25/56, B65D33/004
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/56 with means for indicating level of contents
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/22 by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water involving the use of floats G01F23/30

Abstract

A thermochromic ink or print varnish is formulated and printed to form a level indicator.

Claims

1. A housing comprising

a wall presenting an interior space capable of retaining matter at a first level within the wall;

means for permitting the matter to exit from within the wall or enter into the wall such that the matter assumes a second level;

the wall supporting a level indicator,

the level indicator being formed of thermochromic ink,

the thermochromic ink having a color transition temperature capable of acting as a level indicator by sensing temperature of the matter retained within the wall in an intended environment of use.

2. The housing of claim 1, wherein the matter is a beverage and the wall is at least part of a beverage container.

3. The housing of claim 1, wherein the level indicator is printed as an indicia representing an image of an object.

4. The housing of claim 3 where the image is a glass.

5. The housing of claim 3 where the image is a thermometer.

6. The housing of claim 3 where the image is a rainbow.

7. The housing of claim 3 where the image is a vertically oriented line.

8. The housing of claim 1 wherein the thermochromic ink included scented microcapsules.

9. A method of sensing a liquid level using the housing of claim 1, comprising:

filling the housing with the matter to the first level;

chilling the housing to a temperature exceeding a color transition temperature of the thermochromic ink;

removing matter from the housing to arrive at the second level in an environment such that the environmental temperature warms a portion of the thermochromic ink above the second level to a level above the color transition temperature; and

observing the color change to assess an approximate level of the matter within the housing.