REUSABLE BOTTLE THERMOMETER

• US 3,864,976 A
• Filed: 10/31/1973
• Issued: 02/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert M Parker
• Original Assignee: Robert M Parker
• Inventors: Parker, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Gill, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ciarlante, Anthony V.
• Application Number:
  US05/411,592
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 73/356,343B 116/114.5
• US Class Current: 374/161
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 9/02 with thermometers

Abstract

A laminated digital thermometer is provided for determining the temperature of a fluid in a container. A digital thermometer strip is employed having a thin dimensionally stable plastic film upon which is printed a dark mask, leaving alpha-numeric symbols transparent. Coated onto the transparent areas are liquid crystal compositions having transition temperatures appropriately related to the alpha-numeric designation. The liquid crystal layer is then coated with a dark backing. The digital thermometer strip is introduced between two films of water impermeable plastic which extend beyond the periphery of the strip and which are sealed together to provide a water impermeable barrier. In a preferred embodiment, an efficient heat exchanging strip is secured to the liquid crystal surface under the protective film. Means for securing the composite laminate in good heat exchanging relationship with a surface is secured to the composite.

Claims

1. As an article of manufacture, a digital thermometer comprising a laminate sandwich having:

a digital thermometer strip of a transparent base film, a dark mask painted on said base strip leaving transparent areas of alpHa-numeric symbols, a plurality of liquid crystal compositions coated over said mask forming a substantially uniform layer, wherein each alpha-numeric designation is covered with a liquid crystal composition having a transition range associated with the alpha-numeric symbol, and a black film backing on said liquid crystal composition layer;

an inner film and an outer film of greater cross-sectional dimension than said thermometer strip, wherein each of said films are water impermeable and said outer film is substantially thicker than said inner film, with said inner and outer films heat bonded together to form an envelope containing said digital thermometer strip, whose edges extend substantially beyond the periphery of said thermometer strip; and

means affixed to said envelope for securing the inner film in good heat exchanging relationship to a surface.

2. An article of manufacture according to claim 1, wherein said means for securing is an elastic band attached to opposite ends of said envelope.

3. An article of manufacture according to claim 2, wherein intermediate said thermometer strip and inner film is a thin metallic film.

4. An article of manufacture according to claim 3, wherein said metallic film is aluminum, iron or copper.

5. An article of manufacture according to claim 1, wherein said securing means is an adhesive adhered to said inner film.

6. As an article of manufacture, a digital thermometer comprising a laminate sandwich having:

a digital thermometer strip of a rectangular transparent base film, a dark mask painted on said base strip leaving transparent areas of numerical symbols in a linear array along the long dimension of said film, a plurality of liquid crystal compositions coated over said mask forming a substantially uniform layer, wherein each numerical designation is covered with a liquid crystal composition having a transition range associated with said numerical symbol, and a black film backing on said liquid crystal composition layer;

an inner film of from about 0.5 to 3 mils in thickness having an inner heat sealable layer and an outer water impermeable layer and an outer film of from about 4 to 10 mils in thickness having an inner heat sealable layer and an outer water impermeable layer, wherein said inner and outer films are heat sealed together to form a water impermeable envelope about said digital thermometer strip; and

resilient means affixed to opposite ends of said envelope for securing the digital thermometer to a container.

7. An article of manufacture according to claim 6, wherein intermediate said thermometer strip and inner film is a thin film of aluminum, iron or copper.

8. An article of manufacture according to claim 6, wherein said resilient means is an elastic band.

9. An article of manufacture according to claim 5, wherein said inner layers are atactic polyethylene and said outer layers are polyethylene terephthalate.