Thermochromatic indicator for beverage containers

• US 5,482,373 A
• Filed: 03/16/1994
• Issued: 01/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cool-Drink Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cool-Drink Incorporated
• Inventors: Hutchinson, Jill
• Primary Examiner(s): GUTIERREZ, DIEGO F
• Application Number:
  US08/213,106
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 374/150, 374/162, 374/141, 427/1
• US Class Current: 374/141
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/12 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/14 of inorganic materials

Abstract

A temperature indicator system includes a temperature sensing assembly attachable to a beverage container. The temperature sensing assembly includes a temperature sensor in the form of a thermometer and a temperature scale against which the user may read the temperature of the contents of the beverage container. The sensing assembly may be provided on a beverage container from the point of sale in the retail store, or may itself be purchased and attached to a beverage container by means of either an adhesive backing or a magnetic strip. In one embodiment, the sensing assembly is fitted to a beverage container-encasing insulating sleeve. Optionally the temperature sensing assembly includes a region upon which the user of the beverage container may leave a personalizing mark, such as a pen marking or a fingerprint.

Claims

1. A temperature indicator system for a beverage container, said system comprising:

a temperature sensing assembly, said temperature sensing assembly being attachable to a beverage container, said temperature sensing assembly including a body, said body including a front side and a back side;

an adhesive material, said adhesive material including a front side and a back side, said back side of said adhesive material being fitted to said back side of said body of said assembly;

a removable protective backing, said removable protective backing being removably fitted to said front side of said adhesive material;

a temperature sensor, said temperature sensor being fitted to said front side of said body of said temperature sensing assembly;

a temperature scale, said temperature scale being mounted on said front side of said body of said temperature sensing assembly in close relation to said temperature sensor, whereby the temperature of the beverage contained within said beverage container sensed by said temperature sensor may be read by comparison with said temperature scale;

a region for applying and recording a fingerprint, said region being formed on said body; and

said body, said temperature sensor, and said temperature scale being composed of flexible components.

2. A temperature indicator system for a beverage container, said system comprising:

a beverage container;

a temperature sensor assembly attached to said beverage container for measuring and indicating the temperature of the fluid contained within said beverage container;

said temperature sensing assembly including a body, said body including a front side and a back side;

an adhesive material, said adhesive material including a front side and a back side, said back side of said adhesive material being fitted to said back side of said body of said assembly, said front side of said adhesive material being permanently attached to said beverage container;

a temperature sensor, said temperature sensor being fitted to said front side of said body of said temperature sensing assembly;

a temperature scale, said temperature scale being mounted on said front side of said body of said temperature sensing assembly in close relation to said temperature sensor, whereby the temperature of the beverage contained within said beverage container sensed by said temperature sensor may be read by comparison with said temperature scale;

a region for applying and recording a fingerprint, said region being formed on said body; and

said body, said temperature sensor, and said temperature scale being composed of flexible components.

3. The temperature indicator system of claim 2, wherein said temperature scale includes increments for reading the temperature indicated by said thermometer.

4. The temperature indicator system of claim 3 wherein said temperature scale includes markings to indicate an ideal range.

5. The temperature indicator system of claim 2 wherein said sensor body is composed of a magnetic material.

6. The temperature indicator system of claim 2 wherein said adhesive material is reusable.