Device serving as indicator of thermal history especially for frozen products and the like
First Claim
1. A device for indicating a time-temperature thermal history of a refrigerated product, the thermal history being integrated over a contemplated temperature range of refrigeration of the product, the contemplated temperature range including a lowest contemplated temperature;
- the device comprising;
a container of non-opaque material;
a high-viscosity fluid disposed within the container, the fluid being in one of a liquid and a gaseous state at temperatures equal to and greater than the lowest contemplated temperature the viscosity of the fluid being dependent upon temperature;
a mobile portion having a controlled geometry and able to move about in the fluid as a result of a return force of an elastic component; and
releasable holding means for retaining the mobile portion in a initial position at room temperature and at the lowest contemplated temperature;
whereinwithin the contemplated temperature range the mobile portion, when released by the releasable holding means, moves slowly through the fluid under the force of the elastic component such that a displacement of the mobile portion from the initial position is a function of the viscosity of the fluid and a time interval elapsed since a time of release by the releasable holding means.
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Abstract
A device for indicating a time-temperature thermal history of a refrigerated product over a specific temperature range. The device includes a container having a high-viscosity fluid therein, the fluid remaining in either a liquid or gaseous state over the entire specific temperature range. A mobile portion moves within the fluid as a result of a return force of an elastic component. The displacement of the mobile portion indicates the time-temperature thermal history of the product over the specific temperature range.
30 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A device for indicating a time-temperature thermal history of a refrigerated product, the thermal history being integrated over a contemplated temperature range of refrigeration of the product, the contemplated temperature range including a lowest contemplated temperature;
- the device comprising;
a container of non-opaque material; a high-viscosity fluid disposed within the container, the fluid being in one of a liquid and a gaseous state at temperatures equal to and greater than the lowest contemplated temperature the viscosity of the fluid being dependent upon temperature; a mobile portion having a controlled geometry and able to move about in the fluid as a result of a return force of an elastic component; and releasable holding means for retaining the mobile portion in a initial position at room temperature and at the lowest contemplated temperature;
whereinwithin the contemplated temperature range the mobile portion, when released by the releasable holding means, moves slowly through the fluid under the force of the elastic component such that a displacement of the mobile portion from the initial position is a function of the viscosity of the fluid and a time interval elapsed since a time of release by the releasable holding means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- the device comprising;
Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeConsiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (Repubblica Italiana)
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Original AssigneeConsiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (Repubblica Italiana)
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InventorsBianchini, Marco
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Primary Examiner(s)Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
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Assistant Examiner(s)HIRSHFELD, ANDREW HOWARD
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Application NumberUS08/331,551Time in Patent Office603 DaysField of Search116/217, 116/218, 116/281, 116/324, 116/216, 374/102, 374/160, 426/87, 426/88US Class Current116/216CPC Class CodesG01K 11/06 using melting, freezing, or...G01K 3/04 in respect of time
