Time-temperature indicator
First Claim
1. An apparatus for indicating a useful shelf-life of an associated product affected by time and temperature, comprising:
- a creeping material having a first end connected to a first fixed location, said creeping material increasing in length by a predetermined amount in response to application of a load, a passage of time and an applied temperature; and
a loading device connected to a second end of the creeping material for applying the load to the creeping material, and a scale which indicates remaining useful life of the product in response to said increase in length by said predetermined amount of said creeping material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A time-temperature indicator indicates the useful shelf life of an associated product which may be affected by the passage of time and an applied temperature. A creeping material has a first end connected to a first fixed location and a second end connected to a load applying device such as a spring. In response to application of the load applying device, the passage of time, and the application of various temperatures, the creeping material will increase in length in a known manner. An indicator associated with the creeping material indicates whether the passage of time and application of various temperatures have caused the associated product to exceed its useful shelf life.
42 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for indicating a useful shelf-life of an associated product affected by time and temperature, comprising:
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a creeping material having a first end connected to a first fixed location, said creeping material increasing in length by a predetermined amount in response to application of a load, a passage of time and an applied temperature; and a loading device connected to a second end of the creeping material for applying the load to the creeping material, and a scale which indicates remaining useful life of the product in response to said increase in length by said predetermined amount of said creeping material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for indicating a useful shelf life of an associated product affected by time and temperature, comprising:
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a housing for enclosing the apparatus; a creeping material having a first end connected to a first fixed location on the housing, the creeping material increasing in length by a predetermined amount responsive to an application of a load, a passage of time and a temperature to which the creeping material is exposed; and a spring having a first end connected to a second end of the creeping material and a second end connected to a second fixed location on the housing for applying the load to the creeping material, and a scale which indicates remaining useful life of the product in response to said increase in length by said predetermined amount of said creeping material. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for determining the remaining useful life of a product, comprising the steps of:
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applying a force to a creep material which increases in length in a known manner in response to the force, a passage of time, and applied temperatures; and indicating an amount by which the creep material has increased in length on a scale indicating a useful life of the product. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification