Temperature indicator employing color change

• US 6,176,197 B1
• Filed: 11/02/1998
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Volk Enterprises Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Volk Enterprises Incorporated
• Inventors: Thompson, Gary M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRUCHNIC, STANLEY J
• Application Number:
  US09/184,161
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 116/217, 116/218, 116/216, 116/207, 116/219, 116/206, 374/160, 374/162, 374/155, 993/42
• US Class Current: 116/217
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/06 using melting, freezing, or softening

Abstract

A temperature indicator (10) including an elongated piece of tubing (12), a top cap (14), a bottom tip (16), a first media (22) with a first melting point, and a second solid media (24) with a second melting point. Mixing of the first and second media (22, 24) produces a color change within the tubing, which is noticeable at the top end of the indicator, which in use is sticking out of the food product.

Claims

1. A temperature indicator comprising

an enclosed hollow and elongated structure,

a first media disposed within the enclosed hollow and elongated structure, the first media occupying a first portion of the enclosed hollow and elongated structure and having a first color,

a second media disposed within the enclosed hollow and elongated structure away from said first portion of the enclosed hollow and elongated structure and having a second color,

one of the first media and second media having a melting point of at least 138°

F. so that the first and second media mix with one another upon melting of the one of the first and second media having a melting point of at least 138°

F. and form a color that is different from the first color.

2. The temperature indicator of claim 1 wherein, the first media is a solid media and the second media has a specific gravity that is less than the specific gravity of the first solid media, so that with the enclosed tubular structure oriented with the first end up, the second media rises up into the first solid media when the two have melted, enhancing mixing of the two media.

3. The temperature indicator of claim 1 wherein,

the first and second media are made of one of an organic material and food grade wax media.

4. The temperature indicator of claim 1 wherein,

the first and second media abut one another within the tubular structure.

5. The temperature indicator of claim 1 wherein,

the enclosed tubular structure is comprised of a length of tubing and top and bottom caps that seal off the open ends of the tubing, and wherein the tubing and top and bottom caps are made of a material suitable for cooking temperatures required to properly cook common food items.

6. The temperature indicator of claim 5 wherein,

the enclosed tubular structure is capable of withstanding cooking temperatures up to 500°

F.

7. The temperature indicator of claim 1 wherein,

the enclosed tubular structure includes a device that ensures proper seating of the temperature indicator into a food product.

8. The temperature indicator of claim 7 wherein,

the proper seating device comprises a depth flange.

9. The temperature indicator of claim 1 wherein,

the enclosed hollow and elongated structure includes a wide top end with a large space filled with the first media, which when mixed with the second media, creates a large, easily noticeable color indication.

10. The temperature indicator of claim 9 wherein,

the wide top end creates a flange for properly seating the temperature indicator into a food product.

11. The temperature indicator of claim 1 wherein,

the enclosed hollow and elongated structure includes a short hollow and elongated body that is closed off and sealed by a bottom tip and wherein the bottom tip includes a cavity for holding the second media.

12. The temperature indicator of claim 11 wherein,

the enclosed hollow and elongated structure includes a wide top end with a large space filled with the first media, which when mixed with the second media, creates a large, easily noticeable color indication.

13. The temperature indicator of claim 12 wherein,

the wide top end creates a flange for properly seating the temperature indicator into a food product that is relatively thin.

14. A temperature indicator for indicating a cooking temperature of a food product, comprising

an enclosed hollow and elongated structure, at least a portion of the structure being translucent,

a temperature indicating media within the hollow and elongated structure,

the temperature indicating media having a visible initial color at room temperature and a color different from the initial color at a desired temperature of at least 138°

F.,

a holder for inserting into a food product and for receiving the enclosed hollow and elongated structure in order to position a first end of the hollow and elongated structure within the interior of the food product, the holder having a length that is shorter than the length of the hollow and elongated structure, so that a second, opposite end of the hollow and elongated structure protrudes from the holder and is visible when inserted therein so that the different color can be seen through the translucent portion at the exterior of the food product.

15. The temperature indicator of claim 14 wherein,

the holder has a closed, bottom end and an open top end for receiving the hollow and elongated structure.

16. The temperature indicator of claim 15 wherein,

the holder has a flange at its open end for seating the holder into the food product.

17. The temperature indicator of claim 15 wherein,

the open end includes a removable cap for closing the open end.

18. The temperature indicator of claim 14 wherein,

the temperature indicating media includes a first solid media with a first color and a second solid media with a second color, the second solid media having a melting temperature that corresponds to the desired temperature, whereby upon melting of the first and second media the first and second media mix with one another to form said visible color different from the initial visible color.

19. The temperature indicator of claim 18 wherein,

the second solid media has a specific gravity that is less than the specific gravity of the first solid media, so that with the enclosed tubular structure oriented with the first end up, the second solid media rises up into the first solid media when the two have melted, enhancing mixing of the two media.

20. The temperature indicator of claim 18 wherein,

the first and second media are made of one of an organic material and food grade wax media.