Food cooling compliance data logger

• US 6,811,305 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2003
• Issued: 11/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Escort Data Logging Systems, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Escort Data Logging Systems, Ltd.
• Inventors: Laycock, James Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, G. Bradley
• Application Number:
  US10/367,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20040161016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 374/102-106, 428/88, 340/588, 340/589, 340/286.09, 702/187
• US Class Current: 374/102
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/022 for recording
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/02 for measuring food temperature

Abstract

A data logger records a time/temperature profile for the preparation and cooling of a prepared food by recording only those timed points specified on a specific food preparation protocol. Typically the protocol may be that specified by the FDA and the logger may record the occurrence of a temperature exceeding a required minimum, and the subsequent occurrence of one or more temperatures at specified elapsed times.

Claims

1. A regulatory compliance data logger capable of recording temperature at a desired location and indicating compliance with a specified time/temperature cooling regime, comprising:

means for storing data corresponding to defined regulatory time/temperature regimes;

means for sensing temperature;

means for detecting a first target temperature;

means for recording a series of temperatures;

timing means adapted to allow the recording of temperature information from the sensing means at predefined intervals/instants which match time intervals of the stored data;

means for starting the timing means; and

means for locking out user interference until after completion of the specified time regime.

2. A regulatory compliance data logger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for sensing temperature is a probe capable of being inserted into the food to be monitored.

3. A regulatory compliance data logger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for locking out user interference includes a timer which prevents further inputs from the starting means, until the timer has completed a pre-set program.

4. A method of recording temperature at a desired location in a data logger and indicating compliance with a specific time/temperature cooling regime wherein the location is a food preparation area and after initialization, the data logger monitors the attainment of a first target temperature and thereafter monitors and records the temperature at the desired location at only specified time instants and cannot be reinitialized before expiration of the regime.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the logger records attainment of a first higher temperature, followed by monitoring and recording a second temperature a specified time from attainment of the higher temperature, and a third temperature a further specified time from said second time.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the logger also records a fourth temperature at a further specified time from said third time.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cooling regime is that required by the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines for cooked meat.

8. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the data indicating compliance or non-compliance with the cooling regime may be output from the logger for permanent storage.

9. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the logger is environmentally sealed to allow cleaning according to approved hygienic methods.

10. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the logger carries internally criteria for recording in accordance with only a single cooling regime.

11. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the logger is externally reprogrammable to a different cooling regime.

12. A data logger comprising:

a temperature sensing device; and

a control switch connected to said temperature sensing device that only initiates a timing sequence of a cooling regime,

wherein said timing sequence can only be stopped upon completion of said timing sequence, and

wherein said data logger continually monitors time, but records a temperature only at specified timed instants.

13. The data logger as claimed in claim 12, wherein the logger records a first temperature at a first specified time and then records a second temperature at a second specified time, said second temperature being lower than said first temperature.

14. The data logger as claimed in claim 12 wherein the logger is programmable for only a single cooling regime at a time.

15. The data logger as claimed in claim 14, wherein the logger is externally reprogrammable to a different cooling regime.