Device to record age of food

• US 6,817,192 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2002
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lisa Ector, Ralph A. Ector Jr
• Original Assignee: Lisa Ector, Ralph A. Ector Jr
• Inventors: Ector, Ralph A. Jr., Ector, Lisa
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry B.
• Application Number:
  US10/114,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20020154574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 621/25, 621/26, 621/27, 621/29, 621/30, 368/107, 368/108, 368/109, 340/585, 116/307, 116/308, 116/205, 283/55, 206/459.1
• US Class Current: 62/125
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/36 Visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2500/06 Stock management
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/04 in respect of time
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/02 Food

Abstract

A food storage monitoring system device comprising a battery powered digital timer device having an LCD digital readout describing the elapsed days and hours per day, and a reset button to reset the timer. A magnet is permanently attached to the timer device, and removably attached to a ferromagnetic catch having a double sided adhesive tape attached to one face for attaching the catch to a food storage container. A set of devices can be stored on a refrigerator or freezer door. The catch is adhesively attached to a food storage container, and the timer device is magnetically attached to the catch with the timer device started. Upon retrieving the food container and emptying its contents, the timer device and the first magnet portion is returned to the refrigerator or freezer door, and the empty container and the attached catch can be washed in a dishwasher.

Claims

1. A food storage monitoring device for recording the age of food in storage, comprising:

a timer device comprising an electronic timer having a front face and a rear face;

a magnetic base attached to the rear face of the timer device;

a catch, the magnetic base being removably secured to the catch by magnetic attraction; and

means for attaching the catch to a food container;

whereby the catch is attachable to a food storage container, the timer being started in order to record elapsed food storage time.

2. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the means for attaching is a spring-loaded clip with a lever, the clip being affixed to the catch.

3. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the catch is a flat catch made of ferromagnetic material.

4. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the timer device further comprises a digital display on the front face of the device capable of displaying elapsed days and hours.

5. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 4, wherein said digital display comprises a liquid crystal display.

6. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the timer device further comprises a reset button for resetting the timer, the reset button being disposed on the front face of said electronic timer.

7. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein said catch comprises a flat steel disk.

8. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the device is washable after use for reuse.

9. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the means for attaching comprises double sided adhesive tape, the adhesive tape having a first side adhesively attached to said catch and a second side adhesively attachable to a food storage container.

10. A kit for recording the age of food in storage, comprising:

an instruction sheet for operating a timer device;

a list of foods with recommended safe storage times;

a roll of double-sided adhesive tape;

a plurality of timer devices, each of the timer devices comprising an electronic timer having a front face and a rear face;

a magnetic base attached to the rear face of each timer device; and

a plurality of catches, each of the catches being removably secured to the timer devices by magnetic attraction to the magnetic base;

means for attaching the catches to a food storage container;

whereby each of the catches is attachable to a food storage container, the timer being started in order to record elapsed food storage time.

11. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 10, wherein the means for attaching comprises a spring-loaded clip with a lever, the clip being affixed to the catch.

12. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 10, wherein each catch is a flat catch made of ferromagnetic material.

13. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 10, wherein each said electronic timer further comprises a liquid crystal display disposed on the front face of said electronic timer.

14. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 10, wherein each said electronic timer further comprises a reset button for resetting said timer, the reset button being disposed on the front face of said electronic timer.

15. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 10, wherein each said catch comprises a flat steel disk.

16. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 10, wherein the device is washable after use for reuse.

17. The food storage monitoring device according to claim 10, wherein said means for attaching comprises double sided adhesive tape, the adhesive tape having a first side adhesively attached to said catch and a second side adhesively attachable to a food storage container.