Beverage temperature notification device

• US 5,897,207 A
• Filed: 02/18/1997
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clay A. Hartmann
• Original Assignee: Clay A. Hartmann
• Inventors: Hartmann, Clay A
• Primary Examiner(s): FELBER, JOSEPH LEON
• Application Number:
  US08/802,317
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 374/150, 374/157, 374/149, 374/141, 116/216, 340/584, 340/870.17
• US Class Current: 374/150
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/805 Cans
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/04 Refrigerators with a horizontal mullion
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/36 Visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/16 Sensors measuring the temperature of products
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/008 Alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/02 Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers

Abstract

A beverage temperature notification device comprising a thermosensor, a sleeve, a temperature indicator, and a remote coupling. The thermosensor determines the actual or approximate temperature of the beverage. The sleeve attaches the thermosensor to the beverage'"'"'s container. The temperature indicator provides a signal that the temperature of the beverage has reached the predetermined preferred temperature. The remote coupling is used to couple the thermosensor and the temperature indicator, so that the signal indicating that the beverage has reached the desired temperature is provided remotely to where the beverage is heated or cooled.

Claims

1. A device used solely in combination with a beverage in a container for signaling that said beverage has reached a predetermined preferred temperature, said device comprising:

a thermosensor for measuring the temperature of said beverage in said container;

a sleeve coupled to said container for positioning said thermosensor proximate to said beverage;

a temperature indicator associated with said thermosensor for signaling that said beverage has reached said predetermined preferred temperature; and

a remote coupling for positioning said temperature indicator remotely from said thermosensor, said sleeve, said beverage, and said container, wherein said remote coupling is sized to enable said temperature indicator to be positioned exterior to a refrigerator and to enable said thermosensor, said sleeve, said beverage and said container to be positioned interior to the refrigerator.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said temperature indicator further comprises means for adjusting said predetermined preferred temperature.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said temperature indicator further comprises means for selecting between at least two signals for signaling that said beverage has reached said predetermined preferred temperature.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said remote coupling further comprises means for affixing said temperature indicator to a surface.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said means for affixing said temperature indicator to a surface is a magnet.

6. A beverage temperature notification system, comprising:

a beverage in a container; and

a device used solely for signaling that said beverage in said container has reached a predetermined preferred temperature, said device comprising;

a thermosensor for measuring the temperature of said beverage in said container;

a sleeve coupled to said container for positioning said thermosensor proximate to said beverage;

a temperature indicator associated with said thermosensor for signaling that said beverage has reached said predetermined preferred temperature; and

a remote coupling for positioning said temperature indicator remotely from said thermosensor, said sleeve, said beverage, and said container, wherein said remote coupling is sized to enable said temperature indicator to be positioned exterior to a refrigerator and to enable said thermosensor, said sleeve, said beverage and said container to be positioned interior to the refrigerator.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said temperature indicator further comprises means for adjusting said predetermined preferred temperature.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said temperature indicator further comprises means for selecting between at least two signals for signaling that said beverage has reached said predetermined preferred temperature.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein said remote coupling further comprises means for affixing said temperature indicator to a surface.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said means of affixing said temperature indicator to a surface is a magnet.