Clinical disposable thermometer

Claim 2

A thermometer comprising at least one cell defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, and sidewalls; an indicia of temperature mounted on that surface of the top wall facing the interior of the cell; the bottom wall comprising a converging lens for viewing an enlarged upright virtual image of the indicia of temperature therethrough; a temperature-responsive material in the solid state not being transparent to light disposed on the surface of the bottom wall facing the interior of the cell, spaced apart from the indicia of temperature, and within the focal length of the lens; and during operation said material selected to melt at a predetermined temperature equal to or in excess of that indicated on on the indicia of temperature, and spread itself as a transparent film upon the surface of the bottom wall thereby exposing to view the virtual image of the indicia of temperature.

Claim 3

A thermometer according to claim 1 in which the area occupied by the solid temperature-responsive material is less than the area on the inner surface of the bottom wall, but greater than the area outlining the indicia of temperature.

Claim 4

A thermometer according to claim 1 in which said converging lens is cylindrical planoconvex.

Claim 5

A clinical thermometer for measuring body temperature comprising a body member having a distal end adapted for use as a handle when manipulating the thermometer, and a proximal end adapted for housing a temperature-responsive material, having a plurality of cells defined in the proximal end; each of said cells defined by a top wall, a bottom wall and surrounded by sidewalls; an indicia of temperature mounted on the interior of the top wall in register with and viewable through the bottom wall; a temperature-responsive material not transparent to light in the solid state mounted on the interior surface of the bottom wall of each cell and spaced apart from the indicia of temperature, said temperature-responsive material selected to become fluid and transparent at a temperature substantially equivalent to the temperature stated on the indicia of temperature; said bottom wall comprising a converging lens of a focal length such that a virtual image of the indicia of temperature is viewable through The lens when said temperature-responsive material is fluid.

Claim 6

A clinical thermometer for measuring body temperature comprising a body member having a distal end adapted for use as a handle when manipulating the thermometer, and a proximal end adapted for housing a temperature-responsive material, having a plurality of cells defined in the proximal end; each of said cells defined by a top wall, a bottom wall and surrounded by sidewalls; an indicia of temperature mounted on the interior of the top wall in register with and viewable through the bottom wall; a temperature-responsive material not transparent to light in the solid state mounted on the interior surface of the bottom wall of each cell and spaced apart from the indicia of temperature, said temperature-responsive material selected to become fluid and transparent at a temperature substantially equivalent to the temperature stated on the indicia of temperature; said bottom wall comprising a converging lens of a focal length such that a virtual image of the indicia of temperature is viewable through The lens when said temperature-responsive material is fluid.

Claim 7

A thermometer according to claim 4 in which said top wall comprises a plaque sealingly mounted between a pair of bottom walls; a plurality of cells serially defined along the longitudinal axis of said body member on either side of said plaque; and the bottom walls of said thermometer comprising a plurality of cylindrical planoconvex lenses each individual lens in register with a cell.