Patent US3580079A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3580079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermometer indicator
Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
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Filing: 1969-03-06
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A disposable clinical thermometer contains a temperature responsive material within a cell having a viewing window. The window is made translucent by abrading or roughening its inner surface to diffuse light passing therethrough. When a predetermined temperature is reached, the material melts, spreads over and wets the roughened surface to optically smooth it, thereby making it transparent. Indicia of temperature, previously obscured by the translucent window and the solid state temperature responsive material then becomes visible to one reading the thermometer.
Inventors
- 👤 Nelson A Crites
- 👤 Donald H Lyons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K13/00; G01K13/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A thermometer for measuring body temperature comprising a member for insertion into a body cavity and having a distal portion and a proximal portion; a handle means in the proximal portion for manipulating the member; an anterior wall and a posterior wall in the distal portion spaced-apart from each other to define within the member a cell; a window in the member for providing a view of the interior of the cell spaced apart from an indicium of temperature within said cell; a temperature responsive material positioned within said cell between the interior surface of the window and the indicium of temperature; the interior surface of the window having a roughened surface for diffusing light transmitted through the window; the temperature responsive material when in the solid phase cooperating with the roughened surface of the window to render the view therethrough translucent, and when in the liquid phase having an index of refraction substantially equal to that of the window whereby said liquid wets the interior surface of viewing window to optically smooth the roughened surface and restore transparency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A thermometer for measuring body temperature comprising a member for insertion into a body cavity and having a distal portion and a proximal portion; a handle means in the proximal portion for manipulating the member; an anterior wall and a posterior wall in the distal portion spaced-apart from each other to define within the member a cell; a window in the member for providing a view of the interior of the cell spaced apart from an indicium of temperature within said cell; a temperature responsive material positioned within said cell between the interior surface of the window and the indicium of temperature; the interior surface of the window having a roughened surface for diffusing light transmitted through the window; the temperature responsive material when in the solid phase cooperating with the roughened surface of the window to render the view therethrough translucent, and when in the liquid phase having an index of refraction substantially equal to that of the window whereby said liquid wets the interior surface of viewing window to optically smooth the roughened surface and restore transparency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A thermometer according to claim 1 in which the roughness of said window is equivalent to the roughness on a glass surface of a Root-Mean-Square value of greater than 150 millionths of an inch/inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A thermometer according to claim 1 in which said temperaTure responsive material is selected from the group consisting of capric acid, lauric acid, the methyl esters of capric and lauric acids and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A thermometer according to claim 1 in which the temperature responsive material fills the cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A thermometer according to claim 1 in which the temperature responsive material is deposited as a film upon the interior surface of the window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A thermometer according to claim 1 in which the temperature responsive material in the solid phase is affixed to only a portion of the interior surface of the window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
A thermometer comprising a pair of shells each having a distal portion and a proximal portion; a central trough in the distal portion having a base transparent but for the roughened inner surface of the base which diffuses light passing therethrough; a temperature responsive material disposed on the base so that in the solid phase it cooperates with the roughened surface to obscure the view through the otherwise transparent base, and in the liquid phase has an index of refraction substantially equal to that of the base, whereby the liquid optically smooths the roughened inner surface to render the base transparent; said shells in sealing engagement and spaced by a plate having an indicium of temperature on the face thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
A thermometer comprising a pair of shells each having a distal portion and a proximal portion; a central trough in the distal portion having a base transparent but for the roughened inner surface of the base which diffuses light passing therethrough; a temperature responsive material disposed on the base so that in the solid phase it cooperates with the roughened surface to obscure the view through the otherwise transparent base, and in the liquid phase has an index of refraction substantially equal to that of the base, whereby the liquid optically smooths the roughened inner surface to render the base transparent; said shells in sealing engagement and spaced by a plate having an indicium of temperature on the face thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A thermometer according to claim 7 in which the roughness of said inner surface of the base is equivalent to the roughness on a glass surface of a Root-Mean-Square value of greater than 150 millionths of an inch/inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A thermometer according to claim 7 in which said trough comprises a plurality of compartments each having a temperature responsive material disposed therein selected to melt at a different predetermined temperature; and indicia of temperature on the plate aligned with said compartments and corresponding to the melting point of the temperature responsive material in said compartment so that when the material melts, the corresponding indicium of temperature becomes visible when viewed through the outer surface of the base.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |