US3675501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposable thermometer
Assignee: DE KANTER-AMERICAN QUALITY
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Filing: 1971-03-19
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1991-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A disposable thermometer comprising a series of separate sealed chambers. A temperature-sensitive material fills each chamber and each is adapted to change from a solid to a liquid state when exposed to heat above a different predetermined temperature. A quantity of magnetic metal particles is suspended in each temperature-sensitive material. The particles in each chamber initially are poled in a common direction along different, substantially parallel lines so as to rapidly repel each other and move from parallel alignment as the temperature-sensitive material in which they are suspended begins to change to a liquid state thereby providing an accurate and visual indication that the thermometer has been exposed to heat above the predetermined temperature associated with the temperature-sensitive material.
Inventors
- 👤 Hendrik De Kanter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A thermometer comprising: a series of separate sealed chambers each including a transparent face for viewing the interior of said chamber; a temperature-sensitive material in each chamber adapted to change from a solid to a liquid state when exposed to heat above a different predetermined temperature; and a quantity of magnetized metal particles suspended in each temperature-sensitive material, the particles in each chamber initially being poled in a common direction along different substantially parallel lines to rapidly repel each other and move from parallel alignment as the temperature-sensitive material in which they are suspended begins to change to a liquid state thereby providing an accurate visual indication that said thermometer has been exposed to heat above the predetermined temperature associated with the temperaturesensitive material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A thermometer comprising: a series of separate sealed chambers each including a transparent face for viewing the interior of said chamber; a temperature-sensitive material in each chamber adapted to change from a solid to a liquid state when exposed to heat above a different predetermined temperature; and a quantity of magnetized metal particles suspended in each temperature-sensitive material, the particles in each chamber initially being poled in a common direction along different substantially parallel lines to rapidly repel each other and move from parallel alignment as the temperature-sensitive material in which they are suspended begins to change to a liquid state thereby providing an accurate visual indication that said thermometer has been exposed to heat above the predetermined temperature associated with the temperaturesensitive material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The thermometer of claim 1 further including an elongated hand-holdable housing including a thin, flat end portion of nontoxic material adapted to be inserted into the human mouth and carrying said series of sealed chambers at said end portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The thermometer of claim 2 further including a magnet secured to said housing over said chambers to maintain parallel alignment of said metal particles, said magnet being removable from said housing prior to insertion of said end portion into the mouth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The thermometer of claim 2 wherein said series of sealed chambers comprise upper and lower sheets of plastic material bonded along marginal edges and at spaced intervals to define said series of separate chambers, marginal edges of said sheets being supported by said end portion of said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The thermometer of claim 1 wherein said temperature-sensitive materials comprise waxes of different composition and having different melting temperatures.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The thermometer of claim 5 wherein said waxes comprise a mixture of myristic acid and lauric acid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermometer of claim 6 wherein said magnetized metal particles comprise particles of barium ferrite.
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) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |