US3693579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature indicator
Assignee: COMMODITY MARKETERS Inc
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Filing: 1964-11-12
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1984-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A temperature responsive device having an extensible indicator rod or staff which is held in place within a bored shell by a ring of fusible material disposed within a generally torroidal chamber formed between confronting annular grooves on the staff and the shell adjacent complementally nestable end portions thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 George G Kliewer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/06; G01K13/00; G01K13/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
344 words
A signaling device adapted to be inserted into an article to indicate the attainment of a predetermined internal temperature, comprising: a. a tubular housing defining an axially extensive cavity closed at one end and open at the other end, said cavity having a groove formed therein in spaced relationship to said one end and said housing being fluid tight except for the open end of said cavity and formed of a thermally conductive imperforate material; b. an axially extensive indicator rod received in said cavity for axial slidable movement relative to said housing between retracted and extended positions, said rod having: 1. opposed ends, one of which is in opposition to the one end of said cavity; 2. a groove formed therein in spaced relationship to the one end thereof by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the groove of said cavity and the one end thereof whereby, when said rod is in the retracted position, the groove therein is in opposition to the groove in said cavity; and, 3. a portion disposed between the one end thereof and the groove therein of a volume sufficient to displace fluid contained in said cavity between the groove therein and the one end thereof to a position filling the grooves in said rod and cavity when said rod is depressed within said cavity to the retracted position wherein said grooves are in opposition; c. resilient means interposed between said rod and housing adapted to urge said rod to the extended position; and, d. a slug of material, fusible at said predetermined temperature, disposed in the one end of said cavity so as to be, upon fusion thereof, displaceable by said portion into the volume defined by said grooves when in opposition, said slug of material: 1. upon freezing in said volume, being of sufficient shear strength to maintain said rod in the retracted position against the force of said resilient means; and, 2. upon fusion in said volume, being adapted to release said rod for movement relative to said housing to the extended position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
344 words
A signaling device adapted to be inserted into an article to indicate the attainment of a predetermined internal temperature, comprising: a. a tubular housing defining an axially extensive cavity closed at one end and open at the other end, said cavity having a groove formed therein in spaced relationship to said one end and said housing being fluid tight except for the open end of said cavity and formed of a thermally conductive imperforate material; b. an axially extensive indicator rod received in said cavity for axial slidable movement relative to said housing between retracted and extended positions, said rod having: 1. opposed ends, one of which is in opposition to the one end of said cavity; 2. a groove formed therein in spaced relationship to the one end thereof by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the groove of said cavity and the one end thereof whereby, when said rod is in the retracted position, the groove therein is in opposition to the groove in said cavity; and, 3. a portion disposed between the one end thereof and the groove therein of a volume sufficient to displace fluid contained in said cavity between the groove therein and the one end thereof to a position filling the grooves in said rod and cavity when said rod is depressed within said cavity to the retracted position wherein said grooves are in opposition; c. resilient means interposed between said rod and housing adapted to urge said rod to the extended position; and, d. a slug of material, fusible at said predetermined temperature, disposed in the one end of said cavity so as to be, upon fusion thereof, displaceable by said portion into the volume defined by said grooves when in opposition, said slug of material: 1. upon freezing in said volume, being of sufficient shear strength to maintain said rod in the retracted position against the force of said resilient means; and, 2. upon fusion in said volume, being adapted to release said rod for movement relative to said housing to the extended position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
a groove formed therein in spaced relationship to the one end thereof by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the groove of said cavity and the one end thereof whereby, when said rod is in the retracted position, the groove therein is in opposition to the groove in said cavity; and,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
a groove formed therein in spaced relationship to the one end thereof by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the groove of said cavity and the one end thereof whereby, when said rod is in the retracted position, the groove therein is in opposition to the groove in said cavity; and,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
193 words
having therein an annular recess extending around and communicating with the open end of said cavity, which recess has an inclined outer boundary surface converging toward the end of said housing through which said cavity opens; b. an axially extensive indicator rod received in said cavity for axial slidable movement relative to said housing between retracted and extended positions, said rod having a groove formed therein and extending therearound, said groove being located so as to be directly opposite the groove in said cavity when said rod is in the retracted position; c. resilient means interposed between said rod and housing adapted to urge said rod to the extended position; d. a ring fusible at said predetermined temperature disposed in said grooves to normally maintain said rod in the retracted position and restrain said resilient means, said ring upon fusion being adapted to release said rod for extension by said resilient means; e. a bushing fixedly received in the open end of said cavity, said bushing being adapted to slidably receive said rod upon movement thereof between the retracted and extended positions and having a collar fixed thereto and extending therearound, said collar:
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
193 words
having therein an annular recess extending around and communicating with the open end of said cavity, which recess has an inclined outer boundary surface converging toward the end of said housing through which said cavity opens; b. an axially extensive indicator rod received in said cavity for axial slidable movement relative to said housing between retracted and extended positions, said rod having a groove formed therein and extending therearound, said groove being located so as to be directly opposite the groove in said cavity when said rod is in the retracted position; c. resilient means interposed between said rod and housing adapted to urge said rod to the extended position; d. a ring fusible at said predetermined temperature disposed in said grooves to normally maintain said rod in the retracted position and restrain said resilient means, said ring upon fusion being adapted to release said rod for extension by said resilient means; e. a bushing fixedly received in the open end of said cavity, said bushing being adapted to slidably receive said rod upon movement thereof between the retracted and extended positions and having a collar fixed thereto and extending therearound, said collar:
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
having an inclined outer boundary surface locked in mating engagement with said recess under the boundary surface thereof; f. a collar fixed to and extending around said rod intermediate the ends thereof, said last mentioned collar being slidable within said cavity upon movement of said rod between extended and retracted positions and adapted to sealingly abut against said bushing when the rod is in the extended position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
having an inclined outer boundary surface locked in mating engagement with said recess under the boundary surface thereof; f. a collar fixed to and extending around said rod intermediate the ends thereof, said last mentioned collar being slidable within said cavity upon movement of said rod between extended and retracted positions and adapted to sealingly abut against said bushing when the rod is in the extended position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
upon fusion in said volume, being adapted to release said rod for movement relative to said housing to the extended position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
upon fusion in said volume, being adapted to release said rod for movement relative to said housing to the extended position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 1, including: a. a stop element carried by said housing and extending laterally therefrom to limit penetration thereof into an article; and, b. a barb element carried by said housing and extending laterally therefrom to impede removal thereof from an article.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
a head portion fixed to said housing at the open end of said cavity, said portion having an annular recess extending around and communicating with the open end of said cavity, which recess has an inclined outer boundary surface converging towards the end of said housing through which said cavity opens;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
a head portion fixed to said housing at the open end of said cavity, said portion having an annular recess extending around and communicating with the open end of said cavity, which recess has an inclined outer boundary surface converging towards the end of said housing through which said cavity opens;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
a bushing received in the open end of said cavity, said bushing being adapted to slidably receive said rod upon movement thereof between the retracted and extended positions and to sealingly abut against said collar when the rod is in the extended position;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
a bushing received in the open end of said cavity, said bushing being adapted to slidably receive said rod upon movement thereof between the retracted and extended positions and to sealingly abut against said collar when the rod is in the extended position;
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
112 words
A device according to claim 1 including means to limit slidable movement of said rod relative to said housing and sealingly close said cavity when said rod is in the extended position, said means comprising: a. a collar fixed to and extending around said rod intermediate the ends thereof, said collar being slidable within said cavity upon movement of said rod between extended and retracted positions; and, b. a bushing fixedly received in the open end of said cavity, said bushing being adapted to slidably receive said rod upon movement thereof between the retracted and extended positions and to sealingly abut against said collar when the rod is in the extended position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
123 words
a portion disposed between the one end thereof and the groove therein of a volume sufficient to displace fluid contained in said cavity between the groove therein and the one end thereof to a position filling the grooves in said rod and cavity when said rod is depressed within said cavity to the retracted position wherein said grooves are in opposition; c. resilient means interposed between said rod and housing adapted to urge said rod to the extended position; and, d. a slug of material, fusible at said predetermined temperature, disposed in the one end of said cavity so as to be, upon fusion thereof, displaceable by said portion into the volume defined by said grooves when in opposition, said slug of material:
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
123 words
a portion disposed between the one end thereof and the groove therein of a volume sufficient to displace fluid contained in said cavity between the groove therein and the one end thereof to a position filling the grooves in said rod and cavity when said rod is depressed within said cavity to the retracted position wherein said grooves are in opposition; c. resilient means interposed between said rod and housing adapted to urge said rod to the extended position; and, d. a slug of material, fusible at said predetermined temperature, disposed in the one end of said cavity so as to be, upon fusion thereof, displaceable by said portion into the volume defined by said grooves when in opposition, said slug of material:
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a signaling device adapted to be inserted into an article to indicate the attainment of a predetermined internal temperature, comprising: a. a housing defining an axially extensive cavity closed at one end and open at the other end; b. an axially extensive indicator rod received in said cavity for axial slidable movement relative to said housing between retracted and extended positions; c. resilient means interposed between said rod and housing and adapted to urge said rod to the extended position; and, d. thermally responsive means within said cavity cooperating between said housing and rod to maintain said rod in the retracted position against the action of said resilient means, said means being adapted to release said rod for extension by said resilient means upon attainment of said predetermined temperature; an improved means to limit slidable movement of said rod relative to said housing and sealingly close said cavity when said rod is in the extended position, said means comprising:
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a signaling device adapted to be inserted into an article to indicate the attainment of a predetermined internal temperature, comprising: a. a housing defining an axially extensive cavity closed at one end and open at the other end; b. an axially extensive indicator rod received in said cavity for axial slidable movement relative to said housing between retracted and extended positions; c. resilient means interposed between said rod and housing and adapted to urge said rod to the extended position; and, d. thermally responsive means within said cavity cooperating between said housing and rod to maintain said rod in the retracted position against the action of said resilient means, said means being adapted to release said rod for extension by said resilient means upon attainment of said predetermined temperature; an improved means to limit slidable movement of said rod relative to said housing and sealingly close said cavity when said rod is in the extended position, said means comprising:
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
a collar fixed to said bushing and extending therearound, said collar having an outer boundary surface locked in mating engagement with said recess under the boundary surface thereof; and wherein,
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
a collar fixed to said bushing and extending therearound, said collar having an outer boundary surface locked in mating engagement with said recess under the boundary surface thereof; and wherein,
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
said collar is adapted to be resiliently deflected to pass under the boundary surface of said recess.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
said collar is adapted to be resiliently deflected to pass under the boundary surface of said recess.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 4, wherein: a. said collar and bushing have opposed inclined annular surfaces extending therearound; and, b. said surfaces are adapted to assume juxtaposed mating relationship upon abutment of said collar and bushing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a temperature-responsive device of the type having a bored shell, a staff slidable in said shell, and means for biasing the staff outwardly of the shell, the improvement comprising a convex surface portion formed on the inner end of said staff, a concave inner end formed in said staff bore, said concave inner end being complementally nestable with said convex staff portion so that said convex portion when nested in said concave end substantially fills the concave end, an annular groove formed in said bore and said staff adjacent to and outwardly of said concave and convex portions, respectively, said grooves being in mutually confronting alignment when said convex portion is in nesting contact with said concave portion so as to define a generally torroidal chamber, and a ring of fusible material in said chamber and substantially totally filling said chamber for securing said staff in said bore against said biasing means until the fusible material is raised to the yield temperature thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a temperature-responsive device of the type having a bored shell, a staff slidable in said shell, and means for biasing the staff outwardly of the shell, the improvement comprising a convex surface portion formed on the inner end of said staff, a concave inner end formed in said staff bore, said concave inner end being complementally nestable with said convex staff portion so that said convex portion when nested in said concave end substantially fills the concave end, an annular groove formed in said bore and said staff adjacent to and outwardly of said concave and convex portions, respectively, said grooves being in mutually confronting alignment when said convex portion is in nesting contact with said concave portion so as to define a generally torroidal chamber, and a ring of fusible material in said chamber and substantially totally filling said chamber for securing said staff in said bore against said biasing means until the fusible material is raised to the yield temperature thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a temperature-responsive device of the type having a bored shell, a staff slidable in said shell, and means for biasing the staff outwardly of the shell, the improvement Comprising a convex surface portion formed on the inner end of said staff, a concave inner end formed in said staff bore, said concave inner end being complementally nestable with said convex staff portion, a first annular groove formed in said bore adjacent to and outwardly of said concave portion, a second annular groove formed in said staff adjacent to and outwardly of said convex portion, said grooves being in mutually confronting alignment when said convex portion is nested with said concave portion, so as to define a generally torroidal chamber, and a quantity of fusible material in said bore which when in a molten state can be extruded into said chamber in response to movement of said convex portion into nesting relation with said concave portion to fill said chamber with fusible material that when solidified is adapted for securing said staff in said bore against said biasing means until the fusible material is raised to the yield temperature thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a temperature-responsive device of the type having a bored shell, a staff slidable in said shell, and means for biasing the staff outwardly of the shell, the improvement Comprising a convex surface portion formed on the inner end of said staff, a concave inner end formed in said staff bore, said concave inner end being complementally nestable with said convex staff portion, a first annular groove formed in said bore adjacent to and outwardly of said concave portion, a second annular groove formed in said staff adjacent to and outwardly of said convex portion, said grooves being in mutually confronting alignment when said convex portion is nested with said concave portion, so as to define a generally torroidal chamber, and a quantity of fusible material in said bore which when in a molten state can be extruded into said chamber in response to movement of said convex portion into nesting relation with said concave portion to fill said chamber with fusible material that when solidified is adapted for securing said staff in said bore against said biasing means until the fusible material is raised to the yield temperature thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
162 words
A temperature-responsive device comprising a shell defining a bore having an outer end communicating exterior of said shell and an interior end within the shell terminating in a concave portion, a staff slidably disposed in said bore and having an inner convex end complementally nestable in said concave bore portion, a first annular depression formed in said bore adjacent to and outwardly of said concave portion, a second annular depression formed in said staff outwardly of said convex portion and disposed in confronting relation to said first depression when said convex portion is received in said concave portion so that a generally torroidal chamber is defined by said depressions, a ring of fusible material entirely filling said torroidal chamber for retaining said staff in said shell, and means for biasing said staff outwardly of said shell bore so that on attainment of the yield temperature of said fusible material said staff is moved outwardly of said shell bore by said biasing means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
162 words
A temperature-responsive device comprising a shell defining a bore having an outer end communicating exterior of said shell and an interior end within the shell terminating in a concave portion, a staff slidably disposed in said bore and having an inner convex end complementally nestable in said concave bore portion, a first annular depression formed in said bore adjacent to and outwardly of said concave portion, a second annular depression formed in said staff outwardly of said convex portion and disposed in confronting relation to said first depression when said convex portion is received in said concave portion so that a generally torroidal chamber is defined by said depressions, a ring of fusible material entirely filling said torroidal chamber for retaining said staff in said shell, and means for biasing said staff outwardly of said shell bore so that on attainment of the yield temperature of said fusible material said staff is moved outwardly of said shell bore by said biasing means.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
180 words
The method of retaining a staff in a bore against force biasing the staff outwardly of the bore which comprises the steps of forming a concave portion at the bottom of said bore, forming a convex portion on the inner end of said staff complementary with and receivable in said concave portion, forming annular grooves in said bore and said staff so that when the convex staff portion is received in the concave bore portion the annular grooves confront one another to define a generally torroidal chamber proximate said concave portion, introducing a quantity of fusible material at least equal to the volume of the torroidal chamber, urging said staff into said bore, raising ambient temperature to at least the fusion temperature of the fusible material, maintaining said temperature until said convex staff portion enters said concave bore portion and forces the fusible material into said torroidal chamber, lowering the ambient temperature below the fusion temperature of the fusible material while urging the staff into the bore, and terminating the urging step after the fusible material has cooled and solidified.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
180 words
The method of retaining a staff in a bore against force biasing the staff outwardly of the bore which comprises the steps of forming a concave portion at the bottom of said bore, forming a convex portion on the inner end of said staff complementary with and receivable in said concave portion, forming annular grooves in said bore and said staff so that when the convex staff portion is received in the concave bore portion the annular grooves confront one another to define a generally torroidal chamber proximate said concave portion, introducing a quantity of fusible material at least equal to the volume of the torroidal chamber, urging said staff into said bore, raising ambient temperature to at least the fusion temperature of the fusible material, maintaining said temperature until said convex staff portion enters said concave bore portion and forces the fusible material into said torroidal chamber, lowering the ambient temperature below the fusion temperature of the fusible material while urging the staff into the bore, and terminating the urging step after the fusible material has cooled and solidified.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
A signaling device adapted to be inserted into an article to indicate the attainment of a predetermined internal temperature, comprising: a. tubular housing defining an axially extensive cavity closed at one end and open at the other end, said cavity having a groove formed therein and extending therearound and said housing:
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
51 words
A signaling device adapted to be inserted into an article to indicate the attainment of a predetermined internal temperature, comprising: a. tubular housing defining an axially extensive cavity closed at one end and open at the other end, said cavity having a groove formed therein and extending therearound and said housing:
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) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |