Temperature recorder

Claim 2

A recorder for recording a sensed condition on a flexible elongate strip of recording medium over an elapsed period of time, the recorder comprising: a housing; support means connected to said housing for releasably supporting a coiled portion of the strip for rotation relatiVe to said housing with the strip having one end remote from the coiled portion; take-up means rotatably connected with said housing, said takeup means connected to the one end of the strip for unwinding the strip and for rewinding portions of the strip onto said take-up means; said support means and said take-up means supporting the strip for releasing motion in a direction outwardly from said housing and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip between said support and take-up means; a timing mechanism connected with said take-up means for continuous rotation thereof at a predetermined rate thereby causing the strip to travel continuously in a direction lengthwise of the strip along a predetermined path extending between said support means and said take-up means; sensing means positioned along said predetermined path in contact with the strip for producing thereon a trace which varies in amplitude in a direction generally transverse of the strip in response to variation in the sensed condition; an arm connected with said housing for swinging motion between an operative position in which portions of said arm are in overlapping relation to an edge portion of the strip remote from said housing to prevent releasing motion thereof, and an inoperative position in which said arm is spaced away from the strip during releasing motion thereof; and disengaging means connected with said detent means for moving said sensing means out of contact with the strip whenever said arm is moved to the inoperative position.

Claim 3

A recorder for recording a sensed condition on a flexible elongate strip of recording medium over an elapsed period of time, the recorder comprising: a housing; support means connected to said housing for releasably supporting a coiled portion of the strip for rotation relative to said housing with the strip having one end remote from the coiled portion; take-up means rotatably connected with said housing, said take-up means connected to the one end of the strip for unwinding the strip and for rewinding portions of the strip onto said take-up means, said support means and said take-up means supporting the strip for releasing motion in a direction outwardly from said housing and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip between said support and take-up means; a timing mechanism connected with said take-up means for continuous rotation thereof at a predetermined rate thereby causing the strip to travel continuously in a direction lengthwise of the strip along a predetermined path extending between said supporting means and said take-up means; a platen fixed to said housing slidably abutting one side of the strip at a location along said predetermined path; a recording element yieldably biased towards said platen on an opposite side of the strip from said platen, said recording element movable in a transverse direction relative to the lengthwise motion of the strip in response to the variation in the sensed condition to produce a trace on the strip; a detent arm connected with said housing for swinging motion between an operative position in which portions of said detent arm are in overlapping relation to an edge portion of the strip remote from said housing to prevent releasing motion thereof and an inoperative position in which said detent arm is spaced away from the strip during releasing motion thereof; and a disengaging arm connected with said housing, said detent arm and said disengaging arm having a common point of pivotal connection to the housing and being arranged so that said detent arm, in the operative position overlaps the edge portion of the strip with said disengaging arm positioned out of contact with said recording element, pivoting movement of said detent arm to the inoperative position causing said disengaging arm to contact said recording element for movement thereof out of contact with the strip.

Claim 4

A recorder for recording a sensed condition on a flexible elongate strip of recording medium over an elapsed period of time, the recorder comprising: a housing; support means connected to said housing for releasably supporting a coiled portion of the strip for rotation relative to said housing with the strip having one end remote from the coiled portion; take-up means rotatably connected with said housing, said take-up means connected to the one end of the strip for unwinding the strip and for rewinding portions of the strip onto said take-up means, said support means and said take-up means supporting the strip for releasing motion in a direction outwardly from said housing and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip between said support and take-up means; a timing mechanism connected with said take-up means for continuous rotation thereof at a predetermined rate thereby causing the strip to travel continuously in a direction lengthwise of the strip along a predetermined path extending between said supporting means and said take-up means; a platen fixed to said housing slidably abutting one side of the strip at a location along said predetermined path; a recording element yieldably biased towards said platen on an opposite side of the strip from said platen, said recording element movable in a transverse direction relative to the lengthwise motion of the strip in response to the variation in the sensed condition to produce a trace on the strip; a detent arm connected with said housing for swinging motion between an operative position in which portions of said detent arm are in overlapping relation to an edge portion of the strip remote from said housing to prevent releasing motion thereof and an inoperative position in which said detent arm is spaced away from the strip during releasing motion thereof; and a disengaging arm connected with said housing, said detent arm and said disengaging arm having a common point of pivotal connection to the housing and being arranged so that said detent arm, in the operative position overlaps the edge portion of the strip with said disengaging arm positioned out of contact with said recording element, pivoting movement of said detent arm to the inoperative position causing said disengaging arm to contact said recording element for movement thereof out of contact with the strip.

Claim 5

A recorder for recording a sensed conditiOn on a flexible elongate strip of recording medium over an elapsed period of time, the recorder comprising: a housing; a tube secured at one of its ends of the housing and open at its other end, said tube adapted to slidably receive the coiled portion of the strip, said tube having an axially extending opening through which the strip may pass; a spool releasably connected with said housing for rotation about an axis parallel to and spaced from said tube, said spool being adapted to engage the one end of said strip; means releasably connecting said spool to said housing, said spool being detachable from said housing after a predetermined axial separation movement from said housing; a timing mechanism connected with said spool for continuous rotation thereof at a predetermined rate thereby causing the strip to travel continuously in a direction lengthwise of the strip along a predetermined path extending between said supporting means and said take-up means; sensing means positioned along said predetermined path in contact with the strip for producing thereon a trace which varies in amplitude in a direction generally transverse of the strip in response to variation in the sensed condition; a detent arm pivotally connected with said housing for motion between an operative position in which portions of said detent arm are in overlapping relation to an edge portion of the strip remote from said housing and an inoperative position in which said arm is spaced away from the strip to enable the strip to be removed in an axially outward direction from said tube while still wound onto said spool; and disengaging means connected with said detent arm for moving said sensing means out of contact with the strip whenever said detent arm is moved to the inoperative position.

Claim 6

A recorder for recording a sensed conditiOn on a flexible elongate strip of recording medium over an elapsed period of time, the recorder comprising: a housing; a tube secured at one of its ends of the housing and open at its other end, said tube adapted to slidably receive the coiled portion of the strip, said tube having an axially extending opening through which the strip may pass; a spool releasably connected with said housing for rotation about an axis parallel to and spaced from said tube, said spool being adapted to engage the one end of said strip; means releasably connecting said spool to said housing, said spool being detachable from said housing after a predetermined axial separation movement from said housing; a timing mechanism connected with said spool for continuous rotation thereof at a predetermined rate thereby causing the strip to travel continuously in a direction lengthwise of the strip along a predetermined path extending between said supporting means and said take-up means; sensing means positioned along said predetermined path in contact with the strip for producing thereon a trace which varies in amplitude in a direction generally transverse of the strip in response to variation in the sensed condition; a detent arm pivotally connected with said housing for motion between an operative position in which portions of said detent arm are in overlapping relation to an edge portion of the strip remote from said housing and an inoperative position in which said arm is spaced away from the strip to enable the strip to be removed in an axially outward direction from said tube while still wound onto said spool; and disengaging means connected with said detent arm for moving said sensing means out of contact with the strip whenever said detent arm is moved to the inoperative position.

Claim 7

A recorder as defined in claim 3, wherein said sensing means includes: a recording element yieldably biased into contact with one side of the strip; and wherein said disengaging means includes: a disengaging arm connected with said detent arm for concurrent pivoting motion therewith, said disengaging arm contacting said recording element to move said recording element out of contact with the strip when said detent arm is pivoted to the inoperative position, thereby facilitating release of the strip.

Claim 8

A temperature recorder for use in a temperature controlled enclosure for recording a time-temperature history within the enclosure over an elapsed period of time, the recorder comprising: a housing adapted to be positioned in the enclosure; a flexible elongate strip of recording medium having a coiled portion; a tube secured at one of its ends to the housing and open at its other end, said tube adapted to slidably receive the coiled portion of said strip and having an axially extending opening through which the strip may pass; a cylindrical shaft supported by said housing extending in spaced parallel relation to said tube; a spool having a central cylindrical bore slidably receiving said shaft to mount said spool thereon, said spool releasably engaging one end of said strip; a timing mechanism connected with said housing for continuous rotation at a predetermined rate; a drive member mounted for rotation about an axis concentric with the axis of said shaft, said drive member being rotated by said timing mechanism; connecting means on said spool for releasable, driving connection with said drive member whereby when said spool is mounted on said shaft said timing mechanism can drivingly rotate said spool, thereby causing said strip to travel continuously in a direction lengthwise of said strip along a predetermined path between said tube and said spool; temperature sensing means positioned along said predetermined path in contact with said strip for producing thereon a trace which varies in amplitude in a direction generally transverse of said strip in response to variation in the temperature in the enclosure; detent means movably connected with said housing for preventing release of said strip, said detent means being selectively movable to an inoperative position to enable said strip to be released; disengaging means connected with said detent means for moving said sensing means out of contact with said strip whenever said detent means is moved to the inoperative position; axially spaced first and second engaging portions on said shaft; and cooperating means on said spool for separate engagement with said either of said engaging portions thereby enabling said spool to occupy alternative first and second axial positions on said shaft, said connecting means in one of said positions being drivingly engaged with said drive member to cause said spool to be driven by said timing mechanism, said spool in the other of said positions having said connecting means spaced out of contact with said drive member to enable said spool to be rotated freely on said shaft without driving connection to said timing mechanism.

Claim 9

A temperature recorder for use in a temperature controlled enclosure for recording a time-temperature history within the enclosure over an elapsed period of time, the recorder comprising: a housing adapted to be positioned in the enclosure; a flexible elongate strip of recording medium having a coiled portion; a tube secured at one of its ends to the housing and open at its other end, said tube adapted to slidably receive the coiled portion of said strip and having an axially extending opening through which the strip may pass; a cylindrical shaft supported by said housing extending in spaced parallel relation to said tube; a spool having a central cylindrical bore slidably receiving said shaft to mount said spool thereon, said spool releasably engaging one end of said strip; a timing mechanism connected with said housing for continuous rotation at a predetermined rate; a drive member mounted for rotation about an axis concentric with the axis of said shaft, said drive member being rotated by said timing mechanism; connecting means on said spool for releasable, driving connection with said drive member whereby when said spool is mounted on said shaft said timing mechanism can drivingly rotate said spool, thereby causing said strip to travel continuously in a direction lengthwise of said strip along a predetermined path between said tube and said spool; temperature sensing means positioned along said predetermined path in contact with said strip for producing thereon a trace which varies in amplitude in a direction generally transverse of said strip in response to variation in the temperature in the enclosure; detent means movably connected with said housing for preventing release of said strip, said detent means being selectively movable to an inoperative position to enable said strip to be released; disengaging means connected with said detent means for moving said sensing means out of contact with said strip whenever said detent means is moved to the inoperative position; axially spaced first and second engaging portions on said shaft; and cooperating means on said spool for separate engagement with said either of said engaging portions thereby enabling said spool to occupy alternative first and second axial positions on said shaft, said connecting means in one of said positions being drivingly engaged with said drive member to cause said spool to be driven by said timing mechanism, said spool in the other of said positions having said connecting means spaced out of contact with said drive member to enable said spool to be rotated freely on said shaft without driving connection to said timing mechanism.

Claim 10

A temperature recorder for use in a temperature controlled enclosure for recording a time-temperature history within the enclosure over an elapsed period of time, the recorder comprising: a housing adapted to be positioned within the enclosure; a flexible elongate strip of recording medium having a coiled portion; support means connected to said housing for releasably supporting the coiled portion of said strip for rotation relative to said housing, said strip having one of its elongate ends remote from the coiled portion; take-up means connected with said housing, said take-up means connected to said one end of said strip for unwinding said strip and for rewinding portions of said strip onto said take-up means; a timing mechanism connected with said take-up means for continuous rotation thereof relative to said housing at a predetermined rate thereby causing said strip to travel continuously in a direction lengthwise of said strip along a predetermined path between said support means and said take-up means; temperature sensing means positioned along said predetermined path in contact with said strip for producing thereon a trace which varies in amplitude in a direction generally transverse of said strip in response to variation in the temperature in the enclosure; said take-up means including, a spool releasably connected with said housing and with said timing mechanism for rotation about an axis parallel to and spaced from the axis of the coiled portion of said strip, said one end of said strip being releasably connected to said spool, said spool being alternatively interchangeable with otherwise substantially identical spools of differing radius to enable the linear rate of movement of said strip to be varied; said elongate strip being marked with graduations along its length representative of fixed intervals of time determined by the duration it takes each graduation to move past said sensing means, said strip adjacent one of its longitudinal edges being marked with graduations appropriate for movement at one rate of travel determined by use of one of said spools of one predetermined radius, said strip having graduations of a different length along an opposite edge of said strip of appropriate length for the time intervals when using another of said spools of a different radius from said one radius.

Claim 11

A temperature recorder for use in a temperature controlled enclosure for recording a time-temperature history within the enclosure over an elapsed period of time, the recorder comprising: a housing adapted to be positioned within the enclosure; a flexible elongate strip of recording medium having a coiled portion; support means connected to said housing for releasably supporting the coiled portion of said strip for rotation relative to said housing, said strip having one of its elongate ends remote from the coiled portion; take-up means connected with said housing, said take-up means connected to said one end of said strip for unwinding said strip and for rewinding portions of said strip onto said take-up means; a timing mechanism connected with said take-up means for continuous rotation thereof relative to said housing at a predetermined rate thereby causing said strip to travel continuously in a direction lengthwise of said strip along a predetermined path between said support means and said take-up means; temperature sensing means positioned along said predetermined path in contact with said strip for producing thereon a trace which varies in amplitude in a direction generally transverse of said strip in response to variation in the temperature in the enclosure; said take-up means including, a spool releasably connected with said housing and with said timing mechanism for rotation about an axis parallel to and spaced from the axis of the coiled portion of said strip, said one end of said strip being releasably connected to said spool, said spool being alternatively interchangeable with otherwise substantially identical spools of differing radius to enable the linear rate of movement of said strip to be varied; said elongate strip being marked with graduations along its length representative of fixed intervals of time determined by the duration it takes each graduation to move past said sensing means, said strip adjacent one of its longitudinal edges being marked with graduations appropriate for movement at one rate of travel determined by use of one of said spools of one predetermined radius, said strip having graduations of a different length along an opposite edge of said strip of appropriate length for the time intervals when using another of said spools of a different radius from said one radius.