US5798694A — Food storage apparatus and methods and systems fo…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 62 words

A food storage apparatus comprising: a container for containing a food item, the container having an opening; a first electrical component associated with the container; a cover for covering the opening of the container; and a second electrical component associated with the cover; wherein the first electrical component is in electrical communication with the second electrical component to monitor the food item.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 62 words

A food storage apparatus comprising: a container for containing a food item, the container having an opening; a first electrical component associated with the container; a cover for covering the opening of the container; and a second electrical component associated with the cover; wherein the first electrical component is in electrical communication with the second electrical component to monitor the food item.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 27 words

The food storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first electrical component and the second electrical component communicate when the cover seals the opening of the container.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 53 words

The food storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover includes a first at least one electrical contact and the container includes a second at least one electrical contact to provide an electrical coupling between the first electrical component and the second electrical component when the cover seals the opening of the container.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 38 words

The food storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the first electrical component and the second electrical component includes a sensor, and wherein another of the first electrical component and the second electrical component includes an indicator.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 49 words

The food storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the first electrical component and the second electrical component includes at least one of a receiver, a transmitter, a processor, and a memory, and wherein another of the first electrical component and the second electrical component includes an indicator.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 33 words

The food storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the first electrical component and the second electrical component includes at least one of a receiver, a transmitter, a processor, and a memory.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 17 words

The food storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container is sized for carrying by an individual.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

The food storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container has a capacity less than or equal to 10 liters.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 34 words

The food storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first electrical component and the second electrical component includes one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and an acidity sensor.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 34 words

A method of monitoring a food item comprising the steps of: determining a time duration that the food item is outside of a storage place; and generating an indication based on the time duration.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 34 words

A method of monitoring a food item comprising the steps of: determining a time duration that the food item is outside of a storage place; and generating an indication based on the time duration.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 10 wherein the storage place refrigerates the food item.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 61 words

The method of claim 10 wherein the step of determining the time duration includes the steps of: determining a first time at which the food item is removed from the storage place; determining a second time at which the food item is returned to the storage place; and determining the time duration based upon the first time and the second time.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 89 words

The method of claim 12 wherein the step of determining the first time includes the steps of: prior to the first time, establishing communication between a tag communicating device and an electronic tag associated with the food item when the food item is within the storage place; and detecting a loss of communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag when the food item is removed from the storage place; wherein the first time is based upon a time at which the loss of communication is detected.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 49 words

The method of claim 13 wherein the step of determining the second time includes reestablishing communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag after the food item is returned to the storage place, wherein the second time is based upon a time at which communication is reestablished.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 10 wherein the time duration is determined using an electronic tag associated with the food item.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 15 wherein the electronic tag is included in a food storage apparatus for containing the food item.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 16 wherein the indication is generated by an indicator associated with one of the food storage apparatus and the storage place.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 53 words

A system for monitoring a food item, the system comprising: a receiver which receives a signal associated with a temperature proximate to the food item; a processor which determines a time duration that the temperature is beyond a predetermined temperature threshold; and an indicator to generate an indication based upon the time duration.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 53 words

A system for monitoring a food item, the system comprising: a receiver which receives a signal associated with a temperature proximate to the food item; a processor which determines a time duration that the temperature is beyond a predetermined temperature threshold; and an indicator to generate an indication based upon the time duration.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 18 wherein the signal is received from a food storage apparatus for containing the food item, the food storage apparatus having a temperature sensor to sense the temperature proximate to the food item.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 71 words

A system for monitoring a food item, the system comprising: a processor to determine a first time at which the food item is removed from a storage place, to determine a second time at which the food item is returned to the storage place, and to determine the time duration based upon the first time and the second time; and an indicator to generate an indication based upon the time duration.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 71 words

A system for monitoring a food item, the system comprising: a processor to determine a first time at which the food item is removed from a storage place, to determine a second time at which the food item is returned to the storage place, and to determine the time duration based upon the first time and the second time; and an indicator to generate an indication based upon the time duration.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 49 words

A food storage apparatus for monitoring a food item, the food storage apparatus comprising: a container for containing the food item; and an electronic tag which communicates with a tag communicating device to determine a time duration that the food item is outside of a temperature controlled storage place.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 49 words

A food storage apparatus for monitoring a food item, the food storage apparatus comprising: a container for containing the food item; and an electronic tag which communicates with a tag communicating device to determine a time duration that the food item is outside of a temperature controlled storage place.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 19 words

The food storage apparatus of claim 21 further comprising an indicator which generates an indication of the time duration.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 67 words

The food storage apparatus of claim 21 wherein the electronic tag communicates with the tag communicating device to determine the time duration by determining a first time at which the food item is removed from the storage place, determining a second time at which the food item is returned to the storage place, and determining the time duration based upon the first time and the second time.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 88 words

A method of monitoring a food item, the method comprising the steps of: establishing communication between a tag communicating device and an electronic tag associated with the food item; detecting a loss of communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag; reestablishing communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag; determining a time duration between a first time at which the loss of communication is detected and a second time at which communication is reestablished; and generating an indication based upon the time duration.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 88 words

A method of monitoring a food item, the method comprising the steps of: establishing communication between a tag communicating device and an electronic tag associated with the food item; detecting a loss of communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag; reestablishing communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag; determining a time duration between a first time at which the loss of communication is detected and a second time at which communication is reestablished; and generating an indication based upon the time duration.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 78 words

The method of claim 24 wherein communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag is established when the food item is placed to a storage place, wherein the loss of communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag is detected when the food item is removed from the storage place, and wherein communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag is reestablished when the food item is returned to the storage place.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 93 words

A system for monitoring a food item, the system comprising: a tag communicating device to establish communication with an electronic tag associated with the food item, to detect a loss of communication with the electronic tag, and to reestablish communication with the electronic tag, the tag communicating device having a processor to determine a time duration between a first time at which the loss of communication is detected and a second time at which communication is reestablished; and an indicator responsive to the processor to generate an indication based upon the time duration.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 93 words

A system for monitoring a food item, the system comprising: a tag communicating device to establish communication with an electronic tag associated with the food item, to detect a loss of communication with the electronic tag, and to reestablish communication with the electronic tag, the tag communicating device having a processor to determine a time duration between a first time at which the loss of communication is detected and a second time at which communication is reestablished; and an indicator responsive to the processor to generate an indication based upon the time duration.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 78 words

The system of claim 26 wherein communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag is established when the food item is placed to a storage place, wherein the loss of communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag is detected when the food item is removed from the storage place, and wherein communication between the tag communicating device and the electronic tag is reestablished when the food item is returned to the storage place.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-08-24	2002-02-23	2002-08-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-08-24	2006-02-23	2006-08-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-08-24	2010-02-23	2010-08-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Food storage apparatus and methods and systems for monitoring a food item

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