Detector for irreversible indication of exceeding limit temperatures

Abstract

Detector for the irreversible indication of exceeding limit temperatures, characterized in that a core is located in a largely transparent or translucent protective container, which is fitted into the protective container with very little play so that it can only move minimally in it, characterized in that the material of the core softens or melts at a precisely defined temperature.

Description

[0001] The detector according to the invention monitors whether predetermined temperature limits are exceeded in its immediate vicinity and indicates an exceedance irreversibly.

[0002] The main application is the control of permissible temperatures of goods during transport and storage.

[0003] Beyond this main function, it is possible to design the detector according to the invention in such a way that it can be used as a giveaway, i.e., a small promotional gift, thus creating a dual benefit.

[0004] Thus, the disposable detector according to the invention transforms from a throwaway product into a permanently usable item.

[0005] Such detectors, already known, indicate the exceeding of limit temperatures using electronic elements or with the help of substances that change color depending on the temperature due to chemical processes.

[0006] Their production requires complex processes and usually results in technically styled objects that do not evoke positive emotional effects in private recipients, which is, however, advantageous for customer loyalty, for example.

[0007] The detector according to the invention basically consists of a sufficiently stable transparent protective container [1] in which a substance is located as a hollow body [3], which is geometrically designed in such a way that it can only move minimally within the protective container [1], which prevents it from being mechanically damaged by vibrations.

[0008] The optimal size is a spherical protective container [1] which has a collar [2] that serves as a surface for applying the inscription. [Figure 1] to [Figure 3]

[0009] The hollow body [3] consists of a material that melts or loses its shape stability at a defined temperature.

[0010] If this occurs, it is clearly visible from the outside through the protective container [1] and cannot be reversed.

[0011] Depending on the application, the core can consist of PCM (phase change material), modified waxes, fats, or similar materials.

[0012] In the aforementioned configuration, however, the detector would be a single-use product.

[0013] Therefore, in a preferred variant of the detector according to the invention, a hollow body made of chocolate or a similarly behaving temperature-sensitive foodstuff should be used as the core [3].

[0014] [ Fig. 4] to [ Fig. 21] According to the invention, one or more objects such as a confection, a preserved fruit, a small gift, or the like can be placed as an insert [8] in the hollow body [3], filling the hollow body only to the extent that the deformation of the hollow body [3] during melting or softening is not hindered. In this case, the hollow body [3] must have sufficiently thick walls so that it cannot be damaged by the impact of the filling [8] when the detector is moved. Fig. 4] [ Fig. 5]

[0015] Depending on the recipe, chocolate melts at precisely defined temperatures. At excessively low temperatures, its surface discolors due to the formation of fat or sugar bloom, or its surface structure changes. Therefore, this material can be used both to monitor compliance with maximum temperatures and to monitor for minimum temperatures.

[0016] Since maintaining the correct storage temperature for chocolate, which is very sensitive to temperature changes, is a well-known problem, manufacturers have many years of experience in adjusting the product's temperature sensitivity, which speaks in favor of using chocolate or chocolate-like substances.

[0017] In this case, the protective container [1] is designed to be openable to such an extent that the core [3] can be removed.

[0018] According to the invention, in this variant the protective container [1] shall consist of two hemispheres [4]; [5] which interlock with each other at the edges [9] [ Fig. 8]; [ Fig. 9] or otherwise connect and are separable and reassemblable.

[0019] The edges of the hemispheres [4]; [5] each have a collar [6]; [7]. This secures the hemispheres [4]; [5] against deformation, which would lead to unintentional opening and damage to the core [3].

[0020] To facilitate opening for core removal [3], one collar [6]; [7] has one or more recesses

[11] on its outer edge, forming one or more tabs

[10] that extend beyond the edge of the slightly smaller other collar [6]; [7]. This allows each collar [6]; [7] to be grasped individually for opening, thus enabling the protective container [1] to be opened easily and in a controlled manner. Fig. 10] to [ Fig. 12] Alternatively, both collars [6]; [7] can have the tabs

[10] and cutouts

[11] described above, whereby in this embodiment the number of these differs so much for each collar [6]; [7] that the tabs

[10] and cutouts

[11] cannot overlap in any position. This is achieved, for example, in one version of a collar with five and one version of a collar with seven tabs

[10] or cutouts

[11] . Fig. 13] to [ Fig. 15]

[0021] The width of the cutouts

[11] and tabs

[10] of the two collars [6]; [7] can also vary. Fig. 16] to [ Fig. 18]

[0022] The collars [6]; [7] are also suitable for applying texts or symbols [2], for example to inform about the function of the detector or to advertise the product [3] located inside the protective container [1].

[0023] If the collars [6]; [7] have holes

[12] , a pendant with further instructions and information can easily be attached to them.

[0024] This option is particularly useful for temperature monitoring of shipments consisting of food, sensitive care products, medicines or medical devices, in order to not only control the cold chain but also generate customer loyalty through this addition.

[0025] After removing the core [3] of the protective container [1], it can be refilled and reused.

[0026] In particular, in the inventive variant with hemispheres and radial collar, the detector can, after use for temperature control, also be filled in other ways and used as packaging for a small gift or for decoration. Fig. 10] to [ Fig. 18]

[0027] If the protective cover is made from a compostable material, such as cellophane or another bioplastic, maximum sustainability is achieved.

[0028] For quality assurance, a tear-off seal

[13] can be placed. This simply needs to connect the lower [7] with the upper collar [6] as far away as possible from the edge of the collars [6]; [7] and as close as possible to the hollow body [3].

[0029] Due to the leverage of the collars [6]; [7], the seal

[13] tears regardless of where the detector is opened, before it is possible to remove or replace the hollow body [3]. Fig. 19] to [ Fig. 21] Compared to conventional systems, the following key advantages arise: • The detector according to the invention can be manufactured in its basic version from only two parts and is therefore very simple and cost-effective. • The operating principle is easily understandable for the recipient of the shipment. • In the version with an openable protective container and an edible hollow body, it is possible to manufacture the detector entirely from ecological and environmentally friendly raw materials. • In the version with an openable protective container, this can be reused as a decorative object, • The version with an openable protective container and chocolate filling combines testing compliance with limit temperatures with a small promotional gift (giveaway), which promotes customer loyalty. • The design in the form of two hemispheres with collars results in a very dimensionally stable protective container. • A tear-off seal guarantees reliable quality control. LIST OF FIGURES

[0030] Basic version [ Fig. 1] isometric representation [ Fig. 2] Isometric sectional view - hollow body in the installed state [ Fig. 3] Isometric sectional view - hollow body deformed / melted. Variant openable with edible hollow body. [ Fig. 4] Cross-section of the closed protective container with hollow body and insert [ Fig. 5] Cross-section of the closed protective container with very thin-walled hollow body without insert [ Fig. 6] Cross-section of the opened protective container with hollow body and insert [ Fig. 7] Cross-section of the opened protective container with very thin-walled hollow body without insert [ Fig. 8] Detail (A) of the connection between the upper and lower parts of the protective container [ Fig. 9] Detail (B) of the connection between the upper and lower parts of the protective container (thin-walled hollow body) [ Fig. 10] Isometric view - a collar with several flaps, protective container closed [ Fig. 11] Isometric view - a collar with several flaps, protective container open [ Fig. 12] Top view - a collar with several flaps [ Fig. 13] Isometric view - both collars with multiple tabs of different numbers, protective container closed [ Fig. 14] Isometric view - both collars with multiple flaps, different number, protective container open [ Fig. 15] Top view - both collars with multiple flaps of different numbers [ Fig. 16] Isometric view - collar with flaps of varying widths, protective container closed [ Fig. 17] Isometric view - collar with flaps of varying widths, protective container open [ Fig. 18] Top view - both collars with flaps of different widths [ Fig. 19] Underside Fig. 10..12 with depiction of tear-off seal [ Fig. 20] Isometric view of an openable detector with a rectangular collar for labeling; with tear-off seal - closed [ Fig. 21] Isometric view of an openable detector with a rectangular collar for labeling; with tear-off seal - closed LIST OF DESIGNATORS [1] Protective container / housing [2] Area for lettering / collar [3] Hollow body / Melting body / Core [4] upper part of the protective container [5] lower part of the protective container [6] Collar of the upper part of the protective container [7] Collar of the lower part of the protective container [8] Insertion into the hollow body / Filling [9] Closure fold

[10] Tab

[11] recess

[12] Hole for fixings

[13] Tear-off seal / Tear-off seal

Claims

[1] Detector for irreversible indication of exceeding limit temperatures, characterized by , that a core is located in a largely transparent or translucent protective container, which is fitted into the protective container with very little play, such that it can only move minimally within it, characterized by that the core material softens or melts at a precisely defined temperature. [2] Detector for irreversible indication of exceeding limit temperatures, characterized by that the core consists of a substance whose surface visibly and irreversibly changes at excessively low or high temperatures. [3] Detector for irreversible indication of exceeding limit temperatures, characterized by that the core is a hollow body. [4] Detector for irreversible indication of exceeding limit temperatures, characterized by, that the protective container is designed so that it can be opened enough to remove the core and then close it again. [5] Detector for irreversible indication of exceeding limit temperatures, characterized by that the protective container has a surface for applying labels or graphics. [6] Detector for irreversible indication of exceeding limit temperatures, characterized by that the kernel is edible. [7] Detector for irreversible indication of exceeding limit temperatures, characterized by , that one or more objects are placed in the core, which is designed as a hollow body, whose geometry does not prevent the deformation of the hollow body when melting or softening. [8] Detector for irreversible indication of exceeding limit temperatures, characterized by that the protective container consists of two hemispheres, characterized bythat each of the hemispheres has an outward-facing collar arranged at the edge of the hemisphere. [9] Detector for irreversible indication of exceeding limit temperatures, characterized by , that at least one of the collars of the hemispheres has recesses on the outer edge which are shaped and arranged in such a way that the surfaces of the two collars cannot completely overlap in any position over the entire surface and so that, viewed from below, part of the upper collar and, viewed from above, part of the lower collar is visible. [10] Detector for irreversible indication of exceeding limit temperatures, characterized by that in the openable version it has at least one tear-off seal that connects the two collars.

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