Food Temperature Probe Monitoring for Cleaning and Safety Alerts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food temperature probes lack automated alerts for improper cleaning between probing different food types, leading to potential cross-contamination and failure to maintain safe internal food temperatures, necessitating manual logging of temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a food temperature probe, a computer system, and a user device, which automatically logs temperatures and generates alerts on the user device when the probe is not properly cleaned between probing different food types or when the measured temperature falls below a safety threshold, using IoT communication and predefined cleaning thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual logging of food temperatures is used, then employees can monitor food temperatures, but the process is time-consuming and prone to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood temperature monitoring efficiencyVSAvoidtime spent on manual logging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature probe automatically logs temperatures to the computer system without requiring employee intervention. The system self-monitors and self-records, eliminating the need for manual logging while maintaining continuous temperature surveillance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of writing down temperatures with an automated electronic system. The probe communicates wirelessly with the computer system, substituting human manual operations with automated electronic data collection and storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If employees manually clean and monitor probes between food types, then cross-contamination can be prevented, but the process is complex and easy to overlook

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of cross-contaminationVSAvoidcleaning monitoring process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate feedback by comparing consecutive temperature readings against threshold values. When a temperature change exceeds the threshold (indicating probe contamination), the system automatically alerts employees through visual and audible signals, ensuring timely cleaning action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of contamination by continuously monitoring temperature changes between measurements. It identifies potential cross-contamination issues before they become serious food safety problems, allowing preventive cleaning action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If automated alert systems are implemented, then food safety compliance is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood safety complianceVSAvoidautomated monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The computer system performs multiple functions: it stores temperature data, compares readings against thresholds, generates alerts, and maintains logs. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be multiple separate devices into a single integrated system, managing complexity through consolidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The computer system acts as an intermediary between the temperature probe and the employee. It receives data from the probe, processes the information against safety criteria, and communicates results to the employee, simplifying the interaction while maintaining automated monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Automated alerts ensure compliance with food safety guidelines by preventing cross-contamination and maintaining safe food temperatures, reducing manual logging, and enhancing food safety monitoring efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a food temperature probe to measure and report temperatures of food items and temperatures associated with a cleaning of the food temperature probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12359980B2Systems and methods for monitoring food temperatures

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 7-ELEVEN INC

AI summary

A system includes one or more memory units and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, from a food temperature probe, a first temperature associated with a first food item. The processor is further configured to receive, from the food temperature probe, a second temperature associated with a second food item. The processor is further configured to receive, from the food temperature probe, a third temperature that was measured by the food temperature probe after measuring the first temperature but before measuring the second temperature, the third temperature associated with a cleaning of the food temperature probe. The processor is further configured to send an alert for display on a user device when the third temperature is greater than the cleaning threshold temperature.