Abstract:
A temperature measure device having a light source to provide the user an effective and efficient means to take temperatures in a low-lighted area. A temperature measure device having a cartridge to store, dispense and discard the covers. The covers made of a thin narrow flexible material that is housed by a body and conveniently stored inside or in the proximity of the temperature-measuring device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED ACTIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/472962 filed on May 23, 2003 entitled Temperature Measure device. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to temperature measuring devices, probes and their use at night or in low-lighted areas.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Thermometers are useful in the evaluation and treatment of sick or ill patients. A common practice in hospitals, physician&#39;s office or even at home, is to measure the body temperature of a patient by using a digital thermometer with a sensor or probe typically located at one end of the device.  
           [0004]    An electronic thermometer can sense the patient&#39;s temperature in a short duration of time and more so infrared thermometers can be even more effective in measuring a temperature within one second.  
           [0005]    Although thermometers have been around for many years, there has been other factors to consider in temperature measure and ease of use to provide the consumer a readily available means to take a fast and accurate temperature.  
           [0006]    An electronic thermometer can easily take a temperature in well-illuminated areas, in most cases the patients are in a horizontal position, and more readily found in a room that may not be well lit depending on the time of day or the patient surroundings. Additionally, a probe should be sterile, free from germs or bacteria and easy to use. There are many different probes that are somewhat labor intensive to install on the temperature sensing probe or thermometer housing. There is also an issue with the ease of manufacturing the probes and the cost of the device that makes it expensive for the end user in a home or professional environment.  
           [0007]    Protective probe covers have been available for electronic thermometers for many years although, a protective cover adds time to replace and take a measurement with today&#39;s covers offered on the market.  
           [0008]    Therefore, the need for a probe cover dispensing mechanism and a light source from the temperature measure device would be a benefit as written in the invention detailed description.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention relates in general to temperature measuring devices, and more particularly to an electronic or infrared temperature probe comprising a plastic like disposable probe cover or protective film, and a mechanism to dispense the cover itself. In general, one aspect of the invention provides a probe cover-dispensing device. The cover dispensing device comprises a body or housing to support or contain the covers, a material that is made to provide a series of covers that can be supplied by one or more means and dispensed and disposed of in a linear or rotary mechanism. The dispensing device has a mounting member to readily attach the covers, in the manufacturing assembly or by the consumer. The covers would typically be flat, narrow and thin for low cost of manufacture and compact storage. The cartridge or dispensing unit is lightweight, typically made of plastic or like material to provide a low cost disposable carrier. A small ratchet mechanism may provide the means to dispense the probe cover and a retaining cap that can pivot about an axis, or in a linear motion, over the end of the probe that would securely fix the probe cover material onto the probe and or sensor. The material dispensed would be readily available for use. Embodiments of the invention may also include one or more of the following features. A cartridge like dispensing unit that includes a long, thin narrow material that can be stretched onto the probe sensing device and preferably indexed to make the ease of assembly less time consuming. The index means would have a color variation or perforated edge to visually locate the dispensed unit. A guide can be adapted to the temperature measuring device housing that would include a cutting edge to tear away the disposable cover after use. Yet another feature of the invention would provide a light emitting diode or like that would provide a means to take temperature in low illuminated areas. The led or light can be positioned at the probe area or facing towards the probe to allow the user to guide the tip for faster temperature measure in the dark. The light source can also be part of the sensor wherein the probe or sensor is illuminated to assist in taking temperature measurements in low illuminated areas. In general another aspect of the invention is a tip providing an illuminated material that can light the surrounding area by means of illuminscent ink, pigment or other material. The means to provide light can be derived by a material or combination of a small LED and battery with a simple contact that is in conjunction with the power source that is used to operate the measuring device.  
           [0010]    These and other advantages of the invention, along with the invention itself, will be more fully understood after a review of the following figures, detailed description and claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 shows a temperature-measuring device, including a mechanism, light, display and temperature probe.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 shows another temperature measuring device, with an illuminating portion, light, display and temperature probe.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 a  shows a method of dispensing the film or cover with a cartridge  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 b  shows another method of dispensing the film or cover with a self contained carrier and or cartridge  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 c  shows a method of dispensing the film with a feed and take up mechanism.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 d  shows a method of applying a liquid probe cover to a thermometer body at the sensor end.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 shows a temperature-measuring device with a retainer for the flexible film or sensor cover.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 a  shows a light source for temperature measure at the sensor tip.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 b  shows a light source for temperature measure parallel or in the proximity of the sensor tip.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 c  a light source for temperature measure attached to the housing parallel or in proximity to the sensor tip.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 d  a sensor with a series of light sources located in the housing and sensor.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 e  a light source formation of a light emitting diode or lamp. 
     
    
       [0023]    Other embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]    Referring to FIG. 1, a thermometer  10  includes a sensor  11 , a light  12 , an optional light power button  13  and a thermometer power button  14 , a output display  15  to show the measurement or data from the device and an internal dispensable film cartridge  16 . Depending on the style of the thermometer the components may have variations in detail but provide a means to take a temperature in an efficient time. The detail in FIG. 2. illustrates another style of a thermometer  66 , that includes a sensor  17 , a light  18 , an optional light power button  19  and a thermometer power button  20 , a display  21  to provide a visual output measurement from the device and an illuminated portion  22  of the thermometer that is made from a luminescent material or ink for ease of use in nighttime or low level lighted environments. The detail in FIG. 3 a  illustrates a carrier or cartridge  24 , that can contain or hold the flexible film probe cover material  23  that may be wound around a central axis  25  on the carrier or cartridge and released from a point  27  on the cartridge in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the body or sensor that can provide an adaptable flexible cover for the thermometer sensor tip. A gear  27  provides a method to index the film to a predetermined length or also provides a means to tension the film on the carrier or cartridge assembly. The detail in FIG. 3b illustrates a carrier  29  can provide a means to contain the flexible film material  28 , that is wrapped about an axis  30  and fed through an opening point  32  on the cartridge or carrier. The flexible film is guided through a point  31  at a distance between the distal end and a opening point  32 . A gear  33  provides a mechanism to feed the flexible film probe cover material. The detail in FIG. 3 c  illustrates a mechanism assembly  40  comprising a feed receiving end  35  of the flexible film materials that can be coupled to the feed discharge end  36  of the flexible film material, indexed and released from the feed member  67  activated by the feed mechanism  39  through a transfer member  38  in the feed system. The system provides a means to discharge or index the flexible film with a mechanical motion, and can also retrieve and store the used film in a disposable cartridge or carrier. The detail in FIG. 3 d  illustrates a thermometer housing  68 , a sensor tip  69  and a liquid probe cover material  70  after the thermometer is submerged into the material to the desired depth, the liquid at turns into a thin layer probe cover  71 , at the end of the thermometer housing  72 , around the sensor area  69 . The material may be plastic, paraffin or other liquid forms that can solidify in thin layer surface coatings at a predetermined temperature. The detail in FIG. 4 illustrates a thermometer  44 , with a light  42  for low light or night time use, an optional light switch  43 , a device power switch  45 , a display readout  46  indicating temperature and alike, a sensor  41 , with a retainer  48  that can pivot or slide to retain the film or secure the flexible film in position, the film released from and housed in removable door  47  that is secured to the housing  44 . The detail in FIG. 5 a  illustrates a sensor  50 , positioned in a thermometer  51  and housing providing light to be discharged through an opening  49  at the end of the housing in a direction somewhat parallel to the sensor. The detail in FIG. 5 b  illustrates a thermometer housing  52 , a sensor tip  53  in close proximity to the light source lamp or led  54 , positioned somewhat parallel to the sensor tip direction or in the general area. The detail in FIG. 5 c  illustrates a thermometer housing  53 , a sensor  56 , a light source assembly  58  attached to the housing, with a led or lamp  57 , for low-level light conditions. The FIG. 5 d  illustrates a thermometer housing front view  61 , a sensor  60 , a light source  59 , where the light source may be provided in multiple locations. The light source may be indicative of a bulb or led. The illustration in FIG. 5 e  illustrates a bulb or led light source  63  and the power leads  62  that may be supplied from an internal battery or external power connection. The light source may have a focused light wave  64  to minimize the effect of light in use with the patient or subject of which the temperature is taken. A light source  65  may be that of a bulb that is repairable or have the option to replace when the life of the bulb is exhausted.  
         [0025]    The terms and expressions, which have been employed in the foregoing specification, are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, as excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.