Patent Publication Number: US-2002002940-A1

Title: Thermometer and associated methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
     [0001] This application claims priority from provisional application Serial No. 60/199,430, filed Apr. 25, 2000, entitled “Thermometer and Method.” 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] The present invention relates to thermometers and methods of making and using same, and, more particularly, to such devices and methods for providing a continuous measurement of the temperature of a liquid intended for contact with an infant or child.  
       [0004] 2. Description of Related Art  
       [0005] Parents and care-givers can have difficulty judging whether the temperature of a liquid that is intended for contact with an infant or child is within a desired range and will not cause discomfort to or damage the infant. Such liquids may include, but are not intended to be limited to, bath water and drinking fluids.  
       [0006] Floating thermometers are known in the art (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,961,531, 5,302,028, and D312,975). Thermometers for measuring liquids in vessels are also known in the art (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,022,060, 4,878,588, 5,553,941, and 5,738,442).  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a thermometer for measuring a temperature of a liquid intended for contact with an infant.  
       [0008] It is another object to provide such a thermometer having means for floating in a liquid.  
       [0009] It is a further object to provide such a thermometer having means for indicating a predetermined acceptable temperature range.  
       [0010] It is an additional object to provide such a thermometer having means for being affixed to a liquid-containing vessel.  
       [0011] These and other objects are achieved by the thermometer and method of the present invention, an elongated strip member and an elongated enclosed tube affixed thereatop. Preferably the tube length is less than the strip member length Either the strip or the tube has temperature-indicating indicia therealong.  
       [0012] The tube contains a temperature-sensitive composition having expansion and contraction properties within a desired temperature range sufficient to enable a measurement of a temperature therewith, using the indicia having been calibrated with a known standard.  
       [0013] In a first embodiment the thermometer further comprises means for floating the strip in a liquid.  
       [0014] In a second embodiment the thermometer further comprises means for being affixed to a vessel.  
       [0015] The features that characterize the invention, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description used in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. These and other objects attained, and advantages offered, by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the description that now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of a floating thermometer.  
     [0017]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a thermometer affixable to a vessel.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0018] A description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be presented with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.  
     [0019] A first embodiment of the thermometer  10  of the present invention is adapted for floating in a liquid. Such an embodiment  10  may be used, for example, for measuring the temperature of bath water prior to placing an infant or child therein.  
     [0020] The thermometer  10  comprises an elongated strip-like member  12  and an elongated sealed tube  14  affixed thereto. Either the strip  12  or the tube  14  has temperature-indicating means such as indicia therealong. In this embodiment the tube  14  contains a composition having expansion and contraction properties within a desired temperature range sufficient to enable a measurement of a temperature therewith, using the indicia having been calibrated with a known standard. Alternatively, the thermometer may comprise another type of indicating means, such as a solid-state device with an LCD readout.  
     [0021] In a particular embodiment for use with bath water, the tube  14  is divided into three sections along a longitudinal axis  144  to enable a rapid and reliable indication of the state of the bath water relating to a likely thermal comfort level. If the temperature-indicating fluid&#39;s meniscus  145  lies within the first section  141 , which may, for further ease, be colored or backed in a color such as blue, the water is too cold; if within the second section  142 , neutral color, the water is in an acceptable range; if within the third section  143 , which may be colored or backed in a color such as red, the water is too hot. In the case of an LCD readout, the “meniscus” may comprise an edge of a bar that moves in response to temperature changes.  
     [0022] In a second embodiment the thermometer  20  further comprises means for being affixed to a vessel. This embodiment  20  is contemplated for use, for example, for measuring the temperature of a drinking liquid in a bottle, such as warm milk. Here the strip  22  further comprises an adhesive  24  affixed to a rear side  26  of the strip  22  and a removable covering layer  28  applied to protect the adhesive  24  until application to a surface is desired.  
     [0023] As above, either the strip  22  or the temperature-indicating tube  24  has temperature-indicating means such as indicia therealong. In this embodiment the tube  24  contains a composition having expansion and contraction properties within a desired temperature range sufficient to enable a measurement of a temperature therewith, using the indicia having been calibrated with a known standard. Alternatively, the thermometer may comprise another type of indicating means, such as a solid-state device with an LCD readout.  
     [0024] In a particular embodiment for use with bath water, the tube  24  is divided into three sections to enable a rapid and reliable indication of the state of the drinking fluid. If the temperature-indicating fluid&#39;s meniscus lies within the first section  241 , which may, for further ease, be colored or backed in a color such as blue, the water is too cold; if within the second section  242 , the water is in an acceptable range; if within the third section  243 , which may be colored or backed in a color such as red, the water is too hot.  
     [0025] It may be appreciated by one skilled in the art that additional embodiments may be contemplated, including alternative temperature-measuring compositions and methods.  
     [0026] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for description purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the embodiments of the apparatus illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.  
     [0027] Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby, the new and useful construction, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thererof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.