Patent ID: 8033237

Claim:
A time temperature integration device comprising a temperature measurement means for continuously monitoring the temperature of the environment around a monitored product having a preferred storage temperature; and wherein said temperature measurement means is a shape memory material with a memory shape and a deformed shape; and wherein said shape memory material has a transition temperature range encompassing at least the preferred storage temperature of said monitored product and said shape memory material moves from said deformed shape to said memory shape in response to temperatures of the environment around said monitored product which abut or exceed the preferred storage temperature of said monitored product; and an indicator means for visually displaying the change in said shape memory material's shape connected to said shape memory material as said shape memory material moves from said deformed position to said memory position in response to said thermal energy absorbed by said device as it relates to the temperature of the environment around said device as indicative of the monitored product's fitness for use; and a shape memory polymer whose properties are adjusted so that a temperature integration device can be tailored to monitor a product without the use of an insulation or other housing.