Abstract: A device for monitoring ethylene oxide sterilization processes comprising a wick means impregnated with an ethylene oxide responsive chemical compound, a pH sensitive dye and a quantifier mounted on a backing strip and sealed with a cover strip to form an envelope having one edge at which the wick means is exposed. The device is responsive to time, temperature and relative humidity as well as ethylene oxide concentration.

Abstract: A system for indicating the integrity of a normally sealed package utilizes a sensor containing a pH sensitive dye which displays a first color in equilibrium with normal atmospheric conditions and a second color when in equilibrium with an artificial atmosphere comprising an acidic gaseous material. When the air normally in the package is displaced by the artificial atmosphere, the pH sensitive dye assumes its second color. Loss of integrity of the sealed package results in loss of the acidic gaseous material. As a consequence, the pH sensitive dye reverts to its first color, thereby signaling the loss of package integrity.

Abstract: The temperature history of a product is visually displayed as a color front on an indicator, the distance of front advancement being a function of the temperature time integral. The indicator measures the gas generation in a first compartment by a wick in a second compartment, the wick also being in communication with the first compartment. Optionally, a gas permeable film separates the gas generating material and the wick. The indicator is fine tuned for time temperature integral by incorporating into the wick a quantifier with which the gas generated reacts preferentially.

Abstract: A pouch for containing the gas generating means in a Time-Temperature Indicator which comprises a rate controlling film formed into a sealed pouch having contained therein a frangible ampule containing the gas generating means, said ampule being enclosed in a porous medium, said medium containing an indicator composition responsive to the gas generated by the gas generating means, so as to indicate a color change thereby making the user aware that the gas ampule has been broken.

Abstract: A sterility indicator comprising a backing strip of a dimensionally stable material e.g. aluminum foil having mounted thereon an organic compound containing oxygen or nitrogen in intimate contact with a wicking means and a cover strip bonded to the backing strip overlaying the organic compound and wicking means. The cover strip is a polymeric rate controlling film which permits water vapor to pass through at a rate sufficient to make the device operative at a temperature to be monitored.

Abstract: Thermally responsive materials are provided having improved resolidification (recrystallization) characteristics. These thermally responsive materials are useful as temperature indicating compositions by undergoing change of state as precise and predetermined temperatures. Marked improvement in the rate of recrystallization of these thermally responsive substances is obtained by the addition thereto of so-called "nucleating agents" preferably supported on suitable support materials.

Abstract: A system operable to signal the attainment of a preselected time-temperature integral for monitoring the temperature history of a product utilizes a free-radical sensitive dye and a peroxide on a carrier.

Abstract: The phenomena of undercooling encountered with various heat responsive materials in passing from the liquid to solid phase is minimized by incorporation of a regenerative nucleating agent which is soluble to some degree in the heat responsive materials.

Abstract: A disposable type cooking thermometer having a reservoir for holding a fluid, an indicator means, and a capillary tube or channel connecting the reservoir with the indicator means. The reservoir is made from a material which shrinks from an initial size at ambient temperatures to some smaller size when exposed to cooking temperatures. As the reservoir progressively shrinks during cooking, fluid is expelled therefrom thru the capillary tube or channel and onto the indicator means to denote the degree of cooking achieved in the foodstuff in which the thermometer has been inserted.

Abstract: Temperature indicating compositions are provided for use in disposable thermometers comprising a heat-conductive carrier sheet having at least one but preferably a plurality of regions (cavities) thereon, each region containing a thermally responsive substance which undergoes a change in state at a precise and predetermined temperature different from any other region. The thermally responsive materials used herein as temperature indicating compositions are solid solutions comprised of two components which, inter alia, have linear temperature-composition liquidous curves. The change of state of the solid solution in each region is readily detectable visually by an indicator system which is intimately associated with the solid solution in said regions in order to permit rapid and accurate visual determination of the temperature of the test subject.

Abstract: The temperature history of a product is visually displayed as a color front on an indicator, the distance of front advancement being a function of the temperature time integral. The indicator measures the gas generation in a first compartment by a wick in a second compartment, the wick also being in communication with the first compartment. Optionally, a gas permeable film separates the gas generating material and the wick.

Abstract: A system operable to signal the attainment of one or more preselected time-temperature integrals which monitor the temperature history of a product utilizes an organic compound which is subject to solvolysis with the generation of an acid, at least one base in an amount less than the stoichiometric equivalent of the acid generated, and a pH sensitive indicator.

Abstract: A package for the complete and protective enclosure of an article is described in which the article is fully enclosed by a continuous surface of rigid or semi-rigid material so as to form a housing. The housing is banded by a section of sufficiently reduced wall thickness to permit the frangible separation of the housing into two segments which are then drawn apart with the enclosed article being engaged by one of the segments for withdrawal from the other segment. The article can be fully assembled or partially assembled while in the package and means are described in the latter instance for dispensing the fully assembled article automatically in the course of removing it from the package.

Abstract: Temperature time integrating indicator device in which a gas generating material located at one end of the device and activated at time of use of the device is absorbed by an indicating wick extending in the device in a direction away from the gas source, which wick changes color to denote a time-temperature integral and hence the temperature history of a product, there being a gas barrier means extending along the longitudinal sides of the wick for inhibiting gas transport to insure that substantially all gas absorbed by the wick makes first contact with the wick at the end nearest the gas source thus precluding first gas contact with the wick at more remote location with consequent erroneous temperature history indication.