Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of creating and maintaining a calibrated bi-metallic element assembly configuration in a strip chart recorder including a housing having top and bottom portions. The method includes acts of positioning a bi-metallic element assembly on the bottom portion of the housing while the housing is in an open configuration, closing the housing, and attaching the bi-metallic element assembly to the top portion of the housing when the housing is closed. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a strip chart recorder, including a housing comprising top and bottom portions, the top portion of the housing having a first mating feature, a bi-metallic element assembly having a second mating feature, and a strip chart positioned on the bottom portion of the housing. The first and second mating features are adapted to engage each other upon closing of the housing.

Abstract: A product supply chain may be viewed not just as a series of discrete, unrelated shipment transactions, but as a “process” (or pipeline) that can be subject to statistical process control. The present invention is directed to novel systems and methods for collecting data concerning one or more aspects of a supply chain, for performing statistical analysis on the collected data to facilitate the identification of anomalies or inefficiencies in the process, and for communicating the results of such statistical analysis to those responsible for the supply chain so that remedial measures may be taken, if appropriate. Among other things, a method for analyzing a supply chain process is disclosed that involves automatically determining whether a plurality of data points, each representing at least one determined value of at least one monitored aspect of a supply chain, match a pattern indicative of an anomalous condition in the supply chain process.

Abstract: A product supply chain may be viewed not just as a series of discrete, unrelated shipment transactions, but as a “process” (or pipeline) that can be subject to statistical process control. The present invention is directed to novel systems and methods for collecting data concerning one or more aspects of a supply chain, for performing statistical analysis on the collected data to facilitate the identification of anomalies or inefficiencies in the process, and for communicating the results of such statistical analysis to those responsible for the supply chain so that remedial measures may be taken, if appropriate. Among other things, a method is disclosed for use in a system in which at least one first sensor is associated with at least one first item that is transported from a first shipping location to a first receiving location so that the at least one first sensor can monitor at least one physical or environmental condition of the at least one first item as the at least one first item is so transported.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of creating and maintaining a calibrated bimetallic element assembly configuration in a strip chart recorder comprising a housing having top and bottom portions. The method comprises acts of positioning a bimetallic element assembly on the bottom portion of the housing while the housing is in an open configuration, closing the housing, and attaching the bi-metallic element assembly to the top portion of the housing when the housing is closed. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a strip chart recorder, comprising a housing comprising top and bottom portions, the top portion of the housing comprising a first mating feature, a bi-metallic element assembly comprising a second mating feature, and a strip chart positioned on the bottom portion of the housing. The first and second mating features are adapted to engage each other upon closing of the housing.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a temperature monitor comprising a housing, a temperature sensor to provide temperature indications, wherein the temperature sensor is disposed inside the housing and exposed to an ambient temperature, circuitry within the housing for processing and storing the temperature indications, and a power supply within the housing and coupled to the circuitry. The power supply is adapted to provide a level of power to the circuitry sufficient for the operability of the circuitry at least at any ambient temperature between ?40° C. and ?80° C. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising acts of exposing the interior of a housing to a temperature below ?40° C., measuring the temperature in the interior of the housing, storing an indication of the temperature within the housing, and processing the indication of the temperature within the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring an externally applied parameter to selected products. The invention involves a housing enclosing a sensor, and a monitoring and output network. The sensor has a characteristic that varies in some predetermined manner with variation in the monitored parameter. The monitoring and output network involves a sensor which produces a signal representative of the monitored characteristic. Values associated with the signal are stored in a memory device for subsequent, selected retrieval.