METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING THERMOMETERS
A calibration device allows accurate and consistent creation of ice baths and aids in the calibration of food safety thermometers. Such devices include a calibration wrench on a cup lid for holding and calibrating a thermometer, a stem thermometer access hole on the cup lid, an insulated cup for holding a substance to be measured, and a liquid crystal reversible temperature label on the cup.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/417,610, filed Nov. 29, 2010, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to measurement and calibration equipment and, more particularly, to a device that accurately measures the temperature of an ice bath and aids in the exact calibration of individual food safety thermometers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires daily calibration of food safety thermometers. The ice bath calibration method is popular in most food outlets because it is relatively easy to perform. A user may place ice in a bowl and rest pocket test thermometers in the ice. They then read the temperatures of each thermometer. However, it is nearly impossible for two people to create an identical ice bath. Since most food service outlets do not measure the temperature of the bath first, accurate calibration is virtually impossible.
As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus and method for repeatable creation of a properly constructed ice bath and an almost immediate and accurate temperature reading.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a device that allows accurate and consistent creation of ice baths and aids in the calibration of food safety thermometers. Devices according to embodiments of the present invention include a calibration wrench on a cup lid for holding and calibrating a thermometer, a stem thermometer access hole on the cup lid, an insulated cup for holding a substance to be measured, and a liquid crystal reversible temperature label on the cup.
Referring now to
The lid 11 may have a raised lip 15 formed about a perimeter thereof, which may be configured to allow the lid 11 to engage with cup 17 and may create an interference fit therewith.
Referring to
Referring now to
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the calibration wrench 13 may be configured to engage a No. 10 hexagonal nut (or, in some embodiments, an 8 mm nut). The calibration wrench 14 may be configured to engage a No. 12 hexagonal nut (or, in some embodiments, a 10 mm nut). The access hole 16 may be located about the center of the calibration wrench 13, 14, and may be from about 1 to about 5 mm in diameter, typically about 3 mm in diameter. The raised lip 15 may be from about 1 mm to about 5 mm thick, typically about 2 mm, thick. The cup 17 may be made of a clear polycarbonate plastic and may be from about 2 mm to about 3 mm thick. The inner vessel 18 may be a clear polycarbonate plastic and may be from about 0.025 inch to about 0.05 inch thick. The seal 22 may be a sonically welded joint, for example. The gap 23 may be filled with air, an inert gas, or may be a vacuum or near-vacuum. The calibration device 30, 40 may have instructions of use affixed or printed thereon as a label, or as embossed, raised or etched lettering. The inner vessel 18 may be configured to hole about 16 to about 20 fluid ounces.
Referring now to
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A cup comprising:
- a cup body;
- a lid fitting on the cup body, the lid having one or more calibration wrenches, the calibration wrenches each including at least one protrusion or recess, the at least one protrusion or recess adapted to contain a nut of a thermometer; and
- an access hole formed through the lid at a location of each of the one or more calibration wrenches.
2. The cup of claim 1, wherein the one or more calibration wrenches includes a first angled member disposed opposite a second angled member, the first and second angled members adapted to retain the nut of the thermometer.
3. The cup of claim 1, wherein the one or more calibration wrenches includes a first hexagonal recess.
4. The cup of claim 3, wherein the one or more calibration wrenches includes a second hexagonal recess, wherein the first hexagonal recess is formed on a first side of the lid and the second hexagonal recess is formed on a second side of the lid, coaxial with the first hexagonal recess.
5. The cup of claim 1, further comprising an inner vessel fitting inside the cup body.
6. The cup of claim 5, wherein the inner vessel is sealed to the cup body with a gap formed therebetween.
7. The cup of claim 6, wherein the gap includes an insulating material.
8. A cup comprising:
- an exterior cup body;
- an inner vessel disposed inside the exterior cup body;
- a lid adapted to fit about a perimeter of the exterior cup body;
- one or more calibration wrenches disposed in the lid, the calibration wrenches each including at least one protrusion or recess, the at least one protrusion or recess adapted to contain a nut of a thermometer; and
- an access hole formed through the lid at a central location of each of the one or more calibration wrenches.
9. The cup of claim 8, wherein the one or more calibration wrenches includes a first angled member disposed opposite a second angled member, the first and second angled members adapted to retain the nut of the thermometer.
10. The cup of claim 8, wherein the one or more calibration wrenches includes a first hexagonal recess and a second hexagonal recess, wherein the first hexagonal recess is formed on a first side of the lid and the second hexagonal recess is formed on a second side of the lid, coaxial with the first hexagonal recess.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 28, 2011
Publication Date: May 31, 2012
Inventors: Shane Dans (Marshfield, MA), Heather Dans (Marshfield, MA)
Application Number: 13/305,509
International Classification: B65D 51/24 (20060101); B65D 81/38 (20060101); B65D 25/02 (20060101);