Abstract: This invention provides a cooking utensil, particularly in the form of a fork. A temperature sensor is provided on a tine of the fork to provide information to a processing unit within the handle. The processing unit contains information on the desired temperatures for specific levels of cooking for a variety of products. A user may select a particular product being cooked and a desired level of cooking so that the processing unit may compare results from the temperature sensor with the desired predetermined level. The processing unit may then output a result to a display and/or alarm function to indicate when the desired level of cooking has achieved.

Abstract: An electronic wine thermometer comprises a housing having a temperature probe extending from the housing. A display panel is associated with the housing and interactive with operational circuitry contained within the housing. A heat sensor is located in the probe, and is in electronic communication with the operational circuitry completing the device is a cork extractor mounted on the housing.

Abstract: A monitoring cooking thermometer includes a shape memory alloy activated probe for entering into food being cooked. A clockwork mechanical mechanism in a body fits to the top of the probe. When the food reaches a predetermined temperature a mechanical bell is sounded and a flag is exposed outside the body.

Abstract: A temperature indicator (10) including an elongated piece of tubing (12), a top cap (14), a bottom tip (16), a first media (22) with a first melting point, and a second solid media (24) with a second melting point. Mixing of the first and second media (22, 24) produces a color change within the tubing, which is noticeable at the top end of the indicator, which in use is sticking out of the food product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for recording a heat exchange event within a drilled hole wall caused during a drilling process. In particular, the invention includes a thermal sensitive film placed in contact with a substrate which is to be drilled, which is capable of recording a thermal signature of the heat transferred during the drilling process. The result is a ring shaped signature whose thickness provides a direct correlation to drilling temperature. With these results, the integrity of the substrate surrounding the drilled hole can be inspected.

Abstract: An electronic chef's fork is provided which displays indicia such as food type and degree of doneness for a selected food type and temperature and which includes control areas by which the user of the electronic chef's fork selects the meat type. The operational circuitry of the device allows the user to select among an array of food type options and to thereby designate a degree of doneness for the selected type of food. A prompt message is provided to indicate the degree of doneness attained for the selected food type when the device is inserted into the food.

Abstract: A temperature sensing and indicating device, comprising a housing, a microprocessor and an arm. The arm is retractable and extendible into and out of the housing, such that the length of the arm external to the housing can be varied in a predetermined manner. A probe having a temperature sensor therewithin is enclosed by the arm such that varying the external length of the arm exposes varying lengths of the probe whereby the exposed length of the probe is designed to be inserted into a medium such that the temperature sensor senses the temperature of the medium and converts the temperature sensed into a signal. Through the utilization of a programmable microprocessor, the signal is conditioned and converted and drives a display causing the display to provide a visual indication of the temperature sensed. The visual indication is comprised of a digital numeric display and an analog display.

Abstract: A pop-up thermometer having an elongate housing formed with a longitudinally extending bore, a plurality of internal neck regions, and a plurality of internal cavities. The neck regions each having a minimum diameter portion and a neck locking surface extending outwardly from the minimum diameter portion of the neck. An indicator rod slidably disposed in the bore of the housing includes at least one stem stretch having a diameter less than the remainder of the bore and a stem locking surface extending outwardly from said stem stretch. A fusible material fills the internal cavities. When the fusible material is in solid form, the neck locking surface exerts a substantially downward directed force on said stem locking surface on the rod to resist upward movement of the rod relative to the housing.

Abstract: An electronic chef's fork is provided which displays indicia such as food type and degree of doneness for a selected food type and temperature and which includes control areas by which the user of the electronic chef's fork selects the meat type. The operational circuitry of the device allows the user to select among an array of food type options and to thereby designate a degree of doneness for the selected type of food. A prompt message is provided to indicate the degree of doneness attained for the selected food type when the device is inserted into the food.

Abstract: A meat thermometer and cutting device combination is provided including a thermometer housing for being removably situated within a piece of cooking meat. Also included is a thermometer situated on the thermometer housing for detecting and indicating a current temperature of the meat. A cutting edge is situated on the thermometer housing for cutting the meat to view an interior thereof.

Abstract: A pop-up thermometer having an elongate housing formed with a longitudinally extending bore, first and second internal neck regions, a first internal cavity and a second internal cavity. An indicator rod slidably disposed in the cavity includes a front end portion, a first stem stretch extending from the front end portion and terminating in a raised portion, a second stem stretch extending from the raised portion and a rear end portion spaced from the front end portion. The front end portion and the first stem stretch are positioned in the first internal cavity while the second stem stretch is positioned in the second internal cavity. The first stem stretch has a lesser cross sectional diameter than the front end portion of the rod. A fusible material substantially fills the first internal cavity, engaging the front end portion and at least a portion of the first stem stretch to retain the indicator rod in the housing.

Abstract: A cookware lid having a where the handle supports a thermometer having a meat probe and an aperture to cause a whistling sound to warn that the internal temperature of a container has reached 180 degrees, eliminating possible carcinogens, e. Coli bacterium, salmonella and the like.

Abstract: A cooking tool is disclosed which is a combination of a spatula for handling food and a boom-mounted probe having an indicator for checking temperature or doneness attained during cooking. The disclosure includes both a home and a fast-food restaurant embodiment of the tool. In both embodiments, the tool has a probe for measuring temperature mounted on a manually retractable boom, which probe is extendable over various sites of the food being checked. The boom is pivotally attached to the elongated arm of a spatula and by a scissor-like action is raised out of and lowered into the food. In the home model, the tool is provided with a temperature indicator in the form of a digital readout. In the fast-food restaurant model, the indicator provided is a GO/NO GO gauge and the probe and indicator fit in a quick-disconnect receptacle. In the latter model, a different gauge, when required for a specific application, may be substituted.

Abstract: A low cost, disposable temperature sensor comprising a non-porous rigid substrate having a colored patch of a contrasting color, covered by a thermochromic material which obscures the colored patch. The thermochromic material, which has a color in the visual range which completely obscures the underlying colored patch, is selected to have a melting or solidus point such that when the material is exposed to a predetermined temperature, the thermochromic material permanently changes to a relatively transparent color whereby the colored patch on the substrate is rendered visible through the thermochromic material. A transparent cover or film encapsulates the thermochromic material place on the substrate. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the substrate comprises a paperboard product, and includes printed indicia for making a permanent record.

Abstract: A temperature sensing apparatus (10) adapted for sensing the temperature of a food item or the environment in an oven includes a body (12) which encloses a chamber (38). The chamber houses an indicator (22) which is viewed through a frangible glass pane (34). Slight amounts of water vapor that infiltrate into the chamber during washing are vented when the apparatus is placed in a high temperature environment. A resilient member (70) having a lip portion (74) is normally in abutting relation with an outer case wall surface (48). When pressure builds in the chamber during heating due to rapid expansion of the water vapor, the pressure applied through an opening (40) acts against the lip portion of the resilient member. When the pressure rises to a sufficient level, it deforms the lip portion away from the adjacent wall surface whereby pressure is relieved to atmosphere. The pressure in the chamber is relieved before it reaches a level that may fracture the frangible glass pane or cause other damage.

Abstract: A temperature sensing apparatus (10) adapted for sensing the temperature of a food item in an oven includes a body (12) which encloses a chamber (34). The chamber houses an indicator (20) which is viewed through a glass pane (28). Slight amounts of water vapor that infiltrate into the chamber during washing are safely vented by a pressure relief valve (36) having a unitary body of resilient material. The check valve includes a membrane portion (40) with a diametrically extending slit (46) therethrough. The slit remains closed under most conditions. When pressure builds in the chamber during heating due to rapid expansion of infiltrated water vapor, the membrane portion deforms sufficiently to open the slit before the pressure reaches a level that may fracture the glass pane or cause other damage. When the pressure falls, the membrane portion returns to its initial position closing the slit.

Abstract: A can testing device for measuring pressure and temperature in a sealed container wherein a strap encircles the body of the container circumferentially and a probe affixed to the strap penetrates the sidewall of the container to allow instruments for measuring the temperature and pressure of the container contents to come into physical contact with said contents.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for gripping and probing food products is provided, so as to test the products while they are moving on a conveyor. The apparatus has a pair of jaws, which move forward and close when the food product is detected in the appropriate position, so as to grip the product between the faces of the jaws. While so gripped, a probe moves forward to penetrate and test the product, e.g. for temperature, pH, conductivity etc. Then the sequence of operations is reversed, withdrawing the probe, releasing and withdrawing the jaws, so that the product can move on and the apparatus is positioned to grip and test the next food item moving down the conveyor. The apparatus is particularly well suited for testing suspended meat products.

Abstract: A temperature sensor connecting device for a microwave oven integrating a stirrer fan on the ceiling is arranged to plug a temperature sensor through the stirrer fan shaft into a recepticle provided on the external side of the top cover so that the temperature sensor inserted in the food on a turntable rotates following the rotation of the food under heating with no cause of twisting.

Abstract: A barbeque kettle includes a bowl and a cover with the bowl having a food support grid adjacent an upper rim and a charcoal grid below the food grid along with a cover holder adjacent the rim of the bowl. The cover has a removable thermometer that can sense the internal temperature of the kettle and can also be used as a food thermometer. A pair of charcoal baskets are positionable on the charcoal grid for direct or indirect cooking.

Abstract: A periodontal probe has a probe finger extending from a handle to an L-shaped distal end which includes a tip adapted for insertion into a periodontal pocket and formed of a thermally insulative material. A temperature sensing element is mounted at the extreme end of the tip. Conductive leads extend from the sensing element, through the probe tip to the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature sensor is a thermocouple or thermistor, and the tip is sealed within an epoxy outer skin. The tip tapers so that the thermal mass of the probe in the vicinity of the sensing element quickly attains the temperature of surrounding tissue while minimally perturbing that temperature. The handle may contain signal processing or temperature display units, and the probe tip preferably includes graduations for indicating probe depth. Interchangeable sensor matching circuit elements adapt sensor elements having different characteristics to a common display driver.

Abstract: A grain probe for sampling and measuring the physical characteristics of stored grain in situ. The probe has a telescopic shaft with a meter fixedly attached to one end thereof and a novel grain probe tip fixedly attached to the opposite end thereof, a grain receiving chamber within the tip, an environmental measuring element is affixed within the grain receiving chamber and is directly coupled to a readout meter; and there is provided a novel mechanism for automatically closing the grain receiving chamber to grain kernels while the probe tip is being inserted into stored grain and automatically opening the grain receiving chamber to grain kernels for sampling and direct contact with the environmental measuring element to provide instantaneous physical characteristic information as the probe tip is slightly withdrawn from the stored grain.

Abstract: A periodontal probe has a probe finger extending from a handle to an L-shaped distal end which includes a probe stem portion adapted for insertion into a periodontal pocket and formed of a thermally insulative material. A temperature sensing element is mounted at the extreme end of the stem portion. Conductive leads extend from the sensing element, through the probe tip to the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature sensor is a thermistor which, together with the probe stem portion, is sealed within an epoxy outer skin. The tip tapers so that the thermal mass of the probe in the vicinity of the sensing element quickly attains the temperature of surrounding tissue while minimally perturbing that temperature. The handle contains signal processing and temperature display units, and the probe tip includes graduations for indicating probe depth. Interchangeable sensor matching circuit elements adapt sensor elements having different characteristics to a common display driver.

Abstract: A probe suitable for monitoring temperature and pressure in a relatively thin-walled container fabricated from plastic. The internal probe monitors the pressure and temperature at substantially the geometric center of a container in a pasteurizing or sterilizing apparatus. The probe is provided with a sharp container-wall piercing end and a tapered threaded self tapping portion which provides an effective seal. The probe is hollow so that fluid can be conducted from the interior of the container and its pressure determined. A temperature sensing member is carried within the hollow probe so that temperature within the container may be sensed.

Abstract: A device for rotatably supporting a temperature probe disposed in an oven for heating a material. The probe has one end provided with a plug and another end for insertion into the material for detecting the temperature thereof. The device includes a socket section secured to one of the wall surfaces of the oven chamber, the socket section nonrotatably supporting a contact mechanism which in turn rotatably and disengageably supports the plug while the contact mechanism receives signals from the temperature probe through the plug.

Abstract: An induction heating cooking apparatus contains a cooker main unit (1), comprising a connector (17) attached to an operation part (7) of the cooker main unit (1) in a freely attachable/detachable manner. A probe (13) containing a thermistor therein is coupled to the connector (17). The probe (13) is inserted into the foodstuff to be cooked in a cooking pan (5), and the thermistor detects the temperature thereof. A light emitting device (23) installed in the connector (17) outputs a light signal in response to the output from the thermistor. This light signal is introduced into the cooker main unit (1) through a light transmitting part (25) formed at a bottom part (19) of the connector (17) and another light transmitting part (27) formed in the operation part (7), being received by a light receiving device (29). In response to the output from the light receiving device (29), a driving circuit drives an inverter.

Abstract: An ancillary device for food-preparation, which provides a combination implement which both provides a a food-handler device and a probe for determining the interior temperature of the food being handled. The device in a desired form resembles a pair of tongs, and they not only carry a temperature-sensing probe and visual signal or gauge, they carry a structure which positions the probe midway of whatever is the span of opening of the food-gripping jaws of the tongs; and since the tongs' jaws, as they engage upon the food article, automatically sense the overall thickness of the food article, their positioning of the temperature-sensing probe midway of the span of the jaws' opening automatically achieves a sensing of the food article's temperature at the midpoint of its thickness, thus giving better and more reliable information as to the thoroughness of the cooking procedure. Optional spatula jaws are also provided.

Abstract: A novel high frequency heating apparatus for detecting the internal temperature of an object contained in a heating chamber and controlling the heating thereof is disclosed, in which the temperature change of the object is picked up as a change of the resistance value of a thermistor. The resistance change is converted into a change of the oscillation frequency of an oscillator and transmitted with the ultrasonic wave as a medium. The power supply for the transmitter circuit is provided in such a manner that the high frequency filled in the heating chamber for heating the object is received by an antenna and rectified by a diode. At the receiving end, this ultrasonic wave is picked up as a temperature signal of the object, and processed by a microcomputer, so that the temperature of the object is detected for heating control.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cooking utensil such as a microwave oven wherein a food temperature-sensing probe is inserted into a foodstuff for detecting the internal temperature of the food. The food temperature-sensing probe includes a resonance circuit the resonance frequency of which varies depending on the internal temperature. A first signal generator is provided for delivering a series of signals which contain a variety of frequencies inclusive of the signals of the resonance frequency. A second signal generator is employed to provide sweeping signals for the series of signals developed from the first signal generator. A selecting circuit is connected to the second signal generator for selecting a particular value in the sweeping signals relevant to the desired temperature of the foodstuff.

Abstract: To provide a profile of simultaneous moisture, temperature and root density characteristics at different depths of soil, a soil probe is inserted in the soil with a viewing and camera section extending above the soil. Similarly, the probe provides a profile of simultaneous moisture, temperature and presence of molds, insects or other foreign matter in grain or similar media including liquid as well as solid granulated material. The portion of the probe that is in the soil or other media includes a source of light or light conveyance and windows which transmit an image of the soil at various depths along the length of the probe through light conductors for further transmission to the viewing and camera section. Liquid crystals sense the temperature of the soil at different locations and light conductors transmit color changes of the liquid crystals to the surface so that a profile may be compiled of moisture, temperature and root patterns by observation of the transmitted images in the viewing section.

Abstract: A disposable cooking thermometer has a hollow barrel with a neck therein containing a stem that is spring loaded to move out of an open upper end of the barrel and is held within the barrel by a fusable material about an inner stem end in spaced relation below the barrel neck and about an internal barrel projection below the neck so that initial softening of the fusable material releases the stem to move a first predetermined distance whereat the material engages the barrel underneath the neck until the material melts to release the stem to move a second predetermined distance.

Abstract: A microwave oven is provided according to which food is cooked while a temperature sensor is inserted in the food and the heating of the food is interrupted in response to an output signal of the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor comprises a hollow skewer, a bellows which is attached to the skewer and in which is sealed a liquid of high coefficient of thermal expansion, and a sound generating body of a plate spring for generating a sound when the hollow skewer is heated by the food, the liquid is expanded, the bellows is stretched, and the force generated thereby overcomes the biasing force. The microwave oven stops heating and cooking when a sound is generated.

Abstract: A sensing element is adapted to monitor a temperature of a foodstuff placed within an oven cavity of a cooking utensil such as a microwave oven. The sensing element comprises a thermally-responsive element, an antenna, a double choke, and a trimmer condenser. The double choke is bent so as to provide a double compartment for causing choke operations. The double compartment contains a material the dielectric constant of which is higher than the air. A capacity of the trimmer condenser is adjustable. A resonance circuit or an oscillation circuit may be formed with the thermally-responsive element and the trimmer condenser. A metallic member is disposed adjacent to the antenna. The length of the antenna is selected as an integral multiple of about .lambda./2 (.lambda. is the wavelength of the microwaves).

Abstract: A pop-up type temperature indicator is adapted to be inserted in poultry or other meat to indicate that a preselected temperature has been reached. The indicator includes a housing having a bore, a movable temperature-indicating element in the bore, and a temperature-sensing member having an elongated needle projection from a lower portion of the housing and a head adjacent a lower portion of the temperature-indicating element. The temperature-sensing member is made of metal, and a thin film of a solidified fusible alloy normally secures the head of the temperature-sensing member to the temperature-indicating element to retain the element in a fixed position in the bore. A coil spring biased against the temperature-indicating element applies force to the element for triggering movement of the element in the bore upon melting of the fusible alloy at a preselected temperature sensed by the temperature-sensing member.

Abstract: A wireless temperature-sensing assembly adapted for a cooking apparatus such as a microwave oven, comprises a wireless communication element and a sensing probe. The wireless communication element provides electromagnetic waves over an oven cavity of the cooking apparatus. The sensing probe selects a particular frequency of the electromagnetic waves. The sensing probe contains an oscillator element resonance frequencies of which vary depending on the surrounding temperature. The wireless communication element further receives and detects the particular frequency of the electromagnetic waves defined by the selecting means. In a specific form, the wireless communication element provides the electromagnetic waves the frequencies of which vary from time slot to time slot. The oscillator element may be composed of crystal, ceramic, or the like. The resonance frequencies of the oscillator element change due to variation in its number of proper vibrations dependent on the surrounding temperature.