US3844718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Frozen food defrosting indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-01
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1992-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A waterproof transparent capsule containing an indicator including indicia printed in water-soluble ink on a hygroscopic substance is secured to the frozen food shipment to be monitored and the indicator placed in communication with the shipment. If the shipment defrosts, the indicator admits water or water vapor from the shipment, irreversibly affecting the appearance of the water-soluble indicia.
Inventors
- 👤 H Cohen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/06; B; B65; B65D; B65D79/00; B65D79/02; G01N; G01N31/00; G01N31/22; G01N31/229
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A DEFROSTING INDICATOR FOR FROZEN FOOD PACKAGES COMPRISING: A STRIP OF HYGROSCOPIC MATERIAL HAVING INDICIA PRINTED THEREON IN WATER-SOLUBLE MEDIUM, SAID STRIP HAVING AN OUTER SIDE AND AN OPPOSING, UNDER SIDE; A TRANSPARENT, WATER-SOLUBLE OUTER COVER FOR THE OUTER SIDE OF SAID STRIP, THROUGH WHICH SAID INDICIA MAY BE VIEWED; A WATER VAPOR-PERMEABLE UNDER-COVER FOR THE UNDER SIDE OF
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
A DEFROSTING INDICATOR FOR FROZEN FOOD PACKAGES COMPRISING: A STRIP OF HYGROSCOPIC MATERIAL HAVING INDICIA PRINTED THEREON IN WATER-SOLUBLE MEDIUM, SAID STRIP HAVING AN OUTER SIDE AND AN OPPOSING, UNDER SIDE; A TRANSPARENT, WATER-SOLUBLE OUTER COVER FOR THE OUTER SIDE OF SAID STRIP, THROUGH WHICH SAID INDICIA MAY BE VIEWED; A WATER VAPOR-PERMEABLE UNDER-COVER FOR THE UNDER SIDE OF
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The indicator of claim 1 wherein the strip is made of unsized paper printed with water-soluble ink.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The indicator of claim 1 incorporated in a wall of an individual package of frozen food.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The indicator of claim 3 wherein the package has a warning of defrosted condition printed thereon adjacent the strip and the indicia, prior to soaking up water from the frozen food, is constituted by a negation of the warning.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The indicator of claim 1 incorporated in a wall of a shipping carton for a multiplicity of individual frozen food packages.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
A defrosting indicator for frozen food packages comprisIng: strip means comprising hygroscopic material having visible indicia printed thereon of water-soluble medium; which indicia modify in appearance when in contact with unfrozen water said strip having an outer side and an opposing under side; a water tight outer cover for the outer side of said strip means through which said indicia may be viewed; a water permeable under-cover for the under side of said strip means through which said strip may be placed in communication with frozen foods to be monitored for thawing; and sealing means about the indicator ensuring that if the indicia becomes modified in appearance, it is because unfrozen water has contacted the strip means via the water permeable under-cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
A defrosting indicator for frozen food packages comprisIng: strip means comprising hygroscopic material having visible indicia printed thereon of water-soluble medium; which indicia modify in appearance when in contact with unfrozen water said strip having an outer side and an opposing under side; a water tight outer cover for the outer side of said strip means through which said indicia may be viewed; a water permeable under-cover for the under side of said strip means through which said strip may be placed in communication with frozen foods to be monitored for thawing; and sealing means about the indicator ensuring that if the indicia becomes modified in appearance, it is because unfrozen water has contacted the strip means via the water permeable under-cover.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |