Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to Water Based Temperature Indicator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The transportation of temperature-sensitive goods, such as medicines, vaccines, and FMCG products, requires strict temperature control to maintain their efficacy and safety. Exposure to high temperatures can compromise these products, leading to health risks, regulatory non-compliance, and financial losses. Traditional electronic temperature monitoring devices are effective but often expensive, making them impractical for widespread use, especially in cost-sensitive supply chains.
US20160002894: A method of taking water according to one aspect of the present invention includes determining a first position based on a temperature distribution in a predetermined measuring range under water, and adjusting a water intake position to make the water intake position identical to the first position.
US10802141B2: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide water temperature and sonar imagery for users of mobile structures, including watercraft. A water temperature display system includes a water temperature sensor and a logic device configured to communicate with the water temperature sensor. The water temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of or near a surface of a body of water. The logic device is configured to render water temperatures according to a three dimensional view of an area about a mobile structure. Subsequent user input, water temperatures, and/or the rendered view may be used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The proposed invention is a non-electronic, reusable temperature indicator strip designed for monitoring high-temperature exposure during the transportation of medicines, vaccines, and FMCG goods. The strip consists of a PLA plastic body with a sealed chamber containing water. When exposed to elevated temperatures, the thermal expansion of water forces it into a side container with a visible scale. This provides a cumulative, visual record of the highest temperature exposure, ensuring real-time detection of temperature breaches without the need for electronic sensors. The solution is low-cost, easy to use, and reliable, making it ideal for supply chain monitoring in cost-sensitive industries
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: Perspective View
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The proposed invention is a non-electronic, reusable temperature indicator strip designed for monitoring high-temperature exposure during the transportation of medicines, vaccines, and FMCG goods. The strip consists of a PLA plastic body with a sealed chamber containing water. When exposed to elevated temperatures, the thermal expansion of water forces it into a side container with a visible scale. This provides a cumulative, visual record of the highest temperature exposure, ensuring real-time detection of temperature breaches without the need for electronic sensors. The solution is low-cost, easy to use, and reliable, making it ideal for supply chain monitoring in cost-sensitive industries
The invention uniquely uses water’s thermal expansion within a PLA plastic strip to provide a real-time, reusable, and cumulative visual indication of temperature breaches, unlike existing chemical or electronic temperature indicators that are either single- use or require power and complex interpretation.
The present invention relates to a water-based temperature breach indicator for monitoring high-temperature exposure during the storage and transportation of temperature-sensitive goods such as medicines, vaccines, and FMCG products. The system is designed as a non-electronic, low-cost, and reusable solution, offering a clear visual indication of temperature breaches without the need for electronic devices.
In one embodiment, the indicator comprises a PLA plastic strip housing a sealed chamber filled with water. When exposed to elevated temperatures, the water undergoes thermal expansion and moves into a side container connected to the chamber. This movement is visible on a calibrated scale, thereby providing an accurate and real-time indication of temperature exposure.
The expansion mechanism is configured to provide a cumulative record of exposure, wherein the displacement of water within the strip remains irreversible for a defined period of time. This feature ensures that users can assess the historical exposure of goods to high temperatures during the entire transit period.
To improve visibility, the water may be mixed with a coloring agent such as a harmless dye or Gulal, ensuring that even small shifts in liquid volume are easily observed by logistics personnel and end users.
The body of the indicator is constructed from PLA plastic, which is lightweight, durable, and biodegradable, offering an eco-friendly solution compared to conventional electronic indicators that contribute to e-waste. The sealed chamber is carefully calibrated to detect precise temperature thresholds corresponding to the safety requirements of sensitive goods.
The side container features a visible scale, which is marked with reference levels corresponding to specific temperature exposures. This enables quick and straightforward interpretation of results without requiring specialized equipment or technical expertise.
The indicator is reusable, allowing it to be deployed across multiple shipments, thereby reducing costs in comparison with single-use chemical indicators. It is suitable for a wide range of industries, particularly pharmaceuticals and FMCG, where continuous monitoring of cold chain integrity is critical.
An additional advantage of the invention is its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike electronic devices, which may be bypassed or reset, the physical expansion of water within the sealed chamber cannot be easily altered, ensuring reliability and accuracy.
Thus, the present invention provides a cost-effective, reliable, and eco-friendly solution for real-time monitoring of temperature breaches, improving supply chain integrity, enhancing regulatory compliance, and ensuring consumer trust in critical goods.
BEST METHOD OF WORKING
The best method of working the present invention involves fabricating the indicator strip using PLA plastic material due to its lightweight, durable, and biodegradable properties. The PLA body is molded to form a main sealed chamber and an adjoining side container. The sealed chamber is filled with a calibrated volume of water, optionally mixed with a harmless coloring agent to improve visibility of movement. The chamber is then securely sealed to prevent leakage and tampering.
When the strip is affixed to a package containing temperature-sensitive goods, the thermal expansion of water within the sealed chamber occurs upon exposure to elevated temperatures. The expansion forces water into the side container, where a visible calibrated scale indicates the level of displacement corresponding to the maximum temperature reached. This displacement remains in place for a defined period, thereby creating a cumulative and irreversible record of exposure.
The device can be reused by reconditioning the chamber and refilling it with water, making it more economical than single-use indicators. During operation, no batteries, electronics, or specialized readers are required, as the expansion of water itself serves as the detection and recording mechanism. The strip can be easily interpreted by logistics personnel, healthcare workers, or end users by simply observing the scale.
For optimal performance, the sealed chamber is precision-calibrated to respond within the temperature range critical for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and FMCG products. The PLA construction provides robustness during handling and transport while ensuring environmental sustainability at end of life. The system is best applied in cold-chain logistics where simple, real-time, and tamper-resistant temperature monitoring is essential.
, C , Claims:1. A non-electronic temperature breach indicator comprising a PLA plastic strip with a sealed chamber containing water, wherein the water expands upon exposure to elevated temperature and moves into a side container with a visible scale for recording temperature breaches.
2. The indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the expansion mechanism is configured to provide a cumulative history of temperature exposure.
3.The indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement of water into the side container is irreversible within a given time frame to ensure accurate recording of historical exposure.
4. The indicator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a coloring agent mixed with water to enhance the visibility of expansion and temperature breach indication.
5. The indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PLA plastic strip is lightweight and biodegradable to provide an eco-friendly solution.
6. The indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealed chamber is calibrated to provide precise measurement of thermal expansion of water at predetermined temperature thresholds.
7. The indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the visible scale is marked with temperature reference levels for easy interpretation of exposure.
8. The indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strip is reusable and capable of providing repeated temperature monitoring during multiple shipments.
9. The indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator is designed for monitoring temperature-sensitive products including medicines, vaccines, and FMCG goods during transportation.

10. The indicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physical expansion of water in the sealed chamber is resistant to tampering, thereby ensuring reliable monitoring of temperature breaches.