Food Warming or Cooling Package Thermometer Assembly

Abstract

The present invention is a thermometer assembly adapted to be utilized to sense the temperature of a material within a container, such as a food item heating or cooling container. The assembly includes a spout connected to the container, a closure releasably engageable with the spout, and a temperature sensing element engaged with the closure. The closure and spout allow a food item to be inserted into and withdrawn from the container after preparation, while the temperature sensing element, when engaged with the closure, senses the temperature of the food item within the container and emits both visible and audible signals regarding the temperature of the food item.

1 . A self-heating or self-cooling food product container comprising: 
 a) an enclosure adapted to hold a food product within an interior defined by the enclosure;    b) a temperature-changing pack disposed within the interior of the enclosure; and    c) a temperature sensing assembly secured to the enclosure, the assembly including an closure engaged with the enclosure over an opening in the enclosure, a temperature conducting element engaged with the closure, and a temperature sensing element engaged with the temperature conducting element.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the temperature sensing assembly is secured to the enclosure at a location spaced from the pack.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the temperature sensing assembly is secured to the enclosure at a location below the pack.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure is formed of a spout secured to the enclosure around the opening and defining a passage therethrough in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure, and a cap releasably engageable with the spout.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the temperature conducting element is disposed on the cap.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the cap includes an outer wall and a collar secured to and extending inwardly from the outer wall that is releasably engageable with the spout, and wherein the temperature conducting element is disposed on and extends inwardly from the outer wall.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the temperature conducting element is formed from a material different than the material forming the outer wall of the cap.  
   
   
       8 . The container o  claim 1  wherein the temperature sensing element is formed to be complementary in shape to the temperature sensing element.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the temperature conducting element is formed as a tubular member that is close at one end.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the temperature conducting element is formed from a thermally conductive material.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the temperature conducting element is formed from a generally inert metal.  
   
   
       12 . A method of determining a temperature of a food item in a self-heating or self-cooling container, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a food item heating container including a closure engaged with the container and having a temperature conducting element thereon;    b) engaging a temperature sensing element with the temperature conducting element; and    c) sensing a temperature within the container; and    d) displaying a temperature value signal generated by the temperature sensing element.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of displaying the temperature value signal comprises visually displaying the temperature value signal.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of displaying the temperature value signal comprises audibly displaying the temperature signal.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of sensing the temperature within the container comprises the steps of: 
 a) absorbing heat from the container through the temperature conducting element to the temperature sensing element; and    b) determining the temperature value signal based on the absorbed heat received by the temperature sensing element.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of sensing the temperature comprises: 
 a) determining if the temperature is at or below a lower limit of a specified temperature range; and    b) initiating a first signal if the temperature is below the lower limit.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the steps of: 
 a) determining if the temperature is at or above an upper limit of the specified temperature range; and    b) initiating a second signal if the temperature is above the upper lomit.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the first signal and second signal are different from one another.