Food Warming or Cooling Package Thermometer

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 The closure and spout allow a food item to be inserted into and withdrawn from the container after preparation, while the temperature sensing element, when engaged with the closure, senses the temperature of the food item within the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 a spout secured over an opening in the enclosure, a closure engaged with the spout, and including a temperature conducting element, and a temperature sensing element engaged with the temperature conducting element.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the spout defines a passage in fluid communication with the interior of the container. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the temperature sensing assembly is secured to the enclosure at a location spaced from the pack. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the temperature sensing assembly is secured to the enclosure at a location below the pack. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the temperature conducting element and the closure are formed separately from one another. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the spout is releasably engaged with the closure. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6  further comprising a securing means disposed on one of the spout or the closure, and releasably engaged with the other of the spout or the closure. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the securing means comprises threads. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the temperature sensing element comprises:
 a) a probe engageable with the temperature conducting element that generates a temperature signal; and   b) a control means operably connected to the probe and configured to analyze the temperature signal and generate and present a temperature value.   
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9  wherein the temperature value is visually presented. 
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the temperature value is presented on a display operably connected to the control means. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 9  wherein the temperature value is presented using at least one light operably connected to the control means. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the temperature sensing element is releasably engaged with the closure. 
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 13  wherein the temperature sensing element is frictionally engaged with the closure. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the temperature conducting element and the temperature sensing element are formed separately from one another.