Title of Invention	INDICATIVE SENSOR FOR STOCK CONTROL
Abstract	It's a device which purpose is to monitor the storage and indicate that a frozen product has been subjected to a thermal variation, with temperature rise, causing the fusion and liquefaction of a fluid (H) contained in said sensor. Said sensor comprises a hollow, cylindrical tube (2) with an open end (3), featuring a releasable cap (17) and a closed end (4), with a slidable piston (5) inside the tube (2). A compartment (C1), inside the tube (2), placed between the piston (5) and the end (4), is fulfilled with a compressed fluid (0)/spring (M), and a compartment (C2) placed between the piston (5) and the end (3), is fulfilled with said fluid (H), frozen, in the solid state. Upon the thawing of the product, the fluid (H) also taws, escaping the compartment (C2) and allowing the movement of the piston (5), pushed by the fluid (0). Said movement of the piston (5) is irreversible and constitutes the sensor's visual indication, revealing that the product has been thaw.

Title of Invention

INDICATIVE SENSOR FOR STOCK CONTROL

Abstract

It's a device which purpose is to monitor the storage and indicate that a frozen product has been subjected to a thermal variation, with temperature rise, causing the fusion and liquefaction of a fluid (H) contained in said sensor. Said sensor comprises a hollow, cylindrical tube (2) with an open end (3), featuring a releasable cap (17) and a closed end (4), with a slidable piston (5) inside the tube (2). A compartment (C1), inside the tube (2), placed between the piston (5) and the end (4), is fulfilled with a compressed fluid (0)/spring (M), and a compartment (C2) placed between the piston (5) and the end (3), is fulfilled with said fluid (H), frozen, in the solid state. Upon the thawing of the product, the fluid (H) also taws, escaping the compartment (C2) and allowing the movement of the piston (5), pushed by the fluid (0). Said movement of the piston (5) is irreversible and constitutes the sensor's visual indication, revealing that the product has been thaw.

Full Text	* INDICATIVE SENSOR FOR STOCK CONTROL". The indicative sensor for stock control is a device which main purpose is to indicate that a frozen* food, either processed or not, has been subjected to a thermal variation which caused the fusion of its water content initially present in the solid form and later liquefied. A food, either processed or not, once thaw must not be frozen a second time, because such procedure will lower it's quality, under any point of view, such as characteristic texture, flavor and nutritional value. Said indication by the indicative sensor for stock control of the change of state of the water contained in the food is a valuable information for all those involved in the refrigeration chain of said food, from the manufacturer to the distributor, the retail salesman up to the final consumer, so that a correct evaluation may be conducted establishing whether there was or not a breakdown or problem in the whole commercialization and storage process as far as the refrigeration chain is concerned. STATE OF THE ART The creation of devices of several shapes, comprising various substances and based on several material properties, have been proposed to indicate the freezing and thawing of pharmaceutical products, beverages, food products and substances which are sensitive to said changes. The number of existing patents related to the issue testifies the importance of said devices as valuable aids on insuring the correct maintenance of storage temperature along the various commercialization steps. Among said patents we may mention the ones that follow, which disclose devices to indicate whether a given product was submitted to freezing: US Patent Nr. 4,457,253 (Manske) - discloses a capillary device containing substances, one of them colorful, of different freezing points inside it separated from each other by immiscible liquids surrounding a porous rubber plug, colorless or white. The contact between the colorful substance and the porous rubber only occurs after the freezing, when the colorful substance pigment dyes the rubber indicating the storage of the monitored product in low temperatures. US Patent Nr. 4,846,095 (Emslander) - discloses a device to detect critical temperature comprising a porous membrane containing two liquids, being said membrane only wetted if said critical temperature is reached. US Patent Nr. 4,132,186 (Manske) - describes a freezing indicator comprising 2 chambers, one containing an aqueous substance that expands upon freezing; said expansion increases the pressure over the liquid inside the other chamber which causes its passage through a capillary until it reaches the indicator compartment. US Patent Nr. 5,120,137 (Ou-Yang) - describes a device in which a indicator substance is liquefied whenever a certain temperature is either reached or passed, said substance making contact with a absorbing tape in order to visually register temperature versus time. Conversely, there are the devices which indicate whether or not a certain frozen product was submitted to thawing, such as the one from patent US 4,145,918 (Couch et al.) which discloses a thawing indicator in which a water containing flask is ruptured upon freezing by expansion of the liquid. Said flask is placed inside a transparent casing over a paper indicator with ink, and the pigment of said ink is dissolved by the thaw water and reveals the change registered by means of the dying of said paper indicator. Another device that indicates the thawing of a frozen product is disclosed on patent WO 99/24799 (Massi) which . presented a sensor composed of several stacked discs coated with suitable substances that work, for example, as facilitators of water permeation or water soluble dyes recipient, which associated to different permeation paths stamped on other disc allow the conduction of the water until it reaches the visible point of the sensor and detector, thus indicating and signaling the thawing that has occurred. The thawing indicator devices above feature some inconveniences. The device of patent US 4,145,918 requires a glass flask fulfilled with -.water and a protective capsule that comprises a dye-impregnated filter paper. Said constructive disposition does not ensure that the liquid contained in the device overflows the protective casing upon taw, which may damage the monitored product. Furthermore, the device, being positioned only on the surface of the frozen product, will only indicate the superficial thawing of the product, whereas the interior of the product remains frozen. Another disadvantage of said device is the fact' that the construction of the glass flask is made difficult by it's particular shape. Patent WO 99/24799, although bolstering the advantage of the device's low cost, of not specify either qualitatively or quantitatively the components of the microcapsules mentioned in the text, lacking said information; furthermore, it features the disadvantage -of monitoring only the superficial thawing of the frozen product. Another disadvantage lies in the fact that an ambient with high concentration of moisture will make said device produce false indications of thawing due to it's working principle which relies on water absorption. Patent US 5,120,137 features the disadvantage of presenting a band that enables de device's activation, plus the fact that it's liquefying substance having a toxic nature, which prevents the device to be placed in intimate contact with food, for example, allowing only a superficial monitoring of temperature and time. The device's cost is also considerably high in view of the constructive material involved. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION In view of the above indicated problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device that allows the monitoring of a product's thawing, not only superficially, but in an effective manner, of low cost, and of easy construction and use. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be explained based on the figures listed below, in which; Figures 1A and IB are schematic representations of two situations of the indicative sensor for stock control, in it's simplest configuration; Figure 2 is a second schematic representation of the present sensor, illustrating its operation; Figures 3A to 3D exhibit some forms of use of the indicative sensor of the present invention in contact with food; Figures 4A and 4B show in detail the operation of a constructive variant allowing a better view of the indication of the present invention's sensor; Figures 5A to 5K show some variants of the possible formats and finishing that may be used in the present invention; Figures 6h to 6S and 7T to 7W show yet further variants of the possible constructive forms of use of the present invention. Figure 8 is a third schematic representation of the sensor of the present invention. Figure 9 is a fourth schematic representation of the sensor of the present invention. The indicative sensor for stock control of the present invention has applications, mainly, in the area of frozen food. As seen on Figure 1A, said sensor 1 comprises, basically, one hollow, cylindrical tube 2, preferably made of a rigid, transparent, opaque or translucent material, with a first end 3 open and a second end 4 closed, with a sliding piston 5 inside the tube 2. A compartment CI, inside the tube 2, comprised between the piston 5 and the end 4, is fulfilled with a compressed fluid 0, preferably gaseous, such as air, or nitrogen, for example; instead of the fluid 0 the compartment CI may contain a spring M, compressed, with an end of said spring leaning on the end 4 and the other end of said spring touching the sliding piston 5 as illustrated on Figure 8. Optionally, the end 4 features a passing hole 25 to allow the admittance of air into the compartment CI upon the movement of sliding piston 5. Whereas a compartment C2 comprised between the piston 5 and the end 3 is fulfilled with a fluid H, • frozen to the solid state, preferably having, however, a liquid constitution at a certain temperature above the monitoring point; the same fluid H must preferably be non-toxic, being possibly of a similar nature to that of the food in which the indicative sensor of the present invention will be used. The end 3 features a releasable cap 17, and there is optionally a engraving 6 made on tube 2, and this engraving coincides with the position where the piston 5 is, with the fluid H perfectly frozen. The indicative sensor for stock control features a very low probability of failure, upon monitoring frozen food, once the device' s operation is based on principles already very well proven of Physics and Chemistry. One of said principles is the expansion of the liquid fluids during freezing, reflecting, for example in the case of pure water, an increase of about 10% of it's initial volume. The water expansion force is so great, that in the Ancient Age said freezing force was used to displace boulders in the civil engineering works of the era. Thus, the acting of the indicative sensor at hand occurs in the following manner: before sensor 1 is submitted to a temperature that allows the freezing of fluid H, this is in a liquid state, and the end 3 has its cap 17 placed on, as seen on Figure 1A; when the sensor 1 is immersed in an ambient which fosters the freezing of fluid H, the later becomes solid, frozen, and has its volume expanded, causing the expulsion of cap 17 which thus leaved the end 3 open, free; as the fluid O, gaseous, or alternatively the spring M, are compressed inside corttpartment CI, it is under pressure and exerts a spring effect, trying to push the piston 5 towards the end 3. However, the fluid H, frozen, contained inside coinpartinent C2, being in its solid state does not allow the piston 5 to move from its place, regardless of the pressure exerted by -fluid 0/spring M. This situation remains unaltered for as long as the fluid H remains frozen, that is, as long as the sensor 1 is immersed in an ambient which temperature is either equal or lower than the freezing point of said fluid H, as shown on Figure IB; but if at any moment the -temperature increases to a value above the freezing point of said fluid H, thus causing a taw, the fluid H will revert totally or partially to the liquid state and will spill out of said tube 2, through the open end 3. That will allow -the piston 5 to move inside tube 2, pushed by fluid 0/spring M; said movement may be viewed, because piston 5 has left the position corresponding to the engraving 6 as shown on Figure 2, indicating the occurrence of a temperature rise in the ambient in which sensor 1 was immersed, with the consequent taw. Even if said taw occurs only for a brief moment and is followed by a new lowering of the temperature up to a point of re-freezing, as the fluid H has escaped to the outside of tube 2 the compartment C2 became empty, and thus there is no element left to prevent the movement of piston 5 or make it go back to its previous position, on the engraving 6. As the indicative sensor of the present invention must be in physical contact with the frozen food to be monitored, there is an inerasable register of whether there has or has not been thawing of said food. On Figures 3A to 3D are shown some forms of use of the indicative sensor in contact with the frozen food, observing that the cap 17 has already been expelled from the sensors, leaving its ends 3 free; the packing of sensor 1 can be, for example, in the outer package, outside of the food, as illustrated on 3A; inserted vertically in the food, as shown in 3B; at least two different sensors 1, placed on a single food, inserted horizontally, as shown in 3C, so that it is possible to monitor different areas of the same food, independently; the sensor 1 is directly integrated to a packaging of the ^blister" kind wrapped around the food, as shown on Figure 3D so that said tube 2 configures an integrated part of the packaging, from which it cannot be dissociated. In case of thawing, or even extreme mechanical shock, with breakage or destruction of the sensor, there will be a spill and probably spread of the fluid H over the food; as such said fluid H must be preferably non-toxic, and it's nature may, as already mentioned, be similar to that of the food, meaning that there will be no damage or contamination of said food. It is important to allow the consumer to easily see the current state of piston 5, whether it is at the position indicated by engraving 6 or not. When the sensor 1 is positioned as shown on Figures 3A, 3C and 3D it is quite easy, however the • disposition illustrated on 3B does not afford a view of the side part of tube 2 of sensor 1, being visible only it's end 3. Therefore, to acquire a view of whether the piston 5 has moved or not exclusively through the end 3, there is a constructive variant applied to the sensor 1 comprising the addition of laminar, movable petals 7 on the inside of tube 2, close to the face of piston 5 that faces the end 3, as illustrated on Figure 4A where said petals are seen in their closed position, equivalent to the situation shown on Figure IB when the sensor 1 has its fluid H perfectly frozen and the cap 17 has already been expelled, meaning also that the food is also frozen. Once again, as already exposed on the lines above, if at any moment the temperature reaches a value above the freezing point of fluid H, causing thawing, the fluid H will return total or partially to the liquid state and will leak through the end 3 to the outside of tube 2, allowing the movement of piston 5, pushed by fluid O/spring M; said movement may be seen through the aperture of the petals 7 because the piston 5 has pushed them, as shown on Figure 4B, indicating said temperature rise, with the consequent thawing of the food. It is interesting that the petals 7 and the piston 5 are presented in contrasting colors, in order to make easy the viewing; thus in the situation where the food is perfectly frozen what is seen through the end 3 are the petals 7 closed, with their characteristic color; when the food has thaw, what is seen through the end 3 is the face of piston 5, with it's characteristic color, contrasting to the color of the petals 7, which are at this particular moment opened, hard to see. Given it's simple constitution, the cost of the indicative sensor fox stock control is very low, if compared to the price of the monitored product. The monitored product presents a qualitative advantage upon competing with an equivalent product without such monitoring, because it incorporates the confidence that said product was correctly stored since its manufacture up to the moment it reaches the hands of the final consumer. The indicative sensor, being inside the package, has the advantage of hindering adulterations or frauds. Furthermore, being completely non-toxic, it is in intimate contact with the food, featuring a much- more faithful monitoring, a much more real representation of the critical history of time/temperature of the internal parts of the food product, bringing about advantages compared to the state of the art sensors. The sensor of the present invention features alternative options for the nature of the fluid H, in order to provide other temperatures for it's freezing/thawing point. If for the fluid H is used only pure water, the thawing point will be 0°C, which is the temperature of ice fusion under the atmospheric pressure deemed normal. This way, if the indicative sensor for stock control is submitted to any temperature above Q°C it will register said happening, in the manner already explained- Adding to the fluid H jelly, salts and other compatible substances, the temperature of the thawing point of fluid H changes to values above or below 0°C. As an example, in the case of addition of jelly in any proportion to pure water, to form the fluid H, the fluidification point will be in a given temperature T above 0°C, and the present sensor will therefore register the occurrence of temperatures above said value T; if alcohol is added, in any proportion, the fluidification point will be in a temperature T' below 0°C, and the sensor will consequently register the occurrence of temperatures above the value T' . Other kinds of materials may also be added to the fluid H, such as for example a dye or pigment, to aid the viewing of said fluid; solid granulate material may also be added, composed by tips/threads, to aid the beginning of the fluid H nucleation, facilitating also the viewing of the sensor's indication; a tensoactive material, to facilitate the movement of the ice crystal of the sensor after the occurrence of a partial thawing, also insuring that there will be a good flowing of the fluid H already liquefied, totally defrost, and to.facilitate the solubilization of dyes/pigments along the fluid H. Alternatively, a thermal insulation may also be provided between the sensor of the present invention and the monitored product; once there is a certain-heat flow rate to cause the thawing of said fluid H, said thermal insulation is set in the form of a vacuum layer; an air layer; a water layer; some other liquid layer or a layer of other insulating materials placed between said sensor tube 2 and the food product to be monitored. A manner to make it is to place the sensor 1 inside a plastic bubble hermetically closed that contains air or vacuum; this set formed by said-plastic bubble with the sensor 1 inside is then placed along the product for monitoring. Said tube 2 and piston 5 may receive diverse finishing according to the ornamental aspect desired for the sensor 1, including total or partial painting, and feature engraved details. Figure 5 exhibits some variants of possible formats and finishing that may be used in the sensor of the present invention. In (a) is seen the piston 5 with it's lateral presenting a horizontal stripe either painted or mounted; in (b) , the piston 5 with several horizontal stripes painted or mounted; in (c) at least one of the faces of piston 5 presenting a color different from that of the lateral of the same piston; in (d) the piston 5 presents characters or signals written on the lateral and on at least one face of the same piston; the piston 5 presents one of it's faces with a convex shape, or alternatively, as illustrated on (e) , concave shape; in (f) both the piston 5 and the tube 2 and the cap 17 feature a polygonal cross section, square in the case illustrated; in (g) the cap 17 features a flexible wire or stem 8 connecting said cap 17 to the body 2, so that when the sensor 1 is placed in an ambient hat favors the freezing of fluid H and this, frozen, expels the cap 17 to liberate the end 3, the cap 17 will not be free, lost in the middle of the food product that is being monitored; on the contrary, the flexible stem 8 keeps the cap 17 close and connected to the body 2, with the open end 3 free for the flow of fluid H when this taws. In (h) is seen a stem 14'connected to the face of piston 5 that sits facing the end 3, with the purpose of causing yet more compression of the fluid O upon the assembly of the sensor 1, with the fluid H in the liquid state, because upon placing the cap 17 at the end 3, the cap pushes the stem 14 as well as the piston 5 towards the end 4. In (i) the body 2 has its portion corresponding to compartment C2 transparent, while the portion corresponding to the compartment CI is not transparent. In (j) a great part of the body 2 is not transparent, however a region 19 of the same body 2 is transparent, with region 19 constituting a viewing window that allows the viewing of piston 5 when the fluid H is defrost. In (k) the body 2 features equally spaced markings, constituting a scale 20, in the region close to the position of piston 5? said scale 20 has the purpose of allowing an estimative of the thawing time for the product monitored by the sensor 1, for as said thawing occurs, as already explained, the piston 5 moves inside the tube 2, along said scale 20. Figure 6 illustrates some other variants of constructive forms used on the indicative sensor for stock control at hand. In (1) is illustrated the existence of a ring-shaped concavity 11 inside the tube 2, in lower relief, on the region of compartment"C2, said concavity serving as an anchor for the fluid H, preventing the movement ■ or sliding of said fluid H, while frozen, inside said compartment C2. Said anchoring ensured that the sensor will not present a mistaken indication due to the complete sliding of the solid bloc of fluid H when frozen, allowing the piston 5 to leave it's place. Said anchoring can also be effected, as shown in (m) , by means of a shrivel 12 in higher relief in the internal wall of compartment C2. The shrivel 12 may be constituted by narrow bars, triangular teeth or other polygonal shapes; and said shrivel must be located in an area relatively far from the area where the piston 5 is placed, so as not to interfere on its movement. In (n) is seen a course limiter 13 inside the tube 2, in higher relief, in the region of compartment C2, behaving in a similar manner* to that of concavity 11 with the same effect of anchoring, but now also being able to act as a course limiter for the piston 5, when this moves due to the thawing of fluid H. In (o) is seen a course limiter 18 inside the tube 2, in higher relief, in the region of compartment CI, acting as a course limiter for the piston 5 when this moves towards the end 4 to compress the fluid 0. In (p) is seen a preferential constructive form for the sensor 1, in which the end 4 features a concave shape, the releasable cap 17 convex shape, with the presence of said stem 14. Continuing with Figure 6, in (g) is observed that the open end 3 of tube 2 was integrated to a collecting receptor 10, closed, which purpose is to receive the fluid H when this taws. This prevents said fluid from leaking to the food product that is being monitored, avoiding, contact between them two; and the cap 17, upon being expelled from the end 3 upon the freezing -of fluid H, will also remain inside the collecting receptor 10. Alternatively, receptor 10 may feature an open end whenever the mixing between the food product and the fluid ■ causes no harm. In (r) is shown said collecting receptor 10 with it' s internal wall covered with a absorbent material 15, which function is to absorb the fluid H when this is liquefied. The material 15 can be constituted by a chemical powder or by a paper or absorbent foam sheet; said material 15 may react chemically with the liquefied fluid H, upon absorbing it, so that it presents a contrasting color to aid the viewing of the indication of the sensor of the present invention when taw occurs. In this scope, it is possible, alternatively, that the collecting receptor 10 has a characteristic physical disposition, in the shape of drawings or symbols, in such a way that the presence there of the fluid H, defrost, brings up a contrasting color of this same drawings or symbols. In (s) is seen a membrane 16 closing the end 3 exactly at the integration point between said end and the collecting receptor 10; this membrane 16 is thin, and can be made of plastic, paper or equivalent material of a delicate constitution, replacing the cap 17, in such a way hat when the indicative sensor for storage control suffers the freezing process, deriving from the first and only time in which said sensor will be used, the frozen fluid H expands and part of, or all of the membrane 16 is ruptured; when the fluid H is liquefied, on the thawing of the monitored product, it flows to the collector 10 passing by the end 3 and the ruptured membrane 16. Alternatively, closing the end 3, the membrane 16 may exist even if there is no collecting receptor 10 integrated to the end 3. Figure 7 shows more variants of .constructive forms used on the indicative sensor .for storage control of the present invention. In (t) the cap 17 has' a hinge 22 connecting said cap 17 to the body 2, acting in the same way that the flexible stem 8, already explained: when the fluid H of the sensor 1 freezes, there is the expulsion of the cap 17 but this does not come free, because the hinge 22 keeps the cap 17 close and connected to the body 2, with the open end 3 free for the flow of fluid H when this taws. In (u) the end 3 of body 2 features fasteners 21 that keep the cap 17 close to the body 2, when the fluid H freezes and the cap 17 is expelled; however, the fasteners 21 have a shape and physical dimensions such that they allow that the &nd 3 remains free and open to the flow of fluid H, when this taws, regardless of the proximity of cap 17 previously dropped. In (v) , in an enlarged view, the piston 5 presents a tridimensional object or physical shape 23 applied to at least one face of the same piston. In (w) the laminar petals 7 are located near the end 3, inside the collecting receptor 10, or even said petals coincide with the very end 3, with a spacing 24 between said petals 7 and the cap 17. Figure 9 illustrates yet another variant of the indicative sensor for storage control, in which there simply is no compartment CI, featuring only compartment C2. The sliding piston 5 is positioned close to the end 4, and there is also optionally the passing hole 25 which allows the entrance of air in the tube 2 upon the movement of the sliding piston 5. A spring M', relaxed, is placed in the compartment C2, with one of its ends attached to the sliding piston 5 and its other -end attached to cap 17; the compartment C2 is, as already described, filled with the frozen fluid H. the operation of this variant of the indicative sensor for storage control is also identical to the one already explained, with the fluid H freezing and ejecting cap 17 from the end 3; when fluid H thaws, the spring M', which is relaxed, pulls the sliding piston 5 towards the end 3 of tube 2, aiding in the ejection of fluid H from compartment C2. The stock control sensor, before being subject to its first and only freezing, may be placed along a heated product or an already hot product; when said product, along with the sensor, is placed in an ambient that favors freezing, the fluid (H) also freezes, with the beginning of the storage monitoring of the product. The present indicative sensor for storage control is not limited to use on food, and can be used along with any product which freezing one wishes to monitor, for example, blood bags, medicine, resins used in manufacturing processes, etc. With a description of a preferential incorporation example, it must be understood hat the scope of the present invention covers other possible variants, being limited only by the contents of the appended claims, there including the possible equivalents. What is claimed is: 1. wINDICATIVE SENSOR FOR STOCK CONTROL", characterized by the fact of comprising a sensor (1) featuring: a hollow tube (2) with a first open end (3) and a second closed, end (4) ; a slidable piston (5) inside the tube (2); a fluid (0) or a spring (M) contained in a compartment (CI) , inside the tube (2), comprised between the piston (5) and the end (4); a fluid (H) contained in a compartment (C2), inside the tube (2), comprised between the piston (5) and the end (3); media to provide at least one indication of the occurrence of a temperature rise in the ambient in . which the sensor (1) is immersed. 2. "SENSOR", according to claim .1, characterized by the fact that one of the indications of the occurrence of a temperature rise comprises the irreversible motion of piston (5) in a single direction inside the tube (2). 3. "SENSOR", according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the fluid (H) is frozen to the solid state. 4. "SENSOR", according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the fluid (H) expands and expels a releasable cap (17) positioned at the end (3). 5. "SENSOR", according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized by the fact that the fluid (0) is gaseous. 6. "SENSOR", according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that the fluid (0) or a spring (M) is compressed, -under pressure, exerting a force over the piston (5) in the sense of pushing it towards the end (3) . 7. "SENSOR", according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterized by the fact that the fluid (H) , frozen, prevents the piston (5) from moving. 8. "SENSOR", according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterized by the fact that said temperature rise implies the thawing of a product along to which is placed said sensor (1) . 9. "SENSOR", according to claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized by the fact that the said temperature rise implies the thawing of the fluid (H) which is liquefied and leaks outside of said tube (2) liberating the movement of the piston (5) inside tube (2). 10-. "SENSOR", according to claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, characterized by the fact that the fluid (H) is nontoxic . 11. "SENSOR", according to claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, characterized by the fact that the tube (2) is preferably made of rigid material, being totally transparent, and in one variant, said tube (2) is translucent or alternatively opaque but has at least one transparent area. 12. "SENSOR", according to claim 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that there is an engraving (6) on the tube (2), and said engraving coincides with the position of the piston (5> inside the tube (2) when the fluid (H) is perfectly frozen. 13. "SENSOR", according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that when the position of piston (5) inside the tube (2) does not coincide with that of the engraving (6) this constitutes visual indication that the product along to which said sensor (1) is placed has been submitted to a partial or total thawing. 14. "SENSOR", according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, characterized by the fact that one constructive variant of the sensor (1) comprises the addition, near the compartment (C2) of the tube (2) , of movable laminar petals (7). 15. "SENSOR", according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that said petals (7) are in the closed position when the fluid (H) is perfectly frozen, constituting visual indication that the product along to which said sensor (1) is placed is also perfectly frozen. 16. "SENSOR", according to claim 14 or 15 characterized by the fact that said petals (7) are in an open position when the fluid (H) is partially or totally defrost, constituting visual indication hat the product along to which said sensor (1) is placed has also been subjected to partial or total thawing. 17. "SENSOR", according to claim 14, 15 or 16 characterized by the fact that the petals (.7) and said piston (5) feature colors that are contrasting among each other. 18. "SENSOR", according to claim 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, characterized by the fact that jelly, salts and other compatible substances that modify the temperature of the natural freezing/thawing point of fluid (H) are added to said fluid (H). 19. "SENSOR", according to claim 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18 characterized by the fact that is added to. fluid (H) a granulated solid material, comprised by tips/threads, that promotes the beginning of the nucleation of fluid (H) and increases the visibility' of the sensor's indication. 20. "SENSOR", according to claim 8, 9, 10, .11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19, characterized by the fact that is added to fluid (H) a tensoactive material that facilitates the movement of ice crystal of the sensor after the occurrence of partial thawing and insures a good flow of the fluid (H) when already in the liquid state, completely defrost. 21. "SENSOR", according to claim 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21, characterized by the fact that there is a thermal insulation between the sensor (1) and the product along to which said sensor (1) is placed. 22. "SENSOR", according to claim 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21, characterized by the fact that the body (2) features media to connect the cap (17) to the same body (2) even if said cap (17) is expelled from the end (3). 23. "SENSOR", according to claim 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21, characterized by the fact that said open end (3) of the tube (2) is integrated to a collecting receptor (10) that receives the fluid (H) when this is thaw. 24. "SENSOR", according to claim 23, characterized by the fact that said collecting receptor (10) has its internal wall covered by an absorbent material (15) that absorbs the fluid (H) when this is liquefied. 25. "SENSOR", according to claim 24, characterized by the fact that said material (15) reacts chemically with the liquefied fluid (H)' and presents a contrasting color that enhances the viewing of the sensor (1) indication when there is thawing. 26. "SENSOR", according to claim 23, 24 or 25 characterized by the fact that alternatively to said cap (17) , there is a thin membrane (16), that can be ruptured, closing the end (3). 27. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that there is a salient (11) inside the tube (2), in the region of the compartment (C2) , that anchors the frozen fluid (H). 2 8. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that there is a shrivel (12) in higher relief on the internal wall of the compartment (C2) , that anchors the frozen fluid (H), being said shrivel (12) constituted by narrow bars, triangular teeth and polygonal shapes. 29. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that there is a concavity (13) inside the tube (2), in the region of the compartment (C2) , and said concavity anchors the frozen fluid (H) and limits the course of movement of the piston (5) . 30. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that there is a course limiter (18) inside the tube (2), in the region of the compartment (CI), that limits the course of movement of the piston (5) . 31. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that are added to the fluid (H) dyes and pigments that increase the viewing of said fluid (H) . 32. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the piston (5) presents at least one horizontal stripe painted or mounted, or alternatively signals written on the sides and on at least one face of said piston (5). 33. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the piston (5) presents at least one of it's faces with a convex shape, or alternatively a concave shape. 34. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the piston (5) presents a three-dimensional object or physical shape (23) applied to at least one face of the same piston. 35. "SENSOR", according to claim 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 or 34, characterized by the fact that the placement of the sensor (1) along the product comprises: placing at least one sensor (1) in an external package, on the outside of the product; alternatively, insert vertically at least one sensor (1) in the product; alternatively, insert horizontally at least one sensor (1) in the product/ alternatively, make the sensor (1) directly integrated to a package of the "blister" kind that involves the product, so that said tube (2) is an integral and undisociable part of said package; alternatively, placing a thermal insulation between the sensor and the monitored product, being said thermal insulation set in the form of a vacuum layer, an air layer, a water layer, some other liquid layer or a layer of other insulating materials placed between said sensor tube 2 and the food product to be monitored. 36. ^SENSOR", according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that a variant of said sensor comprises only the compartment (C2), eliminating the compartment (CI) on tube (2), with the sliding piston (5) positioned along the end (4) , with one spring (M') , relaxed, placed into compartment (C2), with one of its ends attached to the sliding piston (5) and the other end attached to the cap (17) . 37. wSENSOR", according to claim 36, characterized by the fact that when the fluid (H) thaws, the spring (K') , which is relaxed, pulls the sliding piston (5) towards the end (3) of tube (2), aiding on the ejection of the fluid (H) from compartment (C2) . 38. ^SENSOR", according to claims 3 6 or 37, characterized by the fact that when said sensor features a spring (M, M')/ an end (4) optionally features a passing hole (25) to allow the entrance of air into compartment (CI) upon the movement of the sliding piston (5) . 39. ^SENSOR", according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the body (2) features spaced markings that constitute a scale (20), in the region near the position of the piston (5). 40. "SENSOR", according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the present indicative sensor for storage control is not limited to the use with food, and can be used along with any product which freezing one chooses to monitor; for example, blood bags, medicine, resins used in manufacture processes and similar uses.

Full Text

* INDICATIVE SENSOR FOR STOCK CONTROL".
The indicative sensor for stock control is a device which main purpose is to indicate that a frozen* food, either processed or not, has been subjected to a thermal variation which caused the fusion of its water content initially present in the solid form and later liquefied. A food, either processed or not, once thaw must not be frozen a second time, because such procedure will lower it's quality, under any point of view, such as characteristic texture, flavor and nutritional value. Said indication by the indicative sensor for stock control of the change of state of the water contained in the food is a valuable information for all those involved in the refrigeration chain of said food, from the manufacturer to the distributor, the retail salesman up to the final consumer, so that a correct evaluation may be conducted establishing whether there was or not a breakdown or problem in the whole commercialization and storage process as far as the refrigeration chain is concerned.
STATE OF THE ART
The creation of devices of several shapes, comprising various substances and based on several material properties, have been proposed to indicate the freezing and thawing of pharmaceutical products, beverages, food products and substances which are sensitive to said changes. The number of existing patents related to the issue testifies the importance of said devices as valuable aids on insuring the correct maintenance of storage temperature along the various commercialization steps.
Among said patents we may mention the ones that follow, which disclose devices to indicate whether a given product was submitted to freezing:

US Patent Nr. 4,457,253 (Manske) - discloses a capillary device containing substances, one of them colorful, of different freezing points inside it separated from each other by immiscible liquids surrounding a porous rubber plug, colorless or white. The contact between the colorful substance and the porous rubber only occurs after the freezing, when the colorful substance pigment dyes the rubber indicating the storage of the monitored product in low temperatures.
US Patent Nr. 4,846,095 (Emslander) - discloses a device to detect critical temperature comprising a porous membrane containing two liquids, being said membrane only wetted if said critical temperature is reached.
US Patent Nr. 4,132,186 (Manske) - describes a freezing indicator comprising 2 chambers, one containing an aqueous substance that expands upon freezing; said expansion increases the pressure over the liquid inside the other chamber which causes its passage through a capillary until it reaches the indicator compartment.
US Patent Nr. 5,120,137 (Ou-Yang) - describes a device in which a indicator substance is liquefied whenever a certain temperature is either reached or passed, said substance making contact with a absorbing tape in order to visually register temperature versus time.
Conversely, there are the devices which indicate whether or not a certain frozen product was submitted to thawing, such as the one from patent US 4,145,918 (Couch et al.) which discloses a thawing indicator in which a water containing flask is ruptured upon freezing by expansion of the liquid. Said flask is placed inside a transparent casing over a paper indicator with

ink, and the pigment of said ink is dissolved by the thaw water and reveals the change registered by means of the dying of said paper indicator.
Another device that indicates the thawing of a frozen product is disclosed on patent WO 99/24799 (Massi) which . presented a sensor composed of several stacked discs coated with suitable substances that work, for example, as facilitators of water permeation or water soluble dyes recipient, which associated to different permeation paths stamped on other disc allow the conduction of the water until it reaches the visible point of the sensor and detector, thus indicating and signaling the thawing that has occurred.
The thawing indicator devices above feature some inconveniences.
The device of patent US 4,145,918 requires a glass flask fulfilled with -.water and a protective capsule that comprises a dye-impregnated filter paper. Said constructive disposition does not ensure that the liquid contained in the device overflows the protective casing upon taw, which may damage the monitored product. Furthermore, the device, being positioned only on the surface of the frozen product, will only indicate the superficial thawing of the product, whereas the interior of the product remains frozen. Another disadvantage of said device is the fact' that the construction of the glass flask is made difficult by it's particular shape.
Patent WO 99/24799, although bolstering the advantage of the device's low cost, of not specify either qualitatively or quantitatively the components of the microcapsules mentioned in the text, lacking said information;

furthermore, it features the disadvantage -of monitoring only the superficial thawing of the frozen product. Another disadvantage lies in the fact that an ambient with high concentration of moisture will make said device produce false indications of thawing due to it's working principle which relies on water absorption.
Patent US 5,120,137 features the disadvantage of presenting a band that enables de device's activation, plus the fact that it's liquefying substance having a toxic nature, which prevents the device to be placed in intimate contact with food, for example, allowing only a superficial monitoring of temperature and time. The device's cost is also considerably high in view of the constructive material involved.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above indicated problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device that allows the monitoring of a product's thawing, not only superficially, but in an effective manner, of low cost, and of easy construction and use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be explained based on the figures listed below, in which;
Figures 1A and IB are schematic representations of two situations of the indicative sensor for stock control, in it's simplest configuration;
Figure 2 is a second schematic representation of the present sensor, illustrating its operation;

Figures 3A to 3D exhibit some forms of use of the indicative sensor of the present invention in contact with food;
Figures 4A and 4B show in detail the operation of a constructive variant allowing a better view of the indication of the present invention's sensor;
Figures 5A to 5K show some variants of the possible formats and finishing that may be used in the present invention;
Figures 6h to 6S and 7T to 7W show yet further variants of the possible constructive forms of use of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a third schematic representation of the sensor of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a fourth schematic representation of the sensor of the present invention.
The indicative sensor for stock control of the present invention has applications, mainly, in the area of frozen food. As seen on Figure 1A, said sensor 1 comprises, basically, one hollow, cylindrical tube 2, preferably made of a rigid, transparent, opaque or translucent material, with a first end 3 open and a second end 4 closed, with a sliding piston 5 inside the tube 2. A compartment CI, inside the tube 2, comprised between the piston 5 and the end 4, is fulfilled with a compressed fluid 0, preferably gaseous, such as air, or nitrogen, for example; instead of the fluid 0 the compartment CI may contain a spring M, compressed, with an end of said spring leaning on the end 4 and the other end of said spring touching the sliding piston 5 as illustrated on Figure 8. Optionally, the end 4 features a passing

hole 25 to allow the admittance of air into the compartment CI upon the movement of sliding piston 5.
Whereas a compartment C2 comprised between the piston 5 and the end 3 is fulfilled with a fluid H, • frozen to the solid state, preferably having, however, a liquid constitution at a certain temperature above the monitoring point; the same fluid H must preferably be non-toxic, being possibly of a similar nature to that of the food in which the indicative sensor of the present invention will be used. The end 3 features a releasable cap 17, and there is optionally a engraving 6 made on tube 2, and this engraving coincides with the position where the piston 5 is, with the fluid H perfectly frozen.
The indicative sensor for stock control features a very low probability of failure, upon monitoring frozen food, once the device' s operation is based on principles already very well proven of Physics and Chemistry. One of said principles is the expansion of the liquid fluids during freezing, reflecting, for example in the case of pure water, an increase of about 10% of it's initial volume. The water expansion force is so great, that in the Ancient Age said freezing force was used to displace boulders in the civil engineering works of the era. Thus, the acting of the indicative sensor at hand occurs in the following manner: before sensor 1 is submitted to a temperature that allows the freezing of fluid H, this is in a liquid state, and the end 3 has its cap 17 placed on, as seen on Figure 1A; when the sensor 1 is immersed in an ambient which fosters the freezing of fluid H, the later becomes solid, frozen, and has its volume expanded, causing the expulsion of cap 17 which thus leaved the end 3 open, free; as the fluid O, gaseous, or alternatively the spring M, are

compressed inside corttpartment CI, it is under pressure and exerts a spring effect, trying to push the piston 5 towards the end 3. However, the fluid H, frozen, contained inside coinpartinent C2, being in its solid state does not allow the piston 5 to move from its place, regardless of the pressure exerted by -fluid 0/spring M. This situation remains unaltered for as long as the fluid H remains frozen, that is, as long as the sensor 1 is immersed in an ambient which temperature is either equal or lower than the freezing point of said fluid H, as shown on Figure IB; but if at any moment the -temperature increases to a value above the freezing point of said fluid H, thus causing a taw, the fluid H will revert totally or partially to the liquid state and will spill out of said tube 2, through the open end 3. That will allow -the piston 5 to move inside tube 2, pushed by fluid 0/spring M; said movement may be viewed, because piston 5 has left the position corresponding to the engraving 6 as shown on Figure 2, indicating the occurrence of a temperature rise in the ambient in which sensor 1 was immersed, with the consequent taw.
Even if said taw occurs only for a brief moment and is followed by a new lowering of the temperature up to a point of re-freezing, as the fluid H has escaped to the outside of tube 2 the compartment C2 became empty, and thus there is no element left to prevent the movement of piston 5 or make it go back to its previous position, on the engraving 6. As the indicative sensor of the present invention must be in physical contact with the frozen food to be monitored, there is an inerasable register of whether there has or has not been thawing of said food.
On Figures 3A to 3D are shown some forms of use of the indicative sensor in contact with the frozen food,

observing that the cap 17 has already been expelled from the sensors, leaving its ends 3 free; the packing of sensor 1 can be, for example, in the outer package, outside of the food, as illustrated on 3A; inserted vertically in the food, as shown in 3B; at least two different sensors 1, placed on a single food, inserted horizontally, as shown in 3C, so that it is possible to monitor different areas of the same food, independently; the sensor 1 is directly integrated to a packaging of the ^blister" kind wrapped around the food, as shown on Figure 3D so that said tube 2 configures an integrated part of the packaging, from which it cannot be dissociated.
In case of thawing, or even extreme mechanical shock, with breakage or destruction of the sensor, there will be a spill and probably spread of the fluid H over the food; as such said fluid H must be preferably non-toxic, and it's nature may, as already mentioned, be similar to that of the food, meaning that there will be no damage or contamination of said food.
It is important to allow the consumer to easily see the current state of piston 5, whether it is at the position indicated by engraving 6 or not. When the sensor 1 is positioned as shown on Figures 3A, 3C and 3D it is quite easy, however the • disposition illustrated on 3B does not afford a view of the side part of tube 2 of sensor 1, being visible only it's end 3. Therefore, to acquire a view of whether the piston 5 has moved or not exclusively through the end 3, there is a constructive variant applied to the sensor 1 comprising the addition of laminar, movable petals 7 on the inside of tube 2, close to the face of piston 5 that faces the end 3, as illustrated on Figure 4A where said petals are seen in their closed position, equivalent to the

situation shown on Figure IB when the sensor 1 has its fluid H perfectly frozen and the cap 17 has already been expelled, meaning also that the food is also frozen.
Once again, as already exposed on the lines above, if at any moment the temperature reaches a value above the freezing point of fluid H, causing thawing, the fluid H will return total or partially to the liquid state and will leak through the end 3 to the outside of tube 2, allowing the movement of piston 5, pushed by fluid O/spring M; said movement may be seen through the aperture of the petals 7 because the piston 5 has pushed them, as shown on Figure 4B, indicating said temperature rise, with the consequent thawing of the food. It is interesting that the petals 7 and the piston 5 are presented in contrasting colors, in order to make easy the viewing; thus in the situation where the food is perfectly frozen what is seen through the end 3 are the petals 7 closed, with their characteristic color; when the food has thaw, what is seen through the end 3 is the face of piston 5, with it's characteristic color, contrasting to the color of the petals 7, which are at this particular moment opened, hard to see.
Given it's simple constitution, the cost of the indicative sensor fox stock control is very low, if compared to the price of the monitored product. The monitored product presents a qualitative advantage upon competing with an equivalent product without such monitoring, because it incorporates the confidence that said product was correctly stored since its manufacture up to the moment it reaches the hands of the final consumer. The indicative sensor, being inside the package, has the advantage of hindering adulterations or frauds. Furthermore, being completely

non-toxic, it is in intimate contact with the food, featuring a much- more faithful monitoring, a much more real representation of the critical history of time/temperature of the internal parts of the food product, bringing about advantages compared to the state of the art sensors.
The sensor of the present invention features alternative options for the nature of the fluid H, in order to provide other temperatures for it's freezing/thawing point. If for the fluid H is used only pure water, the thawing point will be 0°C, which is the temperature of ice fusion under the atmospheric pressure deemed normal. This way, if the indicative sensor for stock control is submitted to any temperature above Q°C it will register said happening, in the manner already explained- Adding to the fluid H jelly, salts and other compatible substances, the temperature of the thawing point of fluid H changes to values above or below 0°C. As an example, in the case of addition of jelly in any proportion to pure water, to form the fluid H, the fluidification point will be in a given temperature T above 0°C, and the present sensor will therefore register the occurrence of temperatures above said value T; if alcohol is added, in any proportion, the fluidification point will be in a temperature T' below 0°C, and the sensor will consequently register the occurrence of temperatures above the value T' .
Other kinds of materials may also be added to the fluid H, such as for example a dye or pigment, to aid the viewing of said fluid; solid granulate material may also be added, composed by tips/threads, to aid the beginning of the fluid H nucleation, facilitating also the viewing of the sensor's indication; a tensoactive material, to facilitate the movement of

the ice crystal of the sensor after the occurrence of a partial thawing, also insuring that there will be a good flowing of the fluid H already liquefied, totally defrost, and to.facilitate the solubilization of dyes/pigments along the fluid H.
Alternatively, a thermal insulation may also be provided between the sensor of the present invention and the monitored product; once there is a certain-heat flow rate to cause the thawing of said fluid H, said thermal insulation is set in the form of a vacuum layer; an air layer; a water layer; some other liquid layer or a layer of other insulating materials placed between said sensor tube 2 and the food product to be monitored. A manner to make it is to place the sensor 1 inside a plastic bubble hermetically closed that contains air or vacuum; this set formed by said-plastic bubble with the sensor 1 inside is then placed along the product for monitoring.
Said tube 2 and piston 5 may receive diverse finishing according to the ornamental aspect desired for the sensor 1, including total or partial painting, and feature engraved details. Figure 5 exhibits some variants of possible formats and finishing that may be used in the sensor of the present invention. In (a) is seen the piston 5 with it's lateral presenting a horizontal stripe either painted or mounted; in (b) , the piston 5 with several horizontal stripes painted or mounted; in (c) at least one of the faces of piston 5 presenting a color different from that of the lateral of the same piston; in (d) the piston 5 presents characters or signals written on the lateral and on at least one face of the same piston; the piston 5 presents one of it's faces with a convex shape, or alternatively, as illustrated on (e) , concave shape; in (f) both the piston 5 and

the tube 2 and the cap 17 feature a polygonal cross section, square in the case illustrated; in (g) the cap 17 features a flexible wire or stem 8 connecting said cap 17 to the body 2, so that when the sensor 1 is placed in an ambient hat favors the freezing of fluid H and this, frozen, expels the cap 17 to liberate the end 3, the cap 17 will not be free, lost in the middle of the food product that is being monitored; on the contrary, the flexible stem 8 keeps the cap 17 close and connected to the body 2, with the open end 3 free for the flow of fluid H when this taws. In (h) is seen a stem 14'connected to the face of piston 5 that sits facing the end 3, with the purpose of causing yet more compression of the fluid O upon the assembly of the sensor 1, with the fluid H in the liquid state, because upon placing the cap 17 at the end 3, the cap pushes the stem 14 as well as the piston 5 towards the end 4. In (i) the body 2 has its portion corresponding to compartment C2 transparent, while the portion corresponding to the compartment CI is not transparent. In (j) a great part of the body 2 is not transparent, however a region 19 of the same body 2 is transparent, with region 19 constituting a viewing window that allows the viewing of piston 5 when the fluid H is defrost. In (k) the body 2 features equally spaced markings, constituting a scale 20, in the region close to the position of piston 5? said scale 20 has the purpose of allowing an estimative of the thawing time for the product monitored by the sensor 1, for as said thawing occurs, as already explained, the piston 5 moves inside the tube 2, along said scale 20.
Figure 6 illustrates some other variants of constructive forms used on the indicative sensor for stock control

at hand. In (1) is illustrated the existence of a ring-shaped concavity 11 inside the tube 2, in lower relief, on the region of compartment"C2, said concavity serving as an anchor for the fluid H, preventing the movement ■ or sliding of said fluid H, while frozen, inside said compartment C2. Said anchoring ensured that the sensor will not present a mistaken indication due to the complete sliding of the solid bloc of fluid H when frozen, allowing the piston 5 to leave it's place. Said anchoring can also be effected, as shown in (m) , by means of a shrivel 12 in higher relief in the internal wall of compartment C2. The shrivel 12 may be constituted by narrow bars, triangular teeth or other polygonal shapes; and said shrivel must be located in an area relatively far from the area where the piston 5 is placed, so as not to interfere on its movement. In (n) is seen a course limiter 13 inside the tube 2, in higher relief, in the region of compartment C2, behaving in a similar manner* to that of concavity 11 with the same effect of anchoring, but now also being able to act as a course limiter for the piston 5, when this moves due to the thawing of fluid H. In (o) is seen a course limiter 18 inside the tube 2, in higher relief, in the region of compartment CI, acting as a course limiter for the piston 5 when this moves towards the end 4 to compress the fluid 0. In (p) is seen a preferential constructive form for the sensor 1, in which the end 4 features a concave shape, the releasable cap 17 convex shape, with the presence of said stem 14.
Continuing with Figure 6, in (g) is observed that the open end 3 of tube 2 was integrated to a collecting receptor 10, closed, which purpose is to receive the fluid H when this taws. This prevents said fluid from leaking to the food

product that is being monitored, avoiding, contact between them two; and the cap 17, upon being expelled from the end 3 upon the freezing -of fluid H, will also remain inside the collecting receptor 10. Alternatively, receptor 10 may feature an open end whenever the mixing between the food product and the fluid ■ causes no harm. In (r) is shown said collecting receptor 10 with it' s internal wall covered with a absorbent material 15, which function is to absorb the fluid H when this is liquefied. The material 15 can be constituted by a chemical powder or by a paper or absorbent foam sheet; said material 15 may react chemically with the liquefied fluid H, upon absorbing it, so that it presents a contrasting color to aid the viewing of the indication of the sensor of the present invention when taw occurs. In this scope, it is possible, alternatively, that the collecting receptor 10 has a characteristic physical disposition, in the shape of drawings or symbols, in such a way that the presence there of the fluid H, defrost, brings up a contrasting color of this same drawings or symbols. In (s) is seen a membrane 16 closing the end 3 exactly at the integration point between said end and the collecting receptor 10; this membrane 16 is thin, and can be made of plastic, paper or equivalent material of a delicate constitution, replacing the cap 17, in such a way hat when the indicative sensor for storage control suffers the freezing process, deriving from the first and only time in which said sensor will be used, the frozen fluid H expands and part of, or all of the membrane 16 is ruptured; when the fluid H is liquefied, on the thawing of the monitored product, it flows to the collector 10 passing by the end 3 and the ruptured membrane 16. Alternatively, closing the end 3, the membrane 16 may

exist even if there is no collecting receptor 10 integrated to the end 3.
Figure 7 shows more variants of .constructive forms used on the indicative sensor .for storage control of the present invention. In (t) the cap 17 has' a hinge 22 connecting said cap 17 to the body 2, acting in the same way that the flexible stem 8, already explained: when the fluid H of the sensor 1 freezes, there is the expulsion of the cap 17 but this does not come free, because the hinge 22 keeps the cap 17 close and connected to the body 2, with the open end 3 free for the flow of fluid H when this taws. In (u) the end 3 of body 2 features fasteners 21 that keep the cap 17 close to the body 2, when the fluid H freezes and the cap 17 is expelled; however, the fasteners 21 have a shape and physical dimensions such that they allow that the &nd 3 remains free and open to the flow of fluid H, when this taws, regardless of the proximity of cap 17 previously dropped. In (v) , in an enlarged view, the piston 5 presents a tridimensional object or physical shape 23 applied to at least one face of the same piston. In (w) the laminar petals 7 are located near the end 3, inside the collecting receptor 10, or even said petals coincide with the very end 3, with a spacing 24 between said petals 7 and the cap 17.
Figure 9 illustrates yet another variant of the indicative sensor for storage control, in which there simply is no compartment CI, featuring only compartment C2. The sliding piston 5 is positioned close to the end 4, and there is also optionally the passing hole 25 which allows the entrance of air in the tube 2 upon the movement of the sliding piston 5. A spring M', relaxed, is placed in the compartment C2, with one of its ends attached to

the sliding piston 5 and its other -end attached to cap 17; the compartment C2 is, as already described, filled with the frozen fluid H. the operation of this variant of the indicative sensor for storage control is also identical to the one already explained, with the fluid H freezing and ejecting cap 17 from the end 3; when fluid H thaws, the spring M', which is relaxed, pulls the sliding piston 5 towards the end 3 of tube 2, aiding in the ejection of fluid H from compartment C2.
The stock control sensor, before being subject to its first and only freezing, may be placed along a heated product or an already hot product; when said product, along with the sensor, is placed in an ambient that favors freezing, the fluid (H) also freezes, with the beginning of the storage monitoring of the product.
The present indicative sensor for storage control is not limited to use on food, and can be used along with any product which freezing one wishes to monitor, for example, blood bags, medicine, resins used in manufacturing processes, etc.
With a description of a preferential incorporation example, it must be understood hat the scope of the present invention covers other possible variants, being limited only by the contents of the appended claims, there including the possible equivalents.

What is claimed is:
1. wINDICATIVE SENSOR FOR STOCK CONTROL",
characterized by the fact of comprising a sensor (1) featuring:
a hollow tube (2) with a first open end (3) and a second closed, end (4) ;
a slidable piston (5) inside the tube (2);
a fluid (0) or a spring (M) contained in a compartment (CI) , inside the tube (2), comprised between the piston (5) and the end (4);
a fluid (H) contained in a compartment (C2), inside the tube (2), comprised between the piston (5) and the end (3);
media to provide at least one indication of the occurrence of a temperature rise in the ambient in . which the sensor (1) is immersed.
2. "SENSOR", according to claim .1, characterized
by the fact that one of the indications of the occurrence of a
temperature rise comprises the irreversible motion of piston (5)
in a single direction inside the tube (2).
3. "SENSOR", according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized by the fact that the fluid (H) is frozen to the
solid state.
4. "SENSOR", according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the fluid (H) expands and expels a releasable cap (17) positioned at the end (3).
5. "SENSOR", according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized by the fact that the fluid (0) is gaseous.
6. "SENSOR", according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that the fluid (0) or a spring (M) is

compressed, -under pressure, exerting a force over the piston (5) in the sense of pushing it towards the end (3) .
7. "SENSOR", according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterized by the fact that the fluid (H) , frozen, prevents the piston (5) from moving.
8. "SENSOR", according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterized by the fact that said temperature rise implies the thawing of a product along to which is placed said sensor (1) .
9. "SENSOR", according to claim 6, 7 or 8,
characterized by the fact that the said temperature rise implies
the thawing of the fluid (H) which is liquefied and leaks outside
of said tube (2) liberating the movement of the piston (5) inside
tube (2).
10-. "SENSOR", according to claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, characterized by the fact that the fluid (H) is nontoxic .
11. "SENSOR", according to claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9 or 10, characterized by the fact that the tube (2) is
preferably made of rigid material, being totally transparent, and
in one variant, said tube (2) is translucent or alternatively
opaque but has at least one transparent area.
12. "SENSOR", according to claim 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that there is an
engraving (6) on the tube (2), and said engraving coincides with
the position of the piston (5> inside the tube (2) when the fluid
(H) is perfectly frozen.
13. "SENSOR", according to claim 12,
characterized by the fact that when the position of piston (5)
inside the tube (2) does not coincide with that of the engraving

(6) this constitutes visual indication that the product along to which said sensor (1) is placed has been submitted to a partial or total thawing.
14. "SENSOR", according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, characterized by the fact that one
constructive variant of the sensor (1) comprises the addition,
near the compartment (C2) of the tube (2) , of movable laminar
petals (7).
15. "SENSOR", according to claim 14,
characterized by the fact that said petals (7) are in the closed
position when the fluid (H) is perfectly frozen, constituting
visual indication that the product along to which said sensor (1)
is placed is also perfectly frozen.
16. "SENSOR", according to claim 14 or 15
characterized by the fact that said petals (7) are in an open
position when the fluid (H) is partially or totally defrost,
constituting visual indication hat the product along to which said
sensor (1) is placed has also been subjected to partial or total
thawing.
17. "SENSOR", according to claim 14, 15 or 16 characterized by the fact that the petals (.7) and said piston (5) feature colors that are contrasting among each other.
18. "SENSOR", according to claim 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, characterized by the fact that jelly, salts and other compatible substances that modify the temperature of the natural freezing/thawing point of fluid (H) are added to said fluid (H).
19. "SENSOR", according to claim 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18 characterized by the

fact that is added to. fluid (H) a granulated solid material, comprised by tips/threads, that promotes the beginning of the nucleation of fluid (H) and increases the visibility' of the sensor's indication.
20. "SENSOR", according to claim 8, 9, 10, .11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19, characterized by the fact that is added to fluid (H) a tensoactive material that facilitates the movement of ice crystal of the sensor after the occurrence of partial thawing and insures a good flow of the fluid (H) when already in the liquid state, completely defrost.
21. "SENSOR", according to claim 8, 9, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21, characterized by the
fact that there is a thermal insulation between the sensor (1) and
the product along to which said sensor (1) is placed.
22. "SENSOR", according to claim 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21, characterized by the fact
that the body (2) features media to connect the cap (17) to the
same body (2) even if said cap (17) is expelled from the end (3).
23. "SENSOR", according to claim 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21, characterized by the fact
that said open end (3) of the tube (2) is integrated to a
collecting receptor (10) that receives the fluid (H) when this is
thaw.
24. "SENSOR", according to claim 23, characterized by the fact that said collecting receptor (10) has its internal wall covered by an absorbent material (15) that absorbs the fluid (H) when this is liquefied.
25. "SENSOR", according to claim 24, characterized by the fact that said material (15) reacts

chemically with the liquefied fluid (H)' and presents a contrasting color that enhances the viewing of the sensor (1) indication when there is thawing.
26. "SENSOR", according to claim 23, 24 or 25
characterized by the fact that alternatively to said cap (17) ,
there is a thin membrane (16), that can be ruptured, closing the
end (3).
27. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding
claims, characterized by the fact that there is a salient (11)
inside the tube (2), in the region of the compartment (C2) , that
anchors the frozen fluid (H).
2 8. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that there is a shrivel (12) in higher relief on the internal wall of the compartment (C2) , that anchors the frozen fluid (H), being said shrivel (12) constituted by narrow bars, triangular teeth and polygonal shapes.
29. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that there is a concavity (13) inside the tube (2), in the region of the compartment (C2) , and said concavity anchors the frozen fluid (H) and limits the course of movement of the piston (5) .
30. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that there is a course limiter (18) inside the tube (2), in the region of the compartment (CI), that limits the course of movement of the piston (5) .
31. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that are added to the fluid (H) dyes and pigments that increase the viewing of said fluid (H) .

32. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the piston (5) presents at least one horizontal stripe painted or mounted, or alternatively signals written on the sides and on at least one face of said piston (5).
33. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the piston (5) presents at least one of it's faces with a convex shape, or alternatively a concave shape.
34. "SENSOR", according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the piston (5) presents a three-dimensional object or physical shape (23) applied to at least one face of the same piston.
35. "SENSOR", according to claim 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 or 34, characterized by the fact that the placement of the sensor (1) along the product comprises:
placing at least one sensor (1) in an external package, on the outside of the product;
alternatively, insert vertically at least one sensor (1) in the product;
alternatively, insert horizontally at least one sensor (1) in the product/
alternatively, make the sensor (1) directly integrated to a package of the "blister" kind that involves the product, so that said tube (2) is an integral and undisociable part of said package;
alternatively, placing a thermal insulation between the sensor and the monitored product, being said thermal

insulation set in the form of a vacuum layer, an air layer, a water layer, some other liquid layer or a layer of other insulating materials placed between said sensor tube 2 and the food product to be monitored.
36. ^SENSOR", according to any of the previous
claims, characterized by the fact that a variant of said sensor
comprises only the compartment (C2), eliminating the compartment
(CI) on tube (2), with the sliding piston (5) positioned along the
end (4) , with one spring (M') , relaxed, placed into compartment
(C2), with one of its ends attached to the sliding piston (5) and
the other end attached to the cap (17) .
37. wSENSOR", according to claim 36,
characterized by the fact that when the fluid (H) thaws, the
spring (K') , which is relaxed, pulls the sliding piston (5)
towards the end (3) of tube (2), aiding on the ejection of the
fluid (H) from compartment (C2) .
38. ^SENSOR", according to claims 3 6 or 37,
characterized by the fact that when said sensor features a spring
(M, M')/ an end (4) optionally features a passing hole (25) to
allow the entrance of air into compartment (CI) upon the movement of the sliding piston (5) .
39. ^SENSOR", according to any of the previous
claims, characterized by the fact that the body (2) features spaced markings that constitute a scale (20), in the region near the position of the piston (5).
40. "SENSOR", according to any of the previous
claims, characterized by the fact that the present indicative sensor for storage control is not limited to the use with food, and can be used along with any product which freezing one chooses

to monitor; for example, blood bags, medicine, resins used in manufacture processes and similar uses.

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Patent Number

226839

Indian Patent Application Number

3122/CHENP/2005

PG Journal Number

07/2009

Publication Date

13-Feb-2009

Grant Date

24-Dec-2008

Date of Filing

23-Nov-2005

Name of Patentee

DIP, TATIANA, MACIULIS

Applicant Address

Rua Estela, 67, Apto.142, São Paulo, SP-CEP 04011-000

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	DIP, TATIANA, MACIULIS	Rua Estela, 67,Apto.142, São Paulo, SP-CEP 04011-000

PCT International Classification Number

G01K11/06

PCT International Application Number

PCT/BR03/00061

PCT International Filing date

2003-04-24

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1			NA