A nucleating agent composition, a method of forming the nucleating agent and a device comprising the nucleating agent composition are provided. The nucleating agent comprises a nucleating agent comprises silver halide salt with an average particle size of at least 10 nanometer to no more than 100 microns in a polymeric matrix wherein the polymeric matrix has a viscosity of at least 500 cP to no more than 50,000 cP.

An apparatus for thaw detection of a frozen item is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a housing container comprising a first transparent section and a second opaque section, at least one low density floating object and at least one high density object both encased within the housing container, wherein the housing container is filled with a filling mixture and melting of the filling mixture results in the at least one low density floating object and at least one high density object to be visible in the first transparent section of the housing container, thereby enabling thaw detection of the frozen item. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing an apparatus for thaw detection of a frozen item.

A method and apparatus for automatically measuring and storing a various measured values of an item, or a sequence of measured values of one or more item(s) suitable for single-handed use by a user. In particular, the present invention relates to a mobile computing device with one or more sensors for determining when to measure and record a particular value of one or more items. The mobile computing device may automatically measure the values based on sensing a change in the temperature value or through using proximity as detected by one or more onboard sensors. Additionally, the mobile computing device may automatically measure the values based on coming within range of an external proximity device. In response to automatically measuring the values, the measured values are stored along with additional information for record keeping purposes.

The present invention relates to a visual time-temperature indicator which comprises a first and a second element each comprising a hydrogel, wherein said first element further comprises at least one alkalinizing agent, and said second element comprising further at least one food colouring.

Disclosed are various embodiments for image-based verification of checklist items. In one embodiment, a user request is received to record a temperature reading of a food item using a handheld temperature sensor. In response to the user request, the temperature reading is received and an image of the handheld temperature sensor is captured. The image of the handheld temperature sensor is stored in association with the temperature reading.

Provided is a sensor package in a refrigerator configured to provide information related to refrigerated food. The sensor package may include a body having a mark classified by a type of food allocated to the sensor package and indicating the type of food of a food to which the sensor package is coupled, a battery, an operation switch, a memory configured to store food information corresponding to the type of food corresponding to the mark, a sensor communication module that communicates with a display provided in the refrigerator, a sensing module that senses state information associated with the food, and a sensor control module that controls the sensor communication module to initiate communication between the sensor package and the display of the refrigerator based on the state information sensed by the sensing module.

Food processing monitoring systems and method thereof are provided. A method includes obtaining first temperature data from a first temperature sensor at an inlet of a food processing machine; obtaining second temperature data from a second temperature sensor at an outlet of the food processing machine; obtaining current data from a current sensor that is configured to measure current of a motor of the food processing machine; determining presence of food product at the inlet based on a peak current, of the current data at a time the motor starts, being greater than a first current threshold; and logging a temperature of the first temperature data based on the peak current being greater than the first current threshold.

A flexible sensor label including a reservoir chamber configured to store an activation medium. The flexible sensor label includes an irreversible chamber configured to store a first indicator medium. The first indicator medium is altered in response to the activation medium being released and the flexible sensor label being exposed to a first condition associated with the first indicator medium. The flexible sensor label includes a reversible chamber configured to store a second indicator medium. The second indicator medium is altered in response to the activation medium being released and the flexible sensor label being exposed to a second condition associated with the second indicator medium.

Disclosed is a system for canning foodstuffs that provides precise monitoring of the temperature of the contents of each canning jar during a canning process. The system may include user interface displays that provide prompts to the user regarding the canning process. Configurations of the system can include temperature receivers that include displays which prompt the user to perform certain steps in the canning process. Other configurations can include interfaces that control heat sources such that the heat source can be controlled by the system without user interaction during the canning process. Still other configurations interact with the canner to regulate pressure inside the canner to further decrease the level of interaction with a user.

Low-cost techniques for sensing ambient temperatures in a container or package using phase change materials are provided. In one aspect, a temperature sensor is provided. The temperature sensor includes: at least one phase change material configured to transition from an amorphous state to a crystalline state upon exposure to temperatures above a predetermined threshold temperature for a given duration. A method of monitoring temperature exposure of a consumer good using the temperature sensor is also provided.