Level indicator
US6761066B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F23/22
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A level indicator and method is provided which is intimately affixed to the outside surface of the outside wall of a container, for use in the determination of the level of the interface between a mass of flowable material and the void volume above it within a container. The level indicator includes a thermochromataic layer which has at least two thermochromatic materials. Each of the thermochromatic materials responds chromatically within a different operating temperature range. In one embodiment, the level indicator vertically extends substantially the height of the container. In an alternative embodiment, the level indicator vertically extends along the height of the container, in the region of the top portion of the container, and at least above the legal safe-fill level of the flowable material within the container such that overfilling of the flowable material in the container is detectable.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.