Device comprising first and second thermal sensors and method of use in a cargo application

A method, the method comprising:

• loading cargo into a container;
• attaching a device to a product case of the cargo within the container, the product case comprising corrugated material, the device comprising:
• an outer housing;
• a power supply;
• a radio communication device;
• a first thermal sensor;
• a first conductor coupled with the first thermal sensor and extending through the outer housing;
• a second thermal sensor being spaced from the first thermal sensor;
• a second conductor coupled with the second thermal sensor and extending through the outer housing;
• and
• a controller disposed within the outer housing;
• wherein each of the power supply, the radio communication device, the first thermal sensor, and the second thermal sensor are electrically coupled with the controller and disposed within the outer housing;
• measuring temperature of the product case with the first thermal sensor comprising depressing the first conductor into the corrugated material;
• and
• measuring temperature of a headspace with the second thermal sensor, wherein the headspace comprises ambient air residing within an uppermost portion of the container.

A method, the method comprising:

• loading cargo into a container;
• attaching a device to a product case of the cargo within the container, the device comprising:
• an outer housing;
• a power supply;
• an accelerometer;
• a radio communication device;
• a first thermal sensor;
• a first conductor coupled with the first thermal sensor and extending through the outer housing;
• a second thermal sensor being spaced from the first thermal sensor;
• a second conductor coupled with the second thermal sensor and extending through the outer housing;
• and
• a controller disposed within the outer housing;
• wherein each of the power supply, the radio communication device, the first thermal sensor, and the second thermal sensor are electrically coupled with the controller and disposed within the outer housing;
• measuring temperature of the product case with one of the first thermal sensor and the second thermal sensor;
• measuring temperature of a headspace with the other of the first thermal sensor and the second thermal sensor, wherein the headspace comprises ambient air residing within an uppermost portion of the container;
• operating the accelerometer to facilitate determination of which of the first conductor and the second conductor is positioned vertically higher;
• recognizing that the vertically higher of the first conductor and the second conductor is measuring the temperature of the headspace;
• recognizing that the vertically lower of the first conductor and the second conductor is measuring the temperature of the product case;
• reorienting the device;
• re-operating the accelerometer to facilitate determination of which of the first conductor and the second conductor is positioned vertically higher;
• recognizing that the vertically higher of the first conductor and the second conductor is measuring the temperature of the headspace;
• and
• recognizing that the vertically lower of the first conductor and the second conductor is measuring the temperature of the product case.

A method comprising:

• loading cargo into a container;
• attaching a device to a product case of the cargo within the container, wherein the attaching comprises wrapping a piece of plastic wrap over both a portion of the device and a portion of the product case, and wherein the device comprises:
• an outer housing comprising a first leg and a second leg which are perpendicular with respect to one another and meet at an intersection to define an L-shape;
• a power supply;
• a radio communication device;
• a first thermal sensor residing within the first leg;
• a first conductor coupled with the first thermal sensor and extending through the outer housing;
• a second thermal sensor residing within the second leg and being spaced from the first thermal sensor;
• a second conductor coupled with the second thermal sensor and extending through the outer housing;
• and
• a controller disposed within the outer housing;
• wherein each of the power supply, the radio communication device, the first thermal sensor, and the second thermal sensor are electrically coupled with the controller and disposed within the outer housing;
• measuring temperature of the product case with the first thermal sensor;
• and
• measuring temperature of a headspace with the second thermal sensor, wherein the headspace comprises ambient air residing within an uppermost portion of the container;
• wherein
• the product case comprises an uppermost carton on a pallet;
• the wrapping comprises holding tightly the first leg in contact against the product case;
• the first leg is horizontally oriented;
• the second leg is vertically oriented;
• and
• the second leg extends upwardly into the headspace.

A method comprising:

• loading cargo into a container;
• attaching a device to a product case of the cargo within the container, wherein the attaching comprises wrapping a piece of plastic wrap over both a portion of the device and a portion of the product case, and wherein the device comprises:
• an outer housing comprising a first leg and a second leg which are perpendicular with respect to one another and meet at an intersection to define an L-shape;
• a power supply;
• a radio communication device;
• a first thermal sensor residing within the first leg;
• a first conductor coupled with the first thermal sensor and extending through the outer housing;
• a second thermal sensor residing within the second leg and being spaced from the first thermal sensor;
• a second conductor coupled with the second thermal sensor and extending through the outer housing;
• and
• a controller disposed within the outer housing;
• wherein each of the power supply, the radio communication device, the first thermal sensor, and the second thermal sensor are electrically coupled with the controller and disposed within the outer housing;
• measuring temperature of the product case with the first thermal sensor;
• and
• measuring temperature of a headspace with the second thermal sensor, wherein the headspace comprises ambient air residing within an uppermost portion of the container;
• wherein
• the product case comprises an uppermost carton on a pallet;
• the wrapping comprises holding tightly the first leg in contact against the product case;
• the first leg is vertically oriented;
• the second leg is horizontally oriented;
• and
• the second leg extends laterally into the headspace.

A method comprising:

• loading cargo into a container;
• attaching a device to a product case of the cargo within the container, the device comprising:
• an outer housing;
• a power supply;
• a radio communication device;
• a first thermal sensor;
• a first conductor coupled with the first thermal sensor and extending through the outer housing;
• a second thermal sensor being spaced from the first thermal sensor;
• a second conductor coupled with the second thermal sensor and extending through the outer housing;
• and
• a controller disposed within the outer housing;
• wherein each of the power supply, the radio communication device, the first thermal sensor, and the second thermal sensor are electrically coupled with the controller and disposed within the outer housing;
• measuring temperature of the product case with one of the first thermal sensor and the second thermal sensor;
• measuring temperature of a headspace with the other of the first thermal sensor and the second thermal sensor, wherein the headspace comprises ambient air residing within an uppermost portion of the container;
• wirelessly transmitting, by the device, both the temperature of the product case and the temperature of the headspace, to a gateway of a seal assembly associated with the cargo;
• wirelessly transmitting, by the gateway, both the temperature of the product case and the temperature of the headspace, to a quality control supervisor;
• estimating, by the quality control supervisor during shipment of the cargo, by reviewing over a period of time both the temperature of the product case and the temperature of the headspace, the temperature of product within the product case during shipment;
• determining, by the quality control supervisor during shipment of the cargo, abnormality of the temperature of product within the product case;
• and
• facilitating, by the quality control supervisor in response to the determining, corrective action during shipment of the cargo.