Device for indicating exposure to an impact, adverse temperature and/or humidity

A device for indicating exposure to at least a predetermined upper threshold temperature or at least a predetermined lower threshold temperature, the device comprising:

• a base,
• a bimetallic strip made of two or more metallic layers having different coefficients of thermal expansion bonded together, wherein the bonded layers cause the strip to bend when exposed to a change in temperature, the strip having a first end and a second end, the first end of the strip being fixed to the base,
• a wire filament having a first end attached to the strip second end and a second end attached to the base,
• wherein exposure of the device to at least a predetermined upper or lower threshold temperature results in a bending of the strip sufficient to cause the filament to break, the breaking of the filament indicating exposure of the device to at least the predetermined upper or lower threshold temperature.

A device for indicating exposure to at least a predetermined upper threshold temperature and/or at least a predetermined lower threshold temperature, the device comprising:

• a base,
• a bimetallic strip made of two or more metallic layers having different coefficients of thermal expansion bonded together, wherein the bonded layers cause the strip to bend when exposed to a change in temperature, the strip having a first end and a second end, the first end of the strip being fixed to the base, the strip second end moving in a first direction when the strip bends upon exposure to a lower temperature and in a second direction generally opposite the first direction when the strip bends upon exposure to a higher temperature,
• two wire filaments attached to the strip second end, the first wire filament generally extending along the first direction and the second wire filament generally extending along the second direction, the first end of each filament being attached to the strip second end and the second end of each filament being attached to the base,
• wherein exposure of the device to at least a predetermined lower threshold temperature results in a bending of the strip sufficient to cause the second filament to break, and exposure of the device to at least a predetermined upper threshold temperature results in a bending of the strip sufficient to cause the first filament to break, the breaking of at least one the filaments indicating exposure of the device to at least the predetermined upper or lower threshold temperature.

A device for indicating exposure to at least a predetermined impact force, at least a predetermined upper and/or lower threshold temperature and at least a predetermined humidity level, the device including:

• (1) an impact sensor for indicating exposure to at least a predetermined impact force, the impact sensor comprising a hollow case, a mass within the case, and at least two wire filaments extending from the mass to the case for supporting the mass within the case, wherein exposure of the device to at least a predetermined impact force results in a force acting on the mass sufficient to cause at least one of the filaments to break, the breaking of at least one of the filaments indicating exposure of the device to at least the predetermined impact force;
• (2) a temperature sensor for indicating exposure to at least a redetermined upper threshold temperature and/or at least a predetermined lower threshold temperature, the temperature sensor comprising a base, a bimetallic strip made of two or more metallic layers having different coefficients of thermal expansion bonded together, wherein the bonded layers cause the strip to bend when exposed to a change in temperature, the strip having a first end and a second end, the first end of the strip being fixed to the base, the strip second end moving in a first direction when the strip bends upon exposure to a lower temperature and in a second direction generally opposite the first direction when the strip bends upon exposure to a higher temperature, two wire filaments attached to the strip second end, the first wire filament generally extending along the first direction and the second wire filament generally extending along the second direction, the first end of each filament being attached to the strip second end and the second end of each filament being attached to the base, wherein exposure of the device to at least a predetermined lower threshold temperature results in a bending of the strip sufficient to cause the second filament to break, and exposure of the device to at least a predetermined upper threshold temperature results in a bending of the strip sufficient to cause the first filament to break, the breaking of at least one the filaments indicating exposure of the device to at least the predetermined upper or lower threshold temperature;
• (3) a humidity sensor device for indicating exposure to at least a predetermined humidity level, the humidity sensor comprising a base, an absorbent plate mounted on the base which expands when exposed to moisture, and at least one filament, a first end of each filament being attached to the base and a second end of each filament being attached to the plate at a position elevated from the base, wherein exposure of the device to at least a predetermined humidity level results in expansion of the plate sufficient to cause the at least one filament to break, the breaking of the at least one filament indicating exposure of the device to at least the predetermined humidity level.