# US 8,540,424 B2 · Cover for shaft of electronic thermometer probe

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,540,424 B2
- Document ID: US8540424B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/642,171
- Filed: 2009-12-18
- Published: 2011-06-23
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2009-12-18
- Assignees: Covidien LP
- Applicants: Jeffrey E. Price
- Inventors: Jeffrey E. Price
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540424B2

## CPC

- B05D 1/00: Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials (B05D5/00, B05D7/00 take precedence)
- B29C 31/00: Handling, e.g. feeding of the material to be shaped {, storage of plastics material before moulding; Automation, i.e. automated handling lines in plastics processing plants, e.g. using manipulators or robots (discharging moulded articles from the mould B29C37/0003; storage of prepregs or SMC after impregnation or during ageing B29C70/54; baling of rubber B29B15/02)}
- G01K 13/25: Protective devices therefor, e.g. sleeves preventing contamination
- G01K 2211/00: Thermometers based on nanotechnology
- B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02)
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00)

## Abstract

A cover for a shaft of an electronic thermometer probe. The cover includes a tubular body having an open end and a closed end opposite the open end. The body defines a cavity sized and shaped to slidably receive the shaft of the electronic thermometer probe. At least a portion of the tubular body is formed from a nanotube composite material including a polymer matrix material and a carbon nanotube filler material.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cover for a shaft of an electronic thermometer probe comprising a tubular body having an open end and a closed end opposite the open end, said body defining a cavity sized and shaped to slidably receive the shaft of the electronic thermometer probe therein, at least a portion of the tubular body being formed from a nanotube composite material comprising a polymer matrix material and a carbon nanotube filler material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein the polymer matrix material comprises at least one of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), poly ethylene terephthalate (PET), and poly vinyl chloride (PVC).

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A cover as set forth in claim 1 further comprising graphite coating the nanotube composite material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least a closed end margin of the tubular body is formed from the nanotube composite material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A cover as set forth in claim 4 wherein at least a majority of a portion of the tubular body other than the closed end margin is formed from a polymer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A cover as set forth in claim 5 wherein the polymer forming the portion of the tubular body other than the closed end margin comprises the polymer of the polymer matrix material.