Temperature-indicating paste paper

When you are testing for dishwasher surface temperatures, waterproof
Thermolabels indicate when the dishwashware is properly sanitized.

DISHWASHER LABELS

Single Temperature Thermolabel

1/2"x 1 3/4"

Temperatures for dishwashers:
140ºF, 150ºF, 160ºF, 170ºF and 180ºF


Three-Temperature Thermolabel

1 " x 1 3/4"

Temperatures available
150ºF - 160ºF - 170ºF
160ºF - 170ºF - 180ºF


Extra Wide Thermolabel for Record Keeping
　

1"x 1 3/4"

The wide label is for those who need to record test date and initial of the operator.

SPECIFICATIONS

• WATERPROOF
• ACCURATE — within 1% of calibrated temperature
• RELIABLE — large batches are quality-controlled using calibrated thermometers
• TEMPERATURES AVAILABLE — 140º, 150º, 160º, 170º, 180ºF
• READABLE — large indicators, with imprinted target temperature
• NO RESIDUE — peels cleanly after use
• LOW PER TEST COST

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Thermolabels are self-adhering color-changing labels measuring the surface temperature of dishware in dishmachines.

Using Thermolabels on a dish surface with each wash cycle will indicate the proper sanitation temperature has been reached.

• Completely waterproof for dishwashers, autoclaves, etc.
• Temperatures to meet state sanitation requirements
• Large, very visible labels with adhesive backing
• Used labels may be kept for record-keeping and documentation
• Label changes from white to black when its calibrated temperature is reached

Thermolabels are being used by many state and county health departments across the country, as well as by restaurants, flight kitchens, nursing homes, hospitals and military installations for testing and monitoring dishware surface temperatures in dishwashers on a routine basis.

The Thermolabel is attached to a clean dry dish and then run with a load of soiled dishes through a regular wash cycle. The label changes from white to black when the indicated temperature is reached. This is a permanent color change, indicating the dish surface has reached the label temperature.

Our completely waterproof Thermolabels are irreversible, single-use labels. Once they are peeled from their test surface, they may be attached directly into recordkeeping log books for documentation.

Occasionally, a sanitarian will inform us that a 160ºF label placed on a dish did not turn black during washing even though inlet water temperature was above 180ºF. This means that the dish surface temperature did not reach 160ºF during the rinse cycle. Even though 180ºF water is being sprayed directly on a 160ºF label attached to a dish, blackening will not occur until the dish reaches 160ºF. The same label not attached to the dish will instantly turn black when sprayed with 180ºF water.

The problem here is that rinse time is too short to allow some utensils to warm up to sanitizing temperature. We show this in Tables I & II where a variety of utensils of different compositions and thicknesses are subjected to boiling water and the times to blackening a 160ºF label are recorded. To illustrate this we performed two tests: In the first we adhered 160ºF Thermolabels to the outside of the utensils of different compositions and poured boiling water directly on the labels. The time required for the labels to blacken was measured. This is shown in Table I.

In the second experiment 160ºF Thermolabels were adhered to the outside of the utensils which were then filled with boiling water. Again blackening times on the different utensils were measured. The results are shown in Table II.

　

Please note the marked difference in blackening times for the various utensils. It is interesting to see that in Table I, even though hot water is being poured directly on a label attached to a utensil, the label does not blacken until the utensil temperature rises to near 160ºF. On the other hand pouring the hot water directly on a label not attached to a utensil will cause it to blacken immediately. In a dishwasher, 180ºF rinse water will not blacken a 180ºF label stuck to a dish because before the dish has warmed up, the water temperature has dropped below 180ºF. This temperature drop and too short a rinse cycle are the leading causes of failure of dishwashers to meet performance specifications. Water temperature, rinse time and utensil composition are all important factors in achieving proper sanitation. The above data makes it clear that measuring water temperature alone does not assure proper sanitization. One must measure utensil temperature. When a mixed load is washed, the safest procedure is to attach the label to the utensil requiring the longest time to heat up. Attaching it to a short time utensil such as an aluminum pan would be quite risky since long time utensils may not be sanitized.

Low Cost Accurate Heat Indicators
for Inaccessible Areas
Eliminating the need for costly equipment. Thermolabel products permanently record maximum interior and exterior temperatures of products and appliances, in stationary and mobile situations during processing, storage and shipment. They are inexpensive, easy to use foolproof in operation and accurate to +/- 1 % of the rated temperature.

A Permanent, Visible Record
Thermolabels are formulated to react within a few seconds when the rated temperature is reached. The various single and multi-temperature labels have ratings falling within an overall temperature range of 90ºF to 500ºF (32ºC to 260ºC). As each section of a label reaches its rated temperature, that section responds with a sharply defined color change from white to black leaving the printed temperature clearly visible. And, because this is indelibly printed in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, it provides an irrefutable record of maximum temperature attained in any area of observation, even when this is otherwise inaccessible as in ovens, washing, curing and sterilizing chambers, ships' holds and the insides of processed foods and biologicals. Thermolabel products are, therefore, widely used for proof of heat attained in screen printing, metal coatings, dish machines and textile processing as well as for identification of maximum temperature attained during storage and shipment.

For Use Under All Conditions
Available in several forms for specific applications, there is a Thermolabel product for use under all industrial conditions, protected against humidity, steam, water, oil, grease, solvents and chemical contamination. Shelf life is a minimum of two years when stored in a normal office environment. Recorded temperatures are positive and permanent, making Thermolabel products indispensable wherever thermal control is important. Each product comes with a calibration sheet showing the temperature values obtained in our laboratories. For example, a label marked 300ºF for identification purposes may actually calibrate at 298ºF and will consistently give this value under our test conditions. The widest variation one may expect from this 298ºF figure is + 1% although any given batch will show a much lower than 1% variation. The user should be aware that conditions of use markedly different from our test conditions may produce different temperature readings as is true with most thermometers. However, when used under identical conditions reproducible results will be obtained. It is not recommended that Thermolabels be subjected to prolonged heating near indicating temperatures. Under these conditions a gradual darkening may be observed. In this case, the Thermolabel should be replaced from time to time.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
Screen Printing
Textile Processing
Plastic Thermoforming
Plate Making-Graphic Arts
Heat Sealing Plastics
Circuit Board Manufacturing
Plastic Laminating
Prefinishing Metals
Auto Painting
Drying Printing Inks
Extrusion Insulation-Wire & Cable
Repair of Paintings and Art Objects
Iron-on Patches & Labels
Office Copiers

Shipping, Storage, Shelf Temperatures
of Heat-Sensitive Products
Measure maximum temperatures of product in supply and distribution pipeline, freight cars, warehouses, shipping platforms, retailer's shelf.

Photographic Film
Gelatin Capsules
Waxed Paper Products
Biologicals
Candy, Gum, Chocolates
Explosives
Dried Fruits
Yeast
Test Animals
Textile Yarns

Heat Santizing-Sterilization
Dish Temperatures in dishwashers
Washing Animal Cages
Bacteriological Media
Surgical Instruments

Safety-Maintenance-Fire Protection
Electrical Conductors Under Loading
Overheating of Motors, Generators, Transformers
Ceiling Temperatures for Sprinkler Installation
Woodwork Temperatures Near Heating Equipment
Overheating Bearings

TECHNICAL DATA

Accuracy: +/- 1% of calibrated temperature

Rate of Response:
THERMOPAPER — 1 seconds
THERMOLABELS — 5 seconds

Storage Stability:
2 years when stored in cool dry place (below 80ºF).

Effect of Liquids:
Materials such as solvents, greases, oil, water, etc. should not be allowed to contaminate indicator which must be kept clean and dry. Moderate amounts of vapor have no effect but actual wetting is to be avoided. If contamination is likely, use a single temperature Thermolabel.

Time-Temperature Relationship:
If held a few degrees below indicating temperature, a very gradual graying may occur over a period of months for the lower indicators and for progressively shorter times for the higher ones ranging down to several hours for 500ºF Such graying is readily distinguishable from the sharp color change occurring at indicating temperature. For long term tests indicator strips can be periodically changed.

Stability on Thermal Cycling:
No effect within the time limitations indicated above.