I-Plug-Plus devices simplify monitoring of milk crates

CAS DataLoggers has provided a low-cost temperature monitoring system for a milk supply company. During deliveries to distant receivers including farmers’ markets and supermarket chains, the milk’s temperature needs to remain at a constant 2°–3° C (36°–37° F) throughout transit. Otherwise the milk will be rejected by receivers as unsafe for sale due to health risks.
The milk supply company’s product is often shipped where proprietary software is unavailable, and on average it takes about four days for the fresh milk to reach store shelves. With this risk in mind, the company wanted to find an accurate temperature measuring and alarm system that would continually monitor its product and also provide onsite proof of quality to receivers.
Now the milk company uses I-Plug-Plus USB Temperature Data Loggers from CAS DataLoggers in the back of its trailers to closely monitor milk temperature. Drivers enclose the loggers into their self-adhesive pouches and place them directly onto the crates, four per truck. During deliveries, the internal sensor in each unit accurately monitors the product across a temperature range of –22° F to 158° F (–30° C to +70° C) at a high 0.5° C accuracy. The units’ lightweight and compact design makes for an easy fit among the gallon containers, and each is powered by a one-year battery. Installed this way, the temperature data loggers provide good coverage of the shipment and continually monitor product throughout transit.
Data loggers start with the push of a button. They also have a stop button that sets them to bookmark readings but keeps monitoring until reaching the end of memory capacity, storing up to 5,000 readings. They also offer advanced alarm capabilities to warn drivers when the product temperature becomes too high. Users set the sampling frequency to take a product reading once every 15 minutes, and it takes just 90 seconds for the sensor to register an alarm. Data loggers switch on their alarm LEDs when they take a sample and find that the product is outside the safe temperature range set before the trip. Drivers simply check the loggers during routine stops and look at the status lights indicating that temperatures are OK, Over, or Under.
When delivering crates to receivers, drivers use each data logger to transfer its temperature data via USB port to a PC without needing a separate USB drive. The free software download for I-Plug Plus data loggers also sends temperature data online to a database where receivers can view it in graph format; in this case, using the driver’s Android tablet with a free app. This is faster than having to email the data, and readings can be changed to different time zones. All parties can also view logger settings online. Dataloggers also offer an optional online Calibration Certificate specifically for the food industry, aiding in compliance with documentation rules.
For more information, call 800-956-4437 or visit the website at www.DataLoggerInc.com.