A 'cool' data-logging sensor

An economical and compact temperature-tracking device has been field tested by Cool Dog Inc., Shirley, MA, for sample boxes of its frozen, individually wrapped hot-dog-and-bun-shaped ice cream novelties.

Pw 11428 Cool Dogcase

Founder Peter Franklin was having problems getting sample product intact to potential customers. The company needed to maintain the Cool Dog’s temperature between -20º and 10º F. Ironically, the sponge cake and ice cream novelty was becoming too cold in shipment with dry ice, which often caused the sponge cake “bun” to shatter enroute. That left a bad impression with potential new customers. Franklin’s solution was two-fold: a switch to cold packs, and the use of the HOBO® Pendant™ Logger that Onset Computer introduced in spring 2005.

The battery-powered, reusable device boasts low-cost, accurate recording by providing 0.5º C accuracy and up to 52ꯠ readings. The 2.3”x1.3”x0.9’’ device, added to Franklin’s insulated corrugated case shipments, is used with HOBOware™ 2.0 for Windows, an intuitive graphical analysis software program. The data from the HOBO logger uploads quickly to a PC via a USB port using a HOBO coupler. A quick test with a pair of the devices quickly convinced Frankin of its value for his product.

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Fresh from the show floor: pharma packaging innovations for 2026