Food flagging device and method of use thereof

Abstract

A food flagging device has a flag stem, a time identification means, a magnet support platform, and a magnetic means. The time identification means is either attached to, or is contained within, the flag stem. The magnet support platform is either attached to, or is contiguous with, the flag stem. The magnetic means is attached to the magnet support platform and has a magnetic field that is sufficiently strong to hold the food flagging device to a stainless steel surface. The food flagging device is heat-resistant and is capable of being sanitized.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A food flagging device comprising: 
       a. a flag stem having attached thereto, or containing therein, a time identification means;  
       b. a magnet support platform that is either attached to, or is contiguous with, said flag stem; and  
       c. a magnetic means attached to said magnet support platform, wherein said magnetic means has a magnetic field that is sufficiently strong to hold said food flagging device to a metallic surface;  
       wherein the food flagging device is heat-resistant and capable of being sanitized. 
     
     
       2. A food flagging device according to  claim 1  wherein said time identification means is a numeric identification means having an integer number of from 1 to 12. 
     
     
       3. A food flagging device according to  claim 1  wherein said time identification means is engraved into said flag stem. 
     
     
       4. A food flagging device according to  claim 1  wherein said flag stem and said magnet support platform are both made of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and plastic. 
     
     
       5. A food flagging device according to  claim 1  wherein said magnet support platform is contiguous with said flag stem. 
     
     
       6. A food flagging device according to  claim 1  wherein said magnetic means is attached to said magnet support platform by means of a heat-resistant, water-resistant adhesive. 
     
     
       7. A method for using said food flagging device according to  claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of: 
       a. placing a food item upon a grill system;  
       b. placing said food flagging device in the proximity of said food item to identify the latest time that said food item should be removed from said grill system; and  
       c. removing said food item from said grill system at a time no later than the time identified by said food flagging device.  
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 7  wherein said food flagging device is placed between said food item and other food items, either previously placed or to be placed upon said grill system. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 7  wherein said food item is a hot dog that has been cooked, and said grill system is a rotary grill system. 
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 9  wherein said time associated with said hot dog is no later than three hours from the time said hot dog was placed upon said rotary grill. 
     
     
       11. A method for using said food flagging device according to  claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of: 
       a. placing a food item upon a grill system;  
       b. placing said food flagging device in the proximity of said food item to identify the time said food item was placed upon said grill system; and  
       c. removing said food item from said grill system at a time no later than the sum of the time identified by said food flagging device and a maximum time that said food item should remain on said grill system.  
     
     
       12. A method according to  claim 11  wherein said food flagging device is placed between said food item and other food items, either previously placed or to be placed upon said grill system. 
     
     
       13. A method according to  claim 11  wherein said food item is a hot dog that has been cooked, and said grill system is a rotary grill system. 
     
     
       14. A method according to  claim 13  wherein said maximum time that said hot dog should remain on said rotary grill system is no longer than three hours. 
     
     
       15. A hot dog flagging device comprising: 
       a. a flag stem made of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and plastic, wherein said flag stem has engraved therein a time identification means, and wherein said time identification means is a numeric identification means having an integer number of from 1 to 12;  
       b. a magnet support platform made of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and plastic, wherein said magnet support platform is contiguous with said flag stem; and  
       c. a magnetic means attached to said magnet support platform by means of a heat-resistant, water-resistant adhesive, wherein said magnetic means has a magnetic field that is sufficiently strong to hold said food flagging device to a stainless steel surface;  
       wherein the hot dog flagging device is heat-resistant and is capable of being sanitized. 
     
     
       16. A method for using said hot dog flagging device according to  claim 15 , said method comprising the steps of: 
       a. placing a cooked hot dog upon a rotary grill system;  
       b. placing said hot dog flagging device in the proximity of said cooked hot dog, between said cooked hot dog and other hot dogs, either previously placed or to be placed upon said grill system, so as to identify the latest time said cooked hot dog should be removed from said grill system, wherein said identified time is no later than three hours from the time said cooked hot dog was placed upon said grill; and  
       c. removing said cooked hot dog from said grill system at a time no later than the time identified by said hot dog flagging device.