Timing device to warn refrigerated product expiration

• US 20010036129A1
• Filed: 03/15/2001
• Published: 11/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Raymond Alan Carr
• Original Assignee: Raymond Alan Carr
• Inventors: Carr, Raymond Alan
• Application Number:
  US09/809,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20010036129A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/109
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2500/06 Stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/00 Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28

Abstract

An expiration timer device designed to provide information regarding the passage of time with respect to foodstuffs within an attached container. The device is a timing and display system which, when activated, monitors the passage of time and presents this information to the user to enhance their ability to determine the quality of foodstuffs within the container.

Claims

1. A timing device to warn of refrigerated product expiration comprising:

(a) timing means;

(b) pre-determined point in time input means capable of establishing a pre-determined point in time;

(c) visual display means;

(d) time period means capable of determining the time period between the present point in time and said pre-determined point in time utilizing said timing means;

(e) visual display control means to control said visual display;

(f) wherein said visual display control means further comprise means to display data provided by said time period means;

(g) housing means capable of containing said timing means, said pre-determined point in time input means, said time period means, said visual display means, and said visual display control means;

(h) means to affix said housing means to a refrigerated foodstuffs container.

2. The timing device to warn of refrigerated product expiration of

claim 1

, further including:

(a) alarm means;

(b) alarm control means to control said alarm means;

(c) wherein said alarm control means further comprise means to utilize time period data from said time period means, said alarm control means activating said alarm means when said time period data from said time period means is determined to exceed pre-determined alarm boundaries.

3. The timing device to warn of refrigerated product expiration of

claim 1

, further including:

(a) visual display mode input means;

(b) second pre-determined point of time means capable of establishing a second pre-determined point in time when said pre-determined point in time input means was activated;

(c) second time period means capable of determining the time period between said present point in time and said second pre-determined point in time utilizing said timing means;

(d) wherein said visual display control means further comprise means to display second time period data provided by said second time period means, said visual display control means utilizing input from said visual display mode input means to determine the display dataset.

4. The timing device to warn of refrigerated product expiration of

claim 2

, further including:

(a) photo-sensing input means responsive to ambient light level;

(b) wherein said alarm control means further comprise means to enable and disable said alarm means utilizing data from said photo-sensing means.