AUTOMATIC PRODUCT EXPIRATION ALERT DEVICE
First Claim
1. An automatic product expiration alert device for a product having a predetermined life, the automatic product expiration alert device comprising:
- a package covering at least a portion of the product;
a timing device having an inactivated and activated state that determines when the product lifespan has expired in the activated state; and
an initiator proximate the package and product and operably connected to the timing device, wherein the initiator is movable between a first position and a second position when the package and timing device are moved apart from each other, and wherein the timing device remains in the inactivated state when the initiator is in the first position and the timing device is energized in the activated state when the initiator is moved to the second position; and
a signal alert device that produces a signal indicating that the product life has expired in response to the timing device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic product (12) expiration alert device comprising a product (12) having a predetermined useful life and a package (14) covering at least a portion of the product (12). The act of opening the package (14) automatically energizes a timing device (16) to begin measuring the product (12) life. The timing device (16) has an inactivated an activated state. An initiator (18) is located proximate the package (14) and product (12). The initiator (18) is operably connected to the timing device (16) and movable between a first position and a second position when the package and timing device (16) are moved apart from each other The timing device (16) remains in the inactivated state when the initiator (18) is in the first position and the timing device (16) is in the activated state when the initiator (18) is in the second position. A signal alert (20) is in communication with the timing device (16) so that it produces a signal in response to the timing device (16) when the product (12) life has expired.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An automatic product expiration alert device for a product having a predetermined life, the automatic product expiration alert device comprising:
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a package covering at least a portion of the product; a timing device having an inactivated and activated state that determines when the product lifespan has expired in the activated state; and an initiator proximate the package and product and operably connected to the timing device, wherein the initiator is movable between a first position and a second position when the package and timing device are moved apart from each other, and wherein the timing device remains in the inactivated state when the initiator is in the first position and the timing device is energized in the activated state when the initiator is moved to the second position; and a signal alert device that produces a signal indicating that the product life has expired in response to the timing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An automatic product expiration alert device comprising:
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a product having a predetermined life; a package covering at least a portion of the product; a timing device having an inactivated and activated state that determines when the product lifespan has expired in the activated state; and an initiator proximate the package and product and operably connected to the timing device, wherein the initiator is movable between a first position and a second position when the package and timing device are moved apart from each other, and wherein the timing device remains in the inactivated state when the initiator is in the first position and the timing device is energized in the activated state when the initiator is moved to the second position; and a signal alert device that produces a signal indicating that the product life has expired in response to the timing device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method of providing an alert that the life of a product has expired, the method comprising the steps of attaching a timing device to the product, wherein the timing device has an activated state that determines when the product lifespan has expired and an inactivated state;
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attaching an initiator proximate the product and timing device, wherein the initiator is movable between a first position and a second position when the product and timing device are moved apart from each other, and wherein the timing device remains in the inactivated state when the initiator is in the first position and the timing device is energized in the activated state when the initiator is moved to the second position; activating the timing device by moving the initiator from the first position to the second position to begin timing the life of the product; operatively connecting to the timing device a signal alert device that produces a signal indicating that the product life has expired in response to the timing device; and providing an alert from the alert device when the timing device determines that the life of the product has expired. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification