Timer and alarm apparatus

• US 4,361,408 A
• Filed: 10/10/1978
• Issued: 11/30/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Levolor Corp. (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Mediminder Development LP
• Inventors: Wirtschafter, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US05/949,800
• Time in Patent Office: 1,512 Days
• Field of Search: 58/12, 58/13, 58/19 R, 58/19 C, 58/21.11, 58/21.13, 58/21.15 S, 58/22.7, 58/22.9, 58/53, 58/54, 58/74, 58/88 R, 58/23 BA, 58/38 R, 58/39.5 , 58/145 R, 58/152 R, 58/152 B, 328/129, 206/528, 222/70, 364/569, 364/705, 364/708
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0472 of the count-down type, i.e. counting down a predetermined interval after each reset
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 37/1406 Means for fixing the clockwork pieces on other objects (possibly on walls)
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/00 Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece clockwork cases for special purposes G04B37/12; clocks with magnifying glass built in the face G04B39/00; time-pieces in which parts or cases produce special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects, G04B45/00, particularly with inscriptions or pictures moved by hand G04B45/003, with specially shaped cases or parts G04B45/0069; combination of writing or drawing implements with devices for indicating time B43K29/087; combined with cameras, projectors, or photographic printing apparatus G03B29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/00 Producing acoustic time signals
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/006 for operating at a number of different times cigar or cigarette receptacles or boxes with means for limiting the frequency of smoking A24F15/005

Abstract

A timer and alarm apparatus suitable for complementary use with medication containers or other similar vessels. The timer includes an electronic elapsed time measuring unit and a display unit for indicating the elapsed time, an interval set unit for presetting a desired time period, an alarm unit to signal the conclusion of the preset interval and a reset unit to reinitiate the measurement of elapsed time. The timer also includes a unique capsule-shaped housing and includes an elastic strip for disposition about an appropriate container. The reset unit may be automatically responsive to the periodic dispensation of the contents of the container.

Claims

1. Timer apparatus suitable for use with medicine containers or other vessels comprising:

(a) elapsed time measuring means for measuring elapsed time;

(b) interval set means for providing a preset time interval;

(c) display means operably connected to said elapsed time measuring means for displaying measured elapsed time;

(d) alarm means responsive to said elapsed time measuring means and said interval set means for periodically signaling that the measured elapsed time exceeds the preset time intervals;

(e) switch reset means operably connected to said elapsed time measuring means for restarting the measurement of elapsed time; and

(f) indicator means responsive to said elapsed time measuring means, said interval set means and to said switch reset means for periodically signaling that said switch reset means has not restarted the measurement of elapsed time subsequent to the coincidence of measured elapsed time with the preset time interval.

2. The timer apparatus of claim 1 wherein the period of delay between said alarm means signals is of a greater duration than the period of delay between said indicator means signals.

3. The timer apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frequency of periodicity of said indicator means signal is greater than the frequency of periodicity of said alarm means signal.

4. The timer apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch reset means includes an activating switch that is responsive to certain parameters that evidence dispensation of medicine from a container, such that upon dispensing medicine from said container, said switch reset means will automatically restart the measurement of elapsed time until the next actual dispensation of medicine from said container.

5. Timer apparatus suitable for use in the periodic dispensation of medicine and for use with medicine containers and other vessels, comprising:

(a) elapsed time measuring means for measuring elapsed time between each actual dispensation of medicine from a container;

(b) interval set means for providing a pre-set timed interval between scheduled dispensations of medicine from said container;

(c) display means operably connected to said elapsed time measuring means and to said interval set means for selectively displaying;

(i) measured elapsed time between actual dispensations of medicine from said container; and

(ii) the pre-set time interval;

(d) alarm means responsive to said elapsed time measuring means and said interval set means for signalling that the measured elapsed time exceeds the pre-set time interval and that medicine should be dispensed from said container; and

(e) switch reset means operably connected to said elapsed time measuring means for restarting the measurement of elapsed time between actual dispensations of medicine from said container, wherein said switch reset means includes an activating switch that is responsive to certain parameters that evidence dispensation of medicine from said container, such that upon dispensing medicine from said container, said switch reset means will automatically restart the measurement of elapsed time until the next actual dispensation of medicine from said container.

6. Timer apparatus suitable for use in the periodic dispensation of medicine and for use with medicine containers and other vessels, comprising:

(a) elapsed time measuring means for measuring elapsed time between actual dispensations of medicine;

(b) interval set means for providing a preset timed interval between desired dispensations of medicine;

(c) display means operably connected to said elapsed time measuring means and to said interval set means for selectively displaying

(i) measured elapsed time between actual dispensations of medicine; and

(ii) the preset time interval;

(d) alarm means responsive to said elapsed time measuring means and said interval set means for signaling that the measured elapsed time exceeds the preset time interval and that medicine should be dispensed;

(e) switch reset means operably connected to said elapsed time measuring means for restarting the measuring of elapsed time between actual dispensations of medicine; and

(f) maximum elapsed time indicator means responsive to said elapsed time measuring means for indicating that the measured elapsed time has exceeded a preselected value that relates to said display means'"'"' capacity to display measured elapsed time.