Timer and storage condition indicator
First Claim
1. A timer and storage conditions indicator adapted to indicate the passage of time integrated with various ambient physical environmental conditions, said indicator comprising a base layer of impervious material, a fluid carrier mixture containing a component the migration of which during operation of said indicator can be observed and indicates the passage of a predetermined length of time under predetermined ambient physical environmental conditions, said carrier mixture being in a stored condition in a relatively small area near one edge of said base layer until said indicator is activated, an absorptive layer on said base layer adapted to accept said carrier mixture within various elapsed time limits, a component in said indicator responsive to one or more of the ambient conditions, said component coacting with said fluid carrier mixture for causing the variation of said elapsed time limits by altering the rate of migration of said carrier mixture, a removable impervious barrier disposed between said carrier mixture and said absorptive layer, a cover layer disposed over and sealingly enclosing said absorptive layer and forming a capsule-like means for said carrier mixture near the one edge of said absorptive layer and means on said cover layer for indicating and for aiding in the indication of said migration rate within said elasped time limits.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A timer and storage conditions indicator for indicating the passage of a predetermined length of time under predetermined ambient physical environmental conditions, in which a carrier mixture is contained in a relatively confined area above a base layer. An absorptive layer is disposed on the base layer and accepts the carrier mixture at a predetermined rate. A barrier means is disposed between the carrier mixture and the absorptive layer, and the removal of the barrier activates the timer. Transfer means such as a capillary tube or a second absorptive layer may be disposed between the carrier mixture and the first mentioned absorptive layer.
110 Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A timer and storage conditions indicator adapted to indicate the passage of time integrated with various ambient physical environmental conditions, said indicator comprising a base layer of impervious material, a fluid carrier mixture containing a component the migration of which during operation of said indicator can be observed and indicates the passage of a predetermined length of time under predetermined ambient physical environmental conditions, said carrier mixture being in a stored condition in a relatively small area near one edge of said base layer until said indicator is activated, an absorptive layer on said base layer adapted to accept said carrier mixture within various elapsed time limits, a component in said indicator responsive to one or more of the ambient conditions, said component coacting with said fluid carrier mixture for causing the variation of said elapsed time limits by altering the rate of migration of said carrier mixture, a removable impervious barrier disposed between said carrier mixture and said absorptive layer, a cover layer disposed over and sealingly enclosing said absorptive layer and forming a capsule-like means for said carrier mixture near the one edge of said absorptive layer and means on said cover layer for indicating and for aiding in the indication of said migration rate within said elasped time limits.
- 12. A timer comprising a base layer of impervious material, an absorptive layer disposed on said base layer, a cover layer enclosing said layers and forming a capsule disposed at one end of said base layer adjacent said absorptive layer, a frangible wall portion of said capsule adapted to rupture when said timer is activated by external pressure exerted on said capsule, a carrier mixture contained in said capsule and transmittable in a migratory fashion through said frangible wall to said absorptive layer after said frangible wall is ruptured, said carrier mixture and at least one component in said absorptive layer coacting to migrate through said absorptive layer over a predetermined period of time, and means in the cover layer for detecting the presence of said carrier mixture in said absorptive layer and for aiding in the correlation of the detection thereof to the passage of said predetermined period of time.
Specification