System and device for measuring lapsed time for a container

• US 6,664,887 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2001
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: D.N.N. Roekoe, Inc., Henriette Grootscholten
• Original Assignee: D N N Roekoe Incorporated
• Inventors: Fuchs, Meir
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US09/950,664
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.15, 340/309.4, 340/545.6, 340/384.7, 340/815.69, 368/10, 368/107, 368/109, 368/278
• US Class Current: 340/309.16
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2201/00 Means or constructions for testing or controlling the contents
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/24 Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with thermal insulation B65D81/38

Abstract

A device and system for determining the status of the contents of a container by measuring the period of time which has elapsed since the opening of the container. The present invention provides a flexible mechanism for enabling the user to determine the usability or efficacy of the contents of the container, since such contents typically experience a higher rate of degradation once the container has been opened. Furthermore, the manufacturer is able to provide information related to the expiration date of an unopened container at the time of manufacture, but cannot determine the time at which the container is opened, and hence the expiration date after opening.

Claims

1. A device for measuring elapsed time after a container is opened, comprising:

(a) a seal for being broken when the container is opened;

(b) a detector for detecting opening of the container; and

(c) a timer activated by said detector after the container is opened, such that said timer starts to measure the elapsed time after being activated by said detector after said seal is broken, wherein said timer measures the total elapsed time after the container is first opened.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

(c) a display for displaying the elapsed time.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said display is an electronic display.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said electronic display is selected from the group consisting of green diode, an electrically charged chemical paper, LCD, LED, electroluminescent paper and electrically conducive paper.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein said display is an alphanumeric display.

6. The device of claim 3, further comprising:

(d) an alarm for alerting after the elapsed time is over a threshold.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

(c) an alarm for alerting after the elapsed time is over a threshold.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said detector comprises at least one electronic circuit for being altered when the container is opened, such that said alteration activates said timer.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said at least one electronic circuit is completed for said alteration.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a power supply for said timer, wherein completing said at least one electronic circuit causes said power supply to supply power to said timer.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising an additional electronic circuit for being broken when the container is opened, such that breaking said additional electronic circuit completes said at least one electronic circuit.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein disruption of said seal breaks said additional electronic circuit.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein disruption of said seal activates said timer.

14. A system for monitoring a container after opening, comprising:

(a) a seal for being broken when the container is opened;

(b) a detector for detecting opening of the container;

(c) a timer activated by said detector after the container is opened, such that said timer starts to measure the elapsed time after being activated by said detector after said seal is broken, wherein said timer measures the total elapsed time after the container is first opened; and

(d) an analyzer for receiving data from said timer concerning the elapsed time and for triggering at least one event after the elapsed time passes a threshold.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a transmitter for transmitting data from said timer to said analyzer.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said transmitter is Bluetooth-enabled.

17. The system of claim 14, further comprising a transmitter for transmitting data from said analyzer.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said transmitter is Bluetooth-enabled.

19. A system for monitoring a container after opening, comprising:

(a) a detector for detecting opening of the container;

(b) a timer activated by said detector after the container is opened, such that said timer starts to measure the elapsed time after being activated by said detector;

(c) a transmitter for transmitting data from said timer, wherein said timer, said transmitter and said detector are contained in a single unit; and

(d) a remote computational device for receiving said data.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said transmitter is Bluetooth-enabled.

21. A device for measuring elapsed time after a container is opened, comprising:

(a) a detector for detecting opening of the container, said detector comprising a first electronic circuit for being broken upon opening of the container and a second electronic circuit for being formed upon breaking of said first electronic circuit; and

(b) a timer activated by said detector after the container is opened by formation of said second electronic circuits such that said timer starts to measure the elapsed time after being activated by said detector.