Timing system and device and method for making the same

• US 6,801,477 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vision Works LLC
• Inventors: Braunberger, Alfred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lindinger, Michael L.
• Application Number:
  US10/319,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20030112711A1
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 368/327, 368/10, 422/56-58, 422/61, 422/55
• US Class Current: 368/327
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/06 pH
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/44 Time
• 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

A timing device for visually indicating the passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device comprises a lens, a base and an optical medium therebetween. The optical medium preferably comprises one or more materials, layers or components that chemically or electrochemically change the duration of time. The timing device preferably comprises an opaque layer positioned between the lens and the base, wherein the opaque layer is dissolved over the duration of time, thereby making the base visible through the lens. The timing device is preferably fabricated in parts with reactive regions which are configured to couple together to form an activated device. In further embodiments of the invention, the device comprises means to generate an audible signal when the duration of time has passed and/or thermosensor for actuating the device within a range of temperatures.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a. a lens;

b. a base with a marking thereon; and

c. means for altering visibility of the marking on the base through the lens and thereby indicating a passage of time, wherein the means for altering visibility of the marking on the base comprises an optical medium positioned between the lens and the base.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical medium comprises a fluid material.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the optical medium farther comprises a layer of opaque material which dissolves.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical medium changes from opaque to transparent.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical medium changes from transparent to opaque.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical medium comprises a first material and a second material between the lens and the base and a membrane between the first material and the second material, wherein the first material dissolves the membrane and the first material reacts with the second material.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the optical medium further comprises an indicating material which changes color when the first material reacts with the second material.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for altering visibility of the marking on the base through the lens comprises a battery.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the battery is a galvanic cell comprising an electrolyte medium, wherein a material within the electrolyte medium is plated between the base and the lens, thereby reducing the visibility of the marking on the base through the lens.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the battery is a galvanic cell comprising an electrode between the base and the lens, wherein the electrode is depleted thereby increasing the visibility of the marking on the base through the lens.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the battery is an electrolytic cell with an electrolyte medium, wherein a material within the electrolyte medium is plated between the lens and the base, thereby reducing the visibility of the marking on the base through the lens.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the battery is an electrolytic cell with an electrode material between the lens and the base, wherein the electrode material is dissolved, thereby increasing the visibility of the marking on the base through the lens.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising means to generate an audible signal when the passage of time is indicated.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a means to actuate the device.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the means to actuate the device comprises a thermosensor, wherein the thermosensor actuates the device within a range of temperatures.

16. A device for indicating passage of a duration of time, the device comprising:

a. a lens;

b. a base;

c. a layer positioned between the lens and the base; and

d. means for altering transparency of the layer, thereby changing visibility of the base to indicate a passage of the duration of time.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the means for altering the transparency of the layer converts the layer from opaque to transparent.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the means for altering the transparency of the layer converts the layer from transparent to opaque.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the means for altering the transparency of the layer comprises a fluid medium between the base and the lens.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the means for altering the transparency of the layer is an electro-chemical means comprising an anode and a cathode.

21. The device of claim 16, wherein the means for altering the transparency of the layer is a chemical means, comprising a reactive medium for depleting the layer.

22. The device of claim 21, further comprising an indicator for indicating depletion of the layer.

23. A method of making a timing device comprising:

a. forming a first reactive region on a first piece of tape; and

b. forming a second reactive region on a second piece of tape, wherein at least one of the first piece of tape and the second piece of tape comprises an adhesive for securing the first reactive region and the second reactive region together and wherein at least one of the first reactive region and second reactive region comprises an optical medium that changes transparency when the first reactive region and the second reactive region are brought together, thereby indicating passage of a duration of time.

24. A method of making a timing device comprising:

a. forming alternating first reactive regions and second reactive regions on a piece of tape; and

b. forming a securing means on the tape, wherein a section of the tape comprising at least one of the first reactive regions and at least one of the second reactive regions is capable of being folded together and wherein at least one of the first reactive regions and the second reactive regions comprise an optical medium that changes transparency when the first reactive region and the second reactive region are folded together, thereby indicating a passage of a duration of time.