Time dependent-temperature independent color changing label

• US 9,164,493 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2013
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Inventors: Braunberger, Alfred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W
• Application Number:
  US13/931,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20130286794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/113, 368/114, 368/327, 116/206, 116/216, 324/432, 324/435, 374100-106, 429/90, 429/93
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 13/04 using electrochemical means
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/38 of elements or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/463 Aluminium based
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/18 with solid electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/185 with oxides, hydroxides or oxysalts as solid electrolytes

Abstract

A timing device for indicating a passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device in accordance with the embodiments of the invention has a grid array architecture. The grid array architecture includes an electrode structure with an anode layer, a cathode layer and a thermistor layer. The anode layer and the thermistor layer are electrically coupled through a plurality of cathode trace structures. In operation the timing device is actuated through a suitable mechanism to initiate depletion of the anode layer and, thereby, indicate a passage of a duration time. As the anode layer depletes, sequential cathode trace structures are exposed and the thermistor layer acts as a temperature dependent resistor through a plurality of exposed cathode trace structures.

Claims

1. A timing device comprising a group of electrochemical depletion zones, each zone comprising a cathode layer and grouped together in order to collectively indicate a passage of time as an anode layer depletes in a direction away from and perpendicular to the cathode layer in order to indicate a passage of time.

2. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the timing device comprises the anode layer, and a cathode layer.

3. The timing device of claim 2, wherein the timing device comprises a plurality of cathode layers introduced throughout a length of the timing device.

4. The timing device of claim 1, wherein each of the depletion zones are configured to expire at a constant rate.

5. The timing device of claim of claim 1, wherein the depletion zones are configured to expire at variable rates.

6. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the timing device is configured such that there is an acceleration of the depletion of the timing device as the timing device nears expiration.

7. A timing system comprising:

a plurality of electrochemical depletion zones, each zone comprising a cathode layer and each zone positioned adjacent along an axis of the timing system at evenly spaced intervals in order to collectively indicate a passage of time as an anode layer depletes in a direction away from and perpendicular to the cathode layer in order to indicate a passage of time.

8. The timing system of claim 7, wherein the timing device comprises the anode layer and a cathode layer.

9. The timing system of claim 8, wherein the timing device comprises a plurality of cathode layers introduced throughout a length of the timing device.

10. The timing system of claim 7, wherein each of the depletion zones are configured to expire at a constant rate.

11. The timing system of claim 7, wherein the depletion zones are configured to expire at variable rates.

12. The timing system of claim 7, wherein the timing device is configured such that there is an acceleration of the depletion of the timing device as the timing device nears expiration.

13. A timing device comprising grid array architecture, comprising:

a plurality of individual timing zones, each zone comprising a cathode layer and, each comprising a same timing distance and grouped to collectively indicate a passage of time, and wherein an anode layer depletes in a direction away from and perpendicular to the cathode layer in order to indicate a passage of time.

14. The timing device of claim 13, wherein the timing device comprises the anode layer and a plurality of cathode layers introduced throughout a length of the timing device.

15. The timing device of claim 13, wherein the timing device comprises a plurality of cathode layers introduced throughout a length of the timing device.

16. The timing device of claim 13, wherein each of the depletion zones are configured to expire at a constant rate.

17. The timing device of claim 13, wherein the depletion zones are configured to expire at variable rates.

18. The timing device of claim 13, wherein the timing device is configured such that there is an acceleration of the depletion of the timing device as the timing device nears expiration.