Timing system and device and method for making the same

• US 9,395,699 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2015
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Inventors: Braunberger, Alfred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Amy Cohen
• Assistant Examiner(s): POWELL, MATTHEW T
• Application Number:
  US14/884,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20160033938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 278 Days
• Field of Search: 368/113, 368/114, 368/327
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/00 Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/12 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/00 Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 13/02 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 13/04 using electrochemical means
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 8/00 Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by electromechanical means

Abstract

A timing device that includes an anode layer, a cathode layer and an electrolyte attached to a base layer. The anode layer and the cathode layer are placed adjacent to one another along an axis of the timing device. Upon activation of the timing device the anode layer is depleted away from the cathode layer until the timing device is fully expired. Once the timing device is expired, a change is seen indicating that the timing device has expired. In some embodiments, a color change indicates that the timing device has expired. In some embodiments, as the timing device expires electronically readable information is uncovered.

Claims

1. A timing device comprising:

a. a first timing component for indicating a first time period; and

b. a second timing component for indicating a second time period comprising a time that the timing device has been exposed to a predefined temperature during the first time period,

wherein the second timing component is automatically activated upon reaching the predefined temperature during the first time period.

2. The timing device of claim 1, wherein each of the first timing component and

the second timing component comprise an electrochemical timing device.

3. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the first timing component is temperature independent.

4. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the second timing component is sensitive to temperature.

5. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the second timing component is not activated until a certain temperature is reached.

6. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the second timing component undergoes a change in appearance when the predefined temperature is reached.

7. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the first timing component undergoes a change in appearance as the timing device expires.

8. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the timing device is electronically readable.

9. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the timing device is coupled to an additional object.

10. A timing system comprising:

a. a plurality of timing devices, each timing device comprising;

i. a first timing component for indicating an elapsed time period; and

ii. a second temperature sensitive timing component comprising a plurality of segments, each segment configured to indicate a time period comprising a time that the timing system has been exposed to a predefined temperature.

11. The timing system of claim 10, wherein each timing device is depleted after activation in order to show a passage of time.

12. The timing system of claim 11, wherein the first timing component undergoes a change in appearance as one of the plurality of timing devices is depleted.

13. The timing system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of timing devices is arranged in a sequential pattern.

14. The timing system of claim 10, wherein each timing device remains dormant until a previous timing device is expired.

15. The timing system of claim 10, wherein each timing device is configured to measure a thirty-day time period.

16. The timing system of claim 10, wherein the first timing component and the second timing component are independently activated.

17. The timing system of claim 10, wherein the second timing component is configured to indicate exposure to a temperature in five minute intervals.

18. The timing system of claim 10, wherein the timing system is coupled to an additional object.

19. A method of making a timing device comprising:

a. forming a first timing component for indicating a first time period on a first portion of a timing structure; and

b. forming a second timing component on a second portion of the timing structure, the second timing component for indicating a second time period comprising a time that the timing device has been exposed to a predefined temperature during the first time period, wherein the second timing component is automatically activated upon reaching the predefined temperature during the first time period.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the timing device comprises a two-dimensional barcode.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the electronically readable information comprises a RFID antenna.